1
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Rather MA, Khan A, Jahan S, Siddiqui AJ, Wang L. Influence of Tau on Neurotoxicity and Cerebral Vasculature Impairment Associated with Alzheimer's Disease. Neuroscience 2024; 552:1-13. [PMID: 38871021 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2024.05.042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2023] [Revised: 05/28/2024] [Accepted: 05/29/2024] [Indexed: 06/15/2024]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease is a fatal chronic neurodegenerative condition marked by a gradual decline in cognitive abilities and impaired vascular function within the central nervous system. This affliction initiates its insidious progression with the accumulation of two aberrant protein entities including Aβ plaques and neurofibrillary tangles. These chronic elements target distinct brain regions, steadily erasing the functionality of the hippocampus and triggering the erosion of memory and neuronal integrity. Several assumptions are anticipated for AD as genetic alterations, the occurrence of Aβ plaques, altered processing of amyloid precursor protein, mitochondrial damage, and discrepancy of neurotropic factors. In addition to Aβ oligomers, the deposition of tau hyper-phosphorylates also plays an indispensable part in AD etiology. The brain comprises a complex network of capillaries that is crucial for maintaining proper function. Tau is expressed in cerebral blood vessels, where it helps to regulate blood flow and sustain the blood-brain barrier's integrity. In AD, tau pathology can disrupt cerebral blood supply and deteriorate the BBB, leading to neuronal neurodegeneration. Neuroinflammation, deficits in the microvasculature and endothelial functions, and Aβ deposition are characteristically detected in the initial phases of AD. These variations trigger neuronal malfunction and cognitive impairment. Intracellular tau accumulation in microglia and astrocytes triggers deleterious effects on the integrity of endothelium and cerebral blood supply resulting in further advancement of the ailment and cerebral instability. In this review, we will discuss the impact of tau on neurovascular impairment, mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, and the role of hyperphosphorylated tau in neuron excitotoxicity and inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mashoque Ahmad Rather
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Physiology, University of South Florida, Tampa, United States.
| | - Andleeb Khan
- Department of Biosciences, Faculty of Science, Integral University, Lucknow, 226026, India
| | - Sadaf Jahan
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Majmaah University, Al-Majmaah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Arif Jamal Siddiqui
- Department of Biology, College of Science, University of Hail, Hail City, Saudi Arabia
| | - Lianchun Wang
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Physiology, University of South Florida, Tampa, United States
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2
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Zheng H, Sun H, Cai Q, Tai HC. The Enigma of Tau Protein Aggregation: Mechanistic Insights and Future Challenges. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:4969. [PMID: 38732197 PMCID: PMC11084794 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25094969] [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: 03/30/2024] [Revised: 04/20/2024] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Tau protein misfolding and aggregation are pathological hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease and over twenty neurodegenerative disorders. However, the molecular mechanisms of tau aggregation in vivo remain incompletely understood. There are two types of tau aggregates in the brain: soluble aggregates (oligomers and protofibrils) and insoluble filaments (fibrils). Compared to filamentous aggregates, soluble aggregates are more toxic and exhibit prion-like transmission, providing seeds for templated misfolding. Curiously, in its native state, tau is a highly soluble, heat-stable protein that does not form fibrils by itself, not even when hyperphosphorylated. In vitro studies have found that negatively charged molecules such as heparin, RNA, or arachidonic acid are generally required to induce tau aggregation. Two recent breakthroughs have provided new insights into tau aggregation mechanisms. First, as an intrinsically disordered protein, tau is found to undergo liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) both in vitro and inside cells. Second, cryo-electron microscopy has revealed diverse fibrillar tau conformations associated with different neurodegenerative disorders. Nonetheless, only the fibrillar core is structurally resolved, and the remainder of the protein appears as a "fuzzy coat". From this review, it appears that further studies are required (1) to clarify the role of LLPS in tau aggregation; (2) to unveil the structural features of soluble tau aggregates; (3) to understand the involvement of fuzzy coat regions in oligomer and fibril formation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Hwan-Ching Tai
- State Key Laboratory of Vaccines for Infectious Diseases, Xiang An Biomedicine Laboratory, State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, National Innovation Platform for Industry-Education Integration in Vaccine Research, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
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3
