Proteoglycans in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease and other amyloidoses

Modulation of Alzheimer's Disease Aβ40 Fibril Polymorphism by the Small Heat Shock Protein αB-Crystallin

Deposition of amyloid plaques in the brains of Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients is a hallmark of the disease. AD plaques consist primarily of the beta-amyloid (Aβ) peptide but can contain other factors such as lipids, proteoglycans, and chaperones. So far, it is unclear how the cellular environment modulates fibril polymorphism and how differences in fibril structure affect cell viability. The small heat-shock protein (sHSP) alpha-B-Crystallin (αBC) is abundant in brains of AD patients, and colocalizes with Aβ amyloid plaques. Using solid-state NMR spectroscopy, we show that the Aβ40 fibril seed structure is not replicated in the presence of the sHSP. αBC prevents the generation of a compact fibril structure and leads to the formation of a new polymorph with a dynamic N-terminus. We find that the N-terminal fuzzy coat and the stability of the C-terminal residues in the Aβ40 fibril core affect the chemical and thermodynamic stability of the fibrils and influence their seeding capacity. We believe that our results yield a better understanding of how sHSP, such as αBC, that are part of the cellular environment, can affect fibril structures related to cell degeneration in amyloid diseases.

Heparan sulfate proteoglycans: Mediators of cellular and molecular Alzheimer's disease pathogenic factors via tunnelling nanotubes?

Neurological disorders impact around one billion individuals globally (15 % approx.), with significant implications for disability and mortality with their impact in Australia currently amounts to 6.8 million deaths annually. Heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPGs) are complex extracellular molecules implicated in promoting Tau fibril formation resulting in Tau tangles, a hallmark of Alzheimer's disease (AD). HSPG-Tau protein interactions contribute to various AD stages via aggregation, toxicity, and clearance, largely via interactions with the glypican 1 and syndecan 3 core proteins. The tunnelling nanotubes (TNTs) pathway is emerging as a facilitator of intercellular molecule transport, including Tau and Amyloid β proteins, across extensive distances. While current TNT-associated evidence primarily stems from cancer models, their role in Tau propagation and its effects on recipient cells remain unclear. This review explores the interplay of TNTs, HSPGs, and AD-related factors and proposes that HSPGs influence TNT formation in neurodegenerative conditions such as AD.

Vascular Heparan Sulfate and Amyloid-β in Alzheimer's Disease Patients

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a debilitating neurodegenerative disease characterized by the accumulation of extracellular amyloid-β peptides (Aβ) within the cerebral parenchyma and vasculature, which is known as cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA). This study utilized confocal imaging to investigate heparan sulfate (HS) expression within the cerebrovasculature and its associations with Aβ, gender, and ApoE4 genotype in AD. Our investigation revealed elevated levels of HS in the cerebrovasculature of AD patients with severe CAA. Additionally, these patients exhibited higher HS colocalization with Aβ in the cerebrovasculature, including both endothelial and vascular smooth muscle cell compartments. Intriguingly, a reversal in the polarized expression of HS within the cerebrovasculature was detected in AD patients with severe CAA. Furthermore, male patients exhibited lower levels of both parenchymal and cerebrovascular HS. Additionally, ApoE4 carriers displayed heightened cerebrovascular Aβ expression and a tendency of elevated cerebrovascular HS levels in AD patients with severe CAA. Overall, these findings reveal potential intricate interplay between HS, Aβ, ApoE, and vascular pathology in AD, thereby underscoring the potential roles of cerebrovascular HS in CAA development and AD pathology. Further study of the underlying mechanisms may present novel therapeutic avenues for AD treatment.

Mass spectrometry methods for analysis of extracellular matrix components in neurological diseases

The brain extracellular matrix (ECM) is a highly glycosylated environment and plays important roles in many processes including cell communication, growth factor binding, and scaffolding. The formation of structures such as perineuronal nets (PNNs) is critical in neuroprotection and neural plasticity, and the formation of molecular networks is dependent in part on glycans. The ECM is also implicated in the neuropathophysiology of disorders such as Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), and Schizophrenia (SZ). As such, it is of interest to understand both the proteomic and glycomic makeup of healthy and diseased brain ECM. Further, there is a growing need for site-specific glycoproteomic information. Over the past decade, sample preparation, mass spectrometry, and bioinformatic methods have been developed and refined to provide comprehensive information about the glycoproteome. Core ECM molecules including versican, hyaluronan and proteoglycan link proteins, and tenascin are dysregulated in AD, PD, and SZ. Glycomic changes such as differential sialylation, sulfation, and branching are also associated with neurodegeneration. A more thorough understanding of the ECM and its proteomic, glycomic, and glycoproteomic changes in brain diseases may provide pathways to new therapeutic options.

Transition Networks Unveil Disorder-to-Order Transformations in Aβ Caused by Glycosaminoglycans or Lipids

The aggregation of amyloid-β (Aβ) peptides, particularly of Aβ1-42, has been linked to the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease. In this study, we focus on the conformational change of Aβ1-42 in the presence of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) and 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (POPC) lipids using molecular dynamics simulations. We analyze the conformational changes that occur in Aβ by extracting the key structural features that are then used to generate transition networks. Using the same three features per network highlights the transitions from intrinsically disordered states ubiquitous in Aβ1-42 in solution to more compact states arising from stable β-hairpin formation when Aβ1-42 is in the vicinity of a GAG molecule, and even more compact states characterized by a α-helix or β-sheet structures when Aβ1-42 interacts with a POPC lipid cluster. We show that the molecular mechanisms underlying these transitions from disorder to order are different for the Aβ1-42/GAG and Aβ1-42/POPC systems. While in the latter the hydrophobicity provided by the lipid tails facilitates the folding of Aβ1-42, in the case of GAG there are hardly any intermolecular Aβ1-42-GAG interactions. Instead, GAG removes sodium ions from the peptide, allowing stronger electrostatic interactions within the peptide that stabilize a β-hairpin. Our results contribute to the growing knowledge of the role of GAGs and lipids in the conformational preferences of the Aβ peptide, which in turn influences its aggregation into toxic oligomers and amyloid fibrils.

Increased Cerebral Serum Amyloid A2 and Parameters of Oxidation in Arylsulfatase B (N-Acetylgalactosamine-4-Sulfatase)-Null Mice

Background

Chondroitin sulfate and chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans have been associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD), and the impact of modified chondroitin sulfates is being investigated in several animal and cell-based models of AD. Published reports have shown the role of accumulation of chondroitin 4-sulfate and decline in Arylsulfatase B (ARSB; B-acetylgalactosamine-4-sulfatase) in other pathology, including nerve injury, traumatic brain injury, and spinal cord injury. However, the impact of ARSB deficiency on AD pathobiology has not been reported, although changes in ARSB were associated with AD in two prior reports. The enzyme ARSB removes 4-sulfate groups from the non-reducing end of chondroitin 4-sulfate and dermatan sulfate and is required for their degradation. When ARSB activity declines, these sulfated glycosaminoglycans accumulate, as in the inherited disorder Mucopolysaccharidosis VI.

Objective

Reports about chondroitin sulfate, chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans, and chondroitin sulfatases in AD were reviewed.

