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Björk L, Klingstedt T, Nilsson KPR. Thiophene-Based Ligands: Design, Synthesis and Their Utilization for Optical Assignment of Polymorphic-Disease-Associated Protein Aggregates. Chembiochem 2023; 24:e202300044. [PMID: 36891883 PMCID: PMC10404026 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.202300044] [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: 01/20/2023] [Revised: 03/03/2023] [Accepted: 03/08/2023] [Indexed: 03/10/2023]
Abstract
The development of ligands for detecting protein aggregates is of great interest, as these aggregated proteinaceous species are the pathological hallmarks of several devastating diseases, including Alzheimer's disease. In this regard, thiophene-based ligands have emerged as powerful tools for fluorescent assessment of these pathological entities. The intrinsic conformationally sensitive photophysical properties of poly- and oligothiophenes have allowed optical assignment of disease-associated protein aggregates in tissue sections, as well as real-time in vivo imaging of protein deposits. Herein, we recount the chemical evolution of different generations of thiophene-based ligands, and exemplify their use for the optical distinction of polymorphic protein aggregates. Furthermore, the chemical determinants for achieving a superior fluorescent thiophene-based ligand, as well as the next generation of thiophene-based ligands targeting distinct aggregated species are described. Finally, the directions for future research into the chemical design of thiophene-based ligands that can aid in resolving the scientific challenges around protein aggregation diseases are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linnea Björk
- Department of Physics, Chemistry and Biology, Linköping University, 581 83, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Therése Klingstedt
- Department of Physics, Chemistry and Biology, Linköping University, 581 83, Linköping, Sweden
| | - K Peter R Nilsson
- Department of Physics, Chemistry and Biology, Linköping University, 581 83, Linköping, Sweden
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2
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Krishnadas N, Doré V, Laws SM, Porter T, Lamb F, Bozinovski S, Villemagne VL, Rowe CC. Exploring discordant low amyloid beta and high neocortical tau positron emission tomography cases. ALZHEIMER'S & DEMENTIA: DIAGNOSIS, ASSESSMENT & DISEASE MONITORING 2022; 14:e12326. [PMID: 36051174 PMCID: PMC9413469 DOI: 10.1002/dad2.12326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2022] [Revised: 04/29/2022] [Accepted: 05/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Introduction Methods Results Discussion
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Affiliation(s)
- Natasha Krishnadas
- Florey Department of Neurosciences & Mental Health The University of Melbourne Parkville Victoria Australia
- Department of Molecular Imaging & Therapy Austin Health Heidelberg Victoria Australia
| | - Vincent Doré
- Department of Molecular Imaging & Therapy Austin Health Heidelberg Victoria Australia
- Health and Biosecurity Flagship The Australian eHealth Research Centre Melbourne Victoria Australia
| | - Simon M. Laws
- Centre for Precision Health Edith Cowan University Perth WA Australia
- Collaborative Genomics and Translation Group School of Medical and Health Sciences Edith Cowan University Perth WA Australia
| | - Tenielle Porter
- Centre for Precision Health Edith Cowan University Perth WA Australia
- Collaborative Genomics and Translation Group School of Medical and Health Sciences Edith Cowan University Perth WA Australia
| | - Fiona Lamb
- Department of Molecular Imaging & Therapy Austin Health Heidelberg Victoria Australia
| | - Svetlana Bozinovski
- Department of Molecular Imaging & Therapy Austin Health Heidelberg Victoria Australia
| | - Victor L Villemagne
- Centre for Precision Health Edith Cowan University Perth WA Australia
- Department of Psychiatry University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Pennsylvania USA
| | - Christopher C. Rowe
- Florey Department of Neurosciences & Mental Health The University of Melbourne Parkville Victoria Australia
- Department of Molecular Imaging & Therapy Austin Health Heidelberg Victoria Australia
- Melbourne Dementia Center Florey Institute of Neuroscience & Mental Health Parkville Victoria Australia
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3
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Lau HHC, Ingelsson M, Watts JC. The existence of Aβ strains and their potential for driving phenotypic heterogeneity in Alzheimer's disease. Acta Neuropathol 2021; 142:17-39. [PMID: 32743745 DOI: 10.1007/s00401-020-02201-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2020] [Revised: 07/23/2020] [Accepted: 07/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Reminiscent of the human prion diseases, there is considerable clinical and pathological variability in Alzheimer's disease, the most common human neurodegenerative condition. As in prion disorders, protein misfolding and aggregation is a hallmark feature of Alzheimer's disease, where the initiating event is thought to be the self-assembly of Aβ peptide into aggregates that deposit in the central nervous system. Emerging evidence suggests that Aβ, similar to the prion protein, can polymerize into a conformationally diverse spectrum of aggregate strains both in vitro and within the brain. Moreover, certain types of Aβ aggregates exhibit key hallmarks of prion strains including divergent biochemical attributes and the ability to induce distinct pathological phenotypes when intracerebrally injected into mouse models. In this review, we discuss the evidence demonstrating that Aβ can assemble into distinct strains of aggregates and how such strains may be primary drivers of the phenotypic heterogeneity in Alzheimer's disease.
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4
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Bistaffa E, Tagliavini F, Matteini P, Moda F. Contributions of Molecular and Optical Techniques to the Clinical Diagnosis of Alzheimer's Disease. Brain Sci 2020; 10:E815. [PMID: 33153223 PMCID: PMC7692713 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci10110815] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2020] [Revised: 10/29/2020] [Accepted: 10/31/2020] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common neurodegenerative disorder worldwide. The distinctive neuropathological feature of AD is the intracerebral accumulation of two abnormally folded proteins: β-amyloid (Aβ) in the form of extracellular plaques, and tau in the form of intracellular neurofibrillary tangles. These proteins are considered disease-specific biomarkers, and the definite diagnosis of AD relies on their post-mortem identification in the brain. The clinical diagnosis of AD is challenging, especially in the early stages. The disease is highly heterogeneous in terms of clinical presentation and neuropathological features. This phenotypic variability seems to be partially due to the presence of distinct Aβ conformers, referred to as strains. With the development of an innovative technique named Real-Time Quaking-Induced Conversion (RT-QuIC), traces of Aβ strains were found in the cerebrospinal fluid of AD patients. Emerging evidence suggests that different conformers may transmit their strain signature to the RT-QuIC reaction products. In this review, we describe the current challenges for the clinical diagnosis of AD and describe how the RT-QuIC products could be analyzed by a surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS)-based systems to reveal the presence of strain signatures, eventually leading to early diagnosis of AD with the recognition of individual disease phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edoardo Bistaffa
- Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Division of Neurology 5 and Neuropathology, 20133 Milan, Italy;
| | - Fabrizio Tagliavini
- Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Scientific Directorate, 20133 Milan, Italy;
| | - Paolo Matteini
- IFAC-CNR, Institute of Applied Physics “Nello Carrara”, National Research Council, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | - Fabio Moda
- Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Division of Neurology 5 and Neuropathology, 20133 Milan, Italy;
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5
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Friesen M, Meyer-Luehmann M. Aβ Seeding as a Tool to Study Cerebral Amyloidosis and Associated Pathology. Front Mol Neurosci 2019; 12:233. [PMID: 31632238 PMCID: PMC6783493 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2019.00233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2019] [Accepted: 09/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Misfolded proteins can form aggregates and induce a self-perpetuating process leading to the amplification and spreading of pathological protein assemblies. These misfolded protein assemblies act as seeds of aggregation. In an in vivo exogenous seeding model, both the features of seeds and the position at which seeding originates are precisely defined. Ample evidence from studies on intracerebal injection of amyloid-beta (Aβ)-rich brain extracts suggests that Aβ aggregation can be initiated by prion-like seeding. In this mini-review article, we will summarize the past and current literature on Aβ seeding in mouse models of AD and discuss its implementation as a tool to study cerebral amyloidosis and associated pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina Friesen
- Department of Neurology/Neurodegeneration, Medical Center—University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Faculty of Biology, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Melanie Meyer-Luehmann
- Department of Neurology/Neurodegeneration, Medical Center—University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Center for Basics in NeuroModulation (NeuroModulBasics), Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
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6
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Correlation between visual association memory test and structural changes in patients with Alzheimer's disease and amnestic mild cognitive impairment. J Formos Med Assoc 2019; 118:1325-1332. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jfma.2018.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2018] [Revised: 11/09/2018] [Accepted: 12/04/2018] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
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7
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Ghidoni R, Squitti R, Siotto M, Benussi L. Innovative Biomarkers for Alzheimer's Disease: Focus on the Hidden Disease Biomarkers. J Alzheimers Dis 2019; 62:1507-1518. [PMID: 29504534 DOI: 10.3233/jad-170953] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The criteria for the clinical diagnosis of AD include the analysis of biomarkers of the underlying brain disease pathology; a set of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) tests, amyloid-β1-42 (Aβ42), total-tau (t-tau), and phosphorylated tau (p-tau), are available and their performance in a clinical setting has been assessed in several studies. Thus, in dementia research, great advances have been made in the discovery of putative biomarkers; however, disappointingly, few of them have been translated into clinically applicable assays. To find biomarkers able to reliably detect AD pathology already at prodromal stages and in blood is even more important. Recent technical breakthroughs have provided ultrasensitive methods that allow the detection of brain-specific proteins in blood. In the present review, we will focus on the usefulness of ultrasensitive technologies for biomarker discovery and trace elements detection; moreover, we will review studies on circulating nano-compartments, a promising novel source of material for molecular diagnostics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberta Ghidoni
