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Jin S, Lu W, Zhang J, Zhang L, Tao F, Zhang Y, Hu X, Liu Q. The mechanisms, hallmarks, and therapies for brain aging and age-related dementia. Sci Bull (Beijing) 2024:S2095-9273(24)00639-X. [PMID: 39332926 DOI: 10.1016/j.scib.2024.09.005] [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: 04/10/2024] [Revised: 06/14/2024] [Accepted: 09/02/2024] [Indexed: 09/29/2024]
Abstract
Age-related cognitive decline and dementia are significant manifestations of brain aging. As the elderly population grows rapidly, the health and socio-economic impacts of cognitive dysfunction have become increasingly significant. Although clinical treatment of dementia has faced considerable challenges over the past few decades, with limited breakthroughs in slowing its progression, there has been substantial progress in understanding the molecular mechanisms and hallmarks of age-related dementia (ARD). This progress brings new hope for the intervention and treatment of this disease. In this review, we categorize the latest findings in ARD biomarkers into four stages based on disease progression: healthy brain, pre-clinical, mild cognitive impairment, and dementia. We then systematically summarize the most promising therapeutic approaches to prevent or slow ARD at four levels: genome and epigenome, organelle, cell, and organ and organism. We emphasize the importance of early prevention and detection, along with the implementation of combined treatments as multimodal intervention strategies, to address brain aging and ARD in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shiyun Jin
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Center for Advanced Interdisciplinary Science and Biomedicine of IHM, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230001, China; Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Biomedical Aging Research, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230027, China; Department of Anesthesiology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230601, China; Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine of Anhui Higher Education Institutes, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230601, China
| | - Wenping Lu
- Department of Anesthesiology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230601, China; Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine of Anhui Higher Education Institutes, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230601, China
| | - Juan Zhang
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Center for Advanced Interdisciplinary Science and Biomedicine of IHM, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230001, China; Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Biomedical Aging Research, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230027, China; Institute on Aging and Brain Disorders, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230027, China
| | - Li Zhang
- Laboratory for Integrative Neuroscience, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Fangbiao Tao
- MOE Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China.
| | - Ye Zhang
- Department of Anesthesiology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230601, China; Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine of Anhui Higher Education Institutes, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230601, China.
| | - Xianwen Hu
- Department of Anesthesiology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230601, China; Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine of Anhui Higher Education Institutes, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230601, China.
| | - Qiang Liu
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Center for Advanced Interdisciplinary Science and Biomedicine of IHM, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230001, China; Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Biomedical Aging Research, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230027, China; Institute on Aging and Brain Disorders, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230027, China.
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Zhang Y, Mu BR, Ran Z, Zhu T, Huang X, Yang X, Wang DM, Ma QH, Lu MH. Pericytes in Alzheimer's disease: Key players and therapeutic targets. Exp Neurol 2024; 379:114825. [PMID: 38777251 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2024.114825] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2024] [Revised: 05/09/2024] [Accepted: 05/19/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a devastating neurodegenerative disorder that leads to progressive cognitive decline and neuropathological changes. Pericytes, which are vessel mural cells on the basement membrane of capillaries, play a crucial role in regulating cerebrovascular functions and maintaining neurovascular unit integrity. Emerging research substantiates the involvement of pericytes in AD. This review provides a comprehensive overview of pericytes, including their structure, origin, and markers and various functions within the central nervous system. Emphatically, the review explores the intricate mechanisms through which pericytes contribute to AD, including their interactions with amyloid beta and apolipoprotein E, as well as various signaling pathways. The review also highlights potential for targeted pericyte therapy for AD, with a focus on stem cell therapy and drug treatments. Future research directions include the classification of pericyte subtypes, studies related to aging, and the role of pericytes in exosome-related mechanisms in AD pathology. In conclusion, this review consolidates current knowledge on the pivotal roles of pericytes in AD and their potential as therapeutic targets, providing valuable insights for future research and clinical interventions aimed at addressing the impact of AD on patients' lives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Zhang
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Sichuan-Chongqing Co-construction for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, College of Medical Technology, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 611137, China
| | - Ben-Rong Mu
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Sichuan-Chongqing Co-construction for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, College of Medical Technology, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 611137, China
| | - Zhao Ran
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Sichuan-Chongqing Co-construction for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, College of Medical Technology, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 611137, China
| | - Tao Zhu
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Sichuan-Chongqing Co-construction for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, College of Medical Technology, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 611137, China
| | - Xin Huang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Neuropsychiatric Diseases, Institute of Neuroscience, Soochow University, Suzhou 215021, China
| | - Xiong Yang
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Sichuan-Chongqing Co-construction for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, College of Medical Technology, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 611137, China
| | - Dong-Mei Wang
- College of Basic Medical Sciences, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 611137, China
| | - Quan-Hong Ma
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Neuropsychiatric Diseases, Institute of Neuroscience, Soochow University, Suzhou 215021, China.
| | - Mei-Hong Lu
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Sichuan-Chongqing Co-construction for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, College of Medical Technology, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 611137, China.
