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Zhou AL, Swaminathan SK, Salian VS, Wang L, Curran GL, Min HK, Lowe VJ, Kandimalla KK. Insulin Signaling Differentially Regulates the Trafficking of Insulin and Amyloid Beta Peptides at the Blood-Brain Barrier. Mol Pharm 2024; 21:2176-2186. [PMID: 38625027 DOI: 10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.3c00784] [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: 04/17/2024]
Abstract
The blood-brain barrier (BBB) is instrumental in clearing toxic metabolites from the brain, such as amyloid-β (Aβ) peptides, and in delivering essential nutrients to the brain, like insulin. In Alzheimer's disease (AD) brain, increased Aβ levels are paralleled by decreased insulin levels, which are accompanied by insulin signaling deficits at the BBB. Thus, we investigated the impact of insulin-like growth factor and insulin receptor (IGF1R and IR) signaling on Aβ and insulin trafficking at the BBB. Following intravenous infusion of an IGF1R/IR kinase inhibitor (AG1024) in wild-type mice, the BBB trafficking of 125I radiolabeled Aβ peptides and insulin was assessed by dynamic SPECT/CT imaging. The brain efflux of [125I]iodo-Aβ42 decreased upon AG1024 treatment. Additionally, the brain influx of [125I]iodoinsulin, [125I]iodo-Aβ42, [125I]iodo-Aβ40, and [125I]iodo-BSA (BBB integrity marker) was decreased, increased, unchanged, and unchanged, respectively, upon AG1024 treatment. Subsequent mechanistic studies were performed using an in vitro BBB cell model. The cell uptake of [125I]iodoinsulin, [125I]iodo-Aβ42, and [125I]iodo-Aβ40 was decreased, increased, and unchanged, respectively, upon AG1024 treatment. Further, AG1024 reduced the phosphorylation of insulin signaling kinases (Akt and Erk) and the membrane expression of Aβ and insulin trafficking receptors (LRP-1 and IR-β). These findings reveal that insulin signaling differentially regulates the BBB trafficking of Aβ peptides and insulin. Moreover, deficits in IGF1R and IR signaling, as observed in the brains of type II diabetes and AD patients, are expected to increase Aβ accumulation while decreasing insulin delivery to the brain, which has been linked to the progression of cognitive decline in AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew L Zhou
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Brain Barriers Research Center, University of Minnesota College of Pharmacy, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - Suresh K Swaminathan
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Brain Barriers Research Center, University of Minnesota College of Pharmacy, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - Vrishali S Salian
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Brain Barriers Research Center, University of Minnesota College of Pharmacy, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - Lushan Wang
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Brain Barriers Research Center, University of Minnesota College of Pharmacy, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - Geoffry L Curran
- Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, Minnesota 55905, United States
- Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, Minnesota 55905, United States
| | - Hoon-Ki Min
- Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, Minnesota 55905, United States
| | - Val J Lowe
- Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, Minnesota 55905, United States
| | - Karunya K Kandimalla
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Brain Barriers Research Center, University of Minnesota College of Pharmacy, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
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Shippy DC, Oliai SF, Ulland TK. Zinc utilization by microglia in Alzheimer's disease. J Biol Chem 2024; 300:107306. [PMID: 38648940 PMCID: PMC11103939 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2024.107306] [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: 02/18/2024] [Revised: 04/10/2024] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia defined by two key pathological characteristics in the brain, amyloid-β (Aβ) plaques and neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) composed of hyperphosphorylated tau. Microglia, the primary innate immune cells of the central nervous system (CNS), provide neuroprotection through Aβ and tau clearance but may also be neurotoxic by promoting neuroinflammation to exacerbate Aβ and tau pathogenesis in AD. Recent studies have demonstrated the importance of microglial utilization of nutrients and trace metals in controlling their activation and effector functions. Trace metals, such as zinc, have essential roles in brain health and immunity, and zinc dyshomeostasis has been implicated in AD pathogenesis. As a result of these advances, the mechanisms by which zinc homeostasis influences microglial-mediated neuroinflammation in AD is a topic of continuing interest since new strategies to treat AD are needed. Here, we review the roles of zinc in AD, including zinc activation of microglia, the associated neuroinflammatory response, and the application of these findings in new therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel C Shippy
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Sophia F Oliai
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Tyler K Ulland
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Wisconsin Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, USA.