- Molecular Markers Laboratory, IRCCS Istituto Centro San Giovanni di Dio Fatebenefratelli, Brescia, Italy
| | - Rosanna Squitti
- Molecular Markers Laboratory, IRCCS Istituto Centro San Giovanni di Dio Fatebenefratelli, Brescia, Italy
| | | | - Luisa Benussi
- Molecular Markers Laboratory, IRCCS Istituto Centro San Giovanni di Dio Fatebenefratelli, Brescia, Italy
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8
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Di Fede G, Catania M, Maderna E, Ghidoni R, Benussi L, Tonoli E, Giaccone G, Moda F, Paterlini A, Campagnani I, Sorrentino S, Colombo L, Kubis A, Bistaffa E, Ghetti B, Tagliavini F. Molecular subtypes of Alzheimer's disease. Sci Rep 2018; 8:3269. [PMID: 29459625 PMCID: PMC5818536 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-21641-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2017] [Accepted: 02/07/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Protein misfolding and aggregation is a central feature of several neurodegenerative disorders including Alzheimer's disease (AD), in which assemblies of amyloid β (Aβ) peptides accumulate in the brain in the form of parenchymal and/or vascular amyloid. A widely accepted concept is that AD is characterized by distinct clinical and neuropathological phenotypes. Recent studies revealed that Aβ assemblies might have structural differences among AD brains and that such pleomorphic assemblies can correlate with distinct disease phenotypes. We found that in both sporadic and inherited forms of AD, amyloid aggregates differ in the biochemical composition of Aβ species. These differences affect the physicochemical properties of Aβ assemblies including aggregation kinetics, resistance to degradation by proteases and seeding ability. Aβ-amyloidosis can be induced and propagated in animal models by inoculation of brain extracts containing aggregated Aβ. We found that brain homogenates from AD patients with different molecular profiles of Aβ are able to induce distinct patterns of Aβ-amyloidosis when injected into mice. Overall these data suggest that the assembly of mixtures of Aβ peptides into different Aβ seeds leads to the formation of distinct subtypes of amyloid having distinctive physicochemical and biological properties which result in the generation of distinct AD molecular subgroups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Di Fede
- IRCCS Foundation "Carlo Besta" Neurological Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Marcella Catania
- IRCCS Foundation "Carlo Besta" Neurological Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Emanuela Maderna
- IRCCS Foundation "Carlo Besta" Neurological Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Roberta Ghidoni
- Molecular Markers Laboratory, IRCCS Istituto Centro San Giovanni di Dio - Fatebenefratelli, Brescia, Italy
| | - Luisa Benussi
- Molecular Markers Laboratory, IRCCS Istituto Centro San Giovanni di Dio - Fatebenefratelli, Brescia, Italy
| | - Elisa Tonoli
- Molecular Markers Laboratory, IRCCS Istituto Centro San Giovanni di Dio - Fatebenefratelli, Brescia, Italy
| | - Giorgio Giaccone
- IRCCS Foundation "Carlo Besta" Neurological Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Fabio Moda
- IRCCS Foundation "Carlo Besta" Neurological Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Anna Paterlini
- Molecular Markers Laboratory, IRCCS Istituto Centro San Giovanni di Dio - Fatebenefratelli, Brescia, Italy
| | | | | | - Laura Colombo
- Department of Molecular Biochemistry and Pharmacology, IRCCS Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche "Mario Negri", Milan, Italy
| | - Adriana Kubis
- IRCCS Foundation "Carlo Besta" Neurological Institute, Milan, Italy.,Department of Toxicology, Wroclaw Medical University, Wrocław, Poland
| | - Edoardo Bistaffa
- IRCCS Foundation "Carlo Besta" Neurological Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Bernardino Ghetti
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Indiana University, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
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9
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Shirani H, Appelqvist H, Bäck M, Klingstedt T, Cairns NJ, Nilsson KPR. Synthesis of Thiophene-Based Optical Ligands That Selectively Detect Tau Pathology in Alzheimer's Disease. Chemistry 2017; 23:17127-17135. [PMID: 28926133 PMCID: PMC5928317 DOI: 10.1002/chem.201703846] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2017] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
The accumulation of protein aggregates is associated with many devastating neurodegenerative diseases and the development of molecular ligands able to detect these pathological hallmarks is essential. Here, the synthesis of thiophene based optical ligands, denoted bi-thiophene-vinyl-benzothiazoles (bTVBTs) that can be utilized for selective assignment of tau aggregates in brain tissue with Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathology is reported. The ability of the ligands to selectively distinguish tau deposits from the other AD associated pathological hallmark, senile plaques consisting of aggregated amyloid-β (Aβ) peptide, was reduced when the chemical composition of the ligands was altered, verifying that specific molecular interactions between the ligands and the aggregates are necessary for the selective detection of tau deposits. Our findings provide the structural and functional basis for the development of new fluorescent ligands that can distinguish between aggregated proteinaceous species consisting of different proteins. In addition, the bTVBT scaffold might be utilized to create powerful practical research tools for studying the underlying molecular events of tau aggregation and for creating novel agents for clinical imaging of tau pathology in AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hamid Shirani
- Division of Chemistry, Department of Physics, Chemistry and Biology, Linköping University, SE-581 83 Linköping, Sweden
| | - Hanna Appelqvist
- Division of Chemistry, Department of Physics, Chemistry and Biology, Linköping University, SE-581 83 Linköping, Sweden
| | - Marcus Bäck
- Division of Chemistry, Department of Physics, Chemistry and Biology, Linköping University, SE-581 83 Linköping, Sweden
| | - Therése Klingstedt
- Division of Chemistry, Department of Physics, Chemistry and Biology, Linköping University, SE-581 83 Linköping, Sweden
| | - Nigel J. Cairns
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.A
| | - K. Peter R. Nilsson
- Division of Chemistry, Department of Physics, Chemistry and Biology, Linköping University, SE-581 83 Linköping, Sweden
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10
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Wang X, Noroozian Z, Lynch M, Armstrong N, Schneider R, Liu M, Ghodrati F, Zhang AB, Yang YJ, Hall AC, Solarski M, Killackey SA, Watts JC. Strains of Pathological Protein Aggregates in Neurodegenerative Diseases. Discoveries (Craiova) 2017; 5:e78. [PMID: 32309596 PMCID: PMC7159837 DOI: 10.15190/d.2017.8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
The presence of protein aggregates in the brain is a hallmark of neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and Parkinson’s disease (PD). Considerable evidence has revealed that the pathological protein aggregates in many neurodegenerative diseases are able to self-propagate, which may enable pathology to spread from cell-to-cell within the brain. This property is reminiscent of what occurs in prion diseases such as Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. A widely recognized feature of prion disorders is the existence of distinct strains of prions, which are thought to represent unique protein aggregate structures. A number of recent studies have pointed to the existence of strains of protein aggregates in other, more common neurodegenerative illnesses such as AD, PD, and related disorders. In this review, we outline the pathobiology of prion strains and discuss how the concept of protein aggregate strains may help to explain the heterogeneity inherent to many human neurodegenerative disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinzhu Wang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Tanz Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Zeinab Noroozian
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Sunnybrook Research Institute - Biological Sciences, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Madelaine Lynch
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Sunnybrook Research Institute - Biological Sciences, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Nicholas Armstrong
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Raphael Schneider
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Tanz Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Department of Medicine, Division of Neurology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Mingzhe Liu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Sunnybrook Research Institute - Biological Sciences, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Farinaz Ghodrati
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Tanz Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Ashley B Zhang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Tanz Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Yoo Jeong Yang
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Amanda C Hall
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Michael Solarski
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Tanz Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Samuel A Killackey
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Joel C Watts
- Tanz Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Department of Biochemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
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11
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Walker LC, Jucker M. The Exceptional Vulnerability of Humans to Alzheimer's Disease. Trends Mol Med 2017; 23:534-545. [PMID: 28483344 DOI: 10.1016/j.molmed.2017.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2017] [Revised: 03/22/2017] [Accepted: 04/04/2017] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Like many humans, non-human primates deposit copious misfolded Aβ protein in the brain as they age. Nevertheless, the complete behavioral and pathologic phenotype of Alzheimer's disease, including Aβ plaques, neurofibrillary (tau) tangles, and dementia, has not yet been identified in a non-human species. Recent research suggests that the crucial link between Aβ aggregation and tauopathy is somehow disengaged in aged monkeys. Understanding why Alzheimer's disease fails to develop in species that are biologically proximal to humans could disclose new therapeutic targets in the chain of events leading to neurodegeneration and dementia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lary C Walker
- Department of Neurology and Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA.
