1
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Adam L, Kumar R, Arroyo‐Garcia LE, Molenkamp WH, Nowak JS, Klute H, Farzadfard A, Alkenayeh R, Nielsen J, Biverstål H, Otzen DE, Johansson J, Abelein A. Specific inhibition of α-synuclein oligomer generation and toxicity by the chaperone domain Bri2 BRICHOS. Protein Sci 2024; 33:e5091. [PMID: 38980078 PMCID: PMC11232276 DOI: 10.1002/pro.5091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2024] [Revised: 06/01/2024] [Accepted: 06/11/2024] [Indexed: 07/10/2024]
Abstract
Protein misfolding and aggregation are involved in several neurodegenerative disorders, such as α-synuclein (αSyn) implicated in Parkinson's disease, where new therapeutic approaches remain essential to combat these devastating diseases. Elucidating the microscopic nucleation mechanisms has opened new opportunities to develop therapeutics against toxic mechanisms and species. Here, we show that naturally occurring molecular chaperones, represented by the anti-amyloid Bri2 BRICHOS domain, can be used to target αSyn-associated nucleation processes and structural species related to neurotoxicity. Our findings revealed that BRICHOS predominantly suppresses the formation of new nucleation units on the fibrils surface (secondary nucleation), decreasing the oligomer generation rate. Further, BRICHOS directly binds to oligomeric αSyn species and effectively diminishes αSyn fibril-related toxicity. Hence, our studies show that molecular chaperones can be utilized as tools to target molecular processes and structural species related to αSyn neurotoxicity and have the potential as protein-based treatments against neurodegenerative disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laurène Adam
- Department of Biosciences and NutritionKarolinska InstitutetHuddingeSweden
| | - Rakesh Kumar
- Department of Biosciences and NutritionKarolinska InstitutetHuddingeSweden
| | - Luis Enrique Arroyo‐Garcia
- Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Division of NeurogeriatricsKarolinska InstitutetSolnaSweden
| | | | - Jan Stanislaw Nowak
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO)Aarhus UniversityAarhus CDenmark
| | - Hannah Klute
- Department of Biosciences and NutritionKarolinska InstitutetHuddingeSweden
| | - Azad Farzadfard
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO)Aarhus UniversityAarhus CDenmark
- Department of Biotechnology and BiomedicineTechnical University of DenmarkLyngbyDenmark
| | - Rami Alkenayeh
- Department of Biosciences and NutritionKarolinska InstitutetHuddingeSweden
| | - Janni Nielsen
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO)Aarhus UniversityAarhus CDenmark
| | - Henrik Biverstål
- Department of Biosciences and NutritionKarolinska InstitutetHuddingeSweden
| | - Daniel E. Otzen
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO)Aarhus UniversityAarhus CDenmark
| | - Jan Johansson
- Department of Biosciences and NutritionKarolinska InstitutetHuddingeSweden
| | - Axel Abelein
- Department of Biosciences and NutritionKarolinska InstitutetHuddingeSweden
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2
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Kumar R, Le Marchand T, Adam L, Bobrovs R, Chen G, Fridmanis J, Kronqvist N, Biverstål H, Jaudzems K, Johansson J, Pintacuda G, Abelein A. Identification of potential aggregation hotspots on Aβ42 fibrils blocked by the anti-amyloid chaperone-like BRICHOS domain. Nat Commun 2024; 15:965. [PMID: 38302480 PMCID: PMC10834949 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-45192-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/17/2024] [Indexed: 02/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Protein misfolding can generate toxic intermediates, which underlies several devastating diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease (AD). The surface of AD-associated amyloid-β peptide (Aβ) fibrils has been suggested to act as a catalyzer for self-replication and generation of potentially toxic species. Specifically tailored molecular chaperones, such as the BRICHOS protein domain, were shown to bind to amyloid fibrils and break this autocatalytic cycle. Here, we identify a site on the Aβ42 fibril surface, consisting of three C-terminal β-strands and particularly the solvent-exposed β-strand stretching from residues 26-28, which is efficiently sensed by a designed variant of Bri2 BRICHOS. Remarkably, while only a low amount of BRICHOS binds to Aβ42 fibrils, fibril-catalyzed nucleation processes are effectively prevented, suggesting that the identified site acts as a catalytic aggregation hotspot, which can specifically be blocked by BRICHOS. Hence, these findings provide an understanding how toxic nucleation events can be targeted by molecular chaperones.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rakesh Kumar
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, 141 83, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Tanguy Le Marchand
- Université de Lyon, Centre de Resonance Magnétique Nucléaire (CRMN) à Très Hauts Champs de Lyon (UMR 5082 - CNRS, ENS Lyon, UCB Lyon 1), 69100, Villeurbanne, France
