1
|
Tsering W, Prokop S. Neuritic Plaques - Gateways to Understanding Alzheimer's Disease. Mol Neurobiol 2024; 61:2808-2821. [PMID: 37940777 PMCID: PMC11043180 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-023-03736-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2023] [Accepted: 10/21/2023] [Indexed: 11/10/2023]
Abstract
Extracellular deposits of amyloid-β (Aβ) in the form of plaques are one of the main pathological hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Over the years, many different Aβ plaque morphologies such as neuritic plaques, dense cored plaques, cotton wool plaques, coarse-grain plaques, and diffuse plaques have been described in AD postmortem brain tissues, but correlation of a given plaque type with AD progression or AD symptoms is not clear. Furthermore, the exact trigger causing the development of one Aβ plaque morphological subtype over the other is still unknown. Here, we review the current knowledge about neuritic plaques, a subset of Aβ plaques surrounded by swollen or dystrophic neurites, which represent the most detrimental and consequential Aβ plaque morphology. Neuritic plaques have been associated with local immune activation, neuronal network dysfunction, and cognitive decline. Given that neuritic plaques are at the interface of Aβ deposition, tau aggregation, and local immune activation, we argue that understanding the exact mechanism of neuritic plaque formation is crucial to develop targeted therapies for AD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wangchen Tsering
- Center for Translational Research in Neurodegenerative Disease, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL, USA
- McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, USA
| | - Stefan Prokop
- Center for Translational Research in Neurodegenerative Disease, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA.
- McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, USA.
- Department of Pathology, University of Florida, Gainesville, USA.
- Fixel Institute for Neurological Diseases, University of Florida, Gainesville, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Su Y, Protas H, Luo J, Chen K, Alosco ML, Adler CH, Balcer LJ, Bernick C, Au R, Banks SJ, Barr WB, Coleman MJ, Dodick DW, Katz DI, Marek KL, McClean MD, McKee AC, Mez J, Daneshvar DH, Palmisano JN, Peskind ER, Turner RW, Wethe JV, Rabinovici G, Johnson K, Tripodis Y, Cummings JL, Shenton ME, Stern RA, Reiman EM. Flortaucipir tau PET findings from former professional and college American football players in the DIAGNOSE CTE research project. Alzheimers Dement 2024; 20:1827-1838. [PMID: 38134231 PMCID: PMC10984430 DOI: 10.1002/alz.13602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2023] [Revised: 10/27/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Tau is a key pathology in chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). Here, we report our findings in tau positron emission tomography (PET) measurements from the DIAGNOSE CTE Research Project. METHOD We compare flortaucipir PET measures from 104 former professional players (PRO), 58 former college football players (COL), and 56 same-age men without exposure to repetitive head impacts (RHI) or traumatic brain injury (unexposed [UE]); characterize their associations with RHI exposure; and compare players who did or did not meet diagnostic criteria for traumatic encephalopathy syndrome (TES). RESULTS Significantly elevated flortaucipir uptake was observed in former football players (PRO+COL) in prespecified regions (p < 0.05). Association between regional flortaucipir uptake and estimated cumulative head impact exposure was only observed in the superior frontal region in former players over 60 years old. Flortaucipir PET was not able to differentiate TES groups. DISCUSSION Additional studies are needed to further understand tau pathology in CTE and other individuals with a history of RHI.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yi Su
- Banner Alzheimer's Institute and Arizona Alzheimer's ConsortiumPhoenixArizonaUSA
| | - Hillary Protas
- Banner Alzheimer's Institute and Arizona Alzheimer's ConsortiumPhoenixArizonaUSA
| | - Ji Luo
- Banner Alzheimer's Institute and Arizona Alzheimer's ConsortiumPhoenixArizonaUSA
| | - Kewei Chen
- Banner Alzheimer's Institute and Arizona Alzheimer's ConsortiumPhoenixArizonaUSA
| | - Michael L. Alosco
