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Chen Y, Al-Nusaif M, Li S, Tan X, Yang H, Cai H, Le W. Progress on early diagnosing Alzheimer's disease. Front Med 2024; 18:446-464. [PMID: 38769282 DOI: 10.1007/s11684-023-1047-1] [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: 09/23/2023] [Accepted: 11/15/2023] [Indexed: 05/22/2024]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that affects both cognition and non-cognition functions. The disease follows a continuum, starting with preclinical stages, progressing to mild cognitive and behavioral impairment, ultimately leading to dementia. Early detection of AD is crucial for better diagnosis and more effective treatment. However, the current AD diagnostic tests of biomarkers using cerebrospinal fluid and/or brain imaging are invasive or expensive, and mostly are still not able to detect early disease state. Consequently, there is an urgent need to develop new diagnostic techniques with higher sensitivity and specificity during the preclinical stages of AD. Various non-cognitive manifestations, including behavioral abnormalities, sleep disturbances, sensory dysfunctions, and physical changes, have been observed in the preclinical AD stage before occurrence of notable cognitive decline. Recent research advances have identified several biofluid biomarkers as early indicators of AD. This review focuses on these non-cognitive changes and newly discovered biomarkers in AD, specifically addressing the preclinical stages of the disease. Furthermore, it is of importance to explore the potential for developing a predictive system or network to forecast disease onset and progression at the early stage of AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yixin Chen
- Liaoning Provincial Key Laboratory for Research on the Pathogenic Mechanisms of Neurological Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, 116021, China
| | - Murad Al-Nusaif
- Liaoning Provincial Key Laboratory for Research on the Pathogenic Mechanisms of Neurological Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, 116021, China
| | - Song Li
- Liaoning Provincial Key Laboratory for Research on the Pathogenic Mechanisms of Neurological Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, 116021, China
| | - Xiang Tan
- Liaoning Provincial Key Laboratory for Research on the Pathogenic Mechanisms of Neurological Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, 116021, China
| | - Huijia Yang
- Liaoning Provincial Key Laboratory for Research on the Pathogenic Mechanisms of Neurological Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, 116021, China
| | - Huaibin Cai
- Transgenic Section, Laboratory of Neurogenetics, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Weidong Le
- Liaoning Provincial Key Laboratory for Research on the Pathogenic Mechanisms of Neurological Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian, 116021, China.
- Institute of Neurology, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chinese Academy of Sciences Sichuan Translational Medicine Research Hospital, Chengdu, 610072, China.
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Ventura-Antunes L, Nackenoff A, Romero-Fernandez W, Bosworth AM, Prusky A, Wang E, Carvajal-Tapia C, Shostak A, Harmsen H, Mobley B, Maldonado J, Solopova E, Caleb Snider J, David Merryman W, Lippmann ES, Schrag M. Arteriolar degeneration and stiffness in cerebral amyloid angiopathy are linked to β-amyloid deposition and lysyl oxidase. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.03.08.583563. [PMID: 38659767 PMCID: PMC11042178 DOI: 10.1101/2024.03.08.583563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
Cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) is a vasculopathy characterized by vascular β-amyloid (Aβ) deposition on cerebral blood vessels. CAA is closely linked to Alzheimer's disease (AD) and intracerebral hemorrhage. CAA is associated with the loss of autoregulation in the brain, vascular rupture, and cognitive decline. To assess morphological and molecular changes associated with the degeneration of penetrating arterioles in CAA, we analyzed post-mortem human brain tissue from 26 patients with mild, moderate, and severe CAA end neurological controls. The tissue was optically cleared for three-dimensional light sheet microscopy, and morphological features were quantified using surface volume rendering. We stained Aβ, vascular smooth muscle (VSM), lysyl oxidase (LOX), and vascular markers to visualize the relationship between degenerative morphological features, including vascular dilation, dolichoectasia (variability in lumenal diameter) and tortuosity, and the volumes of VSM, Aβ, and LOX in arterioles. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) was used to assess arteriolar wall stiffness, and we identified a pattern of morphological features associated with degenerating arterioles in the cortex. The volume of VSM associated with the arteriole was reduced by around 80% in arterioles with severe CAA and around 60% in cases with mild/moderate CAA. This loss of VSM correlated with increased arteriolar diameter and variability of diameter, suggesting VSM loss contributes to arteriolar laxity. These vascular morphological features correlated strongly with Aβ deposits. At sites of microhemorrhage, Aβ was consistently present, although the morphology of the deposits changed from the typical organized ring shape to sharply contoured shards with marked dilation of the vessel. AFM showed that arteriolar walls with CAA were more than 400% stiffer than those without CAA. Finally, we characterized the association of vascular degeneration with LOX, finding strong associations with VSM loss and vascular degeneration. These results show an association between vascular Aβ deposition, microvascular degeneration, and increased vascular stiffness, likely due to the combined effects of replacement of VSM by β-amyloid, cross-linking of extracellular matrices (ECM) by LOX, and possibly fibrosis. This advanced microscopic imaging study clarifies the association between Aβ deposition and vascular fragility. Restoration of physiologic ECM properties in penetrating arteries may yield a novel therapeutic strategy for CAA.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Alex Nackenoff
- Department of Neurology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | | | - Allison M Bosworth
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Alex Prusky
- Department of Neurology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Emmeline Wang
- Department of Neurology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | | | - Alena Shostak
- Department of Neurology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Hannah Harmsen
- Department of Pathology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Bret Mobley
- Department of Pathology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Jose Maldonado
- Vanderbilt Neurovisualization Lab, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Elena Solopova
- Department of Neurology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - J. Caleb Snider
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - W. David Merryman
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Ethan S Lippmann
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
- Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Vanderbilt University, Nashville TN, USA
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Matthew Schrag
- Department of Neurology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
- Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Vanderbilt University, Nashville TN, USA
- Vanderbilt Memory and Alzheimer’s Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
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3
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Liu Y, Tan Y, Zhang Z, Yi M, Zhu L, Peng W. The interaction between ageing and Alzheimer's disease: insights from the hallmarks of ageing. Transl Neurodegener 2024; 13:7. [PMID: 38254235 PMCID: PMC10804662 DOI: 10.1186/s40035-024-00397-x] [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: 09/13/2023] [Revised: 12/31/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Ageing is a crucial risk factor for Alzheimer's disease (AD) and is characterised by systemic changes in both intracellular and extracellular microenvironments that affect the entire body instead of a single organ. Understanding the specific mechanisms underlying the role of ageing in disease development can facilitate the treatment of ageing-related diseases, such as AD. Signs of brain ageing have been observed in both AD patients and animal models. Alleviating the pathological changes caused by brain ageing can dramatically ameliorate the amyloid beta- and tau-induced neuropathological and memory impairments, indicating that ageing plays a crucial role in the pathophysiological process of AD. In this review, we summarize the impact of several age-related factors on AD and propose that preventing pathological changes caused by brain ageing is a promising strategy for improving cognitive health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuqing Liu
- Department of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, No.139 Middle Renmin Road, Changsha, 410011, Hunan, People's Republic of China
- National Clinical Research Center for Metabolic Diseases, Changsha, 410011, People's Republic of China
| | - Yejun Tan
- School of Mathematics, University of Minnesota Twin Cities, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
| | - Zheyu Zhang
- Department of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, No.139 Middle Renmin Road, Changsha, 410011, Hunan, People's Republic of China
- National Clinical Research Center for Metabolic Diseases, Changsha, 410011, People's Republic of China
| | - Min Yi
- Department of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, No.139 Middle Renmin Road, Changsha, 410011, Hunan, People's Republic of China
- National Clinical Research Center for Metabolic Diseases, Changsha, 410011, People's Republic of China
| | - Lemei Zhu
- Academician Workstation, Changsha Medical University, Changsha, 410219, People's Republic of China
| | - Weijun Peng
- Department of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, No.139 Middle Renmin Road, Changsha, 410011, Hunan, People's Republic of China.
- National Clinical Research Center for Metabolic Diseases, Changsha, 410011, People's Republic of China.