| | - Laurène Adam
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, 141 83, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Raitis Bobrovs
- Department of Physical Organic Chemistry, Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis, Riga, Latvia
| | - Gefei Chen
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, 141 83, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Jēkabs Fridmanis
- Department of Physical Organic Chemistry, Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis, Riga, Latvia
| | - Nina Kronqvist
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, 141 83, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Henrik Biverstål
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, 141 83, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Kristaps Jaudzems
- Department of Physical Organic Chemistry, Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis, Riga, Latvia
| | - Jan Johansson
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, 141 83, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Guido Pintacuda
- Université de Lyon, Centre de Resonance Magnétique Nucléaire (CRMN) à Très Hauts Champs de Lyon (UMR 5082 - CNRS, ENS Lyon, UCB Lyon 1), 69100, Villeurbanne, France
| | - Axel Abelein
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, 141 83, Huddinge, Sweden.
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3
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Abelein A, Johansson J. Amyloid inhibition by molecular chaperones in vitro can be translated to Alzheimer's pathology in vivo. RSC Med Chem 2023; 14:848-857. [PMID: 37252101 PMCID: PMC10211315 DOI: 10.1039/d3md00040k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2023] [Accepted: 03/21/2023] [Indexed: 09/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Molecular chaperones are important components in the cellular quality-control machinery and increasing evidence points to potential new roles for them as suppressors of amyloid formation in neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease. Approaches to treat Alzheimer's disease have not yet resulted in an effective treatment, suggesting that alternative strategies may be useful. Here, we discuss new treatment approaches based on molecular chaperones that inhibit amyloid-β (Aβ) aggregation by different microscopic mechanisms of action. Molecular chaperones that specifically target secondary nucleation reactions during Aβ aggregation in vitro - a process closely associated with Aβ oligomer generation - have shown promising results in animal treatment studies. The inhibition of Aβ oligomer generation in vitro seemingly correlates with the effects of treatment, giving indirect clues about the molecular mechanisms present in vivo. Interestingly, recent immunotherapy advances, which have demonstrated significant improvements in clinical phase III trials, have used antibodies that selectively act against Aβ oligomer formation, supporting the notion that specific inhibition of Aβ neurotoxicity is more rewarding than reducing overall amyloid fibril formation. Hence, specific modulation of chaperone activity represents a promising new strategy for treatment of neurodegenerative disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Axel Abelein
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet 141 83 Huddinge Sweden
| | - Jan Johansson
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet 141 83 Huddinge Sweden
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4
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Kumar R, Arroyo-García LE, Manchanda S, Adam L, Pizzirusso G, Biverstål H, Nilsson P, Fisahn A, Johansson J, Abelein A. Molecular Mechanisms of Amyloid-β Self-Assembly Seeded by In Vivo-Derived Fibrils and Inhibitory Effects of the BRICHOS Chaperone. ACS Chem Neurosci 2023. [PMID: 37023330 PMCID: PMC10119923 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.3c00044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Self-replication of amyloid-β-peptide (Aβ) fibril formation is a hallmark in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Detailed insights have been obtained in Aβ self-assembly in vitro, yet whether similar mechanisms are relevant in vivo has remained elusive. Here, we investigated the ability of in vivo-derived Aβ fibrils from two different amyloid precursor protein knock-in AD mouse models to seed Aβ42 aggregation, where we quantified the microscopic rate constants. We found that the nucleation mechanism of in vivo-derived fibril-seeded Aβ42 aggregation can be described with the same kinetic model as that in vitro. Further, we identified the inhibitory mechanism of the anti-amyloid BRICHOS chaperone on seeded Aβ42 fibrillization, revealing a suppression of secondary nucleation and fibril elongation, which is strikingly similar as observed in vitro. These findings hence provide a molecular understanding of the Aβ42 nucleation process triggered by in vivo-derived Aβ42 propagons, providing a framework for the search for new AD therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rakesh Kumar
