Disruption of neocortical histone H3 homeostasis by soluble Aβ: implications for Alzheimer's disease

Targeting epigenetic mechanisms in amyloid-β-mediated Alzheimer's pathophysiology: unveiling therapeutic potential

Alzheimer's disease is a prominent chronic neurodegenerative condition characterized by a gradual decline in memory leading to dementia. Growing evidence suggests that Alzheimer's disease is associated with accumulating various amyloid-β oligomers in the brain, influenced by complex genetic and environmental factors. The memory and cognitive deficits observed during the prodromal and mild cognitive impairment phases of Alzheimer's disease are believed to primarily result from synaptic dysfunction. Throughout life, environmental factors can lead to enduring changes in gene expression and the emergence of brain disorders. These changes, known as epigenetic modifications, also play a crucial role in regulating the formation of synapses and their adaptability in response to neuronal activity. In this context, we highlight recent advances in understanding the roles played by key components of the epigenetic machinery, specifically DNA methylation, histone modification, and microRNAs, in the development of Alzheimer's disease, synaptic function, and activity-dependent synaptic plasticity. Moreover, we explore various strategies, including enriched environments, exposure to non-invasive brain stimulation, and the use of pharmacological agents, aimed at improving synaptic function and enhancing long-term potentiation, a process integral to epigenetic mechanisms. Lastly, we deliberate on the development of effective epigenetic agents and safe therapeutic approaches for managing Alzheimer's disease. We suggest that addressing Alzheimer's disease may require distinct tailored epigenetic drugs targeting different disease stages or pathways rather than relying on a single drug.

Histone post-translational modification and heterochromatin alterations in neurodegeneration: revealing novel disease pathways and potential therapeutics

Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD), and Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) are complex and fatal neurodegenerative diseases. While current treatments for these diseases do alleviate some symptoms, there is an imperative need for novel treatments able to stop their progression. For all of these ailments, most cases occur sporadically and have no known genetic cause. Only a small percentage of patients bear known mutations which occur in a multitude of genes. Hence, it is clear that genetic factors alone do not explain disease occurrence. Chromatin, a DNA-histone complex whose basic unit is the nucleosome, is divided into euchromatin, an open form accessible to the transcriptional machinery, and heterochromatin, which is closed and transcriptionally inactive. Protruding out of the nucleosome, histone tails undergo post-translational modifications (PTMs) including methylation, acetylation, and phosphorylation which occur at specific residues and are connected to different chromatin structural states and regulate access to transcriptional machinery. Epigenetic mechanisms, including histone PTMs and changes in chromatin structure, could help explain neurodegenerative disease processes and illuminate novel treatment targets. Recent research has revealed that changes in histone PTMs and heterochromatin loss or gain are connected to neurodegeneration. Here, we review evidence for epigenetic changes occurring in AD, PD, and FTD/ALS. We focus specifically on alterations in the histone PTMs landscape, changes in the expression of histone modifying enzymes and chromatin remodelers as well as the consequences of these changes in heterochromatin structure. We also highlight the potential for epigenetic therapies in neurodegenerative disease treatment. Given their reversibility and pharmacological accessibility, epigenetic mechanisms provide a promising avenue for novel treatments. Altogether, these findings underscore the need for thorough characterization of epigenetic mechanisms and chromatin structure in neurodegeneration.

Intergenerational epigenetic inheritance mediated by MYS-2/MOF in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease

Although autosomal-dominant inheritance is believed an important cause of familial clustering Alzheimer's disease (FAD), it covers only a small proportion of FAD incidence, and so we investigated epigenetic memory as an alternative mechanism to contribute for intergenerational AD pathogenesis. Our data in vivo showed that mys-2 of Caenorhabditis elegans that encodes a putative MYST acetyltransferase responsible for H4K16 acetylation modulated AD occurrence. The phenotypic improvements in the parent generation caused by mys-2 disfunction were passed to their progeny due to epigenetic memory, which resulted in similar H4K16ac levels among the candidate target genes of MYS-2 and similar gene expression patterns of the AD-related pathways. Furthermore, the ROS/CDK-5/ATM pathway functioned as an upstream activator of MYS-2. Our study indicated that MYS-2/MOF could be inherited intergenerationally via epigenetic mechanisms in C. elegans and mammalian cell of AD model, providing a new insight into our understanding of the etiology and inheritance of FAD.

Dysregulated expression of cholesterol biosynthetic genes in Alzheimer's disease alters epigenomic signatures of hippocampal neurons

Aging is the main risk factor of cognitive neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, with epigenome alterations as a contributing factor. Here, we compared transcriptomic/epigenomic changes in the hippocampus, modified by aging and by tauopathy, an AD-related feature. We show that the cholesterol biosynthesis pathway is severely impaired in hippocampal neurons of tauopathic but not of aged mice pointing to vulnerability of these neurons in the disease. At the epigenomic level, histone hyperacetylation was observed at neuronal enhancers associated with glutamatergic regulations only in the tauopathy. Lastly, a treatment of tau mice with the CSP-TTK21 epi-drug that restored expression of key cholesterol biosynthesis genes counteracted hyperacetylation at neuronal enhancers and restored object memory. As acetyl-CoA is the primary substrate of both pathways, these data suggest that the rate of the cholesterol biosynthesis in hippocampal neurons may trigger epigenetic-driven changes, that may compromise the functions of hippocampal neurons in pathological conditions.

Novel histone post-translational modifications in Alzheimer's disease: current advances and implications

Alzheimer's disease (AD) has a complex pathogenesis, and multiple studies have indicated that histone post-translational modifications, especially acetylation, play a significant role in it. With the development of mass spectrometry and proteomics, an increasing number of novel HPTMs, including lactoylation, crotonylation, β-hydroxybutyrylation, 2-hydroxyisobutyrylation, succinylation, and malonylation, have been identified. These novel HPTMs closely link substance metabolism to gene regulation, and an increasing number of relevant studies on the relationship between novel HPTMs and AD have become available. This review summarizes the current advances and implications of novel HPTMs in AD, providing insight into the deeper pathogenesis of AD and the development of novel drugs.

Alzheimer's Disease-Related Epigenetic Changes: Novel Therapeutic Targets

Aging is a significant risk factor for Alzheimer's disease (AD), although the precise mechanism and molecular basis of AD are not yet fully understood. Epigenetic mechanisms, such as DNA methylation and hydroxymethylation, mitochondrial DNA methylation, histone modifications, and non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), play a role in regulating gene expression related to neuron plasticity and integrity, which are closely associated with learning and memory development. This review describes the impact of dynamic and reversible epigenetic modifications and factors on memory and plasticity throughout life, emphasizing their potential as target for therapeutic intervention in AD. Additionally, we present insight from postmortem and animal studies on abnormal epigenetics regulation in AD, as well as current strategies aiming at targeting these factors in the context of AD therapy.

