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Gao Y, Ye S, Tang Y, Tong W, Sun S. Brain cholesterol homeostasis and its association with neurodegenerative diseases. Neurochem Int 2023; 171:105635. [PMID: 37949118 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuint.2023.105635] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2023] [Revised: 10/17/2023] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023]
Abstract
The brain is the most cholesterol-rich organ in mammals. However, cholesterol metabolism in the brain is completely independent of other tissues due to the presence of the blood-brain barrier (BBB). Neurons, astrocytes and oligodendrocytes are the main cells responsible for cholesterol synthesis in the brain. The cholesterol content in the brain is maintained at a relatively constant level under strict regulation of synthesis, transport, and turnover, that is, brain cholesterol homeostasis. Once this balance is disrupted, neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD) and Huntington's disease (HD) ensue. This review summarizes the processes controlling cholesterol homeostasis with respect to the synthesis, transport and turnover of cholesterol in the brain. We further focus on how cholesterol imbalance contributes to neurodegenerative diseases to explore the possibilities to modulate the key steps involved, which will provide clues for the development of therapies for the treatment of central nervous system (CNS) diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Gao
- Institute of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, China
| | - Shiying Ye
- Institute of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, China
| | - Yuehong Tang
- Institute of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, China
| | - Wenjuan Tong
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, First Affiliated Hospital, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, 421001, China.
| | - Shaowei Sun
- Institute of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, Hunan, China.
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2
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Luo L, Yang L, Zhang K, Zhou SM, Wang Y, Yang LK, Feng B, Liu SB, Wu YM, Zhao MG, Yang Q. Caveolin-1-Mediated Cholesterol Accumulation Contributes to Exaggerated mGluR-Dependent Long-Term Depression and Impaired Cognition in Fmr1 Knockout Mice. Mol Neurobiol 2023; 60:3379-3395. [PMID: 36854997 PMCID: PMC10122623 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-023-03269-z] [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: 10/24/2022] [Accepted: 02/08/2023] [Indexed: 03/02/2023]
Abstract
Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is one of the most common inherited mental retardation diseases and is caused by the loss of fragile X mental retardation protein (FMRP) expression. The metabotropic glutamate receptor (mGluR) theory of FXS states that enhanced mGluR-dependent long-term depression (LTD) due to FMRP loss is involved in aberrant synaptic plasticity and autistic-like behaviors, but little is known about the underlying molecular mechanism. Here, we found that only hippocampal mGluR-LTD was exaggerated in adolescent Fmr1 KO mice, while N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR)-LTD was intact in mice of all ages. This development-dependent alteration was related to the differential expression of caveolin-1 (Cav1), which is essential for caveolae formation. Knockdown of Cav1 restored the enhanced mGluR-LTD in Fmr1 KO mice. Moreover, hippocampal Cav1 expression in Fmr1 KO mice induced excessive endocytosis of the α-amino-3-hydroxyl-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionate (AMPA) receptor subunit GluA2. This process relied on mGluR1/5 activation rather than NMDAR. Interference with Cav1 expression reversed these changes. Furthermore, massive cholesterol accumulation contributed to redundant caveolae formation, which provided the platform for mGluR-triggered Cav1 coupling to GluA2. Importantly, injection of the cholesterol scavenger methyl-β-cyclodextrin (Mβ-CD) recovered AMPA receptor trafficking and markedly alleviated hyperactivity, hippocampus-dependent fear memory, and spatial memory defects in Fmr1 KO mice. Together, our findings elucidate the important role of Cav1 in mediating mGluR-LTD enhancement and further inducing AMPA receptor endocytosis and suggest that cholesterol depletion by Mβ-CD during caveolae formation may be a novel and safe strategy to treat FXS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Luo
- Precision Pharmacy & Drug Development Center, Department of Pharmacy, Tangdu Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710038, China
| | - Le Yang
- Precision Pharmacy & Drug Development Center, Department of Pharmacy, Tangdu Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710038, China
| | - Kun Zhang
- Precision Pharmacy & Drug Development Center, Department of Pharmacy, Tangdu Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710038, China
| | - Shi-Meng Zhou
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, China
| | - Yan Wang
- Department of Gastroenterology and Endoscopy Center, Fourth Military Medical University, No.986 Hospital, Xi'an, 710054, China
| | - Liu-Kun Yang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, China
| | - Bin Feng
- State Key Laboratory of Military Stomatology, Department of Pharmacy, School of Stomatology, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, Shaanxi International Joint Research Center for Oral Diseases, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710054, China
| | - Shui-Bing Liu
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, China
| | - Yu-Mei Wu
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, China
| | - Ming-Gao Zhao
- Precision Pharmacy & Drug Development Center, Department of Pharmacy, Tangdu Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710038, China
| | - Qi Yang
- Precision Pharmacy & Drug Development Center, Department of Pharmacy, Tangdu Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710038, China.
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3
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Tuck BJ, Miller LVC, Katsinelos T, Smith AE, Wilson EL, Keeling S, Cheng S, Vaysburd MJ, Knox C, Tredgett L, Metzakopian E, James LC, McEwan WA. Cholesterol determines the cytosolic entry and seeded aggregation of tau. Cell Rep 2022; 39:110776. [PMID: 35508140 PMCID: PMC9108550 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2022.110776] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2021] [Revised: 03/03/2022] [Accepted: 04/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Assemblies of tau can transit between neurons, seeding aggregation in a prion-like manner. To accomplish this, tau must cross cell-limiting membranes, a process that is poorly understood. Here, we establish assays for the study of tau entry into the cytosol as a phenomenon distinct from uptake, in real time, and at physiological concentrations. The entry pathway of tau is cell type specific and, in neurons, highly sensitive to cholesterol. Depletion of the cholesterol transporter Niemann-Pick type C1 or extraction of membrane cholesterol renders neurons highly permissive to tau entry and potentiates seeding even at low levels of exogenous tau assemblies. Conversely, cholesterol supplementation reduces entry and almost completely blocks seeded aggregation. Our findings establish entry as a rate-limiting step to seeded aggregation and demonstrate that dysregulated cholesterol, a feature of several neurodegenerative diseases, potentiates tau aggregation by promoting entry of tau assemblies into the cell interior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin J Tuck
- UK Dementia Research Institute at the University of Cambridge, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Hills Road, Cambridge, CB2 0AH, UK.
| | - Lauren V C Miller
- UK Dementia Research Institute at the University of Cambridge, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Hills Road, Cambridge, CB2 0AH, UK
| | - Taxiarchis Katsinelos
- UK Dementia Research Institute at the University of Cambridge, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Hills Road, Cambridge, CB2 0AH, UK
| | - Annabel E Smith
- UK Dementia Research Institute at the University of Cambridge, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Hills Road, Cambridge, CB2 0AH, UK
| | - Emma L Wilson
- UK Dementia Research Institute at the University of Cambridge, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Hills Road, Cambridge, CB2 0AH, UK
| | - Sophie Keeling
- UK Dementia Research Institute at the University of Cambridge, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Hills Road, Cambridge, CB2 0AH, UK
| | - Shi Cheng
- UK Dementia Research Institute at the University of Cambridge, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Hills Road, Cambridge, CB2 0AH, UK
| | - Marina J Vaysburd
- MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Francis Crick Avenue, Cambridge, CB2 0QH, UK
| | - Claire Knox
- MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Francis Crick Avenue, Cambridge, CB2 0QH, UK
| | - Lucy Tredgett
- MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Francis Crick Avenue, Cambridge, CB2 0QH, UK
| | - Emmanouil Metzakopian
- UK Dementia Research Institute at the University of Cambridge, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Hills Road, Cambridge, CB2 0AH, UK
| | - Leo C James
- MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Francis Crick Avenue, Cambridge, CB2 0QH, UK
| | - William A McEwan
- UK Dementia Research Institute at the University of Cambridge, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Hills Road, Cambridge, CB2 0AH, UK.
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Riccardi C, Napolitano F, Montesarchio D, Sampaolo S, Melone MAB. Nanoparticle-Guided Brain Drug Delivery: Expanding the Therapeutic Approach to Neurodegenerative Diseases. Pharmaceutics 2021; 13:1897. [PMID: 34834311 PMCID: PMC8623286 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics13111897] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2021] [Revised: 10/31/2021] [Accepted: 11/04/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) represent a heterogeneous group of aging-related disorders featured by progressive impairment of motor and/or cognitive functions, often accompanied by psychiatric disorders. NDs are denoted as 'protein misfolding' diseases or proteinopathies, and are classified according to their known genetic mechanisms and/or the main protein involved in disease onset and progression. Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD) and Huntington's disease (HD) are included under this nosographic umbrella, sharing histopathologically salient features, including deposition of insoluble proteins, activation of glial cells, loss of neuronal cells and synaptic connectivity. To date, there are no effective cures or disease-modifying therapies for these NDs. Several compounds have not shown efficacy in clinical trials, since they generally fail to cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB), a tightly packed layer of endothelial cells that greatly limits the brain internalization of endogenous substances. By engineering materials of a size usually within 1-100 nm, nanotechnology offers an alternative approach for promising and innovative therapeutic solutions in NDs. Nanoparticles can cross the BBB and release active molecules at target sites in the brain, minimizing side effects. This review focuses on the state-of-the-art of nanoengineered delivery systems for brain targeting in the treatment of AD, PD and HD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Riccardi
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Via Cintia 21, I-80126 Naples, Italy; (C.R.); (D.M.)
| | - Filomena Napolitano
- Department of Advanced Medical and Surgical Sciences, 2nd Division of Neurology, Center for Rare Diseases and InterUniversity Center for Research in Neurosciences, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Via Sergio Pansini, 5, I-80131 Naples, Italy; (F.N.); (S.S.)
| | - Daniela Montesarchio
- Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Via Cintia 21, I-80126 Naples, Italy; (C.R.); (D.M.)
| | - Simone Sampaolo
- Department of Advanced Medical and Surgical Sciences, 2nd Division of Neurology, Center for Rare Diseases and InterUniversity Center for Research in Neurosciences, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Via Sergio Pansini, 5, I-80131 Naples, Italy; (F.N.); (S.S.)
| | - Mariarosa Anna Beatrice Melone
- Department of Advanced Medical and Surgical Sciences, 2nd Division of Neurology, Center for Rare Diseases and InterUniversity Center for Research in Neurosciences, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Via Sergio Pansini, 5, I-80131 Naples, Italy; (F.N.); (S.S.)