Methods

Measurements of SAA2, iNOS, lipid peroxidation, chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan 4 (CSPG4), and other parameters were performed in cortex and hippocampus from ARSB-null mice and controls by QRT-PCR, ELISA, and other standard assays.

Results

SAA2 mRNA expression and protein, CSPG4 mRNA, chondroitin 4-sulfate, and iNOS were increased significantly in ARSB-null mice. Measures of lipid peroxidation and redox state were significantly modified.

Conclusion

Findings indicate that decline in ARSB leads to changes in expression of parameters associated with AD in the hippocampus and cortex of the ARSB-deficient mouse. Further investigation of the impact of decline in ARSB on the development of AD may provide a new approach to prevent and treat AD.

Increased Cerebral Serum Amyloid A2 and Parameters of Oxidation in Arylsulfatase B (N-Acetylgalactosamine-4-Sulfatase)-Null Mice

Introduction

Chondroitin sulfate and chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans have been associated with Alzheimer's Disease (AD), and the impact of modified chondroitin sulfates is being investigated in several animal and cell-based models of AD. Published reports have shown the role of accumulation of chondroitin 4-sulfate and decline in Arylsulfatase B (ARSB; B-acetylgalactosamine-4-sulfatase) in other pathology, including nerve injury, traumatic brain injury, and spinal cord injury. However, the impact of ARSB deficiency on AD pathobiology has not been reported, although changes in ARSB were associated with AD in two prior reports. The enzyme ARSB removes 4-sulfate groups from the non-reducing end of chondroitin 4-sulfate and dermatan sulfate and is required for their degradation. When ARSB activity declines, these sulfated glycosaminoglycans accumulate, as in the inherited disorder Mucopolysaccharidosis VI.

Methods

Reports about chondroitin sulfate, chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans and chondroitin sulfatases in Alzheimer's Disease were reviewed. Measurements of SAA2, iNOS, lipid peroxidation, chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan 4, and other parameters were performed in cortex and hippocampus from ARSB-null mice and controls by QRT-PCR, ELISA, and other standard assays.

Results

SAA2 mRNA expression and protein, CSPG4 mRNA, chondroitin 4-sulfate and i-NOS were increased significantly in ARSB-null mice. Measures of lipid peroxidation and redox state were significantly modified.

Discussion

Findings indicate that decline in ARSB leads to changes in expression of parameters associated with AD in the hippocampus and cortex of the ARSB-deficient mouse.

Conclusions

Further investigation of the impact of decline in ARSB on the development of AD may provide a new approach to prevent and treat AD.

Heparan sulfate proteoglycan in Alzheimer's disease: aberrant expression and functions in molecular pathways related to amyloid-β metabolism

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia. Currently, there is no effective treatment for AD, as its etiology remains poorly understood. Mounting evidence suggests that the accumulation and aggregation of amyloid-β peptides (Aβ), which constitute amyloid plaques in the brain, is critical for initiating and accelerating AD pathogenesis. Considerable efforts have been dedicated to shedding light on the molecular basis and fundamental origins of the impaired Aβ metabolism in AD. Heparan sulfate (HS), a linear polysaccharide of the glycosaminoglycan family, co-deposits with Aβ in plaques in the AD brain, directly binds and accelerates Aβ aggregation, and mediates Aβ internalization and cytotoxicity. Mouse model studies demonstrate that HS regulates Aβ clearance and neuroinflammation in vivo. Previous reviews have extensively explored these discoveries. Here, this review focuses on the recent advancements in understanding abnormal HS expression in the AD brain, the structural aspects of HS-Aβ interaction, and the molecules involved in modulating Aβ metabolism through HS interaction. Furthermore, this review presents a perspective on the potential effects of abnormal HS expression on Aβ metabolism and AD pathogenesis. In addition, the review highlights the importance of conducting further research to differentiate the spatiotemporal components of HS structure and function in the brain and AD pathogenesis.

From Small Peptides to Large Proteins against Alzheimer’sDisease

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common neurodegenerative disorder in the elderly. The two cardinal neuropathological hallmarks of AD are the senile plaques, which are extracellular deposits mainly constituted by beta-amyloids, and neurofibrillary tangles formed by abnormally phosphorylated Tau (p-Tau) located in the cytoplasm of neurons. Although the research has made relevant progress in the management of the disease, the treatment is still lacking. Only symptomatic medications exist for the disease, and, in the meantime, laboratories worldwide are investigating disease-modifying treatments for AD. In the present review, results centered on the use of peptides of different sizes involved in AD are presented.

Design and Synthesis of 6-O-Phosphorylated Heparan Sulfate Oligosaccharides to Inhibit Amyloid β Aggregation

Dysregulation of amyloidogenic proteins and their abnormal processing and deposition in tissues cause systemic and localized amyloidosis. Formation of amyloid β (Aβ) fibrils that deposit as amyloid plaques in Alzheimer's disease (AD) brains is an earliest pathological hallmark. The polysulfated heparan sulfate (HS)/heparin (HP) is one of the non-protein components of Aβ deposits that not only modulates Aβ aggregation, but also acts as a receptor for Aβ fibrils to mediate their cytotoxicity. Interfering the interaction between HS/HP and Aβ could be a therapeutic strategy to arrest amyloidosis. Here we have synthesized the 6- O -phosphorylated HS/HP oligosaccharides and reported their competitive effects on the inhibition of HP-mediated Aβ fibril formation in vitro using a thioflavin T fluorescence assay and a tapping mode atomic force microscopy.

The Unifying Hypothesis of Alzheimer's Disease: Heparan Sulfate Proteoglycans/Glycosaminoglycans Are Key as First Hypothesized Over 30 Years Ago

The updated "Unifying Hypothesis of Alzheimer's disease" (AD) is described that links all the observed neuropathology in AD brain (i.e., plaques, tangles, and cerebrovascular amyloid deposits), as well as inflammation, genetic factors (involving ApoE), "AD-in-a-Dish" studies, beta-amyloid protein (Aβ) as a microbial peptide; and theories that bacteria, gut microflora, gingivitis and viruses all play a role in the cause of AD. The common link is the early accumulation of heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPGs) and heparan sulfate glycosaminoglycans (GAGs). HS GAG accumulation and/or decreased HS GAG degradation is postulated to be the key initiating event. HS GAGs and highly sulfated macromolecules induce Aβ 1-40 (but not 1-42) to form spherical congophilic maltese-cross star-like amyloid core deposits identical to those in the AD brain. Heparin/HS also induces tau protein to form paired helical filaments (PHFs). Increased sulfation and/or decreased degradation of HSPGs and HS GAGs that occur due to brain aging leads to the formation of plaques and tangles in AD brain. Knockout of HS genes markedly reduce the accumulation of Aβ fibrils in the brain demonstrating that HS GAGs are key. Bacteria and viruses all use cell surface HS GAGs for entry into cells, including SARS-CoV-2. Bacteria and viruses cause HS GAGs to rapidly increase to cause near-immediate aggregation of Aβ fibrils. "AD-in-a-dish" studies use "Matrigel" as the underlying scaffold that spontaneously causes plaque, and then tangle formation in a dish. Matrigel mostly contains large amounts of perlecan, the same specific HSPG implicated in AD and amyloid disorders. Mucopolysaccharidoses caused by lack of specific HS GAG enzymes lead to massive accumulation of HS in lysosomal compartments in neurons and contribute to cognitive impairment in children. Neurons full of HS demonstrate marked accumulation and fibrillization of Aβ, tau, α-synuclein, and prion protein (PrP) in mucopolysaccharidosis animal models demonstrating that HS GAG accumulation is a precursor to Aβ accumulation in neurons. Brain aging leads to changes in HSPGs, including newly identified splice variants leading to increased HS GAG sulfation in the AD brain. All of these events lead to the new "Unifying Hypothesis of Alzheimer's disease" that further implicates HSPGs /HS GAGs as key (as first hypothesized by Snow and Wight in 1989).