| | - Mathias Jucker
- Department of Cellular Neurology, Hertie Institute for Clinical Brain Research, University of Tübingen, and the German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), D-72076 Tübingen, Germany.
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12
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Abstract
Most age-related neurodegenerative diseases are associated with the misfolding and aberrant accumulation of specific proteins in the nervous system. The proteins self-assemble and spread by a prion-like process of corruptive molecular templating, whereby abnormally folded proteins induce the misfolding and aggregation of like proteins into characteristic lesions. Despite the apparent simplicity of this process at the molecular level, diseases such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, Creutzfeldt-Jakob, and others display remarkable phenotypic heterogeneity, both clinically and pathologically. Evidence is growing that this variability is mediated, at least in part, by the acquisition of diverse molecular architectures by the misfolded proteins, variants referred to as proteopathic strains. The structural and functional diversity of the assemblies is influenced by genetic, epigenetic, and local contextual factors. Insights into proteopathic strains gleaned from the classical prion diseases can be profitably incorporated into research on other neurodegenerative diseases. Their potentially wide-ranging influence on disease phenotype also suggests that proteopathic strains should be considered in the design and interpretation of diagnostic and therapeutic approaches to these disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lary C Walker
- Department of Neurology and Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia 30322;
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13
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Rosen RF, Tomidokoro Y, Farberg AS, Dooyema J, Ciliax B, Preuss TM, Neubert TA, Ghiso JA, LeVine H, Walker LC. Comparative pathobiology of β-amyloid and the unique susceptibility of humans to Alzheimer's disease. Neurobiol Aging 2016; 44:185-196. [PMID: 27318146 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2016.04.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2016] [Revised: 04/22/2016] [Accepted: 04/23/2016] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
The misfolding and accumulation of the protein fragment β-amyloid (Aβ) is an early and essential event in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Despite close biological similarities among primates, humans appear to be uniquely susceptible to the profound neurodegeneration and dementia that characterize AD, even though nonhuman primates deposit copious Aβ in senile plaques and cerebral amyloid-β angiopathy as they grow old. Because the amino acid sequence of Aβ is identical in all primates studied to date, we asked whether differences in the properties of aggregated Aβ might underlie the vulnerability of humans and the resistance of other primates to AD. In a comparison of aged squirrel monkeys (Saimiri sciureus) and humans with AD, immunochemical and mass spectrometric analyses indicate that the populations of Aβ fragments are largely similar in the 2 species. In addition, Aβ-rich brain extracts from the brains of aged squirrel monkeys and AD patients similarly seed the deposition of Aβ in a transgenic mouse model. However, the epitope exposure of aggregated Aβ differs in sodium dodecyl sulfate-stable oligomeric Aβ from the 2 species. In addition, the high-affinity binding of (3)H Pittsburgh Compound B to Aβ is significantly diminished in tissue extracts from squirrel monkeys compared with AD patients. These findings support the hypothesis that differences in the pathobiology of aggregated Aβ among primates are linked to post-translational attributes of the misfolded protein, such as molecular conformation and/or the involvement of species-specific cofactors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca F Rosen
- Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA.
| | | | - Aaron S Farberg
- Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Jeromy Dooyema
- Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Brian Ciliax
- Department of Neurology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Todd M Preuss
- Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA; Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Thomas A Neubert
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Kimmel Center for Biology and Medicine at the Skirball Institute, NYU School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jorge A Ghiso
- Department of Pathology, NYU School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA; Department of Psychiatry, NYU School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Harry LeVine
- Department of Molecular & Cellular Biochemistry, Center on Aging, Center for Structural Biology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - Lary C Walker
- Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA; Department of Neurology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA.