- Department of NeurologyBoston University Alzheimer's Disease Research CenterBoston University CTE CenterBoston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of MedicineBostonMassachusettsUSA
| | - Charles H. Adler
- Department of NeurologyMayo Clinic College of Medicine, Mayo Clinic ArizonaScottsdaleArizonaUSA
| | - Laura J. Balcer
- Departments of NeurologyNYU Grossman School of MedicineNew YorkNew YorkUSA
- Department of Population Health and OphthalmologyNYU Grossman School of MedicineNew YorkNew YorkUSA
| | - Charles Bernick
- Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain HealthLas VegasNevadaUSA
- Department of NeurologyUniversity of WashingtonSeattleWashingtonUSA
| | - Rhoda Au
- Department of NeurologyBoston University Alzheimer's Disease Research CenterBoston University CTE CenterBoston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of MedicineBostonMassachusettsUSA
- Framingham Heart StudyFraminghamMassachusettsUSA
- Slone Epidemiology Center; Departments of Anatomy & Neurobiology, Neurology, and MedicineDepartment of EpidemiologyBoston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine; Boston University School of Public HealthBostonMassachusettsUSA
| | - Sarah J. Banks
- Departments of Neuroscience and PsychiatryUniversity of CaliforniaSan DiegoCaliforniaUSA
| | - William B. Barr
- Departments of NeurologyNYU Grossman School of MedicineNew YorkNew YorkUSA
| | - Michael J. Coleman
- Departments of Psychiatry and RadiologyPsychiatry Neuroimaging LaboratoryBrigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical SchoolBostonMassachusettsUSA
| | - David W. Dodick
- Department of NeurologyMayo Clinic College of Medicine, Mayo Clinic ArizonaScottsdaleArizonaUSA
| | - Douglas I. Katz
- Department of NeurologyBoston University Alzheimer's Disease Research CenterBoston University CTE CenterBoston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of MedicineBostonMassachusettsUSA
- Encompass Health Braintree Rehabilitation HospitalBraintreeMassachusettsUSA
| | - Kenneth L. Marek
- Institute for Neurodegenerative Disorders, Invicro, LLCNew HavenConnecticutUSA
| | - Michael D. McClean
- Department of Environmental HealthBoston University School of Public HealthBostonMassachusettsUSA
| | - Ann C. McKee
- Department of NeurologyBoston University Alzheimer's Disease Research CenterBoston University CTE CenterBoston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of MedicineBostonMassachusettsUSA
- VA Boston Healthcare SystemBostonMassachusettsUSA
| | - Jesse Mez
- Department of NeurologyBoston University Alzheimer's Disease Research CenterBoston University CTE CenterBoston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of MedicineBostonMassachusettsUSA
- Framingham Heart StudyFraminghamMassachusettsUSA
| | - Daniel H. Daneshvar
- Department of Physical Medicine & RehabilitationMassachusetts General Hospital, Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, Harvard Medical SchoolCharlestownMassachusettsUSA
| | - Joseph N. Palmisano
- Boston University Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, Boston University CTE Center, Biostatistics and Epidemiology Data Analytics Center (BEDAC), Boston University School of Public HealthBostonMassachusettsUSA
| | - Elaine R. Peskind
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral SciencesVA Northwest Mental Illness Research, Education, and Clinical Center, VA Puget Sound Health Care System; University of Washington School of MedicineSeattleWashingtonUSA
| | - Robert W. Turner
- Department of Clinical Research & LeadershipThe George Washington University School of Medicine & Health SciencesWashingtonDistrict of ColumbiaUSA
| | - Jennifer V. Wethe
- Department of Psychiatry and PsychologyMayo Clinic School of Medicine, Mayo Clinic ArizonaScottsdaleArizonaUSA
| | - Gil Rabinovici
- Department of NeurologyUniversity of California San FranciscoSan FranciscoCaliforniaUSA
| | - Keith Johnson
- Gordon Center for Medical Imaging, Mass General Research Institute, Harvard Medical SchoolBostonMassachusettsUSA
| | - Yorghos Tripodis
- Department of NeurologyBoston University Alzheimer's Disease Research CenterBoston University CTE CenterBoston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of MedicineBostonMassachusettsUSA
- Department of BiostatisticsBoston University School of Public HealthBostonMassachusettsUSA
| | - Jeffrey L. Cummings
- Department of Brain HealthChambers‐Grundy Center for Transformative NeuroscienceSchool of Integrated Health Sciences, University of Nevada Las VegasLas VegasNevadaUSA
