1
|
Wang H, Zhao Q, Zhang Y, Ma J, Lei M, Zhang Z, Xue H, Liu J, Sun Z, Xu J, Zhai Y, Wang Y, Cai M, Zhu W, Liu F. Shared genetic architecture of cortical thickness alterations in major depressive disorder and schizophrenia. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2024; 135:111121. [PMID: 39154931 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2024.111121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2024] [Revised: 07/29/2024] [Accepted: 08/15/2024] [Indexed: 08/20/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Major depressive disorder (MDD) and schizophrenia (SCZ) are heritable brain disorders characterized by alterations in cortical thickness. However, the shared genetic basis for cortical thickness changes in these disorders remains unclear. METHODS We conducted a systematic literature search on cortical thickness in MDD and SCZ through PubMed and Web of Science. A coordinate-based meta-analysis was performed to identify cortical thickness changes. Additionally, utilizing summary statistics from the largest genome-wide association studies for depression (Ncase = 268,615, Ncontrol = 667,123) and SCZ (Ncase = 53,386, Ncontrol = 77,258), we explored shared genomic loci using conjunctional false discovery rate (conjFDR) analysis. Transcriptome-neuroimaging association analysis was then employed to identify shared genes associated with cortical thickness alterations, and enrichment analysis was finally carried out to elucidate the biological significance of these genes. RESULTS Our search yielded 34 MDD (Ncase = 1621, Ncontrol = 1507) and 19 SCZ (Ncase = 1170, Ncontrol = 1043) neuroimaging studies for cortical thickness meta-analysis. Specific alterations in the left supplementary motor area were observed in MDD, while SCZ exhibited widespread reductions in various brain regions, particularly in the frontal and temporal areas. The conjFDR approach identified 357 genomic loci jointly associated with MDD and SCZ. Within these loci, 55 genes were found to be associated with cortical thickness alterations in both disorders. Enrichment analysis revealed their involvement in nervous system development, apoptosis, and cell communication. CONCLUSION This study revealed the shared genetic architecture underlying cortical thickness alterations in MDD and SCZ, providing insights into common neurobiological pathways. The identified genes and pathways may serve as potential transdiagnostic markers, informing precision medicine approaches in psychiatric care.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- He Wang
- Department of Radiology, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Functional Imaging & Tianjin Institute of Radiology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin 300052, China
| | - Qiyu Zhao
- Department of Radiology, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Functional Imaging & Tianjin Institute of Radiology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin 300052, China
| | - Yijing Zhang
- Department of Radiology, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Functional Imaging & Tianjin Institute of Radiology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin 300052, China
| | - Juanwei Ma
- Department of Radiology, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Functional Imaging & Tianjin Institute of Radiology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin 300052, China
| | - Minghuan Lei
- Department of Radiology, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Functional Imaging & Tianjin Institute of Radiology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin 300052, China
| | - Zhihui Zhang
- Department of Radiology, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Functional Imaging & Tianjin Institute of Radiology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin 300052, China
| | - Hui Xue
- Department of Radiology, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Functional Imaging & Tianjin Institute of Radiology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin 300052, China
| | - Jiawei Liu
- Department of Radiology, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Functional Imaging & Tianjin Institute of Radiology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin 300052, China
| | - Zuhao Sun
- Department of Radiology, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Functional Imaging & Tianjin Institute of Radiology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin 300052, China
| | - Jinglei Xu
- Department of Radiology, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Functional Imaging & Tianjin Institute of Radiology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin 300052, China
| | - Ying Zhai
- Department of Radiology, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Functional Imaging & Tianjin Institute of Radiology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin 300052, China
| | - Ying Wang
- Department of Radiology, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Functional Imaging & Tianjin Institute of Radiology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin 300052, China
| | - Mengjing Cai
- Department of Radiology, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Functional Imaging & Tianjin Institute of Radiology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin 300052, China; Department of Medical Imaging, Henan Provincial People's Hospital & Zhengzhou University People's Hospital, Zhengzhou 450000, China.
| | - Wenshuang Zhu
- Department of Radiology, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Functional Imaging & Tianjin Institute of Radiology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin 300052, China; Department of Radiology, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100070, China.
| | - Feng Liu
- Department of Radiology, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Functional Imaging & Tianjin Institute of Radiology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin 300052, China.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Chen H, Li J, Huang Z, Fan X, Wang X, Chen X, Guo H, Liu H, Li S, Yu S, Li H, Huang X, Ma X, Deng X, Wang C, Liu Y. Dopaminergic system and neurons: Role in multiple neurological diseases. Neuropharmacology 2024; 260:110133. [PMID: 39197818 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2024.110133] [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: 07/02/2024] [Revised: 08/24/2024] [Accepted: 08/25/2024] [Indexed: 09/01/2024]
Abstract
The dopaminergic system is a complex and powerful neurotransmitter system in the brain. It plays an important regulatory role in motivation, reward, cognition, and motor control. In recent decades, research in the field of the dopaminergic system and neurons has increased exponentially and is gradually becoming a point of intervention in the study and understanding of a wide range of neurological diseases related to human health. Studies have shown that the dopaminergic system and neurons are involved in the development of many neurological diseases (including, but not limited to Parkinson's disease, schizophrenia, depression, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, etc.) and that dopaminergic neurons either have too much stress or too weak function in the dopaminergic system can lead to disease. Therefore, targeting dopaminergic neurons is considered key to treating these diseases. This article provides a comprehensive review of the dopaminergic system and neurons in terms of brain region distribution, physiological function and subtypes of dopaminergic neurons, as well as the role of the dopaminergic system and neurons in a variety of diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Heng Chen
- Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 102488, China
| | - Jieshu Li
- Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 102488, China
| | - Zhixing Huang
- Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 102488, China
| | - Xiaoxiao Fan
- Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 102488, China
| | - Xiaofei Wang
- Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China
| | - Xing Chen
- University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, 611731, China
| | - Haitao Guo
- Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 102488, China
| | - Hao Liu
- Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 102488, China
| | - Shuqi Li
- Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 102488, China
| | - Shaojun Yu
- Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 102488, China
| | - Honghong Li
- Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 102488, China
| | - Xinyu Huang
- Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 102488, China
| | - Xuehua Ma
- Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 102488, China.
| | - Xinqi Deng
- Institute of Chinese Materia Medica China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100700, China.
| | - Chunguo Wang
- Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 102488, China.
| | - Yonggang Liu
- Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 102488, China.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Liu Z, Cheng L, Cao W, Shen C, Qiu Y, Li C, Xiong Y, Yang SB, Chen Z, Yin X, Zhang X. Present and future use of exosomes containing proteins and RNAs in neurodegenerative diseases for synaptic function regulation: A comprehensive review. Int J Biol Macromol 2024; 280:135826. [PMID: 39322147 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.135826] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2024] [Revised: 09/18/2024] [Accepted: 09/18/2024] [Indexed: 09/27/2024]
Abstract
Neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs) are increasingly prevalent with global aging, demanding effective treatments. Exosomes, which contain biological macromolecules such as RNA (including miRNAs) and proteins like α-synuclein, tau, and amyloid-beta, are gaining attention as innovative therapeutics. This comprehensive review systematically explores the potential roles of exosomes in NDDs, with a particular focus on their role in synaptic dysfunction. We present the synaptic pathophysiology of NDDs and discuss the mechanisms of exosome formation, secretion, and action. Subsequently, we review the roles of exosomes in different types of NDDs, such as Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease, with a special focus on their regulation of synaptic function. In addition, we explore the potential use of exosomes as biomarkers, as well as the challenges and opportunities in their clinical application. We provide perspectives on future research directions and development trends to provide a more comprehensive understanding of and guidance for the application of exosomes in the treatment of NDDs. In conclusion, exosomes rich in biological macromolecules, as a novel therapeutic strategy, have opened up new possibilities for the treatment of NDDs and brought new hope to patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ziying Liu
- Department of Pathology, Clinical Medical School of Jiujiang University, Jiujiang, Jiangxi 332000, China; Jiujiang Clinical Precision Medicine Research Center, Jiujiang, Jiangxi 332000, China
| | - Lin Cheng
- Jiujiang Clinical Precision Medicine Research Center, Jiujiang, Jiangxi 332000, China; Department of Neurology, Clinical Medical School of Jiujiang University, Jiujiang, Jiangxi 332000, China
| | - Wa Cao
- Jiujiang Clinical Precision Medicine Research Center, Jiujiang, Jiangxi 332000, China; Department of Respiratory Medicine, Clinical Medical School of Jiujiang University, Jiujiang, Jiangxi 332000, China
| | - Chunxiao Shen
- Department of Pathology, Clinical Medical School of Jiujiang University, Jiujiang, Jiangxi 332000, China; Jiujiang Clinical Precision Medicine Research Center, Jiujiang, Jiangxi 332000, China
| | - Yuemin Qiu
- Department of Pathology, Clinical Medical School of Jiujiang University, Jiujiang, Jiangxi 332000, China; Jiujiang Clinical Precision Medicine Research Center, Jiujiang, Jiangxi 332000, China
| | - Chuan Li
- Department of Pathology, Clinical Medical School of Jiujiang University, Jiujiang, Jiangxi 332000, China; Jiujiang Clinical Precision Medicine Research Center, Jiujiang, Jiangxi 332000, China
| | - Yinyi Xiong
- Jiujiang Clinical Precision Medicine Research Center, Jiujiang, Jiangxi 332000, China; Department of Rehabilitation, Clinical Medical School of Jiujiang University, Jiujiang, Jiangxi 332000, China
| | - Seung Bum Yang
- Department of Medical Non-commissioned Officer, Wonkwang Health Science University Iksan-si, Jeollabuk-do 54538, South Korea
| | - Zhiying Chen
- Jiujiang Clinical Precision Medicine Research Center, Jiujiang, Jiangxi 332000, China; Department of Neurology, Clinical Medical School of Jiujiang University, Jiujiang, Jiangxi 332000, China.
| | - Xiaoping Yin
- Jiujiang Clinical Precision Medicine Research Center, Jiujiang, Jiangxi 332000, China; Department of Neurology, Clinical Medical School of Jiujiang University, Jiujiang, Jiangxi 332000, China.
| | - Xiaorong Zhang
- Department of Pathology, Clinical Medical School of Jiujiang University, Jiujiang, Jiangxi 332000, China; Jiujiang Clinical Precision Medicine Research Center, Jiujiang, Jiangxi 332000, China.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Secco V, Tiago T, Staats R, Preet S, Chia S, Vendruscolo M, Carra S. HSPB6: A lipid-dependent molecular chaperone inhibits α-synuclein aggregation. iScience 2024; 27:110657. [PMID: 39280615 PMCID: PMC11402235 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.110657] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2024] [Revised: 06/09/2024] [Accepted: 07/31/2024] [Indexed: 09/18/2024] Open
Abstract
The process of protein misfolding and aggregation is associated with various cytotoxic effects. Understanding how this phenomenon is regulated by the protein homeostasis system, however, is difficult, since it takes place through a complex non-linear network of coupled microscopic steps, including primary nucleation, fibril elongation, and secondary nucleation, which depend on environmental factors. To address this problem, we studied how the aggregation of α-synuclein, a protein associated with Parkinson's disease, is modulated by molecular chaperones and lipid membranes. We focused on small heat shock proteins (sHSPs/HSPBs), which interact with proteins and lipids and are upregulated during aging, a major risk factor for protein misfolding diseases. HSPBs act on different microscopic steps to prevent α-synuclein aggregation, with HSPB6 showing a lipid-dependent chaperone activity. Our findings provide an example of how HSPBs diversified their mechanisms of action to reach an efficient regulation of protein misfolding and aggregation within the complex cellular environment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Secco
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Tatiana Tiago
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Roxine Staats
- Centre for Misfolding Diseases, Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Swapan Preet
- Centre for Misfolding Diseases, Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Sean Chia
- Centre for Misfolding Diseases, Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Michele Vendruscolo
- Centre for Misfolding Diseases, Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Serena Carra
- Department of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Tan S, Chi H, Wang P, Zhao R, Zhang Q, Gao Z, Xue H, Tang Q, Li G. Protein tyrosine phosphatase receptor type O serves as a key regulator of insulin resistance-induced α-synuclein aggregation in Parkinson's disease. Cell Mol Life Sci 2024; 81:403. [PMID: 39276174 PMCID: PMC11401831 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-024-05436-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2024] [Revised: 08/05/2024] [Accepted: 09/02/2024] [Indexed: 09/16/2024]
Abstract
Insulin resistance (IR) was found to be a critical element in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease (PD), facilitating abnormal α-synuclein (α-Syn) aggregation in neurons and thus promoting PD development. However, how IR contributes to abnormal α-Syn aggregation remains ill-defined. Here, we analyzed six PD postmortem brain transcriptome datasets to reveal module genes implicated in IR-mediated α-Syn aggregation. In addition, we induced IR in cultured dopaminergic (DA) neurons overexpressing α-Syn to identify IR-modulated differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Integrated analysis of data from PD patients and cultured neurons revealed 226 genes involved in α-Syn aggregation under IR conditions, of which 53 exhibited differential expression between PD patients and controls. Subsequently, we conducted an integrated analysis of the 53 IR-modulated genes employing transcriptome data from PD patients with different Braak stages and DA neuron subclasses with varying α-Syn aggregation scores. Protein tyrosine phosphatase receptor type O (PTPRO) was identified to be closely associated with PD progression and α-Syn aggregation. Experimental validation in a cultured PD cell model confirmed that both mRNA and protein of PTPRO were reduced under IR conditions, and the downregulation of PTPRO significantly facilitated α-Syn aggregation and cell death. Collectively, our findings identified PTPRO as a key regulator in IR-mediated α-Syn aggregation and uncovered its prospective utility as a therapeutic target in PD patients with IR.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shichuan Tan
- Department of Neurosurgery, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine and Institute of Brain and Brain-Inspired Science, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, China
- Shandong Key Laboratory of Brain Health and Function Remodeling, Jinan, 250012, China
- Department of Emergency Neurosurgical Intensive Care Unit, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China
| | - Huizhong Chi
- Department of Neurosurgery, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine and Institute of Brain and Brain-Inspired Science, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, China
- Shandong Key Laboratory of Brain Health and Function Remodeling, Jinan, 250012, China
| | - Pin Wang
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, National Health Commission (NHC) Key Laboratory of Otorhinolaryngology, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China
| | - Rongrong Zhao
- Department of Neurosurgery, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine and Institute of Brain and Brain-Inspired Science, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, China
- Shandong Key Laboratory of Brain Health and Function Remodeling, Jinan, 250012, China
| | - Qinran Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine and Institute of Brain and Brain-Inspired Science, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, China
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Zijie Gao
- Department of Neurosurgery, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine and Institute of Brain and Brain-Inspired Science, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, China
- Shandong Key Laboratory of Brain Health and Function Remodeling, Jinan, 250012, China
| | - Hao Xue
- Department of Neurosurgery, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine and Institute of Brain and Brain-Inspired Science, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, China
- Shandong Key Laboratory of Brain Health and Function Remodeling, Jinan, 250012, China
| | - Qilin Tang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine and Institute of Brain and Brain-Inspired Science, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, China.
- Shandong Key Laboratory of Brain Health and Function Remodeling, Jinan, 250012, China.
| | - Gang Li
- Department of Neurosurgery, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine and Institute of Brain and Brain-Inspired Science, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, China.
