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Lewandowski CT, Khan MW, BenAissa M, Dubrovskyi O, Ackerman-Berrier M, LaDu MJ, Layden BT, Thatcher GRJ. Metabolomic analysis of a selective ABCA1 inducer in obesogenic challenge provides a rationale for therapeutic development. EBioMedicine 2021; 66:103287. [PMID: 33752129 PMCID: PMC8010624 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2021.103287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2020] [Revised: 03/02/2021] [Accepted: 03/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Therapeutic agents with novel mechanisms of action are needed to combat the growing epidemic of type 2 diabetes (T2D) and related metabolic syndromes. Liver X receptor (LXR) agonists possess preclinical efficacy yet produce side effects due to excessive lipogenesis. Anticipating that many beneficial and detrimental effects of LXR agonists are mediated by ABCA1 and SREPB1c expression, respectively, we hypothesized that a phenotypic optimization strategy prioritizing selective ABCA1 induction would identify an efficacious lead compound with an improved side effect profile over existing LXRβ agonists. METHODS We synthesized and characterized a novel small molecule for selective induction of ABCA1 vs. SREBP1c in vitro. This compound was evaluated in both wild-type mice and a high-fat diet (HFD) mouse model of obesity-driven diabetes through functional, biochemical, and metabolomic analysis. FINDINGS Six weeks of oral administration of our lead compound attenuated weight gain, glucose intolerance, insulin signaling deficits, and adiposity. Global metabolomics revealed suppression of gluconeogenesis, free fatty acids, and pro-inflammatory metabolites. Target identification linked these beneficial effects to selective LXRβ agonism and PPAR/RXR antagonism. INTERPRETATION Our observations in the HFD model, combined with the absence of lipogenesis and neutropenia in WT mice, support this novel approach to therapeutic development for T2D and related conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cutler T Lewandowski
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Md Wasim Khan
- Department of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, 835 S. Wolcott St., Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Manel BenAissa
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Oleksii Dubrovskyi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Martha Ackerman-Berrier
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Arizona, 1295N. Martin, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
| | - Mary Jo LaDu
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Brian T Layden
- Department of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, 835 S. Wolcott St., Chicago, IL 60612, USA.
| | - Gregory R J Thatcher
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Arizona, 1295N. Martin, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA.
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Finelli MJ. Redox Post-translational Modifications of Protein Thiols in Brain Aging and Neurodegenerative Conditions-Focus on S-Nitrosation. Front Aging Neurosci 2020; 12:254. [PMID: 33088270 PMCID: PMC7497228 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2020.00254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2020] [Accepted: 07/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Reactive oxygen species and reactive nitrogen species (RONS) are by-products of aerobic metabolism. RONS trigger a signaling cascade that can be transduced through oxidation-reduction (redox)-based post-translational modifications (redox PTMs) of protein thiols. This redox signaling is essential for normal cellular physiology and coordinately regulates the function of redox-sensitive proteins. It plays a particularly important role in the brain, which is a major producer of RONS. Aberrant redox PTMs of protein thiols can impair protein function and are associated with several diseases. This mini review article aims to evaluate the role of redox PTMs of protein thiols, in particular S-nitrosation, in brain aging, and in neurodegenerative diseases. It also discusses the potential of using redox-based therapeutic approaches for neurodegenerative conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mattéa J Finelli
- School of Medicine, Biodiscovery Institute, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
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3