- Sbarro Institute for Cancer Research and Molecular Medicine, Center for Biotechnology, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19122-6078, USA
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Singh A, Agrawal N. Deciphering the key mechanisms leading to alteration of lipid metabolism in Drosophila model of Huntington's disease. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2021; 1867:166127. [PMID: 33722743 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2021.166127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2020] [Revised: 01/27/2021] [Accepted: 03/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) is an inherited, progressively debilitating disorder marked by prominent degeneration in striatal and cortical brain regions. HD is caused by (CAG)n repeat expansion in huntingtin (HTT) gene that translates into a mutant form of the ubiquitously present Huntingtin (HTT) protein. Extensive metabolic dysfunction coexisting with overt neuropathies has been evidenced in clinical and experimental settings of HD. Body weight loss despite normal to high caloric intake remains a critical determinant of the disease progression and a challenge for therapeutic interventions. In the present study, we intended to monitor the cellular and molecular perturbations in Drosophila, caused by pan-neuronal expression of mHTT (mutant Huntingtin) protein. We found aberrant transcription profile of key lipolytic and lipogenic genes in whole-body of the fly with disease progression. Interestingly, fatbody undergoes extensive alteration of vital cellular processes and eventually surrenders to increased apoptotic cell death in terminal stage of the disease. Extensive mitochondrial dysfunction from early disease stage along with calcium derangement at terminal stage were observed in fatbody, which contribute to its deteriorating integrity. All the mechanisms were monitored progressively, at different disease stages, and many alterations were documented in the early stage itself. Our study hence provides insight into the mechanisms through which neuronal expression of mHTT might be inflicting the profound systemic effects, specifically on lipid metabolism, and may open new therapeutic avenues for alleviation of the multidimensional disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akanksha Singh
- Department of Zoology, University of Delhi, Delhi 110007, India
| | - Namita Agrawal
- Department of Zoology, University of Delhi, Delhi 110007, India.
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Cholesteryl ester levels are elevated in the caudate and putamen of Huntington's disease patients. Sci Rep 2020; 10:20314. [PMID: 33219259 PMCID: PMC7680097 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-76973-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2020] [Accepted: 11/04/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Huntington’s disease (HD) is an autosomal dominant neurodegenerative illness caused by a mutation in the huntingtin gene (HTT) and subsequent protein (mhtt), to which the brain shows a region-specific vulnerability. Disturbances in neural cholesterol metabolism are established in HD human, murine and cell studies; however, cholesteryl esters (CE), which store and transport cholesterol in the brain, have not been investigated in human studies. This study aimed to identify region-specific alterations in the concentrations of CE in HD. The Victorian Brain Bank provided post-mortem tissue from 13 HD subjects and 13 age and sex-matched controls. Lipids were extracted from the caudate, putamen and cerebellum, and CE were quantified using targeted mass spectrometry. ACAT 1 protein expression was measured by western blot. CE concentrations were elevated in HD caudate and putamen compared to controls, with the elevation more pronounced in the caudate. No differences in the expression of ACAT1 were identified in the striatum. No remarkable differences in CE were detected in HD cerebellum. The striatal region-specific differences in CE profiles indicate functional subareas of lipid disturbance in HD. The increased CE concentration may have been induced as a compensatory mechanism to reduce cholesterol accumulation.
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Hanin A, Lambrecq V, Denis JA, Imbert-Bismut F, Rucheton B, Lamari F, Bonnefont-Rousselot D, Demeret S, Navarro V. Cerebrospinal fluid and blood biomarkers of status epilepticus. Epilepsia 2019; 61:6-18. [PMID: 31828792 DOI: 10.1111/epi.16405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2019] [Revised: 11/12/2019] [Accepted: 11/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Status epilepticus is a condition resulting either from the failure of the mechanisms responsible for seizure termination or from the initiation of mechanisms that lead to abnormally prolonged seizures and require urgent administration of antiepileptic drugs. Refractory status epilepticus requires anesthetics drugs and may lead to brain injury with molecular and cellular alterations (eg, inflammation, and neuronal and astroglial injury) that could induce neurologic sequels and further development of epilepsy. Outcome scores based on demographic, clinical, and electroencephalography (EEG) condition are available, allowing prediction of the risk of mortality, but the severity of brain injury in survivors is poorly evaluated. New biomarkers are needed to predict with higher accuracy the outcome of patients admitted with status in an intensive care unit. Here, we summarize the findings of studies from patients and animal models of status epilepticus. Specific protein markers can be detected in the cerebrospinal fluid and the blood. One of the first described markers of neuronal death is the neuron-specific enolase. Gliosis resulting from inflammatory responses after status can be detected through the increase of S100-beta, or some cytokines, like the High Mobility Group Box 1. Other proteins, like progranulin may reflect the neuroprotective mechanisms resulting from the brain adaptation to excitotoxicity. These new biomarkers aim to prospectively identify the severity and development of disability, and subsequent epilepsy of patients with status. We discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each biomarker, by evaluating their brain specificity, stability in the fluids, and sensitivity to external interferences, such as hemolysis. Finally, we emphasize the need for further development and validation of such biomarkers in order to better assess patients with severe status epilepticus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aurélie Hanin
- Brain and Spine Institute, ICM, Inserm U 1127, CNRS UMR 7225, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
| | - Virginie Lambrecq
- Brain and Spine Institute, ICM, Inserm U 1127, CNRS UMR 7225, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France.,Epilepsy Unit (VL, VN) and Neuro-Intensive care Unit (SD), Neurology Department, AP-HP, GH Pitié-Salpêtrière-Charles Foix, Paris, France.,Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
| | - Jérôme Alexandre Denis
- Sorbonne Université, Paris, France.,Department of Endocrine and Oncological Biochemistry (J.AD), Metabolic Biochemistry (BR, DBR, FI, FL), AP-HP, GH Pitié-Salpêtrière-Charles Foix, Paris, France
| | - Françoise Imbert-Bismut
- Department of Endocrine and Oncological Biochemistry (J.AD), Metabolic Biochemistry (BR, DBR, FI, FL), AP-HP, GH Pitié-Salpêtrière-Charles Foix, Paris, France
| | - Benoît Rucheton
- Department of Endocrine and Oncological Biochemistry (J.AD), Metabolic Biochemistry (BR, DBR, FI, FL), AP-HP, GH Pitié-Salpêtrière-Charles Foix, Paris, France
| | - Foudil Lamari
- Department of Endocrine and Oncological Biochemistry (J.AD), Metabolic Biochemistry (BR, DBR, FI, FL), AP-HP, GH Pitié-Salpêtrière-Charles Foix, Paris, France
| | - Dominique Bonnefont-Rousselot
- Department of Endocrine and Oncological Biochemistry (J.AD), Metabolic Biochemistry (BR, DBR, FI, FL), AP-HP, GH Pitié-Salpêtrière-Charles Foix, Paris, France.,UTCBS, U 1022 Inserm, UMR 8258 CNRS, Paris University, Paris, France
| | - Sophie Demeret
- Epilepsy Unit (VL, VN) and Neuro-Intensive care Unit (SD), Neurology Department, AP-HP, GH Pitié-Salpêtrière-Charles Foix, Paris, France
| | - Vincent Navarro
- Brain and Spine Institute, ICM, Inserm U 1127, CNRS UMR 7225, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France.,Epilepsy Unit (VL, VN) and Neuro-Intensive care Unit (SD), Neurology Department, AP-HP, GH Pitié-Salpêtrière-Charles Foix, Paris, France.,Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
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Fracassi A, Marangoni M, Rosso P, Pallottini V, Fioramonti M, Siteni S, Segatto M. Statins and the Brain: More than Lipid Lowering Agents? Curr Neuropharmacol 2019; 17:59-83. [PMID: 28676012 PMCID: PMC6341496 DOI: 10.2174/1570159x15666170703101816] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2017] [Revised: 05/24/2017] [Accepted: 06/26/2017] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Statins represent a class of medications widely prescribed to efficiently treat dyslipidemia. These drugs inhibit 3-βhydroxy 3β-methylglutaryl Coenzyme A reductase (HMGR), the rate-limiting enzyme of mevalonate (MVA) pathway. Besides cholesterol, MVA pathway leads to the production of several other compounds, which are essential in the regulation of a plethora of biological activities, including in the central nervous system. For these reasons, statins are able to induce pleiotropic actions, and acquire increased interest as potential and novel modulators in brain processes, especially during pathological conditions. OBJECTIVE The purpose of this review is to summarize and examine the current knowledge about pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of statins in the brain. In addition, effects of statin on brain diseases are discussed providing the most up-to-date information. METHODS Relevant scientific information was identified from PubMed database using the following keywords: statins and brain, central nervous system, neurological diseases, neurodegeneration, brain tumors, mood, stroke. RESULTS 315 scientific articles were selected and analyzed for the writing of this review article. Several papers highlighted that statin treatment is effective in preventing or ameliorating the symptomatology of a number of brain pathologies. However, other studies failed to demonstrate a neuroprotective effect. CONCLUSION Even though considerable research studies suggest pivotal functional outcomes induced by statin therapy, additional investigation is required to better determine the pharmacological effectiveness of statins in the brain, and support their clinical use in the management of different neuropathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Marco Segatto
- Address correspondence to this author at the Department of Sense Organs, Sapienza University, viale del Policlinico 155, 00186 Rome, Italy; E-mail:
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Dominko K, Dikic D, Hecimovic S. Enhanced activity of superoxide dismutase is a common response to dietary and genetically induced increased cholesterol levels. Nutr Neurosci 2018; 23:398-410. [PMID: 30118401 DOI: 10.1080/1028415x.2018.1511027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Objectives: Hypercholesterolaemia has been implicated in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases. In this work, we tested whether cholesterol-mediated neurodegeneration induced either by cholesterol-rich diet or genetic mutation may share a common mechanism involving increased oxidative stress and mitochondria oxidant status. Additionally, we analysed whether upon cholesterol-rich diet, different brain regions (prefrontal cortex, cortex, hippocampus, and cerebellum) show distinct vulnerability to an oxidative stress response.Methods: Oxidative stress parameters were measured both in vivo (in the liver and in different brain regions) in cholesterol-fed mice and in vitro in genetically induced cholesterol accumulation in NPC1-null cells.Results: Increased superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity was a common feature of cholesterol-mediated antioxidant response in both models. Moreover, upon high-cholesterol diet, all four brain regions analysed responded via somewhat different capacity of antioxidant defence, hippocampus showing the highest basal activity of SOD. Increased activity of SOD upon cholesterol accumulation in vitro involves mitochondrial SOD2. We found that SOD/SOD2 activities are modulated by cholesterol levels.Discussion: Hypercholesterolaemia could potentiate brain dysfunction and neurodegenerative processes via oxidative stress, and activity of mitochondrial SOD2 may play a key role in this process. Our findings suggest that preventing/reducing mitochondrial oxidative stress may represent a common approach against neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristina Dominko
