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Kumar A, Pal A, Singh P, Rani I, Tondolo V, Rongioletti M, Squitti R. Might Diet, APOE-APOA1 Axis, and Iron Metabolism Provide Clues About the Discrepancy in Alzheimer's Disease Occurrence Between Humans and Chimpanzees? A Bioinformatics-Based Re-Analysis of Gene Expression Data on Mice Fed with Human and Chimpanzee Diets. Biol Trace Elem Res 2024; 202:3750-3759. [PMID: 37938458 DOI: 10.1007/s12011-023-03932-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 11/09/2023]
Abstract
The emergence of conflicting reports on the natural occurrence of Alzheimer's disease (AD) in non-human primates has prompted research on the comparison of the role of diet-associated changes in gene expression between humans and non-human primates. This article analyzes the effects of different human and chimpanzee diets and their link with apolipoproteins, lipid, and iron (Fe) metabolism, starting from available data, to find out any gap in the existing knowledge. By using a system biology approach, we have re-analyzed the liver and brain RNA seq data of mice fed with either human or chimpanzee diet for 2 weeks to look for genetic differences that may explain the differences in AD occurrence between those two classes. In liver samples of mice fed with the chimpanzee diet in comparison to the human diet, apolipoprotein A-1, ceruloplasmin, and 10 other genes were upregulated while 21 genes were downregulated. However, brain apolipoprotein E4 gene expression was not changed upon diet. Genetic, structural, and functional differences in apolipoprotein E protein, along with differences in Fe metabolisms and a longer lifespan of humans during evolution may account for the observed disparity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashok Kumar
- Centre for Systems Biology and Bioinformatics, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India
| | - Amit Pal
- Department of Biochemistry, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Kalyani, West Bengal, 741245, India.
| | - Parminder Singh
- Centre for Systems Biology and Bioinformatics, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India
| | - Isha Rani
- Department of Biochemistry, Maharishi Markandeshwar College of Medical Sciences and Research (MMCMSR), Sadopur, Ambala, India
| | - Vincenzo Tondolo
- Digestive and Colorectal Surgery, Ospedale Isola Tiberina, Gemelli Isola, 00186, Rome, Italy
- Digestive Surgery Unit, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Largo Agostino Gemelli 8, 00168, Rome, Italy
| | - Mauro Rongioletti
- Department of Laboratory Science, Ospedale Isola Tiberina, Gemelli Isola, 00186, Rome, Italy
| | - Rosanna Squitti
- Department of Laboratory Science, Ospedale Isola Tiberina, Gemelli Isola, 00186, Rome, Italy
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2
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Uceda-Heras A, Aparicio-Rodríguez G, García-Cabezas MÁ. Hyperphosphorylated tau in Alzheimer's disease disseminates along pathways predicted by the Structural Model for Cortico-cortical Connections. J Comp Neurol 2024; 532:e25623. [PMID: 38803103 DOI: 10.1002/cne.25623] [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: 02/07/2024] [Revised: 04/05/2024] [Accepted: 04/27/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
In Alzheimer´s disease (AD), hyperphosphorylated tau spreads along the cerebral cortex in a stereotypical pattern that parallels cognitive deterioration. Tau seems to spread transsynaptically along cortico-cotical pathways that, according to synaptic tract-tracing studies in nonhuman primates, have specific laminar patterns related to the cortical type of the connected areas. This relation is described in the Structural Model. In the present article, we study the laminar distribution of hyperphosphorylated tau, labeled with the antibody AT8, along temporal cortical types in postmortem human brains with different AD stages to test the predictions of the Structural Model. Brains from donors without dementia had scant AT8-immunorreactive (AT8-ir) neurons in allo-, meso-, and isocortical types. In early AD stages, the mesocortical dysgranular type, including part of the transentorhinal cortex, had the highest AT8 immunostaining and AT8-ir neurons density. In advanced AD stages, AT8 immunostaining increased along the isocortical types until reaching the auditory koniocortex. Regarding laminar patterns, in early AD stages there were more AT8-ir neurons in supragranular layers in each de novo involved neocortical type; in advanced AD stages, AT8-ir neurons were equally distributed in supra- and infragranular layers. These AT8-ir laminar patterns are compatible with the predictions of the Structural Model. In summary, we show that hyperphosphorylated tau initially accumulates in allo-, meso-, and isocortical types, offer a proof of concept for the validity of the Structural Model to predict synaptic pathway organization in the human cerebral cortex, and highlight the relevance of nonhuman primate tract-tracing studies to understand human neuropathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alicia Uceda-Heras
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Neuroscience, School of Medicine, Autónoma University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
- PhD Program in Neuroscience UAM-Cajal, Autónoma University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Gonzalo Aparicio-Rodríguez
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Neuroscience, School of Medicine, Autónoma University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
- Master´s Program in Neuroscience, Autónoma University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Miguel Ángel García-Cabezas
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Neuroscience, School of Medicine, Autónoma University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
- PhD Program in Neuroscience UAM-Cajal, Autónoma University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
- Master´s Program in Neuroscience, Autónoma University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
- Neural Systems Laboratory, Department of Health Sciences, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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3
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Javanmard A, Azimzadeh-Irani M, Tafazzoli G, Esmaeilzadeh A, Shirinpoor-Kharf M, Haghayeghi SMH. In-silico structural analysis of Heterocephalus glaber amyloid beta: an anti-Alzheimer's peptide. MOLECULAR BIOLOGY RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS 2024; 13:29-42. [PMID: 38164365 PMCID: PMC10644309 DOI: 10.22099/mbrc.2023.48223.1862] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
Heterocephalus glaber, known as the Naked mole-rat, has an extraordinary immunity to Alzheimer's disease. The pathological hallmark of Alzheimer's disease is cerebral accumulations of plaques, consisting of self-aggregated amyloid beta peptides. Homo sapiens and H. glaber amyloid beta peptides are different in only one amino acid. Herein, computational structural analyses were carried out to determine whether plaque development in H. glaber is prevented by the replacement of His13 with Arg13 in the amyloid beta peptide. AlphaFold2 was used to predict the structure of the H. glaber amyloid beta peptide. HADDOCK and Hex were used to self-dock the peptides and dock ions on peptides, respectively. Illustrations were made by PyMol and ChimeraX. Using VMD, we calculated the radius of gyration. The phylogenetic analysis was conducted by Mega. The results showed an accurate structure with two alpha helices separated by a short coil for H. glaber. Self-docking of the two amyloid beta peptides demonstrated a globular conformation in the H. glaber dimer, implying the unlikeliness of amyloid beta peptides' self-aggregation to form fibrillar structures. This conformational state resulted in lower electrostatic energy compared to H. sapiens, contributing to H. glaber's lower tendency for fibril and, ultimately, plaque formation. Phylogenetic analysis confirmed that amyloid precursor protein is highly conserved in each taxon of rodentia and primata. This study provides insight into the connection between the structure of H. glaber amyloid beta and its plaque formation properties, showing that the Arg13 in H. glaber leads to fibril instability, and might prevent senile plaque accumulation.
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4
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Baxter MG, Roberts MT, Roberts JA, Rapp PR. Neuropsychology of cognitive aging in rhesus monkeys. Neurobiol Aging 2023; 130:40-49. [PMID: 37453251 PMCID: PMC10530179 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2023.06.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2023] [Revised: 06/15/2023] [Accepted: 06/19/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
Aged rhesus monkeys, like aged humans, show declines in cognitive function. We present cognitive test data from a large sample of male and female rhesus monkeys, 34 young (aged 3.5-13.6 years) and 71 aged (aged 19.9-32.5 years at the start of cognitive testing). Monkeys were tested on spatiotemporal working memory (delayed response), visual recognition memory (delayed nonmatching to sample), and stimulus-reward association learning (object discrimination), tasks with an extensive evidence base in nonhuman primate neuropsychology. On average, aged monkeys performed worse than young on all 3 tasks. Acquisition of delayed response and delayed nonmatching to sample was more variable in aged monkeys than in young. Performance scores on delayed nonmatching to sample and object discrimination were associated with each other, but neither was associated with performance on delayed response. Sex and chronological age were not reliable predictors of individual differences in cognitive outcome among the aged monkeys. These data establish population norms for multiple cognitive tests in young and aged rhesus monkeys in the largest sample reported to date. They also illustrate independence of cognitive aging in task domains dependent on the prefrontal cortex and medial temporal lobe.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark G Baxter
- Section on Comparative Medicine, Department of Pathology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA.
| | - Mary T Roberts
- California National Primate Research Center, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Jeffrey A Roberts
- California National Primate Research Center, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Peter R Rapp
- Laboratory of Behavioral Neuroscience, Neurocognitive Aging Section, National Institute on Aging, Baltimore, MD, USA.
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5
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Cozachenco D, Zimmer ER, Lourenco MV. Emerging concepts towards a translational framework in Alzheimer's disease. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2023; 152:105246. [PMID: 37236385 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2023.105246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2023] [Revised: 05/20/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Over the past decades, significant efforts have been made to understand the precise mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD), the most common cause of dementia. However, clinical trials targeting AD pathological hallmarks have consistently failed. Refinement of AD conceptualization, modeling, and assessment is key to developing successful therapies. Here, we review critical findings and discuss emerging ideas to integrate molecular mechanisms and clinical approaches in AD. We further propose a refined workflow for animal studies incorporating multimodal biomarkers used in clinical studies - delineating critical paths for drug discovery and translation. Addressing unresolved questions with the proposed conceptual and experimental framework may accelerate the development of effective disease-modifying strategies for AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danielle Cozachenco
- Institute of Medical Biochemistry Leopoldo de Meis, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Eduardo R Zimmer
- Department of Pharmacology, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil; Graduate Program in Biological Sciences: Biochemistry (PPGBioq), UFRGS, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil; Pharmacology and Therapeutics (PPGFT), UFRGS, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil; McGill Centre for Studies in Aging, McGill University, Montreal, Canada; Brain Institute of Rio Grande do Sul, PUCRS, Porto Alegre, Brazil.
| | - Mychael V Lourenco
- Institute of Medical Biochemistry Leopoldo de Meis, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
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6
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Gambardella JC, Schoephoerster W, Bondarenko V, Yandell BS, Emborg ME. Expression of tau and phosphorylated tau in the brain of normal and hemiparkinsonian rhesus macaques. J Comp Neurol 2023; 531:1198-1216. [PMID: 37098996 PMCID: PMC10247506 DOI: 10.1002/cne.25490] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2022] [Revised: 03/28/2023] [Accepted: 03/31/2023] [Indexed: 04/27/2023]
Abstract
Tau is a neuronal protein involved in microtubule stabilization and intracellular vesicle transport in axons. In neurodegenerative disorders termed "tauopathies," like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease, tau becomes hyperphosphorylated and forms intracellular inclusions. Rhesus macaques are widely used for studying ageing processes and modeling neurodegenerative disorders, yet little is known about endogenous tau expression in their brains. In this study, immunohistochemical methods were used to map and characterize total tau, 3R- and 4R-tau isoforms, and phosphorylated tau (pThr231-tau and pSer202/Thr205-tau/AT8) expression bilaterally in 16 brain regions of normal and 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)-induced hemiparkinsonian adult rhesus macaques. Tau-immunoreactivity (-ir), including both 3R and 4R isoforms, was observed throughout the brain, with varying regional intensities. The anterior cingulate cortex, entorhinal cortex, and hippocampus displayed the most robust tau-ir, while the subthalamic nucleus and white matter regions had minimal expression. Tau was present in neurons of gray matter regions; it was preferentially observed in fibers of the globus pallidus and substantia nigra and in cell bodies of the thalamus and subthalamic nucleus. In white matter regions, tau was abundantly present in oligodendrocytes. Additionally, neuronal pThr231-tau-ir was abundant in all brain regions, but not AT8-ir. Differences in regional and intracellular protein expression were not detected between control subjects and both brain hemispheres of MPTP-treated animals. Specifically, tau-ir in the substantia nigra of all subjects colocalized with GABAergic neurons. Overall, this report provides an in-depth characterization of tau expression in the rhesus macaque brain to facilitate future investigations for understanding and modeling tau pathology in this species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia C. Gambardella
- Preclinical Parkinson’s Research Program, Wisconsin National Primate Research Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison
- Cellular and Molecular Pathology Graduate Program, University of Wisconsin-Madison
| | - Wyatt Schoephoerster
- Preclinical Parkinson’s Research Program, Wisconsin National Primate Research Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison
| | - Viktoriya Bondarenko
- Preclinical Parkinson’s Research Program, Wisconsin National Primate Research Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison
| | | | - Marina E. Emborg
- Preclinical Parkinson’s Research Program, Wisconsin National Primate Research Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison
- Cellular and Molecular Pathology Graduate Program, University of Wisconsin-Madison
- Department of Medical Physics, University of Wisconsin-Madison
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7
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de Sousa AA, Rigby Dames BA, Graff EC, Mohamedelhassan R, Vassilopoulos T, Charvet CJ. Going beyond established model systems of Alzheimer's disease: companion animals provide novel insights into the neurobiology of aging. Commun Biol 2023; 6:655. [PMID: 37344566 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-023-05034-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2022] [Accepted: 06/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized by brain plaques, tangles, and cognitive impairment. AD is one of the most common age-related dementias in humans. Progress in characterizing AD and other age-related disorders is hindered by a perceived dearth of animal models that naturally reproduce diseases observed in humans. Mice and nonhuman primates are model systems used to understand human diseases. Still, these model systems lack many of the biological characteristics of Alzheimer-like diseases (e.g., plaques, tangles) as they grow older. In contrast, companion animal models (cats and dogs) age in ways that resemble humans. Both companion animal models and humans show evidence of brain atrophy, plaques, and tangles, as well as cognitive decline with age. We embrace a One Health perspective, which recognizes that the health of humans is connected to those of animals, and we illustrate how such a perspective can work synergistically to enhance human and animal health. A comparative biology perspective is ideally suited to integrate insights across veterinary and human medical disciplines and solve long-standing problems in aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra A de Sousa
- Centre for Health and Cognition, Bath Spa University, Bath, UK
- Department of Psychology, University of Bath, Bath, UK
| | - Brier A Rigby Dames
- Department of Psychology, University of Bath, Bath, UK
- Department of Computer Science, University of Bath, Bath, UK
- Department of Biology and Biochemistry, Milner Centre for Evolution, University of Bath, Bath, UK
| | - Emily C Graff
- Department of Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, USA
| | - Rania Mohamedelhassan
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Pharmacology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, USA
| | - Tatianna Vassilopoulos
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Pharmacology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, USA
| | - Christine J Charvet
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Pharmacology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, USA.
