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Ondrejcak T, Klyubin I, Hu NW, Yang Y, Zhang Q, Rodriguez BJ, Rowan MJ. Rapidly reversible persistent long-term potentiation inhibition by patient-derived brain tau and amyloid ß proteins. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2024; 379:20230234. [PMID: 38853565 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2023.0234] [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: 10/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/11/2024] Open
Abstract
How the two pathognomonic proteins of Alzheimer's disease (AD); amyloid ß (Aß) and tau, cause synaptic failure remains enigmatic. Certain synthetic and recombinant forms of these proteins are known to act concurrently to acutely inhibit long-term potentiation (LTP). Here, we examined the effect of early amyloidosis on the acute disruptive action of synaptotoxic tau prepared from recombinant protein and tau in patient-derived aqueous brain extracts. We also explored the persistence of the inhibition of LTP by different synaptotoxic tau preparations. A single intracerebral injection of aggregates of recombinant human tau that had been prepared by either sonication of fibrils (SτAs) or disulfide bond formation (oTau) rapidly and persistently inhibited LTP in rat hippocampus. The threshold for the acute inhibitory effect of oTau was lowered in amyloid precursor protein (APP)-transgenic rats. A single injection of synaptotoxic tau-containing AD or Pick's disease brain extracts also inhibited LTP, for over two weeks. Remarkably, the persistent disruption of synaptic plasticity by patient-derived brain tau was rapidly reversed by a single intracerebral injection of different anti-tau monoclonal antibodies, including one directed to a specific human tau amino acid sequence. We conclude that patient-derived LTP-disrupting tau species persist in the brain for weeks, maintaining their neuroactivity often in concert with Aß. This article is part of a discussion meeting issue 'Long-term potentiation: 50 years on'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomas Ondrejcak
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, School of Medicine, and Institute of Neuroscience, Trinity College , Dublin 2, Republic of Ireland
| | - Igor Klyubin
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, School of Medicine, and Institute of Neuroscience, Trinity College , Dublin 2, Republic of Ireland
| | - Neng-Wei Hu
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, School of Medicine, and Institute of Neuroscience, Trinity College , Dublin 2, Republic of Ireland
- Department of Physiology and Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, 100 Science Avenue , Zhengzhou 450001, People's Republic of China
| | - Yin Yang
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, School of Medicine, and Institute of Neuroscience, Trinity College , Dublin 2, Republic of Ireland
- Department of Physiology and Neurobiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, 100 Science Avenue , Zhengzhou 450001, People's Republic of China
| | - Qiancheng Zhang
- School of Physics and Conway Institute of Biomolecular and Biomedical Research, University College Dublin , Dublin 4, Republic of Ireland
| | - Brian J Rodriguez
- School of Physics and Conway Institute of Biomolecular and Biomedical Research, University College Dublin , Dublin 4, Republic of Ireland
| | - Michael J Rowan
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, School of Medicine, and Institute of Neuroscience, Trinity College , Dublin 2, Republic of Ireland
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Poirier A, Picard C, Labonté A, Aubry I, Auld D, Zetterberg H, Blennow K, Tremblay ML, Poirier J. PTPRS is a novel marker for early Tau pathology and synaptic integrity in Alzheimer's disease. Sci Rep 2024; 14:14718. [PMID: 38926456 PMCID: PMC11208446 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-65104-2] [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: 03/21/2024] [Accepted: 06/17/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
We examined the role of protein tyrosine phosphatase receptor sigma (PTPRS) in the context of Alzheimer's disease and synaptic integrity. Publicly available datasets (BRAINEAC, ROSMAP, ADC1) and a cohort of asymptomatic but "at risk" individuals (PREVENT-AD) were used to explore the relationship between PTPRS and various Alzheimer's disease biomarkers. We identified that PTPRS rs10415488 variant C shows features of neuroprotection against early Tau pathology and synaptic degeneration in Alzheimer's disease. This single nucleotide polymorphism correlated with higher PTPRS transcript abundance and lower p(181)Tau and GAP-43 levels in the CSF. In the brain, PTPRS protein abundance was significantly correlated with the quantity of two markers of synaptic integrity: SNAP25 and SYT-1. We also found the presence of sexual dimorphism for PTPRS, with higher CSF concentrations in males than females. Male carriers for variant C were found to have a 10-month delay in the onset of AD. We thus conclude that PTPRS acts as a neuroprotective receptor in Alzheimer's disease. Its protective effect is most important in males, in whom it postpones the age of onset of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandre Poirier
- Division of Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Science, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
- Goodman Cancer Institute, McGill University, Montréal, Canada
| | - Cynthia Picard
- Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Montréal, QC, Canada
- Centre for the Studies in the Prevention of Alzheimer's Disease, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Anne Labonté
- Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Montréal, QC, Canada
- Centre for the Studies in the Prevention of Alzheimer's Disease, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Isabelle Aubry
- Goodman Cancer Institute, McGill University, Montréal, Canada
- McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Daniel Auld
- McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
- Victor Phillip Dahdaleh Institute of Genomic Medicine, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Henrik Zetterberg
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, The Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Clinical Neurochemistry Laboratory, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Mölndal, Sweden
- Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, UCL Institute of Neurology, London, UK
- UK Dementia Research Institute at UCL, London, UK
- Hong Kong Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Clear Water Bay, Hong Kong, SAR, People's Republic of China
- Wisconsin Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
- University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, People's Republic of China
| | - Kaj Blennow
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, The Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Clinical Neurochemistry Laboratory, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Mölndal, Sweden
- Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, UCL Institute of Neurology, London, UK
- University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, People's Republic of China
- Institut du Cerveau et de la Moelle épinière (ICM), Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
| | - Michel L Tremblay
- Division of Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Science, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada.
