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Kasri A, Camporesi E, Gkanatsiou E, Boluda S, Brinkmalm G, Stimmer L, Ge J, Hanrieder J, Villain N, Duyckaerts C, Vermeiren Y, Pape SE, Nicolas G, Laquerrière A, De Deyn PP, Wallon D, Blennow K, Strydom A, Zetterberg H, Potier MC. Amyloid-β peptide signature associated with cerebral amyloid angiopathy in familial Alzheimer's disease with APPdup and Down syndrome. Acta Neuropathol 2024; 148:8. [PMID: 39026031 PMCID: PMC11258176 DOI: 10.1007/s00401-024-02756-4] [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: 02/02/2024] [Revised: 06/11/2024] [Accepted: 06/11/2024] [Indexed: 07/20/2024]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized by extracellular amyloid plaques containing amyloid-β (Aβ) peptides, intraneuronal neurofibrillary tangles, extracellular neuropil threads, and dystrophic neurites surrounding plaques composed of hyperphosphorylated tau protein (pTau). Aβ can also deposit in blood vessel walls leading to cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA). While amyloid plaques in AD brains are constant, CAA varies among cases. The study focuses on differences observed between rare and poorly studied patient groups with APP duplications (APPdup) and Down syndrome (DS) reported to have higher frequencies of elevated CAA levels in comparison to sporadic AD (sAD), most of APP mutations, and controls. We compared Aβ and tau pathologies in postmortem brain tissues across cases and Aβ peptides using mass spectrometry (MS). We further characterized the spatial distribution of Aβ peptides with MS-brain imaging. While intraparenchymal Aβ deposits were numerous in sAD, DS with AD (DS-AD) and AD with APP mutations, these were less abundant in APPdup. On the contrary, Aβ deposits in the blood vessels were abundant in APPdup and DS-AD while only APPdup cases displayed high Aβ deposits in capillaries. Investigation of Aβ peptide profiles showed a specific increase in Aβx-37, Aβx-38 and Aβx-40 but not Aβx-42 in APPdup cases and to a lower extent in DS-AD cases. Interestingly, N-truncated Aβ2-x peptides were particularly increased in APPdup compared to all other groups. This result was confirmed by MS-imaging of leptomeningeal and parenchymal vessels from an APPdup case, suggesting that CAA is associated with accumulation of shorter Aβ peptides truncated both at N- and C-termini in blood vessels. Altogether, this study identified striking differences in the localization and composition of Aβ deposits between AD cases, particularly APPdup and DS-AD, both carrying three genomic copies of the APP gene. Detection of specific Aβ peptides in CSF or plasma of these patients could improve the diagnosis of CAA and their inclusion in anti-amyloid immunotherapy treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amal Kasri
- Sorbonne Université, Institut du Cerveau - Paris Brain Institute - ICM, CNRS, APHP, Hôpital de La Pitié Salpêtrière, InsermParis, France
| | - Elena Camporesi
- Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, The Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Clinical Neurochemistry Laboratory, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Mölndal, Sweden
| | - Eleni Gkanatsiou
- Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, The Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Clinical Neurochemistry Laboratory, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Mölndal, Sweden
| | - Susana Boluda
- Sorbonne Université, Institut du Cerveau - Paris Brain Institute - ICM, CNRS, APHP, Hôpital de La Pitié Salpêtrière, InsermParis, France
- Department of Neuropathology Raymond Escourolle, AP-HP, Pitié-Salpêtrière University Hospital, Paris, France
| | - Gunnar Brinkmalm
- Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, The Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Clinical Neurochemistry Laboratory, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Mölndal, Sweden
| | - Lev Stimmer
- Sorbonne Université, Institut du Cerveau - Paris Brain Institute - ICM, CNRS, APHP, Hôpital de La Pitié Salpêtrière, InsermParis, France
| | - Junyue Ge
- Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, The Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Jörg Hanrieder
- Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, The Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Department of Molecular Neuroscience, UCL Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London, UK
| | - Nicolas Villain
- Sorbonne Université, Institut du Cerveau - Paris Brain Institute - ICM, CNRS, APHP, Hôpital de La Pitié Salpêtrière, InsermParis, France
| | - Charles Duyckaerts
- Sorbonne Université, Institut du Cerveau - Paris Brain Institute - ICM, CNRS, APHP, Hôpital de La Pitié Salpêtrière, InsermParis, France
- Department of Neuropathology Raymond Escourolle, AP-HP, Pitié-Salpêtrière University Hospital, Paris, France
| | - Yannick Vermeiren
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Neurochemistry and Behavior, Institute Born-Bunge, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
- Division of Human Nutrition and Health, Chair Group Nutritional Biology, Wageningen University and Research (WUR), Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Sarah E Pape
- Institute of Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, 16 De Crespigny Park, London, UK
| | - Gaël Nicolas
- Department of Genetics, CNRMAJ, Univ Rouen Normandie, Normandie Univ, Inserm U1245 and CHU Rouen, F-76000, Rouen, France
| | - Annie Laquerrière
- Department of Pathology, Univ Rouen Normandie, Normandie Univ, Inserm U1245 and CHU Rouen, F-76000, Rouen, France
| | - Peter Paul De Deyn
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Neurochemistry and Behavior, Institute Born-Bunge, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
- Department of Neurology and Alzheimer Center, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG), Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - David Wallon
- Department of Neurology, CNRMAJ, Univ Rouen Normandie, Normandie Univ, Inserm U1245 and CHU Rouen, 76000, Rouen, France
| | - Kaj Blennow
- Sorbonne Université, Institut du Cerveau - Paris Brain Institute - ICM, CNRS, APHP, Hôpital de La Pitié Salpêtrière, InsermParis, France
- Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, The Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Clinical Neurochemistry Laboratory, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Mölndal, Sweden
- Neurodegenerative Disorder Research Center, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, Department of Neurology, Institute On Aging and Brain Disorders, University of Science and Technology of China and First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Hefei, People's Republic of China
| | - Andre Strydom
- Institute of Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, 16 De Crespigny Park, London, UK
| | - Henrik Zetterberg
- Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, The Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.
- Clinical Neurochemistry Laboratory, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Mölndal, Sweden.
- Department of Neurology and Alzheimer Center, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG), Groningen, The Netherlands.
- UK Dementia Research Institute at UCL, London, UK.
- Hong Kong Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Clear Water Bay, Hong Kong, China.
- Wisconsin Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA.
| | - Marie-Claude Potier
- Sorbonne Université, Institut du Cerveau - Paris Brain Institute - ICM, CNRS, APHP, Hôpital de La Pitié Salpêtrière, InsermParis, France.
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2
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Niazi SK, Mariam Z, Magoola M. Engineered Antibodies to Improve Efficacy against Neurodegenerative Disorders. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:6683. [PMID: 38928395 PMCID: PMC11203520 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25126683] [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: 05/11/2024] [Revised: 06/09/2024] [Accepted: 06/14/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Antibodies that can selectively remove rogue proteins in the brain are an obvious choice to treat neurodegenerative disorders (NDs), but after decades of efforts, only two antibodies to treat Alzheimer's disease are approved, dozens are in the testing phase, and one was withdrawn, and the other halted, likely due to efficacy issues. However, these outcomes should have been evident since these antibodies cannot enter the brain sufficiently due to the blood-brain barrier (BBB) protectant. However, all products can be rejuvenated by binding them with transferrin, preferably as smaller fragments. This model can be tested quickly and at a low cost and should be applied to bapineuzumab, solanezumab, crenezumab, gantenerumab, aducanumab, lecanemab, donanemab, cinpanemab, and gantenerumab, and their fragments. This paper demonstrates that conjugating with transferrin does not alter the binding to brain proteins such as amyloid-β (Aβ) and α-synuclein. We also present a selection of conjugate designs that will allow cleavage upon entering the brain to prevent their exocytosis while keeping the fragments connected to enable optimal binding to proteins. The identified products can be readily tested and returned to patients with the lowest regulatory cost and delays. These engineered antibodies can be manufactured by recombinant engineering, preferably by mRNA technology, as a more affordable solution to meet the dire need to treat neurodegenerative disorders effectively.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Zamara Mariam
- Centre for Health and Life Sciences, Coventry University, Coventry City CV1 5FB, UK;
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Behof WJ, Haynes JR, Whitmore CA, Cheung YY, Tantawy MN, Peterson TE, Wijesinghe P, Matsubara JA, Pham W. Synthesis and Evaluation of a Novel PET Radioligand for Imaging Glutaminyl Cyclase Activity as a Biomarker for Detecting Alzheimer's Disease. ACS Sens 2024; 9:2605-2613. [PMID: 38718161 PMCID: PMC11129349 DOI: 10.1021/acssensors.4c00313] [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: 02/08/2024] [Revised: 04/01/2024] [Accepted: 04/29/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
Several new lines of research have demonstrated that a significant number of amyloid-β peptides found in Alzheimer's disease (AD) are truncated and undergo post-translational modification by glutaminyl cyclase (QC) at the N-terminal. Notably, QC's products of Abeta-pE3 and Abeta-pE11 have been active targets for investigational drug development. This work describes the design, synthesis, characterization, and in vivo validation of a novel PET radioligand, [18F]PB0822, for targeted imaging of QC. We report herein a simplified and robust chemistry for the synthesis of the standard compound, [19F]PB0822, and the corresponding [18F]PB0822 radioligand. The PET probe was developed with 99.9% radiochemical purity, a molar activity of 965 Ci.mmol-1, and an IC50 of 56.3 nM, comparable to those of the parent PQ912 inhibitor (62.5 nM). Noninvasive PET imaging showed that the probe is distributed in the brain 5 min after intravenous injection. Further, in vivo PET imaging with [18F]PB0822 revealed that AD 5XFAD mice harbor significantly higher QC activity than WT counterparts. The data also suggested that QC activity is found across different brain regions of the tested animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- William J Behof
