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Zhang J, Zhang Y, Wang J, Xia Y, Zhang J, Chen L. Recent advances in Alzheimer's disease: Mechanisms, clinical trials and new drug development strategies. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2024; 9:211. [PMID: 39174535 PMCID: PMC11344989 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-024-01911-3] [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: 11/09/2023] [Revised: 03/18/2024] [Accepted: 07/02/2024] [Indexed: 08/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) stands as the predominant form of dementia, presenting significant and escalating global challenges. Its etiology is intricate and diverse, stemming from a combination of factors such as aging, genetics, and environment. Our current understanding of AD pathologies involves various hypotheses, such as the cholinergic, amyloid, tau protein, inflammatory, oxidative stress, metal ion, glutamate excitotoxicity, microbiota-gut-brain axis, and abnormal autophagy. Nonetheless, unraveling the interplay among these pathological aspects and pinpointing the primary initiators of AD require further elucidation and validation. In the past decades, most clinical drugs have been discontinued due to limited effectiveness or adverse effects. Presently, available drugs primarily offer symptomatic relief and often accompanied by undesirable side effects. However, recent approvals of aducanumab (1) and lecanemab (2) by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) present the potential in disrease-modifying effects. Nevertheless, the long-term efficacy and safety of these drugs need further validation. Consequently, the quest for safer and more effective AD drugs persists as a formidable and pressing task. This review discusses the current understanding of AD pathogenesis, advances in diagnostic biomarkers, the latest updates of clinical trials, and emerging technologies for AD drug development. We highlight recent progress in the discovery of selective inhibitors, dual-target inhibitors, allosteric modulators, covalent inhibitors, proteolysis-targeting chimeras (PROTACs), and protein-protein interaction (PPI) modulators. Our goal is to provide insights into the prospective development and clinical application of novel AD drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jifa Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Laboratory of Neuro-system and Multimorbidity and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Yinglu Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Laboratory of Neuro-system and Multimorbidity and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Jiaxing Wang
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, 38163, TN, USA
| | - Yilin Xia
- Department of Neurology, Laboratory of Neuro-system and Multimorbidity and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Jiaxian Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Laboratory of Neuro-system and Multimorbidity and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China
| | - Lei Chen
- Department of Neurology, Laboratory of Neuro-system and Multimorbidity and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan, China.
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2
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Lista S, Imbimbo BP, Grasso M, Fidilio A, Emanuele E, Minoretti P, López-Ortiz S, Martín-Hernández J, Gabelle A, Caruso G, Malaguti M, Melchiorri D, Santos-Lozano A, Imbimbo C, Heneka MT, Caraci F. Tracking neuroinflammatory biomarkers in Alzheimer's disease: a strategy for individualized therapeutic approaches? J Neuroinflammation 2024; 21:187. [PMID: 39080712 PMCID: PMC11289964 DOI: 10.1186/s12974-024-03163-y] [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: 05/29/2024] [Accepted: 06/28/2024] [Indexed: 08/02/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recent trials of anti-amyloid-β (Aβ) monoclonal antibodies, including lecanemab and donanemab, in early Alzheimer disease (AD) showed that these drugs have limited clinical benefits and their use comes with a significant risk of serious adverse events. Thus, it seems crucial to explore complementary therapeutic approaches. Genome-wide association studies identified robust associations between AD and several AD risk genes related to immune response, including but not restricted to CD33 and TREM2. Here, we critically reviewed the current knowledge on candidate neuroinflammatory biomarkers and their role in characterizing the pathophysiology of AD. MAIN BODY Neuroinflammation is recognized to be a crucial and contributing component of AD pathogenesis. The fact that neuroinflammation is most likely present from earliest pre-stages of AD and co-occurs with the deposition of Aβ reinforces the need to precisely define the sequence and nature of neuroinflammatory events. Numerous clinical trials involving anti-inflammatory drugs previously yielded unfavorable outcomes in early and mild-to-moderate AD. Although the reasons behind these failures remain unclear, these may include the time and the target selected for intervention. Indeed, in our review, we observed a stage-dependent neuroinflammatory process in the AD brain. While the initial activation of glial cells counteracts early brain Aβ deposition, the downregulation in the functional state of microglia occurs at more advanced disease stages. To address this issue, personalized neuroinflammatory modulation therapy is required. The emergence of reliable blood-based neuroinflammatory biomarkers, particularly glial fibrillary acidic protein, a marker of reactive astrocytes, may facilitate the classification of AD patients based on the ATI(N) biomarker framework. This expands upon the traditional classification of Aβ ("A"), tau ("T"), and neurodegeneration ("N"), by incorporating a novel inflammatory component ("I"). CONCLUSIONS The present review outlines the current knowledge on potential neuroinflammatory biomarkers and, importantly, emphasizes the role of longitudinal analyses, which are needed to accurately monitor the dynamics of cerebral inflammation. Such a precise information on time and place will be required before anti-inflammatory therapeutic interventions can be considered for clinical evaluation. We propose that an effective anti-neuroinflammatory therapy should specifically target microglia and astrocytes, while considering the individual ATI(N) status of patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simone Lista
- i+HeALTH Strategic Research Group, Department of Health Sciences, Miguel de Cervantes European University (UEMC), 47012, Valladolid, Spain.
| | - Bruno P Imbimbo
- Department of Research and Development, Chiesi Farmaceutici, 43122, Parma, Italy
| | | | | | | | | | - Susana López-Ortiz
- i+HeALTH Strategic Research Group, Department of Health Sciences, Miguel de Cervantes European University (UEMC), 47012, Valladolid, Spain
| | - Juan Martín-Hernández
- i+HeALTH Strategic Research Group, Department of Health Sciences, Miguel de Cervantes European University (UEMC), 47012, Valladolid, Spain
| | - Audrey Gabelle
- CMRR, Memory Resources and Research Center, Montpellier University of Excellence i-site, 34295, Montpellier, France
| | - Giuseppe Caruso
- Oasi Research Institute-IRCCS, 94018, Troina, Italy
- Department of Drug and Health Sciences, University of Catania, 95125, Catania, Italy
| | - Marco Malaguti
- Department for Life Quality Studies, Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, 40126, Bologna, Italy
| | - Daniela Melchiorri
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sapienza University, 00185, Rome, Italy
| | - Alejandro Santos-Lozano
- i+HeALTH Strategic Research Group, Department of Health Sciences, Miguel de Cervantes European University (UEMC), 47012, Valladolid, Spain
- Physical Activity and Health Research Group (PaHerg), Research Institute of the Hospital, 12 de Octubre ('imas12'), 28041, Madrid, Spain
| | - Camillo Imbimbo
- Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, 27100, Pavia, Italy
| | - Michael T Heneka
- Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine, University of Luxembourg, 4367, Esch-Belval, Luxembourg.
| | - Filippo Caraci
- Oasi Research Institute-IRCCS, 94018, Troina, Italy.
