1
|
Aguilera-Lizarraga J, Ritoux A, Bulmer DC, Smith ESJ. Intestinal barrier function in the naked mole-rat: an emergent model for gastrointestinal insights. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol 2024; 327:G188-G201. [PMID: 38915279 DOI: 10.1152/ajpgi.00080.2024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2024] [Revised: 06/10/2024] [Accepted: 06/19/2024] [Indexed: 06/26/2024]
Abstract
The intestinal barrier plays a crucial role in homeostasis by both facilitating the absorption of nutrients and fluids and providing a tight shield to prevent the invasion by either pathogen or commensal microorganisms. Intestinal barrier malfunction is associated with systemic inflammation, oxidative stress, and decreased insulin sensitivity, which may lead to the dysregulation of other tissues. Therefore, a deeper understanding of physiological aspects related to an enhanced barrier function is of significant scientific and clinical relevance. The naked mole-rat has many unusual biological features, including attenuated colonic neuron sensitivity to acid and bradykinin and resistance to chemical-induced intestinal damage. However, insight into their intestinal barrier physiology is scarce. Here, we observed notable macroscopic and microscopic differences in intestinal tissue structure between naked mole-rats and mice. Moreover, naked mole-rats showed increased number of larger goblet cells and elevated mucus content. In measuring gut permeability, naked mole-rats showed reduced permeability compared with mice, measured as transepithelial electrical resistance, especially in ileum. Furthermore, intestinal ion secretion induced by serotonin, bradykinin, histamine, and capsaicin was significantly reduced in naked mole-rats compared with mice, despite the expression of receptors for all these agonists. In addition, naked mole-rats exhibited reduced prosecretory responses to the nonselective adenylate cyclase activator forskolin. Collectively, these findings indicate that naked mole-rats possess a robust and hard-to-penetrate gastrointestinal barrier that is resistant to environmental and endogenous irritants. Naked mole-rats may therefore provide valuable insights into the physiology of the intestinal barrier and set the stage for the development of innovative and effective therapies.NEW & NOTEWORTHY This is the first study to characterize the intestinal function of naked mole-rats. We found that these animals show a robust gut tissue structure, displaying thicker intestinal layers, longer villi, and larger crypts. Naked mole-rats showed more and larger goblet cells, with increased mucus content. Intestinal permeability, especially in the ileum, was substantially lower than that of mice. Finally, naked mole-rats showed reduced intestinal anion secretion in response to serotonin, bradykinin, histamine, capsaicin, and forskolin.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Anne Ritoux
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - David C Bulmer
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Ewan St John Smith
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Buffenstein R, Amoroso VG. The Untapped Potential of Comparative Biology in Aging Research: Insights From the Extraordinary-Long-Lived Naked Mole-Rat. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci 2024; 79:glae110. [PMID: 38721823 DOI: 10.1093/gerona/glae110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024] Open
Abstract
The search for solutions to the vagaries of aging has, historically, been akin to searching at night in the bright light under street lamps by utilizing the few preexisting and well-established animal model systems. Throughout my career as a comparative biologist, I have ventured into the darkness across 4 continents and studied over 150 different animal species, many of which have evolved remarkable adaptations to survive on the harsh and rugged fitness landscape that exists outside of the laboratory setting. In this Fellows Forum, I will discuss the main focus of my research for the last 25 years and dig deeply into the biology of the preternaturally long-lived naked mole-rat that makes it an ideal model system for the characterization of successful strategies to combat aging.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rochelle Buffenstein
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Illinois, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Vince G Amoroso
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Illinois, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Espargaró A, Álvarez-Berbel I, Busquets MA, Sabate R. In Vivo Assays for Amyloid-Related Diseases. ANNUAL REVIEW OF ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY (PALO ALTO, CALIF.) 2024; 17:433-458. [PMID: 38598824 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-anchem-061622-023326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/12/2024]
Abstract
Amyloid-related diseases, such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease, are devastating conditions caused by the accumulation of abnormal protein aggregates known as amyloid fibrils. While assays involving animal models are essential for understanding the pathogenesis and developing therapies, a wide array of standard analytical techniques exists to enhance our understanding of these disorders. These techniques provide valuable information on the formation and propagation of amyloid fibrils, as well as the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of candidate drugs. Despite ethical concerns surrounding animal use, animal models remain vital tools in the search for treatments. Regardless of the specific animal model chosen, the analytical methods used are usually standardized. Therefore, the main objective of this review is to categorize and outline the primary analytical methods used in in vivo assays for amyloid-related diseases, highlighting their critical role in furthering our understanding of these disorders and developing effective therapies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alba Espargaró
- 1Department of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Technology and Department of Physical Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain;
- 2Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (IN2UB), University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Irene Álvarez-Berbel
- 1Department of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Technology and Department of Physical Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain;
| | - Maria Antònia Busquets
- 1Department of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Technology and Department of Physical Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain;
- 2Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (IN2UB), University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Raimon Sabate
- 1Department of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Technology and Department of Physical Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain;
- 2Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (IN2UB), University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Lu J, Wang Z, He Z, Hu Y, Duan H, Liu Z, Li D, Zhong S, Ren J, Zhao G, Mou Y, Yao M. Oligomer-Aβ42 suppress glioma progression via potentiating phagocytosis of microglia. CNS Neurosci Ther 2024; 30:e14495. [PMID: 37849438 PMCID: PMC10805446 DOI: 10.1111/cns.14495] [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: 07/14/2023] [Revised: 09/12/2023] [Accepted: 10/01/2023] [Indexed: 10/19/2023] Open
Abstract
AIMS Glioma is characterized by an immunosuppressed environment and a poor prognosis. The accumulation of Amyloid β (Aβ) leads to an active environment during the early stages of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Aβ is also present in glioma tissues; however, the biological and translational implications of Aβ in glioma are elusive. METHODS Immunohistochemical (IHC) staining, Kaplan-Meier (KM) survival analysis and Cox regression analysis on a cohort of 79 patients from our institution were performed to investigate the association between Aβ and the malignancy of glioma. Subsequently, the potential of oligomer-Aβ42 (OAβ42) to inhibit glioma growth was investigated in vivo and in vitro. Immunofluorescence staining and phagocytosis assays were performed to evaluate the activation of microglia. Finally, RNA-seq was utilized to identify the predominant signaling involved in this process and in vitro studies were performed to validate them. RESULTS A positive correlation between Aβ and a favorable prognosis was observed in glioma. Furthermore, OAβ42 suppressed glioma growth by enhancing the phagocytic activity of microglia. Insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) secreted by OAβ42-activated microglia was essential in the engulfment process. CONCLUSION Our study proved an anti-glioma effect of Aβ, and microglia could serve as a cellular target for treating glioma with OAβ42.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jie Lu
- Department of Neurosurgery/Neuro‐oncologySun Yat‐sen University Cancer CenterGuangzhouChina
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer MedicineSun Yat‐sen University Cancer CenterGuangzhouChina
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical UniversityGuangzhou Institute of Respiratory Disease & China State Key Laboratory of Respiratory DiseaseGuangzhouChina
| | - Zhenning Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Dongguan People's Hospital (Affiliated Dongguan Hospital)Southern Medical UniversityDongguanChina
| | - Zhenqiang He
- Department of Neurosurgery/Neuro‐oncologySun Yat‐sen University Cancer CenterGuangzhouChina
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer MedicineSun Yat‐sen University Cancer CenterGuangzhouChina
| | - Yang Hu
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical UniversityGuangzhou Institute of Respiratory Disease & China State Key Laboratory of Respiratory DiseaseGuangzhouChina
| | - Hao Duan
- Department of Neurosurgery/Neuro‐oncologySun Yat‐sen University Cancer CenterGuangzhouChina
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer MedicineSun Yat‐sen University Cancer CenterGuangzhouChina
| | - Zihao Liu
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical UniversityGuangzhou Institute of Respiratory Disease & China State Key Laboratory of Respiratory DiseaseGuangzhouChina
| | - Depei Li
- Department of Neurosurgery/Neuro‐oncologySun Yat‐sen University Cancer CenterGuangzhouChina
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer MedicineSun Yat‐sen University Cancer CenterGuangzhouChina
| | - Sheng Zhong
- Department of Neurosurgery/Neuro‐oncologySun Yat‐sen University Cancer CenterGuangzhouChina
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer MedicineSun Yat‐sen University Cancer CenterGuangzhouChina
| | - Jiaoyan Ren
- School of Food Science and EngineeringSouth China University of TechnologyGuangzhouChina
| | - Guojun Zhao
- Laboratory Animal CenterThe Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical UniversityQingyuanChina
| | - Yonggao Mou
- Department of Neurosurgery/Neuro‐oncologySun Yat‐sen University Cancer CenterGuangzhouChina
- State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer MedicineSun Yat‐sen University Cancer CenterGuangzhouChina
| | - Maojin Yao
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical UniversityGuangzhou Institute of Respiratory Disease & China State Key Laboratory of Respiratory DiseaseGuangzhouChina
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Javanmard A, Azimzadeh-Irani M, Tafazzoli G, Esmaeilzadeh A, Shirinpoor-Kharf M, Haghayeghi SMH. In-silico structural analysis of Heterocephalus glaber amyloid beta: an anti-Alzheimer's peptide. MOLECULAR BIOLOGY RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS 2024; 13:29-42. [PMID: 38164365 PMCID: PMC10644309 DOI: 10.22099/mbrc.2023.48223.1862] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
Heterocephalus glaber, known as the Naked mole-rat, has an extraordinary immunity to Alzheimer's disease. The pathological hallmark of Alzheimer's disease is cerebral accumulations of plaques, consisting of self-aggregated amyloid beta peptides. Homo sapiens and H. glaber amyloid beta peptides are different in only one amino acid. Herein, computational structural analyses were carried out to determine whether plaque development in H. glaber is prevented by the replacement of His13 with Arg13 in the amyloid beta peptide. AlphaFold2 was used to predict the structure of the H. glaber amyloid beta peptide. HADDOCK and Hex were used to self-dock the peptides and dock ions on peptides, respectively. Illustrations were made by PyMol and ChimeraX. Using VMD, we calculated the radius of gyration. The phylogenetic analysis was conducted by Mega. The results showed an accurate structure with two alpha helices separated by a short coil for H. glaber. Self-docking of the two amyloid beta peptides demonstrated a globular conformation in the H. glaber dimer, implying the unlikeliness of amyloid beta peptides' self-aggregation to form fibrillar structures. This conformational state resulted in lower electrostatic energy compared to H. sapiens, contributing to H. glaber's lower tendency for fibril and, ultimately, plaque formation. Phylogenetic analysis confirmed that amyloid precursor protein is highly conserved in each taxon of rodentia and primata. This study provides insight into the connection between the structure of H. glaber amyloid beta and its plaque formation properties, showing that the Arg13 in H. glaber leads to fibril instability, and might prevent senile plaque accumulation.
