1
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Frost B, Dubnau J. The Role of Retrotransposons and Endogenous Retroviruses in Age-Dependent Neurodegenerative Disorders. Annu Rev Neurosci 2024; 47:123-143. [PMID: 38663088 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-neuro-082823-020615] [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: 08/09/2024]
Abstract
Over 40% of the human genome is composed of retrotransposons, DNA species that hold the potential to replicate via an RNA intermediate and are evolutionarily related to retroviruses. Retrotransposons are most studied for their ability to jump within a genome, which can cause DNA damage and novel insertional mutations. Retrotransposon-encoded products, including viral-like proteins, double-stranded RNAs, and extrachromosomal circular DNAs, can also be potent activators of the innate immune system. A growing body of evidence suggests that retrotransposons are activated in age-related neurodegenerative disorders and that such activation causally contributes to neurotoxicity. Here we provide an overview of retrotransposon biology and outline evidence of retrotransposon activation in age-related neurodegenerative disorders, with an emphasis on those involving TAR-DNA binding protein-43 (TDP-43) and tau. Studies to date provide the basis for ongoing clinical trials and hold promise for innovative strategies to ameliorate the adverse effects of retrotransposon dysregulation in neurodegenerative disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bess Frost
- Sam and Ann Barshop Institute for Longevity and Aging Studies, Glenn Biggs Institute for Alzheimer's and Neurodegenerative Diseases, and Department of Cell Systems and Anatomy, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, USA;
| | - Josh Dubnau
- Department of Anesthesiology and Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, Stony Brook School of Medicine, Stony Brook, New York, USA;
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2
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Ye J, Wan H, Chen S, Liu GP. Targeting tau in Alzheimer's disease: from mechanisms to clinical therapy. Neural Regen Res 2024; 19:1489-1498. [PMID: 38051891 PMCID: PMC10883484 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.385847] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2023] [Accepted: 08/16/2023] [Indexed: 12/07/2023] Open
Abstract
ABSTRACT Alzheimer's disease is the most prevalent neurodegenerative disease affecting older adults. Primary features of Alzheimer's disease include extracellular aggregation of amyloid-β plaques and the accumulation of neurofibrillary tangles, formed by tau protein, in the cells. While there are amyloid-β-targeting therapies for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease, these therapies are costly and exhibit potential negative side effects. Mounting evidence suggests significant involvement of tau protein in Alzheimer's disease-related neurodegeneration. As an important microtubule-associated protein, tau plays an important role in maintaining the stability of neuronal microtubules and promoting axonal growth. In fact, clinical studies have shown that abnormal phosphorylation of tau protein occurs before accumulation of amyloid-β in the brain. Various therapeutic strategies targeting tau protein have begun to emerge, and are considered possible methods to prevent and treat Alzheimer's disease. Specifically, abnormalities in post-translational modifications of the tau protein, including aberrant phosphorylation, ubiquitination, small ubiquitin-like modifier (SUMO)ylation, acetylation, and truncation, contribute to its microtubule dissociation, misfolding, and subcellular missorting. This causes mitochondrial damage, synaptic impairments, gliosis, and neuroinflammation, eventually leading to neurodegeneration and cognitive deficits. This review summarizes the recent findings on the underlying mechanisms of tau protein in the onset and progression of Alzheimer's disease and discusses tau-targeted treatment of Alzheimer's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinwang Ye
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Marine Biotechnology and Ecology, College of Life Sciences and Oceanography, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Huali Wan
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital (Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences), Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Sihua Chen
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Marine Biotechnology and Ecology, College of Life Sciences and Oceanography, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Gong-Ping Liu
- Co-innovation Center of Neurodegeneration, Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu Province, China
- Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medicine and the Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education of China and Hubei Province for Neurological Disorders, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei Province, China
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3
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König LE, Rodriguez S, Hug C, Daneshvari S, Chung A, Bradshaw GA, Sahin A, Zhou G, Eisert RJ, Piccioni F, Das S, Kalocsay M, Sokolov A, Sorger P, Root DE, Albers MW. TYK2 as a novel therapeutic target in Alzheimer's Disease with TDP-43 inclusions. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.06.04.595773. [PMID: 38895380 PMCID: PMC11185596 DOI: 10.1101/2024.06.04.595773] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/21/2024]
Abstract
