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Nafe R, Arendt CT, Hattingen E. Human prion diseases and the prion protein - what is the current state of knowledge? Transl Neurosci 2023; 14:20220315. [PMID: 37854584 PMCID: PMC10579786 DOI: 10.1515/tnsci-2022-0315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2023] [Revised: 09/07/2023] [Accepted: 09/15/2023] [Indexed: 10/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Prion diseases and the prion protein are only partially understood so far in many aspects. This explains the continued research on this topic, calling for an overview on the current state of knowledge. The main objective of the present review article is to provide a comprehensive up-to-date presentation of all major features of human prion diseases bridging the gap between basic research and clinical aspects. Starting with the prion protein, current insights concerning its physiological functions and the process of pathological conversion will be highlighted. Diagnostic, molecular, and clinical aspects of all human prion diseases will be discussed, including information concerning rare diseases like prion-associated amyloidoses and Huntington disease-like 1, as well as the question about a potential human threat due to the transmission of prions from prion diseases of other species such as chronic wasting disease. Finally, recent attempts to develop future therapeutic strategies will be addressed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reinhold Nafe
- Department of Neuroradiology, Clinics of Johann Wolfgang-Goethe University, Schleusenweg 2-16, 60528Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Christophe T. Arendt
- Department of Neuroradiology, Clinics of Johann Wolfgang-Goethe University, Schleusenweg 2-16, 60528Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Elke Hattingen
- Department of Neuroradiology, Clinics of Johann Wolfgang-Goethe University, Schleusenweg 2-16, 60528Frankfurt am Main, Germany
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2
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Early Changes in Transcriptomic Profiles in Synaptodendrosomes Reveal Aberrant Synaptic Functions in Alzheimer’s Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23168888. [PMID: 36012153 PMCID: PMC9408306 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23168888] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2022] [Revised: 07/29/2022] [Accepted: 08/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is one of the most prevalent neurodegenerative disorders characterized by the progressive decline of cognitive functions, and is closely associated with the dysfunction of synapses, which comprise the basic structure that mediates the communication between neurons. Although the protein architecture and machinery for protein translation at synapses are extensively studied, the impact that local changes in the mRNA reservoir have on AD progression is largely unknown. Here, we investigated the changes in transcriptomic profiles in the synaptodendrosomes purified from the cortices of AD mice at ages 3 and 6 months, a stage when early signatures of synaptic dysfunction are revealed. The transcriptomic profiles of synaptodendrosomes showed a greater number of localized differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in 6-month-old AD mice compared with mice 3 months of age. Gene Ontology (GO) analysis showed that these DEGs are majorly enriched in mitochondrial biogenesis and metabolic activity. More specifically, we further identified three representative DEGs in mitochondrial and metabolic pathways—Prnp, Cst3, and Cox6c—that regulate the dendritic spine density and morphology in neurons. Taken together, this study provides insights into the transcriptomic changes in synaptodendrosomes during AD progression, which may facilitate the development of intervention strategies targeting local translation to ameliorate the pathological progression of AD.
