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Gaikwad S, Puangmalai N, Sonawane M, Montalbano M, Price R, Iyer MS, Ray A, Moreno S, Kayed R. Nasal tau immunotherapy clears intracellular tau pathology and improves cognitive functions in aged tauopathy mice. Sci Transl Med 2024; 16:eadj5958. [PMID: 38959324 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.adj5958] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2023] [Accepted: 06/12/2024] [Indexed: 07/05/2024]
Abstract
Pathological tau aggregates cause cognitive decline in neurodegenerative tauopathies, including Alzheimer's disease (AD). These aggregates are prevalent within intracellular compartments. Current tau immunotherapies have shown limited efficacy in clearing intracellular tau aggregates and improving cognition in clinical trials. In this study, we developed toxic tau conformation-specific monoclonal antibody-2 (TTCM2), which selectively recognized pathological tau aggregates in brain tissues from patients with AD, dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB), and progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP). TTCM2 potently inhibited tau-seeding activity, an essential mechanism underlying tauopathy progression. To effectively target intracellular tau aggregates and ensure rapid delivery to the brain, TTCM2 was loaded in micelles (TTCM2-ms) and administered through the intranasal route. We found that intranasally administered TTCM2-ms efficiently entered the brain in hTau-tauopathy mice, targeting pathological tau in intracellular compartments. Moreover, a single intranasal dose of TTCM2-ms effectively cleared pathological tau, elevated synaptic proteins, and improved cognitive functions in aged tauopathy mice. Mechanistic studies revealed that TTCM2-ms cleared intracellular, synaptic, and seed-competent tau aggregates through tripartite motif-containing 21 (TRIM21), an intracellular antibody receptor and E3 ubiquitin ligase known to facilitate proteasomal degradation of cytosolic antibody-bound proteins. TRIM21 was found to be essential for TTCM2-ms-mediated clearance of tau pathology. Our study collectively provides evidence of the effectiveness of nasal tau immunotherapy in targeting and clearing intracellular tau pathology through TRIM21 and enhancing cognition in aged tauopathy mice. This study could be valuable in designing effective tau immunotherapies for AD and other tauopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sagar Gaikwad
- Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
- Department of Neurology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Nicha Puangmalai
- Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
- Department of Neurology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Minal Sonawane
- Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
- Department of Neurology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Mauro Montalbano
- Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
- Department of Neurology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Rachel Price
- Department of Science, University "Roma Tre," Viale G. Marconi 446 00146 Rome, Italy
| | | | | | - Sandra Moreno
- Department of Science, University "Roma Tre," Viale G. Marconi 446 00146 Rome, Italy
| | - Rakez Kayed
- Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
- Department of Neurology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
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2
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Ottoy J, Kang MS, Tan JXM, Boone L, Vos de Wael R, Park BY, Bezgin G, Lussier FZ, Pascoal TA, Rahmouni N, Stevenson J, Fernandez Arias J, Therriault J, Hong SJ, Stefanovic B, McLaurin J, Soucy JP, Gauthier S, Bernhardt BC, Black SE, Rosa-Neto P, Goubran M. Tau follows principal axes of functional and structural brain organization in Alzheimer's disease. Nat Commun 2024; 15:5031. [PMID: 38866759 PMCID: PMC11169286 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-49300-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2023] [Accepted: 05/24/2024] [Indexed: 06/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a brain network disorder where pathological proteins accumulate through networks and drive cognitive decline. Yet, the role of network connectivity in facilitating this accumulation remains unclear. Using in-vivo multimodal imaging, we show that the distribution of tau and reactive microglia in humans follows spatial patterns of connectivity variation, the so-called gradients of brain organization. Notably, less distinct connectivity patterns ("gradient contraction") are associated with cognitive decline in regions with greater tau, suggesting an interaction between reduced network differentiation and tau on cognition. Furthermore, by modeling tau in subject-specific gradient space, we demonstrate that tau accumulation in the frontoparietal and temporo-occipital cortices is associated with greater baseline tau within their functionally and structurally connected hubs, respectively. Our work unveils a role for both functional and structural brain organization in pathology accumulation in AD, and supports subject-specific gradient space as a promising tool to map disease progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie Ottoy
- Sunnybrook Research Institute, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Min Su Kang
- Sunnybrook Research Institute, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | | | - Lyndon Boone
- Sunnybrook Research Institute, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Reinder Vos de Wael
- McConnell Brain Imaging Centre, Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Bo-Yong Park
- Department of Data Science, Inha University, Incheon, Republic of Korea
- Center for Neuroscience Imaging Research, Institute for Basic Science, Suwon, Republic of Korea
| | - Gleb Bezgin
- Translational Neuroimaging laboratory, McGill Centre for Studies in Aging, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Neuroinformatics for Personalized Medicine lab, Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Firoza Z Lussier
- Translational Neuroimaging laboratory, McGill Centre for Studies in Aging, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Tharick A Pascoal
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Nesrine Rahmouni
- Translational Neuroimaging laboratory, McGill Centre for Studies in Aging, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Jenna Stevenson
- Translational Neuroimaging laboratory, McGill Centre for Studies in Aging, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Jaime Fernandez Arias
- Translational Neuroimaging laboratory, McGill Centre for Studies in Aging, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Joseph Therriault
- Translational Neuroimaging laboratory, McGill Centre for Studies in Aging, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Seok-Jun Hong
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, Republic of Korea
| | - Bojana Stefanovic
- Sunnybrook Research Institute, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Physical Sciences Platform, Sunnybrook Research Institute, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - JoAnne McLaurin
- Sunnybrook Research Institute, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Biological Sciences Platform, Sunnybrook Research Institute, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Jean-Paul Soucy
- McConnell Brain Imaging Centre, Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Serge Gauthier
- Translational Neuroimaging laboratory, McGill Centre for Studies in Aging, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Boris C Bernhardt
- McConnell Brain Imaging Centre, Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Sandra E Black
- Sunnybrook Research Institute, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Medicine (Division of Neurology), University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Pedro Rosa-Neto
- McConnell Brain Imaging Centre, Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Translational Neuroimaging laboratory, McGill Centre for Studies in Aging, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Maged Goubran
- Sunnybrook Research Institute, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
- Physical Sciences Platform, Sunnybrook Research Institute, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
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3
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Dear A, Thacker D, Wennmalm S, Ortigosa-Pascual L, Andrzejewska EA, Meisl G, Linse S, Knowles TPJ. Aβ Oligomer Dissociation Is Catalyzed by Fibril Surfaces. ACS Chem Neurosci 2024; 15:2296-2307. [PMID: 38785363 PMCID: PMC11157482 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.4c00127] [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: 02/29/2024] [Revised: 04/21/2024] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Oligomeric assemblies consisting of only a few protein subunits are key species in the cytotoxicity of neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. Their lifetime in solution and abundance, governed by the balance of their sources and sinks, are thus important determinants of disease. While significant advances have been made in elucidating the processes that govern oligomer production, the mechanisms behind their dissociation are still poorly understood. Here, we use chemical kinetic modeling to determine the fate of oligomers formed in vitro and discuss the implications for their abundance in vivo. We discover that oligomeric species formed predominantly on fibril surfaces, a broad class which includes the bulk of oligomers formed by the key Alzheimer's disease-associated Aβ peptides, also dissociate overwhelmingly on fibril surfaces, not in solution as had previously been assumed. We monitor this "secondary nucleation in reverse" by measuring the dissociation of Aβ42 oligomers in the presence and absence of fibrils via two distinct experimental methods. Our findings imply that drugs that bind fibril surfaces to inhibit oligomer formation may also inhibit their dissociation, with important implications for rational design of therapeutic strategies for Alzheimer's and other amyloid diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander
J. Dear
- Biochemistry
and Structural Biology, Lund University, Lund 221 00, Sweden
- Centre
for Misfolding Diseases Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge CB2 1EW, U.K.
| | - Dev Thacker
- Biochemistry
and Structural Biology, Lund University, Lund 221 00, Sweden
| | - Stefan Wennmalm
- Department
of Applied Physics, Biophysics Group, SciLifeLab, Royal Institute of Technology-KTH, Solna 171 65, Sweden
| | | | - Ewa A. Andrzejewska
- Centre
for Misfolding Diseases Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge CB2 1EW, U.K.
| | - Georg Meisl
- Centre
for Misfolding Diseases Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge CB2 1EW, U.K.
| | - Sara Linse
- Biochemistry
and Structural Biology, Lund University, Lund 221 00, Sweden
| | - Tuomas P. J. Knowles
- Centre
for Misfolding Diseases Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge CB2 1EW, U.K.
- Cavendish
Laboratory, University of Cambridge, J J Thomson Avenue, Cambridge CB3 0HE, U.K.
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4
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Zheng H, Sun H, Cai Q, Tai HC. The Enigma of Tau Protein Aggregation: Mechanistic Insights and Future Challenges. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:4969. [PMID: 38732197 PMCID: PMC11084794 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25094969] [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: 03/30/2024] [Revised: 04/20/2024] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Tau protein misfolding and aggregation are pathological hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease and over twenty neurodegenerative disorders. However, the molecular mechanisms of tau aggregation in vivo remain incompletely understood. There are two types of tau aggregates in the brain: soluble aggregates (oligomers and protofibrils) and insoluble filaments (fibrils). Compared to filamentous aggregates, soluble aggregates are more toxic and exhibit prion-like transmission, providing seeds for templated misfolding. Curiously, in its native state, tau is a highly soluble, heat-stable protein that does not form fibrils by itself, not even when hyperphosphorylated. In vitro studies have found that negatively charged molecules such as heparin, RNA, or arachidonic acid are generally required to induce tau aggregation. Two recent breakthroughs have provided new insights into tau aggregation mechanisms. First, as an intrinsically disordered protein, tau is found to undergo liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) both in vitro and inside cells. Second, cryo-electron microscopy has revealed diverse fibrillar tau conformations associated with different neurodegenerative disorders. Nonetheless, only the fibrillar core is structurally resolved, and the remainder of the protein appears as a "fuzzy coat". From this review, it appears that further studies are required (1) to clarify the role of LLPS in tau aggregation; (2) to unveil the structural features of soluble tau aggregates; (3) to understand the involvement of fuzzy coat regions in oligomer and fibril formation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Hwan-Ching Tai
- State Key Laboratory of Vaccines for Infectious Diseases, Xiang An Biomedicine Laboratory, State Key Laboratory of Molecular Vaccinology and Molecular Diagnostics, National Innovation Platform for Industry-Education Integration in Vaccine Research, School of Public Health, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
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5
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Basheer N, Buee L, Brion JP, Smolek T, Muhammadi MK, Hritz J, Hromadka T, Dewachter I, Wegmann S, Landrieu I, Novak P, Mudher A, Zilka N. Shaping the future of preclinical development of successful disease-modifying drugs against Alzheimer's disease: a systematic review of tau propagation models. Acta Neuropathol Commun 2024; 12:52. [PMID: 38576010 PMCID: PMC10993623 DOI: 10.1186/s40478-024-01748-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2024] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/06/2024] Open
Abstract
The transcellular propagation of the aberrantly modified protein tau along the functional brain network is a key hallmark of Alzheimer's disease and related tauopathies. Inoculation-based tau propagation models can recapitulate the stereotypical spread of tau and reproduce various types of tau inclusions linked to specific tauopathy, albeit with varying degrees of fidelity. With this systematic review, we underscore the significance of judicious selection and meticulous functional, biochemical, and biophysical characterization of various tau inocula. Furthermore, we highlight the necessity of choosing suitable animal models and inoculation sites, along with the critical need for validation of fibrillary pathology using confirmatory staining, to accurately recapitulate disease-specific inclusions. As a practical guide, we put forth a framework for establishing a benchmark of inoculation-based tau propagation models that holds promise for use in preclinical testing of disease-modifying drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neha Basheer
- Institute of Neuroimmunology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dubravska Cesta 9, 845 10, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Luc Buee
- Inserm, CHU Lille, CNRS, LilNCog - Lille Neuroscience & Cognition, University of Lille, 59000, Lille, France.
| | - Jean-Pierre Brion
- Faculty of Medicine, Laboratory of Histology, Alzheimer and Other Tauopathies Research Group (CP 620), ULB Neuroscience Institute (UNI), Université Libre de Bruxelles, 808, Route de Lennik, 1070, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Tomas Smolek
- Institute of Neuroimmunology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dubravska Cesta 9, 845 10, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Muhammad Khalid Muhammadi
- Institute of Neuroimmunology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dubravska Cesta 9, 845 10, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Jozef Hritz
- CEITEC Masaryk University, Kamenice 5, 625 00, Brno, Czech Republic
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5, 62500, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Tomas Hromadka
- Institute of Neuroimmunology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dubravska Cesta 9, 845 10, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Ilse Dewachter
- Biomedical Research Institute, BIOMED, Hasselt University, 3500, Hasselt, Belgium
| | - Susanne Wegmann
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
- Einstein Center for Neurosciences Berlin, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Isabelle Landrieu
- CNRS EMR9002 - BSI - Integrative Structural Biology, 59000, Lille, France
- Inserm, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, U1167 - RID-AGE - Risk Factors and Molecular Determinants of Aging-Related Diseases, University of Lille, 59000, Lille, France
| | - Petr Novak
- Institute of Neuroimmunology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dubravska Cesta 9, 845 10, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Amritpal Mudher
- School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Environment and Life Sciences, University of Southampton, Highfield Campus, Southampton, SO17 1BJ, UK
| | - Norbert Zilka
- Institute of Neuroimmunology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dubravska Cesta 9, 845 10, Bratislava, Slovakia.
- AXON Neuroscience R&D Services SE, Dubravska Cesta 9, 845 10, Bratislava, Slovakia.