The Effects of Different Glycosaminoglycans on the Structure and Aggregation of the Amyloid-β (16-22) Peptide

Aggregates of the amyloid-β (Aβ) peptide are implicated as a causative substance in Alzheimer's disease. Molecular dynamics simulations provide valuable contributions for elucidating the conformational transitions of monomeric and aggregated forms of Aβ be it in solution or in the presence of other molecules. Here, we study the effects of four different glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), three sulfated ones and a nonsulfated one, on the aggregation of Aβ_16-22. From experiments, it has been suggested that GAGs, which belong to the main components of the brain's extracellular space, favor amyloid fibril formation. Our simulation results reveal that the binding of Aβ_16-22 to the GAGs is driven by electrostatic attraction between the negative GAG charges and the positively charged K16 of Aβ_16-22. While these interactions have only minor effects on the GAG and Aβ_16-22 conformations at the 1 Aβ_16-22/1 GAG ratio, at the 2:2 stoichiometry the aggregation of Aβ_16-22 is considerably changed. In solution, the aggregation of Aβ_16-22 is strongly influenced by K16-E22 attraction, leading to antiparallel β-sheets. In the presence of GAGs, on the other hand, the interaction of K16 with the GAGs increases the importance of the hydrophobic interactions during Aβ_16-22 aggregation, which in turn yields parallel alignments. A templating and ordering effect of the GAGs on the Aβ_16-22 aggregates is observed. In summary, this study provides new insight at the atomic level on GAG-amyloid interactions, strengthening the view that sulfation of the GAGs plays a major role in this context.

In vitro comparison of major memory-support dietary supplements for their effectiveness in reduction/inhibition of beta-amyloid protein fibrils and tau protein tangles: key primary targets for memory loss

Memory loss is primarily caused by the accumulation of both brain plaques [(consisting of beta-amyloid protein (Aβ) 1–42)] and neurofibrillary tangles (consisting of paired helical and straight filaments containing tau protein). Neuroinflammation is the third key and important factor that leads to accelerated memory loss and eventual dementia. Brain plaques, tangles and inflammation is the trilogy mainly responsible for causing memory loss that has now been documented for over 20 years in the scientific literature. The present investigation used in vitro quantitative methods to directly compare the ability of major memory-support dietary supplements to reduce pre-formed Aβ 1–42 fibrils (21 supplements tested) and tau protein paired helical/straight filaments (13 supplements tested)—two of the three most important targets for memory loss. Additionally, 18 different manufacturers of cat’s claw (Uncaria tomentosa) were directly compared for their ability to inhibit/reduce Aβ 1–42 fibrils and/or tau paired helical/straight filaments based on recent findings that PTI-00703 cat’s claw is a specific and potent inhibitor/reducer of all three targets -brain plaques, tangles and inflammation (Snow et al. in Sci Rep 9:561, 2019). In the present investigation quantitative Thioflavin T fluorometry was used on a comparative weight-to-weight basis at increasing concentrations with ingredients tested from the actual capsules the consumer ingests. Major memory-support dietary supplements were directly compared for their ability to inhibit and disaggregate/reduce both Aβ 1–42 fibrils and/or tau paired helical/straight filaments. Dietary supplements touted to enhance memory comparatively tested included Prevagen, FOCUSfactor, PROCERA AVH, Alpha Brain, NAD⁺OVIM, BRAIN JUICE, Cebria, EXCELEROL, NOOCUBE, US Doctor’s Clinical Brain Power ADVANCED, healthycell pro, LUMONOL, Brain Awake, BRAIN ARMOR, brainMD (BRAIN & MEMORY POWER BOOST), Brain Support, Clarity (BRAIN HEALTH FORMULA), brainMD (NEUROVITE PLUS), neuriva (Original and Plus) and percepta. This is the first paper to actually comparatively test these memory-support supplements for their ability to reduce Aβ fibrils and tau protein tangles. Percepta (PTI-00703 cat’s claw and a specific oolong tea extract) was determined to be the most effective and potent memory support dietary supplement to disaggregate/disrupt Aβ 1–42 fibrils (range of 25–89%) and tau paired helical/straight filaments (range of 26–86%) at all 3–4 doses tested in comparison to other major memory-support dietary supplements tested. This was at least more than double (> 50%) for percepta reducing Aβ 1–42 fibrils and in comparison to the other 20 memory-support dietary supplements tested. The ranking order for memory-support supplement effects based on reducing Aβ 1–42 fibrils (Aβ 1–42: memory-support supplement at 1:0.1 weight-to-weight in a 3-day study) was percepta (69.6% reduction) >>> Alpha Brain (34.9% reduction) = US Doctor’s Clinical Brain Power ADVANCED (32.4%) = BRAIN JUICE (30.1%) = neuriva Plus (27%) = neuriva Original (27%) > NEUROVITE PLUS (22.9%) = NOOCUBE (19.9%) = EXCELEROL (17.3%) = healthycell pro (17.2%) > Prevagen (12.9%) > PROCERA AVH (6.5%) = FOCUSfactor (5.5%) > Cebria (0%) = Brain Awake (0%) = Brain Support (0%) = brainMD (BRAIN & MEMORY POWER BOOST) (0%) = NAD⁺OVIM (0%) = BRAIN ARMOR (0%) = LUMONOL (0%). The ranking order for memory support supplement effects on reducing tau paired helical/straight filaments (tau:memory supplement at 1:1 weight-to-weight at 3 days) was percepta (85.7% reduction) >>> neuriva Plus (57.9%) >> BRAIN JUICE (41.9%) = EXCELEROL (41.0%) = neuriva Original (38.4%) = US Doctor’s Clinical Brain Power ADVANCED (38.3%) = healthycell pro (37.6%) >> Alpha Brain (27.9%) >> NOOCUBE (17.6%) >> FOCUSfactor (8.7%) > Cebria (3.6%) = PROCERA AVH (0%) = Prevagen (0%). Congo red staining, Thioflavin S fluorescence, circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy and electron microscopy confirmed the positive results observed with the supplement percepta. CD spectroscopy demonstrated that percepta caused a marked inhibition of beta-sheet secondary folding of tau protein into paired helical filaments. PTI-00703 cat’s claw (main ingredient in percepta) was also identified as the most potent cat’s claw bark powder (Uncaria tomentosa) to reduce and inhibit Aβ 1–42 fibrils and tau tangles in comparison to 17 other manufacturers of cat’s claw extracts. Although there are thousands of brain memory-support dietary supplements in the marketplace today, none of them have been directly compared and analyzed for their ability to reduce and/or inhibit two major targets of memory loss i.e. Aβ 1–42 fibrils and tau paired helical/straight filaments (major constituents of brain plaques and tangles). In our comparison studies, we show that percepta has the most potent ability to disaggregate/reduce Aβ 1–42 fibrils and tau protein paired helical/straight filaments as demonstrated by a variety of methods most likely due to the specific polyphenol content in PTI-00703 cat’s claw (i.e. polyphenols and proanthocyanidins) as we have previously shown (Snow et al. in Sci Rep 9:561, 2019). Memory-support dietary supplements tested that also contained polyphenols and/or cat’s claw in their product demonstrated some Aβ fibril and tau protein tangle reducing activity, but were much less effective than percepta. Percepta’s main ingredient, PTI-00703 cat’s claw, has previously been shown to reduce brain amyloid plaques and Aβ 1–42/40 insoluble/soluble levels in brain (in plaque-producing transgenic mice) with marked concurrent memory improvements (shown by Morris water maze testing) (Snow et al. in Sci Rep 9:561, 2019). The present investigation further confirms that percepta is one of the best dietary supplements that causes a marked reduction and inhibition of Aβ fibrils and tau tangle filaments -two important major targets for memory-support. In addition, PTI-00703 cat’s claw was the most effective cat’s claw (Uncaria tomentosa) ingredient for reducing /disaggregating and inhibiting Aβ 1–42 fibrils and tau protein paired helical/straight filaments in comparison to 17 other manufacturers of cat’s claw extracts tested.

