Amyloid-β Inhibits Thrombospondin 1 Release From Cultured Astrocytes: Effects on Synaptic Protein Expression

Proteomics of the astrocyte secretome reveals changes in their response to soluble oligomeric Aβ

Astrocytes associate with amyloid plaques in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Astrocytes react to changes in the brain environment, including increasing concentrations of amyloid-β (Aβ). However, the precise response of astrocytes to soluble small Aβ oligomers at concentrations similar to those present in the human brain has not been addressed. In this study, we exposed astrocytes to media from neurons that express the human amyloid precursor protein (APP) transgene with the double Swedish mutation (APPSwe), and which contains APP-derived fragments, including soluble human Aβ oligomers. We then used proteomics to investigate changes in the astrocyte secretome. Our data show dysregulated secretion of astrocytic proteins involved in the extracellular matrix and cytoskeletal organization and increase secretion of proteins involved in oxidative stress responses and those with chaperone activity. Several of these proteins have been identified in previous transcriptomic and proteomic studies using brain tissue from human AD and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Our work highlights the relevance of studying astrocyte secretion to understand the brain response to AD pathology and the potential use of these proteins as biomarkers for the disease.

Analyzing the glial proteome in Alzheimer's disease

INTRODUCTION

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by progressive cognitive decline, memory loss, and changes in behavior. Accumulating evidence indicates that dysfunction of glial cells, including astrocytes, microglia, and oligodendrocytes, may contribute to the development and progression of AD. Large-scale analysis of glial proteins sheds light on their roles in cellular processes and diseases. In AD, glial proteomics has been utilized to understand glia-based pathophysiology and identify potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets.

AREA COVERED

In this review, we provide an updated overview of proteomic analysis of glia in the context of AD. Additionally, we discuss current challenges in the field, involving glial complexity and heterogeneity, and describe some cutting-edge proteomic technologies to address them.

EXPERT OPINION

Unbiased comprehensive analysis of glial proteomes aids our understanding of the molecular and cellular mechanisms of AD pathogenesis. These investigations highlight the crucial role of glial cells and provide novel insights into the mechanisms of AD pathology. A deeper understanding of the AD-related glial proteome could offer a repertoire of potential biomarkers and therapeutics. Further technical advancement of glial proteomics will enable us to identify proteins within individual cells and specific cell types, thus significantly enhancing our comprehension of AD pathogenesis.

AAV11 enables efficient retrograde targeting of projection neurons and enhances astrocyte-directed transduction

Viral tracers that enable efficient retrograde labeling of projection neurons are powerful vehicles for structural and functional dissections of the neural circuit and for the treatment of brain diseases. Currently, some recombinant adeno-associated viruses (rAAVs) based on capsid engineering are widely used for retrograde tracing, but display undesirable brain area selectivity due to inefficient retrograde transduction in certain neural connections. Here we developed an easily editable toolkit to produce high titer AAV11 and demonstrated that it exhibits potent and stringent retrograde labeling of projection neurons in adult male wild-type or Cre transgenic mice. AAV11 can function as a powerful retrograde viral tracer complementary to AAV2-retro in multiple neural connections. In combination with fiber photometry, AAV11 can be used to monitor neuronal activities in the functional network by retrograde delivering calcium-sensitive indicator under the control of a neuron-specific promoter or the Cre-lox system. Furthermore, we showed that GfaABC₁D promoter embedding AAV11 is superior to AAV8 and AAV5 in astrocytic tropism in vivo, combined with bidirectional multi-vector axoastrocytic labeling, AAV11 can be used to study neuron-astrocyte connection. Finally, we showed that AAV11 allows for analyzing circuit connectivity difference in the brains of the Alzheimer's disease and control mice. These properties make AAV11 a promising tool for mapping and manipulating neural circuits and for gene therapy of some neurological and neurodegenerative disorders.

The Role of Extracellular Matrix in Human Neurodegenerative Diseases

The dense neuropil of the central nervous system leaves only limited space for extracellular substances free. The advent of immunohistochemistry, soon followed by advanced diagnostic tools, enabled us to explore the biochemical heterogeneity and compartmentalization of the brain extracellular matrix in exploratory and clinical research alike. The composition of the extracellular matrix is critical to shape neuronal function; changes in its assembly trigger or reflect brain/spinal cord malfunction. In this study, we focus on extracellular matrix changes in neurodegenerative disorders. We summarize its phenotypic appearance and biochemical characteristics, as well as the major enzymes which regulate and remodel matrix establishment in disease. The specifically built basement membrane of the central nervous system, perineuronal nets and perisynaptic axonal coats can protect neurons from toxic agents, and biochemical analysis revealed how the individual glycosaminoglycan and proteoglycan components interact with these molecules. Depending on the site, type and progress of the disease, select matrix components can either proactively trigger the formation of disease-specific harmful products, or reactively accumulate, likely to reduce tissue breakdown and neuronal loss. We review the diagnostic use and the increasing importance of medical screening of extracellular matrix components, especially enzymes, which informs us about disease status and, better yet, allows us to forecast illness.