- Goodman Cancer Institute, McGill University, Montréal, Canada.
- McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada.
- Department of Biochemistry, McGill University, Montréal, Canada.
| | - Judes Poirier
- Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Montréal, QC, Canada.
- Centre for the Studies in the Prevention of Alzheimer's Disease, Montréal, QC, Canada.
- McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada.
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3
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Dalal S, Ramirez-Gomez J, Sharma B, Devara D, Kumar S. MicroRNAs and Synapse Turnover in Alzheimer's Disease. Ageing Res Rev 2024; 99:102377. [PMID: 38871301 DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2024.102377] [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: 04/23/2024] [Revised: 05/31/2024] [Accepted: 06/06/2024] [Indexed: 06/15/2024]
Abstract
Alzheimer's Disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the accumulation of amyloid-beta plaques and neurofibrillary tangles in the brain, leading to synaptic dysfunction and cognitive decline. Healthy synapses are the crucial for normal brain function, memory restoration and other neurophysiological function. Synapse loss and synaptic dysfunction are two primary events that occur during AD initiation. Synapse lifecycle and/or synapse turnover is divided into five key stages and several sub-stages such as synapse formation, synapse assembly, synapse maturation, synapse transmission and synapse termination. In normal state, the synapse turnover is regulated by various biological and molecular factors for a healthy neurotransmission. In AD, the different stages of synapse turnover are affected by AD-related toxic proteins. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have emerged as critical regulators of gene expression and have been implicated in various neurological diseases, including AD. Deregulation of miRNAs modulate the synaptic proteins and affect the synapse turnover at different stages. In this review, we discussed the key milestones of synapse turnover and how they are affected in AD. Further, we discussed the involvement of miRNAs in synaptic turnover, focusing specifically on their role in AD pathogenesis. We also emphasized the regulatory mechanisms by which miRNAs modulate the synaptic turnover stages in AD. Current studies will help to understand the synaptic life-cycle and role of miRNAs in each stage that is deregulated in AD, further allowing for a better understanding of the pathogenesis of devastating disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarthak Dalal
- Center of Emphasis in Neuroscience, Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Paul L. Foster School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, El Paso, Texas, USA
| | - Jaime Ramirez-Gomez
- Center of Emphasis in Neuroscience, Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Paul L. Foster School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, El Paso, Texas, USA
| | - Bhupender Sharma
- Center of Emphasis in Neuroscience, Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Paul L. Foster School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, El Paso, Texas, USA
| | - Davin Devara
- Center of Emphasis in Neuroscience, Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Paul L. Foster School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, El Paso, Texas, USA
| | - Subodh Kumar
- Center of Emphasis in Neuroscience, Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Paul L. Foster School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, El Paso, Texas, USA; L. Frederick Francis Graduate School of Biomedicael Sciences, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, El Paso, Texas, USA.
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Poirier A, Picard C, Labonté A, Aubry I, Auld D, Zetterberg H, Blennow K, Tremblay ML, Poirier J. PTPRS is a novel marker for early tau pathology and synaptic integrity in Alzheimer's disease. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.05.12.593733. [PMID: 38766183 PMCID: PMC11100782 DOI: 10.1101/2024.05.12.593733] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/22/2024]
Abstract
We examined the role of protein tyrosine phosphatase receptor sigma (PTPRS) in the context of Alzheimer's disease and synaptic integrity. Publicly available datasets (BRAINEAC, ROSMAP, ADC1) and a cohort of asymptomatic but "at risk" individuals (PREVENT-AD) were used to explore the relationship between PTPRS and various Alzheimer's disease biomarkers. We identified that PTPRS rs10415488 variant C shows features of neuroprotection against early tau pathology and synaptic degeneration in Alzheimer's disease. This single nucleotide polymorphism correlated with higher PTPRS transcript abundance and lower P-tau181 and GAP-43 levels in the CSF. In the brain, PTPRS protein abundance was significantly correlated with the quantity of two markers of synaptic integrity: SNAP25 and SYT-1. We also found the presence of sexual dimorphism for PTPRS, with higher CSF concentrations in males than females. Male carriers for variant C were found to have a 10-month delay in the onset of AD. We thus conclude that PTPRS acts as a neuroprotective receptor in Alzheimer's disease. Its protective effect is most important in males, in whom it postpones the age of onset of the disease.
