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Majumder M, Dutta D. Oligodendrocyte Dysfunction in Tauopathy: A Less Explored Area in Tau-Mediated Neurodegeneration. Cells 2024; 13:1112. [PMID: 38994964 PMCID: PMC11240328 DOI: 10.3390/cells13131112] [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: 06/05/2024] [Revised: 06/25/2024] [Accepted: 06/25/2024] [Indexed: 07/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Aggregation of the microtubule-associated protein tau (MAPT) is the hallmark pathology in a spectrum of neurodegenerative disorders collectively called tauopathies. Physiologically, tau is an inherent neuronal protein that plays an important role in the assembly of microtubules and axonal transport. However, disease-associated mutations of this protein reduce its binding to the microtubule components and promote self-aggregation, leading to formation of tangles in neurons. Tau is also expressed in oligodendrocytes, where it has significant developmental roles in oligodendrocyte maturation and myelin synthesis. Oligodendrocyte-specific tau pathology, in the form of fibrils and coiled coils, is evident in major tauopathies including progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), corticobasal degeneration (CBD), and Pick's disease (PiD). Multiple animal models of tauopathy expressing mutant forms of MAPT recapitulate oligodendroglial tau inclusions with potential to cause degeneration/malfunction of oligodendrocytes and affecting the neuronal myelin sheath. Till now, mechanistic studies heavily concentrated on elucidating neuronal tau pathology. Therefore, more investigations are warranted to comprehensively address tau-induced pathologies in oligodendrocytes. The present review provides the current knowledge available in the literature about the intricate relations between tau and oligodendrocytes in health and diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moumita Majumder
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA;
| | - Debashis Dutta
- Department of Pediatrics, Darby’s Children Research Institute, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA
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2
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Kim AY, Al Jerdi S, MacDonald R, Triggle CR. Alzheimer's disease and its treatment-yesterday, today, and tomorrow. Front Pharmacol 2024; 15:1399121. [PMID: 38868666 PMCID: PMC11167451 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2024.1399121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2024] [Accepted: 04/25/2024] [Indexed: 06/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Alois Alzheimer described the first patient with Alzheimer's disease (AD) in 1907 and today AD is the most frequently diagnosed of dementias. AD is a multi-factorial neurodegenerative disorder with familial, life style and comorbidity influences impacting a global population of more than 47 million with a projected escalation by 2050 to exceed 130 million. In the USA the AD demographic encompasses approximately six million individuals, expected to increase to surpass 13 million by 2050, and the antecedent phase of AD, recognized as mild cognitive impairment (MCI), involves nearly 12 million individuals. The economic outlay for the management of AD and AD-related cognitive decline is estimated at approximately 355 billion USD. In addition, the intensifying prevalence of AD cases in countries with modest to intermediate income countries further enhances the urgency for more therapeutically and cost-effective treatments and for improving the quality of life for patients and their families. This narrative review evaluates the pathophysiological basis of AD with an initial focus on the therapeutic efficacy and limitations of the existing drugs that provide symptomatic relief: acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (AChEI) donepezil, galantamine, rivastigmine, and the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDA) receptor allosteric modulator, memantine. The hypothesis that amyloid-β (Aβ) and tau are appropriate targets for drugs and have the potential to halt the progress of AD is critically analyzed with a particular focus on clinical trial data with anti-Aβ monoclonal antibodies (MABs), namely, aducanumab, lecanemab and donanemab. This review challenges the dogma that targeting Aβ will benefit the majority of subjects with AD that the anti-Aβ MABs are unlikely to be the "magic bullet". A comparison of the benefits and disadvantages of the different classes of drugs forms the basis for determining new directions for research and alternative drug targets that are undergoing pre-clinical and clinical assessments. In addition, we discuss and stress the importance of the treatment of the co-morbidities, including hypertension, diabetes, obesity and depression that are known to increase the risk of developing AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- A. Y. Kim
- Medical Education, Weill Cornell Medicine—Qatar, Doha, Qatar
| | | | - R. MacDonald
- Health Sciences Library, Weill Cornell Medicine—Qatar, Doha, Qatar
| | - C. R. Triggle
- Department of Pharmacology and Medical Education, Weill Cornell Medicine—Qatar, Doha, Qatar
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3
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Rahimi A, Sameei P, Mousavi S, Ghaderi K, Hassani A, Hassani S, Alipour S. Application of CRISPR/Cas9 System in the Treatment of Alzheimer's Disease and Neurodegenerative Diseases. Mol Neurobiol 2024:10.1007/s12035-024-04143-2. [PMID: 38639864 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-024-04143-2] [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: 10/17/2023] [Accepted: 03/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/20/2024]
Abstract
Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and Huntington's are some of the most common neurological disorders, which affect millions of people worldwide. Although there have been many treatments for these diseases, there are still no effective treatments to treat or completely stop these disorders. Perhaps the lack of proper treatment for these diseases can be related to various reasons, but the poor results related to recent clinical research also prompted doctors to look for new treatment approaches. In this regard, various researchers from all over the world have provided many new treatments, one of which is CRISPR/Cas9. Today, the CRISPR/Cas9 system is mostly used for genetic modifications in various species. In addition, by using the abilities available in the CRISPR/Cas9 system, researchers can either remove or modify DNA sequences, which in this way can establish a suitable and useful treatment method for the treatment of genetic diseases that have undergone mutations. We conducted a non-systematic review of articles and study results from various databases, including PubMed, Medline, Web of Science, and Scopus, in recent years. and have investigated new treatment methods in neurodegenerative diseases with a focus on Alzheimer's disease. Then, in the following sections, the treatment methods were classified into three groups: anti-tau, anti-amyloid, and anti-APOE regimens. Finally, we discussed various applications of the CRISPR/Cas-9 system in Alzheimer's disease. Today, using CRISPR/Cas-9 technology, scientists create Alzheimer's disease models that have a more realistic phenotype and reveal the processes of pathogenesis; following the screening of defective genes, they establish treatments for this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Araz Rahimi
- Student Research Committee, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran
| | - Parsa Sameei
- Student Research Committee, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran
| | - Sana Mousavi
- Student Research Committee, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran
| | - Kimia Ghaderi
- Student Research Committee, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran
| | - Amin Hassani
- Student Research Committee, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran
| | - Sepideh Hassani
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Urmia University Medical Sciences (UMSU), Urmia, Iran.
- Student Research Committee, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran.
| | - Shahriar Alipour
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Cellular and Molecular Medicine Institute, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran.
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Urmia University Medical Sciences (UMSU), Urmia, Iran.
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry and Applied Cell Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran.
- Student Research Committee, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran.
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4
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Afjadi MN, Dabirmanesh B, Uversky VN. Therapeutic approaches in proteinopathies. PROGRESS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND TRANSLATIONAL SCIENCE 2024; 206:341-388. [PMID: 38811085 DOI: 10.1016/bs.pmbts.2024.03.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/31/2024]
Abstract
A family of maladies known as amyloid disorders, proteinopathy, or amyloidosis, are characterized by the accumulation of abnormal protein aggregates containing cross-β-sheet amyloid fibrils in many organs and tissues. Often, proteins that have been improperly formed or folded make up these fibrils. Nowadays, most treatments for amyloid illness focus on managing symptoms rather than curing or preventing the underlying disease process. However, recent advances in our understanding of the biology of amyloid diseases have led to the development of innovative therapies that target the emergence and accumulation of amyloid fibrils. Examples of these treatments include the use of small compounds, monoclonal antibodies, gene therapy, and others. In the end, even if the majority of therapies for amyloid diseases are symptomatic, greater research into the biology behind these disorders is identifying new targets for potential therapy and paving the way for the development of more effective treatments in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohsen Nabi Afjadi
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Bahareh Dabirmanesh
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Vladimir N Uversky
- Pushchino Scientific Center for Biological Research of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Institute for Biological Instrumentation, Pushchino, Moscow, Russia; Department of Molecular Medicine and USF Health Byrd Alzheimer's Research Institute, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, United States.
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5
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Chen M, Wang F, Lei H, Yang Z, Li C. In Silico Insights into Micro-Mechanism Understanding of Extracts of Taxus Chinensis Fruits Against Alzheimer's Disease. J Alzheimers Dis 2024; 97:727-740. [PMID: 38217605 DOI: 10.3233/jad-231066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The taxus chinensis fruit (TCF) shows promises in treatment of aging-related diseases such as Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, its related constituents and targets against AD have not been deciphered. OBJECTIVE This study was to uncover constituents and targets of TCF extracts against AD. METHODS An integrated approach including ultrasound extractions and constituent identification of TCF by UPLC-QE-MS/MS, target identification of constituents and AD by R data-mining from Pubchem, Drugbank and GEO databases, network construction, molecular docking and the ROC curve analysis was carried out. RESULTS We identified 250 compounds in TCF extracts, and obtained 3,231 known constituent targets and 5,326 differential expression genes of AD, and 988 intersection genes. Through the network construction and KEGG pathway analysis, 19 chemicals, 31 targets, and 11 biological pathways were obtained as core compounds, targets and pathways of TCF extracts against AD. Among these constituents, luteolin, oleic acid, gallic acid, baicalein, naringenin, lovastatin and rutin had obvious anti-AD effect. Molecular docking results further confirmed above results. The ROC AUC values of about 87% of these core targets of TCF extracts was greater than 0.5 in the two GEO chips of AD, especially 10 targets with ROC AUC values greater than 0.7, such as BCL2, CASP7, NFKBIA, HMOX1, CDK2, LDLR, RELA, and CCL2, which mainly referred to neuron apoptosis, response to oxidative stress and inflammation, fibroblast proliferation, etc.Conclusions:The TCF extracts have diverse active compounds that can act on the diagnostic genes of AD, which deserve further in-depth study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meimei Chen
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
- Fujian Key Laboratory of TCM Health Status Identification, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
| | - Fengzhen Wang
- Certification Center for Chinese Physicians, State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing, Beijing, China
| | - Huangwei Lei
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
- Fujian Key Laboratory of TCM Health Status Identification, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
| | - Zhaoyang Yang
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
- Fujian Key Laboratory of TCM Health Status Identification, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
| | - Candong Li
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
- Fujian Key Laboratory of TCM Health Status Identification, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
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6
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Neațu M, Covaliu A, Ioniță I, Jugurt A, Davidescu EI, Popescu BO. Monoclonal Antibody Therapy in Alzheimer's Disease. Pharmaceutics 2023; 16:60. [PMID: 38258071 PMCID: PMC11154277 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics16010060] [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: 11/03/2023] [Revised: 12/22/2023] [Accepted: 12/28/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease is a neurodegenerative condition marked by the progressive deterioration of cognitive abilities, memory impairment, and the accumulation of abnormal proteins, specifically beta-amyloid plaques and tau tangles, within the brain. Despite extensive research efforts, Alzheimer's disease remains without a cure, presenting a significant global healthcare challenge. Recently, there has been an increased focus on antibody-based treatments as a potentially effective method for dealing with Alzheimer's disease. This paper offers a comprehensive overview of the current status of research on antibody-based molecules as therapies for Alzheimer's disease. We will briefly mention their mechanisms of action, therapeutic efficacy, and safety profiles while addressing the challenges and limitations encountered during their development. We also highlight some crucial considerations in antibody-based treatment development, including patient selection criteria, dosing regimens, or safety concerns. In conclusion, antibody-based therapies present a hopeful outlook for addressing Alzheimer's disease. While challenges remain, the accumulating evidence suggests that these therapies may offer substantial promise in ameliorating or preventing the progression of this debilitating condition, thus potentially enhancing the quality of life for the millions of individuals and families affected by Alzheimer's disease worldwide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monica Neațu
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 050474 Bucharest, Romania; (M.N.); (A.C.); (I.I.); (A.J.); (B.O.P.)
- Department of Neurology, Colentina Clinical Hospital, 020125 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Anca Covaliu
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 050474 Bucharest, Romania; (M.N.); (A.C.); (I.I.); (A.J.); (B.O.P.)
- Department of Neurology, Colentina Clinical Hospital, 020125 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Iulia Ioniță
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 050474 Bucharest, Romania; (M.N.); (A.C.); (I.I.); (A.J.); (B.O.P.)
- Department of Neurology, Colentina Clinical Hospital, 020125 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Ana Jugurt
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 050474 Bucharest, Romania; (M.N.); (A.C.); (I.I.); (A.J.); (B.O.P.)
- Department of Neurology, Colentina Clinical Hospital, 020125 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Eugenia Irene Davidescu
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 050474 Bucharest, Romania; (M.N.); (A.C.); (I.I.); (A.J.); (B.O.P.)
- Department of Neurology, Colentina Clinical Hospital, 020125 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Bogdan Ovidiu Popescu
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, “Carol Davila” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 050474 Bucharest, Romania; (M.N.); (A.C.); (I.I.); (A.J.); (B.O.P.)