The Role of Astrocytes in Synapse Loss in Alzheimer's Disease: A Systematic Review

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].

Mutant Presenilin 1 Dysregulates Exosomal Proteome Cargo Produced by Human-Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell Neurons

The accumulation and propagation of hyperphosphorylated tau (p-Tau) is a neuropathological hallmark occurring with neurodegeneration of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Extracellular vesicles, exosomes, have been shown to initiate tau propagation in the brain. Notably, exosomes from human-induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) neurons expressing the AD familial A246E mutant form of presenilin 1 (mPS1) are capable of inducing tau deposits in the mouse brain after in vivo injection. To gain insights into the exosome proteome cargo that participates in propagating tau pathology, this study conducted proteomic analysis of exosomes produced by human iPSC neurons expressing A246E mPS1. Significantly, mPS1 altered the profile of exosome cargo proteins to result in (1) proteins present only in mPS1 exosomes and not in controls, (2) the absence of proteins in the mPS1 exosomes which were present only in controls, and (3) shared proteins which were upregulated or downregulated in the mPS1 exosomes compared to controls. These results show that mPS1 dysregulates the proteome cargo of exosomes to result in the acquisition of proteins involved in the extracellular matrix and protease functions, deletion of proteins involved in RNA and protein translation systems along with proteasome and related functions, combined with the upregulation and downregulation of shared proteins, including the upregulation of amyloid precursor protein. Notably, mPS1 neuron-derived exosomes displayed altered profiles of protein phosphatases and kinases involved in regulating the status of p-tau. The dysregulation of exosome cargo proteins by mPS1 may be associated with the ability of mPS1 neuron-derived exosomes to propagate tau pathology.

Roles of astrocytes in response to aging, Alzheimer's disease and multiple sclerosis

Astrocytes are traditionally recognized for their multiple roles in support of brain function. However, additional changes in these roles are evident in response to brain diseases. In this review, we highlight positive and negative effects of astrocytes in response to aging, Alzheimer's disease and Multiple Sclerosis. We summarize data suggesting that reactive astrocytes may perform critical functions that might be relevant to the etiology of these conditions. In particular, we relate astrocytes effects to actions on synaptic transmission, cognition, and myelination. We suggest that a better understanding of astrocyte functions and how these become altered in response to aging or disease will lead to the appreciation of these cells as useful therapeutic targets.

Roles of glutamate receptors in a novel in vitro model of early, comorbid cerebrovascular, and Alzheimer's diseases

Systemic multimorbidity is highly prevalent in the elderly and, remarkably, coexisting neuropathological markers of Alzheimer's (AD) and cerebrovascular (CVD) diseases are found at autopsy in most brains of patients clinically diagnosed as AD. Little is known on neurodegeneration peculiar to comorbidities, especially at early stages when pathogenesis may propagate at subclinical levels. We developed a novel in vitro model of comorbid CVD/AD in organotypic hippocampal cultures, by combining oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD) and exposure to amyloid-Aβ oligomers (AβOs), both applied at levels subtoxic to neurons when used in isolation. We focused on synaptic proteins and the roles of glutamate receptors, which have been implicated in many basic and clinical approaches to either CVD or AD. Subtoxic insults by OGD and AβOs synergized to reduce levels of synaptophysin (SYP) and PSD-95 without cell death, while effects of antagonists of either metabotropic or ionotropic glutamate receptors were distinct from reports in models of isolated CVD or AD. In particular, modulation of glutamate receptors differentially impacted SYP and PSD-95, and antagonists of a single receptor subtype had distinct effects when either isolated or combined. Our findings highlight the complexity of CVD/AD comorbidity, help understand variable responses to glutamate receptor antagonists in patients diagnosed with AD and may contribute to future development of therapeutics based on investigation of the pattern of progressive comorbidity.

Meta-analysis of mouse transcriptomic studies supports a context-dependent astrocyte reaction in acute CNS injury versus neurodegeneration

Background

Neuronal damage in acute CNS injuries and chronic neurodegenerative diseases is invariably accompanied by an astrocyte reaction in both mice and humans. However, whether and how the nature of the CNS insult—acute versus chronic—influences the astrocyte response, and whether astrocyte transcriptomic changes in these mouse models faithfully recapitulate the astrocyte reaction in human diseases remains to be elucidated. We hypothesized that astrocytes set off different transcriptomic programs in response to acute versus chronic insults, besides a shared “pan-injury” signature common to both types of conditions, and investigated the presence of these mouse astrocyte signatures in transcriptomic studies from human neurodegenerative diseases.