- Department of Drug and Health Sciences, University of Catania, 95125, Catania, Italy.
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3
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Qian M, Zhong J, Lu Z, Zhang W, Weng M, Zhang K, Jin Y. Bibliometric Analysis of TREM2 (2001-2022): Trends, Hotspots and Prospects in Human Disease. Int J Med Sci 2024; 21:1852-1865. [PMID: 39113887 PMCID: PMC11302561 DOI: 10.7150/ijms.96851] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2024] [Accepted: 07/03/2024] [Indexed: 08/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Background: Triggering receptor expressed in myeloid cells 2 (TREM2), a transmembrane receptor, has garnered extensive research attention due to its pivotal role in the diagnosis and treatment of various diseases. Despite the abundance of studies on its function, there is a gap in comprehensive analysis and summarization of the current state of this research field. Methods: Articles and reviews related to TREM2 were retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection (WOSCC) on October 1, 2023. A bibliometric analysis of TREM2 was conducted using CiteSpace, VOSviewer and Bibliometrix (R package). Results: A total of 1,502 articles, spanning from 2001 to 2022, met the search criteria. The number of publications and citations has increased steadily over the years. The United States and China are the most active countries in TREM2 research, with the University of Washington as the leading research institution. The most influential journal in the field is Neurology of Aging. The predominant research areas include molecular, biology and immunology. Alzheimer's disease, microglia, variants, and inflammation are significant keywords. Emerging directions such as metabolism and tumor microenvironment have recently gained attention in numerous studies. Conclusion: The current study utilizes bibliometric analysis software and visual graphics to intuitively highlight TREM2-related hotspots, trends, and prospects in human disease. Such insights are valuable for scholars seeking a deeper understanding of TREM2-related research progress, enabling a focused approach to its application in human disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minyue Qian
- Department of Anesthesiology, Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jia Zhong
- Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Zhongteng Lu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Wenyuan Zhang
- Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health, Hangzhou, Hangzhou, China
| | - Mengcao Weng
- Department of Anesthesiology, Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Kai Zhang
- Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yue Jin
- Department of Anesthesiology, Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
- Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health, Hangzhou, Hangzhou, China
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Nabizadeh F, Seyedmirzaei H, Karami S. Neuroimaging biomarkers and CSF sTREM2 levels in Alzheimer's disease: a longitudinal study. Sci Rep 2024; 14:15318. [PMID: 38961148 PMCID: PMC11222555 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-66211-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2023] [Accepted: 06/28/2024] [Indexed: 07/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Understanding the exact pathophysiological mechanisms underlying the involvement of triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2 (TREM2) related microglia activation is crucial for the development of clinical trials targeting microglia activation at different stages of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Given the contradictory findings in the literature, it is imperative to investigate the longitudinal alterations in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) soluble TREM2 (sTREM2) levels as a marker for microglia activation, and its potential association with AD biomarkers, in order to address the current knowledge gap. In this study, we aimed to assess the longitudinal changes in CSF sTREM2 levels within the framework of the A/T/N classification system for AD biomarkers and to explore potential associations with AD pathological features, including the presence of amyloid-beta (Aβ) plaques and tau aggregates. The baseline and longitudinal (any available follow-up visit) CSF sTREM2 levels and processed tau-PET and Aβ-PET data of 1001 subjects were recruited from the ADNI database. The participants were classified into four groups based on the A/T/N framework: A+ /TN+ , A+ /TN- , A- /TN+ , and A- /TN- . Linear regression analyses were conducted to assess the relationship between CSF sTREM2 with cognitive performance, tau and Aβ-PET adjusting for age, gender, education, and APOE ε4 status. Based on our analysis there was a significant difference in baseline and rate of change of CSF sTREM2 between ATN groups. While there was no association between baseline CSF sTREM2 and cognitive performance (ADNI-mem), we found that the rate of change of CSF sTREM2 is significantly associated with cognitive performance in the entire cohort but not the ATN groups. We found that the baseline CSF sTREM2 is significantly associated with baseline tau-PET and Aβ-PET rate of change only in the A+ /TN+ group. A significant association was found between the rate of change of CSF sTREM2 and the tau- and Aβ-PET rate of change only in the A+ /TN- group. Our study suggests that the TREM2-related microglia activation and their relations with AD markers and cognitive performance vary the in presence or absence of Aβ and tau pathology. Furthermore, our findings revealed that a faster increase in the level of CSF sTREM2 might attenuate future Aβ plaque formation and tau aggregate accumulation only in the presence of Aβ pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fardin Nabizadeh
- School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
- Alzheimer's Disease Institute, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Homa Seyedmirzaei
- School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran
- Interdisciplinary Neuroscience Research Program (INRP), Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Shaghayegh Karami
- School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran
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5
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Wang R, Zhan Y, Zhu W, Yang Q, Pei J. Association of soluble TREM2 with Alzheimer's disease and mild cognitive impairment: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Front Aging Neurosci 2024; 16:1407980. [PMID: 38841103 PMCID: PMC11150578 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2024.1407980] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2024] [Accepted: 05/03/2024] [Indexed: 06/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Objective Soluble triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2 (sTREM2) is a potential neuroinflammatory biomarker linked to the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Previous studies have produced inconsistent results regarding sTREM2 levels in various clinical stages of AD. This study aims to establish the correlation between sTREM2 levels and AD progression through a meta-analysis of sTREM2 levels in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and blood. Methods Comprehensive searches were conducted in PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library to identify observational studies reporting CSF and blood sTREM2 levels in AD patients, MCI patients, and healthy controls. A random effects meta-analysis was used to calculate the standardized mean difference (SMD) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results Thirty-six observational studies involving 3,016 AD patients, 3,533 MCI patients, and 4,510 healthy controls were included. CSF sTREM2 levels were significantly higher in both the AD [SMD = 0.28, 95% CI (0.15, 0.41)] and MCI groups [SMD = 0.30, 95% CI (0.13, 0.47)] compared to the healthy control group. However, no significant differences in expression were detected between the AD and MCI groups [SMD = 0.09, 95% CI (-0.09, 0.26)]. Furthermore, increased plasma sTREM2 levels were associated with a higher risk of AD [SMD = 0.42, 95% CI (0.01, 0.83)]. Conclusion CSF sTREM2 levels are positively associated with an increased risk of AD and MCI. Plasma sTREM2 levels were notably higher in the AD group than in the control group and may serve as a promising biomarker for diagnosing AD. However, sTREM2 levels are not effective for distinguishing between different disease stages of AD. Further investigations are needed to explore the longitudinal changes in sTREM2 levels, particularly plasma sTREM2 levels, during AD progression. Systematic review registration https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42024514593.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Jian Pei
- Department of Acupuncture, Longhua Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
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6