- Division of Molecular Medicine, Ruder Boskovic Institute, Bijenicka 54, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Domagoj Dikic
- Department of Animal Physiology, Biology Division, Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb, Rooseveltov trg 6, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Silva Hecimovic
- Division of Molecular Medicine, Ruder Boskovic Institute, Bijenicka 54, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
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Kaur J, Sodhi RK, Madan J, Chahal SK, Kumar R. Forskolin convalesces memory in high fat diet-induced dementia in wistar rats—Plausible role of pregnane x receptors. Pharmacol Rep 2018; 70:161-171. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pharep.2017.07.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2016] [Revised: 06/14/2017] [Accepted: 07/12/2017] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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Membrane cholesterol depletion in cortical neurons highlights altered NMDA receptor functionality in a mouse model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2017; 1864:509-519. [PMID: 29154925 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2017.11.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2017] [Revised: 10/16/2017] [Accepted: 11/13/2017] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a chronic neurodegenerative disease affecting upper and lower motor neurons, with unknown aetiology. Lipid rafts, cholesterol enriched microdomains of the plasma membrane, have been linked to neurodegenerative disorders like ALS. The NMDA-receptor subcellular localization in lipid rafts is known to play many roles, from modulating memory strength to neurotoxicity. In this study, performed on the widely used G93A mouse model of ALS, we have shown an equal content of total membrane cholesterol in Control and G93A cortical cultures. Moreover, by electrophysiological studies, we have recorded NMDA- and AMPA-evoked currents which were not significantly different between the two neuronal populations. To study the role of membrane cholesterol on glutamate receptor functionality, we have analysed NMDA and AMPA receptors following cholesterol membrane depletion by methyl-β-cyclodextrin (MβCD). Interestingly, MβCD chronic treatment has provoked a significant reduction of NMDA-evoked currents in both cellular populations which was dose- and time-dependent but significantly higher in ALS neurons compared to Control. The different MβCD effect on NMDA-evoked currents was not due to a different membrane receptor subunit composition but seemed to cause in both neuronal populations a NMDA receptor membrane redistribution. MβCD treatment effect was receptor-specific since no alterations in the two neuronal populations were detected on AMPA receptors. These results lead us to speculate for an altered proteomic composition of lipid rafts in cortical mutated neurons and suggest the need for further studies on the lipid rafts composition and on their interaction with membrane receptors in ALS cortices.
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Chaves G, Özel RE, Rao NV, Hadiprodjo H, Costa YD, Tokuno Z, Pourmand N. Metabolic and transcriptomic analysis of Huntington's disease model reveal changes in intracellular glucose levels and related genes. Heliyon 2017; 3:e00381. [PMID: 28920088 PMCID: PMC5576993 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2017.e00381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2017] [Revised: 07/02/2017] [Accepted: 08/04/2017] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Huntington's Disease (HD) is a neurodegenerative disorder caused by an expansion in a CAG-tri-nucleotide repeat that introduces a poly-glutamine stretch into the huntingtin protein (mHTT). Mutant huntingtin (mHTT) has been associated with several phenotypes including mood disorders and depression. Additionally, HD patients are known to be more susceptible to type II diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and HD mice model develops diabetes. However, the mechanism and pathways that link Huntington's disease and diabetes have not been well established. Understanding the underlying mechanisms can reveal potential targets for drug development in HD. In this study, we investigated the transcriptome of mHTT cell populations alongside intracellular glucose measurements using a functionalized nanopipette. Several genes related to glucose uptake and glucose homeostasis are affected. We observed changes in intracellular glucose concentrations and identified altered transcript levels of certain genes including Sorcs1, Hh-II and Vldlr. Our data suggest that these can be used as markers for HD progression. Sorcs1 may not only have a role in glucose metabolism and trafficking but also in glutamatergic pathways affecting trafficking of synaptic components.
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Coisne C, Tilloy S, Monflier E, Wils D, Fenart L, Gosselet F. Cyclodextrins as Emerging Therapeutic Tools in the Treatment of Cholesterol-Associated Vascular and Neurodegenerative Diseases. Molecules 2016; 21:E1748. [PMID: 27999408 PMCID: PMC6273856 DOI: 10.3390/molecules21121748] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2016] [Revised: 12/13/2016] [Accepted: 12/14/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Cardiovascular diseases, like atherosclerosis, and neurodegenerative diseases affecting the central nervous system (CNS) are closely linked to alterations of cholesterol metabolism. Therefore, innovative pharmacological approaches aiming at counteracting cholesterol imbalance display promising therapeutic potential. However, these approaches need to take into account the existence of biological barriers such as intestinal and blood-brain barriers which participate in the organ homeostasis and are major defense systems against xenobiotics. Interest in cyclodextrins (CDs) as medicinal agents has increased continuously based on their ability to actively extract lipids from cell membranes and to provide suitable carrier system for drug delivery. Many novel CD derivatives are constantly generated with the objective to improve CD bioavailability, biocompatibility and therapeutic outcomes. Newly designed drug formulation complexes incorporating CDs as drug carriers have demonstrated better efficiency in treating cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases. CD-based therapies as cholesterol-sequestrating agent have recently demonstrated promising advances with KLEPTOSE® CRYSMEB in atherosclerosis as well as with the 2-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HPβCD) in clinical trials for Niemann-Pick type C disease. Based on this success, many investigations evaluating the therapeutical beneficial of CDs in Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and Huntington's diseases are currently on-going.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline Coisne
- Laboratoire de la barrière hémato-encéphalique (LBHE), University Artois, EA 2465, Lens, F-62300, France.
| | - Sébastien Tilloy
- Unité de Catalyse et de Chimie du Solide (UCCS), University Artois, CNRS, UMR 8181, Lens, F-62300, France.
| | - Eric Monflier
- Unité de Catalyse et de Chimie du Solide (UCCS), University Artois, CNRS, UMR 8181, Lens, F-62300, France.
| | - Daniel Wils
- ROQUETTE, Nutrition & Health R & D, 62136 Lestrem, France.
| | - Laurence Fenart
- Laboratoire de la barrière hémato-encéphalique (LBHE), University Artois, EA 2465, Lens, F-62300, France.
| | - Fabien Gosselet
- Laboratoire de la barrière hémato-encéphalique (LBHE), University Artois, EA 2465, Lens, F-62300, France.
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Chen JY, Tran C, Hwang L, Deng G, Jung ME, Faull KF, Levine MS, Cepeda C. Partial Amelioration of Peripheral and Central Symptoms of Huntington's Disease via Modulation of Lipid Metabolism. J Huntingtons Dis 2016; 5:65-81. [PMID: 27031732 DOI: 10.3233/jhd-150181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Huntington's disease (HD) is a fatal, inherited neurodegenerative disorder characterized by uncontrollable dance-like movements, as well as cognitive deficits and mood changes. A feature of HD is a metabolic disturbance that precedes neurological symptoms. In addition, brain cholesterol synthesis is significantly reduced, which could hamper synaptic transmission. OBJECTIVE Alterations in lipid metabolism as a potential target for therapeutic intervention in the R6/2 mouse model of HD were examined. METHODS Electrophysiological recordings in vitro examined the acute effects of cholesterol-modifying drugs. In addition, behavioral testing, effects on synaptic activity, and measurements of circulating and brain tissue concentrations of cholesterol and the ketone β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB), were examined in symptomatic R6/2 mice and littermate controls raised on normal chow or a ketogenic diet (KD). RESULTS Whole-cell voltage clamp recordings of striatal medium-sized spiny neurons (MSNs) from symptomatic R6/2 mice showed increased frequency of spontaneous inhibitory postsynaptic currents (sIPSCs) compared with littermate controls. Incubation of slices in cholesterol reduced the frequency of large-amplitude sIPSCs. Addition of BHB or the Liver X Receptor (LXR) agonist T0901317 reduced the frequency and amplitude of sIPSCs. Surprisingly, incubation in simvastatin to reduce cholesterol levels also decreased the frequency of sIPSCs. HD mice fed the KD lost weight more gradually, performed better in an open field, had fewer stereotypies and lower brain levels of cholesterol than mice fed a regular diet. CONCLUSIONS Lipid metabolism represents a potential target for therapeutic intervention in HD. Modifying cholesterol or ketone levels acutely in the brain can partially rescue synaptic alterations, and the KD can prevent weight loss and improve some behavioral abnormalities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jane Y Chen
- Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center, Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Conny Tran
- Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center, Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Lin Hwang
- Pasarow Mass Spectrometry Laboratory, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Gang Deng
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Michael E Jung
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Kym F Faull
- Pasarow Mass Spectrometry Laboratory, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, CA, USA.,Brain Research Institute, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Michael S Levine
- Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center, Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, CA, USA.,Brain Research Institute, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Carlos Cepeda
- Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center, Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, CA, USA
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15
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Altered lipid metabolism in Drosophila model of Huntington's disease. Sci Rep 2016; 6:31411. [PMID: 27506601 PMCID: PMC4979013 DOI: 10.1038/srep31411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2015] [Accepted: 07/21/2016] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Huntington’s disease (HD) is late-onset, progressive neurodegenerative disorder caused by expansion of polyglutamine (polyQ) repeat within Huntingtin (Htt) protein. In HD patients, energy-related manifestations such as modulation of weight during entire course of disease with energy deficit at terminal stage have been reported, however, underlying reason remains elusive till date. Lipids, carbohydrate and protein constitute a predominant fraction of body’s energy reservoir and perturbation in their homeostasis may influence weight. To discern role of these energy molecules in weight alteration, we quantified them in an in vivo transgenic Drosophila model of HD. We document that diseased flies exhibit change in weight due to an altered lipid metabolism, as evident from considerably high lipid levels at the time of disease onset followed by a pathologic decline at end-stage. An alteration in intracellular lipid droplet size suggested altered cellular lipid turnover. Furthermore, diseased flies displayed substantial changes in carbohydrate and protein content. Interestingly, alteration in weight and lipid levels are independent of the feeding pattern in diseased condition and exhibit weak correlation with insulin-like peptide or adipokinetic hormone producing cells. We propose that therapeutic intervention aimed at restoring lipid levels and associated metabolic pathways may improve longevity and quality of patient’s life.