Collapse
|
6
|
Berg SZ, Berg J. Melanin: a unifying theory of disease as exemplified by Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, and Lewy body dementia. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1228530. [PMID: 37841274 PMCID: PMC10570809 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1228530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2023] [Accepted: 09/13/2023] [Indexed: 10/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Melanin, a ubiquitous dark pigment, plays important roles in the immune system, including scavenging reactive oxygen species formed in response to ultraviolet radiation absorption, absorbing metals, thermal regulation, drug uptake, innate immune system functions, redox, and energy transduction. Many tissue types, including brain, heart, arteries, ovaries, and others, contain melanin. Almost all cells contain precursors to melanin. A growing number of diseases in which there is a loss of melanin and/or neuromelanin are increasingly thought to have infectious etiologies, for example, Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), Lewy Body Dementia (LBD), and vitiligo. AD, PD, LBD, and vitiligo have been linked with herpesvirus, which enters melanosomes and causes apoptosis, and with gut dysbiosis and inflammation. Herpesvirus is also linked with gut dysbiosis and inflammation. We theorize that under normal healthy states, melanin retains some of the energy it absorbs from electromagnetic radiation, which is then used to fuel cells, and energy from ATP is used to compliment that energy supply. We further theorize that loss of melanin reduces the energy supply of cells, which in the case of AD, PD, and LBD results in an inability to sustain immune system defenses and remove the plaques associated with the disease, which appear to be part of the immune system's attempt to eradicate the pathogens seen in these neurodegenerative diseases. In addition, in an attempt to explain why removing these plaques does not result in improvements in cognition and mood and why cognitions and moods in these individuals have ebbs and flows, we postulate that it is not the plaques that cause the cognitive symptoms but, rather, inflammation in the brain resulting from the immune system's response to pathogens. Our theory that energy retained in melanin fuels cells in an inverse relationship with ATP is supported by studies showing alterations in ATP production in relationship to melanin levels in melanomas, vitiligo, and healthy cells. Therefore, alteration of melanin levels may be at the core of many diseases. We propose regulating melanin levels may offer new avenues for treatment development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Stacie Z. Berg
- Department of Translational Biology, William Edwards LLC, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Jonathan Berg
- Department of Translational Biology, William Edwards LLC, Baltimore, MD, United States
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Kawamura Y, Oka K, Semba T, Takamori M, Sugiura Y, Yamasaki R, Suzuki Y, Chujo T, Nagase M, Oiwa Y, Fujioka S, Homma S, Yamamura Y, Miyawaki S, Narita M, Fukuda T, Sakai Y, Ishimoto T, Tomizawa K, Suematsu M, Yamamoto T, Bono H, Okano H, Miura K. Cellular senescence induction leads to progressive cell death via the INK4a-RB pathway in naked mole-rats. EMBO J 2023; 42:e111133. [PMID: 37431790 PMCID: PMC10425838 DOI: 10.15252/embj.2022111133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2022] [Revised: 05/04/2023] [Accepted: 05/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Naked mole-rats (NMRs) have exceptional longevity and are resistant to age-related physiological decline and diseases. Given the role of cellular senescence in aging, we postulated that NMRs possess unidentified species-specific mechanisms to prevent senescent cell accumulation. Here, we show that upon induction of cellular senescence, NMR fibroblasts underwent delayed and progressive cell death that required activation of the INK4a-retinoblastoma protein (RB) pathway (termed "INK4a-RB cell death"), a phenomenon not observed in mouse fibroblasts. Naked mole-rat fibroblasts uniquely accumulated serotonin and were inherently vulnerable to hydrogen peroxide (H2 O2 ). After activation of the INK4a-RB pathway, NMR fibroblasts increased monoamine oxidase levels, leading to serotonin oxidization and H2 O2 production, which resulted in increased intracellular oxidative damage and cell death activation. In the NMR lung, induction of cellular senescence caused delayed, progressive cell death mediated by monoamine oxidase activation, thereby preventing senescent cell accumulation, consistent with in vitro results. The present findings indicate that INK4a-RB cell death likely functions as a natural senolytic mechanism in NMRs, providing an evolutionary rationale for senescent cell removal as a strategy to resist aging.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yoshimi Kawamura
- Department of Aging and Longevity ResearchKumamoto UniversityKumamotoJapan
- Biomedical Animal Research Laboratory, Institute for Genetic MedicineHokkaido UniversitySapporoJapan
- Department of PhysiologyKeio University School of MedicineTokyoJapan
| | - Kaori Oka
- Department of Aging and Longevity ResearchKumamoto UniversityKumamotoJapan
- Biomedical Animal Research Laboratory, Institute for Genetic MedicineHokkaido UniversitySapporoJapan
| | - Takashi Semba
- Gastrointestinal Cancer Biology, International Research Center for Medical Sciences (IRCMS)Kumamoto UniversityKumamotoJapan
| | - Mayuko Takamori
- Department of Aging and Longevity ResearchKumamoto UniversityKumamotoJapan
- Biomedical Animal Research Laboratory, Institute for Genetic MedicineHokkaido UniversitySapporoJapan
| | - Yuki Sugiura
- Department of BiochemistryKeio University School of MedicineTokyoJapan
| | - Riyo Yamasaki
- Department of Aging and Longevity ResearchKumamoto UniversityKumamotoJapan
| | - Yusuke Suzuki
- Department of Aging and Longevity ResearchKumamoto UniversityKumamotoJapan
| | - Takeshi Chujo
- Department of Molecular PhysiologyKumamoto UniversityKumamotoJapan
| | - Mari Nagase
- Department of Aging and Longevity ResearchKumamoto UniversityKumamotoJapan
| | - Yuki Oiwa
- Department of Aging and Longevity ResearchKumamoto UniversityKumamotoJapan
- Biomedical Animal Research Laboratory, Institute for Genetic MedicineHokkaido UniversitySapporoJapan
- Department of Chemical BiologyNational Center for Geriatrics and GerontologyObuJapan
| | - Shusuke Fujioka
- Department of Aging and Longevity ResearchKumamoto UniversityKumamotoJapan
- Biomedical Animal Research Laboratory, Institute for Genetic MedicineHokkaido UniversitySapporoJapan
| | - Sayuri Homma
- Department of PharmacologyHoshi University School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical SciencesTokyoJapan
| | - Yuki Yamamura
- Department of Aging and Longevity ResearchKumamoto UniversityKumamotoJapan
| | - Shingo Miyawaki
- Biomedical Animal Research Laboratory, Institute for Genetic MedicineHokkaido UniversitySapporoJapan
- Laboratory of Veterinary Surgery, Faculty of Applied Biological SciencesGifu UniversityGifuJapan
| | - Minoru Narita
- Department of PharmacologyHoshi University School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical SciencesTokyoJapan
- Division of Cancer PathophysiologyNational Cancer Center Research Institute (NCCRI)TokyoJapan
| | - Takaichi Fukuda
- Department of Anatomy and NeurobiologyKumamoto UniversityKumamotoJapan
| | - Yusuke Sakai
- Department of PathologyNational Institute of Infectious DiseasesTokyoJapan
| | - Takatsugu Ishimoto
- Gastrointestinal Cancer Biology, International Research Center for Medical Sciences (IRCMS)Kumamoto UniversityKumamotoJapan
- Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Graduate School of Medical SciencesKumamoto UniversityKumamotoJapan
| | - Kazuhito Tomizawa
- Department of Molecular PhysiologyKumamoto UniversityKumamotoJapan
- Center for Metabolic Regulation of Healthy AgingKumamoto UniversityKumamotoJapan
| | - Makoto Suematsu
- Department of BiochemistryKeio University School of MedicineTokyoJapan
- WPI‐Bio2Q Research CenterCentral Institute for Experimental AnimalsKawasakiJapan
| | - Takuya Yamamoto
- Department of Life Science Frontiers, Center for iPS Cell Research and Application (CiRA)Kyoto UniversityKyotoJapan
- Institute for the Advanced Study of Human Biology (WPI‐ASHBi), Kyoto UniversityKyotoJapan
- Medical‐risk Avoidance based on iPS Cells TeamRIKEN Center for Advanced Intelligence Project (AIP)KyotoJapan
| | - Hidemasa Bono
- Laboratory of Genome Informatics, Graduate School of Integrated Sciences for LifeHiroshima UniversityHigashi‐HiroshimaJapan
- Laboratory of BioDX, PtBio Collaborative Research Laboratory, Genome Editing Innovation CenterHiroshima UniversityHigashi‐HiroshimaJapan
| | - Hideyuki Okano
- Department of PhysiologyKeio University School of MedicineTokyoJapan
| | - Kyoko Miura
- Department of Aging and Longevity ResearchKumamoto UniversityKumamotoJapan
- Biomedical Animal Research Laboratory, Institute for Genetic MedicineHokkaido UniversitySapporoJapan
- Department of PhysiologyKeio University School of MedicineTokyoJapan
- Center for Metabolic Regulation of Healthy AgingKumamoto UniversityKumamotoJapan
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
de Sousa AA, Rigby Dames BA, Graff EC, Mohamedelhassan R, Vassilopoulos T, Charvet CJ. Going beyond established model systems of Alzheimer's disease: companion animals provide novel insights into the neurobiology of aging. Commun Biol 2023; 6:655. [PMID: 37344566 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-023-05034-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2022] [Accepted: 06/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized by brain plaques, tangles, and cognitive impairment. AD is one of the most common age-related dementias in humans. Progress in characterizing AD and other age-related disorders is hindered by a perceived dearth of animal models that naturally reproduce diseases observed in humans. Mice and nonhuman primates are model systems used to understand human diseases. Still, these model systems lack many of the biological characteristics of Alzheimer-like diseases (e.g., plaques, tangles) as they grow older. In contrast, companion animal models (cats and dogs) age in ways that resemble humans. Both companion animal models and humans show evidence of brain atrophy, plaques, and tangles, as well as cognitive decline with age. We embrace a One Health perspective, which recognizes that the health of humans is connected to those of animals, and we illustrate how such a perspective can work synergistically to enhance human and animal health. A comparative biology perspective is ideally suited to integrate insights across veterinary and human medical disciplines and solve long-standing problems in aging.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra A de Sousa
- Centre for Health and Cognition, Bath Spa University, Bath, UK
- Department of Psychology, University of Bath, Bath, UK
| | - Brier A Rigby Dames
- Department of Psychology, University of Bath, Bath, UK
- Department of Computer Science, University of Bath, Bath, UK
- Department of Biology and Biochemistry, Milner Centre for Evolution, University of Bath, Bath, UK
| | - Emily C Graff
- Department of Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, USA
| | - Rania Mohamedelhassan
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Pharmacology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, USA
| | - Tatianna Vassilopoulos
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Pharmacology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, USA
| | - Christine J Charvet
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Pharmacology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Oka K, Yamakawa M, Kawamura Y, Kutsukake N, Miura K. The Naked Mole-Rat as a Model for Healthy Aging. Annu Rev Anim Biosci 2023; 11:207-226. [PMID: 36318672 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-animal-050322-074744] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Naked mole-rats (NMRs, Heterocephalus glaber) are the longest-lived rodents with a maximum life span exceeding 37 years. They exhibit a delayed aging phenotype and resistance to age-related functional decline/diseases. Specifically, they do not display increased mortality with age, maintain several physiological functions until nearly the end of their lifetime, and rarely develop cancer and Alzheimer's disease. NMRs live in a hypoxic environment in underground colonies in East Africa and are highly tolerant of hypoxia. These unique characteristics of NMRs have attracted considerable interest from zoological and biomedical researchers. This review summarizes previous studies of the ecology, hypoxia tolerance, longevity/delayed aging, and cancer resistance of NMRs and discusses possible mechanisms contributing to their healthy aging. In addition, we discuss current issues and future perspectives to fully elucidate the mechanisms underlying delayed aging and resistance to age-related diseases in NMRs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kaori Oka
- Department of Aging and Longevity Research, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan; , ,
| | - Masanori Yamakawa
- Department of Evolutionary Studies of Biosystems, Sokendai (The Graduate University for Advanced Studies), Kanagawa, Japan; ,
| | - Yoshimi Kawamura
- Department of Aging and Longevity Research, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan; , ,
| | - Nobuyuki Kutsukake
- Department of Evolutionary Studies of Biosystems, Sokendai (The Graduate University for Advanced Studies), Kanagawa, Japan; , .,Research Center for Integrative Evolutionary Science, Sokendai (The Graduate University for Advanced Studies), Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Kyoko Miura
- Department of Aging and Longevity Research, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan; , , .,Center for Metabolic Regulation of Healthy Aging, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Yamamura Y, Kawamura Y, Oka K, Miura K. Carcinogenesis resistance in the longest-lived rodent, the naked mole-rat. Cancer Sci 2022; 113:4030-4036. [PMID: 36083242 DOI: 10.1111/cas.15570] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2022] [Revised: 08/24/2022] [Accepted: 09/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Certain mammalian species are resistant to cancer, and a better understanding of how this cancer resistance arises could provide valuable insights for basic cancer research. Recent technological innovations in molecular biology have allowed the study of cancer-resistant mammals, despite the fact that they are not the classical model animals, which are easily studied using genetic approaches. Naked mole-rats (NMRs; Heterocephalus glaber) are the longest-lived rodent, with a maximum lifespan of more than 37 years, and almost never show spontaneous carcinogenesis. NMRs are currently attracting much attention from aging and cancer researchers, and published studies on NMR have continued to increase over the past decade. Cancer development occurs via multiple steps and involves many biological processes. Recent research on the NMR as a model for cancer resistance suggests that they possess various unique carcinogenesis-resistance mechanisms, including efficient DNA repair pathways, cell-autonomous resistance to transformation, and dampened inflammatory response. Here, we summarize the molecular mechanisms of carcinogenesis resistance in NMR, which have been uncovered over the past two decades, and discuss future perspectives.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yuki Yamamura
- Department of Aging and Longevity Research, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Yoshimi Kawamura
- Department of Aging and Longevity Research, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Kaori Oka
- Department of Aging and Longevity Research, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Kyoko Miura
- Department of Aging and Longevity Research, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan.,Center for Metabolic Regulation of Healthy Aging, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Yang W, Wu W, Zhao Y, Li Y, Zhang C, Zhang J, Chen C, Cui S. Caveolin-1 suppresses hippocampal neuron apoptosis via the regulation of HIF1α in hypoxia in naked mole-rats. Cell Biol Int 2022; 46:2060-2074. [PMID: 36054154 PMCID: PMC9826031 DOI: 10.1002/cbin.11890] [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: 01/06/2022] [Revised: 07/08/2022] [Accepted: 08/05/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Naked mole-rats (NMRs) (Heterocephalus glaber) are highly social and subterranean rodents with large communal colonies in burrows containing low oxygen levels. The inhibition of severe hypoxic conditions is of particular interest to this study. To understand the mechanisms that facilitate neuronal preservation during hypoxia, we investigated the proteins regulating hypoxia tolerance in NMR hippocampal neurons. Caveolin-1 (Cav-1), a transmembrane scaffolding protein, confers prosurvival signalling in the central nervous system. The present study aimed to investigate the role of Cav-1 in hypoxia-induced neuronal injury. Western blotting analysis and immunocytochemistry showed that Cav-1 expression was significantly upregulated in NMR hippocampal neurons under 8% O2 conditions for 8 h. Cav-1 alleviates apoptotic neuronal death from hypoxia. Downregulation of Cav-1 by lentiviral vectors suggested damage to NMR hippocampal neurons under hypoxic conditions in vitro and in vivo. Overexpression of Cav-1 by LV-Cav-1 enhanced hypoxic tolerance of NMR hippocampal neurons in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, the levels of hypoxia inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) are also increased under hypoxic conditions. After inhibiting the binding of HIF-1α to hypoxia response elements in the DNA by echinomycin, Cav-1 levels were downregulated significantly. Furthermore, chromatin immunoprecipitation assays showed the direct role of HIF1α in regulating the expression levels of Cav-1 in NMR hippocampal neurons under hypoxic conditions. These findings suggest that Cav-1 plays a critical role in modulating the apoptosis of NMR hippocampal neurons and warrant further studies targeting Cav-1 to treat hypoxia-associated brain diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wenjing Yang
- Department of Laboratory Animal Sciences, School of Basic MedicineNaval Medical UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Wenqing Wu
- Department of Laboratory Animal CenterAcademy of Military Medical SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Ying Zhao
- Shanghai Laboratory Animal Research CenterShanghaiChina
| | - Yu Li
- Department of Laboratory Animal Sciences, School of Basic MedicineNaval Medical UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Chengcai Zhang
- Department of Laboratory Animal Sciences, School of Basic MedicineNaval Medical UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Jingyuan Zhang
- Department of Laboratory Animal Sciences, School of Basic MedicineNaval Medical UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Chao Chen
- Department of Laboratory Animal Sciences, School of Basic MedicineNaval Medical UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Shufang Cui
- Department of Laboratory Animal Sciences, School of Basic MedicineNaval Medical UniversityShanghaiChina
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Human antimicrobial peptide LL-37 contributes to Alzheimer's disease progression. Mol Psychiatry 2022; 27:4790-4799. [PMID: 36138130 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-022-01790-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2020] [Revised: 09/02/2022] [Accepted: 09/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
As a prime mover in Alzheimer's disease (AD), microglial activation requires membrane translocation, integration, and activation of the metamorphic protein chloride intracellular channel 1 (CLIC1), which is primarily cytoplasmic under physiological conditions. However, the formation and activation mechanisms of functional CLIC1 are unknown. Here, we found that the human antimicrobial peptide (AMP) LL-37 promoted CLIC1 membrane translocation and integration. It also activates CLIC1 to cause microglial hyperactivation, neuroinflammation, and excitotoxicity. In mouse and monkey models, LL-37 caused significant pathological phenotypes linked to AD, including elevated amyloid-β, increased neurofibrillary tangles, enhanced neuronal death and brain atrophy, enlargement of lateral ventricles, and impairment of synaptic plasticity and cognition, while Clic1 knockout and blockade of LL-37-CLIC1 interactions inhibited these phenotypes. Given AD's association with infection and that overloading AMP may exacerbate AD, this study suggests that LL-37, which is up-regulated upon infection, may be a driving force behind AD by acting as an endogenous agonist of CLIC1.
