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Nehra G, Promsan S, Yubolphan R, Chumboatong W, Vivithanaporn P, Maloney BJ, Lungkaphin A, Bauer B, Hartz AMS. Cognitive decline, Aβ pathology, and blood-brain barrier function in aged 5xFAD mice. Fluids Barriers CNS 2024; 21:29. [PMID: 38532486 PMCID: PMC10967049 DOI: 10.1186/s12987-024-00531-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2023] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) develop blood-brain barrier dysfunction to varying degrees. How aging impacts Aβ pathology, blood-brain barrier function, and cognitive decline in AD remains largely unknown. In this study, we used 5xFAD mice to investigate changes in Aβ levels, barrier function, and cognitive decline over time. METHODS 5xFAD and wild-type (WT) mice were aged between 9.5 and 15.5 months and tested for spatial learning and reference memory with the Morris Water Maze (MWM). After behavior testing, mice were implanted with acute cranial windows and intravenously injected with fluorescent-labeled dextrans to assess their in vivo distribution in the brain by two-photon microscopy. Images were processed and segmented to obtain intravascular intensity, extravascular intensity, and vessel diameters as a measure of barrier integrity. Mice were sacrificed after in vivo imaging to isolate brain and plasma for measuring Aβ levels. The effect of age and genotype were evaluated for each assay using generalized or cumulative-linked logistic mixed-level modeling and model selection by Akaike Information Criterion (AICc). Pairwise comparisons were used to identify outcome differences between the two groups. RESULTS 5xFAD mice displayed spatial memory deficits compared to age-matched WT mice in the MWM assay, which worsened with age. Memory impairment was evident in 5xFAD mice by 2-threefold higher escape latencies, twofold greater cumulative distances until they reach the platform, and twice as frequent use of repetitive search strategies in the pool when compared with age-matched WT mice. Presence of the rd1 allele worsened MWM performance in 5xFAD mice at all ages but did not alter the rate of learning or probe trial outcomes. 9.5-month-old 15.5-month-old 5xFAD mice had twofold higher brain Aβ40 and Aβ42 levels (p < 0.001) and 2.5-fold higher (p = 0.007) plasma Aβ40 levels compared to 9.5-month-old 5xFAD mice. Image analysis showed that vessel diameters and intra- and extravascular dextran intensities were not significantly different in 9.5- and 15.5-month-old 5xFAD mice compared to age-matched WT mice. CONCLUSION 5xFAD mice continue to develop spatial memory deficits and increased Aβ brain levels while aging. Given in vivo MP imaging limitations, further investigation with smaller molecular weight markers combined with advanced imaging techniques would be needed to reliably assess subtle differences in barrier integrity in aged mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geetika Nehra
- Sanders-Brown Center On Aging, University of Kentucky, 760 Press Ave, 124 HKRB, Lexington, KY, 40536-0679, USA
| | - Sasivimon Promsan
- Sanders-Brown Center On Aging, University of Kentucky, 760 Press Ave, 124 HKRB, Lexington, KY, 40536-0679, USA
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
| | - Ruedeemars Yubolphan
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
- Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Chakri Naruebodindra Medical Institute, Mahidol University, Nakhon Pathom, Thailand
| | - Wijitra Chumboatong
- Sanders-Brown Center On Aging, University of Kentucky, 760 Press Ave, 124 HKRB, Lexington, KY, 40536-0679, USA
| | - Pornpun Vivithanaporn
- Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Chakri Naruebodindra Medical Institute, Mahidol University, Nakhon Pathom, Thailand
| | - Bryan J Maloney
- Sanders-Brown Center On Aging, University of Kentucky, 760 Press Ave, 124 HKRB, Lexington, KY, 40536-0679, USA
| | - Anusorn Lungkaphin
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand
| | - Bjoern Bauer
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Kentucky, Lexington, USA
| | - Anika M S Hartz
- Sanders-Brown Center On Aging, University of Kentucky, 760 Press Ave, 124 HKRB, Lexington, KY, 40536-0679, USA.
- Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington, USA.
