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Buchholz S, Zempel H. The six brain-specific TAU isoforms and their role in Alzheimer's disease and related neurodegenerative dementia syndromes. Alzheimers Dement 2024; 20:3606-3628. [PMID: 38556838 PMCID: PMC11095451 DOI: 10.1002/alz.13784] [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: 12/08/2023] [Revised: 02/08/2024] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 04/02/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Alternative splicing of the human MAPT gene generates six brain-specific TAU isoforms. Imbalances in the TAU isoform ratio can lead to neurodegenerative diseases, underscoring the need for precise control over TAU isoform balance. Tauopathies, characterized by intracellular aggregates of hyperphosphorylated TAU, exhibit extensive neurodegeneration and can be classified by the TAU isoforms present in pathological accumulations. METHODS A comprehensive review of TAU and related dementia syndromes literature was conducted using PubMed, Google Scholar, and preprint server. RESULTS While TAU is recognized as key driver of neurodegeneration in specific tauopathies, the contribution of the isoforms to neuronal function and disease development remains largely elusive. DISCUSSION In this review we describe the role of TAU isoforms in health and disease, and stress the importance of comprehending and studying TAU isoforms in both, physiological and pathological context, in order to develop targeted therapeutic interventions for TAU-associated diseases. HIGHLIGHTS MAPT splicing is tightly regulated during neuronal maturation and throughout life. TAU isoform expression is development-, cell-type and brain region specific. The contribution of TAU to neurodegeneration might be isoform-specific. Ineffective TAU-based therapies highlight the need for specific targeting strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Buchholz
- Institute of Human GeneticsFaculty of Medicine and University Hospital CologneUniversity of CologneCologneGermany
- Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC)University of CologneCologneGermany
- Present address:
Department Schaefer, Neurobiology of AgeingMax Planck Institute for Biology of AgeingCologneGermany
| | - Hans Zempel
- Institute of Human GeneticsFaculty of Medicine and University Hospital CologneUniversity of CologneCologneGermany
- Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC)University of CologneCologneGermany
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2
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Jin M, Wang S, Gao X, Zou Z, Hirotsune S, Sun L. Pathological and physiological functional cross-talks of α-synuclein and tau in the central nervous system. Neural Regen Res 2024; 19:855-862. [PMID: 37843221 PMCID: PMC10664117 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.382231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2022] [Revised: 05/05/2023] [Accepted: 07/12/2023] [Indexed: 10/17/2023] Open
Abstract
α-Synuclein and tau are abundant multifunctional brain proteins that are mainly expressed in the presynaptic and axonal compartments of neurons, respectively. Previous works have revealed that intracellular deposition of α-synuclein and/or tau causes many neurodegenerative disorders, including Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease. Despite intense investigation, the normal physiological functions and roles of α-synuclein and tau are still unclear, owing to the fact that mice with knockout of either of these proteins do not present apparent phenotypes. Interestingly, the co-occurrence of α-synuclein and tau aggregates was found in post-mortem brains with synucleinopathies and tauopathies, some of which share similarities in clinical manifestations. Furthermore, the direct interaction of α-synuclein with tau is considered to promote the fibrillization of each of the proteins in vitro and in vivo. On the other hand, our recent findings have revealed that α-synuclein and tau are cooperatively involved in brain development in a stage-dependent manner. These findings indicate strong cross-talk between the two proteins in physiology and pathology. In this review, we provide a summary of the recent findings on the functional roles of α-synuclein and tau in the physiological conditions and pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases. A deep understanding of the interplay between α-synuclein and tau in physiological and pathological conditions might provide novel targets for clinical diagnosis and therapeutic strategies to treat neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingyue Jin
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Neuroscience, Guilin Medical University, Guilin, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China
- Department of Genetic Disease Research, Osaka Metropolitan University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
| | - Shengming Wang
- Department of Genetic Disease Research, Osaka Metropolitan University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
| | - Xiaodie Gao
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Neuroscience, Guilin Medical University, Guilin, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China
| | - Zhenyou Zou
- Department of Scientific Research, Brain Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Liuzhou, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China
| | - Shinji Hirotsune
- Department of Genetic Disease Research, Osaka Metropolitan University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
| | - Liyuan Sun
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Neuroscience, Guilin Medical University, Guilin, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China
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Chang K, Barrett A, Pham K, Troncoso JC. Lateral geniculate body is spared of tau pathology in Pick disease. J Neuropathol Exp Neurol 2024; 83:238-244. [PMID: 38412343 PMCID: PMC10951972 DOI: 10.1093/jnen/nlae016] [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] [Indexed: 02/29/2024] Open
Abstract
The pathobiology of tau is of great importance for understanding the mechanisms of neurodegeneration in aging and age-associated disorders such as Alzheimer disease (AD) and frontotemporal dementias. It is critical to identify neuronal populations and brain regions that are vulnerable or resistant to tau pathological changes. Pick disease (PiD) is a three-repeat (3R) tauopathy that belongs to the group of frontotemporal lobar degenerations. The neuropathologic changes of PiD are characterized by globular tau-positive neuronal intracytoplasmic inclusions, called Pick bodies, in the granule cells of the dentate gyrus and frontal and temporal neocortices, and ballooned neurons, named Pick neurons, in the neocortex. In the present study, we examined 13 autopsy-confirmed cases of PiD. Using immunohistochemistry for phospho-tau (AT8) and 3R tau isoform, all PiD cases demonstrated extensive lesions involving the hippocampus and neocortex. However, the lateral geniculate body (LGB) is spared of significant tau lesions in contrast to the neighboring hippocampus and other thalamic nuclei. Only 1 PiD case (7.7%) had tau-positive neurons, and 4 cases had tau-positive neurites (31%) in the LGB. By contrast, the LGB does consistently harbor tau lesions in other tauopathies including progressive supranuclear palsy, corticobasal degeneration, and AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Koping Chang
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Department and Graduate Institute of Pathology, National Taiwan University Hospital, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Alexander Barrett
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Khoa Pham
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Juan C Troncoso
- Department of Pathology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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4
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Katchur NJ, Notterman DA. Recent insights from non-mammalian models of brain injuries: an emerging literature. Front Neurol 2024; 15:1378620. [PMID: 38566857 PMCID: PMC10985199 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2024.1378620] [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: 01/29/2024] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a major global health concern and is increasingly recognized as a risk factor for neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer's disease (AD) and chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). Repetitive TBIs (rTBIs), commonly observed in contact sports, military service, and intimate partner violence (IPV), pose a significant risk for long-term sequelae. To study the long-term consequences of TBI and rTBI, researchers have typically used mammalian models to recapitulate brain injury and neurodegenerative phenotypes. However, there are several limitations to these models, including: (1) lengthy observation periods, (2) high cost, (3) difficult genetic manipulations, and (4) ethical concerns regarding prolonged and repeated injury of a large number of mammals. Aquatic vertebrate model organisms, including Petromyzon marinus (sea lampreys), zebrafish (Danio rerio), and invertebrates, Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans), and Drosophila melanogaster (Drosophila), are emerging as valuable tools for investigating the mechanisms of rTBI and tauopathy. These non-mammalian models offer unique advantages, including genetic tractability, simpler nervous systems, cost-effectiveness, and quick discovery-based approaches and high-throughput screens for therapeutics, which facilitate the study of rTBI-induced neurodegeneration and tau-related pathology. Here, we explore the use of non-vertebrate and aquatic vertebrate models to study TBI and neurodegeneration. Drosophila, in particular, provides an opportunity to explore the longitudinal effects of mild rTBI and its impact on endogenous tau, thereby offering valuable insights into the complex interplay between rTBI, tauopathy, and neurodegeneration. These models provide a platform for mechanistic studies and therapeutic interventions, ultimately advancing our understanding of the long-term consequences associated with rTBI and potential avenues for intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole J. Katchur
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, United States
- Rutgers-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Piscataway, NJ, United States
| | - Daniel A. Notterman
- Department of Molecular Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, United States
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5
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Alvarado CX, Makarious MB, Weller CA, Vitale D, Koretsky MJ, Bandres-Ciga S, Iwaki H, Levine K, Singleton A, Faghri F, Nalls MA, Leonard HL. omicSynth: An open multi-omic community resource for identifying druggable targets across neurodegenerative diseases. Am J Hum Genet 2024; 111:150-164. [PMID: 38181731 PMCID: PMC10806756 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajhg.2023.12.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2023] [Revised: 12/04/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Treatments for neurodegenerative disorders remain rare, but recent FDA approvals, such as lecanemab and aducanumab for Alzheimer disease (MIM: 607822), highlight the importance of the underlying biological mechanisms in driving discovery and creating disease modifying therapies. The global population is aging, driving an urgent need for therapeutics that stop disease progression and eliminate symptoms. In this study, we create an open framework and resource for evidence-based identification of therapeutic targets for neurodegenerative disease. We use summary-data-based Mendelian randomization to identify genetic targets for drug discovery and repurposing. In parallel, we provide mechanistic insights into disease processes and potential network-level consequences of gene-based therapeutics. We identify 116 Alzheimer disease, 3 amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (MIM: 105400), 5 Lewy body dementia (MIM: 127750), 46 Parkinson disease (MIM: 605909), and 9 progressive supranuclear palsy (MIM: 601104) target genes passing multiple test corrections (pSMR_multi < 2.95 × 10-6 and pHEIDI > 0.01). We created a therapeutic scheme to classify our identified target genes into strata based on druggability and approved therapeutics, classifying 41 novel targets, 3 known targets, and 115 difficult targets (of these, 69.8% are expressed in the disease-relevant cell type from single-nucleus experiments). Our novel class of genes provides a springboard for new opportunities in drug discovery, development, and repurposing in the pre-competitive space. In addition, looking at drug-gene interaction networks, we identify previous trials that may require further follow-up such as riluzole in Alzheimer disease. We also provide a user-friendly web platform to help users explore potential therapeutic targets for neurodegenerative diseases, decreasing activation energy for the community.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chelsea X Alvarado
- Center for Alzheimer's and Related Dementias (CARD), National Institute on Aging and National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA; Data Tecnica LLC, Washington, DC 20037, USA
| | - Mary B Makarious
- Laboratory of Neurogenetics, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA; Department of Clinical and Movement Neurosciences, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London WC1N 3BG, UK; UCL Movement Disorders Centre, University College London, London WC1N 3BG, UK
| | - Cory A Weller
- Center for Alzheimer's and Related Dementias (CARD), National Institute on Aging and National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA; Data Tecnica LLC, Washington, DC 20037, USA
| | - Dan Vitale
- Center for Alzheimer's and Related Dementias (CARD), National Institute on Aging and National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA; Data Tecnica LLC, Washington, DC 20037, USA
| | - Mathew J Koretsky
- Center for Alzheimer's and Related Dementias (CARD), National Institute on Aging and National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA
| | - Sara Bandres-Ciga
- Center for Alzheimer's and Related Dementias (CARD), National Institute on Aging and National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA
| | - Hirotaka Iwaki
- Center for Alzheimer's and Related Dementias (CARD), National Institute on Aging and National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA; Data Tecnica LLC, Washington, DC 20037, USA; Laboratory of Neurogenetics, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA
| | - Kristin Levine
- Center for Alzheimer's and Related Dementias (CARD), National Institute on Aging and National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA; Data Tecnica LLC, Washington, DC 20037, USA
| | - Andrew Singleton
- Center for Alzheimer's and Related Dementias (CARD), National Institute on Aging and National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA; Laboratory of Neurogenetics, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA
| | - Faraz Faghri
- Center for Alzheimer's and Related Dementias (CARD), National Institute on Aging and National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA; Data Tecnica LLC, Washington, DC 20037, USA; Laboratory of Neurogenetics, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA
| | - Mike A Nalls
- Center for Alzheimer's and Related Dementias (CARD), National Institute on Aging and National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA; Data Tecnica LLC, Washington, DC 20037, USA; Laboratory of Neurogenetics, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA
| | - Hampton L Leonard
- Center for Alzheimer's and Related Dementias (CARD), National Institute on Aging and National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA; Data Tecnica LLC, Washington, DC 20037, USA; Laboratory of Neurogenetics, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA; German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Tübingen, Germany.
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6
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Forrest SL, Lee S, Nassir N, Martinez-Valbuena I, Sackmann V, Li J, Ahmed A, Tartaglia MC, Ittner LM, Lang AE, Uddin M, Kovacs GG. Cell-specific MAPT gene expression is preserved in neuronal and glial tau cytopathologies in progressive supranuclear palsy. Acta Neuropathol 2023; 146:395-414. [PMID: 37354322 PMCID: PMC10412651 DOI: 10.1007/s00401-023-02604-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2023] [Revised: 06/11/2023] [Accepted: 06/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/26/2023]
Abstract
Microtubule-associated protein tau (MAPT) aggregates in neurons, astrocytes and oligodendrocytes in a number of neurodegenerative diseases, including progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP). Tau is a target of therapy and the strategy includes either the elimination of pathological tau aggregates or reducing MAPT expression, and thus the amount of tau protein made to prevent its aggregation. Disease-associated tau affects brain regions in a sequential manner that includes cell-to-cell spreading. Involvement of glial cells that show tau aggregates is interpreted as glial cells taking up misfolded tau assuming that glial cells do not express enough MAPT. Although studies have evaluated MAPT expression in human brain tissue homogenates, it is not clear whether MAPT expression is compromised in cells accumulating pathological tau. To address these perplexing aspects of disease pathogenesis, this study used RNAscope combined with immunofluorescence (AT8), and single-nuclear(sn) RNAseq to systematically map and quantify MAPT expression dynamics across different cell types and brain regions in controls (n = 3) and evaluated whether tau cytopathology affects MAPT expression in PSP (n = 3). MAPT transcripts were detected in neurons, astrocytes and oligodendrocytes, and varied between brain regions and within each cell type, and were preserved in all cell types with tau aggregates in PSP. These results propose a complex scenario in all cell types, where, in addition to the ingested misfolded tau, the preserved cellular MAPT expression provides a pool for local protein production that can (1) be phosphorylated and aggregated, or (2) feed the seeding of ingested misfolded tau by providing physiological tau, both accentuating the pathological process. Since tau cytopathology does not compromise MAPT gene expression in PSP, a complete loss of tau protein expression as an early pathogenic component is less likely. These observations provide rationale for a dual approach to therapy by decreasing cellular MAPT expression and targeting removal of misfolded tau.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shelley L Forrest
- Tanz Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Disease (CRND), University of Toronto, Krembil Discovery Tower, 60 Leonard Ave, Toronto, ON, M5T 0S8, Canada
- Dementia Research Centre, Macquarie Medical School, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia
- Laboratory Medicine Program and Krembil Brain Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Seojin Lee
- Tanz Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Disease (CRND), University of Toronto, Krembil Discovery Tower, 60 Leonard Ave, Toronto, ON, M5T 0S8, Canada
| | - Nasna Nassir
- College of Medicine, Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dubai, UAE
| | - Ivan Martinez-Valbuena
- Tanz Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Disease (CRND), University of Toronto, Krembil Discovery Tower, 60 Leonard Ave, Toronto, ON, M5T 0S8, Canada
| | - Valerie Sackmann
- Tanz Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Disease (CRND), University of Toronto, Krembil Discovery Tower, 60 Leonard Ave, Toronto, ON, M5T 0S8, Canada
| | - Jun Li
- Tanz Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Disease (CRND), University of Toronto, Krembil Discovery Tower, 60 Leonard Ave, Toronto, ON, M5T 0S8, Canada
| | - Awab Ahmed
- College of Medicine, Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dubai, UAE
| | - Maria Carmela Tartaglia
- Tanz Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Disease (CRND), University of Toronto, Krembil Discovery Tower, 60 Leonard Ave, Toronto, ON, M5T 0S8, Canada
- University Health Network Memory Clinic, Krembil Brain Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Lars M Ittner
- Dementia Research Centre, Macquarie Medical School, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia
| | - Anthony E Lang
- Edmond J. Safra Program in Parkinson's Disease, Rossy PSP Centre and the Morton and Gloria Shulman Movement Disorders Clinic, Toronto Western Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Mohammed Uddin
- College of Medicine, Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dubai, UAE
- Cellular Intelligence (Ci) Lab, GenomeArc Inc., Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Gabor G Kovacs
- Tanz Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Disease (CRND), University of Toronto, Krembil Discovery Tower, 60 Leonard Ave, Toronto, ON, M5T 0S8, Canada.
