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Wang XF, Xiang XH, Wei J, Zhang PB, Xu Q, Liu MH, Qu LQ, Wang XX, Yu L, Wu AG, Qing DL, Wu JM, Law BYK, Yu CL, Yong-Tang. Raddeanin A Protects the BRB Through Inhibiting Inflammation and Apoptosis in the Retina of Alzheimer's Disease. Neurochem Res 2024; 49:2197-2214. [PMID: 38834846 DOI: 10.1007/s11064-024-04145-5] [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: 12/11/2023] [Revised: 02/28/2024] [Accepted: 05/02/2024] [Indexed: 06/06/2024]
Abstract
Neuroinflammation and endothelial cell apoptosis are prominent features of blood-brain barrier (BBB) disruption, which have been described in Alzheimer's disease (AD) and can predict cognitive decline. Recent reports revealed vascular β-amyloid (Aβ) deposits, Muller cell degeneration and microglial dysfunction in the retina of AD patients. However, there has been no in-depth research on the roles of inflammation, retinal endothelial cell apoptosis, and blood-retinal barrier (BRB) damage in AD retinopathy. We found that Raddeanin A (RDA) could improve pathological and cognitive deficits in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease by targeting β-amyloidosis, However, the effects of RDA on AD retinal function require further study. To clarify whether RDA inhibits inflammation and apoptosis and thus improves BRB function in AD-related retinopathy. In vitro we used Aβ-treated HRECs and MIO-M1 cells, and in vivo we used 3×Tg-AD mice to investigate the effect of RDA on BRB in AD-related retinopathy. We found that RDA could improve BRB function in AD-related retinopathy by inhibiting NLRP3-mediated inflammation and suppressing Wnt/β-catenin pathway-mediated apoptosis, which is expected to improve the pathological changes in AD-related retinopathy and the quality of life of AD patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Fang Wang
- Laboratory Animal Centre, Model Animal and Human Disease Research of Luzhou Key Laboratory, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
- School of Basic Medical Sciences of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Xiao-Hong Xiang
- Department of Ophthalmology in The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, China
| | - Jing Wei
- Eye School and Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province Ophthalmopathy Prevention & Cure and Visual Function Protection of Chengdu University of TCM, Chengdu, China
| | - Peng-Bo Zhang
- Department of Ophthalmology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 15651, China
| | - Qin Xu
- Department of Ophthalmology in The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, China
| | - Meng-Han Liu
- Dr. Neher's Biophysics Laboratory for Innovative Drug Discovery, State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine and Faculty of Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macau, China
| | - Li-Qun Qu
- Dr. Neher's Biophysics Laboratory for Innovative Drug Discovery, State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine and Faculty of Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macau, China
| | - Xing-Xia Wang
- Dr. Neher's Biophysics Laboratory for Innovative Drug Discovery, State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine and Faculty of Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macau, China
| | - Lu Yu
- Sichuan Key Medical Laboratory of New Drug Discovery and Druggability Evaluation Luzhou Key Laboratory of Activity Screening and Druggability Evaluation for Chinese Materia Medica of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, China
| | - An-Guo Wu
- Sichuan Key Medical Laboratory of New Drug Discovery and Druggability Evaluation Luzhou Key Laboratory of Activity Screening and Druggability Evaluation for Chinese Materia Medica of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, China
| | - Da-Lian Qing
- Sichuan Key Medical Laboratory of New Drug Discovery and Druggability Evaluation Luzhou Key Laboratory of Activity Screening and Druggability Evaluation for Chinese Materia Medica of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, China
| | - Jian-Ming Wu
- School of Basic Medical Sciences of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
- Sichuan Key Medical Laboratory of New Drug Discovery and Druggability Evaluation Luzhou Key Laboratory of Activity Screening and Druggability Evaluation for Chinese Materia Medica of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, China
| | - Betty Yuen-Kwan Law
- Dr. Neher's Biophysics Laboratory for Innovative Drug Discovery, State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine and Faculty of Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macau, China.
| | - Chong-Lin Yu
- School of Basic Medical Sciences of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China.
| | - Yong-Tang
- Laboratory Animal Centre, Model Animal and Human Disease Research of Luzhou Key Laboratory, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China.
- Dr. Neher's Biophysics Laboratory for Innovative Drug Discovery, State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine and Faculty of Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macau, China.
- School of Basic Medical Sciences of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China.
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Sánchez-Puebla L, de Hoz R, Salobrar-García E, Arias-Vázquez A, González-Jiménez M, Ramírez AI, Fernández-Albarral JA, Matamoros JA, Elvira-Hurtado L, Saido TC, Saito T, Nieto Vaquero C, Cuartero MI, Moro MA, Salazar JJ, López-Cuenca I, Ramírez JM. Age-Related Retinal Layer Thickness Changes Measured by OCT in APPNL-F/NL-F Mice: Implications for Alzheimer's Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:8221. [PMID: 39125789 PMCID: PMC11312090 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25158221] [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: 05/29/2024] [Revised: 07/11/2024] [Accepted: 07/25/2024] [Indexed: 08/12/2024] Open
Abstract
In Alzheimer's disease (AD), transgenic mouse models have established links between abnormalities in the retina and those in the brain. APPNL-F/NL-F is a murine, humanized AD model that replicates several pathological features observed in patients with AD. Research has focused on obtaining quantitative parameters from optical coherence tomography (OCT) in AD. The aim of this study was to analyze, in a transversal case-control study using manual retinal segmentation via SD-OCT, the changes occurring in the retinal layers of the APPNL/F-NF/L AD model in comparison to C57BL/6J mice (WT) at 6, 9, 12, 15, 17, and 20 months of age. The analysis focused on retinal thickness in RNFL-GCL, IPL, INL, OPL, and ONL based on the Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) sectors. Both APPNL-F/NL-F-model and WT animals exhibited thickness changes at the time points studied. While WT showed significant changes in INL, OPL, and ONL, the AD model showed changes in all retinal layers analyzed. The APPNL-F/NL-F displayed significant thickness variations in the analyzed layers except for the IPL compared to related WT. These thickness changes closely resembled those found in humans during preclinical stages, as well as during mild and moderate AD stages, making this AD model behave more similarly to the disease in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lidia Sánchez-Puebla
- Ramon Castroviejo Institute for Ophthalmic Research, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (L.S.-P.); (R.d.H.); (E.S.-G.); (A.A.-V.); (M.G.-J.); (A.I.R.); (J.A.F.-A.); (J.A.M.); (L.E.-H.); (J.J.S.)
- Health Research Institute of the Hospital Clínico San Carlos (IdISSC), 28040 Madrid, Spain
- Department of Immunology, Ophthalmology and ENT, School of Medicine, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Rosa de Hoz
- Ramon Castroviejo Institute for Ophthalmic Research, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (L.S.-P.); (R.d.H.); (E.S.-G.); (A.A.-V.); (M.G.-J.); (A.I.R.); (J.A.F.-A.); (J.A.M.); (L.E.-H.); (J.J.S.)
- Health Research Institute of the Hospital Clínico San Carlos (IdISSC), 28040 Madrid, Spain
- Department of Immunology, Ophthalmology and ENT, Faculty of Optics and Optometry, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Elena Salobrar-García
- Ramon Castroviejo Institute for Ophthalmic Research, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (L.S.-P.); (R.d.H.); (E.S.-G.); (A.A.-V.); (M.G.-J.); (A.I.R.); (J.A.F.-A.); (J.A.M.); (L.E.-H.); (J.J.S.)
- Health Research Institute of the Hospital Clínico San Carlos (IdISSC), 28040 Madrid, Spain
- Department of Immunology, Ophthalmology and ENT, Faculty of Optics and Optometry, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Alberto Arias-Vázquez
- Ramon Castroviejo Institute for Ophthalmic Research, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (L.S.-P.); (R.d.H.); (E.S.-G.); (A.A.-V.); (M.G.-J.); (A.I.R.); (J.A.F.-A.); (J.A.M.); (L.E.-H.); (J.J.S.)
| | - María González-Jiménez
- Ramon Castroviejo Institute for Ophthalmic Research, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (L.S.-P.); (R.d.H.); (E.S.-G.); (A.A.-V.); (M.G.-J.); (A.I.R.); (J.A.F.-A.); (J.A.M.); (L.E.-H.); (J.J.S.)
| | - Ana I. Ramírez
- Ramon Castroviejo Institute for Ophthalmic Research, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (L.S.-P.); (R.d.H.); (E.S.-G.); (A.A.-V.); (M.G.-J.); (A.I.R.); (J.A.F.-A.); (J.A.M.); (L.E.-H.); (J.J.S.)
- Health Research Institute of the Hospital Clínico San Carlos (IdISSC), 28040 Madrid, Spain
- Department of Immunology, Ophthalmology and ENT, Faculty of Optics and Optometry, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - José A. Fernández-Albarral
- Ramon Castroviejo Institute for Ophthalmic Research, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (L.S.-P.); (R.d.H.); (E.S.-G.); (A.A.-V.); (M.G.-J.); (A.I.R.); (J.A.F.-A.); (J.A.M.); (L.E.-H.); (J.J.S.)
- Health Research Institute of the Hospital Clínico San Carlos (IdISSC), 28040 Madrid, Spain
- Department of Immunology, Ophthalmology and ENT, Faculty of Optics and Optometry, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - José A. Matamoros
- Ramon Castroviejo Institute for Ophthalmic Research, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (L.S.-P.); (R.d.H.); (E.S.-G.); (A.A.-V.); (M.G.-J.); (A.I.R.); (J.A.F.-A.); (J.A.M.); (L.E.-H.); (J.J.S.)
- Department of Immunology, Ophthalmology and ENT, Faculty of Optics and Optometry, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Lorena Elvira-Hurtado
- Ramon Castroviejo Institute for Ophthalmic Research, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (L.S.-P.); (R.d.H.); (E.S.-G.); (A.A.-V.); (M.G.-J.); (A.I.R.); (J.A.F.-A.); (J.A.M.); (L.E.-H.); (J.J.S.)
| | - Takaomi C. Saido
- Brain Science Institute, RIKEN, Laboratory for Proteolytic Neuroscience, Wako 351-0198, Japan;
| | - Takashi Saito
- Institute of Brain Science, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Nagoya City University, Nagoya 467-8601, Japan;
| | - Carmen Nieto Vaquero
- Neurovascular Pathophysiology, Cardiovascular Risk Factor and Brain Function Programme, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC), 28029 Madrid, Spain; (C.N.V.); (M.A.M.)
- Hospital 12 de Octubre Research Institute (i + 12), 28041 Madrid, Spain;
- University Institute for Research in Neurochemistry, Complutense University of Madrid (UCM), 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - María I. Cuartero
- Hospital 12 de Octubre Research Institute (i + 12), 28041 Madrid, Spain;
- University Institute for Research in Neurochemistry, Complutense University of Madrid (UCM), 28040 Madrid, Spain
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, Complutense University of Madrid (UCM), 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - María A. Moro
- Neurovascular Pathophysiology, Cardiovascular Risk Factor and Brain Function Programme, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC), 28029 Madrid, Spain; (C.N.V.); (M.A.M.)
| | - Juan J. Salazar
- Ramon Castroviejo Institute for Ophthalmic Research, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (L.S.-P.); (R.d.H.); (E.S.-G.); (A.A.-V.); (M.G.-J.); (A.I.R.); (J.A.F.-A.); (J.A.M.); (L.E.-H.); (J.J.S.)
- Health Research Institute of the Hospital Clínico San Carlos (IdISSC), 28040 Madrid, Spain
- Department of Immunology, Ophthalmology and ENT, Faculty of Optics and Optometry, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Inés López-Cuenca
- Ramon Castroviejo Institute for Ophthalmic Research, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (L.S.-P.); (R.d.H.); (E.S.-G.); (A.A.-V.); (M.G.-J.); (A.I.R.); (J.A.F.-A.); (J.A.M.); (L.E.-H.); (J.J.S.)
- Health Research Institute of the Hospital Clínico San Carlos (IdISSC), 28040 Madrid, Spain
- Department of Immunology, Ophthalmology and ENT, Faculty of Optics and Optometry, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - José M. Ramírez
- Ramon Castroviejo Institute for Ophthalmic Research, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain; (L.S.-P.); (R.d.H.); (E.S.-G.); (A.A.-V.); (M.G.-J.); (A.I.R.); (J.A.F.-A.); (J.A.M.); (L.E.-H.); (J.J.S.)
- Health Research Institute of the Hospital Clínico San Carlos (IdISSC), 28040 Madrid, Spain
- Department of Immunology, Ophthalmology and ENT, School of Medicine, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain
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3
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Gaire BP, Koronyo Y, Fuchs DT, Shi H, Rentsendorj A, Danziger R, Vit JP, Mirzaei N, Doustar J, Sheyn J, Hampel H, Vergallo A, Davis MR, Jallow O, Baldacci F, Verdooner SR, Barron E, Mirzaei M, Gupta VK, Graham SL, Tayebi M, Carare RO, Sadun AA, Miller CA, Dumitrascu OM, Lahiri S, Gao L, Black KL, Koronyo-Hamaoui M. Alzheimer's disease pathophysiology in the Retina. Prog Retin Eye Res 2024; 101:101273. [PMID: 38759947 PMCID: PMC11285518 DOI: 10.1016/j.preteyeres.2024.101273] [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: 02/11/2023] [Revised: 04/23/2024] [Accepted: 05/10/2024] [Indexed: 05/19/2024]
Abstract
The retina is an emerging CNS target for potential noninvasive diagnosis and tracking of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Studies have identified the pathological hallmarks of AD, including amyloid β-protein (Aβ) deposits and abnormal tau protein isoforms, in the retinas of AD patients and animal models. Moreover, structural and functional vascular abnormalities such as reduced blood flow, vascular Aβ deposition, and blood-retinal barrier damage, along with inflammation and neurodegeneration, have been described in retinas of patients with mild cognitive impairment and AD dementia. Histological, biochemical, and clinical studies have demonstrated that the nature and severity of AD pathologies in the retina and brain correspond. Proteomics analysis revealed a similar pattern of dysregulated proteins and biological pathways in the retina and brain of AD patients, with enhanced inflammatory and neurodegenerative processes, impaired oxidative-phosphorylation, and mitochondrial dysfunction. Notably, investigational imaging technologies can now detect AD-specific amyloid deposits, as well as vasculopathy and neurodegeneration in the retina of living AD patients, suggesting alterations at different disease stages and links to brain pathology. Current and exploratory ophthalmic imaging modalities, such as optical coherence tomography (OCT), OCT-angiography, confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscopy, and hyperspectral imaging, may offer promise in the clinical assessment of AD. However, further research is needed to deepen our understanding of AD's impact on the retina and its progression. To advance this field, future studies require replication in larger and diverse cohorts with confirmed AD biomarkers and standardized retinal imaging techniques. This will validate potential retinal biomarkers for AD, aiding in early screening and monitoring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bhakta Prasad Gaire
- Department of Neurosurgery, Maxine Dunitz Neurosurgical Research Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Yosef Koronyo
- Department of Neurosurgery, Maxine Dunitz Neurosurgical Research Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Dieu-Trang Fuchs
- Department of Neurosurgery, Maxine Dunitz Neurosurgical Research Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Haoshen Shi
- Department of Neurosurgery, Maxine Dunitz Neurosurgical Research Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Altan Rentsendorj
- Department of Neurosurgery, Maxine Dunitz Neurosurgical Research Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Ron Danziger
- Department of Neurology, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Jean-Philippe Vit
- Department of Neurosurgery, Maxine Dunitz Neurosurgical Research Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Nazanin Mirzaei
- Department of Neurosurgery, Maxine Dunitz Neurosurgical Research Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Jonah Doustar
- Department of Neurosurgery, Maxine Dunitz Neurosurgical Research Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Julia Sheyn
- Department of Neurosurgery, Maxine Dunitz Neurosurgical Research Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Harald Hampel
- Sorbonne University, Alzheimer Precision Medicine (APM), AP-HP, Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital, Paris, France
| | - Andrea Vergallo
- Sorbonne University, Alzheimer Precision Medicine (APM), AP-HP, Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital, Paris, France
| | - Miyah R Davis
- Department of Neurosurgery, Maxine Dunitz Neurosurgical Research Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Ousman Jallow
- Department of Neurosurgery, Maxine Dunitz Neurosurgical Research Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Filippo Baldacci
- Sorbonne University, Alzheimer Precision Medicine (APM), AP-HP, Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital, Paris, France; Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Neurology Unit, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | | | - Ernesto Barron
- Department of Ophthalmology, David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Doheny Eye Institute, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Mehdi Mirzaei
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie Medical School, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Vivek K Gupta
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie Medical School, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Stuart L Graham
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie Medical School, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia; Department of Clinical Medicine, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Mourad Tayebi
- School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Campbelltown, NSW, Australia
| | - Roxana O Carare
- Department of Clinical Neuroanatomy, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Alfredo A Sadun
- Department of Ophthalmology, David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Doheny Eye Institute, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Carol A Miller
- Department of Pathology Program in Neuroscience, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | | | - Shouri Lahiri
- Department of Neurology, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Liang Gao
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Keith L Black
- Department of Neurosurgery, Maxine Dunitz Neurosurgical Research Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Maya Koronyo-Hamaoui
- Department of Neurosurgery, Maxine Dunitz Neurosurgical Research Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Department of Neurology, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Department of Biomedical Sciences, Division of Applied Cell Biology and Physiology, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
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4
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Ravichandran S, Snyder PJ, Alber J, Kenny MR, Rothstein A, Brown K, Murchison CF, Clay OJ, Roberson ED, Arthur E. Quantifying Putative Retinal Gliosis in Preclinical Alzheimer's Disease. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2024; 65:5. [PMID: 38696189 PMCID: PMC11077916 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.65.5.5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2024] [Accepted: 04/09/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Purpose Neuroinflammation plays a significant role in the pathology of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Mouse models of AD and postmortem biopsy of patients with AD reveal retinal glial activation comparable to central nervous system immunoreactivity. We hypothesized that the surface area of putative retinal gliosis observed in vivo using en face optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging will be larger in patients with preclinical AD versus controls. Methods The Spectralis II instrument was used to acquire macular centered 20 × 20 and 30 × 25-degrees spectral domain OCT images of 76 participants (132 eyes). A cohort of 22 patients with preclinical AD (40 eyes, mean age = 69 years, range = 60-80 years) and 20 control participants (32 eyes, mean age = 66 years, range = 58-82 years, P = 0.11) were included for the assessment of difference in surface area of putative retinal gliosis and retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness. The surface area of putative retinal gliosis and RNFL thickness for the nine sectors of the Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) map were compared between groups using generalized linear mixed models. Results The surface area of putative retinal gliosis was significantly greater in the preclinical AD group (0.97 ± 0.55 mm2) compared to controls (0.68 ± 0.40 mm2); F(1,70) = 4.41, P = 0.039; Cohen's d = 0.61. There was no significant difference between groups for RNFL thickness in the 9 ETDRS sectors, P > 0.05. Conclusions Our analysis shows greater putative retinal gliosis in preclinical AD compared to controls. This demonstrates putative retinal gliosis as a potential biomarker for AD-related neuroinflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Swetha Ravichandran
- School of Optometry, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, United States
| | - Peter J. Snyder
- Department of Neurology, Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, United States
- Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, Rhode Island, United States
| | - Jessica Alber
- Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, Rhode Island, United States
- George and Anne Ryan Institute for Neuroscience, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, Rhode Island, United States
- Butler Hospital Memory and Aging Program, Providence, Rhode Island, United States
| | - Madelyn R. Kenny
- School of Optometry, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, United States
| | - Andrew Rothstein
- School of Optometry, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, United States
| | - Keisha Brown
- School of Optometry, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, United States
| | - Charles F. Murchison
- Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, Department of Neurology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, United States
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, United States
| | - Olivio J. Clay
- Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, Department of Neurology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, United States
- Department of Psychology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, United States
| | - Erik D. Roberson
- Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, Department of Neurology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, United States
| | - Edmund Arthur
- School of Optometry, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, United States
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5
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Donato L, Mordà D, Scimone C, Alibrandi S, D’Angelo R, Sidoti A. Bridging Retinal and Cerebral Neurodegeneration: A Focus on Crosslinks between Alzheimer-Perusini's Disease and Retinal Dystrophies. Biomedicines 2023; 11:3258. [PMID: 38137479 PMCID: PMC10741418 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11123258] [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: 11/01/2023] [Revised: 12/02/2023] [Accepted: 12/07/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
In the early stages of Alzheimer-Perusini's disease (AD), individuals often experience vision-related issues such as color vision impairment, reduced contrast sensitivity, and visual acuity problems. As the disease progresses, there is a connection with glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration (AMD) leading to retinal cell death. The retina's involvement suggests a link with the hippocampus, where most AD forms start. A thinning of the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) due to the loss of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) is seen as a potential AD diagnostic marker using electroretinography (ERG) and optical coherence tomography (OCT). Amyloid beta fragments (Aβ), found in the eye's vitreous and aqueous humor, are also present in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and accumulate in the retina. Aβ is known to cause tau hyperphosphorylation, leading to its buildup in various retinal layers. However, diseases like AD are now seen as mixed proteinopathies, with deposits of the prion protein (PrP) and α-synuclein found in affected brains and retinas. Glial cells, especially microglial cells, play a crucial role in these diseases, maintaining immunoproteostasis. Studies have shown similarities between retinal and brain microglia in terms of transcription factor expression and morphotypes. All these findings constitute a good start to achieving better comprehension of neurodegeneration in both the eye and the brain. New insights will be able to bring the scientific community closer to specific disease-modifying therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luigi Donato
- Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Morphofunctional Imaging, Division of Medical Biotechnologies and Preventive Medicine, University of Messina, 98122 Messina, Italy; (L.D.); (C.S.); (R.D.); (A.S.)