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Serrano GE, Walker J, Nelson C, Glass M, Arce R, Intorcia A, Cline MP, Nabaty N, Acuña A, Huppert Steed A, Sue LI, Belden C, Choudhury P, Reiman E, Atri A, Beach TG. Correlation of Presynaptic and Postsynaptic Proteins with Pathology in Alzheimer's Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:3130. [PMID: 38542104 PMCID: PMC10970005 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25063130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2023] [Revised: 02/29/2024] [Accepted: 03/01/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Synaptic transmission is essential for nervous system function and the loss of synapses is a known major contributor to dementia. Alzheimer's disease dementia (ADD) is characterized by synaptic loss in the mesial temporal lobe and cerebral neocortex, both of which are brain areas associated with memory and cognition. The association of synaptic loss and ADD was established in the late 1980s, and it has been estimated that 30-50% of neocortical synaptic protein is lost in ADD, but there has not yet been a quantitative profiling of different synaptic proteins in different brain regions in ADD from the same individuals. Very recently, positron emission tomography (PET) imaging of synapses is being developed, accelerating the focus on the role of synaptic loss in ADD and other conditions. In this study, we quantified the densities of two synaptic proteins, the presynaptic protein Synaptosome Associated Protein 25 (SNAP25) and the postsynaptic protein postsynaptic density protein 95 (PSD95) in the human brain, using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA). Protein was extracted from the cingulate gyrus, hippocampus, frontal, primary visual, and entorhinal cortex from cognitively unimpaired controls, subjects with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and subjects with dementia that have different levels of Alzheimer's pathology. SNAP25 is significantly reduced in ADD when compared to controls in the frontal cortex, visual cortex, and cingulate, while the hippocampus showed a smaller, non-significant reduction, and entorhinal cortex concentrations were not different. In contrast, all brain areas showed lower PSD95 concentrations in ADD when compared to controls without dementia, although in the hippocampus, this failed to reach significance. Interestingly, cognitively unimpaired cases with high levels of AD pathology had higher levels of both synaptic proteins in all brain regions. SNAP25 and PSD95 concentrations significantly correlated with densities of neurofibrillary tangles, amyloid plaques, and Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) scores. Our results suggest that synaptic transmission is affected by ADD in multiple brain regions. The differences were less marked in the entorhinal cortex and the hippocampus, most likely due to a ceiling effect imposed by the very early development of neurofibrillary tangles in older people in these brain regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geidy E. Serrano
- Civin Laboratory for Neuropathology, Banner Sun Health Research Institute, Sun City, AZ 85351, USA; (J.W.); (R.A.); (A.I.); (M.P.C.); (N.N.); (A.A.); (A.H.S.)
| | - Jessica Walker
- Civin Laboratory for Neuropathology, Banner Sun Health Research Institute, Sun City, AZ 85351, USA; (J.W.); (R.A.); (A.I.); (M.P.C.); (N.N.); (A.A.); (A.H.S.)
| | - Courtney Nelson
- Civin Laboratory for Neuropathology, Banner Sun Health Research Institute, Sun City, AZ 85351, USA; (J.W.); (R.A.); (A.I.); (M.P.C.); (N.N.); (A.A.); (A.H.S.)
| | - Michael Glass
- Civin Laboratory for Neuropathology, Banner Sun Health Research Institute, Sun City, AZ 85351, USA; (J.W.); (R.A.); (A.I.); (M.P.C.); (N.N.); (A.A.); (A.H.S.)
| | - Richard Arce
- Civin Laboratory for Neuropathology, Banner Sun Health Research Institute, Sun City, AZ 85351, USA; (J.W.); (R.A.); (A.I.); (M.P.C.); (N.N.); (A.A.); (A.H.S.)
| | - Anthony Intorcia
- Civin Laboratory for Neuropathology, Banner Sun Health Research Institute, Sun City, AZ 85351, USA; (J.W.); (R.A.); (A.I.); (M.P.C.); (N.N.); (A.A.); (A.H.S.)
| | - Madison P. Cline
- Civin Laboratory for Neuropathology, Banner Sun Health Research Institute, Sun City, AZ 85351, USA; (J.W.); (R.A.); (A.I.); (M.P.C.); (N.N.); (A.A.); (A.H.S.)
| | - Natalie Nabaty
- Civin Laboratory for Neuropathology, Banner Sun Health Research Institute, Sun City, AZ 85351, USA; (J.W.); (R.A.); (A.I.); (M.P.C.); (N.N.); (A.A.); (A.H.S.)
| | - Amanda Acuña
- Civin Laboratory for Neuropathology, Banner Sun Health Research Institute, Sun City, AZ 85351, USA; (J.W.); (R.A.); (A.I.); (M.P.C.); (N.N.); (A.A.); (A.H.S.)
| | - Ashton Huppert Steed
- Civin Laboratory for Neuropathology, Banner Sun Health Research Institute, Sun City, AZ 85351, USA; (J.W.); (R.A.); (A.I.); (M.P.C.); (N.N.); (A.A.); (A.H.S.)
| | - Lucia I. Sue
- Civin Laboratory for Neuropathology, Banner Sun Health Research Institute, Sun City, AZ 85351, USA; (J.W.); (R.A.); (A.I.); (M.P.C.); (N.N.); (A.A.); (A.H.S.)
| | - Christine Belden
- Cleo Roberts Center, Banner Sun Health Research Institute, Sun City, AZ 85351, USA (P.C.)
| | - Parichita Choudhury
- Cleo Roberts Center, Banner Sun Health Research Institute, Sun City, AZ 85351, USA (P.C.)
| | - Eric Reiman
- The Banner Alzheimer’s Institute, Phoenix, AZ 85006, USA
| | - Alireza Atri
- Cleo Roberts Center, Banner Sun Health Research Institute, Sun City, AZ 85351, USA (P.C.)
| | - Thomas G. Beach
- Civin Laboratory for Neuropathology, Banner Sun Health Research Institute, Sun City, AZ 85351, USA; (J.W.); (R.A.); (A.I.); (M.P.C.); (N.N.); (A.A.); (A.H.S.)