- Dementia Research Centre, Macquarie Medical School, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia.
- Laboratory Medicine Program and Krembil Brain Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada.
- Edmond J. Safra Program in Parkinson's Disease, Rossy PSP Centre and the Morton and Gloria Shulman Movement Disorders Clinic, Toronto Western Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada.
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology and Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
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7
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Alvarado CX, Makarious MB, Weller CA, Vitale D, Koretsky MJ, Bandres-Ciga S, Iwaki H, Levine K, Singleton A, Faghri F, Nalls MA, Leonard HL. omicSynth: an Open Multi-omic Community Resource for Identifying Druggable Targets across Neurodegenerative Diseases. MEDRXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR HEALTH SCIENCES 2023:2023.04.06.23288266. [PMID: 37090611 PMCID: PMC10120805 DOI: 10.1101/2023.04.06.23288266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/25/2023]
Abstract
Treatments for neurodegenerative disorders remain rare, although recent FDA approvals, such as Lecanemab and Aducanumab for Alzheimer's Disease, highlight the importance of the underlying biological mechanisms in driving discovery and creating disease modifying therapies. The global population is aging, driving an urgent need for therapeutics that stop disease progression and eliminate symptoms. In this study, we create an open framework and resource for evidence-based identification of therapeutic targets for neurodegenerative disease. We use Summary-data-based Mendelian Randomization to identify genetic targets for drug discovery and repurposing. In parallel, we provide mechanistic insights into disease processes and potential network-level consequences of gene-based therapeutics. We identify 116 Alzheimer's disease, 3 amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, 5 Lewy body dementia, 46 Parkinson's disease, and 9 Progressive supranuclear palsy target genes passing multiple test corrections (pSMR_multi < 2.95×10-6 and pHEIDI > 0.01). We created a therapeutic scheme to classify our identified target genes into strata based on druggability and approved therapeutics - classifying 41 novel targets, 3 known targets, and 115 difficult targets (of these 69.8% are expressed in the disease relevant cell type from single nucleus experiments). Our novel class of genes provides a springboard for new opportunities in drug discovery, development and repurposing in the pre-competitive space. In addition, looking at drug-gene interaction networks, we identify previous trials that may require further follow-up such as Riluzole in AD. We also provide a user-friendly web platform to help users explore potential therapeutic targets for neurodegenerative diseases, decreasing activation energy for the community [https://nih-card-ndd-smr-home-syboky.streamlit.app/].
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Affiliation(s)
- Chelsea X. Alvarado
- Center for Alzheimer’s and Related Dementias (CARD), National Institute on Aging and National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA, 20814
- Data Tecnica International, Washington, DC, USA, 20037
| | - Mary B. Makarious
- Laboratory of Neurogenetics, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA, 20814
- Department of Clinical and Movement Neurosciences, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK, WC1N 3BG
- UCL Movement Disorders Centre, University College London, London, UK, WC1N 3BG
| | - Cory A. Weller
- Center for Alzheimer’s and Related Dementias (CARD), National Institute on Aging and National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA, 20814
- Data Tecnica International, Washington, DC, USA, 20037
| | - Dan Vitale
- Center for Alzheimer’s and Related Dementias (CARD), National Institute on Aging and National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA, 20814
- Data Tecnica International, Washington, DC, USA, 20037
| | - Mathew J. Koretsky
- Center for Alzheimer’s and Related Dementias (CARD), National Institute on Aging and National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA, 20814
| | - Sara Bandres-Ciga
- Center for Alzheimer’s and Related Dementias (CARD), National Institute on Aging and National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA, 20814
| | - Hirotaka Iwaki
- Center for Alzheimer’s and Related Dementias (CARD), National Institute on Aging and National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA, 20814
- Data Tecnica International, Washington, DC, USA, 20037
- Laboratory of Neurogenetics, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA, 20814
| | - Kristin Levine
- Center for Alzheimer’s and Related Dementias (CARD), National Institute on Aging and National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA, 20814
- Data Tecnica International, Washington, DC, USA, 20037
| | - Andrew Singleton
- Center for Alzheimer’s and Related Dementias (CARD), National Institute on Aging and National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA, 20814
- Laboratory of Neurogenetics, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA, 20814
| | - Faraz Faghri
- Center for Alzheimer’s and Related Dementias (CARD), National Institute on Aging and National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA, 20814
- Data Tecnica International, Washington, DC, USA, 20037
- Laboratory of Neurogenetics, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA, 20814
| | - Mike A. Nalls
- Center for Alzheimer’s and Related Dementias (CARD), National Institute on Aging and National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA, 20814
- Data Tecnica International, Washington, DC, USA, 20037
- Laboratory of Neurogenetics, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA, 20814
| | - Hampton L. Leonard
- Center for Alzheimer’s and Related Dementias (CARD), National Institute on Aging and National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA, 20814
- Data Tecnica International, Washington, DC, USA, 20037
- Laboratory of Neurogenetics, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA, 20814
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Tübingen, Germany
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8
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Tauber CV, Schwarz SC, Rösler TW, Arzberger T, Gentleman S, Windl O, Krumbiegel M, Reis A, Ruf VC, Herms J, Höglinger GU. Different MAPT haplotypes influence expression of total MAPT in postmortem brain tissue. Acta Neuropathol Commun 2023; 11:40. [PMID: 36906636 PMCID: PMC10008602 DOI: 10.1186/s40478-023-01534-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2023] [Indexed: 03/13/2023] Open
Abstract
The MAPT gene, encoding the microtubule-associated protein tau on chromosome 17q21.31, is result of an inversion polymorphism, leading to two allelic variants (H1 and H2). Homozygosity for the more common haplotype H1 is associated with an increased risk for several tauopathies, but also for the synucleinopathy Parkinson's disease (PD). In the present study, we aimed to clarify whether the MAPT haplotype influences expression of MAPT and SNCA, encoding the protein α-synuclein (α-syn), on mRNA and protein levels in postmortem brains of PD patients and controls. We also investigated mRNA expression of several other MAPT haplotype-encoded genes. Postmortem tissues from cortex of fusiform gyrus (ctx-fg) and of the cerebellar hemisphere (ctx-cbl) of neuropathologically confirmed PD patients (n = 95) and age- and sex-matched controls (n = 81) were MAPT haplotype genotyped to identify cases homozygous for either H1 or H2. Relative expression of genes was quantified using real-time qPCR; soluble and insoluble protein levels of tau and α-syn were determined by Western blotting. Homozygosity for H1 versus H2 was associated with increased total MAPT mRNA expression in ctx-fg regardless of disease state. Inversely, H2 homozygosity was associated with markedly increased expression of the corresponding antisense MAPT-AS1 in ctx-cbl. PD patients had higher levels of insoluble 0N3R and 1N4R tau isoforms regardless of the MAPT genotype. The increased presence of insoluble α-syn in PD patients in ctx-fg validated the selected postmortem brain tissue. Our findings in this small, but well controlled cohort of PD and controls support a putative biological relevance of tau in PD. However, we did not identify any link between the disease-predisposing H1/H1 associated overexpression of MAPT with PD status. Further studies are required to gain a deeper understanding of the potential regulatory role of MAPT-AS1 and its association to the disease-protective H2/H2 condition in the context of PD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina V Tauber
- Department of Translational Neurodegeneration, German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Munich, Germany.,Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, Technical University Munich, Munich, Germany.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ludiwgs-Maximilians University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Sigrid C Schwarz
- Department of Translational Neurodegeneration, German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Munich, Germany
| | - Thomas W Rösler
- Department of Translational Neurodegeneration, German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Munich, Germany.,Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, Technical University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Thomas Arzberger
- Center for Neuropathology and Prion Research, Ludwig-Maximilians University of Munich, Munich, Germany.,Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany
| | - Steve Gentleman
- Parkinson's UK Brain Bank, Department of Brain Sciences, Imperial College London, London, UK.,Neuropathology Unit, Department of Brain Sciences, Department of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Otto Windl
- Center for Neuropathology and Prion Research, Ludwig-Maximilians University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Mandy Krumbiegel
- Institute of Human Genetics, Friedrich-Alexander University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - André Reis
- Institute of Human Genetics, Friedrich-Alexander University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Viktoria C Ruf
- Center for Neuropathology and Prion Research, Ludwig-Maximilians University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Jochen Herms
- Center for Neuropathology and Prion Research, Ludwig-Maximilians University of Munich, Munich, Germany.,Munich Cluster for Systems Neurology (SyNergy), Munich, Germany
| | - Günter U Höglinger
- Department of Translational Neurodegeneration, German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Munich, Germany. .,Munich Cluster for Systems Neurology (SyNergy), Munich, Germany. .,Department of Neurology, Ludwig-Maximilians University of Munich, Munich, Germany.
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9
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Mohammadi Z, Alizadeh H, Marton J, Cumming P. The Sensitivity of Tau Tracers for the Discrimination of Alzheimer's Disease Patients and Healthy Controls by PET. Biomolecules 2023; 13:290. [PMID: 36830659 PMCID: PMC9953528 DOI: 10.3390/biom13020290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2022] [Revised: 01/12/2023] [Accepted: 01/25/2023] [Indexed: 02/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Hyperphosphorylated tau aggregates, also known as neurofibrillary tangles, are a hallmark neuropathological feature of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Molecular imaging of tau by positron emission tomography (PET) began with the development of [18F]FDDNP, an amyloid β tracer with off-target binding to tau, which obtained regional specificity through the differing distributions of amyloid β and tau in AD brains. A concerted search for more selective and affine tau PET tracers yielded compounds belonging to at least eight structural categories; 18F-flortaucipir, known variously as [18F]-T807, AV-1451, and Tauvid®, emerged as the first tau tracer approved by the American Food and Drug Administration. The various tau tracers differ concerning their selectivity over amyloid β, off-target binding at sites such as monoamine oxidase and neuromelanin, and degree of uptake in white matter. While there have been many reviews of molecular imaging of tau in AD and other conditions, there has been no systematic comparison of the fitness of the various tracers for discriminating between AD patient and healthy control (HC) groups. In this narrative review, we endeavored to compare the binding properties of the various tau tracers in vitro and the effect size (Cohen's d) for the contrast by PET between AD patients and age-matched HC groups. The available tracers all gave good discrimination, with Cohen's d generally in the range of two-three in culprit brain regions. Overall, Cohen's d was higher for AD patient groups with more severe illness. Second-generation tracers, while superior concerning off-target binding, do not have conspicuously higher sensitivity for the discrimination of AD and HC groups. We suppose that available pharmacophores may have converged on a maximal affinity for tau fibrils, which may limit the specific signal imparted in PET studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zohreh Mohammadi
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz 5166/15731, Iran
- Student Research Committee, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz 5166/15731, Iran
| | - Hadi Alizadeh
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz 5166/15731, Iran
| | - János Marton
- ABX Advanced Biochemical Compounds Biomedizinische Forschungsreagenzien GmbH, Heinrich-Glaeser-Straße 10-14, D-01454 Radeberg, Germany
| | - Paul Cumming
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Bern University Hospital, Freiburgstraße 18, CH-3010 Bern, Switzerland
- School of Psychology and Counselling, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD 4059, Australia
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10
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Kumar J, Lackey L, Waldern JM, Dey A, Mustoe AM, Weeks KM, Mathews DH, Laederach A. Quantitative prediction of variant effects on alternative splicing in MAPT using endogenous pre-messenger RNA structure probing. eLife 2022; 11:73888. [PMID: 35695373 PMCID: PMC9236610 DOI: 10.7554/elife.73888] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2021] [Accepted: 06/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Splicing is highly regulated and is modulated by numerous factors. Quantitative predictions for how a mutation will affect precursor mRNA (pre-mRNA) structure and downstream function are particularly challenging. Here, we use a novel chemical probing strategy to visualize endogenous precursor and mature MAPT mRNA structures in cells. We used these data to estimate Boltzmann suboptimal structural ensembles, which were then analyzed to predict consequences of mutations on pre-mRNA structure. Further analysis of recent cryo-EM structures of the spliceosome at different stages of the splicing cycle revealed that the footprint of the Bact complex with pre-mRNA best predicted alternative splicing outcomes for exon 10 inclusion of the alternatively spliced MAPT gene, achieving 74% accuracy. We further developed a β-regression weighting framework that incorporates splice site strength, RNA structure, and exonic/intronic splicing regulatory elements capable of predicting, with 90% accuracy, the effects of 47 known and 6 newly discovered mutations on inclusion of exon 10 of MAPT. This combined experimental and computational framework represents a path forward for accurate prediction of splicing-related disease-causing variants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jayashree Kumar
- Department of Biology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, United States.,Curriculum in Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, United States
| | - Lela Lackey
- Department of Biology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, United States.,Department of Genetics and Biochemistry, Center for Human Genetics, Clemson University, Greenwood, United States
| | - Justin M Waldern
- Department of Biology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, United States
| | - Abhishek Dey
- Department of Biology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, United States
| | - Anthony M Mustoe
- Verna and Marrs McClean Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Therapeutic Innovation Center (THINC), and Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, United States
| | - Kevin M Weeks
- Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, United States
| | - David H Mathews
- Department of Biochemistry & Biophysics and Center for RNA Biology, School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Rochester, Rochester, United States
| | - Alain Laederach
- Department of Biology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, United States.,Curriculum in Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, United States
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11
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Tarutani A, Adachi T, Akatsu H, Hashizume Y, Hasegawa K, Saito Y, Robinson AC, Mann DMA, Yoshida M, Murayama S, Hasegawa M. Ultrastructural and biochemical classification of pathogenic tau, α-synuclein and TDP-43. Acta Neuropathol 2022; 143:613-640. [PMID: 35513543 PMCID: PMC9107452 DOI: 10.1007/s00401-022-02426-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2021] [Revised: 04/12/2022] [Accepted: 04/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Intracellular accumulation of abnormal proteins with conformational changes is the defining neuropathological feature of neurodegenerative diseases. The pathogenic proteins that accumulate in patients' brains adopt an amyloid-like fibrous structure and exhibit various ultrastructural features. The biochemical analysis of pathogenic proteins in sarkosyl-insoluble fractions extracted from patients' brains also shows disease-specific features. Intriguingly, these ultrastructural and biochemical features are common within the same disease group. These differences among the pathogenic proteins extracted from patients' brains have important implications for definitive diagnosis of the disease, and also suggest the existence of pathogenic protein strains that contribute to the heterogeneity of pathogenesis in neurodegenerative diseases. Recent experimental evidence has shown that prion-like propagation of these pathogenic proteins from host cells to recipient cells underlies the onset and progression of neurodegenerative diseases. The reproduction of the pathological features that characterize each disease in cellular and animal models of prion-like propagation also implies that the structural differences in the pathogenic proteins are inherited in a prion-like manner. In this review, we summarize the ultrastructural and biochemical features of pathogenic proteins extracted from the brains of patients with neurodegenerative diseases that accumulate abnormal forms of tau, α-synuclein, and TDP-43, and we discuss how these disease-specific properties are maintained in the brain, based on recent experimental insights.