- Shandong Key Laboratory of Brain Health and Function Remodeling, Jinan, 250012, China.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
McConnell EM, Chan D, Ventura K, Callahan JP, Harris K, Hunt VH, Boisjoli S, Knight D, Monk ET, Holahan MR, DeRosa MC. Selection of DNA aptamers that prevent the fibrillization of α-synuclein protein in cellular and mouse models. MOLECULAR THERAPY. NUCLEIC ACIDS 2024; 35:102251. [PMID: 39377064 PMCID: PMC11456556 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2024.102251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2023] [Accepted: 06/13/2024] [Indexed: 10/09/2024]
Abstract
A neuropathological hallmark of Parkinson's disease (PD) is the aggregation and spreading of misfolded α-synuclein (αSyn) protein. In this study, a selection method was developed to identify aptamers that showed affinity for monomeric αSyn and inhibition of αSyn aggregation. Aptamer a-syn-1 exhibited strong inhibition of αSyn aggregation in vitro by transmission electron microscopy and Thioflavin T fluorescence. A-syn-1-treated SH-SY5Y cells incubated with pre-formed fibrils (PFFs) showed less intracellular aggregation of αSyn in comparison with a scrambled oligonucleotide control, as observed with fluorescent microscopy. Systemic delivery of a-syn-1 to the brain was achieved using a liposome vehicle and confirmed with fluorescence microscopy and qPCR. Transgenic mice overexpressing the human A53T variant of αSyn protein were injected with a-syn-1 loaded liposomes at 5 months of age both acutely (single intraperitoneal [i.p.] injection) and repeatedly (5 i.p. injections over 5 days). Western blot protein quantification revealed that both acute and repeated injections of a-syn-1 decreased levels of the aggregated form of αSyn in the transgenic mice in the prefrontal cortex, caudate, and substania nigra (SNc). These results provide in vitro and in vivo evidence that a-syn-1 can inhibit pathological αSyn aggregation and may have implications in treatment strategies to target dysregulation in PD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Erin M. McConnell
- Department of Chemistry, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON K1S 5B6, Canada
| | - Dennis Chan
- Department of Neuroscience, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON K1S 5B6, Canada
| | - Katelyn Ventura
- Department of Neuroscience, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON K1S 5B6, Canada
| | - Joshua P. Callahan
- Department of Chemistry, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON K1S 5B6, Canada
| | - Kathryn Harris
- Department of Neuroscience, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON K1S 5B6, Canada
| | - Vernon H. Hunt
- Department of Chemistry, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON K1S 5B6, Canada
| | - Spencer Boisjoli
- Department of Chemistry, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON K1S 5B6, Canada
| | - Daniel Knight
- Department of Chemistry, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON K1S 5B6, Canada
| | - Evan T. Monk
- Department of Chemistry, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON K1S 5B6, Canada
| | - Matthew R. Holahan
- Department of Neuroscience, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON K1S 5B6, Canada
| | - Maria C. DeRosa
- Department of Chemistry, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON K1S 5B6, Canada
- Institute of Biochemistry, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON K1S 5B6, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Patton T, Comini G, Narasimhan K, Cairns AG, Ådén J, Almqvist F, Bemelmans A, Brouillet E, McKernan DP, Dowd E. Intra-striatal infusion of the small molecule alpha-synuclein aggregator, FN075, does not enhance parkinsonism in a subclinical AAV-alpha-synuclein rat model. Eur J Neurosci 2024; 60:5234-5248. [PMID: 39143728 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.16493] [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: 02/08/2024] [Revised: 07/19/2024] [Accepted: 07/21/2024] [Indexed: 08/16/2024]
Abstract
Numerous challenges hinder the development of neuroprotective treatments for Parkinson's disease, with a regularly identified issue being the lack of clinically relevant animal models. Viral vector overexpression of α-synuclein is widely considered the most relevant model; however, this has been limited by high variability and inconsistency. One potential method of optimisation is pairing it with a secondary insult such as FN075, a synthetic molecule demonstrated to accelerate α-synucleinopathy. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate if sequential infusion of adeno-associated virus (AAV)-α-synuclein and FN075 into the rat brain can replicate α-synucleinopathy, nigrostriatal pathology and motor dysfunction associated with Parkinson's disease. Rats received a unilateral injection of AAV-α-synuclein (or AAV-green fluorescent protein) into two sites in the substantia nigra, followed 4 weeks later by unilateral injection of FN075 (or vehicle) into the striatum. Animals underwent behavioural testing every 4 weeks until sacrifice at 20 weeks, followed by immunohistochemistry assessment post-mortem. As anticipated, AAV-α-synuclein led to extensive overexpression of human α-synuclein throughout the nigrostriatal pathway, as well as elevated levels of phosphorylated and aggregated forms of the protein. However, the sequential administration of FN075 into the striatum did not exacerbate any of the α-synuclein pathology. Furthermore, despite the extensive α-synuclein pathology, neither administration of AAV-α-synuclein nor FN075, alone or in combination, was sufficient to induce dopaminergic degeneration or motor deficits. In conclusion, this approach did not replicate the key characteristics of Parkinson's disease, and further studies are required to create more representational models for testing of novel compounds and treatments for Parkinson's disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tommy Patton
- Pharmacology & Therapeutics and Galway Neuroscience Centre, University of Galway, Galway, Ireland
| | - Giulia Comini
- Pharmacology & Therapeutics and Galway Neuroscience Centre, University of Galway, Galway, Ireland
| | - Kaushik Narasimhan
- Pharmacology & Therapeutics and Galway Neuroscience Centre, University of Galway, Galway, Ireland
| | | | - Jörgen Ådén
- Department of Chemistry, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | | | - Alexis Bemelmans
- Université Paris-Saclay, Commissariat à l'Energie Atomique et aux Energies Alternatives (CEA), Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Molecular Imaging Research Center (MIRCen), Laboratoire des Maladies Neurodégénératives, Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
| | - Emmanuel Brouillet
- Université Paris-Saclay, Commissariat à l'Energie Atomique et aux Energies Alternatives (CEA), Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Molecular Imaging Research Center (MIRCen), Laboratoire des Maladies Neurodégénératives, Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
| | - Declan P McKernan
- Pharmacology & Therapeutics and Galway Neuroscience Centre, University of Galway, Galway, Ireland
| | - Eilís Dowd
- Pharmacology & Therapeutics and Galway Neuroscience Centre, University of Galway, Galway, Ireland
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Wang H, Hoffmann C, Tromm JV, Su X, Elliott J, Wang H, Baum J, Pang ZP, Milovanovic D, Shi Z. Live-Cell Quantification Reveals Viscoelastic Regulation of Synapsin Condensates by α-Synuclein. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.07.28.605529. [PMID: 39211102 PMCID: PMC11361170 DOI: 10.1101/2024.07.28.605529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/04/2024]
Abstract
Synapsin and α-synuclein represent a growing list of condensate-forming proteins where the material states of condensates are directly linked to cellular functions (e.g., neurotransmission) and pathology (e.g., neurodegeneration). However, quantifying condensate material properties in living systems has been a significant challenge. To address this, we develop MAPAC (micropipette aspiration and whole-cell patch clamp), a platform that allows direct material quantification of condensates in live cells. We find 10,000-fold variations in the viscoelasticity of synapsin condensates, regulated by the partitioning of α-synuclein, a marker for synucleinopathies. Through in vitro reconstitutions, we identify 4 molecular factors that distinctly regulate the viscosity and interfacial tension of synapsin condensates, verifying the cellular effects of α-synuclein. Overall, our study provides unprecedented quantitative insights into the material properties of neuronal condensates and reveals a crucial role of α-synuclein in regulating condensate viscoelasticity. Furthermore, we envision MAPAC applicable to study a broad range of condensates in vivo. .
Collapse
|
9
|
Clarke JR, Bacelar TS, Fernandes GG, Silva RCD, Antonio LS, Queiroz M, de Souza RV, Valadão LF, Ribeiro GS, De Lima EV, Colodeti LC, Mangeth LC, Wiecikowski A, da Silva TN, Paula-Neto HA, da Costa R, Cordeiro Y, Passos GF, Figueiredo CP. Abatacept inhibits Th17 differentiation and mitigates α-synuclein-induced dopaminergic dysfunction in mice. Mol Psychiatry 2024:10.1038/s41380-024-02618-1. [PMID: 39152331 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-024-02618-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2023] [Revised: 05/14/2024] [Accepted: 05/16/2024] [Indexed: 08/19/2024]
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) is a multifaceted disease characterized by degeneration of nigrostriatal dopaminergic neurons, which results in motor and non-motor dysfunctions. Accumulation of α-synuclein (αSYN) in Lewy bodies is a key pathological feature of PD. Although the exact cause of PD remains unknown, accumulating evidence suggests that brain infiltration of T cells plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of disease, contributing to neuroinflammation and dopaminergic neurodegeneration. Here, we used a mouse model of brain-infused aggregated αSYN, which recapitulates motor and non-motor dysfunctions seen in PD patients. We found that αSYN-induced motor dysfunction in mice is accompanied by an increased number of brain-residing Th17 (IL17+ CD4+) cells, but not CD8+ T cells. To evaluate whether the modulation of T cell response could rescue αSYN-induced damage, we chronically treated animals with abatacept (8 mg/kg, sc, 3x per week), a selective T-cell co-stimulation modulator. We found that abatacept treatment decreased Th1 (IFNƔ+ CD4+) and Th17 (IL17+ CD4+) cells in the brain, rescued motor function and prevented dopaminergic neuronal loss in αSYN-infused mice. These results highlight the significance of effector CD4+ T cells, especially Th17, in the progression of PD and introduce novel possibilities for repurposing immunomodulatory drugs used for arthritis as PD-modifying therapies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Julia R Clarke
- School of Pharmacy, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 21944-590, Brazil
| | - Thiago Sa Bacelar
- School of Pharmacy, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | | | - Raquel Costa da Silva
- School of Pharmacy, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Leticia S Antonio
- School of Pharmacy, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Mariana Queiroz
- School of Pharmacy, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Renata V de Souza
- School of Pharmacy, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Leticia F Valadão
- School of Pharmacy, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Gabriel S Ribeiro
- School of Pharmacy, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Emanuelle V De Lima
- School of Pharmacy, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 21944-590, Brazil
| | - Lilian C Colodeti
- School of Pharmacy, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Luana C Mangeth
- School of Pharmacy, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Adalgisa Wiecikowski
- School of Pharmacy, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Talita N da Silva
- School of Pharmacy, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Heitor A Paula-Neto
- School of Pharmacy, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Robson da Costa
- School of Pharmacy, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Yraima Cordeiro
- School of Pharmacy, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Giselle F Passos
- School of Pharmacy, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
| | - Claudia P Figueiredo
- School of Pharmacy, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Arumugam M, Pachamuthu RS, Rymbai E, Jha AP, Rajagopal K, Kothandan R, Muthu S, Selvaraj D. Gene network analysis combined with preclinical studies to identify and elucidate the mechanism of action of novel irreversible Keap1 inhibitor for Parkinson's disease. Mol Divers 2024:10.1007/s11030-024-10965-y. [PMID: 39145879 DOI: 10.1007/s11030-024-10965-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2024] [Accepted: 08/07/2024] [Indexed: 08/16/2024]
Abstract
The cysteine residues of Keap1 such as C151, C273, and C288 are critical for its repressor activity on Nrf2. However, to date, no molecules have been identified to covalently modify all three cysteine residues for Nrf2 activation. Hence, in this study, our goal is to discover new Keap1 covalent inhibitors that can undergo a Michael addition with all three cysteine residues. The Keap1's intervening region was modeled using Modeller v10.4. Covalent docking and binding free energy were calculated using CovDock. Molecular dynamics (MD) was performed using Desmond. Various in-vitro assays were carried out to confirm the neuroprotective effects of the hit molecule in 6-OHDA-treated SH-SY5Y cells. Further, the best hit was evaluated in vivo for its ability to improve rotenone-induced postural instability and cognitive impairment in male rats. Finally, network pharmacology was used to summarize the complete molecular mechanism of the hit molecule. Chalcone and plumbagin were found to form the necessary covalent bonds with all three cysteine residues. However, MD analysis indicated that the binding of plumbagin is more stable than chalcone. Plumbagin displayed neuroprotective effects in 6-OHDA-treated SH-SY5Y cells at concentrations 0.01 and 0.1 μM. Plumbagin at 0.1 µM had positive effects on reactive oxygen species formation and glutathione levels. Plumbagin also improved postural instability and cognitive impairment in rotenone-treated male rats. Our network analysis indicated that plumbagin could also improve dopamine signaling. Additionally, plumbagin could exhibit anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory activity through the activation of Nrf2. Cumulatively, our study suggests that plumbagin is a novel Keap1 covalent inhibitor for Nrf2-mediated neuroprotection in PD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Monisha Arumugam
- Department of Pharmacology, JSS College of Pharmacy, JSS Academy of Higher Education & Research, Ooty, Nilgiris, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Ranjith Sanjeeve Pachamuthu
- Department of Pharmacology, JSS College of Pharmacy, JSS Academy of Higher Education & Research, Ooty, Nilgiris, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Emdormi Rymbai
- Department of Pharmacology, JSS College of Pharmacy, JSS Academy of Higher Education & Research, Ooty, Nilgiris, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Aditya Prakash Jha
- Department of Pharmacology, JSS College of Pharmacy, JSS Academy of Higher Education & Research, Ooty, Nilgiris, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Kalirajan Rajagopal
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, JSS College of Pharmacy, JSS Academy of Higher Education and Research, Ooty, Nilgiris, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Ram Kothandan
- Bioinformatics Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology, Kumaraguru College of Technology, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Santhoshkumar Muthu
- Department of Biochemistry, Kongunadu Arts and Science College, GN Mills, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India.
| | - Divakar Selvaraj
- Department of Pharmacology, JSS College of Pharmacy, JSS Academy of Higher Education & Research, Ooty, Nilgiris, Tamil Nadu, India.
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Leak RK, Clark RN, Abbas M, Xu F, Brodsky JL, Chen J, Hu X, Luk KC. Current insights and assumptions on α-synuclein in Lewy body disease. Acta Neuropathol 2024; 148:18. [PMID: 39141121 PMCID: PMC11324801 DOI: 10.1007/s00401-024-02781-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2024] [Revised: 07/28/2024] [Accepted: 08/04/2024] [Indexed: 08/15/2024]
Abstract
Lewy body disorders are heterogeneous neurological conditions defined by intracellular inclusions composed of misshapen α-synuclein protein aggregates. Although α-synuclein aggregates are only one component of inclusions and not strictly coupled to neurodegeneration, evidence suggests they seed the propagation of Lewy pathology within and across cells. Genetic mutations, genomic multiplications, and sequence polymorphisms of the gene encoding α-synuclein are also causally linked to Lewy body disease. In nonfamilial cases of Lewy body disease, the disease trigger remains unidentified but may range from industrial/agricultural toxicants and natural sources of poisons to microbial pathogens. Perhaps due to these peripheral exposures, Lewy inclusions appear at early disease stages in brain regions connected with cranial nerves I and X, which interface with inhaled and ingested environmental elements in the nasal or gastrointestinal cavities. Irrespective of its identity, a stealthy disease trigger most likely shifts soluble α-synuclein (directly or indirectly) into insoluble, cross-β-sheet aggregates. Indeed, β-sheet-rich self-replicating α-synuclein multimers reside in patient plasma, cerebrospinal fluid, and other tissues, and can be subjected to α-synuclein seed amplification assays. Thus, clinicians should be able to capitalize on α-synuclein seed amplification assays to stratify patients into potential responders versus non-responders in future clinical trials of α-synuclein targeted therapies. Here, we briefly review the current understanding of α-synuclein in Lewy body disease and speculate on pathophysiological processes underlying the potential transmission of α-synucleinopathy across the neuraxis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rehana K Leak
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Duquesne University, 418C Mellon Hall, 913 Bluff Street, Pittsburgh, PA, 15219, USA.