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, 141 52 Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Luis Enrique Arroyo-García
- Division of Neurogeriatrics; Center for Alzheimer Research; Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institutet, 171 64 Solna, Sweden
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet, 171 64 Solna, Sweden
| | - Shaffi Manchanda
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, 141 52 Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Laurène Adam
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, 141 52 Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Giusy Pizzirusso
- Division of Neurogeriatrics; Center for Alzheimer Research; Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institutet, 171 64 Solna, Sweden
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet, 171 64 Solna, Sweden
| | - Henrik Biverstål
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, 141 52 Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Per Nilsson
- Division of Neurogeriatrics; Center for Alzheimer Research; Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institutet, 171 64 Solna, Sweden
| | - André Fisahn
- Division of Neurogeriatrics; Center for Alzheimer Research; Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institutet, 171 64 Solna, Sweden
| | - Jan Johansson
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, 141 52 Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Axel Abelein
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, 141 52 Huddinge, Sweden
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5
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Manchanda S, Galan-Acosta L, Abelein A, Tambaro S, Chen G, Nilsson P, Johansson J. Intravenous treatment with a molecular chaperone designed against β-amyloid toxicity improves Alzheimer's disease pathology in mouse models. Mol Ther 2023; 31:487-502. [PMID: 35982621 PMCID: PMC9931549 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2022.08.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2022] [Revised: 05/12/2022] [Accepted: 08/12/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Attempts to treat Alzheimer's disease with immunotherapy against the β-amyloid (Aβ) peptide or with enzyme inhibitors to reduce Aβ production have not yet resulted in effective treatment, suggesting that alternative strategies may be useful. Here we explore the possibility of targeting the toxicity associated with Aβ aggregation by using the recombinant human (rh) Bri2 BRICHOS chaperone domain, mutated to act selectively against Aβ42 oligomer generation and neurotoxicity in vitro. We find that treatment of Aβ precursor protein (App) knockin mice with repeated intravenous injections of rh Bri2 BRICHOS R221E, from an age close to the start of development of Alzheimer's disease-like pathology, improves recognition and working memory, as assessed using novel object recognition and Y maze tests, and reduces Aβ plaque deposition and activation of astrocytes and microglia. When treatment was started about 4 months after Alzheimer's disease-like pathology was already established, memory improvement was not detected, but Aβ plaque deposition and gliosis were reduced, and substantially reduced astrocyte accumulation in the vicinity of Aβ plaques was observed. The degrees of treatment effects observed in the App knockin mouse models apparently correlate with the amounts of Bri2 BRICHOS detected in brain sections after the end of the treatment period.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaffi Manchanda
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, Neo, 141 83 Huddinge, Sweden; Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Division of Neurogeriatrics, Karolinska Institutet, 171 64 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Lorena Galan-Acosta
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, Neo, 141 83 Huddinge, Sweden; Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Division of Neurogeriatrics, Karolinska Institutet, 171 64 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Axel Abelein
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, Neo, 141 83 Huddinge, Sweden; Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Division of Neurogeriatrics, Karolinska Institutet, 171 64 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Simone Tambaro
- Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Division of Neurogeriatrics, Karolinska Institutet, 171 64 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Gefei Chen
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, Neo, 141 83 Huddinge, Sweden; Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Division of Neurogeriatrics, Karolinska Institutet, 171 64 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Per Nilsson
- Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Division of Neurogeriatrics, Karolinska Institutet, 171 64 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Jan Johansson
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, Neo, 141 83 Huddinge, Sweden; Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Division of Neurogeriatrics, Karolinska Institutet, 171 64 Stockholm, Sweden.