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Fontana IC, Kumar A, Okamura N, Nordberg A. Multitracer Approach to Understanding the Complexity of Reactive Astrogliosis in Alzheimer's Brains. ACS Chem Neurosci 2024; 15:328-336. [PMID: 38133820 PMCID: PMC10797624 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.3c00646] [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: 10/07/2023] [Revised: 11/28/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
A monoamine oxidase B (MAO-B) selective positron emission tomography (PET) tracer [11C]-deuterium-l-deprenyl holds promise for imaging reactive astrogliosis in neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease (AD). Two novel PET tracers ([11C]-BU99008 and [18F]-SMBT-1) have recently been developed to assess the complexity of reactive astrogliosis in the AD continuum. We have investigated the binding properties of SMBT-1, l-deprenyl, and BU99008 in AD and cognitively normal control (CN) brains. Competition binding assays with [3H]-l-deprenyl and [3H]-BU99008 versus unlabeled SMBT-1 in postmortem AD and CN temporal and frontal cortex brains demonstrated that SMBT-1 interacted with [3H]-deprenyl at a single binding site (nM range) and with [3H]-BU99008 at multiple binding sites (from nM to μM). Autoradiography studies on large frozen postmortem AD and CN hemisphere brain sections demonstrated that 1 μM SMBT-1 almost completely displaced the [3H]-l-deprenyl binding (>90%), while SMBT-1 only partly displaced the [3H]-BU99008 binding (50-60% displacement) in cortical regions. In conclusion, SMBT-1, l-deprenyl, and BU99008 interact at the same MAO-B binding site, while BU99008 shows an additional independent binding site in AD and CN brains. The high translational power of our studies in human AD and CN brains suggests that the multitracer approach with SMBT-1, l-deprenyl, and BU99008 could be useful for imaging reactive astrogliosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Igor C. Fontana
- Division
of Clinical Geriatrics, Center for Alzheimer Research, Department
of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institutet, S-141 83 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Amit Kumar
- Division
of Clinical Geriatrics, Center for Alzheimer Research, Department
of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institutet, S-141 83 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Nobuyuki Okamura
- Department
of Pharmacology, Tohoku Medical and Pharmaceutical
University, Sendai 983-8536, Japan
| | - Agneta Nordberg
- Division
of Clinical Geriatrics, Center for Alzheimer Research, Department
of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institutet, S-141 83 Stockholm, Sweden
- Theme
Inflammation and Aging, Karolinska University
Hospital, S-141 57 Stockholm, Sweden
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5
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Noori A, Jayakumar R, Moturi V, Li Z, Liu R, Serrano-Pozo A, Hyman BT, Das S. Alzheimer DataLENS: An Open Data Analytics Portal for Alzheimer's Disease Research. J Alzheimers Dis 2024; 99:S397-S407. [PMID: 38306039 DOI: 10.3233/jad-230884] [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: 02/03/2024]
Abstract
Background Recent Alzheimer's disease (AD) discoveries are increasingly based on studies from a variety of omics technologies on large cohorts. Currently, there is no easily accessible resource for neuroscientists to browse, query, and visualize these complex datasets in a harmonized manner. Objective Create an online portal of public omics datasets for AD research. Methods We developed Alzheimer DataLENS, a web-based portal, using the R Shiny platform to query and visualize publicly available transcriptomics and genetics studies of AD on human cohorts. To ensure consistent representation of AD findings, all datasets were processed through a uniform bioinformatics pipeline. Results Alzheimer DataLENS currently houses 2 single-nucleus RNA sequencing datasets, over 30 bulk RNA sequencing datasets from 19 brain regions and 3 cohorts, and 2 genome-wide association studies (GWAS). Available visualizations for single-nucleus data include bubble plots, heatmaps, and UMAP plots; for bulk expression data include box plots and heatmaps; for pathways include protein-protein interaction network plots; and for GWAS results include Manhattan plots. Alzheimer DataLENS also links to two other knowledge resources: the AD Progression Atlas and the Astrocyte Atlas. Conclusions Alzheimer DataLENS is a valuable resource for investigators to quickly and systematically explore omics datasets and is freely accessible at https://alzdatalens.partners.org.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayush Noori
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | - Vaishnavi Moturi
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Zhaozhi Li
- Department of Computational Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Rongxin Liu
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Alberto Serrano-Pozo
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Bradley T Hyman
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Sudeshna Das
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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Das S, Li Z, Wachter A, Alla S, Noori A, Abdourahman A, Tamm JA, Woodbury ME, Talanian RV, Biber K, Karran EH, Hyman BT, Serrano‐Pozo A. Distinct transcriptomic responses to Aβ plaques, neurofibrillary tangles, and APOE in Alzheimer's disease. Alzheimers Dement 2024; 20:74-90. [PMID: 37461318 PMCID: PMC10792109 DOI: 10.1002/alz.13387] [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: 03/14/2023] [Revised: 06/07/2023] [Accepted: 06/11/2023] [Indexed: 07/28/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Omics studies have revealed that various brain cell types undergo profound molecular changes in Alzheimer's disease (AD) but the spatial relationships with plaques and tangles and APOE-linked differences remain unclear. METHODS We performed laser capture microdissection of amyloid beta (Aβ) plaques, the 50 μm halo around them, tangles with the 50 μm halo around them, and areas distant (> 50 μm) from plaques and tangles in the temporal cortex of AD and control donors, followed by RNA-sequencing. RESULTS Aβ plaques exhibited upregulated microglial (neuroinflammation/phagocytosis) and downregulated neuronal (neurotransmission/energy metabolism) genes, whereas tangles had mostly downregulated neuronal genes. Aβ plaques had more differentially expressed genes than tangles. We identified a gradient Aβ plaque > peri-plaque > tangle > distant for these changes. AD APOE ε4 homozygotes had greater changes than APOE ε3 across locations, especially within Aβ plaques. DISCUSSION Transcriptomic changes in AD consist primarily of neuroinflammation and neuronal dysfunction, are spatially associated mainly with Aβ plaques, and are exacerbated by the APOE ε4 allele.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sudeshna Das
- Neurology DepartmentMassachusetts General HospitalBostonMassachusettsUSA
- Massachusetts Alzheimer's Disease Research CenterCharlestownMassachusettsUSA
- Harvard Medical SchoolBostonMassachusettsUSA
| | - Zhaozhi Li
- Neurology DepartmentMassachusetts General HospitalBostonMassachusettsUSA
- Massachusetts Alzheimer's Disease Research CenterCharlestownMassachusettsUSA
| | - Astrid Wachter
- AbbVie Deutschland GmbH & Co. KGGenomics Research CenterLudwigshafenGermany
| | - Srinija Alla
- Neurology DepartmentMassachusetts General HospitalBostonMassachusettsUSA
| | - Ayush Noori
- Neurology DepartmentMassachusetts General HospitalBostonMassachusettsUSA
| | | | - Joseph A. Tamm
- AbbVie, Cambridge Research CenterCambridgeMassachusettsUSA
| | | | | | - Knut Biber
- AbbVie Deutschland GmbH & Co. KGNeuroscience Research CenterLudwigshafenGermany
| | - Eric H. Karran
- AbbVie, Cambridge Research CenterCambridgeMassachusettsUSA
| | - Bradley T. Hyman
- Neurology DepartmentMassachusetts General HospitalBostonMassachusettsUSA
- Massachusetts Alzheimer's Disease Research CenterCharlestownMassachusettsUSA
- Harvard Medical SchoolBostonMassachusettsUSA
| | - Alberto Serrano‐Pozo
- Neurology DepartmentMassachusetts General HospitalBostonMassachusettsUSA
- Massachusetts Alzheimer's Disease Research CenterCharlestownMassachusettsUSA
- Harvard Medical SchoolBostonMassachusettsUSA
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Perrin F, Anderson LC, Mitchell SPC, Sinha P, Turchyna Y, Maesako M, Houser MCQ, Zhang C, Wagner SL, Tanzi RE, Berezovska O. PS1/gamma-secretase acts as rogue chaperone of glutamate transporter EAAT2/GLT-1 in Alzheimer's disease. RESEARCH SQUARE 2023:rs.3.rs-3495211. [PMID: 37986905 PMCID: PMC10659539 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-3495211/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2023]
Abstract
The recently discovered interaction between presenilin 1 (PS1), a catalytic subunit of γ-secretase responsible for the generation of amyloid-β(Aβ) peptides, and GLT-1, the major glutamate transporter in the brain (EAAT2 in the human) may provide a mechanistic link between two important pathological aspects of Alzheimer's disease (AD): abnormal Aβoccurrence and neuronal network hyperactivity. In the current study, we employed a FRET-based approach, fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM), to characterize the PS1/GLT-1 interaction in its native environment in the brain tissue of sporadic AD (sAD) patients. There was significantly less interaction between PS1 and GLT-1 in sAD brains, compared to tissue from patients with frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD), or non-demented age-matched controls. Since PS1 has been shown to adopt pathogenic "closed" conformation in sAD but not in FTLD, we assessed the impact of changes in PS1 conformation on the interaction. Familial AD (fAD) PS1 mutations which induce a "closed" PS1 conformation similar to that in sAD brain and gamma-secretase modulators (GSMs) which induce a "relaxed" conformation, reduced and increased the interaction, respectively. This indicates that PS1 conformation seems to have a direct effect on the interaction with GLT-1. Furthermore, using biotinylation/streptavidin pull-down, western blotting, and cycloheximide chase assays, we determined that the presence of PS1 increased GLT-1 cell surface expression and GLT-1 homomultimer formation, but did not impact GLT-1 protein stability. Together, the current findings suggest that the newly described PS1/GLT-1 interaction endows PS1 with chaperone activity, modulating GLT-1 transport to the cell surface and stabilizing the dimeric-trimeric states of the protein. The diminished PS1/GLT-1 interaction suggests that these functions of the interaction may not work properly in AD.
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Zhao H, Wang J, Li Z, Wang S, Yu G, Wang L. Identification ferroptosis-related hub genes and diagnostic model in Alzheimer's disease. Front Mol Neurosci 2023; 16:1280639. [PMID: 37965040 PMCID: PMC10642492 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2023.1280639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2023] [Accepted: 10/13/2023] [Indexed: 11/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Ferroptosis is a newly defined form of programmed cell death and plays an important role in Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathology. This study aimed to integrate bioinformatics techniques to explore biomarkers to support the correlation between ferroptosis and AD. In addition, further investigation of ferroptosis-related biomarkers was conducted on the transcriptome characteristics in the asymptomatic AD (AsymAD). Methods The microarray datasets GSE118553, GSE132903, GSE33000, and GSE157239 on AD were downloaded from the GEO database. The list of ferroptosis-related genes was extracted from the FerrDb website. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified by R "limma" package and used to screen ferroptosis-related hub genes. The random forest algorithm was used to construct the diagnostic model through hub genes. The immune cell infiltration was also analyzed by CIBERSORTx. The miRNet and DGIdb database were used to identify microRNAs (miRNAs) and drugs which targeting hub genes. Results We identified 18 ferroptosis-related hub genes anomalously expressed in AD, and consistent expression trends had been observed in both AsymAD The random forest diagnosis model had good prediction results in both training set (AUC = 0.824) and validation set (AUC = 0.734). Immune cell infiltration was analyzed and the results showed that CD4+ T cells resting memory, macrophages M2 and neutrophils were significantly higher in AD. A significant correlation of hub genes with immune infiltration was observed, such as DDIT4 showed strong positive correlation with CD4+ T cells memory resting and AKR1C2 had positive correlation with Macrophages M2. Additionally, the microRNAs (miRNAs) and drugs which targeting hub genes were screened. Conclusion These results suggest that ferroptosis-related hub genes we screened played a part in the pathological progression of AD. We explored the potential of these genes as diagnostic markers and their relevance to immune cells which will help in understanding the development of AD. Targeting miRNAs and drugs provides new research clues for preventing the development of AD.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Guoying Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Differentiation and Regulation, Henan International Joint Laboratory of Pulmonary Fibrosis, Henan Center for Outstanding Overseas Scientists of Pulmonary Fibrosis, College of Life Sciences, Institute of Biomedical Science, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang, Henan, China
| | - Lan Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Cell Differentiation and Regulation, Henan International Joint Laboratory of Pulmonary Fibrosis, Henan Center for Outstanding Overseas Scientists of Pulmonary Fibrosis, College of Life Sciences, Institute of Biomedical Science, Henan Normal University, Xinxiang, Henan, China
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Stoka V, Vasiljeva O, Nakanishi H, Turk V. The Role of Cysteine Protease Cathepsins B, H, C, and X/Z in Neurodegenerative Diseases and Cancer. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:15613. [PMID: 37958596 PMCID: PMC10650516 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242115613] [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: 07/22/2023] [Revised: 10/17/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Papain-like cysteine proteases are composed of 11 human cysteine cathepsins, originally located in the lysosomes. They exhibit broad specificity and act as endopeptidases and/or exopeptidases. Among them, only cathepsins B, H, C, and X/Z exhibit exopeptidase activity. Recently, cysteine cathepsins have been found to be present outside the lysosomes and often participate in various pathological processes. Hence, they have been considered key signalling molecules. Their potentially hazardous proteolytic activities are tightly regulated. This review aims to discuss recent advances in understanding the structural aspects of these four cathepsins, mechanisms of their zymogen activation, regulation of their activities, and functional aspects of these enzymes in neurodegeneration and cancer. Neurodegenerative effects have been evaluated, particularly in Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, multiple sclerosis, and neuropsychiatric disorders. Cysteine cathepsins also participate in tumour progression and metastasis through the overexpression and secretion of proteases, which trigger extracellular matrix degradation. To our knowledge, this is the first review to provide an in-depth analysis regarding the roles of cysteine cathepsins B, H, C, and X in neurodegenerative diseases and cancer. Further advances in understanding the functions of cysteine cathepsins in these conditions will result in the development of novel, targeted therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veronika Stoka
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular and Structural Biology, Jožef Stefan Institute, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia;
- Jožef Stefan International Postgraduate School, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Olga Vasiljeva
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular and Structural Biology, Jožef Stefan Institute, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia;
- CytomX Therapeutics, Inc., South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | - Hiroshi Nakanishi
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Yasuda Women’s University, Hiroshima 731-0153, Japan;
| | - Vito Turk
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular and Structural Biology, Jožef Stefan Institute, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia;
- Jožef Stefan International Postgraduate School, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
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Lia A, Di Spiezio A, Vitalini L, Tore M, Puja G, Losi G. Ion Channels and Ionotropic Receptors in Astrocytes: Physiological Functions and Alterations in Alzheimer's Disease and Glioblastoma. Life (Basel) 2023; 13:2038. [PMID: 37895420 PMCID: PMC10608464 DOI: 10.3390/life13102038] [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: 09/04/2023] [Revised: 10/03/2023] [Accepted: 10/07/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The human brain is composed of nearly one hundred billion neurons and an equal number of glial cells, including macroglia, i.e., astrocytes and oligodendrocytes, and microglia, the resident immune cells of the brain. In the last few decades, compelling evidence has revealed that glial cells are far more active and complex than previously thought. In particular, astrocytes, the most abundant glial cell population, not only take part in brain development, metabolism, and defense against pathogens and insults, but they also affect sensory, motor, and cognitive functions by constantly modulating synaptic activity. Not surprisingly, astrocytes are actively involved in neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) and other neurological disorders like brain tumors, in which they rapidly become reactive and mediate neuroinflammation. Reactive astrocytes acquire or lose specific functions that differently modulate disease progression and symptoms, including cognitive impairments. Astrocytes express several types of ion channels, including K+, Na+, and Ca2+ channels, transient receptor potential channels (TRP), aquaporins, mechanoreceptors, and anion channels, whose properties and functions are only partially understood, particularly in small processes that contact synapses. In addition, astrocytes express ionotropic receptors for several neurotransmitters. Here, we provide an extensive and up-to-date review of the roles of ion channels and ionotropic receptors in astrocyte physiology and pathology. As examples of two different brain pathologies, we focus on Alzheimer's disease (AD), one of the most diffuse neurodegenerative disorders, and glioblastoma (GBM), the most common brain tumor. Understanding how ion channels and ionotropic receptors in astrocytes participate in NDs and tumors is necessary for developing new therapeutic tools for these increasingly common neurological conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annamaria Lia
- Department Biomedical Science, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy; (A.L.); (A.D.S.)