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Fontana IC, Zimmer AR, Rocha AS, Gosmann G, Souza DO, Lourenco MV, Ferreira ST, Zimmer ER. Amyloid-β oligomers in cellular models of Alzheimer's disease. J Neurochem 2020; 155:348-369. [PMID: 32320074 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.15030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2020] [Revised: 03/21/2020] [Accepted: 04/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Amyloid-β (Aβ) dysmetabolism is tightly associated with pathological processes in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Currently, it is thought that, in addition to Aβ fibrils that give rise to plaque formation, Aβ aggregates into non-fibrillar soluble oligomers (AβOs). Soluble AβOs have been extensively studied for their synaptotoxic and neurotoxic properties. In this review, we discuss physicochemical properties of AβOs and their impact on different brain cell types in AD. Additionally, we summarize three decades of studies with AβOs, providing a compelling bulk of evidence regarding cell-specific mechanisms of toxicity. Cellular models may lead us to a deeper understanding of the detrimental effects of AβOs in neurons and glial cells, putatively shedding light on the development of innovative therapies for AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Igor C Fontana
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Brazil.,Graduate Program in Biological Sciences: Biochemistry, UFRGS, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Aline R Zimmer
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Andreia S Rocha
- Graduate Program in Biological Sciences: Biochemistry, UFRGS, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Grace Gosmann
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Diogo O Souza
- Graduate Program in Biological Sciences: Biochemistry, UFRGS, Porto Alegre, Brazil.,Department of Biochemistry, UFRGS, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Mychael V Lourenco
- Institute of Medical Biochemistry Leopoldo de Meis, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Sergio T Ferreira
- Institute of Medical Biochemistry Leopoldo de Meis, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.,Institute of Biophysics Carlos Chagas Filho, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Eduardo R Zimmer
- Graduate Program in Biological Sciences: Biochemistry, UFRGS, Porto Alegre, Brazil.,Department of Pharmacology, UFRGS, Porto Alegre, Brazil.,Graduate Program in Biological Sciences: Pharmacology and Therapeutics,, UFRGS, Porto Alegre, Brazil
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Purro SA, Nicoll AJ, Collinge J. Prion Protein as a Toxic Acceptor of Amyloid-β Oligomers. Biol Psychiatry 2018; 83:358-368. [PMID: 29331212 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2017.11.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2017] [Revised: 11/08/2017] [Accepted: 11/13/2017] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
The initial report that cellular prion protein (PrPC) mediates toxicity of amyloid-β species linked to Alzheimer's disease was initially treated with scepticism, but growing evidence supports this claim. That there is a high-affinity interaction is now clear, and its molecular basis is being unraveled, while recent studies have identified possible downstream toxic mechanisms. Determination of the clinical significance of such interactions between PrPC and disease-associated amyloid-β species will require experimental medicine studies in humans. Trials of compounds that inhibit PrP-dependent amyloid-β toxicity are commencing in humans, and although it is clear that only a fraction of Alzheimer's disease toxicity could be governed by PrPC, a partial, but still therapeutically useful, role in human disease may soon be testable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia A Purro
- Medical Research Council Prion Unit, Institute of Prion Diseases, University College London (UCL), London, United Kingdom
| | - Andrew J Nicoll
- Medical Research Council Prion Unit, Institute of Prion Diseases, University College London (UCL), London, United Kingdom; Elkington and Fife LLP, Kent, United Kingdom.
| | - John Collinge
- Medical Research Council Prion Unit, Institute of Prion Diseases, University College London (UCL), London, United Kingdom.