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3
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Griñán‐Ferré C, Jarné‐Ferrer J, Bellver‐Sanchís A, Codony S, Puigoriol‐Illamola D, Sanfeliu C, Oh Y, Lee S, Vázquez S, Pallàs M. Novel molecular mechanism driving neuroprotection after soluble epoxide hydrolase inhibition: Insights for Alzheimer's disease therapeutics. CNS Neurosci Ther 2024; 30:e14511. [PMID: 37905690 PMCID: PMC11017401 DOI: 10.1111/cns.14511] [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: 02/16/2023] [Revised: 09/21/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/02/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Neuroinflammation is widely recognized as a significant hallmark of Alzheimer's disease (AD). To combat neuroinflammation, the inhibition of the soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH) enzyme has been demonstrated crucial. Importantly, sEH inhibition could be related to other neuroprotective pathways described in AD. AIMS The aim of the study was to unveil new molecular pathways driving neuroprotection through sEH, we used an optimized, potent, and selective sEH inhibitor (sEHi, UB-SCG-51). MATERIALS AND METHODS UB-SCG-51 was tested in neuroblastoma cell line, SH-SY5Y, in primary mouse and human astrocytes cultures challenged with proinflammatory insults and in microglia cultures treated with amyloid oligomers, as well as in mice AD model (5XFAD). RESULTS UB-SCG-51 (10 and 30 μM) prevented neurotoxic reactive-astrocyte conversion in primary mouse astrocytes challenged with TNF-α, IL-1α, and C1q (T/I/C) combination for 24 h. Moreover, in microglial cultures, sEHi reduced inflammation and glial activity. In addition, UB-SCG-51 rescued 5XFAD cognitive impairment, reducing the number of Amyloid-β plaques and Tau hyperphosphorylation accompanied by a reduction in neuroinflammation and apoptotic markers. Notably, a transcriptional profile analysis revealed a new pathway modulated by sEHi treatment. Specifically, the eIF2α/CHOP pathway, which promoted the endoplasmic reticulum response, was increased in the 5XFAD-treated group. These findings were confirmed in human primary astrocytes by combining sEHi and eIF2α inhibitor (eIF2αi) treatment. Besides, combining both treatments resulted in increased in C3 gene expression after T/I/C compared with the group treated with sEHi alone in cultures. DISCUSSION Therefore, sEHi rescued cognitive impairment and neurodegeneration in AD mice model, based on the reduction of inflammation and eIF2α/CHOP signaling pathway. CONCLUSIONS In whole, our results support the concept that targeting neuroinflammation through sEH inhibition is a promising therapeutic strategy to fight against Alzheimer's disease with additive and/or synergistic activities targeting neuroinflammation and cell stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Griñán‐Ferré
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutic ChemistryInstitut de Neurociències‐Universitat de BarcelonaBarcelonaSpain
- Centro de Investigación en Red, Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Instituto de Salud Carlos IIIMadridSpain
| | - Júlia Jarné‐Ferrer
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutic ChemistryInstitut de Neurociències‐Universitat de BarcelonaBarcelonaSpain
| | - Aina Bellver‐Sanchís
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutic ChemistryInstitut de Neurociències‐Universitat de BarcelonaBarcelonaSpain
| | - Sandra Codony
- Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry (CSIC Associated Unit), Faculty of Pharmacy and Food Sciences, Institute of Biomedicine (IBUB)University of Barcelona (UB)BarcelonaSpain
| | - Dolors Puigoriol‐Illamola
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutic ChemistryInstitut de Neurociències‐Universitat de BarcelonaBarcelonaSpain
| | - Coral Sanfeliu
- Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques de Barcelona (IIBB), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC)BarcelonaSpain
| | - Yumin Oh
- Neuraly Inc.MarylandGaithersburgUSA
| | | | - Santiago Vázquez
- Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry (CSIC Associated Unit), Faculty of Pharmacy and Food Sciences, Institute of Biomedicine (IBUB)University of Barcelona (UB)BarcelonaSpain
| | - Mercè Pallàs
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutic ChemistryInstitut de Neurociències‐Universitat de BarcelonaBarcelonaSpain
- Centro de Investigación en Red, Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Instituto de Salud Carlos IIIMadridSpain
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4
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Selkoe DJ. The advent of Alzheimer treatments will change the trajectory of human aging. NATURE AGING 2024; 4:453-463. [PMID: 38641654 DOI: 10.1038/s43587-024-00611-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/21/2024]
Abstract
Slowing neurodegenerative disorders of late life has lagged behind progress on other chronic diseases. But advances in two areas, biochemical pathology and human genetics, have now identified early pathogenic events, enabling molecular hypotheses and disease-modifying treatments. A salient example is the discovery that antibodies to amyloid ß-protein, long debated as a causative factor in Alzheimer's disease (AD), clear amyloid plaques, decrease levels of abnormal tau proteins and slow cognitive decline. Approval of amyloid antibodies as the first disease-modifying treatments means a gradually rising fraction of the world's estimated 60 million people with symptomatic disease may decline less or even stabilize. Society is entering an era in which the unchecked devastation of AD is no longer inevitable. This Perspective considers the impact of slowing AD and other neurodegenerative disorders on the trajectory of aging, allowing people to survive into late life with less functional decline. The implications of this moment for medicine and society are profound.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dennis J Selkoe
- Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases Brigham and Women's Hospital Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
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Maeda T, Shimamori K, Kurita H, Tokuraku K, Kuragano M. Amyloid β interferes with wound healing of brain microvascular endothelial cells by disorganizing the actin cytoskeleton. Exp Cell Res 2024; 436:113958. [PMID: 38325585 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2024.113958] [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: 11/29/2023] [Revised: 01/27/2024] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 02/09/2024]
Abstract
Cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) is a disease in which amyloid β (Aβ) is deposited in the cerebral blood vessels, reducing compliance, tearing and weakening of vessel walls, leading to cerebral hemorrhage. The mechanisms by which Aβ leads to focal wall fragmentation and intimal damage are not well understood. We analyzed the motility of human brain microvascular endothelial cells (hBMECs) in real-time using a wound-healing assay. We observed the suppression of cell migration by visualizing Aβ aggregation using quantum dot (QD) nanoprobes. In addition, using QD nanoprobes and a SiR-actin probe, we simultaneously observed Aβ aggregation and F-actin organization in real-time for the first time. Aβ began to aggregate at the edge of endothelial cells, reducing cell motility. In addition, Aβ aggregation disorganized the actin cytoskeleton and induced abnormal actin aggregation. Aβ aggregated actively in the anterior group, where cell motility was active. Our findings may be a first step toward explaining the mechanism by which Aβ causes vascular wall fragility, bleeding, and rebleeding in CAA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takuma Maeda
- Graduate School of Engineering, Muroran Institute of Technology, Hokkaido, 050-8585, Japan; Department of Neurosurgery, Ohkawara Neurosurgical Hospital, Hokkaido, 050-0082, Japan; Department of Cerebrovascular Surgery, Saitama Medical University International Medical Center, Saitama, 350-1298, Japan
| | - Keiya Shimamori
- Graduate School of Engineering, Muroran Institute of Technology, Hokkaido, 050-8585, Japan
| | - Hiroki Kurita
- Department of Cerebrovascular Surgery, Saitama Medical University International Medical Center, Saitama, 350-1298, Japan
| | - Kiyotaka Tokuraku
- Graduate School of Engineering, Muroran Institute of Technology, Hokkaido, 050-8585, Japan
| | - Masahiro Kuragano
- Graduate School of Engineering, Muroran Institute of Technology, Hokkaido, 050-8585, Japan.
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Vicente M, Addo-Osafo K, Vossel K. Latest advances in mechanisms of epileptic activity in Alzheimer's disease and dementia with Lewy Bodies. Front Neurol 2024; 15:1277613. [PMID: 38390593 PMCID: PMC10882721 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2024.1277613] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) and dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) stand as the prevailing sources of neurodegenerative dementia, impacting over 55 million individuals across the globe. Patients with AD and DLB exhibit a higher prevalence of epileptic activity compared to those with other forms of dementia. Seizures can accompany AD and DLB in early stages, and the associated epileptic activity can contribute to cognitive symptoms and exacerbate cognitive decline. Aberrant neuronal activity in AD and DLB may be caused by several mechanisms that are not yet understood. Hyperexcitability could be a biomarker for early detection of AD or DLB before the onset of dementia. In this review, we compare and contrast mechanisms of network hyperexcitability in AD and DLB. We examine the contributions of genetic risk factors, Ca2+ dysregulation, glutamate, AMPA and NMDA receptors, mTOR, pathological amyloid beta, tau and α-synuclein, altered microglial and astrocytic activity, and impaired inhibitory interneuron function. By gaining a deeper understanding of the molecular mechanisms that cause neuronal hyperexcitability, we might uncover therapeutic approaches to effectively ease symptoms and slow down the advancement of AD and DLB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariane Vicente
- Mary S. Easton Center for Alzheimer's Research and Care, Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Kwaku Addo-Osafo
- Mary S. Easton Center for Alzheimer's Research and Care, Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Keith Vossel
- Mary S. Easton Center for Alzheimer's Research and Care, Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
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7
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Adebambo K, Ojoh O(C. In Silico Investigation of Novel Compounds as Inhibitors of Acetylcholinesterase Enzyme for the Treatment of Alzheimer's Diseases. Int J Alzheimers Dis 2024; 2024:2988685. [PMID: 38371416 PMCID: PMC10869201 DOI: 10.1155/2024/2988685] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2023] [Revised: 12/23/2023] [Accepted: 01/17/2024] [Indexed: 02/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a "progressive, neurodegenerative disease that occurs when nerve cells in the brain die." There are only 4 drugs approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Three (donepezil, rivastigmine, and galantamine) out of these four drugs are anticholinesterase inhibitors, while the fourth one memantine is an N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor inhibitor. Currently, two immunotherapy drugs that target amyloid protein (donanemab and lecanemab) are