1
|
Cerutti L, Brofiga M. Unraveling brain diseases: The promise of brain-on-a-chip models. J Neurosci Methods 2024; 405:110105. [PMID: 38460796 DOI: 10.1016/j.jneumeth.2024.110105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2023] [Revised: 02/23/2024] [Accepted: 03/03/2024] [Indexed: 03/11/2024]
Abstract
Brain disorders, encompassing a wide spectrum of neurological and psychiatric conditions, present a formidable challenge in modern medicine. Despite decades of research, the intricate complexity of the human brain still eludes comprehensive understanding, impeding the development of effective treatments. Recent advancements in microfluidics and tissue engineering have led to the development of innovative platforms known as "Brain-on-a-Chip" (BoC) i.e., advanced in vitro systems that aim to replicate the microenvironment of the brain with the highest possible fidelity. This technology offers a promising test-bed for studying brain disorders at the cellular and network levels, providing insights into disease mechanisms, drug screening, and, in perspective, the development of personalized therapeutic strategies. In this review, we provide an overview of the BoC models developed over the years to model and understand the onset and progression of some of the most severe neurological disorders in terms of incidence and debilitation (stroke, Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, and epilepsy). We also report some of the cutting-edge therapeutic approaches whose effects were evaluated by means of these technologies. Finally, we discuss potential challenges, and future perspectives of the BoC models.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Letizia Cerutti
- Department of Informatics, Bioengineering, Robotics, and Systems Engineering (DIBIRS), University of Genova, Genova, Italy
| | - Martina Brofiga
- Department of Informatics, Bioengineering, Robotics, and Systems Engineering (DIBIRS), University of Genova, Genova, Italy; ScreenNeuroPharm s.r.l, Sanremo, Italy; Neurofacility, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Genova, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
De Vitis E, Stanzione A, Romano A, Quattrini A, Gigli G, Moroni L, Gervaso F, Polini A. The Evolution of Technology-Driven In Vitro Models for Neurodegenerative Diseases. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2024; 11:e2304989. [PMID: 38366798 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202304989] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2023] [Revised: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 02/18/2024]
Abstract
The alteration in the neural circuits of both central and peripheral nervous systems is closely related to the onset of neurodegenerative disorders (NDDs). Despite significant research efforts, the knowledge regarding NDD pathological processes, and the development of efficacious drugs are still limited due to the inability to access and reproduce the components of the nervous system and its intricate microenvironment. 2D culture systems are too simplistic to accurately represent the more complex and dynamic situation of cells in vivo and have therefore been surpassed by 3D systems. However, both models suffer from various limitations that can be overcome by employing two innovative technologies: organ-on-chip and 3D printing. In this review, an overview of the advantages and shortcomings of both microfluidic platforms and extracellular matrix-like biomaterials will be given. Then, the combination of microfluidics and hydrogels as a new synergistic approach to study neural disorders by analyzing the latest advances in 3D brain-on-chip for neurodegenerative research will be explored.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eleonora De Vitis
- CNR NANOTEC-Institute of Nanotechnology, Campus Ecotekn, via Monteroni, Lecce, 73100, Italy
| | - Antonella Stanzione
- CNR NANOTEC-Institute of Nanotechnology, Campus Ecotekn, via Monteroni, Lecce, 73100, Italy
| | - Alessandro Romano
- IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Division of Neuroscience, Institute of Experimental Neurology, Milan, 20132, Italy
| | - Angelo Quattrini
- IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Division of Neuroscience, Institute of Experimental Neurology, Milan, 20132, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Gigli
- CNR NANOTEC-Institute of Nanotechnology, Campus Ecotekn, via Monteroni, Lecce, 73100, Italy
- Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale, Università Del Salento, Campus Ecotekne, via Monteroni, Lecce, 73100, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Moroni
- CNR NANOTEC-Institute of Nanotechnology, Campus Ecotekn, via Monteroni, Lecce, 73100, Italy
- Complex Tissue Regeneration, Maastricht University, Universiteitssingel 40, Maastricht, 6229 ER, Netherlands
| | - Francesca Gervaso
- CNR NANOTEC-Institute of Nanotechnology, Campus Ecotekn, via Monteroni, Lecce, 73100, Italy
| | - Alessandro Polini
- CNR NANOTEC-Institute of Nanotechnology, Campus Ecotekn, via Monteroni, Lecce, 73100, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Moll L, Pihl J, Karlsson M, Karila P, Svensson CI. A Microfluidic High-Capacity Screening Platform for Neurological Disorders. ACS Chem Neurosci 2024; 15:236-244. [PMID: 38150531 PMCID: PMC10797611 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.3c00409] [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: 06/14/2023] [Revised: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 12/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Compartmentalized cell cultures (CCCs) provide the possibility to study mechanisms of neurodegenerative diseases, such as spreading of misfolded proteins in Alzheimer's or Parkinson's disease or functional changes in, e.g., chronic pain, in vitro. However, many CCC devices do not provide the necessary capacity for identifying novel mechanisms, targets, or drugs in a drug discovery context. Here, we present a high-capacity cell culture microtiter microfluidic plate compliant with American National Standard Institute of the Society for Laboratory Automation and Screening (ANSI/SLAS) standards that allows to parallelize up to 96 CCCs/experimental units, where each experimental unit comprises three microchannel-connected compartments. The plate design allows the specific treatment of cells in individual compartments through the application of a fluidic barrier. Moreover, the compatibility of the plate with neuronal cultures was confirmed with rodent primary as well as human-induced pluripotent stem cell-derived neurons of the central or peripheral nervous system for up to 14 days in culture. Using immunocytochemistry, we demonstrated that the plate design restricts neuronal soma to individual compartments, while axons, but not dendrites, can grow through the connecting microchannels to neighboring compartments. In addition, we show that neurons are spontaneously active and, as deemed by the appearance of synchronous depolarizations in neighboring compartments, are synaptically coupled. In summary, the design of the microfluidic plate allows for both morphological and functional studies of neurological in vitro cultures with increased capacity to support identification of novel mechanisms, targets, or drugs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lydia Moll
