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Cao Q, Yang S, Wang X, Sun H, Chen W, Wang Y, Gao J, Wu Y, Yang Q, Chen X, Yuan S, Xiao M, Nedergaard M, Huo Y, Liu Q. Transport of β-amyloid from brain to eye causes retinal degeneration in Alzheimer's disease. J Exp Med 2024; 221:e20240386. [PMID: 39316084 PMCID: PMC11448872 DOI: 10.1084/jem.20240386] [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: 03/01/2024] [Revised: 07/03/2024] [Accepted: 08/12/2024] [Indexed: 09/25/2024] Open
Abstract
The eye is closely connected to the brain, providing a unique window to detect pathological changes in the brain. In this study, we discovered β-amyloid (Aβ) deposits along the ocular glymphatic system in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and 5×FAD transgenic mouse model. Interestingly, Aβ from the brain can flow into the eyes along the optic nerve through cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), causing retinal degeneration. Aβ is mainly observed in the optic nerve sheath, the neural axon, and the perivascular space, which might represent the critical steps of the Aβ transportation from the brain to the eyes. Aquaporin-4 facilitates the influx of Aβ in brain-eye transport and out-excretion of the retina, and its absence or loss of polarity exacerbates brain-derived Aβ induced damage and visual impairment. These results revealed brain-to-eye Aβ transport as a major contributor to AD retinopathy, highlighting a new therapeutic avenue in ocular and neurodegenerative disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiuchen Cao
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Neurodegeneration, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
- Department of Ophthalmology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
- Department of Cellular Biology and Anatomy, Vascular Biology Center, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA
| | - Shige Yang
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xiaowei Wang
- Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, Center for Translational Neuromedicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Neurosurgery, Center for Translational Neuromedicine, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, USA
| | - Huaiqing Sun
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Neurodegeneration, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Weijie Chen
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yuliang Wang
- Department of Immunology, Key Laboratory of Immune Microenvironment and Diseases, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Junying Gao
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Neurodegeneration, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yanchi Wu
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Qiuhua Yang
- Department of Cellular Biology and Anatomy, Vascular Biology Center, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA
| | - Xue Chen
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Songtao Yuan
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Ming Xiao
- Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Neurodegeneration, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
- Nanjing Brain Hospital, Brain Institute, Nanjing Medical University , Nanjing, China
| | - Maiken Nedergaard
- Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, Center for Translational Neuromedicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Neurosurgery, Center for Translational Neuromedicine, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, USA
| | - Yuqing Huo
- Department of Ophthalmology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
- Department of Cellular Biology and Anatomy, Vascular Biology Center, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA
| | - Qinghuai Liu
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
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2
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Chou CC, Lu YA, Weng CH, Lin HJ, Wang IJ, Jou TS, Wang CY, Tsai FJ, Cheng YD, Hsu TJ, Hung YT, Huang YH, Tien PT. The association between antiglaucomatous agents and Alzheimer's disease. Eye (Lond) 2024:10.1038/s41433-024-03348-y. [PMID: 39341977 DOI: 10.1038/s41433-024-03348-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2023] [Revised: 08/03/2024] [Accepted: 09/13/2024] [Indexed: 10/01/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To estimate the risk of Alzheimer's disease (AD) associated with long-term use of topical glaucoma medications among middle-aged and older glaucoma patients, and compare the AD risk among various glaucoma subtypes. METHODS This nationwide population-based cohort study utilized insurance claims data from Taiwan's National Health Insurance Research Database between 2008 and 2019. Participants were adults aged 45 years or older either with a diagnosis of glaucoma or without. Those with glaucoma must have received single antiglaucomatous medication (including α2-adrenergic agonists, cholinergic agonists, beta-blockers, prostaglandin analogs, and pilocarpine) for over 90 days. Those with pre-existing AD diagnoses prior to the index date were excluded. RESULTS A total of 202,000 participants were included in the study, with 101,000 in each group (glaucoma and control groups). Glaucoma patients on topical alpha-2 adrenergic agonist monotherapy exhibited a significantly higher AD risk (aHR 1.15, 95% CI = 1.01-1.31) compared to those on beta-blockers. Glaucoma was further categorized into primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG), normal-tension glaucoma (NTG), primary angle-closure glaucoma (PACG), and unspecified glaucoma. Irrespective of the type of glaucoma, individuals with glaucoma had a significantly higher risk of AD compared to those without glaucoma (POAG: aHR 1.23, 95% CI = 1.08-1.40; NTG: aHR 1.49, 95% CI = 1.19-1.85; PACG: aHR 1.35, 95% CI = 1.19-1.52; unspecified glaucoma: aHR 1.36, 95% CI = 1.23-1.50). CONCLUSIONS Topical alpha-2 adrenergic agonists might pose increased AD risk in individuals with glaucoma compared to beta-blockers. Accordingly, their utilization should be undertaken judiciously, especially in middle-aged and older populations. Our findings also indicate glaucoma may increase the risk of AD regardless of glaucoma subtype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chien-Chih Chou
- School of Medicine, College of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Ophthalmology, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Department of Post-Baccalaureate Medicine, College of Medicine, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Yi-An Lu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Chien-Hsiang Weng
- Department of Family Medicine, Brown University Warren Alpert Medical School, Providence, RI, USA
- Coastal Medical Lifespan, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Hui-Ju Lin
- Eye Center, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
- School of Chinese Medicine, College of Chinese Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - I-Jong Wang
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
- Department of Ophthalmology, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Tzuu-Shuh Jou
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chun-Yuan Wang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Fuu-Jen Tsai
- School of Chinese Medicine, College of Chinese Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
- Department of Medical Research, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
- Division of Medical Genetics, China Medical University Children's Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
- Department of Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Asia University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Yih-Dih Cheng
- Department of Pharmacy, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
- School of Pharmacy, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Tzu-Ju Hsu
- Management Office for Health Data, Clinical Trial Research Center, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
- Master's Program in Statistics and Actuarial Science, Department of Statistics, Feng Chia University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Tung Hung
- Management Office for Health Data, Clinical Trial Research Center, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
- Institute of Public Health, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Han Huang
- Management Office for Health Data, Clinical Trial Research Center, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
- Institute of Public Health, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Peng-Tai Tien
- Eye Center, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan.
- School of Medicine, College of Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan.
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3
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Bathini P, Brai E, Balin BJ, Bimler L, Corry DB, Devanand DP, Doty RL, Ehrlich GD, Eimer WA, Fulop T, Hahn DL, Hammond CJ, Infanti J, Itzhaki R, Lathe R, Little CS, McLeod R, Moein ST, Nelson AR, Perry G, Shemesh OA, Tanzi RE, Webley WC, Schultek NM, Alberi Auber L. Sensory Dysfunction, Microbial Infections, and Host Responses in Alzheimer's Disease. J Infect Dis 2024; 230:S150-S164. [PMID: 39255393 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiae328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Sensory functions of organs of the head and neck allow humans to interact with the environment and establish social bonds. With aging, smell, taste, vision, and hearing decline. Evidence suggests that accelerated impairment in sensory abilities can reflect a shift from healthy to pathological aging, including the development of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and other neurological disorders. While the drivers of early sensory alteration in AD are not elucidated, insults such as trauma and infections can affect sensory function. Herein, we review the involvement of the major head and neck sensory systems in AD, with emphasis on microbes exploiting sensory pathways to enter the brain (the "gateway" hypothesis) and the potential feedback loop by which sensory function may be impacted by central nervous system infection. We emphasize detection of sensory changes as first-line surveillance in senior adults to identify and remove potential insults, like microbial infections, that could precipitate brain pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Praveen Bathini
- Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- The Alzheimer's Pathobiome Initiative (AlzPI), Wake Forest, North Carolina, USA
| | | | - Brian J Balin
- The Alzheimer's Pathobiome Initiative (AlzPI), Wake Forest, North Carolina, USA
- Center for Chronic Disorders of Aging, Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- Intracell Research Group, LLC, Wake Forest, North Carolina, USA
| | - Lynn Bimler
- Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - David B Corry
- The Alzheimer's Pathobiome Initiative (AlzPI), Wake Forest, North Carolina, USA
- Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
- Department of Medicine, Dan L. Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center, Biology of Inflammation Center, and the Michael E. DeBakey VA Center for Translational Research in Inflammatory Diseases, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Dan L. Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center, Biology of Inflammation Center, and the Michael E. DeBakey VA Center for Translational Research in Inflammatory Diseases, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Davangere P Devanand
- The Alzheimer's Pathobiome Initiative (AlzPI), Wake Forest, North Carolina, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurology, Irving Medical Center, Columbia University, New York, USA
| | - Richard L Doty
- The Alzheimer's Pathobiome Initiative (AlzPI), Wake Forest, North Carolina, USA
- Smell and Taste Center, Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Garth D Ehrlich
- The Alzheimer's Pathobiome Initiative (AlzPI), Wake Forest, North Carolina, USA
- Center for Genomic Sciences, Institute for Molecular Medicine and Infectious Disease, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - William A Eimer
- The Alzheimer's Pathobiome Initiative (AlzPI), Wake Forest, North Carolina, USA
- Genetics and Aging Research Unit, Mass General Institute for Neurodegenerative Disease, Charlestown, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, Massachusetts, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Tamas Fulop
- The Alzheimer's Pathobiome Initiative (AlzPI), Wake Forest, North Carolina, USA
- Department of Medicine, Division of Geriatrics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Research Center on Aging, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Québec, Canada
| | - David L Hahn
- The Alzheimer's Pathobiome Initiative (AlzPI), Wake Forest, North Carolina, USA
- Intracell Research Group, LLC, Wake Forest, North Carolina, USA
| | - Christine J Hammond
- The Alzheimer's Pathobiome Initiative (AlzPI), Wake Forest, North Carolina, USA
- Division of Research, Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Joseph Infanti
- The Alzheimer's Pathobiome Initiative (AlzPI), Wake Forest, North Carolina, USA
- Division of Research, Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Ruth Itzhaki
- The Alzheimer's Pathobiome Initiative (AlzPI), Wake Forest, North Carolina, USA
- Institute of Population Ageing, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Richard Lathe
- The Alzheimer's Pathobiome Initiative (AlzPI), Wake Forest, North Carolina, USA
- Division of Infection Medicine, University of Edinburgh Medical School, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Christopher Scott Little
- The Alzheimer's Pathobiome Initiative (AlzPI), Wake Forest, North Carolina, USA
- Center for Chronic Disorders of Aging, Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Rima McLeod
- Departments of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
- Department of Pediatrics Infectious Diseases, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Shima T Moein
- The Alzheimer's Pathobiome Initiative (AlzPI), Wake Forest, North Carolina, USA
- Smell and Taste Center, Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Amy R Nelson
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, University of South Alabama, Mobile, Alabama, USA
| | - George Perry
- The Alzheimer's Pathobiome Initiative (AlzPI), Wake Forest, North Carolina, USA
- Intracell Research Group, LLC, Wake Forest, North Carolina, USA
- Department of Biology, The University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, USA
| | - Or A Shemesh
- The Alzheimer's Pathobiome Initiative (AlzPI), Wake Forest, North Carolina, USA
- Intracell Research Group, LLC, Wake Forest, North Carolina, USA
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Rudolph E Tanzi
- The Alzheimer's Pathobiome Initiative (AlzPI), Wake Forest, North Carolina, USA
- Genetics and Aging Research Unit, Mass General Institute for Neurodegenerative Disease, Charlestown, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, Massachusetts, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Wilmore C Webley
- The Alzheimer's Pathobiome Initiative (AlzPI), Wake Forest, North Carolina, USA
- Intracell Research Group, LLC, Wake Forest, North Carolina, USA
- Department of Microbiology, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Nikki M Schultek
- The Alzheimer's Pathobiome Initiative (AlzPI), Wake Forest, North Carolina, USA
- Intracell Research Group, LLC, Wake Forest, North Carolina, USA
| | - Lavinia Alberi Auber
- The Alzheimer's Pathobiome Initiative (AlzPI), Wake Forest, North Carolina, USA
- BrainFit4Life, Fribourg, Switzerland
- Intracell Research Group, LLC, Wake Forest, North Carolina, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland
- VitalizeDx, Epalinges, Switzerland
- VitalizeDx Eu, Trieste, Italy
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4
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Lin P, Xu J, Yang F, Li D, Zhang R, Jiang Y, Zheng T. Elevated concentrations of amyloid-β oligomers and their proapoptotic effects on age-related cataract. FASEB J 2024; 38:e23861. [PMID: 39247969 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202301281rr] [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: 06/26/2023] [Revised: 06/27/2024] [Accepted: 07/23/2024] [Indexed: 09/10/2024]
Abstract
Recently, amyloid-β oligomers (AβOs) have been studied as the primary pathogenic substances in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Our previous study revealed that the Aβ expression level is closely related to ARC progression. Here, we demonstrated that the accumulation of AβOs in the lens epithelium of age-related cataract (ARC) patients increased during ARC progression and that this alteration was consistent with the changes in mitochondrial function, oxidative stress, and cellular apoptosis. In vitro, human lens epithelial cells (HLECs) treated with AβOs exhibited Ca2+ dyshomeostasis, impaired mitochondrial function, elevated oxidative stress levels, and increased apoptosis. Moreover, the proapoptotic effect of AβOs was alleviated after the uptake of mitochondrial Ca2+ was inhibited. These results establish that AβOs may promote HLEC apoptosis by inducing mitochondrial Ca2+ overload, thus preliminarily revealing the possible association between the accumulation of AβOs and other pathological processes in ARC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peimin Lin
- Department of Ophthalmology, Eye & ENT Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Eye Institute, Eye & ENT Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- NHC Key laboratory of Myopia and Related Eye Diseases, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Visual Impairment and Restoration, Shanghai, China
| | - Jie Xu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Eye & ENT Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Eye Institute, Eye & ENT Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- NHC Key laboratory of Myopia and Related Eye Diseases, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Visual Impairment and Restoration, Shanghai, China
| | - Fan Yang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Eye & ENT Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Eye Institute, Eye & ENT Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- NHC Key laboratory of Myopia and Related Eye Diseases, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Visual Impairment and Restoration, Shanghai, China
| | - Dan Li
- Department of Ophthalmology, Eye & ENT Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Eye Institute, Eye & ENT Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- NHC Key laboratory of Myopia and Related Eye Diseases, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Visual Impairment and Restoration, Shanghai, China
| | - Rong Zhang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Eye & ENT Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Eye Institute, Eye & ENT Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- NHC Key laboratory of Myopia and Related Eye Diseases, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Visual Impairment and Restoration, Shanghai, China
| | - Yongxiang Jiang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Eye & ENT Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Eye Institute, Eye & ENT Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- NHC Key laboratory of Myopia and Related Eye Diseases, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Visual Impairment and Restoration, Shanghai, China
| | - Tianyu Zheng
- Department of Ophthalmology, Eye & ENT Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Eye Institute, Eye & ENT Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- NHC Key laboratory of Myopia and Related Eye Diseases, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Visual Impairment and Restoration, Shanghai, China
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5
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Sampani K, Ness S, Tuz-Zahra F, Aytan N, Spurlock EE, Alluri S, Chen X, Siegel NH, Alosco ML, Xia W, Tripodis Y, Stein TD, Subramanian ML. Neurodegenerative biomarkers in different chambers of the eye relative to plasma: an agreement validation study. Alzheimers Res Ther 2024; 16:192. [PMID: 39187891 PMCID: PMC11346268 DOI: 10.1186/s13195-024-01556-y] [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: 04/09/2024] [Accepted: 08/11/2024] [Indexed: 08/28/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Protein biomarkers have been broadly investigated in cerebrospinal fluid and blood for the detection of neurodegenerative diseases, yet a clinically useful diagnostic test to detect early, pre-symptomatic Alzheimer's disease (AD) remains elusive. We conducted this study to quantify Aβ40, Aβ42, total Tau (t-Tau), hyperphosphorylated Tau (ptau181), glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and neurofilament light chain (NfL) in eye fluids relative to blood. METHODS In this cross-sectional study we collected vitreous humor, aqueous humor, tear fluid and plasma in patients undergoing surgery for eye disease. All six biomarkers were quantitatively measured by digital immunoassay. Spearman and Bland-Altman correlation analyses were performed to assess the agreement of levels between ocular fluids and plasma. RESULTS Seventy-nine adults underwent pars-plana vitrectomy in at least one eye. Of the 79, there were 77 vitreous, 67 blood, 56 tear fluid, and 51 aqueous samples. All six biomarkers were quantified in each bio-sample, except GFAP and NfL in tear fluid due to low sample volume. All six biomarkers were elevated in vitreous humor compared to plasma samples. T-Tau, ptau181, GFAP and NfL were higher in aqueous than in plasma, and t-Tau and ptau181 concentrations were higher in tear fluid than in plasma. Significant correlations were found between Aβ40 in plasma and tears (r = 0.5; p = 0.019), t-Tau in plasma and vitreous (r = 0.4; p = 0.004), NfL in plasma and vitreous (r = 0.3; p = 0.006) and plasma and aqueous (r = 0.5; p = 0.004). No significant associations were found for Aβ42, ptau181 and GFAP among ocular fluids relative to plasma. Bland-Altman analysis showed aqueous humor had the closest agreement to plasma across all biomarkers. Biomarker levels in ocular fluids revealed statistically significant associations between vitreous and aqueous for t-Tau (r = 0.5; p = 0.001), GFAP (r = 0.6; p < 0.001) and NfL (r = 0.7; p < 0.001). CONCLUSION AD biomarkers are detectable in greater quantities in eye fluids than in plasma and show correlations with levels in plasma. Future studies are needed to assess the utility of ocular fluid biomarkers as diagnostic and prognostic markers for AD, especially in those at risk with eye disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Konstantina Sampani
- Beetham Eye Institute, Joslin Diabetes Center, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Steven Ness
- Department of Ophthalmology, Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA, 02118, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology, Boston University Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Fatima Tuz-Zahra
- Department of Biostatistics, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Nurgul Aytan
- Boston University Alzheimer's Disease Research Center and CTE Center, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Elizabeth E Spurlock
- Boston University Alzheimer's Disease Research Center and CTE Center, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Sreevardhan Alluri
- Department of Ophthalmology, Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA, 02118, USA
| | - Xuejing Chen
- Department of Ophthalmology, Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA, 02118, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology, Boston University Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Nicole H Siegel
- Department of Ophthalmology, Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA, 02118, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology, Boston University Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Michael L Alosco
- Boston University Alzheimer's Disease Research Center and CTE Center, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Psychology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Weiming Xia
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
- Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center, Bedford Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Bedford, MA, USA
| | - Yorghos Tripodis
- Department of Biostatistics, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
- Boston University Alzheimer's Disease Research Center and CTE Center, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Thor D Stein
- Boston University Alzheimer's Disease Research Center and CTE Center, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA.
