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Xue L, Ouyang W, Qi X, Zhang X, Li B, Zhang X, Cui L. Modified histological staining for the identification of arterial and venous segments of brain microvessels. J Neurosci Methods 2024; 409:110214. [PMID: 38960332 DOI: 10.1016/j.jneumeth.2024.110214] [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: 04/08/2024] [Revised: 06/13/2024] [Accepted: 06/28/2024] [Indexed: 07/05/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND This study aimed to develop a modified histochemical staining technique to successfully identify arterial and venous segments of brain microvessels. NEW METHOD Gelatin/red ink-alkaline phosphatase-oil red O (GIAO) staining was developed from the traditional gelatin-ink perfusion method. Oil red Chinese ink for brush writing and painting mixed with gelatin was used to label cerebral vascular lumens. Subsequently, alkaline phosphatase staining was used to label endothelial cells on the arterial segments of cerebral microvessels. Thereafter, the red ink color in vessel lumens was highlighted with oil red O staining. RESULTS The arterial segments of the brain microvessels exhibited red lumens surrounded by dark blue walls, while the venous segments were bright red following GIAO staining. Meanwhile, the nerve fiber bundles were stained brownish-yellow, and the nuclei appeared light green under light microscope. After cerebral infarction, we used GIAO staining to determine angiogenesis features and detected notable vein proliferation inside the infarct core. Moreover, GIAO staining in conjunction with hematoxylin staining was performed to assess the infiltration of foamy macrophages. COMPARISON WITH EXISTING METHOD Red Chinese ink enabled subsequent multiple color staining on brain section. Oil red O was introduced to improved the resolution and contrast between arterial and venous segments of microvessels. CONCLUSION With excellent resolution, GIAO staining effectively distinguished arterial and venous segments of microvessels in both normal and ischemic brain tissue. GIAO staining, as described in the present study, will be useful for histological investigations of microvascular bed alterations in a variety of brain disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luping Xue
- Department of Neurology, The Second Hospital of Hebei medical university, Shijiazhuang, Hebei 050000, China
| | - Wei Ouyang
- Department of Neurology, The Second Hospital of Hebei medical university, Shijiazhuang, Hebei 050000, China
| | - Xiaoru Qi
- Interventional Department of Cerebral Vascular Disease, Cangzhou People's Hospital, Cangzhou, Hebei 061000, China
| | - Xiao Zhang
- Department of Neurology, The Second Hospital of Hebei medical university, Shijiazhuang, Hebei 050000, China
| | - Baodong Li
- Department of Neurology, Cangzhou Hospital of Integrated Traditional and Western Medicine, Cangzhou, Hebei 061000, China.
| | - Xiangjian Zhang
- Department of Neurology, The Second Hospital of Hebei medical university, Shijiazhuang, Hebei 050000, China; Hebei Collaborative Innovation Center for Cardio-cerebrovascular Disease, Shijiazhuang, Hebei 050000, China
| | - Lili Cui
- Department of Neurology, The Second Hospital of Hebei medical university, Shijiazhuang, Hebei 050000, China; Hebei Key Laboratory of Vascular Homeostasis, Shijiazhuang, Heibei 050000, China.
