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Alves VC, Carro E, Figueiro-Silva J. Unveiling DNA methylation in Alzheimer's disease: a review of array-based human brain studies. Neural Regen Res 2024; 19:2365-2376. [PMID: 38526273 PMCID: PMC11090417 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.393106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 03/26/2024] Open
Abstract
The intricacies of Alzheimer's disease pathogenesis are being increasingly illuminated by the exploration of epigenetic mechanisms, particularly DNA methylation. This review comprehensively surveys recent human-centered studies that investigate whole genome DNA methylation in Alzheimer's disease neuropathology. The examination of various brain regions reveals distinctive DNA methylation patterns that associate with the Braak stage and Alzheimer's disease progression. The entorhinal cortex emerges as a focal point due to its early histological alterations and subsequent impact on downstream regions like the hippocampus. Notably, ANK1 hypermethylation, a protein implicated in neurofibrillary tangle formation, was recurrently identified in the entorhinal cortex. Further, the middle temporal gyrus and prefrontal cortex were shown to exhibit significant hypermethylation of genes like HOXA3, RHBDF2, and MCF2L, potentially influencing neuroinflammatory processes. The complex role of BIN1 in late-onset Alzheimer's disease is underscored by its association with altered methylation patterns. Despite the disparities across studies, these findings highlight the intricate interplay between epigenetic modifications and Alzheimer's disease pathology. Future research efforts should address methodological variations, incorporate diverse cohorts, and consider environmental factors to unravel the nuanced epigenetic landscape underlying Alzheimer's disease progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria Cunha Alves
- Neurodegenerative Diseases Group, Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre Research Institute (imas12), Madrid, Spain
- Network Center for Biomedical Research, Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED), Madrid, Spain
- PhD Program in Neuroscience, Autonoma de Madrid University, Madrid, Spain
- Neurotraumatology and Subarachnoid Hemorrhage Group, Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre Research Institute (imas12), Madrid, Spain
| | - Eva Carro
- Network Center for Biomedical Research, Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED), Madrid, Spain
- Neurobiology of Alzheimer's Disease Unit, Functional Unit for Research Into Chronic Diseases, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Joana Figueiro-Silva
- Institute of Medical Genetics, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Department of Molecular Life Science, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
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Eulalio T, Sun MW, Gevaert O, Greicius MD, Montine TJ, Nachun D, Montgomery SB. regionalpcs: improved discovery of DNA methylation associations with complex traits. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.05.01.590171. [PMID: 38746367 PMCID: PMC11092597 DOI: 10.1101/2024.05.01.590171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/16/2024]
Abstract
We have developed the regional principal components (rPCs) method, a novel approach for summarizing gene-level methylation. rPCs address the challenge of deciphering complex epigenetic mechanisms in diseases like Alzheimer's disease (AD). In contrast to traditional averaging, rPCs leverage principal components analysis to capture complex methylation patterns across gene regions. Our method demonstrated a 54% improvement in sensitivity over averaging in simulations, offering a robust framework for identifying subtle epigenetic variations. Applying rPCs to the AD brain methylation data in ROSMAP, combined with cell type deconvolution, we uncovered 838 differentially methylated genes associated with neuritic plaque burden-significantly outperforming conventional methods. Integrating methylation quantitative trait loci (meQTL) with genome-wide association studies (GWAS) identified 17 genes with potential causal roles in AD, including MS4A4A and PICALM. Our approach is available in the Bioconductor package regionalpcs, opening avenues for research and facilitating a deeper understanding of the epigenetic landscape in complex diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiffany Eulalio
- Department of Biomedical Data Science, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Min Woo Sun
- Department of Biomedical Data Science, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Olivier Gevaert
- Department of Biomedical Data Science, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Michael D Greicius
- Department of Neurology & Neurological Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Thomas J Montine
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Daniel Nachun
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA
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De Plano LM, Saitta A, Oddo S, Caccamo A. Epigenetic Changes in Alzheimer's Disease: DNA Methylation and Histone Modification. Cells 2024; 13:719. [PMID: 38667333 PMCID: PMC11049073 DOI: 10.3390/cells13080719] [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: 03/08/2024] [Revised: 04/10/2024] [Accepted: 04/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a devastating neurodegenerative disorder characterized by progressive cognitive decline and memory loss, imposing a significant burden on affected individuals and their families. Despite the recent promising progress in therapeutic approaches, more needs to be done to understand the intricate molecular mechanisms underlying the development and progression of AD. Growing evidence points to epigenetic changes as playing a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of the disease. The dynamic interplay between genetic and environmental factors influences the epigenetic landscape in AD, altering gene expression patterns associated with key pathological events associated with disease pathogenesis. To this end, epigenetic alterations not only impact the expression of genes implicated in AD pathogenesis but also contribute to the dysregulation of crucial cellular processes, including synaptic plasticity, neuroinflammation, and oxidative stress. Understanding the complex epigenetic mechanisms in AD provides new avenues for therapeutic interventions. This review comprehensively examines the role of DNA methylation and histone modifications in the context of AD. It aims to contribute to a deeper understanding of AD pathogenesis and facilitate the development of targeted therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Maria De Plano
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale F. Stagno d’Alcontres 31, 98166 Messina, Italy; (A.S.); (S.O.)
| | | | | | - Antonella Caccamo
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale F. Stagno d’Alcontres 31, 98166 Messina, Italy; (A.S.); (S.O.)
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Ma Y, Reyes-Dumeyer D, Piriz A, Recio P, Mejia DR, Medrano M, Lantigua RA, Vonsattel JPG, Tosto G, Teich AF, Ciener B, Leskinen S, Sivakumar S, DeTure M, Ranjan D, Dickson D, Murray M, Lee E, Wolk DA, Jin LW, Dugger BN, Hiniker A, Rissman RA, Mayeux R, Vardarajan BN. Multi-omics Characterization of Epigenetic and Genetic Risk of Alzheimer Disease in Autopsied Brains from two Ethnic Groups. MEDRXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR HEALTH SCIENCES 2024:2024.02.12.24302533. [PMID: 38405911 PMCID: PMC10889011 DOI: 10.1101/2024.02.12.24302533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/27/2024]
Abstract
Background Both genetic variants and epigenetic features contribute to the risk of Alzheimer's disease (AD). We studied the AD association of CpG-related single nucleotide polymorphisms (CGS), which act as the hub of both the genetic and epigenetic effects, in Hispanics decedents and generalized the findings to Non-Hispanic Whites (NHW) decedents. Methods First, we derived the dosage of the CpG site-creating allele of multiple CGSes in each 1 KB window across the genome and we conducted a sliding window association test with clinical diagnosis of AD in 7,155 Hispanics (3,194 cases and 3,961 controls) using generalized linear mixed models with the adjustment of age, sex, population structure, genomic relationship matrix, and genotyping batches. Next, using methylation and bulk RNA-sequencing data from the dorsolateral pre-frontal cortex in 150 Hispanics brains, we tested the cis- and trans-effects of AD associated CGS on brain DNA methylation to mRNA expression. For the genes with significant cis- and trans-effects, we checked their enriched pathways. Results We identified six genetic loci in Hispanics with CGS dosage associated with AD at genome-wide significance levels: ADAM20 (Score=55.2, P= 4.06×10 -8 ), between VRTN (Score=-19.6, P= 1.47×10 -8 ) and SYNDIG1L (Score=-37.7, P= 2.25×10 -9 ), SPG7 (16q24.3) (Score=40.5, P= 2.23×10 -8 ), PVRL2 (Score=125.86, P= 1.64×10 -9 ), TOMM40 (Score=-18.58, P= 4.61×10 -8 ), and APOE (Score=75.12, P= 7.26×10 -26 ). CGSes in PVRL2 and APOE were also genome-wide significant in NHW. Except for ADAM20 , CGSes in all the other five loci were associated with Hispanic brain methylation levels (mQTLs) and CGSes in SPG7, PVRL2, and APOE were also mQTLs in NHW. Except for SYNDIG1L ( P =0.08), brain methylation levels in all the other five loci affected downstream RNA expression in the Hispanics ( P <0.05), and methylation at VRTN and TOMM40 were also associated with RNA expression in NHW. Gene expression in these six loci were also regulated by CpG sites in genes that were enriched in the neuron projection and synapse (FDR<0.05). Conclusions We identified six CpG associated genetic loci associated with AD in Hispanics, harboring both genetic and epigenetic risks. However, their downstream effects on mRNA expression maybe ethnic specific and different from NHW.
