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Pádua MS, Guil-Guerrero JL, Prates JAM, Lopes PA. Insights on the Use of Transgenic Mice Models in Alzheimer's Disease Research. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:2805. [PMID: 38474051 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25052805] [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: 01/29/2024] [Revised: 02/26/2024] [Accepted: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD), the leading cause of dementia, presents a significant global health challenge with no known cure to date. Central to our understanding of AD pathogenesis is the β-amyloid cascade hypothesis, which underlies drug research and discovery efforts. Despite extensive studies, no animal models of AD have completely validated this hypothesis. Effective AD models are essential for accurately replicating key pathological features of the disease, notably the formation of β-amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles. These pathological markers are primarily driven by mutations in the amyloid precursor protein (APP) and presenilin 1 (PS1) genes in familial AD (FAD) and by tau protein mutations for the tangle pathology. Transgenic mice models have been instrumental in AD research, heavily relying on the overexpression of mutated APP genes to simulate disease conditions. However, these models do not entirely replicate the human condition of AD. This review aims to provide a comprehensive evaluation of the historical and ongoing research efforts in AD, particularly through the use of transgenic mice models. It is focused on the benefits gathered from these transgenic mice models in understanding β-amyloid toxicity and the broader biological underpinnings of AD. Additionally, the review critically assesses the application of these models in the preclinical testing of new therapeutic interventions, highlighting the gap between animal models and human clinical realities. This analysis underscores the need for refinement in AD research methodologies to bridge this gap and enhance the translational value of preclinical studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mafalda Soares Pádua
- CIISA-Centro de Investigação Interdisciplinar em Sanidade Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade de Lisboa, 1300-477 Lisbon, Portugal
- Laboratório Associado para Ciência Animal e Veterinária (AL4AnimalS), Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade de Lisboa, 1300-477 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - José L Guil-Guerrero
- Departamento de Tecnología de Alimentos, Universidad de Almería, 04120 Almería, Spain
| | - José A M Prates
- CIISA-Centro de Investigação Interdisciplinar em Sanidade Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade de Lisboa, 1300-477 Lisbon, Portugal
- Laboratório Associado para Ciência Animal e Veterinária (AL4AnimalS), Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade de Lisboa, 1300-477 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Paula Alexandra Lopes
- CIISA-Centro de Investigação Interdisciplinar em Sanidade Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade de Lisboa, 1300-477 Lisbon, Portugal
- Laboratório Associado para Ciência Animal e Veterinária (AL4AnimalS), Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade de Lisboa, 1300-477 Lisbon, Portugal
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Wright AL, Konen LM, Mockett BG, Morris GP, Singh A, Burbano LE, Milham L, Hoang M, Zinn R, Chesworth R, Tan RP, Royle GA, Clark I, Petrou S, Abraham WC, Vissel B. The Q/R editing site of AMPA receptor GluA2 subunit acts as an epigenetic switch regulating dendritic spines, neurodegeneration and cognitive deficits in Alzheimer's disease. Mol Neurodegener 2023; 18:65. [PMID: 37759260 PMCID: PMC10537207 DOI: 10.1186/s13024-023-00632-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2023] [Accepted: 06/03/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND RNA editing at the Q/R site of GluA2 occurs with ~99% efficiency in the healthy brain, so that the majority of AMPARs contain GluA2(R) instead of the exonically encoded GluA2(Q). Reduced Q/R site editing infcreases AMPA receptor calcium permeability and leads to dendritic spine loss, neurodegeneration, seizures and learning impairments. Furthermore, GluA2 Q/R site editing is impaired in Alzheimer's disease (AD), raising the possibility that unedited GluA2(Q)-containing AMPARs contribute to synapse loss and neurodegeneration in AD. If true, then inhibiting expression of unedited GluA2(Q), while maintaining expression of GluA2(R), may be a novel strategy of preventing synapse loss and neurodegeneration in AD. METHODS We engineered mice with the 'edited' arginine codon (CGG) in place of the unedited glutamine codon (CAG) at position 607 of the Gria2 gene. We crossbred this line with the J20 mouse model of AD and conducted anatomical, electrophysiological and behavioural assays to determine the impact of eliminating unedited GluA2(Q) expression on AD-related phenotypes. RESULTS Eliminating unedited GluA2(Q) expression in AD mice prevented dendritic spine loss and hippocampal CA1 neurodegeneration as well as improved working and reference memory in the radial arm maze. These phenotypes were improved independently of Aβ pathology and ongoing seizure susceptibility. Surprisingly, our data also revealed increased spine density in non-AD mice with exonically encoded GluA2(R) as compared to their wild-type littermates, suggesting an unexpected and previously unknown role for unedited GluA2(Q) in regulating dendritic spines. CONCLUSION The Q/R editing site of the AMPA receptor subunit GluA2 may act as an epigenetic switch that regulates dendritic spines, neurodegeneration and memory deficits in AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda L Wright
- St Vincent's Clinical School, St Vincent's Hospital Sydney, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Darlinghurst, NSW, 2010, Australia
- School of Rural Medicine, Charles Sturt University, Orange, NSW, 2800, Australia
| | - Lyndsey M Konen
- Centre for Neuroscience and Regenerative Medicine, St Vincent's Centre for Applied Medical Research, St Vincent's Hospital Sydney, Darlinghurst, NSW, 2010, Australia
| | - Bruce G Mockett
- Department of Psychology, Brain Health Research Centre, Brain Research New Zealand, University of Otago, Box 56, Dunedin, 9054, New Zealand
| | - Gary P Morris
- Centre for Neuroscience and Regenerative Medicine, St Vincent's Centre for Applied Medical Research, St Vincent's Hospital Sydney, Darlinghurst, NSW, 2010, Australia
- Tasmanian School of Medicine, College of Health and Medicine, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, 7005, Australia
| | - Anurag Singh
- Department of Psychology, Brain Health Research Centre, Brain Research New Zealand, University of Otago, Box 56, Dunedin, 9054, New Zealand
| | - Lisseth Estefania Burbano
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
- Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
| | - Luke Milham
- St Vincent's Clinical School, St Vincent's Hospital Sydney, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Darlinghurst, NSW, 2010, Australia
- Centre for Neuroscience and Regenerative Medicine, St Vincent's Centre for Applied Medical Research, St Vincent's Hospital Sydney, Darlinghurst, NSW, 2010, Australia
| | - Monica Hoang
- School of Pharmacy, University of Waterloo, Kitchener, ON, N2G 1C5, Canada
| | - Raphael Zinn
- Centre for Neuroscience and Regenerative Medicine, St Vincent's Centre for Applied Medical Research, St Vincent's Hospital Sydney, Darlinghurst, NSW, 2010, Australia
| | - Rose Chesworth
- School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Campbelltown, NSW, 2560, Australia
| | - Richard P Tan
- Chronic Diseases, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medicine, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2050, Australia
- Charles Perkins Centre, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia
| | - Gordon A Royle
- Middlemore Hospital, Counties Manukau DHB, Otahuhu, Auckland, 1062, New Zealand
- Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Grafton, Auckland, 1023, New Zealand
| | - Ian Clark
- Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, 0200, Australia
| | - Steven Petrou
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
- Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
| | - Wickliffe C Abraham
- Department of Psychology, Brain Health Research Centre, Brain Research New Zealand, University of Otago, Box 56, Dunedin, 9054, New Zealand
| | - Bryce Vissel
- St Vincent's Clinical School, St Vincent's Hospital Sydney, Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Darlinghurst, NSW, 2010, Australia.
- Centre for Neuroscience and Regenerative Medicine, St Vincent's Centre for Applied Medical Research, St Vincent's Hospital Sydney, Darlinghurst, NSW, 2010, Australia.
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Panes-Fernandez J, Godoy PA, Gavilan J, Ramírez-Molina O, Burgos CF, Marileo A, Flores-Núñez O, Castro PA, Moraga-Cid G, Yévenes GE, Muñoz-Montesino C, Fuentealba J. TG2 promotes amyloid beta aggregates: Impact on ER-mitochondria crosstalk, calcium homeostasis and synaptic function in Alzheimer’s disease. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 162:114596. [PMID: 36989728 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.114596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2023] [Revised: 03/20/2023] [Accepted: 03/23/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's Disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by cognitive impairment that increasingly affects the elderly. AD's main features have been related to cellular and molecular events, including the aberrant aggregation of the amyloid beta peptide (Aβ), Ca2+ dyshomeostasis, and increased mitochondria-associated membranes (MAMs). Transglutaminase type 2 (TG2) is a ubiquitous enzyme whose primary role is the Ca2+-dependent proteins transamidation, including the Aβ peptide. TG2 activity has been closely related to cellular damage and death. We detected increased TG2 levels in neuronal cells treated with Aβ oligomers (AβOs) and hippocampal slices from J20 mice using cellular and molecular approaches. In this work, we characterized the capacity of TG2 to interact and promote Aβ toxic aggregates (AβTG2). AβTG2 induced an acute increase in intracellular Ca2+, miniature currents, and hiperexcitability, consistent with an increased mitochondrial Ca2+ overload, IP3R-VDAC tethering, and mitochondria-endoplasmic reticulum contacts (MERCs). AβTG2 also decreased neuronal viability and excitatory postsynaptic currents, reinforcing the idea of synaptic failure associated with MAMs dysregulation mediated by TG2. Z-DON treatment, TG2 inhibitor, reduced calcium overload, mitochondrial membrane potential loss, and synaptic failure, indicating an involvement of TG2 in a toxic cycle which increases Aβ aggregation, Ca2+ overload, and MAMs upregulation. These data provide novel information regarding the role TG2 plays in synaptic function and contribute additional evidence to support the further development of TG2 inhibitors as a disease-modifying strategy for AD.
