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Wu B, Liu Y, Li H, Zhu L, Zeng L, Zhang Z, Peng W. Liver as a new target organ in Alzheimer's disease: insight from cholesterol metabolism and its role in amyloid-beta clearance. Neural Regen Res 2025; 20:695-714. [PMID: 38886936 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.391305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 06/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease, the primary cause of dementia, is characterized by neuropathologies, such as amyloid plaques, synaptic and neuronal degeneration, and neurofibrillary tangles. Although amyloid plaques are the primary characteristic of Alzheimer's disease in the central nervous system and peripheral organs, targeting amyloid-beta clearance in the central nervous system has shown limited clinical efficacy in Alzheimer's disease treatment. Metabolic abnormalities are commonly observed in patients with Alzheimer's disease. The liver is the primary peripheral organ involved in amyloid-beta metabolism, playing a crucial role in the pathophysiology of Alzheimer's disease. Notably, impaired cholesterol metabolism in the liver may exacerbate the development of Alzheimer's disease. In this review, we explore the underlying causes of Alzheimer's disease and elucidate the role of the liver in amyloid-beta clearance and cholesterol metabolism. Furthermore, we propose that restoring normal cholesterol metabolism in the liver could represent a promising therapeutic strategy for addressing Alzheimer's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beibei Wu
- Department of Integrated Traditional Chinese & Western Medicine, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan Province, China
| | - Yuqing Liu
- Department of Integrated Traditional Chinese & Western Medicine, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan Province, China
| | - Hongli Li
- Department of Integrated Traditional Chinese & Western Medicine, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan Province, China
| | - Lemei Zhu
- Academician Workstation, Changsha Medical University, Changsha, Hunan Province, China
| | - Lingfeng Zeng
- Academician Workstation, Changsha Medical University, Changsha, Hunan Province, China
| | - Zhen Zhang
- Department of Integrated Traditional Chinese & Western Medicine, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan Province, China
- Yangsheng College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guiyang, Guizhou Province, China
- Qinhuangdao Shanhaiguan Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd, Qinhuangdao, Hebei Province, China
| | - Weijun Peng
- Department of Integrated Traditional Chinese & Western Medicine, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan Province, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorder, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan Province, China
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2
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Rombaut B, Schepers M, Tiane A, Mussen F, Koole L, Kessels S, Trippaers C, Jacobs R, Wouters K, Willems E, van Veggel L, Koulousakis P, Deluyker D, Bito V, Prickaerts J, Wens I, Brône B, van den Hove DLA, Vanmierlo T. Early Inhibition of Phosphodiesterase 4B (PDE4B) Instills Cognitive Resilience in APPswe/PS1dE9 Mice. Cells 2024; 13:1000. [PMID: 38920631 PMCID: PMC11201979 DOI: 10.3390/cells13121000] [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: 03/13/2024] [Revised: 05/15/2024] [Accepted: 05/29/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Microglia activity can drive excessive synaptic loss during the prodromal phase of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and is associated with lowered cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) due to cAMP phosphodiesterase 4B (PDE4B). This study aimed to investigate whether long-term inhibition of PDE4B by A33 (3 mg/kg/day) can prevent synapse loss and its associated cognitive decline in APPswe/PS1dE9 mice. This model is characterized by a chimeric mouse/human APP with the Swedish mutation and human PSEN1 lacking exon 9 (dE9), both under the control of the mouse prion protein promoter. The effects on cognitive function of prolonged A33 treatment from 20 days to 4 months of age, was assessed at 7-8 months. PDE4B inhibition significantly improved both the working and spatial memory of APPswe/PSdE9 mice after treatment ended. At the cellular level, in vitro inhibition of PDE4B induced microglial filopodia formation, suggesting that regulation of PDE4B activity can counteract microglia activation. Further research is needed to investigate if this could prevent microglia from adopting their 'disease-associated microglia (DAM)' phenotype in vivo. These findings support the possibility that PDE4B is a potential target in combating AD pathology and that early intervention using A33 may be a promising treatment strategy for AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ben Rombaut
- Department of Neuroscience, Biomedical Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Hasselt University, 3500 Hasselt, Belgium; (B.R.); (M.S.); (A.T.); (F.M.); (L.K.); (S.K.); (C.T.); (R.J.); (E.W.); (L.v.V.); (P.K.); (I.W.); (B.B.)
- Department Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, Mental Health and Neuroscience Institute (MHeNs), Division Translational Neuroscience, Maastricht University, 6229 ER Maastricht, The Netherlands; (J.P.); (D.L.A.v.d.H.)
| | - Melissa Schepers
- Department of Neuroscience, Biomedical Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Hasselt University, 3500 Hasselt, Belgium; (B.R.); (M.S.); (A.T.); (F.M.); (L.K.); (S.K.); (C.T.); (R.J.); (E.W.); (L.v.V.); (P.K.); (I.W.); (B.B.)
- Department Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, Mental Health and Neuroscience Institute (MHeNs), Division Translational Neuroscience, Maastricht University, 6229 ER Maastricht, The Netherlands; (J.P.); (D.L.A.v.d.H.)
- University MS Center (UMSC) Hasselt, 3900 Pelt, Belgium
| | - Assia Tiane
- Department of Neuroscience, Biomedical Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Hasselt University, 3500 Hasselt, Belgium; (B.R.); (M.S.); (A.T.); (F.M.); (L.K.); (S.K.); (C.T.); (R.J.); (E.W.); (L.v.V.); (P.K.); (I.W.); (B.B.)
- Department Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, Mental Health and Neuroscience Institute (MHeNs), Division Translational Neuroscience, Maastricht University, 6229 ER Maastricht, The Netherlands; (J.P.); (D.L.A.v.d.H.)
- University MS Center (UMSC) Hasselt, 3900 Pelt, Belgium
| | - Femke Mussen
- Department of Neuroscience, Biomedical Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Hasselt University, 3500 Hasselt, Belgium; (B.R.); (M.S.); (A.T.); (F.M.); (L.K.); (S.K.); (C.T.); (R.J.); (E.W.); (L.v.V.); (P.K.); (I.W.); (B.B.)
- Department Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, Mental Health and Neuroscience Institute (MHeNs), Division Translational Neuroscience, Maastricht University, 6229 ER Maastricht, The Netherlands; (J.P.); (D.L.A.v.d.H.)
- Department of Immunology and Infection, Biomedical Research Institute, Hasselt University, 3500 Hasselt, Belgium
| | - Lisa Koole
- Department of Neuroscience, Biomedical Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Hasselt University, 3500 Hasselt, Belgium; (B.R.); (M.S.); (A.T.); (F.M.); (L.K.); (S.K.); (C.T.); (R.J.); (E.W.); (L.v.V.); (P.K.); (I.W.); (B.B.)
- Department Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, Mental Health and Neuroscience Institute (MHeNs), Division Translational Neuroscience, Maastricht University, 6229 ER Maastricht, The Netherlands; (J.P.); (D.L.A.v.d.H.)
| | - Sofie Kessels
- Department of Neuroscience, Biomedical Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Hasselt University, 3500 Hasselt, Belgium; (B.R.); (M.S.); (A.T.); (F.M.); (L.K.); (S.K.); (C.T.); (R.J.); (E.W.); (L.v.V.); (P.K.); (I.W.); (B.B.)
| | - Chloë Trippaers
- Department of Neuroscience, Biomedical Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Hasselt University, 3500 Hasselt, Belgium; (B.R.); (M.S.); (A.T.); (F.M.); (L.K.); (S.K.); (C.T.); (R.J.); (E.W.); (L.v.V.); (P.K.); (I.W.); (B.B.)
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21218, USA
| | - Ruben Jacobs
- Department of Neuroscience, Biomedical Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Hasselt University, 3500 Hasselt, Belgium; (B.R.); (M.S.); (A.T.); (F.M.); (L.K.); (S.K.); (C.T.); (R.J.); (E.W.); (L.v.V.); (P.K.); (I.W.); (B.B.)
| | - Kristiaan Wouters
- Department of Internal Medicine, Maastricht University Medical Center+ (MUMC+), 6229 ER Maastricht, The Netherlands;
- Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht (CARIM), Maastricht University, 6229 ER Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Emily Willems
- Department of Neuroscience, Biomedical Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Hasselt University, 3500 Hasselt, Belgium; (B.R.); (M.S.); (A.T.); (F.M.); (L.K.); (S.K.); (C.T.); (R.J.); (E.W.); (L.v.V.); (P.K.); (I.W.); (B.B.)
- Department Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, Mental Health and Neuroscience Institute (MHeNs), Division Translational Neuroscience, Maastricht University, 6229 ER Maastricht, The Netherlands; (J.P.); (D.L.A.v.d.H.)
| | - Lieve van Veggel
- Department of Neuroscience, Biomedical Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Hasselt University, 3500 Hasselt, Belgium; (B.R.); (M.S.); (A.T.); (F.M.); (L.K.); (S.K.); (C.T.); (R.J.); (E.W.); (L.v.V.); (P.K.); (I.W.); (B.B.)
- Department Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, Mental Health and Neuroscience Institute (MHeNs), Division Translational Neuroscience, Maastricht University, 6229 ER Maastricht, The Netherlands; (J.P.); (D.L.A.v.d.H.)
- University MS Center (UMSC) Hasselt, 3900 Pelt, Belgium
| | - Philippos Koulousakis
- Department of Neuroscience, Biomedical Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Hasselt University, 3500 Hasselt, Belgium; (B.R.); (M.S.); (A.T.); (F.M.); (L.K.); (S.K.); (C.T.); (R.J.); (E.W.); (L.v.V.); (P.K.); (I.W.); (B.B.)
- Department Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, Mental Health and Neuroscience Institute (MHeNs), Division Translational Neuroscience, Maastricht University, 6229 ER Maastricht, The Netherlands; (J.P.); (D.L.A.v.d.H.)
| | - Dorien Deluyker
- UHasselt, Cardio & Organ Systems (COST), BIOMED, Agoralaan, 3590 Diepenbeek, Belgium; (D.D.); (V.B.)
| | - Virginie Bito
- UHasselt, Cardio & Organ Systems (COST), BIOMED, Agoralaan, 3590 Diepenbeek, Belgium; (D.D.); (V.B.)
| | - Jos Prickaerts
- Department Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, Mental Health and Neuroscience Institute (MHeNs), Division Translational Neuroscience, Maastricht University, 6229 ER Maastricht, The Netherlands; (J.P.); (D.L.A.v.d.H.)
| | - Inez Wens
- Department of Neuroscience, Biomedical Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Hasselt University, 3500 Hasselt, Belgium; (B.R.); (M.S.); (A.T.); (F.M.); (L.K.); (S.K.); (C.T.); (R.J.); (E.W.); (L.v.V.); (P.K.); (I.W.); (B.B.)
- Department Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, Mental Health and Neuroscience Institute (MHeNs), Division Translational Neuroscience, Maastricht University, 6229 ER Maastricht, The Netherlands; (J.P.); (D.L.A.v.d.H.)
- University MS Center (UMSC) Hasselt, 3900 Pelt, Belgium
| | - Bert Brône
- Department of Neuroscience, Biomedical Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Hasselt University, 3500 Hasselt, Belgium; (B.R.); (M.S.); (A.T.); (F.M.); (L.K.); (S.K.); (C.T.); (R.J.); (E.W.); (L.v.V.); (P.K.); (I.W.); (B.B.)
| | - Daniel L. A. van den Hove
- Department Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, Mental Health and Neuroscience Institute (MHeNs), Division Translational Neuroscience, Maastricht University, 6229 ER Maastricht, The Netherlands; (J.P.); (D.L.A.v.d.H.)
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy, University of Wuerzburg, 97070 Wuerzburg, Germany
| | - Tim Vanmierlo
- Department of Neuroscience, Biomedical Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Hasselt University, 3500 Hasselt, Belgium; (B.R.); (M.S.); (A.T.); (F.M.); (L.K.); (S.K.); (C.T.); (R.J.); (E.W.); (L.v.V.); (P.K.); (I.W.); (B.B.)
- Department Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, Mental Health and Neuroscience Institute (MHeNs), Division Translational Neuroscience, Maastricht University, 6229 ER Maastricht, The Netherlands; (J.P.); (D.L.A.v.d.H.)
- University MS Center (UMSC) Hasselt, 3900 Pelt, Belgium
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Loeffler DA. Enhancing of cerebral Abeta clearance by modulation of ABC transporter expression: a review of experimental approaches. Front Aging Neurosci 2024; 16:1368200. [PMID: 38872626 PMCID: PMC11170721 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2024.1368200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2024] [Accepted: 05/01/2024] [Indexed: 06/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Clearance of amyloid-beta (Aβ) from the brain is impaired in both early-onset and late-onset Alzheimer's disease (AD). Mechanisms for clearing cerebral Aβ include proteolytic degradation, antibody-mediated clearance, blood brain barrier and blood cerebrospinal fluid barrier efflux, glymphatic drainage, and perivascular drainage. ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters are membrane efflux pumps driven by ATP hydrolysis. Their functions include maintenance of brain homeostasis by removing toxic peptides and compounds, and transport of bioactive molecules including cholesterol. Some ABC transporters contribute to lowering of cerebral Aβ. Mechanisms suggested for ABC transporter-mediated lowering of brain Aβ, in addition to exporting of Aβ across the blood brain and blood cerebrospinal fluid barriers, include apolipoprotein E lipidation, microglial activation, decreased amyloidogenic processing of amyloid precursor protein, and restricting the entrance of Aβ into the brain. The ABC transporter superfamily in humans includes 49 proteins, eight of which have been suggested to reduce cerebral Aβ levels. This review discusses experimental approaches for increasing the expression of these ABC transporters, clinical applications of these approaches, changes in the expression and/or activity of these transporters in AD and transgenic mouse models of AD, and findings in the few clinical trials which have examined the effects of these approaches in patients with AD or mild cognitive impairment. The possibility that therapeutic upregulation of ABC transporters which promote clearance of cerebral Aβ may slow the clinical progression of AD merits further consideration.
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Affiliation(s)
- David A. Loeffler
- Department of Neurology, Beaumont Research Institute, Corewell Health, Royal Oak, MI, United States
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4
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Martens N, Zhan N, Yam SC, Leijten FPJ, Palumbo M, Caspers M, Tiane A, Friedrichs S, Li Y, van Vark-van der Zee L, Voortman G, Zimetti F, Jaarsma D, Verschuren L, Jonker JW, Kuipers F, Lütjohann D, Vanmierlo T, Mulder MT. Supplementation of Seaweed Extracts to the Diet Reduces Symptoms of Alzheimer's Disease in the APPswePS1ΔE9 Mouse Model. Nutrients 2024; 16:1614. [PMID: 38892548 PMCID: PMC11174572 DOI: 10.3390/nu16111614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2024] [Revised: 05/14/2024] [Accepted: 05/24/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
We previously demonstrated that diet supplementation with seaweed Sargassum fusiforme (S. fusiforme) prevented AD-related pathology in a mouse model of Alzheimer's Disease (AD). Here, we tested a lipid extract of seaweed Himanthalia elongata (H. elongata) and a supercritical fluid (SCF) extract of S. fusiforme that is free of excess inorganic arsenic. Diet supplementation with H. elongata extract prevented cognitive deterioration in APPswePS1ΔE9 mice. Similar trends were observed for the S. fusiforme SCF extract. The cerebral amyloid-β plaque load remained unaffected. However, IHC analysis revealed that both extracts lowered glial markers in the brains of APPswePS1ΔE9 mice. While cerebellar cholesterol concentrations remained unaffected, both extracts increased desmosterol, an endogenous LXR agonist with anti-inflammatory properties. Both extracts increased cholesterol efflux, and particularly, H. elongata extract decreased the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines in LPS-stimulated THP-1-derived macrophages. Additionally, our findings suggest a reduction of AD-associated phosphorylated tau and promotion of early oligodendrocyte differentiation by H. elongata. RNA sequencing on the hippocampus of one-week-treated APPswePS1ΔE9 mice revealed effects of H. elongata on, amongst others, acetylcholine and synaptogenesis signaling pathways. In conclusion, extracts of H. elongata and S. fusiforme show potential to reduce AD-related pathology in APPswePS1ΔE9 mice. Increasing desmosterol concentrations may contribute to these effects by dampening neuroinflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikita Martens
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section Pharmacology and Vascular Medicine, Erasmus University Medical Center, 3015 GE Rotterdam, The Netherlands (Y.L.); (G.V.); (T.V.)