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Asiamah EA, Feng B, Guo R, Yaxing X, Du X, Liu X, Zhang J, Cui H, Ma J. The Contributions of the Endolysosomal Compartment and Autophagy to APOEɛ4 Allele-Mediated Increase in Alzheimer's Disease Risk. J Alzheimers Dis 2024; 97:1007-1031. [PMID: 38306054 DOI: 10.3233/jad-230658] [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] [Indexed: 02/03/2024]
Abstract
Apolipoprotein E4 (APOE4), although yet-to-be fully understood, increases the risk and lowers the age of onset of Alzheimer's disease (AD), which is the major cause of dementia among elderly individuals. The endosome-lysosome and autophagy pathways, which are necessary for homeostasis in both neurons and glia, are dysregulated even in early AD. Nonetheless, the contributory roles of these pathways to developing AD-related pathologies in APOE4 individuals and models are unclear. Therefore, this review summarizes the dysregulations in the endosome-lysosome and autophagy pathways in APOE4 individuals and non-human models, and how these anomalies contribute to developing AD-relevant pathologies. The available literature suggests that APOE4 causes endosomal enlargement, increases endosomal acidification, impairs endosomal recycling, and downregulates exosome production. APOE4 impairs autophagy initiation and inhibits basal autophagy and autophagy flux. APOE4 promotes lysosome formation and trafficking and causes ApoE to accumulate in lysosomes. APOE4-mediated changes in the endosome, autophagosome and lysosome could promote AD-related features including Aβ accumulation, tau hyperphosphorylation, glial dysfunction, lipid dyshomeostasis, and synaptic defects. ApoE4 protein could mediate APOE4-mediated endosome-lysosome-autophagy changes. ApoE4 impairs vesicle recycling and endosome trafficking, impairs the synthesis of autophagy genes, resists being dissociated from its receptors and degradation, and forms a stable folding intermediate that could disrupt lysosome structure. Drugs such as molecular correctors that target ApoE4 molecular structure and enhance autophagy may ameliorate the endosome-lysosome-autophagy-mediated increase in AD risk in APOE4 individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ernest Amponsah Asiamah
- Hebei Medical University-Galway University of Ireland Stem Cell Research Center, Hebei Medical University, Hebei, China
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Health and Allied Sciences, University of Cape Coast, PMB UCC, Cape Coast, Ghana
| | - Baofeng Feng
- Hebei Medical University-Galway University of Ireland Stem Cell Research Center, Hebei Medical University, Hebei, China
- Hebei Research Center for Stem Cell Medical Translational Engineering, Hebei, China
- Hebei Technology Innovation Center for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Hebei, China
| | - Ruiyun Guo
- Hebei Medical University-Galway University of Ireland Stem Cell Research Center, Hebei Medical University, Hebei, China
- Hebei Research Center for Stem Cell Medical Translational Engineering, Hebei, China
| | - Xu Yaxing
- Hebei Medical University-Galway University of Ireland Stem Cell Research Center, Hebei Medical University, Hebei, China
- Hebei Research Center for Stem Cell Medical Translational Engineering, Hebei, China
| | - Xiaofeng Du
- Hebei Medical University-Galway University of Ireland Stem Cell Research Center, Hebei Medical University, Hebei, China
- Hebei Research Center for Stem Cell Medical Translational Engineering, Hebei, China
| | - Xin Liu
- Hebei Medical University-Galway University of Ireland Stem Cell Research Center, Hebei Medical University, Hebei, China
- Hebei Research Center for Stem Cell Medical Translational Engineering, Hebei, China
| | - Jinyu Zhang
- Hebei Medical University-Galway University of Ireland Stem Cell Research Center, Hebei Medical University, Hebei, China
- Hebei Research Center for Stem Cell Medical Translational Engineering, Hebei, China
| | - Huixian Cui
- Hebei Medical University-Galway University of Ireland Stem Cell Research Center, Hebei Medical University, Hebei, China
- Hebei Research Center for Stem Cell Medical Translational Engineering, Hebei, China
- Hebei Technology Innovation Center for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Hebei, China
| | - Jun Ma
- Hebei Medical University-Galway University of Ireland Stem Cell Research Center, Hebei Medical University, Hebei, China
- Hebei Research Center for Stem Cell Medical Translational Engineering, Hebei, China
- Hebei Technology Innovation Center for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Hebei, China
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Ma Y, Wang W, Liu S, Qiao X, Xing Y, Zhou Q, Zhang Z. Epigenetic Regulation of Neuroinflammation in Alzheimer's Disease. Cells 2023; 13:79. [PMID: 38201283 PMCID: PMC10778497 DOI: 10.3390/cells13010079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2023] [Revised: 12/25/2023] [Accepted: 12/28/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a chronic and progressive neurodegenerative disease and clinically manifests with cognitive decline and behavioral disabilities. Over the past years, mounting studies have demonstrated that the inflammatory response plays a key role in the onset and development of AD, and neuroinflammation has been proposed as the third major pathological driving factor of AD, ranking after the two well-known core pathologies, amyloid β (Aβ) deposits and neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs). Epigenetic mechanisms, referring to heritable changes in gene expression independent of DNA sequence alterations, are crucial regulators of neuroinflammation which have emerged as potential therapeutic targets for AD. Upon regulation of transcriptional repression or activation, epigenetic modification profiles are closely involved in inflammatory gene expression and signaling pathways of neuronal differentiation and cognitive function in central nervous system disorders. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge about epigenetic control mechanisms with a focus on DNA and histone modifications involved in the regulation of inflammatory genes and signaling pathways in AD, and the inhibitors under clinical assessment are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yajing Ma
- College of Biology and Food, Shangqiu Normal University, Shangqiu 476000, China;
| | - Wang Wang
- Department of Physiology and Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China; (W.W.); (Y.X.)
| | - Sufang Liu
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Dentistry, Texas A&M University, Dallas, TX 75246, USA;
| | - Xiaomeng Qiao
- Department of Pathology and Forensic Medicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China;
| | - Ying Xing
- Department of Physiology and Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China; (W.W.); (Y.X.)
| | - Qingfeng Zhou
- College of Biology and Food, Shangqiu Normal University, Shangqiu 476000, China;
| | - Zhijian Zhang
- College of Biology and Food, Shangqiu Normal University, Shangqiu 476000, China;
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Lozupone M, Dibello V, Sardone R, Castellana F, Zupo R, Lampignano L, Bortone I, Daniele A, Bellomo A, Solfrizzi V, Panza F. The Impact of Apolipoprotein E ( APOE) Epigenetics on Aging and Sporadic Alzheimer's Disease. BIOLOGY 2023; 12:1529. [PMID: 38132357 PMCID: PMC10740847 DOI: 10.3390/biology12121529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2023] [Revised: 12/08/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
Sporadic Alzheimer's disease (AD) derives from an interplay among environmental factors and genetic variants, while epigenetic modifications have been expected to affect the onset and progression of its complex etiopathology. Carriers of one copy of the apolipoprotein E gene (APOE) ε4 allele have a 4-fold increased AD risk, while APOE ε4/ε4-carriers have a 12-fold increased risk of developing AD in comparison with the APOE ε3-carriers. The main longevity factor is the homozygous APOE ε3/ε3 genotype. In the present narrative review article, we summarized and described the role of APOE epigenetics in aging and AD pathophysiology. It is not fully understood how APOE variants may increase or decrease AD risk, but this gene may affect tau- and amyloid-mediated neurodegeneration directly or indirectly, also by affecting lipid metabolism and inflammation. For sporadic AD, epigenetic regulatory mechanisms may control and influence APOE expression in response to external insults. Diet, a major environmental factor, has been significantly associated with physical exercise, cognitive function, and the methylation level of several cytosine-phosphate-guanine (CpG) dinucleotide sites of APOE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madia Lozupone
- Department of Translational Biomedicine and Neuroscience (DiBrain), University of Bari Aldo Moro, 70121 Bari, Italy;
| | - Vittorio Dibello
- Department of Orofacial Pain and Dysfunction, Academic Centre for Dentistry Amsterdam (ACTA), University of Amsterdam and Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands;
| | - Rodolfo Sardone
- Local Healthcare Authority of Taranto, 74121 Taranto, Italy;
| | - Fabio Castellana
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, Clinica Medica e Geriatria “Cesare Frugoni”, University of Bari Aldo Moro, 70121 Bari, Italy; (F.C.); (R.Z.); (V.S.)
| | - Roberta Zupo
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, Clinica Medica e Geriatria “Cesare Frugoni”, University of Bari Aldo Moro, 70121 Bari, Italy; (F.C.); (R.Z.); (V.S.)
| | - Luisa Lampignano
- Local Healthcare Authority of Bari, ASL Bari, 70132 Bari, Italy;
| | - Ilaria Bortone
- Department of Translational Biomedicine and Neuroscience (DiBrain), University of Bari Aldo Moro, 70121 Bari, Italy;
| | - Antonio Daniele
- Department of Neuroscience, Catholic University of Sacred Heart, 00168 Rome, Italy;
- Neurology Unit, IRCCS Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Antonello Bellomo
- Psychiatric Unit, Department of Clinical & Experimental Medicine, University of Foggia, 71122 Foggia, Italy;
| | - Vincenzo Solfrizzi
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, Clinica Medica e Geriatria “Cesare Frugoni”, University of Bari Aldo Moro, 70121 Bari, Italy; (F.C.); (R.Z.); (V.S.)
| | - Francesco Panza
- Department of Interdisciplinary Medicine, Clinica Medica e Geriatria “Cesare Frugoni”, University of Bari Aldo Moro, 70121 Bari, Italy; (F.C.); (R.Z.); (V.S.)