G9a Inhibition Promotes Neuroprotection through GMFB Regulation in Alzheimer's Disease

Epigenetic alterations are a fundamental pathological hallmark of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Herein, we show the upregulation of G9a and H3K9me2 in the brains of AD patients. Interestingly, treatment with a G9a inhibitor (G9ai) in SAMP8 mice reversed the high levels of H3K9me2 and rescued cognitive decline. A transcriptional profile analysis after G9ai treatment revealed increased gene expression of glia maturation factor β (GMFB) in SAMP8 mice. Besides, a H3K9me2 ChIP-seq analysis after G9a inhibition treatment showed the enrichment of gene promoters associated with neural functions. We observed the induction of neuronal plasticity and a reduction of neuroinflammation after G9ai treatment, and more strikingly, these neuroprotective effects were reverted by the pharmacological inhibition of GMFB in mice and cell cultures; this was also validated by the RNAi approach generating the knockdown of GMFB/Y507A.10 in Caenorhabditis elegans. Importantly, we present evidence that GMFB activity is controlled by G9a-mediated lysine methylation as well as we identified that G9a directly bound GMFB and catalyzed the methylation at lysine (K) 20 and K25 in vitro. Furthermore, we found that the neurodegenerative role of G9a as a GMFB suppressor would mainly rely on methylation of the K25 position of GMFB, and thus G9a pharmacological inhibition removes this methylation promoting neuroprotective effects. Then, our findings confirm an undescribed mechanism by which G9a inhibition acts at two levels, increasing GMFB and regulating its function to promote neuroprotective effects in age-related cognitive decline.

Epigenetics of Alzheimer’s Disease: Past, Present and Future

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) exemplifies a looming epidemic lacking effective treatment and manifests with the accumulation of neurofibrillary tangles, amyloid-β plaques, neuroinflammation, behavioral changes, and acute cognitive impairments. It is a complex, multifactorial disorder that arises from the intricate interaction between environment and genetic factors, restrained via epigenetic machinery. Though the research progress has improved the understanding of clinical manifestations and disease advancement, the causal mechanism of detrimental consequences remains undefined. Despite the substantial improvement in recent diagnostic modalities, it is challenging to distinguish AD from other forms of dementia. Accurate diagnosis is a major glitch in AD as it banks on the symptoms and clinical criteria. Several studies are underway in exploring novel and reliable biomarkers for AD. In this direction, epigenetic alterations have transpired as key modulators in AD pathogenesis with the impeding inferences for the management of this neurological disorder. The present chapter aims to discuss the significance of epigenetic modifications reported in the pathophysiology of AD such as DNA methylation, hydroxy-methylation, methylation of mtDNA, histone modifications, and noncoding RNAs. Additionally, the chapter also describes the possible therapeutic avenues that target epigenetic modifications in AD.

Neuroepigenetics of ageing and neurodegeneration-associated dementia: An updated review

Gene expression is tremendously altered in the brain during memory acquisition, recall, and forgetfulness. However, non-genetic factors, including environmental elements, epigenetic changes, and lifestyle, have grabbed significant attention in recent years regarding the etiology of neurodegenerative diseases (NDD) and age-associated dementia. Epigenetic modifications are essential in regulating gene expression in all living organisms in a DNA sequence-independent manner. The genes implicated in ageing and NDD-related memory disorders are epigenetically regulated by processes such as DNA methylation, histone acetylation as well as messenger RNA editing machinery. The physiological and optimal state of the epigenome, especially within the CNS of humans, plays an intricate role in helping us adjust to the changing environment, and alterations in it cause many brain disorders, but the mechanisms behind it still need to be well understood. When fully understood, these epigenetic landscapes could act as vital targets for pharmacogenetic rescue strategies for treating several diseases, including neurodegeneration- and age-induced dementia. Keeping this objective in mind, this updated review summarises the epigenetic changes associated with age and neurodegeneration-associated dementia.

Epigenetic silencing of OR and TAS2R genes expression in human orbitofrontal cortex at early stages of sporadic Alzheimer's disease

Modulation of brain olfactory (OR) and taste receptor (TASR) expression was recently reported in neurological diseases. However, there is still limited evidence of these genes' expression in the human brain and the transcriptional regulation mechanisms involved remain elusive. We explored the possible expression and regulation of selected OR and TASR in the human orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) of sporadic Alzheimer's disease (AD) and non-demented control specimens using quantitative real-time RT-PCR and ELISA. Global H3K9me3 amounts were measured on OFC total histone extracts, and H3K9me3 binding at each chemoreceptor locus was examined through native chromatin immunoprecipitation. To investigate the potential interactome of the repressive histone mark H3K9me3 in OFC specimens, native nuclear complex co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP) was combined with reverse phase-liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry analysis. Interaction between H3K9me3 and MeCP2 was validated by reciprocal Co-IP, and global MeCP2 levels were quantitated. We found that OR and TAS2R genes are expressed and markedly downregulated in OFC at early stages of sporadic AD, preceding the progressive reduction in their protein levels and the appearance of AD-associated neuropathology. The expression pattern did not follow disease progression suggesting transcriptional regulation through epigenetic mechanisms. We discovered an increase of OFC global H3K9me3 levels and a substantial enrichment of this repressive signature at ORs and TAS2Rs proximal promoter at early stages of AD, ultimately lost at advanced stages. We revealed the interaction between H3K9me3 and MeCP2 at early stages and found that MeCP2 protein is increased in sporadic AD. Findings suggest MeCP2 might be implicated in OR and TAS2R transcriptional regulation through interaction with H3K9me3, and as an early event, it may uncover a novel etiopathogenetic mechanism of sporadic AD.

Recent Insight into the Role of Sphingosine-1-Phosphate Lyase in Neurodegeneration

Sphingosine-1-phosphate lyase (SPL) is a pyridoxal 5'-phosphate-dependent enzyme involved in the irreversible degradation of sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P)-a bioactive sphingolipid that modulates a broad range of biological processes (cell proliferation, migration, differentiation and survival; mitochondrial functioning; and gene expression). Although SPL activity leads to a decrease in the available pool of S1P in the cell, at the same time, hexadecenal and phosphoethanolamine, compounds with potential biological activity, are generated. The increased expression and/or activity of SPL, and hence the imbalance between S1P and the end products of its cleavage, were demonstrated in several pathological states. On the other hand, loss-of-function mutations in the SPL encoding gene are a cause of severe developmental impairments. Recently, special attention has been paid to neurodegenerative diseases as the most common pathologies of the nervous system. This review summarizes the current findings concerning the role of SPL in the nervous system with an emphasis on neurodegeneration. Moreover, it briefly discusses pharmacological compounds directed to inhibit its activity.

