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He S, Ru Q, Chen L, Xu G, Wu Y. Advances in animal models of Parkinson's disease. Brain Res Bull 2024; 215:111024. [PMID: 38969066 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2024.111024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2024] [Revised: 06/26/2024] [Accepted: 06/28/2024] [Indexed: 07/07/2024]
Abstract
Parkinson's disease is a complex neurodegenerative disease characterized by progressive movement impairments. Predominant symptoms encompass resting tremor, bradykinesia, limb rigidity, and postural instability. In addition, it also includes a series of non-motor symptoms such as sleep disorders, hyposmia, gastrointestinal dysfunction, autonomic dysfunction and cognitive impairment. Pathologically, the disease manifests through dopaminergic neuronal loss and the presence of Lewy bodies. At present, no significant breakthrough has been achieved in clinical Parkinson's disease treatment. Exploring treatment modalities necessitate the establishment of scientifically sound animal models. In recent years, researchers have focused on replicating the symptoms of human Parkinson's disease, resulting in the establishment of various experimental animal models primarily through drugs and transgenic methods to mimic relevant pathologies and identify more effective treatments. This review examines traditional neurotoxin and transgenic animal models as well as α-synuclein pre-formed fibrils models, non-human primate models and non-mammalian specie models. Additionally, it introduces emerging models, including models based on optogenetics, induced pluripotent stem cells, and gene editing, aiming to provide a reference for the utilization of experimental animal models and clinical research for researchers in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sui He
- Institute of Intelligent Sport and Proactive Health, Department of Health and Physical Education, Jianghan University, Wuhan 430056, China
| | - Qin Ru
- Institute of Intelligent Sport and Proactive Health, Department of Health and Physical Education, Jianghan University, Wuhan 430056, China
| | - Lin Chen
- Institute of Intelligent Sport and Proactive Health, Department of Health and Physical Education, Jianghan University, Wuhan 430056, China
| | - Guodong Xu
- Institute of Intelligent Sport and Proactive Health, Department of Health and Physical Education, Jianghan University, Wuhan 430056, China
| | - Yuxiang Wu
- Institute of Intelligent Sport and Proactive Health, Department of Health and Physical Education, Jianghan University, Wuhan 430056, China.
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2
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Gcwensa NZ, Russell DL, Long KY, Brzozowski CF, Liu X, Gamble KL, Cowell RM, Volpicelli-Daley LA. Excitatory synaptic structural abnormalities produced by templated aggregation of α-syn in the basolateral amygdala. Neurobiol Dis 2024; 199:106595. [PMID: 38972360 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2024.106595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2024] [Revised: 07/03/2024] [Accepted: 07/03/2024] [Indexed: 07/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) and Dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) are characterized by neuronal α-synuclein (α-syn) inclusions termed Lewy Pathology, which are abundant in the amygdala. The basolateral amygdala (BLA), in particular, receives projections from the thalamus and cortex. These projections play a role in cognition and emotional processing, behaviors which are impaired in α-synucleinopathies. To understand if and how pathologic α-syn impacts the BLA requires animal models of α-syn aggregation. Injection of α-syn pre-formed fibrils (PFFs) into the striatum induces robust α-syn aggregation in excitatory neurons in the BLA that corresponds with reduced contextual fear conditioning. At early time points after aggregate formation, cortico-amygdala excitatory transmission is abolished. The goal of this project was to determine if α-syn inclusions in the BLA induce synaptic degeneration and/or morphological changes. In this study, we used C57BL/6 J mice injected bilaterally with PFFs in the dorsal striatum to induce α-syn aggregate formation in the BLA. A method was developed using immunofluorescence and three-dimensional reconstruction to analyze excitatory cortico-amygdala and thalamo-amygdala presynaptic terminals closely juxtaposed to postsynaptic densities. The abundance and morphology of synapses were analyzed at 6- or 12-weeks post-injection of PFFs. α-Syn aggregate formation in the BLA did not cause a significant loss of synapses, but cortico-amygdala and thalamo-amygdala presynaptic terminals and postsynaptic densities with aggregates of α-syn show increased volumes, similar to previous findings in human DLB cortex, and in non-human primate models of PD. Transmission electron microscopy showed that asymmetric synapses in mice with PFF-induced α-syn aggregates have reduced synaptic vesicle intervesicular distances, similar to a recent study showing phospho-serine-129 α-syn increases synaptic vesicle clustering. Thus, pathologic α-syn causes major alterations to synaptic architecture in the BLA, potentially contributing to behavioral impairment and amygdala dysfunction observed in synucleinopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nolwazi Z Gcwensa
- Center for Neurodegeneration and Experimental Therapeutics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA.
| | - Dreson L Russell
- Center for Neurodegeneration and Experimental Therapeutics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA.
| | - Khaliah Y Long
- Center for Neurodegeneration and Experimental Therapeutics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA.
| | - Charlotte F Brzozowski
- Center for Neurodegeneration and Experimental Therapeutics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA.
| | - Xinran Liu
- Center for Cellular and Molecular Imaging, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA.
| | - Karen L Gamble
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurobiology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA.
| | - Rita M Cowell
- Center for Neurodegeneration and Experimental Therapeutics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA.
| | - Laura A Volpicelli-Daley
- Center for Neurodegeneration and Experimental Therapeutics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA.
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3
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Hong H, Wang Y, Menard M, Buckley JA, Zhou L, Volpicelli-Daley L, Standaert DG, Qin H, Benveniste EN. Suppression of the JAK/STAT pathway inhibits neuroinflammation in the line 61-PFF mouse model of Parkinson's disease. J Neuroinflammation 2024; 21:216. [PMID: 39218899 PMCID: PMC11368013 DOI: 10.1186/s12974-024-03210-8] [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: 04/22/2024] [Accepted: 08/26/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) is characterized by neuroinflammation, progressive loss of dopaminergic neurons, and accumulation of α-synuclein (α-Syn) into insoluble aggregates called Lewy pathology. The Line 61 α-Syn mouse is an established preclinical model of PD; Thy-1 is used to promote human α-Syn expression, and features of sporadic PD develop at 9-18 months of age. To accelerate the PD phenotypes, we injected sonicated human α-Syn preformed fibrils (PFFs) into the striatum, which produced phospho-Syn (p-α-Syn) inclusions in the substantia nigra pars compacta and significantly increased MHC Class II-positive immune cells. Additionally, there was enhanced infiltration and activation of innate and adaptive immune cells in the midbrain. We then used this new model, Line 61-PFF, to investigate the effect of inhibiting the JAK/STAT signaling pathway, which is critical for regulation of innate and adaptive immune responses. After administration of the JAK1/2 inhibitor AZD1480, immunofluorescence staining showed a significant decrease in p-α-Syn inclusions and MHC Class II expression. Flow cytometry showed reduced infiltration of CD4+ T-cells, CD8+ T-cells, CD19+ B-cells, dendritic cells, macrophages, and endogenous microglia into the midbrain. Importantly, single-cell RNA-Sequencing analysis of CD45+ cells from the midbrain identified 9 microglia clusters, 5 monocyte/macrophage (MM) clusters, and 5 T-cell (T) clusters, in which potentially pathogenic MM4 and T3 clusters were associated with neuroinflammatory responses in Line 61-PFF mice. AZD1480 treatment reduced cell numbers and cluster-specific expression of the antigen-presentation genes H2-Eb1, H2-Aa, H2-Ab1, and Cd74 in the MM4 cluster and proinflammatory genes such as Tnf, Il1b, C1qa, and C1qc in the T3 cluster. Together, these results indicate that inhibiting the JAK/STAT pathway suppresses the activation and infiltration of innate and adaptive cells, reducing neuroinflammation in the Line 61-PFF mouse model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huixian Hong
- Department of Cell, Developmental and Integrative Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 1918 University Boulevard, MCLM 907, Birmingham, AL, 35294, USA
| | - Yong Wang
- Department of Cell, Developmental and Integrative Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 1918 University Boulevard, MCLM 907, Birmingham, AL, 35294, USA
| | - Marissa Menard
- Department of Neurology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 35294, USA
| | - Jessica A Buckley
- Department of Cell, Developmental and Integrative Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 1918 University Boulevard, MCLM 907, Birmingham, AL, 35294, USA
| | - Lianna Zhou
- Department of Cell, Developmental and Integrative Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 1918 University Boulevard, MCLM 907, Birmingham, AL, 35294, USA
| | - Laura Volpicelli-Daley
- Department of Neurology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 35294, USA
| | - David G Standaert
- Department of Neurology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 35294, USA
| | - Hongwei Qin
- Department of Cell, Developmental and Integrative Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 1918 University Boulevard, MCLM 907, Birmingham, AL, 35294, USA.
| | - Etty N Benveniste
- Department of Cell, Developmental and Integrative Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 1918 University Boulevard, MCLM 907, Birmingham, AL, 35294, USA.
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Chen L, Chehade HD, Chu HY. Motor Cortical Neuronal Hyperexcitability Associated with α-Synuclein Aggregation. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.07.24.604995. [PMID: 39091827 PMCID: PMC11291145 DOI: 10.1101/2024.07.24.604995] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/04/2024]
Abstract
Dysfunction of the cerebral cortex is thought to underlie motor and cognitive impairments in Parkinson disease (PD). While cortical function is known to be suppressed by abnormal basal ganglia output following dopaminergic degeneration, it remains to be determined how the deposition of Lewy pathology disrupts cortical circuit integrity and function. Moreover, it is also unknown whether cortical Lewy pathology and midbrain dopaminergic degeneration interact to disrupt cortical function in late-stage. To begin to address these questions, we injected α-synuclein (αSyn) preformed fibrils (PFFs) into the dorsolateral striatum of mice to seed αSyn pathology in the cortical cortex and induce degeneration of midbrain dopaminergic neurons. Using this model system, we reported that αSyn aggregates accumulate in the motor cortex in a layer- and cell-subtype-specific pattern. Particularly, intratelencephalic neurons (ITNs) showed earlier accumulation and greater extent of αSyn aggregates relative to corticospinal neurons (CSNs). Moreover, we demonstrated that the intrinsic excitability and inputs resistance of αSyn aggregates-bearing ITNs in the secondary motor cortex (M2) are increased, along with a noticeable shrinkage of cell bodies and loss of dendritic spines. Last, neither the intrinsic excitability of CSNs nor their thalamocortical input was altered by a partial striatal dopamine depletion associated with αSyn pathology. Our results documented motor cortical neuronal hyperexcitability associated with αSyn aggregation and provided a novel mechanistic understanding of cortical circuit dysfunction in PD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liqiang Chen
- Aligning Science Across Parkinson’s (ASAP) Collaborative Research Network, Chevy Chase, MD, 20852, United States
- Department of Neurodegenerative Science, Van Andel Institute, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, United States
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Georgetown University of Medical Center, Washington DC, 20007, United States
| | - Hiba Douja Chehade
- Aligning Science Across Parkinson’s (ASAP) Collaborative Research Network, Chevy Chase, MD, 20852, United States
- Department of Neurodegenerative Science, Van Andel Institute, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, United States
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Georgetown University of Medical Center, Washington DC, 20007, United States
| | - Hong-Yuan Chu
- Aligning Science Across Parkinson’s (ASAP) Collaborative Research Network, Chevy Chase, MD, 20852, United States
- Department of Neurodegenerative Science, Van Andel Institute, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, United States
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Georgetown University of Medical Center, Washington DC, 20007, United States
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5
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Mazzotta GM, Conte C. Alpha Synuclein Toxicity and Non-Motor Parkinson's. Cells 2024; 13:1265. [PMID: 39120295 PMCID: PMC11311369 DOI: 10.3390/cells13151265] [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: 06/13/2024] [Revised: 07/12/2024] [Accepted: 07/24/2024] [Indexed: 08/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) is a common multisystem neurodegenerative disorder affecting 1% of the population over the age of 60 years. The main neuropathological features of PD are the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc) and the presence of alpha synuclein (αSyn)-rich Lewy bodies both manifesting with classical motor signs. αSyn has emerged as a key protein in PD pathology as it can spread through synaptic networks to reach several anatomical regions of the body contributing to the appearance of non-motor symptoms (NMS) considered prevalent among individuals prior to PD diagnosis and persisting throughout the patient's life. NMS mainly includes loss of taste and smell, constipation, psychiatric disorders, dementia, impaired rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, urogenital dysfunction, and cardiovascular impairment. This review summarizes the more recent findings on the impact of αSyn deposits on several prodromal NMS and emphasizes the importance of early detection of αSyn toxic species in biofluids and peripheral biopsies as prospective biomarkers in PD.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Carmela Conte
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Perugia, 06126 Perugia, Italy
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6
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Haikal C, Winston GM, Kaplitt MG. Cognitive dysfunction in animal models of human lewy-body dementia. Front Aging Neurosci 2024; 16:1369733. [PMID: 39104707 PMCID: PMC11298446 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2024.1369733] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2024] [Accepted: 06/18/2024] [Indexed: 08/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Cognitive impairments are a common feature of synucleinopathies such as Parkinson's Disease Dementia and Dementia with Lewy Bodies. These pathologies are characterized by accumulation of Lewy bodies and Lewy neurites as well as neuronal cell death. Alpha-synuclein is the main proteinaceous component of Lewy bodies and Lewy neurites. To model these pathologies in vivo, toxins that selectively target certain neuronal populations or different means of inducing alpha-synuclein aggregation can be used. Alpha-synuclein accumulation can be induced by genetic manipulation, viral vector overexpression or the use of preformed fibrils of alpha-synuclein. In this review, we summarize the cognitive impairments associated with different models of synucleinopathies and relevance to observations in human diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline Haikal
- Weill Cornell Medicine, Department of Neurological Surgery, New York, NY, United States
- Aligning Science Across Parkinson’s Collaborative Research Network, Chevy Chase, MD, United States
| | - Graham M. Winston
- Weill Cornell Medicine, Department of Neurological Surgery, New York, NY, United States
- Aligning Science Across Parkinson’s Collaborative Research Network, Chevy Chase, MD, United States
| | - Michael G. Kaplitt
- Weill Cornell Medicine, Department of Neurological Surgery, New York, NY, United States
- Aligning Science Across Parkinson’s Collaborative Research Network, Chevy Chase, MD, United States
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7
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Gcwensa NZ, Russell DL, Long KY, Brzozowski CF, Liu X, Gamble KL, Cowell RM, Volpicelli-Daley LA. Cortico-amygdala synaptic structural abnormalities produced by templated aggregation of α-synuclein. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.05.15.594419. [PMID: 38798467 PMCID: PMC11118572 DOI: 10.1101/2024.05.15.594419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) and Dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) are characterized by neuronal α-synuclein (α-syn) inclusions termed Lewy Pathology, which are abundant in the amygdala. The basolateral amygdala (BLA), in particular, receives projections from the thalamus and cortex. These projections play a role in cognition and emotional processing, behaviors which are impaired in α-synucleinopathies. To understand if and how pathologic α-syn impacts the BLA requires animal models of α-syn aggregation. Injection of α-synuclein pre-formed fibrils (PFFs) into the striatum induces robust α-synuclein aggregation in excitatory neurons in the BLA that corresponds with reduced contextual fear conditioning. At early time points after aggregate formation, cortico-amygdala excitatory transmission is abolished. The goal of this project was to determine if α-syn inclusions in the BLA induce synaptic degeneration and/or morphological changes. In this study, we used C57BL/6J mice injected bilaterally with PFFs in the dorsal striatum to induce α-syn aggregate formation in the BLA. A method was developed using immunofluorescence and three-dimensional reconstruction to analyze excitatory cortico-amygdala and thalamo-amygdala presynaptic terminals closely juxtaposed to postsynaptic densities. The abundance and morphology of synapses were analyzed at 6- or 12-weeks post-injection of PFFs. α-Syn aggregate formation in the BLA did not cause a significant loss of synapses, but cortico-amygdala and thalamo-amygdala presynaptic terminals and postsynaptic densities with aggregates of α-synuclein show increased volumes, similar to previous findings in human DLB cortex, and in non-human primate models of PD. Transmission electron microscopy showed that PFF-injected mice showed reduced intervesicular distances similar to a recent study showing phospho-serine-129 α-synuclein increases synaptic vesicle clustering. Thus, pathologic α-synuclein causes major alterations to synaptic architecture in the BLA, potentially contributing to behavioral impairment and amygdala dysfunction observed in synucleinopathies.