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Boston Medical Center, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA.
- Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, USA.
- Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, VA Bedford Healthcare System, Bedford, MA, USA.
| | - Manju L Subramanian
- Department of Ophthalmology, Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA, 02118, USA.
- Department of Ophthalmology, Boston University Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA.
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6
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Cvekl A, Vijg J. Aging of the eye: Lessons from cataracts and age-related macular degeneration. Ageing Res Rev 2024; 99:102407. [PMID: 38977082 DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2024.102407] [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: 03/11/2024] [Revised: 06/18/2024] [Accepted: 07/01/2024] [Indexed: 07/10/2024]
Abstract
Aging is the greatest risk factor for chronic human diseases, including many eye diseases. Geroscience aims to understand the effects of the aging process on these diseases, including the genetic, molecular, and cellular mechanisms that underlie the increased risk of disease over the lifetime. Understanding of the aging eye increases general knowledge of the cellular physiology impacted by aging processes at various biological extremes. Two major diseases, age-related cataract and age-related macular degeneration (AMD) are caused by dysfunction of the lens and retina, respectively. Lens transparency and light refraction are mediated by lens fiber cells lacking nuclei and other organelles, which provides a unique opportunity to study a single aging hallmark, i.e., loss of proteostasis, within an environment of limited metabolism. In AMD, local dysfunction of the photoreceptors/retinal pigmented epithelium/Bruch's membrane/choriocapillaris complex in the macula leads to the loss of photoreceptors and eventually loss of central vision, and is driven by nearly all the hallmarks of aging and shares features with Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes. The aging eye can function as a model for studying basic mechanisms of aging and, vice versa, well-defined hallmarks of aging can be used as tools to understand age-related eye disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ales Cvekl
- Departments of Genetics and Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA.
| | - Jan Vijg
- Departments of Genetics and Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA.
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7
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Gaire BP, Koronyo Y, Fuchs DT, Shi H, Rentsendorj A, Danziger R, Vit JP, Mirzaei N, Doustar J, Sheyn J, Hampel H, Vergallo A, Davis MR, Jallow O, Baldacci F, Verdooner SR, Barron E, Mirzaei M, Gupta VK, Graham SL, Tayebi M, Carare RO, Sadun AA, Miller CA, Dumitrascu OM, Lahiri S, Gao L, Black KL, Koronyo-Hamaoui M. Alzheimer's disease pathophysiology in the Retina. Prog Retin Eye Res 2024; 101:101273. [PMID: 38759947 PMCID: PMC11285518 DOI: 10.1016/j.preteyeres.2024.101273] [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: 02/11/2023] [Revised: 04/23/2024] [Accepted: 05/10/2024] [Indexed: 05/19/2024]
Abstract
The retina is an emerging CNS target for potential noninvasive diagnosis and tracking of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Studies have identified the pathological hallmarks of AD, including amyloid β-protein (Aβ) deposits and abnormal tau protein isoforms, in the retinas of AD patients and animal models. Moreover, structural and functional vascular abnormalities such as reduced blood flow, vascular Aβ deposition, and blood-retinal barrier damage, along with inflammation and neurodegeneration, have been described in retinas of patients with mild cognitive impairment and AD dementia. Histological, biochemical, and clinical studies have demonstrated that the nature and severity of AD pathologies in the retina and brain correspond. Proteomics analysis revealed a similar pattern of dysregulated proteins and biological pathways in the retina and brain of AD patients, with enhanced inflammatory and neurodegenerative processes, impaired oxidative-phosphorylation, and mitochondrial dysfunction. Notably, investigational imaging technologies can now detect AD-specific amyloid deposits, as well as vasculopathy and neurodegeneration in the retina of living AD patients, suggesting alterations at different disease stages and links to brain pathology. Current and exploratory ophthalmic imaging modalities, such as optical coherence tomography (OCT), OCT-angiography, confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscopy, and hyperspectral imaging, may offer promise in the clinical assessment of AD. However, further research is needed to deepen our understanding of AD's impact on the retina and its progression. To advance this field, future studies require replication in larger and diverse cohorts with confirmed AD biomarkers and standardized retinal imaging techniques. This will validate potential retinal biomarkers for AD, aiding in early screening and monitoring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bhakta Prasad Gaire
- Department of Neurosurgery, Maxine Dunitz Neurosurgical Research Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Yosef Koronyo
- Department of Neurosurgery, Maxine Dunitz Neurosurgical Research Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Dieu-Trang Fuchs
- Department of Neurosurgery, Maxine Dunitz Neurosurgical Research Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Haoshen Shi
- Department of Neurosurgery, Maxine Dunitz Neurosurgical Research Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Altan Rentsendorj
- Department of Neurosurgery, Maxine Dunitz Neurosurgical Research Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Ron Danziger
- Department of Neurology, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Jean-Philippe Vit
- Department of Neurosurgery, Maxine Dunitz Neurosurgical Research Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Nazanin Mirzaei
- Department of Neurosurgery, Maxine Dunitz Neurosurgical Research Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Jonah Doustar
- Department of Neurosurgery, Maxine Dunitz Neurosurgical Research Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Julia Sheyn
- Department of Neurosurgery, Maxine Dunitz Neurosurgical Research Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Harald Hampel
- Sorbonne University, Alzheimer Precision Medicine (APM), AP-HP, Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital, Paris, France
| | - Andrea Vergallo
- Sorbonne University, Alzheimer Precision Medicine (APM), AP-HP, Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital, Paris, France
| | - Miyah R Davis
- Department of Neurosurgery, Maxine Dunitz Neurosurgical Research Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Ousman Jallow
- Department of Neurosurgery, Maxine Dunitz Neurosurgical Research Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Filippo Baldacci
- Sorbonne University, Alzheimer Precision Medicine (APM), AP-HP, Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital, Paris, France; Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Neurology Unit, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | | | - Ernesto Barron
- Department of Ophthalmology, David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Doheny Eye Institute, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Mehdi Mirzaei
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie Medical School, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Vivek K Gupta
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie Medical School, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Stuart L Graham
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie Medical School, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia; Department of Clinical Medicine, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Mourad Tayebi
- School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Campbelltown, NSW, Australia
| | - Roxana O Carare
- Department of Clinical Neuroanatomy, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Alfredo A Sadun
- Department of Ophthalmology, David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Doheny Eye Institute, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Carol A Miller
- Department of Pathology Program in Neuroscience, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | | | - Shouri Lahiri
- Department of Neurology, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Liang Gao
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Keith L Black
- Department of Neurosurgery, Maxine Dunitz Neurosurgical Research Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Maya Koronyo-Hamaoui
- Department of Neurosurgery, Maxine Dunitz Neurosurgical Research Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Department of Neurology, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Department of Biomedical Sciences, Division of Applied Cell Biology and Physiology, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
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8
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Gundogan AO, Oltulu R, Belviranli S, Tezcan A, Adam M, Mirza E, Altaş M, Okka M. Corneal innervation changes ın Alzheimer's: implications for sensory dysfunction. Int Ophthalmol 2024; 44:270. [PMID: 38914919 DOI: 10.1007/s10792-024-03162-1] [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: 12/10/2023] [Accepted: 06/15/2024] [Indexed: 06/26/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE To compare, between Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients and healthy individuals, corneal subbasal nerve plexus (CSNP) parameters and corneal sensitivities. METHODS Twenty-two patients who were followed up with Alzheimer's disease (Alzheimer's group) and 18 age- and gender-matched healthy individuals (control group) were included in this cross-sectional study. CSNP parameters, including nerve fiber length (NFL), nerve fiber density (NFD), and nerve branch density (NBD), were evaluated using in vivo confocal microscopy. Corneal sensitivity was evaluated using a Cochet-Bonnet esthesiometer. The results were compared between the two groups. RESULTS In the Alzheimer's group, NFL was 12.2 (2.4) mm/mm2, NFD was 12.5 [3.1] fibers/mm2, and NBD was 29.7 [9.37] branches/mm2. In the control group, NFL was 16.5 (2.0) mm/mm2, NFD was 25.0 [3.13] fibers/mm2, and NBD was 37.5 [10.9] branches/mm2. All three parameters were significantly lower in the Alzheimer's group compared to the control group (p < 0.001, p < 0.001, and p = 0.001, respectively). Similarly, corneal sensitivity was significantly lower in the Alzheimer's group (55.0 [5.0] mm) compared to the control group (60.0 [5.0] mm) (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION We determined that, in AD, corneal sensitivity decreases significantly, in parallel with the decrease in corneal nerves. Changes in the corneal nerve plexus and a decrease in corneal sensitivity may be used in the early diagnosis and follow-up of AD. In addition, ocular surface problems secondary to these changes should also be kept in mind.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Refik Oltulu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Meram Faculty of Medicine, Necmettin Erbakan University, Konya, Turkey
| | - Selman Belviranli
- Department of Ophthalmology, Meram Faculty of Medicine, Necmettin Erbakan University, Konya, Turkey
| | - Ali Tezcan
- Department of Ophthalmology, Meram Faculty of Medicine, Necmettin Erbakan University, Konya, Turkey
| | - Mehmet Adam
- Department of Ophthalmology, Meram Faculty of Medicine, Necmettin Erbakan University, Konya, Turkey
| | - Enver Mirza
- Department of Ophthalmology, Meram Faculty of Medicine, Necmettin Erbakan University, Konya, Turkey
| | - Mustafa Altaş
- Department of Neurology, Meram Faculty of Medicine, Necmettin Erbakan University, Konya, Turkey
| | - Mehmet Okka
- Department of Ophthalmology, Meram Faculty of Medicine, Necmettin Erbakan University, Konya, Turkey
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9
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Patterson EJ, Bounds AD, Wagner SK, Kadri-Langford R, Taylor R, Daly D. Oculomics: A Crusade Against the Four Horsemen of Chronic Disease. Ophthalmol Ther 2024; 13:1427-1451. [PMID: 38630354 PMCID: PMC11109082 DOI: 10.1007/s40123-024-00942-x] [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: 02/02/2024] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 05/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Chronic, non-communicable diseases present a major barrier to living a long and healthy life. In many cases, early diagnosis can facilitate prevention, monitoring, and treatment efforts, improving patient outcomes. There is therefore a critical need to make screening techniques as accessible, unintimidating, and cost-effective as possible. The association between ocular biomarkers and systemic health and disease (oculomics) presents an attractive opportunity for detection of systemic diseases, as ophthalmic techniques are often relatively low-cost, fast, and non-invasive. In this review, we highlight the key associations between structural biomarkers in the eye and the four globally leading causes of morbidity and mortality: cardiovascular disease, cancer, neurodegenerative disease, and metabolic disease. We observe that neurodegenerative disease is a particularly promising target for oculomics, with biomarkers detected in multiple ocular structures. Cardiovascular disease biomarkers are present in the choroid, retinal vasculature, and retinal nerve fiber layer, and metabolic disease biomarkers are present in the eyelid, tear fluid, lens, and retinal vasculature. In contrast, only the tear fluid emerged as a promising ocular target for the detection of cancer. The retina is a rich source of oculomics data, the analysis of which has been enhanced by artificial intelligence-based tools. Although not all biomarkers are disease-specific, limiting their current diagnostic utility, future oculomics research will likely benefit from combining data from various structures to improve specificity, as well as active design, development, and optimization of instruments that target specific disease signatures, thus facilitating differential diagnoses.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Siegfried K Wagner
- Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Trust, 162 City Road, London, EC1V 2PD, UK
- UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, 11-43 Bath Street, London, EC1V 9EL, UK
| | | | - Robin Taylor
- Occuity, The Blade, Abbey Square, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 3BE, UK
| | - Dan Daly
- Occuity, The Blade, Abbey Square, Reading, Berkshire, RG1 3BE, UK
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10
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Glaesser D, Iwig M. Increased molar ratio of free fatty acids to albumin in blood as cause and early biomarker for the development of cataracts and Alzheimer's disease. Exp Eye Res 2024; 243:109888. [PMID: 38583754 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2024.109888] [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: 10/25/2023] [Revised: 03/29/2024] [Accepted: 04/04/2024] [Indexed: 04/09/2024]
Abstract
Cataracts and Alzheimer's disease (AD) are closely linked and are associated with aging and with systemic diseases that increase the molar ratio of free fatty acids to albumin (mFAR) in the blood. From the results of our earlier studies on the development of senile cataracts and from results recently published in the literature on the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease, we suggest that there is a common lipotoxic cascade for both diseases, explaining the strong connection between aging, an elevated mFAR in the blood, cataract formation, and AD. Long-chain free fatty acids (FFA) are transported in the blood as FFA/albumin complexes. In young people, vascular albumin barriers in the eyes and brain, very similar in their structure and effect, reduce the FFA/albumin complex concentration from around 650 μmol/l in the blood to 1-3 μmol/l in the aqueous humour of the eyes as well as in the cerebrospinal fluid of the brain. At such low concentrations the fatty acid uptake of the target cells - lens epithelial and brain cells - rises with increasing FFA/albumin complex concentrations, especially when the fatty acid load of albumin molecules is mFAR>1. At higher albumin concentrations, for instance in blood plasma or the interstitial tissue spaces, the fatty acid uptake of the target cells becomes increasingly independent of the FFA/albumin complex concentration and is mainly a function of the mFAR (Richieri et al., 1993). In the blood plasma of young people, the mFAR is normally below 1.0. In people over 40 years old, aging increases the mFAR by decreasing the plasma concentration of albumin and enhancing the plasma concentrations of FFA. The increase in the mFAR in association with C6-unsaturated FFA are risk factors for the vascular albumin barriers (Hennig et al., 1984). Damage to the vascular albumin barrier in the eyes and brain increases the concentration of FFA/albumin complex in the aqueous humour as well as in the cerebrospinal fluid, leading to mitochondrial dysfunction and the death of lens epithelial and brain cells, the development of cataracts, and AD. An age-dependent increase in the concentration of FFA/albumin complex has been found in the aqueous humour of 177 cataract patients, correlating with the mitochondria-mediated apoptotic death of lens epithelial cells, lens opacification and cataracts (Iwig et al., 2004). Mitochondrial dysfunction is also an early crucial event in Alzheimer's pathology, closely connected with the generation of amyloid beta peptides (Leuner et al., 2012). Very recently, amyloid beta production has also been confirmed in the lenses of Alzheimer's patients, causing cataracts (Moncaster et al., 2022). In view of this, we propose that there is a common lipotoxic cascade for senile cataract formation and senile AD, initiated by aging and/or systemic diseases, leading to an mFAR>1 in the blood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dietmar Glaesser
- Institute of Physiological Chemistry, Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, D-06097, Halle, Germany.
