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Kołodziej-Sobczak D, Sobczak Ł, Łączkowski KZ. Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase 1B (PTP1B): A Comprehensive Review of Its Role in Pathogenesis of Human Diseases. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:7033. [PMID: 39000142 PMCID: PMC11241624 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25137033] [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: 05/20/2024] [Revised: 06/23/2024] [Accepted: 06/24/2024] [Indexed: 07/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Overexpression of protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B) disrupts signaling pathways and results in numerous human diseases. In particular, its involvement has been well documented in the pathogenesis of metabolic disorders (diabetes mellitus type I and type II, fatty liver disease, and obesity); neurodegenerative diseases (Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease); major depressive disorder; calcific aortic valve disease; as well as several cancer types. Given this multitude of therapeutic applications, shortly after identification of PTP1B and its role, the pursuit to introduce safe and selective enzyme inhibitors began. Regrettably, efforts undertaken so far have proved unsuccessful, since all proposed PTP1B inhibitors failed, or are yet to complete, clinical trials. Intending to aid introduction of the new generation of PTP1B inhibitors, this work collects and organizes the current state of the art. In particular, this review intends to elucidate intricate relations between numerous diseases associated with the overexpression of PTP1B, as we believe that it is of the utmost significance to establish and follow a brand-new holistic approach in the treatment of interconnected conditions. With this in mind, this comprehensive review aims to validate the PTP1B enzyme as a promising molecular target, and to reinforce future research in this direction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dominika Kołodziej-Sobczak
- Department of Chemical Technology and Pharmaceuticals, Faculty of Pharmacy, Collegium Medicum, Nicolaus Copernicus University, Jurasza 2, 85-089 Bydgoszcz, Poland;
| | - Łukasz Sobczak
- Hospital Pharmacy, Multidisciplinary Municipal Hospital in Bydgoszcz, Szpitalna 19, 85-826 Bydgoszcz, Poland
| | - Krzysztof Z. Łączkowski
- Department of Chemical Technology and Pharmaceuticals, Faculty of Pharmacy, Collegium Medicum, Nicolaus Copernicus University, Jurasza 2, 85-089 Bydgoszcz, Poland;
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Kunoh S, Nakashima H, Nakashima K. Epigenetic Regulation of Neural Stem Cells in Developmental and Adult Stages. EPIGENOMES 2024; 8:22. [PMID: 38920623 PMCID: PMC11203245 DOI: 10.3390/epigenomes8020022] [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: 02/14/2024] [Revised: 05/18/2024] [Accepted: 05/31/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024] Open
Abstract
The development of the nervous system is regulated by numerous intracellular molecules and cellular signals that interact temporally and spatially with the extracellular microenvironment. The three major cell types in the brain, i.e., neurons and two types of glial cells (astrocytes and oligodendrocytes), are generated from common multipotent neural stem cells (NSCs) throughout life. However, NSCs do not have this multipotentiality from the beginning. During cortical development, NSCs sequentially obtain abilities to differentiate into neurons and glial cells in response to combinations of spatiotemporally modulated cell-intrinsic epigenetic alterations and extrinsic factors. After the completion of brain development, a limited population of NSCs remains in the adult brain and continues to produce neurons (adult neurogenesis), thus contributing to learning and memory. Many biological aspects of brain development and adult neurogenesis are regulated by epigenetic changes via behavioral control of NSCs. Epigenetic dysregulation has also been implicated in the pathogenesis of various brain diseases. Here, we present recent advances in the epigenetic regulation of NSC behavior and its dysregulation in brain disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Hideyuki Nakashima
- Department of Stem Cell Biology and Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan;
| | - Kinichi Nakashima
- Department of Stem Cell Biology and Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan;
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Tobeh NS, Bruce KD. Emerging Alzheimer's disease therapeutics: promising insights from lipid metabolism and microglia-focused interventions. Front Aging Neurosci 2023; 15:1259012. [PMID: 38020773 PMCID: PMC10630922 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2023.1259012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2023] [Accepted: 10/03/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
More than 55 million people suffer from dementia, with this number projected to double every 20 years. In the United States, 1 in 3 aged individuals dies from Alzheimer's disease (AD) or another type of dementia and AD kills more individuals than breast cancer and prostate cancer combined. AD is a complex and multifactorial disease involving amyloid plaque and neurofibrillary tangle formation, glial cell dysfunction, and lipid droplet accumulation (among other pathologies), ultimately leading to neurodegeneration and neuronal death. Unfortunately, the current FDA-approved therapeutics do not reverse nor halt AD. While recently approved amyloid-targeting antibodies can slow AD progression to improve outcomes for some patients, they are associated with adverse side effects, may have a narrow therapeutic window, and are expensive. In this review, we evaluate current and emerging AD therapeutics in preclinical and clinical development and provide insight into emerging strategies that target brain lipid metabolism and microglial function - an approach that may synergistically target multiple mechanisms that drive AD neuropathogenesis. Overall, we evaluate whether these disease-modifying emerging therapeutics hold promise as interventions that may be able to reverse or halt AD progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nour S Tobeh
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, United States
- Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, United States
| | - Kimberley D Bruce
- Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes, Department of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, United States
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Aslam MM, Fan KH, Lawrence E, Bedison MA, Snitz BE, DeKosky ST, Lopez OL, Feingold E, Kamboh MI. Genome-wide analysis identifies novel loci influencing plasma apolipoprotein E concentration and Alzheimer's disease risk. Mol Psychiatry 2023; 28:4451-4462. [PMID: 37666928 PMCID: PMC10827653 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-023-02170-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2022] [Revised: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 06/27/2023] [Indexed: 09/06/2023]
Abstract
The APOE 2/3/4 polymorphism is the greatest genetic risk factor for Alzheimer's disease (AD). This polymorphism is also associated with variation in plasma ApoE level; while APOE*4 lowers, APOE*2 increases ApoE level. Lower plasma ApoE level has also been suggested to be a risk factor for incident dementia. To our knowledge, no large genome-wide association study (GWAS) has been reported on plasma ApoE level. This study aimed to identify new genetic variants affecting plasma ApoE level as well as to test if baseline ApoE level is associated with cognitive function and incident dementia in a longitudinally followed cohort of the Ginkgo Evaluation of Memory (GEM) study. Baseline plasma ApoE concentration was measured in 3031 participants (95.4% European Americans (EAs)). GWAS analysis was performed on 2580 self-identified EAs where both genotype and plasma ApoE data were available. Lower ApoE concentration was associated with worse cognitive function, but not with incident dementia. As expected, the risk for AD increased from E2/2 through to E4/4 genotypes (P for trend = 4.8E-75). In addition to confirming the expected and opposite associations of APOE*2 (P = 4.73E-79) and APOE*4 (P = 8.73E-12) with ApoE level, GWAS analysis revealed nine additional independent signals in the APOE region, and together they explained about 22% of the variance in plasma ApoE level. We also identified seven new loci on chromosomes 1, 4, 5, 7, 11, 12 and 20 (P range = 5.49E-08 to 5.36E-10) that explained about 9% of the variance in ApoE level. Plasma ApoE level-associated independent variants, especially in the APOE region, were also associated with AD risk and amyloid deposition in the brain, indicating that genetically determined ApoE level variation may be a risk factor for developing AD. These results improve our understanding of the genetic determinants of plasma ApoE level and their potential value in affecting AD risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Muaaz Aslam
- Department of Human Genetics, School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Kang-Hsien Fan
- Department of Human Genetics, School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Elizabeth Lawrence
- Department of Human Genetics, School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Margaret Anne Bedison
- Department of Human Genetics, School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Beth E Snitz
- Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Steven T DeKosky
- McKnight Brain Institute and Department of Neurology, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Oscar L Lopez
- Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Eleanor Feingold
- Department of Human Genetics, School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - M Ilyas Kamboh
- Department of Human Genetics, School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
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Masoumi SJ, Haghani M, Mokkaram P, Firoozi D, Mortazavi SAR, Moradi Ardekani F, Torabi Ardakani A, Mortazavi SMJ. Family History of Alzheimer's Disease Increases the Risk of COVID-19 Positivity: A SUMS Employees Cohort-based Study. J Biomed Phys Eng 2023; 13:363-366. [PMID: 37609510 PMCID: PMC10440408 DOI: 10.31661/jbpe.v0i0.2104-1318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2021] [Accepted: 05/16/2021] [Indexed: 08/24/2023]
Abstract
Background Substantial data indicate that genetic and environmental factors play a key role in determining the risk of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Moreover, it is known that having relatives with AD increases the risk of developing this disease. Objective This study is aimed at investigating whether having a family history of AD, may increase the risk of COVID-19 in a cohort-based study. Material and Methods Participants of this retrospective cohort study were previously enrolled in the SUMS Employees Cohort (SUMSEC). All participants including those whose SARS-CoV-2 infection was confirmed by positive PCR test and chest CT scan were requested to respond to interviewer-administered questionnaires. Moreover, AD was diagnosed via memory and thinking impairment, concentration problems, confusion with location, and problems in finishing daily tasks. Results The total numbers of female and male participants with a family history of AD were 463 and 222 individuals, respectively. When all types of family history of AD were considered, a 51.3% increase was found in the relative frequency of the participants with both family history of AD and confirmed COVID-19 compared with those only with a family history of AD. Conclusion Despite the limitations of our study, and from a broader perspective, our findings can further support the concept that AD risk haplotypes including APOE are linked to the same morbidities from cardiovascular disease and obesity that increase vulnerability to COVID-19. Given this consideration, millions of APOE ε4 carriers around the globe should be advised to take additional precautions to prevent life-threatening diseases such as COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seyed Jalil Masoumi
- Nutrition Research Center, School of Nutrition and Food Sciences, Shiraz University of Medical Science, Shiraz, Iran
- Gastroenterohepatology Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
- Center for Cohort Study of SUMS Employees' Health, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Masoud Haghani
- Department of Radiology, School of Paramedical Sciences, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Pooneh Mokkaram
- Department of Biochemistry, Autophagy Research Center, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Donya Firoozi
- Department of Clinical Nutrition, School of Nutrition and Food Sciences, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | | | - Fariba Moradi Ardekani
- Center for Cohort Study of SUMS Employees' Health, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Atefeh Torabi Ardakani