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3
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Pereira JD, Teixeira LCR, Mamede I, Alves MT, Caramelli P, Luizon MR, Veloso AA, Gomes KB. miRNAs in cerebrospinal fluid associated with Alzheimer's disease: A systematic review and pathway analysis using a data mining and machine learning approach. J Neurochem 2024; 168:977-994. [PMID: 38390627 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.16060] [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: 07/26/2023] [Revised: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 01/13/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common type and accounts for 60%-70% of the reported cases of dementia. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs that play a crucial role in gene expression regulation. Although the diagnosis of AD is primarily clinical, several miRNAs have been associated with AD and considered as potential markers for diagnosis and progression of AD. We sought to match AD-related miRNAs in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) found in the GeoDataSets, evaluated by machine learning, with miRNAs listed in a systematic review, and a pathway analysis. Using machine learning approaches, we identified most differentially expressed miRNAs in Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO), which were validated by the systematic review, using the acronym PECO-Population (P): Patients with AD, Exposure (E): expression of miRNAs, Comparison (C): Healthy individuals, and Objective (O): miRNAs differentially expressed in CSF. Additionally, pathway enrichment analysis was performed to identify the main pathways involving at least four miRNAs selected. Four miRNAs were identified for differentiating between patients with and without AD in machine learning combined to systematic review, and followed the pathways analysis: miRNA-30a-3p, miRNA-193a-5p, miRNA-143-3p, miRNA-145-5p. The pathways epidermal growth factor, MAPK, TGF-beta and ATM-dependent DNA damage response, were regulated by these miRNAs, but only the MAPK pathway presented higher relevance after a randomic pathway analysis. These findings have the potential to assist in the development of diagnostic tests for AD using miRNAs as biomarkers, as well as provide understanding of the relationship between different pathophysiological mechanisms of AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Diniz Pereira
- Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | | | - Izabela Mamede
- Intituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | | | - Paulo Caramelli
- Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Marcelo Rizzatti Luizon
- Intituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Adriano Alonso Veloso
- Instituto de Ciências Exatas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Karina Braga Gomes
- Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
- Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
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4
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Chen Y, Al-Nusaif M, Li S, Tan X, Yang H, Cai H, Le W. Progress on early diagnosing Alzheimer's disease. Front Med 2024; 18:446-464. [PMID: 38769282 PMCID: PMC11391414 DOI: 10.1007/s11684-023-1047-1] [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: 09/23/2023] [Accepted: 11/15/2023] [Indexed: 05/22/2024]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that affects both cognition and non-cognition functions. The disease follows a continuum, starting with preclinical stages, progressing to mild cognitive and behavioral impairment, ultimately leading to dementia. Early detection of AD is crucial for better diagnosis and more effective treatment. However, the current AD diagnostic tests of biomarkers using cerebrospinal fluid and/or brain imaging are invasive or expensive, and mostly are still not able to detect early disease state. Consequently, there is an urgent need to develop new diagnostic techniques with higher sensitivity and specificity during the preclinical stages of AD. Various non-cognitive manifestations, including behavioral abnormalities, sleep disturbances, sensory dysfunctions, and physical changes, have been observed in the preclinical AD stage before occurrence of notable cognitive decline. Recent research advances have identified several biofluid biomarkers as early indicators of AD. This review focuses on these non-cognitive changes and newly discovered biomarkers in AD, specifically addressing the preclinical stages of the disease. Furthermore, it is of importance to explore the potential for developing a predictive system or network to forecast disease onset and progression at the early stage of AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yixin Chen
- Liaoning Provincial Key Laboratory for Research on the Pathogenic Mechanisms of Neurological Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, 116021, China
| | - Murad Al-Nusaif
- Liaoning Provincial Key Laboratory for Research on the Pathogenic Mechanisms of Neurological Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, 116021, China
| | - Song Li
- Liaoning Provincial Key Laboratory for Research on the Pathogenic Mechanisms of Neurological Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, 116021, China
| | - Xiang Tan
- Liaoning Provincial Key Laboratory for Research on the Pathogenic Mechanisms of Neurological Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, 116021, China
| | - Huijia Yang
- Liaoning Provincial Key Laboratory for Research on the Pathogenic Mechanisms of Neurological Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, 116021, China
| | - Huaibin Cai
- Transgenic Section, Laboratory of Neurogenetics, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Weidong Le
- Liaoning Provincial Key Laboratory for Research on the Pathogenic Mechanisms of Neurological Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, 116021, China.