- Department of Biomolecular Strategies, Genetics, Cutting-Edge Therapies, Euro-Mediterranean Institute of Science and Technology (I.E.ME.S.T.), 90139 Palermo, Italy;
| | - Domenico Mordà
- Department of Biomolecular Strategies, Genetics, Cutting-Edge Therapies, Euro-Mediterranean Institute of Science and Technology (I.E.ME.S.T.), 90139 Palermo, Italy;
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, 98122 Messina, Italy
| | - Concetta Scimone
- Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Morphofunctional Imaging, Division of Medical Biotechnologies and Preventive Medicine, University of Messina, 98122 Messina, Italy; (L.D.); (C.S.); (R.D.); (A.S.)
- Department of Biomolecular Strategies, Genetics, Cutting-Edge Therapies, Euro-Mediterranean Institute of Science and Technology (I.E.ME.S.T.), 90139 Palermo, Italy;
| | - Simona Alibrandi
- Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Morphofunctional Imaging, Division of Medical Biotechnologies and Preventive Medicine, University of Messina, 98122 Messina, Italy; (L.D.); (C.S.); (R.D.); (A.S.)
- Department of Biomolecular Strategies, Genetics, Cutting-Edge Therapies, Euro-Mediterranean Institute of Science and Technology (I.E.ME.S.T.), 90139 Palermo, Italy;
| | - Rosalia D’Angelo
- Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Morphofunctional Imaging, Division of Medical Biotechnologies and Preventive Medicine, University of Messina, 98122 Messina, Italy; (L.D.); (C.S.); (R.D.); (A.S.)
| | - Antonina Sidoti
- Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Morphofunctional Imaging, Division of Medical Biotechnologies and Preventive Medicine, University of Messina, 98122 Messina, Italy; (L.D.); (C.S.); (R.D.); (A.S.)
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6
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Shen L, Tang X, Zhang H, Zhuang H, Lin J, Zhao Y, Liu X. Targeted Metabolomic Analysis of the Eye Tissue of Triple Transgenic Alzheimer's Disease Mice at an Early Pathological Stage. Mol Neurobiol 2023; 60:7309-7328. [PMID: 37553545 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-023-03533-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2022] [Accepted: 07/22/2023] [Indexed: 08/10/2023]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a severe neurodegenerative disease in older people. Despite some consensus on pathogenesis of AD established by previous researches, further elucidation is still required for better understanding. This study analyzed the eye tissues of 2- and 6-month-old triple transgenic AD (3 × Tg-AD) male mice and age-sex-matched wild-type (WT) mice using a targeted metabolomics approach. Compared with WT mice, 20 and 44 differential metabolites were identified in 2- and 6-month-old AD mice, respectively. They were associated with purine metabolism, pantothenate and CoA biosynthesis, pyruvate metabolism, lysine degradation, glycolysis/gluconeogenesis, and pyrimidine metabolism pathways. Among them, 8 metabolites presented differences in both the two groups, and 5 of them showed constant trend of change. The results indicated that the eye tissues of 3 × Tg-AD mice underwent changes in the early stages of the disease, with changes in metabolites observed at 2 months of age and more pronounced at 6 months of age, which is consistent with our previous studies on hippocampal targeted metabolomics in 3 × Tg-AD mice. Therefore, a joint analysis of data from this study and previous hippocampal study was performed, and the differential metabolites and their associated mechanisms were similar in eye and hippocampal tissues, but with tissue specificity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liming Shen
- College of Life Science and Oceanography, Shenzhen University, Xueyuan Ave 1688, Shenzhen, 518060, People's Republic of China
- Shenzhen Bay Laboratory, Shenzhen, People's Republic of China
- Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, Shenzhen, 518055, People's Republic of China
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Marine, Biotechnology, and Ecology, Shenzhen, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaoxiao Tang
- College of Life Science and Oceanography, Shenzhen University, Xueyuan Ave 1688, Shenzhen, 518060, People's Republic of China
| | - Huajie Zhang
- College of Life Science and Oceanography, Shenzhen University, Xueyuan Ave 1688, Shenzhen, 518060, People's Republic of China
| | - Hongbin Zhuang
- College of Life Science and Oceanography, Shenzhen University, Xueyuan Ave 1688, Shenzhen, 518060, People's Republic of China
| | - Jing Lin
- College of Life Science and Oceanography, Shenzhen University, Xueyuan Ave 1688, Shenzhen, 518060, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuxi Zhao
- College of Life Science and Oceanography, Shenzhen University, Xueyuan Ave 1688, Shenzhen, 518060, People's Republic of China
| | - Xukun Liu
- College of Life Science and Oceanography, Shenzhen University, Xueyuan Ave 1688, Shenzhen, 518060, People's Republic of China.
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7
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Wang MD, Zhang S, Liu XY, Wang PP, Zhu YF, Zhu JR, Lv CS, Li SY, Liu SF, Wen L. Salvianolic acid B ameliorates retinal deficits in an early-stage Alzheimer's disease mouse model through downregulating BACE1 and Aβ generation. Acta Pharmacol Sin 2023; 44:2151-2168. [PMID: 37420104 PMCID: PMC10618533 DOI: 10.1038/s41401-023-01125-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2023] [Accepted: 06/08/2023] [Indexed: 07/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease with subtle onset, early diagnosis remains challenging. Accumulating evidence suggests that the emergence of retinal damage in AD precedes cognitive impairment, and may serve as a critical indicator for early diagnosis and disease progression. Salvianolic acid B (Sal B), a bioactive compound isolated from the traditional Chinese medicinal herb Salvia miltiorrhiza, has been shown promise in treating neurodegenerative diseases, such as AD and Parkinson's disease. In this study we investigated the therapeutic effects of Sal B on retinopathy in early-stage AD. One-month-old transgenic mice carrying five familial AD mutations (5×FAD) were treated with Sal B (20 mg·kg-1·d-1, i.g.) for 3 months. At the end of treatment, retinal function and structure were assessed, cognitive function was evaluated in Morris water maze test. We showed that 4-month-old 5×FAD mice displayed distinct structural and functional deficits in the retinas, which were significantly ameliorated by Sal B treatment. In contrast, untreated, 4-month-old 5×FAD mice did not exhibit cognitive impairment compared to wild-type mice. In SH-SY5Y-APP751 cells, we demonstrated that Sal B (10 μM) significantly decreased BACE1 expression and sorting into the Golgi apparatus, thereby reducing Aβ generation by inhibiting the β-cleavage of APP. Moreover, we found that Sal B effectively attenuated microglial activation and the associated inflammatory cytokine release induced by Aβ plaque deposition in the retinas of 5×FAD mice. Taken together, our results demonstrate that functional impairments in the retina occur before cognitive decline, suggesting that the retina is a valuable reference for early diagnosis of AD. Sal B ameliorates retinal deficits by regulating APP processing and Aβ generation in early AD, which is a potential therapeutic intervention for early AD treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng-Dan Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Disease and Aging Research, Institute of Neuroscience, Xiang'an Hospital, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, China
- Xiamen Key Laboratory for TCM Dampness Disease, Neurology & Immunology Research, Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Xiang'an Hospital, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, China
| | - Shuo Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Disease and Aging Research, Institute of Neuroscience, Xiang'an Hospital, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, China
- Xiamen Key Laboratory for TCM Dampness Disease, Neurology & Immunology Research, Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Xiang'an Hospital, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, China
| | - Xing-Yang Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Disease and Aging Research, Institute of Neuroscience, Xiang'an Hospital, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, China
- Xiamen Key Laboratory for TCM Dampness Disease, Neurology & Immunology Research, Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Xiang'an Hospital, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, China
| | - Pan-Pan Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Disease and Aging Research, Institute of Neuroscience, Xiang'an Hospital, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, China
- Xiamen Key Laboratory for TCM Dampness Disease, Neurology & Immunology Research, Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Xiang'an Hospital, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, China
| | - Yi-Fan Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Disease and Aging Research, Institute of Neuroscience, Xiang'an Hospital, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, China
- Xiamen Key Laboratory for TCM Dampness Disease, Neurology & Immunology Research, Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Xiang'an Hospital, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, China
| | - Jun-Rong Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Disease and Aging Research, Institute of Neuroscience, Xiang'an Hospital, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, China
- Xiamen Key Laboratory for TCM Dampness Disease, Neurology & Immunology Research, Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Xiang'an Hospital, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, China
| | - Chong-Shan Lv
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Disease and Aging Research, Institute of Neuroscience, Xiang'an Hospital, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, China
- Xiamen Key Laboratory for TCM Dampness Disease, Neurology & Immunology Research, Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Xiang'an Hospital, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, China
| | - Shi-Ying Li
- Eye Institute of Xiamen University, Department of Ophthalmology, Xiang'an Hospital, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, China.
| | - Sui-Feng Liu
- Zhongshan Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361000, China.
| | - Lei Wen
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Disease and Aging Research, Institute of Neuroscience, Xiang'an Hospital, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, China.
- Xiamen Key Laboratory for TCM Dampness Disease, Neurology & Immunology Research, Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Xiang'an Hospital, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, China.