- Center for Cohort Study of SUMS Employees' Health, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
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Kopel J, Sehar U, Choudhury M, Reddy PH. Alzheimer’s Disease and Alzheimer’s Disease-Related Dementias in African Americans: Focus on Caregivers. Healthcare (Basel) 2023; 11:healthcare11060868. [PMID: 36981525 PMCID: PMC10048201 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare11060868] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Revised: 03/10/2023] [Accepted: 03/13/2023] [Indexed: 03/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and Alzheimer’s Disease-Related Dementias (ADRD) are chronic illnesses that are highly prevalent in African Americans (AA). AD and ADRD are caused by multiple factors, such as genetic mutations, modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors, and lifestyle. Histopathological, morphological, and cellular studies revealed how multiple cellular changes are implicated in AD and ADRD, including synaptic damage, inflammatory responses, hormonal imbalance, mitochondrial abnormalities, and neuronal loss, in addition to the accumulation of amyloid beta and phosphorylated tau in the brain. The contributions of race, ethnicity, location and socioeconomic status all have a significant impact on the care and support services available to dementia patients. Furthermore, disparities in health care are entangled with social, economic, and environmental variables that perpetuate disadvantages among different groups, particularly African Americans. As such, it remains important to understand how various racial and ethnic groups perceive, access, and experience health care. Considering that the mounting data shows AA may be more susceptible to AD than white people, the demographic transition creates significant hurdles in providing adequate care from family caregivers. Furthermore, there is growing recognition that AD and ADRD pose a significant stress on AA caregivers compared to white people. In this review, we examine the current literature on racial disparities in AD and ADRD, particularly concerning AA caregivers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan Kopel
- Department of Internal Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX 79430, USA
| | - Ujala Sehar
- Department of Internal Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX 79430, USA
| | - Moumita Choudhury
- Department of Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences, School Health Professions, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX 79430, USA
| | - P. Hemachandra Reddy
- Department of Internal Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX 79430, USA
- Department of Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences, School Health Professions, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX 79430, USA
- Department of Public Health, School of Population and Public Health, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX 79430, USA
- Neurology, Departments of School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX 79430, USA
- Nutritional Sciences Department, College of Human Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409, USA
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-806-743-3194
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7
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Miller A, Desai A, Roley LT, Goodwin RL, Nathaniel AI, Nathaniel TI. The role of ethnicity, biological sex, and psychotropic agents in early and late onset Alzheimer's disease. Front Aging Neurosci 2022; 14:1052330. [PMID: 36620767 PMCID: PMC9815502 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2022.1052330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2022] [Accepted: 12/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective This study investigates differences in pharmacological and demographic factors among male and female patients with Late-onset Alzheimer's disease (LOAD) and Early-onset Alzheimer's disease (EOAD). Method Data are from 10,126 AD patients, 9,290 were diagnosed with LOAD, while 836 were diagnosed with EOAD. Data were collected from the Prisma Health Upstate Alzheimer's patients' registry between 2016 and 2021. The logistic regression analysis was used to assess the association between pharmacological and demographic factors in males and females with LOAD and EOAD. Results In the adjusted analysis for males, patients that were administered memantine [odd ratio (OR) = 1.588, 95% CI, 1.175-2.145, p = 0.003], and buspirone [OR = 1.971, 95% CI, 1.221-3.183, p = 0.006] were more likely to be associated with EOAD, while increasing age [OR = 0.816, 95% CI, 0.799-0.834, p < 0.001] was associated with LOAD. Female patients with a history of alcohol (ETOH) use were more likely to be associated with EOAD while increasing age [OR = 0.845, 95% CI, 0.834-0.857, p < 0.001], treatment with memantine [OR = 0.774, 95% CI, 0.627-0.956, p = 0.017], African Americans [OR = 0.621, 95% CI, 0.462-0.835, p = 0.002] and tobacco use [OR = 0.529, 95% CI, 0.424-0.660, p < 0.001] were associated with LOAD. Conclusion Our findings identified specific demographic and pharmacological factors associated with males and females with LOAD and EOAD. These findings suggest the need to develop strategies to eliminate disparity in the care of LOAD or EOAD patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alyssa Miller
- Department of Biology, North Greenville University, Tigerville, SC, United States
| | - Ashna Desai
- Department of Biology, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, United States
| | | | - Richard L. Goodwin
- School of Medicine Greenville, University of South Carolina, Greenville, SC, United States
| | | | - Thomas I. Nathaniel
- School of Medicine Greenville, University of South Carolina, Greenville, SC, United States,*Correspondence: Thomas I. Nathaniel,
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Bhunia S, Kolishetti N, Arias AY, Vashist A, Nair M. Cannabidiol for neurodegenerative disorders: A comprehensive review. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:989717. [PMID: 36386183 PMCID: PMC9640911 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.989717] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2022] [Accepted: 09/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite the significant advances in neurology, the cure for neurodegenerative conditions remains a formidable task to date. Among various factors arising from the complex etiology of neurodegenerative diseases, neuroinflammation and oxidative stress play a major role in pathogenesis. To this end, some phytocannabinoids isolated from Cannabis sativa (widely known as marijuana) have attracted significant attention as potential neurotherapeutics. The profound effect of ∆9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the major psychoactive component of cannabis, has led to the discovery of the endocannabinoid system as a molecular target in the central nervous system (CNS). Cannabidiol (CBD), the major non-psychoactive component of cannabis, has recently emerged as a potential prototype for neuroprotective drug development due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and its well-tolerated pharmacological behavior. This review briefly discusses the role of inflammation and oxidative stress in neurodegeneration and demonstrates the neuroprotective effect of cannabidiol, highlighting its general mechanism of action and disease-specific pathways in Parkinson's disease (PD) and Alzheimer's disease (AD). Furthermore, we have summarized the preclinical and clinical findings on the therapeutic promise of CBD in PD and AD, shed light on the importance of determining its therapeutic window, and provide insights into identifying promising new research directions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sukanya Bhunia
- Department of Immunology and Nanomedicine, Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Florida International University, Miami, FL, United States
- Institute of Neuroimmune Pharmacology, Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Florida International University, Miami, FL, United States
| | - Nagesh Kolishetti
- Department of Immunology and Nanomedicine, Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Florida International University, Miami, FL, United States
- Institute of Neuroimmune Pharmacology, Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Florida International University, Miami, FL, United States
| | - Adriana Yndart Arias
- Department of Immunology and Nanomedicine, Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Florida International University, Miami, FL, United States
- Institute of Neuroimmune Pharmacology, Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Florida International University, Miami, FL, United States
| | - Arti Vashist
- Department of Immunology and Nanomedicine, Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Florida International University, Miami, FL, United States
- Institute of Neuroimmune Pharmacology, Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Florida International University, Miami, FL, United States
| | - Madhavan Nair
- Department of Immunology and Nanomedicine, Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Florida International University, Miami, FL, United States
- Institute of Neuroimmune Pharmacology, Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Florida International University, Miami, FL, United States
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Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a complex and multifactorial neurodegenerative disease. Due to its long clinical course and lack of an effective treatment, AD has become a major public health problem in the USA and worldwide. Due to variation in age-at-onset, AD is classified into early-onset (< 60 years) and late-onset (≥ 60 years) forms with early-onset accounting for only 5-10% of all cases. With the exception of a small number of early-onset cases that are afflicted because of high penetrant single gene mutations in APP, PSEN1, and PSEN2 genes, AD is genetically heterogeneous, especially the late-onset form having a polygenic or oligogenic risk inheritance. Since the identification of APOE as the most significant risk factor for late-onset AD in 1993, the path to the discovery of additional AD risk genes had been arduous until 2009 when the use of large genome-wide association studies opened up the discovery gateways that led the identification of ~ 95 additional risk loci from 2009 to early 2022. This article reviews the history of AD genetics followed by the potential molecular pathways and recent application of functional genomics methods to identify the causal AD gene(s) among the many genes that reside within a single locus. The ultimate goal of integrating genomics and functional genomics is to discover novel pathways underlying the AD pathobiology in order to identify drug targets for the therapeutic treatment of this heterogeneous disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Ilyas Kamboh
- Department of Human Genetics, Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
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Shea TB. Improvement of cognitive performance by a nutraceutical formulation: Underlying mechanisms revealed by laboratory studies. Free Radic Biol Med 2021; 174:281-304. [PMID: 34352370 DOI: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2021.07.039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2021] [Revised: 07/29/2021] [Accepted: 07/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Cognitive decline, decrease in neuronal function and neuronal loss that accompany normal aging and dementia are the result of multiple mechanisms, many of which involve oxidative stress. Herein, we review these various mechanisms and identify pharmacological and non-pharmacological approaches, including modification of diet, that may reduce the risk and progression of cognitive decline. The optimal degree of neuronal protection is derived by combinations of, rather than individual, compounds. Compounds that provide antioxidant protection are particularly effective at delaying or improving cognitive performance in the early stages of Mild Cognitive Impairment and Alzheimer's disease. Laboratory studies confirm alleviation of oxidative damage in brain tissue. Lifestyle modifications show a degree of efficacy and may augment pharmacological approaches. Unfortunately, oxidative damage and resultant accumulation of biomarkers of neuronal damage can precede cognitive decline by years to decades. This underscores the importance of optimization of dietary enrichment, antioxidant supplementation and other lifestyle modifications during aging even for individuals who are cognitively intact.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas B Shea
- Laboratory for Neuroscience, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Massachusetts Lowell, Lowell, MA, 01854, USA.
