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Castillo-Vazquez SK, Massieu L, Rincón-Heredia R, García-delaTorre P, Quiroz-Baez R, Gomez-Verjan JC, Rivero-Segura NA. Glutamatergic Neurotransmission in Aging and Neurodegenerative Diseases: A Potential Target to Improve Cognitive Impairment in Aging. Arch Med Res 2024; 55:103039. [PMID: 38981341 DOI: 10.1016/j.arcmed.2024.103039] [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: 01/11/2024] [Revised: 06/10/2024] [Accepted: 06/26/2024] [Indexed: 07/11/2024]
Abstract
Aging is characterized by the decline in many of the individual's capabilities. It has been recognized that the brain undergoes structural and functional changes during aging that are occasionally associated with the development of neurodegenerative diseases. In this sense, altered glutamatergic neurotransmission, which involves the release, binding, reuptake, and degradation of glutamate (Glu) in the brain, has been widely studied in physiological and pathophysiological aging. In particular, changes in glutamatergic neurotransmission are exacerbated during neurodegenerative diseases and are associated with cognitive impairment, characterized by difficulties in memory, learning, concentration, and decision-making. Thus, in the present manuscript, we aim to highlight the relevance of glutamatergic neurotransmission during cognitive impairment to develop novel strategies to prevent, ameliorate, or delay cognitive decline. To achieve this goal, we provide a comprehensive review of the changes reported in glutamatergic neurotransmission components, such as Glu transporters and receptors during physiological aging and in the most studied neurodegenerative diseases. Finally, we describe the current therapeutic strategies developed to target glutamatergic neurotransmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Selma Karime Castillo-Vazquez
- Dirección de Investigación, Instituto Nacional de Geriatría, Mexico City, Mexico; Posgrado en Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Lourdes Massieu
- Departamento de Neuropatología Molecular, División de Neurociencias, Instituto de Fisiología Celular, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Ruth Rincón-Heredia
- Unidad de Imagenología, Instituto de Fisiología Celular, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad Universitaria, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Paola García-delaTorre
- 4 Unidad de Investigación Epidemiológica y en Servicios de Salud, Área de Envejecimiento, Centro Médico Nacional Siglo XXI, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Mexico City Mexico
| | - Ricardo Quiroz-Baez
- Dirección de Investigación, Instituto Nacional de Geriatría, Mexico City, Mexico
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2
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Cases-Cunillera S, Friker LL, Müller P, Becker AJ, Gielen GH. From bedside to bench: New insights in epilepsy-associated tumors based on recent classification updates and animal models on brain tumor networks. Mol Oncol 2024. [PMID: 38899375 DOI: 10.1002/1878-0261.13680] [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: 12/28/2023] [Revised: 12/28/2023] [Accepted: 05/29/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Low-grade neuroepithelial tumors (LGNTs), particularly those with glioneuronal histology, are highly associated with pharmacoresistant epilepsy. Increasing research focused on these neoplastic lesions did not translate into drug discovery; and anticonvulsant or antitumor therapies are not available yet. During the last years, animal modeling has improved, thereby leading to the possibility of generating brain tumors in mice mimicking crucial genetic, molecular and immunohistological features. Among them, intraventricular in utero electroporation (IUE) has been proven to be a valuable tool for the generation of animal models for LGNTs allowing endogenous tumor growth within the mouse brain parenchyma. Epileptogenicity is mostly determined by the slow-growing patterns of these tumors, thus mirroring intrinsic interactions between tumor cells and surrounding neurons is crucial to investigate the mechanisms underlying convulsive activity. In this review, we provide an updated classification of the human LGNT and summarize the most recent data from human and animal models, with a focus on the crosstalk between brain tumors and neuronal function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Cases-Cunillera
- INSERM U1266, Neuronal Signaling in Epilepsy and Glioma, Institute of Psychiatry and Neuroscience of Paris (IPNP), Université Paris Cité, Paris, France
- Section for Translational Epilepsy Research, Institute of Neuropathology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Lea L Friker
- Institute of Neuropathology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Philipp Müller
- Section for Translational Epilepsy Research, Institute of Neuropathology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Albert J Becker
- Section for Translational Epilepsy Research, Institute of Neuropathology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Gerrit H Gielen
- Institute of Neuropathology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
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3
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Salcedo C, Pozo Garcia V, García-Adán B, Ameen AO, Gegelashvili G, Waagepetersen HS, Freude KK, Aldana BI. Increased glucose metabolism and impaired glutamate transport in human astrocytes are potential early triggers of abnormal extracellular glutamate accumulation in hiPSC-derived models of Alzheimer's disease. J Neurochem 2024; 168:822-840. [PMID: 38063257 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.16014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2023] [Revised: 10/27/2023] [Accepted: 11/01/2023] [Indexed: 05/19/2024]
Abstract
Glutamate recycling between neurons and astrocytes is essential to maintain neurotransmitter homeostasis. Disturbances in glutamate homeostasis, resulting in excitotoxicity and neuronal death, have been described as a potential mechanism in Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathophysiology. However, glutamate neurotransmitter metabolism in different human brain cells, particularly astrocytes, has been poorly investigated at the early stages of AD. We sought to investigate glucose and glutamate metabolism in AD by employing human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-derived astrocytes and neurons carrying mutations in the amyloid precursor protein (APP) or presenilin-1 (PSEN-1) gene as found in familial types of AD (fAD). Methods such as live-cell bioenergetics and metabolic mapping using [13C]-enriched substrates were used to examine metabolism in the early stages of AD. Our results revealed greater glycolysis and glucose oxidative metabolism in astrocytes and neurons with APP or PSEN-1 mutations, accompanied by an elevated glutamate synthesis compared to control WT cells. Astrocytes with APP or PSEN-1 mutations exhibited reduced expression of the excitatory amino acid transporter 2 (EAAT2), and glutamine uptake increased in mutated neurons, with enhanced glutamate release specifically in neurons with a PSEN-1 mutation. These results demonstrate a hypermetabolic phenotype in astrocytes with fAD mutations possibly linked to toxic glutamate accumulation. Our findings further identify metabolic imbalances that may occur in the early phases of AD pathophysiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Salcedo
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Victoria Pozo Garcia
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Bernat García-Adán
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Aishat O Ameen
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Georgi Gegelashvili
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Institute of Chemical Biology, Ilia State University, Tbilisi, Georgia
| | - Helle S Waagepetersen
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Kristine K Freude
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | - Blanca I Aldana
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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4
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Spanos F, Gerenu G, Goikolea J, Latorre-Leal M, Balleza-Tapia H, Gomez K, Álvarez-Jiménez L, Piras A, Gómez-Galán M, Fisahn A, Cedazo-Minguez A, Maioli S, Loera-Valencia R. Impaired astrocytic synaptic function by peripheral cholesterol metabolite 27-hydroxycholesterol. Front Cell Neurosci 2024; 18:1347535. [PMID: 38650656 PMCID: PMC11034371 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2024.1347535] [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: 12/01/2023] [Accepted: 02/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Astrocytes represent the most abundant cell type in the brain, where they play critical roles in synaptic transmission, cognition, and behavior. Recent discoveries show astrocytes are involved in synaptic dysfunction during Alzheimer's disease (AD). AD patients have imbalanced cholesterol metabolism, demonstrated by high levels of side-chain oxidized cholesterol known as 27-hydroxycholesterol (27-OH). Evidence from our laboratory has shown that elevated 27-OH can abolish synaptic connectivity during neuromaturation, but its effect on astrocyte function is currently unclear. Our results suggest that elevated 27-OH decreases the astrocyte function in vivo in Cyp27Tg, a mouse model of brain oxysterol imbalance. Here, we report a downregulation of glutamate transporters in the hippocampus of CYP27Tg mice together with increased GFAP. GLT-1 downregulation was also observed when WT mice were fed with high-cholesterol diets. To study the relationship between astrocytes and neurons, we have developed a 3D co-culture system that allows all the cell types from mice embryos to differentiate in vitro. We report that our 3D co-cultures reproduce the effects of 27-OH observed in 2D neurons and in vivo. Moreover, we found novel degenerative effects in astrocytes that do not appear in 2D cultures, together with the downregulation of glutamate transporters GLT-1 and GLAST. We propose that this transporter dysregulation leads to neuronal hyperexcitability and synaptic dysfunction based on the effects of 27-OH on astrocytes. Taken together, these results report a new mechanism linking oxysterol imbalance in the brain and synaptic dysfunction through effects on astrocyte function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fokion Spanos
- Department of Neurobiology Care Sciences and Society, Division of Neurogeriatrics, Karolinska Institutet, Center for Alzheimer Research, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Gorka Gerenu
- Department of Neurobiology Care Sciences and Society, Division of Neurogeriatrics, Karolinska Institutet, Center for Alzheimer Research, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Physiology, Biogipuzkoa Health Research Institute - Ikerbasque Basque foundation for Science and University of Basque Country, San Sebastian, Spain
- CIBERNED (Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness, Institute Carlos III), Madrid, Spain
| | - Julen Goikolea
- Department of Neurobiology Care Sciences and Society, Division of Neurogeriatrics, Karolinska Institutet, Center for Alzheimer Research, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - María Latorre-Leal
- Department of Neurobiology Care Sciences and Society, Division of Neurogeriatrics, Karolinska Institutet, Center for Alzheimer Research, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Hugo Balleza-Tapia
- Department of Neurobiology Care Sciences and Society, Division of Neurogeriatrics, Karolinska Institutet, Center for Alzheimer Research, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Karen Gomez
- Department of Neurobiology Care Sciences and Society, Division of Neurogeriatrics, Karolinska Institutet, Center for Alzheimer Research, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Laura Álvarez-Jiménez
- Department of Neurobiology Care Sciences and Society, Division of Neurogeriatrics, Karolinska Institutet, Center for Alzheimer Research, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Antonio Piras
- Department of Neurobiology Care Sciences and Society, Division of Neurogeriatrics, Karolinska Institutet, Center for Alzheimer Research, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Marta Gómez-Galán
- Anestesiologi Laboratory, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - André Fisahn
- Department of Neurobiology Care Sciences and Society, Division of Neurogeriatrics, Karolinska Institutet, Center for Alzheimer Research, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Angel Cedazo-Minguez
- Department of Neurobiology Care Sciences and Society, Division of Neurogeriatrics, Karolinska Institutet, Center for Alzheimer Research, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Silvia Maioli
- Department of Neurobiology Care Sciences and Society, Division of Neurogeriatrics, Karolinska Institutet, Center for Alzheimer Research, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Raúl Loera-Valencia
- Department of Neurobiology Care Sciences and Society, Division of Neurogeriatrics, Karolinska Institutet, Center for Alzheimer Research, Stockholm, Sweden
- School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Tecnologico de Monterrey, Chihuahua, Mexico
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5
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Mishra S, Stany B, Das A, Kanagavel D, Vijayan M. A Comprehensive Review of Membrane Transporters and MicroRNA Regulation in Alzheimer's Disease. Mol Neurobiol 2024:10.1007/s12035-024-04135-2. [PMID: 38558361 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-024-04135-2] [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: 11/22/2023] [Accepted: 03/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a distressing neurodegenerative condition characterized by the accumulation of amyloid-beta (Aβ) plaques and tau tangles within the brain. The interconnectedness between membrane transporters (SLCs) and microRNAs (miRNAs) in AD pathogenesis has gained increasing attention. This review explores the localization, substrates, and functions of SLC transporters in the brain, emphasizing the roles of transporters for glutamate, glucose, nucleosides, and other essential compounds. The examination delves into the significance of SLCs in AD, their potential for drug development, and the intricate realm of miRNAs, encompassing their transcription, processing, functions, and regulation. MiRNAs have emerged as significant players in AD, including those associated with mitochondria and synapses. Furthermore, this review discusses the intriguing nexus of miRNAs targeting SLC transporters and their potential as therapeutic targets in AD. Finally, the review underscores the interaction between SLC transporters and miRNA regulation within the context of Alzheimer's disease, underscoring the need for further research in this area. This comprehensive review aims to shed light on the complex mechanisms underlying the causation of AD and provides insights into potential therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shatakshi Mishra
- School of Biosciences and Technology, Department of Biotechnology, VIT University, Vellore, Tamil Nadu, 632014, India
| | - B Stany
- School of Biosciences and Technology, Department of Biotechnology, VIT University, Vellore, Tamil Nadu, 632014, India
| | - Anushka Das
- School of Biosciences and Technology, Department of Biotechnology, VIT University, Vellore, Tamil Nadu, 632014, India
| | - Deepankumar Kanagavel
- School of Biosciences and Technology, Department of Biotechnology, VIT University, Vellore, Tamil Nadu, 632014, India.
| | - Murali Vijayan
- Department of Internal Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, 3601 4th Street, Lubbock, TX, 79430, USA.
