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Yasamineh S, Mehrabani FJ, Derafsh E, Danihiel Cosimi R, Forood AMK, Soltani S, Hadi M, Gholizadeh O. Potential Use of the Cholesterol Transfer Inhibitor U18666A as a Potent Research Tool for the Study of Cholesterol Mechanisms in Neurodegenerative Disorders. Mol Neurobiol 2024; 61:3503-3527. [PMID: 37995080 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-023-03798-7] [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: 04/11/2023] [Accepted: 11/03/2023] [Indexed: 11/24/2023]
Abstract
Cholesterol is an essential component of mammalian cell membranes and a precursor for crucial signaling molecules. The brain contains the highest level of cholesterol in the body, and abnormal cholesterol metabolism links to many neurodegenerative disorders. The results indicate that faulty cholesterol metabolism is a common feature among people living with neurodegenerative conditions. The researchers suggest that restoring cholesterol levels may become a beneficial new strategy in treating certain neurodegenerative conditions. Several neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease (AD), Niemann-Pick type C (NPC) disease, and Parkinson's disease (PD), have been connected to abnormalities in brain cholesterol metabolism. Consequently, using a lipid research tool is vital to study further and understand the effect of lipids in neurodegenerative disorders such as NPC, AD, PD, and Huntington's disease (HD). U18666A, also known as 3-(2-(diethylamino) ethoxy) androst-5-en-17-one, is a pharmaceutical drug that suppresses cholesterol trafficking and is a well-known class-2 amphiphile. U18666A has performed many functions, allowing for essential discoveries in lipid studies and shedding light on the pathophysiology of neurodegenerative disorders. Additionally, U18666A prevented the downregulation of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptors that are induced by LDL and led to the buildup of cholesterol in lysosomes. Numerous studies show that U18666A impacts the function of cholesterol trafficking to control the metabolism and transport of amyloid precursor proteins (APPs). Treating cortical neurons with U18666A may provide a new in vitro model system for studying the underlying molecular process of NPC, AD, HD, and PD. In this article, we review the mechanism and function of U18666A as a vital tool for studying cholesterol mechanisms in neurological diseases related to abnormal cholesterol metabolism, such as AD, NPC, HD, and PD.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Ehsan Derafsh
- Windsor University School of Medicine, Cayon, Saint Kitts and Nevis
| | | | | | - Siamak Soltani
- Department of Forensic Medicine, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Meead Hadi
- Department Of Microbiology, Faculty of Basic Sciences, Tehran Central Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
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2
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Khayachi A, Abuzgaya M, Liu Y, Jiao C, Dejgaard K, Schorova L, Kamesh A, He Q, Cousineau Y, Pietrantonio A, Farhangdoost N, Castonguay CE, Chaumette B, Alda M, Rouleau GA, Milnerwood AJ. Akt and AMPK activators rescue hyperexcitability in neurons from patients with bipolar disorder. EBioMedicine 2024; 104:105161. [PMID: 38772282 PMCID: PMC11134542 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2024.105161] [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: 10/10/2023] [Revised: 04/30/2024] [Accepted: 05/06/2024] [Indexed: 05/23/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Bipolar disorder (BD) is a multifactorial psychiatric illness affecting ∼1% of the global adult population. Lithium (Li), is the most effective mood stabilizer for BD but works only for a subset of patients and its mechanism of action remains largely elusive. METHODS In the present study, we used iPSC-derived neurons from patients with BD who are responsive (LR) or not (LNR) to lithium. Combined electrophysiology, calcium imaging, biochemistry, transcriptomics, and phosphoproteomics were employed to provide mechanistic insights into neuronal hyperactivity in BD, investigate Li's mode of action, and identify alternative treatment strategies. FINDINGS We show a selective rescue of the neuronal hyperactivity phenotype by Li in LR neurons, correlated with changes to Na+ conductance. Whole transcriptome sequencing in BD neurons revealed altered gene expression pathways related to glutamate transmission, alterations in cell signalling and ion transport/channel activity. We found altered Akt signalling as a potential therapeutic effect of Li in LR neurons from patients with BD, and that Akt activation mimics Li effect in LR neurons. Furthermore, the increased neural network activity observed in both LR & LNR neurons from patients with BD were reversed by AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activation. INTERPRETATION These results suggest potential for new treatment strategies in BD, such as Akt activators in LR cases, and the use of AMPK activators for LNR patients with BD. FUNDING Supported by funding from ERA PerMed, Bell Brain Canada Mental Research Program and Brain & Behavior Research Foundation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anouar Khayachi
- Montreal Neurological Institute, Department of Neurology & Neurosurgery, McGill University, Montréal, Quebec, Canada.