| | - Martin Iwig
- Institute of Physiological Chemistry, Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, D-06097, Halle, Germany
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11
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Kinger S, Jagtap YA, Kumar P, Choudhary A, Prasad A, Prajapati VK, Kumar A, Mehta G, Mishra A. Proteostasis in neurodegenerative diseases. Adv Clin Chem 2024; 121:270-333. [PMID: 38797543 DOI: 10.1016/bs.acc.2024.04.002] [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] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
Proteostasis is essential for normal function of proteins and vital for cellular health and survival. Proteostasis encompasses all stages in the "life" of a protein, that is, from translation to functional performance and, ultimately, to degradation. Proteins need native conformations for function and in the presence of multiple types of stress, their misfolding and aggregation can occur. A coordinated network of proteins is at the core of proteostasis in cells. Among these, chaperones are required for maintaining the integrity of protein conformations by preventing misfolding and aggregation and guide those with abnormal conformation to degradation. The ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) and autophagy are major cellular pathways for degrading proteins. Although failure or decreased functioning of components of this network can lead to proteotoxicity and disease, like neuron degenerative diseases, underlying factors are not completely understood. Accumulating misfolded and aggregated proteins are considered major pathomechanisms of neurodegeneration. In this chapter, we have described the components of three major branches required for proteostasis-chaperones, UPS and autophagy, the mechanistic basis of their function, and their potential for protection against various neurodegenerative conditions, like Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and Huntington's disease. The modulation of various proteostasis network proteins, like chaperones, E3 ubiquitin ligases, proteasome, and autophagy-associated proteins as therapeutic targets by small molecules as well as new and unconventional approaches, shows promise.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sumit Kinger
- Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology Unit, Indian Institute of Technology Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India
| | - Yuvraj Anandrao Jagtap
- Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology Unit, Indian Institute of Technology Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India
| | - Prashant Kumar
- Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology Unit, Indian Institute of Technology Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India
| | - Akash Choudhary
- Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology Unit, Indian Institute of Technology Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India
| | - Amit Prasad
- School of Biosciences and Bioengineering, Indian Institute of Technology Mandi, Mandi, Himachal Pradesh, India
| | - Vijay Kumar Prajapati
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Delhi South Campus, Dhaula Kuan, New Delhi, India
| | - Amit Kumar
- Department of Biosciences and Biomedical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Indore, Simrol, Indore, Madhya Pradesh, India
| | - Gunjan Mehta
- Department of Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad, Telangana, India
| | - Amit Mishra
- Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology Unit, Indian Institute of Technology Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India.
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12
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Sarangi S, Minaeva O, Ledoux DM, Parsons DS, Moncaster JA, Black CA, Hollander J, Tripodis Y, Clark JI, Hunter DG, Goldstein LE. In vivo quasi-elastic light scattering detects molecular changes in the lenses of adolescents with Down syndrome. Exp Eye Res 2024; 241:109818. [PMID: 38422787 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2024.109818] [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: 05/24/2023] [Revised: 12/08/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
Down syndrome (DS) is the most common chromosomal disorder in humans. DS is associated with increased prevalence of several ocular sequelae, including characteristic blue-dot cerulean cataract. DS is accompanied by age-dependent accumulation of Alzheimer's disease (AD) amyloid-β (Aβ) peptides and amyloid pathology in the brain and comorbid early-onset Aβ amyloidopathy and colocalizing cataracts in the lens. Quasi-elastic light scattering (QLS) is an established optical technique that noninvasively measures changes in protein size distributions in the human lens in vivo. In this cross-sectional study, lenticular QLS correlation time was decreased in adolescent subjects with DS compared to age-matched control subjects. Clinical QLS was consistent with alterations in relative particle hydrodynamic radius in lenses of adolescents with DS. These correlative results suggest that noninvasive QLS can be used to evaluate molecular changes in the lenses of individuals with DS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Srikant Sarangi
- Molecular Aging & Development Laboratory, Boston University Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA; Boston University Photonics Center, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Olga Minaeva
- Molecular Aging & Development Laboratory, Boston University Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA; Boston University Photonics Center, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA; Boston University Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, Boston University Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Ophthalmology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Danielle M Ledoux
- Department of Ophthalmology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Douglas S Parsons
- Molecular Aging & Development Laboratory, Boston University Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA; Boston University Photonics Center, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Juliet A Moncaster
- Molecular Aging & Development Laboratory, Boston University Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA; Boston University Photonics Center, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA; Boston University Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, Boston University Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Caitlin A Black
- Department of Ophthalmology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jeffrey Hollander
- Department of Ophthalmology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Yorghos Tripodis
- Department of Biostatistics, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - John I Clark
- Department of Biological Structure, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - David G Hunter
- Department of Ophthalmology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Lee E Goldstein
- Molecular Aging & Development Laboratory, Boston University Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA; Boston University Photonics Center, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA; Boston University Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, Boston University Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA.
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13
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Liu X, Guan Z, Liang S, Feng S, Zhou Y. Associations of cataract, cataract surgery with dementia risk: A systematic review and meta-analysis of 448,140 participants. Eur J Clin Invest 2024; 54:e14113. [PMID: 37874275 DOI: 10.1111/eci.14113] [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: 07/03/2023] [Revised: 10/06/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 10/25/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cataract is the leading cause of blindness around the world. Previous investigations have assessed the relationship between cataract, cataract surgery and dementia risk, but their results remain controversial. Herein, we conducted a meta-analysis to evaluate the associations between cataract, cataract surgery and the risk of dementia. METHODS We systemically screened the literature from three electronic databases PubMed, EMBASE and CENTRAL until April 2023. The data were collected by two independent researchers. The hazard ratios (HRs) or odds ratios (ORs) from eligible studies with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were adjusted into the risk ratios (RRs), which were pooled using the random-effects model. RESULTS A total of nine studies with 448,140 participants reported the associations between cataract or cataract surgery and the risk of dementia were included in this meta-analysis. The outcomes of our pooled analysis indicated that cataract was associated with an increased risk of all-cause dementia (RR = 1.24, 95% CI, 1.14-1.35, p < .00001), Alzheimer's disease (RR = 1.22, 95% CI, 1.10-1.35, p = .0002) and vascular dementia (RR = 1.29, 95% CI, 1.01-1.66, p = .04). Cataract surgery is associated with a reduction of the dementia risk (RR = 0.74, 95% CI, 0.67-0.81, p < .00001). CONCLUSIONS Current evidence from the existing studies supports that cataract is associated with an increased risk of dementia, and cataract surgery may be instrumental in reducing the risk of dementia in patients with cataract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Liu
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, China
| | - Zeyu Guan
- Faculty of Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macau SAR, China
| | - Shucheng Liang
- Faculty of Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macau SAR, China
| | - Shenghui Feng
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China
| | - Yue Zhou
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
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14
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Shen Z, Zhang S, Yu W, Yue M, Hong C. Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography: Revolutionizing Clinical Diagnostics and Treatment in Central Nervous System Disease. Aging Dis 2024:AD.2024.0112. [PMID: 38300645 DOI: 10.14336/ad.2024.0112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 02/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA), as a new generation of non-invasive and efficient fundus imaging technology, can provide non-invasive assessment of vascular lesions in the retina and choroid. In terms of anatomy and development, the retina is referred to as an extension of the central nervous system (CNS). CNS diseases are closely related to changes in fundus structure and blood vessels, and direct visualization of fundus structure and blood vessels provides an effective "window" for CNS research. This has important practical significance for identifying the characteristic changes of various CNS diseases on OCTA in the future, and plays a key role in promoting early screening, diagnosis, and monitoring of disease progression in CNS diseases. This article reviews relevant fundus studies by comparing and summarizing the unique advantages and existing limitations of OCTA in various CNS disease patients, in order to demonstrate the clinical significance of OCTA in the diagnosis and treatment of CNS diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zeqi Shen
- Postgraduate training base Alliance of Wenzhou Medical University (Affiliated People's Hospital), Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Sheng Zhang
- Center for Rehabilitation Medicine, Department of Neurology, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital), Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Weitao Yu
- The Second School of Clinical Medicine, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Mengmeng Yue
- Postgraduate training base Alliance of Wenzhou Medical University (Affiliated People's Hospital), Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Chaoyang Hong
- Center for Rehabilitation Medicine, Department of Ophthalmology, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital (Affiliated People's Hospital), Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
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15
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Wang L, Sang B, Zheng Z. The risk of dementia or cognitive impairment in patients with cataracts: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Aging Ment Health 2024; 28:11-22. [PMID: 37416949 DOI: 10.1080/13607863.2023.2226616] [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: 11/18/2022] [Accepted: 06/04/2023] [Indexed: 07/08/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to investigate whether cataract disease is associated with the risk of developing dementia or cognitive impairment. METHODS A systematic search of the literature in PubMed, the Extracts Database (Embase), the Cochrane Library and the Web of Science databases was performed from the inception data of each database until 1 September 2022. Sensitivity analyses were performed to assess the robustness and reliability of the overall findings. All extracted data were statistically analyzed using Stata software v.16.0. Publication bias was assessed using funnel plots and the Egger test. RESULTS There were 11 publications included in this study, which consisted of 489,211participants, spanning 10 countries from 2012 to 2022. Aggregation suggested that cataracts were associated with cognitive impairment (odds ratio [OR] = 1.32; 95% CI: 1.21-1.43; I 2 = 45.4.%; p = 0.000). The presence of cataracts is significantly associated with an increased risk of developing all-cause dementia (relative risk [RR] = 1.17; 95% CI: 1.08-1.26; I2 = 0.0%; p = 0.000). In subgroup analyses, having cataracts may increase the risk of Alzheimer's disease (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.28; 95% CI: 1.13-1.45; I2 = 0.0%; p = 0.000) and vascular dementia (HR = 1.35; 95% CI = 1.06-1.73; I2 = 0.0%, p = 0.015). The data from the Egger's test showed no significant evidence of publication bias. CONCLUSIONS Cataracts are associated with the risk of cognitive impairment and dementia, including Alzheimer's disease, and vascular dementia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luping Wang
- Heilongjiang University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Harbin, China
| | - Bowen Sang
- Heilongjiang University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Harbin, China
| | - Zuyan Zheng
- Department of Acupuncture, The First Affiliated Hospital of Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Harbin, China
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16
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Patel H, Wisely CE, Robbins CB, Parker D, Challa P, Grewal DS, Fekrat S. Aqueous and Plasma Levels of Phosphorylated Tau 181 in Individuals with Normal Cognition. J Alzheimers Dis 2024; 100:239-245. [PMID: 38848189 DOI: 10.3233/jad-240279] [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] [Indexed: 06/09/2024]
Abstract
Background Plasma and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) levels of p-tau181 have been associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD). The retina and vitreous have shown measurable quantities of phosphorylated tau 181 (p-tau181). The aqueous humor, which can be collected during cataract surgery, may have measurable concentrations of p-tau181. Objective To determine whether p-tau181 is detectable in the aqueous humor and if so, whether it is associated with other measures that might be consistent with AD such as higher plasma p-tau181 concentration and lower Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA-BLIND version 7.1) score. Methods Aqueous humor samples, blood samples, and MoCA-BLIND scores were collected from patients who did not carry a clinical diagnosis of cognitive impairment at the time of cataract surgery. Aqueous p-tau181 concentrations and plasma p-tau181 concentrations were then measured using ultra-sensitive single-molecule assay ELISA technology. A rank-transformed mixed-effects multivariate regression model was used to determine associations between aqueous concentrations, plasma concentrations, and MoCA-BLIND scores. Results 16 eyes of 16 participants were enrolled with an average age of 71.6. Average MoCA-BLIND score was 20.6/22, average aqueous p-tau181 concentration was 6.4 pg/mL, and average plasma p-tau181 concentration was 3.1 pg/mL. Higher plasma p-tau181 was significantly associated with higher aqueous p-tau181 (p = 0.02). Aqueous p-tau181 and plasma p-tau181 were negatively associated with MoCA-BLIND scores (p = 0.005 and p = 0.001 respectively) in these patients. Conclusions Aqueous p-tau181 is positively correlated with plasma p-tau181 and is negatively correlated with MoCA-BLIND scores. Further study in individuals with mild cognitive impairment or AD characterized by cerebrospinal fluid and volumetric MRI metrics may yield further insights.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hemal Patel
- iMIND Study Group, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| | - C Ellis Wisely
- iMIND Study Group, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Cason B Robbins
- iMIND Study Group, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Daniel Parker
- Department of Neurology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Pratap Challa
- Department of Ophthalmology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Dilraj S Grewal
- iMIND Study Group, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Sharon Fekrat
- iMIND Study Group, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
- Department of Neurology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
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17
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García-Bermúdez MY, Vohra R, Freude K, van Wijngaarden P, Martin K, Thomsen MS, Aldana BI, Kolko M. Potential Retinal Biomarkers in Alzheimer's Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:15834. [PMID: 37958816 PMCID: PMC10649108 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242115834] [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: 09/01/2023] [Revised: 10/18/2023] [Accepted: 10/25/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) represents a major diagnostic challenge, as early detection is crucial for effective intervention. This review examines the diagnostic challenges facing current AD evaluations and explores the emerging field of retinal alterations as early indicators. Recognizing the potential of the retina as a noninvasive window to the brain, we emphasize the importance of identifying retinal biomarkers in the early stages of AD. However, the examination of AD is not without its challenges, as the similarities shared with other retinal diseases introduce complexity in the search for AD-specific markers. In this review, we address the relevance of using the retina for the early diagnosis of AD and the complex challenges associated with the search for AD-specific retinal biomarkers. We provide a comprehensive overview of the current landscape and highlight avenues for progress in AD diagnosis by retinal examination.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Rupali Vohra
- Eye Translational Research Unit, Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, University of Copenhagen, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Ophthalmology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, 2600 Glostrup, Denmark
| | - Kristine Freude
- Group of Stem Cell Models and Embryology, Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 1870 Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | - Peter van Wijngaarden
- Center for Eye Research Australia, Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, East Melbourne, VIC 3002, Australia
- Ophthalmology, Department of Surgery, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Keith Martin
- Center for Eye Research Australia, Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, East Melbourne, VIC 3002, Australia
- Ophthalmology, Department of Surgery, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, UK
| | - Maj Schneider Thomsen
- Neurobiology Research and Drug Delivery, Department of Health, Science and Technology, Aalborg University, 9220 Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Blanca Irene Aldana
- Neurometabolism Research Group, Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, University of Copenhagen, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Miriam Kolko
- Eye Translational Research Unit, Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, University of Copenhagen, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Ophthalmology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, 2600 Glostrup, Denmark
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18
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Maran JJ, Adesina MM, Green CR, Kwakowsky A, Mugisho OO. The central role of the NLRP3 inflammasome pathway in the pathogenesis of age-related diseases in the eye and the brain. Ageing Res Rev 2023; 88:101954. [PMID: 37187367 DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2023.101954] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2023] [Revised: 05/08/2023] [Accepted: 05/12/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
With increasing age, structural changes occur in the eye and brain. Neuronal death, inflammation, vascular disruption, and microglial activation are among many of the pathological changes that can occur during ageing. Furthermore, ageing individuals are at increased risk of developing neurodegenerative diseases in these organs, including Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), glaucoma and age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Although these diseases pose a significant global public health burden, current treatment options focus on slowing disease progression and symptomatic control rather than targeting underlying causes. Interestingly, recent investigations have proposed an analogous aetiology between age-related diseases in the eye and brain, where a process of chronic low-grade inflammation is implicated. Studies have suggested that patients with AD or PD are also associated with an increased risk of AMD, glaucoma, and cataracts. Moreover, pathognomonic amyloid-β and α-synuclein aggregates, which accumulate in AD and PD, respectively, can be found in ocular parenchyma. In terms of a common molecular pathway that underpins these diseases, the nucleotide-binding domain, leucine-rich-containing family, and pyrin domain-containing-3 (NLRP3) inflammasome is thought to play a vital role in the manifestation of all these diseases. This review summarises the current evidence regarding cellular and molecular changes in the brain and eye with age, similarities between ocular and cerebral age-related diseases, and the role of the NLRP3 inflammasome as a critical mediator of disease propagation in the eye and the brain during ageing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jack J Maran
- Buchanan Ocular Therapeutics Unit, Department of Ophthalmology and the New Zealand National Eye Centre, University of Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Moradeke M Adesina
- Buchanan Ocular Therapeutics Unit, Department of Ophthalmology and the New Zealand National Eye Centre, University of Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Colin R Green
- Department of Ophthalmology and the New Zealand National Eye Centre, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Andrea Kwakowsky
- Pharmacology and Therapeutics, School of Medicine, Galway Neuroscience Centre, University of Galway, Galway, Ireland
| | - Odunayo O Mugisho
- Buchanan Ocular Therapeutics Unit, Department of Ophthalmology and the New Zealand National Eye Centre, University of Auckland, New Zealand.