| | - Alessandro Di Spiezio
- Department Biomedical Science, University of Padova, 35131 Padova, Italy; (A.L.); (A.D.S.)
- Neuroscience Institute (CNR-IN), Padova Section, 35131 Padova, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Vitalini
- Department Life Science, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy; (L.V.); (G.P.)
| | - Manuela Tore
- Institute of Nanoscience (CNR-NANO), Modena Section, 41125 Modena, Italy;
- Department Biomedical Science, Metabolic and Neuroscience, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy
| | - Giulia Puja
- Department Life Science, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy; (L.V.); (G.P.)
| | - Gabriele Losi
- Institute of Nanoscience (CNR-NANO), Modena Section, 41125 Modena, Italy;
- Department Biomedical Science, Metabolic and Neuroscience, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy
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11
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Zou Y, Li L, Guan L, Ma C, Yu S, Ma X, Mao C, Gao J, Qiu L. Research trends and hotspots of glial fibrillary acidic protein within the area of Alzheimer's disease: a bibliometric analysis. Front Aging Neurosci 2023; 15:1196272. [PMID: 37829140 PMCID: PMC10565806 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2023.1196272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2023] [Accepted: 09/01/2023] [Indexed: 10/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective Our aim was to analyze the trends and hotspots on glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) within the area of Alzheimer's disease (AD) by using a bibliometric method, which is currently missing. Methods All articles and reviews on GFAP within the area of AD from inception to December 31, 2022, were searched from the Web of Science Core Collection. Full records were derived, imported into Microsoft Excel, and analyzed by BIBLIOMETRC, VOSviewer, and CiteSpace. Results In total, 2,269 publications, including 2,166 articles, were ultimately included. The number of publications from 81 countries/regions and 527 academic journals increased annually. The top three prolific countries and institutions were the USA, China, and England, the University of Gothenburg (Sweden), Universidade Federal Rio Grande do Sul (Brasilia), and UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology (England). Henrik Zetterberg from the University of Gothenburg, Kaj Blennow from the University of Gothenburg, and Alexei Verkhratsky from the University of Manchester were the top three prolific and cited authors; Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, Brain Research, and Neuroscience contributed the most publications. The top key areas of research included "molecular, biology, and genetics" and "molecular, biology, and immunology," and the top published and linked meaningful keywords included oxidative stress, inflammation/neuroinflammation, microglia, hippocampus, amyloid, cognitive impairment, tau, and dysfunction. Conclusion Based on the bibliometric analysis, the number of publications on GFAP within the area of AD has been rapidly increasing, especially in the past several years. Oxidative stress and inflammation are research hotspots, and GFAP in body fluids, especially blood, could be used for large-scale screening for AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yutong Zou
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College and Chinese Academy of Medical Science, Beijing, China
| | - Lei Li
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College and Chinese Academy of Medical Science, Beijing, China
| | - Lihua Guan
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College and Chinese Academy of Medical Science, Beijing, China
| | - Chaochao Ma
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College and Chinese Academy of Medical Science, Beijing, China
| | - Songlin Yu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College and Chinese Academy of Medical Science, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaoli Ma
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College and Chinese Academy of Medical Science, Beijing, China
- Medical Science Research Center (MRC), Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Chenhui Mao
- Department of Neurology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jing Gao
- Department of Neurology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Ling Qiu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College and Chinese Academy of Medical Science, Beijing, China
- State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
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12
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Fonseca C, Ettcheto M, Bicker J, Fernandes MJ, Falcão A, Camins A, Fortuna A. Under the umbrella of depression and Alzheimer's disease physiopathology: Can cannabinoids be a dual-pleiotropic therapy? Ageing Res Rev 2023; 90:101998. [PMID: 37414155 DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2023.101998] [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: 02/17/2023] [Revised: 05/17/2023] [Accepted: 07/03/2023] [Indexed: 07/08/2023]
Abstract
Depression and Alzheimer´s disease (AD) are two disorders highly prevalent worldwide. Depression affects more than 300 million people worldwide while AD affects 60-80% of the 55 million cases of dementia. Both diseases are affected by aging with high prevalence in elderly and share not only the main brain affected areas but also several physiopathological mechanisms. Depression disease is already ascribed as a risk factor to the development of AD. Despite the wide diversity of pharmacological treatments currently available in clinical practice for depression management, they remain associated to a slow recovery process and to treatment-resistant depression. On the other hand, AD treatment is essentially based in symptomatology relieve. Thus, the need for new multi-target treatments arises. Herein, we discuss the current state-of-art regarding the contribution of the endocannabinoid system (ECS) in synaptic transmission processes, synapses plasticity and neurogenesis and consequently the use of exogenous cannabinoids in the treatment of depression and on delaying the progression of AD. Besides the well-known imbalance of neurotransmitter levels, including serotonin, noradrenaline, dopamine and glutamate, recent scientific evidence highlights aberrant spine density, neuroinflammation, dysregulation of neurotrophic factor levels and formation of amyloid beta (Aβ) peptides, as the main physiopathological mechanisms compromised in depression and AD. The contribution of the ECS in these mechanisms is herein specified as well as the pleiotropic effects of phytocannabinoids. At the end, it became evident that Cannabinol, Cannabidiol, Cannabigerol, Cannabidivarin and Cannabichromene may act in novel therapeutic targets, presenting high potential in the pharmacotherapy of both diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carla Fonseca
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal; CIBIT - Coimbra Institute for Biomedical Imaging and Translational Research, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal; Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Therapeutic Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy and Food Science, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Institute of Neurosciences, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Miren Ettcheto
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Therapeutic Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy and Food Science, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Institute of Neurosciences, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Biomedical Research Networking Centre in Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED), Carlos III Health Institute, Madrid, Spain
| | - Joana Bicker
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal; CIBIT - Coimbra Institute for Biomedical Imaging and Translational Research, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Maria José Fernandes
- Departamento de Neurologia/Neurocirurgia, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo-UNIFESP, Rua Pedro de Toledo, 669, CEP, São Paulo 04039-032, Brazil
| | - Amílcar Falcão
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal; CIBIT - Coimbra Institute for Biomedical Imaging and Translational Research, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Antoni Camins
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Therapeutic Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy and Food Science, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Institute of Neurosciences, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Biomedical Research Networking Centre in Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED), Carlos III Health Institute, Madrid, Spain
| | - Ana Fortuna
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal; CIBIT - Coimbra Institute for Biomedical Imaging and Translational Research, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.
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Carvalho D, Diaz-Amarilla P, Dapueto R, Santi MD, Duarte P, Savio E, Engler H, Abin-Carriquiry JA, Arredondo F. Transcriptomic Analyses of Neurotoxic Astrocytes Derived from Adult Triple Transgenic Alzheimer's Disease Mice. J Mol Neurosci 2023; 73:487-515. [PMID: 37318736 DOI: 10.1007/s12031-023-02105-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2022] [Accepted: 02/03/2023] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease have been classically studied from a purely neuronocentric point of view. More recent evidences support the notion that other cell populations are involved in disease progression. In this sense, the possible pathogenic role of glial cells like astrocytes is increasingly being recognized. Once faced with tissue damage signals and other stimuli present in disease environments, astrocytes suffer many morphological and functional changes, a process referred as reactive astrogliosis. Studies from murine models and humans suggest that these complex and heterogeneous responses could manifest as disease-specific astrocyte phenotypes. Clear understanding of disease-associated astrocytes is a necessary step to fully disclose neurodegenerative processes, aiding in the design of new therapeutic and diagnostic strategies. In this work, we present the transcriptomics characterization of neurotoxic astrocytic cultures isolated from adult symptomatic animals of the triple transgenic mouse model of Alzheimer's disease (3xTg-AD). According to the observed profile, 3xTg-AD neurotoxic astrocytes show various reactivity features including alteration of the extracellular matrix and release of pro-inflammatory and proliferative factors that could result in harmful effects to neurons. Moreover, these alterations could be a consequence of stress responses at the endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria as well as of concomitant metabolic adaptations. Present results support the hypothesis that adaptive changes of astrocytic function induced by a stressed microenvironment could later promote harmful astrocyte phenotypes and further accelerate or induce neurodegenerative processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diego Carvalho
- Departamento de Neuroquímica, Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Clemente Estable, 11600, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Pablo Diaz-Amarilla
- Área I+D Biomédica, Centro Uruguayo de Imagenología Molecular, 11600, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Rosina Dapueto
- Área I+D Biomédica, Centro Uruguayo de Imagenología Molecular, 11600, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - María Daniela Santi
- Área I+D Biomédica, Centro Uruguayo de Imagenología Molecular, 11600, Montevideo, Uruguay
- College of Dentistry, Bluestone Center for Clinical Research, New York University, New York, 10010, USA
| | - Pablo Duarte
- Área I+D Biomédica, Centro Uruguayo de Imagenología Molecular, 11600, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Eduardo Savio
- Área I+D Biomédica, Centro Uruguayo de Imagenología Molecular, 11600, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Henry Engler
- Área I+D Biomédica, Centro Uruguayo de Imagenología Molecular, 11600, Montevideo, Uruguay
- Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, 1800, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Juan A Abin-Carriquiry
- Departamento de Neuroquímica, Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Clemente Estable, 11600, Montevideo, Uruguay.