- Vanderbilt University Institute of Imaging Science, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee 37232, United States
- Department of Radiology and Radiological Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee 37232, United States
| | - Justin R Haynes
- Vanderbilt University Institute of Imaging Science, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee 37232, United States
- Department of Radiology and Radiological Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee 37232, United States
| | - Clayton A Whitmore
- Vanderbilt University Institute of Imaging Science, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee 37232, United States
- Department of Radiology and Radiological Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee 37232, United States
| | - Yiu-Yin Cheung
- Vanderbilt University Institute of Imaging Science, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee 37232, United States
- Department of Radiology and Radiological Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee 37232, United States
| | - Mohammed N Tantawy
- Vanderbilt University Institute of Imaging Science, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee 37232, United States
- Department of Radiology and Radiological Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee 37232, United States
| | - Todd E Peterson
- Vanderbilt University Institute of Imaging Science, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee 37232, United States
- Department of Radiology and Radiological Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee 37232, United States
- Vanderbilt Ingram Cancer Center, Nashville, Tennessee 37232, United States
| | - Printha Wijesinghe
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V5Z3N9, Canada
| | - Joanne A Matsubara
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V5Z3N9, Canada
| | - Wellington Pham
- Vanderbilt University Institute of Imaging Science, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee 37232, United States
- Department of Radiology and Radiological Sciences, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee 37232, United States
- Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37232, United States
- Vanderbilt Memory and Alzheimer's Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee 37212, United States
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37235, United States
- Vanderbilt Ingram Cancer Center, Nashville, Tennessee 37232, United States
- Vanderbilt Institute of Chemical Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37232, United States
- Vanderbilt Institute of Nanoscale Science and Engineering, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee 37235, United States
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Söderberg L, Johannesson M, Gkanatsiou E, Nygren P, Fritz N, Zachrisson O, Rachalski A, Svensson AS, Button E, Dentoni G, Osswald G, Lannfelt L, Möller C. Amyloid-beta antibody binding to cerebral amyloid angiopathy fibrils and risk for amyloid-related imaging abnormalities. Sci Rep 2024; 14:10868. [PMID: 38740836 PMCID: PMC11091209 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-61691-2] [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: 12/22/2023] [Accepted: 05/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Therapeutic antibodies have been developed to target amyloid-beta (Aβ), and some of these slow the progression of Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, they can also cause adverse events known as amyloid-related imaging abnormalities with edema (ARIA-E). We investigated therapeutic Aβ antibody binding to cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) fibrils isolated from human leptomeningeal tissue to study whether this related to the ARIA-E frequencies previously reported by clinical trials. The binding of Aβ antibodies to CAA Aβ fibrils was evaluated in vitro using immunoprecipitation, surface plasmon resonance, and direct binding assay. Marked differences in Aβ antibody binding to CAA fibrils were observed. Solanezumab and crenezumab showed negligible CAA fibril binding and these antibodies have no reported ARIA-E cases. Lecanemab showed a low binding to CAA fibrils, consistent with its relatively low ARIA-E frequency of 12.6%, while aducanumab, bapineuzumab, and gantenerumab all showed higher binding to CAA fibrils and substantially higher ARIA-E frequencies (25-35%). An ARIA-E frequency of 24% was reported for donanemab, and its binding to CAA fibrils correlated with the amount of pyroglutamate-modified Aβ present. The findings of this study support the proposal that Aβ antibody-CAA interactions may relate to the ARIA-E frequency observed in patients treated with Aβ-based immunotherapies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Patrik Nygren
- BioArctic AB, Warfvinges väg 35, 112 51, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Nicolas Fritz
- BioArctic AB, Warfvinges väg 35, 112 51, Stockholm, Sweden
| | | | | | | | - Emily Button
- BioArctic AB, Warfvinges väg 35, 112 51, Stockholm, Sweden
| | | | | | - Lars Lannfelt
- BioArctic AB, Warfvinges väg 35, 112 51, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Public Health/Geriatrics, Uppsala University, 751 85, Uppsala, Sweden
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Lynch MA. A case for seeking sex-specific treatments in Alzheimer's disease. Front Aging Neurosci 2024; 16:1346621. [PMID: 38414633 PMCID: PMC10897030 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2024.1346621] [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: 11/29/2023] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 02/29/2024] Open
Abstract
There is no satisfactory explanation for the sex-related differences in the incidence of many diseases and this is also true of Alzheimer's disease (AD), where females have a higher lifetime risk of developing the disease and make up about two thirds of the AD patient population. The importance of understanding the cause(s) that account for this disproportionate distribution cannot be overestimated, and is likely to be a significant factor in the search for therapeutic strategies that will combat the disease and, furthermore, potentially point to a sex-targeted approach to treatment. This review considers the literature in the context of what is known about the impact of sex on processes targeted by drugs that are in clinical trial for AD, and existing knowledge on differing responses of males and females to these drugs. Current knowledge strongly supports the view that trials should make assessing sex-related difference in responses a priority with a focus on exploring the sex-stratified treatments.
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Luo EY, Sugimura RR. Taming microglia: the promise of engineered microglia in treating neurological diseases. J Neuroinflammation 2024; 21:19. [PMID: 38212785 PMCID: PMC10785527 DOI: 10.1186/s12974-024-03015-9] [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: 06/09/2023] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 01/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Microglia, the CNS-resident immune cells, are implicated in many neurological diseases. Nearly one in six of the world's population suffers from neurological disorders, encompassing neurodegenerative and neuroautoimmune diseases, most with dysregulated neuroinflammation involved. Activated microglia become phagocytotic and secret various immune molecules, which are mediators of the brain immune microenvironment. Given their ability to penetrate through the blood-brain barrier in the neuroinflammatory context and their close interaction with neurons and other glial cells, microglia are potential therapeutic delivery vehicles and modulators of neuronal activity. Re-engineering microglia to treat neurological diseases is, thus, increasingly gaining attention. By altering gene expression, re-programmed microglia can be utilized to deliver therapeutics to targeted sites and control neuroinflammation in various neuroinflammatory diseases. This review addresses the current development in microglial engineering, including genetic targeting and therapeutic modulation. Furthermore, we discuss limitations to the genetic engineering techniques and models used to test the functionality of re-engineered microglia, including cell culture and animal models. Finally, we will discuss future directions for the application of engineered microglia in treating neurological diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Echo Yongqi Luo
- School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong
| | - Rio Ryohichi Sugimura
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong.
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Leinenga G, Padmanabhan P, Götz J. Improving Cognition Without Clearing Amyloid: Effects of Tau and Ultrasound Neuromodulation. J Alzheimers Dis 2024; 100:S211-S222. [PMID: 39058447 DOI: 10.3233/jad-240616] [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: 07/28/2024]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease is characterized by progressive impairment of neuronal functions culminating in neuronal loss and dementia. A universal feature of dementia is protein aggregation, a process by which a monomer forms intermediate oligomeric assembly states and filaments that develop into end-stage hallmark lesions. In Alzheimer's disease, this is exemplified by extracellular amyloid-β (Aβ) plaques which have been placed upstream of tau, found in intracellular neurofibrillary tangles and dystrophic neurites. This implies causality that can be modeled as a linear activation cascade. When Aβ load is reduced, for example, in response to an anti-Aβ immunotherapy, cognitive functions improve in plaque-forming mice. They also deteriorate less in clinical trial cohorts although real-world clinical benefits remain to be demonstrated. Given the existence of aged humans with unimpaired cognition despite a high plaque load, the central role of Aβ has been challenged. A counter argument has been that clinical symptoms would eventually develop if these aged individuals were to live long enough. Alternatively, intrinsic mechanisms that protect the brain in the presence of pathology may exist. In fact, Aβ toxicity can be abolished by either reducing or manipulating tau (through which Aβ signals), at least in preclinical models. In addition to manipulating steps in this linear pathocascade model, mechanisms of restoring brain reserve can also counteract Aβ toxicity. Low-intensity ultrasound is a neuromodulatory modality that can improve cognitive functions in Aβ-depositing mice without the need for removing Aβ. Together, this highlights a dissociation of Aβ and cognition, with important implications for therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gerhard Leinenga