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Medina-Vera D, Zambrana-Infantes EN, López-Gambero AJ, Verheul-Campos J, Santín LJ, Baixeras E, Suarez J, Pavon FJ, Rosell-Valle C, de Fonseca FR. Transcending the amyloid-beta dominance paradigm in Alzheimer's disease: An exploration of behavioural, metabolic, and gut microbiota phenotypes in 5xFAD mice. Neurobiol Dis 2023; 187:106295. [PMID: 37717663 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2023.106295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2023] [Revised: 08/18/2023] [Accepted: 09/13/2023] [Indexed: 09/19/2023] Open
Abstract
The amyloid cascade hypothesis is widely accepted as an explanation for the neuropathological changes in Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, the role of amyloid-beta (Aβ) as the sole cause of these changes is being questioned. Using the 5xFAD mouse model of AD, we investigated various factors contributing to neuropathology, including genetic load (heterozygous (HTZ) versus homozygous (HZ) condition), behavioural phenotype, neuropathology markers, metabolic physiology, and gut microbiota composition at early (5 months of age) and late (12 months of age) stages of disease onset, and considering both sexes. At 5 months of age, both HTZ and HZ mice exhibited hippocampal alterations associated with Aβ accumulation, leading to increased neuroinflammation and disrupted PI3K-Akt pathway. However, only HZ mice showed cognitive impairment in the Y-maze and Morris water maze tests, worsening with age. Dysregulation of both insulin and insulin secretion-regulating GIP peptide were observed at 5 months of age, disappearing later. Circulating levels of metabolic-regulating hormones, such as Ghrelin and resisting helped to differentiates HTZ mice from HZ mice. Differences between HTZ and HZ mice were also observed in gut microbiota composition, disrupted intestinal barrier proteins, and increased proinflammatory products in the intestine. These findings suggest that cognitive impairment in 5xFAD mice may not solely result from Aβ aggregation. Other factors, including altered PI3K-Akt signalling, disrupted insulin-linked metabolic pathways, and changes in gut microbiota, contribute to disease progression. Targeting Aβ deposition alone may not suffice. Understanding AD pathogenesis and its multiple contributing factors is vital for effective therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dina Medina-Vera
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga y Plataforma en Nanomedicina-IBIMA, Unidad de Gestión Clínica de Salud Mental, Hospital Regional Universitario de Málaga, 29010 Málaga, Spain; Facultad de Ciencias, Campus de Teatinos s/n, Universidad de Málaga, 29010 Málaga, Spain; Facultad de Medicina, Campus de Teatinos s/n, Universidad de Málaga, 29010 Málaga, Spain; Unidad de Gestión Clínica del Corazón-CIBERCV (Enfermedades Cardiovasculares), Hospital Universitario Virgen de la Victoria, 29010 Málaga, Spain
| | - Emma N Zambrana-Infantes
- Departamento de Psicobiología y Metodología de las Ciencias del Comportamiento, Facultad de Psicología, Universidad de Málaga, 29010 Málaga, Spain
| | - Antonio J López-Gambero
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga y Plataforma en Nanomedicina-IBIMA, Unidad de Gestión Clínica de Salud Mental, Hospital Regional Universitario de Málaga, 29010 Málaga, Spain; University of Bordeaux, INSERM, Neurocentre Magendie, U1215, 33000 Bordeaux, France
| | - Julia Verheul-Campos
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga y Plataforma en Nanomedicina-IBIMA, Unidad de Gestión Clínica de Salud Mental, Hospital Regional Universitario de Málaga, 29010 Málaga, Spain
| | - Luis J Santín
- Departamento de Psicobiología y Metodología de las Ciencias del Comportamiento, Facultad de Psicología, Universidad de Málaga, 29010 Málaga, Spain
| | - Elena Baixeras
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Málaga, 29010 Málaga, Spain
| | - Juan Suarez
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga y Plataforma en Nanomedicina-IBIMA, Unidad de Gestión Clínica de Salud Mental, Hospital Regional Universitario de Málaga, 29010 Málaga, Spain; Departamento de Anatomía Humana, Medicina Legal e Historia de la Ciencia, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Málaga, 29010 Málaga, Spain
| | - Francisco J Pavon
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga y Plataforma en Nanomedicina-IBIMA, Unidad de Gestión Clínica de Salud Mental, Hospital Regional Universitario de Málaga, 29010 Málaga, Spain; Unidad de Gestión Clínica del Corazón-CIBERCV (Enfermedades Cardiovasculares), Hospital Universitario Virgen de la Victoria, 29010 Málaga, Spain
| | - Cristina Rosell-Valle
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga y Plataforma en Nanomedicina-IBIMA, Unidad de Gestión Clínica de Salud Mental, Hospital Regional Universitario de Málaga, 29010 Málaga, Spain.
| | - Fernando Rodríguez de Fonseca
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga y Plataforma en Nanomedicina-IBIMA, Unidad de Gestión Clínica de Salud Mental, Hospital Regional Universitario de Málaga, 29010 Málaga, Spain.
