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Chachlaki K, Duc KL, Storme L, Prévot V. Novel insights into minipuberty and GnRH: Implications on neurodevelopment, cognition, and COVID-19 therapeutics. J Neuroendocrinol 2024; 36:e13387. [PMID: 38565500 PMCID: PMC7616535 DOI: 10.1111/jne.13387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2024] [Revised: 03/18/2024] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
In humans, the first 1000 days of life are pivotal for brain and organism development. Shortly after birth, gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) neurons in the hypothalamus are activated, a phenomenon known as minipuberty. This phenomenon, observed in all mammals studied, influences the postnatal development of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis and reproductive function. This review will put into perspective the results of recent studies showing that the impact of minipuberty extends beyond reproductive function, influencing sensory and cognitive maturation. Studies in mice have revealed the role of nitric oxide (NO) in regulating minipuberty amplitude, with NO deficiency linked to cognitive and olfactory deficits. Additionally, findings indicate that cognitive and sensory defects in adulthood in a mouse model of Down syndrome are associated with an age-dependent decline of GnRH production, whose origin can be traced back to minipuberty, and point to the potential therapeutic role of pulsatile GnRH administration in cognitive disorders. Furthermore, this review delves into the repercussions of COVID-19 on GnRH production, emphasizing potential consequences for neurodevelopment and cognitive function in infected individuals. Notably, GnRH neurons appear susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection, raising concerns about potential long-term effects on brain development and function. In conclusion, the intricate interplay between GnRH neurons, GnRH release, and the activity of various extrahypothalamic brain circuits reveals an unexpected role for these neuroendocrine neurons in the development and maintenance of sensory and cognitive functions, supplementing their established function in reproduction. Therapeutic interventions targeting the HPG axis, such as inhaled NO therapy in infancy and pulsatile GnRH administration in adults, emerge as promising approaches for addressing neurodevelopmental cognitive disorders and pathological aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Konstantina Chachlaki
- Univ. Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, Laboratory of Development and Plasticity of the Neuroendocrine Brain, Lille Neuroscience & Cognition, UMR_S1172, Lille, France
- Univ. Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, Hospital-University Federation (FHU) 1000 first days of Life, Lille, France
| | - Kevin Le Duc
- Univ. Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, Hospital-University Federation (FHU) 1000 first days of Life, Lille, France
- CHU Lille, Neonatology Department, Jeanne de Flandres Hospital, Lille, France
| | - Laurent Storme
- Univ. Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, Hospital-University Federation (FHU) 1000 first days of Life, Lille, France
- CHU Lille, Neonatology Department, Jeanne de Flandres Hospital, Lille, France
| | - Vincent Prévot
- Univ. Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, Laboratory of Development and Plasticity of the Neuroendocrine Brain, Lille Neuroscience & Cognition, UMR_S1172, Lille, France
- Univ. Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, Hospital-University Federation (FHU) 1000 first days of Life, Lille, France
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López-Cerdán A, Andreu Z, Hidalgo MR, Soler-Sáez I, de la Iglesia-Vayá M, Mikozami A, Guerini FR, García-García F. An integrated approach to identifying sex-specific genes, transcription factors, and pathways relevant to Alzheimer's disease. Neurobiol Dis 2024; 199:106605. [PMID: 39009097 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2024.106605] [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: 01/24/2024] [Revised: 06/06/2024] [Accepted: 07/11/2024] [Indexed: 07/17/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Age represents a significant risk factor for the development of Alzheimer's disease (AD); however, recent research has documented an influencing role of sex in several features of AD. Understanding the impact of sex on specific molecular mechanisms associated with AD remains a critical challenge to creating tailored therapeutic interventions. METHODS The exploration of the sex-based differential impact on disease (SDID) in AD used a systematic review to first select transcriptomic studies of AD with data regarding sex in the period covering 2002 to 2021 with a focus on the primary brain regions affected by AD - the cortex (CT) and the hippocampus (HP). A differential expression analysis for each study and two tissue-specific meta-analyses were then performed. Focusing on the CT due to the presence of significant SDID-related alterations, a comprehensive functional characterization was conducted: protein-protein network interaction and over-representation analyses to explore biological processes and pathways and a VIPER analysis to estimate transcription factor activity. RESULTS We selected 8 CT and 5 HP studies from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) repository for tissue-specific meta-analyses. We detected 389 significantly altered genes in the SDID comparison in the CT. Generally, female AD patients displayed more affected genes than males; we grouped said genes into six subsets according to their expression profile in female and male AD patients. Only subset I (repressed genes in female AD patients) displayed significant results during functional profiling. Female AD patients demonstrated more significant impairments in biological processes related to the regulation and organization of synapsis and pathways linked to neurotransmitters (glutamate and GABA) and protein folding, Aβ aggregation, and accumulation compared to male AD patients. These findings could partly explain why we observe more pronounced cognitive decline in female AD patients. Finally, we detected 23 transcription factors with different activation patterns according to sex, with some associated with AD for the first time. All results generated during this study are readily available through an open web resource Metafun-AD (https://bioinfo.cipf.es/metafun-ad/). CONCLUSION Our meta-analyses indicate the existence of differences in AD-related mechanisms in female and male patients. These sex-based differences will represent the basis for new hypotheses and could significantly impact precision medicine and improve diagnosis and clinical outcomes in AD patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adolfo López-Cerdán
- Computational Biomedicine Laboratory, Principe Felipe Research Center (CIPF), 46012, Valencia, Spain; Biomedical Imaging Unit FISABIO-CIPF, Fundación para el Fomento de la Investigación Sanitaria y Biomédica de la Comunidad Valenciana, 46012, Valencia, Spain
| | - Zoraida Andreu
- Foundation Valencian Institute of Oncology (FIVO), 46009, Valencia, Spain
| | - Marta R Hidalgo
- Computational Biomedicine Laboratory, Principe Felipe Research Center (CIPF), 46012, Valencia, Spain
| | - Irene Soler-Sáez
- Computational Biomedicine Laboratory, Principe Felipe Research Center (CIPF), 46012, Valencia, Spain
| | - María de la Iglesia-Vayá
- Biomedical Imaging Unit FISABIO-CIPF, Fundación para el Fomento de la Investigación Sanitaria y Biomédica de la Comunidad Valenciana, 46012, Valencia, Spain
| | - Akiko Mikozami
- Oral Health/Brain Health/Total health (OBT) Research Center, Faculty of Dental Science, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | | | - Francisco García-García
- Computational Biomedicine Laboratory, Principe Felipe Research Center (CIPF), 46012, Valencia, Spain.
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Bakulin A, Teyssier NB, Kampmann M, Khoroshkin M, Goodarzi H. pyPAGE: A framework for Addressing biases in gene-set enrichment analysis-A case study on Alzheimer's disease. PLoS Comput Biol 2024; 20:e1012346. [PMID: 39236079 PMCID: PMC11421795 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1012346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2023] [Revised: 09/24/2024] [Accepted: 07/22/2024] [Indexed: 09/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Inferring the driving regulatory programs from comparative analysis of gene expression data is a cornerstone of systems biology. Many computational frameworks were developed to address this problem, including our iPAGE (information-theoretic Pathway Analysis of Gene Expression) toolset that uses information theory to detect non-random patterns of expression associated with given pathways or regulons. Our recent observations, however, indicate that existing approaches are susceptible to the technical biases that are inherent to most real world annotations. To address this, we have extended our information-theoretic framework to account for specific biases and artifacts in biological networks using the concept of conditional information. To showcase pyPAGE, we performed a comprehensive analysis of regulatory perturbations that underlie the molecular etiology of Alzheimer's disease (AD). pyPAGE successfully recapitulated several known AD-associated gene expression programs. We also discovered several additional regulons whose differential activity is significantly associated with AD. We further explored how these regulators relate to pathological processes in AD through cell-type specific analysis of single cell and spatial gene expression datasets. Our findings showcase the utility of pyPAGE as a precise and reliable biomarker discovery in complex diseases such as Alzheimer's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Artemy Bakulin
- Faculty of Bioengineering and Bioinformatics, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Noam B. Teyssier
- Institute for Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of California San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Martin Kampmann
- Institute for Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of California San Francisco, California, United States of America
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Matvei Khoroshkin
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
- Department of Urology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
- Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
- Bakar Computational Health Sciences Institute, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Hani Goodarzi
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
- Department of Urology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
- Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
- Bakar Computational Health Sciences Institute, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, United States of America
- Arc Institute, Palo Alto, California, United States of America
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4
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Tripathi S, Bhawana. Epigenetic Orchestration of Neurodegenerative Disorders: A Possible Target for Curcumin as a Therapeutic. Neurochem Res 2024; 49:2319-2335. [PMID: 38856890 DOI: 10.1007/s11064-024-04167-z] [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: 01/31/2024] [Revised: 04/23/2024] [Accepted: 05/22/2024] [Indexed: 06/11/2024]
Abstract
Epigenetic modulations play a major role in gene expression and thus are responsible for various physiological changes including age-associated neurological disorders. Neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's (AD), Parkinson's (PD), Huntington's disease (HD), although symptomatically different, may share common underlying mechanisms. Most neurodegenerative diseases are associated with increased oxidative stress, aggregation of certain proteins, mitochondrial dysfunction, inactivation/dysregulation of protein degradation machinery, DNA damage and cell excitotoxicity. Epigenetic modulations has been reported to play a significant role in onset and progression of neurodegenerative diseases by regulating these processes. Previous studies have highlighted the marked antioxidant and neuroprotective abilities of polyphenols such as curcumin, by increased activity of detoxification systems like superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase or glutathione peroxidase. The role of curcumin as an epigenetic modulator in neurological disorders and neuroinflammation apart from other chronic diseases have also been reported by a few groups. Nonetheless, the evidences for the role of curcumin mediated epigenetic modulation in its neuroprotective ability are still limited. This review summarizes the current knowledge of the role of mitochondrial dysfunction, epigenetic modulations and mitoepigenetics in age-associated neurological disorders such as PD, AD, HD, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), and Multiple Sclerosis (MS), and describes the neuroprotective effects of curcumin in the treatment and/or prevention of these neurodegenerative diseases by regulation of the epigenetic machinery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shweta Tripathi
- Department of Paramedical Sciences, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, SGT University, Gurugram, 122505, Haryana, India.
| | - Bhawana
- Department of Paramedical Sciences, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, SGT University, Gurugram, 122505, Haryana, India
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5
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Zhang H, Huang D, Chen E, Cao D, Xu T, Dizdar B, Li G, Chen Y, Payne P, Province M, Li F. mosGraphGPT: a foundation model for multi-omic signaling graphs using generative AI. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.08.01.606222. [PMID: 39149314 PMCID: PMC11326168 DOI: 10.1101/2024.08.01.606222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/17/2024]
Abstract
Generative pretrained models represent a significant advancement in natural language processing and computer vision, which can generate coherent and contextually relevant content based on the pre-training on large general datasets and fine-tune for specific tasks. Building foundation models using large scale omic data is promising to decode and understand the complex signaling language patterns within cells. Different from existing foundation models of omic data, we build a foundation model, mosGraphGPT, for multi-omic signaling (mos) graphs, in which the multi-omic data was integrated and interpreted using a multi-level signaling graph. The model was pretrained using multi-omic data of cancers in The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), and fine-turned for multi-omic data of Alzheimer's Disease (AD). The experimental evaluation results showed that the model can not only improve the disease classification accuracy, but also is interpretable by uncovering disease targets and signaling interactions. And the model code are uploaded via GitHub with link: https://github.com/mosGraph/mosGraphGPT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heming Zhang
- Institute for Informatics, Data Science and Biostatistics (I2DB), Washington University School of Medicine
| | - Di Huang
- Institute for Informatics, Data Science and Biostatistics (I2DB), Washington University School of Medicine
| | - Emily Chen
- Institute for Informatics, Data Science and Biostatistics (I2DB), Washington University School of Medicine
- Department of Pediatrics, Washington University School of Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
- School of Arts and Sciences, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, 14627, USA
| | - Dekang Cao
- Institute for Informatics, Data Science and Biostatistics (I2DB), Washington University School of Medicine
- Department of Computer Science and Engineering
| | - Tim Xu
- Institute for Informatics, Data Science and Biostatistics (I2DB), Washington University School of Medicine
- Department of Computer Science and Engineering
| | - Ben Dizdar
- Institute for Informatics, Data Science and Biostatistics (I2DB), Washington University School of Medicine
- Department of Computer Science and Engineering
| | - Guangfu Li
- Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Connecticut, CT, 06032, USA
| | - Yixin Chen
- Department of Computer Science and Engineering
| | - Philip Payne
- Institute for Informatics, Data Science and Biostatistics (I2DB), Washington University School of Medicine
| | | | - Fuhai Li
- Institute for Informatics, Data Science and Biostatistics (I2DB), Washington University School of Medicine
- Department of Pediatrics, Washington University School of Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
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6
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Wu X, Zhu X, Pan Y, Gu X, Liu X, Chen S, Zhang Y, Xu T, Xu N, Sun S. Amygdala neuronal dyshomeostasis via 5-HT receptors mediates mood and cognitive defects in Alzheimer's disease. Aging Cell 2024; 23:e14187. [PMID: 38716507 PMCID: PMC11320345 DOI: 10.1111/acel.14187] [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: 02/01/2024] [Revised: 04/08/2024] [Accepted: 04/18/2024] [Indexed: 08/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Behavioral changes or neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPSs) are common features in dementia and are associated with accelerated cognitive impairment and earlier deaths. However, how NPSs are intertwined with cognitive decline remains elusive. In this study, we identify that the basolateral amygdala (BLA) is a key brain region that is associated with mood disorders and memory decline in the AD course. During the process from pre- to post-onset in AD, the dysfunction of parvalbumin (PV) interneurons and pyramidal neurons in the amygdala leads to hyperactivity of pyramidal neurons in the basal state and insensitivity to external stimuli. We further demonstrate that serotonin (5-HT) receptors in distinct neurons synergistically regulate the BLA microcircuit of AD rather than 5-HT levels, in which both restrained inhibitory inputs by excessive 5-HT1AR signaling in PV interneurons and depolarized pyramidal neurons via upregulated 5-HT2AR contribute to aberrant neuronal hyperactivity. Downregulation of these two 5-HT receptors simultaneously enables neurons to resist β-amyloid peptides (Aβ) neurotoxicity and ameliorates the mood and cognitive defects. Therefore, our study reveals a crucial role of 5-HT receptors for regulating neuronal homeostasis in AD pathogenesis, and this would provide early intervention and potential targets for AD cognitive decline.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin‐Rong Wu
- Department of NeurologyInstitute of Neurology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of MedicineShanghaiChina
| | - Xiao‐Na Zhu
- Department of Anatomy and Physiology, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain ScienceShanghai Jiao Tong University School of MedicineShanghaiChina
| | - Yuan‐Bo Pan
- Department of Neurosurgery, Shanghai Ninth People's HospitalShanghai Jiao Tong University School of MedicineShanghaiChina
| | - Xue Gu
- Department of Anatomy and Physiology, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain ScienceShanghai Jiao Tong University School of MedicineShanghaiChina
| | - Xian‐Dong Liu
- Department of NeurologyInstitute of Neurology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of MedicineShanghaiChina
- Department of Anatomy and Physiology, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain ScienceShanghai Jiao Tong University School of MedicineShanghaiChina
| | - Si Chen
- Department of Anatomy and Physiology, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain ScienceShanghai Jiao Tong University School of MedicineShanghaiChina
| | - Yu Zhang
- Department of Anatomy and Physiology, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain ScienceShanghai Jiao Tong University School of MedicineShanghaiChina
| | - Tian‐Le Xu
- Department of Anatomy and Physiology, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain ScienceShanghai Jiao Tong University School of MedicineShanghaiChina
| | - Nan‐Jie Xu
- Department of Anatomy and Physiology, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain ScienceShanghai Jiao Tong University School of MedicineShanghaiChina
- Songjiang Hospital and Songjiang Research InstituteShanghai Jiao Tong University School of MedicineShanghaiChina
- Key Laboratory of Cell Differentiation and Apoptosis of the Chinese Ministry of EducationShanghai Jiao Tong University School of MedicineShanghaiChina
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Emotions and Affective DisordersShanghai Jiao Tong University School of MedicineShanghaiChina
| | - Suya Sun
- Department of NeurologyInstitute of Neurology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of MedicineShanghaiChina
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7
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Adeoye T, Shah SI, Ullah G. Systematic Analysis of Biological Processes Reveals Gene Co-expression Modules Driving Pathway Dysregulation in Alzheimer's Disease. Aging Dis 2024:AD.2024.0429. [PMID: 38913039 DOI: 10.14336/ad.2024.0429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2024] [Accepted: 06/12/2024] [Indexed: 06/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) manifests as a complex systems pathology with intricate interplay among various genes and biological processes. Traditional differential gene expression (DEG) analysis, while commonly employed to characterize AD-driven perturbations, does not sufficiently capture the full spectrum of underlying biological processes. Utilizing single-nucleus RNA-sequencing data from postmortem brain samples across key regions-middle temporal gyrus, superior frontal gyrus, and entorhinal cortex-we provide a comprehensive systematic analysis of disrupted processes in AD. We go beyond the DEG-centric analysis by integrating pathway activity analysis with weighted gene co-expression patterns to comprehensively map gene interconnectivity, identifying region- and cell-type-specific drivers of biological processes associated with AD. Our analysis reveals profound modular heterogeneity in neurons and glia as well as extensive AD-related functional disruptions. Co-expression networks highlighted the extended involvement of astrocytes and microglia in biological processes beyond neuroinflammation, such as calcium homeostasis, glutamate regulation, lipid metabolism, vesicle-mediated transport, and TOR signaling. We find limited representation of DEGs within dysregulated pathways across neurons and glial cells, suggesting that differential gene expression alone may not adequately represent the disease complexity. Further dissection of inferred gene modules revealed distinct dynamics of hub DEGs in neurons versus glia, suggesting that DEGs exert more impact on neurons compared to glial cells in driving modular dysregulations underlying perturbed biological processes. Interestingly, we observe an overall downregulation of astrocyte and microglia modules across all brain regions in AD, indicating a prevailing trend of functional repression in glial cells across these regions. Notable genes from the CALM and HSP90 families emerged as hub genes across neuronal modules in all brain regions, suggesting conserved roles as drivers of synaptic dysfunction in AD. Our findings demonstrate the importance of an integrated, systems-oriented approach combining pathway and network analysis to comprehensively understand the cell-type-specific roles of genes in AD-related biological processes.