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Mohamed RMSM, Ahmad Ahmad E, Amin DM, Abdo SA, Ibrahim IAAEH, Mahmoud MF, Abdelaal S. Adrenergic receptors blockade alleviates dexamethasone-induced neurotoxicity in adult male Wistar rats: Distinct effects on β-arrestin2 expression and molecular markers of neural injury. Daru 2024; 32:97-108. [PMID: 37966585 PMCID: PMC11087427 DOI: 10.1007/s40199-023-00490-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2023] [Accepted: 11/05/2023] [Indexed: 11/16/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Dexamethasone-induced neurotoxicity has been previously reported. However, the molecular mechanisms are still not completely understood. OBJECTIVES The current work aimed to investigate the modulatory effects of α- and β-adrenergic receptors on dexamethasone-induced neurotoxicity in rats focused on changes in β-arrestin2 and molecular markers of neural injury in cerebral cortex. METHODS Male Wistar rats were subcutaneously injected with dexamethasone (10 mg/kg/day) for 7 days to induce neural injury in the cerebral cortex. The experiment involved 5 groups: control, dexamethasone, carvedilol, propranolol, and doxazosin. In the last 3 groups, drugs were given 2 hours before dexamethasone injection. At the end of experiment, brain samples were collected for measurement of brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), kinase activity of protein kinase B (Akt), diacylglycerol (DAG), α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), Smad3, β-amyloid and phospho-tau protein levels in addition to histopathological examination of brain tissue using hematoxylin-eosin, Nissl, and Sirius red stains. Moreover, β-arrestin2 levels in the cerebral cortex were measured using immunohistochemical examination. RESULTS Dexamethasone slightly reduced brain weight and significantly decreased BDNF, Akt kinase activity and β-arrestin2 but markedly induced degeneration of cortical neurons and significantly increased GFAP, DAG, α-SMA, Smad3, β-amyloid and phospho-tau protein levels compared to controls. Carvedilol, propranolol, and doxazosin reversed all dexamethasone-induced molecular changes and slightly ameliorated the histopathological changes. Carvedilol significantly increased brain weight and β-arrestin2 levels compared to dexamethasone, propranolol, and doxazosin groups. CONCLUSION blocking α- and/or β-adrenergic receptors alleviate dexamethasone-induced neurotoxicity despite their distinct effects on β-arrestin2 levels in the cerebral cortex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rasha M S M Mohamed
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, 44519, Egypt
| | - Enssaf Ahmad Ahmad
- Department of Human Anatomy and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, 44519, Egypt
| | - Dalia M Amin
- Department of Forensic Medicine and Clinical Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, 44519, Egypt
| | - Samar Ahmed Abdo
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, 44519, Egypt
| | - Islam A A E-H Ibrahim
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Zagazig University, Zagazig, 44519, Egypt.
| | - Mona F Mahmoud
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Zagazig University, Zagazig, 44519, Egypt
| | - Shimaa Abdelaal
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Zagazig University, Zagazig, 44519, Egypt
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Yulug B, Altay O, Li X, Hanoglu L, Cankaya S, Lam S, Velioglu HA, Yang H, Coskun E, Idil E, Nogaylar R, Ozsimsek A, Bayram C, Bolat I, Oner S, Tozlu OO, Arslan ME, Hacimuftuoglu A, Yildirim S, Arif M, Shoaie S, Zhang C, Nielsen J, Turkez H, Borén J, Uhlén M, Mardinoglu A. Combined metabolic activators improve cognitive functions in Alzheimer's disease patients: a randomised, double-blinded, placebo-controlled phase-II trial. Transl Neurodegener 2023; 12:4. [PMID: 36703196 PMCID: PMC9879258 DOI: 10.1186/s40035-023-00336-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2022] [Accepted: 01/09/2023] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Alzheimer's disease (AD) is associated with metabolic abnormalities linked to critical elements of neurodegeneration. We recently administered combined metabolic activators (CMA) to the AD rat model and observed that CMA improves the AD-associated histological parameters in the animals. CMA promotes mitochondrial fatty acid uptake from the cytosol, facilitates fatty acid oxidation in the mitochondria, and alleviates oxidative stress. METHODS Here, we designed a randomised, double-blinded, placebo-controlled phase-II clinical trial and studied the effect of CMA administration on the global metabolism of AD patients. One-dose CMA included 12.35 g L-serine (61.75%), 1 g nicotinamide riboside (5%), 2.55 g N-acetyl-L-cysteine (12.75%), and 3.73 g L-carnitine tartrate (18.65%). AD patients received one dose of CMA or placebo daily during the first 28 days and twice daily between day 28 and day 84. The primary endpoint was the difference in the cognitive function and daily living activity scores between the placebo and the treatment arms. The secondary aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and tolerability of CMA. A comprehensive plasma metabolome and proteome analysis was also performed to evaluate the efficacy of the CMA in AD patients. RESULTS We showed a significant decrease of AD Assessment Scale-cognitive subscale (ADAS-Cog) score on day 84 vs day 0 (P = 0.00001, 29% improvement) in the CMA group. Moreover, there was a significant decline (P = 0.0073) in ADAS-Cog scores (improvement of cognitive functions) in the CMA compared to the placebo group in patients with higher ADAS-Cog scores. Improved cognitive functions in AD patients were supported by the relevant alterations in the hippocampal volumes and cortical thickness based on imaging analysis. Moreover, the plasma levels of proteins and metabolites associated with NAD + and glutathione metabolism were significantly improved after CMA treatment. CONCLUSION Our results indicate that treatment of AD patients with CMA can lead to enhanced cognitive functions and improved clinical parameters associated with phenomics, metabolomics, proteomics and imaging analysis. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04044131 Registered 17 July 2019, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04044131.