- Department of Neuroscience, Biomedical Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Hasselt University, B-3590 Hasselt, Belgium
| | - Na Zhan
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section Pharmacology and Vascular Medicine, Erasmus University Medical Center, 3015 GE Rotterdam, The Netherlands (Y.L.); (G.V.); (T.V.)
- Key Laboratory of Marine Drugs, Chinese Ministry of Education, School of Medicine and Pharmacy, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, China
| | - Sammie C. Yam
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section Pharmacology and Vascular Medicine, Erasmus University Medical Center, 3015 GE Rotterdam, The Netherlands (Y.L.); (G.V.); (T.V.)
| | - Frank P. J. Leijten
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section Pharmacology and Vascular Medicine, Erasmus University Medical Center, 3015 GE Rotterdam, The Netherlands (Y.L.); (G.V.); (T.V.)
| | - Marcella Palumbo
- Department of Food and Drug, University of Parma, 43124 Parma, Italy; (M.P.)
| | - Martien Caspers
- Department of Microbiology and Systems Biology, The Netherlands Organization for Applied Scientific Research (TNO), 2333 BE Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Assia Tiane
- Department of Neuroscience, Biomedical Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Hasselt University, B-3590 Hasselt, Belgium
- Department Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, Division Translational Neuroscience, Mental Health and Neuroscience Institute, Maastricht University, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Silvia Friedrichs
- Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Clinical Pharmacology, University Hospital Bonn, D-53127 Bonn, Germany (D.L.)
| | - Yanlin Li
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section Pharmacology and Vascular Medicine, Erasmus University Medical Center, 3015 GE Rotterdam, The Netherlands (Y.L.); (G.V.); (T.V.)
- Department of Immunology, Erasmus University Medical Center, 3000 CA Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Ophthalmology, Erasmus University Medical Center, 3015 GD Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Leonie van Vark-van der Zee
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section Pharmacology and Vascular Medicine, Erasmus University Medical Center, 3015 GE Rotterdam, The Netherlands (Y.L.); (G.V.); (T.V.)
| | - Gardi Voortman
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section Pharmacology and Vascular Medicine, Erasmus University Medical Center, 3015 GE Rotterdam, The Netherlands (Y.L.); (G.V.); (T.V.)
| | - Francesca Zimetti
- Department of Food and Drug, University of Parma, 43124 Parma, Italy; (M.P.)
| | - Dick Jaarsma
- Department of Neuroscience, Erasmus University Medical Center, 3015 CN Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Lars Verschuren
- Department of Microbiology and Systems Biology, The Netherlands Organization for Applied Scientific Research (TNO), 2333 BE Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Johan W. Jonker
- Department of Pediatrics, Section of Molecular Metabolism and Nutrition, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, 9713 GZ Groningen, The Netherlands; (J.W.J.)
| | - Folkert Kuipers
- Department of Pediatrics, Section of Molecular Metabolism and Nutrition, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, 9713 GZ Groningen, The Netherlands; (J.W.J.)
- European Research Institute for the Biology of Ageing (ERIBA), University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, 9713 AV Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Dieter Lütjohann
- Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Clinical Pharmacology, University Hospital Bonn, D-53127 Bonn, Germany (D.L.)
| | - Tim Vanmierlo
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section Pharmacology and Vascular Medicine, Erasmus University Medical Center, 3015 GE Rotterdam, The Netherlands (Y.L.); (G.V.); (T.V.)
- Department of Neuroscience, Biomedical Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Hasselt University, B-3590 Hasselt, Belgium
- Department Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, Division Translational Neuroscience, Mental Health and Neuroscience Institute, Maastricht University, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Monique T. Mulder
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section Pharmacology and Vascular Medicine, Erasmus University Medical Center, 3015 GE Rotterdam, The Netherlands (Y.L.); (G.V.); (T.V.)
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Zhang R, Wuerch E, Yong VW, Xue M. LXR agonism for CNS diseases: promises and challenges. J Neuroinflammation 2024; 21:97. [PMID: 38627787 PMCID: PMC11022383 DOI: 10.1186/s12974-024-03056-0] [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: 01/09/2024] [Accepted: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024] Open
Abstract
The unfavorable prognosis of many neurological conditions could be attributed to limited tissue regeneration in central nervous system (CNS) and overwhelming inflammation, while liver X receptor (LXR) may regulate both processes due to its pivotal role in cholesterol metabolism and inflammatory response, and thus receives increasing attentions from neuroscientists and clinicians. Here, we summarize the signal transduction of LXR pathway, discuss the therapeutic potentials of LXR agonists based on preclinical data using different disease models, and analyze the dilemma and possible resolutions for clinical translation to encourage further investigations of LXR related therapies in CNS disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruiyi Zhang
- Department of Cerebrovascular Diseases, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute and Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Emily Wuerch
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute and Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - V Wee Yong
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute and Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.
| | - Mengzhou Xue
- Department of Cerebrovascular Diseases, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China.
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6
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Yazdi MK, Alavi MS, Roohbakhsh A. The role of ATP-binding cassette transporter G1 (ABCG1) in Alzheimer's disease: A review of the mechanisms. Basic Clin Pharmacol Toxicol 2024; 134:423-438. [PMID: 38275217 DOI: 10.1111/bcpt.13981] [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: 08/08/2023] [Revised: 01/04/2024] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 01/27/2024]
Abstract
The maintenance of cholesterol homeostasis is essential for central nervous system function. Consequently, factors that affect cholesterol homeostasis are linked to neurological disorders and pathologies. Among them, ATP-binding cassette transporter G1 (ABCG1) plays a significant role in atherosclerosis. However, its role in Alzheimer's disease (AD) is unclear. There is inconsistent information regarding ABCG1's role in AD. It can increase or decrease amyloid β (Aβ) levels in animals' brains. Clinical studies show that ABCG1 is involved in AD patients' impairment of cholesterol efflux capacity (CEC) in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Lower Aβ levels in the CSF are correlated with ABCG1-mediated CEC dysfunction. ABCG1 modulates α-, β-, and γ-secretase activities in the plasma membrane and may affect Aβ production in the mitochondria-associated endoplasmic reticulum (ER) membrane (MAM) cell compartment. Despite contradictory findings regarding ABCG1's role in AD, this review shows that ABCG1 has a role in Aβ generation via modulation of membrane secretases. It is, however, necessary to investigate the underlying mechanism(s). ABCG1 may also contribute to AD pathology through its role in apoptosis and oxidative stress. As a result, ABCG1 plays a role in AD and is a candidate for drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohsen Karbasi Yazdi
- Department of Pharmacodynamics and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Mohaddeseh Sadat Alavi
- Pharmacological Research Center of Medicinal Plants, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Ali Roohbakhsh
- Department of Pharmacodynamics and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
- Pharmaceutical Research Center, Pharmaceutical Technology Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
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7
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Alnaaim SA, Al-Kuraishy HM, Alexiou A, Papadakis M, Saad HM, Batiha GES. Role of Brain Liver X Receptor in Parkinson's Disease: Hidden Treasure and Emerging Opportunities. Mol Neurobiol 2024; 61:341-357. [PMID: 37606719 PMCID: PMC10791998 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-023-03561-y] [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: 05/13/2023] [Accepted: 08/01/2023] [Indexed: 08/23/2023]
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disease due to the degeneration of dopaminergic neurons (DNs) in the substantia nigra (SN). The liver X receptor (LXR) is involved in different neurodegenerative diseases. Therefore, the objective of the present review was to clarify the possible role of LXR in PD neuropathology. LXRs are the most common nuclear receptors of transcription factors that regulate cholesterol metabolism and have pleiotropic effects, including anti-inflammatory effects and reducing intracellular cholesterol accumulation. LXRs are highly expressed in the adult brain and act as endogenous sensors for intracellular cholesterol. LXRs have neuroprotective effects against the development of neuroinflammation in different neurodegenerative diseases by inhibiting the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines. LXRs play an essential role in mitigating PD neuropathology by reducing the expression of inflammatory signaling pathways, neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and enhancement of BDNF signaling.In conclusion, LXRs, through regulating brain cholesterol homeostasis, may be effectual in PD. Also, inhibition of node-like receptor pyrin 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) by LXRs could effectively prevent neuroinflammation in PD. Taken together, LXRs play a crucial role in PD neuropathology by inhibiting neuroinflammation and associated degeneration of DNs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saud A Alnaaim
- Clinical Neurosciences Department, College of Medicine, King Faisal University, Hofuf, Saudi Arabia
| | - Hayder M Al-Kuraishy
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutic Medicine, College of Medicine, ALmustansiriyiah University, Baghdad, 14132, Iraq
| | - Athanasios Alexiou
- Department of Science and Engineering, Novel Global Community Educational Foundation, Hebersham, NSW, 2770, Australia
- AFNP Med, 1030, Wien, Austria
| | - Marios Papadakis
- Department of Surgery II, University Hospital Witten-Herdecke, Heusnerstrasse 40, University of Witten-Herdecke, 42283, Wuppertal, Germany.
| | - Hebatallah M Saad
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Matrouh University, Marsa Matruh, 51744, Egypt
| | - Gaber El-Saber Batiha
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Damanhour University, Damanhour, AlBeheira, 22511, Egypt
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8
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Ayyubova G. APOE4 is a Risk Factor and Potential Therapeutic Target for Alzheimer's Disease. CNS & NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS DRUG TARGETS 2024; 23:342-352. [PMID: 36872358 DOI: 10.2174/1871527322666230303114425] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2022] [Revised: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 01/12/2023] [Indexed: 03/07/2023]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease, the main pathological hallmark of which is the loss of neurons, resulting in cognitive and memory impairments. Sporadic late-onset AD is a prevalent form of the disease and the apolipoprotein E4 (APOE4) genotype is the strongest predictor of the disease development. The structural variations of APOE isoforms affect their roles in synaptic maintenance, lipid trafficking, energy metabolism, inflammatory response, and BBB integrity. In the context of AD, APOE isoforms variously control the key pathological elements of the disease, including Aβ plaque formation, tau aggregation, and neuroinflammation. Taking into consideration the limited number of therapy choices that can alleviate symptoms and have little impact on the AD etiology and progression to date, the precise research strategies guided by apolipoprotein E (APOE) polymorphisms are required to assess the potential risk of age-related cognitive decline in people carrying APOE4 genotype. In this review, we summarize the evidence implicating the significance of APOE isoforms on brain functions in health and pathology with the aim to identify the possible targets that should be addressed to prevent AD manifestation in individuals with the APOE4 genotype and to explore proper treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gunel Ayyubova
- Department of Cytology, Embryology and Histology, Azerbaijan Medical University, Baku, Azerbaijan
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9
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Martens N, Zhan N, Voortman G, Leijten FPJ, van Rheenen C, van Leerdam S, Geng X, Huybrechts M, Liu H, Jonker JW, Kuipers F, Lütjohann D, Vanmierlo T, Mulder MT. Activation of Liver X Receptors and Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptors by Lipid Extracts of Brown Seaweeds: A Potential Application in Alzheimer's Disease? Nutrients 2023; 15:3004. [PMID: 37447330 DOI: 10.3390/nu15133004] [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: 05/17/2023] [Revised: 06/25/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The nuclear liver X receptors (LXRα/β) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARα/γ) are involved in the regulation of multiple biological processes, including lipid metabolism and inflammation. The activation of these receptors has been found to have neuroprotective effects, making them interesting therapeutic targets for neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's Disease (AD). The Asian brown seaweed Sargassum fusiforme contains both LXR-activating (oxy)phytosterols and PPAR-activating fatty acids. We have previously shown that dietary supplementation with lipid extracts of Sargassum fusiforme prevents disease progression in a mouse model of AD, without inducing adverse effects associated with synthetic pan-LXR agonists. We now determined the LXRα/β- and PPARα/γ-activating capacity of lipid extracts of six European brown seaweed species (Alaria esculenta, Ascophyllum nodosum, Fucus vesiculosus, Himanthalia elongata, Saccharina latissima, and Sargassum muticum) and the Asian seaweed Sargassum fusiforme using a dual luciferase reporter assay. We analyzed the sterol and fatty acid profiles of the extracts by GC-MS and UPLC MS/MS, respectively, and determined their effects on the expression of LXR and PPAR target genes in several cell lines using quantitative PCR. All extracts were found to activate LXRs, with the Himanthalia elongata extract showing the most pronounced efficacy, comparable to Sargassum fusiforme, for LXR activation and transcriptional regulation of LXR-target genes. Extracts of Alaria esculenta, Fucus vesiculosus, and Saccharina latissima showed the highest capacity to activate PPARα, while extracts of Alaria esculenta, Ascophyllum nodosum, Fucus vesiculosus, and Sargassum muticum showed the highest capacity to activate PPARγ, comparable to Sargassum fusiforme extract. In CCF-STTG1 astrocytoma cells, all extracts induced expression of cholesterol efflux genes (ABCG1, ABCA1, and APOE) and suppressed expression of cholesterol and fatty acid synthesis genes (DHCR7, DHCR24, HMGCR and SREBF2, and SREBF1, ACACA, SCD1 and FASN, respectively). Our data show that lipophilic fractions of European brown seaweeds activate LXRs and PPARs and thereby modulate lipid metabolism. These results support the potential of brown seaweeds in the prevention and/or treatment of neurodegenerative diseases and possibly cardiometabolic and inflammatory diseases via concurrent activation of LXRs and PPARs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikita Martens
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section Pharmacology and Vascular Medicine, Erasmus University Medical Center, 3015 CN Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Neuroscience, Biomedical Research Institute, European Graduate School of Neuroscience, Hasselt University, B-3590 Hasselt, Belgium
| | - Na Zhan
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section Pharmacology and Vascular Medicine, Erasmus University Medical Center, 3015 CN Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Key Laboratory of Marine Drugs, Chinese Ministry of Education, School of Medicine and Pharmacy, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, China
| | - Gardi Voortman
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section Pharmacology and Vascular Medicine, Erasmus University Medical Center, 3015 CN Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Frank P J Leijten
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section Pharmacology and Vascular Medicine, Erasmus University Medical Center, 3015 CN Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Connor van Rheenen
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section Pharmacology and Vascular Medicine, Erasmus University Medical Center, 3015 CN Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Suzanne van Leerdam
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section Pharmacology and Vascular Medicine, Erasmus University Medical Center, 3015 CN Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Xicheng Geng
- Key Laboratory of Marine Drugs, Chinese Ministry of Education, School of Medicine and Pharmacy, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, China
| | - Michiel Huybrechts
- Department of Environmental Biology, Center for Environmental Sciences, Hasselt University, B-3590 Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Hongbing Liu
- Key Laboratory of Marine Drugs, Chinese Ministry of Education, School of Medicine and Pharmacy, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, China
| | - Johan W Jonker
- Department of Pediatrics, Section of Molecular Metabolism and Nutrition, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, 9713 GZ Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Folkert Kuipers
- Department of Pediatrics, Section of Molecular Metabolism and Nutrition, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, 9713 GZ Groningen, The Netherlands
- European Research Institute for the Biology of Ageing (ERIBA), University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, 9713 AV Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Dieter Lütjohann
- Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Clinical Pharmacology, University Hospital Bonn, D-53127 Bonn, Germany
| | - Tim Vanmierlo
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section Pharmacology and Vascular Medicine, Erasmus University Medical Center, 3015 CN Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Neuroscience, Biomedical Research Institute, European Graduate School of Neuroscience, Hasselt University, B-3590 Hasselt, Belgium
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neurosciences, Division Translational Neuroscience, Maastricht University, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Monique T Mulder
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section Pharmacology and Vascular Medicine, Erasmus University Medical Center, 3015 CN Rotterdam, The Netherlands
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10
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Zhang L, Xia Y, Gui Y. Neuronal ApoE4 in Alzheimer's disease and potential therapeutic targets. Front Aging Neurosci 2023; 15:1199434. [PMID: 37333457 PMCID: PMC10272394 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2023.1199434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2023] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/20/2023] Open
Abstract
The most prevalent genetic risk factor for Alzheimer's disease (AD) is Apolipoprotein E (ApoE), a gene located on chromosome 19 that encodes three alleles (e2, e3, and e4) that give rise to the ApoE subtypes E2, E3, and E4, respectively. E2 and E4 have been linked to increased plasma triglyceride concentrations and are known to play a critical role in lipoprotein metabolism. The prominent pathological features of AD mainly include senile plaques formed by amyloid β (Aβ42) aggregation and neuronal fibrous tangles (NFTs), and the deposited plaques are mainly composed of Aβ hyperphosphorylation and truncated head. In the central nervous system, the ApoE protein is primarily derived from astrocytes, but ApoE is also produced when neurons are stressed or affected by certain stress, injury, and aging conditions. ApoE4 in neurons induces Aβ and tau protein pathologies, leading to neuroinflammation and neuronal damage, impairing learning and memory functions. However, how neuronal ApoE4 mediates AD pathology remains unclear. Recent studies have shown that neuronal ApoE4 may lead to greater neurotoxicity, which increases the risk of AD development. This review focuses on the pathophysiology of neuronal ApoE4 and explains how neuronal ApoE4 mediates Aβ deposition, pathological mechanisms of tau protein hyperphosphorylation, and potential therapeutic targets.
