1
|
Neuroimaging of Mouse Models of Alzheimer’s Disease. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10020305. [PMID: 35203515 PMCID: PMC8869427 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10020305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2021] [Revised: 01/25/2022] [Accepted: 01/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and positron emission tomography (PET) have made great strides in the diagnosis and our understanding of Alzheimer’s Disease (AD). Despite the knowledge gained from human studies, mouse models have and continue to play an important role in deciphering the cellular and molecular evolution of AD. MRI and PET are now being increasingly used to investigate neuroimaging features in mouse models and provide the basis for rapid translation to the clinical setting. Here, we provide an overview of the human MRI and PET imaging landscape as a prelude to an in-depth review of preclinical imaging in mice. A broad range of mouse models recapitulate certain aspects of the human AD, but no single model simulates the human disease spectrum. We focused on the two of the most popular mouse models, the 3xTg-AD and the 5xFAD models, and we summarized all known published MRI and PET imaging data, including contrasting findings. The goal of this review is to provide the reader with broad framework to guide future studies in existing and future mouse models of AD. We also highlight aspects of MRI and PET imaging that could be improved to increase rigor and reproducibility in future imaging studies.
Collapse
|
2
|
Ni R. Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Animal Models of Alzheimer's Disease Amyloidosis. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:12768. [PMID: 34884573 PMCID: PMC8657987 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222312768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2021] [Revised: 11/18/2021] [Accepted: 11/23/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Amyloid-beta (Aβ) plays an important role in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease. Aberrant Aβ accumulation induces neuroinflammation, cerebrovascular alterations, and synaptic deficits, leading to cognitive impairment. Animal models recapitulating the Aβ pathology, such as transgenic, knock-in mouse and rat models, have facilitated the understanding of disease mechanisms and the development of therapeutics targeting Aβ. There is a rapid advance in high-field MRI in small animals. Versatile high-field magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) sequences, such as diffusion tensor imaging, arterial spin labeling, resting-state functional MRI, anatomical MRI, and MR spectroscopy, as well as contrast agents, have been developed for preclinical imaging in animal models. These tools have enabled high-resolution in vivo structural, functional, and molecular readouts with a whole-brain field of view. MRI has been used to visualize non-invasively the Aβ deposits, synaptic deficits, regional brain atrophy, impairment in white matter integrity, functional connectivity, and cerebrovascular and glymphatic system in animal models of Alzheimer's disease amyloidosis. Many of the readouts are translational toward clinical MRI applications in patients with Alzheimer's disease. In this review, we summarize the recent advances in MRI for visualizing the pathophysiology in amyloidosis animal models. We discuss the outstanding challenges in brain imaging using MRI in small animals and propose future outlook in visualizing Aβ-related alterations in the brains of animal models.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ruiqing Ni
- Institute for Biomedical Engineering, ETH Zurich & University of Zurich, 8093 Zurich, Switzerland;
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, University of Zurich, 8952 Zurich, Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Xiong M, Zou L, Meng L, Zhang X, Tian Y, Zhang G, Yang J, Chen G, Xiong J, Ye K, Zhang Z. A γ-adducin cleavage fragment induces neurite deficits and synaptic dysfunction in Alzheimer's disease. Prog Neurobiol 2021; 203:102074. [PMID: 33992672 DOI: 10.1016/j.pneurobio.2021.102074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2020] [Revised: 04/23/2021] [Accepted: 05/06/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Neurite deficits and synaptic dysfunction contribute to cognitive impairments in Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, the underlying molecular mechanisms remain unclear. Here, we show that γ-adducin, a cytoskeleton-associated protein that assembles the spectrin-actin framework, is cleaved by a lysosomal cysteine proteinase named asparagine endopeptidase (AEP). AEP is upregulated and activated during aging and cleaves γ-adducin at N357, disrupting spectrin-actin assembly. Moreover, γ-adducin (1-357) fragment downregulates the expression of Rac2, leading to defects in neurite outgrowth. Expression of the γ-adducin (1-357) fragment in the hippocampus of tau P301S transgenic mice resulted in significant AD-like pathology and cognitive deficits. In summary, AEP-mediated fragmentation of γ-adducin plays a vital role in AD. Blocking the activity of AEP might be a novel therapeutic target for AD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Min Xiong
- Department of Neurology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430060, China
| | - Li Zou
- Department of Neurology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430060, China
| | - Lanxia Meng
- Department of Neurology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430060, China
| | - Xingyu Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430060, China
| | - Ye Tian
- Department of Neurology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430060, China
| | - Guoxin Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430060, China
| | - Jiaolong Yang
- Department of Neurology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430060, China
| | - Guiqin Chen
