1
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Tang Y, Zhang Y, Zhang D, Liu Y, Nussinov R, Zheng J. Exploring pathological link between antimicrobial and amyloid peptides. Chem Soc Rev 2024; 53:8713-8763. [PMID: 39041297 DOI: 10.1039/d3cs00878a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/24/2024]
Abstract
Amyloid peptides (AMYs) and antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are considered as the two distinct families of peptides, characterized by their unique sequences, structures, biological functions, and specific pathological targets. However, accumulating evidence has revealed intriguing pathological connections between these peptide families in the context of microbial infection and neurodegenerative diseases. Some AMYs and AMPs share certain structural and functional characteristics, including the ability to self-assemble, the presence of β-sheet-rich structures, and membrane-disrupting mechanisms. These shared features enable AMYs to possess antimicrobial activity and AMPs to acquire amyloidogenic properties. Despite limited studies on AMYs-AMPs systems, the cross-seeding phenomenon between AMYs and AMPs has emerged as a crucial factor in the bidirectional communication between the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases and host defense against microbial infections. In this review, we examine recent developments in the potential interplay between AMYs and AMPs, as well as their pathological implications for both infectious and neurodegenerative diseases. By discussing the current progress and challenges in this emerging field, this account aims to inspire further research and investments to enhance our understanding of the intricate molecular crosstalk between AMYs and AMPs. This knowledge holds great promise for the development of innovative therapies to combat both microbial infections and neurodegenerative disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yijing Tang
- Department of Chemical, Biomolecular, and Corrosion Engineering, The University of Akron, Ohio 44325, USA.
| | - Yanxian Zhang
- Division of Endocrinology and Diabetes, Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA 94304, USA
| | - Dong Zhang
- The Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia 30332, USA
| | - Yonglan Liu
- Cancer Innovation Laboratory, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD 21702, USA
| | - Ruth Nussinov
- Computational Structural Biology Section, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, Frederick, MD 21702, USA.
- Department of Human Molecular Genetics and Biochemistry Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel
| | - Jie Zheng
- Department of Chemical, Biomolecular, and Corrosion Engineering, The University of Akron, Ohio 44325, USA.
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2
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Chen Y, Al-Nusaif M, Li S, Tan X, Yang H, Cai H, Le W. Progress on early diagnosing Alzheimer's disease. Front Med 2024; 18:446-464. [PMID: 38769282 PMCID: PMC11391414 DOI: 10.1007/s11684-023-1047-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2023] [Accepted: 11/15/2023] [Indexed: 05/22/2024]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that affects both cognition and non-cognition functions. The disease follows a continuum, starting with preclinical stages, progressing to mild cognitive and behavioral impairment, ultimately leading to dementia. Early detection of AD is crucial for better diagnosis and more effective treatment. However, the current AD diagnostic tests of biomarkers using cerebrospinal fluid and/or brain imaging are invasive or expensive, and mostly are still not able to detect early disease state. Consequently, there is an urgent need to develop new diagnostic techniques with higher sensitivity and specificity during the preclinical stages of AD. Various non-cognitive manifestations, including behavioral abnormalities, sleep disturbances, sensory dysfunctions, and physical changes, have been observed in the preclinical AD stage before occurrence of notable cognitive decline. Recent research advances have identified several biofluid biomarkers as early indicators of AD. This review focuses on these non-cognitive changes and newly discovered biomarkers in AD, specifically addressing the preclinical stages of the disease. Furthermore, it is of importance to explore the potential for developing a predictive system or network to forecast disease onset and progression at the early stage of AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yixin Chen
- Liaoning Provincial Key Laboratory for Research on the Pathogenic Mechanisms of Neurological Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, 116021, China
| | - Murad Al-Nusaif
- Liaoning Provincial Key Laboratory for Research on the Pathogenic Mechanisms of Neurological Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, 116021, China
| | - Song Li
- Liaoning Provincial Key Laboratory for Research on the Pathogenic Mechanisms of Neurological Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, 116021, China
| | - Xiang Tan
- Liaoning Provincial Key Laboratory for Research on the Pathogenic Mechanisms of Neurological Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, 116021, China
| | - Huijia Yang
- Liaoning Provincial Key Laboratory for Research on the Pathogenic Mechanisms of Neurological Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, 116021, China
| | - Huaibin Cai
- Transgenic Section, Laboratory of Neurogenetics, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Weidong Le
- Liaoning Provincial Key Laboratory for Research on the Pathogenic Mechanisms of Neurological Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, 116021, China.
- Institute of Neurology, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chinese Academy of Sciences Sichuan Translational Medicine Research Hospital, Chengdu, 610072, China.
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3
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Vavougios GD, Mavridis T, Doskas T, Papaggeli O, Foka P, Hadjigeorgiou G. SARS-CoV-2-Induced Type I Interferon Signaling Dysregulation in Olfactory Networks Implications for Alzheimer's Disease. Curr Issues Mol Biol 2024; 46:4565-4579. [PMID: 38785545 PMCID: PMC11119810 DOI: 10.3390/cimb46050277] [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: 01/10/2024] [Revised: 04/15/2024] [Accepted: 04/29/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Type I interferon signaling (IFN-I) perturbations are major drivers of COVID-19. Dysregulated IFN-I in the brain, however, has been linked to both reduced cognitive resilience and neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's. Previous works from our group have proposed a model where peripheral induction of IFN-I may be relayed to the CNS, even in the absence of fulminant infection. The aim of our study was to identify significantly enriched IFN-I signatures and genes along the transolfactory route, utilizing published datasets of the nasal mucosa and olfactory bulb amygdala transcriptomes of COVID-19 patients. We furthermore sought to identify these IFN-I signature gene networks associated with Alzheimer's disease pathology and risk. Gene expression data involving the nasal epithelium, olfactory bulb, and amygdala of COVID-19 patients and transcriptomic data from Alzheimer's disease patients were scrutinized for enriched Type I interferon pathways. Gene set enrichment analyses and gene-Venn approaches were used to determine genes in IFN-I enriched signatures. The Agora web resource was used to identify genes in IFN-I signatures associated with Alzheimer's disease risk based on its aggregated multi-omic data. For all analyses, false discovery rates (FDR) <0.05 were considered statistically significant. Pathways associated with type I interferon signaling were found in all samples tested. Each type I interferon signature was enriched by IFITM and OAS family genes. A 14-gene signature was associated with COVID-19 CNS and the response to Alzheimer's disease pathology, whereas nine genes were associated with increased risk for Alzheimer's disease based on Agora. Our study provides further support to a type I interferon signaling dysregulation along the extended olfactory network as reconstructed herein, ranging from the nasal epithelium and extending to the amygdala. We furthermore identify the 14 genes implicated in this dysregulated pathway with Alzheimer's disease pathology, among which HLA-C, HLA-B, HLA-A, PSMB8, IFITM3, HLA-E, IFITM1, OAS2, and MX1 as genes with associated conferring increased risk for the latter. Further research into its druggability by IFNb therapeutics may be warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- George D. Vavougios
- Department of Neurology, Medical School, University of Cyprus, Nicosia 1678, Cyprus
| | - Theodoros Mavridis
- Department of Neurology, Tallaght University Hospital (TUH)/The Adelaide and Meath Hospital, Dublin, Incorporating the National Children’s Hospital (AMNCH), D24 NR0A Dublin, Ireland;
| | | | - Olga Papaggeli
- Molecular Virology Laboratory, Hellenic Pasteur Institute, 115 21 Athens, Greece; (O.P.); (P.F.)
| | - Pelagia Foka
- Molecular Virology Laboratory, Hellenic Pasteur Institute, 115 21 Athens, Greece; (O.P.); (P.F.)