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8
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García-Bermúdez MY, Vohra R, Freude K, van Wijngaarden P, Martin K, Thomsen MS, Aldana BI, Kolko M. Potential Retinal Biomarkers in Alzheimer's Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:15834. [PMID: 37958816 PMCID: PMC10649108 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242115834] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2023] [Revised: 10/18/2023] [Accepted: 10/25/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) represents a major diagnostic challenge, as early detection is crucial for effective intervention. This review examines the diagnostic challenges facing current AD evaluations and explores the emerging field of retinal alterations as early indicators. Recognizing the potential of the retina as a noninvasive window to the brain, we emphasize the importance of identifying retinal biomarkers in the early stages of AD. However, the examination of AD is not without its challenges, as the similarities shared with other retinal diseases introduce complexity in the search for AD-specific markers. In this review, we address the relevance of using the retina for the early diagnosis of AD and the complex challenges associated with the search for AD-specific retinal biomarkers. We provide a comprehensive overview of the current landscape and highlight avenues for progress in AD diagnosis by retinal examination.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Rupali Vohra
- Eye Translational Research Unit, Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, University of Copenhagen, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Ophthalmology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, 2600 Glostrup, Denmark
| | - Kristine Freude
- Group of Stem Cell Models and Embryology, Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 1870 Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | - Peter van Wijngaarden
- Center for Eye Research Australia, Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, East Melbourne, VIC 3002, Australia
- Ophthalmology, Department of Surgery, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Keith Martin
- Center for Eye Research Australia, Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, East Melbourne, VIC 3002, Australia
- Ophthalmology, Department of Surgery, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, UK
| | - Maj Schneider Thomsen
- Neurobiology Research and Drug Delivery, Department of Health, Science and Technology, Aalborg University, 9220 Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Blanca Irene Aldana
- Neurometabolism Research Group, Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, University of Copenhagen, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Miriam Kolko
- Eye Translational Research Unit, Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, University of Copenhagen, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Ophthalmology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, 2600 Glostrup, Denmark
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9
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Fernández-Albarral JA, Salobrar-García E, Matamoros JA, Fernández-Mendívil C, del Sastre E, Chen L, de Hoz R, López-Cuenca I, Sánchez-Puebla L, Ramírez JM, Salazar JJ, Lopez MG, Ramírez AI. Microglial Hemoxygenase-1 Deletion Reduces Inflammation in the Retina of Old Mice with Tauopathy. Antioxidants (Basel) 2022; 11:2151. [PMID: 36358522 PMCID: PMC9686584 DOI: 10.3390/antiox11112151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2022] [Revised: 10/27/2022] [Accepted: 10/27/2022] [Indexed: 09/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Tauopathies such as Alzheimer's disease are characterized by the accumulation of neurotoxic aggregates of tau protein. With aging and, especially, in Alzheimer's patients, the inducible enzyme heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1) progressively increases in microglia, causing iron accumulation, neuroinflammation, and neurodegeneration. The retina is an organ that can be readily accessed and can reflect changes that occur in the brain. In this context, we evaluated how the lack of microglial HO-1, using mice that do not express HO-1 in microglia (HMO-KO), impacts retinal macro and microgliosis of aged subjects (18 months old mice) subjected to tauopathy by intrahippocampal delivery of AAV-hTauP301L (TAU). Our results show that although tauopathy, measured as anti-TAUY9 and anti-AT8 positive immunostaining, was not observed in the retina of WT-TAU or HMO-KO+TAU mice, a morphometric study of retinal microglia and macroglia showed significant retinal changes in the TAU group compared to the WT group, such as: (i) increased number of activated microglia, (ii) retraction of microglial processes, (iii) increased number of CD68+ microglia, and (iv) increased retinal area occupied by GFAP (AROA) and C3 (AROC3). This retinal inflammatory profile was reduced in HMO-KO+TAU mice. Conclusion: Reduction of microglial HO-1 could be beneficial to prevent tauopathy-induced neuroinflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- José A. Fernández-Albarral
- Instituto de Investigaciones Oftalmológicas Ramón Castroviejo, Grupo UCM 920105, IdISSC, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Elena Salobrar-García
- Instituto de Investigaciones Oftalmológicas Ramón Castroviejo, Grupo UCM 920105, IdISSC, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain
- Facultad de Óptica y Optometría, Departamento de Inmunología, Oftalmología y ORL, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, 28037 Madrid, Spain
| | - José A. Matamoros
- Instituto de Investigaciones Oftalmológicas Ramón Castroviejo, Grupo UCM 920105, IdISSC, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain
- Facultad de Óptica y Optometría, Departamento de Inmunología, Oftalmología y ORL, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, 28037 Madrid, Spain
| | - Cristina Fernández-Mendívil
- Instituto Teófilo Hernando for Drug Discovery, Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Universidad Autónoma Madrid, 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitario (IIS-IP), Hospital Universitario de La Princesa, 28006 Madrid, Spain
| | - Eric del Sastre
- Instituto Teófilo Hernando for Drug Discovery, Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Universidad Autónoma Madrid, 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitario (IIS-IP), Hospital Universitario de La Princesa, 28006 Madrid, Spain
| | - Lejing Chen
- Instituto de Investigaciones Oftalmológicas Ramón Castroviejo, Grupo UCM 920105, IdISSC, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Rosa de Hoz
- Instituto de Investigaciones Oftalmológicas Ramón Castroviejo, Grupo UCM 920105, IdISSC, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain
- Facultad de Óptica y Optometría, Departamento de Inmunología, Oftalmología y ORL, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, 28037 Madrid, Spain
| | - Inés López-Cuenca
- Instituto de Investigaciones Oftalmológicas Ramón Castroviejo, Grupo UCM 920105, IdISSC, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Lidia Sánchez-Puebla
- Instituto de Investigaciones Oftalmológicas Ramón Castroviejo, Grupo UCM 920105, IdISSC, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - José M. Ramírez
- Instituto de Investigaciones Oftalmológicas Ramón Castroviejo, Grupo UCM 920105, IdISSC, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain
- Facultad de Medicina, Departamento de Inmunología, Oftalmología y ORL, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - Juan J. Salazar
- Instituto de Investigaciones Oftalmológicas Ramón Castroviejo, Grupo UCM 920105, IdISSC, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain
- Facultad de Óptica y Optometría, Departamento de Inmunología, Oftalmología y ORL, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, 28037 Madrid, Spain
| | - Manuela G. Lopez
- Instituto Teófilo Hernando for Drug Discovery, Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Universidad Autónoma Madrid, 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitario (IIS-IP), Hospital Universitario de La Princesa, 28006 Madrid, Spain
| | - Ana I. Ramírez
- Instituto de Investigaciones Oftalmológicas Ramón Castroviejo, Grupo UCM 920105, IdISSC, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain
- Facultad de Óptica y Optometría, Departamento de Inmunología, Oftalmología y ORL, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, 28037 Madrid, Spain
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10
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Xu QA, Boerkoel P, Hirsch-Reinshagen V, Mackenzie IR, Hsiung GYR, Charm G, To EF, Liu AQ, Schwab K, Jiang K, Sarunic M, Beg MF, Pham W, Cui J, To E, Lee S, Matsubara JA. Müller cell degeneration and microglial dysfunction in the Alzheimer's retina. Acta Neuropathol Commun 2022; 10:145. [PMID: 36199154 PMCID: PMC9533552 DOI: 10.1186/s40478-022-01448-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2022] [Accepted: 09/18/2022] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Amyloid beta (Aβ) deposits in the retina of the Alzheimer's disease (AD) eye may provide a useful diagnostic biomarker for AD. This study focused on the relationship of Aβ with macroglia and microglia, as these glial cells are hypothesized to play important roles in homeostasis and clearance of Aβ in the AD retina. Significantly higher Aβ load was found in AD compared to controls, and specifically in the mid-peripheral region. AD retina showed significantly less immunoreactivity against glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and glutamine synthetase (GS) compared to control eyes. Immunoreactivity against ionized calcium binding adapter molecule-1 (IBA-1), a microglial marker, demonstrated a higher level of microgliosis in AD compared to control retina. Within AD retina, more IBA-1 immunoreactivity was present in the mid-peripheral retina, which contained more Aβ than the central AD retina. GFAP co-localized rarely with Aβ, while IBA-1 co-localized with Aβ in more layers of control than AD donor retina. These results suggest that dysfunction of the Müller and microglial cells may be key features of the AD retina.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qinyuan Alis Xu
- grid.17091.3e0000 0001 2288 9830MD Undergraduate Program, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC Canada ,grid.17063.330000 0001 2157 2938Postgraduate Medical Education, Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Toronto, Barrie, ON Canada
| | - Pierre Boerkoel
- grid.17091.3e0000 0001 2288 9830MD Undergraduate Program, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC Canada
| | - Veronica Hirsch-Reinshagen
- grid.17091.3e0000 0001 2288 9830Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC Canada
| | - Ian R. Mackenzie
- grid.17091.3e0000 0001 2288 9830Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC Canada
| | - Ging-Yuek Robin Hsiung
- grid.17091.3e0000 0001 2288 9830Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC Canada
| | - Geoffrey Charm
- grid.17091.3e0000 0001 2288 9830Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Eye Care Centre, University of British Columbia, 2550 Willow Street, Vancouver, BC V5Z3N9 Canada
| | - Elliott F. To
- grid.17091.3e0000 0001 2288 9830Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Eye Care Centre, University of British Columbia, 2550 Willow Street, Vancouver, BC V5Z3N9 Canada
| | - Alice Q. Liu
- grid.17091.3e0000 0001 2288 9830MD Undergraduate Program, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC Canada
| | - Katerina Schwab
- grid.17091.3e0000 0001 2288 9830MD Undergraduate Program, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC Canada
| | - Kailun Jiang
- grid.17091.3e0000 0001 2288 9830Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Eye Care Centre, University of British Columbia, 2550 Willow Street, Vancouver, BC V5Z3N9 Canada
| | - Marinko Sarunic
- grid.61971.380000 0004 1936 7494School of Engineering Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC Canada
| | - Mirza Faisal Beg
- grid.61971.380000 0004 1936 7494School of Engineering Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC Canada
| | - Wellington Pham
- grid.152326.10000 0001 2264 7217Vanderbilt University Institute of Imaging Science, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, USA
| | - Jing Cui
- grid.17091.3e0000 0001 2288 9830Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Eye Care Centre, University of British Columbia, 2550 Willow Street, Vancouver, BC V5Z3N9 Canada
| | - Eleanor To
- grid.17091.3e0000 0001 2288 9830Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Eye Care Centre, University of British Columbia, 2550 Willow Street, Vancouver, BC V5Z3N9 Canada
| | - Sieun Lee
- grid.61971.380000 0004 1936 7494School of Engineering Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC Canada ,grid.4563.40000 0004 1936 8868Mental Health & Clinical Neurosciences, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, England
| | - Joanne A. Matsubara
- grid.17091.3e0000 0001 2288 9830Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Eye Care Centre, University of British Columbia, 2550 Willow Street, Vancouver, BC V5Z3N9 Canada
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11
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Shi H, Yin Z, Koronyo Y, Fuchs DT, Sheyn J, Davis MR, Wilson JW, Margeta MA, Pitts KM, Herron S, Ikezu S, Ikezu T, Graham SL, Gupta VK, Black KL, Mirzaei M, Butovsky O, Koronyo-Hamaoui M. Regulating microglial miR-155 transcriptional phenotype alleviates Alzheimer's-induced retinal vasculopathy by limiting Clec7a/Galectin-3 + neurodegenerative microglia. Acta Neuropathol Commun 2022; 10:136. [PMID: 36076283 PMCID: PMC9461176 DOI: 10.1186/s40478-022-01439-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2022] [Accepted: 08/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Single cell RNA sequencing studies identified novel neurodegeneration-associated microglial (MGnD/DAM) subtypes activated around cerebral amyloid plaques. Micro-RNA (miR)-155 of the TREM2-APOE pathway was shown to be a key transcriptional regulator of MGnD microglial phenotype. Despite growing interest in studying manifestations of Alzheimer's disease (AD) in the retina, a CNS organ accessible to noninvasive high-resolution imaging, to date MGnD microglia have not been studied in the AD retina. Here, we discovered the presence and increased populations of Clec7a+ and Galectin-3+ MGnD microglia in retinas of transgenic APPSWE/PS1L166P AD-model mice. Conditionally targeting MGnD microglia by miR-155 ablation via the tamoxifen-inducible CreERT2 system in APPSWE/PS1L166P mice diminished retinal Clec7a+ and Galectin-3+ microglial populations while increasing homeostatic P2ry12+ microglia. Retinal MGnD microglia were often adhering to microvessels; their depletion protected the inner blood-retina barrier and reduced vascular amyloidosis. Microglial miR-155 depletion further limits retinal inflammation. Mass spectrometry analysis revealed enhanced retinal PI3K-Akt signaling and predicted IL-8 and Spp1 decreases in mice with microglia-specific miR-155 knockout. Overall, this study identified MGnD microglia in APPSWE/PS1L166P mouse retina. Transcriptional regulation of these dysfunctional microglia mitigated retinal inflammation and vasculopathy. The protective effects of microglial miR-155 ablation should shed light on potential treatments for retinal inflammation and vascular damage during AD and other ocular diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haoshen Shi
- Department of Neurosurgery, Maxine Dunitz Neurosurgical Research Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, 127 S. San Vicente Blvd., Los Angeles, CA, A6212, USA
| | - Zhuoran Yin
- Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Yosef Koronyo
- Department of Neurosurgery, Maxine Dunitz Neurosurgical Research Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, 127 S. San Vicente Blvd., Los Angeles, CA, A6212, USA
| | - Dieu-Trang Fuchs
- Department of Neurosurgery, Maxine Dunitz Neurosurgical Research Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, 127 S. San Vicente Blvd., Los Angeles, CA, A6212, USA
| | - Julia Sheyn
- Department of Neurosurgery, Maxine Dunitz Neurosurgical Research Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, 127 S. San Vicente Blvd., Los Angeles, CA, A6212, USA
| | - Miyah R Davis
- Department of Neurosurgery, Maxine Dunitz Neurosurgical Research Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, 127 S. San Vicente Blvd., Los Angeles, CA, A6212, USA
| | - Jered W Wilson
- Department of Neurosurgery, Maxine Dunitz Neurosurgical Research Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, 127 S. San Vicente Blvd., Los Angeles, CA, A6212, USA
| | - Milica A Margeta
- Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Kristen M Pitts
- Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Shawn Herron
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Seiko Ikezu
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic Florida, Jacksonville, FL, USA
| | - Tsuneya Ikezu
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic Florida, Jacksonville, FL, USA
| | - Stuart L Graham
- Department of Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Vivek K Gupta
- Department of Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Keith L Black
- Department of Neurosurgery, Maxine Dunitz Neurosurgical Research Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, 127 S. San Vicente Blvd., Los Angeles, CA, A6212, USA
| | - Mehdi Mirzaei
- Department of Molecular Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Department of Molecular Sciences and Australian Proteome Analysis Facility, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Oleg Butovsky
- Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Evergrande Center for Immunologic Diseases, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Maya Koronyo-Hamaoui
- Department of Neurosurgery, Maxine Dunitz Neurosurgical Research Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, 127 S. San Vicente Blvd., Los Angeles, CA, A6212, USA.
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Division of Applied Cell Biology and Physiology, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
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12
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Frame G, Schuller A, Smith MA, Crish SD, Dengler-Crish CM. Alterations in Retinal Signaling Across Age and Sex in 3xTg Alzheimer’s Disease Mice. J Alzheimers Dis 2022; 88:471-492. [PMID: 35599482 PMCID: PMC9398084 DOI: 10.3233/jad-220016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
Background: Visual disturbances often precede cognitive dysfunction in patients with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and may coincide with early accumulation of amyloid-β (Aβ) protein in the retina. These findings have inspired critical research on in vivo ophthalmic Aβ imaging for disease biomarker detection but have not fully answered mechanistic questions on how retinal pathology affects visual signaling between the eye and brain. Objective: The goal of this study was to provide a functional and structural assessment of eye-brain communication between retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) and their primary projection target, the superior colliculus, in female and male 3xTg-AD mice across disease stages. Methods: Retinal electrophysiology, axonal transport, and immunofluorescence were used to determine RGC projection integrity, and retinal and collicular Aβ levels were assessed with advanced protein quantitation techniques. Results: 3xTg mice exhibited nuanced deficits in RGC electrical signaling, axonal transport, and synaptic integrity that exceeded normal age-related decrements in RGC function in age- and sex-matched healthy control mice. These deficits presented in sex-specific patterns among 3xTg mice, differing in the timing and severity of changes. Conclusion: These data support the premise that retinal Aβ is not just a benign biomarker in the eye, but may contribute to subtle, nuanced visual processing deficits. Such disruptions might enhance the biomarker potential of ocular amyloid and differentiate patients with incipient AD from patients experiencing normal age-related decrements in visual function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabrielle Frame
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeast Ohio Medical University, Rootstown, OH, USA
- Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program, Kent State University, Kent, OH, USA
| | - Adam Schuller
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeast Ohio Medical University, Rootstown, OH, USA
| | - Matthew A. Smith
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeast Ohio Medical University, Rootstown, OH, USA
- Rebecca D. Considine Research Institute, Akron Children’s Hospital, Akron, OH, USA
| | - Samuel D. Crish
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeast Ohio Medical University, Rootstown, OH, USA
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13
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Concomitant Retinal Alterations in Neuronal Activity and TNFα Pathway Are Detectable during the Pre-Symptomatic Stage in a Mouse Model of Alzheimer's Disease. Cells 2022; 11:cells11101650. [PMID: 35626688 PMCID: PMC9140134 DOI: 10.3390/cells11101650] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2022] [Revised: 04/21/2022] [Accepted: 05/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022] Open
Abstract
The pre-symptomatic stage of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is associated with increased amyloid-β (Aβ) precursor protein (APP) processing and Aβ accumulation in the retina and hippocampus. Because neuronal dysfunctions are among the earliest AD-related alterations, we asked whether they are already detectable in the retina during the pre-symptomatic stage in a APPswePS1dE9 (APP/PS1) mouse model. The age chosen for the study (3–4 months) corresponds to the pre-symptomatic stage because no retinal Aβ was detected, in spite of the presence of βCTF (the first cleavage product of APP). We observed an increase in ERG amplitudes in APP/PS1 mice in comparison to the controls, which indicated an increased retinal neuron activity. These functional changes coincided with an increased expression of retinal TNFα and its receptors type-1 (TNFR1). Consistently, the IkB expression increased in APP/PS1 mice with a greater proportion of the phosphorylated protein (P-IkB) over total IkB, pointing to the putative involvement of the NFkB pathway. Because TNFα plays a crucial role in the control of neuronal excitability, it is likely that, as in the hippocampus, TNFα signaling via the TNFR1/NFkB pathway may be also involved in early, AD-associated, retinal neuron hyperexcitability. These results further demonstrate the interest of the retina for early disease detection with a potential to assess future therapeutic strategies.
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14
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Zhang J, Shi L, Shen Y. The retina: A window in which to view the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease. Ageing Res Rev 2022; 77:101590. [PMID: 35192959 DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2022.101590] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2021] [Revised: 01/14/2022] [Accepted: 02/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most familiar type of dementia affecting elderly populations worldwide. Studies of AD patients and AD transgenic mice have revealed alterations in the retina similar to alterations which occur in the AD brain. Moreover, AD retinal pathology occurs even earlier than AD brain pathology. Importantly, non-invasive imaging techniques can be utilized for retinal observation due to the unique optical transparency of the eye, which acts as a convenient window in which preclinical pathology in the AD brain can be monitored. In this review, we overview the existing literature covering different forms of AD retinal pathology and propose a basis for the clinical application of using the retina as a window to view AD during preclinical and clinical stages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Zhang
- Institute on Aging and Brain Disorders, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Neurodegenerative Disorder Research Center, School of Life Science, Division of Life Science and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
| | - Lei Shi
- Institute on Aging and Brain Disorders, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Neurodegenerative Disorder Research Center, School of Life Science, Division of Life Science and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
| | - Yong Shen
- Institute on Aging and Brain Disorders, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Neurodegenerative Disorder Research Center, School of Life Science, Division of Life Science and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China; Center for Excellence in Brain Sciences and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China.
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15
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Liu J, Baum L, Yu S, Lin Y, Xiong G, Chang RCC, So KF, Chiu K. Preservation of Retinal Function Through Synaptic Stabilization in Alzheimer's Disease Model Mouse Retina by Lycium Barbarum Extracts. Front Aging Neurosci 2022; 13:788798. [PMID: 35095474 PMCID: PMC8792986 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2021.788798] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2021] [Accepted: 12/20/2021] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
In Alzheimer's disease (AD), amyloid β deposition-induced hippocampal synaptic dysfunction generally begins prior to neuronal degeneration and memory impairment. Lycium barbarum extracts (LBE) have been demonstrated to be neuroprotective in various animal models of neurodegeneration. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of LBE on the synapse loss in AD through the avenue of the retina in a triple transgenic mouse model of AD (3xTg-AD). We fed 3xTg-AD mice with low (200 mg/kg) or high (2 g/kg) dose hydrophilic LBE daily for 2 months from the starting age of 4- or 6-month-old. For those started at 6 month age, at 1 month (though not 2 months) after starting treatment, mice given high dose LBE showed a significant increase of a wave and b wave in scotopic ERG. After 2 months of treatment with high dose LBE, calpain-2, calpain-5, and the oxidative RNA marker 8-OHG were downregulated, and presynaptic densities in the inner plexiform layer but not the outer plexiform layer of the retina were significantly increased, suggesting the presynaptic structure of retina was preserved. Our results indicate that LBE feeding may preserve synapse stability in the retina of 3xTg-AD mice, probably by decreasing both oxidative stress and intracellular calcium influx. Thus, LBE might have potential as a neuroprotectant for AD through synapse preservation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinfeng Liu
- Department of Ophthalmology, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Larry Baum
- Department of Psychiatry, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, China
- State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Shasha Yu
- Department of Ophthalmology, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Tianjin Key Lab of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Clinical College of Ophthalmology, Tianjin Eye Hospital, Nankai University Eye Hospital, Tianjin Eye Institute, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Youhong Lin
- Department of Ophthalmology, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Guoying Xiong
- Department of Ophthalmology, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Raymond Chuen-Chung Chang
- State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Diseases, School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Kwok Fai So
- Department of Ophthalmology, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, China
- State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Department of Psychology, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Guangdong-Hongkong-Macau Institute of CNS Regeneration, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
- Kwok Fai So
| | - Kin Chiu
- Department of Ophthalmology, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, China
- State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Department of Psychology, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, China
- *Correspondence: Kin Chiu
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16
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Guo L, Ravindran N, Shamsher E, Hill D, Cordeiro MF. Retinal Changes in Transgenic Mouse Models of Alzheimer's Disease. Curr Alzheimer Res 2021; 18:89-102. [PMID: 33855942 DOI: 10.2174/1567205018666210414113634] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2020] [Revised: 02/09/2021] [Accepted: 04/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder, the most common form of dementia. AD is characterised by amyloid-β (Aβ) plaques and neurofibrillary tangles (NFT) in the brain, in association with neuronal loss and synaptic failure, causing cognitive deficits. Accurate and early diagnosis is currently unavailable in lifespan, hampering early intervention of potential new treatments. Visual deficits have been well documented in AD patients, and the pathological changes identified in the brain are also believed to be found in the retina, an integral part of the central nervous system. Retinal changes can be detected by real-time non-invasive imaging, due to the transparent nature of the ocular media, potentially allowing an earlier diagnosis as well as monitoring disease progression and treatment outcome. Animal models are essential for AD research, and this review has a focus on retinal changes in various transgenic AD mouse models with retinal imaging and immunohistochemical analysis as well as therapeutic effects in those models. We also discuss the limitations of transgenic AD models in clinical translations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Guo
- Glaucoma & Retinal Neurodegeneration Research Group, Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Nivedita Ravindran
- Glaucoma & Retinal Neurodegeneration Research Group, Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Ehtesham Shamsher
- Glaucoma & Retinal Neurodegeneration Research Group, Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Daniel Hill
- Glaucoma & Retinal Neurodegeneration Research Group, Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - M Francesca Cordeiro
- Glaucoma & Retinal Neurodegeneration Research Group, Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London, United Kingdom
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17
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Palmer D, Dumont JR, Dexter TD, Prado MAM, Finger E, Bussey TJ, Saksida LM. Touchscreen cognitive testing: Cross-species translation and co-clinical trials in neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric disease. Neurobiol Learn Mem 2021; 182:107443. [PMID: 33895351 DOI: 10.1016/j.nlm.2021.107443] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2020] [Revised: 02/06/2021] [Accepted: 02/26/2021] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Translating results from pre-clinical animal studies to successful human clinical trials in neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric disease presents a significant challenge. While this issue is clearly multifaceted, the lack of reproducibility and poor translational validity of many paradigms used to assess cognition in animal models are central contributors to this challenge. Computer-automated cognitive test batteries have the potential to substantially improve translation between pre-clinical studies and clinical trials by increasing both reproducibility and translational validity. Given the structured nature of data output, computer-automated tests also lend themselves to increased data sharing and other open science good practices. Over the past two decades, computer automated, touchscreen-based cognitive testing methods have been developed for non-human primate and rodent models. These automated methods lend themselves to increased standardization, hence reproducibility, and have become increasingly important for the elucidation of the neurobiological basis of cognition in animal models. More recently, there have been increased efforts to use these methods to enhance translational validity by developing task batteries that are nearly identical across different species via forward (i.e., translating animal tasks to humans) and reverse (i.e., translating human tasks to animals) translation. An additional benefit of the touchscreen approach is that a cross-species cognitive test battery makes it possible to implement co-clinical trials-an approach developed initially in cancer research-for novel treatments for neurodegenerative disorders. Co-clinical trials bring together pre-clinical and early clinical studies, which facilitates testing of novel treatments in mouse models with underlying genetic or other changes, and can help to stratify patients on the basis of genetic, molecular, or cognitive criteria. This approach can help to determine which patients should be enrolled in specific clinical trials and can facilitate repositioning and/or repurposing of previously approved drugs. This has the potential to mitigate the resources required to study treatment responses in large numbers of human patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Palmer
- Robarts Research Institute, The University of Western Ontario, Ontario, Canada; Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, The University of Western Ontario, Ontario, Canada.