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Affiliation(s)
- Burak Yulug
- Department of Neurology and Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine, Alanya Alaaddin Keykubat University, Antalya, Turkey
| | - Ozlem Altay
- grid.5037.10000000121581746Science for Life Laboratory, KTH - Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Xiangyu Li
- grid.5037.10000000121581746Science for Life Laboratory, KTH - Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Lutfu Hanoglu
- grid.411781.a0000 0004 0471 9346Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul Medipol University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Seyda Cankaya
- Department of Neurology and Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine, Alanya Alaaddin Keykubat University, Antalya, Turkey
| | - Simon Lam
- grid.13097.3c0000 0001 2322 6764Centre for Host-Microbiome Interaction’s, Faculty of Dentistry, Oral and Craniofacial Sciences, King’s College London, London, UK
| | - Halil Aziz Velioglu
- grid.4714.60000 0004 1937 0626Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden ,grid.411781.a0000 0004 0471 9346Functional Imaging and Cognitive-Affective Neuroscience Lab, Istanbul Medipol University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Hong Yang
- grid.5037.10000000121581746Science for Life Laboratory, KTH - Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Ebru Coskun
- grid.411781.a0000 0004 0471 9346Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul Medipol University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Ezgi Idil
- Department of Neurology and Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine, Alanya Alaaddin Keykubat University, Antalya, Turkey
| | - Rahim Nogaylar
- Department of Neurology and Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine, Alanya Alaaddin Keykubat University, Antalya, Turkey
| | - Ahmet Ozsimsek
- Department of Neurology and Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine, Alanya Alaaddin Keykubat University, Antalya, Turkey
| | - Cemil Bayram
- grid.411445.10000 0001 0775 759XDepartment of Medical Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Atatürk University, Erzurum, Turkey
| | - Ismail Bolat
- grid.411445.10000 0001 0775 759XDepartment of Pathology, Veterinary Faculty, Ataturk University, Erzurum, Turkey
| | - Sena Oner
- grid.448691.60000 0004 0454 905XDepartment of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Faculty of Science, Erzurum Technical University, Erzurum, Turkey
| | - Ozlem Ozdemir Tozlu
- grid.448691.60000 0004 0454 905XDepartment of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Faculty of Science, Erzurum Technical University, Erzurum, Turkey
| | - Mehmet Enes Arslan
- grid.448691.60000 0004 0454 905XDepartment of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Faculty of Science, Erzurum Technical University, Erzurum, Turkey
| | - Ahmet Hacimuftuoglu
- grid.411445.10000 0001 0775 759XDepartment of Medical Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Atatürk University, Erzurum, Turkey
| | - Serkan Yildirim
- grid.411445.10000 0001 0775 759XDepartment of Pathology, Veterinary Faculty, Ataturk University, Erzurum, Turkey
| | - Muhammad Arif
- grid.5037.10000000121581746Science for Life Laboratory, KTH - Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Saeed Shoaie
- grid.5037.10000000121581746Science for Life Laboratory, KTH - Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden ,grid.13097.3c0000 0001 2322 6764Centre for Host-Microbiome Interaction’s, Faculty of Dentistry, Oral and Craniofacial Sciences, King’s College London, London, UK
| | - Cheng Zhang
- grid.5037.10000000121581746Science for Life Laboratory, KTH - Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden ,grid.207374.50000 0001 2189 3846School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jens Nielsen
- grid.5371.00000 0001 0775 6028Department of Biology and Biological Engineering, Chalmers University of Technology, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Hasan Turkez
- grid.411445.10000 0001 0775 759XDepartment of Medical Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Atatürk University, Erzurum, Turkey
| | - Jan Borén
- grid.8761.80000 0000 9919 9582Department of Molecular and Clinical Medicine, University of Gothenburg and Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Mathias Uhlén
- Science for Life Laboratory, KTH - Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Adil Mardinoglu
- Science for Life Laboratory, KTH - Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden. .,Centre for Host-Microbiome Interaction's, Faculty of Dentistry, Oral and Craniofacial Sciences, King's College London, London, UK.