| | - Martha E. Shenton
- Departments of Psychiatry and RadiologyPsychiatry Neuroimaging LaboratoryBrigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical SchoolBostonMassachusettsUSA
| | - Robert A. Stern
- Department of NeurologyBoston University Alzheimer's Disease Research CenterBoston University CTE CenterBoston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of MedicineBostonMassachusettsUSA
| | - Eric M. Reiman
- Banner Alzheimer's Institute and Arizona Alzheimer's ConsortiumPhoenixArizonaUSA
- University of Arizona, Arizona State University, Translational Genomics Research InstitutePhoenixArizonaUSA
| | | |
Collapse
|
3
|
Yadikar H, Johnson C, Pafundi N, Nguyen L, Kurup M, Torres I, Al-Enezy A, Yang Z, Yost R, Kobeissy FH, Wang KKW. Neurobiochemical, Peptidomic, and Bioinformatic Approaches to Characterize Tauopathy Peptidome Biomarker Candidates in Experimental Mouse Model of Traumatic Brain Injury. Mol Neurobiol 2023; 60:2295-2319. [PMID: 36635478 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-022-03165-y] [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: 03/21/2022] [Accepted: 12/10/2022] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a multidimensional damage, and currently, no FDA-approved medicine is available. Multiple pathways in the cell are triggered through a head injury (e.g., calpain and caspase activation), which truncate tau and generate variable fragment sizes (MW 400-45,000 K). In this study, we used an open-head TBI mouse model generated by controlled cortical impact (CCI) and collected ipsilateral (IC) and contralateral (CC) mice htau brain cortices at one (D1) three (D3), and seven (D7) days post-injury. We implemented immunological (antibody-based detection) and peptidomic approaches (nano-reversed-phase liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry) to investigate proteolytic tau peptidome (low molecular weight (LMW) < 10 K)) and pathological phosphorylation sites (high-molecular-weight (HMW); > 10 K) derived from CCI-TBI animal models. Our immunoblotting analysis verified tau hyperphosphorylation, HMW, and HMW breakdown products (HMW-BDP) formation of tau (e.g., pSer202, pThr181, pThr231, pSer396, and pSer404), following CCI-TBI. Peptidomic data revealed unique sequences of injury-dependent proteolytic peptides generated from human tau protein. Among the N-terminal tau peptides, EIPEGTTAEEAGIGDTPSLEDEAAGHVTQA (a.a. 96-125) and AQPHTEIPEGTTAEEAGIGDTPSLEDEAAGHVTQARM (a.a. 91-127). Examples of tau C-terminal peptides identified include NVSSTGSIDMVDSPQLATLADEVSASLAKQGL (a.a. 410-441) and QLATLADEVSASLAKQGL (a.a. 424-441). Our peptidomic bioinformatic tools showed the association of proteases, such as CAPN1, CAPN2, and CTSL; CASP1, MMP7, and MMP9; and ELANE, GZMA, and MEP1A, in CCI-TBI tau peptidome. In clinical trials for novel TBI treatments, it might be useful to monitor a subset of tau peptidome as targets for biomarker utility and use them for a "theranostic" approach.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hamad Yadikar
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Kuwait University, Kuwait, Kuwait.
| | - Connor Johnson
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Kuwait University, Kuwait, Kuwait
| | - Niko Pafundi
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Kuwait University, Kuwait, Kuwait
| | - Lynn Nguyen
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Kuwait University, Kuwait, Kuwait
| | - Milin Kurup
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Kuwait University, Kuwait, Kuwait
| | - Isabel Torres
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Kuwait University, Kuwait, Kuwait
| | - Albandery Al-Enezy
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Kuwait University, Kuwait, Kuwait
| | - Zhihui Yang
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Kuwait University, Kuwait, Kuwait
| | - Richard Yost
- Department of Chemistry, Chemistry Laboratory Building, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA
| | - Firas H Kobeissy
- Program for Neurotrauma, Neuroproteomics & Biomarkers Research, Departments of Emergency Medicine, Psychiatry, Neuroscience and Chemistry, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA. .,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon. .,Morehouse School of Medicine, Department of Neurobiology, Center for Neurotrauma, Multiomics & Biomarkers (CNMB), 720 Westview Dr. SW, Atlanta, GA, 30310, USA.