Neuroinflammation is a pathological feature of many neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease (AD)1,2 and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)3, raising the possibility of common therapeutic targets. We previously established that cytoplasmic double-stranded RNA (cdsRNA) is spatially coincident with cytoplasmic pTDP-43 inclusions in neurons of patients with C9ORF72-mediated ALS4. CdsRNA triggers a type-I interferon (IFN-I)-based innate immune response in human neural cells, resulting in their death4. Here, we report that cdsRNA is also spatially coincident with pTDP-43 cytoplasmic inclusions in brain cells of patients with AD pathology and that type-I interferon response genes are significantly upregulated in brain regions affected by AD. We updated our machine-learning pipeline DRIAD-SP (Drug Repurposing In Alzheimer's Disease with Systems Pharmacology) to incorporate cryptic exon (CE) detection as a proxy of pTDP-43 inclusions and demonstrated that the FDA-approved JAK inhibitors baricitinib and ruxolitinib that block interferon signaling show a protective signal only in cortical brain regions expressing multiple CEs. Furthermore, the JAK family member TYK2 was a top hit in a CRISPR screen of cdsRNA-mediated death in differentiated human neural cells. The selective TYK2 inhibitor deucravacitinib, an FDA-approved drug for psoriasis, rescued toxicity elicited by cdsRNA. Finally, we identified CCL2, CXCL10, and IL-6 as candidate predictive biomarkers for cdsRNA-related neurodegenerative diseases. Together, we find parallel neuroinflammatory mechanisms between TDP-43 associated-AD and ALS and nominate TYK2 as a possible disease-modifying target of these incurable neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura E. König
- Laboratory of Systems Pharmacology, Harvard Program in
Therapeutic Science, Harvard Medical School, Armenise 132, 200 Longwood Avenue,
Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital,
114 16 Street, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA
| | - Steve Rodriguez
- Laboratory of Systems Pharmacology, Harvard Program in
Therapeutic Science, Harvard Medical School, Armenise 132, 200 Longwood Avenue,
Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital,
114 16 Street, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA
| | - Clemens Hug
- Laboratory of Systems Pharmacology, Harvard Program in
Therapeutic Science, Harvard Medical School, Armenise 132, 200 Longwood Avenue,
Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Shayda Daneshvari
- Laboratory of Systems Pharmacology, Harvard Program in
Therapeutic Science, Harvard Medical School, Armenise 132, 200 Longwood Avenue,
Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital,
114 16 Street, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA
| | - Alexander Chung
- Laboratory of Systems Pharmacology, Harvard Program in
Therapeutic Science, Harvard Medical School, Armenise 132, 200 Longwood Avenue,
Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital,
114 16 Street, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA
| | - Gary A. Bradshaw
- Laboratory of Systems Pharmacology, Harvard Program in
Therapeutic Science, Harvard Medical School, Armenise 132, 200 Longwood Avenue,
Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Asli Sahin
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital,
114 16 Street, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA
| | - George Zhou
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital,
114 16 Street, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA
| | - Robyn J. Eisert
- Laboratory of Systems Pharmacology, Harvard Program in
Therapeutic Science, Harvard Medical School, Armenise 132, 200 Longwood Avenue,
Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Federica Piccioni
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, 75 Ames Street,
Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Sudeshna Das
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital,
114 16 Street, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA
| | - Marian Kalocsay
- Laboratory of Systems Pharmacology, Harvard Program in
Therapeutic Science, Harvard Medical School, Armenise 132, 200 Longwood Avenue,
Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Artem Sokolov
- Laboratory of Systems Pharmacology, Harvard Program in
Therapeutic Science, Harvard Medical School, Armenise 132, 200 Longwood Avenue,
Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Peter Sorger
- Laboratory of Systems Pharmacology, Harvard Program in
Therapeutic Science, Harvard Medical School, Armenise 132, 200 Longwood Avenue,
Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - David E. Root
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, 75 Ames Street,
Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Mark W. Albers
- Laboratory of Systems Pharmacology, Harvard Program in
Therapeutic Science, Harvard Medical School, Armenise 132, 200 Longwood Avenue,
Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital,
114 16 Street, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA
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4
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Martinez-Feduchi P, Jin P, Yao B. Epigenetic modifications of DNA and RNA in Alzheimer's disease. Front Mol Neurosci 2024; 17:1398026. [PMID: 38726308 PMCID: PMC11079283 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2024.1398026] [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: 03/08/2024] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a complex neurodegenerative disorder and the most common form of dementia. There are two main types of AD: familial and sporadic. Familial AD is linked to mutations in amyloid precursor protein (APP), presenilin-1 (PSEN1), and presenilin-2 (PSEN2). On the other hand, sporadic AD is the more common form of the disease and has genetic, epigenetic, and environmental components that influence disease onset and progression. Investigating the epigenetic mechanisms associated with AD is essential for increasing understanding of pathology and identifying biomarkers for diagnosis and treatment. Chemical covalent modifications on DNA and RNA can epigenetically regulate gene expression at transcriptional and post-transcriptional levels and play protective or pathological roles in AD and other neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Bing Yao
- Department of Human Genetics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States