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8
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Mitra S, Bp K, C R S, Saikumar NV, Philip P, Narayanan M. Alzheimer's disease rewires gene coexpression networks coupling different brain regions. NPJ Syst Biol Appl 2024; 10:50. [PMID: 38724582 PMCID: PMC11082197 DOI: 10.1038/s41540-024-00376-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Connectome studies have shown how Alzheimer's disease (AD) disrupts functional and structural connectivity among brain regions. But the molecular basis of such disruptions is less studied, with most genomic/transcriptomic studies performing within-brain-region analyses. To inspect how AD rewires the correlation structure among genes in different brain regions, we performed an Inter-brain-region Differential Correlation (Inter-DC) analysis of RNA-seq data from Mount Sinai Brain Bank on four brain regions (frontal pole, superior temporal gyrus, parahippocampal gyrus and inferior frontal gyrus, comprising 264 AD and 372 control human post-mortem samples). An Inter-DC network was assembled from all pairs of genes across two brain regions that gained (or lost) correlation strength in the AD group relative to controls at FDR 1%. The differentially correlated (DC) genes in this network complemented known differentially expressed genes in AD, and likely reflects cell-intrinsic changes since we adjusted for cell compositional effects. Each brain region used a distinctive set of DC genes when coupling with other regions, with parahippocampal gyrus showing the most rewiring, consistent with its known vulnerability to AD. The Inter-DC network revealed master dysregulation hubs in AD (at genes ZKSCAN1, SLC5A3, RCC1, IL17RB, PLK4, etc.), inter-region gene modules enriched for known AD pathways (synaptic signaling, endocytosis, etc.), and candidate signaling molecules that could mediate region-region communication. The Inter-DC network generated in this study is a valuable resource of gene pairs, pathways and signaling molecules whose inter-brain-region functional coupling is disrupted in AD, thereby offering a new perspective of AD etiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanga Mitra
- Bioinformatics and Integrative Data Science group, Department of Computer Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras, Chennai, India
| | - Kailash Bp
- Bioinformatics and Integrative Data Science group, Department of Computer Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras, Chennai, India
| | - Srivatsan C R
- Bioinformatics and Integrative Data Science group, Department of Computer Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras, Chennai, India
| | - Naga Venkata Saikumar
- Bioinformatics and Integrative Data Science group, Department of Computer Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras, Chennai, India
| | - Philge Philip
- Centre for Integrative Biology and Systems Medicine, IIT Madras, Chennai, India
- Robert Bosch Centre for Data Science and Artificial Intelligence, IIT Madras, Chennai, India
| | - Manikandan Narayanan
- Bioinformatics and Integrative Data Science group, Department of Computer Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras, Chennai, India.
- Centre for Integrative Biology and Systems Medicine, IIT Madras, Chennai, India.
- Robert Bosch Centre for Data Science and Artificial Intelligence, IIT Madras, Chennai, India.
- Sudha Gopalakrishnan Brain Centre, IIT Madras, Chennai, India.
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9
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da Silva Rosa SC, Barzegar Behrooz A, Guedes S, Vitorino R, Ghavami S. Prioritization of genes for translation: a computational approach. Expert Rev Proteomics 2024; 21:125-147. [PMID: 38563427 DOI: 10.1080/14789450.2024.2337004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Gene identification for genetic diseases is critical for the development of new diagnostic approaches and personalized treatment options. Prioritization of gene translation is an important consideration in the molecular biology field, allowing researchers to focus on the most promising candidates for further investigation. AREAS COVERED In this paper, we discussed different approaches to prioritize genes for translation, including the use of computational tools and machine learning algorithms, as well as experimental techniques such as knockdown and overexpression studies. We also explored the potential biases and limitations of these approaches and proposed strategies to improve the accuracy and reliability of gene prioritization methods. Although numerous computational methods have been developed for this purpose, there is a need for computational methods that incorporate tissue-specific information to enable more accurate prioritization of candidate genes. Such methods should provide tissue-specific predictions, insights into underlying disease mechanisms, and more accurate prioritization of genes. EXPERT OPINION Using advanced computational tools and machine learning algorithms to prioritize genes, we can identify potential targets for therapeutic intervention of complex diseases. This represents an up-and-coming method for drug development and personalized medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simone C da Silva Rosa
- Department of Human Anatomy and Cell Science, Max Rady College of Medicine, Rady Faculty of Health Science, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada
| | - Amir Barzegar Behrooz
- Department of Human Anatomy and Cell Science, Max Rady College of Medicine, Rady Faculty of Health Science, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada
- Electrophysiology Research Center, Neuroscience Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Sofia Guedes
- LAQV/REQUIMTE, Department of Chemistry, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Rui Vitorino
- LAQV/REQUIMTE, Department of Chemistry, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal
- Department of Medical Sciences, Institute of Biomedicine-iBiMED, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal
- UnIC@RISE, Department of Surgery and Physiology, Faculty of Medicine of the University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Saeid Ghavami
- Department of Human Anatomy and Cell Science, Max Rady College of Medicine, Rady Faculty of Health Science, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada
- Faculty of Medicine in Zabrze, Academia of Silesia, Katowice, Poland
- Research Institute of Oncology and Hematology, Cancer Care Manitoba, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada
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Adeoye T, Shah SI, Ullah G. Systematic Analysis of Biological Processes Reveals Gene Co-expression Modules Driving Pathway Dysregulation in Alzheimer's Disease. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.03.15.585267. [PMID: 38559218 PMCID: PMC10980062 DOI: 10.1101/2024.03.15.585267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) manifests as a complex systems pathology with intricate interplay among various genes and biological processes. Traditional differential gene expression (DEG) analysis, while commonly employed to characterize AD-driven perturbations, does not sufficiently capture the full spectrum of underlying biological processes. Utilizing single-nucleus RNA-sequencing data from postmortem brain samples across key regions-middle temporal gyrus, superior frontal gyrus, and entorhinal cortex-we provide a comprehensive systematic analysis of disrupted processes in AD. We go beyond the DEG-centric analysis by integrating pathway activity analysis with weighted gene co-expression patterns to comprehensively map gene interconnectivity, identifying region- and cell-type-specific drivers of biological processes associated with AD. Our analysis reveals profound modular heterogeneity in neurons and glia as well as extensive AD-related functional disruptions. Co-expression networks highlighted the extended involvement of astrocytes and microglia in biological processes beyond neuroinflammation, such as calcium homeostasis, glutamate regulation, lipid metabolism, vesicle-mediated transport, and TOR signaling. We find limited representation of DEGs within dysregulated pathways across neurons and glial cells, indicating that differential gene expression alone may not adequately represent the disease complexity. Further dissection of inferred gene modules revealed distinct dynamics of hub DEGs in neurons versus glia, highlighting the differential impact of DEGs on neurons compared to glial cells in driving modular dysregulations underlying perturbed biological processes. Interestingly, we note an overall downregulation of both astrocyte and microglia modules in AD across all brain regions, suggesting a prevailing trend of functional repression in glial cells across these regions. Notable genes, including those of the CALM and HSP90 family genes emerged as hub genes across neuronal modules in all brain regions, indicating conserved roles as drivers of synaptic dysfunction in AD. Our findings demonstrate the importance of an integrated, systems-oriented approach combining pathway and network analysis for a comprehensive understanding of the cell-type-specific roles of genes in AD-related biological processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Temitope Adeoye
- Department of Physics, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33620
| | - Syed I Shah
- Department of Physics, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33620
| | - Ghanim Ullah
- Department of Physics, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33620
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Anand C, Torok J, Abdelnour F, Maia PD, Raj A. Selective vulnerability and resilience to Alzheimer's disease tauopathy as a function of genes and the connectome. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.03.04.583403. [PMID: 38496606 PMCID: PMC10942335 DOI: 10.1101/2024.03.04.583403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/19/2024]
Abstract
Brain regions in Alzheimer's (AD) exhibit distinct vulnerability to the disease's hallmark pathology, with the entorhinal cortex and hippocampus succumbing early to tau tangles while others like primary sensory cortices remain resilient. The quest to understand how local/regional genetic factors, pathogenesis, and network-mediated spread of pathology together govern this selective vulnerability (SV) or resilience (SR) is ongoing. Although many risk genes in AD are known from gene association and transgenic studies, it is still not known whether and how their baseline expression signatures confer SV or SR to brain structures. Prior analyses have yielded conflicting results, pointing to a disconnect between the location of genetic risk factors and downstream tau pathology. We hypothesize that a full accounting of genes' role in mediating SV/SR would require the modeling of network-based vulnerability, whereby tau misfolds, aggregates, and propagates along fiber projections. We therefore employed an extended network diffusion model (eNDM) and tested it on tau pathology PET data from 196 AD patients from the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI). Thus the fitted eNDM model becomes a reference process from which to assess the role of innate genetic factors. Using the residual (observed - model-predicted) tau as a novel target outcome, we obtained its association with 100 top AD risk-genes, whose baseline spatial transcriptional profiles were obtained from the Allen Human Brain Atlas (AHBA). We found that while many risk genes at baseline showed a strong association with regional tau, many more showed a stronger association with residual tau. This suggests that both direct vulnerability, related to the network, as well as network-independent vulnerability, are conferred by risk genes. We then classified risk genes into four classes: network-related SV (SV-NR), network-independent SV (SV-NI), network-related SR (SR-NR), and network-independent SR (SR-NI). Each class has a distinct spatial signature and associated vulnerability to tau. Remarkably, we found from gene-ontology analyses, that genes in these classes were enriched in distinct functional processes and encompassed different functional networks. These findings offer new insights into the factors governing innate vulnerability or resilience in AD pathophysiology and may prove helpful in identifying potential intervention targets.
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Su C, Zhang J, Zhao H. Estimating cell-type-specific gene co-expression networks from bulk gene expression data with an application to Alzheimer's disease. J Am Stat Assoc 2024; 119:811-824. [PMID: 39280354 PMCID: PMC11394578 DOI: 10.1080/01621459.2023.2297467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2022] [Accepted: 12/13/2023] [Indexed: 09/18/2024]
Abstract
Inferring and characterizing gene co-expression networks has led to important insights on the molecular mechanisms of complex diseases. Most co-expression analyses to date have been performed on gene expression data collected from bulk tissues with different cell type compositions across samples. As a result, the co-expression estimates only offer an aggregated view of the underlying gene regulations and can be confounded by heterogeneity in cell type compositions, failing to reveal gene coordination that may be distinct across different cell types. In this paper, we introduce a flexible framework for estimating cell-type-specific gene co-expression networks from bulk sample data, without making specific assumptions on the distributions of gene expression profiles in different cell types. We develop a novel sparse least squares estimator, referred to as CSNet, that is efficient to implement and has good theoretical properties. Using CSNet, we analyzed the bulk gene expression data from a cohort study on Alzheimer's disease and identified previously unknown cell-type-specific co-expressions among Alzheimer's disease risk genes, suggesting cell-type-specific disease mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chang Su
- Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Emory University
- Department of Biostatistics, Yale University
| | - Jingfei Zhang
- Information Systems and Operations Management, Emory University
| | - Hongyu Zhao
- Department of Biostatistics, Yale University
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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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Gammie SC, Messing A, Hill MA, Kelm-Nelson CA, Hagemann TL. Large-scale gene expression changes in APP/PSEN1 and GFAP mutation models exhibit high congruence with Alzheimer's disease. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0291995. [PMID: 38236817 PMCID: PMC10796008 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0291995] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2023] [Accepted: 09/10/2023] [Indexed: 01/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a complex neurodegenerative disorder with both genetic and non-genetic causes. Animal research models are available for a multitude of diseases and conditions affecting the central nervous system (CNS), and large-scale CNS gene expression data exist for many of these. Although there are several models specifically for AD, each recapitulates different aspects of the human disease. In this study we evaluate over 500 animal models to identify those with CNS gene expression patterns matching human AD datasets. Approaches included a hypergeometric based scoring system that rewards congruent gene expression patterns but penalizes discordant gene expression patterns. The top two models identified were APP/PS1 transgenic mice expressing mutant APP and PSEN1, and mice carrying a GFAP mutation that is causative of Alexander disease, a primary disorder of astrocytes in the CNS. The APP/PS1 and GFAP models both matched over 500 genes moving in the same direction as in human AD, and both had elevated GFAP expression and were highly congruent with one another. Also scoring highly were the 5XFAD model (with five mutations in APP and PSEN1) and mice carrying CK-p25, APP, and MAPT mutations. Animals with the APOE3 and 4 mutations combined with traumatic brain injury ranked highly. Bulbectomized rats scored high, suggesting anosmia could be causative of AD-like gene expression. Other matching models included the SOD1G93A strain and knockouts for SNORD116 (Prader-Willi mutation), GRID2, INSM1, XBP1, and CSTB. Many top models demonstrated increased expression of GFAP, and results were similar across multiple human AD datasets. Heatmap and Uniform Manifold Approximation Plot results were consistent with hypergeometric ranking. Finally, some gene manipulation models, including for TYROBP and ATG7, were identified with reversed AD patterns, suggesting possible neuroprotective effects. This study provides insight for the pathobiology of AD and the potential utility of available animal models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen C. Gammie
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America
| | - Albee Messing
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America
| | - Mason A. Hill
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America
| | - Cynthia A. Kelm-Nelson
- Department of Surgery, Division of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America
| | - Tracy L. Hagemann
- Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America
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15