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Affiliation(s)
- Airi Tarutani
- Department of Brain and Neuroscience, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science, 2-1-6 Kamikitazawa, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo, 156-8506, Japan
| | - Tadashi Adachi
- Division of Neuropathology, Department of Brain and Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine, Tottori University, Tottori, 683-8503, Japan
| | - Hiroyasu Akatsu
- Department of Neuropathology, Choju Medical Institute, Fukushimura Hospital, Aichi, 441-8124, Japan
- Department of Community-Based Medical Education, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Aichi, 467-8601, Japan
| | - Yoshio Hashizume
- Department of Neuropathology, Choju Medical Institute, Fukushimura Hospital, Aichi, 441-8124, Japan
| | - Kazuko Hasegawa
- Division of Neurology, National Hospital Organization, Sagamihara National Hospital, Kanagawa, 252-0392, Japan
| | - Yuko Saito
- Department of Neuropathology, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology, Tokyo, 173-0015, Japan
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, National Center Hospital, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Tokyo, 187-8551, Japan
| | - Andrew C Robinson
- Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, School of Biological Sciences, Division of Neuroscience and Experimental Psychology, Salford Royal Hospital, The University of Manchester, Salford, M6 8HD, UK
| | - David M A Mann
- Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, School of Biological Sciences, Division of Neuroscience and Experimental Psychology, Salford Royal Hospital, The University of Manchester, Salford, M6 8HD, UK
| | - Mari Yoshida
- Department of Neuropathology, Institute for Medical Science of Aging, Aichi Medical University, Aichi, 480-1195, Japan
| | - Shigeo Murayama
- Department of Neuropathology, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology, Tokyo, 173-0015, Japan
- Brain Bank for Neurodevelopmental, Neurological and Psychiatric Disorders, United Graduate School of Child Development, Osaka University, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan
| | - Masato Hasegawa
- Department of Brain and Neuroscience, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science, 2-1-6 Kamikitazawa, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo, 156-8506, Japan.
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12
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Ruiz-Gabarre D, Carnero-Espejo A, Ávila J, García-Escudero V. What's in a Gene? The Outstanding Diversity of MAPT. Cells 2022; 11:840. [PMID: 35269461 PMCID: PMC8909800 DOI: 10.3390/cells11050840] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2022] [Revised: 02/25/2022] [Accepted: 02/27/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Tau protein is a microtubule-associated protein encoded by the MAPT gene that carries out a myriad of physiological functions and has been linked to certain pathologies collectively termed tauopathies, including Alzheimer's disease, frontotemporal dementia, Huntington's disease, progressive supranuclear palsy, etc. Alternative splicing is a physiological process by which cells generate several transcripts from one single gene and may in turn give rise to different proteins from the same gene. MAPT transcripts have been proven to be subjected to alternative splicing, generating six main isoforms in the central nervous system. Research throughout the years has demonstrated that the splicing landscape of the MAPT gene is far more complex than that, including at least exon skipping events, the use of 3' and 5' alternative splice sites and, as has been recently discovered, also intron retention. In addition, MAPT alternative splicing has been showed to be regulated spatially and developmentally, further evidencing the complexity of the gene's splicing regulation. It is unclear what would drive the need for the existence of so many isoforms encoded by the same gene, but a wide range of functions have been ascribed to these Tau isoforms, both in physiology and pathology. In this review we offer a comprehensive up-to-date exploration of the mechanisms leading to the outstanding diversity of isoforms expressed from the MAPT gene and the functions in which such isoforms are involved, including their potential role in the onset and development of tauopathies such as Alzheimer's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Ruiz-Gabarre
- Anatomy, Histology and Neuroscience Department, School of Medicine, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM), 28029 Madrid, Spain; (D.R.-G.); (A.C.-E.)
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa (UAM-CSIC), 28049 Madrid, Spain
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM), 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Almudena Carnero-Espejo
- Anatomy, Histology and Neuroscience Department, School of Medicine, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM), 28029 Madrid, Spain; (D.R.-G.); (A.C.-E.)
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM), 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Jesús Ávila
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa (UAM-CSIC), 28049 Madrid, Spain
- Networking Research Center on Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28031 Madrid, Spain
| | - Vega García-Escudero
- Anatomy, Histology and Neuroscience Department, School of Medicine, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM), 28029 Madrid, Spain; (D.R.-G.); (A.C.-E.)
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa (UAM-CSIC), 28049 Madrid, Spain
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM), 28029 Madrid, Spain
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13
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Strauß T, Marvian-Tayaranian A, Sadikoglou E, Dhingra A, Wegner F, Trümbach D, Wurst W, Heutink P, Schwarz SC, Höglinger GU. iPS Cell-Based Model for MAPT Haplotype as a Risk Factor for Human Tauopathies Identifies No Major Differences in TAU Expression. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:726866. [PMID: 34532319 PMCID: PMC8438159 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.726866] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2021] [Accepted: 08/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The H1 haplotype of the microtubule-associated protein tau (MAPT) gene is a common genetic risk factor for some neurodegenerative diseases such as progressive supranuclear palsy, corticobasal degeneration, and Parkinson's disease. The molecular mechanism causing the increased risk for the named diseases, however, remains unclear. In this paper, we present a valuable tool of eight small molecule neural precursor cell lines (smNPC) homozygous for the MAPT haplotypes (four H1/H1 and four H2/H2 cell lines), which can be used to identify MAPT-dependent phenotypes. The employed differentiation protocol is fast due to overexpression of NEUROGENIN-2 and therefore suitable for high-throughput approaches. A basic characterization of all human cell lines was performed, and their TAU and α-SYNUCLEIN profiles were compared during a differentiation time of 30 days. We could identify higher levels of conformationally altered TAU in cell lines carrying the H2 haplotype. Additionally, we found increased expression levels of α-SYNUCLEIN in H1/H1 cells. With this resource, we aim to fill a gap in neurodegenerative disease modeling with induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) for sporadic tauopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tabea Strauß
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Munich, Germany
- Department of Neurology, Technical University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Amir Marvian-Tayaranian
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Munich, Germany
- Department of Neurology, Technical University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Eldem Sadikoglou
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Tübingen, Germany
| | - Ashutosh Dhingra
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Tübingen, Germany
| | - Florian Wegner
- Department of Neurology, Hanover Medical School, Hanover, Germany
- Center for Systems Neuroscience, Hanover, Germany
| | - Dietrich Trümbach
- Institute of Developmental Genetics, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Oberschleißheim, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Wurst
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Munich, Germany
- Institute of Developmental Genetics, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Oberschleißheim, Germany
- TUM School of Life Sciences, Technical University of Munich, Freising, Germany
| | - Peter Heutink
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Tübingen, Germany
- Department for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Hertie Institute for Clinical Brain Research, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Sigrid C. Schwarz
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Munich, Germany
- Department of Neurology, Technical University Munich, Munich, Germany
- Geriatric Clinic Haag, Haag in Oberbayern, Germany
| | - Günter U. Höglinger
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Munich, Germany
- Department of Neurology, Technical University Munich, Munich, Germany
- Department of Neurology, Hanover Medical School, Hanover, Germany
- Center for Systems Neuroscience, Hanover, Germany
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14
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Kim SH, Farrell K, Cosentino S, Vonsattel JPG, Faust PL, Cortes EP, Bennet DA, Louis ED, Crary JF. Tau Isoform Profile in Essential Tremor Diverges From Other Tauopathies. J Neuropathol Exp Neurol 2021; 80:835-843. [PMID: 34363663 DOI: 10.1093/jnen/nlab073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Patients with essential tremor (ET) frequently develop concurrent dementia, which is often assumed to represent co-morbid Alzheimer disease (AD). Autopsy studies have identified a spectrum of tau pathologies in ET and tau isoforms have not been examined in ET. We performed immunoblotting using autopsy cerebral cortical tissue from patients with ET (n = 13), progressive supranuclear palsy ([PSP], n = 10), Pick disease ([PiD], n = 2), and AD (n = 7). Total tau in ET samples was similar to that in PSP and PiD but was significantly lower than that in AD. Abnormal tau levels measured using the AT8 phospho-tau specific (S202/T205/S208) monoclonal antibody in ET were similar to those in PSP but were lower than in PiD and AD. In aggregates, tau with 3 microtubule-binding domain repeats (3R) was significantly higher in AD than ET, while tau with 4 repeats (4R) was significantly higher in PSP. Strikingly, the total tau without N-terminal inserts in ET was significantly lower than in PSP, PiD, and AD, but total tau with other N-terminal inserts was not. Monomeric tau with one insert in ET was similar to that in PSP and PiD was lower than in AD. Thus, ET brains exhibit an expression profile of tau protein isoforms that diverges from that of other tauopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soong Ho Kim
- From the Department of Pathology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA (SHK, KF, EC, JFC).,Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA (SHK, JFC).,Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA (SHK, KF, EC, JFC).,Ronald M. Loeb Center for Alzheimer's Disease, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA (SHK, KF, EC, JFC)
| | - Kurt Farrell
- From the Department of Pathology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA (SHK, KF, EC, JFC).,Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA (SHK, KF, EC, JFC).,Ronald M. Loeb Center for Alzheimer's Disease, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA (SHK, KF, EC, JFC)
| | - Stephanie Cosentino
- Cognitive Neuroscience Division, Department of Neurology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York, USA (SC); G.H. Sergievsky Center, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York, USA (SC, JPV).,Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA (SC, JPV)
| | - Jean-Paul G Vonsattel
- Cognitive Neuroscience Division, Department of Neurology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York, USA (SC); G.H. Sergievsky Center, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York, USA (SC, JPV).,Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA (SC, JPV).,Department of Pathology & Cell Biology, Columbia University Medical Center and the New York Presbyterian Hospital, New York, New York, USA (JPV, PLF)
| | - Phyllis L Faust
- Department of Pathology & Cell Biology, Columbia University Medical Center and the New York Presbyterian Hospital, New York, New York, USA (JPV, PLF)
| | - Etty P Cortes
- From the Department of Pathology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA (SHK, KF, EC, JFC).,Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA (SHK, KF, EC, JFC).,Ronald M. Loeb Center for Alzheimer's Disease, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA (SHK, KF, EC, JFC).,Neuropathology Brain Bank & Research CoRE, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA (EC, JFC)
| | - David A Bennet
- Rush Alzheimer's Disease Center, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, USA (DAB)
| | - Elan D Louis
- Department of Neurology, University of Texas Southwestern, Dallas, Texas, USA (EDL)
| | - John F Crary
- From the Department of Pathology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA (SHK, KF, EC, JFC).,Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA (SHK, JFC).,Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA (SHK, KF, EC, JFC).,Ronald M. Loeb Center for Alzheimer's Disease, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA (SHK, KF, EC, JFC).,Neuropathology Brain Bank & Research CoRE, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA (EC, JFC)
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15
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Zerr I, Villar-Piqué A, Hermann P, Schmitz M, Varges D, Ferrer I, Riggert J, Zetterberg H, Blennow K, Llorens F. Diagnostic and prognostic value of plasma neurofilament light and total-tau in sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. Alzheimers Res Ther 2021; 13:86. [PMID: 33883011 PMCID: PMC8059191 DOI: 10.1186/s13195-021-00815-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2020] [Accepted: 03/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Blood neurofilament light (Nfl) and total-tau (t-tau) have been described to be increased in several neurological conditions, including prion diseases and other neurodegenerative dementias. Here, we aim to determine the accuracy of plasma Nfl and t-tau in the differential diagnosis of neurodegenerative dementias and their potential value as prognostic markers of disease severity. METHODS Plasma Nfl and t-tau were measured in healthy controls (HC, n = 70), non-neurodegenerative neurological disease with (NND-Dem, n = 17) and without dementia syndrome (NND, n = 26), Alzheimer's disease (AD, n = 44), Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD, n = 83), dementia with Lewy bodies/Parkinson's disease with dementia (DLB/PDD, n = 35), frontotemporal dementia (FTD, n = 12), and vascular dementia (VaD, n = 22). Biomarker diagnostic accuracies and cutoff points for the diagnosis of CJD were calculated, and associations between Nfl and t-tau concentrations with other fluid biomarkers, demographic, genetic, and clinical data in CJD cases were assessed. Additionally, the value of Nfl and t-tau predicting disease survival in CJD was evaluated. RESULTS Among diagnostic groups, highest plasma Nfl and t-tau concentrations were detected in CJD (fold changes of 38 and 18, respectively, compared to HC). Elevated t-tau was able to differentiate CJD from all other groups, whereas elevated Nfl concentrations were also detected in NND-Dem, AD, DLB/PDD, FTD, and VaD compared to HC. Both biomarkers discriminated CJD from non-CJD dementias with an AUC of 0.93. In CJD, plasma t-tau, but not Nfl, was associated with PRNP codon 129 genotype and CJD subtype. Positive correlations were observed between plasma Nfl and t-tau concentrations, as well as between plasma and CSF concentrations of both biomarkers (p < 0.001). Nfl was increased in rapidly progressive AD (rpAD) compared to slow progressive AD (spAD) and associated to Mini-Mental State Examination results. However, Nfl displayed higher accuracy than t-tau discriminating CJD from rpAD and spAD. Finally, plasma t-tau, but not plasma Nfl, was significantly associated with disease duration, offering a moderate survival prediction capacity. CONCLUSIONS Plasma Nfl and t-tau are useful complementary biomarkers for the differential diagnosis of CJD. Additionally, plasma t-tau emerges as a potential prognostic marker of disease duration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inga Zerr
- Department of Neurology, National Reference Center for TSE Surveillance, University Medical Center, Robert-Koch Street 40, Göttingen, Germany
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Göttingen, Germany
| | - Anna Villar-Piqué
- Center for Networked Biomedical Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED), L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Feixa Llarga s/n, Barcelona, Spain
- Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain
| | - Peter Hermann
- Department of Neurology, National Reference Center for TSE Surveillance, University Medical Center, Robert-Koch Street 40, Göttingen, Germany.
| | - Matthias Schmitz
- Department of Neurology, National Reference Center for TSE Surveillance, University Medical Center, Robert-Koch Street 40, Göttingen, Germany
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Göttingen, Germany
| | - Daniela Varges
- Department of Neurology, National Reference Center for TSE Surveillance, University Medical Center, Robert-Koch Street 40, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Isidre Ferrer
- Center for Networked Biomedical Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED), L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Feixa Llarga s/n, Barcelona, Spain
- Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain
- Department of Pathology and Experimental Therapeutics, University of Barcelona, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain
| | - Joachim Riggert
- Department of Transfusion Medicine, University Medical School, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Henrik Zetterberg
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, The Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Mölndal, Sweden
- Clinical Neurochemistry Laboratory, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Mölndal, Sweden
- Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, UCL Institute of Neurology, London, UK
- UK Dementia Research Institute, London, UK
| | - Kaj Blennow
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, The Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Mölndal, Sweden
- Clinical Neurochemistry Laboratory, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Mölndal, Sweden
| | - Franc Llorens
- Department of Neurology, National Reference Center for TSE Surveillance, University Medical Center, Robert-Koch Street 40, Göttingen, Germany.