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Hewlings SJ, Draayer K, Kalman DS. Palm Fruit Bioactive Complex (PFBc), a Source of Polyphenols, Demonstrates Potential Benefits for Inflammaging and Related Cognitive Function. Nutrients 2021; 13:nu13041127. [PMID: 33808068 PMCID: PMC8066389 DOI: 10.3390/nu13041127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2021] [Revised: 03/22/2021] [Accepted: 03/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Cognitive function is a key aspect of healthy aging. Inflammation associated with normal aging, also called inflammaging is a primary risk factor for cognitive decline. A diet high in fruits and vegetable and lower in calories, particularly a Mediterranean Diet, may lower the risk of age-related cognitive decline due in part to the associated high intake of antioxidants and polyphenols. A phenolic, Palm Fruit Bioactive complex (PFBc) derived from the extraction process of palm oil from oil palm fruit (Elaeis guineensis), is reported to offset inflammation due to its high antioxidant, especially vitamin E, and polyphenol content. The benefit is thought to be achieved via the influence of antioxidants on gene expression. It is the purpose of this comprehensive review to discuss the etiology, including gene expression, of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) specific to dietary intake of antioxidants and polyphenols and to focus on the potential impact of nutritional interventions specifically PFBc has on MCI. Several in vitro, in vivo and animal studies support multiple benefits of PFBc especially for improving cognitive function via anti-inflammatory and antioxidant mechanisms. While more human studies are needed, those completed thus far support the benefit of consuming PFBc to enhance cognitive function via its anti-inflammatory antioxidant functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susan J. Hewlings
- The Herbert H & Grace A. Dow College of Health Professions, Nutrition, Central Michigan University, Mt. Pleasant, MI 48859, USA
- Nutrasource/GRAS Associates, Scientific Affairs, Guelph, ON N1G0B4, Canada;
- Correspondence:
| | - Kristin Draayer
- EDGE Veterinary Vaccines Consulting Group, 315 MAIN STREET 201, Ames, IA 50010, USA;
| | - Douglas S. Kalman
- Nutrasource/GRAS Associates, Scientific Affairs, Guelph, ON N1G0B4, Canada;
- Nutrion Department, College of Osteopathic Medicine, Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33314, USA
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12
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Akbor MM, Kurosawa N, Nakayama H, Nakatani A, Tomobe K, Chiba Y, Ueno M, Tanaka M, Nomura Y, Isobe M. Polymorphic SERPINA3 prolongs oligomeric state of amyloid beta. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0248027. [PMID: 33662018 PMCID: PMC7932536 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0248027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2020] [Accepted: 02/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Molecular chaperon SERPINA3 colocalizes with accumulated amyloid peptide in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) patient’s brain. From the QTL analysis, we narrowed down Serpina3 with two SNPs in senescence-accelerated mouse prone (SAMP) 8 strain. Our study showed SAMP8 type Serpina3 prolonged retention of oligomeric Aβ 42 for longer duration (72 hr) while observing under transmission electron microscope (TEM). From Western blot results, we confirmed presence of Aβ 42 oligomeric forms (trimers, tetramers) were maintained for longer duration only in the presences of SAMP8 type Serpina3. Using SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cell line, we observed until 36 hr preincubated Aβ 42 with SAMP8 type Serpina3 caused neuronal cell death compared to 12 hr preincubated Aβ 42 with SAMR1 or JF1 type Serpina3 proteins. Similar results were found by extending this study to analyze the effect of polymorphism of SERPINA3 gene of the Japanese SNP database for geriatric research (JG-SNP). We observed that polymorphic SERPINA3 I308T (rs142398813) prolonged toxic oligomeric Aβ 42 forms till 48 hr in comparison to the presence wild type SERPINA3 protein, resulting neuronal cell death. From this study, we first clarified pathogenic regulatory role of polymorphic SERPINA3 in neurodegeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maruf Mohammad Akbor
- Department of Life Sciences and Bioengineering, Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Faculty of Engineering, University of Toyama, Toyama, Japan
| | - Nobuyuki Kurosawa
- Department of Life Sciences and Bioengineering, Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Faculty of Engineering, University of Toyama, Toyama, Japan
| | - Hiroki Nakayama
- Department of Life Sciences and Bioengineering, Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Faculty of Engineering, University of Toyama, Toyama, Japan
| | - Ayumi Nakatani
- Department of Life Sciences and Bioengineering, Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Faculty of Engineering, University of Toyama, Toyama, Japan
| | - Koji Tomobe
- Department of Pathophysiology, Yokohama University of Pharmacy, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Yoichi Chiba
- Department of Pathology and Host Defense, Faculty of Medicine, Kagawa University, Miki-cho, Kita-gun, Kagawa, Japan
| | - Masaki Ueno
- Department of Pathology and Host Defense, Faculty of Medicine, Kagawa University, Miki-cho, Kita-gun, Kagawa, Japan
| | - Masashi Tanaka
- Department for Health and Longevity Research, National Institutes of Biomedical Innovation, Health and Nutrition, Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yasuyuki Nomura
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Kurume University, Kurume, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Masaharu Isobe
- Department of Life Sciences and Bioengineering, Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Faculty of Engineering, University of Toyama, Toyama, Japan
- * E-mail:
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Raghavan SS, Iqbal S, Ayyadurai N, Gunasekaran K. Insights in the structural understanding of amyloidogenicity and mutation-led conformational dynamics of amyloid beta (Aβ) through molecular dynamics simulations and principal component analysis. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2021; 40:5577-5587. [PMID: 33438527 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2021.1871955] [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] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Abnormal protein aggregation in the nervous tissue leads to several neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer's disease (AD). In AD, accumulation of the amyloid beta (Aβ) peptide is proposed to be an early important event in pathogenesis. Significant research efforts are devoted so as to understand the Aβ misfolding and aggregation. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations complement experiments and provide structural information at the atomic level with dynamics without facing the same experimental limitations. Artificial missense mutations are employed experimentally and computationally for providing insights into the structure-function relationships of amyloid-β in relation to the pathologies of AD. Present work describes the MD simulations for 100 ns so as to probe the structural and conformational dynamics of Aβ1-42 assemblies and its mutants. Essential dynamics analysis with respect to conformational deviation of Cα was evaluated to identify the largest residual fluctuation of Cα. Conformational stability of all Aβ mutants was analyzed by computing RMSD, deciphering the convergence is reached in the last 20 ns in all replicas. To highlight the low frequency mode of motion corresponding to the highest amplitude, atomic displacements seen in trajectory, distance pair principal component analysis (dpPCA) was performed, which adumbrated mutations strongly affect the conformational dynamics of investigated model when compared with wild type. Dynamic cross correlation matrix (DCCM) also suggests the conserved interactions of wild Aβ and imply mutations in β3-β4 loop region induce deformity and residual fluctuations as observed from simulation. Present study indicate the mutational energy landscape which induces deformation leading to fibrillation.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sriram Srinivasa Raghavan
- Department of Crystallography and Biophysics, University of Madras, Chennai, India.,Molecular Biophysics Unit, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India.,Division of Biotechnology, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-Central Leather Research Institute (CSIR-CLRI), Chennai, India
| | - Saleem Iqbal
- Department of Crystallography and Biophysics, University of Madras, Chennai, India.,Department of Computational and Data Sciences, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India
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Brito LM, Ribeiro-dos-Santos Â, Vidal AF, de Araújo GS. Differential Expression and miRNA-Gene Interactions in Early and Late Mild Cognitive Impairment. BIOLOGY 2020; 9:biology9090251. [PMID: 32872134 PMCID: PMC7565463 DOI: 10.3390/biology9090251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2020] [Revised: 06/21/2020] [Accepted: 06/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer's Disease (AD) are complex diseases with their molecular architecture not elucidated. APOE, Amyloid Beta Precursor Protein (APP), and Presenilin-1 (PSEN1) are well-known genes associated with both MCI and AD. Recently, epigenetic alterations and dysregulated regulatory elements, such as microRNAs (miRNAs), have been reported associated with neurodegeneration. In this study, differential expression analysis (DEA) was performed for genes and miRNAs based on microarray and RNA-Seq data. Global gene profile of healthy individuals, early and late mild cognitive impairment (EMCI and LMCI, respectively), and AD was obtained from ADNI Cohort. miRNA global profile of healthy individuals and AD patients was extracted from public RNA-Seq data. DEA performed with limma package on ADNI Cohort data highlighted eight differential expressed (DE) genes (AGER, LINC00483, MMP19, CATSPER1, ARFGAP1, GPER1, PHLPP2, TRPM2) (false discovery rate (FDR) p-value < 0.05) between EMCI and LMCI patients. Previous molecular studies showed associations between these genes with dementia and neurological-related pathways. Five dysregulated miRNAs were identified by DEA performed with RNA-Seq data and edgeR (FDR p-value < 0.002). All reported miRNAs in AD interact with the aforementioned genes. Our integrative transcriptomic analysis was able to identify a set of miRNA-gene interactions that may be involved in cognitive and neurodegeneration processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonardo Miranda Brito
- Laboratório de Genética Humana e Médica, Instituto de Ciêncas Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém 66075-110, Brazil; (L.M.B.); (Â.R.-d.-S.); (A.F.V.)
