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Wagner WJ, Gross ML. Using mass spectrometry-based methods to understand amyloid formation and inhibition of alpha-synuclein and amyloid beta. MASS SPECTROMETRY REVIEWS 2024; 43:782-825. [PMID: 36224716 PMCID: PMC10090239 DOI: 10.1002/mas.21814] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
Amyloid fibrils, insoluble β-sheets structures that arise from protein misfolding, are associated with several neurodegenerative disorders. Many small molecules have been investigated to prevent amyloid fibrils from forming; however, there are currently no therapeutics to combat these diseases. Mass spectrometry (MS) is proving to be effective for studying the high order structure (HOS) of aggregating proteins and for determining structural changes accompanying protein-inhibitor interactions. When combined with native MS (nMS), gas-phase ion mobility, protein footprinting, and chemical cross-linking, MS can afford regional and sometimes amino acid spatial resolution of the aggregating protein. The spatial resolution is greater than typical low-resolution spectroscopic, calorimetric, and the traditional ThT fluorescence methods used in amyloid research today. High-resolution approaches can struggle when investigating protein aggregation, as the proteins exist as complex oligomeric mixtures of many sizes and several conformations or polymorphs. Thus, MS is positioned to complement both high- and low-resolution approaches to studying amyloid fibril formation and protein-inhibitor interactions. This review covers basics in MS paired with ion mobility, continuous hydrogen-deuterium exchange (continuous HDX), pulsed hydrogen-deuterium exchange (pulsed HDX), fast photochemical oxidation of proteins (FPOP) and other irreversible labeling methods, and chemical cross-linking. We then review the applications of these approaches to studying amyloid-prone proteins with a focus on amyloid beta and alpha-synuclein. Another focus is the determination of protein-inhibitor interactions. The expectation is that MS will bring new insights to amyloid formation and thereby play an important role to prevent their formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wesley J Wagner
- Department of Chemistry, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Michael L Gross
- Department of Chemistry, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
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2
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Liang X, Andrikopoulos N, Tang H, Wang Y, Ding F, Ke PC. Nanoplastic Stimulates the Amyloidogenesis of Parkinson's Alpha-Synuclein NACore. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2024; 20:e2308753. [PMID: 37988678 PMCID: PMC10994764 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202308753] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2023] [Revised: 11/04/2023] [Indexed: 11/23/2023]
Abstract
Environmental plastic wastes are potential health hazards due to their prevalence as well as their versatility in initiating physical, chemical, and biological interactions and transformations. Indeed, recent research has implicated the adverse effects of micro- and nano-plastics, including their neurotoxicity, yet how plastic particulates may impact the aggregation pathway and toxicity of amyloid proteins pertinent to the pathologies of neurological diseases remains unknown. Here, electrospray ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (ESI-TOF-MS) is employed to reveal the polymorphic oligomerization of NACore, a surrogate of alpha-synuclein that is associated with the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease. These data indicate that the production rate and population of the NACore oligomers are modulated by their exposure to a polystyrene nanoplastic, and these cellular assays further reveal an elevated NACore toxicity in microglial cells elicited by the nanoplastic. These simulations confirm that the nanoplastic-NACore association is promoted by their hydrophobic interactions. These findings are corroborated by an impairment in zebrafish hatching, survival, and development in vivo upon their embryonic exposure to the nanoplastic. Together, this study has uncovered the dynamics and mechanism of amyloidogenesis elevated by a nanoplastic trigger, shedding a new light on the neurological burden of plastic pollution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiufang Liang
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Engineering, Guangzhou International Campus, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, China
- Nanomedicine Center, The Great Bay Area National Institute for Nanotechnology Innovation, 136 Kaiyuan Avenue, Guangzhou, 510700, China
| | - Nicholas Andrikopoulos