Circulating heparan sulfate fragments mediate septic cognitive dysfunction

Septic patients frequently develop cognitive impairment that persists beyond hospital discharge. The impact of sepsis on electrophysiological and molecular determinants of learning is underexplored. We observed that mice that survived sepsis or endotoxemia experienced loss of hippocampal long-term potentiation (LTP), a brain-derived neurotrophic factor-mediated (BDNF-mediated) process responsible for spatial memory formation. Memory impairment occurred despite preserved hippocampal BDNF content and could be reversed by stimulation of BDNF signaling, suggesting the presence of a local BDNF inhibitor. Sepsis is associated with degradation of the endothelial glycocalyx, releasing heparan sulfate fragments (of sufficient size and sulfation to bind BDNF) into the circulation. Heparan sulfate fragments penetrated the hippocampal blood-brain barrier during sepsis and inhibited BDNF-mediated LTP. Glycoarray approaches demonstrated that the avidity of heparan sulfate for BDNF increased with sulfation at the 2-O position of iduronic acid and the N position of glucosamine. Circulating heparan sulfate in endotoxemic mice and septic humans was enriched in 2-O- and N-sulfated disaccharides; furthermore, the presence of these sulfation patterns in the plasma of septic patients at intensive care unit (ICU) admission predicted persistent cognitive impairment 14 days after ICU discharge or at hospital discharge. Our findings indicate that circulating 2-O- and N-sulfated heparan sulfate fragments contribute to septic cognitive impairment.

The Amazon rain forest plant Uncaria tomentosa (cat's claw) and its specific proanthocyanidin constituents are potent inhibitors and reducers of both brain plaques and tangles

Brain aging and Alzheimer's disease both demonstrate the accumulation of beta-amyloid protein containing "plaques" and tau protein containing "tangles" that contribute to accelerated memory loss and cognitive decline. In the present investigation we identified a specific plant extract and its constituents as a potential alternative natural solution for preventing and reducing both brain "plaques and tangles". PTI-00703 cat's claw (Uncaria tomentosa from a specific Peruvian source), a specific and natural plant extract from the Amazon rain forest, was identified as a potent inhibitor and reducer of both beta-amyloid fibrils (the main component of "plaques") and tau protein paired helical filaments/fibrils (the main component of "tangles"). PTI-00703 cat's claw demonstrated both the ability to prevent formation/aggregation and disaggregate preformed Aβ fibrils (1-42 and 1-40) and tau protein tangles/filaments. The disaggregation/dissolution of Aβ fibrils occurred nearly instantly when PTI-00703 cat's claw and Aβ fibrils were mixed together as shown by a variety of methods including Thioflavin T fluorometry, Congo red staining, Thioflavin S fluorescence and electron microscopy. Sophisticated structural elucidation studies identified the major fractions and specific constituents within PTI-00703 cat's claw responsible for both the observed "plaque" and "tangle" inhibitory and reducing activity. Specific proanthocyanidins (i.e. epicatechin dimers and variants thereof) are newly identified polyphenolic components within Uncaria tomentosa that possess both "plaque and tangle" reducing and inhibitory activity. One major identified specific polyphenol within PTI-00703 cat's claw was epicatechin-4β-8-epicatechin (i.e. an epicatechin dimer known as proanthocyanidin B2) that markedly reduced brain plaque load and improved short-term memory in younger and older APP "plaque-producing" (TASD-41) transgenic mice (bearing London and Swedish mutations). Proanthocyanidin B2 was also a potent inhibitor of brain inflammation as shown by reduction in astrocytosis and gliosis in TASD-41 transgenic mice. Blood-brain-barrier studies in Sprague-Dawley rats and CD-1 mice indicated that the major components of PTI-00703 cat's claw crossed the blood-brain-barrier and entered the brain parenchyma within 2 minutes of being in the blood. The discovery of a natural plant extract from the Amazon rain forest plant (i.e. Uncaria tomentosa or cat's claw) as both a potent "plaque and tangle" inhibitor and disaggregator is postulated to represent a potential breakthrough for the natural treatment of both normal brain aging and Alzheimer's disease.

Polysaccharide matrices used in 3D in vitro cell culture systems

Polysaccharides comprise a diverse class of polymeric materials with a history of proven biocompatibility and continual use as biomaterials. Recent focus on new matrices appropriate for three-dimensional (3D) cell culture offers new opportunities to apply polysaccharides as extracellular matrix mimics. However, chemical and structural bases for specific cell-polysaccharide interactions essential for their utility as 3-D cell matrices are not well defined. This review describes how these naturally sourced biomaterials satisfy several key properties for current 3D cell culture needs and can also be synthetically modified or blended with additional components to tailor their cell engagement properties. Beyond their benign interactions with many cell types in cultures, their economical and high quality sourcing, optical clarity for ex situ analytical interrogation and in situ gelation represent important properties of these polymers for 3D cell culture applications. Continued diversification of their versatile glycan chemistry, new bio-synthetic sourcing strategies and elucidation of new cell-specific properties are attractive to expand the polysaccharide polymer utility for cell culture needs. Many 3D cell culture priorities are addressed with the portfolio of polysaccharide materials available and under development. This review provides a critical analysis of their properties, capabilities and challenges in 3D cell culture applications.

The Alzheimer's disease risk factors apolipoprotein E and TREM2 are linked in a receptor signaling pathway

Background

Triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2 (TREM2) and apolipoprotein E (APOE) are genetically linked to Alzheimer’s disease. Here, we investigated whether human ApoE mediates signal transduction through human and murine TREM2 and sought to identify a TREM2-binding domain in human ApoE.