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19
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Hussain A, Sheikh Z, Subramanian M. The Eye as a Diagnostic Tool for Alzheimer’s Disease. Life (Basel) 2023; 13:life13030726. [PMID: 36983883 PMCID: PMC10052959 DOI: 10.3390/life13030726] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2023] [Revised: 02/23/2023] [Accepted: 03/04/2023] [Indexed: 03/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder impacting cognition, function, and behavior in the elderly population. While there are currently no disease-modifying agents capable of curing AD, early diagnosis and management in the preclinical stage can significantly improve patient morbidity and life expectancy. Currently, the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease is a clinical one, often supplemented by invasive and expensive biomarker testing. Over the last decade, significant advancements have been made in our understanding of AD and the role of ocular tissue as a potential biomarker. Ocular biomarkers hold the potential to provide noninvasive and easily accessible diagnostic and monitoring capabilities. This review summarizes current research for detecting biomarkers of Alzheimer’s disease in ocular tissue.
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20
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Hussein M, Ibrahim S, Taha A, Magdy R. The impact of error of refraction and retinal nerve fiber layer thickness on cognitive functions in adults with bilateral myopia. Int J Neurosci 2023; 133:290-295. [PMID: 33781167 DOI: 10.1080/00207454.2021.1910260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Myopia is considered one of the main causes of visual impairment with increased prevalence. The main objective of this study was to evaluate and characterize cognitive impairment in adult patients with bilateral myopia, in relation to retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness. METHODS Forty patients with bilateral myopia aged 18-40 years, and 40 age- and gender-matched healthy controls were included in the study. For all subjects, cognitive functions were assessed by Paced Auditory Serial Addition Test (PASAT) and Paired Associate Learning test (PALT). Optical coherence tomography (OCT) was done for all included patients and controls. RESULTS Among the myopic group, 15 patients had mild myopia, 8 patients had moderate myopia and 17 patients had high myopia. There were significant differences between patients and control groups in terms of cognitive performance and RNFL thickness. There was a significant correlation between the scores of cognitive tests and error of refraction and RNFL thickness. CONCLUSION Adults with bilateral myopia have cognitive impairment, regarding information processing speed and episodic memory. Cognitive impairment is associated with retinal thinning and a higher degree of myopia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mona Hussein
- Department of Neurology, Beni-Suef University, Beni-Suef, Egypt
| | - Sahar Ibrahim
- Department of Ophthalmology, Beni-Suef University, Beni-Suef, Egypt
| | - Ahmed Taha
- Department of Ophthalmology, Beni-Suef University, Beni-Suef, Egypt
| | - Rehab Magdy
- Department of Neurology, Kasr Al-Ainy Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
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21
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Latina V, De Introna M, Caligiuri C, Loviglio A, Florio R, La Regina F, Pignataro A, Ammassari-Teule M, Calissano P, Amadoro G. Immunotherapy with Cleavage-Specific 12A12mAb Reduces the Tau Cleavage in Visual Cortex and Improves Visuo-Spatial Recognition Memory in Tg2576 AD Mouse Model. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:pharmaceutics15020509. [PMID: 36839831 PMCID: PMC9965010 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15020509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2022] [Revised: 01/25/2023] [Accepted: 01/31/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Tau-targeted immunotherapy is a promising approach for treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Beyond cognitive decline, AD features visual deficits consistent with the manifestation of Amyloid β-protein (Aβ) plaques and neurofibrillary tangles (NFT) in the eyes and higher visual centers, both in animal models and affected subjects. We reported that 12A12-a monoclonal cleavage-specific antibody (mAb) which in vivo neutralizes the neurotoxic, N-terminal 20-22 kDa tau fragment(s)-significantly reduces the retinal accumulation in Tg(HuAPP695Swe)2576 mice of both tau and APP/Aβ pathologies correlated with local inflammation and synaptic deterioration. Here, we report the occurrence of N-terminal tau cleavage in the primary visual cortex (V1 area) and the beneficial effect of 12A12mAb treatment on phenotype-associated visuo-spatial deficits in this AD animal model. We found out that non-invasive administration of 12 A12mAb markedly reduced the pathological accumulation of both truncated tau and Aβ in the V1 area, correlated to significant improvement in visual recognition memory performance along with local increase in two direct readouts of cortical synaptic plasticity, including the dendritic spine density and the expression level of activity-regulated cytoskeleton protein Arc/Arg3.1. Translation of these findings to clinical therapeutic interventions could offer an innovative tau-directed opportunity to delay or halt the visual impairments occurring during AD progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Latina
- European Brain Research Institute (EBRI), Viale Regina Elena 295, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Margherita De Introna
- Institute of Translational Pharmacology (IFT), National Research Council (CNR), Via Fosso del Cavaliere 100, 00133 Rome, Italy
- IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation (FSL), Centro di Ricerca Europeo sul Cervello (CERC), Via Fosso del Fiorano 64-65, 00143 Rome, Italy
| | - Chiara Caligiuri
- IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation (FSL), Centro di Ricerca Europeo sul Cervello (CERC), Via Fosso del Fiorano 64-65, 00143 Rome, Italy
| | - Alessia Loviglio
- European Brain Research Institute (EBRI), Viale Regina Elena 295, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Rita Florio
- European Brain Research Institute (EBRI), Viale Regina Elena 295, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Federico La Regina
- European Brain Research Institute (EBRI), Viale Regina Elena 295, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Annabella Pignataro
- Institute of Translational Pharmacology (IFT), National Research Council (CNR), Via Fosso del Cavaliere 100, 00133 Rome, Italy
- IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation (FSL), Centro di Ricerca Europeo sul Cervello (CERC), Via Fosso del Fiorano 64-65, 00143 Rome, Italy
| | - Martine Ammassari-Teule
- IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation (FSL), Centro di Ricerca Europeo sul Cervello (CERC), Via Fosso del Fiorano 64-65, 00143 Rome, Italy
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology (IBBC), National Research Council (CNR), Via Ercole Ramarini 32, 00015 Rome, Italy
| | - Pietro Calissano
- European Brain Research Institute (EBRI), Viale Regina Elena 295, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Giuseppina Amadoro
- European Brain Research Institute (EBRI), Viale Regina Elena 295, 00161 Rome, Italy
- Institute of Translational Pharmacology (IFT), National Research Council (CNR), Via Fosso del Cavaliere 100, 00133 Rome, Italy
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-06-49255252
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22
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Lazaldin MAM, Iezhitsa I, Agarwal R, Agarwal P, Ismail NM. Neuroprotective effects of exogenous brain-derived neurotrophic factor on amyloid-beta 1-40-induced retinal degeneration. Neural Regen Res 2023; 18:382-388. [PMID: 35900434 PMCID: PMC9396500 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.346546] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2021] [Revised: 12/28/2021] [Accepted: 04/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyloid-beta (Aβ)-related alterations, similar to those found in the brains of patients with Alzheimer's disease, have been observed in the retina of patients with glaucoma. Decreased levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) are believed to be associated with the neurotoxic effects of Aβ peptide. To investigate the mechanism underlying the neuroprotective effects of BDNF on Aβ1-40-induced retinal injury in Sprague-Dawley rats, we treated rats by intravitreal administration of phosphate-buffered saline (control), Aβ1-40 (5 nM), or Aβ1-40 (5 nM) combined with BDNF (1 µg/mL). We found that intravitreal administration of Aβ1-40 induced retinal ganglion cell apoptosis. Fluoro-Gold staining showed a significantly lower number of retinal ganglion cells in the Aβ1-40 group than in the control and BDNF groups. In the Aβ1-40 group, low number of RGCs was associated with increased caspase-3 expression and reduced TrkB and ERK1/2 expression. BDNF abolished Aβ1-40-induced increase in the expression of caspase-3 at the gene and protein levels in the retina and upregulated TrkB and ERK1/2 expression. These findings suggest that treatment with BDNF prevents RGC apoptosis induced by Aβ1-40 by activating the BDNF-TrkB signaling pathway in rats.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Igor Iezhitsa
- School of Medicine, International Medical University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- Department of Pharmacology and Bioinformatics, Volgograd State Medical University, Volgograd, Russia
| | - Renu Agarwal
- School of Medicine, International Medical University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Puneet Agarwal
- School of Medicine, International Medical University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Nafeeza Mohd Ismail
- Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Sungai Buloh Campus, Selangor, Malaysia
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23
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Cheong DY, Roh S, Park I, Lin Y, Lee YH, Lee T, Lee SW, Lee D, Jung HG, Kim H, Lee W, Yoon DS, Hong Y, Lee G. Proteolysis-driven proliferation and rigidification of pepsin-resistant amyloid fibrils. Int J Biol Macromol 2023; 227:601-607. [PMID: 36543295 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2022.12.104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2022] [Revised: 11/20/2022] [Accepted: 12/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Proteolysis of amyloids is related to prevention and treatment of amyloidosis. What if the conditions for proteolysis were the same to those for amyloid formation? For example, pepsin, a gastric protease is activated in an acidic environment, which, interestingly, is also a condition that induces the amyloid formation. Here, we investigate the competition reactions between proteolysis and synthesis of amyloid under pepsin-activated conditions. The changes in the quantities and nanomechanical properties of amyloids after pepsin treatment were examined by fluorescence assay, circular dichroism and atomic force microscopy. We found that, in the case of pepsin-resistant amyloid, a secondary reaction can be accelerated, thereby proliferating amyloids. Moreover, after this reaction, the amyloid became 32.4 % thicker and 24.2 % stiffer than the original one. Our results suggest a new insight into the proteolysis-driven proliferation and rigidification of pepsin-resistant amyloids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Da Yeon Cheong
- Department of Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Korea University, Sejong 30019, South Korea; Interdisciplinary Graduate Program for Artificial Intelligence Smart Convergence Technology, Korea University, Sejong 30019, South Korea
| | - Seokbeom Roh
- Department of Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Korea University, Sejong 30019, South Korea; Interdisciplinary Graduate Program for Artificial Intelligence Smart Convergence Technology, Korea University, Sejong 30019, South Korea
| | - Insu Park
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Konyang University, Daejeon 35365, South Korea
| | - Yuxi Lin
- Research Center for Bioconvergence Analysis, Korea Basic Science Institute, Ochang, Chungbuk 28119, South Korea
| | - Young-Ho Lee
- Research Center for Bioconvergence Analysis, Korea Basic Science Institute, Ochang, Chungbuk 28119, South Korea; Bio-Analytical Science, University of Science and Technology, Daejeon 34113, South Korea; Graduate School of Analytical Science and Technology, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, South Korea; Research Headquarters, Korea Brain Research Institute, Daegu 41068, South Korea
| | - Taeha Lee
- Department of Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Korea University, Sejong 30019, South Korea; Interdisciplinary Graduate Program for Artificial Intelligence Smart Convergence Technology, Korea University, Sejong 30019, South Korea
| | - Sang Won Lee
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Korea University, Seoul 02841, South Korea
| | - Dongtak Lee
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Korea University, Seoul 02841, South Korea
| | - Hyo Gi Jung
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Korea University, Seoul 02841, South Korea; Interdisciplinary Program in Precision Public Health, Korea University, Seoul 02841, South Korea
| | - Hyunji Kim
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Korea University, Seoul 02841, South Korea; Interdisciplinary Program in Precision Public Health, Korea University, Seoul 02841, South Korea
| | - Wonseok Lee
- Department of Electrical Engineering, Korea National University of Transportation, Chungju 27469, South Korea
| | - Dae Sung Yoon
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Korea University, Seoul 02841, South Korea; Interdisciplinary Program in Precision Public Health, Korea University, Seoul 02841, South Korea; ASTRION Inc., Seoul 02841, South Korea.
| | - Yoochan Hong
- Department of Medical Devices, Korea Institute of Machinery and Materials (KIMM), Daegu 42994, South Korea.
| | - Gyudo Lee
- Department of Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Korea University, Sejong 30019, South Korea; Interdisciplinary Graduate Program for Artificial Intelligence Smart Convergence Technology, Korea University, Sejong 30019, South Korea.