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Yamasaki H, Itoh RD, Mizumoto KB, Yoshida YS, Otaki JM, Cohen MF. Spatiotemporal Characteristics Determining the Multifaceted Nature of Reactive Oxygen, Nitrogen, and Sulfur Species in Relation to Proton Homeostasis. Antioxid Redox Signal 2024. [PMID: 38407968 DOI: 10.1089/ars.2023.0544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/28/2024]
Abstract
Significance: Reactive oxygen species (ROS), reactive nitrogen species (RNS), and reactive sulfur species (RSS) act as signaling molecules, regulating gene expression, enzyme activity, and physiological responses. However, excessive amounts of these molecular species can lead to deleterious effects, causing cellular damage and death. This dual nature of ROS, RNS, and RSS presents an intriguing conundrum that calls for a new paradigm. Recent Advances: Recent advancements in the study of photosynthesis have offered significant insights at the molecular level and with high temporal resolution into how the photosystem II oxygen-evolving complex manages to prevent harmful ROS production during the water-splitting process. These findings suggest that a dynamic spatiotemporal arrangement of redox reactions, coupled with strict regulation of proton transfer, is crucial for minimizing unnecessary ROS formation. Critical Issues: To better understand the multifaceted nature of these reactive molecular species in biology, it is worth considering a more holistic view that combines ecological and evolutionary perspectives on ROS, RNS, and RSS. By integrating spatiotemporal perspectives into global, cellular, and biochemical events, we discuss local pH or proton availability as a critical determinant associated with the generation and action of ROS, RNS, and RSS in biological systems. Future Directions: The concept of localized proton availability will not only help explain the multifaceted nature of these ubiquitous simple molecules in diverse systems but also provide a basis for new therapeutic strategies to manage and manipulate these reactive species in neural disorders, pathogenic diseases, and antiaging efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hideo Yamasaki
- Faculty of Science, University of the Ryukyus, Okinawa, Japan
| | - Ryuuichi D Itoh
- Faculty of Science, University of the Ryukyus, Okinawa, Japan
| | | | - Yuki S Yoshida
- Faculty of Science, University of the Ryukyus, Okinawa, Japan
| | - Joji M Otaki
- Faculty of Science, University of the Ryukyus, Okinawa, Japan
| | - Michael F Cohen
- University of California Cooperative Extension, Santa Clara County, San Jose, California, USA
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Louros N, Schymkowitz J, Rousseau F. Mechanisms and pathology of protein misfolding and aggregation. Nat Rev Mol Cell Biol 2023; 24:912-933. [PMID: 37684425 DOI: 10.1038/s41580-023-00647-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/28/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023]
Abstract
Despite advances in machine learning-based protein structure prediction, we are still far from fully understanding how proteins fold into their native conformation. The conventional notion that polypeptides fold spontaneously to their biologically active states has gradually been replaced by our understanding that cellular protein folding often requires context-dependent guidance from molecular chaperones in order to avoid misfolding. Misfolded proteins can aggregate into larger structures, such as amyloid fibrils, which perpetuate the misfolding process, creating a self-reinforcing cascade. A surge in amyloid fibril structures has deepened our comprehension of how a single polypeptide sequence can exhibit multiple amyloid conformations, known as polymorphism. The assembly of these polymorphs is not a random process but is influenced by the specific conditions and tissues in which they originate. This observation suggests that, similar to the folding of native proteins, the kinetics of pathological amyloid assembly are modulated by interactions specific to cells and tissues. Here, we review the current understanding of how intrinsic protein conformational propensities are modulated by physiological and pathological interactions in the cell to shape protein misfolding and aggregation pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikolaos Louros
- Switch Laboratory, VIB-KU Leuven Center for Brain & Disease Research, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Joost Schymkowitz
- Switch Laboratory, VIB-KU Leuven Center for Brain & Disease Research, Leuven, Belgium.
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Frederic Rousseau
- Switch Laboratory, VIB-KU Leuven Center for Brain & Disease Research, Leuven, Belgium.
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
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6
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Gholami A. Alzheimer's disease: The role of proteins in formation, mechanisms, and new therapeutic approaches. Neurosci Lett 2023; 817:137532. [PMID: 37866702 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2023.137532] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2023] [Revised: 10/03/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/24/2023]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurological disorder that affects the central nervous system (CNS), leading to memory and cognitive decline. In AD, the brain experiences three main structural changes: a significant decrease in the quantity of neurons, the development of neurofibrillary tangles (NFT) composed of hyperphosphorylated tau protein, and the formation of amyloid beta (Aβ) or senile plaques, which are protein deposits found outside cells and surrounded by dystrophic neurites. Genetic studies have identified four genes associated with autosomal dominant or familial early-onset AD (FAD): amyloid precursor protein (APP), presenilin 1 (PS1), presenilin 2 (PS2), and apolipoprotein E (ApoE). The formation of plaques primarily involves the accumulation of Aβ, which can be influenced by mutations in APP, PS1, PS2, or ApoE genes. Mutations in the APP and presenilin (PS) proteins can cause an increased amyloid β peptides production, especially the further form of amyloidogenic known as Aβ42. Apart from genetic factors, environmental factors such as cytokines and neurotoxins may also have a significant impact on the development and progression of AD by influencing the formation of amyloid plaques and intracellular tangles. Exploring the causes and implications of protein aggregation in the brain could lead to innovative therapeutic approaches. Some promising therapy strategies that have reached the clinical stage include using acetylcholinesterase inhibitors, estrogen, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), antioxidants, and antiapoptotic agents. The most hopeful therapeutic strategies involve inhibiting activity of secretase and preventing the β-amyloid oligomers and fibrils formation, which are associated with the β-amyloid fibrils accumulation in AD. Additionally, immunotherapy development holds promise as a progressive therapeutic approach for treatment of AD. Recently, the two primary categories of brain stimulation techniques that have been studied for the treatment of AD are invasive brain stimulation (IBS) and non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS). In this article, the amyloid proteins that play a significant role in the AD formation, the mechanism of disease formation as well as new drugs utilized to treat of AD will be reviewed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amirreza Gholami
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran.
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Mwangi J, Kamau PM, Thuku RC, Lai R. Design methods for antimicrobial peptides with improved performance. Zool Res 2023; 44:1095-1114. [PMID: 37914524 PMCID: PMC10802102 DOI: 10.24272/j.issn.2095-8137.2023.246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2023] [Accepted: 09/20/2023] [Indexed: 11/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The recalcitrance of pathogens to traditional antibiotics has made treating and eradicating bacterial infections more difficult. In this regard, developing new antimicrobial agents to combat antibiotic-resistant strains has become a top priority. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), a ubiquitous class of naturally occurring compounds with broad-spectrum antipathogenic activity, hold significant promise as an effective solution to the current antimicrobial resistance (AMR) crisis. Several AMPs have been identified and evaluated for their therapeutic application, with many already in the drug development pipeline. Their distinct properties, such as high target specificity, potency, and ability to bypass microbial resistance mechanisms, make AMPs a promising alternative to traditional antibiotics. Nonetheless, several challenges, such as high toxicity, lability to proteolytic degradation, low stability, poor pharmacokinetics, and high production costs, continue to hamper their clinical applicability. Therefore, recent research has focused on optimizing the properties of AMPs to improve their performance. By understanding the physicochemical properties of AMPs that correspond to their activity, such as amphipathicity, hydrophobicity, structural conformation, amino acid distribution, and composition, researchers can design AMPs with desired and improved performance. In this review, we highlight some of the key strategies used to optimize the performance of AMPs, including rational design and de novo synthesis. We also discuss the growing role of predictive computational tools, utilizing artificial intelligence and machine learning, in the design and synthesis of highly efficacious lead drug candidates.
