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Lacham-Hartman S, Moshe R, Ben-Zichri S, Shmidov Y, Bitton R, Jelinek R, Papo N. APPI-Derived Cyclic Peptide Enhances Aβ42 Aggregation and Reduces Aβ42-Mediated Membrane Destabilization and Cytotoxicity. ACS Chem Neurosci 2023; 14:3385-3397. [PMID: 37579500 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.3c00208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/16/2023] Open
Abstract
An amyloid precursor protein inhibitor (APPI) and amyloid beta 42 (Aβ42) are both subdomains of the human transmembrane amyloid precursor protein (APP). In the brains of patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD), Aβ42 oligomerizes into aggregates of various sizes, with intermediate, low-molecular-weight Aβ42 oligomers currently being held to be the species responsible for the most neurotoxic effects associated with the disease. Strategies to ameliorate the toxicity of these intermediate Aβ42 oligomeric species include the use of short, Aβ42-interacting peptides that either inhibit the formation of the Aβ42 oligomeric species or promote their conversion to high-molecular-weight aggregates. We therefore designed such an Aβ42-interacting peptide that is based on the β-hairpin amino acid sequence of the APPI, which exhibits high similarity to the β-sheet-like aggregation site of Aβ42. Upon tight binding of this 20-mer cyclic peptide to Aβ42 (in a 1:1 molar ratio), the formation of Aβ42 aggregates was enhanced, and consequently, Aβ42-mediated cell toxicity was ameliorated. We showed that in the presence of the cyclic peptide, interactions of Aβ42 with both plasma and mitochondrial membranes and with phospholipid vesicles that mimic these membranes were inhibited. Specifically, the cyclic peptide inhibited Aβ42-mediated mitochondrial membrane depolarization and reduced Aβ42-mediated apoptosis and cell death. We suggest that the cyclic peptide modulates Aβ42 aggregation by enhancing the formation of large aggregates─as opposed to low-molecular-weight intermediates─and as such has the potential for further development as an AD therapeutic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shiran Lacham-Hartman
- Avram and Stella Goldstein-Goren Department of Biotechnology Engineering and the National Institute of Biotechnology in the Negev, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, P.O. Box 653, Beer-Sheva 84105, Israel
| | - Reut Moshe
- Avram and Stella Goldstein-Goren Department of Biotechnology Engineering and the National Institute of Biotechnology in the Negev, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, P.O. Box 653, Beer-Sheva 84105, Israel
| | - Shani Ben-Zichri
- Department of Chemistry, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, P.O. Box 653, Beer-Sheva 84105, Israel
| | - Yulia Shmidov
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, P.O. Box 653, Beer-Sheva 84105, Israel
| | - Ronit Bitton
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, P.O. Box 653, Beer-Sheva 84105, Israel
- Ilse Katz Institute for Nanoscale Science &Technology, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, P.O. Box 653, Beer-Sheva 84105, Israel
| | - Raz Jelinek
- Department of Chemistry, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, P.O. Box 653, Beer-Sheva 84105, Israel
- Ilse Katz Institute for Nanoscale Science &Technology, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, P.O. Box 653, Beer-Sheva 84105, Israel
| | - Niv Papo
- Avram and Stella Goldstein-Goren Department of Biotechnology Engineering and the National Institute of Biotechnology in the Negev, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, P.O. Box 653, Beer-Sheva 84105, Israel
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Tzuri N, Yegodayev KM, Novoplansky O, Elkabets M, Aharoni A, Papo N. Developing a dual VEGF/PDL1 inhibitor based on high-affinity scFv heterodimers as an anti-cancer therapeutic strategy. Sci Rep 2023; 13:11923. [PMID: 37488176 PMCID: PMC10366146 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-39076-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2023] [Accepted: 07/19/2023] [Indexed: 07/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Cancer progression is enhanced by the interaction of programmed death-ligand 1 (PDL1), which is associated with inhibition of the immune response against tumors, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), which inhibits immune cell activity while inducing angiogenesis and proliferation of cancer cells. Dual inhibition of PDL1 and VEGF may therefore confer a synergistic anti-cancer therapeutic effect. We present a novel strategy for developing a therapeutic that simultaneously binds and inhibits both PDL1 and VEGF. We generated a bi-specific protein, designated DuRan-Bis, comprising a single chain variable fragment (scFv)-based inhibitor of PDL1 fused to an scFv-based inhibitor of VEGF, with the latter being attached to an Fc fragment. We found that DuRan-Bis binds to both PDL1 and VEGF with high affinity. Compared to treatments with mono-specific proteins, alone or in combination, the DuRan-Bis chimera showed superior inhibition of the proliferation of glioblastoma cells. In comparison to treatment with immune cells alone, a combination of immune cells with DuRan-Bis decreased the viability of head and neck cancer cells. To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first to use a single polypeptide chain scFv-scFv-Fc scaffold for engineering a high-affinity bi-specific inhibitor of PDL1 and VEGF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noam Tzuri