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16
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Valenza M, Chen JY, Di Paolo E, Ruozi B, Belletti D, Ferrari Bardile C, Leoni V, Caccia C, Brilli E, Di Donato S, Boido MM, Vercelli A, Vandelli MA, Forni F, Cepeda C, Levine MS, Tosi G, Cattaneo E. Cholesterol-loaded nanoparticles ameliorate synaptic and cognitive function in Huntington's disease mice. EMBO Mol Med 2016; 7:1547-64. [PMID: 26589247 PMCID: PMC4693506 DOI: 10.15252/emmm.201505413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Brain cholesterol biosynthesis and cholesterol levels are reduced in mouse models of Huntington's disease (HD), suggesting that locally synthesized, newly formed cholesterol is less available to neurons. This may be detrimental for neuronal function, especially given that locally synthesized cholesterol is implicated in synapse integrity and remodeling. Here, we used biodegradable and biocompatible polymeric nanoparticles (NPs) modified with glycopeptides (g7) and loaded with cholesterol (g7‐NPs‐Chol), which per se is not blood–brain barrier (BBB) permeable, to obtain high‐rate cholesterol delivery into the brain after intraperitoneal injection in HD mice. We report that g7‐NPs, in contrast to unmodified NPs, efficiently crossed the BBB and localized in glial and neuronal cells in different brain regions. We also found that repeated systemic delivery of g7‐NPs‐Chol rescued synaptic and cognitive dysfunction and partially improved global activity in HD mice. These results demonstrate that cholesterol supplementation to the HD brain reverses functional alterations associated with HD and highlight the potential of this new drug‐administration route to the diseased brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Valenza
- Department of BioSciences, Centre for Stem Cell Research Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Jane Y Chen
- Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center, Semel Institute for Neuroscience Brain Research Institute David Geffen School of Medicine University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Eleonora Di Paolo
- Department of BioSciences, Centre for Stem Cell Research Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Barbara Ruozi
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Daniela Belletti
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Costanza Ferrari Bardile
- Department of BioSciences, Centre for Stem Cell Research Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Valerio Leoni
- Neurological Institute C. Besta, Milan, Italy Laboratory of Clinical Chemistry, Ospedale di Circolo e Fondazione Macchi, Varese, Italy
| | | | - Elisa Brilli
- Department of BioSciences, Centre for Stem Cell Research Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Marina M Boido
- Neuroscience Institute Cavalieri Ottolenghi Neuroscience Institute of Turin, Orbassano Turin, Italy
| | - Alessandro Vercelli
- Neuroscience Institute Cavalieri Ottolenghi Neuroscience Institute of Turin, Orbassano Turin, Italy
| | - Maria A Vandelli
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Flavio Forni
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Carlos Cepeda
- Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center, Semel Institute for Neuroscience Brain Research Institute David Geffen School of Medicine University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Michael S Levine
- Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center, Semel Institute for Neuroscience Brain Research Institute David Geffen School of Medicine University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Giovanni Tosi
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Elena Cattaneo
- Department of BioSciences, Centre for Stem Cell Research Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
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Merchán A, Ruiz ÁJ, Campo R, Prada CE, Toro JM, Sánchez R, Gómez JE, Jaramillo NI, Molina DI, Vargas-Uricoechea H, Sixto S, Castro JM, Quintero AE, Coll M, Slotkus S, Ramírez A, Pachajoa H, Ávila FA, Alonso K R. Hipercolesterolemia familiar: artículo de revisión. REVISTA COLOMBIANA DE CARDIOLOGÍA 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/j.rccar.2016.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
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Abstract
Background Huntington’s disease patients have a number of peripheral manifestations suggestive of metabolic and endocrine abnormalities. We, therefore, investigated a number of metabolic factors in a 24-hour study of Huntington’s disease gene carriers (premanifest and moderate stage II/III) and controls. Methods Control (n = 15), premanifest (n = 14) and stage II/III (n = 13) participants were studied with blood sampling over a 24-hour period. A battery of clinical tests including neurological rating and function scales were performed. Visceral and subcutaneous adipose distribution was measured using magnetic resonance imaging. We quantified fasting baseline concentrations of glucose, insulin, cholesterol, triglycerides, lipoprotein (a), fatty acids, amino acids, lactate and osteokines. Leptin and ghrelin were quantified in fasting samples and after a standardised meal. We assessed glucose, insulin, growth hormone and cortisol concentrations during a prolonged oral glucose tolerance test. Results We found no highly significant differences in carbohydrate, protein or lipid metabolism markers between healthy controls, premanifest and stage II/III Huntington’s disease subjects. For some markers (osteoprotegerin, tyrosine, lysine, phenylalanine and arginine) there is a suggestion (p values between 0.02 and 0.05) that levels are higher in patients with premanifest HD, but not moderate HD. However, given the large number of statistical tests performed interpretation of these findings must be cautious. Conclusions Contrary to previous studies that showed altered levels of metabolic markers in patients with Huntington’s disease, our study did not demonstrate convincing evidence of abnormalities in any of the markers examined. Our analyses were restricted to Huntington’s disease patients not taking neuroleptics, anti-depressants or other medication affecting metabolic pathways. Even with the modest sample sizes studied, the lack of highly significant results, despite many being tested, suggests that the majority of these markers do not differ markedly by disease status.
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Kucher A, Jackson LM, Lerach JO, Bloom AN, Popczun NJ, Wucher A, Winograd N. Near Infrared (NIR) Strong Field Ionization and Imaging of C60 Sputtered Molecules: Overcoming Matrix Effects and Improving Sensitivity. Anal Chem 2014; 86:8613-20. [DOI: 10.1021/ac501586d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Kucher
- Chemistry
Department, The Pennsylvania State University, 104 Chemistry Building, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, United States
| | - Lauren M. Jackson
- Chemistry
Department, The Pennsylvania State University, 104 Chemistry Building, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, United States
| | - Jordan O. Lerach
- Chemistry
Department, The Pennsylvania State University, 104 Chemistry Building, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, United States
| | - A. N. Bloom
- Chemistry
Department, The Pennsylvania State University, 104 Chemistry Building, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, United States
| | - N. J. Popczun
- Chemistry
Department, The Pennsylvania State University, 104 Chemistry Building, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, United States
| | - Andreas Wucher
- Fachbereich
Physik, Universitaet Duisburg-Essen, 47048 Duisburg, Germany
| | - Nicholas Winograd
- Chemistry
Department, The Pennsylvania State University, 104 Chemistry Building, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, United States
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Diamanti D, Mori E, Incarnato D, Malusa F, Fondelli C, Magnoni L, Pollio G. Whole gene expression profile in blood reveals multiple pathways deregulation in R6/2 mouse model. Biomark Res 2013; 1:28. [PMID: 24252798 PMCID: PMC4177605 DOI: 10.1186/2050-7771-1-28] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2013] [Accepted: 10/15/2013] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Huntington Disease (HD) is a progressive neurological disorder, with pathological manifestations in brain areas and in periphery caused by the ubiquitous expression of mutant Huntingtin protein. Transcriptional dysregulation is considered a key molecular mechanism responsible of HD pathogenesis but, although numerous studies investigated mRNA alterations in HD, so far none evaluated a whole gene expression profile in blood of R6/2 mouse model. Findings To discover novel pathogenic mechanisms and potential peripheral biomarkers useful to monitor disease progression or drug efficacy, a microarray study was performed in blood of R6/2 at manifest stage and wild type littermate mice. This approach allowed to propose new peripheral molecular processes involved in HD and to suggest different panels of candidate biomarkers. Among the discovered deregulated processes, we focused on specific ones: complement and coagulation cascades, PPAR signaling, cardiac muscle contraction, and dilated cardiomyopathy pathways. Selected genes derived from these pathways were additionally investigated in other accessible tissues to validate these matrices as source of biomarkers, and in brain, to link central and peripheral disease manifestations. Conclusions Our findings validated the skeletal muscle as suitable source to investigate peripheral transcriptional alterations in HD and supported the hypothesis that immunological alteration may contribute to neurological degeneration. Moreover, the identification of altered signaling in mouse blood enforce R6/2 transgenic mouse as a powerful HD model while suggesting novel disease biomarkers for pre-clinical investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Diamanti
- Siena Biotech S,p,A,, strada del Petriccio e Belriguardo, Siena 35, 53100, Italy.