- Cellectricon
AB, Mölndal 431 53, Sweden
- Department
of Physiology and Pharmacology, Center for Molecular Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm 171 76, Sweden
| | | | | | | | - Camilla I. Svensson
- Department
of Physiology and Pharmacology, Center for Molecular Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm 171 76, Sweden
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Saglam-Metiner P, Duran E, Sabour-Takanlou L, Biray-Avci C, Yesil-Celiktas O. Differentiation of Neurons, Astrocytes, Oligodendrocytes and Microglia From Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells to Form Neural Tissue-On-Chip: A Neuroinflammation Model to Evaluate the Therapeutic Potential of Extracellular Vesicles Derived from Mesenchymal Stem Cells. Stem Cell Rev Rep 2024; 20:413-436. [PMID: 37938408 DOI: 10.1007/s12015-023-10645-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 11/09/2023]
Abstract
Advances in stem cell (SC) technology allow the generation of cellular models that recapitulate the histological, molecular and physiological properties of humanized in vitro three dimensional (3D) models, as well as production of cell-derived therapeutics such as extracellular vesicles (EVs). Improvements in organ-on-chip platforms and human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) derived neural/glial cells provide unprecedented systems for studying 3D personalized neural tissue modeling with easy setup and fast output. Here, we highlight the key points in differentiation procedures for neurons, astrocytes, oligodendrocytes and microglia from single origin hiPSCs. Additionally, we present a well-defined humanized neural tissue-on-chip model composed of differentiated cells with the same genetic backgrounds, as well as the therapeutic potential of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs)-derived extracellular vesicles to propose a novel treatment for neuroinflammation derived diseases. Around 100 nm CD9 + EVs promote a more anti-inflammatory and pro-remodeling of cell-cell interaction cytokine responses on tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) induced neuroinflammation in neural tissue-on-chip model which is ideal for modeling authentic neural-glial patho-physiology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pelin Saglam-Metiner
- Department of Bioengineering, Faculty of Engineering, Ege University, Izmir, Turkey
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, Division of Neuroscience, UMC Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Elif Duran
- Department of Bioengineering, Faculty of Engineering, Ege University, Izmir, Turkey
| | | | - Cigir Biray-Avci
- Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Ege University, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Ozlem Yesil-Celiktas
- Department of Bioengineering, Faculty of Engineering, Ege University, Izmir, Turkey.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Torok J, Maia PD, Anand C, Raj A. Cellular underpinnings of the selective vulnerability to tauopathic insults in Alzheimer's disease. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.07.06.548027. [PMID: 38076913 PMCID: PMC10705232 DOI: 10.1101/2023.07.06.548027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2023]
Abstract
Neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease (AD) exhibit pathological changes in the brain that proceed in a stereotyped and regionally specific fashion, but the cellular and molecular underpinnings of regional vulnerability are currently poorly understood. Recent work has identified certain subpopulations of neurons in a few focal regions of interest, such as the entorhinal cortex, that are selectively vulnerable to tau pathology in AD. However, the cellular underpinnings of regional susceptibility to tau pathology are currently unknown, primarily because whole-brain maps of a comprehensive collection of cell types have been inaccessible. Here, we deployed a recent cell-type mapping pipeline, Matrix Inversion and Subset Selection (MISS), to determine the brain-wide distributions of pan-hippocampal and neocortical neuronal and non-neuronal cells in the mouse using recently available single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNAseq) data. We then performed a robust set of analyses to identify general principles of cell-type-based selective vulnerability using these cell-type distributions, utilizing 5 transgenic mouse studies that quantified regional tau in 12 distinct PS19 mouse models. Using our approach, which constitutes the broadest exploration of whole-brain selective vulnerability to date, we were able to discover cell types and cell-type classes that conferred vulnerability and resilience to tau pathology. Hippocampal glutamatergic neurons as a whole were strongly positively associated with regional tau deposition, suggesting vulnerability, while cortical glutamatergic and GABAergic neurons were negatively associated. Among glia, we identified oligodendrocytes as the single-most strongly negatively associated cell type, whereas microglia were consistently positively correlated. Strikingly, we found that there was no association between the gene expression relationships between cell types and their vulnerability or resilience to tau pathology. When we looked at the explanatory power of cell types versus GWAS-identified AD risk genes, cell type distributions were consistently more predictive of end-timepoint tau pathology than regional gene expression. To understand the functional enrichment patterns of the genes that were markers of the identified vulnerable or resilient cell types, we performed gene ontology analysis. We found that the genes that are directly correlated to tau pathology are functionally distinct from those that constitutively embody the vulnerable cells. In short, we have demonstrated that regional cell-type composition is a compelling explanation for the selective vulnerability observed in tauopathic diseases at a whole-brain level and is distinct from that conferred by risk genes. These findings may have implications in identifying cell-type-based therapeutic targets.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Justin Torok
- University of California, San Francisco, Department of Radiology, San Francisco, CA, 94143, United States
| | - Pedro D. Maia
- University of Texas at Arlington, Department of Mathematics, Arlington, TX, 76019, United States
| | - Chaitali Anand
- University of California, San Francisco, Institute for Neurodegenerative Diseases, San Francisco, CA, 94143, United States
| | - Ashish Raj
- University of California, San Francisco, Department of Radiology, San Francisco, CA, 94143, United States