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Sánchez CQ, Schmitt FW, Curdt N, Westhoff AC, Bänfer IWH, Bayer TA, Bouter Y. Search Strategy Analysis of 5xFAD Alzheimer Mice in the Morris Water Maze Reveals Sex- and Age-Specific Spatial Navigation Deficits. Biomedicines 2023; 11:biomedicines11020599. [PMID: 36831135 PMCID: PMC9953202 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11020599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2022] [Revised: 02/03/2023] [Accepted: 02/14/2023] [Indexed: 02/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Spatial disorientation and navigational impairments are not only some of the first memory deficits in Alzheimer's disease, but are also very disease-specific. In rodents, the Morris Water Maze is used to investigate spatial navigation and memory. Here, we examined the spatial memory in the commonly used 5xFAD Alzheimer mouse model in a sex- and age-dependent manner. Our findings show first spatial learning deficits in 7-month-old female 5xFAD and 12-month-old male 5xFAD mice, respectively. While the assessment of spatial working memory using escape latencies provides a global picture of memory performance, it does not explain how an animal solves a spatial task. Therefore, a detailed analysis of swimming strategies was performed to better understand the behavioral differences between 5xFAD and WT mice. 5xFAD mice used a qualitatively and quantitatively different search strategy pattern than wildtype animals that used more non-spatial strategies and showed allocentric-specific memory deficits. Furthermore, a detailed analysis of swimming strategies revealed allocentric memory deficits in the probe trial in female 3-month-old and male 7-month-old 5xFAD animals before the onset of severe reference memory deficits. Overall, we could demonstrate that spatial navigation deficits in 5xFAD mice are age- and sex-dependent, with female mice being more severely affected. In addition, the implementation of a search strategy classification system allowed an earlier detection of behavioral differences and therefore could be a powerful tool for preclinical drug testing in the 5xFAD model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolina Quintanilla Sánchez
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Division of Molecular Psychiatry, University Medical Center (UMG), Georg-August-University, 37075 Goettingen, Germany
| | - Franziska W. Schmitt
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Division of Molecular Psychiatry, University Medical Center (UMG), Georg-August-University, 37075 Goettingen, Germany
| | - Nadine Curdt
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Division of Molecular Psychiatry, University Medical Center (UMG), Georg-August-University, 37075 Goettingen, Germany
| | - Anna Celine Westhoff
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Division of Molecular Psychiatry, University Medical Center (UMG), Georg-August-University, 37075 Goettingen, Germany
| | - Irina Wanda Helene Bänfer
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Division of Molecular Psychiatry, University Medical Center (UMG), Georg-August-University, 37075 Goettingen, Germany
| | - Thomas A. Bayer
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Division of Molecular Psychiatry, University Medical Center (UMG), Georg-August-University, 37075 Goettingen, Germany
| | - Yvonne Bouter
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Division of Molecular Psychiatry, University Medical Center (UMG), Georg-August-University, 37075 Goettingen, Germany
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Medical Center Göttingen (UMG), 37075 Goettingen, Germany
- Correspondence:
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Lipina T, Men X, Blundell M, Salahpour A, Ramsey AJ. Abnormal sensory perception masks behavioral performance of Grin1 knockdown mice. GENES, BRAIN, AND BEHAVIOR 2022; 21:e12825. [PMID: 35705513 PMCID: PMC9744498 DOI: 10.1111/gbb.12825] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2022] [Revised: 05/30/2022] [Accepted: 05/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The development and function of sensory systems require intact glutamatergic neurotransmission. Changes in touch sensation and vision are common symptoms in autism spectrum disorders, where altered glutamatergic neurotransmission is strongly implicated. Further, cortical visual impairment is a frequent symptom of GRIN disorder, a rare genetic neurodevelopmental disorder caused by pathogenic variants of GRIN genes that encode NMDA receptors. We asked if Grin1 knockdown mice (Grin1KD), as a model of GRIN disorder, had visual impairments resulting from NMDA receptor deficiency. We discovered that Grin1KD mice had deficient visual depth perception in the visual cliff test. Since Grin1KD mice are known to display robust changes in measures of learning, memory, and emotionality, we asked whether deficits in these higher-level processes could be partly explained by their visual impairment. By changing the experimental conditions to improve visual signals, we observed significant improvements in the performance of Grin1KD mice in tests that measure spatial memory, executive function, and anxiety. We went further and found destabilization of the outer segment of retina together with the deficient number and size of Meissner corpuscles (mechanical sensor) in the hind paw of Grin1KD mice. Overall, our findings suggest that abnormal sensory perception can mask the expression of emotional, motivational and cognitive behavior of Grin1KD mice. This study demonstrates new methods to adapt routine behavioral paradigms to reveal the contribution of vision and other sensory modalities in cognitive performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatiana Lipina