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Godoy PA, Mennickent D, Cuchillo-Ibáñez I, Ramírez-Molina O, Silva-Grecchi T, Panes-Fernández J, Castro P, Sáez-Valero J, Fuentealba J. Increased P2×2 receptors induced by amyloid-β peptide participates in the neurotoxicity in alzheimer's disease. Biomed Pharmacother 2021; 142:111968. [PMID: 34343896 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2021.111968] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2021] [Revised: 07/20/2021] [Accepted: 07/23/2021] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Amyloid beta peptide (Aβ) is tightly associated with the physiopathology of Alzheimer's Disease (AD) as one of the most important factors in the evolution of the pathology. In this context, we previously reported that Aβ increases the expression of ionotropic purinergic receptor 2 (P2×2R). However, its role on the cellular and molecular Aβ toxicity is unknown, especially in human brain of AD patients. Using cellular and molecular approaches in hippocampal neurons, PC12 cells, and human brain samples of patients with AD, we evaluated the participation of P2×2R in the physiopathology of AD. Here, we reported that Aβ oligomers (Aβo) increased P2×2 levels in mice hippocampal neurons, and that this receptor increases at late Braak stages of AD patients. Aβo also increases the colocalization of APP with Rab5, an early endosomes marker, and decreased the nuclear/cytoplasmic ratio of Fe65 and PGC-1α immunoreactivity. The overexpression in PC12 cells of P2×2a, but not P2×2b, replicated these changes in Fe65 and PGC-1α; however, both overexpressed isoforms increased levels of Aβ. Taken together, these data suggest that P2×2 is upregulated in AD and it could be a key potentiator of the physiopathology of Aβ. Our results point to a possible participation in a toxic cycle that increases Aβ production, Ca2+ overload, and a decrease of PGC-1α. These novel findings put the P2×2R as a key novel pharmacological target to develop new therapeutic strategies to treat Alzheimer's Disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pamela A Godoy
- Laboratorio de Screening de Compuestos Neuroactivos, Departamento de Fisiología, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de Concepción, Concepción, Chile
| | - Daniela Mennickent
- Laboratorio de Screening de Compuestos Neuroactivos, Departamento de Fisiología, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de Concepción, Concepción, Chile
| | - Inmaculada Cuchillo-Ibáñez
- Instituto de Neurociencias de Alicante, Universidad Miguel Hernández-CSIC, Sant Joan d'Alacant, 03550 Alicante, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Spain
| | - Oscar Ramírez-Molina
- Laboratorio de Screening de Compuestos Neuroactivos, Departamento de Fisiología, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de Concepción, Concepción, Chile
| | - Tiare Silva-Grecchi
- Laboratorio de Screening de Compuestos Neuroactivos, Departamento de Fisiología, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de Concepción, Concepción, Chile
| | - Jessica Panes-Fernández
- Laboratorio de Screening de Compuestos Neuroactivos, Departamento de Fisiología, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de Concepción, Concepción, Chile
| | - Patricio Castro
- Departamento de Fisiología, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de Concepción, Concepción, Chile
| | - Javier Sáez-Valero
- Instituto de Neurociencias de Alicante, Universidad Miguel Hernández-CSIC, Sant Joan d'Alacant, 03550 Alicante, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Spain
| | - Jorge Fuentealba
- Laboratorio de Screening de Compuestos Neuroactivos, Departamento de Fisiología, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de Concepción, Concepción, Chile; Centro de Investigaciones Avanzadas en Biomedicina (CIAB-UdeC), Universidad de Concepción, Concepción, Chile.
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Chen YA, Lu CH, Ke CC, Chiu SJ, Jeng FS, Chang CW, Yang BH, Liu RS. Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Derived Exosomes Ameliorate Alzheimer's Disease Pathology and Improve Cognitive Deficits. Biomedicines 2021; 9:biomedicines9060594. [PMID: 34073900 PMCID: PMC8225157 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines9060594] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2021] [Revised: 05/04/2021] [Accepted: 05/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The accumulation of extracellular β-amyloid (Aβ) plaques within the brain is unique to Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and thought to induce synaptic deficits and neuronal loss. Optimal therapies should tackle the core AD pathophysiology and prevent the decline in memory and cognitive functions. This study aimed to evaluate the therapeutic performance of mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes (MSC-exosomes), which are secreted membranous elements encapsulating a variety of MSC factors, on AD. A human neural cell culture model with familial AD (FAD) mutations was established and co-cultured with purified MSC-exosomes. 2-[18F]Fluoro-2-deoxy-d-glucose ([18F]FDG) and novel object recognition (NOR) testing were performed before/after treatment to evaluate the therapeutic effect in vivo. The AD-related pathology and the expression of neuronal memory/synaptic plasticity-related genes were also evaluated. The results showed that MSC-exosomes reduced Aβ expression and restored the expression of neuronal memory/synaptic plasticity-related genes in the cell model. [18F]FDG-PET imaging and cognitive assessment revealed a significant improvement in brain glucose metabolism and cognitive function in AD transgenic mice. The phase of neurons and astrocytes in the brain of AD mice were also found to be regulated after treatment with MSC-exosomes. Our study demonstrates the therapeutic mechanism of MSC-exosomes and provides an alternative therapeutic strategy based on cell-free MSC-exosomes for the treatment of AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi-An Chen
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei 112, Taiwan;
- Molecular and Genetic Imaging Core/Taiwan Mouse Clinic, National Comprehensive Mouse Phenotyping and Drug Testing Center, Taipei 112, Taiwan; (C.-H.L.); (S.-J.C.); (F.-S.J.)
| | - Cheng-Hsiu Lu
- Molecular and Genetic Imaging Core/Taiwan Mouse Clinic, National Comprehensive Mouse Phenotyping and Drug Testing Center, Taipei 112, Taiwan; (C.-H.L.); (S.-J.C.); (F.-S.J.)
- Industrial Ph.D Program of Biomedical Science and Engineering, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei 112, Taiwan
| | - Chien-Chih Ke
- Molecular and Genetic Imaging Core/Taiwan Mouse Clinic, National Comprehensive Mouse Phenotyping and Drug Testing Center, Taipei 112, Taiwan; (C.-H.L.); (S.-J.C.); (F.-S.J.)
- Department of Medical Imaging and Radiological Sciences, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
- Drug Development and Value Creation Research Center, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
- Department of Medical Research, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan
- Correspondence: (C.-C.K.); (R.-S.L.); Tel.: +886-7-3121101 (ext. 2250) (C.-C.K.); +886-2-28757301 (ext. 575) (R.-S.L.); Fax: +886-7-3113449 (C.-C.K.); +886-2-28749431(R.-S.L.)
| | - Sain-Jhih Chiu
- Molecular and Genetic Imaging Core/Taiwan Mouse Clinic, National Comprehensive Mouse Phenotyping and Drug Testing Center, Taipei 112, Taiwan; (C.-H.L.); (S.-J.C.); (F.-S.J.)
| | - Fong-Shya Jeng
- Molecular and Genetic Imaging Core/Taiwan Mouse Clinic, National Comprehensive Mouse Phenotyping and Drug Testing Center, Taipei 112, Taiwan; (C.-H.L.); (S.-J.C.); (F.-S.J.)
| | - Chi-Wei Chang
- National PET and Cyclotron Center (NPCC), Department of Nuclear Medicine, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei 112, Taiwan; (C.-W.C.); (B.-H.Y.)
| | - Bang-Hung Yang
- National PET and Cyclotron Center (NPCC), Department of Nuclear Medicine, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei 112, Taiwan; (C.-W.C.); (B.-H.Y.)
- Department of Biomedical Imaging and Radiological Sciences, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei 112, Taiwan
| | - Ren-Shyan Liu
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei 112, Taiwan;
- Molecular and Genetic Imaging Core/Taiwan Mouse Clinic, National Comprehensive Mouse Phenotyping and Drug Testing Center, Taipei 112, Taiwan; (C.-H.L.); (S.-J.C.); (F.-S.J.)
- National PET and Cyclotron Center (NPCC), Department of Nuclear Medicine, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei 112, Taiwan; (C.-W.C.); (B.-H.Y.)
- Department of Biomedical Imaging and Radiological Sciences, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei 112, Taiwan
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Cheng Hsin General Hospital, Taipei 112, Taiwan
- Correspondence: (C.-C.K.); (R.-S.L.); Tel.: +886-7-3121101 (ext. 2250) (C.-C.K.); +886-2-28757301 (ext. 575) (R.-S.L.); Fax: +886-7-3113449 (C.-C.K.); +886-2-28749431(R.-S.L.)
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Cassel JC, Ferraris M, Quilichini P, Cholvin T, Boch L, Stephan A, Pereira de Vasconcelos A. The reuniens and rhomboid nuclei of the thalamus: A crossroads for cognition-relevant information processing? Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2021; 126:338-360. [PMID: 33766671 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2021.03.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2020] [Revised: 03/17/2021] [Accepted: 03/17/2021] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Over the past twenty years, the reuniens and rhomboid (ReRh) nuclei, which constitute the ventral midline thalamus, have received constantly growing attention. Since our first review article about the functional contributions of ReRh nuclei (Cassel et al., 2013), numerous (>80) important papers have extended anatomical knowledge, including at a developmental level, introduced new and very original electrophysiological insights on ReRh functions, and brought novel results on cognitive and non-cognitive implications of the ReRh. The current review will cover these recent articles, more on Re than on Rh, and their contribution will be approached according to their affiliation with work before 2013. These neuroanatomical, electrophysiological or behavioral findings appear coherent and point to the ReRh nuclei as two major components of a multistructural system supporting numerous cognitive (and non-cognitive) functions. They gate the flow of information, perhaps especially from the medial prefrontal cortex to the hippocampus and back, and coordinate activity and processing across these two (and possibly other) brain regions of major cognitive relevance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean-Christophe Cassel
- Laboratoire de Neurosciences Cognitives et Adaptatives, Université de Strasbourg, F-67000 Strasbourg, France; LNCA, UMR 7364 - CNRS, F-67000 Strasbourg, France.