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8
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Hong H, Wang Y, Menard M, Buckley J, Zhou L, Volpicelli-Daley L, Standaert D, Qin H, Benveniste E. Suppression of the JAK/STAT Pathway Inhibits Neuroinflammation in the Line 61-PFF Mouse Model of Parkinson's Disease. RESEARCH SQUARE 2024:rs.3.rs-4307273. [PMID: 38766241 PMCID: PMC11100885 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-4307273/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/22/2024]
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) is characterized by neuroinflammation, progressive loss of dopaminergic neurons, and accumulation of a-synuclein (a-Syn) into insoluble aggregates called Lewy pathology. The Line 61 a-Syn mouse is an established preclinical model of PD; Thy-1 is used to promote human a-Syn expression, and features of sporadic PD develop at 9-18 months of age. To accelerate the PD phenotypes, we injected sonicated human a-Syn preformed fibrils (PFFs) into the striatum, which produced phospho-Syn (p-a-Syn) inclusions in the substantia nigra pars compacta and significantly increased MHC Class II-positive immune cells. Additionally, there was enhanced infiltration and activation of innate and adaptive immune cells in the midbrain. We then used this new model, Line 61-PFF, to investigate the effect of inhibiting the JAK/STAT signaling pathway, which is critical for regulation of innate and adaptive immune responses. After administration of the JAK1/2 inhibitor AZD1480, immunofluorescence staining showed a significant decrease in p-a-Syn inclusions and MHC Class II expression. Flow cytometry showed reduced infiltration of CD4+ T-cells, CD8+ T-cells, CD19+ B-cells, dendritic cells, macrophages, and endogenous microglia into the midbrain. Importantly, single-cell RNA-Sequencing analysis of CD45+ cells from the midbrain identified 9 microglia clusters, 5 monocyte/macrophage (MM) clusters, and 5 T-cell (T) clusters, in which potentially pathogenic MM4 and T3 clusters were associated with neuroinflammatory responses in Line 61-PFF mice. AZD1480 treatment reduced cell numbers and cluster-specific expression of the antigen-presentation genes H2-Eb1, H2-Aa, H2-Ab1, and Cd74 in the MM4 cluster and proinflammatory genes such as Tnf, Il1b, C1qa, and C1qc in the T3 cluster. Together, these results indicate that inhibiting the JAK/STAT pathway suppresses the activation and infiltration of innate and adaptive cells, reducing neuroinflammation in the Line 61-PFF mouse model.
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Goralski TM, Meyerdirk L, Breton L, Brasseur L, Kurgat K, DeWeerd D, Turner L, Becker K, Adams M, Newhouse DJ, Henderson MX. Spatial transcriptomics reveals molecular dysfunction associated with cortical Lewy pathology. Nat Commun 2024; 15:2642. [PMID: 38531900 PMCID: PMC10966039 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-47027-8] [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: 01/30/2024] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2024] Open
Abstract
A key hallmark of Parkinson's disease (PD) is Lewy pathology. Composed of α-synuclein, Lewy pathology is found both in dopaminergic neurons that modulate motor function, and cortical regions that control cognitive function. Recent work has established the molecular identity of dopaminergic neurons susceptible to death, but little is known about cortical neurons susceptible to Lewy pathology or molecular changes induced by aggregates. In the current study, we use spatial transcriptomics to capture whole transcriptome signatures from cortical neurons with α-synuclein pathology compared to neurons without pathology. We find, both in PD and related PD dementia, dementia with Lewy bodies and in the pre-formed fibril α-synucleinopathy mouse model, that specific classes of excitatory neurons are vulnerable to developing Lewy pathology. Further, we identify conserved gene expression changes in aggregate-bearing neurons that we designate the Lewy-associated molecular dysfunction from aggregates (LAMDA) signature. Neurons with aggregates downregulate synaptic, mitochondrial, ubiquitin-proteasome, endo-lysosomal, and cytoskeletal genes and upregulate DNA repair and complement/cytokine genes. Our results identify neurons vulnerable to Lewy pathology in the PD cortex and describe a conserved signature of molecular dysfunction in both mice and humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas M Goralski
- Department of Neurodegenerative Science, Van Andel Institute, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503, USA
- Aligning Science Across Parkinson's (ASAP) Collaborative Research Network, Chevy Chase, MD, USA
| | - Lindsay Meyerdirk
- Department of Neurodegenerative Science, Van Andel Institute, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503, USA
- Aligning Science Across Parkinson's (ASAP) Collaborative Research Network, Chevy Chase, MD, USA
| | - Libby Breton
- Department of Neurodegenerative Science, Van Andel Institute, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503, USA
- Aligning Science Across Parkinson's (ASAP) Collaborative Research Network, Chevy Chase, MD, USA
| | - Laura Brasseur
- Department of Neurodegenerative Science, Van Andel Institute, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503, USA
- Aligning Science Across Parkinson's (ASAP) Collaborative Research Network, Chevy Chase, MD, USA
| | - Kevin Kurgat
- Department of Neurodegenerative Science, Van Andel Institute, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503, USA
- Aligning Science Across Parkinson's (ASAP) Collaborative Research Network, Chevy Chase, MD, USA
| | - Daniella DeWeerd
- Department of Neurodegenerative Science, Van Andel Institute, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503, USA
- Aligning Science Across Parkinson's (ASAP) Collaborative Research Network, Chevy Chase, MD, USA
| | - Lisa Turner
- Van Andel Institute Pathology Core, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503, USA
| | - Katelyn Becker
- Van Andel Institute Genomics Core, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503, USA
| | - Marie Adams
- Van Andel Institute Genomics Core, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503, USA
| | | | - Michael X Henderson
- Department of Neurodegenerative Science, Van Andel Institute, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503, USA.
- Aligning Science Across Parkinson's (ASAP) Collaborative Research Network, Chevy Chase, MD, USA.
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Kanan MK, Sheehan PW, Haines JN, Gomez PG, Dhuler A, Nadarajah CJ, Wargel ZM, Freeberg BM, Nelvagal HR, Izumo M, Takahashi JS, Cooper JD, Davis AA, Musiek ES. Neuronal deletion of the circadian clock gene Bmal1 induces cell-autonomous dopaminergic neurodegeneration. JCI Insight 2024; 9:e162771. [PMID: 38032732 PMCID: PMC10906231 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.162771] [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: 07/05/2022] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Circadian rhythm dysfunction is a hallmark of Parkinson disease (PD), and diminished expression of the core clock gene Bmal1 has been described in patients with PD. BMAL1 is required for core circadian clock function but also serves nonrhythmic functions. Germline Bmal1 deletion can cause brain oxidative stress and synapse loss in mice, and it can exacerbate dopaminergic neurodegeneration in response to the toxin MPTP. Here we examined the effect of cell type-specific Bmal1 deletion on dopaminergic neuron viability in vivo. We observed that global, postnatal deletion of Bmal1 caused spontaneous loss of tyrosine hydroxylase+ (TH+) dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc). This was not replicated by light-induced disruption of behavioral circadian rhythms and was not induced by astrocyte- or microglia-specific Bmal1 deletion. However, either pan-neuronal or TH neuron-specific Bmal1 deletion caused cell-autonomous loss of TH+ neurons in the SNpc. Bmal1 deletion did not change the percentage of TH neuron loss after α-synuclein fibril injection, though Bmal1-KO mice had fewer TH neurons at baseline. Transcriptomics analysis revealed dysregulation of pathways involved in oxidative phosphorylation and Parkinson disease. These findings demonstrate a cell-autonomous role for BMAL1 in regulating dopaminergic neuronal survival and may have important implications for neuroprotection in PD.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Hemanth R. Nelvagal
- Departments of Pediatrics, Genetics and Genomic Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | | | - Joseph S. Takahashi
- Department of Neuroscience and
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Jonathan D. Cooper
- Departments of Pediatrics, Genetics and Genomic Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | | | - Erik S. Musiek
- Department of Neurology and
- Center On Biological Rhythms and Sleep (COBRAS), Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
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11
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Weber MA, Kerr G, Thangavel R, Conlon MM, Gumusoglu SB, Gupta K, Abdelmotilib HA, Halhouli O, Zhang Q, Geerling JC, Narayanan NS, Aldridge GM. Alpha-Synuclein Pre-Formed Fibrils Injected into Prefrontal Cortex Primarily Spread to Cortical and Subcortical Structures. JOURNAL OF PARKINSON'S DISEASE 2024; 14:81-94. [PMID: 38189765 PMCID: PMC10836574 DOI: 10.3233/jpd-230129] [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] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Parkinson's disease dementia (PDD) and dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) are characterized by diffuse spread of alpha-synuclein (α-syn) throughout the brain. Patients with PDD and DLB have a neuropsychological pattern of deficits that include executive dysfunction, such as abnormalities in planning, timing, working memory, and behavioral flexibility. The prefrontal cortex (PFC) plays a major role in normal executive function and often develops α-syn aggregates in DLB and PDD. OBJECTIVE To investigate the long-term behavioral and cognitive consequences of α-syn pathology in the cortex and characterize pathological spread of α-syn. METHODS We injected human α-syn pre-formed fibrils into the PFC of wild-type male mice. We then assessed the behavioral and cognitive effects between 12- and 21-months post-injection and characterized the spread of pathological α-syn in cortical, subcortical, and brainstem regions. RESULTS We report that PFC PFFs: 1) induced α-syn aggregation in multiple cortical and subcortical regions with sparse aggregation in midbrain and brainstem nuclei; 2) did not affect interval timing or spatial learning acquisition but did mildly alter behavioral flexibility as measured by intraday reversal learning; and 3) increased open field exploration. CONCLUSIONS This model of cortical-dominant pathology aids in our understanding of how local α-syn aggregation might impact some symptoms in PDD and DLB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew A. Weber
- Department of Neurology, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Gemma Kerr
- Department of Neurology, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Ramasamy Thangavel
- Department of Neurology, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Mackenzie M. Conlon
- Medical Scientist Training Program, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Serena B. Gumusoglu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
- Iowa Neuroscience Institute, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Kalpana Gupta
- Department of Neurology, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Hisham A. Abdelmotilib
- Department of Neurology, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Oday Halhouli
- Department of Neurology, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Qiang Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Joel C. Geerling
- Department of Neurology, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
- Iowa Neuroscience Institute, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Nandakumar S. Narayanan
- Department of Neurology, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
- Iowa Neuroscience Institute, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
| | - Georgina M. Aldridge
- Department of Neurology, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
- Iowa Neuroscience Institute, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
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12
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Citro S, Lazzaro GD, Cimmino AT, Giuffrè GM, Marra C, Calabresi P. A multiple hits hypothesis for memory dysfunction in Parkinson disease. Nat Rev Neurol 2024; 20:50-61. [PMID: 38052985 DOI: 10.1038/s41582-023-00905-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 12/07/2023]
Abstract
Cognitive disorders are increasingly recognized in Parkinson disease (PD), even in early disease stages, and memory is one of the most affected cognitive domains. Classically, hippocampal cholinergic system dysfunction was associated with memory disorders, whereas nigrostriatal dopaminergic system impairment was considered responsible for executive deficits. Evidence from PD studies now supports involvement of the amygdala, which modulates emotional attribution to experiences. Here, we propose a tripartite model including the hippocampus, striatum and amygdala as key structures for cognitive disorders in PD. First, the anatomo-functional relationships of these structures are explored and experimental evidence supporting their role in cognitive dysfunction in PD is summarized. We then discuss the potential role of α-synuclein, a pathological hallmark of PD, in the tripartite memory system as a key mechanism in the pathogenesis of memory disorders in the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Salvatore Citro
- Neurology Section, Department of Neuroscience, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Giulia Di Lazzaro
- Neurology Unit, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Angelo Tiziano Cimmino
- Neurology Section, Department of Neuroscience, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Guido Maria Giuffrè
- Neurology Section, Department of Neuroscience, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
- Neurology Unit, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Camillo Marra
- Neurology Section, Department of Neuroscience, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
- Neurology Unit, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Paolo Calabresi
- Neurology Section, Department of Neuroscience, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy.
- Neurology Unit, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy.
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13
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Ferreira SA, Li C, Klæstrup IH, Vitic Z, Rasmussen RK, Kirkegaard A, Toft GU, Betzer C, Svendsen P, Jensen PH, Luo Y, Etzerodt A, Moestrup SK, Romero-Ramos M. Sex-dimorphic neuroprotective effect of CD163 in an α-synuclein mouse model of Parkinson's disease. NPJ Parkinsons Dis 2023; 9:164. [PMID: 38092806 PMCID: PMC10719342 DOI: 10.1038/s41531-023-00606-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2022] [Accepted: 11/24/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Alpha-synuclein (α-syn) aggregation and immune activation represent hallmark pathological events in Parkinson's disease (PD). The PD-associated immune response encompasses both brain and peripheral immune cells, although little is known about the immune proteins relevant for such a response. We propose that the upregulation of CD163 observed in blood monocytes and in the responsive microglia in PD patients is a protective mechanism in the disease. To investigate this, we used the PD model based on intrastriatal injections of murine α-syn pre-formed fibrils in CD163 knockout (KO) mice and wild-type littermates. CD163KO females revealed an impaired and differential early immune response to α-syn pathology as revealed by immunohistochemical and transcriptomic analysis. After 6 months, CD163KO females showed an exacerbated immune response and α-syn pathology, which ultimately led to dopaminergic neurodegeneration of greater magnitude. These findings support a sex-dimorphic neuroprotective role for CD163 during α-syn-induced neurodegeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara A Ferreira
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- Danish Research Institute of Translational Neuroscience - DANDRITE, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Conghui Li
- Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Ida H Klæstrup
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- Danish Research Institute of Translational Neuroscience - DANDRITE, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Zagorka Vitic
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- Danish Research Institute of Translational Neuroscience - DANDRITE, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | | | - Asger Kirkegaard
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- Danish Research Institute of Translational Neuroscience - DANDRITE, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Gitte U Toft
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- Danish Research Institute of Translational Neuroscience - DANDRITE, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Cristine Betzer
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- Danish Research Institute of Translational Neuroscience - DANDRITE, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Pia Svendsen
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Poul H Jensen
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- Danish Research Institute of Translational Neuroscience - DANDRITE, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Yonglun Luo
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- Danish Research Institute of Translational Neuroscience - DANDRITE, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- Steno Diabetes Center Aarhus, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Anders Etzerodt
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Søren K Moestrup
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Marina Romero-Ramos
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark.
- Danish Research Institute of Translational Neuroscience - DANDRITE, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark.