Methods

To investigate cell signaling through TREM2, a cell line was used which expressed an NFAT-inducible β-galactosidase reporter and human or murine TREM2, fused to CD8 transmembrane and CD3ζ intracellular signaling domains. ELISA-based binding assays were used to determine binding affinities of human ApoE isoforms to human TREM2 and to identify a TREM2-binding domain in ApoE.

Results

ApoE was found to be an agonist to human TREM2 with EC₅₀ in the low nM range, and to murine TREM2 with reduced potency. In the reporter cells, TREM2 expression was lower than in nontransgenic mouse brain. Human ApoE isoforms ε2, ε3, and ε4 bound to human TREM2 with K_d in the low nM range. The binding was displaced by an ApoE-mimetic peptide (amino acids 130–149).

Conclusions

An ApoE-mediated dose-dependent signal transduction through TREM2 in reporter cells was demonstrated, and a TREM2-binding region in ApoE was identified. The relevance of an ApoE-TREM2 receptor signaling pathway to Alzheimer’s disease is discussed.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12974-017-0835-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Heparan Sulfate Proteoglycans Are Important for Islet Amyloid Formation and Islet Amyloid Polypeptide-induced Apoptosis

Deposition of β cell toxic islet amyloid is a cardinal finding in type 2 diabetes. In addition to the main amyloid component islet amyloid polypeptide (IAPP), heparan sulfate proteoglycan is constantly present in the amyloid deposit. Heparan sulfate (HS) side chains bind to IAPP, inducing conformational changes of the IAPP structure and an acceleration of fibril formation. We generated a double-transgenic mouse strain (hpa-hIAPP) that overexpresses human heparanase and human IAPP but is deficient of endogenous mouse IAPP. Culture of hpa-hIAPP islets in 20 mm glucose resulted in less amyloid formation compared with the amyloid load developed in cultured islets isolated from littermates expressing human IAPP only. A similar reduction of amyloid was achieved when human islets were cultured in the presence of heparin fragments. Furthermore, we used CHO cells and the mutant CHO pgsD-677 cell line (deficient in HS synthesis) to explore the effect of cellular HS on IAPP-induced cytotoxicity. Seeding of IAPP aggregation on CHO cells resulted in caspase-3 activation and apoptosis that could be prevented by inhibition of caspase-8. No IAPP-induced apoptosis was seen in HS-deficient CHO pgsD-677 cells. These results suggest that β cell death caused by extracellular IAPP requires membrane-bound HS. The interaction between HS and IAPP or the subsequent effects represent a possible therapeutic target whose blockage can lead to a prolonged survival of β cells.

The effect of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) on amyloid aggregation and toxicity

Amyloidosis is a protein folding disorder in which normally soluble proteins are deposited extracellularly as insoluble fibrils, impairing tissue structure and function. Charged polyelectrolytes such as glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) are frequently found associated with the proteinaceous deposits in tissues of patients affected by amyloid diseases. Experimental evidence indicate that they can play an active role in favoring amyloid fibril formation and stabilization. Binding of GAGs to amyloid fibrils occurs mainly through electrostatic interactions involving the negative polyelectrolyte charges and positively charged side chains residues of aggregating protein. Similarly to catalyst for reactions, GAGs favor aggregation, nucleation and amyloid fibril formation functioning as a structural templates for the self-assembly of highly cytotoxic oligomeric precursors, rich in β-sheets, into harmless amyloid fibrils. Moreover, the GAGs amyloid promoting activity can be facilitated through specific interactions via consensus binding sites between amyloid polypeptide and GAGs molecules. We review the effect of GAGs on amyloid deposition as well as proteins not strictly related to diseases. In addition, we consider the potential of the GAGs therapy in amyloidosis.

Role of Syndecans in Lipid Metabolism and Human Diseases

Syndecans are transmembrane heparan sulfate proteoglycans involved in the regulation of cell growth, differentiation, adhesion, neuronal development, and lipid metabolism. Syndecans are expressed in a tissue-specific manner to facilitate diverse cellular processes. As receptors and co-receptors, syndecans provide promising therapeutic targets that bind to a variety of physiologically important ligands. Negatively charged glycosaminoglycan chains of syndecans, located in the extracellular compartment, are critical for such binding. Functions of syndecans are as diverse as their ligands. For example, hepatic syndecan-1 mediates clearance of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins. Syndecan-2 promotes localization of Alzheimer's amyloid Aβ peptide to the cell surface, which is proposed to contribute to amyloid plaque formation. Syndecan-3 helps co-localize the appetite-regulating melanocortin-4 receptor with its agonist, leading to an increased appetite. Finally, syndecan-4 initiates the capture of modified low-density lipoproteins by macrophages and thereby promotes the atheroma formation. We hypothesize that syndecan modifications such as desulfation of glycosaminoglycan chains may contribute to a wide range of diseases, from atherosclerosis to type 2 diabetes. At the same time, desulfated syndecans may have beneficial effects, as they can inhibit amyloid plaque formation or decrease the appetite. Despite considerable progress in understanding diverse functions of syndecans, the complex physiological roles of this intriguing family of proteoglycans are far from clear. Additional studies of syndecans may potentially help develop novel therapeutic approaches and diagnostic tools to alleviate complex human diseases such as cardiovascular and Alzheimer's diseases.

Overexpression of heparanase lowers the amyloid burden in amyloid-β precursor protein transgenic mice

Heparan sulfate (HS) and HS proteoglycans (HSPGs) colocalize with amyloid-β (Aβ) deposits in Alzheimer disease brain and in Aβ precursor protein (AβPP) transgenic mouse models. Heparanase is an endoglycosidase that specifically degrades the unbranched glycosaminoglycan side chains of HSPGs. The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that HS and HSPGs are active participators of Aβ pathogenesis in vivo. We therefore generated a double-transgenic mouse model overexpressing both human heparanase and human AβPP harboring the Swedish mutation (tgHpa*Swe). Overexpression of heparanase did not affect AβPP processing because the steady-state levels of Aβ1-40, Aβ1-42, and soluble AβPP β were the same in 2- to 3-month-old double-transgenic tgHpa*Swe and single-transgenic tgSwe mice. In contrast, the Congo red-positive amyloid burden was significantly lower in 15-month-old tgHpa*Swe brain than in tgSwe brain. Likewise, the Aβ burden, measured by Aβx-40 and Aβx-42 immunohistochemistry, was reduced significantly in tgHpa*Swe brain. The intensity of HS-stained plaques correlated with the Aβx-42 burden and was reduced in tgHpa*Swe mice. Moreover, the HS-like molecule heparin facilitated Aβ1-42-aggregation in an in vitro Thioflavin T assay. The findings suggest that HSPGs contribute to amyloid deposition in tgSwe mice by increasing Aβ fibril formation because heparanase-induced fragmentation of HS led to a reduced amyloid burden. Therefore, drugs interfering with Aβ-HSPG interactions might be a potential strategy for Alzheimer disease treatment.