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11
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Schepers M, Paes D, Tiane A, Rombaut B, Piccart E, van Veggel L, Gervois P, Wolfs E, Lambrichts I, Brullo C, Bruno O, Fedele E, Ricciarelli R, Ffrench-Constant C, Bechler ME, van Schaik P, Baron W, Lefevere E, Wasner K, Grünewald A, Verfaillie C, Baeten P, Broux B, Wieringa P, Hellings N, Prickaerts J, Vanmierlo T. Selective PDE4 subtype inhibition provides new opportunities to intervene in neuroinflammatory versus myelin damaging hallmarks of multiple sclerosis. Brain Behav Immun 2023; 109:1-22. [PMID: 36584795 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2022.12.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2022] [Revised: 12/17/2022] [Accepted: 12/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic autoimmune disease of the central nervous system (CNS) characterized by focal inflammatory lesions and prominent demyelination. Even though the currently available therapies are effective in treating the initial stages of disease, they are unable to halt or reverse disease progression into the chronic progressive stage. Thus far, no repair-inducing treatments are available for progressive MS patients. Hence, there is an urgent need for the development of new therapeutic strategies either targeting the destructive immunological demyelination or boosting endogenous repair mechanisms. Using in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo models, we demonstrate that selective inhibition of phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4), a family of enzymes that hydrolyzes and inactivates cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP), reduces inflammation and promotes myelin repair. More specifically, we segregated the myelination-promoting and anti-inflammatory effects into a PDE4D- and PDE4B-dependent process respectively. We show that inhibition of PDE4D boosts oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OPC) differentiation and enhances (re)myelination of both murine OPCs and human iPSC-derived OPCs. In addition, PDE4D inhibition promotes in vivo remyelination in the cuprizone model, which is accompanied by improved spatial memory and reduced visual evoked potential latency times. We further identified that PDE4B-specific inhibition exerts anti-inflammatory effects since it lowers in vitro monocytic nitric oxide (NO) production and improves in vivo neurological scores during the early phase of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). In contrast to the pan PDE4 inhibitor roflumilast, the therapeutic dose of both the PDE4B-specific inhibitor A33 and the PDE4D-specific inhibitor Gebr32a did not trigger emesis-like side effects in rodents. Finally, we report distinct PDE4D isoform expression patterns in human area postrema neurons and human oligodendroglia lineage cells. Using the CRISPR-Cas9 system, we confirmed that pde4d1/2 and pde4d6 are the key targets to induce OPC differentiation. Collectively, these data demonstrate that gene specific PDE4 inhibitors have potential as novel therapeutic agents for targeting the distinct disease processes of MS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa Schepers
- Department of Neuroscience, Biomedical Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium; Department Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands; University MS Center (UMSC) Hasselt-Pelt, Hasselt, Belgium
| | - Dean Paes
- Department of Neuroscience, Biomedical Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium; Department Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Assia Tiane
- Department of Neuroscience, Biomedical Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium; Department Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands; University MS Center (UMSC) Hasselt-Pelt, Hasselt, Belgium
| | - Ben Rombaut
- Department of Neuroscience, Biomedical Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium; Department Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Elisabeth Piccart
- Department of Neuroscience, Biomedical Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Lieve van Veggel
- Department of Neuroscience, Biomedical Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium; Department Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands; University MS Center (UMSC) Hasselt-Pelt, Hasselt, Belgium
| | - Pascal Gervois
- Department of Cardio and Organ Systems, Biomedical Research Institute, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Esther Wolfs
- Department of Cardio and Organ Systems, Biomedical Research Institute, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Ivo Lambrichts
- Department of Cardio and Organ Systems, Biomedical Research Institute, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Chiara Brullo
- Department of Pharmacy, Section of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Genoa, Genova, Italy
| | - Olga Bruno
- Department of Pharmacy, Section of Medicinal Chemistry, University of Genoa, Genova, Italy
| | - Ernesto Fedele
- Department of Pharmacy, Section of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Genova, Genova, Italy; IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genova, Italy
| | - Roberta Ricciarelli
- IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genova, Italy; Department of Experimental Medicine, Section of General Pathology, University of Genova, Genova, Italy
| | - Charles Ffrench-Constant
- MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine and MS Society Edinburgh Centre, Edinburgh bioQuarter, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Marie E Bechler
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY, USA
| | - Pauline van Schaik
- Department of Biomedical Sciences of Cells and Systems, Section Molecular Neurobiology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Wia Baron
- Department of Biomedical Sciences of Cells and Systems, Section Molecular Neurobiology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Evy Lefevere
- Rewind Therapeutics NV, Gaston Geenslaan 2, B-3001, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Kobi Wasner
- Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine, University of Luxembourg, Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
| | - Anne Grünewald
- Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine, University of Luxembourg, Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
| | - Catherine Verfaillie
- Stem Cell Institute, Department of Development and Regeneration, KU Leuven, Belgium
| | - Paulien Baeten
- University MS Center (UMSC) Hasselt-Pelt, Hasselt, Belgium; Department of Immunology and Infection, Biomedical Research Institute, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Bieke Broux
- University MS Center (UMSC) Hasselt-Pelt, Hasselt, Belgium; Department of Immunology and Infection, Biomedical Research Institute, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Paul Wieringa
- MERLN Institute for Technology-Inspired Regenerative Medicine, Complex Tissue Regeneration department, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Niels Hellings
- University MS Center (UMSC) Hasselt-Pelt, Hasselt, Belgium; Department of Immunology and Infection, Biomedical Research Institute, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Jos Prickaerts
- Department Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Tim Vanmierlo
- Department of Neuroscience, Biomedical Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium; Department Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands; University MS Center (UMSC) Hasselt-Pelt, Hasselt, Belgium.
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12
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Zhan N, Wang B, Martens N, Liu Y, Zhao S, Voortman G, van Rooij J, Leijten F, Vanmierlo T, Kuipers F, Jonker JW, Bloks VW, Lütjohann D, Palumbo M, Zimetti F, Adorni MP, Liu H, Mulder MT. Identification of Side Chain Oxidized Sterols as Novel Liver X Receptor Agonists with Therapeutic Potential in the Treatment of Cardiovascular and Neurodegenerative Diseases. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24021290. [PMID: 36674804 PMCID: PMC9863018 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24021290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2022] [Revised: 12/27/2022] [Accepted: 12/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
The nuclear receptors-liver X receptors (LXR α and β) are potential therapeutic targets in cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases because of their key role in the regulation of lipid homeostasis and inflammatory processes. Specific oxy(phyto)sterols differentially modulate the transcriptional activity of LXRs providing opportunities to develop compounds with improved therapeutic characteristics. We isolated oxyphytosterols from Sargassum fusiforme and synthesized sidechain oxidized sterol derivatives. Five 24-oxidized sterols demonstrated a high potency for LXRα/β activation in luciferase reporter assays and induction of LXR-target genes APOE, ABCA1 and ABCG1 involved in cellular cholesterol turnover in cultured cells: methyl 3β-hydroxychol-5-en-24-oate (S1), methyl (3β)-3-aldehydeoxychol-5-en-24-oate (S2), 24-ketocholesterol (S6), (3β,22E)-3-hydroxycholesta-5,22-dien-24-one (N10) and fucosterol-24,28 epoxide (N12). These compounds induced SREBF1 but not SREBP1c-mediated lipogenic genes such as SCD1, ACACA and FASN in HepG2 cells or astrocytoma cells. Moreover, S2 and S6 enhanced cholesterol efflux from HepG2 cells. All five oxysterols induced production of the endogenous LXR agonists 24(S)-hydroxycholesterol by upregulating the CYP46A1, encoding the enzyme converting cholesterol into 24(S)-hydroxycholesterol; S1 and S6 may also act via the upregulation of desmosterol production. Thus, we identified five novel LXR-activating 24-oxidized sterols with a potential for therapeutic applications in neurodegenerative and cardiovascular diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Na Zhan
- Key Laboratory of Marine Drugs, Ministry of Education, School of Medicine and Pharmacy, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, China
- Department of Internal Medicine, Erasmus Medical Center, 3015 CN Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Boyang Wang
- Key Laboratory of Marine Drugs, Ministry of Education, School of Medicine and Pharmacy, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, China
| | - Nikita Martens
- Department of Internal Medicine, Erasmus Medical Center, 3015 CN Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Neuroscience, Biomedical Research Institute, Hasselt University, 3500 Hasselt, Belgium
| | - Yankai Liu
- Key Laboratory of Marine Drugs, Ministry of Education, School of Medicine and Pharmacy, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, China
| | - Shangge Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Marine Drugs, Ministry of Education, School of Medicine and Pharmacy, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, China
| | - Gardi Voortman
- Department of Internal Medicine, Erasmus Medical Center, 3015 CN Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Jeroen van Rooij
- Department of Internal Medicine, Erasmus Medical Center, 3015 CN Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Frank Leijten
- Department of Internal Medicine, Erasmus Medical Center, 3015 CN Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Tim Vanmierlo
- Department of Neuroscience, Biomedical Research Institute, Hasselt University, 3500 Hasselt, Belgium
- School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, 6229 ER Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Folkert Kuipers
- Department of Pediatrics, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, 9713 GZ Groningen, The Netherlands
- European Research Institute for the Biology of Ageing (ERIBA), University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, 9713 GZ Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Johan W. Jonker
- Department of Pediatrics, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, 9713 GZ Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Vincent W. Bloks
- Department of Pediatrics, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, 9713 GZ Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Dieter Lütjohann
- Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Clinical Pharmacology, University Hospital Bonn, 53105 Bonn, Germany
| | - Marcella Palumbo
- Department of Food and Drug, University of Parma, 43124 Parma, Italy
| | - Francesca Zimetti
- Department of Food and Drug, University of Parma, 43124 Parma, Italy
| | - Maria Pia Adorni
- Unit of Neurosciences, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, 43125 Parma, Italy
| | - Hongbing Liu
- Key Laboratory of Marine Drugs, Ministry of Education, School of Medicine and Pharmacy, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, China
- Correspondence: (H.L.); (M.T.M.)
| | - Monique T. Mulder
- Department of Internal Medicine, Erasmus Medical Center, 3015 CN Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Correspondence: (H.L.); (M.T.M.)
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13
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Koulousakis P, Willems E, Schepers M, Rombaut B, Prickaerts J, Vanmierlo T, van den Hove D. Exogenous Oxytocin Administration Restores Memory in Female APP/PS1 Mice. J Alzheimers Dis 2023; 96:1207-1219. [PMID: 37927260 PMCID: PMC10741313 DOI: 10.3233/jad-230657] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Current treatment options for Alzheimer's disease (AD) are limited, inefficient, and often have serious side effects. Oxytocin is a neuropeptide implicated in a variety of central processes, such as social and reproductive behaviors. Among others, it has garnered attention in various domains of psychiatric research, while its role in the development and course of neurodegenerative disorders like AD is rather unknown. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to investigate the role of exogenous oxytocin administration on memory, specifically in view of AD, as a potential novel treatment option. METHODS We describe a novel treatment approach by using a relatively low dose of long-term intranasal oxytocin treatment, to restore memory deficits in female APPswePS1dE9 mice. RESULTS Female APPswePS1dE9 mice treated with oxytocin showed increased spatial memory performance in the object location task and improved working memory in the Y-Maze, while indicating decreased sociability. CONCLUSIONS These results indicate that oxytocin is able to reverse acquired cognitive deficits in female APPswePS1dE9 mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philippos Koulousakis
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
- Department of Neuroscience, Biomedical Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Hasselt University, Hasselt, Belgium
| | - Emily Willems
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
- Department of Neuroscience, Biomedical Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Hasselt University, Hasselt, Belgium
| | - Melissa Schepers
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
- Department of Neuroscience, Biomedical Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Hasselt University, Hasselt, Belgium
| | - Ben Rombaut
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
- Department of Neuroscience, Biomedical Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Hasselt University, Hasselt, Belgium
| | - Jos Prickaerts
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Tim Vanmierlo
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
- Department of Neuroscience, Biomedical Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Hasselt University, Hasselt, Belgium
| | - Daniel van den Hove
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
- Department of Neuroscience, Biomedical Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Hasselt University, Hasselt, Belgium
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14
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Borràs C, Mercer A, Sirisi S, Alcolea D, Escolà-Gil JC, Blanco-Vaca F, Tondo M. HDL-like-Mediated Cell Cholesterol Trafficking in the Central Nervous System and Alzheimer's Disease Pathogenesis. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23169356. [PMID: 36012637 PMCID: PMC9409363 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23169356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2022] [Revised: 08/10/2022] [Accepted: 08/18/2022] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The main aim of this work is to review the mechanisms via which high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-mediated cholesterol trafficking through the central nervous system (CNS) occurs in the context of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Alzheimer’s disease is characterized by the accumulation of extracellular amyloid beta (Aβ) and abnormally hyperphosphorylated intracellular tau filaments in neurons. Cholesterol metabolism has been extensively implicated in the pathogenesis of AD through biological, epidemiological, and genetic studies, with the APOE gene being the most reproducible genetic risk factor for the development of AD. This manuscript explores how HDL-mediated cholesterol is transported in the CNS, with a special emphasis on its relationship to Aβ peptide accumulation and apolipoprotein E (ApoE)-mediated cholesterol transport. Indeed, we reviewed all existing works exploring HDL-like-mediated cholesterol efflux and cholesterol uptake in the context of AD pathogenesis. Existing data seem to point in the direction of decreased cholesterol efflux and the impaired entry of cholesterol into neurons among patients with AD, which could be related to impaired Aβ clearance and tau protein accumulation. However, most of the reviewed studies have been performed in cells that are not physiologically relevant for CNS pathology, representing a major flaw in this field. The ApoE4 genotype seems to be a disruptive element in HDL-like-mediated cholesterol transport through the brain. Overall, further investigations are needed to clarify the role of cholesterol trafficking in AD pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carla Borràs
- Institut d’Investigació Biomèdica Sant Pau (IIB), Sant Quintí 77-79, 08041 Barcelona, Spain
- CIBERDEM, ISCIII, 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Aina Mercer
- Institut d’Investigació Biomèdica Sant Pau (IIB), Sant Quintí 77-79, 08041 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Sònia Sirisi
- Institut d’Investigació Biomèdica Sant Pau (IIB), Sant Quintí 77-79, 08041 Barcelona, Spain
- Sant Pau Memory Unit, Department of Neurology, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, 08041 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Daniel Alcolea
- Institut d’Investigació Biomèdica Sant Pau (IIB), Sant Quintí 77-79, 08041 Barcelona, Spain
- Sant Pau Memory Unit, Department of Neurology, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, 08041 Barcelona, Spain
- CIBERNED, ISCIII, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Joan Carles Escolà-Gil
- Institut d’Investigació Biomèdica Sant Pau (IIB), Sant Quintí 77-79, 08041 Barcelona, Spain
- CIBERDEM, ISCIII, 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Correspondence: (J.C.E.-G.); (M.T.); Tel.: +34-93-553-7358 (J.C.E.-G. & M.T.)
| | - Francisco Blanco-Vaca
- Institut d’Investigació Biomèdica Sant Pau (IIB), Sant Quintí 77-79, 08041 Barcelona, Spain
- CIBERDEM, ISCIII, 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain
- Department of Biochemistry, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, 08041 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Mireia Tondo
- Institut d’Investigació Biomèdica Sant Pau (IIB), Sant Quintí 77-79, 08041 Barcelona, Spain
- CIBERDEM, ISCIII, 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Department of Biochemistry, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, 08041 Barcelona, Spain
- Correspondence: (J.C.E.-G.); (M.T.); Tel.: +34-93-553-7358 (J.C.E.-G. & M.T.)