- Department of Pharmacology & ToxicologyUniversity of TorontoTorontoOntarioCanada
| | - Xiaoyu Men
- Department of Pharmacology & ToxicologyUniversity of TorontoTorontoOntarioCanada
| | - Matisse Blundell
- Department of PhysiologyUniversity of TorontoTorontoOntarioCanada
| | - Ali Salahpour
- Department of Pharmacology & ToxicologyUniversity of TorontoTorontoOntarioCanada
| | - Amy J. Ramsey
- Department of Pharmacology & ToxicologyUniversity of TorontoTorontoOntarioCanada
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5
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O'Leary TP, Brown RE. Visuo-spatial learning and memory impairments in the 5xFAD mouse model of Alzheimer's disease: Effects of age, sex, albinism, and motor impairments. GENES, BRAIN, AND BEHAVIOR 2022; 21:e12794. [PMID: 35238473 PMCID: PMC9744519 DOI: 10.1111/gbb.12794] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2021] [Accepted: 12/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The 5xFAD mouse model of Alzheimer's disease (AD) rapidly develops AD-related neuro-behavioral pathology. Learning and memory impairments in 5xFAD mice, however, are not always replicated and the size of impairments varies considerably across studies. To examine possible sources of this variability, we analyzed the effects of age, sex, albinism due to background genes (Tyrc , Oca2p ) and motor impairment on learning and memory performance of wild type and 5xFAD mice on the Morris water maze, from 3 to 15 months of age. The 5xFAD mice showed impaired learning at 6-9 months of age, but memory impairments were not detected with the test procedure used in this study. Performance of 5xFAD mice was profoundly impaired at 12-15 months of age, but was accompanied by slower swim speeds than wild-type mice and a frequent failure to locate the escape platform. Overall female mice performed worse than males, and reversal learning impairments in 5xFAD mice were more pronounced in females than males. Albino mice performed worse than pigmented mice, confirming that albinism can impair performance of 5xFAD mice independently of AD-related transgenes. Overall, these results show that 5xFAD mice have impaired learning performance at 6-9 months of age, but learning and memory performance at 12-15 months is confounded with motor impairments. Furthermore, sex and albinism should be controlled to provide an accurate assessment of AD-related transgenes on learning and memory. These results will help reduce variability across pre-clinical experiments with 5xFAD mice, and thus enhance the reliability of studies developing new therapeutics for AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timothy P. O'Leary
- Department of Psychology and NeuroscienceDalhousie UniversityHalifaxNova ScotiaCanada
| | - Richard E. Brown
- Department of Psychology and NeuroscienceDalhousie UniversityHalifaxNova ScotiaCanada
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6
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Fertan E, Brown RE. Age-Related Deficits in Working Memory in 5xFAD Mice in the Hebb-Williams Maze. Behav Brain Res 2022; 424:113806. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2022.113806] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2021] [Revised: 02/10/2022] [Accepted: 02/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
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4-Hydroxynonenal Immunoreactivity Is Increased in the Frontal Cortex of 5XFAD Transgenic Mice. Biomedicines 2020; 8:biomedicines8090326. [PMID: 32899155 PMCID: PMC7554765 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines8090326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2020] [Revised: 08/28/2020] [Accepted: 09/01/2020] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Oxidative stress was implicated in the functional impairment of the frontal cortex observed in early Alzheimer’s disease (AD). To elucidate this role in an animal AD model, we assessed cognitive function of 4-month-old five familial AD (5XFAD) transgenic (Tg) mice using a learning strategy-switching task requiring recruitment of the frontal cortex and measuring levels of 4-hydroxy-2-trans-nonenal (4-HNE), a marker of oxidative stress, in their frontal cortex. Mice were sequentially trained in cued/response and place/spatial versions of the water maze task for four days each. 5XFAD and non-Tg mice exhibited equal performance in cued/response training. However, 5XFAD mice used spatial search strategy less than non-Tg mice in the spatial/place training. Immunoblot and immunofluorescence staining showed that 4-HNE levels increased in the frontal cortex, but not in the hippocampus and striatum, of 5XFAD mice compared to those in non-Tg mice. We report early cognitive deficits related to the frontal cortex and the frontal cortex’s oxidative damage in 4-month-old 5XFAD mice. These results suggest that 4-month-old 5XFAD mice be a useful animal model for the early diagnosis and management of AD.
