1
|
Shulskaya MV, Semenova EI, Rudenok MM, Partevian SA, Lukashevich MV, Karabanov AV, Fedotova EY, Illarioshkin SN, Slominsky PA, Shadrina MI, Alieva AK. Analysis of LRRN3, MEF2C, SLC22A, and P2RY12 Gene Expression in the Peripheral Blood of Patients in the Early Stages of Parkinson's Disease. Biomedicines 2024; 12:1391. [PMID: 39061965 PMCID: PMC11273708 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines12071391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2024] [Revised: 05/24/2024] [Accepted: 06/11/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) is one of the most common human neurodegenerative diseases. Belated diagnoses of PD and late treatment are caused by its elongated prodromal phase. Thus, searching for new candidate genes participating in the development of the pathological process in the early stages of the disease in patients who have not yet received therapy is relevant. Changes in mRNA and protein levels have been described both in the peripheral blood and in the brain of patients with PD. Thus, analysis of changes in the mRNA expression in peripheral blood is of great importance in studying the early stages of PD. This work aimed to analyze the changes in MEF2C, SLC22A4, P2RY12, and LRRN3 gene expression in the peripheral blood of patients in the early stages of PD. We found a statistically relevant and PD-specific change in the expression of the LRRN3 gene, indicating a disruption in the processes of neuronal regeneration and the functioning of synapses. The data obtained during the study indicate that this gene can be considered a potential biomarker of the early stages of PD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marina V Shulskaya
- Laboratory of Molecular Genetics of Hereditary Diseases, National Research Center "Kurchatov Institute", Kurchatova pl., 2, Moscow 123082, Russia
| | - Ekaterina I Semenova
- Laboratory of Molecular Genetics of Hereditary Diseases, National Research Center "Kurchatov Institute", Kurchatova pl., 2, Moscow 123082, Russia
| | - Margarita M Rudenok
- Laboratory of Molecular Genetics of Hereditary Diseases, National Research Center "Kurchatov Institute", Kurchatova pl., 2, Moscow 123082, Russia
| | - Suzanna A Partevian
- Laboratory of Molecular Genetics of Hereditary Diseases, National Research Center "Kurchatov Institute", Kurchatova pl., 2, Moscow 123082, Russia
| | - Maria V Lukashevich
- Laboratory of Molecular Genetics of Hereditary Diseases, National Research Center "Kurchatov Institute", Kurchatova pl., 2, Moscow 123082, Russia
| | - Alexei V Karabanov
- Federal State Scientific Institution, Scientific Center of Neurology, Russian Academy of Sciences (RAS), Volokolamskoye sh., 80, Moscow 125367, Russia
| | - Ekaterina Yu Fedotova
- Federal State Scientific Institution, Scientific Center of Neurology, Russian Academy of Sciences (RAS), Volokolamskoye sh., 80, Moscow 125367, Russia
| | - Sergey N Illarioshkin
- Federal State Scientific Institution, Scientific Center of Neurology, Russian Academy of Sciences (RAS), Volokolamskoye sh., 80, Moscow 125367, Russia
| | - Petr A Slominsky
- Laboratory of Molecular Genetics of Hereditary Diseases, National Research Center "Kurchatov Institute", Kurchatova pl., 2, Moscow 123082, Russia
| | - Maria I Shadrina
- Laboratory of Molecular Genetics of Hereditary Diseases, National Research Center "Kurchatov Institute", Kurchatova pl., 2, Moscow 123082, Russia
| | - Anelya Kh Alieva
- Laboratory of Molecular Genetics of Hereditary Diseases, National Research Center "Kurchatov Institute", Kurchatova pl., 2, Moscow 123082, Russia
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Cao W. In sickness and in health-Type I interferon and the brain. Front Aging Neurosci 2024; 16:1403142. [PMID: 38774266 PMCID: PMC11106474 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2024.1403142] [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: 03/18/2024] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 05/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Type I interferons (IFN-I) represent a group of pleiotropic cytokines renowned for their antiviral activity and immune regulatory functions. A multitude of studies have unveiled a critical role of IFN-I in the brain, influencing various neurological processes and diseases. In this mini-review, I highlight recent findings on IFN-I's effects on brain aging, Alzheimer's disease (AD) progression, and central nervous system (CNS) homeostasis. The multifaceted influence of IFN-I on brain health and disease sheds light on the complex interplay between immune responses and neurological processes. Of particular interest is the cGAS-STING-IFN-I axis, which extensively participates in brain aging and various forms of neurodegeneration. Understanding the intricate role of IFN-I and its associated pathways in the CNS not only advances our comprehension of brain health and disease but also presents opportunities for developing interventions to modify the process of neurodegeneration and prevent age-related cognitive decline.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wei Cao