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14
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Klingstedt T, Shirani H, Mahler J, Wegenast-Braun BM, Nyström S, Goedert M, Jucker M, Nilsson KPR. Distinct Spacing Between Anionic Groups: An Essential Chemical Determinant for Achieving Thiophene-Based Ligands to Distinguish β-Amyloid or Tau Polymorphic Aggregates. Chemistry 2015; 21:9072-82. [PMID: 26013403 PMCID: PMC4517144 DOI: 10.1002/chem.201500556] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2015] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
The accumulation of protein aggregates is associated with many devastating neurodegenerative diseases and the existence of distinct aggregated morphotypes has been suggested to explain the heterogeneous phenotype reported for these diseases. Thus, the development of molecular probes able to distinguish such morphotypes is essential. We report an anionic tetrameric oligothiophene compound that can be utilized for spectral assignment of different morphotypes of β-amyloid or tau aggregates present in transgenic mice at distinct ages. The ability of the ligand to spectrally distinguish between the aggregated morphotypes was reduced when the spacing between the anionic substituents along the conjugated thiophene backbone was altered, which verified that specific molecular interactions between the ligand and the protein aggregate are necessary to detect aggregate polymorphism. Our findings provide the structural and functional basis for the development of new fluorescent ligands that can distinguish between different morphotypes of protein aggregates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Therése Klingstedt
- Department of Chemistry, Linköping UniversitySE-581 83 Linköping (Sweden) E-mail:
| | - Hamid Shirani
- Department of Chemistry, Linköping UniversitySE-581 83 Linköping (Sweden) E-mail:
| | - Jasmin Mahler
- Department of Cellular Neurology, Hertie Institute for Clinical Brain Research, University of TübingenTübingen (Germany)
- DZNE, German Center for Neurodegenerative DiseasesTübingen (Germany)
| | - Bettina M Wegenast-Braun
- Department of Cellular Neurology, Hertie Institute for Clinical Brain Research, University of TübingenTübingen (Germany)
- DZNE, German Center for Neurodegenerative DiseasesTübingen (Germany)
| | - Sofie Nyström
- Department of Chemistry, Linköping UniversitySE-581 83 Linköping (Sweden) E-mail:
| | - Michel Goedert
- MRC Laboratory of Molecular BiologyCambridge (United Kingdom)
| | - Mathias Jucker
- Department of Cellular Neurology, Hertie Institute for Clinical Brain Research, University of TübingenTübingen (Germany)
- DZNE, German Center for Neurodegenerative DiseasesTübingen (Germany)
| | - K Peter R Nilsson
- Department of Chemistry, Linköping UniversitySE-581 83 Linköping (Sweden) E-mail:
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Kulikova AA, Makarov AA, Kozin SA. Roles of zinc ions and structural polymorphism of β-amyloid in the development of Alzheimer’s disease. Mol Biol 2015. [DOI: 10.1134/s0026893315020065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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16
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Abstract
The military conflicts of the last decade have highlighted the growing problem of traumatic brain injury in combatants returning from the battlefield. The considerable evidence pointing at the accumulation of tau aggregates and its recognition as a risk factor in neurodegenerative conditions such as Alzheimer's disease have led to a major effort to develop selective tau ligands that would allow research into the physiopathologic underpinnings of traumatic brain injury and chronic traumatic encephalopathy in military personnel and the civilian population. These tracers will allow new insights into tau pathology in the human brain, facilitating research into causes, diagnosis, and treatment of traumatic encephalopathy and major neurodegenerative dementias, such as Alzheimer's disease and some variants of frontotemporal lobar degeneration, in which tau plays a role. The field of selective tau imaging has to overcome several obstacles, some of them associated with the idiosyncrasies of tau aggregation and others related to radiotracer design. A worldwide effort has focused on the development of imaging agents that will allow selective tau imaging in vivo. Recent progress in the development of these tracers is enabling the noninvasive assessment of the extent of tau pathology in the brain, eventually allowing the quantification of changes in tau pathology over time and its relation to cognitive performance, brain volumetrics, and other biomarkers, as well as assessment of efficacy and patient recruitment for antitau therapeutic trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victor L Villemagne
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and Centre for PET, Austin Health, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
| | - Nobuyuki Okamura
- Department of Pharmacology, Tohoku University School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
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Increased brain amyloid deposition in patients with a lifetime history of major depression: evidenced on 18F-florbetapir (AV-45/Amyvid) positron emission tomography. Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging 2014; 41:714-22. [PMID: 24233127 DOI: 10.1007/s00259-013-2627-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2013] [Accepted: 10/31/2013] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The literature suggests that a history of depression is associated with an increased risk of developing Alzheimer's disease (AD). The aim of this study was to examine brain amyloid accumulation in patients with lifetime major depression using (18)F-florbetapir (AV-45/Amyvid) PET imaging in comparison with that in nondepressed subjects. METHODS The study groups comprised 25 depressed patients and 11 comparison subjects who did not meet the diagnostic criteria for AD or amnestic mild cognitive impairment. Vascular risk factors, homocysteine and apolipoprotein E (ApoE) genotype were also examined. The standard uptake value ratio (SUVR) of each volume of interest was analysed using whole the cerebellum as the reference region. RESULTS Patients with a lifetime history of major depression had higher (18)F-florbetapir SUVRs in the precuneus (1.06 ± 0.08 vs. 1.00 ± 0.06, p = 0.045) and parietal region (1.05 ± 0.08 vs. 0.98 ± 0.07, p = 0.038) than the comparison subjects. Voxel-wise analysis revealed a significantly increased SUVR in depressed patients in the frontal, parietal, temporal and occipital areas (p < 0.01). There were no significant associations between global (18)F-florbetapir SUVRs and prior depression episodes, age at onset of depression, or time since onset of first depression. CONCLUSION Increased (18)F-florbetapir binding values were found in patients with late-life major depression relative to comparison subjects in specific brain regions, despite no differences in age, sex, education, Mini Mental Status Examination score, vascular risk factor score, homocysteine and ApoE ε4 genotype between the two groups. A longitudinal follow-up study with a large sample size would be worthwhile.
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Snellman A, Rokka J, López-Picón FR, Eskola O, Salmona M, Forloni G, Scheinin M, Solin O, Rinne JO, Haaparanta-Solin M. In vivo PET imaging of beta-amyloid deposition in mouse models of Alzheimer's disease with a high specific activity PET imaging agent [(18)F]flutemetamol. EJNMMI Res 2014; 4:37. [PMID: 25977876 PMCID: PMC4412375 DOI: 10.1186/s13550-014-0037-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2014] [Accepted: 07/02/2014] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The purpose of the study was to evaluate the applicability of 18F-labelled amyloid imaging positron emission tomography (PET) agent [18F]flutemetamol to detect changes in brain beta-amyloid (Aβ) deposition in vivo in APP23, Tg2576 and APPswe-PS1dE9 mouse models of Alzheimer's disease. We expected that the high specific activity of [18F]flutemetamol would make it an attractive small animal Aβ imaging agent. Methods [18F]flutemetamol uptake in the mouse brain was evaluated in vivo at 9 to 22 months of age with an Inveon Multimodality PET/CT camera (Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Knoxville, TN, USA). Retention in the frontal cortex (FC) was evaluated by Logan distribution volume ratios (DVR) and FC/cerebellum (CB) ratios during the late washout phase (50 to 60 min). [18F]flutemetamol binding to Aβ was also evaluated in brain slices by in vitro and ex vivo autoradiography. The amount of Aβ in the brain slices was determined with Thioflavin S and anti-Aβ1−40 immunohistochemistry. Results In APP23 mice, [18F]flutemetamol retention in the FC increased from 9 to 18 months. In younger mice, DVR and FC/CB50-60 were 0.88 (0.81) and 0.88 (0.89) at 9 months (N = 2), and 0.98 (0.93) at 12 months (N = 1), respectively. In older mice, DVR and FC/CB50-60 were 1.16 (1.15) at 15 months (N = 1), 1.13 (1.16) and 1.35 (1.35) at 18 months (N = 2), and 1.05 (1.31) at 21 months (N = 1). In Tg2576 mice, DVR and FC/CB50-60 showed modest increasing trends but also high variability. In APPswe-PS1dE9 mice, DVR and FC/CB50-60 did not increase with age. Thioflavin S and anti-Aβ1−40 positive Aβ deposits were present in all transgenic mice at 19 to 22 months, and they co-localized with [18F]flutemetamol binding in the brain slices examined with in vitro and ex vivo autoradiography. Conclusions Increased [18F]flutemetamol retention in the brain was detected in old APP23 mice in vivo. However, the high specific activity of [18F]flutemetamol did not provide a notable advantage in Tg2576 and APPswe-PS1dE9 mice compared to the previously evaluated structural analogue [11C]PIB. For its practical benefits, [18F]flutemetamol imaging with a suitable mouse model like APP23 is an attractive alternative.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anniina Snellman
- Medicity/PET Preclinical Laboratory, Turku PET Centre, University of Turku, Tykistökatu 6 A, Turku 20520, Finland
| | - Johanna Rokka
- Radiopharmaceutical Chemistry Laboratory, Turku PET Centre, University of Turku, Porthaninkatu 3, Turku 20500, Finland
| | - Francisco R López-Picón
- Medicity/PET Preclinical Laboratory, Turku PET Centre, University of Turku, Tykistökatu 6 A, Turku 20520, Finland
| | - Olli Eskola
- Radiopharmaceutical Chemistry Laboratory, Turku PET Centre, University of Turku, Porthaninkatu 3, Turku 20500, Finland
| | - Mario Salmona
- Mario Negri Institute for Pharmacological Research, Milan 20156, Italy
| | - Gianluigi Forloni
- Mario Negri Institute for Pharmacological Research, Milan 20156, Italy
| | - Mika Scheinin
- Department of Pharmacology, Drug Development and Therapeutics, University of Turku, Kiinamyllynkatu 10, Turku 20520, Finland ; Unit of Clinical Pharmacology, TYKSLAB, Turku University Hospital, Kiinamyllynkatu 10, Turku 20520, Finland
| | - Olof Solin
- Radiopharmaceutical Chemistry Laboratory, Turku PET Centre, University of Turku, Porthaninkatu 3, Turku 20500, Finland
| | - Juha O Rinne
- Turku PET Centre, University of Turku, Turku 20521, Finland
| | - Merja Haaparanta-Solin
- Medicity/PET Preclinical Laboratory, Turku PET Centre, University of Turku, Tykistökatu 6 A, Turku 20520, Finland
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Jucker M, Walker LC. Self-propagation of pathogenic protein aggregates in neurodegenerative diseases. Nature 2013; 501:45-51. [PMID: 24005412 DOI: 10.1038/nature12481] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1129] [Impact Index Per Article: 102.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2013] [Accepted: 07/17/2013] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
For several decades scientists have speculated that the key to understanding age-related neurodegenerative disorders may be found in the unusual biology of the prion diseases. Recently, owing largely to the advent of new disease models, this hypothesis has gained experimental momentum. In a remarkable variety of diseases, specific proteins have been found to misfold and aggregate into seeds that structurally corrupt like proteins, causing them to aggregate and form pathogenic assemblies ranging from small oligomers to large masses of amyloid. Proteinaceous seeds can therefore serve as self-propagating agents for the instigation and progression of disease. Alzheimer's disease and other cerebral proteopathies seem to arise from the de novo misfolding and sustained corruption of endogenous proteins, whereas prion diseases can also be infectious in origin. However, the outcome in all cases is the functional compromise of the nervous system, because the aggregated proteins gain a toxic function and/or lose their normal function. As a unifying pathogenic principle, the prion paradigm suggests broadly relevant therapeutic directions for a large class of currently intractable diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mathias Jucker
- Department of Cellular Neurology, Hertie Institute for Clinical Brain Research, University of Tübingen, D-72076 Tübingen, Germany.