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Yu Y, Chen R, Mao K, Deng M, Li Z. The Role of Glial Cells in Synaptic Dysfunction: Insights into Alzheimer's Disease Mechanisms. Aging Dis 2024; 15:459-479. [PMID: 37548934 PMCID: PMC10917533 DOI: 10.14336/ad.2023.0718] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2023] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 08/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a devastating neurodegenerative disorder that impacts a substantial number of individuals globally. Despite its widespread prevalence, there is currently no cure for AD. It is widely acknowledged that normal synaptic function holds a key role in memory, cognitive abilities, and the interneuronal transfer of information. As AD advances, symptoms including synaptic impairment, decreased synaptic density, and cognitive decline become increasingly noticeable. The importance of glial cells in the formation of synapses, the growth of neurons, brain maturation, and safeguarding the microenvironment of the central nervous system is well recognized. However, during AD progression, overactive glial cells can cause synaptic dysfunction, neuronal death, and abnormal neuroinflammation. Both neuroinflammation and synaptic dysfunction are present in the early stages of AD. Therefore, focusing on the changes in glia-synapse communication could provide insights into the mechanisms behind AD. In this review, we aim to provide a summary of the role of various glial cells, including microglia, astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, and oligodendrocyte precursor cells, in regulating synaptic dysfunction. This may offer a new perspective on investigating the underlying mechanisms of AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Yu
- Scientific Research Center, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, China.
| | - Ran Chen
- Scientific Research Center, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, China.
- School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, China.
| | - Kaiyue Mao
- Scientific Research Center, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, China.
- School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, China.
| | - Maoyan Deng
- Scientific Research Center, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, China.
- School of Medicine, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, China.
| | - Zhigang Li
- Scientific Research Center, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, China.
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Active Substance Screening and Translational Research, Shenzhen, China.
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7
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Xia R, Peng HF, Zhang X, Zhang HS. Comprehensive review of amino acid transporters as therapeutic targets. Int J Biol Macromol 2024; 260:129646. [PMID: 38272411 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.129646] [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: 11/24/2023] [Revised: 01/17/2024] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 01/27/2024]
Abstract
The solute carrier (SLC) family, with more than 400 membrane-bound proteins, facilitates the transport of a wide array of substrates such as nutrients, ions, metabolites, and drugs across biological membranes. Amino acid transporters (AATs) are membrane transport proteins that mediate transfer of amino acids into and out of cells or cellular organelles. AATs participate in many important physiological functions including nutrient supply, metabolic transformation, energy homeostasis, redox regulation, and neurological regulation. Several AATs have been found to significantly impact the progression of human malignancies, and dysregulation of AATs results in metabolic reprogramming affecting tumor growth and progression. However, current clinical therapies that directly target AATs have not been developed. The purpose of this review is to highlight the structural and functional diversity of AATs, the molecular mechanisms in human diseases such as tumors, kidney diseases, and emerging therapeutic strategies for targeting AATs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ran Xia
- College of Chemistry and Life Science, Beijing University of Technology, Pingleyuan 100(#), District of Chaoyang, Beijing 100124, China
| | - Hai-Feng Peng
- College of Chemistry and Life Science, Beijing University of Technology, Pingleyuan 100(#), District of Chaoyang, Beijing 100124, China
| | - Xing Zhang
- College of Chemistry and Life Science, Beijing University of Technology, Pingleyuan 100(#), District of Chaoyang, Beijing 100124, China
| | - Hong-Sheng Zhang
- College of Chemistry and Life Science, Beijing University of Technology, Pingleyuan 100(#), District of Chaoyang, Beijing 100124, China.
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8
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Vicente M, Addo-Osafo K, Vossel K. Latest advances in mechanisms of epileptic activity in Alzheimer's disease and dementia with Lewy Bodies. Front Neurol 2024; 15:1277613. [PMID: 38390593 PMCID: PMC10882721 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2024.1277613] [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: 08/14/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) and dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) stand as the prevailing sources of neurodegenerative dementia, impacting over 55 million individuals across the globe. Patients with AD and DLB exhibit a higher prevalence of epileptic activity compared to those with other forms of dementia. Seizures can accompany AD and DLB in early stages, and the associated epileptic activity can contribute to cognitive symptoms and exacerbate cognitive decline. Aberrant neuronal activity in AD and DLB may be caused by several mechanisms that are not yet understood. Hyperexcitability could be a biomarker for early detection of AD or DLB before the onset of dementia. In this review, we compare and contrast mechanisms of network hyperexcitability in AD and DLB. We examine the contributions of genetic risk factors, Ca2+ dysregulation, glutamate, AMPA and NMDA receptors, mTOR, pathological amyloid beta, tau and α-synuclein, altered microglial and astrocytic activity, and impaired inhibitory interneuron function. By gaining a deeper understanding of the molecular mechanisms that cause neuronal hyperexcitability, we might uncover therapeutic approaches to effectively ease symptoms and slow down the advancement of AD and DLB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariane Vicente
- Mary S. Easton Center for Alzheimer's Research and Care, Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Kwaku Addo-Osafo
- Mary S. Easton Center for Alzheimer's Research and Care, Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Keith Vossel
- Mary S. Easton Center for Alzheimer's Research and Care, Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
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Li L, Li W, Jiang W, Xu R. Sulbactam protects neurons against double neurotoxicity of amyloid beta and glutamate load by upregulating glial glutamate transporter 1. Cell Death Discov 2024; 10:64. [PMID: 38320997 PMCID: PMC10847450 DOI: 10.1038/s41420-024-01827-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2023] [Revised: 01/15/2024] [Accepted: 01/17/2024] [Indexed: 02/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Amyloid beta (Abeta) synergistically enhances excitotoxicity of glutamate load by impairing glutamate transporter 1 (GLT1) expression and function, which exacerbates the development of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Our previous studies suggested that sulbactam can upregulate the expression levels and capacity of GLT1. Therefore, this study aims to investigate whether sulbactam improves neuronal tolerance against neurotoxicity of Abeta and glutamate load by up-regulating GLT1 in primary neuron-astrocyte co-cultures. Early postnatal P0-P1 Wistar rat pups' cortices were collected for primary neuron-astrocyte cultures. Hoechst-propidium iodide (HO-PI) stain and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) assays were used to analyze neuronal death. Cell counting kit 8 (CCK8) was applied to determine cell viability. Immunofluorescence staining and western blotting were used to assess protein expressions including GLT1, B-cell lymphoma 2 (BCL2), BCL2 associated X (BAX), and cleaved caspase 3 (CCP3). Under the double effect of Abeta and glutamate load, more neurons were lost than that induced by Abeta or glutamate alone, shown as decreased cell viability, increased LDH concentration in the cultural medium, HO-PI positive stains, high CCP3 expression, and high BAX/BCL2 ratio resulting from increased BAX and decreased BCL2 expressions. Notably, pre-incubation with sulbactam significantly attenuated the neuronal loss and activation of apoptosis induced by both Abeta and glutamate in a dose-dependent manner. Simultaneously, both astrocytic and neuronal GLT1 expressions were upregulated after sulbactam incubation. Taken together, it could be concluded that sulbactam protected neurons against double neurotoxicity of Abeta and glutamate load by upregulating GLT1 expression. The conclusion provides evidence for potential intervention using sulbactam in AD research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Li
- The Central Laboratory, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China.
| | - Wenbin Li
- Department of Pathophysiology, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China
| | - Wei Jiang
- Hebei Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardio-Cerebrovascular Disease, Hebei Vascular Homeostasis Key Laboratory, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China
| | - Renhao Xu
- Hebei Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardio-Cerebrovascular Disease, Hebei Vascular Homeostasis Key Laboratory, The Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China
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10
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Kim J, Yoo ID, Lim J, Moon JS. Pathological phenotypes of astrocytes in Alzheimer's disease. Exp Mol Med 2024; 56:95-99. [PMID: 38172603 PMCID: PMC10834520 DOI: 10.1038/s12276-023-01148-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2023] [Revised: 10/30/2023] [Accepted: 11/01/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Astrocytes are involved in various processes in the central nervous system (CNS). As the most abundant cell type in the CNS, astrocytes play an essential role in neuronal maintenance and support, synaptic activity, neuronal metabolism, and amyloid-beta (Aβ) clearance. Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder associated with cognitive and behavioral impairment. The transformation of astrocytes is involved in various neurodegenerative diseases, such as AD. Since astrocytes have functional diversity and morphological and physiological heterogeneity in the CNS, AD-related astrocytes might show various pathological phenotypes during AD. Astrocytes developing pathological phenotypes could contribute to AD progression. In this review, we provide an overview of the pathological phenotypes of astrocytes in the context of AD, highlighting recent findings in human and mouse AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junhyung Kim
- Department of Integrated Biomedical Science, Soonchunhyang Institute of Medi-bio Science (SIMS), Soonchunhyang University, Cheonan, 31151, Chungcheongnam-do, South Korea
| | - Ik Dong Yoo
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Soonchunhyang University Hospital Cheonan, Cheonan, 31151, Chungcheongnam-do, South Korea
| | - Jaejoon Lim
- Department of Neurosurgery, Bundang CHA Medical Center, CHA University, Yatap-dong 59, Seongnam, 13496, South Korea.
| | - Jong-Seok Moon
- Department of Integrated Biomedical Science, Soonchunhyang Institute of Medi-bio Science (SIMS), Soonchunhyang University, Cheonan, 31151, Chungcheongnam-do, South Korea.
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11
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You J, Youssef MMM, Santos JR, Lee J, Park J. Microglia and Astrocytes in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: Disease-Associated States, Pathological Roles, and Therapeutic Potential. BIOLOGY 2023; 12:1307. [PMID: 37887017 PMCID: PMC10603852 DOI: 10.3390/biology12101307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2023] [Revised: 09/26/2023] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023]
Abstract
Microglial and astrocytic reactivity is a prominent feature of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Microglia and astrocytes have been increasingly appreciated to play pivotal roles in disease pathogenesis. These cells can adopt distinct states characterized by a specific molecular profile or function depending on the different contexts of development, health, aging, and disease. Accumulating evidence from ALS rodent and cell models has demonstrated neuroprotective and neurotoxic functions from microglia and astrocytes. In this review, we focused on the recent advancements of knowledge in microglial and astrocytic states and nomenclature, the landmark discoveries demonstrating a clear contribution of microglia and astrocytes to ALS pathogenesis, and novel therapeutic candidates leveraging these cells that are currently undergoing clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justin You
- Genetics and Genome Biology Program, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4, Canada; (J.Y.); (M.M.M.Y.); (J.R.S.); (J.L.)
| | - Mohieldin M. M. Youssef
- Genetics and Genome Biology Program, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4, Canada; (J.Y.); (M.M.M.Y.); (J.R.S.); (J.L.)
| | - Jhune Rizsan Santos
- Genetics and Genome Biology Program, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4, Canada; (J.Y.); (M.M.M.Y.); (J.R.S.); (J.L.)
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A1, Canada
| | - Jooyun Lee
- Genetics and Genome Biology Program, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4, Canada; (J.Y.); (M.M.M.Y.); (J.R.S.); (J.L.)
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A1, Canada
| | - Jeehye Park
- Genetics and Genome Biology Program, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4, Canada; (J.Y.); (M.M.M.Y.); (J.R.S.); (J.L.)
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A1, Canada
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12
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Neves D, Salazar IL, Almeida RD, Silva RM. Molecular mechanisms of ischemia and glutamate excitotoxicity. Life Sci 2023; 328:121814. [PMID: 37236602 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2023.121814] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2023] [Revised: 05/05/2023] [Accepted: 05/23/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Excitotoxicity is classically defined as the neuronal damage caused by the excessive release of glutamate, and subsequent activation of excitatory plasma membrane receptors. In the mammalian brain, this phenomenon is mainly driven by excessive activation of glutamate receptors (GRs). Excitotoxicity is common to several chronic disorders of the Central Nervous System (CNS) and is considered the primary mechanism of neuronal loss of function and cell death in acute CNS diseases (e.g. ischemic stroke). Multiple mechanisms and pathways lead to excitotoxic cell damage including pro-death signaling cascade events downstream of glutamate receptors, calcium (Ca2+) overload, oxidative stress, mitochondrial impairment, excessive glutamate in the synaptic cleft as well as altered energy metabolism. Here, we review the current knowledge on the molecular mechanisms that underlie excitotoxicity, emphasizing the role of Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide (NAD) metabolism. We also discuss novel and promising therapeutic strategies to treat excitotoxicity, highlighting recent clinical trials. Finally, we will shed light on the ongoing search for stroke biomarkers, an exciting and promising field of research, which may improve stroke diagnosis, prognosis and allow better treatment options.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diogo Neves
- iBiMED - Institute of Biomedicine, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Ivan L Salazar
- Multidisciplinary Institute of Ageing, MIA - Portugal, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Ramiro D Almeida
- iBiMED - Institute of Biomedicine, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal; CNC - Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.
| | - Raquel M Silva
- iBiMED - Institute of Biomedicine, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal; Universidade Católica Portuguesa, Faculdade de Medicina Dentária, Centro de Investigação Interdisciplinar em Saúde, Viseu, Portugal.