Methods

We performed a meta-analysis of 15 published astrocyte transcriptomic datasets from mouse models of acute injury (n = 6) and chronic neurodegeneration (n = 9) and identified pan-injury, acute, and chronic signatures, with both upregulated (UP) and downregulated (DOWN) genes. Next, we investigated these signatures in 7 transcriptomic datasets from various human neurodegenerative diseases.

Results

In mouse models, the number of UP/DOWN genes per signature was 64/21 for pan-injury and 109/79 for acute injury, whereas only 13/27 for chronic neurodegeneration. The pan-injury-UP signature was represented by the classic cytoskeletal hallmarks of astrocyte reaction (Gfap and Vim), plus extracellular matrix (i.e., Cd44, Lgals1, Lgals3, Timp1), and immune response (i.e., C3, Serping1, Fas, Stat1, Stat2, Stat3). The acute injury-UP signature was enriched in protein synthesis and degradation (both ubiquitin-proteasome and autophagy systems), intracellular trafficking, and anti-oxidant defense genes, whereas the acute injury-DOWN signature included genes that regulate chromatin structure and transcriptional activity, many of which are transcriptional repressors. The chronic neurodegeneration-UP signature was further enriched in astrocyte-secreted extracellular matrix proteins (Lama4, Cyr61, Thbs4), while the DOWN signature included relevant genes such as Agl (glycogenolysis), S1pr1 (immune modulation), and Sod2 (anti-oxidant). Only the pan-injury-UP mouse signature was clearly present in some human neurodegenerative transcriptomic datasets.

Conclusions

Acute and chronic CNS injuries lead to distinct astrocyte gene expression programs beyond their common astrocyte reaction signature. However, caution should be taken when extrapolating astrocyte transcriptomic findings from mouse models to human diseases.

Slc6a3-dependent expression of a CAPS-associated Nlrp3 allele results in progressive behavioral abnormalities and neuroinflammation in aging mice

BACKGROUND

An association between neuroinflammation and age-related neurologic disorders has been established but the molecular mechanisms and cell types involved have not been thoroughly characterized. Activity of the proinflammatory NLRP3 inflammasome is implicated in Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease and our recent studies in patients suggest that dopaminergic neurons within the degenerating mesencephalon express NLRP3 throughout the progression of PD. Here, we directly test the impact of enhanced inflammasome activity in mesencephalic neurons by characterizing motor function, tissue integrity, and neuroinflammation in aging mice harboring hyperactivating mutations within the endogenous murine Nlrp3 locus, enabled only in cells expressing the dopaminergic neuron-specific Slc6a3 promoter.

METHODS

We compared mice harboring inducible alleles encoding the cryopyrin-associated periodic syndrome activating mutations Nlrp3A350V and Nlrp3L351P inserted into the endogenous mouse Nlrp3 locus. Tissue specific expression was driven by breeding these animals with mice expressing Cre recombinase under the control of the dopaminergic neuron-specific Slc6a3 promoter. The experimental mice, designed to express hyperactive NLRP3 only when the endogenous mouse Nlrp3 promotor is active in dopaminergic neurons, were analyzed throughout 18 months of aging using longitudinal motor function assessments. Biochemical and histologic analyses of mesencephalic tissues were conducted in 1- and 18-month-old animals.

RESULTS

We observed progressive and significant deficits in motor function in animals expressing Nlrp3L351P, compared with animals expressing Nlrp3WT and Nlrp3A350V. Age-dependent neuroinflammatory changes in the mesencephalon were noted in all animals. Analysis of GFAP-immunoreactive astrocytes in the substantia nigra revealed a significant increase in astrocyte number in animals expressing Nlrp3L351P compared with Nlrp3WT and Nlrp3A350V. Further analysis of Nlrp3L351P striatal tissues indicated genotype specific gliosis, elevated Il1b expression, and both morphologic and gene expression indicators of proinflammatory A1 astrocytes.

CONCLUSIONS

Dopaminergic neurons have the potential to accumulate NLRP3 inflammasome activators with age, including reactive oxygen species, dopamine metabolites, and misfolded proteins. Results indicate the Nlrp3 locus is active in dopaminergic neurons in aging mice, and that the hyperactive Nlrp3L351P allele can drive neuroinflammatory changes in association with progressive behavioral deficits. Findings suggest neuronal NLRP3 inflammasome activity may contribute to neuroinflammation observed during normal aging and the progression of neurologic disorders.

