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Gendron WH, Fertan E, Roddick KM, Wong AA, Maliougina M, Hiani YE, Anini Y, Brown RE. Intranasal insulin treatment ameliorates spatial memory, muscular strength, and frailty deficits in 5xFAD mice. Physiol Behav 2024; 281:114583. [PMID: 38750806 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2024.114583] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2023] [Revised: 05/11/2024] [Accepted: 05/13/2024] [Indexed: 05/19/2024]
Abstract
The 5xFAD mouse model shows age-related weight loss as well as cognitive and motor deficits. Metabolic dysregulation, especially impaired insulin signaling, is also present in AD. This study examined whether intranasal delivery of insulin (INI) at low (0.875 U) or high (1.750 U) doses would ameliorate these deficits compared to saline in 10-month-old female 5xFAD and B6SJL wildtype (WT) mice. INI increased forelimb grip strength in the wire hang test in 5xFAD mice in a dose-dependent manner but did not improve the performance of 5xFAD mice on the balance beam. High INI doses reduced frailty scores in 5xFAD mice and improved spatial memory in both acquisition and reversal probe trials in the Morris water maze. INI increased swim speed in 5xFAD mice but had no effect on object recognition memory or working memory in the spontaneous alternation task, nor did it improve memory in the contextual or cued fear memory tasks. High doses of insulin increased the liver, spleen, and kidney weights and reduced brown adipose tissue weights. P-Akt signaling in the hippocampus was increased by insulin in a dose-dependent manner. Altogether, INI increased strength, reduced frailty scores, and improved visual spatial memory. Hypoglycemia was not present after INI, however alterations in tissue and organ weights were present. These results are novel and important as they indicate that intra-nasal insulin can reverse cognitive, motor and frailty deficits found in this mouse model of AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- William H Gendron
- Departments of Psychology and Neuroscience, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia B3H 4R2, Canada
| | - Emre Fertan
- Departments of Psychology and Neuroscience, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia B3H 4R2, Canada
| | - Kyle M Roddick
- Departments of Psychology and Neuroscience, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia B3H 4R2, Canada
| | - Aimée A Wong
- Departments of Psychology and Neuroscience, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia B3H 4R2, Canada
| | - Maria Maliougina
- Departments of Physiology and Biophysics, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia B3H 4R2, Canada
| | - Yassine El Hiani
- Departments of Physiology and Biophysics, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia B3H 4R2, Canada
| | - Younes Anini
- Departments of Physiology and Biophysics, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia B3H 4R2, Canada; Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia B3H 4R2, Canada
| | - Richard E Brown
- Departments of Psychology and Neuroscience, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia B3H 4R2, Canada; Departments of Physiology and Biophysics, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia B3H 4R2, Canada.
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Lian W, Wang Z, Zhou F, Yuan X, Xia C, Wang W, Yan Y, Cheng Y, Yang H, Xu J, He J, Zhang W. Cornuside ameliorates cognitive impairments via RAGE/TXNIP/NF-κB signaling in Aβ 1-42 induced Alzheimer's disease mice. J Neuroimmune Pharmacol 2024; 19:24. [PMID: 38780885 DOI: 10.1007/s11481-024-10120-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2023] [Accepted: 04/21/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
Cornuside has been discovered to improve learning and memory in AD mice, however, its underlying mechanism was not fully understood. In the present study, we established an AD mice model by intracerebroventricular injection of Aβ1-42, which were treated with cornuside (3, 10, 30 mg/kg) for 2 weeks. Cornuside significantly ameliorated cognitive function of AD mice in series of behavioral tests, including Morris water maze test, nest building test, novel object recognition test and step-down test. Additionally, cornuside could attenuate neuronal injury, and promote cholinergic synaptic transmission by restoring the level of acetylcholine (ACh) via inhibiting acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE), as well as facilitating choline acetyltransferase (ChAT). Furthermore, cornuside inhibited oxidative stress levels amplified as decreased malondialdehyde (MDA), by inhibiting TXNIP expression, improving total anti-oxidative capacity (TAOC), raising activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT). Cornuside also reduced the activation of microglia and astrocytes, decreased the level of proinflammatory factors TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β, iNOS and COX2 via interfering RAGE-mediated IKK-IκB-NF-κB phosphorylation. Similar anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory effects were also found in LPS-stimulated BV2 cells via hampering RAGE-mediated TXNIP activation and NF-κB nuclear translocation. Virtual docking revealed that cornuside could interact with the active pocket of RAGE V domain directly. In conclusion, cornuside could bind to the RAGE directly impeding the interaction of Aβ and RAGE, and cut down the expression of TXNIP inhibiting ROS production and oxidative stress, as well as hamper NF-κB p65 mediated the inflammation.
