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Camargo LC, Gering I, Mastalipour M, Kraemer-Schulien V, Bujnicki T, Willbold D, Coronado MA, Eberle RJ. A Snake Venom Peptide and Its Derivatives Prevent Aβ 42 Aggregation and Eliminate Toxic Aβ 42 Aggregates In Vitro. ACS Chem Neurosci 2024. [PMID: 38957957 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.4c00089] [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: 07/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Over a century has passed since Alois Alzheimer first described Alzheimer's disease (AD), and since then, researchers have made significant strides in understanding its pathology. One key feature of AD is the presence of amyloid-β (Aβ) peptides, which form amyloid plaques, and therefore, it is a primary target for treatment studies. Naturally occurring peptides have garnered attention for their potential pharmacological benefits, particularly in the central nervous system. In this study, nine peptide derivatives of Crotamine, a polypeptide from Crotalus durissus terrificus Rattlesnake venom, as well as one d-enantiomer, were evaluated for their ability to modulate Aβ42 aggregation through various assays such as ThT, QIAD, SPR, and sFIDA. All tested peptides were able to decrease Aβ42 aggregation and eliminate Aβ42 aggregates. Additionally, all of the peptides showed an affinity for Aβ42. This study is the first to describe the potential of crotamine derivative peptides against Aβ42 aggregation and to identify a promising d-peptide that could be used as an effective pharmacological tool against AD in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luana Cristina Camargo
- Institute of Biological Information Processing (IBI-7: Structural Biochemistry), Forschungszentrum Jülich, Jülich 52428, Germany
- Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Institute of Physical Biology, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf 40225, Germany
| | - Ian Gering
- Institute of Biological Information Processing (IBI-7: Structural Biochemistry), Forschungszentrum Jülich, Jülich 52428, Germany
| | - Mohammadamin Mastalipour
- Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Institute of Physical Biology, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf 40225, Germany
| | - Victoria Kraemer-Schulien
- Institute of Biological Information Processing (IBI-7: Structural Biochemistry), Forschungszentrum Jülich, Jülich 52428, Germany
| | - Tuyen Bujnicki
- Institute of Biological Information Processing (IBI-7: Structural Biochemistry), Forschungszentrum Jülich, Jülich 52428, Germany
| | - Dieter Willbold
- Institute of Biological Information Processing (IBI-7: Structural Biochemistry), Forschungszentrum Jülich, Jülich 52428, Germany
- Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Institute of Physical Biology, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf 40225, Germany
| | - Mônika A Coronado
- Institute of Biological Information Processing (IBI-7: Structural Biochemistry), Forschungszentrum Jülich, Jülich 52428, Germany
- Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Institute of Physical Biology, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf 40225, Germany
| | - Raphael J Eberle
- Institute of Biological Information Processing (IBI-7: Structural Biochemistry), Forschungszentrum Jülich, Jülich 52428, Germany
- Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Institute of Physical Biology, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf 40225, Germany
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Böken D, Cox D, Burke M, Lam JYL, Katsinelos T, Danial JSH, Fertan E, McEwan WA, Rowe JB, Klenerman D. Single-Molecule Characterization and Super-Resolution Imaging of Alzheimer's Disease-Relevant Tau Aggregates in Human Samples. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2024; 63:e202317756. [PMID: 38523073 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202317756] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2023] [Revised: 03/15/2024] [Accepted: 03/22/2024] [Indexed: 03/26/2024]
Abstract
Hyperphosphorylation and aggregation of the protein tau play key roles in the development of Alzheimer's disease (AD). While the molecular structure of the filamentous tau aggregates has been determined to atomic resolution, there is far less information available about the smaller, soluble aggregates, which are believed to be more toxic. Traditional techniques are limited to bulk measures and struggle to identify individual aggregates in complex biological samples. To address this, we developed a novel single-molecule pull-down-based assay (MAPTau) to detect and characterize individual tau aggregates in AD and control post-mortem brain and biofluids. Using MAPTau, we report the quantity, as well as the size and circularity of tau aggregates measured using super-resolution microscopy, revealing AD-specific differences in tau aggregate morphology. By adapting MAPTau to detect multiple phosphorylation markers in individual aggregates using two-color coincidence detection, we derived compositional profiles of the individual aggregates. We find an AD-specific phosphorylation profile of tau aggregates with more than 80 % containing multiple phosphorylations, compared to 5 % in age-matched non-AD controls. Our results show that MAPTau is able to identify disease-specific subpopulations of tau aggregates phosphorylated at different sites, that are invisible to other methods and enable the study of disease mechanisms and diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dorothea Böken
- Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 1EW, UK
- UK Dementia Research Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 0AH, UK
| | - Dezerae Cox
- Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 1EW, UK
- UK Dementia Research Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 0AH, UK
| | - Melanie Burke
- Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 1EW, UK
- UK Dementia Research Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 0AH, UK
| | - Jeff Y L Lam
- Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 1EW, UK
- UK Dementia Research Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 0AH, UK
| | - Taxiarchis Katsinelos
- UK Dementia Research Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 0AH, UK
- MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge, CB2 0QH, UK
| | - John S H Danial
- Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 1EW, UK
- UK Dementia Research Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 0AH, UK
| | - Emre Fertan
- Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 1EW, UK
- UK Dementia Research Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 0AH, UK
| | - William A McEwan
- UK Dementia Research Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 0AH, UK
| | - James B Rowe
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences and Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Trust, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 0SZ, UK
| | - David Klenerman
- Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 1EW, UK
- UK Dementia Research Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 0AH, UK
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Blömeke L, Rehn F, Kraemer‐Schulien V, Kutzsche J, Pils M, Bujnicki T, Lewczuk P, Kornhuber J, Freiesleben SD, Schneider L, Preis L, Priller J, Spruth EJ, Altenstein S, Lohse A, Schneider A, Fliessbach K, Wiltfang J, Hansen N, Rostamzadeh A, Düzel E, Glanz W, Incesoy EI, Butryn M, Buerger K, Janowitz D, Ewers M, Perneczky R, Rauchmann B, Teipel S, Kilimann I, Goerss D, Laske C, Munk MH, Sanzenbacher C, Spottke A, Roy‐Kluth N, Heneka MT, Brosseron F, Wagner M, Wolfsgruber S, Kleineidam L, Stark M, Schmid M, Jessen F, Bannach O, Willbold D, Peters O. Aβ oligomers peak in early stages of Alzheimer's disease preceding tau pathology. ALZHEIMER'S & DEMENTIA (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2024; 16:e12589. [PMID: 38666085 PMCID: PMC11044868 DOI: 10.1002/dad2.12589] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2023] [Revised: 03/11/2024] [Accepted: 03/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Soluble amyloid beta (Aβ) oligomers have been suggested as initiating Aβ related neuropathologic change in Alzheimer's disease (AD) but their quantitative distribution and chronological sequence within the AD continuum remain unclear. METHODS A total of 526 participants in early clinical stages of AD and controls from a longitudinal cohort were neurobiologically classified for amyloid and tau pathology applying the AT(N) system. Aβ and tau oligomers in the quantified cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) were measured using surface-based fluorescence intensity distribution analysis (sFIDA) technology. RESULTS Across groups, highest Aβ oligomer levels were found in A+ with subjective cognitive decline and mild cognitive impairment. Aβ oligomers were significantly higher in A+T- compared to A-T- and A+T+. APOE ε4 allele carriers showed significantly higher Aβ oligomer levels. No differences in tau oligomers were detected. DISCUSSION The accumulation of Aβ oligomers in the CSF peaks early within the AD continuum, preceding tau pathology. Disease-modifying treatments targeting Aβ oligomers might have the highest therapeutic effect in these disease stages. Highlights Using surface-based fluorescence intensity distribution analysis (sFIDA) technology, we quantified Aβ oligomers in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples of the DZNE-Longitudinal Cognitive Impairment and Dementia (DELCODE) cohortAβ oligomers were significantly elevated in mild cognitive impairment (MCI)Amyloid-positive subjects in the subjective cognitive decline (SCD) group increased compared to the amyloid-negative control groupInterestingly, levels of Aβ oligomers decrease at advanced stages of the disease (A+T+), which might be explained by altered clearing mechanisms.