Collapse
|
13
|
Ragland NH, Compo NR, Wiltshire N, Shepard A, Troutman S, Kissil JL, Engelman RW. Housing and Husbandry Alternatives for Naked Mole Rat Colonies Used in Research Settings. JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION FOR LABORATORY ANIMAL SCIENCE : JAALAS 2022; 61:412-418. [PMID: 35944976 PMCID: PMC9536831 DOI: 10.30802/aalas-jaalas-22-000035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Naked mole rats (Heterocephalus glaber) are a unique rodent species originating in Africa and are increasingly being used in research. Their needs and characteristics differ from those of other rodents used in research. Unique housing systems are necessary to address the special macro- and microenvironmental requirements of NMRs. Naked mole rats are one of the 2 known eusocial mammalian species, are extremely long-living, are active burrowers, and are accustomed to a subterranean environment. Unlike typical rats and mice, naked mole rats need specific, unique housing systems that mimic their natural subterranean environment to support health and longevity. Here we provide an overview of naked mole rats and a housing method that can be used in research settings.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Natalie H Ragland
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, Basseterre, Saint Kitts and Nevis,Corresponding author.
| | - Nicole R Compo
- Department of Comparative Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida,,H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, Florida
| | - Norman Wiltshire
- Department of Comparative Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida,,H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, Florida
| | - Alyssa Shepard
- H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, Florida
| | - Scott Troutman
- H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, Florida
| | - Joseph L Kissil
- H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, Florida
| | - Robert W Engelman
- Department of Comparative Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida,,H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, Florida
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Oka K, Fujioka S, Kawamura Y, Komohara Y, Chujo T, Sekiguchi K, Yamamura Y, Oiwa Y, Omamiuda-Ishikawa N, Komaki S, Sutoh Y, Sakurai S, Tomizawa K, Bono H, Shimizu A, Araki K, Yamamoto T, Yamada Y, Oshiumi H, Miura K. Resistance to chemical carcinogenesis induction via a dampened inflammatory response in naked mole-rats. Commun Biol 2022; 5:287. [PMID: 35354912 PMCID: PMC8967925 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-022-03241-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2022] [Accepted: 03/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Naked mole-rats (NMRs) have a very low spontaneous carcinogenesis rate, which has prompted studies on the responsible mechanisms to provide clues for human cancer prevention. However, it remains unknown whether and how NMR tissues respond to experimental carcinogenesis induction. Here, we show that NMRs exhibit extraordinary resistance against potent chemical carcinogenesis induction through a dampened inflammatory response. Although carcinogenic insults damaged skin cells of both NMRs and mice, NMR skin showed markedly lower immune cell infiltration. NMRs harbour loss-of-function mutations in RIPK3 and MLKL genes, which are essential for necroptosis, a type of necrotic cell death that activates strong inflammation. In mice, disruption of Ripk3 reduced immune cell infiltration and delayed carcinogenesis. Therefore, necroptosis deficiency may serve as a cancer resistance mechanism via attenuating the inflammatory response in NMRs. Our study sheds light on the importance of a dampened inflammatory response as a non-cell-autonomous cancer resistance mechanism in NMRs. Naked mole rats are found to be resistant to cancer development through dampened inflammatory response due to genetically determined impaired necroptosis, with essential necroptosis genes RIPK3 and MLKL containing mutations causing premature stop codons.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kaori Oka
- Department of Aging and Longevity Research, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, 860-0811, Japan.,Biomedical Animal Research Laboratory, Institute for Genetic Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, 060-0815, Japan
| | - Shusuke Fujioka
- Department of Aging and Longevity Research, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, 860-0811, Japan.,Biomedical Animal Research Laboratory, Institute for Genetic Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, 060-0815, Japan
| | - Yoshimi Kawamura
- Department of Aging and Longevity Research, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, 860-0811, Japan.,Biomedical Animal Research Laboratory, Institute for Genetic Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, 060-0815, Japan
| | - Yoshihiro Komohara
- Department of Cell Pathology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, 860-8556, Japan
| | - Takeshi Chujo
- Department of Molecular Physiology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, 860-8556, Japan
| | - Koki Sekiguchi
- Department of Aging and Longevity Research, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, 860-0811, Japan
| | - Yuki Yamamura
- Department of Aging and Longevity Research, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, 860-0811, Japan
| | - Yuki Oiwa
- Department of Aging and Longevity Research, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, 860-0811, Japan.,Biomedical Animal Research Laboratory, Institute for Genetic Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, 060-0815, Japan
| | - Natsuko Omamiuda-Ishikawa
- Department of Aging and Longevity Research, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, 860-0811, Japan
| | - Shohei Komaki
- Division of Biomedical Information Analysis, Iwate Tohoku Medical Megabank Organization, Disaster Reconstruction Center, Iwate Medical University, Iwate, 028-3694, Japan
| | - Yoichi Sutoh
- Division of Biomedical Information Analysis, Iwate Tohoku Medical Megabank Organization, Disaster Reconstruction Center, Iwate Medical University, Iwate, 028-3694, Japan
| | - Satoko Sakurai
- Department of Life Science Frontiers, Center for iPS Cell Research and Application (CiRA), Kyoto University, Kyoto, 606-8507, Japan
| | - Kazuhito Tomizawa
- Department of Molecular Physiology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, 860-8556, Japan.,Center for Metabolic Regulation of Healthy Aging, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, 860-8556, Japan
| | - Hidemasa Bono
- Program of Biomedical Science, Graduate School of Integrated Sciences for Life, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, 739-0046, Japan
| | - Atsushi Shimizu
- Division of Biomedical Information Analysis, Iwate Tohoku Medical Megabank Organization, Disaster Reconstruction Center, Iwate Medical University, Iwate, 028-3694, Japan.,Division of Biomedical Information Analysis, Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Iwate Medical University, Iwate, 028-3694, Japan
| | - Kimi Araki
- Center for Metabolic Regulation of Healthy Aging, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, 860-8556, Japan.,Institute of Resource Development and Analysis, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, 860-0811, Japan
| | - Takuya Yamamoto
- Department of Life Science Frontiers, Center for iPS Cell Research and Application (CiRA), Kyoto University, Kyoto, 606-8507, Japan.,Institute for the Advanced Study of Human Biology (WPI-ASHBi), Kyoto University, Kyoto, 606-8501, Japan.,Medical-risk Avoidance based on iPS Cells Team, RIKEN Center for Advanced Intelligence Project (AIP), Kyoto, 606-8507, Japan.,AMED-CREST, AMED, Tokyo, 100-0004, Japan
| | - Yasuhiro Yamada
- AMED-CREST, AMED, Tokyo, 100-0004, Japan.,Division of Stem Cell Pathology, Center for Experimental Medicine and Systems Biology, Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, 108-8639, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Oshiumi
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, 860-8556, Japan
| | - Kyoko Miura
- Department of Aging and Longevity Research, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, 860-0811, Japan. .,Biomedical Animal Research Laboratory, Institute for Genetic Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, 060-0815, Japan. .,Center for Metabolic Regulation of Healthy Aging, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, 860-8556, Japan.
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Clark GT, Yu Y, Urban CA, Fu G, Wang C, Zhang F, Linhardt RJ, Hurley JM. Circadian control of heparan sulfate levels times phagocytosis of amyloid beta aggregates. PLoS Genet 2022; 18:e1009994. [PMID: 35143487 PMCID: PMC8830681 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1009994] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2021] [Accepted: 12/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's Disease (AD) is a neuroinflammatory disease characterized partly by the inability to clear, and subsequent build-up, of amyloid-beta (Aβ). AD has a bi-directional relationship with circadian disruption (CD) with sleep disturbances starting years before disease onset. However, the molecular mechanism underlying the relationship of CD and AD has not been elucidated. Myeloid-based phagocytosis, a key component in the metabolism of Aβ, is circadianly-regulated, presenting a potential link between CD and AD. In this work, we revealed that the phagocytosis of Aβ42 undergoes a daily circadian oscillation. We found the circadian timing of global heparan sulfate proteoglycan (HSPG) biosynthesis was the molecular timer for the clock-controlled phagocytosis of Aβ and that both HSPG binding and aggregation may play a role in this oscillation. These data highlight that circadian regulation in immune cells may play a role in the intricate relationship between the circadian clock and AD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gretchen T. Clark
- Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Biological Sciences, Troy, New York, United States of America
| | - Yanlei Yu
- Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Troy, New York, United States of America
| | - Cooper A. Urban
- Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Biological Sciences, Troy, New York, United States of America
| | - Guo Fu
- Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Biological Sciences, Troy, New York, United States of America
- Now at the Innovation and Integration Center of New Laser Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Chunyu Wang
- Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Biological Sciences, Troy, New York, United States of America
- Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Troy, New York, United States of America
- Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, New York, United States of America
| | - Fuming Zhang
- Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, New York, United States of America
- Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Chemical and Biological Engineering, Troy, New York, United States of America
| | - Robert J. Linhardt
- Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Biological Sciences, Troy, New York, United States of America
- Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Troy, New York, United States of America
- Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, New York, United States of America
- Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Chemical and Biological Engineering, Troy, New York, United States of America
| | - Jennifer M. Hurley
- Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Biological Sciences, Troy, New York, United States of America
- Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, New York, United States of America
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Buffenstein R, Amoroso V, Andziak B, Avdieiev S, Azpurua J, Barker AJ, Bennett NC, Brieño‐Enríquez MA, Bronner GN, Coen C, Delaney MA, Dengler‐Crish CM, Edrey YH, Faulkes CG, Frankel D, Friedlander G, Gibney PA, Gorbunova V, Hine C, Holmes MM, Jarvis JUM, Kawamura Y, Kutsukake N, Kenyon C, Khaled WT, Kikusui T, Kissil J, Lagestee S, Larson J, Lauer A, Lavrenchenko LA, Lee A, Levitt JB, Lewin GR, Lewis Hardell KN, Lin TD, Mason MJ, McCloskey D, McMahon M, Miura K, Mogi K, Narayan V, O'Connor TP, Okanoya K, O'Riain MJ, Park TJ, Place NJ, Podshivalova K, Pamenter ME, Pyott SJ, Reznick J, Ruby JG, Salmon AB, Santos‐Sacchi J, Sarko DK, Seluanov A, Shepard A, Smith M, Storey KB, Tian X, Vice EN, Viltard M, Watarai A, Wywial E, Yamakawa M, Zemlemerova ED, Zions M, Smith ESJ. The naked truth: a comprehensive clarification and classification of current 'myths' in naked mole-rat biology. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2022; 97:115-140. [PMID: 34476892 PMCID: PMC9277573 DOI: 10.1111/brv.12791] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2021] [Revised: 08/17/2021] [Accepted: 08/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The naked mole-rat (Heterocephalus glaber) has fascinated zoologists for at least half a century. It has also generated considerable biomedical interest not only because of its extraordinary longevity, but also because of unusual protective features (e.g. its tolerance of variable oxygen availability), which may be pertinent to several human disease states, including ischemia/reperfusion injury and neurodegeneration. A recent article entitled 'Surprisingly long survival of premature conclusions about naked mole-rat biology' described 28 'myths' which, those authors claimed, are a 'perpetuation of beautiful, but falsified, hypotheses' and impede our understanding of this enigmatic mammal. Here, we re-examine each of these 'myths' based on evidence published in the scientific literature. Following Braude et al., we argue that these 'myths' fall into four main categories: (i) 'myths' that would be better described as oversimplifications, some of which persist solely in the popular press; (ii) 'myths' that are based on incomplete understanding, where more evidence is clearly needed; (iii) 'myths' where the accumulation of evidence over the years has led to a revision in interpretation, but where there is no significant disagreement among scientists currently working in the field; (iv) 'myths' where there is a genuine difference in opinion among active researchers, based on alternative interpretations of the available evidence. The term 'myth' is particularly inappropriate when applied to competing, evidence-based hypotheses, which form part of the normal evolution of scientific knowledge. Here, we provide a comprehensive critical review of naked mole-rat biology and attempt to clarify some of these misconceptions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Vincent Amoroso
- Department of Biological SciencesUniversity of Illinois at ChicagoChicagoIL60607U.S.A.
| | - Blazej Andziak
- Graduate Center City University of New York365 Fifth AvenueNew YorkNY10016U.S.A.
| | | | - Jorge Azpurua
- Department of AnesthesiologyStony Brook University101 Nicolls RoadStony BrookNY11794U.S.A.
| | - Alison J. Barker
- Max Delbrück Center for Molecular MedicineRobert‐Rössle‐Str 10Berlin‐Buch13092Germany
| | - Nigel C. Bennett
- Mammal Research Institute, Department of Zoology and EntomologyUniversity of PretoriaPretoria0002South Africa
| | - Miguel A. Brieño‐Enríquez
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive MedicineMagee‐Womens Research Institute204 Craft AvenuePittsburghPA15213U.S.A.