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Meneghetti N, Vannini E, Mazzoni A. Rodents' visual gamma as a biomarker of pathological neural conditions. J Physiol 2024; 602:1017-1048. [PMID: 38372352 DOI: 10.1113/jp283858] [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: 12/13/2022] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 02/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Neural gamma oscillations (indicatively 30-100 Hz) are ubiquitous: they are associated with a broad range of functions in multiple cortical areas and across many animal species. Experimental and computational works established gamma rhythms as a global emergent property of neuronal networks generated by the balanced and coordinated interaction of excitation and inhibition. Coherently, gamma activity is strongly influenced by the alterations of synaptic dynamics which are often associated with pathological neural dysfunctions. We argue therefore that these oscillations are an optimal biomarker for probing the mechanism of cortical dysfunctions. Gamma oscillations are also highly sensitive to external stimuli in sensory cortices, especially the primary visual cortex (V1), where the stimulus dependence of gamma oscillations has been thoroughly investigated. Gamma manipulation by visual stimuli tuning is particularly easy in rodents, which have become a standard animal model for investigating the effects of network alterations on gamma oscillations. Overall, gamma in the rodents' visual cortex offers an accessible probe on dysfunctional information processing in pathological conditions. Beyond vision-related dysfunctions, alterations of gamma oscillations in rodents were indeed also reported in neural deficits such as migraine, epilepsy and neurodegenerative or neuropsychiatric conditions such as Alzheimer's, schizophrenia and autism spectrum disorders. Altogether, the connections between visual cortical gamma activity and physio-pathological conditions in rodent models underscore the potential of gamma oscillations as markers of neuronal (dys)functioning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolò Meneghetti
- The Biorobotics Institute, Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, Pisa, Italy
- Department of Excellence for Robotics and AI, Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, Pisa, Italy
| | - Eleonora Vannini
- Neuroscience Institute, National Research Council (CNR), Pisa, Italy
| | - Alberto Mazzoni
- The Biorobotics Institute, Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, Pisa, Italy
- Department of Excellence for Robotics and AI, Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, Pisa, Italy
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Zhang T, Kim BM, Lee TH. Death-associated protein kinase 1 as a therapeutic target for Alzheimer's disease. Transl Neurodegener 2024; 13:4. [PMID: 38195518 PMCID: PMC10775678 DOI: 10.1186/s40035-023-00395-5] [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: 10/04/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2024] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most prevalent form of dementia in the elderly and represents a major clinical challenge in the ageing society. Neuropathological hallmarks of AD include neurofibrillary tangles composed of hyperphosphorylated tau, senile plaques derived from the deposition of amyloid-β (Aβ) peptides, brain atrophy induced by neuronal loss, and synaptic dysfunctions. Death-associated protein kinase 1 (DAPK1) is ubiquitously expressed in the central nervous system. Dysregulation of DAPK1 has been shown to contribute to various neurological diseases including AD, ischemic stroke and Parkinson's disease (PD). We have established an upstream effect of DAPK1 on Aβ and tau pathologies and neuronal apoptosis through kinase-mediated protein phosphorylation, supporting a causal role of DAPK1 in the pathophysiology of AD. In this review, we summarize current knowledge about how DAPK1 is involved in various AD pathological changes including tau hyperphosphorylation, Aβ deposition, neuronal cell death and synaptic degeneration. The underlying molecular mechanisms of DAPK1 dysregulation in AD are discussed. We also review the recent progress regarding the development of novel DAPK1 modulators and their potential applications in AD intervention. These findings substantiate DAPK1 as a novel therapeutic target for the development of multifunctional disease-modifying treatments for AD and other neurological disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tao Zhang
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Translational Research in Cancer and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Institute of Basic Medicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fujian Medical University, 1 Xuefu North Road, Fuzhou, 350122, Fujian, China
| | - Byeong Mo Kim
- Research Center for New Drug Development, AgingTarget Inc., 10F Ace Cheonggye Tower, 53, Seonggogae-Ro, Uiwang-Si, 16006, Gyeonggi-Do, Korea.
| | - Tae Ho Lee
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Translational Research in Cancer and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Institute of Basic Medicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fujian Medical University, 1 Xuefu North Road, Fuzhou, 350122, Fujian, China.
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8
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Rossi E, Marrosu F, Saba L. Music Therapy as a Complementary Treatment in Patients with Dementia Associated to Alzheimer's Disease: A Systematic Review. J Alzheimers Dis 2024; 98:33-51. [PMID: 38427477 DOI: 10.3233/jad-230852] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/03/2024]
Abstract
Background Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a complex condition that affects various aspects of a patient's life. Music therapy may be considered a beneficial supplementary tool to traditional therapies, that not fully address the range of AD manifestations. Objective The purpose of this systematic review is to investigate whether music therapy can have a positive impact on AD patients and on which symptoms. Methods The main research databases employed have been PubMed and Cochrane, using the keywords "dementia", "music therapy", "Alzheimer", "fMRI", "music", and "EEG". Results After removing duplicates and irrelevant studies, 23 were screened using set criteria, resulting in the final inclusion of 15 studies. The total number of participants included in these studies has been of 1,196 patients. For the fMRI analysis the search resulted in 28 studies on PubMed, two of which were included in the research; the total number of participants was of 124 individuals. The studies conducted with EEG were found using PubMed. The initial search resulted in 15 studies, but after a more accurate evaluation only 2 have been included in the analysis. Conclusions Even though the data currently available is not sufficient to draw conclusions supported by robust statistical power, the impact of music therapy on AD neuropsychiatric symptoms deserves great interest. Further research should be ushered, possibly multicentric studies, led with neuroimaging and other recent techniques, which can eventually open views on the music role in improving the cognitive status in AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleonora Rossi
- Department of Radiology, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | | | - Luca Saba
- Department of Radiology, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
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Dejanovic B, Sheng M, Hanson JE. Targeting synapse function and loss for treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. Nat Rev Drug Discov 2024; 23:23-42. [PMID: 38012296 DOI: 10.1038/s41573-023-00823-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/06/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023]
Abstract
Synapse dysfunction and loss are hallmarks of neurodegenerative diseases that correlate with cognitive decline. However, the mechanisms and therapeutic strategies to prevent or reverse synaptic damage remain elusive. In this Review, we discuss recent advances in understanding the molecular and cellular pathways that impair synapses in neurodegenerative diseases, including the effects of protein aggregation and neuroinflammation. We also highlight emerging therapeutic approaches that aim to restore synaptic function and integrity, such as enhancing synaptic plasticity, preventing synaptotoxicity, modulating neuronal network activity and targeting immune signalling. We discuss the preclinical and clinical evidence for each strategy, as well as the challenges and opportunities for developing effective synapse-targeting therapeutics for neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Morgan Sheng
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Jesse E Hanson
- Department of Neuroscience, Genentech, South San Francisco, CA, USA.