- Laboratorio de Biofármacos, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, 11600, Montevideo, Uruguay.
| | - Florencia Arredondo
- Departamento de Neuroquímica, Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Clemente Estable, 11600, Montevideo, Uruguay.
- Área I+D Biomédica, Centro Uruguayo de Imagenología Molecular, 11600, Montevideo, Uruguay.
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Afridi R, Lee WH, Kim JH, Suk K. Utilizing databases for astrocyte secretome research. Expert Rev Proteomics 2023; 20:371-379. [PMID: 37978891 DOI: 10.1080/14789450.2023.2285311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Astrocytes are the most abundant cell type in the central nervous system (CNS). They play a pivotal role in supporting neuronal function and maintaining homeostasis by releasing a variety of bioactive proteins, collectively known as the astrocyte secretome. Investigating secretome provides insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying astrocyte function and dysfunction, as well as novel strategies to prevent and treat diseases affecting the CNS. AREAS COVERED Proteomics databases are a valuable resource for studying the role of astrocytes in healthy and diseased brain function, as they provide information about gene expression, protein expression, and cellular function. In this review, we discuss existing databases that are useful for astrocyte secretome research. EXPERT OPINION Astrocyte secretomics is a field that is rapidly progressing, yet the availability of dedicated databases is currently limited. To meet the increasing demand for comprehensive omics data in glia research, developing databases specifically focused on astrocyte secretome is crucial. Such databases would allow researchers to investigate the intricate molecular landscape of astrocytes and comprehend their involvement in diverse physiological and pathological processes. Expanding resources through the development of databases dedicated to the astrocyte secretome may facilitate further advancements in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruqayya Afridi
- Department of Pharmacology, BK21 Plus KNU Biomedical Convergence Program, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Republic of Korea
| | - Won-Ha Lee
- Brain Science & Engineering Institute, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Republic of Korea
- School of Life Sciences, BK21 Plus KNU Creative BioResearch Group, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Republic of Korea
| | - Jong-Heon Kim
- Brain Science & Engineering Institute, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyoungho Suk
- Department of Pharmacology, BK21 Plus KNU Biomedical Convergence Program, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Republic of Korea
- Brain Science & Engineering Institute, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Republic of Korea
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15
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Wang T, Chen M, Li H, Ding G, Song Y, Hou B, Yao B, Wang Z, Hou Y, Liang J, Wei C, Jia Z. Repositioning of clinically approved drug Bazi Bushen capsule for treatment of Aizheimer's disease using network pharmacology approach and in vitro experimental validation. Heliyon 2023; 9:e17603. [PMID: 37449101 PMCID: PMC10336525 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e17603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2023] [Revised: 06/17/2023] [Accepted: 06/22/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Aims To explore the new indications and key mechanism of Bazi Bushen capsule (BZBS) by network pharmacology and in vitro experiment. Methods The ingredients library of BZBS was constructed by retrieving multiple TCM databases. The potential target profiles of the components were predicted by target prediction algorithms based on different principles, and validated by using known activity data. The target spectrum of BZBS with high reliability was screened by considering the source of the targets and the node degree in compound-target (C-T) network. Subsequently, new indications for BZBS were predicted by disease ontology (DO) enrichment analysis and initially validated by GO and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis. Furthermore, the target sets of BZBS acting on AD signaling pathway were identified by intersection analysis. Based on STRING database, the PPI network of target was constructed and their node degree was calculated. Two Alzheimer's disease (AD) cell models, BV-2 and SH-SY5Y, were used to preliminarily verify the anti-AD efficacy and mechanism of BZBS in vitro. Results In total, 1499 non-repeated ingredients were obtained from 16 herbs in BZBS formula, and 1320 BZBS targets with high confidence were predicted. Disease enrichment results strongly suggested that BZBS formula has the potential to be used in the treatment of AD. GO and KEGG enrichment results provide a preliminary verification of this point. Among them, 113 functional targets of BZBS belong to AD pathway. A PPI network containing 113 functional targets and 1051 edges for the treatment of AD was constructed. In vitro experiments showed that BZBS could significantly reduce the release of TNF-α and IL-6 and the expression of COX-2 and PSEN1 in Aβ25-35-induced BV-2 cells, which may be related to the regulation of ERK1/2/NF-κB signaling pathway. BZBS reduced the apoptosis rate of Aβ25-35 induced SH-SY5Y cells, significantly increased mitochondrial membrane potential, reduced the expression of Caspase3 active fragment and PSEN1, and increased the expression of IDE. This may be related to the regulation of GSK-3β/β-catenin signaling pathway. Conclusions BZBS formula has a potential use in the treatment of AD, which is achieved through regulation of ERK1/2, NF-κB signaling pathways, and GSK-3β/β-catenin signaling pathway. Furthermore, the network pharmacology technology is a feasible drug repurposing strategy to reposition new clinical use of approved TCM and explore the mechanism of action. The study lays a foundation for the subsequent in-depth study of BZBS in the treatment of AD and provides a basis for its application in the clinical treatment of AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tongxing Wang
- National Key Laboratory of Collateral Disease Research and Innovative Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang, 050035, PR China
- Hebei Yiling Pharmaceutical Research Institute, Key Laboratory of State Administration of TCM (Cardio-Cerebral Vessel Collateral Diseases), Shijiazhuang, 050035, PR China
| | - Meng Chen
- National Key Laboratory of Collateral Disease Research and Innovative Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang, 050035, PR China
- Hebei Yiling Pharmaceutical Research Institute, Key Laboratory of State Administration of TCM (Cardio-Cerebral Vessel Collateral Diseases), Shijiazhuang, 050035, PR China
| | - Huixin Li
- National Key Laboratory of Collateral Disease Research and Innovative Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang, 050035, PR China
- Hebei Yiling Pharmaceutical Research Institute, Key Laboratory of State Administration of TCM (Cardio-Cerebral Vessel Collateral Diseases), Shijiazhuang, 050035, PR China
| | - Guoyuan Ding
- National Key Laboratory of Collateral Disease Research and Innovative Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang, 050035, PR China
- Hebei Yiling Pharmaceutical Research Institute, Key Laboratory of State Administration of TCM (Cardio-Cerebral Vessel Collateral Diseases), Shijiazhuang, 050035, PR China
| | - Yanfei Song
- National Key Laboratory of Collateral Disease Research and Innovative Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang, 050035, PR China
- Hebei Yiling Pharmaceutical Research Institute, Key Laboratory of State Administration of TCM (Cardio-Cerebral Vessel Collateral Diseases), Shijiazhuang, 050035, PR China
| | - Bin Hou
- National Key Laboratory of Collateral Disease Research and Innovative Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang, 050035, PR China
- Hebei Yiling Pharmaceutical Research Institute, Key Laboratory of State Administration of TCM (Cardio-Cerebral Vessel Collateral Diseases), Shijiazhuang, 050035, PR China
| | - Bing Yao
- National Key Laboratory of Collateral Disease Research and Innovative Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang, 050035, PR China
- Hebei Yiling Pharmaceutical Research Institute, Key Laboratory of State Administration of TCM (Cardio-Cerebral Vessel Collateral Diseases), Shijiazhuang, 050035, PR China
| | - Zhixin Wang
- National Key Laboratory of Collateral Disease Research and Innovative Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang, 050035, PR China
- Hebei Yiling Pharmaceutical Research Institute, Key Laboratory of State Administration of TCM (Cardio-Cerebral Vessel Collateral Diseases), Shijiazhuang, 050035, PR China
| | - Yunlong Hou
- National Key Laboratory of Collateral Disease Research and Innovative Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang, 050035, PR China
- Hebei Yiling Pharmaceutical Research Institute, Key Laboratory of State Administration of TCM (Cardio-Cerebral Vessel Collateral Diseases), Shijiazhuang, 050035, PR China
| | - Junqing Liang
- National Key Laboratory of Collateral Disease Research and Innovative Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang, 050035, PR China
- Hebei Yiling Pharmaceutical Research Institute, Key Laboratory of State Administration of TCM (Cardio-Cerebral Vessel Collateral Diseases), Shijiazhuang, 050035, PR China
| | - Cong Wei
- National Key Laboratory of Collateral Disease Research and Innovative Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang, 050035, PR China
- Hebei Yiling Pharmaceutical Research Institute, Key Laboratory of State Administration of TCM (Cardio-Cerebral Vessel Collateral Diseases), Shijiazhuang, 050035, PR China
- Key Disciplines of State Administration of TCM for Collateral Disease, Shijiazhuang, 050035, PR China
| | - Zhenhua Jia
- National Key Laboratory of Collateral Disease Research and Innovative Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang, 050035, PR China
- Hebei Yiling Pharmaceutical Research Institute, Key Laboratory of State Administration of TCM (Cardio-Cerebral Vessel Collateral Diseases), Shijiazhuang, 050035, PR China
- Key Disciplines of State Administration of TCM for Collateral Disease, Shijiazhuang, 050035, PR China
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Matafora V, Gorb A, Yang F, Noble W, Bachi A, Perez‐Nievas BG, Jimenez‐Sanchez M. Proteomics of the astrocyte secretome reveals changes in their response to soluble oligomeric Aβ. J Neurochem 2023; 166:346-366. [PMID: 37303123 PMCID: PMC10952722 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.15875] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2023] [Revised: 05/15/2023] [Accepted: 05/17/2023] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
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.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Alena Gorb
- Department of Basic and Clinical NeuroscienceMaurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College LondonLondonUK
| | - Fangjia Yang
- Department of Basic and Clinical NeuroscienceMaurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College LondonLondonUK
| | - Wendy Noble
- Department of Basic and Clinical NeuroscienceMaurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College LondonLondonUK
| | - Angela Bachi
- IFOM ETS‐ The AIRC Institute of Molecular OncologyMilanItaly
| | - Beatriz Gomez Perez‐Nievas
- Department of Basic and Clinical NeuroscienceMaurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College LondonLondonUK
| | - Maria Jimenez‐Sanchez
- Department of Basic and Clinical NeuroscienceMaurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College LondonLondonUK
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17
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Zhao K, Wu Y, Zhao D, Zhang H, Lin J, Wang Y. Six mitophagy-related hub genes as peripheral blood biomarkers of Alzheimer's disease and their immune cell infiltration correlation. Front Neurosci 2023; 17:1125281. [PMID: 37274215 PMCID: PMC10232817 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1125281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2022] [Accepted: 03/30/2023] [Indexed: 06/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Alzheimer's disease (AD), a neurodegenerative disorder with progressive symptoms, seriously endangers human health worldwide. AD diagnosis and treatment are challenging, but molecular biomarkers show diagnostic potential. This study aimed to investigate AD biomarkers in the peripheral blood. Method Utilizing three microarray datasets, we systematically analyzed the differences in expression and predictive value of mitophagy-related hub genes (MRHGs) in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells of patients with AD to identify potential diagnostic biomarkers. Subsequently, a protein-protein interaction network was constructed to identify hub genes, and functional enrichment analyses were performed. Using consistent clustering analysis, AD subtypes with significant differences were determined. Finally, infiltration patterns of immune cells in AD subtypes and the relationship between MRHGs and immune cells were investigated by two algorithms, CIBERSORT and single-sample gene set enrichment analysis (ssGSEA). Results Our study identified 53 AD- and mitophagy-related differentially expressed genes and six MRHGs, which may be potential biomarkers for diagnosing AD. Functional analysis revealed that six MRHGs significantly affected biologically relevant functions and signaling pathways such as IL-4 Signaling Pathway, RUNX3 Regulates Notch Signaling Pathway, IL-1 and Megakaryocytes in Obesity Pathway, and Overview of Leukocyteintrinsic Hippo Pathway. Furthermore, CIBERSORT and ssGSEA algorithms were used for all AD samples to analyze the abundance of infiltrating immune cells in the two disease subtypes. The results showed that these subtypes were significantly related to immune cell types such as activated mast cells, regulatory T cells, M0 macrophages, and neutrophils. Moreover, specific MRHGs were significantly correlated with immune cell levels. Conclusion Our findings suggest that MRHGs may contribute to the development and prognosis of AD. The six identified MRHGs could be used as valuable diagnostic biomarkers for further research on AD. This study may provide new promising diagnostic and therapeutic targets in the peripheral blood of patients with AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kun Zhao
- Department of Neurology, Affiliated People's Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yinyan Wu
- Department of Neurology, Affiliated People's Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China
| | - Dongliang Zhao
- Department of Neurology, Affiliated People's Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China
| | - Hui Zhang
- Fujian Center for Safety Evaluation of New Drug, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
| | - Jianyang Lin
- Department of General Surgery, Affiliated People's Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yuanwei Wang
- Department of Neurology, Shuyang Hospital Affiliated to Xuzhou Medical University, Shuyang, Jiangsu, China
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18