being considered for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease at an early stage. All these drug molecules are still not the complete answer to the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. A recent report from the Office of National Statistics showed that AD is the leading cause of death in 2022. Therefore, there is an urgency to develop more drugs that can treat AD. Based on this urgency, we aim to investigate how bioactive and already approved drugs could be repurposed for inhibiting the anticholinesterase enzyme using computational studies. To achieve this, the data science tool-Python coding was compiled on Jupyter Notebook to mine bioactive compounds from the ChEMBL database. The most bioactive compounds obtained were further investigated using Molecular Operating Environment (MOE) software to carry out molecular docking and ligand analysis, and this was followed by molecular dynamics simulation production at 35 ns using GROMACS 2022.4 on Archer 2 machine. The molecular dynamic analysis was carried out using HeroMDanalysis software. Data mining of the ChEMBL database was carried out for lipase inhibitors, and this gave CHEMBL-ID 1240685, a peptide molecule, the most active compound at the time of data mining. Further literature studies gave Zoladex an FDA-approved drug for the treatment of breast cancer as another compound of interest. The in silico studies were carried out against the anticholinesterase enzyme using two FDA-approved drugs donepezil and galantamine as a template for comparing the in silico activities of the repurposed drugs. A very useful receptor for this study was PDB-1DX6, a cocrystallized galantamine inhibitor of acetylcholinesterase enzyme. The molecular docking analysis (using ligand interactions) and molecular dynamic analysis (root mean square deviation (RMSD) and root mean square fluctuation (RMSF)) showed that the two peptide molecules CHEMBL-1240685 and Zoladex gave the best binding energy and stability when compared to the FDA-approved drugs (donepezil and galantamine). Finally, further literature studies revealed that Zoladex affects memory reduction; therefore, it was dropped as a possible repurposed drug. Our research showed that CHEMBL-1240685 is a potential compound that could be investigated for the inhibition of anticholinesterase enzyme and might be another drug molecule that could be used to treat Alzheimer's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kassim Adebambo
- Department of Clinical Pharmaceutical and Biological Science, University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield, UK
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8
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Nasb M, Tao W, Chen N. Alzheimer's Disease Puzzle: Delving into Pathogenesis Hypotheses. Aging Dis 2024; 15:43-73. [PMID: 37450931 PMCID: PMC10796101 DOI: 10.14336/ad.2023.0608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2023] [Accepted: 06/08/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a prevalent neurodegenerative disease characterized by both amnestic and non-amnestic clinical manifestations. It accounts for approximately 60-70% of all dementia cases worldwide. With the increasing number of AD patients, elucidating underlying mechanisms and developing corresponding interventional strategies are necessary. Hypotheses about AD such as amyloid cascade, Tau hyper-phosphorylation, neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, cholinergic, and vascular hypotheses are not mutually exclusive, and all of them play a certain role in the development of AD. The amyloid cascade hypothesis is currently the most widely studied; however, other hypotheses are also gaining support. This article summarizes the recent evidence regarding major pathological hypotheses of AD and their potential interplay, as well as the strengths and weaknesses of each hypothesis and their implications for the development of effective treatments. This could stimulate further studies and promote the development of more effective therapeutic strategies for AD.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Ning Chen
- Tianjiu Research and Development Center for Exercise Nutrition and Foods, Hubei Key Laboratory of Exercise Training and Monitoring, College of Sports Medicine, Wuhan Sports University, Wuhan 430079, China
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9
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Qiang W, Kengwerere M, Zhao W, Scott FJ, Wutoh-Hughes X, Wang T, Mentink-Vigier F. Heterotypic Interactions between the 40- and 42-Residue Isoforms of β-Amyloid Peptides on Lipid Bilayer Surfaces. ACS Chem Neurosci 2023; 14:4153-4162. [PMID: 37991929 PMCID: PMC10867818 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.3c00523] [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] [Indexed: 11/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Co-aggregation involving different amyloidogenic sequences has been emphasized recently in the modified amyloid cascade hypothesis. Yet, molecular-level interactions between two predominant β-amyloid peptide sequences, Aβ40 and Aβ42, in the fibrillation process in membrane-mimicked environments remain unclear. Here, we report biophysical evidence that demonstrates the molecular-level interactions between Aβ40 and Aβ42 at the membrane-associated conucleation stage using dynamic nuclear polarization-enhanced solid-state NMR spectroscopy. These residue-specific contacts are distinguished from those reported in mature fibrils formed by either Aβ40 or Aβ42. Meanwhile, site-specific interactions between Aβ and lipid molecules and modulation of microsecond-time-scale lipid dynamics are observed, which may be responsible for the more rapid and significant membrane content leakage compared to that with Aβ40 alone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Qiang