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Gamache J, Gingerich D, Shwab EK, Barrera J, Garrett ME, Hume C, Crawford GE, Ashley-Koch AE, Chiba-Falek O. Integrative single-nucleus multi-omics analysis prioritizes candidate cis and trans regulatory networks and their target genes in Alzheimer's disease brains. Cell Biosci 2023; 13:185. [PMID: 37789374 PMCID: PMC10546724 DOI: 10.1186/s13578-023-01120-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 10/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The genetic underpinnings of late-onset Alzheimer's disease (LOAD) are yet to be fully elucidated. Although numerous LOAD-associated loci have been discovered, the causal variants and their target genes remain largely unknown. Since the brain is composed of heterogenous cell subtypes, it is imperative to study the brain on a cell subtype specific level to explore the biological processes underlying LOAD. METHODS Here, we present the largest parallel single-nucleus (sn) multi-omics study to simultaneously profile gene expression (snRNA-seq) and chromatin accessibility (snATAC-seq) to date, using nuclei from 12 normal and 12 LOAD brains. We identified cell subtype clusters based on gene expression and chromatin accessibility profiles and characterized cell subtype-specific LOAD-associated differentially expressed genes (DEGs), differentially accessible peaks (DAPs) and cis co-accessibility networks (CCANs). RESULTS Integrative analysis defined disease-relevant CCANs in multiple cell subtypes and discovered LOAD-associated cell subtype-specific candidate cis regulatory elements (cCREs), their candidate target genes, and trans-interacting transcription factors (TFs), some of which, including ELK1, JUN, and SMAD4 in excitatory neurons, were also LOAD-DEGs. Finally, we focused on a subset of cell subtype-specific CCANs that overlap known LOAD-GWAS regions and catalogued putative functional SNPs changing the affinities of TF motifs within LOAD-cCREs linked to LOAD-DEGs, including APOE and MYO1E in a specific subtype of microglia and BIN1 in a subpopulation of oligodendrocytes. CONCLUSIONS To our knowledge, this study represents the most comprehensive systematic interrogation to date of regulatory networks and the impact of genetic variants on gene dysregulation in LOAD at a cell subtype resolution. Our findings reveal crosstalk between epigenetic, genomic, and transcriptomic determinants of LOAD pathogenesis and define catalogues of candidate genes, cCREs, and variants involved in LOAD genetic etiology and the cell subtypes in which they act to exert their pathogenic effects. Overall, these results suggest that cell subtype-specific cis-trans interactions between regulatory elements and TFs, and the genes dysregulated by these networks contribute to the development of LOAD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Gamache
- Division of Translational Brain Sciences, Department of Neurology, Duke University Medical Center, DUMC Box 2900, Durham, NC, 27710, USA
- Center for Genomic and Computational Biology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, 27708, USA
| | - Daniel Gingerich
- Division of Translational Brain Sciences, Department of Neurology, Duke University Medical Center, DUMC Box 2900, Durham, NC, 27710, USA
- Center for Genomic and Computational Biology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, 27708, USA
| | - E Keats Shwab
- Division of Translational Brain Sciences, Department of Neurology, Duke University Medical Center, DUMC Box 2900, Durham, NC, 27710, USA
- Center for Genomic and Computational Biology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, 27708, USA
| | - Julio Barrera
- Division of Translational Brain Sciences, Department of Neurology, Duke University Medical Center, DUMC Box 2900, Durham, NC, 27710, USA
- Center for Genomic and Computational Biology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, 27708, USA
| | - Melanie E Garrett
- Duke Molecular Physiology Institute, Duke University Medical Center, DUMC Box 104775, Durham, NC, 27701, USA
| | - Cordelia Hume
- Division of Translational Brain Sciences, Department of Neurology, Duke University Medical Center, DUMC Box 2900, Durham, NC, 27710, USA
- Center for Genomic and Computational Biology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, 27708, USA
| | - Gregory E Crawford
- Center for Genomic and Computational Biology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, 27708, USA.
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Medical Genetics, Duke University Medical Center, DUMC Box 3382, Durham, NC, 27708, USA.
- Center for Advanced Genomic Technologies, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, 27708, USA.
| | - Allison E Ashley-Koch
- Duke Molecular Physiology Institute, Duke University Medical Center, DUMC Box 104775, Durham, NC, 27701, USA.
- Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, 27708, USA.
| | - Ornit Chiba-Falek
- Division of Translational Brain Sciences, Department of Neurology, Duke University Medical Center, DUMC Box 2900, Durham, NC, 27710, USA.
- Center for Genomic and Computational Biology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, 27708, USA.
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Jeremic D, Jiménez-Díaz L, Navarro-López JD. Targeting epigenetics: A novel promise for Alzheimer's disease treatment. Ageing Res Rev 2023; 90:102003. [PMID: 37422087 DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2023.102003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2023] [Revised: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 07/03/2023] [Indexed: 07/10/2023]
Abstract
So far, the search for a cure for Alzheimer Disease (AD) has been unsuccessful. The only approved drugs attenuate some symptoms, but do not halt the progress of this disease, which affects 50 million people worldwide and will increase its incidence in the coming decades. Such scenario demands new therapeutic approaches to fight against this devastating dementia. In recent years, multi-omics research and the analysis of differential epigenetic marks in AD subjects have contributed to our understanding of AD; however, the impact of epigenetic research is yet to be seen. This review integrates the most recent data on pathological processes and epigenetic changes relevant for aging and AD, as well as current therapies targeting epigenetic machinery in clinical trials. Evidence shows that epigenetic modifications play a key role in gene expression, which could provide multi-target preventative and therapeutic approaches in AD. Both novel and repurposed drugs are employed in AD clinical trials due to their epigenetic effects, as well as increasing number of natural compounds. Given the reversible nature of epigenetic modifications and the complexity of gene-environment interactions, the combination of epigenetic-based therapies with environmental strategies and drugs with multiple targets might be needed to properly help AD patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danko Jeremic
- University of Castilla-La Mancha, NeuroPhysiology & Behavior Lab, Biomedical Research Center (CRIB), School of Medicine of Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - Lydia Jiménez-Díaz
- University of Castilla-La Mancha, NeuroPhysiology & Behavior Lab, Biomedical Research Center (CRIB), School of Medicine of Ciudad Real, Spain.
| | - Juan D Navarro-López
- University of Castilla-La Mancha, NeuroPhysiology & Behavior Lab, Biomedical Research Center (CRIB), School of Medicine of Ciudad Real, Spain.
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10
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Vasconcelos CFM, Ribas VT, Petrs-Silva H. Shared Molecular Pathways in Glaucoma and Other Neurodegenerative Diseases: Insights from RNA-Seq Analysis and miRNA Regulation for Promising Therapeutic Avenues. Cells 2023; 12:2155. [PMID: 37681887 PMCID: PMC10486375 DOI: 10.3390/cells12172155] [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: 07/29/2023] [Revised: 08/14/2023] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 09/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Advances in RNA-sequencing technologies have led to the identification of molecular biomarkers for several diseases, including neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, Huntington's diseases and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Despite the nature of glaucoma as a neurodegenerative disorder with several similarities with the other above-mentioned diseases, transcriptional data about this disease are still scarce. microRNAs are small molecules (~17-25 nucleotides) that have been found to be specifically expressed in the CNS as major components of the system regulating the development signatures of neurodegenerative diseases and the homeostasis of the brain. In this review, we sought to identify similarities between the functional mechanisms and the activated pathways of the most common neurodegenerative diseases, as well as to discuss how those mechanisms are regulated by miRNAs, using RNA-Seq as an approach to compare them. We also discuss therapeutically suitable applications for these disease hallmarks in clinical future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos Franciney Moreira Vasconcelos
- University of Medicine of Göttingen, 37075 Göttingen, Germany
- Institute of Biophysics Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-902, Brazil
| | - Vinicius Toledo Ribas
- Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (ICB/UFMG), Belo Horizonte 31270-901, Brazil;
| | - Hilda Petrs-Silva
- Institute of Biophysics Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-902, Brazil
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Peng X, Zhang W, Cui W, Ding B, Lyu Q, Wang J. ADmeth: A Manually Curated Database for the Differential Methylation in Alzheimer's Disease. IEEE/ACM TRANSACTIONS ON COMPUTATIONAL BIOLOGY AND BIOINFORMATICS 2023; 20:843-851. [PMID: 35617175 DOI: 10.1109/tcbb.2022.3178087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common neurodegenerative disease. More and more evidence show that DNA methylation is closely related to the pathological mechanism of AD. Many AD-associated differentially methylated genes, regions and CpG sites have been identified in recent researches, which may have great potential in clinical research. However, there is no dedicated database to collect AD-related differential methylation up to now. To provide a reference to researchers, we design a database named ADmeth by manually curating relevant articles, which contains a total of 16,709 AD-related differentially methylated items identified from different brain regions and different cell types in the blood, involving 209 genes, 2,229 regions and 14,271 CpG sites. The ADmeth database provides user-friendly pages to search, submit and download data. We hope that the ADmeth database can facilitate researchers to select candidate AD-associated methylation markers in revealing the pathological mechanism of AD and promote the cell-free DNA based non-invasive diagnosis of AD. The ADmeth database is available at http://www.biobdlab.cn/ADmeth.