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Genética e Biologia Molecular, Instituto de Ciêncas Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém 66075-110, Brazil
| | - Ândrea Ribeiro-dos-Santos
- Laboratório de Genética Humana e Médica, Instituto de Ciêncas Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém 66075-110, Brazil; (L.M.B.); (Â.R.-d.-S.); (A.F.V.)
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Genética e Biologia Molecular, Instituto de Ciêncas Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém 66075-110, Brazil
| | - Amanda Ferreira Vidal
- Laboratório de Genética Humana e Médica, Instituto de Ciêncas Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém 66075-110, Brazil; (L.M.B.); (Â.R.-d.-S.); (A.F.V.)
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Genética e Biologia Molecular, Instituto de Ciêncas Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém 66075-110, Brazil
| | - Gilderlanio Santana de Araújo
- Laboratório de Genética Humana e Médica, Instituto de Ciêncas Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém 66075-110, Brazil; (L.M.B.); (Â.R.-d.-S.); (A.F.V.)
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Genética e Biologia Molecular, Instituto de Ciêncas Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Pará, Belém 66075-110, Brazil
- Correspondence:
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15
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Chuang YF, Varma V, An Y, Tanaka T, Davatzikos C, Resnick SM, Thambisetty M. Interaction between Apolipoprotein E and Butyrylcholinesterase Genes on Risk of Alzheimer's Disease in a Prospective Cohort Study. J Alzheimers Dis 2020; 75:417-427. [PMID: 32250307 PMCID: PMC10845166 DOI: 10.3233/jad-191335] [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] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND An epistatic interaction between the ɛ4 allele of apolipoprotein E (APOEɛ4) gene and the K-variant of butyrylcholinesterase (BCHE-K) genes has been previously reported to increase risk of Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, these observations were largely from case-control studies with small sample sizes. OBJECTIVE To examine the interaction between APOEɛ4 and BCHE-K on: 1) the risk of incident AD and 2) rates of change in brain volumes and cognitive performance during the preclinical stages of AD in a prospective cohort study. METHODS The study sample for survival analysis included 691 Caucasian participants (age at baseline, 58.4±9.9 years; follow-up time,16.9±9.7 years) from the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging. The neuroimaging sample included 302 participants with 1,388 magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans. Cognitive performance was assessed in 703 participants over 4,908 visits. RESULTS A total of 122 diagnoses (79 AD, 43 mild cognitive impairment [MCI]) were identified. Participants with both APOEɛ4 and BCHE-K variants had a 3.7-fold greater risk of AD (Hazard ratio [HR] 95% CI=1.99-6.89, p < 0.001) compared to non-carriers of both genes (APOE ɛ4 x BCHE-K interaction p = 0.025). There was no APOE ɛ4-BCHE-K interaction effect on rate of cognitive decline and brain atrophy. CONCLUSION The APOE and BCHE genes interact to influence risk of incident AD/MCI but not rates of brain atrophy and decline in cognitive performance before onset of cognitive impairment. This may suggest the epistatic interaction between APOE ɛ4 and BCHE-K on AD risk is disease stage-dependent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi-Fang Chuang
- Institute of Public Health, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Clinical and Translational Neuroscience Section, Laboratory of Behavioral Neuroscience, National Institute on Aging, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Vijay Varma
- Clinical and Translational Neuroscience Section, Laboratory of Behavioral Neuroscience, National Institute on Aging, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Yang An
- Laboratory of Behavioral Neuroscience, National Institute on Aging, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Toshiko Tanaka
- Translational Gerontology Branch, National Institute on Aging, National Institute on Aging, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Christos Davatzikos
- Center for Biomedical Image Computing and Analytics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Susan M. Resnick
- Laboratory of Behavioral Neuroscience, National Institute on Aging, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Madhav Thambisetty
- Clinical and Translational Neuroscience Section, Laboratory of Behavioral Neuroscience, National Institute on Aging, Baltimore, MD, USA
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16
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The Contribution of Genetic Factors to Cognitive Impairment and Dementia: Apolipoprotein E Gene, Gene Interactions, and Polygenic Risk. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20051177. [PMID: 30866553 PMCID: PMC6429136 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20051177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2019] [Accepted: 02/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease. Although it has been studied for years, the pathogenesis of AD is still controversial. Genetic factors may play an important role in pathogenesis, with the apolipoprotein E (APOE) gene among the greatest risk factors for AD. In this review, we focus on the influence of genetic factors, including the APOE gene, the interaction between APOE and other genes, and the polygenic risk factors for cognitive function and dementia. The presence of the APOE ε4 allele is associated with increased AD risk and reduced age of AD onset. Accelerated cognitive decline and abnormal internal environment, structure, and function of the brain were also found in ε4 carriers. The effect of the APOE promoter on cognition and the brain was confirmed by some studies, but further investigation is still needed. We also describe the effects of the associations between APOE and other genetic risk factors on cognition and the brain that exhibit a complex gene⁻gene interaction, and we consider the importance of using a polygenic risk score to investigate the association between genetic variance and phenotype.
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Karl T, Garner B, Cheng D. The therapeutic potential of the phytocannabinoid cannabidiol for Alzheimer's disease. Behav Pharmacol 2018; 28:142-160. [PMID: 27471947 DOI: 10.1097/fbp.0000000000000247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common neurodegenerative disorder, characterized by progressive loss of cognition. Over 35 million individuals currently have AD worldwide. Unfortunately, current therapies are limited to very modest symptomatic relief. The brains of AD patients are characterized by the deposition of amyloid-β and hyperphosphorylated forms of tau protein. AD brains also show neurodegeneration and high levels of oxidative stress and inflammation. The phytocannabinoid cannabidiol (CBD) possesses neuroprotective, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and reduces amyloid-β production and tau hyperphosphorylation in vitro. CBD has also been shown to be effective in vivo making the phytocannabinoid an interesting candidate for novel therapeutic interventions in AD, especially as it lacks psychoactive or cognition-impairing properties. CBD treatment would be in line with preventative, multimodal drug strategies targeting a combination of pathological symptoms, which might be ideal for AD therapy. Thus, this review will present a brief introduction to AD biology and current treatment options before outlining comprehensively CBD biology and pharmacology, followed by in-vitro and in-vivo evidence for the therapeutic potential of CBD. We will also discuss the role of the endocannabinioid system in AD before commenting on the potential future of CBD for AD therapy (including safety aspects).
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Affiliation(s)
- Tim Karl
- aSchool of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Campbelltown bNeuroscience Research Australia (NeuRA), Randwick cIllawarra Health and Medical Research Institute dSchool of Biological Sciences, University of Wollongong, Wollongong eVictor Chang Cardiac Research Institute, Darlinghurst, New South Wales, Australia
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18
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Abstract
Turns out I have been a major contributor to the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease over its 20-year history. As such, I was invited to provide a review of my work over the years. What follows is a retrospective of how the Alzheimer-related research of a Ph.D. (i.e., not an M.D.) transitioned from basic to clinical, and moved from bench to bedside and back again.I have included some of the more humorous and poignant twists along the way that some older players may find familiar and I hope might inspire some younger players to hang in there.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas B. Shea
- Laboratory for Neuroscience, Department of Biological Sciences, UMass Lowell, Lowell, MA, USA
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19
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Cleary EG, Cifuentes M, Grinstein G, Brugge D, Shea TB. Association of Low-Level Ozone with Cognitive Decline in Older Adults. J Alzheimers Dis 2018; 61:67-78. [PMID: 29103040 PMCID: PMC5755393 DOI: 10.3233/jad-170658] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Increasing evidence points to an association of airborne pollutant exposure with respiratory, cardiovascular, and neurological pathology. We examined whether or not ground-level ozone or fine particulate matter ≤ 2.5 μm in diameter (PM2.5) was associated with accelerated cognitive decline. Using repeated measures mixed regression modeling, we analyzed cognitive performance of a geographically diverse sampling of individuals from the National Alzheimer's Coordinating Center between 2004-2008. Ambient air concentrations of ozone and PM2.5 were established using a space-time Hierarchical Bayesian Model that statistically merged air monitor data and modeled air quality estimates. We then compared the ambient regional concentrations of ozone and PM2.5 with the rate of cognitive decline in residents within those regions. Increased levels of ozone correlated with an increased rate of cognitive decline, following adjustment for key individual and community-level risk factors. Furthermore, individuals harboring one or more APOE4 alleles exhibited a faster rate of cognitive decline. The deleterious association of ozone was confined to individuals with normal cognition who eventually became cognitively impaired as opposed to those who entered the study with baseline impairment. In contrast to ozone, we did not observe any correlation between ambient PM2.5 and cognitive decline at regulatory limits set by the Environmental Protection Agency. Our findings suggest that prolonged exposure to ground-level ozone may accelerate cognitive decline during the initial stages of dementia development.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Georges Grinstein
- Center for Data Science, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA, USA
| | - Doug Brugge
- Department of Public Health and Community Medicine, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Thomas B. Shea
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Massachusetts Lowell, Lowell, MA, USA
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20
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Watt G, Karl T. In vivo Evidence for Therapeutic Properties of Cannabidiol (CBD) for Alzheimer's Disease. Front Pharmacol 2017; 8:20. [PMID: 28217094 PMCID: PMC5289988 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2017.00020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 114] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2016] [Accepted: 01/10/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a debilitating neurodegenerative disease that is affecting an increasing number of people. It is characterized by the accumulation of amyloid-β and tau hyperphosphorylation as well as neuroinflammation and oxidative stress. Current AD treatments do not stop or reverse the disease progression, highlighting the need for new, more effective therapeutics. Cannabidiol (CBD) is a non-psychoactive phytocannabinoid that has demonstrated neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties in vitro. Thus, it is investigated as a potential multifunctional treatment option for AD. Here, we summarize the current status quo of in vivo effects of CBD in established pharmacological and transgenic animal models for AD. The studies demonstrate the ability of CBD to reduce reactive gliosis and the neuroinflammatory response as well as to promote neurogenesis. Importantly, CBD also reverses and prevents the development of cognitive deficits in AD rodent models. Interestingly, combination therapies of CBD and Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the main active ingredient of cannabis sativa, show that CBD can antagonize the psychoactive effects associated with THC and possibly mediate greater therapeutic benefits than either phytocannabinoid alone. The studies provide “proof of principle” that CBD and possibly CBD-THC combinations are valid candidates for novel AD therapies. Further investigations should address the long-term potential of CBD and evaluate mechanisms involved in the therapeutic effects described.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georgia Watt