The ability of insulin to inhibit the formation of amyloid by pro-islet amyloid polypeptide processing intermediates is significantly reduced in the presence of sulfated glycosaminoglycans

Islet amyloid polypeptide (IAPP) is responsible for amyloid deposition in type 2 diabetes and plays an important role in the loss of β-cell mass associated with the disease and in the failure of islet transplants, but the mechanism of islet amyloid formation is not understood. The incorrect processing of proIAPP to produce partially processed forms of the peptide has been proposed to play a role in the initiation of islet amyloid in vivo by promoting interactions with proteoglycans of the extracellular matrix. Insulin is a potent inhibitor of the formation of amyloid by IAPP in vitro in a homogeneous solution; however, its ability to inhibit IAPP in the presence of proteoglycans has not been tested, nor has its effect on the formation of amyloid by proIAPP processing intermediates been examined. Here we show that insulin is a much less effective amyloid inhibitor of both IAPP and proIAPP processing intermediates in vitro in the presence of model glycosaminoglycans, but does inhibit the formation of amyloid by proIAPP processing intermediates in a homogeneous solution. This highlights another mechanism by which sulfated proteoglycans could enhance islet amyloid formation in vivo. Interactions with sulfated proteoglycans can directly promote amyloid formation and can also significantly reduce the effectiveness of natural inhibitors.

Targeting the neural extracellular matrix in neurological disorders

The extracellular matrix (ECM) is known to regulate important processes in neuronal cell development, activity and growth. It is associated with the structural stabilization of neuronal processes and synaptic contacts during the maturation of the central nervous system. The remodeling of the ECM during both development and after central nervous system injury has been shown to affect neuronal guidance, synaptic plasticity and their regenerative responses. Particular interest has focused on the inhibitory role of chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans (CSPGs) and their formation into dense lattice-like structures, termed perineuronal nets (PNNs), which enwrap sub-populations of neurons and restrict plasticity. Recent studies in mammalian systems have implicated CSPGs and PNNs in regulating and restricting structural plasticity. The enzymatic degradation of CSPGs or destabilization of PNNs has been shown to enhance neuronal activity and plasticity after central nervous system injury. This review focuses on the role of the ECM, CSPGs and PNNs; and how developmental and pharmacological manipulation of these structures have enhanced neuronal plasticity and aided functional recovery in regeneration, stroke, and amblyopia. In addition to CSPGs, this review also points to the functions and potential therapeutic value of these and several other key ECM molecules in epileptogenesis and dementia.

Amyloid formation in heterogeneous environments: islet amyloid polypeptide glycosaminoglycan interactions

Amyloid formation plays an important role in a broad range of diseases, and the search for amyloid inhibitors is an active area of research. Amyloid formation takes places in a heterogeneous environment in vivo with the potential for interactions with membranes and with components of the extracellular matrix. Naturally occurring amyloid deposits are associated with sulfated proteoglycans and other factors. However, the vast majority of in vitro assays of amyloid formation and amyloid inhibition are conducted in homogeneous solution where the potential for interactions with membranes or sulfated proteoglycans is lacking and it is possible that different results may be obtained in heterogeneous environments. We show that variants of islet amyloid polypeptide (IAPP), which are non-amyloidogenic in homogeneous solution, can be readily induced to form amyloid in the presence of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs). GAGs are found to be more effective than anionic lipid vesicles at inducing amyloid formation on a per-charge basis. Several known inhibitors of IAPP amyloid formation are shown to be less effective in the presence of GAGs.

Extrusion of misfolded and aggregated proteins--a protective strategy of aging neurons?

Cellular senescence is the consequence of repetitive exposures to oxidative stress, perturbed energy homeostasis, accumulation of damaged proteins and lesions in their nucleic acids. Whereas mitotic cells are equipped with efficient cell replacement strategies; postmitotic neurons have--with a few exceptions--no mechanism to substitute dysfunctional cells within a complex neuronal network. Here we propose a potential strategy by which aging neurons contend against abnormal accumulation of damaged/misfolded proteins. The suggested mechanism involves the formation of 'budding-like' extrusions and their subsequent clearance by glia. This hypothesis emerged from our previous investigations of the aged hippocampus revealing layer-specific accumulations of Reelin, a glycoprotein with fundamental roles during brain development and adult synaptic plasticity. We showed that Reelin deposits constitute a conserved neuropathological feature of aging, which is significantly accelerated in adult wild-type mice prenatally exposed to a viral-like infection. Here, we employed two- and three-dimensional immunoelectron microscopy to elucidate their morphological properties, localization and origin in immune challenged vs. control mice. In controls, Reelin-positive deposits were dispersed in the neuropil, some being engulfed by glia. In immune challenged mice, however, significantly more Reelin-immunoreactive deposits were associated with neuritic swellings containing mitochondria, vacuoles and cellular debris, pointing to their intracellular origin and suggesting that 'budding-like' neuronal extrusions of misfolded proteins and glial clearance may represent a protective strategy to counteract aging-associated impairments in proteosomal/lysosomal degradation. Neurons exposed to chronic neuroinflammation with increased levels of misfolded/damaged proteins, however, may fail to combat intraneuronal protein accumulations, a process probably underlying neuronal dysfunction and degeneration during aging.

Inhibition of glycosaminoglycan-mediated amyloid formation by islet amyloid polypeptide and proIAPP processing intermediates

Islet amyloid polypeptide (IAPP; also known as amylin) is responsible for islet amyloid formation in type 2 diabetes, and IAPP-induced toxicity is believed to contribute to the loss of β-cell mass associated with the late stages of type 2 diabetes. Islet amyloid formation may also play a role in graft failure after transplantation. IAPP is produced as a prohormone, pro-islet amyloid polypeptide (proIAPP), and processed in the secretory granules of the pancreatic β-cells. Partially processed forms of proIAPP are found in amyloid deposits; most notable is a 48-residue intermediate, proIAPP(1-48), which includes the N-terminal pro-extension, but which has been properly processed at the C-terminus. Incomplete processing may play a role in islet amyloid formation by promoting interactions with sulfated proteoglycans of the extracellular matrix, which, in turn, promote amyloid formation. We show that acid fuchsin (3-(1-(4-amino-3-methyl-5-sulphonatophenyl)-1-(4-amino-3-sulphonatophenyl)methylene)cyclohexa-1,4-dienesulphonic acid), a simple sulfonated triphenyl methyl derivative, is a potent inhibitor of amyloid formation by the proIAPP(1-48) intermediate. The more complicated triphenyl methane derivative fast green FCF {ethyl-[4-[[4-[ethyl-[(3-sulfophenyl)methyl]amino]phenyl]-(4-hydroxy-2-sulfophenyl)methylidene]-1-cyclohexa-2,5-dienylidene]-[(3-sulfophenyl)methyl]azanium} also inhibits amyloid formation by IAPP and the proIAPP processing intermediate. Both compounds inhibit amyloid formation by mixtures of the proIAPP intermediate and the model glycosaminoglycan heparan sulfate. Acid fuchsin also inhibits glycosaminoglycan-mediated amyloid formation by mature IAPP. The ability to inhibit amyloid formation is not simply due to the compounds being sulfonated, since the sulfonated inhibitor of amyloid-β, tramiprosate, is not an inhibitor of amyloid formation by proIAPP(1-48).