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14
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Alwani A, Maziarz K, Burda G, Jankowska-Kiełtyka M, Roman A, Łyszczarz G, Er S, Barut J, Barczyk-Woźnicka O, Pyza E, Kreiner G, Nalepa I, Chmielarz P. Investigating the potential effects of α-synuclein aggregation on susceptibility to chronic stress in a mouse Parkinson's disease model. Pharmacol Rep 2023; 75:1474-1487. [PMID: 37725330 PMCID: PMC10661792 DOI: 10.1007/s43440-023-00530-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2023] [Revised: 08/30/2023] [Accepted: 09/03/2023] [Indexed: 09/21/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Parkinson's disease (PD) is a motor disorder characterized by the degeneration of dopaminergic neurons, putatively due to the accumulation of α-synuclein (α-syn) in Lewy bodies (LBs) in Substantia Nigra. PD is also associated with the formation of LBs in brain areas responsible for emotional and cognitive regulation such as the amygdala and prefrontal cortex, and concurrent depression prevalence in PD patients. The exact link between dopaminergic cell loss, α-syn aggregation, depression, and stress, a major depression risk factor, is unclear. Therefore, we aimed to explore the interplay between sensitivity to chronic stress and α-syn aggregation. METHODS Bilateral injections of α-syn preformed fibrils (PFFs) into the striatum of C57Bl/6 J mice were used to induce α-syn aggregation. Three months after injections, animals were exposed to chronic social defeat stress. RESULTS α-syn aggregation did not affect stress susceptibility but independently caused increased locomotor activity in the open field test, reduced anxiety in the light-dark box test, and increased active time in the tail suspension test. Ex vivo analysis revealed modest dopaminergic neuron loss in the substantia nigra and reduced dopaminergic innervation in the dorsal striatum in PFFs injected groups. α-Syn aggregates were prominent in the amygdala, prefrontal cortex, and substantia nigra, with minimal α-syn aggregation in the raphe nuclei and locus coeruleus. CONCLUSIONS Progressive bilateral α-syn aggregation might lead to compensatory activity increase and alterations in emotionally regulated behavior, without affecting stress susceptibility. Understanding how α-syn aggregation and degeneration in specific brain structures contribute to depression and anxiety in PD patients requires further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Alwani
- Department of Brain Biochemistry, Maj Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Smętna 12, 31-343, Kraków, Poland
| | - Katarzyna Maziarz
- Department of Brain Biochemistry, Maj Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Smętna 12, 31-343, Kraków, Poland
| | - Gabriela Burda
- Department of Brain Biochemistry, Maj Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Smętna 12, 31-343, Kraków, Poland
| | - Monika Jankowska-Kiełtyka
- Department of Brain Biochemistry, Maj Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Smętna 12, 31-343, Kraków, Poland
| | - Adam Roman
- Department of Brain Biochemistry, Maj Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Smętna 12, 31-343, Kraków, Poland
| | - Gabriela Łyszczarz
- Department of Brain Biochemistry, Maj Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Smętna 12, 31-343, Kraków, Poland
| | - Safak Er
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Drug Research Program, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Institute of Biotechnology, HiLIFE, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Justyna Barut
- Department of Brain Biochemistry, Maj Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Smętna 12, 31-343, Kraków, Poland
| | - Olga Barczyk-Woźnicka
- Department of Cell Biology and Imaging, Institute of Zoology and Biomedical Research, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 9, 30-387, Kraków, Poland
| | - Elżbieta Pyza
- Department of Cell Biology and Imaging, Institute of Zoology and Biomedical Research, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 9, 30-387, Kraków, Poland
| | - Grzegorz Kreiner
- Department of Brain Biochemistry, Maj Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Smętna 12, 31-343, Kraków, Poland
| | - Irena Nalepa
- Department of Brain Biochemistry, Maj Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Smętna 12, 31-343, Kraków, Poland
| | - Piotr Chmielarz
- Department of Brain Biochemistry, Maj Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Smętna 12, 31-343, Kraków, Poland.
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15
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Calabresi P, Di Lazzaro G, Marino G, Campanelli F, Ghiglieri V. Advances in understanding the function of alpha-synuclein: implications for Parkinson's disease. Brain 2023; 146:3587-3597. [PMID: 37183455 PMCID: PMC10473562 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awad150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2023] [Revised: 03/13/2023] [Accepted: 03/29/2023] [Indexed: 05/16/2023] Open
Abstract
The critical role of alpha-synuclein in Parkinson's disease represents a pivotal discovery. Some progress has been made over recent years in identifying disease-modifying therapies for Parkinson's disease that target alpha-synuclein. However, these treatments have not yet shown clear efficacy in slowing the progression of this disease. Several explanations exist for this issue. The pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease is complex and not yet fully clarified and the heterogeneity of the disease, with diverse genetic susceptibility and risk factors and different clinical courses, adds further complexity. Thus, a deep understanding of alpha-synuclein physiological and pathophysiological functions is crucial. In this review, we first describe the cellular and animal models developed over recent years to study the physiological and pathological roles of this protein, including transgenic techniques, use of viral vectors and intracerebral injections of alpha-synuclein fibrils. We then provide evidence that these tools are crucial for modelling Parkinson's disease pathogenesis, causing protein misfolding and aggregation, synaptic dysfunction, brain plasticity impairment and cell-to-cell spreading of alpha-synuclein species. In particular, we focus on the possibility of dissecting the pre- and postsynaptic effects of alpha-synuclein in both physiological and pathological conditions. Finally, we show how vulnerability of specific neuronal cell types may facilitate systemic dysfunctions leading to multiple network alterations. These functional alterations underlie diverse motor and non-motor manifestations of Parkinson's disease that occur before overt neurodegeneration. However, we now understand that therapeutic targeting of alpha-synuclein in Parkinson's disease patients requires caution, since this protein exerts important physiological synaptic functions. Moreover, the interactions of alpha-synuclein with other molecules may induce synergistic detrimental effects. Thus, targeting only alpha-synuclein might not be enough. Combined therapies should be considered in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paolo Calabresi
- Sezione di Neurologia, Dipartimento di Neuroscienze, Facoltà di Medicina e Chirurgia, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, 00168, Italy
- Neurologia, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, 00168, Italy
| | - Giulia Di Lazzaro
- Neurologia, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, 00168, Italy
| | - Gioia Marino
- Sezione di Neurologia, Dipartimento di Neuroscienze, Facoltà di Medicina e Chirurgia, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, 00168, Italy
| | - Federica Campanelli
- Sezione di Neurologia, Dipartimento di Neuroscienze, Facoltà di Medicina e Chirurgia, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, 00168, Italy
| | - Veronica Ghiglieri
- Neurologia, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, 00168, Italy
- Department of Human Sciences and Promotion of the Quality of Life, Università Telematica San Raffaele, Rome, 00166, Italy
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16
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Dues DJ, Nguyen APT, Becker K, Ma J, Moore DJ. Hippocampal subfield vulnerability to α-synuclein pathology precedes neurodegeneration and cognitive dysfunction. NPJ Parkinsons Dis 2023; 9:125. [PMID: 37640722 PMCID: PMC10462636 DOI: 10.1038/s41531-023-00574-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2023] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Cognitive dysfunction is a salient feature of Parkinson's disease (PD) and Dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB). The onset of dementia reflects the spread of Lewy pathology throughout forebrain structures. The mere presence of Lewy pathology, however, provides limited indication of cognitive status. Thus, it remains unclear whether Lewy pathology is the de facto substrate driving cognitive dysfunction in PD and DLB. Through application of α-synuclein fibrils in vivo, we sought to examine the influence of pathologic inclusions on cognition. Following stereotactic injection of α-synuclein fibrils within the mouse forebrain, we measured the burden of α-synuclein pathology at 1-, 3-, and 6-months post-injection within subregions of the hippocampus and cortex. Under this paradigm, the hippocampal CA2/3 subfield was especially susceptible to α-synuclein pathology. Strikingly, we observed a drastic reduction of pathology in the CA2/3 subfield across time-points, consistent with the consolidation of α-synuclein pathology into dense somatic inclusions followed by neurodegeneration. Silver-positive degenerating neurites were observed prior to neuronal loss, suggesting that this might be an early feature of fibril-induced neurotoxicity and a precursor to neurodegeneration. Critically, mice injected with α-synuclein fibrils developed progressive deficits in spatial learning and memory. These findings support that the formation of α-synuclein inclusions in the mouse forebrain precipitate neurodegenerative changes that recapitulate features of Lewy-related cognitive dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dylan J Dues
- Department of Neurodegenerative Science, Van Andel Institute, Grand Rapids, MI, USA
| | - An Phu Tran Nguyen
- Department of Neurodegenerative Science, Van Andel Institute, Grand Rapids, MI, USA
| | - Katelyn Becker
- Department of Neurodegenerative Science, Van Andel Institute, Grand Rapids, MI, USA
| | - Jiyan Ma
- Department of Neurodegenerative Science, Van Andel Institute, Grand Rapids, MI, USA
- Chinese Institute for Brain Research, Beijing, China
| | - Darren J Moore
- Department of Neurodegenerative Science, Van Andel Institute, Grand Rapids, MI, USA.
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17
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Sheehan PW, Nadarajah CJ, Kanan MF, Patterson JN, Novotny B, Lawrence JH, King MW, Brase L, Inman CE, Yuede CM, Lee J, Patel TK, Harari O, Benitez BA, Davis AA, Musiek ES. An astrocyte BMAL1-BAG3 axis protects against alpha-synuclein and tau pathology. Neuron 2023; 111:2383-2398.e7. [PMID: 37315555 PMCID: PMC10524543 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2023.05.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2022] [Revised: 03/29/2023] [Accepted: 05/10/2023] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The circadian clock protein BMAL1 modulates glial activation and amyloid-beta deposition in mice. However, the effects of BMAL1 on other aspects of neurodegenerative pathology are unknown. Here, we show that global post-natal deletion of Bmal1 in mouse tauopathy or alpha-synucleinopathy models unexpectedly suppresses both tau and alpha-synuclein (αSyn) aggregation and related pathology. Astrocyte-specific Bmal1 deletion is sufficient to prevent both αSyn and tau pathology in vivo and induces astrocyte activation and the expression of Bag3, a chaperone critical for macroautophagy. Astrocyte Bmal1 deletion enhances phagocytosis of αSyn and tau in a Bag3-dependent manner, and astrocyte Bag3 overexpression is sufficient to mitigate αSyn spreading in vivo. In humans, BAG3 is increased in patients with AD and is highly expressed in disease-associated astrocytes (DAAs). Our results suggest that early activation of astrocytes via Bmal1 deletion induces Bag3 to protect against tau and αSyn pathologies, providing new insights into astrocyte-specific therapies for neurodegeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick W Sheehan
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Collin J Nadarajah
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Michael F Kanan
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Jessica N Patterson
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Brenna Novotny
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Jennifer H Lawrence
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Melvin W King
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Logan Brase
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Casey E Inman
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Carla M Yuede
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Jiyeon Lee
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Tirth K Patel
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Oscar Harari
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA; Knight Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Bruno A Benitez
- Department of Neurology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Albert A Davis
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA.
| | - Erik S Musiek
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA; Knight Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA; Center on Biological Rhythms and Sleep (COBRAS), Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA.
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18
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Lai TT, Gericke B, Feja M, Conoscenti M, Zelikowsky M, Richter F. Anxiety in synucleinopathies: neuronal circuitry, underlying pathomechanisms and current therapeutic strategies. NPJ Parkinsons Dis 2023; 9:97. [PMID: 37349373 DOI: 10.1038/s41531-023-00547-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2023] [Accepted: 06/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Synucleinopathies are neurodegenerative disorders characterized by alpha-synuclein (αSyn) accumulation in neurons or glial cells, including Parkinson's disease (PD), dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB), and multiple system atrophy (MSA). αSyn-related pathology plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of synucleinopathies leading to the progressive loss of neuronal populations in specific brain regions and the development of motor and non-motor symptoms. Anxiety is among the most frequent non-motor symptoms in patients with PD, but it remains underrecognized and undertreated, which significantly reduces the quality of life for patients. Anxiety is defined as a neuropsychiatric complication with characteristics such as nervousness, loss of concentration, and sweating due to the anticipation of impending danger. In patients with PD, neuropathology in the amygdala, a central region in the anxiety and fear circuitry, may contribute to the high prevalence of anxiety. Studies in animal models reported αSyn pathology in the amygdala together with alteration of anxiety or fear learning response. Therefore, understanding the progression, extent, and specifics of pathology in the anxiety and fear circuitry in synucleinopathies will suggest novel approaches to the diagnosis and treatment of neuropsychiatric symptoms. Here, we provide an overview of studies that address neuropsychiatric symptoms in synucleinopathies. We offer insights into anxiety and fear circuitry in animal models and the current implications for therapeutic intervention. In summary, it is apparent that anxiety is not a bystander symptom in these disorders but reflects early pathogenic mechanisms in the cortico-limbic system which may even contribute as a driver to disease progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thuy Thi Lai
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmacy, University of Veterinary Medicine, Hannover, Germany
- Center for Systems Neuroscience, Hannover, Germany
| | - Birthe Gericke
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmacy, University of Veterinary Medicine, Hannover, Germany
- Center for Systems Neuroscience, Hannover, Germany
| | - Malte Feja
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmacy, University of Veterinary Medicine, Hannover, Germany
- Center for Systems Neuroscience, Hannover, Germany
| | | | | | - Franziska Richter
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmacy, University of Veterinary Medicine, Hannover, Germany.
- Center for Systems Neuroscience, Hannover, Germany.