- Karl Group, Behavioural Neuroscience, Western Sydney University Campbelltown, NSW, Australia
| | - Tim Karl
- Karl Group, Behavioural Neuroscience, Western Sydney UniversityCampbelltown, NSW, Australia; Neuroscience Research AustraliaRandwick, NSW, Australia
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21
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Su F, Shu H, Ye Q, Xie C, Yuan B, Zhang Z, Bai F. Integration of Multilocus Genetic Risk into the Default Mode Network Longitudinal Trajectory during the Alzheimer’s Disease Process. J Alzheimers Dis 2017; 56:491-507. [PMID: 28035927 DOI: 10.3233/jad-160787] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Fan Su
- Department of Neurology, Affiliated ZhongDa Hospital, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Hao Shu
- Department of Neurology, Affiliated ZhongDa Hospital, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
- Department of Biophysics, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA
| | - Qing Ye
- Department of Neurology, Affiliated ZhongDa Hospital, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Chunming Xie
- Department of Neurology, Affiliated ZhongDa Hospital, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Baoyu Yuan
- Department of Neurology, Affiliated ZhongDa Hospital, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Zhijun Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Affiliated ZhongDa Hospital, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Feng Bai
- Department of Neurology, Affiliated ZhongDa Hospital, School of Medicine, Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
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22
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Transcriptional and epigenetic phenomena in peripheral blood cells of monozygotic twins discordant for alzheimer's disease, a case report. J Neurol Sci 2016; 372:211-216. [PMID: 28017215 DOI: 10.1016/j.jns.2016.11.052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2016] [Revised: 11/17/2016] [Accepted: 11/21/2016] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Target genes in Alzheimer's disease (AD) have been identified. In monozygotic twins discordant for AD we analysed the expression of selected genes, and their possible regulation by epigenetic mechanisms in peripheral blood mononuclear cells, possibly useful to discover biomarkers. Amyloid precursor protein, sirtuin 1 and peptidyl prolyl isomerase 1 gene expressions were highly up-regulated in the AD twin versus the healthy one. Consistently with sirtuin 1 role in controlling acetylation status, we observed a substantial reduction of the acetylation on histone 3 lysine 9, associated with gene transcription in the AD twin. Noteworthy in the AD twin we also observed an increased gene expression in two histone deacetylases (HDACs) isoforms: HDAC2 and HDAC9. A general DNA hypomethylation of all gene promoters studied was also observed in both twins. Our results unravel transcriptional and epigenetic differences potentially helpful to better understand environmental factors and phenotypic differences in monozygotic twins.
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23
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Familial late-onset Alzheimer's disease: description of an Italian family with four affected siblings and one case of early-onset dementia in the preceding generation. Aging Clin Exp Res 2016; 28:991-5. [PMID: 26014970 DOI: 10.1007/s40520-015-0383-7] [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: 02/04/2015] [Accepted: 05/12/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
We describe a family composed of six siblings, four of which affected by late-onset Alzheimer's disease (LOAD). We constructed the family pedigree, evaluated mutations usually associated with early-onset Alzheimer's disease (APP, PSEN1, PSEN2), and assessed polymorphisms in the apolipoprotein E (APOE) gene and in cytokine genes that we had previously found to be associated with a higher risk of LOAD (IL-10, IL-6, TNF-α). Results showed that all subjects carried one ε4 allele of the APOE gene and those with the earliest age of onset exhibited the AA (-1082) IL-10 and the CC (-174) IL-6 genotypes. The only male had a genetic profile which also included the A (-308) TNF-α allele. These data confirm the role of the APOE gene as genetic risk factor in LOAD, and suggest that the risk of developing AD may be governed by a "susceptibility profile" involving polymorphisms in inflammatory genes.
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24
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Yao B, Christian KM, He C, Jin P, Ming GL, Song H. Epigenetic mechanisms in neurogenesis. Nat Rev Neurosci 2016; 17:537-49. [PMID: 27334043 DOI: 10.1038/nrn.2016.70] [Citation(s) in RCA: 260] [Impact Index Per Article: 32.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
In the embryonic and adult brain, neural stem cells proliferate and give rise to neurons and glia through highly regulated processes. Epigenetic mechanisms - including DNA and histone modifications, as well as regulation by non-coding RNAs - have pivotal roles in different stages of neurogenesis. Aberrant epigenetic regulation also contributes to the pathogenesis of various brain disorders. Here, we review recent advances in our understanding of epigenetic regulation in neurogenesis and its dysregulation in brain disorders, including discussion of newly identified DNA cytosine modifications. We also briefly cover the emerging field of epitranscriptomics, which involves modifications of mRNAs and long non-coding RNAs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bing Yao
- Department of Human Genetics, Emory University School of Medicine, 615 Michael Street, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, USA
| | - Kimberly M Christian
- Institute for Cell Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 733 N. Broadway, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, USA.,Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 733 N. Broadway, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, USA
| | - Chuan He
- Department of Chemistry, Institute for Biophysical Dynamics, The University of Chicago, 929 East 57th Street, Chicago, Illinois 60637, USA.,Howard Hughes Medical Institute, The University of Chicago, 929 East 57th Street, Chicago, Illinois 60637, USA
| | - Peng Jin
- Department of Human Genetics, Emory University School of Medicine, 615 Michael Street, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, USA
| | - Guo-Li Ming
- Institute for Cell Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 733 N. Broadway, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, USA.,Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 733 N. Broadway, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, USA.,The Solomon Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 733 N. Broadway, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, USA.,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 733 N. Broadway, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, USA
| | - Hongjun Song
- Institute for Cell Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 733 N. Broadway, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, USA.,Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 733 N. Broadway, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, USA.,The Solomon Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 733 N. Broadway, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, USA
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25
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Hamson DK, Roes MM, Galea LAM. Sex Hormones and Cognition: Neuroendocrine Influences on Memory and Learning. Compr Physiol 2016; 6:1295-337. [DOI: 10.1002/cphy.c150031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 118] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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26
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Panda PK, Patil AS, Patel P, Panchal H. Mutation-based structural modification and dynamics study of amyloid beta peptide (1-42): An in-silico-based analysis to cognize the mechanism of aggregation. GENOMICS DATA 2016; 7:189-94. [PMID: 26981406 PMCID: PMC4778649 DOI: 10.1016/j.gdata.2016.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2015] [Revised: 12/31/2015] [Accepted: 01/04/2016] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease is the prevalent cause of premature senility, a progressive mental disorder due to degeneration in brain and deposition of amyloid β peptide (1-42, a misfolded protein) in the form of aggregation that prevails for a prolonged time and obstructs every aspect of life. One of the primary hallmarks of the neuropathological disease is the accretion of amyloid β peptide in the brain that leads to Alzheimer's disease, but the mechanism is still a mystery. Several investigations have shown that mutations at specific positions have a significant impact in stability of the peptide as predicted from aggregation profiles. Here in our study, we have analyzed the mutations by substituting residues at position A22G, E22G, E22K, E22Q, D23N, L34V and molecular dynamics have been performed to check the deviation in stability and conformation of the peptide. The results validated that the mutations at specific positions lead to instability and the proline substitution at E22P and L34P stalled the aggregation of the peptide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pritam Kumar Panda
- School of Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, D.Y. Patil University, Navi Mumbai, India
- Corresponding author.
| | | | - Priyam Patel
- School of Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, D.Y. Patil University, Navi Mumbai, India
| | - Hetalkumar Panchal
- Gujarat Agricultural Biotechnology Institute, Navsari Agricultural University, Athwa Farm, Ghod Dod Road, Surat, Gujarat, India
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27
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Assessment of disease-related cognitive impairments using the novel object recognition (NOR) task in rodents. Behav Brain Res 2015; 285:176-93. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2014.10.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 139] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2014] [Revised: 10/16/2014] [Accepted: 10/19/2014] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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28
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Freude K, Pires C, Hyttel P, Hall VJ. Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells Derived from Alzheimer's Disease Patients: The Promise, the Hope and the Path Ahead. J Clin Med 2014; 3:1402-36. [PMID: 26237610 PMCID: PMC4470192 DOI: 10.3390/jcm3041402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2014] [Revised: 11/12/2014] [Accepted: 11/14/2014] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The future hope of generated induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS cells) from Alzheimer’s disease patients is multifold. Firstly, they may help to uncover novel mechanisms of the disease, which could lead to the development of new and unprecedented drugs for patients and secondly, they could also be directly used for screening and testing of potential new compounds for drug discovery. In addition, in the case of familial known mutations, these cells could be targeted by use of advanced gene-editing techniques to correct the mutation and be used for future cell transplantation therapies. This review summarizes the work so far in regards to production and characterization of iPS cell lines from both sporadic and familial Alzheimer’s patients and from other iPS cell lines that may help to model the disease. It provides a detailed comparison between published reports and states the present hurdles we face with this new technology. The promise of new gene-editing techniques and accelerated aging models also aim to move this field further by providing better control cell lines for comparisons and potentially better phenotypes, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristine Freude
- Department of Veterinary Clinical and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Gronnegaardsvej 7, Frederiksberg C DK-1870, Denmark.
| | - Carlota Pires
- Department of Veterinary Clinical and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Gronnegaardsvej 7, Frederiksberg C DK-1870, Denmark.
| | - Poul Hyttel
- Department of Veterinary Clinical and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Gronnegaardsvej 7, Frederiksberg C DK-1870, Denmark.
| | - Vanessa Jane Hall
- Department of Veterinary Clinical and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Gronnegaardsvej 7, Frederiksberg C DK-1870, Denmark.