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Krix S, Wilczynski E, Falgàs N, Sánchez-Valle R, Yoles E, Nevo U, Baruch K, Fröhlich H. Towards early diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease: advances in immune-related blood biomarkers and computational approaches. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1343900. [PMID: 38720902 PMCID: PMC11078023 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1343900] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2023] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease has an increasing prevalence in the population world-wide, yet current diagnostic methods based on recommended biomarkers are only available in specialized clinics. Due to these circumstances, Alzheimer's disease is usually diagnosed late, which contrasts with the currently available treatment options that are only effective for patients at an early stage. Blood-based biomarkers could fill in the gap of easily accessible and low-cost methods for early diagnosis of the disease. In particular, immune-based blood-biomarkers might be a promising option, given the recently discovered cross-talk of immune cells of the central nervous system with those in the peripheral immune system. Here, we give a background on recent advances in research on brain-immune system cross-talk in Alzheimer's disease and review machine learning approaches, which can combine multiple biomarkers with further information (e.g. age, sex, APOE genotype) into predictive models supporting an earlier diagnosis. In addition, mechanistic modeling approaches, such as agent-based modeling open the possibility to model and analyze cell dynamics over time. This review aims to provide an overview of the current state of immune-system related blood-based biomarkers and their potential for the early diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophia Krix
- Department of Bioinformatics, Fraunhofer Institute for Algorithms and Scientific Computing (SCAI), Sankt Augustin, Germany
- Bonn-Aachen International Center for Information Technology (b-it), University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Ella Wilczynski
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Iby and Aladar Fleischman Faculty of Engineering, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Neus Falgàs
- Alzheimer’s Disease and Other Cognitive Disorders Unit, Neurology Service, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, Fundació de Recerca Clínic Barcelona-Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (FCRB-IDIBAPS), University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Raquel Sánchez-Valle
- Alzheimer’s Disease and Other Cognitive Disorders Unit, Neurology Service, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, Fundació de Recerca Clínic Barcelona-Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (FCRB-IDIBAPS), University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Eti Yoles
- ImmunoBrain Checkpoint Ltd., Rechovot, Israel
| | - Uri Nevo
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Iby and Aladar Fleischman Faculty of Engineering, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Kuti Baruch
- ImmunoBrain Checkpoint Ltd., Rechovot, Israel
| | - Holger Fröhlich
- Department of Bioinformatics, Fraunhofer Institute for Algorithms and Scientific Computing (SCAI), Sankt Augustin, Germany
- Bonn-Aachen International Center for Information Technology (b-it), University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
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7
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Wang S, Xie S, Zheng Q, Zhang Z, Wang T, Zhang G. Biofluid biomarkers for Alzheimer's disease. Front Aging Neurosci 2024; 16:1380237. [PMID: 38659704 PMCID: PMC11039951 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2024.1380237] [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: 02/01/2024] [Accepted: 03/27/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a multifactorial neurodegenerative disease, with a complex pathogenesis and an irreversible course. Therefore, the early diagnosis of AD is particularly important for the intervention, prevention, and treatment of the disease. Based on the different pathophysiological mechanisms of AD, the research progress of biofluid biomarkers are classified and reviewed. In the end, the challenges and perspectives of future research are proposed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sensen Wang
- Shandong Yinfeng Academy of Life Science, Jinan, Shandong, China
- School of Pharmacy, Key Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology and Drug Evaluation, Ministry of Education, Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Drug Delivery System and Biotech Drugs in Universities of Shandong, Yantai University, Yantai, Shandong, China
| | - Sitan Xie
- Shandong Yinfeng Academy of Life Science, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Qinpin Zheng
- Shandong Yinfeng Academy of Life Science, Jinan, Shandong, China
- School of Pharmacy, Key Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology and Drug Evaluation, Ministry of Education, Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Drug Delivery System and Biotech Drugs in Universities of Shandong, Yantai University, Yantai, Shandong, China
| | - Zhihui Zhang
- Shandong Yinfeng Academy of Life Science, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Tian Wang
- School of Pharmacy, Key Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology and Drug Evaluation, Ministry of Education, Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Drug Delivery System and Biotech Drugs in Universities of Shandong, Yantai University, Yantai, Shandong, China
| | - Guirong Zhang
- Shandong Yinfeng Academy of Life Science, Jinan, Shandong, China
- School of Pharmacy, Key Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology and Drug Evaluation, Ministry of Education, Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Drug Delivery System and Biotech Drugs in Universities of Shandong, Yantai University, Yantai, Shandong, China
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Besteher B, Rocktäschel T, Garza AP, Machnik M, Ballez J, Helbing DL, Finke K, Reuken P, Güllmar D, Gaser C, Walter M, Opel N, Rita Dunay I. Cortical thickness alterations and systemic inflammation define long-COVID patients with cognitive impairment. Brain Behav Immun 2024; 116:175-184. [PMID: 38036270 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2023.11.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2023] [Revised: 10/26/2023] [Accepted: 11/23/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023] Open
Abstract
As the heterogeneity of symptoms is increasingly recognized among long-COVID patients, it appears highly relevant to study potential pathophysiological differences along the different subtypes. Preliminary evidence suggests distinct alterations in brain structure and systemic inflammatory patterns in specific groups of long-COVID patients. To this end, we analyzed differences in cortical thickness and peripheral immune signature between clinical subgroups based on 3 T-MRI scans and signature inflammatory markers in n = 120 participants comprising healthy never-infected controls (n = 30), healthy COVID-19 survivors (n = 29), and subgroups of long-COVID patients with (n = 26) and without (n = 35) cognitive impairment according to screening with Montreal Cognitive Assessment. Whole-brain comparison of cortical thickness between the 4 groups was conducted by surface-based morphometry. We identified distinct cortical areas showing a progressive increase in cortical thickness across different groups, starting from healthy individuals who had never been infected with COVID-19, followed by healthy COVID-19 survivors, long-COVID patients without cognitive deficits (MoCA ≥ 26), and finally, long-COVID patients exhibiting significant cognitive deficits (MoCA < 26). These findings highlight the continuum of cortical thickness alterations associated with COVID-19, with more pronounced changes observed in individuals experiencing cognitive impairment (p < 0.05, FWE-corrected). Affected cortical regions covered prefrontal and temporal gyri, insula, posterior cingulate, parahippocampal gyrus, and parietal areas. Additionally, we discovered a distinct immunophenotype, with elevated levels of IL-10, IFNγ, and sTREM2 in long-COVID patients, especially in the group suffering from cognitive impairment. We demonstrate lingering cortical and immunological alterations in healthy and impaired subgroups of COVID-19 survivors. This implies a complex underlying pathomechanism in long-COVID and emphasizes the necessity to investigate the whole spectrum of post-COVID biology to determine targeted treatment strategies targeting specific sub-groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bianca Besteher
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Jena University Hospital, Germany; German Center for Mental Health (DZPG), Germany; Center for Intervention and Research on Adaptive and Maladaptive Brain Circuits Underlying Mental Health (C-I-R-C), Halle-Jena-Magdeburg, Germany.