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19
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Goralski T, Meyerdirk L, Breton L, Brasseur L, Kurgat K, DeWeerd D, Turner L, Becker K, Adams M, Newhouse D, Henderson MX. Spatial transcriptomics reveals molecular dysfunction associated with Lewy pathology. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.05.17.541144. [PMID: 37292685 PMCID: PMC10245657 DOI: 10.1101/2023.05.17.541144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Lewy pathology composed of α-synuclein is the key pathological hallmark of Parkinson's disease (PD), found both in dopaminergic neurons that control motor function, and throughout cortical regions that control cognitive function. Recent work has investigated which dopaminergic neurons are most susceptible to death, but little is known about which neurons are vulnerable to developing Lewy pathology and what molecular changes an aggregate induces. In the current study, we use spatial transcriptomics to selectively capture whole transcriptome signatures from cortical neurons with Lewy pathology compared to those without pathology in the same brains. We find, both in PD and in a mouse model of PD, that there are specific classes of excitatory neurons that are vulnerable to developing Lewy pathology in the cortex. Further, we identify conserved gene expression changes in aggregate-bearing neurons that we designate the Lewy-associated molecular dysfunction from aggregates (LAMDA) signature. This gene signature indicates that neurons with aggregates downregulate synaptic, mitochondrial, ubiquitin-proteasome, endo-lysosomal, and cytoskeletal genes and upregulate DNA repair and complement/cytokine genes. However, beyond DNA repair gene upregulation, we find that neurons also activate apoptotic pathways, suggesting that if DNA repair fails, neurons undergo programmed cell death. Our results identify neurons vulnerable to Lewy pathology in the PD cortex and identify a conserved signature of molecular dysfunction in both mice and humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Goralski
- Department of Neurodegenerative Science, Van Andel Institute, Grand Rapids, MI 49503
- Aligning Science Across Parkinson’s (ASAP) Collaborative Research Network, Chevy Chase, MD
| | - Lindsay Meyerdirk
- Department of Neurodegenerative Science, Van Andel Institute, Grand Rapids, MI 49503
- Aligning Science Across Parkinson’s (ASAP) Collaborative Research Network, Chevy Chase, MD
| | - Libby Breton
- Department of Neurodegenerative Science, Van Andel Institute, Grand Rapids, MI 49503
- Aligning Science Across Parkinson’s (ASAP) Collaborative Research Network, Chevy Chase, MD
| | - Laura Brasseur
- Department of Neurodegenerative Science, Van Andel Institute, Grand Rapids, MI 49503
| | - Kevin Kurgat
- Department of Neurodegenerative Science, Van Andel Institute, Grand Rapids, MI 49503
- Aligning Science Across Parkinson’s (ASAP) Collaborative Research Network, Chevy Chase, MD
| | - Daniella DeWeerd
- Department of Neurodegenerative Science, Van Andel Institute, Grand Rapids, MI 49503
- Aligning Science Across Parkinson’s (ASAP) Collaborative Research Network, Chevy Chase, MD
| | | | | | | | | | - Michael X. Henderson
- Department of Neurodegenerative Science, Van Andel Institute, Grand Rapids, MI 49503
- Aligning Science Across Parkinson’s (ASAP) Collaborative Research Network, Chevy Chase, MD
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20
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Dues DJ, Nguyen APT, Becker K, Ma J, Moore DJ. Hippocampal subfield vulnerability to α-synuclein pathology precedes neurodegeneration and cognitive dysfunction. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.04.12.536572. [PMID: 37090590 PMCID: PMC10120695 DOI: 10.1101/2023.04.12.536572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/25/2023]
Abstract
Cognitive dysfunction is a salient feature of Parkinson's disease (PD) and Dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB). The onset of dementia reflects the spread of Lewy pathology throughout forebrain structures. The mere presence of Lewy pathology, however, provides limited indication of cognitive status. Thus, it remains unclear whether Lewy pathology is the de facto substrate driving cognitive dysfunction in PD and DLB. Through application of α-synuclein fibrils in vivo , we sought to examine the influence of pathologic inclusions on cognition. Following stereotactic injection of α-synuclein fibrils within the mouse forebrain, we measured the burden of α-synuclein pathology at 1-, 3-, and 6-months post-injection within subregions of the hippocampus and cortex. Under this paradigm, the hippocampal CA2/3 subfield was especially susceptible to α- synuclein pathology. Strikingly, we observed a drastic reduction of pathology in the CA2/3 subfield across time-points, consistent with the consolidation of α-synuclein pathology into dense somatic inclusions followed by neurodegeneration. Silver-positive degenerating neurites were observed prior to neuronal loss, suggesting that this might be an early feature of fibril-induced neurotoxicity and a precursor to neurodegeneration. Critically, mice injected with α-synuclein fibrils developed progressive deficits in spatial learning and memory. These findings support that the formation of α-synuclein inclusions in the mouse forebrain precipitate neurodegenerative changes that recapitulate features of Lewy-related cognitive dysfunction. Highlights Mice injected with α-synuclein fibrils develop hippocampal and cortical α- synuclein pathology with a dynamic regional burden at 1-, 3-, and 6-months post-injection.Silver-positive neuronal processes are an early and enduring degenerative feature of the fibril model, while extensive neurodegeneration of the hippocampal CA2/3 subfield is detected at 6-months post-injection.Mice exhibit progressive hippocampal-dependent spatial learning and memory deficits.Forebrain injection of α-synuclein fibrils may be used to model aspects of Lewy-related cognitive dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dylan J. Dues
- Department of Neurodegenerative Science, Van Andel Institute, Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA
| | - An Phu Tran Nguyen
- Department of Neurodegenerative Science, Van Andel Institute, Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA
| | - Katelyn Becker
- Department of Neurodegenerative Science, Van Andel Institute, Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA
| | - Jiyan Ma
- Department of Neurodegenerative Science, Van Andel Institute, Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA
| | - Darren J. Moore
- Department of Neurodegenerative Science, Van Andel Institute, Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA
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The Role of α-Synuclein in the Regulation of Serotonin System: Physiological and Pathological Features. Biomedicines 2023; 11:biomedicines11020541. [PMID: 36831077 PMCID: PMC9953742 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11020541] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2022] [Revised: 01/30/2023] [Accepted: 02/09/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2023] Open
Abstract
In patients affected by Parkinson's disease (PD), up to 50% of them experience cognitive changes, and psychiatric disturbances, such as anxiety and depression, often precede the onset of motor symptoms and have a negative impact on their quality of life. Pathologically, PD is characterized by the loss of dopamine (DA) neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc) and the presence of intracellular inclusions, called Lewy bodies and Lewy neurites, composed mostly of α-synuclein (α-Syn). Much of PD research has focused on the role of α-Syn aggregates in the degeneration of SNc DA neurons due to the impact of striatal DA deficits on classical motor phenotypes. However, abundant Lewy pathology is also found in other brain regions including the midbrain raphe nuclei, which may contribute to non-motor symptoms. Indeed, dysfunction of the serotonergic (5-HT) system, which regulates mood and emotional pathways, occurs during the premotor phase of PD. However, little is known about the functional consequences of α-Syn inclusions in this neuronal population other than DA neurons. Here, we provide an overview of the current knowledge of α-Syn and its role in regulating the 5-HT function in health and disease. Understanding the relative contributions to α-Syn-linked alterations in the 5-HT system may provide a basis for identifying PD patients at risk for developing depression and could lead to a more targeted therapeutic approach.
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Neuronopathic GBA1L444P Mutation Accelerates Glucosylsphingosine Levels and Formation of Hippocampal Alpha-Synuclein Inclusions. J Neurosci 2023; 43:501-521. [PMID: 36639889 PMCID: PMC9864632 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.0680-22.2022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2022] [Revised: 09/09/2022] [Accepted: 11/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The most common genetic risk factor for Parkinson's disease (PD) is heterozygous mutations GBA1, which encodes for the lysosomal enzyme, glucocerebrosidase. Reduced glucocerebrosidase activity associates with an accumulation of abnormal α-synuclein (α-syn) called Lewy pathology, which characterizes PD. PD patients heterozygous for the neuronotypic GBA1L444P mutation (GBA1+/L444P) have a 5.6-fold increased risk of cognitive impairments. In this study, we used GBA1+/L444P mice of either sex to determine its effects on lipid metabolism, expression of synaptic proteins, behavior, and α-syn inclusion formation. At 3 months of age, GBA1+/L444P mice demonstrated impaired contextual fear conditioning, and increased motor activity. Hippocampal levels of vGLUT1 were selectively reduced in GBA1+/L444P mice. We show, using mass spectrometry, that GBA1L444P expression increased levels of glucosylsphingosine, but not glucosylceramide, in the brains and serum of GBA1+/L444P mice. Templated induction of α-syn pathology in mice showed an increase in α-syn inclusion formation in the hippocampus of GBA1+/L444P mice compared with GBA1+/+ mice, but not in the cortex, or substantia nigra pars compacta. Pathologic α-syn reduced SNc dopamine neurons by 50% in both GBA1+/+ and GBA1+/L444P mice. Treatment with a GlcCer synthase inhibitor did not affect abundance of α-syn inclusions in the hippocampus or rescue dopamine neuron loss. Overall, these data suggest the importance of evaluating the contribution of elevated glucosylsphingosine to PD phenotypes. Further, our data suggest that expression of neuronotypic GBA1L444P may cause defects in the hippocampus, which may be a mechanism by which cognitive decline is more prevalent in individuals with GBA1-PD.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Parkinson's disease (PD) and dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) are both pathologically characterized by abnormal α-synuclein (α-syn). Mutant GBA1 is a risk factor for both PD and DLB. Our data show the expression of neuronotypic GBA1L444P impairs behaviors related to hippocampal function, reduces expression of a hippocampal excitatory synaptic protein, and that the hippocampus is more susceptible to α-syn inclusion formation. Further, our data strengthen support for the importance of evaluating the contribution of glucosylsphingosine to PD phenotypes. These outcomes suggest potential mechanisms by which GBA1L444P contributes to the cognitive symptoms clinically observed in PD and DLB. Our findings also highlight the importance of glucosylsphingosine as a relevant biomarker for future therapeutics.
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Iba M, McDevitt RA, Kim C, Roy R, Sarantopoulou D, Tommer E, Siegars B, Sallin M, Kwon S, Sen JM, Sen R, Masliah E. Aging exacerbates the brain inflammatory micro-environment contributing to α-synuclein pathology and functional deficits in a mouse model of DLB/PD. Mol Neurodegener 2022; 17:60. [PMID: 36064424 PMCID: PMC9447339 DOI: 10.1186/s13024-022-00564-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2022] [Accepted: 08/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although ɑ-synuclein (ɑ-syn) spreading in age-related neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's disease (PD) and Dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) has been extensively investigated, the role of aging in the manifestation of disease remains unclear. METHODS We explored the role of aging and inflammation in the pathogenesis of synucleinopathies in a mouse model of DLB/PD initiated by intrastriatal injection of ɑ-syn preformed fibrils (pff). RESULTS We found that aged mice showed more extensive accumulation of ɑ-syn in selected brain regions and behavioral deficits that were associated with greater infiltration of T cells and microgliosis. Microglial inflammatory gene expression induced by ɑ-syn-pff injection in young mice had hallmarks of aged microglia, indicating that enhanced age-associated pathologies may result from inflammatory synergy between aging and the effects of ɑ-syn aggregation. Based on the transcriptomics analysis projected from Ingenuity Pathway Analysis, we found a network that included colony stimulating factor 2 (CSF2), LPS related genes, TNFɑ and poly rl:rC-RNA as common regulators. CONCLUSIONS We propose that aging related inflammation (eg: CSF2) influences outcomes of pathological spreading of ɑ-syn and suggest that targeting neuro-immune responses might be important in developing treatments for DLB/PD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michiyo Iba
- Laboratory of Neurogenetics, Molecular Neuropathology Section, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Ross A McDevitt
- Mouse Phenotyping Unit, Comparative Medicine Section, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD, 21224, USA
| | - Changyoun Kim
- Laboratory of Neurogenetics, Molecular Neuropathology Section, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Roshni Roy
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Immunology, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD, 21224, USA
| | - Dimitra Sarantopoulou
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Immunology, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD, 21224, USA
| | - Ella Tommer
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Immunology, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD, 21224, USA
| | - Byron Siegars
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Immunology, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD, 21224, USA
- Laboratory of Clinical Investigation, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD, 21224, USA
| | - Michelle Sallin
- Laboratory of Clinical Investigation, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD, 21224, USA
| | - Somin Kwon
- Laboratory of Neurogenetics, Molecular Neuropathology Section, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Jyoti Misra Sen
- Laboratory of Clinical Investigation, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD, 21224, USA
- Immunology Program, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21224, USA
| | - Ranjan Sen
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Immunology, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD, 21224, USA
- Immunology Program, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21224, USA
| | - Eliezer Masliah
- Laboratory of Neurogenetics, Molecular Neuropathology Section, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA.
- Division of Neuroscience, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20814, USA.
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Miner KM, Jamenis AS, Bhatia TN, Clark RN, Rajasundaram D, Sauvaigo S, Mason DM, Posimo JM, Abraham N, DeMarco BA, Hu X, Stetler RA, Chen J, Sanders LH, Luk KC, Leak RK. α-synucleinopathy exerts sex-dimorphic effects on the multipurpose DNA repair/redox protein APE1 in mice and humans. Prog Neurobiol 2022; 216:102307. [PMID: 35710046 PMCID: PMC9514220 DOI: 10.1016/j.pneurobio.2022.102307] [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: 11/03/2021] [Revised: 04/05/2022] [Accepted: 06/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Lewy body disorders are characterized by oxidative damage to DNA and inclusions rich in aggregated forms of α-synuclein. Among other roles, apurinic/apyrimidinic endonuclease 1 (APE1) repairs oxidative DNA damage, and APE1 polymorphisms have been linked to cases of Lewy body disorders. However, the link between APE1 and α-synuclein is unexplored. We report that knockdown or inhibition of APE1 amplified inclusion formation in primary hippocampal cultures challenged with preformed α-synuclein fibrils. Fibril infusions into the mouse olfactory bulb/anterior olfactory nucleus (OB/AON) elicited a modest decrease in APE1 expression in the brains of male mice but an increase in females. Similarly, men with Lewy body disorders displayed lower APE1 expression in the OB and amygdala compared to women. Preformed fibril infusions of the mouse OB/AON induced more robust base excision repair of DNA lesions in females than males. No fibril-mediated loss of APE1 expression was observed in male mice when the antioxidant N-acetylcysteine was added to their diet. These findings reveal a potential sex-biased link between α-synucleinopathy and APE1 in mice and humans. Further studies are warranted to determine how this multifunctional protein modifies α-synuclein inclusions and, conversely, how α-synucleinopathy and biological sex interact to modify APE1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristin M Miner
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, PA 15282, USA
| | - Anuj S Jamenis
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, PA 15282, USA
| | - Tarun N Bhatia
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, PA 15282, USA
| | - Rachel N Clark
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, PA 15282, USA
| | - Dhivyaa Rajasundaram
- Department of Pediatrics, Rangos Research Center, UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, PA 15224, USA
| | | | - Daniel M Mason
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, PA 15282, USA
| | - Jessica M Posimo
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, PA 15282, USA
| | - Nevil Abraham
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, PA 15282, USA
| | - Brett A DeMarco
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, PA 15282, USA
| | - Xiaoming Hu
- Department of Neurology, University of Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - R Anne Stetler
- Department of Neurology, University of Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Jun Chen
- Department of Neurology, University of Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Laurie H Sanders
- Department of Neurology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Kelvin C Luk
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19147, USA
| | - Rehana K Leak
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, PA 15282, USA.
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25
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Leveraging the preformed fibril model to distinguish between alpha-synuclein inclusion- and nigrostriatal degeneration-associated immunogenicity. Neurobiol Dis 2022; 171:105804. [PMID: 35764290 PMCID: PMC9803935 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2022.105804] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2022] [Revised: 05/04/2022] [Accepted: 06/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Neuroinflammation has become a well-accepted pathologic hallmark of Parkinson's disease (PD). However, it remains unclear whether inflammation, triggered by α-syn aggregation and/or degeneration, contributes to the progression of the disease. Studies examining neuroinflammation in PD are unable to distinguish between Lewy body-associated inflammation and degeneration-associated inflammation, as both pathologies are present simultaneously. Intrastriatal and intranigral injections of alpha-synuclein (α-syn) preformed fibrils (PFFs) results in two distinct pathologic phases: Phase 1: The accumulation and peak formation of α-syn inclusions in nigrostriatal system and, Phase 2: Protracted dopaminergic neuron degeneration. In this review we summarize the current understanding of neuroinflammation in the α-syn PFF model, leveraging the distinct Phase 1 aggregation phase and Phase 2 degeneration phase to guide our interpretations. Studies consistently demonstrate an association between pathologic α-syn aggregation in the substantia nigra (SN) and activation of the innate immune system. Further, major histocompatibility complex-II (MHC-II) antigen presentation is proportionate to inclusion load. The α-syn aggregation phase is also associated with peripheral and adaptive immune cell infiltration to the SN. These findings suggest that α-syn like aggregates are immunogenic and thus have the potential to contribute to the degenerative process. Studies examining neuroinflammation during the neurodegenerative phase reveal elevated innate, adaptive, and peripheral immune cell markers, however limitations of single time point experimental design hinder interpretations as to whether this neuroinflammation preceded, or was triggered by, nigral degeneration. Longitudinal studies across both the aggregation and degeneration phases of the model suggest that microglial activation (MHC-II) is greater in magnitude during the aggregation phase that precedes degeneration. Overall, the consistency between neuroinflammatory markers in the parkinsonian brain and in the α-syn PFF model, combined with the distinct aggregation and degenerative phases, establishes the utility of this model platform to yield insights into pathologic events that contribute to neuroinflammation and disease progression in PD.