High glucose-induced complement component 3 up-regulation via RAGE-p38MAPK-NF-κB signalling in astrocytes: In vivo and in vitro studies

Diabetes is considered as a risk for cognitive decline, which is characterized by neurodegenerative alteration and innate immunity activation. Recently, complement 3 (C3), the critical central component of complement system, has been reported to play a key role in neurodegenerative alterations under pathological condition. Receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) activation is confirmed to mediate several inflammatory cytokines production. However, whether C3 activation participates in the diabetic neuropathology and whether this process is regulated by RAGE activation remains unknown. The present study aimed to investigate the role of C3 in streptozotocin‐induced diabetic mice and high glucose‐induced primary astrocytes and the underlying modulatory mechanisms. The decreased synaptophysin density and increased C3 deposition at synapses were observed in the diabetic brain compared to the control brain. Furthermore, the elevated C3 was co‐localized with GFAP‐positive astrocytes in the diabetic brain slice in vivo and high glucose‐induced astrocytes culture in vitro. Diabetes/high glucose‐induced up‐regulation of C3 expression at gene, protein and secretion levels, which were attenuated by pre‐treatment with RAGE, p38MAPK and NF‐κB inhibitors separately. These results demonstrate that high glucose induces C3 up‐regulation via RAGE‐ p38MAPK‐NF‐κB signalling in vivo and in vitro, which might be associated with synaptic protein loss.

Thrombospondin-1 secreted by human umbilical cord blood-derived mesenchymal stem cells rescues neurons from synaptic dysfunction in Alzheimer's disease model

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is an incurable neurodegenerative disease characterised clinically by learning and memory impairments. Amyloid beta (Aβ) peptide-induced synaptic dysfunction is a pathological process associated with early-stage AD. Here, we show that paracrine action of human umbilical cord blood-derived-mesenchymal stem cells (hUCB-MSCs) protects the hippocampus from synaptic-density loss in in vitro and in vivo AD models. To identify paracrine factors underlying this rescue effect, we analysed hUCB-MSCs’ secretome co-cultured with Aβ42-treated mouse hippocampal neurons. Thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1), a protein secreted by hUCB-MSCs in in vitro and 5XFAD AD mouse models, was selected for study. Treatment with exogenous recombinant TSP-1 or co-cultures with hUCB-MSCs significantly increased expression of synaptic-density markers, such as synaptophysin (SYP) and post-synaptic density protein-95 (PSD-95) in Aβ42-treated mouse hippocampal neurons. Knockdown of TSP-1 expression in hUCB-MSCs through small interfering RNA (siRNA) abolished the reversal of Aβ42-induced hippocampal synaptic-density loss. We demonstrate that the rescue effect of hUCB-MSC-secreted TSP-1 was mediated by neuroligin-1 (NLGN1) or α2δ-1 receptors. Interestingly, NLGN1 and α2δ-1 expression, which was reduced in Aβ42-treated hippocampal neurons, increased in co-cultures with hUCB-MSCs or exogenous TSP-1. Together, these findings suggest that hUCB-MSCs can attenuate Aβ42-induced synaptic dysfunction by regulating TSP-1 release, thus providing a potential alternative therapeutic option for early-stage AD.

High glucose-induced defective thrombospondin-1 release from astrocytes via TLR9 activation contributes to the synaptic protein loss

Diabetes, characterized by chronic hyperglycemia, is known to induce synaptic degeneration in the brain, thereby resulting in cognitive dysfunction. Thrombospondin-1(TSP-1), the secreted protein produced by astrocytes, plays a crucial role in promoting synapse formation. Toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9) has been widely known to initiate the innate immune response. We recently reported TLR9 activation in neurons results in tau hyperphosphorylation induced by HG in vitro. Its activation has been also considered to mediate oxidative stress and astrocytic dysfunction under pathological circumstance. However, whether astrocytic TSP-1 alteration plays a role in synaptic protein loss under high glucose condition and whether TLR9 activation is involved in this process have not been reported. In this study, we found that primary mouse astrocytes incubated in high glucose (30mM) induced a significant decreased TSP-1 secretion and increased intracellular contents of TSP-1 without affecting transcription level. Addition of conditioned medium from high glucose (30mM) treated astrocytes to the primary neurons exhibited reduced synaptic proteins expression, which was attenuated by treatment with exogenous rTSP-1. In addition, we demonstrated that TLR9 activation along with reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation in astrocytes was induced by high glucose (30mM). Furthermore, we explored the relationship between TLR9 activation and TSP-1 production. Both TLR9 deficiency and the antioxidant N-acetyl-L-cysteine treatment improved altered intra- and extracellular TSP-1 levels under high glucose condition. Together, our findings suggest that high glucose (30mM) impairs TSP-1 secretion from astrocytes, which depends on astrocytic dysfunction associated with TLR9 activation mediated ROS signaling, ultimately contributing to the synaptic proteins loss.