Transthyretin-related vitreous amyloidosis in different endemic areas

BACKGROUND

to investigate the vitreous opacity in patients with familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy (FAP) in two major endemic areas, Japan and Sweden.

METHODS

we obtained clinical data for 90 patients with vitreous opacity that was associated with FAP amyloidogenic transthyretin (ATTR) Val30Met; 18 Japanese patients and 72 Swedish patients. We reviewed medical records at Kumamoto University Hospital in Japan and Umeå University Hospital in Sweden. We evaluated the characteristics of the patients, systemic and ocular histories, clinical findings and treatment.

RESULTS

swedish patients were significantly older at the onset of vitreous opacity (mean age 67.8 years) than were Japanese patients (47.6 years). A similar age difference was found for the onset of polyneuropathy. In addition, Swedish patients without polyneuropathy were significantly older (74.1 years) at the onset of vitreous opacity than those with polyneuropathy (64.6 years). A significant difference in the occurrence of vitreous opacity as the only manifestation of FAP was seen for Swedish patients (35%) compared with Japanese patients (6%).

CONCLUSIONS

swedish FAP ATTR Val30Met patients appeared to develop vitreous opacity later and more frequently compared with Japanese patients.

Sulfation of heparan sulfate associated with amyloid-beta plaques in patients with Alzheimer's disease

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized by pathological lesions such as amyloid-beta (Abeta) plaques and cerebral amyloid angiopathy. Both these lesions consist mainly of aggregated Abeta protein and this aggregation is affected by macromolecules such as heparan sulfate (HS) proteoglycans. Previous studies demonstrated that HS enhances fibrillogenesis of Abeta and that this enhancement is dependent on the degree of sulfation of HS. In addition, it has been reported that these sulfation epitopes do not occur randomly but have a defined tissue distribution. Until now, the distribution of sulfation epitopes of HS has not yet been studied in human brain. We investigated whether a specific HS epitope is associated with Abeta plaques by performing immunohistochemistry on occipital neocortical and hippocampal tissue sections from AD patients using five HS epitope-specific phage display antibodies. Antibodies recognizing highly N-sulfated HS demonstrated the highest level of staining in both fibrillar Abeta plaques and non-fibrillar Abeta plaques, whereas antibodies recognizing HS regions with a lower degree of N-sulfate modifications were only immunoreactive with fibrillar Abeta plaques. Thus, our results suggest that a larger variety of HS epitopes is associated with fibrillar Abeta plaques, but the HS epitopes associated with non-fibrillar Abeta plaques seem to be more restricted, selectively consisting of highly N-sulfated epitopes.

Heparan sulfate proteoglycans in amyloidosis

Amyloidosis is a generic term for a group of diseases characterized by deposits in different organ systems of insoluble materials composed mainly of distinct fibrillar proteins named amyloid. Besides amyloid, heparan sulfate proteoglycan (HSPG), is commonly found in most amyloid deposits, suggesting that HS/HSPG may be functionally involved in the pathogenesis of amyloidosis. HS or HSPG is found to interact with a number of amyloid proteins, displaying a promoting effect on amyloid fibrilization in vitro. In addition, HS is reported to be involved in processing amyloid precursor proteins and mediate amyloid toxicity. Although little is known about the in vivo mechanisms regarding the codeposition of HS with amyloid proteins in different amyloid diseases, experiments carried out in animal models, especially in transgenic mouse model where HS molecular structure is modified, support an active role for HS in amyloidogenesis. Further experimental evidence is required to strengthen these in vivo findings at a molecular level. Animal models that express mutant forms of HS due to knockout of the enzymes involved in glycosaminoglycan (GAG) biosynthesis are expected to provide valuable tools for studying the implications of HS, as well as other GAGs, in amyloid disorders.

A critical assessment of the role of helical intermediates in amyloid formation by natively unfolded proteins and polypeptides

Amyloidogenic proteins and polypeptides can be divided into two structural classes, namely those which are flexible and are intrinsically disordered in their unaggregated state and those which form a compact globular structure with a well-defined tertiary fold in their normally soluble state. This review article is focused on amyloid formation by natively disordered polypeptides. Important examples of this class include islet amyloid polypeptide (IAPP, amylin), pro-IAPP processing intermediates, alpha-synuclein, the Abeta peptide, atrial natriuretic factor, calcitonin, pro-calcitonin, the medin polypeptide, as well as a range of de novo designed peptides. Amyloid formation is a complex process consisting of a lag phase during which no detectable fibril material is formed, followed by a rapid growth phase that leads to amyloid fibrils. A critical analysis of the literature suggests that a subset of intrinsically disordered polypeptides populate a helical intermediate during the lag phase. In this scenario, early formation of multimeric species is promoted by helix-helix association involving one region of the polypeptide chain which leads to a high effective concentration of an amyloidogenic sequence located in a different region of the chain. Helical intermediates appear to be particularly important in membrane-catalyzed amyloid formation and have been implicated in glycosaminoglycan mediated amyloid formation as well. There is suggestive evidence that targeting helix-helix interactions can be a viable strategy to inhibit amyloid formation. The characterization of transient helical intermediates is challenging, but new methods are being developed that offer the prospect of providing residue-specific information in real time.

Classification and basic pathology of Alzheimer disease

The lesions of Alzheimer disease include accumulation of proteins, losses of neurons and synapses, and alterations related to reactive processes. Extracellular Abeta accumulation occurs in the parenchyma as diffuse, focal or stellate deposits. It may involve the vessel walls of arteries, veins and capillaries. The cases in which the capillary vessel walls are affected have a higher probability of having one or two apoepsilon 4 alleles. Parenchymal as well as vascular Abeta deposition follows a stepwise progression. Tau accumulation, probably the best histopathological correlate of the clinical symptoms, takes three aspects: in the cell body of the neuron as neurofibrillary tangle, in the dendrites as neuropil threads, and in the axons forming the senile plaque neuritic corona. The progression of tau pathology is stepwise and stereotyped from the entorhinal cortex, through the hippocampus, to the isocortex. The neuronal loss is heterogeneous and area-specific. Its mechanism is still discussed. The timing of the synaptic loss, probably linked to Abeta peptide itself, maybe as oligomers, is also controversial. Various clinico-pathological types of Alzheimer disease have been described, according to the type of the lesions (plaque only and tangle predominant), the type of onset (focal onset), the cause (genetic or sporadic) and the associated lesions (Lewy bodies, vascular lesions, hippocampal sclerosis, TDP-43 inclusions and argyrophilic grain disease).

Disorder-to-order conformational transitions in protein structure and its relationship to disease

Function in proteins largely depends on the acquisition of specific structures through folding at physiological time scales. Under both equilibrium and non-equilibrium states, proteins develop partially structured molecules that being intermediates in the process, usually resemble the structure of the fully folded protein. These intermediates, known as molten globules, present the faculty of adopting a large variety of conformations mainly supported by changes in their side chains. Taking into account that the mechanism to obtain a fully packed structure is considered more difficult energetically than forming partially "disordered" folding intermediates, evolution might have conferred upon an important number of proteins the capability to first partially fold and-depending on the presence of specific partner ligands-switch on disorder-to-order transitions to adopt a highly ordered well-folded state and reach the lowest energy conformation possible. Disorder in this context can represent segments of proteins or complete proteins that might exist in the native state. Moreover, because this type of disorder-to-order transition in proteins has been found to be reversible, it has been frequently associated with important signaling events in the cell. Due to the central role of this phenomenon in cell biology, protein misfolding and aberrant disorder-to-order transitions have been at present associated with an important number of diseases.