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8
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Hopkins WD, Li X, Roberts N, Mulholland MM, Sherwood CC, Edler MK, Raghanti MA, Schapiro SJ. Age differences in cortical thickness and their association with cognition in chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes). Neurobiol Aging 2023; 126:91-102. [PMID: 36958104 PMCID: PMC10106435 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2023.02.008] [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: 10/20/2022] [Revised: 02/16/2023] [Accepted: 02/18/2023] [Indexed: 02/24/2023]
Abstract
Humans and chimpanzees are genetically similar and share a number of life history, behavioral, cognitive and neuroanatomical similarities. Notwithstanding, our understanding of age-related changes in cognitive and motor functions in chimpanzees remains largely unstudied despite recent evident demonstrating that chimpanzees exhibit many of the same neuropathological features of Alzheimer's disease observed in human postmortem brains. Here, we examined age-related differences in cognition and cortical thickness measured from magnetic resonance images in a sample of 215 chimpanzees ranging in age between 9 and 54 years. We found that chimpanzees showed global and region-specific thinning of cortex with increasing age. Further, within the elderly cohort, chimpanzees that performed better than average had thicker cortex in frontal, temporal and parietal regions compared to chimpanzees that performed worse than average. Independent of age, we also found sex differences in cortical thickness in 4 brain regions. Males had higher adjusted cortical thickness scores for the caudal anterior cingulate, rostral anterior cingulate, and medial orbital frontal while females had higher values for the inferior parietal cortex. We found no evidence that increasing age nor sex was associated with asymmetries in cortical thickness. Moreover, age-related differences in cognitive function were only weakly associated with asymmetries in cortical thickness. In summary, as has been reported in humans and other primates, elderly chimpanzees show thinner cortex and variation in cortical thickness is associated with general cognitive functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- William D Hopkins
- National Center for Chimpanzee Care, Department of Comparative Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Bastrop, TX.
| | - Xiang Li
- School of Clinical Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Neil Roberts
- School of Clinical Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Michele M Mulholland
- National Center for Chimpanzee Care, Department of Comparative Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Bastrop, TX
| | - Chet C Sherwood
- Department of Anthropology and Center for the Advanced Study of Human Paleobiology, The George Washington University, Washington, DC
| | - Melissa K Edler
- Department of Anthropology, School of Biomedical Sciences, and Brain Health Research Institute, Kent State University, Kent, OH
| | - Mary Ann Raghanti
- Department of Anthropology, School of Biomedical Sciences, and Brain Health Research Institute, Kent State University, Kent, OH
| | - Steven J Schapiro
- National Center for Chimpanzee Care, Department of Comparative Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Bastrop, TX; Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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9
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Baxter MG, Roberts MT, Roberts JA, Rapp PR. Neuropsychology of cognitive aging in rhesus monkeys. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.05.30.542956. [PMID: 37398407 PMCID: PMC10312569 DOI: 10.1101/2023.05.30.542956] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/04/2023]
Abstract
Aged rhesus monkeys, like aged humans, show declines in cognitive function. We present cognitive test data from a large sample of male and female rhesus monkeys, 34 young (3.5-13.6 years) and 71 aged (19.9-32.5 years of age at the start of cognitive testing). Monkeys were tested on spatiotemporal working memory (delayed response), visual recognition memory (delayed nonmatching-to-sample), and stimulus-reward association learning (object discrimination), tasks with an extensive evidence base in nonhuman primate neuropsychology. On average, aged monkeys performed worse than young on all three tasks. Acquisition of delayed response and delayed nonmatching-to-sample was more variable in aged monkeys than in young. Performance scores on delayed nonmatching-to-sample and object discrimination were associated with each other, but neither was associated with performance on delayed response. Sex and chronological age were not reliable predictors of individual differences in cognitive outcome among the aged monkeys. These data establish population norms for cognitive tests in young and aged rhesus monkeys in the largest sample reported to date. They also illustrate independence of cognitive aging in task domains dependent on the prefrontal cortex and medial temporal lobe. (181 words).
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark G. Baxter
- Section on Comparative Medicine, Department of Pathology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
| | - Mary T. Roberts
- California National Primate Research Center, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA 95616
| | - Jeffrey A. Roberts
- California National Primate Research Center, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA 95616
| | - Peter R. Rapp
- Laboratory of Behavioral Neuroscience, Neurocognitive Aging Section, National Institute on Aging, Baltimore, MD, USA
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10
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Chen Z, Reynolds RH, Pardiñas AF, Gagliano Taliun SA, van Rheenen W, Lin K, Shatunov A, Gustavsson EK, Fogh I, Jones AR, Robberecht W, Corcia P, Chiò A, Shaw PJ, Morrison KE, Veldink JH, van den Berg LH, Shaw CE, Powell JF, Silani V, Hardy JA, Houlden H, Owen MJ, Turner MR, Ryten M, Al-Chalabi A. The contribution of Neanderthal introgression and natural selection to neurodegenerative diseases. Neurobiol Dis 2023; 180:106082. [PMID: 36925053 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2023.106082] [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: 10/15/2022] [Revised: 03/10/2023] [Accepted: 03/13/2023] [Indexed: 03/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Humans are thought to be more susceptible to neurodegeneration than equivalently-aged primates. It is not known whether this vulnerability is specific to anatomically-modern humans or shared with other hominids. The contribution of introgressed Neanderthal DNA to neurodegenerative disorders remains uncertain. It is also unclear how common variants associated with neurodegenerative disease risk are maintained by natural selection in the population despite their deleterious effects. In this study, we aimed to quantify the genome-wide contribution of Neanderthal introgression and positive selection to the heritability of complex neurodegenerative disorders to address these questions. We used stratified-linkage disequilibrium score regression to investigate the relationship between five SNP-based signatures of natural selection, reflecting different timepoints of evolution, and genome-wide associated variants of the three most prevalent neurodegenerative disorders: Alzheimer's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and Parkinson's disease. We found no evidence for enrichment of positively-selected SNPs in the heritability of Alzheimer's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and Parkinson's disease, suggesting that common deleterious disease variants are unlikely to be maintained by positive selection. There was no enrichment of Neanderthal introgression in the SNP-heritability of these disorders, suggesting that Neanderthal admixture is unlikely to have contributed to disease risk. These findings provide insight into the origins of neurodegenerative disorders within the evolution of Homo sapiens and addresses a long-standing debate, showing that Neanderthal admixture is unlikely to have contributed to common genetic risk of neurodegeneration in anatomically-modern humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhongbo Chen
- Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London (UCL), London, UK; Department of Genetics and Genomic Medicine, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, UCL, London, UK; NIHR Great Ormond Street Hospital Biomedical Research Centre, UCL, London, UK.
| | - Regina H Reynolds
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Medicine, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, UCL, London, UK; NIHR Great Ormond Street Hospital Biomedical Research Centre, UCL, London, UK
| | - Antonio F Pardiñas
- MRC Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - Sarah A Gagliano Taliun
- Department of Medicine & Department of Neurosciences, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada; Montréal Heart Institute, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Wouter van Rheenen
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Kuang Lin
- Nuffield Department of Population Health, Oxford University, Oxford, UK
| | - Aleksey Shatunov
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Emil K Gustavsson
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Medicine, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, UCL, London, UK; NIHR Great Ormond Street Hospital Biomedical Research Centre, UCL, London, UK
| | - Isabella Fogh
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Ashley R Jones
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Wim Robberecht
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Department of Neurosciences, Experimental Neurology and Leuven Research Institute for Neuroscience and Disease, Leuven, Belgium; Vesalius Research Center, Laboratory of Neurobiology, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Philippe Corcia
- ALS Center, Department of Neurology, CHRU Bretonneau, Tours, France
| | - Adriano Chiò
- Rita Levi Montalcini Department of Neuroscience, ALS Centre, University of Torino, Turin, Italy; Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Città della Salute e della Scienza, Torino, Italy
| | - Pamela J Shaw
- Academic Neurology Unit, Department of Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Karen E Morrison
- School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, UK
| | - Jan H Veldink
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Leonard H van den Berg
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Christopher E Shaw
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - John F Powell
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Vincenzo Silani
- Department of Neurology and Laboratory of Neuroscience, IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Milano, Italy; Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, Dino Ferrari Center, Università degli Studi di Milano, 20122 Milano, Italy
| | - John A Hardy
- Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London (UCL), London, UK; Reta Lila Weston Institute, Queen Square Institute of Neurology, UCL, London, UK; UK Dementia Research Institute, Queen Square Institute of Neurology, UCL, London, UK; NIHR University College London Hospitals Biomedical Research Centre, London, UK; Institute for Advanced Study, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong, SAR, China
| | - Henry Houlden
- Department of Neuromuscular Disease, Queen Square Institute of Neurology, UCL, London, UK
| | - Michael J Owen
- MRC Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - Martin R Turner
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Oxford University, Oxford, UK
| | - Mina Ryten
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Medicine, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, UCL, London, UK; NIHR Great Ormond Street Hospital Biomedical Research Centre, UCL, London, UK
| | - Ammar Al-Chalabi
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK.