- Nanomedicine Center, The Great Bay Area National Institute for Nanotechnology Innovation, 136 Kaiyuan Avenue, Guangzhou, 510700, China
- Drug Delivery, Disposition and Dynamics, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, 381 Royal Parade, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
| | - Huayuan Tang
- College of Mechanics and Materials, Hohai University, Nanjing, 211100, China
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Clemson University, Clemson, SC, 29634, USA
| | - Yue Wang
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Engineering, Guangzhou International Campus, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, China
- Nanomedicine Center, The Great Bay Area National Institute for Nanotechnology Innovation, 136 Kaiyuan Avenue, Guangzhou, 510700, China
| | - Feng Ding
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Clemson University, Clemson, SC, 29634, USA
| | - Pu Chun Ke
- Nanomedicine Center, The Great Bay Area National Institute for Nanotechnology Innovation, 136 Kaiyuan Avenue, Guangzhou, 510700, China
- Drug Delivery, Disposition and Dynamics, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, 381 Royal Parade, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
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3
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Li X, Chen Y, Yang Z, Zhang S, Wei G, Zhang L. Structural insights into the co-aggregation of Aβ and tau amyloid core peptides: Revealing potential pathological heterooligomers by simulations. Int J Biol Macromol 2024; 254:127841. [PMID: 37924907 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.127841] [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: 06/11/2023] [Revised: 10/30/2023] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 11/06/2023]
Abstract
The self-aggregation of amyloid-β (Aβ) and tau proteins are closely implicated in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Recent evidence indicates that Aβ and tau proteins can cross-interact to form co-aggregates, which aggravates the development of AD. However, their transient heterooligomer conformations and co-aggregation molecular mechanisms are largely unknown. Herein, we utilize replica exchange molecular dynamics simulations to investigate the conformational ensembles formed by the central hydrophobic core of Aβ (Aβ16-22) and each of two fibril-nucleating core segments of tau (PHF6* and PHF6). Both PHF6 and PHF6* are found to co-aggregate with Aβ16-22 into β-sheet-rich heterooligomers. Intriguingly, PHF6 and Aβ16-22 peptides formed closed β-barrels, while PHF6* and Aβ16-22 formed open β-barrels, implying their distinct co-aggregation property. Compared to Aβ16-22-PHF6*, Aβ16-22-PHF6 heterooligomers have higher β-sheet content, and contain longer β-strands and larger β-sheets, indicative of stronger co-aggregation ability of PHF6 with Aβ16-22. Further analyses reveal that hydrophobic and π-π stacking interactions between Y310 of PHF6 and Aβ16-22 are crucial for the closed β-barrel/larger β-sheet formation in Aβ16-22-PHF6 heterooligomers. These results highlight the paramount importance of PHF6 fragment, particularly Y310 residue, as a potential target for inhibiting Aβ-tau co-aggregation, which could help for effective therapeutic design in mitigating Aβ-tau co-aggregation related amyloidogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuhua Li
- MOE Key Laboratory for Nonequilibrium Synthesis and Modulation of Condensed Matter, School of Physics, Xi'an Jiaotong University, 28 West Xianning Road, Xi'an 710049, China; State Key Laboratory of Surface Physics, Key Laboratory for Computational Physical Sciences (Ministry of Education), Department of Physics, Fudan University, 2005 Songhu Road, Shanghai 200438, China
| | - Yujie Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Surface Physics, Key Laboratory for Computational Physical Sciences (Ministry of Education), Department of Physics, Fudan University, 2005 Songhu Road, Shanghai 200438, China
| | - Zhiwei Yang
- MOE Key Laboratory for Nonequilibrium Synthesis and Modulation of Condensed Matter, School of Physics, Xi'an Jiaotong University, 28 West Xianning Road, Xi'an 710049, China
| | - Shengli Zhang
- MOE Key Laboratory for Nonequilibrium Synthesis and Modulation of Condensed Matter, School of Physics, Xi'an Jiaotong University, 28 West Xianning Road, Xi'an 710049, China
| | - Guanghong Wei
- State Key Laboratory of Surface Physics, Key Laboratory for Computational Physical Sciences (Ministry of Education), Department of Physics, Fudan University, 2005 Songhu Road, Shanghai 200438, China..
| | - Lei Zhang
- MOE Key Laboratory for Nonequilibrium Synthesis and Modulation of Condensed Matter, School of Physics, Xi'an Jiaotong University, 28 West Xianning Road, Xi'an 710049, China.