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Chronic Cerebral Hypoperfusion Aggravates Parkinson’s Disease Dementia-Like Symptoms and Pathology in 6-OHDA-Lesioned Rat through Interfering with Sphingolipid Metabolism. OXIDATIVE MEDICINE AND CELLULAR LONGEVITY 2022; 2022:5392966. [PMID: 35979400 PMCID: PMC9377946 DOI: 10.1155/2022/5392966] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2022] [Accepted: 07/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Chronic cerebral hypoperfusion (CCH) is a cardinal risk factor for Parkinson's disease dementia (PDD), but this potential causality lacks mechanistic evidence. We selected bilateral common carotid artery occlusion (BCCAO) to simulate chronic cerebral hypoperfusion in the rat model of PD induced by typical neurotoxin 6-hydroxy dopamine (6-OHDA). Four weeks after unilateral injection of 6-OHDA into the medial forebrain bundle, rats underwent BCCAO. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into five groups of ten, including sham, PD+BCCAO 2 weeks, PD+BCCAO 1 week, PD, and BCCAO 2 weeks. Then, open field test (OFT) and Morris water maze test (MWM) were used to assess the PDD-like symptoms in rats. Also, the pathological manifestations and mechanisms of BCCAO impairing cognitive functions have been explored via hematoxylin-eosin staining, Nissl staining, immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, RNA sequencing analysis, lipidomics, and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. In this study, we found that CCH could aggravate PDD-like cognitive symptoms (i.e., learning memory and spatial cognition) and PDD-like pathology (higher expression of α-Syn and Aβ in prefrontal cortex and striatum). Moreover, a potential relationship between differentially expressed mRNAs and lipid metabolism was revealed by RNA sequencing analysis. Lipidomics showed that CCH could affect the intensity of 5 lipids, including sphingomyelin (SM 9:0;2O/26:2; SM 8:1;2O/25:0; and SM 8:0;2O/28:4), cardiolipin, lysophosphatidylcholine, cholesteryl ester, and triacylglycerol. Interestingly, the KEGG pathway analysis of both RNA sequencing analysis and lipidomics suggested that CCH leaded to learning impairment by affecting sphingolipid metabolism. Finally, we found that CCH disrupts the sphingolipid metabolism by affecting the mRNA expression of SMPD1 and SMS2, leading to the accumulation of sphingomyelin in the prefrontal cortex. In summary, CCH, an independent exacerbating reason for impairment in learning and memory within the pathopoiesis of PD, aggravates Parkinson's disease dementia-like symptoms and pathology in 6-OHDA-lesioned rat through interfering with sphingolipid metabolism.
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27
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Chen L, Nagaraja C, Daniels S, Fisk ZA, Dvorak R, Meyerdirk L, Steiner JA, Escobar Galvis ML, Henderson MX, Rousseaux MWC, Brundin P, Chu HY. Synaptic location is a determinant of the detrimental effects of α-Synuclein pathology to glutamatergic transmission in the basolateral amygdala. eLife 2022; 11:78055. [PMID: 35775627 PMCID: PMC9286736 DOI: 10.7554/elife.78055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2022] [Accepted: 06/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The presynaptic protein α-synuclein (αSyn) has been suggested to be involved in the pathogenesis of Parkinson’s disease (PD). In PD, the amygdala is prone to develop insoluble αSyn aggregates, and it has been suggested that circuit dysfunction involving the amygdala contributes to the psychiatric symptoms. Yet, how αSyn aggregates affect amygdala function is unknown. In this study, we examined αSyn in glutamatergic axon terminals and the impact of its aggregation on glutamatergic transmission in the basolateral amygdala (BLA). We found that αSyn is primarily present in the vesicular glutamate transporter 1-expressing (vGluT1+) terminals in the mouse BLA, which is consistent with higher levels of αSyn expression in vGluT1+ glutamatergic neurons in the cerebral cortex relative to the vGluT2+ glutamatergic neurons in the thalamus. We found that αSyn aggregation selectively decreased the cortico-BLA, but not the thalamo-BLA, transmission; and that cortico-BLA synapses displayed enhanced short-term depression upon repetitive stimulation. In addition, using confocal microscopy, we found that vGluT1+ axon terminals exhibited decreased levels of soluble αSyn, which suggests that lower levels of soluble αSyn might underlie the enhanced short-term depression of cortico-BLA synapses. In agreement with this idea, we found that cortico-BLA synaptic depression was also enhanced in αSyn knockout mice. In conclusion, both basal and dynamic cortico-BLA transmission were disrupted by abnormal aggregation of αSyn and these changes might be relevant to the perturbed cortical control of the amygdala that has been suggested to play a role in psychiatric symptoms in PD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liqiang Chen
- Department of Neurodegenerative Science, Van Andel Institute, Grand Rapids, United States
| | - Chetan Nagaraja
- Department of Neurodegenerative Science, Van Andel Institute, Grand Rapids, United States
| | - Samuel Daniels
- Department of Neurodegenerative Science, Van Andel Institute, Grand Rapids, United States
| | - Zoe A Fisk
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada
| | - Rachel Dvorak
- Department of Neurodegenerative Science, Van Andel Institute, GRand Rapids, United States
| | - Lindsay Meyerdirk
- Department of Neurodegenerative Science, Van Andel Institute, Grand Rapids, United States
| | - Jennifer A Steiner
- Department of Neurodegenerative Science, Van Andel Institute, Grand Rapids, United States
| | | | - Michael X Henderson
- Department of Neurodegenerative Science, Van Andel Institute, Grand Rapids, United States
| | - Maxime W C Rousseaux
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada
| | - Patrik Brundin
- Pharma Research and Early Development (pRED), F. Hoffmann-La Roche, Little Falls, United States
| | - Hong-Yuan Chu
- Department of Neurodegenerative Science, Van Andel Institute, Grand Rapids, United States
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28
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Kulkarni AS, Burns MR, Brundin P, Wesson DW. Linking α-synuclein-induced synaptopathy and neural network dysfunction in early Parkinson's disease. Brain Commun 2022; 4:fcac165. [PMID: 35822101 PMCID: PMC9272065 DOI: 10.1093/braincomms/fcac165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2021] [Revised: 03/11/2022] [Accepted: 06/20/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The prodromal phase of Parkinson's disease is characterized by aggregation of the misfolded pathogenic protein α-synuclein in select neural centres, co-occurring with non-motor symptoms including sensory and cognitive loss, and emotional disturbances. It is unclear whether neuronal loss is significant during the prodrome. Underlying these symptoms are synaptic impairments and aberrant neural network activity. However, the relationships between synaptic defects and network-level perturbations are not established. In experimental models, pathological α-synuclein not only impacts neurotransmission at the synaptic level, but also leads to changes in brain network-level oscillatory dynamics-both of which likely contribute to non-motor deficits observed in Parkinson's disease. Here we draw upon research from both human subjects and experimental models to propose a 'synapse to network prodrome cascade' wherein before overt cell death, pathological α-synuclein induces synaptic loss and contributes to aberrant network activity, which then gives rise to prodromal symptomology. As the disease progresses, abnormal patterns of neural activity ultimately lead to neuronal loss and clinical progression of disease. Finally, we outline goals and research needed to unravel the basis of functional impairments in Parkinson's disease and other α-synucleinopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aishwarya S Kulkarni
- Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, University of Florida, 1200 Newell Dr, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Matthew R Burns
- Department of Neurology, University of Florida, 1200 Newell Dr, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
- Norman Fixel Institute for Neurological Disorders, University of Florida, 1200 Newell Dr, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Patrik Brundin
- Pharma Research and Early Development (pRED), F. Hoffman-La Roche, Little Falls, NJ, USA
| | - Daniel W Wesson
- Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, University of Florida, 1200 Newell Dr, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
- Norman Fixel Institute for Neurological Disorders, University of Florida, 1200 Newell Dr, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
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29
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Creed RB, Memon AA, Komaragiri SP, Barodia SK, Goldberg MS. Analysis of hemisphere-dependent effects of unilateral intrastriatal injection of α-synuclein pre-formed fibrils on mitochondrial protein levels, dynamics, and function. Acta Neuropathol Commun 2022; 10:78. [PMID: 35606853 PMCID: PMC9125944 DOI: 10.1186/s40478-022-01374-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2022] [Accepted: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Genetic and neuropathological evidence strongly implicates aberrant forms of α-synuclein in neurodegeneration. Antibodies specific for α-synuclein phosphorylated at serine 129 (pS129) are selective for the pathological protein aggregates that are characteristic of Parkinson's disease (PD) and other synucleinopathies, such as dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) and multiple system atrophy (MSA). Although the etiology of most synucleinopathies remains uncertain, a large body of evidence points to mitochondrial dysfunction. The recent development of animal models based on intracranial injection of α-synuclein pre-formed fibrils (PFFs) has provided a valuable experimental system in which to study the spread and neurotoxicity of α-synuclein aggregates, yet the effects of PFF-induced protein aggregates on mitochondrial function and dynamics have not been rigorously examined in vivo. To help fill this knowledge gap, we injected the striatum of mice unilaterally with well-characterized small length (< 30 nm) PFFs or monomeric α-synuclein control and measured the distribution and extent of pS129 α-synuclein-immunoreactive aggregates, the loss of tyrosine hydroxylase-immunoreactive neurons in the substantia nigra, the abundance of mitochondrial proteins, and the activity of mitochondrial respiratory chain components at 3 months and 6 months post injection. Intrastriatal injection of small length PFFs, but not monomeric α-synuclein control, induced robust pS129 α-synuclein immunoreactive inclusions in the cortex, ventral midbrain, and striatum, as well as in rarely reported brain regions, such as the hippocampus, as early as 3 months post injection. Significant loss of nigral tyrosine hydroxylase-immunoreactive neurons was observed in the PFF-injected hemisphere at 3 months and 6 months post injection. The unilateral striatal injection of small length PFFs also caused hemisphere-dependent and treatment-dependent changes in the cortical levels of mitochondrial proteins such as VDAC1, COX-IV, and DRP-1, as well as functional changes in mitochondrial complex I activity in the contralateral striatum. Together, these data demonstrate that intrastriatal injection of mice with small length PFFs induces extensive bilateral protein aggregates, significant unilateral nigral cell loss, and altered contralateral levels of mitochondrial proteins and respiratory chain activity. Our data suggest this animal model may be useful for studying the role of mitochondrial dysfunction in α-synucleinopathies, for studying the hemisphere-dependent effects of α-synuclein aggregates, and for testing neuroprotective therapies that target mitochondrial dysfunction and protein aggregation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rose B Creed
- Center for Neurodegeneration and Experimental Therapeutics, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 35294, USA
- Department of Neurology, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 35294, USA
| | - Adeel A Memon
- Center for Neurodegeneration and Experimental Therapeutics, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 35294, USA
- Department of Neurology, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 35294, USA
- Neuroengineering Ph.D. Program, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 35294, USA
| | - Sindhu P Komaragiri
- Center for Neurodegeneration and Experimental Therapeutics, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 35294, USA
- Department of Neurology, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 35294, USA
| | - Sandeep K Barodia
- Center for Neurodegeneration and Experimental Therapeutics, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 35294, USA
- Department of Neurology, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 35294, USA
| | - Matthew S Goldberg
- Center for Neurodegeneration and Experimental Therapeutics, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 35294, USA.
- Department of Neurology, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 35294, USA.
- Department of Neurobiology, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 35294, USA.
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Manual and automated analysis of atrophy patterns in dementia with Lewy bodies on MRI. BMC Neurol 2022; 22:114. [PMID: 35331168 PMCID: PMC8943955 DOI: 10.1186/s12883-022-02642-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2021] [Accepted: 03/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) is the second most common dementia type in patients older than 65 years. Its atrophy patterns remain unknown. Its similarities to Parkinson's disease and differences from Alzheimer's disease are subjects of current research. Methods The aim of our study was (i) to form a group of patients with DLB (and a control group) and create a 3D MRI data set (ii) to volumetrically analyze the entire brain in these groups, (iii) to evaluate visual and manual metric measurements of the innominate substance for real-time diagnosis, and (iv) to compare our groups and results with the latest literature. We identified 102 patients with diagnosed DLB in our psychiatric and neurophysiological archives. After exclusion, 63 patients with valid 3D data sets remained. We compared them with a control group of 25 patients of equal age and sex distribution. We evaluated the atrophy patterns in both (1) manually and (2) via Fast Surfers segmentation and volumetric calculations. Subgroup analyses were done of the CSF data and quality of 3D T1 data sets. Results Concordant with the literature, we detected moderate, symmetric atrophy of the hippocampus, entorhinal cortex and amygdala, as well as asymmetric atrophy of the right parahippocampal gyrus in DLB. The caudate nucleus was unaffected in patients with DLB, while all the other measured territories were slightly too moderately atrophied. The area under the curve analysis of the left hippocampus volume ratio (< 3646mm3) revealed optimal 76% sensitivity and 100% specificity (followed by the right hippocampus and left amygdala). The substantia innominata’s visual score attained a 51% optimal sensitivity and 84% specificity, and the measured distance 51% optimal sensitivity and 68% specificity in differentiating DLB from our control group. Conclusions In contrast to other studies, we observed a caudate nucleus sparing atrophy of the whole brain in patients with DLB. As the caudate nucleus is known to be the last survivor in dopamine-uptake, this could be the result of an overstimulation or compensation mechanism deserving further investigation. Its relative hypertrophy compared to all other brain regions could enable an imaging based identification of patients with DLB via automated segmentation and combined volumetric analysis of the hippocampus and amygdala. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12883-022-02642-0.
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Troshev D, Voronkov D, Pavlova A, Abaimov D, Latanov A, Fedorova T, Berezhnoy D. Time Course of Neurobehavioral Disruptions and Regional Brain Metabolism Changes in the Rotenone Mice Model of Parkinson’s Disease. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10020466. [PMID: 35203675 PMCID: PMC8962442 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10020466] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2021] [Revised: 02/08/2022] [Accepted: 02/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Parkinson’s disease (PD) is characterized by slow progression with a long prodromal stage and the gradual evolution of both neuropsychological symptoms and subtle motor changes, preceding motor dysfunction. Thus, in order for animal models of PD to be valid, they should reproduce these characteristics of the disease. One of such models, in which neuropathology is induced by chronic injections of low doses of mitochondrial toxin rotenone, is well established in rats. However, data on this model adapted to mice remain controversial. We have designed the study to describe the timecourse of motor and non-motor symptoms during chronic subcutaneous administration of rotenone (4 mg/kg daily for 35 days) in C57BL/6 mice. We characterize the underlying neuropathological processes (dopaminergic neuron degeneration, regional brain metabolism, monoamine neurotransmitter and lipid peroxidation changes) at different timepoints: 1 day, 2 weeks and 5 weeks of daily rotenone exposure. Based on the behavioral data, we can describe three stages of pathology: cognitive changes from week 2 of rotenone exposure, subtle motor changes in week 3–4 and motor dysfunction starting roughly from week 4. Neuropathological changes in this model include a general decrease in COX activity in different areas of the brain (acute effect of rotenone) and a more specific decrease in midbrain (chronic effect), followed by significant neurodegeneration in SNpc but not VTA by the 5th week of rotenone exposure. However, we were unable to find changes in the level of monoamine neurotransmitters neither in the striatum nor in the cortex, nor in the level of lipid peroxidation in the brainstem. Thus, the gradual progression of pathology in this model is linked with metabolic changes, rather than with oxidative stress or tonic neurotransmitter release levels. Overall, this study supports the idea that a low-dose rotenone mouse model can also reproduce different stages of PD as well as rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dmitry Troshev
- Koltzov Institute of Developmental Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Vavilov Street, 26, 119334 Moscow, Russia;
| | - Dmitry Voronkov
- Research Center of Neurology, Laboratory of Clinical and Experimental Neurochemistry, Volokolamskoeshosse, 80, 125367 Moscow, Russia; (D.V.); (D.A.); (T.F.)
| | - Anastasia Pavlova
- Biological Faculty, Moscow State University, Leninskie Gory, 1s12, 119234 Moscow, Russia; (A.P.); (A.L.)
| | - Denis Abaimov
- Research Center of Neurology, Laboratory of Clinical and Experimental Neurochemistry, Volokolamskoeshosse, 80, 125367 Moscow, Russia; (D.V.); (D.A.); (T.F.)
| | - Alexander Latanov
- Biological Faculty, Moscow State University, Leninskie Gory, 1s12, 119234 Moscow, Russia; (A.P.); (A.L.)
| | - Tatiana Fedorova
- Research Center of Neurology, Laboratory of Clinical and Experimental Neurochemistry, Volokolamskoeshosse, 80, 125367 Moscow, Russia; (D.V.); (D.A.); (T.F.)
| | - Daniil Berezhnoy
- Research Center of Neurology, Laboratory of Clinical and Experimental Neurochemistry, Volokolamskoeshosse, 80, 125367 Moscow, Russia; (D.V.); (D.A.); (T.F.)