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11
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Padmanabhan P, Götz J. Clinical relevance of animal models in aging-related dementia research. NATURE AGING 2023; 3:481-493. [PMID: 37202516 DOI: 10.1038/s43587-023-00402-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2022] [Accepted: 03/21/2023] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) and other, less prevalent dementias are complex age-related disorders that exhibit multiple etiologies. Over the past decades, animal models have provided pathomechanistic insight and evaluated countless therapeutics; however, their value is increasingly being questioned due to the long history of drug failures. In this Perspective, we dispute this criticism. First, the utility of the models is limited by their design, as neither the etiology of AD nor whether interventions should occur at a cellular or network level is fully understood. Second, we highlight unmet challenges shared between animals and humans, including impeded drug transport across the blood-brain barrier, limiting effective treatment development. Third, alternative human-derived models also suffer from the limitations mentioned above and can only act as complementary resources. Finally, age being the strongest AD risk factor should be better incorporated into the experimental design, with computational modeling expected to enhance the value of animal models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pranesh Padmanabhan
- Clem Jones Centre for Ageing Dementia Research, Queensland Brain Institute, the University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Jürgen Götz
- Clem Jones Centre for Ageing Dementia Research, Queensland Brain Institute, the University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
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12
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Vacher MC, Durrant CS, Rose J, Hall AJ, Spires‐Jones TL, Gunn‐Moore F, Dagleish MP. Alzheimer's disease-like neuropathology in three species of oceanic dolphin. Eur J Neurosci 2023; 57:1161-1179. [PMID: 36514861 PMCID: PMC10947196 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.15900] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2022] [Revised: 11/18/2022] [Accepted: 11/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common neurodegenerative disease and the primary cause of disability and dependency among elderly humans worldwide. AD is thought to be a disease unique to humans although several other animals develop some aspects of AD-like pathology. Odontocetes (toothed whales) share traits with humans that suggest they may be susceptible to AD. The brains of 22 stranded odontocetes of five different species were examined using immunohistochemistry to investigate the presence or absence of neuropathological hallmarks of AD: amyloid-beta plaques, phospho-tau accumulation and gliosis. Immunohistochemistry revealed that all aged animals accumulated amyloid plaque pathology. In three animals of three different species of odontocete, there was co-occurrence of amyloid-beta plaques, intraneuronal accumulation of hyperphosphorylated tau, neuropil threads and neuritic plaques. One animal showed well-developed neuropil threads, phospho-tau accumulation and neuritic plaques, but no amyloid plaques. Microglia and astrocytes were present as expected in all brain samples examined, but we observed differences in cell morphology and numbers between individual animals. The simultaneous occurrence of amyloid-beta plaques and hyperphosphorylated tau pathology in the brains of odontocetes shows that these three species develop AD-like neuropathology spontaneously. The significance of this pathology with respect to the health and, ultimately, death of the animals remains to be determined. However, it may contribute to the cause(s) of unexplained live-stranding in some odontocete species and supports the 'sick-leader' theory whereby healthy conspecifics in a pod mass strand due to high social cohesion.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Claire S. Durrant
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences and UK Dementia Research InstituteUniversity of EdinburghEdinburghUK
| | - Jamie Rose
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences and UK Dementia Research InstituteUniversity of EdinburghEdinburghUK
| | - Ailsa J. Hall
- Sea Mammal Research Unit, Scottish Oceans InstituteUniversity of St. AndrewsFifeUK
| | - Tara L. Spires‐Jones
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences and UK Dementia Research InstituteUniversity of EdinburghEdinburghUK
| | | | - Mark P. Dagleish
- School of Biodiversity, One Health and Veterinary Medicine, Pathology DepartmentUniversity of GlasgowScotlandUK
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13
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Johnson RJ, Tolan DR, Bredesen D, Nagel M, Sánchez-Lozada LG, Fini M, Burtis S, Lanaspa MA, Perlmutter D. Could Alzheimer's disease be a maladaptation of an evolutionary survival pathway mediated by intracerebral fructose and uric acid metabolism? Am J Clin Nutr 2023; 117:455-466. [PMID: 36774227 PMCID: PMC10196606 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajcnut.2023.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2022] [Revised: 12/21/2022] [Accepted: 01/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
An important aspect of survival is to assure enough food, water, and oxygen. Here, we describe a recently discovered response that favors survival in times of scarcity, and it is initiated by either ingestion or production of fructose. Unlike glucose, which is a source for immediate energy needs, fructose metabolism results in an orchestrated response to encourage food and water intake, reduce resting metabolism, stimulate fat and glycogen accumulation, and induce insulin resistance as a means to reduce metabolism and preserve glucose supply for the brain. How this survival mechanism affects brain metabolism, which in a resting human amounts to 20% of the overall energy demand, is only beginning to be understood. Here, we review and extend a previous hypothesis that this survival mechanism has a major role in the development of Alzheimer's disease and may account for many of the early features, including cerebral glucose hypometabolism, mitochondrial dysfunction, and neuroinflammation. We propose that the pathway can be engaged in multiple ways, including diets high in sugar, high glycemic carbohydrates, and salt. In summary, we propose that Alzheimer's disease may be the consequence of a maladaptation to an evolutionary-based survival pathway and what had served to enhance survival acutely becomes injurious when engaged for extensive periods. Although more studies are needed on the role of fructose metabolism and its metabolite, uric acid, in Alzheimer's disease, we suggest that both dietary and pharmacologic trials to reduce fructose exposure or block fructose metabolism should be performed to determine whether there is potential benefit in the prevention, management, or treatment of this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard J Johnson
- Department of Medicine, Rocky Mountain VA Medical Center, Aurora, CO, USA; Department of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Center, Aurora, CO, USA.
| | - Dean R Tolan
- Biology Department, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Dale Bredesen
- Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Maria Nagel
- Department of Neurology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Center, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Laura G Sánchez-Lozada
- Department of Cardio-Renal Physiopathology, National Institute of Cardiology Ignacio Chávez, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Mehdi Fini
- Department of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Center, Aurora, CO, USA
| | | | - Miguel A Lanaspa
- Department of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Center, Aurora, CO, USA
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14
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Rigby Dames BA, Kilili H, Charvet CJ, Díaz-Barba K, Proulx MJ, de Sousa AA, Urrutia AO. Evolutionary and genomic perspectives of brain aging and neurodegenerative diseases. PROGRESS IN BRAIN RESEARCH 2023; 275:165-215. [PMID: 36841568 PMCID: PMC11191546 DOI: 10.1016/bs.pbr.2022.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
This chapter utilizes genomic concepts and evolutionary perspectives to further understand the possible links between typical brain aging and neurodegenerative diseases, focusing on the two most prevalent of these: Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease. Aging is the major risk factor for these neurodegenerative diseases. Researching the evolutionary and molecular underpinnings of aging helps to reveal elements of the typical aging process that leave individuals more vulnerable to neurodegenerative pathologies. Very little is known about the prevalence and susceptibility of neurodegenerative diseases in nonhuman species, as only a few individuals have been observed with these neuropathologies. However, several studies have investigated the evolution of lifespan, which is closely connected with brain size in mammals, and insights can be drawn from these to enrich our understanding of neurodegeneration. This chapter explores the relationship between the typical aging process and the events in neurodegeneration. First, we examined how age-related processes can increase susceptibility to neurodegenerative diseases. Second, we assessed to what extent neurodegeneration is an accelerated form of aging. We found that while at the phenotypic level both neurodegenerative diseases and the typical aging process share some characteristics, at the molecular level they show some distinctions in their profiles, such as variation in genes and gene expression. Furthermore, neurodegeneration of the brain is associated with an earlier onset of cellular, molecular, and structural age-related changes. In conclusion, a more integrative view of the aging process, both from a molecular and an evolutionary perspective, may increase our understanding of neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brier A Rigby Dames
- Department of Computer Science, University of Bath, Bath, United Kingdom; Department of Psychology, University of Bath, Bath, United Kingdom.
| | - Huseyin Kilili
- Milner Centre for Evolution, Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Bath, Bath, United Kingdom
| | - Christine J Charvet
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Pharmacology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, United States
| | - Karina Díaz-Barba
- Licenciatura en Ciencias Genómicas, UNAM, CP62210, Cuernavaca, México; Instituto de Ecología, UNAM, Ciudad Universitaria, CP04510, Ciudad de México, México
| | - Michael J Proulx
- Department of Psychology, University of Bath, Bath, United Kingdom
| | | | - Araxi O Urrutia
- Milner Centre for Evolution, Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Bath, Bath, United Kingdom; Licenciatura en Ciencias Genómicas, UNAM, CP62210, Cuernavaca, México; Instituto de Ecología, UNAM, Ciudad Universitaria, CP04510, Ciudad de México, México.
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15
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Human antimicrobial peptide LL-37 contributes to Alzheimer's disease progression. Mol Psychiatry 2022; 27:4790-4799. [PMID: 36138130 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-022-01790-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2020] [Revised: 09/02/2022] [Accepted: 09/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
As a prime mover in Alzheimer's disease (AD), microglial activation requires membrane translocation, integration, and activation of the metamorphic protein chloride intracellular channel 1 (CLIC1), which is primarily cytoplasmic under physiological conditions. However, the formation and activation mechanisms of functional CLIC1 are unknown. Here, we found that the human antimicrobial peptide (AMP) LL-37 promoted CLIC1 membrane translocation and integration. It also activates CLIC1 to cause microglial hyperactivation, neuroinflammation, and excitotoxicity. In mouse and monkey models, LL-37 caused significant pathological phenotypes linked to AD, including elevated amyloid-β, increased neurofibrillary tangles, enhanced neuronal death and brain atrophy, enlargement of lateral ventricles, and impairment of synaptic plasticity and cognition, while Clic1 knockout and blockade of LL-37-CLIC1 interactions inhibited these phenotypes. Given AD's association with infection and that overloading AMP may exacerbate AD, this study suggests that LL-37, which is up-regulated upon infection, may be a driving force behind AD by acting as an endogenous agonist of CLIC1.
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16
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Negrey JD, Dobbins DL, Howard TD, Borgmann‐Winter KE, Hahn C, Kalinin S, Feinstein DL, Craft S, Shively CA, Register TC. Transcriptional profiles in olfactory pathway-associated brain regions of African green monkeys: Associations with age and Alzheimer's disease neuropathology. ALZHEIMER'S & DEMENTIA (NEW YORK, N. Y.) 2022; 8:e12358. [PMID: 36313967 PMCID: PMC9609452 DOI: 10.1002/trc2.12358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2022] [Revised: 08/13/2022] [Accepted: 08/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Introduction Olfactory impairment in older individuals is associated with an increased risk of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Characterization of age versus neuropathology‐associated changes in the brain olfactory pathway may elucidate processes underlying early AD pathogenesis. Here, we report age versus AD neuropathology–associated differential transcription in four brain regions in the olfactory pathway of 10 female African green monkeys (vervet, Chlorocebus aethiops sabaeus), a well‐described model of early AD‐like neuropathology. Methods Transcriptional profiles were determined by microarray in the olfactory bulb (OB), piriform cortex (PC), temporal lobe white matter (WM), and inferior temporal cortex (ITC). Amyloid beta (Aβ) plaque load in parietal and temporal cortex was determined by immunohistochemistry, and concentrations of Aβ42, Aβ40, and norepinephrine in ITC were determined by enzyme‐linked immuosorbent assay (ELISA). Transcriptional profiles were compared between middle‐aged and old animals, and associations with AD‐relevant neuropathological measures were determined. Results Transcriptional profiles varied by brain region and age group. Expression levels of TRO and RNU4‐1 were significantly lower in all four regions in the older group. An additional 29 genes were differentially expressed by age in three of four regions. Analyses of a combined expression data set of all four regions identified 77 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) by age group. Among these DEGs, older subjects had elevated levels of CTSB, EBAG9, LAMTOR3, and MRPL17, and lower levels of COMMD10 and TYW1B. A subset of these DEGs was associated with neuropathology biomarkers. Notably, CTSB was positively correlated with Aβ plaque counts, Aβ42:Aβ40 ratios, and norepinephrine levels in all brain regions. Discussion These data demonstrate age differences in gene expression in olfaction‐associated brain regions. Biological processes exhibiting age‐related enrichment included the regulation of cell death, vascular function, mitochondrial function, and proteostasis. A subset of DEGs was specifically associated with AD phenotypes. These may represent promising targets for future mechanistic investigations and perhaps therapeutic intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacob D. Negrey
- Department of Pathology/Comparative MedicineWake Forest School of MedicineWinston‐SalemNorth CarolinaUSA
| | - Dorothy L. Dobbins
- Department of Pathology/Comparative MedicineWake Forest School of MedicineWinston‐SalemNorth CarolinaUSA
| | - Timothy D. Howard
- Department of BiochemistryWake Forest School of MedicineWinston‐SalemNorth CarolinaUSA
| | | | - Chang‐Gyu Hahn
- Department of PsychiatryDepartment of NeuroscienceThomas Jefferson UniversityPhiladelphiaPAUSA
| | - Sergey Kalinin
- Department of AnesthesiologyUniversity of IllinoisChicagoIllinoisUSA
| | - Douglas L. Feinstein
- Department of AnesthesiologyUniversity of IllinoisChicagoIllinoisUSA,Research and DevelopmentJesse Brown VA Medical CenterChicagoIllinoisUSA
| | - Suzanne Craft
- Department of Internal Medicine/Gerontology and Geriatric MedicineWake Forest School of MedicineWinston‐SalemNorth CarolinaUSA,Wake Forest Alzheimer's Disease Research CenterWinston‐SalemNorth CarolinaUSA
| | - Carol A. Shively
- Department of Pathology/Comparative MedicineWake Forest School of MedicineWinston‐SalemNorth CarolinaUSA,Wake Forest Alzheimer's Disease Research CenterWinston‐SalemNorth CarolinaUSA
| | - Thomas C. Register
- Department of Pathology/Comparative MedicineWake Forest School of MedicineWinston‐SalemNorth CarolinaUSA,Wake Forest Alzheimer's Disease Research CenterWinston‐SalemNorth CarolinaUSA
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17