| | - Gary N. Bronner
- Department Biological SciencesRondeboschCape Town7701South Africa
| | - Clive Coen
- Reproductive Neurobiology, Division of Women's HealthSchool of Medicine, King's College LondonWestminster Bridge RoadLondonSE1 7EHU.K.
| | - Martha A. Delaney
- Zoological Pathology ProgramUniversity of Illinois3505 Veterinary Medicine Basic Sciences Building, 2001 S Lincoln AvenueUrbanaIL6180U.S.A.
| | - Christine M. Dengler‐Crish
- Department of Pharmaceutical SciencesNortheast Ohio Medical University4209 State Route 44RootstownOH44272U.S.A.
| | - Yael H. Edrey
- Northwest Vista College3535 N. Ellison DriveSan AntonioTX78251U.S.A.
| | - Chris G. Faulkes
- School of Biological and Chemical SciencesQueen Mary University of LondonMile End RoadLondonE1 4NSU.K.
| | - Daniel Frankel
- School of EngineeringNewcastle UniversityMerz CourtNewcastle Upon TyneNE1 7RUU.K.
| | - Gerard Friedlander
- Université Paris DescartesFaculté de Médecine12 Rue de l'École de MédecineParis5006France
| | - Patrick A. Gibney
- Cornell University College of Veterinary MedicineIthacaNY14853U.S.A.
| | - Vera Gorbunova
- Departments of BiologyUniversity of Rochester402 Hutchison HallRochesterNY14627U.S.A.
| | - Christopher Hine
- Cleveland ClinicLerner Research Institute9500 Euclid AvenueClevelandOH44195U.S.A.
| | - Melissa M. Holmes
- Department of PsychologyUniversity of Toronto Mississauga3359 Mississauga Road NorthMississaugaONL5L 1C6Canada
| | | | - Yoshimi Kawamura
- Department of Aging and Longevity ResearchKumamoto University1‐1‐1 HonjoKumamoto860‐0811Japan
| | - Nobuyuki Kutsukake
- Department of Evolutionary Studies of BiosystemsThe Graduate University for Advanced StudiesHayama240‐0193Japan
| | - Cynthia Kenyon
- Calico Life Sciences LLC1170 Veterans BlvdSouth San FranciscoCA94080U.S.A.
| | - Walid T. Khaled
- The School of the Biological SciencesUniversity of CambridgeTennis Court RoadCambridgeCB2 1PDU.K.
| | - Takefumi Kikusui
- Companion Animal Research, School of Veterinary MedicineAzabu UniversitySagamihara252‐5201Japan
| | - Joseph Kissil
- Department of Cancer BiologyThe Scripps Research InstituteScripps FloridaJupiterFL33458U.S.A.
| | - Samantha Lagestee
- Department of Biological SciencesUniversity of Illinois at ChicagoChicagoIL60607U.S.A.
| | - John Larson
- Department of Biological SciencesUniversity of Illinois at ChicagoChicagoIL60607U.S.A.
| | - Amanda Lauer
- Department of OtolaryngologyJohns Hopkins School of MedicineBaltimoreMD21205U.S.A.
| | - Leonid A. Lavrenchenko
- A.N. Severtsov Institute of Ecology and EvolutionRussian Academy of SciencesLeninskii pr. 33Moscow119071Russia
| | - Angela Lee
- Graduate Center City University of New York365 Fifth AvenueNew YorkNY10016U.S.A.
| | - Jonathan B. Levitt
- Biology DepartmentThe City College of New York138th Street and Convent AvenueNew YorkNY10031U.S.A.
| | - Gary R. Lewin
- Max Delbrück Center for Molecular MedicineRobert‐Rössle‐Str 10Berlin‐Buch13092Germany
| | | | - TzuHua D. Lin
- Calico Life Sciences LLC1170 Veterans BlvdSouth San FranciscoCA94080U.S.A.
| | - Matthew J. Mason
- The School of the Biological SciencesUniversity of CambridgeTennis Court RoadCambridgeCB2 1PDU.K.
| | - Dan McCloskey
- College of Staten Island in the City University of New York2800 Victory BlvdStaten IslandNY10314U.S.A.
| | - Mary McMahon
- Calico Life Sciences LLC1170 Veterans BlvdSouth San FranciscoCA94080U.S.A.
| | - Kyoko Miura
- Department of Aging and Longevity ResearchKumamoto University1‐1‐1 HonjoKumamoto860‐0811Japan
| | - Kazutaka Mogi
- Companion Animal Research, School of Veterinary MedicineAzabu UniversitySagamihara252‐5201Japan
| | - Vikram Narayan
- Calico Life Sciences LLC1170 Veterans BlvdSouth San FranciscoCA94080U.S.A.
| | | | - Kazuo Okanoya
- Department of Life SciencesThe University of Tokyo7‐3‐1 HongoTokyo153‐8902Japan
| | | | - Thomas J. Park
- Department of Biological SciencesUniversity of Illinois at ChicagoChicagoIL60607U.S.A.
| | - Ned J. Place
- Cornell University College of Veterinary MedicineIthacaNY14853U.S.A.
| | - Katie Podshivalova
- Calico Life Sciences LLC1170 Veterans BlvdSouth San FranciscoCA94080U.S.A.
| | | | - Sonja J. Pyott
- Groningen Department of OtorhinolaryngologyUniversity Medical CenterPostbus 30.001GroningenRB9700The Netherlands
| | - Jane Reznick
- Cologne Excellence Cluster for Cellular Stress Responses in Aging‐Associated Diseases (CECAD)University Hospital CologneJoseph‐Stelzmann‐Street 26Cologne50931Germany
| | - J. Graham Ruby
- Calico Life Sciences LLC1170 Veterans BlvdSouth San FranciscoCA94080U.S.A.
| | - Adam B. Salmon
- Barshop Institute for Longevity and Aging StudiesUniversity of Texas Health Science Center4939 Charles Katz Dr.San AntonioTX78229U.S.A.
| | - Joseph Santos‐Sacchi
- Department of NeuroscienceYale University School of Medicine200 South Frontage Road, SHM C‐303New HavenCT06510U.S.A.
| | - Diana K. Sarko
- Department of AnatomySchool of Medicine, Southern Illinois University975 S. NormalCarbondaleIL62901U.S.A.
| | - Andrei Seluanov
- Departments of BiologyUniversity of Rochester402 Hutchison HallRochesterNY14627U.S.A.
| | - Alyssa Shepard
- Department of Cancer BiologyThe Scripps Research InstituteScripps FloridaJupiterFL33458U.S.A.
| | - Megan Smith
- Calico Life Sciences LLC1170 Veterans BlvdSouth San FranciscoCA94080U.S.A.
| | - Kenneth B. Storey
- Department of BiologyCarleton University1125 Colonel By DriveOttawaONK1S 5B6Canada
| | - Xiao Tian
- Department of Genetics – Blavatnik InstituteHarvard Medical School77 Avenue Louis PasteurBostonMA02115U.S.A.
| | - Emily N. Vice
- Department of Biological SciencesUniversity of Illinois at ChicagoChicagoIL60607U.S.A.
| | - Mélanie Viltard
- Fondation pour la recherche en PhysiologieUniversité Catholique de LouvainClos Chapelle‐aux‐Champs 30Woluwe‐saint Lambert1200Belgium
| | - Akiyuki Watarai
- Companion Animal Research, School of Veterinary MedicineAzabu UniversitySagamihara252‐5201Japan
| | - Ewa Wywial
- Biology DepartmentThe City College of New York138th Street and Convent AvenueNew YorkNY10031U.S.A.
| | - Masanori Yamakawa
- Department of Evolutionary Studies of BiosystemsThe Graduate University for Advanced StudiesHayama240‐0193Japan
| | - Elena D. Zemlemerova
- A.N. Severtsov Institute of Ecology and EvolutionRussian Academy of SciencesLeninskii pr. 33Moscow119071Russia
| | - Michael Zions
- Graduate Center City University of New York365 Fifth AvenueNew YorkNY10016U.S.A.
| | - Ewan St. John Smith
- The School of the Biological SciencesUniversity of CambridgeTennis Court RoadCambridgeCB2 1PDU.K.
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Pamenter ME, Cheng H. Supermole-rat to the rescue: Does the naked mole-rat offer a panacea for all that ails us? Comp Biochem Physiol A Mol Integr Physiol 2022; 266:111139. [PMID: 34990825 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2021.111139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2021] [Revised: 12/21/2021] [Accepted: 12/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Over the previous several decades, many non-traditional research models have offered new avenues of exploration for biomedical research. The promise of these animals is primarily derived from adaptations to unique or challenging environments that share key factors with a disease or pathology of interest (e.g., hypoxemia or hypercarbia are clinically relevant and are also in vivo consequences of environmental hypoxia and hypercapnia, respectively). Animals adapted to such environments allow us to ask the question: how has nature solved a particular problem and what can we learn to inform novel translational research into the treatment of related diseases and pathologies? One of the most promising mammalian models that have garnered increasing attention from researchers and the public are naked mole-rats (NMRs). The NMR is a small and eusocial subterranean rodent species that live in a putatively hypoxic and hypercapnic burrow environment. Intriguingly, whereas most non-traditional biomedical models offer insight into one or only a few diseases related to a common physiological stress, NMRs in contrast have proven to be resistant to a very wide range of ailments, including aging, cancer, and hypoxia- and hypercapnia-related disorders, among many others. In the present commentary, we discuss progress made in understanding how NMRs overcome these challenges and speculate on the origins of their remarkable abilities.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Matthew E Pamenter
- Department of Biology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada; University of Ottawa Brain and Mind Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada.
| | - Hang Cheng
- Department of Biology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Tatar M. The role of Aβ in Alzheimer's Disease as an Evolutionary Outcome of Optimized Innate Immune Defense. J Prev Alzheimers Dis 2022; 9:580-588. [PMID: 36281662 PMCID: PMC10535726 DOI: 10.14283/jpad.2022.68] [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: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Alzheimer's Disease is a progressive manifestation of aging associated with accumulated Amyloid β. It remains frustratingly unclear why this protein accumulates and how it contributes to Alzheimer's Disease pathology. In one recent hypothesis, Amyloid β is suggested to function as an antimicrobial peptide in innate immune defense within the brain, where Amyloid β gains toxicity when it becomes abundant. This essay proposes an evolutionary explanation for why Amyloid β expression is regulated at an optimum based on its function as a defense and how this leads to disease. Among its potential physiological functions, Amyloid β confers benefits to reduce direct pathogen damage while this simultaneously entails cellular cost of defense. Optimal Amyloid β expression occurs when the gain in fitness from an incremental increase is balanced by the marginal cost of this increase. It proposes that natural selection acting upon the young favored systems to maintain Amyloid β at an optimal level through mechanisms that induce the defense and repress its expression. With age, the force of natural selection declines and permits mechanisms of negative feedback repression to degenerate. Consequently, Amyloid β is expressed beyond its optimum. Age also elevates cumulative pathogen exposure, reduces pathogen barriers and reactivates latent pathogens. The net effect is elevated, chronic induction of Amyloid β in the brain. The model recommends attention to innate immune negative regulation in the brain to discover ways to restore these functions toward a youthful state in the elderly.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- M Tatar
- Marc Tatar, Department of Ecology, Evolution and Organismal Biology, Box GW, Walter Hall Brown University, Providence RI 02912, USA, Office: +1 401-863-3455, Fax: +1 401-863-2166,
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Mitkevich VA, Barykin EP, Eremina S, Pani B, Katkova-Zhukotskaya O, Polshakov VI, Adzhubei AA, Kozin SA, Mironov AS, Makarov AA, Nudler E. Zn-dependent β-amyloid Aggregation and its Reversal by the Tetrapeptide HAEE. Aging Dis 2022; 14:309-318. [PMID: 37008059 PMCID: PMC10017155 DOI: 10.14336/ad.2022.0827] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2022] [Accepted: 08/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD) is associated with the formation of cerebral amyloid plaques, the main components of which are the modified Aβ molecules as well as the metal ions. Aβ isomerized at Asp7 residue (isoD7-Aβ) is the most abundant isoform in amyloid plaques. We hypothesized that the pathogenic effect of isoD7-Aβ is due to the formation of zinc-dependent oligomers, and that this interaction can be disrupted by the rationally designed tetrapeptide (HAEE). Here, we utilized surface plasmon resonance, nuclear magnetic resonance, and molecular dynamics simulation to demonstrate Zn2+-dependent oligomerization of isoD7-Aβ and the formation of a stable isoD7-Aβ:Zn2+:HAEE complex incapable of forming oligomers. To demonstrate the physiological importance of zinc-dependent isoD7-Aβ oligomerization and the ability of HAEE to interfere with this process at the organismal level, we employed transgenic nematodes overexpressing human Aβ. We show that the presence of isoD7-Aβ in the medium triggers extensive amyloidosis that occurs in a Zn2+-dependent manner, enhances paralysis, and shortens the animals' lifespan. Exogenous HAEE completely reverses these pathological effects of isoD7-Aβ. We conclude that the synergistic action of isoD7-Aβ and Zn2+ promotes Aβ aggregation and that the selected small molecules capable of interrupting this process, such as HAEE, can potentially serve as anti-amyloid therapeutics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Vladimir A Mitkevich
- Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia.
| | - Evgeny P Barykin
- Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia.
| | - Svetlana Eremina
- Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia.
| | - Bibhusita Pani
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, USA.
| | | | - Vladimir I Polshakov
- Faculty of Fundamental Medicine, M.V. Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia.
| | - Alexei A Adzhubei
- Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC, USA.
| | - Sergey A Kozin
- Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia.
| | - Alexander S Mironov
- Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia.
| | - Alexander A Makarov
- Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia.
| | - Evgeny Nudler
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, USA.
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, USA.
- Correspondence should be addressed to: Dr. Evgeny Nudler, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA. .