| | - Julie R Dumont
- Robarts Research Institute, The University of Western Ontario, Ontario, Canada; BrainsCAN, The University of Western Ontario, Ontario, Canada
| | - Tyler D Dexter
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, The University of Western Ontario, Ontario, Canada; Graduate Program in Neuroscience, The University of Western Ontario, Ontario, Canada
| | - Marco A M Prado
- Robarts Research Institute, The University of Western Ontario, Ontario, Canada; Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, The University of Western Ontario, Ontario, Canada; Graduate Program in Neuroscience, The University of Western Ontario, Ontario, Canada; Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, The University of Western Ontario, Ontario, Canada
| | - Elizabeth Finger
- Robarts Research Institute, The University of Western Ontario, Ontario, Canada; Department of Clinical Neurological Sciences, The University of Western Ontario, Ontario, Canada; Lawson Health Research Institute, Ontario, Canada; Parkwood Institute, St. Josephs Health Care, Ontario, Canada
| | - Timothy J Bussey
- Robarts Research Institute, The University of Western Ontario, Ontario, Canada; Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, The University of Western Ontario, Ontario, Canada; Brain and Mind Institute, The University of Western Ontario, Ontario, Canada
| | - Lisa M Saksida
- Robarts Research Institute, The University of Western Ontario, Ontario, Canada; Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, The University of Western Ontario, Ontario, Canada; Brain and Mind Institute, The University of Western Ontario, Ontario, Canada
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18
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Araya-Arriagada J, Bello F, Shivashankar G, Neira D, Durán-Aniotz C, Acosta ML, Escobar MJ, Hetz C, Chacón M, Palacios AG. Retinal Ganglion Cells Functional Changes in a Mouse Model of Alzheimer's Disease Are Linked with Neurotransmitter Alterations. J Alzheimers Dis 2021; 82:S5-S18. [PMID: 33749647 DOI: 10.3233/jad-201195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most prevalent form of dementia worldwide. This neurodegenerative syndrome affects cognition, memory, behavior, and the visual system, particularly the retina. OBJECTIVE This work aims to determine whether the 5xFAD mouse, a transgenic model of AD, displays changes in the function of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) and if those alterations are correlated with changes in the expression of glutamate and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) neurotransmitters. METHODS In young (2-3-month-old) and adult (6-7-month-old) 5xFAD and WT mice, we have studied the physiological response, firing rate, and burst of RGCs to various types of visual stimuli using a multielectrode array system. RESULTS The firing rate and burst response in 5xFAD RGCs showed hyperactivity at the early stage of AD in young mice, whereas hypoactivity was seen at the later stage of AD in adults. The physiological alterations observed in 5xFAD correlate well with an increase in the expression of glutamate in the ganglion cell layer in young and adults. GABA staining increased in the inner nuclear and plexiform layer, which was more pronounced in the adult than the young 5xFAD retina, altering the excitation/inhibition balance, which could explain the observed early hyperactivity and later hypoactivity in RGC physiology. CONCLUSION These findings indicate functional changes may be caused by neurochemical alterations of the retina starting at an early stage of the AD disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joaquín Araya-Arriagada
- Centro Interdisciplinario de Neurociencia de Valparaíso, Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile.,Escuela de Tecnología Médica, Facultad de Salud, Universidad Santo Tomás, Chile
| | - Felipe Bello
- Department of Engineering Informatics, Universidad de Santiago, Santiago, Chile
| | - Gaganashree Shivashankar
- School of Optometry and Vision Science; Centre for Brain Research; Brain Research New Zealand; The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - David Neira
- Centro Interdisciplinario de Neurociencia de Valparaíso, Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile
| | - Claudia Durán-Aniotz
- Center for Social and Cognitive Neuroscience, School of Psychology, Universidad Adolfo Ibáñez, Santiago de Chile, Chile
| | - Mónica L Acosta
- School of Optometry and Vision Science; Centre for Brain Research; Brain Research New Zealand; The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - María José Escobar
- Departamento de Electrónica, Universidad Técnica Federico Santa María, Valparaíso, Chile
| | - Claudio Hetz
- Biomedical Neuroscience Institute, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Max Chacón
- Department of Engineering Informatics, Universidad de Santiago, Santiago, Chile
| | - Adrián G Palacios
- Centro Interdisciplinario de Neurociencia de Valparaíso, Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile
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19
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Latina V, Giacovazzo G, Cordella F, Balzamino BO, Micera A, Varano M, Marchetti C, Malerba F, Florio R, Ercole BB, La Regina F, Atlante A, Coccurello R, Di Angelantonio S, Calissano P, Amadoro G. Systemic delivery of a specific antibody targeting the pathological N-terminal truncated tau peptide reduces retinal degeneration in a mouse model of Alzheimer's Disease. Acta Neuropathol Commun 2021; 9:38. [PMID: 33750467 PMCID: PMC7942014 DOI: 10.1186/s40478-021-01138-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2020] [Accepted: 02/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Retina and optic nerve are sites of extra-cerebral manifestations of Alzheimer's Disease (AD). Amyloid-β (Aβ) plaques and neurofibrillary tangles of hyperphosphorylated tau protein are detected in eyes from AD patients and transgenic animals in correlation with inflammation, reduction of synapses, visual deficits, loss of retinal cells and nerve fiber. However, neither the pathological relevance of other post-translational tau modifications-such as truncation with generation of toxic fragments-nor the potential neuroprotective action induced by their in vivo clearance have been investigated in the context of AD retinal degeneration. We have recently developed a monoclonal tau antibody (12A12mAb) which selectively targets the neurotoxic 20-22 kDa NH2-derived peptide generated from pathological truncation at the N-terminal domain of tau without cross-reacting with its full-length normal protein. Previous studies have shown that 12A12mAb, when intravenously (i.v.)-injected into 6-month-old Tg2576 animals, markedly improves their AD-like, behavioural and neuropathological syndrome. By taking advantage of this well-established tau-directed immunization regimen, we found that 12A12mAb administration also exerts a beneficial action on biochemical, morphological and metabolic parameters (i.e. APP/Aβ processing, tau hyperphosphorylation, neuroinflammation, synaptic proteins, microtubule stability, mitochondria-based energy production, neuronal death) associated with ocular injury in the AD phenotype. These findings prospect translational implications in the AD field by: (1) showing for the first time that cleavage of tau takes part in several pathological changes occurring in vivo in affected retinas and vitreous bodies and that its deleterious effects are successfully antagonized by administration of the specific 12A12mAb; (2) shedding further insights on the tight connections between neurosensory retina and brain, in particular following tau-based immunotherapy. In our view, the parallel response we detected in this preclinical animal model, both in the eye and in the hippocampus, following i.v. 12A12mAb injection opens novel diagnostic and therapeutic avenues for the clinical management of cerebral and extracerebral AD signs in human beings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Latina
- European Brain Research Institute (EBRI), Viale Regina Elena 295, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Giacomo Giacovazzo
- IRCSS Santa Lucia Foundation, Via Fosso del Fiorano 64-65, 00143 Rome, Italy
| | - Federica Cordella
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Rome La Sapienza, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
- Center for Life Nanoscience, Istituto Italiano Di Tecnologia, Viale Regina Elena 291, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Bijorn Omar Balzamino
- Research Laboratories in Ophthalmology, IRCCS - Fondazione Bietti, Via Santo Stefano Rotondo, 6, 00184 Rome, Italy
| | - Alessandra Micera
- Research Laboratories in Ophthalmology, IRCCS - Fondazione Bietti, Via Santo Stefano Rotondo, 6, 00184 Rome, Italy
| | - Monica Varano
- Research Laboratories in Ophthalmology, IRCCS - Fondazione Bietti, Via Santo Stefano Rotondo, 6, 00184 Rome, Italy
| | - Cristina Marchetti
- European Brain Research Institute (EBRI), Viale Regina Elena 295, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Malerba
- European Brain Research Institute (EBRI), Viale Regina Elena 295, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Rita Florio
- European Brain Research Institute (EBRI), Viale Regina Elena 295, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Bruno Bruni Ercole
- European Brain Research Institute (EBRI), Viale Regina Elena 295, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Federico La Regina
- European Brain Research Institute (EBRI), Viale Regina Elena 295, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Anna Atlante
- Institute of Biomembranes, Bioenergetics and Molecular Biotechnologies (IBIOM)-CNR, Via Amendola 122/O, 70126 Bari, Italy
| | - Roberto Coccurello
- IRCSS Santa Lucia Foundation, Via Fosso del Fiorano 64-65, 00143 Rome, Italy
- Institute for Complex System (ISC)-CNR, Via dei Taurini 19, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Silvia Di Angelantonio
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Rome La Sapienza, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
- Center for Life Nanoscience, Istituto Italiano Di Tecnologia, Viale Regina Elena 291, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Pietro Calissano
- European Brain Research Institute (EBRI), Viale Regina Elena 295, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Giuseppina Amadoro
- European Brain Research Institute (EBRI), Viale Regina Elena 295, 00161 Rome, Italy
- Institute of Translational Pharmacology (IFT), National Research Council (CNR), Via Fosso del Cavaliere 100, 00133 Rome, Italy
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20
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Rodrigues-Neves AC, Carecho R, Correia SC, Carvalho C, Campos EJ, Baptista FI, Moreira PI, Ambrósio AF. Retina and Brain Display Early and Differential Molecular and Cellular Changes in the 3xTg-AD Mouse Model of Alzheimer's Disease. Mol Neurobiol 2021; 58:3043-3060. [PMID: 33606195 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-021-02316-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2020] [Accepted: 01/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
The concept 'the retina as a window to the brain' has been increasingly explored in Alzheimer´s disease (AD) in recent years, since some patients present visual alterations before the first symptoms of dementia. The retina is an extension of the brain and can be assessed by noninvasive methods. However, assessing the retina for AD diagnosis is still a matter of debate. Using the triple transgenic mouse model of AD (3xTg-AD; males), this study was undertaken to investigate whether the retina and brain (hippocampus and cortex) undergo similar molecular and cellular changes during the early stages (4 and 8 months) of the pathology, and if the retina can anticipate the alterations occurring in the brain. We assessed amyloid-beta (Aβ) and hyperphosphorylated tau (p-tau) levels, barrier integrity, cell death, neurotransmitter levels, and glial changes. Overall, the retina, hippocampus, and cortex of 3xTg-AD are not significantly affected at these early stages. However, we detected a few differential changes in the retina and brain regions, and particularly a different profile in microglia branching in the retina and hippocampus, only at 4 months, where the number and length of the processes decreased in the retina and increased in the hippocampus. In summary, at the early stages of pathology, the retina, hippocampus, and cortex are not significantly affected but already present some molecular and cellular alterations. The retina did not mirror the changes detected in the brain, and these observations should be taking into account when using the retina as a potential diagnostic tool for AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Catarina Rodrigues-Neves
- Coimbra Institute for Clinical and Biomedical Research (iCBR), Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.,Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.,Clinical Academic Center of Coimbra (CACC), Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Rafael Carecho
- Coimbra Institute for Clinical and Biomedical Research (iCBR), Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.,Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.,Clinical Academic Center of Coimbra (CACC), Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Sónia Catarina Correia
- Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.,Clinical Academic Center of Coimbra (CACC), Coimbra, Portugal.,Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology (CNC), Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Cristina Carvalho
- Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.,Clinical Academic Center of Coimbra (CACC), Coimbra, Portugal.,Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology (CNC), Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Elisa Julião Campos
- Coimbra Institute for Clinical and Biomedical Research (iCBR), Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.,Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.,Clinical Academic Center of Coimbra (CACC), Coimbra, Portugal.,Association for Innovation and Biomedical Research on Light and Image (AIBILI), Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Filipa Isabel Baptista
- Coimbra Institute for Clinical and Biomedical Research (iCBR), Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.,Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.,Clinical Academic Center of Coimbra (CACC), Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Paula Isabel Moreira
- Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.,Clinical Academic Center of Coimbra (CACC), Coimbra, Portugal.,Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology (CNC), Coimbra, Portugal.,Institute of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - António Francisco Ambrósio
- Coimbra Institute for Clinical and Biomedical Research (iCBR), Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal. .,Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal. .,Clinical Academic Center of Coimbra (CACC), Coimbra, Portugal. .,Association for Innovation and Biomedical Research on Light and Image (AIBILI), Coimbra, Portugal.
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21
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Retinal Degeneration and Alzheimer's Disease: An Evolving Link. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21197290. [PMID: 33023198 PMCID: PMC7582766 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21197290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2020] [Revised: 09/15/2020] [Accepted: 09/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and glaucoma are degenerative conditions of the retina and a significant cause of irreversible blindness in developed countries. Alzheimer’s disease (AD), the most common dementia of the elderly, is often associated with AMD and glaucoma. The cardinal features of AD include extracellular accumulation of amyloid β (Aβ) and intracellular deposits of hyper-phosphorylated tau (p-tau). Neuroinflammation and brain iron dyshomeostasis accompany Aβ and p-tau deposits and, together, lead to progressive neuronal death and dementia. The accumulation of Aβ and iron in drusen, the hallmark of AMD, and Aβ and p-tau in retinal ganglion cells (RGC), the main retinal cell type implicated in glaucoma, and accompanying inflammation suggest overlapping pathology. Visual abnormalities are prominent in AD and are believed to develop before cognitive decline. Some are caused by degeneration of the visual cortex, while others are due to RGC loss or AMD-associated retinal degeneration. Here, we review recent information on Aβ, p-tau, chronic inflammation, and iron dyshomeostasis as common pathogenic mechanisms linking the three degenerative conditions, and iron chelation as a common therapeutic option for these disorders. Additionally discussed is the role of prion protein, infamous for prion disorders, in Aβ-mediated toxicity and, paradoxically, in neuroprotection.