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Zhou B, Lu JG, Siddu A, Wernig M, Südhof TC. Synaptogenic effect of APP-Swedish mutation in familial Alzheimer's disease. Sci Transl Med 2022; 14:eabn9380. [PMID: 36260691 PMCID: PMC9894682 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.abn9380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Mutations in β-amyloid (Aβ) precursor protein (APP) cause familial Alzheimer's disease (AD) probably by enhancing Aβ peptides production from APP. An antibody targeting Aβ (aducanumab) was approved as an AD treatment; however, some Aβ antibodies have been reported to accelerate, instead of ameliorating, cognitive decline in individuals with AD. Using conditional APP mutations in human neurons for perfect isogenic controls and translational relevance, we found that the APP-Swedish mutation in familial AD increased synapse numbers and synaptic transmission, whereas the APP deletion decreased synapse numbers and synaptic transmission. Inhibition of BACE1, the protease that initiates Aβ production from APP, lowered synapse numbers, suppressed synaptic transmission in wild-type neurons, and occluded the phenotype of APP-Swedish-mutant neurons. Modest elevations of Aβ, conversely, elevated synapse numbers and synaptic transmission. Thus, the familial AD-linked APP-Swedish mutation under physiologically relevant conditions increased synaptic connectivity in human neurons via a modestly enhanced production of Aβ. These data are consistent with the relative inefficacy of BACE1 and anti-Aβ treatments in AD and the chronic nature of AD pathogenesis, suggesting that AD pathogenesis is not simply caused by overproduction of toxic Aβ but rather by a long-term effect of elevated Aβ concentrations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Zhou
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Stanford University School of Medicine, 265 Campus Drive, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, 265 Campus Drive, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
- Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, 265 Campus Drive, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Jacqueline G. Lu
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Stanford University School of Medicine, 265 Campus Drive, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, 265 Campus Drive, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
- Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, 265 Campus Drive, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Alberto Siddu
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Stanford University School of Medicine, 265 Campus Drive, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
- Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, 265 Campus Drive, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Marius Wernig
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, 265 Campus Drive, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
- Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, 265 Campus Drive, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Thomas C. Südhof
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Stanford University School of Medicine, 265 Campus Drive, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
- Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, 265 Campus Drive, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine; Stanford 94305, USA
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18
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Patoori S, Barnada SM, Large C, Murray JI, Trizzino M. Young transposable elements rewired gene regulatory networks in human and chimpanzee hippocampal intermediate progenitors. Development 2022; 149:276504. [PMID: 36052683 PMCID: PMC9641669 DOI: 10.1242/dev.200413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2021] [Accepted: 08/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
The hippocampus is associated with essential brain functions, such as learning and memory. Human hippocampal volume is significantly greater than expected compared with that of non-human apes, suggesting a recent expansion. Intermediate progenitors, which are able to undergo multiple rounds of proliferative division before a final neurogenic division, may have played a role in evolutionary hippocampal expansion. To investigate the evolution of gene regulatory networks underpinning hippocampal neurogenesis in apes, we leveraged the differentiation of human and chimpanzee induced pluripotent stem cells into TBR2 (or EOMES)-positive hippocampal intermediate progenitor cells (hpIPCs). We found that the gene networks active in hpIPCs are significantly different between humans and chimpanzees, with ∼2500 genes being differentially expressed. We demonstrate that species-specific transposon-derived enhancers contribute to these transcriptomic differences. Young transposons, predominantly endogenous retroviruses and SINE-Vntr-Alus (SVAs), were co-opted as enhancers in a species-specific manner. Human-specific SVAs provided substrates for thousands of novel TBR2-binding sites, and CRISPR-mediated repression of these SVAs attenuated the expression of ∼25% of the genes that are upregulated in human intermediate progenitors relative to the same cell population in the chimpanzee.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sruti Patoori
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA
| | - Samantha M. Barnada
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA
| | - Christopher Large
- Department of Genetics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - John I. Murray
- Department of Genetics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Marco Trizzino
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA,Author for correspondence ()
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19
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August I, Semendeferi K, Marchetto MC. Brain aging, Alzheimer's disease, and the role of stem cells in primate comparative studies. J Comp Neurol 2022; 530:2940-2953. [PMID: 35929189 DOI: 10.1002/cne.25394] [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: 01/31/2022] [Revised: 06/24/2022] [Accepted: 07/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that is ultimately fatal. Currently, millions of Americans are living with AD, and this number is predicted to grow with increases in the aging population. Interestingly, despite the prevalence of AD in human populations, the full AD phenotype has not been observed in any nonhuman primate (NHP) species, and it has been suggested that NHPs are immune to neurodegenerative diseases such as AD. Here, we review the typical age-related changes and pathologies in humans along with the neuropathologic changes associated with AD, and we place this information in the context of the comparative neuropathology of NHPs. We further propose the use of induced pluripotent stem cell technology as a way of addressing initial molecular processes and changes that occur in neurons and glia (in both humans and NHPs) when exposed to AD-inducing pathology prior to cell death.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabel August
- Department of Anthropology, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Katerina Semendeferi
- Department of Anthropology, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, California, USA.,Center for Academic Research and Training in Anthropogeny (CARTA), San Diego, California, USA
| | - Maria Carolina Marchetto
- Department of Anthropology, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, California, USA.,Center for Academic Research and Training in Anthropogeny (CARTA), San Diego, California, USA
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20
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Ren W, Ji B, Guan Y, Cao L, Ni R. Recent Technical Advances in Accelerating the Clinical Translation of Small Animal Brain Imaging: Hybrid Imaging, Deep Learning, and Transcriptomics. Front Med (Lausanne) 2022; 9:771982. [PMID: 35402436 PMCID: PMC8987112 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2022.771982] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2021] [Accepted: 02/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Small animal models play a fundamental role in brain research by deepening the understanding of the physiological functions and mechanisms underlying brain disorders and are thus essential in the development of therapeutic and diagnostic imaging tracers targeting the central nervous system. Advances in structural, functional, and molecular imaging using MRI, PET, fluorescence imaging, and optoacoustic imaging have enabled the interrogation of the rodent brain across a large temporal and spatial resolution scale in a non-invasively manner. However, there are still several major gaps in translating from preclinical brain imaging to the clinical setting. The hindering factors include the following: (1) intrinsic differences between biological species regarding brain size, cell type, protein expression level, and metabolism level and (2) imaging technical barriers regarding the interpretation of image contrast and limited spatiotemporal resolution. To mitigate these factors, single-cell transcriptomics and measures to identify the cellular source of PET tracers have been developed. Meanwhile, hybrid imaging techniques that provide highly complementary anatomical and molecular information are emerging. Furthermore, deep learning-based image analysis has been developed to enhance the quantification and optimization of the imaging protocol. In this mini-review, we summarize the recent developments in small animal neuroimaging toward improved translational power, with a focus on technical improvement including hybrid imaging, data processing, transcriptomics, awake animal imaging, and on-chip pharmacokinetics. We also discuss outstanding challenges in standardization and considerations toward increasing translational power and propose future outlooks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wuwei Ren
- School of Information Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Energy Efficient and Custom AI IC, Shanghai, China
| | - Bin Ji
- Department of Radiopharmacy and Molecular Imaging, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yihui Guan
- PET Center, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Lei Cao
- Shanghai Changes Tech, Ltd., Shanghai, China
| | - Ruiqing Ni
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Institute for Biomedical Engineering, ETH Zürich and University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
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21
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Chan AWS, Cho IK, Li CX, Zhang X, Patel S, Rusnak R, Raper J, Bachevalier J, Moran SP, Chi T, Cannon KH, Hunter CE, Martin RC, Xiao H, Yang SH, Gumber S, Herndon JG, Rosen RF, Hu WT, Lah JJ, Levey AI, Smith Y, Walker LC. Cerebral Aβ deposition in an Aβ-precursor protein-transgenic rhesus monkey. AGING BRAIN 2022; 2:100044. [PMID: 36589695 PMCID: PMC9802652 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbas.2022.100044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
With the ultimate goal of developing a more representative animal model of Alzheimer's disease (AD), two female amyloid-β-(Aβ) precursor protein-transgenic (APPtg) rhesus monkeys were generated by lentiviral transduction of the APP gene into rhesus oocytes, followed by in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer. The APP-transgene included the AD-associated Swedish K670N/M671L and Indiana V717F mutations (APPSWE/IND) regulated by the human polyubiquitin-C promoter. Overexpression of APP was confirmed in lymphocytes and brain tissue. Upon sacrifice at 10 years of age, one of the monkeys had developed Aβ plaques and cerebral Aβ-amyloid angiopathy in the occipital, parietal, and caudal temporal neocortices. The induction of Aβ deposition more than a decade prior to its usual emergence in the rhesus monkey supports the feasibility of creating a transgenic nonhuman primate model for mechanistic analyses and preclinical testing of treatments for Alzheimer's disease and cerebrovascular amyloidosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anthony W S Chan
- Emory National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30329, USA.,Department of Human Genetics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - In Ki Cho
- Emory National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30329, USA
| | - Chun-Xia Li
- Emory National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30329, USA
| | - Xiaodong Zhang
- Emory National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30329, USA
| | - Sudeep Patel
- Emory National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30329, USA
| | - Rebecca Rusnak
- Emory National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30329, USA
| | - Jessica Raper
- Emory National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30329, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Jocelyne Bachevalier
- Emory National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30329, USA.,Department of Psychology, Emory College, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Sean P Moran
- Emory National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30329, USA
| | - Tim Chi
- Emory National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30329, USA
| | - Katherine H Cannon
- Emory National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30329, USA
| | - Carissa E Hunter
- Emory National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30329, USA
| | - Ryan C Martin
- Emory National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30329, USA
| | - Hailian Xiao
- Department of Neurology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Shang-Hsun Yang
- Emory National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30329, USA.,Department of Human Genetics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Sanjeev Gumber
- Emory National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30329, USA
| | - James G Herndon
- Emory National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30329, USA
| | - Rebecca F Rosen
- Emory National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30329, USA
| | - William T Hu
- Department of Neurology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - James J Lah
- Department of Neurology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Allan I Levey
- Department of Neurology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Yoland Smith
- Emory National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30329, USA.,Department of Neurology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Lary C Walker
- Emory National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30329, USA.,Department of Neurology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
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22
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Beckman D, Morrison JH. Towards developing a rhesus monkey model of early Alzheimer's disease focusing on women's health. Am J Primatol 2021; 83:e23289. [PMID: 34056733 DOI: 10.1002/ajp.23289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2021] [Revised: 05/11/2021] [Accepted: 05/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common cause of elderly dementia, affecting nearly 50 million people worldwide, with two-thirds of the cases in the USA in women. Despite considerable investment, this prevalence is expected to increase further in the coming decades, based on the projected demographics of the population. Currently, most of the preclinical AD studies rely on transgenic mice carrying mutations associated with the early onset familiar form of AD, although the vast majority of cases are sporadic. A prevailing current hypothesis is that the cascade of events leading to AD starts with the accumulation of small soluble oligomers of the Aβ peptide (AβOs) that target and disrupt synapses. Taking advantage of the high translational power of rhesus monkeys due to their physiological and genetic similarities to humans, we recently developed a female rhesus monkey model of early AD pathogenesis based on exogenous administration AβOs. Here we review and discuss how soluble oligomers of Aβ can target vulnerable spines in the neocortex and hippocampus of female middle-aged monkeys and induce neuroinflammatory responses, similar to what is known to occur in the human brain. Developing a rhesus monkey model of early AD focusing on women's health is critical for the understanding of how hormonal changes during menopause transition affect brain health and ultimately may contribute to AD neurodegeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danielle Beckman
- California National Primate Research Center, UC Davis, Davis, California, USA
| | - John H Morrison
- California National Primate Research Center, UC Davis, Davis, California, USA
- Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, UC Davis, Davis, California, USA
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23
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Yue F, Feng S, Lu C, Zhang T, Tao G, Liu J, Yue C, Jing N. Synthetic amyloid-β oligomers drive early pathological progression of Alzheimer's disease in nonhuman primates. iScience 2021; 24:103207. [PMID: 34704001 PMCID: PMC8524197 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2021.103207] [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: 08/11/2020] [Revised: 08/04/2021] [Accepted: 09/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
As an insidious and slowly progressive neurodegenerative disorder, Alzheimer’s disease (AD) uniquely develops in humans but fails in other species. Therefore, it has been challenged to rebuild human AD in animals, including in non-human primates. Here, we bilaterally delivered synthetic Aβ oligomers (AβOs) into the cerebral parenchyma of cynomolgus monkeys, which rapidly drove the formation of massive Aβ plaques and concomitant neurofibrillary tangles in the cynomolgus brain. The amyloid and tau pathology as well as their co-occurrence in AβO-monkeys were reminiscent of those in patients with AD. In addition, the activated astrocytes and microglia surrounding Aβ plaques indicated the triggered neuroinflammation. The degenerative neurons and synapses around Aβ plaques also emerged in cynomolgus brain. Together, soluble AβOs caused the cascade of pathologic events associated with AD in monkeys as occurred in patients at the early phase, which could facilitate the development of a promising animal model for human AD in non-human primates. The Aβ oligomers (AβOs) drive to develop massive Aβ plaque in the monkey brain Neurofibrillary tangles form in multiple brain regions of AβO-monkeys The co-occurrence of amyloid and tau pathology in AβO-monkeys as in patients with AD The neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration are triggered in AβO-monkeys
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Affiliation(s)