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Hu J, Sha W, Yuan S, Wu J, Huang Y. Aggregation, Transmission, and Toxicity of the Microtubule-Associated Protein Tau: A Complex Comprehension. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:15023. [PMID: 37834471 PMCID: PMC10573976 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241915023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2023] [Revised: 09/12/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The microtubule-associated protein tau is an intrinsically disordered protein containing a few short and transient secondary structures. Tau physiologically associates with microtubules (MTs) for its stabilization and detaches from MTs to regulate its dynamics. Under pathological conditions, tau is abnormally modified, detaches from MTs, and forms protein aggregates in neuronal and glial cells. Tau protein aggregates can be found in a number of devastating neurodegenerative diseases known as "tauopathies", such as Alzheimer's disease (AD), frontotemporal dementia (FTD), corticobasal degeneration (CBD), etc. However, it is still unclear how the tau protein is compacted into ordered protein aggregates, and the toxicity of the aggregates is still debated. Fortunately, there has been considerable progress in the study of tau in recent years, particularly in the understanding of the intercellular transmission of pathological tau species, the structure of tau aggregates, and the conformational change events in the tau polymerization process. In this review, we summarize the concepts of tau protein aggregation and discuss the views on tau protein transmission and toxicity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jiaxin Hu
- Key Laboratory of Systems Health Science of Zhejiang Province, School of Life Science, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou 310024, China; (J.H.); (W.S.); (S.Y.)
| | - Wenchi Sha
- Key Laboratory of Systems Health Science of Zhejiang Province, School of Life Science, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou 310024, China; (J.H.); (W.S.); (S.Y.)
| | - Shuangshuang Yuan
- Key Laboratory of Systems Health Science of Zhejiang Province, School of Life Science, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou 310024, China; (J.H.); (W.S.); (S.Y.)
| | - Jiarui Wu
- Key Laboratory of Systems Health Science of Zhejiang Province, School of Life Science, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou 310024, China; (J.H.); (W.S.); (S.Y.)
- Key Laboratory of Systems Biology, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou 310024, China
| | - Yunpeng Huang
- Key Laboratory of Systems Health Science of Zhejiang Province, School of Life Science, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou 310024, China; (J.H.); (W.S.); (S.Y.)
- Key Laboratory of Systems Biology, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou 310024, China
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Mullis AS, Kaplan DL. Functional bioengineered tissue models of neurodegenerative diseases. Biomaterials 2023; 298:122143. [PMID: 37146365 PMCID: PMC10209845 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2023.122143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2022] [Revised: 04/27/2023] [Accepted: 05/01/2023] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
Aging-associated neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases remain poorly understood and no disease-modifying treatments exist despite decades of investigation. Predominant in vitro (e.g., 2D cell culture, organoids) and in vivo (e.g., mouse) models of these diseases are insufficient mimics of human brain tissue structure and function and of human neurodegenerative pathobiology, and have thus contributed to this collective translational failure. This has been a longstanding challenge in the field, and new strategies are required to address both fundamental and translational needs. Bioengineered tissue culture models constitute a class of promising alternatives, as they can overcome the low cell density, poor nutrient exchange, and long term culturability limitations of existing in vitro models. Further, they can reconstruct the structural, mechanical, and biochemical cues of native brain tissue, providing a better mimic of human brain tissues for in vitro pathobiological investigation and drug development. We discuss bioengineering techniques for the generation of these neurodegenerative tissue models, including biomaterials-, organoid-, and microfluidics-based approaches, and design considerations for their construction. To aid the development of the next generation of functional neurodegenerative disease models, we discuss approaches to incorporate greater cellular diversity and simulate aging processes within bioengineered brain tissues.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Adam S Mullis
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University, Medford, MA, 02155, USA.
| | - David L Kaplan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University, Medford, MA, 02155, USA; Allen Discovery Center, Tufts University, Medford, MA, 02155, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Torok J, Anand C, Verma P, Raj A. Connectome-based biophysics models of Alzheimer's disease diagnosis and prognosis. Transl Res 2023; 254:13-23. [PMID: 36031051 PMCID: PMC11019890 DOI: 10.1016/j.trsl.2022.08.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2022] [Accepted: 08/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
With the increasing prevalence of Alzheimer's disease (AD) among aging populations and the limited therapeutic options available to slow or reverse its progression, the need has never been greater for improved diagnostic tools for identifying patients in the preclinical and prodomal phases of AD. Biophysics models of the connectome-based spread of amyloid-beta (Aβ) and microtubule-associated protein tau (τ) have enjoyed recent success as tools for predicting the time course of AD-related pathological changes. However, given the complex etiology of AD, which involves not only connectome-based spread of protein pathology but also the interactions of many molecular and cellular players over multiple spatiotemporal scales, more robust, complete biophysics models are needed to better understand AD pathophysiology and ultimately provide accurate patient-specific diagnoses and prognoses. Here we discuss several areas of active research in AD whose insights can be used to enhance the mathematical modeling of AD pathology as well as recent attempts at developing improved connectome-based biophysics models. These efforts toward a comprehensive yet parsimonious mathematical description of AD hold great promise for improving both the diagnosis of patients at risk for AD and our mechanistic understanding of how AD progresses.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Justin Torok
- Department of Radiology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California.