| | - Maëva Ferraris
- Aix Marseille Université, INSERM, INS, Inst Neurosci Syst, Marseille, France
| | - Pascale Quilichini
- Aix Marseille Université, INSERM, INS, Inst Neurosci Syst, Marseille, France
| | - Thibault Cholvin
- Institute for Physiology I, University Clinics Freiburg, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Laurine Boch
- Laboratoire de Neurosciences Cognitives et Adaptatives, Université de Strasbourg, F-67000 Strasbourg, France; LNCA, UMR 7364 - CNRS, F-67000 Strasbourg, France
| | - Aline Stephan
- Laboratoire de Neurosciences Cognitives et Adaptatives, Université de Strasbourg, F-67000 Strasbourg, France; LNCA, UMR 7364 - CNRS, F-67000 Strasbourg, France
| | - Anne Pereira de Vasconcelos
- Laboratoire de Neurosciences Cognitives et Adaptatives, Université de Strasbourg, F-67000 Strasbourg, France; LNCA, UMR 7364 - CNRS, F-67000 Strasbourg, France
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Kreilaus F, Masanetz R, Watt G, Przybyla M, Ittner A, Ittner L, Karl T. The behavioural phenotype of 14-month-old female TAU58/2 transgenic mice. Behav Brain Res 2021; 397:112943. [PMID: 33017638 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2020.112943] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2020] [Revised: 09/20/2020] [Accepted: 09/26/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and Alzheimer's disease (AD) exhibit intracellular inclusions [neurofibrillary tangles (NFT's)] of microtubule-associated protein tau that contributes to neuronal dysfunction and death. Mutations in the microtubule-associated protein tau (MAPT) gene leads to tau hyperphosphorylation and promotes NFT formation. The TAU58/2 transgenic mouse model expresses mutant human tau (P301S mutation) and exhibits behavioural abnormalities relevant to dementia in early adulthood. Here we comprehensively determined the behavioural phenotype of TAU58/2 transgenic female mice at 14 months of age using test paradigms relevant to FTD and AD. TAU58/2 females showed a significant motor deficit and lower bodyweight compared to WT littermates. Transgenic females failed to habituate to the test arena in the light-dark test. Interestingly, transgenics did not exhibit an anxiolytic-like phenotype and intermediate-term spatial learning in the cheeseboard test was intact. However, a significant learning deficit was detected in the 1st trial across test days indicating impaired long-term spatial memory. In addition, the preference for a previously rewarded location was absent in transgenic females during probe trial testing. Finally, TAU58/2 mice had a defective acoustic startle response and impaired sensorimotor gating. In conclusion TAU58/2 mice exhibit several behavioural deficits that resemble those observed in human FTD and AD. Additionally, we observed a novel startle response deficit in these mice. At 14 months of age, TAU58/2 females represent a later disease stage and are therefore a potentially useful model to test efficacy of therapeutics to reverse or ameliorate behavioural deficits in post-onset tauopapthy-related neurodegenerative disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabian Kreilaus
- School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, NSW 2560, Australia
| | - Rebecca Masanetz
- School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, NSW 2560, Australia; Faculty of Medical and Life Sciences, Hochschule Furtwangen University, 78054 Villingen-Schwenningen, Germany
| | - Georgia Watt
- School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, NSW 2560, Australia
| | - Magdalena Przybyla
- Dementia Research Centre, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie University, NSW 2109, Australia
| | - Arne Ittner
- Dementia Research Centre, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie University, NSW 2109, Australia
| | - Lars Ittner
- Dementia Research Centre, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie University, NSW 2109, Australia
| | - Tim Karl
- School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, NSW 2560, Australia; Neuroscience Research Australia (NeuRA), NSW 2031, Australia; School of Medical Sciences, University of New South Wales, NSW 2052, Australia.
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Fernandez-Valenzuela JJ, Sanchez-Varo R, Muñoz-Castro C, De Castro V, Sanchez-Mejias E, Navarro V, Jimenez S, Nuñez-Diaz C, Gomez-Arboledas A, Moreno-Gonzalez I, Vizuete M, Davila JC, Vitorica J, Gutierrez A. Enhancing microtubule stabilization rescues cognitive deficits and ameliorates pathological phenotype in an amyloidogenic Alzheimer's disease model. Sci Rep 2020; 10:14776. [PMID: 32901091 PMCID: PMC7479116 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-71767-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2019] [Accepted: 08/18/2020] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
In Alzheimer's disease (AD), and other tauopathies, microtubule destabilization compromises axonal and synaptic integrity contributing to neurodegeneration. These diseases are characterized by the intracellular accumulation of hyperphosphorylated tau leading to neurofibrillary pathology. AD brains also accumulate amyloid-beta (Aβ) deposits. However, the effect of microtubule stabilizing agents on Aβ pathology has not been assessed so far. Here we have evaluated the impact of the brain-penetrant microtubule-stabilizing agent Epothilone D (EpoD) in an amyloidogenic model of AD. Three-month-old APP/PS1 mice, before the pathology onset, were weekly injected with EpoD for 3 months. Treated mice showed significant decrease in the phospho-tau levels and, more interesting, in the intracellular and extracellular hippocampal Aβ accumulation, including the soluble oligomeric forms. Moreover, a significant cognitive improvement and amelioration of the synaptic and neuritic pathology was found. Remarkably, EpoD exerted a neuroprotective effect on SOM-interneurons, a highly AD-vulnerable GABAergic subpopulation. Therefore, our results suggested that EpoD improved microtubule dynamics and axonal transport in an AD-like context, reducing tau and Aβ levels and promoting neuronal and cognitive protection. These results underline the existence of a crosstalk between cytoskeleton pathology and the two major AD protein lesions. Therefore, microtubule stabilizers could be considered therapeutic agents to slow the progression of both tau and Aβ pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Jose Fernandez-Valenzuela
- Dpto. Biología Celular, Genética y Fisiología, Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga-IBIMA, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Málaga, Campus de Teatinos, 29071, Málaga, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Madrid, Spain
| | - Raquel Sanchez-Varo
- Dpto. Biología Celular, Genética y Fisiología, Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga-IBIMA, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Málaga, Campus de Teatinos, 29071, Málaga, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Madrid, Spain
| | - Clara Muñoz-Castro
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Madrid, Spain.,Dpto. Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad de Sevilla, C/Prof. Garcia Gonzalez 2, 41012, Sevilla, Spain.,Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla (IBIS), Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocio/CSIC, Universidad de Sevilla, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Vanessa De Castro
- Dpto. Biología Celular, Genética y Fisiología, Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga-IBIMA, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Málaga, Campus de Teatinos, 29071, Málaga, Spain
| | - Elisabeth Sanchez-Mejias
- Dpto. Biología Celular, Genética y Fisiología, Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga-IBIMA, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Málaga, Campus de Teatinos, 29071, Málaga, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Madrid, Spain
| | - Victoria Navarro
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Madrid, Spain.,Dpto. Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad de Sevilla, C/Prof. Garcia Gonzalez 2, 41012, Sevilla, Spain.,Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla (IBIS), Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocio/CSIC, Universidad de Sevilla, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Sebastian Jimenez
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Madrid, Spain.,Dpto. Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad de Sevilla, C/Prof. Garcia Gonzalez 2, 41012, Sevilla, Spain.,Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla (IBIS), Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocio/CSIC, Universidad de Sevilla, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Cristina Nuñez-Diaz
- Dpto. Biología Celular, Genética y Fisiología, Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga-IBIMA, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Málaga, Campus de Teatinos, 29071, Málaga, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Madrid, Spain
| | - Angela Gomez-Arboledas
- Dpto. Biología Celular, Genética y Fisiología, Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga-IBIMA, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Málaga, Campus de Teatinos, 29071, Málaga, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Madrid, Spain
| | - Ines Moreno-Gonzalez
- Dpto. Biología Celular, Genética y Fisiología, Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga-IBIMA, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Málaga, Campus de Teatinos, 29071, Málaga, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Madrid, Spain
| | - Marisa Vizuete
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Madrid, Spain.,Dpto. Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad de Sevilla, C/Prof. Garcia Gonzalez 2, 41012, Sevilla, Spain.,Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla (IBIS), Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocio/CSIC, Universidad de Sevilla, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Jose Carlos Davila
- Dpto. Biología Celular, Genética y Fisiología, Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga-IBIMA, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Málaga, Campus de Teatinos, 29071, Málaga, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Madrid, Spain
| | - Javier Vitorica
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Madrid, Spain. .,Dpto. Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad de Sevilla, C/Prof. Garcia Gonzalez 2, 41012, Sevilla, Spain. .,Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla (IBIS), Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocio/CSIC, Universidad de Sevilla, Sevilla, Spain.
| | - Antonia Gutierrez
- Dpto. Biología Celular, Genética y Fisiología, Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga-IBIMA, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Málaga, Campus de Teatinos, 29071, Málaga, Spain. .,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Madrid, Spain.
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9
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Oberman K, Gouweleeuw L, Hoogerhout P, Eisel ULM, van Riet E, Schoemaker RG. Vaccination Prevented Short-Term Memory Loss, but Deteriorated Long-Term Spatial Memory in Alzheimer's Disease Mice, Independent of Amyloid-β Pathology. J Alzheimers Dis Rep 2020; 4:261-280. [PMID: 32904788 PMCID: PMC7458552 DOI: 10.3233/adr-200213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Soluble oligomeric amyloid-β (Aβ), rather than Aβ plaques, seems to be the culprit in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Accordingly, a new concept vaccine of small cyclic peptide conjugates, selectively targeting oligomeric Aβ, has been developed. Objective: Study the therapeutic potential of this new vaccine in a mouse model for AD. Methods: J20 mice, overexpressing human amyloid precursor protein, were validated for an AD-like phenotype. Then, J20 mice were vaccinated at 2, 3, and 4 months of age and AD phenotype was evaluated at 6, 9, and 12 months of age; or at 9, 10, and 11 months with evaluation at 12 months. Effects on Aβ pathology were studied by plaque load (immunohistochemistry; 6E10) and antibody titers against Aβ (ELISA). AD behavioral phenotype was evaluated by performance in a battery of cognitive tests. Results: J20 mice displayed age-related Aβ plaque development and an AD-like behavioral phenotype. A consistent antibody response to the cyclic peptides was, however, not extended to Aβ, leaving plaque load unaffected. Nevertheless, immunization at young ages prevented working- and short-term spatial memory loss, but deteriorated long-term spatial learning and memory, at 12 months of age. Immunization at later ages did not affect any measured parameter. Conclusion: J20 mice provide a relevant model for AD to study potential anti-Aβ treatment. Early vaccination prevented short-term memory loss at later ages, but deteriorated long-term spatial memory, however without affecting Aβ pathology. Later vaccination had no effects, but optimal timing may require further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Klaske Oberman
- Department of Neurobiology GELIFES, University Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Leonie Gouweleeuw
- Department of Neurobiology GELIFES, University Groningen, The Netherlands
| | | | - Ulrich L M Eisel
- Department of Neurobiology GELIFES, University Groningen, The Netherlands
| | | | - Regien G Schoemaker
- Department of Neurobiology GELIFES, University Groningen, The Netherlands.,University Medical Center Groningen, The Netherlands
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10
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Schroeder A, Nakamura JP, Hudson M, Jones NC, Du X, Sundram S, Hill RA. Raloxifene recovers effects of prenatal immune activation on cognitive task-induced gamma power. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2019; 110:104448. [PMID: 31546114 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2019.104448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2019] [Revised: 09/04/2019] [Accepted: 09/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
There is currently no treatment available for the cognitive symptoms of schizophrenia, but evidence suggests that selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) may provide relief. Our recent animal model data showed that a lack of female sex hormones in mice impairs the ability of hippocampal neurons to synchronise and generate oscillations within the frequency range of 30-80 Hz (gamma power) leading to cognitive impairment, while both estradiol and the SERM, raloxifene, recovered this. Given that cognitive impairment is accompanied by abnormal gamma power in schizophrenia, this study aimed to determine the effects of raloxifene on gamma power during spatial memory tasks in the prenatal immune challenged (poly-I:C) mouse model with relevance to schizophrenia. Pregnant dams received the viral mimetic poly-I:C (20 mg/kg, i.p.) at gestational day 17. Male and female offspring were treated with placebo or raloxifene implants at adulthood. Local field potentials from the CA1 hippocampus were simultaneously recorded during the Y-maze test of short term spatial memory and the cheeseboard maze test of long-term spatial learning and memory and cognitive flexibility. In female but not male mice, poly I:C exposure reduced gamma power during decision making and prolonged the time spent in the centre (decision making phase) during the Y-maze task. Female poly-I:C exposed mice also showed increased gamma power during acquisition of the cheeseboard long term memory task and perseverative behaviour. Treatment with raloxifene recovered gamma power and decision making deficits in the Y-maze and restored gamma power changes during the cheeseboard maze task as well as perseverative behaviour. Male mice showed no electrophysiological or behavioural effects of poly-I:C or raloxifene treatment. In summary, poly-I:C exposure induced female specific cognitive impairments accompanied by altered neural oscillations in the gamma frequency and raloxifene recovered these abnormalities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Schroeder
- Psychoneuroendocrinology Laboratory, Florey Institute for Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia; Behavioural Neuroscience Laboratory, Department of Psychiatry, School of Clinical Sciences, Monash University, 246 Clayton Rd, Clayton, VIC, 3168, Australia
| | - Jay P Nakamura
- Psychoneuroendocrinology Laboratory, Florey Institute for Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia; Behavioural Neuroscience Laboratory, Department of Psychiatry, School of Clinical Sciences, Monash University, 246 Clayton Rd, Clayton, VIC, 3168, Australia
| | - Matthew Hudson
- Department of Medicine, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia; Department of Neuroscience, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, 3168, Australia
| | - Nigel C Jones
- Department of Medicine, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia; Department of Neuroscience, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, 3168, Australia
| | - Xin Du
- Psychoneuroendocrinology Laboratory, Florey Institute for Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia; Behavioural Neuroscience Laboratory, Department of Psychiatry, School of Clinical Sciences, Monash University, 246 Clayton Rd, Clayton, VIC, 3168, Australia
| | - Suresh Sundram
- Behavioural Neuroscience Laboratory, Department of Psychiatry, School of Clinical Sciences, Monash University, 246 Clayton Rd, Clayton, VIC, 3168, Australia
| | - Rachel A Hill
- Psychoneuroendocrinology Laboratory, Florey Institute for Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia; Behavioural Neuroscience Laboratory, Department of Psychiatry, School of Clinical Sciences, Monash University, 246 Clayton Rd, Clayton, VIC, 3168, Australia.