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De Bastiani MA, Bellaver B, Brum WS, Souza DG, Ferreira PCL, Rocha AS, Povala G, Ferrari-Souza JP, Benedet AL, Ashton NJ, Karikari TK, Zetterberg H, Blennow K, Rosa-Neto P, Pascoal TA, Zimmer ER. Hippocampal GFAP-positive astrocyte responses to amyloid and tau pathologies. Brain Behav Immun 2023; 110:175-184. [PMID: 36878332 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2023.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2022] [Revised: 01/10/2023] [Accepted: 03/01/2023] [Indexed: 03/08/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION In Alzheimer's disease clinical research, glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) released/leaked into the cerebrospinal fluid and blood is widely measured and perceived as a biomarker of reactive astrogliosis. However, it was demonstrated that GFAP levels differ in individuals presenting with amyloid-β (Aβ) or tau pathologies. The molecular underpinnings behind this specificity are little explored. Here we investigated biomarker and transcriptomic associations of hippocampal GFAP-positive astrocytes with Aβ and tau pathologies in humans and mouse models. METHODS We studied 90 individuals with plasma GFAP, Aβ- and Tau-PET to investigate the association between biomarkers. Then, transcriptomic analysis in hippocampal GFAP-positive astrocytes isolated from mouse models presenting Aβ (PS2APP) or tau (P301S) pathologies was conducted to explore differentially expressed genes (DEGs), Gene Ontology terms, and protein-protein interaction networks associated with each phenotype. RESULTS In humans, we found that plasma GFAP associates with Aβ but not tau pathology. Unveiling the unique nature of hippocampal GFAP-positive astrocytic responses to Aβ or tau pathologies, mouse transcriptomics showed scarce overlap of DEGs between the Aβ. and tau mouse models. While Aβ GFAP-positive astrocytes were overrepresented with DEGs associated with proteostasis and exocytosis-related processes, tau hippocampal GFAP-positive astrocytes presented greater abnormalities in functions related to DNA/RNA processing and cytoskeleton dynamics. CONCLUSION Our results offer insights into Aβ- and tau-driven specific signatures in hippocampal GFAP-positive astrocytes. Characterizing how different underlying pathologies distinctly influence astrocyte responses is critical for the biological interpretation of astrocyte biomarkers and suggests the need to develop context-specific astrocyte targets to study AD. FUNDING This study was supported by Instituto Serrapilheira, Alzheimer's Association, CAPES, CNPq and FAPERGS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Antônio De Bastiani
- Graduate Program in Biological Sciences: Biochemistry, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Bruna Bellaver
- Graduate Program in Biological Sciences: Biochemistry, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil; Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Wagner S Brum
- Graduate Program in Biological Sciences: Biochemistry, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil; Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, The Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Mölndal, Sweden
| | - Debora G Souza
- Graduate Program in Biological Sciences: Biochemistry, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil; Brain Institute of Rio Grande do Sul, PUCRS, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | | | - Andreia S Rocha
- Graduate Program in Biological Sciences: Biochemistry, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Guilherme Povala
- Graduate Program in Biological Sciences: Biochemistry, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil; Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - João Pedro Ferrari-Souza
- Graduate Program in Biological Sciences: Biochemistry, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil; Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Andrea L Benedet
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, The Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Mölndal, Sweden
| | - Nicholas J Ashton
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, The Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Mölndal, Sweden; Clinical Neurochemistry Laboratory, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden; Wallenberg Centre for Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden; Department of Old Age Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Thomas K Karikari
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, The Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Mölndal, Sweden; Clinical Neurochemistry Laboratory, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Henrik Zetterberg
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, The Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Mölndal, Sweden; Clinical Neurochemistry Laboratory, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden; Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK; UK Dementia Research Institute at UCL, London, UK; Hong Kong Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Hong Kong, China
| | - Kaj Blennow
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, The Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Mölndal, Sweden; Clinical Neurochemistry Laboratory, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Pedro Rosa-Neto
- Translational Neuroimaging Laboratory (TNL), McGill Center for Studies in Aging (MCSA), Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Departments of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Psychiatry, and Pharmacology, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Tharick A Pascoal
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Eduardo R Zimmer
- Graduate Program in Biological Sciences: Biochemistry, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil; Department of Pharmacology, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil; Graduate Program in Biological Sciences: Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil; Brain Institute of Rio Grande do Sul, PUCRS, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
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19
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Fontana IC, Kumar A, Nordberg A. The role of astrocytic α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in Alzheimer disease. Nat Rev Neurol 2023; 19:278-288. [PMID: 36977843 DOI: 10.1038/s41582-023-00792-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/27/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023]
Abstract
The ongoing search for therapeutic interventions in Alzheimer disease (AD) has highlighted the complexity of this condition and the need for additional biomarkers, beyond amyloid-β (Aβ) and tau, to improve clinical assessment. Astrocytes are brain cells that control metabolic and redox homeostasis, among other functions, and are emerging as an important focus of AD research owing to their swift response to brain pathology in the initial stages of the disease. Reactive astrogliosis - the morphological, molecular and functional transformation of astrocytes during disease - has been implicated in AD progression, and the definition of new astrocytic biomarkers could help to deepen our understanding of reactive astrogliosis along the AD continuum. As we highlight in this Review, one promising biomarker candidate is the astrocytic α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7nAChR), upregulation of which correlates with Aβ pathology in the brain of individuals with AD. We revisit the past two decades of research into astrocytic α7nAChRs to shed light on their roles in the context of AD pathology and biomarkers. We discuss the involvement of astrocytic α7nAChRs in the instigation and potentiation of early Aβ pathology and explore their potential as a target for future reactive astrocyte-based therapeutics and imaging biomarkers in AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Igor C Fontana
- Division of Clinical Geriatrics, Center for Alzheimer Research, Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Amit Kumar
- Division of Clinical Geriatrics, Center for Alzheimer Research, Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Agneta Nordberg
- Division of Clinical Geriatrics, Center for Alzheimer Research, Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
- Theme Inflammation and Aging, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.
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20
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Afsar A, Chacon Castro MDC, Soladogun AS, Zhang L. Recent Development in the Understanding of Molecular and Cellular Mechanisms Underlying the Etiopathogenesis of Alzheimer's Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24087258. [PMID: 37108421 PMCID: PMC10138573 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24087258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2023] [Revised: 03/22/2023] [Accepted: 03/28/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that leads to dementia and patient death. AD is characterized by intracellular neurofibrillary tangles, extracellular amyloid beta (Aβ) plaque deposition, and neurodegeneration. Diverse alterations have been associated with AD progression, including genetic mutations, neuroinflammation, blood-brain barrier (BBB) impairment, mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, and metal ion imbalance.Additionally, recent studies have shown an association between altered heme metabolism and AD. Unfortunately, decades of research and drug development have not produced any effective treatments for AD. Therefore, understanding the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying AD pathology and identifying potential therapeutic targets are crucial for AD drug development. This review discusses the most common alterations associated with AD and promising therapeutic targets for AD drug discovery. Furthermore, it highlights the role of heme in AD development and summarizes mathematical models of AD, including a stochastic mathematical model of AD and mathematical models of the effect of Aβ on AD. We also summarize the potential treatment strategies that these models can offer in clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Atefeh Afsar
- Department of Biological Sciences, The University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX 75080, USA
| | | | | | - Li Zhang
- Department of Biological Sciences, The University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX 75080, USA
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21
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Das S, Li Z, Wachter A, Alla S, Noori A, Abdourahman A, Tamm JA, Woodbury ME, Talanian RV, Biber K, Karran EH, Hyman BT, Serrano-Pozo A. Distinct Transcriptomic Responses to Aβ plaques, Neurofibrillary Tangles, and APOE in Alzheimer's Disease. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.03.20.533303. [PMID: 36993332 PMCID: PMC10055287 DOI: 10.1101/2023.03.20.533303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/13/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Omics studies have revealed that various brain cell types undergo profound molecular changes in Alzheimer's disease (AD) but the spatial relationships with plaques and tangles and APOE -linked differences remain unclear. METHODS We performed laser capture microdissection of Aβ plaques, the 50μm halo around them, tangles with the 50μm halo around them, and areas distant (>50μm) from plaques and tangles in the temporal cortex of AD and control donors, followed by RNA-sequencing. RESULTS Aβ plaques exhibited upregulated microglial (neuroinflammation/phagocytosis) and downregulated neuronal (neurotransmission/energy metabolism) genes, whereas tangles had mostly downregulated neuronal genes. Aβ plaques had more differentially expressed genes than tangles. We identified a gradient Aβ plaque>peri-plaque>tangle>distant for these changes. AD APOE ε4 homozygotes had greater changes than APOE ε3 across locations, especially within Aβ plaques. DISCUSSION Transcriptomic changes in AD consist primarily of neuroinflammation and neuronal dysfunction, are spatially associated mainly with Aβ plaques, and are exacerbated by the APOE ε4 allele.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sudeshna Das
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Neurology Dept. Boston, MA 02114
- Massachusetts Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, Charlestown, MA 02129
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115
| | - Zhaozhi Li
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Neurology Dept. Boston, MA 02114
- Massachusetts Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, Charlestown, MA 02129
| | - Astrid Wachter
- AbbVie Deutschland GmbH & Co. KG, Genomics Research Center, Knollstrasse, 67061 Ludwigshafen
| | - Srinija Alla
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Neurology Dept. Boston, MA 02114
| | - Ayush Noori
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Neurology Dept. Boston, MA 02114
| | - Aicha Abdourahman
- AbbVie, Cambridge Research Center, 200 Sidney Street, Cambridge, MA 02139
| | - Joseph A. Tamm
- AbbVie, Cambridge Research Center, 200 Sidney Street, Cambridge, MA 02139
| | - Maya E. Woodbury
- AbbVie, Cambridge Research Center, 200 Sidney Street, Cambridge, MA 02139
| | - Robert V. Talanian
- AbbVie, Cambridge Research Center, 200 Sidney Street, Cambridge, MA 02139
| | - Knut Biber
- AbbVie Deutschland GmbH & Co. KG, Neuroscience Research Center, Knollstrasse, 67061 Ludwigshafen
| | - Eric H. Karran
- AbbVie, Cambridge Research Center, 200 Sidney Street, Cambridge, MA 02139
| | - Bradley T. Hyman
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Neurology Dept. Boston, MA 02114
- Massachusetts Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, Charlestown, MA 02129
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115
| | - Alberto Serrano-Pozo
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Neurology Dept. Boston, MA 02114
- Massachusetts Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, Charlestown, MA 02129
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115
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22
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Fontana IC, Souza DG, Souza DO, Gee A, Zimmer ER, Bongarzone S. A Medicinal Chemistry Perspective on Excitatory Amino Acid Transporter 2 Dysfunction in Neurodegenerative Diseases. J Med Chem 2023; 66:2330-2346. [PMID: 36787643 PMCID: PMC9969404 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.2c01572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/16/2023]
Abstract
The excitatory amino acid transporter 2 (EAAT2) plays a key role in the clearance and recycling of glutamate - the major excitatory neurotransmitter in the mammalian brain. EAAT2 loss/dysfunction triggers a cascade of neurodegenerative events, comprising glutamatergic excitotoxicity and neuronal death. Nevertheless, our current knowledge regarding EAAT2 in neurodegenerative diseases, such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and Alzheimer's disease (AD), is restricted to post-mortem analysis of brain tissue and experimental models. Thus, detecting EAAT2 in the living human brain might be crucial to improve diagnosis/therapy for ALS and AD. This perspective article describes the role of EAAT2 in physio/pathological processes and provides a structure-activity relationship of EAAT2-binders, bringing two perspectives: therapy (activators) and diagnosis (molecular imaging tools).