- Avram and Stella Goldstein-Goren Department of Biotechnology Engineering and The National Institute of Biotechnology in the Negev, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, 8410501, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Ksenia M Yegodayev
- The Shraga Segal Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Genetics, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, 8410501, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Ofra Novoplansky
- The Shraga Segal Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Genetics, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, 8410501, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Moshe Elkabets
- The Shraga Segal Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Genetics, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, 8410501, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Amir Aharoni
- Department of Life Sciences and The National Institute of Biotechnology in the Negev, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, 8410501, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Niv Papo
- Avram and Stella Goldstein-Goren Department of Biotechnology Engineering and The National Institute of Biotechnology in the Negev, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, 8410501, Beer-Sheva, Israel.
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3
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Gallego Villarejo L, Bachmann L, Marks D, Brachthäuser M, Geidies A, Müller T. Role of Intracellular Amyloid β as Pathway Modulator, Biomarker, and Therapy Target. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23094656. [PMID: 35563046 PMCID: PMC9103247 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23094656] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2022] [Revised: 04/15/2022] [Accepted: 04/19/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The β- and γ-secretase-driven cleavage of the amyloid precursor protein (APP) gives rise to the amyloid β peptide, which is believed to be the main driver of neurodegeneration in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). As it is prominently detectable in extracellular plaques in post-mortem AD brain samples, research in recent decades focused on the pathological role of extracellular amyloid β aggregation, widely neglecting the potential meaning of very early generation of amyloid β inside the cell. In the last few years, the importance of intracellular amyloid β (iAβ) as a strong player in neurodegeneration has been indicated by a rising number of studies. In this review, iAβ is highlighted as a crucial APP cleavage fragment, able to manipulate intracellular pathways and foster neurodegeneration. We demonstrate its relevance as a pathological marker and shed light on initial studies aiming to modulate iAβ through pharmacological treatment, which has been shown to have beneficial effects on cognitive properties in animal models. Finally, we display the relevance of viral infections on iAβ generation and point out future directions urgently needed to manifest the potential relevance of iAβ in Alzheimer’s disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucia Gallego Villarejo
- Department of Molecular Biochemistry, Cell Signalling, Ruhr University Bochum, 44801 Bochum, Germany; (L.G.V.); (L.B.); (D.M.); (M.B.); (A.G.)
| | - Lisa Bachmann
- Department of Molecular Biochemistry, Cell Signalling, Ruhr University Bochum, 44801 Bochum, Germany; (L.G.V.); (L.B.); (D.M.); (M.B.); (A.G.)
| | - David Marks
- Department of Molecular Biochemistry, Cell Signalling, Ruhr University Bochum, 44801 Bochum, Germany; (L.G.V.); (L.B.); (D.M.); (M.B.); (A.G.)
| | - Maite Brachthäuser
- Department of Molecular Biochemistry, Cell Signalling, Ruhr University Bochum, 44801 Bochum, Germany; (L.G.V.); (L.B.); (D.M.); (M.B.); (A.G.)
| | - Alexander Geidies
- Department of Molecular Biochemistry, Cell Signalling, Ruhr University Bochum, 44801 Bochum, Germany; (L.G.V.); (L.B.); (D.M.); (M.B.); (A.G.)
| | - Thorsten Müller
- Department of Molecular Biochemistry, Cell Signalling, Ruhr University Bochum, 44801 Bochum, Germany; (L.G.V.); (L.B.); (D.M.); (M.B.); (A.G.)
