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Lorenzini L, Zanella L, Sannia M, Baldassarro VA, Moretti M, Cescatti M, Quadalti C, Baldi S, Bartolucci G, Di Gloria L, Ramazzotti M, Clavenzani P, Costanzini A, De Giorgio R, Amedei A, Calzà L, Giardino L. Experimental colitis in young Tg2576 mice accelerates the onset of an Alzheimer's-like clinical phenotype. Alzheimers Res Ther 2024; 16:116. [PMID: 38773640 PMCID: PMC11110243 DOI: 10.1186/s13195-024-01471-2] [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: 02/14/2024] [Accepted: 05/01/2024] [Indexed: 05/24/2024]
Abstract
Systemic inflammation and neuroinflammation affect the natural course of the sporadic form of Alzheimer's disease (AD), as supported by epidemiological and preclinical data, and several epidemiological studies indicate a higher prevalence of AD in patients with inflammatory bowel disease. In this study, we explored whether colitis induced by dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) in young, presymptomatic/preplaque mice worsens and/or anticipates age-dependent cognitive impairment in Tg2576, a widely used mouse model of AD. We demonstrated that DSS colitis induced in young Tg2576 mice anticipates the onset age of learning and memory deficit in the Morris water maze test. To explore potential mechanisms behind the acceleration of cognitive decline in Tg2576 mice by DSS colitis, we focused on gut microbiota, systemic inflammation and neuroinflammation markers. We observed a Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio change in Tg2576 DSS animals comparable to that of elderly Tg2576 mice, suggesting accelerated microbiota aging in Tg2576 DSS mice, a change not observed in C57BL6 DSS mice. We also observed substantial differences between Tg2576 and WT mice in several inflammation and neuroinflammation-related parameters as early as 3 months of age, well before plaque deposition, a picture which evolved rapidly (between 3 and 5.5 months of age) in contrast to Tg2576 and WT littermates not treated with DSS. In detail, following induction of DSS colitis, WT and Tg2576 mice exhibited contrasting features in the expression level of inflammation-evoked astrocyte-associated genes in the hippocampus. No changes in microglial features occurred in the hippocampus between the experimental groups, whereas a reduced glial fibrillary acidic protein immunoreactivity was observed in Tg2576 vs. WT mice. This finding may reflect an atrophic, "loss-of-function" profile, further exacerbated by DSS where a decreased of GFAP mRNA expression level was detected. In conclusion, we suggest that as-yet unidentified peripheral mediators evoked by DSS colitis and involving the gut-brain axis emphasize an astrocyte "loss-of-function" profile present in young Tg2576 mice, leading to impaired synaptic morphological and functional integrity as a very early sign of AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luca Lorenzini
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences (DIMEVET), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Zanella
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences (DIMEVET), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | | | | | - Marzia Moretti
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences (DIMEVET), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | | | - Corinne Quadalti
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology (FaBiT), University of Bologna, Via Tolara di Sopra 41/E, Bologna, 40064, Ozzano Emilia, Italy
| | - Simone Baldi
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Gianluca Bartolucci
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health NEUROFARBA, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Leandro Di Gloria
- Department of Biomedical, Experimental and Clinical Sciences "Mario Serio", University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Matteo Ramazzotti
- Department of Biomedical, Experimental and Clinical Sciences "Mario Serio", University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Paolo Clavenzani
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences (DIMEVET), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Anna Costanzini
- Department of Translational Medicine, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Roberto De Giorgio
- Department of Translational Medicine, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Amedeo Amedei
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Laura Calzà
- Department of Pharmacy and Biotechnology (FaBiT), University of Bologna, Via Tolara di Sopra 41/E, Bologna, 40064, Ozzano Emilia, Italy.
