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Xu J, Wu M, Yang J, Zhao D, He D, Liu Y, Yan X, Liu Y, Pu D, Tan Q, Zhang L, Zhang J. Multimodal smart systems reprogramme macrophages and remove urate to treat gouty arthritis. NATURE NANOTECHNOLOGY 2024:10.1038/s41565-024-01715-0. [PMID: 39020102 DOI: 10.1038/s41565-024-01715-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2023] [Accepted: 06/05/2024] [Indexed: 07/19/2024]
Abstract
Gouty arthritis is a chronic and progressive disease characterized by high urate levels in the joints and by an inflammatory immune microenvironment. Clinical data indicate that urate reduction therapy or anti-inflammatory therapy alone often fails to deliver satisfactory outcomes. Here we have developed a smart biomimetic nanosystem featuring a 'shell' composed of a fusion membrane derived from M2 macrophages and exosomes, which encapsulates liposomes loaded with a combination of uricase, platinum-in-hyaluronan/polydopamine nanozyme and resveratrol. The nanosystem targets inflamed joints and promotes the accumulation of anti-inflammatory macrophages locally, while the uricase and the nanozyme reduce the levels of urate within the joints. Additionally, site-directed near-infrared irradiation provides localized mild thermotherapy through the action of platinum and polydopamine, initiating heat-induced tissue repair. Combined use of these components synergistically enhances overall outcomes, resulting in faster recovery of the damaged joint tissue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingxin Xu
- Chongqing Research Center for Pharmaceutical Engineering, College of Pharmacy, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Mingjun Wu
- Institute of Life Sciences, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Jie Yang
- Chongqing Research Center for Pharmaceutical Engineering, College of Pharmacy, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Dezhang Zhao
- Chongqing Research Center for Pharmaceutical Engineering, College of Pharmacy, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Dan He
- Chongqing Research Center for Pharmaceutical Engineering, College of Pharmacy, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yingju Liu
- Chongqing Research Center for Pharmaceutical Engineering, College of Pharmacy, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Xiong Yan
- Chongqing Research Center for Pharmaceutical Engineering, College of Pharmacy, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yuying Liu
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, University-Town Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Daojun Pu
- Taiji Group Co. Ltd, Chongqing, China
| | - Qunyou Tan
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, University-Town Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.
| | - Ling Zhang
- College of Polymer Science and Engineering; Key Laboratory of Drug Targeting and Drug Delivery Systems, Ministry of Education, West China School of Pharmacy; State Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials Engineering; West China School of Public Health and West China Fourth Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.
| | - Jingqing Zhang
- Chongqing Research Center for Pharmaceutical Engineering, College of Pharmacy, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.
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Bullmann T, Kaas T, Ritzau-Jost A, Wöhner A, Kirmann T, Rizalar FS, Holzer M, Nerlich J, Puchkov D, Geis C, Eilers J, Kittel RJ, Arendt T, Haucke V, Hallermann S. Human iPSC-Derived Neurons with Reliable Synapses and Large Presynaptic Action Potentials. J Neurosci 2024; 44:e0971232024. [PMID: 38724283 PMCID: PMC11170674 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.0971-23.2024] [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: 05/23/2023] [Revised: 04/30/2024] [Accepted: 05/01/2024] [Indexed: 06/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Understanding the function of the human brain requires determining basic properties of synaptic transmission in human neurons. One of the most fundamental parameters controlling neurotransmitter release is the presynaptic action potential, but its amplitude and duration remain controversial. Presynaptic action potentials have so far been measured with high temporal resolution only in a limited number of vertebrate but not in human neurons. To uncover properties of human presynaptic action potentials, we exploited recently developed tools to generate human glutamatergic neurons by transient expression of Neurogenin 2 (Ngn2) in pluripotent stem cells. During maturation for 3 to 9 weeks of culturing in different established media, the proportion of cells with multiple axon initial segments decreased, while the amount of axonal tau protein and neuronal excitability increased. Super-resolution microscopy revealed the alignment of the pre- and postsynaptic proteins, Bassoon and Homer. Synaptic transmission was surprisingly reliable at frequencies of 20, 50, and 100 Hz. The synchronicity of synaptic transmission during high-frequency transmission increased during 9 weeks of neuronal maturation. To analyze the mechanisms of synchronous high-frequency glutamate release, we developed direct presynaptic patch-clamp recordings from human neurons. The presynaptic action potentials had large overshoots to ∼25 mV and short durations of ∼0.5 ms. Our findings show that Ngn2-induced neurons represent an elegant model system allowing for functional, structural, and molecular analyses of glutamatergic synaptic transmission with high spatiotemporal resolution in human neurons. Furthermore, our data predict that glutamatergic transmission is mediated by large and rapid presynaptic action potentials in the human brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Torsten Bullmann
- Carl-Ludwig-Institute of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Leipzig University, Leipzig 04103, Germany
| | - Thomas Kaas
- Carl-Ludwig-Institute of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Leipzig University, Leipzig 04103, Germany
| | - Andreas Ritzau-Jost
- Carl-Ludwig-Institute of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Leipzig University, Leipzig 04103, Germany
| | - Anne Wöhner
- Carl-Ludwig-Institute of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Leipzig University, Leipzig 04103, Germany
| | - Toni Kirmann
- Carl-Ludwig-Institute of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Leipzig University, Leipzig 04103, Germany
| | - Filiz Sila Rizalar
- Leibniz-Forschungsinstitut für Molekulare Pharmakologie (FMP), Berlin 13125, Germany
| | - Max Holzer
- Paul-Flechsig-Institute for Brain Research, Faculty of Medicine, Leipzig University, Leipzig 04103, Germany
| | - Jana Nerlich
- Carl-Ludwig-Institute of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Leipzig University, Leipzig 04103, Germany
| | - Dmytro Puchkov
- Leibniz-Forschungsinstitut für Molekulare Pharmakologie (FMP), Berlin 13125, Germany
| | - Christian Geis
- Section Translational Neuroimmunology, Department of Neurology, Jena University Hospital, Jena 07747, Germany
| | - Jens Eilers
- Carl-Ludwig-Institute of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Leipzig University, Leipzig 04103, Germany
| | - Robert J Kittel
- Institute of Biology, Department of Animal Physiology, Leipzig University, Leipzig 04103, Germany
| | - Thomas Arendt
- Paul-Flechsig-Institute for Brain Research, Faculty of Medicine, Leipzig University, Leipzig 04103, Germany
| | - Volker Haucke
- Leibniz-Forschungsinstitut für Molekulare Pharmakologie (FMP), Berlin 13125, Germany
- Faculty of Biology, Chemistry, Pharmacy, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin 14195, Germany
| | - Stefan Hallermann
- Carl-Ludwig-Institute of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Leipzig University, Leipzig 04103, Germany
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3
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Gao F, Zhang M, Wang Q, Ni M, Liu C, Deng K, Xie Q, Wang S, Shi J, Shen Y. Associations of CSF BACE1 with amyloid pathology, neurodegeneration, and cognition in Alzheimer's disease. Acta Neuropathol 2024; 147:97. [PMID: 38856925 DOI: 10.1007/s00401-024-02750-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: 03/28/2024] [Revised: 05/21/2024] [Accepted: 06/04/2024] [Indexed: 06/11/2024]
Abstract
Β-site amyloid precursor protein (APP) cleaving enzyme (BACE1) is a crucial protease in the production of amyloid-β (Aβ) in Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients. However, the side effects observed in clinical trials of BACE1 inhibitors, including reduction in brain volume and cognitive worsening, suggest that the exact role of BACE1 in AD pathology is not fully understood. To further investigate this, we examined cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) levels of BACE1 and its cleaved product sAPPβ that reflects BACE1 activity in the China Aging and Neurodegenerative Disorder Initiative cohort. We found significant correlations between CSF BACE1 or sAPPβ levels and CSF Aβ40, Aβ42, and Aβ42/Aβ40 ratio, but not with amyloid deposition detected by 18F-Florbetapir PET. Additionally, CSF BACE1 and sAPPβ levels were positively associated with cortical thickness in multiple brain regions, and higher levels of sAPPβ were linked to increased cortical glucose metabolism in frontal and supramarginal areas. Interestingly, individuals with higher baseline levels of CSF BACE1 exhibited slower rates of brain volume reduction and cognitive worsening over time. This suggests that increased levels and activity of BACE1 may not be the determining factor for amyloid deposition, but instead, may be associated with increased neuronal activity and potentially providing protection against neurodegeneration in AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feng Gao
- Department of Neurology, Institute On Aging and Brain Disorders, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230001, China.
