Val97Leu mutant presenilin-1 induces tau hyperphosphorylation and spatial memory deficit in mice and the underlying mechanisms

Critical thinking of Alzheimer's transgenic mouse model: current research and future perspective

Transgenic models are useful tools for studying the pathogenesis of and drug development for Alzheimer's Disease (AD). AD models are constructed usually using overexpression or knock-in of multiple pathogenic gene mutations from familial AD. Each transgenic model has its unique behavioral and pathological features. This review summarizes the research progress of transgenic mouse models, and their progress in the unique mechanism of amyloid-β oligomers, including the first transgenic mouse model built in China based on a single gene mutation (PSEN1 V97L) found in Chinese familial AD. We further summarized the preclinical findings of drugs using the models, and their future application in exploring the upstream mechanisms and multitarget drug development in AD.

Aberrant palmitoylation caused by a ZDHHC21 mutation contributes to pathophysiology of Alzheimer's disease

BACKGROUND

The identification of pathogenic mutations in Alzheimer's disease (AD) causal genes led to a better understanding of the pathobiology of AD. Familial Alzheimer's disease (FAD) is known to be associated with mutations in the APP, PSEN1, and PSEN2 genes involved in Aβ production; however, these genetic defects occur in only about 10-20% of FAD cases, and more genes and new mechanism causing FAD remain largely obscure.

METHODS

We performed exome sequencing on family members with a FAD pedigree and identified gene variant ZDHHC21 p.T209S. A ZDHHC21^T209S/T209S knock-in mouse model was then generated using CRISPR/Cas9. The Morris water navigation task was then used to examine spatial learning and memory. The involvement of aberrant palmitoylation of FYN tyrosine kinase and APP in AD pathology was evaluated using biochemical methods and immunostaining. Aβ and tau pathophysiology was evaluated using ELISA, biochemical methods, and immunostaining. Field recordings of synaptic long-term potentiation were obtained to examine synaptic plasticity. The density of synapses and dendritic branches was quantified using electron microscopy and Golgi staining.

RESULTS

We identified a variant (c.999A > T, p.T209S) of ZDHHC21 gene in a Han Chinese family. The proband presented marked cognitive impairment at 55 years of age (Mini-Mental State Examination score = 5, Clinical Dementia Rating = 3). Considerable Aβ retention was observed in the bilateral frontal, parietal, and lateral temporal cortices. The novel heterozygous missense mutation (p.T209S) was detected in all family members with AD and was not present in those unaffected, indicating cosegregation. ZDHHC21^T209S/T209S mice exhibited cognitive impairment and synaptic dysfunction, suggesting the strong pathogenicity of the mutation. The ZDHHC21 p.T209S mutation significantly enhanced FYN palmitoylation, causing overactivation of NMDAR2B, inducing increased neuronal sensitivity to excitotoxicity leading to further synaptic dysfunction and neuronal loss. The palmitoylation of APP was also increased in ZDHHC21^T209S/T209S mice, possibly contributing to Aβ production. Palmitoyltransferase inhibitors reversed synaptic function impairment.

CONCLUSIONS

ZDHHC21 p.T209S is a novel, candidate causal gene mutation in a Chinese FAD pedigree. Our discoveries strongly suggest that aberrant protein palmitoylation mediated by ZDHHC21 mutations is a new pathogenic mechanism of AD, warranting further investigations for the development of therapeutic interventions.

NMDA Receptor GluN2B Subunit Is Involved in Excitotoxicity Mediated by Death-Associated Protein Kinase 1 in Alzheimer's Disease

BACKGROUND

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common form of neurodegenerative dementia among the elderly. Excitotoxicity has been implicated as playing a dominant role in AD, especially related to the hyperactivation of excitatory neurons. Death-associated protein kinase 1 (DAPK1) is a calcium/calmodulin-dependent kinase and involved in the pathogenesis of AD, but the roles and mechanisms of DAPK1 in excitotoxicity in AD are still uncertain.

OBJECTIVE

We mainly explored the underlying mechanisms of DAPK1 involved in the excitotoxicity of AD and its clinical relevance.