- Department of Neurology, Colentina Clinical Hospital, 020125 Bucharest, Romania
- Department of Cell Biology, Neurosciences and Experimental Myology, “Victor Babeș” National Institute of Pathology, 050096 Bucharest, Romania
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Aina A, Hsueh SCC, Gibbs E, Peng X, Cashman NR, Plotkin SS. De Novo Design of a β-Helix Tau Protein Scaffold: An Oligomer-Selective Vaccine Immunogen Candidate for Alzheimer's Disease. ACS Chem Neurosci 2023; 14:2603-2617. [PMID: 37458595 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.3c00007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Tau pathology is associated with many neurodegenerative disorders, including Alzheimer's disease (AD), where the spatio-temporal pattern of tau neurofibrillary tangles strongly correlates with disease progression, which motivates therapeutics selective for misfolded tau. Here, we introduce a new avidity-enhanced, multi-epitope approach for protein-misfolding immunogen design, which is predicted to mimic the conformational state of an exposed epitope in toxic tau oligomers. A predicted oligomer-selective tau epitope 343KLDFK347 was scaffolded by designing a β-helix structure that incorporated multiple instances of the 16-residue tau fragment 339VKSEKLDFKDRVQSKI354. Large-scale conformational ensemble analyses involving Jensen-Shannon Divergence and the embedding depth D showed that the multi-epitope scaffolding approach, employed in designing the β-helix scaffold, was predicted to better discriminate toxic tau oligomers than other "monovalent" strategies utilizing a single instance of an epitope for vaccine immunogen design. Using Rosetta, 10,000 sequences were designed and screened for the linker portions of the β-helix scaffold, along with a C-terminal stabilizing α-helix that interacts with the linkers, to optimize the folded structure and stability of the scaffold. Structures were ranked by energy, and the lowest 1% (82 unique sequences) were verified using AlphaFold. Several selection criteria involving AlphaFold are implemented to obtain a lead-designed sequence. The structure was further predicted to have free energetic stability by using Hamiltonian replica exchange molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. The synthesized β-helix scaffold showed direct binding in surface plasmon resonance (SPR) experiments to several antibodies that were raised to the structured epitope using a designed cyclic peptide. Moreover, the strength of binding of these antibodies to in vitro tau oligomers correlated with the strength of binding to the β-helix construct, suggesting that the construct presents an oligomer-like conformation and may thus constitute an effective oligomer-selective immunogen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adekunle Aina
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Z1, Canada
| | - Shawn C C Hsueh
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Z1, Canada
| | - Ebrima Gibbs
- Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Z1, Canada
| | - Xubiao Peng
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Z1, Canada
| | - Neil R Cashman
- Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Z1, Canada
| | - Steven S Plotkin
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Z1, Canada
- Genome Science and Technology Program, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V6T 1Z1, Canada
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8
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Tonelli M, Catto M, Sabaté R, Francesconi V, Laurini E, Pricl S, Pisani L, Miniero DV, Liuzzi GM, Gatta E, Relini A, Gavín R, Del Rio JA, Sparatore F, Carotti A. Thioxanthenone-based derivatives as multitarget therapeutic leads for Alzheimer's disease. Eur J Med Chem 2023; 250:115169. [PMID: 36753881 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.115169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2023] [Revised: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 01/28/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
A set of twenty-five thioxanthene-9-one and xanthene-9-one derivatives, that were previously shown to inhibit cholinesterases (ChEs) and amyloid β (Aβ40) aggregation, were evaluated for the inhibition of tau protein aggregation. All compounds exhibited a good activity, and eight of them (5-8, 10, 14, 15 and 20) shared comparable low micromolar inhibitory potency versus Aβ40 aggregation and human acetylcholinesterase (AChE), while inhibiting human butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) even at submicromolar concentration. Compound 20 showed outstanding biological data, inhibiting tau protein and Aβ40 aggregation with IC50 = 1.8 and 1.3 μM, respectively. Moreover, at 0.1-10 μM it also exhibited neuroprotective activity against tau toxicity induced by okadoic acid in human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells, that was comparable to that of estradiol and PD38. In preliminary toxicity studies, these interesting results for compound 20 are somewhat conflicting with a narrow safety window. However, compound 10, although endowed with a little lower potency for tau and Aβ aggregation inhibition additionally demonstrated good inhibition of ChEs and rather low cytotoxicity. Compound 4 is also worth of note for its high potency as hBChE inhibitor (IC50 = 7 nM) and for the three order of magnitude selectivity versus hAChE. Molecular modelling studies were performed to explain the different behavior of compounds 4 and 20 towards hBChE. The observed balance of the inhibitory potencies versus the relevant targets indicates the thioxanthene-9-one derivatives as potential MTDLs for AD therapy, provided that the safety window will be improved by further structural variations, currently under investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michele Tonelli
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Genoa, 16132, Genoa, Italy.
| | - Marco Catto
- Department of Pharmacy-Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Bari Aldo Moro, 70125, Bari, Italy.
| | - Raimon Sabaté
- Department of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Technology and Physical-Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy and Food Sciences, and Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (IN2UB), University of Barcelona, 08028, Barcelona, Spain.
| | | | - Erik Laurini
- Molecular Biology and Nanotechnology Laboratory (MolBNL@UniTS), Department of Engineering and Architecture, University of Trieste, 34127, Trieste, Italy
| | - Sabrina Pricl
- Molecular Biology and Nanotechnology Laboratory (MolBNL@UniTS), Department of Engineering and Architecture, University of Trieste, 34127, Trieste, Italy; Department of General Biophysics, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Lodz, 90-236, Lodz, Poland
| | - Leonardo Pisani
- Department of Pharmacy-Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Bari Aldo Moro, 70125, Bari, Italy
| | - Daniela Valeria Miniero
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Environment, University of Bari Aldo Moro, 70125, Bari, Italy
| | - Grazia Maria Liuzzi
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Environment, University of Bari Aldo Moro, 70125, Bari, Italy
| | - Elena Gatta
- Department of Physics, University of Genoa, 16146, Genoa, Italy
| | - Annalisa Relini
- Department of Physics, University of Genoa, 16146, Genoa, Italy
| | - Rosalina Gavín
- Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, 08028, Barcelona, Spain; Department of Cell Biology, Physiology and Immunology, Faculty of Biology, University of Barcelona, 08028, Barcelona, Spain; Institute of Neuroscience, University of Barcelona, 08028, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jose Antonio Del Rio
- Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, 08028, Barcelona, Spain; Department of Cell Biology, Physiology and Immunology, Faculty of Biology, University of Barcelona, 08028, Barcelona, Spain; Institute of Neuroscience, University of Barcelona, 08028, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Fabio Sparatore
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Genoa, 16132, Genoa, Italy
| | - Angelo Carotti
- Department of Pharmacy-Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Bari Aldo Moro, 70125, Bari, Italy
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Cerasuolo M, Papa M, Colangelo AM, Rizzo MR. Alzheimer’s Disease from the Amyloidogenic Theory to the Puzzling Crossroads between Vascular, Metabolic and Energetic Maladaptive Plasticity. Biomedicines 2023; 11:biomedicines11030861. [PMID: 36979840 PMCID: PMC10045635 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11030861] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2023] [Revised: 03/06/2023] [Accepted: 03/09/2023] [Indexed: 03/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive and degenerative disease producing the most common type of dementia worldwide. The main pathogenetic hypothesis in recent decades has been the well-known amyloidogenic hypothesis based on the involvement of two proteins in AD pathogenesis: amyloid β (Aβ) and tau. Amyloid deposition reported in all AD patients is nowadays considered an independent risk factor for cognitive decline. Vascular damage and blood–brain barrier (BBB) failure in AD is considered a pivotal mechanism for brain injury, with increased deposition of both immunoglobulins and fibrin. Furthermore, BBB dysfunction could be an early sign of cognitive decline and the early stages of clinical AD. Vascular damage generates hypoperfusion and relative hypoxia in areas with high energy demand. Long-term hypoxia and the accumulation within the brain parenchyma of neurotoxic molecules could be seeds of a self-sustaining pathological progression. Cellular dysfunction comprises all the elements of the neurovascular unit (NVU) and neuronal loss, which could be the result of energy failure and mitochondrial impairment. Brain glucose metabolism is compromised, showing a specific region distribution. This energy deficit worsens throughout aging. Mild cognitive impairment has been reported to be associated with a glucose deficit in the entorhinal cortex and in the parietal lobes. The current aim is to understand the complex interactions between amyloid β (Aβ) and tau and elements of the BBB and NVU in the brain. This new approach aimed at the study of metabolic mechanisms and energy insufficiency due to mitochondrial impairment would allow us to define therapies aimed at predicting and slowing down the progression of AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michele Cerasuolo
- Department of Advanced Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Michele Papa
- Laboratory of Neuronal Networks Morphology and System Biology, Department of Mental and Physical Health and Preventive Medicine, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80138 Naples, Italy
- SYSBIO Centre of Systems Biology ISBE-IT, 20126 Milan, Italy
- Correspondence:
| | - Anna Maria Colangelo
- SYSBIO Centre of Systems Biology ISBE-IT, 20126 Milan, Italy
- Laboratory of Neuroscience “R. Levi-Montalcini”, Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, NeuroMI Milan Center for Neuroscience, University of Milano-Bicocca, 20126 Milano, Italy
| | - Maria Rosaria Rizzo
- Department of Advanced Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80138 Naples, Italy
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10
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Neurotransmitters in Prevention and Treatment of Alzheimer's Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24043841. [PMID: 36835251 PMCID: PMC9966535 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24043841] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2023] [Revised: 02/01/2023] [Accepted: 02/02/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most frequent cause of cognitive impairment in middle-aged and older populations. There is a lack of drugs that demonstrate significant efficacy in AD, so the study of the pathogenesis of AD is of great importance. More efficacious interventions are needed, as reflected by our population's fast aging. Synaptic plasticity is the capacity of neurons to adjust their connections, and it is strongly tied to learning and memory, cognitive function, and brain injury recovery. Changes in synaptic strength, such as long-term potentiation (LTP) or inhibition (LTD), are thought to represent the biological foundation of the early stages of learning and memory. The results of numerous studies confirm that neurotransmitters and their receptors play an important role in the regulation of synaptic plasticity. However, so far, there is no definite correlation between the function of neurotransmitters in aberrant neural oscillation and AD-related cognitive impairment. We summarized the AD process to understand the impact of neurotransmitters in the progression and pathogenesis of AD, including the current status of neurotransmitter target drugs, and the latest evidence of neurotransmitters' function and changes in the AD process.