| | - Rachel N Clark
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Duquesne University, 418C Mellon Hall, 913 Bluff Street, Pittsburgh, PA, 15219, USA
| | - Muslim Abbas
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Duquesne University, 418C Mellon Hall, 913 Bluff Street, Pittsburgh, PA, 15219, USA
| | - Fei Xu
- Department of Neurology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Jeffrey L Brodsky
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Jun Chen
- Department of Neurology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Geriatric Research, Education and Clinical Center, Veterans Affairs Pittsburgh Health Care System, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Xiaoming Hu
- Department of Neurology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Kelvin C Luk
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania, PA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Schepers J, Löser T, Behl C. Lipids and α-Synuclein: adding further variables to the equation. Front Mol Biosci 2024; 11:1455817. [PMID: 39188788 PMCID: PMC11345258 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2024.1455817] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2024] [Accepted: 07/26/2024] [Indexed: 08/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Aggregation of alpha-Synuclein (αSyn) has been connected to several neurodegenerative diseases, such as Parkinson's disease (PD), dementia with Lewy Bodies (DLB), and multiple system atrophy (MSA), that are collected under the umbrella term synucleinopathies. The membrane binding abilities of αSyn to negatively charged phospholipids have been well described and are connected to putative physiological functions of αSyn. Consequently, αSyn-related neurodegeneration has been increasingly connected to changes in lipid metabolism and membrane lipid composition. Indeed, αSyn aggregation has been shown to be triggered by the presence of membranes in vitro, and some genetic risk factors for PD and DLB are associated with genes coding for proteins directly involved in lipid metabolism. At the same time, αSyn aggregation itself can cause alterations of cellular lipid composition and brain samples of patients also show altered lipid compositions. Thus, it is likely that there is a reciprocal influence between cellular lipid composition and αSyn aggregation, which can be further affected by environmental or genetic factors and ageing. Little is known about lipid changes during physiological ageing and regional differences of the lipid composition of the aged brain. In this review, we aim to summarise our current understanding of lipid changes in connection to αSyn and discuss open questions that need to be answered to further our knowledge of αSyn related neurodegeneration.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Christian Behl
- The Autophagy Lab, Institute of Pathobiochemistry, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
El Hajji S, Shiga Y, Belforte N, Solorio YC, Tastet O, D’Onofrio P, Dotigny F, Prat A, Arbour N, Fortune B, Di Polo A. Insulin restores retinal ganglion cell functional connectivity and promotes visual recovery in glaucoma. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2024; 10:eadl5722. [PMID: 39110798 PMCID: PMC11305393 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adl5722] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2023] [Accepted: 06/28/2024] [Indexed: 08/10/2024]
Abstract
Dendrite pathology and synaptic loss result in neural circuit dysfunction, a common feature of neurodegenerative diseases. There is a lack of strategies that target dendritic and synaptic regeneration to promote neurorecovery. We show that daily human recombinant insulin eye drops stimulate retinal ganglion cell (RGC) dendrite and synapse regeneration during ocular hypertension, a risk factor to develop glaucoma. We demonstrate that the ribosomal protein p70S6 kinase (S6K) is essential for insulin-dependent dendritic regrowth. Furthermore, S6K phosphorylation of the stress-activated protein kinase-interacting protein 1 (SIN1), a link between the mammalian target of rapamycin complexes 1 and 2 (mTORC1/2), is required for insulin-induced dendritic regeneration. Using two-photon microscopy live retinal imaging, we show that insulin rescues single-RGC light-evoked calcium (Ca2+) dynamics. We further demonstrate that insulin enhances neuronal survival and retina-brain connectivity leading to improved optomotor reflex-elicited behaviors. Our data support that insulin is a compelling pro-regenerative strategy with potential clinical implications for the treatment and management of glaucoma.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sana El Hajji
- Department of Neuroscience, Université de Montréal, PO box 6128, Station centre-ville, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Neuroscience Division, Centre de recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal (CR-CHUM), 900 Saint Denis Street, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Yukihiro Shiga
- Department of Neuroscience, Université de Montréal, PO box 6128, Station centre-ville, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Neuroscience Division, Centre de recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal (CR-CHUM), 900 Saint Denis Street, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Nicolas Belforte
- Department of Neuroscience, Université de Montréal, PO box 6128, Station centre-ville, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Neuroscience Division, Centre de recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal (CR-CHUM), 900 Saint Denis Street, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Yves Carpentier Solorio
- Department of Neuroscience, Université de Montréal, PO box 6128, Station centre-ville, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Neuroscience Division, Centre de recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal (CR-CHUM), 900 Saint Denis Street, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Olivier Tastet
- Department of Neuroscience, Université de Montréal, PO box 6128, Station centre-ville, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Neuroscience Division, Centre de recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal (CR-CHUM), 900 Saint Denis Street, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Philippe D’Onofrio
- Department of Neuroscience, Université de Montréal, PO box 6128, Station centre-ville, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Neuroscience Division, Centre de recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal (CR-CHUM), 900 Saint Denis Street, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Florence Dotigny
- Department of Neuroscience, Université de Montréal, PO box 6128, Station centre-ville, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Neuroscience Division, Centre de recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal (CR-CHUM), 900 Saint Denis Street, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Alexandre Prat
- Department of Neuroscience, Université de Montréal, PO box 6128, Station centre-ville, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Neuroscience Division, Centre de recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal (CR-CHUM), 900 Saint Denis Street, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Nathalie Arbour
- Department of Neuroscience, Université de Montréal, PO box 6128, Station centre-ville, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Neuroscience Division, Centre de recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal (CR-CHUM), 900 Saint Denis Street, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Brad Fortune
- Discoveries in Sight Research Laboratories, Devers Eye Institute and Legacy Research Institute, Legacy Health, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Adriana Di Polo
- Department of Neuroscience, Université de Montréal, PO box 6128, Station centre-ville, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Neuroscience Division, Centre de recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal (CR-CHUM), 900 Saint Denis Street, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Yuan X, Yu Q, Liu Y, Chen J, Gao J, Liu Y, Song R, Zhang Y, Hou Z. Microstructural alterations in white matter and related neurobiology based on the new clinical subtypes of Parkinson's disease. Front Neurosci 2024; 18:1439443. [PMID: 39148522 PMCID: PMC11324559 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2024.1439443] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2024] [Accepted: 07/15/2024] [Indexed: 08/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Background and objectives The advent of new clinical subtyping systems for Parkinson's disease (PD) has led to the classification of patients into distinct groups: mild motor predominant (PD-MMP), intermediate (PD-IM), and diffuse malignant (PD-DM). Our goal was to evaluate the efficacy of diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) in the early diagnosis, assessment of clinical progression, and prediction of prognosis of these PD subtypes. Additionally, we attempted to understand the pathological mechanisms behind white matter damage using single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analyses. Methods We classified 135 de novo PD patients based on new clinical criteria and followed them up after 1 year, along with 45 healthy controls (HCs). We utilized tract-based spatial statistics to assess the microstructural changes of white matter at baseline and employed multiple linear regression to examine the associations between DTI metrics and clinical data at baseline and after follow-up. Results Compared to HCs, patients with the PD-DM subtype demonstrated reduced fractional anisotropy (FA), increased axial diffusivity (AD), and elevated radial diffusivity (RD) at baseline. The FA and RD values correlated with the severity of motor symptoms, with RD also linked to cognitive performance. Changes in FA over time were found to be in sync with changes in motor scores and global composite outcome measures. Furthermore, baseline AD values and their rate of change were related to alterations in semantic verbal fluency. We also discovered the relationship between FA values and the levels of α-synuclein and β-amyloid. Reduced dopamine transporter uptake in the left putamen correlated with RD values in superficial white matter, motor symptoms, and autonomic dysfunction at baseline as well as cognitive impairments after 1 year. Conclusions The PD-DM subtype is characterized by severe clinical symptoms and a faster progression when compared to the other subtypes. DTI, a well-established technique, facilitates the early identification of white matter damage, elucidates the pathophysiological mechanisms of disease progression, and predicts cognitively related outcomes. The results of SPECT and CSF analyses can be used to explain the specific pattern of white matter damage in patients with the PD-DM subtype.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiaorong Yuan
- Department of Medical Imaging, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Qiaowen Yu
- Department of Medical Imaging, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, Shandong, China
- Department of Medical Imaging, Shandong Provincial Hospital, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Yanyan Liu
- Department of Medical Imaging, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Jinge Chen
- Department of Radiology, Shandong Mental Health Center, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Jie Gao
- Department of Medical Imaging, Shandong Provincial Third Hospital, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Yujia Liu
- Department of Medical Imaging, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Ruxi Song
- Department of Radiology, Binzhou Medical University Hospital, Binzhou, China
| | - Yingzhi Zhang
- Department of Medical Imaging, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Zhongyu Hou
- Department of Medical Imaging, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, Shandong, China
- Department of Medical Imaging, Shandong Provincial Hospital, Jinan, Shandong, China
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Liu Y, Li H, Yang M, Guo J, Sun Z, Wang S, Li R, Pang X, Kim Y, Wang X, Peng Y. Sika Deer Velvet Antler Peptide Exerts Neuroprotective Effect in a Parkinson's Disease Model via Regulating Oxidative Damage and Gut Microbiota. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2024; 17:972. [PMID: 39065820 PMCID: PMC11280472 DOI: 10.3390/ph17070972] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2024] [Revised: 07/06/2024] [Accepted: 07/17/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder globally. Recognizing the potential of velvet antler in the nervous system, as shown in numerous studies, this research was aimed at evaluating the neuroprotective effects of Sika Deer velvet antler peptide (VAP), along with the underlying mechanisms in neurotoxin-induced PD models. Initially, a peptidomic analysis of the VAP, which comprised 189 varieties of peptides, was conducted using LC-MS. Nine sequences were identified as significant using Proteome Discoverer 2.5 software. In a cellular model of PD, where PC12 cells are treated with the neurotoxin 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP+), the administration of the VAP reduced the cell damage and apoptosis induced by MPP+. This protective effect was associated with a decrease in oxidative stress. This protective mechanism was found to be mediated through the activation of the SIRT1-dependent Akt/Nrf2/HO-1-signaling pathway. In animal models, specifically in mice with 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)-induced PD, the administration of the VAP effectively reduced the dopaminergic neuron damage and reversed the neurobehavioral deficits. They also diminished microglia activation and apoptosis, all without any noticeable adverse effects. Additionally, the VAP was observed to beneficially alter the gut microbiota, as marked by an increase in the abundances of Prevotellaceae, Helicobacteraceae, and Prevotella. These findings suggest that VAP exerts its neuroprotective effect against neurodegeneration by inhibiting oxidative stress and modulating gut microbiota.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ying Liu
- Institute of Special Animal and Plant Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changchun 130112, China; (Y.L.); (M.Y.); (J.G.); (Z.S.); (R.L.); (X.P.)
| | - Hongyuan Li
- Laboratory of Chemistry Biology, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun 130022, China; (H.L.); (X.W.)
| | - Min Yang
- Institute of Special Animal and Plant Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changchun 130112, China; (Y.L.); (M.Y.); (J.G.); (Z.S.); (R.L.); (X.P.)
| | - Jia Guo
- Institute of Special Animal and Plant Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changchun 130112, China; (Y.L.); (M.Y.); (J.G.); (Z.S.); (R.L.); (X.P.)
| | - Zepeng Sun
- Institute of Special Animal and Plant Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changchun 130112, China; (Y.L.); (M.Y.); (J.G.); (Z.S.); (R.L.); (X.P.)
- School of Chemistry and Life Science, Changchun University of Technology, Changchun 130012, China;
| | - Shuyue Wang
- School of Chemistry and Life Science, Changchun University of Technology, Changchun 130012, China;
| | - Ru Li
- Institute of Special Animal and Plant Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changchun 130112, China; (Y.L.); (M.Y.); (J.G.); (Z.S.); (R.L.); (X.P.)
| | - Xin Pang
- Institute of Special Animal and Plant Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changchun 130112, China; (Y.L.); (M.Y.); (J.G.); (Z.S.); (R.L.); (X.P.)
- School of Chemistry and Life Science, Changchun University of Technology, Changchun 130012, China;
| | - Yumi Kim
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), Ulsan 44919, Republic of Korea
| | - Xiaohui Wang
- Laboratory of Chemistry Biology, Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun 130022, China; (H.L.); (X.W.)
- School of Applied Chemistry and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
| | - Yinghua Peng
- Institute of Special Animal and Plant Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changchun 130112, China; (Y.L.); (M.Y.); (J.G.); (Z.S.); (R.L.); (X.P.)