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10
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Chakravorty A, Sheeba V, Manjithaya R. Drosophila melanogaster Neuromuscular Junction as a Model to Study Synaptopathies and Neuronal Autophagy. Methods Mol Biol 2024; 2761:97-120. [PMID: 38427233 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3662-6_9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
Neuronal synapse dysfunction is a key characteristic of several neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease, spinocerebellar ataxias, and Huntington's disease. Modeling these disorders to study synaptic dysfunction requires a robust and reproducible method for assaying the subtle changes associated with synaptopathies in terms of structure and function of the synapses. Drosophila melanogaster neuromuscular junctions (NMJs) serve as good models to study such alterations. Further, modifications in the microenvironment of synapses can sometimes reflect in the behavior of the animal, which can also be assayed in a high-throughput manner. The methods outlined in this chapter highlight assays to study the behavioral changes associated with synaptic dysfunction in a spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 (SCA3) model. Further, molecular assessment of alterations in NMJ structure and function is also summarized, followed by effects of autophagy pathway upregulation in providing neuroprotection. These methods can be further extended and modified to study the therapeutic effects of drugs or small molecules in providing neuroprotection for any synaptopathy models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anushka Chakravorty
- Autophagy Laboratory, Molecular Biology and Genetics Unit, Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, Bangalore, India
| | - Vasu Sheeba
- Chronobiology and Behavioural Neurogenetics Laboratory, Neuroscience Unit, Bangalore, India.
| | - Ravi Manjithaya
- Autophagy Laboratory, Molecular Biology and Genetics Unit, Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, Bangalore, India.
- Chronobiology and Behavioural Neurogenetics Laboratory, Neuroscience Unit, Bangalore, India.
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11
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Anschuetz A, Schwab K, Harrington CR, Wischik CM, Riedel G. A Meta-Analysis on Presynaptic Changes in Alzheimer's Disease. J Alzheimers Dis 2024; 97:145-162. [PMID: 38073390 PMCID: PMC10789360 DOI: 10.3233/jad-231034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND A key aspect of synaptic dysfunction in Alzheimer's disease (AD) is loss of synaptic proteins. Previous publications showed that the presynaptic machinery is more strongly affected than postsynaptic proteins. However, it has also been reported that presynaptic protein loss is highly variable and shows region- and protein-specificity. OBJECTIVE The objective of this meta-analysis was to provide an update on the available literature and to further characterize patterns of presynaptic protein loss in AD. METHODS Systematic literature search was conducted for studies published between 2015-2022 which quantified presynaptic proteins in postmortem tissue from AD patients and healthy controls. Three-level random effects meta-analyses of twenty-two identified studies was performed to characterize overall presynaptic protein loss and changes in specific regions, proteins, protein families, and functional categories. RESULTS Meta-analysis confirmed overall loss of presynaptic proteins in AD patients. Subgroup analysis revealed region specificity of protein loss, with largest effects in temporal and frontal cortex. Results concerning different groups of proteins were also highly variable. Strongest and most consistently affected was the family of synaptosome associated proteins, especially SNAP25. Among the most severely affected were proteins regulating dense core vesicle exocytosis and the synaptic vesicle cycle. CONCLUSIONS Results confirm previous literature related to presynaptic protein loss in AD patients and provide further in-depth characterization of most affected proteins and presynaptic functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Anschuetz
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
| | - Karima Schwab
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
| | - Charles R. Harrington
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
- TauRx Therapeutics Ltd., Aberdeen, UK
| | - Claude M. Wischik
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
- TauRx Therapeutics Ltd., Aberdeen, UK
| | - Gernot Riedel
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
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12
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Maltby CJ, Krans A, Grudzien SJ, Palacios Y, Muiños J, Suárez A, Asher M, Khurana V, Barmada SJ, Dijkstra AA, Todd PK. AAGGG repeat expansions trigger RFC1-independent synaptic dysregulation in human CANVAS Neurons. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.12.13.571345. [PMID: 38168171 PMCID: PMC10760133 DOI: 10.1101/2023.12.13.571345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2024]
Abstract
Cerebellar ataxia with neuropathy and vestibular areflexia syndrome (CANVAS) is a late onset, recessively inherited neurodegenerative disorder caused by biallelic, non-reference pentameric AAGGG(CCCTT) repeat expansions within the second intron of replication factor complex subunit 1 (RFC1). To investigate how these repeats cause disease, we generated CANVAS patient induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) derived neurons (iNeurons) and utilized calcium imaging and transcriptomic analysis to define repeat-elicited gain-of-function and loss-of-function contributions to neuronal toxicity. AAGGG repeat expansions do not alter neuronal RFC1 splicing, expression, or DNA repair pathway functions. In reporter assays, AAGGG repeats are translated into pentapeptide repeat proteins that selectively accumulate in CANVAS patient brains. However, neither these proteins nor repeat RNA foci were detected in iNeurons, and overexpression of these repeats in isolation did not induce neuronal toxicity. CANVAS iNeurons exhibit defects in neuronal development and diminished synaptic connectivity that is rescued by CRISPR deletion of a single expanded allele. These phenotypic deficits were not replicated by knockdown of RFC1 in control neurons and were not rescued by ectopic expression of RFC1. These findings support a repeat-dependent but RFC1-independent cause of neuronal dysfunction in CANVAS, with important implications for therapeutic development in this currently untreatable condition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Connor J. Maltby