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Chen J, Ma W, Yu J, Wang X, Qian H, Li P, Ye H, Han Y, Su Z, Gao M, Huang Y. (-)-Epigallocatechin-3-gallate, a Polyphenol from Green Tea, Regulates the Liquid-Liquid Phase Separation of Alzheimer's-Related Protein Tau. JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY 2023; 71:1982-1993. [PMID: 36688583 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.2c07799] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
The microtubule-associated protein tau is involved in Alzheimer's disease and other tauopathies. Recently, tau has been shown to undergo liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS), which is implicated in the physiological function and pathological aggregation of tau. In this report, we demonstrate that the green tea polyphenol (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) promotes the formation of liquid tau droplets at neutral pH by creating a network of hydrophobic interactions and hydrogen bonds, mainly with the proline-rich domain of tau. We further show that EGCG oxidation, tau phosphorylation, and the chemical structure of the polyphenol influence the efficacy of EGCG in facilitating tau LLPS. Complementary to the inhibitory activity of EGCG in tau fibrillization, our findings provide novel insights into the biological activity of EGCG and offer new clues for future studies on the molecular mechanism by which EGCG alleviates neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingxin Chen
- Cooperative Innovation Center of Industrial Fermentation (Ministry of Education & Hubei Province), Key Laboratory of Industrial Fermentation (Ministry of Education), and Hubei Key Laboratory of Industrial Microbiology, Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan 430068, China
| | - Wanyao Ma
- Cooperative Innovation Center of Industrial Fermentation (Ministry of Education & Hubei Province), Key Laboratory of Industrial Fermentation (Ministry of Education), and Hubei Key Laboratory of Industrial Microbiology, Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan 430068, China
| | - Jiangchuan Yu
- Cooperative Innovation Center of Industrial Fermentation (Ministry of Education & Hubei Province), Key Laboratory of Industrial Fermentation (Ministry of Education), and Hubei Key Laboratory of Industrial Microbiology, Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan 430068, China
| | - Xi Wang
- Cooperative Innovation Center of Industrial Fermentation (Ministry of Education & Hubei Province), Key Laboratory of Industrial Fermentation (Ministry of Education), and Hubei Key Laboratory of Industrial Microbiology, Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan 430068, China
| | - Hongling Qian
- Cooperative Innovation Center of Industrial Fermentation (Ministry of Education & Hubei Province), Key Laboratory of Industrial Fermentation (Ministry of Education), and Hubei Key Laboratory of Industrial Microbiology, Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan 430068, China
| | - Ping Li
- Cooperative Innovation Center of Industrial Fermentation (Ministry of Education & Hubei Province), Key Laboratory of Industrial Fermentation (Ministry of Education), and Hubei Key Laboratory of Industrial Microbiology, Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan 430068, China
| | - Haiqiong Ye
- Cooperative Innovation Center of Industrial Fermentation (Ministry of Education & Hubei Province), Key Laboratory of Industrial Fermentation (Ministry of Education), and Hubei Key Laboratory of Industrial Microbiology, Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan 430068, China
| | - Yue Han
- Cooperative Innovation Center of Industrial Fermentation (Ministry of Education & Hubei Province), Key Laboratory of Industrial Fermentation (Ministry of Education), and Hubei Key Laboratory of Industrial Microbiology, Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan 430068, China
| | - Zhengding Su
- Cooperative Innovation Center of Industrial Fermentation (Ministry of Education & Hubei Province), Key Laboratory of Industrial Fermentation (Ministry of Education), and Hubei Key Laboratory of Industrial Microbiology, Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan 430068, China
| | - Meng Gao
- Cooperative Innovation Center of Industrial Fermentation (Ministry of Education & Hubei Province), Key Laboratory of Industrial Fermentation (Ministry of Education), and Hubei Key Laboratory of Industrial Microbiology, Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan 430068, China
| | - Yongqi Huang
- Cooperative Innovation Center of Industrial Fermentation (Ministry of Education & Hubei Province), Key Laboratory of Industrial Fermentation (Ministry of Education), and Hubei Key Laboratory of Industrial Microbiology, Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan 430068, China
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4
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Maina KN, Smet-Nocca C, Bitan G. Using FRET-Based Biosensor Cells to Study the Seeding Activity of Tau and α-Synuclein. Methods Mol Biol 2023; 2551:125-145. [PMID: 36310201 PMCID: PMC9836052 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2597-2_10] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Two fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET)-based biosensor cell lines developed several years ago by the Diamond group (University of Texas, Southwestern) have allowed convenient, sensitive, and specific measurement of the intracellular aggregation of tau and α-synuclein following the addition of oligomer or small-aggregate "seeds" of these proteins from various sources, and an advancement relative to similar single-fluorophore systems. These biosensor cell lines allow researchers to both visualize the intracellular aggregates of tau or α-synuclein and measure intracellular aggregation with high sensitivity using a FRET signal in flow cytometry. Here we provide detailed protocols for generating seeds, culturing the biosensor cells, measuring intracellular aggregates by flow cytometry, and analyzing the results and discuss the utility of the technique with the aim of characterizing factors involved in the regulation of intracellular tau and α-synuclein aggregation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine N Maina