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11
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Chen X, Jiang S, Wang R, Bao X, Li Y. Neural Stem Cells in the Treatment of Alzheimer's Disease: Current Status, Challenges, and Future Prospects. J Alzheimers Dis 2023; 94:S173-S186. [PMID: 36336934 PMCID: PMC10473082 DOI: 10.3233/jad-220721] [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] [Accepted: 09/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD), a progressive dementia, is one of the world's most dangerous and debilitating diseases. Clinical trial results of amyloid-β (Aβ) and tau regulators based on the pretext of straightforward amyloid and tau immunotherapy were disappointing. There are currently no effective strategies for slowing the progression of AD. Further understanding of the mechanisms underlying AD and the development of novel therapeutic options are critical. Neurogenesis is impaired in AD, which contributes to memory deficits. Transplanted neural stem cells (NSCs) can regenerate degraded cholinergic neurons, and new neurons derived from NSCs can form synaptic connections with neighboring neurons. In theory, employing NSCs to replace and restore damaged cholinergic neurons and brain connections may offer new treatment options for AD. However there remain barriers to surmount before NSC-based therapy can be used clinically. The objective of this article is to describe recent advances in the treatment of AD models and clinical trials involving NSCs. In addition, we discuss the challenges and prospects associated with cell transplant therapy for AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaokun Chen
- Department of Neurosurgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Shenzhong Jiang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Renzhi Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Xinjie Bao
- Department of Neurosurgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Yongning Li
- Department of Neurosurgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
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12
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Meimei C, Fengzhen W, Huangwei L, Candong L, Zhaoyang Y. Discovery of Taxus chinensis fruit wine as potentially functional food against Alzheimer's disease by UHPLC-QE-MS/MS, network pharmacology and molecular docking. J Food Biochem 2022; 46:e14502. [PMID: 36394096 DOI: 10.1111/jfbc.14502] [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: 06/24/2022] [Revised: 09/29/2022] [Accepted: 10/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Nowadays, there is no specific cure for Alzheimer's disease (AD), but the progression of AD can be improved by preventive interventions. The wine of Taxus chinensis fruit (TCFW) has the effect of improving human immunity and anti-aging as a long history of health care wine in folk, especially popular in the longevity villages in China, which may be potentially effective dietary products to improve AD. However, the chemical constituents and molecular mechanisms of TCFW still remain unknown. In this study, chemical profiling with UHPLC-QE-MS/MS, network pharmacology and molecular docking were integrated to fastly explore the potential chemicals and mechanisms of TCFW against AD. A total of 31 chemical components in TCFW were detected and identified compared with the solvent wine of TCFW by UHPLC-QE-MS/MS. Then, 27 potential key targets and 14 chemical compounds of TCFW were uncovered for the improvement of AD by network pharmacology and molecular docking. These 14 compounds were reported to have diverse bioactivities such as neuroprotective activity, antifibrotic activity, anticancer activity, antiviral activity and effectiveness in the treatment of neuronal injury, Alzheimer's disease, etc. Among these 27 targets affected by TCFW predicted by our approach, AKT1, PTGS2, NOS3, NOS2, INS, ESR1, ESR2, BDNF, IL6, IL1B, DRD2 and ACHE were significantly altered in AD. The GO and KEGG enrichment analyses revealed that TCFW mainly acted on oxidative response, inflammatory response, insulin secretion, amyloid fibril formation, neurodegenerative pathway-multiple diseases, Alzheimer's disease, longevity regulation pathway, PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, MAPK signaling pathway, etc, which were the main pathogenesis of AD. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a degenerative neurological disorder characterized by cognitive and behavioral dysfunction. Nowadays, there is no specific cure for AD, but the progression of AD can be improved by preventive interventions. The wine of Taxus chinensis fruit (TCFW) has the effect of improving human immunity and anti-aging as a long history of health care wine in folk, especially popular in the longevity villages in China, which may be potentially effective dietary products to improve AD. This study proposed a fastly integrated method to explore the potential chemicals and mechanisms of TCFW against AD by UHPLC-QE-MS/MS, network pharmacology and molecular docking. Here, we found that TCFW may ameliorate AD by reversing many biological events, including oxidative stress, inflammatory response, neuronal apoptosis, insulin secretion, amyloid fibril formation, and T cell co-stimulation, which may provide some insights for the development and research of anti-AD drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen Meimei
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, China.,Fujian Key Laboratory of TCM Health Status Identification, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, China
| | - Wang Fengzhen
- Certification Center for Chinese Physicians, State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Lei Huangwei
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, China.,Fujian Key Laboratory of TCM Health Status Identification, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, China
| | - Li Candong
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, China.,Fujian Key Laboratory of TCM Health Status Identification, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, China
| | - Yang Zhaoyang
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, China.,Fujian Key Laboratory of TCM Health Status Identification, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, China
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13
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Cao Y, Zhang R. The application of nanotechnology in treatment of Alzheimer's disease. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2022; 10:1042986. [PMID: 36466349 PMCID: PMC9713307 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2022.1042986] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2022] [Accepted: 11/02/2022] [Indexed: 09/19/2023] Open
Abstract
The buildup of beta-amyloid plaques in the brain results in Alzheimer's disease (AD), a neurodegenerative condition. A permanent treatment for AD is not yet available. Only a slowing down of its advancement is possible with the current pharmaceutical options. Nevertheless, nanotechnology has proven to be advantageous in medical applications. It has a lot of potential for AD therapy, particularly in diagnosing the condition and providing an alternative course of treatment. In this review, we outline the developments and benefits of nanomedicines in treating AD. Prospective nanomedicines for diagnosing and surveillance therapeutic interventions for AD and other diseases of the central nervous system (CNS) may be clinically accessible, persuading the development of investigation in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanyan Cao
- Department of Neurology, First Affiliated Hospital of Wannan Medical College, Wuhu, China
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14
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Recent Progress in Research on Mechanisms of Action of Natural Products against Alzheimer's Disease: Dietary Plant Polyphenols. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232213886. [PMID: 36430365 PMCID: PMC9695301 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232213886] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2022] [Revised: 11/05/2022] [Accepted: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is an incurable degenerative disease of the central nervous system and the most common type of dementia in the elderly. Despite years of extensive research efforts, our understanding of the etiology and pathogenesis of AD is still highly limited. Nevertheless, several hypotheses related to risk factors for AD have been proposed. Moreover, plant-derived dietary polyphenols were also shown to exert protective effects against neurodegenerative diseases such as AD. In this review, we summarize the regulatory effects of the most well-known plant-derived dietary polyphenols on several AD-related molecular mechanisms, such as amelioration of oxidative stress injury, inhibition of aberrant glial cell activation to alleviate neuroinflammation, inhibition of the generation and promotion of the clearance of toxic amyloid-β (Aβ) plaques, inhibition of cholinesterase enzyme activity, and increase in acetylcholine levels in the brain. We also discuss the issue of bioavailability and the potential for improvement in this regard. This review is expected to encourage further research on the role of natural dietary plant polyphenols in the treatment of AD.
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15
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Hier DB, Azizi S, Thimgan MS, Wunsch DC. Tau kinetics in Alzheimer's disease. Front Aging Neurosci 2022; 14:1055170. [PMID: 36437992 PMCID: PMC9682289 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2022.1055170] [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: 09/27/2022] [Accepted: 10/27/2022] [Indexed: 07/20/2023] Open
Abstract
The cytoskeletal protein tau is implicated in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease which is characterized by intra-neuronal neurofibrillary tangles containing abnormally phosphorylated insoluble tau. Levels of soluble tau are elevated in the brain, the CSF, and the plasma of patients with Alzheimer's disease. To better understand the causes of these elevated levels of tau, we propose a three-compartment kinetic model (brain, CSF, and plasma). The model assumes that the synthesis of tau follows zero-order kinetics (uncorrelated with compartmental tau levels) and that the release, absorption, and clearance of tau is governed by first-order kinetics (linearly related to compartmental tau levels). Tau that is synthesized in the brain compartment can be released into the interstitial fluid, catabolized, or retained in neurofibrillary tangles. Tau released into the interstitial fluid can mix with the CSF and eventually drain to the plasma compartment. However, losses of tau in the drainage pathways may be significant. The kinetic model estimates half-life of tau in each compartment (552 h in the brain, 9.9 h in the CSF, and 10 h in the plasma). The kinetic model predicts that an increase in the neuronal tau synthesis rate or a decrease in tau catabolism rate best accounts for observed increases in tau levels in the brain, CSF, and plasma found in Alzheimer's disease. Furthermore, the model predicts that increases in brain half-life of tau in Alzheimer's disease should be attributed to decreased tau catabolism and not to increased tau synthesis. Most clearance of tau in the neuron occurs through catabolism rather than release to the CSF compartment. Additional experimental data would make ascertainment of the model parameters more precise.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel B. Hier
- Applied Computational Intelligence Laboratory, Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering, Missouri University of Science & Technology, Rolla, MO, United States
- Department of Neurology and Rehabilitation, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Sima Azizi
- Applied Computational Intelligence Laboratory, Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering, Missouri University of Science & Technology, Rolla, MO, United States
| | - Matthew S. Thimgan
- Department of Biological Sciences, Missouri University of Science & Technology, Rolla, MO, United States
| | - Donald C. Wunsch
- Applied Computational Intelligence Laboratory, Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering, Missouri University of Science & Technology, Rolla, MO, United States
- ECCS Division, National Science Foundation, Alexandria, VA, United States
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16
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Martínez-Hernández J, Parato J, Sharma A, Soleilhac JM, Qu X, Tein E, Sproul A, Andrieux A, Goldberg Y, Moutin MJ, Bartolini F, Peris L. Crosstalk between acetylation and the tyrosination/detyrosination cycle of α-tubulin in Alzheimer’s disease. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:926914. [PMID: 36092705 PMCID: PMC9459041 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.926914] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2022] [Accepted: 07/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Microtubules (MTs) support a variety of neuronal functions, such as maintenance of cell structure, transport, and synaptic plasticity. Neuronal MTs are highly heterogeneous due to several tubulin isotypes and the presence of multiple post-translational modifications, such as detyrosination and acetylation. The tubulin tyrosination/detyrosination cycle is a key player in the maintenance of MT dynamics, as tyrosinated tubulin is associated with more dynamic MTs, while detyrosinated tubulin is linked to longer lived, more stable MTs. Dysfunction of tubulin re-tyrosination was recently correlated to Alzheimer’s disease progression. The implication of tubulin acetylation in Alzheimer’s disease has, however, remained controversial. Here, we demonstrate that tubulin acetylation accumulates in post-mortem brain tissues from Alzheimer’s disease patients and human neurons harboring the Alzheimer’s familial APP-V717I mutation. We further show that tubulin re-tyrosination, which is defective in Alzheimer’s disease, can control acetylated tubulin in primary neurons irrespective of the levels of the enzymes regulating tubulin acetylation, suggesting that reduced MT dynamics associated with impaired tubulin re-tyrosination might contribute to the accumulation of tubulin acetylation that we detected in Alzheimer’s disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- José Martínez-Hernández
- Inserm, U1216, CEA, CNRS, Grenoble Institut Neurosciences, Université Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, France
| | - Julie Parato
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, United States
- Department of Natural Sciences, SUNY Empire State College, Brooklyn, NY, United States
| | - Aditi Sharma
- Inserm, U1216, CEA, CNRS, Grenoble Institut Neurosciences, Université Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, France
| | - Jean-Marc Soleilhac
- Inserm, U1216, CEA, CNRS, Grenoble Institut Neurosciences, Université Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, France
| | - Xiaoyi Qu
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, United States
| | - Ellen Tein
- Taub Institute for Research Alzheimer’s Disease and the Aging Brain, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, United States
| | - Andrew Sproul
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, United States
- Taub Institute for Research Alzheimer’s Disease and the Aging Brain, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, United States
| | - Annie Andrieux
- Inserm, U1216, CEA, CNRS, Grenoble Institut Neurosciences, Université Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, France
| | - Yves Goldberg
- Inserm, U1216, CEA, CNRS, Grenoble Institut Neurosciences, Université Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, France
| | - Marie-Jo Moutin
- Inserm, U1216, CEA, CNRS, Grenoble Institut Neurosciences, Université Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, France
| | - Francesca Bartolini
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, United States
- *Correspondence: Leticia Peris, ; Francesca Bartolini,
| | - Leticia Peris
- Inserm, U1216, CEA, CNRS, Grenoble Institut Neurosciences, Université Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble, France
- *Correspondence: Leticia Peris, ; Francesca Bartolini,
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17