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Grants
- ZRJY2023-QM10, ZRJY2021-BJ06, ZRJY2021-TD06, ZRJY2021-QM16, ZRJY2023-QM28 Elite Medical Professionals Project of China-Japan Friendship Hospital
- ZRJY2023-QM10, ZRJY2021-BJ06, ZRJY2021-TD06, ZRJY2021-QM16, ZRJY2023-QM28 Elite Medical Professionals Project of China-Japan Friendship Hospital
- ZRJY2023-QM10, ZRJY2021-BJ06, ZRJY2021-TD06, ZRJY2021-QM16, ZRJY2023-QM28 Elite Medical Professionals Project of China-Japan Friendship Hospital
- ZRJY2023-QM10, ZRJY2021-BJ06, ZRJY2021-TD06, ZRJY2021-QM16, ZRJY2023-QM28 Elite Medical Professionals Project of China-Japan Friendship Hospital
- ZRJY2023-QM10, ZRJY2021-BJ06, ZRJY2021-TD06, ZRJY2021-QM16, ZRJY2023-QM28 Elite Medical Professionals Project of China-Japan Friendship Hospital
- ZRJY2023-QM10, ZRJY2021-BJ06, ZRJY2021-TD06, ZRJY2021-QM16, ZRJY2023-QM28 Elite Medical Professionals Project of China-Japan Friendship Hospital
- 3332023096 Central Universities Fundamental for Basic Scientific Research of Peking Union Medical College
- 2022SLZDCY-001 Yan'an Science and Technology Plan Project
- 2022JZ-49 Key Project Funding for Shaanxi Provincial Natural Science Basic Rearch Program
- 82273809, 82273815, 82073731 National Natural Science Foundation of China
- 82273809, 82273815, 82073731 National Natural Science Foundation of China
- 2023-NHLHCRF-CXYW-01, 2022-NHLHCRF-YNZY-01 National High Level hospital Clinical Research Funding
- 2023-NHLHCRF-CXYW-01, 2022-NHLHCRF-YNZY-01 National High Level hospital Clinical Research Funding
- 2022-JKCS-16 Nonprofit Central Research Institute Fund of Chinese Academy of Medical Science
- CPA-B04-ZC-2021-005 Chinese Pharmaceutical Association-Yiling Biomedical Innovation Fund Project
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenwen Lian
- Department of Pharmacy & Institute of Clinical Medical Science, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, 100029, People's Republic of China
| | - Zexing Wang
- School of Life Science, School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100029, People's Republic of China
| | - Fulin Zhou
- Department of Pharmacy & Institute of Clinical Medical Science, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, 100029, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaotang Yuan
- School of Life Science, School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100029, People's Republic of China
| | - Congyuan Xia
- Department of Pharmacy & Institute of Clinical Medical Science, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, 100029, People's Republic of China
| | - Wenping Wang
- Department of Pharmacy & Institute of Clinical Medical Science, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, 100029, People's Republic of China
| | - Yu Yan
- Department of Pharmacy & Institute of Clinical Medical Science, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, 100029, People's Republic of China
| | - Yunchi Cheng
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Yale University, Connecticut, New Haven, USA
| | - Hua Yang
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Chemical Reaction Engineering, Laboratory of New Energy & New Function Materials, Yan'an University, Yan'an, Shaanxi, 716000, People's Republic of China
| | - Jiekun Xu
- School of Life Science, School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100029, People's Republic of China.
| | - Jun He
- Department of Pharmacy & Institute of Clinical Medical Science, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, 100029, People's Republic of China.
| | - Weiku Zhang
- Department of Pharmacy & Institute of Clinical Medical Science, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, 100029, People's Republic of China.
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Fertan E, Böken D, Murray A, Danial JSH, Lam JYL, Wu Y, Goh PA, Alić I, Cheetham MR, Lobanova E, Zhang YP, Nižetić D, Klenerman D. Cerebral organoids with chromosome 21 trisomy secrete Alzheimer's disease-related soluble aggregates detectable by single-molecule-fluorescence and super-resolution microscopy. Mol Psychiatry 2024; 29:369-386. [PMID: 38102482 PMCID: PMC11116105 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-023-02333-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2023] [Revised: 11/14/2023] [Accepted: 11/15/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023]
Abstract
Understanding the role of small, soluble aggregates of beta-amyloid (Aβ) and tau in Alzheimer's disease (AD) is of great importance for the rational design of preventative therapies. Here we report a set of methods for the detection, quantification, and characterisation of soluble aggregates in conditioned media of cerebral organoids derived from human iPSCs with trisomy 21, thus containing an extra copy of the amyloid precursor protein (APP) gene. We detected soluble beta-amyloid (Aβ) and tau aggregates secreted by cerebral organoids from both control and the isogenic trisomy 21 (T21) genotype. We developed a novel method to normalise measurements to the number of live neurons within organoid-conditioned media based on glucose consumption. Thus normalised, T21 organoids produced 2.5-fold more Aβ aggregates with a higher proportion of larger (300-2000 nm2) and more fibrillary-shaped aggregates than controls, along with 1.3-fold more soluble phosphorylated tau (pTau) aggregates, increased inflammasome ASC-specks, and a higher level of oxidative stress inducing thioredoxin-interacting protein (TXNIP). Importantly, all this was detectable prior to the appearance of histological amyloid plaques or intraneuronal tau-pathology in organoid slices, demonstrating the feasibility to model the initial pathogenic mechanisms for AD in-vitro using cells from live genetically pre-disposed donors before the onset of clinical disease. Then, using different iPSC clones generated from the same donor at different times in two independent experiments, we tested the reproducibility of findings in organoids. While there were differences in rates of disease progression between the experiments, the disease mechanisms were conserved. Overall, our results show that it is possible to non-invasively follow the development of pathology in organoid models of AD over time, by monitoring changes in the aggregates and proteins in the conditioned media, and open possibilities to study the time-course of the key pathogenic processes taking place.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emre Fertan
- Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 1EW, UK
- UK Dementia Research Institute at University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 0AH, UK
| | - Dorothea Böken
- Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 1EW, UK
- UK Dementia Research Institute at University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 0AH, UK
| | - Aoife Murray
- The Blizard Institute, Barts & The London School of Medicine, Queen Mary University of London, London, E1 2AT, UK
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
| | - John S H Danial
- Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 1EW, UK
- UK Dementia Research Institute at University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 0AH, UK
| | - Jeff Y L Lam
- Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 1EW, UK
- UK Dementia Research Institute at University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 0AH, UK
| | - Yunzhao Wu
- Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 1EW, UK
- UK Dementia Research Institute at University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 0AH, UK
| | - Pollyanna A Goh
- The Blizard Institute, Barts & The London School of Medicine, Queen Mary University of London, London, E1 2AT, UK
| | - Ivan Alić
- The Blizard Institute, Barts & The London School of Medicine, Queen Mary University of London, London, E1 2AT, UK
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Matthew R Cheetham
- Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 1EW, UK
- UK Dementia Research Institute at University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 0AH, UK
| | - Evgeniia Lobanova
- Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 1EW, UK
- UK Dementia Research Institute at University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 0AH, UK
| | - Yu P Zhang
- Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 1EW, UK
- UK Dementia Research Institute at University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 0AH, UK
| | - Dean Nižetić
- The Blizard Institute, Barts & The London School of Medicine, Queen Mary University of London, London, E1 2AT, UK
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
| | - David Klenerman
- Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 1EW, UK.