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13
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Xu Z, Foster JB, Lashley R, Wang X, Benson E, Kidd G, Lin CLG. Impact of a pyridazine derivative on tripartite synapse ultrastructure in hippocampus: a three-dimensional analysis. Front Cell Neurosci 2023; 17:1229731. [PMID: 37671169 PMCID: PMC10476950 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2023.1229731] [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: 05/26/2023] [Accepted: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 09/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction We previously discovered a pyridazine derivative compound series that can improve cognitive functions in mouse models of Alzheimer's disease. One of the advanced compounds from this series, LDN/OSU-0215111-M3, was selected as the preclinical development candidate. This compound activates local protein translation at the perisynaptic astrocytic process (PAP) and enhances synaptic plasticity sequentially. While biochemical evidence supports the hypothesis that the compound enhances the structural plasticity of the tripartite synapse, its direct structural impact has not been investigated. Methods Volume electron microscopy was used to study the hippocampal tripartite synapse three-dimensional structure in 3-month-old wild-type FVB/NJ mice after LDN/OSU-0215111-M3 treatment. Results LDN/OSU-0215111-M3 increased the size of tertiary apical dendrites, the volume of mushroom spines, the proportion of mushroom spines containing spine apparatus, and alterations in the spine distribution across the surface area of tertiary dendrites. Compound also increased the number of the PAP interacting with the mushroom spines as well as the size of the PAP in contact with the spines. Furthermore, proteomic analysis of the isolated synaptic terminals indicated an increase in dendritic and synaptic proteins as well as suggested a possible involvement of the phospholipase D signaling pathway. To further validate that LDN/OSU-0215111-M3 altered synaptic function, electrophysiological studies showed increased long-term potentiation following compound treatment. Discussion This study provides direct evidence that pyridazine derivatives enhance the structural and functional plasticity of the tripartite synapse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zan Xu
- Department of Neuroscience, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States
| | - Joshua B. Foster
- Department of Neuroscience, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States
| | - Rashelle Lashley
- Department of Neuroscience, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States
| | - Xueqin Wang
- Department of Neuroscience, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States
| | - Emily Benson
- Department of Neuroscience, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, United States
| | - Grahame Kidd
- Department of Neuroscience, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, United States
| | - Chien-liang Glenn Lin
- Department of Neuroscience, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States
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14
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Gerasimov E, Bezprozvanny I, Vlasova OL. Activation of Gq-Coupled Receptors in Astrocytes Restores Cognitive Function in Alzheimer's Disease Mice Model. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:9969. [PMID: 37373117 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24129969] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2023] [Revised: 06/06/2023] [Accepted: 06/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is one of the most widespread neurodegenerative diseases. Most of the current AD therapeutic developments are directed towards improving neuronal cell function or facilitating Aβ amyloid clearance from the brain. However, some recent evidence suggests that astrocytes may play a significant role in the pathogenesis of AD. In this paper, we evaluated the effects of the optogenetic activation of Gq-coupled exogenous receptors expressed in astrocytes as a possible way of restoring brain function in the AD mouse model. We evaluated the effects of the optogenetic activation of astrocytes on long-term potentiation, spinal morphology and behavioral readouts in 5xFAD mouse model of AD. We determined that in vivo chronic activation of astrocytes resulted in the preservation of spine density, increased mushroom spine survival, and improved performance in cognitive behavioral tests. Furthermore, chronic optogenetic stimulation of astrocytes resulted in the elevation of EAAT-2 glutamate uptake transporter expression, which could be a possible explanation for the observed in vivo neuroprotective effects. The obtained results suggest that the persistent activation of astrocytes may be considered a potential therapeutic approach for the treatment of AD and possibly other neurodegenerative disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evgenii Gerasimov
- Laboratory of Molecular Neurodegeneration, Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University, Khlopina St. 11, 194021 St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Ilya Bezprozvanny
- Laboratory of Molecular Neurodegeneration, Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University, Khlopina St. 11, 194021 St. Petersburg, Russia
- Department of Physiology, UT Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Olga L Vlasova
- Laboratory of Molecular Neurodegeneration, Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University, Khlopina St. 11, 194021 St. Petersburg, Russia
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15
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Xu X, Wang J, Du S, Shen X, Lian J, Zhou J, Wang M, Feng W, Lv Z, Zhu J, Jin L, Sun H, Wu L, Wang X, Qiu H, Wang W, Teng H, Wang Y, Huang Z. Yes-associated protein regulates glutamate homeostasis through promoting the expression of excitatory amino acid transporter-2 in astrocytes via β-catenin signaling. Glia 2023; 71:1197-1216. [PMID: 36617748 DOI: 10.1002/glia.24332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2022] [Revised: 12/07/2022] [Accepted: 12/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
The homeostasis of glutamate is mainly regulated by the excitatory amino acid transporters (EAATs), especially by EAAT2 in astrocytes. Excessive glutamate in the synaptic cleft caused by dysfunction or dysregulation of EAAT2 can lead to excitotoxicity, neuronal death and cognitive dysfunction. However, it remains unclear about the detailed regulation mechanism of expression and function of astrocytic EAAT2. In this study, first, we found increased neuronal death and impairment of cognitive function in YAPGFAP -CKO mice (conditionally knock out Yes-associated protein [YAP] in astrocytes), and identified EAAT2 as a downstream target of YAP through RNA sequencing. Second, the expression of EAAT2 was decreased in cultured YAP-/- astrocytes and the hippocampus of YAPGFAP -CKO mice, and glutamate uptake was reduced in YAP-/- astrocytes, but increased in YAP-upregulated astrocytes. Third, further investigation of the mechanism showed that the mRNA and protein levels of β-catenin were decreased in YAP-/- astrocytes and increased in YAP-upregulated astrocytes. Wnt3a activated YAP signaling and up-regulated EAAT2 through β-catenin. Furthermore, over-expression or activation of β-catenin partially restored the downregulation of EAAT2, the impairment of glutamate uptake, neuronal death and cognitive decline that caused by YAP deletion. Finally, activation of EAAT2 also rescued neuronal death and cognitive decline in YAPGFAP -CKO mice. Taken together, our study identifies an unrecognized role of YAP signaling in the regulation of glutamate homeostasis through the β-catenin/EAAT2 pathway in astrocytes, which may provide novel insights into the pathogenesis of brain diseases that closely related to the dysfunction or dysregulation of EAAT2, and promote the development of clinical strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xingxing Xu
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Jiaojiao Wang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Siyu Du
- School of Mental Health, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Xiya Shen
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Jiashu Lian
- Department of Orthopedics (Spine Surgery), The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jian Zhou
- Department of Orthopedics (Spine Surgery), The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Mianxian Wang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Wenjin Feng
- Zhejiang Sinogen Medical Equipment Co., Ltd., Wenzhou, China
| | - Zhaoting Lv
- School of Mental Health, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Junzhe Zhu
- School of the First Clinical Medical Sciences (School of Information and Engineering), Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Lingting Jin
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Huankun Sun
- School of Mental Health, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Lihao Wu
- School of the First Clinical Medical Sciences (School of Information and Engineering), Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Xiaoning Wang
- School of the First Clinical Medical Sciences (School of Information and Engineering), Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Haoyu Qiu
- School of the First Clinical Medical Sciences (School of Information and Engineering), Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Wei Wang
- School of Mental Health, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Honglin Teng
- Department of Orthopedics (Spine Surgery), The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Ying Wang
- Clinical Research Center, Affiliated Hangzhou First People's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Zhihui Huang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
- Department of Orthopedics (Spine Surgery), The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
- College of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China
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16
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Zott B, Konnerth A. Impairments of glutamatergic synaptic transmission in Alzheimer's disease. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2023; 139:24-34. [PMID: 35337739 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2022.03.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2022] [Revised: 03/09/2022] [Accepted: 03/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
One of the hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease (AD) is structural cell damage and neuronal death in the brains of affected individuals. As these changes are irreversible, it is important to understand their origins and precursors in order to develop treatment strategies against AD. Here, we review evidence for AD-specific impairments of glutamatergic synaptic transmission by relating evidence from human AD subjects to functional studies in animal models of AD. The emerging picture is that early in the disease, the accumulation of toxic β-amyloid aggregates, particularly dimers and low molecular weight oligomers, disrupts glutamate reuptake, which leads to its extracellular accumulation causing neuronal depolarization. This drives the hyperactivation of neurons and might facilitate neuronal damage and degeneration through glutamate neurotoxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benedikt Zott
- Institute of Neuroscience, Technical University of Munich, 80802 Munich, Germany; Munich Cluster for Systems Neurology, Technical University of Munich, 80802 Munich, Germany; Department of Neuroradiology, Klinikum Rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, 81675 Munich, Germany.
| | - Arthur Konnerth
- Institute of Neuroscience, Technical University of Munich, 80802 Munich, Germany; Munich Cluster for Systems Neurology, Technical University of Munich, 80802 Munich, Germany
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17
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Huang YJ, Hung CC, Hsu PC, Lee PY, Tsai YA, Hsin YC, Lee XT, Chou CC, Chen ML, Tarng DC, Lee YH. Astrocytic aryl hydrocarbon receptor mediates chronic kidney disease-associated mental disorders involving GLT1 hypofunction and neuronal activity enhancement in the mouse brain. Glia 2023; 71:1057-1080. [PMID: 36573349 DOI: 10.1002/glia.24326] [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: 11/22/2021] [Revised: 12/09/2022] [Accepted: 12/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Chronic kidney disease (CKD)-associated mental disorders have been attributed to the excessive accumulation of hemodialysis-resistant indoxyl-3-sulfate (I3S) in the brain. I3S not only induces oxidative stress but is also a potent endogenous agonist of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR). Here, we investigated the role of AhR in CKD-induced brain disorders using a 5/6 nephrectomy-induced CKD mouse model, which showed increased I3S concentration in both blood and brain, anxiety and impaired novelty recognition, and AhR activation in the anterior cortex. GFAP+ reactive astrocytes were increased accompanied with the reduction of glutamate transporter 1 (GLT1) on perineuronal astrocytic processes (PAPs) in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) in CKD mice, and these alterations were attenuated in both neural lineage-specific and astrocyte-specific Ahr conditional knockout mice (nAhrCKO and aAhrCKO). By using chronic I3S treatment in primary astrocytes and glia-neuron (GN) mix cultures to mimic the CKD brain microenvironment, we also found significant reduction of GLT1 expression and activity in an AhR-dependent manner. Chronic I3S treatment induced AhR-dependent pro-oxidant Nox1 and AhR-independent anti-oxidant HO-1 expressions. Notably, AhR mediates chronic I3S-induced neuronal activity enhancement and synaptotoxicity in GN mix, not neuron-enriched cortical culture. In CKD mice, neuronal activity enhancement was observed in ACC and hippocampal CA1, and these responses were abrogated by both nAhrCKO and aAhrCKO. Finally, intranasal AhR antagonist CH-223191 administration significantly ameliorated the GLT1/PAPs reduction, increase in c-Fos+ neurons, and memory impairment in the CKD mice. Thus, astrocytic AhR plays a crucial role in the CKD-induced disturbance of neuron-astrocyte interaction and mental disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Jie Huang
- Department and Institute of Physiology, College of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Chi Hung
- Department and Institute of Physiology, College of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Brain Research Center, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Pei-Chien Hsu
- Department and Institute of Physiology, College of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Po-Yi Lee
- Department and Institute of Physiology, College of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yen-An Tsai
- Institute of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Chiao Hsin
- Department and Institute of Physiology, College of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Xie-Ting Lee
- Department and Institute of Physiology, College of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Cheng Chou
- National Laboratory Animal Center, National Applied Research Laboratories, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Mei-Lien Chen
- Institute of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Der-Cherng Tarng
- Department and Institute of Physiology, College of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Institute of Clinical Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Hsuan Lee
- Department and Institute of Physiology, College of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Brain Research Center, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
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18
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Zohny SM, Habib MZ, Mohamad MI, Elayat WM, Elhossiny RM, El-Salam MFA, Hassan GAM, Aboul-Fotouh S. Memantine/Aripiprazole Combination Alleviates Cognitive Dysfunction in Valproic Acid Rat Model of Autism: Hippocampal CREB/BDNF Signaling and Glutamate Homeostasis. Neurotherapeutics 2023; 20:464-483. [PMID: 36918475 PMCID: PMC10121975 DOI: 10.1007/s13311-023-01360-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/17/2023] [Indexed: 03/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Significant efforts are increasingly directed towards identifying novel therapeutic targets for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) with a rising role of aberrant glutamatergic transmission in the pathogenesis of ASD-associated cellular and behavioral deficits. This study aimed at investigating the role of chronic memantine (20 mg/kg/day) and aripiprazole (3 mg/kg/day) combination therapy in the management of prenatal sodium valproate (VPA)-induced autistic-like/cognitive deficits in male Wistar rats. Pregnant female rats received a single intraperitoneal injection of VPA (600 mg/kg) to induce autistic-like behaviors in their offspring. Prenatal VPA induced autistic-like symptoms (decreased social interaction and the appearance of stereotyped behavior) with deficits in spatial learning (in Morris water maze) and cognitive flexibility (in the attentional set-shifting task) in addition to decreased hippocampal protein levels of phosphorylated cAMP response element-binding protein (p-CREB), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), and gene expression of glutamate transporter-1 (Glt-1) with a decline in GABA/glutamate ratio (both measured by HPLC). These were accompanied by the appearance of numerous neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) with enhanced apoptosis in hippocampal sections. Memantine/aripiprazole combination increased the protein levels of p-CREB, BDNF, and Glt-1 gene expression with restoration of GABA/glutamate balance, attenuation of VPA-induced neurodegenerative changes and autistic-like symptoms, and improvement of cognitive performance. This study draws attention to the favorable cognitive effects of memantine/aripiprazole combination in autistic subjects which could be mediated via enhancing CREB/BDNF signaling with increased expression of astrocytic Glt-1 and restoration of GABA/glutamate balance, leading to inhibition of hippocampal NFTs formation and neuronal apoptosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sohir M Zohny
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Abbassia, Cairo, 11566, Egypt
| | - Mohamed Z Habib
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Abbassia, Cairo, 11566, Egypt.
