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Granzotto A, Vissel B, Sensi SL. Lost in translation: Inconvenient truths on the utility of mouse models in Alzheimer's disease research. eLife 2024; 13:e90633. [PMID: 39329365 PMCID: PMC11434637 DOI: 10.7554/elife.90633] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2023] [Accepted: 09/13/2024] [Indexed: 09/28/2024] Open
Abstract
The recent, controversial approval of antibody-based treatments for Alzheimer's disease (AD) is fueling a heated debate on the molecular determinants of this condition. The discussion should also incorporate a critical revision of the limitations of preclinical mouse models in advancing our understanding of AD. We critically discuss the limitations of animal models, stressing the need for careful consideration of how experiments are designed and results interpreted. We identify the shortcomings of AD models to recapitulate the complexity of the human disease. We dissect these issues at the quantitative, qualitative, temporal, and context-dependent levels. We argue that these models are based on the oversimplistic assumptions proposed by the amyloid cascade hypothesis (ACH) of AD and fail to account for the multifactorial nature of the condition. By shedding light on the constraints of current experimental tools, this review aims to foster the development and implementation of more clinically relevant tools. While we do not rule out a role for preclinical models, we call for alternative approaches to be explored and, most importantly, for a re-evaluation of the ACH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alberto Granzotto
- Center for Advanced Studies and Technology – CAST, University G. d’Annunzio of Chieti-PescaraChietiItaly
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging, and Clinical Sciences, University G. d’Annunzio of Chieti-PescaraChietiItaly
| | - Bryce Vissel
- St Vincent’s Hospital Centre for Applied Medical Research, St Vincent’s HospitalDarlinghurstAustralia
- School of Clinical Medicine, UNSW Medicine & Health, St Vincent's Healthcare Clinical Campus, Faculty of Medicine and Health, UNSW SydneySydneyAustralia
| | - Stefano L Sensi
- Center for Advanced Studies and Technology – CAST, University G. d’Annunzio of Chieti-PescaraChietiItaly
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging, and Clinical Sciences, University G. d’Annunzio of Chieti-PescaraChietiItaly
- Institute for Advanced Biomedical Technologies – ITAB, University G. d’Annunzio of Chieti-PescaraChietiItaly
- Institute of Neurology, SS Annunziata University Hospital, University G. d’Annunzio of Chieti-PescaraChietiItaly
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2
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Huang HX, Inglese P, Tang J, Yagoubi R, Correia GDS, Horneffer-van der Sluis VM, Camuzeaux S, Wu V, Kopanitsa MV, Willumsen N, Jackson JS, Barron AM, Saito T, Saido TC, Gentlemen S, Takats Z, Matthews PM. Mass spectrometry imaging highlights dynamic patterns of lipid co-expression with Aβ plaques in mouse and human brains. J Neurochem 2024; 168:1193-1214. [PMID: 38372586 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.16042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2023] [Revised: 11/13/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 02/20/2024]
Abstract
Lipids play crucial roles in the susceptibility and brain cellular responses to Alzheimer's disease (AD) and are increasingly considered potential soluble biomarkers in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and plasma. To delineate the pathological correlations of distinct lipid species, we conducted a comprehensive characterization of both spatially localized and global differences in brain lipid composition in AppNL-G-F mice with spatial and bulk mass spectrometry lipidomic profiling, using human amyloid-expressing (h-Aβ) and WT mouse brains controls. We observed age-dependent increases in lysophospholipids, bis(monoacylglycerol) phosphates, and phosphatidylglycerols around Aβ plaques in AppNL-G-F mice. Immunohistology-based co-localization identified associations between focal pro-inflammatory lipids, glial activation, and autophagic flux disruption. Likewise, in human donors with varying Braak stages, similar studies of cortical sections revealed co-expression of lysophospholipids and ceramides around Aβ plaques in AD (Braak stage V/VI) but not in earlier Braak stage controls. Our findings in mice provide evidence of temporally and spatially heterogeneous differences in lipid composition as local and global Aβ-related pathologies evolve. Observing similar lipidomic changes associated with pathological Aβ plaques in human AD tissue provides a foundation for understanding differences in CSF lipids with reported clinical stage or disease severity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helen Xuexia Huang
- Section of Bioanalytical Chemistry, Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction, Imperial College London, London, UK
- UK Dementia Research Institute at Imperial College London, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Paolo Inglese
- Section of Bioanalytical Chemistry, Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction, Imperial College London, London, UK
- National Phenome Centre, Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Jiabin Tang
- Department of Brain Sciences, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Riad Yagoubi
- Section of Bioanalytical Chemistry, Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction, Imperial College London, London, UK
- UK Dementia Research Institute at Imperial College London, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Gonçalo D S Correia
- Section of Bioanalytical Chemistry, Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction, Imperial College London, London, UK
- National Phenome Centre, Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | | | - Stephane Camuzeaux
- National Phenome Centre, Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Vincen Wu
- Section of Bioanalytical Chemistry, Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Maksym V Kopanitsa
- UK Dementia Research Institute at Imperial College London, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Nanet Willumsen
- UK Dementia Research Institute at Imperial College London, Imperial College London, London, UK
- Department of Brain Sciences, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Johanna S Jackson
- UK Dementia Research Institute at Imperial College London, Imperial College London, London, UK
- Department of Brain Sciences, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Anna M Barron
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Takashi Saito
- Laboratory for Proteolytic Neuroscience, RIKEN Center for Brain Science, Saitama, Japan
- Department of Neurocognitive Science, Institute of Brain Science, Nagoya City University, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan
| | - Takaomi C Saido
- Laboratory for Proteolytic Neuroscience, RIKEN Center for Brain Science, Saitama, Japan
- Department of Neurocognitive Science, Institute of Brain Science, Nagoya City University, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan
| | - Steve Gentlemen
- Department of Brain Sciences, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Zoltan Takats
- Section of Bioanalytical Chemistry, Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Paul M Matthews
- UK Dementia Research Institute at Imperial College London, Imperial College London, London, UK
- Department of Brain Sciences, Imperial College London, London, UK
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3
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Tang J, Huang H, Muirhead RCJ, Zhou Y, Li J, DeFelice J, Kopanitsa MV, Serneels L, Davey K, Tilley BS, Gentleman S, Matthews PM. Associations of amyloid-β oligomers and plaques with neuropathology in the App NL-G-F mouse. Brain Commun 2024; 6:fcae218. [PMID: 39035420 PMCID: PMC11258573 DOI: 10.1093/braincomms/fcae218] [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: 08/29/2023] [Revised: 03/22/2024] [Accepted: 06/23/2024] [Indexed: 07/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Amyloid-β pathology and neurofibrillary tangles lead to glial activation and neurodegeneration in Alzheimer's disease. In this study, we investigated the relationships between the levels of amyloid-β oligomers, amyloid-β plaques, glial activation and markers related to neurodegeneration in the App NL-G-F triple mutation mouse line and in a knock-in line homozygous for the common human amyloid precursor protein (App hu mouse). The relationships between neuropathological features were characterized with immunohistochemistry and imaging mass cytometry. Markers assessing human amyloid-β proteins, microglial and astrocytic activation and neuronal and synaptic densities were used in mice between 2.5 and 12 months of age. We found that amyloid-β oligomers were abundant in the brains of App hu mice in the absence of classical amyloid-β plaques. These brains showed morphological changes consistent with astrocyte activation but no evidence of microglial activation or synaptic or neuronal pathology. In contrast, both high levels of amyloid-β oligomers and numerous plaques accumulated in App NL-G-F mice in association with substantial astrocytic and microglial activation. The increase in amyloid-β oligomers over time was more strongly correlated with astrocytic than with microglia activation. Spatial analyses suggested that activated microglia were more closely associated with amyloid-β oligomers than with amyloid-β plaques in App NL-G-F mice, which also showed age-dependent decreases in neuronal and synaptic density markers. A comparative study of the two models highlighted the dependence of glial and neuronal pathology on the nature and aggregation state of the amyloid-β peptide. Astrocyte activation and neuronal pathology appeared to be more strongly associated with amyloid-β oligomers than with amyloid-β plaques, although amyloid-β plaques were associated with microglia activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiabin Tang
- UK Dementia Research Institute, Uren Building, Imperial College London, White City Campus, London W12 0BZ, UK
- Department of Brain Sciences, Burlington Danes Building, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Campus, London W12 0NN, UK
- Department of Anesthesiology, Weill Cornell Medicine, Cornell University, New York, NY 11106, USA
| | - Helen Huang
- Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction, Imperial College London, South Kensington Campus, London SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Robert C J Muirhead
- UK Dementia Research Institute, Uren Building, Imperial College London, White City Campus, London W12 0BZ, UK
- Randall Centre for Cell and Molecular Biophysics, Kings College London, London SE5 9RX, UK
| | - Yue Zhou
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Roberts Engineering Building, University College London, London WC1E 7JE, UK
| | - Junheng Li
- UK Dementia Research Institute, Uren Building, Imperial College London, White City Campus, London W12 0BZ, UK
| | - John DeFelice
- Department of Brain Sciences, Burlington Danes Building, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Campus, London W12 0NN, UK
| | - Maksym V Kopanitsa
- UK Dementia Research Institute, Uren Building, Imperial College London, White City Campus, London W12 0BZ, UK
- The Francis Crick Institute, London NW1 1AT, UK
| | - Lutgarde Serneels
- Centre for Brain and Disease Research, Flanders Institute for Biotechnology (VIB), 9052 Gent, Belgium
| | - Karen Davey
- UK Dementia Research Institute, Uren Building, Imperial College London, White City Campus, London W12 0BZ, UK
- UK Dementia Research Institute, Kings College London, Denmark Hill Campus, London SE5 9RX, UK
| | - Bension S Tilley
- Department of Brain Sciences, Burlington Danes Building, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Campus, London W12 0NN, UK
| | - Steve Gentleman
- Department of Brain Sciences, Burlington Danes Building, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Campus, London W12 0NN, UK
| | - Paul M Matthews
- UK Dementia Research Institute, Uren Building, Imperial College London, White City Campus, London W12 0BZ, UK
- Department of Brain Sciences, Burlington Danes Building, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Campus, London W12 0NN, UK
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4
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Collins HM, Greenfield S. Rodent Models of Alzheimer's Disease: Past Misconceptions and Future Prospects. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:6222. [PMID: 38892408 PMCID: PMC11172947 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25116222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2024] [Revised: 05/28/2024] [Accepted: 06/03/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease with no effective treatments, not least due to the lack of authentic animal models. Typically, rodent models recapitulate the effects but not causes of AD, such as cholinergic neuron loss: lesioning of cholinergic neurons mimics the cognitive decline reminiscent of AD but not its neuropathology. Alternative models rely on the overexpression of genes associated with familial AD, such as amyloid precursor protein, or have genetically amplified expression of mutant tau. Yet transgenic rodent models poorly replicate the neuropathogenesis and protein overexpression patterns of sporadic AD. Seeding rodents with amyloid or tau facilitates the formation of these pathologies but cannot account for their initial accumulation. Intracerebral infusion of proinflammatory agents offer an alternative model, but these fail to replicate the cause of AD. A novel model is therefore needed, perhaps similar to those used for Parkinson's disease, namely adult wildtype rodents with neuron-specific (dopaminergic) lesions within the same vulnerable brainstem nuclei, 'the isodendritic core', which are the first to degenerate in AD. Site-selective targeting of these nuclei in adult rodents may recapitulate the initial neurodegenerative processes in AD to faithfully mimic its pathogenesis and progression, ultimately leading to presymptomatic biomarkers and preventative therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helen M. Collins
- Neuro-Bio Ltd., Building F5 The Culham Campus, Abingdon OX14 3DB, UK;
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5
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Mancuso R, Fattorelli N, Martinez-Muriana A, Davis E, Wolfs L, Van Den Daele J, Geric I, Premereur J, Polanco P, Bijnens B, Preman P, Serneels L, Poovathingal S, Balusu S, Verfaillie C, Fiers M, De Strooper B. Xenografted human microglia display diverse transcriptomic states in response to Alzheimer's disease-related amyloid-β pathology. Nat Neurosci 2024; 27:886-900. [PMID: 38539015 PMCID: PMC11089003 DOI: 10.1038/s41593-024-01600-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2022] [Accepted: 02/14/2024] [Indexed: 05/14/2024]
Abstract
Microglia are central players in Alzheimer's disease pathology but analyzing microglial states in human brain samples is challenging due to genetic diversity, postmortem delay and admixture of pathologies. To circumvent these issues, here we generated 138,577 single-cell expression profiles of human stem cell-derived microglia xenotransplanted in the brain of the AppNL-G-F model of amyloid pathology and wild-type controls. Xenografted human microglia adopt a disease-associated profile similar to that seen in mouse microglia, but display a more pronounced human leukocyte antigen or HLA state, likely related to antigen presentation in response to amyloid plaques. The human microglial response also involves a pro-inflammatory cytokine/chemokine cytokine response microglia or CRM response to oligomeric Aβ oligomers. Genetic deletion of TREM2 or APOE as well as APOE polymorphisms and TREM2R47H expression in the transplanted microglia modulate these responses differentially. The expression of other Alzheimer's disease risk genes is differentially regulated across the distinct cell states elicited in response to amyloid pathology. Thus, we have identified multiple transcriptomic cell states adopted by human microglia in a multipronged response to Alzheimer's disease-related pathology, which should be taken into account in translational studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renzo Mancuso
- Microglia and Inflammation in Neurological Disorders (MIND) Lab, VIB Center for Molecular Neurology, VIB, Antwerp, Belgium.