- Department of Anesthesiology, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, United States
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Wang D, Qian W, Wu D, Wu Y, Lu K, Zou G. METTL3 promotes microglial inflammation via MEF2C in spinal cord injury. Cell Tissue Res 2024; 395:189-197. [PMID: 38180567 DOI: 10.1007/s00441-023-03855-6] [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: 03/31/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024]
Abstract
Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a significant contributor to disability in contemporary society, resulting in substantial psychological and economic burdens for patients and their family. Microglia-mediated inflammation is an important factor affecting the nerve repair of SCI patients. N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is a prevalent epigenetic modification in mammals, which shows a strong association with inflammation. However, the mechanism of m6A modification regulating microglia-mediated inflammation is still unclear. Here, we observed that METTL3, a m6A methylase, was increased in SCI mice and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-exposed BV2 cells. Knockdown of METTL3 inhibited the increased expression of iNOS and IL-1β induced by LPS in vitro. Subsequently, MEF2C, myocyte-specific enhancer factor 2C, was decreased in SCI mice and LPS-exposed BV2 cells. Knockdown of MEF2C promoted the expression of iNOS and IL-1β. Sequence analysis showed that there were multiple highly confident m6A modification sites on the MEF2C mRNA. METTL3 antibody could pull down a higher level of MEF2C mRNA than the IgG in RNA binding protein immunoprecipitation assay. Knockdown of METTL3 promoted MEF2C protein expression and MEF2C mRNA expression, accompanied by a reduced m6A modification level on the MEF2C mRNA. Knockdown of MEF2C inhibited the anti-inflammatory effect of METTL3 siRNA. Our results suggest that METTL3 promotes microglia inflammation via regulating MEF2C mRNA m6A modification induced by SCI and LPS treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dongliang Wang
- Department of Spinal Surgery, Yancheng First People's Hospital, Yancheng, 224006, China
| | - Wei Qian
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Yancheng Third People's Hospital, Yancheng, 224051, China
| | - Duanrong Wu
- Department of Orthopedics, Yancheng First People's Hospital, Yancheng, 224006, China
| | - Ya Wu
- Department of Orthopedics, Yancheng First People's Hospital, Yancheng, 224006, China
| | - Kun Lu
- Department of Orthopedics, Yancheng First People's Hospital, Yancheng, 224006, China
| | - Guoyou Zou
- Department of Orthopedics, Yancheng First People's Hospital, Yancheng, 224006, China.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Sudwarts A, Thinakaran G. Alzheimer's genes in microglia: a risk worth investigating. Mol Neurodegener 2023; 18:90. [PMID: 37986179 PMCID: PMC10662636 DOI: 10.1186/s13024-023-00679-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 11/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite expressing many key risk genes, the role of microglia in late-onset Alzheimer's disease pathophysiology is somewhat ambiguous, with various phenotypes reported to be either harmful or protective. Herein, we review some key findings from clinical and animal model investigations, discussing the role of microglial genetics in mediating perturbations from homeostasis. We note that impairment to protective phenotypes may include prolonged or insufficient microglial activation, resulting in dysregulated metabolomic (notably lipid-related) processes, compounded by age-related inflexibility in dynamic responses. Insufficiencies of mouse genetics and aggressive transgenic modelling imply severe limitations in applying current methodologies for aetiological investigations. Despite the shortcomings, widely used amyloidosis and tauopathy models of the disease have proven invaluable in dissecting microglial functional responses to AD pathophysiology. Some recent advances have brought modelling tools closer to human genetics, increasing the validity of both aetiological and translational endeavours.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ari Sudwarts
- Byrd Alzheimer's Center and Research Institute, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, 33613, USA.
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, 33612, USA.
| | - Gopal Thinakaran
- Byrd Alzheimer's Center and Research Institute, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, 33613, USA.