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Xu Y, Zhao M, Han Y, Zhang H. GABAergic Inhibitory Interneuron Deficits in Alzheimer's Disease: Implications for Treatment. Front Neurosci 2020; 14:660. [PMID: 32714136 PMCID: PMC7344222 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2020.00660] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2020] [Accepted: 05/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized clinically by severe cognitive deficits and pathologically by amyloid plaques, neuronal loss, and neurofibrillary tangles. Abnormal amyloid β-protein (Aβ) deposition in the brain is often thought of as a major initiating factor in AD neuropathology. However, gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) inhibitory interneurons are resistant to Aβ deposition, and Aβ decreases synaptic glutamatergic transmission to decrease neural network activity. Furthermore, there is now evidence suggesting that neural network activity is aberrantly increased in AD patients and animal models due to functional deficits in and decreased activity of GABA inhibitory interneurons, contributing to cognitive deficits. Here we describe the roles played by excitatory neurons and GABA inhibitory interneurons in Aβ-induced cognitive deficits and how altered GABA interneurons regulate AD neuropathology. We also comprehensively review recent studies on how GABA interneurons and GABA receptors can be exploited for therapeutic benefit. GABA interneurons are an emerging therapeutic target in AD, with further clinical trials urgently warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yilan Xu
- Neurodegeneration and Neuroregeneration Laboratory, Department of Basic Medicine, School of Medicine, Shaoxing University, Shaoxing, China
| | - Manna Zhao
- Neurodegeneration and Neuroregeneration Laboratory, Department of Basic Medicine, School of Medicine, Shaoxing University, Shaoxing, China
| | - Yuying Han
- Neurodegeneration and Neuroregeneration Laboratory, Department of Basic Medicine, School of Medicine, Shaoxing University, Shaoxing, China
| | - Heng Zhang
- Neurodegeneration and Neuroregeneration Laboratory, Department of Basic Medicine, School of Medicine, Shaoxing University, Shaoxing, China
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4
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Murari G, Liang DRS, Ali A, Chan F, Mulder-Heijstra M, Verhoeff NPLG, Herrmann N, Chen JJ, Mah L. Prefrontal GABA Levels Correlate with Memory in Older Adults at High Risk for Alzheimer's Disease. Cereb Cortex Commun 2020; 1:tgaa022. [PMID: 34296099 PMCID: PMC8152914 DOI: 10.1093/texcom/tgaa022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2020] [Revised: 05/21/2020] [Accepted: 05/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
γ-Aminobutyric acid (GABA), a primary inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain, plays a significant role in aging and in neurodegenerative disorders, including Alzheimer’s disease (AD). We investigated the relationship between GABA levels in the dorsomedial/dorsoanterolateral prefrontal cortex (DM/DA-PFC) and memory in high-AD risk participants. Thirty-eight participants (14 Cognitively Normal [CN], 11 with Subjective Cognitive Decline (SCD), and 13 Mild Cognitive Impairment [MCI]) underwent magnetic resonance spectroscopy at 3 Tesla. SCD and MCI participants were grouped together to form a single high-AD risk group (N = 24) for the purposes of statistical analyses. Partial correlations of GABA+/Cr level with verbal memory, assessed on California Verbal Learning Test-II, and nonverbal memory, assessed on Brief Visuospatial Memory Test and Rey-Osterrieth test, were examined separately within the high-AD risk and CN groups. GABA+/Cr levels were positively correlated with long-delayed verbal memory (r = 0.69, P = 0.009) and immediate nonverbal memory (r = 0.97, P = 0.03) in high-AD risk, but not in CN participants. These results remained significant after controlling for depression. These preliminary findings, which require replication due to the limited sample sizes, are the first report of an association between GABA+/Cr levels within the DM/DA-PFC and memory performance in high-AD risk individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geetanjali Murari
- Rotman Research Institute, Baycrest Health Sciences, Toronto, ON M6A 2E1, Canada
| | | | - Aliya Ali
- Rotman Research Institute, Baycrest Health Sciences, Toronto, ON M6A 2E1, Canada
| | - Frankie Chan
- Rotman Research Institute, Baycrest Health Sciences, Toronto, ON M6A 2E1, Canada
| | | | - Nicolaas Paul L G Verhoeff
- Department of Psychiatry, Geriatric Psychiatry Division, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5T 1R8, Canada
| | - Nathan Herrmann