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11
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Sphingosine Kinase 2 Potentiates Amyloid Deposition but Protects against Hippocampal Volume Loss and Demyelination in a Mouse Model of Alzheimer's Disease. J Neurosci 2019; 39:9645-9659. [PMID: 31641049 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.0524-19.2019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2019] [Revised: 09/19/2019] [Accepted: 10/10/2019] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) is a potent vasculoprotective and neuroprotective signaling lipid, synthesized primarily by sphingosine kinase 2 (SK2) in the brain. We have reported pronounced loss of S1P and SK2 activity early in Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathogenesis, and an inverse correlation between hippocampal S1P levels and age in females, leading us to speculate that loss of S1P is a sensitizing influence for AD. Paradoxically, SK2 was reported to mediate amyloid β (Aβ) formation from amyloid precursor protein (APP) in vitro To determine whether loss of S1P sensitizes to Aβ-mediated neurodegeneration, we investigated whether SK2 deficiency worsens pathology and memory in male J20 (PDGFB-APPSwInd) mice. SK2 deficiency greatly reduced Aβ content in J20 mice, associated with significant improvements in epileptiform activity and cross-frequency coupling measured by hippocampal electroencephalography. However, several key measures of APPSwInd-dependent neurodegeneration were enhanced on the SK2-null background, despite reduced Aβ burden. These included hippocampal volume loss, oligodendrocyte attrition and myelin loss, and impaired performance in Y-maze and social novelty memory tests. Inhibition of the endosomal cholesterol exporter NPC1 greatly reduced sphingosine phosphorylation in glial cells, linking loss of SK2 activity and S1P in AD to perturbed endosomal lipid metabolism. Our findings establish SK2 as an important endogenous regulator of both APP processing to Aβ, and oligodendrocyte survival, in vivo These results urge greater consideration of the roles played by oligodendrocyte dysfunction and altered membrane lipid metabolic flux as drivers of neurodegeneration in AD.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Genetic, neuropathological, and functional studies implicate both Aβ and altered lipid metabolism and/or signaling as key pathogenic drivers of Alzheimer's disease. In this study, we first demonstrate that the enzyme SK2, which generates the signaling lipid S1P, is required for Aβ formation from APP in vivo Second, we establish a new role for SK2 in the protection of oligodendrocytes and myelin. Loss of SK2 sensitizes to Aβ-mediated neurodegeneration by attenuating oligodendrocyte survival and promoting hippocampal atrophy, despite reduced Aβ burden. Our findings support a model in which Aβ-independent sensitizing influences such as loss of neuroprotective S1P are more important drivers of neurodegeneration than gross Aβ concentration or plaque density.
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12
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Kreilaus F, Chesworth R, Eapen V, Clarke R, Karl T. First behavioural assessment of a novel Immp2l knockdown mouse model with relevance for Gilles de la Tourette syndrome and Autism spectrum disorder. Behav Brain Res 2019; 374:112057. [PMID: 31233820 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2019.112057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2019] [Revised: 06/20/2019] [Accepted: 06/20/2019] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Gilles de la Tourette syndrome (GTS) is a neurodevelopmental disorder, which shares some clinical features with Autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The genetic factors relevant to the development of both disorders are yet to be fully understood, however, some genetic association studies have identified inner mitochondrial membrane peptidase subunit 2 (IMMP2L) as a potential risk gene for both GTS and ASD. The impact of Immp2l deficiency on behavioural domains is currently unknown. A new genetic mouse model for Immp2l was developed. Adult heterozygous (HET) and homozygous (HOMO) Immp2l knockdown (Immp2l KD) mice of both sexes were compared to wild type-like (WT) littermates in the open field (OF), social interaction, novel object recognition, marble burying, and prepulse inhibition (PPI). The effect of acute dexamphetamine (2 mg/kg) on OF behaviour was also determined. OF locomotion was significantly higher in HET compared to HOMO male littermates. Male and female HOMO mice were much more sensitive to the locomotor-stimulating effects of dexamphetamine (DEX), whereas only HOMO males exhibited significant increased DEX-induced OF exploration compared to control groups. HOMO females failed to habituate to an acoustic startle stimulus. Furthermore, compared to HOMO females, HET females showed reduced social interaction, and a similar trend was seen in HET males. The Immp2l KD mouse model possesses moderate face validity for preclinical research into GTS and ASD, in particular as dysfunctional dopaminergic neurotransmission appears to be one mechanism leading to disease presentation. The sex-dependent differences observed in most findings reinforce the strong influence of sex in the pathophysiology of GTS and ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabian Kreilaus
- School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, NSW 2560, Australia
| | - Rose Chesworth
- School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, NSW 2560, Australia
| | - Valsamma Eapen
- School of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine and Ingham Institute, University of New South Wales, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - Raymond Clarke
- School of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine and Ingham Institute, University of New South Wales, NSW, 2052, Australia.
| | - Tim Karl
- School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, NSW 2560, Australia; Neuroscience Research Australia (NeuRA), NSW, 2031, Australia; School of Medical Sciences, University of New South Wales, NSW, 2052, Australia.
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13
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Ameen-Ali KE, Simpson JE, Wharton SB, Heath PR, Sharp PS, Brezzo G, Berwick J. The Time Course of Recognition Memory Impairment and Glial Pathology in the hAPP-J20 Mouse Model of Alzheimer’s Disease. J Alzheimers Dis 2019; 68:609-624. [DOI: 10.3233/jad-181238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Kamar E. Ameen-Ali
- Department of Psychology, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
- Institute of Neuroscience, Newcastle University, Campus for Ageing and Vitality, Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, UK
| | - Julie E. Simpson
- Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Stephen B. Wharton
- Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Paul R. Heath
- Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Paul S. Sharp
- Department of Psychology, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Gaia Brezzo
- Department of Psychology, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Jason Berwick
- Department of Psychology, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
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14
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Creighton SD, Mendell AL, Palmer D, Kalisch BE, MacLusky NJ, Prado VF, Prado MAM, Winters BD. Dissociable cognitive impairments in two strains of transgenic Alzheimer's disease mice revealed by a battery of object-based tests. Sci Rep 2019; 9:57. [PMID: 30635592 PMCID: PMC6329782 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-37312-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2018] [Accepted: 12/04/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Object recognition tasks detect cognitive deficits in transgenic Alzheimer's disease (AD) mouse models. Object recognition, however, is not a unitary process, and there are many uncharacterized facets of object processing with relevance to AD. We therefore systematically evaluated object processing in 5xFAD and 3xTG AD mice to clarify the nature of object recognition-related deficits. Twelve-month-old male and female 5xFAD and 3xTG mice were assessed on tasks for object identity recognition, spatial recognition, and multisensory object perception. Memory and multisensory perceptual impairments were observed, with interesting dissociations between transgenic AD strains and sex that paralleled neuropathological changes. Overreliance on the widespread "object recognition" task threatens to slow discovery of potentially significant and clinically relevant behavioural effects related to this multifaceted cognitive function. The current results support the use of carefully designed object-based test batteries to clarify the relationship between "object recognition" impairments and specific aspects of AD pathology in rodent models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha D Creighton
- Department of Psychology and Collaborative Neuroscience Program, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | - Ari L Mendell
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Collaborative Neuroscience Program, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | - Daniel Palmer
- Department of Psychology and Collaborative Neuroscience Program, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | - Bettina E Kalisch
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Collaborative Neuroscience Program, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | - Neil J MacLusky
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Collaborative Neuroscience Program, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
| | - Vania F Prado
- Molecular Medicine Research Group, Robarts Research Institute, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Physiology & Pharmacology, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Anatomy & Cell Biology, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Marco A M Prado
- Molecular Medicine Research Group, Robarts Research Institute, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Physiology & Pharmacology, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Anatomy & Cell Biology, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Boyer D Winters
- Department of Psychology and Collaborative Neuroscience Program, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada.