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20
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Mehta AK, Rosen RF, Childers WS, Gehman JD, Walker LC, Lynn DG. Context dependence of protein misfolding and structural strains in neurodegenerative diseases. Biopolymers 2013; 100:722-30. [PMID: 23893572 PMCID: PMC3979318 DOI: 10.1002/bip.22283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2013] [Revised: 04/19/2013] [Accepted: 05/07/2013] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Vast arrays of structural forms are accessible to simple amyloid peptides and environmental conditions can direct assembly into single phases. These insights are now being applied to the aggregation of the Aβ peptide of Alzheimer's disease and the identification of causative phases. We extend use of the imaging agent Pittsburgh compound B to discriminate among Aβ phases and begin to define conditions of relevance to the disease state. Also, we specifically highlight the development of methods for defining the structures of these more complex phases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anil K. Mehta
- Departments of Chemistry and Biology, Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, USA
| | - Rebecca F. Rosen
- Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Center for Neurodegenerative Disease, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, USA
| | - W. Seth Childers
- Departments of Chemistry and Biology, Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, USA
| | - John D. Gehman
- School of Chemistry, Bio21 Institute, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Vic. 3010, Australia
| | - Lary C. Walker
- Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Center for Neurodegenerative Disease, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, USA
- Department of Neurology, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, USA
| | - David G. Lynn
- Departments of Chemistry and Biology, Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, USA
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21
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Heilbronner G, Eisele YS, Langer F, Kaeser SA, Novotny R, Nagarathinam A, Aslund A, Hammarström P, Nilsson KPR, Jucker M. Seeded strain-like transmission of β-amyloid morphotypes in APP transgenic mice. EMBO Rep 2013; 14:1017-22. [PMID: 23999102 DOI: 10.1038/embor.2013.137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 110] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2013] [Revised: 08/12/2013] [Accepted: 08/12/2013] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
The polymorphic β-amyloid lesions present in individuals with Alzheimer's disease are collectively known as cerebral β-amyloidosis. Amyloid precursor protein (APP) transgenic mouse models similarly develop β-amyloid depositions that differ in morphology, binding of amyloid conformation-sensitive dyes, and Aβ40/Aβ42 peptide ratio. To determine the nature of such β-amyloid morphotypes, β-amyloid-containing brain extracts from either aged APP23 brains or aged APPPS1 brains were intracerebrally injected into the hippocampus of young APP23 or APPPS1 transgenic mice. APPPS1 brain extract injected into young APP23 mice induced β-amyloid deposition with the morphological, conformational, and Aβ40/Aβ42 ratio characteristics of β-amyloid deposits in aged APPPS1 mice, whereas APP23 brain extract injected into young APP23 mice induced β-amyloid deposits with the characteristics of β-amyloid deposits in aged APP23 mice. Injecting the two extracts into the APPPS1 host revealed a similar difference between the induced β-amyloid deposits, although less prominent, and the induced deposits were similar to the β-amyloid deposits found in aged APPPS1 hosts. These results indicate that the molecular composition and conformation of aggregated Aβ in APP transgenic mice can be maintained by seeded conversion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Götz Heilbronner
- 1] Department of Cellular Neurology, Hertie Institute for Clinical Brain Research, University of Tübingen, D-72076 Tübingen, Germany [2] DZNE, German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, D-72076 Tübingen, Germany
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Huang KL, Lin KJ, Hsiao IT, Kuo HC, Hsu WC, Chuang WL, Kung MP, Wey SP, Hsieh CJ, Wai YY, Yen TC, Huang CC. Regional amyloid deposition in amnestic mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease evaluated by [18F]AV-45 positron emission tomography in Chinese population. PLoS One 2013; 8:e58974. [PMID: 23516589 PMCID: PMC3597555 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0058974] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2012] [Accepted: 02/08/2013] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background To compare the neocortical amyloid loads among cognitively normal (CN), amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI), and Alzheimer's disease (AD) subjects with [18F]AV-45 positron emission tomography (PET). Materials and Methods [18F]AV-45 PET was performed in 11 CN, 13 aMCI, and 12 AD subjects to compare the cerebral cortex-to-whole cerebellum standard uptake value ratios (SUVRs) of global and individual volumes of interest (VOIs) cerebral cortex. The correlation between global cortical [18F]AV-45 SUVRs and Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) scores was analyzed. Results The global cortical [18F]AV-45 SUVRs were significantly different among the CN (1.08±0.08), aMCI (1.27±0.06), and AD groups (1.34±0.13) (p = 0.0003) with amyloidosis positivity rates of 9%, 62%, and 92% in the three groups respectively. Compared to CN subjects, AD subjects had higher SUVRs in the global cortical, precuneus, frontal, parietal, occipital, temporal, and posterior cingulate areas; while aMCI subjects had higher values in the global cortical, precuneus, frontal, occipital and posterior cingulate areas. There were negative correlations of MMSE scores with SUVRs in the global cortical, precuneus, frontal, parietal, occipital, temporal, posterior cingulate and anterior cingulate areas on a combined subject pool of the three groups after age and education attainment adjustment. Conclusions Amyloid deposition occurs relatively early in precuneus, frontal and posterior cingulate in aMCI subjects. Higher [18F]AV-45 accumulation is present in parietal, occipital and temporal gyri in AD subjects compared to the aMCI group. Significant correlation between MMSE scores and [18F]AV-45 SUVRs can be observed among CN, aMCI and AD subjects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kuo-Lun Huang
- Department of Neurology and Dementia Center, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Kun-Ju Lin
- Molecular Imaging Center and Department of Nuclear Medicine, Chang Gung University and Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan
- Healthy Aging Research Center and Department of Medical Imaging and Radiological Sciences, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Ing-Tsung Hsiao
- Molecular Imaging Center and Department of Nuclear Medicine, Chang Gung University and Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan
- Healthy Aging Research Center and Department of Medical Imaging and Radiological Sciences, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Hung-Chou Kuo
- Department of Neurology and Dementia Center, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Wen-Chuin Hsu
- Department of Neurology and Dementia Center, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Wen-Li Chuang
- Department of Neurology and Dementia Center, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Mei-Ping Kung
- Molecular Imaging Center and Department of Nuclear Medicine, Chang Gung University and Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan
- Department of Radiology, University of Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Shiaw-Pyng Wey
- Molecular Imaging Center and Department of Nuclear Medicine, Chang Gung University and Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan
- Healthy Aging Research Center and Department of Medical Imaging and Radiological Sciences, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Ju Hsieh
- Molecular Imaging Center and Department of Nuclear Medicine, Chang Gung University and Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan
- Healthy Aging Research Center and Department of Medical Imaging and Radiological Sciences, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Yau-Yau Wai
- Department of Radiology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Tzu-Chen Yen
- Molecular Imaging Center and Department of Nuclear Medicine, Chang Gung University and Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan
- * E-mail: (CCH); (TCY)
| | - Chin-Chang Huang
- Department of Neurology and Dementia Center, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
- * E-mail: (CCH); (TCY)