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Pils M, Rutsch J, Eren F, Engberg G, Piehl F, Cervenka S, Sellgren C, Troßbach S, Willbold D, Erhardt S, Bannach O, Korth C. Disrupted-in-schizophrenia 1 protein aggregates in cerebrospinal fluid are elevated in patients with first-episode psychosis. Psychiatry Clin Neurosci 2023; 77:665-671. [PMID: 37668563 DOI: 10.1111/pcn.13594] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2023] [Revised: 08/25/2023] [Accepted: 09/01/2023] [Indexed: 09/06/2023]
Abstract
AIM The disrupted-in-schizophrenia 1 (DISC1) protein is a key regulator at the intersection of major signaling pathways relevant for adaptive behavior. It is prone to posttranslational changes such as misassembly and aggregation but the significance of such transformations for human mental illness has remained unclear. We aimed to demonstrate the occurrence of DISC1 protein aggregates in patients with first-episode psychosis (FEP). METHOD Cerebrospinal fluid samples of patients with FEP (n = 50) and matched healthy controls (HCs; n = 47) were measured by the highly sensitive surface-based fluorescence intensity distribution analysis technology that enables single aggregate detection. RESULTS We demonstrate that DISC1 protein aggregates are increased in cerebrospinal fluid samples of patients with FEP versus HCs. The concentration was in the low femtomolar range. No correlations were found with specific symptom levels, but the difference was particularly significant in the subset of patients with the diagnoses schizophrenia, unspecified (DSM-IV 295.9) or schizoaffective disorder (DSM-IV 295.70) at 18-month follow-up. DISC1 protein aggregate levels did not significantly change within the 18-month observation interval and were on average higher for individuals carrying the major DISC1 rs821577 allele, before correction. CONCLUSION The occurrence of protein aggregates in vivo in patients with psychotic disorders has not been previously reported. It underscores the significance of posttranslational modifications of proteins both as pathogenetic mechanisms and as potential diagnostic markers in these disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marlene Pils
- Institute of Biological Information Processing (Structural Biochemistry: IBI-7), Forschungszentrum Jülich, Jülich, Germany
- attyloid GmbH, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Julia Rutsch
- Department of Neuropathology, Heinrich Heine University of Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Feride Eren
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Göran Engberg
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Fredrik Piehl
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Neurology, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Simon Cervenka
- Centre for Psychiatry Research, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, and Stockholm Health Care Services, Region Stockholm, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Medical Sciences, Psychiatry, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Carl Sellgren
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Centre for Psychiatry Research, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, and Stockholm Health Care Services, Region Stockholm, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Svenja Troßbach
- Department of Neuropathology, Heinrich Heine University of Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Dieter Willbold
- Institute of Biological Information Processing (Structural Biochemistry: IBI-7), Forschungszentrum Jülich, Jülich, Germany
- attyloid GmbH, Düsseldorf, Germany
- Institut für Physikalische Biologie, Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Sophie Erhardt
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Oliver Bannach
- Institute of Biological Information Processing (Structural Biochemistry: IBI-7), Forschungszentrum Jülich, Jülich, Germany
- attyloid GmbH, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Carsten Korth
- Department of Neuropathology, Heinrich Heine University of Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
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Abdelmoaty MM, Lu E, Kadry R, Foster EG, Bhattarai S, Mosley RL, Gendelman HE. Clinical biomarkers for Lewy body diseases. Cell Biosci 2023; 13:209. [PMID: 37964309 PMCID: PMC10644566 DOI: 10.1186/s13578-023-01152-x] [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: 08/02/2023] [Accepted: 10/24/2023] [Indexed: 11/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Synucleinopathies are a group of neurodegenerative disorders characterized by pathologic aggregates of neural and glial α-synuclein (α-syn) in the form of Lewy bodies (LBs), Lewy neurites, and cytoplasmic inclusions in both neurons and glia. Two major classes of synucleinopathies are LB disease and multiple system atrophy. LB diseases include Parkinson's disease (PD), PD with dementia, and dementia with LBs. All are increasing in prevalence. Effective diagnostics, disease-modifying therapies, and therapeutic monitoring are urgently needed. Diagnostics capable of differentiating LB diseases are based on signs and symptoms which might overlap. To date, no specific diagnostic test exists despite disease-specific pathologies. Diagnostics are aided by brain imaging and cerebrospinal fluid evaluations, but more accessible biomarkers remain in need. Mechanisms of α-syn evolution to pathologic oligomers and insoluble fibrils can provide one of a spectrum of biomarkers to link complex neural pathways to effective therapies. With these in mind, we review promising biomarkers linked to effective disease-modifying interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mai M Abdelmoaty
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Neuroscience, College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA
| | - Eugene Lu
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Neuroscience, College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA
| | - Rana Kadry
- Department of Cellular and Integrative Physiology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA
| | - Emma G Foster
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Neuroscience, College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA
| | - Shaurav Bhattarai
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Neuroscience, College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA
| | - R Lee Mosley
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Neuroscience, College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA
| | - Howard E Gendelman
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Neuroscience, College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68198, USA.