- Department of Chemistry, Binghamton University, State University of New York, Binghamton, NY 13902, USA
| | - Maurine Kengwerere
- Department of Chemistry, Binghamton University, State University of New York, Binghamton, NY 13902, USA
| | - Wancheng Zhao
- Department of Chemistry, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
| | - Faith J. Scott
- National High Magnetic Field Laboratory, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32310, USA
| | - Xyomara Wutoh-Hughes
- Department of Chemistry, Binghamton University, State University of New York, Binghamton, NY 13902, USA
| | - Tuo Wang
- Department of Chemistry, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
| | - Frederic Mentink-Vigier
- National High Magnetic Field Laboratory, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32310, USA
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10
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Jana AK, Güven Ö, Yaşar F. The stability and dynamics of the Aβ40/Aβ42 interlaced mixed fibrils. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2023:1-14. [PMID: 37964619 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2023.2280765] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2023] [Accepted: 11/01/2023] [Indexed: 11/16/2023]
Abstract
The accumulation of fibrillar amyloid-β (Aβ) aggregates in the brain, predominantly comprising 40- and 42-residue amyloid-β (Aβ40 and Aβ42), is a major pathological hallmark of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Aβ40 and Aβ42 naturally coexist in the brain under normal physiological conditions, and their interplay is generally considered to be a critical factor in the progression of AD. In addition to forming homogeneous oligomers and fibrils, Aβ40 and Aβ42 are also reported to co-assemble into hetero-oligomers and interlaced mixed fibrils, as evidenced by solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR), high molecular weight mass spectrometry and cross-seeding experiments. However, the exact molecular mechanisms underlying these processes remain unclear. In this study, we have used a recently resolved structurally uniform 1:1 mixture of Aβ40/Aβ42 interlaced mixed fibril as a prototype to gain insights into the molecular-level interactions between Aβ40 and Aβ42. We employed fully atomistic molecular dynamics simulation and compared the results with a homogeneous U-shaped Aβ40 fibrillar model. Our simulations using two different force fields provide conclusive evidence that the Aβ40/Aβ42 interlaced mixed fibril is energetically more favorable than the homogeneous Aβ40 fibrillar model. Furthermore, we also show that the increase in stability observed in the mixed model stems primarily from the packing interfaces and the stacking interfaces between C-termini. Our simulation results provide valuable mechanistic insights that are not readily accessible in experiment and could have significant implications for both the pathogenesis of AD and the development of current therapeutic strategies.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asis K Jana
- Department of Microbiology and Biotechnology, Sister Nivedita University, Kolkata, West Bengal, India
| | - Özgür Güven
- Department of Physics Engineering, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Türkiye
| | - Fatih Yaşar
- Department of Physics Engineering, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Türkiye
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11
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Duchateau L, Küҫükali F, De Roeck A, Wittens MMJ, Temmerman J, Weets I, Timmers M, Engelborghs S, Bjerke M, Sleegers K. CSF biomarker analysis of ABCA7 mutation carriers suggests altered APP processing and reduced inflammatory response. Alzheimers Res Ther 2023; 15:195. [PMID: 37946268 PMCID: PMC10634183 DOI: 10.1186/s13195-023-01338-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2023] [Accepted: 10/24/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Alzheimer's disease (AD) risk gene ABCA7 has suggested functions in lipid metabolism and the immune system. Rare premature termination codon (PTC) mutations and an expansion of a variable number of tandem repeats (VNTR) polymorphism in the gene, both likely cause a lower ABCA7 expression and hereby increased risk for AD. However, the exact mechanism of action remains unclear. By studying CSF biomarkers reflecting different types of AD-related pathological processes, we aim to get a better insight in those processes and establish a biomarker profile of mutation carriers. METHODS The study population consisted of 229 AD patients for whom CSF was available and ABCA7 sequencing and VNTR genotyping had been performed. This included 28 PTC mutation and 16 pathogenic expansion carriers. CSF levels of Aβ1-42, Aβ1-40, P-tau181, T-tau, sAPPα, sAPPβ, YKL-40, and hFABP were determined using ELISA and Meso Scale Discovery assays. We compared differences in levels of these biomarkers and the Aβ ratio between AD patients with or without an ABCA7 PTC mutation or expansion using linear regression on INT-transformed data with APOE-status, age and sex as covariates. RESULTS Carriers of ABCA7 expansion mutations had significantly lower Aβ1-42 levels (P = 0.022) compared with non-carrier patients. The effect of the presence of ABCA7 mutations on CSF levels was especially pronounced in APOE ε4-negative carriers. In addition, VNTR expansion carriers had reduced Aβ1-40 (P = 0.023), sAPPα (P = 0.047), sAPPβ (P = 0.016), and YKL-40 (P = 0.0036) levels. CONCLUSIONS Our results are suggestive for an effect on APP processing by repeat expansions given the changes in the amyloid-related CSF biomarkers that were found in carriers. The decrease in YKL-40 levels in expansion carriers moreover suggests that these patients potentially have a reduced inflammatory response to AD damage. Moreover, our findings suggest the existence of a mechanism, independent of lowered expression, affecting neuropathology in expansion carriers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lena Duchateau