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15
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Kacher R, Mounier C, Caboche J, Betuing S. Altered Cholesterol Homeostasis in Huntington’s Disease. Front Aging Neurosci 2022; 14:797220. [PMID: 35517051 PMCID: PMC9063567 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2022.797220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2021] [Accepted: 03/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Huntington’s disease (HD) is an autosomal dominant genetic disorder caused by an expansion of the CAG repeat in the first exon of Huntingtin’s gene. The associated neurodegeneration mainly affects the striatum and the cortex at early stages and progressively spreads to other brain structures. Targeting HD at its earlier stages is under intense investigation. Numerous drugs were tested, with a rate of success of only 3.5% approved molecules used as symptomatic treatment. The restoration of cholesterol metabolism, which is central to the brain homeostasis and strongly altered in HD, could be an interesting disease-modifying strategy. Cholesterol is an essential membrane component in the central nervous system (CNS); alterations of its homeostasis have deleterious consequences on neuronal functions. The levels of several sterols, upstream of cholesterol, are markedly decreased within the striatum of HD mouse model. Transcription of cholesterol biosynthetic genes is reduced in HD cell and mouse models as well as post-mortem striatal and cortical tissues from HD patients. Since the dynamic of brain cholesterol metabolism is complex, it is essential to establish the best method to target it in HD. Cholesterol, which does not cross the blood-brain-barrier, is locally synthesized and renewed within the brain. All cell types in the CNS synthesize cholesterol during development but as they progress through adulthood, neurons down-regulate their cholesterol synthesis and turn to astrocytes for their full supply. Cellular levels of cholesterol reflect the dynamic balance between synthesis, uptake and export, all integrated into the context of the cross talk between neurons and glial cells. In this review, we describe the latest advances regarding the role of cholesterol deregulation in neuronal functions and how this could be a determinant factor in neuronal degeneration and HD progression. The pathways and major mechanisms by which cholesterol and sterols are regulated in the CNS will be described. From this overview, we discuss the main clinical strategies for manipulating cholesterol metabolism in the CNS, and how to reinstate a proper balance in HD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Radhia Kacher
- Institut du Cerveau - Paris Brain Institute (ICM), AP-HP, INSERM, CNRS, University Hospital Pitié-Salpêtrière, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
- INSERM, U1216, Grenoble Institut Neurosciences, Université Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, France
| | - Coline Mounier
- Neuroscience Paris Seine, Institut de Biologie Paris-Seine, Faculté des Sciences et Ingénierie, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, UMR 8246, Paris, France
- U1130, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Paris, France
| | - Jocelyne Caboche
- Neuroscience Paris Seine, Institut de Biologie Paris-Seine, Faculté des Sciences et Ingénierie, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, UMR 8246, Paris, France
- U1130, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Paris, France
| | - Sandrine Betuing
- Neuroscience Paris Seine, Institut de Biologie Paris-Seine, Faculté des Sciences et Ingénierie, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, UMR 8246, Paris, France
- U1130, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Paris, France
- *Correspondence: Sandrine Betuing,
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16
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Wu M, Zhai Y, Liang X, Chen W, Lin R, Ma L, Huang Y, Zhao D, Liang Y, Zhao W, Fang J, Fang S, Chen Y, Wang Q, Li W. Connecting the Dots Between Hypercholesterolemia and Alzheimer’s Disease: A Potential Mechanism Based on 27-Hydroxycholesterol. Front Neurosci 2022; 16:842814. [PMID: 35464321 PMCID: PMC9021879 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.842814] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2021] [Accepted: 03/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer’s disease (AD), the most common cause of dementia, is a complex and multifactorial disease involving genetic and environmental factors, with hypercholesterolemia considered as one of the risk factors. Numerous epidemiological studies have reported a positive association between AD and serum cholesterol levels, and experimental studies also provide evidence that elevated cholesterol levels accelerate AD pathology. However, the underlying mechanism of hypercholesterolemia accelerating AD pathogenesis is not clear. Here, we review the metabolism of cholesterol in the brain and focus on the role of oxysterols, aiming to reveal the link between hypercholesterolemia and AD. 27-hydroxycholesterol (27-OHC) is the major peripheral oxysterol that flows into the brain, and it affects β-amyloid (Aβ) production and elimination as well as influencing other pathogenic mechanisms of AD. Although the potential link between hypercholesterolemia and AD is well established, cholesterol-lowering drugs show mixed results in improving cognitive function. Nevertheless, drugs that target cholesterol exocytosis and conversion show benefits in improving AD pathology. Herbs and natural compounds with cholesterol-lowering properties also have a potential role in ameliorating cognition. Collectively, hypercholesterolemia is a causative risk factor for AD, and 27-OHC is likely a potential mechanism for hypercholesterolemia to promote AD pathology. Drugs that regulate cholesterol metabolism are probably beneficial for AD, but more research is needed to unravel the mechanisms involved in 27-OHC, which may lead to new therapeutic strategies for AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingan Wu
- Science and Technology Innovation Center, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yingying Zhai
- Science and Technology Innovation Center, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaoyi Liang
- Science and Technology Innovation Center, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Weichun Chen
- Science and Technology Innovation Center, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ruiyi Lin
- Science and Technology Innovation Center, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Linlin Ma
- Science and Technology Innovation Center, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yi Huang
- Science and Technology Innovation Center, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Di Zhao
- Science and Technology Innovation Center, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yong Liang
- Science and Technology Innovation Center, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wei Zhao
- Science and Technology Innovation Center, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jiansong Fang
- Science and Technology Innovation Center, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shuhuan Fang
- Science and Technology Innovation Center, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yunbo Chen
- Science and Technology Innovation Center, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qi Wang
- Science and Technology Innovation Center, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Qi Wang,
| | - Weirong Li
- Science and Technology Innovation Center, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
- Weirong Li,
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17
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Nelissen E, Possemis N, Van Goethem NP, Schepers M, Mulder-Jongen DAJ, Dietz L, Janssen W, Gerisch M, Hüser J, Sandner P, Vanmierlo T, Prickaerts J. The sGC stimulator BAY-747 and activator runcaciguat can enhance memory in vivo via differential hippocampal plasticity mechanisms. Sci Rep 2022; 12:3589. [PMID: 35246566 PMCID: PMC8897390 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-07391-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2021] [Accepted: 02/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) requires a heme-group bound in order to produce cGMP, a second messenger involved in memory formation, while heme-free sGC is inactive. Two compound classes can increase sGC activity: sGC stimulators acting on heme-bound sGC, and sGC activators acting on heme-free sGC. In this rodent study, we investigated the potential of the novel brain-penetrant sGC stimulator BAY-747 and sGC activator runcaciguat to enhance long-term memory and attenuate short-term memory deficits induced by the NOS-inhibitor L-NAME. Furthermore, hippocampal plasticity mechanisms were investigated. In vivo, oral administration of BAY-747 and runcaciguat to male Wistar rats enhanced memory acquisition in the object location task (OLT), while only BAY-747 reversed L-NAME induced memory impairments in the OLT. Ex vivo, both BAY-747 and runcaciguat enhanced hippocampal GluA1-containing AMPA receptor (AMPAR) trafficking in a chemical LTP model for memory acquisition using acute mouse hippocampal slices. In vivo only runcaciguat acted on the glutamatergic AMPAR system in hippocampal memory acquisition processes, while for BAY-747 the effects on the neurotrophic system were more pronounced as measured in male mice using western blot. Altogether this study shows that sGC stimulators and activators have potential as cognition enhancers, while the underlying plasticity mechanisms may determine disease-specific effectiveness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ellis Nelissen
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience (MHeNS), Maastricht University, Universiteitssingel 50, 6229 ER, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
| | - Nina Possemis
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience (MHeNS), Maastricht University, Universiteitssingel 50, 6229 ER, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Nick P Van Goethem
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience (MHeNS), Maastricht University, Universiteitssingel 50, 6229 ER, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Melissa Schepers
- Neuro-Immune Connect and Repair Lab, Biomedical Research Institute, Hasselt University, 3500, Hasselt, Belgium
| | - Danielle A J Mulder-Jongen
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience (MHeNS), Maastricht University, Universiteitssingel 50, 6229 ER, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Lisa Dietz
- Bayer AG, Pharmaceuticals R&D, Pharma Research Center, 42113, Wuppertal, Germany
| | - Wiebke Janssen
- Bayer AG, Pharmaceuticals R&D, Pharma Research Center, 42113, Wuppertal, Germany
| | - Michael Gerisch
- Bayer AG, Pharmaceuticals R&D, Pharma Research Center, 42113, Wuppertal, Germany
| | - Jörg Hüser
- Bayer AG, Pharmaceuticals R&D, Pharma Research Center, 42113, Wuppertal, Germany
| | - Peter Sandner
- Bayer AG, Pharmaceuticals R&D, Pharma Research Center, 42113, Wuppertal, Germany
- Hannover Medical School, 30625, Hannover, Germany
| | - Tim Vanmierlo
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience (MHeNS), Maastricht University, Universiteitssingel 50, 6229 ER, Maastricht, The Netherlands
- Neuro-Immune Connect and Repair Lab, Biomedical Research Institute, Hasselt University, 3500, Hasselt, Belgium
| | - Jos Prickaerts
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience (MHeNS), Maastricht University, Universiteitssingel 50, 6229 ER, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
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18
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Lewandowski CT, Laham MS, Thatcher GR. Remembering your A, B, C's: Alzheimer's disease and ABCA1. Acta Pharm Sin B 2022; 12:995-1018. [PMID: 35530134 PMCID: PMC9072248 DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2022.01.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2021] [Revised: 12/27/2021] [Accepted: 01/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The function of ATP binding cassette protein A1 (ABCA1) is central to cholesterol mobilization. Reduced ABCA1 expression or activity is implicated in Alzheimer's disease (AD) and other disorders. Therapeutic approaches to boost ABCA1 activity have yet to be translated successfully to the clinic. The risk factors for AD development and progression, including comorbid disorders such as type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease, highlight the intersection of cholesterol transport and inflammation. Upregulation of ABCA1 can positively impact APOE lipidation, insulin sensitivity, peripheral vascular and blood–brain barrier integrity, and anti-inflammatory signaling. Various strategies towards ABCA1-boosting compounds have been described, with a bias toward nuclear hormone receptor (NHR) agonists. These agonists display beneficial preclinical effects; however, important side effects have limited development. In particular, ligands that bind liver X receptor (LXR), the primary NHR that controls ABCA1 expression, have shown positive effects in AD mouse models; however, lipogenesis and unwanted increases in triglyceride production are often observed. The longstanding approach, focusing on LXRβ vs. LXRα selectivity, is over-simplistic and has failed. Novel approaches such as phenotypic screening may lead to small molecule NHR modulators that elevate ABCA1 function without inducing lipogenesis and are clinically translatable.
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Patel K, Srivastava S, Kushwah S, Mani A. Perspectives on the Role of APOE4 as a Therapeutic Target for Alzheimer's Disease. J Alzheimers Dis Rep 2021; 5:899-910. [PMID: 35088039 PMCID: PMC8764632 DOI: 10.3233/adr-210027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2021] [Accepted: 11/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease that is coupled with chronic cognitive dysfunction. AD cases are mostly late onset, and genetic risk factors like the Apolipoprotein E (APOE) play a key role in this process. APOE ɛ2, APOE ɛ3, and APOE ɛ4 are three key alleles in the human APOE gene. For late onset, APOE ɛ4 has the most potent risk factor while APOE ɛ2 plays a defensive role. Several studies suggests that APOE ɛ4 causes AD via different processes like neurofibrillary tangle formation by amyloid-β accumulation, exacerbated neuroinflammation, cerebrovascular disease, and synaptic loss. But the pathway is still unclear that which actions of APOE ɛ4 lead to AD development. Since APOE was found to contribute to many AD pathways, targeting APOE ɛ4 can lead to a hopeful plan of action in development of new drugs to target AD. In this review, we focus on recent studies and perspectives, focusing on APOE ɛ4 as a key molecule in therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kavita Patel
- Department of Biotechnology, Motilal Nehru National Institute of Technology Allahabad, Prayagraj, India
| | - Siwangi Srivastava
- Department of Biotechnology, Motilal Nehru National Institute of Technology Allahabad, Prayagraj, India
| | - Shikha Kushwah
- Department of Biotechnology, Motilal Nehru National Institute of Technology Allahabad, Prayagraj, India
| | - Ashutosh Mani
- Department of Biotechnology, Motilal Nehru National Institute of Technology Allahabad, Prayagraj, India
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20
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Chiang MC, Nicol CJB, Chen SJ, Huang RN. TO901317 activation of LXR-dependent pathways mitigate amyloid-beta peptide-induced neurotoxicity in 3D human neural stem cell culture scaffolds and AD mice. Brain Res Bull 2021; 178:57-68. [PMID: 34801648 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2021.11.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2021] [Revised: 11/04/2021] [Accepted: 11/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the major cause of neurodegeneration worldwide and is characterized by the accumulation of amyloid beta (Aβ) in the brain, which is associated with neuronal loss and cognitive impairment. Liver X receptor (LXR), a critical nuclear receptor, and major regulator in lipid metabolism and inflammation, is suggested to play a protective role against the mitochondrial dysfunction noted in AD. In our study, our established 3D gelatin scaffold model and a well characterized in vivo (APP/PS1) murine model of AD were used to directly investigate the molecular, biochemical and behavioral effects of neuronal stem cell exposure to Aβ to improve understanding of the in vivo etiology of AD. Herein, human neural stem cells (hNSCs) in our 3D model were exposed to Aβ, and had significantly decreased cell viability, which correlated with decreased mRNA and protein expression of LXR, Bcl-2, CREB, PGC1α, NRF-1, and Tfam, and increased caspase 3 and 9 activities. Cotreatment with a synthetic agonist of LXR (TO901317) significantly abrogated these Aβ-mediated effects in hNSCs. Moreover, TO901317 cotreatment both significantly rescues hNSCs from Aβ-mediated decreases in ATP levels and mitochondrial mass, and significantly restores Aβ-induced fragmented mitochondria to almost normal morphology. TO901317 cotreatment also decreases tau aggregates in Aβ-treated hNSCs. Importantly, TO901317 treatment significantly alleviates the impairment of memory, decreases Aβ aggregates and increases proteasome activity in APP/PS1 mice; whereas, these effects were blocked by cotreatment with an LXR antagonist (GSK2033). Together, these novel results improve our mechanistic understanding of the central role of LXR in Aβ-mediated hNSC dysfunction. We also provide preclinical data unveiling the protective effects of using an LXR-dependent agonist, TO901317, to block the toxicity observed in Aβ-exposed hNSCs, which may guide future treatment strategies to slow or prevent neurodegeneration in some AD patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming-Chang Chiang
- Department of Life Science, College of Science and Engineering, Fu Jen Catholic University, New Taipei City 242, Taiwan.
