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Li X, Quan M, Wei Y, Wang W, Xu L, Wang Q, Jia J. Critical thinking of Alzheimer's transgenic mouse model: current research and future perspective. SCIENCE CHINA. LIFE SCIENCES 2023; 66:2711-2754. [PMID: 37480469 DOI: 10.1007/s11427-022-2357-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2022] [Accepted: 04/23/2023] [Indexed: 07/24/2023]
Abstract
Transgenic models are useful tools for studying the pathogenesis of and drug development for Alzheimer's Disease (AD). AD models are constructed usually using overexpression or knock-in of multiple pathogenic gene mutations from familial AD. Each transgenic model has its unique behavioral and pathological features. This review summarizes the research progress of transgenic mouse models, and their progress in the unique mechanism of amyloid-β oligomers, including the first transgenic mouse model built in China based on a single gene mutation (PSEN1 V97L) found in Chinese familial AD. We further summarized the preclinical findings of drugs using the models, and their future application in exploring the upstream mechanisms and multitarget drug development in AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinyue Li
- Innovation Center for Neurological Disorders and Department of Neurology, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100053, China
| | - Meina Quan
- Innovation Center for Neurological Disorders and Department of Neurology, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100053, China
- National Medical Center for Neurological Diseases and National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Diseases, Beijing, 100053, China
| | - Yiping Wei
- Innovation Center for Neurological Disorders and Department of Neurology, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100053, China
| | - Wei Wang
- Innovation Center for Neurological Disorders and Department of Neurology, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100053, China
- National Medical Center for Neurological Diseases and National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Diseases, Beijing, 100053, China
| | - Lingzhi Xu
- Innovation Center for Neurological Disorders and Department of Neurology, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100053, China
| | - Qi Wang
- Innovation Center for Neurological Disorders and Department of Neurology, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100053, China
- National Medical Center for Neurological Diseases and National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Diseases, Beijing, 100053, China
| | - Jianping Jia
- Innovation Center for Neurological Disorders and Department of Neurology, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100053, China.
- National Medical Center for Neurological Diseases and National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Diseases, Beijing, 100053, China.
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Geriatric Cognitive Disorders, Beijing, 100053, China.
- Clinical Center for Neurodegenerative Disease and Memory Impairment, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100053, China.
- Center of Alzheimer's Disease, Beijing Institute of Brain Disorders, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Disorders, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100053, China.
- Key Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Ministry of Education, Beijing, 100053, China.
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Lia A, Sansevero G, Chiavegato A, Sbrissa M, Pendin D, Mariotti L, Pozzan T, Berardi N, Carmignoto G, Fasolato C, Zonta M. Rescue of astrocyte activity by the calcium sensor STIM1 restores long-term synaptic plasticity in female mice modelling Alzheimer's disease. Nat Commun 2023; 14:1590. [PMID: 36949142 PMCID: PMC10033875 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-37240-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2022] [Accepted: 03/09/2023] [Indexed: 03/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Calcium dynamics in astrocytes represent a fundamental signal that through gliotransmitter release regulates synaptic plasticity and behaviour. Here we present a longitudinal study in the PS2APP mouse model of Alzheimer's disease (AD) linking astrocyte Ca2+ hypoactivity to memory loss. At the onset of plaque deposition, somatosensory cortical astrocytes of AD female mice exhibit a drastic reduction of Ca2+ signaling, closely associated with decreased endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ concentration and reduced expression of the Ca2+ sensor STIM1. In parallel, astrocyte-dependent long-term synaptic plasticity declines in the somatosensory circuitry, anticipating specific tactile memory loss. Notably, we show that both astrocyte Ca2+ signaling and long-term synaptic plasticity are fully recovered by selective STIM1 overexpression in astrocytes. Our data unveil astrocyte Ca2+ hypoactivity in neocortical astrocytes as a functional hallmark of early AD stages and indicate astrocytic STIM1 as a target to rescue memory deficits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annamaria Lia
- Neuroscience Institute, National Research Council (CNR), Padua, Italy
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Gabriele Sansevero
- Neuroscience Institute, National Research Council (CNR), Pisa, Italy
- Department of NEUROFARBA, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Angela Chiavegato
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Miriana Sbrissa
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Diana Pendin
- Neuroscience Institute, National Research Council (CNR), Padua, Italy
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Letizia Mariotti
- Neuroscience Institute, National Research Council (CNR), Padua, Italy
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | - Tullio Pozzan
- Neuroscience Institute, National Research Council (CNR), Padua, Italy
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padua, Padua, Italy
- Veneto Institute of Molecular Medicine, Foundation for Advanced Biomedical Research, Padua, Italy
| | - Nicoletta Berardi
- Neuroscience Institute, National Research Council (CNR), Pisa, Italy
- Department of NEUROFARBA, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Giorgio Carmignoto
- Neuroscience Institute, National Research Council (CNR), Padua, Italy.