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Bigi A, Cascella R, Cecchi C. α-Synuclein oligomers and fibrils: partners in crime in synucleinopathies. Neural Regen Res 2023; 18:2332-2342. [PMID: 37282450 PMCID: PMC10360081 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.371345] [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] [Indexed: 06/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The misfolding and aggregation of α-synuclein is the general hallmark of a group of devastating neurodegenerative pathologies referred to as synucleinopathies, such as Parkinson's disease, dementia with Lewy bodies, and multiple system atrophy. In such conditions, a range of different misfolded aggregates, including oligomers, protofibrils, and fibrils, are present both in neurons and glial cells. Growing experimental evidence supports the proposition that soluble oligomeric assemblies, formed during the early phases of the aggregation process, are the major culprits of neuronal toxicity; at the same time, fibrillar conformers appear to be the most efficient at propagating among interconnected neurons, thus contributing to the spreading of α-synuclein pathology. Moreover, α-synuclein fibrils have been recently reported to release soluble and highly toxic oligomeric species, responsible for an immediate dysfunction in the recipient neurons. In this review, we discuss the current knowledge about the plethora of mechanisms of cellular dysfunction caused by α-synuclein oligomers and fibrils, both contributing to neurodegeneration in synucleinopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra Bigi
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences, Section of Biochemistry, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Roberta Cascella
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences, Section of Biochemistry, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Cristina Cecchi
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences, Section of Biochemistry, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
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7
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Eberle RJ, Coronado MA, Gering I, Sommerhage S, Korostov K, Stefanski A, Stühler K, Kraemer-Schulien V, Blömeke L, Bannach O, Willbold D. Tau protein aggregation associated with SARS-CoV-2 main protease. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0288138. [PMID: 37603556 PMCID: PMC10441795 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0288138] [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: 03/16/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 08/23/2023] Open
Abstract
The primary function of virus proteases is the proteolytic processing of the viral polyprotein. These enzymes can also cleave host cell proteins, which is important for viral pathogenicity, modulation of cellular processes, viral replication, the defeat of antiviral responses and modulation of the immune response. It is known that COVID-19 can influence multiple tissues or organs and that infection can damage the functionality of the brain in multiple ways. After COVID-19 infections, amyloid-β, neurogranin, tau and phosphorylated tau were detected extracellularly, implicating possible neurodegenerative processes. The present study describes the possible induction of tau aggregation by the SARS-CoV-2 3CL protease (3CLpro) possibly relevant in neuropathology. Further investigations demonstrated that tau was proteolytically cleaved by the viral protease 3CL and, consequently, generated aggregates. However, more evidence is needed to confirm that COVID-19 is able to trigger neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raphael Josef Eberle
- Institute of Biological Information Processing (IBI-7: Structural Biochemistry), Forschungszentrum Jülich, Jülich, Germany
- Institute of Physical Biology, Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Mônika Aparecida Coronado
- Institute of Biological Information Processing (IBI-7: Structural Biochemistry), Forschungszentrum Jülich, Jülich, Germany
| | - Ian Gering
- Institute of Biological Information Processing (IBI-7: Structural Biochemistry), Forschungszentrum Jülich, Jülich, Germany
| | - Simon Sommerhage
- Institute of Biological Information Processing (IBI-7: Structural Biochemistry), Forschungszentrum Jülich, Jülich, Germany
| | - Karolina Korostov
- Institute of Biological Information Processing (IBI-7: Structural Biochemistry), Forschungszentrum Jülich, Jülich, Germany