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Matsuoka T, Yoshida H, Kasai T, Tozawa T, Iehara T, Chiyonobu T. α-Synuclein pathology in Drosophila melanogaster is exacerbated by haploinsufficiency of Rop: connecting STXBP1 encephalopathy with α-synucleinopathies. Hum Mol Genet 2024; 33:1328-1338. [PMID: 38692286 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddae073] [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: 11/13/2023] [Revised: 03/21/2024] [Accepted: 04/19/2024] [Indexed: 05/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Syntaxin-binding protein 1 (STXBP1) is a presynaptic protein that plays important roles in synaptic vesicle docking and fusion. STXBP1 haploinsufficiency causes STXBP1 encephalopathy (STXBP1-E), which encompasses neurological disturbances including epilepsy, neurodevelopmental disorders, and movement disorders. Most patients with STXBP1-E present with regression and movement disorders in adulthood, highlighting the importance of a deeper understanding of the neurodegenerative aspects of STXBP1-E. An in vitro study proposed an interesting new role of STXBP1 as a molecular chaperone for α-Synuclein (αSyn), a key molecule in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative disorders. However, no studies have shown αSyn pathology in model organisms or patients with STXBP1-E. In this study, we used Drosophila models to examine the effects of STXBP1 haploinsufficiency on αSyn-induced neurotoxicity in vivo. We demonstrated that haploinsufficiency of Ras opposite (Rop), the Drosophila ortholog of STXBP1, exacerbates compound eye degeneration, locomotor dysfunction, and dopaminergic neurodegeneration in αSyn-expressing flies. This phenotypic aggravation was associated with a significant increase in detergent-insoluble αSyn levels in the head. Furthermore, we tested whether trehalose, which has neuroprotective effects in various models of neurodegenerative disorders, mitigates αSyn-induced neurotoxicity exacerbated by Rop haploinsufficiency. In flies expressing αSyn and carrying a heterozygous Rop null variant, trehalose supplementation effectively alleviates neuronal phenotypes, accompanied by a decrease in detergent-insoluble αSyn in the head. In conclusion, this study revealed that Rop haploinsufficiency exacerbates αSyn-induced neurotoxicity by altering the αSyn aggregation propensity. This study not only contributes to understanding the mechanisms of neurodegeneration in STXBP1-E patients, but also provides new insights into the pathogenesis of α-synucleinopathies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Taro Matsuoka
- Department of Pediatrics, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, 465 Kajiicho, Kawaramachi-Hirokoji, Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto 602-8566, Japan
| | - Hideki Yoshida
- Department of Applied Biology, Kyoto Institute of Technology, Matsugasaki, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8585, Japan
| | - Takashi Kasai
- Department of Neurology, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, 465 Kajiicho, Kawaramachi-Hirokoji, Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto 602-8566, Japan
| | - Takenori Tozawa
- Department of Pediatrics, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, 465 Kajiicho, Kawaramachi-Hirokoji, Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto 602-8566, Japan
| | - Tomoko Iehara
- Department of Pediatrics, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, 465 Kajiicho, Kawaramachi-Hirokoji, Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto 602-8566, Japan
| | - Tomohiro Chiyonobu
- Department of Pediatrics, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, 465 Kajiicho, Kawaramachi-Hirokoji, Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto 602-8566, Japan
- Department of Molecular Diagnostics and Therapeutics, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, 465 Kajiicho, Kawaramachi-Hirokoji, Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto 602-8566, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Todd TW, Islam NN, Cook CN, Caulfield TR, Petrucelli L. Cryo-EM structures of pathogenic fibrils and their impact on neurodegenerative disease research. Neuron 2024; 112:2269-2288. [PMID: 38834068 PMCID: PMC11257806 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2024.05.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2023] [Revised: 03/13/2024] [Accepted: 05/09/2024] [Indexed: 06/06/2024]
Abstract
Neurodegenerative diseases are commonly associated with the formation of aberrant protein aggregates within the brain, and ultrastructural analyses have revealed that the proteins within these inclusions often assemble into amyloid filaments. Cryoelectron microscopy (cryo-EM) has emerged as an effective method for determining the near-atomic structure of these disease-associated filamentous proteins, and the resulting structures have revolutionized the way we think about aberrant protein aggregation and propagation during disease progression. These structures have also revealed that individual fibril conformations may dictate different disease conditions, and this newfound knowledge has improved disease modeling in the lab and advanced the ongoing pursuit of clinical tools capable of distinguishing and targeting different pathogenic entities within living patients. In this review, we summarize some of the recently developed cryo-EM structures of ex vivo α-synuclein, tau, β-amyloid (Aβ), TAR DNA-binding protein 43 (TDP-43), and transmembrane protein 106B (TMEM106B) fibrils and discuss how these structures are being leveraged toward mechanistic research and therapeutic development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tiffany W Todd
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL 32224, USA
| | - Naeyma N Islam
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL 32224, USA
| | - Casey N Cook
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL 32224, USA; Neurobiology of Disease Graduate Program, Mayo Graduate School, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
| | | | - Leonard Petrucelli
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL 32224, USA; Neurobiology of Disease Graduate Program, Mayo Graduate School, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, MN 55905, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
de Boni L, Wallis A, Hays Watson A, Ruiz-Riquelme A, Leyland LA, Bourinaris T, Hannaway N, Wüllner U, Peters O, Priller J, Falkenburger BH, Wiltfang J, Bähr M, Zerr I, Bürger K, Perneczky R, Teipel S, Löhle M, Hermann W, Schott BH, Brockmann K, Spottke A, Haustein K, Breuer P, Houlden H, Weil RS, Bartels T. Aggregation-resistant alpha-synuclein tetramers are reduced in the blood of Parkinson's patients. EMBO Mol Med 2024; 16:1657-1674. [PMID: 38839930 PMCID: PMC11250827 DOI: 10.1038/s44321-024-00083-5] [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: 02/05/2024] [Revised: 05/02/2024] [Accepted: 05/17/2024] [Indexed: 06/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Synucleinopathies such as Parkinson's disease (PD) are defined by the accumulation and aggregation of the α-synuclein protein in neurons, glia and other tissues. We have previously shown that destabilization of α-synuclein tetramers is associated with familial PD due to SNCA mutations and demonstrated brain-region specific alterations of α-synuclein multimers in sporadic PD patients following the classical Braak spreading theory. In this study, we assessed relative levels of disordered and higher-ordered multimeric forms of cytosolic α-synuclein in blood from familial PD with G51D mutations and sporadic PD patients. We used an adapted in vitro-cross-linking protocol for human EDTA-whole blood. The relative levels of higher-ordered α-synuclein tetramers were diminished in blood from familial PD and sporadic PD patients compared to controls. Interestingly, the relative amount of α-synuclein tetramers was already decreased in asymptomatic G51D carriers, supporting the hypothesis that α-synuclein multimer destabilization precedes the development of clinical PD. Our data, therefore suggest that measuring α-synuclein tetramers in blood may have potential as a facile biomarker assay for early detection and quantitative tracking of PD progression.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Laura de Boni
- UK Dementia Research Institute, University College London, London, W1T 7NF, UK
- Institute of Aerospace Medicine, German Aerospace Center (DLR), 51147, Cologne, Germany
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital Bonn, 53127, Bonn, Germany
| | - Amber Wallis
- UK Dementia Research Institute, University College London, London, W1T 7NF, UK
| | - Aurelia Hays Watson
- UK Dementia Research Institute, University College London, London, W1T 7NF, UK
| | | | - Louise-Ann Leyland
- Dementia Research Center, Institute of Neurology, University College London, Queen Square, London, WC1N 3BG, UK
| | - Thomas Bourinaris
- Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, WC1N 3BG, UK
| | - Naomi Hannaway
- Dementia Research Center, Institute of Neurology, University College London, Queen Square, London, WC1N 3BG, UK
| | - Ullrich Wüllner
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), 53127, Bonn, Germany
- Departments of Neurology and Neurodegenerative Diseases, University Bonn, 53127, Bonn, Germany
| | - Oliver Peters
- Institute of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, 12203, Berlin, Germany
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), 10117, Berlin, Germany
| | - Josef Priller
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), 10117, Berlin, Germany
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Charité, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
- University of Edinburgh and UK DRI, Edinburgh, EH16 4SB, UK
- School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, 81675, Munich, Germany
| | - Björn H Falkenburger
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), 01307, Dresden, Germany
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Dresden University of Technology, 01307, Dresden, Germany
| | - Jens Wiltfang
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), 37075, Goettingen, Germany
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Goettingen, Georg August University, 37075, Göttingen, Germany
- Neurosciences and Signaling Group, Institute of Biomedicine (iBiMED), Department of Medical Sciences, University of Aveiro, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Mathias Bähr
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), 37075, Goettingen, Germany
- Department of Neurology, University Medical Center, Georg August University, 37075, Göttingen, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence Nanoscale Microscopy and Molecular Physiology of the Brain (CNMPB), University Medical Center Göttingen, 37075, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Inga Zerr
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), 37075, Goettingen, Germany
- Department of Neurology, University Medical Center, Georg August University, 37075, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Katharina Bürger
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), 81377, Munich, Germany
- Institute for Stroke and Dementia Research, University Hospital, LMU Munich, 81377, Munich, Germany
| | - Robert Perneczky
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), 81377, Munich, Germany
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital, LMU Munich, 81377, Munich, Germany
- Munich Cluster for Systems Neurology (SyNergy) Munich, 81377, Munich, Germany
- Ageing Epidemiology Research Unit, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London, W6 8RP, UK
| | - Stefan Teipel
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Rostock-Greifswald, 17489, Rostock, Germany
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine, Rostock University Medical Center, 18147, Rostock, Germany
| | - Matthias Löhle
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Rostock-Greifswald, 17489, Rostock, Germany
- Department of Neurology, University of Rostock, 18057, Rostock, Germany
| | - Wiebke Hermann
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Rostock-Greifswald, 17489, Rostock, Germany
- Department of Neurology, University of Rostock, 18057, Rostock, Germany
| | - Björn-Hendrik Schott
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), 37075, Goettingen, Germany
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Göttingen, Georg August University, 37075, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Kathrin Brockmann
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), 72076, Tübingen, Germany
- Hertie Institute for Clinical Brain Research, Department of Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Tübingen, 72076, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Annika Spottke
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital Bonn, 53127, Bonn, Germany
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), 53127, Bonn, Germany
| | - Katrin Haustein
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital Bonn, 53127, Bonn, Germany
| | - Peter Breuer
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital Bonn, 53127, Bonn, Germany
| | - Henry Houlden
- Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, WC1N 3BG, UK
| | - Rimona S Weil
- Dementia Research Center, Institute of Neurology, University College London, Queen Square, London, WC1N 3BG, UK
| | - Tim Bartels
- UK Dementia Research Institute, University College London, London, W1T 7NF, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Burré J, Edwards RH, Halliday G, Lang AE, Lashuel HA, Melki R, Murayama S, Outeiro TF, Papa SM, Stefanis L, Woerman AL, Surmeier DJ, Kalia LV, Takahashi R. Research Priorities on the Role of α-Synuclein in Parkinson's Disease Pathogenesis. Mov Disord 2024. [PMID: 38946200 DOI: 10.1002/mds.29897] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2024] [Revised: 05/16/2024] [Accepted: 06/03/2024] [Indexed: 07/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Various forms of Parkinson's disease, including its common sporadic form, are characterized by prominent α-synuclein (αSyn) aggregation in affected brain regions. However, the role of αSyn in the pathogenesis and evolution of the disease remains unclear, despite vast research efforts of more than a quarter century. A better understanding of the role of αSyn, either primary or secondary, is critical for developing disease-modifying therapies. Previous attempts to hone this research have been challenged by experimental limitations, but recent technological advances may facilitate progress. The Scientific Issues Committee of the International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society (MDS) charged a panel of experts in the field to discuss current scientific priorities and identify research strategies with potential for a breakthrough. © 2024 The Author(s). Movement Disorders published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jacqueline Burré
- Appel Institute for Alzheimer's Disease Research and Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York, USA
| | - Robert H Edwards
- Department of Physiology and Neurology, University of California, San Francisco School of Medicine, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Glenda Halliday
- Brain and Mind Centre, School of Medical Sciences, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Anthony E Lang
- Edmond J. Safra Program in Parkinson's Disease, Krembil Research Institute, Toronto Western Hospital, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Hilal A Lashuel
- Laboratory of Chemical Biology of Neurodegeneration, Brain Mind Institute, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Ronald Melki
- Institut Francois Jacob (MIRCen), CEA and Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Diseases, CNRS, Fontenay-Aux-Roses, France
| | - Shigeo Murayama
- Department of Neuropathology, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute for Geriatrics and Gerontology, Tokyo, Japan
- The Brain Bank for Neurodevelopmental, Neurological and Psychiatric Disorders, United Graduate School of Child Development, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Tiago F Outeiro
- Department of Experimental Neurodegeneration, University Medical Center, Göttingen, Germany
- Faculty of Medical Sciences, Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Stella M Papa
- Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, and Emory National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Leonidas Stefanis
- First Department of Neurology, Eginitio Hospital, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
- Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Amanda L Woerman
- Department of Biology, Institute for Applied Life Sciences, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology, Prion Research Center, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA
| | - Dalton James Surmeier
- Department of Neuroscience, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
- Aligning Science Across Parkinson's (ASAP) Collaborative Research Network, Chevy Chase, Maryland, USA
| | - Lorraine V Kalia
- Edmond J. Safra Program in Parkinson's Disease, Krembil Research Institute, Toronto Western Hospital, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Ryosuke Takahashi
- Department of Neurology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Riegelman E, Xue KS, Wang JS, Tang L. Gut-Brain Axis in Focus: Polyphenols, Microbiota, and Their Influence on α-Synuclein in Parkinson's Disease. Nutrients 2024; 16:2041. [PMID: 38999791 PMCID: PMC11243524 DOI: 10.3390/nu16132041] [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: 06/11/2024] [Revised: 06/20/2024] [Accepted: 06/25/2024] [Indexed: 07/14/2024] Open
Abstract
With the recognition of the importance of the gut-brain axis in Parkinson's disease (PD) etiology, there is increased interest in developing therapeutic strategies that target α-synuclein, the hallmark abhorrent protein of PD pathogenesis, which may originate in the gut. Research has demonstrated that inhibiting the aggregation, oligomerization, and fibrillation of α-synuclein are key strategies for disease modification. Polyphenols, which are rich in fruits and vegetables, are drawing attention for their potential role in this context. In this paper, we reviewed how polyphenols influence the composition and functional capabilities of the gut microbiota and how the resulting microbial metabolites of polyphenols may potentially enhance the modulation of α-synuclein aggregation. Understanding the interaction between polyphenols and gut microbiota and identifying which specific microbes may enhance the efficacy of polyphenols is crucial for developing therapeutic strategies and precision nutrition based on the microbiome.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Lili Tang
- Department of Environmental Health Science, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA; (E.R.); (K.S.X.); (J.-S.W.)
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Calis S, Gevaert K. The role of Nα-terminal acetylation in protein conformation. FEBS J 2024. [PMID: 38923676 DOI: 10.1111/febs.17209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2024] [Accepted: 06/12/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024]
Abstract
Especially in higher eukaryotes, the N termini of proteins are subject to enzymatic modifications, with the acetylation of the alpha-amino group of nascent polypeptides being a prominent one. In recent years, the specificities and substrates of the enzymes responsible for this modification, the Nα-terminal acetyltransferases, have been mapped in several proteomic studies. Aberrant expression of, and mutations in these enzymes were found to be associated with several human diseases, explaining the growing interest in protein Nα-terminal acetylation. With some enzymes, such as the Nα-terminal acetyltransferase A complex having thousands of possible substrates, researchers are now trying to decipher the functional outcome of Nα-terminal protein acetylation. In this review, we zoom in on one possible functional consequence of Nα-terminal protein acetylation; its effect on protein folding. Using selected examples of proteins associated with human diseases such as alpha-synuclein and huntingtin, here, we discuss the sometimes contradictory findings of the effects of Nα-terminal protein acetylation on protein (mis)folding and aggregation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sam Calis
- VIB Center for Medical Biotechnology, VIB, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Belgium
| | - Kris Gevaert
- VIB Center for Medical Biotechnology, VIB, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Belgium
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Casiano Rivera CV, Wallace JN, Fisher GE, Morgan JR. Acute introduction of phosphoserine-129 α-synuclein induces severe swelling of mitochondria at lamprey synapses. MICROPUBLICATION BIOLOGY 2024; 2024:10.17912/micropub.biology.001206. [PMID: 38854632 PMCID: PMC11157340 DOI: 10.17912/micropub.biology.001206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2024] [Revised: 05/21/2024] [Accepted: 05/22/2024] [Indexed: 06/11/2024]
Abstract
Abnormal synaptic aggregation of α-synuclein is linked to cognitive deficits in Parkinson's disease (PD). While the impacts of excess α-synuclein on synaptic function are well established, comparatively less is known about the effects on local mitochondria. Here, we examined morphological features of synaptic mitochondria treated with wild type (WT) or phosphoserine 129 (pS129) α-synuclein, a variant with prominent synaptic accumulation in PD. Acute introduction of pS129 α-synuclein to lamprey synapses caused an activity-dependent swelling and bursting of mitochondria, which did not occur with WT α-synuclein. These pS129-induced effects on mitochondria likely contribute to the synaptic deficits observed in PD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Caroline V. Casiano Rivera
- Eugene Bell Center for Regenerative Biology and Tissue Engineering, Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole, Massachusetts, United States
| | - Jaqulin N. Wallace
- Eugene Bell Center for Regenerative Biology and Tissue Engineering, Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole, Massachusetts, United States
| | - Gia E. Fisher
- Eugene Bell Center for Regenerative Biology and Tissue Engineering, Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole, Massachusetts, United States
- Biological Sciences Division, The University of Chicago
| | - Jennifer R. Morgan
- Eugene Bell Center for Regenerative Biology and Tissue Engineering, Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole, Massachusetts, United States
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Fan J, Liang L, Zhou X, Ouyang Z. Accelerating protein aggregation and amyloid fibrillation for rapid inhibitor screening. Chem Sci 2024; 15:6853-6859. [PMID: 38725489 PMCID: PMC11077537 DOI: 10.1039/d4sc00437j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2024] [Accepted: 04/04/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024] Open
Abstract
The accumulation and deposition of amyloid fibrils, also known as amyloidosis, in tissues and organs of patients has been found to be linked to numerous devastating neurodegenerative diseases. The aggregation of proteins to form amyloid fibrils, however, is a slow pathogenic process, and is a major issue for the evaluation of the effectiveness of inhibitors in new drug discovery and screening. Here, we used microdroplet reaction technology to accelerate the amyloid fibrillation process, monitored the process to shed light on the fundamental mechanism of amyloid self-assembly, and demonstrated the value of the technology in the rapid screening of potential inhibitor drugs. Proteins in microdroplets accelerated to form fibrils in milliseconds, enabling an entire cycle of inhibitor screening for Aβ40 within 3 minutes. The technology would be of broad interest to drug discovery and therapeutic design to develop treatments for diseases associated with protein aggregation and fibrillation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jingjin Fan
- State Key Laboratory of Precision Measurement Technology and Instruments, Department of Precision Instrument, Tsinghua University Beijing 100084 China
| | - Liwen Liang
- State Key Laboratory of Precision Measurement Technology and Instruments, Department of Precision Instrument, Tsinghua University Beijing 100084 China
| | - Xiaoyu Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Precision Measurement Technology and Instruments, Department of Precision Instrument, Tsinghua University Beijing 100084 China
| | - Zheng Ouyang
- State Key Laboratory of Precision Measurement Technology and Instruments, Department of Precision Instrument, Tsinghua University Beijing 100084 China
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Nunes ACL, Carmo M, Behrenswerth A, Canas PM, Agostinho P, Cunha RA. Adenosine A 2A Receptor Blockade Provides More Effective Benefits at the Onset Rather than after Overt Neurodegeneration in a Rat Model of Parkinson's Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:4903. [PMID: 38732120 PMCID: PMC11084368 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25094903] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2024] [Revised: 04/24/2024] [Accepted: 04/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Adenosine A2A receptor (A2AR) antagonists are the leading nondopaminergic therapy to manage Parkinson's disease (PD) since they afford both motor benefits and neuroprotection. PD begins with a synaptic dysfunction and damage in the striatum evolving to an overt neuronal damage of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra. We tested if A2AR antagonists are equally effective in controlling these two degenerative processes. We used a slow intracerebroventricular infusion of the toxin MPP+ in male rats for 15 days, which caused an initial loss of synaptic markers in the striatum within 10 days, followed by a neuronal loss in the substantia nigra within 30 days. Interestingly, the initial loss of striatal nerve terminals involved a loss of both dopaminergic and glutamatergic synaptic markers, while GABAergic markers were preserved. The daily administration of the A2AR antagonist SCH58261 (0.1 mg/kg, i.p.) in the first 10 days after MPP+ infusion markedly attenuated both the initial loss of striatal synaptic markers and the subsequent loss of nigra dopaminergic neurons. Strikingly, the administration of SCH58261 (0.1 mg/kg, i.p. for 10 days) starting 20 days after MPP+ infusion was less efficacious to attenuate the loss of nigra dopaminergic neurons. This prominent A2AR-mediated control of synaptotoxicity was directly confirmed by showing that the MPTP-induced dysfunction (MTT assay) and damage (lactate dehydrogenase release assay) of striatal synaptosomes were prevented by 50 nM SCH58261. This suggests that A2AR antagonists may be more effective to counteract the onset rather than the evolution of PD pathology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ana Carla L. Nunes
- CNC-Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal; (A.C.L.N.); (M.C.); (A.B.); (P.M.C.); (P.A.)
| | - Marta Carmo
- CNC-Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal; (A.C.L.N.); (M.C.); (A.B.); (P.M.C.); (P.A.)
| | - Andrea Behrenswerth
- CNC-Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal; (A.C.L.N.); (M.C.); (A.B.); (P.M.C.); (P.A.)
| | - Paula M. Canas
- CNC-Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal; (A.C.L.N.); (M.C.); (A.B.); (P.M.C.); (P.A.)
| | - Paula Agostinho
- CNC-Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal; (A.C.L.N.); (M.C.); (A.B.); (P.M.C.); (P.A.)