- Biological Faculty, Moscow State University, Leninskie Gory, 1s12, 119234 Moscow, Russia; (A.P.); (A.L.)
- Correspondence:
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32
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Fan Y, Han J, Zhao L, Wu C, Wu P, Huang Z, Hao X, Ji Y, Chen D, Zhu M. Experimental Models of Cognitive Impairment for Use in Parkinson's Disease Research: The Distance Between Reality and Ideal. Front Aging Neurosci 2021; 13:745438. [PMID: 34912207 PMCID: PMC8667076 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2021.745438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2021] [Accepted: 11/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Parkinson’s disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disease. Cognitive impairment is one of the key non-motor symptoms of PD, affecting both mortality and quality of life. However, there are few experimental studies on the pathology and treatments of PD with mild cognitive impairment (PD-MCI) and PD dementia (PDD) due to the lack of representative models. To identify new strategies for developing representative models, we systematically summarized previous studies on PD-MCI and PDD and compared differences between existing models and diseases. Our initial search identified 5432 articles, of which 738 were duplicates. A total of 227 articles met our inclusion criteria and were included in the analysis. Models fell into three categories based on model design: neurotoxin-induced, transgenic, and combined. Although the neurotoxin-induced experimental model was the most common type that was used during every time period, transgenic and combined experimental models have gained significant recent attention. Unfortunately, there remains a big gap between ideal and actual experimental models. While each model has its own disadvantages, there have been tremendous advances in the development of PD models of cognitive impairment, and almost every model can verify a hypothesis about PD-MCI or PDD. Finally, our proposed strategies for developing novel models are as follows: a set of plans that integrate symptoms, biochemistry, neuroimaging, and other objective indicators to judge and identify that the novel model plays a key role in new strategies for developing representative models; novel models should simulate different clinical features of PD-MCI or PDD; inducible α-Syn overexpression and SH-SY5Y-A53T cellular models are good candidate models of PD-MCI or PDD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaohua Fan
- Traditional Chinese Medicine Innovation Research Center, Shenzhen Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Shenzhen, China
| | - Jiajun Han
- Traditional Chinese Medicine Innovation Research Center, Shenzhen Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Shenzhen, China
| | - Lijun Zhao
- Traditional Chinese Medicine Innovation Research Center, Shenzhen Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Shenzhen, China
| | - Chunxiao Wu
- Traditional Chinese Medicine Innovation Research Center, Shenzhen Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Shenzhen, China.,Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Peipei Wu
- Traditional Chinese Medicine Innovation Research Center, Shenzhen Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Shenzhen, China
| | - Zifeng Huang
- Traditional Chinese Medicine Innovation Research Center, Shenzhen Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Shenzhen, China
| | - Xiaoqian Hao
- Traditional Chinese Medicine Innovation Research Center, Shenzhen Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Shenzhen, China
| | - YiChun Ji
- Shenzhen Bao'an Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Shenzhen, China
| | - Dongfeng Chen
- Traditional Chinese Medicine Innovation Research Center, Shenzhen Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Shenzhen, China
| | - Meiling Zhu
- Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
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Zhang J, Liu H, Jiang H. Commentary: Dopamine-Dependent Early Synaptic and Motor Dysfunctions Induced by α-Synuclein in the Nigrostriatal Circuit. Front Aging Neurosci 2021; 13:790224. [PMID: 34912210 PMCID: PMC8666527 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2021.790224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2021] [Accepted: 11/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Jiahui Zhang
- Department of Physiology, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Pathogenesis and Prevention of Neurological Disorders and State Key Disciplines: Physiology, School of Basic Medicine, Medical College, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Heng Liu
- Department of Physiology, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Pathogenesis and Prevention of Neurological Disorders and State Key Disciplines: Physiology, School of Basic Medicine, Medical College, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Hong Jiang
- Department of Physiology, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Pathogenesis and Prevention of Neurological Disorders and State Key Disciplines: Physiology, School of Basic Medicine, Medical College, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
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Blumenstock S, Sun F, Klaus C, Marinković P, Sgobio C, Paeger L, Liebscher S, Herms J. Cortical circuit dysfunction in a mouse model of alpha-synucleinopathy in vivo. Brain Commun 2021; 3:fcab273. [PMID: 34877534 PMCID: PMC8643497 DOI: 10.1093/braincomms/fcab273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2021] [Revised: 07/12/2021] [Accepted: 08/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Considerable fluctuations in cognitive performance and eventual dementia are an important characteristic of alpha-synucleinopathies, such as Parkinson's disease and Lewy Body dementia and are linked to cortical dysfunction. The presence of misfolded and aggregated alpha-synuclein in the cerebral cortex of patients has been suggested to play a crucial role in this process. However, the consequences of a-synuclein accumulation on the function of cortical networks at cellular resolution in vivo are largely unknown. Here, we induced robust a-synuclein pathology in the cerebral cortex using the striatal seeding model in wild-type mice. Nine months after a single intrastriatal injection of a-synuclein preformed fibrils, we observed profound alterations of the function of layer 2/3 cortical neurons in somatosensory cortex by in vivo two-photon calcium imaging in awake mice. We detected increased spontaneous activity levels, an enhanced response to whisking and increased synchrony. Stereological analyses revealed a reduction in glutamic acid decarboxylase 67-positive inhibitory neurons in the somatosensory cortex of mice injected with preformed fibrils. Importantly, these findings point to a disturbed excitation/inhibition balance as a relevant driver of circuit dysfunction, potentially underlying cognitive changes in alpha-synucleinopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonja Blumenstock
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), 81377 Munich, Germany
- Center for Neuropathology and Prion Research, Ludwig-Maximilians University Munich, 81377 Munich, Germany
- Munich Cluster for Systems Neurology (SyNergy), 81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Fanfan Sun
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), 81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Carolin Klaus
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), 81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Petar Marinković
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), 81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Carmelo Sgobio
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), 81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Lars Paeger
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), 81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Sabine Liebscher
- Munich Cluster for Systems Neurology (SyNergy), 81377 Munich, Germany
- Institute of Clinical Neuroimmunology, Klinikum der Universität München, Ludwig-Maximilians University, 82152 Martinsried, Germany
- Biomedical Center, Medical Faculty, Ludwig-Maximilians University Munich, 82152 Martinsried, Germany
| | - Jochen Herms
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), 81377 Munich, Germany
- Center for Neuropathology and Prion Research, Ludwig-Maximilians University Munich, 81377 Munich, Germany
- Munich Cluster for Systems Neurology (SyNergy), 81377 Munich, Germany
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Lai TT, Kim YJ, Nguyen PT, Koh YH, Nguyen TT, Ma HI, Kim YE. Temporal Evolution of Inflammation and Neurodegeneration With Alpha-Synuclein Propagation in Parkinson's Disease Mouse Model. Front Integr Neurosci 2021; 15:715190. [PMID: 34675786 PMCID: PMC8523784 DOI: 10.3389/fnint.2021.715190] [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: 05/26/2021] [Accepted: 09/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
According to a few studies, α-synuclein (αSyn) propagation has been suggested to play a key role in the pathomechanism of Parkinson's disease (PD), but neurodegeneration and the involvement of inflammation in its pathologic progression are not well understood with regard to temporal relationship. In this study, with the help of the PD mouse model injected with intrastriatal αSyn preformed fibril (PFF), the temporal evolution of αSyn propagation, inflammation, and neurodegeneration was explored in the perspective of the striatum and the whole brain. In the PFF-injected striatum, inflammatory response cells, including microglia and astrocytes, were activated at the earliest stage and reduced with time, and the phosphorylated form of αSyn accumulation increased behind it. Afterward, the degeneration of striatal dopaminergic neurons became significant with the conspicuity of behavioral phenotype. Similar patterns of forefront eruption of inflammation and then followed by αSyn propagation were noted in the opposite striatum, which were not injured by PFF injection. In analyzing the whole brain, inflammatory responses were activated at the earliest stage, and the soluble αSyn expression increased concurrently. The inflammatory response decreased afterward, and the accumulation of the insoluble form of αSyn increased behind it. Our results suggested that the inflammatory response may precede the accumulation of the pathologic form of αSyn; thereafter, the neurodegeneration and motor dysfunction followed αSyn proliferation in the PD mouse model. From this model, recognizing the temporal relationship between inflammation, αSyn propagation, and neurodegeneration may be helpful in establishing the PD animal model and monitoring the effect of interventional therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thuy Thi Lai
- Department of Biomedical Gerontology, Graduate School of Hallym University, Chuncheon, South Korea.,Department of Neurology, Hallym University Sacred Heart Hospital, Hallym University, Anyang, South Korea.,Hallym Neurological Institute, Hallym University, Anyang, South Korea
| | - Yun Joong Kim
- Department of Neurology, Yongin Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Yongin, South Korea
| | - Phuong Thi Nguyen
- Department of Biomedical Gerontology, Graduate School of Hallym University, Chuncheon, South Korea.,Ilsong Institute of Life Science, Hallym University, Anyang, South Korea
| | - Young Ho Koh
- Department of Biomedical Gerontology, Graduate School of Hallym University, Chuncheon, South Korea.,Ilsong Institute of Life Science, Hallym University, Anyang, South Korea
| | - Tinh Thi Nguyen
- Department of Biomedical Gerontology, Graduate School of Hallym University, Chuncheon, South Korea.,Ilsong Institute of Life Science, Hallym University, Anyang, South Korea
| | - Hyeo-Il Ma
- Department of Neurology, Hallym University Sacred Heart Hospital, Hallym University, Anyang, South Korea.,Hallym Neurological Institute, Hallym University, Anyang, South Korea
| | - Young Eun Kim
- Department of Neurology, Hallym University Sacred Heart Hospital, Hallym University, Anyang, South Korea.,Hallym Neurological Institute, Hallym University, Anyang, South Korea
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del Rey NLG, Balzano T, Martin-Rodriguez L, Salinas-Rebolledo C, Trigo-Damas I, Rojas-Fernandez A, Alvarez-Erviti L, Blesa J. Lack of Parkinsonian Pathology and Neurodegeneration in Mice After Long-Term Injections of a Proteasome Inhibitor in Olfactory Bulb and Amygdala. Front Aging Neurosci 2021; 13:698979. [PMID: 34744683 PMCID: PMC8570189 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2021.698979] [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: 04/22/2021] [Accepted: 09/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Proteinaceous inclusions, called Lewy bodies (LBs), are used as a pathological hallmark for Parkinson's disease (PD). Recent studies suggested a prion-like spreading mechanism for α-synucleinopathy where early neuropathological deposits occur, among others, in the olfactory bulb (OB) and amygdala. LBs contain insoluble α-synuclein and many other ubiquitinated proteins, suggesting a role of protein degradation system failure in PD pathogenesis. Therefore, we wanted to study the effects of a proteasomal inhibitor, lactacystin, on the aggregability and transmissibility of α-synuclein in the OB and amygdala. We performed injections of lactacystin in the OB and amygdala of wild-type mice. Motor behavior, markers of neuroinflammation, α-synuclein, and dopaminergic integrity were assessed by immunohistochemistry. Overall, there were no differences in the number of neurons and α-synuclein expression in these regions following injection of lactacystin into either the OB or amygdala. Microglial and astroglial labeling appeared to be correlated with surgery-induced inflammation or local effects of lactacystin. Consistent with the behavior and pathological findings, there was no loss of dopaminergic cell bodies in the substantia nigra and terminals in the striatum. Our data showed that long-term lactacystin injections in extra nigrostriatal regions may not mimic spreading aspects of PD and reinforce the special vulnerability of dopaminergic neurons of the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc).
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Lopez-Gonzalez del Rey
- HM CINAC (Centro Integral de Neurociencias Abarca Campal), Hospital Universitario HM Puerta del Sur, HM Hospitales, Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Madrid, Spain
- PhD Program in Neuroscience, Autonoma de Madrid University-Cajal Institute, Madrid, Spain
| | - Tiziano Balzano
- HM CINAC (Centro Integral de Neurociencias Abarca Campal), Hospital Universitario HM Puerta del Sur, HM Hospitales, Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Madrid, Spain
| | - Lucia Martin-Rodriguez
- HM CINAC (Centro Integral de Neurociencias Abarca Campal), Hospital Universitario HM Puerta del Sur, HM Hospitales, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Ines Trigo-Damas
- HM CINAC (Centro Integral de Neurociencias Abarca Campal), Hospital Universitario HM Puerta del Sur, HM Hospitales, Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Lydia Alvarez-Erviti
- Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology, Center for Biomedical Research of La Rioja (CIBIR), Logroño, Spain
| | - Javier Blesa
- HM CINAC (Centro Integral de Neurociencias Abarca Campal), Hospital Universitario HM Puerta del Sur, HM Hospitales, Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Madrid, Spain
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Torres ERS, Stanojlovic M, Zelikowsky M, Bonsberger J, Hean S, Mulligan C, Baldauf L, Fleming S, Masliah E, Chesselet MF, Fanselow MS, Richter F. Alpha-synuclein pathology, microgliosis, and parvalbumin neuron loss in the amygdala associated with enhanced fear in the Thy1-aSyn model of Parkinson's disease. Neurobiol Dis 2021; 158:105478. [PMID: 34390837 PMCID: PMC8447919 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2021.105478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2021] [Revised: 07/20/2021] [Accepted: 08/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
In Parkinson's disease (PD), the second most common neurodegenerative disorder, non-motor symptoms often precede the development of debilitating motor symptoms and present a severe impact on the quality of life. Lewy bodies containing misfolded α-synuclein progressively develop in neurons throughout the peripheral and central nervous system, which may be correlated with the early development of non-motor symptoms. Among those, increased fear and anxiety is frequent in PD and thought to result from pathology outside the dopaminergic system, which has been the focus of symptomatic treatment to alleviate motor symptoms. Alpha-synuclein accumulation has been reported in the amygdala of PD patients, a brain region critically involved in fear and anxiety. Here we asked whether α-synuclein overexpression alone is sufficient to induce an enhanced fear phenotype in vivo and which pathological mechanisms are involved. Transgenic mice expressing human wild-type α-synuclein (Thy1-aSyn), a well-established model of PD, were subjected to fear conditioning followed by extinction and then tested for extinction memory retention followed by histopathological analysis. Thy1-aSyn mice showed enhanced tone fear across acquisition and extinction compared to wild-type littermates, as well as a trend to less retention of fear extinction. Immunohistochemical analysis of the basolateral nucleus of the amygdala, a nucleus critically involved in tone fear learning, revealed extensive α-synuclein pathology, with accumulation, phosphorylation, and aggregation of α-synuclein in transgenic mice. This pathology was accompanied by microgliosis and parvalbumin neuron loss in this nucleus, which could explain the enhanced fear phenotype. Importantly, this non-motor phenotype was detected in the pre-clinical phase, prior to dopamine loss in Thy1-aSyn mice, thus replicating observations in patients. Results obtained in this study suggest a possible mechanism by which increased anxiety and maladaptive fear processing may occur in PD, opening a door for therapeutic options and further early biomarker research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eileen Ruth S Torres
- Department of Neurology, The David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Milos Stanojlovic
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmacy, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, 30559 Hannover, Germany
| | - Moriel Zelikowsky
- Department of Psychology, Staglin Center for Brain and Behavioral Health, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; Department of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, USA.
| | - Jana Bonsberger
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmacy, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, 30559 Hannover, Germany
| | - Sindalana Hean
- Department of Neurology, The David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Caitlin Mulligan
- Department of Neurology, The David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Leonie Baldauf
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmacy, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, 30559 Hannover, Germany
| | - Sheila Fleming
- Department of Neurology, The David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Eliezer Masliah
- Department of Neurosciences, UCSD School of Medicine, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | | | - Michael S Fanselow
- Department of Psychology, Staglin Center for Brain and Behavioral Health, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Franziska Richter
- Department of Neurology, The David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmacy, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, 30559 Hannover, Germany; Center for Systems Neuroscience, Hanover, Germany.