A role for helical intermediates in amyloid formation by natively unfolded polypeptides?

Amyloid formation and aberrant protein aggregation have been implicated in more than 15 different human diseases and an even wider range of proteins form amyloid in vitro. From a structural perspective the proteins which form amyloid can be divided into two classes: those which adopt a compact globular fold and must presumably at least partially unfold to form amyloid and those which are unstructured in their monomeric state. Important examples of the latter include the Abeta peptide of Alzheimer's disease, atrial natriuretic factor, calcitonin, pro-calcitonin, islet amyloid polypeptide (IAPP, amylin), alpha-synuclein and the medin polypeptide. The kinetics of amyloid assembly are complex and typically involve a lag phase during which little or no fibril material is formed, followed by a rapid growth stage leading to the beta-sheet-rich amyloid structure. Increasing evidence suggests that some natively unfolded polypeptides populate a helical intermediate during the lag phase. We propose a model in which early oligomerization is linked to helix formation and is promoted by helix-helix association. Recent work has highlighted the potential importance of polypeptide membrane interactions in amyloid formation and helical intermediates appear to play an important role here as well. Characterization of helical intermediates is experimentally challenging but new spectroscopic techniques are emerging which hold considerable promise and even have the potential to provide residue specific information.

The relevance of the aldehyde bisulfite toluidine blue reaction and its variants in the submicroscopic carbohydrate research

Carbohydrates are chemical compounds that contain only oxygen, hydrogen and carbon. They are classified by their number of sugar units: monosaccharides (such as glucose and fructose), and disaccharides (such as sucrose and lactose) are simple carbohydrates; oligosaccharides and polysaccharides (such as starch, glycogen and cellulose) are complex carbohydrates. Carbohydrates play a crucial role in diverse biological systems [Hricovín M. Structural aspects of carbohydrates and the relation with their biological properties. Curr Med Chem 2004;11:2565-83]. According to Roseman [Sugars of the cell membrane. In: Weissmann G, Clairborn E, editors. Cell membranes. Biochemistry, Cell Biology, Pathology. New York: H. P. Publ. Co; 1975. p. 55-64], two classes of glycoproteins are described. Free glycoproteins are localised in the surface coat of the membranes and form a thick mobile layer, without any association to the membrane itself. Functionally, however, they are located in a close association with the membrane (e.g. in the duodenal mucosa). The other group consists of the membrane glycoproteins, which are integral to the membranes and are located in the outer layer. The oligosaccharide chains are bound to the N-terminal part of proteins, and are situated in the hydrophilic zone. Glycoproteins have diverse functions. They are important in specific receptor functions, in immunological cell destruction and play a significant role in reactions with lectins, antibodies, as well as in cell association and mutual recognition of the cells. This paper focuses on aspects of a summary of polarisation optical investigations and biological functions of the following three groups of carbohydrates: oligosaccharides, glycoproteins and glycosaminoglycans.

Amyloid beta induces cellular relocalization and production of agrin and glypican-1

The major component of senile plaques and vascular amyloid in Alzheimer's disease (AD) brains is the amyloid beta protein (Abeta). Besides Abeta, several other proteins have been identified in these lesions, in particular heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPG). However, it is still unclear, what causes the excessive accumulation of HSPG in AD brains. Therefore, we investigated if Abeta may influence production and expression of two major Abeta-associated HSPG species, agrin and glypican-1. When human brain pericytes (HBP) were cultured in the presence of Abeta, protein and mRNA expression of both agrin and glypican-1 were increased and more radioactive sulfate was incorporated in the glycosaminoglycan fraction of Abeta-treated HBP. Furthermore, after Abeta treatment, these HSPG were found in association with the amyloid fibrils attached to the cell membrane, in contrast to the intracellular agrin and glypican-1 staining observed in untreated cells. We conclude that Abeta can modulate the cellular expression of agrin and glypican-1, which may contribute to the accumulation of these HSPG in AD lesions.

Differences in extracellular matrix production and basic fibroblast growth factor response in skin fibroblasts from sporadic and familial Alzheimer's disease

Extracellular matrix (ECM) molecules and growth factors, such as fibroblast growth factor (FGF), play a crucial role in Alzheimer's disease (AD). The purpose of this investigation was to determine whether phenotypic alterations in ECM production are present in non-neuronal AD cells associated with different FGF expression and response. Synthesis of glycosaminoglycans (GAG) and collagen were measured in skin fibroblasts from patients with familial, sporadic AD (FAD and SAD respectively), and from age-matched controls by radiolabeled precursors. Proteoglycans (PG), metalloprotease (MMP)-1, and FGF gene expressions were measured by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. The results showed different ECM neosynthesis and mRNA levels in the two AD fibroblast populations. FAD accumulated more collagen and secreted less GAG than SAD. Biglycan PG was upregulated in FAD while betaglycan, syndecan, and decorin were markedly downregulated in SAD fibroblasts. We found a significant decrease of MMP1, more marked in FAD than in SAD fibroblasts. Constitutive FGF expression was greatly reduced in both pathological conditions (SAD>FAD). Moreover, an inverse high affinity/low affinity FGF receptor ratio between SAD and FAD fibroblasts was observed. FGF treatment differently modulated ECM molecule production and gene expression in the two cell populations. These observations in association with the changes in FGF gene expression and in the FGF receptor number, suggest that cellular mechanisms downstream from FGF receptor binding are involved in the two different forms of AD.

Topo-optical visualization reactions of carbohydrate-containing amyloid deposits in the respiratory tract

Staining with Congo red according to is the most commonly used method for the demonstration of amyloid, but structures other than amyloid can give false-positive results. To overcome this problem, introduced an aqueous Congo red staining with gum arabic as the mounting medium, which we have used in this and previous publications. Most histochemical studies on amyloid deposits to date have concentrated on conventional methods including staining with thioflavine, sirius red, alcian blue, methyl and crystal violet. In this study, we used topo-optical reactions with thiazine dyes on both the light and polarization microscopic level to establish the structure, distribution and location of carbohydrate components that occur within amyloid deposits, especially in the respiratory tract. Topo-optical staining reactions for the qualitative analysis of carbohydrate components in amyloid deposits included (1) reactions that identify the carbohydrate residues, (2) reactions that detect sialic acids and, (3) methods that visualize glycosaminoglycans. In conclusion, a comparison of consecutive serial sections stained with Congo red, aldehyde bisulfite toluidine blue reaction, sialic acid-specific topo-optical reaction, toluidine blue topo-optical reaction and chemically intensified basophilic reaction showed correlative staining patterns and anisotropic effects, corresponding to a close pathomorphological relationship between amyloid fibrils, periodate reactive carbohydrates, including sialic acids, and glycosaminoglycans.