- Clem Jones Centre for Ageing Dementia Research (CJCADR), Queensland Brain Institute (QBI), The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Pranesh Padmanabhan
- Clem Jones Centre for Ageing Dementia Research (CJCADR), Queensland Brain Institute (QBI), The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Jürgen Götz
- Clem Jones Centre for Ageing Dementia Research (CJCADR), Queensland Brain Institute (QBI), The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
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Marković M, Milošević J, Wang W, Cao Y. Passive Immunotherapies Targeting Amyloid- β in Alzheimer's Disease: A Quantitative Systems Pharmacology Perspective. Mol Pharmacol 2023; 105:1-13. [PMID: 37907353 DOI: 10.1124/molpharm.123.000726] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2023] [Revised: 10/04/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 11/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by amyloid-β (Aβ) protein accumulation in the brain. Passive immunotherapies using monoclonal antibodies for targeting Aβ have shown promise for AD treatment. Indeed, recent US Food and Drug Administration approval of aducanumab and lecanemab, alongside positive donanemab Phase III results demonstrated clinical efficacy after decades of failed clinical trials for AD. However, the pharmacological basis distinguishing clinically effective from ineffective therapies remains unclear, impeding development of potent therapeutics. This study aimed to provide a quantitative perspective for effectively targeting Aβ with antibodies. We first reviewed the contradicting results associated with the amyloid hypothesis and the pharmacological basis of Aβ immunotherapy. Subsequently, we developed a quantitative systems pharmacology (QSP) model that describes the non-linear progression of Aβ pathology and the pharmacologic actions of the Aβ-targeting antibodies. Using the QSP model, we analyzed various scenarios for effective passive immunotherapy for AD. The model revealed that binding exclusively to the Aβ monomer has minimal effect on Aβ aggregation and plaque reduction, making the antibody affinity toward Aβ monomer unwanted, as it could become a distractive mechanism for plaque reduction. Neither early intervention, high brain penetration, nor increased dose could yield significant improvement of clinical efficacy for antibodies targeting solely monomers. Antibodies that bind all Aβ species but lack effector function exhibited moderate effects in plaque reduction. Our model highlights the importance of binding aggregate Aβ species and incorporating effector functions for efficient and early plaque reduction, guiding the development of more effective therapies for this devastating disease. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: Despite previous unsuccessful attempts spanning several decades, passive immunotherapies utilizing monoclonal antibodies for targeting amyloid-beta (Aβ) have demonstrated promise with two recent FDA approvals. However, the pharmacological basis that differentiates clinically effective therapies from ineffective ones remains elusive. Our study offers a quantitative systems pharmacology perspective, emphasizing the significance of selectively targeting specific Aβ species and importance of antibody effector functions. This perspective sheds light on the development of more effective therapies for this devastating disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Milica Marković
- Division of Pharmacotherapy and Experimental Therapeutics, Eshelman School of Pharmacy (M.M., Y.C.) and Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, School of Medicine (Y.C.), University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, North Carolina; Department of Biochemistry (J.M.), University of Belgrade, Faculty of Chemistry, Belgrade, Serbia; and Clinical Pharmacology and Pharmacometrics, Janssen Research & Development (W.W.), LLC, Spring House, Pennsylvania
| | - Jelica Milošević
- Division of Pharmacotherapy and Experimental Therapeutics, Eshelman School of Pharmacy (M.M., Y.C.) and Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, School of Medicine (Y.C.), University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, North Carolina; Department of Biochemistry (J.M.), University of Belgrade, Faculty of Chemistry, Belgrade, Serbia; and Clinical Pharmacology and Pharmacometrics, Janssen Research & Development (W.W.), LLC, Spring House, Pennsylvania
| | - Weirong Wang
- Division of Pharmacotherapy and Experimental Therapeutics, Eshelman School of Pharmacy (M.M., Y.C.) and Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, School of Medicine (Y.C.), University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, North Carolina; Department of Biochemistry (J.M.), University of Belgrade, Faculty of Chemistry, Belgrade, Serbia; and Clinical Pharmacology and Pharmacometrics, Janssen Research & Development (W.W.), LLC, Spring House, Pennsylvania
| | - Yanguang Cao
- Division of Pharmacotherapy and Experimental Therapeutics, Eshelman School of Pharmacy (M.M., Y.C.) and Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, School of Medicine (Y.C.), University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, North Carolina; Department of Biochemistry (J.M.), University of Belgrade, Faculty of Chemistry, Belgrade, Serbia; and Clinical Pharmacology and Pharmacometrics, Janssen Research & Development (W.W.), LLC, Spring House, Pennsylvania
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Geerts H, Walker M, Rose R, Bergeler S, van der Graaf PH, Schuck E, Koyama A, Yasuda S, Hussein Z, Reyderman L, Swanson C, Cabal A. A combined physiologically-based pharmacokinetic and quantitative systems pharmacology model for modeling amyloid aggregation in Alzheimer's disease. CPT Pharmacometrics Syst Pharmacol 2023; 12:444-461. [PMID: 36632701 PMCID: PMC10088087 DOI: 10.1002/psp4.12912] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2022] [Revised: 12/06/2022] [Accepted: 12/14/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Antibody-mediated removal of aggregated β-amyloid (Aβ) is the current, most clinically advanced potential disease-modifying treatment approach for Alzheimer's disease. We describe a quantitative systems pharmacology (QSP) approach of the dynamics of Aβ monomers, oligomers, protofibrils, and plaque using a detailed microscopic model of Aβ40 and Aβ42 aggregation and clearance of aggregated Aβ by activated microglia cells, which is enhanced by the interaction of antibody-bound Aβ. The model allows for the prediction of Aβ positron emission tomography (PET) imaging load as measured by a standardized uptake value ratio. A physiology-based pharmacokinetic model is seamlessly integrated to describe target exposure of monoclonal antibodies and simulate dynamics of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and plasma biomarkers, including CSF Aβ42 and plasma Aβ42 /Aβ40 ratio biomarkers. Apolipoprotein E genotype is implemented as a difference in microglia clearance. By incorporating antibody-bound, plaque-mediated macrophage activation in the perivascular compartment, the model also predicts the incidence of amyloid-related imaging abnormalities with edema (ARIA-E). The QSP platform is calibrated with pharmacological and clinical information on aducanumab, bapineuzumab, crenezumab, gantenerumab, lecanemab, and solanezumab, predicting adequately the change in PET imaging measured amyloid load and the changes in the plasma Aβ42 /Aβ40 ratio while slightly overestimating the change in CSF Aβ42 . ARIA-E is well predicted for all antibodies except bapineuzumab. This QSP model could support the clinical trial design of different amyloid-modulating interventions, define optimal titration and maintenance schedules, and provide a first step to understand the variability of biomarker response in clinical practice.
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Edavettal S, Cejudo-Martin P, Dasgupta B, Yang D, Buschman MD, Domingo D, Van Kolen K, Jaiprasat P, Gordon R, Schutsky K, Geist B, Taylor N, Soubrane CH, Van Der Helm E, LaCombe A, Ainekulu Z, Lacy E, Aligo J, Ho J, He Y, Lebowitz PF, Patterson JT, Scheer JM, Singh S. Enhanced delivery of antibodies across the blood-brain barrier via TEMs with inherent receptor-mediated phagocytosis. MED 2022; 3:860-882.e15. [PMID: 36257298 DOI: 10.1016/j.medj.2022.09.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2021] [Revised: 06/28/2022] [Accepted: 09/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The near impermeability of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and the unique neuroimmune environment of the CNS prevents the effective use of antibodies in neurological diseases. Delivery of biotherapeutics to the brain can be enabled through receptor-mediated transcytosis via proteins such as the transferrin receptor, although limitations such as the ability to use Fc-mediated effector function to clear pathogenic targets can introduce safety liabilities. Hence, novel delivery approaches with alternative clearance mechanisms are warranted. METHODS Binders that optimized transport across the BBB, known as transcytosis-enabling modules (TEMs), were identified using a combination of antibody discovery techniques and pharmacokinetic analyses. Functional activity of TEMs were subsequently evaluated by imaging for the ability of myeloid cells to phagocytose target proteins and cells. FINDINGS We demonstrated significantly enhanced brain exposure of therapeutic antibodies using optimal transferrin receptor or CD98 TEMs. We found that these modules also mediated efficient clearance of tau aggregates and HER2+ tumor cells via a non-classical phagocytosis mechanism through direct engagement of myeloid cells. This mode of clearance potentially avoids the known drawbacks of FcγR-mediated antibody mechanisms in the brain such as the neurotoxic release of proinflammatory cytokines and immune cell exhaustion. CONCLUSIONS Our study reports a new brain delivery platform that harnesses receptor-mediated transcytosis to maximize brain uptake and uses a non-classical phagocytosis mechanism to efficiently clear pathologic proteins and cells. We believe these findings will transform therapeutic approaches to treat CNS diseases. FUNDING This research was funded by Janssen, Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Danlin Yang
- Janssen Research and Development, Spring House, PA 19477, USA
| | | | | | | | | | - Renata Gordon
- Janssen Research and Development, Spring House, PA 19477, USA
| | - Keith Schutsky
- Janssen Research and Development, Spring House, PA 19477, USA
| | - Brian Geist
- Janssen Research and Development, Spring House, PA 19477, USA
| | - Natalie Taylor
- Janssen Research and Development, San Diego, CA 92121, USA
| | | | | | - Ann LaCombe
- Janssen Research and Development, San Diego, CA 92121, USA
| | | | - Eilyn Lacy
- Janssen Research and Development, Spring House, PA 19477, USA
| | - Jason Aligo
- Janssen Research and Development, Spring House, PA 19477, USA
| | - Jason Ho
- Janssen Research and Development, Spring House, PA 19477, USA
| | - Yingbo He
- Janssen Research and Development, San Diego, CA 92121, USA
| | | | | | - Justin M Scheer
- Janssen Research and Development, Spring House, PA 19477, USA.