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Caroline Smet-Nocca
- Université de Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, U1167 - RID-AGE - Risk Factors and Molecular Determinants of Aging-Related Diseases, Lille, France
- CNRS EMR9002 Integrative Structural Biology, Lille, France
| | - Gal Bitan
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
- Brain Research Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
- Molecular Biology Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
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5
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Gomes P, Tzouanou F, Skolariki K, Vamvaka-Iakovou A, Noguera-Ortiz C, Tsirtsaki K, Waites CL, Vlamos P, Sousa N, Costa-Silva B, Kapogiannis D, Sotiropoulos I. Extracellular vesicles and Alzheimer's disease in the novel era of Precision Medicine: implications for disease progression, diagnosis and treatment. Exp Neurol 2022; 358:114183. [PMID: 35952764 PMCID: PMC9985072 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2022.114183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Revised: 06/17/2022] [Accepted: 07/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Extracellular vesicles (EVs), secreted membranous nano-sized particles, are critical intercellular messengers participating in nervous system homeostasis, while recent evidence implicates EVs in Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathogenesis. Specifically, small EVs have been shown to spread toxic proteins, induce neuronal loss, and contribute to neuroinflammation and AD progression. On the other hand, EVs can reduce amyloid-beta deposition and transfer neuroprotective substances between cells, mitigating disease mechanisms. In addition to their roles in AD pathogenesis, EVs also exhibit great potential for the diagnosis and treatment of other brain disorders, representing an advantageous tool for Precision Medicine. Herein, we summarize the contribution of small EVs to AD-related mechanisms and disease progression, as well as their potential as diagnostic and therapeutic agents for AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrícia Gomes
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal; ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Foteini Tzouanou
- Institute of Biosciences & Applications NCSR "Demokritos", Athens, Greece
| | | | - Anastasia Vamvaka-Iakovou
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal; ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal; Institute of Biosciences & Applications NCSR "Demokritos", Athens, Greece
| | - Carlos Noguera-Ortiz
- Laboratory of Clinical Investigation, Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Aging, NIH, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Katerina Tsirtsaki
- Institute of Biosciences & Applications NCSR "Demokritos", Athens, Greece
| | - Clarissa L Waites
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | | | - Nuno Sousa
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal; ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Bruno Costa-Silva
- Systems Oncology Group, Champalimaud Research, Champalimaud Centre for the Unknown, Av. Brasília, 1400-038 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Dimitrios Kapogiannis
- Laboratory of Clinical Investigation, Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Aging, NIH, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Ioannis Sotiropoulos
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal; ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal; Institute of Biosciences & Applications NCSR "Demokritos", Athens, Greece.
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6
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Smethurst P, Franklin H, Clarke BE, Sidle K, Patani R. The role of astrocytes in prion-like mechanisms of neurodegeneration. Brain 2022; 145:17-26. [PMID: 35265969 PMCID: PMC8967097 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awab366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2021] [Revised: 08/20/2021] [Accepted: 09/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Accumulating evidence suggests that neurodegenerative diseases are not merely neuronal in nature but comprise multicellular involvement, with astrocytes emerging as key players. The pathomechanisms of several neurodegenerative diseases involve the deposition of misfolded protein aggregates in neurons that have characteristic prion-like behaviours such as template-directed seeding, intercellular propagation, distinct conformational strains and protein-mediated toxicity. The role of astrocytes in dealing with these pathological prion-like protein aggregates and whether their responses either protect from or conspire with the disease process is currently unclear. Here we review the existing literature implicating astrocytes in multiple neurodegenerative proteinopathies with a focus on prion-like behaviour in this context.