| | - Kevin K W Wang
- Program for Neurotrauma, Neuroproteomics & Biomarkers Research, Departments of Emergency Medicine, Psychiatry, Neuroscience and Chemistry, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA. .,Morehouse School of Medicine, Department of Neurobiology, Center for Neurotrauma, Multiomics & Biomarkers (CNMB), 720 Westview Dr. SW, Atlanta, GA, 30310, USA. .,Brain Rehabilitation Research Center, Malcom Randall VA Medical Center, Gainesville, FL, 32608, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Knutsen AK, Vidhate S, McIlvain G, Luster J, Galindo EJ, Johnson CL, Pham DL, Butman JA, Mejia-Alvarez R, Tartis M, Willis AM. Characterization of material properties and deformation in the ANGUS phantom during mild head impacts using MRI. J Mech Behav Biomed Mater 2023; 138:105586. [PMID: 36516544 PMCID: PMC10169236 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmbbm.2022.105586] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2022] [Revised: 09/26/2022] [Accepted: 11/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a major health concern affecting both military and civilian populations. Despite notable advances in TBI research in recent years, there remains a significant gap in linking the impulsive loadings from a blast or a blunt impact to the clinical injury patterns observed in TBI. Synthetic head models or phantoms can be used to establish this link as they can be constructed with geometry, anatomy, and material properties that match the human brain, and can be used as an alternative to animal models. This study presents one such phantom called the Anthropomorphic Neurologic Gyrencephalic Unified Standard (ANGUS) phantom, which is an idealized gyrencephalic brain phantom composed of polyacrylamide gel. Here we mechanically characterized the ANGUS phantom using tagged magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and magnetic resonance elastography (MRE), and then compared the outcomes to data obtained in healthy volunteers. The direct comparison between the phantom's response and the data from a cohort of in vivo human subjects demonstrate that the ANGUS phantom may be an appropriate model for bulk tissue response and gyral dynamics of the human brain under small amplitude linear impulses. However, the phantom's response differs from that of the in vivo human brain under rotational impacts, suggesting avenues for future improvements to the phantom.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Andrew K Knutsen
- Center for Neuroscience and Regenerative Medicine, The Henry M Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Bethesda, MD, 20814, USA
| | - Suhas Vidhate
- Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Clinical Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA.
| | - Grace McIlvain
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, 19716, USA
| | - Josh Luster
- Department of Neurology, Brooke Army Medical Center, Fort Sam Houston, TX, 78234, USA
| | - Eric J Galindo
- Department of Chemical Engineering, New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology, Socorro, NM, 87801, USA
| | - Curtis L Johnson
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, DE, 19716, USA
| | - Dzung L Pham
- Center for Neuroscience and Regenerative Medicine, The Henry M Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Bethesda, MD, 20814, USA
| | - John A Butman
- Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Clinical Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Ricardo Mejia-Alvarez
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 48824, USA
| | - Michaelann Tartis
- Department of Chemical Engineering, New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology, Socorro, NM, 87801, USA
| | - Adam M Willis
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 48824, USA; 59th Medical Wing, Office of the Chief Scientist, Lackland AFB, TX, 78236, USA
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Fiock KL, Betters RK, Hefti MM. Thioflavin S Staining and Amyloid Formation Are Unique to Mixed Tauopathies. J Histochem Cytochem 2023; 71:73-86. [PMID: 36861683 PMCID: PMC10071402 DOI: 10.1369/00221554231158428] [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: 09/01/2022] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 03/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Tau phosphorylation, aggregation, and toxicity are the main drivers of neurodegeneration in multiple tauopathies, including Alzheimer's disease (AD) and frontotemporal lobar degeneration with tau. Although aggregation and amyloid formation are often assumed to be synonymous, the ability of tau aggregates in different diseases to form amyloids in vivo has not been systematically studied. We used the amyloid dye Thioflavin S to look at tau aggregates in mixed tauopathies such as AD and primary age-related tauopathy, as well as pure 3R or 4R tauopathies such as Pick's disease, progressive