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15
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Nyarko JNK, Quartey MO, Baker GB, Mousseau DD. Can Animal Models Inform on the Relationship between Depression and Alzheimer Disease? CANADIAN JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRY. REVUE CANADIENNE DE PSYCHIATRIE 2019; 64:18-29. [PMID: 29685068 PMCID: PMC6364140 DOI: 10.1177/0706743718772514] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
The focus on the β-amyloid (Aβ) peptide in clinical Alzheimer disease (AD) as well as in animal models of AD has perhaps biased our understanding of what contributes to the heterogeneity in disease onset and progression. Part of this heterogeneity could reflect the various neuropsychiatric risk factors that present with common symptomatology and can predispose the brain to AD-like changes. One such risk factor is depression. Animal models, particularly mouse models carrying variants of AD-related gene(s), many of which lead to an accumulation of Aβ, suggest that a fundamental shift in depression-related monoaminergic systems (including serotonin and noradrenaline) is a strong indicator of the altered cellular function associated with the earlier(est) stages of AD-related pathology. These changes in monoaminergic neurochemistry could provide for relevant targets for intervention in clinical AD and/or could support a polypharmacy strategy, which might include the targeting of Aβ, in vulnerable populations. Future studies must also include female mice as well as male mice in animal model studies on the relationship between depression and AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer N K Nyarko
- 1 Cell Signalling Laboratory, Department of Psychiatry, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
| | - Maa O Quartey
- 1 Cell Signalling Laboratory, Department of Psychiatry, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
| | - Glen B Baker
- 2 Department of Psychiatry, Neuroscience and Mental Health Institute, Neurochemical Research Unit, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Darrell D Mousseau
- 1 Cell Signalling Laboratory, Department of Psychiatry, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
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16
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Ameen-Ali KE, Wharton SB, Simpson JE, Heath PR, Sharp P, Berwick J. Review: Neuropathology and behavioural features of transgenic murine models of Alzheimer's disease. Neuropathol Appl Neurobiol 2018; 43:553-570. [PMID: 28880417 DOI: 10.1111/nan.12440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2017] [Accepted: 09/04/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Our understanding of the underlying biology of Alzheimer's disease (AD) has been steadily progressing; however, this is yet to translate into a successful treatment in humans. The use of transgenic mouse models has helped to develop our understanding of AD, not only in terms of disease pathology, but also with the associated cognitive impairments typical of AD. Plaques and neurofibrillary tangles are often among the last pathological changes in AD mouse models, after neuronal loss and gliosis. There is a general consensus that successful treatments need to be applied before the onset of these pathologies and associated cognitive symptoms. This review discusses the different types of AD mouse models in terms of the temporal progression of the disease, how well they replicate the pathological changes seen in human AD and their cognitive defects. We provide a critical assessment of the behavioural tests used with AD mice to assess cognitive changes and decline, and discuss how successfully they correlate with cognitive impairments in humans with AD. This information is an important tool for AD researchers when deciding on appropriate mouse models, and when selecting measures to assess behavioural and cognitive change.
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Affiliation(s)
- K E Ameen-Ali
- Department of Psychology, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - S B Wharton
- Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - J E Simpson
- Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - P R Heath
- Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - P Sharp
- Department of Psychology, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - J Berwick
- Department of Psychology, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
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17
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Li N, Hu P, Xu T, Chen H, Chen X, Hu J, Yang X, Shi L, Luo JH, Xu J. iTRAQ-based Proteomic Analysis of APPSw,Ind Mice Provides Insights into the Early Changes in Alzheimer's Disease. Curr Alzheimer Res 2018; 14:1109-1122. [PMID: 28730955 PMCID: PMC5676024 DOI: 10.2174/1567205014666170719165745] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2017] [Revised: 06/13/2017] [Accepted: 06/29/2017] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Several proteins have been identified as potential diagnostic biomarkers in imaging, genetic, or proteomic studies in Alzheimer disease (AD) patients and mouse models. However, biomarkers for presymptom diagnosis of AD are still under investigation, as are the presymptom molecular changes in AD pathogenesis. OBJECTIVE In this study, we aim to analyzed the early proteomic changes in APPSw,Ind mice and to conduct further functional studies on interesting proteins. METHODS We used the isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantitation (iTRAQ) approach combined with mass spectrometry to examine the early proteomic changes in hippocampi of APPSw,Ind mice. Quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and immuno-blotting were performed for further validation. Finally, the functions of interesting proteins β-spectrin and Rab3a in APP trafficking and processing were tested by shRNA knockdown, in N2A cells stably expressing β-amyloid precursor protein (APP). RESULTS The iTRAQ and RT-PCR results revealed the detailed molecular changes in oxidative stress, myelination, astrocyte activation, mTOR signaling and Rab3-dependent APP trafficking in the early stage of AD progression. Knock down of β -spectrin and Rab3a finally led to increased APP fragment production, indicating key roles of β-spectrin and Rab3a in regulating APP processing. CONCLUSION Our study provides the first insights into the proteomic changes that occur in the hippocampus in the early stages of the AD mouse model. In addition to improving the understanding of molecular alterations and functional cascades involved in early AD pathogenesis, our findings raise the possibility of developing potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets for early AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nan Li
- Center of Neuroscience, Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology of Ministry of Health, Zhejiang Province Key Laboratory of Neurobiology, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058. China
| | - Pinghong Hu
- Center of Neuroscience, Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology of Ministry of Health, Zhejiang Province Key Laboratory of Neurobiology, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058. China
| | - Tiantian Xu
- Center of Neuroscience, Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology of Ministry of Health, Zhejiang Province Key Laboratory of Neurobiology, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058. China
| | - Huan Chen
- Center of Neuroscience, Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology of Ministry of Health, Zhejiang Province Key Laboratory of Neurobiology, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058. China
| | - Xiaoying Chen
- Center of Neuroscience, Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology of Ministry of Health, Zhejiang Province Key Laboratory of Neurobiology, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058. China
| | - Jianwen Hu
- Shanghai Applied Protein Technology Co., Ltd., Shanghai. China
| | - Xifei Yang
- Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Shenzhen, Medical Key Laboratory of Guangdong Province, Medical Key Laboratory of Health Toxicology of Shenzhen, Shenzhen Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shenzhen. China
| | - Lei Shi
- Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Shenzhen, Medical Key Laboratory of Guangdong Province, Medical Key Laboratory of Health Toxicology of Shenzhen, Shenzhen Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shenzhen. China
| | - Jian-Hong Luo
- Center of Neuroscience, Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology of Ministry of Health, Zhejiang Province Key Laboratory of Neurobiology, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058. China
| | - Junyu Xu
- Center of Neuroscience, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou. China
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18
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Mondragón-Rodríguez S, Gu N, Manseau F, Williams S. Alzheimer's Transgenic Model Is Characterized by Very Early Brain Network Alterations and β-CTF Fragment Accumulation: Reversal by β-Secretase Inhibition. Front Cell Neurosci 2018; 12:121. [PMID: 29867356 PMCID: PMC5952042 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2018.00121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2018] [Accepted: 04/13/2018] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is defined by the presence of amyloid-β (Aβ) and tau protein aggregates. However, increasing data is suggesting that brain network alterations rather than protein deposition could account for the early pathogenesis of the disease. In the present study, we performed in vitro extracellular field recordings in the CA1/subiculum area of the hippocampus from 30 days old J20-TG-AD mice. Here, we found that theta oscillations were significantly less rhythmic than those recorded from control group. In addition, J20 mice displayed significantly less theta-gamma cross-frequency coupling (CFC) as peak modulation indexes for slow (25-45 Hz) and fast (150-250 Hz) gamma frequency oscillations were reduced. Because inhibitory parvalbumin (PV) cells play a vital role in coordinating hippocampal theta and gamma oscillations, whole-cell patch-clamp recordings and extracellular stimulation were performed to access their intrinsic and synaptic properties. Whereas neither the inhibitory output of local interneurons to pyramidal cells (PCs) (inhibitory→PC) nor the excitatory output of PCs to PV cells (PC→PV) differed between control and J20 animals, the intrinsic excitability of PV cells was reduced in J20 mice compared to controls. Interestingly, optogenetic activation of PV interneurons which can directly drive theta oscillations in the hippocampus, did not rescue CFC impairments, suggesting the latter did not simply result from alteration of the underlying theta rhythm. Altered young J20 mice was characterized by the presence of β-CTF, but not with Aβ accumulation, in the hippocampus. Importantly, the β secretase inhibitor AZD3839-AstraZeneca significantly rescued the abnormal early electrophysiological phenotype of J20 mice. In conclusion, our data show that brain network alterations precede the canonical Aβ protein deposition and that, such alterations can be related to β-CTF fragment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siddhartha Mondragón-Rodríguez
- Department of Psychiatry, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- CONACYT National Council for Science and Technology, Mexico City, Mexico
- UNAM Developmental Neurobiology and Neurophysiology, Institute of Neurobiology, National Autonomous University of Mexico, Querétaro, Mexico
| | - Ning Gu
- Department of Psychiatry, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, The Royal Mental Health Research Institute, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Frederic Manseau
- Department of Psychiatry, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Sylvain Williams
- Department of Psychiatry, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
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Kim WS, Fu Y, Dobson-Stone C, Hsiao JHT, Shang K, Hallupp M, Schofield PR, Garner B, Karl T, Kwok JBJ. Effect of Fluvoxamine on Amyloid-β Peptide Generation and Memory. J Alzheimers Dis 2018; 62:1777-1787. [PMID: 29614681 DOI: 10.3233/jad-171001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease is characterized by abnormal amyloid-β (Aβ) peptide accumulation beginning decades before symptom onset. An effective prophylactic treatment aimed at arresting the amyloidogenic pathway would therefore need to be initiated prior to the occurrence of Aβ pathology. The SIGMAR1 gene encodes a molecular chaperone that modulates processing of the amyloid-β protein precursor (AβPP). Fluvoxamine is a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor and a potent SIGMAR1 agonist. We therefore hypothesized that fluvoxamine treatment would reduce Aβ production and improve cognition. We firstly investigated the impact of SIGMAR1 on AβPP processing, and found that overexpression and knockdown of SIGMAR1 significantly affected γ-secretase activity in SK-N-MC neuronal cells. We then tested the impact of fluvoxamine on Aβ production in an amyloidogenic cell model, and found that fluvoxamine significantly reduced Aβ production by inhibiting γ-secretase activity. Finally, we assessed the efficacy of long-term treatment (i.e., ∼8 months) of 10 mg/kg/day fluvoxamine in the J20 amyloidogenic mouse model; the treatment was initiated prior to the occurrence of predicted Aβ pathology. Physical examination of the animals revealed no overt pathology or change in weight. We conducted a series of behavioral tests to assess learning and memory, and found that the fluvoxamine treatment significantly improved memory function as measured by novel object recognition task. Two other tests revealed no significant change in memory function. In conclusion, fluvoxamine has a clear impact on γ-secretase activity and AβPP processing to generate Aβ, and may have a protective effect on cognition in the J20 mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Woojin Scott Kim
- Neuroscience Research Australia, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- School of Medical Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- The University of Sydney - Brain and Mind Centre, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Yuhong Fu
- Neuroscience Research Australia, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- School of Medical Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- The University of Sydney - Brain and Mind Centre, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Carol Dobson-Stone
- Neuroscience Research Australia, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- School of Medical Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- The University of Sydney - Brain and Mind Centre, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Jen-Hsiang T Hsiao
- Neuroscience Research Australia, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- School of Medical Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Kani Shang
- Neuroscience Research Australia, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, NSW, Australia
| | - Marianne Hallupp
- Neuroscience Research Australia, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- School of Medical Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- The University of Sydney - Brain and Mind Centre, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Peter R Schofield
- Neuroscience Research Australia, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- School of Medical Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Brett Garner
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, University of Wollongong, NSW, Australia
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Wollongong, NSW, Australia
| | - Tim Karl
- Neuroscience Research Australia, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, NSW, Australia
| | - John B J Kwok
- Neuroscience Research Australia, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- School of Medical Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- The University of Sydney - Brain and Mind Centre, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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Jankowsky JL, Zheng H. Practical considerations for choosing a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease. Mol Neurodegener 2017; 12:89. [PMID: 29273078 PMCID: PMC5741956 DOI: 10.1186/s13024-017-0231-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 277] [Impact Index Per Article: 39.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2017] [Accepted: 12/07/2017] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is behaviorally identified by progressive memory impairment and pathologically characterized by the triad of β-amyloid plaques, neurofibrillary tangles, and neurodegeneration. Genetic mutations and risk factors have been identified that are either causal or modify the disease progression. These genetic and pathological features serve as basis for the creation and validation of mouse models of AD. Efforts made in the past quarter-century have produced over 100 genetically engineered mouse lines that recapitulate some aspects of AD clinicopathology. These models have been valuable resources for understanding genetic interactions that contribute to disease and cellular reactions that are engaged in response. Here we focus on mouse models that have been widely used stalwarts of the field or that are recently developed bellwethers of the future. Rather than providing a summary of each model, we endeavor to compare and contrast the genetic approaches employed and to discuss their respective advantages and limitations. We offer a critical account of the variables which may contribute to inconsistent findings and the factors that should be considered when choosing a model and interpreting the results. We hope to present an insightful review of current AD mouse models and to provide a practical guide for selecting models best matched to the experimental question at hand.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna L Jankowsky
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA. .,Department of Neurology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA. .,Department of Neurosurgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA. .,Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA. .,Huffington Center on Aging, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.