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Overrepresentation of glutamate signaling in Alzheimer's disease: network-based pathway enrichment using meta-analysis of genome-wide association studies. PLoS One 2014; 9:e95413. [PMID: 24755620 PMCID: PMC3995778 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0095413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2013] [Accepted: 03/26/2014] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have successfully identified several risk loci for Alzheimer's disease (AD). Nonetheless, these loci do not explain the entire susceptibility of the disease, suggesting that other genetic contributions remain to be identified. Here, we performed a meta-analysis combining data of 4,569 individuals (2,540 cases and 2,029 healthy controls) derived from three publicly available GWAS in AD and replicated a broad genomic region (>248,000 bp) associated with the disease near the APOE/TOMM40 locus in chromosome 19. To detect minor effect size contributions that could help to explain the remaining genetic risk, we conducted network-based pathway analyses either by extracting gene-wise p-values (GW), defined as the single strongest association signal within a gene, or calculated a more stringent gene-based association p-value using the extended Simes (GATES) procedure. Comparison of these strategies revealed that ontological sub-networks (SNs) involved in glutamate signaling were significantly overrepresented in AD (p<2.7×10−11, p<1.9×10−11; GW and GATES, respectively). Notably, glutamate signaling SNs were also found to be significantly overrepresented (p<5.1×10−8) in the Alzheimer's disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) study, which was used as a targeted replication sample. Interestingly, components of the glutamate signaling SNs are coordinately expressed in disease-related tissues, which are tightly related to known pathological hallmarks of AD. Our findings suggest that genetic variation within glutamate signaling contributes to the remaining genetic risk of AD and support the notion that functional biological networks should be targeted in future therapies aimed to prevent or treat this devastating neurological disorder.
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Cheng D, Low JK, Logge W, Garner B, Karl T. Novel behavioural characteristics of female APPSwe/PS1ΔE9 double transgenic mice. Behav Brain Res 2014; 260:111-8. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2013.11.046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2013] [Revised: 11/19/2013] [Accepted: 11/25/2013] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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Dosunmu R, Wu J, Basha MR, Zawia NH. Environmental and dietary risk factors in Alzheimer’s disease. Expert Rev Neurother 2014; 7:887-900. [PMID: 17610395 DOI: 10.1586/14737175.7.7.887] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects millions in the aging population worldwide and will affect millions more in the next 20 years. Over 90% of all cases are sporadic, with genetics playing a minor role in the etiology of AD. Therefore, it is crucial to investigate the environment and diet as primary risk factors in AD pathology. This review considers epidemiologic case control studies, and in vitro and in vivo research to investigate the potential of environmental exposure to metals, air pollution and pesticides as well as diet as risk factors for AD. In some cases, the role of genetic mutations and environmental risk is discussed. The evidence examined in this review provides a brief overview of the current literature on selected, significant risk factors in promoting amyloid-beta accumulation and aggregation, thus contributing to neurodegeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Remi Dosunmu
- University of Rhode Island, Department of Biomedical & Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kingston, RI 02881, USA.
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D'amico MA, Ghinassi B, Izzicupo P, Manzoli L, Di Baldassarre A. Biological function and clinical relevance of chromogranin A and derived peptides. Endocr Connect 2014; 3:R45-54. [PMID: 24671122 PMCID: PMC5395093 DOI: 10.1530/ec-14-0027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Chromogranin A (CgA (CHGA)) is the major soluble protein co-stored and co-released with catecholamines and can function as a pro-hormone by giving rise to several bioactive peptides. This review summarizes the physiological functions, the pathogenic implications, and the recent use of these molecules as biomarkers in several pathological conditions. A thorough literature review of the electronic healthcare databases MEDLINE, from January 1985 to September 2013, was conducted to identify articles and studies concerned with CgA and its processing. The search strategies utilized keywords such as chromogranin A, vasostatins 1 and 2, chromofungin, chromacin, pancreastatin, catestatin, WE14, chromostatin, GE25, parastatin, and serpinin and was supplemented by the screening of references from included papers and review articles. A total of 209 English-language, peer-reviewed original articles or reviews were examined. The analysis of the retrospective literature suggested that CgA and its several bioactive fragments exert a broad spectrum of regulatory activities by influencing the endocrine, the cardiovascular, and the immune systems and by affecting the glucose or calcium homeostasis. As some peptides exert similar effects, but others elicit opposite responses, the regulation of the CgA processing is critical to maintain homeostasis, whereas an unbalanced production of peptides that exert opposing effects can have a pathogenic role in several diseases. These clinical implications entail that CgA and its derived peptides are now used as diagnostic and prognostic markers or to monitor the response to pharmacological intervention not only in endocrine tumors, but also in cardiovascular, inflammatory, and neuropsychiatric diseases.
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Jackson HM, Soto I, Graham LC, Carter GW, Howell GR. Clustering of transcriptional profiles identifies changes to insulin signaling as an early event in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease. BMC Genomics 2013; 14:831. [PMID: 24274089 PMCID: PMC3907022 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2164-14-831] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2013] [Accepted: 11/14/2013] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Alzheimer’s disease affects more than 35 million people worldwide but there is no known cure. Age is the strongest risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease but it is not clear how age-related changes impact the disease. Here, we used a mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease to identify age-specific changes that occur prior to and at the onset of traditional Alzheimer-related phenotypes including amyloid plaque formation. To identify these early events we used transcriptional profiling of mouse brains combined with computational approaches including singular value decomposition and hierarchical clustering. Results Our study identifies three key events in early stages of Alzheimer’s disease. First, the most important drivers of Alzheimer’s disease onset in these mice are age-specific changes. These include perturbations of the ribosome and oxidative phosphorylation pathways. Second, the earliest detectable disease-specific changes occur to genes commonly associated with the hypothalamic-adrenal-pituitary (HPA) axis. These include the down-regulation of genes relating to metabolism, depression and appetite. Finally, insulin signaling, in particular the down-regulation of the insulin receptor substrate 4 (Irs4) gene, may be an important event in the transition from age-related changes to Alzheimer’s disease specific-changes. Conclusion A combination of transcriptional profiling combined with computational analyses has uncovered novel features relevant to Alzheimer’s disease in a widely used mouse model and offers avenues for further exploration into early stages of AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harriet M Jackson
- The Jackson Laboratory, 600 Main Street, Bar Harbor, Maine 04609, USA.
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Boiocchi C, Maggioli E, Zorzetto M, Sinforiani E, Cereda C, Ricevuti G, Cuccia M. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor gene variants and Alzheimer disease: an association study in an Alzheimer disease Italian population. Rejuvenation Res 2013; 16:57-66. [PMID: 23215636 DOI: 10.1089/rej.2012.1381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) promotes neuronal survival during development and protects neurons from insults of various kinds. Changes in production of BDNF have been reported in differing neurodegenerative pathologies and, in particular, in Alzheimer disease (AD). We studied 200 AD patients and 408 healthy controls for BDNF Val66Met(G196A) polymorphism, 200AD and 384 healthy controls for BDNF 270 C/T polymorphism, and 200AD and 393 healthy controls for BDNF 11757 G/C polymorphism by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) and real-time PCR. Our results indicated that the 11757 G/C BDNF polymorphism was significantly associated with AD. A statistically significant increase of GG genotype frequency in AD versus healthy subjects (p=0.0331) was observed, whereas the CG genotype demonstrates a statistically significant decrease of frequency in AD patients versus controls (p=0.0194). We focused our attention on haplotype reconstruction: A statistically significant decrease of the TAC haplotype frequency in AD patients versus healthy controls group (p=0.005) and a statistically significant increase of the CAC haplotype frequency in patients versus control (p=0.019) was demonstrated. We then studied the haplotype frequencies dividing patients according to gender. A statistically significant increase of the CAC haplotype in the male AD group compared with male healthy controls (p=0.041) was found, whereas a statistically significant decrease of TAC haplotype frequency in AD females versus healthy females (p=0.005) and a statistically significant increase of CAC haplotype frequency in female patients versus healthy females (p=0.019) was noticed. We propose that these haplotypes could be a further effective marker for AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Boiocchi
- IRCCS National Neurological Institute C. Mondino, Pavia, Italy.
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Mu W, Zhang W. Molecular Approaches, Models, and Techniques in Pharmacogenomic Research and Development. Pharmacogenomics 2013. [DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-391918-2.00008-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
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Fernández-Viadero C, Rodríguez Rodríguez E, Combarros Pascual O, Crespo Santiago D. [Genetics and Alzheimer's disease: a population at risk]. Rev Esp Geriatr Gerontol 2013; 48:39-44. [PMID: 23122480 DOI: 10.1016/j.regg.2012.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2011] [Revised: 03/14/2012] [Accepted: 03/24/2012] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
The high prevalence of Alzheimer's disease, along with the possibility of new approaches in diagnosis through the use of biomarkers of cerebrospinal fluid is shifting the focus to the elderly with dementia or at risk. In this sense it seems important to review the genetic aspects of the elderly with familial Alzheimer's disease as well as those at risk. The wide distribution of genetic studies associated with this condition may also be helpful. To the classical findings of the genes for amyloid, the presenilins and apolipoprotein E, we must add other genes recently implicated in the pathogenesis of the disease, among which are found the clusterin gene, encoding the phosphatidyl-inositol-binding clathrin assembly protein gene, and the receptor for the complement C3b protein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos Fernández-Viadero
- Geriatra, Hospital Psiquiátrico de Parayas, Consejería de Sanidad, Gobierno de Cantabria, España.