| | - Tonia Rocktäschel
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Jena University Hospital, Germany; German Center for Mental Health (DZPG), Germany; Center for Intervention and Research on Adaptive and Maladaptive Brain Circuits Underlying Mental Health (C-I-R-C), Halle-Jena-Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Alejandra P Garza
- Institute of Inflammation and Neurodegeneration, Otto-von-Guericke-University, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Marlene Machnik
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Jena University Hospital, Germany
| | - Johanna Ballez
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Jena University Hospital, Germany
| | - Dario-Lucas Helbing
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Jena University Hospital, Germany; German Center for Mental Health (DZPG), Germany; Center for Intervention and Research on Adaptive and Maladaptive Brain Circuits Underlying Mental Health (C-I-R-C), Halle-Jena-Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Kathrin Finke
- Department of Neurology, Jena University Hospital, Germany
| | - Philipp Reuken
- Department of Internal Medicine IV, Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Infectious Diseases, Jena University Hospital, Germany
| | - Daniel Güllmar
- Medical Physics Group, Institute of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Jena University Hospital - Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Germany
| | - Christian Gaser
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Jena University Hospital, Germany; German Center for Mental Health (DZPG), Germany; Center for Intervention and Research on Adaptive and Maladaptive Brain Circuits Underlying Mental Health (C-I-R-C), Halle-Jena-Magdeburg, Germany; Department of Neurology, Jena University Hospital, Germany
| | - Martin Walter
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Jena University Hospital, Germany; German Center for Mental Health (DZPG), Germany; Center for Intervention and Research on Adaptive and Maladaptive Brain Circuits Underlying Mental Health (C-I-R-C), Halle-Jena-Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Nils Opel
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Jena University Hospital, Germany; German Center for Mental Health (DZPG), Germany; Center for Intervention and Research on Adaptive and Maladaptive Brain Circuits Underlying Mental Health (C-I-R-C), Halle-Jena-Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Ildiko Rita Dunay
- German Center for Mental Health (DZPG), Germany; Center for Intervention and Research on Adaptive and Maladaptive Brain Circuits Underlying Mental Health (C-I-R-C), Halle-Jena-Magdeburg, Germany; Institute of Inflammation and Neurodegeneration, Otto-von-Guericke-University, Magdeburg, Germany
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9
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Weyer MP, Strehle J, Schäfer MKE, Tegeder I. Repurposing of pexidartinib for microglia depletion and renewal. Pharmacol Ther 2024; 253:108565. [PMID: 38052308 DOI: 10.1016/j.pharmthera.2023.108565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2023] [Revised: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 12/07/2023]
Abstract
Pexidartinib (PLX3397) is a small molecule receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor of colony stimulating factor 1 receptor (CSF1R) with moderate selectivity over other members of the platelet derived growth factor receptor family. It is approved for treatment of tenosynovial giant cell tumors (TGCT). CSF1R is highly expressed by microglia, which are macrophages of the central nervous system (CNS) that defend the CNS against injury and pathogens and contribute to synapse development and plasticity. Challenged by pathogens, apoptotic cells, debris, or inflammatory molecules they adopt a responsive state to propagate the inflammation and eventually return to a homeostatic state. The phenotypic switch may fail, and disease-associated microglia contribute to the pathophysiology in neurodegenerative or neuropsychiatric diseases or long-lasting detrimental brain inflammation after brain, spinal cord or nerve injury or ischemia/hemorrhage. Microglia also contribute to the growth permissive tumor microenvironment of glioblastoma (GBM). In rodents, continuous treatment for 1-2 weeks via pexidartinib food pellets leads to a depletion of microglia and subsequent repopulation from the remaining fraction, which is aided by peripheral monocytes that search empty niches for engraftment. The putative therapeutic benefit of such microglia depletion or forced renewal has been assessed in almost any rodent model of CNS disease or injury or GBM with heterogeneous outcomes, but a tendency of partial beneficial effects. So far, microglia monitoring e.g. via positron emission imaging is not standard of care for patients receiving Pexidartinib (e.g. for TGCT), so that the depletion and repopulation efficiency in humans is still largely unknown. Considering the virtuous functions of microglia, continuous depletion is likely no therapeutic option but short-lasting transient partial depletion to stimulate microglia renewal or replace microglia in genetic disease in combination with e.g. stem cell transplantation or as part of a multimodal concept in treatment of glioblastoma appears feasible. The present review provides an overview of the preclinical evidence pro and contra microglia depletion as a therapeutic approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marc-Philipp Weyer
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Faculty of Medicine, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Jenny Strehle
- Department of Anesthesiology, University Medical Center Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Germany
| | - Michael K E Schäfer
- Department of Anesthesiology, University Medical Center Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz, Germany
| | - Irmgard Tegeder
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Faculty of Medicine, Frankfurt, Germany.