| | - Chaitali Anand
- Department of Radiology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California
| | - Parul Verma
- Department of Radiology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California
| | - Ashish Raj
- Department of Radiology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California; Department of Bioengineering, University of California, Berkeley and University of California, San Francisco, Berkeley, California; Department of Radiology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Hosseini-Gerami L, Ficulle E, Humphryes-Kirilov N, Airey DC, Scherschel J, Kananathan S, Eastwood BJ, Bose S, Collier DA, Laing E, Evans D, Broughton H, Bender A. Mechanism of action deconvolution of the small-molecule pathological tau aggregation inhibitor Anle138b. Alzheimers Res Ther 2023; 15:52. [PMID: 36918909 PMCID: PMC10012450 DOI: 10.1186/s13195-023-01182-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2022] [Accepted: 02/06/2023] [Indexed: 03/16/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND A key histopathological hallmark of Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the presence of neurofibrillary tangles of aggregated microtubule-associated protein tau in neurons. Anle138b is a small molecule which has previously shown efficacy in mice in reducing tau aggregates and rescuing AD disease phenotypes. METHODS In this work, we employed bioinformatics analysis-including pathway enrichment and causal reasoning-of an in vitro tauopathy model. The model consisted of cultured rat cortical neurons either unseeded or seeded with tau aggregates derived from human AD patients, both of which were treated with Anle138b to generate hypotheses for its mode of action. In parallel, we used a collection of human target prediction models to predict direct targets of Anle138b based on its chemical structure. RESULTS Combining the different approaches, we found evidence supporting the hypothesis that the action of Anle138b involves several processes which are key to AD progression, including cholesterol homeostasis and neuroinflammation. On the pathway level, we found significantly enriched pathways related to these two processes including those entitled "Superpathway of cholesterol biosynthesis" and "Granulocyte adhesion and diapedesis". With causal reasoning, we inferred differential activity of SREBF1/2 (involved in cholesterol regulation) and mediators of the inflammatory response such as NFKB1 and RELA. Notably, our findings were also observed in Anle138b-treated unseeded neurons, meaning that the inferred processes are independent of tau pathology and thus represent the direct action of the compound in the cellular system. Through structure-based ligand-target prediction, we predicted the intracellular cholesterol carrier NPC1 as well as NF-κB subunits as potential targets of Anle138b, with structurally similar compounds in the model training set known to target the same proteins. CONCLUSIONS This study has generated feasible hypotheses for the potential mechanism of action of Anle138b, which will enable the development of future molecular interventions aiming to reduce tau pathology in AD patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Layla Hosseini-Gerami
- Centre for Molecular Informatics, Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.,AbsoluteAi Ltd, London, UK
| | - Elena Ficulle
- Eli Lilly and Company, Windlesham, UK.,Zifo RnD Solutions, London, UK
| | | | - David C Airey
- Eli Lilly and Company, Corporate Centre, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | | | | | - Brian J Eastwood
- Eli Lilly and Company, Windlesham, UK.,Eli Lilly and Company, Bracknell, UK.,Eli Lilly and Company (Retired), Bracknell, UK
| | - Suchira Bose
- Eli Lilly and Company, Windlesham, UK.,Eli Lilly and Company, Bracknell, UK
| | - David A Collier
- Eli Lilly and Company, Windlesham, UK.,Eli Lilly and Company, Bracknell, UK.,Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, IoPPN, Kings's College London and Genetic and Genomic Consulting Ltd, Farnham, UK
| | - Emma Laing
- Eli Lilly and Company, Windlesham, UK.,GSK, Stevenage, UK
| | - David Evans
- Eli Lilly and Company, Windlesham, UK.,DeepMind, London, UK
| | | | - Andreas Bender
- Centre for Molecular Informatics, Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Mazzo F, Butnaru I, Grubisha O, Ficulle E, Sanger H, Fitzgerald G, Pan F, Pasqui F, Murray T, Monn J, Li X, Hutton M, Bose S, Schiavo G, Sher E. Metabotropic Glutamate Receptors Modulate Exocytotic Tau Release and Propagation. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2022; 383:117-128. [PMID: 36116796 DOI: 10.1124/jpet.122.001307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2022] [Accepted: 08/05/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Using synaptosomes purified from the brains of two transgenic mouse models overexpressing mutated human tau (TgP301S and Tg4510) and brains of patients with sporadic Alzheimer's disease, we showed that aggregated and hyperphosphorylated tau was both present in purified synaptosomes and released in a calcium- and synaptosome-associated protein of 25 kDa (SNAP25)-dependent manner. In all mouse and human synaptosomal preparations, tau release was inhibited by the selective metabotropic glutamate receptor 2/3 (mGluR2/3) agonist LY379268, an effect prevented by the selective mGlu2/3 antagonist LY341495. LY379268 was also able to block pathologic tau propagation between primary neurons in an in vitro microfluidic cellular model. These novel results are transformational for our understanding of the molecular mechanisms mediating tau release and propagation at synaptic terminals in Alzheimer's disease and suggest that these processes could be inhibited therapeutically by the selective activation of presynaptic G protein-coupled receptors. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: Pathological tau release and propagation are key neuropathological events underlying cognitive decline in Alzheimer's disease patients. This paper describes the role of regulated exocytosis, and the soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor attachment receptor (SNARE) protein SNAP25, in mediating tau release from rodent and human synaptosomes. This paper also shows that a selective mGluR2/3 agonist is highly effective in blocking tau release from synaptosomes and tau propagation between neurons, opening the way to the discovery of novel therapeutic approaches to this devastating disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Mazzo
- Eli Lilly and Company Ltd, Neuroscience, Bracknell, United Kingdom (F.M., O.G., E.F., H.S., Fr.P., T.M., S.B., E.S.); UK Dementia Research Institute at UCL, University College London, London, United Kingdom (I.B., G.S.); Lilly Research Laboratories, Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, Indiana (G.F., Fe.P., J.M., X.L., M.H.); and Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, United Kingdom (G.S.)