| | - Malak Abuzgaya
- Montreal Neurological Institute, Department of Neurology & Neurosurgery, McGill University, Montréal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Yumin Liu
- Montreal Neurological Institute, Department of Neurology & Neurosurgery, McGill University, Montréal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Chuan Jiao
- Université Paris Cité, Institute of Psychiatry and Neuroscience of Paris (IPNP), INSERM U1266, Paris, France
| | - Kurt Dejgaard
- McIntyre Institute, Department of Biochemistry, McGill University, Montréal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Lenka Schorova
- McGill University Health Center Research Institute, Montréal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Anusha Kamesh
- Montreal Neurological Institute, Department of Neurology & Neurosurgery, McGill University, Montréal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Qin He
- Université Paris Cité, Institute of Psychiatry and Neuroscience of Paris (IPNP), INSERM U1266, Paris, France
| | - Yuting Cousineau
- Montreal Neurological Institute, Department of Neurology & Neurosurgery, McGill University, Montréal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Alessia Pietrantonio
- Montreal Neurological Institute, Department of Neurology & Neurosurgery, McGill University, Montréal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Nargess Farhangdoost
- Montreal Neurological Institute, Department of Neurology & Neurosurgery, McGill University, Montréal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Charles-Etienne Castonguay
- Montreal Neurological Institute, Department of Neurology & Neurosurgery, McGill University, Montréal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Boris Chaumette
- Université Paris Cité, Institute of Psychiatry and Neuroscience of Paris (IPNP), INSERM U1266, Paris, France; GHU-Paris Psychiatrie et Neurosciences, Hôpital Sainte Anne, Paris, France; Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, Montréal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Martin Alda
- Department of Psychiatry, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Guy A Rouleau
- Montreal Neurological Institute, Department of Neurology & Neurosurgery, McGill University, Montréal, Quebec, Canada; Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Montréal, Quebec, Canada.
| | - Austen J Milnerwood
- Montreal Neurological Institute, Department of Neurology & Neurosurgery, McGill University, Montréal, Quebec, Canada.
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3
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Lewandowski CT, Laham MS, Thatcher GR. Remembering your A, B, C's: Alzheimer's disease and ABCA1. Acta Pharm Sin B 2022; 12:995-1018. [PMID: 35530134 PMCID: PMC9072248 DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2022.01.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2021] [Revised: 12/27/2021] [Accepted: 01/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The function of ATP binding cassette protein A1 (ABCA1) is central to cholesterol mobilization. Reduced ABCA1 expression or activity is implicated in Alzheimer's disease (AD) and other disorders. Therapeutic approaches to boost ABCA1 activity have yet to be translated successfully to the clinic. The risk factors for AD development and progression, including comorbid disorders such as type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease, highlight the intersection of cholesterol transport and inflammation. Upregulation of ABCA1 can positively impact APOE lipidation, insulin sensitivity, peripheral vascular and blood–brain barrier integrity, and anti-inflammatory signaling. Various strategies towards ABCA1-boosting compounds have been described, with a bias toward nuclear hormone receptor (NHR) agonists. These agonists display beneficial preclinical effects; however, important side effects have limited development. In particular, ligands that bind liver X receptor (LXR), the primary NHR that controls ABCA1 expression, have shown positive effects in AD mouse models; however, lipogenesis and unwanted increases in triglyceride production are often observed. The longstanding approach, focusing on LXRβ vs. LXRα selectivity, is over-simplistic and has failed. Novel approaches such as phenotypic screening may lead to small molecule NHR modulators that elevate ABCA1 function without inducing lipogenesis and are clinically translatable.
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4
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Cameron T, Bennet T, Rowe EM, Anwer M, Wellington CL, Cheung KC. Review of Design Considerations for Brain-on-a-Chip Models. MICROMACHINES 2021; 12:441. [PMID: 33921018 PMCID: PMC8071412 DOI: 10.3390/mi12040441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2021] [Revised: 04/12/2021] [Accepted: 04/12/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
In recent years, the need for sophisticated human in vitro models for integrative biology has motivated the development of organ-on-a-chip platforms. Organ-on-a-chip devices are engineered to mimic the mechanical, biochemical and physiological properties of human organs; however, there are many important considerations when selecting or designing an appropriate device for investigating a specific scientific question. Building microfluidic Brain-on-a-Chip (BoC) models from the ground-up will allow for research questions to be answered more thoroughly in the brain research field, but the design of these devices requires several choices to be made throughout the design development phase. These considerations include the cell types, extracellular matrix (ECM) material(s), and perfusion/flow considerations. Choices made early in the design cycle will dictate the limitations of the device and influence the end-point results such as the permeability of the endothelial cell monolayer, and the expression of cell type-specific markers. To better understand why the engineering aspects of a microfluidic BoC need to be influenced by the desired biological environment, recent progress in microfluidic BoC technology is compared. This review focuses on perfusable blood-brain barrier (BBB) and neurovascular unit (NVU) models with discussions about the chip architecture, the ECM used, and how they relate to the in vivo human brain. With increased knowledge on how to make informed choices when selecting or designing BoC models, the scientific community will benefit from shorter development phases and platforms curated for their application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiffany Cameron
- School of Biomedical Engineering, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada; (T.C.); (T.B.)