- Center for Networked Biomedical Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED), L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Feixa Llarga s/n, Barcelona, Spain.
- Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain.
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16
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Tau and Alpha Synuclein Synergistic Effect in Neurodegenerative Diseases: When the Periphery Is the Core. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21145030. [PMID: 32708732 PMCID: PMC7404325 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21145030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2020] [Revised: 07/13/2020] [Accepted: 07/14/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
In neuronal cells, tau is a microtubule-associated protein placed in axons and alpha synuclein is enriched at presynaptic terminals. They display a propensity to form pathologic aggregates, which are considered the underlying cause of Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. Their functional impairment induces loss of axonal transport, synaptic and mitochondrial disarray, leading to a "dying back" pattern of degeneration, which starts at the periphery of cells. In addition, pathologic spreading of alpha-synuclein from the peripheral nervous system to the brain through anatomical connectivity has been demonstrated for Parkinson's disease. Thus, examination of the extent and types of tau and alpha-synuclein in peripheral tissues and their relation to brain neurodegenerative diseases is of relevance since it may provide insights into patterns of protein aggregation and neurodegeneration. Moreover, peripheral nervous tissues are easily accessible in-vivo and can play a relevant role in the early diagnosis of these conditions. Up-to-date investigations of tau species in peripheral tissues are scant and have mainly been restricted to rodents, whereas, more evidence is available on alpha synuclein in peripheral tissues. Here we aim to review the literature on the functional role of tau and alpha synuclein in physiological conditions and disease at the axonal level, their distribution in peripheral tissues, and discuss possible commonalities/diversities as well as their interaction in proteinopathies.
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Miguel L, Frebourg T, Campion D, Lecourtois M. Moderate Overexpression of Tau in Drosophila Exacerbates Amyloid-β-Induced Neuronal Phenotypes and Correlates with Tau Oligomerization. J Alzheimers Dis 2020; 74:637-647. [PMID: 32065789 DOI: 10.3233/jad-190906] [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] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is neuropathologically defined by two key hallmarks: extracellular senile plaques composed primarily of amyloid-β (Aβ) peptide and intraneuronal neurofibrillary tangles, containing abnormally hyperphosphorylated tau protein. The tau protein is encoded by the MAPT gene. Recently, the H1 and H2 haplotypes of the MAPT gene were associated with AD risk. The minor MAPT H2 haplotype has been linked with a decreased risk of developing late-onset AD (LOAD). MAPT haplotypes show different levels of MAPT/Tau expression with H1 being ∼1.5-fold more expressed than H2, suggesting that MAPT expression level could be related to LOAD risk. In this study, we investigated whether this moderate difference in MAPT/Tau expression could influence Aβ-induced toxicity in vivo. We show that modest overexpression of tau protein in Drosophila exacerbates neuronal phenotypes in AβPP/BACE1 flies. The exacerbation of neuronal defects correlates with the accumulation of insoluble dTau oligomers, suggesting that the moderate difference in level of tau expression observed between H1 and H2 haplotypes could influence Aβ toxicity through the production of oligomeric tau insoluble species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laetitia Miguel
- Normandie Univ, UNIROUEN, Inserm U1245 and Rouen University Hospital, Department of Genetics and CNR-MAJ, Normandy Center for Genomic and Personalized Medicine, Rouen, France
| | - Thierry Frebourg
- Normandie Univ, UNIROUEN, Inserm U1245 and Rouen University Hospital, Department of Genetics and CNR-MAJ, Normandy Center for Genomic and Personalized Medicine, Rouen, France
| | - Dominique Campion
- Normandie Univ, UNIROUEN, Inserm U1245 and Rouen University Hospital, Department of Genetics and CNR-MAJ, Normandy Center for Genomic and Personalized Medicine, Rouen, France.,Centre Hospitalier du Rouvray, Sotteville-Lès-Rouen, France
| | - Magalie Lecourtois
- Normandie Univ, UNIROUEN, Inserm U1245 and Rouen University Hospital, Department of Genetics and CNR-MAJ, Normandy Center for Genomic and Personalized Medicine, Rouen, France
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Strang KH, Golde TE, Giasson BI. MAPT mutations, tauopathy, and mechanisms of neurodegeneration. J Transl Med 2019; 99:912-928. [PMID: 30742061 PMCID: PMC7289372 DOI: 10.1038/s41374-019-0197-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 186] [Impact Index Per Article: 37.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2018] [Revised: 12/14/2018] [Accepted: 12/14/2018] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
In multiple neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease (AD), a prominent pathological feature is the aberrant aggregation and inclusion formation of the microtubule-associated protein tau. Because of the pathological association, these disorders are often referred to as tauopathies. Mutations in the MAPT gene that encodes tau can cause frontotemporal dementia with parkinsonism linked to chromosome 17 (FTDP-17), providing the clearest evidence that tauopathy plays a causal role in neurodegeneration. However, large gaps in our knowledge remain regarding how various FTDP-17-linked tau mutations promote tau aggregation and neurodegeneration, and, more generally, how the tauopathy is linked to neurodegeneration. Herein, we review what is known about how FTDP-17-linked pathogenic MAPT mutations cause disease, with a major focus on the prion-like properties of wild-type and mutant tau proteins. The hypothesized mechanisms by which mutations in the MAPT gene promote tauopathy are quite varied and may not provide definitive insights into how tauopathy arises in the absence of mutation. Further, differences in the ability of tau and mutant tau proteins to support prion-like propagation in various model systems raise questions about the generalizability of this mechanism in various tauopathies. Notably, understanding the mechanisms of tauopathy induction and spread and tau-induced neurodegeneration has important implications for tau-targeting therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin H. Strang
- Department of Neuroscience, College of Medicine University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA,Center for Translational Research in Neurodegenerative Disease, College of Medicine University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Todd E. Golde
- Department of Neuroscience, College of Medicine University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA,Center for Translational Research in Neurodegenerative Disease, College of Medicine University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA,McKnight Brain Institute, College of Medicine University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Benoit I. Giasson
- Department of Neuroscience, College of Medicine University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA,Center for Translational Research in Neurodegenerative Disease, College of Medicine University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA,McKnight Brain Institute, College of Medicine University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
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19
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Liquid-Liquid Phase Separation of Tau Protein in Neurobiology and Pathology. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2019; 1184:341-357. [PMID: 32096048 DOI: 10.1007/978-981-32-9358-8_25] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Tau is an intrinsically unfolded protein that, aside from its important role in the regulation of microtubule stability, harbors an emerging number of other functions. In order to find explanations for some longtime unsolved aspects of neuronal tau biology in the brain, we may have to step aside from observing tau molecules in dilute solutions, and from assuming a mono-molecular physicochemical behavior of molecules in the cell. Liquid condensed phases of tau proteins, which form through the biophysical process of liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS), behave like liquids and thereby offer a new regime of interactions in the cell. So far, there is evidence that tau condensates (i) play a role for neurodegenerative diseases by transitioning into aggregated forms of tau, (ii) are involved in microtubule binding, nucleation, and bundling, and (iii) are interacting with RNA molecules, which could impact RNA homeostasis and transcription. Likewise the functions of monomeric tau, also tau condensation is regulated by post-translational modifications and can be influenced by the local environment, for example in neuronal sub-compartments. However, we are just beginning to understand the physicochemistry of tau LLPS, and the biological role of tau condensation has to be explored in the next years.
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20
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Novak P, Kontsekova E, Zilka N, Novak M. Ten Years of Tau-Targeted Immunotherapy: The Path Walked and the Roads Ahead. Front Neurosci 2018; 12:798. [PMID: 30450030 PMCID: PMC6224648 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2018.00798] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2018] [Accepted: 10/15/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurofibrillary pathology comprised of pathological tau protein is closely tied to a range of neurodegenerative disorders, the most common of which is Alzheimer's disease. While they are individually rarer, a range of other disorders, the tauopathies (including Pick's disease, progressive supranuclear palsy, corticobasal degeneration, primary progressive aphasia, and ∼50% of behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia cases) display pronounced underlying tau pathology. In all cases, the distribution and amount of tau pathology closely correlates with the severity and phenotype of cognitive impairment, and with the pattern and degree of brain atrophy. Successfully counteracting tau pathology is likely to halt or slow the progression of these debilitating disorders. This makes tau a target of prime importance, yet an elusive one. The diversity of the tau proteome and post-translational modifications, as well as pathophysiology of tau are reviewed. Beginning 2013, a range of tau-targeted immunotherapies have entered clinical development; these therapies, and their common themes and differences are reviewed. The manuscript provides an extensive discussion on epitope selection for immunotherapies against tau pathology, on immunological mechanisms involved in their action, and challenges such as immune senescence, vaccine design, or evolution of epitopes. Furthermore, we provide methodological recommendations for the characterization of active vaccines and antibodies, animal models, and the target itself - the diseased tau proteome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Petr Novak
- Institute of Neuroimmunology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
- AXON Neuroscience CRM Services SE, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Eva Kontsekova
- Institute of Neuroimmunology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
- AXON Neuroscience R&D Services SE, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Norbert Zilka
- Institute of Neuroimmunology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
- AXON Neuroscience R&D Services SE, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Michal Novak
- Institute of Neuroimmunology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
- AXON Neuroscience SE, Larnaca, Cyprus
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21
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Sierra-Fonseca JA, Gosselink KL. Tauopathy and neurodegeneration: A role for stress. Neurobiol Stress 2018; 9:105-112. [PMID: 30450376 PMCID: PMC6234266 DOI: 10.1016/j.ynstr.2018.08.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2018] [Revised: 08/30/2018] [Accepted: 08/31/2018] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Neurodegenerative diseases are characterized by an irreversible and progressive loss of neuronal structure and function. While many alterations to normal cellular processes occur during neurodegeneration, a pathological accumulation of aggregated proteins constitutes a hallmark of several neurodegenerative disorders. Alzheimer's disease, specifically, is pathologically defined by the formation of amyloid plaques and tangles of hyperphosphorylated tau protein. Stress has emerged as an important factor in the development and progression of neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's. Very little is known, however, regarding the effects of stress on the mechanisms controlling abnormal protein aggregation and clearance. Chronic stress activates the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, causing an excessive secretion of glucocorticoids that are capable of impacting diverse physiological and cellular processes. The present review focuses on the influence of stress on a key feature of Alzheimer's disease pathology, emphasizing the relationship between tau phosphorylation and accumulation and its connection to HPA axis dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jorge A Sierra-Fonseca
- Department of Biological Sciences and Border Biomedical Research Center, The University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX, 79968, USA
| | - Kristin L Gosselink
- Department of Biological Sciences and Border Biomedical Research Center, The University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, TX, 79968, USA
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22
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Verheyen A, Diels A, Reumers J, Van Hoorde K, Van den Wyngaert I, van Outryve d'Ydewalle C, De Bondt A, Kuijlaars J, De Muynck L, De Hoogt R, Bretteville A, Jaensch S, Buist A, Cabrera-Socorro A, Wray S, Ebneth A, Roevens P, Royaux I, Peeters PJ. Genetically Engineered iPSC-Derived FTDP-17 MAPT Neurons Display Mutation-Specific Neurodegenerative and Neurodevelopmental Phenotypes. Stem Cell Reports 2018; 11:363-379. [PMID: 30057263 PMCID: PMC6093179 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2018.06.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2017] [Revised: 06/29/2018] [Accepted: 06/29/2018] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Tauopathies such as frontotemporal dementia (FTD) remain incurable to date, partially due to the lack of translational in vitro disease models. The MAPT gene, encoding the microtubule-associated protein tau, has been shown to play an important role in FTD pathogenesis. Therefore, we used zinc finger nucleases to introduce two MAPT mutations into healthy donor induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). The IVS10+16 mutation increases the expression of 4R tau, while the P301S mutation is pro-aggregant. Whole-transcriptome analysis of MAPT IVS10+16 neurons reveals neuronal subtype differences, reduced neural progenitor proliferation potential, and aberrant WNT/SHH signaling. Notably, these neurodevelopmental phenotypes could be recapitulated in neurons from patients carrying the MAPT IVS10+16 mutation. Moreover, the additional pro-aggregant P301S mutation revealed additional phenotypes, such as an increased calcium burst frequency, reduced lysosomal acidity, tau oligomerization, and neurodegeneration. This series of iPSCs could serve as a platform to unravel a potential link between pathogenic 4R tau and FTD. Analysis of ZFN-engineered MAPT IVS10+16 with or without additional P301S mutation Neurodevelopmental phenotypes in ZFN and patient-derived MAPT IVS10+16 neurons Neurodegenerative phenotypes in MAPT IVS10+16/P301S double-mutant neurons
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Affiliation(s)
- An Verheyen
- Janssen Research & Development, A Division of Janssen Pharmaceutica N.V, Turnhoutseweg 30, Beerse 2340, Belgium.