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Han Y, Huang C, Pan Y, Gu X. Single Cell Sequencing Technology and Its Application in Alzheimer's Disease. J Alzheimers Dis 2024; 97:1033-1050. [PMID: 38217599 DOI: 10.3233/jad-230861] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2024]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) involves degeneration of cells in the brain. Due to insidious onset and slow progression, AD is often not diagnosed until it gets progressed to a more severe stage. The diagnosis and treatment of AD has been a challenge. In recent years, high-throughput sequencing technologies have exhibited advantages in exploring the pathogenesis of diseases. However, the types of cells of the central nervous system are complex and traditional bulk sequencing cannot reflect their heterogeneity. Single-cell sequencing technology enables study at the individual cell level and has an irreplaceable advantage in the study of complex diseases. In recent years, this field has expanded rapidly and several types of single-cell sequencing technologies have emerged, including transcriptomics, epigenomics, genomics and proteomics. This review article provides an overview of these single-cell sequencing technologies and their application in AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuru Han
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, Zhoupu Hospital, Shanghai University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Shanghai, China
- School of Pharmacy, Shanghai University of Medicine & Health Sciences, Shanghai, China
- School of Health Sciences and Engineering, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Congying Huang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, Zhoupu Hospital, Shanghai University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Shanghai, China
- School of Pharmacy, Shanghai University of Medicine & Health Sciences, Shanghai, China
- School of Health Sciences and Engineering, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Yuhui Pan
- Center for Disease Control and Prevention of Harbin, Harbin, China
| | - Xuefeng Gu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Imaging, Zhoupu Hospital, Shanghai University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Shanghai, China
- School of Pharmacy, Shanghai University of Medicine & Health Sciences, Shanghai, China
- School of Health Sciences and Engineering, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
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16
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Noori A, Jayakumar R, Moturi V, Li Z, Liu R, Serrano-Pozo A, Hyman BT, Das S. Alzheimer DataLENS: An Open Data Analytics Portal for Alzheimer's Disease Research. J Alzheimers Dis 2024; 99:S397-S407. [PMID: 38306039 DOI: 10.3233/jad-230884] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2024]
Abstract
Background Recent Alzheimer's disease (AD) discoveries are increasingly based on studies from a variety of omics technologies on large cohorts. Currently, there is no easily accessible resource for neuroscientists to browse, query, and visualize these complex datasets in a harmonized manner. Objective Create an online portal of public omics datasets for AD research. Methods We developed Alzheimer DataLENS, a web-based portal, using the R Shiny platform to query and visualize publicly available transcriptomics and genetics studies of AD on human cohorts. To ensure consistent representation of AD findings, all datasets were processed through a uniform bioinformatics pipeline. Results Alzheimer DataLENS currently houses 2 single-nucleus RNA sequencing datasets, over 30 bulk RNA sequencing datasets from 19 brain regions and 3 cohorts, and 2 genome-wide association studies (GWAS). Available visualizations for single-nucleus data include bubble plots, heatmaps, and UMAP plots; for bulk expression data include box plots and heatmaps; for pathways include protein-protein interaction network plots; and for GWAS results include Manhattan plots. Alzheimer DataLENS also links to two other knowledge resources: the AD Progression Atlas and the Astrocyte Atlas. Conclusions Alzheimer DataLENS is a valuable resource for investigators to quickly and systematically explore omics datasets and is freely accessible at https://alzdatalens.partners.org.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayush Noori
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | - Vaishnavi Moturi
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Zhaozhi Li
- Department of Computational Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Rongxin Liu
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Alberto Serrano-Pozo
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Bradley T Hyman
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Sudeshna Das
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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17
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Zhang YH, Zhao P, Gao HL, Zhong ML, Li JY. Screening Targets and Therapeutic Drugs for Alzheimer's Disease Based on Deep Learning Model and Molecular Docking. J Alzheimers Dis 2024; 100:863-878. [PMID: 38995776 DOI: 10.3233/jad-231389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/14/2024]
Abstract
Background Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder caused by a complex interplay of various factors. However, a satisfactory cure for AD remains elusive. Pharmacological interventions based on drug targets are considered the most cost-effective therapeutic strategy. Therefore, it is paramount to search potential drug targets and drugs for AD. Objective We aimed to provide novel targets and drugs for the treatment of AD employing transcriptomic data of AD and normal control brain tissues from a new perspective. Methods Our study combined the use of a multi-layer perceptron (MLP) with differential expression analysis, variance assessment and molecular docking to screen targets and drugs for AD. Results We identified the seven differentially expressed genes (DEGs) with the most significant variation (ANKRD39, CPLX1, FABP3, GABBR2, GNG3, PPM1E, and WDR49) in transcriptomic data from AD brain. A newly built MLP was used to confirm the association between the seven DEGs and AD, establishing these DEGs as potential drug targets. Drug databases and molecular docking results indicated that arbaclofen, baclofen, clozapine, arbaclofen placarbil, BML-259, BRD-K72883421, and YC-1 had high affinity for GABBR2, and FABP3 bound with oleic, palmitic, and stearic acids. Arbaclofen and YC-1 activated GABAB receptor through PI3K/AKT and PKA/CREB pathways, respectively, thereby promoting neuronal anti-apoptotic effect and inhibiting p-tau and Aβ formation. Conclusions This study provided a new strategy for the identification of targets and drugs for the treatment of AD using deep learning. Seven therapeutic targets and ten drugs were selected by using this method, providing new insight for AD treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ya-Hong Zhang
- College of Life and Health Sciences, Northeastern University, Shenyang, China
| | - Pu Zhao
- College of Life and Health Sciences, Northeastern University, Shenyang, China
| | - Hui-Ling Gao
- College of Life and Health Sciences, Northeastern University, Shenyang, China
| | - Man-Li Zhong
- College of Life and Health Sciences, Northeastern University, Shenyang, China
| | - Jia-Yi Li
- Health Sciences Institute, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
- Department of Experimental Medical Science, Neuronal Plasticity and Repair Unit, Wallenberg Neuroscience Center, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
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18
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Lin J, Chen J, Huang C. Systematic identification of key basement membrane related genes as potential new biomarkers in Alzheimer's disease. Clin Neurol Neurosurg 2024; 236:108094. [PMID: 38154381 DOI: 10.1016/j.clineuro.2023.108094] [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: 07/27/2023] [Revised: 12/13/2023] [Accepted: 12/17/2023] [Indexed: 12/30/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The study aimed to identify biomarkers associated with basement membranes (BMs)-related genes (BMGs) in Alzheimer's disease (AD) and investigate their potential role in the progression of AD pathology. METHODS Gene expression profiles were retrieved from Gene Expression Omnibus database. 222 human BMGs were collected from the relevant literature. Subsequently, the differentially expressed BMGs (DE-BMGs) were filtered, and the key DE-BMGs were identified using weighted gene correlation network analysis (WGCNA) and two machine learning algorithms. The expression levels, diagnostic values, clinical significances, enrichment analyses and regulatory networks of these candidate biomarkers were further examined. RESULTS A total of 44 DE-BMGs were acquired by comparing AD temporal cortex with nondemented controls. Using WGCNA and machine learning, versiscan (VCAN), tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 1 (TIMP1), structural maintenance of chromosome 3 (SMC3), and laminin β2 (LAMB2) were ultimately identified as candidate biomarkers, and they were verified in a murine model. These biomarkers had high diagnostic value (area under the curve (AUC)>0.8). The diagnostic value of the four gene combination was then evaluated in multiple databases, yielding AUCs ranging from 0.688 to 1. Furthermore, a meaningful correlation between these biomarkers and AD pathology progression was observed. Finally, comprehensive analyses involving Hallmark pathway enrichment, immune cell infiltration analysis, transcriptional regulatory, and competitive endogenous RNA networks indicated that key DE-BMGs closely correlated with oxidative stress and immune dysfunction. CONCLUSION Our study comprehensively identified four candidate BMGs and their combination model that play a crucial part in the diagnosis and pathogenesis of AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia'xing Lin
- Department of Neurology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Jing Chen
- Department of Rheumatology, Integrated Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Cheng Huang
- Department of Neurology, Clinical Neuroscience Institute, The First Affiliated Hospital, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
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Torok J, Maia PD, Anand C, Raj A. Cellular underpinnings of the selective vulnerability to tauopathic insults in Alzheimer's disease. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.07.06.548027. [PMID: 38076913 PMCID: PMC10705232 DOI: 10.1101/2023.07.06.548027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2023]
Abstract
Neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease (AD) exhibit pathological changes in the brain that proceed in a stereotyped and regionally specific fashion, but the cellular and molecular underpinnings of regional vulnerability are currently poorly understood. Recent work has identified certain subpopulations of neurons in a few focal regions of interest, such as the entorhinal cortex, that are selectively vulnerable to tau pathology in AD. However, the cellular underpinnings of regional susceptibility to tau pathology are currently unknown, primarily because whole-brain maps of a comprehensive collection of cell types have been inaccessible. Here, we deployed a recent cell-type mapping pipeline, Matrix Inversion and Subset Selection (MISS), to determine the brain-wide distributions of pan-hippocampal and neocortical neuronal and non-neuronal cells in the mouse using recently available single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNAseq) data. We then performed a robust set of analyses to identify general principles of cell-type-based selective vulnerability using these cell-type distributions, utilizing 5 transgenic mouse studies that quantified regional tau in 12 distinct PS19 mouse models. Using our approach, which constitutes the broadest exploration of whole-brain selective vulnerability to date, we were able to discover cell types and cell-type classes that conferred vulnerability and resilience to tau pathology. Hippocampal glutamatergic neurons as a whole were strongly positively associated with regional tau deposition, suggesting vulnerability, while cortical glutamatergic and GABAergic neurons were negatively associated. Among glia, we identified oligodendrocytes as the single-most strongly negatively associated cell type, whereas microglia were consistently positively correlated. Strikingly, we found that there was no association between the gene expression relationships between cell types and their vulnerability or resilience to tau pathology. When we looked at the explanatory power of cell types versus GWAS-identified AD risk genes, cell type distributions were consistently more predictive of end-timepoint tau pathology than regional gene expression. To understand the functional enrichment patterns of the genes that were markers of the identified vulnerable or resilient cell types, we performed gene ontology analysis. We found that the genes that are directly correlated to tau pathology are functionally distinct from those that constitutively embody the vulnerable cells. In short, we have demonstrated that regional cell-type composition is a compelling explanation for the selective vulnerability observed in tauopathic diseases at a whole-brain level and is distinct from that conferred by risk genes. These findings may have implications in identifying cell-type-based therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justin Torok
- University of California, San Francisco, Department of Radiology, San Francisco, CA, 94143, United States
| | - Pedro D. Maia
- University of Texas at Arlington, Department of Mathematics, Arlington, TX, 76019, United States
| | - Chaitali Anand
- University of California, San Francisco, Institute for Neurodegenerative Diseases, San Francisco, CA, 94143, United States
| | - Ashish Raj
- University of California, San Francisco, Department of Radiology, San Francisco, CA, 94143, United States
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20
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Savić R, Yang J, Koplev S, An MC, Patel PL, O'Brien RN, Dubose BN, Dodatko T, Rogatsky E, Sukhavasi K, Ermel R, Ruusalepp A, Houten SM, Kovacic JC, Stewart AF, Yohn CB, Schadt EE, Laberge RM, Björkegren JLM, Tu Z, Argmann C. Integration of transcriptomes of senescent cell models with multi-tissue patient samples reveals reduced COL6A3 as an inducer of senescence. Cell Rep 2023; 42:113371. [PMID: 37938972 PMCID: PMC10955802 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.113371] [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: 06/30/2021] [Revised: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 11/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Senescent cells are a major contributor to age-dependent cardiovascular tissue dysfunction, but knowledge of their in vivo cell markers and tissue context is lacking. To reveal tissue-relevant senescence biology, we integrate the transcriptomes of 10 experimental senescence cell models with a 224 multi-tissue gene co-expression network based on RNA-seq data of seven tissues biopsies from ∼600 coronary artery disease (CAD) patients. We identify 56 senescence-associated modules, many enriched in CAD GWAS genes and correlated with cardiometabolic traits-which supports universality of senescence gene programs across tissues and in CAD. Cross-tissue network analyses reveal 86 candidate senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) factors, including COL6A3. Experimental knockdown of COL6A3 induces transcriptional changes that overlap the majority of the experimental senescence models, with cell-cycle arrest linked to modulation of DREAM complex-targeted genes. We provide a transcriptomic resource for cellular senescence and identify candidate biomarkers, SASP factors, and potential drivers of senescence in human tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Radoslav Savić
- Department of Genetics & Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029-6574, USA
| | - Jialiang Yang
- Department of Genetics & Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029-6574, USA
| | - Simon Koplev
- Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, University of Cambridge, Li Ka Shing Centre, Cambridge, UK
| | - Mahru C An
- UNITY Biotechnology, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA
| | | | | | | | - Tetyana Dodatko
- Department of Genetics & Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029-6574, USA
| | - Eduard Rogatsky
- Department of Genetics & Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029-6574, USA
| | - Katyayani Sukhavasi
- Department of Cardiac Surgery and The Heart Clinic, Tartu University Hospital, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Raili Ermel
- Department of Cardiac Surgery and The Heart Clinic, Tartu University Hospital, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Arno Ruusalepp
- Department of Cardiac Surgery and The Heart Clinic, Tartu University Hospital, Tartu, Estonia; Clinical Gene Networks AB, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Sander M Houten
- Department of Genetics & Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029-6574, USA
| | - Jason C Kovacic
- Cardiovascular Research Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029-6574, USA; Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute, Darlinghurst, NSW, Australia; St. Vincent's Clinical School, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Andrew F Stewart
- Diabetes Obesity Metabolism Institute, The Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | | | - Eric E Schadt
- Department of Genetics & Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029-6574, USA
| | | | - Johan L M Björkegren
- Department of Genetics & Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029-6574, USA; Clinical Gene Networks AB, Stockholm, Sweden; Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska Universitetssjukhuset, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Zhidong Tu
- Department of Genetics & Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029-6574, USA
| | - Carmen Argmann
- Department of Genetics & Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029-6574, USA.