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Iyaswamy A, Krishnamoorthi SK, Song JX, Yang CB, Kaliyamoorthy V, Zhang H, Sreenivasmurthy SG, Malampati S, Wang ZY, Zhu Z, Tong BCK, Cheung KH, Lu JH, Durairajan SSK, Li M. NeuroDefend, a novel Chinese medicine, attenuates amyloid-β and tau pathology in experimental Alzheimer's disease models. J Food Drug Anal 2019; 28:132-146. [PMID: 31883601 DOI: 10.1016/j.jfda.2019.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2019] [Revised: 09/11/2019] [Accepted: 09/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common age-related neurodegenerative disorder. Amyloid-β (Aβ) and hyper-phosphorylated tau accumulation are accountable for the progressive neuronal loss and cognitive impairments usually observed in AD. Currently, medications for AD offer moderate symptomatic relief but fail to cure the disease; hence development of effective and safe drugs is urgently needed for AD treatment. In this study, we investigated a Chinese medicine (CM) formulation named NeuroDefend (ND), for reducing amyloid β (Aβ) and tau pathology in transgenic AD mice models. Regular oral administration of ND improved cognitive function and memory in 3XTg-AD and 5XFAD mice. In addition, ND reduced beta-amyloid precursor protein (APP), APP C-terminal fragments (CTF-β/α), Aβ and 4G8 positive Aβ burden in 3XTg-AD and 5XFAD mice. Furthermore, ND efficiently reduced the levels of insoluble phospho-tau protein aggregates and AT8 positive phospho tau neuron load in 3XTg-AD mice. Hence, ND could be a promising candidate for the treatment of AD in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashok Iyaswamy
- Mr. & Mrs. Ko Chi-Ming Centre for Parkinson's Disease Research, School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of China
| | - Senthil Kumar Krishnamoorthi
- Mr. & Mrs. Ko Chi-Ming Centre for Parkinson's Disease Research, School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of China
| | - Ju-Xian Song
- Mr. & Mrs. Ko Chi-Ming Centre for Parkinson's Disease Research, School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of China; Medical College of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Rehabilitation, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Chuan-Bin Yang
- Mr. & Mrs. Ko Chi-Ming Centre for Parkinson's Disease Research, School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of China
| | - Venkatapathy Kaliyamoorthy
- Mr. & Mrs. Ko Chi-Ming Centre for Parkinson's Disease Research, School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of China
| | - Huan Zhang
- Mr. & Mrs. Ko Chi-Ming Centre for Parkinson's Disease Research, School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of China
| | - Sravan G Sreenivasmurthy
- Mr. & Mrs. Ko Chi-Ming Centre for Parkinson's Disease Research, School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of China
| | - Sandeep Malampati
- Mr. & Mrs. Ko Chi-Ming Centre for Parkinson's Disease Research, School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of China
| | - Zi-Ying Wang
- Mr. & Mrs. Ko Chi-Ming Centre for Parkinson's Disease Research, School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of China
| | - Zhou Zhu
- Mr. & Mrs. Ko Chi-Ming Centre for Parkinson's Disease Research, School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of China
| | - Benjamin Chun-Kit Tong
- Mr. & Mrs. Ko Chi-Ming Centre for Parkinson's Disease Research, School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of China
| | - King-Ho Cheung
- Mr. & Mrs. Ko Chi-Ming Centre for Parkinson's Disease Research, School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of China
| | - Jia-Hong Lu
- State Key Lab of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, University of Macao, Macao Special Administrative Region of China
| | - Siva Sundara Kumar Durairajan
- Mr. & Mrs. Ko Chi-Ming Centre for Parkinson's Disease Research, School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of China; Department of Microbiology, Central University of Tamil Nadu, Thiruvarur, India.
| | - Min Li
- Mr. & Mrs. Ko Chi-Ming Centre for Parkinson's Disease Research, School of Chinese Medicine, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of China.
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Perets N, Betzer O, Shapira R, Brenstein S, Angel A, Sadan T, Ashery U, Popovtzer R, Offen D. Golden Exosomes Selectively Target Brain Pathologies in Neurodegenerative and Neurodevelopmental Disorders. NANO LETTERS 2019; 19:3422-3431. [PMID: 30761901 DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.8b04148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 228] [Impact Index Per Article: 45.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Exosomes, nanovesicles that are secreted by different cell types, enable intercellular communication at local or distant sites. Alhough they have been found to cross the blood brain barrier, their migration and homing abilities within the brain remain unstudied. We have recently developed a method for longitudinal and quantitative in vivo neuroimaging of exosomes based on the superior visualization abilities of classical X-ray computed tomography (CT), combined with gold nanoparticles as labeling agents. Here, we used this technique to track the migration and homing patterns of intranasally administrated exosomes derived from bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSC-exo) in different brain pathologies, including stroke, autism, Parkinson's disease, and Alzheimer's disease. We found that MSC-exo specifically targeted and accumulated in pathologically relevant murine models brains regions up to 96 h post administration, while in healthy controls they showed a diffuse migration pattern and clearance by 24 h. The neuro-inflammatory signal in pathological brains was highly correlated with MSC-exo accumulation, suggesting that the homing mechanism is inflammatory-driven. In addition, MSC-exo were selectively uptaken by neuronal cells, but not glial cells, in the pathological regions. Taken together, these findings can significantly promote the application of exosomes for therapy and targeted drug delivery in various brain pathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nisim Perets