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Amy Krans
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Ann Arbor Veterans Administration Healthcare, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Samantha J. Grudzien
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Department of Computational Medicine and Bioinformatics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Yomira Palacios
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Postbaccalaureate Research Education Program, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Jessica Muiños
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- UM SMART Undergraduate Summer Program, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Andrea Suárez
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Postbaccalaureate Research Education Program, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Melissa Asher
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Vikram Khurana
- Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Sami J. Barmada
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Anke A. Dijkstra
- Department of Pathology, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Peter K. Todd
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Ann Arbor Veterans Administration Healthcare, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
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13
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Xu L, Qu C, Liu Y, Liu H. The environmental enrichment ameliorates chronic cerebral hypoperfusion-induced cognitive impairment by activating autophagy signaling pathway and improving synaptic function in hippocampus. Brain Res Bull 2023; 204:110798. [PMID: 37890595 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2023.110798] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2023] [Revised: 10/01/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chronic cerebral hypoperfusion (CCH) is a frequently observed underlying pathology of both Alzheimer's disease (AD) and vascular dementia (VD), which is a common consequence of cerebral blood flow (CBF) dysregulation. Synaptic damage has been proven as a crucial causative factor for CCH-related cognitive impairment. This study aimed to investigate the neuroprotective impact of environmental enrichment (EE) intervention on CCH-induced synaptic destruction and the consequent cognitive impairment. Furthermore, the underlying mechanism of this neuroprotective effect was explored to provide new insights into therapeutic interventions for individuals suffering from AD or VD. METHODS In this experiment, all rats were initially acclimatized to a standard environment (SE) for a period of one week. On the seventh day, rats underwent either bilateral common carotid artery occlusion (2VO) surgery or sham surgery (Sham) before being subjected to a four-week procedure of exposure to an EE, except for the control group. During the EE or SE procedure, intraperitoneal injection of chloroquine (CQ) into rats was performed once daily for four weeks. Following this, cognitive function was assessed using the Morris water maze (MWM) test. The synapse ultrastructure was subsequently observed using transmission electron microscopy. Expression levels of autophagy-related proteins (LC3, LAMP1, and P62) and synapse-related proteins (Synapsin I and PSD-95) were detected through Western blotting. Finally, immunofluorescence was used to examine the expression levels of Synapsin I and PSD-95 and the colocalization of LAMP-1 and LC3 in the hippocampus. RESULTS After undergoing 2VO, rats exposed to SE exhibited cognitive impairment, autophagic dysfunction, and synapse damage. The synapse damage was evidenced by ultrastructural damage and degradation of synapse-related proteins. However, these effects were significantly mitigated by exposure to an EE intervention. Moreover, the intervention led to an improvement in autophagic dysfunction. CONCLUSION The study found that EE had a positive impact on CCH-induced synaptic damage. Specifically, EE was found to increase synaptic plasticity-associated proteins and postsynaptic density thickness, while decreasing synaptic space. This multifaceted effect resulted in an amelioration of CCH-induced cognitive impairment. It was shown that this beneficial outcome was mediated via the activation of the autophagy-lysosomal pathway. Overall, the findings suggest that EE may have a therapeutic potential for cognitive impairments associated with CCH through autophagy-mediated synaptic improvement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linling Xu
- The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Jiaotong University & the Third People's Hospital of Chengdu, No.82, Qinglong Road, Chengdu 610014, Sichuan, China; Department of Neurology, Zhongnan Hospital, Wuhan University, No.169, Donghu Road, Wuhan 430071, Hubei, China
| | - Changhua Qu
- Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Occurrence and Intervention of Rheumatic Disease, Department of Neurology, Minda Hospital of Hubei Minzu University, Enshi, China
| | - Yan Liu
- The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Jiaotong University & the Third People's Hospital of Chengdu, No.82, Qinglong Road, Chengdu 610014, Sichuan, China
| | - Hua Liu
- The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Jiaotong University & the Third People's Hospital of Chengdu, No.82, Qinglong Road, Chengdu 610014, Sichuan, China.