| | - Magda I Mohamad
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Wael M Elayat
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Reham M Elhossiny
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
| | | | - Ghada A M Hassan
- Neuropsychiatry Department, Faculty of Medicine, Galala University, Al Galala, Egypt
- Neuropsychiatry Department, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Sawsan Aboul-Fotouh
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Abbassia, Cairo, 11566, Egypt
- Clinical Pharmacology Unit, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
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19
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Fontana IC, Souza DG, Souza DO, Gee A, Zimmer ER, Bongarzone S. A Medicinal Chemistry Perspective on Excitatory Amino Acid Transporter 2 Dysfunction in Neurodegenerative Diseases. J Med Chem 2023; 66:2330-2346. [PMID: 36787643 PMCID: PMC9969404 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c01572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/16/2023]
Abstract
The excitatory amino acid transporter 2 (EAAT2) plays a key role in the clearance and recycling of glutamate - the major excitatory neurotransmitter in the mammalian brain. EAAT2 loss/dysfunction triggers a cascade of neurodegenerative events, comprising glutamatergic excitotoxicity and neuronal death. Nevertheless, our current knowledge regarding EAAT2 in neurodegenerative diseases, such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and Alzheimer's disease (AD), is restricted to post-mortem analysis of brain tissue and experimental models. Thus, detecting EAAT2 in the living human brain might be crucial to improve diagnosis/therapy for ALS and AD. This perspective article describes the role of EAAT2 in physio/pathological processes and provides a structure-activity relationship of EAAT2-binders, bringing two perspectives: therapy (activators) and diagnosis (molecular imaging tools).
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Affiliation(s)
- Igor C Fontana
- School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences, St Thomas' Hospital, King's College London, London SE1 7EH, United Kingdom.,Graduate Program in Biological Sciences: Biochemistry, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Rua Ramiro Barcelos, 2600, 90035-003 Porto Alegre, Brazil.,Division of Clinical Geriatrics, Center for Alzheimer Research, Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institutet, Blickagången 16 - Neo floor seventh, 141 83 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Débora G Souza
- Graduate Program in Biological Sciences: Biochemistry, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Rua Ramiro Barcelos, 2600, 90035-003 Porto Alegre, Brazil.,Brain Institute of Rio Grande do Sul, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul, Av. Ipiranga, 6681 Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Diogo O Souza
- Graduate Program in Biological Sciences: Biochemistry, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Rua Ramiro Barcelos, 2600, 90035-003 Porto Alegre, Brazil.,Department of Biochemistry, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Rua Ramiro Barcelos, 2600, 90035-003 Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Antony Gee
- School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences, St Thomas' Hospital, King's College London, London SE1 7EH, United Kingdom
| | - Eduardo R Zimmer
- Department of Biochemistry, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Rua Ramiro Barcelos, 2600, 90035-003 Porto Alegre, Brazil.,Department of Pharmacology, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Av. Sarmento Leite 500, sala, 90035-003 Porto Alegre, Brazil.,Graduate Program in Biological Sciences: Biochemistry (PPGBioq), and Pharmacology and Therapeutics (PPGFT), Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Av. Sarmento Leite 500, sala, 305 Porto Alegre, Brazil.,Brain Institute of Rio Grande do Sul, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul, Av. Ipiranga, 6681 Porto Alegre, Brazil.,McGill University Research Centre for Studies in Aging, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec H4H 1R3, Canada
| | - Salvatore Bongarzone
- School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences, St Thomas' Hospital, King's College London, London SE1 7EH, United Kingdom
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20
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Brymer KJ, Hurley EP, Barron JC, Mukherjee B, Barnes JR, Nafar F, Parsons MP. Asymmetric dysregulation of glutamate dynamics across the synaptic cleft in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease. Acta Neuropathol Commun 2023; 11:27. [PMID: 36788598 PMCID: PMC9926626 DOI: 10.1186/s40478-023-01524-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2022] [Accepted: 01/28/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Most research on glutamate spillover focuses on the deleterious consequences of postsynaptic glutamate receptor overactivation. However, two decades ago, it was noted that the glial coverage of hippocampal synapses is asymmetric: astrocytic coverage of postsynaptic sites exceeds coverage of presynaptic sites by a factor of four. The fundamental relevance of this glial asymmetry remains poorly understood. Here, we used the glutamate biosensor iGluSnFR, and restricted its expression to either CA3 or CA1 neurons to visualize glutamate dynamics at pre- and postsynaptic microenvironments, respectively. We demonstrate that inhibition of the primarily astrocytic glutamate transporter-1 (GLT-1) slows glutamate clearance to a greater extent at presynaptic compared to postsynaptic membranes. GLT-1 expression was reduced early in a mouse model of AD, resulting in slower glutamate clearance rates at presynaptic but not postsynaptic membranes that opposed presynaptic short-term plasticity. Overall, our data demonstrate that the presynapse is particularly vulnerable to GLT-1 dysfunction and may have implications for presynaptic impairments in a variety of brain diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyle J. Brymer
- grid.25055.370000 0000 9130 6822Division of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John’s, NL A1B 3V6 Canada
| | - Emily P. Hurley
- grid.25055.370000 0000 9130 6822Division of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John’s, NL A1B 3V6 Canada
| | - Jessica C. Barron
- grid.25055.370000 0000 9130 6822Division of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John’s, NL A1B 3V6 Canada
| | - Bandhan Mukherjee
- grid.25055.370000 0000 9130 6822Division of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John’s, NL A1B 3V6 Canada
| | - Jocelyn R. Barnes
- grid.25055.370000 0000 9130 6822Division of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John’s, NL A1B 3V6 Canada
| | - Firoozeh Nafar
- grid.25055.370000 0000 9130 6822Division of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John’s, NL A1B 3V6 Canada
| | - Matthew P. Parsons
- grid.25055.370000 0000 9130 6822Division of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John’s, NL A1B 3V6 Canada
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21
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Alijanpour S, Miryounesi M, Ghafouri-Fard S. The role of excitatory amino acid transporter 2 (EAAT2) in epilepsy and other neurological disorders. Metab Brain Dis 2023; 38:1-16. [PMID: 36173507 DOI: 10.1007/s11011-022-01091-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2022] [Accepted: 09/15/2022] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Glutamate is the major excitatory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system (CNS). Excitatory amino acid transporters (EAATs) have important roles in the uptake of glutamate and termination of glutamatergic transmission. Up to now, five EAAT isoforms (EAAT1-5) have been identified in mammals. The main focus of this review is EAAT2. This protein has an important role in the pathoetiology of epilepsy. De novo dominant mutations, as well as inherited recessive mutation in this gene, have been associated with epilepsy. Moreover, dysregulation of this protein is implicated in a range of neurological diseases, namely amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, alzheimer's disease, parkinson's disease, schizophrenia, epilepsy, and autism. In this review, we summarize the role of EAAT2 in epilepsy and other neurological disorders, then provide an overview of the therapeutic modulation of this protein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sahar Alijanpour
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Miryounesi
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Soudeh Ghafouri-Fard
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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22
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de Lima IB, Ribeiro FM. The Implication of Glial Metabotropic Glutamate Receptors in Alzheimer's Disease. Curr Neuropharmacol 2023; 21:164-182. [PMID: 34951388 PMCID: PMC10190153 DOI: 10.2174/1570159x20666211223140303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2021] [Revised: 12/05/2021] [Accepted: 12/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) was first identified more than 100 years ago, yet aspects pertaining to its origin and the mechanisms underlying disease progression are not well known. To this date, there is no therapeutic approach or disease-modifying drug that could halt or at least delay disease progression. Until recently, glial cells were seen as secondary actors in brain homeostasis. Although this view was gradually refuted and the relevance of glial cells for the most diverse brain functions such as synaptic plasticity and neurotransmission was vastly proved, many aspects of its functioning, as well as its role in pathological conditions, remain poorly understood. Metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs) in glial cells were shown to be involved in neuroinflammation and neurotoxicity. Besides its relevance for glial function, glutamatergic receptors are also central in the pathology of AD, and recent studies have shown that glial mGluRs play a role in the establishment and progression of AD. AD-related alterations in Ca2+ signalling, APP processing, and Aβ load, as well as AD-related neurodegeneration, are influenced by glial mGluRs. However, different types of mGluRs play different roles, depending on the cell type and brain region that is being analysed. Therefore, in this review, we focus on the current understanding of glial mGluRs and their implication in AD, providing an insight for future therapeutics and identifying existing research gaps worth investigating.
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Affiliation(s)
- Izabella B.Q. de Lima
- Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Fabíola M. Ribeiro
- Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
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23
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Wang Y, Guo Q, Wang W, Wang Y, Fang K, Wan Q, Li H, Wu T. Potential use of bioactive nanofibrous dural substitutes with controlled release of IGF-1 for neuroprotection after traumatic brain injury. NANOSCALE 2022; 14:18217-18230. [PMID: 36468670 DOI: 10.1039/d2nr06081g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
For patients suffering from traumatic brain injury (TBI), the closure of dural defects after decompressive craniectomy is the prerequisite to restoring normal physiological functions. It is also an urgent challenge to provide a neuroprotection effect against the primary and secondary nerve damage during long-term recovery. To solve these issues, we herein develop a class of bioactive, nanofibrous dural substitutes that can long-term release insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) for improving the survival and neurite outgrowth of neural cells after TBI. Such dural substitutes were polycaprolactone (PCL) nanofibers encapsulated with hyaluronic acid methacryloyl (HAMA)/IGF-1 by blend or coaxial electrospinning techniques, achieving bioactive PCL/HAMA/IGF nanofibrous dural substitutes with different release profiles of IGF-1. The nanofibrous dural substitutes exhibited good mechanical properties and hydrophobicity, which prevent cerebrospinal fluid leakage, maintain normal intracranial pressure, and avoid external impact on the brain. We also found that the viability and neurite outgrowth of SH-SY5Y cells and primary neurons were significantly enhanced after neurite transection or oxygen and glucose deprivation treatment. Taken together, such PCL/HAMA/IGF nanofibrous dural substitutes hold promising potential to provide neuroprotection effects after primary and secondary nerve damage in TBI, which would bring significant benefits to the field of neurosurgery involving the use of artificial dura mater.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China.