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Affiliation(s)
- James Mwangi
- Key Laboratory of Bioactive Peptides of Yunnan Province, Engineering Laboratory of Peptides of Chinese Academy of Sciences, KIZ-CUHK Joint Laboratory of Bioresources and Molecular Research in Common Diseases, National Resource Centre for Non-Human Primates, Kunming Primate Research Centre, National Research Facility for Phenotypic & Genetic Analysis of Model Animals (Primate Facility), Sino-African Joint Research Centre, New Cornerstone Science Institute, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan 650107, China
- Kunming College of Life Science, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan 650204, China
| | - Peter Muiruri Kamau
- Key Laboratory of Bioactive Peptides of Yunnan Province, Engineering Laboratory of Peptides of Chinese Academy of Sciences, KIZ-CUHK Joint Laboratory of Bioresources and Molecular Research in Common Diseases, National Resource Centre for Non-Human Primates, Kunming Primate Research Centre, National Research Facility for Phenotypic & Genetic Analysis of Model Animals (Primate Facility), Sino-African Joint Research Centre, New Cornerstone Science Institute, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan 650107, China
- Kunming College of Life Science, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan 650204, China
| | - Rebecca Caroline Thuku
- Key Laboratory of Bioactive Peptides of Yunnan Province, Engineering Laboratory of Peptides of Chinese Academy of Sciences, KIZ-CUHK Joint Laboratory of Bioresources and Molecular Research in Common Diseases, National Resource Centre for Non-Human Primates, Kunming Primate Research Centre, National Research Facility for Phenotypic & Genetic Analysis of Model Animals (Primate Facility), Sino-African Joint Research Centre, New Cornerstone Science Institute, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan 650107, China
- Kunming College of Life Science, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan 650204, China
| | - Ren Lai
- Key Laboratory of Bioactive Peptides of Yunnan Province, Engineering Laboratory of Peptides of Chinese Academy of Sciences, KIZ-CUHK Joint Laboratory of Bioresources and Molecular Research in Common Diseases, National Resource Centre for Non-Human Primates, Kunming Primate Research Centre, National Research Facility for Phenotypic & Genetic Analysis of Model Animals (Primate Facility), Sino-African Joint Research Centre, New Cornerstone Science Institute, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, Yunnan 650107, China
- Centre for Evolution and Conservation Biology, Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory, Guangzhou, Guangdong 511458, China. E-mail:
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Liu C, Nikain C, Li YM. γ-Secretase fanning the fire of innate immunity. Biochem Soc Trans 2023; 51:1597-1610. [PMID: 37449907 PMCID: PMC11212119 DOI: 10.1042/bst20221445] [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: 03/20/2023] [Revised: 06/29/2023] [Accepted: 07/03/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
Innate immunity is the first line of defense against pathogens, alerting the individual cell and surrounding area to respond to this potential invasion. γ-secretase is a transmembrane protease complex that plays an intricate role in nearly every stage of this innate immune response. Through regulation of pattern recognition receptors (PRR) such as TREM2 and RAGE γ-secretase can modulate pathogen recognition. γ-secretase can act on cytokine receptors such as IFNαR2 and CSF1R to dampen their signaling capacity. While γ-secretase-mediated regulated intramembrane proteolysis (RIP) can further moderate innate immune responses through downstream signaling pathways. Furthermore, γ-secretase has also been shown to be regulated by the innate immune system through cytokine signaling and γ-secretase modulatory proteins such as IFITM3 and Hif-1α. This review article gives an overview of how γ-secretase is implicated in innate immunity and the maintenance of its responses through potentially positive and negative feedback loops.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenge Liu
- Chemical Biology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
- Programs of Pharmacology, Weill Graduate School of Medical Sciences of Cornell University
| | - Cyrus Nikain
- Chemical Biology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
- Programs of Pharmacology, Weill Graduate School of Medical Sciences of Cornell University
| | - Yue-Ming Li
- Chemical Biology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
- Programs of Pharmacology, Weill Graduate School of Medical Sciences of Cornell University
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9
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Zhang Y, Chen H, Li R, Sterling K, Song W. Amyloid β-based therapy for Alzheimer's disease: challenges, successes and future. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2023; 8:248. [PMID: 37386015 PMCID: PMC10310781 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-023-01484-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 128] [Impact Index Per Article: 128.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2023] [Revised: 05/05/2023] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 07/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Amyloid β protein (Aβ) is the main component of neuritic plaques in Alzheimer's disease (AD), and its accumulation has been considered as the molecular driver of Alzheimer's pathogenesis and progression. Aβ has been the prime target for the development of AD therapy. However, the repeated failures of Aβ-targeted clinical trials have cast considerable doubt on the amyloid cascade hypothesis and whether the development of Alzheimer's drug has followed the correct course. However, the recent successes of Aβ targeted trials have assuaged those doubts. In this review, we discussed the evolution of the amyloid cascade hypothesis over the last 30 years and summarized its application in Alzheimer's diagnosis and modification. In particular, we extensively discussed the pitfalls, promises and important unanswered questions regarding the current anti-Aβ therapy, as well as strategies for further study and development of more feasible Aβ-targeted approaches in the optimization of AD prevention and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yun Zhang
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.
| | - Huaqiu Chen
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Ran Li
- The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital, Institute of Aging, Key Laboratory of Alzheimer's Disease of Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Keenan Sterling
- Townsend Family Laboratories, Department of Psychiatry, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Weihong Song
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.
- The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital, Institute of Aging, Key Laboratory of Alzheimer's Disease of Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China.
- Townsend Family Laboratories, Department of Psychiatry, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z3, Canada.
- Oujiang Laboratory (Zhejiang Lab for Regenerative Medicine, Vision and Brain Health), Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China.
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10
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Analysis of Aβ-induced neurotoxicity and microglial responses in simple two- and three-dimensional human iPSC-derived cortical culture systems. Tissue Cell 2023; 81:102023. [PMID: 36709697 DOI: 10.1016/j.tice.2023.102023] [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: 09/17/2022] [Revised: 12/26/2022] [Accepted: 01/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
The extracellular accumulation of amyloid-β (Aβ) in plaques and associated neurodegeneration are the pathological hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease (AD). These plaques are surrounded by microglia-the resident tissue macrophages of the brain parenchyma that originate from primitive macrophages from the embryonic yolk sac. Microglia, including a unique subpopulation called "disease-associated microglia" (DAM), are strongly implicated in AD pathology; however, their exact function and physiology remain largely unknown. Notably, simple cell and tissue culture systems that adequately recreate the brain microenvironment and can simulate critical aspects of AD pathology could fundamentally contribute to elucidating microglial function in disease development and progression. Thus, we added human-induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-induced primitive macrophages (hiMacs) to hiPSC-induced cortical neurons (cell model) and cortical organoids (tissue model). The treatment of these culture systems with the O-acyl isopeptide of Aβ1-42, which reverts to natural extracellular Aβ1-42 at neutral pH and starts self-aggregation, caused the degeneration of hiPSC-induced cortical neurons in 2D culture and within cortical organoid cultures. Notably, the hiMacs phagocytosed extracellular Aβ and exhibited a DAM-like phenotype. In both cell and tissue organoid culture systems, neurodegeneration was attenuated by the addition of hiMacs. Moreover, in cortical organoids, Aβ plaques formed more circular and fewer hotspot-like morphological structures in the vicinity of hiMacs. These findings demonstrate the utility of simple hiPSC-induced cortical cell and tissue culture systems supplemented with hiMacs for elucidating critical aspects of AD pathology, such as microglial function and physiology. Adopting such systems in routine research practice may lead to the development of novel therapeutic strategies for AD.
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A Pore Forming Toxin-like Protein Derived from Chinese Red Belly Toad Bombina maxima Triggers the Pyroptosis of Hippomal Neural Cells and Impairs the Cognitive Ability of Mice. Toxins (Basel) 2023; 15:toxins15030191. [PMID: 36977082 PMCID: PMC10054870 DOI: 10.3390/toxins15030191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2023] [Revised: 02/22/2023] [Accepted: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Toxin-like proteins and peptides of skin secretions from amphibians play important physiological and pathological roles in amphibians. βγ-CAT is a Chinese red-belly toad-derived pore-forming toxin-like protein complex that consists of aerolysin domain, crystalline domain, and trefoil factor domain and induces various toxic effects via its membrane perforation process, including membrane binding, oligomerization, and endocytosis. Here, we observed the death of mouse hippocampal neuronal cells induced by βγ-CAT at a concentration of 5 nM. Subsequent studies showed that the death of hippocampal neuronal cells was accompanied by the activation of Gasdermin E and caspase-1, suggesting that βγ-CAT induces the pyroptosis of hippocampal neuronal cells. Further molecular mechanism studies revealed that the pyroptosis induced by βγ-CAT is dependent on the oligomerization and endocytosis of βγ-CAT. It is well known that the damage of hippocampal neuronal cells leads to the cognitive attenuation of animals. The impaired cognitive ability of mice was observed after intraperitoneal injection with 10 μg/kg βγ-CAT in a water maze assay. Taken together, these findings reveal a previously unknown toxicological function of a vertebrate-derived pore-forming toxin-like protein in the nerve system, which triggers the pyroptosis of hippocampal neuronal cells, ultimately leading to hippocampal cognitive attenuation.