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Affiliation(s)
- Igor C Fontana
- School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences, St Thomas' Hospital, King's College London, London SE1 7EH, United Kingdom.,Graduate Program in Biological Sciences: Biochemistry, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Rua Ramiro Barcelos, 2600, 90035-003 Porto Alegre, Brazil.,Division of Clinical Geriatrics, Center for Alzheimer Research, Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institutet, Blickagången 16 - Neo floor seventh, 141 83 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Débora G Souza
- Graduate Program in Biological Sciences: Biochemistry, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Rua Ramiro Barcelos, 2600, 90035-003 Porto Alegre, Brazil.,Brain Institute of Rio Grande do Sul, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul, Av. Ipiranga, 6681 Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Diogo O Souza
- Graduate Program in Biological Sciences: Biochemistry, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Rua Ramiro Barcelos, 2600, 90035-003 Porto Alegre, Brazil.,Department of Biochemistry, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Rua Ramiro Barcelos, 2600, 90035-003 Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Antony Gee
- School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences, St Thomas' Hospital, King's College London, London SE1 7EH, United Kingdom
| | - Eduardo R Zimmer
- Department of Biochemistry, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Rua Ramiro Barcelos, 2600, 90035-003 Porto Alegre, Brazil.,Department of Pharmacology, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Av. Sarmento Leite 500, sala, 90035-003 Porto Alegre, Brazil.,Graduate Program in Biological Sciences: Biochemistry (PPGBioq), and Pharmacology and Therapeutics (PPGFT), Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Av. Sarmento Leite 500, sala, 305 Porto Alegre, Brazil.,Brain Institute of Rio Grande do Sul, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul, Av. Ipiranga, 6681 Porto Alegre, Brazil.,McGill University Research Centre for Studies in Aging, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec H4H 1R3, Canada
| | - Salvatore Bongarzone
- School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences, St Thomas' Hospital, King's College London, London SE1 7EH, United Kingdom
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23
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Muñoz-Castro C, Noori A, Hyman BT, Serrano-Pozo A. Cyclic Multiplex Fluorescent Immunohistochemistry Protocol to Phenotype Glial Cells in Formalin-Fixed Paraffin-Embedded Human Brain Sections. Methods Mol Biol 2023; 2593:283-305. [PMID: 36513939 PMCID: PMC9900949 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2811-9_19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
There is a growing interest in expanding the multiplexing capability of immunohistochemistry to achieve a deeper phenotyping of various cell types in health and disease. Here, we describe a protocol of cyclic multiplex fluorescent immunohistochemistry that enables the labeling of up to 16 antigens on the same formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded section using "off-the-shelf," commercially available, primary antibodies as well as fluorescently conjugated secondary antibodies. Key steps include the denaturing/stripping of the antibodies by microwaving and the quenching of any remaining fluorescent signal between the cycles of otherwise traditional multiplexed fluorescent immunohistochemistry. We have successfully applied this protocol to characterize astrocytic and microglial responses to Aβ plaques and neurofibrillary tangles in Alzheimer's disease brains, but it could be easily adapted to other user's needs regarding cell types, disease, and organ.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clara Muñoz-Castro
- Massachusetts General Hospital Neurology Department, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Ayush Noori
- Massachusetts General Hospital Neurology Department, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard College, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Bradley T Hyman
- Massachusetts General Hospital Neurology Department, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Alberto Serrano-Pozo
- Massachusetts General Hospital Neurology Department, Boston, MA, USA.
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
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24
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Elsworthy RJ, Hill EJ, Dunleavy C, Aldred S. The role of ADAM10 in astrocytes: Implications for Alzheimer’s disease. Front Aging Neurosci 2022; 14:1056507. [DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2022.1056507] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2022] [Accepted: 11/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Much of the early research into AD relies on a neuron-centric view of the brain, however, evidence of multiple altered cellular interactions between glial cells and the vasculature early in AD has been demonstrated. As such, alterations in astrocyte function are widely recognized a contributing factor in the pathogenesis of AD. The processes by which astrocytes may be involved in AD make them an interesting target for therapeutic intervention, but in order for this to be most effective, there is a need for the specific mechanisms involving astrocyte dysfunction to be investigated. “α disintegrin and metalloproteinase” 10 (ADAM10) is capable of proteolytic cleavage of the amyloid precursor protein which prevents amyloid-β generation. As such ADAM10 has been identified as an interesting enzyme in AD pathology. ADAM10 is also known to play a role in a significant number of cellular processes, most notable in notch signaling and in inflammatory processes. There is a growing research base for the involvement of ADAM10 in regulating astrocytic function, primarily from an immune perspective. This review aims to bring together available evidence for ADAM10 activity in astrocytes, and how this relates to AD pathology.
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25
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ESR1 dysfunction triggers neuroinflammation as a critical upstream causative factor of the Alzheimer’s disease process. Aging (Albany NY) 2022; 14:8595-8614. [DOI: 10.18632/aging.204359] [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] [Accepted: 10/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
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26
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Murray HC, Osterman C, Bell P, Vinnell L, Curtis MA. Neuropathology in chronic traumatic encephalopathy: a systematic review of comparative post-mortem histology literature. Acta Neuropathol Commun 2022; 10:108. [PMID: 35933388 PMCID: PMC9356428 DOI: 10.1186/s40478-022-01413-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2022] [Accepted: 07/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) is a neurodegenerative disease associated with repetitive head trauma and is characterised by the perivascular accumulation of hyperphosphorylated tau (p-tau) in the depths of cortical sulci. CTE can only be diagnosed postmortem and the cellular mechanisms of disease causation remain to be elucidated. Understanding the full scope of the pathological changes currently identified in CTE is necessary to identify areas requiring further research. This systematic review summarises the current literature on CTE pathology from postmortem human tissue histology studies published until 31 December 2021. Publications were included if they quantitively or qualitatively compared postmortem human tissue pathology in CTE to neuropathologically normal cases or other neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease (AD). Pathological entities investigated included p-tau, beta-amyloid, TDP-43, Lewy bodies, astrogliosis, microgliosis, axonopathy, vascular dysfunction, and cell stress. Of these pathologies, p-tau was the most frequently investigated, with limited reports on other pathological features such as vascular dysfunction, astrogliosis, and microgliosis. Consistent increases in p-tau, TDP-43, microgliosis, axonopathy, and cell stress were reported in CTE cases compared to neuropathologically normal cases. However, there was no clear consensus on how these pathologies compared to AD. The CTE cases used for these studies were predominantly from the VA-BU-CLF brain bank, with American football and boxing as the most frequent sources of repetitive head injury exposure. Overall, this systematic review highlights gaps in the literature and proposes three priorities for future research including: 1. The need for studies of CTE cases with more diverse head injury exposure profiles to understand the consistency of pathology changes between different populations. 2. The need for more studies that compare CTE with normal ageing and AD to further clarify the pathological signature of CTE for diagnostic purposes and to understand the disease process. 3. Further research on non-aggregate pathologies in CTE, such as vascular dysfunction and neuroinflammation. These are some of the least investigated features of CTE pathology despite being implicated in the acute phase response following traumatic head injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helen C Murray
- Department of Anatomy and Medical Imaging and Centre for Brain Research, Faculty of Medical and Health Science, University of Auckland, Auckland, 1023, New Zealand.