- Institute of Psychiatric Phenomics and Genomics (IPPG), LMU University Hospital, LMU Munich, 80336 Munich, Germany
- Correspondence:
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4
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Oren O, Taube R, Papo N. Amyloid β structural polymorphism, associated toxicity and therapeutic strategies. Cell Mol Life Sci 2021; 78:7185-7198. [PMID: 34643743 PMCID: PMC11072899 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-021-03954-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2021] [Revised: 08/30/2021] [Accepted: 09/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
A review of the multidisciplinary scientific literature reveals a large variety of amyloid-β (Aβ) oligomeric species, differing in molecular weight, conformation and morphology. These species, which may assemble via either on- or off-aggregation pathways, exhibit differences in stability, function and neurotoxicity, according to different experimental settings. The conformations of the different Aβ species are stabilized by intra- and inter-molecular hydrogen bonds and by electrostatic and hydrophobic interactions, all depending on the chemical and physical environment (e.g., solvent, ions, pH) and interactions with other molecules, such as lipids and proteins. This complexity and the lack of a complete understanding of the relationship between the different Aβ species and their toxicity is currently dictating the nature of the inhibitor (or inducer)-based approaches that are under development for interfering with (or inducing) the formation of specific species and Aβ oligomerization, and for interfering with the associated downstream neurotoxic effects. Here, we review the principles that underlie the involvement of different Aβ oligomeric species in neurodegeneration, both in vitro and in preclinical studies. In addition, we provide an overview of the existing inhibitors (or inducers) of Aβ oligomerization that serve as potential therapeutics for neurodegenerative diseases. The review, which covers the exciting studies that have been published in the past few years, comprises three main parts: 1) on- and off-fibrillar assembly mechanisms and Aβ structural polymorphism; 2) interactions of Aβ with other molecules and cell components that dictate the Aβ aggregation pathway; and 3) targeting the on-fibrillar Aβ assembly pathway as a therapeutic approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ofek Oren
- The Shraga Segal Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Genetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, P.O. Box 653, 84105, Beer-Sheva, Israel
- Department of Biotechnology Engineering, Avram and Stella Goldstein-Goren, National Institute of Biotechnology in the Negev, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, P.O. Box 653, 84105, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Ran Taube
- The Shraga Segal Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Genetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, P.O. Box 653, 84105, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Niv Papo
- Department of Biotechnology Engineering, Avram and Stella Goldstein-Goren, National Institute of Biotechnology in the Negev, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, P.O. Box 653, 84105, Beer-Sheva, Israel.
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5
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Peptides for disrupting and degrading amyloids. Curr Opin Chem Biol 2021; 64:124-130. [PMID: 34274561 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2021.05.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2021] [Revised: 05/13/2021] [Accepted: 05/18/2021] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Amyloid proteins can aggregate into insoluble fibrils and form amyloid deposits in the human brain, which is the hallmark of many neurodegenerative diseases. Promising strategies toward pathological amyloid proteins and deposition include investigating inhibitors that can disrupt amyloid aggregation or induce misfolding protein degradation. In this review, recent progress of peptide-based inhibitors, including amyloid sequence-derived inhibitors, designed peptides, and peptide mimics, is highlighted. Based on the increased understanding of peptide design and precise amyloid structures, these peptides exhibit advanced inhibitory activities against fibrous aggregation as well as enhanced druggability.