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14
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Bhembre N, Bonthron C, Opazo P. Synaptic Compensatory Plasticity in Alzheimer's Disease. J Neurosci 2023; 43:6833-6840. [PMID: 37821232 PMCID: PMC10573755 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.0379-23.2023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2023] [Revised: 06/28/2023] [Accepted: 07/06/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023] Open
Abstract
The loss of excitatory synapses is known to underlie the cognitive deficits in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Although much is known about the mechanisms underlying synaptic loss in AD, how neurons compensate for this loss and whether this provides cognitive benefits remain almost completely unexplored. In this review, we describe two potential compensatory mechanisms implemented following synaptic loss: the enlargement of the surviving neighboring synapses and the regeneration of synapses. Because dendritic spines, the postsynaptic site of excitatory synapses, are easily visualized using light microscopy, we focus on a range of microscopy approaches to monitor synaptic loss and compensation. Here, we stress the importance of longitudinal dendritic spine imaging, as opposed to fixed-tissue imaging, to gain insights into the temporal dynamics of dendritic spine compensation. We believe that understanding the molecular mechanisms behind these and other forms of synaptic compensation and regeneration will be critical for the development of therapeutics aiming at delaying the onset of cognitive deficits in AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nishita Bhembre
- Clem Jones Centre for Ageing Dementia Research, Queensland Brain Institute, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
| | - Calum Bonthron
- UK Dementia Research Institute, Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh Medical School, Edinburgh, EH16 4SB, United Kingdom
| | - Patricio Opazo
- Clem Jones Centre for Ageing Dementia Research, Queensland Brain Institute, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia
- UK Dementia Research Institute, Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh Medical School, Edinburgh, EH16 4SB, United Kingdom
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15
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Arbeev KG, Ukraintseva S, Bagley O, Duan H, Wu D, Akushevich I, Stallard E, Kulminski A, Christensen K, Feitosa MF, O’Connell JR, Parker D, Whitson H, Yashin AI. Interactions between genes involved in physiological dysregulation and axon guidance: role in Alzheimer's disease. Front Genet 2023; 14:1236509. [PMID: 37719713 PMCID: PMC10500346 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2023.1236509] [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: 06/07/2023] [Accepted: 08/17/2023] [Indexed: 09/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Dysregulation of physiological processes may contribute to Alzheimer's disease (AD) development. We previously found that an increase in the level of physiological dysregulation (PD) in the aging body is associated with declining resilience and robustness to major diseases. Also, our genome-wide association study found that genes associated with the age-related increase in PD frequently represented pathways implicated in axon guidance and synaptic function, which in turn were linked to AD and related traits (e.g., amyloid, tau, neurodegeneration) in the literature. Here, we tested the hypothesis that genes involved in PD and axon guidance/synapse function may jointly influence onset of AD. We assessed the impact of interactions between SNPs in such genes on AD onset in the Long Life Family Study and sought to replicate the findings in the Health and Retirement Study. We found significant interactions between SNPs in the UNC5C and CNTN6, and PLXNA4 and EPHB2 genes that influenced AD onset in both datasets. Associations with individual SNPs were not statistically significant. Our findings, thus, support a major role of genetic interactions in the heterogeneity of AD and suggest the joint contribution of genes involved in PD and axon guidance/synapse function (essential for the maintenance of complex neural networks) to AD development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Konstantin G. Arbeev
- Biodemography of Aging Research Unit, Social Science Research Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Svetlana Ukraintseva
- Biodemography of Aging Research Unit, Social Science Research Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Olivia Bagley
- Biodemography of Aging Research Unit, Social Science Research Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Hongzhe Duan
- Biodemography of Aging Research Unit, Social Science Research Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Deqing Wu
- Biodemography of Aging Research Unit, Social Science Research Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Igor Akushevich
- Biodemography of Aging Research Unit, Social Science Research Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Eric Stallard
- Biodemography of Aging Research Unit, Social Science Research Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Alexander Kulminski
- Biodemography of Aging Research Unit, Social Science Research Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Kaare Christensen
- Danish Aging Research Center, Department of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Mary F. Feitosa
- Division of Statistical Genomics, Department of Genetics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, United States
| | - Jeffrey R. O’Connell
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Nutrition and Program for Personalized and Genomic Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Daniel Parker
- Duke Center for the Study of Aging and Human Development, Duke University, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Heather Whitson
- Duke Center for the Study of Aging and Human Development, Duke University, Durham, NC, United States
- Durham VA Geriatrics Research Education and Clinical Center, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Anatoliy I. Yashin
- Biodemography of Aging Research Unit, Social Science Research Institute, Duke University, Durham, NC, United States
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16
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Meftah S, Gan J. Alzheimer’s disease as a synaptopathy: Evidence for dysfunction of synapses during disease progression. Front Synaptic Neurosci 2023; 15:1129036. [PMID: 36970154 PMCID: PMC10033629 DOI: 10.3389/fnsyn.2023.1129036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2022] [Accepted: 02/23/2023] [Indexed: 03/11/2023] Open
Abstract
The synapse has consistently been considered a vulnerable and critical target within Alzheimer’s disease, and synapse loss is, to date, one of the main biological correlates of cognitive decline within Alzheimer’s disease. This occurs prior to neuronal loss with ample evidence that synaptic dysfunction precedes this, in support of the idea that synaptic failure is a crucial stage within disease pathogenesis. The two main pathological hallmarks of Alzheimer’s disease, abnormal aggregates of amyloid or tau proteins, have had demonstrable effects on synaptic physiology in animal and cellular models of Alzheimer’s disease. There is also growing evidence that these two proteins may have a synergistic effect on neurophysiological dysfunction. Here, we review some of the main findings of synaptic alterations in Alzheimer’s disease, and what we know from Alzheimer’s disease animal and cellular models. First, we briefly summarize some of the human evidence to suggest that synapses are altered, including how this relates to network activity. Subsequently, animal and cellular models of Alzheimer’s disease are considered, highlighting mouse models of amyloid and tau pathology and the role these proteins may play in synaptic dysfunction, either in isolation or examining how the two pathologies may interact in dysfunction. This specifically focuses on neurophysiological function and dysfunction observed within these animal models, typically measured using electrophysiology or calcium imaging. Following synaptic dysfunction and loss, it would be impossible to imagine that this would not alter oscillatory activity within the brain. Therefore, this review also discusses how this may underpin some of the aberrant oscillatory patterns seen in animal models of Alzheimer’s disease and human patients. Finally, an overview of some key directions and considerations in the field of synaptic dysfunction in Alzheimer’s disease is covered. This includes current therapeutics that are targeted specifically at synaptic dysfunction, but also methods that modulate activity to rescue aberrant oscillatory patterns. Other important future avenues of note in this field include the role of non-neuronal cell types such as astrocytes and microglia, and mechanisms of dysfunction independent of amyloid and tau in Alzheimer’s disease. The synapse will certainly continue to be an important target within Alzheimer’s disease for the foreseeable future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soraya Meftah