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Rodrigo A. Cunha
- CNC-Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal; (A.C.L.N.); (M.C.); (A.B.); (P.M.C.); (P.A.)
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Abioye A, Akintade D, Mitchell J, Olorode S, Adejare A. Nonintuitive Immunogenicity and Plasticity of Alpha-Synuclein Conformers: A Paradigm for Smart Delivery of Neuro-Immunotherapeutics. Pharmaceutics 2024; 16:609. [PMID: 38794271 PMCID: PMC11124533 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics16050609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2024] [Revised: 04/25/2024] [Accepted: 04/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Despite the extensive research successes and continuous developments in modern medicine in terms of diagnosis, prevention, and treatment, the lack of clinically useful disease-modifying drugs or immunotherapeutic agents that can successfully treat or prevent neurodegenerative diseases is an ongoing challenge. To date, only one of the 244 drugs in clinical trials for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases has been approved in the past decade, indicating a failure rate of 99.6%. In corollary, the approved monoclonal antibody did not demonstrate significant cognitive benefits. Thus, the prevalence of neurodegenerative diseases is increasing rapidly. Therefore, there is an urgent need for creative approaches to identifying and testing biomarkers for better diagnosis, prevention, and disease-modifying strategies for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. Overexpression of the endogenous α-synuclein has been identified as the driving force for the formation of the pathogenic α-synuclein (α-Syn) conformers, resulting in neuroinflammation, hypersensitivity, endogenous homeostatic responses, oxidative dysfunction, and degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in Parkinson's disease (PD). However, the conformational plasticity of α-Syn proffers that a certain level of α-Syn is essential for the survival of neurons. Thus, it exerts both neuroprotective and neurotoxic (regulatory) functions on neighboring neuronal cells. Furthermore, the aberrant metastable α-Syn conformers may be subtle and difficult to detect but may trigger cellular and molecular events including immune responses. It is well documented in literature that the misfolded α-Syn and its conformers that are released into the extracellular space from damaged or dead neurons trigger the innate and adaptive immune responses in PD. Thus, in this review, we discuss the nonintuitive plasticity and immunogenicity of the α-Syn conformers in the brain immune cells and their physiological and pathological consequences on the neuroimmune responses including neuroinflammation, homeostatic remodeling, and cell-specific interactions that promote neuroprotection in PD. We also critically reviewed the novel strategies for immunotherapeutic delivery interventions in PD pathogenesis including immunotherapeutic targets and potential nanoparticle-based smart drug delivery systems. It is envisioned that a greater understanding of the nonintuitive immunogenicity of aberrant α-Syn conformers in the brain's microenvironment would provide a platform for identifying valid therapeutic targets and developing smart brain delivery systems for clinically effective disease-modifying immunotherapeutics that can aid in the prevention and treatment of PD in the future.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Amos Abioye
- College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Belmont University, Nashville, TN 37212, USA
| | - Damilare Akintade
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Health, Leeds Beckett University, Leeds LS1 3HE, UK; (D.A.); (J.M.); (S.O.)
| | - James Mitchell
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Health, Leeds Beckett University, Leeds LS1 3HE, UK; (D.A.); (J.M.); (S.O.)
| | - Simisade Olorode
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Health, Leeds Beckett University, Leeds LS1 3HE, UK; (D.A.); (J.M.); (S.O.)
| | - Adeboye Adejare
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Philadelphia College of Pharmacy, Saint Joseph’s University, Philadelphia, PA 19131, USA;
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Makasewicz K, Linse S, Sparr E. Interplay of α-synuclein with Lipid Membranes: Cooperative Adsorption, Membrane Remodeling and Coaggregation. JACS AU 2024; 4:1250-1262. [PMID: 38665673 PMCID: PMC11040681 DOI: 10.1021/jacsau.3c00579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2023] [Revised: 01/18/2024] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024]
Abstract
α-Synuclein is a small neuronal protein enriched at presynaptic termini. It is hypothesized to play a role in neurotransmitter release and synaptic vesicle cycling, while the formation of α-synuclein amyloid fibrils is associated with several neurodegenerative diseases, most notably Parkinson's Disease. The molecular mechanisms of both the physiological and pathological functions of α-synuclein remain to be fully understood, but in both cases, interactions with membranes play an important role. In this Perspective, we discuss several aspects of α-synuclein interactions with lipid membranes including cooperative adsorption, membrane remodeling and α-synuclein amyloid fibril formation in the presence of lipid membranes. We highlight the coupling between the different phenomena and their interplay in the context of physiological and pathological functions of α-synuclein.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Katarzyna Makasewicz
- Division
of Physical Chemistry, Center for Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Lund University, P.O. Box 124, SE-22100 Lund, Sweden
| | - Sara Linse
- Biochemistry
and Structural Biology, Lund University, SE-22100 Lund, Sweden
| | - Emma Sparr
- Department
of Chemistry, Lund University, P.O. Box 124, SE-22100 Lund, Sweden
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Vorobyov V, Deev A, Chaprov K, Ninkina N. Disruption of Electroencephalogram Coherence between Cortex/Striatum and Midbrain Dopaminergic Regions in the Knock-Out Mice with Combined Loss of Alpha, Beta, and Gamma Synucleins. Biomedicines 2024; 12:881. [PMID: 38672235 PMCID: PMC11048202 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines12040881] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2024] [Revised: 03/10/2024] [Accepted: 04/10/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
The malfunctioning of the brain synucleins is associated with pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease. Synucleins' ability to modulate various pre-synaptic processes suggests their modifying effects on the electroencephalogram (EEG) recorded from different brain structures. Disturbances in interrelations between them are critical for the onset and evolution of neurodegenerative diseases. Recently, we have shown that, in mice lacking several synucleins, differences between the frequency spectra of EEG from different brain structures are correlated with specificity of synucleins' combinations. Given that EEG spectra are indirect characteristics of inter-structural relations, in this study, we analyzed a coherence of instantaneous values for EEGs recorded from different structures as a direct measure of "functional connectivity" between them. METHODS EEG data from seven groups of knock-out (KO) mice with combined deletions of alpha, beta, and gamma synucleins versus a group of wild-type (WT) mice were compared. EEG coherence was estimated between the cortex (MC), putamen (Pt), ventral tegmental area (VTA), and substantia nigra (SN) in all combinations. RESULTS EEG coherence suppression, predominantly in the beta frequency band, was observed in KO mice versus WT littermates. The suppression was minimal in MC-Pt and VTA-SN interrelations in all KO groups and in all inter-structural relations in mice lacking either all synucleins or only beta synuclein. In other combinations of deleted synucleins, significant EEG coherence suppression in KO mice was dominant in relations with VTA and SN. CONCLUSION Deletions of the synucleins produced significant attenuation of intra-cerebral EEG coherence depending on the imbalance of different types of synucleins.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Vasily Vorobyov
- Institute of Cell Biophysics, Russian Academy of Sciences, 142290 Pushchino, Russia;
| | - Alexander Deev
- Institute of Theoretical and Experimental Biophysics, Russian Academy of Sciences, 142290 Pushchino, Russia;
| | - Kirill Chaprov
- Institute of Physiologically Active Compounds at Federal Research Center of Problems of Chemical Physics and Medicinal Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 142432 Chernogolovka, Russia;
- School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Sir Martin Evans Building, Museum Avenue, Cardiff CF10 3AX, UK
| | - Natalia Ninkina
- Institute of Physiologically Active Compounds at Federal Research Center of Problems of Chemical Physics and Medicinal Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 142432 Chernogolovka, Russia;
- School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Sir Martin Evans Building, Museum Avenue, Cardiff CF10 3AX, UK
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Kong W, Li X, Guo X, Sun Y, Chai W, Chang Y, Huang Q, Wang P, Wang X. Ultrasound-Assisted CRISPRi-Exosome for Epigenetic Modification of α-Synuclein Gene in a Mouse Model of Parkinson's Disease. ACS NANO 2024; 18:7837-7851. [PMID: 38437635 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.3c05864] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/06/2024]
Abstract
Currently, there is a lack of effective treatment for Parkinson's disease (PD). In PD patients, aberrant methylation of SNCA (α-synuclein gene) has been reported and may be a potential therapeutic target. In this study, we established an epigenetic regulation platform based on an exosomal CRISPR intervention system. With the assist of focused ultrasound (FUS) opening the blood-brain barrier, engineered exosomes carrying RVG (rabies viral glycoprotein) targeting peptide, sgRNA (single guide RNA), and dCas9-DNMT3A (named RVG-CRISPRi-Exo) were efficiently delivered into the brain lesions and induced specific methylation of SNCA. In vivo, FUS combined with RVG-CRISPRi-Exo significantly improved motor performance, balance coordination, and neurosensitivity in PD mice, greatly down-regulated the elevation of α-synuclein (α-syn) caused by modeling, rescued cell apoptosis, and alleviated the progression of PD in mice. [18F]-FP-DTBZ imaging suggested that the synaptic function of the nigrostriatal pathway could be restored, which was conducive to the control of motor behavior in PD mice. Pyrosequencing results showed that RVG-CRISPRi-Exo could methylate CpG at specific sites of SNCA, and this fine-tuned editing achieved good therapeutic effects in PD model mice. In vitro, RVG-CRISPRi-Exo down-regulated SNCA transcripts and α-syn expression and relieved neuronal cell damage. Collectively, our findings provide a proof-of-principle for the development of targeted brain nanodelivery based on engineered exosomes and provide insights into epigenetic regulation of brain diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Weirong Kong
- National Engineering Laboratory for Resource Developing of Endangered Chinese Crude Drugs in Northwest China, Key Laboratory of Medicinal Resources and Natural Pharmaceutical Chemistry, College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, #620 West Chang'an Road, Xi'an 710119, China
| | - Xin Li
- National Engineering Laboratory for Resource Developing of Endangered Chinese Crude Drugs in Northwest China, Key Laboratory of Medicinal Resources and Natural Pharmaceutical Chemistry, College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, #620 West Chang'an Road, Xi'an 710119, China
| | - Xiaoyu Guo
- National Engineering Laboratory for Resource Developing of Endangered Chinese Crude Drugs in Northwest China, Key Laboratory of Medicinal Resources and Natural Pharmaceutical Chemistry, College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, #620 West Chang'an Road, Xi'an 710119, China
| | - Yue Sun
- National Engineering Laboratory for Resource Developing of Endangered Chinese Crude Drugs in Northwest China, Key Laboratory of Medicinal Resources and Natural Pharmaceutical Chemistry, College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, #620 West Chang'an Road, Xi'an 710119, China
| | - Wenyu Chai
- National Engineering Laboratory for Resource Developing of Endangered Chinese Crude Drugs in Northwest China, Key Laboratory of Medicinal Resources and Natural Pharmaceutical Chemistry, College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, #620 West Chang'an Road, Xi'an 710119, China
| | - Yawei Chang
- National Engineering Laboratory for Resource Developing of Endangered Chinese Crude Drugs in Northwest China, Key Laboratory of Medicinal Resources and Natural Pharmaceutical Chemistry, College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, #620 West Chang'an Road, Xi'an 710119, China
| | - Qichao Huang
- National Engineering Laboratory for Resource Developing of Endangered Chinese Crude Drugs in Northwest China, Key Laboratory of Medicinal Resources and Natural Pharmaceutical Chemistry, College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, #620 West Chang'an Road, Xi'an 710119, China
| | - Pan Wang
- National Engineering Laboratory for Resource Developing of Endangered Chinese Crude Drugs in Northwest China, Key Laboratory of Medicinal Resources and Natural Pharmaceutical Chemistry, College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, #620 West Chang'an Road, Xi'an 710119, China
| | - Xiaobing Wang
- National Engineering Laboratory for Resource Developing of Endangered Chinese Crude Drugs in Northwest China, Key Laboratory of Medicinal Resources and Natural Pharmaceutical Chemistry, College of Life Sciences, Shaanxi Normal University, #620 West Chang'an Road, Xi'an 710119, China
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
AlRuwaili R, Al-Kuraishy HM, Al-Gareeb AI, Ali NH, Alexiou A, Papadakis M, Saad HM, Batiha GES. The Possible Role of Brain-derived Neurotrophic Factor in Epilepsy. Neurochem Res 2024; 49:533-547. [PMID: 38006577 PMCID: PMC10884085 DOI: 10.1007/s11064-023-04064-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2023] [Revised: 11/11/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 11/27/2023]
Abstract
Epilepsy is a neurological disease characterized by repeated seizures. Despite of that the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is implicated in the pathogenesis of epileptogenesis and epilepsy, BDNF may have a neuroprotective effect against epilepsy. Thus, the goal of the present review was to highlight the protective and detrimental roles of BDNF in epilepsy. In this review, we also try to find the relation of BDNF with other signaling pathways and cellular processes including autophagy, mTOR pathway, progranulin (PGN), and α-Synuclein (α-Syn) which negatively and positively regulate BDNF/tyrosine kinase receptor B (TrkB) signaling pathway. Therefore, the assessment of BDNF levels in epilepsy should be related to other neuronal signaling pathways and types of epilepsy in both preclinical and clinical studies. In conclusion, there is a strong controversy concerning the potential role of BDNF in epilepsy. Therefore, preclinical, molecular, and clinical studies are warranted in this regard.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Raed AlRuwaili
- Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, Jouf University, Sakaka, Saudi Arabia
| | - Hayder M Al-Kuraishy
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Medicine, College of Medicine, ALmustansiriyia University, P.O. Box 14132, Baghdad, Iraq
| | - Ali I Al-Gareeb
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Medicine, College of Medicine, ALmustansiriyia University, P.O. Box 14132, Baghdad, Iraq
| | - Naif H Ali
- Department of Internal Medicine, Medical College, Najran University, Najran, Saudi Arabia
| | - Athanasios Alexiou
- University Centre for Research & Development, Chandigarh University, Chandigarh-Ludhiana Highway, Mohali, Punjab, India
- Department of Research & Development, Funogen, Athens, Greece
- Department of Research & Development, AFNP Med, Wien, 1030, Austria
- Department of Science and Engineering, Novel Global Community Educational Foundation, Hebersham, NSW, 2770, Australia
| | - Marios Papadakis
- Department of Surgery II, University Hospital Witten-Herdecke, University of Witten-Herdecke, Heusnerstrasse 40, 42283, Wuppertal, Germany.
| | - Hebatallah M Saad
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Matrouh University, Matrouh, 51744, Egypt.
| | - Gaber El-Saber Batiha
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Damanhour University, Damanhour, AlBeheira, 22511, Egypt.