| | - Chelsie Osterman
- Department of Anatomy and Medical Imaging and Centre for Brain Research, Faculty of Medical and Health Science, University of Auckland, Auckland, 1023, New Zealand
| | - Paige Bell
- Department of Anatomy and Medical Imaging and Centre for Brain Research, Faculty of Medical and Health Science, University of Auckland, Auckland, 1023, New Zealand
| | - Luca Vinnell
- Department of Anatomy and Medical Imaging and Centre for Brain Research, Faculty of Medical and Health Science, University of Auckland, Auckland, 1023, New Zealand
| | - Maurice A Curtis
- Department of Anatomy and Medical Imaging and Centre for Brain Research, Faculty of Medical and Health Science, University of Auckland, Auckland, 1023, New Zealand
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27
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Wang X, Gao H, Zhang X, Qian S, Wang C, Deng L, Zhong M, Qing G. Aspartic Acid-Modified Phospholipids Regulate Cell Response and Rescue Memory Deficits in APP/PS1 Transgenic Mice. ACS Chem Neurosci 2022; 13:2154-2163. [PMID: 35818957 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.2c00202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Misfolding and accumulation of amyloid-β (Aβ) to form senile plaques are the main neuropathological signatures of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Decreasing Aβ production, inhibiting Aβ aggregation, and clearing Aβ plaques are thus considered an important strategy for AD treatment. However, numerous drugs cannot enter the AD clinical trials due to unsatisfactory biocompatibility, poor blood-brain barrier penetration, little biomarker impact, and/or low therapeutic indicators. Here, a pair of chiral aspartic acid-modified 1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine (l- and d-Asp-DPPE) are prepared to build stabilized chiral liposomes. We find that both l- and d-liposomes are able to rescue Aβ aggregation-induced apoptosis, oxidative stress, and calcium homeostasis, in which the effect of d-liposomes is more obvious than that of l-ones. Furthermore, in AD model mice (APPswe/PS1d9 double-transgenic mice), chiral liposomes not only show biosafety but also strongly improve cognitive deficits and reduce Aβ deposition in the brain. Our results suggest that chiral liposomes, particularly, d-liposomes, could be a potential therapeutic approach for AD treatment. This study opens new horizons by showing that liposomes will be used for drug development in addition to delivery and targeting functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xue Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Advanced Technology for Materials Synthesis and Processing, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan 430070, P. R. China.,Key Laboratory of Separation Science for Analytical Chemistry, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian 116023, P. R. China
| | - Huiling Gao
- College of Life and Health Sciences, Northeastern University, Shenyang 110819, P. R. China
| | - Xiaoyu Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Separation Science for Analytical Chemistry, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian 116023, P. R. China
| | - Shengxu Qian
- Key Laboratory of Separation Science for Analytical Chemistry, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian 116023, P. R. China
| | - Cunli Wang
- Key Laboratory of Separation Science for Analytical Chemistry, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian 116023, P. R. China
| | - Lijing Deng
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, West China Hospital, West China School of Medicine, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, P. R. China
| | - Manli Zhong
- College of Life and Health Sciences, Northeastern University, Shenyang 110819, P. R. China
| | - Guangyan Qing
- Key Laboratory of Separation Science for Analytical Chemistry, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian 116023, P. R. China
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28
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Huang J, Li C, Shang H. Astrocytes in Neurodegeneration: Inspiration From Genetics. Front Neurosci 2022; 16:882316. [PMID: 35812232 PMCID: PMC9268899 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.882316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2022] [Accepted: 06/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite the discovery of numerous molecules and pathologies, the pathophysiology of various neurodegenerative diseases remains unknown. Genetics participates in the pathogenesis of neurodegeneration. Neural dysfunction, which is thought to be a cell-autonomous mechanism, is insufficient to explain the development of neurodegenerative disease, implying that other cells surrounding or related to neurons, such as glial cells, are involved in the pathogenesis. As the primary component of glial cells, astrocytes play a variety of roles in the maintenance of physiological functions in neurons and other glial cells. The pathophysiology of neurodegeneration is also influenced by reactive astrogliosis in response to central nervous system (CNS) injuries. Furthermore, those risk-gene variants identified in neurodegenerations are involved in astrocyte activation and senescence. In this review, we summarized the relationships between gene variants and astrocytes in four neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease (AD), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), frontotemporal dementia (FTD), and Parkinson’s disease (PD), and provided insights into the implications of astrocytes in the neurodegenerations.
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29
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TGF-β as a Key Modulator of Astrocyte Reactivity: Disease Relevance and Therapeutic Implications. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10051206. [PMID: 35625943 PMCID: PMC9138510 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10051206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2022] [Revised: 05/12/2022] [Accepted: 05/20/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Astrocytes are essential for normal brain development and functioning. They respond to brain injury and disease through a process referred to as reactive astrogliosis, where the reactivity is highly heterogenous and context-dependent. Reactive astrocytes are active contributors to brain pathology and can exert beneficial, detrimental, or mixed effects following brain insults. Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) has been identified as one of the key factors regulating astrocyte reactivity. The genetic and pharmacological manipulation of the TGF-β signaling pathway in animal models of central nervous system (CNS) injury and disease alters pathological and functional outcomes. This review aims to provide recent understanding regarding astrocyte reactivity and TGF-β signaling in brain injury, aging, and neurodegeneration. Further, it explores how TGF-β signaling modulates astrocyte reactivity and function in the context of CNS disease and injury.
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30
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Badia-Soteras A, de Vries J, Dykstra W, Broersen LM, Verkuyl JM, Smit AB, Verheijen MHG. High-Throughput Analysis of Astrocyte Cultures Shows Prevention of Reactive Astrogliosis by the Multi-Nutrient Combination Fortasyn Connect. Cells 2022; 11:cells11091428. [PMID: 35563732 PMCID: PMC9099974 DOI: 10.3390/cells11091428] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2021] [Revised: 04/07/2022] [Accepted: 04/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Astrocytes are specialized glial cells that tile the central nervous system (CNS) and perform numerous essential functions. Astrocytes react to various forms of CNS insults by altering their morphology and molecular profile, through a process known as reactive astrogliosis. Accordingly, astrocyte reactivity is apparent in many neurodegenerative diseases, among which one is Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Recent clinical trials on early-stage AD have demonstrated that Fortasyn Connect (FC), a multi-nutrient combination providing specific precursors and cofactors for phospholipid synthesis, helps to maintain neuronal functional connectivity and cognitive performance of patients. Several studies have shown that FC may act through its effects on neuronal survival and synaptogenesis, leading to reduced astrocyte reactivity, but whether FC can directly counteract astrocyte reactivity remains to be elucidated. Hence, we developed an in vitro model of reactive astrogliosis using the pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α and IFN-γ together with an automated high-throughput assay (AstroScan) to quantify molecular and morphological changes that accompany reactive astrogliosis. Next, we showed that FC is potent in preventing cytokine-induced reactive astrogliosis, a finding that might be of high relevance to understand the beneficial effects of FC-based interventions in the context of neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aina Badia-Soteras
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Neurobiology, Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research, Faculty of Earth and Life Sciences, Vrije Universiteit, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands; (A.B.-S.); (J.d.V.); (W.D.); (A.B.S.)
| | - Janneke de Vries
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Neurobiology, Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research, Faculty of Earth and Life Sciences, Vrije Universiteit, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands; (A.B.-S.); (J.d.V.); (W.D.); (A.B.S.)
| | - Werner Dykstra
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Neurobiology, Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research, Faculty of Earth and Life Sciences, Vrije Universiteit, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands; (A.B.-S.); (J.d.V.); (W.D.); (A.B.S.)
| | - Laus M. Broersen
- Danone Nutricia Research, 3584 CT Utrecht, The Netherlands; (L.M.B.); (J.M.V.)
| | - Jan Martin Verkuyl
- Danone Nutricia Research, 3584 CT Utrecht, The Netherlands; (L.M.B.); (J.M.V.)
| | - August B. Smit
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Neurobiology, Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research, Faculty of Earth and Life Sciences, Vrije Universiteit, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands; (A.B.-S.); (J.d.V.); (W.D.); (A.B.S.)
| | - Mark H. G. Verheijen
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Neurobiology, Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research, Faculty of Earth and Life Sciences, Vrije Universiteit, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands; (A.B.-S.); (J.d.V.); (W.D.); (A.B.S.)
- Correspondence:
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31
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Ziff OJ, Ashton NJ, Mehta PR, Brown R, Athauda D, Heaney J, Heslegrave AJ, Benedet AL, Blennow K, Checkley AM, Houlihan CF, Gauthier S, Rosa‐Neto P, Fox NC, Schott JM, Zetterberg H, Benjamin LA, Paterson RW. Amyloid processing in COVID-19-associated neurological syndromes. J Neurochem 2022; 161:146-157. [PMID: 35137414 PMCID: PMC9115071 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.15585] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2021] [Revised: 01/15/2022] [Accepted: 01/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 infection can damage the nervous system with multiple neurological manifestations described. However, there is limited understanding of the mechanisms underlying COVID-19 neurological injury. This is a cross-sectional exploratory prospective biomarker cohort study of 21 patients with COVID-19 neurological syndromes (Guillain-Barre Syndrome [GBS], encephalitis, encephalopathy, acute disseminated encephalomyelitis [ADEM], intracranial hypertension, and central pain syndrome) and 23 healthy COVID-19 negative controls. We measured cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and serum biomarkers of amyloid processing, neuronal injury (neurofilament light), astrocyte activation (GFAp), and neuroinflammation (tissue necrosis factor [TNF] ɑ, interleukin [IL]-6, IL-1β, IL-8). Patients with COVID-19 neurological syndromes had significantly reduced CSF soluble amyloid precursor protein (sAPP)-ɑ (p = 0.004) and sAPPβ (p = 0.03) as well as amyloid β (Aβ) 40 (p = 5.2 × 10-8 ), Aβ42 (p = 3.5 × 10-7 ), and Aβ42/Aβ40 ratio (p = 0.005) compared to controls. Patients with COVID-19 neurological syndromes showed significantly increased neurofilament light (NfL, p = 0.001) and this negatively correlated with sAPPɑ and sAPPβ. Conversely, GFAp was significantly reduced in COVID-19 neurological syndromes (p = 0.0001) and this positively correlated with sAPPɑ and sAPPβ. COVID-19 neurological patients also displayed significantly increased CSF proinflammatory cytokines and these negatively correlated with sAPPɑ and sAPPβ. A sensitivity analysis of COVID-19-associated GBS revealed a non-significant trend toward greater impairment of amyloid processing in COVID-19 central than peripheral neurological syndromes. This pilot study raises the possibility that patients with COVID-19-associated neurological syndromes exhibit impaired amyloid processing. Altered amyloid processing was linked to neuronal injury and neuroinflammation but reduced astrocyte activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oliver J. Ziff
- Queen Square Institute of NeurologyUniversity College LondonLondonUK
- National Hospital for Neurology and NeurosurgeryUniversity College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Queen SquareLondonUK
- Francis Crick InstituteLondonUK
| | - Nicholas J. Ashton
- Department of Psychiatry and NeurochemistryInstitute of Neuroscience & Physiology, the Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of GothenburgMölndalSweden
- King's College LondonInstitute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience InstituteLondonUK
| | - Puja R. Mehta
- Queen Square Institute of NeurologyUniversity College LondonLondonUK
- National Hospital for Neurology and NeurosurgeryUniversity College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Queen SquareLondonUK
| | - Rachel Brown