| | - Annick Diels
- Janssen Research & Development, A Division of Janssen Pharmaceutica N.V, Turnhoutseweg 30, Beerse 2340, Belgium
| | - Joke Reumers
- Janssen Research & Development, A Division of Janssen Pharmaceutica N.V, Turnhoutseweg 30, Beerse 2340, Belgium
| | | | - Ilse Van den Wyngaert
- Janssen Research & Development, A Division of Janssen Pharmaceutica N.V, Turnhoutseweg 30, Beerse 2340, Belgium
| | | | - An De Bondt
- Janssen Research & Development, A Division of Janssen Pharmaceutica N.V, Turnhoutseweg 30, Beerse 2340, Belgium
| | - Jacobine Kuijlaars
- Hasselt University, Biomedical Research Institute, Diepenbeek 3590, Belgium
| | - Louis De Muynck
- Janssen Research & Development, A Division of Janssen Pharmaceutica N.V, Turnhoutseweg 30, Beerse 2340, Belgium
| | - Ronald De Hoogt
- Janssen Research & Development, A Division of Janssen Pharmaceutica N.V, Turnhoutseweg 30, Beerse 2340, Belgium
| | - Alexis Bretteville
- Janssen Research & Development, A Division of Janssen Pharmaceutica N.V, Turnhoutseweg 30, Beerse 2340, Belgium
| | - Steffen Jaensch
- Janssen Research & Development, A Division of Janssen Pharmaceutica N.V, Turnhoutseweg 30, Beerse 2340, Belgium
| | - Arjan Buist
- Janssen Research & Development, A Division of Janssen Pharmaceutica N.V, Turnhoutseweg 30, Beerse 2340, Belgium
| | - Alfredo Cabrera-Socorro
- Janssen Research & Development, A Division of Janssen Pharmaceutica N.V, Turnhoutseweg 30, Beerse 2340, Belgium
| | - Selina Wray
- Department of Molecular Neuroscience, Institute of Neurology, University College London, London WC1N 1PJ, UK
| | - Andreas Ebneth
- Janssen Research & Development, A Division of Janssen Pharmaceutica N.V, Turnhoutseweg 30, Beerse 2340, Belgium
| | - Peter Roevens
- Janssen Research & Development, A Division of Janssen Pharmaceutica N.V, Turnhoutseweg 30, Beerse 2340, Belgium
| | - Ines Royaux
- Janssen Research & Development, A Division of Janssen Pharmaceutica N.V, Turnhoutseweg 30, Beerse 2340, Belgium
| | - Pieter J Peeters
- Janssen Research & Development, A Division of Janssen Pharmaceutica N.V, Turnhoutseweg 30, Beerse 2340, Belgium
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23
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Generation of a human induced pluripotent stem cell-based model for tauopathies combining three microtubule-associated protein TAU mutations which displays several phenotypes linked to neurodegeneration. Alzheimers Dement 2018; 14:1261-1280. [PMID: 30036493 DOI: 10.1016/j.jalz.2018.05.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2017] [Revised: 04/28/2018] [Accepted: 05/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Tauopathies are neurodegenerative diseases characterized by TAU protein-related pathology, including frontotemporal dementia and Alzheimer's disease among others. Mutant TAU animal models are available, but none of them faithfully recapitulates human pathology and are not suitable for drug screening. METHODS To create a new in vitro tauopathy model, we generated a footprint-free triple MAPT-mutant human induced pluripotent stem cell line (N279K, P301L, and E10+16 mutations) using clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats-FokI and piggyBac transposase technology. RESULTS Mutant neurons expressed pathogenic 4R and phosphorylated TAU, endogenously triggered TAU aggregation, and had increased electrophysiological activity. TAU-mutant cells presented deficiencies in neurite outgrowth, aberrant sequence of differentiation to cortical neurons, and a significant activation of stress response pathways. RNA sequencing confirmed stress activation, demonstrated a shift toward GABAergic identity, and an upregulation of neurodegenerative pathways. DISCUSSION In summary, we generated a novel in vitro human induced pluripotent stem cell TAU-mutant model displaying neurodegenerative disease phenotypes that could be used for disease modeling and drug screening.
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24
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Tscheuschler M, Gebest M, Jessen F, Drzezga A. [The importance of molecular imaging (PET) in the diagnostics of dementia]. DER NERVENARZT 2018; 89:843-856. [PMID: 29916030 DOI: 10.1007/s00115-018-0533-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
Abstract
Due to the expanding older population and increasing prevalence of dementia and currently lacking curative therapy but potentially conceivable availability of molecular-specific treatment to delay the progression of cognitive decline, the early diagnosis of cognitive deficits and their etiological differential diagnosis becomes increasingly more important. The advances in nuclear medicine diagnostics in the field of neurodegenerative diseases within the last few years have been substantial. In this article the relevance of these technologies in the diagnostic process of dementia is described.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Tscheuschler
- Klinik und Poliklinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie, Uniklinik Köln, Medizinische Fakultät, Kerpener Str. 62, 50924, Köln, Deutschland.
| | - M Gebest
- Deutsches Zentrum für Neurodegenerative Erkrankungen (DZNE), Sigmund-Freud-Str. 257, 53127, Bonn, Deutschland
| | - F Jessen
- Klinik und Poliklinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie, Uniklinik Köln, Medizinische Fakultät, Kerpener Str. 62, 50924, Köln, Deutschland.,Deutsches Zentrum für Neurodegenerative Erkrankungen (DZNE), Sigmund-Freud-Str. 257, 53127, Bonn, Deutschland
| | - A Drzezga
- Klinik und Poliklinik für Nuklearmedizin, Uniklinik Köln, Medizinische Fakultät, Kerpener Str. 62, 50924, Köln, Deutschland.,Deutsches Zentrum für Neurodegenerative Erkrankungen (DZNE), Sigmund-Freud-Str. 257, 53127, Bonn, Deutschland
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25
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Wray S. Modeling tau pathology in human stem cell derived neurons. Brain Pathol 2018; 27:525-529. [PMID: 28585382 DOI: 10.1111/bpa.12521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2017] [Accepted: 04/25/2017] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Tau pathology is a defining characteristic of multiple neurodegenerative disorders including Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD) with tau pathology. There is strong evidence from genetics and experimental models to support a central role for tau dysfunction in neuronal death, suggesting tau is a promising therapeutic target for AD and FTD. However, the development of tau pathology can precede symptom onset by several years, so understanding the earliest molecular events in tauopathy is a priority area of research. Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) derived from patients with genetic causes of tauopathy provide an opportunity to derive limitless numbers of human neurons with physiologically appropriate expression levels of mutated genes for in vitro studies into disease mechanisms. This review discusses the progress made to date using this approach and highlights some of the challenges and unanswered questions this technology has the potential to address.
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Affiliation(s)
- Selina Wray
- Department of Molecular Neuroscience, UCL Institute of Neurology, London, WC1N 1PJ, UK
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26
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Uematsu M, Nakamura A, Ebashi M, Hirokawa K, Takahashi R, Uchihara T. Brainstem tau pathology in Alzheimer's disease is characterized by increase of three repeat tau and independent of amyloid β. Acta Neuropathol Commun 2018; 6:1. [PMID: 29298724 PMCID: PMC5753447 DOI: 10.1186/s40478-017-0501-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2017] [Accepted: 11/29/2017] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Alzheimer-type neuropil threads (NTs) and neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) are comprised of either 4 repeat (4R)-tau, 3 repeat (3R)-tau, or a mixture of both. In the hippocampus, the number of NFTs, and the proportion of 3R tau progressively increases. If this preferential accumulation of 3R tau also occurs in the brainstem, it may be fundamentally related to progression of Alzheimer pathology. METHODS Midbrain and pontine sections of brainstems from 23 cases (Braak-NFT stages I/II: 8, III/IV: 8, and V/VI: 7) were double immunofluorolabeled for 4R and 3R tau. High-resolution (0.645 μm/pixel), in-focus snapshots were tiled to cover entire brain sections using a virtual slide system. Each lesion was classified by size (NT < 200 μm2 < NFT) and staining profile (3R/4R). In addition, the localization and quantity of amyloid β (Aβ) deposits were examined in adjacent sections for comparison with tau. RESULTS The data sets obtained from approximately 286 gigabytes of image files consisted of 847,763 NTs and 7859 NFTs. The proportion of 3R tau-positive NTs and NFTs in the midbrain, and 3R tau-positive NTs in the pons gradually increased with advancing NFT stages, while the proportion of 3R tau-positive NFTs in the pons was already elevated at early stages. Aβ deposits were absent at NFT stages I/II, and when present at later stages, their regional distribution was different from that of tau. These observations suggest that a progressive increase in the proportion of 3R tau occurs independently of Aβ deposits. CONCLUSIONS This is the first quantitative analysis of NFTs and NTs in the human brainstem. We demonstrate that the proportion of 3R tau in the brainstem neurofibrillary changes increases with disease progression. Because this phenomenon is shared between the brainstem and the hippocampus, this increase may be fundamental to the pathogenesis of Alzheimer disease.
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27
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Molecular imaging in early diagnosis, differential diagnosis and follow-up of patients with neurodegenerative diseases. Clin Transl Imaging 2017. [DOI: 10.1007/s40336-017-0242-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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28
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Beevers JE, Lai MC, Collins E, Booth HDE, Zambon F, Parkkinen L, Vowles J, Cowley SA, Wade-Martins R, Caffrey TM. MAPT Genetic Variation and Neuronal Maturity Alter Isoform Expression Affecting Axonal Transport in iPSC-Derived Dopamine Neurons. Stem Cell Reports 2017; 9:587-599. [PMID: 28689993 PMCID: PMC5549835 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2017.06.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2016] [Revised: 06/06/2017] [Accepted: 06/06/2017] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The H1 haplotype of the microtubule-associated protein tau (MAPT) locus is genetically associated with neurodegenerative diseases, including Parkinson's disease (PD), and affects gene expression and splicing. However, the functional impact on neurons of such expression differences has yet to be fully elucidated. Here, we employ extended maturation phases during differentiation of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) into mature dopaminergic neuronal cultures to obtain cultures expressing all six adult tau protein isoforms. After 6 months of maturation, levels of exon 3+ and exon 10+ transcripts approach those of adult brain. Mature dopaminergic neuronal cultures display haplotype differences in expression, with H1 expressing 22% higher levels of MAPT transcripts than H2 and H2 expressing 2-fold greater exon 3+ transcripts than H1. Furthermore, knocking down adult tau protein variants alters axonal transport velocities in mature iPSC-derived dopaminergic neuronal cultures. This work links haplotype-specific MAPT expression with a biologically functional outcome relevant for PD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joel E Beevers
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3QX, UK
| | - Mang Ching Lai
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3QX, UK
| | - Emma Collins
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3QX, UK
| | - Heather D E Booth
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3QX, UK
| | - Federico Zambon
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3QX, UK
| | - Laura Parkkinen
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Academic Unit of Neuropathology, University of Oxford, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford OX3 9DU, UK; The Oxford Parkinson's Disease Centre, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3QX, UK
| | - Jane Vowles
- The Oxford Parkinson's Disease Centre, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3QX, UK; Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3RE, UK
| | - Sally A Cowley
- The Oxford Parkinson's Disease Centre, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3QX, UK; Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3RE, UK
| | - Richard Wade-Martins
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3QX, UK; The Oxford Parkinson's Disease Centre, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 3QX, UK.
| | - Tara M Caffrey
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3QX, UK.
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29
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Bischof GN, Endepols H, van Eimeren T, Drzezga A. Tau-imaging in neurodegeneration. Methods 2017; 130:114-123. [PMID: 28790016 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymeth.2017.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2017] [Revised: 07/25/2017] [Accepted: 08/04/2017] [Indexed: 10/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Pathological cerebral aggregations of proteins are suggested to play a crucial role in the development of neurodegenerative disorders. For example, aggregation of the protein ß-amyloid in form of extracellular amyloid-plaques as well as intraneuronal depositions of the protein tau in form of neurofibrillary tangles represent hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Recently, novel tracers for in vivo molecular imaging of tau-aggregates in the brain have been introduced, complementing existing tracers for imaging amyloid-plaques. Available data on these novel tracers indicate that the subject of Tau-PET may be of considerable complexity. On the one hand this refers to the various forms of appearance of tau-pathology in different types of neurodegenerative disorders. On the other hand, a number of hurdles regarding validation of these tracers still need to be overcome with regard to comparability and standardization of the different tracers, observed off-target/non-specific binding and quantitative interpretation of the signal. These issues will have to be clarified before systematic clinical application of this exciting new methodological approach may become possible. Potential applications refer to early detection of neurodegeneration, differential diagnosis between tauopathies and non-tauopathies and specific patient selection and follow-up in therapy trials.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Heike Endepols
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University of Cologne, Germany
| | - Thilo van Eimeren
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University of Cologne, Germany; German Research Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Germany
| | - Alexander Drzezga
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University of Cologne, Germany; German Research Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Germany.