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Piergiorge RM, da Silva Francisco Junior R, de Vasconcelos ATR, Santos-Rebouças CB. Multi-layered transcriptomic analysis reveals a pivotal role of FMR1 and other developmental genes in Alzheimer's disease-associated brain ceRNA network. Comput Biol Med 2023; 166:107494. [PMID: 37769462 DOI: 10.1016/j.compbiomed.2023.107494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2023] [Revised: 09/05/2023] [Accepted: 09/15/2023] [Indexed: 09/30/2023]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is an increasingly neurodegenerative disorder that causes progressive cognitive decline and memory impairment. Despite extensive research, the underlying causes of late-onset AD (LOAD) are still in progress. This study aimed to establish a network of competing regulatory interactions involving circular RNAs (circRNAs), microRNAs (miRNAs), RNA-binding proteins (RBPs), and messenger RNAs (mRNAs) connected to LOAD. A systematic analysis of publicly available expression data was conducted to identify integrated differentially expressed genes (DEGs) from the hippocampus of LOAD patients. Subsequently, gene co-expression analysis identified modules comprising highly expressed DEGs that act cooperatively. The competition between co-expressed DEGs and miRNAs/RBPs and the simultaneous interactions between circRNA and miRNA/RBP revealed a complex ceRNA network responsible for post-transcriptional regulation in LOAD. Hippocampal expression data for miRNAs, circRNAs, and RBPs were used to filter relevant relationships for AD. An integrated topological score was used to identify the highly connected hub gene, from which a brain core ceRNA subnetwork was generated. The Fragile X Messenger Ribonucleoprotein 1 (FMR1) coding for the RBP FMRP emerged as the prominent driver gene in this subnetwork. FMRP has been previously related to AD but not in a ceRNA network context. Also, the substantial number of neurodevelopmental genes in the ceRNA subnetwork and their related biological pathways strengthen that AD shares common pathological mechanisms with developmental conditions. Our results enhance the current knowledge about the convergent ceRNA regulatory pathways underlying AD and provide potential targets for identifying early biomarkers and developing novel therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafael Mina Piergiorge
- Department of Genetics, Institute of Biology Roberto Alcantara Gomes, State University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | | | | - Cíntia Barros Santos-Rebouças
- Department of Genetics, Institute of Biology Roberto Alcantara Gomes, State University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
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22
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Prévot V, Tena-Sempere M, Pitteloud N. New Horizons: Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone and Cognition. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2023; 108:2747-2758. [PMID: 37261390 DOI: 10.1210/clinem/dgad319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2023] [Revised: 05/25/2023] [Accepted: 05/30/2023] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Pulsatile secretion of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) is essential for activating and maintaining the function of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis, which controls the onset of puberty and fertility. Two recent studies suggest that, in addition to controlling reproduction, the neurons in the brain that produce GnRH are also involved in the control of postnatal brain maturation, odor discrimination, and adult cognition. This review will summarize the development and establishment of the GnRH system, with particular attention to the importance of its first postnatal activation, a phenomenon known as minipuberty, for later reproductive and nonreproductive functions. In addition, we will discuss the beneficial effects of restoring physiological (ie, pulsatile) GnRH levels on olfactory and cognitive alterations in preclinical Down syndrome and Alzheimer disease models, as well as the potential risks associated with long-term continuous (ie, nonphysiological) GnRH administration in certain disorders. Finally, this review addresses the intriguing possibility that pulsatile GnRH therapy may hold therapeutic potential for the management of some neurodevelopmental cognitive disorders and pathological aging in elderly people.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vincent Prévot
- University of Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, Laboratory of Development and Plasticity of the Neuroendocrine Brain, Lille Neuroscience & Cognition, UMR S1172, Lille F-59000, France
| | - Manuel Tena-Sempere
- Instituto Maimónides de Investigación Biomédica de Córdoba (IMIBIC), 14004 Córdoba, Spain
- Department of Cell Biology, Physiology and Immunology, University of Córdoba, 14004 Córdoba, Spain
- CIBER Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 14004 Córdoba, Spain
| | - Nelly Pitteloud
- Department of Endocrinology, Diabetology and Metabolism, Lausanne University Hospital, Lausanne 1011, Switzerland
- Faculty of Biology and Medicine, Université of Lausanne, Lausanne 1005, Switzerland
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23
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Costantini I, Morgan L, Yang J, Balbastre Y, Varadarajan D, Pesce L, Scardigli M, Mazzamuto G, Gavryusev V, Castelli FM, Roffilli M, Silvestri L, Laffey J, Raia S, Varghese M, Wicinski B, Chang S, Chen IA, Wang H, Cordero D, Vera M, Nolan J, Nestor K, Mora J, Iglesias JE, Garcia Pallares E, Evancic K, Augustinack JC, Fogarty M, Dalca AV, Frosch MP, Magnain C, Frost R, van der Kouwe A, Chen SC, Boas DA, Pavone FS, Fischl B, Hof PR. A cellular resolution atlas of Broca's area. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2023; 9:eadg3844. [PMID: 37824623 PMCID: PMC10569704 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adg3844] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 05/03/2023] [Indexed: 10/14/2023]
Abstract
Brain cells are arranged in laminar, nuclear, or columnar structures, spanning a range of scales. Here, we construct a reliable cell census in the frontal lobe of human cerebral cortex at micrometer resolution in a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-referenced system using innovative imaging and analysis methodologies. MRI establishes a macroscopic reference coordinate system of laminar and cytoarchitectural boundaries. Cell counting is obtained with a digital stereological approach on the 3D reconstruction at cellular resolution from a custom-made inverted confocal light-sheet fluorescence microscope (LSFM). Mesoscale optical coherence tomography enables the registration of the distorted histological cell typing obtained with LSFM to the MRI-based atlas coordinate system. The outcome is an integrated high-resolution cellular census of Broca's area in a human postmortem specimen, within a whole-brain reference space atlas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene Costantini
- European Laboratory for Non-Linear Spectroscopy (LENS), University of Florence, Sesto Fiorentino (FI), Italy
- Department of Biology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
- National Institute of Optics (INO), National Research Council (CNR), Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | - Leah Morgan
- Department of Radiology, Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA, USA
| | - Jiarui Yang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Yael Balbastre
- Department of Radiology, Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA, USA
- Department of Radiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Divya Varadarajan
- Department of Radiology, Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA, USA
- Department of Radiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Luca Pesce
- European Laboratory for Non-Linear Spectroscopy (LENS), University of Florence, Sesto Fiorentino (FI), Italy
| | - Marina Scardigli
- European Laboratory for Non-Linear Spectroscopy (LENS), University of Florence, Sesto Fiorentino (FI), Italy
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Florence, Sesto Fiorentino (FI), Italy
- Division of Physiology, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Giacomo Mazzamuto
- European Laboratory for Non-Linear Spectroscopy (LENS), University of Florence, Sesto Fiorentino (FI), Italy
- National Institute of Optics (INO), National Research Council (CNR), Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Florence, Sesto Fiorentino (FI), Italy
| | - Vladislav Gavryusev
- European Laboratory for Non-Linear Spectroscopy (LENS), University of Florence, Sesto Fiorentino (FI), Italy
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Florence, Sesto Fiorentino (FI), Italy
| | - Filippo Maria Castelli
- European Laboratory for Non-Linear Spectroscopy (LENS), University of Florence, Sesto Fiorentino (FI), Italy
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Florence, Sesto Fiorentino (FI), Italy
- Bioretics srl, Cesena, Italy
| | | | - Ludovico Silvestri
- European Laboratory for Non-Linear Spectroscopy (LENS), University of Florence, Sesto Fiorentino (FI), Italy
- National Institute of Optics (INO), National Research Council (CNR), Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Florence, Sesto Fiorentino (FI), Italy
| | - Jessie Laffey
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Sophia Raia
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Merina Varghese
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Bridget Wicinski
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Shuaibin Chang
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | - Hui Wang
- Department of Radiology, Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA, USA
- Department of Radiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Devani Cordero
- Department of Radiology, Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA, USA
| | - Matthew Vera
- Department of Radiology, Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA, USA
| | - Jackson Nolan
- Department of Radiology, Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA, USA
| | - Kimberly Nestor
- Department of Radiology, Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA, USA
- Department of Radiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jocelyn Mora
- Department of Radiology, Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA, USA
- Department of Radiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Juan Eugenio Iglesias
- Department of Radiology, Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA, USA
- Department of Radiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering, University College London, London, UK
- Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Erendira Garcia Pallares
- Department of Radiology, Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA, USA
| | - Kathryn Evancic
- Department of Radiology, Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA, USA
- Department of Radiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jean C. Augustinack
- Department of Radiology, Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA, USA
- Department of Radiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Morgan Fogarty
- Imaging Science Program, Washington University McKelvey School of Engineering, St. Louis, MO, USA
- Department of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Adrian V. Dalca
- Department of Radiology, Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA, USA
- Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Matthew P. Frosch
- C.S. Kubik Laboratory for Neuropathology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Caroline Magnain
- Department of Radiology, Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA, USA
- Department of Radiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Robert Frost
- Department of Radiology, Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA, USA
- Department of Radiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Andre van der Kouwe
- Department of Radiology, Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA, USA
- Department of Radiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Human Biology, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Shih-Chi Chen
- Department of Mechanical and Automation Engineering, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong
| | - David A. Boas
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Francesco Saverio Pavone
- European Laboratory for Non-Linear Spectroscopy (LENS), University of Florence, Sesto Fiorentino (FI), Italy
- National Institute of Optics (INO), National Research Council (CNR), Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Florence, Sesto Fiorentino (FI), Italy
| | - Bruce Fischl
- Department of Radiology, Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, MA, USA
- Department of Radiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
- HST, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Patrick R. Hof
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
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24
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Sauve F, Nampoothiri S, Clarke SA, Fernandois D, Ferreira Coêlho CF, Dewisme J, Mills EG, Ternier G, Cotellessa L, Iglesias-Garcia C, Mueller-Fielitz H, Lebouvier T, Perbet R, Florent V, Baroncini M, Sharif A, Ereño-Orbea J, Mercado-Gómez M, Palazon A, Mattot V, Pasquier F, Catteau-Jonard S, Martinez-Chantar M, Hrabovszky E, Jourdain M, Deplanque D, Morelli A, Guarnieri G, Storme L, Robil C, Trottein F, Nogueiras R, Schwaninger M, Pigny P, Poissy J, Chachlaki K, Maurage CA, Giacobini P, Dhillo W, Rasika S, Prevot V. Long-COVID cognitive impairments and reproductive hormone deficits in men may stem from GnRH neuronal death. EBioMedicine 2023; 96:104784. [PMID: 37713808 PMCID: PMC10507138 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2023.104784] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2023] [Revised: 08/02/2023] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 09/17/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND We have recently demonstrated a causal link between loss of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), the master molecule regulating reproduction, and cognitive deficits during pathological aging, including Down syndrome and Alzheimer's disease. Olfactory and cognitive alterations, which persist in some COVID-19 patients, and long-term hypotestosteronaemia in SARS-CoV-2-infected men are also reminiscent of the consequences of deficient GnRH, suggesting that GnRH system neuroinvasion could underlie certain post-COVID symptoms and thus lead to accelerated or exacerbated cognitive decline. METHODS We explored the hormonal profile of COVID-19 patients and targets of SARS-CoV-2 infection in post-mortem patient brains and human fetal tissue. FINDINGS We found that persistent hypotestosteronaemia in some men could indeed be of hypothalamic origin, favouring post-COVID cognitive or neurological symptoms, and that changes in testosterone levels and body weight over time were inversely correlated. Infection of olfactory sensory neurons and multifunctional hypothalamic glia called tanycytes highlighted at least two viable neuroinvasion routes. Furthermore, GnRH neurons themselves were dying in all patient brains studied, dramatically reducing GnRH expression. Human fetal olfactory and vomeronasal epithelia, from which GnRH neurons arise, and fetal GnRH neurons also appeared susceptible to infection. INTERPRETATION Putative GnRH neuron and tanycyte dysfunction following SARS-CoV-2 neuroinvasion could be responsible for serious reproductive, metabolic, and mental health consequences in long-COVID and lead to an increased risk of neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative pathologies over time in all age groups. FUNDING European Research Council (ERC) grant agreements No 810331, No 725149, No 804236, the European Union Horizon 2020 research and innovation program No 847941, the Fondation pour la Recherche Médicale (FRM) and the Agence Nationale de la Recherche en Santé (ANRS) No ECTZ200878 Long Covid 2021 ANRS0167 SIGNAL, Agence Nationale de la recherche (ANR) grant agreements No ANR-19-CE16-0021-02, No ANR-11-LABEX-0009, No. ANR-10-LABEX-0046, No. ANR-16-IDEX-0004, Inserm Cross-Cutting Scientific Program HuDeCA, the CHU Lille Bonus H, the UK Medical Research Council (MRC) and National Institute of Health and care Research (NIHR).
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Affiliation(s)
- Florent Sauve
- Univ. Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, Lille Neuroscience & Cognition, UMR-S 1172, DistAlz, Lille, France
| | - Sreekala Nampoothiri
- Univ. Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, Lille Neuroscience & Cognition, UMR-S 1172, DistAlz, Lille, France
| | - Sophie A Clarke
- Section of Endocrinology and Investigative Medicine, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Daniela Fernandois
- Univ. Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, Lille Neuroscience & Cognition, UMR-S 1172, DistAlz, Lille, France
| | | | - Julie Dewisme
- Univ. Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, Lille Neuroscience & Cognition, UMR-S 1172, DistAlz, Lille, France; CHU Lille, Department of Pathology, Centre Biologie Pathologie, France
| | - Edouard G Mills
- Section of Endocrinology and Investigative Medicine, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Gaetan Ternier
- Univ. Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, Lille Neuroscience & Cognition, UMR-S 1172, DistAlz, Lille, France
| | - Ludovica Cotellessa
- Univ. Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, Lille Neuroscience & Cognition, UMR-S 1172, DistAlz, Lille, France
| | | | - Helge Mueller-Fielitz
- Institute for Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Thibaud Lebouvier
- Univ. Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, Lille Neuroscience & Cognition, UMR-S 1172, DistAlz, Lille, France; CHU Lille, Department of Neurology, Memory Centre, Reference Centre for Early-Onset Alzheimer Disease and Related Disorders, Lille, France
| | - Romain Perbet
- Univ. Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, Lille Neuroscience & Cognition, UMR-S 1172, DistAlz, Lille, France; CHU Lille, Department of Pathology, Centre Biologie Pathologie, France
| | - Vincent Florent
- Univ. Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, Lille Neuroscience & Cognition, UMR-S 1172, DistAlz, Lille, France
| | - Marc Baroncini
- Univ. Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, Lille Neuroscience & Cognition, UMR-S 1172, DistAlz, Lille, France
| | - Ariane Sharif
- Univ. Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, Lille Neuroscience & Cognition, UMR-S 1172, DistAlz, Lille, France
| | - June Ereño-Orbea
- CIC bioGUNE, Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTACentro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain; Bizkaia Technology Park, Building 801A, 48160, Derio, Bizkaia, Spain
| | - Maria Mercado-Gómez
- CIC bioGUNE, Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTACentro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain; Bizkaia Technology Park, Building 801A, 48160, Derio, Bizkaia, Spain
| | - Asis Palazon
- CIC bioGUNE, Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTACentro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain; Bizkaia Technology Park, Building 801A, 48160, Derio, Bizkaia, Spain
| | - Virginie Mattot
- Univ. Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, Lille Neuroscience & Cognition, UMR-S 1172, DistAlz, Lille, France
| | - Florence Pasquier
- Univ. Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, Lille Neuroscience & Cognition, UMR-S 1172, DistAlz, Lille, France; CHU Lille, Department of Neurology, Memory Centre, Reference Centre for Early-Onset Alzheimer Disease and Related Disorders, Lille, France
| | - Sophie Catteau-Jonard
- Univ. Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, Lille Neuroscience & Cognition, UMR-S 1172, DistAlz, Lille, France; CHU Lille, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Jeanne de Flandres Hospital, F-59000, Lille, France
| | - Maria Martinez-Chantar
- CIC bioGUNE, Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTACentro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Hepáticas y Digestivas (CIBERehd), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain; Bizkaia Technology Park, Building 801A, 48160, Derio, Bizkaia, Spain
| | - Erik Hrabovszky
- Laboratory of Reproductive Neurobiology, Institute of Experimental Medicine, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Mercé Jourdain
- Univ. Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, Service de Médecine Intensive Réanimation, U1190, EGID, F-59000 Lille, France
| | - Dominique Deplanque
- Univ. Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, Lille Neuroscience & Cognition, UMR-S 1172, DistAlz, Lille, France; University Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, Centre d'investigation Clinique (CIC) 1403, F-59000, Lille, France; LICORNE Study Group, CHU Lille, Lille, France
| | - Annamaria Morelli
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Italy
| | - Giulia Guarnieri
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Italy
| | - Laurent Storme
- CHU Lille, Department of Neonatology, Hôpital Jeanne de Flandre, FHU 1000 Days for Health, F-59000, France
| | - Cyril Robil
- University Lille, CNRS, Inserm, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, U1019 - UMR 9017 - CIIL - Center for Infection and Immunity of Lille, F-59000 Lille, France
| | - François Trottein
- University Lille, CNRS, Inserm, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, U1019 - UMR 9017 - CIIL - Center for Infection and Immunity of Lille, F-59000 Lille, France
| | - Ruben Nogueiras
- CIMUS, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, 15782, Spain
| | - Markus Schwaninger
- Institute for Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Pascal Pigny
- CHU Lille, Service de Biochimie et Hormonologie, Centre de Biologie Pathologie, Lille, France
| | - Julien Poissy
- LICORNE Study Group, CHU Lille, Lille, France; Univ. Lille, Inserm U1285, CHU Lille, Pôle de Réanimation, CNRS, UMR 8576 - UGSF - Unité de Glycobiologie Structurale et Fonctionnelle, F-59000, Lille, France
| | - Konstantina Chachlaki
- Univ. Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, Lille Neuroscience & Cognition, UMR-S 1172, DistAlz, Lille, France
| | - Claude-Alain Maurage
- Univ. Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, Lille Neuroscience & Cognition, UMR-S 1172, DistAlz, Lille, France; CHU Lille, Department of Pathology, Centre Biologie Pathologie, France; LICORNE Study Group, CHU Lille, Lille, France
| | - Paolo Giacobini
- Univ. Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, Lille Neuroscience & Cognition, UMR-S 1172, DistAlz, Lille, France
| | - Waljit Dhillo
- Section of Endocrinology and Investigative Medicine, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom; Department of Endocrinology, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - S Rasika
- Univ. Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, Lille Neuroscience & Cognition, UMR-S 1172, DistAlz, Lille, France.
| | - Vincent Prevot
- Univ. Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, Lille Neuroscience & Cognition, UMR-S 1172, DistAlz, Lille, France.
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25
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Pomeshchik Y, Velasquez E, Gil J, Klementieva O, Gidlöf R, Sydoff M, Bagnoli S, Nacmias B, Sorbi S, Westergren-Thorsson G, Gouras GK, Rezeli M, Roybon L. Proteomic analysis across patient iPSC-based models and human post-mortem hippocampal tissue reveals early cellular dysfunction and progression of Alzheimer's disease pathogenesis. Acta Neuropathol Commun 2023; 11:150. [PMID: 37715247 PMCID: PMC10504768 DOI: 10.1186/s40478-023-01649-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 09/17/2023] Open
Abstract
The hippocampus is a primary region affected in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Because AD postmortem brain tissue is not available prior to symptomatic stage, we lack understanding of early cellular pathogenic mechanisms. To address this issue, we examined the cellular origin and progression of AD pathogenesis by comparing patient-based model systems including iPSC-derived brain cells transplanted into the mouse brain hippocampus. Proteomic analysis of the graft enabled the identification of pathways and network dysfunction in AD patient brain cells, associated with increased levels of Aβ-42 and β-sheet structures. Interestingly, the host cells surrounding the AD graft also presented alterations in cellular biological pathways. Furthermore, proteomic analysis across human iPSC-based models and human post-mortem hippocampal tissue projected coherent longitudinal cellular changes indicative of early to end stage AD cellular pathogenesis. Our data showcase patient-based models to study the cell autonomous origin and progression of AD pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuriy Pomeshchik
- iPSC Laboratory for CNS Disease Modelling, Department of Experimental Medical Science, BMC D10, Lund University, 22184, Lund, Sweden.
- Strategic Research Area MultiPark, Lund University, 22184, Lund, Sweden.