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6
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Doering S, McCullough A, Gordon BA, Chen CD, McKay N, Hobbs D, Keefe S, Flores S, Scott J, Smith H, Jarman S, Jackson K, Hornbeck RC, Ances BM, Xiong C, Aschenbrenner AJ, Hassenstab J, Cruchaga C, Daniels A, Bateman RJ, Morris JC, Benzinger TLS. Deconstructing pathological tau by biological process in early stages of Alzheimer disease: a method for quantifying tau spatial spread in neuroimaging. EBioMedicine 2024; 103:105080. [PMID: 38552342 PMCID: PMC10995809 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2024.105080] [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: 07/14/2023] [Revised: 03/05/2024] [Accepted: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/08/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Neuroimaging studies often quantify tau burden in standardized brain regions to assess Alzheimer disease (AD) progression. However, this method ignores another key biological process in which tau spreads to additional brain regions. We have developed a metric for calculating the extent tau pathology has spread throughout the brain and evaluate the relationship between this metric and tau burden across early stages of AD. METHODS 445 cross-sectional participants (aged ≥ 50) who had MRI, amyloid PET, tau PET, and clinical testing were separated into disease-stage groups based on amyloid positivity and cognitive status (older cognitively normal control, preclinical AD, and symptomatic AD). Tau burden and tau spatial spread were calculated for all participants. FINDINGS We found both tau metrics significantly elevated across increasing disease stages (p < 0.0001) and as a function of increasing amyloid burden for participants with preclinical (p < 0.0001, p = 0.0056) and symptomatic (p = 0.010, p = 0.0021) AD. An interaction was found between tau burden and tau spatial spread when predicting amyloid burden (p = 0.00013). Analyses of slope between tau metrics demonstrated more spread than burden in preclinical AD (β = 0.59), but then tau burden elevated relative to spread (β = 0.42) once participants had symptomatic AD, when the tau metrics became highly correlated (R = 0.83). INTERPRETATION Tau burden and tau spatial spread are both strong biomarkers for early AD but provide unique information, particularly at the preclinical stage. Tau spatial spread may demonstrate earlier changes than tau burden which could have broad impact in clinical trial design. FUNDING This research was supported by the Knight Alzheimer Disease Research Center (Knight ADRC, NIH grants P30AG066444, P01AG026276, P01AG003991), Dominantly Inherited Alzheimer Network (DIAN, NIH grants U01AG042791, U19AG03243808, R01AG052550-01A1, R01AG05255003), and the Barnes-Jewish Hospital Foundation Willman Scholar Fund.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie Doering
- Washington University in Saint Louis School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO, USA
| | - Austin McCullough
- Washington University in Saint Louis School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO, USA
| | - Brian A Gordon
- Washington University in Saint Louis School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO, USA
| | - Charles D Chen
- Washington University in Saint Louis School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO, USA
| | - Nicole McKay
- Washington University in Saint Louis School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO, USA
| | - Diana Hobbs
- Washington University in Saint Louis School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO, USA
| | - Sarah Keefe
- Washington University in Saint Louis School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO, USA
| | - Shaney Flores
- Washington University in Saint Louis School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO, USA
| | - Jalen Scott
- Washington University in Saint Louis School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO, USA
| | - Hunter Smith
- Washington University in Saint Louis School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO, USA
| | - Stephen Jarman
- Washington University in Saint Louis School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO, USA
| | - Kelley Jackson
- Washington University in Saint Louis School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO, USA
| | - Russ C Hornbeck
- Washington University in Saint Louis School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO, USA
| | - Beau M Ances
- Washington University in Saint Louis School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO, USA
| | - Chengjie Xiong
- Washington University in Saint Louis School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO, USA
| | | | - Jason Hassenstab
- Washington University in Saint Louis School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO, USA
| | - Carlos Cruchaga
- Washington University in Saint Louis School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO, USA
| | - Alisha Daniels
- Washington University in Saint Louis School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO, USA
| | - Randall J Bateman
- Washington University in Saint Louis School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO, USA
| | - John C Morris
- Washington University in Saint Louis School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO, USA
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7
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Meisl G. The thermodynamics of neurodegenerative disease. BIOPHYSICS REVIEWS 2024; 5:011303. [PMID: 38525484 PMCID: PMC10957229 DOI: 10.1063/5.0180899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2023] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 03/26/2024]
Abstract
The formation of protein aggregates in the brain is a central aspect of the pathology of many neurodegenerative diseases. This self-assembly of specific proteins into filamentous aggregates, or fibrils, is a fundamental biophysical process that can easily be reproduced in the test tube. However, it has been difficult to obtain a clear picture of how the biophysical insights thus obtained can be applied to the complex, multi-factorial diseases and what this means for therapeutic strategies. While new, disease-modifying therapies are now emerging, for the most devastating disorders, such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease, they still fall well short of offering a cure, and few drug design approaches fully exploit the wealth of mechanistic insights that has been obtained in biophysical studies. Here, I attempt to provide a new perspective on the role of protein aggregation in disease, by phrasing the problem in terms of a system that, under constant energy consumption, attempts to maintain a healthy, aggregate-free state against the thermodynamic driving forces that inexorably push it toward pathological aggregation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georg Meisl
- WaveBreak Therapeutics Ltd., Chemistry of Health, Lensfield Road, Cambridge CB2 1EW, United Kingdom
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8
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Darricau M, Dou C, Kinet R, Zhu T, Zhou L, Li X, Bedel A, Claverol S, Tokarski C, Katsinelos T, McEwan WA, Zhang L, Gao R, Bourdenx M, Dehay B, Qin C, Bezard E, Planche V. Tau seeds from Alzheimer's disease brains trigger tau spread in macaques while oligomeric-Aβ mediates pathology maturation. Alzheimers Dement 2024; 20:1894-1912. [PMID: 38148705 PMCID: PMC10984505 DOI: 10.1002/alz.13604] [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: 07/06/2023] [Revised: 11/15/2023] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 12/28/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The "prion-like" features of Alzheimer's disease (AD) tauopathy and its relationship with amyloid-β (Aβ) have never been experimentally studied in primates phylogenetically close to humans. METHODS We injected 17 macaques in the entorhinal cortex with nanograms of seeding-competent tau aggregates purified from AD brains or control extracts from aged-matched healthy brains, with or without intracerebroventricular co-injections of oligomeric-Aβ. RESULTS Pathological tau injection increased cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) p-tau181 concentration after 18 months. Tau pathology spreads from the entorhinal cortex to the hippocampal trisynaptic loop and the cingulate cortex, resuming the experimental progression of Braak stage I to IV. Many AD-related molecular networks were impacted by tau seeds injections regardless of Aβ injections in proteomic analyses. However, we found mature neurofibrillary tangles, increased CSF total-tau concentration, and pre- and postsynaptic degeneration only in Aβ co-injected macaques. DISCUSSION Oligomeric-Aβ mediates the maturation of tau pathology and its neuronal toxicity in macaques but not its initial spreading. HIGHLIGHTS This study supports the "prion-like" properties of misfolded tau extracted from AD brains. This study empirically validates the Braak staging in an anthropomorphic brain. This study highlights the role of oligomeric Aβ in driving the maturation and toxicity of tau pathology. This work establishes a novel animal model of early sporadic AD that is closer to the human pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Morgane Darricau
- Univ. Bordeaux, CNRSInstitut des Maladies NeurodégénérativesBordeauxFrance
| | - Changsong Dou
- NHC Key Laboratory of Human Disease Comparative MedicineBeijing Engineering Research Center for Experimental Animal Models of Human Critical DiseasesNational Center for Technology and Innovation of Animal ModelInstitute of Laboratory Animal SciencesChinese Academy of Medical Sciences (CAMS)BeijingP.R. China
| | - Remi Kinet
- Univ. Bordeaux, CNRSInstitut des Maladies NeurodégénérativesBordeauxFrance
| | - Tao Zhu
- NHC Key Laboratory of Human Disease Comparative MedicineBeijing Engineering Research Center for Experimental Animal Models of Human Critical DiseasesNational Center for Technology and Innovation of Animal ModelInstitute of Laboratory Animal SciencesChinese Academy of Medical Sciences (CAMS)BeijingP.R. China
| | - Li Zhou
- NHC Key Laboratory of Human Disease Comparative MedicineBeijing Engineering Research Center for Experimental Animal Models of Human Critical DiseasesNational Center for Technology and Innovation of Animal ModelInstitute of Laboratory Animal SciencesChinese Academy of Medical Sciences (CAMS)BeijingP.R. China
| | - Xianglei Li
- NHC Key Laboratory of Human Disease Comparative MedicineBeijing Engineering Research Center for Experimental Animal Models of Human Critical DiseasesNational Center for Technology and Innovation of Animal ModelInstitute of Laboratory Animal SciencesChinese Academy of Medical Sciences (CAMS)BeijingP.R. China
| | - Aurélie Bedel
- CHU de BordeauxService de biochimie, BordeauxUniv. BordeauxBordeauxFrance
| | | | | | - Taxiarchis Katsinelos
- UK Dementia Research InstituteDepartment of Clinical NeurosciencesUniversity of CambridgeCambridgeUK
| | - William A. McEwan
- UK Dementia Research InstituteDepartment of Clinical NeurosciencesUniversity of CambridgeCambridgeUK
| | - Ling Zhang
- NHC Key Laboratory of Human Disease Comparative MedicineBeijing Engineering Research Center for Experimental Animal Models of Human Critical DiseasesNational Center for Technology and Innovation of Animal ModelInstitute of Laboratory Animal SciencesChinese Academy of Medical Sciences (CAMS)BeijingP.R. China
| | - Ran Gao
- NHC Key Laboratory of Human Disease Comparative MedicineBeijing Engineering Research Center for Experimental Animal Models of Human Critical DiseasesNational Center for Technology and Innovation of Animal ModelInstitute of Laboratory Animal SciencesChinese Academy of Medical Sciences (CAMS)BeijingP.R. China
| | - Mathieu Bourdenx
- UK Dementia Research InstituteUCL Queen Square Institute of NeurologyLondonUK
| | - Benjamin Dehay
- Univ. Bordeaux, CNRSInstitut des Maladies NeurodégénérativesBordeauxFrance
| | - Chuan Qin
- NHC Key Laboratory of Human Disease Comparative MedicineBeijing Engineering Research Center for Experimental Animal Models of Human Critical DiseasesNational Center for Technology and Innovation of Animal ModelInstitute of Laboratory Animal SciencesChinese Academy of Medical Sciences (CAMS)BeijingP.R. China
- Changping National laboratory (CPNL)BeijingChina
| | - Erwan Bezard
- Univ. Bordeaux, CNRSInstitut des Maladies NeurodégénérativesBordeauxFrance
- Motac NeuroscienceFloiracFrance
| | - Vincent Planche
- Univ. Bordeaux, CNRSInstitut des Maladies NeurodégénérativesBordeauxFrance
- CHU de Bordeaux, Pôle de Neurosciences CliniquesCentre Mémoire de Ressources et de RechercheBordeauxFrance
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Koike R, Soeda Y, Kasai A, Fujioka Y, Ishigaki S, Yamanaka A, Takaichi Y, Chambers JK, Uchida K, Watanabe H, Takashima A. Path integration deficits are associated with phosphorylated tau accumulation in the entorhinal cortex. Brain Commun 2024; 6:fcad359. [PMID: 38347945 PMCID: PMC10859636 DOI: 10.1093/braincomms/fcad359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2023] [Revised: 11/14/2023] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 02/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease is a devastating disease that is accompanied by dementia, and its incidence increases with age. However, no interventions have exhibited clear therapeutic effects. We aimed to develop and characterize behavioural tasks that allow the earlier identification of signs preceding dementia that would facilitate the development of preventative and therapeutic interventions for Alzheimer's disease. To this end, we developed a 3D virtual reality task sensitive to the activity of grid cells in the entorhinal cortex, which is the region that first exhibits neurofibrillary tangles in Alzheimer's disease. We investigated path integration (assessed by error distance) in a spatial navigation task sensitive to grid cells in the entorhinal cortex in 177 volunteers, aged 20-89 years, who did not have self-reported dementia. While place memory was intact even in old age, path integration deteriorated with increasing age. To investigate the relationship between neurofibrillary tangles in the entorhinal cortex and path integration deficit, we examined a mouse model of tauopathy (P301S mutant tau-overexpressing mice; PS19 mice). At 6 months of age, PS19 mice showed a significant accumulation of phosphorylated tau only in the entorhinal cortex, associated with impaired path integration without impairments in spatial cognition. These data are consistent with the idea that path integration deficit is caused by the accumulation of phosphorylated tau in the entorhinal cortex. This method may allow the early identification of individuals likely to develop Alzheimer's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Riki Koike
- Laboratory for Alzheimer’s Disease, Department of Life Science, Faculty of Science, Gakushuin University, Toshima-ku, Tokyo 171-8588, Japan
| | - Yoshiyuki Soeda
- Laboratory for Alzheimer’s Disease, Department of Life Science, Faculty of Science, Gakushuin University, Toshima-ku, Tokyo 171-8588, Japan
| | - Atsushi Kasai
- Deapartment of Research and Development, MIG (Medical Innovation Group) Inc, Shibuya, Tokyo 150-0031, Japan
| | - Yusuke Fujioka
- Molecular Neuroscience Research Center, Shiga University of Medical Science, Otsu, Shiga 520-2192, Japan
| | - Shinsuke Ishigaki
- Molecular Neuroscience Research Center, Shiga University of Medical Science, Otsu, Shiga 520-2192, Japan
| | - Akihiro Yamanaka
- Department of Neuroscience II, Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Aichi 464-8601, Japan
| | - Yuta Takaichi
- Laboratory of Veterinary Pathology, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8657, Japan
| | - James K Chambers
- Laboratory of Veterinary Pathology, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8657, Japan
| | - Kazuyuki Uchida
- Laboratory of Veterinary Pathology, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8657, Japan
| | - Hirohisa Watanabe
- Department of Neurology, Fujita Health University, Toyoake, Aichi 470-1192, Japan
| | - Akihiko Takashima
- Laboratory for Alzheimer’s Disease, Department of Life Science, Faculty of Science, Gakushuin University, Toshima-ku, Tokyo 171-8588, Japan
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10
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Vanderlinden G, Michiels L, Koole M, Lemmens R, Liessens D, Van Walleghem J, Depreitere B, Vandenbulcke M, Van Laere K. Tau Imaging in Late Traumatic Brain Injury: A [ 18F]MK-6240 Positron Emission Tomography Study. J Neurotrauma 2024; 41:420-429. [PMID: 38038357 DOI: 10.1089/neu.2023.0085] [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: 12/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Epidemiological studies have identified prior traumatic brain injury (TBI) as a risk factor for developing Alzheimer's disease (AD). Neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) are common to AD and chronic traumatic encephalopathy following repetitive mild TBI. However, it is unclear if a single TBI is sufficient to cause accumulation of NFTs. We performed a [18F]MK-6240 positron emission tomography (PET) imaging study to assess NFTs in patients who had sustained a single TBI at least 2 years prior to study inclusion. Fourteen TBI patients (49 ± 20 years; 5 M/9 F; 8 moderate-severe, 1 mild-probable, 5 symptomatic-possible TBI) and 40 demographically similar controls (57 ± 19 years; 19 M/21 F) underwent simultaneous [18F]MK-6240 PET and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as well as neuropsychological assessment including the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB). A region-based voxelwise partial volume correction was applied, using parcels obtained by FreeSurfer v6.0, and standardized uptake value ratios (SUVR) were calculated relative to the cerebellar gray matter. Group differences were assessed on both a voxel- and a volume-of-interest-based level and correlations of [18F]MK-6240 SUVR with time since injury as well as with clinical outcomes were calculated. Visual assessment of TBI images did not show global or focal increases in tracer uptake in any subject. On a group level, [18F]MK-6240 SUVR was not significantly different in patients versus controls or between subgroups of moderate-severe TBI versus less severe TBI. Within the TBI group, One Touch Stockings problem solving and spatial working memory (executive function), reaction time (attention), and Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) (global cognition) were associated with [18F]MK-6240 SUVR. We found no group-based increase of [18F]MK-6240 brain uptake in patients scanned at least 2 years after a single TBI compared with healthy volunteers, which suggests that no NFTs are building up in the first years after a single TBI. Nonetheless, correlations with cognitive outcomes were found that warrant further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Greet Vanderlinden
- Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, Imaging and Pathology, and Departments of Research Group Psychiatry, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Laura Michiels
- Leuven Brain Institute, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Neurology, University Hospitals UZ Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- VIB, Center for Brain and Disease Research, Laboratory of Neurobiology, Belgium
- Neurosciences, and Research Group Psychiatry, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Michel Koole
- Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, Imaging and Pathology, and Departments of Research Group Psychiatry, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Robin Lemmens
- Leuven Brain Institute, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Neurology, University Hospitals UZ Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- VIB, Center for Brain and Disease Research, Laboratory of Neurobiology, Belgium
- Neurosciences, and Research Group Psychiatry, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Dirk Liessens
- Department of Geriatric Psychiatry, University Hospitals UZ Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | | | - Bart Depreitere
- Department of Neurosurgery, and University Hospitals UZ Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Mathieu Vandenbulcke
- Leuven Brain Institute, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Geriatric Psychiatry, University Hospitals UZ Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Neuropsychiatry, Research Group Psychiatry, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Koen Van Laere
- Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, Imaging and Pathology, and Departments of Research Group Psychiatry, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Leuven Brain Institute, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospitals UZ Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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11
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Esquivel AR, Hill SE, Blair LJ. DnaJs are enriched in tau regulators. Int J Biol Macromol 2023; 253:127486. [PMID: 37852393 PMCID: PMC10842427 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.127486] [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: 06/01/2023] [Revised: 10/09/2023] [Accepted: 10/15/2023] [Indexed: 10/20/2023]
Abstract
The aberrant accumulation of tau protein is implicated as a pathogenic factor in many neurodegenerative diseases. Tau seeding may underlie its predictable spread in these diseases. Molecular chaperones can modulate tau pathology, but their effects have mainly been studied in isolation. This study employed a semi-high throughput assay to identify molecular chaperones influencing tau seeding using Tau RD P301S FRET Biosensor cells, which express a portion of tau containing the frontotemporal dementia-related P301S tau mutation fused to a FRET biosensor. Approximately fifty chaperones from five major families were screened using live cell imaging to monitor FRET-positive tau seeding. Among the tested chaperones, five exhibited significant effects on tau in the primary screen. Notably, three of these were from the DnaJ family. In subsequent studies, overexpression of DnaJA2, DnaJB1, and DnaJB6b resulted in significant reductions in tau levels. Knockdown experiments by shRNA revealed an inverse correlation between DnaJB1 and DnaJB6b with tau levels. DnaJB6b overexpression, specifically, reduced total tau levels in a cellular model with a pre-existing pool of tau, partially through enhanced proteasomal degradation. Further, DnaJB6b interacted with tau complexes. These findings highlight the potent chaperone activity within the DnaJ family, particularly DnaJB6b, towards tau.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abigail R Esquivel
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33612, USA; USF Health Byrd Alzheimer's Institute, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33613, USA
| | - Shannon E Hill
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33612, USA; USF Health Byrd Alzheimer's Institute, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33613, USA
| | - Laura J Blair
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33612, USA; USF Health Byrd Alzheimer's Institute, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33613, USA; Research Service, James A Haley Veterans Hospital, 13000 Bruce B Downs Blvd, Tampa, FL 33612, USA.