| | - Christopher J B Nicol
- Departments of Pathology & Molecular Medicine and Biomedical & Molecular Sciences, and Cancer Biology and Genetics Division, Cancer Research Institute, Queen's University, Kingston, ON K7L 3N6, Canada
| | - Shiang-Jiuun Chen
- Department of Life Science and Institute of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, College of Life Science, National Taiwan University, Taipei 106, Taiwan
| | - Rong-Nan Huang
- Department of Entomology and Research Center for Plant-Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei 106, Taiwan
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21
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Sharma N, Tan MA, An SSA. Phytosterols: Potential Metabolic Modulators in Neurodegenerative Diseases. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms222212255. [PMID: 34830148 PMCID: PMC8618769 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222212255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2021] [Revised: 11/03/2021] [Accepted: 11/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Phytosterols constitute a class of natural products that are an important component of diet and have vast applications in foods, cosmetics, and herbal medicines. With many and diverse isolated structures in nature, they exhibit a broad range of biological and pharmacological activities. Among over 200 types of phytosterols, stigmasterol and β-sitosterol were ubiquitous in many plant species, exhibiting important aspects of activities related to neurodegenerative diseases. Hence, this mini-review presented an overview of the reported studies on selected phytosterols related to neurodegenerative diseases. It covered the major phytosterols based on biosynthetic considerations, including other phytosterols with significant in vitro and in vivo biological activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niti Sharma
- Bionano Research Institute, Gachon University, 1342 Seongnam-daero, Sujeong-gu, Seongnam-si 461-701, Gyeonggi-do, Korea;
| | - Mario A. Tan
- Research Center for the Natural and Applied Sciences, College of Science, University of Santo Tomas, Manila 1015, Philippines;
| | - Seong Soo A. An
- Bionano Research Institute, Gachon University, 1342 Seongnam-daero, Sujeong-gu, Seongnam-si 461-701, Gyeonggi-do, Korea;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +82-31-750-8755
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22
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Nelissen E, Argyrousi EK, Van Goethem NP, Zhao F, Hines CDG, Swaminath G, Gerisch M, Hueser J, Sandner P, Prickaerts J. Soluble Guanylate Cyclase Stimulator Vericiguat Enhances Long-Term Memory in Rats without Altering Cerebral Blood Volume. Biomedicines 2021; 9:1047. [PMID: 34440254 PMCID: PMC8393324 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines9081047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2021] [Revised: 08/12/2021] [Accepted: 08/15/2021] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Vascular cognitive impairment (VCI) is characterized by impairments in cerebral blood flow (CBF), endothelial function and blood-brain barrier (BBB) integrity. These processes are all physiologically regulated by the nitric oxide (NO)-soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC)-cGMP signaling pathway. Additionally, cGMP signaling plays an important role in long-term potentiation (LTP) underlying memory formation. Therefore, targeting the NO-sGC-cGMP pathway may be a therapeutic strategy for treating VCI. Hence, in this study we investigated whether sGC stimulator vericiguat has potential as a cognitive enhancer. The effects of vericiguat on long-term memory were measured in rats using an object location task. Due to the low brain-penetrance of vericiguat found in this study, it was investigated whether in the absence of BBB limitations, vericiguat enhanced hippocampal plasticity using an ex vivo memory acquisition-like chemical LTP model. Finally, peripheral effects were measured by means of blood pressure and cerebral blood volume. Vericiguat successfully enhanced long-term memory and increased hippocampal plasticity via enhanced translocation of α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole propionic acid (AMPA) receptors to the cell membrane, while blood pressure and cerebral blood volume were unaltered. Although the memory enhancing effects in this study are likely due to peripheral effects on the cerebral microvasculature, sGC stimulation may provide a new therapeutic strategy for treating VCI, especially when BBB integrity is reduced.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ellis Nelissen
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience (MHeNS), Maastricht University, Universiteitssingel 50, 6229 ER Maastricht, The Netherlands; (E.N.); (E.K.A.); (N.P.V.G.)
| | - Elentina K. Argyrousi
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience (MHeNS), Maastricht University, Universiteitssingel 50, 6229 ER Maastricht, The Netherlands; (E.N.); (E.K.A.); (N.P.V.G.)
| | - Nick P. Van Goethem
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience (MHeNS), Maastricht University, Universiteitssingel 50, 6229 ER Maastricht, The Netherlands; (E.N.); (E.K.A.); (N.P.V.G.)
| | - Fuqiang Zhao
- Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, NJ 07033, USA; (F.Z.); (C.D.G.H.)
| | | | | | - Michael Gerisch
- Bayer AG, Pharmaceuticals R&D, Pharma Research Center, 42113 Wuppertal, Germany; (M.G.); (J.H.); (P.S.)
| | - Joerg Hueser
- Bayer AG, Pharmaceuticals R&D, Pharma Research Center, 42113 Wuppertal, Germany; (M.G.); (J.H.); (P.S.)
| | - Peter Sandner
- Bayer AG, Pharmaceuticals R&D, Pharma Research Center, 42113 Wuppertal, Germany; (M.G.); (J.H.); (P.S.)
- Hannover Medical School, Institute for Pharmacology, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Jos Prickaerts
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience (MHeNS), Maastricht University, Universiteitssingel 50, 6229 ER Maastricht, The Netherlands; (E.N.); (E.K.A.); (N.P.V.G.)
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23
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Szczepkowska A, Harazin A, Barna L, Deli MA, Skipor J. Identification of Reference Genes for Circadian Studies on Brain Microvessels and Choroid Plexus Samples Isolated from Rats. Biomolecules 2021; 11:biom11081227. [PMID: 34439891 PMCID: PMC8394446 DOI: 10.3390/biom11081227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2021] [Revised: 08/11/2021] [Accepted: 08/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Delivery of putative compounds of therapeutic value to the brain is limited by brain barriers: the blood–brain barrier located in the endothelium of the brain microvessels (BrMV) and the blood–cerebrospinal fluid barrier located in the epithelium of the choroid plexus (ChP). Understanding their function and modulation by the circadian clock may enhance the efficacy of brain-targeting therapies. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the stability of 10 reference genes in the BrMV and ChP, isolated from male and female rats at six time points (ZT1, 5, 9, 13, 17, and 21). Gene evaluations were performed by qPCR, analyzed by RefFinder tool, and verified by analyzing the expression of the brain and muscle ARNT-like 1 (Bmal1) using the qPCR and digital PCR methods. We identified as the most stable genes for circadian studies tyrosine 3-monooxygenase/tryptophan 5-monooxygenase activation protein zeta (Ywhaz) and apolipoprotein E (Apoe) for BrMV, and beta actin (Actb) and hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase (Hprt1) for ChP. After verification, ribosomal protein (Rps18) was also included as a sufficient reference gene. Additionally, the observed gender difference in the Bmal1 oscillations in both BrMV and ChP suggests that separate studies for each gender are recommended.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aleksandra Szczepkowska
- Institute of Animal Reproduction and Food Research, Polish Academy of Sciences, 10-748 Olsztyn, Poland;
- Correspondence: (A.S.); (M.A.D.); Tel.: +48-89-539-3125 (A.S.); +36-62-599602 (M.A.D.)
| | - András Harazin
- Institute of Biophysics, Biological Research Centre, 6726 Szeged, Hungary; (A.H.); (L.B.)
| | - Lilla Barna
- Institute of Biophysics, Biological Research Centre, 6726 Szeged, Hungary; (A.H.); (L.B.)
| | - Mária A. Deli
- Institute of Biophysics, Biological Research Centre, 6726 Szeged, Hungary; (A.H.); (L.B.)
- Correspondence: (A.S.); (M.A.D.); Tel.: +48-89-539-3125 (A.S.); +36-62-599602 (M.A.D.)
| | - Janina Skipor
- Institute of Animal Reproduction and Food Research, Polish Academy of Sciences, 10-748 Olsztyn, Poland;
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Willems S, Zaienne D, Merk D. Targeting Nuclear Receptors in Neurodegeneration and Neuroinflammation. J Med Chem 2021; 64:9592-9638. [PMID: 34251209 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c00186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Nuclear receptors, also known as ligand-activated transcription factors, regulate gene expression upon ligand signals and present as attractive therapeutic targets especially in chronic diseases. Despite the therapeutic relevance of some nuclear receptors in various pathologies, their potential in neurodegeneration and neuroinflammation is insufficiently established. This perspective gathers preclinical and clinical data for a potential role of individual nuclear receptors as future targets in Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and multiple sclerosis, and concomitantly evaluates the level of medicinal chemistry targeting these proteins. Considerable evidence suggests the high promise of ligand-activated transcription factors to counteract neurodegenerative diseases with a particularly high potential of several orphan nuclear receptors. However, potent tools are lacking for orphan receptors, and limited central nervous system exposure or insufficient selectivity also compromises the suitability of well-studied nuclear receptor ligands for functional studies. Medicinal chemistry efforts are needed to develop dedicated high-quality tool compounds for the therapeutic validation of nuclear receptors in neurodegenerative pathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabine Willems
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Goethe University Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue-Strasse 9, 60438 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Daniel Zaienne
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Goethe University Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue-Strasse 9, 60438 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Daniel Merk
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Goethe University Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue-Strasse 9, 60438 Frankfurt, Germany
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25
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Dash R, Mitra S, Ali MC, Oktaviani DF, Hannan MA, Choi SM, Moon IS. Phytosterols: Targeting Neuroinflammation in Neurodegeneration. Curr Pharm Des 2021; 27:383-401. [PMID: 32600224 DOI: 10.2174/1381612826666200628022812] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2019] [Accepted: 05/02/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Plant-derived sterols, phytosterols, are well known for their cholesterol-lowering activity in serum and their anti-inflammatory activities. Recently, phytosterols have received considerable attention due to their beneficial effects on various non-communicable diseases, and recommended use as daily dietary components. The signaling pathways mediated in the brain by phytosterols have been evaluated, but little is known about their effects on neuroinflammation, and no clinical studies have been undertaken on phytosterols of interest. In this review, we discuss the beneficial roles of phytosterols, including their attenuating effects on inflammation, blood cholesterol levels, and hallmarks of the disease, and their regulatory effects on neuroinflammatory disease pathways. Despite recent advancements made in phytosterol pharmacology, some critical questions remain unanswered. Therefore, we have tried to highlight the potential of phytosterols as viable therapeutics against neuroinflammation and to direct future research with respect to clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raju Dash
- Department of Anatomy, Dongguk University College of Medicine, 123 Dongdae-ro, Gyeongju 38066, Korea
| | - Sarmistha Mitra
- Plasma Bioscience Research Center, Plasma Bio-display, Kwangwoon University, Seoul-01897, Korea
| | - Md Chayan Ali
- Department of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, Islamic University, Kushtia-7003, Bangladesh
| | - Diyah Fatimah Oktaviani
- Department of Anatomy, Dongguk University College of Medicine, 123 Dongdae-ro, Gyeongju 38066, Korea
| | - Md Abdul Hannan
- Department of Anatomy, Dongguk University College of Medicine, 123 Dongdae-ro, Gyeongju 38066, Korea
| | - Sung Min Choi
- Department of Pediatrics, Dongguk University College of Medicine, Gyeongju-38066, Korea
| | - Il Soo Moon
- Department of Anatomy, Dongguk University College of Medicine, 123 Dongdae-ro, Gyeongju 38066, Korea
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26
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Martens N, Schepers M, Zhan N, Leijten F, Voortman G, Tiane A, Rombaut B, Poisquet J, Sande NVD, Kerksiek A, Kuipers F, Jonker JW, Liu H, Lütjohann D, Vanmierlo T, Mulder MT. 24(S)-Saringosterol Prevents Cognitive Decline in a Mouse Model for Alzheimer's Disease. Mar Drugs 2021; 19:190. [PMID: 33801706 PMCID: PMC8065937 DOI: 10.3390/md19040190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2021] [Revised: 03/16/2021] [Accepted: 03/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
We recently found that dietary supplementation with the seaweed Sargassum fusiforme, containing the preferential LXRβ-agonist 24(S)-saringosterol, prevented memory decline and reduced amyloid-β (Aβ) deposition in an Alzheimer's disease (AD) mouse model without inducing hepatic steatosis. Here, we examined the effects of 24(S)-saringosterol as a food additive on cognition and neuropathology in AD mice. Six-month-old male APPswePS1ΔE9 mice and wildtype C57BL/6J littermates received 24(S)-saringosterol (0.5 mg/25 g body weight/day) (APPswePS1ΔE9 n = 20; C57BL/6J n = 19) or vehicle (APPswePS1ΔE9 n = 17; C57BL/6J n = 19) for 10 weeks. Cognition was assessed using object recognition and object location tasks. Sterols were analyzed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry, Aβ and inflammatory markers by immunohistochemistry, and gene expression by quantitative real-time PCR. Hepatic lipids were quantified after Oil-Red-O staining. Administration of 24(S)-saringosterol prevented cognitive decline in APPswePS1ΔE9 mice without affecting the Aβ plaque load. Moreover, 24(S)-saringosterol prevented the increase in the inflammatory marker Iba1 in the cortex of APPswePS1ΔE9 mice (p < 0.001). Furthermore, 24(S)-saringosterol did not affect the expression of lipid metabolism-related LXR-response genes in the hippocampus nor the hepatic neutral lipid content. Thus, administration of 24(S)-saringosterol prevented cognitive decline in APPswePS1ΔE9 mice independent of effects on Aβ load and without adverse effects on liver fat content. The anti-inflammatory effects of 24(S)-saringosterol may contribute to the prevention of cognitive decline.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikita Martens
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section Pharmacology and Vascular Medicine, Erasmus University Medical Center, 3015 Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Neuroscience, Biomedical Research Institute, European Graduate School of Neuroscience, Hasselt University, BE 3590 Hasselt, Belgium
| | - Melissa Schepers
- Department of Neuroscience, Biomedical Research Institute, European Graduate School of Neuroscience, Hasselt University, BE 3590 Hasselt, Belgium
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neurosciences, Division Translational Neuroscience, Maastricht University, 6200 Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Na Zhan
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section Pharmacology and Vascular Medicine, Erasmus University Medical Center, 3015 Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Key Laboratory of Marine Drugs, Chinese Ministry of Education, School of Medicine and Pharmacy, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266100, China
| | - Frank Leijten
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section Pharmacology and Vascular Medicine, Erasmus University Medical Center, 3015 Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Gardi Voortman
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section Pharmacology and Vascular Medicine, Erasmus University Medical Center, 3015 Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Assia Tiane
- Department of Neuroscience, Biomedical Research Institute, European Graduate School of Neuroscience, Hasselt University, BE 3590 Hasselt, Belgium
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neurosciences, Division Translational Neuroscience, Maastricht University, 6200 Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Ben Rombaut
- Department of Neuroscience, Biomedical Research Institute, European Graduate School of Neuroscience, Hasselt University, BE 3590 Hasselt, Belgium
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neurosciences, Division Translational Neuroscience, Maastricht University, 6200 Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Janne Poisquet
- Department of Neuroscience, Biomedical Research Institute, European Graduate School of Neuroscience, Hasselt University, BE 3590 Hasselt, Belgium
| | - Nienke van de Sande
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section Pharmacology and Vascular Medicine, Erasmus University Medical Center, 3015 Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neurosciences, Division Translational Neuroscience, Maastricht University, 6200 Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Anja Kerksiek
- Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Clinical Pharmacology, University Hospital Bonn, 53105 Bonn, Germany
| | - Folkert Kuipers
- Department of Pediatrics, Section of Molecular Metabolism and Nutrition, University Medical Center Groningen, 9713 Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Johan W Jonker
- Department of Pediatrics, Section of Molecular Metabolism and Nutrition, University Medical Center Groningen, 9713 Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Hongbing Liu
- Key Laboratory of Marine Drugs, Chinese Ministry of Education, School of Medicine and Pharmacy, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266100, China
| | - Dieter Lütjohann
- Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Clinical Pharmacology, University Hospital Bonn, 53105 Bonn, Germany
| | - Tim Vanmierlo
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section Pharmacology and Vascular Medicine, Erasmus University Medical Center, 3015 Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Neuroscience, Biomedical Research Institute, European Graduate School of Neuroscience, Hasselt University, BE 3590 Hasselt, Belgium
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, School for Mental Health and Neurosciences, Division Translational Neuroscience, Maastricht University, 6200 Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Monique T Mulder
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section Pharmacology and Vascular Medicine, Erasmus University Medical Center, 3015 Rotterdam, The Netherlands
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27
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Wang K, Zhang W. Mitochondria-associated endoplasmic reticulum membranes: At the crossroad between familiar and sporadic Alzheimer's disease. Synapse 2021; 75:e22196. [PMID: 33559220 DOI: 10.1002/syn.22196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2021] [Accepted: 01/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the leading cause of dementia and is incurable. The widely accepted amyloid hypothesis failed to produce efficient clinical therapies. In contrast, there is increasing evidence suggesting that the disruption of mitochondria-associated endoplasmic reticulum (ER) membranes (MAM) is a critical upstream event of AD pathogenesis. Here, we review MAM's role in some AD symptoms such as plaque formation, tau hyperphosphorylation, synaptic loss, aberrant lipid synthesis, disturbed calcium homeostasis, and abnormal autophagy. At last, we proposed that MAM plays a central role in familial AD (FAD) and sporadic AD (SAD).