- UK Dementia Research Institute at University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 0AH, UK.
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4
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Yu T, Xing Y, Gao Q, Wang D, Chen H, Wang H, Zhang Y. Ginkgo biloba Extract Drives Gut Flora and Microbial Metabolism Variation in a Mouse Model of Alzheimer's Disease. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:2746. [PMID: 38140087 PMCID: PMC10747232 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15122746] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a complex neurodegenerative disease. Numerous investigations have demonstrated that medications that regulate the "brain-gut" axis can ameliorate disease symptoms of AD. Studies have shown that Ginkgo biloba extract (EGb) is involved in intestinal metabolism to meet the goal of illness treatment. EGb is currently utilized extensively in the clinical prevention and treatment of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. However, the regulatory effect of EGb on intestinal flora and its metabolites in AD pathology remains largely speculative. In this study, the Morris water maze test showed a significant improvement of spatial memory in the AD mouse model (APP/PS1 mice) after EGb treatment. We next confirmed the positive effects of EGb on the gut flora and metabolites of APP/PS1 mice and further showed that EGb treatment reshaped the disturbed gut microbiome, in particular by reducing the Firmicutes/Bacteroides ratio and increasing the abundance of Bacteroidetes, Uroviricota, Streptophyta, and Spirochaetes. Meanwhile, a non-targeted metabolomics analysis showed that EGb treatment significantly reversed the dysfunction of the microbial metabolic phenotype by altering Limosilactobacillus and Parvibacte, with 300 differential metabolites modulated (131 up-regulated, 169 down-regulated). Our findings highlight the significant regulatory impact of EGb on intestinal microflora and microbial metabolism in AD mice models and provide a potential therapeutic strategy for AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ting Yu
- School of Integrative Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China; (T.Y.); (Q.G.)
| | - Yueyang Xing
- SPH XingLing Sci. & Tech. Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Shanghai 201203, China; (Y.X.); (D.W.)
| | - Qi Gao
- School of Integrative Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China; (T.Y.); (Q.G.)
- SPH XingLing Sci. & Tech. Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Shanghai 201203, China; (Y.X.); (D.W.)
| | - Dandan Wang
- SPH XingLing Sci. & Tech. Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Shanghai 201203, China; (Y.X.); (D.W.)
| | - Hongzhuan Chen
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Institute of Interdisciplinary Integrative Medicine Research, Shuguang Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China;
| | - Hao Wang
- School of Integrative Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China; (T.Y.); (Q.G.)
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China
- Shanghai Universities Collaborative Innovation Center for Translational Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Yongfang Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China
- Shanghai Universities Collaborative Innovation Center for Translational Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China
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5
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Roddick KM, Schellinck HM, Brown RE. Serial reversal learning in an olfactory discrimination task in 3xTg-AD mice. Learn Mem 2023; 30:310-319. [PMID: 37977821 PMCID: PMC10750865 DOI: 10.1101/lm.053840.123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
Male and female 3xTg-AD mice between 5 and 24 mo of age and their B6129F2/J wild-type controls were tested on a series of 18 olfactory discrimination and reversal tasks in an operant olfactometer. All mice learned the odor discriminations and reversals to a criterion of 85% correct, but the 3xTg-AD mice made fewer errors than the B6129F2/J mice in the odor discriminations and in the first six reversal learning tasks. Many mice showed evidence of near errorless learning, and on the reversal tasks the 3xTg-AD mice showed more instances of near errorless learning than the B6129F2/J mice. There was no evidence of an age effect on odor discrimination, but there was a decrease in errorless reversal learning in aged B6129F2/J mice. In long-term memory tests, there was an increase in the number of errors made but no genotype difference. The high level of performance indicates that the mice were able to develop a "learning to learn" strategy. The finding that the 3xTg-AD mice outperformed their littermate controls provides an example of paradoxical functional facilitation in these mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyle M Roddick
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia B3H 4R2, Canada
| | - Heather M Schellinck
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia B3H 4R2, Canada
| | - Richard E Brown
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia B3H 4R2, Canada
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6
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Song Z, Wu Z, Luo R, He C, Li Z, Yang M, Yu W, He J, Deng S, Cheng S. Identification of tryptophan metabolism-related genes in immunity and immunotherapy in Alzheimer's disease. Aging (Albany NY) 2023; 15:13077-13099. [PMID: 37988184 DOI: 10.18632/aging.205220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2023] [Accepted: 10/15/2023] [Indexed: 11/23/2023]
Abstract
Recent studies have highlighted the significant involvement of tryptophan metabolism in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, a comprehensive investigation of the precise role of tryptophan metabolism in the context of AD is still lacking. This study employed a bioinformatics approach to identify and validate potential tryptophan metabolism-related genes (TrpMgs) associated with AD. The discovery of TrpMgs was facilitated through the intersection of the Weighted Gene Co-expression Network Analysis (WGCNA) test and 17 known tryptophan metabolism pathways. Subsequently, the putative biological functions and pathways of the TrpMgs were elucidated using Gene Set Variation Analysis (GSVA). Furthermore, the Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator (LASSO) method was applied to identify hub genes and evaluate the diagnostic efficiency of the 5 TrpMgs in distinguishing AD. The relationship between hub TrpMgs and clinical characteristics was also investigated. Finally, in vivo verification of the five TrpMgs was performed using APP/PS1 mice. We identified 5 TrpMgs associated with AD, including propionyl-CoA carboxylase subunit beta (PCCB), TEA Domain Transcription Factor 1 (TEAD1), Phenylalanyl-TRNA Synthetase Subunit Beta (FARSB), Neurofascin (NFASC), and Ezrin (EZR). Among these genes, PCCB, FARSB, NFASC, and TEAD1 showed correlations with age. In the hippocampus of APP/PS1 mice, we observed down-regulation of FARSB, PCCB, and NFASC mRNA expressions. Furthermore, PCCB and NFASC protein expressions were also down-regulated in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus of APP/PS1 mice. Our study paves the way for future research aimed at unraveling the intricate mechanisms underlying tryptophan metabolism dysregulation in AD and its therapeutic implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenyan Song