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12
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Gherardini L, Zajdel A, Pini L, Crimi A. Prediction of misfolded proteins spreading in Alzheimer's disease using machine learning and spreading models. Cereb Cortex 2023; 33:11471-11485. [PMID: 37833822 PMCID: PMC10724880 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhad380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2023] [Revised: 09/23/2023] [Accepted: 09/23/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The pervasive impact of Alzheimer's disease on aging society represents one of the main challenges at this time. Current investigations highlight 2 specific misfolded proteins in its development: Amyloid-$\beta$ and tau. Previous studies focused on spreading for misfolded proteins exploited simulations, which required several parameters to be empirically estimated. Here, we provide an alternative view based on 2 machine learning approaches which we compare with known simulation models. The first approach applies an autoregressive model constrained by structural connectivity, while the second is based on graph convolutional networks. The aim is to predict concentrations of Amyloid-$\beta$ 2 yr after a provided baseline. We also evaluate its real-world effectiveness and suitability by providing a web service for physicians and researchers. In experiments, the autoregressive model generally outperformed state-of-the-art models resulting in lower prediction errors. While it is important to note that a comprehensive prognostic plan cannot solely rely on amyloid beta concentrations, their prediction, achieved by the discussed approaches, can be valuable for planning therapies and other cures, especially when dealing with asymptomatic patients for whom novel therapies could prove effective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luca Gherardini
- Computer Vision Data Science Group, Sano centre for computational medicine, Czarnowiejska 36, Krakow 30-054, Poland
| | - Aleksandra Zajdel
- Computer Vision Data Science Group, Sano centre for computational medicine, Czarnowiejska 36, Krakow 30-054, Poland
| | - Lorenzo Pini
- Padua Neuroscience Center, University of Padua, Via 8 Febbraio, 2, Padua 35122, Italy
| | - Alessandro Crimi
- Computer Vision Data Science Group, Sano centre for computational medicine, Czarnowiejska 36, Krakow 30-054, Poland
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13
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Tallon C, Bell BJ, Malvankar MM, Deme P, Nogueras-Ortiz C, Eren E, Thomas AG, Hollinger KR, Pal A, Mustapic M, Huang M, Coleman K, Joe TR, Rais R, Haughey NJ, Kapogiannis D, Slusher BS. Inhibiting tau-induced elevated nSMase2 activity and ceramides is therapeutic in an Alzheimer's disease mouse model. Transl Neurodegener 2023; 12:56. [PMID: 38049923 PMCID: PMC10694940 DOI: 10.1186/s40035-023-00383-9] [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: 07/10/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 12/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cognitive decline in Alzheimer's disease (AD) is associated with hyperphosphorylated tau (pTau) propagation between neurons along synaptically connected networks, in part via extracellular vesicles (EVs). EV biogenesis is triggered by ceramide enrichment at the plasma membrane from neutral sphingomyelinase2 (nSMase2)-mediated cleavage of sphingomyelin. We report, for the first time, that human tau expression elevates brain ceramides and nSMase2 activity. METHODS To determine the therapeutic benefit of inhibiting this elevation, we evaluated PDDC, the first potent, selective, orally bioavailable, and brain-penetrable nSMase2 inhibitor in the transgenic PS19 AD mouse model. Additionally, we directly evaluated the effect of PDDC on tau propagation in a mouse model where an adeno-associated virus (AAV) encoding P301L/S320F double mutant human tau was stereotaxically-injected unilaterally into the hippocampus. The contralateral transfer of the double mutant human tau to the dentate gyrus was monitored. We examined ceramide levels, histopathological changes, and pTau content within EVs isolated from the mouse plasma. RESULTS Similar to human AD, the PS19 mice exhibited increased brain ceramide levels and nSMase2 activity; both were completely normalized by PDDC treatment. The PS19 mice also exhibited elevated tau immunostaining, thinning of hippocampal neuronal cell layers, increased mossy fiber synaptophysin immunostaining, and glial activation, all of which were pathologic features of human AD. PDDC treatment reduced these changes. The plasma of PDDC-treated PS19 mice had reduced levels of neuronal- and microglial-derived EVs, the former carrying lower pTau levels, compared to untreated mice. In the tau propagation model, PDDC normalized the tau-induced increase in brain ceramides and significantly reduced the amount of tau propagation to the contralateral side. CONCLUSIONS PDDC is a first-in-class therapeutic candidate that normalizes elevated brain ceramides and nSMase2 activity, leading to the slowing of tau spread in AD mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolyn Tallon
- Johns Hopkins Drug Discovery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
- Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Benjamin J Bell
- Johns Hopkins Drug Discovery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
- Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Medhinee M Malvankar
- Johns Hopkins Drug Discovery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Pragney Deme
- Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Carlos Nogueras-Ortiz
- Intramural Research Program, Laboratory of Clinical Investigation, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, 251 Bayview Blvd, Ste 8C228, Baltimore, MD, 21224, USA
| | - Erden Eren
- Intramural Research Program, Laboratory of Clinical Investigation, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, 251 Bayview Blvd, Ste 8C228, Baltimore, MD, 21224, USA
| | - Ajit G Thomas
- Johns Hopkins Drug Discovery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Kristen R Hollinger
- Johns Hopkins Drug Discovery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Arindom Pal
- Johns Hopkins Drug Discovery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
- Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Maja Mustapic
- Intramural Research Program, Laboratory of Clinical Investigation, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, 251 Bayview Blvd, Ste 8C228, Baltimore, MD, 21224, USA
| | - Meixiang Huang
- Johns Hopkins Drug Discovery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
- Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Kaleem Coleman
- Johns Hopkins Drug Discovery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
- Cell Biology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Tawnjerae R Joe
- Johns Hopkins Drug Discovery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
- Cell Biology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Rana Rais
- Johns Hopkins Drug Discovery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
- Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
- Pharmacology and Molecular Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Norman J Haughey
- Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA.
- Psychiatry and Behavioral Science, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 855 N. Wolfe Street, Rangos 278, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA.
- Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 600 N. Wolfe Street, Pathology 517, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA.
| | - Dimitrios Kapogiannis
- Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA.
- Intramural Research Program, Laboratory of Clinical Investigation, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, 251 Bayview Blvd, Ste 8C228, Baltimore, MD, 21224, USA.
| | - Barbara S Slusher
- Johns Hopkins Drug Discovery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA.
- Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA.
- Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA.
- Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA.
- Pharmacology and Molecular Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA.
- Psychiatry and Behavioral Science, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 855 N. Wolfe Street, Rangos 278, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA.
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14
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Steward A, Biel D, Dewenter A, Roemer S, Wagner F, Dehsarvi A, Rathore S, Otero Svaldi D, Higgins I, Brendel M, Dichgans M, Shcherbinin S, Ewers M, Franzmeier N. ApoE4 and Connectivity-Mediated Spreading of Tau Pathology at Lower Amyloid Levels. JAMA Neurol 2023; 80:1295-1306. [PMID: 37930695 PMCID: PMC10628846 DOI: 10.1001/jamaneurol.2023.4038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2023] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023]
Abstract
Importance For the Alzheimer disease (AD) therapies to effectively attenuate clinical progression, it may be critical to intervene before the onset of amyloid-associated tau spreading, which drives neurodegeneration and cognitive decline. Time points at which amyloid-associated tau spreading accelerates may depend on individual risk factors, such as apolipoprotein E ε4 (ApoE4) carriership, which is linked to faster disease progression; however, the association of ApoE4 with amyloid-related tau spreading is unclear. Objective To assess if ApoE4 carriers show accelerated amyloid-related tau spreading and propose amyloid positron emission tomography (PET) thresholds at which tau spreading accelerates in ApoE4 carriers vs noncarriers. Design, Setting, and Participants This cohort study including combined ApoE genotyping, amyloid PET, and longitudinal tau PET from 2 independent samples: the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI; n = 237; collected from April 2015 to August 2022) and Avid-A05 (n = 130; collected from December 2013 to July 2017) with a mean (SD) tau PET follow-up time of 1.9 (0.96) years in ADNI and 1.4 (0.23) years in Avid-A05. ADNI is an observational multicenter Alzheimer disease neuroimaging initiative and Avid-A05 an observational clinical trial. Participants classified as cognitively normal (152 in ADNI and 77 in Avid-A05) or mildly cognitively impaired (107 in ADNI and 53 in Avid-A05) were selected based on ApoE genotyping, amyloid-PET, and longitudinal tau PET data availability. Participants with ApoE ε2/ε4 genotype or classified as having dementia were excluded. Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging connectivity templates were based on 42 healthy participants in ADNI. Main Outcomes and Measures Mediation of amyloid PET on the association between ApoE4 status and subsequent tau PET increase through Braak stage regions and interaction between ApoE4 status and amyloid PET with annual tau PET increase through Braak stage regions and connectivity-based spreading stages (tau epicenter connectivity ranked regions). Results The mean (SD) age was 73.9 (7.35) years among the 237 ADNI participants and 70.2 (9.7) years among the 130 Avid-A05 participants. A total of 107 individuals in ADNI (45.1%) and 45 in Avid-A05 (34.6%) were ApoE4 carriers. Across both samples, we found that higher amyloid PET-mediated ApoE4-related tau PET increased globally (ADNI b, 0.15; 95% CI, 0.05-0.28; P = .001 and Avid-A05 b, 0.33; 95% CI, 0.14-0.54; P < .001) and in earlier Braak regions. Further, we found a significant association between ApoE4 status by amyloid PET interaction and annual tau PET increases consistently through early Braak- and connectivity-based stages where amyloid-related tau accumulation was accelerated in ApoE4carriers vs noncarriers at lower centiloid thresholds, corrected for age and sex. Conclusions and Relevance The findings in this study indicate that amyloid-related tau accumulation was accelerated in ApoE4 carriers at lower amyloid levels, suggesting that ApoE4 may facilitate earlier amyloid-driven tau spreading across connected brain regions. Possible therapeutic implications might be further investigated to determine when best to prevent tau spreading and thus cognitive decline depending on ApoE4 status.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Steward
- Institute for Stroke and Dementia Research, University Hospital, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Davina Biel
- Institute for Stroke and Dementia Research, University Hospital, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Anna Dewenter
- Institute for Stroke and Dementia Research, University Hospital, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Sebastian Roemer
- Institute for Stroke and Dementia Research, University Hospital, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Fabian Wagner
- Institute for Stroke and Dementia Research, University Hospital, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Amir Dehsarvi
- Institute for Stroke and Dementia Research, University Hospital, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | | | | | | | - Matthias Brendel
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- Munich Cluster for Systems Neurology, Munich, Germany
| | - Martin Dichgans
- Institute for Stroke and Dementia Research, University Hospital, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- Munich Cluster for Systems Neurology, Munich, Germany
| | | | - Michael Ewers
- Institute for Stroke and Dementia Research, University Hospital, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Munich, Germany
| | - Nicolai Franzmeier
- Institute for Stroke and Dementia Research, University Hospital, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- Munich Cluster for Systems Neurology, Munich, Germany
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, The Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Sweden
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15
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Schoonhoven DN, Coomans EM, Millán AP, van Nifterick AM, Visser D, Ossenkoppele R, Tuncel H, van der Flier WM, Golla SSV, Scheltens P, Hillebrand A, van Berckel BNM, Stam CJ, Gouw AA. Tau protein spreads through functionally connected neurons in Alzheimer's disease: a combined MEG/PET study. Brain 2023; 146:4040-4054. [PMID: 37279597 PMCID: PMC10545627 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awad189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2022] [Revised: 03/03/2023] [Accepted: 04/10/2023] [Indexed: 06/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent studies on Alzheimer's disease (AD) suggest that tau proteins spread through the brain following neuronal connections. Several mechanisms could be involved in this process: spreading between brain regions that interact strongly (functional connectivity); through the pattern of anatomical connections (structural connectivity); or simple diffusion. Using magnetoencephalography (MEG), we investigated which spreading pathways influence tau protein spreading by modelling the tau propagation process using an epidemic spreading model. We compared the modelled tau depositions with 18F-flortaucipir PET binding potentials at several stages of the AD continuum. In this cross-sectional study, we analysed source-reconstructed MEG data and dynamic 100-min 18F-flortaucipir PET from 57 subjects positive for amyloid-β pathology [preclinical AD (n = 16), mild cognitive impairment (MCI) due to AD (n = 16) and AD dementia (n = 25)]. Cognitively healthy subjects without amyloid-β pathology were included as controls (n = 25). Tau propagation was modelled as an epidemic process (susceptible-infected model) on MEG-based functional networks [in alpha (8-13 Hz) and beta (13-30 Hz) bands], a structural or diffusion network, starting from the middle and inferior temporal lobe. The group-level network of the control group was used as input for the model to predict tau deposition in three stages of the AD continuum. To assess performance, model output was compared to the group-specific tau deposition patterns as measured with 18F-flortaucipir PET. We repeated the analysis by using networks of the preceding disease stage and/or using regions with most observed tau deposition during the preceding stage as seeds. In the preclinical AD stage, the functional networks predicted most of the modelled tau-PET binding potential, with best correlations between model and tau-PET [corrected amplitude envelope correlation (AEC-c) alpha C = 0.584; AEC-c beta C = 0.569], followed by the structural network (C = 0.451) and simple diffusion (C = 0.451). Prediction accuracy declined for the MCI and AD dementia stages, although the correlation between modelled tau and tau-PET binding remained highest for the functional networks (C = 0.384; C = 0.376). Replacing the control-network with the network from the preceding disease stage and/or alternative seeds improved prediction accuracy in MCI but not in the dementia stage. These results suggest that in addition to structural connections, functional connections play an important role in tau spread, and highlight that neuronal dynamics play a key role in promoting this pathological process. Aberrant neuronal communication patterns should be taken into account when identifying targets for future therapy. Our results also suggest that this process is more important in earlier disease stages (preclinical AD/MCI); possibly, in later stages, other processes may be influential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deborah N Schoonhoven
- Department of Clinical Neurophysiology and MEG Center, Neurology, Amsterdam UMC location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, 1081 HZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Alzheimer Center Amsterdam, Neurology, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC location VUmc, 1081 HZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam Neuroscience, Neurodegeneration, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Emma M Coomans
- Alzheimer Center Amsterdam, Neurology, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC location VUmc, 1081 HZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam Neuroscience, Neurodegeneration, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC location VUmc, 1081 HZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam Neuroscience, Brain Imaging, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Ana P Millán
- Department of Clinical Neurophysiology and MEG Center, Neurology, Amsterdam UMC location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, 1081 HZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam Neuroscience, Brain Imaging, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Anne M van Nifterick
- Department of Clinical Neurophysiology and MEG Center, Neurology, Amsterdam UMC location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, 1081 HZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Alzheimer Center Amsterdam, Neurology, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC location VUmc, 1081 HZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam Neuroscience, Neurodegeneration, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Denise Visser
- Alzheimer Center Amsterdam, Neurology, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC location VUmc, 1081 HZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam Neuroscience, Neurodegeneration, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC location VUmc, 1081 HZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam Neuroscience, Brain Imaging, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Rik Ossenkoppele
- Alzheimer Center Amsterdam, Neurology, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC location VUmc, 1081 HZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam Neuroscience, Neurodegeneration, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC location VUmc, 1081 HZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam Neuroscience, Brain Imaging, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Clinical Memory Research Unit, Lund University, 221 00 Lund, Sweden
| | - Hayel Tuncel
- Amsterdam Neuroscience, Neurodegeneration, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC location VUmc, 1081 HZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam Neuroscience, Brain Imaging, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Wiesje M van der Flier
- Alzheimer Center Amsterdam, Neurology, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC location VUmc, 1081 HZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam Neuroscience, Neurodegeneration, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Sandeep S V Golla
- Amsterdam Neuroscience, Neurodegeneration, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC location VUmc, 1081 HZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam Neuroscience, Brain Imaging, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Philip Scheltens
- Alzheimer Center Amsterdam, Neurology, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC location VUmc, 1081 HZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam Neuroscience, Neurodegeneration, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Arjan Hillebrand
- Department of Clinical Neurophysiology and MEG Center, Neurology, Amsterdam UMC location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, 1081 HZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam Neuroscience, Brain Imaging, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam Neuroscience, Systems and Network Neuroscience, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Bart N M van Berckel
- Amsterdam Neuroscience, Neurodegeneration, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC location VUmc, 1081 HZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam Neuroscience, Brain Imaging, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Cornelis J Stam
- Department of Clinical Neurophysiology and MEG Center, Neurology, Amsterdam UMC location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, 1081 HZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam Neuroscience, Neurodegeneration, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Alida A Gouw
- Department of Clinical Neurophysiology and MEG Center, Neurology, Amsterdam UMC location Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, 1081 HZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Alzheimer Center Amsterdam, Neurology, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC location VUmc, 1081 HZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Amsterdam Neuroscience, Neurodegeneration, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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16
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Vogel JW, Corriveau-Lecavalier N, Franzmeier N, Pereira JB, Brown JA, Maass A, Botha H, Seeley WW, Bassett DS, Jones DT, Ewers M. Connectome-based modelling of neurodegenerative diseases: towards precision medicine and mechanistic insight. Nat Rev Neurosci 2023; 24:620-639. [PMID: 37620599 DOI: 10.1038/s41583-023-00731-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/26/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023]
Abstract
Neurodegenerative diseases are the most common cause of dementia. Although their underlying molecular pathologies have been identified, there is substantial heterogeneity in the patterns of progressive brain alterations across and within these diseases. Recent advances in neuroimaging methods have revealed that pathological proteins accumulate along specific macroscale brain networks, implicating the network architecture of the brain in the system-level pathophysiology of neurodegenerative diseases. However, the extent to which 'network-based neurodegeneration' applies across the wide range of neurodegenerative disorders remains unclear. Here, we discuss the state-of-the-art of neuroimaging-based connectomics for the mapping and prediction of neurodegenerative processes. We review findings supporting brain networks as passive conduits through which pathological proteins spread. As an alternative view, we also discuss complementary work suggesting that network alterations actively modulate the spreading of pathological proteins between connected brain regions. We conclude this Perspective by proposing an integrative framework in which connectome-based models can be advanced along three dimensions of innovation: incorporating parameters that modulate propagation behaviour on the basis of measurable biological features; building patient-tailored models that use individual-level information and allowing model parameters to interact dynamically over time. We discuss promises and pitfalls of these strategies for improving disease insights and moving towards precision medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacob W Vogel
- Department of Clinical Sciences, SciLifeLab, Lund University, Lund, Sweden.