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22
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Mirzaei N, Shi H, Oviatt M, Doustar J, Rentsendorj A, Fuchs DT, Sheyn J, Black KL, Koronyo Y, Koronyo-Hamaoui M. Alzheimer's Retinopathy: Seeing Disease in the Eyes. Front Neurosci 2020; 14:921. [PMID: 33041751 PMCID: PMC7523471 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2020.00921] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2020] [Accepted: 08/10/2020] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The neurosensory retina emerges as a prominent site of Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathology. As a CNS extension of the brain, the neuro retina is easily accessible for noninvasive, high-resolution imaging. Studies have shown that along with cognitive decline, patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and AD often suffer from visual impairments, abnormal electroretinogram patterns, and circadian rhythm disturbances that can, at least in part, be attributed to retinal damage. Over a decade ago, our group identified the main pathological hallmark of AD, amyloid β-protein (Aβ) plaques, in the retina of patients including early-stage clinical cases. Subsequent histological, biochemical and in vivo retinal imaging studies in animal models and in humans corroborated these findings and further revealed other signs of AD neuropathology in the retina. Among these signs, hyperphosphorylated tau, neuronal degeneration, retinal thinning, vascular abnormalities and gliosis were documented. Further, linear correlations between the severity of retinal and brain Aβ concentrations and plaque pathology were described. More recently, extensive retinal pericyte loss along with vascular platelet-derived growth factor receptor-β deficiency were discovered in postmortem retinas of MCI and AD patients. This progressive loss was closely associated with increased retinal vascular amyloidosis and predicted cerebral amyloid angiopathy scores. These studies brought excitement to the field of retinal exploration in AD. Indeed, many questions still remain open, such as queries related to the temporal progression of AD-related pathology in the retina compared to the brain, the relations between retinal and cerebral changes and whether retinal signs can predict cognitive decline. The extent to which AD affects the retina, including the susceptibility of certain topographical regions and cell types, is currently under intense investigation. Advances in retinal amyloid imaging, hyperspectral imaging, optical coherence tomography, and OCT-angiography encourage the use of such modalities to achieve more accurate, patient- and user-friendly, noninvasive detection and monitoring of AD. In this review, we summarize the current status in the field while addressing the many unknowns regarding Alzheimer's retinopathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nazanin Mirzaei
- Department of Neurosurgery, Maxine Dunitz Neurosurgical Research Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Haoshen Shi
- Department of Neurosurgery, Maxine Dunitz Neurosurgical Research Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Mia Oviatt
- Department of Neurosurgery, Maxine Dunitz Neurosurgical Research Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Jonah Doustar
- Department of Neurosurgery, Maxine Dunitz Neurosurgical Research Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Altan Rentsendorj
- Department of Neurosurgery, Maxine Dunitz Neurosurgical Research Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Dieu-Trang Fuchs
- Department of Neurosurgery, Maxine Dunitz Neurosurgical Research Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Julia Sheyn
- Department of Neurosurgery, Maxine Dunitz Neurosurgical Research Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Keith L. Black
- Department of Neurosurgery, Maxine Dunitz Neurosurgical Research Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Yosef Koronyo
- Department of Neurosurgery, Maxine Dunitz Neurosurgical Research Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Maya Koronyo-Hamaoui
- Department of Neurosurgery, Maxine Dunitz Neurosurgical Research Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, United States
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, United States
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23
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Martínez-González K, Islas-Hernández A, Martínez-Ezquerro JD, Bermúdez-Rattoni F, Garcia-delaTorre P. Telomere length and oxidative stress variations in a murine model of Alzheimer's disease progression. Eur J Neurosci 2020; 52:4863-4874. [PMID: 32594585 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.14877] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2019] [Revised: 06/15/2020] [Accepted: 06/16/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common cause of dementia, and ageing is its major risk factor. Changes in telomere length have been associated with ageing and some degenerative diseases. Our aim was to explore some of the molecular changes caused by the progression of AD in a transgenic murine model (3xTg-AD; B6; 129-Psen1 <tm1Mpm> Tg (APPSwe, tauP301L) 1Lfa). Telomere length was assessed by qPCR in both brain tissue and peripheral blood cells and compared between three age groups: 5, 9 and 13 months. In addition, a possible effect of oxidative stress on telomere length and AD progression was explored. Shorter telomeres were found in blood cells of older transgenic mice compared to younger and wild-type mice but no changes in telomere length in the hippocampus. An increase in oxidative stress with age was found for all strains, but no correlation was found between oxidative stress and shorter telomere length for transgenic mice. Telomere length and oxidative stress are affected by AD progression in the 3xTg-AD murine model. Changes in blood cells are more noticeable than changes in brain tissue, suggesting that systemic changes can be detected early in the disease in this murine model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katia Martínez-González
- Unidad de Investigación Médica en Enfermedades Neurológicas, Hospital de Especialidades, Centro Médico Nacional Siglo XXI, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Ciudad de Mexico, México.,Posgrado en Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, CDMX, Coyoacán, México
| | - Azul Islas-Hernández
- Unidad de Investigación Médica en Enfermedades Neurológicas, Hospital de Especialidades, Centro Médico Nacional Siglo XXI, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Ciudad de Mexico, México.,Posgrado en Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, CDMX, Coyoacán, México
| | - José Darío Martínez-Ezquerro
- Unidad de Investigación Epidemiológica y en Servicios de Salud, Área de Envejecimiento, Centro Médico Nacional Siglo XXI, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, México City, México
| | - Federico Bermúdez-Rattoni
- Instituto de Fisiología Celular, División de Neurociencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, CDMX, Mexico
| | - Paola Garcia-delaTorre
- Unidad de Investigación Médica en Enfermedades Neurológicas, Hospital de Especialidades, Centro Médico Nacional Siglo XXI, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Ciudad de Mexico, México
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24
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Interactions between Amyloid-Β Proteins and Human Brain Pericytes: Implications for the Pathobiology of Alzheimer's Disease. J Clin Med 2020; 9:jcm9051490. [PMID: 32429102 PMCID: PMC7290583 DOI: 10.3390/jcm9051490] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2020] [Revised: 05/08/2020] [Accepted: 05/12/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that is the most common cause of dementia, especially among aging populations. Despite advances in AD research, the underlying cause and the discovery of disease-modifying treatments have remained elusive. Two key features of AD pathology are the aberrant deposition of amyloid beta (amyloid-β or Aβ) proteins in the brain parenchyma and Aβ toxicity in brain pericytes of the neurovascular unit/blood–brain barrier (NVU/BBB). This toxicity induces oxidative stress in pericytes and leads to capillary constriction. The interaction between pericytes and Aβ proteins results in the release of endothelin-1 in the pericytes. Endothelin-1 interacts with ETA receptors to cause pericyte contraction. This pericyte-mediated constriction of brain capillaries can cause chronic hypoperfusion of the brain microvasculature, subsequently leading to the neurodegeneration and cognitive decline observed in AD patients. The interaction between Aβ proteins and brain pericytes is largely unknown and requires further investigation. This review provides an updated overview of the interaction between Aβ proteins with pericytes, one the most significant and often forgotten cellular components of the BBB and the inner blood–retinal barrier (IBRB). The IBRB has been shown to be a window into the central nervous system (CNS) that could allow the early diagnosis of AD pathology in the brain and the BBB using modern photonic imaging systems such as optical coherence tomography (OCT) and two-photon microscopy. In this review, I explore the regulation of Aβ proteins in the brain parenchyma, their role in AD pathobiology, and their association with pericyte function. This review discusses Aβ proteins and pericytes in the ocular compartment of AD patients as well as strategies to rescue or protect pericytes from the effects of Aβ proteins, or to replace them with healthy cells.
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25
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Ngolab J, Honma P, Rissman RA. Reflections on the Utility of the Retina as a Biomarker for Alzheimer's Disease: A Literature Review. Neurol Ther 2019; 8:57-72. [PMID: 31833024 PMCID: PMC6908534 DOI: 10.1007/s40120-019-00173-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
As a part of the central nervous system, the retina may reflect both physiologic processes and abnormalities related to diseases of the brain. Indeed, a concerted effort has been put forth to understand how Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathology may manifest in the retina as a means to assess the state of the AD brain. The development and refinement of ophthalmologic techniques for studying the retina in vivo have produced evidence of retinal degeneration in AD diagnosed patients. In this review, we will discuss retinal imaging techniques implemented to study the changes in AD retina as well as highlight the recent efforts made to correlate such findings to other clinical hallmarks of AD to assess the viability of the retina as a biomarker for AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer Ngolab
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Patrick Honma
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California, San Diego, CA, USA
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Robert A Rissman
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California, San Diego, CA, USA.
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26
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Liu Y, Wei W, Baazaoui N, Liu F, Iqbal K. Inhibition of AMD-Like Pathology With a Neurotrophic Compound in Aged Rats and 3xTg-AD Mice. Front Aging Neurosci 2019; 11:309. [PMID: 31803044 PMCID: PMC6877482 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2019.00309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2019] [Accepted: 10/28/2019] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Age-associated macular degeneration (AMD), which leads to loss of vision at its end stage, is one of the most common neurodegenerative diseases among the elderly. However, to date, no effective drug therapy is available for the prevention of AMD. Here, we report the occurrence of AMD pathology and its prevention by chronic treatment with the neurotrophic peptidergic compound P021, in aged rats and 3xTg-AD mice. We found photoreceptor degeneration, lipofuscin granules, vacuoles, and atrophy in retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) as well as Bruch’s membrane (BM) thickening; in aged rats, we even found rosette-like structure formation. Microgliosis and astrogliosis were observed in different retinal layers. In addition, we also found that total tau, phosphorylated tau, Aβ/APP, and VEGF were widely distributed in the sub-retina of aged rats and 3xTg mice. Importantly, chronic treatment with P021 for 3 months in rats and for 18 months in 3xTg mice ameliorated the pathological changes above. These findings indicate the therapeutic potential of P021 for prevention and treatment of AMD and retinal changes associated with aging and Alzheimer’s disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yinghua Liu
- Department of Neurochemistry, Inge Grundke-Iqbal Research Floor, New York State Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities, Staten Island, NY, United States.,Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Molecular Clinical Pharmacology, Fifth Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wei Wei
- Department of Neurochemistry, Inge Grundke-Iqbal Research Floor, New York State Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities, Staten Island, NY, United States.,Key Laboratory of State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine of China, Department of Pathophysiology, School of Medicine, Institute of Brain Research, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Narjes Baazaoui
- Department of Neurochemistry, Inge Grundke-Iqbal Research Floor, New York State Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities, Staten Island, NY, United States
| | - Fei Liu
- Department of Neurochemistry, Inge Grundke-Iqbal Research Floor, New York State Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities, Staten Island, NY, United States
| | - Khalid Iqbal
- Department of Neurochemistry, Inge Grundke-Iqbal Research Floor, New York State Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities, Staten Island, NY, United States
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27
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Sharafi SM, Sylvestre JP, Chevrefils C, Soucy JP, Beaulieu S, Pascoal TA, Arbour JD, Rhéaume MA, Robillard A, Chayer C, Rosa-Neto P, Mathotaarachchi SS, Nasreddine ZS, Gauthier S, Lesage F. Vascular retinal biomarkers improves the detection of the likely cerebral amyloid status from hyperspectral retinal images. ALZHEIMERS & DEMENTIA-TRANSLATIONAL RESEARCH & CLINICAL INTERVENTIONS 2019; 5:610-617. [PMID: 31650017 PMCID: PMC6804547 DOI: 10.1016/j.trci.2019.09.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Introduction This study investigates the relationship between retinal image features and β-amyloid (Aβ) burden in the brain with the aim of developing a noninvasive method to predict the deposition of Aβ in the brain of patients with Alzheimer's disease. Methods Retinal images from 20 cognitively impaired and 26 cognitively unimpaired cases were acquired (3 images per subject) using a hyperspectral retinal camera. The cerebral amyloid status was determined from binary reads by a panel of 3 expert raters on 18F-florbetaben positron-emission tomography (PET) studies. Image features from the hyperspectral retinal images were calculated, including vessels tortuosity and diameter and spatial-spectral texture measures in different retinal anatomical regions. Results Retinal venules of amyloid-positive subjects (Aβ+) showed a higher mean tortuosity compared with the amyloid-negative (Aβ−) subjects. Arteriolar diameter of Aβ+ subjects was found to be higher than the Aβ− subjects in a zone adjacent to the optical nerve head. Furthermore, a significant difference between texture measures built over retinal arterioles and their adjacent regions were observed in Aβ+ subjects when compared with the Aβ−. A classifier was trained to automatically discriminate subjects combining the extracted features. The classifier could discern Aβ+ subjects from Aβ− subjects with an accuracy of 85%. Discussion Significant differences in texture measures were observed in the spectral range 450 to 550 nm which is known as the spectral region known to be affected by scattering from amyloid aggregates in the retina. This study suggests that the inclusion of metrics related to the retinal vasculature and tissue-related textures extracted from vessels and surrounding regions could improve the discrimination performance of the cerebral amyloid status.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Jean-Paul Soucy
- Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Sylvain Beaulieu
- Département de médecine nucléaire, Hôpital Maisonneuve-Rosemont, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Tharick A Pascoal
- Translational Neuroimaging Laboratory, McGill Centre for Studies in Aging, Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | | | | | - Alain Robillard
- Département de psychiatrie, Hôpital Maisonneuve-Rosemont, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Céline Chayer
- Département de psychiatrie, Hôpital Maisonneuve-Rosemont, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Pedro Rosa-Neto
- Translational Neuroimaging Laboratory, McGill Centre for Studies in Aging Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Sulantha S Mathotaarachchi
- Translational Neuroimaging Laboratory, McGill Centre for Studies in Aging Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | | | - Serge Gauthier
- Alzheimer's Disease Research Unit, The McGill University Research Centre for Studies in Aging, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Frédéric Lesage
- Genie Electrique, Polytechnique Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,Research Center, Montreal Heart Institute, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
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28
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Non-invasive in vivo hyperspectral imaging of the retina for potential biomarker use in Alzheimer's disease. Nat Commun 2019; 10:4227. [PMID: 31530809 PMCID: PMC6748929 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-12242-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 127] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2018] [Accepted: 08/27/2019] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Studies of rodent models of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and of human tissues suggest that the retinal changes that occur in AD, including the accumulation of amyloid beta (Aβ), may serve as surrogate markers of brain Aβ levels. As Aβ has a wavelength-dependent effect on light scatter, we investigate the potential for in vivo retinal hyperspectral imaging to serve as a biomarker of brain Aβ. Significant differences in the retinal reflectance spectra are found between individuals with high Aβ burden on brain PET imaging and mild cognitive impairment (n = 15), and age-matched PET-negative controls (n = 20). Retinal imaging scores are correlated with brain Aβ loads. The findings are validated in an independent cohort, using a second hyperspectral camera. A similar spectral difference is found between control and 5xFAD transgenic mice that accumulate Aβ in the brain and retina. These findings indicate that retinal hyperspectral imaging may predict brain Aβ load. The use of PET for detection of Aβ in the brain in AD has limitations; studies also indicate that retinal changes, including Aβ deposition, occur in AD. Here the authors demonstrate the potential to use in vivo retinal hyperspectral imaging as a surrogate for brain accumulation of Aβ.
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29
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Zhang YS, Onishi AC, Zhou N, Song J, Samra S, Weintraub S, Fawzi AA. Characterization of Inner Retinal Hyperreflective Alterations in Early Cognitive Impairment on Adaptive Optics Scanning Laser Ophthalmoscopy. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2019; 60:3527-3536. [PMID: 31412112 PMCID: PMC6694736 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.19-27135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2019] [Accepted: 07/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose To examine inner retinal hyperreflective features on adaptive optics scanning laser ophthalmoscopy (AOSLO) in individuals with early cognitive impairment. Methods In this prospective, cross-sectional study, we enrolled 12 participants with either amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI, n = 10) or early dementia due to Alzheimer's disease (eAD, n = 2) and 12 age-, sex-, and race-matched cognitively normal controls. All participants completed AOSLO imaging of the inner retina. AOSLO montages of the peripapillary area were graded for hyperreflective features including granular membranes, mottled membranes, and nummular features. Regions of interest on AOSLO were compared qualitatively to corresponding optical coherence tomography (OCT) cross sections. OCT was also used to analyze peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness. Results Cognitively impaired individuals had a significantly higher number of granular membranes with a larger overall area compared to controls. The proportion of cognitively impaired individuals with two or more granular membranes was 41.7% compared to none in the control group. Granular membrane area was also inversely correlated with cognitive performance on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment. There was no difference between the two groups in terms of other membrane types or RNFL thickness. Conclusions Individuals with early cognitive impairment related to Alzheimer's show hyperreflective granular membranes on high-resolution imaging, which we hypothesize to be manifestations of inner retinal gliosis. The presence of these subtle hyperreflective membranes may obscure underlying RNFL thinning in these eyes on OCT imaging. The distinctive phenotype of granular membranes surrounding the optic nerve on AOSLO may represent a new potential biomarker of early Alzheimer's.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Stephanie Zhang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, United States
| | - Alex C. Onishi
- Department of Ophthalmology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, United States
| | - Nina Zhou
- Department of Ophthalmology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, United States
| | - Jessica Song
- Department of Ophthalmology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, United States
| | - Sahej Samra
- Department of Ophthalmology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, United States
| | - Sandra Weintraub
- Mesulam Center for Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer's Disease, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, United States
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, United States
| | - Amani A. Fawzi
- Department of Ophthalmology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, United States
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30
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Fernández-Albarral JA, Salobrar-García E, Martínez-Páramo R, Ramírez AI, de Hoz R, Ramírez JM, Salazar JJ. Retinal glial changes in Alzheimer's disease - A review. JOURNAL OF OPTOMETRY 2019; 12:198-207. [PMID: 30377086 PMCID: PMC6612028 DOI: 10.1016/j.optom.2018.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2018] [Revised: 07/11/2018] [Accepted: 07/13/2018] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative dementia characterized by the deposition of extracellular β-amyloid (Aβ) plaques and the presence of neurofibrillary tangles. Until now, the techniques used to analyze these deposits have been difficult to access, invasive, and expensive. This leads us to consider new access routes to the central nervous system (CNS), allowing us to diagnose the disease before the first symptoms appear. Recent studies have shown that microglial and macroglial cell activation could play a role in the development of this disease. Glial cells in the CNS can respond to various damages, such as neurodegenerative pathologies, with morphological and functional changes. These changes are a common feature in neurodegenerative diseases, including AD. The retina is considered an extension of the CNS and has a population of glial cells similar to that of the CNS. When glial cells are activated, various molecules are released and changes in glial cell expression occur, which can be indicators of neuronal damage. The objective of this review is to compile the most relevant findings in the last 10 years relating to alterations in the eye in AD, and the role that glial cells play in the degenerative process in the retina in the context of neurodegeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- José A Fernández-Albarral
- Instituto de Investigaciones Oftalmológicas Ramón Castroviejo, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Spain
| | - Elena Salobrar-García
- Instituto de Investigaciones Oftalmológicas Ramón Castroviejo, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Spain
| | - Rebeca Martínez-Páramo
- Instituto de Investigaciones Oftalmológicas Ramón Castroviejo, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Spain
| | - Ana I Ramírez
- Instituto de Investigaciones Oftalmológicas Ramón Castroviejo, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Spain; Facultad de Óptica y Optometría, Departamento de Inmunología, Oftalmología y ORL, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Spain
| | - Rosa de Hoz
- Instituto de Investigaciones Oftalmológicas Ramón Castroviejo, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Spain; Facultad de Óptica y Optometría, Departamento de Inmunología, Oftalmología y ORL, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Spain
| | - José M Ramírez
- Instituto de Investigaciones Oftalmológicas Ramón Castroviejo, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Spain; Facultad de Medicina, Departamento de Inmunología, Oftalmología y ORL, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Spain.
| | - Juan J Salazar
- Instituto de Investigaciones Oftalmológicas Ramón Castroviejo, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Spain; Facultad de Óptica y Optometría, Departamento de Inmunología, Oftalmología y ORL, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Spain.