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium.
- Centre for Brain and Disease Research, Flanders Institute for Biotechnology (VIB), Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Nicola Fattorelli
- Centre for Brain and Disease Research, Flanders Institute for Biotechnology (VIB), Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Neurosciences and Leuven Brain Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Anna Martinez-Muriana
- Centre for Brain and Disease Research, Flanders Institute for Biotechnology (VIB), Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Neurosciences and Leuven Brain Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Emma Davis
- UK Dementia Research Institute at UCL, University College London, London, UK
| | - Leen Wolfs
- Centre for Brain and Disease Research, Flanders Institute for Biotechnology (VIB), Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Neurosciences and Leuven Brain Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Johanna Van Den Daele
- Department of Development and Regeneration, Stem Cell Biology and Embryology, KU Leuven Stem Cell Institute, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Ivana Geric
- Centre for Brain and Disease Research, Flanders Institute for Biotechnology (VIB), Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Neurosciences and Leuven Brain Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jessie Premereur
- Microglia and Inflammation in Neurological Disorders (MIND) Lab, VIB Center for Molecular Neurology, VIB, Antwerp, Belgium
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Paula Polanco
- Microglia and Inflammation in Neurological Disorders (MIND) Lab, VIB Center for Molecular Neurology, VIB, Antwerp, Belgium
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Baukje Bijnens
- Microglia and Inflammation in Neurological Disorders (MIND) Lab, VIB Center for Molecular Neurology, VIB, Antwerp, Belgium
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Pranav Preman
- Centre for Brain and Disease Research, Flanders Institute for Biotechnology (VIB), Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Neurosciences and Leuven Brain Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Lutgarde Serneels
- Centre for Brain and Disease Research, Flanders Institute for Biotechnology (VIB), Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Neurosciences and Leuven Brain Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Suresh Poovathingal
- Centre for Brain and Disease Research, Flanders Institute for Biotechnology (VIB), Leuven, Belgium
| | - Sriram Balusu
- Centre for Brain and Disease Research, Flanders Institute for Biotechnology (VIB), Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Neurosciences and Leuven Brain Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Catherine Verfaillie
- Department of Development and Regeneration, Stem Cell Biology and Embryology, KU Leuven Stem Cell Institute, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Mark Fiers
- Centre for Brain and Disease Research, Flanders Institute for Biotechnology (VIB), Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Neurosciences and Leuven Brain Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- UK Dementia Research Institute at UCL, University College London, London, UK
| | - Bart De Strooper
- Centre for Brain and Disease Research, Flanders Institute for Biotechnology (VIB), Leuven, Belgium.
- Department of Neurosciences and Leuven Brain Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
- UK Dementia Research Institute at UCL, University College London, London, UK.
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Zhang ML, Li HB, Jin Y. Application and perspective of CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing technology in human diseases modeling and gene therapy. Front Genet 2024; 15:1364742. [PMID: 38666293 PMCID: PMC11043577 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2024.1364742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2024] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
The Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeat (CRISPR) mediated Cas9 nuclease system has been extensively used for genome editing and gene modification in eukaryotic cells. CRISPR/Cas9 technology holds great potential for various applications, including the correction of genetic defects or mutations within the human genome. The application of CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing system in human disease research is anticipated to solve a multitude of intricate molecular biology challenges encountered in life science research. Here, we review the fundamental principles underlying CRISPR/Cas9 technology and its recent application in neurodegenerative diseases, cardiovascular diseases, autoimmune related diseases, and cancer, focusing on the disease modeling and gene therapy potential of CRISPR/Cas9 in these diseases. Finally, we provide an overview of the limitations and future prospects associated with employing CRISPR/Cas9 technology for diseases study and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Man-Ling Zhang
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, The Affiliated Hospital of Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot, China
- Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory for Pathogenesis and Diagnosis of Rheumatic and Autoimmune Diseases, The Affiliated Hospital of Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot, China
| | - Hong-Bin Li
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, The Affiliated Hospital of Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot, China
- Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory for Pathogenesis and Diagnosis of Rheumatic and Autoimmune Diseases, The Affiliated Hospital of Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot, China
| | - Yong Jin
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, The Affiliated Hospital of Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot, China
- Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory for Pathogenesis and Diagnosis of Rheumatic and Autoimmune Diseases, The Affiliated Hospital of Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot, China
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Soni N, Kar I, Narendrasinh JD, Shah SK, Konathala L, Mohamed N, Kachhadia MP, Chaudhary MH, Dave VA, Kumar L, Ahmadi L, Golla V. Role and application of CRISPR-Cas9 in the management of Alzheimer's disease. Ann Med Surg (Lond) 2024; 86:1517-1521. [PMID: 38463115 PMCID: PMC10923336 DOI: 10.1097/ms9.0000000000001692] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2023] [Accepted: 12/28/2023] [Indexed: 03/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a serious health issue that has a significant social and economic impact worldwide. One of the key aetiological signs of the disease is a gradual reduction in cognitive function and irreversible neuronal death. According to a 2019 global report, more than 5.8 million people in the United States (USA) alone have received an AD diagnosis, with 45% of those people falling into the 75-84 years age range. According to the predictions, there will be 15 million affected people in the USA by 2050 due to the disease's steadily rising patient population. Cognitive function and memory formation steadily decline as a result of an irreversible neuron loss in AD, a chronic neurodegenerative illness. Amyloid-beta and phosphorylated Tau are produced and accumulate in large amounts, and glial cells are overactive. Additionally, weakened neurotrophin signalling and decreased synapse function are crucial aspects of AD. Memory loss, apathy, depression, and irritability are among the primary symptoms. The aetiology, pathophysiology, and causes of both cognitive decline and synaptic dysfunction are poorly understood despite extensive investigation. CRISPR/Cas9 is a promising gene-editing technique since it can fix certain gene sequences and has a lot of potential for treating AD and other human disorders. Regardless of hereditary considerations, an altered Aβ metabolism is frequently seen in familial and sporadic AD. Therefore, since mutations in the PSEN-1, PSEN-2 and APP genes are a contributing factor to familial AD, CRISPR/Cas9 technology could address excessive Aβ production or mutations in these genes. Overall, the potential of CRISPR-Cas9 technology outweighs it as currently the greatest gene-editing tool available for researching neurodegenerative diseases like AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nilay Soni
- Department of General Medicine, M. P. Shah medical college, Jamnagar
| | - Indrani Kar
- Department of General Medicine, Lady Hardinge Medical College, University of Delhi
| | | | - Sanjay Kumar Shah
- Department of General Medicine, Janaki Medical College, Janakpur, Nepal
| | - Lohini Konathala
- Dr NTR University of Health Sciecnes, Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh, India
| | - Nadine Mohamed
- Department of General Medicine, Southern Illinois University, Memorial of Carbondale Hospital, IL
| | | | | | - Vyapti A. Dave
- Department of General Medicine, Gujarat Medical Education and Research Society, GMERS Valsad, Gujarat
| | - Lakshya Kumar
- Department of General Medicine, Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Medical College, Rajkot
| | - Leeda Ahmadi
- Department of General Medicine, Lady Hardinge medical College, New Delhi
| | - Varshitha Golla
- Department of General Medicine, International School of Medicine (ISM), Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
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8
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De Bastiani MA, Bellaver B, Carello-Collar G, Zimmermann M, Kunach P, Lima-Filho RA, Forner S, Martini AC, Pascoal TA, Lourenco MV, Rosa-Neto P, Zimmer ER. Cross-species comparative hippocampal transcriptomics in Alzheimer's disease. iScience 2024; 27:108671. [PMID: 38292167 PMCID: PMC10824791 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.108671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2022] [Revised: 07/11/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 02/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a multifactorial pathology, with most cases having a sporadic origin. Recently, knock-in (KI) mouse models, such as the novel humanized amyloid-β (hAβ)-KI, have been developed to better resemble sporadic human AD. METHODS Here, we compared hippocampal publicly available transcriptomic profiles of transgenic (5xFAD and APP/PS1) and KI (hAβ-KI) mouse models with early- (EOAD) and late- (LOAD) onset AD patients. RESULTS The three mouse models presented more Gene Ontology biological processes terms and enriched signaling pathways in common with LOAD than with EOAD individuals. Experimental validation of consistently dysregulated genes revealed five altered in mice (SLC11A1, S100A6, CD14, CD33, and C1QB) and three in humans (S100A6, SLC11A1, and KCNK). Finally, we identified 17 transcription factors potentially acting as master regulators of AD. CONCLUSION Our cross-species analyses revealed that the three mouse models presented a remarkable similarity to LOAD, with the hAβ-KI being the more specific one.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Antônio De Bastiani
- Graduate Program in Biological Sciences: Biochemistry, Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Health Basic Sciences, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, State of Rio Grande do Sul 90035-003, Brazil
| | - Bruna Bellaver
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Giovanna Carello-Collar
- Graduate Program in Biological Sciences: Biochemistry, Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Health Basic Sciences, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, State of Rio Grande do Sul 90035-003, Brazil
| | - Maria Zimmermann
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Montréal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montréal, Québec H3A 1A1, Canada
- Translational Neuroimaging Laboratory, McGill University, Montréal, Québec H4H 1R3, Canada
| | - Peter Kunach
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Montréal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montréal, Québec H3A 1A1, Canada
- Translational Neuroimaging Laboratory, McGill University, Montréal, Québec H4H 1R3, Canada
- Douglas Hospital Research Centre, Montreal, Québec H4H 1R3, Canada
| | - Ricardo A.S. Lima-Filho
- Institute of Medical Biochemistry Leopoldo de Meis, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, State of Rio de Janeiro 21941-902, Brazil
| | - Stefania Forner
- Institute for Memory Impairments and Neurological Disorders (UCI MIND), University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
| | - Alessandra Cadete Martini
- Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
| | - Tharick A. Pascoal
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
- Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Mychael V. Lourenco
- Institute of Medical Biochemistry Leopoldo de Meis, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, State of Rio de Janeiro 21941-902, Brazil
| | - Pedro Rosa-Neto
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Montréal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montréal, Québec H3A 1A1, Canada
- Translational Neuroimaging Laboratory, McGill University, Montréal, Québec H4H 1R3, Canada
- Douglas Hospital Research Centre, Montreal, Québec H4H 1R3, Canada
| | - Eduardo R. Zimmer
- Graduate Program in Biological Sciences: Biochemistry, Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Health Basic Sciences, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, State of Rio Grande do Sul 90035-003, Brazil
- Department of Pharmacology, ICBS, UFRGS, Porto Alegre, State of Rio Grande do Sul 90035-003, Brazil
- Graduate Program in Biological Sciences: Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Department of Pharmacology, ICBS, UFRGS, Porto Alegre, State of Rio Grande do Sul 90035-003, Brazil
- Brain Institute of Rio Grande Do Sul, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande Do Sul, Porto Alegre, State of Rio Grande do Sul 90610-000, Brazil
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9
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Jia K, Tian J, Wang T, Guo L, Xuan Z, Swerdlow RH, Du H. Mitochondria-sequestered Aβ renders synaptic mitochondria vulnerable in the elderly with a risk of Alzheimer disease. JCI Insight 2023; 8:e174290. [PMID: 37991017 PMCID: PMC10721326 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.174290] [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: 08/02/2023] [Accepted: 10/13/2023] [Indexed: 11/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Mitochondria are critical for neurophysiology, and mitochondrial dysfunction constitutes a characteristic pathology in both brain aging and Alzheimer disease (AD). Whether mitochondrial deficiency in brain aging and AD is mechanistically linked, however, remains controversial. We report a correlation between intrasynaptosomal amyloid β 42 (Aβ42) and synaptic mitochondrial bioenergetics inefficiency in both aging and amnestic mild cognitive impairment, a transitional stage between normal aging and AD. Experiments using a mouse model expressing nonmutant humanized Aβ (humanized Aβ-knockin [hAβ-KI] mice) confirmed the association of increased intramitochondrial sequestration of Aβ42 with exacerbated synaptic mitochondrial dysfunction in an aging factor- and AD risk-bearing context. Also, in comparison with global cerebral Aβ, intramitochondrial Aβ was relatively preserved from activated microglial phagocytosis in aged hAβ-KI mice. The most parsimonious interpretation of our results is that aging-related mitochondrial Aβ sequestration renders synaptic mitochondrial dysfunction in the transitional stage between normal aging and AD. Mitochondrial dysfunction in both brain aging and the prodromal stage of AD may follow a continuous transition in response to escalated intraneuronal, especially intramitochondrial Aβ, accumulation. Moreover, our findings further implicate a pivotal role of mitochondria in harboring early amyloidosis during the conversion from normal to pathological aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kun Jia
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas, USA
| | - Jing Tian
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas, USA
| | - Tienju Wang
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas, USA
| | - Lan Guo
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas, USA
| | - Zhenyu Xuan
- Department of Biological Sciences, Center for Systems Biology, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, Texas, USA
| | - Russell H. Swerdlow
- Alzheimer’s Disease Center, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas, USA
| | - Heng Du
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas, USA
- Alzheimer’s Disease Center, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas, USA
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10
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D'Adamio L. Transfixed by transgenics: how pathology assumptions are slowing progress in Alzheimer's disease and related dementia research. EMBO Mol Med 2023; 15:e18479. [PMID: 37750482 PMCID: PMC10630870 DOI: 10.15252/emmm.202318479] [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: 08/07/2023] [Revised: 08/31/2023] [Accepted: 09/08/2023] [Indexed: 09/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Model organisms of human diseases are invaluable tools for unraveling pathogenic mechanisms, identifying potential targets for drug development, and evaluating the therapeutic efficacy of candidates in preclinical trials. The utility of model organisms hinges upon their ability to faithfully replicate the underlying pathogenic mechanisms of the human disease. For rodent models of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and AD-related dementias (ADRD), the limited translatability to human disease raises concerns about their overall utility. What factors contribute to this limitation? Is AD inherently too complex to be accurately modeled in nonhumans? Is the divergence between rodent brains and the human brain so pronounced that rodents are unsuitable as model organisms for AD? Or is it plausible that the commonly used rodent models don't capture the genuine pathogenic mechanisms underlying these diseases? This editorial discusses the challenges associated with transgenic models of AD and ADRD and offers some alternative approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luciano D'Adamio
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology & Neuroscience New Jersey Medical School, Brain Health Institute, Jacqueline Krieger Klein Center in Alzheimer's Disease and Neurodegeneration Research, RutgersThe State University of New JerseyNewarkNJUSA
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11
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Dave BP, Shah YB, Maheshwari KG, Mansuri KA, Prajapati BS, Postwala HI, Chorawala MR. Pathophysiological Aspects and Therapeutic Armamentarium of Alzheimer's Disease: Recent Trends and Future Development. Cell Mol Neurobiol 2023; 43:3847-3884. [PMID: 37725199 DOI: 10.1007/s10571-023-01408-7] [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: 03/07/2023] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/21/2023]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the primary cause of dementia and is characterized by the death of brain cells due to the accumulation of insoluble amyloid plaques, hyperphosphorylation of tau protein, and the formation of neurofibrillary tangles within the cells. AD is also associated with other pathologies such as neuroinflammation, dysfunction of synaptic connections and circuits, disorders in mitochondrial function and energy production, epigenetic changes, and abnormalities in the vascular system. Despite extensive research conducted over the last hundred years, little is established about what causes AD or how to effectively treat it. Given the severity of the disease and the increasing number of affected individuals, there is a critical need to discover effective medications for AD. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved several new drug molecules for AD management since 2003, but these drugs only provide temporary relief of symptoms and do not address the underlying causes of the disease. Currently, available medications focus on correcting the neurotransmitter disruption observed in AD, including cholinesterase inhibitors and an antagonist of the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor, which temporarily alleviates the signs of dementia but does not prevent or reverse the course of AD. Research towards disease-modifying AD treatments is currently underway, including gene therapy, lipid nanoparticles, and dendrimer-based therapy. These innovative approaches aim to target the underlying pathological processes of AD rather than just managing the symptoms. This review discusses the novel aspects of pathogenesis involved in the causation of AD of AD and in recent developments in the therapeutic armamentarium for the treatment of AD such as gene therapy, lipid nanoparticles, and dendrimer-based therapy, and many more.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bhavarth P Dave
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacy Practice, L. M. College of Pharmacy, Opp. Gujarat University, Navrangpura, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, 380009, India
| | - Yesha B Shah
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacy Practice, L. M. College of Pharmacy, Opp. Gujarat University, Navrangpura, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, 380009, India
| | - Kunal G Maheshwari
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacy Practice, L. M. College of Pharmacy, Opp. Gujarat University, Navrangpura, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, 380009, India
| | - Kaif A Mansuri
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacy Practice, L. M. College of Pharmacy, Opp. Gujarat University, Navrangpura, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, 380009, India
| | - Bhadrawati S Prajapati
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacy Practice, L. M. College of Pharmacy, Opp. Gujarat University, Navrangpura, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, 380009, India
| | - Humzah I Postwala
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacy Practice, L. M. College of Pharmacy, Opp. Gujarat University, Navrangpura, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, 380009, India
| | - Mehul R Chorawala
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacy Practice, L. M. College of Pharmacy, Opp. Gujarat University, Navrangpura, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, 380009, India.
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12
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Theron D, Hopkins LN, Sutherland HG, Griffiths LR, Fernandez F. Can Genetic Markers Predict the Sporadic Form of Alzheimer's Disease? An Updated Review on Genetic Peripheral Markers. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:13480. [PMID: 37686283 PMCID: PMC10488021 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241713480] [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: 08/04/2023] [Revised: 08/22/2023] [Accepted: 08/25/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia that affects millions of individuals worldwide. Although the research over the last decades has provided new insight into AD pathophysiology, there is currently no cure for the disease. AD is often only diagnosed once the symptoms have become prominent, particularly in the late-onset (sporadic) form of AD. Consequently, it is essential to further new avenues for early diagnosis. With recent advances in genomic analysis and a lower cost of use, the exploration of genetic markers alongside RNA molecules can offer a key avenue for early diagnosis. We have here provided a brief overview of potential genetic markers differentially expressed in peripheral tissues in AD cases compared to controls, as well as considering the changes to the dynamics of RNA molecules. By integrating both genotype and RNA changes reported in AD, biomarker profiling can be key for developing reliable AD diagnostic tools.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danelda Theron
- School of Behavioural and Health Sciences, Faculty of Heath Sciences, Australian Catholic University, Banyo, QLD 4014, Australia;
- Centre for Genomics and Personalised Health, School of Biomedical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, 60 Musk Ave, Kelvin Grove, QLD 4059, Australia; (L.N.H.); (H.G.S.); (L.R.G.)
| | - Lloyd N. Hopkins
- Centre for Genomics and Personalised Health, School of Biomedical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, 60 Musk Ave, Kelvin Grove, QLD 4059, Australia; (L.N.H.); (H.G.S.); (L.R.G.)
| | - Heidi G. Sutherland
- Centre for Genomics and Personalised Health, School of Biomedical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, 60 Musk Ave, Kelvin Grove, QLD 4059, Australia; (L.N.H.); (H.G.S.); (L.R.G.)
| | - Lyn R. Griffiths
- Centre for Genomics and Personalised Health, School of Biomedical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, 60 Musk Ave, Kelvin Grove, QLD 4059, Australia; (L.N.H.); (H.G.S.); (L.R.G.)
| | - Francesca Fernandez
- School of Behavioural and Health Sciences, Faculty of Heath Sciences, Australian Catholic University, Banyo, QLD 4014, Australia;
- Centre for Genomics and Personalised Health, School of Biomedical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, 60 Musk Ave, Kelvin Grove, QLD 4059, Australia; (L.N.H.); (H.G.S.); (L.R.G.)