- Institute of Neuroregeneration and Neurorehabilitation, Qingdao Medical College, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China
| | - Qingxia Guo
- Institute of Neuroregeneration and Neurorehabilitation, Qingdao Medical College, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China
| | - Wei Wang
- Shandong Key Laboratory of Medical and Health Textile Materials, Collaborative Innovation Center for Eco-textiles of Shandong Province and the Ministry of Education, Qingdao 266071, China
| | - Yuanfei Wang
- Department of Central Laboratory, Qingdao Stomatological Hospital Affiliated to Qingdao University, Qingdao 266001, China
| | - Kuanjun Fang
- Shandong Key Laboratory of Medical and Health Textile Materials, Collaborative Innovation Center for Eco-textiles of Shandong Province and the Ministry of Education, Qingdao 266071, China
| | - Qi Wan
- Institute of Neuroregeneration and Neurorehabilitation, Qingdao Medical College, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China
| | - Huanting Li
- Department of Neurosurgery, Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China.
| | - Tong Wu
- Institute of Neuroregeneration and Neurorehabilitation, Qingdao Medical College, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China
- Shandong Key Laboratory of Medical and Health Textile Materials, Collaborative Innovation Center for Eco-textiles of Shandong Province and the Ministry of Education, Qingdao 266071, China
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24
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Rodríguez-Giraldo M, González-Reyes RE, Ramírez-Guerrero S, Bonilla-Trilleras CE, Guardo-Maya S, Nava-Mesa MO. Astrocytes as a Therapeutic Target in Alzheimer's Disease-Comprehensive Review and Recent Developments. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:13630. [PMID: 36362415 PMCID: PMC9654484 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232113630] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2022] [Revised: 10/25/2022] [Accepted: 10/26/2022] [Indexed: 09/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a frequent and disabling neurodegenerative disorder, in which astrocytes participate in several pathophysiological processes including neuroinflammation, excitotoxicity, oxidative stress and lipid metabolism (along with a critical role in apolipoprotein E function). Current evidence shows that astrocytes have both neuroprotective and neurotoxic effects depending on the disease stage and microenvironmental factors. Furthermore, astrocytes appear to be affected by the presence of amyloid-beta (Aβ), with alterations in calcium levels, gliotransmission and proinflammatory activity via RAGE-NF-κB pathway. In addition, astrocytes play an important role in the metabolism of tau and clearance of Aβ through the glymphatic system. In this review, we will discuss novel pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments focused on astrocytes as therapeutic targets for AD. These interventions include effects on anti-inflammatory/antioxidant systems, glutamate activity, lipid metabolism, neurovascular coupling and glymphatic system, calcium dysregulation, and in the release of peptides which affects glial and neuronal function. According to the AD stage, these therapies may be of benefit in either preventing or delaying the progression of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Mauricio O. Nava-Mesa
- Grupo de Investigación en Neurociencias (NeURos), Centro de Neurociencias Neurovitae-UR, Instituto de Medicina Traslacional (IMT), Escuela de Medicina y Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá 111711, Colombia
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25
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Asah S, Alganem K, McCullumsmith RE, O'Donovan SM. A bioinformatic inquiry of the EAAT2 interactome in postmortem and neuropsychiatric datasets. Schizophr Res 2022; 249:38-46. [PMID: 32197935 PMCID: PMC7494586 DOI: 10.1016/j.schres.2020.03.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2019] [Revised: 03/05/2020] [Accepted: 03/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Altered expression and localization of the glutamate transporter EAAT2 is found in schizophrenia and other neuropsychiatric (major depression, MDD) and neurological disorders (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, ALS). However, the EAAT2 interactome, the network of proteins that physically or functionally interact with EAAT2 to support its activity, has yet to be characterized in severe mental illness. We compiled a list of "core" EAAT2 interacting proteins. Using Kaleidoscope, an R-shiny application, we data mined publically available postmortem transcriptome datasets to determine whether components of the EAAT2 interactome are differentially expressed in schizophrenia and, using Reactome, identify which interactome-associated biological pathways are altered. Overall, these "look up" studies highlight region-specific, primarily frontal cortex (dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and anterior cingulate cortex), changes in the EAAT2 interactome and implicate altered metabolism pathways in schizophrenia. Pathway analyses also suggest that perturbation of components of the EAAT2 interactome in animal models of antipsychotic administration impact metabolism. Similar changes in metabolism pathways are seen in ALS, in addition to altered expression of many components of the EAAT2 interactome. However, although EAAT2 expression is altered in a postmortem MDD dataset, few other components of the EAAT2 interactome are changed. Thus, "look up" studies suggest region- and disease-relevant biological pathways related to the EAAT2 interactome that implicate glutamate reuptake perturbations in schizophrenia, while providing a useful tool to exploit "omics" datasets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophie Asah
- Department of Neurosciences, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, USA
| | - Khaled Alganem
- Department of Neurosciences, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, USA
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26
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Jayaraman A, Reynolds R. Diverse pathways to neuronal necroptosis in Alzheimer's disease. Eur J Neurosci 2022; 56:5428-5441. [PMID: 35377966 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.15662] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2021] [Revised: 03/21/2022] [Accepted: 03/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Necroptosis, or programmed necrosis, involves the kinase activity of receptor interacting kinases 1 and 3, the activation of the pseudokinase mixed lineage kinase domain-like and formation of a complex called the necrosome. It is one of the non-apoptotic cell death pathways that has gained interest in the recent years, especially as a neuronal cell death pathway occurring in Alzheimer's disease. In this review, we focus our discussion on the various molecular mechanisms that could trigger neuronal death through necroptosis and have been shown to play a role in Alzheimer's disease pathogenesis and neuroinflammation. We describe how each of these pathways, such as tumour necrosis factor signalling, reactive oxygen species, endosomal sorting complex, post-translational modifications and certain individual molecules, is dysregulated or activated in Alzheimer's disease, and how this dysregulation/activation could trigger necroptosis. At the cellular level, many of these molecular mechanisms and pathways may act in parallel to synergize with each other or inhibit one another, and changes in the balance between them may determine different cellular vulnerabilities at different disease stages. However, from a therapeutic standpoint, it remains unclear how best to target one or more of these pathways, given that such diverse pathways could all contribute to necroptotic cell death in Alzheimer's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anusha Jayaraman
- Centre for Molecular Neuropathology, Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
| | - Richard Reynolds
- Centre for Molecular Neuropathology, Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore.,Division of Neuroscience, Department of Brain Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, UK
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27
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Das S, Trubnikov AV, Novoselov AM, Kurkin AV, Beld J, Altieri A, Kortagere S. Design and Characterization of Novel Small Molecule Activators of Excitatory Amino Acid Transporter 2. ACS Med Chem Lett 2022; 13:1628-1633. [PMID: 36262387 PMCID: PMC9575181 DOI: 10.1021/acsmedchemlett.2c00304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2022] [Accepted: 09/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Excitotoxicity in the brain is a causal factor in several neurological and neurodegenerative disorders. Excitatory amino acid transporter 2 (EAAT2), an astrocytic glutamate transporter involved in the clearance of >80% of synaptic glutamate, is considered a therapeutically relevant target for excitotoxicity. We have previously designed GT951, an activator of EAAT2 with nanomolar efficacy but limited in vivo bioavailability. In this study, a pharmacophore-based screening and optimization resulted in the design of GTS467 and GTS511. GTS467 and GTS511 have low nanomolar efficacy in the glutamate uptake assay. Pharmacokinetic profiles (PK) of GTS511 show a >6 h half-life and higher bioavailability in plasma and the brain under all three routes of administration in rats. Similarly, GTS467 has high oral bioavailability (80-85%) in the brain and plasma with a >1 h half-life under all three dosing routes. These encouraging efficacy and PK profiles suggest that GTS511 and GTS467 can be further developed to treat neurological disorders caused by excitotoxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanjay Das
- Department
of Microbiology and Immunology, Drexel University
College of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19129, United States
| | | | | | | | - Joris Beld
- Department
of Microbiology and Immunology, Drexel University
College of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19129, United States
- Center
for Advanced Microbial Processing and Center for Genomics Sciences,
Institute for Molecular Medicine and Infectious Disease, Drexel University College of Medicine, 245 N 15th St., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19102, United States
| | - Andrea Altieri
- Edasa
Scientific Srls, Via
Stingi 37, San Salvo (CH) 66050, Italy
| | - Sandhya Kortagere
- Department
of Microbiology and Immunology, Drexel University
College of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19129, United States
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28
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Leng B, Sun H, Li M, Zhao J, Liu X, Yao R, Shen T, Li Z, Zhang J. Blood neuroexosomal excitatory amino acid transporter-2 is associated with cognitive decline in Parkinson’s disease with RBD. Front Aging Neurosci 2022; 14:952368. [PMID: 36081890 PMCID: PMC9445359 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2022.952368] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2022] [Accepted: 08/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Rapid eye movement (REM) sleep behavior disorder (RBD) predicts cognitive decline in Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients without dementia. However, underlying mechanisms remain unknown. Accumulating studies suggest glutamatergic system dysregulation is associated. Objective To examine the effect of RBD on the rate of cognitive decline in PD patients and investigate whether plasma levels of the neuroexosomal vesicular glutamate transporter-1 (VGLUT-1) and excitatory amino acid transporter-2 (EAAT-2) are altered in PD patients with RBD. Methods This study included 157 newly diagnosed cognitive normal PD patients and 70 healthy controls (HCs). Based on one-night polysomnography recordings, the PD subjects were divided into PD with and without RBD (PD-RBD and PD-nRBD) groups. All participants received a complete clinical and neuropsychological evaluation at baseline. Plasma levels of neuroexosomal VGLUT-1 and EAAT-2 were measured by ELISA kits. After a 3-year follow-up, we evaluated baseline plasma levels of neuroexosomal glutamate transporters in each group as a predictor of cognitive decline using MoCA score changes over 3 years in regression models. Results Plasma levels of neuron-derived exosomal EAAT-2 and VGLUT-1 were significantly lower in PD patients than in HCs. Plasma levels of neuroexosomal EAAT-2 were significantly lower in PD-RBD than PD-nRBD group at baseline. At the 3-year follow-up, PD-RBD patients presented greater cognitive decline. Lower baseline blood neuroexosomal EAAT-2 predicted cognitive decline over 3 years in PD-RBD patients (β = 0.064, P = 0.003). Conclusion These findings indicate that blood neuroexosomal EAAT-2 is associated with cognitive decline in PD with RBD.
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29
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Wood OWG, Yeung JHY, Faull RLM, Kwakowsky A. EAAT2 as a therapeutic research target in Alzheimer's disease: A systematic review. Front Neurosci 2022; 16:952096. [PMID: 36033606 PMCID: PMC9399514 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.952096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2022] [Accepted: 07/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Glutamate is the main excitatory neurotransmitter in the human central nervous system, responsible for a wide variety of normal physiological processes. Glutamatergic metabolism and its sequestration are tightly regulated in the normal human brain, and it has been demonstrated that dysregulation of the glutamatergic system can have wide-ranging effects both in acute brain injury and neurodegenerative diseases. The excitatory amino acid transporter 2 (EAAT2) is the dominant glutamatergic transporter in the human brain, responsible for efficient removal of glutamate from the synaptic cleft for recycling within glial cells. As such, it has a key role in maintaining excitatory-inhibitory homeostasis. Animal studies have demonstrated dysregulation or alterations of EAAT2 expression can have implications in neurodegenerative disorders. Despite extensive research into glutamatergic alterations in AD mouse models, there is a lack of studies examining the expression of EAAT2 within the AD human brain. In this systematic review, 29 articles were identified that either analyzed EAAT2 expression in the AD human brain or used a human-derived cell culture. Studies were inconclusive as to whether EAAT2 was upregulated or downregulated in AD. However, changes in localization and correlation between EAAT2 expression and symptomatology was noted. These findings implicate EAAT2 alterations as a key process in AD progression and highlight the need for further research into the characterization of EAAT2 processes in normal physiology and disease in human tissue and to identify compounds that can act as EAAT2 neuromodulators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oliver W. G. Wood
- Department of Anatomy and Medical Imaging, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, Centre for Brain Research, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Jason H. Y. Yeung
- Department of Anatomy and Medical Imaging, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, Centre for Brain Research, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Richard L. M. Faull
- Department of Anatomy and Medical Imaging, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, Centre for Brain Research, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Andrea Kwakowsky
- Department of Anatomy and Medical Imaging, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, Centre for Brain Research, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
- Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Galway Neuroscience Centre, School of Medicine, Ollscoil na Gaillimhe – University of Galway, Galway, Ireland
- *Correspondence: Andrea Kwakowsky
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30
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Bauminger H, Gaisler-Salomon I. Beyond NMDA Receptors: Homeostasis at the Glutamate Tripartite Synapse and Its Contributions to Cognitive Dysfunction in Schizophrenia. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:8617. [PMID: 35955750 PMCID: PMC9368772 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23158617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2022] [Revised: 07/30/2022] [Accepted: 08/01/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Cognitive deficits are core symptoms of schizophrenia but remain poorly addressed by dopamine-based antipsychotic medications. Glutamate abnormalities are implicated in schizophrenia-related cognitive deficits. While the role of the NMDA receptor has been extensively studied, less attention was given to other components that control glutamate homeostasis. Glutamate dynamics at the tripartite synapse include presynaptic and postsynaptic components and are tightly regulated by neuron-astrocyte crosstalk. Here, we delineate the role of glutamate homeostasis at the tripartite synapse in schizophrenia-related cognitive dysfunction. We focus on cognitive domains that can be readily measured in humans and rodents, i.e., working memory, recognition memory, cognitive flexibility, and response inhibition. We describe tasks used to measure cognitive function in these domains in humans and rodents, and the relevance of glutamate alterations in these domains. Next, we delve into glutamate tripartite synaptic components and summarize findings that implicate the relevance of these components to specific cognitive domains. These collective findings indicate that neuron-astrocyte crosstalk at the tripartite synapse is essential for cognition, and that pre- and postsynaptic components play a critical role in maintaining glutamate homeostasis and cognitive well-being. The contribution of these components to cognitive function should be considered in order to better understand the role played by glutamate signaling in cognition and develop efficient pharmacological treatment avenues for schizophrenia treatment-resistant symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hagar Bauminger
- School of Psychological Sciences, Department of Psychology, University of Haifa, Haifa 3498838, Israel;
- The Integrated Brain and Behavior Research Center (IBBRC), University of Haifa, Haifa 3498838, Israel
| | - Inna Gaisler-Salomon
- School of Psychological Sciences, Department of Psychology, University of Haifa, Haifa 3498838, Israel;
- The Integrated Brain and Behavior Research Center (IBBRC), University of Haifa, Haifa 3498838, Israel
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31
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Bioactive human Alzheimer brain soluble Aβ: pathophysiology and therapeutic opportunities. Mol Psychiatry 2022; 27:3182-3191. [PMID: 35484241 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-022-01589-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2022] [Revised: 04/11/2022] [Accepted: 04/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The accumulation of amyloid-β protein (Aβ) plays an early role in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). The precise mechanism of how Aβ accumulation leads to synaptic dysfunction and cognitive impairment remains unclear but is likely due to small soluble oligomers of Aβ (oAβ). Most studies have used chemical synthetic or cell-secreted Aβ oligomers to study their pathogenic mechanisms, but the Aβ derived from human AD brain tissue is less well characterized. Here we review updated knowledge on the extraction and characterization of bioactive human AD brain oAβ and the mechanisms by which they cause hippocampal synaptic dysfunction. Human AD brain-derived oAβ can impair hippocampal long-term potentiation (LTP) and enhance long-term depression (LTD). Many studies suggest that oAβ may directly disrupt neuronal NMDA receptors, AMPA receptors and metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs). oAβ also impairs astrocytic synaptic functions, including glutamate uptake, D-serine release, and NMDA receptor function. We also discuss oAβ-induced neuronal hyperexcitation. These results may suggest a multi-target approach for the treatment of AD, including both oAβ neutralization and reversal of glutamate-mediated excitotoxicity.