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Xie J, Cheng J, Ko H, Tang Y. Cytosolic DNA sensors in neurodegenerative diseases: from physiological defenders to pathological culprits. EMBO Mol Med 2024; 16:678-699. [PMID: 38467840 PMCID: PMC11018843 DOI: 10.1038/s44321-024-00046-w] [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: 10/11/2023] [Revised: 02/13/2024] [Accepted: 02/19/2024] [Indexed: 03/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Cytosolic DNA sensors are a group of pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) that vary in structures, molecular mechanisms, and origins but share a common function to detect intracellular microbial DNA and trigger the innate immune response like type 1 interferon production and autophagy. Cytosolic DNA sensors have been proven as indispensable defenders against the invasion of many pathogens; however, growing evidence shows that self-DNA misplacement to cytoplasm also frequently occurs in non-infectious circumstances. Accumulation of cytosolic DNA causes improper activation of cytosolic DNA sensors and triggers an abnormal autoimmune response, that significantly promotes pathological progression. Neurodegenerative diseases are a group of neurological disorders characterized by neuron loss and still lack effective treatments due to a limited understanding of pathogenesis. But current research has found a solid relationship between neurodegenerative diseases and cytosolic DNA sensing pathways. This review summarizes profiles of several major cytosolic DNA sensors and their common adaptor protein STING. It also discusses both the beneficial and detrimental roles of cytosolic DNA sensors in the genesis and progression of neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiatian Xie
- Department of Neurology, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510120, China
- Brain Research Center, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat‑sen University, Guangzhou, 510120, China
- Nanhai Translational Innovation Center of Precision Immunology, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Foshan, 528200, China
| | - Jinping Cheng
- Department of Neurology, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510120, China
- Brain Research Center, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat‑sen University, Guangzhou, 510120, China
- Nanhai Translational Innovation Center of Precision Immunology, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Foshan, 528200, China
| | - Ho Ko
- Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine and Therapeutics & Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong, China
| | - Yamei Tang
- Department of Neurology, Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510120, China.
- Brain Research Center, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat‑sen University, Guangzhou, 510120, China.
- Nanhai Translational Innovation Center of Precision Immunology, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Foshan, 528200, China.
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6
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Whitson HE, Banks WA, Diaz MM, Frost B, Kellis M, Lathe R, Schmader KE, Spudich SS, Tanzi R, Garden G. New approaches for understanding the potential role of microbes in Alzheimer's disease. Brain Behav Immun Health 2024; 36:100743. [PMID: 38435720 PMCID: PMC10906156 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbih.2024.100743] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2023] [Revised: 02/17/2024] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) involves a complex pathological process that evolves over years, and its etiology is understood as a classic example of gene-environment interaction. The notion that exposure to microbial organisms may play some role in AD pathology has been proposed and debated for decades. New evidence from model organisms and -omic studies, as well as epidemiological data from the recent COVID-19 pandemic and widespread use of vaccines, offers new insights into the "germ hypothesis" of AD. To review new evidence and identify key research questions, the Duke/University of North Carolina (Duke/UNC) Alzheimer's Disease Research Center hosted a virtual symposium and workshop: "New Approaches for Understanding the Potential Role of Microbes in Alzheimer's disease." Discussion centered around the antimicrobial protection hypothesis of amyloid accumulation, and other mechanisms by which microbes could influence AD pathology including immune cell activation, changes in blood-brain barrier, or direct neurotoxicity. This summary of proceedings reviews the content presented in the symposium and provides a summary of major topics and key questions discussed in the workshop.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heather E. Whitson
- Duke Center for the Study of Aging and Human Development, Duke University School of Medicine, Busse Bldg Rm 3502, Durham, NC, 27710, USA
- Durham VA Medical Center, Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center, 508 Fulton Street, Durham, NC, 27705, USA
| | - William A. Banks
- Veterans Affairs Puget Sound Health Care System, 1660 S Columbian Way, Seattle, WA, 98108, USA
| | - Monica M. Diaz
- Department of Neurology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 170 Manning Dr, CB 7025, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Bess Frost
- Barshop Institute for Longevity & Aging Studies, 4939 Charles Katz Rm 1041, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, 78229, USA
| | - Manolis Kellis
- Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Lab, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 32 Vassar St., Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Richard Lathe
- Division of Infection Medicine, University of Edinburgh Medical School, Edinburgh BioQuarter, Little France, Edinburgh, EH16 4SB, UK
| | - Kenneth E. Schmader
- Duke Center for the Study of Aging and Human Development, Duke University School of Medicine, Busse Bldg Rm 3502, Durham, NC, 27710, USA
- Durham VA Medical Center, Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center, 508 Fulton Street, Durham, NC, 27705, USA
| | - Serena S. Spudich
- Department of Neurology, Yale University School of Medicine, 300 George Street, Room 8300, New Haven, CT, 06510, USA
| | - Rudolph Tanzi
- Genetics and Aging Research Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, 114 16th Street, Charlestown, MA, 02129, USA
| | - Gwenn Garden
- University of North Carolina - Dept of Neurology, 170 Manning Drive, Campus Box 7025, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599-7025, USA
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7
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Sullivan AC, Zuniga G, Ramirez P, Fernandez R, Wang CP, Li J, Davila L, Pelton K, Gomez S, Sohn C, Gonzalez E, Lopez-Cruzan M, Gonzalez DA, Parker A, Zilli E, de Erausquin GA, Seshadri S, Espinoza S, Musi N, Frost B. A pilot study to investigate the safety and feasibility of antiretroviral therapy for Alzheimer's disease (ART-AD). MEDRXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR HEALTH SCIENCES 2024:2024.02.26.24303316. [PMID: 38464267 PMCID: PMC10925371 DOI: 10.1101/2024.02.26.24303316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/12/2024]
Abstract