| | - Sanjaya Singh
- Janssen Research and Development, Spring House, PA 19477, USA
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11
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Bathini P, Sun T, Schenk M, Schilling S, McDannold NJ, Lemere CA. Acute Effects of Focused Ultrasound-Induced Blood-Brain Barrier Opening on Anti-Pyroglu3 Abeta Antibody Delivery and Immune Responses. Biomolecules 2022; 12:951. [PMID: 35883506 PMCID: PMC9313174 DOI: 10.3390/biom12070951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2022] [Revised: 07/04/2022] [Accepted: 07/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's Disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the accumulation of amyloid plaques and hyperphosphorylated tau in the brain. Currently, therapeutic agents targeting amyloid appear promising for AD, however, delivery to the CNS is limited due to the blood-brain-barrier (BBB). Focused ultrasound (FUS) is a method to induce a temporary opening of the BBB to enhance the delivery of therapeutic agents to the CNS. In this study, we evaluated the acute effects of FUS and whether the use of FUS-induced BBB opening enhances the delivery of 07/2a mAb, an anti-pyroglutamate-3 Aβ antibody, in aged 24 mo-old APP/PS1dE9 transgenic mice. FUS was performed either unilaterally or bilaterally with mAb infusion and the short-term effect was analyzed 4 h and 72 h post-treatment. Quantitative analysis by ELISA showed a 5-6-fold increase in 07/2a mAb levels in the brain at both time points and an increased brain-to-blood ratio of the antibody. Immunohistochemistry demonstrated an increase in IgG2a mAb detection particularly in the cortex, enhanced immunoreactivity of resident Iba1+ and phagocytic CD68+ microglial cells, and a transient increase in the infiltration of Ly6G+ immune cells. Cerebral microbleeds were not altered in the unilaterally or bilaterally sonicated hemispheres. Overall, this study shows the potential of FUS therapy for the enhanced delivery of CNS therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Praveen Bathini
- Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 60 Fenwood Road, Boston, MA 02115, USA;
| | - Tao Sun
- Focused Ultrasound Laboratory, Department of Radiology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 75 Francis Street, Boston, MA 02115, USA;
| | - Mathias Schenk
- Department of Molecular Drug Biochemistry and Therapy, Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Weinbergweg 22, 06120 Halle, Germany; (M.S.); (S.S.)
| | - Stephan Schilling
- Department of Molecular Drug Biochemistry and Therapy, Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Weinbergweg 22, 06120 Halle, Germany; (M.S.); (S.S.)
- Faculty of Applied Biosciences and Process Technology, Anhalt University of Applied Sciences, Bernburger Strasse 55, 06366 Kothen, Germany
| | - Nathan J. McDannold
- Focused Ultrasound Laboratory, Department of Radiology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 75 Francis Street, Boston, MA 02115, USA;
| | - Cynthia A. Lemere
- Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 60 Fenwood Road, Boston, MA 02115, USA;
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12
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Evidence for Enhanced Efficacy of Passive Immunotherapy against Beta-Amyloid in CD33-Negative 5xFAD Mice. Biomolecules 2022; 12:biom12030399. [PMID: 35327591 PMCID: PMC8945487 DOI: 10.3390/biom12030399] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2022] [Revised: 02/26/2022] [Accepted: 03/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Passive immunotherapy is a very promising approach for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Among the different antibodies under development, those targeting post-translationally modified Aβ peptides might combine efficient reduction in beta-amyloid accompanied by lower sequestration in peripheral compartments and thus anticipated and reduced treatment-related side effects. In that regard, we recently demonstrated that the antibody-mediated targeting of isoD7-modified Aβ peptides leads to the attenuation of AD-like amyloid pathology in 5xFAD mice. In order to assess novel strategies to enhance the efficacy of passive vaccination approaches, we investigated the role of CD33 for Aβ phagocytosis in transgenic mice treated with an isoD7-Aβ antibody. We crossbred 5xFAD transgenic mice with CD33 knock out (CD33KO) mice and compared the amyloid pathology in the different genotypes of the crossbreds. The knockout of CD33 in 5xFAD mice leads to a significant reduction in Aβ plaques and concomitant rescue of behavioral deficits. Passive immunotherapy of 5xFAD/CD33KO showed a significant increase in plaque-surrounding microglia compared to 5xFAD treated with the antibody. Additionally, we observed a stronger lowering of Aβ plaque load after passive immunotherapy in 5xFAD/CD33KO mice. The data suggest an additive effect of passive immunotherapy and CD33KO in terms of lowering Aβ pathology. Hence, a combination of CD33 antagonists and monoclonal antibodies might represent a strategy to enhance efficacy of passive immunotherapy in AD.
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13
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Marengo L, Armbrust F, Schoenherr C, Storck SE, Schmitt U, Zampar S, Wirths O, Altmeppen H, Glatzel M, Kaether C, Weggen S, Becker-Pauly C, Pietrzik CU. Meprin β knockout reduces brain Aβ levels and rescues learning and memory impairments in the APP/lon mouse model for Alzheimer's disease. Cell Mol Life Sci 2022; 79:168. [PMID: 35235058 PMCID: PMC8891209 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-022-04205-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2021] [Revised: 01/26/2022] [Accepted: 02/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
β-Site amyloid precursor protein (APP) cleaving enzyme-1 (BACE1) is the major described β-secretase to generate Aβ peptides in Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, all therapeutic attempts to block BACE1 activity and to improve AD symptoms have so far failed. A potential candidate for alternative Aβ peptides generation is the metalloproteinase meprin β, which cleaves APP predominantly at alanine in p2 and in this study we can detect an increased meprin β expression in AD brain. Here, we report the generation of the transgenic APP/lon mouse model of AD lacking the functional Mep1b gene (APP/lon × Mep1b-/-). We examined levels of canonical and truncated Aβ species using urea-SDS-PAGE, ELISA and immunohistochemistry in brains of APP/lon mouse × Mep1b-/-. Additionally, we investigated the cognitive abilities of these mice during the Morris water maze task. Aβ1-40 and 1-42 levels are reduced in APP/lon mice when meprin β is absent. Immunohistochemical staining of mouse brain sections revealed that N-terminally truncated Aβ2-x peptide deposition is decreased in APP/lon × Mep1b-/- mice. Importantly, loss of meprin β improved cognitive abilities and rescued learning behavior impairments in APP/lon mice. These observations indicate an important role of meprin β within the amyloidogenic pathway and Aβ production in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liana Marengo
- Institute for Pathobiochemistry, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Fred Armbrust
- Institute of Biochemistry, Unit for Degradomics of the Protease Web, Christian-Albrechts-University Kiel, Kiel, Germany
| | - Caroline Schoenherr
- Institute for Pathobiochemistry, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Steffen E. Storck
- Institute for Pathobiochemistry, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Ulrich Schmitt
- Leibniz-Institute for Resilience Research, Mainz, Germany
| | - Silvia Zampar
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Göttingen (UMG), Göttingen, Germany
| | - Oliver Wirths
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Göttingen (UMG), Göttingen, Germany
| | - Hermann Altmeppen
- Institute of Neuropathology, University Medical Center HH-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Markus Glatzel
- Institute of Neuropathology, University Medical Center HH-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | | | - Sascha Weggen
- Department of Neuropathology, Heinrich Heine University, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Christoph Becker-Pauly
- Institute of Biochemistry, Unit for Degradomics of the Protease Web, Christian-Albrechts-University Kiel, Kiel, Germany
| | - Claus U. Pietrzik
- Institute for Pathobiochemistry, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
- Molecular Neurodegeneration, Institute for Pathobiochemistry, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz, Duesbergweg 6, 55099 Mainz, Germany
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14
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Pyroglutamate Aβ cascade as drug target in Alzheimer's disease. Mol Psychiatry 2022; 27:1880-1885. [PMID: 34880449 PMCID: PMC9126800 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-021-01409-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2021] [Revised: 11/19/2021] [Accepted: 11/25/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
One of the central aims in Alzheimer's disease (AD) research is the identification of clinically relevant drug targets. A plethora of potential molecular targets work very well in preclinical model systems both in vitro and in vivo in AD mouse models. However, the lack of translation into clinical settings in the AD field is a challenging endeavor. Although it is long known that N-terminally truncated and pyroglutamate-modified Abeta (AβpE3) peptides are abundantly present in the brain of AD patients, form stable and soluble low-molecular weight oligomers, and induce neurodegeneration in AD mouse models, their potential as drug target has not been generally accepted in the past. This situation has dramatically changed with the report that passive immunization with donanemab, an AβpE3-specific antibody, cleared aymloid plaques and stabilized cognitive deficits in a group of patients with mild AD in a phase II trial. This review summarizes the current knowledge on the molecular mechanisms of generation of AβpE, its biochemical properties, and the intervention points as a drug target in AD.