METHODS

Differentiated SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cells, PS1 V97 L transgenic mice, and human plasma samples were used. Protein expression was assayed by immunoblotting, and intracellular calcium and neuronal damage were analyzed by flow cytometry. Plasma DAPK1 was measured by ELISA.

RESULTS

We found that DAPK1 was activated after amyloid-β oligomers (AβOs) exposure in differentiated SH-SY5Y cells. Besides, we found the phosphorylation of GluN2B subunit at Ser1303 was increased, which contributing to excitotoxicity and Ca2+ overload in SH-SY5Y cells. Inhibiting DAPK1 activity, knockdown of DAPK1 expression, and antagonizing GluN2B subunits could effectively prevent AβOs-induced activation of GluN2B subunit, Ca2+ overload, and neuronal apoptosis. Additionally, we found that DAPK1 was elevated in the brain of AD transgenic mouse and in the plasma of AD patients.

CONCLUSION

Our finding will help to understand the mechanism of DAPK1 in the excitotoxicity in AD and provide a reference for the diagnosis and therapy of AD.

Macromolecular structures and proteins interacting with the microtubule associated tau protein

It is well established that neurodegenerative diseases known as tauopathies are characterized by the presence of filamentous forms of phosphorylated tau protein inside neurons. However, the causal relationship between the initial symptoms of a particular disease and the molecular events affecting tau and leading to the appearance of tangles of filamentous forms of this protein remains unknown. Even the main function (or functions) of tau inside neurons is debatable and controversial. Tau seems to be a multifunctional protein. I review here some of the most studied interactions of tau with different macromolecules and proteins, which can be classified according to the structural o functional unit within which the interaction works: Microtubule, Nuclear localization and DNA, Synaptic activity, RNA metabolism, Fats transport, Proteostasis, Amyloid Cascade Hypothesis, Mitochondria and Phosphorylation. Although this seems to be a broad spectrum of tau functions, interactome studies of tau reveal hundreds of plausible partners of tau, suggesting that it engages in an extensive network of interconnected regulatory interactions by means of its high capability to interact with all kinds of proteins and complex structures, combined with its vast number of post-translational modifications. I include also some thermodynamic data concerning the interaction of tau with some partners.

Pre-Clinical Neuroprotective Evidences and Plausible Mechanisms of Sulforaphane in Alzheimer's Disease

Sulforaphane, a potent dietary bioactive agent obtainable from cruciferous vegetables, has been extensively studied for its effects in disease prevention and therapy. Sulforaphane potently induces transcription factor nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)-mediated expression of detoxification, anti-oxidation, and immune system-modulating enzymes, and possibly acts as an anti-carcinogenic agent. Several clinical trials are in progress to study the effect of diverse types of cruciferous vegetables and sulforaphane on prostate cancer, breast cancer, lung cancer, atopic asthmatics, skin aging, dermatitis, obesity, etc. Recently, the protective effects of sulforaphane on brain health were also considerably studied, where the studies have further extended to several neurological diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Parkinson’s disease, Huntington’s disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, multiple sclerosis, autism spectrum disorder, and schizophrenia. Animal and cell studies that employ sulforaphane against memory impairment and AD-related pre-clinical biomarkers on amyloid-β, tau, inflammation, oxidative stress, and neurodegeneration are summarized, and plausible neuroprotective mechanisms of sulforaphane to help prevent AD are discussed. The increase in pre-clinical evidences consistently suggests that sulforaphane has a multi-faceted neuroprotective effect on AD pathophysiology. The anti-AD-like evidence of sulforaphane seen in cells and animals indicates the need to pursue sulforaphane research for relevant biomarkers in AD pre-symptomatic populations.