| | - Hui Zheng
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA. .,Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA. .,Huffington Center on Aging, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA. .,Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.
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21
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Lei M, Shafique A, Shang K, Couttas TA, Zhao H, Don AS, Karl T. Contextual fear conditioning is enhanced in mice lacking functional sphingosine kinase 2. Behav Brain Res 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2017.06.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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22
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Fujikawa R, Higuchi S, Nakatsuji M, Yasui M, Ikedo T, Nagata M, Hayashi K, Yokode M, Minami M. Deficiency in EP4 Receptor-Associated Protein Ameliorates Abnormal Anxiety-Like Behavior and Brain Inflammation in a Mouse Model of Alzheimer Disease. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY 2017. [PMID: 28624505 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajpath.2017.04.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Microglia are thought to play key roles in the progression of Alzheimer disease (AD). Overactivated microglia produce proinflammatory cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor-α, which appear to contribute to disease progression. Previously, we reported that prostaglandin E2 type 4 receptor-associated protein (EPRAP) promotes microglial activation. We crossed human amyloid precursor protein transgenic mice from strain J20+/- onto an EPRAP-deficient background to determine the role of EPRAP in AD. Behavioral tests were performed in 5-month-old male J20+/-EPRAP+/+ and J20+/-EPRAP-/- mice. EPRAP deficiency reversed the reduced anxiety of J20+/- mice but did not affect hyperactivity. No differences in spatial memory were observed between J20+/-EPRAP+/+ and J20+/-EPRAP-/- mice. In comparison with J20+/-EPRAP+/+, J20+/-EPRAP-/- mice exhibited less microglial accumulation and reductions in the Cd68 and tumor necrosis factor-α mRNAs in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus. No significant differences were found between the two types of mice in the amount of amyloid-β 40 or 42 in the cortex and hippocampus. J20+/-EPRAP-/- mice reversed the reduced anxiety-like behavior and had reduced microglial activation compared with J20+/-EPRAP+/+ mice. Further research is required to identify the role of EPRAP in AD, but our results indicate that EPRAP may be related to behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia and inflammation in patients with AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Risako Fujikawa
- Department of Clinical Innovative Medicine, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan; Department of Neurosurgery, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Sei Higuchi
- Department of Clinical Innovative Medicine, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Masato Nakatsuji
- Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Mika Yasui
- Department of Clinical Innovative Medicine, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Taichi Ikedo
- Department of Clinical Innovative Medicine, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan; Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Manabu Nagata
- Department of Clinical Innovative Medicine, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan; Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kosuke Hayashi
- Department of Clinical Innovative Medicine, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan; Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Masayuki Yokode
- Department of Clinical Innovative Medicine, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Manabu Minami
- Department of Clinical Innovative Medicine, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan.
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Higa KK, Young JW, Geyer MA. Wet or dry: translatable "water mazes" for mice and humans. J Clin Invest 2016; 126:477-9. [PMID: 26784538 DOI: 10.1172/jci86071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Although the cognitive and biological characteristics of Alzheimer's disease (AD) are well known and mouse models of AD are available, current treatments for AD-related cognitive deficits have quite limited efficacy. The development of tasks with cross-species validity may enable better prediction of the efficacy of potential new treatments. In this issue of the JCI, Possin et al. present a virtual version of the Morris water maze (a common test of spatial learning and memory for rodents) that is designed for use with humans. The authors tested a mouse model of AD (transgenic mice expressing human amyloid precursor protein [hAPP]) and patients in the earlier mild cognitive impairment (MCI) stage of AD in their respective versions of the maze. Using novel statistical methods, they detected similar deficits across species, providing support for the hAPP model and use of the virtual water maze. Importantly, this work enabled recommendations for appropriate sample sizes when developing potential therapeutics for AD.
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24
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Abstract
ATP-binding cassette transporter A7 (ABCA7) is highly expressed in the brain. Recent genome-wide association studies (GWAS) identify ABCA7 single nt polymorphisms (SNPs) that increase Alzheimer's disease (AD) risk. It is now important to understand the true function of ABCA7 in the AD context. We have begun to address this using in vitro and in vivo AD models. Our initial studies showed that transient overexpression of ABCA7 in Chinese hamster ovary cells stably expressing human amyloid precursor protein (APP) resulted in an approximate 50% inhibition in the production of the AD-related amyloid-β (Aβ) peptide as compared with mock-transfected cells. This increased ABCA7 expression was also associated with alterations in other markers of APP processing and an accumulation of cellular APP. To probe for a function of ABCA7 in vivo, we crossed Abca7−/− mice with J20 mice, an amyloidogenic transgenic AD mouse model [B6.Cg-Tg(PDGFB-APPSwInd)20Lms/J] expressing a mutant form of human APP bearing both the Swedish (K670N/M671L) and Indiana (V717F) familial AD mutations. We found that ABCA7 loss doubled insoluble Aβ levels and amyloid plaques in the brain. This did not appear to be related to changes in APP processing (C-terminal fragment analysis), which led us to assess other mechanism by which ABCA7 may modulate Aβ homoeostasis. As we have shown that microglia express high levels of ABCA7, we examined a role for ABCA7 in the phagocytic clearance of Aβ. Our data indicated that the capacity for bone marrow-derived macrophages derived from Abca7−/− mice to phagocytose Aβ was reduced by 51% compared with wild-type (WT) mice. This suggests ABCA7 plays a role in the regulation of Aβ homoeostasis in the brain and that this may be related to Aβ clearance by microglia.
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Mably AJ, Liu W, Mc Donald JM, Dodart JC, Bard F, Lemere CA, O'Nuallain B, Walsh DM. Anti-Aβ antibodies incapable of reducing cerebral Aβ oligomers fail to attenuate spatial reference memory deficits in J20 mice. Neurobiol Dis 2015. [PMID: 26215784 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2015.07.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Compelling genetic evidence links the amyloid precursor protein (APP) to Alzheimer's disease (AD). A leading hypothesis proposes that a small amphipathic fragment of APP, the amyloid β-protein (Aβ), self-associates to form soluble assemblies loosely referred to as "oligomers" and that these are primary mediators of synaptic dysfunction. As such, Aβ, and specifically Aβ oligomers, are targets for disease modifying therapies. Currently, the most advanced experimental treatment for AD relies on the use of anti-Aβ antibodies. In this study, we tested the ability of the monomer-preferring antibody, m266 and a novel aggregate-preferring antibody, 1C22, to attenuate spatial reference memory impairments in J20 mice. Chronic treatment with m266 resulted in a ~70-fold increase in Aβ detected in the bloodstream, and a ~50% increase in water-soluble brain Aβ--and in both cases Aβ was bound to m266. In contrast, 1C22 increased the levels of free Aβ in the bloodstream, and bound to amyloid deposits in J20 brain. However, neither 1C22 nor m266 attenuated the cognitive deficits evident in 12month old J20 mice. Moreover, both antibodies failed to alter the levels of soluble Aβ oligomers in J20 brain. These results suggest that Aβ oligomers may mediate the behavioral deficits seen in J20 mice and highlight the need for the development of aggregate-preferring antibodies that can reach the brain in sufficient levels to neutralize bioactive Aβ oligomers. Aside from the lack of positive effect of m266 and 1C22 on cognition, a substantial number of deaths occurred in m266- and 1C22-immunized J20 mice. These fatalities were specific to anti-Aβ antibodies and to the J20 mouse line since treatment of wild type or PDAPP mice with these antibodies did not cause any deaths. These and other recent results indicate that J20 mice are particularly susceptible to targeting of the APP/Aβ/tau axis. Notwithstanding the specificity of fatalities for J20 mice, it is worrying that the murine precursor (m266) of a lead experimental therapeutic, Solanezumab, did not engage with putatively pathogenic Aβ oligomers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra J Mably
- Laboratory for Neurodegenerative Research, Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Institutes of Medicine, 77 Avenue Louis Pasteur, Boston, MA 02115, United States
| | - Wen Liu
- Laboratory for Neurodegenerative Research, Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Institutes of Medicine, 77 Avenue Louis Pasteur, Boston, MA 02115, United States
| | - Jessica M Mc Donald
- Laboratory for Neurodegenerative Research, Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Institutes of Medicine, 77 Avenue Louis Pasteur, Boston, MA 02115, United States
| | - Jean-Cosme Dodart
- NeuroBehaviour Laboratory Core, Harvard NeuroDiscovery Center, 77 Avenue Louis Pasteur, Boston, MA 02115, United States
| | - Frédérique Bard
- Janssen Alzheimer Immunotherapy Research & Development 700 Gateway Boulevard, South San Francisco, CA 94080, United States
| | - Cynthia A Lemere
- Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Institutes of Medicine, 77 Avenue Louis Pasteur, Boston, MA 02115, United States
| | - Brian O'Nuallain
- Laboratory for Neurodegenerative Research, Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Institutes of Medicine, 77 Avenue Louis Pasteur, Boston, MA 02115, United States
| | - Dominic M Walsh
- Laboratory for Neurodegenerative Research, Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Institutes of Medicine, 77 Avenue Louis Pasteur, Boston, MA 02115, United States.