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10
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Woo MS, Nilsson J, Therriault J, Rahmouni N, Brinkmalm A, Benedet AL, Ashton NJ, Macedo AC, Servaes S, Wang YT, Tissot C, Arias JF, Hosseini SA, Chamoun M, Lussier FZ, Karikari TK, Stevenson J, Mayer C, Ferrari-Souza JP, Kobayashi E, Massarweh G, Friese MA, Pascoal TA, Gauthier S, Zetterberg H, Blennow K, Rosa-Neto P. 14-3-3 [Formula: see text]-reported early synaptic injury in Alzheimer's disease is independently mediated by sTREM2. J Neuroinflammation 2023; 20:278. [PMID: 38001539 PMCID: PMC10675887 DOI: 10.1186/s12974-023-02962-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2023] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Synaptic loss is closely associated with tau aggregation and microglia activation in later stages of Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, synaptic damage happens early in AD at the very early stages of tau accumulation. It remains unclear whether microglia activation independently causes synaptic cleavage before tau aggregation appears. METHODS We investigated 104 participants across the AD continuum by measuring 14-3-3 zeta/delta ([Formula: see text]) as a cerebrospinal fluid biomarker for synaptic degradation, and fluid and imaging biomarkers of tau, amyloidosis, astrogliosis, neurodegeneration, and inflammation. We performed correlation analyses in cognitively unimpaired and impaired participants and used structural equation models to estimate the impact of microglia activation on synaptic injury in different disease stages. RESULTS 14-3-3 [Formula: see text] was increased in participants with amyloid pathology at the early stages of tau aggregation before hippocampal volume loss was detectable. 14-3-3 [Formula: see text] correlated with amyloidosis and tau load in all participants but only with biomarkers of neurodegeneration and memory deficits in cognitively unimpaired participants. This early synaptic damage was independently mediated by sTREM2. At later disease stages, tau and astrogliosis additionally mediated synaptic loss. CONCLUSIONS Our results advertise that sTREM2 is mediating synaptic injury at the early stages of tau accumulation, underlining the importance of microglia activation for AD disease propagation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcel S Woo
- Institute of Neuroimmunology and Multiple Sclerosis, University Medical Center Hamburg Eppendorf, Falkenried 94, 20251 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Johanna Nilsson
- Clinical Neurochemistry Laboratory, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, 40530 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Joseph Therriault
- Translational Neuroimaging Laboratory, McGill Research Centre for Studies in Aging, 6875 La Salle Blvd, FBC Room 3149, Montreal, QC H4H 1R3 Canada
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, QC H4H 1R3 Canada
| | - Nesrine Rahmouni
- Translational Neuroimaging Laboratory, McGill Research Centre for Studies in Aging, 6875 La Salle Blvd, FBC Room 3149, Montreal, QC H4H 1R3 Canada
| | - Ann Brinkmalm
- Clinical Neurochemistry Laboratory, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, 40530 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Andrea L Benedet
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, The Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, 40530 Mölndal, Sweden
| | - Nicholas J Ashton
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, The Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, 40530 Mölndal, Sweden
- Wallenberg Centre for Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Gothenburg, 40530 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Arthur C Macedo
- Translational Neuroimaging Laboratory, McGill Research Centre for Studies in Aging, 6875 La Salle Blvd, FBC Room 3149, Montreal, QC H4H 1R3 Canada
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, QC H4H 1R3 Canada
| | - Stijn Servaes
- Translational Neuroimaging Laboratory, McGill Research Centre for Studies in Aging, 6875 La Salle Blvd, FBC Room 3149, Montreal, QC H4H 1R3 Canada
| | - Yi-Ting Wang
- Translational Neuroimaging Laboratory, McGill Research Centre for Studies in Aging, 6875 La Salle Blvd, FBC Room 3149, Montreal, QC H4H 1R3 Canada
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, QC H4H 1R3 Canada
| | - Cécile Tissot
- Translational Neuroimaging Laboratory, McGill Research Centre for Studies in Aging, 6875 La Salle Blvd, FBC Room 3149, Montreal, QC H4H 1R3 Canada
| | - Jaime Fernandez Arias
- Translational Neuroimaging Laboratory, McGill Research Centre for Studies in Aging, 6875 La Salle Blvd, FBC Room 3149, Montreal, QC H4H 1R3 Canada
| | - Seyyed Ali Hosseini
- Translational Neuroimaging Laboratory, McGill Research Centre for Studies in Aging, 6875 La Salle Blvd, FBC Room 3149, Montreal, QC H4H 1R3 Canada
| | - Mira Chamoun
- Translational Neuroimaging Laboratory, McGill Research Centre for Studies in Aging, 6875 La Salle Blvd, FBC Room 3149, Montreal, QC H4H 1R3 Canada
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, QC H4H 1R3 Canada
| | - Firoza Z Lussier
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, QC H4H 1R3 Canada
| | - Thomas K Karikari
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, The Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, 40530 Mölndal, Sweden
| | - Jenna Stevenson
- Translational Neuroimaging Laboratory, McGill Research Centre for Studies in Aging, 6875 La Salle Blvd, FBC Room 3149, Montreal, QC H4H 1R3 Canada
| | - Christina Mayer
- Institute of Neuroimmunology and Multiple Sclerosis, University Medical Center Hamburg Eppendorf, Falkenried 94, 20251 Hamburg, Germany
| | - João Pedro Ferrari-Souza
- Department of Neurology and Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15213 PA USA
- Graduate Program in Biological Sciences: Biochemistry, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS 91501-970 Brazil
| | - Eliane Kobayashi
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, QC H4H 1R3 Canada
| | - Gassan Massarweh
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, QC H4H 1R3 Canada
| | - Manuel A Friese
- Institute of Neuroimmunology and Multiple Sclerosis, University Medical Center Hamburg Eppendorf, Falkenried 94, 20251 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Tharick A Pascoal
- Department of Neurology and Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15213 PA USA
| | - Serge Gauthier
- Translational Neuroimaging Laboratory, McGill Research Centre for Studies in Aging, 6875 La Salle Blvd, FBC Room 3149, Montreal, QC H4H 1R3 Canada
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, QC H4H 1R3 Canada
| | - Henrik Zetterberg
- Clinical Neurochemistry Laboratory, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, 40530 Gothenburg, Sweden
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, The Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, 40530 Mölndal, Sweden
- Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, UCL Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London, WC1E 6BT UK
- UK Dementia Research Institute at UCL, London, WC1E 6BT UK
- Hong Kong Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Clear Water Bay, Hong Kong, 518172 China
- Wisconsin Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53726 USA
| | - Kaj Blennow
- Clinical Neurochemistry Laboratory, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, 40530 Gothenburg, Sweden
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, The Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, 40530 Mölndal, Sweden
| | - Pedro Rosa-Neto
- Translational Neuroimaging Laboratory, McGill Research Centre for Studies in Aging, 6875 La Salle Blvd, FBC Room 3149, Montreal, QC H4H 1R3 Canada