Small molecule modulators of chromatin remodeling: from neurodevelopment to neurodegeneration

The dynamic changes in chromatin conformation alter the organization and structure of the genome and further regulate gene transcription. Basically, the chromatin structure is controlled by reversible, enzyme-catalyzed covalent modifications to chromatin components and by noncovalent ATP-dependent modifications via chromatin remodeling complexes, including switch/sucrose nonfermentable (SWI/SNF), inositol-requiring 80 (INO80), imitation switch (ISWI) and chromodomain-helicase DNA-binding protein (CHD) complexes. Recent studies have shown that chromatin remodeling is essential in different stages of postnatal and adult neurogenesis. Chromatin deregulation, which leads to defects in epigenetic gene regulation and further pathological gene expression programs, often causes a wide range of pathologies. This review first gives an overview of the regulatory mechanisms of chromatin remodeling. We then focus mainly on discussing the physiological functions of chromatin remodeling, particularly histone and DNA modifications and the four classes of ATP-dependent chromatin-remodeling enzymes, in the central and peripheral nervous systems under healthy and pathological conditions, that is, in neurodegenerative disorders. Finally, we provide an update on the development of potent and selective small molecule modulators targeting various chromatin-modifying proteins commonly associated with neurodegenerative diseases and their potential clinical applications.

Shaking up the silence: consequences of HMGN1 antagonizing PRC2 in the Down syndrome brain

Intellectual disability is a well-known hallmark of Down Syndrome (DS) that results from the triplication of the critical region of human chromosome 21 (HSA21). Major studies were conducted in recent years to gain an understanding about the contribution of individual triplicated genes to DS-related brain pathology. Global transcriptomic alterations and widespread changes in the establishment of neural lineages, as well as their differentiation and functional maturity, suggest genome-wide chromatin organization alterations in trisomy. High Mobility Group Nucleosome Binding Domain 1 (HMGN1), expressed from HSA21, is a chromatin remodeling protein that facilitates chromatin decompaction and is associated with acetylated lysine 27 on histone H3 (H3K27ac), a mark correlated with active transcription. Recent studies causatively linked overexpression of HMGN1 in trisomy and the development of DS-associated B cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL). HMGN1 has been shown to antagonize the activity of the Polycomb Repressive Complex 2 (PRC2) and prevent the deposition of histone H3 lysine 27 trimethylation mark (H3K27me3), which is associated with transcriptional repression and gene silencing. However, the possible ramifications of the increased levels of HMGN1 through the derepression of PRC2 target genes on brain cell pathology have not gained attention. In this review, we discuss the functional significance of HMGN1 in brain development and summarize accumulating reports about the essential role of PRC2 in the development of the neural system. Mechanistic understanding of how overexpression of HMGN1 may contribute to aberrant brain cell phenotypes in DS, such as altered proliferation of neural progenitors, abnormal cortical architecture, diminished myelination, neurodegeneration, and Alzheimer's disease-related pathology in trisomy 21, will facilitate the development of DS therapeutic approaches targeting chromatin.

Exploring links between 2-oxoglutarate-dependent oxygenases and Alzheimer's disease

Hypoxia, that is, an inadequate oxygen supply, is linked to neurodegeneration and patients with cardiovascular disease are prone to Alzheimer's disease (AD). 2-Oxoglutarate and ferrous iron-dependent oxygenases (2OGDD) play a key role in the regulation of oxygen homeostasis by acting as hypoxia sensors. 2OGDD also have roles in collagen biosynthesis, lipid metabolism, nucleic acid repair, and the regulation of transcription and translation. Many biological processes in which the >60 human 2OGDD are involved are altered in AD patient brains, raising the question as to whether 2OGDD are involved in the transition from normal aging to AD. Here we give an overview of human 2OGDD and critically discuss their potential roles in AD, highlighting possible relationships with synapse dysfunction/loss. 2OGDD may regulate neuronal/glial differentiation through enzyme activity-dependent mechanisms and modulation of their activity has potential to protect against synapse loss. Work linking 2OGDD and AD is at an early stage, especially from a therapeutic perspective; we suggest integrated pathology and in vitro discovery research to explore their roles in AD is merited. We hope to help enable long-term research on the roles of 2OGDD and, more generally, oxygen/hypoxia in AD. We also suggest shorter term empirically guided clinical studies concerning the exploration of 2OGDD/oxygen modulators to help maintain synaptic viability are of interest for AD treatment.

The Neuroepigenetic Landscape of Vertebrate and Invertebrate Models of Neurodegenerative Diseases

Vertebrate and invertebrate models of neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, have been paramount to our understanding of the pathophysiology of these conditions; however, the brain epigenetic landscape is less well established in these disease models. DNA methylation, histone modifications, and microRNAs are among commonly studied mechanisms of epigenetic regulation. Genome-wide studies and candidate studies of specific methylation marks, histone marks, and microRNAs have demonstrated the dysregulation of these mechanisms in models of neurodegenerative diseases; however, the studies to date are scarce and inconclusive and the implications of many of these changes are still not fully understood. In this review, we summarize epigenetic changes reported to date in the brain of vertebrate and invertebrate models used to study neurodegenerative diseases, specifically diseases affecting the aging population. We also discuss caveats of epigenetic research so far and the use of disease models to understand neurodegenerative diseases, with the aim of improving the use of model organisms in this context in future studies.