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Zakusilo FT, Kerry O’Banion M, Gelbard HA, Seluanov A, Gorbunova V. Matters of size: Roles of hyaluronan in CNS aging and disease. Ageing Res Rev 2021; 72:101485. [PMID: 34634492 DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2021.101485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2021] [Revised: 10/05/2021] [Accepted: 10/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Involvement of extracellular matrix (ECM) components in aging and age-related neurodegeneration is not well understood. The role of hyaluronan (HA), a major extracellular matrix glycosaminoglycan, in malignancy and inflammation is gaining new understanding. In particular, the differential biological effects of high molecular weight (HMW-HA) and low molecular weight hyaluronan (LMW-HA), and the mechanism behind such differences are being uncovered. Tightly regulated in the brain, HA can have diverse effects on cellular development, growth and degeneration. In this review, we summarize the homeostasis and signaling of HA in healthy tissue, discuss its distribution and ontogeny in the central nervous system (CNS), summarize evidence for its involvement in age-related neurodegeneration and Alzheimer Disease (AD), and assess the potential of HA as a therapeutic target in the CNS.
Collapse
|
21
|
Pergande MR, Amoroso VG, Nguyen TTA, Li W, Vice E, Park TJ, Cologna SM. PPARα and PPARγ Signaling Is Enhanced in the Brain of the Naked Mole-Rat, a Mammal that Shows Intrinsic Neuroprotection from Oxygen Deprivation. J Proteome Res 2021; 20:4258-4271. [PMID: 34351155 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jproteome.1c00131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Naked mole-rats (NMRs) are a long-lived animal that do not develop age-related diseases including neurodegeneration and cancer. Additionally, NMRs have a profound ability to consume reactive oxygen species (ROS) and survive long periods of oxygen deprivation. Here, we evaluated the unique proteome across selected brain regions of NMRs at different ages. Compared to mice, we observed numerous differentially expressed proteins related to altered mitochondrial function in all brain regions, suggesting that the mitochondria in NMRs may have adapted to compensate for energy demands associated with living in a harsh, underground environment. Keeping in mind that ROS can induce polyunsaturated fatty acid peroxidation under periods of neuronal stress, we investigated docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and arachidonic acid (AA) peroxidation under oxygen-deprived conditions and observed that NMRs undergo DHA and AA peroxidation to a far less extent compared to mice. Further, our proteomic analysis also suggested enhanced peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-retinoid X receptor (RXR) activation in NMRs via the PPARα-RXR and PPARγ-RXR complexes. Correspondingly, we present several lines of evidence supporting PPAR activation, including increased eicosapetenoic and omega-3 docosapentaenoic acid, as well as an upregulation of fatty acid-binding protein 3 and 4, known transporters of omega-3 fatty acids and PPAR activators. These results suggest enhanced PPARα and PPARγ signaling as a potential, innate neuroprotective mechanism in NMRs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Melissa R Pergande
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60607, United States
| | - Vince G Amoroso
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60607, United States
| | - Thu T A Nguyen
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60607, United States
| | - Wenping Li
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60607, United States
| | - Emily Vice
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60607, United States
| | - Thomas J Park
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60607, United States.,Laboratory for Integrative Neuroscience, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60607, United States
| | - Stephanie M Cologna
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60607, United States.,Laboratory for Integrative Neuroscience, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60607, United States
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Boughey H, Jurga M, El-Khamisy SF. DNA Homeostasis and Senescence: Lessons from the Naked Mole Rat. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22116011. [PMID: 34199458 PMCID: PMC8199619 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22116011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2021] [Revised: 05/28/2021] [Accepted: 05/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
As we age, our bodies accrue damage in the form of DNA mutations. These mutations lead to the generation of sub-optimal proteins, resulting in inadequate cellular homeostasis and senescence. The build-up of senescent cells negatively affects the local cellular micro-environment and drives ageing associated disease, including neurodegeneration. Therefore, limiting the accumulation of DNA damage is essential for healthy neuronal populations. The naked mole rats (NMR) are from eastern Africa and can live for over three decades in chronically hypoxic environments. Despite their long lifespan, NMRs show little to no biological decline, neurodegeneration, or senescence. Here, we discuss molecular pathways and adaptations that NMRs employ to maintain genome integrity and combat the physiological and pathological decline in organismal function.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Harvey Boughey
- The Healthy Lifespan Institute and the Institute of Neuroscience, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK;
| | - Mateusz Jurga
- The Institute of Cancer Therapeutics, University of Bradford, Bradford BD7 1DP, UK;
| | - Sherif F. El-Khamisy
- The Healthy Lifespan Institute and the Institute of Neuroscience, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK;
- The Institute of Cancer Therapeutics, University of Bradford, Bradford BD7 1DP, UK;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +44-(0)-114-2222-791; Fax: +44-(0)-114-222-2850
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Jhanji M, Rao CN, Sajish M. Towards resolving the enigma of the dichotomy of resveratrol: cis- and trans-resveratrol have opposite effects on TyrRS-regulated PARP1 activation. GeroScience 2021; 43:1171-1200. [PMID: 33244652 PMCID: PMC7690980 DOI: 10.1007/s11357-020-00295-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2020] [Accepted: 10/28/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Unlike widely perceived, resveratrol (RSV) decreased the average lifespan and extended only the replicative lifespan in yeast. Similarly, although not widely discussed, RSV is also known to evoke neurite degeneration, kidney toxicity, atherosclerosis, premature senescence, and genotoxicity through yet unknown mechanisms. Nevertheless, in vivo animal models of diseases and human clinical trials demonstrate inconsistent protective and beneficial effects. Therefore, the mechanism of action of RSV that elicits beneficial effects remains an enigma. In a previously published work, we demonstrated structural similarities between RSV and tyrosine amino acid. RSV acts as a tyrosine antagonist and competes with it to bind to human tyrosyl-tRNA synthetase (TyrRS). Interestingly, although both isomers of RSV bind to TyrRS, only the cis-isomer evokes a unique structural change at the active site to promote its interaction with poly-ADP-ribose polymerase 1 (PARP1), a major determinant of cellular NAD+-dependent stress response. However, retention of trans-RSV in the active site of TyrRS mimics its tyrosine-bound conformation that inhibits the auto-poly-ADP-ribos(PAR)ylation of PARP1. Therefore, we proposed that cis-RSV-induced TyrRS-regulated auto-PARylation of PARP1 would contribute, at least in part, to the reported health benefits of RSV through the induction of protective stress response. This observation suggested that trans-RSV would inhibit TyrRS/PARP1-mediated protective stress response and would instead elicit an opposite effect compared to cis-RSV. Interestingly, most recent studies also confirmed the conversion of trans-RSV and its metabolites to cis-RSV in the physiological context. Therefore, the finding that cis-RSV and trans-RSV induce two distinct conformations of TyrRS with opposite effects on the auto-PARylation of PARP1 provides a potential molecular basis for the observed dichotomic effects of RSV under different experimental paradigms. However, the fact that natural RSV exists as a diastereomeric mixture of its cis and trans isomers and cis-RSV is also a physiologically relevant isoform has not yet gained much scientific attention.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Megha Jhanji
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, 29208, USA
| | - Chintada Nageswara Rao
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, 29208, USA
| | - Mathew Sajish
- Department of Drug Discovery and Biomedical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, 29208, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Holtze S, Gorshkova E, Braude S, Cellerino A, Dammann P, Hildebrandt TB, Hoeflich A, Hoffmann S, Koch P, Terzibasi Tozzini E, Skulachev M, Skulachev VP, Sahm A. Alternative Animal Models of Aging Research. Front Mol Biosci 2021; 8:660959. [PMID: 34079817 PMCID: PMC8166319 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2021.660959] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2021] [Accepted: 04/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Most research on mechanisms of aging is being conducted in a very limited number of classical model species, i.e., laboratory mouse (Mus musculus), rat (Rattus norvegicus domestica), the common fruit fly (Drosophila melanogaster) and roundworm (Caenorhabditis elegans). The obvious advantages of using these models are access to resources such as strains with known genetic properties, high-quality genomic and transcriptomic sequencing data, versatile experimental manipulation capabilities including well-established genome editing tools, as well as extensive experience in husbandry. However, this approach may introduce interpretation biases due to the specific characteristics of the investigated species, which may lead to inappropriate, or even false, generalization. For example, it is still unclear to what extent knowledge of aging mechanisms gained in short-lived model organisms is transferable to long-lived species such as humans. In addition, other specific adaptations favoring a long and healthy life from the immense evolutionary toolbox may be entirely missed. In this review, we summarize the specific characteristics of emerging animal models that have attracted the attention of gerontologists, we provide an overview of the available data and resources related to these models, and we summarize important insights gained from them in recent years. The models presented include short-lived ones such as killifish (Nothobranchius furzeri), long-lived ones such as primates (Callithrix jacchus, Cebus imitator, Macaca mulatta), bathyergid mole-rats (Heterocephalus glaber, Fukomys spp.), bats (Myotis spp.), birds, olms (Proteus anguinus), turtles, greenland sharks, bivalves (Arctica islandica), and potentially non-aging ones such as Hydra and Planaria.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Susanne Holtze
- Department of Reproduction Management, Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Berlin, Germany
| | - Ekaterina Gorshkova
- Center for Precision Genome Editing and Genetic Technologies for Biomedicine, Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
- Faculty of Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Stan Braude
- Department of Biology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, United States
| | - Alessandro Cellerino
- Biology Laboratory, Scuola Normale Superiore, Pisa, Italy
- Leibniz Institute on Aging – Fritz Lipmann Institute, Jena, Germany
| | - Philip Dammann
- Department of General Zoology, Faculty of Biology, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
- Central Animal Laboratory, University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Thomas B. Hildebrandt
- Department of Reproduction Management, Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Berlin, Germany
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Free University of Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Andreas Hoeflich
- Division Signal Transduction, Institute for Genome Biology, Leibniz Institute for Farm Animal Biology, Dummerstorf, Germany
| | - Steve Hoffmann
- Computational Biology Group, Leibniz Institute on Aging – Fritz Lipmann Institute, Jena, Germany
| | - Philipp Koch
- Core Facility Life Science Computing, Leibniz Institute on Aging – Fritz Lipmann Institute, Jena, Germany
| | - Eva Terzibasi Tozzini
- Department of Biology and Evolution of Marine Organisms, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Naples, Italy
| | - Maxim Skulachev
- Belozersky Institute of Physico-Chemical Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Vladimir P. Skulachev
- Belozersky Institute of Physico-Chemical Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Arne Sahm
- Computational Biology Group, Leibniz Institute on Aging – Fritz Lipmann Institute, Jena, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Ngo ST, Nguyen PH, Derreumaux P. Impact of the Rat R5G, Y10F, and H13R Mutations on Tetrameric Aβ42 β-Barrel in a Lipid Bilayer Membrane Model. J Phys Chem B 2021; 125:3105-3113. [PMID: 33739113 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.1c00030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Three amino acid substitutions distinguish rat and human Aβ42 peptides and contribute to the difference in toxicity properties. Indeed, aged rodents rarely develop the characteristic lesions of Alzheimer's disease in contrast to humans. Both peptides form, however, amyloid fibrils in buffer solution, but their affinities to the membrane vary. In particular, there is experimental evidence that the rat Aβ42 peptide does not induce Ca2+ fluxes in cells. We recently designed a tetrameric β-barrel structure and showed that this model is severely destabilized for Aβ40 human compared to its Aβ42 human counterpart, explaining the absence of ionic currents of Aβ40 in planar lipid bilayers. In this study, we asked whether our model is destabilized for the rat Aβ42 peptide by using extensive replica exchange molecular dynamics simulation in a dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC) lipid bilayer membrane. Our results show that the much lower propensity of aged rodents to develop Alzheimer's disease symptoms might be correlated to its tetrameric β-barrel stability in the cell membrane.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Son Tung Ngo
- Laboratory of Theoretical and Computational Biophysics & Faculty of Applied Sciences, Ton Duc Thang University, 33000 Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
| | - Phuong H Nguyen
- Laboratoire de Biochimie Théorique, CNRS, Université de Paris, UPR 9080, 13 rue Pierre et Marie Curie, 75005 Paris, France.,Institut de Biologie Physico-Chimique, Fondation Edmond de Rothschild, PSL Research University, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Philippe Derreumaux
- Laboratoire de Biochimie Théorique, CNRS, Université de Paris, UPR 9080, 13 rue Pierre et Marie Curie, 75005 Paris, France.,Institut de Biologie Physico-Chimique, Fondation Edmond de Rothschild, PSL Research University, 75005 Paris, France.,Laboratory of Theoretical Chemistry and Faculty of Pharmacy, Ton Duc Thang University, 33000 Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Pras A, Nollen EAA. Regulation of Age-Related Protein Toxicity. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:637084. [PMID: 33748125 PMCID: PMC7973223 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.637084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2020] [Accepted: 02/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Proteome damage plays a major role in aging and age-related neurodegenerative diseases. Under healthy conditions, molecular quality control mechanisms prevent toxic protein misfolding and aggregation. These mechanisms include molecular chaperones for protein folding, spatial compartmentalization for sequestration, and degradation pathways for the removal of harmful proteins. These mechanisms decline with age, resulting in the accumulation of aggregation-prone proteins that are harmful to cells. In the past decades, a variety of fast- and slow-aging model organisms have been used to investigate the biological mechanisms that accelerate or prevent such protein toxicity. In this review, we describe the most important mechanisms that are required for maintaining a healthy proteome. We describe how these mechanisms decline during aging and lead to toxic protein misassembly, aggregation, and amyloid formation. In addition, we discuss how optimized protein homeostasis mechanisms in long-living animals contribute to prolonging their lifespan. This knowledge might help us to develop interventions in the protein homeostasis network that delay aging and age-related pathologies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Ellen A. A. Nollen
- Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology of Ageing, European Research Institute for the Biology of Ageing, University Medical Centre Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Some Exciting Future Directions for Work on Naked Mole-Rats. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2021; 1319:409-420. [PMID: 34424527 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-65943-1_17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
The naked mole-rat is a species of growing research interest. Recent focus on this species from both a biomedical and zoological perspective has led to important discoveries regarding eusociality and ecophysiological and sensory traits associated with life below ground as well as natural protection from variable oxygen availability, acid-induced pain, and the vagaries of aging. These features serve to remind us that many foundational discoveries have arisen using extremophilic organisms and elucidating the mechanisms they employ to survive the harsh environmental conditions they encounter. Investigating these evolved features also facilitates a better understanding of several human disease states that share features with this harsh subterranean milieu. Here, we provide an overview of some unanswered questions and future directions to advance this field, alongside discussion of the tools that could facilitate accelerated progression of research using this enigmatic model.