| | - Anja Stefanski
- Molecular Proteomics Laboratory (MPL), BMFZ, Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Kai Stühler
- Molecular Proteomics Laboratory (MPL), BMFZ, Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Victoria Kraemer-Schulien
- Institute of Biological Information Processing (IBI-7: Structural Biochemistry), Forschungszentrum Jülich, Jülich, Germany
| | - Lara Blömeke
- Institute of Biological Information Processing (IBI-7: Structural Biochemistry), Forschungszentrum Jülich, Jülich, Germany
- Institute of Physical Biology, Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Oliver Bannach
- Institute of Biological Information Processing (IBI-7: Structural Biochemistry), Forschungszentrum Jülich, Jülich, Germany
- Institute of Physical Biology, Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
- attyloid GmbH, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Dieter Willbold
- Institute of Biological Information Processing (IBI-7: Structural Biochemistry), Forschungszentrum Jülich, Jülich, Germany
- Institute of Physical Biology, Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
- JuStruct: Jülich Centre for Structural Biology, Forschungszentrum Jülich, Jülich, Germany
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8
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Kutzsche J, Schemmert S, Bujnicki T, Zafiu C, Halbgebauer S, Kraemer-Schulien V, Pils M, Blömeke L, Post J, Kulawik A, Jürgens D, Rossberg WM, Hümpel M, Bannach O, Otto M, Araujo JA, Willuweit A, Willbold D. Oral treatment with the all-d-peptide RD2 enhances cognition in aged beagle dogs - A model of sporadic Alzheimer's disease. Heliyon 2023; 9:e18443. [PMID: 37609390 PMCID: PMC10440458 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e18443] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2023] [Revised: 07/14/2023] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 08/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Disease-modifying therapies to treat Alzheimer's disease (AD) are of fundamental interest for aging humans, societies, and health care systems. Predictable disease progression in transgenic AD models favors preclinical studies employing a preventive study design with an early pre-symptomatic treatment start, instead of assessing a truly curative approach with treatment starting after diagnosed disease onset. The aim of this study was to investigate the pharmacokinetic profile and efficacy of RD2 to enhance short-term memory and cognition in cognitively impaired aged Beagle dogs - a non-transgenic model of truly sporadic AD. RD2 has previously demonstrated pharmacodynamic efficacy in three different transgenic AD mouse models in three different laboratories. Here, we demonstrate that oral treatment with RD2 significantly reduced cognitive deficits in cognitively impaired aged Beagle dogs even beyond the treatment end, which suggests in combination with the treatment dependent CSF tau oligomer decrease a disease-modifying effect of RD2 treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janine Kutzsche
- Institute of Biological Information Processing, Structural Biochemistry (IBI-7), Forschungszentrum Jülich, Jülich, Germany
| | - Sarah Schemmert
- Institute of Biological Information Processing, Structural Biochemistry (IBI-7), Forschungszentrum Jülich, Jülich, Germany
| | - Tuyen Bujnicki
- Institute of Biological Information Processing, Structural Biochemistry (IBI-7), Forschungszentrum Jülich, Jülich, Germany
| | - Christian Zafiu
- Institute of Biological Information Processing, Structural Biochemistry (IBI-7), Forschungszentrum Jülich, Jülich, Germany
| | | | - Victoria Kraemer-Schulien
- Institute of Biological Information Processing, Structural Biochemistry (IBI-7), Forschungszentrum Jülich, Jülich, Germany
| | - Marlene Pils
- Institute of Biological Information Processing, Structural Biochemistry (IBI-7), Forschungszentrum Jülich, Jülich, Germany
- attyloid GmbH, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Lara Blömeke
- Institute of Biological Information Processing, Structural Biochemistry (IBI-7), Forschungszentrum Jülich, Jülich, Germany
- Institut für Physikalische Biologie, Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Julia Post
- Institute of Biological Information Processing, Structural Biochemistry (IBI-7), Forschungszentrum Jülich, Jülich, Germany
- Institut für Physikalische Biologie, Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Andreas Kulawik