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Naveh Tassa S, Ben Zichri S, Lacham-Hartman S, Oren O, Slobodnik Z, Eremenko E, Toiber D, Jelinek R, Papo N. A Mechanism for the Inhibition of Tau Neurotoxicity: Studies with Artificial Membranes, Isolated Mitochondria, and Intact Cells. ACS Chem Neurosci 2021; 12:1563-1577. [PMID: 33904703 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.1c00045] [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: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
It is currently believed that molecular agents that specifically bind to and neutralize the toxic proteins/peptides, amyloid β (Aβ42), tau, and the tau-derived peptide PHF6, hold the key to attenuating the progression of Alzheimer's disease (AD). We thus tested our previously developed nonaggregating Aβ42 double mutant (Aβ42DM) as a multispecific binder for three AD-associated molecules, wild-type Aβ42, the tauK174Q mutant, and a synthetic PHF6 peptide. Aβ42DM acted as a functional inhibitor of these molecules in in vitro assays and in neuronal cell-based models of AD. The double mutant bound both cytotoxic tauK174Q and synthetic PHF6 and protected neuronal cells from the accumulation of tau in cell lysates and mitochondria. Aβ42DM also reduced toxic intracellular levels of calcium and the overall cell toxicity induced by overexpressed tau, synthetic PHF6, Aβ42, or a combination of PHF6and Aβ42. Aβ42DM inhibited PHF6-induced overall mitochondrial dysfunction: In particular, Aβ42DM inhibited PHF6-induced damage to submitochondrial particles (SMPs) and suppressed PHF6-induced elevation of the ζ-potential of inverted SMPs (proxy for the inner mitochondrial membrane, IMM). PHF6 reduced the lipid fluidity of cardiolipin/DOPC vesicles (that mimic the IMM) but not DOPC (which mimics the outer mitochondrial membrane), and this effect was inhibited by Aβ42DM. This inhibition may be explained by the conformational changes in PHF6 induced by Aβ42DM in solution and in membrane mimetics. On this basis, the paper presents a mechanistic explanation for the inhibitory activity of Aβ42DM against Aβ42- and tau-induced membrane permeability and cell toxicity and provides confirmatory evidence for its protective function in neuronal cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Segev Naveh Tassa
- Avram and Stella Goldstein-Goren Department of Biotechnology Engineering and the National Institute of Biotechnology in the Negev, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, P.O. Box 653, Beer-Sheva 84105, Israel
| | - Shani Ben Zichri
- Department of Chemistry, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, P.O. Box 653, Beer-Sheva 84105, Israel
| | - Shiran Lacham-Hartman
- Avram and Stella Goldstein-Goren Department of Biotechnology Engineering and the National Institute of Biotechnology in the Negev, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, P.O. Box 653, Beer-Sheva 84105, Israel
| | - Ofek Oren
- The Shraga Segal Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Genetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, P.O. Box 653, Beer-Sheva 84105, Israel
| | - Zeev Slobodnik
- Department of Life Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, P.O. Box 653, Beer-Sheva 84105, Israel
- The Zlotowski Center for Neuroscience, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, 84105, Israel
| | - Ekaterina Eremenko
- Department of Life Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, P.O. Box 653, Beer-Sheva 84105, Israel
- The Zlotowski Center for Neuroscience, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, 84105, Israel
| | - Debra Toiber
- Department of Life Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, P.O. Box 653, Beer-Sheva 84105, Israel
- The Zlotowski Center for Neuroscience, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, 84105, Israel
| | - Raz Jelinek
- Department of Chemistry, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, P.O. Box 653, Beer-Sheva 84105, Israel
| | - Niv Papo
- Avram and Stella Goldstein-Goren Department of Biotechnology Engineering and the National Institute of Biotechnology in the Negev, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, P.O. Box 653, Beer-Sheva 84105, Israel
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7