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32
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Andersen JV, Schousboe A, Verkhratsky A. Astrocyte energy and neurotransmitter metabolism in Alzheimer's disease: integration of the glutamate/GABA-glutamine cycle. Prog Neurobiol 2022; 217:102331. [PMID: 35872221 DOI: 10.1016/j.pneurobio.2022.102331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 35.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2022] [Revised: 07/14/2022] [Accepted: 07/19/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Astrocytes contribute to the complex cellular pathology of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Neurons and astrocytes function in close collaboration through neurotransmitter recycling, collectively known as the glutamate/GABA-glutamine cycle, which is essential to sustain neurotransmission. Neurotransmitter recycling is intimately linked to astrocyte energy metabolism. In the course of AD, astrocytes undergo extensive metabolic remodeling, which may profoundly affect the glutamate/GABA-glutamine cycle. The consequences of altered astrocyte function and metabolism in relation to neurotransmitter recycling are yet to be comprehended. Metabolic alterations of astrocytes in AD deprive neurons of metabolic support, thereby contributing to synaptic dysfunction and neurodegeneration. In addition, several astrocyte-specific components of the glutamate/GABA-glutamine cycle, including glutamine synthesis and synaptic neurotransmitter uptake, are perturbed in AD. Integration of the complex astrocyte biology within the context of AD is essential for understanding the fundamental mechanisms of the disease, while restoring astrocyte metabolism may serve as an approach to arrest or even revert clinical progression of AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jens V Andersen
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
| | - Arne Schousboe
- Department of Drug Design and Pharmacology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Alexei Verkhratsky
- Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK; Achucarro Center for Neuroscience, IKERBASQUE, 48011 Bilbao, Spain; Department of Stem Cell Biology, State Research Institute Centre for Innovative Medicine, LT-01102 Vilnius, Lithuania.
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33
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Hulshof LA, van Nuijs D, Hol EM, Middeldorp J. The Role of Astrocytes in Synapse Loss in Alzheimer's Disease: A Systematic Review. Front Cell Neurosci 2022; 16:899251. [PMID: 35783099 PMCID: PMC9244621 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2022.899251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2022] [Accepted: 05/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common cause of dementia, affecting 35 million people worldwide. One pathological feature of progressing AD is the loss of synapses. This is the strongest correlate of cognitive decline. Astrocytes, as an essential part of the tripartite synapse, play a role in synapse formation, maintenance, and elimination. During AD, astrocytes get a reactive phenotype with an altered gene expression profile and changed function compared to healthy astrocytes. This process likely affects their interaction with synapses. This systematic review aims to provide an overview of the scientific literature including information on how astrocytes affect synapse formation and elimination in the brain of AD patients and in animal models of the disease. We review molecular and cellular changes in AD astrocytes and conclude that these predominantly result in lower synapse numbers, indicative of decreased synapse support or even synaptotoxicity, or increased elimination, resulting in synapse loss, and consequential cognitive decline, as associated with AD. Preventing AD induced changes in astrocytes might therefore be a potential therapeutic target for dementia. Systematic Review Registration:https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=148278, identifier [CRD148278].
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Affiliation(s)
- Lianne A. Hulshof
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, University Medical Center Utrecht Brain Center, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Danny van Nuijs
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, University Medical Center Utrecht Brain Center, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Elly M. Hol
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, University Medical Center Utrecht Brain Center, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Jinte Middeldorp
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, University Medical Center Utrecht Brain Center, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
- Department Neurobiology and Aging, Biomedical Primate Research Centre, Rijswijk, Netherlands
- *Correspondence: Jinte Middeldorp
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34
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Generation of Human iPSC-Derived Astrocytes with a mature star-shaped phenotype for CNS modeling. Stem Cell Rev Rep 2022; 18:2494-2512. [PMID: 35488987 PMCID: PMC9489586 DOI: 10.1007/s12015-022-10376-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
The generation of astrocytes from human induced pluripotent stem cells has been hampered by either prolonged differentiation—spanning over two months—or by shorter protocols that generate immature astrocytes, devoid of salient mature astrocytic traits pivotal for central nervous system (CNS) modeling. We directed stable hiPSC-derived neuroepithelial stem cells to human iPSC-derived Astrocytes (hiAstrocytes) with a high percentage of star-shaped cells by orchestrating an astrocytic-tuned culturing environment in 28 days. We employed RT-qPCR and ICC to validate the astrocytic commitment of the neuroepithelial stem cells. To evaluate the inflammatory phenotype, we challenged the hiAstrocytes with the pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-1β (interleukin 1 beta) and quantitatively assessed the secretion profile of astrocyte-associated cytokines and the expression of intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1). Finally, we quantitatively assessed the capacity of hiAstrocytes to synthesize and export the antioxidant glutathione. In under 28 days, the generated cells express canonical and mature astrocytic markers, denoted by the expression of GFAP, AQP4 and ALDH1L1. In addition, the notion of a mature phenotype is reinforced by the expression of both astrocytic glutamate transporters EAAT1 and EAAT2. Thus, hiAstrocytes have a mature phenotype that encompasses traits critical in CNS modeling, including glutathione synthesis and secretion, upregulation of ICAM-1 and a cytokine secretion profile on a par with human fetal astrocytes. This protocol generates a multifaceted astrocytic model suitable for in vitro CNS disease modeling and personalized medicine.
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35
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Pinky PD, Pfitzer JC, Senfeld J, Hong H, Bhattacharya S, Suppiramaniam V, Qureshi I, Reed MN. Recent Insights on Glutamatergic Dysfunction in Alzheimer's Disease and Therapeutic Implications. Neuroscientist 2022:10738584211069897. [PMID: 35073787 DOI: 10.1177/10738584211069897] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) poses a critical public health challenge, and there is an urgent need for novel treatment options. Glutamate, the principal excitatory neurotransmitter in the human brain, plays a critical role in mediating cognitive and behavioral functions; and clinical symptoms in AD patients are highly correlated with the loss of glutamatergic synapses. In this review, we highlight how dysregulated glutamatergic mechanisms can underpin cognitive and behavioral impairments and contribute to the progression of AD via complex interactions with neuronal and neural network hyperactivity, Aβ, tau, glial dysfunction, and other disease-associated factors. We focus on the tripartite synapse, where glutamatergic neurotransmission occurs, and evidence elucidating how the tripartite synapse can be pathologically altered in AD. We also discuss promising therapeutic approaches that have the potential to rescue these deficits. These emerging data support the development of novel glutamatergic drug candidates as compelling approaches for treating AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Priyanka D Pinky
- Department of Drug Discovery and Development, Harrison School of Pharmacy, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, USA
| | - Jeremiah C Pfitzer
- Department of Drug Discovery and Development, Harrison School of Pharmacy, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, USA
| | - Jared Senfeld
- Department of Drug Discovery and Development, Harrison School of Pharmacy, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, USA
| | - Hao Hong
- Department of Pharmacy, the First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Subhrajit Bhattacharya
- Department of Drug Discovery and Development, Harrison School of Pharmacy, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, USA.,Center for Neuroscience, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, USA
| | - Vishnu Suppiramaniam
- Department of Drug Discovery and Development, Harrison School of Pharmacy, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, USA.,Center for Neuroscience, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, USA
| | | | - Miranda N Reed
- Department of Drug Discovery and Development, Harrison School of Pharmacy, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, USA.,Center for Neuroscience, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, USA
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Sood A, Preeti K, Fernandes V, Khatri DK, Singh SB. Glia: A major player in glutamate-GABA dysregulation-mediated neurodegeneration. J Neurosci Res 2021; 99:3148-3189. [PMID: 34748682 DOI: 10.1002/jnr.24977] [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: 07/27/2020] [Revised: 09/18/2021] [Accepted: 09/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The imbalance between glutamate and γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) results in the loss of synaptic strength leading to neurodegeneration. The dogma on the field considered neurons as the main players in this excitation-inhibition (E/I) balance. However, current strategies focusing only on neurons have failed to completely understand this condition, bringing up the importance of glia as an alternative modulator for neuroinflammation as glia alter the activity of neurons and is a source of both neurotrophic and neurotoxic factors. This review's primary goal is to illustrate the role of glia over E/I balance in the central nervous system and its interaction with neurons. Rather than focusing only on the neuronal targets, we take a deeper look at glial receptors and proteins that could also be explored as drug targets, as they are early responders to neurotoxic insults. This review summarizes the neuron-glia interaction concerning GABA and glutamate, possible targets, and its involvement in the E/I imbalance in neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, and multiple sclerosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anika Sood
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), Hyderabad, India
| | - Kumari Preeti
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), Hyderabad, India
| | - Valencia Fernandes
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), Hyderabad, India
| | - Dharmendra Kumar Khatri
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), Hyderabad, India
| | - Shashi Bala Singh
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER), Hyderabad, India
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Song J, Yang X, Zhang M, Wang C, Chen L. Glutamate Metabolism in Mitochondria is Closely Related to Alzheimer's Disease. J Alzheimers Dis 2021; 84:557-578. [PMID: 34602474 DOI: 10.3233/jad-210595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Glutamate is the main excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain, and its excitatory neurotoxicity is closely related to the occurrence and development of Alzheimer's disease. However, increasing evidence shows that in the process of Alzheimer's disease, glutamate is not only limited to its excitotoxicity as a neurotransmitter but also related to the disorder of its metabolic balance. The balance of glutamate metabolism in the brain is an important determinant of central nervous system health, and the maintenance of this balance is closely related to glutamate uptake, glutamate circulation, intracellular mitochondrial transport, and mitochondrial metabolism. In this paper, we intend to elaborate the key role of mitochondrial glutamate metabolism in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease and review glutamate metabolism in mitochondria as a potential target in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiayi Song
- Department of Pharmacology, Basic College of Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, People's Republic of China.,Cadre's Ward, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, People's Republic of China
| | - Xuehan Yang
- Department of Pharmacology, Basic College of Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, People's Republic of China
| | - Ming Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology, Basic College of Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, People's Republic of China
| | - Chunyan Wang
- Cadre's Ward, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, People's Republic of China
| | - Li Chen
- Department of Pharmacology, Basic College of Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, People's Republic of China
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Wilcox JM, Consoli DC, Tienda AA, Dixit S, Buchanan RA, May JM, Nobis WP, Harrison FE. Altered synaptic glutamate homeostasis contributes to cognitive decline in young APP/PSEN1 mice. Neurobiol Dis 2021; 158:105486. [PMID: 34450329 PMCID: PMC8457528 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2021.105486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2021] [Revised: 08/10/2021] [Accepted: 08/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Non-convulsive epileptiform activity is a common and under-studied comorbidity of Alzheimer’s disease that may significantly contribute to onset of clinical symptoms independently of other neuropathological features such as β-amyloid deposition. We used repeated treatment with low dose kainic acid (KA) to trigger subthreshold epileptiform activity in young (less than 6 months) wild-type (WT) and APP/PSEN1 mice to test the role of disruption to the glutamatergic system in epileptiform activity changes and the development of memory deficits. Short-term repeated low-dose KA (five daily treatments with 5 mg/kg, IP) impaired long-term potentiation in hippocampus of APP/PSEN1 but not WT mice. Long-term repeated low-dose KA (fourteen weeks of bi-weekly treatment with 7.5–10 mg/kg) led to high mortality in APP/PSEN1 mice. KA treatment also impaired memory retention in the APP/PSEN1 mice in a Morris water maze task under cognitively challenging reversal learning conditions where the platform was moved to a new location. Four weeks of bi-weekly treatment with 5 mg/kg KA also increased abnormal spike activity in APP/PSEN1 and not WT mice but did not impact sleep/wake behavioral states. These findings suggest that hyperexcitability in Alzheimer’s disease may indeed be an early contributor to cognitive decline that is independent of heavy β-amyloid-plaque load, which is absent in APP/PSEN1 mice under 6 months of age.