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Chopra H, Bibi S, Singh I, Kamal MA, Islam F, Alhumaydhi FA, Emran TB, Cavalu S. Nanomedicines in the Management of Alzheimer’s Disease: Current View and Future Prospects. Front Aging Neurosci 2022; 14:879114. [PMID: 35875806 PMCID: PMC9304964 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2022.879114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2022] [Accepted: 06/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a kind of dementia that creates serious challenges for sufferers’ memory, thinking, and behavior. It commonly targeting the aging population and decay the brain cells, despite attempts have been performed to enhance AD diagnostic and therapeutic techniques. Hence, AD remains incurable owing to its complex and multifactorial consequences and still there is lack of appropriate diagnostics/therapeutics option for this severe brain disorder. Therefore, nanotechnology is currently bringing new tools and insights to improve the previous knowledge of AD and ultimately may provide a novel treatment option and a ray of hope to AD patients. Here in this review, we highlighted the nanotechnologies-based findings for AD, in both diagnostic and therapeutic aspects and explained how advances in the field of nanotechnology/nanomedicine could enhance patient prognosis and quality of life. It is highly expected these emerging technologies could bring a research-based revolution in the field of neurodegenerative disorders and may assist their clinical experiments and develop an efficacious drug for AD also. The main aim of review is to showcase readers the recent advances in nanotechnology-based approaches for treatment and diagnosing of AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hitesh Chopra
- Chitkara College of Pharmacy, Chitkara University, Punjab, India
| | - Shabana Bibi
- Department of Biosciences, Shifa Tameer-e-Millat University, Islamabad, Pakistan
- Yunnan Herbal Laboratory, College of Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Yunnan University, Kunming, China
- *Correspondence: Shabana Bibi,
| | - Inderbir Singh
- Chitkara College of Pharmacy, Chitkara University, Punjab, India
| | - Mohammad Amjad Kamal
- Institutes for Systems Genetics, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-Related Molecular Network, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- King Fahd Medical Research Center, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Daffodil International University, Dhaka, Bangladesh
- Enzymoics, Novel Global Community Educational Foundation, Hebersham, NSW, Australia
| | - Fahadul Islam
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Daffodil International University, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Fahad A. Alhumaydhi
- Department of Medical Laboratories, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Qassim University, Buraydah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Talha Bin Emran
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Daffodil International University, Dhaka, Bangladesh
- Department of Pharmacy, BGC Trust University Bangladesh, Chittagong, Bangladesh
- Talha Bin Emran,
| | - Simona Cavalu
- Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, University of Oradea, Oradea, Romania
- Simona Cavalu,
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18
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Yang Y, Wang L, Zhang C, Guo Y, Li J, Wu C, Jiao J, Zheng H. Ginsenoside Rg1 improves Alzheimer's disease by regulating oxidative stress, apoptosis, and neuroinflammation through Wnt/GSK-3β/β-catenin signaling pathway. Chem Biol Drug Des 2022; 99:884-896. [PMID: 35313087 DOI: 10.1111/cbdd.14041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2021] [Revised: 02/11/2022] [Accepted: 03/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a chronic neurodegenerative disorder that can cause cognitive impairment. Ginsenoside Rg1 (Rg1) has a significant neuroprotective effect on animals with memory impairment. However, the mechanism of how Rg1 mediates the Wnt signaling pathway and improves cognitive function by regulating oxidative stress, apoptosis, and neuroinflammation is still unclear. In this study, the spatial memory ability of tree shrews was tested by Morris water maze, the expression levels of amyloid protein (Aβ1-42), ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule 1 (iba-1), nitrotyrosine (NT), and 8-hydroxyguanine (8-OHG) were detected by immunohistochemistry. Subsequently, the activity of catalase (CAT) and the glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) was, respectively, measured by the ammonium molybdate method and the 5,5'-dithiobis (2-nitrobenzoic acid). Furthermore, the malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration was determined by the thiobarbituric acid test. Finally, the expression levels of Beta-secretase (BACE1), superoxide dismutase (SOD), BCL2-Associated X (Bax), B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2), caspase-anti-apoptotic factor Cleaved-caspase-3 (Caspase-3), microtubule-associated proteins 2 (MAP2), Neuronal nuclear antigen (NeuN), as well as the phosphorylation of GSK-3β and β-catenin were detected by Western blot. This study implied that Rg1 reduced the phosphorylation of Tau protein, the deposition of Aβ1-42, and the expression of BACE1. It also showed that Rg1 increased the antioxidant activity of SOD, CAT, GPx, and instead reduced the oxidation products of NT, 8-OHG, and MDA, as wells as the inflammatory factor interleukin-1 and iba-1. It further showed that Rg1 increased the ratio of Bcl-2 to Bax and expression of neuronal markers MAP2 and NeuN, but instead reduced the expression of Caspase-3, GSK-3β, and β-catenin. In conclusion, by regulating the Wnt/GSK-3β/β-catenin signaling pathway, Rg1 of moderate and high dose could alleviate oxidative stress damage, improve neuroinflammation, protect neurons, finally improve the cognitive impairment of the AD tree shrew. This study provides theoretical basis for the Rg1 clinical application in AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Yang
- Department of Laboratory Animal Science, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
| | - Limei Wang
- Department of Laboratory Animal Science, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China.,State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Bio-Resources in Yunnan, Yunnan University, Kunming, China
| | - Caijun Zhang
- Experiment Center of Basic Medical Science, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
| | - Yuqian Guo
- Affiliated Hospital of Medical Sergeant School, Army Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Jintao Li
- Department of Laboratory Animal Science, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
| | - Chao Wu
- Department of Pharmacy, Hefei Ion Medical Center, Hefei, China
| | - Jianlin Jiao
- Science and Technology Achievement Incubation Center, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
| | - Hong Zheng
- Department of Laboratory Animal Science, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
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19
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Personalized Management and Treatment of Alzheimer's Disease. Life (Basel) 2022; 12:life12030460. [PMID: 35330211 PMCID: PMC8951963 DOI: 10.3390/life12030460] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2022] [Revised: 03/14/2022] [Accepted: 03/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a priority health problem with a high cost to society and a large consumption of medical and social resources. The management of AD patients is complex and multidisciplinary. Over 90% of patients suffer from concomitant diseases and require personalized therapeutic regimens to reduce adverse drug reactions (ADRs), drug−drug interactions (DDIs), and unnecessary costs. Men and women show substantial differences in their AD-related phenotypes. Genomic, epigenetic, neuroimaging, and biochemical biomarkers are useful for predictive and differential diagnosis. The most frequent concomitant diseases include hypertension (>25%), obesity (>70%), diabetes mellitus type 2 (>25%), hypercholesterolemia (40%), hypertriglyceridemia (20%), metabolic syndrome (20%), hepatobiliary disorder (15%), endocrine/metabolic disorders (>20%), cardiovascular disorder (40%), cerebrovascular disorder (60−90%), neuropsychiatric disorders (60−90%), and cancer (10%). Over 90% of AD patients require multifactorial treatments with risk of ADRs and DDIs. The implementation of pharmacogenetics in clinical practice can help optimize the limited therapeutic resources available to treat AD and personalize the use of anti-dementia drugs, in combination with other medications, for the treatment of concomitant disorders.
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20
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Fighting fire with fire: the immune system might be key in our fight against Alzheimer's disease. Drug Discov Today 2022; 27:1261-1283. [PMID: 35032668 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2022.01.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2021] [Revised: 11/25/2021] [Accepted: 01/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The ultimate cause of Alzheimer's disease (AD) is still unknown and no disease-modifying treatment exists. Emerging evidence supports the concept that the immune system has a key role in AD pathogenesis. This awareness leads to the idea that specific parts of the immune system must be engaged to ward off the disease. Immunotherapy has dramatically improved the management of several previously untreatable cancers and could hold similar promise as a novel therapy for treating AD. However, before potent immunotherapies can be rationally designed as treatment against AD, we need to fully understand the dynamic interplay between AD and the different parts of our immune system. Accordingly, here we review the most important aspects of both the innate and adaptive immune system in relation to AD pathology. Teaser: Emerging results support the concept that Alzheimer's disease is affected by the inability of the immune system to contain the pathology of the brain. Here, we discuss how we can engage our immune system to fight this devastating disease.
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21
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Cacabelos R, Naidoo V, Martínez-Iglesias O, Corzo L, Cacabelos N, Pego R, Carril JC. Pharmacogenomics of Alzheimer's Disease: Novel Strategies for Drug Utilization and Development. Methods Mol Biol 2022; 2547:275-387. [PMID: 36068470 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2573-6_13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a priority health problem in developed countries with a high cost to society. Approximately 20% of direct costs are associated with pharmacological treatment. Over 90% of patients require multifactorial treatments, with risk of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) and drug-drug interactions (DDIs) for the treatment of concomitant diseases such as hypertension (>25%), obesity (>70%), diabetes mellitus type 2 (>25%), hypercholesterolemia (40%), hypertriglyceridemia (20%), metabolic syndrome (20%), hepatobiliary disorder (15%), endocrine/metabolic disorders (>20%), cardiovascular disorder (40%), cerebrovascular disorder (60-90%), neuropsychiatric disorders (60-90%), and cancer (10%).For the past decades, pharmacological studies in search of potential treatments for AD focused on the following categories: neurotransmitter enhancers (11.38%), multitarget drugs (2.45%), anti-amyloid agents (13.30%), anti-tau agents (2.03%), natural products and derivatives (25.58%), novel synthetic drugs (8.13%), novel targets (5.66%), repository drugs (11.77%), anti-inflammatory drugs (1.20%), neuroprotective peptides (1.25%), stem cell therapy (1.85%), nanocarriers/nanotherapeutics (1.52%), and other compounds (<1%).Pharmacogenetic studies have shown that the therapeutic response to drugs in AD is genotype-specific in close association with the gene clusters that constitute the pharmacogenetic machinery (pathogenic, mechanistic, metabolic, transporter, pleiotropic genes) under the regulatory control of epigenetic mechanisms (DNA methylation, histone/chromatin remodeling, microRNA regulation). Most AD patients (>60%) are carriers of over ten pathogenic genes. The genes that most frequently (>50%) accumulate pathogenic variants in the same AD case are A2M (54.38%), ACE (78.94%), BIN1 (57.89%), CLU (63.15%), CPZ (63.15%), LHFPL6 (52.63%), MS4A4E (50.87%), MS4A6A (63.15%), PICALM (54.38%), PRNP (80.7059), and PSEN1 (77.19%). There is also an accumulation of 15 to 26 defective pharmagenes in approximately 85% of AD patients. About 50% of AD patients are carriers of at least 20 mutant pharmagenes, and over 80% are deficient metabolizers for the most common drugs, which are metabolized via the CYP2D6, CYP2C9, CYP2C19, and CYP3A4/5 enzymes.The implementation of pharmacogenetics can help optimize drug development and the limited therapeutic resources available to treat AD, and personalize the use of anti-dementia drugs in combination with other medications for the treatment of concomitant disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ramón Cacabelos
- Department of Genomic Medicine, International Center of Neuroscience and Genomic Medicine, EuroEspes Biomedical Research Center, Corunna, Spain.
| | - Vinogran Naidoo
- Department of Neuroscience, International Center of Neuroscience and Genomic Medicine, EuroEspes Biomedical Research Center, Corunna, Spain
| | - Olaia Martínez-Iglesias
- Department of Medical Epigenetics, International Center of Neuroscience and Genomic Medicine, EuroEspes Biomedical Research Center, Corunna, Spain
| | - Lola Corzo
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, International Center of Neuroscience and Genomic Medicine, EuroEspes Biomedical Research Center, Corunna, Spain
| | - Natalia Cacabelos
- Department of Medical Documentation, International Center of Neuroscience and Genomic Medicine, EuroEspes Biomedical Research Center, Corunna, Spain
| | - Rocío Pego
- Department of Neuropsychology, International Center of Neuroscience and Genomic Medicine, EuroEspes Biomedical Research Center, Corunna, Spain
| | - Juan C Carril
- Department of Genomics and Pharmacogenomics, International Center of Neuroscience and Genomic Medicine, EuroEspes Biomedical Research Center, Corunna, Spain