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4
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Liu X, Duan S, Jin Y, Walker E, Tsao M, Jang JH, Chen Z, Singh AK, Cantrell KL, Ingolfsson HI, Buratto SK, Bowers MT. Computationally Designed Molecules Modulate ALS-Related Amyloidogenic TDP-43 307-319 Aggregation. ACS Chem Neurosci 2023; 14:4395-4408. [PMID: 38050862 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.3c00582] [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: 12/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Abnormal cytosolic aggregation of TAR DNA-binding protein of 43 kDa (TDP-43) is observed in multiple diseases, including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), frontotemporal lobar degeneration, and Alzheimer's disease. Previous studies have shown that TDP-43307-319 located at the C-terminal of TDP-43 can form higher-order oligomers and fibrils. Of particular interest are the hexamers that adopt a cylindrin structure that has been strongly correlated to neurotoxicity. In this study, we use the joint pharmacophore space (JPS) model to identify and generate potential TDP-43 inhibitors. Five JPS-designed molecules are evaluated using both experimental and computational methods: ion mobility mass spectrometry, thioflavin T fluorescence assay, circular dichroism spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy, and molecular dynamics simulations. We found that all five molecules can prevent the amyloid fibril formation of TDP-43307-319, but their efficacy varies significantly. Furthermore, among the five molecules, [AC0101] is the most efficient in preventing the formation of higher-order oligomers and dissociating preformed higher-order oligomers. Molecular dynamics simulations show that [AC0101] both is the most flexible and forms the most hydrogen bonds with the TDP-43307-319 monomer. The JPS-designed molecules can insert themselves between the β-strands in the hexameric cylindrin structure of TDP-43307-319 and can open its structure. Possible mechanisms for JPS-designed molecules to inhibit and dissociate TDP-43307-319 oligomers on an atomistic scale are proposed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xikun Liu
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, University of California Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, California 93106, United States
| | - Shuya Duan
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, University of California Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, California 93106, United States
| | - Yingying Jin
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, University of California Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, California 93106, United States
| | - Ethan Walker
- Department of Chemistry, Westmont College, Santa Barbara, California 93108, United States
| | - Michelle Tsao
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, University of California Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, California 93106, United States
| | - Joshua H Jang
- Department of Chemistry, Westmont College, Santa Barbara, California 93108, United States
| | - Ziying Chen
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, University of California Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, California 93106, United States
| | - Ambuj K Singh
- Department of Computer Science, University of California Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, California 93106, United States
| | - Kristi Lazar Cantrell
- Department of Chemistry, Westmont College, Santa Barbara, California 93108, United States
| | - Helgi I Ingolfsson
- Physical and Life Sciences Directorate, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California 94550, United States
| | - Steven K Buratto
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, University of California Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, California 93106, United States
| | - Michael T Bowers
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, University of California Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, California 93106, United States
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Nash S, Vachet RW. Gas-Phase Unfolding of Protein Complexes Distinguishes Conformational Isomers. J Am Chem Soc 2022; 144:22128-22139. [PMID: 36414315 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.2c09573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Proteins can adopt different conformational states that are important for their biological function and, in some cases, can be responsible for their dysfunction. The essential roles that proteins play in biological systems make distinguishing the structural differences between these conformational states both fundamentally and practically important. Here, we demonstrate that collision-induced unfolding (CIU), in combination with ion mobility-mass spectrometry (IM-MS) measurements, distinguish subtly different conformational states for protein complexes. Using the open and closed states of the β-lactoglobulin (βLG) dimer as a model, we show that these two conformational isomers unfold during collisional activation to generate distinct states that are readily separated by IM-MS. Extensive molecular modeling of the CIU process reproduces the distinct unfolding intermediates and identifies the molecular details that explain why the two conformational states unfold in distinct ways. Strikingly, the open conformational state forms new electrostatic interactions upon collisional heating, while the closed state does not. These newly formed electrostatic interactions involve residues on the loop differentially positioned in the two βLG conformational isomers, highlighting that gas-phase unfolding pathways reflect aspects of solution structure. This combination of experiment and theory provides a path forward for distinguishing subtly different conformational isomers for protein complexes via gas-phase unfolding experiments. Our results also have implications for understanding how protein complexes dissociate in the gas phase, indicating that current models need to be refined to explain protein complex dissociation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stacey Nash
- Molecular and Cellular Biology Program, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003, United States
| | - Richard W Vachet
- Molecular and Cellular Biology Program, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003, United States.,Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003 United States