| | - Nick Corriveau-Lecavalier
- Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Nicolai Franzmeier
- Institute for Stroke and Dementia Research (ISD), University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
- Munich Cluster for Systems Neurology (SyNergy), Munich, Germany
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, The Sahlgrenska Acadamy, University of Gothenburg, Mölndal and Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Joana B Pereira
- Clinical Memory Research Unit, Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden
- Neuro Division, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Jesse A Brown
- Memory and Aging Center, Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Anne Maass
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Hugo Botha
- Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - William W Seeley
- Memory and Aging Center, Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Department of Pathology, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Dani S Bassett
- Departments of Bioengineering, Electrical and Systems Engineering, Physics and Astronomy, Neurology and Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Santa Fe Institute, Santa Fe, NM, USA
| | - David T Jones
- Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
- Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Michael Ewers
- Institute for Stroke and Dementia Research (ISD), University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany.
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17
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Foster K, Manca M, McClure K, Koivula P, Trojanowski JQ, Havas D, Chancellor S, Goldstein L, Brunden KR, Kraus A, Ahlijanian MK. Preclinical characterization and IND-enabling safety studies for PNT001, an antibody that recognizes cis-pT231 tau. Alzheimers Dement 2023; 19:4662-4674. [PMID: 37002928 DOI: 10.1002/alz.13028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2022] [Revised: 02/09/2023] [Accepted: 02/12/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The cis-conformer of tau phosphorylated at threonine-231 (cis-pT231 tau) is hypothesized to contribute to tauopathies. PNT001 is a humanized, monoclonal antibody that recognizes cis-pT231 tau. PNT001 was characterized to assess clinical development readiness. METHODS Affinity and selectivity were assessed by surface plasmon resonance and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was performed with brain sections from human tauopathy patients and controls. Real-time quaking-induced conversion (RT-QuIC) was used to assess whether PNT001 reduced tau seeds from Tg4510 transgenic mouse brain. Murine PNT001 was evaluated in vivo in the Tg4510 mouse. RESULTS The affinity of PNT001 for a cis-pT231 peptide was 0.3 to 3 nM. IHC revealed neurofibrillary tangle-like structures in tauopathy patients with no detectable staining in controls. Incubation of Tg4510 brain homogenates with PNT001 lowered seeding in RT-QuIC. Multiple endpoints were improved in the Tg4510 mouse. No adverse findings attributable to PNT001 were detected in Good Laboratory Practice safety studies. DISCUSSION The data support clinical development of PNT001 in human tauopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelly Foster
- Pinteon Therapeutics, Inc., Discovery Biology, Newton, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Matteo Manca
- Department of Pathology, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Kim McClure
- Pinteon Therapeutics, Inc., Discovery Biology, Newton, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Pyry Koivula
- Center for Neurodegenerative Disease Research, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - John Q Trojanowski
- Center for Neurodegenerative Disease Research, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Daniel Havas
- Psychogenics, Inc, Biology Paramus, New Jersey, USA
| | - Sarah Chancellor
- Molecular Aging & Development Laboratory, Boston University School of Medicine, USA
| | - Lee Goldstein
- Molecular Aging & Development Laboratory, Boston University School of Medicine, USA
| | - Kurt R Brunden
- Center for Neurodegenerative Disease Research, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Allison Kraus
- Department of Pathology, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
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18
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Courte J, Le NA, Pan T, Bousset L, Melki R, Villard C, Peyrin JM. Synapses do not facilitate prion-like transfer of alpha-synuclein: a quantitative study in reconstructed unidirectional neural networks. Cell Mol Life Sci 2023; 80:284. [PMID: 37688644 PMCID: PMC10492778 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-023-04915-4] [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: 02/05/2023] [Revised: 07/11/2023] [Accepted: 08/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/11/2023]
Abstract
Alpha-synuclein (aSyn) aggregation spreads between cells and underlies the progression of neuronal lesions in the brain of patients with synucleinopathies such as Parkinson's diseases. The mechanisms of cell-to-cell propagation of aggregates, which dictate how aggregation progresses at the network level, remain poorly understood. Notably, while prion and prion-like spreading is often simplistically envisioned as a "domino-like" spreading scenario where connected neurons sequentially propagate protein aggregation to each other, the reality is likely to be more nuanced. Here, we demonstrate that the spreading of preformed aSyn aggregates is a limited process that occurs through molecular sieving of large aSyn seeds. We further show that this process is not facilitated by synaptic connections. This was achieved through the development and characterization of a new microfluidic platform that allows reconstruction of binary fully oriented neuronal networks in vitro with no unwanted backward connections, and through the careful quantification of fluorescent aSyn aggregates spreading between neurons. While this allowed us for the first time to extract quantitative data of protein seeds dissemination along neural pathways, our data suggest that prion-like dissemination of proteinopathic seeding aggregates occurs very progressively and leads to highly compartmentalized pattern of protein seeding in neural networks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josquin Courte
- Faculté des Sciences et Technologie, Institut de Biologie Paris Seine, Sorbonne Universités, CNRS UMR 8246, INSERM U1130, Neurosciences Paris Seine, 75005 Paris, France
- Institut Curie, CNRS UMR 168, Université PSL, Sorbonne Universités, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Ngoc Anh Le
- Faculté des Sciences et Technologie, Institut de Biologie Paris Seine, Sorbonne Universités, CNRS UMR 8246, INSERM U1130, Neurosciences Paris Seine, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Teng Pan
- Faculté des Sciences et Technologie, Institut de Biologie Paris Seine, Sorbonne Universités, CNRS UMR 8246, INSERM U1130, Neurosciences Paris Seine, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Luc Bousset
- Institut François Jacob, (MIRCen), CEA and Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Diseases, CNRS, 92260 Fontenay-Aux-Roses, France
| | - Ronald Melki
- Institut François Jacob, (MIRCen), CEA and Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Diseases, CNRS, 92260 Fontenay-Aux-Roses, France
| | - Catherine Villard
- Institut Curie, CNRS UMR 168, Université PSL, Sorbonne Universités, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Jean-Michel Peyrin
- Faculté des Sciences et Technologie, Institut de Biologie Paris Seine, Sorbonne Universités, CNRS UMR 8246, INSERM U1130, Neurosciences Paris Seine, 75005 Paris, France
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19
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Self WK, Holtzman DM. Emerging diagnostics and therapeutics for Alzheimer disease. Nat Med 2023; 29:2187-2199. [PMID: 37667136 DOI: 10.1038/s41591-023-02505-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 49.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 09/06/2023]
Abstract
Alzheimer disease (AD) is the most common contributor to dementia in the world, but strategies that slow or prevent its clinical progression have largely remained elusive, until recently. This Review highlights the latest advances in biomarker technologies and therapeutic development to improve AD diagnosis and treatment. We review recent results that enable pathological staging of AD with neuroimaging and fluid-based biomarkers, with a particular emphasis on the role of amyloid, tau and neuroinflammation in disease pathogenesis. We discuss the lessons learned from randomized controlled trials, including some supporting the proposal that certain anti-amyloid antibodies slow cognitive decline during the mildly symptomatic phase of AD. In addition, we highlight evidence for newly identified therapeutic targets that may be able to modify AD pathogenesis and progression. Collectively, these recent discoveries-and the research directions that they open-have the potential to move AD clinical care toward disease-modifying treatment strategies with maximal benefits for patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wade K Self
- Department of Neurology, Hope Center for Neurological Disorders, Knight Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - David M Holtzman
- Department of Neurology, Hope Center for Neurological Disorders, Knight Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA.
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20
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Wuestefeld A, Pichet Binette A, Berron D, Spotorno N, van Westen D, Stomrud E, Mattsson-Carlgren N, Strandberg O, Smith R, Palmqvist S, Glenn T, Moes S, Honer M, Arfanakis K, Barnes LL, Bennett DA, Schneider JA, Wisse LEM, Hansson O. Age-related and amyloid-beta-independent tau deposition and its downstream effects. Brain 2023; 146:3192-3205. [PMID: 37082959 PMCID: PMC10393402 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awad135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2022] [Revised: 03/20/2023] [Accepted: 04/06/2023] [Indexed: 04/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Amyloid-β (Aβ) is hypothesized to facilitate the spread of tau pathology beyond the medial temporal lobe. However, there is evidence that, independently of Aβ, age-related tau pathology might be present outside of the medial temporal lobe. We therefore aimed to study age-related Aβ-independent tau deposition outside the medial temporal lobe in two large cohorts and to investigate potential downstream effects of this on cognition and structural measures. We included 545 cognitively unimpaired adults (40-92 years) from the BioFINDER-2 study (in vivo) and 639 (64-108 years) from the Rush Alzheimer's Disease Center cohorts (ex vivo). 18F-RO948- and 18F-flutemetamol-PET standardized uptake value ratios were calculated for regional tau and global/regional Aβ in vivo. Immunohistochemistry was used to estimate Aβ load and tangle density ex vivo. In vivo medial temporal lobe volumes (subiculum, cornu ammonis 1) and cortical thickness (entorhinal cortex, Brodmann area 35) were obtained using Automated Segmentation for Hippocampal Subfields packages. Thickness of early and late neocortical Alzheimer's disease regions was determined using FreeSurfer. Global cognition and episodic memory were estimated to quantify cognitive functioning. In vivo age-related tau deposition was observed in the medial temporal lobe and in frontal and parietal cortical regions, which was statistically significant when adjusting for Aβ. This was also observed in individuals with low Aβ load. Tau deposition was negatively associated with cortical volumes and thickness in temporal and parietal regions independently of Aβ. The associations between age and cortical volume or thickness were partially mediated via tau in regions with early Alzheimer's disease pathology, i.e. early tau and/or Aβ pathology (subiculum/Brodmann area 35/precuneus/posterior cingulate). Finally, the associations between age and cognition were partially mediated via tau in Brodmann area 35, even when including Aβ-PET as covariate. Results were validated in the ex vivo cohort showing age-related and Aβ-independent increases in tau aggregates in and outside the medial temporal lobe. Ex vivo age-cognition associations were mediated by medial and inferior temporal tau tangle density, while correcting for Aβ density. Taken together, our study provides support for primary age-related tauopathy even outside the medial temporal lobe in vivo and ex vivo, with downstream effects on structure and cognition. These results have implications for our understanding of the spreading of tau outside the medial temporal lobe, also in the context of Alzheimer's disease. Moreover, this study suggests the potential utility of tau-targeting treatments in primary age-related tauopathy, likely already in preclinical stages in individuals with low Aβ pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anika Wuestefeld
- Clinical Memory Research Unit, Department of Clinical Sciences Malmö, Lund University, SE-222 42 Lund, Sweden
| | - Alexa Pichet Binette
- Clinical Memory Research Unit, Department of Clinical Sciences Malmö, Lund University, SE-222 42 Lund, Sweden
| | - David Berron
- Clinical Memory Research Unit, Department of Clinical Sciences Malmö, Lund University, SE-222 42 Lund, Sweden
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), 39120 Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Nicola Spotorno
- Clinical Memory Research Unit, Department of Clinical Sciences Malmö, Lund University, SE-222 42 Lund, Sweden
| | - Danielle van Westen
- Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Clinical Sciences, Lund University, SE-222 42 Lund, Sweden
- Image and Function, Skåne University Hospital, SE-205 02 Malmö, Sweden
| | - Erik Stomrud
- Clinical Memory Research Unit, Department of Clinical Sciences Malmö, Lund University, SE-222 42 Lund, Sweden
- Memory Clinic, Skåne University Hospital, SE-205 02 Malmö, Sweden
| | - Niklas Mattsson-Carlgren
- Clinical Memory Research Unit, Department of Clinical Sciences Malmö, Lund University, SE-222 42 Lund, Sweden
- Department of Neurology, Skåne University Hospital, SE-205 02 Malmö, Sweden
- Wallenberg Center for Molecular Medicine, Lund University, 221 84 Lund, Sweden
| | - Olof Strandberg
- Clinical Memory Research Unit, Department of Clinical Sciences Malmö, Lund University, SE-222 42 Lund, Sweden
| | - Ruben Smith
- Clinical Memory Research Unit, Department of Clinical Sciences Malmö, Lund University, SE-222 42 Lund, Sweden
- Department of Neurology, Skåne University Hospital, SE-205 02 Malmö, Sweden
| | - Sebastian Palmqvist
- Clinical Memory Research Unit, Department of Clinical Sciences Malmö, Lund University, SE-222 42 Lund, Sweden
- Memory Clinic, Skåne University Hospital, SE-205 02 Malmö, Sweden
| | - Trevor Glenn
- Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Svenja Moes
- Roche Pharmaceutical Research and Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd, CH-4070 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Michael Honer
- Roche Pharmaceutical Research and Early Development, Roche Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd, CH-4070 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Konstantinos Arfanakis
- Rush Alzheimer’s Disease Center, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago, IL 60616, USA
| | - Lisa L Barnes
- Rush Alzheimer’s Disease Center, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - David A Bennett
- Rush Alzheimer’s Disease Center, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
- Department of Neurological Sciences, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Julie A Schneider
- Rush Alzheimer’s Disease Center, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
- Department of Neurological Sciences, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Laura E M Wisse
- Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Clinical Sciences, Lund University, SE-222 42 Lund, Sweden
| | - Oskar Hansson
- Clinical Memory Research Unit, Department of Clinical Sciences Malmö, Lund University, SE-222 42 Lund, Sweden
- Memory Clinic, Skåne University Hospital, SE-205 02 Malmö, Sweden
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21
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Oliyantakath Hassan MS, Abdul Vahid A, Sahayaraj AE, Viswanathan R, Vijayan V. NMR Relaxation Experiments Probe Monomer-Fibril Interaction and Identify Critical Interacting Residues Responsible for Distinct Tau Fibril Morphologies. J Phys Chem Lett 2023; 14:6583-6591. [PMID: 37458827 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpclett.3c00912] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/28/2023]
Abstract
Tau aggregation is governed by secondary processes, a major pathological pathway for tau protein fibril propagation, yet its molecular mechanism remains unknown. This work uses saturation transfer and lifetime line-broadening experiments to identify the critical residues involved in these secondary processes. Distinct residue-specific NMR relaxation parameters were obtained for the truncated three repeat tau construct (K19) in equilibrium with structurally different, self-aggregated (saK19) or heparin-induced (hK19) fibrils. The interacting residues are restricted to R3 repeat for hK19 and to R3, R4, and R' repeats for saK19 fibrils. Furthermore, the relaxation profiles of tau monomers in equilibrium with the structurally comparable, in vitro pathological fibrils (tauAD and tauCTE) were similar but distinct from hK19 or saK19 fibrils. Thus, residue-specific relaxation identifies the important residues involved in the binding of monomers to the fibrils. The relaxation profile of the monomers in equilibrium with the NMR invisible fibril seeds potentially distinguishes the distinct structures of tau fibrils.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Arshad Abdul Vahid
- School of Chemistry, IISER-Thiruvananthapuram, Maruthamala PO, Vithura, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala 695551, India
| | - Allwin Ebenezer Sahayaraj
- School of Chemistry, IISER-Thiruvananthapuram, Maruthamala PO, Vithura, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala 695551, India
| | - Renjith Viswanathan
- School of Chemistry, IISER-Thiruvananthapuram, Maruthamala PO, Vithura, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala 695551, India
| | - Vinesh Vijayan
- School of Chemistry, IISER-Thiruvananthapuram, Maruthamala PO, Vithura, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala 695551, India
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22
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Dimou E, Katsinelos T, Meisl G, Tuck BJ, Keeling S, Smith AE, Hidari E, Lam JYL, Burke M, Lövestam S, Ranasinghe RT, McEwan WA, Klenerman D. Super-resolution imaging unveils the self-replication of tau aggregates upon seeding. Cell Rep 2023; 42:112725. [PMID: 37393617 PMCID: PMC7614924 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.112725] [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: 10/31/2022] [Revised: 04/03/2023] [Accepted: 06/14/2023] [Indexed: 07/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Tau is a soluble protein interacting with tubulin to stabilize microtubules. However, under pathological conditions, it becomes hyperphosphorylated and aggregates, a process that can be induced by treating cells with exogenously added tau fibrils. Here, we employ single-molecule localization microscopy to resolve the aggregate species formed in early stages of seeded tau aggregation. We report that entry of sufficient tau assemblies into the cytosol induces the self-replication of small tau aggregates, with a doubling time of 5 h inside HEK cells and 1 day in murine primary neurons, which then grow into fibrils. Seeding occurs in the vicinity of the microtubule cytoskeleton, is accelerated by the proteasome, and results in release of small assemblies into the media. In the absence of seeding, cells still spontaneously form small aggregates at lower levels. Overall, our work provides a quantitative picture of the early stages of templated seeded tau aggregation in cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleni Dimou
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge CB2 1EW, UK; UK Dementia Research Institute at University of Cambridge, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Hills Road, Cambridge CB2 0AH, UK.