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6
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Andrade-Talavera Y, Chen G, Pansieri J, Arroyo-García LE, Toleikis Z, Smirnovas V, Johansson J, Morozova-Roche L, Fisahn A. S100A9 amyloid growth and S100A9 fibril-induced impairment of gamma oscillations in area CA3 of mouse hippocampus ex vivo is prevented by Bri2 BRICHOS. Prog Neurobiol 2022; 219:102366. [PMID: 36273719 DOI: 10.1016/j.pneurobio.2022.102366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2022] [Revised: 09/20/2022] [Accepted: 10/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
The pro-inflammatory and highly amyloidogenic protein S100A9 is central to the amyloid-neuroinflammatory cascade in neurodegenerative diseases leading to cognitive impairment. Molecular chaperone activity of Bri2 BRICHOS has been demonstrated against a range of amyloidogenic polypeptides. Using a combination of thioflavin T fluorescence kinetic assay, atomic force microscopy and immuno electron microscopy we show here that recombinant Bri2 BRICHOS effectively inhibits S100A9 amyloid growth by capping amyloid fibrils. Using ex-vivo neuronal network electrophysiology in mouse brain slices we also show that both native S100A9 and amyloids of S100A9 disrupt cognition-relevant gamma oscillation power and rhythmicity in hippocampal area CA3 in a time- and protein conformation-dependent manner. Both effects were associated with Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) activation and were not observed upon TLR4 blockade. Importantly, S100A9 that had co-aggregated with Bri2 BRICHOS did not elicit degradation of gamma oscillations. Taken together, this work provides insights on the potential influence of S100A9 on cognitive dysfunction in Alzheimer's disease (AD) via gamma oscillation impairment from experimentally-induced gamma oscillations, and further highlights Bri2 BRICHOS as a chaperone against detrimental effects of amyloid self-assembly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuniesky Andrade-Talavera
- Neuronal Oscillations Laboratory, Center for Alzheimer Research, Departments of NVS and KBH, Karolinska Institutet, 17164 Solna, Sweden.
| | - Gefei Chen
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Neo, Karolinska Institutet, 141 83 Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Jonathan Pansieri
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Umeå University, 90187 Umeå, Sweden
| | - Luis Enrique Arroyo-García
- Neuronal Oscillations Laboratory, Center for Alzheimer Research, Departments of NVS and KBH, Karolinska Institutet, 17164 Solna, Sweden
| | - Zigmantas Toleikis
- Institute of Biotechnology, Life Sciences Center, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Vytautas Smirnovas
- Institute of Biotechnology, Life Sciences Center, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Jan Johansson
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Neo, Karolinska Institutet, 141 83 Huddinge, Sweden.
| | | | - André Fisahn
- Neuronal Oscillations Laboratory, Center for Alzheimer Research, Departments of NVS and KBH, Karolinska Institutet, 17164 Solna, Sweden.
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Gharibyan AL, Wasana Jayaweera S, Lehmann M, Anan I, Olofsson A. Endogenous Human Proteins Interfering with Amyloid Formation. Biomolecules 2022; 12:biom12030446. [PMID: 35327638 PMCID: PMC8946693 DOI: 10.3390/biom12030446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2022] [Revised: 03/08/2022] [Accepted: 03/11/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Amyloid formation is a pathological process associated with a wide range of degenerative disorders, including Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and diabetes mellitus type 2. During disease progression, abnormal accumulation and deposition of proteinaceous material are accompanied by tissue degradation, inflammation, and dysfunction. Agents that can interfere with the process of amyloid formation or target already formed amyloid assemblies are consequently of therapeutic interest. In this context, a few endogenous proteins have been associated with an anti-amyloidogenic activity. Here, we review the properties of transthyretin, apolipoprotein E, clusterin, and BRICHOS protein domain which all effectively interfere with amyloid in vitro, as well as displaying a clinical impact in humans or animal models. Their involvement in the amyloid formation process is discussed, which may aid and inspire new strategies for therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna L. Gharibyan
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Umeå University, 901 87 Umeå, Sweden;
- Correspondence: (A.L.G.); (A.O.)
| | | | - Manuela Lehmann
- Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Umeå University, 901 87 Umeå, Sweden; (M.L.); (I.A.)
| | - Intissar Anan
- Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Umeå University, 901 87 Umeå, Sweden; (M.L.); (I.A.)
| | - Anders Olofsson
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Umeå University, 901 87 Umeå, Sweden;
- Correspondence: (A.L.G.); (A.O.)