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Chandra S, Sisodia SS, Vassar RJ. The gut microbiome in Alzheimer's disease: what we know and what remains to be explored. Mol Neurodegener 2023; 18:9. [PMID: 36721148 PMCID: PMC9889249 DOI: 10.1186/s13024-023-00595-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 60.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2022] [Accepted: 01/06/2023] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD), the most common cause of dementia, results in a sustained decline in cognition. There are currently few effective disease modifying therapies for AD, but insights into the mechanisms that mediate the onset and progression of disease may lead to new, effective therapeutic strategies. Amyloid beta oligomers and plaques, tau aggregates, and neuroinflammation play a critical role in neurodegeneration and impact clinical AD progression. The upstream modulators of these pathological features have not been fully clarified, but recent evidence indicates that the gut microbiome (GMB) may have an influence on these features and therefore may influence AD progression in human patients. In this review, we summarize studies that have identified alterations in the GMB that correlate with pathophysiology in AD patients and AD mouse models. Additionally, we discuss findings with GMB manipulations in AD models and potential GMB-targeted therapeutics for AD. Lastly, we discuss diet, sleep, and exercise as potential modifiers of the relationship between the GMB and AD and conclude with future directions and recommendations for further studies of this topic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sidhanth Chandra
- Ken and Ruth Davee Department of Neurology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611 USA
- Medical Scientist Training Program, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611 USA
| | - Sangram S. Sisodia
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637 USA
| | - Robert J. Vassar
- Ken and Ruth Davee Department of Neurology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611 USA
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13
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Gagat P, Duda-Madej A, Ostrówka M, Pietluch F, Seniuk A, Mackiewicz P, Burdukiewicz M. Testing Antimicrobial Properties of Selected Short Amyloids. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24010804. [PMID: 36614244 PMCID: PMC9821130 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24010804] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2022] [Revised: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 12/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Amyloids and antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have many similarities, e.g., both kill microorganisms by destroying their membranes, form aggregates, and modulate the innate immune system. Given these similarities and the fact that the antimicrobial properties of short amyloids have not yet been investigated, we chose a group of potentially antimicrobial short amyloids to verify their impact on bacterial and eukaryotic cells. We used AmpGram, a best-performing AMP classification model, and selected ten amyloids with the highest AMP probability for our experimental research. Our results indicate that four tested amyloids: VQIVCK, VCIVYK, KCWCFT, and GGYLLG, formed aggregates under the conditions routinely used to evaluate peptide antimicrobial properties, but none of the tested amyloids exhibited antimicrobial or cytotoxic properties. Accordingly, they should be included in the negative datasets to train the next-generation AMP prediction models, based on experimentally confirmed AMP and non-AMP sequences. In the article, we also emphasize the importance of reporting non-AMPs, given that only a handful of such sequences have been officially confirmed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Przemysław Gagat
- Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Wrocław, Fryderyka Joliot-Curie 14a, 50-137 Wrocław, Poland
- Correspondence: (P.G.); (M.B.)
| | - Anna Duda-Madej
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Wrocław Medical University, Chałubińskiego 4, 50-368 Wrocław, Poland
| | - Michał Ostrówka
- Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Wrocław, Fryderyka Joliot-Curie 14a, 50-137 Wrocław, Poland
| | - Filip Pietluch
- Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Wrocław, Fryderyka Joliot-Curie 14a, 50-137 Wrocław, Poland
| | - Alicja Seniuk
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Wrocław Medical University, Chałubińskiego 4, 50-368 Wrocław, Poland
| | - Paweł Mackiewicz
- Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Wrocław, Fryderyka Joliot-Curie 14a, 50-137 Wrocław, Poland
| | - Michał Burdukiewicz
- Clinical Research Centre, Medical University of Bialystok, 15-089 Białystok, Poland
- Correspondence: (P.G.); (M.B.)
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14
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Sokolik VV, Berchenko OG. The cumulative effect of the combined action of miR-101 and curcumin in a liposome on a model of Alzheimer's disease in mononuclear cells. Front Cell Neurosci 2023; 17:1169980. [PMID: 37153632 PMCID: PMC10160409 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2023.1169980] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2023] [Accepted: 04/06/2023] [Indexed: 05/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The leading pathological mechanisms of Alzheimer's disease (AD) are amyloidosis and chronic inflammation. The study of new therapeutic drugs of the corresponding action, in particular miRNAs and curcominoids, as well as methods for their packaging, is topical. The aim of the work was to study the effect of miR-101 + curcumin in a single liposome in a cellular AD model. AD model was made by incubating a suspension of mononuclear cells with aggregates of beta-amyloid peptide 1-40 (Aβ40) for 1 h. The effect of the subsequent application of liposomal (L) preparations miR-101, curcumin (CUR), and miR-101 + CUR was analyzed over time of 1, 3, 6, and 12 h. A decrease in the level of endogenous Aβ42 under the influence of L(miR-101 + CUR) was revealed during the entire incubation period (1-12 h), the first part of which was overlapped due to inhibition of mRNAAPP translation by miR-101 (1-3 h), and the second-by inhibition of mRNAAPP transcription by curcumin (3-12 h), the minimum concentration of Aβ42 was recorded at 6 h. The cumulative effect of the combination drug L(miR-101 + CUR) was manifested in the suppression of the increase in the concentration of TNFα and IL-10 and a decrease in the concentration of IL-6 during the entire incubation period (1-12 h). Thus, miR-101 + CUR in one liposome enhanced each other's antiamyloidogenic and anti- inflammatory effects in a cellular AD model.
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15
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Vergilio J, Lockhart C, Klimov DK. De Novo Transmembrane Aggregation of Aβ10-40 Peptides in an Anionic Lipid Bilayer. J Chem Inf Model 2022; 62:6228-6241. [PMID: 36455155 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jcim.2c01192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
Using the all-atom model and 10 μs serial replica-exchange molecular dynamics (SREMD), we investigated the binding of Alzheimer's Aβ10-40 peptides to the anionic dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine/dimyristoylphosphatidylglycerol (DMPC/DMPG) lipid bilayer. Our objective was to probe de novo transmembrane Aβ10-40 aggregation and to test the utility of SREMD. Our results are threefold. First, upon binding, Aβ10-40 adopts a helical structure in the C-terminus and deeply inserts into the bilayer. Binding is primarily controlled by electrostatic interactions of the peptides with water, ions, and lipids, particularly, anionic DMPG. Second, Aβ-bilayer interactions reorganize lipids in the proximity of the bound peptides, causing an influx of DMPG lipids into the Aβ binding footprint. Third and most important, computed free energy landscapes reveal that Aβ10-40 peptides partition into monomeric and dimeric species. The dimers result from transmembrane aggregation of the peptides and induce a striking lipid density void throughout both leaflets in the bilayer. There are multiple factors stabilizing transmembrane dimers, including van der Waals and steric interactions, electrostatic interactions, and hydrogen bonding, hydration, and entropic gains originating from dimer conformations and lipid disorder. We argue that helix dipole-dipole interactions underestimated in the all-atom force field must be a contributing factor to stabilizing antiparallel transmembrane dimers. We propose that transmembrane aggregates serve as mechanistic links between the populations of extra- and intracellular Aβ peptides. From the computational perspective, SREMD is found to be a viable alternative to traditional replica-exchange simulations.
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Affiliation(s)
- James Vergilio
- School of Systems Biology, George Mason University, Manassas, Virginia 20110, United States
| | - Christopher Lockhart
- School of Systems Biology, George Mason University, Manassas, Virginia 20110, United States
| | - Dmitri K Klimov
- School of Systems Biology, George Mason University, Manassas, Virginia 20110, United States
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16
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Nahalka J. 1-L Transcription in Alzheimer's Disease. Curr Issues Mol Biol 2022; 44:3533-3551. [PMID: 36005139 PMCID: PMC9406503 DOI: 10.3390/cimb44080243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2022] [Revised: 08/04/2022] [Accepted: 08/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease is a very complex disease and better explanations and models are needed to understand how neurons are affected and microglia are activated. A new model of Alzheimer's disease is presented here, the β-amyloid peptide is considered an important RNA recognition/binding peptide. 1-L transcription revealed compatible sequences with AAUAAA (PAS signal) and UUUC (class III ARE rich in U) in the Aβ peptide, supporting the peptide-RNA regulatory model. When a hypothetical model of fibril selection with the prionic character of amyloid assemblies is added to the peptide-RNA regulatory model, the downregulation of the PI3K-Akt pathway and the upregulation of the PLC-IP3 pathway are well explained. The model explains why neurons are less protected from inflammation and why microglia are activated; why mitochondria are destabilized; why the autophagic flux is destabilized; and why the post-transcriptional attenuation of the axonal signal "noise" is interrupted. For example, the model suggests that Aβ peptide may post-transcriptionally control ELAVL2 (ELAV-like RNA binding protein 2) and DCP2 (decapping mRNA protein 2), which are known to regulate RNA processing, transport, and stability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jozef Nahalka
- Institute of Chemistry, Centre for Glycomics, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dubravska Cesta 9, SK-84538 Bratislava, Slovakia;
- Institute of Chemistry, Centre of Excellence for White-Green Biotechnology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Trieda Andreja Hlinku 2, SK-94976 Nitra, Slovakia
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17
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Thu Thuy Nguyen V, Endres K. Targeting gut microbiota to alleviate neuroinflammation in Alzheimer's disease. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2022; 188:114418. [PMID: 35787390 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2022.114418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2022] [Revised: 06/27/2022] [Accepted: 06/28/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
The gut microbiota came into focus within the last years regarding being associated with or even underlying neuropsychiatric diseases. The existence of the gut-brain-axis makes it highly plausible that bacterial metabolites or toxins that escape the intestinal environment or approach the vagal connections towards the brain, exert devastating effects on the central nervous system. In Alzheimer's disease (AD), growing evidence for dysbiotic changes in the gut microbiota is obtained, even though the question for cause or consequence remains open. Nevertheless, using modulation of microbiota to address inflammatory processes seems an attractive therapeutic approach as certain microbial products such as short chain fatty acids have been proven to exert beneficial cognitive effects. In this review, we summarize, contemporary knowledge on neuroinflammation and inflammatory processes within the brain and even more detailed in the gut in AD, try to conclude whom to target regarding human microbial commensals and report on current interventional trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vu Thu Thuy Nguyen
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Mainz, Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Germany
| | - Kristina Endres
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Mainz, Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Germany.