Gene mutations associated with early onset familial Alzheimer's disease in China: An overview and current status

BACKGROUND

Mutations of three causative genes, namely presenilin 1 (PSEN1), presenilin 2 (PSEN2), and amyloid precursor protein (APP), have been identified as the major causes of early-onset familial Alzheimer's disease (EOFAD). The prevalence of causative gene mutations in patients with EOFAD has been reported in previous studies worldwide but remains unclear in China. The patients with these known mutations always show considerable clinical phenotypic variability. However, to date, there have been no detailed descriptions of the clinical phenotypes associated with these Chinese EOFAD mutations. Thus, the aim of this study was to describe all of the known mutations in three EOFAD causative genes and genotype-phenotype correlations in Chinese patients with EOFAD.

METHOD

We systematically searched the PubMed, MEDLINE, CNKI, VIP, and WAN-FANG databases to find Chinese EOFAD mutations in reports from inception through May 2020.

RESULT

We identified 31 studies reporting mutations of three causative genes in China. 10 mutations in APP gene, 27 mutations in PSEN1 gene and six mutations in PSEN2 were discovered in Chinese EOFAD. This review summarized all these probably pathogenic mutations as well as its clinical features. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first systemic review of causative gene mutations in patients with EOFAD in China.

CONCLUSION

The analysis of the genetic and clinical phenotype correlations in this review supports the idea that the clinical phenotype might be influenced by specific genetic defects. It also suggests genetic testing and genotype-phenotype correlations are important for the accurate diagnosis and for understanding disease-associated pathways and might also improve disease therapy and prevention.

The Effect of Chronic Cerebral Hypoperfusion on Blood-Brain Barrier Permeability in a Transgenic Alzheimer's Disease Mouse Model (PS1V97L)

The blood-brain barrier (BBB) can restrict the therapeutic effects of Alzheimer's disease (AD) medications. While a large number of AD drug treatment trials targeting BBB dynamics have emerged, most have failed due to insufficient permeability. Furthermore, a subset of AD cases, which also feature chronic hypoperfusion are complicated by BBB deficits. We used a mouse model of AD with chronic hypoperfusion-transgenic mice (PS1V97L) with right common carotid artery ligation. In this model, we assessed how chronic cerebral hypoperfusion changed the pathophysiological processes that increase BBB permeability. Compared with control mice, AD mice with chronic hypoperfusion revealed significantly upregulated expression of the receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) on the BBB. Upregulated RAGE caused increased accumulation of amyloid-β (Aβ) in the brain in these mice. Upregulation of RAGE (or binding to Aβ) can promote activation of the NF-κB pathway and enhance oxidative stress and increase the release of pro-inflammatory factors. These factors promoted the reduction of tight junction proteins between the endothelial cells in the BBB and increased its permeability. These findings suggest that the transporter RAGE dysregulation on the BBB initiates a series of pathophysiological processes which lead to increased BBB permeability. Taken together, we have shown that chronic hypoperfusion can serve to enhance and aggravate the BBB impairment in AD.

The Effect of Chronic Cerebral Hypoperfusion on Amyloid-β Metabolism in a Transgenic Mouse Model of Alzheimer's Disease (PS1V97L)

Alzheimer's disease (AD) and cerebrovascular disease often coexist. However, it is difficult to determine how chronic cerebral hypoperfusion affects the metabolism of amyloid-β peptides (Aβ) in a living patient with AD. Thus, we developed an animal model of this condition, using transgenic mice (PS1V97L) and right common carotid artery ligation to create chronic cerebral hypoperfusion. The metabolic processes associated with amyloid-β peptide (Aβ) were observed and evaluated in this PS1V97L plus hypoperfusion model. Compared with control mice, the model revealed significantly upregulated expression of Aβ (including Aβ oligomers), with decreased α-secretase activity and expression and increased β-secretase activity and expression. Furthermore, the model revealed increased mRNA and protein expression of the receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) and decreased mRNA and protein expression of low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 1 (LRP-1); both these are Aβ transporters. Moreover, the model revealed decreased activity and expression of neprilysin, which is a peripheral Aβ degrading enzyme. These findings suggest that hypoperfusion may magnify the effect of AD on Aβ metabolism by aggravating its abnormal production, transport, and clearance.