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31
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King JL, Wong AA, Brown RE. Age-Related Changes in the Spatial Frequency Threshold of Male and Female 3xTg-AD Mice Using OptoMotry. J Alzheimers Dis 2019; 62:591-596. [PMID: 29480178 DOI: 10.3233/jad-170805] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Visual impairments and retinal abnormalities occur in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and in mouse models of AD. It is important to know the visual ability of mouse models of AD to ensure that age-related cognitive deficits are not confounded by visual impairments. Using OptoMotry, the spatial frequency thresholds of male and female 3xTg-AD mice did not differ from their B6129SF2 wildtype controls between 1-18 months of age, but females had higher spatial frequency thresholds than males. However, the differences were quite small, and the visual ability of all mice was comparable to that of C57BL/6 mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jillian L King
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Aimée A Wong
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Richard E Brown
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
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32
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Chiquita S, Rodrigues-Neves AC, Baptista FI, Carecho R, Moreira PI, Castelo-Branco M, Ambrósio AF. The Retina as a Window or Mirror of the Brain Changes Detected in Alzheimer's Disease: Critical Aspects to Unravel. Mol Neurobiol 2019; 56:5416-5435. [PMID: 30612332 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-018-1461-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2018] [Accepted: 12/17/2018] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease is the most frequent cause of dementia worldwide, representing a global health challenge, with a massive impact on the quality of life of Alzheimer's disease patients and their relatives. The diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease constitutes a real challenge, because the symptoms manifest years after the first degenerative changes occurring in the brain and the diagnosis is based on invasive and/or expensive techniques. Therefore, there is an urgent need to identify new reliable biomarkers to detect Alzheimer's disease at an early stage. Taking into account the evidence for visual deficits in Alzheimer's disease patients, sometimes even before the appearance of the first disease symptoms, and that the retina is an extension of the brain, the concept of the retina as a window to look into the brain or a mirror of the brain has received increasing interest in recent years. However, only a few studies have assessed the changes occurring in the retina and the brain at the same time points. Unlike previous reviews on this subject, which are mainly focused on brain changes, we organized this review by comprehensively summarizing findings related with structural, functional, cellular, and molecular parameters in the retina reported in both Alzheimer's disease patients and animal models. Moreover, we separated the studies that assessed only the retina, and those that assessed both the retina and brain, which are few but allow establishing correlations between the retina and brain. This review also highlights some inconsistent results in the literature as well as relevant missing gaps in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel Chiquita
- iCBR, Coimbra Institute for Clinical and Biomedical Research, Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
- CNC.IBILI Consortium, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Ana C Rodrigues-Neves
- iCBR, Coimbra Institute for Clinical and Biomedical Research, Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
- CNC.IBILI Consortium, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Filipa I Baptista
- iCBR, Coimbra Institute for Clinical and Biomedical Research, Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
- CNC.IBILI Consortium, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Rafael Carecho
- iCBR, Coimbra Institute for Clinical and Biomedical Research, Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
- CNC.IBILI Consortium, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Paula I Moreira
- CNC.IBILI Consortium, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
- CNC, Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
- Institute of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Miguel Castelo-Branco
- CNC.IBILI Consortium, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
- CIBIT, Coimbra Institute for Biomedical Imaging and Translational Research, ICNAS, Institute of Nuclear Sciences Applied to Health, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - António F Ambrósio
- iCBR, Coimbra Institute for Clinical and Biomedical Research, Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.
- CNC.IBILI Consortium, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.
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33
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Cerquera-Jaramillo MA, Nava-Mesa MO, González-Reyes RE, Tellez-Conti C, de-la-Torre A. Visual Features in Alzheimer's Disease: From Basic Mechanisms to Clinical Overview. Neural Plast 2018; 2018:2941783. [PMID: 30405709 PMCID: PMC6204169 DOI: 10.1155/2018/2941783] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2018] [Accepted: 08/07/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the leading cause of dementia worldwide. It compromises patients' daily activities owing to progressive cognitive deterioration, which has elevated direct and indirect costs. Although AD has several risk factors, aging is considered the most important. Unfortunately, clinical diagnosis is usually performed at an advanced disease stage when dementia is established, making implementation of successful therapeutic interventions difficult. Current biomarkers tend to be expensive, insufficient, or invasive, raising the need for novel, improved tools aimed at early disease detection. AD is characterized by brain atrophy due to neuronal and synaptic loss, extracellular amyloid plaques composed of amyloid-beta peptide (Aβ), and neurofibrillary tangles of hyperphosphorylated tau protein. The visual system and central nervous system share many functional components. Thus, it is plausible that damage induced by Aβ, tau, and neuroinflammation may be observed in visual components such as the retina, even at an early disease stage. This underscores the importance of implementing ophthalmological examinations, less invasive and expensive than other biomarkers, as useful measures to assess disease progression and severity in individuals with or at risk of AD. Here, we review functional and morphological changes of the retina and visual pathway in AD from pathophysiological and clinical perspectives.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mauricio O. Nava-Mesa
- Grupo de Investigación en Neurociencias (NeURos), Escuela de Medicina y Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Rodrigo E. González-Reyes
- Grupo de Investigación en Neurociencias (NeURos), Escuela de Medicina y Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Carlos Tellez-Conti
- Escuela Superior de Oftalmología-Instituto Barraquer de América, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Alejandra de-la-Torre
- Grupo de Investigación en Neurociencias (NeURos), Escuela de Medicina y Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia
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34
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Ocular amyloid imaging at the crossroad of Alzheimer's disease and age-related macular degeneration: implications for diagnosis and therapy. J Neurol 2018; 266:1566-1577. [PMID: 30155741 DOI: 10.1007/s00415-018-9028-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2018] [Revised: 08/18/2018] [Accepted: 08/20/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) and age-related macular degeneration (AMD) are important disorders of aging, but significant challenges remain in diagnosis and therapy. Amyloid-beta (Aβ), found in the brain and a defining feature of AD, has also been observed in the retina in both AD and AMD. While current diagnostic modalities for detecting Aβ in the brain are costly or invasive, Aβ in the retina can be noninvasively and conveniently imaged using modern photonic imaging systems such as optical coherence tomography (OCT). Moreover, since many of these retinal changes occur before degenerative changes can be detected in the brain, ocular amyloid biomarkers could be utilized to detect AD as well as AMD in their earliest stages when therapy may be most effective in halting disease progression. Novel technologies to quantify retinal biomarkers have the potential to facilitate early diagnosis and noninvasive monitoring of disease progression with important therapeutic implications.
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35
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Ocular and Visual Manifestation of the Alzheimer’s Disease: A Literature Review, Part I: Animal Models and Human Pathology. ARCHIVES OF NEUROSCIENCE 2018. [DOI: 10.5812/ans.74225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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36
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Grimaldi A, Brighi C, Peruzzi G, Ragozzino D, Bonanni V, Limatola C, Ruocco G, Di Angelantonio S. Inflammation, neurodegeneration and protein aggregation in the retina as ocular biomarkers for Alzheimer's disease in the 3xTg-AD mouse model. Cell Death Dis 2018; 9:685. [PMID: 29880901 PMCID: PMC5992214 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-018-0740-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 106] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2018] [Revised: 05/18/2018] [Accepted: 05/22/2018] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common cause of dementia in the elderly. In the pathogenesis of AD a pivotal role is played by two neurotoxic proteins that aggregate and accumulate in the central nervous system: amyloid beta and hyper-phosphorylated tau. Accumulation of extracellular amyloid beta plaques and intracellular hyper-phosphorylated tau tangles, and consequent neuronal loss begins 10–15 years before any cognitive impairment. In addition to cognitive and behavioral deficits, sensorial abnormalities have been described in AD patients and in some AD transgenic mouse models. Retina can be considered a simple model of the brain, as some pathological changes and therapeutic strategies from the brain may be observed or applicable to the retina. Here we propose new retinal biomarkers that could anticipate the AD diagnosis and help the beginning and the follow-up of possible future treatments. We analyzed retinal tissue of triple-transgenic AD mouse model (3xTg-AD) for the presence of pathological hallmarks during disease progression. We found the presence of amyloid beta plaques, tau tangles, neurodegeneration, and astrogliosis in the retinal ganglion cell layer of 3xTg-AD mice, already at pre-symptomatic stage. Moreover, retinal microglia in pre-symptomatic mice showed a ramified, anti-inflammatory phenotype which, during disease progression, switches to a pro-inflammatory, less ramified one, becoming neurotoxic. We hypothesize retina as a window through which monitor AD-related neurodegeneration process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alfonso Grimaldi
- Center for Life Nanoscience, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Rome, Italy
| | - Carlo Brighi
- Center for Life Nanoscience, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Rome, Italy
| | - Giovanna Peruzzi
- Center for Life Nanoscience, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Rome, Italy
| | - Davide Ragozzino
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy.,IRCCS Neuromed, Pozzilli, Italy
| | | | - Cristina Limatola
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy.,IRCCS Neuromed, Pozzilli, Italy
| | - Giancarlo Ruocco
- Center for Life Nanoscience, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Rome, Italy.,Department of Physics, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
| | - Silvia Di Angelantonio
- Center for Life Nanoscience, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Rome, Italy. .,Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy.
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37
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Chidlow G, Wood JPM, Manavis J, Finnie J, Casson RJ. Investigations into Retinal Pathology in the Early Stages of a Mouse Model of Alzheimer's Disease. J Alzheimers Dis 2018; 56:655-675. [PMID: 28035930 PMCID: PMC5271427 DOI: 10.3233/jad-160823] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
There is increasing recognition that visual performance is impaired in early stages of Alzheimer’s disease (AD); however, no consensus exists as to the mechanisms underlying this visual dysfunction, in particular regarding the timing, nature, and extent of retinal versus cortical pathology. If retinal pathology presents sufficiently early, it offers great potential as a source of novel biomarkers for disease diagnosis. The current project utilized an array of immunochemical and molecular tools to perform a characterization of retinal pathology in the early stages of disease progression using a well-validated mouse model of AD (APPSWE/PS1ΔE9). Analytical endpoints included examination of aberrant amyloid and tau in the retina, quantification of any neuronal degeneration, delineation of cellular stress responses of neurons and particularly glial cells, and investigation of oxidative stress. Brain, eyes, and optic nerves were taken from transgenic and wild-type mice of 3 to 12 months of age and processed for immunohistochemistry, qPCR, or western immunoblotting. The results revealed robust expression of the human APP transgene in the retinas of transgenic mice, but a lack of identifiable retinal pathology during the period when amyloid deposits were dramatically escalating in the brain. We were unable to demonstrate the presence of amyloid plaques, dystrophic neurites, neuronal loss, macro- or micro-gliosis, aberrant cell cycle re-entry, oxidative stress, tau hyperphosphorylation, or upregulations of proinflammatory cytokines or stress signaling molecules in the retina. The overall results do not support the hypothesis that detectable retinal pathology occurs concurrently with escalating amyloid deposition in the brains of APPSWE/PS1ΔE9 mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Glyn Chidlow
- Ophthalmic Research Laboratories, Hanson Institute Centre for Neurological Diseases, Adelaide, SA, Australia.,Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - John P M Wood
- Ophthalmic Research Laboratories, Hanson Institute Centre for Neurological Diseases, Adelaide, SA, Australia.,Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Jim Manavis
- School of Medicine, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - John Finnie
- School of Medicine, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia.,SA Pathology, Hanson Institute Centre for Neurological Diseases, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Robert J Casson
- Ophthalmic Research Laboratories, Hanson Institute Centre for Neurological Diseases, Adelaide, SA, Australia.,Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
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38
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Hampel H, Toschi N, Babiloni C, Baldacci F, Black KL, Bokde AL, Bun RS, Cacciola F, Cavedo E, Chiesa PA, Colliot O, Coman CM, Dubois B, Duggento A, Durrleman S, Ferretti MT, George N, Genthon R, Habert MO, Herholz K, Koronyo Y, Koronyo-Hamaoui M, Lamari F, Langevin T, Lehéricy S, Lorenceau J, Neri C, Nisticò R, Nyasse-Messene F, Ritchie C, Rossi S, Santarnecchi E, Sporns O, Verdooner SR, Vergallo A, Villain N, Younesi E, Garaci F, Lista S. Revolution of Alzheimer Precision Neurology. Passageway of Systems Biology and Neurophysiology. J Alzheimers Dis 2018; 64:S47-S105. [PMID: 29562524 PMCID: PMC6008221 DOI: 10.3233/jad-179932] [Citation(s) in RCA: 97] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
The Precision Neurology development process implements systems theory with system biology and neurophysiology in a parallel, bidirectional research path: a combined hypothesis-driven investigation of systems dysfunction within distinct molecular, cellular, and large-scale neural network systems in both animal models as well as through tests for the usefulness of these candidate dynamic systems biomarkers in different diseases and subgroups at different stages of pathophysiological progression. This translational research path is paralleled by an "omics"-based, hypothesis-free, exploratory research pathway, which will collect multimodal data from progressing asymptomatic, preclinical, and clinical neurodegenerative disease (ND) populations, within the wide continuous biological and clinical spectrum of ND, applying high-throughput and high-content technologies combined with powerful computational and statistical modeling tools, aimed at identifying novel dysfunctional systems and predictive marker signatures associated with ND. The goals are to identify common biological denominators or differentiating classifiers across the continuum of ND during detectable stages of pathophysiological progression, characterize systems-based intermediate endophenotypes, validate multi-modal novel diagnostic systems biomarkers, and advance clinical intervention trial designs by utilizing systems-based intermediate endophenotypes and candidate surrogate markers. Achieving these goals is key to the ultimate development of early and effective individualized treatment of ND, such as Alzheimer's disease. The Alzheimer Precision Medicine Initiative (APMI) and cohort program (APMI-CP), as well as the Paris based core of the Sorbonne University Clinical Research Group "Alzheimer Precision Medicine" (GRC-APM) were recently launched to facilitate the passageway from conventional clinical diagnostic and drug development toward breakthrough innovation based on the investigation of the comprehensive biological nature of aging individuals. The APMI movement is gaining momentum to systematically apply both systems neurophysiology and systems biology in exploratory translational neuroscience research on ND.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harald Hampel
- AXA Research Fund & Sorbonne Université Chair, Paris, France
- Sorbonne Université, AP-HP, GRC n° 21, Alzheimer Precision Medicine (APM), Hôpital de la Pitié-Salpêtrière, Boulevard de l’hôpital, F-75013, Paris, France
- Institut du Cerveau et de la Moelle Épinière (ICM), INSERM U 1127, CNRS UMR 7225, Boulevard de l’hôpital, F-75013, Paris, France
- Institut de la Mémoire et de la Maladie d’Alzheimer (IM2A), Département de Neurologie, Hôpital de la Pitié-Salpêtrière, AP-HP, Boulevard de l’hôpital, F-75013, Paris, France
| | - Nicola Toschi
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, Rome, Italy
- Department of Radiology, “Athinoula A. Martinos” Center for Biomedical Imaging, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Claudio Babiloni
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology “Vittorio Erspamer”, University of Rome “La Sapienza”, Rome, Italy
- Institute for Research and Medical Care, IRCCS “San Raffaele Pisana”, Rome, Italy
| | - Filippo Baldacci
- AXA Research Fund & Sorbonne Université Chair, Paris, France
- Sorbonne Université, AP-HP, GRC n° 21, Alzheimer Precision Medicine (APM), Hôpital de la Pitié-Salpêtrière, Boulevard de l’hôpital, F-75013, Paris, France
- Institut du Cerveau et de la Moelle Épinière (ICM), INSERM U 1127, CNRS UMR 7225, Boulevard de l’hôpital, F-75013, Paris, France
- Institut de la Mémoire et de la Maladie d’Alzheimer (IM2A), Département de Neurologie, Hôpital de la Pitié-Salpêtrière, AP-HP, Boulevard de l’hôpital, F-75013, Paris, France
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Keith L. Black
- Department of Neurosurgery, Maxine Dunitz Neurosurgical Research Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Arun L.W. Bokde
- Discipline of Psychiatry, School of Medicine and Trinity College Institute of Neuroscience (TCIN), Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - René S. Bun
- AXA Research Fund & Sorbonne Université Chair, Paris, France
- Sorbonne Université, AP-HP, GRC n° 21, Alzheimer Precision Medicine (APM), Hôpital de la Pitié-Salpêtrière, Boulevard de l’hôpital, F-75013, Paris, France
- Institut du Cerveau et de la Moelle Épinière (ICM), INSERM U 1127, CNRS UMR 7225, Boulevard de l’hôpital, F-75013, Paris, France
- Institut de la Mémoire et de la Maladie d’Alzheimer (IM2A), Département de Neurologie, Hôpital de la Pitié-Salpêtrière, AP-HP, Boulevard de l’hôpital, F-75013, Paris, France
| | - Francesco Cacciola
- Unit of Neurosurgery, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Senese, Siena, Italy
| | - Enrica Cavedo
- AXA Research Fund & Sorbonne Université Chair, Paris, France