- Neurodegenerative Disorder Research Center, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230026, China.
| | - Mengguo Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Institute On Aging and Brain Disorders, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230001, China
| | - Qiong Wang
- Department of Neurology, Institute On Aging and Brain Disorders, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230001, China
| | - Ming Ni
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230001, China
| | - Chang Liu
- Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230001, China
| | - Kexue Deng
- Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230001, China
| | - Qiang Xie
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230001, China
| | - Shicung Wang
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230001, China
| | - Jiong Shi
- Department of Neurology, Institute On Aging and Brain Disorders, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230001, China
| | - Yong Shen
- Department of Neurology, Institute On Aging and Brain Disorders, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230001, China.
- Neurodegenerative Disorder Research Center, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230026, China.
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Biomedical Aging Research, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230001, China.
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4
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Castillo-Ordoñez WO, Cajas-Salazar N, Velasco-Reyes MA. Genetic and epigenetic targets of natural dietary compounds as anti-Alzheimer's agents. Neural Regen Res 2024; 19:846-854. [PMID: 37843220 PMCID: PMC10664119 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.382232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2023] [Revised: 06/15/2023] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder and the most common cause of dementia that principally affects older adults. Pathogenic factors, such as oxidative stress, an increase in acetylcholinesterase activity, mitochondrial dysfunction, genotoxicity, and neuroinflammation are present in this syndrome, which leads to neurodegeneration. Neurodegenerative pathologies such as Alzheimer's disease are considered late-onset diseases caused by the complex combination of genetic, epigenetic, and environmental factors. There are two main types of Alzheimer's disease, known as familial Alzheimer's disease (onset < 65 years) and late-onset or sporadic Alzheimer's disease (onset ≥ 65 years). Patients with familial Alzheimer's disease inherit the disease due to rare mutations on the amyloid precursor protein (APP), presenilin 1 and 2 (PSEN1 and PSEN2) genes in an autosomal-dominantly fashion with closely 100% penetrance. In contrast, a different picture seems to emerge for sporadic Alzheimer's disease, which exhibits numerous non-Mendelian anomalies suggesting an epigenetic component in its etiology. Importantly, the fundamental pathophysiological mechanisms driving Alzheimer's disease are interfaced with epigenetic dysregulation. However, the dynamic nature of epigenetics seems to open up new avenues and hope in regenerative neurogenesis to improve brain repair in Alzheimer's disease or following injury or stroke in humans. In recent years, there has been an increase in interest in using natural products for the treatment of neurodegenerative illnesses such as Alzheimer's disease. Through epigenetic mechanisms, such as DNA methylation, non-coding RNAs, histone modification, and chromatin conformation regulation, natural compounds appear to exert neuroprotective effects. While we do not purport to cover every in this work, we do attempt to illustrate how various phytochemical compounds regulate the epigenetic effects of a few Alzheimer's disease-related genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Willian Orlando Castillo-Ordoñez
- Facultad de Ciencias Naturales-Exactas y de la Educación, Departamento de Biología. Universidad del Cauca, Popayán-Cauca, Colombia
- Departamento de Estudios Psicológicos, Universidad Icesi, Cali, Colombia
| | - Nohelia Cajas-Salazar
- Facultad de Ciencias Naturales-Exactas y de la Educación, Departamento de Biología. Universidad del Cauca, Popayán-Cauca, Colombia
| | - Mayra Alejandra Velasco-Reyes
- Facultad de Ciencias Naturales-Exactas y de la Educación, Departamento de Biología. Universidad del Cauca, Popayán-Cauca, Colombia
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5
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Andreyev AY, Yang H, Doulias PT, Dolatabadi N, Zhang X, Luevanos M, Blanco M, Baal C, Putra I, Nakamura T, Ischiropoulos H, Tannenbaum SR, Lipton SA. Metabolic Bypass Rescues Aberrant S-nitrosylation-Induced TCA Cycle Inhibition and Synapse Loss in Alzheimer's Disease Human Neurons. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2024; 11:e2306469. [PMID: 38235614 PMCID: PMC10966553 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202306469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2023] [Revised: 12/29/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2024]
Abstract
In Alzheimer's disease (AD), dysfunctional mitochondrial metabolism is associated with synaptic loss, the major pathological correlate of cognitive decline. Mechanistic insight for this relationship, however, is still lacking. Here, comparing isogenic wild-type and AD mutant human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-derived cerebrocortical neurons (hiN), evidence is found for compromised mitochondrial energy in AD using the Seahorse platform to analyze glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS). Isotope-labeled metabolic flux experiments revealed a major block in activity in the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle at the α-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase (αKGDH)/succinyl coenzyme-A synthetase step, metabolizing α-ketoglutarate to succinate. Associated with this block, aberrant protein S-nitrosylation of αKGDH subunits inhibited their enzyme function. This aberrant S-nitrosylation is documented not only in AD-hiN but also in postmortem human AD brains versus controls, as assessed by two separate unbiased mass spectrometry platforms using both SNOTRAP identification of S-nitrosothiols and chemoselective-enrichment of S-nitrosoproteins. Treatment with dimethyl succinate, a cell-permeable derivative of a TCA substrate downstream to the block, resulted in partial rescue of mitochondrial bioenergetic function as well as reversal of synapse loss in AD-hiN. These findings have therapeutic implications that rescue of mitochondrial energy metabolism can ameliorate synaptic loss in hiPSC-based models of AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Y Andreyev
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Neurodegeneration New Medicines Center, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Hongmei Yang
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
- Northeast Asia Institute of Chinese Medicine, Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, 130021, China
| | - Paschalis-Thomas Doulias
- Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Research Institute and Departments of Pediatrics and Pharmacology, Raymond and Ruth Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
- Department of Chemistry and Institute of Biosciences, University Research Center of Ioannina, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, 45110, Greece
| | - Nima Dolatabadi
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Neurodegeneration New Medicines Center, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Xu Zhang
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Neurodegeneration New Medicines Center, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Melissa Luevanos
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Neurodegeneration New Medicines Center, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Mayra Blanco
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Neurodegeneration New Medicines Center, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Christine Baal
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Neurodegeneration New Medicines Center, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Ivan Putra
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Neurodegeneration New Medicines Center, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Tomohiro Nakamura
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Neurodegeneration New Medicines Center, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Harry Ischiropoulos
- Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Research Institute and Departments of Pediatrics and Pharmacology, Raymond and Ruth Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Steven R Tannenbaum
- Northeast Asia Institute of Chinese Medicine, Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, 130021, China
| | - Stuart A Lipton
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Neurodegeneration New Medicines Center, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
- Department of Neurosciences, School of Medicine, University of California at San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
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Panayi N, Schulz P, He P, Hanna B, Lifshitz J, Rowe RK, Sierks MR. Traumatic Brain Injury in Mice Generates Early-Stage Alzheimer's Disease Related Protein Pathology that Correlates with Neurobehavioral Deficits. Mol Neurobiol 2024:10.1007/s12035-024-04035-5. [PMID: 38411868 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-024-04035-5] [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: 10/11/2023] [Accepted: 02/09/2024] [Indexed: 02/28/2024]
Abstract
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) increases the long-term risk of neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease (AD). Here, we demonstrate that protein variant pathology generated in brain tissue of an experimental TBI mouse model is similar to protein variant pathology observed during early stages of AD, and that subacute accumulation of AD associated variants of amyloid beta (Aβ) and tau in the TBI mouse model correlated with behavioral deficits. Male C57BL/6 mice were subjected to midline fluid percussion injury or to sham injury, after which sensorimotor function (rotarod, neurological severity score), cognitive deficit (novel object recognition), and affective deficits (elevated plus maze, forced swim task) were assessed post-injury (DPI). Protein pathology at 7, 14, and 28 DPI was measured in multiple brain regions using an immunostain panel of reagents selectively targeting different neurodegenerative disease-related variants of Aβ, tau, TDP-43, and alpha-synuclein. Overall, TBI resulted in sensorimotor deficits and accumulation of AD-related protein variant pathology near the impact site, both of which returned to sham levels by 14 DPI. Individual mice, however, showed persistent behavioral deficits and/or accumulation of toxic protein variants at 28 DPI. Behavioral outcomes of each mouse were correlated with levels of seven different protein variants in ten brain regions at specific DPI. Out of 21 significant correlations between protein variant levels and behavioral deficits, 18 were with variants of Aβ or tau. Correlations at 28 DPI were all between a single Aβ or tau variant, both of which are strongly associated with human AD cases. These data provide a direct mechanistic link between protein pathology resulting from TBI and the hallmarks of AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas Panayi
- Chemical Engineering, The School for Engineering of Matter, Transport and Energy, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, 85287-6106, USA
| | - Philip Schulz
- Chemical Engineering, The School for Engineering of Matter, Transport and Energy, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, 85287-6106, USA
| | - Ping He
- Chemical Engineering, The School for Engineering of Matter, Transport and Energy, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, 85287-6106, USA
| | - Brandon Hanna
- Chemical Engineering, The School for Engineering of Matter, Transport and Energy, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, 85287-6106, USA
| | - Jonathan Lifshitz
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Arizona College of Medicine - Phoenix, Phoenix, AZ, USA
- Phoenix Veteran Affairs Health Care System, Phoenix, AZ, USA
| | - Rachel K Rowe
- Department of Integrative Physiology, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, USA
| | - Michael R Sierks
- Chemical Engineering, The School for Engineering of Matter, Transport and Energy, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, 85287-6106, USA.