- School of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha 410208, Hunan, China
- Key Laboratory of Hunan Province for Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine on Prevention and Treatment of Cardio-Cerebral Diseases, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha 410208, Hunan, China
| | - Zixuan Wu
- Key Laboratory of Hunan Province for Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine on Prevention and Treatment of Cardio-Cerebral Diseases, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha 410208, Hunan, China
| | - Rongsiqing Luo
- School of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha 410208, Hunan, China
- Key Laboratory of Hunan Province for Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine on Prevention and Treatment of Cardio-Cerebral Diseases, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha 410208, Hunan, China
| | - Chunxiang He
- School of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha 410208, Hunan, China
- Key Laboratory of Hunan Province for Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine on Prevention and Treatment of Cardio-Cerebral Diseases, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha 410208, Hunan, China
| | - Ze Li
- School of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha 410208, Hunan, China
- Key Laboratory of Hunan Province for Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine on Prevention and Treatment of Cardio-Cerebral Diseases, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha 410208, Hunan, China
| | - Miao Yang
- School of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha 410208, Hunan, China
- Key Laboratory of Hunan Province for Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine on Prevention and Treatment of Cardio-Cerebral Diseases, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha 410208, Hunan, China
| | - Wenjing Yu
- School of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha 410208, Hunan, China
- Key Laboratory of Hunan Province for Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine on Prevention and Treatment of Cardio-Cerebral Diseases, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha 410208, Hunan, China
| | - Jiawei He
- School of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha 410208, Hunan, China
- Key Laboratory of Hunan Province for Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine on Prevention and Treatment of Cardio-Cerebral Diseases, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha 410208, Hunan, China
| | - Sisi Deng
- School of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha 410208, Hunan, China
- Key Laboratory of Hunan Province for Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine on Prevention and Treatment of Cardio-Cerebral Diseases, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha 410208, Hunan, China
| | - Shaowu Cheng
- School of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha 410208, Hunan, China
- Key Laboratory of Hunan Province for Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine on Prevention and Treatment of Cardio-Cerebral Diseases, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha 410208, Hunan, China
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7
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Baeta-Corral R, De la Fuente M, Giménez-Llort L. Sex-dependent worsening of NMDA-induced responses, anxiety, hypercortisolemia, and organometry of early peripheral immunoendocrine impairment in adult 3xTg-AD mice and their long-lasting ontogenic modulation by neonatal handling. Behav Brain Res 2023; 438:114189. [PMID: 36343697 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2022.114189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2022] [Revised: 10/23/2022] [Accepted: 10/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
The neuroimmunomodulation hypothesis for Alzheimer's disease (AD) postulates that alterations in the innate immune system triggered by damage signals result in adverse effects on neuronal functions. The peripheral immune system and neuroimmunoendocrine communication are also impaired. Here we provide further evidence using a longitudinal design that also studied the long-lasting effects of an early life sensorial intervention (neonatal handling, from postnatal day 1-21) in 6-month-old (early stages of the disease) male and female 3xTg-AD mice compared to age- and sex-matched non-transgenic (NTg) mice with normal aging. The behavioral patterns elicited by the direct exposure to an open field, and the motor depression response evoked by NMDA (25 mg/kg, i.p) were found correlated to the organometry of peripheral immune-endocrine organs (thymus involution, splenomegaly, and adrenal glands' hypertrophy) and increased corticosterone levels, suggesting their potential value for diagnostic and biomonitoring.The NMDA-induced immediate and depressant motor activity and endocrine (corticosterone) responses were sensitive to sex and AD-genotype, suggesting worse endogenous susceptibility/neuroprotective response to glutamatergic excitotoxicity in males and in the AD-genotype. 3xTg-AD females showed a reduced immediate response, whereas the NTg showed higher responsiveness to subsequent NMDA-induced depressant effect than their male counterparts. The long-lasting ontogenic modulation by handling was shown as a potentiation of NMDA-depressant effect in NTg males and females, while sex × treatment effects were found in 3xTg-AD mice. Finally, NMDA-induced corticosterone showed sex, genotype and interaction effects with sexual dimorphism enhanced in the AD-genotype, suggesting different endogenous vulnerability/neuroprotective capacities and modulation of the neuroimmunoendocrine system.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Baeta-Corral
- Institut de Neurociències, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Barcelona, Spain; Department of Psychiatry and Forensic Medicine, School of Medicine, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Barcelona, Spain
| | - M De la Fuente
- Department of Genetics, Physiology, and Microbiology, School of Biology, Complutense University, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - L Giménez-Llort
- Institut de Neurociències, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Barcelona, Spain; Department of Psychiatry and Forensic Medicine, School of Medicine, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Barcelona, Spain.