Synthetic antibody-derived immunopeptide provides neuroprotection in glaucoma through molecular interaction with retinal protein histone H3.1

Glaucoma is a group of optic neuropathies characterized by the progressive degeneration of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) as well as their axons leading to irreversible loss of sight. Medical management of the intraocular pressure (IOP) still represents the gold standard in glaucoma therapy, which only manages a single risk factor and does not directly address the neurodegenerative component of this eye disease. Recently, our group showed that antibody-derived immunopeptides (encoding complementarity-determining regions, CDRs) provide attractive glaucoma medication candidates and directly interfere its pathogenic mechanisms by different modes of action. In accordance with these findings, the present study showed the synthetic complementary-determining region 2 (CDR2) peptide (INSDGSSTSYADSVK) significantly increased RGC viability in vitro in a concentration-dependent manner (p < 0.05 using a CDR2 concentration of 50 μg/mL). Employing state-of the-art immunoprecipitation experiments, we confirmed that synthetic CDR2 exhibited a high affinity toward the retinal target protein histone H3.1 (HIST1H3A) (p < 0.001 and log2-fold change > 3). Furthermore, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations along with virtual docking analyses predicted potential CDR2-specific binding regions of HIST1H3A, which might represent essential post-translational modification (PTM) sites for epigenetic regulations. Quantitative mass spectrometry (MS) analysis of retinas demonstrated 39 proteins significantly affected by CDR2 treatment (p < 0.05). An up-regulation of proteins involved in the energy production (e.g., ATP5F1B and MT-CO2) as well as the regulatory ubiquitin proteasome system (e.g., PSMC5) was induced by the synthetic CDR2 peptide. On the other hand, CDR2 reduced metabolic key enzymes (e.g., DDAH1 and MAOB) as well as ER stress-related proteins (e.g., SEC22B and VCP) and these data were partially confirmed by microarray technology. Our outcome measurements indicate that specific protein-peptide interactions influence the regulatory epigenetic function of HIST1H3A promoting the neuroprotective mechanism on RGCs in vitro. In addition to IOP management, such synthetic peptides as CDR2 might serve as a synergistic immunotherapy for glaucoma in the future.

The role of histone modifications: from neurodevelopment to neurodiseases

Epigenetic regulatory mechanisms, including DNA methylation, histone modification, chromatin remodeling, and microRNA expression, play critical roles in cell differentiation and organ development through spatial and temporal gene regulation. Neurogenesis is a sophisticated and complex process by which neural stem cells differentiate into specialized brain cell types at specific times and regions of the brain. A growing body of evidence suggests that epigenetic mechanisms, such as histone modifications, allow the fine-tuning and coordination of spatiotemporal gene expressions during neurogenesis. Aberrant histone modifications contribute to the development of neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric diseases. Herein, recent progress in understanding histone modifications in regulating embryonic and adult neurogenesis is comprehensively reviewed. The histone modifications implicated in neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric diseases are also covered, and future directions in this area are provided.

Preferential Involvement of BRCA1/BARD1, Not Tip60/Fe65, in DNA Double-Strand Break Repair in Presenilin-1 P117L Alzheimer Models

Recently, we showed that DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) are increased by the Aβ₄₂-amyloid peptide and decreased by all-trans retinoic acid (RA) in SH-SY5Y cells and C57BL/6J mice. The present work was aimed at investigating DSBs in cells and murine models of Alzheimer's disease carrying the preseniline-1 (PS1) P117L mutation. We observed that DSBs could hardly decrease following RA treatment in the mutated cells compared to the wild-type cells. The activation of the amyloidogenic pathway is proposed in the former case as Aβ₄₂- and RA-dependent DSBs changes were reproduced by an α-secretase and a γ-secretase inhibitions, respectively. Unexpectedly, the PS1 P117L cells showed lower DSB levels than the controls. As the DSB repair proteins Tip60 and Fe65 were less expressed in the mutated cell nuclei, they do not appear to contribute to this difference. On the contrary, full-length BRCA1 and BARD1 proteins were significantly increased in the chromatin compartment of the mutated cells, suggesting that they decrease DSBs in the pathological situation. These Western blot data were corroborated by in situ proximity ligation assays: the numbers of BRCA1-BARD1, not of Fe65-Tip60 heterodimers, were increased only in the mutated cell nuclei. RA also enhanced the expression of BARD1 and of the 90 kDa BRCA1 isoform. The increased BRCA1 expression in the mutated cells can be related to the enhanced difficulty to inhibit this pathway by BRCA1 siRNA in these cells. Overall, our study suggests that at earlier stages of the disease, similarly to PS1 P117L cells, a compensatory mechanism exists that decreases DSB levels via an activation of the BRCA1/BARD1 pathway. This supports the importance of this pathway in neuroprotection against Alzheimer's disease.

The pleiotropic neuroprotective effects of resveratrol in cognitive decline and Alzheimer's disease pathology: From antioxidant to epigenetic therapy

While the elderly segment of the population continues growing in importance, neurodegenerative diseases increase exponentially. Lifestyle factors such as nutrition, exercise, and education, among others, influence ageing progression, throughout life. Notably, the Central Nervous System (CNS) can benefit from nutritional strategies and dietary interventions that prevent signs of senescence, such as cognitive decline or neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's Disease. The dietary polyphenol Resveratrol (RV) possesses antioxidant and cytoprotective effects, producing neuroprotection in several organisms. The oxidative stress (OS) occurs because of Reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation that has been proposed to explain the cause of the ageing. One of the most harmful effects of ROS in the cell is DNA damage. Nevertheless, there is also evidence demonstrating that OS can produce other molecular changes such as mitochondrial dysfunction, inflammation, apoptosis, and epigenetic modifications, among others. Interestingly, the dietary polyphenol RV is a potent antioxidant and possesses pleiotropic actions, exerting its activity through various molecular pathways. In addition, recent evidence has shown that RV mediates epigenetic changes involved in ageing and the function of the CNS that persists across generations. Furthermore, it has been demonstrated that RV interacts with gut microbiota, showing modifications in bacterial composition associated with beneficial effects. In this review, we give a comprehensive overview of the main mechanisms of action of RV in different experimental models, including clinical trials and discuss how the interconnection of these molecular events could explain the neuroprotective effects induced by RV.

Histone Methylation Regulation in Neurodegenerative Disorders

Advances achieved with molecular biology and genomics technologies have permitted investigators to discover epigenetic mechanisms, such as DNA methylation and histone posttranslational modifications, which are critical for gene expression in almost all tissues and in brain health and disease. These advances have influenced much interest in understanding the dysregulation of epigenetic mechanisms in neurodegenerative disorders. Although these disorders diverge in their fundamental causes and pathophysiology, several involve the dysregulation of histone methylation-mediated gene expression. Interestingly, epigenetic remodeling via histone methylation in specific brain regions has been suggested to play a critical function in the neurobiology of psychiatric disorders, including that related to neurodegenerative diseases. Prominently, epigenetic dysregulation currently brings considerable interest as an essential player in neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), Huntington's disease (HD), Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and drugs of abuse, including alcohol abuse disorder, where it may facilitate connections between genetic and environmental risk factors or directly influence disease-specific pathological factors. We have discussed the current state of histone methylation, therapeutic strategies, and future perspectives for these disorders. While not somatically heritable, the enzymes responsible for histone methylation regulation, such as histone methyltransferases and demethylases in neurons, are dynamic and reversible. They have become promising potential therapeutic targets to treat or prevent several neurodegenerative disorders. These findings, along with clinical data, may provide links between molecular-level changes and behavioral differences and provide novel avenues through which the epigenome may be targeted early on in people at risk for neurodegenerative disorders.