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padua, Padua, Italy.
| | - Cristina Fasolato
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padua, Padua, Italy.
| | - Micaela Zonta
- Neuroscience Institute, National Research Council (CNR), Padua, Italy.
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padua, Padua, Italy.
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Goodman AM, Langner BM, Jackson N, Alex C, McMahon LL. Heightened Hippocampal β-Adrenergic Receptor Function Drives Synaptic Potentiation and Supports Learning and Memory in the TgF344-AD Rat Model during Prodromal Alzheimer's Disease. J Neurosci 2021; 41:5747-5761. [PMID: 33952633 PMCID: PMC8244969 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.0119-21.2021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2021] [Revised: 02/23/2021] [Accepted: 04/28/2021] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
The central noradrenergic (NA) system is critical for the maintenance of attention, behavioral flexibility, spatial navigation, and learning and memory, those cognitive functions lost first in early Alzheimer's disease (AD). In fact, the locus coeruleus (LC), the sole source of norepinephrine (NE) for >90% of the brain, is the first site of pathologic tau accumulation in human AD with axon loss throughout forebrain, including hippocampus. The dentate gyrus is heavily innervated by LC-NA axons, where released NE acts on β-adrenergic receptors (ARs) at excitatory synapses from entorhinal cortex to facilitate long-term synaptic plasticity and memory formation. These synapses experience dysfunction in early AD before cognitive impairment. In the TgF344-AD rat model of AD, degeneration of LC-NA axons in hippocampus recapitulates human AD, providing a preclinical model to investigate synaptic and behavioral consequences. Using immunohistochemistry, Western blot analysis, and brain slice electrophysiology in 6- to 9-month-old wild-type and TgF344-AD rats, we discovered that the loss of LC-NA axons coincides with the heightened β-AR function at medial perforant path-dentate granule cell synapses that is responsible for the increase in LTP magnitude at these synapses. Furthermore, novel object recognition is facilitated in TgF344-AD rats that requires β-ARs, and pharmacological blockade of β-ARs unmasks a deficit in extinction learning only in TgF344-AD rats, indicating a greater reliance on β-ARs in both behaviors. Thus, a compensatory increase in β-AR function during prodromal AD in TgF344-AD rats heightens synaptic plasticity and preserves some forms of learning and memory.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT The locus coeruleus (LC), a brain region located in the brainstem which is responsible for attention and arousal, is damaged first by Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathology. The LC sends axons to hippocampus where released norepinephrine (NE) modulates synaptic function required for learning and memory. How degeneration of LC axons and loss of NE in hippocampus in early AD impacts synaptic function and learning and memory is not well understood despite the importance of LC in cognitive function. We used a transgenic AD rat model with LC axon degeneration mimicking human AD and found that heightened function of β-adrenergic receptors in the dentate gyrus increased synaptic plasticity and preserved learning and memory in early stages of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anthoni M Goodman
- Department of Cell, Developmental, and Integrative Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama 35294-0006
| | - Bethany M Langner
- Department of Cell, Developmental, and Integrative Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama 35294-0006
| | - Nateka Jackson
- Department of Cell, Developmental, and Integrative Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama 35294-0006
| | - Capri Alex
- Department of Cell, Developmental, and Integrative Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama 35294-0006
| | - Lori L McMahon
- Department of Cell, Developmental, and Integrative Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama 35294-0006