- Feng Yue
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Hainan University, Haikou, 570228, China.,Department of Neurobiology, Beijing Institute of Geriatrics, Xuanwu Hospital of Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100053, China
| | - Su Feng
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China.,Bioland Laboratory (Guangzhou Regenerative Medicine and Health Guangdong Laboratory), Guangzhou, 510005, China
| | - Chunling Lu
- Wincon TheraCells Biotechnologies Co, LTD, Nanning, 530000, China
| | - Ting Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China.,Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, School of Medicine, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Ocular Fundus Diseases, Shanghai Engineering Center for Visual Science and Photomedicine, Shanghai, 200080, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Ophthalmic Diseases, Shanghai, 200080, China
| | - Guoxian Tao
- Wincon TheraCells Biotechnologies Co, LTD, Nanning, 530000, China
| | - Jing Liu
- Bioland Laboratory (Guangzhou Regenerative Medicine and Health Guangdong Laboratory), Guangzhou, 510005, China
| | - Chunmei Yue
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China.,Department of Biological Sciences, School of Science, Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, Suzhou, 215000, China
| | - Naihe Jing
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Biology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China.,Bioland Laboratory (Guangzhou Regenerative Medicine and Health Guangdong Laboratory), Guangzhou, 510005, China.,CAS Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510530, China.,Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
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24
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Fernandes S, Klein D, Marchetto MC. Unraveling Human Brain Development and Evolution Using Organoid Models. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:737429. [PMID: 34692694 PMCID: PMC8529117 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.737429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2021] [Accepted: 09/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Brain organoids are proving to be physiologically relevant models for studying human brain development in terms of temporal transcriptional signature recapitulation, dynamic cytoarchitectural development, and functional electrophysiological maturation. Several studies have employed brain organoid technologies to elucidate human-specific processes of brain development, gene expression, and cellular maturation by comparing human-derived brain organoids to those of non-human primates (NHPs). Brain organoids have been established from a variety of NHP pluripotent stem cell (PSC) lines and many protocols are now available for generating brain organoids capable of reproducibly representing specific brain region identities. Innumerous combinations of brain region specific organoids derived from different human and NHP PSCs, with CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing techniques and strategies to promote advanced stages of maturation, will successfully establish complex brain model systems for the accurate representation and elucidation of human brain development. Identified human-specific processes of brain development are likely vulnerable to dysregulation and could result in the identification of therapeutic targets or disease prevention strategies. Here, we discuss the potential of brain organoids to successfully model human-specific processes of brain development and explore current strategies for pinpointing these differences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Fernandes
- Laboratory of Genetics, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA, United States
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, United States
| | - Davis Klein
- Laboratory of Genetics, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA, United States
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA, United States
| | - Maria C. Marchetto
- Laboratory of Genetics, The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA, United States
- Department of Anthropology, Center for Academic Research and Training in Anthropogeny (CARTA), University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA, United States
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25
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Wang X, Zhou X, Uberseder B, Lee J, Latimer CS, Furdui CM, Keene CD, Montine TJ, Register TC, Craft S, Shively CA, Ma T. Isoform-specific dysregulation of AMP-activated protein kinase signaling in a non-human primate model of Alzheimer's disease. Neurobiol Dis 2021; 158:105463. [PMID: 34363967 PMCID: PMC8440492 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2021.105463] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2020] [Revised: 07/22/2021] [Accepted: 08/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is a molecular sensor that is critical for the maintenance of cellular energy homeostasis, disruption of which has been indicated in multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer's disease (AD). Mammalian AMPK is a heterotrimeric complex and its enzymatic α subunit exists in two isoforms: AMPKα1 and AMPKα2. Here we took advantage of a recently characterized non-human primate (NHP) model with sporadic AD-like neuropathology to explore potential relationships between AMPK signaling and AD-like neuropathology. Subjects were nine female vervet monkeys aged 19.5 to 23.4 years old. Subjects were classified into three groups, control lacking AD pathology (n = 3), moderate AD pathology (n = 3), and more severe AD Pathology (n = 3). We found increased activity (assessed by phosphorylation) of AMPKα2 in hippocampi of NHP with AD-like neuropathology, compared to the subjects without AD pathology, with no alterations of AMPKα1 activity. Across all subjects, CSF Abeta42 was inversely associated with cerebral amyloid plaque density. Further, Aβ plaque burden is correlated with levels of either soluble or insoluble brain Aβ measurement. Unbiased mass spectrometry based proteomics studies combined with bioinformatics analysis revealed that many of the dysregulated proteins characteristic of AD neuropathology are associated with AMPK signaling. Our findings on the AMPK molecular signaling cascades provide further support for use of the NHP model to investigate new therapeutic strategies and development of novel biomarkers for Alzheimer's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Wang
- Department of Internal Medicine, Gerontology & Geriatric Medicine, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
| | - Xueyan Zhou
- Department of Internal Medicine, Gerontology & Geriatric Medicine, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
| | - Beth Uberseder
- Department of Pathology/Comparative Medicine, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
| | - Jingyun Lee
- Department of Internal Medicine-Section on Molecular Medicine, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27157, USA
| | - Caitlin S Latimer
- Department of Pathology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Cristina M Furdui
- Department of Internal Medicine-Section on Molecular Medicine, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27157, USA
| | - C Dirk Keene
- Department of Pathology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA
| | | | - Thomas C Register
- Department of Pathology/Comparative Medicine, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
| | - Suzanne Craft
- Department of Internal Medicine, Gerontology & Geriatric Medicine, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
| | - Carol A Shively
- Department of Pathology/Comparative Medicine, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
| | - Tao Ma
- Department of Internal Medicine, Gerontology & Geriatric Medicine, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA; Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA; Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA.
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26
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Darricau M, Canron MH, Bosc M, Arotçarena ML, Quang ML, Dehay B, Bezard E, Planche V. Lack of limbic-predominant age-related TDP-43 encephalopathy (LATE) neuropathological changes in aged macaques with memory impairment. Neurobiol Aging 2021; 107:53-56. [PMID: 34384992 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2021.07.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2021] [Revised: 07/07/2021] [Accepted: 07/13/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
The neuropathological changes of limbic-predominant age-related TDP-43 encephalopathy (LATE) are frequent in the aged population and are now recognized as a cause of memory impairment. However, it remains unknown if this proteinopathy is also present in other primate species. We thus investigated the presence and distribution of TDP-43 pathology in the hippocampus and amygdala of 7 aged memory-impaired rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta, 18-32 years old) from 2 different cohorts. While present in an FTLD-TDP case used as a positive control for immunostaining, we found no TDP-43 or phosphorylated TDP-43 immunoreactive neuronal cytoplasmic inclusion in the amygdala or the hippocampus of these aged animals (as well as in young and mature macaques used as negative controls). We concluded that LATE is probably a human-specific condition, such as many other proteinopathies, and does not participate in age-related memory impairment in non-human primates.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Mégane Le Quang
- University of Bordeaux, CNRS, IMN, UMR 5293, Bordeaux, France
| | - Benjamin Dehay
- University of Bordeaux, CNRS, IMN, UMR 5293, Bordeaux, France
| | - Erwan Bezard
- University of Bordeaux, CNRS, IMN, UMR 5293, Bordeaux, France; Motac Neuroscience, Bordeaux, France
| | - Vincent Planche
- University of Bordeaux, CNRS, IMN, UMR 5293, Bordeaux, France; Centre Mémoire Ressources Recherches, Pôle de Neurosciences Cliniques, Bordeaux, France.
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27
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Beckman D, Chakrabarty P, Ott S, Dao A, Zhou E, Janssen WG, Donis‐Cox K, Muller S, Kordower JH, Morrison JH. A novel tau-based rhesus monkey model of Alzheimer's pathogenesis. Alzheimers Dement 2021; 17:933-945. [PMID: 33734581 PMCID: PMC8252011 DOI: 10.1002/alz.12318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2020] [Revised: 01/08/2021] [Accepted: 02/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a devastating condition with no effective treatments, with promising findings in rodents failing to translate into successful therapies for patients. METHODS Targeting the vulnerable entorhinal cortex (ERC), rhesus monkeys received two injections of an adeno-associated virus expressing a double tau mutation (AAV-P301L/S320F) in the left hemisphere, and control AAV-green fluorescent protein in the right ERC. Noninjected aged-matched monkeys served as additional controls. RESULTS Within 3 months we observed evidence of misfolded tau propagation, similar to what is hypothesized to occur in humans. Viral delivery of human 4R-tau also coaptates monkey 3R-tau via permissive templating. Tau spreading is accompanied by robust neuroinflammatory response driven by TREM2+ microglia, with biomarkers of inflammation and neuronal loss in the cerebrospinal fluid and plasma. DISCUSSION These results highlight the initial stages of tau seeding and propagation in a primate model, a more powerful translational approach for the development of new therapies for AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danielle Beckman
- California National Primate Research Center, University of California DavisDavisCaliforniaUSA
| | - Paramita Chakrabarty
- Center for Translational Research in Neurodegenerative Disease and Department of Neuroscience, University of FloridaGainesvilleFloridaUSA
| | - Sean Ott
- California National Primate Research Center, University of California DavisDavisCaliforniaUSA
| | - Amanda Dao
- California National Primate Research Center, University of California DavisDavisCaliforniaUSA
| | - Eric Zhou
- California National Primate Research Center, University of California DavisDavisCaliforniaUSA
| | - William G. Janssen
- Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount SinaiNew YorkNew YorkUSA
| | - Kristine Donis‐Cox
- California National Primate Research Center, University of California DavisDavisCaliforniaUSA
| | - Scott Muller
- Department of Neurological Sciences, Rush University Medical CenterChicagoIllinoisUSA
| | - Jeffrey H. Kordower
- Department of Neurological Sciences, Rush University Medical CenterChicagoIllinoisUSA
- ASU‐Banner Neurodegenerative Disease Research Center, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona
| | - John H. Morrison
- California National Primate Research Center, University of California DavisDavisCaliforniaUSA
- Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, University of California DavisDavisCaliforniaUSA
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28
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Mulholland MM, Sherwood CC, Schapiro SJ, Raghanti MA, Hopkins WD. Age- and cognition-related differences in the gray matter volume of the chimpanzee brain (Pan troglodytes): A voxel-based morphometry and conjunction analysis. Am J Primatol 2021; 83:e23264. [PMID: 33899958 DOI: 10.1002/ajp.23264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2020] [Revised: 03/29/2021] [Accepted: 04/10/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Several primate species have been shown to exhibit age-related changes in cognition, brain, and behavior. However, severe neurodegenerative illnesses, such as Alzheimer's disease (AD), were once thought to be uniquely human. Recently, some chimpanzees naturally were documented to develop both neurofibrillary tangles and amyloid plaques, the main characteristics of AD pathology. In addition, like humans and other primates, chimpanzees show similar declines in cognition and motor function with age. Here, we used voxel-based morphometry to examine the relationships among gray matter volume, age, and cognition using magnetic resonance imaging scans previously acquired from chimpanzees (N = 216). We first determined the relationship between age and gray matter volume, identifying the regions that declined with age. With a subset of our sample (N = 103), we also determined differences in gray matter volume between older chimpanzees with higher cognition scores than expected for their age, and older chimpanzees with lower than expected scores. Finally, we ran a conjunction analysis to determine any overlap in brain regions between these two analyses. We found that as chimpanzees age, they lose gray matter in regions associated with cognition. In addition, cognitively healthy older chimpanzees (those performing better for their age) have greater gray matter volume in many brain regions compared with chimpanzees who underperform for their age. Finally, the conjunction analysis revealed that regions of age-related decline overlap with the regions that differ between cognitively healthy chimpanzees and those who underperform. This study provides further evidence that chimpanzees are an important model for research on the neurobiology of aging. Future studies should investigate the effects of cognitive stimulation on both cognitive performance and brain structure in aging nonhuman primates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michele M Mulholland
- Department of Comparative Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Bastrop, Texas, USA
| | - Chet C Sherwood
- Department of Anthropology, Center for the Advanced Study of Human Paleobiology, The George Washington University, Washington DC, USA
| | - Steven J Schapiro
- Department of Comparative Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Bastrop, Texas, USA.,Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | - William D Hopkins
- Department of Comparative Medicine, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Bastrop, Texas, USA
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29
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Ovsepian SV, O'Leary VB, Hoschl C, Zaborszky L. Integrated phylogeny of the human brain and pathobiology of Alzheimer's disease: A unifying hypothesis. Neurosci Lett 2021; 755:135895. [PMID: 33862141 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2021.135895] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2021] [Revised: 04/05/2021] [Accepted: 04/09/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
The disproportionate evolutionary expansion of the human cerebral cortex with reinforcement of cholinergic innervations warranted a major rise in the functional and metabolic load of the conserved basal forebrain (BF) cholinergic system. Given that acetylcholine (ACh) regulates properties of the microtubule-associated protein (MAP) tau and promotes non-amyloidogenic processing of amyloid precursor protein (APP), growing neocortex predicts higher demands for ACh, while the emerging role of BF cholinergic projections in Aβ clearance infers greater exposure of source neurons and their innervation fields to amyloid pathology. The higher exposure of evolutionary most recent cortical areas to the amyloid pathology of Alzheimer's disease (AD) with synaptic impairments and atrophy, therefore, might involve attenuated homeostatic effects of BF cholinergic projections, in addition to fall-outs of inherent processes of expanding association areas. This unifying model, thus, views amyloid pathology and loss of cholinergic cells as a quid pro quo of the allometric evolution of the human brain, which in combination with increase in life expectancy overwhelm the fine homeostatic balance and trigger the disease process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saak V Ovsepian
- Department of Experimental Neurobiology, National Institute of Mental Health, Topolová 748, 250 67, Klecany, Czech Republic.