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12
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Liu XQ, Huang J, Song C, Zhang TL, Liu YP, Yu L. Neurodevelopmental toxicity induced by PM2.5 Exposure and its possible role in Neurodegenerative and mental disorders. Hum Exp Toxicol 2023; 42:9603271231191436. [PMID: 37537902 DOI: 10.1177/09603271231191436] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/05/2023]
Abstract
Recent extensive evidence suggests that ambient fine particulate matter (PM2.5, with an aerodynamic diameter ≤2.5 μm) may be neurotoxic to the brain and cause central nervous system damage, contributing to neurodevelopmental disorders, such as autism spectrum disorders, neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease, and mental disorders, such as schizophrenia, depression, and bipolar disorder. PM2.5 can enter the brain via various pathways, including the blood-brain barrier, olfactory system, and gut-brain axis, leading to adverse effects on the CNS. Studies in humans and animals have revealed that PM2.5-mediated mechanisms, including neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, systemic inflammation, and gut flora dysbiosis, play a crucial role in CNS damage. Additionally, PM2.5 exposure can induce epigenetic alterations, such as hypomethylation of DNA, which may contribute to the pathogenesis of some CNS damage. Through literature analysis, we suggest that promising therapeutic targets for alleviating PM2.5-induced neurological damage include inhibiting microglia overactivation, regulating gut microbiota with antibiotics, and targeting signaling pathways, such as PKA/CREB/BDNF and WNT/β-catenin. Additionally, several studies have observed an association between PM2.5 exposure and epigenetic changes in neuropsychiatric disorders. This review summarizes and discusses the association between PM2.5 exposure and CNS damage, including the possible mechanisms by which PM2.5 causes neurotoxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin-Qi Liu
- School of Basic Medicine, Neurologic Disorders and Regenerative Repair Lab of Shandong Higher Education, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, China
| | - Jia Huang
- School of Basic Medicine, Neurologic Disorders and Regenerative Repair Lab of Shandong Higher Education, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, China
| | - Chao Song
- School of Basic Medicine, Neurologic Disorders and Regenerative Repair Lab of Shandong Higher Education, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, China
| | - Tian-Liang Zhang
- School of Basic Medicine, Neurologic Disorders and Regenerative Repair Lab of Shandong Higher Education, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, China
| | - Yong-Ping Liu
- School of Basic Medicine, Neurologic Disorders and Regenerative Repair Lab of Shandong Higher Education, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, China
| | - Li Yu
- School of Basic Medicine, Neurologic Disorders and Regenerative Repair Lab of Shandong Higher Education, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, China
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13
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Gottschalk WK, Mahon S, Hodgson D, Barrera J, Hill D, Wei A, Kumar M, Dai K, Anderson L, Mihovilovic M, Lutz MW, Chiba-Falek O. The APOE-TOMM40 Humanized Mouse Model: Characterization of Age, Sex, and PolyT Variant Effects on Gene Expression. J Alzheimers Dis 2023; 94:1563-1576. [PMID: 37458041 PMCID: PMC10733864 DOI: 10.3233/jad-230451] [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] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The human chromosome 19q13.32 is a gene rich region and has been associated with multiple phenotypes, including late onset Alzheimer's disease (LOAD) and other age-related conditions. OBJECTIVE Here we developed the first humanized mouse model that contains the entire TOMM40 and APOE genes with all intronic and intergenic sequences including the upstream and downstream regions. Thus, the mouse model carries the human TOMM40 and APOE genes and their intact regulatory sequences. METHODS We generated the APOE-TOMM40 humanized mouse model in which the entire mouse region was replaced with the human (h)APOE-TOMM40 loci including their upstream and downstream flanking regulatory sequences using recombineering technologies. We then measured the expression of the human TOMM40 and APOE genes in the mice brain, liver, and spleen tissues using TaqMan based mRNA expression assays. RESULTS We investigated the effects of the '523' polyT genotype (S/S or VL/VL), sex, and age on the human TOMM40- and APOE-mRNAs expression levels using our new humanized mouse model. The analysis revealed tissue specific and shared effects of the '523' polyT genotype, sex, and age on the regulation of the human TOMM40 and APOE genes. Noteworthy, the regulatory effect of the '523' polyT genotype was observed for all studied organs. CONCLUSION The model offers new opportunities for basic science, translational, and preclinical drug discovery studies focused on the APOE genomic region in relation to LOAD and other conditions in adulthood.
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Affiliation(s)
- William K. Gottschalk
- Division of Translational Brain Sciences, Department of Neurology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Scott Mahon
- Division of Translational Brain Sciences, Department of Neurology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Dellila Hodgson
- Division of Translational Brain Sciences, Department of Neurology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
- Center for Genomic and Computational Biology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Julio Barrera
- Division of Translational Brain Sciences, Department of Neurology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
- Center for Genomic and Computational Biology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Delaney Hill
- Center for Genomic and Computational Biology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Angela Wei
- Division of Translational Brain Sciences, Department of Neurology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
- Center for Genomic and Computational Biology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Manish Kumar
- Division of Translational Brain Sciences, Department of Neurology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
- Center for Genomic and Computational Biology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Kathy Dai
- Division of Translational Brain Sciences, Department of Neurology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
- Center for Genomic and Computational Biology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Lauren Anderson
- Division of Translational Brain Sciences, Department of Neurology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Mirta Mihovilovic
- Division of Translational Brain Sciences, Department of Neurology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Michael W. Lutz
- Division of Translational Brain Sciences, Department of Neurology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Ornit Chiba-Falek
- Division of Translational Brain Sciences, Department of Neurology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
- Center for Genomic and Computational Biology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA
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14
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Hajjo R, Sabbah DA, Abusara OH, Al Bawab AQ. A Review of the Recent Advances in Alzheimer's Disease Research and the Utilization of Network Biology Approaches for Prioritizing Diagnostics and Therapeutics. Diagnostics (Basel) 2022; 12:diagnostics12122975. [PMID: 36552984 PMCID: PMC9777434 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics12122975] [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: 10/16/2022] [Revised: 11/16/2022] [Accepted: 11/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a polygenic multifactorial neurodegenerative disease that, after decades of research and development, is still without a cure. There are some symptomatic treatments to manage the psychological symptoms but none of these drugs can halt disease progression. Additionally, over the last few years, many anti-AD drugs failed in late stages of clinical trials and many hypotheses surfaced to explain these failures, including the lack of clear understanding of disease pathways and processes. Recently, different epigenetic factors have been implicated in AD pathogenesis; thus, they could serve as promising AD diagnostic biomarkers. Additionally, network biology approaches have been suggested as effective tools to study AD on the systems level and discover multi-target-directed ligands as novel treatments for AD. Herein, we provide a comprehensive review on Alzheimer's disease pathophysiology to provide a better understanding of disease pathogenesis hypotheses and decipher the role of genetic and epigenetic factors in disease development and progression. We also provide an overview of disease biomarkers and drug targets and suggest network biology approaches as new tools for identifying novel biomarkers and drugs. We also posit that the application of machine learning and artificial intelligence to mining Alzheimer's disease multi-omics data will facilitate drug and biomarker discovery efforts and lead to effective individualized anti-Alzheimer treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rima Hajjo
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Al-Zaytoonah University of Jordan, P.O. Box 130, Amman 11733, Jordan
- Laboratory for Molecular Modeling, Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, The University of North Carlina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
- National Center for Epidemics and Communicable Disease Control, Amman 11118, Jordan
- Correspondence:
| | - Dima A. Sabbah
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Al-Zaytoonah University of Jordan, P.O. Box 130, Amman 11733, Jordan
| | - Osama H. Abusara
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Al-Zaytoonah University of Jordan, P.O. Box 130, Amman 11733, Jordan
| | - Abdel Qader Al Bawab
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Al-Zaytoonah University of Jordan, P.O. Box 130, Amman 11733, Jordan
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15
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Wareham LK, Liddelow SA, Temple S, Benowitz LI, Di Polo A, Wellington C, Goldberg JL, He Z, Duan X, Bu G, Davis AA, Shekhar K, Torre AL, Chan DC, Canto-Soler MV, Flanagan JG, Subramanian P, Rossi S, Brunner T, Bovenkamp DE, Calkins DJ. Solving neurodegeneration: common mechanisms and strategies for new treatments. Mol Neurodegener 2022; 17:23. [PMID: 35313950 PMCID: PMC8935795 DOI: 10.1186/s13024-022-00524-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 91] [Impact Index Per Article: 45.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2021] [Accepted: 02/18/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Across neurodegenerative diseases, common mechanisms may reveal novel therapeutic targets based on neuronal protection, repair, or regeneration, independent of etiology or site of disease pathology. To address these mechanisms and discuss emerging treatments, in April, 2021, Glaucoma Research Foundation, BrightFocus Foundation, and the Melza M. and Frank Theodore Barr Foundation collaborated to bring together key opinion leaders and experts in the field of neurodegenerative disease for a virtual meeting titled "Solving Neurodegeneration". This "think-tank" style meeting focused on uncovering common mechanistic roots of neurodegenerative disease and promising targets for new treatments, catalyzed by the goal of finding new treatments for glaucoma, the world's leading cause of irreversible blindness and the common interest of the three hosting foundations. Glaucoma, which causes vision loss through degeneration of the optic nerve, likely shares early cellular and molecular events with other neurodegenerative diseases of the central nervous system. Here we discuss major areas of mechanistic overlap between neurodegenerative diseases of the central nervous system: neuroinflammation, bioenergetics and metabolism, genetic contributions, and neurovascular interactions. We summarize important discussion points with emphasis on the research areas that are most innovative and promising in the treatment of neurodegeneration yet require further development. The research that is highlighted provides unique opportunities for collaboration that will lead to efforts in preventing neurodegeneration and ultimately vision loss.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren K Wareham
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Vanderbilt Eye Institute, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Shane A Liddelow
- Neuroscience Institute, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Sally Temple
- Neural Stem Cell Institute, NY, 12144, Rensselaer, USA
| | - Larry I Benowitz
- Department of Neurosurgery and F.M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Adriana Di Polo
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Montreal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Cheryl Wellington
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Jeffrey L Goldberg
- Spencer Center for Vision Research, Byers Eye Institute, Stanford University, CA, Palo Alto, USA
| | - Zhigang He
- F.M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Boston Children's Hospital, MA, Boston, USA
| | - Xin Duan
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Guojun Bu
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, USA
| | - Albert A Davis
- Department of Neurology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Karthik Shekhar
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering and Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Anna La Torre
- Department of Cell Biology and Human Anatomy, University of California Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - David C Chan
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, CA, 91125, Pasadena, USA
| | - M Valeria Canto-Soler
- CellSight Ocular Stem Cell and Regeneration Research Program, Department of Ophthalmology, Sue Anschutz-Rodgers Eye Center, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - John G Flanagan
- Herbert Wertheim School of Optometry and Vision Science, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | | | | | | | | | - David J Calkins
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Vanderbilt Eye Institute, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA.