| | - Taxiarchis Katsinelos
- UK Dementia Research Institute at University of Cambridge, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Hills Road, Cambridge CB2 0AH, UK; MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Francis Crick Avenue, Cambridge CB2 0QH, UK
| | - Georg Meisl
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge CB2 1EW, UK
| | - Benjamin J Tuck
- UK Dementia Research Institute at University of Cambridge, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Hills Road, Cambridge CB2 0AH, UK
| | - Sophie Keeling
- UK Dementia Research Institute at University of Cambridge, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Hills Road, Cambridge CB2 0AH, UK
| | - Annabel E Smith
- UK Dementia Research Institute at University of Cambridge, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Hills Road, Cambridge CB2 0AH, UK
| | - Eric Hidari
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge CB2 1EW, UK; UK Dementia Research Institute at University of Cambridge, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Hills Road, Cambridge CB2 0AH, UK
| | - Jeff Y L Lam
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge CB2 1EW, UK; UK Dementia Research Institute at University of Cambridge, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Hills Road, Cambridge CB2 0AH, UK
| | - Melanie Burke
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge CB2 1EW, UK; UK Dementia Research Institute at University of Cambridge, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Hills Road, Cambridge CB2 0AH, UK
| | - Sofia Lövestam
- MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Francis Crick Avenue, Cambridge CB2 0QH, UK
| | - Rohan T Ranasinghe
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge CB2 1EW, UK; UK Dementia Research Institute at University of Cambridge, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Hills Road, Cambridge CB2 0AH, UK
| | - William A McEwan
- UK Dementia Research Institute at University of Cambridge, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Hills Road, Cambridge CB2 0AH, UK
| | - David Klenerman
- Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge CB2 1EW, UK; UK Dementia Research Institute at University of Cambridge, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Hills Road, Cambridge CB2 0AH, UK.
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23
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Zhao F, Tomita M, Dutta A. Operational Modal Analysis of Near-Infrared Spectroscopy Measure of 2-Month Exercise Intervention Effects in Sedentary Older Adults with Diabetes and Cognitive Impairment. Brain Sci 2023; 13:1099. [PMID: 37509027 PMCID: PMC10377417 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci13071099] [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: 06/12/2023] [Revised: 07/11/2023] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
The Global Burden of Disease Study (GBD 2019 Diseases and Injuries Collaborators) found that diabetes significantly increases the overall burden of disease, leading to a 24.4% increase in disability-adjusted life years. Persistently high glucose levels in diabetes can cause structural and functional changes in proteins throughout the body, and the accumulation of protein aggregates in the brain that can be associated with the progression of Alzheimer's Disease (AD). To address this burden in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), a combined aerobic and resistance exercise program was developed based on the recommendations of the American College of Sports Medicine. The prospectively registered clinical trials (NCT04626453, NCT04812288) involved two groups: an Intervention group of older sedentary adults with T2DM and a Control group of healthy older adults who could be either active or sedentary. The completion rate for the 2-month exercise program was high, with participants completing on an average of 89.14% of the exercise sessions. This indicated that the program was practical, feasible, and well tolerated, even during the COVID-19 pandemic. It was also safe, requiring minimal equipment and no supervision. Our paper presents portable near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) based measures that showed muscle oxygen saturation (SmO2), i.e., the balance between oxygen delivery and oxygen consumption in muscle, drop during bilateral heel rise task (BHR) and the 6 min walk task (6MWT) significantly (p < 0.05) changed at the post-intervention follow-up from the pre-intervention baseline in the T2DM Intervention group participants. Moreover, post-intervention changes from pre-intervention baseline for the prefrontal activation (both oxyhemoglobin and deoxyhemoglobin) showed statistically significant (p < 0.05, q < 0.05) effect at the right superior frontal gyrus, dorsolateral, during the Mini-Cog task. Here, operational modal analysis provided further insights into the 2-month exercise intervention effects on the very-low-frequency oscillations (<0.05 Hz) during the Mini-Cog task that improved post-intervention in the sedentary T2DM Intervention group from their pre-intervention baseline when compared to active healthy Control group. Then, the 6MWT distance significantly (p < 0.01) improved in the T2DM Intervention group at post-intervention follow-up from pre-intervention baseline that showed improved aerobic capacity and endurance. Our portable NIRS based measures have practical implications at the point of care for the therapists as they can monitor muscle and brain oxygenation changes during physical and cognitive tests to prescribe personalized physical exercise doses without triggering individual stress response, thereby, enhancing vascular health in T2DM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fei Zhao
- Department of Rehabilitation Science, School of Public Health and Health Professions, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14214, USA
| | - Machiko Tomita
- Department of Rehabilitation Science, School of Public Health and Health Professions, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14214, USA
| | - Anirban Dutta
- School of Engineering, University of Lincoln, Lincoln LN67TS, UK
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24
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Colom-Cadena M, Davies C, Sirisi S, Lee JE, Simzer EM, Tzioras M, Querol-Vilaseca M, Sánchez-Aced É, Chang YY, Holt K, McGeachan RI, Rose J, Tulloch J, Wilkins L, Smith C, Andrian T, Belbin O, Pujals S, Horrocks MH, Lleó A, Spires-Jones TL. Synaptic oligomeric tau in Alzheimer's disease - A potential culprit in the spread of tau pathology through the brain. Neuron 2023; 111:2170-2183.e6. [PMID: 37192625 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2023.04.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 33.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2022] [Revised: 03/15/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2023] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
In Alzheimer's disease, fibrillar tau pathology accumulates and spreads through the brain and synapses are lost. Evidence from mouse models indicates that tau spreads trans-synaptically from pre- to postsynapses and that oligomeric tau is synaptotoxic, but data on synaptic tau in human brain are scarce. Here we used sub-diffraction-limit microscopy to study synaptic tau accumulation in postmortem temporal and occipital cortices of human Alzheimer's and control donors. Oligomeric tau is present in pre- and postsynaptic terminals, even in areas without abundant fibrillar tau deposition. Furthermore, there is a higher proportion of oligomeric tau compared with phosphorylated or misfolded tau found at synaptic terminals. These data suggest that accumulation of oligomeric tau in synapses is an early event in pathogenesis and that tau pathology may progress through the brain via trans-synaptic spread in human disease. Thus, specifically reducing oligomeric tau at synapses may be a promising therapeutic strategy for Alzheimer's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martí Colom-Cadena
- The University of Edinburgh Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences and UK Dementia Research Institute, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Caitlin Davies
- The University of Edinburgh Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences and UK Dementia Research Institute, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Sònia Sirisi
- Memory Unit, Department of Neurology, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques Sant Pau - Hospital de Sant Pau, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Madrid, Spain
| | - Ji-Eun Lee
- EaStCHEM School of Chemistry, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK; IRR Chemistry Hub, Institute for Regeneration and Repair, The University of Edinburgh, EH16 4 UU Edinburgh, UK
| | - Elizabeth M Simzer
- The University of Edinburgh Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences and UK Dementia Research Institute, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Makis Tzioras
- The University of Edinburgh Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences and UK Dementia Research Institute, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Marta Querol-Vilaseca
- Memory Unit, Department of Neurology, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques Sant Pau - Hospital de Sant Pau, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Madrid, Spain
| | - Érika Sánchez-Aced
- Memory Unit, Department of Neurology, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques Sant Pau - Hospital de Sant Pau, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Madrid, Spain
| | - Ya Yin Chang
- The University of Edinburgh Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences and UK Dementia Research Institute, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Kristjan Holt
- The University of Edinburgh Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences and UK Dementia Research Institute, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Robert I McGeachan
- The University of Edinburgh Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences and UK Dementia Research Institute, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Jamie Rose
- The University of Edinburgh Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences and UK Dementia Research Institute, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Jane Tulloch
- The University of Edinburgh Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences and UK Dementia Research Institute, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Lewis Wilkins
- The University of Edinburgh Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences and UK Dementia Research Institute, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Colin Smith
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences and Sudden Death Brain Bank, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Teodora Andrian
- Nanoscopy for Nanomedicine Lab, Institute of Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Olivia Belbin
- Memory Unit, Department of Neurology, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques Sant Pau - Hospital de Sant Pau, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Madrid, Spain
| | - Sílvia Pujals
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Institute for Advanced Chemistry of Catalonia (IQAC-CSIC), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Mathew H Horrocks
- EaStCHEM School of Chemistry, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK; IRR Chemistry Hub, Institute for Regeneration and Repair, The University of Edinburgh, EH16 4 UU Edinburgh, UK
| | - Alberto Lleó
- Memory Unit, Department of Neurology, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques Sant Pau - Hospital de Sant Pau, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red en Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Madrid, Spain.
| | - Tara L Spires-Jones
- The University of Edinburgh Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences and UK Dementia Research Institute, Edinburgh, UK.
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25
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Manca M, Standke HG, Browne DF, Huntley ML, Thomas OR, Orrú CD, Hughson AG, Kim Y, Zhang J, Tatsuoka C, Zhu X, Hiniker A, Coughlin DG, Galasko D, Kraus A. Tau seeds occur before earliest Alzheimer's changes and are prevalent across neurodegenerative diseases. Acta Neuropathol 2023; 146:31-50. [PMID: 37154939 PMCID: PMC10261243 DOI: 10.1007/s00401-023-02574-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2022] [Revised: 04/06/2023] [Accepted: 04/07/2023] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
Tau neurofibrillary tangles are a hallmark of Alzheimer's disease neuropathological change. However, it remains largely unclear how distinctive Alzheimer's disease tau seeds (i.e. 3R/4R) correlate with histological indicators of tau accumulation. Furthermore, AD tau co-pathology is thought to influence features and progression of other neurodegenerative diseases including Lewy body disease; yet measurements of different types of tau seeds in the setting of such diseases is an unmet need. Here, we use tau real-time quaking-induced conversion (RT-QuIC) assays to selectively quantitate 3R/4R tau seeds in the frontal lobe which accumulates histologically identifiable tau pathology at late disease stages of AD neuropathologic change. Seed quantitation across a spectrum of neurodegenerative disease cases and controls indicated tau seeding activity can be detected well before accompanying histopathological indication of tau deposits, and even prior to the earliest evidence of Alzheimer's-related tau accumulation anywhere in the brain. In later stages of AD, 3R/4R tau RT-QuIC measures correlated with immunohistochemical tau burden. In addition, Alzheimer's tau seeds occur in the vast majority of cases evaluated here inclusive of primary synucleinopathies, frontotemporal lobar degeneration and even controls albeit at multi-log lower levels than Alzheimer's cases. α-synuclein seeding activity confirmed synucleinopathy cases and further indicated the co-occurrence of α-synuclein seeds in some Alzheimer's disease and primary tauopathy cases. Our analysis indicates that 3R/4R tau seeds in the mid-frontal lobe correlate with the overall Braak stage and Alzheimer's disease neuropathologic change, supporting the quantitative predictive value of tau RT-QuIC assays. Our data also indicate 3R/4R tau seeds are elevated in females compared to males at high (≥ IV) Braak stages. This study suggests 3R/4R tau seeds are widespread even prior to the earliest stages of Alzheimer's disease changes, including in normal, and even young individuals, with prevalence across multiple neurodegenerative diseases to further define disease subtypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matteo Manca
- Department of Pathology, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, 2103 Cornell Road, Cleveland, OH, 44106, USA
| | - Heidi G Standke
- Department of Pathology, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, 2103 Cornell Road, Cleveland, OH, 44106, USA
| | - Danielle F Browne
- Department of Pathology, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, 2103 Cornell Road, Cleveland, OH, 44106, USA
| | - Mikayla L Huntley
- Department of Pathology, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, 2103 Cornell Road, Cleveland, OH, 44106, USA
| | - Olivia R Thomas
- Department of Pathology, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, 2103 Cornell Road, Cleveland, OH, 44106, USA
| | - Christina D Orrú
- Laboratory of Persistent Viral Diseases, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, MT, 59840, USA
| | - Andrew G Hughson
- Laboratory of Persistent Viral Diseases, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Hamilton, MT, 59840, USA
| | - Yongya Kim
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA, 92093-0612, USA
| | - Jing Zhang
- Department of Population and Quantitative Health Sciences, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, 44106, USA
| | - Curtis Tatsuoka
- Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 15232, USA
| | - Xiongwei Zhu
- Department of Pathology, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, 2103 Cornell Road, Cleveland, OH, 44106, USA
| | - Annie Hiniker
- Department of Pathology, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA, 92093-0612, USA
| | - David G Coughlin
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA, 92093-0612, USA
| | - Douglas Galasko
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA, 92093-0612, USA
| | - Allison Kraus
- Department of Pathology, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, 2103 Cornell Road, Cleveland, OH, 44106, USA.