| | - Valerie B O'Leary
- Department of Medical Genetics, Third Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Ruská 87, 100 00, Praha 10, Czech Republic
| | - Cyril Hoschl
- Department of Experimental Neurobiology, National Institute of Mental Health, Topolová 748, 250 67, Klecany, Czech Republic; Department of Psychiatry and Medical Psychology, Third Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Ruská 87, 100 00, Prague 10, Czech Republic
| | - Laszlo Zaborszky
- Center for Molecular and Behavioral Neuroscience, Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, Newark, NJ, USA
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30
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Chen Z, Zhang D, Reynolds RH, Gustavsson EK, García-Ruiz S, D'Sa K, Fairbrother-Browne A, Vandrovcova J, Hardy J, Houlden H, Gagliano Taliun SA, Botía J, Ryten M. Human-lineage-specific genomic elements are associated with neurodegenerative disease and APOE transcript usage. Nat Commun 2021; 12:2076. [PMID: 33824317 PMCID: PMC8024253 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-22262-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2020] [Accepted: 03/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Knowledge of genomic features specific to the human lineage may provide insights into brain-related diseases. We leverage high-depth whole genome sequencing data to generate a combined annotation identifying regions simultaneously depleted for genetic variation (constrained regions) and poorly conserved across primates. We propose that these constrained, non-conserved regions (CNCRs) have been subject to human-specific purifying selection and are enriched for brain-specific elements. We find that CNCRs are depleted from protein-coding genes but enriched within lncRNAs. We demonstrate that per-SNP heritability of a range of brain-relevant phenotypes are enriched within CNCRs. We find that genes implicated in neurological diseases have high CNCR density, including APOE, highlighting an unannotated intron-3 retention event. Using human brain RNA-sequencing data, we show the intron-3-retaining transcript to be more abundant in Alzheimer's disease with more severe tau and amyloid pathological burden. Thus, we demonstrate potential association of human-lineage-specific sequences in brain development and neurological disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhongbo Chen
- Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London (UCL), London, UK
- NIHR Great Ormond Street Hospital Biomedical Research Centre, University College London, London, UK
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Medicine, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - David Zhang
- Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London (UCL), London, UK
- NIHR Great Ormond Street Hospital Biomedical Research Centre, University College London, London, UK
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Medicine, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - Regina H Reynolds
- Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London (UCL), London, UK
- NIHR Great Ormond Street Hospital Biomedical Research Centre, University College London, London, UK
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Medicine, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - Emil K Gustavsson
- Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London (UCL), London, UK
- NIHR Great Ormond Street Hospital Biomedical Research Centre, University College London, London, UK
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Medicine, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - Sonia García-Ruiz
- Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London (UCL), London, UK
- NIHR Great Ormond Street Hospital Biomedical Research Centre, University College London, London, UK
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Medicine, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - Karishma D'Sa
- Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London (UCL), London, UK
- NIHR Great Ormond Street Hospital Biomedical Research Centre, University College London, London, UK
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Medicine, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - Aine Fairbrother-Browne
- Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London (UCL), London, UK
- NIHR Great Ormond Street Hospital Biomedical Research Centre, University College London, London, UK
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Medicine, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - Jana Vandrovcova
- Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London (UCL), London, UK
| | - John Hardy
- Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London (UCL), London, UK
- Reta Lila Weston Institute, Queen Square Institute of Neurology, UCL, London, UK
- UK Dementia Research Institute, Queen Square Institute of Neurology, UCL, London, UK
- NIHR University College London Hospitals Biomedical Research Centre, London, UK
- Institute for Advanced Study, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Henry Houlden
- Department of Neuromuscular Disease, Queen Square Institute of Neurology, UCL, London, UK
| | - Sarah A Gagliano Taliun
- Department of Medicine & Department of Neurosciences, Université de Montréal, Université de Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada
- Montréal Heart Institute, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Juan Botía
- Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London (UCL), London, UK
- Departamento de Ingeniería de la Información y las Comunicaciones, Universidad de Murcia, Murcia, Spain
| | - Mina Ryten
- Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London (UCL), London, UK.
- NIHR Great Ormond Street Hospital Biomedical Research Centre, University College London, London, UK.
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Medicine, Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, UK.
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31
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Plagenhoef MR, Callahan PM, Beck WD, Blake DT, Terry AV. Aged rhesus monkeys: Cognitive performance categorizations and preclinical drug testing. Neuropharmacology 2021; 187:108489. [PMID: 33561449 PMCID: PMC8286428 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2021.108489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2020] [Revised: 01/25/2021] [Accepted: 01/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Rodent models have facilitated major discoveries in neurobiology, however, the low success rate of novel medications in clinical trials have led to questions about their translational value in neuropsychiatric drug development research. For age-related disorders of cognition such as Alzheimer' disease (AD) there is interest in moving beyond transgenic amyloid-β and/or tau-expressing rodent models and focusing more on natural aging and dissociating "healthy" from "pathological" aging to identify new therapeutic targets and treatments. In complex disorders such as AD, it can also be argued that animals with closer neurobiology to humans (e.g., nonhuman primates) should be employed more often particularly in the later phases of drug development. The purpose of the work described here was to evaluate the cognitive capabilities of rhesus monkeys across a wide range of ages in different delayed response tasks, a computerized delayed match to sample (DMTS) task and a manual delayed match to position (DMTP) task. Based on specific performance criteria and comparisons to younger subjects, the older subjects were generally less proficient, however, some performed as well as young subjects, while other aged subjects were markedly impaired. Accordingly, the older subjects could be categorized as aged "cognitively-unimpaired" or aged "cognitively-impaired" with a third group (aged-other) falling in between. Finally, as a proof of principle, we demonstrated using the DMTP task that aged cognitively-impaired monkeys are sensitive to the pro-cognitive effects of a nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) partial agonist, encenicline, suggesting that nAChR ligands remain viable as potential treatments for age-related disorders of cognition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marc R Plagenhoef
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, 30912, Georgia
| | - Patrick M Callahan
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, 30912, Georgia
| | - Wayne D Beck
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, 30912, Georgia
| | - David T Blake
- Department of Neuroscience and Regenerative Medicine, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, 30912, Georgia
| | - Alvin V Terry
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, 30912, Georgia.
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Hopkins WD, Mareno MC, Webb SJN, Schapiro SJ, Raghanti MA, Sherwood CC. Age-related changes in chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) cognition: Cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses. Am J Primatol 2021; 83:e23214. [PMID: 33169860 PMCID: PMC7904603 DOI: 10.1002/ajp.23214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2020] [Revised: 08/17/2020] [Accepted: 10/25/2020] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Chimpanzees are the species most closely related to humans, yet age-related changes in brain and cognition remain poorly understood. The lack of studies on age-related changes in cognition in chimpanzees is particularly unfortunate in light of the recent evidence demonstrating that this species naturally develops Alzheimer's disease (AD) neuropathology. Here, we tested 213 young, middle-aged, and elderly captive chimpanzees on the primate cognitive test battery (PCTB), a set of 13 tasks that assess physical and social cognition in nonhuman primates. A subset of these chimpanzees (n = 146) was tested a second time on a portion of the PCTB tasks as a means of evaluating longitudinal changes in cognition. Cross-sectional analyses revealed a significant quadratic association between age and cognition with younger and older chimpanzees performing more poorly than middle-aged individuals. Longitudinal analyses showed that the oldest chimpanzees at the time of the first test showed the greatest decline in cognition, although the effect was mild. The collective data show that chimpanzees, like other nonhuman primates, show age-related decline in cognition. Further investigations into whether the observed cognitive decline is associated with AD pathologies in chimpanzees would be invaluable in understanding the comparative biology of aging and neuropathology in primates.
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Affiliation(s)
- William D Hopkins
- Department of Comparative Medicine, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Bastrop, TX, USA
| | - Mary Catherine Mareno
- Department of Comparative Medicine, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Bastrop, TX, USA
| | - Sarah J Neal Webb
- Department of Comparative Medicine, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Bastrop, TX, USA
| | - Steven J Schapiro
- Department of Comparative Medicine, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Bastrop, TX, USA
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Mary Ann Raghanti
- Department of Anthropology, School of Biomedical Sciences, and Brain Health Research Institute Kent State University, Kent, Ohio 44242, USA
| | - Chet C Sherwood
- Department of Anthropology and Center for the Advanced Study of Human Paleobiology, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA
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Kaeser SA, Lehallier B, Thinggaard M, Häsler LM, Apel A, Bergmann C, Berdnik D, Jeune B, Christensen K, Grönke S, Partridge L, Wyss-Coray T, Mengel-From J, Jucker M. A neuronal blood marker is associated with mortality in old age. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2021; 1:218-225. [PMID: 37118632 DOI: 10.1038/s43587-021-00028-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2020] [Accepted: 01/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Neurofilament light chain (NfL) has emerged as a promising blood biomarker for the progression of various neurological diseases. NfL is a structural protein of nerve cells, and elevated NfL levels in blood are thought to mirror damage to the nervous system. We find that plasma NfL levels increase in humans with age (n = 122; 21-107 years of age) and correlate with changes in other plasma proteins linked to neural pathways. In centenarians (n = 135), plasma NfL levels are associated with mortality equally or better than previously described multi-item scales of cognitive or physical functioning, and this observation was replicated in an independent cohort of nonagenarians (n = 180). Plasma NfL levels also increase in aging mice (n = 114; 2-30 months of age), and dietary restriction, a paradigm that extends lifespan in mice, attenuates the age-related increase in plasma NfL levels. These observations suggest a contribution of nervous system functional deterioration to late-life mortality.