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16
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Martens YA, Zhao N, Liu CC, Kanekiyo T, Yang AJ, Goate AM, Holtzman DM, Bu G. ApoE Cascade Hypothesis in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. Neuron 2022; 110:1304-1317. [PMID: 35298921 PMCID: PMC9035117 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2022.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 123] [Impact Index Per Article: 61.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2021] [Revised: 02/08/2022] [Accepted: 03/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The ε4 allele of the apolipoprotein E gene (APOE4) is a strong genetic risk factor for Alzheimer's disease (AD) and several other neurodegenerative conditions, including Lewy body dementia (LBD). The three APOE alleles encode protein isoforms that differ from one another only at amino acid positions 112 and 158: apoE2 (C112, C158), apoE3 (C112, R158), and apoE4 (R112, R158). Despite progress, it remains unclear how these small amino acid differences in apoE sequence among the three isoforms lead to profound effects on aging and disease-related pathways. Here, we propose a novel "ApoE Cascade Hypothesis" in AD and age-related cognitive decline, which states that the biochemical and biophysical properties of apoE impact a cascade of events at the cellular and systems levels, ultimately impacting aging-related pathogenic conditions including AD. As such, apoE-targeted therapeutic interventions are predicted to be more effective by addressing the biochemical phase of the cascade.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuka A Martens
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, USA
| | - Na Zhao
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, USA
| | - Chia-Chen Liu
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, USA
| | | | - Austin J Yang
- Division of Neuroscience, National Institute on Aging, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Alison M Goate
- Ronald M. Loeb Center for Alzheimer's Disease, Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - David M Holtzman
- Department of Neurology, Hope Center for Neurological Disorders, Knight Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Guojun Bu
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, USA.
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17
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Zhang X, Zhang J, Wang Y, Wang M, Tang M, Lin Y, Liu Q. Epigenetic Modifications and Neurodegenerative Disorders: A Biochemical Perspective. ACS Chem Neurosci 2022; 13:177-184. [PMID: 35000390 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.1c00701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Methylations in living cells are methyl groups attached to amino acids, DNA, RNA, and so on. However, their biochemical roles have not been fully defined. A theory has been postulated that methylation leads to hyperconjugation, and the electron-donating feature weakens a nearby chemical bond, which increases the bond length of C4-N4 of 5-methylcytosine, therefore weakening the C4-N4 bond and resulting in stronger protonation or hydrogen bonding of the N4 nitrogen atom. Protonation can give rise to the generation of mutagenic and carcinogenic strong acids such as HCl, which are also capable of solubilizing stressful, insoluble, and stiff salts. Insoluble and rigid salts such as calcium oxalate and/or calcium phosphate were recently proposed as a primary cause of some neurodegenerative disorders. Protonation of nitrogen atoms in 5-methylcytosine enhances the interaction with negatively charged phosphate groups and contributes to the formation of compact heterochromatin. The electronegativity of the oxygen atoms in the modifications of 5-hydroxymethylcytosine or 5-formylcytosine can shorten the lengths of adjacent bonds with no increase of cation affinity in N4. The carboxyl group in 5-carboxylcytosine is a weak acid capable of antagonizing mutagenic HCl and modestly helping solubilize insoluble salts. Electron delocalization of the methyl group in N4-methylcytosine results in a lower affinity of N4 to cations. The positive charge at N3 in the resonance structure of 3-methylcytosine is lessened by the electron-donating attribute of the methyl group attached to the N3 atom, consequently reducing acid formation. The electron delocalization of three methyl groups decreases the positive charge in the amino nitrogen in the side group of lysine 4 in histone H3, weakening interactions with phosphate groups and consequently activating gene expression. The carbonyl oxygen in 8-oxo-7,8-dihydroguanine draws protons and accumulates HCl, accounting for its moderate mutation propensity and potential capacity to solubilize stiff salts. The biochemical insight will further our understanding on the crosstalk of genetics and epigenetics in the etiology of neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoxiao Zhang
- School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
- Yunnan Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Biomedical Engineering Research Center, Kunming Medical University, Kunming 650500, China
| | - Jiaming Zhang
- School of Chemistry, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
| | - Yuchuan Wang
- Hebei Key Laboratory for Chronic Diseases, School of Basic Medical Sciences, North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan, Hebei 063210, China
| | - Minji Wang
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China Normal University, Minhang Campus, 3663 Zhongshan Rd North, Shanghai 200062, China
| | - Man Tang
- School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
| | - Yuhan Lin
- School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
| | - Qiuyun Liu
- School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, China
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18
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Mc Auley MT. DNA methylation in genes associated with the evolution of ageing and disease: A critical review. Ageing Res Rev 2021; 72:101488. [PMID: 34662746 DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2021.101488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2021] [Revised: 09/30/2021] [Accepted: 10/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Ageing is characterised by a physical decline in biological functioning which results in a progressive risk of mortality with time. As a biological phenomenon, it is underpinned by the dysregulation of a myriad of complex processes. Recently, however, ever-increasing evidence has associated epigenetic mechanisms, such as DNA methylation (DNAm) with age-onset pathologies, including cancer, cardiovascular disease, and Alzheimer's disease. These diseases compromise healthspan. Consequently, there is a medical imperative to understand the link between epigenetic ageing, and healthspan. Evolutionary theory provides a unique way to gain new insights into epigenetic ageing and health. This review will: (1) provide a brief overview of the main evolutionary theories of ageing; (2) discuss recent genetic evidence which has revealed alleles that have pleiotropic effects on fitness at different ages in humans; (3) consider the effects of DNAm on pleiotropic alleles, which are associated with age related disease; (4) discuss how age related DNAm changes resonate with the mutation accumulation, disposable soma and programmed theories of ageing; (5) discuss how DNAm changes associated with caloric restriction intersect with the evolution of ageing; and (6) conclude by discussing how evolutionary theory can be used to inform investigations which quantify age-related DNAm changes which are linked to age onset pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark Tomás Mc Auley
- Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Chester, Exton Park, Chester CH1 4BJ, UK.