| | - Ioana Butnaru
- Eli Lilly and Company Ltd, Neuroscience, Bracknell, United Kingdom (F.M., O.G., E.F., H.S., Fr.P., T.M., S.B., E.S.); UK Dementia Research Institute at UCL, University College London, London, United Kingdom (I.B., G.S.); Lilly Research Laboratories, Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, Indiana (G.F., Fe.P., J.M., X.L., M.H.); and Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, United Kingdom (G.S.)
| | - Olivera Grubisha
- Eli Lilly and Company Ltd, Neuroscience, Bracknell, United Kingdom (F.M., O.G., E.F., H.S., Fr.P., T.M., S.B., E.S.); UK Dementia Research Institute at UCL, University College London, London, United Kingdom (I.B., G.S.); Lilly Research Laboratories, Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, Indiana (G.F., Fe.P., J.M., X.L., M.H.); and Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, United Kingdom (G.S.)
| | - Elena Ficulle
- Eli Lilly and Company Ltd, Neuroscience, Bracknell, United Kingdom (F.M., O.G., E.F., H.S., Fr.P., T.M., S.B., E.S.); UK Dementia Research Institute at UCL, University College London, London, United Kingdom (I.B., G.S.); Lilly Research Laboratories, Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, Indiana (G.F., Fe.P., J.M., X.L., M.H.); and Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, United Kingdom (G.S.)
| | - Helen Sanger
- Eli Lilly and Company Ltd, Neuroscience, Bracknell, United Kingdom (F.M., O.G., E.F., H.S., Fr.P., T.M., S.B., E.S.); UK Dementia Research Institute at UCL, University College London, London, United Kingdom (I.B., G.S.); Lilly Research Laboratories, Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, Indiana (G.F., Fe.P., J.M., X.L., M.H.); and Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, United Kingdom (G.S.)
| | - Griffin Fitzgerald
- Eli Lilly and Company Ltd, Neuroscience, Bracknell, United Kingdom (F.M., O.G., E.F., H.S., Fr.P., T.M., S.B., E.S.); UK Dementia Research Institute at UCL, University College London, London, United Kingdom (I.B., G.S.); Lilly Research Laboratories, Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, Indiana (G.F., Fe.P., J.M., X.L., M.H.); and Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, United Kingdom (G.S.)
| | - Feng Pan
- Eli Lilly and Company Ltd, Neuroscience, Bracknell, United Kingdom (F.M., O.G., E.F., H.S., Fr.P., T.M., S.B., E.S.); UK Dementia Research Institute at UCL, University College London, London, United Kingdom (I.B., G.S.); Lilly Research Laboratories, Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, Indiana (G.F., Fe.P., J.M., X.L., M.H.); and Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, United Kingdom (G.S.)
| | - Francesca Pasqui
- Eli Lilly and Company Ltd, Neuroscience, Bracknell, United Kingdom (F.M., O.G., E.F., H.S., Fr.P., T.M., S.B., E.S.); UK Dementia Research Institute at UCL, University College London, London, United Kingdom (I.B., G.S.); Lilly Research Laboratories, Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, Indiana (G.F., Fe.P., J.M., X.L., M.H.); and Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, United Kingdom (G.S.)
| | - Tracey Murray
- Eli Lilly and Company Ltd, Neuroscience, Bracknell, United Kingdom (F.M., O.G., E.F., H.S., Fr.P., T.M., S.B., E.S.); UK Dementia Research Institute at UCL, University College London, London, United Kingdom (I.B., G.S.); Lilly Research Laboratories, Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, Indiana (G.F., Fe.P., J.M., X.L., M.H.); and Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, United Kingdom (G.S.)
| | - James Monn
- Eli Lilly and Company Ltd, Neuroscience, Bracknell, United Kingdom (F.M., O.G., E.F., H.S., Fr.P., T.M., S.B., E.S.); UK Dementia Research Institute at UCL, University College London, London, United Kingdom (I.B., G.S.); Lilly Research Laboratories, Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, Indiana (G.F., Fe.P., J.M., X.L., M.H.); and Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, United Kingdom (G.S.)