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8
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Martins F, Santos I, da Cruz E Silva OAB, Tambaro S, Rebelo S. The role of the integral type II transmembrane protein BRI2 in health and disease. Cell Mol Life Sci 2021; 78:6807-6822. [PMID: 34480585 PMCID: PMC11072861 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-021-03932-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2021] [Revised: 08/07/2021] [Accepted: 08/26/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
BRI2 is a type II transmembrane protein ubiquitously expressed whose physiological function remains poorly understood. Although several recent important advances have substantially impacted on our understanding of BRI2 biology and function, providing valuable information for further studies on BRI2. These findings have contributed to a better understanding of BRI2 biology and the underlying signaling pathways involved. In turn, these might provide novel insights with respect to neurodegeneration processes inherent to BRI2-related pathologies, namely Familial British and Danish dementias, Alzheimer's disease, ITM2B-related retinal dystrophy, and multiple sclerosis. In this review, we provided a state-of-the-art outline of BRI2 biology, both in physiological and pathological conditions, and discuss the proposed molecular underlying mechanisms. Overall, the BRI2 knowledge here reviewed is of extreme importance and may contribute to propose BRI2 and/or BRI2 proteolytic fragments as novel therapeutic targets for neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Filipa Martins
- Neuroscience and Signaling Laboratory, Institute of Biomedicine (iBiMED), Department of Medical Sciences, University of Aveiro, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal.
| | - Isabela Santos
- Neuroscience and Signaling Laboratory, Institute of Biomedicine (iBiMED), Department of Medical Sciences, University of Aveiro, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Odete A B da Cruz E Silva
- Neuroscience and Signaling Laboratory, Institute of Biomedicine (iBiMED), Department of Medical Sciences, University of Aveiro, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Simone Tambaro
- Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Division of Neurogeriatrics, Karolinska Institutet, 141 83, Huddinge, Sweden.
| | - Sandra Rebelo
- Neuroscience and Signaling Laboratory, Institute of Biomedicine (iBiMED), Department of Medical Sciences, University of Aveiro, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal.
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9
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Andrade-Talavera Y, Chen G, Kurudenkandy FR, Johansson J, Fisahn A. Bri2 BRICHOS chaperone rescues impaired fast-spiking interneuron behavior and neuronal network dynamics in an AD mouse model in vitro. Neurobiol Dis 2021; 159:105514. [PMID: 34555537 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2021.105514] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2021] [Revised: 09/10/2021] [Accepted: 09/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Synchronized and properly balanced electrical activity of neurons is the basis for the brain's ability to process information, to learn, and to remember. In Alzheimer's disease (AD), which causes cognitive decline in patients, this synchronization and balance is disturbed by the accumulation of neuropathological biomarkers such as amyloid-beta peptide (Aβ42). Failure of Aβ42 clearance mechanisms as well as desynchronization of crucial neuronal classes such as fast-spiking interneurons (FSN) are root causes for the disruption of the cognition-relevant gamma brain rhythm (30-80 Hz) and consequent cognitive impairment observed in AD. Here we show that recombinant BRICHOS molecular chaperone domains from ProSP-C or Bri2, which interfere with Aβ42 aggregation, can rescue the gamma rhythm. We demonstrate that Aβ42 progressively decreases gamma oscillation power and rhythmicity, disrupts the inhibition/excitation balance in pyramidal cells, and desynchronizes FSN firing during gamma oscillations in the hippocampal CA3 network of mice. Application of the more efficacious Bri2 BRICHOS chaperone rescued the cellular and neuronal network performance from all ongoing Aβ42-induced functional impairments. Collectively, our findings offer critical missing data to explain the importance of FSN for normal network function and underscore the therapeutic potential of Bri2 BRICHOS to rescue the disruption of cognition-relevant brain rhythms in AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuniesky Andrade-Talavera
- Neuronal Oscillations Laboratory, Division of Neurogeriatrics, Center for Alzheimer Research, Dept. of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institutet, 17164 Solna, Sweden.