- Sorbonne Université, AP-HP, GRC n° 21, Alzheimer Precision Medicine (APM), Hôpital de la Pitié-Salpêtrière, Boulevard de l’hôpital, F-75013, Paris, France
- Institut du Cerveau et de la Moelle Épinière (ICM), INSERM U 1127, CNRS UMR 7225, Boulevard de l’hôpital, F-75013, Paris, France
- Institut de la Mémoire et de la Maladie d’Alzheimer (IM2A), Département de Neurologie, Hôpital de la Pitié-Salpêtrière, AP-HP, Boulevard de l’hôpital, F-75013, Paris, France
- IRCCS “San Giovanni di Dio-Fatebenefratelli”, Brescia, Italy
| | - Patrizia A. Chiesa
- AXA Research Fund & Sorbonne Université Chair, Paris, France
- Sorbonne Université, AP-HP, GRC n° 21, Alzheimer Precision Medicine (APM), Hôpital de la Pitié-Salpêtrière, Boulevard de l’hôpital, F-75013, Paris, France
- Institut du Cerveau et de la Moelle Épinière (ICM), INSERM U 1127, CNRS UMR 7225, Boulevard de l’hôpital, F-75013, Paris, France
- Institut de la Mémoire et de la Maladie d’Alzheimer (IM2A), Département de Neurologie, Hôpital de la Pitié-Salpêtrière, AP-HP, Boulevard de l’hôpital, F-75013, Paris, France
| | - Olivier Colliot
- Inserm, U1127, Paris, France; CNRS, UMR 7225 ICM, Paris, France; Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, UMR S 1127, Paris, France; Institut du Cerveau et de la Moelle Épinière (ICM) Paris, France; Inria, Aramis project-team, Centre de Recherche de Paris, France; Department of Neuroradiology, AP-HP, Hôpital de la Pitié-Salpêtrière, Paris, France; Department of Neurology, AP-HP, Hôpital de la Pitié-Salpêtrière, Institut de la Mémoire et de la Maladie d’Alzheimer (IM2A), Paris, France
| | - Cristina-Maria Coman
- AXA Research Fund & Sorbonne Université Chair, Paris, France
- Sorbonne Université, AP-HP, GRC n° 21, Alzheimer Precision Medicine (APM), Hôpital de la Pitié-Salpêtrière, Boulevard de l’hôpital, F-75013, Paris, France
- Institut du Cerveau et de la Moelle Épinière (ICM), INSERM U 1127, CNRS UMR 7225, Boulevard de l’hôpital, F-75013, Paris, France
- Institut de la Mémoire et de la Maladie d’Alzheimer (IM2A), Département de Neurologie, Hôpital de la Pitié-Salpêtrière, AP-HP, Boulevard de l’hôpital, F-75013, Paris, France
| | - Bruno Dubois
- Sorbonne Université, Inserm, CNRS, Institut du Cerveau et de la Moelle Épinière (ICM), Département de Neurologie, Institut de la Mémoire et de la Maladie d’Alzheimer (IM2A), Hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière, Boulevard de l’hôpital, F-75013, Paris, France
| | - Andrea Duggento
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, Rome, Italy
| | - Stanley Durrleman
- Inserm, U1127, Paris, France; CNRS, UMR 7225 ICM, Paris, France; Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, UMR S 1127, Paris, France; Institut du Cerveau et de la Moelle Épinière (ICM) Paris, France; Inria, Aramis project-team, Centre de Recherche de Paris, France
| | - Maria-Teresa Ferretti
- IREM, Institute for Regenerative Medicine, University of Zurich, Zürich, Switzerland
- ZNZ Neuroscience Center Zurich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Nathalie George
- Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06 UMR S 1127, Inserm U 1127, CNRS UMR 7225, Institut du Cerveau et de la Moelle Épinière, ICM, Ecole Normale Supérieure, ENS, Centre MEG-EEG, F-75013, Paris, France
| | - Remy Genthon
- Sorbonne Université, Inserm, CNRS, Institut du Cerveau et de la Moelle Épinière (ICM), Département de Neurologie, Institut de la Mémoire et de la Maladie d’Alzheimer (IM2A), Hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière, Boulevard de l’hôpital, F-75013, Paris, France
| | - Marie-Odile Habert
- Département de Médecine Nucléaire, Hôpital de la Pitié-Salpêtrière, AP-HP, Paris, France
- Laboratoire d’Imagerie Biomédicale, Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, Inserm U 1146, CNRS UMR 7371, Paris, France
| | - Karl Herholz
- Division of Neuroscience and Experimental Psychology, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
- Division of Informatics, Imaging and Data Sciences, University of Manchester, Wolfson Molecular Imaging Centre, Manchester, UK
| | - Yosef Koronyo
- Department of Neurosurgery, Maxine Dunitz Neurosurgical Research Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Maya Koronyo-Hamaoui
- Department of Neurosurgery, Maxine Dunitz Neurosurgical Research Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Foudil Lamari
- AP-HP, UF Biochimie des Maladies Neuro-métaboliques, Service de Biochimie Métabolique, Groupe Hospitalier Pitié-Salpêtrière, Paris, France
| | | | - Stéphane Lehéricy
- Centre de NeuroImagerie de Recherche - CENIR, Institut du Cerveau et de la Moelle Épinière - ICM, F-75013, Paris, France
- Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06 UMR S 1127, Inserm U 1127, CNRS UMR 7225, ICM, F-75013, Paris, France
| | - Jean Lorenceau
- Institut de la Vision, INSERM, Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, UMR_S968, CNRS UMR7210, Paris, France
| | - Christian Neri
- Sorbonne Universités, Université Pierre et Marie Curie (UPMC) Paris 06, CNRS UMR 8256, Institut de Biologie Paris-Seine (IBPS), Place Jussieu, F-75005, Paris, France
| | - Robert Nisticò
- Department of Biology, University of Rome “Tor Vergata” & Pharmacology of Synaptic Disease Lab, European Brain Research Institute (E.B.R.I.), Rome, Italy
| | - Francis Nyasse-Messene
- Sorbonne Université, Inserm, CNRS, Institut du Cerveau et de la Moelle Épinière (ICM), Département de Neurologie, Institut de la Mémoire et de la Maladie d’Alzheimer (IM2A), Hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière, Boulevard de l’hôpital, F-75013, Paris, France
| | - Craig Ritchie
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Simone Rossi
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neurosciences, Unit of Neurology and Clinical Neurophysiology, Brain Investigation & Neuromodulation Lab. (Si-BIN Lab.), University of Siena, Siena, Italy
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neurosciences, Section of Human Physiology University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Emiliano Santarnecchi
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neurosciences, Unit of Neurology and Clinical Neurophysiology, Brain Investigation & Neuromodulation Lab. (Si-BIN Lab.), University of Siena, Siena, Italy
- Berenson-Allen Center for Noninvasive Brain Stimulation, Department of Neurology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Olaf Sporns
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, USA
- IU Network Science Institute, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, USA
| | | | - Andrea Vergallo
- AXA Research Fund & Sorbonne Université Chair, Paris, France
- Sorbonne Université, AP-HP, GRC n° 21, Alzheimer Precision Medicine (APM), Hôpital de la Pitié-Salpêtrière, Boulevard de l’hôpital, F-75013, Paris, France
- Institut du Cerveau et de la Moelle Épinière (ICM), INSERM U 1127, CNRS UMR 7225, Boulevard de l’hôpital, F-75013, Paris, France
- Institut de la Mémoire et de la Maladie d’Alzheimer (IM2A), Département de Neurologie, Hôpital de la Pitié-Salpêtrière, AP-HP, Boulevard de l’hôpital, F-75013, Paris, France
| | - Nicolas Villain
- Sorbonne Université, AP-HP, GRC n° 21, Alzheimer Precision Medicine (APM), Hôpital de la Pitié-Salpêtrière, Boulevard de l’hôpital, F-75013, Paris, France
- Institut du Cerveau et de la Moelle Épinière (ICM), INSERM U 1127, CNRS UMR 7225, Boulevard de l’hôpital, F-75013, Paris, France
- Institut de la Mémoire et de la Maladie d’Alzheimer (IM2A), Département de Neurologie, Hôpital de la Pitié-Salpêtrière, AP-HP, Boulevard de l’hôpital, F-75013, Paris, France
| | | | - Francesco Garaci
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, Rome, Italy
- Casa di Cura “San Raffaele Cassino”, Cassino, Italy
| | - Simone Lista
- AXA Research Fund & Sorbonne Université Chair, Paris, France
- Sorbonne Université, AP-HP, GRC n° 21, Alzheimer Precision Medicine (APM), Hôpital de la Pitié-Salpêtrière, Boulevard de l’hôpital, F-75013, Paris, France
- Institut du Cerveau et de la Moelle Épinière (ICM), INSERM U 1127, CNRS UMR 7225, Boulevard de l’hôpital, F-75013, Paris, France
- Institut de la Mémoire et de la Maladie d’Alzheimer (IM2A), Département de Neurologie, Hôpital de la Pitié-Salpêtrière, AP-HP, Boulevard de l’hôpital, F-75013, Paris, France
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Koronyo Y, Biggs D, Barron E, Boyer DS, Pearlman JA, Au WJ, Kile SJ, Blanco A, Fuchs DT, Ashfaq A, Frautschy S, Cole GM, Miller CA, Hinton DR, Verdooner SR, Black KL, Koronyo-Hamaoui M. Retinal amyloid pathology and proof-of-concept imaging trial in Alzheimer's disease. JCI Insight 2017; 2:93621. [PMID: 28814675 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.93621] [Citation(s) in RCA: 315] [Impact Index Per Article: 45.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2017] [Accepted: 07/07/2017] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Noninvasive detection of Alzheimer's disease (AD) with high specificity and sensitivity can greatly facilitate identification of at-risk populations for earlier, more effective intervention. AD patients exhibit a myriad of retinal pathologies, including hallmark amyloid β-protein (Aβ) deposits. METHODS Burden, distribution, cellular layer, and structure of retinal Aβ plaques were analyzed in flat mounts and cross sections of definite AD patients and controls (n = 37). In a proof-of-concept retinal imaging trial (n = 16), amyloid probe curcumin formulation was determined and protocol was established for retinal amyloid imaging in live patients. RESULTS Histological examination uncovered classical and neuritic-like Aβ deposits with increased retinal Aβ42 plaques (4.7-fold; P = 0.0063) and neuronal loss (P = 0.0023) in AD patients versus matched controls. Retinal Aβ plaque mirrored brain pathology, especially in the primary visual cortex (P = 0.0097 to P = 0.0018; Pearson's r = 0.84-0.91). Retinal deposits often associated with blood vessels and occurred in hot spot peripheral regions of the superior quadrant and innermost retinal layers. Transmission electron microscopy revealed retinal Aβ assembled into protofibrils and fibrils. Moreover, the ability to image retinal amyloid deposits with solid-lipid curcumin and a modified scanning laser ophthalmoscope was demonstrated in live patients. A fully automated calculation of the retinal amyloid index (RAI), a quantitative measure of increased curcumin fluorescence, was constructed. Analysis of RAI scores showed a 2.1-fold increase in AD patients versus controls (P = 0.0031). CONCLUSION The geometric distribution and increased burden of retinal amyloid pathology in AD, together with the feasibility to noninvasively detect discrete retinal amyloid deposits in living patients, may lead to a practical approach for large-scale AD diagnosis and monitoring. FUNDING National Institute on Aging award (AG044897) and The Saban and The Marciano Family Foundations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yosef Koronyo
- Department of Neurosurgery, Maxine Dunitz Neurosurgical Research Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - David Biggs
- NeuroVision Imaging LLC, Sacramento, California, USA
| | | | - David S Boyer
- Retina Vitreous Associates Medical Group, Beverly Hills, California, USA
| | - Joel A Pearlman
- Retinal Consultants Medical Group, Sacramento, California, USA
| | - William J Au
- Sutter Neuroscience Institute, Sacramento, California, USA
| | - Shawn J Kile
- Sutter Neuroscience Institute, Sacramento, California, USA
| | - Austin Blanco
- NeuroVision Imaging LLC, Sacramento, California, USA
| | - Dieu-Trang Fuchs
- Department of Neurosurgery, Maxine Dunitz Neurosurgical Research Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Adeel Ashfaq
- David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Sally Frautschy
- Departments of Neurology and Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA; Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA; and Veterans Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Gregory M Cole
- Departments of Neurology and Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA; Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA; and Veterans Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Carol A Miller
- Department of Pathology Program in Neuroscience, Keck School of Medicine, and
| | - David R Hinton
- Departments of Pathology and Ophthalmology, USC Roski Eye Institute, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | | | - Keith L Black
- Department of Neurosurgery, Maxine Dunitz Neurosurgical Research Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Maya Koronyo-Hamaoui
- Department of Neurosurgery, Maxine Dunitz Neurosurgical Research Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA.,Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, USA
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40
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Edwards MM, McLeod DS, Bhutto IA, Grebe R, Duffy M, Lutty GA. Subretinal Glial Membranes in Eyes With Geographic Atrophy. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2017; 58:1352-1367. [PMID: 28249091 PMCID: PMC5358932 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.16-21229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose Müller cells create the external limiting membrane (ELM) by forming junctions with photoreceptor cells. This study evaluated the relationship between focal photoreceptors and RPE loss in geographic atrophy (GA) and Müller cell extension into the subretinal space. Methods Human donor eyes with no retinal disease or geographic atrophy (GA) were fixed and the eye cups imaged. The retinal posterior pole was stained for glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP; astrocytes and activated Müller cells) and vimentin (Müller cells) while the submacular choroids were labeled with Ulex Europaeus Agglutinin lectin (blood vessels). Choroids and retinas were imaged using a Zeiss 710 confocal microscope. Additional eyes were cryopreserved or processed for transmission electron microscopy (TEM) to better visualize the Müller cells. Results Vimentin staining of aged control retinas (n = 4) revealed a panretinal cobblestone-like ELM. While this pattern was also observed in the GA retinas (n = 7), each also had a distinct area in which vimentin+ and vimentin+/GFAP+ processes created a subretinal membrane. Subretinal glial membranes closely matched areas of RPE atrophy in the gross photos. Choroidal vascular loss was also evident in these atrophic areas. Smaller glial projections were noted, which correlated with drusen in gross photos. The presence of glia in the subretinal space was confirmed by TEM and cross cross-section immunohistochemistry. Conclusions In eyes with GA, subretinal Müller cell membranes present in areas of RPE atrophy may be a Müller cell attempt to replace the ELM. These membranes could interfere with treatments such as stem cell therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Malia M Edwards
- Department of Ophthalmology, Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States
| | - D Scott McLeod
- Department of Ophthalmology, Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States
| | - Imran A Bhutto
- Department of Ophthalmology, Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States
| | - Rhonda Grebe
- Department of Ophthalmology, Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States
| | - Maeve Duffy
- Department of Ophthalmology, Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States
| | - Gerard A Lutty
- Department of Ophthalmology, Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States
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Beta-amyloid sequelae in the eye: a critical review on its diagnostic significance and clinical relevance in Alzheimer's disease. Mol Psychiatry 2017; 22:353-363. [PMID: 28093567 DOI: 10.1038/mp.2016.251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2016] [Revised: 10/31/2016] [Accepted: 11/22/2016] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive and fatal neurodegenerative disorder. There is no test for its definitive diagnosis in routine clinical practice. Although phase III clinical trials have failed, only symptomatic treatment is currently available; a possible reason for these failed trials is that intervention commenced at an advanced stage of the disease. The hallmarks of an AD brain include plaques comprising of extracellular beta-amyloid (Aβ) protein aggregates and intracellular hyperphosphorylated neurofibrillary tangles of tau. Research into the preclinical diagnosis of AD has provided considerable evidence regarding early neuropathological changes using brain Aβ imaging and the cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers, Aβ and tau. Both these approaches have limitations that are expensive, invasive or time consuming and thus preclude them from screening at-risk population. Recent studies have demonstrated the presence of Aβ plaques in the eyes of AD subjects, which is positively associated with their brain Aβ burden. Thus ocular biomarkers point to a potential avenue for an earlier, relatively low-cost diagnosis in order for therapeutic interventions to be effective. Here we review the literature that spans the investigation for the presence of Aβ in aging eyes and the significance of its deposition in relation to AD pathology. We discuss clinical studies investigating in vivo imaging of Aβ in the eye and its association with brain Aβ burden and therapies that target ocular Aβ. Finally, we focus on the need to characterize AD-specific retinal Aβ to differentiate Aβ found in some eye diseases. Based on the current evidence, we conclude that integration of ocular biomarkers that can correctly predict brain Aβ burden would have an important role as a non-invasive, yet economical surrogate marker in the diagnostic process of AD.
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42
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Hart NJ, Koronyo Y, Black KL, Koronyo-Hamaoui M. Ocular indicators of Alzheimer's: exploring disease in the retina. Acta Neuropathol 2016; 132:767-787. [PMID: 27645291 PMCID: PMC5106496 DOI: 10.1007/s00401-016-1613-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 173] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2016] [Revised: 08/29/2016] [Accepted: 09/01/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Although historically perceived as a disorder confined to the brain, our understanding of Alzheimer's disease (AD) has expanded to include extra-cerebral manifestation, with mounting evidence of abnormalities in the eye. Among ocular tissues, the retina, a developmental outgrowth of the brain, is marked by an array of pathologies in patients suffering from AD, including nerve fiber layer thinning, degeneration of retinal ganglion cells, and changes to vascular parameters. While the hallmark pathological signs of AD, amyloid β-protein (Aβ) plaques and neurofibrillary tangles (NFT) comprising hyperphosphorylated tau (pTau) protein, have long been described in the brain, identification of these characteristic biomarkers in the retina has only recently been reported. In particular, Aβ deposits were discovered in post-mortem retinas of advanced and early stage cases of AD, in stark contrast to non-AD controls. Subsequent studies have reported elevated Aβ42/40 peptides, morphologically diverse Aβ plaques, and pTau in the retina. In line with the above findings, animal model studies have reported retinal Aβ deposits and tauopathy, often correlated with local inflammation, retinal ganglion cell degeneration, and functional deficits. This review highlights the converging evidence that AD manifests in the eye, especially in the retina, which can be imaged directly and non-invasively. Visual dysfunction in AD patients, traditionally attributed to well-documented cerebral pathology, can now be reexamined as a direct outcome of retinal abnormalities. As we continue to study the disease in the brain, the emerging field of ocular AD warrants further investigation of how the retina may faithfully reflect the neurological disease. Indeed, detection of retinal AD pathology, particularly the early presenting amyloid biomarkers, using advanced high-resolution imaging techniques may allow large-scale screening and monitoring of at-risk populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadav J Hart
- Department of Neurosurgery, Maxine Dunitz Neurosurgical Research Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, 127 S. San Vicente Blvd., Los Angeles, 90048, CA, USA
| | - Yosef Koronyo
- Department of Neurosurgery, Maxine Dunitz Neurosurgical Research Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, 127 S. San Vicente Blvd., Los Angeles, 90048, CA, USA
| | - Keith L Black
- Department of Neurosurgery, Maxine Dunitz Neurosurgical Research Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, 127 S. San Vicente Blvd., Los Angeles, 90048, CA, USA
| | - Maya Koronyo-Hamaoui
- Department of Neurosurgery, Maxine Dunitz Neurosurgical Research Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, 127 S. San Vicente Blvd., Los Angeles, 90048, CA, USA.
