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Santillán-Morales V, Rodriguez-Espinosa N, Muñoz-Estrada J, Alarcón-Elizalde S, Acebes Á, Benítez-King G. Biomarkers in Alzheimer's Disease: Are Olfactory Neuronal Precursors Useful for Antemortem Biomarker Research? Brain Sci 2024; 14:46. [PMID: 38248261 PMCID: PMC10813897 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci14010046] [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: 11/16/2023] [Revised: 12/09/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD), as the main cause of dementia, affects millions of people around the world, whose diagnosis is based mainly on clinical criteria. Unfortunately, the diagnosis is obtained very late, when the neurodegenerative damage is significant for most patients. Therefore, the exhaustive study of biomarkers is indispensable for diagnostic, prognostic, and even follow-up support. AD is a multifactorial disease, and knowing its underlying pathological mechanisms is crucial to propose new and valuable biomarkers. In this review, we summarize some of the main biomarkers described in AD, which have been evaluated mainly by imaging studies in cerebrospinal fluid and blood samples. Furthermore, we describe and propose neuronal precursors derived from the olfactory neuroepithelium as a potential resource to evaluate some of the widely known biomarkers of AD and to gear toward searching for new biomarkers. These neuronal lineage cells, which can be obtained directly from patients through a non-invasive and outpatient procedure, display several characteristics that validate them as a surrogate model to study the central nervous system, allowing the analysis of AD pathophysiological processes. Moreover, the ease of obtaining and harvesting endows them as an accessible and powerful resource to evaluate biomarkers in clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valeria Santillán-Morales
- Laboratory of Neuropharmacology, Clinical Research, Instituto Nacional de Psiquiatría Ramón de la Fuente Muñiz, Mexico City 14370, Mexico; (V.S.-M.); (S.A.-E.)
| | - Norberto Rodriguez-Espinosa
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital Nuestra Señora de Candelaria, 38010 Tenerife, Spain;
- Department of Internal Medicine, Dermatology and Psychiatry, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of La Laguna (ULL), 38200 Tenerife, Spain
| | - Jesús Muñoz-Estrada
- Department of Computational Biomedicine, Cedars Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90069, USA;
| | - Salvador Alarcón-Elizalde
- Laboratory of Neuropharmacology, Clinical Research, Instituto Nacional de Psiquiatría Ramón de la Fuente Muñiz, Mexico City 14370, Mexico; (V.S.-M.); (S.A.-E.)
| | - Ángel Acebes
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Institute of Biomedical Technologies (ITB), University of La Laguna (ULL), 38200 Tenerife, Spain
| | - Gloria Benítez-King
- Laboratory of Neuropharmacology, Clinical Research, Instituto Nacional de Psiquiatría Ramón de la Fuente Muñiz, Mexico City 14370, Mexico; (V.S.-M.); (S.A.-E.)
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Cheng L, Liang R, Li Z, Ren J, Yang S, Bai J, Niu Q, Yu H, Zhang H, Xia N, Liu H. Aluminum maltolate triggers ferroptosis in neurons: mechanism of action. Toxicol Mech Methods 2020; 31:33-42. [PMID: 32900247 DOI: 10.1080/15376516.2020.1821268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Aluminum (Al), a neurotoxic element, can induce Alzheimer's disease (AD) via triggering neuronal death. Ferroptosis is a new type of programmed cell death related to neurological diseases. Unfortunately, its role in aluminum-induced neuronal death remains completely unclear. This study aimed to investigate whether ferroptosis is involved in neuronal death in response to aluminum exposure as well as its underlying mechanism. In this study, rat adrenal pheochromocytoma (PC12) cells were treated with 200 μM aluminum maltolate (Al(mal)3) for 24 h, and related biochemical indicators were assessed to determine whether ferroptosis was induced by aluminum in neurons. Then, the potential mechanism was explored by detecting of these genes and proteins associated with ferroptosis after adding ferroptosis-specific agonist Erastin (5 μM) and antagonist Ferrostatin-1 (Fer-1) (5 μM). The experimental results demonstrated that aluminum exposure significantly increased the death of PC12 cells and caused specific mitochondrial pathological changes of ferroptosis in PC12 cells. Further research confirmed that ferroptosis was triggered by aluminum in PC12 cells by means of activating the oxidative damage signaling pathway, which was displayed as inhibition of the cysteine/glutamate antiporter system (system Xc-), causing the depletion of cellular glutathione (GSH) and inactivation of glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX) eventually lead to accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Taken together, ferroptosis was a means of neuronal death induced by aluminum and oxidative damage may be its underlying mechanism, which also provided some new clues to potential target for the intervention and therapy of AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liting Cheng
- Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, People's Republic of China
| | - Ruifeng Liang
- Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhuang Li
- Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, People's Republic of China
| | - Jingjuan Ren
- Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, People's Republic of China
| | - Shoulin Yang
- Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, People's Republic of China
| | - Jianying Bai
- Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, People's Republic of China
| | - Qiao Niu
- Department of Occupational Health, School of Public Health, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, People's Republic of China
| | - Hongmei Yu
- Department of Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, People's Republic of China
| | - Huifang Zhang
- Department of Occupational Health, School of Public Health, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, People's Republic of China
| | - Na Xia
- Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, People's Republic of China
| | - Haifang Liu
- Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, People's Republic of China
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Roy M, Pal I, Nath AK, Dey SG. Peroxidase activity of heme bound amyloid β peptides associated with Alzheimer's disease. Chem Commun (Camb) 2020; 56:4505-4518. [PMID: 32297620 DOI: 10.1039/c9cc09758a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
The amyloid cascade hypothesis attributes the neurodegeneration observed in Alzheimer's disease (AD) to the deposition of the amyloid β (Aβ) peptide into plaques and fibrils in the AD brain. The metal ion hypothesis which implicates several metal ions, viz. Zn2+, Cu2+ and Fe3+, in the AD pathology on account of their abnormal accumulation in the Aβ plaques along with an overall dyshomeostasis of these metals in the AD brain was proposed a while back. Metal ion chelators and ionophores, put forward as possible drug candidates for AD, are yet to succeed in clinical trials. Heme, which is widely distributed in the mammalian body as the prosthetic group of several important proteins and enzymes, has been thought to be associated with AD by virtue of its colocalization in the Aβ plaques along with the similarity of several heme deficiency symptoms with those of AD and most importantly, due to its ability to bind Aβ. This feature article illustrates the active site environment of heme-Aβ which resembles those of peroxidases. It also discusses the peroxidase activity of heme-Aβ, its ability to effect oxidative degradation of neurotransmitters like serotonin and also the identification of the highly reactive high-valent intermediate, compound I. The effect of second sphere residues on the formation and peroxidase activity of heme-Aβ along with the generation and decay of compound I is highlighted throughout the article. The reactivities of heme bound Aβ peptides give an alternative theory to understand the possible cause of this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madhuparna Roy
- School of Chemical Sciences, Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science, 2A & 2B, Raja S. C. Mullick Road, Jadavpur, Kolkata 700032, India.
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Aluminium in human brain tissue: how much is too much? J Biol Inorg Chem 2019; 24:1279-1282. [PMID: 31468176 DOI: 10.1007/s00775-019-01710-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2019] [Accepted: 08/10/2019] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
A burgeoning body of research confirms and affirms the presence of aluminium in human brain tissue. Recently, the first data on aluminium content of brain tissue from donors with diagnoses of familial Alzheimer's disease, autism spectrum disorder, multiple sclerosis and epilepsy have been published. Quantitative data are supported by aluminium-specific fluorescence microscopy identifying the locations of aluminium in human brain tissue. The challenge in the future will be to confirm or refute the role played by brain aluminium intoxication in human neurodegenerative disease.