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Affiliation(s)
- Kangrun Wang
- Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, P.R. China
| | - Wenling Zhang
- The Third Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, P.R. China
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28
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Ben Aissa M, Lewandowski CT, Ratia KM, Lee SH, Layden BT, LaDu MJ, Thatcher GRJ. Discovery of Nonlipogenic ABCA1 Inducing Compounds with Potential in Alzheimer's Disease and Type 2 Diabetes. ACS Pharmacol Transl Sci 2021; 4:143-154. [PMID: 33615168 PMCID: PMC7887740 DOI: 10.1021/acsptsci.0c00149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Selective liver X receptor (LXR) agonists have been extensively pursued as therapeutics for Alzheimer's disease and related dementia (ADRD) and, for comorbidities such as type 2 diabetes (T2D) and cerebrovascular disease (CVD), disorders with underlying impaired insulin signaling, glucose metabolism, and cholesterol mobilization. The failure of the LXR-focused approach led us to pursue a novel strategy to discover nonlipogenic ATP-binding cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1) inducers (NLAIs): screening for ABCA1-luciferase activation in astrocytoma cells and counterscreening against lipogenic gene upregulation in hepatocarcinoma cells. Beneficial effects of LXRβ agonists mediated by ABCA1 include the following: control of cholesterol and phospholipid efflux to lipid-poor apolipoproteins forming beneficial peripheral HDL and HDL-like particles in the brain and attenuation of inflammation. While rare, ABCA1 variants reduce plasma HDL and correlate with an increased risk of ADRD and CVD. In secondary assays, NLAI hits enhanced cholesterol mobilization and positively impacted in vitro biomarkers associated with insulin signaling, inflammatory response, and biogenic properties. In vivo target engagement was demonstrated after oral administration of NLAIs in (i) mice fed a high-fat diet, a model for obesity-linked T2D, (ii) mice administered LPS, and (iii) mice with accelerated oxidative stress. The lack of adverse effects on lipogenesis and positive effects on multiple biomarkers associated with T2D and ADRD supports this novel phenotypic approach to NLAIs as a platform for T2D and ADRD drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manel Ben Aissa
- Department
of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC), Chicago, Illinois 60612, United States
- UICentre
(Drug Discovery @ UIC), University of Illinois
at Chicago (UIC), Chicago, Illinois 60612, United States
| | - Cutler T. Lewandowski
- Department
of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC), Chicago, Illinois 60612, United States
| | - Kiira M. Ratia
- HTS
Screening Facility, Research Resources Center, University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC), Chicago, Illinois 60612, United States
| | - Sue H. Lee
- Department
of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC), Chicago, Illinois 60612, United States
| | - Brian T. Layden
- Department
of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago
(UIC), Chicago, Illinois 60612, United States
| | - Mary Jo LaDu
- Department
of Anatomy and Cell Biology, College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC), Chicago, Illinois 60612, United States
| | - Gregory R. J. Thatcher
- Department
of Pharmacology & Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721, United States
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29
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Corrigendum: Edible seaweed-derived constituents: an undisclosed source of neuroprotective compounds. Neural Regen Res 2021; 16:2564-2568. [PMID: 33907050 PMCID: PMC8374581 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.313070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
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30
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Wang Y, Lian M, Xiu X, Zhang Z, Song L, Wu S. Dicer1 promotes Aβ clearance via blocking B2 RNA-mediated repression of apolipoprotein E. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2020; 1867:166038. [PMID: 33285223 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2020.166038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2020] [Revised: 11/10/2020] [Accepted: 11/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Metabolism of β-amyloid is critical for healthy brain. Decreased clearance of β-amyloid is associated with ensued accumulation of amyloid peptide, culminating in formation of senile plaques, a neuropathological hallmark of Alzheimer's disease(AD). Apolipoprotein E (APOE), a lipoprotein for phospholipid and cholesterol metabolism, is predominantly synthesized by glia in the central nervous system, controlling Aβ aggregation and metabolism. By use of stereotactic injection and a Morris water maze, we found that delivery of Dicer1-expressing adenovirus into the hippocampus of an animal model of AD mice APPswe/PSEN1deltaE9 significantly improved spatial memory. The effect was associated with reduced amyloid peptides in the hippocampus which were analyzed with immunofluorescence and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. With western blot, quantitative real-time PCR, fluorescence in situ hybridization, and northern blot,Dicer1 overexpression increased apolipoprotein E (APOE) and concomitantly decreased B2 RNA in the hippocampus of the AD mice and in astrocyte cultures whereas transfection of B2 Mm2 RNA decreased APOE mRNA and protein levels in astrocyte cultures. Further, human or mouse APOE mRNA was found containing Alu RNA or its equivalent, B2 Mm2 RNA, locating downstream of its 3'-untranslated region (UTR), respectively. The 3'-UTR or 3'-UTR in conjunction with the downstream Alu/B2 RNA were cloned into a luciferase reporter; with dual-luciferase assay, we found that simultaneous transfection of Dicer1 siRNA or Alu/B2 RNA decreased the corresponding luciferase activities which suggest that Alu RNA mediated APOE mRNA degradation. Altogether, Dicer1 expression mediated amyloid peptide clearance by increasing APOE via blocking B2 RNA-mediated APOE mRNA degradation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Wang
- School of Optometry and Ophthalmology and the Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, PR China; State Key Laboratory of Optometry, Ophthalmology, and Visual Science, 270 Xueyuan Road, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325003, PR China
| | - Meiling Lian
- School of Optometry and Ophthalmology and the Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, PR China; State Key Laboratory of Optometry, Ophthalmology, and Visual Science, 270 Xueyuan Road, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325003, PR China
| | - Xiaoyu Xiu
- School of Optometry and Ophthalmology and the Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, PR China; State Key Laboratory of Optometry, Ophthalmology, and Visual Science, 270 Xueyuan Road, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325003, PR China
| | - Zhiwen Zhang
- School of Optometry and Ophthalmology and the Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, PR China; State Key Laboratory of Optometry, Ophthalmology, and Visual Science, 270 Xueyuan Road, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325003, PR China
| | - Liping Song
- School of Optometry and Ophthalmology and the Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, PR China; State Key Laboratory of Optometry, Ophthalmology, and Visual Science, 270 Xueyuan Road, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325003, PR China
| | - Shengzhou Wu
- School of Optometry and Ophthalmology and the Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, PR China; State Key Laboratory of Optometry, Ophthalmology, and Visual Science, 270 Xueyuan Road, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325003, PR China.
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31
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Pharmacological inhibition of phosphodiesterase 7 enhances consolidation processes of spatial memory. Neurobiol Learn Mem 2020; 177:107357. [PMID: 33278592 DOI: 10.1016/j.nlm.2020.107357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2020] [Revised: 11/23/2020] [Accepted: 11/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Augmentation of cAMP signaling through inhibition of phosphodiesterases (PDE) is known to enhance plasticity and memory. Inhibition of PDE4 enhances consolidation into memory, but less is known about the role of other cAMP specific PDEs. Here, we tested the effects of oral treatment with a selective inhibitor of PDE7 of nanomolar potency on spatial and contextual memory. In an object location task, doses of 0.3-3 mg/kg administered 3 h after training dose-dependently attenuated time-dependent forgetting in rats. Significant enhancement of memory occurred at a dose of 3 mg/kg with corresponding brain levels consistent with PDE7 inhibition. The same dose given prior to training augmented contextual fear conditioning. In mice, daily dosing before training enhanced spatial memory in two different incremental learning paradigms in the Barnes Maze. Drug treated mice made significantly less errors locating the escape in a probe-test 24 h after the end of training, and they exhibited hippocampal-dependent spatial search strategies more frequently than controls, which tended to show serial sampling of escape locations. Acquisition and short-term memory, in contrast, were unaffected. Our data provide evidence for a role of PDE7 in the consolidation of hippocampal-dependent memory. We suggest that targeting PDE7 for memory enhancement may provide an alternative to PDE4 inhibitors, which tend to have undesirable gastrointestinal side-effects.
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32
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The Interplay of ABC Transporters in Aβ Translocation and Cholesterol Metabolism: Implicating Their Roles in Alzheimer's Disease. Mol Neurobiol 2020; 58:1564-1582. [PMID: 33215389 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-020-02211-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2020] [Accepted: 11/13/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The occurrence of Alzheimer's disease (AD) worldwide has been progressively accelerating at an alarming rate, without any successful therapeutic strategy for the disease mitigation. The complexity of AD pathogenesis needs to be targeted with an alternative approach, as provided by the superfamily of ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters, which constitutes an extensive range of proteins, capable of transporting molecular entities across biological membranes. These protein moieties have been implicated in AD, based upon their potential in lipid transportation, resulting in maintenance of cholesterol homeostasis. These transporters have been reported to target the primary hallmark of AD pathogenesis, namely, beta-amyloid hypothesis, which is associated with accumulation of beta-amyloid (Aβ) plaques in AD patients. The ABC transporters have been observed to be localized to the capillary endothelial cells of the blood-brain barrier and neural parenchymal cells, where they exhibit different roles, consequently influencing the neuronal expression of Aβ peptides. The review highlights different families of ABC transporters, ABCB1 (P-glycoprotein), ABCA (ABCA1, ABCA2, and ABCA7), ABCG2 (BCRP; breast cancer resistance protein), ABCG1 and ABCG4, as well as ABCC1 (MRP; multidrug resistance protein) in the CNS, and their interplay in regulating cholesterol metabolism and Aβ peptide load in the brain, simultaneously exerting protective effects against neurotoxic substrates and xenobiotics. The authors aim to establish the significance of this alternative approach as a novel therapeutic target in AD, to provide the researchers an opportunity to evaluate the potential aspects of ABC transporters in AD treatment.
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33
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Li Z, Shue F, Zhao N, Shinohara M, Bu G. APOE2: protective mechanism and therapeutic implications for Alzheimer's disease. Mol Neurodegener 2020; 15:63. [PMID: 33148290 PMCID: PMC7640652 DOI: 10.1186/s13024-020-00413-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 103] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2020] [Accepted: 10/17/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Investigations of apolipoprotein E (APOE) gene, the major genetic risk modifier for Alzheimer's disease (AD), have yielded significant insights into the pathogenic mechanism. Among the three common coding variants, APOE*ε4 increases, whereas APOE*ε2 decreases the risk of late-onset AD compared with APOE*ε3. Despite increased understanding of the detrimental effect of APOE*ε4, it remains unclear how APOE*ε2 confers protection against AD. Accumulating evidence suggests that APOE*ε2 protects against AD through both amyloid-β (Aβ)-dependent and independent mechanisms. In addition, APOE*ε2 has been identified as a longevity gene, suggesting a systemic effect of APOE*ε2 on the aging process. However, APOE*ε2 is not entirely benign; APOE*ε2 carriers exhibit increased risk of certain cerebrovascular diseases and neurological disorders. Here, we review evidence from both human and animal studies demonstrating the protective effect of APOE*ε2 against AD and propose a working model depicting potential underlying mechanisms. Finally, we discuss potential therapeutic strategies designed to leverage the protective effect of APOE2 to treat AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zonghua Li
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, USA
| | - Francis Shue
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, USA
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, USA
| | - Na Zhao
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, USA
| | - Mitsuru Shinohara
- Department of Aging Neurobiology, National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology, 7-430 Morioka, Obu, Aichi, 474-8511, Japan.
| | - Guojun Bu
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, USA.
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, USA.