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19
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Barrera J, Song L, Gamache JE, Garrett ME, Safi A, Yun Y, Premasinghe I, Sprague D, Chipman D, Li J, Fradin H, Soldano K, Gordân R, Ashley-Koch AE, Crawford GE, Chiba-Falek O. Sex dependent glial-specific changes in the chromatin accessibility landscape in late-onset Alzheimer's disease brains. Mol Neurodegener 2021; 16:58. [PMID: 34429139 PMCID: PMC8383438 DOI: 10.1186/s13024-021-00481-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2021] [Accepted: 08/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In the post-GWAS era, there is an unmet need to decode the underpinning genetic etiologies of late-onset Alzheimer's disease (LOAD) and translate the associations to causation. METHODS We conducted ATAC-seq profiling using NeuN sorted-nuclei from 40 frozen brain tissues to determine LOAD-specific changes in chromatin accessibility landscape in a cell-type specific manner. RESULTS We identified 211 LOAD-specific differential chromatin accessibility sites in neuronal-nuclei, four of which overlapped with LOAD-GWAS regions (±100 kb of SNP). While the non-neuronal nuclei did not show LOAD-specific differences, stratification by sex identified 842 LOAD-specific chromatin accessibility sites in females. Seven of these sex-dependent sites in the non-neuronal samples overlapped LOAD-GWAS regions including APOE. LOAD loci were functionally validated using single-nuclei RNA-seq datasets. CONCLUSIONS Using brain sorted-nuclei enabled the identification of sex-dependent cell type-specific LOAD alterations in chromatin structure. These findings enhance the interpretation of LOAD-GWAS discoveries, provide potential pathomechanisms, and suggest novel LOAD-loci.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julio Barrera
- Department of Neurology, Division of Translational Brain Sciences, Duke University Medical Center, DUMC, Box 2900, Durham, NC 27710 USA
- Center for Genomic and Computational Biology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27708 USA
| | - Lingyun Song
- Center for Genomic and Computational Biology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27708 USA
| | - Julia E. Gamache
- Department of Neurology, Division of Translational Brain Sciences, Duke University Medical Center, DUMC, Box 2900, Durham, NC 27710 USA
- Center for Genomic and Computational Biology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27708 USA
| | - Melanie E. Garrett
- Duke Molecular Physiology Institute, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27701 USA
| | - Alexias Safi
- Center for Genomic and Computational Biology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27708 USA
| | - Young Yun
- Department of Neurology, Division of Translational Brain Sciences, Duke University Medical Center, DUMC, Box 2900, Durham, NC 27710 USA
- Center for Genomic and Computational Biology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27708 USA
| | - Ivana Premasinghe
- Department of Neurology, Division of Translational Brain Sciences, Duke University Medical Center, DUMC, Box 2900, Durham, NC 27710 USA
- Center for Genomic and Computational Biology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27708 USA
| | - Daniel Sprague
- Department of Neurology, Division of Translational Brain Sciences, Duke University Medical Center, DUMC, Box 2900, Durham, NC 27710 USA
- Center for Genomic and Computational Biology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27708 USA
| | - Danielle Chipman
- Department of Neurology, Division of Translational Brain Sciences, Duke University Medical Center, DUMC, Box 2900, Durham, NC 27710 USA
- Center for Genomic and Computational Biology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27708 USA
| | - Jeffrey Li
- Center for Genomic and Computational Biology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27708 USA
| | - Hélène Fradin
- Center for Genomic and Computational Biology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27708 USA
| | - Karen Soldano
- Duke Molecular Physiology Institute, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27701 USA
| | - Raluca Gordân
- Center for Genomic and Computational Biology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27708 USA
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27705 USA
- Department of Computer Science, Duke University, Durham, NC 27705 USA
| | - Allison E. Ashley-Koch
- Duke Molecular Physiology Institute, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27701 USA
- Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, DUMC, Box 104775, Durham, NC 27708 USA
| | - Gregory E. Crawford
- Center for Genomic and Computational Biology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27708 USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Medical Genetics, Duke University Medical Center, DUMC, Box 3382, Durham, NC 27708 USA
- Center for Advanced Genomic Technologies, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27708 USA
| | - Ornit Chiba-Falek
- Department of Neurology, Division of Translational Brain Sciences, Duke University Medical Center, DUMC, Box 2900, Durham, NC 27710 USA
- Center for Genomic and Computational Biology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27708 USA
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20
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Poddar MK, Banerjee S, Chakraborty A, Dutta D. Metabolic disorder in Alzheimer's disease. Metab Brain Dis 2021; 36:781-813. [PMID: 33638805 DOI: 10.1007/s11011-021-00673-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2020] [Accepted: 01/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD), a well known aging-induced neurodegenerative disease is related to amyloid proteinopathy. This proteinopathy occurs due to abnormalities in protein folding, structure and thereby its function in cells. The root cause of such kind of proteinopathy and its related neurodegeneration is a disorder in metabolism, rather metabolomics of the major as well as minor nutrients. Metabolomics is the most relevant "omics" platform that offers a great potential for the diagnosis and prognosis of neurodegenerative diseases as an individual's metabolome. In recent years, the research on such kinds of neurodegenerative diseases, especially aging-related disorders is broadened its scope towards metabolic function. Different neurotransmitter metabolisms are also involved with AD and its associated neurodegeneration. The genetic and epigenetic backgrounds are also noteworthy. In this review, the physiological changes of AD in relation to its corresponding biochemical, genetic and epigenetic involvements including its (AD) therapeutic aspects are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mrinal K Poddar
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Jadavpur University, 188, Raja S. C. Mallick Road, Kolkata, 700032, India.
| | - Soumyabrata Banerjee
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Jadavpur University, 188, Raja S. C. Mallick Road, Kolkata, 700032, India
- Departrment of Psychology, Neuroscience Program, Field Neurosciences Institute Research Laboratory for Restorative Neurology, Central Michigan University, Mount Pleasant, MI, 48859, USA
| | - Apala Chakraborty
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Jadavpur University, 188, Raja S. C. Mallick Road, Kolkata, 700032, India
| | - Debasmita Dutta
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Jadavpur University, 188, Raja S. C. Mallick Road, Kolkata, 700032, India
- Department of Coatings and Polymeric Materials, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND, 58102, USA
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21
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Balmik AA, Chinnathambi S. Methylation as a key regulator of Tau aggregation and neuronal health in Alzheimer's disease. Cell Commun Signal 2021; 19:51. [PMID: 33962636 PMCID: PMC8103764 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-021-00732-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2020] [Accepted: 03/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and Huntington's disease involves abnormal aggregation and accumulation of toxic proteins aggregates. Post-translational modifications (PTMs) of the causative proteins play an important role in the etiology of disease as they could either slow down or accelerate the disease progression. Alzheimer disease is associated with the aggregation and accumulation of two major protein aggregates-intracellular neurofibrillary tangles made up of microtubule-associated protein Tau and extracellular Amyloid-β plaques. Post-translational modifications are important for the regulation of Tau`s function but an imbalance in PTMs may lead to abnormal Tau function and aggregation. Tau methylation is one of the important PTM of Tau in its physiological state. However, the methylation signature on Tau lysine changes once it acquires pathological aggregated form. Tau methylation can compete with other PTMs such as acetylation and ubiquitination. The state of PTM at these sites determines the fate of Tau protein in terms of its function and stability. The global methylation in neurons, microglia and astrocytes are involved in multiple cellular functions involving their role in epigenetic regulation of gene expression via DNA methylation. Here, we have discussed the effect of methylation on Tau function in a site-specific manner and their cross-talk with other lysine modifications. We have also elaborated the role of methylation in epigenetic aspects and neurodegenerative conditions associated with the imbalance in methylation metabolism affecting global methylation state of cells. Video abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abhishek Ankur Balmik
- Neurobiology Group, Division of Biochemical Sciences, CSIR-National Chemical Laboratory (CSIR-NCL), Dr. Homi Bhabha Road, 411008,, Pune, India
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, 201002,, India
| | - Subashchandrabose Chinnathambi
- Neurobiology Group, Division of Biochemical Sciences, CSIR-National Chemical Laboratory (CSIR-NCL), Dr. Homi Bhabha Road, 411008,, Pune, India.
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, 201002,, India.
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22
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Bezuch N, Bradburn S, Robinson AC, Pendleton N, Payton A, Murgatroyd C. Superior Frontal Gyrus TOMM40-APOE Locus DNA Methylation in Alzheimer's Disease. J Alzheimers Dis Rep 2021; 5:275-282. [PMID: 34113784 PMCID: PMC8150259 DOI: 10.3233/adr-201000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: The APOE ɛ4 allele is the strongest known genetic risk factor for sporadic Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The neighboring TOMM40 gene has also been implicated in AD due to its close proximity to APOE. Objective: Here we tested whether methylation of the TOMM40-APOE locus may influence ApoE protein levels and AD pathology. Methods: DNA methylation levels across the TOMM40-APOE locus and ApoE levels were measured in superior frontal gyrus tissues of 62 human brains genotyped for APOE and scored for AD neuropathology. Results: Methylation levels within the TOMM40 CpG island in the promoter or APOE CpG island in Exon 4 did not differ between APOE ɛ4 carriers versus non-carriers. However, APOE ɛ4 carriers had significantly higher methylation the APOE promoter compared with non-carriers. Although DNA methylation at TOMM40, APOE promoter region, or APOE did not differ between AD pathological groups, there was a negative association between TOMM40 methylation and CERAD scores. ApoE protein concentrations did not significantly different between APOE ɛ4 carriers and non-carriers, or between AD pathological groups. Finally, there was no correlation between ApoE protein concentrations and DNA methylation levels. Conclusion: APOE gene methylation may not be affected by genotype, relate to AD pathology or ApoE protein levels in the superior frontal gyrus, though, DNA methylation at the ApoE promoter differed between genotype. DNA methylation at TOMM40 associated with amyloid-β plaques and longitudinal fluid intelligence. In sum, these results suggest a complicated regulation of the TOMM40-APOE locus in the brain in controlling ApoE protein levels and AD neuropathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Bezuch
- Department of Life Sciences, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, UK
| | - Steven Bradburn
- Department of Life Sciences, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, UK
| | - Andrew C Robinson
- Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, School of Biological Sciences, Division of Neuroscience & Experimental Psychology, University of Manchester, Salford Royal Hospital, Salford, UK
| | - Neil Pendleton
- Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, School of Biological Sciences, Division of Neuroscience & Experimental Psychology, University of Manchester, Salford Royal Hospital, Salford, UK
| | - Antony Payton
- Division of Informatics, Imaging & Data Sciences, School of Health Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Chris Murgatroyd
- Department of Life Sciences, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, UK
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23
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Integrative analysis identifies bHLH transcription factors as contributors to Parkinson's disease risk mechanisms. Sci Rep 2021; 11:3502. [PMID: 33568722 PMCID: PMC7875985 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-83087-2] [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: 11/06/2019] [Accepted: 01/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified multiple genetic risk signals for Parkinson’s disease (PD), however translation into underlying biological mechanisms remains scarce. Genomic functional annotations of neurons provide new resources that may be integrated into analyses of GWAS findings. Altered transcription factor binding plays an important role in human diseases. Insight into transcriptional networks involved in PD risk mechanisms may thus improve our understanding of pathogenesis. We analysed overlap between genome-wide association signals in PD and open chromatin in neurons across multiple brain regions, finding a significant enrichment in the superior temporal cortex. The involvement of transcriptional networks was explored in neurons of the superior temporal cortex based on the location of candidate transcription factor motifs identified by two de novo motif discovery methods. Analyses were performed in parallel, both finding that PD risk variants significantly overlap with open chromatin regions harboring motifs of basic Helix-Loop-Helix (bHLH) transcription factors. Our findings show that cortical neurons are likely mediators of genetic risk for PD. The concentration of PD risk variants at sites of open chromatin targeted by members of the bHLH transcription factor family points to an involvement of these transcriptional networks in PD risk mechanisms.