- Institute of Neurology, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chinese Academy of Sciences Sichuan Translational Medicine Research Hospital, Chengdu, 610072, China.
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5
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Wu S, Shang X, Guo M, Su L, Wang J. Exosomes in the Diagnosis of Neuropsychiatric Diseases: A Review. BIOLOGY 2024; 13:387. [PMID: 38927267 PMCID: PMC11200774 DOI: 10.3390/biology13060387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2024] [Revised: 05/21/2024] [Accepted: 05/22/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024]
Abstract
Exosomes are 30-150 nm small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) which are highly stable and encapsulated by a phospholipid bilayer. Exosomes contain proteins, lipids, RNAs (mRNAs, microRNAs/miRNAs, long non-coding RNAs/lncRNAs), and DNA of their parent cell. In pathological conditions, the composition of exosomes is altered, making exosomes a potential source of biomarkers for disease diagnosis. Exosomes can cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB), which is an advantage for using exosomes in the diagnosis of central nervous system (CNS) diseases. Neuropsychiatric diseases belong to the CNS diseases, and many potential diagnostic markers have been identified for neuropsychiatric diseases. Here, we review the potential diagnostic markers of exosomes in neuropsychiatric diseases and discuss the potential application of exosomal biomarkers in the early and accurate diagnosis of these diseases. Additionally, we outline the limitations and future directions of exosomes in the diagnosis of neuropsychiatric diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Song Wu
- Autism & Depression Diagnosis and Intervention Institute, Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan 430068, China; (S.W.); (X.S.); (M.G.)
- National “111” Center for Cellular Regulation and Molecular Pharmaceutics, Hubei Key Laboratory of Industrial Microbiology, Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan 430068, China
- Cooperative Innovation Center of Industrial Fermentation, Ministry of Education & Hubei Province, Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan 430068, China
| | - Xinmiao Shang
- Autism & Depression Diagnosis and Intervention Institute, Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan 430068, China; (S.W.); (X.S.); (M.G.)
- National “111” Center for Cellular Regulation and Molecular Pharmaceutics, Hubei Key Laboratory of Industrial Microbiology, Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan 430068, China
- Cooperative Innovation Center of Industrial Fermentation, Ministry of Education & Hubei Province, Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan 430068, China
| | - Meng Guo
- Autism & Depression Diagnosis and Intervention Institute, Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan 430068, China; (S.W.); (X.S.); (M.G.)
- National “111” Center for Cellular Regulation and Molecular Pharmaceutics, Hubei Key Laboratory of Industrial Microbiology, Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan 430068, China
- Cooperative Innovation Center of Industrial Fermentation, Ministry of Education & Hubei Province, Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan 430068, China
| | - Lei Su
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Nano-Biosensing Technology, Marshall Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering, School of Biomedical Engineering, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China;
| | - Jun Wang
- Autism & Depression Diagnosis and Intervention Institute, Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan 430068, China; (S.W.); (X.S.); (M.G.)