- Sagol School of Neuroscience , Tel Aviv University , Tel Aviv 6997801 , Israel
- Sacklar School of Medicine, Department of Human Genetics and Biochemistry , Tel Aviv University , Tel Aviv 6997801 , Israel
| | - Oshra Betzer
- Faculty of Engineering and the Institute of Nanotechnology and Advanced Materials , Bar-Ilan University , Ramat Gan 5290002 , Israel
| | - Ronit Shapira
- School of Neurobiology, Biochemistry and Biophysics, Life Sciences Faculty , Tel Aviv University , Tel Aviv 6997801 , Israel
| | - Shmuel Brenstein
- Sagol School of Neuroscience , Tel Aviv University , Tel Aviv 6997801 , Israel
| | - Ariel Angel
- Sagol School of Neuroscience , Tel Aviv University , Tel Aviv 6997801 , Israel
| | - Tamar Sadan
- Faculty of Engineering and the Institute of Nanotechnology and Advanced Materials , Bar-Ilan University , Ramat Gan 5290002 , Israel
| | - Uri Ashery
- Sagol School of Neuroscience , Tel Aviv University , Tel Aviv 6997801 , Israel
- School of Neurobiology, Biochemistry and Biophysics, Life Sciences Faculty , Tel Aviv University , Tel Aviv 6997801 , Israel
| | - Rachela Popovtzer
- Faculty of Engineering and the Institute of Nanotechnology and Advanced Materials , Bar-Ilan University , Ramat Gan 5290002 , Israel
| | - Daniel Offen
- Sagol School of Neuroscience , Tel Aviv University , Tel Aviv 6997801 , Israel
- Sacklar School of Medicine, Department of Human Genetics and Biochemistry , Tel Aviv University , Tel Aviv 6997801 , Israel
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10
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Kim DH, Jang YS, Jeon WK, Han JS. Assessment of Cognitive Phenotyping in Inbred, Genetically Modified Mice, and Transgenic Mouse Models of Alzheimer's Disease. Exp Neurobiol 2019; 28:146-157. [PMID: 31138986 PMCID: PMC6526110 DOI: 10.5607/en.2019.28.2.146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2019] [Revised: 03/18/2019] [Accepted: 03/25/2019] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Genetically modified mouse models are being used predominantly to understand brain functions and diseases. Well-designed and controlled behavioral analyses of genetically modified mice have successfully led to the identification of gene functions, understanding of brain diseases, and development of treatments. Recently, complex and higher cognitive functions have been examined in mice with genetic mutations. Therefore, research strategies for cognitive phenotyping should be sophisticated and evolve to convey the exact meaning of the findings and provide robust translational tools for testing hypotheses and developing treatments. This review addresses issues of experimental design and discusses studies that have examined cognitive function using mouse strain differences, genetically modified mice, and transgenic mice for Alzheimer's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dong-Hee Kim
- Department of Biological Sciences, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Korea
| | - Yoon-Sun Jang
- Department of Biological Sciences, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Korea
| | - Won Kyung Jeon
- Herbal Medicine Research Division, Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine, Daejeon 34054, Korea.,Convergence Research Center for Diagnosis, Treatment and Care System of Dementia, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul 02792, Korea
| | - Jung-Soo Han
- Department of Biological Sciences, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Korea
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Cho WH, Park JC, Jeon WK, Cho J, Han JS. Superior Place Learning of C57BL/6 vs. DBA/2 Mice Following Prior Cued Learning in the Water Maze Depends on Prefrontal Cortical Subregions. Front Behav Neurosci 2019; 13:11. [PMID: 30760989 PMCID: PMC6361835 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2019.00011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2018] [Accepted: 01/15/2019] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The participation of the prefrontal cortex (PFC), hippocampus, and dorsal striatum in switching the learning task from cued to place learning were examined in C57BL/6 and DBA/2 mice, by assessing changed levels of phosphorylated CREB (pCREB). Mice of both strains first received cued training in a water maze for 4 days (4 trials per day), and were then assigned to one of four groups, one with no place training, and three with different durations of place training (2, 4, or 8 days). Both strains showed equal performance in cued training. After the switch to place training, C57BL/6 mice with 2 or 4 days of training performed significantly better than DBA/2 mice, but their superiority disappeared during the second half of an 8 days-place training period. The pCREB levels of these mice were measured 30 min after place training and compared with those of mice that received only cued training. Changes in pCREB levels of C57BL/6 mice were greater in the hippocampal CA3, hippocampal dentate gyrus, orbitofrontal and medial PFC than those of DBA/2 mice, when mice of both received the switched place training for 2 days. We further investigated the roles of orbitofrontal and medial PFC among these brain regions showing strain differences, by destroying each region using selective neurotoxins. C57BL/6 mice with orbitofrontal lesions were slower to acquire the place learning and continued to use the cued search acquired during the cued training phase. These findings indicate that mouse orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) pCREB is associated with behavioral flexibility such as the ability to switch a learning task.