supranuclear palsy, and corticobasal degeneration. We found that aggregates of tau protein only form thioflavin-positive amyloids in mixed (3R/4R), but not pure (3R or 4R), tauopathies. Interestingly, neither astrocytic nor neuronal tau pathology was thioflavin-positive in pure tauopathies. As most current positron emission tomography tracers are based on thioflavin derivatives, this suggests that they may be more useful for differential diagnosis than the identification of a general tauopathy. Our findings also suggest that thioflavin staining may have utility as an alternative to traditional antibody staining for distinguishing between tau aggregates in patients with multiple pathologies and that the mechanisms for tau toxicity may differ between different tauopathies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kimberly L. Fiock
- Department of Pathology, University of Iowa,
Iowa City, Iowa
- Experimental Pathology Graduate Program,
University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa
- Iowa Neuroscience Institute, Iowa City,
Iowa
| | - Ryan K. Betters
- Department of Pathology, University of Iowa,
Iowa City, Iowa
- Interdisciplinary Neuroscience Graduate
Program, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa
- Iowa Neuroscience Institute, Iowa City,
Iowa
| | - Marco M. Hefti
- Department of Pathology, University of Iowa,
Iowa City, Iowa
- Experimental Pathology Graduate Program,
University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa
- Iowa Neuroscience Institute, Iowa City,
Iowa
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Baronti D, Tomov N, Hupp S, Mitchell TJ, Iliev AI. Dendritic spine loss deep in the neocortex and dendrite distortion with diffusion disturbances occur early in experimental pneumococcal meningitis. Front Neurosci 2023; 16:912445. [PMID: 36704002 PMCID: PMC9871924 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.912445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2022] [Accepted: 12/20/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus) meningitis is a serious disease with substantial lethality and long-term disability in survivors. Loss of synaptic staining in the superficial layers of the neocortex in rodent models and in humans, and pneumolysin (a major pneumococcal toxin)-dependent dendritic spine collapse in brain slices have been described. It remains unclear how deep in the neocortex more discrete changes are present, how soon after disease onset these changes occur, and whether other properties of dendrites are also affected. Methods Using a mouse model of pneumococcal meningitis, we studied changes in the neocortex shortly (3-6 h) after the onset of clinical symptoms via modified Golgi-Cox silver staining. Results Dendritic changes were present in areas with otherwise unchanged cell numbers and no signs of necrosis or other apparent neuronal pathology. Mature dendritic spines were reduced in the pyramidal neurons running through layers 1-5. Additionally, spine morphology changes (swelling, spine neck distortion), were also observed in the deeper layers 4 and 5 of the neocortex. Immature spines (filopodia) remained unchanged between groups, as well as the dendritic arborization of the analyzed neurons. In a third of the animals with meningitis, massive mechanical distortion of the primary dendrites of most of the pyramidal neurons through layers 1-5 was observed. This distortion was reproduced in acute brain slices after exposure to pneumolysin-containing bacterial lysates (S. pneumoniae D39 strain), but not to lysates of pneumolysin-deficient bacteria, which we explain by the tissue remodeling effect of the toxin. Experimental mechanical dendrite distortion in primary neural cultures demonstrated diminished FRAP diffusion of neuronally-expressed enhanced green fluorescent protein (eGFP), indicative of disturbed dendritic diffusion. Discussion Our work extends earlier knowledge of synaptic loss in the superficial cortical layers during meningitis to deeper layers. These changes occurred surprisingly early in the course of the disease, substantially limiting the effective therapeutic window. Methodologically, we demonstrate that the dendritic spine collapse readout is a highly reliable and early marker of neural damage in pneumococcal meningitis models, allowing for reduction of the total number of animals used per a group due to much lower variation among animals.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dario Baronti
- Institute of Anatomy, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Nikola Tomov
- Institute of Anatomy, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Sabrina Hupp
- Institute of Anatomy, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Timothy J. Mitchell
- School of Immunity and Infection, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Asparouh I. Iliev
- Institute of Anatomy, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland,*Correspondence: Asparouh I. Iliev,