Astrocytes in mouse models of tauopathies acquire early deficits and lose neurosupportive functions

Microtubule-associated protein tau aggregates constitute the characteristic neuropathological features of several neurodegenerative diseases grouped under the name of tauopathies. It is now clear that the process of tau aggregation is associated with neurodegeneration. Several transgenic tau mouse models have been developed where tau progressively aggregates, causing neuronal death. Previously we have shown that transplantation of astrocytes in P301S tau transgenic mice rescues cortical neuron death, implying that the endogenous astrocytes are deficient in survival support. We now show that the gliosis markers Glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and S100 calcium-binding protein B (S100β) are elevated in brains from P301S tau mice compared to control C57Bl/6 mice whereas the expression of proteins involved in glutamine/glutamate metabolism are reduced, pointing to a functional deficit. To test whether astrocytes from P301S mice are intrinsically deficient, we co-cultured astrocytes and neurons from control and P301S mice. Significantly more C57-derived and P301S-derived neurons survived when cells were cultured with C57-derived astrocytes or astrocyte conditioned medium (C57ACM) than with P301S-derived astrocytes or astrocyte conditioned medium (P301SACM), or ACM from P301L tau mice, where the transgene is also specifically expressed in neurons. The astrocytic alterations developed in mice during the first postnatal week of life. In addition, P301SACM significantly decreased presynaptic (synaptophysin, SNP) and postsynaptic (postsynaptic density protein 95, PSD95) protein expression in cortical neuron cultures whereas C57ACM enhanced these markers. Since thrombospondin 1 (TSP-1) is a major survival and synaptogenic factor, we examined whether TSP-1 is deficient in P301S mouse brains and ACM. Significantly less TSP-1 was expressed in the brains of P301S tau mice or produced by P301S-derived astrocytes, whereas supplementation of P301SACM with TSP-1 increased its neurosupportive capacity. Our results demonstrate that P301S-derived astrocytes acquire an early functional deficiency that may explain in part the loss of cortical neurons in the P301S tau mice.

Regulation of Cellular Redox Signaling by Matricellular Proteins in Vascular Biology, Immunology, and Cancer

SIGNIFICANCE

In contrast to structural elements of the extracellular matrix, matricellular proteins appear transiently during development and injury responses, but their sustained expression can contribute to chronic disease. Through interactions with other matrix components and specific cell surface receptors, matricellular proteins regulate multiple signaling pathways, including those mediated by reactive oxygen and nitrogen species and H2S. Dysregulation of matricellular proteins contributes to the pathogenesis of vascular diseases and cancer. Defining the molecular mechanisms and receptors involved is revealing new therapeutic opportunities. Recent Advances: Thrombospondin-1 (TSP1) regulates NO, H2S, and superoxide production and signaling in several cell types. The TSP1 receptor CD47 plays a central role in inhibition of NO signaling, but other TSP1 receptors also modulate redox signaling. The matricellular protein CCN1 engages some of the same receptors to regulate redox signaling, and ADAMTS1 regulates NO signaling in Marfan syndrome. In addition to mediating matricellular protein signaling, redox signaling is emerging as an important pathway that controls the expression of several matricellular proteins.

CRITICAL ISSUES

Redox signaling remains unexplored for many matricellular proteins. Their interactions with multiple cellular receptors remains an obstacle to defining signaling mechanisms, but improved transgenic models could overcome this barrier.

FUTURE DIRECTIONS

Therapeutics targeting the TSP1 receptor CD47 may have beneficial effects for treating cardiovascular disease and cancer and have recently entered clinical trials. Biomarkers are needed to assess their effects on redox signaling in patients and to evaluate how these contribute to their therapeutic efficacy and potential side effects. Antioxid. Redox Signal. 27, 874-911.

Thrombospondins: A Role in Cardiovascular Disease

Thrombospondins (TSPs) represent extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins belonging to the TSP family that comprises five members. All TSPs have a complex multidomain structure that permits the interaction with various partners including other ECM proteins, cytokines, receptors, growth factors, etc. Among TSPs, TSP1, TSP2, and TSP4 are the most studied and functionally tested. TSP1 possesses anti-angiogenic activity and is able to activate transforming growth factor (TGF)-β, a potent profibrotic and anti-inflammatory factor. Both TSP2 and TSP4 are implicated in the control of ECM composition in hypertrophic hearts. TSP1, TSP2, and TSP4 also influence cardiac remodeling by affecting collagen production, activity of matrix metalloproteinases and TGF-β signaling, myofibroblast differentiation, cardiomyocyte apoptosis, and stretch-mediated enhancement of myocardial contraction. The development and evaluation of TSP-deficient animal models provided an option to assess the contribution of TSPs to cardiovascular pathology such as (myocardial infarction) MI, cardiac hypertrophy, heart failure, atherosclerosis, and aortic valve stenosis. Targeting of TSPs has a significant therapeutic value for treatment of cardiovascular disease. The activation of cardiac TSP signaling in stress and pressure overload may be therefore beneficial.