- Institute of Biological Information Processing, Structural Biochemistry (IBI-7), Forschungszentrum Jülich, Jülich, Germany
| | - Dagmar Jürgens
- Institute of Biological Information Processing, Structural Biochemistry (IBI-7), Forschungszentrum Jülich, Jülich, Germany
| | | | | | - Oliver Bannach
- Institute of Biological Information Processing, Structural Biochemistry (IBI-7), Forschungszentrum Jülich, Jülich, Germany
- Institut für Physikalische Biologie, Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
- attyloid GmbH, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Markus Otto
- Institute of Experimental Neurology, Ulm University Hospital, Ulm, Germany
| | | | - Antje Willuweit
- Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine, Medical Imaging Physics (INM-4), Forschungszentrum Jülich, Jülich, Germany
| | - Dieter Willbold
- Institute of Biological Information Processing, Structural Biochemistry (IBI-7), Forschungszentrum Jülich, Jülich, Germany
- Institut für Physikalische Biologie, Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
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9
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Awasthi S, Ying C, Li J, Mayer M. Simultaneous Determination of the Size and Shape of Single α-Synuclein Oligomers in Solution. ACS NANO 2023. [PMID: 37327131 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.3c01393] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Soluble oligomers of amyloid-forming proteins are implicated as toxic species in the context of several neurodegenerative diseases. Since the size and shape of these oligomers influence their toxicity, their biophysical characterization is essential for a better understanding of the structure-toxicity relationship. Amyloid oligomers are difficult to characterize by conventional approaches due to their heterogeneity in size and shape, their dynamic aggregation process, and their low abundance. This work demonstrates that resistive pulse measurements using polymer-coated solid-state nanopores enable single-particle-level characterization of the size and shape of individual αSyn oligomers in solution within minutes. A comparison of the resulting size distribution with single-particle analysis by transmission electron microscopy and mass photometry reveals good agreement with superior resolution by nanopore-based characterization. Moreover, nanopore-based analysis has the capability to combine rapid size analysis with an approximation of the oligomer shape. Applying this shape approximation to putatively toxic oligomeric species that range in size from 18 ± 7 aggregated monomers (10S) to 29 ± 10 aggregated monomers (15S) and in concentration from picomolar to nanomolar revealed oligomer shapes that agree well with previous estimates by cryo-EM with the added advantage that nanopore-based analysis occurs rapidly, in solution, and has the potential to become a widely accessible technique.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saurabh Awasthi
- Adolphe Merkle Institute, University of Fribourg, Chemin des Verdiers 4, CH-1700 Fribourg, Switzerland
| | - Cuifeng Ying
- Adolphe Merkle Institute, University of Fribourg, Chemin des Verdiers 4, CH-1700 Fribourg, Switzerland
| | - Jiali Li
- University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Arkansas 72701, United States
| | - Michael Mayer
- Adolphe Merkle Institute, University of Fribourg, Chemin des Verdiers 4, CH-1700 Fribourg, Switzerland
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10
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Pils M, Dybala A, Rehn F, Blömeke L, Bujnicki T, Kraemer-Schulien V, Hoyer W, Riesner D, Willbold D, Bannach O. Development and Implementation of an Internal Quality Control Sample to Standardize Oligomer-Based Diagnostics of Alzheimer's Disease. Diagnostics (Basel) 2023; 13:diagnostics13101702. [PMID: 37238187 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics13101702] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2023] [Revised: 05/05/2023] [Accepted: 05/07/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Protein misfolding and aggregation are pathological hallmarks of various neurodegenerative diseases. In Alzheimer's disease (AD), soluble and toxic amyloid-β (Aβ) oligomers are biomarker candidates for diagnostics and drug development. However, accurate quantification of Aβ oligomers in bodily fluids is challenging because extreme sensitivity and specificity are required. We previously introduced surface-based fluorescence intensity distribution analysis (sFIDA) with