| | - Xia Li
- Eli Lilly and Company Ltd, Neuroscience, Bracknell, United Kingdom (F.M., O.G., E.F., H.S., Fr.P., T.M., S.B., E.S.); UK Dementia Research Institute at UCL, University College London, London, United Kingdom (I.B., G.S.); Lilly Research Laboratories, Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, Indiana (G.F., Fe.P., J.M., X.L., M.H.); and Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, United Kingdom (G.S.)
| | - Michael Hutton
- Eli Lilly and Company Ltd, Neuroscience, Bracknell, United Kingdom (F.M., O.G., E.F., H.S., Fr.P., T.M., S.B., E.S.); UK Dementia Research Institute at UCL, University College London, London, United Kingdom (I.B., G.S.); Lilly Research Laboratories, Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, Indiana (G.F., Fe.P., J.M., X.L., M.H.); and Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, United Kingdom (G.S.)
| | - Suchira Bose
- Eli Lilly and Company Ltd, Neuroscience, Bracknell, United Kingdom (F.M., O.G., E.F., H.S., Fr.P., T.M., S.B., E.S.); UK Dementia Research Institute at UCL, University College London, London, United Kingdom (I.B., G.S.); Lilly Research Laboratories, Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, Indiana (G.F., Fe.P., J.M., X.L., M.H.); and Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, United Kingdom (G.S.)
| | - Giampietro Schiavo
- Eli Lilly and Company Ltd, Neuroscience, Bracknell, United Kingdom (F.M., O.G., E.F., H.S., Fr.P., T.M., S.B., E.S.); UK Dementia Research Institute at UCL, University College London, London, United Kingdom (I.B., G.S.); Lilly Research Laboratories, Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, Indiana (G.F., Fe.P., J.M., X.L., M.H.); and Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, United Kingdom (G.S.)
| | - Emanuele Sher
- Eli Lilly and Company Ltd, Neuroscience, Bracknell, United Kingdom (F.M., O.G., E.F., H.S., Fr.P., T.M., S.B., E.S.); UK Dementia Research Institute at UCL, University College London, London, United Kingdom (I.B., G.S.); Lilly Research Laboratories, Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, Indiana (G.F., Fe.P., J.M., X.L., M.H.); and Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, United Kingdom (G.S.)
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Miny L, Maisonneuve BGC, Quadrio I, Honegger T. Modeling Neurodegenerative Diseases Using In Vitro Compartmentalized Microfluidic Devices. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2022; 10:919646. [PMID: 35813998 PMCID: PMC9263267 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2022.919646] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2022] [Accepted: 05/31/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
The human brain is a complex organ composed of many different types of cells interconnected to create an organized system able to efficiently process information. Dysregulation of this delicately balanced system can lead to the development of neurological disorders, such as neurodegenerative diseases (NDD). To investigate the functionality of human brain physiology and pathophysiology, the scientific community has been generated various research models, from genetically modified animals to two- and three-dimensional cell culture for several decades. These models have, however, certain limitations that impede the precise study of pathophysiological features of neurodegeneration, thus hindering therapeutical research and drug development. Compartmentalized microfluidic devices provide in vitro minimalistic environments to accurately reproduce neural circuits allowing the characterization of the human central nervous system. Brain-on-chip (BoC) is allowing our capability to improve neurodegeneration models on the molecular and cellular mechanism aspects behind the progression of these troubles. This review aims to summarize and discuss the latest advancements of microfluidic models for the investigations of common neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Louise Miny
- NETRI, Lyon, France
- BIORAN Team, Lyon Neuroscience Research Center, CNRS UMR 5292, INSERM U1028, Lyon 1 University, Bron, France
| | | | - Isabelle Quadrio
- BIORAN Team, Lyon Neuroscience Research Center, CNRS UMR 5292, INSERM U1028, Lyon 1 University, Bron, France
- Laboratory of Neurobiology and Neurogenetics, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Lyon University Hospital, Bron, France
| | | |
Collapse
|
12
|
Capano LS, Sato C, Ficulle E, Yu A, Horie K, Kwon JS, Burbach KF, Barthélemy NR, Fox SG, Karch CM, Bateman RJ, Houlden H, Morimoto RI, Holtzman DM, Duff KE, Yoo AS. Recapitulation of endogenous 4R tau expression and formation of insoluble tau in directly reprogrammed human neurons. Cell Stem Cell 2022; 29:918-932.e8. [PMID: 35659876 PMCID: PMC9176216 DOI: 10.1016/j.stem.2022.04.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2021] [Revised: 03/21/2022] [Accepted: 04/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Tau is a microtubule-binding protein expressed in neurons, and the equal ratios between 4-repeat (4R) and 3-repeat (3R) isoforms are maintained in normal adult brain function. Dysregulation of 3R:4R ratio causes tauopathy, and human neurons that recapitulate tau isoforms in health and disease will provide a platform for elucidating pathogenic processes involving tau pathology. We carried out extensive characterizations of tau isoforms expressed in human neurons derived by microRNA-induced neuronal reprogramming of adult fibroblasts. Transcript and protein analyses showed that miR neurons expressed all six isoforms with the 3R:4R isoform ratio equivalent to that detected in human adult brains. Also, miR neurons derived from familial tauopathy patients with a 3R:4R ratio altering mutation showed increased 4R tau and the formation of insoluble tau with seeding activity. Our results collectively demonstrate the utility of miRNA-induced neuronal reprogramming to recapitulate endogenous tau regulation comparable with the adult brain in health and disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lucia S Capano
- Department of Developmental Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA; Center for Regenerative Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA; Program in Molecular and Cell Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Chihiro Sato
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Elena Ficulle
- UK Dementia Research Institute at University College London, London WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Anan Yu
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, Rice Institute for Biomedical Research, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
| | - Kanta Horie
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Ji-Sun Kwon
- Department of Developmental Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA; Program in Computational and Systems Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Kyle F Burbach
- Department of Developmental Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA; Program in Molecular Genetics and Genomics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Nicolas R Barthélemy
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Susan G Fox
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, Rice Institute for Biomedical Research, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
| | - Celeste M Karch
- Knight Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA; Hope Center for Neurological Disorders, Knight ADRC, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Randall J Bateman
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA; Knight Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA; Hope Center for Neurological Disorders, Knight ADRC, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Henry Houlden
- UK Dementia Research Institute at University College London, London WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Richard I Morimoto
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, Rice Institute for Biomedical Research, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
| | - David M Holtzman
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA; Knight Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA; Hope Center for Neurological Disorders, Knight ADRC, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Karen E Duff
- UK Dementia Research Institute at University College London, London WC1E 6BT, UK.