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13
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Wickstead ES. Using Stems to Bear Fruit: Deciphering the Role of Alzheimer's Disease Risk Loci in Human-Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Microglia. Biomedicines 2023; 11:2240. [PMID: 37626736 PMCID: PMC10452566 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11082240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2023] [Revised: 08/03/2023] [Accepted: 08/08/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common neurodegenerative disorder globally. In people aged 65 and older, it is estimated that 1 in 9 currently live with the disease. With aging being the greatest risk factor for disease onset, the physiological, social and economic burden continues to rise. Thus, AD remains a public health priority. Since 2007, genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified over 80 genomic loci with variants associated with increased AD risk. Although some variants are beginning to be characterized, the effects of many risk loci remain to be elucidated. One advancement which may help provide a patient-focused approach to tackle this issue is the application of gene editing technology and human-induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs). The relatively non-invasive acquisition of cells from patients with known AD risk loci may provide important insights into the pathological role of these risk variants. Of the risk genes identified, many have been associated with the immune system, including ABCA7, CLU, MEF2C, PICALM and TREM2-genes known to be highly expressed in microglia. This review will detail the potential of using hiPSC-derived microglia to help clarify the role of immune-associated genetic risk variants in AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edward S Wickstead
- Department of Neurology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
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14
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Chacko L, Chaudhary A, Singh B, Dewanjee S, Kandimalla R. CRISPR-Cas9 in Alzheimer's disease: Therapeutic trends, modalities, and challenges. Drug Discov Today 2023; 28:103652. [PMID: 37290639 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2023.103652] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2023] [Revised: 05/24/2023] [Accepted: 06/01/2023] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder with no known cure, which has prompted the exploration of novel therapeutic approaches. The clustered regularly interspaced palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-CRISPR-associated protein 9 (Cas9) tool has generated significant interest for its potential in AD therapeutics by correcting faulty genes. Our report comprehensively reviews emerging applications for CRISPR-Cas9 in developing in vitro and in vivo models for AD research and therapeutics. We further assess its ability to identify and validate genetic markers and potential therapeutic targets for AD. Moreover, we review the current challenges and delivery strategies for the in vivo application of CRISPR-Cas9 in AD therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leena Chacko
- BioAnalytical Lab, Meso Scale Discovery, 1601 Research Blvd, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - Anupama Chaudhary
- Orinin-BioSystems, LE-52, Lotus Road 4, CHD City, Karnal, Haryana 132 001, India
| | - Birbal Singh
- ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI), Regional Station, Palampur, Himachal Pradesh 176 061, India
| | - Saikat Dewanjee
- Advanced Pharmacognosy Research Laboratory, Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Jadavpur University, Kolkata 700 032, India.
| | - Ramesh Kandimalla
- Department of Biochemistry, Kakatiya Medical College, Warangal 506 007, Telangana, India; Department of Applied Biology, CSIR-Indian Institute of Technology, Uppal Road, Tarnaka, Hyderabad 500 007, India.
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15
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Voronova AD, Karsuntseva EK, Stepanova OV, Chadin AV, Shishkina VV, Andretsova SS, Fursa GA, Shport SV, Reshetov IV, Chekhonin VP. Modeling of Alzheimer's Disease to Study the Efficacy of Cell Therapy (Review). Bull Exp Biol Med 2023; 175:524-529. [PMID: 37768457 DOI: 10.1007/s10517-023-05899-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2022] [Indexed: 09/29/2023]
Abstract
We analyzed the main approaches to the modeling of Alzheimer's disease for studying the effectiveness of cell therapy. Recent advances in regenerative medicine in the field of neuroscience create prospects for the use of various cell preparations for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. Experimental data on the use of neural stem/progenitor cells, mesenchymal stem cells, embryonic stem cells, and induced pluripotent stem cells in various models of Alzheimer's disease are presented. Of particular importance is the standardization of protocols. The use of a standardized protocol in modeling of Alzheimer's disease will allow a comparative analysis of the effectiveness and safety of treatment to identify the optimal cell preparation. The data obtained on experimental animals can form the basis for further preclinical and clinical studies of cell therapy for Alzheimer's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- A D Voronova
- V. P. Serbsky National Medical Research Centre of Psychiatry and Narcology, Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Moscow, Russia.
| | - E K Karsuntseva
- V. P. Serbsky National Medical Research Centre of Psychiatry and Narcology, Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Moscow, Russia
| | - O V Stepanova
- V. P. Serbsky National Medical Research Centre of Psychiatry and Narcology, Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Moscow, Russia
- E. I. Chazov National Medical Research Center of Cardiology, Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Moscow, Russia
| | - A V Chadin
- V. P. Serbsky National Medical Research Centre of Psychiatry and Narcology, Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Moscow, Russia
| | - V V Shishkina
- V. P. Serbsky National Medical Research Centre of Psychiatry and Narcology, Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Moscow, Russia
| | - S S Andretsova
- V. P. Serbsky National Medical Research Centre of Psychiatry and Narcology, Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Moscow, Russia
- M. V. Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia
| | - G A Fursa
- V. P. Serbsky National Medical Research Centre of Psychiatry and Narcology, Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Moscow, Russia
- Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Moscow, Russia
| | - S V Shport
- V. P. Serbsky National Medical Research Centre of Psychiatry and Narcology, Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Moscow, Russia
| | - I V Reshetov
- University Clinical Hospital, I. M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation (Sechenov University), Moscow, Russia
| | - V P Chekhonin
- V. P. Serbsky National Medical Research Centre of Psychiatry and Narcology, Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Moscow, Russia
- Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Moscow, Russia
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16
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Zhang Y, Chen H, Li R, Sterling K, Song W. Amyloid β-based therapy for Alzheimer's disease: challenges, successes and future. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2023; 8:248. [PMID: 37386015 PMCID: PMC10310781 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-023-01484-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 128] [Impact Index Per Article: 128.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2023] [Revised: 05/05/2023] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 07/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Amyloid β protein (Aβ) is the main component of neuritic plaques in Alzheimer's disease (AD), and its accumulation has been considered as the molecular driver of Alzheimer's pathogenesis and progression. Aβ has been the prime target for the development of AD therapy. However, the repeated failures of Aβ-targeted clinical trials have cast considerable doubt on the amyloid cascade hypothesis and whether the development of Alzheimer's drug has followed the correct course. However, the recent successes of Aβ targeted trials have assuaged those doubts. In this review, we discussed the evolution of the amyloid cascade hypothesis over the last 30 years and summarized its application in Alzheimer's diagnosis and modification. In particular, we extensively discussed the pitfalls, promises and important unanswered questions regarding the current anti-Aβ therapy, as well as strategies for further study and development of more feasible Aβ-targeted approaches in the optimization of AD prevention and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yun Zhang
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.
| | - Huaqiu Chen
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Ran Li
- The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital, Institute of Aging, Key Laboratory of Alzheimer's Disease of Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Keenan Sterling
- Townsend Family Laboratories, Department of Psychiatry, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z3, Canada
| | - Weihong Song
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.
- The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital, Institute of Aging, Key Laboratory of Alzheimer's Disease of Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China.
- Townsend Family Laboratories, Department of Psychiatry, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z3, Canada.
- Oujiang Laboratory (Zhejiang Lab for Regenerative Medicine, Vision and Brain Health), Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China.
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17
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Rué L, Jaspers T, Degors IMS, Noppen S, Schols D, De Strooper B, Dewilde M. Novel Human/Non-Human Primate Cross-Reactive Anti-Transferrin Receptor Nanobodies for Brain Delivery of Biologics. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:1748. [PMID: 37376196 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15061748] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2023] [Revised: 06/06/2023] [Accepted: 06/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The blood-brain barrier (BBB), while being the gatekeeper of the central nervous system (CNS), is a bottleneck for the treatment of neurological diseases. Unfortunately, most of the biologicals do not reach their brain targets in sufficient quantities. The antibody targeting of receptor-mediated transcytosis (RMT) receptors is an exploited mechanism that increases brain permeability. We previously discovered an anti-human transferrin receptor (TfR) nanobody that could efficiently deliver a therapeutic moiety across the BBB. Despite the high homology between human and cynomolgus TfR, the nanobody was unable to bind the non-human primate receptor. Here we report the discovery of two nanobodies that were able to bind human and cynomolgus TfR, making these nanobodies more clinically relevant. Whereas nanobody BBB00515 bound cynomolgus TfR with 18 times more affinity than it did human TfR, nanobody BBB00533 bound human and cynomolgus TfR with similar affinities. When fused with an anti-beta-site amyloid precursor protein cleaving enzyme (BACE1) antibody (1A11AM), each of the nanobodies was able to increase its brain permeability after peripheral injection. A 40% reduction of brain Aβ1-40 levels could be observed in mice injected with anti-TfR/BACE1 bispecific antibodies when compared to vehicle-injected mice. In summary, we found two nanobodies that could bind both human and cynomolgus TfR with the potential to be used clinically to increase the brain permeability of therapeutic biologicals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Rué
- Laboratory for Therapeutic and Diagnostic Antibodies, Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
- VIB-KU Leuven Center for Brain & Disease Research, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
- Laboratory for the Research of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Department of Neurosciences, Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Tom Jaspers
- Laboratory for Therapeutic and Diagnostic Antibodies, Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Isabelle M S Degors
- VIB-KU Leuven Center for Brain & Disease Research, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
- Laboratory for the Research of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Department of Neurosciences, Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Sam Noppen
- Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Dominique Schols
- Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Bart De Strooper
- VIB-KU Leuven Center for Brain & Disease Research, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
- Laboratory for the Research of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Department of Neurosciences, Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
- UK Dementia Research Institute, University College London, London WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Maarten Dewilde
- Laboratory for Therapeutic and Diagnostic Antibodies, Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
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18
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Lantz MJ, Roberts AM, Delgado DD, Nichols RA. The neuroprotective N-terminal amyloid-β core hexapeptide reverses reactive gliosis and gliotoxicity in Alzheimer's disease pathology models. J Neuroinflammation 2023; 20:129. [PMID: 37245024 DOI: 10.1186/s12974-023-02807-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2022] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 05/29/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by accumulation of extracellular amyloid beta (Aβ) and intracellular neurofibrillary tangles, leading to chronic activation of astrocytes and microglia and persistent neuroinflammation. Aβ-linked activation of microglia and astrocytes leads to increased intracellular calcium and production of proinflammatory cytokines, impacting the progression of neurodegeneration. An N-terminal Aβ fragment (Aβ1-15) and a shorter hexapeptide core sequence within the N-Aβ fragment (N-Aβcore: Aβ10-15) have previously been shown to protect against Aβ-induced mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress and apoptosis in neurons and rescue synaptic and spatial memory deficits in an APP/PSEN1 mouse model. Here, we hypothesized that the N-Aβ fragment and N-Aβcore are protective against Aβ-induced gliotoxicity, promoting a neuroprotective environment and potentially alleviating the characteristically persistent neuroinflammation present in AD. METHODS We treated ex vivo organotypic brain slice cultures from an aged familial AD mouse model, 5xFAD, with the N-Aβcore and used immunocytochemistry to assess the impact on astrogliosis and microgliosis and alterations in synaptophysin-positive puncta engulfed by microglia. Isolated neuron/glia cultures, mixed glial cultures or a microglial cell line were treated with oligomeric human Aβ at concentrations mimicking the pathogenic concentrations (μM) observed in AD in the absence or presence of the non-toxic N-terminal Aβ fragments. Resultant changes in synaptic density, gliosis, oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, apoptosis, and the expression and release of proinflammatory markers were then determined. RESULTS We demonstrate that the N-terminal Aβ fragments mitigated the phenotypic switch leading to astrogliosis and microgliosis induced by pathological concentrations of Aβ in mixed glial cultures and organotypic brain slice cultures from the transgenic 5xFAD mouse model, while protecting against Aβ-induced oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction and apoptosis in isolated astrocytes and microglia. Moreover, the addition of the N-Aβcore attenuated the expression and release of proinflammatory mediators in microglial cells activated by Aβ and rescued microglia-mediated loss of synaptic elements induced by pathological levels of Aβ. CONCLUSIONS Together, these findings indicate the protective functions of the N-terminal Aβ fragments extend to reactive gliosis and gliotoxicity induced by Aβ, by preventing or reversing glial reactive states indicative of neuroinflammation and synaptic loss central to AD pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan J Lantz
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, Honolulu, HI, USA
| | - Alyssa M Roberts
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, Honolulu, HI, USA
| | - Donovan D Delgado
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, Honolulu, HI, USA
| | - Robert A Nichols
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, Honolulu, HI, USA.