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Dervishi E, Lam TH, Dunn SM, Zwierzchowski G, Saleem F, Wishart DS, Ametaj BN. Recombinant mouse prion protein alone or in combination with lipopolysaccharide alters expression of innate immunity genes in the colon of mice. Prion 2016; 9:59-73. [PMID: 25695140 DOI: 10.1080/19336896.2015.1019694] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The objectives of this study were to test whether recombinant mouse (mo)PrP alone or in combination with LPS or under simulated endotoxemia would affect expression of genes related to host inflammatory and antimicrobial responses. To test our hypotheses colon tissues were collected from 16 male mice (FVB/N strain) and mounted in an Ussing chamber. Application of moPrP to the mucosal side of the colon affected genes related to TLR- and NLR- signaling and antimicrobial responses. When LPS was added on the mucosal side of the colon, genes related to TLR, Nlrp3 inflammasome, and iron transport proteins were over-expressed. Addition of LPS to the serosal side of the colon up-regulated genes related to TLR- and NLR-signaling, Nlrp3 inflammasome, and a chemokine. Treatment with both moPrP and LPS to the mucosal side of the colon upregulated genes associated with TLR, downstream signal transduction (DST), inflammatory response, attraction of dendritic cells to the site of inflammation, and the JNK-apoptosis pathway. Administration of moPrP to the mucosal side and LPS to the serosal side of the colon affected genes related to TLR- and NLR-signaling, DST, apoptosis, inflammatory response, cytokines, chemokines, and antimicrobial peptides. Overall this study suggests a potential role for moPrP as an endogenous 'danger signal' associated with activation of colon genes related to innate immunity and antibacterial responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elda Dervishi
- a Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science ; University of Alberta , Edmonton , AB , Canada
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Sakudo A, Onodera T. Prion protein (PrP) gene-knockout cell lines: insight into functions of the PrP. Front Cell Dev Biol 2015; 2:75. [PMID: 25642423 PMCID: PMC4295555 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2014.00075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2014] [Accepted: 12/22/2014] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Elucidation of prion protein (PrP) functions is crucial to fully understand prion diseases. A major approach to studying PrP functions is the use of PrP gene-knockout (Prnp (-/-)) mice. So far, six types of Prnp (-/-) mice have been generated, demonstrating the promiscuous functions of PrP. Recently, other PrP family members, such as Doppel and Shadoo, have been found. However, information obtained from comparative studies of structural and functional analyses of these PrP family proteins do not fully reveal PrP functions. Recently, varieties of Prnp (-/-) cell lines established from Prnp (-/-) mice have contributed to the analysis of PrP functions. In this mini-review, we focus on Prnp (-/-) cell lines and summarize currently available Prnp (-/-) cell lines and their characterizations. In addition, we introduce the recent advances in the methodology of cell line generation with knockout or knockdown of the PrP gene. We also discuss how these cell lines have provided valuable insights into PrP functions and show future perspectives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akikazu Sakudo
- Laboratory of Biometabolic Chemistry, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of the Ryukyus Nishihara, Japan
| | - Takashi Onodera
- Research Center for Food Safety, School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, University of Tokyo Tokyo, Japan
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The 37kDa/67kDa laminin receptor acts as a receptor for Aβ42 internalization. Sci Rep 2014; 4:5556. [PMID: 24990253 PMCID: PMC4080222 DOI: 10.1038/srep05556] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2014] [Accepted: 06/13/2014] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuronal loss is a major neuropathological hallmark of Alzheimer's disease (AD). The associations between soluble Aβ oligomers and cellular components cause this neurotoxicity. The 37 kDa/67 kDa laminin receptor (LRP/LR) has recently been implicated in Aβ pathogenesis. In this study the mechanism underlying the pathological role of LRP/LR was elucidated. Försters Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET) revealed that LRP/LR and Aβ form a biologically relevant interaction. The ability of LRP/LR to form stable associations with endogenously shed Aβ was confirmed by pull down assays and Aβ-ELISAs. Antibody blockade of this association significantly lowered Aβ42 induced apoptosis. Furthermore, antibody blockade and shRNA mediated downregulation of LRP/LR significantly hampered Aβ42 internalization. These results suggest that LRP/LR is a receptor for Aβ42 internalization, mediating its endocytosis and contributing to the cytotoxicity of the neuropeptide by facilitating intra-cellular Aβ42 accumulation. These findings recommend anti-LRP/LR specific antibodies and shRNAs as potential therapeutic tools for AD treatment.