Inhibition of Histone Methyltransferases EHMT1/2 Reverses Amyloid-β-Induced Loss of AMPAR Currents in Human Stem Cell-Derived Cortical Neurons

Emerging evidence suggests that epigenetic dysregulation of gene expression is one of the key molecular mechanisms of neurodegeneration and Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, little is known about the role of epigenetic dysregulation on synaptic dysfunction in humans, because of the difficulties of obtaining live human neurons. Here we generated mature human cortical neurons differentiated from human embryonic stem cells, and exposed them to amyloid-β (Aβ). We found that the histone methyltransferase, EHMT1, which catalyzes histone lysine 9 dimethylation (H3K9me2, a mark for gene repression), was significantly elevated in Aβ-treated human stem cell-derived neurons. Aβ treatment led to a significant reduction of AMPAR-mediated whole-cell current and excitatory postsynaptic current. Application of BIX01294, a selective inhibitor of EHMT1/2, restored AMPAR currents and glutamatergic synaptic transmission in Aβ-treated human cortical neurons. These results suggest that inhibition of the aberrant histone methylation is a novel approach to reverse Aβ-induced synaptic deficits in human neurons.

Alzheimer's disease: the potential of epigenetic treatments and current clinical candidates

Alzheimer's disease is a progressive and fatal neurodegenerative disease affecting 50 million people worldwide, characterized by memory loss and neuronal degeneration. Current treatments have limited efficacy and there is no cure. Alzheimer's is likely caused by a combination of factors, providing several potential therapeutic targets. One area of interest is the epigenetic regulation of gene expression within the brain. Epigenetic marks, including DNA methylation and histone modifications, show consistent changes with age and in those with Alzheimer's. Some epigenetic regulation has been linked to disease pathology and progression and are the focus of current research. Epigenetic regulators might make promising therapeutic targets yet challenges need to be overcome to generate an efficacious drug lacking deleterious side effects.

Dysregulation of histone acetylation pathways in hippocampus and frontal cortex of Alzheimer's disease patients

Memory impairment is the main feature of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Initial impairments originate in the temporal lobe area and propagate throughout the brain in a sequential manner. Epigenetic mechanisms, especially histone acetylation, regulate plasticity and memory processes. These may be dismantled during the disease. The aim of this work was to establish changes in the acetylation-associated pathway in two key brain regions affected in AD: the hippocampus and the F2 area of frontal cortex in end-stage AD patients and age-matched controls. We found that the F2 area was more affected than the hippocampus. Indeed, CREB-Binding Protein (CBP), P300/CBP-associated protein (PCAF), Histone Deacetylase 1 (HDAC1) and HDAC2 (but not HDAC3) levels were strongly decreased in F2 area of AD compared to controls patients, whereas only HDAC1 was decreased and CBP showed a downward trend in the hippocampus. At the histone level, we detected a substantial increase in total (H3 and H2B) histone levels in the frontal cortex, but these were decreased in nuclear extracts, pointing to a dysregulation in histone trafficking/catabolism in this brain region. Histone H3 acetylation levels were increased in cell nuclei mainly in the frontal cortex. These findings provide evidence for acetylation dysfunctions at the level of associated enzymes and of histones in AD brains, which may underlie transcriptional dysregulations and AD-related cognitive impairments. They further point to stronger dysregulations in the F2 area of the frontal cortex than in the hippocampus at an end-stage of the disease, suggesting a differential vulnerability and/or compensatory mechanisms efficiency towards epigenetic alterations.

Neuroprotection with Natural Antioxidants and Nutraceuticals in the Context of Brain Cell Degeneration: The Epigenetic Connection

Bioactive antioxidant agents present in selected plants are known to provide the first line of biological defense against oxidative stress. In particular, soluble vitamin C, E, carotenoids and phenolic compounds have demonstrated crucial biological effects in cells against oxidative damage, preventing prevalent chronic diseases, such as diabetes, cancer and cardiovascular disease. The reported wide range of effects that included anti-aging, anti-atherosclerosis, anti-inflammatory and anticancer activity were studied against degenerative pathologies of the brain. Vitamins and different phytochemicals are important epigenetic modifiers that prevent neurodegeneration. In order to explore the potential antioxidant sources in functional foods and nutraceuticals against neurodegeneration, the present paper aims to show a comprehensive assessment of antioxidant activity at chemical and cellular levels. The effects of the different bioactive compounds available and their antioxidant activity through an epigenetic point of view are also discussed.

Healthy Effects of Plant Polyphenols: Molecular Mechanisms

The increasing extension in life expectancy of human beings in developed countries is accompanied by a progressively greater rate of degenerative diseases associated with lifestyle and aging, most of which are still waiting for effective, not merely symptomatic, therapies. Accordingly, at present, the recommendations aimed at reducing the prevalence of these conditions in the population are limited to a safer lifestyle including physical/mental exercise, a reduced caloric intake, and a proper diet in a convivial environment. The claimed health benefits of the Mediterranean and Asian diets have been confirmed in many clinical trials and epidemiological surveys. These diets are characterized by several features, including low meat consumption, the intake of oils instead of fats as lipid sources, moderate amounts of red wine, and significant amounts of fresh fruit and vegetables. In particular, the latter have attracted popular and scientific attention for their content, though in reduced amounts, of a number of molecules increasingly investigated for their healthy properties. Among the latter, plant polyphenols have raised remarkable interest in the scientific community; in fact, several clinical trials have confirmed that many health benefits of the Mediterranean/Asian diets can be traced back to the presence of significant amounts of these molecules, even though, in some cases, contradictory results have been reported, which highlights the need for further investigation. In light of the results of these trials, recent research has sought to provide information on the biochemical, molecular, epigenetic, and cell biology modifications by plant polyphenols in cell, organismal, animal, and human models of cancer, metabolic, and neurodegenerative pathologies, notably Alzheimer's and Parkinson disease. The findings reported in the last decade are starting to help to decipher the complex relations between plant polyphenols and cell homeostatic systems including metabolic and redox equilibrium, proteostasis, and the inflammatory response, establishing an increasingly solid molecular basis for the healthy effects of these molecules. Taken together, the data currently available, though still incomplete, are providing a rationale for the possible use of natural polyphenols, or their molecular scaffolds, as nutraceuticals to contrast aging and to combat many associated pathologies.