single-particle sensitivity. In this report, a preparation protocol for a synthetic Aβ oligomer sample was developed. This sample was used for internal quality control (IQC) to improve standardization, quality assurance, and routine application of oligomer-based diagnostic methods. We established an aggregation protocol for Aβ1-42, characterized the oligomers by atomic force microscopy (AFM), and assessed their application in sFIDA. Globular-shaped oligomers with a median size of 2.67 nm were detected by AFM, and sFIDA analysis of the Aβ1-42 oligomers yielded a femtomolar detection limit with high assay selectivity and dilution linearity over 5 log units. Lastly, we implemented a Shewhart chart for monitoring IQC performance over time, which is another important step toward quality assurance of oligomer-based diagnostic methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marlene Pils
- attyloid GmbH, Merowingerplatz 1a, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
- Institute of Biological Information Processing (Structural Biochemistry: IBI-7), Forschungszentrum Jülich, 52428 Jülich, Germany
| | - Alexandra Dybala
- attyloid GmbH, Merowingerplatz 1a, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
- Institut für Physikalische Biologie, Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Fabian Rehn
- attyloid GmbH, Merowingerplatz 1a, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
- Institute of Biological Information Processing (Structural Biochemistry: IBI-7), Forschungszentrum Jülich, 52428 Jülich, Germany
| | - Lara Blömeke
- attyloid GmbH, Merowingerplatz 1a, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
- Institute of Biological Information Processing (Structural Biochemistry: IBI-7), Forschungszentrum Jülich, 52428 Jülich, Germany
| | - Tuyen Bujnicki
- Institute of Biological Information Processing (Structural Biochemistry: IBI-7), Forschungszentrum Jülich, 52428 Jülich, Germany
| | - Victoria Kraemer-Schulien
- Institute of Biological Information Processing (Structural Biochemistry: IBI-7), Forschungszentrum Jülich, 52428 Jülich, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Hoyer
- Institute of Biological Information Processing (Structural Biochemistry: IBI-7), Forschungszentrum Jülich, 52428 Jülich, Germany
- Institut für Physikalische Biologie, Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Detlev Riesner
- attyloid GmbH, Merowingerplatz 1a, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
- Institut für Physikalische Biologie, Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Dieter Willbold
- attyloid GmbH, Merowingerplatz 1a, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
- Institute of Biological Information Processing (Structural Biochemistry: IBI-7), Forschungszentrum Jülich, 52428 Jülich, Germany
- Institut für Physikalische Biologie, Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Oliver Bannach
- attyloid GmbH, Merowingerplatz 1a, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
- Institute of Biological Information Processing (Structural Biochemistry: IBI-7), Forschungszentrum Jülich, 52428 Jülich, Germany
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Patients with isolated REM-sleep behavior disorder have elevated levels of alpha-synuclein aggregates in stool. NPJ Parkinsons Dis 2023; 9:14. [PMID: 36732520 PMCID: PMC9895074 DOI: 10.1038/s41531-023-00458-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2022] [Accepted: 01/16/2023] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Misfolded and aggregated α-synuclein is a neuropathological hallmark of Parkinson's disease (PD). Thus, α-synuclein aggregates are regarded as a biomarker for the development of diagnostic assays. Quantification of α-synuclein aggregates in body fluids is challenging, and requires highly sensitive and specific assays. Recent studies suggest that α-synuclein aggregates may be shed into stool. We used surface-based fluorescence intensity distribution analysis (sFIDA) to detect and quantify single particles of α-synuclein aggregates in stool of 94 PD patients, 72 isolated rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder (iRBD) patients, and 51 healthy controls. We measured significantly elevated concentrations of α-synuclein aggregates in stool of iRBD patients versus those of controls (p = 0.024) or PD patients (p < 0.001). Our results show that α-synuclein aggregates are excreted in stool and can be measured using the sFIDA assay, which could support the diagnosis of prodromal synucleinopathies.