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8
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Fertan E, Gendron WH, Wong AA, Hanson GM, Brown RE, Weaver ICG. Noncanonical regulation of imprinted gene Igf2 by amyloid-beta 1-42 in Alzheimer's disease. Sci Rep 2023; 13:2043. [PMID: 36739453 PMCID: PMC9899226 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-29248-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2021] [Accepted: 02/01/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Reduced insulin-like growth factor 2 (IGF2) levels in Alzheimer's disease (AD) may be the mechanism relating age-related metabolic disorders to dementia. Since Igf2 is an imprinted gene, we examined age and sex differences in the relationship between amyloid-beta 1-42 (Aβ42) accumulation and epigenetic regulation of the Igf2/H19 gene cluster in cerebrum, liver, and plasma of young and old male and female 5xFAD mice, in frontal cortex of male and female AD and non-AD patients, and in HEK293 cell cultures. We show IGF2 levels, Igf2 expression, histone acetylation, and H19 ICR methylation are lower in females than males. However, elevated Aβ42 levels are associated with Aβ42 binding to Igf2 DMR2, increased DNA and histone methylation, and a reduction in Igf2 expression and IGF2 levels in 5xFAD mice and AD patients, independent of H19 ICR methylation. Cell culture results confirmed the binding of Aβ42 to Igf2 DMR2 increased DNA and histone methylation, and reduced Igf2 expression. These results indicate an age- and sex-related causal relationship among Aβ42 levels, epigenomic state, and Igf2 expression in AD and provide a potential mechanism for Igf2 regulation in normal and pathological conditions, suggesting IGF2 levels may be a useful diagnostic biomarker for Aβ42 targeted AD therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emre Fertan
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, B3H 4R2, Canada
| | - William H Gendron
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, B3H 4R2, Canada
| | - Aimée A Wong
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, B3H 4R2, Canada
| | - Gabrielle M Hanson
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, B3H 4R2, Canada
| | - Richard E Brown
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, B3H 4R2, Canada.,Brain Repair Centre, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, B3H 4R2, Canada
| | - Ian C G Weaver
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, B3H 4R2, Canada. .,Department of Psychiatry, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, B3H 4R2, Canada. .,Department of Pathology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, B3H 4R2, Canada. .,Brain Repair Centre, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, B3H 4R2, Canada.
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9
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Wang Y, Hu H, Liu X, Guo X. Hypoglycemic medicines in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease: Pathophysiological links between AD and glucose metabolism. Front Pharmacol 2023; 14:1138499. [PMID: 36909158 PMCID: PMC9995522 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1138499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2023] [Accepted: 02/13/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's Disease (AD) is a global chronic disease in adults with beta-amyloid (Aβ) deposits and hyperphosphorylated tau protein as the pathologic characteristics. Although the exact etiology of AD is still not fully elucidated, aberrant metabolism including insulin signaling and mitochondria dysfunction plays an important role in the development of AD. Binding to insulin receptor substrates, insulin can transport through the blood-brain barrier (BBB), thus mediating insulin signaling pathways to regulate physiological functions. Impaired insulin signaling pathways, including PI3K/Akt/GSK3β and MAPK pathways, could cause damage to the brain in the pathogenesis of AD. Mitochondrial dysfunction and overexpression of TXNIP could also be causative links between AD and DM. Some antidiabetic medicines may have benefits in the treatment of AD. Metformin can be beneficial for cognition improvement in AD patients, although results from clinical trials were inconsistent. Exendin-4 may affect AD in animal models but there is a lack of clinical trials. Liraglutide and dulaglutide could also benefit AD patients in adequate clinical studies but not semaglutide. Dipeptidyl peptidase IV inhibitors (DPP4is) such as saxagliptin, vildagliptin, linagliptin, and sitagliptin could boost cognitive function in animal models. And SGLT2 inhibitors such as empagliflozin and dapagliflozin were also considerably protective against new-onset dementia in T2DM patients. Insulin therapy is a promising therapy but some studies indicated that it may increase the risk of AD. Herbal medicines are helpful for cognitive function and neuroprotection in the brain. For example, polyphenols, alkaloids, glycosides, and flavonoids have protective benefits in cognition function and glucose metabolism. Focusing on glucose metabolism, we summarized the pharmacological mechanism of hypoglycemic drugs and herbal medicines. New treatment approaches including antidiabetic synthesized drugs and herbal medicines would be provided to patients with AD. More clinical trials are needed to produce definite evidence for the effectiveness of hypoglycemic medications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yixuan Wang
- Dongfang Hospital of Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Hao Hu
- Dongfang Hospital of Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Xinyu Liu
- Dongfang Hospital of Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Xiangyu Guo
- Dongfang Hospital of Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
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10
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Xue T, Wang X, Hu Y, Cheng Y, Li H, Shi Y, Wang L, Yin D, Cui D. Embryonic Deletion of TXNIP in GABAergic Neurons Enhanced Oxidative Stress in PV+ Interneurons in Primary Somatosensory Cortex of Aging Mice: Relevance to Schizophrenia. Brain Sci 2022; 12:1395. [PMID: 36291328 PMCID: PMC9599691 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci12101395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2022] [Revised: 09/27/2022] [Accepted: 10/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
The brain is susceptible to perturbations of redox balance, affecting neurogenesis and increasing the risks of psychiatric disorders. Thioredoxin-interacting protein (TXNIP) is an endogenous inhibitor of the thioredoxin antioxidant system. Its deletion or inhibition suggests protection for a brain with ischemic stroke or Alzheimer's disease. Combined with conditional knockout mice and schizophrenia samples, we aimed to investigate the function of TXNIP in healthy brain and psychiatric disorders, which are under-studied. We found TXNIP was remarkedly expressed in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) during healthy mice's prenatal and early postnatal periods, whereas it rapidly decreased throughout adulthood. During early life, TXNIP was primarily distributed in inhibitory and excitatory neurons. Contrary to the protective effect, the embryonic deletion of TXNIP in GABAergic (gamma-aminobutyric acid-ergic) neurons enhanced oxidative stress in PV+ interneurons of aging mice. The deleterious impact was brain region-specific. We also investigated the relationship between TXNIP and schizophrenia. TXNIP was significantly increased in the PFC of schizophrenia-like mice after MK801 administration, followed by oxidative stress. First episode and drug naïve schizophrenia patients with a higher level of plasma TXNIP displayed severer psychiatric symptoms than patients with a low level. We indicated a bidirectional function of TXNIP in the brain, whose high expression in the early stage is protective for development but might be harmful in a later period, associated with mental disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ting Xue
- Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 201108, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders, Shanghai 201108, China
| | - Xiaodan Wang
- Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 201108, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders, Shanghai 201108, China
| | - Ying Hu
- Shenzhi Department of the Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University, Urumqi 830000, China
| | - Ying Cheng
- Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 201108, China