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Calvo-Flores Guzmán B, Elizabeth Chaffey T, Hansika Palpagama T, Waters S, Boix J, Tate WP, Peppercorn K, Dragunow M, Waldvogel HJ, Faull RLM, Kwakowsky A. The Interplay Between Beta-Amyloid 1-42 (Aβ 1-42)-Induced Hippocampal Inflammatory Response, p-tau, Vascular Pathology, and Their Synergistic Contributions to Neuronal Death and Behavioral Deficits. Front Mol Neurosci 2020; 13:522073. [PMID: 33224025 PMCID: PMC7667153 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2020.552073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2020] [Accepted: 09/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD), the most common chronic neurodegenerative disorder, has complex neuropathology. The principal neuropathological hallmarks of the disease are the deposition of extracellular β-amyloid (Aβ) plaques and neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) comprised of hyperphosphorylated tau (p-tau) protein. These changes occur with neuroinflammation, a compromised blood-brain barrier (BBB) integrity, and neuronal synaptic dysfunction, all of which ultimately lead to neuronal cell loss and cognitive deficits in AD. Aβ1-42 was stereotaxically administered bilaterally into the CA1 region of the hippocampi of 18-month-old male C57BL/6 mice. This study aimed to characterize, utilizing immunohistochemistry and behavioral testing, the spatial and temporal effects of Aβ1-42 on a broad set of parameters characteristic of AD: p-tau, neuroinflammation, vascular pathology, pyramidal cell survival, and behavior. Three days after Aβ1-42 injection and before significant neuronal cell loss was detected, acute neuroinflammatory and vascular responses were observed. These responses included the up-regulation of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), cell adhesion molecule-1 (PECAM-1, also known as CD31), fibrinogen labeling, and an increased number of activated astrocytes and microglia in the CA1 region of the hippocampus. From day 7, there was significant pyramidal cell loss in the CA1 region of the hippocampus, and by 30 days, significant localized up-regulation of p-tau, GFAP, Iba-1, CD31, and alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) in the Aβ1-42-injected mice compared with controls. These molecular changes in Aβ1-42-injected mice were accompanied by cognitive deterioration, as demonstrated by long-term spatial memory impairment. This study is reporting a comprehensive examination of a complex set of parameters associated with intrahippocampal administration of Aβ1-42 in mice, their spatiotemporal interactions and combined contribution to the disease progression. We show that a single Aβ injection can reproduce aspects of the inflammatory, vascular, and p-tau induced pathology occurring in the AD human brain that lead to cognitive deficits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beatriz Calvo-Flores Guzmán
- Centre for Brain Research, Department of Anatomy and Medical Imaging, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Tessa Elizabeth Chaffey
- Centre for Brain Research, Department of Anatomy and Medical Imaging, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Thulani Hansika Palpagama
- Centre for Brain Research, Department of Anatomy and Medical Imaging, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Sarah Waters
- Centre for Brain Research, Department of Anatomy and Medical Imaging, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Jordi Boix
- Centre for Brain Research, NeuroDiscovery Behavioural Unit, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Warren Perry Tate
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Katie Peppercorn
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Michael Dragunow
- Centre for Brain Research, Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Henry John Waldvogel
- Centre for Brain Research, Department of Anatomy and Medical Imaging, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Richard Lewis Maxwell Faull
- Centre for Brain Research, Department of Anatomy and Medical Imaging, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Andrea Kwakowsky