Collapse
|
28
|
Adult Neural Plasticity in Naked Mole-Rats: Implications of Fossoriality, Longevity and Sociality on the Brain's Capacity for Change. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2021; 1319:105-135. [PMID: 34424514 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-65943-1_4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Naked mole-rats (Heterocephalus glaber) are small African rodents that have many unique behavioral and physiological adaptations well-suited for testing hypotheses about mammalian neural plasticity. In this chapter, we focus on three features of naked mole-rat biology and how they impact neural plasticity in this species: (1) their fossorial lifestyle, (2) their extreme longevity with a lack of demonstrable senescence, and (3) their unusual social structure. Critically, each of these features requires some degree of biological flexibility. First, their fossorial habitat situates them in an environment with characteristics to which the central nervous system is particularly sensitive (e.g., oxygen content, photoperiod, spatial complexity). Second, their long lifespan requires adaptations to combat senescence and declines in neural functioning. Finally, their extreme reproductive skew and sustained ability for release from reproductive suppression indicates remarkable neural sensitivity to the sociosexual environment that is distinct from chronological age. These three features of naked mole-rat life are not mutually exclusive, but they do each offer unique considerations for the possibilities, constraints, and mechanisms associated with adult neural plasticity.
Collapse
|
29
|
Ward JM, Cartoceti AN, Delaney MA. Brain Lesions in Aging Zoo-Housed Naked Mole-Rats ( Heterocephalus glaber). Vet Pathol 2020; 58:142-146. [PMID: 33205701 DOI: 10.1177/0300985820969982] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Naked mole-rats (NMRs) are common in the managed care of zoos and valuable models for aging research. Limited information on NMR neuropathology is available despite many studies regarding their aging physiology. Histologic sections of brain from 27 adult (5-27 years old) NMRs from 2 zoos were reviewed to determine presence or absence of lesions associated with advanced age in humans and other mammals. A majority (23/27; 85%) of NMR brains had cerebral cortical neuronal changes with rounded or angular neurons, cytoplasmic vacuoles containing pale yellow pigment, periodic acid-Schiff (PAS)-positive granules and green autofluorescence, compatible with lipofuscinosis. Less severe lesions were present in cerebellar Purkinje cells, medulla, and hippocampal neurons. The hypothalamic neuropil of all NMRs had scattered variably sized PAS-positive granules and 10 (37%) had larger round bodies consistent with corpora amylacea. The youngest NMRs, 5 to 7 years old, generally had minimal or no cerebrocortical lesions. Further studies will help understand brain aging in this long-lived species.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Andrew N Cartoceti
- National Zoological Park, 53587Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Martha A Delaney
- Zoological Pathology Program, College of Veterinary Medicine, 14589University of Illinois, Brookfield, IL, USA
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Frankel D, Davies M, Bhushan B, Kulaberoglu Y, Urriola-Munoz P, Bertrand-Michel J, Pergande MR, Smith AA, Preet S, Park TJ, Vendruscolo M, Rankin KS, Cologna SM, Kumita JR, Cenac N, St John Smith E. Cholesterol-rich naked mole-rat brain lipid membranes are susceptible to amyloid beta-induced damage in vitro. Aging (Albany NY) 2020; 12:22266-22290. [PMID: 33147569 PMCID: PMC7695401 DOI: 10.18632/aging.202138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2020] [Accepted: 10/03/2020] [Indexed: 04/08/2023]
Abstract
Naked mole-rats are extraordinarily long-lived rodents that offer unique opportunities to study the molecular origins of age-related neurodegenerative diseases. Remarkably, they do not accumulate amyloid plaques, even though their brains contain high concentrations of amyloid beta (Aβ) peptide from a young age. Therefore, they represent a particularly favourable organism to study the mechanisms of resistance against Aβ neurotoxicity. Here we examine the composition, phase behaviour, and Aβ interactions of naked mole-rat brain lipids. Relative to mouse, naked mole-rat brain lipids are rich in cholesterol and contain sphingomyelin in lower amounts and of shorter chain lengths. Proteins associated with the metabolism of ceramides, sphingomyelins and sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor 1 were also found to be decreased in naked mole-rat brain lysates. Correspondingly, we find that naked mole-rat brain lipid membranes exhibit a high degree of phase separation, with the liquid ordered phase extending to 80% of the supported lipid bilayer. These observations are consistent with the 'membrane pacemaker' hypothesis of ageing, according to which long-living species have lipid membranes particularly resistant to oxidative damage. We also found that exposure to Aβ disrupts naked mole-rat brain lipid membranes significantly, breaking the membrane into pieces while mouse brain derived lipids remain largely intact upon Aβ exposure.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Frankel
- School of Engineering, Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne NE1 7RU, UK
| | - Matthew Davies
- School of Engineering, Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne NE1 7RU, UK
| | - Bharat Bhushan
- School of Engineering, Newcastle University, Newcastle Upon Tyne NE1 7RU, UK
| | - Yavuz Kulaberoglu
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 1PD, UK
| | | | | | - Melissa R. Pergande
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60607, USA
| | - Andrew A. Smith
- Centre for Misfolding Diseases, Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 1EW, UK
| | - Swapan Preet
- Centre for Misfolding Diseases, Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 1EW, UK
| | - Thomas J. Park
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60607, USA
| | - Michele Vendruscolo
- Centre for Misfolding Diseases, Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 1EW, UK
| | - Kenneth S. Rankin
- Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Newcastle University, Paul O’Gorman Building, Framlington Place, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE2 4HH, UK
| | - Stephanie M. Cologna
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60607, USA
| | - Janet R. Kumita
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 1PD, UK
- Centre for Misfolding Diseases, Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 1EW, UK
| | - Nicolas Cenac
- IRSD, INSERM, INRA, INP-ENVT, Toulouse University 3 Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, France
| | - Ewan St John Smith
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 1PD, UK
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Du Z, Chakrabarti S, Kulaberoglu Y, Smith ESJ, Dobson CM, Itzhaki LS, Kumita JR. Probing the unfolded protein response in long-lived naked mole-rats. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2020; 529:1151-1157. [PMID: 32819579 PMCID: PMC7453385 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2020.06.118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2020] [Accepted: 06/23/2020] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
The long-living naked mole-rat (NMR) shows negligible senescence and resistance to age-associated diseases. Recent evidence, based on protein-level assays, suggests that enhanced protein homeostasis machinery contributes to NMR stress-resistance and longevity. Here, we develop NMR-specific, transcriptional assays for measuring the unfolded protein response (UPR), a component of ER proteostasis. By varying doses and response times of pharmacological ER stressors applied to NMR kidney fibroblasts, we probe the NMR UPR in detail, demonstrating that NMR fibroblasts have a higher UPR activation threshold compared to mouse fibroblasts under mild ER-stress induction; whereas temporal analysis reveals that severe ER-stress induction results in no comparative differences. Probing NMR UPR activation with our robust assays may lead to insights into the proteostasis and ageing relationship.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhen Du
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Rd., Cambridge, CB2 1PD, UK; Centre for Misfolding Diseases, Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Rd., Cambridge, CB2 1EW, UK
| | - Sampurna Chakrabarti
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Rd., Cambridge, CB2 1PD, UK
| | - Yavuz Kulaberoglu
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Rd., Cambridge, CB2 1PD, UK; UCL Institute of Healthy Ageing, Darwin Building, 104 Gower St, Bloomsbury, London, WC1E 6AD, UK
| | - Ewan St John Smith
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Rd., Cambridge, CB2 1PD, UK
| | - Christopher M Dobson
- Centre for Misfolding Diseases, Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Rd., Cambridge, CB2 1EW, UK
| | - Laura S Itzhaki
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Rd., Cambridge, CB2 1PD, UK.
| | - Janet R Kumita
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Rd., Cambridge, CB2 1PD, UK; Centre for Misfolding Diseases, Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Rd., Cambridge, CB2 1EW, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Buffenstein R, Lewis KN, Gibney PA, Narayan V, Grimes KM, Smith M, Lin TD, Brown-Borg HM. Probing Pedomorphy and Prolonged Lifespan in Naked Mole-Rats and Dwarf Mice. Physiology (Bethesda) 2020; 35:96-111. [DOI: 10.1152/physiol.00032.2019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Pedomorphy, maintenance of juvenile traits throughout life, is most pronounced in extraordinarily long-lived naked mole-rats. Many of these traits (e.g., slow growth rates, low hormone levels, and delayed sexual maturity) are shared with spontaneously mutated, long-lived dwarf mice. Although some youthful traits likely evolved as adaptations to subterranean habitats (e.g., thermolability), the nature of these intrinsic pedomorphic features may also contribute to their prolonged youthfulness, longevity, and healthspan.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Patrick A. Gibney
- Calico Life Sciences LLC, South San Francisco, California
- Department of Food Science, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Stocking Hall, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York
| | - Vikram Narayan
- Calico Life Sciences LLC, South San Francisco, California
| | - Kelly M. Grimes
- Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio
| | - Megan Smith
- Calico Life Sciences LLC, South San Francisco, California
| | - Tzuhua D. Lin
- Calico Life Sciences LLC, South San Francisco, California
| | - Holly M. Brown-Borg
- Biomedical Sciences, University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Grand Forks, North Dakota
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
|
34
|
Cuperlovic-Culf M, Badhwar A. Recent advances from metabolomics and lipidomics application in alzheimer's disease inspiring drug discovery. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2019; 15:319-331. [PMID: 31619081 DOI: 10.1080/17460441.2020.1674808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Introduction: Although age is a major risk factor for Alzheimer's disease (AD), it is not an inevitable consequence of aging nor is it exclusively an old-age disease. Several other major risk factors for AD are strongly associated with metabolism and include lack of exercise, obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure and cholesterol, over-consumption of alcohol and depression in addition to low educational level, social isolation, and cognitive inactivity. Approaches for Alzheimer prevention and treatment through manipulation of metabolism and utilization of active metabolites have great potential either as a primary or secondary treatment avenue or as a preventative strategy in high-risk individuals.Areas covered: This review outlines the current knowledge concerning the relationship between AD and metabolism and the novel treatments attempting to correct changes in AD patients determined through metabolomics or lipidomic analyses.Expert opinion: Metabolites are one of the main driving factors and indicators of AD and can offer many possible avenues for prevention and treatment. However, with the highly interconnected effects of metabolites and metabolism, as well as the many different routes for metabolism dysfunction, successful treatment would have to include the correction of metabolic errors as well as errors in transport and metabolite processing in order to affect and revert AD progression.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Amanpreet Badhwar
- Centre de Recherche de l'Institut Universitaire de Gériatrie de Montréal (CRIUGM), Montreal, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Hawkins LJ, Hadj-Moussa H, Nguyen VC, Pamenter ME, Storey KB. Naked mole rats activate neuroprotective proteins during hypoxia. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL ZOOLOGY PART 2019; 331:571-576. [PMID: 31545006 DOI: 10.1002/jez.2321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2019] [Revised: 09/03/2019] [Accepted: 09/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Naked mole rats are a long-lived animal model that age much like humans, but that can also withstand oxidative damage, cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, and severe hypoxic conditions, which is of particular interest to this study. The conditions of their underground burrows result in competition for oxygen consumption, yet despite this oxygen deprivation they emerge unscathed. To understand the mechanisms in place to facilitate neuronal preservation during hypoxia, we investigated the protein levels of well-known cell-stress factors. We found that under hypoxic conditions, nearly half of the proteins measured increased expression in brain, while only a few decreased. Under hypoxic conditions there appeared to be a HIF1α-centered response, where HIF1α and its interactors carbonic anhydrase 9, CITED2, p21/CIP1, and NFκB1, among others, were upregulated. Concurrently, a hypoxia-induced decrease of cytochrome c was consistent with decreased mitochondrial function and protection from apoptosis. The picture that emerges is one of neuroprotection, cell-cycle arrest, and the promotion of antiapoptotic functions, all of which are consistent with conserving energy and maintaining neural integrity under low oxygen levels. These results suggest how this species may be poised to face hypoxia and contribute to its remarkable ability to deal with myriad of other damaging factors and sets the stage for future work on the neuroprotective facilitators we identified.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Liam J Hawkins
- Department of Biology, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | | | - Vu C Nguyen
- Biology Department, University of Ottawa, Marie-Curie Pvt, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Matthew E Pamenter
- Biology Department, University of Ottawa, Marie-Curie Pvt, Ottawa, ON, Canada.,Brain and Mind Research Institute, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | | |
Collapse
|
36
|
Vahed M, Sweeney A, Shirasawa H, Vahed M. The initial stage of structural transformation of Aβ 42 peptides from the human and mole rat in the presence of Fe 2+ and Fe 3+: Related to Alzheimer's disease. Comput Biol Chem 2019; 83:107128. [PMID: 31585353 DOI: 10.1016/j.compbiolchem.2019.107128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2019] [Revised: 09/10/2019] [Accepted: 09/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
The early stage of secondary structural conversion of amyloid beta (Aβ) to misfolded aggregations is a key feature of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Under normal physiological conditions, Aβ peptides can protect neurons from the toxicity of highly concentrated metals. However, they become toxic under certain conditions. Under conditions of excess iron, amyloid precursor proteins (APP) become overexpressed. This subsequently increases Aβ production. Experimental studies suggest that Aβ fibrillation (main-pathway) and amorphous (off-pathway) aggregate formations are two competitive pathways driven by factors such as metal binding, pH and temperature. In this study, we performed molecular dynamic (MD) simulations to examine the initial stage of conformational transformations of human Aβ (hAβ) and rat Aβ (rAβ) peptides in the presence of Fe2+ and Fe3+ ions. Our results demonstrated that Fe2+ and Fe3+ play key roles in Aβs folding and aggregation. Fe3+ had a greater effect than Fe2+on Aβs' folding during intermolecular interactions and subsequently, had a greater effect in decreasing structural diversity. Fe2+ was observed to be more likely than Fe3+ to interact with nitrogen atoms from the residues of imidazole rings of His. rAβ peptides are more energetically favorable than hAβ for intermolecular interactions and amorphous aggregations. We concluded that most hAβ structures were energetically unfavorable. However, hAβs with intermolecular β-sheet formations in the C-terminal were energetically favorable. It is notable that Fe2+ can change the surface charge of hAβ. Furthermore, Fe3+ can promote C-terminal folding by binding to Glu22 and Ala42, and by forming stable β-sheet formations on the C-terminal. Fe3+ can also pause the main-pathway by inducing random aggregations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Vahed
- Medical Mycology Research Center, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chuo-ku, Chiba 260-8673, Japan
| | - Aaron Sweeney
- Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Hiroshi Shirasawa
- Department of Molecular Virology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chuo-ku, Chiba 260-8670, Japan
| | - Majid Vahed
- Department of Molecular Virology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, 1-8-1 Inohana, Chuo-ku, Chiba 260-8670, Japan.