| | - Gefei Chen
- Division of Neurogeriatrics, Center for Alzheimer Research, Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institutet, 141 57 Huddinge, Sweden; Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Neo, Karolinska Institutet, 141 83 Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Firoz Roshan Kurudenkandy
- Neuronal Oscillations Laboratory, Division of Neurogeriatrics, Center for Alzheimer Research, Dept. of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institutet, 17164 Solna, Sweden
| | - Jan Johansson
- Division of Neurogeriatrics, Center for Alzheimer Research, Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institutet, 141 57 Huddinge, Sweden; Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Neo, Karolinska Institutet, 141 83 Huddinge, Sweden
| | - André Fisahn
- Neuronal Oscillations Laboratory, Division of Neurogeriatrics, Center for Alzheimer Research, Dept. of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institutet, 17164 Solna, Sweden.
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10
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Schmuck B, Chen G, Pelcman J, Kronqvist N, Rising A, Johansson J. Expression of the human molecular chaperone domain Bri2 BRICHOS on a gram per liter scale with an E. coli fed-batch culture. Microb Cell Fact 2021; 20:150. [PMID: 34330289 PMCID: PMC8325310 DOI: 10.1186/s12934-021-01638-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2021] [Accepted: 07/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The human Bri2 BRICHOS domain inhibits amyloid formation and toxicity and could be used as a therapeutic agent against amyloid diseases. For translation into clinical use, large quantities of correctly folded recombinant human (rh) Bri2 BRICHOS are required. To increase the expression and solubility levels of rh Bri2 BRICHOS it was fused to NT*, a solubility tag derived from the N-terminal domain of a spider silk protein, which significantly increases expression levels and solubility of target proteins. To increase the expression levels even further and reach the g/L range, which is a prerequisite for an economical production on an industrial scale, we developed a fed-batch expression protocol for Escherichia coli. Results A fed-batch production method for NT*-Bri2 BRICHOS was set up and systematically optimized. This gradual improvement resulted in expression levels of up to 18.8 g/L. Following expression, NT*-Bri2 BRICHOS was purified by chromatographic methods to a final yield of up to 6.5 g/L. After removal of the NT*-tag and separation into different oligomeric species, activity assays verified that different assembly states of the fed-batch produced rh Bri2 BRICHOS have the same ability to inhibit fibrillar and non-fibrillar protein aggregation as the reference protein isolated from shake flask cultures. Conclusions The protocol developed in this work allows the production of large quantities of rh Bri2 BRICHOS using the solubility enhancing NT*-tag as a fusion partner, which is required to effectively conduct pre-clinical research. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12934-021-01638-8.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Schmuck
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, Neo, 141 86, Huddinge, Sweden. .,Department of Anatomy, Physiology, and Biochemistry, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden.