- UK Dementia Research Institute, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Jian Gan
- UK Dementia Research Institute, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- *Correspondence: Jian Gan,
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17
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Kuhse J, Groeneweg F, Kins S, Gorgas K, Nawrotzki R, Kirsch J, Kiss E. Loss of Extrasynaptic Inhibitory Glycine Receptors in the Hippocampus of an AD Mouse Model Is Restored by Treatment with Artesunate. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24054623. [PMID: 36902054 PMCID: PMC10002537 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24054623] [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: 12/20/2022] [Revised: 02/14/2023] [Accepted: 02/22/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized by synaptic failure and neuronal loss. Recently, we demonstrated that artemisinins restored the levels of key proteins of inhibitory GABAergic synapses in the hippocampus of APP/PS1 mice, a model of cerebral amyloidosis. In the present study, we analyzed the protein levels and subcellular localization of α2 and α3 subunits of GlyRs, indicated as the most abundant receptor subtypes in the mature hippocampus, in early and late stages of AD pathogenesis, and upon treatment with two different doses of artesunate (ARS). Immunofluorescence microscopy and Western blot analysis demonstrated that the protein levels of both α2 and α3 GlyRs are considerably reduced in the CA1 and the dentate gyrus of 12-month-old APP/PS1 mice when compared to WT mice. Notably, treatment with low-dose ARS affected GlyR expression in a subunit-specific way; the protein levels of α3 GlyR subunits were rescued to about WT levels, whereas that of α2 GlyRs were not affected significantly. Moreover, double labeling with a presynaptic marker indicated that the changes in GlyR α3 expression levels primarily involve extracellular GlyRs. Correspondingly, low concentrations of artesunate (≤1 µM) also increased the extrasynaptic GlyR cluster density in hAPPswe-transfected primary hippocampal neurons, whereas the number of GlyR clusters overlapping presynaptic VIAAT immunoreactivities remained unchanged. Thus, here we provide evidence that the protein levels and subcellular localization of α2 and α3 subunits of GlyRs show regional and temporal alterations in the hippocampus of APP/PS1 mice that can be modulated by the application of artesunate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jochen Kuhse
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Heidelberg, 69117 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Femke Groeneweg
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Heidelberg, 69117 Heidelberg, Germany
- Institute of Neuroanatomy, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University Heidelberg, 68167 Mannheim, Germany
| | - Stefan Kins
- Department of Human Biology and Human Genetics, University of Kaiserslautern-Landau, 67663 Kaiserslautern, Germany
| | - Karin Gorgas
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Heidelberg, 69117 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Ralph Nawrotzki
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Heidelberg, 69117 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Joachim Kirsch
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Heidelberg, 69117 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Eva Kiss
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Heidelberg, 69117 Heidelberg, Germany
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science and Technology of Târgu Mureș, 540142 Târgu Mures, Romania
- Correspondence:
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18
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Lan G, Li A, Liu Z, Ma S, Guo T. Presynaptic membrane protein dysfunction occurs prior to neurodegeneration and predicts faster cognitive decline. Alzheimers Dement 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/alz.12890] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2022] [Revised: 10/28/2022] [Accepted: 11/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Guoyu Lan
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering Shenzhen Bay Laboratory Shenzhen China
- Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School (SIGS) Tsinghua University Shenzhen China
| | - Anqi Li
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering Shenzhen Bay Laboratory Shenzhen China
| | - Zhen Liu
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering Shenzhen Bay Laboratory Shenzhen China
| | - Shaohua Ma
- Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School (SIGS) Tsinghua University Shenzhen China
| | - Tengfei Guo
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering Shenzhen Bay Laboratory Shenzhen China
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School Shenzhen China
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19
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Zhang Y, Gao H, Zheng W, Xu H. Current understanding of the interactions between metal ions and Apolipoprotein E in Alzheimer's disease. Neurobiol Dis 2022; 172:105824. [PMID: 35878744 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2022.105824] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2022] [Revised: 07/05/2022] [Accepted: 07/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD), the most common type of dementia in the elderly, is a chronic and progressive neurodegenerative disorder with no effective disease-modifying treatments to date. Studies have shown that an imbalance in brain metal ions, such as zinc, copper, and iron, is closely related to the onset and progression of AD. Many efforts have been made to understand metal-related mechanisms and therapeutic strategies for AD. Emerging evidence suggests that interactions of brain metal ions and apolipoprotein E (ApoE), which is the strongest genetic risk factor for late-onset AD, may be one of the mechanisms for neurodegeneration. Here, we summarize the key points regarding how metal ions and ApoE contribute to the pathogenesis of AD. We further describe the interactions between metal ions and ApoE in the brain and propose that their interactions play an important role in neuropathological alterations and cognitive decline in AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanhui Zhang
- Department of Tissue Engineering, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Huiling Gao
- Institute of Neuroscience, College of Life and Health Sciences, Northeastern University, Shenyang, China
| | - Wei Zheng
- Department of Histology and Embryology, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - He Xu
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, School of Medicine, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China.
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