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Ranaei Pirmardan E, Zhang Y, Barakat A, Naseri M, Russmann C, Hafezi-Moghadam A. Pre-hyperglycemia immune cell trafficking underlies subclinical diabetic cataractogenesis. J Biomed Sci 2023; 30:6. [PMID: 36694206 PMCID: PMC9872438 DOI: 10.1186/s12929-023-00895-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2022] [Accepted: 01/02/2023] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND This work elucidates the first cellular and molecular causes of cataractogenesis. Current paradigm presupposes elevated blood glucose as a prerequisite in diabetic cataractogenesis. Novel evidence in our model of diabetic cataract challenges this notion and introduces immune cell migration to the lens and epithelial-mesenchymal transformation (EMT) of lens epithelial cells (LECs) as underlying causes. METHODS Paucity of suitable animal models has hampered mechanistic studies of diabetic cataract, as most studies were traditionally carried out in acutely induced hyperglycemic animals. We introduced diabetic cataract in the Nile grass rat (NGR) that spontaneously develops type 2 diabetes (T2D) and showed its closeness to the human condition. Specialized stereo microscopy with dual bright-field illumination revealed novel hyperreflective dot-like microlesions in the inner cortical regions of the lens. To study immune cell migration to the lens, we developed a unique in situ microscopy technique of the inner eye globe in combination with immunohistochemistry. RESULTS Contrary to the existing paradigm, in about half of the animals, the newly introduced hyper reflective dot-like microlesions preceded hyperglycemia. Even though the animals were normoglycemic, we found significant changes in their oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), indicative of the prediabetic stage. The microlesions were accompanied with significant immune cell migration from the ciliary bodies to the lens, as revealed in our novel in situ microscopy technique. Immune cells adhered to the lens surface, some traversed the lens capsule, and colocalized with apoptotic nuclei of the lens epithelial cells (LECs). Extracellular degradations, amorphous material accumulations, and changes in E-cadherin expressions showed epithelial-mesenchymal transformation (EMT) in LECs. Subsequently, lens fiber disintegration and cataract progression extended into cortical, posterior, and anterior subcapsular cataracts. CONCLUSIONS Our results establish a novel role for immune cells in LEC transformation and death. The fact that cataract formation precedes hyperglycemia challenges the prevailing paradigm that glucose initiates or is necessary for initiation of the pathogenesis. Novel evidence shows that molecular and cellular complications of diabetes start during the prediabetic state. These results have foreseeable ramifications for early diagnosis, prevention and development of new treatment strategies in patients with diabetes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ehsan Ranaei Pirmardan
- grid.38142.3c000000041936754XMolecular Biomarkers Nano-Imaging Laboratory (MBNI), Brigham and Women’s Hospital, and Department of Radiology, Harvard Medical School, 75 Francis St., Thorn Research Building, Boston, MA 02115 USA
| | - Yuanlin Zhang
- grid.38142.3c000000041936754XMolecular Biomarkers Nano-Imaging Laboratory (MBNI), Brigham and Women’s Hospital, and Department of Radiology, Harvard Medical School, 75 Francis St., Thorn Research Building, Boston, MA 02115 USA
| | - Aliaa Barakat
- grid.38142.3c000000041936754XMolecular Biomarkers Nano-Imaging Laboratory (MBNI), Brigham and Women’s Hospital, and Department of Radiology, Harvard Medical School, 75 Francis St., Thorn Research Building, Boston, MA 02115 USA
| | - Marzieh Naseri
- grid.38142.3c000000041936754XMolecular Biomarkers Nano-Imaging Laboratory (MBNI), Brigham and Women’s Hospital, and Department of Radiology, Harvard Medical School, 75 Francis St., Thorn Research Building, Boston, MA 02115 USA ,grid.67033.310000 0000 8934 4045Department of Developmental, Molecular and Chemical Biology, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA USA
| | - Christoph Russmann
- grid.38142.3c000000041936754XMolecular Biomarkers Nano-Imaging Laboratory (MBNI), Brigham and Women’s Hospital, and Department of Radiology, Harvard Medical School, 75 Francis St., Thorn Research Building, Boston, MA 02115 USA ,Health Campus Göttingen/University of Applied Sciences and Arts (HAWK), Anna-Strasse 25, 37075 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Ali Hafezi-Moghadam
- grid.38142.3c000000041936754XMolecular Biomarkers Nano-Imaging Laboratory (MBNI), Brigham and Women’s Hospital, and Department of Radiology, Harvard Medical School, 75 Francis St., Thorn Research Building, Boston, MA 02115 USA
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25
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Agadagba SK, Lim LW, Chan LLH. Advances in transcorneal electrical stimulation: From the eye to the brain. Front Cell Neurosci 2023; 17:1134857. [PMID: 36937185 PMCID: PMC10019785 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2023.1134857] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2022] [Accepted: 02/07/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The mammalian brain is reported to contain about 106-109 neurons linked together to form complex networks. Physiologically, the neuronal networks interact in a rhythmic oscillatory pattern to coordinate the brain's functions. Neuromodulation covers a broad range of techniques that can alter neuronal network activity through the targeted delivery of electrical or chemical stimuli. Neuromodulation can be used to potentially treat medical conditions and can serve as a research tool for studying neural functions. Typically, the main method of neuromodulation is to electrically stimulate specific structures in both the central and peripheral nervous systems via surgically implanted electrodes. Therefore, it is imperative to explore novel and safer methods for altering neuronal network activity. Transcorneal electrical stimulation (TES) has rapidly emerged as a non-invasive neuromodulatory technique that can exert beneficial effects on the brain through the eyes. There is substantial evidence to show that TES can change the brain oscillations in rodents. Moreover, the molecular data clearly shows that TES can also activate non-visual brain regions. In this review, we first summarize the use of TES in the retina and then discuss its effects in the brain through the eye-brain connection. We then comprehensively review the substantial evidence from electrophysiological, behavioral, and molecular studies on the role of TES on modulating neurons in the brain. Lastly, we discuss the implications and possible future directions of the research on TES as a non-invasive tool for neuromodulation of the brain via directly stimulating the mammalian eye.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Lee Wei Lim
- Neuromodulation Laboratory, School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Leanne Lai Hang Chan
- Department of Electrical Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong SAR, China
- *Correspondence: Leanne Lai Hang Chan
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Papageorgiou E, Tsirelis D, Lazari K, Siokas V, Dardiotis E, Tsironi EE. Visual disorders and driving ability in persons with dementia: A mini review. Front Hum Neurosci 2022; 16:932820. [DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2022.932820] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2022] [Accepted: 11/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
BackgroundImpaired driving ability in patients with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is associated with a decline in cognitive processes and a deterioration of their basic sensory visual functions. Although a variety of ocular abnormalities have been described in patients with AD, little is known about the impact of those visual disorders on their driving performance.AimAim of this mini-review is to provide an update on the driving ability of patients with dementia and summarize the primary visual disorders affecting their driving behavior.MethodsDatabases were screened for studies investigating dementia, associated visual abnormalities and driving ability.ResultsThere is consistent evidence that dementia affects driving ability. Patients with dementia present with a variety of visual disorders, such as visual acuity reduction, visual field defects, impaired contrast sensitivity, decline in color vision and age-related pathological changes, that may have a negative impact on their driving ability. However, there is a paucity in studies describing the impact of oculovisual decline on the driving ability of AD subjects. A bidirectional association between cognitive and visual impairment (VI) has been described.ConclusionGiven the bidirectional association between VI and dementia, vision screening and cognitive assessment of the older driver should aim to identify at-risk individuals and employ timely strategies for treatment of both cognitive and ocular problems. Future studies should characterize the basic visual sensory status of AD patients participating in driving studies, and investigate the impact of vision abnormalities on their driving performance.
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Park Y, Lee K, Park J, Bae JB, Kim SS, Kim DW, Woo SJ, Yoo S, Kim KW. Optimal flickering light stimulation for entraining gamma rhythms in older adults. Sci Rep 2022; 12:15550. [PMID: 36114215 PMCID: PMC9481621 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-19464-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2021] [Accepted: 08/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
With aging, optimal parameters of flickering light stimulation (FLS) for gamma entrainment may change in the eyes and brain. We investigated the optimal FLS parameters for gamma entrainment in 35 cognitively normal old adults by comparing event-related synchronization (ERS) and spectral Granger causality (sGC) of entrained gamma rhythms between different luminance intensities, colors, and flickering frequencies of FLSs. ERS entrained by 700 cd/m2 FLS and 32 Hz or 34 Hz FLSs was stronger than that entrained by 400 cd/m2 at Pz (p < 0.01) and 38 Hz or 40 Hz FLSs, respectively, at both Pz (p < 0.05) and Fz (p < 0.01). Parieto-occipital-to-frontotemporal connectivities of gamma rhythm entrained by 700 cd/m2 FLS and 32 Hz or 34 Hz FLSs were also stronger than those entrained by 400 cd/m2 at Pz (p < 0.01) and 38 Hz or 40 Hz FLSs, respectively (p < 0.001). ERS and parieto-occipital-to-frontotemporal connectivities of entrained gamma rhythms did not show significant difference between white and red lights. Adverse effects were comparable between different parameters. In older adults, 700 cd/m2 FLS at 32 Hz or 34 Hz can entrain a strong gamma rhythm in the whole brain with tolerable adverse effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yeseung Park
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, Republic of Korea.,Department of Brain and Cognitive Science, Seoul National University College of Natural Sciences, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Kanghee Lee
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, Republic of Korea
| | - Jaehyeok Park
- School of Electrical Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Jong Bin Bae
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, Republic of Korea.,Department of Psychiatry, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Sang-Su Kim
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Chonnam National University, Yeosu, Republic of Korea
| | - Do-Won Kim
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Chonnam National University, Yeosu, Republic of Korea
| | - Se Joon Woo
- Department of Ophthalmology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.,Department of Ophthalmology, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, Republic of Korea
| | - Seunghyup Yoo
- School of Electrical Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Ki Woong Kim
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, Republic of Korea. .,Department of Brain and Cognitive Science, Seoul National University College of Natural Sciences, Seoul, Republic of Korea. .,Department of Psychiatry, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
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Moncaster JA, Moir RD, Burton MA, Chadwick O, Minaeva O, Alvarez VE, Ericsson M, Clark JI, McKee AC, Tanzi RE, Goldstein LE. Alzheimer's disease amyloid-β pathology in the lens of the eye. Exp Eye Res 2022; 221:108974. [PMID: 35202705 PMCID: PMC9873124 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2022.108974] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2021] [Revised: 01/31/2022] [Accepted: 02/02/2022] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Neuropathological hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease (AD) include pathogenic accumulation of amyloid-β (Aβ) peptides and age-dependent formation of amyloid plaques in the brain. AD-associated Aβ neuropathology begins decades before onset of cognitive symptoms and slowly progresses over the course of the disease. We previously reported discovery of Aβ deposition, β-amyloidopathy, and co-localizing supranuclear cataracts (SNC) in lenses from people with AD, but not other neurodegenerative disorders or normal aging. We confirmed AD-associated Aβ molecular pathology in the lens by immunohistopathology, amyloid histochemistry, immunoblot analysis, epitope mapping, immunogold electron microscopy, quantitative immunoassays, and tryptic digest mass spectrometry peptide sequencing. Ultrastructural analysis revealed that AD-associated Aβ deposits in AD lenses localize as electron-dense microaggregates in the cytoplasm of supranuclear (deep cortex) fiber cells. These Aβ microaggregates also contain αB-crystallin and scatter light, thus linking Aβ pathology and SNC phenotype expression in the lenses of people with AD. Subsequent research identified Aβ lens pathology as the molecular origin of the distinctive cataracts associated with Down syndrome (DS, trisomy 21), a chromosomal disorder invariantly associated with early-onset Aβ accumulation and Aβ amyloidopathy in the brain. Investigation of 1249 participants in the Framingham Eye Study found that AD-associated quantitative traits in brain and lens are co-heritable. Moreover, AD-associated lens traits preceded MRI brain traits and cognitive deficits by a decade or more and predicted future AD. A genome-wide association study of bivariate outcomes in the same subjects identified a new AD risk factor locus in the CTNND2 gene encoding δ-catenin, a protein that modulates Aβ production in brain and lens. Here we report identification of AD-related human Aβ (hAβ) lens pathology and age-dependent SNC phenotype expression in the Tg2576 transgenic mouse model of AD. Tg2576 mice express Swedish mutant human amyloid precursor protein (APP-Swe), accumulate hAβ peptides and amyloid pathology in the brain, and exhibit cognitive deficits that slowly progress with increasing age. We found that Tg2576 trangenic (Tg+) mice, but not non-transgenic (Tg-) control mice, also express human APP, accumulate hAβ peptides, and develop hAβ molecular and ultrastructural pathologies in the lens. Tg2576 Tg+ mice exhibit age-dependent Aβ supranuclear lens opacification that recapitulates lens pathology and SNC phenotype expression in human AD. In addition, we detected hAβ in conditioned medium from lens explant cultures prepared from Tg+ mice, but not Tg- control mice, a finding consistent with constitutive hAβ generation in the lens. In vitro studies showed that hAβ promoted mouse lens protein aggregation detected by quasi-elastic light scattering (QLS) spectroscopy. These results support mechanistic (genotype-phenotype) linkage between Aβ pathology and AD-related phenotypes in lens and brain. Collectively, our findings identify Aβ pathology as the shared molecular etiology of two age-dependent AD-related cataracts associated with two human diseases (AD, DS) and homologous murine cataracts in the Tg2576 transgenic mouse model of AD. These results represent the first evidence of AD-related Aβ pathology outside the brain and point to lens Aβ as an optically-accessible AD biomarker for early detection and longitudinal monitoring of this devastating neurodegenerative disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juliet A. Moncaster
- Molecular Aging and Development Laboratory, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, 02118, USA,Boston University Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, Boston University School of Medicine, 72 East Concord Street, B-7800 Boston, MA, 02118, USA
| | - Robert D. Moir
- Genetics and Aging Research Unit, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, 02129, USA
| | - Mark A. Burton
- Molecular Aging and Development Laboratory, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, 02118, USA
| | - Oliver Chadwick
- Genetics and Aging Research Unit, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, 02129, USA
| | - Olga Minaeva
- Molecular Aging and Development Laboratory, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, 02118, USA,Boston University Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, Boston University School of Medicine, 72 East Concord Street, B-7800 Boston, MA, 02118, USA
| | - Victor E. Alvarez
- Boston University Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, Boston University School of Medicine, 72 East Concord Street, B-7800 Boston, MA, 02118, USA,Edith Nourse Rogers Memorial Veterans’ Hospital, Bedford, MA, 01730, USA
| | - Maria Ericsson
- Electron Microscopy Facility, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - John I. Clark
- Departments of Biological Structure and Ophthalmology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Ann C. McKee
- Boston University Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, Boston University School of Medicine, 72 East Concord Street, B-7800 Boston, MA, 02118, USA,Edith Nourse Rogers Memorial Veterans’ Hospital, Bedford, MA, 01730, USA
| | - Rudolph E. Tanzi
- Genetics and Aging Research Unit, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, 02129, USA
| | - Lee E. Goldstein
- Molecular Aging and Development Laboratory, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, 02118, USA,Boston University Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, Boston University School of Medicine, 72 East Concord Street, B-7800 Boston, MA, 02118, USA,Corresponding author. Molecular Aging & Development Laboratory, Boston University, School of Medicine, 670 Albany Street, Boston, MA, 02118, USA. (L.E. Goldstein)
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Faldu KG, Shah JS. Alzheimer's disease: a scoping review of biomarker research and development for effective disease diagnosis. Expert Rev Mol Diagn 2022; 22:681-703. [PMID: 35855631 DOI: 10.1080/14737159.2022.2104639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Alzheimer's disease (AD) is regarded as the foremost reason for neurodegeneration that prominently affects the geriatric population. Characterized by extracellular accumulation of amyloid-beta (Aβ), intracellular aggregation of hyperphosphorylated tau (p-tau), and neuronal degeneration that causes impairment of memory and cognition. Amyloid/tau/neurodegeneration (ATN) classification is utilized for research purposes and involves amyloid, tau, and neuronal injury staging through MRI, PET scanning, and CSF protein concentration estimations. CSF sampling is invasive, and MRI and PET scanning requires sophisticated radiological facilities which limit its widespread diagnostic use. ATN classification lacks effectiveness in preclinical AD. AREAS COVERED This publication intends to collate and review the existing biomarker profile and the current research and development of a new arsenal of biomarkers for AD pathology from different biological samples, microRNA (miRNA), proteomics, metabolomics, artificial intelligence, and machine learning for AD screening, diagnosis, prognosis, and monitoring of AD treatments. EXPERT OPINION It is an accepted observation that AD-related pathological changes occur over a long period of time before the first symptoms are observed providing ample opportunity for detection of biological alterations in various biological samples that can aid in early diagnosis and modify treatment outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khushboo Govind Faldu
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Pharmacy, Nirma University, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India
| | - Jigna Samir Shah
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Pharmacy, Nirma University, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India
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Amyloid Formation in Nanoliter Droplets. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23105480. [PMID: 35628295 PMCID: PMC9143811 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23105480] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2022] [Revised: 05/11/2022] [Accepted: 05/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Processes that monitor the nucleation of amyloids and characterize the formation of amyloid fibrils are vital to medicine and pharmacology. In this study, we observe the nucleation and formation of lysozyme amyloid fibrils using a facile microfluidic system to generate nanoliter droplets that can control the flow rate and movement of monomer-in-oil emulsion droplets in a T-junction microchannel. Using a fluorescence assay, we monitor the nucleation and growth process of amyloids based on the volume of droplets. Using the microfluidic system, we demonstrate that the lag phase, which is vital to amyloid nucleation and growth, is reduced at a lower droplet volume. Furthermore, we report a peculiar phenomenon of high amyloid formation at the edge of a bullet-shaped droplet, which is likely due to the high local monomer concentration. Moreover, we discovered that amyloid fibrils synthesized in the nanoliter droplets are shorter and thicker than fibrils synthesized from a bulk solution via the conventional heating method. Herein, a facile procedure to observe and characterize the nucleation and growth of amyloid fibrils using nanoliter droplets is presented, which is beneficial for investigating new features of amyloid fibril formation as an unconventional synthetic method for amyloid fibrils.