- Department of Neurology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430060, China; Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | - Jing Xiong
- Department of Neurology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430060, China; Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | - Keqiang Ye
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | - Zhentao Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430060, China.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Yang J, Li Q. Manganese-Enhanced Magnetic Resonance Imaging: Application in Central Nervous System Diseases. Front Neurol 2020; 11:143. [PMID: 32161572 PMCID: PMC7052353 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2020.00143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2019] [Accepted: 02/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Manganese-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MEMRI) relies on the strong paramagnetism of Mn2+. Mn2+ is a calcium ion analog and can enter excitable cells through voltage-gated calcium channels. Mn2+ can be transported along the axons of neurons via microtubule-based fast axonal transport. Based on these properties, MEMRI is used to describe neuroanatomical structures, monitor neural activity, and evaluate axonal transport rates. The application of MEMRI in preclinical animal models of central nervous system (CNS) diseases can provide more information for the study of disease mechanisms. In this article, we provide a brief review of MEMRI use in CNS diseases ranging from neurodegenerative diseases to brain injury and spinal cord injury.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jun Yang
- Department of Radiology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Yunnan Cancer Hospital & Cancer Center, Kunming, China
| | - Qinqing Li
- Department of Radiology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Yunnan Cancer Hospital & Cancer Center, Kunming, China
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Li R, Wang X, Lin F, Song T, Zhu X, Lei H. Mapping accumulative whole-brain activities during environmental enrichment with manganese-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging. Neuroimage 2020; 210:116588. [PMID: 32004718 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2020.116588] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2019] [Revised: 01/10/2020] [Accepted: 01/24/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
An enriched environment (EE) provides multi-dimensional stimuli to the brain. EE exposure for days to months induces functional and structural neuroplasticity. In this study, manganese-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MEMRI) was used to map the accumulative whole-brain activities associated with a 7-day EE exposure in freely-moving adult male mice, followed by c-Fos immunochemical assessments. Relative to the mice residing in a standard environment (SE), the mice subjected to EE treatment had significantly enhanced regional MEMRI signal intensities in the prefrontal cortex, somatosensory cortices, basal ganglia, amygdala, motor thalamus, lateral hypothalamus, ventral hippocampus and midbrain dopaminergic areas at the end of the 7-day exposure, likely attributing to enhanced Mn2+ uptake/transport associated with brain activities at both the regional and macroscale network levels. Some of, but not all, the brain regions in the EE-treated mice showing enhanced MEMRI signal intensity had accompanying increases in c-Fos expression. The EE-treated mice were also found to have significantly increased overall amount of food consumption, decreased body weight gain and upregulated tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) expression in the midbrain dopaminergic areas. Taken together, these results demonstrated that the 7-day EE exposure was associated with elevated cumulative activities in the nigrostriatal, mesolimbic and corticostriatal circuits underpinning reward, motivation, cognition, motor control and appetite regulation. Such accumulative activities might have served as the substrate of EE-related neuroplasticity and the beneficial effects of EE treatment on neurological/psychiatric conditions including drug addiction, Parkinson's disease and eating disorder.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ronghui Li
- Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, PR China; National Center for Magnetic Resonance in Wuhan, State Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance and Atomic and Molecular Physics, Wuhan Institute of Physics and Mathematics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, PR China
| | - Xuxia Wang
- National Center for Magnetic Resonance in Wuhan, State Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance and Atomic and Molecular Physics, Wuhan Institute of Physics and Mathematics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, PR China
| | - Fuchun Lin
- National Center for Magnetic Resonance in Wuhan, State Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance and Atomic and Molecular Physics, Wuhan Institute of Physics and Mathematics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, PR China
| | - Tao Song
- Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, PR China; National Center for Magnetic Resonance in Wuhan, State Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance and Atomic and Molecular Physics, Wuhan Institute of Physics and Mathematics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, PR China
| | - Xutao Zhu
- Shenzhen Key Lab of Neuropsychiatric Modulation and Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Hao Lei
- Wuhan National Laboratory for Optoelectronics, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, PR China; National Center for Magnetic Resonance in Wuhan, State Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance and Atomic and Molecular Physics, Wuhan Institute of Physics and Mathematics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, PR China.
| |
Collapse
|