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15
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Geerts H, van der Graaf P. Computational Approaches for Supporting Combination Therapy in the Post-Aducanumab Era in Alzheimer’s Disease. J Alzheimers Dis Rep 2021; 5:815-826. [PMID: 34966890 PMCID: PMC8673549 DOI: 10.3233/adr-210039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2021] [Accepted: 10/14/2021] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
With the approval of aducanumab on the “Accelerated Approval Pathway” and the recognition of amyloid load as a surrogate marker, new successful therapeutic approaches will be driven by combination therapy as was the case in oncology after the launch of immune checkpoint inhibitors. However, the sheer number of therapeutic combinations substantially complicates the search for optimal combinations. Data-driven approaches based on large databases or electronic health records can identify optimal combinations and often using artificial intelligence or machine learning to crunch through many possible combinations but are limited to the pharmacology of existing marketed drugs and are highly dependent upon the quality of the training sets. Knowledge-driven in silico modeling approaches use multi-scale biophysically realistic models of neuroanatomy, physiology, and pathology and can be personalized with individual patient comedications, disease state, and genotypes to create ‘virtual twin patients’. Such models simulate effects on action potential dynamics of anatomically informed neuronal circuits driving functional clinical readouts. Informed by data-driven approaches this knowledge-driven modeling could systematically and quantitatively simulate all possible target combinations for a maximal synergistic effect on a clinically relevant functional outcome. This approach seamlessly integrates pharmacokinetic modeling of different therapeutic modalities. A crucial requirement to constrain the parameters is the access to preferably anonymized individual patient data from completed clinical trials with various selective compounds. We believe that the combination of data- and knowledge driven modeling could be a game changer to find a cure for this devastating disease that affects the most complex organ of the universe.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hugo Geerts
- Certara UK-SimCyp, Canterbury Innovation Centre, University Road, Canterbury, United Kingdom
| | - Piet van der Graaf
- Certara UK-SimCyp, Canterbury Innovation Centre, University Road, Canterbury, United Kingdom
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16
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Hoffmann T, Rahfeld JU, Schenk M, Ponath F, Makioka K, Hutter-Paier B, Lues I, Lemere CA, Schilling S. Combination of the Glutaminyl Cyclase Inhibitor PQ912 (Varoglutamstat) and the Murine Monoclonal Antibody PBD-C06 (m6) Shows Additive Effects on Brain Aβ Pathology in Transgenic Mice. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms222111791. [PMID: 34769222 PMCID: PMC8584206 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222111791] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2021] [Revised: 10/07/2021] [Accepted: 10/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Compelling evidence suggests that pyroglutamate-modified Aβ (pGlu3-Aβ; AβN3pG) peptides play a pivotal role in the development and progression of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Approaches targeting pGlu3-Aβ by glutaminyl cyclase (QC) inhibition (Varoglutamstat) or monoclonal antibodies (Donanemab) are currently in clinical development. Here, we aimed at an assessment of combination therapy of Varoglutamstat (PQ912) and a pGlu3-Aβ-specific antibody (m6) in transgenic mice. Whereas the single treatments at subtherapeutic doses show moderate (16–41%) but statistically insignificant reduction of Aβ42 and pGlu-Aβ42 in mice brain, the combination of both treatments resulted in significant reductions of Aβ by 45–65%. Evaluation of these data using the Bliss independence model revealed a combination index of ≈1, which is indicative for an additive effect of the compounds. The data are interpreted in terms of different pathways, in which the two drugs act. While PQ912 prevents the formation of pGlu3-Aβ in different compartments, the antibody is able to clear existing pGlu3-Aβ deposits. The results suggest that combination of the small molecule Varoglutamstat and a pE3Aβ-directed monoclonal antibody may allow a reduction of the individual compound doses while maintaining the therapeutic effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Torsten Hoffmann
- Vivoryon Therapeutics N.V., Weinbergweg 22, 06120 Halle, Germany;
- Correspondence: (T.H.); (S.S.)
| | - Jens-Ulrich Rahfeld
- Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Department of Drug Design and Target Validation, Weinbergweg 22, 06120 Halle, Germany; (J.-U.R.); (M.S.)
| | - Mathias Schenk
- Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Department of Drug Design and Target Validation, Weinbergweg 22, 06120 Halle, Germany; (J.-U.R.); (M.S.)
| | - Falk Ponath
- Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 60 Fenwood Rd., Boston, MA 02115, USA; (F.P.); (K.M.); (C.A.L.)
| | - Koki Makioka
- Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 60 Fenwood Rd., Boston, MA 02115, USA; (F.P.); (K.M.); (C.A.L.)
| | - Birgit Hutter-Paier
- QPS Austria GmbH, Department of Neuropharmacology, Parkring 12, A-8074 Grambach, Austria;
| | - Inge Lues
- Vivoryon Therapeutics N.V., Weinbergweg 22, 06120 Halle, Germany;
| | - Cynthia A. Lemere
- Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 60 Fenwood Rd., Boston, MA 02115, USA; (F.P.); (K.M.); (C.A.L.)
| | - Stephan Schilling
- Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Department of Drug Design and Target Validation, Weinbergweg 22, 06120 Halle, Germany; (J.-U.R.); (M.S.)
- Anhalt University of Applied Sciences, Bernburger Straße 55, 06366 Köthen, Germany
- Correspondence: (T.H.); (S.S.)
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17
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Forner S, Kawauchi S, Balderrama-Gutierrez G, Kramár EA, Matheos DP, Phan J, Javonillo DI, Tran KM, Hingco E, da Cunha C, Rezaie N, Alcantara JA, Baglietto-Vargas D, Jansen C, Neumann J, Wood MA, MacGregor GR, Mortazavi A, Tenner AJ, LaFerla FM, Green KN. Systematic phenotyping and characterization of the 5xFAD mouse model of Alzheimer's disease. Sci Data 2021; 8:270. [PMID: 34654824 PMCID: PMC8519958 DOI: 10.1038/s41597-021-01054-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 139] [Impact Index Per Article: 46.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2021] [Accepted: 09/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Mouse models of human diseases are invaluable tools for studying pathogenic mechanisms and testing interventions and therapeutics. For disorders such as Alzheimer's disease in which numerous models are being generated, a challenging first step is to identify the most appropriate model and age to effectively evaluate new therapeutic approaches. Here we conducted a detailed phenotypic characterization of the 5xFAD model on a congenic C57BL/6 J strain background, across its lifespan - including a seldomly analyzed 18-month old time point to provide temporally correlated phenotyping of this model and a template for characterization of new models of LOAD as they are generated. This comprehensive analysis included quantification of plaque burden, Aβ biochemical levels, and neuropathology, neurophysiological measurements and behavioral and cognitive assessments, and evaluation of microglia, astrocytes, and neurons. Analysis of transcriptional changes was conducted using bulk-tissue generated RNA-seq data from microdissected cortices and hippocampi as a function of aging, which can be explored at the MODEL-AD Explorer and AD Knowledge Portal. This deep-phenotyping pipeline identified novel aspects of age-related pathology in the 5xFAD model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefania Forner
- Institute for Memory Impairments and Neurological Disorders (UCI MIND), University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Shimako Kawauchi
- Transgenic Mouse Facility, University Laboratory Animal Resources, Office of Research, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Gabriela Balderrama-Gutierrez
- Department of Developmental and Cell Biology, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
- Center for Complex Biological Systems, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Enikö A Kramár
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Dina P Matheos
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Jimmy Phan
- Institute for Memory Impairments and Neurological Disorders (UCI MIND), University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Dominic I Javonillo
- Institute for Memory Impairments and Neurological Disorders (UCI MIND), University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Kristine M Tran
- Institute for Memory Impairments and Neurological Disorders (UCI MIND), University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Edna Hingco
- Institute for Memory Impairments and Neurological Disorders (UCI MIND), University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Celia da Cunha
- Institute for Memory Impairments and Neurological Disorders (UCI MIND), University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Narges Rezaie
- Department of Developmental and Cell Biology, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
- Center for Complex Biological Systems, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Joshua A Alcantara
- Transgenic Mouse Facility, University Laboratory Animal Resources, Office of Research, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - David Baglietto-Vargas
- Institute for Memory Impairments and Neurological Disorders (UCI MIND), University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Camden Jansen
- Department of Developmental and Cell Biology, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
- Center for Complex Biological Systems, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Jonathan Neumann
- Transgenic Mouse Facility, University Laboratory Animal Resources, Office of Research, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Marcelo A Wood
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Grant R MacGregor
- Transgenic Mouse Facility, University Laboratory Animal Resources, Office of Research, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
- Department of Developmental and Cell Biology, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Ali Mortazavi
- Department of Developmental and Cell Biology, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
- Center for Complex Biological Systems, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Andrea J Tenner
- Institute for Memory Impairments and Neurological Disorders (UCI MIND), University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Frank M LaFerla
- Institute for Memory Impairments and Neurological Disorders (UCI MIND), University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Kim N Green
- Institute for Memory Impairments and Neurological Disorders (UCI MIND), University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA.
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA.
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18
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Hartlage-Rübsamen M, Bluhm A, Moceri S, Machner L, Köppen J, Schenk M, Hilbrich I, Holzer M, Weidenfeller M, Richter F, Coras R, Serrano GE, Beach TG, Schilling S, von Hörsten S, Xiang W, Schulze A, Roßner S. A glutaminyl cyclase-catalyzed α-synuclein modification identified in human synucleinopathies. Acta Neuropathol 2021; 142:399-421. [PMID: 34309760 PMCID: PMC8357657 DOI: 10.1007/s00401-021-02349-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2021] [Revised: 07/13/2021] [Accepted: 07/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that is neuropathologically characterized by degeneration of dopaminergic neurons of the substantia nigra (SN) and formation of Lewy bodies and Lewy neurites composed of aggregated α-synuclein. Proteolysis of α-synuclein by matrix metalloproteinases was shown to facilitate its aggregation and to affect cell viability. One of the proteolysed fragments, Gln79-α-synuclein, possesses a glutamine residue at its N-terminus. We argue that glutaminyl cyclase (QC) may catalyze the pyroglutamate (pGlu)79-α-synuclein formation and, thereby, contribute to enhanced aggregation and compromised degradation of α-synuclein in human synucleinopathies. Here, the kinetic characteristics of Gln79-α-synuclein conversion into the pGlu-form by QC are shown using enzymatic assays and mass spectrometry. Thioflavin T assays and electron microscopy demonstrated a decreased potential of pGlu79-α-synuclein to form fibrils. However, size exclusion chromatography and cell viability assays revealed an increased propensity of pGlu79-α-synuclein to form oligomeric aggregates with high neurotoxicity. In brains of wild-type mice, QC and α-synuclein were co-expressed by dopaminergic SN neurons. Using a specific antibody against the pGlu-modified neo-epitope of α-synuclein, pGlu79-α-synuclein aggregates were detected in association with QC in brains of two transgenic mouse lines with human α-synuclein overexpression. In human brain samples of PD and dementia with Lewy body subjects, pGlu79-α-synuclein was shown to be present in SN neurons, in a number of Lewy bodies and in dystrophic neurites. Importantly, there was a spatial co-occurrence of pGlu79-α-synuclein with the enzyme QC in the human SN complex and a defined association of QC with neuropathological structures. We conclude that QC catalyzes the formation of oligomer-prone pGlu79-α-synuclein in human synucleinopathies, which may—in analogy to pGlu-Aβ peptides in Alzheimer’s disease—act as a seed for pathogenic protein aggregation.