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, 33612, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Smith JR, Dowling JW, McFadden MI, Karp A, Schwerk J, Woodward JJ, Savan R, Forero A. MEF2A suppresses stress responses that trigger DDX41-dependent IFN production. Cell Rep 2023; 42:112805. [PMID: 37467105 PMCID: PMC10652867 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.112805] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2022] [Revised: 05/17/2023] [Accepted: 06/27/2023] [Indexed: 07/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Cellular stress in the form of disrupted transcription, loss of organelle integrity, or damage to nucleic acids can elicit inflammatory responses by activating signaling cascades canonically tasked with controlling pathogen infections. These stressors must be kept in check to prevent unscheduled activation of interferon, which contributes to autoinflammation. This study examines the role of the transcription factor myocyte enhancing factor 2A (MEF2A) in setting the threshold of transcriptional stress responses to prevent R-loop accumulation. Increases in R-loops lead to the induction of interferon and inflammatory responses in a DEAD-box helicase 41 (DDX41)-, cyclic GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS)-, and stimulator of interferon genes (STING)-dependent manner. The loss of MEF2A results in the activation of ATM and RAD3-related (ATR) kinase, which is also necessary for the activation of STING. This study identifies the role of MEF2A in sustaining transcriptional homeostasis and highlights the role of ATR in positively regulating R-loop-associated inflammatory responses.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Julian R Smith
- Department of Immunology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Jack W Dowling
- Department of Microbial Infection and Immunity, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Matthew I McFadden
- Department of Microbial Infection and Immunity, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA; Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Andrew Karp
- Department of Microbial Infection and Immunity, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA; Discovery PREP, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Johannes Schwerk
- Department of Immunology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Joshua J Woodward
- Department of Microbiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Ram Savan
- Department of Immunology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Adriana Forero
- Department of Microbial Infection and Immunity, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA; Cancer Biology Program, Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA; Infectious Diseases Institute, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Pérez-Cabello JA, Silvera-Carrasco L, Franco JM, Capilla-González V, Armaos A, Gómez-Lima M, García-García R, Yap XW, Leal-Lasarte M, Lall D, Baloh RH, Martínez S, Miyata Y, Tartaglia GG, Sawarkar R, García-Domínguez M, Pozo D, Roodveldt C. MAPK/MAK/MRK overlapping kinase (MOK) controls microglial inflammatory/type-I IFN responses via Brd4 and is involved in ALS. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2302143120. [PMID: 37399380 PMCID: PMC10334760 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2302143120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2023] [Accepted: 05/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal and incurable neurodegenerative disease affecting motor neurons and characterized by microglia-mediated neurotoxic inflammation whose underlying mechanisms remain incompletely understood. In this work, we reveal that MAPK/MAK/MRK overlapping kinase (MOK), with an unknown physiological substrate, displays an immune function by controlling inflammatory and type-I interferon (IFN) responses in microglia which are detrimental to primary motor neurons. Moreover, we uncover the epigenetic reader bromodomain-containing protein 4 (Brd4) as an effector protein regulated by MOK, by promoting Ser492-phospho-Brd4 levels. We further demonstrate that MOK regulates Brd4 functions by supporting its binding to cytokine gene promoters, therefore enabling innate immune responses. Remarkably, we show that MOK levels are increased in the ALS spinal cord, particularly in microglial cells, and that administration of a chemical MOK inhibitor to ALS model mice can modulate Ser492-phospho-Brd4 levels, suppress microglial activation, and modify the disease course, indicating a pathophysiological role of MOK kinase in ALS and neuroinflammation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jesús A. Pérez-Cabello
- Centro Andaluz de Biología Molecular y Medicina Regenerativa, Universidad de Sevilla-Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Seville41092, Spain
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Seville, Seville41009, Spain
| | - Lucía Silvera-Carrasco
- Centro Andaluz de Biología Molecular y Medicina Regenerativa, Universidad de Sevilla-Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Seville41092, Spain
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Seville, Seville41009, Spain
| | - Jaime M. Franco
- Centro Andaluz de Biología Molecular y Medicina Regenerativa, Universidad de Sevilla-Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Seville41092, Spain
| | - Vivian Capilla-González
- Centro Andaluz de Biología Molecular y Medicina Regenerativa, Universidad de Sevilla-Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Seville41092, Spain