| | - Han Li
- Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 201108, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders, Shanghai 201108, China
| | - Yuan Shi
- Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 201108, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders, Shanghai 201108, China
| | - Lijun Wang
- Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 201108, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders, Shanghai 201108, China
| | - Dongmin Yin
- Key Laboratory of Brain Functional Genomics, Ministry of Education and Shanghai, School of Life Science, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200062, China
| | - Donghong Cui
- Shanghai Mental Health Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 201108, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders, Shanghai 201108, China
- Brain Science and Technology Research Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
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11
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Simanaviciute U, Brown RE, Wong A, Fertan E, Grant RA. Abnormal whisker movements in the 3xTg-AD mouse model of Alzheimer's disease. GENES, BRAIN, AND BEHAVIOR 2022; 21:e12813. [PMID: 35733405 PMCID: PMC9744487 DOI: 10.1111/gbb.12813] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2021] [Revised: 04/27/2022] [Accepted: 04/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease is the most frequent form of dementia in elderly people. The triple transgenic (3xTg-AD) mouse model of Alzheimer's Disease is important in biomedical research as these mice develop both neuropathological and behavioural phenotypes. However, their behavioural phenotype is variable, with findings depending on the specific task, as well as the age and sex of the mice. Whisker movements show motor, sensory and cognitive deficits in mouse models of neurodegenerative disease. Therefore, we examined whisker movements in 3, 12.5 and 17-month-old female 3xTg-AD mice and their B6129S/F2 wildtype controls. Mice were filmed using a high-speed video camera (500 fps) in an open arena during a novel object exploration task. Genotype and age differences were found in mice exploring the arena prior to object contact. Prior to whisker contact, the 3-month-old 3xTg-AD mice had smaller whisker angles compared with the wildtype controls, suggesting an early motor phenotype in these mice. Pre-contact mean angular position at 3 months and whisking amplitude at 17 months of age differed between the 3xTg-AD and wildtype mice. During object contact 3xTg-AD mice did not reduce whisker spread as frequently as the wildtype mice at 12.5 and 17 months, which may suggest sensory or attentional deficits. We show that whisker movements are a powerful behavioural measurement tool for capturing behavioural deficits in mouse models that show complex phenotypes, such as the 3xTg-AD mouse model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ugne Simanaviciute
- Department of Natural SciencesManchester Metropolitan UniversityManchesterUK
| | - Richard E. Brown
- Department of Psychology and NeuroscienceDalhousie UniversityHalifaxNova ScotiaCanada
| | - Aimee Wong
- Department of Psychology and NeuroscienceDalhousie UniversityHalifaxNova ScotiaCanada
| | - Emre Fertan
- Department of Psychology and NeuroscienceDalhousie UniversityHalifaxNova ScotiaCanada
| | - Robyn A. Grant
- Department of Natural SciencesManchester Metropolitan UniversityManchesterUK
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12
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Genetically modified mice for research on human diseases: A triumph for Biotechnology or a work in progress? THE EUROBIOTECH JOURNAL 2022. [DOI: 10.2478/ebtj-2022-0008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Genetically modified mice are engineered as models for human diseases. These mouse models include inbred strains, mutants, gene knockouts, gene knockins, and ‘humanized’ mice. Each mouse model is engineered to mimic a specific disease based on a theory of the genetic basis of that disease. For example, to test the amyloid theory of Alzheimer’s disease, mice with amyloid precursor protein genes are engineered, and to test the tau theory, mice with tau genes are engineered. This paper discusses the importance of mouse models in basic research, drug discovery, and translational research, and examines the question of how to define the “best” mouse model of a disease. The critiques of animal models and the caveats in translating the results from animal models to the treatment of human disease are discussed. Since many diseases are heritable, multigenic, age-related and experience-dependent, resulting from multiple gene-gene and gene-environment interactions, it will be essential to develop mouse models that reflect these genetic, epigenetic and environmental factors from a developmental perspective. Such models would provide further insight into disease emergence, progression and the ability to model two-hit and multi-hit theories of disease. The summary examines the biotechnology for creating genetically modified mice which reflect these factors and how they might be used to discover new treatments for complex human diseases such as cancers, neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative diseases.
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13
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Sbai O, Djelloul M, Auletta A, Ieraci A, Vascotto C, Perrone L. AGE-TXNIP axis drives inflammation in Alzheimer's by targeting Aβ to mitochondria in microglia. Cell Death Dis 2022; 13:302. [PMID: 35379773 PMCID: PMC8980056 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-022-04758-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2021] [Revised: 03/01/2022] [Accepted: 03/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia characterized by progressive memory loss and cognitive decline. Although neuroinflammation and oxidative stress are well-recognized features of AD, their correlations with the early molecular events characterizing the pathology are not yet well clarified. Here, we characterize the role of RAGE-TXNIP axis in neuroinflammation in relation to amyloid-beta (Aβ) burden in both in vivo and in vitro models. In the hippocampus of 5xFAD mice microglial activation, cytokine secretion, and glial fibrillary acidic protein-enhanced expression are paralleled with increased TXNIP expression. TXNIP silencing or its pharmacological inhibition prevents neuroinflammation in those mice. TXNIP is also associated with RAGE and Aβ. In particular, RAGE-TXNIP axis is required for targeting Aβ in mitochondria, leading to mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress. Silencing of TXNIP or inhibition of RAGE activation reduces Aβ transport from the cellular surface to mitochondria, restores mitochondrial functionality, and mitigates Aβ toxicity. Furthermore, Aβ shuttling into mitochondria promotes Drp1 activation and exacerbates mitochondrial dysfunction, which induces NLRP3 inflammasome activation, leading to secretion of IL-1β and activation of the pyroptosis-associated protein Gasdermin D (GSDMD). Downregulation of RAGE-TXNIP axis inhibits Aβ-induced mitochondria dysfunction, inflammation, and induction of GSDMD. Herein we unveil a new pathway driven by TXNIP that links the mitochondrial transport of Aβ to the activation of Drp1 and the NLRP3 inflammasome, promoting the secretion of IL-1β and the pyroptosis pathway associated with GSDMD cleavage. Altogether these data shed new light on a novel mechanism of action of RAGE-TXNIP axis in microglia, which is intertwined with Aβ and ultimately causes mitochondria dysfunction and NLRP3 inflammasome cascade activation, suggesting TXNIP as a druggable target to be better deepened for AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oualid Sbai
- Caminnov sas, Montpellier, France
- University Aix-Marseille, Marseille, France
| | | | - Antonia Auletta
- Department of Advanced Medical and Surgical Sciences, 2nd Division of Neurology, Center for Rare Diseases and InterUniversity Center for Research in Neurosciences, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Naples, Italy
| | - Alessandro Ieraci
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Carlo Vascotto
- Department of Medicine, University of Udine, Udine, Italy.
| | - L Perrone
- Department of Advanced Medical and Surgical Sciences, 2nd Division of Neurology, Center for Rare Diseases and InterUniversity Center for Research in Neurosciences, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Naples, Italy.