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7
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Huang Z. Evidence that Alzheimer's Disease Is a Disease of Competitive Synaptic Plasticity Gone Awry. J Alzheimers Dis 2024; 99:447-470. [PMID: 38669548 PMCID: PMC11119021 DOI: 10.3233/jad-240042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/28/2024]
Abstract
Mounting evidence indicates that a physiological function of amyloid-β (Aβ) is to mediate neural activity-dependent homeostatic and competitive synaptic plasticity in the brain. I have previously summarized the lines of evidence supporting this hypothesis and highlighted the similarities between Aβ and anti-microbial peptides in mediating cell/synapse competition. In cell competition, anti-microbial peptides deploy a multitude of mechanisms to ensure both self-protection and competitor elimination. Here I review recent studies showing that similar mechanisms are at play in Aβ-mediated synapse competition and perturbations in these mechanisms underpin Alzheimer's disease (AD). Specifically, I discuss evidence that Aβ and ApoE, two crucial players in AD, co-operate in the regulation of synapse competition. Glial ApoE promotes self-protection by increasing the production of trophic monomeric Aβ and inhibiting its assembly into toxic oligomers. Conversely, Aβ oligomers, once assembled, promote the elimination of competitor synapses via direct toxic activity and amplification of "eat-me" signals promoting the elimination of weak synapses. I further summarize evidence that neuronal ApoE may be part of a gene regulatory network that normally promotes competitive plasticity, explaining the selective vulnerability of ApoE expressing neurons in AD brains. Lastly, I discuss evidence that sleep may be key to Aβ-orchestrated plasticity, in which sleep is not only induced by Aβ but is also required for Aβ-mediated plasticity, underlining the link between sleep and AD. Together, these results strongly argue that AD is a disease of competitive synaptic plasticity gone awry, a novel perspective that may promote AD research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhen Huang
- Departments of Neuroscience and Neurology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
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8
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Portugal Barron D, Guo Z. The supersaturation perspective on the amyloid hypothesis. Chem Sci 2023; 15:46-54. [PMID: 38131088 PMCID: PMC10731913 DOI: 10.1039/d3sc03981a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 09/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Development of therapeutic interventions for Alzheimer's over the past three decades has been guided by the amyloid hypothesis, which puts Aβ deposition as the initiating event of a pathogenic cascade leading to dementia. In the current form, the amyloid hypothesis lacks a comprehensive framework that considers the complex nature of Aβ aggregation. The explanation of how Aβ deposition leads to downstream pathology, and how reducing Aβ plaque load via anti-amyloid therapy can lead to improvement in cognition remains insufficient. In this perspective we integrate the concept of Aβ supersaturation into the amyloid hypothesis, laying out a framework for the mechanistic understanding and therapeutic intervention of Alzheimer's disease. We discuss the important distinction between in vitro and in vivo patterns of Aβ aggregation, the impact of different aggregation stages on therapeutic strategies, and how future investigations could integrate this concept in order to produce a more thorough understanding and better treatment for Alzheimer's and other amyloid-related disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana Portugal Barron
- Department of Neurology, Brain Research Institute, Mary S. Easton Center for Alzheimer's Research and Care, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles Los Angeles CA USA
| | - Zhefeng Guo
- Department of Neurology, Brain Research Institute, Mary S. Easton Center for Alzheimer's Research and Care, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles Los Angeles CA USA
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9
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Wang H, Sun M, Li W, Liu X, Zhu M, Qin H. Biomarkers associated with the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease. Front Cell Neurosci 2023; 17:1279046. [PMID: 38130871 PMCID: PMC10733517 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2023.1279046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2023] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive degenerative neurological illness with insidious onset. Due to the complexity of the pathogenesis of AD and different pathological changes, the clinical phenotypes of dementia are diverse, and these pathological changes also interact with each other. Therefore, it is of great significance to search for biomarkers that can diagnose these pathological changes to improve the ability to monitor the course of disease and treat the disease. The pathological mechanism hypothesis with high recognition of AD mainly includes the accumulation of β-amyloid (Aβ) around neurons and hyperphosphorylation of tau protein, which results in the development of neuronal fiber tangles (NFTs) and mitochondrial dysfunction. AD is an irreversible disease; currently, there is no clinical cure or delay in the disease process of drugs, and there is a lack of effective early clinical diagnosis methods. AD patients, often in the dementia stages and moderate cognitive impairment, will seek medical treatment. Biomarkers can help diagnose the presence or absence of specific diseases and their pathological processes, so early screening and diagnosis are crucial for the prevention and therapy of AD in clinical practice. β-amyloid deposition (A), tau pathology (T), and neurodegeneration/neuronal damage (N), also known as the AT (N) biomarkers system, are widely validated core humoral markers for the diagnosis of AD. In this paper, the pathogenesis of AD related to AT (N) and the current research status of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and blood related biomarkers were reviewed. At the same time, the limitations of humoral markers in the diagnosis of AD were also discussed, and the future development of humoral markers for AD was prospected. In addition, the contents related to mitochondrial dysfunction, prion virology and intestinal microbiome related to AD are also described, so as to understand the pathogenesis of AD in many aspects and dimensions, so as to evaluate the pathological changes related to AD more comprehensively and accurately.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Wang
- College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Mengli Sun
- College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
- Research Center for Tissue Repair and Regeneration Affiliated with the Medical Innovation Research Division and 4th Medical Center, PLA General Hospital and PLA Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Wenhui Li
- College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Xing Liu
- College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Mengfan Zhu
- College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Hua Qin
- College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
- Research Center for Tissue Repair and Regeneration Affiliated with the Medical Innovation Research Division and 4th Medical Center, PLA General Hospital and PLA Medical College, Beijing, China
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10
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Espay AJ, Herrup K, Kepp KP, Daly T. The proteinopenia hypothesis: Loss of Aβ 42 and the onset of Alzheimer's Disease. Ageing Res Rev 2023; 92:102112. [PMID: 38270185 DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2023.102112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2023] [Revised: 10/17/2023] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2024]
Abstract
The dominant protein-lowering strategy in Alzheimer's Disease (AD) has failed to provide a clinically-meaningful treatment for patients. We hypothesize that the loss of functional, soluble Aβ42 during the process of aggregation into amyloid is more detrimental to the brain than the corresponding accrual of insoluble amyloid.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alberto J Espay
- James J. and Joan A. Gardner Family Center for Parkinson's Disease and Movement Disorders, Department of Neurology, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA.