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19
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Biechele G, Blume T, Deussing M, Zott B, Shi Y, Xiang X, Franzmeier N, Kleinberger G, Peters F, Ochs K, Focke C, Sacher C, Wind K, Schmidt C, Lindner S, Gildehaus FJ, Eckenweber F, Beyer L, von Ungern-Sternberg B, Bartenstein P, Baumann K, Dorostkar MM, Rominger A, Cumming P, Willem M, Adelsberger H, Herms J, Brendel M. Pre-therapeutic microglia activation and sex determine therapy effects of chronic immunomodulation. Theranostics 2021; 11:8964-8976. [PMID: 34522221 PMCID: PMC8419052 DOI: 10.7150/thno.64022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2021] [Accepted: 08/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Modulation of the innate immune system is emerging as a promising therapeutic strategy against Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, determinants of a beneficial therapeutic effect are ill-understood. Thus, we investigated the potential of 18 kDa translocator protein positron-emission-tomography (TSPO-PET) for assessment of microglial activation in mouse brain before and during chronic immunomodulation. Methods: Serial TSPO-PET was performed during five months of chronic microglia modulation by stimulation of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-γ with pioglitazone in two different mouse models of AD (PS2APP, AppNL-G-F ). Using mixed statistical models on longitudinal TSPO-PET data, we tested for effects of therapy and sex on treatment response. We tested correlations of baseline with longitudinal measures of TSPO-PET, and correlations between PET results with spatial learning performance and β-amyloid accumulation of individual mice. Immunohistochemistry was used to determine the molecular source of the TSPO-PET signal. Results: Pioglitazone-treated female PS2APP and AppNL-G-F mice showed attenuation of the longitudinal increases in TSPO-PET signal when compared to vehicle controls, whereas treated male AppNL-G-F mice showed the opposite effect. Baseline TSPO-PET strongly predicted changes in microglial activation in treated mice (R = -0.874, p < 0.0001) but not in vehicle controls (R = -0.356, p = 0.081). Reduced TSPO-PET signal upon pharmacological treatment was associated with better spatial learning despite higher fibrillar β-amyloid accumulation. Immunohistochemistry confirmed activated microglia to be the source of the TSPO-PET signal (R = 0.952, p < 0.0001). Conclusion: TSPO-PET represents a sensitive biomarker for monitoring of immunomodulation and closely reflects activated microglia. Sex and pre-therapeutic assessment of baseline microglial activation predict individual immunomodulation effects and may serve for responder stratification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gloria Biechele
- Dept. of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital of Munich, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Tanja Blume
- Dept. of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital of Munich, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
- DZNE - German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Munich, Germany
| | - Maximilian Deussing
- Dept. of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital of Munich, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Benedikt Zott
- Institute of Neuroscience, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Neuroradiology, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Yuan Shi
- DZNE - German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Munich, Germany
| | - Xianyuan Xiang
- Metabolic Biochemistry, Biomedical Center (BMC), Faculty of Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Nicolai Franzmeier
- Institute for Stroke and Dementia Research, University Hospital of Munich, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | | | - Finn Peters
- DZNE - German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Munich, Germany
| | - Katharina Ochs
- DZNE - German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Munich, Germany
| | - Carola Focke
- Dept. of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital of Munich, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Christian Sacher
- Dept. of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital of Munich, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Karin Wind
- Dept. of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital of Munich, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Claudio Schmidt
- Dept. of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital of Munich, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Simon Lindner
- Dept. of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital of Munich, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Franz-Josef Gildehaus
- Dept. of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital of Munich, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Florian Eckenweber
- Dept. of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital of Munich, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Leonie Beyer
- Dept. of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital of Munich, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | | | - Peter Bartenstein
- Dept. of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital of Munich, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
- SyNergy, University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Karlheinz Baumann
- Roche Pharma Research and Early Development, Neuroscience Discovery, Roche, Innovation Center Basel, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., Basel, Switzerland
| | - Mario M. Dorostkar
- DZNE - German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Munich, Germany
- Center for Neuropathology and Prion Research, Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Axel Rominger
- Dept. of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital of Munich, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
- SyNergy, University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- Dept. of Nuclear Medicine, Inselspital Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Paul Cumming
- Dept. of Nuclear Medicine, Inselspital Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- School of Psychology and Counselling, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Michael Willem
- Metabolic Biochemistry, Biomedical Center (BMC), Faculty of Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | | | - Jochen Herms
- DZNE - German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Munich, Germany
- SyNergy, University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- Center for Neuropathology and Prion Research, Ludwig-Maximilians-University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Matthias Brendel
- Dept. of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital of Munich, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
- SyNergy, University of Munich, Munich, Germany
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20
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Thomsen BB, Madsen C, Krohn KT, Thygesen C, Schütt T, Metaxas A, Darvesh S, Agerholm JS, Wirenfeldt M, Berendt M, Finsen B. Mild Microglial Responses in the Cortex and Perivascular Macrophage Infiltration in Subcortical White Matter in Dogs with Age-Related Dementia Modelling Prodromal Alzheimer's Disease. J Alzheimers Dis 2021; 82:575-592. [PMID: 34057083 PMCID: PMC8385501 DOI: 10.3233/jad-210040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Background: Microglia contribute to Alzheimer’s disease (AD) pathogenesis by clearing amyloid-β (Aβ) and driving neuroinflammation. Domestic dogs with age-related dementia (canine cognitive dysfunction (CCD)) develop cerebral amyloidosis like humans developing AD, and studying such dogs can provide novel information about microglial response in prodromal AD. Objective: The aim was to investigate the microglial response in the cortical grey and the subcortical white matter in dogs with CCD versus age-matched cognitively normal dogs. Methods: Brains from aged dogs with CCD and age-matched controls without dementia were studied. Cases were defined by dementia rating score. Brain sections were stained for Aβ, thioflavin S, hyperphosphorylated tau, and the microglial-macrophage ionized calcium binding adaptor molecule 1 (Iba1). Results were correlated to dementia rating score and tissue levels of Aβ. Results: Microglial numbers were higher in the Aβ plaque-loaded deep cortical layers in CCD versus control dogs, while the coverage by microglial processes were comparable. Aβ plaques were of the diffuse type and without microglial aggregation. However, a correlation was found between the %Iba1 area and insoluble Aβ 42 and N-terminal pyroglutamate modified Aβ(N3pE)-42. The %Iba1 area was higher in white matter, showing phosphorylation of S396 tau, versus grey matter. Perivascular macrophage infiltrates were abundant in the white matter particularly in CDD dogs. Conclusion: The results from this study of the microglial-macrophage response in dogs with CCD are suggestive of relatively mild microglial responses in the Aβ plaque-loaded deep cortical layers and perivascular macrophage infiltrates in the subcortical white matter, in prodromal AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Blicher Thomsen
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Cecilie Madsen
- Department of Neurobiology, Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark.,BRIDGE: Brain Research-Inter-Disciplinary Guided Excellence, Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Katrine Tækker Krohn
- Department of Neurobiology, Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark.,BRIDGE: Brain Research-Inter-Disciplinary Guided Excellence, Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Camilla Thygesen
- Department of Neurobiology, Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark.,BRIDGE: Brain Research-Inter-Disciplinary Guided Excellence, Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Trine Schütt
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Athanasios Metaxas
- Department of Neurobiology, Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark.,BRIDGE: Brain Research-Inter-Disciplinary Guided Excellence, Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark.,School of Science, Department of Life Sciences, European University Cyprus, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Sultan Darvesh
- Department of Medical Neuroscience, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada.,Division of Neurology and Geriatric Medicine, Department of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Jørgen Steen Agerholm
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Martin Wirenfeldt
- BRIDGE: Brain Research-Inter-Disciplinary Guided Excellence, Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark.,Department of Pathology, Institute of Clinical Science, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
| | - Mette Berendt
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Bente Finsen
- Department of Neurobiology, Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark.,BRIDGE: Brain Research-Inter-Disciplinary Guided Excellence, Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
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21
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Stoiljkovic M, Horvath TL, Hajós M. Therapy for Alzheimer's disease: Missing targets and functional markers? Ageing Res Rev 2021; 68:101318. [PMID: 33711510 PMCID: PMC8131215 DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2021.101318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2020] [Revised: 02/24/2021] [Accepted: 03/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The development of the next generation therapy for Alzheimer's disease (AD) presents a huge challenge given the number of promising treatment candidates that failed in trials, despite recent advancements in understanding of genetic, pathophysiologic and clinical characteristics of the disease. This review reflects some of the most current concepts and controversies in developing disease-modifying and new symptomatic treatments. It elaborates on recent changes in the AD research strategy for broadening drug targets, and potentials of emerging non-pharmacological treatment interventions. Established and novel biomarkers are discussed, including emerging cerebrospinal fluid and plasma biomarkers reflecting tau pathology, neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration. These fluid biomarkers together with neuroimaging findings can provide innovative objective assessments of subtle changes in brain reflecting disease progression. A particular emphasis is given to neurophysiological biomarkers which are well-suited for evaluating the brain overall neural network integrity and function. Combination of multiple biomarkers, including target engagement and outcome biomarkers will empower translational studies and facilitate successful development of effective therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Milan Stoiljkovic
- Department of Comparative Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA; Department of Pharmacology, University of Nis School of Medicine, Nis, Serbia.