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19
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Li H, Tan Y, Cheng X, Zhang Z, Huang J, Hui S, Zhu L, Liu Y, Zhao D, Liu Z, Peng W. Untargeted metabolomics analysis of the hippocampus and cerebral cortex identified the neuroprotective mechanisms of Bushen Tiansui formula in an aβ25-35-induced rat model of Alzheimer’s disease. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:990307. [PMID: 36339577 PMCID: PMC9630565 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.990307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2022] [Accepted: 09/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Bushen Tiansui Formula (BSTSF) is a traditional formulation of Chinese medicine that has been used to treat Alzheimer’s disease (AD) for decades; however, the underlying mechanisms by which this formula achieves such therapeutic effects have yet to be elucidated. Prupose: To investigate the neuroprotective mechanisms of BSTSF against AD by analyzing metabolite profiles in the hippocampus and cortex of AD rats. Methods: The rat models of AD were established by the injection of Aβ25–35. The Morris water maze (MWM) test was performed to evaluate the effect of BSTSF treatment on cognitive dysfunction. Hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining was used to assess the effect of BSTSF on typical AD pathologies. Underlying mechanisms were investigated using LC-MS/MS-based untargeted metabolomics analysis of the cerebral cortex and hippocampus. Results: BSTSF significantly improved memory deficits and the typical histopathological changes of AD rats. Untargeted metabolomics analysis showed that 145 and 184 endogenous metabolites in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus, respectively, were significantly different in the BSTSF group when compared with the AD group. The differential metabolites in the cerebral cortex were primarily involved in cysteine and methionine metabolism, while those in the hippocampus were mainly involved in d-Glutamine and d-glutamate metabolism. Conclusion: In the present study, we confirmed the neuroprotective effects of BSTSF treatment against AD using a rat model. Our findings indicate that the BSTSF-mediated protective effects were associated with amelioration of metabolic disorders in the hippocampus and cerebral cortex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongli Li
- Department of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorder, Changsha, China
| | - Yejun Tan
- School of mathematics, University of Minnesota twin Cities, St. Paul, MS, United States
| | - Xin Cheng
- Department of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorder, Changsha, China
| | - Zheyu Zhang
- Department of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorder, Changsha, China
| | | | - Shan Hui
- Department of Geratology, Hunan Provincial People’s Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan Normal University, Changsha, China
| | - Lemei Zhu
- Academician Workstation, Changsha Medical University, Changsha, China
| | - Yuqing Liu
- Department of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Di Zhao
- Hunan Academy of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, China
| | - Zhao Liu
- Hunan Academy of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, China
| | - Weijun Peng
- Department of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorder, Changsha, China
- *Correspondence: Weijun Peng,
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20
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Wouters Y, Jaspers T, Rué L, Serneels L, De Strooper B, Dewilde M. VHHs as tools for therapeutic protein delivery to the central nervous system. Fluids Barriers CNS 2022; 19:79. [PMID: 36192747 PMCID: PMC9531356 DOI: 10.1186/s12987-022-00374-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2022] [Accepted: 09/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The blood brain barrier (BBB) limits the therapeutic perspective for central nervous system (CNS) disorders. Previously we found an anti-mouse transferrin receptor (TfR) VHH (Nb62) that was able to deliver a biologically active neuropeptide into the CNS in mice. Here, we aimed to test its potential to shuttle a therapeutic relevant cargo. Since this VHH could not recognize the human TfR and hence its translational potential is limited, we also aimed to find and validate an anti-human transferrin VHH to deliver a therapeutic cargo into the CNS. Methods Alpaca immunizations with human TfR, and subsequent phage selection and screening for human TfR binding VHHs was performed to find a human TfR specific VHH (Nb188). Its ability to cross the BBB was determined by fusing it to neurotensin, a neuropeptide that reduces body temperature when present in the CNS but is not able to cross the BBB on its own. Next, the anti–β-secretase 1 (BACE1) 1A11 Fab and Nb62 or Nb188 were fused to an Fc domain to generate heterodimeric antibodies (1A11AM-Nb62 and 1A11AM-Nb188). These were then administered intravenously in wild-type mice and in mice in which the murine apical domain of the TfR was replaced by the human apical domain (hAPI KI). Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) studies were performed to assess the concentration of the heterodimeric antibodies in the brain over time and the ability to inhibit brain-specific BACE1 by analysing the brain levels of Aβ1–40. Results Selections and screening of a phage library resulted in the discovery of an anti-human TfR VHH (Nb188). Fusion of Nb188 to neurotensin induced hypothermia after intravenous injections in hAPI KI mice. In addition, systemic administration 1A11AM-Nb62 and 1A11AM-Nb188 fusions were able to reduce Aβ1-40 levels in the brain whereas 1A11AM fused to an irrelevant VHH did not. A PK/PD experiment showed that this effect could last for 3 days. Conclusion We have discovered an anti-human TfR specific VHH that is able to reach the CNS when administered systemically. In addition, both the currently discovered anti-human TfR VHH and the previously identified mouse-specific anti-TfR VHH, are both able to shuttle a therapeutically relevant cargo into the CNS. We suggest the mouse-specific VHH as a valuable research tool in mice and the human-specific VHH as a moiety to enhance the delivery efficiency of therapeutics into the CNS in human patients. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12987-022-00374-4.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yessica Wouters
- VIB Center for Brain and Disease Research, Campus Gasthuisberg O&N4, Herestraat 49, box 602, 3000, Louvain, Belgium.,Laboratory for the Research of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Department of Neurosciences, Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), KU Leuven, 3000, Louvain, Belgium.,Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, 2800, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Tom Jaspers
- VIB Center for Brain and Disease Research, Campus Gasthuisberg O&N4, Herestraat 49, box 602, 3000, Louvain, Belgium.,Laboratory for the Research of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Department of Neurosciences, Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), KU Leuven, 3000, Louvain, Belgium.,Laboratory for Therapeutic and Diagnostic Antibodies, Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, KU Leuven, 3000, Louvain, Belgium
| | - Laura Rué
- VIB Center for Brain and Disease Research, Campus Gasthuisberg O&N4, Herestraat 49, box 602, 3000, Louvain, Belgium.,Laboratory for the Research of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Department of Neurosciences, Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), KU Leuven, 3000, Louvain, Belgium
| | - Lutgarde Serneels
- VIB Center for Brain and Disease Research, Campus Gasthuisberg O&N4, Herestraat 49, box 602, 3000, Louvain, Belgium.,Laboratory for the Research of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Department of Neurosciences, Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), KU Leuven, 3000, Louvain, Belgium
| | - Bart De Strooper
- VIB Center for Brain and Disease Research, Campus Gasthuisberg O&N4, Herestraat 49, box 602, 3000, Louvain, Belgium. .,Laboratory for the Research of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Department of Neurosciences, Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), KU Leuven, 3000, Louvain, Belgium. .,UK Dementia Research Institute, University College London, London, UK.
| | - Maarten Dewilde
- VIB Center for Brain and Disease Research, Campus Gasthuisberg O&N4, Herestraat 49, box 602, 3000, Louvain, Belgium. .,Laboratory for the Research of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Department of Neurosciences, Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), KU Leuven, 3000, Louvain, Belgium. .,Laboratory for Therapeutic and Diagnostic Antibodies, Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, KU Leuven, 3000, Louvain, Belgium.