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6
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Li Z, Chen W, Liu J, Jiang D. Can Linear Conjugated Polymers Form Stable Helical Structures on the Carbon Nanotubes? ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2022; 14:49189-49198. [PMID: 36260827 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.2c14771] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The formation mechanism of ordered helical structures of conjugated polymers wrapping onto single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) has been full of controversy in recent decades. A formation mechanism is proposed for the linear conjugated polymers wrapping around SWCNTs that the formation of helical structures is dependent on the orientation competition between backbone segments and side groups via transmission electron microscopy observations and molecular dynamics simulations. Results show that the conjugated polymers cannot always form stable helical structures, even if they have the capability to form a stable helix. In fact, only part of polymer segments presents a stable helix on the SWCNTs for the internal rotation in polymer deformations. Furthermore, a design framework is proposed to choose specific conjugated homopolymers and copolymers which can form helical structures on the SWCNTs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zixi Li
- School of Materials, Sun Yat-sen University, No. 135, Xingang Xi Road, Guangzhou510275, P. R. China
| | - Wenduo Chen
- School of Materials, Sun Yat-sen University, No. 135, Xingang Xi Road, Guangzhou510275, P. R. China
| | - Jiayin Liu
- School of Materials, Sun Yat-sen University, No. 135, Xingang Xi Road, Guangzhou510275, P. R. China
| | - Dazhi Jiang
- School of Materials, Sun Yat-sen University, No. 135, Xingang Xi Road, Guangzhou510275, P. R. China
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7
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Liu X, Ganguly P, Jin Y, Jhatro MJ, Shea JE, Buratto SK, Bowers MT. Tachykinin Neuropeptides and Amyloid β (25-35) Assembly: Friend or Foe? J Am Chem Soc 2022; 144:14614-14626. [PMID: 35917596 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.2c03845] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Amyloid β (Aβ) protein is responsible for Alzheimer's disease, and one of its important fragments, Aβ(25-35), is found in the brain and has been shown to be neurotoxic. Tachykinin neuropeptides, including Neuromedin K (NK), Kassinin, and Substance P, have been reported to reduce Aβ(25-35)'s toxicity in cells even though they share similar primary structures with Aβ(25-35). Here, we seek to understand the molecular mechanisms of how these peptides interact with Aβ(25-35) and to shed light on why some peptides with similar primary structures are toxic and others nontoxic. We use both experimental and computational methods, including ion mobility mass spectrometry and enhanced-sampling replica-exchange molecular dynamics simulations, to study the aggregation pathways of Aβ(25-35), NK, Kassinin, Substance P, and mixtures of the latter three with Aβ(25-35). NK and Substance P were observed to remove the higher-order oligomers (i.e., hexamers and dodecamers) of Aβ(25-35), which are related to its toxicity, although Substance P did so more slowly. In contrast, Kassinin was found to promote the formation of these higher-order oligomers. This result conflicts with what is expected and is elaborated on in the text. We also observe that even though they have significant structural homology with Aβ(25-35), NK, Kassinin, and Substance P do not form hexamers with a β-sheet structure like Aβ(25-35). The hexamer structure of Aβ(25-35) has been identified as a cylindrin, and this structure has been strongly correlated to toxic species. The reasons why the three tachykinin peptides behave so differently when mixed with Aβ(25-35) are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xikun Liu
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, University of California Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, California 93106, United States
| | - Pritam Ganguly
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, University of California Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, California 93106, United States
| | - Yingying Jin
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, University of California Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, California 93106, United States
| | - Michael J Jhatro
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, University of California Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, California 93106, United States
| | - Joan-Emma Shea
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, University of California Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, California 93106, United States
| | - Steven K Buratto
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, University of California Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, California 93106, United States
| | - Michael T Bowers
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, University of California Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, California 93106, United States
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8
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Latimer CS, Stair JG, Hincks JC, Currey HN, Bird TD, Keene CD, Kraemer BC, Liachko NF. TDP-43 promotes tau accumulation and selective neurotoxicity in bigenic Caenorhabditis elegans. Dis Model Mech 2022; 15:275149. [PMID: 35178571 PMCID: PMC9066518 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.049323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2021] [Accepted: 02/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Although amyloid β (Aβ) and tau aggregates define the neuropathology of Alzheimer's disease (AD), TDP-43 has recently emerged as a co-morbid pathology in more than half of patients with AD. Individuals with concomitant Aβ, tau and TDP-43 pathology experience accelerated cognitive decline and worsened brain atrophy, but the molecular mechanisms of TDP-43 neurotoxicity in AD are unknown. Synergistic interactions among Aβ, tau and TDP-43 may be responsible for worsened disease outcomes. To study the biology underlying this process, we have developed new models of protein co-morbidity using the simple animal Caenorhabditis elegans. We demonstrate that TDP-43 specifically enhances tau but not Aβ neurotoxicity, resulting in neuronal dysfunction, pathological tau accumulation and selective neurodegeneration. Furthermore, we find that synergism between tau and TDP-43 is rescued by loss-of-function of the robust tau modifier sut-2. Our results implicate enhanced tau neurotoxicity as the primary driver underlying worsened clinical and neuropathological phenotypes in AD with TDP-43 pathology, and identify cell-type specific sensitivities to co-morbid tau and TDP-43. Determining the relationship between co-morbid TDP-43 and tau is crucial to understand, and ultimately treat, mixed pathology AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caitlin S. Latimer