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Ring J, Tadic J, Ristic S, Poglitsch M, Bergmann M, Radic N, Mossmann D, Liang Y, Maglione M, Jerkovic A, Hajiraissi R, Hanke M, Küttner V, Wolinski H, Zimmermann A, Domuz Trifunović L, Mikolasch L, Moretti DN, Broeskamp F, Westermayer J, Abraham C, Schauer S, Dammbrueck C, Hofer SJ, Abdellatif M, Grundmeier G, Kroemer G, Braun RJ, Hansen N, Sommer C, Ninkovic M, Seba S, Rockenfeller P, Vögtle F, Dengjel J, Meisinger C, Keller A, Sigrist SJ, Eisenberg T, Madeo F. The HSP40 chaperone Ydj1 drives amyloid beta 42 toxicity. EMBO Mol Med 2022; 14:e13952. [PMID: 35373908 PMCID: PMC9081910 DOI: 10.15252/emmm.202113952] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2021] [Revised: 02/12/2022] [Accepted: 02/15/2022] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Amyloid beta 42 (Abeta42) is the principal trigger of neurodegeneration during Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, the etiology of its noxious cellular effects remains elusive. In a combinatory genetic and proteomic approach using a yeast model to study aspects of intracellular Abeta42 toxicity, we here identify the HSP40 family member Ydj1, the yeast orthologue of human DnaJA1, as a crucial factor in Abeta42-mediated cell death. We demonstrate that Ydj1/DnaJA1 physically interacts with Abeta42 (in yeast and mouse), stabilizes Abeta42 oligomers, and mediates their translocation to mitochondria. Consequently, deletion of YDJ1 strongly reduces co-purification of Abeta42 with mitochondria and prevents Abeta42-induced mitochondria-dependent cell death. Consistently, purified DnaJ chaperone delays Abeta42 fibrillization in vitro, and heterologous expression of human DnaJA1 induces formation of Abeta42 oligomers and their deleterious translocation to mitochondria in vivo. Finally, downregulation of the Ydj1 fly homologue, Droj2, improves stress resistance, mitochondrial morphology, and memory performance in a Drosophila melanogaster AD model. These data reveal an unexpected and detrimental role for specific HSP40s in promoting hallmarks of Abeta42 toxicity.
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Pomilio AB, Vitale AA, Lazarowski AJ. Uncommon Noninvasive Biomarkers for the Evaluation and Monitoring of the Etiopathogenesis of Alzheimer's Disease. Curr Pharm Des 2022; 28:1152-1169. [DOI: 10.2174/1381612828666220413101929] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2021] [Accepted: 02/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Background:
Alzheimer´s disease (AD) is the most widespread dementia in the world, followed by vascular dementia. Since AD is a heterogeneous disease that shows several varied phenotypes, it is not easy to make an accurate diagnosis, so it arises when the symptoms are clear and the disease is already very advanced. Therefore, it is important to find out biomarkers for AD early diagnosis that facilitate treatment or slow down the disease. Classic biomarkers are obtained from cerebrospinal fluid and plasma, along with brain imaging by positron emission tomography. Attempts have been made to discover uncommon biomarkers from other body fluids, which are addressed in this update.
Objective:
This update aims to describe recent biomarkers from minimally invasive body fluids for the patients, such as saliva, urine, eye fluid or tears.
Methods:
Biomarkers were determined in patients versus controls by single tandem mass spectrometry, and immunoassays. Metabolites were identified by nuclear magnetic resonance, and microRNAs with genome-wide high-throughput real-time polymerase chain reaction-based platforms.
Results:
Biomarkers from urine, saliva, and eye fluid were described, including peptides/proteins, metabolites, and some microRNAs. The association with AD neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration was analyzed, highlighting the contribution of matrix metalloproteinases, the immune system and microglia, as well as the vascular system.
Conclusion:
Unusual biomarkers have been developed, which distinguish each stage and progression of the disease, and are suitable for the early AD diagnosis. An outstanding relationship of biomarkers with neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration was assessed, clearing up concerns of the etiopathogenesis of AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alicia B. Pomilio
- Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica, Área Hematología, Hospital de Clínicas “José de San Martín”, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Av. Córdoba 2351, C1120AAF Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Arturo A. Vitale
- Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica, Área Hematología, Hospital de Clínicas “José de San Martín”, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Av. Córdoba 2351, C1120AAF Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Alberto J. Lazarowski
- Departamento de Bioquímica Clínica, Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Instituto de Fisiopatología y Bioquímica Clínica (INFIBIOC), Universidad de Buenos Aires, Córdoba 2351, C1120AAF Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Alzheimer's Disease Seen through the Eye: Ocular Alterations and Neurodegeneration. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23052486. [PMID: 35269629 PMCID: PMC8910735 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23052486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2022] [Revised: 02/21/2022] [Accepted: 02/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) is one of the main neurodegenerative diseases worldwide. Unfortunately, AD shares many similarities with other dementias at early stages, which impedes an accurate premortem diagnosis. Therefore, it is urgent to find biomarkers to allow for early diagnosis of the disease. There is increasing scientific evidence highlighting the similarities between the eye and other structures of the CNS, suggesting that knowledge acquired in eye research could be useful for research and diagnosis of AD. For example, the retina and optic nerve are considered part of the central nervous system, and their damage can result in retrograde and anterograde axon degeneration, as well as abnormal protein aggregation. In the anterior eye segment, the aqueous humor and tear film may be comparable to the cerebrospinal fluid. Both fluids are enriched with molecules that can be potential neurodegenerative biomarkers. Indeed, the pathophysiology of AD, characterized by cerebral deposits of amyloid-beta (Aβ) and tau protein, is also present in the eyes of AD patients, besides numerous structural and functional changes observed in the structure of the eyes. Therefore, all this evidence suggests that ocular changes have the potential to be used as either predictive values for AD assessment or as diagnostic tools.
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Xu J, Li D, Lu Y, Zheng TY. Aβ monomers protect lens epithelial cells against oxidative stress by upregulating CDC25B. Free Radic Biol Med 2021; 175:161-170. [PMID: 34478836 DOI: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2021.08.242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2021] [Revised: 08/27/2021] [Accepted: 08/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Our previous studies showed high β-amyloid (Aβ) expression levels in the nuclei of the lens epithelial cells (LECs) of healthy subjects and revealed that Aβ monomers could protect LECs from oxidative damage. Here, we further explored the mechanism by which Aβ monomers act as transcription factors to regulate the oxidative stress of LECs through high-throughput studies. First, we compared the Aβ-binding sites in the lens epithelia (LE) of age-related cataract patients with those in the LE of healthy donors via chromatin immunoprecipitation-sequencing (ChIP-seq), and we identified comparable numbers (1648 and 1445, respectively) of Aβ peaks. Then, the KEGG tool was used for gene function enrichment analysis of these genes, which were more highly enriched in healthy LE. Combining the literature review with these KEGG analysis results, in the current study, we chose four target genes related to oxidative stress, namely, CDC25B, SOS2, CTNNA1 and Cox6a1. Then, ChIP-PCR assays, dual-luciferase reporter assays, real-time PCR and Western blotting were performed to validate the regulatory effects of Aβ on these targets. Our data suggested that Aβ monomers could upregulate the mRNA and protein expression levels of CDC25B in LECs. We also confirmed that Aβ monomers could activate the Akt/Nrf2 pathway in a CDC25B-dependent manner by knockdown experiments in cultured LECs. Furthermore, we performed functional verification of the CDC25B-mediated protective effects of Aβ monomers against oxidative stress. We observed that Aβ monomers significantly improved the antioxidant capacity (the GSH level, SOD activity and total antioxidant capacity) and decreased the oxidative stress (the ROS and MDA levels) of LECs, while CDC25B knockdown decreased the antioxidant effects of Aβ, disrupting redox homeostasis. Therefore, we propose that Aβ monomers activate the Akt/Nrf2 pathway by upregulating CDC25B expression, increase various downstream antioxidant enzyme levels, maintain peroxidation-antioxidant homeostasis in LECs, and prevent the cell damage caused by oxidative stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Xu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Eye and ENT Hospital, Fudan University, 83 Fenyang Rd., Shanghai 200031, China; Eye Institute, Eye and ENT Hospital, Fudan University, 83 Fenyang Rd., Shanghai 200031, China; Key Laboratory of Myopia, Ministry of Health, 83 Fenyang Rd., Shanghai 200031, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Visual Impairment and Restoration, 83 Fenyang Rd., Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Dan Li
- Department of Ophthalmology, Eye and ENT Hospital, Fudan University, 83 Fenyang Rd., Shanghai 200031, China; Eye Institute, Eye and ENT Hospital, Fudan University, 83 Fenyang Rd., Shanghai 200031, China; Key Laboratory of Myopia, Ministry of Health, 83 Fenyang Rd., Shanghai 200031, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Visual Impairment and Restoration, 83 Fenyang Rd., Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Yi Lu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Eye and ENT Hospital, Fudan University, 83 Fenyang Rd., Shanghai 200031, China; Eye Institute, Eye and ENT Hospital, Fudan University, 83 Fenyang Rd., Shanghai 200031, China; Key Laboratory of Myopia, Ministry of Health, 83 Fenyang Rd., Shanghai 200031, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Visual Impairment and Restoration, 83 Fenyang Rd., Shanghai 200031, China.
| | - Tian-Yu Zheng
- Department of Ophthalmology, Eye and ENT Hospital, Fudan University, 83 Fenyang Rd., Shanghai 200031, China; Eye Institute, Eye and ENT Hospital, Fudan University, 83 Fenyang Rd., Shanghai 200031, China; Key Laboratory of Myopia, Ministry of Health, 83 Fenyang Rd., Shanghai 200031, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Visual Impairment and Restoration, 83 Fenyang Rd., Shanghai 200031, China.