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Malishev R, Ben-Zichri S, Oren O, Shauloff N, Peretz T, Taube R, Papo N, Jelinek R. The pro-apoptotic domain of BIM protein forms toxic amyloid fibrils. Cell Mol Life Sci 2021; 78:2145-2155. [PMID: 32844279 PMCID: PMC11072030 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-020-03623-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2020] [Revised: 06/26/2020] [Accepted: 08/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BIM is a key apoptotic protein, participating in diverse cellular processes. Interestingly, recent studies have hypothesized that BIM is associated with the extensive neuronal cell death encountered in protein misfolding diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease. Here, we report that the core pro-apoptotic domain of BIM, the BIM-BH3 motif, forms ubiquitous amyloid fibrils. The BIM-BH3 fibrils exhibit cytotoxicity, disrupt mitochondrial functions, and modulate the structures and dynamics of mitochondrial membrane mimics. Interestingly, a slightly longer peptide in which BIM-BH3 was flanked by four additional residues, widely employed as a model of the pro-apoptotic core domain of BIM, did not form fibrils, nor exhibited cell disruptive properties. The experimental data suggest a new mechanistic role for the BIM-BH3 domain, and demonstrate, for the first time, that an apoptotic peptide forms toxic amyloid fibrils.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ravit Malishev
- Department of Chemistry and Ilse, Katz Institute for Nanotechnology, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, 84105, Beer Sheva, Israel
| | - Shani Ben-Zichri
- Department of Chemistry and Ilse, Katz Institute for Nanotechnology, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, 84105, Beer Sheva, Israel
| | - Ofek Oren
- The Shraga Segal Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Genetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, 84105, Beer Sheva, Israel
| | - Nitzan Shauloff
- Department of Chemistry and Ilse, Katz Institute for Nanotechnology, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, 84105, Beer Sheva, Israel
| | - Tal Peretz
- Department of Life Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, 84105, Beer Sheva, Israel
| | - Ran Taube
- The Shraga Segal Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Genetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, 84105, Beer Sheva, Israel
| | - Niv Papo
- Avram and Stella Goldstein-Goren Department of Biotechnology Engineering and the National Institute of Biotechnology in the Negev, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, 84105, Beer Sheva, Israel
| | - Raz Jelinek
- Department of Chemistry and Ilse, Katz Institute for Nanotechnology, Ben Gurion University of the Negev, 84105, Beer Sheva, Israel.
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Park KW, Wood CA, Li J, Taylor BC, Oh S, Young NL, Jankowsky JL. Gene therapy using Aβ variants for amyloid reduction. Mol Ther 2021; 29:2294-2307. [PMID: 33647457 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2021.02.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2020] [Revised: 01/30/2021] [Accepted: 02/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Numerous aggregation inhibitors have been developed with the goal of blocking or reversing toxic amyloid formation in vivo. Previous studies have used short peptide inhibitors targeting different amyloid β (Aβ) amyloidogenic regions to prevent aggregation. Despite the specificity that can be achieved by peptide inhibitors, translation of these strategies has been thwarted by two key obstacles: rapid proteolytic degradation in the bloodstream and poor transfer across the blood-brain barrier. To circumvent these problems, we have created a minigene to express full-length Aβ variants in the mouse brain. We identify two variants, F20P and F19D/L34P, that display four key properties required for therapeutic use: neither peptide aggregates on its own, both inhibit aggregation of wild-type Aβ in vitro, promote disassembly of pre-formed fibrils, and diminish toxicity of Aβ oligomers. We used intraventricular injection of adeno-associated virus (AAV) to express each variant in APP/PS1 transgenic mice. Lifelong expression of F20P, but not F19D/L34P, diminished Aβ levels, plaque burden, and plaque-associated neuroinflammation. Our findings suggest that AAV delivery of Aβ variants may offer a novel therapeutic strategy for Alzheimer's disease. More broadly our work offers a framework for identifying and delivering peptide inhibitors tailored to other protein-misfolding diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyung-Won Park
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Caleb A Wood
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Jun Li