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Leuzy A, Smith R, Cullen NC, Strandberg O, Vogel JW, Binette AP, Borroni E, Janelidze S, Ohlsson T, Jögi J, Ossenkoppele R, Palmqvist S, Mattsson-Carlgren N, Klein G, Stomrud E, Hansson O. Biomarker-Based Prediction of Longitudinal Tau Positron Emission Tomography in Alzheimer Disease. JAMA Neurol 2021; 79:149-158. [PMID: 34928318 PMCID: PMC8689441 DOI: 10.1001/jamaneurol.2021.4654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Question Which biomarkers best predict longitudinal tau accumulation at different clinical stages of Alzheimer disease? Findings In this cohort study of 343 participants including amyloid-β–positive individuals who were cognitively unimpaired or had mild cognitive impairment, the largest annual increase in [18F]RO948 tau positron emission tomography (PET) was seen across the entorhinal cortex, hippocampus, and amygdala and in temporal cortical regions, respectively. In a power analysis, plasma phosphorylated tau217 with tau PET at baseline in stage I and II, respectively, resulted in sample size reductions. Meaning In trials using tau PET as a main outcome, plasma phosphorylated tau217 with tau PET may prove optimal for enrichment in both preclinical and prodromal Alzheimer disease. Importance There is currently no consensus as to which biomarkers best predict longitudinal tau accumulation at different clinical stages of Alzheimer disease (AD). Objective To describe longitudinal [18F]RO948 tau positron emission tomography (PET) findings across the clinical continuum of AD and determine which biomarker combinations showed the strongest associations with longitudinal tau PET and best optimized clinical trial enrichment. Design, Setting, and Participants This longitudinal cohort study consecutively enrolled amyloid-β (Aβ)–negative cognitively unimpaired (CU) participants, Aβ-positive CU individuals, Aβ-positive individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and individuals with AD dementia between September 2017 and November 2020 from the Swedish BioFINDER-2 (discovery cohort) and BioFINDER-1 (validation cohort) studies. Exposures Baseline plasma and cerebrospinal fluid Aβ42/Aβ40, tau phosphorylated at threonine-217 (p-tau217), p-tau181 and neurofilament light, magnetic resonance imaging, amyloid PET ([18F]flutemetamol), and tau PET ([18F]RO948 in the BioFINDER-2 study; [18F]flortaucipir in the BioFINDER-1 study). Main Outcomes and Measures Baseline tau PET standardized uptake value ratio (SUVR) and annual percent change in tau PET SUVR across regions of interest derived using a data-driven approach combining clustering and event-based modeling. Regression models were used to examine associations between individual biomarkers and longitudinal tau PET and to identify which combinations best predicted longitudinal tau PET. These combinations were then entered in a power analysis to examine how their use as an enrichment strategy would affect sample size in a simulated clinical trial. Results Of 343 participants, the mean (SD) age was 72.56 (7.24) years, and 157 (51.1%) were female. The clustering/event-based modeling–based approach identified 5 regions of interest (stages). In Aβ-positive CU individuals, the largest annual increase in tau PET SUVR was seen in stage I (entorhinal cortex, hippocampus, and amygdala; 4.04% [95% CI, 2.67%-5.32%]). In Aβ-positive individuals with MCI and with AD dementia, the greatest increases were seen in stages II (temporal cortical regions; 4.45% [95% CI, 3.41%-5.49%]) and IV (certain frontal regions; 5.22% [95% CI, 3.95%-6.49%]), respectively. In Aβ-negative CU individuals and those with MCI, modest change was seen in stage I (1.38% [95% CI, 0.78%-1.99%] and 1.80% [95% CI, 0.76%-2.84%], respectively). When looking at individual predictors and longitudinal tau PET in the stages that showed most change, plasma p-tau217 (R2 = 0.27, P < .005), tau PET (stage I baseline SUVR; R2 = 0.13, P < .05) and amyloid PET (R2 = 0.10, P < .05) were significantly associated with longitudinal tau PET in stage I in Aβ-positive CU individuals. In Aβ-positive individuals with MCI, plasma p-tau217 (R2 = 0.24, P < .005) and tau PET (stage II baseline SUVR; R2 = 0.44, P < .001) were significantly associated with longitudinal tau PET in stage II. Findings were replicated in BioFINDER-1 using longitudinal [18F]flortaucipir. For the power analysis component, plasma p-tau217 with tau PET resulted in sample size reductions of 43% (95% CI, 34%-46%; P < .005) in Aβ-positive CU individuals and of 68% (95% CI, 61%-73%; P < .001) in Aβ-positive individuals with MCI. Conclusions and Relevance In trials using tau PET as the outcome, plasma p-tau217 with tau PET may prove optimal for enrichment in preclinical and prodromal AD. However, plasma p-tau217 was most important in preclinical AD, while tau PET was more important in prodromal AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antoine Leuzy
- Clinical Memory Research Unit, Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden
| | - Ruben Smith
- Clinical Memory Research Unit, Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden.,Department of Neurology, Skåne University Hospital, Lund, Sweden
| | - Nicholas C Cullen
- Clinical Memory Research Unit, Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden
| | - Olof Strandberg
- Clinical Memory Research Unit, Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden
| | - Jacob W Vogel
- Penn/CHOP Lifespan Brain Institute, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia.,Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
| | - Alexa Pichet Binette
- Clinical Memory Research Unit, Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden
| | | | - Shorena Janelidze
- Clinical Memory Research Unit, Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden
| | - Tomas Ohlsson
- Department of Radiation Physics, Skåne University Hospital, Lund, Sweden
| | - Jonas Jögi
- Department of Clinical Physiology and Nuclear Medicine, Skåne University Hospital, Lund, Sweden
| | - Rik Ossenkoppele
- Clinical Memory Research Unit, Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden.,VU University Medical Center, Neuroscience Campus Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Sebastian Palmqvist
- Clinical Memory Research Unit, Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden.,Memory Clinic, Skåne University Hospital, Lund, Sweden
| | - Niklas Mattsson-Carlgren
- Clinical Memory Research Unit, Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden.,Department of Neurology, Skåne University Hospital, Lund, Sweden.,Wallenberg Centre for Molecular Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | | | - Erik Stomrud
- Clinical Memory Research Unit, Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden.,VU University Medical Center, Neuroscience Campus Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Oskar Hansson
- Clinical Memory Research Unit, Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden.,Memory Clinic, Skåne University Hospital, Lund, Sweden
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Doroszkiewicz J, Mroczko P, Kulczyńska-Przybik A. Inflammation in the CNS - understanding various aspects of the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease. Curr Alzheimer Res 2021; 19:16-31. [PMID: 34856902 PMCID: PMC9127729 DOI: 10.2174/1567205018666211202143935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2021] [Revised: 10/06/2021] [Accepted: 11/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease is a progressive and deadly neurodegenerative disorder, and one of the most common causes of dementia in the world. Current, insufficiently sensitive and specific methods of early diagnosis and monitoring of this disease prompt a search for new tools. Numerous literature data indicate that the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD) is not limited to the neuronal compartment, but involves various immunological mechanisms. Neuroinflammation has been recognized as a very important process in AD pathology. It seems to play pleiotropic roles, both neuroprotective as well as neurodegenerative, in the development of cognitive impairment depending on the stage of the disease. Mounting evidence demonstrates that inflammatory proteins could be considered biomarkers of disease progression. Therefore, the present review summarizes the role of some inflammatory molecules and their potential utility in the detection and monitoring of dementia severity. The paper also provides a valuable insight into new mechanisms leading to the development of dementia, which might be useful in discovering possible anti-inflammatory treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Doroszkiewicz
- Department of Neurodegeneration Diagnostics, Medical University of Bialystok, Bialystok. Poland
| | - Piotr Mroczko
- Department of Criminal Law and Criminology, Faculty of Law, University of Bialystok, Bialystok. Poland
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24
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Peptide-Based Vaccines for Neurodegenerative Diseases: Recent Endeavors and Future Perspectives. Vaccines (Basel) 2021; 9:vaccines9111278. [PMID: 34835209 PMCID: PMC8622585 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines9111278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2021] [Revised: 10/25/2021] [Accepted: 10/30/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The development of peptide-based vaccines for treating human neurodegenerative diseases has been the eventual aim of many research endeavors, although no active immunotherapies have been approved for clinical use till now. A typical example of such endeavors is the effort to develop vaccines for Alzheimer’s disease based on the beta-amyloid peptide, which continues to be intensively investigated despite previous setbacks. In this paper, recent developments in peptide-based vaccines which target beta-amyloid as well as tau protein and α-synuclein are presented. Particular focus has been directed toward peptide epitopes and formulation systems selected/developed and employed to enhance vaccine efficacy and safety. Results from both, human clinical trials and animal preclinical studies conducted mainly in transgenic mice have been included. Future perspectives on the topic are also briefly discussed.
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26
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Singh A, Allen D, Fracassi A, Tumurbaatar B, Natarajan C, Scaduto P, Woltjer R, Kayed R, Limon A, Krishnan B, Taglialatela G. Functional Integrity of Synapses in the Central Nervous System of Cognitively Intact Individuals with High Alzheimer's Disease Neuropathology Is Associated with Absence of Synaptic Tau Oligomers. J Alzheimers Dis 2021; 78:1661-1678. [PMID: 33185603 PMCID: PMC7836055 DOI: 10.3233/jad-200716] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Certain individuals, here referred to as Non-Demented with Alzheimer Neuropathology (NDAN), do not show overt neurodegeneration (N-) and remain cognitively intact despite the presence of plaques (A+) and tangles (T+) that would normally be consistent with fully symptomatic Alzheimer's disease (AD). OBJECTIVE The existence of NDAN (A + T+N-) subjects suggests that the human brain utilizes intrinsic mechanisms that can naturally evade cognitive decline normally associated with the symptomatic stages of AD (A + T+N+). Deciphering the underlying mechanisms would prove relevant to develop complementing therapeutics to prevent progression of AD-related cognitive decline. METHODS Previously, we have reported that NDAN present with preserved neurogenesis and synaptic integrity paralleled by absence of amyloid oligomers at synapses. Using postmortem brain samples from age-matched control subjects, demented AD patients and NDAN individuals, we performed immunofluorescence, western blots, micro transplantation of synaptic membranes in Xenopus oocytes followed by twin electrode voltage clamp electrophysiology and fluorescence assisted single synaptosome-long term potentiation studies. RESULTS We report decreased tau oligomers at synapses in the brains of NDAN subjects. Furthermore, using novel approaches we report, for the first time, that such absence of tau oligomers at synapses is associated with synaptic functional integrity in NDAN subjects as compared to demented AD patients. CONCLUSION Overall, these results give further credence to tau oligomers as primary actors of synaptic destruction underscoring cognitive demise in AD and support their targeting as a viable therapeutic strategy for AD and related tauopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayush Singh
- Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Department of Neurology, UTMB Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Dyron Allen
- Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Department of Neurology, UTMB Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Anna Fracassi
- Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Department of Neurology, UTMB Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Batbayar Tumurbaatar
- Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Department of Neurology, UTMB Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Chandramouli Natarajan
- Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Department of Neurology, UTMB Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Pietro Scaduto
- Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Department of Neurology, UTMB Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Randy Woltjer
- Department of Pathology, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Rakez Kayed
- Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Department of Neurology, UTMB Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Agenor Limon
- Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Department of Neurology, UTMB Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Balaji Krishnan
- Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Department of Neurology, UTMB Galveston, TX, USA,Correspondence to: Giulio Taglialatela, PhD, Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Department of Neurology, UTMB Galveston, TX, USA. Tel.: +1 409 772 1679; Fax: +1 409 772 0015; E-mail: . and Balaji Krishnan, PhD, Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Department of Neurology, UTMB Galveston, TX, USA. Tel.: +1 409 772 8069; Fax: +1 409 772 0015; E-mail:
| | - Giulio Taglialatela
- Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Department of Neurology, UTMB Galveston, TX, USA,Correspondence to: Giulio Taglialatela, PhD, Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Department of Neurology, UTMB Galveston, TX, USA. Tel.: +1 409 772 1679; Fax: +1 409 772 0015; E-mail: . and Balaji Krishnan, PhD, Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Department of Neurology, UTMB Galveston, TX, USA. Tel.: +1 409 772 8069; Fax: +1 409 772 0015; E-mail:
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Imbimbo BP, Ippati S, Watling M, Balducci C. A critical appraisal of tau-targeting therapies for primary and secondary tauopathies. Alzheimers Dement 2021; 18:1008-1037. [PMID: 34533272 DOI: 10.1002/alz.12453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2021] [Revised: 07/20/2021] [Accepted: 07/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Primary tauopathies are neurological disorders in which tau protein deposition is the predominant pathological feature. Alzheimer's disease is a secondary tauopathy with tau forming hyperphosphorylated insoluble aggregates. Tau pathology can propagate from region to region in the brain, while alterations in tau processing may impair tau physiological functions. METHODS We reviewed literature on tau biology and anti-tau drugs using PubMed, meeting abstracts, and ClnicalTrials.gov. RESULTS The past 15 years have seen >30 drugs interfering with tau aggregation, processing, and accumulation reaching the clinic. Initial results with tau aggregation inhibitors and anti-tau monoclonal antibodies have not shown clinical efficacy. DISCUSSION The reasons for these clinical failures are unclear but could be linked to the clearing of physiological forms of tau by non-specific drugs. Research is now concentrating efforts on developing reliable translational animal models and selective compounds targeting specific tau epitopes, neurotoxic tau aggregates, and post-translational tau modifications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruno P Imbimbo
- Department of Research & Development, Chiesi Farmaceutici, Parma, Italy
| | - Stefania Ippati
- San Raffaele Scientific Institute, San Raffaele Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | - Mark Watling
- CNS & Pain Department, TranScrip Ltd, Reading, UK
| | - Claudia Balducci
- Department of Neuroscience, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche "Mario Negri" IRCCS, Milan, Italy
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All Roads Lead to Rome: Different Molecular Players Converge to Common Toxic Pathways in Neurodegeneration. Cells 2021; 10:cells10092438. [PMID: 34572087 PMCID: PMC8468417 DOI: 10.3390/cells10092438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2021] [Revised: 09/12/2021] [Accepted: 09/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Multiple neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs) such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Parkinson’s disease (PD), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and Huntington’s disease (HD) are being suggested to have common cellular and molecular pathological mechanisms, characterized mainly by protein misfolding and aggregation. These large inclusions, most likely, represent an end stage of a molecular cascade; however, the soluble misfolded proteins, which take part in earlier steps of this cascade, are the more toxic players. These pathological proteins, which characterize each specific disease, lead to the selective vulnerability of different neurons, likely resulting from a combination of different intracellular mechanisms, including mitochondrial dysfunction, ER stress, proteasome inhibition, excitotoxicity, oxidative damage, defects in nucleocytoplasmic transport, defective axonal transport and neuroinflammation. Damage within these neurons is enhanced by damage from the nonneuronal cells, via inflammatory processes that accelerate the progression of these diseases. In this review, while acknowledging the hallmark proteins which characterize the most common NDDs; we place specific focus on the common overlapping mechanisms leading to disease pathology despite these different molecular players and discuss how this convergence may occur, with the ultimate hope that therapies effective in one disease may successfully translate to another.