The Amyloid-β Oligomer Hypothesis: Beginning of the Third Decade

The amyloid-β oligomer (AβO) hypothesis was introduced in 1998. It proposed that the brain damage leading to Alzheimer’s disease (AD) was instigated by soluble, ligand-like AβOs. This hypothesis was based on the discovery that fibril-free synthetic preparations of AβOs were potent CNS neurotoxins that rapidly inhibited long-term potentiation and, with time, caused selective nerve cell death (Lambert et al., 1998). The mechanism was attributed to disrupted signaling involving the tyrosine-protein kinase Fyn, mediated by an unknown toxin receptor. Over 4,000 articles concerning AβOs have been published since then, including more than 400 reviews. AβOs have been shown to accumulate in an AD-dependent manner in human and animal model brain tissue and, experimentally, to impair learning and memory and instigate major facets of AD neuropathology, including tau pathology, synapse deterioration and loss, inflammation, and oxidative damage. As reviewed by Hayden and Teplow in 2013, the AβO hypothesis “has all but supplanted the amyloid cascade.” Despite the emerging understanding of the role played by AβOs in AD pathogenesis, AβOs have not yet received the clinical attention given to amyloid plaques, which have been at the core of major attempts at therapeutics and diagnostics but are no longer regarded as the most pathogenic form of Aβ. However, if the momentum of AβO research continues, particularly efforts to elucidate key aspects of structure, a clear path to a successful disease modifying therapy can be envisioned. Ensuring that lessons learned from recent, late-stage clinical failures are applied appropriately throughout therapeutic development will further enable the likelihood of a successful therapy in the near-term.

Formaldehyde, Epigenetics, and Alzheimer's Disease

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia. The accumulation of β-amyloid plaques and intracellular neurofibrillary tangles of hyperphosphorylated tau protein are two hallmarks of AD. The β-amyloid and tau proteins have been at the center of AD research and drug development for decades. However, most of the clinical trials targeting β-amyloid have failed. Whereas the safety and efficacy of most tau-targeting drugs have not yet been completely assessed, the first tau aggregation inhibitor, LMTX, failed in a late-stage trial, leading to further recognition of the complexities of AD and reconsideration of the amyloid hypothesis and perhaps the tau hypothesis as well. Multilevel complex interactions between genetic, epigenetic, and environmental factors contribute to the occurrence and progression of AD. Formaldehyde (FA) is a widespread environmental organic pollutant. It is also an endogenous metabolite in the human body. Recent studies suggest that elevation of FA in the body by endogenous and/or exogenous exposure may play important roles in AD development. We have demonstrated that FA reduces lysine acetylation of cytosolic histones, thereby compromising chromatin assembly and resulting in the loss of histone content in chromatin, a conserved feature of aging from yeast to humans. Aging is an important factor for AD progression. Therefore, FA-induced inhibition of chromatin assembly and the loss of histones may contribute to AD initiation and/or development. This review will briefly summarize current knowledge on mechanistic insights into AD, focusing on epigenetic alterations and the involvement of FA in AD development. The exploration of chemical exposures as contributing factors to AD may provide new insights into AD mechanisms and could identify potential novel therapeutic targets.

Inhibition of EHMT1/2 rescues synaptic and cognitive functions for Alzheimer's disease

Epigenetic dysregulation, which leads to the alteration of gene expression in the brain, is suggested as one of the key pathophysiological bases of ageing and neurodegeneration. Here we found that, in the late-stage familial Alzheimer's disease (FAD) mouse model, repressive histone H3 dimethylation at lysine 9 (H3K9me2) and euchromatic histone methyltransferases EHMT1 and EHMT2 were significantly elevated in the prefrontal cortex, a key cognitive region affected in Alzheimer's disease. Elevated levels of H3K9me2 were also detected in the prefrontal cortex region of post-mortem tissues from human patients with Alzheimer's disease. Concomitantly, H3K9me2 at glutamate receptors was increased in prefrontal cortex of aged FAD mice, which was linked to the diminished transcription, expression and function of AMPA and NMDA receptors. Treatment of FAD mice with specific EHMT1/2 inhibitors reversed histone hyper-methylation and led to the recovery of glutamate receptor expression and excitatory synaptic function in prefrontal cortex and hippocampus. Chromatin immunoprecipitation-sequencing (ChIP-seq) data indicated that FAD mice exhibited genome-wide increase of H3K9me2 enrichment at genes involved in neuronal signalling (including glutamate receptors), which was reversed by EHMT1/2 inhibition. Moreover, the impaired recognition memory, working memory, and spatial memory in aged FAD mice were rescued by the treatment with EHMT1/2 inhibitors. These results suggest that disrupted epigenetic regulation of glutamate receptor transcription underlies the synaptic and cognitive deficits in Alzheimer's disease, and targeting histone methylation enzymes may represent a novel therapeutic strategy for this prevalent neurodegenerative disorder.

Pharmacoepigenomic Interventions as Novel Potential Treatments for Alzheimer's and Parkinson's Diseases

Cerebrovascular and neurodegenerative disorders affect one billion people around the world and result from a combination of genomic, epigenomic, metabolic, and environmental factors. Diagnosis at late stages of disease progression, limited knowledge of gene biomarkers and molecular mechanisms of the pathology, and conventional compounds based on symptomatic rather than mechanistic features, determine the lack of success of current treatments, including current FDA-approved conventional drugs. The epigenetic approach opens new avenues for the detection of early presymptomatic pathological events that would allow the implementation of novel strategies in order to stop or delay the pathological process. The reversibility and potential restoring of epigenetic aberrations along with their potential use as targets for pharmacological and dietary interventions sited the use of epidrugs as potential novel candidates for successful treatments of multifactorial disorders involving neurodegeneration. This manuscript includes a description of the most relevant epigenetic mechanisms involved in the most prevalent neurodegenerative disorders worldwide, as well as the main potential epigenetic-based compounds under investigation for treatment of those disorders and their limitations.