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Alperstein AM, Molnar KS, Dicke SS, Farrell KM, Makley LN, Zanni MT, Andley UP. Analysis of amyloid-like secondary structure in the Cryab-R120G knock-in mouse model of hereditary cataracts by two-dimensional infrared spectroscopy. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0257098. [PMID: 34520490 PMCID: PMC8439473 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0257098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2021] [Accepted: 08/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
αB-crystallin is a small heat shock protein that forms a heterooligomeric complex with αA-crystallin in the ocular lens. It is also widely distributed in tissues throughout the body and has been linked with neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's, where it is associated with amyloid fibrils. Crystallins can form amorphous aggregates in cataracts as well as more structured amyloid-like fibrils. The arginine 120 to glycine (R120G) mutation in αB-crystallin (Cryab-R120G) results in high molecular weight crystallin protein aggregates and loss of the chaperone activity of the protein in vitro, and it is associated with human hereditary cataracts and myopathy. Characterizing the amorphous (unstructured) versus the highly ordered (amyloid fibril) nature of crystallin aggregates is important in understanding their role in disease and important to developing pharmacological treatments for cataracts. We investigated protein secondary structure in wild-type (WT) and Cryab-R120G knock-in mutant mouse lenses using two-dimensional infrared (2DIR) spectroscopy, which has been used to detect amyloid-like fibrils in human lenses and measure UV radiation-induced changes in porcine lenses. Our goal was to compare the aggregated proteins in this mouse lens model to human lenses and evaluate the protein structural relevance of the Cryab-R120G knock-in mouse model to general age-related cataract disease. In the 2DIR spectra, amide I diagonal peak frequencies were red-shifted to smaller wavenumbers in mutant mouse lenses as compared to WT mouse lenses, consistent with an increase in ordered secondary structure. The cross peak frequency and intensity indicated the presence of amyloid in the mutant mouse lenses. While the diagonal and cross peak changes in location and intensity from the 2DIR spectra indicated significant structural differences between the wild type and mutant mouse lenses, these differences were smaller than those found in human lenses; thus, the Cryab-R120G knock-in mouse lenses contain less amyloid-like secondary structure than human lenses. The results of the 2DIR spectroscopy study confirm the presence of amyloid-like secondary structure in Cryab-R120G knock-in mice with cataracts and support the use of this model to study age-related cataract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ariel M. Alperstein
- Department of Chemistry, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America
| | - Kathleen S. Molnar
- ViewPoint Therapeutics, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Sidney S. Dicke
- Department of Chemistry, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America
| | - Kieran M. Farrell
- Department of Chemistry, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America
| | - Leah N. Makley
- ViewPoint Therapeutics, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Martin T. Zanni
- Department of Chemistry, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America
| | - Usha P. Andley
- Washington University School of Medicine, Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America
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Majeed A, Marwick B, Yu H, Fadavi H, Tavakoli M. Ophthalmic Biomarkers for Alzheimer's Disease: A Review. Front Aging Neurosci 2021; 13:720167. [PMID: 34566623 PMCID: PMC8461312 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2021.720167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2021] [Accepted: 08/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease characterized by neuronal loss, extracellular amyloid-β (Aβ) plaques, and intracellular neurofibrillary tau tangles. A diagnosis is currently made from the presenting symptoms, and the only definitive diagnosis can be done post-mortem. Over recent years, significant advances have been made in using ocular biomarkers to diagnose various neurodegenerative diseases, including AD. As the eye is an extension of the central nervous system (CNS), reviewing changes in the eye's biology could lead to developing a series of non-invasive, differential diagnostic tests for AD that could be further applied to other diseases. Significant changes have been identified in the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL), cornea, ocular vasculature, and retina. In the present paper, we review current research and assess some ocular biomarkers' accuracy and reliability that could potentially be used for diagnostic purposes. Additionally, we review the various imaging techniques used in the measurement of these biomarkers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayesha Majeed
- Medical School, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom
| | - Ben Marwick
- Medical School, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom
| | - Haoqing Yu
- Medical School, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom
| | | | - Mitra Tavakoli
- Medical School, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom
- Exeter Centre of Excellence for Diabetes Research, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom
- National Institute for Health Research, Exeter Clinical Research Facility, Exeter, United Kingdom
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37
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Kador PF, Salvi R. Multifunctional Redox Modulators Protect Auditory, Visual, and Cognitive Function. Antioxid Redox Signal 2021; 36:1136-1157. [PMID: 34162214 PMCID: PMC9221172 DOI: 10.1089/ars.2021.0129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2021] [Accepted: 06/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Significance: Oxidative stress contributes to vision, hearing and neurodegenerative disorders. Currently, no treatments prevent these disorders; therefore, there is an urgent need for redox modulators that can prevent these disorders. Recent Advances: Oxidative stress is associated with the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species, metal dyshomeostasis, and mitochondrial dysfunction. Here, we discuss the role that oxidative stress and metal dyshomeostasis play in hearing loss, visual impairments, and neurodegeneration and discuss the benefits of a new class of multifunctional redox modulators (MFRMs) that suppress sensory and neural degeneration. MFRMs not only reduce free radicals but also independently bind transition metals associated with the generation of hydroxyl radicals. The MFRMs redistribute zinc from neurotoxic amyloid beta zinc (Aβ:Zn) complexes to the cytoplasm, facilitating the degradation of Aβ plaques by matrix metalloprotease-2 (MMP-2). Although MFRMs bind copper (Cu1+, Cu2+), iron (Fe2+, Fe3+), zinc (Zn2+), and manganese (Mn2+), they do not deplete free cytoplasmic Zn+2 and they protect mitochondria from Mn+2-induced dysfunction. Oral administration of MFRMs reduce ROS-induced cataracts, protect the retina from light-induced degeneration, reduce neurotoxic Aβ:Zn plaque formation, and protect auditory hair cells from noise-induced hearing loss. Critical Issues: Regulation of redox balance is essential for clinical efficacy in maintaining sensory functions. Future Directions: Future use of these MFRMs requires additional pharmacokinetic, pharmacodynamics, and toxicological data to bring them into widespread clinical use. Additional animal studies are also needed to determine whether MFRMs can prevent neurodegeneration, dementia, and other forms of vision and hearing loss.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter F. Kador
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, USA
| | - Richard Salvi
- Center for Hearing and Deafness, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York, USA
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38
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Ranaei Pirmardan E, Barakat A, Zhang Y, Naseri M, Hafezi-Moghadam A. Diabetic cataract in the Nile grass rat: A longitudinal phenotypic study of pathology formation. FASEB J 2021; 35:e21593. [PMID: 33991133 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202100353r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2021] [Revised: 03/22/2021] [Accepted: 03/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Diabetes is a major risk factor for cataract, the leading cause of blindness worldwide. There is an unmet need for a realistic model of diabetic cataract for mechanistic and longitudinal studies, as existing models do not reflect key aspects of the complex human disease. Here, we introduce and characterize diabetic cataract in the Nile grass rat (NGR, Arvicanthis niloticus), an established model of metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes (T2D). We conducted a longitudinal study of cataract in over 88 NGRs in their non-diabetic, pre-diabetic, and diabetic stages of metabolism. Oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) results distinguished the metabolic stages. Diverse cataract types were observed in the course of diabetes, including cortical, posterior subcapsular (PSC), and anterior subcapsular (ASC), all of which succeeded a characteristic dotted ring stage in all animals. The onset ages of diabetes and cataract were 44 ± 3 vs 29 ± 1 (P < .001) and 66 ± 5 vs 58 ± 6 (not significant) weeks in females and males, respectively. Histological analysis revealed fiber disorganization, vacuolar structures, and cellular proliferation and migration in cataractous lenses. The lens epithelial cells (LECs) in non-diabetic young NGRs expressed the stress marker GRP78, as did LECs and migrated cells in the lenses of diabetic animals. Elucidating mechanisms underlying LEC proliferation and migration will be clinically valuable in prevention and treatment of posterior capsule opacification, a dreaded complication of cataract surgery. Marked changes in N-cadherin expression emphasized a role for LEC integrity in cataractogenesis. Apoptotic cells were dispersed in the equatorial areas in early cataractogenesis. Our study reveals diverse cataract types that spontaneously develop in the diabetic NGR, and which uniquely mirror the cataract and its chronic course of development in individuals with diabetes. We provide mechanistic insights into early stages of diabetic cataract. These unique characteristics make NGR highly suited for mechanistic studies, especially in the context of metabolism, diabetes, and aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ehsan Ranaei Pirmardan
- Molecular Biomarkers Nano-Imaging Laboratory, Department of Radiology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Aliaa Barakat
- Molecular Biomarkers Nano-Imaging Laboratory, Department of Radiology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Yuanlin Zhang
- Molecular Biomarkers Nano-Imaging Laboratory, Department of Radiology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Marzieh Naseri
- Oncopathology Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,Department of Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ali Hafezi-Moghadam
- Molecular Biomarkers Nano-Imaging Laboratory, Department of Radiology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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39
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Wang YR, Chuang HC, Tripathi A, Wang YL, Ko ML, Chuang CC, Chen JC. High-Sensitivity and Trace-Amount Specimen Electrochemical Sensors for Exploring the Levels of β-Amyloid in Human Blood and Tears. Anal Chem 2021; 93:8099-8106. [PMID: 34047190 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.0c04980] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
As the occurrence of Alzheimer's disease (AD) has increased, the detection and treatment of AD have become global social issues. Effective early detection and wide-range screening of AD allow patients to gain early control and delay brain degeneration. For these reasons, we choose electrochemical sensors to complete the detection task. Although bio-electrochemical technology for antibody and antigen sensing is not a new technology, considering the scarcity of tear samples for dementia and since the existing AD detection techniques are highly invasive and expensive for subjects, we have to use the traditional detection techniques for the early screening of Alzheimer's disease via trace-amount specimens. An AD-related protein in the eye is thought to be an important biomarker for early detection. To carry out detection using tear samples as a test specimens, a tear collection device was developed in this study that extracted 10 μL of tear fluid from a tear Schirmer strip. In this research, we distinguished healthy people in different age groups and detect Aβ in both tear and blood samples. We developed a biosensor, which could detect Aβ in tear specimen from 1 to 100 pg/mL. Also, this biosensor is inexpensive, disposable, and easy to use. In our result, the concentration of Aβ in tears was approximately 10 times more than that in blood. This study demonstrates the feasibility and prospects of future screening for AD-associated biomarkers by a dynamic comparison between blood and tears.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Rong Wang
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, National Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu 30010, Taiwan
| | - Han-Chien Chuang
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, National Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu 30010, Taiwan
| | - Adarsh Tripathi
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu 30010, Taiwan.,Institute of Nanoengineering and Microsystems, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu 30010, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Lin Wang
- Institute of Nanoengineering and Microsystems, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu 30010, Taiwan.,Department of Power Mechanical Engineering, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu 30010, Taiwan
| | - Mei-Lan Ko
- Department of Ophthalmology, National Taiwan University Hospital Hsin-Chu Branch, Hsinchu 30010, Taiwan.,Department of Biomedical Engineering and Environmental Sciences, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu 30010, Taiwan
| | - Ching-Cheng Chuang
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, National Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu 30010, Taiwan.,Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, National Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu 30010, Taiwan
| | - Jung-Chih Chen
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, National Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu 30010, Taiwan.,Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, National Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu 30010, Taiwan.,Department of Biological Science and Technology, National Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu 30010, Taiwan
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40
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Lee GI, Chi SA, Kim K, Seo SW, Kim HJ, Chung TY, Lim DH. Visual impairment increases the risk of dementia, especially in young males in a 12-year longitudinal follow-up study of a national cohort. Sci Rep 2021; 11:11393. [PMID: 34059787 PMCID: PMC8167134 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-91026-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2021] [Accepted: 05/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
We investigated the effect of visual impairment (VI) on dementia development in a national cohort. In this 12-year nationwide population-based retrospective cohort study, national data were collected from National Health Insurance Cooperation of South Korea from 2002 to 2017, comprising 799,074 subjects selected from the dementia-free cohort representative of the Korean population. Crude hazard ratios (HRs) as well as age- and sex-adjusted HRs and confidence intervals (CIs) for the development of dementia were estimated using multivariable Cox regression models. VI significantly increased the risk of dementia with a HR of 2.726 (95% CI 2.251–3.300, p < 0.0001) after adjusting for age, sex, and interaction between age, sex, and VI. HR of interaction between VI and age for dementia was 0.539 (95% CI 0.436–0.667, p < 0.0001). In the sensitivity analysis after adjustment for age, sex, household income level, BMI and other comorbidities, VI showed higher risk for all the type of dementia (p < 0.0001). In subgroup analysis of VI, young males showed the highest risk for development of dementia with a HR of 2.687 (95% CI 2.219–3.254, p < 0.0001). VI significantly increased the risk of dementia in the study cohort, and young males with VI appeared to be the most susceptible to the development of dementia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ga-In Lee
- Department of Ophthalmology, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, #81, Irwon-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, 06351, South Korea
| | - Sang Ah Chi
- Department of Health Sciences and Technology, Samsung Advanced Institute for Health Sciences and Technology, Sungkyunkwan University, Seoul, South Korea.,Statistics and Data Center, Research Institute for Future Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Kyunga Kim
- Statistics and Data Center, Research Institute for Future Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Seoul, South Korea.,Department of Digital Health, Samsung Advanced Institute for Health Sciences and Technology, Sungkyunkwan University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Sang Won Seo
- Department of Neurology, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Hee Jin Kim
- Department of Neurology, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Tae-Young Chung
- Department of Ophthalmology, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, #81, Irwon-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, 06351, South Korea.
| | - Dong Hui Lim
- Department of Ophthalmology, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, #81, Irwon-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, 06351, South Korea. .,Department of Health Sciences and Technology, Samsung Advanced Institute for Health Sciences and Technology, Sungkyunkwan University, Seoul, South Korea. .,Department of Digital Health, Samsung Advanced Institute for Health Sciences and Technology, Sungkyunkwan University, Seoul, South Korea.