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Viltard M, Durand S, Pérez-Lanzón M, Aprahamian F, Lefevre D, Leroy C, Madeo F, Kroemer G, Friedlander G. The metabolomic signature of extreme longevity: naked mole rats versus mice. Aging (Albany NY) 2019; 11:4783-4800. [PMID: 31346149 PMCID: PMC6682510 DOI: 10.18632/aging.102116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2019] [Accepted: 07/16/2019] [Indexed: 04/11/2023]
Abstract
The naked mole-rat (Heterocephalus glaber) is characterized by a more than tenfold higher life expectancy compared to another rodent species of the same size, namely, the laboratory mouse (Mus musculus). We used mass spectrometric metabolomics to analyze circulating plasma metabolites in both species at different ages. Interspecies differences were much more pronounced than age-associated alterations in the metabolome. Such interspecies divergences affected multiple metabolic pathways involving amino, bile and fatty acids as well as monosaccharides and nucleotides. The most intriguing metabolites were those that had previously been linked to pro-health and antiaging effects in mice and that were significantly increased in the long-lived rodent compared to its short-lived counterpart. This pattern applies to α-tocopherol (also known as vitamin E) and polyamines (in particular cadaverine, N8-acetylspermidine and N1,N8-diacetylspermidine), all of which were more abundant in naked mole-rats than in mice. Moreover, the age-associated decline in spermidine and N1-acetylspermidine levels observed in mice did not occur, or is even reversed (in the case of N1-acetylspermidine) in naked mole-rats. In short, the present metabolomics analysis provides a series of testable hypotheses to explain the exceptional longevity of naked mole-rats.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mélanie Viltard
- Fondation pour la Recherche en Physiologie, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Sylvère Durand
- Metabolomics and Cell Biology Platforms, Institut Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France
- Equipe Labellisée par la Ligue contre le Cancer, Université de Paris, Sorbonne Université, INSERM U1138, Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, Paris, France
| | - Maria Pérez-Lanzón
- Metabolomics and Cell Biology Platforms, Institut Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France
- Equipe Labellisée par la Ligue contre le Cancer, Université de Paris, Sorbonne Université, INSERM U1138, Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, Paris, France
- Faculté de Médecine, Université de Paris Saclay, Kremlin Bicêtre, France
| | - Fanny Aprahamian
- Metabolomics and Cell Biology Platforms, Institut Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France
- Equipe Labellisée par la Ligue contre le Cancer, Université de Paris, Sorbonne Université, INSERM U1138, Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, Paris, France
| | - Deborah Lefevre
- Metabolomics and Cell Biology Platforms, Institut Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France
- Equipe Labellisée par la Ligue contre le Cancer, Université de Paris, Sorbonne Université, INSERM U1138, Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, Paris, France
| | - Christine Leroy
- INSERM UMR_S1151 CNRS UMR8253 Institut Necker-Enfants Malades (INEM), Paris, France
| | - Frank Madeo
- Institute of Molecular Biosciences, University of Graz, NAWI Graz, Graz, Austria
- BioTechMed Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Guido Kroemer
- Metabolomics and Cell Biology Platforms, Institut Gustave Roussy, Villejuif, France
- Equipe Labellisée par la Ligue contre le Cancer, Université de Paris, Sorbonne Université, INSERM U1138, Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, Paris, France
- Pôle de Biologie, Hôpital Européen Georges Pompidou, AP-HP, Paris, France
- Suzhou Institute for Systems Medicine, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Suzhou, China
- Karolinska Institute, Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Gérard Friedlander
- INSERM UMR_S1151 CNRS UMR8253 Institut Necker-Enfants Malades (INEM), Paris, France
- Service de Physiologie et Explorations Fonctionnelles, Hôpital Européen Georges Pompidou, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Paris, France
- Université de Paris - Paris Descartes, Faculté de Médecine, Paris, France
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Gosztyla ML, Brothers HM, Robinson SR. Alzheimer's Amyloid-β is an Antimicrobial Peptide: A Review of the Evidence. J Alzheimers Dis 2019; 62:1495-1506. [PMID: 29504537 DOI: 10.3233/jad-171133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 139] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The amyloid-β (Aβ) peptide has long been considered to be the driving force behind Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, clinical trials that have successfully reduced Aβ burden in the brain have not slowed the cognitive decline, and in some instances, have resulted in adverse outcomes. While these results can be interpreted in different ways, a more nuanced picture of Aβ is emerging that takes into account the facts that the peptide is evolutionarily conserved and is present throughout life in cognitively normal individuals. Recent evidence indicates a role for Aβ as an antimicrobial peptide (AMP), a class of innate immune defense molecule that utilizes fibrillation to protect the host from a wide range of infectious agents. In humans and in animal models, infection of the brain frequently leads to increased amyloidogenic processing of the amyloid-β protein precursor (AβPP) and resultant fibrillary aggregates of Aβ. Evidence from in vitro and in vivo studies demonstrates that Aβ oligomers have potent, broad-spectrum antimicrobial properties by forming fibrils that entrap pathogens and disrupt cell membranes. Importantly, overexpression of Aβ confers increased resistance to infection from both bacteria and viruses. The antimicrobial role of Aβ may explain why increased rates of infection have been observed in some of the AD clinical trials that depleted Aβ. Perhaps progress toward a cure for AD will accelerate once treatment strategies begin to take into account the likely physiological functions of this enigmatic peptide.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maya L Gosztyla
- Department of Neuroscience, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Holly M Brothers
- Department of Psychology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Stephen R Robinson
- Discipline of Psychology, School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, RMIT University, Bundoora, VIC, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
Surguchov A, Emamzadeh FN, Surguchev AA. Amyloidosis and Longevity: A Lesson from Plants. BIOLOGY 2019; 8:biology8020043. [PMID: 31137746 PMCID: PMC6628237 DOI: 10.3390/biology8020043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2019] [Revised: 05/16/2019] [Accepted: 05/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The variety of lifespans of different organisms in nature is amazing. Although it is acknowledged that the longevity is determined by a complex interaction between hereditary and environmental factors, many questions about factors defining lifespan remain open. One of them concerns a wide range of lifespans of different organisms. The reason for the longevity of certain trees, which reaches a thousand years and exceeds the lifespan of most long living vertebrates by a huge margin is also not completely understood. Here we have discussed some distinguishing characteristics of plants, which may explain their remarkable longevity. Among them are the absence (or very low abundance) of intracellular inclusions composed of amyloidogenic proteins, the lack of certain groups of proteins prone to aggregate and form amyloids in animals, and the high level of compounds which inhibit protein aggregation and possess antiaging properties.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Andrei Surguchov
- Department of Neurology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA.
| | - Fatemeh Nouri Emamzadeh
- Division of Biomedical and Life Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medicine, University of Lancaster, Lancaster LA1 4AY, UK.
| | - Alexei A Surguchev
- Section of Otolaryngology, Department of Surgery, Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
40
|
Husson Z, Smith ESJ. Naked mole-rat cortical neurons are resistant to acid-induced cell death. Mol Brain 2018; 11:26. [PMID: 29739425 PMCID: PMC5941639 DOI: 10.1186/s13041-018-0369-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2018] [Accepted: 04/27/2018] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Regulation of brain pH is a critical homeostatic process and changes in brain pH modulate various ion channels and receptors and thus neuronal excitability. Tissue acidosis, resulting from hypoxia or hypercapnia, can activate various proteins and ion channels, among which acid-sensing ion channels (ASICs) a family of primarily Na+ permeable ion channels, which alongside classical excitotoxicity causes neuronal death. Naked mole-rats (NMRs, Heterocephalus glaber) are long-lived, fossorial, eusocial rodents that display remarkable behavioral/cellular hypoxia and hypercapnia resistance. In the central nervous system, ASIC subunit expression is similar between mouse and NMR with the exception of much lower expression of ASIC4 throughout the NMR brain. However, ASIC function and neuronal sensitivity to sustained acidosis has not been examined in the NMR brain. Here, we show with whole-cell patch-clamp electrophysiology of cultured NMR and mouse cortical and hippocampal neurons that NMR neurons have smaller voltage-gated Na+ channel currents and more hyperpolarized resting membrane potentials. We further demonstrate that acid-mediated currents in NMR neurons are of smaller magnitude than in mouse, and that all currents in both species are reversibly blocked by the ASIC antagonist benzamil. We further demonstrate that NMR neurons show greater resistance to acid-induced cell death than mouse neurons. In summary, NMR neurons show significant cellular resistance to acidotoxicity compared to mouse neurons, contributing factors likely to be smaller ASIC-mediated currents and reduced NaV activity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zoé Husson
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge, CB2 1PD, UK
| | - Ewan St John Smith
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge, CB2 1PD, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
Foroutanpay B, Kumar J, Kang S, Danaei N, Westaway D, Sim V, Kar S. The Effects of N-terminal Mutations on β-amyloid Peptide Aggregation and Toxicity. Neuroscience 2018; 379:177-188. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2018.03.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2017] [Revised: 03/01/2018] [Accepted: 03/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
|
42
|
Brothers HM, Gosztyla ML, Robinson SR. The Physiological Roles of Amyloid-β Peptide Hint at New Ways to Treat Alzheimer's Disease. Front Aging Neurosci 2018; 10:118. [PMID: 29922148 PMCID: PMC5996906 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2018.00118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 210] [Impact Index Per Article: 35.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2018] [Accepted: 04/06/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyloid-ß (Aß) is best known as the misfolded peptide that is involved in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD), and it is currently the primary therapeutic target in attempts to arrest the course of this disease. This notoriety has overshadowed evidence that Aß serves several important physiological functions. Aß is present throughout the lifespan, it has been found in all vertebrates examined thus far, and its molecular sequence shows a high degree of conservation. These features are typical of a factor that contributes significantly to biological fitness, and this suggestion has been supported by evidence of functions that are beneficial for the brain. The putative roles of Aß include protecting the body from infections, repairing leaks in the blood-brain barrier, promoting recovery from injury, and regulating synaptic function. Evidence for these beneficial roles comes from in vitro and in vivo studies, which have shown that the cellular production of Aß rapidly increases in response to a physiological challenge and often diminishes upon recovery. These roles are further supported by the adverse outcomes of clinical trials that have attempted to deplete Aß in order to treat AD. We suggest that anti-Aß therapies will produce fewer adverse effects if the known triggers of Aß deposition (e.g., pathogens, hypertension, and diabetes) are addressed first.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Holly M Brothers
- Department of Psychology, The Ohio State University Columbus, Columbus, OH, United States
| | - Maya L Gosztyla
- Department of Neuroscience, The Ohio State University Columbus, Columbus, OH, United States
| | - Stephen R Robinson
- Discipline of Psychology, School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
43
|
Manskikh VN, Averina OA, Nikiforova AI. Spontaneous and Experimentally Induced Pathologies in the Naked Mole Rat (Heterocephalus glaber). BIOCHEMISTRY (MOSCOW) 2018; 82:1504-1512. [PMID: 29486700 PMCID: PMC7088389 DOI: 10.1134/s0006297917120094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
The naked mole rat (Heterocephalus glaber, Rüppell, 1842) is a unique eusocial rodent with unusually long lifespan. Therefore, the study of spontaneous and experimentally induced pathologies in these animals is one of the most important tasks of gerontology. Various infections, noninfectious pathologies (including age-dependent changes), and tumors have been described in the naked mole rat. The most frequent pathologies are traumas (bite wounds), purulent and septic complications of traumatic injuries, renal tubular calcinosis, chronic progressive nephropathy, hepatic hemosiderosis, testicular interstitial cell hyperplasia, calcinosis cutis, cardiomyopathy, and dysbiosis-related infectious lesions of the digestive system. However, the summarized data on pathology (including tumor incidence) and on the causes of mortality are insufficient. There are only few publications about the results of experiments where pathologies were induced in the naked mole rat. All these problems could be subjects for promising future studies without which adequate studies on mechanisms providing the long lifespan of the naked mole rat are impossible, as well as the elucidation of causes of tumor resistance of this species.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- V N Manskikh
- Lomonosov Moscow State University, Belozersky Institute of Physico-Chemical Biology, Moscow, 119991, Russia.