| | - Gefei Chen
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, Neo, 141 86, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Josef Pelcman
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, Neo, 141 86, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Nina Kronqvist
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, Neo, 141 86, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Anna Rising
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, Neo, 141 86, Huddinge, Sweden.,Department of Anatomy, Physiology, and Biochemistry, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Jan Johansson
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, Neo, 141 86, Huddinge, Sweden
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11
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Galan-Acosta L, Sierra C, Leppert A, Pouliopoulos AN, Kwon N, Noel RL, Tambaro S, Presto J, Nilsson P, Konofagou EE, Johansson J. Recombinant BRICHOS chaperone domains delivered to mouse brain parenchyma by focused ultrasound and microbubbles are internalized by hippocampal and cortical neurons. Mol Cell Neurosci 2020; 105:103498. [PMID: 32389804 DOI: 10.1016/j.mcn.2020.103498] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2019] [Revised: 04/30/2020] [Accepted: 05/02/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The BRICHOS domain is found in human precursor proteins associated with cancer, dementia (Bri2) and amyloid lung disease (proSP-C). Recombinant human (rh) proSP-C and Bri2 BRICHOS domains delay amyloid-β peptide (Aβ) fibril formation and reduce associated toxicity in vitro and their overexpression reduces Aβ neurotoxicity in animal models of Alzheimer's disease. After intravenous administration in wild-type mice, rh Bri2, but not proSP-C, BRICHOS was detected in the brain parenchyma, suggesting that Bri2 BRICHOS selectively bypasses the blood-brain barrier (BBB). Here, our objective was to increase the brain delivery of rh proSP-C (trimer of 18 kDa subunits) and Bri2 BRICHOS (monomer to oligomer of 15 kDa subunits) using focused ultrasound combined with intravenous microbubbles (FUS + MB), which enables targeted and transient opening of the BBB. FUS + MB was targeted to one hemisphere of wild type mice and BBB opening in the hippocampal region was confirmed by magnetic resonance imaging. Two hours after FUS + MB brain histology showed no signs of tissue damage and immunohistochemistry showed abundant delivery to the brain parenchyma in 13 out of 16 cases given 10 mg/kg of proSP-C or Bri2 BRICHOS domains. The Bri2, but not proSP-C BRICHOS domain was detected also in the non-targeted hemisphere. ProSP-C and Bri2 BRICHOS domains were taken up by a subset of neurons in the hippocampus and cortex, and were detected to a minor extent in early endosomes. These results indicate that rh Bri2, but not proSP-C, BRICHOS, can be efficiently delivered into the mouse brain parenchyma and that both BRICHOS domains can be internalized by cell-specific mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Galan-Acosta
- Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society (NVS), Division of Neurogeriatrics, Karolinska Institutet, 141 83 Huddinge, Sweden
| | - C Sierra
- Ultrasound and Elasticity Imaging Laboratory, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, NY, New York, USA
| | - A Leppert
- Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society (NVS), Division of Neurogeriatrics, Karolinska Institutet, 141 83 Huddinge, Sweden
| | - A N Pouliopoulos
- Ultrasound and Elasticity Imaging Laboratory, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, NY, New York, USA
| | - N Kwon
- Ultrasound and Elasticity Imaging Laboratory, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, NY, New York, USA
| | - R L Noel
- Ultrasound and Elasticity Imaging Laboratory, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, NY, New York, USA
| | - S Tambaro
- Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society (NVS), Division of Neurogeriatrics, Karolinska Institutet, 141 83 Huddinge, Sweden
| | - J Presto
- Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society (NVS), Division of Neurogeriatrics, Karolinska Institutet, 141 83 Huddinge, Sweden
| | - P Nilsson
- Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society (NVS), Division of Neurogeriatrics, Karolinska Institutet, 141 83 Huddinge, Sweden
| | - E E Konofagou
- Ultrasound and Elasticity Imaging Laboratory, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, NY, New York, USA; Department of Radiology, Columbia University, NY, New York, USA
| | - J Johansson
- Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society (NVS), Division of Neurogeriatrics, Karolinska Institutet, 141 83 Huddinge, Sweden.
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12
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Undiscovered Roles for Transthyretin: From a Transporter Protein to a New Therapeutic Target for Alzheimer's Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21062075. [PMID: 32197355 PMCID: PMC7139926 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21062075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2020] [Revised: 03/10/2020] [Accepted: 03/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Transthyretin (TTR), an homotetrameric protein mainly synthesized by the liver and the choroid plexus, and secreted into the blood and the cerebrospinal fluid, respectively, has been specially acknowledged for its functions as a transporter protein of thyroxine and retinol (the latter through binding to the retinol-binding protein), in these fluids. Still, this protein has managed to stay in the spotlight as it has been assigned new and varied functions. In this review, we cover knowledge on novel TTR functions and the cellular pathways involved, spanning from neuroprotection to vascular events, while emphasizing its involvement in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). We describe details of TTR as an amyloid binding protein and discuss its interaction with the amyloid Aβ peptides, and the proposed mechanisms underlying TTR neuroprotection in AD. We also present the importance of translating advances in the knowledge of the TTR neuroprotective role into drug discovery strategies focused on TTR as a new target in AD therapeutics.