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Gattoni G, Bernocchi G. Calcium-Binding Proteins in the Nervous System during Hibernation: Neuroprotective Strategies in Hypometabolic Conditions? Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:E2364. [PMID: 31086053 PMCID: PMC6540041 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20092364] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2019] [Revised: 05/06/2019] [Accepted: 05/11/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Calcium-binding proteins (CBPs) can influence and react to Ca2+ transients and modulate the activity of proteins involved in both maintaining homeostatic conditions and protecting cells in harsh environmental conditions. Hibernation is a strategy that evolved in vertebrate and invertebrate species to survive in cold environments; it relies on molecular, cellular, and behavioral adaptations guided by the neuroendocrine system that together ensure unmatched tolerance to hypothermia, hypometabolism, and hypoxia. Therefore, hibernation is a useful model to study molecular neuroprotective adaptations to extreme conditions, and can reveal useful applications to human pathological conditions. In this review, we describe the known changes in Ca2+-signaling and the detection and activity of CBPs in the nervous system of vertebrate and invertebrate models during hibernation, focusing on cytosolic Ca2+ buffers and calmodulin. Then, we discuss these findings in the context of the neuroprotective and neural plasticity mechanisms in the central nervous system: in particular, those associated with cytoskeletal proteins. Finally, we compare the expression of CBPs in the hibernating nervous system with two different conditions of neurodegeneration, i.e., platinum-induced neurotoxicity and Alzheimer's disease, to highlight the similarities and differences and demonstrate the potential of hibernation to shed light into part of the molecular mechanisms behind neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giacomo Gattoni
- Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3EJ, UK.
| | - Graziella Bernocchi
- Former Full Professor of Zoology, Neurogenesis and Comparative Neuromorphology, (Residence address) Viale Matteotti 73, I-27100 Pavia, Italy.
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6
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Ghosh A, Giese KP. Calcium/calmodulin-dependent kinase II and Alzheimer's disease. Mol Brain 2015; 8:78. [PMID: 26603284 PMCID: PMC4657223 DOI: 10.1186/s13041-015-0166-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 121] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2015] [Accepted: 11/13/2015] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
CaMKII is a remarkably complex protein kinase, known to have a fundamental role in synaptic plasticity and memory formation. Further, CaMKII has also been suggested to be a tau kinase. CaMKII dysregulation may therefore be a modulator of toxicity in Alzheimer's disease, a dementia characterised by aberrant calcium signalling, synapse and neuronal loss, and impaired memory. Here, we first examine the evidence for CaMKII dysregulation in Alzheimer's patients and draw parallels to findings in disease models which recapitulate key aspects of the disease. We then put forward the hypothesis that these changes critically contribute to neurodegeneration and memory impairment in Alzheimer's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anshua Ghosh
- Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, King's College London, 5 Cutcombe Road, London, SE5 9RT, UK.
| | - Karl Peter Giese
- Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, King's College London, 5 Cutcombe Road, London, SE5 9RT, UK.
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Wang B, Zhao J, Yu M, Meng X, Cui X, Zhao Y, Zhu Y, Xing W, Guan Y. Disturbance of intracellular calcium homeostasis and CaMKII/CREB signaling is associated with learning and memory impairments induced by chronic aluminum exposure. Neurotox Res 2014; 26:52-63. [PMID: 24366850 DOI: 10.1007/s12640-013-9451-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2013] [Revised: 11/27/2013] [Accepted: 12/07/2013] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Aluminum-induced neuronal injury has been implicated in various neurodegenerative disorders. However, the underlying mechanism involved in this pathogenesis still remains unknown. Our present findings demonstrated that chronic aluminum exposure resulted in spatial learning impairment and significantly increased intracellular calcium level in the hippocampus of rats. Examination of the associated protein molecules essential for induction and maintenance of long-term potentiation revealed that aluminum exposure could increase the expression level of calmodulin (CaM), but the expression levels of CaM-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII), and phosphorylated cAMP-responsive element binding protein (CREB) were significantly reduced, whereas the total protein levels of CaMKII and CREB did not change in the aluminum-treated hippocampus. Thus, we provide a previously unrecognized mechanism whereby chronic aluminum exposure impairs hippocampal learning and memory, at least in part, through disruption of intracellular calcium homeostasis and CaM/CaMKII/CREB signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Biao Wang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Basic Medical Sciences of China Medical University Shenyang, No. 92 Bei'er Road, Heping District, Shenyang, 110001, People's Republic of China,
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8
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Vučetić-Arsić S, Radonjić NV, Jovanović M, Selaković V, Nikolić T, Velimirović M, Stojković T, Milovanović A, Milovanović J, Petronijević ND. Oxidative stress precedes mitochondrial dysfunction in gerbil brain after aluminum ingestion. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND PHARMACOLOGY 2013; 36:1242-1252. [PMID: 24211763 DOI: 10.1016/j.etap.2013.10.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2012] [Revised: 10/10/2013] [Accepted: 10/12/2013] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Several studies suggest that aluminum (Al) intake might increase an individual's risk of developing Alzheimer disease. The dynamic of changes in acetylcholinesterase (AChE), cytochrome c oxidase (COX), Complex I, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities, and the lipid peroxide (MDA), superoxide anion (O₂(-)) and thiol (SH) group levels in gerbil's brain after aluminum ingestion were analyzed. Gerbils that orally received aluminum chloride (LD₂₅ or LD₅₀) were sacrificed 2, 6 or 24 h later. Another group was subacutely treated (21 days; LD10). Controls received saline. Biochemical parameters were measured in cortex, hippocampus, thalamus and nucleus caudatus. Two hours after acute Al exposure AChE activity and SH group content were decreased and MDA and O₂(-) levels were elevated in all investigated brain structures. The changes of COX and CAT were structure specific. SOD was increased after 6 h. Changes of investigated parameters were also seen after subacute Al treatment. These results might suggest the presence of additional source of free radicals in early phase of Al poisoning.