- Centre for Blood Research, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada
| | - Tanya Bennet
- School of Biomedical Engineering, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada; (T.C.); (T.B.)
- Centre for Blood Research, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada
| | - Elyn M. Rowe
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada; (E.M.R.); (M.A.); (C.L.W.)
- Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada
| | - Mehwish Anwer
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada; (E.M.R.); (M.A.); (C.L.W.)
- Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada
| | - Cheryl L. Wellington
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada; (E.M.R.); (M.A.); (C.L.W.)
- Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada
| | - Karen C. Cheung
- School of Biomedical Engineering, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada; (T.C.); (T.B.)
- Centre for Blood Research, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada
- Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada
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5
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Vincent F, Loria PM, Weston AD, Steppan CM, Doyonnas R, Wang YM, Rockwell KL, Peakman MC. Hit Triage and Validation in Phenotypic Screening: Considerations and Strategies. Cell Chem Biol 2020; 27:1332-1346. [DOI: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2020.08.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2019] [Revised: 05/31/2020] [Accepted: 08/14/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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6
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Seneviratne U, Huang Z, Am Ende CW, Butler TW, Cleary L, Dresselhaus E, Evrard E, Fisher EL, Green ME, Helal CJ, Humphrey JM, Lanyon LF, Marconi M, Mukherjee P, Sciabola S, Steppan CM, Sylvain EK, Tuttle JB, Verhoest PR, Wager TT, Xie L, Ramaswamy G, Johnson DS, Pettersson M. Photoaffinity Labeling and Quantitative Chemical Proteomics Identify LXRβ as the Functional Target of Enhancers of Astrocytic apoE. Cell Chem Biol 2020; 28:148-157.e7. [PMID: 32997975 DOI: 10.1016/j.chembiol.2020.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2020] [Revised: 04/17/2020] [Accepted: 09/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Utilizing a phenotypic screen, we identified chemical matter that increased astrocytic apoE secretion in vitro. We designed a clickable photoaffinity probe based on a pyrrolidine lead compound and carried out probe-based quantitative chemical proteomics in human astrocytoma CCF-STTG1 cells to identify liver x receptor β (LXRβ) as the target. Binding of the small molecule ligand stabilized LXRβ, as shown by cellular thermal shift assay (CETSA). In addition, we identified a probe-modified peptide by mass spectrometry and proposed a model where the photoaffinity probe is bound in the ligand-binding pocket of LXRβ. Taken together, our findings demonstrated that the lead chemical matter bound directly to LXRβ, and our results highlight the power of chemical proteomic approaches to identify the target of a phenotypic screening hit. Additionally, the LXR photoaffinity probe and lead compound described herein may serve as valuable tools to further evaluate the LXR pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Zhen Huang
- Pfizer Worldwide Research and Development, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | | | - Todd W Butler
- Pfizer Worldwide Research and Development, Groton, CT 06340, USA
| | - Leah Cleary
- Pfizer Worldwide Research and Development, Groton, CT 06340, USA
| | | | - Edelweiss Evrard
- Pfizer Worldwide Research and Development, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Ethan L Fisher
- Pfizer Worldwide Research and Development, Groton, CT 06340, USA
| | - Michael E Green
- Pfizer Worldwide Research and Development, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | | | - John M Humphrey
- Pfizer Worldwide Research and Development, Groton, CT 06340, USA
| | | | - Michael Marconi
- Pfizer Worldwide Research and Development, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | | | - Simone Sciabola
- Pfizer Worldwide Research and Development, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Claire M Steppan
- Pfizer Worldwide Research and Development, Groton, CT 06340, USA
| | - Emily K Sylvain
- Pfizer Worldwide Research and Development, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Jamison B Tuttle
- Pfizer Worldwide Research and Development, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | | | - Travis T Wager
- Pfizer Worldwide Research and Development, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Longfei Xie
- Pfizer Worldwide Research and Development, Groton, CT 06340, USA
| | | | | | - Martin Pettersson
- Pfizer Worldwide Research and Development, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA.