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18
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Jeong H, Shin H, Hong S, Kim Y. Physiological Roles of Monomeric Amyloid-β and Implications for Alzheimer's Disease Therapeutics. Exp Neurobiol 2022; 31:65-88. [PMID: 35673997 PMCID: PMC9194638 DOI: 10.5607/en22004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2022] [Revised: 03/26/2022] [Accepted: 03/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) progressively inflicts impairment of synaptic functions with notable deposition of amyloid-β (Aβ) as senile plaques within the extracellular space of the brain. Accordingly, therapeutic directions for AD have focused on clearing Aβ plaques or preventing amyloidogenesis based on the amyloid cascade hypothesis. However, the emerging evidence suggests that Aβ serves biological roles, which include suppressing microbial infections, regulating synaptic plasticity, promoting recovery after brain injury, sealing leaks in the blood-brain barrier, and possibly inhibiting the proliferation of cancer cells. More importantly, these functions were found in in vitro and in vivo investigations in a hormetic manner, that is to be neuroprotective at low concentrations and pathological at high concentrations. We herein summarize the physiological roles of monomeric Aβ and current Aβ-directed therapies in clinical trials. Based on the evidence, we propose that novel therapeutics targeting Aβ should selectively target Aβ in neurotoxic forms such as oligomers while retaining monomeric Aβ in order to preserve the physiological functions of Aβ monomers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyomin Jeong
- Division of Integrated Science and Engineering, Underwood International College, Yonsei University, Incheon 21983, Korea
- Department of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Yonsei University, Incheon 21983, Korea
- Yonsei Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Yonsei University, Incheon 21983, Korea
| | - Heewon Shin
- Department of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Yonsei University, Incheon 21983, Korea
- Yonsei Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Yonsei University, Incheon 21983, Korea
| | - Seungpyo Hong
- Department of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Yonsei University, Incheon 21983, Korea
- Yonsei Frontier Lab, Yonsei University, Seoul 03722, Korea
- Division of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA
- Wisconsin Center for NanoBioSystems, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA
| | - YoungSoo Kim
- Division of Integrated Science and Engineering, Underwood International College, Yonsei University, Incheon 21983, Korea
- Department of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Yonsei University, Incheon 21983, Korea
- Yonsei Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Yonsei University, Incheon 21983, Korea
- Yonsei Frontier Lab, Yonsei University, Seoul 03722, Korea
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19
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Wang HC, Zhang QX, Zhao J, Wei NN. Molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations studies on the protective and pathogenic roles of the amyloid-β peptide between herpesvirus infection and Alzheimer's disease. J Mol Graph Model 2022; 113:108143. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jmgm.2022.108143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2021] [Revised: 01/24/2022] [Accepted: 01/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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20
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Multiple Antimicrobial Effects of Hybrid Peptides Synthesized Based on the Sequence of Ribosomal S1 Protein from Staphylococcus aureus. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23010524. [PMID: 35008951 PMCID: PMC8745237 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23010524] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2021] [Revised: 12/21/2021] [Accepted: 01/01/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The need to develop new antimicrobial peptides is due to the high resistance of pathogenic bacteria to traditional antibiotics now and in the future. The creation of synthetic peptide constructs is a common and successful approach to the development of new antimicrobial peptides. In this work, we use a simple, flexible, and scalable technique to create hybrid antimicrobial peptides containing amyloidogenic regions of the ribosomal S1 protein from Staphylococcus aureus. While the cell-penetrating peptide allows the peptide to enter the bacterial cell, the amyloidogenic site provides an antimicrobial effect by coaggregating with functional bacterial proteins. We have demonstrated the antimicrobial effects of the R23F, R23DI, and R23EI hybrid peptides against Staphylococcus aureus, methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA), Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, and Bacillus cereus. R23F, R23DI, and R23EI can be used as antimicrobial peptides against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria resistant to traditional antibiotics.
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21
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Cieplak M, Mioduszewski Ł, Chwastyk M. Contact-Based Analysis of Aggregation of Intrinsically Disordered Proteins. Methods Mol Biol 2022; 2340:105-120. [PMID: 35167072 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-1546-1_6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
We review the contact-based description of aggregation of intrinsically disordered proteins in coarse-grained and all-atom models. We consider polyglutamines and polyalanines at various concentrations of the peptides. We also study associations of two chains of α-synuclein and up to 20 chains of a 12-residue-long segment of protein tau. We demonstrate that the total number of two-chain association events (in an aggregate that comprises at least two chains) provides a useful measure of the propensity to aggregate. This measure is consistent, for instance, with the previously reported mass spectroscopy data. The distribution of the number of association events is given essentially by a power law as a function of the duration of these events. The corresponding exponent depends on the protein and the temperature but not on the concentration of the proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marek Cieplak
- Institute of Physics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland.