- Complex Genetics of Alzheimer's Disease Group, VIB-UAntwerp Center for Molecular Neurology, VIB, Building V, Universiteitsplein 1, Wilrijk, Antwerp, B-2610, Belgium
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, Wilrijk, Antwerp, 2610, Belgium
| | - Fahri Küҫükali
- Complex Genetics of Alzheimer's Disease Group, VIB-UAntwerp Center for Molecular Neurology, VIB, Building V, Universiteitsplein 1, Wilrijk, Antwerp, B-2610, Belgium
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, Wilrijk, Antwerp, 2610, Belgium
| | - Arne De Roeck
- Complex Genetics of Alzheimer's Disease Group, VIB-UAntwerp Center for Molecular Neurology, VIB, Building V, Universiteitsplein 1, Wilrijk, Antwerp, B-2610, Belgium
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, Wilrijk, Antwerp, 2610, Belgium
- Present Address: Argenx, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Mandy M J Wittens
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, Wilrijk, Antwerp, 2610, Belgium
- Clinical Neurochemistry Laboratory, Department of Clinical Biology, University Hospital Brussels, Generaal Jacqueslaan 137, Elsene, Brussels, 1050, Belgium
| | - Joke Temmerman
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, Wilrijk, Antwerp, 2610, Belgium
- Neuroprotection & Neuromodulation (NEUR) Research Group, Center for Neurosciences (C4N), Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Laarbeeklaan 103, Jette, Brussels, 1090, Belgium
| | - Ilse Weets
- Clinical Neurochemistry Laboratory, Department of Clinical Biology, University Hospital Brussels, Generaal Jacqueslaan 137, Elsene, Brussels, 1050, Belgium
- Experimental Pharmacology (EFAR) Research Group, Center for Neurosciences (C4N), Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Laarbeeklaan 103, Brussels, 1090, Belgium
| | - Maarten Timmers
- Reference Center for Biological Markers of Dementia, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, Wilrijk, Antwerp, 2610, Belgium
- Janssen Research and Development, a Division of Janssen Pharmaceutica NV, Turnhoutseweg 30, Beerse, 2340, Belgium
| | - Sebastiaan Engelborghs
- Neuroprotection & Neuromodulation (NEUR) Research Group, Center for Neurosciences (C4N), Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Laarbeeklaan 103, Jette, Brussels, 1090, Belgium
- Reference Center for Biological Markers of Dementia, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, Wilrijk, Antwerp, 2610, Belgium
- Department of Neurology and Bru-BRAIN, University Hospital Brussels, Generaal Jacqueslaan 137, Elsene, Brussels, 1050, Belgium
| | - Maria Bjerke
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, Wilrijk, Antwerp, 2610, Belgium
- Clinical Neurochemistry Laboratory, Department of Clinical Biology, University Hospital Brussels, Generaal Jacqueslaan 137, Elsene, Brussels, 1050, Belgium
- Neuroprotection & Neuromodulation (NEUR) Research Group, Center for Neurosciences (C4N), Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Laarbeeklaan 103, Jette, Brussels, 1090, Belgium
| | - Kristel Sleegers
- Complex Genetics of Alzheimer's Disease Group, VIB-UAntwerp Center for Molecular Neurology, VIB, Building V, Universiteitsplein 1, Wilrijk, Antwerp, B-2610, Belgium.
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, Wilrijk, Antwerp, 2610, Belgium.
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12
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Xue H, Gate S, Gentry E, Losert W, Cao K. Development of an accelerated cellular model for early changes in Alzheimer's disease. Sci Rep 2023; 13:18384. [PMID: 37884611 PMCID: PMC10603068 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-45826-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 10/24/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's Disease (AD) is a leading cause of dementia characterized by amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles, and its pathogenesis remains unclear. Current cellular models for AD often require several months to exhibit phenotypic features due to the lack of an aging environment in vitro. Lamin A is a key component of the nuclear lamina. Progerin, a truncated protein resulting from specific lamin A mutations, causes Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria Syndrome (HGPS), a disease that prematurely ages individuals. Studies have reported that lamin A expression is induced in the brains of AD patients, and overlapping cellular phenotypes have been observed between HGPS and AD cells. In this study, we investigated the effects of exogenous progerin expression on neural progenitor cells carrying familial AD mutations (FAD). Within three to four weeks of differentiation, these cells exhibited robust AD phenotypes, including increased tau phosphorylation, amyloid plaque accumulation, and an elevated Aβ42 to Aβ40 ratio. Additionally, progerin expression significantly increased AD cellular phenotypes such as cell death and cell cycle re-entry. Our results suggest that progerin expression could be used to create an accelerated model for AD development and drug screening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huijing Xue
- Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, 20742, USA
| | - Sylvester Gate
- Institute of Physical Sciences, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, 20742, USA
| | - Emma Gentry
- Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, 20742, USA
| | - Wolfgang Losert
- Institute of Physical Sciences, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, 20742, USA
| | - Kan Cao
- Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, 20742, USA.