- Department of Psychiatry, Geriatric Psychiatry Division, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5T 1R8, Canada
| | - J Jean Chen
- Rotman Research Institute, Baycrest Health Sciences, Toronto, ON M6A 2E1, Canada
| | - Linda Mah
- Rotman Research Institute, Baycrest Health Sciences, Toronto, ON M6A 2E1, Canada
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5
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Knopp RC, Lee SH, Hollas M, Nepomuceno E, Gonzalez D, Tam K, Aamir D, Wang Y, Pierce E, BenAissa M, Thatcher GRJ. Interaction of oxidative stress and neurotrauma in ALDH2 -/- mice causes significant and persistent behavioral and pro-inflammatory effects in a tractable model of mild traumatic brain injury. Redox Biol 2020; 32:101486. [PMID: 32155582 PMCID: PMC7063127 DOI: 10.1016/j.redox.2020.101486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2020] [Revised: 02/17/2020] [Accepted: 02/29/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Oxidative stress induced by lipid peroxidation products (LPP) accompanies aging and has been hypothesized to exacerbate the secondary cascade in traumatic brain injury (TBI). Increased oxidative stress is a contributor to loss of neural reserve that defines the ability to maintain healthy cognitive function despite the accumulation of neuropathology. ALDH2−/− mice are unable to clear aldehyde LPP by mitochondrial aldehyde dehydrogenase-2 (Aldh2) detoxification and provide a model to study mild TBI (mTBI), therapeutic interventions, and underlying mechanisms. The ALDH2−/− mouse model presents with elevated LPP-mediated protein modification, lowered levels of PSD-95, PGC1-α, and SOD-1, and mild cognitive deficits from 4 months of age. LPP scavengers are neuroprotective in vitro and in ALDH2−/− mice restore cognitive performance. A single-hit, closed skull mTBI failed to elicit significant effects in WT mice; however, ALDH2−/− mice showed a significant inflammatory cytokine surge in the ipsilateral hemisphere 24 h post-mTBI, and increased GFAP cleavage, a biomarker for TBI. Known neuroprotective agents, were able to reverse the effects of mTBI. This new preclinical model of mTBI, incorporating significant perturbations in behavior, inflammation, and clinically relevant biomarkers, allows mechanistic study of the interaction of LPP and neurotrauma in loss of neural reserve. ALDH2−/− mice have elevated brain LPP adducts and mild cognitive impairment. The effects of a “2nd hit” via LPS are exacerbated by LPP in vitro and in vivo. ALDH2−/− mice + mTBI show amplified/prolonged cognitive deficits and neuroinflammation. This new preclinical model for mTBI supports a role for LPP in reduced neural reserve.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel C Knopp
- Department of Pharmaceutical Science, College of Pharmacy, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA
| | - Sue H Lee
- Department of Pharmaceutical Science, College of Pharmacy, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA
| | - Michael Hollas
- Department of Pharmaceutical Science, College of Pharmacy, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA; UICentre (Drug Discovery @ UIC), University of Illinois at Chicago, 833 S. Wood St, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA
| | - Emily Nepomuceno
- Department of Pharmaceutical Science, College of Pharmacy, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA
| | - David Gonzalez
- Department of Pharmaceutical Science, College of Pharmacy, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA
| | - Kevin Tam
- Department of Pharmaceutical Science, College of Pharmacy, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA
| | - Daniyal Aamir
- Department of Pharmaceutical Science, College of Pharmacy, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA
| | - Yueting Wang
- Department of Pharmaceutical Science, College of Pharmacy, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA
| | - Emily Pierce
- Department of Pharmaceutical Science, College of Pharmacy, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA
| | - Manel BenAissa
- Department of Pharmaceutical Science, College of Pharmacy, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA; UICentre (Drug Discovery @ UIC), University of Illinois at Chicago, 833 S. Wood St, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA
| | - Gregory R J Thatcher
- Department of Pharmaceutical Science, College of Pharmacy, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA; UICentre (Drug Discovery @ UIC), University of Illinois at Chicago, 833 S. Wood St, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA.