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Drug pipeline in neurodegeneration based on transgenic mice models of Alzheimer's disease. Ageing Res Rev 2013; 12:116-40. [PMID: 22982398 DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2012.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2012] [Revised: 08/31/2012] [Accepted: 09/04/2012] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is one of the most important neurodegenerative disorders, bringing about huge medical and social burden in the elderly worldwide. Many aspects of its pathogenesis have remained unclear and no effective treatment exists for it. Within the past 20 years, various mice models harboring AD-related human mutations have been produced. These models imitate diverse AD-related pathologies and have been used for basic and therapeutic investigations in AD. In this regard, there are a wide variety of preclinical trials of potential therapeutic modalities using AD mice models which are of paramount importance for future clinical trials and applications. This review summarizes more than 140 substances and treatment modalities being used in transgenic AD mice models from 2001 to 2011. We also discuss advantages and disadvantages of each model to be used in therapeutic development for AD.
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Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most frequent cause of dementia in the elderly and represents an important and increasing clinical challenge in terms of diagnosis and treatment. This review highlights the role of genetics in understanding the pieces of the complex AD puzzle and summarizes the genes known to be involved in Alzheimer's disease. The amount of risk of Alzheimer's disease that is attributable to genetics is estimated to be ∼70%. Mutations in the genes encoding amyloid precursor protein (APP), presenilin 1 (PSEN1) and presenilin 2 (PSEN2) are responsible for early-onset autosomal dominant AD. Although mutations in these genes account for ∼1% of AD cases, their identification has been crucial to understand the molecular mechanisms of AD. For the more common complex late-onset AD, the ɛ-4 allele of the gene encoding apolipoprotein E (APOE) has been recognized as a major genetic risk factor. More recently, several potential disease risk genes have been identified with the use of advanced genomic methods like genome-wide association studies (GWAS). In the end, the knowledge of the pathophysiological mechanisms leading to AD will enable the development of more accurate diagnostic tests and new disease-treating strategies.
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Wang HM, Hsiao CL, Hsieh AR, Lin YC, Fann CSJ. Constructing endophenotypes of complex diseases using non-negative matrix factorization and adjusted rand index. PLoS One 2012; 7:e40996. [PMID: 22815890 PMCID: PMC3397992 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0040996] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2012] [Accepted: 06/16/2012] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Complex diseases are typically caused by combinations of molecular disturbances that vary widely among different patients. Endophenotypes, a combination of genetic factors associated with a disease, offer a simplified approach to dissect complex trait by reducing genetic heterogeneity. Because molecular dissimilarities often exist between patients with indistinguishable disease symptoms, these unique molecular features may reflect pathogenic heterogeneity. To detect molecular dissimilarities among patients and reduce the complexity of high-dimension data, we have explored an endophenotype-identification analytical procedure that combines non-negative matrix factorization (NMF) and adjusted rand index (ARI), a measure of the similarity of two clusterings of a data set. To evaluate this procedure, we compared it with a commonly used method, principal component analysis with k-means clustering (PCA-K). A simulation study with gene expression dataset and genotype information was conducted to examine the performance of our procedure and PCA-K. The results showed that NMF mostly outperformed PCA-K. Additionally, we applied our endophenotype-identification analytical procedure to a publicly available dataset containing data derived from patients with late-onset Alzheimer's disease (LOAD). NMF distilled information associated with 1,116 transcripts into three metagenes and three molecular subtypes (MS) for patients in the LOAD dataset: MS1 (n1=80), MS2 (n2=73), and MS3 (n3=23). ARI was then used to determine the most representative transcripts for each metagene; 123, 89, and 71 metagene-specific transcripts were identified for MS1, MS2, and MS3, respectively. These metagene-specific transcripts were identified as the endophenotypes. Our results showed that 14, 38, 0, and 28 candidate susceptibility genes listed in AlzGene database were found by all patients, MS1, MS2, and MS3, respectively. Moreover, we found that MS2 might be a normal-like subtype. Our proposed procedure provides an alternative approach to investigate the pathogenic mechanism of disease and better understand the relationship between phenotype and genotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui-Min Wang
- Institute of Public Health, Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Ching-Lin Hsiao
- Institute of BioMedical Science, Academia Sinica, Nankang, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Ai-Ru Hsieh
- Institute of BioMedical Science, Academia Sinica, Nankang, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Ying-Chao Lin
- Institute of BioMedical Science, Academia Sinica, Nankang, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Cathy S. J. Fann
- Institute of BioMedical Science, Academia Sinica, Nankang, Taipei, Taiwan
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Holden HM, Gilbert PE. Less efficient pattern separation may contribute to age-related spatial memory deficits. Front Aging Neurosci 2012; 4:9. [PMID: 22661945 PMCID: PMC3362135 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2012.00009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2012] [Accepted: 05/14/2012] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Spatial memory deficits have been well-documented in older adults and may serve as an early indicator of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or Alzheimer's disease (AD) in some individuals. Pattern separation is a critical mechanism for reducing potential interference among similar memory representations to enhance memory accuracy. A small but growing literature indicates that spatial pattern separation may become less efficient as a result of normal aging, possibly due to age-related changes in subregions of the hippocampus. This decreased efficiency in spatial pattern separation may be a critical processing deficit that could be a contributing factor to spatial memory deficits and episodic memory impairment associated with aging. The present paper will review recently published studies in humans, non-human primates, and rodents that have examined age-related changes in spatial pattern separation. The potential basic science, translational, and clinical implications from these studies are discussed to illustrate the need for future research to further examine the relationship between spatial pattern separation and brain changes associated with aging and neurodegenerative disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heather M Holden
- Department of Psychology, San Diego State University, San Diego CA, USA
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Toure, Coume, Ndiaye, Zunzunegui, Bacher, Diop, Ndiaye. Risk factors for dementia in a senegalese elderly population aged 65 years and over. Dement Geriatr Cogn Dis Extra 2012; 2:160-8. [PMID: 22590476 PMCID: PMC3347874 DOI: 10.1159/000332022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Background With the aging of the population, dementia is increasing worldwide. The objective of this study was to identify risk factors for dementia in an elderly population utilizing a primary health care service in Dakar, Senegal. Methods Through a cross-sectional study conducted from March 2004 to December 31, 2005, 507 elderly patients aged ≥65 years who came to the Social and Medical Center of IPRES, Dakar, Senegal, were first screened with the screening interview questionnaire ‘Aging in Senegal’. Those who were cognitively impaired underwent a clinical examination to detect dementia. Univariate, bivariate, and multivariate logistic regression analyses were done. Results The whole population had a mean age of 72.4 years (±5.2) and was mostly male, married, and non-educated. Hypertension, arthritis, and gastrointestinal diseases were the main health conditions reported in the past medical history. Smoking was important while alcohol consumption was rare. Social network was high. Forty-five patients (8.87%) had dementia. In the multivariate model, only advanced age, education, epilepsy, and family history of dementia were independently associated with dementia. Conclusion The risk factors identified are also found in developed countries confirming their role in dementia. It is important to take dementia into consideration in Senegal and to sensitize the community for prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Toure
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Pharmacy and Odontology, University Cheikh Anta Diop, Qué., Canada
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Expression of the Newly Identified Gene CAC1 in the Hippocampus of Alzheimer’s Disease Patients. J Mol Neurosci 2012; 47:207-18. [DOI: 10.1007/s12031-012-9717-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2011] [Accepted: 01/31/2012] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
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Early biomarkers for post-stroke cognitive impairment. J Neurol 2012; 259:2111-8. [PMID: 22407276 DOI: 10.1007/s00415-012-6465-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2011] [Revised: 02/17/2012] [Accepted: 02/20/2012] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to investigate whether some biomarkers could predict cognitive impairment after stroke. One hundred fifty-two first-ever stroke patients were recruited within 6-72 h after the onset of symptoms. Blood was drawn within 1 h after admission for determining biomarkers. Cognitive function was assayed 2 weeks after stroke. The patients were divided into four groups: stroke, vascular cognitive impairment with no dementia (VCIND), vascular dementia (VaD), and mixed dementia (MD). Forty healthy subjects were used as controls. The results indicated that lower soluble receptor levels for advanced glycation end products (sRAGE) and higher β-secretase enzyme (BACE1) and neprilysin (NEP) levels were found in the VCIND, VaD, and MD groups. In addition, the percentages of ε3/ε4 genotypes and ε4 alleles in the VCIND, VaD, and MD groups were higher than in the stroke group. Correlation analysis determined that sRAGE, BACE1, and NEP were significantly related to the results of neuropsychological assessments. Logistic regression analysis, however, suggested that only sRAGE and BACE1 changed ahead of cognitive impairment after stroke. In conclusion, only BACE1 and sRAGE, not NEP or APOE genotypes, may be biomarkers diagnosing post-stroke cognitive impairment.