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Walton JR. Cognitive deterioration and associated pathology induced by chronic low-level aluminum ingestion in a translational rat model provides an explanation of Alzheimer's disease, tests for susceptibility and avenues for treatment. Int J Alzheimers Dis 2012; 2012:914947. [PMID: 22928148 PMCID: PMC3423924 DOI: 10.1155/2012/914947] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2012] [Accepted: 05/17/2012] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
A translational aging rat model for chronic aluminum (Al) neurotoxicity mimics human Al exposure by ingesting Al, throughout middle age and old age, in equivalent amounts to those ingested by Americans from their food, water, and Al additives. Most rats that consumed Al in an amount equivalent to the high end of the human total dietary Al range developed severe cognitive deterioration in old age. High-stage Al accumulation occurred in the entorhinal cortical cells of origin for the perforant pathway and hippocampal CA1 cells, resulting in microtubule depletion and dendritic dieback. Analogous pathological change in humans leads to destruction of the perforant pathway and Alzheimer's disease dementia. The hippocampus is thereby isolated from neocortical input and output normally mediated by the entorhinal cortex. Additional evidence is presented that Al is involved in the formation of neurofibrillary tangles, amyloid plaques, granulovacuolar degeneration, and other pathological changes of Alzheimer's disease (AD). The shared characteristics indicate that AD is a human form of chronic Al neurotoxicity. This translational animal model provides fresh strategies for the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- J. R. Walton
- Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
- Clinical Outcomes Research, St George Hospital, Kogarah, NSW 2217, Australia
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Attems J, Ittner A, Jellinger K, Nitsch RM, Maj M, Wagner L, Götz J, Heikenwalder M. Reduced secretagogin expression in the hippocampus of P301L tau transgenic mice. J Neural Transm (Vienna) 2011; 118:737-45. [PMID: 21442354 DOI: 10.1007/s00702-011-0626-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2010] [Accepted: 03/13/2011] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Neuropathological features in Alzheimer's Disease (AD) include the presence of hyperphosphorylated forms of the microtubule-associated tau protein (tau) in hippocampal neurones. Numerous studies indicate a neuroprotective effect of calcium-binding proteins (Ca2+ binding proteins) in neurodegenerative diseases (e.g., AD). Secretagogin is a newly described Ca2+ binding protein that is produced by pyramidal neurones of the human hippocampus. Recently, secretagogin expressing hippocampal neurones were demonstrated to resist tau-induced pathology in AD in contrast to the majority of neighbouring neurones. This suggested a neuroprotective effect of secretagogin in hippocampal neurones. Here, we investigated secretagogin expression in wild type (wt) mice as well as in hemizygous and homozygous P301L tau transgenic (tg) mice, which show pronounced and widespread tau pathology in hippocampal neurones. Secretagogin expression was analyzed at the immunohistochemical and biochemical levels in brains of age-matched wt and hemi- and homozygous tau tg mice. In wt mice hippocampal secretagogin-immunoreactive neurones were invariably detected, while immunoreactivity was much lower (P < 0.001) in tau tg mice. Of note, hippocampal secretagogin immunoreactivity was absent in 62.5% of homozygous tau tg mice. In line with this finding, Western blot analysis demonstrated a significant reduction in protein expression levels of secretagogin in homozygous tau tg compared to wt mice. Our results suggest that increased levels of tau negatively influence secretagogin expression in the hippocampus of tau tg mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johannes Attems
- Institute for Ageing and Health, Wolfson Research Centre, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.