Sulforaphane Inhibits the Generation of Amyloid-β Oligomer and Promotes Spatial Learning and Memory in Alzheimer's Disease (PS1V97L) Transgenic Mice

Abnormal amyloid-β (Aβ) aggregates are a striking feature of Alzheimer's disease (AD), and Aβ oligomers have been proven to be crucial in the pathology of AD. Any intervention targeting the generation or aggregation of Aβ can be expected to be useful in AD treatment. Oxidative stress and inflammation are common pathological changes in AD that are involved in the generation and aggregation of Aβ. In the present study, 6-month-old PS1V97L transgenic (Tg) mice were treated with sulforaphane, an antioxidant, for 4 months, and this treatment significantly inhibited the generation and aggregation of Aβ. Sulforaphane also alleviated several downstream pathological changes that including tau hyperphosphorylation, oxidative stress, and neuroinflammation. Most importantly, the cognition of the sulforaphane-treated PS1V97L Tg mice remained normal compared to that of wild-type mice at 10 months of age, when dementia typically emerges in PS1V97L Tg mice. Pretreating cultured cortical neurons with sulforaphane also protected against neuronal injury caused by Aβ oligomers in vitro. These findings suggest that sulforaphane may be a potential compound that can inhibit Aβ oligomer production in AD.

Toxic amyloid-β oligomers induced self-replication in astrocytes triggering neuronal injury

Background

Soluble amyloid-β oligomer (AβO) induced deleterious cascades have recently been considered to be the initiating pathologic agents of Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, little is known about the neurotoxicity and production of different AβOs. Understanding the production and spread of toxic AβOs within the brain is important to improving understanding of AD pathogenesis and treatment.

Methods

Here, PS1V97L transgenic mice, a useful tool for studying the role of AβOs in AD, were used to identify the specific AβO assembly that contributes to neuronal injury and cognitive deficits. Then, we investigated the production and spread of toxic Aβ assemblies in astrocyte and neuron cultures, and further tested the results following intracerebroventricular injection of AβOs in animal model.

Findings

The results showed that cognitive deficits were mainly caused by the accumulation of nonameric and dodecameric Aβ assemblies in the brains. In addition, we found that the toxic AβOs were duplicated in a time-dependent manner when BACE1 and apolipoprotein E were overexpressed, which were responsible for producing redundant Aβ and forming nonameric and dodecameric assemblies in astrocytes, but not in neurons.

Interpretation

Our results suggest that astrocytes may play a central role in the progression of AD by duplicating and spreading toxic AβOs, thus triggering neuronal injury.

Fund

This study was supported by the Key Project of the National Natural Science Foundation of China; the National Key Scientific Instrument and Equipment Development Project; Beijing Scholars Program, and Beijing Brain Initiative from Beijing Municipal Science & Technology Commission.

Activation of Nrf2/ARE pathway alleviates the cognitive deficits in PS1V97L-Tg mouse model of Alzheimer's disease through modulation of oxidative stress

Oxidative stress refers to an imbalance between oxidative and antioxidative systems due to environmental factors. Although oxidative stress is implicated in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD), its precise role is not yet understood. We aimed to investigate the pathogenic mechanisms of the oxidative stress by using in vitro cultured neurons and in vivo AD models of PS1V97L-transgenic (Tg) mice. Our results showed that when oxidative stress became increasingly evident, the endogenous protective pathway of nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)/antioxidant response element (ARE) decreased in 10-month-old PS1V97L-Tg mice. Activating the Nrf2/ARE pathway suppressed oxidative stress, decreased amyloid-β (Aβ), and improved the cognitive function of the PS1V97L-Tg mice. In contrast, blocking the Nrf2/ARE pathway augmented oxidative injury and decreased the cell viability of PS1V97L-Tg neurons. Our results highlight the role of the Nrf2/ARE pathway in regulating oxidative stress of the PS1V97L-Tg mice and may indicate a potential therapeutic avenue for AD treatment.