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7
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Dozio V, Daali Y, Desmeules J, Sanchez JC. Deep proteomics and phosphoproteomics reveal novel biological pathways perturbed by morphine, morphine-3-glucuronide and morphine-6-glucuronide in human astrocytes. J Neurosci Res 2020; 100:220-236. [PMID: 32954564 DOI: 10.1002/jnr.24731] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2020] [Revised: 08/06/2020] [Accepted: 08/31/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Tolerance and hyperalgesia associated with chronic exposure to morphine are major limitations in the clinical management of chronic pain. At a cellular level, neuronal signaling can in part account for these undesired side effects, but unknown mechanisms mediated by central nervous system glial cells are likely also involved. Here we applied data-independent acquisition mass spectrometry to perform a deep proteome and phosphoproteome analysis of how human astrocytes responds to opioid stimulation. We unveil time- and dose-dependent effects induced by morphine and its major active metabolites morphine-3-glucuronide (M3G) and morphine-6-glucuronide that converging on activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase and mammalian target of rapamycin signaling pathways. We also find that especially longer exposure to M3G leads to significant dysregulation of biological pathways linked to extracellular matrix organization, antigen presentation, cell adhesion, and glutamate homeostasis, which are crucial for neuron- and leukocyte-astrocyte interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vito Dozio
- Department of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland.,Swiss Centre for Applied Human Toxicology, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Youssef Daali
- Swiss Centre for Applied Human Toxicology, Basel, Switzerland.,Division of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Department of Anesthesiology, Pharmacology, Emergency Medicine and Intensive Cares, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Jules Desmeules
- Swiss Centre for Applied Human Toxicology, Basel, Switzerland.,Division of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Department of Anesthesiology, Pharmacology, Emergency Medicine and Intensive Cares, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Jean-Charles Sanchez
- Department of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland.,Swiss Centre for Applied Human Toxicology, Basel, Switzerland
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8
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Raman S, Srinivasan G, Brookhouser N, Nguyen T, Henson T, Morgan D, Cutts J, Brafman DA. A Defined and Scalable Peptide-Based Platform for the Generation of Human Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Astrocytes. ACS Biomater Sci Eng 2020; 6:3477-3490. [PMID: 32550261 PMCID: PMC7284803 DOI: 10.1021/acsbiomaterials.0c00067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2020] [Accepted: 05/06/2020] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
![]()
Astrocytes
comprise the most abundant cell type in the central
nervous system (CNS) and play critical roles in maintaining neural
tissue homeostasis. In addition, astrocyte dysfunction and death has
been implicated in numerous neurological disorders such as multiple
sclerosis, Alzheimer’s disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
(ALS), and Parkinson’s disease (PD). As such, there is much
interest in using human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC)-derived astrocytes
for drug screening, disease modeling, and regenerative medicine applications.
However, current protocols for generation of astrocytes from hPSCs
are limited by the use of undefined xenogeneic components and two-dimensional
(2D) culture surfaces, which limits their downstream applications
where large-quantities of cells generated under defined conditions
are required. Here, we report the use of a completely synthetic, peptide-based
substrate that allows for the differentiation of highly pure populations
of astrocytes from several independent hPSC lines, including those
derived from patients with neurodegenerative disease. This substrate,
which we demonstrate is compatible with both conventional 2D culture
formats and scalable microcarrier (MC)-based technologies, leads to
the generation of cells that express high levels of canonical astrocytic
markers as well as display properties characteristic of functionally
mature cells including production of apolipoprotein E (ApoE), responsiveness
to inflammatory stimuli, ability to take up amyloid-β (Aβ),
and appearance of robust calcium transients. Finally, we show that
these astrocytes can be cryopreserved without any loss of functionality.