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Bethany C Taylor
- Verna and Marrs McLean Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - SaeWoong Oh
- Department of Integrative Biotechnology, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon City, 16419 GyunggiDo, Republic of Korea
| | - Nicolas L Young
- Verna and Marrs McLean Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Joanna L Jankowsky
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Neurology, and Neurosurgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
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Xu Y, Zhao M, Zhou D, Zheng T, Zhang H. The application of multifunctional nanomaterials in Alzheimer's disease: A potential theranostics strategy. Biomed Pharmacother 2021; 137:111360. [PMID: 33582451 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2021.111360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2020] [Revised: 01/13/2021] [Accepted: 02/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
By virtue of their small size, nanomaterials can cross the blood-brain barrier and, when modified to target specific cells or regions, can achieve high bioavailability at the intended site of action. Modified nanomaterials are therefore promising agents for the diagnosis and treatment of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease (AD). Here we review the roles and mechanisms of action of nanomaterials in AD. First, we discuss the general characteristics of nanomaterials and their application to nanomedicine. Then, we summarize recent studies on the diagnosis and treatment of AD using modified nanomaterials. These studies indicate that using nanomaterials is a potential strategy for AD treatment by slowing the progression of AD through enhanced therapeutic effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yilan Xu
- Neurodegeneration and Neuroregeneration Laboratory, Department of Basic Medicine, School of Medicine, Shaoxing University, Shaoxing 312000, Zhejiang, China
| | - Manna Zhao
- Neurodegeneration and Neuroregeneration Laboratory, Department of Basic Medicine, School of Medicine, Shaoxing University, Shaoxing 312000, Zhejiang, China
| | - Dongming Zhou
- Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310058, Zhejiang, China
| | - Tingting Zheng
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of ZheJiang Chinese Medical University, Zhejiang Provincial Hospital of TCM, Hangzhou 310058, Zhejiang, China
| | - Heng Zhang
- Neurodegeneration and Neuroregeneration Laboratory, Department of Basic Medicine, School of Medicine, Shaoxing University, Shaoxing 312000, Zhejiang, China.
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Rationally designed peptide-based inhibitor of Aβ42 fibril formation and toxicity: a potential therapeutic strategy for Alzheimer's disease. Biochem J 2020; 477:2039-2054. [PMID: 32427336 PMCID: PMC7293109 DOI: 10.1042/bcj20200290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2020] [Revised: 05/12/2020] [Accepted: 05/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Amyloid beta peptide (Aβ42) aggregation in the brain is thought to be responsible for the onset of Alzheimer's disease, an insidious condition without an effective treatment or cure. Hence, a strategy to prevent aggregation and subsequent toxicity is crucial. Bio-inspired peptide-based molecules are ideal candidates for the inhibition of Aβ42 aggregation, and are currently deemed to be a promising option for drug design. In this study, a hexapeptide containing a self-recognition component unique to Aβ42 was designed to mimic the β-strand hydrophobic core region of the Aβ peptide. The peptide is comprised exclusively of D-amino acids to enhance specificity towards Aβ42, in conjunction with a C-terminal disruption element to block the recruitment of Aβ42 monomers on to fibrils. The peptide was rationally designed to exploit the synergy between the recognition and disruption components, and incorporates features such as hydrophobicity, β-sheet propensity, and charge, that all play a critical role in the aggregation process. Fluorescence assays, native ion-mobility mass spectrometry (IM-MS) and cell viability assays were used to demonstrate that the peptide interacts with Aβ42 monomers and oligomers with high specificity, leading to almost complete inhibition of fibril formation, with essentially no cytotoxic effects. These data define the peptide-based inhibitor as a potentially potent anti-amyloid drug candidate for this hitherto incurable disease.