- Lund Stem Cell Center, Lund University, 22184, Lund, Sweden.
| | - Erika Velasquez
- iPSC Laboratory for CNS Disease Modelling, Department of Experimental Medical Science, BMC D10, Lund University, 22184, Lund, Sweden
- Strategic Research Area MultiPark, Lund University, 22184, Lund, Sweden
- Lund Stem Cell Center, Lund University, 22184, Lund, Sweden
| | - Jeovanis Gil
- Clinical Protein Science & Imaging, Department of Biomedical Engineering, BMC D13, Lund University, 22184, Lund, Sweden
| | - Oxana Klementieva
- Strategic Research Area MultiPark, Lund University, 22184, Lund, Sweden
- Medical Micro-Spectroscopy, Department of Experimental Medical Science, BMC B10, Lund University, 22184, Lund, Sweden
| | - Ritha Gidlöf
- Lund University BioImaging Centre, Faculty of Medicine, Lund University, 22142, Lund, Sweden
| | - Marie Sydoff
- Lund University BioImaging Centre, Faculty of Medicine, Lund University, 22142, Lund, Sweden
| | - Silvia Bagnoli
- Laboratorio Di Neurogenetica, Dipartimento Di Neuroscienze, Psicologia, Area del Farmaco e Salute del Bambino- NEUROFARBA, Università degli Studi di Firenze, 50134, Florence, Italy
- IRCCS Fondazione Don Carlo Gnocchi, Florence, Italy
| | - Benedetta Nacmias
- Laboratorio Di Neurogenetica, Dipartimento Di Neuroscienze, Psicologia, Area del Farmaco e Salute del Bambino- NEUROFARBA, Università degli Studi di Firenze, 50134, Florence, Italy
- IRCCS Fondazione Don Carlo Gnocchi, Florence, Italy
| | - Sandro Sorbi
- Laboratorio Di Neurogenetica, Dipartimento Di Neuroscienze, Psicologia, Area del Farmaco e Salute del Bambino- NEUROFARBA, Università degli Studi di Firenze, 50134, Florence, Italy
- IRCCS Fondazione Don Carlo Gnocchi, Florence, Italy
| | - Gunilla Westergren-Thorsson
- Department of Experimental Medical Science, BMC C12, Faculty of Medicine, Lund University, 22142, Lund, Sweden
| | - Gunnar K Gouras
- Strategic Research Area MultiPark, Lund University, 22184, Lund, Sweden
- Experimental Dementia Research Unit, Department of Experimental Medical Science, BMC B11, Lund University, 22184, Lund, Sweden
| | - Melinda Rezeli
- Clinical Protein Science & Imaging, Department of Biomedical Engineering, BMC D13, Lund University, 22184, Lund, Sweden
- Swedish National Infrastructure for Biological Mass Spectrometry (BioMS), Lund University, 22184, Lund, Sweden
| | - Laurent Roybon
- iPSC Laboratory for CNS Disease Modelling, Department of Experimental Medical Science, BMC D10, Lund University, 22184, Lund, Sweden.
- Strategic Research Area MultiPark, Lund University, 22184, Lund, Sweden.
- Lund Stem Cell Center, Lund University, 22184, Lund, Sweden.
- Department of Neurodegenerative Science, The MiND Program, Van Andel Institute, Grand Rapids, MI, USA.
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26
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Prévot V, Duittoz A. A role for GnRH in olfaction and cognition: Implications for veterinary medicine. Reprod Domest Anim 2023; 58 Suppl 2:109-124. [PMID: 37329313 DOI: 10.1111/rda.14411] [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: 04/24/2023] [Revised: 06/05/2023] [Accepted: 06/14/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Pulsatile secretion of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) is essential for the activation and maintenance of the function of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis, which controls the onset of puberty and fertility. Two provocative recent studies suggest that, in addition to control reproduction, the neurons in the brain that produce GnRH are also involved in the control postnatal brain maturation, odour discrimination and adult cognition. Long-acting GnRH antagonists and agonists are commonly used to control fertility and behaviour in veterinary medicine, primarily in males. This review puts into perspective the potential risks of these androgen deprivation therapies and immunization on olfactory and cognitive performances and well-aging in domestic animals, including pets. We will also discuss the results reporting beneficial effects of pharmacological interventions restoring physiological GnRH levels on olfactory and cognitive alterations in preclinical models of Alzheimer's disease, which shares many pathophysiological and behavioural hallmarks with canine cognitive dysfunction. These novel findings raise the intriguing possibility that pulsatile GnRH therapy holds therapeutic potential for the management of this behavioural syndrome affecting older dogs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vincent Prévot
- Univ. Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, Laboratory of Development and Plasticity of the Neuroendocrine Brain, Lille Neuroscience & Cognition, UMR_S1172, Lille, France
| | - Anne Duittoz
- Physiologie de la Reproduction et des Comportements (PRC) UMR7247 INRA, CNRS, Centre INRAE Val de Loire, IFCE, Université de Tours, Nouzilly, France
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27
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Patel AO, Caldwell AB, Ramachandran S, Subramaniam S. Endotype Characterization Reveals Mechanistic Differences Across Brain Regions in Sporadic Alzheimer's Disease. J Alzheimers Dis Rep 2023; 7:957-972. [PMID: 37849634 PMCID: PMC10578327 DOI: 10.3233/adr-220098] [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: 12/02/2022] [Accepted: 07/21/2023] [Indexed: 10/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Background While Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathology is associated with altered brain structure, it is not clear whether gene expression changes mirror the onset and evolution of pathology in distinct brain regions. Deciphering the mechanisms which cause the differential manifestation of the disease across different regions has the potential to help early diagnosis. Objective We aimed to identify common and unique endotypes and their regulation in tangle-free neurons in sporadic AD (SAD) across six brain regions: entorhinal cortex (EC), hippocampus (HC), medial temporal gyrus (MTG), posterior cingulate (PC), superior frontal gyrus (SFG), and visual cortex (VCX). Methods To decipher the states of tangle-free neurons across different brain regions in human subjects afflicted with AD, we performed analysis of the neural transcriptome. We explored changes in differential gene expression, functional and transcription factor target enrichment, and co-expression gene module detection analysis to discern disease-state transcriptomic variances and characterize endotypes. Additionally, we compared our results to tangled AD neuron microarray-based study and the Allen Brain Atlas. Results We identified impaired neuron function in EC, MTG, PC, and VCX resulting from REST activation and reversal of mature neurons to a precursor-like state in EC, MTG, and SFG linked to SOX2 activation. Additionally, decreased neuron function and increased dedifferentiation were linked to the activation of SUZ12. Energetic deficit connected to NRF1 inactivation was found in HC, PC, and VCX. Conclusions Our findings suggest that SAD manifestation varies in scale and severity in different brain regions. We identify endotypes, such as energetic shortfalls, impaired neuronal function, and dedifferentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashay O. Patel
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Andrew B. Caldwell
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | | | - Shankar Subramaniam
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Department of Nanoengineering, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Department of Computer Science and Engineering, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
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28
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Sheehan PW, Nadarajah CJ, Kanan MF, Patterson JN, Novotny B, Lawrence JH, King MW, Brase L, Inman CE, Yuede CM, Lee J, Patel TK, Harari O, Benitez BA, Davis AA, Musiek ES. An astrocyte BMAL1-BAG3 axis protects against alpha-synuclein and tau pathology. Neuron 2023; 111:2383-2398.e7. [PMID: 37315555 PMCID: PMC10524543 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2023.05.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2022] [Revised: 03/29/2023] [Accepted: 05/10/2023] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The circadian clock protein BMAL1 modulates glial activation and amyloid-beta deposition in mice. However, the effects of BMAL1 on other aspects of neurodegenerative pathology are unknown. Here, we show that global post-natal deletion of Bmal1 in mouse tauopathy or alpha-synucleinopathy models unexpectedly suppresses both tau and alpha-synuclein (αSyn) aggregation and related pathology. Astrocyte-specific Bmal1 deletion is sufficient to prevent both αSyn and tau pathology in vivo and induces astrocyte activation and the expression of Bag3, a chaperone critical for macroautophagy. Astrocyte Bmal1 deletion enhances phagocytosis of αSyn and tau in a Bag3-dependent manner, and astrocyte Bag3 overexpression is sufficient to mitigate αSyn spreading in vivo. In humans, BAG3 is increased in patients with AD and is highly expressed in disease-associated astrocytes (DAAs). Our results suggest that early activation of astrocytes via Bmal1 deletion induces Bag3 to protect against tau and αSyn pathologies, providing new insights into astrocyte-specific therapies for neurodegeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick W Sheehan
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Collin J Nadarajah
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Michael F Kanan
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Jessica N Patterson
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Brenna Novotny
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Jennifer H Lawrence
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Melvin W King
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Logan Brase
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Casey E Inman
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Carla M Yuede
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Jiyeon Lee
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Tirth K Patel
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Oscar Harari
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA; Knight Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Bruno A Benitez
- Department of Neurology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Albert A Davis
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA.
| | - Erik S Musiek
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA; Knight Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA; Center on Biological Rhythms and Sleep (COBRAS), Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA.
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29
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Killick R, Elliott C, Ribe E, Broadstock M, Ballard C, Aarsland D, Williams G. Neurodegenerative Disease Associated Pathways in the Brains of Triple Transgenic Alzheimer's Model Mice Are Reversed Following Two Weeks of Peripheral Administration of Fasudil. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:11219. [PMID: 37446396 PMCID: PMC10342807 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241311219] [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: 06/06/2023] [Revised: 06/30/2023] [Accepted: 07/04/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The pan Rho-associated coiled-coil-containing protein kinase (ROCK) inhibitor fasudil acts as a vasodilator and has been used as a medication for post-cerebral stroke for the past 29 years in Japan and China. More recently, based on the involvement of ROCK inhibition in synaptic function, neuronal survival, and processes associated with neuroinflammation, it has been suggested that the drug may be repurposed for neurodegenerative diseases. Indeed, fasudil has demonstrated preclinical efficacy in many neurodegenerative disease models. To facilitate an understanding of the wider biological processes at play due to ROCK inhibition in the context of neurodegeneration, we performed a global gene expression analysis on the brains of Alzheimer's disease model mice treated with fasudil via peripheral IP injection. We then performed a comparative analysis of the fasudil-driven transcriptional profile with profiles generated from a meta-analysis of multiple neurodegenerative diseases. Our results show that fasudil tends to drive gene expression in a reverse sense to that seen in brains with post-mortem neurodegenerative disease. The results are most striking in terms of pathway enrichment analysis, where pathways perturbed in Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases are overwhelmingly driven in the opposite direction by fasudil treatment. Thus, our results bolster the repurposing potential of fasudil by demonstrating an anti-neurodegenerative phenotype in a disease context and highlight the potential of in vivo transcriptional profiling of drug activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard Killick
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, Denmark Hill, London SE5 8AF, UK; (R.K.); (E.R.); (D.A.)
- College of Medicine and Health, University of Exeter, Exeter EX1 2UL, UK;
| | - Christina Elliott
- Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4HH, UK;
| | - Elena Ribe
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, Denmark Hill, London SE5 8AF, UK; (R.K.); (E.R.); (D.A.)
| | - Martin Broadstock
- Wolfson CARD, King’s College London, London Bridge, London SE1 1UL, UK;
| | - Clive Ballard
- College of Medicine and Health, University of Exeter, Exeter EX1 2UL, UK;
| | - Dag Aarsland
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, Denmark Hill, London SE5 8AF, UK; (R.K.); (E.R.); (D.A.)
| | - Gareth Williams
- Wolfson CARD, King’s College London, London Bridge, London SE1 1UL, UK;
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30
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Guo L, Cao J, Hou J, Li Y, Huang M, Zhu L, Zhang L, Lee Y, Duarte ML, Zhou X, Wang M, Liu CC, Martens Y, Chao M, Goate A, Bu G, Haroutunian V, Cai D, Zhang B. Sex specific molecular networks and key drivers of Alzheimer's disease. Mol Neurodegener 2023; 18:39. [PMID: 37340466 PMCID: PMC10280841 DOI: 10.1186/s13024-023-00624-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2022] [Accepted: 05/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/22/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive and age-associated neurodegenerative disorder that affects women disproportionally. However, the underlying mechanisms are poorly characterized. Moreover, while the interplay between sex and ApoE genotype in AD has been investigated, multi-omics studies to understand this interaction are limited. Therefore, we applied systems biology approaches to investigate sex-specific molecular networks of AD. METHODS We integrated large-scale human postmortem brain transcriptomic data of AD from two cohorts (MSBB and ROSMAP) via multiscale network analysis and identified key drivers with sexually dimorphic expression patterns and/or different responses to APOE genotypes between sexes. The expression patterns and functional relevance of the top sex-specific network driver of AD were further investigated using postmortem human brain samples and gene perturbation experiments in AD mouse models. RESULTS Gene expression changes in AD versus control were identified for each sex. Gene co-expression networks were constructed for each sex to identify AD-associated co-expressed gene modules shared by males and females or specific to each sex. Key network regulators were further identified as potential drivers of sex differences in AD development. LRP10 was identified as a top driver of the sex differences in AD pathogenesis and manifestation. Changes of LRP10 expression at the mRNA and protein levels were further validated in human AD brain samples. Gene perturbation experiments in EFAD mouse models demonstrated that LRP10 differentially affected cognitive function and AD pathology in sex- and APOE genotype-specific manners. A comprehensive mapping of brain cells in LRP10 over-expressed (OE) female E4FAD mice suggested neurons and microglia as the most affected cell populations. The female-specific targets of LRP10 identified from the single cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq) data of the LRP10 OE E4FAD mouse brains were significantly enriched in the LRP10-centered subnetworks in female AD subjects, validating LRP10 as a key network regulator of AD in females. Eight LRP10 binding partners were identified by the yeast two-hybrid system screening, and LRP10 over-expression reduced the association of LRP10 with one binding partner CD34. CONCLUSIONS These findings provide insights into key mechanisms mediating sex differences in AD pathogenesis and will facilitate the development of sex- and APOE genotype-specific therapies for AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Guo
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
- Mount Sinai Center for Transformative Disease Modeling, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Jiqing Cao
- Department of Neurology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
- James J Peters VA Medical Center, Research & Development, Bronx, NY, 10468, USA
| | - Jianwei Hou
- Department of Neurology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
- James J Peters VA Medical Center, Research & Development, Bronx, NY, 10468, USA
| | - Yonghe Li
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, 32224, USA
| | - Min Huang
- Department of Neurology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
- James J Peters VA Medical Center, Research & Development, Bronx, NY, 10468, USA
| | - Li Zhu
- Department of Neurology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
- James J Peters VA Medical Center, Research & Development, Bronx, NY, 10468, USA
| | - Larry Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
- James J Peters VA Medical Center, Research & Development, Bronx, NY, 10468, USA
| | - Yeji Lee
- James J Peters VA Medical Center, Research & Development, Bronx, NY, 10468, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, Yale University, New Haven, CT, 06510, USA
| | - Mariana Lemos Duarte
- Department of Neurology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
- James J Peters VA Medical Center, Research & Development, Bronx, NY, 10468, USA
| | - Xianxiao Zhou
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
- Mount Sinai Center for Transformative Disease Modeling, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Minghui Wang
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
- Mount Sinai Center for Transformative Disease Modeling, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Chia-Chen Liu
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, 32224, USA
| | - Yuka Martens
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, 32224, USA
| | - Michael Chao
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
- Ronald M. Loeb Center for Alzheimer's Disease, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Alison Goate
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
- Ronald M. Loeb Center for Alzheimer's Disease, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Guojun Bu
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, 32224, USA
| | - Vahram Haroutunian
- James J Peters VA Medical Center, Research & Development, Bronx, NY, 10468, USA
- Alzheimer Disease Research Center Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
- James J Peters VA Medical Center, MIRECC, Bronx, NY, 10468, USA
| | - Dongming Cai
- Department of Neurology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA.
- James J Peters VA Medical Center, Research & Development, Bronx, NY, 10468, USA.
- Ronald M. Loeb Center for Alzheimer's Disease, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA.
- Alzheimer Disease Research Center Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA.
| | - Bin Zhang
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA.
- Mount Sinai Center for Transformative Disease Modeling, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA.
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA.