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41
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Chalkias IN, Tegos T, Topouzis F, Tsolaki M. Ocular biomarkers and their role in the early diagnosis of neurocognitive disorders. Eur J Ophthalmol 2021; 31:2808-2817. [PMID: 34000876 DOI: 10.1177/11206721211016311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Given the fact that different types of dementia can be diagnosed only postmortem or when the disease has progressed enough to cause irreversible damage to certain brain areas, there has been an increasing need for the development of sensitive and reliable methods that can detect early preclinical forms of dementia, before the symptoms have even appeared. Ideally, such a method would have the following characteristics: to be inexpensive, sensitive and specific, Non-invasive, fast and easily accessible. The ophthalmologic examination and especially the study of the retina, has caught the attention of many researchers, as it can provide a lot of information about the CNS and it fulfills many of the aforementioned criteria. Since the introduction of the non-invasive optical coherence tomography (OCT) and the newly developed modality OCT-angiography (OCT-A) that can demonstrate the structure and the microvasculature of the retina and choroid, respectively, there have been promising results regarding the value of the ophthalmologic examination in the early diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease. In this review paper, we summarize and discuss the ocular findings in patients with cognitive impairment disorders and we highlight the importance of the ophthalmologic examination to the diagnosis of these disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ioannis-Nikolaos Chalkias
- 1st Department of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Makedonia Thraki, Greece
| | - Thomas Tegos
- 1st Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Makedonia Thraki, Greece
| | - Fotis Topouzis
- 1st Department of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Makedonia Thraki, Greece
| | - Magda Tsolaki
- 1st Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Makedonia Thraki, Greece.,Greek Association of Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders, Thessaloniki, Greece
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42
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Fereshetian S, Agranat JS, Siegel N, Ness S, Stein TD, Subramanian ML. Protein and Imaging Biomarkers in the Eye for Early Detection of Alzheimer's Disease. J Alzheimers Dis Rep 2021; 5:375-387. [PMID: 34189409 PMCID: PMC8203283 DOI: 10.3233/adr-210283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is one of the most common causes of dementia worldwide. Although no formal curative therapy exists for the treatment of AD, considerable research has been performed to identify biomarkers for early detection of this disease, and thus improved subsequent management. Given that the eye can be examined and imaged non-invasively with relative ease, it has emerged as an exciting area of research for evidence of biomarkers and to aid in the early diagnosis of AD. This review explores the current understanding of both protein and retinal imaging biomarkers in the eye. Herein, primary findings in the literature regarding AD biomarkers associated with the lens, retina, and other ocular structures are reviewed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaunt Fereshetian
- Boston University School of Medicine, Department of Ophthalmology, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Joshua S. Agranat
- Boston University School of Medicine, Department of Ophthalmology, Boston, MA, USA
- Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Nicole Siegel
- Boston University School of Medicine, Department of Ophthalmology, Boston, MA, USA
- Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Steven Ness
- Boston University School of Medicine, Department of Ophthalmology, Boston, MA, USA
- Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Thor D. Stein
- Boston University Alzheimer’s Disease and CTE Center, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
- VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Bedford, MA, USA
| | - Manju L. Subramanian
- Boston University School of Medicine, Department of Ophthalmology, Boston, MA, USA
- Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA
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43
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Chang LYL, Palanca-Castan N, Neira D, Palacios AG, Acosta ML. Ocular Health of Octodon degus as a Clinical Marker for Age-Related and Age-Independent Neurodegeneration. Front Integr Neurosci 2021; 15:665467. [PMID: 33927598 PMCID: PMC8076605 DOI: 10.3389/fnint.2021.665467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2021] [Accepted: 03/19/2021] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
The aging process and age-related diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD), are very heterogeneous and multifactorial, making it challenging to diagnose the disease based solely on genetic, behavioral tests, or clinical history. It is yet to be explained what ophthalmological tests relate specifically to aging and AD. To this end, we have selected the common degu (Octodon degus) as a model for aging which develops AD-like signs to conduct ophthalmological screening methods that could be clinical markers of aging and AD. We investigated ocular health using ophthalmoscopy, fundus photography, intraocular pressure (IOP), and pupillary light reflex (PLR). The results showed significant presence of cataracts in adult degus and IOP was also found to increase significantly with advancing age. Age had a significant effect on the maximum pupil constriction but other pupil parameters changed in an age-independent manner (PIPR retention index, resting pupil size, constriction velocity, redilation plateau). We concluded that degus have underlying factors at play that regulate PLR and may be connected to sympathetic, parasympathetic, and melanopsin retinal ganglion cell (ipRGC) deterioration. This study provides the basis for the use of ocular tests as screening methods for the aging process and monitoring of neurodegeneration in non-invasive ways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lily Y-L Chang
- School of Optometry and Vision Science, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Nicolas Palanca-Castan
- Centro Interdisciplinario de Neurociencia de Valparaíso, Universidad de Valparaíso, Santiago, Chile
| | - David Neira
- Centro Interdisciplinario de Neurociencia de Valparaíso, Universidad de Valparaíso, Santiago, Chile
| | - Adrian G Palacios
- Centro Interdisciplinario de Neurociencia de Valparaíso, Universidad de Valparaíso, Santiago, Chile
| | - Monica L Acosta
- School of Optometry and Vision Science, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.,New Zealand National Eye Centre, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.,Centre for Brain Research, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.,Brain Research New Zealand-Rangahau Roro Aotearoa, Auckland, New Zealand
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44
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Xiao Z, Wu W, Zhao Q, Zhang J, Hong Z, Ding D. Sensory impairments and cognitive decline in older adults: A review from a population-based perspective. AGING AND HEALTH RESEARCH 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ahr.2020.100002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
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45
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Schimansky A, Yadav JK. Amyloid cross-sequence interaction between Aβ(1-40) and αA(66-80) in relation to the pathogenesis of cataract. Int J Biol Macromol 2021; 179:61-70. [PMID: 33626371 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2021.02.111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2020] [Revised: 01/29/2021] [Accepted: 02/15/2021] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) and cataract represent two common protein misfolding diseases closely associated with aging. Growing evidence suggests that these two diseases may be interrelated with each other through cross-sequence interactions between β-amyloid (Aβ) peptide and the short aggregating peptides derived from proteolytic breakdown of α-crystallin. αΑ(66-80) is one of several peptides produced by the proteolytic breakdown of α-crystallin in aged eye lens. Although it is evident that the Aβ(1-40) and αΑ(66-80) coexist in aged eye lenses and both the peptides are known to form macromolecular assemblies, their cross-sequence interaction and the seeding behavior are not known. In this study, the aggregation behavior of αΑ(66-80) has been examined in the presence of Aβ(1-40) on using thioflavin T (ThT) based aggregation kinetics. The presence of monomeric Aβ(1-40) augmented the aggregation kinetics of αΑ(66-80) and reduced the lag time of αΑ(66-80) aggregation. However, the addition of Aβ(1-40) or αΑ(66-80) fibrils (seeds) didn't result in any change in the rate of αΑ(66-80) aggregation. In this in vitro study, we could show that the presence Aβ(1-40) has substantial effect on the aggregation of αΑ(66-80), which suggests a possible interaction between AD and cataract pathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Schimansky
- Ulm University, Institute of Protein Biochemistry, Helmholtzstraße 8/1, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Jay Kant Yadav
- Ulm University, Institute of Protein Biochemistry, Helmholtzstraße 8/1, 89081 Ulm, Germany; Department of Biotechnology, Central University of Rajasthan, NH-8 Bandarsindri, Kishangarh, Ajmer 305817, Rajasthan, India.
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46
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Erdem S. Diseases associated with age-related cataract: a health-board-based retrospective study focusing on common physiopathological mechanisms. J Public Health (Oxf) 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s10389-019-01113-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022] Open
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47
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Zhao A, Fang F, Li B, Chen Y, Qiu Y, Wu Y, Xu W, Deng Y. Visual Abnormalities Associate With Hippocampus in Mild Cognitive Impairment and Early Alzheimer's Disease. Front Aging Neurosci 2021; 12:597491. [PMID: 33551787 PMCID: PMC7862343 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2020.597491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2020] [Accepted: 12/28/2020] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Background and Objective: Alzheimer's disease (AD) has been shown to affect vision in human patients and animal models. This study was conducted to explore ocular abnormalities in the primary visual pathway and their relationship with hippocampal atrophy in patients with AD and mild cognitive impairment (MCI). The aim of this study was to investigate the potential value of ocular examinations as a biomarker during the AD progression. Methods: Patients with MCI (n = 23) or AD (n = 17) and age-matched cognitively normal controls (NC; n = 19) were enrolled. Pattern visual-evoked potentials (PVEP), flash electroretinogram (FERG) recordings and optical coherence tomography (OCT) were performed for all participants. Hippocampal volumes were measured by 3T magnetic resonance imaging. Cognitive function was assessed by Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE), Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) and Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale-cognitive subscale (ADAS-cog). Pearson correlation was employed to analyze the potential associations between ocular abnormalities and hippocampal volumes. Hierarchical regression models were conducted to determine associations between cognitive performances and ocular abnormalities as well as hippocampal volumes after adjusting for confounding factors including age, sex, cognitive reserve, and APOE4 status. Results: PVEP amplitude of P100 waveform was significantly decreased in AD patients compared to MCI and normal individuals. In FERG test, delayed latencies of rod response, rod cone response and 3.0 flicker time were found in cognitively impaired groups, indicating dysfunctions of both the rod and cone systems in the disease progression. OCT test revealed reduced macular retinal nerve fiber layer (m-RNFL) thickness in MCI and AD patients, which significantly correlated with brain structure of hippocampus particularly vulnerable during the progression of AD. Interestingly, P100 amplitude showed a significant association with hippocampal volumes even after adjusting confounding factors including age, sex, and cognitive reserve. Hierarchical regression analysis further demonstrated that m-RNFL thickness, as well as hippocampal volumes, significantly associated with ADAS-cog scores. Conclusion: P100 amplitude and m-RNFL thickness showed significant correlations with brain structure involved in AD-related neurodegeneration, and therefore proved to be potential indicators of brain imaging pathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aonan Zhao
- Department of Neurology, Institute of Neurology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Fang Fang
- Department of Geriatrics, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Binyin Li
- Department of Neurology, Institute of Neurology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yan Chen
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yinghui Qiu
- Department of Neurology, Institute of Neurology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yanli Wu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Wei Xu
- Department of Neurology, Institute of Neurology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yulei Deng
- Department of Neurology, Institute of Neurology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Department of Neurology, Ruijin Hospital, Luwan Branch, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
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48
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Song A, Johnson N, Ayala A, Thompson AC. Optical Coherence Tomography in Patients with Alzheimer's Disease: What Can It Tell Us? Eye Brain 2021; 13:1-20. [PMID: 33447120 PMCID: PMC7802785 DOI: 10.2147/eb.s235238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2020] [Accepted: 12/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Although Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a leading cause of dementia worldwide, its clinical diagnosis remains a challenge. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) and OCT with angiography (OCTA) are non-invasive ophthalmic imaging tools with the potential to detect retinal structural and microvascular changes in patients with AD, which may serve as biomarkers for the disease. In this systematic review, we evaluate whether certain OCT and OCTA parameters are significantly associated with AD and mild cognitive impairment (MCI). METHODS PubMed database was searched using a combination of MeSH terms to identify studies for review. Studies were organized by participant diagnostic groups, type of imaging modality, and OCT/OCTA parameters of interest. Participant demographic data was also collected and baseline descriptive statistics were calculated for the included studies. RESULTS Seventy-one studies were included for review, representing a total of 6757 patients (2350 AD, 793 MCI, 2902 healthy controls (HC), and 841 others with a range of other neurodegenerative diagnoses). The mean baseline ages were 72.78±3.69, 71.52±2.88, 70.55±3.85 years for AD, MCI and HC groups, respectively. The majority of studies noted significant structural and functional decline in AD patients when compared to HC. Although analysis of MCI groups yielded more mixed results, a similar pattern of decline was often noted amongst patients with MCI relative to HC. OCT and OCTA measurements were also shown to correlate with established measures of AD such as neuropsychological testing or neuroimaging. CONCLUSION OCT and OCTA show great potential as non-invasive technologies for the diagnosis of AD. However, further research is needed to determine whether there are AD-specific patterns of structural or microvascular change in the retina and optic nerve that distinguish AD from other neurodegenerative diseases. Development of sensitive and specific OCT/OCTA parameters will be necessary before they can be used to detect AD in clinical settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ailin Song
- Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
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49
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Serum Aβ Levels are Associated with Age-related Cataract. Neurotox Res 2021; 39:369-377. [PMID: 33400179 DOI: 10.1007/s12640-020-00325-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2020] [Revised: 12/09/2020] [Accepted: 12/10/2020] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
To investigate the levels and clinical relevance of serum β-amyloid (Aβ) in age-related cataract (ARC) patients. In the present study, an overall of 402 ARC patients and 450 normal controls were recruited between June 2018 and December 2019. Serum Aβ1-40 and Aβ1-42 concentrations were assessed by Elisa. The ARC patients were further grouped into several subgroups according to gender, age, types of ARC, and degree of lens opacity. The association of Aβ levels with ARC was determined using logistic regression models. ARC patients had significantly higher serum Aβ1-40 and Aβ1-42 levels than normal control. A similar finding was observed in subjects aged over 60 years. Serum Aβ concentrations were significant correlated with the degrees of lens opacity in C-ARC and N-ARC subjects. Logistic regression analyses revealed that serum Aβ1-40 (ORs = 1.202, 95% CI 1.077 to 1.341) and Aβ1-42 (ORs = 1.686, 95% CI 1.351 to 2.103) levels were potential risk factors for ARC. ARC patients have higher serum Aβ1-40, as well as Aβ1-42 levels, which may reflect an association between Aβ and ARC pathogenesis. Serum Aβ1-42 and Aβ1-40 levels are potential risk factors for ARC.
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Yamamoto N, Takeda S, Hatsusaka N, Hiramatsu N, Nagai N, Deguchi S, Nakazawa Y, Takata T, Kodera S, Hirata A, Kubo E, Sasaki H. Effect of a Lens Protein in Low-Temperature Culture of Novel Immortalized Human Lens Epithelial Cells (iHLEC-NY2). Cells 2020; 9:cells9122670. [PMID: 33322631 PMCID: PMC7764252 DOI: 10.3390/cells9122670] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2020] [Revised: 11/27/2020] [Accepted: 12/11/2020] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The prevalence of nuclear cataracts was observed to be significantly higher among residents of tropical and subtropical regions compared to those of temperate and subarctic regions. We hypothesized that elevated environmental temperatures may pose a risk of nuclear cataract development. The results of our in silico simulation revealed that in temperate and tropical regions, the human lens temperature ranges from 35.0 °C to 37.5 °C depending on the environmental temperature. The medium temperature changes during the replacement regularly in the cell culture experiment were carefully monitored using a sensor connected to a thermometer and showed a decrease of 1.9 °C, 3.0 °C, 1.7 °C, and 0.1 °C, after 5 min when setting the temperature of the heat plate device at 35.0 °C, 37.5 °C, 40.0 °C, and 42.5 °C, respectively. In the newly created immortalized human lens epithelial cell line clone NY2 (iHLEC-NY2), the amounts of RNA synthesis of αA crystallin, protein expression, and amyloid β (Aβ)1-40 secreted into the medium were increased at the culture temperature of 37.5 °C compared to 35.0 °C. In short-term culture experiments, the secretion of Aβ1-40 observed in cataracts was increased at 37.5 °C compared to 35.0 °C, suggesting that the long-term exposure to a high-temperature environment may increase the risk of cataracts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naoki Yamamoto
- Department of Ophthalmology, Kanazawa Medical University, Ishikawa 920-0293, Japan; (N.Y.); (S.T.); (N.H.); (E.K.)
- Research Promotion and Support Headquarters, Fujita Health University, Aichi 470-1192, Japan;
| | - Shun Takeda
- Department of Ophthalmology, Kanazawa Medical University, Ishikawa 920-0293, Japan; (N.Y.); (S.T.); (N.H.); (E.K.)
| | - Natsuko Hatsusaka
- Department of Ophthalmology, Kanazawa Medical University, Ishikawa 920-0293, Japan; (N.Y.); (S.T.); (N.H.); (E.K.)
| | - Noriko Hiramatsu
- Research Promotion and Support Headquarters, Fujita Health University, Aichi 470-1192, Japan;
| | - Noriaki Nagai
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Kindai University, Osaka 577-8502, Japan; (N.N.); (S.D.)
| | - Saori Deguchi
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Kindai University, Osaka 577-8502, Japan; (N.N.); (S.D.)
| | - Yosuke Nakazawa
- Division of Hygienic Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Keio University, Tokyo 105-8512, Japan;
| | - Takumi Takata
- Radiation Biochemistry, Division of Radiation Life Science, Institute for Integrated Radiation and Nuclear Science, Kyoto University, Osaka 590-0494, Japan;
| | - Sachiko Kodera
- Department of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering, Nagoya Institute of Technology, Aichi 466-8555, Japan; (S.K.); (A.H.)
| | - Akimasa Hirata
- Department of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering, Nagoya Institute of Technology, Aichi 466-8555, Japan; (S.K.); (A.H.)
- Center of Biomedical Physics and Information Technology, Nagoya Institute of Technology, Aichi 466-8555, Japan
| | - Eri Kubo
- Department of Ophthalmology, Kanazawa Medical University, Ishikawa 920-0293, Japan; (N.Y.); (S.T.); (N.H.); (E.K.)
| | - Hiroshi Sasaki
- Department of Ophthalmology, Kanazawa Medical University, Ishikawa 920-0293, Japan; (N.Y.); (S.T.); (N.H.); (E.K.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +81-762-286-2211
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