| | - Karl Herrup
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Kasper P Kepp
- Department of Chemistry, Section of Biophysical and Biomedicinal Chemistry, Technical University of Denmark, 2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Timothy Daly
- Science Norms Democracy, UMR 8011 Sorbonne University, Paris, France; Bioethics Program, FLACSO Argentina, Tucumán 1966, C1050 AAN, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
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11
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Essayan-Perez S, Südhof TC. Neuronal γ-secretase regulates lipid metabolism, linking cholesterol to synaptic dysfunction in Alzheimer's disease. Neuron 2023; 111:3176-3194.e7. [PMID: 37543038 PMCID: PMC10592349 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2023.07.005] [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: 01/25/2023] [Revised: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 08/07/2023]
Abstract
Presenilin mutations that alter γ-secretase activity cause familial Alzheimer's disease (AD), whereas ApoE4, an apolipoprotein for cholesterol transport, predisposes to sporadic AD. Both sporadic and familial AD feature synaptic dysfunction. Whether γ-secretase is involved in cholesterol metabolism and whether such involvement impacts synaptic function remains unknown. Here, we show that in human neurons, chronic pharmacological or genetic suppression of γ-secretase increases synapse numbers but decreases synaptic transmission by lowering the presynaptic release probability without altering dendritic or axonal arborizations. In search of a mechanism underlying these synaptic impairments, we discovered that chronic γ-secretase suppression robustly decreases cholesterol levels in neurons but not in glia, which in turn stimulates neuron-specific cholesterol-synthesis gene expression. Suppression of cholesterol levels by HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (statins) impaired synaptic function similar to γ-secretase inhibition. Thus, γ-secretase enables synaptic function by maintaining cholesterol levels, whereas the chronic suppression of γ-secretase impairs synapses by lowering cholesterol levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofia Essayan-Perez
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA.
| | - Thomas C Südhof
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA.
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12
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Hu Z, Zhou S, Li J, Li X, Zhou Y, Zhu Z, Xu J, Liu J. Design, synthesis and biological evaluation of novel indanones derivatives as potent acetylcholinesterase/monoamine oxidase B inhibitors. Future Med Chem 2023; 15:1823-1841. [PMID: 37902028 DOI: 10.4155/fmc-2023-0206] [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: 10/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Aim: Based on a multitarget design strategy, a series of novel indanone-1-benzyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridin hybrids were identified for the potential treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Results: These compounds exhibited significant inhibitory activities against acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and moderate inhibitory activities toward monoamine oxidase B (MAO-B). The optimal compound A1 possessed excellent dual AChE/MAO-B inhibition both in terms of potency (AChE: IC50 = 0.054 ± 0.004 μM; MAO-B: IC50 = 3.25 ± 0.20 μM), moderate inhibitory effects on self-mediated amyloid-β (Aβ) aggregation and antioxidant activity. In addition, compound A1 exhibited low neurotoxicity. More importantly, compound A1 showed significant cognitive and spatial memory improvements in the scopolamine-induced AD mouse model. Conclusion: All results suggest that compound A1 may become a promising lead of anti-AD drug for further development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhaoxin Hu
- Department of Organic Chemistry, School of Science, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 211198, People's Republic of China
| | - Shengnan Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines and Department of Medicinal Chemistry, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 211198, People's Republic of China
| | - Junda Li
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines and Department of Medicinal Chemistry, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 211198, People's Republic of China
| | - Xinnan Li
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines and Department of Medicinal Chemistry, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 211198, People's Republic of China
| | - Yang Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines and Department of Medicinal Chemistry, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 211198, People's Republic of China
| | - Zheying Zhu
- School of Pharmacy, The University of Nottingham, University Park Campus, Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK
| | - Jinyi Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Natural Medicines and Department of Medicinal Chemistry, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 211198, People's Republic of China
| | - Jie Liu
- Department of Organic Chemistry, School of Science, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, 211198, People's Republic of China
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13
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Dunot J, Ribera A, Pousinha PA, Marie H. Spatiotemporal insights of APP function. Curr Opin Neurobiol 2023; 82:102754. [PMID: 37542943 DOI: 10.1016/j.conb.2023.102754] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2023] [Revised: 06/29/2023] [Accepted: 07/07/2023] [Indexed: 08/07/2023]
Abstract
The amyloid-β precursor protein (APP) is a ubiquitous protein with a strong genetic link to Alzheimer's disease. Although the protein was identified more than forty years ago, its physiological function is still unclear. In recent years, advances in technology have allowed researchers to tackle APP functions in greater depth. In this review, we discuss the latest research pertaining to APP functions from development to aging. We also address the different roles that APP could play in specific types of cells of the central and peripheral nervous system and in other organs of the body. We argue that, until we fully identify the functions of APP in space and time, we will be missing important pieces of the puzzle to solve its pathological implication in Alzheimer's disease and beyond.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jade Dunot
- Université Côte d'Azur, CNRS, Institut de Pharmacologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, UMR7275, 06560, Valbonne, France. https://twitter.com/DunotJade
| | - Aurore Ribera
- Université Côte d'Azur, CNRS, Institut de Pharmacologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, UMR7275, 06560, Valbonne, France. https://twitter.com/aurore_et_al_
| | - Paula A Pousinha
- Université Côte d'Azur, CNRS, Institut de Pharmacologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, UMR7275, 06560, Valbonne, France.
| | - Hélène Marie
- Université Côte d'Azur, CNRS, Institut de Pharmacologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, UMR7275, 06560, Valbonne, France.
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14
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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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15
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Kulichikhin KY, Malikova OA, Zobnina AE, Zalutskaya NM, Rubel AA. Interaction of Proteins Involved in Neuronal Proteinopathies. Life (Basel) 2023; 13:1954. [PMID: 37895336 PMCID: PMC10608209 DOI: 10.3390/life13101954] [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: 08/15/2023] [Revised: 09/04/2023] [Accepted: 09/20/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Proteinopathy is characterized by the accumulation of aggregates of a specific protein in a target organ, tissue, or cell. The aggregation of the same protein can cause different pathologies as single protein can adopt various amyloidogenic, disease-specific conformations. The conformation governs the interaction of amyloid aggregates with other proteins that are prone to misfolding and, thus, determines disease-specific spectrum of concomitant pathologies. In this regard, a detailed description of amyloid protein conformation as well as spectrum of its interaction with other proteins become a key point for drafting of precise description of the disease. The majority of clinical cases of neuronal proteinopathies is caused by the aggregation of rather limited range of amyloidogenic proteins. Here, we provided the characterization of pathologies, related to the aggregation of amyloid β peptide, tau protein, α-synuclein, TDP-43, and amylin, giving a short description of pathologies themselves, recent advances in elucidation of misfolded protein conformation, with emphasis on those protein aggregates extracted from biological samples, what is known about the interaction of this proteins, and the influence of this interaction on the progression of underlying disease and comorbidities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Konstantin Y. Kulichikhin
- Laboratory of Amyloid Biology, St. Petersburg State University, 199034 St. Petersburg, Russia; (O.A.M.); (A.E.Z.)
| | - Oksana A. Malikova
- Laboratory of Amyloid Biology, St. Petersburg State University, 199034 St. Petersburg, Russia; (O.A.M.); (A.E.Z.)
| | - Anastasia E. Zobnina
- Laboratory of Amyloid Biology, St. Petersburg State University, 199034 St. Petersburg, Russia; (O.A.M.); (A.E.Z.)
| | - Natalia M. Zalutskaya
- V.M. Bekhterev National Medical Research Center for Psychiatry and Neurology, 192019 St. Petersburg, Russia;
| | - Aleksandr A. Rubel
- Laboratory of Amyloid Biology, St. Petersburg State University, 199034 St. Petersburg, Russia; (O.A.M.); (A.E.Z.)