- National Hospital for Neurology and NeurosurgeryUniversity College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Queen SquareLondonUK
- Institute of Immunity and TransplantationUniversity College LondonLondonUK
| | - Dilan Athauda
- Queen Square Institute of NeurologyUniversity College LondonLondonUK
- National Hospital for Neurology and NeurosurgeryUniversity College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Queen SquareLondonUK
- Francis Crick InstituteLondonUK
| | - Judith Heaney
- National Hospital for Neurology and NeurosurgeryUniversity College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Queen SquareLondonUK
- Advanced Pathogens Diagnostic UnitUniversity College London Hospitals NHS Foundation TrustLondonUK
| | - Amanda J. Heslegrave
- Queen Square Institute of NeurologyUniversity College LondonLondonUK
- National Hospital for Neurology and NeurosurgeryUniversity College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Queen SquareLondonUK
- UK Dementia Research Institute, University College LondonLondonUK
| | - Andrea Lessa Benedet
- Department of Psychiatry and NeurochemistryInstitute of Neuroscience & Physiology, the Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of GothenburgMölndalSweden
| | - Kaj Blennow
- Department of Psychiatry and NeurochemistryInstitute of Neuroscience & Physiology, the Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of GothenburgMölndalSweden
| | - Anna M. Checkley
- National Hospital for Neurology and NeurosurgeryUniversity College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Queen SquareLondonUK
- Advanced Pathogens Diagnostic UnitUniversity College London Hospitals NHS Foundation TrustLondonUK
| | - Catherine F. Houlihan
- National Hospital for Neurology and NeurosurgeryUniversity College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Queen SquareLondonUK
- Advanced Pathogens Diagnostic UnitUniversity College London Hospitals NHS Foundation TrustLondonUK
| | - Serge Gauthier
- Translational Neuroimaging LaboratoryMcGill University Research Centre for Studies in AgingMontrealCanada
- Alzheimer's Disease Research UnitMontréalCanada
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Psychiatry and Pharmacology and TherapeuticsMcGill UniversityMontrealCanada
| | - Pedro Rosa‐Neto
- Translational Neuroimaging LaboratoryMcGill University Research Centre for Studies in AgingMontrealCanada
- Alzheimer's Disease Research UnitMontréalCanada
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Psychiatry and Pharmacology and TherapeuticsMcGill UniversityMontrealCanada
| | - Nick C. Fox
- Queen Square Institute of NeurologyUniversity College LondonLondonUK
- National Hospital for Neurology and NeurosurgeryUniversity College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Queen SquareLondonUK
- UK Dementia Research Institute, University College LondonLondonUK
| | - Jonathan M. Schott
- Queen Square Institute of NeurologyUniversity College LondonLondonUK
- National Hospital for Neurology and NeurosurgeryUniversity College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Queen SquareLondonUK
| | - Henrik Zetterberg
- Queen Square Institute of NeurologyUniversity College LondonLondonUK
- Department of Psychiatry and NeurochemistryInstitute of Neuroscience & Physiology, the Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of GothenburgMölndalSweden
- UK Dementia Research Institute, University College LondonLondonUK
| | - Laura A. Benjamin
- Queen Square Institute of NeurologyUniversity College LondonLondonUK
- National Hospital for Neurology and NeurosurgeryUniversity College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Queen SquareLondonUK
- University of LiverpoolBrain Infections GroupMerseysideLiverpoolUK
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cell BiologyUCLLondonUK
| | - Ross W. Paterson
- Queen Square Institute of NeurologyUniversity College LondonLondonUK
- National Hospital for Neurology and NeurosurgeryUniversity College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Queen SquareLondonUK
- UK Dementia Research Institute, University College LondonLondonUK
- Darent Valley HospitalKentUK
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Bouvier DS, Fixemer S, Heurtaux T, Jeannelle F, Frauenknecht KBM, Mittelbronn M. The Multifaceted Neurotoxicity of Astrocytes in Ageing and Age-Related Neurodegenerative Diseases: A Translational Perspective. Front Physiol 2022; 13:814889. [PMID: 35370777 PMCID: PMC8969602 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2022.814889] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2021] [Accepted: 02/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
In a healthy physiological context, astrocytes are multitasking cells contributing to central nervous system (CNS) homeostasis, defense, and immunity. In cell culture or rodent models of age-related neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs), such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and Parkinson’s disease (PD), numerous studies have shown that astrocytes can adopt neurotoxic phenotypes that could enhance disease progression. Chronic inflammatory responses, oxidative stress, unbalanced phagocytosis, or alteration of their core physiological roles are the main manifestations of their detrimental states. However, if astrocytes are directly involved in brain deterioration by exerting neurotoxic functions in patients with NDDs is still controversial. The large spectrum of NDDs, with often overlapping pathologies, and the technical challenges associated with the study of human brain samples complexify the analysis of astrocyte involvement in specific neurodegenerative cascades. With this review, we aim to provide a translational overview about the multi-facets of astrocyte neurotoxicity ranging from in vitro findings over mouse and human cell-based studies to rodent NDDs research and finally evidence from patient-related research. We also discuss the role of ageing in astrocytes encompassing changes in physiology and response to pathologic stimuli and how this may prime detrimental responses in NDDs. To conclude, we discuss how potentially therapeutic strategies could be adopted to alleviate or reverse astrocytic toxicity and their potential to impact neurodegeneration and dementia progression in patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- David S. Bouvier
- National Center of Pathology (NCP), Laboratoire National de Santé (LNS), Dudelange, Luxembourg
- Luxembourg Center of Systems Biomedicine (LCSB), University of Luxembourg (UL), Belvaux, Luxembourg
- Luxembourg Center of Neuropathology (LCNP), Dudelange, Luxembourg
- *Correspondence: David S. Bouvier,
| | - Sonja Fixemer
- Luxembourg Center of Systems Biomedicine (LCSB), University of Luxembourg (UL), Belvaux, Luxembourg
- Luxembourg Center of Neuropathology (LCNP), Dudelange, Luxembourg
| | - Tony Heurtaux
- Luxembourg Center of Neuropathology (LCNP), Dudelange, Luxembourg
- Systems Biology Group, Department of Life Sciences and Medicine (DLSM), University of Luxembourg, Belvaux, Luxembourg
| | - Félicia Jeannelle
- National Center of Pathology (NCP), Laboratoire National de Santé (LNS), Dudelange, Luxembourg
- Luxembourg Center of Neuropathology (LCNP), Dudelange, Luxembourg
| | - Katrin B. M. Frauenknecht
- National Center of Pathology (NCP), Laboratoire National de Santé (LNS), Dudelange, Luxembourg
- Luxembourg Center of Neuropathology (LCNP), Dudelange, Luxembourg
- Institute of Neuropathology, Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Michel Mittelbronn
- National Center of Pathology (NCP), Laboratoire National de Santé (LNS), Dudelange, Luxembourg
- Luxembourg Center of Systems Biomedicine (LCSB), University of Luxembourg (UL), Belvaux, Luxembourg
- Luxembourg Center of Neuropathology (LCNP), Dudelange, Luxembourg
- Department of Cancer Research (DOCR), Luxembourg Institute of Health (LIH), Luxembourg, Luxembourg
- Faculty of Science, Technology, and Medicine (FSTM), University of Luxembourg, Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
- Department of Life Sciences and Medicine (DLSM), University of Luxembourg, Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg
- Michel Mittelbronn,
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Muñoz-Castro C, Noori A, Magdamo CG, Li Z, Marks JD, Frosch MP, Das S, Hyman BT, Serrano-Pozo A. Cyclic multiplex fluorescent immunohistochemistry and machine learning reveal distinct states of astrocytes and microglia in normal aging and Alzheimer's disease. J Neuroinflammation 2022; 19:30. [PMID: 35109872 PMCID: PMC8808995 DOI: 10.1186/s12974-022-02383-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2021] [Accepted: 01/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Astrocytes and microglia react to Aβ plaques, neurofibrillary tangles, and neurodegeneration in the Alzheimer's disease (AD) brain. Single-nuclei and single-cell RNA-seq have revealed multiple states or subpopulations of these glial cells but lack spatial information. We have developed a methodology of cyclic multiplex fluorescent immunohistochemistry on human postmortem brains and image analysis that enables a comprehensive morphological quantitative characterization of astrocytes and microglia in the context of their spatial relationships with plaques and tangles. METHODS Single FFPE sections from the temporal association cortex of control and AD subjects were subjected to 8 cycles of multiplex fluorescent immunohistochemistry, including 7 astroglial, 6 microglial, 1 neuronal, Aβ, and phospho-tau markers. Our analysis pipeline consisted of: (1) image alignment across cycles; (2) background subtraction; (3) manual annotation of 5172 ALDH1L1+ astrocytic and 6226 IBA1+ microglial profiles; (4) local thresholding and segmentation of profiles; (5) machine learning on marker intensity data; and (6) deep learning on image features. RESULTS Spectral clustering identified three phenotypes of astrocytes and microglia, which we termed "homeostatic," "intermediate," and "reactive." Reactive and, to a lesser extent, intermediate astrocytes and microglia were closely associated with AD pathology (≤ 50 µm). Compared to homeostatic, reactive astrocytes contained substantially higher GFAP and YKL-40, modestly elevated vimentin and TSPO as well as EAAT1, and reduced GS. Intermediate astrocytes had markedly increased EAAT2, moderately increased GS, and intermediate GFAP and YKL-40 levels. Relative to homeostatic, reactive microglia showed increased expression of all markers (CD68, ferritin, MHC2, TMEM119, TSPO), whereas intermediate microglia exhibited increased ferritin and TMEM119 as well as intermediate CD68 levels. Machine learning models applied on either high-plex signal intensity data (gradient boosting machines) or directly on image features (convolutional neural networks) accurately discriminated control vs. AD diagnoses at the single-cell level. CONCLUSIONS Cyclic multiplex fluorescent immunohistochemistry combined with machine learning models holds promise to advance our understanding of the complexity and heterogeneity of glial responses as well as inform transcriptomics studies. Three distinct phenotypes emerged with our combination of markers, thus expanding the classic binary "homeostatic vs. reactive" classification to a third state, which could represent "transitional" or "resilient" glia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clara Muñoz-Castro
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad de Sevilla, 41012, Sevilla, Spain
- Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla (IBiS)-Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío/CSIC/Universidad de Sevilla, 41013, Sevilla, Spain
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, 02114, USA
- MassGeneral Institute for Neurodegenerative Disease, 114 16th Street, Charlestown, MA, 02129, USA
- Massachusetts Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, Charlestown, MA, 02129, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Ayush Noori
- Harvard College, Boston, MA, 02138, USA
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, 02114, USA
- MassGeneral Institute for Neurodegenerative Disease, 114 16th Street, Charlestown, MA, 02129, USA
- Massachusetts Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, Charlestown, MA, 02129, USA
| | - Colin G Magdamo
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, 02114, USA
- MassGeneral Institute for Neurodegenerative Disease, 114 16th Street, Charlestown, MA, 02129, USA
- Massachusetts Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, Charlestown, MA, 02129, USA
| | - Zhaozhi Li
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, 02114, USA
- MassGeneral Institute for Neurodegenerative Disease, 114 16th Street, Charlestown, MA, 02129, USA
- Massachusetts Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, Charlestown, MA, 02129, USA
| | - Jordan D Marks
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, 02114, USA
- MassGeneral Institute for Neurodegenerative Disease, 114 16th Street, Charlestown, MA, 02129, USA
| | - Matthew P Frosch
- Department of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, 02114, USA
- MassGeneral Institute for Neurodegenerative Disease, 114 16th Street, Charlestown, MA, 02129, USA
- Massachusetts Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, Charlestown, MA, 02129, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Sudeshna Das
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, 02114, USA
- MassGeneral Institute for Neurodegenerative Disease, 114 16th Street, Charlestown, MA, 02129, USA
- Massachusetts Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, Charlestown, MA, 02129, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Bradley T Hyman
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, 02114, USA
- MassGeneral Institute for Neurodegenerative Disease, 114 16th Street, Charlestown, MA, 02129, USA
- Massachusetts Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, Charlestown, MA, 02129, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Alberto Serrano-Pozo
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, 02114, USA.
- MassGeneral Institute for Neurodegenerative Disease, 114 16th Street, Charlestown, MA, 02129, USA.
- Massachusetts Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, Charlestown, MA, 02129, USA.
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.
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