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Affiliation(s)
- Phillip Smethurst
- Department of Neuromuscular Disease, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London WC1N 3BG, UK
- The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London NW1 1AT, UK
| | - Hannah Franklin
- Department of Neuromuscular Disease, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London WC1N 3BG, UK
- The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London NW1 1AT, UK
| | - Benjamin E Clarke
- Department of Neuromuscular Disease, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London WC1N 3BG, UK
- The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London NW1 1AT, UK
| | - Katie Sidle
- Department of Neuromuscular Disease, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London WC1N 3BG, UK
- Correspondence may also be addressed to: Katie Sidle E-mail:
| | - Rickie Patani
- Department of Neuromuscular Disease, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London WC1N 3BG, UK
- The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London NW1 1AT, UK
- Correspondence to: Rickie Patani The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London NW1 1AT, UK E-mail:
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7
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Lopes DM, Llewellyn SK, Harrison IF. Propagation of tau and α-synuclein in the brain: therapeutic potential of the glymphatic system. Transl Neurodegener 2022; 11:19. [PMID: 35314000 PMCID: PMC8935752 DOI: 10.1186/s40035-022-00293-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2021] [Accepted: 03/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Many neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease, are characterised by the accumulation of misfolded protein deposits in the brain, leading to a progressive destabilisation of the neuronal network and neuronal death. Among the proteins that can abnormally accumulate are tau and α-synuclein, which can propagate in a prion-like manner and which upon aggregation, represent the most common intracellular proteinaceous lesions associated with neurodegeneration. For years it was thought that these intracellular proteins and their accumulation had no immediate relationship with extracellular homeostasis pathways such as the glymphatic clearance system; however, mounting evidence has now suggested that this is not the case. The involvement of the glymphatic system in neurodegenerative disease is yet to be fully defined; however, it is becoming increasingly clear that this pathway contributes to parenchymal solute clearance. Importantly, recent data show that proteins prone to intracellular accumulation are subject to glymphatic clearance, suggesting that this system plays a key role in many neurological disorders. In this review, we provide a background on the biology of tau and α-synuclein and discuss the latest findings on the cell-to-cell propagation mechanisms of these proteins. Importantly, we discuss recent data demonstrating that manipulation of the glymphatic system may have the potential to alleviate and reduce pathogenic accumulation of propagation-prone intracellular cytotoxic proteins. Furthermore, we will allude to the latest potential therapeutic opportunities targeting the glymphatic system that might have an impact as disease modifiers in neurodegenerative diseases.
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8
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Sinsky J, Pichlerova K, Hanes J. Tau Protein Interaction Partners and Their Roles in Alzheimer's Disease and Other Tauopathies. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:9207. [PMID: 34502116 PMCID: PMC8431036 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22179207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2021] [Revised: 08/23/2021] [Accepted: 08/25/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Tau protein plays a critical role in the assembly, stabilization, and modulation of microtubules, which are important for the normal function of neurons and the brain. In diseased conditions, several pathological modifications of tau protein manifest. These changes lead to tau protein aggregation and the formation of paired helical filaments (PHF) and neurofibrillary tangles (NFT), which are common hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease and other tauopathies. The accumulation of PHFs and NFTs results in impairment of physiological functions, apoptosis, and neuronal loss, which is reflected as cognitive impairment, and in the late stages of the disease, leads to death. The causes of this pathological transformation of tau protein haven't been fully understood yet. In both physiological and pathological conditions, tau interacts with several proteins which maintain their proper function or can participate in their pathological modifications. Interaction partners of tau protein and associated molecular pathways can either initiate and drive the tau pathology or can act neuroprotective, by reducing pathological tau proteins or inflammation. In this review, we focus on the tau as a multifunctional protein and its known interacting partners active in regulations of different processes and the roles of these proteins in Alzheimer's disease and tauopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Jozef Hanes
- Institute of Neuroimmunology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dubravska Cesta 9, 845 10 Bratislava, Slovakia; (J.S.); (K.P.)
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9
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Gartman JA, Tambar UK. Synthetic Studies of the Rubellin Natural Products: Development of a Stereoselective Strategy and Total Synthesis of (+)-Rubellin C. J Org Chem 2021; 86:11237-11262. [PMID: 34288689 DOI: 10.1021/acs.joc.1c00920] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
This manuscript describes our studies of the class of natural products known as the rubellins, culminating in the total synthesis of (+)-rubellin C. These anthraquinone-based natural products contain a variety of stereochemical and architectural motifs, including a 6-5-6-fused ring system, 5 stereogenic centers, and a central quaternary center. Herein, we report our development of a strategy to target the stereochemically dense core and anthraquinone nucleus, including approaches such as a bifunctional allylboron and vinyl triflate reagent, an anthraquinone benzylic metalation strategy, and a late-stage anthraquinone introduction strategy. Our studies culminate in a successful route to highly functionalized anthraquinone-based natural product scaffolds and a stereoselective total synthesis of (+)-rubellin C. These strategies and outcomes will aid in synthetic planning toward anthraquinone-based natural products of high interest.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jackson A Gartman
- Department of Biochemistry, UT Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Boulevard, Dallas, Texas 75390-9038, United States