Activation of GSK-3 disrupts cholinergic homoeostasis in nucleus basalis of Meynert and frontal cortex of rats

The cholinergic impairment is an early marker in Alzheimer's disease (AD), while the mechanisms are not fully understood. We investigated here the effects of glycogen synthase kinse-3 (GSK-3) activation on the cholinergic homoeostasis in nucleus basalis of Meynert (NBM) and frontal cortex, the cholinergic enriched regions. We activated GSK-3 by lateral ventricular infusion of wortmannin (WT) and GF-109203X (GFX), the inhibitors of phosphoinositol-3 kinase (PI3-K) and protein kinase C (PKC), respectively, and significantly decreased the acetylcholine (ACh) level via inhibiting choline acetyl transferase (ChAT) rather than regulating acetylcholinesterase (AChE). Neuronal axonal transport was disrupted and ChAT accumulation occurred in NBM and frontal cortex accompanied with hyperphosphorylation of tau and neurofilaments. Moreover, ChAT expression decreased in NBM attributing to cleavage of nuclear factor-κB/p100 into p52 for translocation into nucleus to lower ChAT mRNA level. The cholinergic dysfunction could be mimicked by overexpression of GSK-3 and rescued by simultaneous administration of LiCl or SB216763, inhibitors of GSK-3. Our data reveal the molecular mechanism that may underlie the cholinergic impairments in AD patients.

Enhancement of β-amyloid oligomer accumulation after intracerebroventricular injection of streptozotocin, which involves central insulin signaling in a transgenic mouse model

The β-amyloid (Aβ) oligomer rather than fibrillar Aβ has become the important focus of recent studies on the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Insulin signaling plays important roles in cognitive disease, such as AD. However, in-vivo evidence for the link between central insulin signaling and the Aβ oligomer are lacking, and the mechanisms underlying the effect of central insulin signaling on AD are still elusive. Our team has established the Presenilin-1 Val97Leu mutant transgenic (PS1V97L) AD mouse model with the intraneuronal Aβ oligomer as the potential initiator for other pathologies, but without extracellular amyloid plaque formation. Using this model, we investigated the roles of disturbed central insulin signaling induced by intracerebroventricular injection of streptozotocin (STZ) in the progression of AD. We observed that PS1V97L mice after intracerebroventricular injection of STZ showed increased Aβ oligomer accumulation and aggravated spatial learning and memory deficit in the absence of diabetes symptoms. Furthermore, STZ administration inhibited the activation of the insulin receptor and enhanced the activation of c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase, which was accompanied by increased production of carboxy-terminal fragments from the amyloid precursor protein, in the brain of PS1V97L mice. Overall, our study provided in-vivo evidence for a role of central insulin signaling in AD progression.

A lifespan observation of a novel mouse model: in vivo evidence supports aβ oligomer hypothesis

Transgenic mouse models are powerful tools in exploring the mechanisms of AD. Most current transgenic models of AD mimic the memory impairment and the main pathologic features, among which the formation of beta-amyloid (Aβ) plaques is considered a dominant pathologic event. Recently, Aβ oligomers have been identified as more neurotoxic than Aβ plaques. However, no ideal transgenic mouse model directly support Aβ oligomers as a neurotoxic species due to the puzzling effects of amyloid plaques in the more widely-used models. Here, we constructed a single-mutant transgenic (Tg) model harboring the PS1_V97L mutation and used Non-Tg littermates as a control group. Employing the Morris water maze, electrophysiology, immunohistochemistry, biochemistry, and electron microscopy, we investigated behavioral changes and pathology progression in our single-mutant transgenic model. We discovered the pathological alteration of intraneuronal accumulation of Aβ oligomers without Aβ plaques in the PS1_V97L-Tg mouse model, which might be the result of PS1 gene mutation. Following Aβ oligomers, we detected synaptic alteration, tau hyperphosphorylation and glial activation. This model supports an initial role for Aβ oligomers in the onset of AD and suggests that Aβ plaques may not be the only prerequisite. This model provides a useful tool for studying the role of Aβ oligomers in AD pathogenesis.