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26
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Qu W, Canoll P, Hargus G. Molecular Insights into Cell Type-specific Roles in Alzheimer's Disease: Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-based Disease Modelling. Neuroscience 2023; 518:10-26. [PMID: 35569647 PMCID: PMC9974106 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2022.05.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2021] [Revised: 05/04/2022] [Accepted: 05/06/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common cause of dementia resulting in widespread degeneration of the central nervous system with severe cognitive impairment. Despite the devastating toll of AD, the incomplete understanding of the complex molecular mechanisms hinders the expeditious development of effective cures. Emerging evidence from animal studies has shown that different brain cell types play distinct roles in the pathogenesis of AD. Glutamatergic neurons are preferentially affected in AD and pronounced gliosis contributes to the progression of AD in both a cell-autonomous and a non-cell-autonomous manner. Much has been discovered through genetically modified animal models, yet frequently failed translational attempts to clinical applications call for better disease models. Emerging evidence supports the significance of human-induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) derived brain cells in modeling disease development and progression, opening new avenues for the discovery of molecular mechanisms. This review summarizes the function of different cell types in the pathogenesis of AD, such as neurons, microglia, and astrocytes, and recognizes the potential of utilizing the rapidly growing iPSC technology in modeling AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenhui Qu
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States; Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States
| | - Peter Canoll
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States
| | - Gunnar Hargus
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States; Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States.
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27
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Rayman JB. Focusing on oligomeric tau as a therapeutic target in Alzheimer's disease and other tauopathies. Expert Opin Ther Targets 2023:1-11. [PMID: 37140480 DOI: 10.1080/14728222.2023.2206561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Tau has commanded much attention as a potential therapeutic target in neurodegenerative diseases. Tau pathology is a hallmark of primary tauopathies, such as progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), corticobasal syndrome (CBS), and subtypes of frontotemporal dementia (FTD), as well as secondary tauopathies, such as Alzheimer's disease (AD). The development of tau therapeutics must reconcile with the structural complexity of the tau proteome, as well as an incomplete understanding of the role of tau in both physiology and disease. AREAS COVERED This review offers a current perspective on tau biology, discusses key barriers to the development of effective tau-based therapeutics, and promotes the idea that pathogenic (as opposed to merely pathological) tau should be at the center of drug development efforts. EXPERT OPINION An efficacious tau therapeutic will exhibit several primary features: 1) selectivity for pathogenic tau versus other tau species; 2) blood-brain barrier and cell membrane permeability, enabling access to intracellular tau in disease-relevant brain regions; and 3) minimal toxicity. Oligomeric tau is proposed as a major pathogenic form of tau and a compelling drug target in tauopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph B Rayman
- Department of Medicine, Division of Experimental Therapeutics, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
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28
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Langworth-Green C, Patel S, Jaunmuktane Z, Jabbari E, Morris H, Thom M, Lees A, Hardy J, Zandi M, Duff K. Chronic effects of inflammation on tauopathies. Lancet Neurol 2023; 22:430-442. [PMID: 37059510 DOI: 10.1016/s1474-4422(23)00038-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2022] [Revised: 01/20/2023] [Accepted: 01/27/2023] [Indexed: 04/16/2023]
Abstract
Tauopathies are a heterogeneous group of neurodegenerative disorders that are characterised by the aggregation of the microtubule-associated protein tau into filamentous inclusions within neurons and glia. Alzheimer's disease is the most prevalent tauopathy. Despite years of intense research efforts, developing disease-modifying interventions for these disorders has been very challenging. The detrimental role that chronic inflammation plays in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease is increasingly recognised; however, it is largely ascribed to the accumulation of amyloid β, leaving the effect of chronic inflammation on tau pathology and neurofibrillary tangle-related pathways greatly overlooked. Tau pathology can independently arise secondary to a range of triggers that are each associated with inflammatory processes, including infection, repetitive mild traumatic brain injury, seizure activity, and autoimmune disease. A greater understanding of the chronic effects of inflammation on the development and progression of tauopathies could help forge a path for the establishment of effective immunomodulatory disease-modifying interventions for clinical use.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Saisha Patel
- UK Dementia Research Institute, University College London, London, UK
| | - Zane Jaunmuktane
- Department of Clinical and Movement Neurosciences, University College London, London, UK; Queen Square Brain Bank for Neurological Disorders, University College London, London, UK; Division of Neuropathology, University College London, London, UK; National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, London, UK
| | - Edwin Jabbari
- Department of Clinical and Movement Neurosciences, University College London, London, UK; National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, London, UK; Department of Neurology, Royal Free Hospital, London, UK
| | - Huw Morris
- Department of Clinical and Movement Neurosciences, University College London, London, UK; National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, London, UK; Department of Neurology, Royal Free Hospital, London, UK
| | - Maria Thom
- Division of Neuropathology, University College London, London, UK; Department of Clinical and Experimental Epilepsy, University College London, London, UK
| | - Andrew Lees
- Department of Clinical and Movement Neurosciences, University College London, London, UK; Reta Lila Weston Institute, University College London, London, UK
| | - John Hardy
- UK Dementia Research Institute, University College London, London, UK; Reta Lila Weston Institute, University College London, London, UK; Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, University College London, London, UK
| | - Michael Zandi
- Department of Neuroinflammation, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK; National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, London, UK
| | - Karen Duff
- UK Dementia Research Institute, University College London, London, UK.
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29
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Padmanabhan P, Götz J. Clinical relevance of animal models in aging-related dementia research. NATURE AGING 2023; 3:481-493. [PMID: 37202516 DOI: 10.1038/s43587-023-00402-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2022] [Accepted: 03/21/2023] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) and other, less prevalent dementias are complex age-related disorders that exhibit multiple etiologies. Over the past decades, animal models have provided pathomechanistic insight and evaluated countless therapeutics; however, their value is increasingly being questioned due to the long history of drug failures. In this Perspective, we dispute this criticism. First, the utility of the models is limited by their design, as neither the etiology of AD nor whether interventions should occur at a cellular or network level is fully understood. Second, we highlight unmet challenges shared between animals and humans, including impeded drug transport across the blood-brain barrier, limiting effective treatment development. Third, alternative human-derived models also suffer from the limitations mentioned above and can only act as complementary resources. Finally, age being the strongest AD risk factor should be better incorporated into the experimental design, with computational modeling expected to enhance the value of animal models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pranesh Padmanabhan
- Clem Jones Centre for Ageing Dementia Research, Queensland Brain Institute, the University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Jürgen Götz
- Clem Jones Centre for Ageing Dementia Research, Queensland Brain Institute, the University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
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30
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Lau V, Ramer L, Tremblay MÈ. An aging, pathology burden, and glial senescence build-up hypothesis for late onset Alzheimer's disease. Nat Commun 2023; 14:1670. [PMID: 36966157 PMCID: PMC10039917 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-37304-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 32.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2022] [Accepted: 03/07/2023] [Indexed: 03/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) predominantly occurs as a late onset (LOAD) form involving neurodegeneration and cognitive decline with progressive memory loss. Risk factors that include aging promote accumulation of AD pathologies, such as amyloid-beta and tau aggregates, as well as inflammation and oxidative stress. Homeostatic glial states regulate and suppress pathology buildup; inflammatory states exacerbate pathology by releasing pro-inflammatory cytokines. Multiple stresses likely induce glial senescence, which could decrease supportive functions and reinforce inflammation. In this perspective, we hypothesize that aging first drives AD pathology burden, whereafter AD pathology putatively induces glial senescence in LOAD. We hypothesize that increasing glial senescence, particularly local senescent microglia accumulation, sustains and drives perpetuating buildup and spread of AD pathologies, glial aging, and further senescence. We predict that increasing glial senescence, particularly local senescent microglia accumulation, also transitions individuals from healthy cognition into mild cognitive impairment and LOAD diagnosis. These pathophysiological underpinnings may centrally contribute to LOAD onset, but require further mechanistic investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victor Lau
- Division of Medical Sciences, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada.
- Institute on Aging and Lifelong Health, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada.
- Centre for Advanced Materials and Related Technology (CAMTEC), University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada.
| | - Leanne Ramer
- Department of Biomedical Physiology & Kinesiology, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada.
| | - Marie-Ève Tremblay
- Division of Medical Sciences, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada.
- Institute on Aging and Lifelong Health, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada.
- Centre for Advanced Materials and Related Technology (CAMTEC), University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada.
- Axe Neurosciences, Centre de recherche du CHU de Québec-Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada.
- Département de Médecine Moléculaire, Faculté de Médecine, Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada.
- The Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada.
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31
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Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) was described in 1906 as a dementing disease marked by the presence of two types of fibrillar aggregates in the brain: neurofibrillary tangles and senile plaques. The process of aggregation and formation of the aggregates has been a major focus of investigation ever since the discoveries that the tau protein is the predominant protein in tangles and amyloid β is the predominant protein in plaques. The idea that smaller, oligomeric species of amyloid may also be bioactive has now been clearly established. This review examines the possibility that soluble, nonfibrillar, bioactive forms of tau-the "tau we cannot see"-comprise a dominant driver of neurodegeneration in AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bradley Hyman
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, Massachusetts, USA;
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32
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Arora Y, Dutta A. Perspective: Disentangling the effects of tES on neurovascular unit. Front Neurol 2023; 13:1038700. [PMID: 36698881 PMCID: PMC9868757 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2022.1038700] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2022] [Accepted: 11/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Transcranial electrical stimulation (tES) can modulate the neurovascular unit, including the perivascular space morphology, but the mechanisms are unclear. In this perspective article, we used an open-source "rsHRF toolbox" and an open-source functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) data set to show the effects of tDCS on the temporal profile of the haemodynamic response function (HRF). We investigated the effects of tDCS in the gray matter and at three regions of interest in the gray matter, namely, the anodal electrode (FC5), cathodal electrode (FP2), and an independent site remote from the electrodes (PZ). A "canonical HRF" with time and dispersion derivatives and a finite impulse response (FIR) model with three parameters captured the effects of anodal tDCS on the temporal profile of the HRF. The FIR model showed tDCS onset effects on the temporal profile of HRF for verum and sham tDCS conditions that were different from the no tDCS condition, which questions the validity of the sham tDCS (placebo). Here, we postulated that the effects of tDCS onset on the temporal profile of HRF are subserved by the effects on neurovascular coupling. We provide our perspective based on previous work on tES effects on the neurovascular unit, including mechanistic grey-box modeling of the effects of tES on the vasculature that can facilitate model predictive control (MPC). Future studies need to investigate grey-box modeling of online effects of tES on the neurovascular unit, including perivascular space, neurometabolic coupling, and neurovascular coupling, that can facilitate MPC of the tES dose-response to address the momentary ("state") and phenotypic ("trait") factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yashika Arora
- Neuroimaging and Neurospectroscopy (NINS) Laboratory, National Brain Research Centre, Gurugram, India
| | - Anirban Dutta
- School of Engineering, University of Lincoln, Lincoln, United Kingdom
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33
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Zhu Y, Gandy L, Zhang F, Liu J, Wang C, Blair LJ, Linhardt RJ, Wang L. Heparan Sulfate Proteoglycans in Tauopathy. Biomolecules 2022; 12:1792. [PMID: 36551220 PMCID: PMC9776397 DOI: 10.3390/biom12121792] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2022] [Revised: 11/28/2022] [Accepted: 11/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Tauopathies are a class of neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease, and are characterized by intraneuronal tau inclusion in the brain and the patient's cognitive decline with obscure pathogenesis. Heparan sulfate proteoglycans, a major type of extracellular matrix, have been believed to involve in tauopathies. The heparan sulfate proteoglycans co-deposit with tau in Alzheimer's patient brain, directly bind to tau and modulate tau secretion, internalization, and aggregation. This review summarizes the current understanding of the functions and the modulated molecular pathways of heparan sulfate proteoglycans in tauopathies, as well as the implication of dysregulated heparan sulfate proteoglycan expression in tau pathology and the potential of targeting heparan sulfate proteoglycan-tau interaction as a novel therapeutic option.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanan Zhu
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology & Physiology, Byrd Alzheimer’s Research Institute, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
| | - Lauren Gandy
- Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies, Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Department of Biological Sciences, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY 12180, USA
| | - Fuming Zhang
- Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies, Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Department of Biological Sciences, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY 12180, USA
| | - Jian Liu
- Eshelman School of Pharmacy, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Chunyu Wang
- Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies, Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Department of Biological Sciences, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY 12180, USA
| | - Laura J. Blair
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Byrd Alzheimer’s Research Institute, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33613, USA
| | - Robert J. Linhardt
- Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies, Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Department of Biological Sciences, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY 12180, USA
| | - Lianchun Wang
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology & Physiology, Byrd Alzheimer’s Research Institute, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33612, USA
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34
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Nepal P, Al Bashit A, Yang L, Makowski L. Small-angle X-ray microdiffraction from fibrils embedded in tissue thin sections. J Appl Crystallogr 2022; 55:1562-1571. [PMID: 36570653 PMCID: PMC9721334 DOI: 10.1107/s1600576722009955] [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: 05/08/2022] [Accepted: 10/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) from fibrils embedded in a fixed, thin section of tissue includes contributions from the fibrils, the polymeric matrix surrounding the fibrils, other constituents of the tissue, and cross-terms due to the spatial correlation between fibrils and neighboring molecules. This complex mixture severely limits the amount of information that can be extracted from scattering studies. However, availability of micro- and nano-beams has made the measurement of scattering from very small volumes possible, which, in some cases, may be dominated by a single fibrillar constituent. In such cases, information about the predominant species may be accessible. Nevertheless, even in these cases, the correlations between the positions of fibrils and other constituents have a significant impact on the observed scattering. Here, strategies are proposed to extract partial information about fibril structure and tissue organization on the basis of SAXS from samples of this type. It is shown that the spatial correlation function of the fibril in the direction perpendicular to the fibril axis can be computed and contains information about the predominant fibril structure and the organization of the surrounding tissue matrix. This has significant advantages over approaches based on techniques developed for X-ray solution scattering. Examples of correlation calculations in different types of samples are given to demonstrate the information that can be obtained from these measurements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prakash Nepal
- Department of Bioengineering, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Abdullah Al Bashit
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Lin Yang
- National Synchrotron Light Source II, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, NY, USA
| | - Lee Makowski
- Department of Bioengineering, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA,Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, USA,Correspondence e-mail:
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35
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Hier DB, Azizi S, Thimgan MS, Wunsch DC. Tau kinetics in Alzheimer's disease. Front Aging Neurosci 2022; 14:1055170. [PMID: 36437992 PMCID: PMC9682289 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2022.1055170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2022] [Accepted: 10/27/2022] [Indexed: 07/20/2023] Open
Abstract
The cytoskeletal protein tau is implicated in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease which is characterized by intra-neuronal neurofibrillary tangles containing abnormally phosphorylated insoluble tau. Levels of soluble tau are elevated in the brain, the CSF, and the plasma of patients with Alzheimer's disease. To better understand the causes of these elevated levels of tau, we propose a three-compartment kinetic model (brain, CSF, and plasma). The model assumes that the synthesis of tau follows zero-order kinetics (uncorrelated with compartmental tau levels) and that the release, absorption, and clearance of tau is governed by first-order kinetics (linearly related to compartmental tau levels). Tau that is synthesized in the brain compartment can be released into the interstitial fluid, catabolized, or retained in neurofibrillary tangles. Tau released into the interstitial fluid can mix with the CSF and eventually drain to the plasma compartment. However, losses of tau in the drainage pathways may be significant. The kinetic model estimates half-life of tau in each compartment (552 h in the brain, 9.9 h in the CSF, and 10 h in the plasma). The kinetic model predicts that an increase in the neuronal tau synthesis rate or a decrease in tau catabolism rate best accounts for observed increases in tau levels in the brain, CSF, and plasma found in Alzheimer's disease. Furthermore, the model predicts that increases in brain half-life of tau in Alzheimer's disease should be attributed to decreased tau catabolism and not to increased tau synthesis. Most clearance of tau in the neuron occurs through catabolism rather than release to the CSF compartment. Additional experimental data would make ascertainment of the model parameters more precise.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel B. Hier
- Applied Computational Intelligence Laboratory, Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering, Missouri University of Science & Technology, Rolla, MO, United States
- Department of Neurology and Rehabilitation, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Sima Azizi
- Applied Computational Intelligence Laboratory, Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering, Missouri University of Science & Technology, Rolla, MO, United States
| | - Matthew S. Thimgan
- Department of Biological Sciences, Missouri University of Science & Technology, Rolla, MO, United States
| | - Donald C. Wunsch
- Applied Computational Intelligence Laboratory, Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering, Missouri University of Science & Technology, Rolla, MO, United States
- ECCS Division, National Science Foundation, Alexandria, VA, United States
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36
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Pichet Binette A, Franzmeier N, Spotorno N, Ewers M, Brendel M, Biel D, Strandberg O, Janelidze S, Palmqvist S, Mattsson-Carlgren N, Smith R, Stomrud E, Ossenkoppele R, Hansson O. Amyloid-associated increases in soluble tau relate to tau aggregation rates and cognitive decline in early Alzheimer's disease. Nat Commun 2022; 13:6635. [PMID: 36333294 PMCID: PMC9636262 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-34129-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2022] [Accepted: 10/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
For optimal design of anti-amyloid-β (Aβ) and anti-tau clinical trials, we need to better understand the pathophysiological cascade of Aβ- and tau-related processes. Therefore, we set out to investigate how Aβ and soluble phosphorylated tau (p-tau) relate to the accumulation of tau aggregates assessed with PET and subsequent cognitive decline across the Alzheimer's disease (AD) continuum. Using human cross-sectional and longitudinal neuroimaging and cognitive assessment data, we show that in early stages of AD, increased concentration of soluble CSF p-tau is strongly associated with accumulation of insoluble tau aggregates across the brain, and CSF p-tau levels mediate the effect of Aβ on tau aggregation. Further, higher soluble p-tau concentrations are mainly related to faster accumulation of tau aggregates in the regions with strong functional connectivity to individual tau epicenters. In this early stage, higher soluble p-tau concentrations is associated with cognitive decline, which is mediated by faster increase of tau aggregates. In contrast, in AD dementia, when Aβ fibrils and soluble p-tau levels have plateaued, cognitive decline is related to the accumulation rate of insoluble tau aggregates. Our data suggest that therapeutic approaches reducing soluble p-tau levels might be most favorable in early AD, before widespread insoluble tau aggregates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexa Pichet Binette
- Clinical Memory Research Unit, Faculty of Medicine, Lund University, Lund, 205 02, Sweden.