| | - Uttam K Tambar
- Department of Biochemistry, UT Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Boulevard, Dallas, Texas 75390-9038, United States
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10
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Pedrioli G, Barberis M, Magrin C, Morone D, Piovesana E, Senesi G, Sola M, Papin S, Paganetti P. Tau Seeds in Extracellular Vesicles Induce Tau Accumulation in Degradative Organelles of Cells. DNA Cell Biol 2021; 40:1185-1199. [PMID: 34379990 DOI: 10.1089/dna.2021.0485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Clinical progression of tauopathies may result from transcellular propagation of pathogenic Tau seeds with the possible involvement of extracellular vesicles (EVs) as transport vectors. We established a cell model for investigating EV delivery of proteins, since the mechanism regulating EV cargo delivery to recipient cells is poorly understood. In our cell model, EVs are readily internalized and accumulate in degradative organelles (DOs). We then show for the first time that in this acidic compartment, profibrillogenic Tau delivered by EVs interacts with Tau expressed by the recipient cells and cause its accumulation by a process that involves the participation of autophagy. Thus, the degradative compartment of cells may represent the subcellular site initiating a cascade of events resulting in early hallmarks of tauopathies. These are characterized by seeded Tau accumulation, pathology-associated epitopes, DO stress, and cytotoxicity. The involvement of autophagy to this process and the relative accessibility of the degradative pathway for extracellular agents, support possible modes of intervention to slow down the progression of neurodegeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giona Pedrioli
- Neurodegeneration Research Group, Laboratory for Biomedical Neurosciences, Neurocenter of Southern Switzerland, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale, Lugano, Switzerland.,Program of the Science Research, Biozentrum, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Marialuisa Barberis
- Neurodegeneration Research Group, Laboratory for Biomedical Neurosciences, Neurocenter of Southern Switzerland, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale, Lugano, Switzerland
| | - Claudia Magrin
- Neurodegeneration Research Group, Laboratory for Biomedical Neurosciences, Neurocenter of Southern Switzerland, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale, Lugano, Switzerland.,Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, Università della Svizzera italiana (USI), Lugano, Switzerland
| | - Diego Morone
- Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, Institute for Research in Biomedicine, Università della Svizzera italiana (USI), Lugano, Switzerland
| | - Ester Piovesana
- Neurodegeneration Research Group, Laboratory for Biomedical Neurosciences, Neurocenter of Southern Switzerland, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale, Lugano, Switzerland.,Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, Università della Svizzera italiana (USI), Lugano, Switzerland
| | - Giorgia Senesi
- Neurodegeneration Research Group, Laboratory for Biomedical Neurosciences, Neurocenter of Southern Switzerland, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale, Lugano, Switzerland.,Scienze Biomediche Biomolecolari, Università degli Studi di Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Martina Sola
- Neurodegeneration Research Group, Laboratory for Biomedical Neurosciences, Neurocenter of Southern Switzerland, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale, Lugano, Switzerland.,Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, Università della Svizzera italiana (USI), Lugano, Switzerland
| | - Stéphanie Papin
- Neurodegeneration Research Group, Laboratory for Biomedical Neurosciences, Neurocenter of Southern Switzerland, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale, Lugano, Switzerland
| | - Paolo Paganetti
- Neurodegeneration Research Group, Laboratory for Biomedical Neurosciences, Neurocenter of Southern Switzerland, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale, Lugano, Switzerland.,Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, Università della Svizzera italiana (USI), Lugano, Switzerland
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11
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Ibrahim KA, Abdelgaid HA, Eleyan M, Khwanes SA, Abdel-Daim MM. Ethoprophos induces rats' brain injury and neurobehavioral impairment via transcriptional activation of glial fibrillary acidic protein and tubulin-associated unit even at the threshold inhibition of acetylcholinesterase: A 90-days study. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.146216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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12
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Candelise N, Scaricamazza S, Salvatori I, Ferri A, Valle C, Manganelli V, Garofalo T, Sorice M, Misasi R. Protein Aggregation Landscape in Neurodegenerative Diseases: Clinical Relevance and Future Applications. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22116016. [PMID: 34199513 PMCID: PMC8199687 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22116016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2021] [Revised: 05/28/2021] [Accepted: 05/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Intrinsic disorder is a natural feature of polypeptide chains, resulting in the lack of a defined three-dimensional structure. Conformational changes in intrinsically disordered regions of a protein lead to unstable β-sheet enriched intermediates, which are stabilized by intermolecular interactions with other β-sheet enriched molecules, producing stable proteinaceous aggregates. Upon misfolding, several pathways may be undertaken depending on the composition of the amino acidic string and the surrounding environment, leading to different structures. Accumulating evidence is suggesting that the conformational state of a protein may initiate signalling pathways involved both in pathology and physiology. In this review, we will summarize the heterogeneity of structures that are produced from intrinsically disordered protein domains and highlight the routes that lead to the formation of physiological liquid droplets as well as pathogenic aggregates. The most common proteins found in aggregates in neurodegenerative diseases and their structural variability will be addressed. We will further evaluate the clinical relevance and future applications of the study of the structural heterogeneity of protein aggregates, which may aid the understanding of the phenotypic diversity observed in neurodegenerative disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niccolò Candelise
- Fondazione Santa Lucia IRCCS, c/o CERC, 00143 Rome, Italy; (S.S.); (I.S.); (A.F.); (C.V.)