- DKFZ, Department of Functional and Structural Genomics, Heidelberg, Germany.
- University of Poitiers, Poitiers, France.
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14
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Localization of Thioredoxin-Interacting Protein in Aging and Alzheimer’s Disease Brains. NEUROSCI 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/neurosci3020013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Thioredoxin-Interacting Protein (TXNIP) has been shown to have significant pathogenic roles in many human diseases, particularly those associated with diabetes and hyperglycemia. Its main mode of action is to sequester thioredoxins, resulting in enhanced oxidative stress. The aim of this study was to identify if cellular expression of TXNIP in human aged and Alzheimer’s disease (AD) brains correlated with pathological structures. This study employed fixed tissue sections and protein extracts of temporal cortex from AD and aged control brains. Studies employed light and fluorescent immunohistochemical techniques using the monoclonal antibody JY2 to TXNIP to identify cellular structures. Immunoblots were used to quantify relative amounts of TXNIP in brain protein extracts. The major finding was the identification of TXNIP immunoreactivity in selective neuronal populations and structures, particularly in non-AD brains. In AD brains, less neuronal TXNIP but increased numbers of TXNIP-positive plaque-associated microglia were observed. Immunoblot analyses showed no significant increase in levels of TXNIP protein in the AD samples tested. In conclusion, this study identified altered patterns of expression of TXNIP in human brains with progression of AD pathology.
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15
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Qin C, Lu Y, Bai L, Wang K. The molecular regulation of autophagy in antimicrobial immunity. J Mol Cell Biol 2022; 14:6547771. [PMID: 35278083 PMCID: PMC9335221 DOI: 10.1093/jmcb/mjac015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2021] [Revised: 12/05/2021] [Accepted: 12/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Autophagy is a catabolic process that can degrade worn-out organelles and invading pathogens. The activation of autophagy regulates innate and adaptive immunity, playing a key role in the response to microbial invasion. Microbial infection may cause different consequences such as the elimination of invaders through autophagy or xenophagy, host cell death, and symbiotic relationships. Pathogens adapt to the autophagy mechanism and further relieve intracellular stress, which is conducive to host cell survival and microbial growth. The regulation of autophagy forms a complex network through which host immunity is modulated, resulting in a variety of pathophysiological manifestations. Modification of the autophagic pathway is an essential target for the development of antimicrobial drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chuan Qin
- Institute of Laboratory Animal Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Comparative Medical Center, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100021, China
| | - Yalan Lu
- Institute of Laboratory Animal Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Comparative Medical Center, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100021, China
| | - Lin Bai
- Institute of Laboratory Animal Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Comparative Medical Center, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100021, China
| | - Kewei Wang
- Institute of Laboratory Animal Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Comparative Medical Center, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100021, China
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16
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Qin C, Li Y, Wang K. Functional Mechanism of Bone Marrow-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells in the Treatment of Animal Models with Alzheimer's Disease: Inhibition of Neuroinflammation. J Inflamm Res 2021; 14:4761-4775. [PMID: 34566422 PMCID: PMC8456430 DOI: 10.2147/jir.s327538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2021] [Accepted: 08/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The transplantation of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMMSCs) alleviates neuropathology and improves cognitive deficits in animal models with Alzheimer’s disease. However, the underlying mechanisms remain to be determined. Available data demonstrate transplanted BMMSCs can inhibit neuroinflammation, which may be related to microglial M1/M2 polarization and is regulated by the secretion of autocrine and paracrine cytokines. BMMSCs also mitigate Aβ plaques and Tau tangles in the brain, which may be associated with the recruitment of peripheral blood monocytes and the subsequent comprehensive effects. The therapeutic effects of stem cells involve potential mechanisms such as immunomodulation, apoptosis, and proliferation. BMMSC-mediated functional reconstruction through dynamic remodeling develops a novel balance. Herein, present review recapitulates the molecular basis of BMMSC-assisted biological processes and summarizes the possible mechanisms related to the interaction between BMMSCs and microglia. The transplanted BMMSCs can suppress neuroinflammation that plays a key role in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chuan Qin
- Institute of Laboratory Animal Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Comparative Medical Center, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100021, People's Republic of China
| | - Yongning Li
- Department of International Medical Service & Department of Neurosurgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100730, People's Republic of China
| | - Kewei Wang
- Institute of Laboratory Animal Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Comparative Medical Center, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100021, People's Republic of China
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17
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Thioredoxin-Interacting Protein (TXNIP) with Focus on Brain and Neurodegenerative Diseases. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21249357. [PMID: 33302545 PMCID: PMC7764580 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21249357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2020] [Revised: 12/02/2020] [Accepted: 12/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The development of new therapeutic approaches to diseases relies on the identification of key molecular targets involved in amplifying disease processes. One such molecule is thioredoxin-interacting protein (TXNIP), also designated thioredoxin-binding protein-2 (TBP-2), a member of the α-arrestin family of proteins and a central regulator of glucose and lipid metabolism, involved in diabetes-associated vascular endothelial dysfunction and inflammation. TXNIP sequesters reduced thioredoxin (TRX), inhibiting its function, resulting in increased oxidative stress. Many different cellular stress factors regulate TXNIP expression, including high glucose, endoplasmic reticulum stress, free radicals, hypoxia, nitric oxide, insulin, and adenosine-containing molecules. TXNIP is also directly involved in inflammatory activation through its interaction with the nucleotide-binding domain, leucine-rich-containing family, and pyrin domain-containing-3 (NLRP3) inflammasome complex. Neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease have significant pathologies associated with increased oxidative stress, inflammation, and vascular dysfunctions. In addition, as dysfunctions in glucose and cellular metabolism have been associated with such brain diseases, a role for TXNIP in neurodegeneration has actively been investigated. In this review, we will focus on the current state of the understanding of possible normal and pathological functions of TXNIP in the central nervous system from studies of in vitro neural cells and the brains of humans and experimental animals with reference to other studies. As TXNIP can be expressed by neurons, microglia, astrocytes, and endothelial cells, a complex pattern of regulation and function in the brain is suggested. We will examine data suggesting TXNIP as a therapeutic target for neurodegenerative diseases where further research is needed.