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Ogasawara J, Ito T, Wakame K, Kitadate K, Sakurai T, Sato S, Ishibashi Y, Izawa T, Takahashi K, Ishida H, Takabatake I, Kizaki T, Ohno H. ETAS, an Enzyme-treated Asparagus Extract, Attenuates Amyloid β-Induced Cellular Disorder in PC 12 Cells. Nat Prod Commun 2014. [DOI: 10.1177/1934578x1400900435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
One of the pathological characterizations of Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the deposition of amyloid beta peptide (Aβ) in cerebral cortical cells. The deposition of Aβ in neuronal cells leads to an increase in the production of free radicals that are typified by reactive oxygen species (ROS), thereby inducing cell death. A growing body of evidence now suggests that several plant-derived food ingredients are capable of scavenging ROS in mammalian cells. The purpose of the present study was to investigate whether enzyme-treated asparagus extract (ETAS), which is rich in antioxidants, is one of these ingredients. The pre-incubation of differentiated PC 12 cells with ETAS significantly recovered Aβ-induced reduction of cell viability, which was accompanied by reduced levels of ROS. These results suggest that ETAS may be one of the functional food ingredients with anti-oxidative capacity to help prevent AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junetsu Ogasawara
- Department of Molecular Predictive Medicine and Sport Science, Kyorin University, School of Medicine, Tokyo 181-8611, Japan
| | - Tomohiro Ito
- Amino Up Chemical Co., Ltd., Hokkaido 004-0839, Japan
| | - Koji Wakame
- Amino Up Chemical Co., Ltd., Hokkaido 004-0839, Japan
| | | | - Takuya Sakurai
- Department of Molecular Predictive Medicine and Sport Science, Kyorin University, School of Medicine, Tokyo 181-8611, Japan
| | - Shogo Sato
- Department of Molecular Predictive Medicine and Sport Science, Kyorin University, School of Medicine, Tokyo 181-8611, Japan
| | - Yoshinaga Ishibashi
- Department of Molecular Predictive Medicine and Sport Science, Kyorin University, School of Medicine, Tokyo 181-8611, Japan
| | - Tetsuya Izawa
- Graduate School of Health and Sports Sciences, Doshisha University, Kyoto 610-0394, Japan
| | - Kazuto Takahashi
- Third Department of Internal Medicine, Kyorin University, School of Medicine, Tokyo 181-8611, Japan
| | - Hitoshi Ishida
- Third Department of Internal Medicine, Kyorin University, School of Medicine, Tokyo 181-8611, Japan
| | - Ichiro Takabatake
- Department of Molecular Predictive Medicine and Sport Science, Kyorin University, School of Medicine, Tokyo 181-8611, Japan
- Celelign Orthodontic Clinic, Tokyo 102-0083, Japan
| | - Takako Kizaki
- Department of Molecular Predictive Medicine and Sport Science, Kyorin University, School of Medicine, Tokyo 181-8611, Japan
| | - Hideki Ohno
- Department of Molecular Predictive Medicine and Sport Science, Kyorin University, School of Medicine, Tokyo 181-8611, Japan
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Could Intracrine Biology Play a Role in the Pathogenesis of Transmissable Spongiform Encephalopathies Alzheimer’s Disease and Other Neurodegenerative Diseases? Am J Med Sci 2014; 347:312-20. [DOI: 10.1097/maj.0b013e3182a28af3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
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Younan ND, Sarell CJ, Davies P, Brown DR, Viles JH. The cellular prion protein traps Alzheimer's Aβ in an oligomeric form and disassembles amyloid fibers. FASEB J 2013; 27:1847-58. [PMID: 23335053 DOI: 10.1096/fj.12-222588] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
There is now strong evidence to show that the presence of the cellular prion protein (PrP(C)) mediates amyloid-β (Aβ) neurotoxicity in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Here, we probe the molecular details of the interaction between PrP(C) and Aβ and discover that substoichiometric amounts of PrP(C), as little as 1/20, relative to Aβ will strongly inhibit amyloid fibril formation. This effect is specific to the unstructured N-terminal domain of PrP(C). Electron microscopy indicates PrP(C) is able to trap Aβ in an oligomeric form. Unlike fibers, this oligomeric Aβ contains antiparallel β sheet and binds to a oligomer specific conformational antibody. Our NMR studies show that a specific region of PrP(C), notably residues 95-113, binds to Aβ oligomers, but only once Aβ misfolds. The ability of PrP(C) to trap and concentrate Aβ in an oligomeric form and disassemble mature fibers suggests a mechanism by which PrP(C) might confer Aβ toxicity in AD, as oligomers are thought to be the toxic form of Aβ. Identification of a specific recognition site on PrP(C) that traps Aβ in an oligomeric form is potentially a therapeutic target for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadine D Younan
- School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, Queen Mary, University of London, London, UK
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