Retrotransposons are viral-like DNA sequences that constitute approximately 41% of the human genome. Studies in Drosophila, mice, cultured cells, and human brain indicate that retrotransposons are activated in settings of tauopathy, including Alzheimer's disease, and causally drive neurodegeneration. The anti-retroviral medication 3TC (lamivudine), a nucleoside analog reverse transcriptase inhibitor, limits retrotransposon activation and suppresses neurodegeneration in tau transgenic Drosophila, two mouse models of tauopathy, and in brain assembloids derived from patients with sporadic Alzheimer's disease. We performed a 24-week phase 2a open-label clinical trial of 300 mg daily oral 3TC (NCT04552795) in 12 participants aged 52-83 years with a diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment due to suspected Alzheimer's disease. Primary outcomes included feasibility, blood brain barrier penetration, effects of 3TC on reverse transcriptase activity in the periphery, and safety. Secondary outcomes included changes in cognition and fluid-based biomarkers of neurodegeneration and neuroinflammation. All participants completed the six-month trial; one event of gastrointestinal bleeding due to a peptic ulcer was reported. 3TC was detected in blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of all participants, suggestive of adherence to study drug and effective brain penetration. Cognitive measures remained stable throughout the study. Glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) (P=0.03) and Flt1 (P=0.05) were significantly reduced in CSF over the treatment period; Aβ42/40 (P=0.009) and IL-15 (P=0.006) were significantly elevated in plasma. While this is an open label study of small sample size, the significant decrease of some neurodegeneration- and neuroinflammation-related biomarkers in CSF, significantly elevated levels of plasma Aβ42/40, and a trending decrease of CSF NfL after six months of 3TC exposure suggest a beneficial effect on subjects with mild cognitive impairment due to suspected Alzheimer's disease. Feasibility, safety, tolerability, and central nervous system (CNS) penetration assessments further support clinical evaluation of 3TC in a larger placebo-controlled, multi-dose clinical trial.
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Affiliation(s)
- A. Campbell Sullivan
- Glenn Biggs Institute for Alzheimer’s and Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Texas Health San Antonio
- Department of Neurology, University of Texas Health San Antonio
| | - Gabrielle Zuniga
- Glenn Biggs Institute for Alzheimer’s and Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Texas Health San Antonio
- Barshop Institute for Longevity and Aging Studies, University of Texas Health San Antonio
- Department of Cell Systems and Anatomy, University of Texas Health San Antonio
| | - Paulino Ramirez
- Glenn Biggs Institute for Alzheimer’s and Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Texas Health San Antonio
- Barshop Institute for Longevity and Aging Studies, University of Texas Health San Antonio
- Department of Cell Systems and Anatomy, University of Texas Health San Antonio
| | - Roman Fernandez
- Glenn Biggs Institute for Alzheimer’s and Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Texas Health San Antonio
- Department of Population Health Sciences, University of Texas Health San Antonio
| | - Chen-Pin Wang
- Glenn Biggs Institute for Alzheimer’s and Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Texas Health San Antonio
- Department of Population Health Sciences, University of Texas Health San Antonio
| | - Ji Li
- Barshop Institute for Longevity and Aging Studies, University of Texas Health San Antonio
| | - Lisa Davila
- Glenn Biggs Institute for Alzheimer’s and Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Texas Health San Antonio
- Barshop Institute for Longevity and Aging Studies, University of Texas Health San Antonio
- Department of Cell Systems and Anatomy, University of Texas Health San Antonio
| | - Kristine Pelton
- Brown University Center for Alzheimer’s Disease Research, Providence, RI
| | - Sandra Gomez
- Barshop Institute for Longevity and Aging Studies, University of Texas Health San Antonio
- Department of Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
| | - Claira Sohn
- Glenn Biggs Institute for Alzheimer’s and Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Texas Health San Antonio
- Barshop Institute for Longevity and Aging Studies, University of Texas Health San Antonio
- Department of Cell Systems and Anatomy, University of Texas Health San Antonio
| | - Elias Gonzalez
- Glenn Biggs Institute for Alzheimer’s and Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Texas Health San Antonio
- Barshop Institute for Longevity and Aging Studies, University of Texas Health San Antonio
- Department of Cell Systems and Anatomy, University of Texas Health San Antonio
| | - Marisa Lopez-Cruzan
- Barshop Institute for Longevity and Aging Studies, University of Texas Health San Antonio
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Texas Health San Antonio
| | - David A. Gonzalez
- Glenn Biggs Institute for Alzheimer’s and Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Texas Health San Antonio
- Department of Neurology, University of Texas Health San Antonio
- Department of Neurological Sciences, Rush University Medical Center
| | - Alicia Parker
- Glenn Biggs Institute for Alzheimer’s and Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Texas Health San Antonio
- Department of Neurology, University of Texas Health San Antonio
| | - Eduardo Zilli
- Glenn Biggs Institute for Alzheimer’s and Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Texas Health San Antonio
- Department of Neurology, University of Texas Health San Antonio
| | - Gabriel A. de Erausquin
- Glenn Biggs Institute for Alzheimer’s and Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Texas Health San Antonio
- Department of Neurology, University of Texas Health San Antonio
| | - Sudha Seshadri
- Glenn Biggs Institute for Alzheimer’s and Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Texas Health San Antonio
- Department of Neurology, University of Texas Health San Antonio
| | | | - Nicolas Musi
- Department of Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
| | - Bess Frost
- Glenn Biggs Institute for Alzheimer’s and Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Texas Health San Antonio
- Barshop Institute for Longevity and Aging Studies, University of Texas Health San Antonio