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12
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Sevenich M, Honold D, Willuweit A, Kutzsche J, Mohrlüder J, Willbold D. Development of an α-synuclein fibril and oligomer specific tracer for diagnosis of Parkinson's disease, dementia with Lewy bodies and multiple system atrophy. Neurochem Int 2022; 161:105422. [PMID: 36252819 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuint.2022.105422] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2022] [Revised: 09/26/2022] [Accepted: 10/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
The development of specific disease-associated PET tracers is one of the major challenges, the realization of which in neurodegenerative diseases would enable not only the efficiency of diagnosis but also support the development of disease-modifying therapeutics. Parkinson's disease (PD) is the most common neurodegenerative movement disorder and is characterized by neuronal fibrillary inclusions composed of aggregated α-synuclein (α-syn). However, these deposits are not only found in PD, but also in other related diseases such as multiple system atrophy (MSA) and dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB), which are grouped under the term synucleinopathies. In this study, we used NGS-guided phage display selection to identify short peptides that bind aggregated α-syn. By surface plasmon resonance (SPR)-based affinity screening, we identified the peptide SVLfib-5 that recognizes aggregated α-syn with high complex stability and sequence specificity. Further analysis SPR showed that SVLfib-5 is not only specific for aggregated α-syn, but in particular recognizes fibrillary and oligomeric structures. Moreover, fluorescence microscopy of human brain tissue sections from PD, MSA, and DLB patients with SVLfib-5 allowed specific recognition of α-syn and a clear discrimination between diseased and non-diseased samples. These findings provide the basis for the further development of an α-syn PET tracer for early diagnosis and monitoring of disease progression and therapy progress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marc Sevenich
- Priavoid GmbH, Düsseldorf, Germany; Institute of Biological Information Processing (IBI-7), Forschungszsentrum Jülich, Jülich, Germany
| | - Dominik Honold
- Institute of Biological Information Processing (IBI-7), Forschungszsentrum Jülich, Jülich, Germany
| | - Antje Willuweit
- Priavoid GmbH, Düsseldorf, Germany; Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine (INM-4), Forschungszentrum Jülich, Jülich, Germany
| | - Janine Kutzsche
- Institute of Biological Information Processing (IBI-7), Forschungszsentrum Jülich, Jülich, Germany
| | - Jeannine Mohrlüder
- Institute of Biological Information Processing (IBI-7), Forschungszsentrum Jülich, Jülich, Germany
| | - Dieter Willbold
- Institute of Biological Information Processing (IBI-7), Forschungszsentrum Jülich, Jülich, Germany; Institut für Physikalische Biologie, Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany; JuStruct, Forschungszentrum Jülich, Jülich, Germany.
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13
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Forloni G, La Vitola P, Balducci C. Oligomeropathies, inflammation and prion protein binding. Front Neurosci 2022; 16:822420. [PMID: 36081661 PMCID: PMC9445368 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.822420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2021] [Accepted: 07/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The central role of oligomers, small soluble aggregates of misfolded proteins, in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative disorders is recognized in numerous experimental conditions and is compatible with clinical evidence. To underline this concept, some years ago we coined the term oligomeropathies to define the common mechanism of action of protein misfolding diseases like Alzheimer, Parkinson or prion diseases. Using simple experimental conditions, with direct application of synthetic β amyloid or α-synuclein oligomers intraventricularly at micromolar concentrations, we could detect differences and similarities in the biological consequences. The two oligomer species affected cognitive behavior, neuronal dysfunction and cerebral inflammatory reactions with distinct mechanisms. In these experimental conditions the proposed mediatory role of cellular prion protein in oligomer activities was not confirmed. Together with oligomers, inflammation at different levels can be important early in neurodegenerative disorders; both β amyloid and α-synuclein oligomers induce inflammation and its control strongly affects neuronal dysfunction. This review summarizes our studies with β-amyloid or α-synuclein oligomers, also considering the potential curative role of doxycycline, a well-known antibiotic with anti-amyloidogenic and anti-inflammatory activities. These actions are analyzed in terms of the therapeutic prospects.
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