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13
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Chen G, Andrade-Talavera Y, Tambaro S, Leppert A, Nilsson HE, Zhong X, Landreh M, Nilsson P, Hebert H, Biverstål H, Fisahn A, Abelein A, Johansson J. Augmentation of Bri2 molecular chaperone activity against amyloid-β reduces neurotoxicity in mouse hippocampus in vitro. Commun Biol 2020; 3:32. [PMID: 31959875 PMCID: PMC6971075 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-020-0757-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2019] [Accepted: 12/27/2019] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Molecular chaperones play important roles in preventing protein misfolding and its potentially harmful consequences. Deterioration of molecular chaperone systems upon ageing are thought to underlie age-related neurodegenerative diseases, and augmenting their activities could have therapeutic potential. The dementia relevant domain BRICHOS from the Bri2 protein shows qualitatively different chaperone activities depending on quaternary structure, and assembly of monomers into high-molecular weight oligomers reduces the ability to prevent neurotoxicity induced by the Alzheimer-associated amyloid-β peptide 1-42 (Aβ42). Here we design a Bri2 BRICHOS mutant (R221E) that forms stable monomers and selectively blocks a main source of toxic species during Aβ42 aggregation. Wild type Bri2 BRICHOS oligomers are partly disassembled into monomers in the presence of the R221E mutant, which leads to potentiated ability to prevent Aβ42 toxicity to neuronal network activity. These results suggest that the activity of endogenous molecular chaperones may be modulated to enhance anti-Aβ42 neurotoxic effects. Gefei Chen et al. show that a mutated BRICHOS molecular chaperone domain from the dementia associated Bri2 can reduce toxicity of amyloid formation in mouse hippocampus in vitro. Upon mutating Arg221 to glutamate, Bri2 BRICHOS forms stable monomers that block a source of neurotoxicity during Aβ aggregation and promote disassembly of wild-type oligomers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gefei Chen
- Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Center for Alzheimer Research, Division of Neurogeriatrics, Karolinska Institutet, 141 57, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Yuniesky Andrade-Talavera
- Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Center for Alzheimer Research, Division of Neurogeriatrics, Neuronal Oscillations Laboratory, Karolinska Institutet, 171 77, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Simone Tambaro
- Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Center for Alzheimer Research, Division of Neurogeriatrics, Karolinska Institutet, 141 57, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Axel Leppert
- Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Center for Alzheimer Research, Division of Neurogeriatrics, Karolinska Institutet, 141 57, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Harriet E Nilsson
- School of Engineering Sciences in Chemistry, Biotechnology and Health, Department of Biomedical Engineering and Health Systems, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, 141 52, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Xueying Zhong
- School of Engineering Sciences in Chemistry, Biotechnology and Health, Department of Biomedical Engineering and Health Systems, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, 141 52, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Michael Landreh
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Microbiology, Tumour and Cell Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Tomtebodavägen 23A, 171 65, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Per Nilsson
- Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Center for Alzheimer Research, Division of Neurogeriatrics, Karolinska Institutet, 141 57, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Hans Hebert
- School of Engineering Sciences in Chemistry, Biotechnology and Health, Department of Biomedical Engineering and Health Systems, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, 141 52, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Henrik Biverstål
- Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Center for Alzheimer Research, Division of Neurogeriatrics, Karolinska Institutet, 141 57, Huddinge, Sweden.,Department of Physical Organic Chemistry, Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis, Aizkraukles 21, Riga, LV-1006, Latvia
| | - André Fisahn
- Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Center for Alzheimer Research, Division of Neurogeriatrics, Neuronal Oscillations Laboratory, Karolinska Institutet, 171 77, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Axel Abelein
- Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Center for Alzheimer Research, Division of Neurogeriatrics, Karolinska Institutet, 141 57, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Jan Johansson
- Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Center for Alzheimer Research, Division of Neurogeriatrics, Karolinska Institutet, 141 57, Huddinge, Sweden.
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