| | - Tamas L Horvath
- Department of Comparative Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA
| | - Mihály Hajós
- Department of Comparative Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA; Cognito Therapeutics, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA
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22
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Sun T, Shi Q, Zhang Y, Power C, Hoesch C, Antonelli S, Schroeder MK, Caldarone BJ, Taudte N, Schenk M, Hettmann T, Schilling S, McDannold NJ, Lemere CA. Focused ultrasound with anti-pGlu3 Aβ enhances efficacy in Alzheimer's disease-like mice via recruitment of peripheral immune cells. J Control Release 2021; 336:443-456. [PMID: 34186148 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2021.06.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2021] [Revised: 06/22/2021] [Accepted: 06/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Pyroglutamate-3 amyloid-β (pGlu3 Aβ) is an N-terminally modified, pathogenic form of amyloid-β that is present in cerebral amyloid plaques and vascular deposits. Here, we used focused ultrasound (FUS) with microbubbles to enhance the intravenous delivery of an Fc-competent anti-pGlu3 Aβ monoclonal antibody, 07/2a mAb, across the blood brain barrier (BBB) in an attempt to improve Aβ removal and memory in aged APP/PS1dE9 mice, an Alzheimer's disease (AD)-like model of amyloidogenesis. First, we demonstrated that bilateral hippocampal FUS-BBB disruption (FUS-BBBD) led to a 5.5-fold increase of 07/2a mAb delivery to the brains compared to non-sonicated mice 72 h following a single treatment. Then, we determined that three weekly treatments with 07/2a mAb alone improved spatial learning and memory in aged, plaque-rich APP/PS1dE9 mice, and that this improvement occurred faster and in a higher percentage of animals when combined with FUS-BBBD. Mice given the combination treatment had reduced hippocampal plaque burden compared to PBS-treated controls. Furthermore, synaptic protein levels were higher in hippocampal synaptosomes from mice given the combination treatment compared to sham controls, and there were more CA3 synaptic puncta labeled in the APP/PS1dE9 mice given the combination treatment compared to those given mAb alone. Plaque-associated microglia were present in the hippocampi of APP/PS1dE9 mice treated with 07/2a mAb with and without FUS-BBBD. However, we discovered that plaque-associated Ly6G+ monocytes were only present in the hippocampi of APP/PS1dE9 mice that were given FUS-BBBD alone or even more so, the combination treatment. Lastly, FUS-BBBD did not increase the incidence of microhemorrhage in mice with or without 07/2a mAb treatment. Our findings suggest that FUS is a useful tool to enhance delivery and efficacy of an anti-pGlu3 Aβ mAb for immunotherapy either via an additive effect or an independent mechanism. We revealed a potential novel mechanism wherein the combination of 07/2a mAb with FUS-BBBD led to greater monocyte infiltration and recruitment to plaques in this AD-like model. Overall, these effects resulted in greater plaque removal, sparing of synapses and improved cognitive function without causing overt damage, suggesting the possibility of FUS-BBBD as a noninvasive method to increase the therapeutic efficacy of drugs or biologics in AD patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tao Sun
- Focused Ultrasound Laboratory, Department of Radiology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, 75 Francis Street, Boston, MA, United States of America; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States of America
| | - Qiaoqiao Shi
- Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases in the Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, 75 Francis Street, Boston, MA, United States of America; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States of America
| | - Yongzhi Zhang
- Focused Ultrasound Laboratory, Department of Radiology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, 75 Francis Street, Boston, MA, United States of America; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States of America
| | - Chanikarn Power
- Focused Ultrasound Laboratory, Department of Radiology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, 75 Francis Street, Boston, MA, United States of America; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States of America
| | - Camilla Hoesch
- Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases in the Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, 75 Francis Street, Boston, MA, United States of America
| | - Shawna Antonelli
- Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases in the Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, 75 Francis Street, Boston, MA, United States of America
| | - Maren K Schroeder
- Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases in the Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, 75 Francis Street, Boston, MA, United States of America
| | - Barbara J Caldarone
- Harvard Medical School Mouse Behavior Core, Boston, MA, United States of America
| | - Nadine Taudte
- Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Department Molecular Drug Biochemistry and Therapy, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Mathias Schenk
- Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Department Molecular Drug Biochemistry and Therapy, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | | | - Stephan Schilling
- Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Department Molecular Drug Biochemistry and Therapy, Halle (Saale), Germany; Vivoryon Therapeutics AG, Halle (Saale), Germany; Anhalt University of Applied Sciences, Köthen, Germany
| | - Nathan J McDannold
- Focused Ultrasound Laboratory, Department of Radiology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, 75 Francis Street, Boston, MA, United States of America; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States of America.
| | - Cynthia A Lemere
- Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases in the Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, 75 Francis Street, Boston, MA, United States of America; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States of America.
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23
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Singleton E, Hansson O, Pijnenburg YAL, La Joie R, Mantyh WG, Tideman P, Stomrud E, Leuzy A, Johansson M, Strandberg O, Smith R, Berendrecht E, Miller BL, Iaccarino L, Edwards L, Strom A, Wolters EE, Coomans E, Visser D, Golla SSV, Tuncel H, Bouwman F, Van Swieten JC, Papma JM, van Berckel B, Scheltens P, Dijkstra AA, Rabinovici GD, Ossenkoppele R. Heterogeneous distribution of tau pathology in the behavioural variant of Alzheimer's disease. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 2021; 92:jnnp-2020-325497. [PMID: 33850001 PMCID: PMC8292599 DOI: 10.1136/jnnp-2020-325497] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2020] [Revised: 02/16/2021] [Accepted: 03/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The clinical phenotype of the rare behavioural variant of Alzheimer's disease (bvAD) is insufficiently understood. Given the strong clinico-anatomical correlations of tau pathology in AD, we investigated the distribution of tau deposits in bvAD, in-vivo and ex-vivo, using positron emission tomography (PET) and postmortem examination. METHODS For the tau PET study, seven amyloid-β positive bvAD patients underwent [18F]flortaucipir or [18F]RO948 PET. We converted tau PET uptake values into standardised (W-)scores, adjusting for age, sex and mini mental state examination in a 'typical' memory-predominant AD (n=205) group. W-scores were computed within entorhinal, temporoparietal, medial and lateral prefrontal, insular and whole-brain regions-of-interest, frontal-to-entorhinal and frontal-to-parietal ratios and within intrinsic functional connectivity network templates. For the postmortem study, the percentage of AT8 (tau)-positive area in hippocampus CA1, temporal, parietal, frontal and insular cortices were compared between autopsy-confirmed patients with bvAD (n=8) and typical AD (tAD;n=7). RESULTS Individual regional W-scores ≥1.96 (corresponding to p<0.05) were observed in three cases, that is, case #5: medial prefrontal cortex (W=2.13) and anterior default mode network (W=3.79), case #2: lateral prefrontal cortex (W=2.79) and salience network (W=2.77), and case #7: frontal-to-entorhinal ratio (W=2.04). The remaining four cases fell within the normal distributions of the tAD group. Postmortem AT8 staining indicated no group-level regional differences in phosphorylated tau levels between bvAD and tAD (all p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS Both in-vivo and ex-vivo, patients with bvAD showed heterogeneous distributions of tau pathology. Since key regions involved in behavioural regulation were not consistently disproportionally affected by tau pathology, other factors are more likely driving the clinical phenotype in bvAD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ellen Singleton
- Alzheimer Center Amsterdam, Department of Neurology, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Vrije universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Oskar Hansson
- Clinical Memory Research Unit, Department of Clinical Sciences Malmö, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Yolande A L Pijnenburg
- Alzheimer Center Amsterdam, Department of Neurology, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Vrije universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Renaud La Joie
- Memory and Aging Center, Department of Neurology, Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - William G Mantyh
- Memory and Aging Center, Department of Neurology, Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Pontus Tideman
- Clinical Memory Research Unit, Department of Clinical Sciences Malmö, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
- Memory Clinic, Skåne University Hospital Lund, Lund, Sweden
| | - Erik Stomrud
- Clinical Memory Research Unit, Department of Clinical Sciences Malmö, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
- Memory Clinic, Skåne University Hospital Lund, Lund, Sweden
| | - Antoine Leuzy
- Clinical Memory Research Unit, Department of Clinical Sciences Malmö, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Maurits Johansson
- Clinical Memory Research Unit, Department of Clinical Sciences Malmö, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Olof Strandberg
- Clinical Memory Research Unit, Department of Clinical Sciences Malmö, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Ruben Smith
- Clinical Memory Research Unit, Department of Clinical Sciences Malmö, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Evi Berendrecht
- Alzheimer Center Amsterdam, Department of Neurology, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Vrije universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Bruce L Miller
- Memory and Aging Center, Department of Neurology, Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Leonardo Iaccarino
- Memory and Aging Center, Department of Neurology, Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
- In Vivo Human Molecular and Structural Neuroimaging Unit, Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Lauren Edwards
- Memory and Aging Center, Department of Neurology, Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Amelia Strom
- Memory and Aging Center, Department of Neurology, Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Emma E Wolters
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Vrije universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Emma Coomans
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Vrije universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Denise Visser
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Vrije universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Sandeep S V Golla
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Vrije universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Hayel Tuncel
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Vrije universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Femke Bouwman