- Centre for Brain Research, Department of Anatomy and Medical Imaging, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
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Pardridge WM. The Isolated Brain Microvessel: A Versatile Experimental Model of the Blood-Brain Barrier. Front Physiol 2020; 11:398. [PMID: 32457645 PMCID: PMC7221163 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2020.00398] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2020] [Accepted: 04/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
A versatile experimental model for the investigation of the blood-brain barrier (BBB), including the neuro-vascular unit, is the isolated brain microvessel preparation. Brain microvessels are primarily comprised of endothelial cells, but also include pericytes, pre-capillary arteriolar smooth muscle cells, astrocyte foot processes, and occasional nerve endings. These microvessels can be isolated from brain with a 3 h procedure, and the microvessels are free of brain parenchyma. Brain microvessels have been isolated from fresh animal brain, fresh human brain obtained at neurosurgery, as well as fresh or frozen autopsy human brain. Brain microvessels are the starting point for isolation of brain microvessel RNA, which then enables the production of BBB cDNA libraries and a genomics analysis of the brain microvasculature. Brain microvessels, combined with quantitative targeted absolute proteomics, allow for the quantitation of specific transporters or receptors expressed at the brain microvasculature. Brain microvessels, combined with specific antibodies and immune labeling of isolated capillaries, allow for the cellular location of proteins expressed within the neuro-vascular unit. Isolated brain microvessels can be used as an “in vitro” preparation of the BBB for the study of the kinetic parameters of BBB carrier-mediated transport (CMT) systems, or for the determination of dissociation constants of peptide binding to BBB receptor-mediated transport (RMT) systems expressed at either the animal or the human BBB. This review will discuss how the isolated brain microvessel model system has advanced our understanding of the organization and functional properties of the BBB, and highlight recent renewed interest in this 50 year old model of the BBB.
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Affiliation(s)
- William M Pardridge
- Department of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States
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6
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Lai WF, Wong WT. Roles of the actin cytoskeleton in aging and age-associated diseases. Ageing Res Rev 2020; 58:101021. [PMID: 31968269 DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2020.101021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2019] [Revised: 01/06/2020] [Accepted: 01/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The integrity of the cytoskeleton is essential to diverse cellular processes such as phagocytosis and intracellular trafficking. Disruption of the organization and dynamics of the actin cytoskeleton leads to age-associated symptoms and diseases, ranging from cancer to neurodegeneration. In addition, changes in the integrity of the actin cytoskeleton disrupt the functioning of not only somatic and stem cells but also gametes, resulting in aberrant embryonic development. Strategies to preserve the integrity and dynamics of the cytoskeleton are, therefore, potentially therapeutic to age-related disorders. The objective of this article is to revisit the current understanding of the roles played by the actin cytoskeleton in aging, and to review the opportunities and challenges for the transition of basic research into intervention development. It is hoped that, with the snapshot of evidence regarding changes in actin dynamics with advanced age, insights into future research directions can be attained.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wing-Fu Lai
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shenzhen University, PR China; School of Life and Health Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, PR China; Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, PR China.