- Department of Cell Systems and Anatomy, University of Texas Health San Antonio
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8
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Ramirez P, Sun W, Kazempour Dehkordi S, Zare H, Fongang B, Bieniek KF, Frost B. Nanopore-based DNA long-read sequencing analysis of the aged human brain. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.02.01.578450. [PMID: 38370753 PMCID: PMC10871260 DOI: 10.1101/2024.02.01.578450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/20/2024]
Abstract
Aging disrupts cellular processes such as DNA repair and epigenetic control, leading to a gradual buildup of genomic alterations that can have detrimental effects in post-mitotic cells. Genomic alterations in regions of the genome that are rich in repetitive sequences, often termed "dark loci," are difficult to resolve using traditional sequencing approaches. New long-read technologies offer promising avenues for exploration of previously inaccessible regions of the genome. Using nanopore-based long-read whole-genome sequencing of DNA extracted from aged 18 human brains, we identify previously unreported structural variants and methylation patterns within repetitive DNA, focusing on transposable elements ("jumping genes") as crucial sources of variation, particularly in dark loci. Our analyses reveal potential somatic insertion variants and provides DNA methylation frequencies for many retrotransposon families. We further demonstrate the utility of this technology for the study of these challenging genomic regions in brains affected by Alzheimer's disease and identify significant differences in DNA methylation in pathologically normal brains versus those affected by Alzheimer's disease. Highlighting the power of this approach, we discover specific polymorphic retrotransposons with altered DNA methylation patterns. These retrotransposon loci have the potential to contribute to pathology, warranting further investigation in Alzheimer's disease research. Taken together, our study provides the first long-read DNA sequencing-based analysis of retrotransposon sequences, structural variants, and DNA methylation in the aging brain affected with Alzheimer's disease neuropathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paulino Ramirez
- Barshop Institute for Longevity and Aging Studies, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas
- Glenn Biggs Institute for Alzheimer’s and Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas
- Department of Cell Systems and Anatomy, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas
| | - Wenyan Sun
- Barshop Institute for Longevity and Aging Studies, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas
- Glenn Biggs Institute for Alzheimer’s and Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas
- Department of Cell Systems and Anatomy, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas
- School of Pharmacy, University of Missouri-Kansas City, Kansas City, Missouri
| | - Shiva Kazempour Dehkordi
- Glenn Biggs Institute for Alzheimer’s and Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas
- Department of Cell Systems and Anatomy, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas
| | - Habil Zare
- Glenn Biggs Institute for Alzheimer’s and Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas
- Department of Cell Systems and Anatomy, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas
| | - Bernard Fongang
- Glenn Biggs Institute for Alzheimer’s and Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas
- Department of Biochemistry & Structural Biology, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas
| | - Kevin F. Bieniek
- Glenn Biggs Institute for Alzheimer’s and Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas
| | - Bess Frost
- Barshop Institute for Longevity and Aging Studies, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas
- Glenn Biggs Institute for Alzheimer’s and Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas
- Department of Cell Systems and Anatomy, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas
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9
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Sadeq S, Chitcharoen S, Al-Hashimi S, Rattanaburi S, Casement J, Werner A. Significant Variations in Double-Stranded RNA Levels in Cultured Skin Cells. Cells 2024; 13:226. [PMID: 38334619 PMCID: PMC10854852 DOI: 10.3390/cells13030226] [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: 11/27/2023] [Revised: 01/18/2024] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 02/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Endogenous double-stranded RNA has emerged as a potent stimulator of innate immunity. Under physiological conditions, endogenous dsRNA is maintained in the cell nucleus or the mitochondria; however, if protective mechanisms are breached, it leaches into the cytoplasm and triggers immune signaling pathways. Ectopic activation of innate immune pathways is associated with various diseases and senescence and can trigger apoptosis. Hereby, the level of cytoplasmic dsRNA is crucial. We have enriched dsRNA from two melanoma cell lines and primary dermal fibroblasts, including a competing probe, and analyzed the dsRNA transcriptome using RNA sequencing. There was a striking difference in read counts between the cell lines and the primary cells, and the effect was confirmed by northern blotting and immunocytochemistry. Both mitochondria (10-20%) and nuclear transcription (80-90%) contributed significantly to the dsRNA transcriptome. The mitochondrial contribution was lower in the cancer cells compared to fibroblasts. The expression of different transposable element families was comparable, suggesting a general up-regulation of transposable element expression rather than stimulation of a specific sub-family. Sequencing of the input control revealed minor differences in dsRNA processing pathways with an upregulation of oligoadenylate synthase and RNP125 that negatively regulates the dsRNA sensors RIG1 and MDA5. Moreover, RT-qPCR, Western blotting, and immunocytochemistry confirmed the relatively minor adaptations to the hugely different dsRNA levels. As a consequence, these transformed cell lines are potentially less tolerant to interventions that increase the formation of endogenous dsRNA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaymaa Sadeq
- Biosciences Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4HH, UK; (S.S.); (S.A.-H.)