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Tian Y, Zheng X, Li R, Hu L, Shui X, Wang L, Chen D, Lee TH, Zhang T. Quantitative Proteomic and Phosphoproteomic Analyses Reveal a Role of Death-Associated Protein Kinase 1 in Regulating Hippocampal Synapse. Mol Neurobiol 2024; 61:1794-1806. [PMID: 37775722 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-023-03674-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2023] [Accepted: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 10/01/2023]
Abstract
Death-associated protein kinase 1 (DAPK1) is a stress-responsive calcium/calmodulin (CaM)-regulated serine/threonine protein kinase that is actively involved in stress-induced cell death. The dysregulation of DAPK1 has been established in various neurological disorders such as epilepsy, Alzheimer's disease (AD), and Parkinson's disease (PD). Recent research indicates a synaptic localization of DAPK1 in neurons, suggesting a potential role of DAPK1 in modulating synaptic structure and function. However, the key molecules and pathways underlying the influence of DAPK1 on synapses remain elusive. We utilized quantitative proteomic and phosphoproteomic analyses to compare the differences in protein expression and phosphorylation in hippocampal tissues of wild-type (WT) and DAPK1-knockout (KO) mice. Bioinformatic analysis of differentially expressed proteins and phosphoproteins revealed a preferential enrichment of proteins involved in regulating synaptic function, cytoskeletal structure, and neurotransmission. Gene set enrichment analysis (GESA) highlighted altered presynaptic functions including synaptic vesicle priming and glutamate secretion in KO mice. Besides, we observed that proteins with potential phosphorylation motifs of ERK and DAPK1 were overrepresented among the differential phosphoproteins and were highly enriched in neuronal function-related pathways. Furthermore, Western blot analysis validated differences in the expression of several proteins closely associated with presynaptic organization, dendrites and calcium transmembrane transport between KO and WT mice, further corroborating the potential involvement of DAPK1 in the regulation of synaptic functions. Overall, our data provide molecular evidence to elucidate the physiological links between DAPK1 and neuronal functions and help clarify the role of DAPK1 in the pathogenesis of neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Tian
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Translational Research in Cancer and Neurodegenerative Diseases, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, 350122, Fujian, China
| | - Xiaoqing Zheng
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Translational Research in Cancer and Neurodegenerative Diseases, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, 350122, Fujian, China
| | - Ruomeng Li
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Translational Research in Cancer and Neurodegenerative Diseases, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, 350122, Fujian, China
| | - Li Hu
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Translational Research in Cancer and Neurodegenerative Diseases, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, 350122, Fujian, China
| | - Xindong Shui
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Translational Research in Cancer and Neurodegenerative Diseases, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, 350122, Fujian, China
| | - Long Wang
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Translational Research in Cancer and Neurodegenerative Diseases, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, 350122, Fujian, China
| | - Dongmei Chen
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Translational Research in Cancer and Neurodegenerative Diseases, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, 350122, Fujian, China
| | - Tae Ho Lee
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Translational Research in Cancer and Neurodegenerative Diseases, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, 350122, Fujian, China.
| | - Tao Zhang
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Translational Research in Cancer and Neurodegenerative Diseases, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, 350122, Fujian, China.
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Wimalasena K, Adetuyi O, Eldani M. Metabolic energy decline coupled dysregulation of catecholamine metabolism in physiologically highly active neurons: implications for selective neuronal death in Parkinson's disease. Front Aging Neurosci 2024; 16:1339295. [PMID: 38450382 PMCID: PMC10914975 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2024.1339295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2023] [Accepted: 02/09/2024] [Indexed: 03/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) is an age-related irreversible neurodegenerative disease which is characterized as a progressively worsening involuntary movement disorder caused by the loss of dopaminergic (DA) neurons in substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc). Two main pathophysiological features of PD are the accumulation of inclusion bodies in the affected neurons and the predominant loss of neuromelanin-containing DA neurons in substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc) and noradrenergic (NE) neurons in locus coeruleus (LC). The inclusion bodies contain misfolded and aggregated α-synuclein (α-Syn) fibrils known as Lewy bodies. The etiology and pathogenic mechanisms of PD are complex, multi-dimensional and associated with a combination of environmental, genetic, and other age-related factors. Although individual factors associated with the pathogenic mechanisms of PD have been widely investigated, an integration of the findings to a unified causative mechanism has not been envisioned. Here we propose an integrated mechanism for the degeneration of DA neurons in SNpc and NE neurons in LC in PD, based on their unique high metabolic activity coupled elevated energy demand, using currently available experimental data. The proposed hypothetical mechanism is primarily based on the unique high metabolic activity coupled elevated energy demand of these neurons. We reason that the high vulnerability of a selective group of DA neurons in SNpc and NE neurons in LC in PD could be due to the cellular energy modulations. Such cellular energy modulations could induce dysregulation of DA and NE metabolism and perturbation of the redox active metal homeostasis (especially copper and iron) in these neurons.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kandatege Wimalasena
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Wichita State University, Wichita, KS, United States
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
32
|
Perez-Villalba A, Sirerol-Piquer MS, Soriano-Cantón R, Folgado V, Pérez-Cañamás A, Kirstein M, Fariñas I, Pérez-Sánchez F. Dopaminergic neuron loss in mice due to increased levels of wild-type human α-Synuclein only takes place under conditions of accelerated aging. Sci Rep 2024; 14:2490. [PMID: 38291230 PMCID: PMC10828501 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-53093-1] [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: 10/24/2023] [Accepted: 01/27/2024] [Indexed: 02/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Understanding the intricate pathogenic mechanisms behind Parkinson's disease (PD) and its multifactorial nature presents a significant challenge in disease modeling. To address this, we explore genetic models that better capture the disease's complexity. Given that aging is the primary risk factor for PD, this study investigates the impact of aging in conjunction with overexpression of wild-type human α-synuclein (α-Syn) in the dopaminergic system. This is achieved by introducing a novel transgenic mouse strain overexpressing α-Syn under the TH-promoter within the senescence-accelerated SAMP8 (P8) genetic background. Behavioral assessments, conducted at both 10 and 16 months of age, unveil motor impairments exclusive to P8 α-SynTg mice, a phenomenon conspicuously absent in α-SynTg mice. These findings suggest a synergistic interplay between heightened α-Syn levels and the aging process, resulting in motor deficits. These motor disturbances correlate with reduced dopamine (DA) levels, increased DA turnover, synaptic terminal loss, and notably, the depletion of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra and noradrenergic neurons in the locus coeruleus. Furthermore, P8 α-SynTg mice exhibit alterations in gut transit time, mirroring early PD symptoms. In summary, P8 α-SynTg mice effectively replicate parkinsonian phenotypes by combining α-Syn transgene expression with accelerated aging. This model offers valuable insights into the understanding of PD and serves as a valuable platform for further research.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ana Perez-Villalba
- Departamento de Biología Celular, Biología Funcional y Antropología Física, Universitat de València, Valencia, Spain
- Instituto de Biotecnología y Biomedicina (BioTecMed), Universitat de València, Valencia, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Madrid, Spain
- Laboratory of Animal Behavior Phenotype (L.A.B.P.), Department of Neuropsychology, Faculty of Psychology, Catholic University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | - María Salomé Sirerol-Piquer
- Departamento de Biología Celular, Biología Funcional y Antropología Física, Universitat de València, Valencia, Spain
- Instituto de Biotecnología y Biomedicina (BioTecMed), Universitat de València, Valencia, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Madrid, Spain
| | - Raúl Soriano-Cantón
- Departamento de Biología Celular, Biología Funcional y Antropología Física, Universitat de València, Valencia, Spain
- Instituto de Biotecnología y Biomedicina (BioTecMed), Universitat de València, Valencia, Spain
| | - Virginia Folgado
- Departamento de Biología Celular, Biología Funcional y Antropología Física, Universitat de València, Valencia, Spain
- Instituto de Biotecnología y Biomedicina (BioTecMed), Universitat de València, Valencia, Spain
| | - Azucena Pérez-Cañamás
- Departamento de Biología Celular, Biología Funcional y Antropología Física, Universitat de València, Valencia, Spain
- Instituto de Biotecnología y Biomedicina (BioTecMed), Universitat de València, Valencia, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Madrid, Spain
| | - Martina Kirstein
- Departamento de Biología Celular, Biología Funcional y Antropología Física, Universitat de València, Valencia, Spain
- Instituto de Biotecnología y Biomedicina (BioTecMed), Universitat de València, Valencia, Spain
| | - Isabel Fariñas
- Departamento de Biología Celular, Biología Funcional y Antropología Física, Universitat de València, Valencia, Spain.
- Instituto de Biotecnología y Biomedicina (BioTecMed), Universitat de València, Valencia, Spain.
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Madrid, Spain.
| | - Francisco Pérez-Sánchez
- Departamento de Biología Celular, Biología Funcional y Antropología Física, Universitat de València, Valencia, Spain.
- Instituto de Biotecnología y Biomedicina (BioTecMed), Universitat de València, Valencia, Spain.
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Madrid, Spain.
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Bidgood R, Zubelzu M, Ruiz-Ortega JA, Morera-Herreras T. Automated procedure to detect subtle motor alterations in the balance beam test in a mouse model of early Parkinson's disease. Sci Rep 2024; 14:862. [PMID: 38195974 PMCID: PMC10776624 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-51225-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 01/11/2024] Open
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) is the most common motor neurodegenerative disorder, characterised by aggregated α-synuclein (α-syn) constituting Lewy bodies. We aimed to investigate temporal changes in motor impairments in a PD mouse model induced by overexpression of α-syn with the conventional manual analysis of the balance beam test and a novel approach using machine learning algorithms to automate behavioural analysis. We combined automated animal tracking using markerless pose estimation in DeepLabCut, with automated behavioural classification in Simple Behavior Analysis. Our automated procedure was able to detect subtle motor deficits in mouse performances in the balance beam test that the manual analysis approach could not assess. The automated model revealed time-course significant differences for the "walking" behaviour in the mean interval between each behavioural bout, the median event bout duration and the classifier probability of occurrence in male PD mice, even though no statistically significant loss of tyrosine hydroxylase in the nigrostriatal system was found in either sex. These findings are valuable for early detection of motor impairment in early PD animal models. We provide a user-friendly, step-by-step guide for automated assessment of mouse performances in the balance beam test, which aims to be replicable without any significant computational and programming knowledge.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Raphaëlle Bidgood
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Barrio Sarriena S/N, 48940, Leioa, Biscay, Spain
| | - Maider Zubelzu
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Barrio Sarriena S/N, 48940, Leioa, Biscay, Spain
- Autonomic and Movement Disorders Unit, Neurodegenerative Diseases, Biobizkaia, Barakaldo, Biscay, Spain
| | - Jose Angel Ruiz-Ortega
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Barrio Sarriena S/N, 48940, Leioa, Biscay, Spain
- Autonomic and Movement Disorders Unit, Neurodegenerative Diseases, Biobizkaia, Barakaldo, Biscay, Spain
| | - Teresa Morera-Herreras
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine and Nursing, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Barrio Sarriena S/N, 48940, Leioa, Biscay, Spain.
- Autonomic and Movement Disorders Unit, Neurodegenerative Diseases, Biobizkaia, Barakaldo, Biscay, Spain.