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Affiliation(s)
- J M Wilcox
- Program in Neuroscience, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, United States of America; Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, United States of America
| | - D C Consoli
- Program in Neuroscience, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, United States of America
| | - A A Tienda
- Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, United States of America
| | - S Dixit
- Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, United States of America
| | - R A Buchanan
- Program in Neuroscience, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, United States of America
| | - J M May
- Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, United States of America
| | - W P Nobis
- Department of Neurology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, United States of America
| | - F E Harrison
- Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, United States of America.
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Valori CF, Possenti A, Brambilla L, Rossi D. Challenges and Opportunities of Targeting Astrocytes to Halt Neurodegenerative Disorders. Cells 2021; 10:cells10082019. [PMID: 34440788 PMCID: PMC8395029 DOI: 10.3390/cells10082019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2021] [Revised: 07/30/2021] [Accepted: 08/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurodegenerative diseases are a heterogeneous group of disorders whose incidence is likely to duplicate in the next 30 years along with the progressive aging of the western population. Non-cell-specific therapeutics or therapeutics designed to tackle aberrant pathways within neurons failed to slow down or halt neurodegeneration. Yet, in the last few years, our knowledge of the importance of glial cells to maintain the central nervous system homeostasis in health conditions has increased exponentially, along with our awareness of their fundamental and multifaced role in pathological conditions. Among glial cells, astrocytes emerge as promising therapeutic targets in various neurodegenerative disorders. In this review, we present the latest evidence showing the astonishing level of specialization that astrocytes display to fulfill the demands of their neuronal partners as well as their plasticity upon injury. Then, we discuss the controversies that fuel the current debate on these cells. We tackle evidence of a potential beneficial effect of cell therapy, achieved by transplanting astrocytes or their precursors. Afterwards, we introduce the different strategies proposed to modulate astrocyte functions in neurodegeneration, ranging from lifestyle changes to environmental cues. Finally, we discuss the challenges and the recent advancements to develop astrocyte-specific delivery systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara F. Valori
- Molecular Neuropathology of Neurodegenerative Diseases, German Centre for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), 72076 Tübingen, Germany
- Correspondence: (C.F.V.); (D.R.); Tel.: +49-7071-9254-122 (C.F.V.); +39-0382-592064 (D.R.)
| | - Agostino Possenti
- Laboratory for Research on Neurodegenerative Disorders, Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri IRCCS, 27100 Pavia, Italy; (A.P.); (L.B.)
| | - Liliana Brambilla
- Laboratory for Research on Neurodegenerative Disorders, Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri IRCCS, 27100 Pavia, Italy; (A.P.); (L.B.)
| | - Daniela Rossi
- Laboratory for Research on Neurodegenerative Disorders, Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri IRCCS, 27100 Pavia, Italy; (A.P.); (L.B.)
- Correspondence: (C.F.V.); (D.R.); Tel.: +49-7071-9254-122 (C.F.V.); +39-0382-592064 (D.R.)
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Codeluppi SA, Chatterjee D, Prevot TD, Bansal Y, Misquitta KA, Sibille E, Banasr M. Chronic Stress Alters Astrocyte Morphology in Mouse Prefrontal Cortex. Int J Neuropsychopharmacol 2021; 24:842-853. [PMID: 34346493 PMCID: PMC8538896 DOI: 10.1093/ijnp/pyab052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2021] [Revised: 06/25/2021] [Accepted: 08/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Neuromorphological changes are consistently reported in the prefrontal cortex of patients with stress-related disorders and in rodent stress models, but the effects of stress on astrocyte morphology and the potential link to behavioral deficits are relatively unknown. METHODS To answer these questions, transgenic mice expressing green fluorescent protein (GFP) under the glial fibrillary acid protein (GFAP) promotor were subjected to 7, 21, or 35 days of chronic restraint stress (CRS). CRS-induced behavioral effects on anhedonia- and anxiety-like behaviors were measured using the sucrose intake and the PhenoTyper tests, respectively. Prefrontal cortex GFP+ or GFAP+ cell morphology was assessed using Sholl analysis, and associations with behavior were determined using correlation analysis. RESULTS CRS-exposed male and female mice displayed anxiety-like behavior at 7, 21, and 35 days and anhedonia-like behavior at 35 days. Analysis of GFAP+ cell morphology revealed significant atrophy of distal processes following 21 and 35 days of CRS. CRS induced similar decreases in intersections at distal radii for GFP+ cells accompanied by increased proximal processes. In males, the number of intersections at the most distal radius step significantly correlated with anhedonia-like behavior (r = 0.622, P < .05) for GFP+ cells and with behavioral emotionality calculated by z-scoring all behavioral measured deficits (r = -0.667, P < .05). Similar but not significant correlations were observed in females. No correlation between GFP+ cell atrophy with anxiety-like behavior was found. CONCLUSION Chronic stress exposure induces a progressive atrophy of cortical astroglial cells, potentially contributing to maladaptive neuroplastic and behavioral changes associated with stress-related disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sierra A Codeluppi
- Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), Toronto, Canada,Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Dipashree Chatterjee
- Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), Toronto, Canada,Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Thomas D Prevot
- Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), Toronto, Canada,Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Yashika Bansal
- Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), Toronto, Canada
| | - Keith A Misquitta
- Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), Toronto, Canada,Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Etienne Sibille
- Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), Toronto, Canada,Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada,Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Mounira Banasr
- Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), Toronto, Canada,Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada,Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada,Correspondence: Mounira Banasr, PhD, CAMH, 250 College Street, Toronto, ON M5T 1R8, Canada ()
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Nanclares C, Baraibar AM, Araque A, Kofuji P. Dysregulation of Astrocyte-Neuronal Communication in Alzheimer's Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:7887. [PMID: 34360652 PMCID: PMC8346080 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22157887] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2021] [Revised: 07/19/2021] [Accepted: 07/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent studies implicate astrocytes in Alzheimer's disease (AD); however, their role in pathogenesis is poorly understood. Astrocytes have well-established functions in supportive functions such as extracellular ionic homeostasis, structural support, and neurovascular coupling. However, emerging research on astrocytic function in the healthy brain also indicates their role in regulating synaptic plasticity and neuronal excitability via the release of neuroactive substances named gliotransmitters. Here, we review how this "active" role of astrocytes at synapses could contribute to synaptic and neuronal network dysfunction and cognitive impairment in AD.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Paulo Kofuji
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA; (C.N.); (A.M.B.); (A.A.)
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Price BR, Johnson LA, Norris CM. Reactive astrocytes: The nexus of pathological and clinical hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease. Ageing Res Rev 2021; 68:101335. [PMID: 33812051 PMCID: PMC8168445 DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2021.101335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2020] [Revised: 01/21/2021] [Accepted: 03/20/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Astrocyte reactivity is a hallmark of neuroinflammation that arises with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and nearly every other neurodegenerative condition. While astrocytes certainly contribute to classic inflammatory processes (e.g. cytokine release, waste clearance, and tissue repair), newly emerging technologies for measuring and targeting cell specific activities in the brain have uncovered essential roles for astrocytes in synapse function, brain metabolism, neurovascular coupling, and sleep/wake patterns. In this review, we use a holistic approach to incorporate, and expand upon, classic neuroinflammatory concepts to consider how astrocyte dysfunction/reactivity modulates multiple pathological and clinical hallmarks of AD. Our ever-evolving understanding of astrocyte signaling in neurodegeneration is not only revealing new drug targets and treatments for dementia but is suggesting we reimagine AD pathophysiological mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brittani R Price
- Department of Neuroscience, Tufts University School of Medicine, 136 Harrison Ave., Boston, MA, 02111, USA
| | - Lance A Johnson
- Sanders-Brown Center on Aging, University of Kentucky, 800 S. Limestone St., Lexington, KY, 40356, USA; Department of Physiology, University of Kentucky, College of Medicine, UK Medical Center MN 150, Lexington, KY, 40536, USA
| | - Christopher M Norris
- Sanders-Brown Center on Aging, University of Kentucky, 800 S. Limestone St., Lexington, KY, 40356, USA; Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences, University of Kentucky, College of Medicine, UK Medical Center MN 150, Lexington, KY, 40536, USA.
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Ebersole J, Rose G, Eid T, Behar K, Patrylo P. Altered hippocampal astroglial metabolism is associated with aging and preserved spatial learning and memory. Neurobiol Aging 2021; 102:188-199. [PMID: 33774381 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2021.02.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2020] [Revised: 02/18/2021] [Accepted: 02/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
An age-related decrease in hippocampal metabolism correlates with cognitive decline. Hippocampus-dependent learning and memory requires glutamatergic neurotransmission supported by glutamate-glutamine (GLU-GLN) cycling between neurons and astrocytes. We examined whether GLU-GLN cycling in hippocampal subregions (dentate gyrus and CA1) in Fischer 344 rats was altered with age and cognitive status. Hippocampal slices from young adult, aged cognitively-unimpaired (AU) and aged cognitively-impaired (AI) rats were incubated in artificial cerebrospinal fluid (aCSF) containing 1-13C-glucose to assess neural metabolism. Incorporation of 13C-glucose into glutamate and glutamine, measured by mass spectroscopy/liquid chromatography tandem mass spectroscopy, did not significantly differ between groups. However, when 13C-acetate, a preferential astrocytic metabolite, was used, a significant increase in 13C-labeled glutamate was observed in slices from AU rats. Taken together, the data suggest that resting state neural metabolism and GLU-GLN cycling may be preserved during aging when sufficient extracellular glucose is available, but that enhanced astroglial metabolism can occur under resting state conditions. This may be an aging-related compensatory change to maintain hippocampus-dependent cognitive function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeremy Ebersole
- Department of Physiology, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Carbondale, IL, USA
| | - Gregory Rose
- Department of Physiology, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Carbondale, IL, USA; Department of Anatomy, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Carbondale, IL, USA; Center for Integrated Research in the Cognitive and Neural Sciences, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Carbondale, IL, USA
| | - Tore Eid
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Kevin Behar
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA; MRRC Neurometabolism Research Laboratory, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Peter Patrylo
- Department of Physiology, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Carbondale, IL, USA; Department of Anatomy, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Carbondale, IL, USA; Center for Integrated Research in the Cognitive and Neural Sciences, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Carbondale, IL, USA.
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Wang X, Ali N, Lin CLG. Emerging role of glutamate in the pathophysiology and therapeutics of Gulf War illness. Life Sci 2021; 280:119609. [PMID: 33991547 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2021.119609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2021] [Revised: 05/03/2021] [Accepted: 05/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Gulf War illness (GWI) is a chronic and multi-symptomatic disorder affecting veterans who served in the Gulf War. The commonly reported symptoms in GWI veterans include mood problems, cognitive impairment, muscle and joint pain, migraine/headache, chronic fatigue, gastrointestinal complaints, skin rashes, and respiratory problems. Neuroimaging studies have revealed significant brain structure alterations in GWI veterans, including subcortical atrophy, decreased volume of the hippocampus, reduced total grey and white matter, and increased brain white matter axial diffusivity. These brain changes may contribute to or increase the severities of the GWI-related symptoms. Epidemiological studies have revealed that neurotoxic exposures and stress may be significant contributors to the development of GWI. However, the mechanism underlying how the exposure and stress could contribute to the multi-symptomatic disorder of GWI remains unclear. We and others have demonstrated that rodent models exposed to GW-related agents and stress exhibited higher extracellular glutamate levels, as well as impaired structure and function of glutamatergic synapses. Restoration of the glutamatergic synapses ameliorated the GWI-related pathological and behavioral deficits. Moreover, recent studies showed that a low-glutamate diet reduced multiple symptoms in GWI veterans, suggesting an important role of the glutamatergic system in GWI. Currently, growing evidence has indicated that abnormal glutamate neurotransmission may contribute to the GWI symptoms. This review summarizes the potential roles of glutamate dyshomeostasis and dysfunction of the glutamatergic system in linking the initial cause to the multi-symptomatic outcomes in GWI and suggests the glutamatergic system as a therapeutic target for GWI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xueqin Wang
- Department of Neuroscience, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Noor Ali
- Department of Neuroscience, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Chien-Liang Glenn Lin
- Department of Neuroscience, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA.