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Jade G. Stair
- Geriatrics Research Education and Clinical Center, Veterans Affairs Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, WA 98108, USA
| | - Joshua C. Hincks
- Geriatrics Research Education and Clinical Center, Veterans Affairs Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, WA 98108, USA
| | - Heather N. Currey
- Geriatrics Research Education and Clinical Center, Veterans Affairs Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, WA 98108, USA
| | - Thomas D. Bird
- Geriatrics Research Education and Clinical Center, Veterans Affairs Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, WA 98108, USA,Department of Neurology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98104, USA,Division of Medical Genetics, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98104, USA
| | - C. Dirk Keene
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Brian C. Kraemer
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA,Geriatrics Research Education and Clinical Center, Veterans Affairs Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, WA 98108, USA,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA,Division of Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98104, USA
| | - Nicole F. Liachko
- Geriatrics Research Education and Clinical Center, Veterans Affairs Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, WA 98108, USA,Division of Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98104, USA,Author for correspondence ()
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9
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Vrillon A, Deramecourt V, Pasquier F, Magnin É, Wallon D, Lozeron P, Bouaziz-Amar É, Paquet C. Association of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Alzheimer's Disease: New Entity or Coincidence? A Case Series. J Alzheimers Dis 2021; 84:1439-1446. [PMID: 34690148 DOI: 10.3233/jad-215226] [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: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia have a strong clinical, genetic, and pathological connection but association of ALS with Alzheimer's disease (AD) is seldom reported. We report a series of 5 cases of AD associated with ALS. Our patients presented with cognitive deterioration with episodic memory impairment meeting criteria for AD. ALS occurred subsequently in all cases and its phenotype was not homogenous. Amyloid process was confirmed in four cases with cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers. One case underwent postmortem exam, demonstrating hallmarks lesions of both diseases. This series highlights that ALS-AD phenotype could be a specific underexplored entity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agathe Vrillon
- APHP GHU Nord Lariboisière Fernand-Widal, Cognitive Neurology Centre, Paris, France.,Université de Paris Inserm UMR S1144 Optimization in Neuropsychopharmacology, Paris, France
| | - Vincent Deramecourt
- Université de Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, Lille Neuroscience & Cognition, CNRMAJ, LiCEND, DistAlz, Lille, France
| | - Florence Pasquier
- Université de Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, Lille Neuroscience & Cognition, CNRMAJ, LiCEND, DistAlz, Lille, France
| | - Éloi Magnin
- Département de Neurologie, University Hospital of Besançon, Besançon, France; Clinical and Integrative Neuroscience, Research Laboratory 481, Bourgogne Franche-Comté University, Besançon, France
| | - David Wallon
- Normandie Univ, UNIROUEN, Inserm U1245, Rouen University Hospital, Department of Neurology and CNR-MAJ, Normandy Center for Genomic and Personalized Medicine, CIC-CRB1404, Rouen, France
| | - Pierre Lozeron
- Service de Physiologie Clinique-Explorations Fonctionnelles, APHP, Hôpital Lariboisière, Paris, France
| | - Élodie Bouaziz-Amar
- Service de Biochimie et Biologie moléculaire, APHP GHU Nord Lariboisière-Fernand Widal, Paris, France.,Université de Paris Inserm UMR S1144 Optimization in Neuropsychopharmacology, Paris, France
| | - Claire Paquet
- APHP GHU Nord Lariboisière Fernand-Widal, Centre de Neurologie Cognitive, Paris, France.,Université de Paris Inserm UMR S1144 Optimization in Neuropsychopharmacology, Paris, France
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10
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Tau and TDP-43 synergy: a novel therapeutic target for sporadic late-onset Alzheimer's disease. GeroScience 2021; 43:1627-1634. [PMID: 34185246 PMCID: PMC8492812 DOI: 10.1007/s11357-021-00407-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2021] [Accepted: 06/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is traditionally defined by the presence of two types of protein aggregates in the brain: amyloid plaques comprised of the protein amyloid-β (Aβ) and neurofibrillary tangles containing the protein tau. However, a large proportion (up to 57%) of AD patients also have TDP-43 aggregates present as an additional comorbid pathology. The presence of TDP-43 aggregates in AD correlates with hippocampal sclerosis, worse brain atrophy, more severe cognitive impairment, and more rapid cognitive decline. In patients with mixed Aβ, tau, and TDP-43 pathology, TDP-43 may interact with neurodegenerative processes in AD, worsening outcomes. While considerable progress has been made to characterize TDP-43 pathology in AD and late-onset dementia, there remains a critical need for mechanistic studies to understand underlying disease biology and develop therapeutic interventions. This perspectives article reviews the current understanding of these processes from autopsy cohort studies and model organism-based research, and proposes targeting neurotoxic synergies between tau and TDP-43 as a new therapeutic strategy for AD with comorbid TDP-43 pathology.
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