- Fallujah College of Medicine, University of Fallujah, Al-Fallujah 31002, Iraq
| | - Suwalak Chitcharoen
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand;
- Center of Excellence in Systems Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand;
| | - Surar Al-Hashimi
- Biosciences Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4HH, UK; (S.S.); (S.A.-H.)
- College of Medicine, University of Misan, Al-Sader Teaching Hospital, Amarah 62001, Iraq
| | - Somruthai Rattanaburi
- Center of Excellence in Systems Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand;
| | - John Casement
- Bioinformatics Support Unit, Medical School, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4HH, UK;
| | - Andreas Werner
- Biosciences Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4HH, UK; (S.S.); (S.A.-H.)
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10
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Whittle BJ, Izuogu OG, Lowes H, Deen D, Pyle A, Coxhead J, Lawson RA, Yarnall AJ, Jackson MS, Santibanez-Koref M, Hudson G. Early-stage idiopathic Parkinson's disease is associated with reduced circular RNA expression. NPJ Parkinsons Dis 2024; 10:25. [PMID: 38245550 PMCID: PMC10799891 DOI: 10.1038/s41531-024-00636-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2023] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 01/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Neurodegeneration in Parkinson's disease (PD) precedes diagnosis by years. Early neurodegeneration may be reflected in RNA levels and measurable as a biomarker. Here, we present the largest quantification of whole blood linear and circular RNAs (circRNA) in early-stage idiopathic PD, using RNA sequencing data from two cohorts (PPMI = 259 PD, 161 Controls; ICICLE-PD = 48 PD, 48 Controls). We identified a replicable increase in TMEM252 and LMNB1 gene expression in PD. We identified novel differences in the expression of circRNAs from ESYT2, BMS1P1 and CCDC9, and replicated trends of previously reported circRNAs. Overall, using circRNA as a diagnostic biomarker in PD did not show any clear improvement over linear RNA, minimising its potential clinical utility. More interestingly, we observed a general reduction in circRNA expression in both PD cohorts, accompanied by an increase in RNASEL expression. This imbalance implicates the activation of an innate antiviral immune response and suggests a previously unknown aspect of circRNA regulation in PD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin J Whittle
- Wellcome Centre for Mitochondrial Research, Biosciences Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Osagie G Izuogu
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory, European Bioinformatics Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridgeshire, UK
| | - Hannah Lowes
- Wellcome Centre for Mitochondrial Research, Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Dasha Deen
- Wellcome Centre for Mitochondrial Research, Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Angela Pyle
- Wellcome Centre for Mitochondrial Research, Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Jon Coxhead
- Biosciences Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Rachael A Lawson
- Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Alison J Yarnall
- Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Michael S Jackson
- Biosciences Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | | | - Gavin Hudson
- Wellcome Centre for Mitochondrial Research, Biosciences Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.