Amyloid-β Impairs Vesicular Secretion in Neuronal and Astrocyte Peptidergic Transmission

Regulated secretion of neuropeptides and neurotrophic factors critically modulates function and plasticity of synapses and circuitries. It is believed that rising amyloid-β (Aβ) concentrations, synaptic dysfunction and network disorganization underlie early phases of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Here, we analyze the impact of soluble Aβ_1–42 assemblies on peptidergic secretion in cortical neurons and astrocytes. We show that neurons and astrocytes differentially produce and release carboxypeptidase E (CPE) and secretogranin III (SgIII), two dense-core vesicle (DCV) markers belonging to the regulated secretory pathway. Importantly, Aβ_1–42, but not scrambled Aβ_1–42, dramatically impairs basal and Ca²⁺-regulated secretions of endogenously produced CPE and SgIII in cultured neurons and astrocytes. Additionally, KCl-evoked secretion of the DCV cargo brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is lowered by Aβ_1–42 administration, whereas glutamate release from synaptic vesicle (SVs) remains unchanged. In agreement with cell culture results, Aβ_1–42 effects on CPE and SgIII secretion are faithfully recapitulated in acute adult brain slices. These results demonstrate that neuronal and astrocyte secretion of DCV cargos is impaired by Aβ in vitro and in situ. Furthermore, Aβ-induced dysregulated peptidergic transmission could have an important role in the pathogenesis of AD and DCV cargos are possible candidates as cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers.

Astrocyte Transforming Growth Factor Beta 1 Protects Synapses against Aβ Oligomers in Alzheimer's Disease Model

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized by progressive cognitive decline, increasingly attributed to neuronal dysfunction induced by amyloid-β oligomers (AβOs). Although the impact of AβOs on neurons has been extensively studied, only recently have the possible effects of AβOs on astrocytes begun to be investigated. Given the key roles of astrocytes in synapse formation, plasticity, and function, we sought to investigate the impact of AβOs on astrocytes, and to determine whether this impact is related to the deleterious actions of AβOs on synapses. We found that AβOs interact with astrocytes, cause astrocyte activation and trigger abnormal generation of reactive oxygen species, which is accompanied by impairment of astrocyte neuroprotective potential in vitro We further show that both murine and human astrocyte conditioned media (CM) increase synapse density, reduce AβOs binding, and prevent AβO-induced synapse loss in cultured hippocampal neurons. Both a neutralizing anti-transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) antibody and siRNA-mediated knockdown of TGF-β1, previously identified as an important synaptogenic factor secreted by astrocytes, abrogated the protective action of astrocyte CM against AβO-induced synapse loss. Notably, TGF-β1 prevented hippocampal dendritic spine loss and memory impairment in mice that received an intracerebroventricular infusion of AβOs. Results suggest that astrocyte-derived TGF-β1 is part of an endogenous mechanism that protects synapses against AβOs. By demonstrating that AβOs decrease astrocyte ability to protect synapses, our results unravel a new mechanism underlying the synaptotoxic action of AβOs in AD.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Alzheimer's disease is characterized by progressive cognitive decline, mainly attributed to synaptotoxicity of the amyloid-β oligomers (AβOs). Here, we investigated the impact of AβOs in astrocytes, a less known subject. We show that astrocytes prevent synapse loss induced by AβOs, via production of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1). We found that AβOs trigger morphological and functional alterations in astrocytes, and impair their neuroprotective potential. Notably, TGF-β1 reduced hippocampal dendritic spine loss and memory impairment in mice that received intracerebroventricular infusions of AβOs. Our results describe a new mechanism underlying the toxicity of AβOs and indicate novel therapeutic targets for Alzheimer's disease, mainly focused on TGF-β1 and astrocytes.

Role of astrocyte-synapse interactions in CNS disorders

Astrocytes comprise half of the cells in the brain. Although astrocytes have traditionally been described as playing a supportive role for neurons, they have recently been recognized as active participants in the development and plasticity of dendritic spines and synapses. Astrocytes can eliminate dendritic spines, induce synapse formation, and regulate neurotransmission and plasticity. Dendritic spine and synapse impairments are features of many neurological disorders, including autism spectrum disorder, schizophrenia, and Alzheimer's disease. In this review we will present evidence from multiple neurological disorders demonstrating that changes in astrocyte-synapse interaction contribute to the pathologies. Genomic analysis has connected altered astrocytic gene expression with synaptic deficits in a number of neurological disorders. Alterations in astrocyte-secreted factors have been implicated in the neuronal morphology and synaptic changes seen in neurodevelopmental disorders, while alteration in astrocytic glutamate uptake is a core feature of multiple neurodegenerative disorders. This evidence clearly demonstrates that maintaining astrocyte-synapse interaction is crucial for normal central nervous system functioning. Obtaining a better understanding of the role of astrocytes at synapses in health and disease will provide a new avenue for future therapeutic targeting.