- Institute of Translational Pharmacology, National Research Council, 00133 Rome, Italy
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-338-891-2668
| | - Silvia Scaricamazza
- Fondazione Santa Lucia IRCCS, c/o CERC, 00143 Rome, Italy; (S.S.); (I.S.); (A.F.); (C.V.)
| | - Illari Salvatori
- Fondazione Santa Lucia IRCCS, c/o CERC, 00143 Rome, Italy; (S.S.); (I.S.); (A.F.); (C.V.)
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Rome “La Sapienza”, 00161 Rome, Italy; (V.M.); (T.G.); (M.S.); (R.M.)
| | - Alberto Ferri
- Fondazione Santa Lucia IRCCS, c/o CERC, 00143 Rome, Italy; (S.S.); (I.S.); (A.F.); (C.V.)
- Institute of Translational Pharmacology, National Research Council, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Cristiana Valle
- Fondazione Santa Lucia IRCCS, c/o CERC, 00143 Rome, Italy; (S.S.); (I.S.); (A.F.); (C.V.)
- Institute of Translational Pharmacology, National Research Council, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Valeria Manganelli
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Rome “La Sapienza”, 00161 Rome, Italy; (V.M.); (T.G.); (M.S.); (R.M.)
| | - Tina Garofalo
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Rome “La Sapienza”, 00161 Rome, Italy; (V.M.); (T.G.); (M.S.); (R.M.)
| | - Maurizio Sorice
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Rome “La Sapienza”, 00161 Rome, Italy; (V.M.); (T.G.); (M.S.); (R.M.)
| | - Roberta Misasi
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Rome “La Sapienza”, 00161 Rome, Italy; (V.M.); (T.G.); (M.S.); (R.M.)
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13
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Striebel JF, Race B, Leung JM, Schwartz C, Chesebro B. Prion-induced photoreceptor degeneration begins with misfolded prion protein accumulation in cones at two distinct sites: cilia and ribbon synapses. Acta Neuropathol Commun 2021; 9:17. [PMID: 33509294 PMCID: PMC7845122 DOI: 10.1186/s40478-021-01120-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2020] [Accepted: 01/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Accumulation of misfolded host proteins is central to neuropathogenesis of numerous human brain diseases including prion and prion-like diseases. Neurons of retina are also affected by these diseases. Previously, our group and others found that prion-induced retinal damage to photoreceptor cells in mice and humans resembled pathology of human retinitis pigmentosa caused by mutations in retinal proteins. Here, using confocal, epifluorescent and electron microscopy we followed deposition of disease-associated prion protein (PrPSc) and its association with damage to critical retinal structures following intracerebral prion inoculation. The earliest time and place of retinal PrPSc deposition was 67 days post-inoculation (dpi) on the inner segment (IS) of cone photoreceptors. At 104 and 118 dpi, PrPSc was associated with the base of cilia and swollen cone inner segments, suggesting ciliopathy as a pathogenic mechanism. By 118 dpi, PrPSc was deposited in both rods and cones which showed rootlet damage in the IS, and photoreceptor cell death was indicated by thinning of the outer nuclear layer. In the outer plexiform layer (OPL) in uninfected mice, normal host PrP (PrPC) was mainly associated with cone bipolar cell processes, but in infected mice, at 118 dpi, PrPSc was detected on cone and rod bipolar cell dendrites extending into ribbon synapses. Loss of ribbon synapses in cone pedicles and rod spherules in the OPL was observed to precede destruction of most rods and cones over the next 2–3 weeks. However, bipolar cells and horizontal cells were less damaged, indicating high selectivity among neurons for injury by prions. PrPSc deposition in cone and rod inner segments and on the bipolar cell processes participating in ribbon synapses appear to be critical early events leading to damage and death of photoreceptors after prion infection. These mechanisms may also occur in human retinitis pigmentosa and prion-like diseases, such as AD.