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11
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Scopa C, Barnada SM, Cicardi ME, Singer M, Trotti D, Trizzino M. JUN upregulation drives aberrant transposable element mobilization, associated innate immune response, and impaired neurogenesis in Alzheimer's disease. Nat Commun 2023; 14:8021. [PMID: 38049398 PMCID: PMC10696058 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-43728-8] [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: 12/07/2022] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 12/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Adult neurogenic decline, inflammation, and neurodegeneration are phenotypic hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Mobilization of transposable elements (TEs) in heterochromatic regions was recently reported in AD, but the underlying mechanisms are still underappreciated. Combining functional genomics with the differentiation of familial and sporadic AD patient derived-iPSCs into hippocampal progenitors, CA3 neurons, and cerebral organoids, we found that the upregulation of the AP-1 subunit, c-Jun, triggers decondensation of genomic regions containing TEs. This leads to the cytoplasmic accumulation of HERVK-derived RNA-DNA hybrids, the activation of the cGAS-STING cascade, and increased levels of cleaved caspase-3, suggesting the initiation of programmed cell death in AD progenitors and neurons. Notably, inhibiting c-Jun effectively blocks all these downstream molecular processes and rescues neuronal death and the impaired neurogenesis phenotype in AD progenitors. Our findings open new avenues for identifying therapeutic strategies and biomarkers to counteract disease progression and diagnose AD in the early, pre-symptomatic stages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Scopa
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
- Jefferson Weinberg ALS Center, Vickie and Jack Farber Institute for Neuroscience, Department of Neuroscience, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
| | - Samantha M Barnada
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Maria E Cicardi
- Jefferson Weinberg ALS Center, Vickie and Jack Farber Institute for Neuroscience, Department of Neuroscience, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Mo Singer
- Jefferson Weinberg ALS Center, Vickie and Jack Farber Institute for Neuroscience, Department of Neuroscience, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Davide Trotti
- Jefferson Weinberg ALS Center, Vickie and Jack Farber Institute for Neuroscience, Department of Neuroscience, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
| | - Marco Trizzino
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, London, UK.
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12
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Dorrity TJ, Shin H, Wiegand KA, Aruda J, Closser M, Jung E, Gertie JA, Leone A, Polfer R, Culbertson B, Yu L, Wu C, Ito T, Huang Y, Steckelberg AL, Wichterle H, Chung H. Long 3'UTRs predispose neurons to inflammation by promoting immunostimulatory double-stranded RNA formation. Sci Immunol 2023; 8:eadg2979. [PMID: 37862432 PMCID: PMC11056275 DOI: 10.1126/sciimmunol.adg2979] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2022] [Accepted: 08/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/22/2023]
Abstract
Loss of RNA homeostasis underlies numerous neurodegenerative and neuroinflammatory diseases. However, the molecular mechanisms that trigger neuroinflammation are poorly understood. Viral double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) triggers innate immune responses when sensed by host pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) present in all cell types. Here, we report that human neurons intrinsically carry exceptionally high levels of immunostimulatory dsRNAs and identify long 3'UTRs as giving rise to neuronal dsRNA structures. We found that the neuron-enriched ELAVL family of genes (ELAVL2, ELAVL3, and ELAVL4) can increase (i) 3'UTR length, (ii) dsRNA load, and (iii) activation of dsRNA-sensing PRRs such as MDA5, PKR, and TLR3. In wild-type neurons, neuronal dsRNAs signaled through PRRs to induce tonic production of the antiviral type I interferon. Depleting ELAVL2 in WT neurons led to global shortening of 3'UTR length, reduced immunostimulatory dsRNA levels, and rendered WT neurons susceptible to herpes simplex virus and Zika virus infection. Neurons deficient in ADAR1, a dsRNA-editing enzyme mutated in the neuroinflammatory disorder Aicardi-Goutières syndrome, exhibited intolerably high levels of dsRNA that triggered PRR-mediated toxic inflammation and neuronal death. Depleting ELAVL2 in ADAR1 knockout neurons led to prolonged neuron survival by reducing immunostimulatory dsRNA levels. In summary, neurons are specialized cells where PRRs constantly sense "self" dsRNAs to preemptively induce protective antiviral immunity, but maintaining RNA homeostasis is paramount to prevent pathological neuroinflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tyler J. Dorrity
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Heegwon Shin
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Kenenni A. Wiegand
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Justin Aruda
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Michael Closser
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Neuroscience and Neurology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
- Center for Motor Neuron Biology and Disease, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Emily Jung
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jake A. Gertie
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
- Integrated Program in Cellular, Molecular, and Biomedical Studies, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, USA
- Medical Scientist Training Program, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, USA
| | - Amanda Leone
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Rachel Polfer
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Bruce Culbertson
- Integrated Program in Cellular, Molecular, and Biomedical Studies, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, USA
- Medical Scientist Training Program, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, USA
| | - Lisa Yu
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Christine Wu
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Takamasa Ito
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Yuefeng Huang
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Anna-Lena Steckelberg
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Hynek Wichterle
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Neuroscience and Neurology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
- Center for Motor Neuron Biology and Disease, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Hachung Chung
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
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13