- Alzheimer Center Amsterdam, Department of Neurology, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Vrije universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | | | - Janne M Papma
- Department of Neurology, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Bart van Berckel
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Vrije universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Philip Scheltens
- Alzheimer Center Amsterdam, Department of Neurology, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Vrije universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Anke A Dijkstra
- Department of Pathology, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Vrije universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Gil D Rabinovici
- Memory and Aging Center, Department of Neurology, Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Rik Ossenkoppele
- Alzheimer Center Amsterdam, Department of Neurology, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Vrije universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Clinical Memory Research Unit, Department of Clinical Sciences Malmö, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
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24
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Janssens J, Hermans B, Vandermeeren M, Barale-Thomas E, Borgers M, Willems R, Meulders G, Wintmolders C, Van den Bulck D, Bottelbergs A, Ver Donck L, Larsen P, Moechars D, Edwards W, Mercken M, Van Broeck B. Passive immunotherapy with a novel antibody against 3pE-modified Aβ demonstrates potential for enhanced efficacy and favorable safety in combination with BACE inhibitor treatment in plaque-depositing mice. Neurobiol Dis 2021; 154:105365. [PMID: 33848635 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2021.105365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2021] [Accepted: 04/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The imbalance between production and clearance of amyloid β (Aβ) peptides and their resulting accumulation in the brain is an early and crucial step in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Therefore, Aβ is strongly positioned as a promising and extensively validated therapeutic target for AD. Investigational disease-modifying approaches aiming at reducing cerebral Aβ concentrations include prevention of de novo production of Aβ through inhibition of β-site amyloid precursor protein cleaving enzyme 1 (BACE1), and clearance of Aβ deposits via passive Aβ immunotherapy. We have developed a novel, high affinity antibody against Aβ peptides bearing a pyroglutamate residue at amino acid position 3 (3pE), an Aβ species abundantly present in plaque deposits in AD brains. Here, we describe the preclinical characterization of this antibody, and demonstrate a significant reduction in amyloid burden in the absence of microhemorrhages in different mouse models with established plaque deposition. Moreover, we combined antibody treatment with chronic BACE1 inhibitor treatment and demonstrate significant clearance of pre-existing amyloid deposits in transgenic mouse brain, without induction of microhemorrhages and other histopathological findings. Together, these data confirm significant potential for the 3pE-specific antibody to be developed as a passive immunotherapy approach that balances efficacy and safety. Moreover, our studies suggest further enhanced treatment efficacy and favorable safety after combination of the 3pE-specific antibody with BACE1 inhibitor treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan Janssens
- Department of Neuroscience, Janssen Research & Development, A Division of Janssen Pharmaceutica NV, Beerse, Belgium
| | - Bart Hermans
- Department of Neuroscience, Janssen Research & Development, A Division of Janssen Pharmaceutica NV, Beerse, Belgium
| | - Marc Vandermeeren
- Department of Neuroscience, Janssen Research & Development, A Division of Janssen Pharmaceutica NV, Beerse, Belgium
| | - Erio Barale-Thomas
- Non-Clinical Science, Janssen Research & Development, A Division of Janssen Pharmaceutica NV, Beerse, Belgium
| | - Marianne Borgers
- Department of Neuroscience, Janssen Research & Development, A Division of Janssen Pharmaceutica NV, Beerse, Belgium
| | - Roland Willems
- Department of Neuroscience, Janssen Research & Development, A Division of Janssen Pharmaceutica NV, Beerse, Belgium
| | - Greet Meulders
- Department of Neuroscience, Janssen Research & Development, A Division of Janssen Pharmaceutica NV, Beerse, Belgium
| | - Cindy Wintmolders
- Department of Neuroscience, Janssen Research & Development, A Division of Janssen Pharmaceutica NV, Beerse, Belgium
| | - Dries Van den Bulck
- Department of Neuroscience, Janssen Research & Development, A Division of Janssen Pharmaceutica NV, Beerse, Belgium
| | - Astrid Bottelbergs
- Department of Neuroscience, Janssen Research & Development, A Division of Janssen Pharmaceutica NV, Beerse, Belgium
| | - Luc Ver Donck
- Department of Neuroscience, Janssen Research & Development, A Division of Janssen Pharmaceutica NV, Beerse, Belgium
| | - Peter Larsen
- Department of Neuroscience, Janssen Research & Development, A Division of Janssen Pharmaceutica NV, Beerse, Belgium
| | - Dieder Moechars
- Department of Neuroscience, Janssen Research & Development, A Division of Janssen Pharmaceutica NV, Beerse, Belgium
| | | | - Marc Mercken
- Department of Neuroscience, Janssen Research & Development, A Division of Janssen Pharmaceutica NV, Beerse, Belgium
| | - Bianca Van Broeck
- Department of Neuroscience, Janssen Research & Development, A Division of Janssen Pharmaceutica NV, Beerse, Belgium.
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The Neurovascular Unit Dysfunction in Alzheimer's Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22042022. [PMID: 33670754 PMCID: PMC7922832 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22042022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2020] [Revised: 01/06/2021] [Accepted: 01/11/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common neurodegenerative disease worldwide. Histopathologically, AD presents with two hallmarks: neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs), and aggregates of amyloid β peptide (Aβ) both in the brain parenchyma as neuritic plaques, and around blood vessels as cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA). According to the vascular hypothesis of AD, vascular risk factors can result in dysregulation of the neurovascular unit (NVU) and hypoxia. Hypoxia may reduce Aβ clearance from the brain and increase its production, leading to both parenchymal and vascular accumulation of Aβ. An increase in Aβ amplifies neuronal dysfunction, NFT formation, and accelerates neurodegeneration, resulting in dementia. In recent decades, therapeutic approaches have attempted to decrease the levels of abnormal Aβ or tau levels in the AD brain. However, several of these approaches have either been associated with an inappropriate immune response triggering inflammation, or have failed to improve cognition. Here, we review the pathogenesis and potential therapeutic targets associated with dysfunction of the NVU in AD.
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Kinetic fingerprints differentiate the mechanisms of action of anti-Aβ antibodies. Nat Struct Mol Biol 2020; 27:1125-1133. [PMID: 32989305 DOI: 10.1038/s41594-020-0505-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 111] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2020] [Accepted: 08/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
The amyloid cascade hypothesis, according to which the self-assembly of amyloid-β peptide (Aβ) is a causative process in Alzheimer's disease, has driven many therapeutic efforts for the past 20 years. Failures of clinical trials investigating Aβ-targeted therapies have been interpreted as evidence against this hypothesis, irrespective of the characteristics and mechanisms of action of the therapeutic agents, which are highly challenging to assess. Here, we combine kinetic analyses with quantitative binding measurements to address the mechanism of action of four clinical stage anti-Aβ antibodies, aducanumab, gantenerumab, bapineuzumab and solanezumab. We quantify the influence of these antibodies on the aggregation kinetics and on the production of oligomeric aggregates and link these effects to the affinity and stoichiometry of each antibody for monomeric and fibrillar forms of Aβ. Our results reveal that, uniquely among these four antibodies, aducanumab dramatically reduces the flux of Aβ oligomers.
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Hettmann T, Gillies SD, Kleinschmidt M, Piechotta A, Makioka K, Lemere CA, Schilling S, Rahfeld JU, Lues I. Development of the clinical candidate PBD-C06, a humanized pGlu3-Aβ-specific antibody against Alzheimer's disease with reduced complement activation. Sci Rep 2020; 10:3294. [PMID: 32094456 PMCID: PMC7040040 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-60319-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2019] [Accepted: 02/08/2020] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
In clinical trials with early Alzheimer's patients, administration of anti-amyloid antibodies reduced amyloid deposits, suggesting that immunotherapies may be promising disease-modifying interventions against Alzheimer's disease (AD). Specific forms of amyloid beta (Aβ) peptides, for example post-translationally modified Aβ peptides with a pyroglutamate at the N-terminus (pGlu3, pE3), are attractive antibody targets, due to pGlu3-Aβ's neo-epitope character and its propensity to form neurotoxic oligomeric aggregates. We have generated a novel anti-pGlu3-Aβ antibody, PBD-C06, which is based on a murine precursor antibody that binds with high specificity to pGlu3-Aβ monomers, oligomers and fibrils, including mixed aggregates of unmodified Aβ and pGlu3-Aβ peptides. PBD-C06 was generated by first grafting the murine antigen binding sequences onto suitable human variable light and heavy chains. Subsequently, the humanized antibody was de-immunized and site-specific mutations were introduced to restore original target binding, to eliminate complement activation and to improve protein stability. PBD-C06 binds with the same specificity and avidity as its murine precursor antibody and elimination of C1q binding did not compromise Fcγ-receptor binding or in vitro phagocytosis. Thus, PBD-C06 was specifically designed to target neurotoxic aggregates and to avoid complement-mediated inflammatory responses, in order to lower the risk for vasogenic edemas in the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thore Hettmann
- Vivoryon Therapeutics AG, Weinbergweg 22, 06120, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Stephen D Gillies
- Provenance Biopharmaceuticals, 70 Bedford Rd, Carlisle, MA, 01741, USA
| | - Martin Kleinschmidt
- Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Department Molecular Drug Biochemistry and Therapy, Weinbergweg 22, 06120, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Anke Piechotta
- Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Department Molecular Drug Biochemistry and Therapy, Weinbergweg 22, 06120, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Koki Makioka
- Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 60 Fenwood Road, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Cynthia A Lemere
- Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 60 Fenwood Road, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Stephan Schilling
- Vivoryon Therapeutics AG, Weinbergweg 22, 06120, Halle (Saale), Germany
- Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Department Molecular Drug Biochemistry and Therapy, Weinbergweg 22, 06120, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Jens-Ulrich Rahfeld
- Vivoryon Therapeutics AG, Weinbergweg 22, 06120, Halle (Saale), Germany.
- Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Department Molecular Drug Biochemistry and Therapy, Weinbergweg 22, 06120, Halle (Saale), Germany.
| | - Inge Lues
- Vivoryon Therapeutics AG, Weinbergweg 22, 06120, Halle (Saale), Germany
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