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Dejanovic B, Sheng M, Hanson JE. Targeting synapse function and loss for treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. Nat Rev Drug Discov 2024; 23:23-42. [PMID: 38012296 DOI: 10.1038/s41573-023-00823-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/06/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023]
Abstract
Synapse dysfunction and loss are hallmarks of neurodegenerative diseases that correlate with cognitive decline. However, the mechanisms and therapeutic strategies to prevent or reverse synaptic damage remain elusive. In this Review, we discuss recent advances in understanding the molecular and cellular pathways that impair synapses in neurodegenerative diseases, including the effects of protein aggregation and neuroinflammation. We also highlight emerging therapeutic approaches that aim to restore synaptic function and integrity, such as enhancing synaptic plasticity, preventing synaptotoxicity, modulating neuronal network activity and targeting immune signalling. We discuss the preclinical and clinical evidence for each strategy, as well as the challenges and opportunities for developing effective synapse-targeting therapeutics for neurodegenerative diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Morgan Sheng
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Jesse E Hanson
- Department of Neuroscience, Genentech, South San Francisco, CA, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Wallace JN, Crockford ZC, Román-Vendrell C, Brady EB, Hoffmann C, Vargas KJ, Potcoava M, Wegman ME, Alford ST, Milovanovic D, Morgan JR. Excess phosphoserine-129 α-synuclein induces synaptic vesicle trafficking and declustering defects at a vertebrate synapse. Mol Biol Cell 2024; 35:ar10. [PMID: 37991902 PMCID: PMC10881165 DOI: 10.1091/mbc.e23-07-0269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2023] [Revised: 11/06/2023] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 11/24/2023] Open
Abstract
α-Synuclein is a presynaptic protein that regulates synaptic vesicle (SV) trafficking. In Parkinson's disease (PD) and dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB), α-synuclein aberrantly accumulates throughout neurons, including at synapses. During neuronal activity, α-synuclein is reversibly phosphorylated at serine 129 (pS129). While pS129 comprises ∼4% of total α-synuclein under physiological conditions, it dramatically increases in PD and DLB brains. The impacts of excess pS129 on synaptic function are currently unknown. We show here that compared with wild-type (WT) α-synuclein, pS129 exhibits increased binding and oligomerization on synaptic membranes and enhanced vesicle "microclustering" in vitro. Moreover, when acutely injected into lamprey reticulospinal axons, excess pS129 α-synuclein robustly localized to synapses and disrupted SV trafficking in an activity-dependent manner, as assessed by ultrastructural analysis. Specifically, pS129 caused a declustering and dispersion of SVs away from the synaptic vicinity, leading to a significant loss of total synaptic membrane. Live imaging further revealed altered SV cycling, as well as microclusters of recently endocytosed SVs moving away from synapses. Thus, excess pS129 caused an activity-dependent inhibition of SV trafficking via altered vesicle clustering/reclustering. This work suggests that accumulation of pS129 at synapses in diseases like PD and DLB could have profound effects on SV dynamics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Emily B. Brady
- Eugene Bell Center for Regenerative Biology and Tissue Engineering, and
| | - Christian Hoffmann
- Whitman Center, Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole, MA 02543
- Laboratory of Molecular Neuroscience, German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), 10117 Berlin, Germany
| | - Karina J. Vargas
- Eugene Bell Center for Regenerative Biology and Tissue Engineering, and
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Pittsburgh, PA 15261
| | - Mariana Potcoava
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612
| | | | - Simon T. Alford
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612
| | - Dragomir Milovanovic
- Whitman Center, Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole, MA 02543
- Laboratory of Molecular Neuroscience, German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), 10117 Berlin, Germany
| | | |
Collapse
|
36
|
Chen Y, Liang Z, Wang Q, Xiao L, Xie S, Yang S, Liu X, Ling D, Li F. Alpha-Synuclein Oligomers Driven T1-T2 Switchable Nanoprobes for Early and Accurate Diagnosis of Parkinson's Disease. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2023:e2310404. [PMID: 38149464 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202310404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2023] [Revised: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 12/28/2023]
Abstract
The alpha-synuclein (α-syn) oligomers hold a central role in the pathology of Parkinson's disease (PD). Achieving accurate detection of α-syn oligomers in vivo presents a promising avenue for early and accurate diagnosis of PD. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), with non-invasion and exceptional tissue penetration, offers a potent tool for visualizing α-syn oligomers in vivo. Nonetheless, ensuring diagnostic specificity remains a formidable challenge. Herein, a novel MRI probe (ASOSN) is introduced, which encompasses highly sensitive antiferromagnetic nanoparticles functionalized with single-chain fragment variable antibodies, endowing it with the capacity for discerning recognition and binding to α-syn oligomers and triggering a switchable T1-T2 MRI signal. Significantly, ASOSN possesses the unique capability to accurately discriminate α-syn oligomers from neuroinflammation in vivo. Moreover, ASOSN facilitates the non-invasive and precise visualizing of endogenous α-syn oligomers in living systems. This innovative design heralds the development of a non-invasive visualization strategy for α-syn oligomers, marking a pivotal advancement for early and accurate diagnosis of PD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ying Chen
- Institute of Pharmaceutics, Hangzhou Institute of Innovative Medicine, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Zeyu Liang
- Institute of Pharmaceutics, Hangzhou Institute of Innovative Medicine, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
- Frontiers Science Center for Transformative Molecules, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, National Center for Translational Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Qiyue Wang
- Frontiers Science Center for Transformative Molecules, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, National Center for Translational Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China
- World Laureates Association (WLA) Laboratories, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Lin Xiao
- Institute of Pharmaceutics, Hangzhou Institute of Innovative Medicine, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Shangzhi Xie
- Institute of Pharmaceutics, Hangzhou Institute of Innovative Medicine, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Shengfei Yang
- Institute of Pharmaceutics, Hangzhou Institute of Innovative Medicine, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Xun Liu
- Frontiers Science Center for Transformative Molecules, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, National Center for Translational Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China
- World Laureates Association (WLA) Laboratories, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Daishun Ling
- Institute of Pharmaceutics, Hangzhou Institute of Innovative Medicine, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
- Frontiers Science Center for Transformative Molecules, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, National Center for Translational Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China
- World Laureates Association (WLA) Laboratories, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Fangyuan Li
- Institute of Pharmaceutics, Hangzhou Institute of Innovative Medicine, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
- World Laureates Association (WLA) Laboratories, Shanghai, 201203, China
- Key Laboratory of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment for Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Tumor of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, 310009, China
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Villar-Conde S, Astillero-Lopez V, Gonzalez-Rodriguez M, Saiz-Sanchez D, Martinez-Marcos A, Ubeda-Banon I, Flores-Cuadrado A. Synaptic Involvement of the Human Amygdala in Parkinson's Disease. Mol Cell Proteomics 2023; 22:100673. [PMID: 37947401 PMCID: PMC10700869 DOI: 10.1016/j.mcpro.2023.100673] [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: 01/10/2023] [Revised: 10/18/2023] [Accepted: 10/24/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023] Open
Abstract
α-Synuclein, a protein mostly present in presynaptic terminals, accumulates neuropathologically in Parkinson's disease in a 6-stage sequence and propagates in the nervous system in a prion-like manner through neurons and glia. In stage 3, the substantia nigra are affected, provoking motor symptoms and the amygdaloid complex, leading to different nonmotor symptoms; from here, synucleinopathy spreads to the temporal cortex and beyond. The expected increase in Parkinson's disease incidence accelerates the need for detection biomarkers; however, the heterogeneity of this disease, including pathological aggregates and pathophysiological pathways, poses a challenge in the search for new therapeutic targets and biomarkers. Proteomic analyses are lacking, and the literature regarding synucleinopathy, neural and glial involvement, and volume of the human amygdaloid complex is controversial. Therefore, the present study combines both proteomic and stereological probes. Data-independent acquisition-parallel accumulation of serial fragmentation proteomic analysis revealed a remarkable proteomic impact, especially at the synaptic level in the human amygdaloid complex in Parkinson's disease. Among the 199 differentially expressed proteins, guanine nucleotide-binding protein G(i) subunit alpha-1 (GNAI1), elongation factor 1-alpha 1 (EEF1A1), myelin proteolipid protein (PLP1), neuroplastin (NPTN), 14-3-3 protein eta (YWHAH), gene associated with retinoic and interferon-induced mortality 19 protein (GRIM19), and orosomucoid-2 (ORM2) stand out as potential biomarkers in Parkinson's disease. Stereological analysis, however, did not reveal alterations regarding synucleinopathy, neural or glial populations, or volume changes. To our knowledge, this is the first proteomic study of the human amygdaloid complex in Parkinson's disease, and it identified possible biomarkers of the disease. Lewy pathology could not be sufficient to cause neurodegeneration or alteration of microglial and astroglial populations in the human amygdaloid complex in Parkinson's disease. Nevertheless, damage at the proteomic level is manifest, showing up significant synaptic involvement.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Villar-Conde
- Grupo de Neuroplasticidad y Neurodegeneración, CRIB, Facultad de Medicina de Ciudad Real, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha (UCLM), Spain; Grupo de Neuroplasticidad y Neurodegeneración, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Castilla-La Mancha (IDISCAM), Spain
| | - Veronica Astillero-Lopez
- Grupo de Neuroplasticidad y Neurodegeneración, CRIB, Facultad de Medicina de Ciudad Real, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha (UCLM), Spain; Grupo de Neuroplasticidad y Neurodegeneración, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Castilla-La Mancha (IDISCAM), Spain
| | - Melania Gonzalez-Rodriguez
- Grupo de Neuroplasticidad y Neurodegeneración, CRIB, Facultad de Medicina de Ciudad Real, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha (UCLM), Spain; Grupo de Neuroplasticidad y Neurodegeneración, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Castilla-La Mancha (IDISCAM), Spain
| | - Daniel Saiz-Sanchez
- Grupo de Neuroplasticidad y Neurodegeneración, CRIB, Facultad de Medicina de Ciudad Real, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha (UCLM), Spain; Grupo de Neuroplasticidad y Neurodegeneración, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Castilla-La Mancha (IDISCAM), Spain
| | - Alino Martinez-Marcos
- Grupo de Neuroplasticidad y Neurodegeneración, CRIB, Facultad de Medicina de Ciudad Real, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha (UCLM), Spain; Grupo de Neuroplasticidad y Neurodegeneración, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Castilla-La Mancha (IDISCAM), Spain.
| | - Isabel Ubeda-Banon
- Grupo de Neuroplasticidad y Neurodegeneración, CRIB, Facultad de Medicina de Ciudad Real, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha (UCLM), Spain; Grupo de Neuroplasticidad y Neurodegeneración, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Castilla-La Mancha (IDISCAM), Spain.
| | - Alicia Flores-Cuadrado
- Grupo de Neuroplasticidad y Neurodegeneración, CRIB, Facultad de Medicina de Ciudad Real, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha (UCLM), Spain; Grupo de Neuroplasticidad y Neurodegeneración, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria de Castilla-La Mancha (IDISCAM), Spain
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Barcomb K, Ford CP. Alterations in neurotransmitter co-release in Parkinson's disease. Exp Neurol 2023; 370:114562. [PMID: 37802381 PMCID: PMC10842357 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2023.114562] [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: 05/05/2023] [Revised: 09/18/2023] [Accepted: 10/03/2023] [Indexed: 10/10/2023]
Abstract
Parkinson's disease is a neurological disorder characterized by degeneration of midbrain dopamine neurons, which results in numerous adaptations in basal ganglia circuits. Research over the past twenty-five years has identified that midbrain dopamine neurons of the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc) and ventral tegmental area (VTA) co-release multiple other transmitters including glutamate and GABA, in addition to their canonical transmitter, dopamine. This review summarizes previous work characterizing neurotransmitter co-release from dopamine neurons, work examining potential changes in co-release dynamics that result in animal models of Parkinson's disease, and future opportunities for determining how dysfunction in co-release may contribute to circuit dysfunction in Parkinson's disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kelsey Barcomb
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA.
| | - Christopher P Ford
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
LeVine SM. Examining the Role of a Functional Deficiency of Iron in Lysosomal Storage Disorders with Translational Relevance to Alzheimer's Disease. Cells 2023; 12:2641. [PMID: 37998376 PMCID: PMC10670892 DOI: 10.3390/cells12222641] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2023] [Revised: 11/09/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023] Open
Abstract
The recently presented Azalea Hypothesis for Alzheimer's disease asserts that iron becomes sequestered, leading to a functional iron deficiency that contributes to neurodegeneration. Iron sequestration can occur by iron being bound to protein aggregates, such as amyloid β and tau, iron-rich structures not undergoing recycling (e.g., due to disrupted ferritinophagy and impaired mitophagy), and diminished delivery of iron from the lysosome to the cytosol. Reduced iron availability for biochemical reactions causes cells to respond to acquire additional iron, resulting in an elevation in the total iron level within affected brain regions. As the amount of unavailable iron increases, the level of available iron decreases until eventually it is unable to meet cellular demands, which leads to a functional iron deficiency. Normally, the lysosome plays an integral role in cellular iron homeostasis by facilitating both the delivery of iron to the cytosol (e.g., after endocytosis of the iron-transferrin-transferrin receptor complex) and the cellular recycling of iron. During a lysosomal storage disorder, an enzyme deficiency causes undigested substrates to accumulate, causing a sequelae of pathogenic events that may include cellular iron dyshomeostasis. Thus, a functional deficiency of iron may be a pathogenic mechanism occurring within several lysosomal storage diseases and Alzheimer's disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Steven M LeVine
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA
| |
Collapse
|
40
|
Zhang L, Huang J, Dai L, Zhu G, Yang XL, He Z, Li YH, Yang H, Zhang CQ, Shen KF, Liang P. Expression profiles of α-synuclein in cortical lesions of patients with FCD IIb and TSC, and FCD rats. Front Neurol 2023; 14:1255097. [PMID: 38020594 PMCID: PMC10662349 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2023.1255097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2023] [Accepted: 10/06/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Focal cortical dysplasia (FCD) IIb and tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) are common causes of drug-resistant epilepsy in children. However, the etiologies related to the development of FCD IIb and TSC are not fully understood. α-synuclein (α-syn) is a member of synucleins family that plays crucial roles in modulating synaptic transmission in central nervous system. Here, we explored the expression profiles and potential pathogenic functions of α-syn in cortical lesions of epileptic patients with FCD IIb and TSC. Methods Surgical specimens from epileptic patients with FCD IIb and TSC, as well as FCD rats generated by in utero X-ray-radiation were adopted in this study and studied with immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, western blotting, and co-immunoprecipitation etc. molecular biological techniques. Result Our results showed that α-syn expression was reduced in FCD IIb and TSC lesions. Specifically, α-syn protein was intensely expressed in dysplastic neurons (DNs) and balloon cells (BCs) in FCD IIb lesions, whereas was barely detected in DNs and giant cells (GCs) of TSC lesions. Additionally, p-α-syn, the aggregated form of α-syn, was detected in DNs, BCs, GCs, and glia-like cells of FCD IIb and TSC lesions. We previous showed that the function of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) was enhanced in FCD rats generated by X-ray-radiation. Here, we found the interaction between α-syn and NMDAR subunits NMDAR2A, NMDAR2B were augmented in cortical lesions of FCD patients and FCD rats. Conclusion These results suggested a potential role of α-syn in the pathogenesis of FCD IIb and TSC by interfering with NMDAR.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Li Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Chongqing, China
| | - Jun Huang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Epilepsy Research Center of PLA, Xinqiao Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Lu Dai
- Chongqing Institute for Brain and Intelligence, Guang Yang Bay Laboratory, Chongqing, China
| | - Gang Zhu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Epilepsy Research Center of PLA, Xinqiao Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Xiao-Lin Yang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Epilepsy Research Center of PLA, Xinqiao Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Zeng He
- Department of Neurosurgery, Epilepsy Research Center of PLA, Xinqiao Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yu-Hong Li
- Department of Cell Biology, Basic Medical College, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Hui Yang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Epilepsy Research Center of PLA, Xinqiao Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Chongqing Institute for Brain and Intelligence, Guang Yang Bay Laboratory, Chongqing, China
| | - Chun-Qing Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Epilepsy Research Center of PLA, Xinqiao Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Kai-Feng Shen
- Department of Neurosurgery, Epilepsy Research Center of PLA, Xinqiao Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Ping Liang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Chongqing, China
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
Angius F, Mocci I, Ercoli T, Loy F, Fadda L, Palmas MF, Cannas G, Manzin A, Defazio G, Carta AR. Combined measure of salivary alpha-synuclein species as diagnostic biomarker for Parkinson's disease. J Neurol 2023; 270:5613-5621. [PMID: 37552278 PMCID: PMC10576686 DOI: 10.1007/s00415-023-11893-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2023] [Revised: 07/19/2023] [Accepted: 07/20/2023] [Indexed: 08/09/2023]
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) diagnosis is still vulnerable to bias, and a definitive diagnosis often relies on post-mortem neuropathological diagnosis. In this regard, alpha-synuclein (αsyn)-specific in vivo biomarkers remain a critical unmet need, based on its relevance in the neuropathology. Specifically, content changes in αsyn species such as total (tot-αsyn), oligomeric (o-αsyn), and phosphorylated (p-αsyn) within the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and peripheral fluids (i.e., blood and saliva) have been proposed as PD biomarkers possibly reflecting the neuropathological outcome. Here, we measured the p-αsyn levels in the saliva from 15 PD patients along with tot-αsyn, o-αsyn and their ratios, and compared the results with those from 23 healthy subjects (HS), matched per age and sex. We also calculated the optimal cutoff values for different αsyn species to provide information about their capability to discriminate PD from HS. We found that p-αsyn was the most abundant alpha-synuclein species in the saliva. While p-αsyn concentration did not differ between PD and HS when adjusted for total salivary proteins, the ratio p-αsyn/tot-αsyn was largely lower in PD patients than in HS. Moreover, the concentration of o-αsyn was increased in the saliva of PD patients, and tot-αsyn did not differ between PD and HS. The ROC curves indicated that no single αsyn form or ratio could provide an accurate diagnosis of PD. On the other hand, the ratio of different items, namely p-αsyn/tot-αsyn and o-αsyn, yielded more satisfactory diagnostic accuracy, suggesting that the combined measure of different species in the saliva may show more promises as a diagnostic means for PD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fabrizio Angius
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Ignazia Mocci
- CNR Institute of Translational Pharmacology, Unit of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Tommaso Ercoli
- Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Francesco Loy
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Laura Fadda
- Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | | | - Giada Cannas
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Aldo Manzin
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Giovanni Defazio
- Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy.
- Department of Translational Biomedicine and Neuroscience, Aldo Moro University of Bari, Bari, Italy.
| | - Anna R Carta
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
42
|
Pérez-Acuña D, Shin SJ, Rhee KH, Kim SJ, Lee SJ. α-Synuclein propagation leads to synaptic abnormalities in the cortex through microglial synapse phagocytosis. Mol Brain 2023; 16:72. [PMID: 37848910 PMCID: PMC10580656 DOI: 10.1186/s13041-023-01059-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2023] [Accepted: 09/15/2023] [Indexed: 10/19/2023] Open
Abstract
The major neuropathologic feature of Parkinson's disease is the presence of widespread intracellular inclusions of α-synuclein known as Lewy bodies. Evidence suggests that these misfolded protein inclusions spread through the brain with disease progression. Changes in synaptic function precede neurodegeneration, and this extracellular α-synuclein can affect synaptic transmission. However, whether and how the spreading of α-synuclein aggregates modulates synaptic function before neuronal loss remains unknown. In the present study, we investigated the effect of intrastriatal injection of α-synuclein preformed fibrils (PFFs) on synaptic activity in the somatosensory cortex using a combination of whole-cell patch-clamp electrophysiology, histology, and Golgi-Cox staining. Intrastriatal PFF injection was followed by formation of phosphorylated α-synuclein inclusions in layer 5 of the somatosensory cortex, leading to a decrease in synapse density, dendritic spines, and spontaneous excitatory post-synaptic currents, without apparent neuronal loss. Additionally, three-dimensional reconstruction of microglia using confocal imaging showed an increase in the engulfment of synapses. Collectively, our data indicate that propagation of α-synuclein through neural networks causes abnormalities in synaptic structure and dynamics prior to neuronal loss.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dayana Pérez-Acuña
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Seoul National University College of Medicine, 103 Daehak-Ro, Jongro-Gu, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea
| | - Soo Jean Shin
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Seoul National University College of Medicine, 103 Daehak-Ro, Jongro-Gu, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea
| | - Ka Hyun Rhee
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Seoul National University College of Medicine, 103 Daehak-Ro, Jongro-Gu, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Biophysics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
| | - Sang Jeong Kim
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Seoul National University College of Medicine, 103 Daehak-Ro, Jongro-Gu, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea
- Department of Physiology, Seoul National University, College of Medicine, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea
- Neuroscience Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea
| | - Seung-Jae Lee
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Seoul National University College of Medicine, 103 Daehak-Ro, Jongro-Gu, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea.