Histone Hyperacetylation as a Response to Global Brain Ischemia Associated with Hyperhomocysteinemia in Rats

Epigenetic regulations play an important role in both normal and pathological conditions of an organism, and are influenced by various exogenous and endogenous factors. Hyperhomocysteinemia (hHcy), as a risk factor for several pathological conditions affecting the central nervous system, is supposed to alter the epigenetic signature of the given tissue, which therefore worsens the subsequent damage. To investigate the effect of hHcy in combination with ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) and histone acetylation, we used the hHcy animal model of global forebrain ischemia in rats. Cresyl violet staining showed massive neural disintegration in the M1 (primary motor cortex) region as well as in the CA1 (cornu ammonis 1) area of the hippocampus induced by IRI. Neural loss was significantly higher in the group with induced hHcy. Moreover, immunohistochemistry and Western blot analysis of the brain cortex showed prominent changes in the acetylation of histones H3 and H4, at lysine 9 and 12, respectively, as a result of IRI and induced hHcy. It seems that the differences in histone acetylation patterns in the cortical region have a preferred role in pathological processes induced by IRI associated with hHcy and could be considered in therapeutic strategies.

The Contribution and Therapeutic Potential of Epigenetic Modifications in Alzheimer's Disease

Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder, affecting 50 million people worldwide, for which there is no cure, or effective treatment. Individuals suffering from Alzheimer’s show a decline in cognition over time beginning with memory loss and ultimately leading to severe dementia, and inability to care for themselves. The cause of Alzheimer’s is not known but likely involves a combination of genetic, biochemical, and environmental factors. Some genes have been identified as risk factors but monozygotic twins discordant for Alzheimer’s disease suggest other factors must contribute to development of the disease. Investigation on epigenetic marks including DNA methylation and post-translational modifications of histones have shown that the patterns of these modifications change with age in the human population. Though individuals show specific differences in epigenetic marks at the individual gene level, there is a consistent pattern of epigenetic changes at the genome scale across the population. Similar changes have been identified in patients with Alzheimer’s disease, though these occur at an earlier age compared to healthy individuals. The early cognitive impairment in Alzheimer’s disease can be mistaken for premature ageing correlating with the timing of epigenetic changes occurring at a younger age in individuals with Alzheimer’s. Such observations suggest that the epigenetic changes may contribute to disease pathology. Exactly how epigenetic modifications contribute to specific aspects of Alzheimer’s disease is the focus of many researcher groups across the world. A number of drugs are available that inhibit the enzymes that modify chromatin and change the epigenetic landscape of the genome. Therefore, an understanding of the role of chromatin modifications in Alzheimer’s could offer an opportunity for novel therapeutic strategies. Research using animal models of Alzheimer’s suggests that the epigenetic changes in Alzheimer’s disease may have a profound impact on cognition and underlie cognitive impairment while there is no clear evidence that they might contribute directly to neuronal loss.

Current Concepts of Neurodegenerative Mechanisms in Alzheimer's Disease

Neurodegenerative diseases are hereditary or sporadic conditions that result in the progressive loss of the structure and function of neurons as well as neuronal death. Although a range of diseases lie under this umbrella term, Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Parkinson's disease (PD) are the most common neurodegenerative diseases that affect a large population around the globe. Alzheimer's disease is characterized by the abnormal accumulation of extracellular amyloid-β plaques and intraneuronal neurofibrillary tangles in brain regions and manifests as a type of dementia in aged individuals that results in memory loss, multiple cognitive abnormalities, and intellectual disabilities that interfere with quality of life. Since the discovery of AD, a wealth of new information has emerged that delineates the causes, mechanisms of disease, and potential therapeutic agents, but an effective remedy to cure the diseases has not been identified yet. This could be because of the complexity of the disease process, as it involves various contributing factors that include environmental factors and genetic predispositions. This review summarizes the current understanding on neurodegenerative mechanisms that lead to the emergence of the pathology of AD.

Engineering Recombinant Protein Sensors for Quantifying Histone Acetylation

H3K14ac (acetylation of lysine 14 of histone H3) is one of the most important epigentic modifications. Aberrant changes in H3K14ac have been associated with various diseases, including cancers and neurological disorders. Tools that enable detection and quantification of H3K14ac levels in cell extracts and in situ are thus of critical importance to reveal its role in various biological processes. Current detection techniques of specific histone modifications, however, are constrained by tedious sample pretreatments, lack of quantitative accuracy, and reliance on high quality antibodies. To address this issue, we engineered recombinant sensors that are suitable for probing histone acetylation levels using various biological samples. The protein sensor contains recongition domain(s) with sequences derived from the bromodomain of human polybromo-1 (PB1), a natural H3K14ac reader domain. Various sensor designs were tested using nuclear extracts and live cells. The sensor containing dimeric repeats of bromodomain was found most effective in quantifying H3K14ac level in both in vitro and in situ assays. The sensor has a linear detection range of 0.5-50 nM when mixed with nuclear extracts. The sensor colocalizes with H3K14ac antibodies in situ when transfected into human embryonic kidney 293T (HEK293T) cells and is thus capable of providing spatial details of histone modification within the nucleus. Corrected nuclear fluorescence intensity was used to quantify the modification level in situ and found to correlate well with our in vitro assays. Our sensor offers a novel tool to characterize the histone modification level using nuclear extracts and probe histone modification change in live cells.

Age-related epigenetic regulation in the brain and its role in neuronal diseases

Accumulating evidence indicates many brain functions are mediated by epigenetic regulation of neural genes, and their dysregulations result in neuronal disorders. Experiences such as learning and recall, as well as physical exercise, induce neuronal activation through epigenetic modifications and by changing the noncoding RNA profiles. Animal models, brain samples from patients, and the development of diverse analytical methods have broadened our understanding of epigenetic regulation in the brain. Diverse and specific epigenetic changes are suggested to correlate with neuronal development, learning and memory, aging and age-related neuronal diseases. Although the results show some discrepancies, a careful comparison of the data (including methods, regions and conditions examined) would clarify the problems confronted in understanding epigenetic regulation in the brain.

Alzheimer's Disease and Histone Code Alterations

Substantial progress has been made in identifying Alzheimer's disease (AD) risk-associated variants using genome-wide association studies (GWAS). The majority of these risk variants reside in noncoding regions of the genome making their functional evaluation difficult; however, they also infer the presence of unconventional regulatory regions that may reside at these locations. We know from these studies that rare familial cases of AD account for less than 5% of all AD cases and autosomal dominant mutations in APP, PSEN1 and PSEN2 account for less than 10% of the genetic basis of these familial cases [1]. The sporadic form of AD, while more complex, still has a substantial genetic component evidenced by observational studies where 30-48% of AD patients have a first degree relative who is also affected [2]. In addition, the strongest risk factor after age is the APOE E4 polymorphism, and more than 20 other risk variants have been identified to date, reviewed in two recent papers [3, 4]. Monozygotic twin studies have revealed a discordance for AD, implicating that a combination of epigenetic and genetic factors are likely involved in the development of AD [5].