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
44
|
Orr ME, Garbarino VR, Salinas A, Buffenstein R. Extended Postnatal Brain Development in the Longest-Lived Rodent: Prolonged Maintenance of Neotenous Traits in the Naked Mole-Rat Brain. Front Neurosci 2016; 10:504. [PMID: 27877105 PMCID: PMC5099538 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2016.00504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2016] [Accepted: 10/21/2016] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The naked mole-rat (NMR) is the longest-lived rodent with a maximum lifespan >31 years. Intriguingly, fully-grown naked mole-rats (NMRs) exhibit many traits typical of neonatal rodents. However, little is known about NMR growth and maturation, and we question whether sustained neotenous features when compared to mice, reflect an extended developmental period, commensurate with their exceptionally long life. We tracked development from birth to 3 years of age in the slowest maturing organ, the brain, by measuring mass, neural stem cell proliferation, axonal, and dendritic maturation, synaptogenesis and myelination. NMR brain maturation was compared to data from similar sized rodents, mice, and to that of long-lived mammals, humans, and non-human primates. We found that at birth, NMR brains are significantly more developed than mice, and rather are more similar to those of newborn primates, with clearly laminated hippocampi and myelinated white matter tracts. Despite this more mature brain at birth than mice, postnatal NMR brain maturation occurs at a far slower rate than mice, taking four-times longer than required for mice to fully complete brain development. At 4 months of age, NMR brains reach 90% of adult size with stable neuronal cytostructural protein expression whereas myelin protein expression does not plateau until 9 months of age in NMRs, and synaptic protein expression continues to change throughout the first 3 years of life. Intriguingly, NMR axonal composition is more similar to humans than mice whereby NMRs maintain expression of three-repeat (3R) tau even after brain growth is complete; mice experience an abrupt downregulation of 3R tau by postnatal day 8 which continues to diminish through 6 weeks of age. We have identified key ages in NMR cerebral development and suggest that the long-lived NMR may provide neurobiologists an exceptional model to study brain developmental processes that are compressed in common short-lived laboratory animal models.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Miranda E Orr
- Department of Physiology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San AntonioSan Antonio, TX, USA; The Barshop Institute for Longevity, Aging Studies, University of Texas Health Science Center at San AntonioSan Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Valentina R Garbarino
- Department of Physiology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Angelica Salinas
- Department of Physiology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Rochelle Buffenstein
- Department of Physiology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San AntonioSan Antonio, TX, USA; The Barshop Institute for Longevity, Aging Studies, University of Texas Health Science Center at San AntonioSan Antonio, TX, USA; Calico Life Sciences LLCSouth San Francisco, CA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
Khodarahmi R, Ashrafi-Kooshk MR. Is there correlation between Aβ-heme peroxidase activity and the peptide aggregation state? A literature review combined with hypothesis. Int J Biol Macromol 2016; 100:18-36. [PMID: 27664926 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2016.09.074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2016] [Revised: 09/16/2016] [Accepted: 09/20/2016] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is an age-related neurodegenerative disorder characterized by aggregation of amyloid-β (Aβ) peptide, formation of neurofibrillary tangles, synaptic loss and neuronal cell death, and is manifested clinically by progressive cognitive dysfunction and memory loss. Disease pathogenesis is mainly linked to the formation of Aβ insoluble or soluble oligomeric assemblies. Binding of heme to Aβ has been suggested as the origin of the heme deficiency, peroxidase activity, as well as some oxidative stress-mediated AD pathologies, and then differential affinity of heme for human and rodent Aβ peptide has been proposed to account for the susceptibility of humans to AD. This review highlights whether there is any dependency of peroxidase activity of heme-bound Aβ on the Aβ aggregation state or not, with focusing on emerging role of heme in neurodegeneration. Here, several lines of evidence supporting existing contradictory conjectures are discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Reza Khodarahmi
- Medical Biology Research Center, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran; Department of Pharmacognosy and Biotechnology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran.
| | | |
Collapse
|
46
|
Steffen J, Krohn M, Paarmann K, Schwitlick C, Brüning T, Marreiros R, Müller-Schiffmann A, Korth C, Braun K, Pahnke J. Revisiting rodent models: Octodon degus as Alzheimer's disease model? Acta Neuropathol Commun 2016; 4:91. [PMID: 27566602 PMCID: PMC5002178 DOI: 10.1186/s40478-016-0363-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2016] [Accepted: 08/11/2016] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease primarily occurs as sporadic disease and is accompanied with vast socio-economic problems. The mandatory basic research relies on robust and reliable disease models to overcome increasing incidence and emerging social challenges. Rodent models are most efficient, versatile, and predominantly used in research. However, only highly artificial and mostly genetically modified models are available. As these 'engineered' models reproduce only isolated features, researchers demand more suitable models of sporadic neurodegenerative diseases. One very promising animal model was the South American rodent Octodon degus, which was repeatedly described as natural 'sporadic Alzheimer's disease model' with 'Alzheimer's disease-like neuropathology'. To unveil advantages over the 'artificial' mouse models, we re-evaluated the age-dependent, neurohistological changes in young and aged Octodon degus (1 to 5-years-old) bred in a wild-type colony in Germany. In our hands, extensive neuropathological analyses of young and aged animals revealed normal age-related cortical changes without obvious signs for extensive degeneration as seen in patients with dementia. Neither significant neuronal loss nor enhanced microglial activation were observed in aged animals. Silver impregnation methods, conventional, and immunohistological stains as well as biochemical fractionations revealed neither amyloid accumulation nor tangle formation. Phosphoepitope-specific antibodies against tau species displayed similar intraneuronal reactivity in both, young and aged Octodon degus.In contrast to previous results, our study suggests that Octodon degus born and bred in captivity do not inevitably develop cortical amyloidosis, tangle formation or neuronal loss as seen in Alzheimer's disease patients or transgenic disease models.
Collapse
|
47
|
Banik A, Brown RE, Bamburg J, Lahiri DK, Khurana D, Friedland RP, Chen W, Ding Y, Mudher A, Padjen AL, Mukaetova-Ladinska E, Ihara M, Srivastava S, Padma Srivastava MV, Masters CL, Kalaria RN, Anand A. Translation of Pre-Clinical Studies into Successful Clinical Trials for Alzheimer's Disease: What are the Roadblocks and How Can They Be Overcome? J Alzheimers Dis 2016; 47:815-43. [PMID: 26401762 DOI: 10.3233/jad-150136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Preclinical studies are essential for translation to disease treatments and effective use in clinical practice. An undue emphasis on single approaches to Alzheimer's disease (AD) appears to have retarded the pace of translation in the field, and there is much frustration in the public about the lack of an effective treatment. We critically reviewed past literature (1990-2014), analyzed numerous data, and discussed key issues at a consensus conference on Brain Ageing and Dementia to identify and overcome roadblocks in studies intended for translation. We highlight various factors that influence the translation of preclinical research and highlight specific preclinical strategies that have failed to demonstrate efficacy in clinical trials. The field has been hindered by the domination of the amyloid hypothesis in AD pathogenesis while the causative pathways in disease pathology are widely considered to be multifactorial. Understanding the causative events and mechanisms in the pathogenesis are equally important for translation. Greater efforts are necessary to fill in the gaps and overcome a variety of confounds in the generation, study design, testing, and evaluation of animal models and the application to future novel anti-dementia drug trials. A greater variety of potential disease mechanisms must be entertained to enhance progress.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Avijit Banik
- Neuroscience Research Lab, Department of Neurology, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
| | - Richard E Brown
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - James Bamburg
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - Debomoy K Lahiri
- Departments of Psychiatry and of Medical & Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Neuroscience Research Center, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Dheeraj Khurana
- Neuroscience Research Lab, Department of Neurology, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
| | - Robert P Friedland
- Department of Neurology, University of Louisville, School of Medicine, Louisville, KY, USA
| | - Wei Chen
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Allergy and Immunology, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Ying Ding
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Pittsburgh, 318C Parran Hall, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Amritpal Mudher
- Southampton Neurosciences Group, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Ante L Padjen
- Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Elizabeta Mukaetova-Ladinska
- Institute of Neuroscience, Newcastle University, NIHR Biomedical Research Building, Campus for Ageing and Vitality, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Masafumi Ihara
- Department of Stroke and Cerebrovascular Diseases, National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Sudhir Srivastava
- Division of Toxicology, Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow, India
| | - M V Padma Srivastava
- Department of Neurology, Neurosciences Centre, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Colin L Masters
- Mental Health Research Institute, University of Melbourne, Royal Parade, The VIC, Australia
| | - Raj N Kalaria
- Institute of Neuroscience, Newcastle University, NIHR Biomedical Research Building, Campus for Ageing and Vitality, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Akshay Anand
- Neuroscience Research Lab, Department of Neurology, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
| |
Collapse
|
48
|
Gaczynska M, Karpowicz P, Stuart CE, Norton MG, Teckman JH, Marszal E, Osmulski PA. AFM Imaging Reveals Topographic Diversity of Wild Type and Z Variant Polymers of Human α1-Proteinase Inhibitor. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0151902. [PMID: 27008547 PMCID: PMC4805282 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0151902] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2013] [Accepted: 03/04/2016] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
α1-Proteinase inhibitor (antitrypsin) is a canonical example of the serpin family member that binds and inhibits serine proteases. The natural metastability of serpins is crucial to carry out structural rearrangements necessary for biological activity. However, the enhanced metastability of the mutant Z variant of antitrypsin, in addition to folding defect, may substantially contribute to its polymerization, a process leading to incurable serpinopathy. The metastability also impedes structural studies on the polymers. There are no crystal structures of Z monomer or any kind of polymers larger than engineered wild type (WT) trimer. Our understanding of polymerization mechanisms is based on biochemical data using in vitro generated WT oligomers and molecular simulations. Here we applied atomic force microscopy (AFM) to compare topography of monomers, in vitro formed WT oligomers, and Z type polymers isolated from transgenic mouse liver. We found the AFM images of monomers closely resembled an antitrypsin outer shell modeled after the crystal structure. We confirmed that the Z variant demonstrated higher spontaneous propensity to dimerize than WT monomers. We also detected an unexpectedly broad range of different types of polymers with periodicity and topography depending on the applied method of polymerization. Short linear oligomers of unit arrangement similar to the Z polymers were especially abundant in heat-treated WT preparations. Long linear polymers were a prominent and unique component of liver extracts. However, the liver preparations contained also multiple types of oligomers of topographies undistinguishable from those found in WT samples polymerized with heat, low pH or guanidine hydrochloride treatments. In conclusion, we established that AFM is an excellent technique to assess morphological diversity of antitrypsin polymers, which is important for etiology of serpinopathies. These data also support previous, but controversial models of in vivo polymerization showing a surprising diversity of polymer topography.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maria Gaczynska
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, United States of America
| | - Przemyslaw Karpowicz
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, United States of America
| | - Christine E. Stuart
- Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Malgorzata G. Norton
- Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Jeffrey H. Teckman
- Department of Pediatrics and Biochemistry, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, Cardinal Glennon Children’s Medical Center, St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America
| | - Ewa Marszal
- Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Pawel A. Osmulski
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, United States of America
| |
Collapse
|
49
|
Bamburg JR, Bernstein BW. Actin dynamics and cofilin-actin rods in alzheimer disease. Cytoskeleton (Hoboken) 2016; 73:477-97. [PMID: 26873625 DOI: 10.1002/cm.21282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 118] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2015] [Revised: 02/04/2016] [Accepted: 02/05/2016] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Cytoskeletal abnormalities and synaptic loss, typical of both familial and sporadic Alzheimer disease (AD), are induced by diverse stresses such as neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, and energetic stress, each of which may be initiated or enhanced by proinflammatory cytokines or amyloid-β (Aβ) peptides. Extracellular Aβ-containing plaques and intracellular phospho-tau-containing neurofibrillary tangles are postmortem pathologies required to confirm AD and have been the focus of most studies. However, AD brain, but not normal brain, also have increased levels of cytoplasmic rod-shaped bundles of filaments composed of ADF/cofilin-actin in a 1:1 complex (rods). Cofilin, the major ADF/cofilin isoform in mammalian neurons, severs actin filaments at low cofilin/actin ratios and stabilizes filaments at high cofilin/actin ratios. It binds cooperatively to ADP-actin subunits in F-actin. Cofilin is activated by dephosphorylation and may be oxidized in stressed neurons to form disulfide-linked dimers, required for bundling cofilin-actin filaments into stable rods. Rods form within neurites causing synaptic dysfunction by sequestering cofilin, disrupting normal actin dynamics, blocking transport, and exacerbating mitochondrial membrane potential loss. Aβ and proinflammatory cytokines induce rods through a cellular prion protein-dependent activation of NADPH oxidase and production of reactive oxygen species. Here we review recent advances in our understanding of cofilin biochemistry, rod formation, and the development of cognitive deficits. We will then discuss rod formation as a molecular pathway for synapse loss that may be common between all three prominent current AD hypotheses, thus making rods an attractive therapeutic target. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- James R Bamburg
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and the Molecular, Cellular and Integrative Neuroscience Program, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO.
| | - Barbara W Bernstein
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and the Molecular, Cellular and Integrative Neuroscience Program, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO
| |
Collapse
|
50
|
Salazar C, Valdivia G, Ardiles ÁO, Ewer J, Palacios AG. Genetic variants associated with neurodegenerative Alzheimer disease in natural models. Biol Res 2016; 49:14. [PMID: 26919851 PMCID: PMC4769573 DOI: 10.1186/s40659-016-0072-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2015] [Accepted: 02/12/2016] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The use of transgenic models for the study of neurodegenerative diseases has made valuable contributions to the field. However, some important limitations, including protein overexpression and general systemic compensation for the missing genes, has caused researchers to seek natural models that show the main biomarkers of neurodegenerative diseases during aging. Here we review some of these models-most of them rodents, focusing especially on the genetic variations in biomarkers for Alzheimer diseases, in order to explain their relationships with variants associated with the occurrence of the disease in humans.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Salazar
- Facultad de Ciencia, Centro Interdisciplinario de Neurociencia de Valparaíso, Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile.
| | - Gonzalo Valdivia
- Facultad de Ciencia, Centro Interdisciplinario de Neurociencia de Valparaíso, Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile.
| | - Álvaro O Ardiles
- Facultad de Ciencia, Centro Interdisciplinario de Neurociencia de Valparaíso, Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile.
| | - John Ewer
- Facultad de Ciencia, Centro Interdisciplinario de Neurociencia de Valparaíso, Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile.
| | - Adrián G Palacios
- Facultad de Ciencia, Centro Interdisciplinario de Neurociencia de Valparaíso, Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile. .,Centro Interdisciplinario de Neurociencia de Valparaíso, Universidad de Valparaíso, Pasaje Harrington 287, Playa Ancha, 2360102, Valparaíso, Chile.
| |
Collapse
|