- Neuroscience Research Institute, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea.
- Convergence Research Center for Dementia, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea.
- , Neuramedy, Seoul, 04796, Republic of Korea.
| |
Collapse
|
43
|
Cordeiro Y, Freire MHO, Wiecikowski AF, do Amaral MJ. (Dys)functional insights into nucleic acids and RNA-binding proteins modulation of the prion protein and α-synuclein phase separation. Biophys Rev 2023; 15:577-589. [PMID: 37681103 PMCID: PMC10480379 DOI: 10.1007/s12551-023-01067-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 09/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Prion diseases are prototype of infectious diseases transmitted by a protein, the prion protein (PrP), and are still not understandable at the molecular level. Heterogenous species of aggregated PrP can be generated from its monomer. α-synuclein (αSyn), related to Parkinson's disease, has also shown a prion-like pathogenic character, and likewise PrP interacts with nucleic acids (NAs), which in turn modulate their aggregation. Recently, our group and others have characterized that NAs and/or RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) modulate recombinant PrP and/or αSyn condensates formation, and uncontrolled condensation might precede pathological aggregation. Tackling abnormal phase separation of neurodegenerative disease-related proteins has been proposed as a promising therapeutic target. Therefore, understanding the mechanism by which polyanions, like NAs, modulate phase transitions intracellularly, is key to assess their role on toxicity promotion and neuronal death. Herein we discuss data on the nucleic acids binding properties and phase separation ability of PrP and αSyn with a special focus on their modulation by NAs and RBPs. Furthermore, we provide insights into condensation of PrP and/or αSyn in the light of non-trivial subcellular locations such as the nuclear and cytosolic environments.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yraima Cordeiro
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Av Carlos Chagas Filho 373, bloco B, subsolo Sala 36, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 21941-902 Brazil
| | - Maria Heloisa O. Freire
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Av Carlos Chagas Filho 373, bloco B, subsolo Sala 36, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 21941-902 Brazil
| | - Adalgisa Felippe Wiecikowski
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Av Carlos Chagas Filho 373, bloco B, subsolo Sala 36, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 21941-902 Brazil
| | - Mariana Juliani do Amaral
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Av Carlos Chagas Filho 373, bloco B, subsolo Sala 36, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 21941-902 Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
44
|
Marín I. Emergence of the Synucleins. BIOLOGY 2023; 12:1053. [PMID: 37626939 PMCID: PMC10451939 DOI: 10.3390/biology12081053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2023] [Revised: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023]
Abstract
This study establishes the origin and evolutionary history of the synuclein genes. A combination of phylogenetic analyses of the synucleins from twenty-two model species, characterization of local synteny similarities among humans, sharks and lampreys, and statistical comparisons among lamprey and human chromosomes, provides conclusive evidence for the current diversity of synuclein genes arising from the whole-genome duplications (WGDs) that occurred in vertebrates. An ancestral synuclein gene was duplicated in a first WGD, predating the diversification of all living vertebrates. The two resulting genes are still present in agnathan vertebrates. The second WGD, specific to the gnathostome lineage, led to the emergence of the three classical synuclein genes, SNCA, SNCB and SNCG, which are present in all jawed vertebrate lineages. Additional WGDs have added new genes in both agnathans and gnathostomes, while some gene losses have occurred in particular species. The emergence of synucleins through WGDs prevented these genes from experiencing dosage effects, thus avoiding the potential detrimental effects associated with individual duplications of genes that encode proteins prone to aggregation. Additional insights into the structural and functional features of synucleins are gained through the analysis of the highly divergent synuclein proteins present in chondrichthyans and agnathans.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ignacio Marín
- Instituto de Biomedicina de Valencia, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (IBV-CSIC), 46010 Valencia, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
Oz T, Kaushik A, Kujawska M. Neural stem cells for Parkinson’s disease management: Challenges, nanobased support, and prospects. World J Stem Cells 2023; 15:687-700. [PMID: 37545757 PMCID: PMC10401423 DOI: 10.4252/wjsc.v15.i7.687] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2023] [Revised: 04/27/2023] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 07/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Parkinson’s disease (PD), characterized by loss of nigrostriatal dopaminergic neurons, is one of the most predominant neurodegenerative diseases affecting the elderly population worldwide. The concept of stem cell therapy in managing neurodegenerative diseases has evolved over the years and has recently rapidly progressed. Neural stem cells (NSCs) have a few key features, including self-renewal, proliferation, and multipotency, which make them a promising agent targeting neurodegeneration. It is generally agreed that challenges for NSC-based therapy are present at every stage of the transplantation process, including preoperative cell preparation and quality control, perioperative procedures, and postoperative graft preservation, adherence, and overall therapy success. In this review, we provided a comprehensive, careful, and critical discussion of experimental and clinical data alongside the pros and cons of NSC-based therapy in PD. Given the state-of-the-art accomplishments of stem cell therapy, gene therapy, and nanotechnology, we shed light on the perspective of complementing the advantages of each process by developing nano-stem cell therapy, which is currently a research hotspot. Although various obstacles and challenges remain, nano-stem cell therapy holds promise to cure PD, however, continuous improvement and development from the stage of laboratory experiments to the clinical application are necessary.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tuba Oz
- Department of Toxicology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan 60-631, Poland
| | - Ajeet Kaushik
- NanoBioTech Laboratory, Health System Engineering, Department of Environmental Engineering, Florida Polytechnic University, Lakeland, FL 33805, United States
- School of Engineering, University of Petroleum and Energy Studies, Dehradun 248007, India
| | - Małgorzata Kujawska
- Department of Toxicology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan 60-631, Poland
| |
Collapse
|
46
|
Kim M, Bezprozvanny I. Potential direct role of synuclein in dopamine transport and its implications for Parkinson's disease pathogenesis. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2023; 671:18-25. [PMID: 37290280 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2023.05.110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 05/25/2023] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Parkinson Disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that is caused by dysfunction and death of dopaminergic neurons. Mutations in the gene encoding α-synuclein (ASYN) have been linked with familial PD (FPD). Despite important role of ASYN in PD pathology, its normal biological function has not been clarified, although direct action of ASYN in synaptic transmission and dopamine (DA+) release have been proposed. In the present report we propose a novel hypothesis that ASYN functions as DA+/H+ exchanger that can facilitate transport of dopamine across synaptic vesicle (SV) membrane by taking advantage of proton gradient between SV lumen and cytoplasm. According to this hypothesis, normal physiological role of ASYN consists of fine-tuning levels of dopamine in the SVs based on cytosolic concentration of dopamine and intraluminal pH. This hypothesis is based on similarity in domain structure of ASYN and pHILP, a designed peptide developed to mediate loading of lipid nanoparticles with the cargo molecules. We reason that carboxy-terminal acidic loop D2b domain in both ASYN and pHILP binds cargo molecules. By mimicking DA+ association with E/D residues in D2b domain of ASYN using Tyrosine replacement approach (TR) we have been able to estimate that ASYN is able to transfer 8-12 molecules of dopamine across SV membrane on each DA+/H+ exchange cycle. Our results suggest that familial PD mutations (A30P, E46K, H50Q, G51D, A53T and A53E) will interfere with different steps of the exchange cycle, resulting in partial loss of dopamine transport function phenotype. We also predict that similar impairment in ASYN DA+/H+ exchange function also occurs as a result on neuronal aging due to changes in SV lipid composition and size and also dissipation of pH gradient across SV membrane. Proposed novel functional role of ASYN provides novel insights into its biological role and its role in PD pathogenesis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Meewhi Kim
- Dept of Physiology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA.
| | - Ilya Bezprozvanny
- Dept of Physiology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA; Laboratory of Molecular Neurodegeneration, St Petersburg State Polytechnical Universty, St Petersburg, 195251, Russian Federation.
| |
Collapse
|
47
|
Terrin F, Tesoriere A, Plotegher N, Dalla Valle L. Sex and Brain: The Role of Sex Chromosomes and Hormones in Brain Development and Parkinson's Disease. Cells 2023; 12:1486. [PMID: 37296608 PMCID: PMC10252697 DOI: 10.3390/cells12111486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2023] [Revised: 05/22/2023] [Accepted: 05/24/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Sex hormones and genes on the sex chromosomes are not only key factors in the regulation of sexual differentiation and reproduction but they are also deeply involved in brain homeostasis. Their action is crucial for the development of the brain, which presents different characteristics depending on the sex of individuals. The role of these players in the brain is fundamental in the maintenance of brain function during adulthood as well, thus being important also with respect to age-related neurodegenerative diseases. In this review, we explore the role of biological sex in the development of the brain and analyze its impact on the predisposition toward and the progression of neurodegenerative diseases. In particular, we focus on Parkinson's disease, a neurodegenerative disorder that has a higher incidence in the male population. We report how sex hormones and genes encoded by the sex chromosomes could protect from the disease or alternatively predispose toward its development. We finally underline the importance of considering sex when studying brain physiology and pathology in cellular and animal models in order to better understand disease etiology and develop novel tailored therapeutic strategies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Nicoletta Plotegher
- Department of Biology, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy; (F.T.); (A.T.)
| | - Luisa Dalla Valle
- Department of Biology, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy; (F.T.); (A.T.)
| |
Collapse
|
48
|
Brolin E, Ingelsson M, Bergström J, Erlandsson A. Altered Distribution of SNARE Proteins in Primary Neurons Exposed to Different Alpha-Synuclein Proteoforms. Cell Mol Neurobiol 2023:10.1007/s10571-023-01355-3. [PMID: 37130995 DOI: 10.1007/s10571-023-01355-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2023] [Accepted: 04/19/2023] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Growing evidence indicates that the pathological alpha-synuclein (α-syn) aggregation in Parkinson's disease (PD) and dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) starts at the synapses. Physiologic α-syn is involved in regulating neurotransmitter release by binding to the SNARE complex protein VAMP-2 on synaptic vesicles. However, in which way the SNARE complex formation is affected by α-syn pathology remains unclear. In this study, primary cortical neurons were exposed to either α-syn monomers or preformed fibrils (PFFs) for different time points and the effect on SNARE protein distribution was analyzed with a novel proximity ligation assay (PLA). Short-term exposure to monomers or PFFs for 24 h increased the co-localization of VAMP-2 and syntaxin-1, but reduced the co-localization of SNAP-25 and syntaxin-1, indicating a direct effect of the added α-syn on SNARE protein distribution. Long-term exposure to α-syn PFFs for 7 d reduced VAMP-2 and SNAP-25 co-localization, although there was only a modest induction of ser129 phosphorylated (pS129) α-syn. Similarly, exposure to extracellular vesicles collected from astrocytes treated with α-syn PFFs for 7 d influenced VAMP-2 and SNAP-25 co-localization despite only low levels of pS129 α-syn being formed. Taken together, our results demonstrate that different α-syn proteoforms have the potential to alter the distribution of SNARE proteins at the synapse.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Emma Brolin
- Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences/Molecular Geriatrics, Rudbeck Laboratory, Uppsala University, SE-752 37, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Martin Ingelsson
- Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences/Molecular Geriatrics, Rudbeck Laboratory, Uppsala University, SE-752 37, Uppsala, Sweden
- Krembil Brain Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Medicine and Tanz Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Joakim Bergström
- Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences/Molecular Geriatrics, Rudbeck Laboratory, Uppsala University, SE-752 37, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Anna Erlandsson
- Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences/Molecular Geriatrics, Rudbeck Laboratory, Uppsala University, SE-752 37, Uppsala, Sweden.
| |
Collapse
|
49
|
Forloni G. Alpha Synuclein: Neurodegeneration and Inflammation. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24065914. [PMID: 36982988 PMCID: PMC10059798 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24065914] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2023] [Revised: 03/14/2023] [Accepted: 03/15/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Alpha-Synuclein (α-Syn) is one of the most important molecules involved in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease and related disorders, synucleinopathies, but also in several other neurodegenerative disorders with a more elusive role. This review analyzes the activities of α-Syn, in different conformational states, monomeric, oligomeric and fibrils, in relation to neuronal dysfunction. The neuronal damage induced by α-Syn in various conformers will be analyzed in relation to its capacity to spread the intracellular aggregation seeds with a prion-like mechanism. In view of the prominent role of inflammation in virtually all neurodegenerative disorders, the activity of α-Syn will also be illustrated considering its influence on glial reactivity. We and others have described the interaction between general inflammation and cerebral dysfunctional activity of α-Syn. Differences in microglia and astrocyte activation have also been observed when in vivo the presence of α-Syn oligomers has been combined with a lasting peripheral inflammatory effect. The reactivity of microglia was amplified, while astrocytes were damaged by the double stimulus, opening new perspectives for the control of inflammation in synucleinopathies. Starting from our studies in experimental models, we extended the perspective to find useful pointers to orient future research and potential therapeutic strategies in neurodegenerative disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gianluigi Forloni
- Department of Neuroscience, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Via Mario Negri 2, 20156 Milano, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
50
|
Brady EB, McQuillan M, Medeiros AT, Bubacco L, Sousa R, Lafer EM, Morgan JR. Hsc70 rescues the synaptic vesicle trafficking defects caused by α-synuclein dimers. MICROPUBLICATION BIOLOGY 2023; 2023:10.17912/micropub.biology.000737. [PMID: 36938331 PMCID: PMC10018313 DOI: 10.17912/micropub.biology.000737] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2023] [Revised: 02/17/2023] [Accepted: 02/23/2023] [Indexed: 03/21/2023]
Abstract
Aberrant buildup of α-synuclein is associated with Parkinson's disease (PD) and other neurodegenerative disorders. At synapses, α-synuclein accumulation leads to severe synaptic vesicle trafficking defects. We previously demonstrated that different molecular species of α-synuclein produce distinct effects on synaptic vesicle recycling, and that the synaptic phenotypes caused by monomeric α-synuclein were ameliorated by Hsc70. Here, we tested whether Hsc70 could also correct synaptic deficits induced by α-synuclein dimers. Indeed, co-injection of Hsc70 with α-synuclein dimers completely reversed the synaptic deficits, resulting in synapses with normal appearance. This work lends additional support for pursuing chaperone-based strategies to treat PD and other synucleinopathies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Emily B. Brady
- The Eugene Bell Center for Regenerative Biology and Tissue Engineering, Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole, Massachusetts, United States
- Department of Biology, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, United States
| | - Molly McQuillan
- The Eugene Bell Center for Regenerative Biology and Tissue Engineering, Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole, Massachusetts, United States
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, United States
| | - Audrey T. Medeiros
- The Eugene Bell Center for Regenerative Biology and Tissue Engineering, Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole, Massachusetts, United States
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, United States
| | - Luigi Bubacco
- Department of Biology, University of Padua, Padua, Veneto, Italy
| | - Rui Sousa
- Department of Biochemistry and Structural Biology, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, United States
| | - Eileen M. Lafer
- Department of Biochemistry and Structural Biology, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, United States
| | - Jennifer R. Morgan
- The Eugene Bell Center for Regenerative Biology and Tissue Engineering, Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole, Massachusetts, United States
- Correspondence to: Jennifer R. Morgan (
)
| |
Collapse
|