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16
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Wang N, Yang X, Zhao Z, Liu D, Wang X, Tang H, Zhong C, Chen X, Chen W, Meng Q. Cooperation between neurovascular dysfunction and Aβ in Alzheimer's disease. Front Mol Neurosci 2023; 16:1227493. [PMID: 37654789 PMCID: PMC10466809 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2023.1227493] [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: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 08/02/2023] [Indexed: 09/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The amyloid-β (Aβ) hypothesis was once believed to represent the pathogenic process of Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, with the failure of clinical drug development and the increasing understanding of the disease, the Aβ hypothesis has been challenged. Numerous recent investigations have demonstrated that the vascular system plays a significant role in the course of AD, with vascular damage occurring prior to the deposition of Aβ and neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs). The question of how Aβ relates to neurovascular function and which is the trigger for AD has recently come into sharp focus. In this review, we outline the various vascular dysfunctions associated with AD, including changes in vascular hemodynamics, vascular cell function, vascular coverage, and blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability. We reviewed the most recent findings about the complicated Aβ-neurovascular unit (NVU) interaction and highlighted its vital importance to understanding disease pathophysiology. Vascular defects may lead to Aβ deposition, neurotoxicity, glial cell activation, and metabolic dysfunction; In contrast, Aβ and oxidative stress can aggravate vascular damage, forming a vicious cycle loop.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niya Wang
- Department of Neurology, The First People’s Hospital of Yunnan Province, Kunming, China
- The Affiliated Hospital of Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, China
| | - Xiang Yang
- Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhong Zhao
- Department of Neurology, The First People’s Hospital of Yunnan Province, Kunming, China
- The Affiliated Hospital of Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, China
| | - Da Liu
- Department of Neurology, The First People’s Hospital of Yunnan Province, Kunming, China
- The Affiliated Hospital of Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, China
| | - Xiaoyan Wang
- Department of Neurology, The First People’s Hospital of Yunnan Province, Kunming, China
- The Affiliated Hospital of Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, China
| | - Hao Tang
- Department of Neurology, The First People’s Hospital of Yunnan Province, Kunming, China
- The Affiliated Hospital of Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, China
| | - Chuyu Zhong
- Department of Neurology, The First People’s Hospital of Yunnan Province, Kunming, China
- The Affiliated Hospital of Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, China
| | - Xinzhang Chen
- Department of Neurology, The First People’s Hospital of Yunnan Province, Kunming, China
- The Affiliated Hospital of Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, China
| | - Wenli Chen
- Department of Neurology, The First People’s Hospital of Yunnan Province, Kunming, China
- The Affiliated Hospital of Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, China
| | - Qiang Meng
- Department of Neurology, The First People’s Hospital of Yunnan Province, Kunming, China
- The Affiliated Hospital of Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, China
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17
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Manna PR, Kshirsagar S, Pradeepkiran JA, Rawat P, Kumar S, Reddy AP, Reddy PH. Protective function of StAR in amyloid-β accumulated hippocampal neurotoxicity and neurosteroidogenesis: Mechanistic insights into Alzheimer's disease. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2023; 1869:166738. [PMID: 37142132 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2023.166738] [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: 03/26/2023] [Revised: 04/25/2023] [Accepted: 04/27/2023] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
The steroidogenic acute regulatory (StAR) protein principally mediates steroid hormone biosynthesis by governing the transport of intramitochondrial cholesterol. Neurosteroids progressively decrease during aging, the key risk factor for Alzheimer's disease (AD), which is triggered by brain-region specific accumulation of amyloid beta (Aβ) precursor protein (APP), a key pathological factor. We demonstrate that hippocampal neuronal cells overexpressing wild-type (WtAPP) and mutant APP (mAPP) plasmids, conditions mimetic to AD, resulted in decreases in StAR mRNA, free cholesterol, and pregnenolone levels. The magnitude of suppression of the steroidogenic response was more pronounced with mAPP than that of WtAPP. While mAPP-waned assorted anomalies correlate to AD pathology, deterioration of APP/Aβ laden StAR expression and neurosteroid biosynthesis was enhanced by retinoid signaling. An abundance of mitochondrially targeted StAR expression partially restored APP/Aβ accumulated diverse neurodegenerative vulnerabilities. Immunofluorescence analyses revealed that overexpression of StAR diminishes mAPP provoked Aβ aggregation. Co-expression of StAR and mAPP in hippocampal neurons substantially reversed the declines in mAPP mediated cell survival, mitochondrial oxygen consumption rate, and ATP production. Concurrently, induction of mAPP induced Aβ loading showed an increase in cholesterol esters, but decrease in free cholesterol, concomitant with pregnenolone biosynthesis, events that were inversely regulated by StAR. Moreover, retinoid signaling was found to augment cholesterol content for facilitating neurosteroid biosynthesis in an AD mimetic condition. These findings provide novel insights into the molecular events by which StAR acts to protect mAPP-induced hippocampal neurotoxicity, mitochondrial dysfunction, and neurosteroidogenesis, and these measures are fundamental for ameliorating and/or delaying dementia in individuals with AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pulak R Manna
- Department of Internal Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX 79430, USA.
| | - Sudhir Kshirsagar
- Department of Internal Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX 79430, USA
| | | | - Priyanka Rawat
- Department of Internal Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX 79430, USA
| | - Subodh Kumar
- Department of Internal Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX 79430, USA; Center of Emphasis in Neuroscience, Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Paul L. Foster School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, El Paso, TX 79905, USA
| | - Arubala P Reddy
- Nutritional Sciences Department, College of Human Sciences, Texas Tech University, 1301 Akron Ave, Lubbock, TX 79409, USA
| | - P Hemachandra Reddy
- Department of Internal Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX 79430, USA; Nutritional Sciences Department, College of Human Sciences, Texas Tech University, 1301 Akron Ave, Lubbock, TX 79409, USA; Neurology, Departments of School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX 79430, USA; Public Health Department of Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX 79430, USA; Department of Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences, School Health Professions, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX 79430, USA; Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX 79430, USA.
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18
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Lenz M, Eichler A, Kruse P, Galanis C, Kleidonas D, Andrieux G, Boerries M, Jedlicka P, Müller U, Deller T, Vlachos A. The Amyloid Precursor Protein Regulates Synaptic Transmission at Medial Perforant Path Synapses. J Neurosci 2023; 43:5290-5304. [PMID: 37369586 PMCID: PMC10359033 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1824-22.2023] [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: 09/24/2022] [Revised: 05/20/2023] [Accepted: 05/24/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The perforant path provides the primary cortical excitatory input to the hippocampus. Because of its important role in information processing and coding, entorhinal projections to the dentate gyrus have been studied in considerable detail. Nevertheless, synaptic transmission between individual connected pairs of entorhinal stellate cells and dentate granule cells remains to be characterized. Here, we have used mouse organotypic entorhino-hippocampal tissue cultures of either sex, in which the entorhinal cortex (EC) to dentate granule cell (GC; EC-GC) projection is present, and EC-GC pairs can be studied using whole-cell patch-clamp recordings. By using cultures of wild-type mice, the properties of EC-GC synapses formed by afferents from the lateral and medial entorhinal cortex were compared, and differences in short-term plasticity were identified. As the perforant path is severely affected in Alzheimer's disease, we used tissue cultures of amyloid precursor protein (APP)-deficient mice to examine the role of APP at this synapse. APP deficiency altered excitatory neurotransmission at medial perforant path synapses, which was accompanied by transcriptomic and ultrastructural changes. Moreover, presynaptic but not postsynaptic APP deletion through the local injection of Cre-expressing adeno-associated viruses in conditional APPflox/flox tissue cultures increased the neurotransmission efficacy at perforant path synapses. In summary, these data suggest a physiological role for presynaptic APP at medial perforant path synapses that may be adversely affected under altered APP processing conditions.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT The hippocampus receives input from the entorhinal cortex via the perforant path. These projections to hippocampal dentate granule cells are of utmost importance for learning and memory formation. Although there is detailed knowledge about perforant path projections, the functional synaptic properties at the level of individual connected pairs of neurons are not well understood. In this study, we investigated the role of APP in mediating functional properties and transmission rules in individually connected neurons using paired whole-cell patch-clamp recordings and genetic tools in organotypic tissue cultures. Our results show that presynaptic APP expression limits excitatory neurotransmission via the perforant path, which could be compromised in pathologic conditions such as Alzheimer's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maximilian Lenz