| | | | - Mateusz Chwastyk
- Institute of Physics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
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22
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Kouki MA, Pritchard AB, Alder JE, Crean S. Do Periodontal Pathogens or Associated Virulence Factors Have a Deleterious Effect on the Blood-Brain Barrier, Contributing to Alzheimer's Disease? J Alzheimers Dis 2021; 85:957-973. [PMID: 34897087 DOI: 10.3233/jad-215103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The central nervous system (CNS) is protected by a highly selective barrier, the blood-brain barrier (BBB), that regulates the exchange and homeostasis of bloodborne molecules, excluding xenobiotics. This barrier forms the first line of defense by prohibiting pathogens from crossing to the CNS. Aging and chronic exposure of the BBB to pathogens renders it permeable, and this may give rise to pathology in the CNS such as Alzheimer's disease (AD). Researchers have linked pathogens associated with periodontitis to neuroinflammation and AD-like pathology in vivo and in vitro. Although the presence of periodontitis-associated bacteria has been linked to AD in several clinical studies as DNA and virulence factors were confirmed in brain samples of human AD subjects, the mechanism by which the bacteria traverse to the brain and potentially influences neuropathology is unknown. In this review, we present current knowledge about the association between periodontitis and AD, the mechanism whereby periodontal pathogens might provoke neuroinflammation and how periodontal pathogens could affect the BBB. We suggest future studies, with emphasis on the use of human in vitro models of cells associated with the BBB to unravel the pathway of entry for these bacteria to the CNS and to reveal the molecular and cellular pathways involved in initiating the AD-like pathology. In conclusion, evidence demonstrate that bacteria associated with periodontitis and their virulence factors are capable of inflecting damage to the BBB and have a role in giving rise to pathology similar to that found in AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mhd Ammar Kouki
- Brain and Behaviour Centre, Faculty of Clinical and Biomedical Sciences, School of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Central Lancashire, Preston, UK
| | - Anna Barlach Pritchard
- Brain and Behaviour Centre, Faculty of Clinical and Biomedical Sciences, School of Dentistry, University of Central Lancashire, Preston, UK
| | - Jane Elizabeth Alder
- Brain and Behaviour Centre, Faculty of Clinical and Biomedical Sciences, School of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Central Lancashire, Preston, UK
| | - StJohn Crean
- Brain and Behaviour Centre, Faculty of Clinical and Biomedical Sciences, School of Dentistry, University of Central Lancashire, Preston, UK
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23
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Kaya-Tilki E, Dikmen M. Neuroprotective effects of some epigenetic modifying drugs' on Chlamydia pneumoniae-induced neuroinflammation: A novel model. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0260633. [PMID: 34847172 PMCID: PMC8631675 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0260633] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2021] [Accepted: 11/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Chlamydia pneumoniae (Cpn) is a gram-negative intracellular pathogen that causes a variety of pulmonary diseases, and there is growing evidence that it may play a role in Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathogenesis. Cpn can interact functionally with host histones, altering the host's epigenetic regulatory system by introducing bacterial products into the host tissue and inducing a persistent inflammatory response. Because Cpn is difficult to propagate, isolate, and detect, a modified LPS-like neuroinflammation model was established using lyophilized cell free supernatant (CFS) obtained from infected cell cultures, and the effects of CFS were compared to LPS. The neuroprotective effects of Trichostatin A (TSA), givinostat, and RG108, which are effective on epigenetic mechanisms, and the antibiotic rifampin, were studied in this newly introduced model and in the presence of amyloid beta (Aβ) 1-42. The neuroprotective effects of the drugs, as well as the effects of CFS and LPS, were evaluated in Aβ-induced neurotoxicity using a real-time cell analysis system, total ROS, and apoptotic impact. TSA, RG108, givinostat, and rifampin all demonstrated neuroprotective effects in both this novel model and Aβ-induced neurotoxicity. The findings are expected to provide early evidence on neuroprotective actions against Cpn-induced neuroinflammation and Aβ-induced neurotoxicity, which could represent a new treatment option for AD, for which there are currently few treatment options.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elif Kaya-Tilki
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Anadolu University, Eskisehir, Turkey
| | - Miriş Dikmen
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Anadolu University, Eskisehir, Turkey
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24
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Yadav JK. Structural and functional swapping of amyloidogenic and antimicrobial peptides: Redefining the role of amyloidogenic propensity in disease and host defense. J Pept Sci 2021; 28:e3378. [PMID: 34738279 DOI: 10.1002/psc.3378] [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: 08/09/2021] [Revised: 10/06/2021] [Accepted: 10/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Peptides constitute an essential component of all organisms' protein homeostasis ranging from bacteria, plants, and animals. They have organically been evolved to perform a wide range of essential functions, including their role as neurotransmitters, antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), and hormones. AMPs are short peptides synthesized by almost all organisms, implicated in guarding the host from various microbial infections. Their inherent ability to differentiate the target microbes from the host confers them excellent prospects in fighting against microbial infections and affirming their robust therapeutic potential against numerous drug-resistant microbes. Amyloidogenic peptides (AMYs) represent another class of short peptides armed with inherent aggregation propensity and form fibrillar aggregates rich in cross β-sheet structure. They are often involved in various degenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), and type-2 diabetes. Although these two distinct classes of peptides (i.e., AMPs and AMYs) appear to be functionally divergent, recent studies suggest that they possess a significant degree of structural and functional reciprocity. Consistent with this, many AMPs display amphiphilic nature, and hence, they can facilitate membrane remodeling processes, such as pore formation and fusion, similar to AMYs. The mounting evidence suggests the inherent ability of AMPs to self-assemble to form amyloid-like structures. On the other hand, the demonstration of antimicrobial properties of AMYs in their monomeric conformation provides a hint about the existence of an evolutionary linkage between these two classes of peptides. The congregation of specific amino acids to form aggregation-prone regions in a protein/peptide might have served as an evolutionary reservoir from which AMPs and AMYs were consecutively evolved. The current article reviews the fundamental features of the AMPs, AMYs, and their inter-relatedness and emerging paradigm for their inter-conversion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jay Kant Yadav
- Department of Biotechnology, Central University of Rajasthan, Ajmer, India
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25
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Takata K, Ginhoux F, Shimohama S. Roles of microglia in Alzheimer's disease and impact of new findings on microglial heterogeneity as a target for therapeutic intervention. Biochem Pharmacol 2021; 192:114754. [PMID: 34480881 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2021.114754] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2021] [Revised: 08/27/2021] [Accepted: 08/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Microglia are specialized macrophages that reside within the central nervous system and play key roles in brain immunity, development and homeostasis. Recent studies also revealed functions of microglia in neuroprotection and neuroinflammation, leading to the discovery that microglia are involved in several brain pathologies including Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, the beneficial and detrimental actions of this intriguing cell population can be challenging to dissect: the advent of single-cell and single-nucleus transcriptomic technologies has revolutionized our understanding of the heterogeneity of multiple cell types and is now being applied to the study of microglia in health and disease. Here, we review recent findings on microglial biology, focusing on insights from single cell transcriptomic studies and the heterogeneity that they reveal, and consider the impact of these findings on our understanding of AD. We also discuss how microglia might represent a next-generation therapeutic target for treatment of AD and other neuroinflammatory conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kazuyuki Takata
- Division of Integrated Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kyoto Pharmaceutical University, Misasagi, Yamashina-ku, Kyoto 607-8414, Japan.
| | - Florent Ginhoux
- Singapore Immunology Network (SIgN), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore 138648, Singapore; Shanghai Institute of Immunology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China; Translational Immunology Institute, SingHealth/Duke-NUS, Academic Medical Centre, The Academia, Singapore 169856, Singapore
| | - Shun Shimohama
- Department of Neurology, Sapporo Medical University, School of Medicine, Sapporo 060-8543, Japan
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26
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Grishin SY, Dzhus UF, Glukhov AS, Selivanova OM, Surin AK, Galzitskaya OV. Identification of Amyloidogenic Regions in Pseudomonas aeruginosa Ribosomal S1 Protein. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22147291. [PMID: 34298910 PMCID: PMC8305250 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22147291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2021] [Revised: 06/24/2021] [Accepted: 07/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacterial S1 protein is a functionally important ribosomal protein. It is a part of the 30S ribosomal subunit and is also able to interact with mRNA and tmRNA. An important feature of the S1 protein family is a strong tendency towards aggregation. To study the amyloidogenic properties of S1, we isolated and purified the recombinant ribosomal S1 protein of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Using the FoldAmyloid, Waltz, Pasta 2.0, and AGGRESCAN programs, amyloidogenic regions of the protein were predicted, which play a key role in its aggregation. The method of limited proteolysis in combination with high performance liquid chromatography and mass spectrometric analysis of the products, made it possible to identify regions of the S1 protein from P. aeruginosa that are protected from the action of proteinase K, trypsin, and chymotrypsin. Sequences of theoretically predicted and experimentally identified amyloidogenic regions were used to synthesize four peptides, three of which demonstrated the ability to form amyloid-like fibrils, as shown by electron microscopy and fluorescence spectroscopy. The identified amyloidogenic sites can further serve as a basis for the development of new antibacterial peptides against the pathogenic microorganism P. aeruginosa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergei Y. Grishin
- Institute of Protein Research, Russian Academy of Sciences, 142290 Pushchino, Russia; (S.Y.G.); (U.F.D.); (A.S.G.); (O.M.S.); (A.K.S.)
| | - Ulyana F. Dzhus
- Institute of Protein Research, Russian Academy of Sciences, 142290 Pushchino, Russia; (S.Y.G.); (U.F.D.); (A.S.G.); (O.M.S.); (A.K.S.)
| | - Anatoly S. Glukhov
- Institute of Protein Research, Russian Academy of Sciences, 142290 Pushchino, Russia; (S.Y.G.); (U.F.D.); (A.S.G.); (O.M.S.); (A.K.S.)
| | - Olga M. Selivanova
- Institute of Protein Research, Russian Academy of Sciences, 142290 Pushchino, Russia; (S.Y.G.); (U.F.D.); (A.S.G.); (O.M.S.); (A.K.S.)
| | - Alexey K. Surin
- Institute of Protein Research, Russian Academy of Sciences, 142290 Pushchino, Russia; (S.Y.G.); (U.F.D.); (A.S.G.); (O.M.S.); (A.K.S.)
- The Branch of the Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 142290 Pushchino, Russia
- State Research Center for Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology, 142279 Obolensk, Russia
| | - Oxana V. Galzitskaya
- Institute of Protein Research, Russian Academy of Sciences, 142290 Pushchino, Russia; (S.Y.G.); (U.F.D.); (A.S.G.); (O.M.S.); (A.K.S.)