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Mastoparan/Mastoparan X altered binding behavior of La3+ to calmodulin in ternary complexes. J Inorg Biochem 2008; 102:278-84. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jinorgbio.2007.08.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2007] [Revised: 07/19/2007] [Accepted: 08/30/2007] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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Attems J, Preusser M, Grosinger-Quass M, Wagner L, Lintner F, Jellinger K. Calcium-binding protein secretagogin-expressing neurones in the human hippocampus are largely resistant to neurodegeneration in Alzheimer's disease. Neuropathol Appl Neurobiol 2007; 34:23-32. [PMID: 17961140 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2990.2007.00854.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The pathological findings in Alzheimer's disease (AD) are partly attributed to alterations in calcium-binding protein (CBP) functions. We showed previously that immunoreactivity of secretagogin, a recently cloned CBP, in the human hippocampus is restricted to pyramidal neurones and that the amount of immunoreactive neurones does not differ between AD cases and controls. In this study we investigate the influence of hippocampal tau pathology on secretagogin expression in more details. The study group consisted of 26 cases with different degrees of neuropathologically confirmed AD pathology. Sections were incubated separately with secretagogin- and tau-specific antibodies, respectively. The amount of immunoreactive neurones and integral optical densities were assessed. In addition, double immunofluorescence for both secretagogin and tau was performed. No difference with respect to secretagogin immunoreactivity was observed in different stages of AD pathology, and similarly no significant associations were seen between the amount of secretagogin and tau immunoreactivity in the different hippocampal subfields. Double immunofluorescence revealed that both proteins rarely colocalize because only 5.3% of tau and 2.9% of secretagogin immunoreactive neurones, respectively, showed colocalization. Because there are no differences in the amount of hippocampal secretagogin expression between AD cases and controls (as we have shown previously), the lack of an association between the amount of secretagogin expression and tau burden together with the low frequency of colocalization of tau and secretagogin in the human hippocampus, suggest that secretagogin-expressing neurones are largely resistant to neurodegeneration in AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Attems
- Institute of Pathology, Otto Wagner Hospital, Baumgartner Hoehe, Vienna, Austria.
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Exley C, Esiri MM. Severe cerebral congophilic angiopathy coincident with increased brain aluminium in a resident of Camelford, Cornwall, UK. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 2006; 77:877-9. [PMID: 16627535 PMCID: PMC2117501 DOI: 10.1136/jnnp.2005.086553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 93] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
In July 1988, 20 tonnes of aluminium sulphate was discharged by the South West Water Authority into the drinking water supplied to a large region of North Cornwall. Up to 20,000 people were exposed to concentrations of aluminium which were 500-3000 times the acceptable limit under European Union legislation (0.200 mg/l). Although this incident is currently the topic of a government inquiry, nothing is known about its longer-term repercussions on human health. The first neuropathological examination of a person who was exposed and died of an unspecified neurological condition was carried out. A rare form of sporadic early-onset beta amyloid angiopathy in cerebral cortical and leptomeningeal vessels, and in leptomeningeal vessels over the cerebellum was identified. In addition, high concentrations of aluminium were found coincident with the severely affected regions of the cortex. Although the presence of aluminium is highly unlikely to be adventitious, determining its role in the observed neuropathology is impossible. A clearer understanding of aluminium's role in this rare form of Alzheimer's related disease should be provided by future research on other people from the exposed population as well as similar neuropathologies in people within or outside this group.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Exley
- Birchall Centre for Inorganic Chemistry and Materials Science, Lennard-Jones Laboratories, Keele University, Staffordshire, UK.