- Department of Neuroanatomy, Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
- Hannover Medical School, Institute of Neuroanatomy and Cell Biology, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Amelie Eichler
- Department of Neuroanatomy, Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Pia Kruse
- Department of Neuroanatomy, Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Christos Galanis
- Department of Neuroanatomy, Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Dimitrios Kleidonas
- Department of Neuroanatomy, Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
- Spemann Graduate School of Biology and Medicine, University of Freiburg, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
- Faculty of Biology, University of Freiburg, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Geoffroy Andrieux
- Institute of Medical Bioinformatics and Systems Medicine, Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Melanie Boerries
- Institute of Medical Bioinformatics and Systems Medicine, Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
- German Cancer Consortium, German Cancer Research Center, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Peter Jedlicka
- Interdisciplinary Centre for 3Rs in Animal Research, Faculty of Medicine, Justus-Liebig-University, 35392 Giessen, Germany
- Institute of Clinical Neuroanatomy, Neuroscience Center, Goethe University Frankfurt, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Frankfurt Institute for Advanced Studies, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Ulrike Müller
- Institute of Pharmacy and Molecular Biotechnology, Functional Genomics, Ruprecht-Karls University Heidelberg, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Thomas Deller
- Institute of Clinical Neuroanatomy, Neuroscience Center, Goethe University Frankfurt, 60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Andreas Vlachos
- Department of Neuroanatomy, Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
- Center for Basics in Neuromodulation, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
- Center BrainLinks-BrainTools, University of Freiburg, 79104 Freiburg, Germany
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19
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Panayi N, Schulz P, He P, Hanna B, Lifshitz J, Rowe R, Sierks MR. Traumatic brain injury in mice generates early-stage Alzheimer's disease related protein pathology that correlates with neurobehavioral deficits. RESEARCH SQUARE 2023:rs.3.rs-2865501. [PMID: 37205508 PMCID: PMC10187431 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-2865501/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) increases the long-term risk of neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease (AD). Here, we demonstrate that protein variant pathology generated in brain tissue of an experimental TBI mouse model is similar to protein variant pathology observed in human ADbrains, and that subacute accumulation of two AD associated variants of amyloid beta (Aβ) and tau in the TBI mouse model correlated with behavioral deficits. Male C57BL/6 mice were subjected to midline fluid percussion injury or to sham injury, after which sensorimotor function (rotarod, neurological severity score), cognitive deficit (novel object recognition), and affective deficits (elevated plus maze, forced swim task) were assessed at different days post-injury (DPI). Protein pathology at 7, 14, and 28 DPI was measured in multiple brain regions using an immunostain panel of reagents selectively targeting different neurodegenerative disease-related variants of Aβ, tau, TDP-43, and alpha-synuclein. Overall, TBI resulted in sensorimotor deficits and accumulation of AD-related protein variant pathology near the impact site, both of which returned to sham levels by 14 DPI. Individual mice, however, showed persistent behavioral deficits and/or accumulation of selected toxic protein variants at 28 DPI. Behavioral outcomes of each mouse were correlated with levels of seven different protein variants in ten brain regions at specific DPI. Out of 21 significant correlations between protein variant levels and behavioral deficits, 18 were with variants of Aβ or tau. Correlations at 28 DPI were all between a single Aβ or tau variant, both of which are strongly associated with human AD cases. These data provide a direct mechanistic link between protein pathology resulting from TBI and the hallmarks of AD.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Jonathan Lifshitz
- University of Arizona College of Pharmacy: The University of Arizona College of Medicine Phoenix
| | - Rachel Rowe
- University of Colorado at Boulder: University of Colorado Boulder
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20
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Zimbone S, Giuffrida ML, Sabatino G, Di Natale G, Tosto R, Consoli GML, Milardi D, Pappalardo G, Sciacca MFM. Aβ 8-20 Fragment as an Anti-Fibrillogenic and Neuroprotective Agent: Advancing toward Efficient Alzheimer's Disease Treatment. ACS Chem Neurosci 2023; 14:1126-1136. [PMID: 36857606 PMCID: PMC10020970 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.2c00720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common cause of dementia, characterized by a spectrum of symptoms associated with memory loss and cognitive decline with deleterious consequences in everyday life. The lack of specific drugs for the treatment and/or prevention of this pathology makes AD an ever-increasing economic and social emergency. Oligomeric species of amyloid-beta (Aβ) are recognized as the primary cause responsible for synaptic dysfunction and neuronal degeneration, playing a crucial role in the onset of the pathology. Several studies have been focusing on the use of small molecules and peptides targeting oligomeric species to prevent Aβ aggregation and toxicity. Among them, peptide fragments derived from the primary sequence of Aβ have also been used to exploit any eventual recognition abilities toward the full-length Aβ parent peptide. Here, we test the Aβ8-20 fragment which contains the self-recognizing Lys-Leu-Val-Phe-Phe sequence and lacks Arg 5 and Asp 7 and the main part of the C-terminus, key points involved in the aggregation pathway and stabilization of the fibrillary structure of Aβ. In particular, by combining chemical and biological techniques, we show that Aβ8-20 does not undergo random coil to β sheet conformational transition, does not form amyloid fibrils by itself, and is not toxic for neuronal cells. Moreover, we demonstrate that Aβ8-20 mainly interacts with the 4-11 region of Aβ1-42 and inhibits the formation of toxic oligomeric species and Aβ fibrils. Finally, our data show that Aβ8-20 protects neuron-like cells from Aβ1-42 oligomer toxicity. We propose Aβ8-20 as a promising drug candidate for the treatment of AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefania Zimbone
- Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Istituto di Cristallografia, Via Paolo Gaifami, 18, Catania 95126, Italy
| | - Maria Laura Giuffrida
- Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Istituto di Cristallografia, Via Paolo Gaifami, 18, Catania 95126, Italy
| | - Giuseppina Sabatino
- Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Istituto di Cristallografia, Via Paolo Gaifami, 18, Catania 95126, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Di Natale
- Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Istituto di Cristallografia, Via Paolo Gaifami, 18, Catania 95126, Italy
| | - Rita Tosto
- Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Istituto di Cristallografia, Via Paolo Gaifami, 18, Catania 95126, Italy
| | - Grazia M L Consoli
- Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Istituto di Chimica Biomolecolare, Via Paolo Gaifami, 18, Catania 95126, Italy
| | - Danilo Milardi
- Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Istituto di Cristallografia, Via Paolo Gaifami, 18, Catania 95126, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Pappalardo
- Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Istituto di Cristallografia, Via Paolo Gaifami, 18, Catania 95126, Italy
| | - Michele F M Sciacca
- Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Istituto di Cristallografia, Via Paolo Gaifami, 18, Catania 95126, Italy
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21
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The Amyloid-Beta Clearance: From Molecular Targets to Glial and Neural Cells. Biomolecules 2023; 13:biom13020313. [PMID: 36830682 PMCID: PMC9953441 DOI: 10.3390/biom13020313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2022] [Revised: 02/03/2023] [Accepted: 02/04/2023] [Indexed: 02/11/2023] Open
Abstract
The deposition of amyloid-beta (Aβ) plaques in the brain is one of the primary pathological characteristics of Alzheimer's disease (AD). It can take place 20-30 years before the onset of clinical symptoms. The imbalance between the production and the clearance of Aβ is one of the major causes of AD. Enhancing Aβ clearance at an early stage is an attractive preventive and therapeutic strategy of AD. Direct inhibition of Aβ production and aggregation using small molecules, peptides, and monoclonal antibody drugs has not yielded satisfactory efficacy in clinical trials for decades. Novel approaches are required to understand and combat Aβ deposition. Neurological dysfunction is a complex process that integrates the functions of different types of cells in the brain. The role of non-neurons in AD has not been fully elucidated. An in-depth understanding of the interactions between neurons and non-neurons can contribute to the elucidation of Aβ formation and the identification of effective drug targets. AD patient-derived pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) contain complete disease background information and have the potential to differentiate into various types of neurons and non-neurons in vitro, which may bring new insight into the treatment of AD. Here, we systematically review the latest studies on Aβ clearance and clarify the roles of cell interactions among microglia, astroglia and neurons in response to Aβ plaques, which will be beneficial to explore methods for reconstructing AD disease models using inducible PSCs (iPSCs) through cell differentiation techniques and validating the applications of models in understanding the formation of Aβ plaques. This review may provide the most promising directions of finding the clues for preventing and delaying the development of AD.