| | - Luciana Giardino
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences (DIMEVET), University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
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Kaar A, Weir MP, Rae MG. Altered neuronal group 1 metabotropic glutamate receptor- and endoplasmic reticulum-mediated Ca 2+ signaling in two rodent models of Alzheimer's disease. Neurosci Lett 2024; 823:137664. [PMID: 38309326 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2024.137664] [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: 06/12/2023] [Revised: 01/15/2024] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 02/05/2024]
Abstract
Calcium mobilization from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) induced by, for example, IP3 receptor (IP3R) stimulation, and its subsequent crosstalk with extracellular Ca2+ influx mediated through voltage-gated calcium channels (VGCCs) and neuronal store-operated calcium entry (nSOCE), is essential for normal neuronal signaling and cellular homeostasis. However, several studies suggest that chronic calcium dysregulation may play a key role in the onset and/or progression of neurodegenerative conditions, particularly Alzheimer's disease (AD). Here, using early postnatal hippocampal tissue from two transgenic murine models of AD, we provide further evidence that not only are crucial calcium signaling pathways dysregulated, but also that such dysregulation occurs at very early stages of development. Utilizing epifluorescence calcium imaging, we investigated ER-, nSOCE- and VGCC-mediated calcium signaling in cultured primary hippocampal neurons from two transgenic rodent models of AD: 3xTg-AD mice (PS1M146V/APPSWE/TauP301L) and TgF344-AD rats (APPSWE/PS1ΔE9) between 2 and 9 days old. Our results reveal that, in comparison to control hippocampal neurons, those from 3xTg-AD mice possessed significantly greater basal ER calcium levels, as measured by larger responses to I-mGluR-mediated ER Ca2+ mobilization (amplitude; 4 (0-19) vs 21(12-36) a.u., non-Tg vs 3xTg-AD; median difference (95 % Cl) = 14 a.u. (11-18); p = 0.004)) but reduced nSOCE (15 (4-22) vs 8(5-11) a.u., non-Tg vs 3xTg-AD; median difference (95 % Cl) = -7 a.u. (-3- -10 a.u.); p < 0.0001). Furthermore, unlike non-Tg neurons, where depolarization enhanced the amplitude, duration and area under the curve (A.U.C.) of I-mGluR-evoked ER-mediated calcium signals when compared with basal conditions, this was not apparent in 3xTg-AD neurons. Whilst the amplitude of depolarization-enhanced I-mGluR-evoked ER-mediated calcium signals from both non-Tg F344 and TgF344-AD neurons was significantly enhanced relative to basal conditions, the A.U.C. and duration of responses were enhanced significantly upon depolarization in non-Tg F344, but not in TgF344-AD, neurons. Overall, the nature of basal I-mGluR-mediated calcium responses did not differ significantly between non-Tg F344 and TgF344-AD neurons. In summary, our results characterizing ER- and nSOCE-mediated calcium signaling in neurons demonstrate that ER Ca2+ dyshomeostasis is an early and potentially pathogenic event in familial AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aidan Kaar
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, University College Cork, Western Gateway Building, Cork, Ireland
| | - Megan P Weir
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, University College Cork, Western Gateway Building, Cork, Ireland
| | - Mark G Rae
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, University College Cork, Western Gateway Building, Cork, Ireland.
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Miller MR, Lariviere L, Pagnier GJ, Aygar S, Wieckiewicz N, Maesako M, Bacskai BJ, Kastanenka KV. NB-02 Protects Neurons and Astrocytes from Oligomeric Amyloid-β-Mediated Damage. J Alzheimers Dis 2024; 99:477-483. [PMID: 38669543 DOI: 10.3233/jad-231387] [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: 04/28/2024]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease with limited therapeutic strategies. NB-02 is a novel botanical drug that has shown promise as a protective and therapeutic treatment for AD in an APP/PS1 preclinical mouse model. In this paper, we investigate the underlying mechanisms by which NB-02 provides these therapeutic advantages using in vitro neuron-astrocyte co-cultures. Pretreatment with NB-02 prevented pathological calcium elevations in neurons and astrocytes after application of toxic soluble amyloid-β (Aβ) oligomers. NB-02 also prevented cell death associated with the addition of soluble Aβ oligomers suggesting NB-02 is effective at protecting both neurons and astrocytes from Aβ-mediated damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Morgan R Miller
- Department of Neurology, MassGeneral Institute of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, USA
| | - Lavender Lariviere
- Department of Neurology, MassGeneral Institute of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, USA
| | - Guillaume J Pagnier
- Department of Neurology, MassGeneral Institute of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, USA
| | - Sema Aygar
- Department of Neurology, MassGeneral Institute of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, USA
| | - Natalia Wieckiewicz
- Department of Neurology, MassGeneral Institute of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, USA
| | - Masato Maesako
- Department of Neurology, MassGeneral Institute of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, USA
| | - Brian J Bacskai
- Department of Neurology, MassGeneral Institute of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, USA
| | - Ksenia V Kastanenka
- Department of Neurology, MassGeneral Institute of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, USA
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Mitroshina E, Kalinina E, Vedunova M. Optogenetics in Alzheimer's Disease: Focus on Astrocytes. Antioxidants (Basel) 2023; 12:1856. [PMID: 37891935 PMCID: PMC10604138 DOI: 10.3390/antiox12101856] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2023] [Revised: 09/27/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia, resulting in disability and mortality. The global incidence of AD is consistently surging. Although numerous therapeutic agents with promising potential have been developed, none have successfully treated AD to date. Consequently, the pursuit of novel methodologies to address neurodegenerative processes in AD remains a paramount endeavor. A particularly promising avenue in this search is optogenetics, enabling the manipulation of neuronal activity. In recent years, research attention has pivoted from neurons to glial cells. This review aims to consider the potential of the optogenetic correction of astrocyte metabolism as a promising strategy for correcting AD-related disorders. The initial segment of the review centers on the role of astrocytes in the genesis of neurodegeneration. Astrocytes have been implicated in several pathological processes associated with AD, encompassing the clearance of β-amyloid, neuroinflammation, excitotoxicity, oxidative stress, and lipid metabolism (along with a critical role in apolipoprotein E function). The effect of astrocyte-neuronal interactions will also be scrutinized. Furthermore, the review delves into a number of studies indicating that changes in cellular calcium (Ca2+) signaling are one of the causes of neurodegeneration. The review's latter section presents insights into the application of various optogenetic tools to manipulate astrocytic function as a means to counteract neurodegenerative changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Mitroshina
- Institute of Biology and Biomedicine, Lobachevsky State University of Nizhny Novgorod, 23 Gagarin Avenue, 603022 Nizhny Novgorod, Russia (M.V.)