Targeting New Candidate Genes by Small Molecules Approaching Neurodegenerative Diseases

Neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) are among the most feared of the disorders that afflict humankind for the lack of specific diagnostic tests and effective treatments. Understanding the molecular, cellular, biochemical changes of NDs may hold therapeutic promise against debilitating central nerve system (CNS) disorders. In the present review, we summarized the clinical presentations and biology backgrounds of NDs, including Parkinson's disease (PD), Huntington's disease (HD), and Alzheimer's disease (AD) and explored the role of molecular mechanisms, including dys-regulation of epigenetic control mechanisms, Ataxia-telangiectasia-mutated protein kinase (ATM), and neuroinflammation in the pathogenesis of NDs. Targeting these mechanisms may hold therapeutic promise against these devastating diseases.

The epigenetic dimension of Alzheimer's disease: causal, consequence, or curiosity?

Early-onset, familial Alzheimer's disease (AD) is rare and may be attributed to disease-causinq mutations. By contrast, late onset, sporadic (non-Mendelian) AD is far more prevalent and reflects the interaction of multiple genetic and environmental risk factors, together with the disruption of epigenetic mechanisms controlling gene expression. Accordingly, abnormal patterns of histone acetylation and methylation, as well as anomalies in global and promoter-specific DNA methylation, have been documented in AD patients, together with a deregulation of noncoding RNA. In transgenic mouse models for AD, epigenetic dysfunction is likewise apparent in cerebral tissue, and it has been directly linked to cognitive and behavioral deficits in functional studies. Importantly, epigenetic deregulation interfaces with core pathophysiological processes underlying AD: excess production of Aβ42, aberrant post-translational modification of tau, deficient neurotoxic protein clearance, axonal-synaptic dysfunction, mitochondrial-dependent apoptosis, and cell cycle re-entry. Reciprocally, DNA methylation, histone marks and the levels of diverse species of microRNA are modulated by Aβ42, oxidative stress and neuroinflammation. In conclusion, epigenetic mechanisms are broadly deregulated in AD mainly upstream, but also downstream, of key pathophysiological processes. While some epigenetic shifts oppose the evolution of AD, most appear to drive its progression. Epigenetic changes are of irrefutable importance for AD, but they await further elucidation from the perspectives of pathogenesis, biomarkers and potential treatment.

Epigenetic mechanisms in neurological and neurodegenerative diseases

The role of epigenetic mechanisms in the function and homeostasis of the central nervous system (CNS) and its regulation in diseases is one of the most interesting processes of contemporary neuroscience. In the last decade, a growing body of literature suggests that long-term changes in gene transcription associated with CNS's regulation and neurological disorders are mediated via modulation of chromatin structure. "Epigenetics", introduced for the first time by Waddington in the early 1940s, has been traditionally referred to a variety of mechanisms that allow heritable changes in gene expression even in the absence of DNA mutation. However, new definitions acknowledge that many of these mechanisms used to perpetuate epigenetic traits in dividing cells are used by neurons to control a variety of functions dependent on gene expression. Indeed, in the recent years these mechanisms have shown their importance in the maintenance of a healthy CNS. Moreover, environmental inputs that have shown effects in CNS diseases, such as nutrition, that can modulate the concentration of a variety of metabolites such as acetyl-coenzyme A (acetyl-coA), nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD(+)) and beta hydroxybutyrate (β-HB), regulates some of these epigenetic modifications, linking in a precise way environment with gene expression. This manuscript will portray what is currently understood about the role of epigenetic mechanisms in the function and homeostasis of the CNS and their participation in a variety of neurological disorders. We will discuss how the machinery that controls these modifications plays an important role in processes involved in neurological disorders such as neurogenesis and cell growth. Moreover, we will discuss how environmental inputs modulate these modifications producing metabolic and physiological alterations that could exert beneficial effects on neurological diseases. Finally, we will highlight possible future directions in the field of epigenetics and neurological disorders.

Oleuropein aglycone protects against pyroglutamylated-3 amyloid-ß toxicity: biochemical, epigenetic and functional correlates

Amyloid-ß (Aß) fragments, oligomeric Aß aggregates, and pyroglutamylated-Aß peptides, as well as epigenetic mechanisms and autophagy dysfunction all appear to contribute in various ways to Alzheimer's disease progression. We previously showed that dietary supplementation of oleuropein aglycone, a natural phenol abundant in the extra virgin olive oil, can be protective by reducing Aß42 deposits in the brain of young and middle-aged TgCRND8 mice. Here, we extended our study to aged TgCRND8 mice showing increased pE3-Aß in the brain deposits. We report that oleuropein aglycone is active against glutaminylcyclase-catalyzed pE3-Aß generation reducing enzyme expression and interferes both with Aß42 and pE3-Aß aggregation. Moreover, the phenol astonishingly activates neuronal autophagy even in mice at advanced stage of pathology, where it increases histone 3 and 4 acetylation, which matches both a decrease of histone deacetylase 2 expression and a significant improvement of synaptic function. The occurrence of these functional, epigenetic, and histopathologic beneficial effects even at a late stage of the pathology suggests that the phenol could be beneficial at the therapeutic, in addition to the prevention, level.

Epigenetic mechanisms in Alzheimer's disease

The worldwide increase in life expectancy is leading to an increase in age-dependent diseases, including nonfamilial, sporadic Alzheimer’s disease (AD), which is the subject of this review. The etiology and pathophysiology of the disease is not fully understood, but present observations suggest that, in addition to genetic risk factors, environmental influences may be involved via epigenetic mechanisms. Currently, there is no effective treatment, but there are indications that lifestyle has an impact on the development of the disease. This view is supported by preclinical studies not only showing that human lifestyle-equivalent interventions have a positive effect on cognitive function in animal models of AD, but also indicating the involvement of underlying epigenetic mechanisms. After a brief overview of the most characteristic chromatin modifications, ie, DNA methylation and histone modifications, epigenetic changes associated with aging are considered, given that aging is the most important risk factor for AD. This is followed by a description of some epigenetic alterations recognized in AD. The impact of environmental factors and lifestyle on the epigenome is then considered. Epigenetic treatments with HDAC inhibitors and RNA-based drugs are considered, which – while still in preclinical stages – are promising for potential benefit. It is concluded that while awaiting results from clinical trials in progress, focusing on lifestyle adjustments with an epigenetic background are the best way to prevent/delay the onset of this devastating disease.