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Robinson JL, Geser F, Stieber A, Umoh M, Kwong LK, Van Deerlin VM, Lee VMY, Trojanowski JQ. TDP-43 skeins show properties of amyloid in a subset of ALS cases. Acta Neuropathol 2013; 125:121-31. [PMID: 23124365 DOI: 10.1007/s00401-012-1055-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2012] [Revised: 09/24/2012] [Accepted: 10/15/2012] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Aggregation of TDP-43 proteins to form intracellular inclusions is the primary pathology in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD) with TDP-43 inclusions (FTLD-TDP). Histologically, in the cerebral cortex and limbic regions of affected ALS and FTLD-TDP patients, these pathologies occur as a variety of cytoplasmic, neuritic and intranuclear TDP-43 inclusions. In the spinal cord and lower brainstem of ALS patients, the lesions form cytoplasmic dashes or complex filamentous and spherical profiles in addition to skein-like inclusions (SLI). Ultrastructurally, the morphology of TDP-43 inclusions is heterogeneous but mainly composed of loose bundles of 10- to 20-nm-diameter straight filaments associated with electron-dense granular material. All of these TDP-43 inclusions are generally described as disordered amorphous aggregations unlike the amyloid fibrils that characterize protein accumulations in neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease. We here report that Thioflavin-S positive SLI are present in a subset of ALS cases, while TDP-43 inclusions outside the spinal cord lack the chemical properties of amyloid. Further, we examine the differential enrichment of fibrillar profiles in SLI of ALS cases by TDP-43 immuno-electron microscopy (immuno-EM). The demonstration that pathological TDP-43 can be amyloidogenic in situ suggests the following conclusions: (1) the conformational changes associated with TDP-43 aggregation are more complex than previously thought; (2) Thioflavin-S positive SLI may be composed primarily of filamentous ultrastructures.
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24
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Wegenast-Braun BM, Skodras A, Bayraktar G, Mahler J, Fritschi SK, Klingstedt T, Mason JJ, Hammarström P, Nilsson KPR, Liebig C, Jucker M. Spectral Discrimination of Cerebral Amyloid Lesions after Peripheral Application of Luminescent Conjugated Oligothiophenes. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY 2012; 181:1953-60. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ajpath.2012.08.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2012] [Revised: 07/16/2012] [Accepted: 08/09/2012] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
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Abstract
With advancing age, the brain becomes increasingly susceptible to neurodegenerative diseases, most of which are characterized by the misfolding and errant aggregation of certain proteins. The induction of aggregation involves a crystallization-like seeding mechanism by which a specific protein is structurally corrupted by its misfolded conformer. The latest research indicates that, once formed, proteopathic seeds can spread from one locale to another via cellular uptake, transport, and release. Impeding this process could represent a unified therapeutic strategy for slowing the progression of a wide range of currently intractable disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lary C. Walker
- From the Yerkes National Primate Research Center and Department of Neurology, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia 30329 and
| | - Harry LeVine
- the Center on Aging, Center for Structural Biology, and Department of Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40536
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Hall D, Edskes H. Computational modeling of the relationship between amyloid and disease. Biophys Rev 2012; 4:205-222. [PMID: 23495357 PMCID: PMC3595053 DOI: 10.1007/s12551-012-0091-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2012] [Accepted: 06/21/2012] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Amyloid is a title conferred upon a special type of linear protein aggregate that exhibits a common set of structural features and dye binding capabilities. The formation of amyloid is associated with over twenty-seven distinct human diseases which are collectively referred to as the amyloidoses. Although there is great diversity amongst the amyloidoses with regard to the polypeptide monomeric precursor, targeted tissues and the nature and time course of disease development, the common underlying link of a structurally similar amyloid aggregate has prompted the search for a unified theory of disease progression in which amyloid production is the central element. Computational modeling has allowed the formulation and testing of scientific hypotheses for exploring this relationship. However, the majority of computational studies on amyloid aggregation are pitched at the atomistic level of description, in simple ideal solution environments, with simulation time scales of the order of microseconds and system sizes limited to a hundred monomers (or less). The experimental reality is that disease related amyloid aggregation processes occur in extremely complex reaction environments (i.e. the human body), over time-scales of months to years with monitoring of the reaction achieved using extremely coarse or indirect experimental markers that yield little or no atomistic insight. Clearly a substantial gap exists between computational and experimental communities with a deficit of 'useful' computational methodology that can be directly related to available markers of disease progression. This Review will place its focus on the development of these latter types of computational models and discuss them in relation to disease onset and progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Damien Hall
- Institute of Basic Medical Science, University of Tsukuba, Lab 225-B, Building D. 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba-shi, Ibaraki-ken 305-8577 Japan
| | - Herman Edskes
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Genetics, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892-0830 USA
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Villemagne VL, Furumoto S, Fodero-Tavoletti M, Harada R, Mulligan RS, Kudo Y, Masters CL, Yanai K, Rowe CC, Okamura N. The challenges of tau imaging. FUTURE NEUROLOGY 2012. [DOI: 10.2217/fnl.12.34] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
In vivo imaging of tau pathology will provide new insights into tau deposition in the human brain, thus facilitating research into causes, diagnosis and treatment of major dementias, such as Alzheimer’s disease, or some variants of frontotemporal lobar degeneration, in which tau plays a role. Tau imaging poses several challenges, some related to the singularities of tau aggregation, and others related to radiotracer design. Several groups around the world are working on the development of imaging agents that will allow the in vivo assessment of tau deposition in aging and in neurodegeneration. Development of a tau imaging tracer will enable researchers to noninvasively examine the degree and extent of tau pathology in the brain, quantify changes in tau deposition over time, evaluate its relation to cognition and assess the efficacy of anti-tau therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victor L Villemagne
- Department of Nuclear Medicine & Centre for PET, Austin Health, 145 Studley Road, Heidelberg, VIC 3084, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Shozo Furumoto
- Department of Pharmacology, Tohoku University School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
| | | | - Ryuichi Harada
- Department of Pharmacology, Tohoku University School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
| | - Rachel S Mulligan
- Department of Nuclear Medicine & Centre for PET, Austin Health, 145 Studley Road, Heidelberg, VIC 3084, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Yukitsuka Kudo
- Innovation of New Biomedical Engineering Center, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
| | | | - Kazuhiko Yanai
- Department of Pharmacology, Tohoku University School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
| | - Chistopher C Rowe
- Department of Nuclear Medicine & Centre for PET, Austin Health, 145 Studley Road, Heidelberg, VIC 3084, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Nobuyuki Okamura
- Department of Pharmacology, Tohoku University School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
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Gregoire S, Irwin J, Kwon I. Techniques for Monitoring Protein Misfolding and Aggregation in Vitro and in Living Cells. KOREAN J CHEM ENG 2012; 29:693-702. [PMID: 23565019 PMCID: PMC3615250 DOI: 10.1007/s11814-012-0060-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Protein misfolding and aggregation have been considered important in understanding many neurodegenerative diseases and recombinant biopharmaceutical production. Therefore, various traditional and modern techniques have been utilized to monitor protein aggregation in vitro and in living cells. Fibril formation, morphology and secondary structure content of amyloidogenic proteins in vitro have been monitored by molecular probes, TEM/AFM, and CD/FTIR analyses, respectively. Protein aggregation in living cells has been qualitatively or quantitatively monitored by numerous molecular folding reporters based on either fluorescent protein or enzyme. Aggregation of a target protein is directly correlated to the changes in fluorescence or enzyme activity of the folding reporter fused to the target protein, which allows non-invasive monitoring aggregation of the target protein in living cells. Advances in the techniques used to monitor protein aggregation in vitro and in living cells have greatly facilitated the understanding of the molecular mechanism of amyloidogenic protein aggregation associated with neurodegenerative diseases, optimizing culture conditions to reduce aggregation of biopharmaceuticals expressed in living cells, and screening of small molecule libraries in the search for protein aggregation inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simpson Gregoire
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia22904
| | - Jacob Irwin