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Pizzo P, Basso E, Filadi R, Greotti E, Leparulo A, Pendin D, Redolfi N, Rossini M, Vajente N, Pozzan T, Fasolato C. Presenilin-2 and Calcium Handling: Molecules, Organelles, Cells and Brain Networks. Cells 2020; 9:E2166. [PMID: 32992716 PMCID: PMC7601421 DOI: 10.3390/cells9102166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2020] [Revised: 09/15/2020] [Accepted: 09/18/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Presenilin-2 (PS2) is one of the three proteins that are dominantly mutated in familial Alzheimer's disease (FAD). It forms the catalytic core of the γ-secretase complex-a function shared with its homolog presenilin-1 (PS1)-the enzyme ultimately responsible of amyloid-β (Aβ) formation. Besides its enzymatic activity, PS2 is a multifunctional protein, being specifically involved, independently of γ-secretase activity, in the modulation of several cellular processes, such as Ca2+ signalling, mitochondrial function, inter-organelle communication, and autophagy. As for the former, evidence has accumulated that supports the involvement of PS2 at different levels, ranging from organelle Ca2+ handling to Ca2+ entry through plasma membrane channels. Thus FAD-linked PS2 mutations impact on multiple aspects of cell and tissue physiology, including bioenergetics and brain network excitability. In this contribution, we summarize the main findings on PS2, primarily as a modulator of Ca2+ homeostasis, with particular emphasis on the role of its mutations in the pathogenesis of FAD. Identification of cell pathways and molecules that are specifically targeted by PS2 mutants, as well as of common targets shared with PS1 mutants, will be fundamental to disentangle the complexity of memory loss and brain degeneration that occurs in Alzheimer's disease (AD).
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Affiliation(s)
- Paola Pizzo
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padua, Via U. Bassi 58/B, 35131 Padua, Italy; (E.B.); (R.F.); (E.G.); (A.L.); (D.P.); (N.R.); (M.R.); (N.V.); (T.P.)
- Neuroscience Institute, Italian National Research Council (CNR), Via U. Bassi 58/B, 35131 Padua, Italy
| | - Emy Basso
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padua, Via U. Bassi 58/B, 35131 Padua, Italy; (E.B.); (R.F.); (E.G.); (A.L.); (D.P.); (N.R.); (M.R.); (N.V.); (T.P.)
- Neuroscience Institute, Italian National Research Council (CNR), Via U. Bassi 58/B, 35131 Padua, Italy
| | - Riccardo Filadi
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padua, Via U. Bassi 58/B, 35131 Padua, Italy; (E.B.); (R.F.); (E.G.); (A.L.); (D.P.); (N.R.); (M.R.); (N.V.); (T.P.)
- Neuroscience Institute, Italian National Research Council (CNR), Via U. Bassi 58/B, 35131 Padua, Italy
| | - Elisa Greotti
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padua, Via U. Bassi 58/B, 35131 Padua, Italy; (E.B.); (R.F.); (E.G.); (A.L.); (D.P.); (N.R.); (M.R.); (N.V.); (T.P.)
- Neuroscience Institute, Italian National Research Council (CNR), Via U. Bassi 58/B, 35131 Padua, Italy
| | - Alessandro Leparulo
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padua, Via U. Bassi 58/B, 35131 Padua, Italy; (E.B.); (R.F.); (E.G.); (A.L.); (D.P.); (N.R.); (M.R.); (N.V.); (T.P.)
| | - Diana Pendin
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padua, Via U. Bassi 58/B, 35131 Padua, Italy; (E.B.); (R.F.); (E.G.); (A.L.); (D.P.); (N.R.); (M.R.); (N.V.); (T.P.)
- Neuroscience Institute, Italian National Research Council (CNR), Via U. Bassi 58/B, 35131 Padua, Italy
| | - Nelly Redolfi
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padua, Via U. Bassi 58/B, 35131 Padua, Italy; (E.B.); (R.F.); (E.G.); (A.L.); (D.P.); (N.R.); (M.R.); (N.V.); (T.P.)
| | - Michela Rossini
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padua, Via U. Bassi 58/B, 35131 Padua, Italy; (E.B.); (R.F.); (E.G.); (A.L.); (D.P.); (N.R.); (M.R.); (N.V.); (T.P.)
| | - Nicola Vajente
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padua, Via U. Bassi 58/B, 35131 Padua, Italy; (E.B.); (R.F.); (E.G.); (A.L.); (D.P.); (N.R.); (M.R.); (N.V.); (T.P.)