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31
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Zhou X, Cao J, Zhu L, Farrell K, Wang M, Guo L, Yang J, McKenzie A, Crary JF, Cai D, Tu Z, Zhang B. Molecular differences in brain regional vulnerability to aging between males and females. Front Aging Neurosci 2023; 15:1153251. [PMID: 37284017 PMCID: PMC10239962 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2023.1153251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2023] [Accepted: 05/02/2023] [Indexed: 06/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Aging-related cognitive decline is associated with brain structural changes and synaptic loss. However, the molecular mechanisms of cognitive decline during normal aging remain elusive. Results Using the GTEx transcriptomic data from 13 brain regions, we identified aging-associated molecular alterations and cell-type compositions in males and females. We further constructed gene co-expression networks and identified aging-associated modules and key regulators shared by both sexes or specific to males or females. A few brain regions such as the hippocampus and the hypothalamus show specific vulnerability in males, while the cerebellar hemisphere and the anterior cingulate cortex regions manifest greater vulnerability in females than in males. Immune response genes are positively correlated with age, whereas those involved in neurogenesis are negatively correlated with age. Aging-associated genes identified in the hippocampus and the frontal cortex are significantly enriched for gene signatures implicated in Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathogenesis. In the hippocampus, a male-specific co-expression module is driven by key synaptic signaling regulators including VSNL1, INA, CHN1 and KCNH1; while in the cortex, a female-specific module is associated with neuron projection morphogenesis, which is driven by key regulators including SRPK2, REPS2 and FXYD1. In the cerebellar hemisphere, a myelination-associated module shared by males and females is driven by key regulators such as MOG, ENPP2, MYRF, ANLN, MAG and PLP1, which have been implicated in the development of AD and other neurodegenerative diseases. Conclusions This integrative network biology study systematically identifies molecular signatures and networks underlying brain regional vulnerability to aging in males and females. The findings pave the way for understanding the molecular mechanisms of gender differences in developing neurodegenerative diseases such as AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xianxiao Zhou
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
- Mount Sinai Center for Transformative Disease Modeling, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
- Icahn Institute for Data Science and Genomic Technology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
| | - Jiqing Cao
- Department of Neurology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
- Research & Development, James J. Peters VA Medical Center, Bronx, NY, United States
| | - Li Zhu
- Department of Neurology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
- Research & Development, James J. Peters VA Medical Center, Bronx, NY, United States
| | - Kurt Farrell
- Neuropathology Brain Bank & Research CoRE, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
| | - Minghui Wang
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
- Mount Sinai Center for Transformative Disease Modeling, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
- Icahn Institute for Data Science and Genomic Technology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
| | - Lei Guo
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
- Mount Sinai Center for Transformative Disease Modeling, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
- Icahn Institute for Data Science and Genomic Technology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
| | - Jialiang Yang
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
- Icahn Institute for Data Science and Genomic Technology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
| | - Andrew McKenzie
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
| | - John F. Crary
- Neuropathology Brain Bank & Research CoRE, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
| | - Dongming Cai
- Department of Neurology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
- Research & Development, James J. Peters VA Medical Center, Bronx, NY, United States
- Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
- Ronald M. Loeb Center for Alzheimer’s Disease, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
| | - Zhidong Tu
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
- Icahn Institute for Data Science and Genomic Technology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
| | - Bin Zhang
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
- Mount Sinai Center for Transformative Disease Modeling, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
- Icahn Institute for Data Science and Genomic Technology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
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32
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El-Agnaf O, Bensmail I, Al-Nesf MAY, Flynn J, Taylor M, Majbour NK, Abdi IY, Vaikath NN, Farooq A, Vemulapalli PB, Schmidt F, Ouararhni K, Al-Siddiqi HH, Arredouani A, Wijten P, Al-Maadheed M, Mohamed-Ali V, Decock J, Abdesselem HB. Uncovering a neurological protein signature for severe COVID-19. Neurobiol Dis 2023; 182:106147. [PMID: 37178811 PMCID: PMC10174474 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2023.106147] [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: 02/16/2023] [Revised: 04/30/2023] [Accepted: 05/07/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has sparked a global pandemic with severe complications and high morbidity rate. Neurological symptoms in COVID-19 patients, and neurological sequelae post COVID-19 recovery have been extensively reported. Yet, neurological molecular signature and signaling pathways that are affected in the central nervous system (CNS) of COVID-19 severe patients remain still unknown and need to be identified. Plasma samples from 49 severe COVID-19 patients, 50 mild COVID-19 patients, and 40 healthy controls were subjected to Olink proteomics analysis of 184 CNS-enriched proteins. By using a multi-approach bioinformatics analysis, we identified a 34-neurological protein signature for COVID-19 severity and unveiled dysregulated neurological pathways in severe cases. Here, we identified a new neurological protein signature for severe COVID-19 that was validated in different independent cohorts using blood and postmortem brain samples and shown to correlate with neurological diseases and pharmacological drugs. This protein signature could potentially aid the development of prognostic and diagnostic tools for neurological complications in post-COVID-19 convalescent patients with long term neurological sequelae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Omar El-Agnaf
- Neurological Disorders Research Center (NDRC), Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI), Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), Qatar Foundation, Doha, Qatar; College of Health and Life Sciences (CHLS), Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), Qatar Foundation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Ilham Bensmail
- Proteomics Core Facility, Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI), Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), Qatar Foundation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Maryam A Y Al-Nesf
- Department of Medicine, Hamad General Hospital, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar; Center of Metabolism and Inflammation, Division of Medicine, Royal Free Campus, University College London, Rowland Hill Road, London NW3 2PF, UK
| | | | | | - Nour K Majbour
- Neurological Disorders Research Center (NDRC), Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI), Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), Qatar Foundation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Ilham Y Abdi
- Neurological Disorders Research Center (NDRC), Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI), Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), Qatar Foundation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Nishant N Vaikath
- Neurological Disorders Research Center (NDRC), Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI), Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), Qatar Foundation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Abdulaziz Farooq
- Aspetar Hospital, Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine, Hospital, FIFA Medical Centre of Excellence, Doha, Qatar
| | | | - Frank Schmidt
- Proteomics Core, Weill Cornell Medicine - Qatar, Doha, Qatar
| | - Khalid Ouararhni
- Genomics Core Facility, Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI), Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), Qatar Foundation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Heba H Al-Siddiqi
- Diabetes Research Center, Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI), Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), Qatar Foundation, Doha, Qatar; College of Health and Life Sciences (CHLS), Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), Qatar Foundation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Abdelilah Arredouani
- Diabetes Research Center, Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI), Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), Qatar Foundation, Doha, Qatar; College of Health and Life Sciences (CHLS), Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), Qatar Foundation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Patrick Wijten
- Diabetes Research Center, Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI), Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), Qatar Foundation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Mohammed Al-Maadheed
- Center of Metabolism and Inflammation, Division of Medicine, Royal Free Campus, University College London, Rowland Hill Road, London NW3 2PF, UK; Anti-Doping Laboratory Qatar, Doha, Qatar
| | - Vidya Mohamed-Ali
- Center of Metabolism and Inflammation, Division of Medicine, Royal Free Campus, University College London, Rowland Hill Road, London NW3 2PF, UK; Anti-Doping Laboratory Qatar, Doha, Qatar
| | - Julie Decock
- Translational Cancer and Immunity Center (TCIC), Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI), Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), Qatar Foundation, Doha, Qatar; College of Health and Life Sciences (CHLS), Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), Qatar Foundation, Doha, Qatar
| | - Houari B Abdesselem
- Neurological Disorders Research Center (NDRC), Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI), Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), Qatar Foundation, Doha, Qatar; College of Health and Life Sciences (CHLS), Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), Qatar Foundation, Doha, Qatar; Proteomics Core Facility, Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI), Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), Qatar Foundation, Doha, Qatar.
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Jin B, Fei G, Sang S, Zhong C. Identification of biomarkers differentiating Alzheimer's disease from other neurodegenerative diseases by integrated bioinformatic analysis and machine-learning strategies. Front Mol Neurosci 2023; 16:1152279. [PMID: 37234685 PMCID: PMC10205980 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2023.1152279] [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: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 04/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common neurodegenerative disease, imposing huge mental and economic burdens on patients and society. The specific molecular pathway(s) and biomarker(s) that distinguish AD from other neurodegenerative diseases and reflect the disease progression are still not well studied. Methods Four frontal cortical datasets of AD were integrated to conduct differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and functional gene enrichment analyses. The transcriptional changes after the integrated frontal cortical datasets subtracting the cerebellar dataset of AD were further compared with frontal cortical datasets of frontotemporal dementia and Huntingdon's disease to identify AD-frontal-associated gene expression. Integrated bioinformatic analysis and machine-learning strategies were applied for screening and determining diagnostic biomarkers, which were further validated in another two frontal cortical datasets of AD by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. Results Six hundred and twenty-six DEGs were identified as AD frontal associated, including 580 downregulated genes and 46 upregulated genes. The functional enrichment analysis revealed that immune response and oxidative stress were enriched in AD patients. Decorin (DCN) and regulator of G protein signaling 1 (RGS1) were screened as diagnostic biomarkers in distinguishing AD from frontotemporal dementia and Huntingdon's disease of AD. The diagnostic effects of DCN and RGS1 for AD were further validated in another two datasets of AD: the areas under the curve (AUCs) reached 0.8148 and 0.8262 in GSE33000, and 0.8595 and 0.8675 in GSE44770. There was a better value for AD diagnosis when combining performances of DCN and RGS1 with the AUCs of 0.863 and 0.869. Further, DCN mRNA level was correlated to CDR (Clinical Dementia Rating scale) score (r = 0.5066, p = 0.0058) and Braak staging (r = 0.3348, p = 0.0549). Conclusion DCN and RGS1 associated with the immune response may be useful biomarkers for diagnosing AD and distinguishing the disease from frontotemporal dementia and Huntingdon's disease. DCN mRNA level reflects the development of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Boru Jin
- Department of Neurology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Guoqiang Fei
- Department of Neurology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Shaoming Sang
- Shanghai Raising Pharmaceutical Technology Co., Ltd., Shanghai, China
| | - Chunjiu Zhong
- Department of Neurology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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Liu B, Lv LL, Liu P, Xu YY, Guo M, Liu J, Shi JS. Proteomic analysis of anti-aging effects of Dendrobium nobile Lindl. alkaloids in aging-accelerated SAMP8 mice. Exp Gerontol 2023; 177:112198. [PMID: 37150330 DOI: 10.1016/j.exger.2023.112198] [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: 01/08/2023] [Revised: 04/21/2023] [Accepted: 05/02/2023] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
Senescence-accelerated mouse prone 8 (SAMP8) mice exhibit cognitive defects and neuron loss with aging, and were used to study anti-aging effects of Dendrobium nobile alkaloids (DNLA). DNLA (20 and 40 mg/kg) were orally administered to SAMP8 mice from 6 to 10 months of age. At 10-month of age, behavioral tests via Y-maze and Open-field and neuron damage via Nissl staining were evaluated. Protein was extracted and subjected to phosphorylated proteomic analysis followed by bioinformatic analysis. The cognitive deficits and neuron loss in hippocampus and cortex of aged SAMP8 mice were improved by DNLA. Hippocampal proteomic analysis revealed 196 differentially expressed protein/genes in SAMP8 compared to age-matched senescence-accelerated resistant SAMR1 mice. Gene Oncology enriched the tubulin binding, microtubule binding, and other activities. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) revealed endocytosis, mRNA surveillance, tight junction, protein processing in endoplasmic reticulum, aldosterone synthesis and secretion, and glucagon signaling pathway changes. Upregulated protein/genes in the hippocampus of SAMP8 mice, such as Lmtk3, Usp10, Dzip1, Csnk2b, and Rtn1, were attenuated by DNLA; whereas downregulated protein/genes, such as Kctd16, Psd3, Bsn, Atxn2l, and Kif1a, were rescued by DNLA. The aberrant protein/gene expressions of SAMP8 mice were correlated with transcriptome changes of Alzheimer's disease in the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database, and the scores were attenuated by DNLA. Thus, DNLA improved cognitive dysfunction and ameliorated neuronal injury in aged SAMP8 mice, and attenuated aberrant protein/gene expressions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Liu
- Key Lab for Basic Pharmacology and Joint International Laboratory of Ethnomedicine of Ministry of Education, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi 563000, China.
| | - Ling-Li Lv
- Key Lab for Basic Pharmacology and Joint International Laboratory of Ethnomedicine of Ministry of Education, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi 563000, China; Guizhou Health Vocational College, China
| | - Ping Liu
- Key Lab for Basic Pharmacology and Joint International Laboratory of Ethnomedicine of Ministry of Education, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi 563000, China; Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Zunyi Medical University, China
| | - Yun-Yan Xu
- Key Lab for Basic Pharmacology and Joint International Laboratory of Ethnomedicine of Ministry of Education, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi 563000, China
| | - Mian Guo
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, China
| | - Jie Liu
- Key Lab for Basic Pharmacology and Joint International Laboratory of Ethnomedicine of Ministry of Education, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi 563000, China.
| | - Jing-Shan Shi
- Key Lab for Basic Pharmacology and Joint International Laboratory of Ethnomedicine of Ministry of Education, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi 563000, China.
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Bryzgalov LO, Korbolina EE, Merkulova TI. Exploring the Genetic Predisposition to Epigenetic Changes in Alzheimer's Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24097955. [PMID: 37175659 PMCID: PMC10177989 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24097955] [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: 03/15/2023] [Revised: 04/05/2023] [Accepted: 04/21/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a prevalent type of dementia in elderly populations with a significant genetic component. The accumulating evidence suggests that AD involves a reconfiguration of the epigenetic landscape, including DNA methylation, post-translational modification of histone proteins, and chromatin remodeling. Along with environmental factors, individual specific genetic features play a considerable role in the formation of epigenetic architecture. In this study, we attempt to identify the non-coding regulatory SNPs (rSNPs) able to affect the epigenetic mechanisms in AD. To this end, the multi-omics approach is used. The GEO (Gene Expression Omnibus) available data (GSE153875) for AD patients and controls are integrated to reveal the rSNPs that display allele-specific features in both ChIP-seq profiles of four histone modifications and RNA-seq. Furthermore, we analyze the presence of rSNPs in the promoters of genes reported to be differentially expressed between AD and the normal brain (AD-related genes) and involved in epigenetic regulation according to the EpiFactors database. We also searched for the rSNPs in the promoters of the genes coding for transcription regulators of the identified AD-related genes. These regulators were selected based on the corresponding ChIP-seq peaks (ENCODE) in the promoter regions of these genes. Finally, we formed a panel of rSNPs localized to the promoters of genes that contribute to the epigenetic landscape in AD and, thus, to the genetic predisposition for this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonid O Bryzgalov
- The Federal Research Center Institute of Cytology and Genetics, The Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Science, 10 Lavrentyeva Prospekt, 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia
- Vector-Best, 630117 Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - Elena E Korbolina
- The Federal Research Center Institute of Cytology and Genetics, The Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Science, 10 Lavrentyeva Prospekt, 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - Tatiana I Merkulova
- The Federal Research Center Institute of Cytology and Genetics, The Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Science, 10 Lavrentyeva Prospekt, 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia
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Scarpa JR, Elemento O. Multi-omic molecular profiling and network biology for precision anaesthesiology: a narrative review. Br J Anaesth 2023:S0007-0912(23)00125-3. [PMID: 37055274 DOI: 10.1016/j.bja.2023.03.006] [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: 11/11/2022] [Revised: 02/21/2023] [Accepted: 03/04/2023] [Indexed: 04/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Technological advancement, data democratisation, and decreasing costs have led to a revolution in molecular biology in which the entire set of DNA, RNA, proteins, and various other molecules - the 'multi-omic' profile - can be measured in humans. Sequencing 1 million bases of human DNA now costs US$0.01, and emerging technologies soon promise to reduce the cost of sequencing the whole genome to US$100. These trends have made it feasible to sample the multi-omic profile of millions of people, much of which is publicly available for medical research. Can anaesthesiologists use these data to improve patient care? This narrative review brings together a rapidly growing literature in multi-omic profiling across numerous fields that points to the future of precision anaesthesiology. Here, we discuss how DNA, RNA, proteins, and other molecules interact in molecular networks that can be used for preoperative risk stratification, intraoperative optimisation, and postoperative monitoring. This literature provides evidence for four fundamental insights: (1) Clinically similar patients have different molecular profiles and, as a consequence, different outcomes. (2) Vast, publicly available, and rapidly growing molecular datasets have been generated in chronic disease patients and can be repurposed to estimate perioperative risk. (3) Multi-omic networks are altered in the perioperative period and influence postoperative outcomes. (4) Multi-omic networks can serve as empirical, molecular measurements of a successful postoperative course. With this burgeoning universe of molecular data, the anaesthesiologist-of-the-future will tailor their clinical management to an individual's multi-omic profile to optimise postoperative outcomes and long-term health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph R Scarpa
- Department of Anesthesiology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Olivier Elemento
- Caryl and Israel Englander Institute for Precision Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, Cornell University, New York, NY, USA
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Saura CA, Deprada A, Capilla-López MD, Parra-Damas A. Revealing cell vulnerability in Alzheimer's disease by single-cell transcriptomics. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2023; 139:73-83. [PMID: 35623983 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2022.05.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2022] [Revised: 05/12/2022] [Accepted: 05/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder that by affecting specific brain cell types and regions cause severe pathological and functional changes in memory neural circuits. A comprehensive knowledge of the pathogenic mechanisms underlying AD requires a deeper understanding of the cell-specific pathological responses through integrative molecular analyses. Recent application of high-throughput single-cell transcriptomics to postmortem tissue has proved powerful to unravel cell susceptibility and biological networks responding to amyloid and tau pathologies. Here, we review single-cell transcriptomic studies successfully applied to decipher cell-specific gene expression programs and pathways in the brain of AD patients. Transcriptional information reveals both specific and common gene signatures affecting the major cerebral cell types, including astrocytes, endothelial cells, microglia, neurons, and oligodendrocytes. Cell type-specific transcriptomes associated with AD pathology and clinical symptoms are related to common biological networks affecting, among others pathways, synaptic function, inflammation, proteostasis, cell death, oxidative stress, and myelination. The general picture that emerges from systems-level single-cell transcriptomics is a spatiotemporal pattern of cell diversity and biological pathways, and novel cell subpopulations affected in AD brain. We argue that broader implementation of cell transcriptomics in larger AD human cohorts using standardized protocols is fundamental for reliable assessment of temporal and regional cell-type gene profiling. The possibility of applying this methodology for personalized medicine in clinics is still challenging but opens new roads for future diagnosis and treatment in dementia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos A Saura
- Institut de Neurociències, Department de Bioquímica i Biologia Molecular, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona 08193, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Spain.