- National “111” Center for Cellular Regulation and Molecular Pharmaceutics, Hubei Key Laboratory of Industrial Microbiology, Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan 430068, China
- Cooperative Innovation Center of Industrial Fermentation, Ministry of Education & Hubei Province, Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan 430068, China
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6
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Mantellatto Grigoli M, Pelegrini LNC, Whelan R, Cominetti MR. Present and Future of Blood-Based Biomarkers of Alzheimer's Disease: Beyond the Classics. Brain Res 2024; 1830:148812. [PMID: 38369085 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2024.148812] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2023] [Revised: 11/13/2023] [Accepted: 02/13/2024] [Indexed: 02/20/2024]
Abstract
The field of blood-based biomarkers for Alzheimer's disease (AD) has advanced at an incredible pace, especially after the development of sensitive analytic platforms that can facilitate large-scale screening. Such screening will be important when more sophisticated diagnostic methods are scarce and expensive. Thus, blood-based biomarkers can potentially reduce diagnosis inequities among populations from different socioeconomic contexts. This large-scale screening can be performed so that older adults at risk of cognitive decline assessed using these methods can then undergo more complete assessments with classic biomarkers, increasing diagnosis efficiency and reducing costs to the health systems. Blood-based biomarkers can also aid in assessing the effect of new disease-modifying treatments. This paper reviews recent advances in the area, focusing on the following leading candidates for blood-based biomarkers: amyloid-beta (Aβ), phosphorylated tau isoforms (p-tau), neurofilament light (NfL), and glial fibrillary acidic (GFAP) proteins, as well as on new candidates, Neuron-Derived Exosomes contents (NDEs) and Transactive response DNA-binding protein-43 (TDP-43), based on data from longitudinal observational cohort studies. The underlying challenges of validating and incorporating these biomarkers into routine clinical practice and primary care settings are also discussed. Importantly, challenges related to the underrepresentation of ethnic minorities and socioeconomically disadvantaged persons must be considered. If these challenges are overcome, a new time of cost-effective blood-based biomarkers for AD could represent the future of clinical procedures in the field and, together with continued prevention strategies, the beginning of an era with a lower incidence of dementia worldwide.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Robert Whelan
- Global Brain Health Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland; School of Psychology, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Marcia R Cominetti
- Department of Gerontology, Federal University of São Carlos, Brazil; Global Brain Health Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.
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Kerminen H, Marzetti E, D’Angelo E. Biological and Physical Performance Markers for Early Detection of Cognitive Impairment in Older Adults. J Clin Med 2024; 13:806. [PMID: 38337499 PMCID: PMC10856537 DOI: 10.3390/jcm13030806] [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: 12/28/2023] [Revised: 01/26/2024] [Accepted: 01/28/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Dementia is a major cause of poor quality of life, disability, and mortality in old age. According to the geroscience paradigm, the mechanisms that drive the aging process are also involved in the pathogenesis of chronic degenerative diseases, including dementia. The dissection of such mechanisms is therefore instrumental in providing biological targets for interventions and new sources for biomarkers. Within the geroscience paradigm, several biomarkers have been discovered that can be measured in blood and that allow early identification of individuals at risk of cognitive impairment. Examples of such markers include inflammatory biomolecules, markers of neuroaxonal damage, extracellular vesicles, and DNA methylation. Furthermore, gait speed, measured at a usual and fast pace and as part of a dual task, has been shown to detect individuals at risk of future dementia. Here, we provide an overview of available biomarkers that may be used to gauge the risk of cognitive impairment in apparently healthy older adults. Further research should establish which combination of biomarkers possesses the highest predictive accuracy toward incident dementia. The implementation of currently available markers may allow the identification of a large share of at-risk individuals in whom preventive interventions should be implemented to maintain or increase cognitive reserves, thereby reducing the risk of progression to dementia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanna Kerminen
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Gerontology Research Center (GEREC), Tampere University, Arvo Ylpön katu 34, 33520 Tampere, Finland;
- Department of Geriatrics, Orthopedics and Rheumatology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, L.go F. Vito 1, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Emanuele Marzetti
- Department of Geriatrics, Orthopedics and Rheumatology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, L.go F. Vito 1, 00168 Rome, Italy
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario “Agostino Gemelli” IRCCS, L.go A. Gemelli 8, 00168 Rome, Italy;
| | - Emanuela D’Angelo
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario “Agostino Gemelli” IRCCS, L.go A. Gemelli 8, 00168 Rome, Italy;
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Wang L, Shui X, Diao Y, Chen D, Zhou Y, Lee TH. Potential Implications of miRNAs in the Pathogenesis, Diagnosis, and Therapeutics of Alzheimer's Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:16259. [PMID: 38003448 PMCID: PMC10671222 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242216259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2023] [Revised: 11/10/2023] [Accepted: 11/12/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a complex multifactorial disorder that poses a substantial burden on patients, caregivers, and society. Considering the increased aging population and life expectancy, the incidence of AD will continue to rise in the following decades. However, the molecular pathogenesis of AD remains controversial, superior blood-based biomarker candidates for early diagnosis are still lacking, and effective therapeutics to halt or slow disease progression are urgently needed. As powerful genetic regulators, microRNAs (miRNAs) are receiving increasing attention due to their implications in the initiation, development, and theranostics of various diseases, including AD. In this review, we summarize miRNAs that directly target microtubule-associated protein tau (MAPT), amyloid precursor protein (APP), and β-site APP-cleaving enzyme 1 (BACE1) transcripts and regulate the alternative splicing of tau and APP. We also discuss related kinases, such as glycogen synthase kinase (GSK)-3β, cyclin-dependent kinase 5 (CDK5), and death-associated protein kinase 1 (DAPK1), as well as apolipoprotein E, that are directly targeted by miRNAs to control tau phosphorylation and amyloidogenic APP processing leading to Aβ pathologies. Moreover, there is evidence of miRNA-mediated modulation of inflammation. Furthermore, circulating miRNAs in the serum or plasma of AD patients as noninvasive biomarkers with diagnostic potential are reviewed. In addition, miRNA-based therapeutics optimized with nanocarriers or exosomes as potential options for AD treatment are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Ying Zhou
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Translational Research in Cancer and Neurodegenerative Diseases, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350122, China; (L.W.)