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22
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Novel Strategy for Alzheimer’s Disease Treatment through Oral Vaccine Therapy with Amyloid Beta. Biologics 2023. [DOI: 10.3390/biologics3010003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a neuropathology characterized by progressive cognitive impairment and dementia. The disease is attributed to senile plaques, which are aggregates of amyloid beta (Aβ) outside nerve cells; neurofibrillary tangles, which are filamentous accumulations of phosphorylated tau in nerve cells; and loss of neurons in the brain tissue. Immunization of an AD mouse model with Aβ-eliminated pre-existing senile plaque amyloids and prevented new accumulation. Furthermore, its effect showed that cognitive function can be improved by passive immunity without side effects, such as lymphocyte infiltration in AD model mice treated with vaccine therapy, indicating the possibility of vaccine therapy for AD. Further, considering the possibility of side effects due to direct administration of Aβ, the practical use of the safe oral vaccine, which expressed Aβ in plants, is expected. Indeed, administration of this oral vaccine to Alzheimer’s model mice reduced Aβ accumulation in the brain. Moreover, almost no expression of inflammatory IgG was observed. Therefore, vaccination prior to Aβ accumulation or at an early stage of accumulation may prevent Aβ from causing AD.
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23
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Mehta RI, Mehta RI. The Vascular-Immune Hypothesis of Alzheimer's Disease. Biomedicines 2023; 11:408. [PMID: 36830944 PMCID: PMC9953491 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11020408] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2023] [Revised: 01/26/2023] [Accepted: 01/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a devastating and irreversible neurodegenerative disorder with unknown etiology. While its cause is unclear, a number of theories have been proposed to explain the pathogenesis of AD. In large part, these have centered around potential causes for intracerebral accumulation of beta-amyloid (βA) and tau aggregates. Yet, persons with AD dementia often exhibit autopsy evidence of mixed brain pathologies including a myriad of vascular changes, vascular brain injuries, complex brain inflammation, and mixed protein inclusions in addition to hallmark neuropathologic lesions of AD, namely insoluble βA plaques and neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs). Epidemiological data demonstrate that overlapping lesions diminish the βA plaque and NFT threshold necessary to precipitate clinical dementia. Moreover, a subset of persons who exhibit AD pathology remain resilient to disease while other persons with clinically-defined AD dementia do not exhibit AD-defining neuropathologic lesions. It is increasingly recognized that AD is a pathologically heterogeneous and biologically multifactorial disease with uncharacterized biologic phenomena involved in its genesis and progression. Here, we review the literature with regard to neuropathologic criteria and incipient AD changes, and discuss converging concepts regarding vascular and immune factors in AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rashi I. Mehta
- Department of Neuroradiology, Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506, USA
| | - Rupal I. Mehta
- Rush Alzheimer’s Disease Center, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
- Department of Pathology, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
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24
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Hong W, Liu W, Desousa AO, Young-Pearse T, Walsh DM. Methods for the isolation and analysis of Aβ from postmortem brain. Front Neurosci 2023; 17:1108715. [PMID: 36777642 PMCID: PMC9909698 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1108715] [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: 11/26/2022] [Accepted: 01/09/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Amyloid β-protein (Aβ) plays an initiating role in Alzheimer's disease (AD), but only a small number of groups have studied Aβ extracted from human brain. Most prior studies have utilized synthetic Aβ peptides, but the relevance of these test tube experiments to the conditions that prevail in AD is uncertain. Here, we describe three distinct methods for studying Aβ from cortical tissue. Each method allows the analysis of different ranges of species thus enabling the examination of different questions. The first method allows the study of readily diffusible Aβ with a relatively high specific activity. The second enables the analysis of readily solubilized forms of Aβ the majority of which are inactive. The third details the isolation of true Aβ dimers which have disease-related activity. We also describe a bioassay to study the effects of Aβ on the neuritic integrity of iPSC-derived human neurons. The combined use of this bioassay and the described extraction procedures provides a platform to investigate the activity of different forms and mixtures of Aβ species, and offers a tractable system to identify strategies to mitigate Aβ mediated neurotoxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Hong
- Laboratory for Neurodegenerative Research, Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States,The Brain Cognition and Brain Disease Institute, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Wen Liu
- Laboratory for Neurodegenerative Research, Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Alexandra O. Desousa
- Laboratory for Neurodegenerative Research, Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Tracy Young-Pearse
- Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Dominic M. Walsh
- Laboratory for Neurodegenerative Research, Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States,*Correspondence: Dominic M. Walsh,
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25
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Hillen H. Editorial: Beta-Amyloid oligomer specific treatments for Alzheimer's disease. Front Neurosci 2023; 17:1034158. [PMID: 36761412 PMCID: PMC9905805 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1034158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2022] [Accepted: 01/05/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
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26
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Analysis of Non-Amyloidogenic Mutations in APP Supports Loss of Function Hypothesis of Alzheimer's Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24032092. [PMID: 36768421 PMCID: PMC9916408 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24032092] [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: 01/06/2023] [Revised: 01/17/2023] [Accepted: 01/17/2023] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Proteolytic processing of amyloid precursor protein (APP) plays a critical role in pathogenesis of Azheimer's disease (AD). Sequential cleavage of APP by β- and γ-secretases leads to generation of Aβ40 (non-amyloidogenic) and Aβ42 (amyloidogenic) peptides. Presenilin-1 (PS1) or presenilin-2 (PS2) act as catalytic subunits of γ-secretase. Multiple familial AD (FAD) mutations in APP, PS1, or PS2 affect APP proteolysis by γ-secretase and influence levels of generated Aβ40 and Aβ42 peptides. The predominant idea in the field is the "amyloid hypothesis" that states that the resulting increase in Aβ42:Aβ40 ratio leads to "toxic gain of function" due to the accumulation of toxic Aβ42 plaques and oligomers. An alternative hypothesis based on analysis of PS1 conditional knockout mice is that "loss of function" of γ-secretase plays an important role in AD pathogenesis. In the present paper, we propose a mechanistic hypothesis that may potentially reconcile these divergent ideas and observations. We propose that the presence of soluble Aβ peptides in endosomal lumen (and secreted to the extracellular space) is essential for synaptic and neuronal function. Based on structural modeling of Aβ peptides, we concluded that Aβ42 peptides and Aβ40 peptides containing non-amyloidogenic FAD mutations in APP have increased the energy of association with the membranes, resulting in reduced levels of soluble Aβ in endosomal compartments. Analysis of PS1-FAD mutations also revealed that all of these mutations lead to significant reduction in both total levels of Aβ produced and in the Aβ40/Aβ42 ratio, suggesting that the concentration of soluble Aβ in the endosomal compartments is reduced as a result of these mutations. We further reasoned that similar changes in Aβ production may also occur as a result of age-related accumulation of cholesterol and lipid oxidation products in postsynaptic spines. Our analysis more easily reconciled with the "loss of γ-secretase function" hypothesis than with the "toxic gain of Aβ42 function" idea. These results may also explain why inhibitors of β- and γ- secretase failed in clinical trials, as these compounds are also expected to significantly reduce soluble Aβ levels in the endosomal compartments.