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26
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Cheng D, Low JK, Logge W, Garner B, Karl T. Chronic cannabidiol treatment improves social and object recognition in double transgenic APPswe/PS1∆E9 mice. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2014; 231:3009-17. [PMID: 24577515 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-014-3478-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 106] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2013] [Accepted: 01/27/2014] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE Patients suffering from Alzheimer's disease (AD) exhibit a decline in cognitive abilities including an inability to recognise familiar faces. Hallmark pathological changes in AD include the aggregation of amyloid-β (Aβ), tau protein hyperphosphorylation as well as pronounced neurodegeneration, neuroinflammation, neurotoxicity and oxidative damage. OBJECTIVES The non-psychoactive phytocannabinoid cannabidiol (CBD) exerts neuroprotective, anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory effects and promotes neurogenesis. CBD also reverses Aβ-induced spatial memory deficits in rodents. MATERIALS AND METHODS Thus we determined the therapeutic-like effects of chronic CBD treatment (20 mg/kg, daily intraperitoneal injections for 3 weeks) on the APPswe/PS1∆E9 (APPxPS1) transgenic mouse model for AD in a number of cognitive tests, including the social preference test, the novel object recognition task and the fear conditioning paradigm. We also analysed the impact of CBD on anxiety behaviours in the elevated plus maze. RESULTS Vehicle-treated APPxPS1 mice demonstrated impairments in social recognition and novel object recognition compared to wild type-like mice. Chronic CBD treatment reversed these cognitive deficits in APPxPS1 mice without affecting anxiety-related behaviours. CONCLUSIONS This is the first study to investigate the effect of chronic CBD treatment on cognition in an AD transgenic mouse model. Our findings suggest that CBD may have therapeutic potential for specific cognitive impairments associated with AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Cheng
- Neuroscience Research Australia, Barker St, Randwick, NSW, 2031, Australia
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27
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Bilkei-Gorzo A. Genetic mouse models of brain ageing and Alzheimer's disease. Pharmacol Ther 2014; 142:244-57. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2013.12.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 131] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2013] [Accepted: 11/26/2013] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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Webster SJ, Bachstetter AD, Nelson PT, Schmitt FA, Van Eldik LJ. Using mice to model Alzheimer's dementia: an overview of the clinical disease and the preclinical behavioral changes in 10 mouse models. Front Genet 2014; 5:88. [PMID: 24795750 PMCID: PMC4005958 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2014.00088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 479] [Impact Index Per Article: 47.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2014] [Accepted: 04/01/2014] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
The goal of this review is to discuss how behavioral tests in mice relate to the pathological and neuropsychological features seen in human Alzheimer's disease (AD), and present a comprehensive analysis of the temporal progression of behavioral impairments in commonly used AD mouse models that contain mutations in amyloid precursor protein (APP). We begin with a brief overview of the neuropathological changes seen in the AD brain and an outline of some of the clinical neuropsychological assessments used to measure cognitive deficits associated with the disease. This is followed by a critical assessment of behavioral tasks that are used in AD mice to model the cognitive changes seen in the human disease. Behavioral tests discussed include spatial memory tests [Morris water maze (MWM), radial arm water maze (RAWM), Barnes maze], associative learning tasks (passive avoidance, fear conditioning), alternation tasks (Y-Maze/T-Maze), recognition memory tasks (Novel Object Recognition), attentional tasks (3 and 5 choice serial reaction time), set-shifting tasks, and reversal learning tasks. We discuss the strengths and weaknesses of each of these behavioral tasks, and how they may correlate with clinical assessments in humans. Finally, the temporal progression of both cognitive and non-cognitive deficits in 10 AD mouse models (PDAPP, TG2576, APP23, TgCRND8, J20, APP/PS1, TG2576 + PS1 (M146L), APP/PS1 KI, 5×FAD, and 3×Tg-AD) are discussed in detail. Mouse models of AD and the behavioral tasks used in conjunction with those models are immensely important in contributing to our knowledge of disease progression and are a useful tool to study AD pathophysiology and the resulting cognitive deficits. However, investigators need to be aware of the potential weaknesses of the available preclinical models in terms of their ability to model cognitive changes observed in human AD. It is our hope that this review will assist investigators in selecting an appropriate mouse model, and accompanying behavioral paradigms to investigate different aspects of AD pathology and disease progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Scott J Webster
- Sanders-Brown Center on Aging, University of Kentucky Lexington, KY, USA
| | - Adam D Bachstetter
- Sanders-Brown Center on Aging, University of Kentucky Lexington, KY, USA
| | - Peter T Nelson
- Sanders-Brown Center on Aging, University of Kentucky Lexington, KY, USA ; Division of Neuropathology, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Kentucky Lexington, KY, USA
| | - Frederick A Schmitt
- Sanders-Brown Center on Aging, University of Kentucky Lexington, KY, USA ; Department of Neurology, University of Kentucky Lexington, KY, USA
| | - Linda J Van Eldik
- Sanders-Brown Center on Aging, University of Kentucky Lexington, KY, USA ; Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Kentucky Lexington, KY, USA
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29
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Cheng D, Low JK, Logge W, Garner B, Karl T. Novel behavioural characteristics of female APPSwe/PS1ΔE9 double transgenic mice. Behav Brain Res 2014; 260:111-8. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2013.11.046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2013] [Revised: 11/19/2013] [Accepted: 11/25/2013] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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30
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Zhang L, Shen C, Chu J, Zhang R, Li Y, Li L. Icariin decreases the expression of APP and BACE-1 and reduces the β-amyloid burden in an APP transgenic mouse model of Alzheimer's disease. Int J Biol Sci 2014; 10:181-91. [PMID: 24550686 PMCID: PMC3927130 DOI: 10.7150/ijbs.6232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2013] [Accepted: 12/24/2013] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects and pharmacological mechanisms of icariin, which is the main component in the traditional Chinese herb Epimedium, on β-amyloid (Aβ) production in an amyloid precursor protein (APP) transgenic (Tg) mouse model of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Methods: APPV717I Tg mice were randomly divided into a model group and icariin-treated (30 and 100 μmol/kg per day) groups. Learning-memory abilities were determined by Morris water maze and object recognition tests. Aβ contents were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays and immunohistochemistry. Amyloid plaques were detected by Congo red staining and Bielschowsky silver staining. The levels of expression of APP and β-site APP-cleaving enzyme 1 (BACE-1) were measured by western blotting and immunohistochemistry. Results: Ten-month-old Tg mice showed obvious learning-memory impairments, and significant increases in Aβ contents, amyloid plaques, and APP and BACE-1 levels in the hippocampus. The intragastric administration of icariin to Tg mice for 6 months (from 4 to 10 months of age) improved the learning-memory abilities and significantly decreased the Aβ contents, amyloid plaques, and APP and BACE-1 levels in the hippocampus. Conclusion: Icariin reduced the Aβ burden and amyloid plaque deposition in the hippocampus of APP transgenic mice by decreasing the APP and BACE-1 levels. These novel findings suggest that icariin may be a promising treatment in patients with AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lan Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology, Xuanwu Hospital of Capital Medical University, Key Laboratory for Neurodegenerative Diseases of Ministry of Education, Beijing 100053, China
| | - Cong Shen
- Department of Pharmacology, Xuanwu Hospital of Capital Medical University, Key Laboratory for Neurodegenerative Diseases of Ministry of Education, Beijing 100053, China
| | - Jin Chu
- Department of Pharmacology, Xuanwu Hospital of Capital Medical University, Key Laboratory for Neurodegenerative Diseases of Ministry of Education, Beijing 100053, China
| | - Ruyi Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology, Xuanwu Hospital of Capital Medical University, Key Laboratory for Neurodegenerative Diseases of Ministry of Education, Beijing 100053, China
| | - Yali Li
- Department of Pharmacology, Xuanwu Hospital of Capital Medical University, Key Laboratory for Neurodegenerative Diseases of Ministry of Education, Beijing 100053, China
| | - Lin Li
- Department of Pharmacology, Xuanwu Hospital of Capital Medical University, Key Laboratory for Neurodegenerative Diseases of Ministry of Education, Beijing 100053, China
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31
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Webster SJ, Bachstetter AD, Van Eldik LJ. Comprehensive behavioral characterization of an APP/PS-1 double knock-in mouse model of Alzheimer's disease. Alzheimers Res Ther 2013; 5:28. [PMID: 23705774 PMCID: PMC3706792 DOI: 10.1186/alzrt182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 98] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2013] [Revised: 04/29/2013] [Accepted: 05/24/2013] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Despite the extensive mechanistic and pathological characterization of the amyloid precursor protein (APP)/presenilin-1 (PS-1) knock-in mouse model of Alzheimer's disease (AD), very little is known about the AD-relevant behavioral deficits in this model. Characterization of the baseline behavioral performance in a variety of functional tasks and identification of the temporal onset of behavioral impairments are important to provide a foundation for future preclinical testing of AD therapeutics. Here we perform a comprehensive behavioral characterization of this model, discuss how the observed behavior correlates with the mechanistic and pathological observations of others, and compare this model with other commonly used AD mouse models. METHODS FOUR DIFFERENT GROUPS OF MICE RANGING ACROSS THE LIFESPAN OF THIS MODEL (TEST GROUPS: 7, 11, 15, and 24 months old) were run in a behavioral test battery consisting of tasks to assess motor function (grip strength, rotor rod, beam walk, open field ambulatory movement), anxiety-related behavior (open field time spent in peripheral zone vs. center zone, elevated plus maze), and cognitive function (novel object recognition, radial arm water maze). RESULTS There were no differences in motor function or anxiety-related behavior between APP/PS-1 knock-in mice and wild-type counterpart mice for any age group. Cognitive deficits in both recognition memory (novel object recognition) and spatial reference memory (radial arm water maze) became apparent for the knock-in animals as the disease progressed. CONCLUSION This is the first reported comprehensive behavioral analysis of the APP/PS1 knock-in mouse model of AD. The lack of motor/coordination deficits or abnormal anxiety levels, coupled with the age/disease-related cognitive decline and high physiological relevance of this model, make it well suited for utilization in preclinical testing of AD-relevant therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Scott J Webster
- Sanders-Brown Center on Aging, 800 S. Limestone, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, USA
| | - Adam D Bachstetter
- Sanders-Brown Center on Aging, 800 S. Limestone, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, USA
| | - Linda J Van Eldik
- Sanders-Brown Center on Aging, 800 S. Limestone, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, USA
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, 800 S. Limestone, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, USA
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Deletion of Abca7 increases cerebral amyloid-β accumulation in the J20 mouse model of Alzheimer's disease. J Neurosci 2013; 33:4387-94. [PMID: 23467355 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.4165-12.2013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 146] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
ATP-binding cassette transporter A7 (ABCA7) is expressed in the brain and has been detected in macrophages, microglia, and neurons. ABCA7 promotes efflux of lipids from cells to apolipoproteins and can also regulate phagocytosis and modulate processing of amyloid precursor protein (APP) to generate the Alzheimer's disease (AD) amyloid-β (Aβ) peptide. Genome-wide association studies have indicated that ABCA7 single nucleotide polymorphisms confer increased risk for late-onset AD; however, the role that ABCA7 plays in the brain in the AD context is unknown. In the present study, we crossed ABCA7-deficient (A7(-/-)) mice with J20 amyloidogenic mice to address this issue. We show that ABCA7 loss doubled insoluble Aβ levels and thioflavine-S-positive plaques in the brain. This was not related to changes in APP processing (assessed by analysis of full-length APP and the APP β C-terminal fragment). Apolipoprotein E regulates cerebral Aβ homeostasis and plaque load; however, the apolipoprotein E concentration was not altered by ABCA7 loss. Spatial reference memory was significantly impaired in both J20 and J20/A7(-/-) mice compared with wild-type mice; however, there were no cognitive differences between J20 and J20/A7(-/-) mice. There were also no major differences detected in hippocampal or plaque-associated microglial/macrophage markers between J20 and J20/A7(-/-) mice, whereas the capacity for bone marrow-derived macrophages derived from A7(-/-) mice to take up oligomeric Aβ was reduced by 51% compared with wild-type mice. Our results suggest that ABCA7 plays a role in the regulation of Aβ homeostasis in the brain and that this may be related to altered phagocyte function.