- Neuroscience Institute, Italian National Research Council (CNR), Via U. Bassi 58/B, 35131 Padua, Italy
| | - Tullio Pozzan
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padua, Via U. Bassi 58/B, 35131 Padua, Italy; (E.B.); (R.F.); (E.G.); (A.L.); (D.P.); (N.R.); (M.R.); (N.V.); (T.P.)
- Neuroscience Institute, Italian National Research Council (CNR), Via U. Bassi 58/B, 35131 Padua, Italy
- Venetian Institute of Molecular Medicine (VIMM), Via G. Orus 2B, 35131 Padua, Italy
| | - Cristina Fasolato
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padua, Via U. Bassi 58/B, 35131 Padua, Italy; (E.B.); (R.F.); (E.G.); (A.L.); (D.P.); (N.R.); (M.R.); (N.V.); (T.P.)
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Lazarov O, Minshall RD, Bonini MG. Harnessing neurogenesis in the adult brain-A role in type 2 diabetes mellitus and Alzheimer's disease. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF NEUROBIOLOGY 2020; 155:235-269. [PMID: 32854856 DOI: 10.1016/bs.irn.2020.03.020] [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: 03/02/2023]
Abstract
Some metabolic disorders, such as type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) are risk factors for the development of cognitive deficits and Alzheimer's disease (AD). Epidemiological studies suggest that in people with T2DM, the risk of developing dementia is 2.5 times higher than that in the non-diabetic population. The signaling pathways that underlie the increased risk and facilitate cognitive deficits are not fully understood. In fact, the cause of memory deficits in AD is not fully elucidated. The dentate gyrus of the hippocampus plays an important role in memory formation. Hippocampal neurogenesis is the generation of new neurons and glia in the adult brain throughout life. New neurons incorporate in the granular cell layer of the dentate gyrus and play a role in learning and memory and hippocampal plasticity. A large body of studies suggests that hippocampal neurogenesis is impaired in mouse models of AD and T2DM. Recent evidence shows that hippocampal neurogenesis is also impaired in human patients exhibiting mild cognitive impairment or AD. This review discusses the role of hippocampal neurogenesis in the development of cognitive deficits and AD, and considers inflammatory and endothelial signaling pathways in T2DM that may compromise hippocampal neurogenesis and cognitive function, leading to AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Orly Lazarov
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, The University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States.
| | - Richard D Minshall
- Department of Pharmacology, The University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States; Department of Anesthesiology, The University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Marcelo G Bonini
- Department of Medicine (Hematology/Oncology), Feinberg School of Medicine of Northwestern University and Basic Sciences Research, Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Centre, Chicago, IL, United States
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Mihardja M, Roy J, Wong KY, Aquili L, Heng BC, Chan YS, Fung ML, Lim LW. Therapeutic potential of neurogenesis and melatonin regulation in Alzheimer's disease. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2020; 1478:43-62. [PMID: 32700392 DOI: 10.1111/nyas.14436] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2020] [Revised: 06/09/2020] [Accepted: 06/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is an age-related neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the hallmark pathologies of amyloid-beta plaques and neurofibrillary tangles. Symptoms of this devastating disease include behavioral changes and deterioration of higher cognitive functions. Impairment of neurogenesis has also been shown to occur in AD, which adversely impacts new neuronal cell growth, differentiation, and survival. This impairment possibly results from the cumulative effects of the various pathologies of AD. Preclinical studies have suggested that the administration of melatonin-the pineal hormone primarily responsible for the regulation of the circadian rhythm-targets the effects of AD pathologies and improves cognitive impairment. It is postulated that by mitigating the effect of these pathologies, melatonin can also rescue neurogenesis impairment. This review aims to explore the effect of AD pathologies on neurogenesis, as well as the mechanisms by which melatonin is able to ameliorate AD pathologies to potentially promote neurogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mazel Mihardja
- Neuromodulation Laboratory, School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Jaydeep Roy
- Neuromodulation Laboratory, School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Kan Yin Wong
- Neuromodulation Laboratory, School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Luca Aquili
- Division of Psychology, College of Health and Human Sciences, Charles Darwin University, Darwin, Australia
| | - Boon Chin Heng
- Department of Biological Sciences, Sunway University, Bandar Sunway, Malaysia.,Peking University School of Stomatology, Beijing, China
| | - Ying-Shing Chan
- Neuromodulation Laboratory, School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Man Lung Fung
- Neuromodulation Laboratory, School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Lee Wei Lim
- Neuromodulation Laboratory, School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.,Department of Biological Sciences, Sunway University, Bandar Sunway, Malaysia