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21
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Mumford P, Tosh J, Anderle S, Gkanatsiou Wikberg E, Lau G, Noy S, Cleverley K, Saito T, Saido TC, Yu E, Brinkmalm G, Portelius E, Blennow K, Zetterberg H, Tybulewicz V, Fisher EMC, Wiseman FK. Genetic Mapping of APP and Amyloid-β Biology Modulation by Trisomy 21. J Neurosci 2022; 42:6453-6468. [PMID: 35835549 PMCID: PMC9398545 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.0521-22.2022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2022] [Revised: 06/03/2022] [Accepted: 06/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Individuals who have Down syndrome (DS) frequently develop early onset Alzheimer's disease (AD), a neurodegenerative condition caused by the buildup of aggregated amyloid-β (Aβ) and tau proteins in the brain. Aβ is produced by amyloid precursor protein (APP), a gene located on chromosome 21. People who have DS have three copies of chromosome 21 and thus also an additional copy of APP; this genetic change drives the early development of AD in these individuals. Here we use a combination of next-generation mouse models of DS (Tc1, Dp3Tyb, Dp(10)2Yey and Dp(17)3Yey) and a knockin mouse model of Aβ accumulation (AppNL-F ) to determine how chromosome 21 genes, other than APP, modulate APP/Aβ in the brain when in three copies. Using both male and female mice, we demonstrate that three copies of other chromosome 21 genes are sufficient to partially ameliorate Aβ accumulation in the brain. We go on to identify a subregion of chromosome 21 that contains the gene(s) causing this decrease in Aβ accumulation and investigate the role of two lead candidate genes, Dyrk1a and Bace2 Thus, an additional copy of chromosome 21 genes, other than APP, can modulate APP/Aβ in the brain under physiological conditions. This work provides critical mechanistic insight into the development of disease and an explanation for the typically later age of onset of dementia in people who have AD in DS, compared with those who have familial AD caused by triplication of APP SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Trisomy of chromosome 21 is a commonly occurring genetic risk factor for early-onset Alzheimer's disease (AD), which has been previously attributed to people with Down syndrome having three copies of the amyloid precursor protein (APP) gene, which is encoded on chromosome 21. However, we have shown that an extra copy of other chromosome 21 genes modifies AD-like phenotypes independently of APP copy number (Wiseman et al., 2018; Tosh et al., 2021). Here, we use a mapping approach to narrow down the genetic cause of the modulation of pathology, demonstrating that gene(s) on chromosome 21 decrease Aβ accumulation in the brain, independently of alterations to full-length APP or C-terminal fragment abundance and that just 38 genes are sufficient to cause this.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paige Mumford
- The UK Dementia Research Institute, University College London, London, WC1N 3BG, United Kingdom
| | - Justin Tosh
- Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, WC1N 3BG, United Kingdom
| | - Silvia Anderle
- The UK Dementia Research Institute, University College London, London, WC1N 3BG, United Kingdom
| | - Eleni Gkanatsiou Wikberg
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg S-431 80, Sweden
| | - Gloria Lau
- The UK Dementia Research Institute, University College London, London, WC1N 3BG, United Kingdom
| | - Sue Noy
- Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, WC1N 3BG, United Kingdom
| | - Karen Cleverley
- Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, WC1N 3BG, United Kingdom
| | - Takashi Saito
- Laboratory for Proteolytic Neuroscience, RIKEN Brain Science Institute, Wako-shi, Saitama Japan, 351-0198
| | - Takaomi C Saido
- Laboratory for Proteolytic Neuroscience, RIKEN Brain Science Institute, Wako-shi, Saitama Japan, 351-0198
| | - Eugene Yu
- Genetics and Genomics Program and Department of Cancer Genetics and Genomics, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Children's Guild Foundation Down Syndrome Research Program, Buffalo, New York NY 14263
| | - Gunnar Brinkmalm
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg S-431 80, Sweden
| | - Erik Portelius
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg S-431 80, Sweden
| | - Kaj Blennow
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg S-431 80, Sweden
- Clinical Neurochemistry Laboratory, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Mölndal S-43180, Sweden
| | - Henrik Zetterberg
- The UK Dementia Research Institute, University College London, London, WC1N 3BG, United Kingdom
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg S-431 80, Sweden
- Clinical Neurochemistry Laboratory, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Mölndal S-43180, Sweden
- Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, UCL Institute of Neurology, London, WC1N 3BG, United Kingdom
- Hong Kong Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Hong Kong, China
| | - Victor Tybulewicz
- The Francis Crick Institute, London, NW1 1AT, United Kingdom
- Department of Immunology and Inflammation, Imperial College, London, W12 0NN, United Kingdom
- LonDownS: London Down Syndrome Consortium
| | - Elizabeth M C Fisher
- Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, WC1N 3BG, United Kingdom
- LonDownS: London Down Syndrome Consortium
| | - Frances K Wiseman
- The UK Dementia Research Institute, University College London, London, WC1N 3BG, United Kingdom
- LonDownS: London Down Syndrome Consortium
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22
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De Plano LM, Calabrese G, Conoci S, Guglielmino SPP, Oddo S, Caccamo A. Applications of CRISPR-Cas9 in Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23158714. [PMID: 35955847 PMCID: PMC9368966 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23158714] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2022] [Revised: 08/01/2022] [Accepted: 08/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and Huntington’s disease represent some of the most prevalent neurodegenerative disorders afflicting millions of people worldwide. Unfortunately, there is a lack of efficacious treatments to cure or stop the progression of these disorders. While the causes of such a lack of therapies can be attributed to various reasons, the disappointing results of recent clinical trials suggest the need for novel and innovative approaches. Since its discovery, there has been a growing excitement around the potential for CRISPR-Cas9 mediated gene editing to identify novel mechanistic insights into disease pathogenesis and to mediate accurate gene therapy. To this end, the literature is rich with experiments aimed at generating novel models of these disorders and offering proof-of-concept studies in preclinical animal models validating the great potential and versatility of this gene-editing system. In this review, we provide an overview of how the CRISPR-Cas9 systems have been used in these neurodegenerative disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura M. De Plano
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale Ferdinando Stagno d’Alcontres, 31, 98168 Messina, Italy
| | - Giovanna Calabrese
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale Ferdinando Stagno d’Alcontres, 31, 98168 Messina, Italy
| | - Sabrina Conoci
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale Ferdinando Stagno d’Alcontres, 31, 98168 Messina, Italy
| | - Salvatore P. P. Guglielmino
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale Ferdinando Stagno d’Alcontres, 31, 98168 Messina, Italy
| | - Salvatore Oddo
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale Ferdinando Stagno d’Alcontres, 31, 98168 Messina, Italy
| | - Antonella Caccamo
- Department of Drug and Health Sciences, University of Catania, Viale Andrea Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy
- Correspondence:
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23
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Farrell C, Mumford P, Wiseman FK. Rodent Modeling of Alzheimer's Disease in Down Syndrome: In vivo and ex vivo Approaches. Front Neurosci 2022; 16:909669. [PMID: 35747206 PMCID: PMC9209729 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.909669] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2022] [Accepted: 05/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
There are an estimated 6 million people with Down syndrome (DS) worldwide. In developed countries, the vast majority of these individuals will develop Alzheimer's disease neuropathology characterized by the accumulation of amyloid-β (Aβ) plaques and tau neurofibrillary tangles within the brain, which leads to the early onset of dementia (AD-DS) and reduced life-expectancy. The mean age of onset of clinical dementia is ~55 years and by the age of 80, approaching 100% of individuals with DS will have a dementia diagnosis. DS is caused by trisomy of chromosome 21 (Hsa21) thus an additional copy of a gene(s) on the chromosome must cause the development of AD neuropathology and dementia. Indeed, triplication of the gene APP which encodes the amyloid precursor protein is sufficient and necessary for early onset AD (EOAD), both in people who have and do not have DS. However, triplication of other genes on Hsa21 leads to profound differences in neurodevelopment resulting in intellectual disability, elevated incidence of epilepsy and perturbations to the immune system. This different biology may impact on how AD neuropathology and dementia develops in people who have DS. Indeed, genes on Hsa21 other than APP when in three-copies can modulate AD-pathogenesis in mouse preclinical models. Understanding this biology better is critical to inform drug selection for AD prevention and therapy trials for people who have DS. Here we will review rodent preclinical models of AD-DS and how these can be used for both in vivo and ex vivo (cultured cells and organotypic slice cultures) studies to understand the mechanisms that contribute to the early development of AD in people who have DS and test the utility of treatments to prevent or delay the development of disease.
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24
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Kim TA, Syty MD, Wu K, Ge S. Adult hippocampal neurogenesis and its impairment in Alzheimer's disease. Zool Res 2022; 43:481-496. [PMID: 35503338 PMCID: PMC9113964 DOI: 10.24272/j.issn.2095-8137.2021.479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2022] [Accepted: 04/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Adult neurogenesis is the creation of new neurons which integrate into the existing neural circuit of the adult brain. Recent evidence suggests that adult hippocampal neurogenesis (AHN) persists throughout life in mammals, including humans. These newborn neurons have been implicated to have a crucial role in brain functions such as learning and memory. Importantly, studies have also found that hippocampal neurogenesis is impaired in neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric diseases. Alzheimer's disease (AD) is one of the most common forms of dementia affecting millions of people. Cognitive dysfunction is a common symptom of AD patients and progressive memory loss has been attributed to the degeneration of the hippocampus. Therefore, there has been growing interest in identifying how hippocampal neurogenesis is affected in AD. However, the link between cognitive decline and changes in hippocampal neurogenesis in AD is poorly understood. In this review, we summarized the recent literature on AHN and its impairments in AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas A Kim
- Department of Neurobiology & Behavior, SUNY at Stony Brook, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA
- Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP), Renaissance School of Medicine at SUNY, Stony Brook, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA
| | - Michelle D Syty
- Department of Neurobiology & Behavior, SUNY at Stony Brook, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA
| | - Kaitlyn Wu
- Department of Neurobiology & Behavior, SUNY at Stony Brook, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA
| | - Shaoyu Ge
- Department of Neurobiology & Behavior, SUNY at Stony Brook, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA. E-mail:
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25
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Cell models for Down syndrome-Alzheimer’s disease research. Neuronal Signal 2022; 6:NS20210054. [PMID: 35449591 PMCID: PMC8996251 DOI: 10.1042/ns20210054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2021] [Revised: 03/07/2022] [Accepted: 03/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Down syndrome (DS) is the most common chromosomal abnormality and leads to intellectual disability, increased risk of cardiac defects, and an altered immune response. Individuals with DS have an extra full or partial copy of chromosome 21 (trisomy 21) and are more likely to develop early-onset Alzheimer’s disease (AD) than the general population. Changes in expression of human chromosome 21 (Hsa21)-encoded genes, such as amyloid precursor protein (APP), play an important role in the pathogenesis of AD in DS (DS-AD). However, the mechanisms of DS-AD remain poorly understood. To date, several mouse models with an extra copy of genes syntenic to Hsa21 have been developed to characterise DS-AD-related phenotypes. Nonetheless, due to genetic and physiological differences between mouse and human, mouse models cannot faithfully recapitulate all features of DS-AD. Cells differentiated from human-induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), isolated from individuals with genetic diseases, can be used to model disease-related cellular and molecular pathologies, including DS. In this review, we will discuss the limitations of mouse models of DS and how these can be addressed using recent advancements in modelling DS using human iPSCs and iPSC-mouse chimeras, and potential applications of iPSCs in preclinical studies for DS-AD.
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26
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Pang K, Jiang R, Zhang W, Yang Z, Li LL, Shimozawa M, Tambaro S, Mayer J, Zhang B, Li M, Wang J, Liu H, Yang A, Chen X, Liu J, Winblad B, Han H, Jiang T, Wang W, Nilsson P, Guo W, Lu B. An App knock-in rat model for Alzheimer's disease exhibiting Aβ and tau pathologies, neuronal death and cognitive impairments. Cell Res 2022; 32:157-175. [PMID: 34789895 PMCID: PMC8807612 DOI: 10.1038/s41422-021-00582-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2021] [Accepted: 10/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
A major obstacle in Alzheimer's disease (AD) research is the lack of predictive and translatable animal models that reflect disease progression and drug efficacy. Transgenic mice overexpressing amyloid precursor protein (App) gene manifest non-physiological and ectopic expression of APP and its fragments in the brain, which is not observed in AD patients. The App knock-in mice circumvented some of these problems, but they do not exhibit tau pathology and neuronal death. We have generated a rat model, with three familiar App mutations and humanized Aβ sequence knocked into the rat App gene. Without altering the levels of full-length APP and other APP fragments, this model exhibits pathologies and disease progression resembling those in human patients: deposit of Aβ plaques in relevant brain regions, microglia activation and gliosis, progressive synaptic degeneration and AD-relevant cognitive deficits. Interestingly, we have observed tau pathology, neuronal apoptosis and necroptosis and brain atrophy, phenotypes rarely seen in other APP models. This App knock-in rat model may serve as a useful tool for AD research, identifying new drug targets and biomarkers, and testing therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keliang Pang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Tsinghua University-Peking University Joint Center for Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
- R&D Center for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Major Brain Diseases, Research Institute of Tsinghua University in Shenzhen, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
- Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Advanced Innovation Center for Human Brain Protection, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Richeng Jiang
- Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Division of Neurogeriatrics, Center for Alzheimer Research, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Wei Zhang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, and Department of Psychology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Zhengyi Yang
- Brainnetome Center, Institute of Automation, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Lin-Lin Li
- Research Center for Brain-inspired Intelligence, National Laboratory of Pattern Recognition, Institute of Automation, School of Future Technology, University of CAS, and CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Makoto Shimozawa
- Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Division of Neurogeriatrics, Center for Alzheimer Research, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Simone Tambaro
- Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Division of Neurogeriatrics, Center for Alzheimer Research, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Johanna Mayer
- Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Division of Neurogeriatrics, Center for Alzheimer Research, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Baogui Zhang
- Brainnetome Center, Institute of Automation, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Man Li
- CAS Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, and Department of Psychology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jiesi Wang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, and Department of Psychology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Hang Liu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Tsinghua University-Peking University Joint Center for Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
- R&D Center for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Major Brain Diseases, Research Institute of Tsinghua University in Shenzhen, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
- Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Advanced Innovation Center for Human Brain Protection, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Ailing Yang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Tsinghua University-Peking University Joint Center for Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Xi Chen
- Research Center for Brain-inspired Intelligence, National Laboratory of Pattern Recognition, Institute of Automation, School of Future Technology, University of CAS, and CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Jiazheng Liu
- Research Center for Brain-inspired Intelligence, National Laboratory of Pattern Recognition, Institute of Automation, School of Future Technology, University of CAS, and CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Bengt Winblad
- Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Division of Neurogeriatrics, Center for Alzheimer Research, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Theme Aging, Karolinska University Hospital, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Hua Han
- Research Center for Brain-inspired Intelligence, National Laboratory of Pattern Recognition, Institute of Automation, School of Future Technology, University of CAS, and CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Tianzi Jiang
- Brainnetome Center, Institute of Automation, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Weiwen Wang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, and Department of Psychology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Per Nilsson
- Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Division of Neurogeriatrics, Center for Alzheimer Research, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Wei Guo
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Tsinghua University-Peking University Joint Center for Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China.