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Mahdiabadi S, Momtazmanesh S, Perry G, Rezaei N. Immune modulations and immunotherapies for Alzheimer's disease: a comprehensive review. Rev Neurosci 2021; 33:365-381. [PMID: 34506700 DOI: 10.1515/revneuro-2021-0092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2021] [Accepted: 08/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD), the most common cause of dementia, is characterized by progressive cognitive and memory impairment ensued from neuronal dysfunction and eventual death. Intraneuronal deposition of tau proteins and extracellular senile amyloid-β plaques have ruled as the supreme postulations of AD for a relatively long time, and accordingly, a wide range of therapeutics, especially immunotherapies have been implemented. However, none of them resulted in significant positive cognitive outcomes. Especially, the repetitive failure of anti-amyloid therapies proves the inefficiency of the amyloid cascade hypothesis, suggesting that it is time to reconsider this hypothesis. Thus, for the time being, the focus is being shifted to neuroinflammation as a third core pathology in AD. Neuroinflammation was previously considered a result of the two aforementioned phenomena, but new studies suggest that it might play a causal role in the pathogenesis of AD. Neuroinflammation can act as a double-edged sword in the pathogenesis of AD, and the activation of glial cells is indispensable for mediating such attenuating or detrimental effects. The association of immune-related genes polymorphisms with the clinical phenotype of AD as well as the protective effect of anti-inflammatory drugs like nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs supports the possible causal role of neuroinflammation in AD. Here, we comprehensively review immune-based therapeutic approaches toward AD, including monoclonal antibodies and vaccines. We also discuss their efficacy and underlying reasons for shortcomings. Lastly, we highlight the capacity of modulating the neuroimmune interactions and targeting neuroinflammation as a promising opportunity for finding optimal treatments for AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Mahdiabadi
- School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 1416753955, Iran
- Network of Immunity in Infection, Malignancy and Autoimmunity (NIIMA), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Children's Medical Center, Tehran 1419733151, Iran
- Research Center for Immunodeficiencies, Pediatrics Center of Excellence, Children's Medical Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 14194, Iran
| | - Sara Momtazmanesh
- School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 1416753955, Iran
- Network of Immunity in Infection, Malignancy and Autoimmunity (NIIMA), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Children's Medical Center, Tehran 1419733151, Iran
- Research Center for Immunodeficiencies, Pediatrics Center of Excellence, Children's Medical Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 14194, Iran
| | - George Perry
- Department of Biology and Neurosciences Institute, University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA), San Antonio, TX 78249, USA
| | - Nima Rezaei
- Network of Immunity in Infection, Malignancy and Autoimmunity (NIIMA), Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN), Children's Medical Center, Tehran 1419733151, Iran
- Research Center for Immunodeficiencies, Pediatrics Center of Excellence, Children's Medical Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 14194, Iran
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 1416753955, Iran
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Sharma A, Anand JS, Kumar Y. Immunotherapeutics for AD: A Work in Progress. CNS & NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS-DRUG TARGETS 2021; 21:752-765. [PMID: 34477533 DOI: 10.2174/1871527320666210903101522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2020] [Revised: 04/30/2021] [Accepted: 06/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Alzheimer's Disease (AD), often called the 'Plague of the 21st Century,' is a progressive, irreversible neurodegenerative disorder that leads to the degeneration and death of neurons. Multiple factors, such as genetic defects, epigenetic regulations, environmental factors, or cerebrovascular damage, are a manifestation of the neurodegenerative process that begins to occur decades before the onset of disease. To date, no treatment or therapeutic strategy has proven to be potent in inhibiting its progress or reversing the effects of the disease. The ever-increasing numbers and lack of sufficient therapies that can control or reverse the effects of the disease have propelled research in the direction of devising efficient therapeutic strategies for AD. This review comprehensively discusses the active and passive immunotherapies against Amyloid-β and Tau protein, which remain the popular choice of targets for AD therapeutics. Some of the prospective immunotherapies against Aβ plaques have failed due to various reasons. Much of the research is focused on targeting Tau, specifically, targeting the mid-region of extracellular Tau due to their potential to prevent seeding and hence the spread of neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs). Thus, there is a need to thoroughly understand the disease onset mechanisms and discover effective therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anuja Sharma
- Department of Biological Sciences and Engineering (BSE), Netaji Subhas University of Technology, New Delhi, 110078, India
| | - Jaspreet Singh Anand
- University College of Medical Sciences (UCMS), University of Delhi, New Delhi, 110095, India
| | - Yatender Kumar
- Department of Biological Sciences and Engineering (BSE), Netaji Subhas University of Technology, New Delhi, 110078, India
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Yu TW, Lane HY, Lin CH. Novel Therapeutic Approaches for Alzheimer's Disease: An Updated Review. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22158208. [PMID: 34360973 PMCID: PMC8348485 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22158208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2021] [Revised: 07/25/2021] [Accepted: 07/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease and accounts for most cases of dementia. The prevalence of AD has increased in the current rapidly aging society and contributes to a heavy burden on families and society. Despite the profound impact of AD, current treatments are unable to achieve satisfactory therapeutic effects or stop the progression of the disease. Finding novel treatments for AD has become urgent. In this paper, we reviewed novel therapeutic approaches in five categories: anti-amyloid therapy, anti-tau therapy, anti-neuroinflammatory therapy, neuroprotective agents including N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor modulators, and brain stimulation. The trend of therapeutic development is shifting from a single pathological target to a more complex mechanism, such as the neuroinflammatory and neurodegenerative processes. While drug repositioning may accelerate pharmacological development, non-pharmacological interventions, especially repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), also have the potential for clinical application. In the future, it is possible for physicians to choose appropriate interventions individually on the basis of precision medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tien-Wei Yu
- Department of Psychiatry, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung 83301, Taiwan;
| | - Hsien-Yuan Lane
- Department of Psychiatry and Brain Disease Research Center, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung 40402, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, China Medical University, Taichung 40402, Taiwan
- Department of Psychology, College of Medical and Health Sciences, Asia University, Taichung 41354, Taiwan
- Correspondence: (H.-Y.L.); (C.-H.L.); Tel.: +886-921-067-260 (H.-Y.L.); +886-7-7317123 (ext. 8753) (C.-H.L.); Fax: +886-4-2236-1042 (H.-Y.L.); +886-7-7326817 (C.-H.L.)
| | - Chieh-Hsin Lin
- Department of Psychiatry, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung 83301, Taiwan;
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, China Medical University, Taichung 40402, Taiwan
- School of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan 333, Taiwan
- Correspondence: (H.-Y.L.); (C.-H.L.); Tel.: +886-921-067-260 (H.-Y.L.); +886-7-7317123 (ext. 8753) (C.-H.L.); Fax: +886-4-2236-1042 (H.-Y.L.); +886-7-7326817 (C.-H.L.)
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Effect of pyrrolo[3,4-d]pyridazinone derivatives in neuroinflammation induced by preincubation with lipopolysaccharide or coculturing with microglia-like cells. Biomed Pharmacother 2021; 141:111878. [PMID: 34243096 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2021.111878] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2021] [Revised: 06/19/2021] [Accepted: 06/28/2021] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease is one of the most serious disorders of the 21st century. There is still no effective therapy for this condition. The study investigated the potential regenerative effect of four pyrrolo[3,4-d]pyridazinone derivatives in cultures of SH-SY5Y neuron-like cells preincubated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or cocultured with microglia-like cells. In addition to the traditional investigation of the effect on viability, the level of free radicals and nitric oxide, the average length of neurites was also measured. Via in silico studies, the possibility of penetration of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) by the tested compounds was assessed. The administration of LPS to the culture of SH-SY5Y cells as well as coculturing with microglia-like cells had a significant negative effect on the results of all the assays performed. The treatment with the tested derivatives in most cases significantly reduced this negative effect. The obtained results suggest that the compound L2 may have a beneficial impact on neuronal damage caused by LPS or proinflammatory cytokines secreted by microglia-like cells. Importantly, tested compounds can pass through the BBB, which allows them to enter the brain.
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Stoiljkovic M, Horvath TL, Hajós M. Therapy for Alzheimer's disease: Missing targets and functional markers? Ageing Res Rev 2021; 68:101318. [PMID: 33711510 PMCID: PMC8131215 DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2021.101318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2020] [Revised: 02/24/2021] [Accepted: 03/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The development of the next generation therapy for Alzheimer's disease (AD) presents a huge challenge given the number of promising treatment candidates that failed in trials, despite recent advancements in understanding of genetic, pathophysiologic and clinical characteristics of the disease. This review reflects some of the most current concepts and controversies in developing disease-modifying and new symptomatic treatments. It elaborates on recent changes in the AD research strategy for broadening drug targets, and potentials of emerging non-pharmacological treatment interventions. Established and novel biomarkers are discussed, including emerging cerebrospinal fluid and plasma biomarkers reflecting tau pathology, neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration. These fluid biomarkers together with neuroimaging findings can provide innovative objective assessments of subtle changes in brain reflecting disease progression. A particular emphasis is given to neurophysiological biomarkers which are well-suited for evaluating the brain overall neural network integrity and function. Combination of multiple biomarkers, including target engagement and outcome biomarkers will empower translational studies and facilitate successful development of effective therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Milan Stoiljkovic
- Department of Comparative Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA; Department of Pharmacology, University of Nis School of Medicine, Nis, Serbia.
| | - Tamas L Horvath
- Department of Comparative Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA
| | - Mihály Hajós
- Department of Comparative Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA; Cognito Therapeutics, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA
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Xiao QY, Ye TY, Wang XL, Han L, Wang TX, Qi DM, Cheng XR, Wang SQ. A network pharmacology-based study on key pharmacological pathways and targets of Qi Fu Yin acting on Alzheimer's disease. Exp Gerontol 2021; 149:111336. [PMID: 33785395 DOI: 10.1016/j.exger.2021.111336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2020] [Revised: 03/03/2021] [Accepted: 03/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a central nervous system (CNS) disease characterized by progressive cognitive dysfunction and memory loss. Qi Fu Yin is mainly used to treat dementia, particularly AD, in the clinic, but its comprehensive mechanisms are not known. OBJECTIVE In this research, we aimed to investigate the mechanisms of Qi Fu Yin in AD by network pharmacology and molecular docking. METHODS First, the chemical constituents in Qi Fu Yin were obtained from five databases and classified according to their structure. Targets of chemical constituents and AD-related targets were also collected from the databases. Then, overlapping genes between Qi Fu Yin and AD were identified by intersection analysis. MetaCore was used to gather enrichment information. Combination synergy analysis was performed by Cytoscape. After ligand-receptor docking, the binding affinity was verified by ADP-Glo™ kinase assay and fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) assay. RESULTS We found 12 classes with 977 components in Qi Fu Yin. A total of 511 compounds and 577 potential target proteins in Qi Fu Yin were found to be related to AD. The pathways of Qi Fu Yin in AD included oxidative stress and immune response. There was the best binding affinity between 11 pairs of genes and compounds. Furthermore, CDK5 was inhibited by nepetin with an IC50 of 3.172 μM and kaempferol with an IC50 of 2.659 μM. Ceanothic acid and 18 beta-glycyrrhetinic acid inhibited GSK3β, and the IC50 values were 8.732 μM and 8.06 μM, respectively. CONCLUSION Qi Fu Yin might alleviate Tau hyperphosphorylation by nepetin, kaempferol, ceanothic acid and 18 beta-glycyrrhetinic acid.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiu-Yue Xiao
- School of Pharmacy, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan 250355, China
| | - Tian-Yuan Ye
- Experimental Center, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan 250355, China
| | - Xiao-Long Wang
- Experimental Center, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan 250355, China
| | - Lu Han
- Beijing Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, State Key Laboratory of Toxicology and Medical Countermeasures, Beijing 100850, China
| | | | - Dong-Mei Qi
- Experimental Center, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan 250355, China
| | - Xiao-Rui Cheng
- Experimental Center, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan 250355, China.
| | - Sheng-Qi Wang
- Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, Beijing 100850, China.
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Sayas CL, Ávila J. GSK-3 and Tau: A Key Duet in Alzheimer's Disease. Cells 2021; 10:cells10040721. [PMID: 33804962 PMCID: PMC8063930 DOI: 10.3390/cells10040721] [Citation(s) in RCA: 103] [Impact Index Per Article: 34.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2021] [Revised: 03/19/2021] [Accepted: 03/21/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK-3) is a ubiquitously expressed serine/threonine kinase with a plethora of substrates. As a modulator of several cellular processes, GSK-3 has a central position in cell metabolism and signaling, with important roles both in physiological and pathological conditions. GSK-3 has been associated with a number of human disorders, such as neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer’s disease (AD). GSK-3 contributes to the hyperphosphorylation of tau protein, the main component of neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs), one of the hallmarks of AD. GSK-3 is further involved in the regulation of different neuronal processes that are dysregulated during AD pathogenesis, such as the generation of amyloid-β (Aβ) peptide or Aβ-induced cell death, axonal transport, cholinergic function, and adult neurogenesis or synaptic function. In this review, we will summarize recent data about GSK-3 involvement in these processes contributing to AD pathology, mostly focusing on the crucial interplay between GSK-3 and tau protein. We further discuss the current development of potential AD therapies targeting GSK-3 or GSK-3-phosphorylated tau.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmen Laura Sayas
- Instituto de Tecnologías Biomédicas (ITB), Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), 38200 Tenerife, Spain
- Correspondence: (C.L.S.); (J.A.)
| | - Jesús Ávila
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa (CBMSO), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC) y la Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM), 28049 Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Valderrebollo 5, 28031 Madrid, Spain
- Correspondence: (C.L.S.); (J.A.)