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Affiliation(s)
- Woo-Hyun Cho
- Department of Biological Sciences, Konkuk University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Jung-Cheol Park
- Department of Biological Sciences, Konkuk University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Won Kyung Jeon
- Herbal Medicine Research Division, Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine (KIOM), Daejeon, South Korea.,Convergence Research Center for Diagnosis, Treatment and Care System of Dementia, Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Seoul, South Korea
| | - Jeiwon Cho
- Department of Medical Science, College of Medicine, Catholic Kwandong University International St. Mary's Hospital, Incheon, South Korea.,Institute for Bio-Medical Convergence, Incheon St. Mary's Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea, Incheon, South Korea
| | - Jung-Soo Han
- Department of Biological Sciences, Konkuk University, Seoul, South Korea
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Illouz T, Madar R, Griffioen K, Okun E. A protocol for quantitative analysis of murine and human amyloid-β1-40 and 1-42. J Neurosci Methods 2017; 291:28-35. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jneumeth.2017.07.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2017] [Revised: 07/09/2017] [Accepted: 07/22/2017] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
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Cho WH, Han JS. Differences in the Flexibility of Switching Learning Strategies and CREB Phosphorylation Levels in Prefrontal Cortex, Dorsal Striatum and Hippocampus in Two Inbred Strains of Mice. Front Behav Neurosci 2016; 10:176. [PMID: 27695401 PMCID: PMC5025447 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2016.00176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2016] [Accepted: 09/01/2016] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Flexibility in using different learning strategies was assessed in two different inbred strains of mice, the C57BL/6 and DBA/2 strains. Mice were trained sequentially in two different Morris water maze protocols that tested their ability to switch their learning strategy to complete a new task after first being trained in a different task. Training consisted either of visible platform trials (cued training) followed by subsequent hidden platform trials (place training) or the reverse sequence (place training followed by cued training). Both strains of mice showed equivalent performance in the type of training (cued or place) that they received first. However, C57BL/6 mice showed significantly better performances than DBA/2 mice following the switch in training protocols, irrespective of the order of training. After completion of the switched training session, levels of cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB) and phosphorylated CREB (pCREB) were measured in the hippocampus, striatum and prefrontal cortex of the mice. Prefrontal cortical and hippocampal pCREB levels differed by strain, with higher levels found in C57BL/6 mice than in DBA/2 mice. No strain differences were observed in the medial or lateral region of the dorsal striatum. These findings indicate that the engagement (i.e., CREB signaling) of relevant neural structures may vary by the specific demands of the learning strategy, and this is closely tied to differences in the flexibility of C57BL/6 and DBA/2 mice to switch their learning strategies when given a new task.
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Affiliation(s)
- Woo-Hyun Cho
- Department of Biological Sciences, Konkuk University Seoul, South Korea
| | - Jung-Soo Han
- Department of Biological Sciences, Konkuk University Seoul, South Korea
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Kwon KJ, Park JH, Jo I, Song KH, Han JS, Park SH, Han SH, Cho DH. Disruption of neuronal nitric oxide synthase dimerization contributes to the development of Alzheimer's disease: Involvement of cyclin-dependent kinase 5-mediated phosphorylation of neuronal nitric oxide synthase at Ser(293). Neurochem Int 2016; 99:52-61. [PMID: 27296112 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuint.2016.06.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2016] [Revised: 05/27/2016] [Accepted: 06/09/2016] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Although previous studies have suggested that neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS)-derived NO has neuroprotective effects on the development of Alzheimer's disease (AD), the underlying molecular mechanisms are not fully elucidated. Here, we investigated whether and how disruption of nNOS dimerization contributes to the development of AD. No differences in synaptic number or expression of synaptic markers, including synaptophysin and postsynaptic density 95, were found in the cortex of 5 × FAD mice, which possess 5 familial AD mutations, at 6 months of age compared with control littermates. nNOS dimerization was disrupted in the 5 × FAD cortex, accompanied by an increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. The subcellular distribution of cyclin-dependent kinase 5 (CDK5) shifted more diffusely toward a cytosolic compartment, but there was no change in total expression. Furthermore, the levels of p25, a CDK5 activator, increased significantly and it colocalized with nNOS in the 5 × FAD cortex. In silico analysis revealed that a new nNOS-specific GSP (glycine-serine-proline) motif was well-conserved across species at nNOS-Ser(293), which is located ahead of the N-terminal hook. This motif was not present in the closely related isoform, endothelial NOS. Motif scan analysis also predicted that CDK5 can phosphorylate nNOS-Ser(293) with a high likelihood. An in vitro phosphorylation assay clearly showed that CDK5/p25 does indeed phosphorylate nNOS-Ser(293). Finally, nNOS-S293D mutant, a phosphomimetic form of nNOS-Ser(293), and nNOS-S293A mutant, a neutral form of nNOS-Ser(293), significantly decreased nNOS dimerization and NO production. Taken together, our results demonstrate that nNOS dimers are disrupted in the 5 × FAD cortex, and nNOS-Ser(293), a potential site of CDK5 phosphorylation, may be involved in the decrease in nNOS dimerization and NO production, and the development of AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyoung Ja Kwon
- Department of Neurology, Konkuk University Medical Center and Department of Neuroscience, Center for Geriatric Neuroscience Research, Institute of Biomedical Science and Technology, Konkuk University School of Medicine, 120 Neungdong-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul 143-701, South Korea
| | - Jung-Hyun Park
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Ewha Womans University Medical School, 911-1, Mok-6-dong, Yangchun-gu, Seoul 158-710, South Korea
| | - Inho Jo
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Ewha Womans University Medical School, 911-1, Mok-6-dong, Yangchun-gu, Seoul 158-710, South Korea
| | - Kee-Ho Song
- Department of Internal Medicine, Konkuk University School of Medicine, 120-1 Neungdong-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul 143-729, South Korea
| | - Jung-Soo Han
- Department of Biological Sciences, Konkuk University, 120 Neungdong-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul 143-701, South Korea
| | - Seung Hwa Park
- Department of Neurology, Konkuk University Medical Center and Department of Neuroscience, Center for Geriatric Neuroscience Research, Institute of Biomedical Science and Technology, Konkuk University School of Medicine, 120 Neungdong-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul 143-701, South Korea
| | - Seol-Heui Han
- Department of Neurology, Konkuk University Medical Center and Department of Neuroscience, Center for Geriatric Neuroscience Research, Institute of Biomedical Science and Technology, Konkuk University School of Medicine, 120 Neungdong-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul 143-701, South Korea.