| | - Nicolai Franzmeier
- Institute for Stroke and Dementia Research (ISD), University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Nicola Spotorno
- Clinical Memory Research Unit, Faculty of Medicine, Lund University, Lund, 205 02, Sweden
| | - Michael Ewers
- Institute for Stroke and Dementia Research (ISD), University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Munich, Germany
| | - Matthias Brendel
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
- Munich Cluster for Systems Neurology (SyNergy), Munich, Germany
| | - Davina Biel
- Institute for Stroke and Dementia Research (ISD), University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Olof Strandberg
- Clinical Memory Research Unit, Faculty of Medicine, Lund University, Lund, 205 02, Sweden
| | - Shorena Janelidze
- Clinical Memory Research Unit, Faculty of Medicine, Lund University, Lund, 205 02, Sweden
| | - Sebastian Palmqvist
- Clinical Memory Research Unit, Faculty of Medicine, Lund University, Lund, 205 02, Sweden
- Memory Clinic, Skåne University Hospital, Malmö, Sweden
| | - Niklas Mattsson-Carlgren
- Clinical Memory Research Unit, Faculty of Medicine, Lund University, Lund, 205 02, Sweden
- Department of Neurology, Skåne University Hospital, Lund, 205 02, Sweden
- Wallenberg Center for Molecular Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Ruben Smith
- Clinical Memory Research Unit, Faculty of Medicine, Lund University, Lund, 205 02, Sweden
- Department of Neurology, Skåne University Hospital, Lund, 205 02, Sweden
| | - Erik Stomrud
- Clinical Memory Research Unit, Faculty of Medicine, Lund University, Lund, 205 02, Sweden
- Memory Clinic, Skåne University Hospital, Malmö, Sweden
| | - Rik Ossenkoppele
- Clinical Memory Research Unit, Faculty of Medicine, Lund University, Lund, 205 02, Sweden
- Alzheimer Center Amsterdam, Department of Neurology, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Oskar Hansson
- Clinical Memory Research Unit, Faculty of Medicine, Lund University, Lund, 205 02, Sweden.
- Memory Clinic, Skåne University Hospital, Malmö, Sweden.
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Bespalov A, Courade JP, Khiroug L, Terstappen GC, Wang Y. A call for better understanding of target engagement in Tau antibody development. Drug Discov Today 2022; 27:103338. [PMID: 35973661 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2022.103338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2022] [Revised: 07/08/2022] [Accepted: 08/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Significant efforts have been channeled into developing antibodies for the treatment of CNS indications. Disappointment with the first generation of clinical Tau antibodies in Alzheimer's disease has highlighted the challenges in understanding whether an antibody can reach or affect the target in the compartment where it is involved in pathological processes. Here, we highlight different aspects essential for improving translatability of Tau-based immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Yipeng Wang
- Shanghai Qiangrui Biotech, Shanghai, PR China
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38
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Functional amyloid in a lipid-like environment: a merry dance of many steps. Essays Biochem 2022; 66:1035-1046. [PMID: 36205438 DOI: 10.1042/ebc20220062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2022] [Revised: 09/18/2022] [Accepted: 09/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Functional amyloid, which unlike its pathological counterpart serves a biological purpose, is produced in a carefully orchestrated sequence of events. In bacteria, the major amyloid component is transported over the periplasm and through the outer membrane to assemble on the bacterial cell surface. During its life time, the amyloid protein may be exposed to both membrane lipids and extracellular surfactant, making it relevant to study its interactions with these components in vitro. Particularly for charged surfactants, the interaction is quite complex and highly dependent on the surfactant:protein molar ratio. Low ratios typically promote aggregation, likely by binding the proteins to micelles and thus increasing the local concentration of proteins, while higher concentrations see an inhibition of the same process as the protein is diluted out and immobilized on individual micelles. This is particularly pronounced for strongly anionic surfactants like SDS; the naturally occurring biosurfactant rhamnolipid interacts more weakly with the protein, which still not only allows aggregation but also leads to less detrimental effects at higher ratios. Similarly, anionic vesicle-forming lipids largely stimulate aggregation likely because of weaker interactions. Anionic lysolipids, thanks to their micelle-forming properties, resemble SDS in their impact on fibrillation. There are also examples of systems where membrane binding sequesters an otherwise amyloidogenic sequence and prevents fibrillation or-quite the opposite- liberates another part of the protein to engage in self-assembly. Thus, membranes and surfactants have very varied roles to play in the biogenesis and function of bacterial amyloid.
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Opportunities and challenges in delivering biologics for Alzheimer's disease by low-intensity ultrasound. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2022; 189:114517. [PMID: 36030018 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2022.114517] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2022] [Revised: 08/15/2022] [Accepted: 08/19/2022] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Low-intensity ultrasound combined with intravenously injected microbubbles (US+MB) is a novel treatment modality for brain disorders, including Alzheimer's disease (AD), safely and transiently allowing therapeutic agents to overcome the blood-brain barrier (BBB) that constitutes a major barrier for therapeutic agents. Here, we first provide an update on immunotherapies in AD and how US+MB has been applied to AD mouse models and in clinical trials, considering the ultrasound and microbubble parameter space. In the second half of the review, we compare different in vitro BBB models and discuss strategies for combining US+MB with BBB modulators (targeting molecules such as claudin-5), and highlight the insight provided by super-resolution microscopy. Finally, we conclude with a short discussion on how in vitro findings can inform the design of animal studies, and how the insight gained may aid treatment optimization in the clinical ultrasound space.
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40
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Meisl G, Xu CK, Taylor JD, Michaels TCT, Levin A, Otzen D, Klenerman D, Matthews S, Linse S, Andreasen M, Knowles TPJ. Uncovering the universality of self-replication in protein aggregation and its link to disease. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2022; 8:eabn6831. [PMID: 35960802 PMCID: PMC9374340 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abn6831] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
Fibrillar protein aggregates are a hallmark of a range of human disorders, from prion diseases to dementias, but are also encountered in several functional contexts. Yet, the fundamental links between protein assembly mechanisms and their functional or pathological roles have remained elusive. Here, we analyze the aggregation kinetics of a large set of proteins that self-assemble by a nucleated-growth mechanism, from those associated with disease, over those whose aggregates fulfill functional roles in biology, to those that aggregate only under artificial conditions. We find that, essentially, all such systems, regardless of their biological role, are capable of self-replication. However, for aggregates that have evolved to fulfill a structural role, the rate of self-replication is too low to be significant on the biologically relevant time scale. By contrast, all disease-related proteins are able to self-replicate quickly compared to the time scale of the associated disease. Our findings establish the ubiquity of self-replication and point to its potential importance across aggregation-related disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georg Meisl
- Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge CB2 1EW, UK
| | - Catherine K. Xu
- Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge CB2 1EW, UK
| | - Jonathan D. Taylor
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Thomas C. T. Michaels
- Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge CB2 1EW, UK
| | - Aviad Levin
- Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge CB2 1EW, UK
| | - Daniel Otzen
- Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center (iNANO), Aarhus University, Gustav Wieds Vej 14, Aarhus DK-8000, Denmark
| | - David Klenerman
- Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge CB2 1EW, UK
- U.K. Dementia Research Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 0XY, UK
| | - Steve Matthews
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Sara Linse
- Department of Biochemistry and Structural Biology, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
- Corresponding author. (S.L.); (M.A.); (T.P.J.K.)
| | - Maria Andreasen
- Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge CB2 1EW, UK
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Wilhelm Meyers Allé 3, Aarhus DK-8000, Denmark
- Corresponding author. (S.L.); (M.A.); (T.P.J.K.)
| | - Tuomas P. J. Knowles
- Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge CB2 1EW, UK
- Cavendish Laboratory, University of Cambridge, 19 JJ Thomson Avenue, Cambridge CB3 0HE, UK
- Corresponding author. (S.L.); (M.A.); (T.P.J.K.)
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41
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Montal V, Diez I, Kim CM, Orwig W, Bueichekú E, Gutiérrez-Zúñiga R, Bejanin A, Pegueroles J, Dols-Icardo O, Vannini P, El-Fakhri G, Johnson KA, Sperling RA, Fortea J, Sepulcre J. Network Tau spreading is vulnerable to the expression gradients of APOE and glutamatergic-related genes. Sci Transl Med 2022; 14:eabn7273. [PMID: 35895837 PMCID: PMC9942690 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.abn7273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
A key hallmark of Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathology is the intracellular accumulation of tau protein in the form of neurofibrillary tangles across large-scale networks of the human brain cortex. Currently, it is still unclear how tau accumulates within specific cortical systems and whether in situ genetic traits play a role in this circuit-based propagation progression. In this study, using two independent cohorts of cognitively normal older participants, we reveal the brain network foundation of tau spreading and its association with using high-resolution transcriptomic genetic data. We observed that specific connectomic and genetic gradients exist along the tau spreading network. In particular, we identified 577 genes whose expression is associated with the spatial spreading of tau. Within this set of genes, APOE and glutamatergic synaptic genes, such as SLC1A2, play a central role. Thus, our study characterizes neurogenetic topological vulnerabilities in distinctive brain circuits of tau spreading and suggests that drug development strategies targeting the gradient expression of this set of genes should be explored to help reduce or prevent pathological tau accumulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victor Montal
- Gordon Center for Medical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School; Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Memory Unit, Department of Neurology, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Biomedical Research Institute Sant Pau, Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona; Barcelona, Spain.,Center of Biomedical Investigation Network for Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED); Madrid, Spain
| | - Ibai Diez
- Gordon Center for Medical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School; Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School; Charlestown, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Chan-Mi Kim
- Gordon Center for Medical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School; Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - William Orwig
- Gordon Center for Medical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School; Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Elisenda Bueichekú
- Gordon Center for Medical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School; Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Raquel Gutiérrez-Zúñiga
- Gordon Center for Medical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School; Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Alexandre Bejanin
- Memory Unit, Department of Neurology, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Biomedical Research Institute Sant Pau, Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona; Barcelona, Spain.,Center of Biomedical Investigation Network for Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED); Madrid, Spain
| | - Jordi Pegueroles
- Memory Unit, Department of Neurology, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Biomedical Research Institute Sant Pau, Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona; Barcelona, Spain.,Center of Biomedical Investigation Network for Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED); Madrid, Spain
| | - Oriol Dols-Icardo
- Memory Unit, Department of Neurology, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Biomedical Research Institute Sant Pau, Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona; Barcelona, Spain.,Center of Biomedical Investigation Network for Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED); Madrid, Spain
| | - Patrizia Vannini
- Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School; Charlestown, Massachusetts, USA.,Center for Alzheimer research and treatment, Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School; Boston, MA
| | - Georges El-Fakhri
- Gordon Center for Medical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School; Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Keith A. Johnson
- Gordon Center for Medical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School; Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Reisa A. Sperling
- Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School; Charlestown, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Juan Fortea
- Memory Unit, Department of Neurology, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Biomedical Research Institute Sant Pau, Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona; Barcelona, Spain.,Center of Biomedical Investigation Network for Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED); Madrid, Spain
| | - Jorge Sepulcre
- Gordon Center for Medical Imaging, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School; Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School; Charlestown, Massachusetts, USA.,Correspondence should be addressed to Jorge Sepulcre, 149 13th St, Office 5.209, Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, Massachusetts; ; +1 617 726 2899
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42
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Zhao F, Tomita MR, Dutta A. Functional near-infrared spectroscopy of prefrontal cortex during memory encoding and recall in elderly with type 2 diabetes mellitus. ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE OF THE IEEE ENGINEERING IN MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY SOCIETY. IEEE ENGINEERING IN MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY SOCIETY. ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE 2022; 2022:3323-3326. [PMID: 36086207 DOI: 10.1109/embc48229.2022.9871983] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Low-frequency Fahræus-Lindqvist-driven oscillations in the small vessels are crucial because oscillations in small vessels support nutrient supply. Understanding of this is critical in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) to develop therapeutic measures in order to prevent Alzheimer's Disease Related Dementias. Indeed, vascular factors are known to contribute to cerebrovascular disease as well as mild cognitive impairment and dementia, which are predicted to affect 152 million people by 2050 (Alzheimer's Disease International London, UK, 2019). In this clinical study, we performed functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) of the forehead to investigate the effect of the Mini-Cog with three-item recall test on the prefrontal cortex (PFC) activation and the relative oscillatory power in the 0.01-0.02-Hz (FahræΣus-Lindqvist effect) and 0.021-0.052 Hz (smooth muscle autonomic innervation) frequency bands in elderly (60 years and older) T2DM and age-matched controls. We found a significant (p<0.01) difference in the PFC activation between elderly subjects with T2DM and age-matched elderly controls. Moreover, power spectral density (PSD) analysis revealed a significantly lower relative power in 0.021-0.052 Hz (smooth muscle autonomic innervation) frequency band in elderly subjects with T2DM during the Mini-Cog three-item recall test. Furthermore, a drop in the oscillatory power in the 0.01-0.02 Hz frequency band during Mini-Cog three-item recall test was found more pronounced in the elderly subjects with T2DM. Therefore, our study highlighted portable brain imaging to capture cerebrovascular reactivity to cognitive load that may provide a biomarker of cerebrovascular dysfunction in T2DM. Clinical Relevance-Our study establishes forehead portable brain imaging under cognitive load for monitoring cerebrovascular function in T2DM.