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, 110 George Burns Rd., Los Angeles, CA, 90048, USA.
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43
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Ahl M, Avdic U, Skoug C, Ali I, Chugh D, Johansson UE, Ekdahl CT. Immune response in the eye following epileptic seizures. J Neuroinflammation 2016; 13:155. [PMID: 27346214 PMCID: PMC4922060 DOI: 10.1186/s12974-016-0618-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2015] [Accepted: 06/08/2016] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Epileptic seizures are associated with an immune response in the brain. However, it is not known whether it can extend to remote areas of the brain, such as the eyes. Hence, we investigated whether epileptic seizures induce inflammation in the retina. METHODS Adult rats underwent electrically induced temporal status epilepticus, and the eyes were studied 6 h, 1, and 7 weeks later with biochemical and immunohistochemical analyses. An additional group of animals received CX3CR1 antibody intracerebroventricularly for 6 weeks after status epilepticus. RESULTS Biochemical analyses and immunohistochemistry revealed no increased cell death and unaltered expression of several immune-related cytokines and chemokines as well as no microglial activation, 6 h post-status epilepticus compared to non-stimulated controls. At 1 week, again, retinal cytoarchitecture appeared normal and there was no cell death or micro- or macroglial reaction, apart from a small decrease in interleukin-10. However, at 7 weeks, even if the cytoarchitecture remained normal and no ongoing cell death was detected, the numbers of microglia were increased ipsi- and contralateral to the epileptic focus. The microglia remained within the synaptic layers but often in clusters and with more processes extending into the outer nuclear layer. Morphological analyses revealed a decrease in surveying and an increase in activated microglia. In addition, increased levels of the chemokine KC/GRO and cytokine interleukin-1β were found. Furthermore, macroglial activation was noted in the inner retina. No alterations in numbers of phagocytic cells, infiltrating macrophages, or vascular pericytes were observed. Post-synaptic density-95 cluster intensity was reduced in the outer nuclear layer, reflecting seizure-induced synaptic changes without disrupted cytoarchitecture in areas with increased microglial activation. The retinal gliosis was decreased by a CX3CR1 immune modulation known to reduce gliosis within epileptic foci, suggesting a common immunological reaction. CONCLUSIONS Our results are the first evidence that epileptic seizures induce an immune response in the retina. It has a potential to become a novel non-invasive tool for detecting brain inflammation through the eyes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matilda Ahl
- Inflammation and Stem Cell Therapy Group, Division of Clinical Neurophysiology, Lund University, BMC A11, Sölvegatan 17, SE-221 84, Lund, Sweden.,Lund Epilepsy Center, Lund University, SE-221 85, Lund, Sweden
| | - Una Avdic
- Inflammation and Stem Cell Therapy Group, Division of Clinical Neurophysiology, Lund University, BMC A11, Sölvegatan 17, SE-221 84, Lund, Sweden.,Lund Epilepsy Center, Lund University, SE-221 85, Lund, Sweden
| | - Cecilia Skoug
- Division of Ophthalmology, Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, SE-221 85, Lund, Sweden
| | - Idrish Ali
- Inflammation and Stem Cell Therapy Group, Division of Clinical Neurophysiology, Lund University, BMC A11, Sölvegatan 17, SE-221 84, Lund, Sweden.,Lund Epilepsy Center, Lund University, SE-221 85, Lund, Sweden
| | - Deepti Chugh
- Inflammation and Stem Cell Therapy Group, Division of Clinical Neurophysiology, Lund University, BMC A11, Sölvegatan 17, SE-221 84, Lund, Sweden.,Lund Epilepsy Center, Lund University, SE-221 85, Lund, Sweden
| | - Ulrica Englund Johansson
- Division of Ophthalmology, Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, SE-221 85, Lund, Sweden
| | - Christine T Ekdahl
- Inflammation and Stem Cell Therapy Group, Division of Clinical Neurophysiology, Lund University, BMC A11, Sölvegatan 17, SE-221 84, Lund, Sweden. .,Lund Epilepsy Center, Lund University, SE-221 85, Lund, Sweden.
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Javaid FZ, Brenton J, Guo L, Cordeiro MF. Visual and Ocular Manifestations of Alzheimer's Disease and Their Use as Biomarkers for Diagnosis and Progression. Front Neurol 2016; 7:55. [PMID: 27148157 PMCID: PMC4836138 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2016.00055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 106] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2016] [Accepted: 03/29/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia affecting the growing aging population today, with prevalence expected to rise over the next 35 years. Clinically, patients exhibit a progressive decline in cognition, memory, and social functioning due to deposition of amyloid β (Aβ) protein and intracellular hyperphosphorylated tau protein. These pathological hallmarks of AD are measured either through neuroimaging, cerebrospinal fluid analysis, or diagnosed post-mortem. Importantly, neuropathological progression occurs in the eye as well as the brain, and multiple visual changes have been noted in both human and animal models of AD. The eye offers itself as a transparent medium to cerebral pathology and has thus potentiated the development of ocular biomarkers for AD. The use of non-invasive screening, such as retinal imaging and visual testing, may enable earlier diagnosis in the clinical setting, minimizing invasive and expensive investigations. It also potentially improves disease management and quality of life for AD patients, as an earlier diagnosis allows initiation of medication and treatment. In this review, we explore the evidence surrounding ocular changes in AD and consider the biomarkers currently in development for early diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatimah Zara Javaid
- Glaucoma and Retinal Degeneration Research Group, Visual Neurosciences, UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, London, UK
| | - Jonathan Brenton
- Glaucoma and Retinal Degeneration Research Group, Visual Neurosciences, UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, London, UK
| | - Li Guo
- Glaucoma and Retinal Degeneration Research Group, Visual Neurosciences, UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, London, UK
| | - Maria F. Cordeiro
- Glaucoma and Retinal Degeneration Research Group, Visual Neurosciences, UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, London, UK
- Western Eye Hospital, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, London, UK
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Lee EJ, Kim TW, Lee DS, Kim H, Park YH, Kim J, Lee JW, Kim S. Increased CSF tau level is correlated with decreased lamina cribrosa thickness. ALZHEIMERS RESEARCH & THERAPY 2016; 8:6. [PMID: 26857246 PMCID: PMC4746900 DOI: 10.1186/s13195-015-0169-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2015] [Accepted: 12/31/2015] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Background This study was to investigate whether the previously proposed link between Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and decreased retinal nerve fiber layer thickness could be explained by the relationship between abnormal CSF profiles and optic nerve head characteristics, focusing on the influence of CSF tau protein on the lamina cribrosa (LC) thickness (LCT). Methods A total of 44 eyes from 18 patients with AD and 26 healthy subjects were subjected to enhanced-depth-imaging volume scanning of the optic nerve using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography. The B-scan images were constructed three-dimensionally using maximum intensity projection (MIP), and the LCT was measured at three locations (superior midperipheral, midhorizontal, and inferior midperipheral) using the thin-slab MIP images. CSF levels of amyloid β 1-42 peptide, (Aβ1–42), total tau (T-tau) and tau phosphorylated at threonine 181 (P-tau181P) were measured from CSF samples of each subject. The relationship between the level of CSF proteins and the LCT was determined using linear regression and fractional polynomial analyses. Results Univariate regression analysis revealed that higher CSF levels of T-tau (P = 0.004) and P-tau181P (P = 0.027), as well as a smaller central corneal thickness (P = 0.032), were significantly associated with a smaller LCT. Multivariate analysis indicated that only CSF T-tau (P = 0.041) was significantly associated with the LCT. The relationship was well explained by both linear regression (R2 = 0.179, P = 0.004) and fractional polynomial analysis (R2 = 0.275, P = 0.001). When we performed an assessment by linear regression with an indicator, the relationship was significant both in the healthy and AD groups, with a stronger correlation found in the healthy group (regression coefficients = -1.098 vs. -0.280, P = 0.018). Conclusions An increased CSF level of T-tau was significantly associated with a thinner LCT in both the healthy and AD groups. This result suggests that LCT could serve as a potential non-invasive indicator for increased CSF tau. The clinical meaning of the higher level of CSF T-tau in axonal degeneration of the optic nerve remains to be determined.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eun Ji Lee
- Department of Ophthalmology, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital and Seoul National University College of Medicine, 82, Gumi-ro, 173 Beon-gil, Bundang-gu, 463-707, Seongnam, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea.
| | - Tae-Woo Kim
- Department of Ophthalmology, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital and Seoul National University College of Medicine, 82, Gumi-ro, 173 Beon-gil, Bundang-gu, 463-707, Seongnam, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea.
| | - Dae Seung Lee
- Department of Ophthalmology, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital and Seoul National University College of Medicine, 82, Gumi-ro, 173 Beon-gil, Bundang-gu, 463-707, Seongnam, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea.
| | - Hyunjoong Kim
- Department of Applied Statistics, Yonsei University, 50 Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-gu, 120-749, Seoul, South Korea.
| | - Young Ho Park
- Department of Neurology, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital and Seoul National University College of Medicine, 82, Gumi-ro, 173 Beon-gil, Bundang-gu, 463-707, Seongnam, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea.
| | - Jungeun Kim
- Department of Neurology, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital and Seoul National University College of Medicine, 82, Gumi-ro, 173 Beon-gil, Bundang-gu, 463-707, Seongnam, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea.
| | - Joon Woo Lee
- Department of Radiology, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital and Seoul National University College of Medicine, 82, Gumi-ro, 173 Beon-gil, Bundang-gu, 463-707, Seongnam, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea.
| | - SangYun Kim
- Department of Neurology, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital and Seoul National University College of Medicine, 82, Gumi-ro, 173 Beon-gil, Bundang-gu, 463-707, Seongnam, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea.
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46
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Madeira MH, Ambrósio AF, Santiago AR. Glia-Mediated Retinal Neuroinflammation as a Biomarker in Alzheimer's Disease. Ophthalmic Res 2015; 54:204-11. [PMID: 26517861 DOI: 10.1159/000440887] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2015] [Accepted: 09/06/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common type of dementia worldwide; it is characterized by a progressive decline in cognitive functions and memory, resulting from synaptic and cell loss, and accompanied by a strong neuroinflammatory response. Besides the vast progress in the understanding of the pathophysiology of AD in the past decades, there is still no effective treatment. Moreover, the diagnosis occurs usually at an advanced stage of the disease, where the neurological damage has already occurred. The identification of biomarkers that would allow an early diagnosis of this disease is a major goal that would also help managing AD progression. Due to its cellular and physiological resemblances with the brain, the retina has long been regarded as a window to the brain. Several brain manifestations have been associated with retinal alterations. In AD patients, some structural and functional alterations in the retina can be associated with disease onset. However, only a few studies have focused on the alterations in retinal glial cells associated with AD. This review aims at giving an overview of the AD-associated retinal alterations, particularly in glial cells. The documented alterations in retinal glia will be discussed concerning their potential to predict the brain alterations occurring in AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Helena Madeira
- Institute for Biomedical Imaging and Life Sciences (IBILI), Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
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Du LY, Chang LYL, Ardiles AO, Tapia-Rojas C, Araya J, Inestrosa NC, Palacios AG, Acosta ML. Alzheimer's Disease-Related Protein Expression in the Retina of Octodon degus. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0135499. [PMID: 26267479 PMCID: PMC4534194 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0135499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2014] [Accepted: 07/22/2015] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
New studies show that the retina also undergoes pathological changes during the development of Alzheimer's disease (AD). While transgenic mouse models used in these previous studies have offered insight into this phenomenon, they do not model human sporadic AD, which is the most common form. Recently, the Octodon degus has been established as a sporadic model of AD. Degus display age-related cognitive impairment associated with Aβ aggregates and phosphorylated tau in the brain. Our aim for this study was to examine the expression of AD-related proteins in young, adult and old degus retina using enzyme-linked or fluorescence immunohistochemistry and to quantify the expression using slot blot and western blot assays. Aβ4G8 and Aβ6E10 detected Aβ peptides in some of the young animals but the expression was higher in the adults. Aβ peptides were observed in the inner and outer segment of the photoreceptors, the nerve fiber layer (NFL) and ganglion cell layer (GCL). Expression was higher in the central retinal region than in the retinal periphery. Using an anti-oligomer antibody we detected Aβ oligomer expression in the young, adult and old retina. Immunohistochemical labeling showed small discrete labeling of oligomers in the GCL that did not resemble plaques. Congo red staining did not result in green birefringence in any of the animals analyzed except for one old (84 months) animal. We also investigated expression of tau and phosphorylated tau. Expression was seen at all ages studied and in adults it was more consistently observed in the NFL-GCL. Hyperphosphorylated tau detected with AT8 antibody was significantly higher in the adult retina and it was localized to the GCL. We confirm for the first time that Aβ peptides and phosphorylated tau are expressed in the retina of degus. This is consistent with the proposal that AD biomarkers are present in the eye.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucia Y. Du
- School of Optometry and Vision Science, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Lily Y-L. Chang
- School of Optometry and Vision Science, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Alvaro O. Ardiles
- Centro Interdisciplinario de Neurociencia de Valparaíso, Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile
| | - Cheril Tapia-Rojas
- Center for Aging and Regeneration (CARE), Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Joaquin Araya
- Centro Interdisciplinario de Neurociencia de Valparaíso, Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile
| | - Nibaldo C. Inestrosa
- Center for Aging and Regeneration (CARE), Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Adrian G. Palacios
- Centro Interdisciplinario de Neurociencia de Valparaíso, Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile
| | - Monica L. Acosta
- School of Optometry and Vision Science, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
- New Zealand National Eye Centre, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
- * E-mail:
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48
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Parthasarathy R, Chow KM, Derafshi Z, Fautsch MP, Hetling JR, Rodgers DW, Hersh LB, Pepperberg DR. Reduction of amyloid-beta levels in mouse eye tissues by intra-vitreally delivered neprilysin. Exp Eye Res 2015; 138:134-44. [PMID: 26142956 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2015.06.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2015] [Revised: 06/18/2015] [Accepted: 06/30/2015] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Amyloid-beta (Aβ) is a group of aggregation-prone, 38- to 43-amino acid peptides generated in the eye and other organs. Numerous studies suggest that the excessive build-up of low-molecular-weight soluble oligomers of Aβ plays a role in the progression of Alzheimer's disease and other brain degenerative diseases. Recent studies raise the hypothesis that excessive Aβ levels may contribute also to certain retinal degenerative diseases. These findings, together with evidence that a major portion of Aβ is released as monomer into the extracellular space, raise the possibility that a technology enabling the enzymatic break-down of monomeric Aβ in the living eye under physiological conditions could prove useful for research on ocular Aβ physiology and, perhaps ultimately, for therapeutic applications. Neprilysin (NEP), an endopeptidase known to cleave Aβ monomer into inactive products, is a membrane-associated protein. However, sNEP, a recombinant form of the NEP catalytic domain, is soluble in aqueous medium. With the aim of determining the Aβ-cleaving activity of exogenous sNEP in the microenvironment of the intact eye, we analyzed the effect of intra-vitreally delivered sNEP on ocular Aβ levels in mice that exhibit readily measurable, aqueous buffer-extractable Aβ40 and Aβ42, two principal forms of Aβ. Anesthetized 10-month wild-type (C57BL/6J) and 2-3-month 5XFAD transgenic mice received intra-vitreal injections of sNEP (0.004-10 μg) in one eye and were sacrificed at defined post-treatment times (30 min - 12 weeks). Eye tissues (combined lens, vitreous, retina, RPE and choroid) were homogenized in phosphate-buffered saline, and analyzed for Aβ40 and Aβ42 (ELISA) and for total protein (Bradford assay). The fellow, untreated eye of each mouse served as control, and concentrations of Aβ (pmol/g protein) in the treated eye were normalized to that of the untreated control eye. In C57BL/6J mice, as measured at 2 h after sNEP treatment, increasing amounts of injected sNEP yielded progressively greater reductions of Aβ40, ranging from 12% ± 3% (mean ± SEM; n = 3) with 4 ng sNEP to 85% ± 13% (n = 5) with 10 μg sNEP. At 4 ng sNEP the average Aβ40 reduction reached >70% by 24 h following treatment and remained near this level for about 8 weeks. In 5XFAD mice, 10 μg sNEP produced an Aβ40 decrease of 99% ± 1% (n = 4) and a substantial although smaller decrease in Aβ42 (42% ± 36%; n = 4) within 24 h. Electroretinograms (ERGs) were recorded from eyes of C57BL/6J and 5XFAD mice at 9 days following treatment with 4 ng or 10 μg sNEP, conditions that on average led, respectively, to an 82% and 91% Aβ40 reduction in C57BL/6J eyes, an 87% and 92% Aβ40 reduction in 5XFAD eyes, and a 23% and 52% Aβ42 reduction in 5XFAD eyes. In all cases, sNEP-treated eyes exhibited robust ERG responses, consistent with a general tolerance of the posterior eye tissues to the investigated conditions of sNEP treatment. The sNEP-mediated decrease of ocular Aβ levels reported here represents a possible approach for determining effects of Aβ reduction in normally functioning eyes and in models of retinal degenerative disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rajni Parthasarathy
- Lions of Illinois Eye Research Institute, Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Illinois Eye and Ear Infirmary, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA; Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - K Martin Chow
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - Zahra Derafshi
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | | | - John R Hetling
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - David W Rodgers
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - Louis B Hersh
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - David R Pepperberg
- Lions of Illinois Eye Research Institute, Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Illinois Eye and Ear Infirmary, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA; Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA.
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