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Gavriel Y, Rabinovich-Nikitin I, Ezra A, Barbiro B, Solomon B. Subcutaneous Administration of AMD3100 into Mice Models of Alzheimer's Disease Ameliorated Cognitive Impairment, Reduced Neuroinflammation, and Improved Pathophysiological Markers. J Alzheimers Dis 2021; 78:653-671. [PMID: 33016905 DOI: 10.3233/jad-200506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Alzheimer's disease (AD), the prevalent dementia in the elderly, involves many related and interdependent pathologies that manifest simultaneously, leading to cognitive impairment and death. Amyloid-β (Aβ) accumulation in the brain triggers the onset of AD, accompanied by neuroinflammatory response and pathological changes. The CXCR4/CXCL12 (SDF1) axis is one of the major signal transduction cascades involved in the inflammation process and regulation of homing of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) within the bone marrow niche. Inhibition of the axis with AMD3100, a reversible antagonist of CXCR4 mobilizes endogenous HSCs from the bone marrow into the periphery, facilitating the recruitment of bone marrow-derived microglia-like cells into the brain, attenuates the neuroinflammation process that involves release of excitotoxic markers such as TNFα, intracellular Ca2 +, and glutamate and upregulates monocarboxylate transporter 1, the major L-lactate transporter in the brain. OBJECTIVE Herein, we investigate if administration of a combination of AMD3100 and L-lactate may have beneficial effects in the treatment of AD. METHODS We tested the feasibility of the combined treatment for short- and long-term efficacy for inducing endogenous stem cells' mobilization and attenuation of neuroinflammation in two distinct amyloid-β-induced AD mouse models. RESULTS The combined treatment did not demonstrate any adverse effects on the mice, and resulted in a significant improvement in cognitive/memory functions, attenuated neuroinflammation, and alleviated AD pathologies compared to each treatment alone. CONCLUSION This study showed AMD3100's beneficial effect in ameliorating AD pathogenesis, suggesting an alternative to the multistep procedures of transplantation of stem cells in the treatment of AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuval Gavriel
- The Shmunis School of Biomedicine and Cancer Research, George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Inna Rabinovich-Nikitin
- The Shmunis School of Biomedicine and Cancer Research, George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Assaf Ezra
- The Shmunis School of Biomedicine and Cancer Research, George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Becki Barbiro
- The Shmunis School of Biomedicine and Cancer Research, George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Beka Solomon
- The Shmunis School of Biomedicine and Cancer Research, George S. Wise Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
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Behnke JA, Ye C, Setty A, Moberg KH, Zheng JQ. Repetitive mild head trauma induces activity mediated lifelong brain deficits in a novel Drosophila model. Sci Rep 2021; 11:9738. [PMID: 33958652 PMCID: PMC8102574 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-89121-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2021] [Accepted: 04/21/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Mild head trauma, including concussion, can lead to chronic brain dysfunction and degeneration but the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. Here, we developed a novel head impact system to investigate the long-term effects of mild head trauma on brain structure and function, as well as the underlying mechanisms in Drosophila melanogaster. We find that Drosophila subjected to repetitive head impacts develop long-term deficits, including impaired startle-induced climbing, progressive brain degeneration, and shortened lifespan, all of which are substantially exacerbated in female flies. Interestingly, head impacts elicit an elevation in neuronal activity and its acute suppression abrogates the detrimental effects in female flies. Together, our findings validate Drosophila as a suitable model system for investigating the long-term effects of mild head trauma, suggest an increased vulnerability to brain injury in female flies, and indicate that early altered neuronal excitability may be a key mechanism linking mild brain trauma to chronic degeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph A Behnke
- Department of Cell Biology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | - Changtian Ye
- Department of Cell Biology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | - Aayush Setty
- Department of Cell Biology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | - Kenneth H Moberg
- Department of Cell Biology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
| | - James Q Zheng
- Department of Cell Biology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA.
- Department of Neurology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA.
- Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA.
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Du X, Shi Q, Zhao Y, Xie Y, Li X, Liu Q, Iqbal J, Zhang H, Liu X, Shen L. Se-Methylselenocysteine (SMC) Improves Cognitive Deficits by Attenuating Synaptic and Metabolic Abnormalities in Alzheimer's Mice Model: A Proteomic Study. ACS Chem Neurosci 2021; 12:1112-1132. [PMID: 33689275 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.0c00549] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Se-methylselenocysteine (SMC) is a major selenocompound in selenium (Se) enriched plants and has been found to ameliorate neuropathology and cognitive deficits in triple-transgenic mice model of Alzheimer's disease (3 × Tg-AD mice). To explore the underlying molecular mechanisms, the present study is designed to elucidate the protein changes in the cortex of SMC-treated 3 × Tg-AD mice. After SMC supplementation, proteomic analysis revealed that 181, 271, and 41 proteins were identified as differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) between 3 × Tg-AD mice vs wild type (AD/WT group), SMC-treated AD mice vs AD (AD + SMC/AD), and AD + SMC/WT group, respectively. Among these, 138 proteins in the diseased group were reversed by SMC treatment. The DEPs in AD/WT group and AD + SMC/AD group were mainly related to metabolism, synapses, and antioxidant proteins, while their levels were decreased in AD mice but up-regulated after treating with SMC. In addition, we found reduced ATP levels and destroyed synaptic structures in the AD mice brains, which were significantly ameliorated upon SMC treatment. Our study suggests that energy metabolism disorders, abnormal amino acid metabolism, synaptic dysfunction, and oxidative stress may be the key pathogenic phenomena of AD. SMC reversed the expression of proteins associated with them, which might be the main mechanism of its intervention in AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiubo Du
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Marine Biotechnology and Ecology, College of Life Science and Oceanography, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, P. R. China
| | - Qingqing Shi
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Marine Biotechnology and Ecology, College of Life Science and Oceanography, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, P. R. China
| | - Yuxi Zhao
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Marine Biotechnology and Ecology, College of Life Science and Oceanography, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, P. R. China
| | - Yongli Xie
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Marine Biotechnology and Ecology, College of Life Science and Oceanography, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, P. R. China
| | - Xuexia Li
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Marine Biotechnology and Ecology, College of Life Science and Oceanography, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, P. R. China
| | - Qiong Liu
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Marine Biotechnology and Ecology, College of Life Science and Oceanography, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, P. R. China
| | - Javed Iqbal
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Marine Biotechnology and Ecology, College of Life Science and Oceanography, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, P. R. China
| | - Huajie Zhang
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Marine Biotechnology and Ecology, College of Life Science and Oceanography, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, P. R. China
- Shenzhen Bay Laboratory, Shenzhen 518055, P.R. China
| | - Xukun Liu
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Marine Biotechnology and Ecology, College of Life Science and Oceanography, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, P. R. China
- Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science-Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, Shenzhen 518055, P. R. China
| | - Liming Shen
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Marine Biotechnology and Ecology, College of Life Science and Oceanography, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, P. R. China
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Wilkie CM, Barron JC, Brymer KJ, Barnes JR, Nafar F, Parsons MP. The Effect of GLT-1 Upregulation on Extracellular Glutamate Dynamics. Front Cell Neurosci 2021; 15:661412. [PMID: 33841104 PMCID: PMC8032948 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2021.661412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2021] [Accepted: 03/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Pharmacological upregulation of glutamate transporter-1 (GLT-1), commonly achieved using the beta-lactam antibiotic ceftriaxone, represents a promising therapeutic strategy to accelerate glutamate uptake and prevent excitotoxic damage in neurological conditions. While excitotoxicity is indeed implicated in numerous brain diseases, it is typically restricted to select vulnerable brain regions, particularly in early disease stages. In healthy brain tissue, the speed of glutamate uptake is not constant and rather varies in both an activity- and region-dependent manner. Despite the widespread use of ceftriaxone in disease models, very little is known about how such treatments impact functional measures of glutamate uptake in healthy tissue, and whether GLT-1 upregulation can mask the naturally occurring activity-dependent and regional heterogeneities in uptake. Here, we used two different compounds, ceftriaxone and LDN/OSU-0212320 (LDN), to upregulate GLT-1 in healthy wild-type mice. We then used real-time imaging of the glutamate biosensor iGluSnFR to investigate functional consequences of GLT-1 upregulation on activity- and regional-dependent variations in glutamate uptake capacity. We found that while both ceftriaxone and LDN increased GLT-1 expression in multiple brain regions, they did not prevent activity-dependent slowing of glutamate clearance nor did they speed basal clearance rates, even in areas characterized by slow uptake (e.g., striatum). Unexpectedly, ceftriaxone but not LDN decreased glutamate release in the cortex, suggesting that ceftriaxone may alter release properties independent of its effects on GLT-1 expression. In sum, our data demonstrate the complexities of glutamate uptake by showing that GLT-1 expression does not necessarily translate to accelerated uptake. Furthermore, these data suggest that the mechanisms underlying activity- and regional-dependent differences in glutamate dynamics are independent of GLT-1 expression levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Crystal M Wilkie
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University, St. John's, NL, Canada
| | - Jessica C Barron
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University, St. John's, NL, Canada
| | - Kyle J Brymer
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University, St. John's, NL, Canada
| | - Jocelyn R Barnes
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University, St. John's, NL, Canada
| | - Firoozeh Nafar
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University, St. John's, NL, Canada
| | - Matthew P Parsons
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University, St. John's, NL, Canada
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Brymer KJ, Barnes JR, Parsons MP. Entering a new era of quantifying glutamate clearance in health and disease. J Neurosci Res 2021; 99:1598-1617. [PMID: 33618436 DOI: 10.1002/jnr.24810] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2020] [Revised: 01/22/2021] [Accepted: 02/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Glutamate transporter proteins, expressed on both neurons and glia, serve as the main gatekeepers that dictate the spatial and temporal actions of extracellular glutamate. Glutamate is essential to the function of the healthy brain yet paradoxically contributes to the toxicity associated with many neurodegenerative diseases. Rapid transporter-mediated glutamate uptake, primarily occurring at astrocytic processes, tightens the efficiency of excitatory network activity and prevents toxic glutamate build-up in the extracellular space. Glutamate transporter dysfunction is thought to underlie myriad central nervous system (CNS) diseases including Alzheimer and Huntington disease. Over the past few decades, techniques such as biochemical uptake assays and electrophysiological recordings of transporter currents from individual astrocytes have revealed the remarkable ability of the CNS to efficiently clear extracellular glutamate. In more recent years, the rapidly evolving glutamate-sensing "sniffers" now allow researchers to visualize real-time glutamate transients on a millisecond time scale with single synapse spatial resolution in defined cell populations. As we transition to an increased reliance on optical-based methods of glutamate visualization and quantification, it is of utmost importance to understand not only the advantages that glutamate biosensors bring to the table but also the associated caveats and their implications for data interpretation. In this review, we summarize the strengths and limitations of the commonly used methods to quantify glutamate uptake. We then discuss what these techniques, when viewed as a complementary whole, have told us about the brain's ability to regulate glutamate levels, in both health and in the context of neurodegenerative disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyle J Brymer
- Faculty of Medicine, Division of Biomedical Sciences, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, NL, Canada
| | - Jocelyn R Barnes
- Faculty of Medicine, Division of Biomedical Sciences, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, NL, Canada
| | - Matthew P Parsons
- Faculty of Medicine, Division of Biomedical Sciences, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, NL, Canada
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Voss TD, Gerget M, Linkus B, von Einem B, Landwehrmeyer GB, Lewerenz J. Ubiquitination and the proteasome rather than caspase-3-mediated C-terminal cleavage are involved in the EAAT2 degradation by staurosporine-induced cellular stress. J Neurochem 2020; 157:1284-1299. [PMID: 33180957 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.15237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2020] [Revised: 03/09/2020] [Accepted: 11/03/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Diminished glutamate (Glu) uptake via the excitatory amino acid transporter EAAT2, which normally accounts for ~90% of total forebrain EAAT activity, may contribute to neurodegeneration via Glu-mediated excitotoxicity. C-terminal cleavage by caspase-3 (C3) was reported to mediate EAAT2 inactivation and down-regulation in the context of neurodegeneration. For a detailed analysis of C3-dependent EAAT2 degradation, we employed A172 glioblastoma as well as hippocampal HT22 cells and murine astrocytes over-expressing VSV-G-tagged EAAT2 constructs. C3 activation was induced by staurosporine (STR). In HT22 cells, STR-induced C3 activation-induced rapid EAAT2 protein degradation. The mutation of asparagine 504 to aspartate (D504N), which should inactivate the putative C3 cleavage site, increased EAAT2 activity in A172 cells. In contrast, the D504N mutation did not protect EAAT2 protein against STR-induced degradation in HT22 cells, whereas inhibition of caspases, ubiquitination and the proteasome did. Similar results were obtained in astrocytes. Phylogenetic analysis showed that C-terminal ubiquitin acceptor sites-but not the putative C3 cleavage site-exhibit a high degree of conservation. Moreover, C-terminal truncation mimicking C3 cleavage increased rather than decreased EAAT2 activity and stability as well as protected EAAT2 against STR-induced ubiquitination-dependent degradation. We conclude that cellular stress associated with endogenous C3 activation degrades EAAT2 via a pathway involving ubiquitination and the proteasome but not direct C3-mediated cleavage. In addition, C3 cleavage of EAAT2, described to occur in other models, is unlikely to inactivate EAAT2. However, mutation of the highly conserved D504 within the putative C3 cleavage site increases EAAT2 activity via an unknown mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Maria Gerget
- Department of Neurology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | - Birgit Linkus
- Department of Neurology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | | | | | - Jan Lewerenz
- Department of Neurology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
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