| | - Angel Deprada
- Institut de Neurociències, Department de Bioquímica i Biologia Molecular, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona 08193, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Spain
| | - Maria Dolores Capilla-López
- Institut de Neurociències, Department de Bioquímica i Biologia Molecular, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona 08193, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Spain
| | - Arnaldo Parra-Damas
- Institut de Neurociències, Department de Bioquímica i Biologia Molecular, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona 08193, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Spain
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38
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Ayoub CA, Wagner CS, Kuret J. Identification of gene networks mediating regional resistance to tauopathy in late-onset Alzheimer’s disease. PLoS Genet 2023; 19:e1010681. [PMID: 36972319 PMCID: PMC10079065 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1010681] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2022] [Revised: 04/06/2023] [Accepted: 02/24/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Neurofibrillary lesions composed of tau protein aggregates are defining hallmarks of Alzheimer’s Disease. Despite tau filaments appearing to spread between networked brain regions in a prion-like manner, certain areas including cerebellum resist trans-synaptic spread of tauopathy and degeneration of their constituent neuronal cell bodies. To identify molecular correlates of resistance, we derived and implemented a ratio of ratios approach for disaggregating gene expression data on the basis of regional vulnerability to tauopathic neurodegeneration. When applied to vulnerable pre-frontal cortex as an internal reference for resistant cerebellum, the approach segregated adaptive changes in expression into two components. The first was enriched for neuron-derived transcripts associated with proteostasis including specific members of the molecular chaperone family and was unique to resistant cerebellum. When produced as purified proteins, each of the identified chaperones depressed aggregation of 2N4R tau in vitro at sub-stoichiometric concentrations, consistent with the expression polarity deduced from ratio of ratios testing. In contrast, the second component enriched for glia- and microglia-derived transcripts associated with neuroinflammation, segregating these pathways from susceptibility to tauopathy. These data support the utility of ratio of ratios testing for establishing the polarity of gene expression changes with respect to selective vulnerability. The approach has the potential to identify new targets for drug discovery predicated on their ability to promote resistance to disease in vulnerable neuron populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher A. Ayoub
- Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, United States of America
- Medical Scientist Training Program, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, United States of America
- * E-mail: (CAA); (JK)
| | - Connor S. Wagner
- Department of Biological Chemistry & Pharmacology, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Jeff Kuret
- Department of Biological Chemistry & Pharmacology, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, United States of America
- * E-mail: (CAA); (JK)
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Sanfilippo C, Castrogiovanni P, Vinciguerra M, Imbesi R, Ulivieri M, Fazio F, Cantarella A, Nunnari G, Di Rosa M. Neuro-immune deconvolution analysis of OAS3 as a transcriptomic central node in HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders. J Neurol Sci 2023; 446:120562. [PMID: 36706688 DOI: 10.1016/j.jns.2023.120562] [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: 08/13/2022] [Revised: 01/10/2023] [Accepted: 01/16/2023] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Neurological complications of AIDS (NeuroAIDS) include primary HIV-associated neurocognitive disorder (HAND). OAS3 is an enzyme belonging to the 2', 5' oligoadenylate synthase family induced by type I interferons and involved in the degradation of both viral and endogenous RNA. Here, we used microarray datasets from NCBI of brain samples of non-demented HIV-negative controls (NDC), HIV, deceased patients with HAND and encephalitis (HIVE) (treated and untreated with antiretroviral therapy, ART), and with HAND without HIVE. The HAND/HIVE patients were stratified according to the OAS3 gene expression. The genes positively and negatively correlated to the OAS3 gene expression were used to perform a genomic deconvolution analysis using neuroimmune signatures (NIS) belonging to sixteen signatures. Expression analysis revealed significantly higher OAS3 expression in HAND/HIVE and HAND/HIVE/ART compared with NDC. OAS3 expressed an excellent diagnostic ability to discriminate NDC from HAND/HIVE, HAND from HAND/HIVE, HAND from HAND/HIVE/ART, and HIV from HAND/HIVE. Noteworthy, OAS3 expression levels in the brains of HAND/HIVE patients were positively correlated with viral load in both peripheral blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Furthermore, deconvolution analysis revealed that the genes positively correlated to OAS3 expression were associated with inflammatory signatures. Neuronal activation profiles were significantly activated by the genes negatively correlated to OAS3 expression levels. Moreover, gene ontology analysis performed on genes characterizing the microglia signature highlighted an immune response as a main biological process. According to our results, genes positively correlated to OAS3 gene expression in the brains of HAND/HIVE patients are associated with inflammatory transcriptomic signatures and likely worse cognitive impairment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Sanfilippo
- Neurologic Unit, AOU "Policlinico-San Marco", Department of Medical, Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies, GF, Ingrassia, University of Catania, Via Santa Sofia n.78, 95100 Catania, Sicily, Italy
| | - Paola Castrogiovanni
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Anatomy, Histology and Movement Sciences Section, School of Medicine, University of Catania, 95125 Catania, Italy
| | - Manlio Vinciguerra
- International Clinical Research Center, St. Anne's University Hospital, Brno, Czech Republic; Department of Translational Stem Cell Biology, Research Institute of the Medical University of Varna, Varna, Bulgaria; Liverpool Center for Cardiovascular Science, Liverpool Johns Moore University & University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Rosa Imbesi
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Anatomy, Histology and Movement Sciences Section, School of Medicine, University of Catania, 95125 Catania, Italy
| | - Martina Ulivieri
- University of California San Diego, Department of Psychiatry, Health Science, San Diego La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Francesco Fazio
- University of California San Diego, Department of Psychiatry, Health Science, San Diego La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Antonio Cantarella
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Anatomy, Histology and Movement Sciences Section, School of Medicine, University of Catania, 95125 Catania, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Nunnari
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Unit of Infectious Diseases, University of Messina, 98124 Messina, Italy
| | - Michelino Di Rosa
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Anatomy, Histology and Movement Sciences Section, School of Medicine, University of Catania, 95125 Catania, Italy.
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Ren P, Ding W, Li S, Liu G, Luo M, Zhou W, Cheng R, Li Y, Wang P, Li Z, Yao L, Jiang Q, Liang X. Regional transcriptional vulnerability to basal forebrain functional dysconnectivity in mild cognitive impairment patients. Neurobiol Dis 2023; 177:105983. [PMID: 36586468 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2022.105983] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2022] [Revised: 12/07/2022] [Accepted: 12/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Nucleus basalis of Meynert (NbM), one of the earliest targets of Alzheimer's disease (AD), may act as a seed for pathological spreading to its connected regions. However, the underlying basis of regional vulnerability to NbM dysconnectivity remains unclear. NbM functional dysconnectivity was assessed using resting-state fMRI data of health controls and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) patients from the Alzheimer's disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI2/GO phase). Transcriptional correlates of NbM dysconnectivity was explored by leveraging public intrinsic and differential post-mortem brain-wide gene expression datasets from Allen Human Brain Atlas (AHBA) and Mount Sinai Brain Bank (MSBB). By constructing an individual-level tissue-specific gene set risk score (TGRS), we evaluated the contribution of NbM dysconnectivity-correlated gene sets to change rate of cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers during preclinical stage of AD, as well as to MCI onset age. An independent cohort of health controls and MCI patients from ADNI3 was used to validate our main findings. Between-group comparison revealed significant connectivity reduction between the right NbM and right middle temporal gyrus in MCI. This regional vulnerability to NbM dysconnectivity correlated with intrinsic expression of genes enriched in protein and immune functions, as well as with differential expression of genes enriched in cholinergic receptors, immune, vascular and energy metabolism functions. TGRS of these NbM dysconnectivity-correlated gene sets are associated with longitudinal amyloid-beta change at preclinical stages of AD, and contributed to MCI onset age independent of traditional AD risks. Our findings revealed the transcriptional vulnerability to NbM dysconnectivity and their crucial role in explaining preclinical amyloid-beta change and MCI onset age, which offer new insights into the early AD pathology and encourage more investigation and clinical trials targeting NbM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng Ren
- School of Life Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150001, China; Laboratory for Space Environment and Physical Science, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150001, China
| | - Wencai Ding
- Department of Neurology, First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150001, China
| | - Siyang Li
- School of Life Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150001, China; Laboratory for Space Environment and Physical Science, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150001, China
| | - Guiyou Liu
- Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders, Laboratory of Brain Disorders, Ministry of Science and Technology, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Disorders, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China; Department of Neurology, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100053, China
| | - Meng Luo
- School of Life Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150001, China
| | - Wenyang Zhou
- School of Life Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150001, China
| | - Rui Cheng
- School of Life Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150001, China
| | - Yiqun Li
- School of Life Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150001, China
| | - Pingping Wang
- School of Life Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150001, China
| | - Zhipeng Li
- School of Life Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150001, China; Laboratory for Space Environment and Physical Science, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150001, China
| | - Lifen Yao
- Department of Neurology, First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150001, China
| | - Qinghua Jiang
- School of Life Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150001, China; Key Laboratory of Biological Big Data (Harbin Institute of Technology), Ministry of Education, Harbin 150001, China.
| | - Xia Liang
- School of Life Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150001, China; Laboratory for Space Environment and Physical Science, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150001, China.
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Lee AJ, Ma Y, Yu L, Dawe RJ, McCabe C, Arfanakis K, Mayeux R, Bennett DA, Klein HU, De Jager PL. Multi-region brain transcriptomes uncover two subtypes of aging individuals with differences in Alzheimer risk and the impact of APOEε4. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.01.25.524961. [PMID: 36747803 PMCID: PMC9900823 DOI: 10.1101/2023.01.25.524961] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
The heterogeneity of the older population suggests the existence of subsets of individuals which share certain brain molecular features and respond differently to risk factors for Alzheimer's disease, but this population structure remains poorly defined. Here, we performed an unsupervised clustering of individuals with multi-region brain transcriptomes to assess whether a broader approach, simultaneously considering data from multiple regions involved in cognition would uncover such subsets. We implemented a canonical correlation-based analysis in a Discovery cohort of 459 participants from two longitudinal studies of cognitive aging that have RNA sequence profiles in three brain regions. 690 additional participants that have data in only one or two of these regions were used in the Replication effort. These clustering analyses identified two meta-clusters, MC-1 and MC-2. The two sets of participants differ primarily in their trajectories of cognitive decline, with MC-2 having a delay of 3 years to the median age of incident dementia. This is due, in part, to a greater impact of tau pathology on neuronal chromatin architecture and to broader brain changes including greater loss of white matter integrity in MC-1. Further evidence of biological differences includes a significantly larger impact of APOEε4 risk on cognitive decline in MC-1. These findings suggest that our proposed population structure captures an aspect of the more distributed molecular state of the aging brain that either enhances the effect of risk factors in MC-1 or of protective effects in MC-2. These observations may inform the design of therapeutic development efforts and of trials as both become increasingly more targeted molecularly. One Sentence Summary: There are two types of aging brains, with one being more vulnerable to APOEε4 and subsequent neuronal dysfunction and cognitive loss.
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Fisher DW, Dunn JT, Keszycki R, Rodriguez G, Bennett DA, Wilson RS, Dong H. Unique Transcriptional Signatures Correlate with Behavioral and Psychological Symptom Domains in Alzheimer's Disease. RESEARCH SQUARE 2023:rs.3.rs-2444391. [PMID: 36711772 PMCID: PMC9882691 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-2444391/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Despite the significant burden, cost, and worse prognosis of Alzheimer's disease (AD) with behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD), little is known about the molecular causes of these symptoms. Using antemortem assessments of BPSD in AD, we demonstrate that individual BPSD can be grouped into 4 domain factors in our sample: affective, apathy, agitation, and psychosis. Then, we performed a transcriptome-wide analysis for each domain utilizing bulk RNA-seq of post-mortem anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) tissue. Though all 4 domains are associated with a predominantly downregulated pattern of hundreds of differentially expressed genes (DEGs), most DEGs are unique to each domain, with only 22 DEGs being common to all BPSD domains, including TIMP1. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) yielded multiple transcriptional modules that were shared between BPSD domains or unique to each domain, and NetDecoder was used to analyze context-dependent information flow through the biological network. For the agitation domain, we found that all DEGs and a highly correlated transcriptional module were functionally enriched for ECM-related genes including TIMP1, TAGLN, and FLNA. Another unique transcriptional module also associated with the agitation domain was enriched with genes involved in post-synaptic signaling, including DRD1, PDE1B, CAMK4, and GABRA4. By comparing context-dependent changes in DEGs between cases and control networks, ESR1 and PARK2 were implicated as two high impact genes associated with agitation that mediated significant information flow through the biological network. Overall, our work establishes unique targets for future study of the biological mechanisms of BPSD and resultant drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel W. Fisher
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences,
Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences,
University of Washington School of Medicine
| | - Jeffrey T. Dunn
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences,
Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
| | - Rachel Keszycki
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences,
Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
- Mesulam Center for Cognitive Neurology and
Alzheimer’s Disease, Northwestern University Feinberg School of
Medicine
| | - Guadalupe Rodriguez
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences,
Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
| | | | | | - Hongxin Dong
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences,
Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
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Piras IS, Brokaw D, Kong Y, Weisenberger DJ, Krate J, Delvaux E, Mahurkar S, Blattler A, Siegmund KD, Sue L, Serrano GE, Beach TG, Laird PW, Huentelman MJ, Coleman PD. Integrated DNA Methylation/RNA Profiling in Middle Temporal Gyrus of Alzheimer's Disease. Cell Mol Neurobiol 2023:10.1007/s10571-022-01307-3. [PMID: 36596913 DOI: 10.1007/s10571-022-01307-3] [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: 06/17/2022] [Accepted: 11/08/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease is a neurodegenerative disorder clinically defined by gradual cognitive impairment and alteration in executive function. We conducted an epigenome-wide association study (EWAS) of a clinically and neuropathologically characterized cohort of 296 brains, including Alzheimer's disease (AD) and non-demented controls (ND), exploring the relationship with the RNA expression from matched donors. We detected 5246 CpGs and 832 regions differentially methylated, finding overlap with previous EWAS but also new associations. CpGs previously identified in ANK1, MYOC, and RHBDF2 were differentially methylated, and one of our top hits (GPR56) was not previously detected. ANK1 was differentially methylated at the region level, along with APOE and RHBDF2. Only a small number of genes showed a correlation between DNA methylation and RNA expression statistically significant. Multiblock partial least-squares discriminant analysis showed several CpG sites and RNAs discriminating AD and ND (AUC = 0.908) and strongly correlated with each other. Furthermore, the CpG site cg25038311 was negatively correlated with the expression of 22 genes. Finally, with the functional epigenetic module analysis, we identified a protein-protein network characterized by inverse RNA/DNA methylation correlation and enriched for "Regulation of insulin-like growth factor transport", with IGF1 as the hub gene. Our results confirm and extend the previous EWAS, providing new information about a brain region not previously explored in AD DNA methylation studies. The relationship between DNA methylation and gene expression is not significant for most of the genes in our sample, consistently with the complexities in the gene expression regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ignazio S Piras
- Neurogenomics Division, Translational Genomics Research Institute, Phoenix, AZ, 85004, USA
| | - Danielle Brokaw
- Biodesign Institute, Neurodegenerative Disease Research Center, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, 85287, USA
| | - Yinfei Kong
- Department of Information Systems and Decision Sciences, California State University Fullerton, Fullerton, CA, 92831, USA
| | - Daniel J Weisenberger
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of South California, Los Angeles, CA, 90033, USA
| | - Jonida Krate
- Neurogenomics Division, Translational Genomics Research Institute, Phoenix, AZ, 85004, USA
- UnityPoint Clinic, Waterloo, IA, USA
| | - Elaine Delvaux
- Biodesign Institute, Neurodegenerative Disease Research Center, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, USA
| | - Swapna Mahurkar
- UCLA Division of Digestive Diseases, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, 90024, USA
| | - Adam Blattler
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of South California, Los Angeles, CA, 90033, USA
- Genetics Graduate Group, University of California, Davis, CA, 95616, USA
| | - Kimberly D Siegmund
- Department of Preventive Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90089-9175, USA
| | - Lucia Sue
- Civin Laboratory of Neuropathology, Banner Sun Health Research Institute, Sun City, AZ, 85351, USA
| | - Geidy E Serrano
- Civin Laboratory of Neuropathology, Banner Sun Health Research Institute, Sun City, AZ, 85351, USA
| | - Thomas G Beach
- Civin Laboratory of Neuropathology, Banner Sun Health Research Institute, Sun City, AZ, 85351, USA
| | - Peter W Laird
- Center for Epigenetics, Van Andel Institute, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503, USA
| | - Matthew J Huentelman
- Neurogenomics Division, Translational Genomics Research Institute, Phoenix, AZ, 85004, USA
| | - Paul D Coleman
- Biodesign Institute, Neurodegenerative Disease Research Center, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, 85287, USA.