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Takaichi Y, Chambers JK, Takahashi K, Soeda Y, Koike R, Katsumata E, Kita C, Matsuda F, Haritani M, Takashima A, Nakayama H, Uchida K. Amyloid β and tau pathology in brains of aged pinniped species (sea lion, seal, and walrus). Acta Neuropathol Commun 2021; 9:10. [PMID: 33413691 PMCID: PMC7792306 DOI: 10.1186/s40478-020-01104-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2020] [Accepted: 12/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is characterized by the accumulation of amyloid-β (Aβ) as senile plaques and cerebral amyloid angiopathy, and hyperphosphorylated tau (hp-tau) as neurofibrillary tangles in the brain. The AD-related pathology has been reported in several non-human animals, and most animals develop only the Aβ or tau pathology. We herein describe the Aβ and hp-tau pathology in the brains of aged pinniped species (seal, sea lion, and walrus). Molecular analyses revealed that the sequence of pinniped Aβ was identical to that of human Aβ. Histopathological examinations detected argyrophilic plaques composed of Aβ associated with dystrophic neurites in the cerebral cortex of aged pinnipeds. Astrogliosis and microglial infiltration were identified around Aβ plaques. Aβ deposits were observed in the blood vessel walls of the meninges and cerebrum. Pinniped tau protein was physiologically subjected to alternative splicing at exons 2, 3, and 10, and presented as five isoforms: two 3-repeat tau isoforms (1N3R, 2N3R) and three 4-repeat tau isoforms (0N4R, 1N4R, 2N4R); 0N3R tau isoform was absent. Histopathological examinations revealed argyrophilic fibrillar aggregates composed of hp-tau in the neuronal somata and neurites of aged pinniped brains. Few hp-tau aggregates were found in oligodendrocytes and microglia. Biochemically, hp-tau of the 3-repeat and 4-repeat isoforms was detected in brain sarkosyl-insoluble fractions. Aβ and hp-tau both predominantly accumulated in the neocortex, particularly the frontal cortex. Furthermore, the activation of GSK-3β was detected within cells containing hp-tau aggregates, and activated GSK-3β was strongly expressed in cases with severe hp-tau pathologies. The present results suggest that, in association with Aβ deposition, the activation of GSK-3β contributes to hp-tau accumulation in pinniped brains. Here, we report that pinniped species naturally accumulate Aβ and tau with aging, similar to the human AD pathology.
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Zhang X, Li CX, Yan Y, Nair G, Rilling JK, Herndon JG, Preuss TM, Hu X, Li L. In-vivo diffusion MRI protocol optimization for the chimpanzee brain and examination of aging effects on the primate optic nerve at 3T. Magn Reson Imaging 2020; 77:194-203. [PMID: 33359631 DOI: 10.1016/j.mri.2020.12.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2020] [Revised: 10/30/2020] [Accepted: 12/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Diffusion MRI (dMRI) data acquisition protocols are well-established on modern high-field clinical scanners for human studies. However, these protocols are not suitable for the chimpanzee (or other large-brained mammals) because of its substantial difference in head geometry and brain volume compared with humans. Therefore, an optimal dMRI data acquisition protocol dedicated to chimpanzee neuroimaging is needed. METHODS A multi-shot (4 segments) double spin-echo echo-planar imaging (MS-EPI) sequence and a single-shot double spin-echo EPI (SS-EPI) sequence were optimized separately for in vivo dMRI data acquisition of chimpanzees using a clinical 3T scanner. Correction for severe susceptibility-induced image distortion and signal drop-off of the chimpanzee brain was performed and evaluated using FSL software. DTI indices in different brain regions and probabilistic tractography were compared. A separate DTI data set from n=34 chimpanzees (13 to 56 years old) was collected using the optimal protocol. Age-related changes in diffusivity indices of optic nerve fibers were evaluated. RESULTS The SS-EPI sequence acquired dMRI data of the chimpanzee brain with approximately doubled the SNR as the MS-EPI sequence given the same scan time. The quality of white matter fiber tracking from the SS-EPI data was much higher than that from MS-EPI data. However, quantitative analysis of DTI indices showed no difference in most ROIs between the SS-EPI and MS-EPI sequences. The progressive evolution of diffusivity indices of optic nerves indicated mild changes in fiber bundles of chimpanzees aged 40 years and above. CONCLUSION The single-shot EPI-based acquisition protocol provided better image quality of dMRI for chimpanzee brains and is recommended for in vivo dMRI study or clinical diagnosis of chimpanzees (or other large animals) using a clinical scanner. Also, the tendency of FA decrease or diffusivity increase in the optic nerve of aged chimpanzees was seen but did not show significant age-related changes, suggesting aging may have less impact on optic nerve fiber integrity of chimpanzees, in contrast to previous results for both macaque monkeys and humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaodong Zhang
- Yerkes Imaging Center, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States of America; Division of Neuropharmacology and Neurologic Diseases, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States of America.
| | - Chun-Xia Li
- Yerkes Imaging Center, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States of America
| | - Yumei Yan
- Yerkes Imaging Center, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States of America
| | - Govind Nair
- qMRI Core Facility, NINDS, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892, United States of America
| | - James K Rilling
- Department of Anthropology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States of America; Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States of America
| | - James G Herndon
- Division of Neuropharmacology and Neurologic Diseases, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States of America
| | - Todd M Preuss
- Division of Neuropharmacology and Neurologic Diseases, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States of America
| | - Xiaoping Hu
- Dept of Bioengineering, University of California, Riverside, CA, United States of America
| | - Longchuan Li
- Marcus Autism Center, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States of America.
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Thompson TB, Chaggar P, Kuhl E, Goriely A. Protein-protein interactions in neurodegenerative diseases: A conspiracy theory. PLoS Comput Biol 2020; 16:e1008267. [PMID: 33048932 PMCID: PMC7584458 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1008267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2020] [Revised: 10/23/2020] [Accepted: 08/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's or Parkinson's are associated with the prion-like propagation and aggregation of toxic proteins. A long standing hypothesis that amyloid-beta drives Alzheimer's disease has proven the subject of contemporary controversy; leading to new research in both the role of tau protein and its interaction with amyloid-beta. Conversely, recent work in mathematical modeling has demonstrated the relevance of nonlinear reaction-diffusion type equations to capture essential features of the disease. Such approaches have been further simplified, to network-based models, and offer researchers a powerful set of computationally tractable tools with which to investigate neurodegenerative disease dynamics. Here, we propose a novel, coupled network-based model for a two-protein system that includes an enzymatic interaction term alongside a simple model of aggregate transneuronal damage. We apply this theoretical model to test the possible interactions between tau proteins and amyloid-beta and study the resulting coupled behavior between toxic protein clearance and proteopathic phenomenology. Our analysis reveals ways in which amyloid-beta and tau proteins may conspire with each other to enhance the nucleation and propagation of different diseases, thus shedding new light on the importance of protein clearance and protein interaction mechanisms in prion-like models of neurodegenerative disease.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Pavanjit Chaggar
- Mathematical Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Ellen Kuhl
- Living Matter Laboratory, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Alain Goriely
- Mathematical Institute, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
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Rogers Flattery CN, Rosen RF, Farberg AS, Dooyema JM, Hof PR, Sherwood CC, Walker LC, Preuss TM. Quantification of neurons in the hippocampal formation of chimpanzees: comparison to rhesus monkeys and humans. Brain Struct Funct 2020; 225:2521-2531. [PMID: 32909100 DOI: 10.1007/s00429-020-02139-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2020] [Accepted: 08/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The hippocampal formation is important for higher brain functions such as spatial navigation and the consolidation of memory, and it contributes to abilities thought to be uniquely human, yet little is known about how the human hippocampal formation compares to that of our closest living relatives, the chimpanzees. To gain insight into the comparative organization of the hippocampal formation in catarrhine primates, we quantified neurons stereologically in its major subdivisions-the granular layer of the dentate gyrus, CA4, CA2-3, CA1, and the subiculum-in archival brain tissue from six chimpanzees ranging from 29 to 43 years of age. We also sought evidence of Aβ deposition and hyperphosphorylated tau in the hippocampus and adjacent neocortex. A 42-year-old animal had moderate cerebral Aβ-amyloid angiopathy and tauopathy, but Aβ was absent and tauopathy was minimal in the others. Quantitatively, granule cells of the dentate gyrus were most numerous, followed by CA1, subiculum, CA4, and CA2-3. In the context of prior investigations of rhesus monkeys and humans, our findings indicate that, in the hippocampal formation as a whole, the proportions of neurons in CA1 and the subiculum progressively increase, and the proportion of dentate granule cells decreases, from rhesus monkeys to chimpanzees to humans. Because CA1 and the subiculum engender key hippocampal projection pathways to the neocortex, and because the neocortex varies in volume and anatomical organization among these species, these findings suggest that differences in the proportions of neurons in hippocampal subregions of catarrhine primates may be linked to neocortical evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Rebecca F Rosen
- National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20814, USA
| | - Aaron S Farberg
- Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30329, USA
| | - Jeromy M Dooyema
- Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30329, USA
| | - Patrick R Hof
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Chet C Sherwood
- Department of Anthropology and Center for the Advanced Study of Human Paleobiology, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, 20052, USA
| | - Lary C Walker
- Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30329, USA.,Department of Neurology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | - Todd M Preuss
- Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30329, USA.,Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
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Low-dose X-ray imaging may increase the risk of neurodegenerative diseases. Med Hypotheses 2020; 142:109726. [PMID: 32361669 DOI: 10.1016/j.mehy.2020.109726] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2019] [Revised: 03/22/2020] [Accepted: 04/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The hypothesis presented here explores the possibility that X-ray imaging commonly used in dental practices may be a shared risk factor for sporadic dementias and motor-neuron diseases. As the evidence will suggest, the brain is ill-equipped to manage the intrusion of low-dose ionizing radiation (IR) beyond that which is naturally occurring. When the brain's antioxidant defenses are overwhelmed by IR, it produces an abundance of reactive oxygen species (ROS) that can lead to oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, loss of synaptic plasticity, altered neuronal structure and microvascular impairment that have been identified as early signs of neurodegeneration in Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, vascular dementia and other diseases that progressively damage the brain and central nervous system. Although genes play a role in all outcomes, the focus here will be on the non-genetic processes at work. Common assumptions regarding the risks of low-dose IR will be addressed, such as: 1) comparing rapid, repeated bursts of man-made IR sent exclusively into the head to equivalent amounts of head-to-toe background IR over longer periods of time; 2) whether epidemiological studies that dismiss concerns regarding low-dose IR due to lack of evidence it causes cancer, heritable mutations or shortened life spans also apply to neurodegeneration; and 3) why even radiation-resistant neurons can be severely impacted by IR exposure, due to IR-induced injury to the processes they need to function. Also considered will be the difficulty of distinguishing the effects of dental X-ray exposure from similarly low amounts of background IR and where to find the evidence that they may, in fact, be responsible for neurodegeneration. Finally, the long-standing belief that whatever risks are inherent in dental radiography must be undertaken for the sake of oral health is challenged on two counts: 1) while dentists continue to drape their patients in lead-lined aprons, the most effective IR safety precautions are often ignored; and 2) there is an alternative dental imaging technology that does not use IR. While the thrust of this article will be on dental radiation and will touch on how age, gender, X-ray equipment and protocols may increase risk, chiropractic radiographs also will be considered because they focus exclusively on the central nervous system. If X-ray imaging is found to be associated with neurodegeneration, the risk-versus-benefit must be reevaluated, every means of reducing exposure implemented and imaging protocols revised.
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Mullane K, Williams M. Alzheimer’s disease beyond amyloid: Can the repetitive failures of amyloid-targeted therapeutics inform future approaches to dementia drug discovery? Biochem Pharmacol 2020; 177:113945. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2020.113945] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2020] [Accepted: 03/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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Selective Neuronal Vulnerability in Alzheimer's Disease: A Network-Based Analysis. Neuron 2020; 107:821-835.e12. [PMID: 32603655 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2020.06.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2019] [Revised: 04/23/2020] [Accepted: 06/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
A major obstacle to treating Alzheimer's disease (AD) is our lack of understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying selective neuronal vulnerability, a key characteristic of the disease. Here, we present a framework integrating high-quality neuron-type-specific molecular profiles across the lifetime of the healthy mouse, which we generated using bacTRAP, with postmortem human functional genomics and quantitative genetics data. We demonstrate human-mouse conservation of cellular taxonomy at the molecular level for neurons vulnerable and resistant in AD, identify specific genes and pathways associated with AD neuropathology, and pinpoint a specific functional gene module underlying selective vulnerability, enriched in processes associated with axonal remodeling, and affected by amyloid accumulation and aging. We have made all cell-type-specific profiles and functional networks available at http://alz.princeton.edu. Overall, our study provides a molecular framework for understanding the complex interplay between Aβ, aging, and neurodegeneration within the most vulnerable neurons in AD.