| | - Alexandros Armaos
- Center for Human Technologies, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Genova16152, Italy
- Center for Life Nano Science, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Genova16152, Italy
| | - María Gómez-Lima
- Centro Andaluz de Biología Molecular y Medicina Regenerativa, Universidad de Sevilla-Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Seville41092, Spain
| | - Raquel García-García
- Centro Andaluz de Biología Molecular y Medicina Regenerativa, Universidad de Sevilla-Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Seville41092, Spain
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Seville, Seville41009, Spain
| | - Xin Wen Yap
- The Medical Research Council Toxicology Unit, University of Cambridge, CambridgeCB1 2QR, United Kingdom
| | - Magdalena Leal-Lasarte
- Centro Andaluz de Biología Molecular y Medicina Regenerativa, Universidad de Sevilla-Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Seville41092, Spain
| | - Deepti Lall
- Department of Neurology, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA90048
| | - Robert H. Baloh
- Department of Neurology, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA90048
| | - Salvador Martínez
- Instituto de Neurociencias, Universidad Miguel Hernández de Elche-CSIC, Alicante03550, Spain
| | - Yoshihiko Miyata
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Graduate School of Biostudies, Kyoto University, Kyoto606-8501, Japan
| | - Gian G. Tartaglia
- Center for Human Technologies, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Genova16152, Italy
- Center for Life Nano Science, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Genova16152, Italy
- Department of Biology and Biotechnologies, University Sapienza Rome, Rome00185, Italy
| | - Ritwick Sawarkar
- The Medical Research Council Toxicology Unit, University of Cambridge, CambridgeCB1 2QR, United Kingdom
| | - Mario García-Domínguez
- Centro Andaluz de Biología Molecular y Medicina Regenerativa, Universidad de Sevilla-Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Seville41092, Spain
| | - David Pozo
- Centro Andaluz de Biología Molecular y Medicina Regenerativa, Universidad de Sevilla-Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Seville41092, Spain
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Seville, Seville41009, Spain
| | - Cintia Roodveldt
- Centro Andaluz de Biología Molecular y Medicina Regenerativa, Universidad de Sevilla-Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Seville41092, Spain
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Seville, Seville41009, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Udeochu JC, Amin S, Huang Y, Fan L, Torres ERS, Carling GK, Liu B, McGurran H, Coronas-Samano G, Kauwe G, Mousa GA, Wong MY, Ye P, Nagiri RK, Lo I, Holtzman J, Corona C, Yarahmady A, Gill MT, Raju RM, Mok SA, Gong S, Luo W, Zhao M, Tracy TE, Ratan RR, Tsai LH, Sinha SC, Gan L. Tau activation of microglial cGAS-IFN reduces MEF2C-mediated cognitive resilience. Nat Neurosci 2023; 26:737-750. [PMID: 37095396 PMCID: PMC10166855 DOI: 10.1038/s41593-023-01315-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 52.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2022] [Accepted: 03/20/2023] [Indexed: 04/26/2023]
Abstract
Pathological hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease (AD) precede clinical symptoms by years, indicating a period of cognitive resilience before the onset of dementia. Here, we report that activation of cyclic GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS) diminishes cognitive resilience by decreasing the neuronal transcriptional network of myocyte enhancer factor 2c (MEF2C) through type I interferon (IFN-I) signaling. Pathogenic tau activates cGAS and IFN-I responses in microglia, in part mediated by cytosolic leakage of mitochondrial DNA. Genetic ablation of Cgas in mice with tauopathy diminished the microglial IFN-I response, preserved synapse integrity and plasticity and protected against cognitive impairment without affecting the pathogenic tau load. cGAS ablation increased, while activation of IFN-I decreased, the neuronal MEF2C expression network linked to cognitive resilience in AD. Pharmacological inhibition of cGAS in mice with tauopathy enhanced the neuronal MEF2C transcriptional network and restored synaptic integrity, plasticity and memory, supporting the therapeutic potential of targeting the cGAS-IFN-MEF2C axis to improve resilience against AD-related pathological insults.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Joe C Udeochu
- Helen and Robert Appel Alzheimer's Disease Research Institute, Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Sadaf Amin
- Helen and Robert Appel Alzheimer's Disease Research Institute, Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Yige Huang
- Helen and Robert Appel Alzheimer's Disease Research Institute, Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Li Fan
- Helen and Robert Appel Alzheimer's Disease Research Institute, Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Eileen Ruth S Torres
- Helen and Robert Appel Alzheimer's Disease Research Institute, Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Gillian K Carling
- Helen and Robert Appel Alzheimer's Disease Research Institute, Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Bangyan Liu
- Helen and Robert Appel Alzheimer's Disease Research Institute, Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Hugo McGurran
- The Gladstone Institute of Neurological Disease, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Guillermo Coronas-Samano