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34
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Mamun AA, Uddin MS, Bin Bashar MF, Zaman S, Begum Y, Bulbul IJ, Islam MS, Sarwar MS, Mathew B, Amran MS, Md Ashraf G, Bin-Jumah MN, Mousa SA, Abdel-Daim MM. Molecular Insight into the Therapeutic Promise of Targeting APOE4 for Alzheimer's Disease. OXIDATIVE MEDICINE AND CELLULAR LONGEVITY 2020; 2020:5086250. [PMID: 32509144 PMCID: PMC7245681 DOI: 10.1155/2020/5086250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2020] [Accepted: 04/17/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that causes chronic cognitive dysfunction. Most of the AD cases are late onset, and the apolipoprotein E (APOE) isoform is a key genetic risk factor. The APOE gene has 3 key alleles in humans including APOE2, APOE3, and APOE4. Among them, APOE4 is the most potent genetic risk factor for late-onset AD (LOAD), while APOE2 has a defensive effect. Research data suggest that APOE4 leads to the pathogenesis of AD through various processes such as accelerated beta-amyloid aggregations that raised neurofibrillary tangle formation, cerebrovascular diseases, aggravated neuroinflammation, and synaptic loss. However, the precise mode of actions regarding in what way APOE4 leads to AD pathology remains unclear. Since APOE contributes to several pathological pathways of AD, targeting APOE4 might serve as a promising strategy for the development of novel drugs to combat AD. In this review, we focus on the recent studies about APOE4-targeted therapeutic strategies that have been advanced in animal models and are being prepared for use in humans for the management of AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdullah Al Mamun
- Department of Pharmacy, Southeast University, Dhaka, Bangladesh
- Pharmakon Neuroscience Research Network, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Md. Sahab Uddin
- Department of Pharmacy, Southeast University, Dhaka, Bangladesh
- Pharmakon Neuroscience Research Network, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Md. Fahim Bin Bashar
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Development Alternative, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Sonia Zaman
- Department of Pharmacy, Southeast University, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Yesmin Begum
- Department of Pharmacy, Southeast University, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | | | | | - Md. Shahid Sarwar
- Department of Pharmacy, Noakhali Science and Technology University, Noakhali, Bangladesh
| | - Bijo Mathew
- Division of Drug Design and Medicinal Chemistry Research Lab, Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Ahalia School of Pharmacy, Palakkad, India
| | - Md. Shah Amran
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Dhaka, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Ghulam Md Ashraf
- King Fahd Medical Research Center, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Medical Laboratory Technology, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - May N. Bin-Jumah
- Department of Biology, College of Science, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh 11474, Saudi Arabia
| | - Shaker A. Mousa
- Pharmaceutical Research Institute, Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, New York, NY 12144, USA
| | - Mohamed M. Abdel-Daim
- Department of Zoology, College of Science, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2455, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
- Pharmacology Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Suez Canal University, Ismailia 41522, Egypt
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35
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Lewandowski CT, Maldonado Weng J, LaDu MJ. Alzheimer's disease pathology in APOE transgenic mouse models: The Who, What, When, Where, Why, and How. Neurobiol Dis 2020; 139:104811. [PMID: 32087290 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2020.104811] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2019] [Revised: 02/01/2020] [Accepted: 02/18/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The focus on amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles has yielded no Alzheimer's disease (AD) modifying treatments in the past several decades, despite successful studies in preclinical mouse models. This inconsistency has caused a renewed focus on improving the fidelity and reliability of AD mouse models, with disparate views on how this improvement can be accomplished. However, the interactive effects of the universal biological variables of AD, which include age, APOE genotype, and sex, are often overlooked. Age is the greatest risk factor for AD, while the ε4 allele of the human APOE gene, encoding apolipoprotein E, is the greatest genetic risk factor. Sex is the final universal biological variable of AD, as females develop AD at almost twice the rate of males and, importantly, female sex exacerbates the effects of APOE4 on AD risk and rate of cognitive decline. Therefore, this review evaluates the importance of context for understanding the role of APOE in preclinical mouse models. Specifically, we detail how human AD pathology is mirrored in current transgenic mouse models ("What") and describe the critical need for introducing human APOE into these mouse models ("Who"). We next outline different methods for introducing human APOE into mice ("How") and highlight efforts to develop temporally defined and location-specific human apoE expression models ("When" and "Where"). We conclude with the importance of choosing the human APOE mouse model relevant to the question being addressed, using the selection of transgenic models for testing apoE-targeted therapeutics as an example ("Why").
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Affiliation(s)
- Cutler T Lewandowski
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago, 833 S. Wood St., Chicago, IL 60612, USA.
| | - Juan Maldonado Weng
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Illinois at Chicago, 808 S. Wood St., Chicago, IL 60612, USA.
| | - Mary Jo LaDu
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Illinois at Chicago, 808 S. Wood St., Chicago, IL 60612, USA.
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Schepers M, Martens N, Tiane A, Vanbrabant K, Liu HB, Lütjohann D, Mulder M, Vanmierlo T. Edible seaweed-derived constituents: an undisclosed source of neuroprotective compounds. Neural Regen Res 2020; 15:790-795. [PMID: 31719238 PMCID: PMC6990778 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.268894] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Edible marine algae, or seaweeds, are a rich source of several bioactive compounds including phytosterols, carotenoids, and polysaccharides. Over the last decades, seaweed-derived constituents turned out to not only reside in the systemic circulation, but are able to cross the blood-brain barrier to exert neuro-active functions both in homeostatic and pathological conditions. Therefore, seaweed-derived constituents have gained increasing interest for their neuro-immunomodulatory and neuroprotective properties, rendering them interesting candidates for the management of several neurodegenerative disorders. In particular seaweed-derived phytosterols gained interest for the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders as they potentiate neuroplasticity, enhance phagocytic clearance of neurotoxic peptides and have anti-inflammatory properties. Though, the anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative properties of other constituents including carotenoids, phenols and polysaccharides have recently gained more interest. In this review, we provide an overview of a selection of the described neuro-active properties of seaweed-derived constituents with a focus on phytosterols.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa Schepers
- Department of Neuroimmunology, Biomedical Research Institute, Hasselt University, European Graduate School of Neuroscience (EURON), Hasselt, Belgium; Department of Psychiatry & Neuropsychology, Division of Translational Neuroscience, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, European Graduate School of Neuroscience (EURON), Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Nikita Martens
- Department of Internal Medicine, Laboratory of Vascular Medicine, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Assia Tiane
- Department of Neuroimmunology, Biomedical Research Institute, Hasselt University, European Graduate School of Neuroscience (EURON), Hasselt, Belgium; Department of Psychiatry & Neuropsychology, Division of Translational Neuroscience, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, European Graduate School of Neuroscience (EURON), Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Kenneth Vanbrabant
- Department of Neuroimmunology, Biomedical Research Institute, Hasselt University, European Graduate School of Neuroscience (EURON), Hasselt, Belgium; Institue for Clinical Chemistry and Clinical Pharmacology, Bonn, Germany
| | - Hong-Bing Liu
- Key Laboratory of Marine Drugs, Ministry of Education, School of Medicine and Pharmacy, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, Shandong Province, China
| | - Dieter Lütjohann
- Institue for Clinical Chemistry and Clinical Pharmacology, Bonn, Germany
| | - Monique Mulder
- Department of Internal Medicine, Laboratory of Vascular Medicine, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Tim Vanmierlo
- Department of Neuroimmunology, Biomedical Research Institute, Hasselt University, European Graduate School of Neuroscience (EURON), Hasselt, Belgium; Department of Psychiatry & Neuropsychology, Division of Translational Neuroscience, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, European Graduate School of Neuroscience (EURON), Maastricht, The Netherlands
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Raven F, Heckman PRA, Havekes R, Meerlo P. Sleep deprivation-induced impairment of memory consolidation is not mediated by glucocorticoid stress hormones. J Sleep Res 2019; 29:e12972. [PMID: 31845433 PMCID: PMC7539978 DOI: 10.1111/jsr.12972] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2019] [Revised: 11/25/2019] [Accepted: 11/26/2019] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The general consensus is that sleep promotes neuronal recovery and plasticity, whereas sleep deprivation (SD) impairs brain function, including cognitive processes. Indeed, a wealth of data has shown a negative impact of SD on learning and memory processes, particularly those that involve the hippocampus. The mechanisms underlying these negative effects of sleep loss are only partly understood, but a reoccurring question is whether they are in part caused by stress hormones that may be released during SD. The purpose of the present study is therefore to examine the role of glucocorticoid stress hormones in SD‐induced memory impairment. Male C57BL/6J mice were trained in an object‐location memory paradigm, followed by 6 hr of SD by mild stimulation. At the beginning of the SD mice were injected with the corticosterone synthesis inhibitor metyrapone. Memory was tested 24 hr after training. Blood samples taken in a separate group of mice showed that SD resulted in a mild but significant increase in plasma corticosterone levels, which was prevented by metyrapone. However, the SD‐induced impairment in object‐location memory was not prevented by metyrapone treatment. This indicates that glucocorticoids play no role in causing the memory impairments seen after a short period of SD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frank Raven
- Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences (GELIFES), University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Pim R A Heckman
- Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences (GELIFES), University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Robbert Havekes
- Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences (GELIFES), University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Peter Meerlo
- Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences (GELIFES), University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
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Fernández-de Frutos M, Galán-Chilet I, Goedeke L, Kim B, Pardo-Marqués V, Pérez-García A, Herrero JI, Fernández-Hernando C, Kim J, Ramírez CM. MicroRNA 7 Impairs Insulin Signaling and Regulates Aβ Levels through Posttranscriptional Regulation of the Insulin Receptor Substrate 2, Insulin Receptor, Insulin-Degrading Enzyme, and Liver X Receptor Pathway. Mol Cell Biol 2019; 39:e00170-19. [PMID: 31501273 PMCID: PMC6817752 DOI: 10.1128/mcb.00170-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2019] [Revised: 05/14/2019] [Accepted: 08/10/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Brain insulin resistance is a key pathological feature contributing to obesity, diabetes, and neurodegenerative disorders, including Alzheimer's disease (AD). Besides the classic transcriptional mechanism mediated by hormones, posttranscriptional regulation has recently been shown to regulate a number of signaling pathways that could lead to metabolic diseases. Here, we show that microRNA 7 (miR-7), an abundant microRNA in the brain, targets insulin receptor (INSR), insulin receptor substrate 2 (IRS-2), and insulin-degrading enzyme (IDE), key regulators of insulin homeostatic functions in the central nervous system (CNS) and the pathology of AD. In this study, we found that insulin and liver X receptor (LXR) activators promote the expression of the intronic miR-7-1 in vitro and in vivo, along with its host heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein K (HNRNPK) gene, encoding an RNA binding protein (RBP) that is involved in insulin action at the posttranscriptional level. Our data show that miR-7 expression is altered in the brains of diet-induced obese mice. Moreover, we found that the levels of miR-7 are also elevated in brains of AD patients; this inversely correlates with the expression of its target genes IRS-2 and IDE. Furthermore, overexpression of miR-7 increased the levels of extracellular Aβ in neuronal cells and impaired the clearance of extracellular Aβ by microglial cells. Taken together, these results represent a novel branch of insulin action through the HNRNPK-miR-7 axis and highlight the possible implication of these posttranscriptional regulators in a range of diseases underlying metabolic dysregulation in the brain, from diabetes to Alzheimer's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Inmaculada Galán-Chilet
- Genomic and Genetic Diagnosis Unit, Biomedical Research Institute Hospital Clinic of Valencia (INCLIVA), Valencia, Spain
| | - Leigh Goedeke
- Vascular Biology and Therapeutics Program, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
- Integrative Cell Signaling and Neurobiology of Metabolism Program, Department of Comparative Medicine and Department of Pathology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Byungwook Kim
- Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | | | - Ana Pérez-García
- IMDEA Research Institute of Food and Health Sciences, Madrid, Spain
| | - J Ignacio Herrero
- Department of Cell Biology and Immunology, Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa (CSIC-UAM), Madrid, Spain
| | - Carlos Fernández-Hernando
- Vascular Biology and Therapeutics Program, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
- Integrative Cell Signaling and Neurobiology of Metabolism Program, Department of Comparative Medicine and Department of Pathology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Jungsu Kim
- Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - Cristina M Ramírez
- IMDEA Research Institute of Food and Health Sciences, Madrid, Spain
- Vascular Biology and Therapeutics Program, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
- Integrative Cell Signaling and Neurobiology of Metabolism Program, Department of Comparative Medicine and Department of Pathology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
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Fitz NF, Nam KN, Koldamova R, Lefterov I. Therapeutic targeting of nuclear receptors, liver X and retinoid X receptors, for Alzheimer's disease. Br J Pharmacol 2019; 176:3599-3610. [PMID: 30924124 PMCID: PMC6715597 DOI: 10.1111/bph.14668] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2018] [Revised: 02/15/2019] [Accepted: 02/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
After 15 years of research into Alzheimer's disease (AD) therapeutics, including billions of US dollars provided by federal agencies, pharmaceutical companies, and private foundations, there are still no meaningful therapies that can delay the onset or slow the progression of AD. An understanding of the proteolytic processing of amyloid precursor protein (APP) and the hypothesis that pathogenic mechanisms in familial and sporadic forms of AD are very similar led to the assumption that pharmacological inhibition of secretases or immunological approaches to clear amyloid depositions in the brain would have been the core to drug discovery strategies and successful therapies. However, there are other understudied approaches including targeting genes, gene networks, and metabolic pathways outside the proteolytic processing of APP. The advancement of newly developed sequencing technologies and mass spectrometry, as well as the availability of animal models expressing human apolipoprotein E isoforms, has been critical in rationalizing additional AD therapeutics. The purpose of this review is to present one of those approaches, based on the role of ligand-activated nuclear liver X and retinoid X receptors in the brain. This therapeutic approach was initially proposed utilizing in vitro models 15 years ago and has since been examined in numerous studies using AD-like mouse models. LINKED ARTICLES: This article is part of a themed section on Therapeutics for Dementia and Alzheimer's Disease: New Directions for Precision Medicine. To view the other articles in this section visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.v176.18/issuetoc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas F Fitz
- Environmental and Occupational Health, Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Kyong Nyon Nam
- Environmental and Occupational Health, Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Radosveta Koldamova
- Environmental and Occupational Health, Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Iliya Lefterov
- Environmental and Occupational Health, Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
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Mouzat K, Chudinova A, Polge A, Kantar J, Camu W, Raoul C, Lumbroso S. Regulation of Brain Cholesterol: What Role Do Liver X Receptors Play in Neurodegenerative Diseases? Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:E3858. [PMID: 31398791 PMCID: PMC6720493 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20163858] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2019] [Revised: 08/06/2019] [Accepted: 08/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Liver X Receptors (LXR) alpha and beta are two members of nuclear receptor superfamily documented as endogenous cholesterol sensors. Following conversion of cholesterol in oxysterol, both LXR isoforms detect intracellular concentrations and act as transcription factors to promote expression of target genes. Among their numerous physiological roles, they act as central cholesterol-lowering factors. In the central nervous system (CNS), cholesterol has been shown to be an essential determinant of brain function, particularly as a major constituent of myelin and membranes. In the brain, LXRs act as cholesterol central regulators, and, beyond this metabolic function, LXRs have additional roles such as providing neuroprotective effects and lowering neuroinflammation. In many neurodegenerative disorders, including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Alzheimer's disease (AD), and multiple sclerosis (MS), dysregulations of cholesterol and oxysterol have been reported. In this paper, we propose to focus on recent advances in the knowledge of the LXRs roles on brain cholesterol and oxysterol homeostasis, neuroinflammation, neuroprotection, and their putative involvement in neurodegenerative disorders. We will discuss their potential use as candidates for both molecular diagnosis and as promising pharmacological targets in the treatment of ALS, AD, or MS patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin Mouzat
- Motoneuron Disease: Pathophysiology and Therapy, The Neuroscience Institute of Montpellier, University of Montpellier, Montpellier, Laboratoire de Biochimie et Biologie Moléculaire, Nimes University Hospital, 30029 Nîmes, France.
| | - Aleksandra Chudinova
- Motoneuron Disease: Pathophysiology and Therapy, The Neuroscience Institute of Montpellier, University of Montpellier, Montpellier, Laboratoire de Biochimie et Biologie Moléculaire, Nimes University Hospital, 30029 Nîmes, France
| | - Anne Polge
- Laboratoire de Biochimie et Biologie Moléculaire, Nimes University Hospital, University of Montpellier, 30029 Nîmes, France
| | - Jovana Kantar
- Motoneuron Disease: Pathophysiology and Therapy, The Neuroscience Institute of Montpellier, University of Montpellier, Montpellier, Laboratoire de Biochimie et Biologie Moléculaire, Nimes University Hospital, 30029 Nîmes, France
| | - William Camu
- ALS Reference Center, Montpellier University Hospital and University of Montpellier, Inserm UMR1051, 34000 Montpellier, France
| | - Cédric Raoul
- The Neuroscience Institute of Montpellier, Inserm UMR1051, University of Montpellier, 34091 Montpellier, France
| | - Serge Lumbroso
- Motoneuron Disease: Pathophysiology and Therapy, The Neuroscience Institute of Montpellier, University of Montpellier, Montpellier, Laboratoire de Biochimie et Biologie Moléculaire, Nimes University Hospital, 30029 Nîmes, France
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Apolipoprotein E and Alzheimer disease: pathobiology and targeting strategies. Nat Rev Neurol 2019; 15:501-518. [PMID: 31367008 DOI: 10.1038/s41582-019-0228-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 667] [Impact Index Per Article: 133.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/13/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Polymorphism in the apolipoprotein E (APOE) gene is a major genetic risk determinant of late-onset Alzheimer disease (AD), with the APOE*ε4 allele conferring an increased risk and the APOE*ε2 allele conferring a decreased risk relative to the common APOE*ε3 allele. Strong evidence from clinical and basic research suggests that a major pathway by which APOE4 increases the risk of AD is by driving earlier and more abundant amyloid pathology in the brains of APOE*ε4 carriers. The number of amyloid-β (Aβ)-dependent and Aβ-independent pathways that are known to be differentially modulated by APOE isoforms is increasing. For example, evidence is accumulating that APOE influences tau pathology, tau-mediated neurodegeneration and microglial responses to AD-related pathologies. In addition, APOE4 is either pathogenic or shows reduced efficiency in multiple brain homeostatic pathways, including lipid transport, synaptic integrity and plasticity, glucose metabolism and cerebrovascular function. Here, we review the recent progress in clinical and basic research into the role of APOE in AD pathogenesis. We also discuss how APOE can be targeted for AD therapy using a precision medicine approach.