- R&D Center for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Major Brain Diseases, Research Institute of Tsinghua University in Shenzhen, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China.
- Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Advanced Innovation Center for Human Brain Protection, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.
| | - Bai Lu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Tsinghua University-Peking University Joint Center for Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China.
- R&D Center for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Major Brain Diseases, Research Institute of Tsinghua University in Shenzhen, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China.
- Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Advanced Innovation Center for Human Brain Protection, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.
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27
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Lu L, Yu X, Cai Y, Sun M, Yang H. Application of CRISPR/Cas9 in Alzheimer's Disease. Front Neurosci 2021; 15:803894. [PMID: 34992519 PMCID: PMC8724030 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2021.803894] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2021] [Accepted: 11/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive and irreversible neurodegenerative disorder clinically characterized by cognitive impairment, abnormal behavior, and social deficits, which is intimately linked with excessive β-amyloid (Aβ) protein deposition along with many other misfolded proteins, neurofibrillary tangles formed by hyperphosphorylated tau protein aggregates, and mitochondrial damage in neurons, leading to neuron loss. Currently, research on the pathological mechanism of AD has been elucidated for decades, still no effective treatment for this complex disease was developed, and the existing therapeutic strategies are extremely erratic, thereby leading to irreversible and progressive cognitive decline in AD patients. Due to gradually mental dyscapacitating of AD patients, AD not only brings serious physical and psychological suffering to patients themselves, but also imposes huge economic burdens on family and society. Accordingly, it is very imperative to recapitulate the progress of gene editing-based precision medicine in the emerging fields. In this review, we will mainly focus on the application of CRISPR/Cas9 technique in the fields of AD research and gene therapy, and summarize the application of CRISPR/Cas9 in the aspects of AD model construction, screening of pathogenic genes, and target therapy. Finally, the development of delivery systems, which is a major challenge that hinders the clinical application of CRISPR/Cas9 technology will also be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Miao Sun
- Institute for Fetology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Hao Yang
- Institute for Fetology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
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Hu B, Duan S, Wang Z, Li X, Zhou Y, Zhang X, Zhang YW, Xu H, Zheng H. Insights Into the Role of CSF1R in the Central Nervous System and Neurological Disorders. Front Aging Neurosci 2021; 13:789834. [PMID: 34867307 PMCID: PMC8634759 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2021.789834] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2021] [Accepted: 10/26/2021] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The colony-stimulating factor 1 receptor (CSF1R) is a key tyrosine kinase transmembrane receptor modulating microglial homeostasis, neurogenesis, and neuronal survival in the central nervous system (CNS). CSF1R, which can be proteolytically cleaved into a soluble ectodomain and an intracellular protein fragment, supports the survival of myeloid cells upon activation by two ligands, colony stimulating factor 1 and interleukin 34. CSF1R loss-of-function mutations are the major cause of adult-onset leukoencephalopathy with axonal spheroids and pigmented glia (ALSP) and its dysfunction has also been implicated in other neurodegenerative disorders including Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Here, we review the physiological functions of CSF1R in the CNS and its pathological effects in neurological disorders including ALSP, AD, frontotemporal dementia and multiple sclerosis. Understanding the pathophysiology of CSF1R is critical for developing targeted therapies for related neurological diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Banglian Hu
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Disease and Aging Research, School of Medicine, Institute of Neuroscience, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Shengshun Duan
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Disease and Aging Research, School of Medicine, Institute of Neuroscience, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Ziwei Wang
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Disease and Aging Research, School of Medicine, Institute of Neuroscience, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Xin Li
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Disease and Aging Research, School of Medicine, Institute of Neuroscience, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Yuhang Zhou
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Disease and Aging Research, School of Medicine, Institute of Neuroscience, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Xian Zhang
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Disease and Aging Research, School of Medicine, Institute of Neuroscience, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Yun-Wu Zhang
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Disease and Aging Research, School of Medicine, Institute of Neuroscience, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Huaxi Xu
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Disease and Aging Research, School of Medicine, Institute of Neuroscience, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Honghua Zheng
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Disease and Aging Research, School of Medicine, Institute of Neuroscience, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China.,Basic Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
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Ni R. Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Animal Models of Alzheimer's Disease Amyloidosis. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:12768. [PMID: 34884573 PMCID: PMC8657987 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222312768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2021] [Revised: 11/18/2021] [Accepted: 11/23/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Amyloid-beta (Aβ) plays an important role in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease. Aberrant Aβ accumulation induces neuroinflammation, cerebrovascular alterations, and synaptic deficits, leading to cognitive impairment. Animal models recapitulating the Aβ pathology, such as transgenic, knock-in mouse and rat models, have facilitated the understanding of disease mechanisms and the development of therapeutics targeting Aβ. There is a rapid advance in high-field MRI in small animals. Versatile high-field magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) sequences, such as diffusion tensor imaging, arterial spin labeling, resting-state functional MRI, anatomical MRI, and MR spectroscopy, as well as contrast agents, have been developed for preclinical imaging in animal models. These tools have enabled high-resolution in vivo structural, functional, and molecular readouts with a whole-brain field of view. MRI has been used to visualize non-invasively the Aβ deposits, synaptic deficits, regional brain atrophy, impairment in white matter integrity, functional connectivity, and cerebrovascular and glymphatic system in animal models of Alzheimer's disease amyloidosis. Many of the readouts are translational toward clinical MRI applications in patients with Alzheimer's disease. In this review, we summarize the recent advances in MRI for visualizing the pathophysiology in amyloidosis animal models. We discuss the outstanding challenges in brain imaging using MRI in small animals and propose future outlook in visualizing Aβ-related alterations in the brains of animal models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruiqing Ni
- Institute for Biomedical Engineering, ETH Zurich & University of Zurich, 8093 Zurich, Switzerland;
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, University of Zurich, 8952 Zurich, Switzerland
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Ni R. Positron Emission Tomography in Animal Models of Alzheimer's Disease Amyloidosis: Translational Implications. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2021; 14:1179. [PMID: 34832961 PMCID: PMC8623863 DOI: 10.3390/ph14111179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2021] [Revised: 11/13/2021] [Accepted: 11/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Animal models of Alzheimer's disease amyloidosis that recapitulate cerebral amyloid-beta pathology have been widely used in preclinical research and have greatly enabled the mechanistic understanding of Alzheimer's disease and the development of therapeutics. Comprehensive deep phenotyping of the pathophysiological and biochemical features in these animal models is essential. Recent advances in positron emission tomography have allowed the non-invasive visualization of the alterations in the brain of animal models and in patients with Alzheimer's disease. These tools have facilitated our understanding of disease mechanisms and provided longitudinal monitoring of treatment effects in animal models of Alzheimer's disease amyloidosis. In this review, we focus on recent positron emission tomography studies of cerebral amyloid-beta accumulation, hypoglucose metabolism, synaptic and neurotransmitter receptor deficits (cholinergic and glutamatergic system), blood-brain barrier impairment, and neuroinflammation (microgliosis and astrocytosis) in animal models of Alzheimer's disease amyloidosis. We further propose the emerging targets and tracers for reflecting the pathophysiological changes and discuss outstanding challenges in disease animal models and future outlook in the on-chip characterization of imaging biomarkers towards clinical translation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruiqing Ni
- Institute for Biomedical Engineering, ETH & University of Zurich, 8093 Zurich, Switzerland;
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, University of Zurich, 8952 Zurich, Switzerland
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31
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Das B, Singh N, Yao AY, Zhou J, He W, Hu X, Yan R. BACE1 controls synaptic function through modulating release of synaptic vesicles. Mol Psychiatry 2021; 26:6394-6410. [PMID: 34158621 PMCID: PMC8760050 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-021-01166-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2021] [Revised: 04/27/2021] [Accepted: 05/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
BACE1 initiates production of β-amyloid peptides (Aβ), which is associated with cognitive dysfunction in Alzheimer's disease (AD) due to abnormal oligomerization and aggregation. While BACE1 inhibitors show strong reduction in Aβ deposition, they fail to improve cognitive function in patients, largely due to its role in synaptic function. We show that BACE1 is required for optimal release of synaptic vesicles. BACE1 deficiency or inhibition decreases synaptic vesicle docking in the synaptic active zones. Consistently, BACE1-null mice or mice treated with clinically tested BACE1 inhibitors Verubecestat and Lanabecestat exhibit severe reduction in hippocampal LTP and learning behaviors. To counterbalance this synaptic deficit, we discovered that BACE1-null mice treated with positive allosteric modulators (PAMs) of metabotropic glutamate receptor 1 (mGluR1), whose levels were reduced in BACE1-null mice and significantly improved long-term potentiation and cognitive behaviors. Similarly, mice treated with mGluR1 PAM showed significantly mitigated synaptic deficits caused by BACE1 inhibitors. Together, our data suggest that a therapy combining BACE1 inhibitors for reducing amyloid deposition and an mGluR1 PAM for counteracting BACE1-mediated synaptic deficits appears to be an effective approach for treating AD patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brati Das
- Department of Neuroscience, UConn Health, Farmington, CT, USA
| | - Neeraj Singh
- Department of Neuroscience, UConn Health, Farmington, CT, USA
| | - Annie Y Yao
- Department of Neuroscience, UConn Health, Farmington, CT, USA
| | - John Zhou
- Department of Neuroscience, UConn Health, Farmington, CT, USA
| | - Wanxia He
- Department of Neuroscience, UConn Health, Farmington, CT, USA
| | - Xiangyou Hu
- Department of Neuroscience, UConn Health, Farmington, CT, USA
| | - Riqiang Yan
- Department of Neuroscience, UConn Health, Farmington, CT, USA.