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Polinski NK. A Summary of Phenotypes Observed in the In Vivo Rodent Alpha-Synuclein Preformed Fibril Model. JOURNAL OF PARKINSONS DISEASE 2021; 11:1555-1567. [PMID: 34486988 PMCID: PMC8609716 DOI: 10.3233/jpd-212847] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The use of wildtype recombinant alpha-synuclein preformed fibrils (aSyn PFFs) to induce endogenous alpha-synuclein to form pathological phosphorylation and trigger neurodegeneration is a popular model for studying Parkinson's disease (PD) biology and testing therapeutic strategies. The strengths of this model lie in its ability to recapitulate the phosphorylation/aggregation of aSyn and nigrostriatal degeneration seen in PD, as well as its suitability for studying the progressive nature of PD and the spread of aSyn pathology. Although the model is commonly used and has been adopted by many labs, variability in observed phenotypes exists. Here we provide summaries of the study design and reported phenotypes from published reports characterizing the aSyn PFF in vivo model in rodents following injection into the brain, gut, muscle, vein, peritoneum, and eye. These summaries are designed to facilitate an introduction to the use of aSyn PFFs to generate a rodent model of PD-highlighting phenotypes observed in papers that set out to thoroughly characterize the model. This information will hopefully improve the understanding of this model and clarify when the aSyn PFF model may be an appropriate choice for one's research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole K Polinski
- The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson'sResearch, New York, NY, USA
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39
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Tozzi A, Sciaccaluga M, Loffredo V, Megaro A, Ledonne A, Cardinale A, Federici M, Bellingacci L, Paciotti S, Ferrari E, La Rocca A, Martini A, Mercuri NB, Gardoni F, Picconi B, Ghiglieri V, De Leonibus E, Calabresi P. Dopamine-dependent early synaptic and motor dysfunctions induced by α-synuclein in the nigrostriatal circuit. Brain 2021; 144:3477-3491. [PMID: 34297092 PMCID: PMC8677552 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awab242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2021] [Revised: 05/26/2021] [Accepted: 06/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Misfolding and aggregation of α-synuclein are specific features of Parkinson’s disease and other neurodegenerative diseases defined as synucleinopathies. Parkinson’s disease progression has been correlated with the formation and extracellular release of α-synuclein aggregates, as well as with their spread from neuron to neuron. Therapeutic interventions in the initial stages of Parkinson’s disease require a clear understanding of the mechanisms by which α-synuclein disrupts the physiological synaptic and plastic activity of the basal ganglia. For this reason, we identified two early time points to clarify how the intrastriatal injection of α-synuclein-preformed fibrils in rodents via retrograde transmission induces time-dependent electrophysiological and behavioural alterations. We found that intrastriatal α-synuclein-preformed fibrils perturb the firing rate of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta, while the discharge of putative GABAergic cells of the substantia nigra pars reticulata is unchanged. The α-synuclein-induced dysregulation of nigrostriatal function also impairs, in a time-dependent manner, the two main forms of striatal synaptic plasticity, long-term potentiation and long-term depression. We also observed an increased glutamatergic transmission measured as an augmented frequency of spontaneous excitatory synaptic currents. These changes in neuronal function in the substantia nigra pars compacta and striatum were observed before overt neuronal death occurred. In an additional set of experiments, we were able to rescue α-synuclein-induced alterations of motor function, striatal synaptic plasticity and increased spontaneous excitatory synaptic currents by subchronic treatment with l-DOPA, a precursor of dopamine widely used in the therapy of Parkinson’s disease, clearly demonstrating that a dysfunctional dopamine system plays a critical role in the early phases of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandro Tozzi
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia, 06132 Perugia, Italy
| | - Miriam Sciaccaluga
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia, 06132 Perugia, Italy
| | - Vittorio Loffredo
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia, 06132 Perugia, Italy.,Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology-CNR, 00015 Monterotondo scalo, Italy
| | - Alfredo Megaro
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia, 06132 Perugia, Italy
| | - Ada Ledonne
- Laboratory of Experimental Neuroscience, Santa Lucia Foundation IRCCS, 00143 Rome, Italy
| | - Antonella Cardinale
- Laboratory of Experimental Neurophysiology, IRCCS San Raffaele Pisana, 00166 Rome, Italy
| | - Mauro Federici
- Laboratory of Experimental Neuroscience, Santa Lucia Foundation IRCCS, 00143 Rome, Italy
| | - Laura Bellingacci
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia, 06132 Perugia, Italy
| | - Silvia Paciotti
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia, 06132 Perugia, Italy
| | - Elena Ferrari
- University of Milan, Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Antonino La Rocca
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology-CNR, 00015 Monterotondo scalo, Italy
| | - Alessandro Martini
- Laboratory of Experimental Neuroscience, Santa Lucia Foundation IRCCS, 00143 Rome, Italy
| | - Nicola B Mercuri
- Laboratory of Experimental Neuroscience, Santa Lucia Foundation IRCCS, 00143 Rome, Italy.,Neurology Unit, Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Gardoni
- University of Milan, Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Barbara Picconi
- Laboratory of Experimental Neurophysiology, IRCCS San Raffaele Pisana, 00166 Rome, Italy.,Telematic University San Raffaele, 00166 Rome, Italy
| | | | - Elvira De Leonibus
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology-CNR, 00015 Monterotondo scalo, Italy.,Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine, 80078 Pozzuoli, Italy
| | - Paolo Calabresi
- Neurological Clinic, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy.,Department of Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine, Università Cattolica del "Sacro Cuore", 00168 Rome, Italy
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40
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Ferreira N, Gram H, Sorrentino ZA, Gregersen E, Schmidt SI, Reimer L, Betzer C, Perez-Gozalbo C, Beltoja M, Nagaraj M, Wang J, Nowak JS, Dong M, Willén K, Cholak E, Bjerregaard-Andersen K, Mendez N, Rabadia P, Shahnawaz M, Soto C, Otzen DE, Akbey Ü, Meyer M, Giasson BI, Romero-Ramos M, Jensen PH. Multiple system atrophy-associated oligodendroglial protein p25α stimulates formation of novel α-synuclein strain with enhanced neurodegenerative potential. Acta Neuropathol 2021; 142:87-115. [PMID: 33978813 PMCID: PMC8217051 DOI: 10.1007/s00401-021-02316-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2020] [Revised: 04/20/2021] [Accepted: 04/21/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Pathology consisting of intracellular aggregates of alpha-Synuclein (α-Syn) spread through the nervous system in a variety of neurodegenerative disorders including Parkinson's disease, dementia with Lewy bodies, and multiple system atrophy. The discovery of structurally distinct α-Syn polymorphs, so-called strains, supports a hypothesis where strain-specific structures are templated into aggregates formed by native α-Syn. These distinct strains are hypothesised to dictate the spreading of pathology in the tissue and the cellular impact of the aggregates, thereby contributing to the variety of clinical phenotypes. Here, we present evidence of a novel α-Syn strain induced by the multiple system atrophy-associated oligodendroglial protein p25α. Using an array of biophysical, biochemical, cellular, and in vivo analyses, we demonstrate that compared to α-Syn alone, a substoichiometric concentration of p25α redirects α-Syn aggregation into a unique α-Syn/p25α strain with a different structure and enhanced in vivo prodegenerative properties. The α-Syn/p25α strain induced larger inclusions in human dopaminergic neurons. In vivo, intramuscular injection of preformed fibrils (PFF) of the α-Syn/p25α strain compared to α-Syn PFF resulted in a shortened life span and a distinct anatomical distribution of inclusion pathology in the brain of a human A53T transgenic (line M83) mouse. Investigation of α-Syn aggregates in brain stem extracts of end-stage mice demonstrated that the more aggressive phenotype of the α-Syn/p25α strain was associated with an increased load of α-Syn aggregates based on a Förster resonance energy transfer immunoassay and a reduced α-Syn aggregate seeding activity based on a protein misfolding cyclic amplification assay. When injected unilaterally into the striata of wild-type mice, the α-Syn/p25α strain resulted in a more-pronounced motoric phenotype than α-Syn PFF and exhibited a "tropism" for nigro-striatal neurons compared to α-Syn PFF. Overall, our data support a hypothesis whereby oligodendroglial p25α is responsible for generating a highly prodegenerative α-Syn strain in multiple system atrophy.
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41
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Stoyka LE, Mahoney CL, Thrasher DR, Russell DL, Cook AK, Harris AT, Narayanan A, Janado TP, Standaert DG, Roberson ED, Volpicelli-Daley LA. Templated α-Synuclein Inclusion Formation Is Independent of Endogenous Tau. eNeuro 2021; 8:ENEURO.0458-20.2021. [PMID: 33972291 PMCID: PMC8213444 DOI: 10.1523/eneuro.0458-20.2021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2020] [Revised: 04/07/2021] [Accepted: 04/14/2021] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Synucleinopathies including Parkinson's disease (PD) and dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) are characterized by neuronal intracellular inclusions of α-synuclein. PD dementia (PDD) and DLB are collectively the second most common cause of neurodegenerative dementia. In addition to associated inclusions, Lewy body diseases (LBDs) have dopaminergic neurodegeneration, motor defects and cognitive changes. The microtubule-associated protein tau has been implicated in LBDs, but the exact role of the protein and how it influences formation of α-synuclein inclusions is unknown. Reducing endogenous tau levels is protective in multiple models of Alzheimer's disease (AD), tauopathies, and in some transgenic synucleinopathy mouse models. Recombinant α-synuclein and tau proteins interact in vitro Here, we show tau and α-synuclein colocalize at excitatory presynaptic terminals. However, tau heterozygous and tau knock-out mice do not show a reduction in fibril-induced α-synuclein inclusions formation in primary cortical neurons, or after intrastriatal injections of fibrils at 1.5 month or six months later. At six months following intrastriatal injections, wild-type, tau heterozygous and tau knock-out mice showed a 50% reduction in dopamine neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc) compared with mice injected with α-synuclein monomer, but there were no statistically significant differences across genotypes. These data suggest the role of tau in the pathogenesis of LBDs is distinct from AD, and Lewy pathology formation may be independent of endogenous tau.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lindsay E Stoyka
- Center for Neurodegeneration and Experimental Therapeutics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294
| | - Casey L Mahoney
- Center for Neurodegeneration and Experimental Therapeutics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294
| | - Drake R Thrasher
- Center for Neurodegeneration and Experimental Therapeutics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294
| | - Drèson L Russell
- Center for Neurodegeneration and Experimental Therapeutics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294
| | - Anna K Cook
- Center for Neurodegeneration and Experimental Therapeutics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Laura A Volpicelli-Daley
- Center for Neurodegeneration and Experimental Therapeutics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294
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42
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Cui H, Wang W, Zheng X, Xia D, Liu H, Qin C, Tian H, Teng J. Decreased AQP4 Expression Aggravates ɑ-Synuclein Pathology in Parkinson's Disease Mice, Possibly via Impaired Glymphatic Clearance. J Mol Neurosci 2021; 71:2500-2513. [PMID: 33772424 DOI: 10.1007/s12031-021-01836-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2020] [Accepted: 03/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The pathological hallmarks of Parkinson's disease (PD), a neurodegenerative disorder, are the selective loss of dopamine neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc) and the presence of α-synuclein (α-syn) aggregates in the form of Lewy bodies/Lewy neurites (LBs/LNs) in neurons. Recent studies have indicated that aquaporin 4 (AQP4), as a predominant water channel protein in the brain, is involved in the progression of Parkinson's disease (PD). However, it remains unclear whether AQP4 expression affects α-syn pathology in Parkinson's disease. In this study, we established a progressive PD model by subjecting AQP4 null (AQP4+/-) mice to bilateral intrastriatal injection of α-syn preformed fibrils (PFFs) and investigated the effect of decreased AQP4 expression on the development of PD. We found that decreased expression of AQP4 accelerated pathologic deposition of α-syn and facilitated the loss of dopamine neurons and behavioral disorders. Draining of macromolecules from the brain via the glymphatic pathway was slowed due to decreased AQP4 expression. Taken together, these findings indicate that decreased AQP4 expression may aggravate PD-like pathology, possibly via impairment of the glymphatic pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huili Cui
- Department of Neurology, Institute of Parkinson and Movement Disorder, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Wenkang Wang
- Department of Orthopedics, Graduate School of Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, China
| | - Xinhui Zheng
- Department of Orthopedics, Graduate School of Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, China
| | - Danhao Xia
- Department of Neurology, Institute of Parkinson and Movement Disorder, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Han Liu
- Department of Neurology, Institute of Parkinson and Movement Disorder, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Chi Qin
- Department of Neurology, Institute of Parkinson and Movement Disorder, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Haiyan Tian
- Department of Neurology, Institute of Parkinson and Movement Disorder, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Junfang Teng
- Department of Neurology, Institute of Parkinson and Movement Disorder, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China.