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, QC H4H 1R3 Canada
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11
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Huang W, Huang J, Huang N, Luo Y. The role of TREM2 in Alzheimer's disease: from the perspective of Tau. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1280257. [PMID: 38020891 PMCID: PMC10663217 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1280257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2 (TREM2), a pattern recognition receptor abundantly expressed on microglia, has been identified as one of the risk factors for Alzheimer's disease (AD). Several studies have already demonstrated the relationship between TREM2 and Tau. TREM2 mutations and altered expression play an important role in Tau phosphorylation. Furthermore, the level of Tau phosphorylation is correlated with soluble TREM2 (sTREM2). However, in different stages of AD, TREM2 seems to have varying effects on Tau pathology. The explicit interaction between TREM2 and Tau, as well as how they affect AD pathology, remains unclear, and there is much evidence to the contrary that requires rational interpretation. Reviewing the dual roles of TREM2 in AD will help identify a more appropriate development strategy for targeting TREM2 to treat AD. Therefore, this review focuses on the interplay between Tau and TREM2 in relation to AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wendi Huang
- Department of Neurology, Third Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University (The First People’s Hospital of Zunyi), Zunyi, China
| | - Juan Huang
- Key Laboratory of Basic Pharmacology of Ministry of Education and Joint International Research Lab of Ethnomedicine of Ministry of Education, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, Guizhou, China
| | - Nanqu Huang
- National Drug Clinical Trial Institution, Third Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University (The First People’s Hospital of Zunyi), Zunyi, Guizhou, China
| | - Yong Luo
- Department of Neurology, Third Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University (The First People’s Hospital of Zunyi), Zunyi, China
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12
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Schlepckow K, Morenas-Rodríguez E, Hong S, Haass C. Stimulation of TREM2 with agonistic antibodies-an emerging therapeutic option for Alzheimer's disease. Lancet Neurol 2023; 22:1048-1060. [PMID: 37863592 DOI: 10.1016/s1474-4422(23)00247-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2023] [Revised: 06/29/2023] [Accepted: 06/29/2023] [Indexed: 10/22/2023]
Abstract
Neurodegenerative disorders, including Alzheimer's disease, are associated with microgliosis. Microglia have long been considered to have detrimental roles in Alzheimer's disease. However, functional analyses of genes encoding risk factors that are linked to late-onset Alzheimer's disease, and that are enriched or exclusively expressed in microglia, have revealed unexpected protective functions. One of the major risk genes for Alzheimer's disease is TREM2. Risk variants of TREM2 are loss-of-function mutations affecting chemotaxis, phagocytosis, lipid and energy metabolism, and survival and proliferation. Agonistic anti-TREM2 antibodies have been developed to boost these protective functions in patients with intact TREM2 alleles. Several anti-TREM2 antibodies are in early clinical trials, and current efforts aim to achieve more efficient transport of these antibodies across the blood-brain barrier. PET imaging could be used to monitor target engagement. Data from animal models, and biomarker studies in patients, further support a rationale for boosting TREM2 functions during the preclinical stage of Alzheimer's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai Schlepckow
- German Centre for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Munich, Germany
| | - Estrella Morenas-Rodríguez
- Memory Unit, Department of Neurology, Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre, Madrid, Spain; Group of Neurogenerative Diseases, Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre Research Institute (imas12), Madrid, Spain
| | - Soyon Hong
- UK Dementia Research Institute, Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Christian Haass
- German Centre for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Munich, Germany; Metabolic Biochemistry, Biomedical Centre, Faculty of Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians University, Munich, Germany; Munich Cluster for Systems Neurology (SyNergy), Munich, Germany.
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13
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Eren N, Gerike S, Üsekes B, Peters O, Cosma NC, Hellmann-Regen J. Effects of autologous serum on TREM2 and APOE in a personalized monocyte-derived macrophage assay of late-onset Alzheimer's patients. Immun Ageing 2023; 20:52. [PMID: 37833781 PMCID: PMC10576307 DOI: 10.1186/s12979-023-00376-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2023] [Accepted: 09/14/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Age-associated deterioration of the immune system contributes to a chronic low-grade inflammatory state known as "inflammaging" and is implicated in the pathogenesis of late-onset Alzheimer's disease (LOAD). Whether changes in the tissue environment caused by circulatory factors associated with aging may alter the innate immune response is unknown. Monocyte-derived macrophages (Mo-MФs) infiltrating the brain alongside microglia are postulated to play a modulatory role in LOAD and both express triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2 (TREM2). Apolipoprotein E (APOE) acts as a ligand for TREM2, and their role in amyloid beta (Aβ) clearance highlights their importance in LOAD. However, the influence of the patient's own milieu (autologous serum) on the synthesis of TREM2 and APOE in infiltrating macrophages remains unknown. OBJECTIVES To functionally assess patient-specific TREM2 and APOE synthesis, we designed a personalized assay based on Mo-MФs using monocytes from LOAD patients and matched controls (CO). We assessed the influence of each participant's own milieu, by examining the effect of short- (1 day) and long- (10 days) term differentiation of the cells in the presence of the donor´s autologous serum (AS) into M1-, M2- or M0-macrophages. Additionally, sex differences and Aβ-uptake ability in short- and long-term differentiated Mo-MФs were assessed. RESULTS We showed a time-dependent increase in TREM2 and APOE protein levels in LOAD- and CO-derived cells. While AS did not differentially modulate TREM2 compared to standard fetal calf serum (FCS), AS decreased APOE levels in M2 macrophages but increased levels in M1 macrophages. Interestingly, higher levels of TREM2 and lower levels of APOE were detected in female- than in male- LOAD patients. Finally, we report decreased Aβ-uptake in long-term differentiated CO- and LOAD-derived cells, particularly in APOEε4(+) carriers. CONCLUSIONS We demonstrate for the first time the suitability of a personalized Mo-MФ cell culture-based assay for studying functional TREM2 and APOE synthesis in a patient's own aged milieu. Our strategy may thus provide a useful tool for future research on diagnostic and therapeutic aspects of personalized medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neriman Eren
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität Zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Section Clinical Neurobiology, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Hindenburgdamm 30, 12203, Berlin, Germany.