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6
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Hollas MA, Ben Aissa M, Lee SH, Gordon-Blake JM, Thatcher GRJ. Pharmacological manipulation of cGMP and NO/cGMP in CNS drug discovery. Nitric Oxide 2018; 82:59-74. [PMID: 30394348 DOI: 10.1016/j.niox.2018.10.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2018] [Revised: 08/14/2018] [Accepted: 10/25/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The development of small molecule modulators of NO/cGMP signaling for use in the CNS has lagged far behind the use of such clinical agents in the periphery, despite the central role played by NO/cGMP in learning and memory, and the substantial evidence that this signaling pathway is perturbed in neurodegenerative disorders, including Alzheimer's disease. The NO-chimeras, NMZ and Nitrosynapsin, have yielded beneficial and disease-modifying responses in multiple preclinical animal models, acting on GABAA and NMDA receptors, respectively, providing additional mechanisms of action relevant to synaptic and neuronal dysfunction. Several inhibitors of cGMP-specific phosphodiesterases (PDE) have replicated some of the actions of these NO-chimeras in the CNS. There is no evidence that nitrate tolerance is a phenomenon relevant to the CNS actions of NO-chimeras, and studies on nitroglycerin in the periphery continue to challenge the dogma of nitrate tolerance mechanisms. Hybrid nitrates have shown much promise in the periphery and CNS, but to date only one treatment has received FDA approval, for glaucoma. The potential for allosteric modulation of soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) in brain disorders has not yet been fully explored nor exploited; whereas multiple applications of PDE inhibitors have been explored and many have stalled in clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael A Hollas
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacognosy, College of Pharmacy, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, USA
| | - Manel Ben Aissa
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacognosy, College of Pharmacy, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, USA
| | - Sue H Lee
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacognosy, College of Pharmacy, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, USA
| | - Jesse M Gordon-Blake
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacognosy, College of Pharmacy, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, USA
| | - Gregory R J Thatcher
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacognosy, College of Pharmacy, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, USA.
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7
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Jiang XM, Wang WP, Liu ZH, Yin HJ, Ma H, Feng N, Wang L, Huang HH, Wang XL. 2-(4-methyl-thiazol-5-yl) ethyl nitrate maleate-potentiated GABA A receptor response in hippocampal neurons. CNS Neurosci Ther 2018; 24:1231-1240. [PMID: 30039924 DOI: 10.1111/cns.13033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2018] [Revised: 06/15/2018] [Accepted: 06/25/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
AIMS 2-(4-methyl-thiazol-5-yl) ethyl nitrate maleate (NMZM), a derivative of clomethiazole (CMZ), had been investigated for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD). The beneficial effects of NMZM in AD included reversing cognitive deficit, improving learning and memory as well as neuroprotection. The pharmacological effects of NMZM on GABAA receptors were reported previously; however, the mechanisms were unclear and were explored therefore. RESULTS In this study, we demonstrated that NMZM improved learning and memory by alleviating scopolamine-induced long-term potentiation (LTP) suppression in the dentate gyrus of rats, indicating that NMZM had protective effects against scopolamine-induced depression of LTP. Next, we investigated the action of NMZM on GABAA receptors in hippocampal neurons and the binding site of NMZM on GABAA receptors. NMZM directly activated GABAA receptors in hippocampal neurons in a weak manner. However, NMZM could potentiate the response of GABAA receptors to GABA and NMZM positively modulated GABAA receptors with an EC50 value of 465 μmol/L at 3 μmol/L GABA while this potentiation at low concentration of GABA (1, 3 μmol/L) was more significant than that at high concentration (10, 30 μmol/L). In addition, NMZM could enhance GABA currents after using diazepam and pentobarbital, the positive modulators of GABAA receptors. NMZM could not affect the etomidate-potentiated GABAA current. It suggested that the binding site of NMZM on GABAA receptors is the same as etomidate. CONCLUSIONS These results provided support for the neuroprotective effect of NMZM, which was partly dependent on the potentiation of GABAA receptors. The etomidate binding site might be a new target for neuronal protection and for drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Mei Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Functions of Natural Medicines, Institute of MateriaMedica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Wei-Ping Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Functions of Natural Medicines, Institute of MateriaMedica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Zhi-Hui Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Functions of Natural Medicines, Institute of MateriaMedica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Hua-Jing Yin
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Functions of Natural Medicines, Institute of MateriaMedica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Hao Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Functions of Natural Medicines, Institute of MateriaMedica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Nan Feng
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Functions of Natural Medicines, Institute of MateriaMedica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Ling Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Functions of Natural Medicines, Institute of MateriaMedica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Hai-Hong Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Functions of Natural Medicines, Institute of MateriaMedica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Xiao-Liang Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Functions of Natural Medicines, Institute of MateriaMedica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
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8