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia22904
| | - Inchan Kwon
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia22904
- Institutes on Aging, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia22904
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Villemagne VL, Klunk WE, Mathis CA, Rowe CC, Brooks DJ, Hyman BT, Ikonomovic MD, Ishii K, Jack CR, Jagust WJ, Johnson KA, Koeppe RA, Lowe VJ, Masters CL, Montine TJ, Morris JC, Nordberg A, Petersen RC, Reiman EM, Selkoe DJ, Sperling RA, Van Laere K, Weiner MW, Drzezga A. Aβ Imaging: feasible, pertinent, and vital to progress in Alzheimer's disease. Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging 2012; 39:209-19. [PMID: 22218879 PMCID: PMC3261395 DOI: 10.1007/s00259-011-2045-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
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Abstract
Amyloid fibers and oligomers are associated with a great variety of human diseases including Alzheimer's disease and the prion conditions. Here we attempt to connect recent discoveries on the molecular properties of proteins in the amyloid state with observations about pathological tissues and disease states. We summarize studies of structure and nucleation of amyloid and relate these to observations on amyloid polymorphism, prion strains, coaggregation of pathogenic proteins in tissues, and mechanisms of toxicity and transmissibility. Molecular studies have also led to numerous strategies for biological and chemical interventions against amyloid diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Eisenberg
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Department of Biological Chemistry, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles CA 90095-1570, USA.
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31
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Jucker M, Walker LC. Pathogenic protein seeding in Alzheimer disease and other neurodegenerative disorders. Ann Neurol 2012; 70:532-40. [PMID: 22028219 DOI: 10.1002/ana.22615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 441] [Impact Index Per Article: 36.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The misfolding and aggregation of specific proteins is a seminal occurrence in a remarkable variety of neurodegenerative disorders. In Alzheimer disease (the most prevalent cerebral proteopathy), the two principal aggregating proteins are β-amyloid (Aβ) and tau. The abnormal assemblies formed by conformational variants of these proteins range in size from small oligomers to the characteristic lesions that are visible by optical microscopy, such as senile plaques and neurofibrillary tangles. Pathologic similarities with prion disease suggest that the formation and spread of these proteinaceous lesions might involve a common molecular mechanism-corruptive protein templating. Experimentally, cerebral β-amyloidosis can be exogenously induced by exposure to dilute brain extracts containing aggregated Aβ seeds. The amyloid-inducing agent probably is Aβ itself, in a conformation generated most effectively in the living brain. Once initiated, Aβ lesions proliferate within and among brain regions. The induction process is governed by the structural and biochemical nature of the Aβ seed, as well as the attributes of the host, reminiscent of pathogenically variant prion strains. The concept of prionlike induction and spreading of pathogenic proteins recently has been expanded to include aggregates of tau, α-synuclein, huntingtin, superoxide dismutase-1, and TDP-43, which characterize such human neurodegenerative disorders as frontotemporal lobar degeneration, Parkinson/Lewy body disease, Huntington disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Our recent finding that the most effective Aβ seeds are small and soluble intensifies the search in bodily fluids for misfolded protein seeds that are upstream in the proteopathic cascade, and thus could serve as predictive diagnostics and the targets of early, mechanism-based interventions. Establishing the clinical implications of corruptive protein templating will require further mechanistic and epidemiologic investigations. However, the theory that many chronic neurodegenerative diseases can originate and progress via the seeded corruption of misfolded proteins has the potential to unify experimental and translational approaches to these increasingly prevalent disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mathias Jucker
- Department of Cellular Neurology, Hertie Institute for Clinical Brain Research, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.
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32
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Heuer E, Rosen RF, Cintron A, Walker LC. Nonhuman primate models of Alzheimer-like cerebral proteopathy. Curr Pharm Des 2012; 18:1159-69. [PMID: 22288403 PMCID: PMC3381739 DOI: 10.2174/138161212799315885] [Citation(s) in RCA: 96] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2011] [Accepted: 12/19/2011] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Nonhuman primates are useful for the study of age-associated changes in the brain and behavior in a model that is biologically proximal to humans. The Aβ and tau proteins, two key players in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD), are highly homologous among primates. With age, all nonhuman primates analyzed to date develop senile (Aβ) plaques and cerebral β-amyloid angiopathy. In contrast, significant tauopathy is unusual in simians, and only humans manifest the profound tauopathy, neuronal degeneration and cognitive impairment that characterize Alzheimer's disease. Primates thus are somewhat paradoxical models of AD-like pathology; on the one hand, they are excellent models of normal aging and naturally occurring Aβ lesions, and they can be useful for testing diagnostic and therapeutic agents targeting aggregated forms of Aβ. On the other hand, the resistance of monkeys and apes to tauopathy and AD-related neurodegeneration, in the presence of substantial cerebral Aβ deposition, suggests that a comparative analysis of human and nonhuman primates could yield informative clues to the uniquely human predisposition to Alzheimer's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric Heuer
- Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30329
- Psychology Department, University of Hawaii at Hilo, Hilo, HI 96720 USA
| | - Rebecca F. Rosen
- Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30329
| | - Amarallys Cintron
- Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30329
| | - Lary C. Walker
- Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30329
- Department of Neurology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30329
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33
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Gabrielsson EO, Tybrandt K, Hammarström P, Berggren M, Nilsson KPR. Spatially controlled amyloid reactions using organic electronics. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2010; 6:2153-2161. [PMID: 20814927 DOI: 10.1002/smll.201001157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
Abnormal protein aggregates, so called amyloid fibrils, are mainly known as pathological hallmarks of a wide range of diseases, but in addition these robust well-ordered self-assembled natural nanostructures can also be utilized for creating distinct nanomaterials for bioelectronic devices. However, current methods for producing amyloid fibrils in vitro offer no spatial control. Herein, we demonstrate a new way to produce and spatially control the assembly of amyloid-like structures using an organic electronic ion pump (OEIP) to pump distinct cations to a reservoir containing a negatively charged polypeptide. The morphology and kinetics of the created proteinaceous nanomaterials depends on the ion and current used, which we leveraged to create layers incorporating different conjugated thiophene derivatives, one fluorescent (p-FTAA) and one conducting (PEDOT-S). We anticipate that this new application for the OEIP will be useful for both biological studies of amyloid assembly and fibrillogenesis as well as for creating new bioelectronic nanomaterials and devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erik O Gabrielsson
- Organic Electronics, ITN, Linköping University, SE-601 74 Norrköping, Sweden
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34
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Jucker M. The benefits and limitations of animal models for translational research in neurodegenerative diseases. Nat Med 2010; 16:1210-4. [PMID: 21052075 DOI: 10.1038/nm.2224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 225] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Age-related neurodegenerative diseases are largely limited to humans and rarely occur spontaneously in animals. Genetically engineered mouse models recapitulate aspects of the corresponding human diseases and are instrumental in studying disease mechanisms and testing therapeutic strategies. If considered within the range of their validity, mouse models have been predictive of clinical outcome. Translational failure is less the result of the incomplete nature of the models than of inadequate preclinical studies and misinterpretation of the models. This commentary summarizes current models and highlights key questions we should be asking about animal models, as well as questions that cannot be answered with the current models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mathias Jucker
- Department of Cellular Neurology, Hertie Institute for Clinical Brain Research, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany.