- Institute of Theoretical and Experimental Biophysics, Russian Academy of Sciences, 142290 Pushchino, Russia
- Correspondence:
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Temussi PA, Tartaglia GG, Pastore A. The seesaw between normal function and protein aggregation: How functional interactions may increase protein solubility. Bioessays 2021; 43:e2100031. [PMID: 33783021 DOI: 10.1002/bies.202100031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2021] [Revised: 02/26/2021] [Accepted: 03/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Protein aggregation has been studied for at least 3 decades, and many of the principles that regulate this event are relatively well understood. Here, however, we present a different perspective to explain why proteins aggregate: we argue that aggregation may occur as a side-effect of the lack of one or more natural partners that, under physiologic conditions, would act as chaperones. This would explain why the same surfaces that have evolved for functional purposes are also those that favour aggregation. In the course of reviewing this field, we substantiate our hypothesis with three paradigmatic examples that argue for the generality of our proposal. An obvious corollary of this hypothesis is, of course, that targeting the physiological partners of a protein could be the most direct and specific approach to designing anti-aggregation molecules. Our analysis may thus inform a different strategy for combating diseases of protein aggregation and misfolding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Piero Andrea Temussi
- UK Dementia Research Institute at King's College London, The Maurice Wohl Institute, London, UK
| | - Gian Gaetano Tartaglia
- Center for Human Technologies, Central RNA laboratory, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Genova, Italy
- Charles Darwin Department of Biology and Biotechnology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Annalisa Pastore
- UK Dementia Research Institute at King's College London, The Maurice Wohl Institute, London, UK
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28
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Zhang S, Guaglianone G, Morris MA, Yoo S, Howitz WJ, Xing L, Zheng JG, Jusuf H, Huizar G, Lin J, Kreutzer AG, Nowick JS. Expression of N-Terminal Cysteine Aβ 42 and Conjugation to Generate Fluorescent and Biotinylated Aβ 42. Biochemistry 2021; 60:1191-1200. [PMID: 33793198 PMCID: PMC9059633 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biochem.1c00105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Fluorescent derivatives of the β-amyloid peptides (Aβ) are valuable tools for studying the interactions of Aβ with cells. Facile access to labeled expressed Aβ offers the promise of Aβ with greater sequence and stereochemical integrity, without impurities from amino acid deletion and epimerization. Here, we report methods for the expression of Aβ42 with an N-terminal cysteine residue, Aβ(C1-42), and its conjugation to generate Aβ42 bearing fluorophores or biotin. The methods rely on the hitherto unrecognized observation that expression of the Aβ(MC1-42) gene yields the Aβ(C1-42) peptide, because the N-terminal methionine is endogenously excised by Escherichia coli. Conjugation of Aβ(C1-42) with maleimide-functionalized fluorophores or biotin affords the N-terminally labeled Aβ42. The expression affords ∼14 mg of N-terminal cysteine Aβ from 1 L of bacterial culture. Subsequent conjugation affords ∼3 mg of labeled Aβ from 1 L of bacterial culture with minimal cost for labeling reagents. High-performance liquid chromatography analysis indicates the N-terminal cysteine Aβ to be >97% pure and labeled Aβ peptides to be 94-97% pure. Biophysical studies show that the labeled Aβ peptides behave like unlabeled Aβ and suggest that labeling of the N-terminus does not substantially alter the properties of the Aβ. We further demonstrate applications of the fluorophore-labeled Aβ peptides by using fluorescence microscopy to visualize their interactions with mammalian cells and bacteria. We anticipate that these methods will provide researchers convenient access to useful N-terminally labeled Aβ, as well as Aβ with an N-terminal cysteine that enables further functionalization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheng Zhang
- Department of Chemistry, University of California-Irvine, Irvine, California 92697-2025, United States
| | - Gretchen Guaglianone
- Department of Chemistry, University of California-Irvine, Irvine, California 92697-2025, United States
| | - Michael A. Morris
- Department of Chemistry, University of California-Irvine, Irvine, California 92697-2025, United States
| | - Stan Yoo
- Department of Chemistry, University of California-Irvine, Irvine, California 92697-2025, United States
| | - William J. Howitz
- Department of Chemistry, University of California-Irvine, Irvine, California 92697-2025, United States
| | - Li Xing
- Irvine Materials Research Institute (IMRI), University of California-Irvine, Irvine, California 92697-2575, United States
| | - Jian-Guo Zheng
- Irvine Materials Research Institute (IMRI), University of California-Irvine, Irvine, California 92697-2575, United States
| | - Hannah Jusuf
- Department of Chemistry, University of California-Irvine, Irvine, California 92697-2025, United States
| | - Grace Huizar
- Department of Chemistry, University of California-Irvine, Irvine, California 92697-2025, United States
| | - Jonathan Lin
- Department of Chemistry, University of California-Irvine, Irvine, California 92697-2025, United States
| | - Adam G. Kreutzer
- Department of Chemistry, University of California-Irvine, Irvine, California 92697-2025, United States
| | - James S. Nowick
- Department of Chemistry, University of California-Irvine, Irvine, California 92697-2025, United States
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of California-Irvine, Irvine, California 92697-2025, United States
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29
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Fulop T, Tripathi S, Rodrigues S, Desroches M, Bunt T, Eiser A, Bernier F, Beauregard PB, Barron AE, Khalil A, Plotka A, Hirokawa K, Larbi A, Bocti C, Laurent B, Frost EH, Witkowski JM. Targeting Impaired Antimicrobial Immunity in the Brain for the Treatment of Alzheimer's Disease. Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat 2021; 17:1311-1339. [PMID: 33976546 PMCID: PMC8106529 DOI: 10.2147/ndt.s264910] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2021] [Accepted: 04/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia and aging is the most common risk factor for developing the disease. The etiology of AD is not known but AD may be considered as a clinical syndrome with multiple causal pathways contributing to it. The amyloid cascade hypothesis, claiming that excess production or reduced clearance of amyloid-beta (Aβ) and its aggregation into amyloid plaques, was accepted for a long time as the main cause of AD. However, many studies showed that Aβ is a frequent consequence of many challenges/pathologic processes occurring in the brain for decades. A key factor, sustained by experimental data, is that low-grade infection leading to production and deposition of Aβ, which has antimicrobial activity, precedes the development of clinically apparent AD. This infection is chronic, low grade, largely clinically silent for decades because of a nearly efficient antimicrobial immune response in the brain. A chronic inflammatory state is induced that results in neurodegeneration. Interventions that appear to prevent, retard or mitigate the development of AD also appear to modify the disease. In this review, we conceptualize further that the changes in the brain antimicrobial immune response during aging and especially in AD sufferers serve as a foundation that could lead to improved treatment strategies for preventing or decreasing the progression of AD in a disease-modifying treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamas Fulop
- Research Center on Aging, Geriatric Division, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada
| | - Shreyansh Tripathi
- Cluster Innovation Centre, North Campus, University of Delhi, Delhi, 110007, India.,Ikerbasque, The Basque Foundation for Science, Bilbao, Spain
| | - Serafim Rodrigues
- Ikerbasque, The Basque Foundation for Science, Bilbao, Spain.,Mathematical Computational and Experimental Neuroscience (MCEN), BCAM - The Basque Center for Applied Mathematics, Bilbao, Spain
| | - Mathieu Desroches
- MathNeuro Team, Inria Sophia Antipolis Méditerranée, Sophia Antipolis, France.,Department of Mathematics, Université Côte d'Azur, Nice, France
| | - Ton Bunt
- Izumi Biosciences, Inc., Lexington, MA, USA
| | - Arnold Eiser
- Leonard Davis Institute, University of Pennsylvania, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Francois Bernier
- Morinaga Milk Industry Co., Ltd, Next Generation Science Institute, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Pascale B Beauregard
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada
| | - Annelise E Barron
- Department of Bioengineering, Stanford School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Abdelouahed Khalil
- Research Center on Aging, Geriatric Division, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada
| | - Adam Plotka
- Department of Pathophysiology, Medical University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland
| | - Katsuiku Hirokawa
- Institute of Health and Life Science, Tokyo Med. Dent. University, Tokyo and Nito-Memory Nakanosogo Hospital, Department of Pathology, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Anis Larbi
- Singapore Immunology Network (SIgN), Agency for Science Technology and Research (ASTAR), Immunos Building, Biopolis, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Christian Bocti
- Research Center on Aging, Department of Medicine, Division of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada
| | - Benoit Laurent
- Research Center on Aging, Department of Biochemistry and Functional Genomics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada
| | - Eric H Frost
- Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada
| | - Jacek M Witkowski
- Department of Pathophysiology, Medical University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland
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30
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Leszek J, Mikhaylenko EV, Belousov DM, Koutsouraki E, Szczechowiak K, Kobusiak-Prokopowicz M, Mysiak A, Diniz BS, Somasundaram SG, Kirkland CE, Aliev G. The Links between Cardiovascular Diseases and Alzheimer's Disease. Curr Neuropharmacol 2021; 19:152-169. [PMID: 32727331 PMCID: PMC8033981 DOI: 10.2174/1570159x18666200729093724] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2020] [Revised: 06/02/2020] [Accepted: 07/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The root cause of non-inherited Alzheimer's disease (AD) remains unknown despite hundreds of research studies performed to attempt to solve this problem. Since proper prophylaxis remains the best strategy, many scientists have studied the risk factors that may affect AD development. There is robust evidence supporting the hypothesis that cardiovascular diseases (CVD) may contribute to AD progression, as the diseases often coexist. Therefore, a lack of well-defined diagnostic criteria makes studying the relationship between AD and CVD complicated. Additionally, inflammation accompanies the pathogenesis of AD and CVD, and is not only a consequence but also implicated as a significant contributor to the course of the diseases. Of note, АроЕε4 is found to be one of the major risk factors affecting both the cardiovascular and nervous systems. According to genome wide association and epidemiological studies, numerous common risk factors have been associated with the development of AD-related pathology. Furthermore, the risk of developing AD and CVDs appears to be increased by a wide range of conditions and lifestyle factors: hypertension, dyslipidemia, hypercholesterolemia, hyperhomocysteinemia, gut/oral microbiota, physical activity, and diet. This review summarizes the literature and provides possible mechanistic links between CVDs and AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jerzy Leszek
- Address correspondence to these authors at the Department of Psychiatry, Wrocław Medical University, Ul. Pasteura 10, 50-367, Wroclaw, Poland;, E-mail: and GALLY International Research Institute, 7733 Louis Pasteur Drive, #330, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA; Tel: +1-210-442-8625 or +1-440-263-7461; E-mails: ,
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Gjumrakch Aliev
- Address correspondence to these authors at the Department of Psychiatry, Wrocław Medical University, Ul. Pasteura 10, 50-367, Wroclaw, Poland;, E-mail: and GALLY International Research Institute, 7733 Louis Pasteur Drive, #330, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA; Tel: +1-210-442-8625 or +1-440-263-7461; E-mails: ,
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31
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Frölich L. Alzheimer's disease - the 'microbial hypothesis' from a clinical and neuroimaging perspective. Psychiatry Res Neuroimaging 2020; 306:111181. [PMID: 32919870 DOI: 10.1016/j.pscychresns.2020.111181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2020] [Revised: 06/25/2020] [Accepted: 09/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
The etiology of Alzheimer's disease (AD) is under debate since its first description in 1906. Extracellular senile plaques composed of beta-amyloid peptide (Aβ) and intracellular neurofibrillary tangles composed of tau protein characterize the histopathology of the disease. The 'amyloid cascade hypothesis' summarizes the molecular mechanisms leading to deposition of these proteins. However, treatments derived from this hypothesis have been unsuccessful. An infectious etiology for AD has been repeatedly proposed. Neurotropic viruses, gut and lung bacteriae, and Bovine Meat and Milk Factors have been implicated in neurodegenerative disorders including AD. These pathogens may act directly or as a trigger or co-factor for inducing neurodegeneration in AD. The antimicrobial properties of beta-amyloid have shifted the discussion of the etiological origin of AD towards an interaction hypothesis. Neuroimaging studies have added to the understanding of mechanisms involved in neurodegeneration. Antiviral agents and a bacterial protease inhibitor targeting Porphyromonas gingivalis toxins are currently tested in clinical trials. Further clinical studies are needed to test if strategies directly derived from the 'microbial hypothesis' or combination strategies including antimicrobial agents may be beneficial for patients with Alzheimer's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lutz Frölich
- Dept of Geriatric Psychiatry, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Germany.
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32
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Biosynthetic Polymalic Acid as a Delivery Nanoplatform for Translational Cancer Medicine. Trends Biochem Sci 2020; 46:213-224. [PMID: 33268216 PMCID: PMC7580597 DOI: 10.1016/j.tibs.2020.09.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2020] [Revised: 09/08/2020] [Accepted: 09/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Poly(β-L-malic acid) (PMLA) is a natural polyester produced by numerous microorganisms. Regarding its biosynthetic machinery, a nonribosomal peptide synthetase (NRPS) is proposed to direct polymerization of L-malic acid in vivo. Chemically versatile and biologically compatible, PMLA can be used as an ideal carrier for several molecules, including nucleotides, proteins, chemotherapeutic drugs, and imaging agents, and can deliver multimodal theranostics through biological barriers such as the blood–brain barrier. We focus on PMLA biosynthesis in microorganisms, summarize the physicochemical and physiochemical characteristics of PMLA as a naturally derived polymeric delivery platform at nanoscale, and highlight the attachment of functional groups to enhance cancer detection and treatment.
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33
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Inyushin M, Zayas-Santiago A, Rojas L, Kucheryavykh L. On the Role of Platelet-Generated Amyloid Beta Peptides in Certain Amyloidosis Health Complications. Front Immunol 2020; 11:571083. [PMID: 33123145 PMCID: PMC7567018 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.571083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2020] [Accepted: 09/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
As do many other immunity-related blood cells, platelets release antimicrobial peptides that kill bacteria, fungi, and even certain viruses. Here we review the literature suggesting that there is a similarity between the antimicrobials released by other blood cells and the amyloid-related Aβ peptide released by platelets. Analyzing the literature, we also propose that platelet-generated Aβ amyloidosis may be more common than currently recognized. This systemic Aβ from a platelet source may participate in various forms of amyloidosis in pathologies ranging from brain cancer, glaucoma, skin Aβ accumulation, and preeclampsia to Alzheimer’s disease and late-stage Parkinson’s disease. We also discuss the advantages and disadvantages of specific animal models for studying platelet-related Aβ. This field is undergoing rapid change, as it evaluates competing ideas in the light of new experimental observations. We summarized both in order to clarify the role of platelet-generated Aβ peptides in amyloidosis-related health disorders, which may be helpful to researchers interested in this growing area of investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mikhail Inyushin
- Department of Physiology, Universidad Central del Caribe, Bayamon, Puerto Rico
| | - Astrid Zayas-Santiago
- Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, Universidad Central del Caribe, Bayamon, Puerto Rico
| | - Legier Rojas
- Department of Physiology, Universidad Central del Caribe, Bayamon, Puerto Rico
| | - Lilia Kucheryavykh
- Department of Biochemistry, Universidad Central del Caribe, Bayamon, Puerto Rico
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34
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Iqbal UH, Zeng E, Pasinetti GM. The Use of Antimicrobial and Antiviral Drugs in Alzheimer's Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E4920. [PMID: 32664669 PMCID: PMC7404195 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21144920] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2020] [Revised: 07/09/2020] [Accepted: 07/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The aggregation and accumulation of amyloid-β plaques and tau proteins in the brain have been central characteristics in the pathophysiology of Alzheimer's disease (AD), making them the focus of most of the research exploring potential therapeutics for this neurodegenerative disease. With success in interventions aimed at depleting amyloid-β peptides being limited at best, a greater understanding of the physiological role of amyloid-β peptides is needed. The development of amyloid-β plaques has been determined to occur 10-20 years prior to AD symptom manifestation, hence earlier interventions might be necessary to address presymptomatic AD. Furthermore, recent studies have suggested that amyloid-β peptides may play a role in innate immunity as an antimicrobial peptide. These findings, coupled with the evidence of pathogens such as viruses and bacteria in AD brains, suggests that the buildup of amyloid-β plaques could be a response to the presence of viruses and bacteria. This has led to the foundation of the antimicrobial hypothesis for AD. The present review will highlight the current understanding of amyloid-β, and the role of bacteria and viruses in AD, and will also explore the therapeutic potential of antimicrobial and antiviral drugs in Alzheimer's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Giulio M. Pasinetti
- Department of Neurology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA; (U.H.I.); (E.Z.)
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