| | - Andrew S Yoo
- Department of Developmental Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA; Center for Regenerative Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA; Hope Center for Neurological Disorders, Knight ADRC, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
A human tau seeded neuronal cell model recapitulates molecular responses associated with Alzheimer's disease. Sci Rep 2022; 12:2673. [PMID: 35177665 PMCID: PMC8854741 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-06411-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2021] [Accepted: 01/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Cellular models recapitulating features of tauopathies are useful tools to investigate the causes and consequences of tau aggregation and the identification of novel treatments. We seeded rat primary cortical neurons with tau isolated from Alzheimer’s disease brains to induce a time-dependent increase in endogenous tau inclusions. Transcriptomics of seeded and control cells identified 1075 differentially expressed genes (including 26 altered at two time points). These were enriched for lipid/steroid metabolism and neuronal/glial cell development genes. 50 genes were correlated with tau inclusion formation at both transcriptomic and proteomic levels, including several microtubule and cytoskeleton-related proteins such as Tubb2a, Tubb4a, Nefl and Snca. Several genes (such as Fyn kinase and PTBP1, a tau exon 10 repressor) interact directly with or regulate tau. We conclude that this neuronal model may be a suitable platform for high-throughput screens for target or hit compound identification and validation.
Collapse
|
14
|
Josephine Boder E, Banerjee IA. Alzheimer's Disease: Current Perspectives and Advances in Physiological Modeling. Bioengineering (Basel) 2021; 8:211. [PMID: 34940364 PMCID: PMC8698996 DOI: 10.3390/bioengineering8120211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2021] [Revised: 12/07/2021] [Accepted: 12/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Though Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common cause of dementia, complete disease-modifying treatments are yet to be fully attained. Until recently, transgenic mice constituted most in vitro model systems of AD used for preclinical drug screening; however, these models have so far failed to adequately replicate the disease's pathophysiology. However, the generation of humanized APOE4 mouse models has led to key discoveries. Recent advances in stem cell differentiation techniques and the development of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) have facilitated the development of novel in vitro devices. These "microphysiological" systems-in vitro human cell culture systems designed to replicate in vivo physiology-employ varying levels of biomimicry and engineering control. Spheroid-based organoids, 3D cell culture systems, and microfluidic devices or a combination of these have the potential to replicate AD pathophysiology and pathogenesis in vitro and thus serve as both tools for testing therapeutics and models for experimental manipulation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Ipsita A. Banerjee
- Department of Chemistry, Fordham University, 441 E. Fordham Road, Bronx, NY 10458, USA;
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Prasanna P, Rathee S, Rahul V, Mandal D, Chandra Goud MS, Yadav P, Hawthorne S, Sharma A, Gupta PK, Ojha S, Jha NK, Villa C, Jha SK. Microfluidic Platforms to Unravel Mysteries of Alzheimer's Disease: How Far Have We Come? Life (Basel) 2021; 11:life11101022. [PMID: 34685393 PMCID: PMC8537508 DOI: 10.3390/life11101022] [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: 08/21/2021] [Revised: 09/16/2021] [Accepted: 09/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a significant health concern with enormous social and economic impact globally. The gradual deterioration of cognitive functions and irreversible neuronal losses are primary features of the disease. Even after decades of research, most therapeutic options are merely symptomatic, and drugs in clinical practice present numerous side effects. Lack of effective diagnostic techniques prevents the early prognosis of disease, resulting in a gradual deterioration in the quality of life. Furthermore, the mechanism of cognitive impairment and AD pathophysiology is poorly understood. Microfluidics exploits different microscale properties of fluids to mimic environments on microfluidic chip-like devices. These miniature multichambered devices can be used to grow cells and 3D tissues in vitro, analyze cell-to-cell communication, decipher the roles of neural cells such as microglia, and gain insights into AD pathophysiology. This review focuses on the applications and impact of microfluidics on AD research. We discuss the technical challenges and possible solutions provided by this new cutting-edge technique to understand disease-associated pathways and mechanisms.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pragya Prasanna
- School of Applied Sciences, KK University, Nalanda 803115, Bihar, India;
- Correspondence: or (P.P.); (S.K.J.)