| | - Susanna Gerike
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität Zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Section Clinical Neurobiology, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Hindenburgdamm 30, 12203, Berlin, Germany
| | - Berk Üsekes
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität Zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Section Clinical Neurobiology, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Hindenburgdamm 30, 12203, Berlin, Germany
| | - Oliver Peters
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität Zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Section Clinical Neurobiology, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Hindenburgdamm 30, 12203, Berlin, Germany
- German Center for Mental Health (DZPG) Partner Site Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Nicoleta-Carmen Cosma
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität Zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Section Clinical Neurobiology, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Hindenburgdamm 30, 12203, Berlin, Germany
- BIH Biomedical Innovation Academy, BIH Charité Clinician Scientist Program, Berlin Institute of Health at Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, Berlin, 10117, Germany
| | - Julian Hellmann-Regen
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität Zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Section Clinical Neurobiology, Campus Benjamin Franklin, Hindenburgdamm 30, 12203, Berlin, Germany
- BIH Biomedical Innovation Academy, BIH Charité Clinician Scientist Program, Berlin Institute of Health at Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, Berlin, 10117, Germany
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14
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Sadlon A, Takousis P, Ankli B, Alexopoulos P, Perneczky R. Association of Chronic Pain with Biomarkers of Neurodegeneration, Microglial Activation, and Inflammation in Cerebrospinal Fluid and Impaired Cognitive Function. Ann Neurol 2023; 95:10.1002/ana.26804. [PMID: 37787094 PMCID: PMC10987399 DOI: 10.1002/ana.26804] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2022] [Revised: 09/20/2023] [Accepted: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 10/04/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Debate surrounds the role of chronic pain as a risk factor for cognitive decline and dementia. This study aimed at examining the association of chronic pain with biomarkers of neurodegeneration using data from the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative. METHODS Participants were classified using the ATN (amyloid, tau, neurodegeneration) classification. Chronic pain was defined as persistent or recurrent pain reported at baseline. For each ATN group, analysis of covariance models identified differences in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) levels of amyloid β1-42 , phosphorylated tau 181 (ptau181 ), total tau (t-tau), soluble triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2 (sTREM2), and cognitive function between chronic pain states. Differences in CSF levels of inflammatory markers between chronic pain states were further analyzed. Linear mixed effect models examined longitudinal changes. RESULTS The study included 995 individuals, with 605 (60.81%) reporting chronic pain at baseline. At baseline, individuals with suspected non-Alzheimer pathophysiology and chronic pain showed increased CSF levels of t-tau and sTREM2. Chronic pain was associated with increased tumor necrosis factor α levels, irrespective of the ATN group. Longitudinally, an increase in ptau181 CSF levels was observed in chronic pain patients with negative amyloid and neurodegeneration markers. Amyloid-positive and neurodegeneration-negative chronic pain patients showed higher memory function cross-sectionally. No significant longitudinal decline in cognitive function was observed for any ATN group. INTERPRETATION Our study suggests that chronic pain induces neuronal damage and microglial activation in particular subgroups of patients along the AD spectrum. Further studies are needed to confirm these findings. ANN NEUROL 2023.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angélique Sadlon
- Ageing Epidemiology Research Unit, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom (UK)
- Department of Clinical Chemistry, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital and University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- Pain Clinic Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Petros Takousis
- Ageing Epidemiology Research Unit, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom (UK)
| | - Barbara Ankli
- Pain Clinic Basel, Basel, Switzerland
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Panagiotis Alexopoulos
- Global Βrain Health Institute, School of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, The University of Dublin, Dublin, Republic of Ireland
- Department of Psychiatry, Patras University General Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Patras, Patras, Greece
- Patras Dementia Day Care Centre, Patras, Greece
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Robert Perneczky
- Ageing Epidemiology Research Unit, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom (UK)
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
- German Centre for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) Munich, Munich, Germany
- Munich Cluster for Systems Neurology (SyNergy), Munich, Germany
- Sheffield Institute for Translational Neurosciences (SITraN), University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom (UK)
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15
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Hampel H, Hu Y, Cummings J, Mattke S, Iwatsubo T, Nakamura A, Vellas B, O'Bryant S, Shaw LM, Cho M, Batrla R, Vergallo A, Blennow K, Dage J, Schindler SE. Blood-based biomarkers for Alzheimer's disease: Current state and future use in a transformed global healthcare landscape. Neuron 2023; 111:2781-2799. [PMID: 37295421 PMCID: PMC10720399 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2023.05.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 31.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2022] [Revised: 03/03/2023] [Accepted: 05/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Timely detection of the pathophysiological changes and cognitive impairment caused by Alzheimer's disease (AD) is increasingly pressing because of the advent of biomarker-guided targeted therapies that may be most effective when provided early in the disease. Currently, diagnosis and management of early AD are largely guided by clinical symptoms. FDA-approved neuroimaging and cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers can aid detection and diagnosis, but the clinical implementation of these testing modalities is limited because of availability, cost, and perceived invasiveness. Blood-based biomarkers (BBBMs) may enable earlier and faster diagnoses as well as aid in risk assessment, early detection, prognosis, and management. Herein, we review data on BBBMs that are closest to clinical implementation, particularly those based on measures of amyloid-β peptides and phosphorylated tau species. We discuss key parameters and considerations for the development and potential deployment of these BBBMs under different contexts of use and highlight challenges at the methodological, clinical, and regulatory levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harald Hampel
- Alzheimer's Disease and Brain Health, Eisai Inc., Nutley, NJ, USA.
| | - Yan Hu
- Alzheimer's Disease and Brain Health, Eisai Inc., Nutley, NJ, USA.
| | - Jeffrey Cummings
- Chambers-Grundy Center for Transformative Neuroscience, Pam Quirk Brain Health and Biomarker Laboratory, Department of Brain Health, School of Integrated Health Sciences, University of Nevada Las Vegas (UNLV), Las Vegas, NV, USA
| | - Soeren Mattke
- Center for Improving Chronic Illness Care, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Takeshi Iwatsubo
- Department of Neuropathology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Akinori Nakamura
- Department of Biomarker Research, National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology, Obu, Japan; Department of Cognition and Behavior Science, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Bruno Vellas
- University Paul Sabatier, Gérontopôle, Toulouse University Hospital, UMR INSERM 1285, Toulouse, France
| | - Sid O'Bryant
- Institute for Translational Research, Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine, Department of Family Medicine, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, TX, USA
| | - Leslie M Shaw
- Perelman School of Medicine, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Min Cho
- Alzheimer's Disease and Brain Health, Eisai Inc., Nutley, NJ, USA
| | - Richard Batrla
- Alzheimer's Disease and Brain Health, Eisai Inc., Nutley, NJ, USA
| | - Andrea Vergallo
- Alzheimer's Disease and Brain Health, Eisai Inc., Nutley, NJ, USA
| | - Kaj Blennow
- Clinical Neurochemistry Laboratory, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, University of Gothenburg, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Mölndal, Sweden
| | - Jeffrey Dage
- Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Suzanne E Schindler
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
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16