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Aqsa, Sarkar S. Age dependent trans-cellular propagation of human tau aggregates in Drosophila disease models. Brain Res 2020; 1751:147207. [PMID: 33212022 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2020.147207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2020] [Revised: 11/09/2020] [Accepted: 11/11/2020] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Tauopathies is a class of neurodegenerative disorders which involves the transformation of physiological tau into pathogenic tau. One of the prime causes reported to drive this conversion is tau hyperphosphorylation and the subsequent propagation of pathogenic protein aggregates across the nervous system. Although past attempts have been made to deduce the details of tau propagation, yet not much is known about its mechanism. A better understanding of this aspect of disease pathology can prove to be beneficial for the development of diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. For the first time, we demonstrate that the human tau possesses an intrinsic property to spread trans-cellularly in the fly nervous system irrespective of the tau allele or the neuronal tissue type. Aggregate migration restricted by targeted down-regulation of a specific kinase, elucidates the role of hyper-phosphorylation in its movement. On the contrary to the previous models, our study delivers an easy and rapid in-vivo model for comprehensive examination of tau migration pathology. Henceforth, the developed model would not only be immensely helpful in uncovering the mechanistic in-depths of tau propagation pathology but also aid in modifier and/or drug screening for amelioration of tauopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aqsa
- Department of Genetics, University of Delhi South Campus, Benito Juarez Road, Dhaula Kuan, New Delhi 110 021, India
| | - Surajit Sarkar
- Department of Genetics, University of Delhi South Campus, Benito Juarez Road, Dhaula Kuan, New Delhi 110 021, India.
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15
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Astrocytes: News about Brain Health and Diseases. Biomedicines 2020; 8:biomedicines8100394. [PMID: 33036256 PMCID: PMC7600952 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines8100394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2020] [Revised: 10/02/2020] [Accepted: 10/04/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Astrocytes, the most numerous glial cells in the brains of humans and other mammalian animals, have been studied since their discovery over 100 years ago. For many decades, however, astrocytes were believed to operate as a glue, providing only mechanical and metabolic support to adjacent neurons. Starting from a "revolution" initiated about 25 years ago, numerous astrocyte functions have been reconsidered, some previously unknown, others attributed to neurons or other cell types. The knowledge of astrocytes has been continuously growing during the last few years. Based on these considerations, in the present review, different from single or general overviews, focused on six astrocyte functions, chosen due in their relevance in both brain physiology and pathology. Astrocytes, previously believed to be homogeneous, are now recognized to be heterogeneous, composed by types distinct in structure, distribution, and function; their cooperation with microglia is known to govern local neuroinflammation and brain restoration upon traumatic injuries; and astrocyte senescence is relevant for the development of both health and diseases. Knowledge regarding the role of astrocytes in tauopathies and Alzheimer's disease has grow considerably. The multiple properties emphasized here, relevant for the present state of astrocytes, will be further developed by ongoing and future studies.
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16
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Catania M, Di Fede G. One or more β-amyloid(s)? New insights into the prion-like nature of Alzheimer's disease. PROGRESS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND TRANSLATIONAL SCIENCE 2020; 175:213-237. [PMID: 32958234 DOI: 10.1016/bs.pmbts.2020.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Misfolding and aggregation of proteins play a central role in the pathogenesis of several neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's and Lewy Body diseases, Frontotemporal Lobar Degeneration and prion diseases. Increasing evidence supports the view that Aβ and tau, which are the two main molecular players in AD, share with the prion protein several "prion-like" features that can be relevant for disease pathogenesis. These features essentially include structural/conformational/biochemical variations, resistance to degradation by endogenous proteases, seeding ability, attitude to form neurotoxic assemblies, spreading and propagation of toxic aggregates, transmissibility of tau- and Aβ-related pathology to animal models. Following this view, part of the recent scientific literature has generated a new reading frame for AD pathophysiology, based on the application of the prion paradigm to the amyloid cascade hypothesis in an attempt to definitely explain the key events causing the disease and inducing its occurrence under different clinical phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcella Catania
- Neurology 5 / Neuropathology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Di Fede
- Neurology 5 / Neuropathology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan, Italy.
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17
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Jellinger KA. Neuropathological assessment of the Alzheimer spectrum. J Neural Transm (Vienna) 2020; 127:1229-1256. [PMID: 32740684 DOI: 10.1007/s00702-020-02232-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2020] [Accepted: 07/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Alzheimer disease (AD), the most common form of dementia globally, classically defined a clinicopathological entity, is a heterogenous disorder with various pathobiological subtypes, currently referred to as Alzheimer continuum. Its morphological hallmarks are extracellular parenchymal β-amyloid (amyloid plaques) and intraneuronal (tau aggregates forming neurofibrillary tangles) lesions accompanied by synaptic loss and vascular amyloid deposits, that are essential for the pathological diagnosis of AD. In addition to "classical" AD, several subtypes with characteristic regional patterns of tau pathology have been described that show distinct clinical features, differences in age, sex distribution, biomarker levels, and patterns of key network destructions responsible for cognitive decline. AD is a mixed proteinopathy (amyloid and tau), frequently associated with other age-related co-pathologies, such as cerebrovascular lesions, Lewy and TDP-43 pathologies, hippocampal sclerosis, or argyrophilic grain disease. These and other co-pathologies essentially influence the clinical picture of AD and may accelerate disease progression. The purpose of this review is to provide a critical overview of AD pathology, its defining pathological substrates, and the heterogeneity among the Alzheimer spectrum entities that may provide a broader diagnostic coverage of this devastating disorder as a basis for implementing precision medicine approaches and for ultimate development of successful disease-modifying drugs for AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kurt A Jellinger
- Institute of Clinical Neurobiology, Alberichgasse 5/13, 1150, Vienna, Austria.