| | - Du-Hyong Cho
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Eulji University, 77 Gyeryong-ro 771 Beon-gil, Jung-gu, Daejeon 301-746, South Korea.
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Park JC, Ma J, Jeon WK, Han JS. Fructus mume extracts alleviate cognitive impairments in 5XFAD transgenic mice. BMC COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2016; 16:54. [PMID: 26852239 PMCID: PMC4744392 DOI: 10.1186/s12906-016-1033-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2015] [Accepted: 02/01/2016] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Background Fructus mume (F. mume) has been used as a traditional treatment for ulcer, cough, and digestive problems for many years in Asian countries. Previous studies have demonstrated that F. mume extracts alleviate cognitive deficits in rats with chronic cerebral hypoperfusion and in mice with scopolamine treatments. The present experiment was conducted to examine the effects of F. mume on cognitive impairments in 5XFAD transgenic mice with five familial Alzheimer’s disease (AD) mutations. Methods F. mume was administered daily to 5XFAD mice at 12 weeks of age and continued for 90 days. Cognitive function was evaluated using a spatial memory version of the Morris water maze task, the object/location novelty recognition test, and contextual fear conditioning at 24 weeks of age. To elucidate the possible mechanisms underlying the memory improving effects of F. mume in 5XFAD mice, we examined alterations in hippocampal cholinergic function. Results Vehicle-treated 5XFAD mice exhibited hippocampus-dependent memory impairments compared with non-transgenic littermates, which was reversed in F. mume-treated 5XFAD mice. In addition, reduced hippocampal choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) levels in 5XFAD mice were reversed by F. mume treatment, indicating that F. mume enhances the effects of cholinergic neuronal function. Conclusions F. mume may have therapeutic effects on cognitive impairments in AD.
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Kim DH, Choi BR, Jeon WK, Han JS. Impairment of intradimensional shift in an attentional set-shifting task in rats with chronic bilateral common carotid artery occlusion. Behav Brain Res 2015; 296:169-176. [PMID: 26365458 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2015.09.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2015] [Revised: 08/25/2015] [Accepted: 09/07/2015] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Studies of rats with chronic bilateral common carotid artery occlusion (BCCAo), an animal model for vascular dementia (VaD), have reported hippocampus-dependent memory impairment and associated neuropathologies. Patients with VaD also experience attentional shifting dysfunction. However, animal models of VaD have not been used to study attentional function. Therefore, the present study examined attentional function in rats with BCCAo, using attentional set-shifting task (ASST) that required rats to choose a food-baited pot from 2 possible pots. ASST included 6 consecutive sessions including simple discrimination, compound discrimination, intradimensional shifting, extradimensional shifting, and reversals. The BCCAo rats were significantly slower at learning the intradimensional set-shifting task compared to control rats. Previous studies have demonstrated that the cingulate cortex and medial prefrontal cortex are critical to intradimensional and extradimensional set-shifting, respectively. Additionally, inflammatory responses and neuronal dysfunction were observed in rats with chronic BCCAo. In addition, OX-6 positive microglia significantly increased in the forceps minor white matter of BCCAo rats, and glutamate decarboxylase signals co-localized with NeuN were reduced in the anterior cingulate cortex of BCCAo rats, compared to control rats. Impaired neuronal and GABAergic neuronal integrity in the anterior cingulate cortex, damage to white matter, and attentional impairments observed in BCCAo rats suggest dysfunction of brain structures that are associated with attentional impairments observed in patients with VaD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dong-Hee Kim
- Department of Biological Sciences, Konkuk University, Seoul 143-701, Republic of Korea
| | - Bo-Ryoung Choi
- Department of Biological Sciences, Konkuk University, Seoul 143-701, Republic of Korea
| | - Won Kyung Jeon
- Herbal Medicine Research Division, Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine, Daejeon 305-811, Republic of Korea
| | - Jung-Soo Han
- Department of Biological Sciences, Konkuk University, Seoul 143-701, Republic of Korea.
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