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Mashkaryan V, Siddiqui T, Popova S, Cosacak MI, Bhattarai P, Brandt K, Govindarajan N, Petzold A, Reinhardt S, Dahl A, Lefort R, Kizil C. Type 1 Interleukin-4 Signaling Obliterates Mouse Astroglia in vivo but Not in vitro. Front Cell Dev Biol 2020; 8:114. [PMID: 32181251 PMCID: PMC7057913 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2020.00114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2019] [Accepted: 02/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent findings suggest that reduced neurogenesis could be one of the underlying reasons for the exacerbated neuropathology in humans, thus restoring the neural stem cell proliferation and neurogenesis could help to circumvent some pathological aspects of Alzheimer’s disease. We recently identified Interleukin-4/STAT6 signaling as a neuron–glia crosstalk mechanism that enables glial proliferation and neurogenesis in adult zebrafish brain and 3D cultures of human astroglia, which manifest neurogenic properties. In this study, by using single cell sequencing in the APP/PS1dE9 mouse model of AD, we found that IL4 receptor (Il4r) is not expressed in mouse astroglia and IL4 signaling is not active in these cells. We tested whether activating IL4/STAT6 signaling would enhance cell proliferation and neurogenesis in healthy and disease conditions. Lentivirus-mediated expression of IL4R or constitutively active STAT6VT impaired the survival capacity of mouse astroglia in vivo but not in vitro. These results suggest that the adult mouse brain generates a non-permissive environment that dictates a negative effect of IL4 signaling on astroglial survival and neurogenic properties in contrast to zebrafish brains and in vitro mammalian cell cultures. Our findings that IL4R signaling in dentate gyrus (DG) of adult mouse brain impinges on the survival of DG cells implicate an evolutionary mechanism that might underlie the loss of neuroregenerative ability of the brain, which might be utilized for basic and clinical aspects for neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Violeta Mashkaryan
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases Dresden, Helmholtz Association, Dresden, Germany
| | - Tohid Siddiqui
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases Dresden, Helmholtz Association, Dresden, Germany
| | - Stanislava Popova
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases Dresden, Helmholtz Association, Dresden, Germany
| | - Mehmet Ilyas Cosacak
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases Dresden, Helmholtz Association, Dresden, Germany
| | - Prabesh Bhattarai
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases Dresden, Helmholtz Association, Dresden, Germany
| | - Kerstin Brandt
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases Dresden, Helmholtz Association, Dresden, Germany
| | - Nambirajan Govindarajan
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases Dresden, Helmholtz Association, Dresden, Germany
| | - Andreas Petzold
- DRESDEN-Concept Genome Center, Center for Molecular and Cellular Bioengineering, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Susanne Reinhardt
- DRESDEN-Concept Genome Center, Center for Molecular and Cellular Bioengineering, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Andreas Dahl
- DRESDEN-Concept Genome Center, Center for Molecular and Cellular Bioengineering, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Roger Lefort
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, United States
| | - Caghan Kizil
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases Dresden, Helmholtz Association, Dresden, Germany.,Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden, Center for Molecular and Cellular Bioengineering, TU Dresden, Dresden, Germany
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Galla L, Redolfi N, Pozzan T, Pizzo P, Greotti E. Intracellular Calcium Dysregulation by the Alzheimer's Disease-Linked Protein Presenilin 2. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E770. [PMID: 31991578 PMCID: PMC7037278 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21030770] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2019] [Revised: 01/17/2020] [Accepted: 01/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia. Even though most AD cases are sporadic, a small percentage is familial due to autosomal dominant mutations in amyloid precursor protein (APP), presenilin-1 (PSEN1), and presenilin-2 (PSEN2) genes. AD mutations contribute to the generation of toxic amyloid β (Aβ) peptides and the formation of cerebral plaques, leading to the formulation of the amyloid cascade hypothesis for AD pathogenesis. Many drugs have been developed to inhibit this pathway but all these approaches currently failed, raising the need to find additional pathogenic mechanisms. Alterations in cellular calcium (Ca2+) signaling have also been reported as causative of neurodegeneration. Interestingly, Aβ peptides, mutated presenilin-1 (PS1), and presenilin-2 (PS2) variously lead to modifications in Ca2+ homeostasis. In this contribution, we focus on PS2, summarizing how AD-linked PS2 mutants alter multiple Ca2+ pathways and the functional consequences of this Ca2+ dysregulation in AD pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luisa Galla
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padua, 35131 Padua, Italy; (L.G.); (N.R.); (T.P.); (E.G.)