Glycogen synthase kinase-3 reduces acetylcholine level in striatum via disturbing cellular distribution of choline acetyltransferase in cholinergic interneurons in rats

Cholinergic interneurons, which provide the main source of acetylcholine (ACh) in the striatum, control the striatal local circuits and deeply involve in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases. Glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK-3) is a crucial kinase with diverse fundamental functions and accepted that deregulation of GSK-3 activity also plays important roles in diverse neurodegenerative diseases. However, up to now, there is no direct proof indicating whether GSK-3 activation is responsible for cholinergic dysfunction. In the present study, with combined intracerebroventricular injection of Wortmannin and GF-109203X, we activated GSK-3 and demonstrated the increased phosphorylation level of microtubule-associated protein tau and neurofilaments (NFs) in the rat striatum. The activated GSK-3 consequently decreased ACh level in the striatum as a result of the reduction of choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) activity. The alteration of ChAT activity was due to impaired ChAT distribution rather than its expression. Furthermore, we proved that cellular ChAT distribution was dependent on low phosphorylation level of NFs. Nevertheless, the cholinergic dysfunction in the striatum failed to induce significant neuronal number reduction. In summary, our data demonstrates the link between GSK-3 activation and cholinergic dysfunction in the striatum and provided beneficial evidence for the pathogenesis study of relevant neurodegenerative diseases.

Minocycline alleviates beta-amyloid protein and tau pathology via restraining neuroinflammation induced by diabetic metabolic disorder

BACKGROUND

Compelling evidence has shown that diabetic metabolic disorder plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease, including increased expression of β-amyloid protein (Aβ) and tau protein. Evidence has supported that minocycline, a tetracycline derivative, protects against neuroinflammation induced by neurodegenerative disorders or cerebral ischemia. This study has evaluated minocycline influence on expression of Aβ protein, tau phosphorylation, and inflammatory cytokines (interleukin-1β and tumor necrosis factor-α) in the brain of diabetic rats to clarify neuroprotection by minocycline under diabetic metabolic disorder.

METHOD

An animal model of diabetes was established by high fat diet and intraperitoneal injection of streptozocin. In this study, we investigated the effect of minocycline on expression of Aβ protein, tau phosphorylation, and inflammatory cytokines (interleukin-1β and tumor necrosis factor-α) in the hippocampus of diabetic rats via immunohistochemistry, western blotting, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

RESULTS

These results showed that minocycline decreased expression of Aβ protein and lowered the phosphorylation of tau protein, and retarded the proinflammatory cytokines, but not amyloid precursor protein.

CONCLUSION

On the basis of the finding that minocycline had no influence on amyloid precursor protein and beta-site amyloid precursor protein cleaving enzyme 1 which determines the speed of Aβ generation, the decreases in Aβ production and tau hyperphosphorylation by minocycline are through inhibiting neuroinflammation, which contributes to Aβ production and tau hyperphosphorylation. Minocycline may also lower the self-perpetuating cycle between neuroinflammation and the pathogenesis of tau and Aβ to act as a neuroprotector. Therefore, the ability of minocycline to modulate inflammatory reactions may be of great importance in the selection of neuroprotective agents, especially in chronic conditions like diabetes and Alzheimer's disease.

Presenilin-1 regulates the expression of p62 to govern p62-dependent tau degradation

Mutations in presenilin-1 (PS1) are tightly associated with early-onset familial Alzheimer's disease (FAD), which is characterized by extracellular amyloid plaques and the accumulation of intracellular Tau. In addition to being the catalytic subunit of γ-secretase, PS1 has been shown to regulate diverse cellular functions independent of its proteolytic activity. We found that cells deficient in PS1 exhibit reduced levels of p62 protein, a cargo-receptor shuttling Tau for degradation. The downregulation of PS1 led to a significant decrease in both the protein and mRNA transcript of p62, concomitant with attenuated p62 promoter activity. This PS1-dependent regulation of p62 expression was mediated through an Akt/AP-1 pathway independent of the proteolytic activity of PS1/γ-secretase. This p62-mediated Tau degradation was significantly impaired in PS1-deficient cells, which can be rescued by ectopic expression of either p62 or wild-type PS1 but not mutant PS1 containing FAD-linked mutations. Our study suggests a novel function for PS1 in modulating p62 expression to control the proteostasis of Tau.