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van Eimeren T, Bischof GN, Drzezga A. Is Tau Imaging More Than Just Upside-Down 18F-FDG Imaging? J Nucl Med 2017; 58:1357-1359. [DOI: 10.2967/jnumed.117.190082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2017] [Accepted: 05/05/2017] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
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Wobst HJ, Denk F, Oliver PL, Livieratos A, Taylor TN, Knudsen MH, Bengoa-Vergniory N, Bannerman D, Wade-Martins R. Increased 4R tau expression and behavioural changes in a novel MAPT-N296H genomic mouse model of tauopathy. Sci Rep 2017; 7:43198. [PMID: 28233851 PMCID: PMC5324134 DOI: 10.1038/srep43198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2016] [Accepted: 01/20/2017] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The microtubule-associated protein tau is implicated in various neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer's disease, progressive supranuclear palsy and corticobasal degeneration, which are characterized by intracellular accumulation of hyperphosphorylated tau. Mutations in the tau gene MAPT cause frontotemporal dementia with parkinsonism linked to chromosome 17 (FTDP-17). In the human central nervous system, six tau isoforms are expressed, and imbalances in tau isoform ratios are associated with pathology. To date, few animal models of tauopathy allow for the potential influence of these protein isoforms, relying instead on cDNA-based transgene expression. Using the P1-derived artificial chromosome (PAC) technology, we created mouse lines expressing all six tau isoforms from the human MAPT locus, harbouring either the wild-type sequence or the disease-associated N296H mutation on an endogenous Mapt-/- background. Animals expressing N296H mutant tau recapitulated early key features of tauopathic disease, including a tau isoform imbalance and tau hyperphosphorylation in the absence of somatodendritic tau inclusions. Furthermore, N296H animals displayed behavioural anomalies such as hyperactivity, increased time in the open arms of the elevated plus maze and increased immobility during the tail suspension test. The mouse models described provide an excellent model to study the function of wild-type or mutant tau in a highly physiological setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heike J. Wobst
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Franziska Denk
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Peter L. Oliver
- MRC Functional Genomics Unit, Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Achilleas Livieratos
- MRC Functional Genomics Unit, Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Tonya N. Taylor
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Maria H. Knudsen
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Nora Bengoa-Vergniory
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - David Bannerman
- Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Richard Wade-Martins
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
- Oxford Parkinson’s Disease Centre, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
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Chen J, Yu JT, Wojta K, Wang HF, Zetterberg H, Blennow K, Yokoyama JS, Weiner MW, Kramer JH, Rosen H, Miller BL, Coppola G, Boxer AL. Genome-wide association study identifies MAPT locus influencing human plasma tau levels. Neurology 2017; 88:669-676. [PMID: 28100725 DOI: 10.1212/wnl.0000000000003615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2016] [Accepted: 11/14/2016] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To identify genetic loci associated with plasma tau concentrations in healthy elders and individuals with Alzheimer disease. METHODS Four hundred sixty-three non-Hispanic white individuals exceeding quality control criteria were included from the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI-1) cohort. Association of plasma tau with genetic polymorphisms was performed with a linear regression model. Significant associations were validated in an independent replication cohort consisting of 431 healthy elders or individuals with mild cognitive impairment recruited from the University of California, San Francisco Memory and Aging Center. RESULTS The minor allele (A) of rs242557 in the microtubule-associated protein tau gene (MAPT) was associated with higher plasma tau levels at genome-wide significance (p = 4.85 × 10-9, empiric family-wise error corrected p = 0.0024) in a dose-dependent fashion. This association was also observed in the replication cohort (p = 1.0 × 10-5; joint analysis p = 1.2 × 10-12). Single nucleotide polymorphisms near PARK2 (rs2187213) (p = 6.15 × 10-6), IL2RA (rs7072793, rs7073236) (p = 7.89 × 10-6), and an intergenic locus on 9p21.3 (rs7047280) (p = 8.13 × 10-6) were identified as suggestive loci associated with plasma tau levels. CONCLUSIONS MAPT H1c haplotype (rs242557) has previously been identified as a genetic risk factor for progressive supranuclear palsy and corticobasal degeneration. The current findings suggest that plasma tau concentration could be an endophenotype for identifying risk for 4-repeat tauopathies in older individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason Chen
- From the Department of Neurology (J.C., K.W., G.C.), David Geffen School of Medicine, and Memory and Aging Center (J.S.Y., J.H.K., H.R., B.L.M., A.L.B.), Department of Neurology, University of California, Los Angeles; Department of Neurology (J.-T.Y., H.-F.W.), Qingdao Municipal Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, China; Clinical Neurochemistry Laboratory (H.Z., K.B.), Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, The Sahlgrenska Academy at University of Gothenburg Mölndal, Sweden; Department of Molecular Neuroscience (H.Z.), UCL Institute of Neurology, London, UK; and Center for Imaging of Neurodegenerative Diseases (M.W.W.), VAMC San Francisco, CA
| | - Jin-Tai Yu
- From the Department of Neurology (J.C., K.W., G.C.), David Geffen School of Medicine, and Memory and Aging Center (J.S.Y., J.H.K., H.R., B.L.M., A.L.B.), Department of Neurology, University of California, Los Angeles; Department of Neurology (J.-T.Y., H.-F.W.), Qingdao Municipal Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, China; Clinical Neurochemistry Laboratory (H.Z., K.B.), Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, The Sahlgrenska Academy at University of Gothenburg Mölndal, Sweden; Department of Molecular Neuroscience (H.Z.), UCL Institute of Neurology, London, UK; and Center for Imaging of Neurodegenerative Diseases (M.W.W.), VAMC San Francisco, CA
| | - Kevin Wojta
- From the Department of Neurology (J.C., K.W., G.C.), David Geffen School of Medicine, and Memory and Aging Center (J.S.Y., J.H.K., H.R., B.L.M., A.L.B.), Department of Neurology, University of California, Los Angeles; Department of Neurology (J.-T.Y., H.-F.W.), Qingdao Municipal Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, China; Clinical Neurochemistry Laboratory (H.Z., K.B.), Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, The Sahlgrenska Academy at University of Gothenburg Mölndal, Sweden; Department of Molecular Neuroscience (H.Z.), UCL Institute of Neurology, London, UK; and Center for Imaging of Neurodegenerative Diseases (M.W.W.), VAMC San Francisco, CA
| | - Hui-Fu Wang
- From the Department of Neurology (J.C., K.W., G.C.), David Geffen School of Medicine, and Memory and Aging Center (J.S.Y., J.H.K., H.R., B.L.M., A.L.B.), Department of Neurology, University of California, Los Angeles; Department of Neurology (J.-T.Y., H.-F.W.), Qingdao Municipal Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, China; Clinical Neurochemistry Laboratory (H.Z., K.B.), Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, The Sahlgrenska Academy at University of Gothenburg Mölndal, Sweden; Department of Molecular Neuroscience (H.Z.), UCL Institute of Neurology, London, UK; and Center for Imaging of Neurodegenerative Diseases (M.W.W.), VAMC San Francisco, CA
| | - Henrik Zetterberg
- From the Department of Neurology (J.C., K.W., G.C.), David Geffen School of Medicine, and Memory and Aging Center (J.S.Y., J.H.K., H.R., B.L.M., A.L.B.), Department of Neurology, University of California, Los Angeles; Department of Neurology (J.-T.Y., H.-F.W.), Qingdao Municipal Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, China; Clinical Neurochemistry Laboratory (H.Z., K.B.), Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, The Sahlgrenska Academy at University of Gothenburg Mölndal, Sweden; Department of Molecular Neuroscience (H.Z.), UCL Institute of Neurology, London, UK; and Center for Imaging of Neurodegenerative Diseases (M.W.W.), VAMC San Francisco, CA
| | - Kaj Blennow
- From the Department of Neurology (J.C., K.W., G.C.), David Geffen School of Medicine, and Memory and Aging Center (J.S.Y., J.H.K., H.R., B.L.M., A.L.B.), Department of Neurology, University of California, Los Angeles; Department of Neurology (J.-T.Y., H.-F.W.), Qingdao Municipal Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, China; Clinical Neurochemistry Laboratory (H.Z., K.B.), Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, The Sahlgrenska Academy at University of Gothenburg Mölndal, Sweden; Department of Molecular Neuroscience (H.Z.), UCL Institute of Neurology, London, UK; and Center for Imaging of Neurodegenerative Diseases (M.W.W.), VAMC San Francisco, CA
| | - Jennifer S Yokoyama
- From the Department of Neurology (J.C., K.W., G.C.), David Geffen School of Medicine, and Memory and Aging Center (J.S.Y., J.H.K., H.R., B.L.M., A.L.B.), Department of Neurology, University of California, Los Angeles; Department of Neurology (J.-T.Y., H.-F.W.), Qingdao Municipal Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, China; Clinical Neurochemistry Laboratory (H.Z., K.B.), Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, The Sahlgrenska Academy at University of Gothenburg Mölndal, Sweden; Department of Molecular Neuroscience (H.Z.), UCL Institute of Neurology, London, UK; and Center for Imaging of Neurodegenerative Diseases (M.W.W.), VAMC San Francisco, CA
| | - Michael W Weiner
- From the Department of Neurology (J.C., K.W., G.C.), David Geffen School of Medicine, and Memory and Aging Center (J.S.Y., J.H.K., H.R., B.L.M., A.L.B.), Department of Neurology, University of California, Los Angeles; Department of Neurology (J.-T.Y., H.-F.W.), Qingdao Municipal Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, China; Clinical Neurochemistry Laboratory (H.Z., K.B.), Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, The Sahlgrenska Academy at University of Gothenburg Mölndal, Sweden; Department of Molecular Neuroscience (H.Z.), UCL Institute of Neurology, London, UK; and Center for Imaging of Neurodegenerative Diseases (M.W.W.), VAMC San Francisco, CA
| | - Joel H Kramer
- From the Department of Neurology (J.C., K.W., G.C.), David Geffen School of Medicine, and Memory and Aging Center (J.S.Y., J.H.K., H.R., B.L.M., A.L.B.), Department of Neurology, University of California, Los Angeles; Department of Neurology (J.-T.Y., H.-F.W.), Qingdao Municipal Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, China; Clinical Neurochemistry Laboratory (H.Z., K.B.), Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, The Sahlgrenska Academy at University of Gothenburg Mölndal, Sweden; Department of Molecular Neuroscience (H.Z.), UCL Institute of Neurology, London, UK; and Center for Imaging of Neurodegenerative Diseases (M.W.W.), VAMC San Francisco, CA
| | - Howard Rosen
- From the Department of Neurology (J.C., K.W., G.C.), David Geffen School of Medicine, and Memory and Aging Center (J.S.Y., J.H.K., H.R., B.L.M., A.L.B.), Department of Neurology, University of California, Los Angeles; Department of Neurology (J.-T.Y., H.-F.W.), Qingdao Municipal Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, China; Clinical Neurochemistry Laboratory (H.Z., K.B.), Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, The Sahlgrenska Academy at University of Gothenburg Mölndal, Sweden; Department of Molecular Neuroscience (H.Z.), UCL Institute of Neurology, London, UK; and Center for Imaging of Neurodegenerative Diseases (M.W.W.), VAMC San Francisco, CA
| | - Bruce L Miller
- From the Department of Neurology (J.C., K.W., G.C.), David Geffen School of Medicine, and Memory and Aging Center (J.S.Y., J.H.K., H.R., B.L.M., A.L.B.), Department of Neurology, University of California, Los Angeles; Department of Neurology (J.-T.Y., H.-F.W.), Qingdao Municipal Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, China; Clinical Neurochemistry Laboratory (H.Z., K.B.), Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, The Sahlgrenska Academy at University of Gothenburg Mölndal, Sweden; Department of Molecular Neuroscience (H.Z.), UCL Institute of Neurology, London, UK; and Center for Imaging of Neurodegenerative Diseases (M.W.W.), VAMC San Francisco, CA
| | - Giovanni Coppola
- From the Department of Neurology (J.C., K.W., G.C.), David Geffen School of Medicine, and Memory and Aging Center (J.S.Y., J.H.K., H.R., B.L.M., A.L.B.), Department of Neurology, University of California, Los Angeles; Department of Neurology (J.-T.Y., H.-F.W.), Qingdao Municipal Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, China; Clinical Neurochemistry Laboratory (H.Z., K.B.), Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, The Sahlgrenska Academy at University of Gothenburg Mölndal, Sweden; Department of Molecular Neuroscience (H.Z.), UCL Institute of Neurology, London, UK; and Center for Imaging of Neurodegenerative Diseases (M.W.W.), VAMC San Francisco, CA
| | - Adam L Boxer
- From the Department of Neurology (J.C., K.W., G.C.), David Geffen School of Medicine, and Memory and Aging Center (J.S.Y., J.H.K., H.R., B.L.M., A.L.B.), Department of Neurology, University of California, Los Angeles; Department of Neurology (J.-T.Y., H.-F.W.), Qingdao Municipal Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, China; Clinical Neurochemistry Laboratory (H.Z., K.B.), Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, The Sahlgrenska Academy at University of Gothenburg Mölndal, Sweden; Department of Molecular Neuroscience (H.Z.), UCL Institute of Neurology, London, UK; and Center for Imaging of Neurodegenerative Diseases (M.W.W.), VAMC San Francisco, CA.
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Park SA, Ahn SI, Gallo JM. Tau mis-splicing in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative disorders. BMB Rep 2017; 49:405-13. [PMID: 27222125 PMCID: PMC5070727 DOI: 10.5483/bmbrep.2016.49.8.084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2016] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Tau proteins, which stabilize the structure and regulate the dynamics of microtubules, also play important roles in axonal transport and signal transduction. Tau proteins are missorted, aggregated, and found as tau inclusions under many pathological conditions associated with neurodegenerative disorders, which are collectively known as tauopathies. In the adult human brain, tau protein can be expressed in six isoforms due to alternative splicing. The aberrant splicing of tau pre-mRNA has been consistently identified in a variety of tauopathies but is not restricted to these types of disorders as it is also present in patients with non-tau proteinopathies and RNAopathies. Tau mis-splicing results in isoform-specific impairments in normal physiological function and enhanced recruitment of excessive tau isoforms into the pathological process. A variety of factors are involved in the complex set of mechanisms underlying tau mis-splicing, but variation in the cis-element, methylation of the MAPT gene, genetic polymorphisms, the quantity and activity of spliceosomal proteins, and the patency of other RNA-binding proteins, are related to aberrant splicing. Currently, there is a lack of appropriate therapeutic strategies aimed at correcting the tau mis-splicing process in patients with neurodegenerative disorders. Thus, a more comprehensive understanding of the relationship between tau mis-splicing and neurodegenerative disorders will aid in the development of efficient therapeutic strategies for patients with a tauopathy or other, related neurodegenerative disorders. [BMB Reports 2016; 49(8): 405-413]
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Affiliation(s)
- Sun Ah Park
- Department of Neurology, Soonchunhyang University Bucheon Hospital, Bucheon 14584, Korea
| | - Sang Il Ahn
- Department of Neurology, Soonchunhyang University Bucheon Hospital, Bucheon 14584, Korea
| | - Jean-Marc Gallo
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London SE5 9NU, UK
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Mallik AK, Drzezga A, Minoshima S. Molecular Imaging and Precision Medicine in Dementia and Movement Disorders. PET Clin 2017; 12:119-136. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cpet.2016.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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Labbé C, Heckman MG, Lorenzo-Betancor O, Soto-Ortolaza AI, Walton RL, Murray ME, Allen M, Uitti RJ, Wszolek ZK, Smith GE, Kantarci K, Knopman DS, Lowe VJ, Jack CR, Ertekin-Taner N, Hassan A, Savica R, Petersen RC, Parisi JE, Maraganore DM, Graff-Radford NR, Ferman TJ, Boeve BF, Dickson DW, Ross OA. MAPT haplotype H1G is associated with increased risk of dementia with Lewy bodies. Alzheimers Dement 2016; 12:1297-1304. [PMID: 27287057 PMCID: PMC5143206 DOI: 10.1016/j.jalz.2016.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2015] [Revised: 04/18/2016] [Accepted: 05/02/2016] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The MAPT H1 haplotype has been associated with several neurodegenerative diseases. We were interested in exploring the role of MAPT haplotypic variation in risk of dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB). METHOD We genotyped six MAPT haplotype tagging SNPs and screened 431 clinical DLB cases, 347 pathologically defined high-likelihood DLB cases, and 1049 controls. RESULT We performed haplotypic association tests and detected an association with the protective H2 haplotype in our combined series (odds ratio [OR] = 0.75). We fine-mapped the locus and identified a relatively rare haplotype, H1G, that is associated with an increased risk of DLB (OR = 3.30, P = .0017). This association was replicated in our pathologically defined series (OR = 2.26, P = .035). DISCUSSION These results support a role for H1 and specifically H1G in susceptibility to DLB. However, the exact functional variant at the locus is still unknown, and additional studies are warranted to fully explain genetic risk of DLB at the MAPT locus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine Labbé
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, USA
| | - Michael G Heckman
- Division of Biomedical Statistics and Informatics, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, USA
| | | | | | - Ronald L Walton
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, USA
| | | | - Mariet Allen
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, USA
| | - Ryan J Uitti
- Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, USA
| | | | - Glenn E Smith
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA; Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Kejal Kantarci
- Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | | | - Val J Lowe
- Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | | | - Nilüfer Ertekin-Taner
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, USA; Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, USA
| | - Anhar Hassan
- Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Rodolfo Savica
- Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | | | - Joseph E Parisi
- Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, USA; Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | | | | | - Tanis J Ferman
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, USA
| | | | | | - Owen A Ross
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, USA; Mayo Graduate School, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, USA.