- Neuroscience Institute, National Research Council (CNR), 35131 Padua, Italy
| | - Nelly Redolfi
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padua, 35131 Padua, Italy; (L.G.); (N.R.); (T.P.); (E.G.)
| | - Tullio Pozzan
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padua, 35131 Padua, Italy; (L.G.); (N.R.); (T.P.); (E.G.)
- Neuroscience Institute, National Research Council (CNR), 35131 Padua, Italy
- Venetian Institute of Molecular Medicine (VIMM), 35131 Padua, Italy
| | - Paola Pizzo
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padua, 35131 Padua, Italy; (L.G.); (N.R.); (T.P.); (E.G.)
- Neuroscience Institute, National Research Council (CNR), 35131 Padua, Italy
| | - Elisa Greotti
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padua, 35131 Padua, Italy; (L.G.); (N.R.); (T.P.); (E.G.)
- Neuroscience Institute, National Research Council (CNR), 35131 Padua, Italy
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Bouter C, Bouter Y. 18F-FDG-PET in Mouse Models of Alzheimer's Disease. Front Med (Lausanne) 2019; 6:71. [PMID: 31058151 PMCID: PMC6482246 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2019.00071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2019] [Accepted: 03/21/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Suitable animal models and in vivo biomarkers are essential for development and evaluation of new therapeutic strategies in Alzheimer's disease (AD). 18F-Fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG)-positron-emission tomography (PET) is an imaging biomarker that allows the assessment of cerebral glucose metabolism in vivo. While 18F-FDG-PET/CT is an established tool in the evaluation of AD patients, its role in preclinical studies with AD mouse models remains unclear. Here, we want to review available studies on 18F-FDG-PET/CT in AD mouse models in order to evaluate the method and its impact in preclinical AD research. Only a limited number of studies using 18F-FDG-PET in AD mice were carried out so far showing contradictory findings in cerebral FDG uptake. Methodological differences as well as underlying pathological features of used mouse models seem to be accountable for those varying results. However, 18F-FDG-PET can be a valuable tool in longitudinal in vivo therapy monitoring with a lot of potential for future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline Bouter
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Medical Center Göttingen, Georg-August-University, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Yvonne Bouter
- Division of Molecular Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Göttingen, Georg-August-University, Göttingen, Germany
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Smith LA, McMahon LL. Deficits in synaptic function occur at medial perforant path-dentate granule cell synapses prior to Schaffer collateral-CA1 pyramidal cell synapses in the novel TgF344-Alzheimer's Disease Rat Model. Neurobiol Dis 2017; 110:166-179. [PMID: 29199135 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2017.11.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2017] [Revised: 11/21/2017] [Accepted: 11/29/2017] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathology begins decades prior to onset of clinical symptoms, and the entorhinal cortex and hippocampus are among the first and most extensively impacted brain regions. The TgF344-AD rat model, which more fully recapitulates human AD pathology in an age-dependent manner, is a next generation preclinical rodent model for understanding pathophysiological processes underlying the earliest stages of AD (Cohen et al., 2013). Whether synaptic alterations occur in hippocampus prior to reported learning and memory deficit is not known. Furthermore, it is not known if specific hippocampal synapses are differentially affected by progressing AD pathology, or if synaptic deficits begin to appear at the same age in males and females in this preclinical model. Here, we investigated the time-course of synaptic changes in basal transmission, paired-pulse ratio, as an indirect measure of presynaptic release probability, long-term potentiation (LTP), and dendritic spine density at two hippocampal synapses in male and ovariectomized female TgF344-AD rats and wildtype littermates, prior to reported behavioral deficits. Decreased basal synaptic transmission begins at medial perforant path-dentate granule cell (MPP-DGC) synapses prior to Schaffer-collateral-CA1 (CA3-CA1) synapses, in the absence of a change in paired-pulse ratio (PPR) or dendritic spine density. N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor (NMDAR)-dependent LTP magnitude is unaffected at CA3-CA1 synapses at 6, 9, and 12months of age, but is significantly increased at MPP-DGC synapses in TgF344-AD rats at 6months only. Sex differences were only observed at CA3-CA1 synapses where the decrease in basal transmission occurs at a younger age in males versus females. These are the first studies to define presymptomatic alterations in hippocampal synaptic transmission in the TgF344-AD rat model. The time course of altered synaptic transmission mimics the spread of pathology through hippocampus in human AD and provides support for this model as a valuable preclinical tool in elucidating pathological mechanisms of early synapse dysfunction in AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lindsey A Smith
- Department of Cell, Developmental, and Integrative Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, USA
| | - Lori L McMahon
- Department of Cell, Developmental, and Integrative Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, USA.