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Kurita H, Nakatomi A, Shimahara H, Yazawa M, Ohki SY. Al3+ interaction sites of calmodulin and the Al3+ effect on target binding of calmodulin. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2005; 333:1060-5. [PMID: 15964544 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2005.06.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2005] [Accepted: 06/01/2005] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
The interaction between calmodulin (CaM) and Al(3+) was studied by spectroscopic methods. Heteronuclear two-dimensional NMR data indicated that peaks related to the both lobes and middle of the central helix of CaM are largely affected by Al(3+). But chemical shift perturbation suggested that overall conformation of Ca(2+)-loaded CaM is not changed by Al(3+) binding. It is thought that Al(3+) interaction to the middle of the central helix is a key for the property of CaM's target recognition. If the structure and/or flexibility of the central helix are/is changed by Al(3+), target affinity to CaM must be influenced by Al(3+). Thus, we performed surface plasmon resonance experiments to observe the effect of Al(3+) on the target recognition by CaM. The data clearly indicated that target affinity to CaM is reduced by addition of Al(3+). All the results presented here support a hypothesis that Al(3+) may affect on the Ca(2+) signaling pathway in cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroyuki Kurita
- Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, 1-1 Asahidai, Tatsunokuchi, Ishikawa 923-1292, Japan
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Praticò D, Uryu K, Sung S, Tang S, Trojanowski JQ, Lee VMY. Aluminum modulates brain amyloidosis through oxidative stress in APP transgenic mice. FASEB J 2002; 16:1138-40. [PMID: 12039845 DOI: 10.1096/fj.02-0012fje] [Citation(s) in RCA: 182] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Epidemiological studies have implicated aluminum (Al) exposure in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD); however, other studies have failed to confirm these results. Oxidative stress is a feature of AD, and Al can exacerbate oxidative events. This biological property has been suggested as a possible mechanism by which this metal could influence the onset and/or evolution of the disease. To test this hypothesis, we fed transgenic mice that over express human amyloid precursor protein (Tg2576) with a diet enriched in Al and measured isoprostane levels, sensitive and specific markers of in vivo oxidative stress, as well as amyloid b peptide formation and deposition. Here, we show an increase in brain isoprostane levels that correlated with increased amyloid b levels and accelerated plaque deposition in Tg2576 mice but not in wild-type (WT) littermates fed with high dietary Al. Significantly, these in vivo effects of Al were reversed by vitamin E, as judged by a reduction of isoprostane production, amyloid b levels, and plaque deposition. These results indicate that dietary Al can modulate in vivo AD-like amyloidosis in Tg2576 by increasing brain oxidative stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Domenico Praticò
- Center for Experimental Therapeutics and Department of Pharmacology, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA.
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Abstract
Aluminum is the most widely distributed metal in the environment and is extensively used in modern daily life. Aluminum enters into the body from the environment and from diet and medication. However, there is no known physiological role for aluminum within the body and hence this metal may produce adverse physiological effects. The impact of aluminum on neural tissues is well reported but studies on extraneural tissues are not well summarized. In this review, the impacts of aluminum on humans and its impact on major physiological systems are summarized and discussed. The neuropathologies associated with high brain aluminum levels, including structural, biochemical, and neurobehavioral changes, have been summarized. In addition, the impact of aluminum on the musculoskeletal system, respiratory system, cardiovascular system, hepatobiliary system, endocrine system, urinary system, and reproductive system are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prasunpriya Nayak
- Department of Physiology, Sikkim Manipal Institute of Medical Sciences, 5th Mile, Tadong, Gangtok, 737102, Sikkim, India
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Atamna H, Walter PB, Ames BN. The role of heme and iron-sulfur clusters in mitochondrial biogenesis, maintenance, and decay with age. Arch Biochem Biophys 2002; 397:345-53. [PMID: 11795893 DOI: 10.1006/abbi.2001.2671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Mitochondria decay with age from oxidative damage and loss of protective mechanisms. Resistance, repair, and replacement mechanisms are essential for mitochondrial preservation and maintenance. Iron plays an essential role in the maintenance of mitochondria, through its two major functional forms: heme and iron-sulfur clusters. Both iron-based cofactors are formed and utilized in the mitochondria and then distributed throughout the cell. This is an important function of mitochondria that is not directly related to the production of ATP. Heme and iron-sulfur clusters are important for the normal assembly and for the optimal activity of the electron transfer complexes. Loss of mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase (complex IV), integrity of mtDNA, and function can result from abnormal homeostasis of iron. We review the physiological role of iron-sulfur clusters and heme in the integrity of the mitochondria and the generation of oxidants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hani Atamna
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley/CHORI, 5700 Martin Luther King Jr. Way, Oakland, California 94609, USA
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