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Kumar A, Sharma N, Mishra J, Kalonia H. Synergistical neuroprotection of rofecoxib and statins against malonic acid induced Huntington's disease like symptoms and related cognitive dysfunction in rats. Eur J Pharmacol 2013; 709:1-12. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2013.03.042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2012] [Revised: 03/17/2013] [Accepted: 03/24/2013] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
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22
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Statin treatment of children with familial hypercholesterolemia – Trying to balance incomplete evidence of long-term safety and clinical accountability: Are we approaching a consensus? Atherosclerosis 2013; 226:315-20. [DOI: 10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2012.10.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2012] [Revised: 09/24/2012] [Accepted: 10/07/2012] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
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23
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Montag J, Brameier M, Schmädicke AC, Gilch S, Schätzl HM, Motzkus D. A genome-wide survey for prion-regulated miRNAs associated with cholesterol homeostasis. BMC Genomics 2012; 13:486. [PMID: 22985096 PMCID: PMC3477035 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2164-13-486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2011] [Accepted: 09/10/2012] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Prion diseases are neurodegenerative diseases that are characterized by the conversion of the cellular prion protein (PrPc) into a pathogenic isoform (PrPSc). It is known that neurodegeneration is often accompanied by the disturbance of cholesterol homeostasis. We have recently identified a set of genes that were upregulated after prion infection of N2a neuronal cells (Bach et al., 2009). RESULTS We have now used ultra-deep sequencing technology to profile all microRNAs (miRNA) that could be associated with this effect in these N2a cells. Using stringent filters and normalization strategies we identified a small set of miRNAs that were up- or downregulated upon prion infection. Using bioinformatic tools we predicted whether the downregulated miRNAs could target mRNAs that have been previously identified to enhance cholesterol synthesis in these cells. Application of this joint profiling approach revealed that nine miRNAs potentially target cholesterol-related genes. Four of those miRNAs are localized in a miRNA-dense cluster on the mouse X-chromosome. Among these, twofold downregulation of mmu-miR-351 and mmu-miR-542-5p was confirmed by qRT-PCR. The same miRNAs were predicted as putative regulators of the sterol regulatory element-binding factor 2 (Srebf2), the low-density lipoprotein receptor (Ldlr) or the IPP isomerase. CONCLUSIONS The results demonstrate that joined profiling by ultra-deep sequencing is highly valuable to identify candidate miRNAs involved in prion-induced dysregulation of cholesterol homeostasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Judith Montag
- German Primate Center, Unit of Infection Models, Kellnerweg, 4, 37077, Göttingen, Germany
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24
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An in vitro perspective on the molecular mechanisms underlying mutant huntingtin protein toxicity. Cell Death Dis 2012; 3:e382. [PMID: 22932724 PMCID: PMC3434668 DOI: 10.1038/cddis.2012.121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) is a devastating neurodegenerative disorder whose main hallmark is brain atrophy. However, several peripheral organs are considerably affected and their symptoms may, in fact, manifest before those resulting from brain pathology. HD is of genetic origin and caused by a mutation in the huntingtin gene. The mutated protein has detrimental effects on cell survival, but whether the mutation leads to a gain of toxic function or a loss of function of the altered protein is still highly controversial. Most currently used in vitro models have been designed, to a large extent, to investigate the effects of the aggregation process in neuronal-like cells. However, as the pathology involves several other organs, new in vitro models are critically needed to take into account the deleterious effects of mutant huntingtin in peripheral tissues, and thus to identify new targets that could lead to more effective clinical interventions in the early course of the disease. This review aims to present current in vitro models of HD pathology and to discuss the knowledge that has been gained from these studies as well as the new in vitro tools that have been developed, which should reflect the more global view that we now have of the disease.
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25
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Buscema M, Penco S, Grossi E. A Novel Mathematical Approach to Define the Genes/SNPs Conferring Risk or Protection in Sporadic Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Based on Auto Contractive Map Neural Networks and Graph Theory. Neurol Res Int 2012; 2012:478560. [PMID: 22934166 PMCID: PMC3425858 DOI: 10.1155/2012/478560] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2012] [Accepted: 04/05/2012] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background. Complex diseases like amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) implicate phenotypic and genetic heterogeneity. Therefore, multiple genetic traits may show differential association with the disease. The Auto Contractive Map (AutoCM), belonging to the Artificial Neural Network (ANN) architecture, "spatializes" the correlation among variables by constructing a suitable embedding space where a visually transparent and cognitively natural notion such as "closeness" among variables reflects accurately their associations. Results. In this pilot case-control study single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in several genes has been evaluated with a novel data mining approach based on an AutoCM. We have divided the ALS dataset into two dataset: Cases and Control dataset; we have applied to each one, independently, the AutoCM algorithm. Six genetic variants were identified which differently contributed to the complexity of the system: three of the above genes/SNPs represent protective factors, APOA4, NOS3, and LPL, since their contribution to the whole complexity resulted to be as high as 0.17. On the other hand ADRB3, LIPC, and MMP3, whose hub relevancies contribution resulted to be as high as 0.13, seem to represent susceptibility factors. Conclusion. The biological information available on these six polymorphisms is consistent with possible pathogenetic pathways related to ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Massimo Buscema
- 1Semeion Research Center, Via Sersale 117, 00128 Rome, Italy
| | - Silvana Penco
- 2Medical Genetics, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Niguarda Ca' Granda Hospital Piazzaza Ospedale Maggiore 3, 20100 Milan, Italy
- *Silvana Penco:
| | - Enzo Grossi
- 3Medical Department, Bracco SpA, Via E. Folli 50, 20134 Milan, Italy
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Peroxisome-proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1 α contributes to dysmyelination in experimental models of Huntington's disease. J Neurosci 2011; 31:9544-53. [PMID: 21715619 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1291-11.2011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 99] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The peroxisome-proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1 α (PGC1α) has been implicated in the pathogenesis of several neurodegenerative disorders, including Huntington's disease (HD). Recent data demonstrating white matter abnormalities in PGC1α knock-out (KO) mice prompted us to examine the role of PGC1α in CNS myelination and its relevance to HD pathogenesis. We found deficient postnatal myelination in the striatum of PGC1α KO mice, accompanied by a decrease in myelin basic protein (MBP). In addition, brain cholesterol, its precursors, and the rate-limiting enzymes for cholesterol synthesis, HMG CoA synthase (HMGCS1) and HMG CoA reductase (HMGCR), were also reduced in PGC1α KO mice. Moreover, knockdown of PGC1α in oligodendrocytes by lentiviral shRNA led to a decrease in MBP, HMGCS1, and Hmgcr mRNAs. Chromatin immunoprecipitations revealed the recruitment of PGC1α to MBP promoter in mouse brain, and PGC1α over-expression increased MBP and SREBP-2 promoter activity, suggesting that PGC1α regulates MBP and cholesterol synthesis at the transcriptional level. Importantly, expression of mutant huntingtin (Htt) in primary oligodendrocytes resulted in decreased expression of PGC1α and its targets HmgcS1, Hmgcr, and MBP. Decreased expression of MBP and deficient myelination were found postnatally and in adult R6/2 mouse model of HD. Diffusion tensor imaging detected white matter abnormalities in the corpus callosum of R6/2 mice, and electron microscopy revealed thinner myelin sheaths and increased myelin periodicity in BACHD [bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC)-mediated transgenic model for Huntington's disease] mice expressing full-length mutant Htt. Together, these data suggest that PGC1α plays a role in postnatal myelination and that deficient PGC1α activity in oligodendrocytes may contribute to abnormal myelination in HD.
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Mathew A, Yoshida Y, Maekawa T, Sakthi Kumar D. Alzheimer's disease: Cholesterol a menace? Brain Res Bull 2011; 86:1-12. [DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2011.06.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2010] [Revised: 06/17/2011] [Accepted: 06/19/2011] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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28
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Maccarrone M, Bernardi G, Agrò AF, Centonze D. Cannabinoid receptor signalling in neurodegenerative diseases: a potential role for membrane fluidity disturbance. Br J Pharmacol 2011; 163:1379-90. [PMID: 21323908 PMCID: PMC3165948 DOI: 10.1111/j.1476-5381.2011.01277.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2010] [Revised: 01/13/2011] [Accepted: 01/24/2011] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Type-1 cannabinoid receptor (CB(1)) is the most abundant G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) in the brain. CB(1) and its endogenous agonists, the so-called 'endocannabinoids (eCBs)', belong to an ancient neurosignalling system that plays important functions in neurodegenerative and neuroinflammatory disorders like Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and multiple sclerosis. For this reason, research on the therapeutic potential of drugs modulating the endogenous tone of eCBs is very intense. Several GPCRs reside within subdomains of the plasma membranes that contain high concentrations of cholesterol: the lipid rafts. Here, the hypothesis that changes in membrane fluidity alter function of the endocannabinoid system, as well as progression of particular neurodegenerative diseases, is described. To this end, the impact of membrane cholesterol on membrane properties and hence on neurodegenerative diseases, as well as on CB(1) signalling in vitro and on CB(1) -dependent neurotransmission within the striatum, is discussed. Overall, present evidence points to the membrane environment as a critical regulator of signal transduction triggered by CB(1) , and calls for further studies aimed at better clarifying the contribution of membrane lipids to eCBs signalling. The results of these investigations might be exploited also for the development of novel therapeutics able to combat disorders associated with abnormal activity of CB(1).
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Affiliation(s)
- M Maccarrone
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Teramo, Teramo 64100, Italy.
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29
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Pfrieger FW, Ungerer N. Cholesterol metabolism in neurons and astrocytes. Prog Lipid Res 2011; 50:357-71. [PMID: 21741992 DOI: 10.1016/j.plipres.2011.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 325] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2011] [Revised: 06/11/2011] [Accepted: 06/22/2011] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Cells in the mammalian body must accurately maintain their content of cholesterol, which is an essential membrane component and precursor for vital signalling molecules. Outside the brain, cholesterol homeostasis is guaranteed by a lipoprotein shuttle between the liver, intestine and other organs via the blood circulation. Cells inside the brain are cut off from this circuit by the blood-brain barrier and must regulate their cholesterol content in a different manner. Here, we review how this is accomplished by neurons and astrocytes, two cell types of the central nervous system, whose cooperation is essential for normal brain development and function. The key observation is a remarkable cell-specific distribution of proteins that mediate different steps of cholesterol metabolism. This form of metabolic compartmentalization identifies astrocytes as net producers of cholesterol and neurons as consumers with unique means to prevent cholesterol overload. The idea that cholesterol turnover in neurons depends on close cooperation with astrocytes raises new questions that need to be addressed by new experimental approaches to monitor and manipulate cholesterol homeostasis in a cell-specific manner. We conclude that an understanding of cholesterol metabolism in the brain and its role in disease requires a close look at individual cell types.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frank W Pfrieger
- CNRS UPR 3212, University of Strasbourg, Institute of Cellular and Integrative Neurosciences (INCI), 67084 Strasbourg Cedex, France.