- Helen and Robert Appel Alzheimer's Disease Research Institute, Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Grant Kauwe
- Buck Institute for Research on Aging, Novato, CA, USA
| | - Gergey Alzaem Mousa
- Helen and Robert Appel Alzheimer's Disease Research Institute, Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Man Ying Wong
- Helen and Robert Appel Alzheimer's Disease Research Institute, Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Pearly Ye
- Helen and Robert Appel Alzheimer's Disease Research Institute, Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Ravi Kumar Nagiri
- Helen and Robert Appel Alzheimer's Disease Research Institute, Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Iris Lo
- The Gladstone Institute of Neurological Disease, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Julia Holtzman
- The Gladstone Institute of Neurological Disease, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Carlo Corona
- Burke Neurological Institute at Weill Cornell Medicine, White Plains, NY, USA
| | - Allan Yarahmady
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Michael T Gill
- The Gladstone Institute of Neurological Disease, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Ravikiran M Raju
- The Picower Institute of Learning and Memory, Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Division of Newborn Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Sue-Ann Mok
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Shiaoching Gong
- Helen and Robert Appel Alzheimer's Disease Research Institute, Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Wenjie Luo
- Helen and Robert Appel Alzheimer's Disease Research Institute, Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Mingrui Zhao
- Helen and Robert Appel Alzheimer's Disease Research Institute, Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Tara E Tracy
- Buck Institute for Research on Aging, Novato, CA, USA
| | - Rajiv R Ratan
- Burke Neurological Institute at Weill Cornell Medicine, White Plains, NY, USA
| | - Li-Huei Tsai
- The Picower Institute of Learning and Memory, Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Subhash C Sinha
- Helen and Robert Appel Alzheimer's Disease Research Institute, Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Li Gan
- Helen and Robert Appel Alzheimer's Disease Research Institute, Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Ahadi S, Wilson KA, Babenko B, McLean CY, Bryant D, Pritchard O, Kumar A, Carrera EM, Lamy R, Stewart JM, Varadarajan A, Berndl M, Kapahi P, Bashir A. Longitudinal fundus imaging and its genome-wide association analysis provide evidence for a human retinal aging clock. eLife 2023; 12:e82364. [PMID: 36975205 PMCID: PMC10110236 DOI: 10.7554/elife.82364] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2022] [Accepted: 03/22/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Biological age, distinct from an individual's chronological age, has been studied extensively through predictive aging clocks. However, these clocks have limited accuracy in short time-scales. Here we trained deep learning models on fundus images from the EyePACS dataset to predict individuals' chronological age. Our retinal aging clocking, 'eyeAge', predicted chronological age more accurately than other aging clocks (mean absolute error of 2.86 and 3.30 years on quality-filtered data from EyePACS and UK Biobank, respectively). Additionally, eyeAge was independent of blood marker-based measures of biological age, maintaining an all-cause mortality hazard ratio of 1.026 even when adjusted for phenotypic age. The individual-specific nature of eyeAge was reinforced via multiple GWAS hits in the UK Biobank cohort. The top GWAS locus was further validated via knockdown of the fly homolog, Alk, which slowed age-related decline in vision in flies. This study demonstrates the potential utility of a retinal aging clock for studying aging and age-related diseases and quantitatively measuring aging on very short time-scales, opening avenues for quick and actionable evaluation of gero-protective therapeutics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sara Ahadi
- Google ResearchMountain ViewUnited States
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Ajay Kumar
- Department of Biophysics, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and ResearchChandigarhIndia
| | | | - Ricardo Lamy
- Department of Ophthalmology, Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma CenterSan FranciscoUnited States
| | - Jay M Stewart
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of California, San FranciscoSan FranciscoUnited States
| | | | | | - Pankaj Kapahi
- Buck Institute for Research on AgingNovatoUnited States
| | - Ali Bashir
- Google ResearchMountain ViewUnited States