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Abstract
The recently published revised National Institute on Aging/Alzheimer's Association clinical diagnostic criteria for Alzheimer's disease (AD) (Albert et al., 2011; Jack et al., 2011; McKhann et al., 2011; Sperling et al., 2011) have been hailed for incorporating a number of timely and important advances. They reflect new understanding that has been gained since the previous criteria were published in 1984 (McKhann et al., 1984). They include recognition of the state of mild cognitive impairment that is present before the threshold is crossed into dementia; they recognize the potential role of biomarkers in enhancing the specificity of diagnosis; they also address emerging work in the preclinical stage of AD that could help in understanding the sequence and stages of the core pathology before symptoms emerge. Among the previously listed diagnostic features that have disappeared was the requirement that onset of dementia occur before the age of 90 years. Meanwhile, the Neurocognitive Disorders Work Group for DSM-5 (the 5th edition of the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; American Psychiatric Association, 2010) is also doing away with the previous distinction between early-onset and late-onset dementia in AD, where an arbitrary division had been placed at age 65 (American Psychiatric Association, 2000). These changes are driven by the lack of biological data to support the age-based dichotomy, while recognizing the unique genetic characteristics of the relatively rare, autosomal dominantly inherited forms of AD which typically occur early. However, the disappearance of the age-based diagnostic dichotomy by no means implies that age is irrelevant to AD.
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Grünblatt E, Reif A, Jungwirth S, Galimberti D, Weber H, Scarpini E, Sauer C, Wichart I, Rainer MK, Huber K, Danielczyk W, Tragl KH, Deckert J, Fischer P, Riederer P. Genetic variation in the choline O-acetyltransferase gene in depression and Alzheimer's disease: the VITA and Milano studies. J Psychiatr Res 2011; 45:1250-6. [PMID: 21507424 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2011.03.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2010] [Revised: 03/25/2011] [Accepted: 03/28/2011] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Linkage studies point to the long arm of chromosome 10 being a susceptibility region for Alzheimer's disease (AD). Additionally, the gene choline O-acetyltransferase (CHAT) located on chromosome 10 was discussed for conveying risk towards AD, but the results are ambiguous. We examined a possible association of nineteen single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the CHAT gene in a longitudinal cohort study, the Vienna Tansdanube Aging (VITA)-study, in which all subjects were 75 years old at baseline. For replication, we used a more heterogeneous case-control sample from Milano with early and late AD. Nominal allelic and genotypic associations with AD risk in the cross-sectional VITA sample were found for rs3810950 (p = 0.038 for genotype, OR = 1.66 95% CI 1.03-2.68, p = 0.052 allele-wise). When combining both VITA- and Milano study rs3810950 was significantly associated with AD (p(combined) = 0.01634; power = 82%). This association was highly significant for APOEε4 carriers (p = 0.009 for genotype, OR = 3.21 95% CI 1.43-7.19 p = 0.007 allele-wise). Furthermore, an association of rs1880676 with AD was specific to carriers of the APOEε4 risk allele (p = 0.008, genotype; OR = 3.47 95% CI 1.50-8.01 p = 0.005 allele-wise). For depressive symptoms, we found a nominally significant association of rs3810950 with minor and major depression (p = 0.023, genotype; p = 0.008, allele). Applying Benjamini and Hochberg correction these associations could not be confirmed and also not be replicated in the more heterogeneous Milano sample. While our data therefore do not seem to support a major role for CHAT genetic variation in geriatric depression and AD, there might be a minor contribution in geriatric patients with depression and late onset AD, in particular those carrying the APOEε4 genotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edna Grünblatt
- Ludwig Boltzmann Society, L. Boltzmann Institute of Aging Research, Vienna, Austria.
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Association of DAPK1 genetic variations with Alzheimer's disease in Han Chinese. Brain Res 2011; 1374:129-33. [DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2010.12.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2010] [Revised: 12/09/2010] [Accepted: 12/10/2010] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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Abstract
Alzheimer disease (AD) is the most common causes of neurodegenerative disorder in the elderly individuals. Clinically, patients initially present with short-term memory loss, subsequently followed by executive dysfunction, confusion, agitation, and behavioral disturbances. Three causative genes have been associated with autosomal dominant familial AD (APP, PSEN1, and PSEN2) and 1 genetic risk factor (APOEε4 allele). Identification of these genes has led to a number of animal models that have been useful to study the pathogenesis underlying AD. In this article, we provide an overview of the clinical and genetic features of AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lynn M. Bekris
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Chang-En Yu
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Thomas D. Bird
- Geriatric Research, Education, and Clinical Center, Veterans Affairs Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Debby W. Tsuang
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA
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Mouton-Liger F, Paquet C, Hugon J. Biogenesis and regulation of microRNA: implication in Alzheimer’s disease. FUTURE NEUROLOGY 2010. [DOI: 10.2217/fnl.10.58] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) represent an intriguing class of small, endogenous noncoding RNAs. miRNAs post-transcriptionally inhibit the expression of their specific target mRNAs, primarily by imperfect base pairing with the 3´ untranslated region. In the nervous system, interest in the functions of miRNAs has recently expanded to include their roles in neurodegeneration. Recent investigations have revealed the influence of miRNAs on neuronal death and in the β-amyloid cascade associated with Alzheimer’s disease.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Claire Paquet
- Inserm UMRS 839 Institut du Fer à Moulin, Paris, France
- The Departments of Histology, Lariboisière Hospital, Paris, France
- The Clinical Memory Center, Lariboisière Hospital, Paris, France
- Paris VII University, 75010 Paris, France
| | - Jacques Hugon
- Inserm UMRS 839 Institut du Fer à Moulin, Paris, France
- The Departments of Histology, Lariboisière Hospital, Paris, France
- The Clinical Memory Center, Lariboisière Hospital, Paris, France
- Paris VII University, 75010 Paris, France
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Santoro A, Balbi V, Balducci E, Pirazzini C, Rosini F, Tavano F, Achilli A, Siviero P, Minicuci N, Bellavista E, Mishto M, Salvioli S, Marchegiani F, Cardelli M, Olivieri F, Nacmias B, Chiamenti AM, Benussi L, Ghidoni R, Rose G, Gabelli C, Binetti G, Sorbi S, Crepaldi G, Passarino G, Torroni A, Franceschi C. Evidence for sub-haplogroup h5 of mitochondrial DNA as a risk factor for late onset Alzheimer's disease. PLoS One 2010; 5:e12037. [PMID: 20700462 PMCID: PMC2917370 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0012037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 94] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2010] [Accepted: 05/26/2010] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Alzheimer's Disease (AD) is the most common neurodegenerative disease and the leading cause of dementia among senile subjects. It has been proposed that AD can be caused by defects in mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation. Given the fundamental contribution of the mitochondrial genome (mtDNA) for the respiratory chain, there have been a number of studies investigating the association between mtDNA inherited variants and multifactorial diseases, however no general consensus has been reached yet on the correlation between mtDNA haplogroups and AD. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS We applied for the first time a high resolution analysis (sequencing of displacement loop and restriction analysis of specific markers in the coding region of mtDNA) to investigate the possible association between mtDNA-inherited sequence variation and AD in 936 AD patients and 776 cognitively assessed normal controls from central and northern Italy. Among over 40 mtDNA sub-haplogroups analysed, we found that sub-haplogroup H5 is a risk factor for AD (OR=1.85, 95% CI:1.04-3.23) in particular for females (OR=2.19, 95% CI:1.06-4.51) and independently from the APOE genotype. Multivariate logistic regression revealed an interaction between H5 and age. When the whole sample is considered, the H5a subgroup of molecules, harboring the 4336 transition in the tRNAGln gene, already associated to AD in early studies, was about threefold more represented in AD patients than in controls (2.0% vs 0.8%; p=0.031), and it might account for the increased frequency of H5 in AD patients (4.2% vs 2.3%). The complete re-sequencing of the 56 mtDNAs belonging to H5 revealed that AD patients showed a trend towards a higher number (p=0.052) of sporadic mutations in tRNA and rRNA genes when compared with controls. CONCLUSIONS Our results indicate that high resolution analysis of inherited mtDNA sequence variation can help in identifying both ancient polymorphisms defining sub-haplogroups and the accumulation of sporadic mutations associated with complex traits such as AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aurelia Santoro
- Department of Experimental Pathology, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
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50
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Bartolomucci A, Pasinetti GM, Salton SRJ. Granins as disease-biomarkers: translational potential for psychiatric and neurological disorders. Neuroscience 2010; 170:289-97. [PMID: 20600637 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2010.06.057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2010] [Revised: 06/17/2010] [Accepted: 06/23/2010] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The identification of biomarkers represents a fundamental medical advance that can lead to an improved understanding of disease pathogenesis, and holds the potential to define surrogate diagnostic and prognostic endpoints. Because of the inherent difficulties in assessing brain function in patients and objectively identifying neurological and cognitive/emotional symptoms, future application of biomarkers to neurological and psychiatric disorders is extremely desirable. This article discusses the biomarker potential of the granin family, a group of acidic proteins present in the secretory granules of a wide variety of endocrine, neuronal and neuroendocrine cells: chromogranin A (CgA), CgB, Secretogranin II (SgII), SgIII, HISL-19 antigen, 7B2, NESP55, VGF and ProSAAS. Their relative abundance, functional significance, and secretion into the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), saliva, and the general circulation have made granins tractable targets as biomarkers for many diseases of neuronal and endocrine origin, recently impacting diagnosis of a number of neurological and psychiatric disorders including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Alzheimer's disease, frontotemporal dementia, and schizophrenia. Although research has not yet validated the clinical utility of granins as surrogate endpoints for the progression or treatment of neurological or psychiatric disease, a growing body of experimental evidence indicates that the use of granins as biomarkers might be of great potential clinical interest. Advances that further elucidate the mechanism(s) of action of granins, coupled with improvements in biomarker technology and direct clinical application, should increase the translational effectiveness of this family of proteins in disease diagnosis and drug discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Bartolomucci
- Department of Evolutionary and Functional Biology, University of Parma, 43124 Parma, Italy.
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