In the future, we anticipate that these methods will enable the development
of bioprocesses for the production of hPSC-derived astrocytes needed
for biomedical research and clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sreedevi Raman
- School of Biological and Health Systems Engineering, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona 85287, United States
| | - Gayathri Srinivasan
- School of Biological and Health Systems Engineering, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona 85287, United States
| | - Nicholas Brookhouser
- School of Biological and Health Systems Engineering, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona 85287, United States.,Graduate Program in Clinical Translational Sciences, University of Arizona College of Medicine-Phoenix, Phoenix, Arizona 85004, United States
| | - Toan Nguyen
- School of Biological and Health Systems Engineering, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona 85287, United States
| | - Tanner Henson
- School of Biological and Health Systems Engineering, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona 85287, United States
| | - Daylin Morgan
- School of Biological and Health Systems Engineering, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona 85287, United States
| | - Joshua Cutts
- School of Biological and Health Systems Engineering, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona 85287, United States
| | - David A Brafman
- School of Biological and Health Systems Engineering, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona 85287, United States
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9
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Zhao W, Fan J, Kulic I, Koh C, Clark A, Meuller J, Engkvist O, Barichievy S, Raynoschek C, Hicks R, Maresca M, Wang Q, Brown DG, Lok A, Parro C, Robert J, Chou HY, Zuhl AM, Wood MW, Brandon NJ, Wellington CL. Axl receptor tyrosine kinase is a regulator of apolipoprotein E. Mol Brain 2020; 13:66. [PMID: 32366277 PMCID: PMC7197143 DOI: 10.1186/s13041-020-00609-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2019] [Accepted: 04/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD), the leading cause of dementia, is a chronic neurodegenerative disease. Apolipoprotein E (apoE), which carries lipids in the brain in the form of lipoproteins, plays an undisputed role in AD pathophysiology. A high-throughput phenotypic screen was conducted using a CCF-STTG1 human astrocytoma cell line to identify small molecules that could upregulate apoE secretion. AZ7235, a previously discovered Axl kinase inhibitor, was identified to have robust apoE activity in brain microglia, astrocytes and pericytes. AZ7235 also increased expression of ATP-binding cassette protein A1 (ABCA1), which is involved in the lipidation and secretion of apoE. Moreover, AZ7235 did not exhibit Liver-X-Receptor (LXR) activity and stimulated apoE and ABCA1 expression in the absence of LXR. Target validation studies using AXL-/- CCF-STTG1 cells showed that Axl is required to mediate AZ7235 upregulation of apoE and ABCA1. Intriguingly, apoE expression and secretion was significantly attenuated in AXL-deficient CCF-STTG1 cells and reconstitution of Axl or kinase-dead Axl significantly restored apoE baseline levels, demonstrating that Axl also plays a role in maintaining apoE homeostasis in astrocytes independent of its kinase activity. Lastly, these effects may require human apoE regulatory sequences, as AZ7235 exhibited little stimulatory activity toward apoE and ABCA1 in primary murine glia derived from neonatal human APOE3 targeted-replacement mice. Collectively, we identified a small molecule that exhibits robust apoE and ABCA1 activity independent of the LXR pathway in human cells and elucidated a novel relationship between Axl and apoE homeostasis in human astrocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenchen Zhao
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, 2215 Wesbrook Mall, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Jianjia Fan
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, 2215 Wesbrook Mall, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Iva Kulic
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, 2215 Wesbrook Mall, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Cheryl Koh
- Mechanistic Biology & Profiling, Discovery Sciences, R&D, AstraZeneca, Boston, USA
| | - Amanda Clark
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, 2215 Wesbrook Mall, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Johan Meuller
- Mechanistic Biology & Profiling, Discovery Sciences, R&D, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Ola Engkvist
- Hit Discovery, Discovery Sciences, R&D, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | | | - Carina Raynoschek
- Discovery Biology, Discovery Sciences, R&D, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Ryan Hicks
- Discovery Biology, Discovery Sciences, R&D, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Marcello Maresca
- Discovery Biology, Discovery Sciences, R&D, AstraZeneca, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Qi Wang
- Neuroscience, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Boston, USA
| | - Dean G Brown
- Hit Discovery, Discovery Sciences, R&D, AstraZeneca, Boston, USA
| | - Alvin Lok
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, 2215 Wesbrook Mall, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Cameron Parro
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, 2215 Wesbrook Mall, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Jerome Robert
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, 2215 Wesbrook Mall, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Hsien-Ya Chou
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, 2215 Wesbrook Mall, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Andrea M Zuhl
- Discovery Biology, Discovery Sciences, R&D, AstraZeneca, Boston, USA
| | - Michael W Wood
- Neuroscience, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Boston, USA
| | | | - Cheryl L Wellington
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, 2215 Wesbrook Mall, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6T 1Z3, Canada.
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10
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Raman S, Brookhouser N, Brafman DA. Using human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) to investigate the mechanisms by which Apolipoprotein E (APOE) contributes to Alzheimer's disease (AD) risk. Neurobiol Dis 2020; 138:104788. [PMID: 32032733 PMCID: PMC7098264 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2020.104788] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2019] [Revised: 01/14/2020] [Accepted: 01/31/2020] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Although the biochemical and pathological hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease (AD), such as axonal transport defects, synaptic loss, and selective neuronal death, are well characterized, the underlying mechanisms that cause AD are largely unknown, thereby making it difficult to design effective therapeutic interventions. Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) studies have identified several factors associated with increased AD risk. Of these genetic factors, polymorphisms in the Apolipoprotein E (APOE) gene are the strongest and most prevalent. While it has been established that the ApoE protein modulates the formation of amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles, the precise molecular mechanisms by which various ApoE isoforms enhance or mitigate AD onset and progression in aging adults are yet to be elucidated. Advances in cellular reprogramming to generate disease-in-a-dish models now provide a simplified and accessible system that complements animal and primary cell models to study ApoE in the context of AD. In this review, we will describe the use and manipulation of human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) in dissecting the interaction between ApoE and AD. First, we will provide an overview of the proposed roles that ApoE plays in modulating pathophysiology of AD. Next, we will summarize the recent studies that have employed hiPSCs to model familial and sporadic AD. Lastly, we will speculate on how current advances in genome editing technologies and organoid culture systems can be used to improve hiPSC-based tools to investigate ApoE-dependent modulation of AD onset and progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sreedevi Raman
- School of Biological and Health Systems Engineering, Arizona State University, United States of America
| | - Nicholas Brookhouser
- School of Biological and Health Systems Engineering, Arizona State University, United States of America; Graduate Program in Clinical Translational Sciences, University of Arizona College of Medicine-Phoenix, United States of America
| | - David A Brafman
- School of Biological and Health Systems Engineering, Arizona State University, United States of America.