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Kelley CM, Ginsberg SD, Liang WS, Counts SE, Mufson EJ. Posterior cingulate cortex reveals an expression profile of resilience in cognitively intact elders. Brain Commun 2022; 4:fcac162. [PMID: 35813880 PMCID: PMC9263888 DOI: 10.1093/braincomms/fcac162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2022] [Revised: 05/12/2022] [Accepted: 06/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The posterior cingulate cortex, a key hub of the default mode network, underlies autobiographical memory retrieval and displays hypometabolic changes early in Alzheimer disease. To obtain an unbiased understanding of the molecular pathobiology of the aged posterior cingulate cortex, we performed RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) on tissue obtained from 26 participants of the Rush Religious Orders Study (11 males/15 females; aged 76-96 years) with a pre-mortem clinical diagnosis of no cognitive impairment and post-mortem neurofibrillary tangle Braak Stages I/II, III, and IV. Transcriptomic data were gathered using next-generation sequencing of RNA extracted from posterior cingulate cortex generating an average of 60 million paired reads per subject. Normalized expression of RNA-seq data was calculated using a global gene annotation and a microRNA profile. Differential expression (DESeq2, edgeR) using Braak staging as the comparison structure isolated genes for dimensional scaling, associative network building and functional clustering. Curated genes were correlated with the Mini-Mental State Examination and semantic, working and episodic memory, visuospatial ability, and a composite Global Cognitive Score. Regulatory mechanisms were determined by co-expression networks with microRNAs and an overlap of transcription factor binding sites. Analysis revealed 750 genes and 12 microRNAs significantly differentially expressed between Braak Stages I/II and III/IV and an associated six groups of transcription factor binding sites. Inputting significantly different gene/network data into a functional annotation clustering model revealed elevated presynaptic, postsynaptic and ATP-related expression in Braak Stages III and IV compared with Stages I/II, suggesting these pathways are integral for cognitive resilience seen in unimpaired elderly subjects. Principal component analysis and Kruskal-Wallis testing did not associate Braak stage with cognitive function. However, Spearman correlations between genes and cognitive test scores followed by network analysis revealed upregulation of classes of synaptic genes positively associated with performance on the visuospatial perceptual orientation domain. Upregulation of key synaptic genes suggests a role for these transcripts and associated synaptic pathways in cognitive resilience seen in elders despite Alzheimer disease pathology and dementia.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Christy M Kelley
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, Barrow Neurological Institute, St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center, Phoenix, AZ 85013, USA
- Department of Neurology, Barrow Neurological Institute, St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center, Phoenix, AZ 85013, USA
| | - Stephen D Ginsberg
- Center for Dementia Research, Nathan Kline Institute, Orangeburg, NY 10962, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
- Department of Neuroscience & Physiology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
- NYU Neuroscience Institute, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Winnie S Liang
- Translational Genomics Research Institute, Phoenix, AZ 85004, USA
| | - Scott E Counts
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, Michigan State University College of Human Medicine, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, USA
- Department of Family Medicine, Michigan State University College of Human Medicine, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, USA
| | - Elliott J Mufson
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, Barrow Neurological Institute, St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center, Phoenix, AZ 85013, USA
- Department of Neurology, Barrow Neurological Institute, St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center, Phoenix, AZ 85013, USA