| | - Tae Ho Lee
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Translational Research in Cancer and Neurodegenerative Diseases, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou 350122, China; (L.W.)
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Cai H, Pang Y, Fu X, Ren Z, Jia L. Plasma biomarkers predict Alzheimer's disease before clinical onset in Chinese cohorts. Nat Commun 2023; 14:6747. [PMID: 37875471 PMCID: PMC10597998 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-42596-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2022] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 10/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Plasma amyloid-β (Aβ)42, phosphorylated tau (p-tau)181, and neurofilament light chain (NfL) are promising biomarkers of Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, whether these biomarkers can predict AD in Chinese populations is yet to be fully explored. We therefore tested the performance of these plasma biomarkers in 126 participants with preclinical AD and 123 controls with 8-10 years of follow-up from the China Cognition and Aging Study. Plasma Aβ42, p-tau181, and NfL were significantly correlated with cerebrospinal fluid counterparts and significantly altered in participants with preclinical AD. Combining plasma Aβ42, p-tau181, and NfL successfully discriminated preclinical AD from controls. These findings were validated in a replication cohort including 51 familial AD mutation carriers and 52 non-carriers from the Chinese Familial Alzheimer's Disease Network. Here we show that plasma Aβ42, p-tau181, and NfL may be useful for predicting AD 8 years before clinical onset in Chinese populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huimin Cai
- Innovation Center for Neurological Disorders and Department of Neurology, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Diseases, Beijing, China
| | - Yana Pang
- Innovation Center for Neurological Disorders and Department of Neurology, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Diseases, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaofeng Fu
- Innovation Center for Neurological Disorders and Department of Neurology, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Diseases, Beijing, China
| | - Ziye Ren
- Innovation Center for Neurological Disorders and Department of Neurology, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Diseases, Beijing, China
| | - Longfei Jia
- Innovation Center for Neurological Disorders and Department of Neurology, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Diseases, Beijing, China.
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10
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Sigdel S, Swenson S, Wang J. Extracellular Vesicles in Neurodegenerative Diseases: An Update. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:13161. [PMID: 37685965 PMCID: PMC10487947 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241713161] [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: 08/11/2023] [Revised: 08/22/2023] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Neurodegenerative diseases affect millions of people worldwide. The likelihood of developing a neurodegenerative disease rises dramatically as life expectancy increases. Although it has drawn significant attention, there is still a lack of proper effective treatments for neurodegenerative disease because the mechanisms of its development and progression are largely unknown. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are small bi-lipid layer-enclosed nanosized particles in tissues and biological fluids. EVs are emerging as novel intercellular messengers and regulate a series of biological responses. Increasing evidence suggests that EVs are involved in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative disorders. In this review, we summarize the recent findings of EVs in neurodegenerative diseases and bring up the limitations in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Jinju Wang
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine, Marshall University, Huntington, WV 25755, USA; (S.S.); (S.S.)