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Fontana R, Agostini M, Murana E, Mahmud M, Scremin E, Rubega M, Sparacino G, Vassanelli S, Fasolato C. Early hippocampal hyperexcitability in PS2APP mice: role of mutant PS2 and APP. Neurobiol Aging 2016; 50:64-76. [PMID: 27889678 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2016.10.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2016] [Revised: 10/17/2016] [Accepted: 10/28/2016] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Alterations of brain network activity are observable in Alzheimer's disease (AD) together with the occurrence of mild cognitive impairment, before overt pathology. However, in humans as well in AD mouse models, identification of early biomarkers of network dysfunction is still at its beginning. We performed in vivo recordings of local field potential activity in the dentate gyrus of PS2APP mice expressing the human amyloid precursor protein (APP) Swedish mutation and the presenilin-2 (PS2) N141I. From a frequency-domain analysis, we uncovered network hyper-synchronicity as early as 3 months, when intracellular accumulation of amyloid beta was also observable. In addition, at 6 months of age, we identified network hyperactivity in the beta/gamma frequency bands, along with increased theta-beta and theta-gamma phase-amplitude cross-frequency coupling, in coincidence with the histopathological traits of the disease. Although hyperactivity and hypersynchronicity were respectively detected in mice expressing the PS2-N141I or the APP Swedish mutant alone, the increase in cross-frequency coupling specifically characterized the 6-month-old PS2APP mice, just before the surge of the cognitive decline.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Fontana
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Mario Agostini
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Emanuele Murana
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Mufti Mahmud
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Elena Scremin
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Maria Rubega
- Department of Information Engineering, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Giovanni Sparacino
- Department of Information Engineering, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | | | - Cristina Fasolato
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy.
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Onos KD, Sukoff Rizzo SJ, Howell GR, Sasner M. Toward more predictive genetic mouse models of Alzheimer's disease. Brain Res Bull 2015; 122:1-11. [PMID: 26708939 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2015.12.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 113] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2015] [Revised: 12/09/2015] [Accepted: 12/14/2015] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Genetic mouse models for Alzheimer's disease (AD) have been widely used to understand aspects of the biology of the disease, but have had limited success in translating these findings to the clinic. In this review, we discuss the benefits and limitations of existing genetic models and recent advances in technologies (including high throughput sequencing and genome editing) that promise more predictive models. We summarize widely used biomarkers and behavioral tests for mouse models of AD and highlight best practices that will maximize translatability of preclinical findings.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Gareth R Howell
- The Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, ME, United States; Graduate Program in Genetics, Sackler School of Graduate Biomedical Sciences, Tufts University, 136 Harrison Avenue, Boston, MA, United States.