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Moyron RB, Vallejos PA, Fuller RN, Dean N, Wall NR. Neuroimaging and advanced research techniques may lead to improved outcomes in military members suffering from traumatic brain injury. Trauma Surg Acute Care Open 2021; 6:e000608. [PMID: 33490604 PMCID: PMC7797256 DOI: 10.1136/tsaco-2020-000608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2020] [Revised: 12/07/2020] [Accepted: 12/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent military conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan have resulted in the significant increase in blast-related traumatic brain injury (TBI), leading to increased Department of Defense interest in its potential long-term effects ranging from the mildest head injuries termed subconcussive trauma to the most debilitating termed chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). Most patients with mild TBI will recover quickly while others report persistent symptoms called postconcussive syndrome. Repeated concussive and subconcussive head injuries result in neurodegenerative conditions that may hinder the injured for years. Fundamental questions about the nature of these injuries and recovery remain unanswered. Clinically, patients with CTE present with either affective changes or cognitive impairment. Genetically, there have been no clear risk factors identified. The discovery that microglia of the cerebral cortex discharged small extracellular vesicles in the injured and adjacent regions to a TBI may soon shed light on the immediate impact injury mechanisms. The combination of neuroimaging and advanced research techniques may, one day, fill critical knowledge gaps and lead to significant TBI research and treatment advancements.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ron B Moyron
- Department of Basic Sciences, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, California, USA
| | - Paul A Vallejos
- Department of Basic Sciences, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, California, USA
| | - Ryan N Fuller
- Department of Basic Sciences, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, California, USA
| | - Natasha Dean
- Department of Biology, La Sierra University, Riverside, California, USA
| | - Nathan R Wall
- Department of Basic Sciences, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, California, USA
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Abstract
Due to the growing number of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) cases in the military and contact sports, defining the cellular and molecular substrate of this disorder is crucial. Most classic neuropathological investigations describe cortical tau and, to a lesser extent, amyloid lesions, which may underlie the clinical sequela associated with CTE. The application of modern molecular biologic technology to postmortem human brain tissue has made it possible to evaluate the genetic signature of specific neuronal phenotypes at different stages of CTE pathology. Most recently, molecular pathobiology has been used in the field of CTE, with an emphasis on the cholinergic neurons located within the nucleus basalis of Meynert, which develop tau pathology and are associated with cognitive dysfunction similar to that found in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Quantitative findings derived from single-cell transcript investigations provide clues to our understanding of the selective vulnerability of neurons containing AD-like tau pathology at different stages of CTE. Since human tissue-based studies provide a gold standard for the field of CTE, continued molecular pathological studies are needed to reveal novel drug targets for the treatment of this disorder.
Collapse
|
10
|
Albayram O, Albayram S, Mannix R. Chronic traumatic encephalopathy-a blueprint for the bridge between neurological and psychiatric disorders. Transl Psychiatry 2020; 10:424. [PMID: 33293571 PMCID: PMC7723988 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-020-01111-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2020] [Revised: 10/21/2020] [Accepted: 11/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) is a perplexing condition characterized by a broad and diverse range of neuropathology and psychopathology. While there are no agreed upon or validated clinical criteria for CTE, case series of CTE have described a wide range of neuropsychiatric symptoms that have been attributed to repetitive traumatic brain injuries (rTBI). However, the direct links between the psychopathology of psychiatric and neurological conditions from rTBI to CTE remains poorly understood. Prior studies suggest that repetitive cerebral injuries are associated with damage to neural circuitry involved in emotional and memory processes, but these studies do not offer longitudinal assessments that prove causation. More recent studies on novel targets, such as transmission of misfolded proteins, as well as newly advanced non-invasive imaging techniques may offer more direct evidence of the pathogenesis of CTE by tracing the progression of pathology and display of related behavioral impairments. Understanding this interface in the context of rTBI can play an important role in future approaches to the definition, assessment, prevention, and treatment of CTE and mental illnesses.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Onder Albayram
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA.