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11
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Boccardi V, Poli G, Cecchetti R, Bastiani P, Scamosci M, Febo M, Mazzon E, Bruscoli S, Brancorsini S, Mecocci P. miRNAs and Alzheimer's Disease: Exploring the Role of Inflammation and Vitamin E in an Old-Age Population. Nutrients 2023; 15:nu15030634. [PMID: 36771341 PMCID: PMC9919026 DOI: 10.3390/nu15030634] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2022] [Revised: 01/12/2023] [Accepted: 01/24/2023] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most frequent cause of dementia worldwide and represents one of the leading factors for severe disability in older persons. Although its etiology is not fully known yet, AD may develop due to multiple factors, including inflammation and oxidative stress, conditions where microRNAs (miRNAs) seem to play a pivotal role as a molecular switch. All these aspects may be modulated by nutritional factors. Among them, vitamin E has been widely studied in AD, given the plausibility of its various biological functions in influencing neurodegeneration. From a cohort of old-aged people, we measured eight vitamin E forms (tocopherols and tocotrienols), thirty cytokines/chemokines, and thirteen exosome-extracted miRNAs in plasma of subjects suffering from subjects affected by AD and age-matched healthy controls (HC). The sample population included 80 subjects (40 AD and 40 HC) with a mean age of 77.6 ± 3.8 years, mostly women (45; 56.2%). Of the vitamin E forms, only α-tocopherol differed between groups, with significantly lower levels in AD. Regarding the examined inflammatory molecules, G-CSF, GM-CSF, INF-α2, IL-3, and IL-8 were significantly higher and IL-17 lower in AD than HC. Among all miRNAs examined, AD showed downregulation of miR-9, miR-21, miR29-b, miR-122, and miR-132 compared to controls. MiR-122 positively and significantly correlated with some inflammatory molecules (GM-CSF, INF-α2, IL-1α, IL-8, and MIP-1β) as well as with α-tocopherol even after correction for age and gender. A final binary logistic regression analysis showed that α-tocopherol serum levels were associated with a higher AD probability and partially mediated by miR-122. Our results suggest an interplay between α-tocopherol, inflammatory molecules, and microRNAs in AD, where miR-122 may be a good candidate as modulating factor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Virginia Boccardi
- Institute of Gerontology and Geriatrics, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia, 06132 Perugia, Italy
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-0755783524
| | - Giulia Poli
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia, 05100 Terni, Italy
| | - Roberta Cecchetti
- Institute of Gerontology and Geriatrics, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia, 06132 Perugia, Italy
| | - Patrizia Bastiani
- Institute of Gerontology and Geriatrics, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia, 06132 Perugia, Italy
| | - Michela Scamosci
- Institute of Gerontology and Geriatrics, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia, 06132 Perugia, Italy
| | - Marta Febo
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, Section of Pharmacology, University of Perugia, 05100 Terni, Italy
| | - Emanuela Mazzon
- IRCCS Centro Neurolesi “Bonino-Pulejo”, Via Provinciale Palermo, Contrada Casazza, 98124 Messina, Italy
| | - Stefano Bruscoli
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, Section of Pharmacology, University of Perugia, 05100 Terni, Italy
| | - Stefano Brancorsini
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia, 05100 Terni, Italy
| | - Patrizia Mecocci
- Institute of Gerontology and Geriatrics, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia, 06132 Perugia, Italy
- Division of Clinical Geriatrics, NVS Department, Karolinska Institutet Stockholm, 17177 Stockholm, Sweden
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Ribarič S. Detecting Early Cognitive Decline in Alzheimer's Disease with Brain Synaptic Structural and Functional Evaluation. Biomedicines 2023; 11:355. [PMID: 36830892 PMCID: PMC9952956 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11020355] [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: 12/23/2022] [Revised: 01/22/2023] [Accepted: 01/24/2023] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Early cognitive decline in patients with Alzheimer's (AD) is associated with quantifiable structural and functional connectivity changes in the brain. AD dysregulation of Aβ and tau metabolism progressively disrupt normal synaptic function, leading to loss of synapses, decreased hippocampal synaptic density and early hippocampal atrophy. Advances in brain imaging techniques in living patients have enabled the transition from clinical signs and symptoms-based AD diagnosis to biomarkers-based diagnosis, with functional brain imaging techniques, quantitative EEG, and body fluids sampling. The hippocampus has a central role in semantic and episodic memory processing. This cognitive function is critically dependent on normal intrahippocampal connections and normal hippocampal functional connectivity with many cortical regions, including the perirhinal and the entorhinal cortex, parahippocampal cortex, association regions in the temporal and parietal lobes, and prefrontal cortex. Therefore, decreased hippocampal synaptic density is reflected in the altered functional connectivity of intrinsic brain networks (aka large-scale networks), including the parietal memory, default mode, and salience networks. This narrative review discusses recent critical issues related to detecting AD-associated early cognitive decline with brain synaptic structural and functional markers in high-risk or neuropsychologically diagnosed patients with subjective cognitive impairment or mild cognitive impairment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samo Ribarič