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43
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Gcwensa NZ, Russell DL, Cowell RM, Volpicelli-Daley LA. Molecular Mechanisms Underlying Synaptic and Axon Degeneration in Parkinson's Disease. Front Cell Neurosci 2021; 15:626128. [PMID: 33737866 PMCID: PMC7960781 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2021.626128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2020] [Accepted: 02/05/2021] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that impairs movement as well as causing multiple other symptoms such as autonomic dysfunction, rapid eye movement (REM) sleep behavior disorder, hyposmia, and cognitive changes. Loss of dopamine neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc) and loss of dopamine terminals in the striatum contribute to characteristic motor features. Although therapies ease the symptoms of PD, there are no treatments to slow its progression. Accumulating evidence suggests that synaptic impairments and axonal degeneration precede neuronal cell body loss. Early synaptic changes may be a target to prevent disease onset and slow progression. Imaging of PD patients with radioligands, post-mortem pathologic studies in sporadic PD patients, and animal models of PD demonstrate abnormalities in presynaptic terminals as well as postsynaptic dendritic spines. Dopaminergic and excitatory synapses are substantially reduced in PD, and whether other neuronal subtypes show synaptic defects remains relatively unexplored. Genetic studies implicate several genes that play a role at the synapse, providing additional support for synaptic dysfunction in PD. In this review article we: (1) provide evidence for synaptic defects occurring in PD before neuron death; (2) describe the main genes implicated in PD that could contribute to synapse dysfunction; and (3) show correlations between the expression of Snca mRNA and mouse homologs of PD GWAS genes demonstrating selective enrichment of Snca and synaptic genes in dopaminergic, excitatory and cholinergic neurons. Altogether, these findings highlight the need for novel therapeutics targeting the synapse and suggest that future studies should explore the roles for PD-implicated genes across multiple neuron types and circuits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nolwazi Z Gcwensa
- Department of Neurobiology, Center for Neurodegeneration and Experimental Therapeutics, Civitan International Research Center, Birmingham, AL, United States
| | - Drèson L Russell
- Department of Neurobiology, Center for Neurodegeneration and Experimental Therapeutics, Civitan International Research Center, Birmingham, AL, United States
| | - Rita M Cowell
- Department of Neuroscience, Southern Research, Birmingham, AL, United States
| | - Laura A Volpicelli-Daley
- Department of Neurobiology, Center for Neurodegeneration and Experimental Therapeutics, Civitan International Research Center, Birmingham, AL, United States
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44
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Han NR, Kim YK, Ahn S, Hwang TY, Lee H, Park HJ. A Comprehensive Phenotype of Non-motor Impairments and Distribution of Alpha-Synuclein Deposition in Parkinsonism-Induced Mice by a Combination Injection of MPTP and Probenecid. Front Aging Neurosci 2021; 12:599045. [PMID: 33519420 PMCID: PMC7838388 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2020.599045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2020] [Accepted: 12/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) is characterized by non-motor symptoms as well as motor deficits. The non-motor symptoms rarely appear individually and occur simultaneously with motor deficits or independently. However, a comprehensive research on the non-motor symptoms using an experimental model of PD remains poorly understood. The aim of the current study is to establish a chronic mouse model of PD mimicking the comprehensive non-motor symptoms of human PD by injection of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) and probenecid (MPTP/p). The non-motor and motor symptoms were evaluated by performing buried food, short-term olfactory memory, hot plate, open field, tail suspension, Y maze, novel object recognition, bead expulsion, one-h stool collection, rotarod, rearing, catalepsy, and akinesia tests after 10 injections of MPTP/p into mice. The expression levels of α-synuclein, glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) or DJ-1 were analyzed by Western blotting or immunostaining. MPTP/p-treated mice achieved to reproduce the key features of non-motor symptoms including olfactory deficit, thermal hyperalgesia, anxiety, depression, cognitive decline, and gastrointestinal dysfunction in addition to motor deficits. The MPTP/p-treated mice also showed the high levels of α-synuclein and low levels of TH and DJ-1 in striatum, substantia nigra, olfactory bulb, hippocampus, amygdala, prefrontal cortex, locus coeruleus, or colon. In addition, the expression levels of phosphorylated-α-synuclein and GFAP were elevated in the striatum and substantia nigra in the MPTP/p-treated mice. Taken together, our study clarifies that the chronic MPTP/p-treated mice have a variety of non-motor dysfunctions as well as motor abnormalities by α-synuclein overexpression and dopaminergic depletion. Therefore, the study of comprehensive phenotypes of non-motor symptoms in one PD model would advance in-depth understandings of neuropathological alternations and contribute to future strategies for PD treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Na-Ra Han
- Integrative Parkinson's Disease Research Group, Acupuncture and Meridian Science Research Center, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, South Korea.,Department of Anatomy & Information Sciences, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Yu-Kang Kim
- Integrative Parkinson's Disease Research Group, Acupuncture and Meridian Science Research Center, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, South Korea.,Department of Anatomy & Information Sciences, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Sora Ahn
- Integrative Parkinson's Disease Research Group, Acupuncture and Meridian Science Research Center, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Tae-Yeon Hwang
- Integrative Parkinson's Disease Research Group, Acupuncture and Meridian Science Research Center, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, South Korea.,Department of Meridian & Acupoints, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Hyejung Lee
- Department of Meridian & Acupoints, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Hi-Joon Park
- Integrative Parkinson's Disease Research Group, Acupuncture and Meridian Science Research Center, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, South Korea.,Department of Anatomy & Information Sciences, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, South Korea
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45
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Underwood R, Gannon M, Pathak A, Kapa N, Chandra S, Klop A, Yacoubian TA. 14-3-3 mitigates alpha-synuclein aggregation and toxicity in the in vivo preformed fibril model. Acta Neuropathol Commun 2021; 9:13. [PMID: 33413679 PMCID: PMC7792107 DOI: 10.1186/s40478-020-01110-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2020] [Accepted: 12/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Alpha-synuclein (αsyn) is the key component of proteinaceous aggregates termed Lewy Bodies that pathologically define a group of disorders known as synucleinopathies, including Parkinson's Disease (PD) and Dementia with Lewy Bodies. αSyn is hypothesized to misfold and spread throughout the brain in a prion-like fashion. Transmission of αsyn necessitates the release of misfolded αsyn from one cell and the uptake of that αsyn by another, in which it can template the misfolding of endogenous αsyn upon cell internalization. 14-3-3 proteins are a family of highly expressed brain proteins that are neuroprotective in multiple PD models. We have previously shown that 14-3-3θ acts as a chaperone to reduce αsyn aggregation, cell-to-cell transmission, and neurotoxicity in the in vitro pre-formed fibril (PFF) model. In this study, we expanded our studies to test the impact of 14-3-3s on αsyn toxicity in the in vivo αsyn PFF model. We used both transgenic expression models and adenovirus associated virus (AAV)-mediated expression to examine whether 14-3-3 manipulation impacts behavioral deficits, αsyn aggregation, and neuronal counts in the PFF model. 14-3-3θ transgene overexpression in cortical and amygdala regions rescued social dominance deficits induced by PFFs at 6 months post injection, whereas 14-3-3 inhibition by transgene expression of the competitive 14-3-3 peptide inhibitor difopein in the cortex and amygdala accelerated social dominance deficits. The behavioral rescue by 14-3-3θ overexpression was associated with delayed αsyn aggregation induced by PFFs in these brain regions. Conversely, 14-3-3 inhibition by difopein in the cortex and amygdala accelerated αsyn aggregation and reduction in NECAB1-positive neuron counts induced by PFFs. 14-3-3θ overexpression by AAV in the substantia nigra (SN) also delayed αsyn aggregation in the SN and partially rescued PFF-induced reduction in tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)-positive dopaminergic cells in the SN. 14-3-3 inhibition in the SN accelerated nigral αsyn aggregation and enhanced PFF-induced reduction in TH-positive dopaminergic cells. These data indicate a neuroprotective role for 14-3-3θ against αsyn toxicity in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel Underwood
- Department of Neurology, Center for Neurodegeneration and Experimental Therapeutics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294 USA
- Center for Neurodegenerative Disease Research, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Maloney Building, 3rd Floor, 3600 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104-2676 USA
| | - Mary Gannon
- Department of Neurology, Center for Neurodegeneration and Experimental Therapeutics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294 USA
| | - Aneesh Pathak
- Department of Neurology, Center for Neurodegeneration and Experimental Therapeutics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294 USA
| | - Navya Kapa
- Department of Neurology, Center for Neurodegeneration and Experimental Therapeutics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294 USA
| | - Sidhanth Chandra
- Department of Neurology, Center for Neurodegeneration and Experimental Therapeutics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294 USA
- Medical Scientist Training Program, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611 USA
| | - Alyssa Klop
- Department of Neurology, Center for Neurodegeneration and Experimental Therapeutics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294 USA
| | - Talene A. Yacoubian
- Department of Neurology, Center for Neurodegeneration and Experimental Therapeutics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294 USA
- Civitan International Research Center, Room 510A, 1719 Sixth Avenue South, Birmingham, AL 35294 USA
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46
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Thomsen MB, Ferreira SA, Schacht AC, Jacobsen J, Simonsen M, Betzer C, Jensen PH, Brooks DJ, Landau AM, Romero-Ramos M. PET imaging reveals early and progressive dopaminergic deficits after intra-striatal injection of preformed alpha-synuclein fibrils in rats. Neurobiol Dis 2020; 149:105229. [PMID: 33352233 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2020.105229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2020] [Revised: 12/16/2020] [Accepted: 12/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Alpha-synuclein (a-syn) can aggregate and form toxic oligomers and insoluble fibrils which are the main component of Lewy bodies. Intra-neuronal Lewy bodies are a major pathological characteristic of Parkinson's disease (PD). These fibrillar structures can act as seeds and accelerate the aggregation of monomeric a-syn. Indeed, recent studies show that injection of preformed a-syn fibrils (PFF) into the rodent brain can induce aggregation of the endogenous monomeric a-syn resulting in neuronal dysfunction and eventual cell death. We injected 8 μg of murine a-syn PFF, or soluble monomeric a-syn into the right striatum of rats. The animals were monitored behaviourally using the cylinder test, which measures paw asymmetry, and the corridor task that measures lateralized sensorimotor response to sugar treats. In vivo PET imaging was performed after 6, 13 and 22 weeks using [11C]DTBZ, a marker of the vesicular monoamine 2 transporter (VMAT2), and after 15 and 22 weeks using [11C]UCB-J, a marker of synaptic SV2A protein in nerve terminals. Histology was performed at the three time points using antibodies against dopaminergic markers, aggregated a-syn, and MHCII to evaluate the immune response. While the a-syn PFF injection caused only mild behavioural changes, [11C]DTBZ PET showed a significant and progressive decrease of VMAT2 binding in the ipsilateral striatum. This was accompanied by a small progressive decrease in [11C]UCB-J binding in the same area. In addition, our histological analysis revealed a gradual spread of misfolded a-syn pathology in areas anatomically connected to striatum that became bilateral with time. The striatal a-syn PFF injection resulted in a progressive unilateral degeneration of dopamine terminals, and an early and sustained presence of MHCII positive ramified microglia in the ipsilateral striatum and substantia nigra. Our study shows that striatal injections of a-syn fibrils induce progressive pathological synaptic dysfunction prior to cell death that can be detected in vivo with PET. We confirm that intrastriatal injection of a-syn PFFs provides a model of progressive a-syn pathology with loss of dopaminergic and synaptic function accompanied by neuroinflammation, as found in human PD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Majken B Thomsen
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and PET Center, Institute of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University and Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark; Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark; Danish Research Institute of Translational Neuroscience - DANDRITE, Nordic-EMBL Partnership for Molecular Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Sara A Ferreira
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark; Danish Research Institute of Translational Neuroscience - DANDRITE, Nordic-EMBL Partnership for Molecular Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Anna C Schacht
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and PET Center, Institute of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University and Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Jan Jacobsen
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and PET Center, Institute of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University and Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Mette Simonsen
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and PET Center, Institute of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University and Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Cristine Betzer
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark; Danish Research Institute of Translational Neuroscience - DANDRITE, Nordic-EMBL Partnership for Molecular Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Poul H Jensen
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark; Danish Research Institute of Translational Neuroscience - DANDRITE, Nordic-EMBL Partnership for Molecular Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - David J Brooks
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and PET Center, Institute of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University and Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark; Newcastle University Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Anne M Landau
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and PET Center, Institute of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University and Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark; Translational Neuropsychiatry Unit, Institute of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Marina Romero-Ramos
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark; Danish Research Institute of Translational Neuroscience - DANDRITE, Nordic-EMBL Partnership for Molecular Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark.
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47
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Pronounced α-Synuclein Pathology in a Seeding-Based Mouse Model Is Not Sufficient to Induce Mitochondrial Respiration Deficits in the Striatum and Amygdala. eNeuro 2020; 7:ENEURO.0110-20.2020. [PMID: 32487763 PMCID: PMC7438057 DOI: 10.1523/eneuro.0110-20.2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2020] [Revised: 05/11/2020] [Accepted: 05/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Increasing evidence suggests that cross talk between α-synuclein pathology formation and mitochondrial dysfunction plays a central role in the pathogenesis of Parkinson’s disease (PD) and related synucleinopathies. While mitochondrial dysfunction is a well-studied phenomenon in the substantia nigra, which is selectively vulnerable in PD and some models thereof, less information is available in other brain regions that are also affected by synuclein pathology. Therefore, we sought to test the hypothesis that early α-synuclein pathology causes mitochondrial dysfunction and that this effect might be exacerbated in conditions of increased vulnerability in affected brain regions, such as the amygdala. We combined a model of intracerebral α-synuclein pathology seeding with chronic glucocorticoid treatment, which models non-motor symptoms of PD and affects amygdala physiology. We measured mitochondrial respiration, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and protein abundance as well as α-synuclein pathology in male mice. Chronic corticosterone administration induced mitochondrial hyperactivity in the amygdala. Although injection of α-synuclein preformed fibrils (PFFs) into the striatum resulted in pronounced α-synuclein pathology in both striatum and amygdala, mitochondrial respiration in these brain regions was not compromised, regardless of corticosterone treatment. Our results suggest that early stage α-synuclein pathology does not influence mitochondrial respiration in the striatum and amygdala, even in corticosterone-induced respirational hyperactivity. We discuss our findings in light of relevant literature, warn of a potential publication bias and encourage scientists to report their negative results within the framework of this model.
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Wagner LM, Nathwani SM, Ten Eyck PP, Aldridge GM. Local cortical overexpression of human wild-type alpha-synuclein leads to increased dendritic spine density in mouse. Neurosci Lett 2020; 733:135051. [PMID: 32417387 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2020.135051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2020] [Revised: 05/10/2020] [Accepted: 05/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Lewy body dementias are characterized by deposition of alpha-synuclein (α-syn) protein aggregates known as Lewy bodies and Lewy neurites in cortical regions, in addition to brainstem. These aggregates are thought to cause the death of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra and other vulnerable cell types in patients, leading to parkinsonism. There is evidence from mice that localized overexpression of wild-type α-syn leads to dopaminergic cell death in the substantia nigra. However, it is not known how cortical neurons are affected by α-syn. In this study, we used viral overexpression of α-syn to investigate whether localized overexpression within the cortex affects the density, length, and morphology of dendritic spines, which serve as a measure of synaptic connectivity. An AAV2/6 viral vector coding for wild-type human α-syn was used to target overexpression bilaterally to the medial prefrontal cortex within adult mice. After ten weeks the brain was stained using the Golgi-Cox method. Density of dendritic spines in the injected region was increased in layer V pyramidal neurons compared with animals injected with control virus. Immunohistochemistry in separate animals showed human α-syn expression throughout the region of interest, especially in presynaptic terminals. However, phosphorylated α-syn was seen in a discrete number of cells at the region of highest overexpression, localized mainly to the soma and nucleus. These findings demonstrate that at early timepoints, α-syn overexpression may alter connectivity in the cortex, which may be relevant to early stages of the disease. In addition, these findings contribute to the understanding of α-syn, which when overexpressed in the wildtype, non-aggregated state may promote spine formation. Loss of spines secondary to α-syn in cortex may require higher expression, longer incubation, cellular damage, concomitant dopaminergic dysfunction or other two-hit factors to lead to synaptic degeneration.
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