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Wright AL, Zinn R, Hohensinn B, Konen LM, Beynon SB, Tan RP, Clark IA, Abdipranoto A, Vissel B. Neuroinflammation and neuronal loss precede Aβ plaque deposition in the hAPP-J20 mouse model of Alzheimer's disease. PLoS One 2013; 8:e59586. [PMID: 23560052 PMCID: PMC3613362 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0059586] [Citation(s) in RCA: 224] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2012] [Accepted: 02/15/2013] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent human trials of treatments for Alzheimer's disease (AD) have been largely unsuccessful, raising the idea that treatment may need to be started earlier in the disease, well before cognitive symptoms appear. An early marker of AD pathology is therefore needed and it is debated as to whether amyloid-βAβ? plaque load may serve this purpose. We investigated this in the hAPP-J20 AD mouse model by studying disease pathology at 6, 12, 24 and 36 weeks. Using robust stereological methods, we found there is no neuron loss in the hippocampal CA3 region at any age. However loss of neurons from the hippocampal CA1 region begins as early as 12 weeks of age. The extent of neuron loss increases with age, correlating with the number of activated microglia. Gliosis was also present, but plateaued during aging. Increased hyperactivity and spatial memory deficits occurred at 16 and 24 weeks. Meanwhile, the appearance of plaques and oligomeric Aβ were essentially the last pathological changes, with significant changes only observed at 36 weeks of age. This is surprising given that the hAPP-J20 AD mouse model is engineered to over-expresses Aβ. Our data raises the possibility that plaque load may not be the best marker for early AD and suggests that activated microglia could be a valuable marker to track disease progression.
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MESH Headings
- Age Factors
- Alzheimer Disease/diagnosis
- Alzheimer Disease/genetics
- Alzheimer Disease/metabolism
- Alzheimer Disease/pathology
- Amyloid beta-Protein Precursor/genetics
- Amyloid beta-Protein Precursor/metabolism
- Animals
- Biomarkers/metabolism
- CA1 Region, Hippocampal/metabolism
- CA1 Region, Hippocampal/pathology
- CA3 Region, Hippocampal/cytology
- CA3 Region, Hippocampal/metabolism
- Cell Count
- Disease Models, Animal
- Early Diagnosis
- Gene Expression
- Gliosis/diagnosis
- Gliosis/genetics
- Gliosis/metabolism
- Gliosis/pathology
- Humans
- Inflammation
- Male
- Memory Disorders/diagnosis
- Memory Disorders/genetics
- Memory Disorders/metabolism
- Memory Disorders/pathology
- Mice
- Mice, Transgenic
- Microglia/metabolism
- Microglia/pathology
- Neurons/metabolism
- Neurons/pathology
- Plaque, Amyloid/diagnosis
- Plaque, Amyloid/genetics
- Plaque, Amyloid/metabolism
- Plaque, Amyloid/pathology
- Stereotaxic Techniques
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda L. Wright
- Neurodegenerative Disorders, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Neuroscience Department, Sydney, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Raphael Zinn
- Neurodegenerative Disorders, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Neuroscience Department, Sydney, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Barbara Hohensinn
- Neurodegenerative Disorders, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Neuroscience Department, Sydney, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Lyndsey M. Konen
- Neurodegenerative Disorders, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Neuroscience Department, Sydney, Australia
| | - Sarah B. Beynon
- Neurodegenerative Disorders, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Neuroscience Department, Sydney, Australia
| | - Richard P. Tan
- Neurodegenerative Disorders, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Neuroscience Department, Sydney, Australia
| | - Ian A. Clark
- Research School of Biology, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
| | - Andrea Abdipranoto
- Neurodegenerative Disorders, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Neuroscience Department, Sydney, Australia
| | - Bryce Vissel
- Neurodegenerative Disorders, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Neuroscience Department, Sydney, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
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Cheng D, Logge W, Low JK, Garner B, Karl T. Novel behavioural characteristics of the APP(Swe)/PS1ΔE9 transgenic mouse model of Alzheimer's disease. Behav Brain Res 2013; 245:120-7. [PMID: 23419740 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2013.02.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2012] [Revised: 01/31/2013] [Accepted: 02/05/2013] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
In order to better understand animal models of Alzheimer's disease, novel phenotyping strategies have been established for transgenic mouse models. In line with this, the current study characterised male APPxPS1 transgenic mice on mixed C57BL/6JxC3H/HeJ background for the first time for social recognition memory, sensorimotor gating, and spatial memory using the cheeseboard test as an alternative to the Morris water maze. Furthermore, locomotion, anxiety, and fear conditioning were evaluated in transgenic and wild type-like animals. APPxPS1 males displayed task-dependent hyperlocomotion and anxiety behaviours and exhibited social recognition memory impairments compared to wild type-like littermates. Spatial learning and memory, fear conditioning, and sensorimotor gating were unaffected in APPxPS1 transgenic mice. In conclusion, this study describes for the first time social recognition memory deficits in male APPxPS1 mice and suggests that spatial learning and memory deficits reported in earlier studies are dependent on the sex and genetic background of the APPxPS1 mouse line used. Furthermore, particular test conditions of anxiety and spatial memory paradigms appear to impact on the behavioural response of this transgenic mouse model for Alzheimer's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Cheng
- Neuroscience Research Australia, Randwick, NSW 2031, Australia
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Logge W, Cheng D, Chesworth R, Bhatia S, Garner B, Kim WS, Karl T. Role of Abca7 in mouse behaviours relevant to neurodegenerative diseases. PLoS One 2012; 7:e45959. [PMID: 23029339 PMCID: PMC3454356 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0045959] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2012] [Accepted: 08/28/2012] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
ATP-binding cassette transporters of the subfamily A (ABCA) are responsible for the translocation of lipids including cholesterol, which is crucial for neurological function. Recent studies suggest that the ABC transporter ABCA7 may play a role in the development of brain disorders such as schizophrenia and Alzheimer’s disease. However, Abca7’s role in cognition and other behaviours has not been investigated. Therefore, we characterised homozygous Abca7 knockout mice in a battery of tests for baseline behaviours (i.e. physical exam, baseline locomotion and anxiety) and behaviours relevant to schizophrenia (i.e. prepulse inhibition and locomotor response to psychotropic drugs) and Alzheimer’s disease (i.e. cognitive domains). Knockout mice had normal motor functions and sensory abilities and performed the same as wild type-like animals in anxiety tasks. Short-term spatial memory and fear-associated learning was also intact in Abca7 knockout mice. However, male knockout mice exhibited significantly impaired novel object recognition memory. Task acquisition was unaffected in the cheeseboard task. Female mice exhibited impaired spatial reference memory. This phenomenon was more pronounced in female Abca7 null mice. Acoustic startle response, sensorimotor gating and baseline locomotion was unaltered in Abca7 knockout mice. Female knockouts showed a moderately increased motor response to MK-801 than control mice. In conclusion, Abca7 appears to play only a minor role in behavioural domains with a subtle sex-specific impact on particular cognitive domains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Warren Logge
- Neuroscience Research Australia, Randwick, Australia
- Schizophrenia Research Institute, Darlinghurst, Australia
| | - David Cheng
- Neuroscience Research Australia, Randwick, Australia
- School of Medical Sciences, University of New South Wales, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Rose Chesworth
- Neuroscience Research Australia, Randwick, Australia
- Schizophrenia Research Institute, Darlinghurst, Australia
| | - Surabhi Bhatia
- Neuroscience Research Australia, Randwick, Australia
- School of Medical Sciences, University of New South Wales, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Brett Garner
- Neuroscience Research Australia, Randwick, Australia
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, University of Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Woojin Scott Kim
- Neuroscience Research Australia, Randwick, Australia
- School of Medical Sciences, University of New South Wales, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Tim Karl
- Neuroscience Research Australia, Randwick, Australia
- Schizophrenia Research Institute, Darlinghurst, Australia
- School of Medical Sciences, University of New South Wales, New South Wales, Australia
- School of Psychology, University of New South Wales, New South Wales, Australia
- * E-mail:
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