| | - Wing-Tak Wong
- Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, PR China
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7
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Bourassa P, Tremblay C, Schneider JA, Bennett DA, Calon F. Brain mural cell loss in the parietal cortex in Alzheimer's disease correlates with cognitive decline and TDP-43 pathology. Neuropathol Appl Neurobiol 2020; 46:458-477. [PMID: 31970820 DOI: 10.1111/nan.12599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2019] [Revised: 01/12/2020] [Accepted: 01/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
AIMS Brain mural cells (BMC), smooth muscle cells and pericytes, interact closely with endothelial cells and modulate numerous cerebrovascular functions. A loss of BMC function is suspected to play a role in the pathophysiology of Alzheimer's Disease (AD). METHODS BMC markers, namely smooth muscle alpha actin (α-SMA) for smooth muscle cells, as well as platelet-derived growth factor receptor β (PDGFRβ) and aminopeptidase N (ANPEP or CD13) for pericytes, were assessed by Western immunoblotting in microvessel extracts from the parietal cortex of 60 participants of the Religious Orders study, with ages at death ranging from 75 to 98 years old. RESULTS Participants clinically diagnosed with AD had lower vascular levels of α-SMA, PDGFRβ and CD13. These reductions were correlated with lower cognitive scores for global cognition, episodic and semantic memory, perceptual speed and visuospatial ability. In addition, α-SMA, PDGFRβ and CD13 were negatively correlated with vascular Aβ40 concentrations. Vascular levels of BMC markers were also inversely correlated with insoluble cleaved phosphorylated transactive response DNA binding protein 43 (TDP-43) (25 kDa) and positively correlated with soluble cleaved phosphorylated TDP-43 (35 kDa) in cortical homogenates, suggesting strong association between BMC loss and cleaved phosphorylated TDP-43 aggregation. CONCLUSIONS The results of this study highlight a loss of BMC in AD. The associations between α-SMA, PDGFRβ and CD13 vascular levels with cognitive scores, TDP-43 aggregation and cerebrovascular accumulation of Aβ in the parietal cortex suggest that BMC loss contributes to both AD symptoms and pathology, further strengthening the link between cerebrovascular defects and dementia.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Bourassa
- Faculté de pharmacie, Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada.,Axe Neurosciences, Centre de recherche du CHU de Québec, Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada
| | - C Tremblay
- Axe Neurosciences, Centre de recherche du CHU de Québec, Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada
| | - J A Schneider
- Rush Alzheimer's Disease Center, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - D A Bennett
- Rush Alzheimer's Disease Center, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - F Calon
- Faculté de pharmacie, Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada.,Axe Neurosciences, Centre de recherche du CHU de Québec, Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada
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8
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Ucar B, Humpel C. Therapeutic efficacy of glial cell-derived neurotrophic factor loaded collagen scaffolds in ex vivo organotypic brain slice Parkinson’s disease models. Brain Res Bull 2019; 149:86-95. [DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2019.04.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2019] [Revised: 04/09/2019] [Accepted: 04/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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9
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Kniewallner KM, Foidl BM, Humpel C. Platelets isolated from an Alzheimer mouse damage healthy cortical vessels and cause inflammation in an organotypic ex vivo brain slice model. Sci Rep 2018; 8:15483. [PMID: 30341392 PMCID: PMC6195547 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-33768-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2017] [Accepted: 10/06/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Platelets are anuclear blood cells and play a major role in hemostasis and thrombosis. Platelets express amyloid-precursor protein (APP), release beta-amyloid (Aβ) and are stimulated (pre-activated) in Alzheimer's disease (AD). We hypothesize that such stimulated platelets severely damage brain vessels which subsequently leads to cerebrovascular damage in AD. In order to study this issue we isolated platelets from AD mice (expressing APP with the Swedish-Dutch-Iowa mutations), labeled them with the red fluorescent dye PKH26 and transcardially infused these freshly isolated platelets into the brains of anesthetized healthy C57BL6 wildtype mice. Brains were immediately taken, 110 µm thick organotypic brain slices prepared and cultured for 1 or 14 days. We observed that red PKH26+ fluorescent platelets were localized in collagen IV and Lectin-649 counterstained cortical brain vessels and that platelets from AD mice severely damaged cortical brain vessels in wildtype mice and entered the brain parenchyma. Confocal microscopy showed immunoreactivity for matrix metalloproteinases (MMP-2 and MMP-9) and beta-amyloid around these platelets. The effect was completely inhibited with an MMP inhibitor. Furthermore, isolated AD platelets caused inflammation and activated microglia around the site where platelets damaged cortical brain vessels. We conclude that AD-derived platelets more aggressively damage healthy vessels which may consequently play a role in the progression of cerebral amyloid angiopathy in AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathrin M Kniewallner
- Laboratory of Psychiatry and Exp. Alzheimer's Research, Department of Psychiatry I, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Bettina M Foidl
- Laboratory of Psychiatry and Exp. Alzheimer's Research, Department of Psychiatry I, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Christian Humpel
- Laboratory of Psychiatry and Exp. Alzheimer's Research, Department of Psychiatry I, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria.
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