| | - Shweta Rathee
- Department of Food Science and Technology, National Institute of Food Technology, Entrepreneurship and Management, Sonipat 131028, Haryana, India;
| | - Vedanabhatla Rahul
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Institute of Technology, Rourkela 769008, Odisha, India;
| | - Debabrata Mandal
- Department of Biotechnology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Hajipur 844101, Bihar, India;
| | | | - Pardeep Yadav
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Engineering and Technology (SET), Sharda University, Greater Noida 201310, Uttar Pradesh, India; (P.Y.); (N.K.J.)
| | - Susan Hawthorne
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ulster University, Cromore Road, Coleraine, Co., Londonderry BT52 1SA, UK;
| | - Ankur Sharma
- Department of Life Sciences, School of Basic Science and Research (SBSR), Sharda University, Greater Noida 201310, Uttar Pradesh, India; (A.S.); (P.K.G.)
| | - Piyush Kumar Gupta
- Department of Life Sciences, School of Basic Science and Research (SBSR), Sharda University, Greater Noida 201310, Uttar Pradesh, India; (A.S.); (P.K.G.)
| | - Shreesh Ojha
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, P.O. Box 17666, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain 15551, United Arab Emirates;
| | - Niraj Kumar Jha
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Engineering and Technology (SET), Sharda University, Greater Noida 201310, Uttar Pradesh, India; (P.Y.); (N.K.J.)
| | - Chiara Villa
- School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20900 Monza, Italy;
| | - Saurabh Kumar Jha
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Engineering and Technology (SET), Sharda University, Greater Noida 201310, Uttar Pradesh, India; (P.Y.); (N.K.J.)
- Correspondence: or (P.P.); (S.K.J.)
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Torok J, Maia PD, Verma P, Mezias C, Raj A. Emergence of directional bias in tau deposition from axonal transport dynamics. PLoS Comput Biol 2021; 17:e1009258. [PMID: 34314441 PMCID: PMC8345857 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1009258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2021] [Revised: 08/06/2021] [Accepted: 07/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Defects in axonal transport may partly underpin the differences between the observed pathophysiology of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and that of other non-amyloidogenic tauopathies. Particularly, pathological tau variants may have molecular properties that dysregulate motor proteins responsible for the anterograde-directed transport of tau in a disease-specific fashion. Here we develop the first computational model of tau-modified axonal transport that produces directional biases in the spread of tau pathology. We simulated the spatiotemporal profiles of soluble and insoluble tau species in a multicompartment, two-neuron system using biologically plausible parameters and time scales. Changes in the balance of tau transport feedback parameters can elicit anterograde and retrograde biases in the distributions of soluble and insoluble tau between compartments in the system. Aggregation and fragmentation parameters can also perturb this balance, suggesting a complex interplay between these distinct molecular processes. Critically, we show that the model faithfully recreates the characteristic network spread biases in both AD-like and non-AD-like mouse tauopathy models. Tau transport feedback may therefore help link microscopic differences in tau conformational states and the resulting variety in clinical presentations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Justin Torok
- Department of Computational Biology and Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical School, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Pedro D. Maia
- Department of Mathematics, University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, Texas, United States of America
| | - Parul Verma
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Christopher Mezias
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Ashish Raj
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Bell BJ, Malvankar MM, Tallon C, Slusher BS. Sowing the Seeds of Discovery: Tau-Propagation Models of Alzheimer's Disease. ACS Chem Neurosci 2020; 11:3499-3509. [PMID: 33050700 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.0c00531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The propagation of pathological proteins throughout the brain is the primary physiological hallmark of the progression of Alzheimer's Disease (AD). A growing body of evidence indicates that hyperphosphorylated Tau proteins are spread transcellularly between neurons in a prionlike fashion, inducing misfolding and aggregation into neurofibrillary tangles which accumulate along specific connectivity pathways. Earlier transgenic rodent AD models did not capture this disease-relevant spread, and therefore, seeded Tau-propagation models have been developed. Here, mutant human Tau (as isolated protein or packaged into an adeno-associated virus (AAV) viral vector) is stereotaxically injected into select brain regions and its histopathological propagation to downstream neurons quantified. These models offer a faster and more direct mechanism to evaluate genetic components and therapeutic approaches which attenuate Tau spreading in vivo. Recently, these Tau-seeding models have revealed several new targets for AD drug discovery, including nSMase2, SIRT1, p300/CBP, LRP1, and TYROBP, as well as the potential therapeutics based on melatonin and chondroitinase ABC. Importantly, these Tau-propagation rodent models more closely phenocopy the progression of AD in humans and are therefore likely to improve preclinical studies and derisk future moves into clinical trials.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin J. Bell
- Johns Hopkins Drug Discovery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, United States
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, United States
| | - Medhinee M. Malvankar
- Johns Hopkins Drug Discovery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, United States
| | - Carolyn Tallon
- Johns Hopkins Drug Discovery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, United States
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, United States
| | - Barbara S. Slusher
- Johns Hopkins Drug Discovery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, United States
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, United States
| |
Collapse
|