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Andrade-Guerrero J, Santiago-Balmaseda A, Jeronimo-Aguilar P, Vargas-Rodríguez I, Cadena-Suárez AR, Sánchez-Garibay C, Pozo-Molina G, Méndez-Catalá CF, Cardenas-Aguayo MDC, Diaz-Cintra S, Pacheco-Herrero M, Luna-Muñoz J, Soto-Rojas LO. Alzheimer's Disease: An Updated Overview of Its Genetics. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24043754. [PMID: 36835161 PMCID: PMC9966419 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24043754] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 78.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2022] [Revised: 01/31/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common neurodegenerative disease in the world. It is classified as familial and sporadic. The dominant familial or autosomal presentation represents 1-5% of the total number of cases. It is categorized as early onset (EOAD; <65 years of age) and presents genetic mutations in presenilin 1 (PSEN1), presenilin 2 (PSEN2), or the Amyloid precursor protein (APP). Sporadic AD represents 95% of the cases and is categorized as late-onset (LOAD), occurring in patients older than 65 years of age. Several risk factors have been identified in sporadic AD; aging is the main one. Nonetheless, multiple genes have been associated with the different neuropathological events involved in LOAD, such as the pathological processing of Amyloid beta (Aβ) peptide and Tau protein, as well as synaptic and mitochondrial dysfunctions, neurovascular alterations, oxidative stress, and neuroinflammation, among others. Interestingly, using genome-wide association study (GWAS) technology, many polymorphisms associated with LOAD have been identified. This review aims to analyze the new genetic findings that are closely related to the pathophysiology of AD. Likewise, it analyzes the multiple mutations identified to date through GWAS that are associated with a high or low risk of developing this neurodegeneration. Understanding genetic variability will allow for the identification of early biomarkers and opportune therapeutic targets for AD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jesús Andrade-Guerrero
- Laboratorio de Patogénesis Molecular, Laboratorio 4, Edificio A4, Carrera Médico Cirujano, Facultad de Estudios Superiores Iztacala, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Tlalnepantla 54090, Edomex, Mexico
- Departamento de Neurobiología del Desarrollo y Neurofisiología, Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Juriquilla 76230, Querétaro, Mexico
| | - Alberto Santiago-Balmaseda
- Laboratorio de Patogénesis Molecular, Laboratorio 4, Edificio A4, Carrera Médico Cirujano, Facultad de Estudios Superiores Iztacala, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Tlalnepantla 54090, Edomex, Mexico
- Red MEDICI, Carrera Médico Cirujano, Facultad de Estudios Superiores Iztacala, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Tlalnepantla 54090, Edomex, Mexico
| | - Paola Jeronimo-Aguilar
- Laboratorio de Patogénesis Molecular, Laboratorio 4, Edificio A4, Carrera Médico Cirujano, Facultad de Estudios Superiores Iztacala, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Tlalnepantla 54090, Edomex, Mexico
- Red MEDICI, Carrera Médico Cirujano, Facultad de Estudios Superiores Iztacala, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Tlalnepantla 54090, Edomex, Mexico
- Sección de Estudios de Posgrado e Investigación, Escuela Superior de Medicina, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Ciudad de México 11340, Mexico
| | - Isaac Vargas-Rodríguez
- Departamento de Neurobiología del Desarrollo y Neurofisiología, Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Juriquilla 76230, Querétaro, Mexico
| | - Ana Ruth Cadena-Suárez
- National Dementia BioBank, Ciencias Biológicas, Facultad de Estudios Superiores Cuautitlán, Universidad-Nacional Autónoma de México, Cuatitlan 53150, Edomex, Mexico
| | - Carlos Sánchez-Garibay
- Departamento de Neuropatología, Instituto Nacional de Neurología y Neurocirugía Manuel Velasco Suárez, Ciudad de México 14269, Mexico
| | - Glustein Pozo-Molina
- Laboratorio de Genética y Oncología Molecular, Laboratorio 5, Edificio A4, Carrera Médico Cirujano, Facultad de Estudios Superiores Iztacala, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Tlalnepantla 54090, Edomex, Mexico
| | - Claudia Fabiola Méndez-Catalá
- Laboratorio de Genética y Oncología Molecular, Laboratorio 5, Edificio A4, Carrera Médico Cirujano, Facultad de Estudios Superiores Iztacala, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Tlalnepantla 54090, Edomex, Mexico
- División de Investigación y Posgrado, Facultad de Estudios Superiores Iztacala, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Mexico, Tlalnepantla 54090, Edomex, Mexico
| | - Maria-del-Carmen Cardenas-Aguayo
- Laboratory of Cellular Reprogramming, Departamento de Fisiología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México 04510, Mexico
| | - Sofía Diaz-Cintra
- Departamento de Neurobiología del Desarrollo y Neurofisiología, Instituto de Neurobiología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Juriquilla 76230, Querétaro, Mexico
| | - Mar Pacheco-Herrero
- Neuroscience Research Laboratory, Faculty of Health Sciences, Pontificia Universidad Católica Madre y Maestra, Santiago de los Caballeros 51000, Dominican Republic
| | - José Luna-Muñoz
- National Dementia BioBank, Ciencias Biológicas, Facultad de Estudios Superiores Cuautitlán, Universidad-Nacional Autónoma de México, Cuatitlan 53150, Edomex, Mexico
- National Brain Bank-UNPHU, Universidad Nacional Pedro Henríquez Ureña, Santo Domingo 1423, Dominican Republic
- Correspondence: (J.L.-M.); (L.O.S.-R.); Tel.: +52-55-45-23-41-20 (J.L.-M.); +52-55-39-37-94-30 (L.O.S.-R.)
| | - Luis O. Soto-Rojas
- Laboratorio de Patogénesis Molecular, Laboratorio 4, Edificio A4, Carrera Médico Cirujano, Facultad de Estudios Superiores Iztacala, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Tlalnepantla 54090, Edomex, Mexico
- Red MEDICI, Carrera Médico Cirujano, Facultad de Estudios Superiores Iztacala, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Tlalnepantla 54090, Edomex, Mexico
- Correspondence: (J.L.-M.); (L.O.S.-R.); Tel.: +52-55-45-23-41-20 (J.L.-M.); +52-55-39-37-94-30 (L.O.S.-R.)