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Španić Popovački E, Babić Leko M, Langer Horvat L, Brgić K, Vogrinc Ž, Boban M, Klepac N, Borovečki F, Šimić G. Soluble TREM2 Concentrations in the Cerebrospinal Fluid Correlate with the Severity of Neurofibrillary Degeneration, Cognitive Impairment, and Inflammasome Activation in Alzheimer's Disease. Neurol Int 2023; 15:842-856. [PMID: 37489359 PMCID: PMC10366813 DOI: 10.3390/neurolint15030053] [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: 05/22/2023] [Revised: 06/21/2023] [Accepted: 07/05/2023] [Indexed: 07/26/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Individuals with specific TREM2 gene variants that encode for a Triggering Receptor Expressed on Myeloid cells 2 have a higher prevalence of Alzheimer's disease (AD). By interacting with amyloid and apolipoproteins, the TREM2 receptor regulates the number of myeloid cells, phagocytosis, and the inflammatory response. Higher TREM2 expression has been suggested to protect against AD. However, it is extremely difficult to comprehend TREM2 signaling in the context of AD. Previous results are variable and show distinct effects on diverse pathological changes in AD, differences between soluble and membrane isoform signaling, and inconsistency between animal models and humans. In addition, the relationship between TREM2 and inflammasome activation pathways is not yet entirely understood. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to determine the relationship between soluble TREM2 (sTREM2) levels in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and plasma samples and other indicators of AD pathology. METHODS Using the Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA), we analyzed 98 samples of AD plasma, 35 samples of plasma from individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and 11 samples of plasma from healthy controls (HC), as well as 155 samples of AD CSF, 90 samples of MCI CSF, and 50 samples of HC CSF. RESULTS CSF sTREM2 levels were significantly correlated with neurofibrillary degeneration, cognitive decline, and inflammasome activity in AD patients. In contrast to plasma sTREM2, CSF sTREM2 levels in the AD group were higher than those in the MCI and HC groups. Moreover, concentrations of sTREM2 in CSF were substantially higher in the MCI group than in the HC group, indicating that CSF sTREM2 levels could be used not only to distinguish between HC and AD patients but also as a biomarker to detect earlier changes in the MCI stage. CONCLUSIONS The results indicate CSF sTREM2 levels reliably predict neurofibrillary degeneration, cognitive decline, and inflammasome activation, and also have a high diagnostic potential for distinguishing diseased from healthy individuals. To add sTREM2 to the list of required AD biomarkers, future studies will need to include a larger number of patients and utilize a standardized methodology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ena Španić Popovački
- Department of Neuroscience, Croatian Institute for Brain Research, University of Zagreb School of Medicine, Šalata 12, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Mirjana Babić Leko
- Department of Neuroscience, Croatian Institute for Brain Research, University of Zagreb School of Medicine, Šalata 12, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Lea Langer Horvat
- Department of Neuroscience, Croatian Institute for Brain Research, University of Zagreb School of Medicine, Šalata 12, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Klara Brgić
- Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital Centre Zagreb, Kišpatićeva 12, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Željka Vogrinc
- Laboratory for Neurobiochemistry, Department of Laboratory Diagnostics, University Hospital Centre Zagreb, Kišpatićeva 12, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Marina Boban
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital Centre Zagreb, Kišpatićeva 12, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
- School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Nataša Klepac
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital Centre Zagreb, Kišpatićeva 12, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
- School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Fran Borovečki
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital Centre Zagreb, Kišpatićeva 12, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
- School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Goran Šimić
- Department of Neuroscience, Croatian Institute for Brain Research, University of Zagreb School of Medicine, Šalata 12, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
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Keep RF, Jones HC, Hamilton MG, Drewes LR. A year in review: brain barriers and brain fluids research in 2022. Fluids Barriers CNS 2023; 20:30. [PMID: 37085841 PMCID: PMC10120509 DOI: 10.1186/s12987-023-00429-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2023] [Indexed: 04/23/2023] Open
Abstract
This aim of this editorial is to highlight progress made in brain barrier and brain fluid research in 2022. It covers studies on the blood-brain, blood-retina and blood-CSF barriers (choroid plexus and meninges), signaling within the neurovascular unit and elements of the brain fluid systems. It further discusses how brain barriers and brain fluid systems are impacted in CNS diseases, their role in disease progression and progress being made in treating such diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard F Keep
- Department of Neurosurgery, University of Michigan, R5018 BSRB 109 Zina Pitcher Place, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109-2200, USA.
| | | | - Mark G Hamilton
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Division of Neurosurgery, University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Lester R Drewes
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Minnesota Medical School Duluth, Duluth, MN, 55812, USA
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Wang M, Zhang H, Liang J, Huang J, Chen N. Exercise suppresses neuroinflammation for alleviating Alzheimer's disease. J Neuroinflammation 2023; 20:76. [PMID: 36935511 PMCID: PMC10026496 DOI: 10.1186/s12974-023-02753-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2022] [Accepted: 02/28/2023] [Indexed: 03/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a chronic neurodegenerative disease, with the characteristics of neurofibrillary tangle (NFT) and senile plaque (SP) formation. Although great progresses have been made in clinical trials based on relevant hypotheses, these studies are also accompanied by the emergence of toxic and side effects, and it is an urgent task to explore the underlying mechanisms for the benefits to prevent and treat AD. Herein, based on animal experiments and a few clinical trials, neuroinflammation in AD is characterized by long-term activation of pro-inflammatory microglia and the NOD-, LRR- and pyrin domain-containing protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasomes. Damaged signals from the periphery and within the brain continuously activate microglia, thus resulting in a constant source of inflammatory responses. The long-term chronic inflammatory response also exacerbates endoplasmic reticulum oxidative stress in microglia, which triggers microglia-dependent immune responses, ultimately leading to the occurrence and deterioration of AD. In this review, we systematically summarized and sorted out that exercise ameliorates AD by directly and indirectly regulating immune response of the central nervous system and promoting hippocampal neurogenesis to provide a new direction for exploring the neuroinflammation activity in AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minghui Wang
- Tianjiu Research and Development Center for Exercise Nutrition and Foods, Hubei Key Laboratory of Exercise Training and Monitoring, College of Sports Medicine, Wuhan Sports University, Wuhan, 430079, China
| | - Hu Zhang
- Tianjiu Research and Development Center for Exercise Nutrition and Foods, Hubei Key Laboratory of Exercise Training and Monitoring, College of Sports Medicine, Wuhan Sports University, Wuhan, 430079, China
| | - Jiling Liang
- Tianjiu Research and Development Center for Exercise Nutrition and Foods, Hubei Key Laboratory of Exercise Training and Monitoring, College of Sports Medicine, Wuhan Sports University, Wuhan, 430079, China
| | - Jielun Huang
- Tianjiu Research and Development Center for Exercise Nutrition and Foods, Hubei Key Laboratory of Exercise Training and Monitoring, College of Sports Medicine, Wuhan Sports University, Wuhan, 430079, China
| | - Ning Chen
- Tianjiu Research and Development Center for Exercise Nutrition and Foods, Hubei Key Laboratory of Exercise Training and Monitoring, College of Sports Medicine, Wuhan Sports University, Wuhan, 430079, China.
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Intrathecal Pseudodelivery of Drugs in the Therapy of Neurodegenerative Diseases: Rationale, Basis and Potential Applications. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:pharmaceutics15030768. [PMID: 36986629 PMCID: PMC10059785 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15030768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2023] [Revised: 02/17/2023] [Accepted: 02/22/2023] [Indexed: 03/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Intrathecal pseudodelivery of drugs is a novel route to administer medications to treat neurodegenerative diseases based on the CSF-sink therapeutic strategy by means of implantable devices. While the development of this therapy is still in the preclinical stage, it offers promising advantages over traditional routes of drug delivery. In this paper, we describe the rationale of this system and provide a technical report on the mechanism of action, that relies on the use of nanoporous membranes enabling selective molecular permeability. On one side, the membranes do not permit the crossing of certain drugs; whereas, on the other side, they permit the crossing of target molecules present in the CSF. Target molecules, by binding drugs inside the system, are retained or cleaved and subsequently eliminated from the central nervous system. Finally, we provide a list of potential indications, the respective molecular targets, and the proposed therapeutic agents.
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