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35
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Abstract
The progressive nature of neurodegeneration suggests an age-dependent process that ultimately leads to synaptic failure and neuronal damage in cortical areas of the brain critical for memory and higher mental functions. The increasing age of the population in developed countries suggests that, if unchecked, these disorders will become increasingly prevalent. In the absence of specific biologic markers, direct pathologic examination of brain tissue still is the only definitive method for establishing a diagnosis of Alzheimer disease (AD) and other types of dementia. Pathologic hallmarks of AD are intracellular neurofibrillary tangles (NFT) and extracellular amyloid plaques. NFT are intraneuronal bundles of paired helical filaments mainly composed of the aggregates of an abnormally phosphorylated form of tau protein; neuritic plaques consist of dense extracellular aggregates of β-amyloid (Aβ), surrounded by reactive gliosis and dystrophic neurites. To date, all available evidence strongly supports the notion that an imbalance between the production and removal of Aβ leading to its progressive accumulation is central to the pathogenesis of AD. A growing understanding of the molecular mechanisms of Aβ formation, degradation, and neurotoxicity is being translated into new therapeutic approaches. Whereas AD is the most common cause of dementia in the elderly, postmortem studies have found dementia with Lewy Bodies and frontotemporal lobe degeneration each to account for about 20% of cases. Molecular neuroimaging techniques such as PET have been used for the in vivo assessment of molecular processes at their sites of action, permitting detection of subtle pathophysiological changes in the brain at asymptomatic stages The development of molecular imaging methods for noninvasively assessing disease-specific traits such as Aβ burden in AD is allowing early diagnosis at presymptomatic stages, more accurate differential diagnosis and, when available, the evaluation and monitoring of disease-modifying therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victor L Villemagne
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and Centre for PET, Austin Health, 145 Studley Road, Heidelberg, Victoria 3084, Australia; The Mental Health Research Institute of Victoria, 135 Oak Street, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia; Department of Medicine, Austin Health, Victoria 3084, Australia.
| | - Christopher C Rowe
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and Centre for PET, Austin Health, 145 Studley Road, Heidelberg, Victoria 3084, Australia; Department of Medicine, Austin Health, Victoria 3084, Australia
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36
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Rowe CC, Ellis KA, Rimajova M, Bourgeat P, Pike KE, Jones G, Fripp J, Tochon-Danguy H, Morandeau L, O'Keefe G, Price R, Raniga P, Robins P, Acosta O, Lenzo N, Szoeke C, Salvado O, Head R, Martins R, Masters CL, Ames D, Villemagne VL. Amyloid imaging results from the Australian Imaging, Biomarkers and Lifestyle (AIBL) study of aging. Neurobiol Aging 2010; 31:1275-83. [PMID: 20472326 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2010.04.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 711] [Impact Index Per Article: 50.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2010] [Revised: 04/01/2010] [Accepted: 04/05/2010] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
The Australian Imaging, Biomarkers and Lifestyle (AIBL) study of aging, a participant of the worldwide Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI), performed (11)C-Pittsburgh Compound B (PiB) scans in 177 healthy controls (HC), 57 mild cognitive impairment (MCI) subjects, and 53 mild Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients. High PiB binding was present in 33% of HC (49% in ApoE-epsilon4 carriers vs 21% in noncarriers) and increased with age, most strongly in epsilon4 carriers. 18% of HC aged 60-69 had high PiB binding rising to 65% in those over 80 years. Subjective memory complaint was only associated with elevated PiB binding in epsilon4 carriers. There was no correlation with cognition in HC or MCI. PiB binding in AD was unrelated to age, hippocampal volume or memory. Beta-amyloid (Abeta) deposition seems almost inevitable with advanced age, amyloid burden is similar at all ages in AD, and secondary factors or downstream events appear to play a more direct role than total beta amyloid burden in hippocampal atrophy and cognitive decline.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher C Rowe
- Austin Health, Department of Nuclear Medicine and Centre for PET, Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia.
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37
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Rosen RF, Ciliax BJ, Wingo TS, Gearing M, Dooyema J, Lah JJ, Ghiso JA, LeVine H, Walker LC. Deficient high-affinity binding of Pittsburgh compound B in a case of Alzheimer's disease. Acta Neuropathol 2010; 119:221-33. [PMID: 19690877 DOI: 10.1007/s00401-009-0583-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2009] [Revised: 08/03/2009] [Accepted: 08/05/2009] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Radiolabeled Pittsburgh compound B (PIB) is a benzothiazole imaging agent that usually binds with high affinity, specificity, and stoichiometry to cerebral beta-amyloid (Abeta) in patients with Alzheimer's disease. Among a cohort of ten AD subjects examined postmortem, we describe a case of idiopathic, end-stage Alzheimer's disease with heavy Abeta deposition yet substantially diminished high-affinity binding of (3)H-PIB to cortical homogenates and unfixed cryosections. Cortical tissue samples were analyzed by immunohistochemistry, electron microscopy, ELISA, immunoblotting, MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry, in vitro (3)H-PIB binding and (3)H-PIB autoradiography. The PIB-refractory subject met the histopathological criteria for AD. However, cortical tissue from this case contained more vascular beta-amyloidosis, higher levels of insoluble Abeta40 and Abeta42, and a higher ratio of Abeta40:Abeta42 than did tissue from the nine comparison AD cases. Furthermore, cerebral Abeta from the PIB-refractory subject displayed an unusual distribution of low- and high-molecular weight Abeta oligomers, as well as a distinct pattern of N- and C-terminally truncated Abeta peptides in both the soluble and insoluble cortical extracts. Genetically, the patient was apolipoprotein-E3/4 heterozygous, and exhibited no known AD-associated mutations in the genes for the beta-amyloid precursor protein, presenilin1 or presenilin2. Our findings suggest that PIB may differentially recognize polymorphic forms of multimeric Abeta in humans with Alzheimer's disease. In addition, while the prevalence of PIB-refractory cases in the general AD population remains to be determined, the paucity of high-affinity binding sites in this AD case cautions that minimal PIB retention in positron-emission tomography scans of demented patients may not always rule out the presence of Alzheimer-type Abeta pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca F Rosen
- Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30329, USA.
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38
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Rosen RF, Walker LC, Levine H. PIB binding in aged primate brain: enrichment of high-affinity sites in humans with Alzheimer's disease. Neurobiol Aging 2009; 32:223-34. [PMID: 19329226 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2009.02.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2008] [Revised: 02/04/2009] [Accepted: 02/10/2009] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Aged nonhuman primates accumulate large amounts of human-sequence amyloid β (Aβ) in the brain, yet they do not manifest the full phenotype of Alzheimer's disease (AD). To assess the biophysical properties of Aβ that might govern its pathogenic potential in humans and nonhuman primates, we incubated the benzothiazole imaging agent Pittsburgh Compound B (PIB) with cortical tissue homogenates from normal aged humans, humans with AD, and from aged squirrel monkeys, rhesus monkeys, and chimpanzees with cerebral Aβ-amyloidosis. Relative to humans with AD, high-affinity PIB binding is markedly reduced in cortical extracts from aged nonhuman primates containing levels of insoluble Aβ similar to those in AD. The high-affinity binding of PIB may be selective for a pathologic, human-specific conformation of multimeric Aβ, and thus could be a useful experimental tool for clarifying the unique predisposition of humans to Alzheimer's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca F Rosen
- Division of Neuroscience, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
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