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Dietary Sargassum fusiforme improves memory and reduces amyloid plaque load in an Alzheimer's disease mouse model. Sci Rep 2019; 9:4908. [PMID: 30894635 PMCID: PMC6426980 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-41399-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2018] [Accepted: 03/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Activation of liver X receptors (LXRs) by synthetic agonists was found to improve cognition in Alzheimer's disease (AD) mice. However, these LXR agonists induce hypertriglyceridemia and hepatic steatosis, hampering their use in the clinic. We hypothesized that phytosterols as LXR agonists enhance cognition in AD without affecting plasma and hepatic triglycerides. Phytosterols previously reported to activate LXRs were tested in a luciferase-based LXR reporter assay. Using this assay, we found that phytosterols commonly present in a Western type diet in physiological concentrations do not activate LXRs. However, a lipid extract of the 24(S)-Saringosterol-containing seaweed Sargassum fusiforme did potently activate LXRβ. Dietary supplementation of crude Sargassum fusiforme or a Sargassum fusiforme-derived lipid extract to AD mice significantly improved short-term memory and reduced hippocampal Aβ plaque load by 81%. Notably, none of the side effects typically induced by full synthetic LXR agonists were observed. In contrast, administration of the synthetic LXRα activator, AZ876, did not improve cognition and resulted in the accumulation of lipid droplets in the liver. Administration of Sargassum fusiforme-derived 24(S)-Saringosterol to cultured neurons reduced the secretion of Aβ42. Moreover, conditioned medium from 24(S)-Saringosterol-treated astrocytes added to microglia increased phagocytosis of Aβ. Our data show that Sargassum fusiforme improves cognition and alleviates AD pathology. This may be explained at least partly by 24(S)-Saringosterol-mediated LXRβ activation.
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The Role of APOE and TREM2 in Alzheimer's Disease-Current Understanding and Perspectives. Int J Mol Sci 2018; 20:ijms20010081. [PMID: 30587772 PMCID: PMC6337314 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20010081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 106] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2018] [Revised: 12/19/2018] [Accepted: 12/21/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the leading cause of dementia worldwide. The extracellular deposits of Amyloid beta (Aβ) in the brain-called amyloid plaques, and neurofibrillary tangles-intracellular tau aggregates, are morphological hallmarks of the disease. The risk for AD is a complicated interplay between aging, genetic risk factors, and environmental influences. One of the Apolipoprotein E (APOE) alleles-APOEε4, is the major genetic risk factor for late-onset AD (LOAD). APOE is the primary cholesterol carrier in the brain, and plays an essential role in lipid trafficking, cholesterol homeostasis, and synaptic stability. Recent genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified other candidate LOAD risk loci, as well. One of those is the triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2 (TREM2), which, in the brain, is expressed primarily by microglia. While the function of TREM2 is not fully understood, it promotes microglia survival, proliferation, and phagocytosis, making it important for cell viability and normal immune functions in the brain. Emerging evidence from protein binding assays suggests that APOE binds to TREM2 and APOE-containing lipoproteins in the brain as well as periphery, and are putative ligands for TREM2, thus raising the possibility of an APOE-TREM2 interaction modulating different aspects of AD pathology, potentially in an isoform-specific manner. This review is focusing on the interplay between APOE isoforms and TREM2 in association with AD pathology.
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Cao J, Hou J, Ping J, Cai D. Advances in developing novel therapeutic strategies for Alzheimer's disease. Mol Neurodegener 2018; 13:64. [PMID: 30541602 PMCID: PMC6291983 DOI: 10.1186/s13024-018-0299-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 152] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2018] [Accepted: 11/28/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's Disease (AD), the most prevalent neurodegenerative disease of aging, affects one in eight older Americans. Nearly all drug treatments tested for AD today have failed to show any efficacy. There is a great need for therapies to prevent and/or slow the progression of AD. The major challenge in AD drug development is lack of clarity about the mechanisms underlying AD pathogenesis and pathophysiology. Several studies support the notion that AD is a multifactorial disease. While there is abundant evidence that amyloid plays a role in AD pathogenesis, other mechanisms have been implicated in AD such as tangle formation and spread, dysregulated protein degradation pathways, neuroinflammation, and loss of support by neurotrophic factors. Therefore, current paradigms of AD drug design have been shifted from single target approach (primarily amyloid-centric) to developing drugs targeted at multiple disease aspects, and from treating AD at later stages of disease progression to focusing on preventive strategies at early stages of disease development. Here, we summarize current strategies and new trends of AD drug development, including pre-clinical and clinical trials that target different aspects of disease (mechanism-based versus non-mechanism based, e.g. symptomatic treatments, lifestyle modifications and risk factor management).
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiqing Cao
- James J Peters VA Medical Center, Research & Development, Bronx, NY 10468 USA
- Department of Neurology, Alzheimer Disease Research Center, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029 USA
- The Central Hospital of The Hua Zhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Jianwei Hou
- James J Peters VA Medical Center, Research & Development, Bronx, NY 10468 USA
- Department of Neurology, Alzheimer Disease Research Center, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029 USA
| | - Jing Ping
- The Central Hospital of The Hua Zhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Dongming Cai
- James J Peters VA Medical Center, Research & Development, Bronx, NY 10468 USA
- Department of Neurology, Alzheimer Disease Research Center, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029 USA
- The Central Hospital of The Hua Zhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
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45
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Assessing spatial pattern separation in rodents using the object pattern separation task. Nat Protoc 2018; 13:1763-1792. [DOI: 10.1038/s41596-018-0013-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
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APOE and Alzheimer's Disease: Evidence Mounts that Targeting APOE4 may Combat Alzheimer's Pathogenesis. Mol Neurobiol 2018; 56:2450-2465. [PMID: 30032423 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-018-1237-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 124] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2018] [Accepted: 07/11/2018] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is an immutable neurodegenerative disease featured by the two hallmark brain pathologies that are the extracellular amyloid ß (Aß) and intraneuronal tau protein. People carrying the APOE4 allele are at high risk of AD concerning the ones carrying the ε3 allele, while the ε2 allele abates risk. ApoE isoforms exert a central role in controlling the transport of brain lipid, neuronal signaling, mitochondrial function, glucose metabolism, and neuroinflammation. Regardless of widespread indispensable studies, the appropriate function of APOE in AD etiology stays ambiguous. Existing proof recommends that the disparate outcomes of ApoE isoforms on Aβ accretion and clearance have a distinct function in AD pathogenesis. ApoE-lipoproteins combine diverse cell-surface receptors to transport lipids and moreover to lipophilic Aβ peptide, that is believed to begin deadly events that generate neurodegeneration in the AD. ApoE has great influence in tau pathogenesis, tau-mediated neurodegeneration, and neuroinflammation, as well as α-synucleinopathy, lipid metabolism, and synaptic plasticity despite the presence of Aβ pathology. ApoE4 shows the deleterious effect for AD while the lack of ApoE4 is defensive. Therapeutic strategies primarily depend on APOE suggest to lessen the noxious effects of ApoE4 and reestablish the protective aptitudes of ApoE. This appraisal represents the critical interactions of APOE and AD pathology, existing facts on ApoE levels in the central nervous system (CNS), and the credible active stratagems for AD therapy by aiming ApoE. This review also highlighted utmost ApoE targeting therapeutic tactics that are crucial for controlling Alzheimer's pathogenesis.
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Fricker RA, Green EL, Jenkins SI, Griffin SM. The Influence of Nicotinamide on Health and Disease in the Central Nervous System. Int J Tryptophan Res 2018; 11:1178646918776658. [PMID: 29844677 PMCID: PMC5966847 DOI: 10.1177/1178646918776658] [Citation(s) in RCA: 116] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2017] [Accepted: 10/29/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Nicotinamide, the amide form of vitamin B3 (niacin), has long been associated with neuronal development, survival, and function in the central nervous system (CNS), being implicated in both neuronal death and neuroprotection. Here, we summarise a body of research investigating the role of nicotinamide in neuronal health within the CNS, with a focus on studies that have shown a neuroprotective effect. Nicotinamide appears to play a role in protecting neurons from traumatic injury, ischaemia, and stroke, as well as being implicated in 3 key neurodegenerative conditions: Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and Huntington’s diseases. A key factor is the bioavailability of nicotinamide, with low concentrations leading to neurological deficits and dementia and high levels potentially causing neurotoxicity. Finally, nicotinamide’s potential mechanisms of action are discussed, including the general maintenance of cellular energy levels and the more specific inhibition of molecules such as the nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide-dependent deacetylase, sirtuin 1 (SIRT1).
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosemary A Fricker
- School of Medicine and Institute for Science and Technology in Medicine, Keele University, Staffordshire, UK
| | - Emma L Green
- School of Medicine and Institute for Science and Technology in Medicine, Keele University, Staffordshire, UK
| | - Stuart I Jenkins
- School of Medicine and Institute for Science and Technology in Medicine, Keele University, Staffordshire, UK
| | - Síle M Griffin
- School of Medicine and Institute for Science and Technology in Medicine, Keele University, Staffordshire, UK
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Liver X Receptor Agonist GW3965 Regulates Synaptic Function upon Amyloid Beta Exposure in Hippocampal Neurons. Neurotox Res 2018; 33:569-579. [PMID: 29297151 DOI: 10.1007/s12640-017-9845-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2017] [Revised: 11/21/2017] [Accepted: 11/22/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a devastating neurodegenerative disease characterized by beta-amyloid (Aβ) accumulation and neurofibrillary tangles formation in the brain which are associated to synaptic deficits and dementia. Liver X receptor (LXR) agonists have been demonstrated to revert of pathologic and cognitive defects in murine models of AD through the regulation of Apolipoprotein E, ATP-Binding Cassette A1 (ABCA1), by dampening neuroinflammation and also by reducing the levels of amyloid-β (Aβ) accumulation in the brain. However, the role of LXR with regard to the regulation of synaptic function remains relatively understudied. In the present paper, we analyzed the in-vitro effect of the LXR agonist GW3965 on synaptic function upon exposure of primary hippocampal cultures to oligomeric amyloid-β (oAβ(1-42)). We showed that oAβ(1-42) exposure significantly decreased the density of mature (mushroom shaped) dendritic spines density and synaptic contacts number. oAβ(1-42) also modulates the expression of pre- (VGlut1, SYT1, SV2A) and post-synaptic (SHANK2, NMDA) proteins, it decreases the expression of PINK1, and increases ROCKII, and activates of caspase-3; these changes were prevented by the pre-treating neuronal cultures with GW3965. These results show further support the role of the LXR agonist GW3965 in synaptic physiology and highlight its potential as an alternative pharmacological strategy for AD.
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Mast N, Lin JB, Anderson KW, Bjorkhem I, Pikuleva IA. Transcriptional and post-translational changes in the brain of mice deficient in cholesterol removal mediated by cytochrome P450 46A1 (CYP46A1). PLoS One 2017; 12:e0187168. [PMID: 29073233 PMCID: PMC5658173 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0187168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2017] [Accepted: 10/13/2017] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Cytochrome P450 46A1 (CYP46A1) converts cholesterol to 24-hydroxycholesterol and thereby controls the major pathways of cholesterol removal from the brain. Cyp46a1-/- mice have a reduction in the rate of cholesterol biosynthesis in the brain and significant impairments to memory and learning. To gain insights into the mechanisms underlying Cyp46a1-/- phenotype, we used Cyp46a1-/- mice and quantified their brain sterol levels and the expression of the genes pertinent to cholesterol homeostasis. We also compared the Cyp46a1-/- and wild type brains for protein phosphorylation and ubiquitination. The data obtained enable the following inferences. First, there seems to be a compensatory upregulation in the Cyp46a1-/- brain of the pathways of cholesterol storage and CYP46A1-independent removal. Second, transcriptional regulation of the brain cholesterol biosynthesis via sterol regulatory element binding transcription factors is not significantly activated in the Cyp46a1-/- brain to explain a compensatory decrease in cholesterol biosynthesis. Third, some of the liver X receptor target genes (Abca1) are paradoxically upregulated in the Cyp46a1-/- brain, possibly due to a reduced activation of the small GTPases RAB8, CDC42, and RAC as a result of a reduced phosphorylation of RAB3IP and PAK1. Fourth, the phosphorylation of many other proteins (a total of 146) is altered in the Cyp46a1-/- brain, including microtubule associated and neurofilament proteins (the MAP and NEF families) along with proteins related to synaptic vesicles and synaptic neurotransmission (e.g., SLCs, SHANKs, and BSN). Fifth, the extent of protein ubiquitination is increased in the Cyp46a1-/- brain, and the affected proteins pertain to ubiquitination (UBE2N), cognition (STX1B and ATP1A2), cytoskeleton function (TUBA1A and YWHAZ), and energy production (ATP1A2 and ALDOA). The present study demonstrates the diverse potential effects of CYP46A1 deficiency on brain functions and identifies important proteins that could be affected by this deficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia Mast
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Joseph B. Lin
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Kyle W. Anderson
- Biomolecular Measurement Division, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, Maryland, United States of America
- Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research, Rockville, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Ingemar Bjorkhem
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Division of Clinical Chemistry, Karolinska Institute, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Irina A. Pikuleva
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Boyce G, Button E, Soo S, Wellington C. The pleiotropic vasoprotective functions of high density lipoproteins (HDL). J Biomed Res 2017; 32:164. [PMID: 28550271 PMCID: PMC6265396 DOI: 10.7555/jbr.31.20160103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2016] [Accepted: 12/23/2016] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The pleiotropic functions of circulating high density lipoprotein (HDL) on peripheral vascular health are well established. HDL plays a pivotal role in reverse cholesterol transport and is also known to suppress inflammation, endothelial activation and apoptosis in peripheral vessels. Although not expressed in the central nervous system, HDL has nevertheless emerged as a potential resilience factor for dementia in multiple epidemiological studies. Animal model data specifically support a role for HDL in attenuating the accumulation of β-amyloid within cerebral vessels concomitant with reduced neuroinflammation and improved cognitive performance. As the vascular contributions to dementia are increasingly appreciated, this review seeks to summarize recent literature focused on the vasoprotective properties of HDL that may extend to cerebral vessels, discuss potential roles of HDL in dementia relative to brain-derived lipoproteins, identify gaps in current knowledge, and highlight new opportunities for research and discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guilaine Boyce
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Emily Button
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Sonja Soo
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Cheryl Wellington
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada
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