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30
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Block RC, Dorsey ER, Beck CA, Brenna JT, Shoulson I. Altered cholesterol and fatty acid metabolism in Huntington disease. J Clin Lipidol 2011; 4:17-23. [PMID: 20802793 DOI: 10.1016/j.jacl.2009.11.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 94] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Huntington disease is an autosomal dominant neurodegenerative disorder characterized by behavioral abnormalities, cognitive decline, and involuntary movements that lead to a progressive decline in functional capacity, independence, and ultimately death. The pathophysiology of Huntington disease is linked to an expanded trinucleotide repeat of cytosine-adenine-guanine (CAG) in the IT-15 gene on chromosome 4. There is no disease-modifying treatment for Huntington disease, and novel pathophysiological insights and therapeutic strategies are needed. Lipids are vital to the health of the central nervous system, and research in animals and humans has revealed that cholesterol metabolism is disrupted in Huntington disease. This lipid dysregulation has been linked to specific actions of the mutant huntingtin on sterol regulatory element binding proteins. This results in lower cholesterol levels in affected areas of the brain with evidence that this depletion is pathologic. Huntington disease is also associated with a pattern of insulin resistance characterized by a catabolic state resulting in weight loss and a lower body mass index than individuals without Huntington disease. Insulin resistance appears to act as a metabolic stressor attending disease progression. The fish-derived omega-3 fatty acids, eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid, have been examined in clinical trials of Huntington disease patients. Drugs that combat the dysregulated lipid milieu in Huntington disease may help treat this perplexing and catastrophic genetic disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert C Block
- Division of Epidemiology, Department of Community and Preventive Medicine and Preventive Cardiology Unit, Box 644, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, 601 Elmwood Avenue, Rochester, NY 14620, USA.
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31
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Belarbi K, Burnouf S, Fernandez-Gomez FJ, Laurent C, Lestavel S, Figeac M, Sultan A, Troquier L, Leboucher A, Caillierez R, Grosjean ME, Demeyer D, Obriot H, Brion I, Barbot B, Galas MC, Staels B, Humez S, Sergeant N, Schraen-Maschke S, Muhr-Tailleux A, Hamdane M, Buée L, Blum D. Beneficial effects of exercise in a transgenic mouse model of Alzheimer's disease-like Tau pathology. Neurobiol Dis 2011; 43:486-94. [PMID: 21569847 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2011.04.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 120] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2010] [Revised: 04/21/2011] [Accepted: 04/25/2011] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Tau pathology is encountered in many neurodegenerative disorders known as tauopathies, including Alzheimer's disease. Physical activity is a lifestyle factor affecting processes crucial for memory and synaptic plasticity. Whether long-term voluntary exercise has an impact on Tau pathology and its pathophysiological consequences is currently unknown. To address this question, we investigated the effects of long-term voluntary exercise in the THY-Tau22 transgenic model of Alzheimer's disease-like Tau pathology, characterized by the progressive development of Tau pathology, cholinergic alterations and subsequent memory impairments. Three-month-old THY-Tau22 mice and wild-type littermates were assigned to standard housing or housing supplemented with a running wheel. After 9 months of exercise, mice were evaluated for memory performance and examined for hippocampal Tau pathology, cholinergic defects, inflammation and genes related to cholesterol metabolism. Exercise prevented memory alterations in THY-Tau22 mice. This was accompanied by a decrease in hippocampal Tau pathology and a prevention of the loss of expression of choline acetyltransferase within the medial septum. Whereas the expression of most cholesterol-related genes remained unchanged in the hippocampus of running THY-Tau22 mice, we observed a significant upregulation in mRNA levels of NPC1 and NPC2, genes involved in cholesterol trafficking from the lysosomes. Our data support the view that long-term voluntary physical exercise is an effective strategy capable of mitigating Tau pathology and its pathophysiological consequences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karim Belarbi
- Université Lille-Nord de France, UDSL, F-59000 Lille, France
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32
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Dalla Y, Singh N, Jaggi AS, Singh D. Memory restorative role of statins in experimental dementia: an evidence of their cholesterol dependent and independent actions. Pharmacol Rep 2011; 62:784-96. [PMID: 21098862 DOI: 10.1016/s1734-1140(10)70339-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2009] [Revised: 03/09/2010] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
The study was aimed at investigating the effects of pitavastatin, simvastatin (lipophilic statins) and fluvastatin (hydrophilic statin) on memory deficits associated with Alzheimer's type dementia in mice. Dementia was induced with chronic administration of a high fat diet (HFD) or intracebroventricular streptozotocin (icv STZ, two doses of 3 mg/kg) in separate groups of animals. Memory of the animals was assessed by the Morris water maze (MWM) test. Brain thiobarbituric acid reactive species (TBARS) and reduced glutathione (GSH) levels were measured to assess total oxidative stress. Brain acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity and total serum cholesterol levels were also measured. Icv STZ or HFD produced a significant impairment of learning and memory. Higher levels of brain AChE activity and TBARS and lower levels of GSH were observed in icv STZ- as well as HFD-treated animals. HFD-treated mice also showed a significant increase in total serum cholesterol levels. Pitavastatin and simvastatin each significantly attenuated STZ-induced memory deficits and biochemical changes; however, fluvastatin produced no significant effect on icv STZ-induced dementia or biochemical levels. Administration of any one of the three statins not only lowered HFD-induced rise in total serum cholesterol level but also attenuated HFD-induced memory deficits. Further pitavastatin and simvastatin administration also reversed HFD-induced changes in biochemicals level, while fluvastatin failed to produce any significant effect. This study demonstrates the potential of statins in memory dysfunctions associated with experimental dementia and provides evidence of their cholesterol-dependent and -independent actions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yogita Dalla
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Drug Research, Punjabi University, Patiala (Punjab), PIN-147002, India
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Valdez CM, Phelix CF, Smith MA, Perry G, Santamaria F. Modeling cholesterol metabolism by gene expression profiling in the hippocampus. MOLECULAR BIOSYSTEMS 2011; 7:1891-901. [PMID: 21451815 DOI: 10.1039/c0mb00282h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
An important part of the challenge of building models of biochemical reactions is determining reaction rate constants that transform substrates into products. We present a method to derive enzymatic kinetic values from mRNA expression levels for modeling biological networks without requiring further tuning. The core metabolic reactions of cholesterol in the brain, particularly in the hippocampus, were simulated. To build the model the baseline mRNA expression levels of genes involved in cholesterol metabolism were obtained from the Allen Mouse Brain Atlas. The model is capable of replicating the trends of relative cholesterol levels in Alzheimer's and Huntington's diseases; and reliably simulated SLOS, desmosterolosis, and Dhcr14/Lbr knockout studies. A sensitivity analysis correctly uncovers the Hmgcr, Idi2 and Fdft1 sites that regulate cholesterol homeostasis. Overall, our model and methodology can be used to pinpoint key reactions, which, upon manipulation, may predict altered cholesterol levels and reveal insights into potential drug therapy targets under diseased conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher M Valdez
- Biology Department, The University of Texas at San Antonio, One UTSA circle, San Antonio, TX 78249, USA
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Fraldi A, Annunziata F, Lombardi A, Kaiser HJ, Medina DL, Spampanato C, Fedele AO, Polishchuk R, Sorrentino NC, Simons K, Ballabio A. Lysosomal fusion and SNARE function are impaired by cholesterol accumulation in lysosomal storage disorders. EMBO J 2010; 29:3607-20. [PMID: 20871593 PMCID: PMC2982760 DOI: 10.1038/emboj.2010.237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 168] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2010] [Accepted: 08/26/2010] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
The function of lysosomes relies on the ability of the lysosomal membrane to fuse with several target membranes in the cell. It is known that in lysosomal storage disorders (LSDs), lysosomal accumulation of several types of substrates is associated with lysosomal dysfunction and impairment of endocytic membrane traffic. By analysing cells from two severe neurodegenerative LSDs, we observed that cholesterol abnormally accumulates in the endolysosomal membrane of LSD cells, thereby reducing the ability of lysosomes to efficiently fuse with endocytic and autophagic vesicles. Furthermore, we discovered that soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor attachment protein (SNAP) receptors (SNAREs), which are key components of the cellular membrane fusion machinery are aberrantly sequestered in cholesterol-enriched regions of LSD endolysosomal membranes. This abnormal spatial organization locks SNAREs in complexes and impairs their sorting and recycling. Importantly, reducing membrane cholesterol levels in LSD cells restores normal SNARE function and efficient lysosomal fusion. Our results support a model by which cholesterol abnormalities determine lysosomal dysfunction and endocytic traffic jam in LSDs by impairing the membrane fusion machinery, thus suggesting new therapeutic targets for the treatment of these disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Fabio Annunziata
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine (TIGEM), Naples, Italy
| | - Alessia Lombardi
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine (TIGEM), Naples, Italy
| | - Hermann-Josef Kaiser
- Max-Planck-Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, Pfotenhauerstr., Dresden, Germany
| | | | | | | | - Roman Polishchuk
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine (TIGEM), Naples, Italy
- Laboratory of Membrane Traffic, Department of Cell Biology and Oncology, Consorzio Mario Negri Sud, Santa Maria Imbaro (Chieti), Italy
| | | | - Kai Simons
- Max-Planck-Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, Pfotenhauerstr., Dresden, Germany
| | - Andrea Ballabio
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine (TIGEM), Naples, Italy
- Medical Genetics, Department of Pediatrics, Federico II University, Naples, Italy
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Cholesterol defect is marked across multiple rodent models of Huntington's disease and is manifest in astrocytes. J Neurosci 2010; 30:10844-50. [PMID: 20702713 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.0917-10.2010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 109] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Brain cholesterol, which is synthesized locally, is a major component of myelin and cell membranes and participates in neuronal functions, such as membrane trafficking, signal transduction, neurotransmitter release, and synaptogenesis. Here we show that brain cholesterol biosynthesis is reduced in multiple transgenic and knock-in Huntington's disease (HD) rodent models, arguably dependent on deficits in mutant astrocytes. Mice carrying a progressively increased number of CAG repeats show a more evident reduction in cholesterol biosynthesis. In postnatal life, the cholesterol-dependent activities of neurons mainly rely on the transport of cholesterol from astrocytes on ApoE-containing particles. Our data show that mRNA levels of cholesterol biosynthesis and efflux genes are severely reduced in primary HD astrocytes, along with impaired cellular production and secretion of ApoE. Consistently, in CSF of HD mice, ApoE is mostly associated with smaller lipoproteins, indicating reduced cholesterol transport on ApoE-containing lipoproteins circulating in the HD brain. These findings indicate that cholesterol defect is robustly marked in HD animals, implying that strategies aimed at selectively modulating brain cholesterol metabolism might be of therapeutic significance.