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Mitroshina EV, Krivonosov MI, Pakhomov AM, Yarullina LE, Gavrish MS, Mishchenko TA, Yarkov RS, Vedunova MV. Unravelling the Collective Calcium Dynamics of Physiologically Aged Astrocytes under a Hypoxic State In Vitro. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:12286. [PMID: 37569663 PMCID: PMC10419080 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241512286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2023] [Revised: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 07/29/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Astrocytes serve many functions in the brain related to maintaining nerve tissue homeostasis and regulating neuronal function, including synaptic transmission. It is assumed that astrocytes are crucial players in determining the physiological or pathological outcome of the brain aging process and the development of neurodegenerative diseases. Therefore, studies on the peculiarities of astrocyte physiology and interastrocytic signaling during aging are of utmost importance. Calcium waves are one of the main mechanisms of signal transmission between astrocytes, and in the present study we investigated the features of calcium dynamics in primary cultures of murine cortical astrocytes in physiological aging and hypoxia modeling in vitro. Specifically, we focused on the assessment of calcium network dynamics and the restructuring of the functional network architecture in primary astrocytic cultures. Calcium imaging was performed on days 21 ("young" astrocyte group) and 150 ("old" astrocyte group) of cultures' development in vitro. While the number of active cells and frequency of calcium events were decreased, we observed a reduced degree of correlation in calcium dynamics between neighboring cells, which was accompanied by a reduced number of functionally connected cells with fewer and slower signaling events. At the same time, an increase in the mRNA expression of anti-apoptotic factor Bcl-2 and connexin 43 was observed in "old" astrocytic cultures, which can be considered as a compensatory response of cells with a decreased level of intercellular communication. A hypoxic episode aggravates the depression of the connectivity of calcium dynamics of "young" astrocytes rather than that of "old" ones.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena V. Mitroshina
- Institute of Biology and Biomedicine, Lobachevsky State University of Nizhny Novgorod, 23 Gagarin Avenue, 603022 Nizhny Novgorod, Russia; (E.V.M.); (A.M.P.); (L.E.Y.); (M.S.G.); (T.A.M.); (R.S.Y.)
| | - Mikhail I. Krivonosov
- Institute of Biology and Biomedicine, Lobachevsky State University of Nizhny Novgorod, 23 Gagarin Avenue, 603022 Nizhny Novgorod, Russia; (E.V.M.); (A.M.P.); (L.E.Y.); (M.S.G.); (T.A.M.); (R.S.Y.)
| | - Alexander M. Pakhomov
- Institute of Biology and Biomedicine, Lobachevsky State University of Nizhny Novgorod, 23 Gagarin Avenue, 603022 Nizhny Novgorod, Russia; (E.V.M.); (A.M.P.); (L.E.Y.); (M.S.G.); (T.A.M.); (R.S.Y.)
- Federal Research Center Institute of Applied Physics of the Russian Academy of Sciences (IAP RAS), 603950 Nizhny Novgorod, Russia
| | - Laysan E. Yarullina
- Institute of Biology and Biomedicine, Lobachevsky State University of Nizhny Novgorod, 23 Gagarin Avenue, 603022 Nizhny Novgorod, Russia; (E.V.M.); (A.M.P.); (L.E.Y.); (M.S.G.); (T.A.M.); (R.S.Y.)
| | - Maria S. Gavrish
- Institute of Biology and Biomedicine, Lobachevsky State University of Nizhny Novgorod, 23 Gagarin Avenue, 603022 Nizhny Novgorod, Russia; (E.V.M.); (A.M.P.); (L.E.Y.); (M.S.G.); (T.A.M.); (R.S.Y.)
| | - Tatiana A. Mishchenko
- Institute of Biology and Biomedicine, Lobachevsky State University of Nizhny Novgorod, 23 Gagarin Avenue, 603022 Nizhny Novgorod, Russia; (E.V.M.); (A.M.P.); (L.E.Y.); (M.S.G.); (T.A.M.); (R.S.Y.)
| | - Roman S. Yarkov
- Institute of Biology and Biomedicine, Lobachevsky State University of Nizhny Novgorod, 23 Gagarin Avenue, 603022 Nizhny Novgorod, Russia; (E.V.M.); (A.M.P.); (L.E.Y.); (M.S.G.); (T.A.M.); (R.S.Y.)
| | - Maria V. Vedunova
- Institute of Biology and Biomedicine, Lobachevsky State University of Nizhny Novgorod, 23 Gagarin Avenue, 603022 Nizhny Novgorod, Russia; (E.V.M.); (A.M.P.); (L.E.Y.); (M.S.G.); (T.A.M.); (R.S.Y.)
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