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18
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Ashrafizadeh M, Zarrabi A, Najafi M, Samarghandian S, Mohammadinejad R, Ahn KS. Resveratrol targeting tau proteins, amyloid-beta aggregations, and their adverse effects: An updated review. Phytother Res 2020; 34:2867-2888. [PMID: 32491273 DOI: 10.1002/ptr.6732] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2020] [Revised: 04/18/2020] [Accepted: 05/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Resveratrol (Res) is a non-flavonoid compound with pharmacological actions such as antioxidant, antiinflammatory, hepatoprotective, antidiabetes, and antitumor. This plant-derived chemical has a long history usage in treatment of diseases. The excellent therapeutic impacts of Res and its capability in penetration into blood-brain barrier have made it an appropriate candidate in the treatment of neurological disorders (NDs). Tau protein aggregations and amyloid-beta (Aβ) deposits are responsible for the induction of NDs. A variety of studies have elucidated the role of these aggregations in NDs and the underlying molecular pathways in their development. In the present review, based on the recently published articles, we describe that how Res administration could inhibit amyloidogenic pathway and stimulate processes such as autophagy to degrade Aβ aggregations. Besides, we demonstrate that Res supplementation is beneficial in dephosphorylation of tau proteins and suppressing their aggregations. Then, we discuss molecular pathways and relate them to the treatment of NDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Milad Ashrafizadeh
- Department of Basic Science, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Ali Zarrabi
- Sabanci University Nanotechnology Research and Application Center (SUNUM), Tuzla, Turkey
| | - Masoud Najafi
- Radiology and Nuclear Medicine Department, School of Paramedical Sciences, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
| | - Saeed Samarghandian
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neyshabur University of Medical Sciences, Neyshabur, Iran
| | - Reza Mohammadinejad
- Neuroscience Research Center, Institute of Neuropharmacology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Kwang Seok Ahn
- College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
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19
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Mendelsohn AR, Larrick JW. The Danger of Being Too Sympathetic: Norepinephrine in Alzheimer's Disease and Graying of Hair. Rejuvenation Res 2020; 23:68-72. [PMID: 31989871 DOI: 10.1089/rej.2020.2309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Although alterations in the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) with age have been reported, and serious degenerative diseases of the autonomic nervous system such as multiple system atrophy are more likely to strike older people, connections between dysregulated adrenergic receptors and age-associated diseases and phenotypes have not been well studied. Two recent reports suggest that SNS may be more closely connected than previously appreciated. First, low nanomolar concentrations of Alzheimer's disease (AD)-associated Aβ42-amyloid oligomers alter signaling by SNS neurotransmitter norepinephrine (NE) to sufficiently activate kinase GSK3β to hyperphosphorylate tau, a key mediator of neurotoxicity in AD. Connecting beta-amyloid to tau in AD has been a key quest in understanding AD and developing therapeutics. The α2 adrenergic receptor inhibitory drug idazoxan reduces GSK3β activity and tau phosphorylation in AD mice with improved cognitive function, even in the presence of beta-amyloid deposits. In this study, SNS activation in the brain coupled with problematic Aβ42-amyloid oligomers result in serious consequences that can be ameliorated by reducing SNS signaling. A second example of the detrimental effects of increased SNS signaling is the premature graying of hair in response to stress. Secretion of NE resulting from stress causes differentiation of most hair pigment melanocyte stem cells (MeSCs) into melanocytes, rapidly depleting the hair follicle of pigment-producing cells as mature melanocytes undergo apoptosis and MeSCs are eventually eliminated. Blockade of NE SNS signaling preserves hair coloration in stressed animals. Increased SNS activation has serious apparently irreversible effects on homeostasis in both situations. Although neither report directly addresses aging, given that AD and the loss of hair pigmentation have strong age associations, it is of interest to better understand the role that SNS has in promoting age-associated phenotypes generally and determine if tuning the SNS through drug-mediated attenuation of SNS signaling may be of medical benefit.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew R Mendelsohn
- Regenerative Sciences Institute, Sunnyvale, California.,Panorama Research Institute, Sunnyvale, California
| | - James W Larrick
- Regenerative Sciences Institute, Sunnyvale, California.,Panorama Research Institute, Sunnyvale, California
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