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13
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Nordvall G, Lundkvist J, Sandin J. Gamma-secretase modulators: a promising route for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. Front Mol Neurosci 2023; 16:1279740. [PMID: 37908487 PMCID: PMC10613654 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2023.1279740] [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: 08/18/2023] [Accepted: 09/15/2023] [Indexed: 11/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent clinical data with three therapeutic anti-Aβ antibodies have demonstrated that removal of Aβ-amyloid plaques in early Alzheimer's disease (AD) can attenuate disease progression. This ground-breaking progress in AD medicine has validated both the amyloid cascade hypothesis and Aβ-amyloid as therapeutic targets. These results also strongly support therapeutic approaches that aim to reduce the production of amyloidogenic Aβ to prevent the formation of Aβ-pathology. One such strategy, so-called gamma-secretase modulators (GSM), has been thoroughly explored in preclinical settings but has yet to be fully tested in clinical trials. Recent scientific progress has shed new light on the role of Aβ in Alzheimer's disease and suggests that GSMs exhibit specific pharmacological features that hold great promise for the prevention and treatment of Alzheimer's disease. In this short review, we discuss the data that support why it is important to continue to progress in this class of compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gunnar Nordvall
- AlzeCure Pharma AB, Huddinge, Sweden
- Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences, and Society, Division of Neurogeriatrics, Center for Alzheimer Research, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Johan Lundkvist
- AlzeCure Pharma AB, Huddinge, Sweden
- Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences, and Society, Division of Neurogeriatrics, Center for Alzheimer Research, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Sinfonia Biotherapeutics AB, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Johan Sandin
- AlzeCure Pharma AB, Huddinge, Sweden
- Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences, and Society, Division of Neurogeriatrics, Center for Alzheimer Research, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
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14
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Thakral S, Yadav A, Singh V, Kumar M, Kumar P, Narang R, Sudhakar K, Verma A, Khalilullah H, Jaremko M, Emwas AH. Alzheimer's disease: Molecular aspects and treatment opportunities using herbal drugs. Ageing Res Rev 2023; 88:101960. [PMID: 37224884 DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2023.101960] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2023] [Revised: 05/12/2023] [Accepted: 05/19/2023] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD), also called senile dementia, is the most common neurological disorder. Around 50 million people, mostly of advanced age, are suffering from dementia worldwide and this is expected to reach 100-130 million between 2040 and 2050. AD is characterized by impaired glutamatergic and cholinergic neurotransmission, which is associated with clinical and pathological symptoms. AD is characterized clinically by loss of cognition and memory impairment and pathologically by senile plaques formed by Amyloid β deposits or neurofibrillary tangles (NFT) consisting of aggregated tau proteins. Amyloid β deposits are responsible for glutamatergic dysfunction that develops NMDA dependent Ca2+ influx into postsynaptic neurons generating slow excitotoxicity process leading to oxidative stress and finally impaired cognition and neuronal loss. Amyloid decreases acetylcholine release, synthesis and neuronal transport. The decreased levels of neurotransmitter acetylcholine, neuronal loss, tau aggregation, amyloid β plaques, increased oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, bio-metal dyshomeostasis, autophagy, cell cycle dysregulation, mitochondrial dysfunction, and endoplasmic reticulum dysfunction are the factors responsible for the pathogenesis of AD. Acetylcholinesterase, NMDA, Glutamate, BACE1, 5HT6, and RAGE (Receptors for Advanced Glycation End products) are receptors targeted in treatment of AD. The FDA approved acetylcholinesterase inhibitors Donepezil, Galantamine and Rivastigmine and N-methyl-D-aspartate antagonist Memantine provide symptomatic relief. Different therapies such as amyloid β therapies, tau-based therapies, neurotransmitter-based therapies, autophagy-based therapies, multi-target therapeutic strategies, and gene therapy modify the natural course of the disease. Herbal and food intake is also important as preventive strategy and recently focus has also been placed on herbal drugs for treatment. This review focuses on the molecular aspects, pathogenesis and recent studies that signifies the potential of medicinal plants and their extracts or chemical constituents for the treatment of degenerative symptoms related to AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samridhi Thakral
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guru Jambheshwar University of Science and Technology, Hisar 125001, Haryana, India
| | - Alka Yadav
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guru Jambheshwar University of Science and Technology, Hisar 125001, Haryana, India
| | - Vikramjeet Singh
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guru Jambheshwar University of Science and Technology, Hisar 125001, Haryana, India.