The Role of Clinical Proteomics, Lipidomics, and Genomics in the Diagnosis of Alzheimer's Disease

The early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) has become important to the reversal and treatment of neurodegeneration, which may be relevant to premature brain aging that is associated with chronic disease progression. Clinical proteomics allows the detection of various proteins in fluids such as the urine, plasma, and cerebrospinal fluid for the diagnosis of AD. Interest in lipidomics has accelerated with plasma testing for various lipid biomarkers that may with clinical proteomics provide a more reproducible diagnosis for early brain aging that is connected to other chronic diseases. The combination of proteomics with lipidomics may decrease the biological variability between studies and provide reproducible results that detect a community’s susceptibility to AD. The diagnosis of chronic disease associated with AD that now involves genomics may provide increased sensitivity to avoid inadvertent errors related to plasma versus cerebrospinal fluid testing by proteomics and lipidomics that identify new disease biomarkers in body fluids, cells, and tissues. The diagnosis of AD by various plasma biomarkers with clinical proteomics may now require the involvement of lipidomics and genomics to provide interpretation of proteomic results from various laboratories around the world.

Thrombospondin-1 prevents amyloid beta-mediated synaptic pathology in Alzheimer's disease

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized by impaired cognitive function and memory loss, which are often the result of synaptic pathology. Thrombospondin (TSP) is an astrocyte-secreted protein, well known for its function as a modulator of synaptogenesis and neurogenesis. Here, we investigated the effects of TSP-1 on AD pathogenesis. We found that the level of TSP-1 expression was decreased in AD brains. When we treated astrocytes with amyloid beta (Aβ), secreted TSP-1 was decreased in autophagy-dependent manner. In addition, treatment with Aβ induced synaptic pathology, such as decreased dendritic spine density and reduced synaptic activity. These effects were prevented by coincubation of TSP-1 with Aβ, which acts through the TSP-1 receptor alpha-2-delta-1 in neurons. Finally, intrasubicular injection with TSP-1 into AD model mouse brains mitigated the Aβ-mediated reduction of synaptic proteins and related signaling pathways. These results indicate that TSP-1 is a potential therapeutic target in AD pathogenesis.

Neuron-astrocyte interactions in neurodegenerative diseases: Role of neuroinflammation

Selective neuron loss in discrete brain regions is a hallmark of various neurodegenerative disorders, although the mechanisms responsible for this regional vulnerability of neurons remain largely unknown. Earlier studies attributed neuron dysfunction and eventual loss during neurodegenerative diseases as exclusively cell autonomous. Although cell-intrinsic factors are one critical aspect in dictating neuron death, recent evidence also supports the involvement of other central nervous system cell types in propagating non-cell autonomous neuronal injury during neurodegenerative diseases. One such example is astrocytes, which support neuronal and synaptic function, but can also contribute to neuroinflammatory processes through robust chemokine secretion. Indeed, aberrations in astrocyte function have been shown to negatively impact neuronal integrity in several neurological diseases. The present review focuses on neuroinflammatory paradigms influenced by neuron-astrocyte cross-talk in the context of select neurodegenerative diseases.

Astrocytic CCAAT/Enhancer Binding Protein δ Regulates Neuronal Viability and Spatial Learning Ability via miR-135a

The progression of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) has been associated with astrocytes-induced neuroinflammation. However, the detailed mechanism of astrocytes associated with learning impairments and neuronal loss in AD is poorly defined. Here, we provide novel evidences that astrocytic miR-135a is critical for neuronal viability and spatial learning ability in vivo. The AppTg/Cebpd^−/− mice showed a spatial learning improvement compared with the APPswe/PS1/E9 bigenic (AppTg) mice. miR-135a was found to be a CCAAT/enhancer binding protein δ (CEBPD) responsive miRNA and can repress the transcription of thrombospondin 1 (THBS1) / Thbs1 (mouse) via its 3′-untranslated region (3′UTR). We used different experimental approaches to attenuate the expression of CEBPD/Cebpd (mouse) or miR-135a in astrocytes and found the following results: increase in THBS1/Thbs1 expression, decrease in neuronal apoptosis, and increase in growth of neurites. Importantly, injection of miR-135a antagonist (AM135a) into the brain of AppTg mice was found to prevent neuronal apoptosis and improved the spatial learning ability. Together, our findings demonstrate a critical function for the astrocytic CEBPD, and point to miR-135a antagonist as an attractive therapeutic target for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease.

Molecular regulation of synaptogenesis during associative learning and memory

Synaptogenesis plays a central role in associative learning and memory. The biochemical pathways that underlie synaptogenesis are complex and incompletely understood. Nevertheless, research has so far identified three conceptually distinct routes to synaptogenesis: cell-cell contact mediated by adhesion proteins, cell-cell biochemical signaling from astrocytes and other cells, and neuronal signaling through classical ion channels and cell surface receptors. The cell adhesion pathways provide the physical substrate to the new synaptic connection, while cell-cell signaling may provide a global or regional signal, and the activity-dependent pathways provide the neuronal specificity that is required for the new synapses to produce functional neuronal networks capable of storing associative memories. These three aspects of synaptogenesis require activation of a variety of interacting biochemical pathways that converge on the actin cytoskeleton and strengthen the synapse in an information-dependent manner. This article is part of a Special Issue titled SI: Brain and Memory.

CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein delta/miR135a/thrombospondin 1 axis mediates PGE2-induced angiogenesis in Alzheimer's disease

In Alzheimer's disease (AD), large populations of endothelial cells undergo angiogenesis due to brain hypoxia and inflammation. Substantial evidence from epidemiologic, pathologic, and clinical reports suggests that vascular factors are critical for the pathogenesis of AD. However, the precise mechanistic correlation between inflammation and angiogenesis in AD has not been well elucidated. Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), a key factor of the inflammatory response, has been known to promote angiogenesis. In this study, we demonstrated that PGE2 acts through EP4 receptor and protein kinase A to modulate CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein delta (CEBPD) abundance in astrocytes. Attenuated vessel formation was observed in the brains of AppTg/Cebpd(-/-) mice. We showed that miR135a was responsive to the induction of CEBPD and further negatively regulated thrombospondin 1 (THBS1) transcription by directly targeting its 3'-untranslated region (3'UTR) in astrocytes. Furthermore, conditioned media from astrocytes expressing miR135a promoted Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) tube-like formation, which correlated with the effects of PGE2 on angiogenesis. Our results indicated that CEBPD contributes to the repression of THBS1 transcription by activating the expression of miR135a in astrocytes following PGE2 treatment. We provided new evidence that astrocytic CEBPD increases angiogenesis during AD pathogenesis. This discovery supports the negative influence of CEBPD activation in astrocytes with respect to AD pathogenesis and implies that the CEBPD/miR135a/THBS1 axis could be a therapeutic target of AD.

Decreased astrocytic thrombospondin-1 secretion after chronic ammonia treatment reduces the level of synaptic proteins: in vitro and in vivo studies

Chronic hepatic encephalopathy (CHE) is a major complication in patients with severe liver disease. Elevated blood and brain ammonia levels have been implicated in its pathogenesis, and astrocytes are the principal neural cells involved in this disorder. Since defective synthesis and release of astrocytic factors have been shown to impair synaptic integrity in other neurological conditions, we examined whether thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1), an astrocytic factor involved in the maintenance of synaptic integrity, is also altered in CHE. Cultured astrocytes were exposed to ammonia (NH₄Cl, 0.5-2.5 mM) for 1-10 days, and TSP-1 content was measured in cell extracts and culture media. Astrocytes exposed to ammonia exhibited a reduction in intra- and extracellular TSP-1 levels. Exposure of cultured neurons to conditioned media from ammonia-treated astrocytes showed a decrease in synaptophysin, PSD95, and synaptotagmin levels. Conditioned media from TSP-1 over-expressing astrocytes that were treated with ammonia, when added to cultured neurons, reversed the decline in synaptic proteins. Recombinant TSP-1 similarly reversed the decrease in synaptic proteins. Metformin, an agent known to increase TSP-1 synthesis in other cell types, also reversed the ammonia-induced TSP-1 reduction. Likewise, we found a significant decline in TSP-1 level in cortical astrocytes, as well as a reduction in synaptophysin content in vivo in a rat model of CHE. These findings suggest that TSP-1 may represent an important therapeutic target for CHE. Defective release of astrocytic factors may impair synaptic integrity in chronic hepatic encephalopathy. We found a reduction in the release of the astrocytic matricellular proteins thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1) in ammonia-treated astrocytes; such reduction was associated with a decrease in synaptic proteins caused by conditioned media from ammonia-treated astrocytes. Exposure of neurons to CM from ammonia-treated astrocytes, in which TSP-1 is over-expressed, reversed (by approx 75%) the reduction in synaptic proteins. NF-kB = nuclear factor kappa B; PSD95 = post-synaptic density protein 95; ONS = oxidative/nitrative stress.

Astrocytic control of neural circuit formation: highlights on TGF-beta signaling

Brain function depends critically on the coordinated activity of presynaptic and postsynaptic signals derived from both neurons and non-neuronal elements such as glial cells. A key role for astrocytes in neuronal differentiation and circuitry formation has emerged within the last decade. Although the function of glial cells in synapse formation, elimination and efficacy has greatly increased, we are still very far from deeply understanding the molecular and cellular mechanism underlying these events. The present review discusses the mechanisms driving astrocytic control of excitatory and inhibitory synapse formation in the central nervous system, especially the mechanisms mediated by soluble molecules, particularly those from the TGF-β family. Further, we discuss whether and how human astrocytes might contribute to the acquisition of human cognition. We argue that understanding how astrocytic signals regulate synaptic development might offer new insights into human perception, learning, memory, and cognition and, ultimately, provide new targets for the treatment of neurological diseases.