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33
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Benitez DP, Jiang S, Wood J, Wang R, Hall CM, Peerboom C, Wong N, Stringer KM, Vitanova KS, Smith VC, Joshi D, Saito T, Saido TC, Hardy J, Hanrieder J, De Strooper B, Salih DA, Tripathi T, Edwards FA, Cummings DM. Knock-in models related to Alzheimer's disease: synaptic transmission, plaques and the role of microglia. Mol Neurodegener 2021; 16:47. [PMID: 34266459 PMCID: PMC8281661 DOI: 10.1186/s13024-021-00457-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2020] [Accepted: 05/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Microglia are active modulators of Alzheimer’s disease but their role in relation to amyloid plaques and synaptic changes due to rising amyloid beta is unclear. We add novel findings concerning these relationships and investigate which of our previously reported results from transgenic mice can be validated in knock-in mice, in which overexpression and other artefacts of transgenic technology are avoided. Methods AppNL-F and AppNL-G-F knock-in mice expressing humanised amyloid beta with mutations in App that cause familial Alzheimer’s disease were compared to wild type mice throughout life. In vitro approaches were used to understand microglial alterations at the genetic and protein levels and synaptic function and plasticity in CA1 hippocampal neurones, each in relationship to both age and stage of amyloid beta pathology. The contribution of microglia to neuronal function was further investigated by ablating microglia with CSF1R inhibitor PLX5622. Results Both App knock-in lines showed increased glutamate release probability prior to detection of plaques. Consistent with results in transgenic mice, this persisted throughout life in AppNL-F mice but was not evident in AppNL-G-F with sparse plaques. Unlike transgenic mice, loss of spontaneous excitatory activity only occurred at the latest stages, while no change could be detected in spontaneous inhibitory synaptic transmission or magnitude of long-term potentiation. Also, in contrast to transgenic mice, the microglial response in both App knock-in lines was delayed until a moderate plaque load developed. Surviving PLX5266-depleted microglia tended to be CD68-positive. Partial microglial ablation led to aged but not young wild type animals mimicking the increased glutamate release probability in App knock-ins and exacerbated the App knock-in phenotype. Complete ablation was less effective in altering synaptic function, while neither treatment altered plaque load. Conclusions Increased glutamate release probability is similar across knock-in and transgenic mouse models of Alzheimer’s disease, likely reflecting acute physiological effects of soluble amyloid beta. Microglia respond later to increased amyloid beta levels by proliferating and upregulating Cd68 and Trem2. Partial depletion of microglia suggests that, in wild type mice, alteration of surviving phagocytic microglia, rather than microglial loss, drives age-dependent effects on glutamate release that become exacerbated in Alzheimer’s disease. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13024-021-00457-0.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana P Benitez
- Department of Neuroscience, Physiology and Pharmacology, University College London, Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Shenyi Jiang
- Department of Neuroscience, Physiology and Pharmacology, University College London, Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT, UK.,Ludwig Maximilians Universitat, Munich, Germany
| | - Jack Wood
- Department of Neuroscience, Physiology and Pharmacology, University College London, Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Rui Wang
- Department of Neuroscience, Physiology and Pharmacology, University College London, Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT, UK.,Institute for Synaptic Physiology, Center for Molecular Neurobiology (ZMNH), University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Chloe M Hall
- Department of Neuroscience, Physiology and Pharmacology, University College London, Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT, UK.,School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Brighton, Brighton, UK
| | - Carlijn Peerboom
- Department of Neuroscience, Physiology and Pharmacology, University College London, Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT, UK.,Cell Biology, Neurobiology and Biophysics, Biology Department, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, Padualaan 8, 3584 CH, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Natalie Wong
- Department of Neuroscience, Physiology and Pharmacology, University College London, Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Katie M Stringer
- Department of Neuroscience, Physiology and Pharmacology, University College London, Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT, UK.,Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, The Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Mölndal, Sweden
| | - Karina S Vitanova
- Department of Neuroscience, Physiology and Pharmacology, University College London, Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Victoria C Smith
- Department of Neuroscience, Physiology and Pharmacology, University College London, Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT, UK.,Centre for Doctoral Training at the Institute of Health Informatics, University College London, 222 Euston Road, London, NW1 2DA, UK
| | - Dhaval Joshi
- Department of Neuroscience, Physiology and Pharmacology, University College London, Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT, UK.,Department of Psychology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Takashi Saito
- Laboratory for Proteolytic Neuroscience, RIKEN Center for Brain Science, 2-1 Wako-shi, Saitama, 351-0198, Japan.,Department of Neurocognitive Science, Institute of Brain Science, Nagoya City, University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan
| | - Takaomi C Saido
- Laboratory for Proteolytic Neuroscience, RIKEN Center for Brain Science, 2-1 Wako-shi, Saitama, 351-0198, Japan
| | - John Hardy
- Dementia Research Institute, University College London, Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT, UK.,Reta Lila Weston Institute, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, 1 Wakefield Street, London, WC1N 1PJ, UK.,UCL Movement Disorders Centre, University College London, London, UK.,Institute for Advanced Study, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong, SAR, China
| | - Jörg Hanrieder
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, The Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Mölndal, Sweden.,Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London, WC1N 3BG, UK
| | - Bart De Strooper
- Dementia Research Institute, University College London, Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT, UK.,VIB Center for Brain & Disease Research, 3000, Leuven, KU, Belgium.,Department of Neurosciences, Leuven Brain Institute, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Dervis A Salih
- Department of Neuroscience, Physiology and Pharmacology, University College London, Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT, UK.,Dementia Research Institute, University College London, Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Takshashila Tripathi
- Department of Neuroscience, Physiology and Pharmacology, University College London, Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Frances A Edwards
- Department of Neuroscience, Physiology and Pharmacology, University College London, Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT, UK. .,Institute of Healthy Ageing, University College London, Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT, UK.
| | - Damian M Cummings
- Department of Neuroscience, Physiology and Pharmacology, University College London, Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT, UK. .,Dementia Research Institute, University College London, Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT, UK.
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Trujillo-Estrada L, Sanchez-Mejias E, Sanchez-Varo R, Garcia-Leon JA, Nuñez-Diaz C, Davila JC, Vitorica J, LaFerla FM, Moreno-Gonzalez I, Gutierrez A, Baglietto-Vargas D. Animal and Cellular Models of Alzheimer's Disease: Progress, Promise, and Future Approaches. Neuroscientist 2021; 28:572-593. [PMID: 33769131 DOI: 10.1177/10738584211001753] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is an incurable neurodegenerative disease affecting over 45 million people worldwide. Transgenic mouse models have made remarkable contributions toward clarifying the pathophysiological mechanisms behind the clinical manifestations of AD. However, the limited ability of these in vivo models to accurately replicate the biology of the human disease have precluded the translation of promising preclinical therapies to the clinic. In this review, we highlight several major pathogenic mechanisms of AD that were discovered using transgenic mouse models. Moreover, we discuss the shortcomings of current animal models and the need to develop reliable models for the sporadic form of the disease, which accounts for the majority of AD cases, as well as human cellular models to improve success in translating results into human treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Trujillo-Estrada
- Departamento Biologia Celular, Genetica y Fisiologia, Instituto de Investigacion Biomedica de Malaga-IBIMA, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Malaga, Malaga, Spain.,Centro de Investigacion Biomedica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Madrid, Spain
| | - Elisabeth Sanchez-Mejias
- Departamento Biologia Celular, Genetica y Fisiologia, Instituto de Investigacion Biomedica de Malaga-IBIMA, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Malaga, Malaga, Spain.,Centro de Investigacion Biomedica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Madrid, Spain
| | - Raquel Sanchez-Varo
- Departamento Biologia Celular, Genetica y Fisiologia, Instituto de Investigacion Biomedica de Malaga-IBIMA, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Malaga, Malaga, Spain.,Centro de Investigacion Biomedica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Madrid, Spain
| | - Juan Antonio Garcia-Leon
- Departamento Biologia Celular, Genetica y Fisiologia, Instituto de Investigacion Biomedica de Malaga-IBIMA, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Malaga, Malaga, Spain.,Centro de Investigacion Biomedica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Madrid, Spain
| | - Cristina Nuñez-Diaz
- Departamento Biologia Celular, Genetica y Fisiologia, Instituto de Investigacion Biomedica de Malaga-IBIMA, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Malaga, Malaga, Spain.,Centro de Investigacion Biomedica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Madrid, Spain
| | - Jose Carlos Davila
- Departamento Biologia Celular, Genetica y Fisiologia, Instituto de Investigacion Biomedica de Malaga-IBIMA, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Malaga, Malaga, Spain.,Centro de Investigacion Biomedica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Madrid, Spain
| | - Javier Vitorica
- Centro de Investigacion Biomedica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Madrid, Spain.,Departamento Bioquimica y Biologia Molecular, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad de Sevilla, Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla (IBiS)-Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocio/CSIC/Universidad de Sevilla, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Frank M LaFerla
- Institute for Memory Impairments and Neurological Disorders, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA.,Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Ines Moreno-Gonzalez
- Departamento Biologia Celular, Genetica y Fisiologia, Instituto de Investigacion Biomedica de Malaga-IBIMA, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Malaga, Malaga, Spain.,Centro de Investigacion Biomedica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Madrid, Spain
| | - Antonia Gutierrez
- Departamento Biologia Celular, Genetica y Fisiologia, Instituto de Investigacion Biomedica de Malaga-IBIMA, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Malaga, Malaga, Spain.,Centro de Investigacion Biomedica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Madrid, Spain
| | - David Baglietto-Vargas
- Departamento Biologia Celular, Genetica y Fisiologia, Instituto de Investigacion Biomedica de Malaga-IBIMA, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Malaga, Malaga, Spain.,Centro de Investigacion Biomedica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Madrid, Spain
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Is γ-secretase a beneficial inactivating enzyme of the toxic APP C-terminal fragment C99? J Biol Chem 2021; 296:100489. [PMID: 33662398 PMCID: PMC8027268 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2021.100489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2020] [Revised: 02/26/2021] [Accepted: 02/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Genetic, biochemical, and anatomical grounds led to the proposal of the amyloid cascade hypothesis centered on the accumulation of amyloid beta peptides (Aβ) to explain Alzheimer's disease (AD) etiology. In this context, a bulk of efforts have aimed at developing therapeutic strategies seeking to reduce Aβ levels, either by blocking its production (γ- and β-secretase inhibitors) or by neutralizing it once formed (Aβ-directed immunotherapies). However, so far the vast majority of, if not all, clinical trials based on these strategies have failed, since they have not been able to restore cognitive function in AD patients, and even in many cases, they have worsened the clinical picture. We here propose that AD could be more complex than a simple Aβ-linked pathology and discuss the possibility that a way to reconcile undoubted genetic evidences linking processing of APP to AD and a consistent failure of Aβ-based clinical trials could be to envision the pathological contribution of the direct precursor of Aβ, the β-secretase-derived C-terminal fragment of APP, βCTF, also referred to as C99. In this review, we summarize scientific evidences pointing to C99 as an early contributor to AD and postulate that γ-secretase should be considered as not only an Aβ-generating protease, but also a beneficial C99-inactivating enzyme. In that sense, we discuss the limitations of molecules targeting γ-secretase and propose alternative strategies seeking to reduce C99 levels by other means and notably by enhancing its lysosomal degradation.
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