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43
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Meisl G, Knowles TPJ, Klenerman D. Mechanistic Models of Protein Aggregation Across Length-Scales and Time-Scales: From the Test Tube to Neurodegenerative Disease. Front Neurosci 2022; 16:909861. [PMID: 35844223 PMCID: PMC9281552 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.909861] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2022] [Accepted: 05/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Through advances in the past decades, the central role of aberrant protein aggregation has been established in many neurodegenerative diseases. Crucially, however, the molecular mechanisms that underlie aggregate proliferation in the brains of affected individuals are still only poorly understood. Under controlled in vitro conditions, significant progress has been made in elucidating the molecular mechanisms that take place during the assembly of purified protein molecules, through advances in both experimental methods and the theories used to analyse the resulting data. The determination of the aggregation mechanism for a variety of proteins revealed the importance of intermediate oligomeric species and of the interactions with promotors and inhibitors. Such mechanistic insights, if they can be achieved in a disease-relevant system, provide invaluable information to guide the design of potential cures to these devastating disorders. However, as experimental systems approach the situation present in real disease, their complexity increases substantially. Timescales increase from hours an aggregation reaction takes in vitro, to decades over which the process takes place in disease, and length-scales increase to the dimension of a human brain. Thus, molecular level mechanistic studies, like those that successfully determined mechanisms in vitro, have only been applied in a handful of living systems to date. If their application can be extended to further systems, including patient data, they promise powerful new insights. Here we present a review of the existing strategies to gain mechanistic insights into the molecular steps driving protein aggregation and discuss the obstacles and potential paths to achieving their application in disease. First, we review the experimental approaches and analysis techniques that are used to establish the aggregation mechanisms in vitro and the insights that have been gained from them. We then discuss how these approaches must be modified and adapted to be applicable in vivo and review the existing works that have successfully applied mechanistic analysis of protein aggregation in living systems. Finally, we present a broad mechanistic classification of in vivo systems and discuss what will be required to further our understanding of aggregate formation in living systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georg Meisl
- Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Tuomas P. J. Knowles
- Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- Cavendish Laboratory, Department of Physics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - David Klenerman
- Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- UK Dementia Research Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
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44
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Tok S, Maurin H, Delay C, Crauwels D, Manyakov NV, Van Der Elst W, Moechars D, Drinkenburg WHIM. Pathological and neurophysiological outcomes of seeding human-derived tau pathology in the APP-KI NL-G-F and NL-NL mouse models of Alzheimer's Disease. Acta Neuropathol Commun 2022; 10:92. [PMID: 35739575 PMCID: PMC9219251 DOI: 10.1186/s40478-022-01393-w] [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: 04/27/2022] [Accepted: 06/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
The two main histopathological hallmarks that characterize Alzheimer’s Disease are the presence of amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles. One of the current approaches to studying the consequences of amyloid pathology relies on the usage of transgenic animal models that incorporate the mutant humanized form of the amyloid precursor protein (hAPP), with animal models progressively developing amyloid pathology as they age. However, these mice models generally overexpress the hAPP protein to facilitate the development of amyloid pathology, which has been suggested to elicit pathological and neuropathological changes unrelated to amyloid pathology. In this current study, we characterized APP knock-in (APP-KI) animals, that do not overexpress hAPP but still develop amyloid pathology to understand the influence of protein overexpression. We also induced tau pathology via human-derived tau seeding material to understand the neurophysiological effects of amyloid and tau pathology. We report that tau-seeded APP-KI animals progressively develop tau pathology, exacerbated by the presence of amyloid pathology. Interestingly, older amyloid-bearing, tau-seeded animals exhibited more amyloid pathology in the entorhinal area, isocortex and hippocampus, but not thalamus, which appeared to correlate with impairments in gamma oscillations before seeding. Tau-seeded animals also featured immediate deficits in power spectra values and phase-amplitude indices in the hippocampus after seeding, with gamma power spectra deficits persisting in younger animals. Both deficits in hippocampal phase-amplitude coupling and gamma power differentiate tau-seeded, amyloid-positive animals from buffer controls. Based on our results, impairments in gamma oscillations appear to be strongly associated with the presence and development of amyloid and tau pathology, and may also be an indicator of neuropathology, network dysfunction, and even potential disposition to the future development of amyloid pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Tok
- Department of Neuroscience, Janssen Research and Development, Janssen Pharmaceutica NV, Turnhoutseweg 30, 2340, Beerse, Belgium.,Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - H Maurin
- Department of Neuroscience, Janssen Research and Development, Janssen Pharmaceutica NV, Turnhoutseweg 30, 2340, Beerse, Belgium
| | - C Delay
- Department of Neuroscience, Janssen Research and Development, Janssen Pharmaceutica NV, Turnhoutseweg 30, 2340, Beerse, Belgium
| | - D Crauwels
- Department of Neuroscience, Janssen Research and Development, Janssen Pharmaceutica NV, Turnhoutseweg 30, 2340, Beerse, Belgium
| | - N V Manyakov
- Data Sciences, Janssen Research and Development, Janssen Pharmaceutica NV, Turnhoutseweg 30, 2340, Beerse, Belgium
| | - W Van Der Elst
- Quantitative Sciences Janssen Research and Development, Janssen Pharmaceutica NV, Turnhoutseweg 30, 2340, Beerse, Belgium
| | - D Moechars
- Department of Neuroscience, Janssen Research and Development, Janssen Pharmaceutica NV, Turnhoutseweg 30, 2340, Beerse, Belgium
| | - W H I M Drinkenburg
- Department of Neuroscience, Janssen Research and Development, Janssen Pharmaceutica NV, Turnhoutseweg 30, 2340, Beerse, Belgium. .,Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.
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45
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Sinnige T. Molecular mechanisms of amyloid formation in living systems. Chem Sci 2022; 13:7080-7097. [PMID: 35799826 PMCID: PMC9214716 DOI: 10.1039/d2sc01278b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2022] [Accepted: 05/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Fibrillar protein aggregation is a hallmark of a variety of human diseases. Examples include the deposition of amyloid-β and tau in Alzheimer's disease, and that of α-synuclein in Parkinson's disease. The molecular mechanisms by which soluble proteins form amyloid fibrils have been extensively studied in the test tube. These investigations have revealed the microscopic steps underlying amyloid formation, and the role of factors such as chaperones that modulate these processes. This perspective explores the question to what extent the mechanisms of amyloid formation elucidated in vitro apply to human disease. The answer is not yet clear, and may differ depending on the protein and the associated disease. Nevertheless, there are striking qualitative similarities between the aggregation behaviour of proteins in vitro and the development of the related diseases. Limited quantitative data obtained in model organisms such as Caenorhabditis elegans support the notion that aggregation mechanisms in vivo can be interpreted using the same biophysical principles established in vitro. These results may however be biased by the high overexpression levels typically used in animal models of protein aggregation diseases. Molecular chaperones have been found to suppress protein aggregation in animal models, but their mechanisms of action have not yet been quantitatively analysed. Several mechanisms are proposed by which the decline of protein quality control with organismal age, but also the intrinsic nature of the aggregation process may contribute to the kinetics of protein aggregation observed in human disease. The molecular mechanisms of amyloid formation have been studied extensively in test tube reactions. This perspective article addresses the question to what extent these mechanisms apply to the complex situation in living cells and organisms.![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Tessa Sinnige
- Bijvoet Centre for Biomolecular Research, Utrecht University Padualaan 8 3584 CH Utrecht The Netherlands
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46
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Bashit AA, Nepal P, Connors T, Oakley DH, Hyman BT, Yang L, Makowski L. Mapping the Spatial Distribution of Fibrillar Polymorphs in Human Brain Tissue. Front Neurosci 2022; 16:909542. [PMID: 35720706 PMCID: PMC9198601 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.909542] [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: 03/31/2022] [Accepted: 05/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder defined by the progressive formation and spread of fibrillar aggregates of Aβ peptide and tau protein. Polymorphic forms of these aggregates may contribute to disease in varying ways since different neuropathologies appear to be associated with different sets of fibrillar structures and follow distinct pathological trajectories that elicit characteristic clinical phenotypes. The molecular mechanisms underlying the spread of these aggregates in disease may include nucleation, replication, and migration all of which could vary with polymorphic form, stage of disease, and region of brain. Given the linkage between mechanisms of progression and distribution of polymorphs, mapping the distribution of fibrillar structures in situ has the potential to discriminate between mechanisms of progression. However, the means of carrying out this mapping are limited. Optical microscopy lacks the resolution to discriminate between polymorphs in situ, and higher resolution tools such as ssNMR and cryoEM require the isolation of fibrils from tissue, destroying relevant spatial information. Here, we demonstrate the use of scanning x-ray microdiffraction (XMD) to map the locations of fibrillar polymorphs of Aβ peptides and tau protein in histological thin sections of human brain tissue. Coordinated examination of serial sections by immunohistochemistry was used to aid in the interpretation of scattering patterns and to put the observations in a broader anatomical context. Scattering from lesions in tissue shown to be rich in Aβ fibrils by immunohistochemistry exhibited scattering patterns with a prototypical 4.7 Å cross-β peak, and overall intensity distribution that compared well with that predicted from high resolution structures. Scattering from lesions in tissue with extensive tau pathology also exhibited a 4.7 Å cross-β peak but with intensity distributions that were distinct from those seen in Aβ-rich regions. In summary, these observations demonstrate that XMD is a rich source of information on the distribution of fibrillar polymorphs in diseased human brain tissue. When used in coordination with neuropathological examination it has the potential to provide novel insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdullah Al Bashit
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Prakash Nepal
- Department of Bioengineering, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Theresa Connors
- Massachusetts Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Derek H Oakley
- Massachusetts Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, Boston, MA, United States.,Department of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, United States.,C.S. Kubik Laboratory for Neuropathology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, United States.,Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Bradley T Hyman
- Massachusetts Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, Boston, MA, United States.,Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Lin Yang
- National Synchrotron Light Source II, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, NY, United States
| | - Lee Makowski
- Department of Bioengineering, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, United States.,Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, United States
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47
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Henderson MX, Henrich MT, Geibl FF, Oertel WH, Brundin P, Surmeier DJ. The roles of connectivity and neuronal phenotype in determining the pattern of α-synuclein pathology in Parkinson's disease. Neurobiol Dis 2022; 168:105687. [PMID: 35283326 PMCID: PMC9610381 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2022.105687] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2021] [Revised: 01/31/2022] [Accepted: 03/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) is the most common neurodegenerative movement disorder, and motor dysfunction has been attributed to loss of dopaminergic neurons. However, motor dysfunction is only one of many symptoms experienced by patients. A neuropathological hallmark of PD is intraneuronal protein aggregates called Lewy pathology (LP). Neuropathological staging studies have shown that dopaminergic neurons are only one of the many cell types prone to manifest LP. Progressive appearance of LP in multiple brain regions, as well as peripheral nerves, has led to the popular hypothesis that LP and misfolded forms of one of its major components - α-synuclein (aSYN) - can spread through synaptically connected circuits. However, not all brain regions or neurons within connected circuits develop LP, suggesting that cell autonomous factors modulate the development of pathology. Here, we review studies about how LP develops and progressively engages additional brain regions. We focus on how connectivity constrains progression and discuss cell autonomous factors that drive pathology development. We propose a mixed model of cell autonomous factors and trans-synaptic spread as mediators of pathology progression and put forward this model as a framework for future experiments exploring PD pathophysiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael X Henderson
- Parkinson's Disease Center, Department of Neurodegenerative Science, Van Andel Institute, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, United States of America.
| | - Martin T Henrich
- Department of Neurology, Philipps-University Marburg, Marburg 35043, Germany; Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Philipps-University Marburg, Marburg 35043, Germany; Department of Neuroscience, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, United States of America
| | - Fanni F Geibl
- Department of Neurology, Philipps-University Marburg, Marburg 35043, Germany; Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Philipps-University Marburg, Marburg 35043, Germany; Department of Neuroscience, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, United States of America
| | - Wolfgang H Oertel
- Department of Neurology, Philipps-University Marburg, Marburg 35043, Germany
| | - Patrik Brundin
- Parkinson's Disease Center, Department of Neurodegenerative Science, Van Andel Institute, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, United States of America
| | - D James Surmeier
- Department of Neuroscience, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, United States of America
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48
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Moscoso A, Wren MC, Lashley T, Arstad E, Murray ME, Fox NC, Sander K, Schöll M. Imaging tau pathology in Alzheimer's disease with positron emission tomography: lessons learned from imaging-neuropathology validation studies. Mol Neurodegener 2022; 17:39. [PMID: 35659709 PMCID: PMC9166480 DOI: 10.1186/s13024-022-00543-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2022] [Accepted: 05/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Alexis Moscoso
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, The Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Wallenberg Centre for Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Melissa C Wren
- Department of Imaging, Centre for Radiopharmaceutical Chemistry, University College London, London, UK
- Department of Chemistry, University College London, London, UK
- Queen Square Brain Bank for Neurological Disorders, Department of Clinical and Movement Neurosciences, Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK
- Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Tammaryn Lashley
- Queen Square Brain Bank for Neurological Disorders, Department of Clinical and Movement Neurosciences, Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK
- Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Erik Arstad
- Department of Imaging, Centre for Radiopharmaceutical Chemistry, University College London, London, UK
- Department of Chemistry, University College London, London, UK
| | | | - Nick C Fox
- Dementia Research Centre, Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK
- UK Dementia Research Institute, Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Kerstin Sander
- Department of Imaging, Centre for Radiopharmaceutical Chemistry, University College London, London, UK
- Department of Chemistry, University College London, London, UK
| | - Michael Schöll
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, The Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.
- Wallenberg Centre for Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.
- Dementia Research Centre, Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK.
- Department of Clinical Physiology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Röda stråket 10B, 413 45, Gothenburg, Sweden.
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49
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Dregni AJ, Duan P, Xu H, Changolkar L, El Mammeri N, Lee VMY, Hong M. Fluent molecular mixing of Tau isoforms in Alzheimer's disease neurofibrillary tangles. Nat Commun 2022; 13:2967. [PMID: 35624093 PMCID: PMC9142584 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-30585-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2022] [Accepted: 05/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is defined by intracellular neurofibrillary tangles formed by the microtubule-associated protein tau and extracellular plaques formed by the β-amyloid peptide. AD tau tangles contain a mixture of tau isoforms with either four (4R) or three (3R) microtubule-binding repeats. Here we use solid-state NMR to determine how 4R and 3R tau isoforms mix at the molecular level in AD tau aggregates. By seeding differentially isotopically labeled 4R and 3R tau monomers with AD brain-derived tau, we measured intermolecular contacts of the two isoforms. The NMR data indicate that 4R and 3R tau are well mixed in the AD-tau seeded fibrils, with a 60:40 incorporation ratio of 4R to 3R tau and a small homotypic preference. The AD-tau templated 4R tau, 3R tau, and mixed 4R and 3R tau fibrils exhibit no structural differences in the rigid β-sheet core or the mobile domains. Therefore, 4R and 3R tau are fluently recruited into the pathological fold of AD tau aggregates, which may explain the predominance of AD among neurodegenerative disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aurelio J Dregni
- Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 170 Albany Street, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Pu Duan
- Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 170 Albany Street, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Hong Xu
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Institute on Aging and Center for Neurodegenerative Disease Research, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Lakshmi Changolkar
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Institute on Aging and Center for Neurodegenerative Disease Research, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Nadia El Mammeri
- Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 170 Albany Street, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Virginia M-Y Lee
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Institute on Aging and Center for Neurodegenerative Disease Research, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Mei Hong
- Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 170 Albany Street, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA.
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50
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Nonlocal models in the analysis of brain neurodegenerative protein dynamics with application to Alzheimer's disease. Sci Rep 2022; 12:7328. [PMID: 35513401 PMCID: PMC9072437 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-11242-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2021] [Accepted: 04/07/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
It is well known that today nearly one in six of the world’s population has to deal with neurodegenerative disorders. While a number of medical devices have been developed for the detection, prevention, and treatments of such disorders, some fundamentals of the progression of associated diseases are in urgent need of further clarification. In this paper, we focus on Alzheimer’s disease, where it is believed that the concentration changes in amyloid-beta and tau proteins play a central role in its onset and development. A multiscale model is proposed to analyze the propagation of these concentrations in the brain connectome. In particular, we consider a modified heterodimer model for the protein–protein interactions. Higher toxic concentrations of amyloid-beta and tau proteins destroy the brain cell. We have studied these propagations for the primary and secondary and their mixed tauopathies. We model the damage of a brain cell by the nonlocal contributions of these toxic loads present in the brain cells. With the help of rigorous analysis, we check the stability behaviour of the stationary points corresponding to the homogeneous system. After integrating the brain connectome data into the developed model, we see that the spreading patterns of the toxic concentrations for the whole brain are the same, but their concentrations are different in different regions. Also, the time to propagate the damage in each region of the brain connectome is different.
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