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18
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Fertan E, Wong AA, Purdon MK, Weaver ICG, Brown RE. The effect of background strain on the behavioral phenotypes of the MDGA2 +/- mouse model of autism spectrum disorder. GENES BRAIN AND BEHAVIOR 2020; 20:e12696. [PMID: 32808443 DOI: 10.1111/gbb.12696] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2020] [Revised: 07/27/2020] [Accepted: 08/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
The membrane-associated mucin (MAM) domain containing glycosylphosphatidylinositol anchor 2 protein single knock-out mice (MDGA2+/- ) are models of ASD. We examined the behavioral phenotypes of male and female MDGA2+/- and wildtype mice on C57BL6/NJ and C57BL6/N backgrounds at 2 months of age and measured MDGA2, neuroligin 1 and neuroligin 2 levels at 7 months. Mice on the C57BL6/NJ background performed better than those on the C57BL6/N background in visual ability and in learning and memory performance in the Morris water maze and differed in measures of motor behavior and anxiety. Mice with the MDGA2+/- genotype differed from WT mice in motor, social and repetitive behavior and anxiety, but most of these effects involved interactions between MDGA2+/- genotype and background strain. The background strain also influenced MDGA2 levels and NLGN2 association in MDGA2+/- mice. Our findings emphasize the importance of the background strain used in studies of genetically modified mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emre Fertan
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Aimée A Wong
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Michaela K Purdon
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Ian C G Weaver
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.,Department of Psychiatry, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.,Department of Pathology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.,Brain Repair Centre, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Richard E Brown
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.,Brain Repair Centre, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
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19
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Kynurenic Acid Levels are Increased in the CSF of Alzheimer's Disease Patients. Biomolecules 2020; 10:biom10040571. [PMID: 32276479 PMCID: PMC7226436 DOI: 10.3390/biom10040571] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2020] [Revised: 04/01/2020] [Accepted: 04/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Kynurenic acid (KYNA) is a product of the tryptophan (TRP) metabolism via the kynurenine pathway (KP). This pathway is activated in neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer´s disease (AD). KYNA is primarily produced by astrocytes and is considered neuroprotective. Thus, altered KYNA levels may suggest an inflammatory response. Very recently, significant increases in KYNA levels were reported in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from AD patients compared with normal controls. In this study, we assessed the accuracy of KYNA in CSF for the classification of patients with AD, cognitively healthy controls, and patients with a variety of other neurodegenerative diseases, including frontotemporal dementia (FTD), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP). Averaged KYNA concentration in CSF was higher in patients with AD when compared with healthy subjects and with all the other differentially diagnosed groups. There were no significant differences in KYNA levels in CSF between any other neurodegenerative groups and controls. These results suggest a specific increase in KYNA concentration in CSF from AD patients not seen in other neurodegenerative diseases.
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20
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Fertan E, Stover KR, Brant MG, Stafford PM, Kelly B, Diez-Cecilia E, Wong AA, Weaver DF, Brown RE. Effects of the Novel IDO Inhibitor DWG-1036 on the Behavior of Male and Female 3xTg-AD Mice. Front Pharmacol 2019; 10:1044. [PMID: 31607909 PMCID: PMC6773979 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2019.01044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2019] [Accepted: 08/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The kynurenine pathway metabolizes tryptophan into nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, producing a number of intermediary metabolites, including 3-hydroxy kynurenine and quinolinic acid, which are involved in the neurodegenerative mechanisms that underlie Alzheimer's disease (AD). Indolamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO), the first and rate-limiting enzyme of this pathway, is increased in AD, and it has been hypothesized that blocking this enzyme may slow the progression of AD. In this study, we treated male and female 3xTg-AD and wild-type mice with the novel IDO inhibitor DWG-1036 (80 mg/kg) or vehicle (distilled water) from 2 to 6 months of age and then tested them in a battery of behavioral tests that measured spatial learning and memory (Barnes maze), working memory (trace fear conditioning), motor coordination and learning (rotarod), anxiety (elevated plus maze), and depression (tail suspension test). The 3xTg-AD mice treated with DWG-1036 showed better memory in the trace fear conditioning task and significant improvements in learning but poorer spatial memory in the Barnes maze. DWG-1036 treatment also ameliorated the behaviors associated with increased anxiety in the elevated plus maze and depression-like behaviors in the tail suspension test in 3xTg-AD mice. However, the effects of DWG-1036 treatment on the behavioral tasks were variable, and sex differences were apparent. In addition, high doses of DWG-1036 resulted in reduced body weight, particularly in females. Taken together, our results suggest that the kynurenine pathway is a promising target for treating AD, but more work is needed to determine the effective compounds, examine sex differences, and understand the side effects of the compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emre Fertan
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Kurt R.J. Stover
- Krembil Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Michael G. Brant
- Krembil Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Paul M. Stafford
- Krembil Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Brendan Kelly
- Krembil Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Elena Diez-Cecilia
- Krembil Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Aimée A. Wong
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Donald F. Weaver
- Krembil Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Richard E. Brown
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
| |
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