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14
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Abstract
In this article, we will describe the malignant synaptic growth hypothesis of Alzheimer's disease. Originally presented in 1994, the hypothesis remains a viable model of the functional and biophysical mechanisms underlying the development and progression of Alzheimer's disease. In this article, we will refresh the model with references to relevant empirical support that has been generated in the intervening two decades since it's original presentation. We will include discussion of its relationship, in terms of points of alignment and points of contention, to other models of Alzheimer's disease, including the cholinergic hypothesis and the tau and β-amyloid models of Alzheimer's disease. Finally, we propose several falsifiable predictions made by the malignant synaptic growth hypothesis and describe the avenues of treatment that hold the greatest promise under this hypothesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ehren L Newman
- Center for Memory & Brain, Boston University, 2 Cummington St, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Christopher F Shay
- Center for Memory & Brain, Boston University, 2 Cummington St, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Michael E Hasselmo
- Center for Memory & Brain, Boston University, 2 Cummington St, Boston, MA 02215, USA
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Selective degeneration of septal and hippocampal GABAergic neurons in a mouse model of amyloidosis and tauopathy. Neurobiol Dis 2012; 47:1-12. [PMID: 22426397 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2012.03.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2011] [Revised: 01/30/2012] [Accepted: 03/01/2012] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by brain accumulation of amyloid-β peptide and neurofibrillary tangles, which are believed to initiate a pathological cascade that results in progressive impairment of cognitive functions and eventual neuronal death. To obtain a mouse model displaying the typical AD histopathology of amyloidosis and tauopathy, we generated a triple-transgenic mouse line (TauPS2APP) by overexpressing human mutations of the amyloid precursor protein, presenilin2 and tau genes. Stereological analysis of TauPS2APP mice revealed significant neurodegeneration of GABAergic septo-hippocampal projection neurons as well as their target cells, the GABAergic hippocampal interneurons. In contrast, the cholinergic medial septum neurons remained unaffected. Moreover, the degeneration of hippocampal GABAergic interneurons was dependent on the hippocampal subfield and interneuronal subtype investigated, whereby the dentate gyrus and the NPY-positive interneurons, respectively, were most strongly affected. Neurodegeneration was also accompanied by a change in the mRNA expression of markers for inhibitory interneurons. In line with the loss of inhibitory neurons, we observed functional changes in TauPS2APP mice relative to WT mice, with strongly enhanced long-term potentiation in the medial-perforant pathway input to the dentate gyrus, and stereotypic hyperactivity. Our data indicate that inhibitory neurons are the targets of neurodegeneration in a mouse model of amyloidosis and tauopathy, thus pointing to a possible role of the inhibitory network in the pathophysiological and functional cascade of Alzheimer's disease.
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Saenger S, Goeldner C, Frey JR, Ozmen L, Ostrowitzki S, Spooren W, Ballard TM, Prinssen E, Borroni E, Metzger F. PEGylation enhances the therapeutic potential for insulin-like growth factor I in central nervous system disorders. Growth Horm IGF Res 2011; 21:292-303. [PMID: 21865068 DOI: 10.1016/j.ghir.2011.07.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2011] [Revised: 07/26/2011] [Accepted: 07/27/2011] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Due to its potent neurotrophic activity, insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) has been proposed many times for therapeutic application in disorders of the central nervous system (CNS). However, insufficient brain delivery to yield beneficial central without peripheral side effects have prevented clinical development in most instances. DESIGN We recently reported the generation of a polyethylene-glycol modified IGF-I variant (PEG-IGF-I) with prolonged half-life and less acute side effects, but with fully maintained slow anabolic activity. Here we investigated if these beneficial properties result in improved brain availability of the drug, thereby reaching therapeutically relevant steady-state concentrations to elicit beneficial effects on neuronal function. RESULTS After a single subcutaneous injection, PEG-IGF-I reached much higher steady-state levels in brain tissue and cerebrospinal fluid compared with IGF-I. Two weeks treatment with PEG-IGF-I was sufficient to modulate brain plasticity processes, as judged by changes in synaptic proteins and related animal behavior. Furthermore, chronic treatment of a mouse model of brain amyloidosis with PEG-IGF-I reverted deficits in insulin/IGF-I signaling, synaptic proteins and cognitive performance. CONCLUSIONS Our data generate the therapeutic potential for PEG-IGF-I to treat CNS disorders by systemic drug application, and in addition scientifically support its application in disorders of synaptic function and neuronal development.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Saenger
- F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., CNS Pharma Research & Early Development, Basel, Switzerland
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