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36
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D'Mello SR. MECP2 and the Biology of MECP2 Duplication Syndrome. J Neurochem 2021; 159:29-60. [PMID: 33638179 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.15331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2020] [Revised: 01/21/2021] [Accepted: 02/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
MECP2 duplication syndrome (MDS), a rare X-linked genomic disorder affecting predominantly males, is caused by duplication of the chromosomal region containing the methyl CpG binding protein-2 (MECP2) gene, which encodes methyl-CpG-binding protein 2 (MECP2), a multi-functional protein required for proper brain development and maintenance of brain function during adulthood. Disease symptoms include severe motor and cognitive impairment, delayed or absent speech development, autistic features, seizures, ataxia, recurrent respiratory infections and shortened lifespan. The cellular and molecular mechanisms by which a relatively modest increase in MECP2 protein causes such severe disease symptoms are poorly understood and consequently there are no treatments available for this fatal disorder. This review summarizes what is known to date about the structure and complex regulation of MECP2 and its many functions in the developing and adult brain. Additionally, recent experimental findings on the cellular and molecular underpinnings of MDS based on cell culture and mouse models of the disorder are reviewed. The emerging picture from these studies is that MDS is a neurodegenerative disorder in which neurons die in specific parts of the central nervous system, including the cortex, hippocampus, cerebellum and spinal cord. Neuronal death likely results from astrocytic dysfunction, including a breakdown of glutamate homeostatic mechanisms. The role of elevations in the expression of glial acidic fibrillary protein (GFAP) in astrocytes and the microtubule-associated protein, Tau, in neurons to the pathogenesis of MDS is discussed. Lastly, potential therapeutic strategies to potentially treat MDS are discussed.
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Shi M, Chu F, Tian X, Aerqin Q, Zhu F, Zhu J. Role of Adaptive Immune and Impacts of Risk Factors on Adaptive Immune in Alzheimer's Disease: Are Immunotherapies Effective or Off-Target? Neuroscientist 2021; 28:254-270. [PMID: 33530843 DOI: 10.1177/1073858420987224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD) is complex. Still it remains unclear, which resulted in all efforts for AD treatments with targeting the pathogenic factors unsuccessful over past decades. It has been evidenced that the innate immune is strongly implicated in the pathogenesis of AD. However, the role of adaptive immune in AD remains mostly unknown and the results obtained were controversial. In the review, we summarized recent studies and showed that the molecular and cellular alterations in AD patients and its animal models involving T cells and B cells as well as immune mediators of adaptive immune occur not only in the peripheral blood but also in the brain and the cerebrospinal fluid. The risk factors that cause AD contribute to AD progress by affecting the adaptive immune, indicating that adaptive immunity proposes a pivotal role in this disease. It may provide a possible basis for applying immunotherapy in AD and further investigates whether the immunotherapies are effective or off-target?
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingchao Shi
- Neuroscience Center, Department of Neurology, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China.,Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences & Society, Division of Neurogeriatrcs, Karolinska Institute, Karolinska University Hospital Solna, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Fengna Chu
- Neuroscience Center, Department of Neurology, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China.,Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences & Society, Division of Neurogeriatrcs, Karolinska Institute, Karolinska University Hospital Solna, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Xiaoping Tian
- Cognitive Impairment Ward of Neurology Department, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University Medical College, Shenzhen, China
| | - Qiaolifan Aerqin
- Neuroscience Center, Department of Neurology, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Feiqi Zhu
- Cognitive Impairment Ward of Neurology Department, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University Medical College, Shenzhen, China
| | - Jie Zhu
- Neuroscience Center, Department of Neurology, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China.,Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences & Society, Division of Neurogeriatrcs, Karolinska Institute, Karolinska University Hospital Solna, Stockholm, Sweden
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38
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Dominguez-Meijide A, Vasili E, Outeiro TF. Pharmacological Modulators of Tau Aggregation and Spreading. Brain Sci 2020; 10:E858. [PMID: 33203009 PMCID: PMC7696562 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci10110858] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2020] [Revised: 11/09/2020] [Accepted: 11/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Tauopathies are neurodegenerative disorders characterized by the deposition of aggregates composed of abnormal tau protein in the brain. Additionally, misfolded forms of tau can propagate from cell to cell and throughout the brain. This process is thought to lead to the templated misfolding of the native forms of tau, and thereby, to the formation of newer toxic aggregates, thereby propagating the disease. Therefore, modulation of the processes that lead to tau aggregation and spreading is of utmost importance in the fight against tauopathies. In recent years, several molecules have been developed for the modulation of tau aggregation and spreading. In this review, we discuss the processes of tau aggregation and spreading and highlight selected chemicals developed for the modulation of these processes, their usefulness, and putative mechanisms of action. Ultimately, a stronger understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved, and the properties of the substances developed to modulate them, will lead to the development of safer and better strategies for the treatment of tauopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Dominguez-Meijide
- Department of Experimental Neurodegeneration, Center for Biostructural Imaging of Neurodegeneration, University Medical Center Goettingen, 37073 Goettingen, Germany; (A.D.-M.); (E.V.)
- Laboratory of Neuroanatomy and Experimental Neurology, Dept. of Morphological Sciences, CIMUS, IDIS, University of Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Eftychia Vasili
- Department of Experimental Neurodegeneration, Center for Biostructural Imaging of Neurodegeneration, University Medical Center Goettingen, 37073 Goettingen, Germany; (A.D.-M.); (E.V.)
| | - Tiago Fleming Outeiro
- Department of Experimental Neurodegeneration, Center for Biostructural Imaging of Neurodegeneration, University Medical Center Goettingen, 37073 Goettingen, Germany; (A.D.-M.); (E.V.)
- Max Planck Institute for Experimental Medicine, 37075 Goettingen, Germany
- Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Framlington Place, Newcastle Upon Tyne NE2 4HH, UK
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Chastagner P, Loria F, Vargas JY, Tois J, I Diamond M, Okafo G, Brou C, Zurzolo C. Fate and propagation of endogenously formed Tau aggregates in neuronal cells. EMBO Mol Med 2020; 12:e12025. [PMID: 33179866 PMCID: PMC7721367 DOI: 10.15252/emmm.202012025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2020] [Revised: 09/18/2020] [Accepted: 09/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Tau accumulation in the form of neurofibrillary tangles in the brain is a hallmark of tauopathies such as Alzheimer's disease (AD). Tau aggregates accumulate in brain regions in a defined spatiotemporal pattern and may induce the aggregation of native Tau in a prion-like manner. However, the underlying mechanisms of cell-to-cell spreading of Tau pathology are unknown and could involve encapsulation within exosomes, trans-synaptic passage, and tunneling nanotubes (TNTs). We have established a neuronal cell model to monitor both internalization of externally added fibrils, synthetic (K18) or Tau from AD brain extracts, and real-time conversion of microtubule-binding domain of Tau fused to a fluorescent marker into aggregates. We found that these endogenously formed deposits colabel with ubiquitin and p62 but are not recruited to macroautophagosomes, eventually escaping clearance. Furthermore, endogenous K18-seeded Tau aggregates spread to neighboring cells where they seed new deposits. Transfer of Tau aggregates depends on direct cell contact, and they are found inside TNTs connecting neuronal cells. We further demonstrate that contact-dependent transfer occurs in primary neurons and between neurons and astrocytes in organotypic cultures.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Frida Loria
- Unité de Trafic Membranaire et Pathogenèse, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
| | - Jessica Y Vargas
- Unité de Trafic Membranaire et Pathogenèse, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
| | - Josh Tois
- Unité de Trafic Membranaire et Pathogenèse, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
| | - Marc I Diamond
- Center for Alzheimer's and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Peter O'Donnell Jr. Brain Institute, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | | | - Christel Brou
- Unité de Trafic Membranaire et Pathogenèse, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
| | - Chiara Zurzolo
- Unité de Trafic Membranaire et Pathogenèse, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
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40
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Plotkin SS, Cashman NR. Passive immunotherapies targeting Aβ and tau in Alzheimer's disease. Neurobiol Dis 2020; 144:105010. [PMID: 32682954 PMCID: PMC7365083 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2020.105010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2019] [Revised: 07/01/2020] [Accepted: 07/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyloid-β (Aβ) and tau proteins currently represent the two most promising targets to treat Alzheimer's disease. The most extensively developed method to treat the pathologic forms of these proteins is through the administration of exogenous antibodies, or passive immunotherapy. In this review, we discuss the molecular-level strategies that researchers are using to design an effective therapeutic antibody, given the challenges in treating this disease. These challenges include selectively targeting a protein that has misfolded or is pathological rather than the more abundant, healthy protein, designing strategic constructs for immunizing an animal to raise an antibody that has the appropriate conformational selectivity to achieve this end, and clearing the pathological protein species before prion-like cell-to-cell spread of misfolded protein has irreparably damaged neurons, without invoking damaging inflammatory responses in the brain that naturally arise when the innate immune system is clearing foreign agents. The various solutions to these problems in current clinical trials will be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven S Plotkin
- University of British Columbia, Department of Physics and Astronomy and Genome Sciences and Technology Program, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z1, Canada.
| | - Neil R Cashman
- University of British Columbia, Djavad Mowafaghian Centre for Brain Health, Vancouver, BC V6T 2B5, Canada.
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41
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Imbimbo BP, Lozupone M, Watling M, Panza F. Discontinued disease-modifying therapies for Alzheimer's disease: status and future perspectives. Expert Opin Investig Drugs 2020; 29:919-933. [PMID: 32657175 DOI: 10.1080/13543784.2020.1795127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the main cause of dementia and represents a huge burden for patients, carers, and healthcare systems. Extensive efforts for over 20 years have failed to find effective disease-modifying drugs. Although amyloid-β (Aβ) accumulation in the brain predicts cognitive decline, effective reduction of plaque load by numerous drug candidates has not yielded significant clinical benefits. A similar pattern is now emerging for drugs which target hyperphosphorylated tau, and trials with anti-inflammatory drugs have been negative despite neuroinflammation appearing to have a crucial role in AD pathogenesis. AREAS COVERED This article reviews key drugs that have been discontinued while in development for AD and delineates the future landscape for present and alternative approaches. EXPERT OPINION Anti-Aβ drugs have failed to validate the Aβ cascade hypothesis of AD. Early findings suggest that the same is happening with therapeutics targeting tau and focussing future research solely on anti-tau drugs is inappropriate. Alternative targets should be pursued, including apolipoprotein E, immunomodulation, plasma exchange, protein autophagy and clearance, mitochondrial dysfunction, abnormal glucose metabolism, neurovascular unit support, epigenetic dysregulation, synaptic loss and dysfunction, microbiota dysbiosis, and combination therapies. Meanwhile, repurposing of drugs approved for other indications is justified where scientific rationale and robust preclinical evidence exist.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruno P Imbimbo
- Department of Research and Development, Chiesi Farmaceutici , Parma, Italy
| | - Madia Lozupone
- Unit of Epidemiological Research on Aging "Greatage Study", National Institute of Gastroenterology and Research Hospital IRCCS "S. de Bellis" , Bari, Italy.,Neurodegenerative Disease Unit, Department of Basic Medicine, Neuroscience, and Sense Organs, University of Bari Aldo Moro , Bari, Italy
| | - Mark Watling
- CNS & Pain Department, TranScrip Partners , Reading, UK
| | - Francesco Panza
- Unit of Epidemiological Research on Aging "Greatage Study", National Institute of Gastroenterology and Research Hospital IRCCS "S. de Bellis" , Bari, Italy
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42
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Imbimbo BP, Ippati S, Watling M. Should drug discovery scientists still embrace the amyloid hypothesis for Alzheimer's disease or should they be looking elsewhere? Expert Opin Drug Discov 2020; 15:1241-1251. [PMID: 32686970 DOI: 10.1080/17460441.2020.1793755] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Alzheimer's Disease (AD) represents a large and growing challenge to patients, carers and healthcare systems, yet extensive efforts to develop therapeutics to modify its course have been met with repeated failure in recent decades. Although the evident presence of accumulated β-amyloid (Aβ) in AD brains has singled it out as an obvious therapeutic target, the effective reduction of plaque load or soluble Aβ by numerous drug candidates has not produced commensurate clinical benefits - calling into question the Aβ cascade hypothesis of AD. A similar path is now unfolding in the pursuit of therapeutics targeting hyperphosphorylated tau-comprised neurofibrillary tangles. AREAS COVERED This perspective reviews the basis of the Aβ cascade hypothesis of AD and how clinical trials of anti-Aβ drugs have failed to support it, and reflects upon the early findings suggesting that a similar path is being followed with therapeutics targeting tau. Other potential approaches to identifying therapeutics for AD are explored herein. EXPERT OPINION The relevance of the Aβ cascade hypothesis to the development of therapeutics for AD appears disproven. Drugs targeting tau appear to be suffering the same fate but may yet produce better results. Alternative approaches are being pursued, some of them with initial small-scale, but promising, results.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Stefania Ippati
- Experimental Imaging Center, San Raffaele Scientific Institute , Milano, Italy
| | - Mark Watling
- CNS & Pain Department, Transcrip Partners LLP Reading , Berkshire, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
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Crowe A, Henderson MJ, Anderson J, Titus SA, Zakharov A, Simeonov A, Buist A, Delay C, Moechars D, Trojanowski JQ, Lee VMY, Brunden KR. Compound screening in cell-based models of tau inclusion formation: Comparison of primary neuron and HEK293 cell assays. J Biol Chem 2020; 295:4001-4013. [PMID: 32034092 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra119.010532] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2019] [Revised: 02/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The hallmark pathological features of Alzheimer's disease (AD) brains are senile plaques, comprising β-amyloid (Aβ) peptides, and neuronal inclusions formed from tau protein. These plaques form 10-20 years before AD symptom onset, whereas robust tau pathology is more closely associated with symptoms and correlates with cognitive status. This temporal sequence of AD pathology development, coupled with repeated clinical failures of Aβ-directed drugs, suggests that molecules that reduce tau inclusions have therapeutic potential. Few tau-directed drugs are presently in clinical testing, in part because of the difficulty in identifying molecules that reduce tau inclusions. We describe here two cell-based assays of tau inclusion formation that we employed to screen for compounds that inhibit tau pathology: a HEK293 cell-based tau overexpression assay, and a primary rat cortical neuron assay with physiological tau expression. Screening a collection of ∼3500 pharmaceutical compounds with the HEK293 cell tau aggregation assay, we obtained only a low number of hit compounds. Moreover, these compounds generally failed to inhibit tau inclusion formation in the cortical neuron assay. We then screened the Prestwick library of mostly approved drugs in the cortical neuron assay, leading to the identification of a greater number of tau inclusion inhibitors. These included four dopamine D2 receptor antagonists, with D2 receptors having previously been suggested to regulate tau inclusions in a Caenorhabditis elegans model. These results suggest that neurons, the cells most affected by tau pathology in AD, are very suitable for screening for tau inclusion inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alex Crowe
- Center for Neurodegenerative Disease Research, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104
| | - Mark J Henderson
- National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland 20850
| | - Johnathon Anderson
- Center for Neurodegenerative Disease Research, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104
| | - Steven A Titus
- National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland 20850
| | - Alexey Zakharov
- National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland 20850
| | - Anton Simeonov
- National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland 20850
| | - Arjan Buist
- Department of Neuroscience, Janssen Research and Development, Janssen Pharmaceutica NV, B-2340 Beerse, Belgium
| | - Charlotte Delay
- Department of Neuroscience, Janssen Research and Development, Janssen Pharmaceutica NV, B-2340 Beerse, Belgium
| | - Diederik Moechars
- Department of Neuroscience, Janssen Research and Development, Janssen Pharmaceutica NV, B-2340 Beerse, Belgium
| | - John Q Trojanowski
- Center for Neurodegenerative Disease Research, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104
| | - Virginia M-Y Lee
- Center for Neurodegenerative Disease Research, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104
| | - Kurt R Brunden
- Center for Neurodegenerative Disease Research, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104
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Neuroinflammation and Neurogenesis in Alzheimer's Disease and Potential Therapeutic Approaches. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21030701. [PMID: 31973106 PMCID: PMC7037892 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21030701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 98] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2019] [Revised: 01/17/2020] [Accepted: 01/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
In adult brain, new neurons are generated throughout adulthood in the subventricular zone and the dentate gyrus; this process is commonly known as adult neurogenesis. The regulation or modulation of adult neurogenesis includes various intrinsic pathways (signal transduction pathway and epigenetic or genetic modulation pathways) or extrinsic pathways (metabolic growth factor modulation, vascular, and immune system pathways). Altered neurogenesis has been identified in Alzheimer's disease (AD), in both human AD brains and AD rodent models. The exact mechanism of the dysregulation of adult neurogenesis in AD has not been completely elucidated. However, neuroinflammation has been demonstrated to alter adult neurogenesis. The presence of various inflammatory components, such as immune cells, cytokines, or chemokines, plays a role in regulating the survival, proliferation, and maturation of neural stem cells. Neuroinflammation has also been considered as a hallmark neuropathological feature of AD. In this review, we summarize current, state-of-the art perspectives on adult neurogenesis, neuroinflammation, and the relationship between these two phenomena in AD. Furthermore, we discuss the potential therapeutic approaches, focusing on the anti-inflammatory and proneurogenic interventions that have been reported in this field.