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Oren O, Ben Zichri S, Taube R, Jelinek R, Papo N. Aβ42 Double Mutant Inhibits Aβ42-Induced Plasma and Mitochondrial Membrane Disruption in Artificial Membranes, Isolated Organs, and Intact Cells. ACS Chem Neurosci 2020; 11:1027-1037. [PMID: 32155047 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.9b00638] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Destabilization of plasma and inner mitochondrial membranes by extra- and intracellular amyloid β peptide (Aβ42) aggregates may lead to dysregulated calcium flux through the plasma membrane, mitochondrial-mediated apoptosis, and neuronal cell death in patients with Alzheimer's disease. In the current study, experiments performed with artificial membranes, isolated mitochondria, and neuronal cells allowed us to understand the mechanism by which a nonaggregating Aβ42 double mutant (designated Aβ42DM) exerts its neuroprotective effects. Specifically, we showed that Aβ42DM protected neuronal cells from Aβ42-induced accumulation of toxic intracellular levels of calcium and from apoptosis. Aβ42DM also inhibited Aβ42-induced mitochondrial membrane potential depolarization in the cells and abolished the Aβ42-mediated decrease in cytochrome c oxidase activity in purified mitochondrial particles. These results can be explained in terms of the amelioration by Aβ42DM of Aβ42-mediated changes in membrane fluidity in DOPC and cardiolipin/DOPC phospholipid vesicles, mimicking plasma and mitochondrial membranes, respectively. These observations are also in agreement with the inhibition by Aβ42DM of phospholipid-induced conformational changes in Aβ42 and with the fact that, unlike Aβ42, the Aβ42-Aβ42DM complex could not permeate into cells but instead remained attached to the cell membrane. Although most of the Aβ42DM molecules were localized on the cell membrane, some penetrated into the cytosol in an Aβ42-independent process, and, unlike Aβ42, did not form intracellular inclusion bodies. Overall, we provide a mechanistic explanation for the inhibitory activity of Aβ42DM against Aβ42-induced membrane permeability and cell toxicity and provide confirmatory evidence for its protective function in neuronal cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ofek Oren
- The Shraga Segal Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Genetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, P.O. Box 653, Beer Sheva 84105, Israel
| | - Shani Ben Zichri
- Department of Chemistry, Ben-Gurion University, P.O. Box 653, Beer Sheva 84105, Israel
| | - Ran Taube
- The Shraga Segal Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Genetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, P.O. Box 653, Beer Sheva 84105, Israel
| | - Raz Jelinek
- Department of Chemistry, Ben-Gurion University, P.O. Box 653, Beer Sheva 84105, Israel
| | - Niv Papo
- Avram and Stella Goldstein-Goren Department of Biotechnology Engineering and the National Institute of Biotechnology in the Negev, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, P.O. Box 653, Beer Sheva 84105, Israel
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Banerjee V, Oren O, Dagan B, Taube R, Engel S, Papo N. An Engineered Variant of the B1 Domain of Protein G Suppresses the Aggregation and Toxicity of Intra- and Extracellular Aβ42. ACS Chem Neurosci 2019; 10:1488-1496. [PMID: 30428260 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.8b00491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Intra- and extraneuronal deposition of amyloid β (Aβ) peptides have been linked to Alzheimer's disease (AD). While both intra- and extraneuronal Aβ deposits affect neuronal cell viability, the molecular mechanism by which these Aβ structures, especially when intraneuronal, do so is still not entirely understood. This makes the development of inhibitors challenging. To prevent the formation of toxic Aβ structural assemblies so as to prevent neuronal cell death associated with AD, we used a combination of computational and combinatorial-directed evolution approaches to develop a variant of the HTB1 protein (HTB1M2). HTB1M2 inhibits in vitro self-assembly of Aβ42 peptide and shifts the Aβ42 aggregation pathway to the formation of oligomers that are nontoxic to neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells overexpressing or treated with Aβ42 peptide. This makes HTB1M2 a potential therapeutic lead in the development of AD-targeted drugs and a tool for elucidating conformational changes in the Aβ42 peptide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victor Banerjee
- Avram and Stella Goldstein-Goren Department of Biotechnology Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, P.O. Box 653, Beer Sheva 84105, Israel
- The National Institute for Biotechnology in the Negev, P.O. Box 653, Beer Sheva 84105, Israel
| | - Ofek Oren
- The Shraga Segal Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Genetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva 84105, Israel
| | - Bar Dagan
- Avram and Stella Goldstein-Goren Department of Biotechnology Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, P.O. Box 653, Beer Sheva 84105, Israel
| | - Ran Taube
- The Shraga Segal Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Genetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva 84105, Israel
| | - Stanislav Engel
- The National Institute for Biotechnology in the Negev, P.O. Box 653, Beer Sheva 84105, Israel
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, P.O. Box 653, Beer Sheva 84105, Israel
| | - Niv Papo
- Avram and Stella Goldstein-Goren Department of Biotechnology Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, P.O. Box 653, Beer Sheva 84105, Israel
- The National Institute for Biotechnology in the Negev, P.O. Box 653, Beer Sheva 84105, Israel
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