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
The Role of MEF2 Transcription Factor Family in Neuronal Survival and Degeneration. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24043120. [PMID: 36834528 PMCID: PMC9963821 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24043120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2022] [Revised: 01/15/2023] [Accepted: 02/01/2023] [Indexed: 02/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The family of myocyte enhancer factor 2 (MEF2) transcription factors comprises four highly conserved members that play an important role in the nervous system. They appear in precisely defined time frames in the developing brain to turn on and turn off genes affecting growth, pruning and survival of neurons. MEF2s are known to dictate neuronal development, synaptic plasticity and restrict the number of synapses in the hippocampus, thus affecting learning and memory formation. In primary neurons, negative regulation of MEF2 activity by external stimuli or stress conditions is known to induce apoptosis, albeit the pro or antiapoptotic action of MEF2 depends on the neuronal maturation stage. By contrast, enhancement of MEF2 transcriptional activity protects neurons from apoptotic death both in vitro and in preclinical models of neurodegenerative diseases. A growing body of evidence places this transcription factor in the center of many neuropathologies associated with age-dependent neuronal dysfunctions or gradual but irreversible neuron loss. In this work, we discuss how the altered function of MEF2s during development and in adulthood affecting neuronal survival may be linked to neuropsychiatric disorders.
Collapse
|
11
|
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a genetically complex and heterogeneous disorder with multifaceted neuropathological features, including β-amyloid plaques, neurofibrillary tangles, and neuroinflammation. Over the past decade, emerging evidence has implicated both beneficial and pathological roles for innate immune genes and immune cells, including peripheral immune cells such as T cells, which can infiltrate the brain and either ameliorate or exacerbate AD neuropathogenesis. These findings support a neuroimmune axis of AD, in which the interplay of adaptive and innate immune systems inside and outside the brain critically impacts the etiology and pathogenesis of AD. In this review, we discuss the complexities of AD neuropathology at the levels of genetics and cellular physiology, highlighting immune signaling pathways and genes associated with AD risk and interactions among both innate and adaptive immune cells in the AD brain. We emphasize the role of peripheral immune cells in AD and the mechanisms by which immune cells, such as T cells and monocytes, influence AD neuropathology, including microglial clearance of amyloid-β peptide, the key component of β-amyloid plaque cores, pro-inflammatory and cytotoxic activity of microglia, astrogliosis, and their interactions with the brain vasculature. Finally, we review the challenges and outlook for establishing immune-based therapies for treating and preventing AD.
Collapse
|
12
|
Maurya SK, Gupta S, Mishra R. Transcriptional and epigenetic regulation of microglia in maintenance of brain homeostasis and neurodegeneration. Front Mol Neurosci 2023; 15:1072046. [PMID: 36698776 PMCID: PMC9870594 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2022.1072046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2022] [Accepted: 12/15/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
The emerging role of microglia in brain homeostasis, neurodegeneration, and neurodevelopmental disorders has attracted considerable interest. In addition, recent developments in microglial functions and associated pathways have shed new light on their fundamental role in the immunological surveillance of the brain. Understanding the interconnections between microglia, neurons, and non-neuronal cells have opened up additional avenues for research in this evolving field. Furthermore, the study of microglia at the transcriptional and epigenetic levels has enhanced our knowledge of these native brain immune cells. Moreover, exploring various facets of microglia biology will facilitate the early detection, treatment, and management of neurological disorders. Consequently, the present review aimed to provide comprehensive insight on microglia biology and its influence on brain development, homeostasis, management of disease, and highlights microglia as potential therapeutic targets in neurodegenerative and neurodevelopmental diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shashank Kumar Maurya
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, University of Delhi, New Delhi, India,*Correspondence: Shashank Kumar Maurya, ;
| | - Suchi Gupta
- Tech Cell Innovations Private Limited, Centre for Medical Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CMIE), All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Rajnikant Mishra
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Sanford SAI, McEwan WA. Type-I Interferons in Alzheimer's Disease and Other Tauopathies. Front Cell Neurosci 2022; 16:949340. [PMID: 35910253 PMCID: PMC9334774 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2022.949340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2022] [Accepted: 06/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The detection of pathogen-associated molecular patterns can elicit the production of type-I interferons (IFNs), soluble cytokines that induce a transcriptional state inhibitory to viral replication. Signatures of type-I IFN-driven gene expression, and type-I IFNs themselves, are observed in the central nervous system during neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer's disease and other tauopathies, the umbrella term for diseases that feature aggregation of the cytosolic protein tau. The contribution of the type-I IFN response to pathological progression of these diseases, however, is not well-understood. The wholesale transcriptional changes that ensue from type-I IFN production can both promote protective effects and lead to damage dependent on the context and duration of the response. The type-I IFN system therefore represents a signaling pathway with a potential disease-modifying role in the progression of neurodegenerative disease. In this review we summarize the evidence for a type-I IFN signature in AD and other tauopathies and examine the role of aggregated proteins as inflammatory stimuli. We explore both the protective role of IFN against protein pathologies as well as their downstream toxic consequences, which include the exacerbation of protein pathology as a potentially destructive feed-forward loop. Given the involvement of type-I IFNs in other neurogenerative diseases, we draw comparisons with other categories of homotypic protein aggregation. Understanding how type-I IFN influences progression of AD and other tauopathies may yield important insight to neurodegeneration and identify new targets in an area currently lacking disease-modifying therapies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sophie A. I. Sanford