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De Los Angeles A, Hyun I, Latham SR, Elsworth JD, Redmond DE. Human-Monkey Chimeras for Modeling Human Disease: Opportunities and Challenges. Stem Cells Dev 2020; 27:1599-1604. [PMID: 30319057 DOI: 10.1089/scd.2018.0162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The search for a better animal model to simulate human disease has been a "holy grail" of biomedical research for decades. Recent identification of different types of pluripotent stem (PS) cells and advances in chimera research might soon permit the generation of interspecies chimeras from closely related species, such as those between humans and other primates. In this study, we suggest that the creation of human-primate chimeras-specifically, the transfer of human stem cells into (non-ape) primate hosts-could not only surpass the limitations of current monkey models of neurological and psychiatric disease but would also raise important ethical considerations concerning the use of monkeys in invasive research. Questions regarding the scientific value and ethical concerns raised by the prospect of human-monkey chimeras are more urgent in light of recent advances in PS cell research and attempts to generate interspecies chimeras between humans and animals. While some jurisdictions prohibit the introduction of human PS cells into monkey preimplantation embryos, other jurisdictions may permit and even encourage such experiments. Therefore, it is useful to consider blastocyst complementation experiments more closely in light of advances that could make these chimeras possible and to consider the ethical and political issues that are raised.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Insoo Hyun
- Department of Bioethics, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio
| | - Stephen R Latham
- Yale Interdisciplinary Center for Bioethics, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - John D Elsworth
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut
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Wisniewski T, Drummond E. APOE-amyloid interaction: Therapeutic targets. Neurobiol Dis 2020; 138:104784. [PMID: 32027932 PMCID: PMC7118587 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2020.104784] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2019] [Revised: 01/22/2020] [Accepted: 01/31/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a devastating neurodegenerative disorder that is growing in prevalence globally. It is the only major cause of death without any effective pharmacological means to treat or slow progression. Inheritance of the ε4 allele of the Apolipoprotein (APO) E gene is the strongest genetic risk factor for late-onset AD. The interaction between APOE and amyloid β (Aβ) plays a key role in AD pathogenesis. The APOE-Aβ interaction regulates Aβ aggregation and clearance and therefore directly influences the development of amyloid plaques, congophilic amyloid angiopathy and subsequent tau related pathology. Relatively few AD therapeutic approaches have directly targeted the APOE-Aβ interaction thus far. Here we review the critical role of APOE in the pathogenesis of AD and some of the most promising therapeutic approaches that focus on the APOE-Aβ interaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Wisniewski
- Departments of Neurology, Pathology and Psychiatry, Center for Cognitive Neurology, NYU School of Medicine, Science Building, Rm 1017, 435 East 30(th) Street, New York, NY 10016, USA.
| | - Eleanor Drummond
- Brain & Mind Centre and Central Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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Zeiss CJ. Utility of spontaneous animal models of Alzheimer’s disease in preclinical efficacy studies. Cell Tissue Res 2020; 380:273-286. [DOI: 10.1007/s00441-020-03198-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2019] [Accepted: 03/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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Abstract
Although Alzheimer's disease (AD) was described over a century ago, there are no effective approaches to its prevention and treatment. Such a slow progress is explained, at least in part, by our incomplete understanding of the mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of AD. Here, I champion a hypothesis whereby AD is initiated on a disruption of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) caused by either genetic or non-genetic risk factors. The BBB disruption leads to an autoimmune response against pyramidal neurons located in the allo- and neocortical structures involved in memory formation and storage. The response caused by the adaptive immune system is not strong enough to directly kill neurons but may be sufficient to make them selectively vulnerable to neurofibrillary pathology. This hypothesis is based on the recent data showing that memory formation is associated with epigenetic chromatin modifications and, therefore, may be accompanied by expression of memory-specific proteins recognized by the immune system as "non-self" antigens. The autoimmune hypothesis is testable, and I discuss potential ways for its experimental and clinical verification. If confirmed, this hypothesis can radically change therapeutic approaches to AD prevention and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuri I Arshavsky
- BioCircuits Institute, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
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Oligomeric Aβ in the monkey brain impacts synaptic integrity and induces accelerated cortical aging. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2019; 116:26239-26246. [PMID: 31871145 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1902301116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
As the average age of the population continues to rise, the number of individuals affected with age-related cognitive decline and Alzheimer's disease (AD) has increased and is projected to cost more than $290 billion in the United States in 2019. Despite significant investment in research over the last decades, there is no effective treatment to prevent or delay AD progression. There is a translational gap in AD research, with promising drugs based on work in rodent models failing in clinical trials. Aging is the leading risk factor for developing AD and understanding neurobiological changes that affect synaptic integrity with aging will help clarify why the aged brain is vulnerable to AD. We describe here the development of a rhesus monkey model of AD using soluble oligomers of the amyloid beta (Aβ) peptide (AβOs). AβOs infused into the monkey brain target a specific population of spines in the prefrontal cortex, induce neuroinflammation, and increase AD biomarkers in the cerebrospinal fluid to similar levels observed in patients with AD. Importantly, AβOs lead to similar dendritic spine loss to that observed in normal aging in monkeys, but so far without detection of amyloid plaques or tau pathology. Understanding the basis of synaptic impairment is the most effective route to early intervention and prevention or postponement of age-related cognitive decline and transition to AD. These initial findings support the use of monkeys as a platform to understand age-related vulnerabilities of the primate brain and may help develop effective disease-modifying therapies for treatment of AD and related dementias.
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Alzheimer's disease: A clinical perspective and future nonhuman primate research opportunities. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2019; 116:26224-26229. [PMID: 31871211 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1912954116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that is the sixth leading cause of death and the most common cause of dementia worldwide. Over the last few decades, significant advancements have been made in our understanding of AD by investigating the molecular mechanisms underlying amyloid-β and tau pathology. Despite this progress, no disease-modifying treatments exist for AD, an issue that will exacerbated by the rising costs and prevalence of the disorder. Moreover, effective therapies to address the devastating cognitive and behavioral symptoms are also urgently needed. This perspective focuses on the value of nonhuman primate (NHP) models in bridging the molecular, circuit, and behavioral levels of analysis to better understand the complex genetic and environmental/lifestyle factors that contribute to AD pathogenesis. These investigations could provide an opportunity for translating our understanding of the pathogenesis and physiological mechanisms underlying AD and related disorders into new diagnostic approaches and disease-modifying therapies to prevent disease or restore brain function for symptomatic individuals.
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47
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Umansky S. Aging and aging-associated diseases: a microRNA-based endocrine regulation hypothesis. Aging (Albany NY) 2019; 10:2557-2569. [PMID: 30375982 PMCID: PMC6224249 DOI: 10.18632/aging.101612] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2018] [Accepted: 10/19/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Although there are numerous hypotheses explaining the nature of aging and associated processes, two concepts are dominant: (i) aging is a result of cell-autonomous processes, such as the accumulation of DNA mutations, aberrant methylations, protein defects, and shortening of telomeres, leading to either inhibition of cellular proliferation and death of non-dividing terminally differentiated cells or tumor development; (ii) aging is a result of a central program that is switched on at a specific stage of organismic development. The microRNA-based endocrine regulation hypothesis combines the two above concepts by proposing central regulation of cell death occurrences via hypothalamus-pituitary gland (PG)-secreted miRNA hormones, the expression and/or secretion of which are regulated by sex hormones. This hypothesis explains such well-known phenomena as inverse comorbidity of either cancer or Alzheimer’s (AD) and other neurodegenerative diseases; higher AD morbidity and lower frequency of many common types of cancer in women vs. men; higher risk of early AD and lower risk of cancer in subjects with Down syndrome; longer life expectancy in women vs. men and much lower sex-dependent differences, if any, in other mammals; increased lifespans due to hypophysectomy or PG hypofunction; and parabiotic effects of blood or plasma transfusions between young and old animals.
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48
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Amadoro G, Latina V, Corsetti V, Calissano P. N-terminal tau truncation in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD): Developing a novel diagnostic and therapeutic approach. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2019; 1866:165584. [PMID: 31676377 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2019.165584] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2019] [Revised: 09/23/2019] [Accepted: 09/24/2019] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Tau truncation occurs at early stages during the development of human Alzheimer's disease (AD) and other tauopathy dementias. Tau cleavage, particularly in its N-terminal projection domain, is able to drive per se neurodegeneration, regardless of its pro-aggregative pathway(s) and in fragment(s)-dependent way. In this short review, we highlight the pathological relevance of the 20-22 kDa NH2-truncated tau fragment which is endowed with potent neurotoxic "gain-of-function" action(s), both in vitro and in vivo. An extensive comment on its clinical value as novel progression/diagnostic biomarker and potential therapeutic target in the context of tau-mediated neurodegeneration is also provided.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Amadoro
- European Brain Research Institute (EBRI), Viale Regina Elena 295, 00161 Rome, Italy; Institute of Translational Pharmacology (IFT)-CNR, Via Fosso del Cavaliere 100, 00133 Rome, Italy.
| | - V Latina
- European Brain Research Institute (EBRI), Viale Regina Elena 295, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - V Corsetti
- European Brain Research Institute (EBRI), Viale Regina Elena 295, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - P Calissano
- European Brain Research Institute (EBRI), Viale Regina Elena 295, 00161 Rome, Italy
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49
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Urfer SR, Latimer CS, Ladiges W, Keene CD, Benbow S, Harrison B, Promislow DEL, Kaeberlein M, Kraemer BC, Wang A, Guscetti F, Darvas M. Cross species application of quantitative neuropathology assays developed for clinical Alzheimer's disease samples. PATHOBIOLOGY OF AGING & AGE RELATED DISEASES 2019; 9:1657768. [PMID: 31528297 PMCID: PMC6735310 DOI: 10.1080/20010001.2019.1657768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2019] [Accepted: 08/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
A major obstacle for preclinical testing of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) therapies is the availability of translationally relevant AD models. Critical for the validation of such models is the application of the same approaches and techniques used for the neuropathological characterization of AD. Deposition of amyloid-β 42 (Aβ42) plaques and neurofibrillary tangles containing phospho-Tau (pTau) are the pathognomonic features of AD. In the neuropathologic evaluation of AD, immunohistochemistry (IHC) is the current standard method for detection of Aβ42 and pTau. Although IHC is indispensable for determining the distribution of AD pathology, it is of rather limited use for assessment of the quantity of AD pathology. We have recently developed Luminex-based assays for the quantitative assessment of Aβ42 and pTau in AD brains. These assays are based on the same antibodies that are used for the IHC-based diagnosis of AD neuropathologic change. Here we report the application and extension of such quantitative AD neuropathology assays to commonly used genetically engineered AD models and to animals that develop AD neuropathologic change as they age naturally. We believe that identifying AD models that have Aβ42 or pTau levels comparable to those observed in AD will greatly improve the ability to develop AD therapies. Abbreviations: Alzheimer’s disease (AD); amyloid β 42 (Aβ42); phospho-Tau (pTau); immunohistochemistry (IHC)
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvan R Urfer
- Department of Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | | | - Warren Ladiges
- Department of Comparative Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - C Dirk Keene
- Department of Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Sarah Benbow
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.,Veterans Affairs Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center, Seattle, WA, USA
| | | | | | - Matt Kaeberlein
- Department of Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Brian C Kraemer
- Department of Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.,Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.,Veterans Affairs Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Adrienne Wang
- Department of Biology, Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA, USA
| | - Franco Guscetti
- Institute of Veterinary Pathology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Martin Darvas
- Department of Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
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50
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Prpar Mihevc S, Majdič G. Canine Cognitive Dysfunction and Alzheimer's Disease - Two Facets of the Same Disease? Front Neurosci 2019; 13:604. [PMID: 31249505 PMCID: PMC6582309 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2019.00604] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2019] [Accepted: 05/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurodegenerative diseases present a major and increasing burden in the societies worldwide. With aging populations, the prevalence of neurodegenerative diseases is increasing, yet there are no effective cures and very few treatment options are available. Alzheimer’s disease is one of the most prevalent neurodegenerative conditions and although the pathology is well studied, the pathogenesis of this debilitating illness is still poorly understood. This is, among other reasons, also due to the lack of good animal models as laboratory rodents do not develop spontaneous neurodegenerative diseases and human Alzheimer’s disease is only partially mimicked by transgenic rodent models. On the other hand, older dogs commonly develop canine cognitive dysfunction, a disease that is similar to Alzheimer’s disease in many aspects. Dogs show cognitive deficits that could be paralleled to human symptoms such as disorientation, memory loss, changes in behavior, and in their brains, beta amyloid plaques are commonly detected both in extracellular space as senile plaques and around the blood vessels. Dogs could be therefore potentially a very good model for studying pathological process and novel treatment options for Alzheimer’s disease. In the present article, we will review the current knowledge about the pathogenesis of canine cognitive dysfunction, its similarities and dissimilarities with Alzheimer’s disease, and developments of novel treatments for these two diseases with a focus on canine cognitive dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonja Prpar Mihevc
- Veterinary Faculty, Institute for Preclinical Sciences, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Gregor Majdič
- Veterinary Faculty, Institute for Preclinical Sciences, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia.,Medical Faculty, Institute for Physiology, University of Maribor, Maribor, Slovenia
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