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del Toro D, Xifró X, Pol A, Humbert S, Saudou F, Canals JM, Alberch J. Altered cholesterol homeostasis contributes to enhanced excitotoxicity in Huntington's disease. J Neurochem 2010; 115:153-67. [PMID: 20663016 DOI: 10.1111/j.1471-4159.2010.06912.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Recent findings suggest that altered cholesterol homeostasis may contribute to the pathophysiology of Huntington's disease (HD). To understand the underlying mechanisms, here we used a combination of two-photon microscopy, epifluorescence, and biochemical methods to visualize and quantify lipid distribution in cell cultures expressing mutant huntingtin. Such expression promotes lipid imbalance, and cholesterol accumulation in cellular and murine models and in HD-affected human brains. Interestingly, cells expressing mutant huntingtin also showed higher content of ordered domains in their plasma membranes. These findings correlated with high levels of caveolin-1 and glycosphingolipid GM1, two well-defined markers of cholesterol-enriched domains, at the cell surface. In addition, cells expressing mutant huntingtin showed increased localization of NMDA receptors with cholesterol-enriched domains, contributing to increased NMDA receptor susceptibility to excitotoxic insults. Treatment with simvastatin or β-cyclodextrin, two cholesterol-lowering drugs, reduced the content of ordered domains at the cell surface, which in turn, protected cells against NMDA-mediated excitotoxicity. Taken together, our results indicate that mutant huntingtin produces accumulation of cholesterol and alters its cellular distribution that contributes to NMDA-mediated excitotoxicity. Administration of drugs that recover this effect, such as simvastatin could be beneficial for the treatment of HD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel del Toro
- Departament de Biologia Cel·lular, Immunologia i Neurociències, Facultat de Medicina, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
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Zuccato C, Valenza M, Cattaneo E. Molecular Mechanisms and Potential Therapeutical Targets in Huntington's Disease. Physiol Rev 2010; 90:905-81. [DOI: 10.1152/physrev.00041.2009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 626] [Impact Index Per Article: 44.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) is a neurodegenerative disorder caused by a CAG repeat expansion in the gene encoding for huntingtin protein. A lot has been learned about this disease since its first description in 1872 and the identification of its causative gene and mutation in 1993. We now know that the disease is characterized by several molecular and cellular abnormalities whose precise timing and relative roles in pathogenesis have yet to be understood. HD is triggered by the mutant protein, and both gain-of-function (of the mutant protein) and loss-of-function (of the normal protein) mechanisms are involved. Here we review the data that describe the emergence of the ancient huntingtin gene and of the polyglutamine trait during the last 800 million years of evolution. We focus on the known functions of wild-type huntingtin that are fundamental for the survival and functioning of the brain neurons that predominantly degenerate in HD. We summarize data indicating how the loss of these beneficial activities reduces the ability of these neurons to survive. We also review the different mechanisms by which the mutation in huntingtin causes toxicity. This may arise both from cell-autonomous processes and dysfunction of neuronal circuitries. We then focus on novel therapeutical targets and pathways and on the attractive option to counteract HD at its primary source, i.e., by blocking the production of the mutant protein. Strategies and technologies used to screen for candidate HD biomarkers and their potential application are presented. Furthermore, we discuss the opportunities offered by intracerebral cell transplantation and the likely need for these multiple routes into therapies to converge at some point as, ideally, one would wish to stop the disease process and, at the same time, possibly replace the damaged neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Zuccato
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences and Centre for Stem Cell Research, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Marta Valenza
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences and Centre for Stem Cell Research, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Elena Cattaneo
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences and Centre for Stem Cell Research, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
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38
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Gulati S, Liu Y, Munkacsi AB, Wilcox L, Sturley SL. Sterols and sphingolipids: dynamic duo or partners in crime? Prog Lipid Res 2010; 49:353-65. [PMID: 20362613 DOI: 10.1016/j.plipres.2010.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
One manner in which eukaryotic cells respond to their environments is by optimizing the composition and proportions of sterols and sphingolipids in membranes. The physical association of the planar ring of sterols with the acyl chains of phospholipids, particularly sphingolipids, produces membrane micro-heterogeneity that is exploited to coordinate several crucial pathways. We hypothesize that these lipid molecules play an integrated role in human disease; when one of the partners is mis-regulated, pathology frequently ensues. Sterols and sphingolipid levels are not coordinated by the action of a single master regulator, however the cross-talk between their metabolic pathways is considerable. We describe our perspectives on the key components of synthesis, catabolism and transport of these lipid partners with an emphasis on evolutionarily conserved reactions that produce disease states when defective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonia Gulati
- Institute of Human Nutrition, Columbia University Medical Center, 630 W. 168th St., New York, NY 10032, USA
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39
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Neurochemical changes on oxidative stress in rat hippocampus during acute phase of pilocarpine-induced seizures. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2010; 94:341-5. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2009.09.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2009] [Revised: 09/13/2009] [Accepted: 09/21/2009] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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40
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Wu C, Ifa DR, Manicke NE, Cooks RG. Rapid, direct analysis of cholesterol by charge labeling in reactive desorption electrospray ionization. Anal Chem 2009; 81:7618-24. [PMID: 19746995 DOI: 10.1021/ac901003u] [Citation(s) in RCA: 176] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Direct and rapid analysis of cholesterol was accomplished in the ambient environment using reactive desorption electrospray ionization (DESI) mass spectrometry. This was achieved by electrospraying reagent solutions in the form of high velocity charged droplets at surfaces such as dried serum samples and animal tissue sections. Betaine aldehyde, incorporated into the spray solvent, reacts selectively and rapidly with the alcohol group of cholesterol by nucleophilic addition, forming a hemiacetal salt. Limits of detection for pure cholesterol and related compounds were approximately 1 ng when a solution of cholesterol of 1 microg/mL was spotted onto the surface. Quantitative analysis of free cholesterol in serum using reactive DESI was demonstrated using cholesterol-d7 as internal standard. High throughput analysis of small volumes of serum spotted onto a suitable substrate was achieved at an analysis rate of approximately 14 s per sample, with a relative standard deviation (RSD) of ca. 6%. Use of reactive DESI in the imaging mode allowed 2D spatial distributions of phospholipids and cholesterol to be recorded simultaneously in rat brain tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunping Wu
- Department of Chemistry, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, USA
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41
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Bach C, Gilch S, Rost R, Greenwood AD, Horsch M, Hajj GNM, Brodesser S, Facius A, Schädler S, Sandhoff K, Beckers J, Leib-Mösch C, Schätzl HM, Vorberg I. Prion-induced activation of cholesterogenic gene expression by Srebp2 in neuronal cells. J Biol Chem 2009; 284:31260-9. [PMID: 19748890 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m109.004382] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Prion diseases are neurodegenerative diseases associated with the accumulation of a pathogenic isoform of the host-encoded prion protein. The cellular responses to prion infection are not well defined. By performing microarray analysis on cultured neuronal cells infected with prion strain 22L, in the group of up-regulated genes we observed predominantly genes of the cholesterol pathway. Increased transcript levels of at least nine enzymes involved in cholesterol synthesis, including the gene for the rate-limiting hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA reductase, were detected. Up-regulation of cholesterogenic genes was attributable to a prion-dependent increase in the amount and activity of the sterol regulatory element-binding protein Srebp2, resulting in elevated levels of total and free cellular cholesterol. The up-regulation of cholesterol biosynthesis appeared to be a characteristic response of neurons to prion challenge, as cholesterogenic transcripts were also elevated in persistently infected GT-1 cells and prion-exposed primary hippocampal neurons but not in microglial cells and primary astrocytes. These results convincingly demonstrate that prion propagation not only depends on the availability of cholesterol but that neuronal cells themselves respond to prions with specific up-regulation of cholesterol biosynthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Bach
- Institute of Virology, Technische Universität München, Trogerstrasse 30, 81675 Munich, Germany
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Guo J, Chi S, Xu H, Jin G, Qi Z. Effects of cholesterol levels on the excitability of rat hippocampal neurons. Mol Membr Biol 2009; 25:216-23. [DOI: 10.1080/09687680701805541] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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43
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Sassone J, Colciago C, Cislaghi G, Silani V, Ciammola A. Huntington's disease: the current state of research with peripheral tissues. Exp Neurol 2009; 219:385-97. [PMID: 19460373 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2009.05.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 126] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2008] [Revised: 04/30/2009] [Accepted: 05/09/2009] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) is a genetically dominant condition caused by expanded CAG repeats. These repeats code for a glutamine tract in the HD gene product huntingtin (htt), which is a protein expressed in almost all tissues. Although most HD symptoms reflect preferential neuronal death in specific brain regions, even before the HD gene was identified numerous reports had described additional abnormalities in the peripheral tissues of HD patients, including weight loss, altered glucose homeostasis, and sub-cellular abnormalities in fibroblasts, lymphocytes and erythrocytes. Several years have elapsed since the HD mutation was discovered, and analyses of peripheral tissues from HD patients have helped to understand the molecular pathogenesis of the disease and revealed that the molecular mechanisms through which mutated htt leads to cell dysfunction are widely shared between central nervous system (CNS) and peripheral tissues. These studies show that in peripheral tissues, mutated htt causes accumulation of intracellular protein aggregates, impairment of energetic metabolism, transcriptional deregulation and hyperactivation of programmed cell-death mechanisms. Here, we review the current knowledge of peripheral tissue alterations in HD patients and in animal models of HD and focus on how this information can be used to identify potential therapeutic possibilities and biomarkers for disease progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jenny Sassone
- Department of Neurology and Laboratory of Neuroscience, Dino Ferrari Center, IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, University of Milan Medical School, via Spagnoletto 3, 20149, Milan, Italy
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44
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Griffiths WJ, Wang Y. Analysis of neurosterols by GC-MS and LC-MS/MS. J Chromatogr B Analyt Technol Biomed Life Sci 2009; 877:2778-805. [PMID: 19560986 DOI: 10.1016/j.jchromb.2009.05.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2009] [Revised: 05/07/2009] [Accepted: 05/09/2009] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
The term neurosteroid was coined by Baulieu and colleagues in Paris towards the end of the last century to describe steroids which are synthesised in the central or peripheral nervous system [E.E. Baulieu, Psychoneuroendocrinology 23 (1998) 963-87]. This definition was restricted to side-chain "shortened" steroids with 21 carbon atoms or less, and excluded sterols and their carboxylic acids with an intact side-chain. By analogy, we now use the term neurosterol to describe C(27) sterols synthesised in the nervous system. In this review we discuss the biological importance of neurosterols, and how they are extracted, isolated, and analysed by GC-MS and LC-MS/MS, from brain and relevant body fluids. We present applications of methodology employed for analysis of specific sterols and comment on the relative merits of the methods employed. Finally, the importance of future in-depth "sterolomic" investigations of brain is highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
- William J Griffiths
- Institute of Mass Spectrometry, School of Medicine, Swansea University, Singleton Park, Swansea SA2 8PP, UK.