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences at the University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- UK Dementia Research Institute at the University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- *Correspondence: Sophie A. I. Sanford
| | - William A. McEwan
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences at the University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- UK Dementia Research Institute at the University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- William A. McEwan
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Schwartz M, Cahalon L. The vicious cycle governing the brain–immune system relationship in neurodegenerative diseases. Curr Opin Immunol 2022; 76:102182. [DOI: 10.1016/j.coi.2022.102182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2022] [Revised: 04/03/2022] [Accepted: 04/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
|
15
|
Hooshmand K, Halliday GM, Pineda SS, Sutherland GT, Guennewig B. Overlap between Central and Peripheral Transcriptomes in Parkinson’s Disease but Not Alzheimer’s Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23095200. [PMID: 35563596 PMCID: PMC9104085 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23095200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2022] [Revised: 04/27/2022] [Accepted: 04/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Most neurodegenerative disorders take decades to develop, and their early detection is challenged by confounding non-pathological ageing processes. Therefore, the discovery of genes and molecular pathways in both peripheral and brain tissues that are highly predictive of disease evolution is necessary. To find genes that influence Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and Parkinson’s disease (PD) pathogenesis, human RNA-Seq transcriptomic data from Brodmann Area 9 (BA9) of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), whole blood (WB), and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were analysed using a combination of differential gene expression and a random forest-based machine learning algorithm. The results suggest that there is little overlap between PD and AD, and the AD brain signature is unique mainly compared to blood-based samples. Moreover, the AD-BA9 was characterised by changes in ‘nervous system development’ with Myocyte-specific enhancer factor 2C (Mef2C), encoding a transcription factor that induces microglia activation, a prominent feature. The peripheral AD transcriptome was associated with alterations in ‘viral process’, and FYN, which has been previously shown to link amyloid-beta and tau, was the prominent feature. However, in the absence of any overlap with the central transcriptome, it is unclear whether peripheral FYN levels reflect AD severity or progression. In PD, central and peripheral signatures are characterised by anomalies in ‘exocytosis’ and specific genes related to the SNARE complex, including Vesicle-associated membrane protein 2 (VAMP2), Syntaxin 1A (STX1A), and p21-activated kinase 1 (PAK1). This is consistent with our current understanding of the physiological role of alpha-synuclein and how alpha-synuclein oligomers compromise vesicle docking and neurotransmission. Overall, the results describe distinct disease-specific pathomechanisms, both within the brain and peripherally, for the two most common neurodegenerative disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kosar Hooshmand
- Brain and Mind Centre, Faculty of Medicine and Health, School of Medical Sciences, University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2050, Australia; (K.H.); (G.M.H.); (S.S.P.)
| | - Glenda M. Halliday
- Brain and Mind Centre, Faculty of Medicine and Health, School of Medical Sciences, University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2050, Australia; (K.H.); (G.M.H.); (S.S.P.)
| | - Sandy S. Pineda
- Brain and Mind Centre, Faculty of Medicine and Health, School of Medical Sciences, University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2050, Australia; (K.H.); (G.M.H.); (S.S.P.)
- Garvan-Weizmann Centre for Cellular Genomics, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Darlinghurst, NSW 2010, Australia
| | - Greg T. Sutherland
- Charles Perkins Centre, Faculty of Medicine and Health, School of Medical Sciences, University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2050, Australia;
| | - Boris Guennewig
- Brain and Mind Centre, Faculty of Medicine and Health, School of Medical Sciences, University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2050, Australia; (K.H.); (G.M.H.); (S.S.P.)
- Correspondence:
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Immune cell compartmentalization for brain surveillance and protection. Nat Immunol 2021; 22:1083-1092. [PMID: 34429552 DOI: 10.1038/s41590-021-00994-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2021] [Accepted: 07/08/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
For decades, it was commonly accepted that the brain is secluded from peripheral immune activity and is self-sufficient for its maintenance and repair. This simplistic perception was based on the presence of resident immune cells, the microglia, and barrier systems within the brain, and the assumption that the central nervous system (CNS) lacks lymphatic drainage. This view was revised with the discoveries that higher functions of the CNS, homeostasis and repair are supported by peripheral innate and adaptive immune cells. The findings of bone marrow-derived immune cells in specialized niches, and the renewed observation that a lymphatic drainage system exists within the brain, further contributed to this revised model. In this Review, we describe the immune niches within the brain, the contribution of professional immune cells to brain functions, the bidirectional relationships between the CNS and the immune system and the relevance of immune components to brain aging and neurodegenerative diseases.
Collapse
|