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Smith R, Schain M, Nilsson C, Strandberg O, Olsson T, Hägerström D, Jögi J, Borroni E, Schöll M, Honer M, Hansson O. Increased basal ganglia binding of 18 F-AV-1451 in patients with progressive supranuclear palsy. Mov Disord 2016; 32:108-114. [PMID: 27709757 PMCID: PMC6204612 DOI: 10.1002/mds.26813] [Citation(s) in RCA: 97] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2016] [Revised: 08/29/2016] [Accepted: 08/31/2016] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) is difficult to diagnose accurately. The recently developed tau PET tracers may improve the diagnostic work‐up of PSP. Methods Regional tau accumulation was studied using 18F‐AV‐1451 PET in 11 patients with PSP and 11 age‐matched healthy controls in the Swedish BioFinder study. Results 18F‐AV‐1451 standard uptake volume ratios were significantly higher in the basal ganglia in PSP patients when compared with controls (globus pallidus 1.75 vs 1.50; putamen 1.51 vs 1.35). Retention in the basal ganglia was correlated with age in both groups (r = .43–.78, P < .05). In PSP, we observed a significant correlation between clinical deterioration measured with the PSP rating scale and standard uptake volume ratios in the globus pallidus (r = .74, P < .05). However, no 18F‐AV‐1451 retention was observed in the cerebral cortex or white matter of either PSP patients or controls, and autoradiography did not reveal any specific binding of AV‐1451 to PSP tau aggregates. Conclusion We found higher 18F‐AV‐1451 retention in the basal ganglia of PSP patients when compared with healthy elderly controls, but also increases with age in both controls and patients. As a result of the overlap in retention between diagnostic groups and the age‐dependent increase present also in controls, 18F‐AV‐1451 PET might not reliably distinguish individual patients with PSP from controls. However, further studies are needed to evaluate whether 18F‐AV‐1451 PET might be useful as a progression marker in clinical PSP trials. © The Authors. Movement Disorders published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruben Smith
- Skåne University Hospital, Department of Neurology, Lund, Sweden
| | - Martin Schain
- Lund University, Clinical Memory Research Unit, Department of Clinical Sciences Malmö, Malmö, Sweden
| | - Christer Nilsson
- Skåne University Hospital, Department of Neurology, Lund, Sweden.,Lund University, Clinical Memory Research Unit, Department of Clinical Sciences Malmö, Malmö, Sweden
| | - Olof Strandberg
- Lund University, Clinical Memory Research Unit, Department of Clinical Sciences Malmö, Malmö, Sweden
| | - Tomas Olsson
- Skåne University Hospital, Department of Radiation Physics, Lund, Sweden
| | - Douglas Hägerström
- Skåne University Hospital, Department of Clinical Neurophysiology, Lund, Sweden
| | - Jonas Jögi
- Skåne University Hospital, Department of Clinical Physiology and Nuclear Medicine, Lund, Sweden
| | - Edilio Borroni
- Roche Pharmaceutical Research and Early Development, Neuroscience Discovery & Biomarkers, Roche Innovation Center, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Michael Schöll
- Lund University, Clinical Memory Research Unit, Department of Clinical Sciences Malmö, Malmö, Sweden.,MedTech West and the University of Gothenburg, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Michael Honer
- Roche Pharmaceutical Research and Early Development, Neuroscience Discovery & Biomarkers, Roche Innovation Center, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Oskar Hansson
- Lund University, Clinical Memory Research Unit, Department of Clinical Sciences Malmö, Malmö, Sweden.,Skåne University Hospital, Memory Clinic, Malmö, Sweden
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Valenca GT, Srivastava GP, Oliveira-Filho J, White CC, Yu L, Schneider JA, Buchman AS, Shulman JM, Bennett DA, De Jager PL. The Role of MAPT Haplotype H2 and Isoform 1N/4R in Parkinsonism of Older Adults. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0157452. [PMID: 27458716 PMCID: PMC4961370 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0157452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2016] [Accepted: 05/31/2016] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background and Objective Recently, we have shown that the Parkinson’s disease (PD) susceptibility locus MAPT (microtubule associated protein tau) is associated with parkinsonism in older adults without a clinical diagnosis of PD. In this study, we investigated the relationship between parkinsonian signs and MAPT transcripts by assessing the effect of MAPT haplotypes on alternative splicing and expression levels of the most common isoforms in two prospective clinicopathologic studies of aging. Materials and Methods using regression analysis, controlling for age, sex, study and neuropathology, we evaluated 976 subjects with clinical, genotyping and brain pathology data for haplotype analysis. For transcript analysis, we obtained MAPT gene and isoform-level expression from the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex for 505 of these subjects. Results The MAPT H2 haplotype was associated with lower total MAPT expression (p = 1.2x10-14) and global parkinsonism at both study entry (p = 0.001) and proximate to death (p = 0.050). Specifically, haplotype H2 was primarily associated with bradykinesia in both assessments (p<0.001 and p = 0.008). MAPT total expression was associated with age and decreases linearly with advancing age (p<0.001). Analysing MAPT alternative splicing, the expression of 1N/4R isoform was inversely associated with global parkinsonism (p = 0.008) and bradykinesia (p = 0.008). Diminished 1N/4R isoform expression was also associated with H2 (p = 0.001). Conclusions Overall, our results suggest that age and H2 are associated with higher parkinsonism score and decreased total MAPT RNA expression. Additionally, we found that H2 and parkinsonism are associated with altered expression levels of specific isoforms. These findings may contribute to the understanding of the association between MAPT locus and parkinsonism in elderly subjects and in some extent to age-related neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guilherme T. Valenca
- Movement Disorders Clinic, Roberto Santos General Hospital, Salvador, BA, Brazil
- Health Sciences Center, Federal University of Reconcavo of Bahia, Santo Antonio de Jesus, BA, Brazil
- Post-Graduate Program in Health Sciences, Federal University of Bahia, Salvador, BA, Brazil
- Program in Translational Neuropsychiatric Genomics, Departments of Neurology & Psychiatry, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Program in Medical and Population Genetics, Broad Institute, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Gyan P. Srivastava
- Program in Translational Neuropsychiatric Genomics, Departments of Neurology & Psychiatry, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Program in Medical and Population Genetics, Broad Institute, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Jamary Oliveira-Filho
- Post-Graduate Program in Health Sciences, Federal University of Bahia, Salvador, BA, Brazil
| | - Charles C. White
- Program in Translational Neuropsychiatric Genomics, Departments of Neurology & Psychiatry, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Program in Medical and Population Genetics, Broad Institute, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Lei Yu
- Rush Alzheimer’s Disease Center, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Julie A. Schneider
- Rush Alzheimer’s Disease Center, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Aron S. Buchman
- Rush Alzheimer’s Disease Center, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Joshua M. Shulman
- Departments of Neurology, Molecular and Human Genetics, and Neuroscience, and Program in Developmental Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States of America
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, Texas, United States of America
| | - David A. Bennett
- Rush Alzheimer’s Disease Center, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
| | - Philip L. De Jager
- Program in Translational Neuropsychiatric Genomics, Departments of Neurology & Psychiatry, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Program in Medical and Population Genetics, Broad Institute, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Robakis D, Cortes E, Clark LN, Vonsattel JPG, Virmani T, Alcalay RN, Crary JF, Levy OA. The effect of MAPT haplotype on neocortical Lewy body pathology in Parkinson disease. J Neural Transm (Vienna) 2016; 123:583-8. [PMID: 27098667 DOI: 10.1007/s00702-016-1552-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2016] [Accepted: 04/09/2016] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The H1 haplotype of the microtubule-associated protein tau gene (MAPT) is associated with an increased risk of Parkinson disease (PD) compared with the H2 haplotype, but its effect on Lewy body (LB) formation is unclear. In this study, we compared the MAPT haplotype frequency between pathologically confirmed PD patients (n = 71) and controls (n = 52). We analyzed Braak LB stage, Braak neurofibrillary tangle (NFT) stage, and CERAD amyloid score by haplotype. We further tested the association between MAPT haplotype and semi-quantitative counts of LBs, NFTs, and neuritic plaques (NPs) in multiple neocortical regions. Consistent with previous reports, PD cases had an increased likelihood of carrying an H1/H1 genotype compared to controls (OR = 5.72, 95 % CI 1.80-18.21, p = 0.003). Braak LB, Braak NFT and CERAD scores did not differ by haplotype. However, H1/H1 carriers had higher LB counts in parietal cortex (p = 0.02) and in overall neocortical LBs (p = 0.03) compared to non-H1/H1 cases. Our analyses suggest that PD patients homozygous for the H1 haplotype have a higher burden of neocortical LB pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daphne Robakis
- Department of Neurology, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY, 10032, USA
- Departments of Neurology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Etty Cortes
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Lorraine N Clark
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jean Paul G Vonsattel
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Tuhin Virmani
- Department of Neurology, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY, 10032, USA
- Department of Neurology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA
| | - Roy N Alcalay
- Department of Neurology, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - John F Crary
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
- Departments of Pathology and Neuroscience, Friedman Brain Institute, Ronald M. Loeb Center for Alzheimer's Disease, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Oren A Levy
- Department of Neurology, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY, 10032, USA.
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Kumaran R, Cookson MR. Pathways to Parkinsonism Redux: convergent pathobiological mechanisms in genetics of Parkinson's disease. Hum Mol Genet 2015; 24:R32-44. [PMID: 26101198 PMCID: PMC4571999 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddv236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2015] [Accepted: 06/18/2015] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
In the past few years, there have been a large number of genes identified that contribute to the lifetime risk of Parkinson's disease (PD). Some genes follow a Mendelian inheritance pattern, but others are risk factors for apparently sporadic PD. Here, we will focus on those genes nominated by genome-wide association studies (GWAS) in sporadic PD, with a particular emphasis on genes that overlap between familial and sporadic disease such as those encoding a-synuclein (SNCA), tau (MAPT), and leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2). We will advance the view that there are likely relationships between these genes that map not only to neuronal processes, but also to neuroinflammation. We will particularly discuss evidence for a role of PD proteins in microglial activation and regulation of the autophagy-lysosome system that is dependent on microtubule transport in neurons. Thus, there are at least two non-mutually exclusive pathways that include both non-cell-autonomous and cell-autonomous mechanisms in the PD brain. Collectively, these data have highlighted the amount of progress made in understanding PD and suggest ways forward to further dissect this disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ravindran Kumaran
- Cell Biology and Gene Expression Section, Laboratory of Neurogenetics, National Institute on Aging, 35 Convent Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892-3707, USA
| | - Mark R Cookson
- Cell Biology and Gene Expression Section, Laboratory of Neurogenetics, National Institute on Aging, 35 Convent Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892-3707, USA
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40
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Sposito T, Preza E, Mahoney CJ, Setó-Salvia N, Ryan NS, Morris HR, Arber C, Devine MJ, Houlden H, Warner TT, Bushell TJ, Zagnoni M, Kunath T, Livesey FJ, Fox NC, Rossor MN, Hardy J, Wray S. Developmental regulation of tau splicing is disrupted in stem cell-derived neurons from frontotemporal dementia patients with the 10 + 16 splice-site mutation in MAPT. Hum Mol Genet 2015; 24:5260-9. [PMID: 26136155 PMCID: PMC4550814 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddv246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 99] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2015] [Accepted: 06/23/2015] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The alternative splicing of the tau gene, MAPT, generates six protein isoforms in the adult human central nervous system (CNS). Tau splicing is developmentally regulated and dysregulated in disease. Mutations in MAPT that alter tau splicing cause frontotemporal dementia (FTD) with tau pathology, providing evidence for a causal link between altered tau splicing and disease. The use of induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived neurons has revolutionized the way we model neurological disease in vitro. However, as most tau mutations are located within or around the alternatively spliced exon 10, it is important that iPSC–neurons splice tau appropriately in order to be used as disease models. To address this issue, we analyzed the expression and splicing of tau in iPSC-derived cortical neurons from control patients and FTD patients with the 10 + 16 intronic mutation in MAPT. We show that control neurons only express the fetal tau isoform (0N3R), even at extended time points of 100 days in vitro. Neurons from FTD patients with the 10 + 16 mutation in MAPT express both 0N3R and 0N4R tau isoforms, demonstrating that this mutation overrides the developmental regulation of exon 10 inclusion in our in vitro model. Further, at extended time points of 365 days in vitro, we observe a switch in tau splicing to include six tau isoforms as seen in the adult human CNS. Our results demonstrate the importance of neuronal maturity for use in in vitro modeling and provide a system that will be important for understanding the functional consequences of altered tau splicing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teresa Sposito
- Department of Molecular Neuroscience, UCL Institute of Neurology, 1 Wakefield Street, London WC1N 1PJ, UK
| | - Elisavet Preza
- Department of Molecular Neuroscience, UCL Institute of Neurology, 1 Wakefield Street, London WC1N 1PJ, UK
| | - Colin J Mahoney
- Dementia Research Centre, Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, UCL Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London WC1N 3BG, UK
| | - Núria Setó-Salvia
- Department of Molecular Neuroscience, UCL Institute of Neurology, 1 Wakefield Street, London WC1N 1PJ, UK
| | - Natalie S Ryan
- Dementia Research Centre, Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, UCL Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London WC1N 3BG, UK
| | - Huw R Morris
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, UCL Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London WC1N 3BG, UK
| | - Charles Arber
- Department of Molecular Neuroscience, UCL Institute of Neurology, 1 Wakefield Street, London WC1N 1PJ, UK
| | - Michael J Devine
- Department of Molecular Neuroscience, UCL Institute of Neurology, 1 Wakefield Street, London WC1N 1PJ, UK, Division of Brain Sciences, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Hospital, Du Cane Road, London W12 0NN, UK
| | - Henry Houlden
- Department of Molecular Neuroscience, UCL Institute of Neurology, 1 Wakefield Street, London WC1N 1PJ, UK
| | - Thomas T Warner
- Department of Molecular Neuroscience, UCL Institute of Neurology, 1 Wakefield Street, London WC1N 1PJ, UK
| | - Trevor J Bushell
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow G4 0RE, UK
| | - Michele Zagnoni
- Centre for Microsystems and Photonics, Electronic and Electrical Engineering, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow G1 1XW, UK
| | - Tilo Kunath
- MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine, School of Biological Sciences, University of Edinburgh, 5 Little France Drive, Edinburgh EH16 4UU, UK and
| | - Frederick J Livesey
- Gurdon Institute, Cambridge Stem Cell Institute and Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge CB2 1QN, UK
| | - Nick C Fox
- Dementia Research Centre, Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, UCL Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London WC1N 3BG, UK
| | - Martin N Rossor
- Dementia Research Centre, Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, UCL Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London WC1N 3BG, UK
| | - John Hardy
- Department of Molecular Neuroscience, UCL Institute of Neurology, 1 Wakefield Street, London WC1N 1PJ, UK
| | - Selina Wray
- Department of Molecular Neuroscience, UCL Institute of Neurology, 1 Wakefield Street, London WC1N 1PJ, UK,
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Li L, Xu ZP, Liu GP, Xu C, Wang ZH, Li XG, Liu EJ, Zeng J, Chai DM, Yao WL, Wang JZ. Expression of 1N3R-Tau isoform inhibits cell proliferation by inducing S phase arrest in N2a cells. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0119865. [PMID: 25822823 PMCID: PMC4378987 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0119865] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2014] [Accepted: 01/16/2015] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Tau is a microtubule-associated protein implicated in neurodegenerative tauopathies. Six tau isoforms are generated from a single gene through alternative splicing of exons 2, 3 and 10 in human brain. Differential expression of tau isoforms has been detected in different brain areas, during neurodevelopment and in neurodegenerative disorders. However, the biological significance of different tau isoforms is not clear. Here, we investigated the individual effect of six different isoforms of tau on cell proliferation and the possible mechanisms by transient expression of eGFP-labeled tau isoform plasmid in N2a cells. Our study showed the transfection efficiency was comparable between different isoforms of tau by examining GFP expression. Compared with other isoforms, we found expression of 1N3R-tau significantly inhibited cell proliferation by Cell Counting Kit-8 assay and BrdU incorporation. Flow cytometry analysis further showed expression of 1N3R-tau induced S phase arrest. Compared with the longest isoform of tau, expression of 1N3R-tau induced cyclin E translocation from the nuclei to cytoplasm, while it did not change the level of cell cycle checkpoint proteins. These data indicate that 1N3R-tau inhibits cell proliferation through inducing S phase arrest.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Li
- Department of Pathophysiology, Key Laboratory of Education Ministry of China for Neurological Disorders, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Zhi-Peng Xu
- Department of Pathophysiology, Key Laboratory of Education Ministry of China for Neurological Disorders, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Gong-Ping Liu
- Department of Pathophysiology, Key Laboratory of Education Ministry of China for Neurological Disorders, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Cheng Xu
- Department of Pathophysiology, Key Laboratory of Education Ministry of China for Neurological Disorders, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Zhi-Hao Wang
- Department of Pathophysiology, Key Laboratory of Education Ministry of China for Neurological Disorders, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Xiao-Guang Li
- Department of Pathophysiology, Key Laboratory of Education Ministry of China for Neurological Disorders, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - En-Jie Liu
- Department of Pathophysiology, Key Laboratory of Education Ministry of China for Neurological Disorders, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Juan Zeng
- Department of Pathophysiology, Key Laboratory of Education Ministry of China for Neurological Disorders, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Da-Min Chai
- Department of Pathophysiology, Key Laboratory of Education Ministry of China for Neurological Disorders, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Wen-Long Yao
- Department of Anesthesiology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Jian-Zhi Wang
- Department of Pathophysiology, Key Laboratory of Education Ministry of China for Neurological Disorders, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- Co-innovation Center of Neuroregeneration, Nantong University, Nantong, China
- * E-mail:
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42
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Hunn BHM, Cragg SJ, Bolam JP, Spillantini MG, Wade-Martins R. Impaired intracellular trafficking defines early Parkinson's disease. Trends Neurosci 2015; 38:178-88. [PMID: 25639775 PMCID: PMC4740565 DOI: 10.1016/j.tins.2014.12.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 137] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2014] [Revised: 12/17/2014] [Accepted: 12/24/2014] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) is an insidious and incurable neurodegenerative disease, and represents a significant cost to individuals, carers, and ageing societies. It is defined at post-mortem by the loss of dopamine neurons in the substantia nigra together with the presence of Lewy bodies and Lewy neurites. We examine here the role of α-synuclein and other cellular transport proteins implicated in PD and how their aberrant activity may be compounded by the unique anatomy of the dopaminergic neuron. This review uses multiple lines of evidence from genetic studies, human tissue, induced pluripotent stem cells, and refined animal models to argue that prodromal PD can be defined as a disease of impaired intracellular trafficking. Dysfunction of the dopaminergic synapse heralds trafficking impairment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin H M Hunn
- Oxford Parkinson's Disease Centre, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3QX, UK; Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3QX, UK
| | - Stephanie J Cragg
- Oxford Parkinson's Disease Centre, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3QX, UK; Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3QX, UK
| | - J Paul Bolam
- Oxford Parkinson's Disease Centre, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3QX, UK; Medical Research Council Anatomical Neuropharmacology Unit, Department of Pharmacology, University of Oxford, Mansfield Road, Oxford OX1 3QT, UK
| | - Maria-Grazia Spillantini
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Cambridge, The Clifford Allbutt Building, Hills Road, Cambridge CB2 0QH, UK
| | - Richard Wade-Martins
- Oxford Parkinson's Disease Centre, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3QX, UK; Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3QX, UK.