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11
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Lewandowski CT, Maldonado Weng J, LaDu MJ. Alzheimer's disease pathology in APOE transgenic mouse models: The Who, What, When, Where, Why, and How. Neurobiol Dis 2020; 139:104811. [PMID: 32087290 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2020.104811] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2019] [Revised: 02/01/2020] [Accepted: 02/18/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The focus on amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles has yielded no Alzheimer's disease (AD) modifying treatments in the past several decades, despite successful studies in preclinical mouse models. This inconsistency has caused a renewed focus on improving the fidelity and reliability of AD mouse models, with disparate views on how this improvement can be accomplished. However, the interactive effects of the universal biological variables of AD, which include age, APOE genotype, and sex, are often overlooked. Age is the greatest risk factor for AD, while the ε4 allele of the human APOE gene, encoding apolipoprotein E, is the greatest genetic risk factor. Sex is the final universal biological variable of AD, as females develop AD at almost twice the rate of males and, importantly, female sex exacerbates the effects of APOE4 on AD risk and rate of cognitive decline. Therefore, this review evaluates the importance of context for understanding the role of APOE in preclinical mouse models. Specifically, we detail how human AD pathology is mirrored in current transgenic mouse models ("What") and describe the critical need for introducing human APOE into these mouse models ("Who"). We next outline different methods for introducing human APOE into mice ("How") and highlight efforts to develop temporally defined and location-specific human apoE expression models ("When" and "Where"). We conclude with the importance of choosing the human APOE mouse model relevant to the question being addressed, using the selection of transgenic models for testing apoE-targeted therapeutics as an example ("Why").
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Affiliation(s)
- Cutler T Lewandowski
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago, 833 S. Wood St., Chicago, IL 60612, USA.
| | - Juan Maldonado Weng
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Illinois at Chicago, 808 S. Wood St., Chicago, IL 60612, USA.
| | - Mary Jo LaDu
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Illinois at Chicago, 808 S. Wood St., Chicago, IL 60612, USA.
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12
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Apolipoprotein E and Alzheimer disease: pathobiology and targeting strategies. Nat Rev Neurol 2019; 15:501-518. [PMID: 31367008 DOI: 10.1038/s41582-019-0228-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 666] [Impact Index Per Article: 133.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/13/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Polymorphism in the apolipoprotein E (APOE) gene is a major genetic risk determinant of late-onset Alzheimer disease (AD), with the APOE*ε4 allele conferring an increased risk and the APOE*ε2 allele conferring a decreased risk relative to the common APOE*ε3 allele. Strong evidence from clinical and basic research suggests that a major pathway by which APOE4 increases the risk of AD is by driving earlier and more abundant amyloid pathology in the brains of APOE*ε4 carriers. The number of amyloid-β (Aβ)-dependent and Aβ-independent pathways that are known to be differentially modulated by APOE isoforms is increasing. For example, evidence is accumulating that APOE influences tau pathology, tau-mediated neurodegeneration and microglial responses to AD-related pathologies. In addition, APOE4 is either pathogenic or shows reduced efficiency in multiple brain homeostatic pathways, including lipid transport, synaptic integrity and plasticity, glucose metabolism and cerebrovascular function. Here, we review the recent progress in clinical and basic research into the role of APOE in AD pathogenesis. We also discuss how APOE can be targeted for AD therapy using a precision medicine approach.