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McEntee CM, Cavalier AN, LaRocca TJ. ADAR1 suppression causes interferon signaling and transposable element transcript accumulation in human astrocytes. Front Mol Neurosci 2023; 16:1263369. [PMID: 38035265 PMCID: PMC10685929 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2023.1263369] [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: 07/19/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Neuroinflammation is a central mechanism of brain aging and Alzheimer's disease (AD), but the exact causes of age- and AD-related neuroinflammation are incompletely understood. One potential modulator of neuroinflammation is the enzyme adenosine deaminase acting on RNA 1 (ADAR1), which regulates the accumulation of endogenous double-stranded RNA (dsRNA), a pro-inflammatory/innate immune activator. However, the role of ADAR1 and its transcriptomic targets in astrocytes, key mediators of neuroinflammation, have not been comprehensively investigated. Here, we knock down ADAR1 in primary human astrocytes via siRNA transfection and use transcriptomics (RNA-seq) to show that this results in: (1) increased expression of type I interferon and pro-inflammatory signaling pathways and (2) an accumulation of transposable element (TE) transcripts with the potential to form dsRNA. We also show that our findings may be clinically relevant, as ADAR1 gene expression declines with brain aging and AD in humans, and this is associated with a similar increase in TE transcripts. Together, our results suggest an important role for ADAR1 in preventing pro-inflammatory activation of astrocytes in response to endogenous dsRNA with aging and AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cali M. McEntee
- Department of Health and Exercise Science, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, United States
- Center for Healthy Aging, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, United States
| | - Alyssa N. Cavalier
- Department of Health and Exercise Science, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, United States
- Center for Healthy Aging, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, United States
| | - Thomas J. LaRocca
- Department of Health and Exercise Science, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, United States
- Center for Healthy Aging, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, United States
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14
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Lawlor MA, Ellison CE. Evolutionary dynamics between transposable elements and their host genomes: mechanisms of suppression and escape. Curr Opin Genet Dev 2023; 82:102092. [PMID: 37517354 PMCID: PMC10530431 DOI: 10.1016/j.gde.2023.102092] [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: 02/28/2023] [Revised: 06/27/2023] [Accepted: 07/02/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023]
Abstract
Transposable elements (TEs) are ubiquitous among eukaryotic species. Their evolutionary persistence is likely due to a combination of tolerogenic, evasive/antagonistic, and cooperative interactions with their host genomes. Here, we focus on metazoan species and review recent advances related to the harmful effects of TE insertions, including how epigenetic effects and TE-derived RNAs can damage host cells. We discuss new findings related to host pathways that silence TEs, such as the piRNA pathway and the APOBEC3 and Kruppel-associated box zinc finger gene families. Finally, we summarize novel strategies used by TEs to evade host silencing, including the Y chromosome as a permissive niche for TE mobilization and TE counterdefense strategies to block host silencing factors.
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15
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Frost B. Alzheimer's disease and related tauopathies: disorders of disrupted neuronal identity. Trends Neurosci 2023; 46:797-813. [PMID: 37591720 PMCID: PMC10528597 DOI: 10.1016/j.tins.2023.07.006] [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: 04/12/2023] [Revised: 06/20/2023] [Accepted: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 08/19/2023]
Abstract
Postmitotic neurons require persistently active controls to maintain terminal differentiation. Unlike dividing cells, aberrant cell cycle activation in mature neurons causes apoptosis rather than transformation. In Alzheimer's disease (AD) and related tauopathies, evidence suggests that pathogenic forms of tau drive neurodegeneration via neuronal cell cycle re-entry. Multiple interconnected mechanisms linking tau to cell cycle activation have been identified, including, but not limited to, tau-induced overstabilization of the actin cytoskeleton, consequent changes to nuclear architecture, and disruption of heterochromatin-mediated gene silencing. Cancer- and development-associated pathways are upregulated in human and cellular models of tauopathy, and many tau-induced cellular phenotypes are also present in various cancers and progenitor/stem cells. In this review, I delve into mechanistic parallels between tauopathies, cancer, and development, and highlight the role of tau in cancer and in the developing brain. Based on these studies, I put forth a model by which pathogenic forms of tau disrupt the program that maintains terminal neuronal differentiation, driving cell cycle re-entry and consequent neuronal death. This framework presents tauopathies as conditions involving the profound toxic disruption of neuronal identity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bess Frost
- Sam & Ann Barshop Institute for Longevity and Aging Studies, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA; Glenn Biggs Institute for Alzheimer's and Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA; Department of Cell Systems and Anatomy, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA.
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16
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Leńska-Mieciek M, Madetko-Alster N, Alster P, Królicki L, Fiszer U, Koziorowski D. Inflammation in multiple system atrophy. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1214677. [PMID: 37426656 PMCID: PMC10327640 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1214677] [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: 04/30/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Misfolding protein aggregation inside or outside cells is the major pathological hallmark of several neurodegenerative diseases. Among proteinopathies are neurodegenerative diseases with atypical Parkinsonism and an accumulation of insoluble fibrillary alpha-synuclein (synucleinopathies) or hyperphosphorylated tau protein fragments (tauopathies). As there are no therapies available to slow or halt the progression of these disea ses, targeting the inflammatory process is a promising approach. The inflammatory biomarkers could also help in the differential diagnosis of Parkinsonian syndromes. Here, we review inflammation's role in multiple systems atrophy pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Leńska-Mieciek
- Department of Neurology and Epileptology, Centre of Postgraduate Medical Education, Warsaw, Poland
| | | | - Piotr Alster
- Department of Neurology, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Leszek Królicki
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Urszula Fiszer
- Department of Neurology and Epileptology, Centre of Postgraduate Medical Education, Warsaw, Poland
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