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Frontotemporal dysregulation of the SNARE protein interactome is associated with faster cognitive decline in old age. Neurobiol Dis 2018; 114:31-44. [PMID: 29496544 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2018.02.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2017] [Revised: 02/07/2018] [Accepted: 02/21/2018] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The molecular underpinnings associated with cognitive reserve remain poorly understood. Because animal models fail to fully recapitulate the complexity of human brain aging, postmortem studies from well-designed cohorts are crucial to unmask mechanisms conferring cognitive resistance against cumulative neuropathologies. We tested the hypothesis that functionality of the SNARE protein interactome might be an important resilience factor preserving cognitive abilities in old age. Cognition was assessed annually in participants from the Rush "Memory and Aging Project" (MAP), a community-dwelling cohort representative of the overall aging population. Associations between cognition and postmortem neurochemical data were evaluated in functional assays quantifying various species of the SNARE (soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor attachment protein receptor) machinery in samples from the inferior temporal (IT, n = 154) and middle-frontal (MF, n = 174) gyri. Using blue-native gel electrophoresis, we isolated and quantified several types of complexes containing the three SNARE proteins (syntaxin-1, SNAP25, VAMP), as well as the GABAergic/glutamatergic selectively expressed complexins-I/II (CPLX1/2), in brain tissue homogenates and reconstitution assays with recombinant proteins. Multivariate analyses revealed significant associations between IT and MF neurochemical data (SNARE proteins and/or complexes), and multiple age-related neuropathologies, as well as with multiple cognitive domains of MAP participants. Controlling for demographic variables, neuropathologic indices and total synapse density, we found that temporal 150-kDa SNARE species (representative of pan-synaptic functionality) and frontal CPLX1/CPLX2 ratio of 500-kDa heteromeric species (representative of inhibitory/excitatory input functionality) were, among all the immunocharacterized complexes, the strongest predictors of cognitive function nearest death. Interestingly, these two neurochemical variables were associated with different cognitive domains. In addition, linear mixed effect models of global cognitive decline estimated that both 150-kDa SNARE levels and CPLX1/CPLX2 ratio were associated with better cognition and less decline over time. The results are consistent with previous studies reporting that synapse dysfunction (i.e. dysplasticity) may be initiated early, and relatively independent of neuropathology-driven synapse loss. Frontotemporal dysregulation of the GABAergic/glutamatergic stimuli might be a target for future drug development.
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9
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Mandal PK, Kansara K, Dabas A. The GABA-Working Memory Relationship in Alzheimer's Disease. J Alzheimers Dis Rep 2017; 1:43-45. [PMID: 30480228 PMCID: PMC6159718 DOI: 10.3233/adr-170003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a highly debilitating neurodegenerative disease with no cure to date. Emerging evidence indicates aberrations of the primary inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA in the frontal, parietal and temporal cortices, and hippocampal regions of the AD brains. GABA levels have been reported to predict working memory (WM) load capacity in the healthy young population. Since working memory is impaired in AD, it opens an active area of research to investigate the influence of GABA on WM performance in AD. Advancements in neuroimaging techniques and signal processing tools can aid in neurochemical profiling of GABA in AD as well as facilitate in probing the role of GABA in AD-specific impairments of working memory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pravat K Mandal
- Neuroimaging and Neurospectroscopy Laboratory, National Brain Research Centre, Gurgaon, India.,The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Krity Kansara
- Neuroimaging and Neurospectroscopy Laboratory, National Brain Research Centre, Gurgaon, India
| | - Aroma Dabas
- Neuroimaging and Neurospectroscopy Laboratory, National Brain Research Centre, Gurgaon, India
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10
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Presynaptic proteins complexin-I and complexin-II differentially influence cognitive function in early and late stages of Alzheimer's disease. Acta Neuropathol 2017; 133:395-407. [PMID: 27866231 DOI: 10.1007/s00401-016-1647-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2016] [Revised: 11/12/2016] [Accepted: 11/13/2016] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Progressive accumulation of Alzheimer's disease-related pathology is associated with cognitive dysfunction. Differences in cognitive reserve may contribute to individual differences in cognitive function in the presence of comparable neuropathology. The protective effects of cognitive reserve could contribute differentially in early versus late stages of the disease. We investigated presynaptic proteins as measures of brain reserve (a subset of total cognitive reserve), and used Braak staging to estimate the progression of Alzheimer's disease. Antemortem evaluations of cognitive function, postmortem assessments of pathologic indices, and presynaptic protein analyses, including the complexins I and II as respective measures of inhibitory and excitatory terminal function, were assayed in multiple key brain regions in 418 deceased participants from a community study. After covarying for demographic variables, pathologic indices, and overall synapse density, lower brain complexin-I and -II levels contributed to cognitive dysfunction (P < 0.01). Each complexin appeared to be dysregulated at a different Braak stage. Inhibitory complexin-I explained 14.4% of the variance in global cognition in Braak 0-II, while excitatory complexin-II explained 7.3% of the variance in Braak V-VI. Unlike other presynaptic proteins, complexins did not colocalize with pathologic tau within neuritic plaques, suggesting that these functional components of the synaptic machinery are cleared early from dystrophic neurites. Moreover, complexin levels showed distinct patterns of change related to memory challenges in a rat model, supporting the functional specificity of these proteins. The present results suggest that disruption of inhibitory synaptic terminals may trigger early cognitive impairment, while excitatory terminal disruption may contribute relatively more to later cognitive impairment.