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Pathophysiology, University of Ljubljana, Zaloška 4, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
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13
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Macrophage-derived exosomal lncRNA MSTRG.91634.7 inhibits fibroblasts activation by targeting PINK1 in silica-induced lung fibrosis. Toxicol Lett 2023; 372:36-44. [DOI: 10.1016/j.toxlet.2022.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2022] [Revised: 10/04/2022] [Accepted: 10/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
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14
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Xia X, Wang Y, Zheng JC. Extracellular vesicles, from the pathogenesis to the therapy of neurodegenerative diseases. Transl Neurodegener 2022; 11:53. [PMID: 36510311 PMCID: PMC9743667 DOI: 10.1186/s40035-022-00330-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2022] [Accepted: 11/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are small bilipid layer-enclosed vesicles that can be secreted by all tested types of brain cells. Being a key intercellular communicator, EVs have emerged as a key contributor to the pathogenesis of various neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and Huntington's disease through delivery of bioactive cargos within the central nervous system (CNS). Importantly, CNS cell-derived EVs can be purified via immunoprecipitation, and EV cargos with altered levels have been identified as potential biomarkers for the diagnosis and prognosis of NDs. Given the essential impact of EVs on the pathogenesis of NDs, pathological EVs have been considered as therapeutic targets and EVs with therapeutic effects have been utilized as potential therapeutic agents or drug delivery platforms for the treatment of NDs. In this review, we focus on recent research progress on the pathological roles of EVs released from CNS cells in the pathogenesis of NDs, summarize findings that identify CNS-derived EV cargos as potential biomarkers to diagnose NDs, and comprehensively discuss promising potential of EVs as therapeutic targets, agents, and drug delivery systems in treating NDs, together with current concerns and challenges for basic research and clinical applications of EVs regarding NDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaohuan Xia
- grid.24516.340000000123704535Center for Translational Neurodegeneration and Regenerative Therapy, Tongji Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200072 China ,Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Nanocatalytic Medicine, 200331 Shanghai, China ,grid.419897.a0000 0004 0369 313XKey Laboratory of Spine and Spinal cord Injury Repair and Regeneration (Tongji University), Ministry of Education, 200065 Shanghai, China ,grid.24516.340000000123704535Translational Research Institute of Brain and Brain-Like Intelligence, Shanghai Fourth People’s Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, 200434 Shanghai, China ,grid.412793.a0000 0004 1799 5032Center for Translational Neurodegeneration and Regenerative Therapy, Tongji Hospital Affiliated to Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200065 China
| | - Yi Wang
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Nanocatalytic Medicine, 200331 Shanghai, China ,grid.24516.340000000123704535Translational Research Center, Shanghai Yangzhi Rehabilitation Hospital Affiliated to Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 201613 China ,grid.24516.340000000123704535Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Tongji University, 200092 Shanghai, China
| | - Jialin C. Zheng
- grid.24516.340000000123704535Center for Translational Neurodegeneration and Regenerative Therapy, Tongji Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200072 China ,Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Nanocatalytic Medicine, 200331 Shanghai, China ,grid.419897.a0000 0004 0369 313XKey Laboratory of Spine and Spinal cord Injury Repair and Regeneration (Tongji University), Ministry of Education, 200065 Shanghai, China ,grid.24516.340000000123704535Translational Research Institute of Brain and Brain-Like Intelligence, Shanghai Fourth People’s Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, 200434 Shanghai, China ,grid.24516.340000000123704535Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Tongji University, 200092 Shanghai, China ,grid.412793.a0000 0004 1799 5032Center for Translational Neurodegeneration and Regenerative Therapy, Tongji Hospital Affiliated to Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200065 China
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15
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Wojda U. The Perspective of Exosomal MicroRNAs as Biomarkers for Preclinical Alzheimer's Disease. Biol Psychiatry 2022; 92:5-7. [PMID: 35710161 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2022.04.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2022] [Accepted: 04/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Urszula Wojda
- Laboratory of Preclinical Testing of Higher Standard, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology of Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland.
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