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24
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Nikolac Perkovic M, Videtic Paska A, Konjevod M, Kouter K, Svob Strac D, Nedic Erjavec G, Pivac N. Epigenetics of Alzheimer's Disease. Biomolecules 2021; 11:biom11020195. [PMID: 33573255 PMCID: PMC7911414 DOI: 10.3390/biom11020195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2020] [Revised: 01/19/2021] [Accepted: 01/26/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
There are currently no validated biomarkers which can be used to accurately diagnose Alzheimer’s disease (AD) or to distinguish it from other dementia-causing neuropathologies. Moreover, to date, only symptomatic treatments exist for this progressive neurodegenerative disorder. In the search for new, more reliable biomarkers and potential therapeutic options, epigenetic modifications have emerged as important players in the pathogenesis of AD. The aim of the article was to provide a brief overview of the current knowledge regarding the role of epigenetics (including mitoepigenetics) in AD, and the possibility of applying these advances for future AD therapy. Extensive research has suggested an important role of DNA methylation and hydroxymethylation, histone posttranslational modifications, and non-coding RNA regulation (with the emphasis on microRNAs) in the course and development of AD. Recent studies also indicated mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) as an interesting biomarker of AD, since dysfunctions in the mitochondria and lower mtDNA copy number have been associated with AD pathophysiology. The current evidence suggests that epigenetic changes can be successfully detected, not only in the central nervous system, but also in the cerebrospinal fluid and on the periphery, contributing further to their potential as both biomarkers and therapeutic targets in AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matea Nikolac Perkovic
- Laboratory for Molecular Neuropsychiatry, Division of Molecular Medicine, Ruder Boskovic Institute, HR-10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (M.N.P.); (M.K.); (D.S.S.); (G.N.E.)
| | - Alja Videtic Paska
- Medical Center for Molecular Biology, Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (A.V.P.); (K.K.)
| | - Marcela Konjevod
- Laboratory for Molecular Neuropsychiatry, Division of Molecular Medicine, Ruder Boskovic Institute, HR-10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (M.N.P.); (M.K.); (D.S.S.); (G.N.E.)
| | - Katarina Kouter
- Medical Center for Molecular Biology, Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (A.V.P.); (K.K.)
| | - Dubravka Svob Strac
- Laboratory for Molecular Neuropsychiatry, Division of Molecular Medicine, Ruder Boskovic Institute, HR-10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (M.N.P.); (M.K.); (D.S.S.); (G.N.E.)
| | - Gordana Nedic Erjavec
- Laboratory for Molecular Neuropsychiatry, Division of Molecular Medicine, Ruder Boskovic Institute, HR-10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (M.N.P.); (M.K.); (D.S.S.); (G.N.E.)
| | - Nela Pivac
- Laboratory for Molecular Neuropsychiatry, Division of Molecular Medicine, Ruder Boskovic Institute, HR-10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (M.N.P.); (M.K.); (D.S.S.); (G.N.E.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +38-514-571-207
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25
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Yang A, Kantor B, Chiba-Falek O. APOE: The New Frontier in the Development of a Therapeutic Target towards Precision Medicine in Late-Onset Alzheimer's. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:1244. [PMID: 33513969 PMCID: PMC7865856 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22031244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2020] [Revised: 01/22/2021] [Accepted: 01/23/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) has a critical unmet medical need. The consensus around the amyloid cascade hypothesis has been guiding pre-clinical and clinical research to focus mainly on targeting beta-amyloid for treating AD. Nevertheless, the vast majority of the clinical trials have repeatedly failed, prompting the urgent need to refocus on other targets and shifting the paradigm of AD drug development towards precision medicine. One such emerging target is apolipoprotein E (APOE), identified nearly 30 years ago as one of the strongest and most reproduceable genetic risk factor for late-onset Alzheimer's disease (LOAD). An exploration of APOE as a new therapeutic culprit has produced some very encouraging results, proving that the protein holds promise in the context of LOAD therapies. Here, we review the strategies to target APOE based on state-of-the-art technologies such as antisense oligonucleotides, monoclonal antibodies, and gene/base editing. We discuss the potential of these initiatives in advancing the development of novel precision medicine therapies to LOAD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Yang
- Division of Translational Brain Sciences, Department of Neurology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA;
| | - Boris Kantor
- Department of Neurobiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA;
- Viral Vector Core, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
- Duke Center for Advanced Genomic Technologies, Durham, NC 27708, USA
| | - Ornit Chiba-Falek
- Division of Translational Brain Sciences, Department of Neurology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA;
- Center for Genomic and Computational Biology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27708, USA
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26
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Karisetty BC, Bhatnagar A, Armour EM, Beaver M, Zhang H, Elefant F. Amyloid-β Peptide Impact on Synaptic Function and Neuroepigenetic Gene Control Reveal New Therapeutic Strategies for Alzheimer's Disease. Front Mol Neurosci 2020; 13:577622. [PMID: 33304239 PMCID: PMC7693454 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2020.577622] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2020] [Accepted: 10/22/2020] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Amyloid-β (Aβ) peptides can form protease-resistant aggregates within and outside of neurons. Accumulation of these aggregates is a hallmark of Alzheimer's disease (AD) neuropathology and contributes to devastating cognitive deficits associated with this disorder. The primary etiological factor for Aβ aggregation is either an increase in Aβ production or a decrease in its clearance. Aβ is produced by the sequential activity of β- and γ-secretase on the amyloid precursor protein (APP) and the clearance is mediated by chaperone-mediated mechanisms. The Aβ aggregates vary from soluble monomers and oligomers to insoluble senile plaques. While excess intraneuronal oligomers can transduce neurotoxic signals into neurons causing cellular defects like oxidative stress and neuroepigenetic mediated transcriptional dysregulation, extracellular senile plaques cause neurodegeneration by impairing neural membrane permeabilization and cell signaling pathways. Paradoxically, senile plaque formation is hypothesized to be an adaptive mechanism to sequester excess toxic soluble oligomers while leaving native functional Aβ levels intact. This hypothesis is strengthened by the absence of positive outcomes and side effects from immunotherapy clinical trials aimed at complete Aβ clearance, and support beneficial physiological roles for native Aβ in cellular function. Aβ has been shown to modulate synaptic transmission, consolidate memory, and protect against excitotoxicity. We discuss the current understanding of beneficial and detrimental roles for Aβ in synaptic function and epigenetic gene control and the future promising prospects of early therapeutic interventions aimed at mediating Aβ induced neuroepigenetic and synaptic dysfunctions to delay AD onset.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Felice Elefant
- Department of Biology, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
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27
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Xiao X, Liu X, Jiao B. Epigenetics: Recent Advances and Its Role in the Treatment of Alzheimer's Disease. Front Neurol 2020; 11:538301. [PMID: 33178099 PMCID: PMC7594522 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2020.538301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2020] [Accepted: 09/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective: This review summarizes recent findings on the epigenetics of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and provides therapeutic strategies for AD. Methods: We searched the following keywords: “genetics,” “epigenetics,” “Alzheimer's disease,” “DNA methylation,” “DNA hydroxymethylation,” “histone modifications,” “non-coding RNAs,” and “therapeutic strategies” in PubMed. Results: In this review, we summarizes recent studies of epigenetics in AD, including DNA methylation/hydroxymethylation, histone modifications, and non-coding RNAs. There are no consistent results of global DNA methylation/hydroxymethylation in AD. Epigenetic genome-wide association studies show that many differentially methylated sites exist in AD. Several studies investigate the role of histone modifications in AD; for example, histone acetylation decreases, whereas H3 phosphorylation increases significantly in AD. In addition, non-coding RNAs, such as microRNA-16 and BACE1-antisense transcript (BACE1-AS), are associated with the pathology of AD. These epigenetic changes provide us with novel insights into the pathogenesis of AD and may be potential therapeutic strategies for AD. Conclusion: Epigenetics is associated with the pathogenesis of AD, including DNA methylation/hydroxymethylation, histone modifications, and non-coding RNAs, which provide potential therapeutic strategies for AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuewen Xiao
- Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Xixi Liu
- Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Bin Jiao
- Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Key Laboratory of Hunan Province in Neurodegenerative Disorders, Central South University, Changsha, China
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28