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45
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Maccarrone M, De Chiara V, Gasperi V, Viscomi MT, Rossi S, Oddi S, Molinari M, Musella A, Finazzi-Agrò A, Centonze D. Lipid rafts regulate 2-arachidonoylglycerol metabolism and physiological activity in the striatum. J Neurochem 2009; 109:371-81. [PMID: 19187444 DOI: 10.1111/j.1471-4159.2009.05948.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Several G protein-associated receptors and synaptic proteins function within lipid rafts, which are subdomains of the plasma membranes that contain high concentrations of cholesterol. In this study we addressed the possible role of lipid rafts in the control of endocannabinoid system in striatal slices. Disruption of lipid rafts following cholesterol depletion with methyl-beta-cyclodestrin (MCD) failed to affect synthesis and degradation of anandamide, while it caused a marked increase in the synthesis and concentration of 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG), as well as in the binding activity of cannabinoid CB1 receptors. Surprisingly, endogenous 2-AG-mediated control of GABA transmission was not potentiated by MCD treatment and, in contrast, neither basal nor 3,5-Dihydroxyphenylglycine-stimulated 2-AG altered GABA synapses in cholesterol-depleted slices. Synaptic response to the cannabinoid CB1 receptor agonist HU210 was however intact in MCD-treated slices, indicating that reduced sensitivity of cannabinoid CB1 receptors does not explain why endogenous 2-AG is ineffective in inhibiting striatal GABA transmission after cholesterol depletion. Confocal microscopy analysis suggested that disruption of raft integrity by MCD might uncouple metabotropic glutamate 5-CB1 receptor interaction by altering the correct localization of both receptors in striatal neuron elements. In conclusion, our data indicate that disruption of raft integrity causes a complex alteration of the endocannabinoid signalling in the striatum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mauro Maccarrone
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche, Università degli Studi di Teramo, Italy.
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46
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Patassini S, Giampà C, Martorana A, Bernardi G, Fusco FR. Effects of simvastatin on neuroprotection and modulation of Bcl-2 and BAX in the rat quinolinic acid model of Huntington's disease. Neurosci Lett 2008; 448:166-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2008.10.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2008] [Revised: 09/29/2008] [Accepted: 10/01/2008] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
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Piehowski PD, Carado AJ, Kurczy ME, Ostrowski SG, Heien ML, Winograd N, Ewing AG. MS/MS methodology to improve subcellular mapping of cholesterol using TOF-SIMS. Anal Chem 2008; 80:8662-7. [PMID: 18925746 PMCID: PMC2597061 DOI: 10.1021/ac801591r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (TOF-SIMS) can be utilized to map the distribution of various molecules on a surface with submicrometer resolution. Much of its biological application has been in the study of membrane lipids, such as phospholipids and cholesterol. Cholesterol is a particularly interesting molecule due to its involvement in numerous biological processes. For many studies, the effectiveness of chemical mapping is limited by low signal intensity from various biomolecules. Because of the high energy nature of the SIMS ionization process, many molecules are identified by detection of characteristic fragments. Commonly, fragments of a molecule are identified using standard samples, and those fragments are used to map the location of the molecule. In this work, MS/MS data obtained from a prototype C60(+)/quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometer was used in conjunction with indium LMIG imaging to map previously unrecognized cholesterol fragments in single cells. A model system of J774 macrophages doped with cholesterol was used to show that these fragments are derived from cholesterol in cell imaging experiments. Examination of relative quantification experiments reveals that m/z 147 is the most specific diagnostic fragment and offers a 3-fold signal enhancement. These findings greatly increase the prospects for cholesterol mapping experiments in biological samples, particularly with single cell experiments. In addition, these findings demonstrate the wealth of information that is hidden in the traditional TOF-SIMS spectrum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul D Piehowski
- Department of Chemistry, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, USA
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48
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de Ferranti S, Ludwig DS. Storm over statins--the controversy surrounding pharmacologic treatment of children. N Engl J Med 2008; 359:1309-12. [PMID: 18815394 DOI: 10.1056/nejmp0805953] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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49
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Korade Z, Kenchappa RS, Mirnics K, Carter BD. NRIF is a regulator of neuronal cholesterol biosynthesis genes. J Mol Neurosci 2008; 38:152-8. [PMID: 18677445 DOI: 10.1007/s12031-008-9136-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2008] [Accepted: 07/09/2008] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Cholesterol is a critical component of neuronal membranes, required for normal signal transduction. We showed previously that adult hippocampal neurons co-express high levels of cholesterogenic enzymes, and that their expression is under the control of the p75 neurotrophin receptor (p75NTR). Most of the cellular effects of p75NTR are mediated via interacting proteins, including neurotrophin receptor interacting factor (NRIF). In this study, we tested the hypothesis that p75NTR-dependent regulation of cholesterol and lipid biosynthesis genes is mediated by NRIF. We found that in vitro down regulation of NRIF expression decreased the mRNA for two main cholesterogenic enzymes, 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase (Hmgcr; EC 2.3.3.10) and 7-dehydrocholesterol reductase (Dhcr7; EC 1.3.1.21). Further analyses revealed that NRIF-dependent and Dhcr7-dependent transcriptional changes show a high degree of overlap, and that NRIF reduction resulted in reduced expression of sterol-sensing domain protein SCAP, followed by a decrease in mRNA levels of SRE-motif containing genes (HMGCR, FASN, SREBP2, S1P, and SQS1). Finally, a reduction in cholesterol biosynthesis-related gene expression was also observed in hippocampal tissue of mice with NRIF deletion. Our combined in vitro and in vivo studies suggest that hippocampal neuronal cholesterol biosynthesis is regulated through the p75NTR interacting factor NRIF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zeljka Korade
- Department of Biochemistry, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, 8124A MRB III, Nashville, TN 37232, USA.
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50
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Markianos M, Panas M, Kalfakis N, Vassilopoulos D. Low plasma total cholesterol in patients with Huntington's disease and first-degree relatives. Mol Genet Metab 2008; 93:341-6. [PMID: 18006350 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymgme.2007.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2007] [Revised: 10/03/2007] [Accepted: 10/03/2007] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Recent studies indicate altered cholesterol homeostasis in Huntington's disease (HD) after it was found that cultured human and mice cells expressing mutant huntingtin show reduced mRNA of cholesterol biosynthetic enzymes. Plasma total cholesterol (TC) levels have been connected to degenerative disorders, but data for HD are lacking. We estimated plasma TC in three groups of HD related subjects: (a) patients with overt symptomatology, (b) subjects with expanded CAG repeat number in the Huntington gene before disease onset, and (c) siblings or descendants of HD patients, with normal CAG repeat number. Compared to TC levels of age-matched controls, all three groups had significantly lower plasma TC levels. The expected positive correlation of TC to age, present in the control group, was absent in the whole group or the three subgroups of the HD subjects. TC of the ApoE genotype subgroups showed small, non-significant differences. In the group of patients, TC levels were not related to severity of illness, duration of illness, and presence of depression or dementia in their symptomatology, while lower TC levels were found in patients with psychotic features. The results indicate altered cholesterol homeostasis in members of families with HD patients. Low TC levels have been connected to increased suicide risk in several studies, and high suicidal ideation has been reported in both HD gene carriers and non-carriers. Although low plasma TC levels do not necessarily imply alterations in brain cholesterol levels, a more detailed study of plasma lipids in HD patients and their first-degree relatives, as well as the search for genetic factors regarding cholesterol synthesis and disposition, are warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manolis Markianos
- Athens University Medical School, Department of Neurology, Eginition Hospital, Vas. Sophias 74, Athens 11528, Greece.
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