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA.
| | - Sait Albayram
- Department of Radiology, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA
| | - Rebekkah Mannix
- Division of Emergency Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Shi YB, Tu T, Jiang J, Zhang QL, Ai JQ, Pan A, Manavis J, Tu E, Yan XX. Early Dendritic Dystrophy in Human Brains With Primary Age-Related Tauopathy. Front Aging Neurosci 2020; 12:596894. [PMID: 33364934 PMCID: PMC7750631 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2020.596894] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2020] [Accepted: 11/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Dystrophic neurites (DNs) are found in many neurological conditions such as traumatic brain injury and age-related neurodegenerative diseases. In Alzheimer's disease (AD) specifically, senile plaques containing silver-stained DNs were already described in the original literature defining this disease. These DNs could be both axonal and dendritic in origin, while axonal dystrophy relative to plaque formation has been more extensively studied. Here, we demonstrate an early occurrence of dendritic dystrophy in the hippocampal CA1 and subicular regions in human brains (n = 23) with primary age-related tauopathy (PART), with neurofibrillary tangle (NFT) burden ranging from Braak stages I to III in the absence of cerebral β-amyloid (Aβ) deposition. In Bielschowsky's silver stain, segmented fusiform swellings on the apical dendrites of hippocampal and subicular pyramidal neurons were observed in all the cases, primarily over the stratum radiatum (s.r.). The numbers of silver-stained neuronal somata and dendritic swellings counted over CA1 to subiculum were positively correlated among the cases. Swollen dendritic processes were also detected in sections immunolabeled for phosphorylated tau (pTau) and sortilin. In aged and AD brains with both Aβ and pTau pathologies, silver- and immunolabeled dystrophic-like dendritic profiles occurred around and within individual neuritic plaques. These findings implicate that dendritic dystrophy can occur among hippocampal pyramidal neurons in human brains with PART. Therefore, as with the case of axonal dystrophy reported in literature, dendritic dystrophy can develop prior to Alzheimer-type plaque and tangle formation in the human brain.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yan-Bin Shi
- Medical Doctor Program, Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Tian Tu
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Juan Jiang
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Qi-Lei Zhang
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Jia-Qi Ai
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Aihua Pan
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Jim Manavis
- Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Ewen Tu
- Department of Neurology, Brain Hospital of Hunan Province, Changsha, China
| | - Xiao-Xin Yan
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, China
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Honig MG, Dorian CC, Worthen JD, Micetich AC, Mulder IA, Sanchez KB, Pierce WF, Del Mar NA, Reiner A. Progressive long-term spatial memory loss following repeat concussive and subconcussive brain injury in mice, associated with dorsal hippocampal neuron loss, microglial phenotype shift, and vascular abnormalities. Eur J Neurosci 2020; 54:5844-5879. [PMID: 32090401 PMCID: PMC7483557 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.14711] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2019] [Revised: 02/18/2020] [Accepted: 02/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
There is considerable concern about the long‐term deleterious effects of repeat head trauma on cognition, but little is known about underlying mechanisms and pathology. To examine this, we delivered four air blasts to the left side of the mouse cranium, a week apart, with an intensity that causes deficits when delivered singly and considered “concussive,” or an intensity that does not yield significant deficits when delivered singly and considered “subconcussive.” Neither repeat concussive nor subconcussive blast produced spatial memory deficits at 4 months, but both yielded deficits at 14 months, and dorsal hippocampal neuron loss. Hierarchical cluster analysis of dorsal hippocampal microglia across the three groups based on morphology and expression of MHCII, CX3CR1, CD68 and IBA1 revealed five distinct phenotypes. Types 1A and 1B microglia were more common in sham mice, linked to better neuron survival and memory, and appeared mildly activated. By contrast, 2B and 2C microglia were more common in repeat concussive and subconcussive mice, linked to poorer neuron survival and memory, and characterized by low expression levels and attenuated processes, suggesting they were de‐activated and dysfunctional. In addition, endothelial cells in repeat concussive mice exhibited reduced CD31 and eNOS expression, which was correlated with the prevalence of type 2B and 2C microglia. Our findings suggest that both repeat concussive and subconcussive head injury engender progressive pathogenic processes, possibly through sustained effects on microglia that over time lead to increased prevalence of dysfunctional microglia, adversely affecting neurons and blood vessels, and thereby driving neurodegeneration and memory decline.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marcia G Honig
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Conor C Dorian
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - John D Worthen
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Anthony C Micetich
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Isabelle A Mulder
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Katelyn B Sanchez
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - William F Pierce
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Nobel A Del Mar
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Anton Reiner
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, USA.,Department of Ophthalmology, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, USA
| |
Collapse
|