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43
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Fontaine SN, Sabbagh JJ, Baker J, Martinez-Licha CR, Darling A, Dickey CA. Cellular factors modulating the mechanism of tau protein aggregation. Cell Mol Life Sci 2015; 72:1863-79. [PMID: 25666877 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-015-1839-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2014] [Revised: 12/18/2014] [Accepted: 01/13/2015] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Pathological accumulation of the microtubule-associated protein tau, in the form of neurofibrillary tangles, is a major hallmark of Alzheimer's disease, the most prevalent neurodegenerative condition worldwide. In addition to Alzheimer's disease, a number of neurodegenerative diseases, called tauopathies, are characterized by the accumulation of aggregated tau in a variety of brain regions. While tau normally plays an important role in stabilizing the microtubule network of the cytoskeleton, its dissociation from microtubules and eventual aggregation into pathological deposits is an area of intense focus for therapeutic development. Here we discuss the known cellular factors that affect tau aggregation, from post-translational modifications to molecular chaperones.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah N Fontaine
- Department of Molecular Medicine, College of Medicine, Byrd Alzheimer's Institute, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, 33613, USA
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Leslie R, O'Donnell CJ, Johnson AD. GRASP: analysis of genotype-phenotype results from 1390 genome-wide association studies and corresponding open access database. Bioinformatics 2014; 30:i185-94. [PMID: 24931982 DOI: 10.1093/bioinformatics/btu273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 179] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
SUMMARY We created a deeply extracted and annotated database of genome-wide association studies (GWAS) results. GRASP v1.0 contains >6.2 million SNP-phenotype association from among 1390 GWAS studies. We re-annotated GWAS results with 16 annotation sources including some rarely compared to GWAS results (e.g. RNAediting sites, lincRNAs, PTMs). MOTIVATION To create a high-quality resource to facilitate further use and interpretation of human GWAS results in order to address important scientific questions. RESULTS GWAS have grown exponentially, with increases in sample sizes and markers tested, and continuing bias toward European ancestry samples. GRASP contains >100 000 phenotypes, roughly: eQTLs (71.5%), metabolite QTLs (21.2%), methylation QTLs (4.4%) and diseases, biomarkers and other traits (2.8%). cis-eQTLs, meQTLs, mQTLs and MHC region SNPs are highly enriched among significant results. After removing these categories, GRASP still contains a greater proportion of studies and results than comparable GWAS catalogs. Cardiovascular disease and related risk factors pre-dominate remaining GWAS results, followed by immunological, neurological and cancer traits. Significant results in GWAS display a highly gene-centric tendency. Sex chromosome X (OR = 0.18[0.16-0.20]) and Y (OR = 0.003[0.001-0.01]) genes are depleted for GWAS results. Gene length is correlated with GWAS results at nominal significance (P ≤ 0.05) levels. We show this gene-length correlation decays at increasingly more stringent P-value thresholds. Potential pleotropic genes and SNPs enriched for multi-phenotype association in GWAS are identified. However, we note possible population stratification at some of these loci. Finally, via re-annotation we identify compelling functional hypotheses at GWAS loci, in some cases unrealized in studies to date. CONCLUSION Pooling summary-level GWAS results and re-annotating with bioinformatics predictions and molecular features provides a good platform for new insights. AVAILABILITY The GRASP database is available at http://apps.nhlbi.nih.gov/grasp.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard Leslie
- Cardiovascular Epidemiology and Human Genomics Branch, National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, The Framingham Heart Study, Framingham, MA 01702, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01655 and Division of Cardiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USACardiovascular Epidemiology and Human Genomics Branch, National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, The Framingham Heart Study, Framingham, MA 01702, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01655 and Division of Cardiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Christopher J O'Donnell
- Cardiovascular Epidemiology and Human Genomics Branch, National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, The Framingham Heart Study, Framingham, MA 01702, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01655 and Division of Cardiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USACardiovascular Epidemiology and Human Genomics Branch, National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, The Framingham Heart Study, Framingham, MA 01702, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01655 and Division of Cardiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Andrew D Johnson
- Cardiovascular Epidemiology and Human Genomics Branch, National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, The Framingham Heart Study, Framingham, MA 01702, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01655 and Division of Cardiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA
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45
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Fogel BL, Clark MC, Geschwind DH. The neurogenetics of atypical parkinsonian disorders. Semin Neurol 2014; 34:217-24. [PMID: 24963681 DOI: 10.1055/s-0034-1381738] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Although classic Parkinson disease is the disorder most commonly associated with the clinical feature of parkinsonism, there is in fact a broader spectrum of disease represented by a collection of phenotypically similar neurodegenerative conditions that mimic many of its core features. These atypical parkinsonian disorders most commonly include progressive supranuclear palsy and corticobasal degeneration, disorders both associated with frontotemporal dementia, as well as multiple system atrophy and dementia with Lewy bodies. Although the clinical distinction of these disorders still remains a challenge to physicians, recent advances in genetics are poised to tease apart the differences. Insights into the molecular etiologies underlying these conditions will improve diagnosis, yield a better understanding of the underlying disease pathology, and ultimately lend stimulation to the development of potential treatments. At the same time, the wide range of phenotypes observed from mutations in a single gene warrants broad testing facilitated by advances in DNA sequencing. These expanding genomic approaches, ranging from the use of next-generation sequencing to identify causative or risk-associated gene variations to the study of epigenetic modification linking human genetics to environmental factors, are poised to lead the field into a new age of discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brent L Fogel
- Program in Neurogenetics, Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Mary C Clark
- Program in Neurogenetics, Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Daniel H Geschwind
- Program in Neurogenetics, Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
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Tau protein modifications and interactions: their role in function and dysfunction. Int J Mol Sci 2014; 15:4671-713. [PMID: 24646911 PMCID: PMC3975420 DOI: 10.3390/ijms15034671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 224] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2013] [Revised: 02/11/2014] [Accepted: 03/04/2014] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Tau protein is abundant in the central nervous system and involved in microtubule assembly and stabilization. It is predominantly associated with axonal microtubules and present at lower level in dendrites where it is engaged in signaling functions. Post-translational modifications of tau and its interaction with several proteins play an important regulatory role in the physiology of tau. As a consequence of abnormal modifications and expression, tau is redistributed from neuronal processes to the soma and forms toxic oligomers or aggregated deposits. The accumulation of tau protein is increasingly recognized as the neuropathological hallmark of a number of dementia disorders known as tauopathies. Dysfunction of tau protein may contribute to collapse of cytoskeleton, thereby causing improper anterograde and retrograde movement of motor proteins and their cargos on microtubules. These disturbances in intraneuronal signaling may compromise synaptic transmission as well as trophic support mechanisms in neurons.
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47
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New perspectives on the role of tau in Alzheimer's disease. Implications for therapy. Biochem Pharmacol 2014; 88:540-7. [PMID: 24462919 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2014.01.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2013] [Revised: 01/10/2014] [Accepted: 01/14/2014] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) and related dementias constitute a major public health issue due to an increasingly aged population as a consequence of generally improved medical care and demographic changes. Current drug treatment of AD, the most prevalent dementia, with cholinesterase inhibitors or NMDA antagonists have demonstrated very modest, symptomatic efficacy, leaving an unmet medical need for new, more effective therapies. While drug development efforts in the last two decades have primarily focused on the amyloid cascade hypothesis, so far with disappointing results, tau-based strategies have received little attention until recently despite that the presence of extensive tau pathology is central to the disease. The discovery of mutations within the tau gene that cause fronto-temporal dementia demonstrated that tau dysfunction, in the absence of amyloid pathology, was sufficient to cause neuronal loss and clinical dementia. Abnormal levels and hyperphosphorylation of tau protein have been reported to be the underlying cause of a group of neurodegenerative disorders collectively known as 'tauopathies'. The detrimental consequence is the loss of affinity between this protein and the microtubules, increased production of fibrillary aggregates and the accumulation of insoluble intracellular neurofibrillary tangles. However, it has become clear in recent years that tau is not only a microtubule interacting protein, but rather has additional roles in cellular processes. This review focuses on emerging therapeutic strategies aimed at treating the underlying causes of the tau pathology in tauopathies and AD, including some novel approaches on the verge of providing new treatment paradigms within the coming years.
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Ferrari R, Ryten M, Simone R, Trabzuni D, Nicolaou N, Nicolaou N, Hondhamuni G, Ramasamy A, Vandrovcova J, Weale ME, Lees AJ, Momeni P, Hardy J, de Silva R. Assessment of common variability and expression quantitative trait loci for genome-wide associations for progressive supranuclear palsy. Neurobiol Aging 2014; 35:1514.e1-12. [PMID: 24503276 PMCID: PMC4104112 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2014.01.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2013] [Revised: 01/06/2014] [Accepted: 01/08/2014] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Progressive supranuclear palsy is a rare parkinsonian disorder with characteristic neurofibrillary pathology consisting of hyperphosphorylated tau protein. Common variation defining the microtubule associated protein tau gene (MAPT) H1 haplotype strongly contributes to disease risk. A recent genome-wide association study (GWAS) revealed 3 novel risk loci on chromosomes 1, 2, and 3 that primarily implicate STX6, EIF2AK3, and MOBP, respectively. Genetic associations, however, rarely lead to direct identification of the relevant functional allele. More often, they are in linkage disequilibrium with the causative polymorphism(s) that could be a coding change or affect gene expression regulatory motifs. To identify any such changes, we sequenced all coding exons of those genes directly implicated by the associations in progressive supranuclear palsy cases and analyzed regional gene expression data from control brains to identify expression quantitative trait loci within 1 Mb of the risk loci. Although we did not find any coding variants underlying the associations, GWAS-associated single-nucleotide polymorphisms at these loci are in complete linkage disequilibrium with haplotypes that completely overlap with the respective genes. Although implication of EIF2AK3 and MOBP could not be fully assessed, we show that the GWAS single-nucleotide polymorphism rs1411478 (STX6) is a strong expression quantitative trait locus with significantly lower expression of STX6 in white matter in carriers of the risk allele.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raffaele Ferrari
- Laboratory of Neurogenetics, Department of Internal Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, USA; Reta Lila Weston Institute, UCL Institute of Neurology, London, UK; Department of Molecular Neuroscience, UCL Institute of Neurology, London, UK
| | - Mina Ryten
- Department of Molecular Neuroscience, UCL Institute of Neurology, London, UK
| | - Roberto Simone
- Reta Lila Weston Institute, UCL Institute of Neurology, London, UK; Department of Molecular Neuroscience, UCL Institute of Neurology, London, UK
| | - Daniah Trabzuni
- Department of Molecular Neuroscience, UCL Institute of Neurology, London, UK; Department of Genetics, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Nayia Nicolaou
- Reta Lila Weston Institute, UCL Institute of Neurology, London, UK; Department of Molecular Neuroscience, UCL Institute of Neurology, London, UK
| | - Naiya Nicolaou
- Reta Lila Weston Institute, UCL Institute of Neurology, London, UK; Department of Molecular Neuroscience, UCL Institute of Neurology, London, UK
| | - Geshanthi Hondhamuni
- Reta Lila Weston Institute, UCL Institute of Neurology, London, UK; Department of Molecular Neuroscience, UCL Institute of Neurology, London, UK
| | - Adaikalavan Ramasamy
- Department of Molecular Neuroscience, UCL Institute of Neurology, London, UK; Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, King's College London, Guy's Hospital, London, UK
| | - Jana Vandrovcova
- Reta Lila Weston Institute, UCL Institute of Neurology, London, UK; Department of Molecular Neuroscience, UCL Institute of Neurology, London, UK
| | | | - Michael E Weale
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, King's College London, Guy's Hospital, London, UK
| | - Andrew J Lees
- Reta Lila Weston Institute, UCL Institute of Neurology, London, UK
| | - Parastoo Momeni
- Laboratory of Neurogenetics, Department of Internal Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, USA
| | - John Hardy
- Reta Lila Weston Institute, UCL Institute of Neurology, London, UK; Department of Molecular Neuroscience, UCL Institute of Neurology, London, UK
| | - Rohan de Silva
- Reta Lila Weston Institute, UCL Institute of Neurology, London, UK; Department of Molecular Neuroscience, UCL Institute of Neurology, London, UK.
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