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13
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Bagheri A, Habibzadeh P, Razavipour SF, Volmar CH, Chee NT, Brothers SP, Wahlestedt C, Mowla SJ, Faghihi MA. HDAC Inhibitors Induce BDNF Expression and Promote Neurite Outgrowth in Human Neural Progenitor Cells-Derived Neurons. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:E1109. [PMID: 30841499 PMCID: PMC6429164 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20051109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2019] [Revised: 02/19/2019] [Accepted: 02/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Besides its key role in neural development, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is important for long-term potentiation and neurogenesis, which makes it a critical factor in learning and memory. Due to the important role of BDNF in synaptic function and plasticity, an in-house epigenetic library was screened against human neural progenitor cells (HNPCs) and WS1 human skin fibroblast cells using Cell-to-Ct assay kit to identify the small compounds capable of modulating the BDNF expression. In addition to two well-known hydroxamic acid-based histone deacetylase inhibitors (hb-HDACis), SAHA and TSA, several structurally similar HDAC inhibitors including SB-939, PCI-24781 and JNJ-26481585 with even higher impact on BDNF expression, were discovered in this study. Furthermore, by using well-developed immunohistochemistry assays, the selected compounds were also proved to have neurogenic potential improving the neurite outgrowth in HNPCs-derived neurons. In conclusion, we proved the neurogenic potential of several hb-HDACis, alongside their ability to enhance BDNF expression, which by modulating the neurogenesis and/or compensating for neuronal loss, could be propitious for treatment of neurological disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amir Bagheri
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, P.O. Box 14115-111, Iran.
- Center for Therapeutic Innovation and Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA.
| | - Parham Habibzadeh
- Persian BayanGene Research and Training Center, Shiraz, P.O. Box 7134767617, Iran.
| | - Seyedeh Fatemeh Razavipour
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA.
| | - Claude-Henry Volmar
- Center for Therapeutic Innovation and Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA.
| | - Nancy T Chee
- Center for Therapeutic Innovation and Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA.
| | - Shaun P Brothers
- Center for Therapeutic Innovation and Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA.
| | - Claes Wahlestedt
- Center for Therapeutic Innovation and Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA.
| | - Seyed Javad Mowla
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, P.O. Box 14115-111, Iran.
| | - Mohammad Ali Faghihi
- Center for Therapeutic Innovation and Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA.
- Persian BayanGene Research and Training Center, Shiraz, P.O. Box 7134767617, Iran.
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14
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Gupta AK, Rani K, Swarnkar S, Kumar GK, Khan MI, Pokhriyal R, Kumar DR, Goyal V, Tripathi M, Gupta R, Chadda RK, Vanamail P, Hariprasad G. Evaluation of Serum Apolipoprotein E as a Potential Biomarker for Pharmacological Therapeutic Efficacy Monitoring in Dopamine Dictated Disease Spectrum of Schizophrenia and Parkinson's disease: A Preliminary Study. J Cent Nerv Syst Dis 2018; 10:1179573518803585. [PMID: 30327579 PMCID: PMC6178121 DOI: 10.1177/1179573518803585] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2018] [Accepted: 09/02/2018] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
AIM OF THE STUDY Parkinson's disease and schizophrenia are disease end points of dopaminergic deficit and hyperactivity, respectively, in the mid brain. Accordingly, current medications aim to restore normal dopamine levels, overshooting of which results in adverse effects of psychosis and extra-pyramidal symptoms, respectively. There are currently no available laboratory tests to guide treatment decisions or help predict adverse side effects of the drugs. The aim was to therefore explore the possibility of using apolipoprotein E as a biomarker to monitor pharmacological intervention in dopamine dictated states of Parkinson's disease and schizophrenia for optimum therapy. METHODS Naïve and treated, Parkinson's disease and schizophrenic patients were recruited from neurology and psychiatry clinics. Serum of healthy volunteers was collected as controls. Serum concentrations of apolipoprotein E was estimated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Pathway analysis was carried out to delineate the interactions of apolipoprotein E in Parkinson's disease and schizophrenia. RESULTS Apolipoprotein E levels are higher in Parkinson's disease patients as compared with schizophrenic samples (P < .05). Also, post-treatment apolipoprotein E levels in both disease states were at par with levels seen in healthy controls. The interactions of apolipoprotein E validate the results and place the differential expression of the protein in Parkinson's disease and schizophrenia in the right perspective. CONCLUSION Apolipoprotein E concentration across the dopaminergic spectrum suggests that it can be pursued not only as a potential biomarker in schizophrenia and Parkinson's disease, but can also be an effective tool for clinicians to determine efficacy of drug-based therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashish Kumar Gupta
- Department of Biophysics, All India
Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, New Delhi, India
| | - Komal Rani
- Department of Biophysics, All India
Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, New Delhi, India
| | - Surabhi Swarnkar
- Department of Biophysics, All India
Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, New Delhi, India
| | - Gaurav Khunger Kumar
- Department of Biophysics, All India
Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, New Delhi, India
| | - Mohd Imran Khan
- Department of Biophysics, All India
Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, New Delhi, India
| | - Ruchika Pokhriyal
- Department of Biophysics, All India
Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, New Delhi, India