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45
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Pedicone C, Fernandes S, Dungan OM, Dormann SM, Viernes DR, Adhikari AA, Choi LB, De Jong EP, Chisholm JD, Kerr WG. Pan-SHIP1/2 inhibitors promote microglia effector functions essential for CNS homeostasis. J Cell Sci 2020; 133:jcs238030. [PMID: 31780579 PMCID: PMC10682645 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.238030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2019] [Accepted: 11/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
We show here that both SHIP1 (Inpp5d) and its paralog SHIP2 (Inppl1) are expressed at protein level in microglia. To examine whether targeting of SHIP paralogs might influence microglial physiology and function, we tested the capacity of SHIP1-selective, SHIP2-selective and pan-SHIP1/2 inhibitors for their ability to impact on microglia proliferation, lysosomal compartment size and phagocytic function. We find that highly potent pan-SHIP1/2 inhibitors can significantly increase lysosomal compartment size, and phagocytosis of dead neurons and amyloid beta (Aβ)1-42 by microglia in vitro We show that one of the more-potent and water-soluble pan-SHIP1/2 inhibitors, K161, can penetrate the blood-brain barrier. Consistent with this, K161 increases the capacity of CNS-resident microglia to phagocytose Aβ and apoptotic neurons following systemic administration. These findings provide the first demonstration that small molecule modulation of microglia function in vivo is feasible, and suggest that dual inhibition of the SHIP1 and 2 paralogs can provide a novel means to enhance basal microglial homeostatic functions for therapeutic purposes in Alzheimer's disease and, possibly, other types of dementia where increased microglial function could be beneficial.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Pedicone
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY 13210, USA
| | - Sandra Fernandes
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY 13210, USA
| | - Otto M Dungan
- Department of Chemistry, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY 13210, USA
| | - Shawn M Dormann
- Department of Chemistry, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY 13210, USA
| | - Dennis R Viernes
- Department of Chemistry, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY 13210, USA
| | - Arijit A Adhikari
- Department of Chemistry, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY 13210, USA
| | - Lydia B Choi
- Department of Chemistry, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY 13210, USA
| | - Ebbing P De Jong
- Proteomics and Mass Spectrometry Core Facility, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY, 13210, USA
| | - John D Chisholm
- Department of Chemistry, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY 13210, USA
| | - William G Kerr
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY 13210, USA
- Department of Chemistry, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY 13210, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY 13210, USA
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46
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Bittar A, Bhatt N, Kayed R. Advances and considerations in AD tau-targeted immunotherapy. Neurobiol Dis 2019; 134:104707. [PMID: 31841678 PMCID: PMC6980703 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2019.104707] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2019] [Revised: 11/27/2019] [Accepted: 12/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The multifactorial and complex nature of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) has made it difficult to identify therapeutic targets that are causally involved in the disease process. However, accumulating evidence from experimental and clinical studies that investigate the early disease process point towards the required role of tau in AD etiology. Importantly, a large number of studies investigate and characterize the plethora of pathological forms of tau protein involved in disease onset and propagation. Immunotherapy is one of the most clinical approaches anticipated to make a difference in the field of AD therapeutics. Tau –targeted immunotherapy is the new direction after the failure of amyloid beta (Aß)-targeted immunotherapy and the growing number of studies that highlight the Aß-independent disease process. It is now well established that immunotherapy alone will most likely be insufficient as a monotherapy. Therefore, this review discusses updates on tau-targeted immunotherapy studies, AD-relevant tau species, updates on promising biomarkers and a prospect on combination therapies to surround the disease propagation in an efficient and timely manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice Bittar
- Department of Neurology, The Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch, 301 University Blvd, Galveston, TX 77555, United States of America.
| | - Nemil Bhatt
- Department of Neuroscience, Cell Biology and Anatomy, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Texas Medical Branch, 301 University Blvd, Galveston, TX 77555, United States of America.
| | - Rakez Kayed
- Department of Neurology, The Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch, 301 University Blvd, Galveston, TX 77555, United States of America.
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Chatterjee D, Kordower JH. Immunotherapy in Parkinson’s disease: Current status and future directions. Neurobiol Dis 2019; 132:104587. [DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2019.104587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2019] [Revised: 08/12/2019] [Accepted: 08/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
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Catania M, Giaccone G, Salmona M, Tagliavini F, Di Fede G. Dreaming of a New World Where Alzheimer's Is a Treatable Disorder. Front Aging Neurosci 2019; 11:317. [PMID: 31803047 PMCID: PMC6873113 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2019.00317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2019] [Accepted: 11/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia. It’s a chronic and untreatable neurodegenerative disease with irreversible progression and has important social and economic implications in terms of direct medical and social care costs. Despite prolonged and expensive efforts employed by the scientific community over the last few decades, no effective treatments are still available for patients, and the development of disease-modifying drugs is now a really urgent need. The recent failure of clinical trials based on the immunotherapeutic approach against amyloid-β(Aβ) protein questioned the validity of the “amyloid cascade hypothesis” as the molecular machinery causing the disease. Indeed, most attempts to design effective treatments for AD have been based until now on molecular targets suggested to be implicated in AD pathogenesis by the amyloid cascade hypothesis. However, mounting evidence from scientific literature supports the view of AD as a multifactorial disease that results from the concomitant action of multiple molecular players. This view, together with the lack of success of the disease-modifying single-target approaches, strongly suggests that AD drug design needs to be shifted towards multi-targeted compounds or drug combinations acting synergistically on the main core features of disease pathogenesis. The discovery of drug candidates targeting multiple factors involved in AD would greatly improve drug development. So, it is reasonable that upcoming strategies for the design of preventive and/or therapeutic agents for AD point to a multi-pronged approach including more than one druggable target to definitely defeat the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcella Catania
- Neurology V-Neuropathology Unit and Scientific Directorate, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan, Italy
| | - Giorgio Giaccone
- Neurology V-Neuropathology Unit and Scientific Directorate, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan, Italy
| | - Mario Salmona
- Department of Molecular Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Tagliavini
- Neurology V-Neuropathology Unit and Scientific Directorate, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Di Fede
- Neurology V-Neuropathology Unit and Scientific Directorate, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan, Italy
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Lin C, Zhao S, Zhu Y, Fan Z, Wang J, Zhang B, Chen Y. Microbiota-gut-brain axis and toll-like receptors in Alzheimer's disease. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2019; 17:1309-1317. [PMID: 31921396 PMCID: PMC6944716 DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2019.09.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2019] [Revised: 09/19/2019] [Accepted: 09/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a multifactorial disease which involves both the periphery and central nervous system (CNS). It has been recently recognized that gut microbiota interacts with the gut and brain (microbiota-gut-brain axis), contributing to the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases, such as AD. Dysbiosis of gut microbiota can induce increased intestinal permeability and systemic inflammation, which may lead to the development of AD pathologies and cognitive impairment via the neural, immune, endocrine, and metabolic pathways. Toll-like receptors (TLRs) play an important role in the innate immune system via recognizing microbes-derived pathogens and initiating the inflammatory process. TLRs have also been found in the brain, especially in the microglia, and have been indicated in the development of AD. In this review, we summarized the relationship between microbiota-gut-brain axis and AD, as well as the complex role of TLRs in AD. Intervention of the gut microbiota or modulation of TLRs properly might emerge as promising preventive and therapeutic strategies for AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caixiu Lin
- Department of Neurology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.,Department of Neurology, Affiliated Hangzhou First People's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Shuai Zhao
- Department of Neurology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yueli Zhu
- Department of Neurology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Ziqi Fan
- Department of Neurology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jing Wang
- Department of Geriatric, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Baorong Zhang
- Department of Neurology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yanxing Chen
- Department of Neurology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
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Abstract
Introduction: Alzheimer's disease (AD) vaccination is one of the last therapeutic options after two decades of stagnation in terms of drug development. About 140 (85%) immunization procedures against Aβ deposition and 25 (15%) against Tau have been reported, but no Food and Drug Administration approval of any AD vaccine has been achieved. This might be attributed to deficient pathogenic targets, inappropriate models, defective immunotherapeutic procedures, and inadequate clinical trial design.Areas covered: The issues covered include the following: AD pathogenic mechanisms, rationale for active and passive immunization, vaccine targets, anti-Aβ/Tau vaccines, vaccine technologies, animal models, and clinical trials.Expert opinion: A vaccine against AD is technically feasible; however, important methodological aspects should be changed for a tentative clinical success, including (i) the development of multitarget AD immunotherapies; (ii) the optimization of antibody titers and epitopes; (iii) the pharmacogenetic/pharmacoepigenetic validation of the immunization procedure; (iv) the prophylactic treatment of genetically stratified patients at a pre-symptomatic stage; and (v) the definition of primary endpoints in prevention, based on objective/multifactorial biomarkers. Even with exquisite protocols, a successful vaccine would be potentially useful in at most 20-30% of defined cases, according to the genetic, epigenetic, and pharmacogenetic background of AD patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ramón Cacabelos
- EuroEspes Biomedical Research Center, International Center of Neuroscience and Genomic Medicine, Corunna, Spain
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