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Chew H, Solomon VA, Fonteh AN. Involvement of Lipids in Alzheimer's Disease Pathology and Potential Therapies. Front Physiol 2020; 11:598. [PMID: 32581851 PMCID: PMC7296164 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2020.00598] [Citation(s) in RCA: 156] [Impact Index Per Article: 39.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2020] [Accepted: 05/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Lipids constitute the bulk of the dry mass of the brain and have been associated with healthy function as well as the most common pathological conditions of the brain. Demographic factors, genetics, and lifestyles are the major factors that influence lipid metabolism and are also the key components of lipid disruption in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Additionally, the most common genetic risk factor of AD, APOE ϵ4 genotype, is involved in lipid transport and metabolism. We propose that lipids are at the center of Alzheimer's disease pathology based on their involvement in the blood-brain barrier function, amyloid precursor protein (APP) processing, myelination, membrane remodeling, receptor signaling, inflammation, oxidation, and energy balance. Under healthy conditions, lipid homeostasis bestows a balanced cellular environment that enables the proper functioning of brain cells. However, under pathological conditions, dyshomeostasis of brain lipid composition can result in disturbed BBB, abnormal processing of APP, dysfunction in endocytosis/exocytosis/autophagocytosis, altered myelination, disturbed signaling, unbalanced energy metabolism, and enhanced inflammation. These lipid disturbances may contribute to abnormalities in brain function that are the hallmark of AD. The wide variance of lipid disturbances associated with brain function suggest that AD pathology may present as a complex interaction between several metabolic pathways that are augmented by risk factors such as age, genetics, and lifestyles. Herewith, we examine factors that influence brain lipid composition, review the association of lipids with all known facets of AD pathology, and offer pointers for potential therapies that target lipid pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah Chew
- Huntington Medical Research Institutes, Pasadena, CA, United States
- University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | | | - Alfred N. Fonteh
- Huntington Medical Research Institutes, Pasadena, CA, United States
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29
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Chouliaras L, Kumar GS, Thomas AJ, Lunnon K, Chinnery PF, O'Brien JT. Epigenetic regulation in the pathophysiology of Lewy body dementia. Prog Neurobiol 2020; 192:101822. [PMID: 32407744 DOI: 10.1016/j.pneurobio.2020.101822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2019] [Revised: 04/09/2020] [Accepted: 05/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Lewy body dementia encompasses both dementia with Lewy bodies and Parkinson's disease dementia. Although both are common causes of dementia, they remain relatively understudied. The review summarises the clinico-pathologic characteristics of Lewy Body dementia and discusses the genetic and environmental evidence contributing to the risk of developing the condition. Considering that the pathophysiology of Lewy body dementia is not yet fully understood, here we focus on the role of epigenetic mechanisms as potential key mediators of gene-environment interactions in the development of the disease. We examine available important data on genomics, epigenomics, gene expression and proteomic studies in Lewy body dementia on human post-mortem brain and peripheral tissues. Genetic variation and epigenetic modifications in key genes involved in the disorder, such as apolipoprotein E (APOE), α-synuclein (SNCA) and glucocerobrosidase (GBA), suggest a central involvement of epigenetics in DLB but conclusive evidence is scarce. This is due to limitations of existing literature, such as small sample sizes, lack of replication and lack of studies interrogating cell-type specific epigenetic modifications in the brain. Future research in the field can improve the understanding of this common but complex and rapidly progressing type of dementia and potentially open early diagnostic and effective therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Gautham S Kumar
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Alan J Thomas
- Institute of Neuroscience, Newcastle University, Campus for Ageing and Vitality, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Katie Lunnon
- College of Medicine and Health, University of Exeter Medical School, Exeter University, Exeter, UK
| | - Patrick F Chinnery
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences and MRC Mitochondrial Biology Unit, University of Cambridge, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge, UK
| | - John T O'Brien
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
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30
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Bertogliat MJ, Morris-Blanco KC, Vemuganti R. Epigenetic mechanisms of neurodegenerative diseases and acute brain injury. Neurochem Int 2020; 133:104642. [PMID: 31838024 PMCID: PMC8074401 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuint.2019.104642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2019] [Revised: 10/25/2019] [Accepted: 12/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Epigenetic modifications are emerging as major players in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative disorders and susceptibility to acute brain injury. DNA and histone modifications act together with non-coding RNAs to form a complex gene expression machinery that adapts the brain to environmental stressors and injury response. These modifications influence cell-level operations like neurogenesis and DNA repair to large, intricate processes such as brain patterning, memory formation, motor function and cognition. Thus, epigenetic imbalance has been shown to influence the progression of many neurological disorders independent of aberrations in the genetic code. This review aims to highlight ways in which epigenetics applies to several commonly researched neurodegenerative diseases and forms of acute brain injury as well as shed light on the benefits of epigenetics-based treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mario J Bertogliat
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Kahlilia C Morris-Blanco
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA; William S. Middleton VA Hospital, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Raghu Vemuganti
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, USA; William S. Middleton VA Hospital, Madison, WI, USA.
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31
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Fossel M. A unified model of dementias and age-related neurodegeneration. Alzheimers Dement 2020; 16:365-383. [PMID: 31943780 DOI: 10.1002/alz.12012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2019] [Revised: 11/09/2019] [Accepted: 11/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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32
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Tzioras M, Davies C, Newman A, Jackson R, Spires‐Jones T. Invited Review: APOE at the interface of inflammation, neurodegeneration and pathological protein spread in Alzheimer's disease. Neuropathol Appl Neurobiol 2019; 45:327-346. [PMID: 30394574 PMCID: PMC6563457 DOI: 10.1111/nan.12529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2018] [Accepted: 10/27/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Despite more than a century of research, the aetiology of sporadic Alzheimer's disease (AD) remains unclear and finding disease modifying treatments for AD presents one of the biggest medical challenges of our time. AD pathology is characterized by deposits of aggregated amyloid beta (Aβ) in amyloid plaques and aggregated tau in neurofibrillary tangles. These aggregates begin in distinct brain regions and spread throughout the brain in stereotypical patterns. Neurodegeneration, comprising loss of synapses and neurons, occurs in brain regions with high tangle pathology, and an inflammatory response of glial cells appears in brain regions with pathological aggregates. Inheriting an apolipoprotein E ε4 (APOE4) allele strongly increases the risk of developing AD for reasons that are not yet entirely clear. Substantial amounts of evidence support a role for APOE in modulating the aggregation and clearance of Aβ, and data have been accumulating recently implicating APOE4 in exacerbating neurodegeneration, tau pathology and inflammation. We hypothesize that APOE4 influences all the pathological hallmarks of AD and may sit at the interface between neurodegeneration, inflammation and the spread of pathologies through the brain. Here, we conducted a systematic search of the literature and review evidence supporting a role for APOE4 in neurodegeneration and inflammation. While there is no direct evidence yet for APOE4 influencing the spread of pathology, we postulate that this may be found in future based on the literature reviewed here. In conclusion, this review highlights the importance of understanding the role of APOE in multiple important pathological mechanisms in AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- M. Tzioras
- UK Dementia Research Institute and Centre for Discovery Brain SciencesThe University of EdinburghEdinburghUK
| | - C. Davies
- UK Dementia Research Institute and Centre for Discovery Brain SciencesThe University of EdinburghEdinburghUK
| | - A. Newman
- UK Dementia Research Institute and Centre for Discovery Brain SciencesThe University of EdinburghEdinburghUK
| | - R. Jackson
- UK Dementia Research Institute and Centre for Discovery Brain SciencesThe University of EdinburghEdinburghUK
- Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical SchoolCharlestownMAUSA
| | - T. Spires‐Jones
- UK Dementia Research Institute and Centre for Discovery Brain SciencesThe University of EdinburghEdinburghUK
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33
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Liu X, Jiao B, Shen L. The Epigenetics of Alzheimer's Disease: Factors and Therapeutic Implications. Front Genet 2018; 9:579. [PMID: 30555513 PMCID: PMC6283895 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2018.00579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2018] [Accepted: 11/08/2018] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a well-known neurodegenerative disorder that imposes a great burden on the world. The mechanisms of AD are not yet fully understood. Current insight into the role of epigenetics in the mechanism of AD focuses on DNA methylation, remodeling of chromatin, histone modifications and non-coding RNA regulation. This review summarizes the current state of knowledge regarding the role of epigenetics in AD and the possibilities for epigenetically based therapeutics. The general conclusion is that epigenetic mechanisms play a variety of crucial roles in the development of AD, and there are a number of viable possibilities for treatments based on modulating these effects, but significant advances in knowledge and technology will be needed to move these treatments from the bench to the bedside.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaolei Liu
- Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,The Center of Gerontology and Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Bin Jiao
- Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Key Laboratory of Hunan Province in Neurodegenerative Disorders, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Lu Shen
- Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Key Laboratory of Hunan Province in Neurodegenerative Disorders, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Key Laboratory of Organ Injury, Aging and Regenerative Medicine of Hunan Province, Changsha, China
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