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11
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Luo J, Lee SH, VandeVrede L, Qin Z, Ben Aissa M, Larson J, Teich AF, Arancio O, D'Souza Y, Elharram A, Koster K, Tai LM, LaDu MJ, Bennett BM, Thatcher GRJ. A multifunctional therapeutic approach to disease modification in multiple familial mouse models and a novel sporadic model of Alzheimer's disease. Mol Neurodegener 2016; 11:35. [PMID: 27129593 PMCID: PMC4850651 DOI: 10.1186/s13024-016-0103-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2015] [Accepted: 04/22/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Clinical failures singularly targeting amyloid-β pathology indicate a critical need for alternative Alzheimer’s disease (AD) therapeutic strategies. The mixed pathology reported in a large population of AD patients demands a multifunctional drug approach. Since activation of cAMP response element binding protein (CREB) plays a crucial role in synaptic strengthening and memory formation, we retooled a clinical drug with known neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory activity to activate CREB, and validated this novel multifunctional drug, NMZ, in 4 different mouse models of AD. Results NMZ was tested in three mouse models of familial AD and one model of sporadic AD. In 3 × Tg hippocampal slices, NMZ restored LTP. In vivo, memory was improved with NMZ in all animal models with robust cognitive deficits. NMZ treatment lowered neurotoxic forms of Aβ in both APP/PS1 and 3 × Tg transgenic mice while also restoring neuronal plasticity biomarkers in the 3 × Tg mice. In EFAD mice, incorporation of the major genetic AD risk factor, hAPOE4, did not mute the beneficial drug effects. In a novel sporadic mouse model that manifests AD-like pathology caused by accelerated oxidative stress in the absence of any familial AD mutation, oral administration of NMZ attenuated hallmark AD pathology and restored biomarkers of synaptic and neuronal function. Conclusions The multifunctional approach, embodied by NMZ, was successful in mouse models of AD incorporating Aβ pathology (APP/PS1), tau pathology (3xTg), and APOE4, the major human genetic risk factor for AD (EFAD). The efficacy observed in a novel model of sporadic AD (Aldh2−/−) demonstrates that the therapeutic approach is not limited to rare, familial AD genetic mutations. The multifunctional drug, NMZ, was not designed directly to target Aβ and tau pathology; however, the attenuation of this hallmark pathology suggests the approach to be a highly promising, disease-modifying strategy for AD and mixed pathology dementia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia Luo
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacognosy, College of Pharmacy, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Sue H Lee
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacognosy, College of Pharmacy, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Lawren VandeVrede
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacognosy, College of Pharmacy, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Zhihui Qin
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacognosy, College of Pharmacy, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Manel Ben Aissa
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacognosy, College of Pharmacy, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA.,Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - John Larson
- Department of Psychiatry, Neuropsychiatric Institute, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Andrew F Teich
- Department of Pathology, The Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Ottavio Arancio
- Department of Pathology, The Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Yohan D'Souza
- Department of Biomedical & Molecular Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada
| | - Ahmed Elharram
- Department of Biomedical & Molecular Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada
| | - Kevin Koster
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Leon M Tai
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Mary Jo LaDu
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Brian M Bennett
- Department of Biomedical & Molecular Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada
| | - Gregory R J Thatcher
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacognosy, College of Pharmacy, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA.
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