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Sanfilippo C, Giuliano L, Castrogiovanni P, Imbesi R, Ulivieri M, Fazio F, Blennow K, Zetterberg H, Di Rosa M. Sex, Age, and Regional Differences in CHRM1 and CHRM3 Genes Expression Levels in the Human Brain Biopsies: Potential Targets for Alzheimer's Disease-related Sleep Disturbances. Curr Neuropharmacol 2023; 21:740-760. [PMID: 36475335 PMCID: PMC10207911 DOI: 10.2174/1570159x21666221207091209] [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: 11/11/2021] [Revised: 03/06/2022] [Accepted: 04/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cholinergic hypofunction and sleep disturbance are hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease (AD), a progressive disorder leading to neuronal deterioration. Muscarinic acetylcholine receptors (M1-5 or mAChRs), expressed in hippocampus and cerebral cortex, play a pivotal role in the aberrant alterations of cognitive processing, memory, and learning, observed in AD. Recent evidence shows that two mAChRs, M1 and M3, encoded by CHRM1 and CHRM3 genes, respectively, are involved in sleep functions and, peculiarly, in rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. METHODS We used twenty microarray datasets extrapolated from post-mortem brain tissue of nondemented healthy controls (NDHC) and AD patients to examine the expression profile of CHRM1 and CHRM3 genes. Samples were from eight brain regions and stratified according to age and sex. RESULTS CHRM1 and CHRM3 expression levels were significantly reduced in AD compared with ageand sex-matched NDHC brains. A negative correlation with age emerged for both CHRM1 and CHRM3 in NDHC but not in AD brains. Notably, a marked positive correlation was also revealed between the neurogranin (NRGN) and both CHRM1 and CHRM3 genes. These associations were modulated by sex. Accordingly, in the temporal and occipital regions of NDHC subjects, males expressed higher levels of CHRM1 and CHRM3, respectively, than females. In AD patients, males expressed higher levels of CHRM1 and CHRM3 in the temporal and frontal regions, respectively, than females. CONCLUSION Thus, substantial differences, all strictly linked to the brain region analyzed, age, and sex, exist in CHRM1 and CHRM3 brain levels both in NDHC subjects and in AD patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Sanfilippo
- Department G.F. Ingrassia, Section of Neurosciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Loretta Giuliano
- Department G.F. Ingrassia, Section of Neurosciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Paola Castrogiovanni
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Human Anatomy and Histology Section, School of Medicine, University of Catania, Italy
| | - Rosa Imbesi
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Human Anatomy and Histology Section, School of Medicine, University of Catania, Italy
| | - Martina Ulivieri
- Department of Psychiatry, Health Science, University of California San Diego, San Diego La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Francesco Fazio
- Department of Psychiatry, Health Science, University of California San Diego, San Diego La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Kaj Blennow
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Mölndal, Sweden
- Clinical Neurochemistry Laboratory, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Mölndal, Sweden
| | - Henrik Zetterberg
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Mölndal, Sweden
- Clinical Neurochemistry Laboratory, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Mölndal, Sweden
- UK Dementia Research Institute at UCL, London, United Kingdom
- Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, UCL Institute of Neurology, London, United Kingdom
| | - Michelino Di Rosa
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Human Anatomy and Histology Section, School of Medicine, University of Catania, Italy
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Zhao J, Huai J. Role of primary aging hallmarks in Alzheimer´s disease. Theranostics 2023; 13:197-230. [PMID: 36593969 PMCID: PMC9800733 DOI: 10.7150/thno.79535] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2022] [Accepted: 11/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common neurodegenerative disease, which severely threatens the health of the elderly and causes significant economic and social burdens. The causes of AD are complex and include heritable but mostly aging-related factors. The primary aging hallmarks include genomic instability, telomere wear, epigenetic changes, and loss of protein stability, which play a dominant role in the aging process. Although AD is closely associated with the aging process, the underlying mechanisms involved in AD pathogenesis have not been well characterized. This review summarizes the available literature about primary aging hallmarks and their roles in AD pathogenesis. By analyzing published literature, we attempted to uncover the possible mechanisms of aberrant epigenetic markers with related enzymes, transcription factors, and loss of proteostasis in AD. In particular, the importance of oxidative stress-induced DNA methylation and DNA methylation-directed histone modifications and proteostasis are highlighted. A molecular network of gene regulatory elements that undergoes a dynamic change with age may underlie age-dependent AD pathogenesis, and can be used as a new drug target to treat AD.
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46
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Hagihara H, Murano T, Miyakawa T. The gene expression patterns as surrogate indices of pH in the brain. Front Psychiatry 2023; 14:1151480. [PMID: 37200901 PMCID: PMC10185791 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1151480] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2023] [Accepted: 04/11/2023] [Indexed: 05/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Hydrogen ion (H+) is one of the most potent intrinsic neuromodulators in the brain in terms of concentration. Changes in H+ concentration, expressed as pH, are thought to be associated with various biological processes, such as gene expression, in the brain. Accumulating evidence suggests that decreased brain pH is a common feature of several neuropsychiatric disorders, including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, autism spectrum disorder, and Alzheimer's disease. However, it remains unclear whether gene expression patterns can be used as surrogates for pH changes in the brain. In this study, we performed meta-analyses using publicly available gene expression datasets to profile the expression patterns of pH-associated genes, whose expression levels were correlated with brain pH, in human patients and mouse models of major central nervous system (CNS) diseases, as well as in mouse cell-type datasets. Comprehensive analysis of 281 human datasets from 11 CNS disorders revealed that gene expression associated with decreased pH was over-represented in disorders including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, autism spectrum disorders, Alzheimer's disease, Huntington's disease, Parkinson's disease, and brain tumors. Expression patterns of pH-associated genes in mouse models of neurodegenerative disease showed a common time course trend toward lower pH over time. Furthermore, cell type analysis identified astrocytes as the cell type with the most acidity-related gene expression, consistent with previous experimental measurements showing a lower intracellular pH in astrocytes than in neurons. These results suggest that the expression pattern of pH-associated genes may be a surrogate for the state- and trait-related changes in pH in brain cells. Altered expression of pH-associated genes may serve as a novel molecular mechanism for a more complete understanding of the transdiagnostic pathophysiology of neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders.
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47
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Xu J, Mao C, Hou Y, Luo Y, Binder JL, Zhou Y, Bekris LM, Shin J, Hu M, Wang F, Eng C, Oprea TI, Flanagan ME, Pieper AA, Cummings J, Leverenz JB, Cheng F. Interpretable deep learning translation of GWAS and multi-omics findings to identify pathobiology and drug repurposing in Alzheimer's disease. Cell Rep 2022; 41:111717. [PMID: 36450252 PMCID: PMC9837836 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2022.111717] [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: 04/29/2022] [Revised: 09/01/2022] [Accepted: 11/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Translating human genetic findings (genome-wide association studies [GWAS]) to pathobiology and therapeutic discovery remains a major challenge for Alzheimer's disease (AD). We present a network topology-based deep learning framework to identify disease-associated genes (NETTAG). We leverage non-coding GWAS loci effects on quantitative trait loci, enhancers and CpG islands, promoter regions, open chromatin, and promoter flanking regions under the protein-protein interactome. Via NETTAG, we identified 156 AD-risk genes enriched in druggable targets. Combining network-based prediction and retrospective case-control observations with 10 million individuals, we identified that usage of four drugs (ibuprofen, gemfibrozil, cholecalciferol, and ceftriaxone) is associated with reduced likelihood of AD incidence. Gemfibrozil (an approved lipid regulator) is significantly associated with 43% reduced risk of AD compared with simvastatin using an active-comparator design (95% confidence interval 0.51-0.63, p < 0.0001). In summary, NETTAG offers a deep learning methodology that utilizes GWAS and multi-genomic findings to identify pathobiology and drug repurposing in AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jielin Xu
- Genomic Medicine Institute, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA
| | - Chengsheng Mao
- Division of Health and Biomedical Informatics, Department of Preventive Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Yuan Hou
- Genomic Medicine Institute, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA
| | - Yuan Luo
- Division of Health and Biomedical Informatics, Department of Preventive Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Jessica L Binder
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA
| | - Yadi Zhou
- Genomic Medicine Institute, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA
| | - Lynn M Bekris
- Genomic Medicine Institute, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA; Department of Molecular Medicine, Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA
| | - Jiyoung Shin
- Division of Health and Biomedical Informatics, Department of Preventive Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Ming Hu
- Department of Quantitative Health Sciences, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
| | - Fei Wang
- Department of Population Health Sciences, Weill Cornell Medical College, Cornell University, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Charis Eng
- Genomic Medicine Institute, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA; Department of Molecular Medicine, Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA
| | - Tudor I Oprea
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA
| | - Margaret E Flanagan
- Department of Pathology and Mesulam Center for Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer's Disease, Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Andrew A Pieper
- Harrington Discovery Institute, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA; Geriatric Psychiatry, GRECC, Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA; Institute for Transformative Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland 44106, OH, USA; Department of Neuroscience, Case Western Reserve University, School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
| | - Jeffrey Cummings
- Chambers-Grundy Center for Transformative Neuroscience, Department of Brain Health, School of Integrated Health Sciences, University of Nevada Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV 89154, USA
| | - James B Leverenz
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA; Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health, Neurological Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA
| | - Feixiong Cheng
- Genomic Medicine Institute, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA; Department of Molecular Medicine, Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA; Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA.
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48
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Shokhirev MN, Johnson AA. An integrative machine-learning meta-analysis of high-throughput omics data identifies age-specific hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease. Ageing Res Rev 2022; 81:101721. [PMID: 36029998 DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2022.101721] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2022] [Revised: 07/15/2022] [Accepted: 08/19/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is an incredibly complex and presently incurable age-related brain disorder. To better understand this debilitating disease, we collated and performed a meta-analysis on publicly available RNA-Seq, microarray, proteomics, and microRNA samples derived from AD patients and non-AD controls. 4089 samples originating from brain tissues and blood remained after applying quality filters. Since disease progression in AD correlates with age, we stratified this large dataset into three different age groups: < 75 years, 75-84 years, and ≥ 85 years. The RNA-Seq, microarray, and proteomics datasets were then combined into different integrated datasets. Ensemble machine learning was employed to identify genes and proteins that can accurately classify samples as either AD or control. These predictive inputs were then subjected to network-based enrichment analyses. The ability of genes/proteins associated with different pathways in the Molecular Signatures Database to diagnose AD was also tested. We separately identified microRNAs that can be used to make an AD diagnosis and subjected the predicted gene targets of the most predictive microRNAs to an enrichment analysis. The following key themes emerged from our machine learning and bioinformatics analyses: cell death, cellular senescence, energy metabolism, genomic integrity, glia, immune system, metal ion homeostasis, oxidative stress, proteostasis, and synaptic function. Many of the results demonstrated unique age-specificity. For example, terms highlighting cellular senescence only emerged in the earliest and intermediate age ranges while the majority of results relevant to cell death appeared in the youngest patients. Existing literature corroborates the importance of these hallmarks in AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maxim N Shokhirev
- Razavi Newman Integrative Genomics and Bioinformatics Core, Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, CA, USA.
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49
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Qiu Z, Bai X, Ji X, Wang X, Han X, Wang D, Jiang F, An Y. The significance of glycolysis index and its correlations with immune infiltrates in Alzheimer’s disease. Front Immunol 2022; 13:960906. [PMID: 36353631 PMCID: PMC9637950 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.960906] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2022] [Accepted: 09/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a common neurodegenerative disorder without an effective treatment, and results in an increasingly serious health problem. However, its pathogenesis is complex and poorly understood. Nonetheless, the exact role of dysfunctional glucose metabolism in AD pathogenesis remains unclear. We screened 28 core glycolysis-related genes and introduced a novel metric, the glycolysis index, to estimate the activation of glycolysis. The glycolysis index was significantly lower in the AD group in four different brain regions (frontal cortex, FC; temporal cortex, TC; hippocampus, HP; and entorhinal cortex, EC) than that in the control group. Combined with differential expression and over-representation analyses, we determined the clinical and pathological relevance of glycolysis in AD. Subsequently, we investigated the role of glycolysis in the AD brain microenvironment. We developed a glycolysis-brain cell marker connection network, which revealed a close relationship between glycolysis and seven brain cell types, most of which presented abundant variants in AD. Using immunohistochemistry, we detected greater infiltrated microglia and higher expression of glycolysis-related microglia markers in the APP/PS1 AD model than that in the control group, consistent with our bioinformatic analysis results. Furthermore, the excellent predictive value of the glycolysis index has been verified in different populations. Overall, our present findings revealed the clinical and biological significance of glycolysis and the brain microenvironment in AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiqiang Qiu
- Department of Neurosurgery, Sanbo Brain Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Xuanyang Bai
- School of Public Health, China Medical University, Shenyang, China
| | - Xiangwen Ji
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Center for Noncoding RNA Medicine, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Xiang Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Sanbo Brain Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Xinye Han
- Department of Research and Development, Beijing Yihua Biotechnology Co., Ltd, Beijing, China
| | - Duo Wang
- Department of Research and Development, Beijing Yihua Biotechnology Co., Ltd, Beijing, China
| | - Fenjun Jiang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Sanbo Brain Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- Department of Research and Development, Beijing Yihua Biotechnology Co., Ltd, Beijing, China
| | - Yihua An
- Department of Neurosurgery, Sanbo Brain Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- *Correspondence: Yihua An,
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50
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Alzheimer's disease large-scale gene expression portrait identifies exercise as the top theoretical treatment. Sci Rep 2022; 12:17189. [PMID: 36229643 PMCID: PMC9561721 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-22179-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2022] [Accepted: 10/11/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a complex neurodegenerative disorder that affects multiple brain regions and is difficult to treat. In this study we used 22 AD large-scale gene expression datasets to identify a consistent underlying portrait of AD gene expression across multiple brain regions. Then we used the portrait as a platform for identifying treatments that could reverse AD dysregulated expression patterns. Enrichment of dysregulated AD genes included multiple processes, ranging from cell adhesion to CNS development. The three most dysregulated genes in the AD portrait were the inositol trisphosphate kinase, ITPKB (upregulated), the astrocyte specific intermediate filament protein, GFAP (upregulated), and the rho GTPase, RHOQ (upregulated). 41 of the top AD dysregulated genes were also identified in a recent human AD GWAS study, including PNOC, C4B, and BCL11A. 42 transcription factors were identified that were both dysregulated in AD and that in turn affect expression of other AD dysregulated genes. Male and female AD portraits were highly congruent. Out of over 250 treatments, three datasets for exercise or activity were identified as the top three theoretical treatments for AD via reversal of large-scale gene expression patterns. Exercise reversed expression patterns of hundreds of AD genes across multiple categories, including cytoskeleton, blood vessel development, mitochondrion, and interferon-stimulated related genes. Exercise also ranked as the best treatment across a majority of individual region-specific AD datasets and meta-analysis AD datasets. Fluoxetine also scored well and a theoretical combination of fluoxetine and exercise reversed 549 AD genes. Other positive treatments included curcumin. Comparisons of the AD portrait to a recent depression portrait revealed a high congruence of downregulated genes in both. Together, the AD portrait provides a new platform for understanding AD and identifying potential treatments for AD.
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