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27
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Huang Z. A Function of Amyloid-β in Mediating Activity-Dependent Axon/Synapse Competition May Unify Its Roles in Brain Physiology and Pathology. J Alzheimers Dis 2023; 92:29-57. [PMID: 36710681 PMCID: PMC10023438 DOI: 10.3233/jad-221042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Amyloid-β protein precursor (AβPP) gives rise to amyloid-β (Aβ), a peptide at the center of Alzheimer's disease (AD). AβPP, however, is also an ancient molecule dating back in evolution to some of the earliest forms of metazoans. This suggests a possible ancestral function that may have been obscured by those that evolve later. Based on literature from the functions of Aβ/AβPP in nervous system development, plasticity, and disease, to those of anti-microbial peptides (AMPs) in bacterial competition as well as mechanisms of cell competition uncovered first by Drosophila genetics, I propose that Aβ/AβPP may be part of an ancient mechanism employed in cell competition, which is subsequently co-opted during evolution for the regulation of activity-dependent neural circuit development and plasticity. This hypothesis is supported by foremost the high similarities of Aβ to AMPs, both of which possess unique, opposite (i.e., trophic versus toxic) activities as monomers and oligomers. A large body of data further suggests that the different Aβ oligomeric isoforms may serve as the protective and punishment signals long predicted to mediate activity-dependent axonal/synaptic competition in the developing nervous system and that the imbalance in their opposite regulation of innate immune and glial cells in the brain may ultimately underpin AD pathogenesis. This hypothesis can not only explain the diverse roles observed of Aβ and AβPP family molecules, but also provide a conceptual framework that can unify current hypotheses on AD. Furthermore, it may explain major clinical observations not accounted for and identify approaches for overcoming shortfalls in AD animal modeling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhen Huang
- Departments of Neuroscience and Neurology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
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28
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Imbimbo BP, Ippati S, Watling M, Imbimbo C. Role of monomeric amyloid-β in cognitive performance in Alzheimer's disease: Insights from clinical trials with secretase inhibitors and monoclonal antibodies. Pharmacol Res 2023; 187:106631. [PMID: 36586644 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2022.106631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2022] [Revised: 12/18/2022] [Accepted: 12/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
According to the β-amyloid (Aβ) hypothesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD), brain Aβ accumulation is the primary cascade event leading to cognitive deficit and dementia. Numerous anti-Aβ drugs either inhibiting production or aggregation of Aβ or stimulating its clearance have failed to show clinical benefit in large scale AD trials, with β- and γ-secretase inhibitors consistently worsening cognitive and clinical decline. In June 2021, the FDA approved aducanumab, an anti-Aβ monoclonal antibody for early AD based on its ability to reduce brain amyloid plaques, while two other amyloid-clearing antibodies (lecanemab and donanemab) have recently produced encouraging cognitive and clinical results. We reviewed AD trials using PubMed, meeting abstracts and ClinicalTrials.gov and evaluated the effects of such drugs on cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) Aβ levels, correlating them with cognitive effects. We found that β-secretase and γ-secretase inhibitors produce detrimental cognitive effects by significantly reducing CSF Aβ levels. We speculate that monoclonal antibodies targeting Aβ protofibrils, fibrils or plaques may improve cognitive performance in early AD by increasing soluble Aβ levels through Aβ aggregate disassembly and/or stabilization of existing Aβ monomers.These findings suggest that the real culprit in AD may be decreased levels of soluble monomeric Aβ due to sequestration into brain Aβ aggregates and plaques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruno P Imbimbo
- Department of Research & Development, Chiesi Farmaceutici, Parma, Italy.
| | - Stefania Ippati
- San Raffaele Scientific Institute, San Raffaele Hospital, 20132 Milan, Italy
| | - Mark Watling
- CNS & Pain Department, TranScrip Ltd, Reading, UK
| | - Camillo Imbimbo
- Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
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29
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Abondio P, Bruno F, Bruni AC, Luiselli D. Rare Amyloid Precursor Protein Point Mutations Recapitulate Worldwide Migration and Admixture in Healthy Individuals: Implications for the Study of Neurodegeneration. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232415871. [PMID: 36555510 PMCID: PMC9781461 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232415871] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2022] [Revised: 11/30/2022] [Accepted: 12/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Genetic discoveries related to Alzheimer's disease and other dementias have been performed using either large cohorts of affected subjects or multiple individuals from the same pedigree, therefore disregarding mutations in the context of healthy groups. Moreover, a large portion of studies so far have been performed on individuals of European ancestry, with a remarkable lack of epidemiological and genomic data from underrepresented populations. In the present study, 70 single-point mutations on the APP gene in a publicly available genetic dataset that included 2504 healthy individuals from 26 populations were scanned, and their distribution was analyzed. Furthermore, after gametic phase reconstruction, a pairwise comparison of the segments surrounding the mutations was performed to reveal patterns of haplotype sharing that could point to specific cross-population and cross-ancestry admixture events. Eight mutations were detected in the worldwide dataset, with several of them being specific for a single individual, population, or macroarea. Patterns of segment sharing reflected recent historical events of migration and admixture possibly linked to colonization campaigns. These observations reveal the population dynamics of the considered APP mutations in worldwide human groups and support the development of ancestry-informed screening practices for the improvement of precision and personalized approaches to neurodegeneration and dementia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paolo Abondio
- Laboratory of Ancient DNA, Department of Cultural Heritage, University of Bologna, Via degli Ariani 1, 48121 Ravenna, Italy
- Laboratory of Molecular Anthropology and Center for Genome Biology, Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, University of Bologna, Via Selmi 3, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Francesco Bruno
- Regional Neurogenetic Center (CRN), Department of Primary Care, ASP Catanzaro, 88046 Lamezia Terme, Italy
- Association for Neurogenetic Research (ARN), 88046 Lamezia Terme, Italy
- Correspondence:
| | - Amalia Cecilia Bruni
- Regional Neurogenetic Center (CRN), Department of Primary Care, ASP Catanzaro, 88046 Lamezia Terme, Italy
| | - Donata Luiselli
- Laboratory of Ancient DNA, Department of Cultural Heritage, University of Bologna, Via degli Ariani 1, 48121 Ravenna, Italy
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30
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Yesiltepe M, Yin T, Tambini MD, Breuillaud L, Zehntner SP, D’Adamio L. Late-long-term potentiation magnitude, but not Aβ levels and amyloid pathology, is associated with behavioral performance in a rat knock-in model of Alzheimer disease. Front Aging Neurosci 2022; 14:1040576. [PMID: 36438008 PMCID: PMC9691854 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2022.1040576] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2022] [Accepted: 10/31/2022] [Indexed: 09/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Cleavage of Amyloid precursor protein by β- and γ-secretases lead to Aβ formation. The widely accepted pathogenic model states that these mutations cause AD via an increase in Aβ formation and accumulation of Aβ in Amyloid plaques. APP mutations cause early onset familial forms of Alzheimer's disease (FAD) in humans. We generated App-Swedish (Apps ) knock-in rats, which carry a pathogenic APP mutation in the endogenous rat App gene. This mutation increases β-secretase processing of APP leading to both augmented Aβ production and facilitation of glutamate release in Apps/s rats, via a β-secretase and APP-dependent glutamate release mechanism. Here, we studied 11 to 14-month-old male and female Apps/s rats. To determine whether the Swedish App mutation leads to behavioral deficits, Apps/s knock-in rats were subjected to behavioral analysis using the IntelliCage platform, an automated behavioral testing system. This system allows behavioral assessment in socially housed animals reflecting a more natural, less stress-inducing environment and eliminates experimenter error and bias while increasing precision of measurements. Surprisingly, a spatial discrimination and flexibility task that can reveal deficits in higher order brain function showed that Apps/s females, but not Apps/s male rats, performed significantly worse than same sex controls. Moreover, female control rats performed significantly better than control and Apps/s male rats. The Swedish mutation causes a significant increase in Aβ production in 14-month-old animals of both sexes. Yet, male and female Apps/s rats showed no evidence of AD-related amyloid pathology. Finally, Apps/s rats did not show signs of significant neuroinflammation. Given that the APP Swedish mutation causes alterations in glutamate release, we analyzed Long-term potentiation (LTP), a long-lasting form of synaptic plasticity that is a cellular basis for learning and memory. Strikingly, LTP was significantly increased in Apps/s control females compared to both Apps/s sexes and control males. In conclusion, this study shows that behavioral performances are sex and App-genotype dependent. In addition, they are associated with LTP values and not Aβ or AD-related pathology. These data, and the failures of anti-Aβ therapies in humans, suggest that alternative pathways, such as those leading to LTP dysfunction, should be targeted for disease-modifying AD therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Metin Yesiltepe
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology & Neuroscience, New Jersey Medical School, Brain Health Institute, Jacqueline Krieger Klein Center in Alzheimer’s Disease and Neurodegeneration Research, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Newark, NJ, United States
| | - Tao Yin
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology & Neuroscience, New Jersey Medical School, Brain Health Institute, Jacqueline Krieger Klein Center in Alzheimer’s Disease and Neurodegeneration Research, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Newark, NJ, United States
| | - Marc D. Tambini
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology & Neuroscience, New Jersey Medical School, Brain Health Institute, Jacqueline Krieger Klein Center in Alzheimer’s Disease and Neurodegeneration Research, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Newark, NJ, United States
| | | | | | - Luciano D’Adamio
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology & Neuroscience, New Jersey Medical School, Brain Health Institute, Jacqueline Krieger Klein Center in Alzheimer’s Disease and Neurodegeneration Research, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Newark, NJ, United States
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