| | - Domada Ratna Kumar
- Department of Biophysics, All India
Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, New Delhi, India
| | - Vinay Goyal
- Department of Neurology, All India
Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, New Delhi, India
| | - Manjari Tripathi
- Department of Neurology, All India
Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, New Delhi, India
| | - Rishab Gupta
- Department of Psychiatry, All India
Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, New Delhi, India
| | - Rakesh Kumar Chadda
- Department of Psychiatry, All India
Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, New Delhi, India
| | - Perumal Vanamail
- Department of Biostatistics, All India
Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, New Delhi, India
| | - Gururao Hariprasad
- Department of Biophysics, All India
Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, New Delhi, India
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15
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Allaway RJ, La Rosa S, Guinney J, Gosline SJC. Probing the chemical-biological relationship space with the Drug Target Explorer. J Cheminform 2018; 10:41. [PMID: 30128806 PMCID: PMC6102167 DOI: 10.1186/s13321-018-0297-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2018] [Accepted: 08/16/2018] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Modern phenotypic high-throughput screens (HTS) present several challenges including identifying the target(s) that mediate the effect seen in the screen, characterizing ‘hits’ with a polypharmacologic target profile, and contextualizing screen data within the large space of drugs and screening models. To address these challenges, we developed the Drug–Target Explorer. This tool allows users to query molecules within a database of experimentally-derived and curated compound-target interactions to identify structurally similar molecules and their targets. It enables network-based visualizations of the compound-target interaction space, and incorporates comparisons to publicly-available in vitro HTS datasets. Furthermore, users can identify molecules using a query target or set of targets. The Drug Target Explorer is a multifunctional platform for exploring chemical space as it relates to biological targets, and may be useful at several steps along the drug development pipeline including target discovery, structure–activity relationship, and lead compound identification studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert J Allaway
- Sage Bionetworks, 1100 Fairview Avenue N, Seattle, WA, 98109, USA
| | | | - Justin Guinney
- Sage Bionetworks, 1100 Fairview Avenue N, Seattle, WA, 98109, USA
| | - Sara J C Gosline
- Sage Bionetworks, 1100 Fairview Avenue N, Seattle, WA, 98109, USA.
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16
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Abstract
Apolipoprotein E (apoE) is a 34-kDa glycoprotein that is secreted from many cells throughout the body. ApoE is best known for its role in lipoprotein metabolism. Recent studies underline the association of circulating lipoprotein-associated apoE levels and the development for cardiovascular disease (CVD). Besides its well-established role in pathology of CVD, it is also implicated in neurodegenerative diseases and recent new data on adipose-produced apoE point to a novel metabolic role for apoE in obesity. The regulation of apoE production and secretion is remarkably cell and tissue specific. Here, we summarize recent insights into the differential regulation apoE production and secretion by hepatocytes, monocytes/macrophages, adipocytes, and the central nervous system and relevant variations in apoE biochemistry and function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maaike Kockx
- Concord Repatriation General Hospital, ANZAC Research Institute, Sydney, Australia
- Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Mathew Traini
- Concord Repatriation General Hospital, ANZAC Research Institute, Sydney, Australia
- Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Leonard Kritharides
- Concord Repatriation General Hospital, ANZAC Research Institute, Sydney, Australia.
- Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
- Department of Cardiology, Concord Repatriation General Hospital, Concord, NSW, 2139, Australia.
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17
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Human iPS-Derived Astroglia from a Stable Neural Precursor State Show Improved Functionality Compared with Conventional Astrocytic Models. Stem Cell Reports 2018; 10:1030-1045. [PMID: 29456185 PMCID: PMC5918339 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2018.01.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2017] [Revised: 01/19/2018] [Accepted: 01/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
In vivo studies of human brain cellular function face challenging ethical and practical difficulties. Animal models are typically used but display distinct cellular differences. One specific example is astrocytes, recently recognized for contribution to neurological diseases and a link to the genetic risk factor apolipoprotein E (APOE). Current astrocytic in vitro models are questioned for lack of biological characterization. Here, we report human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-derived astroglia (NES-Astro) developed under defined conditions through long-term neuroepithelial-like stem (ltNES) cells. We characterized NES-Astro and astrocytic models from primary sources, astrocytoma (CCF-STTG1), and hiPSCs through transcriptomics, proteomics, glutamate uptake, inflammatory competence, calcium signaling response, and APOE secretion. Finally, we assess modulation of astrocyte biology using APOE-annotated compounds, confirming hits of the cholesterol biosynthesis pathway in adult and hiPSC-derived astrocytes. Our data show large diversity among astrocytic models and emphasize a cellular context when studying astrocyte biology. Expression and functional profiling display variation between astrocyte models Development of NES-Astro showing functional astrocyte-associated glutamate receptor NES-Astro is immune competent, displaying ATP and glutamate-driven calcium signaling APOE HTS assay shows that compound hit finding depends on astrocytic model biology
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