| | - Manoj Kumar
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guru Jambheshwar University of Science and Technology, Hisar 125001, Haryana, India
| | - Pradeep Kumar
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Natural Products, Central University of Punjab, Bathinda 151401, Punjab, India
| | - Rakesh Narang
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kurukshetra University, Kurukshetra 136119, Haryana, India
| | - Kalvatala Sudhakar
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Lovely Professional University, Phagwara, India
| | - Amita Verma
- Bioorganic and Medicinal Chemistry Research Laboratory, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology and Sciences, Prayagraj 211007, India.
| | - Habibullah Khalilullah
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Pharmacognosy, Unaizah College of Pharmacy, Qassim University, Unayzah 51911, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mariusz Jaremko
- Smart-Health Initiative (SHI) and Red Sea Research Center (RSRC), Division of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Engineering (BESE), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdul-Hamid Emwas
- Core Labs, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia
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15
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Alsaqati M, Thomas RS, Kidd EJ. Upregulation of endocytic protein expression in the Alzheimer's disease male human brain. AGING BRAIN 2023; 4:100084. [PMID: 37449017 PMCID: PMC10336166 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbas.2023.100084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2022] [Revised: 06/14/2023] [Accepted: 06/16/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Amyloid-beta (Aβ) is produced from amyloid precursor protein (APP) primarily after APP is internalised by endocytosis and clathrin-mediated endocytic processes are altered in Alzheimer's disease (AD). There is also evidence that cholesterol and flotillin affect APP endocytosis. We hypothesised that endocytic protein expression would be altered in the brains of people with AD compared to non-diseased subjects which could be linked to increased Aβ generation. We compared protein expression in frontal cortex samples from men with AD compared to age-matched, non-diseased controls. Soluble and insoluble Aβ40 and Aβ42, the soluble Aβ42/Aβ40 ratio, βCTF, BACE1, presenilin-1 and the ratio of phosphorylated:total GSK3β were significantly increased while the insoluble Aβ42:Aβ40 ratio was significantly decreased in AD brains. Total and phosphorylated tau were markedly increased in AD brains. Significant increases in clathrin, AP2, PICALM isoform 4, Rab-5 and caveolin-1 and 2 were seen in AD brains but BIN1 was decreased. However, using immunohistochemistry, caveolin-1 and 2 were decreased. The results obtained here suggest an overall increase in endocytosis in the AD brain, explaining, at least in part, the increased production of Aβ during AD.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Emma J. Kidd
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Cardiff University, Redwood Building, King Edward VII Avenue, Cardiff CF10 3NB, UK
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16
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Su M, Nizamutdinov D, Liu H, Huang JH. Recent Mechanisms of Neurodegeneration and Photobiomodulation in the Context of Alzheimer's Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24119272. [PMID: 37298224 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24119272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2023] [Revised: 05/16/2023] [Accepted: 05/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease and the world's primary cause of dementia, a condition characterized by significant progressive declines in memory and intellectual capacities. While dementia is the main symptom of Alzheimer's, the disease presents with many other debilitating symptoms, and currently, there is no known treatment exists to stop its irreversible progression or cure the disease. Photobiomodulation has emerged as a very promising treatment for improving brain function, using light in the range from red to the near-infrared spectrum depending on the application, tissue penetration, and density of the target area. The goal of this comprehensive review is to discuss the most recent achievements in and mechanisms of AD pathogenesis with respect to neurodegeneration. It also provides an overview of the mechanisms of photobiomodulation associated with AD pathology and the benefits of transcranial near-infrared light treatment as a potential therapeutic solution. This review also discusses the older reports and hypotheses associated with the development of AD, as well as some other approved AD drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew Su
- Department of BioSciences, Rice University, Houston, TX 77005, USA
| | - Damir Nizamutdinov
- Department of Neurosurgery, College of Medicine, Texas A&M University, Temple, TX 76508, USA
- Department of Neurosurgery, Neuroscience Institute, Baylor Scott and White Health, Temple, TX 76508, USA
| | - Hanli Liu
- Department of Bioengineering, The University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX 76010, USA
| | - Jason H Huang
- Department of Neurosurgery, College of Medicine, Texas A&M University, Temple, TX 76508, USA
- Department of Neurosurgery, Neuroscience Institute, Baylor Scott and White Health, Temple, TX 76508, USA
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17
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Schreiner TG, Schreiner OD, Adam M, Popescu BO. The Roles of the Amyloid Beta Monomers in Physiological and Pathological Conditions. Biomedicines 2023; 11:1411. [PMID: 37239082 PMCID: PMC10216198 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11051411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2023] [Revised: 04/30/2023] [Accepted: 05/08/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Amyloid beta peptide is an important biomarker in Alzheimer's disease, with the amyloidogenic hypothesis as one of the central hypotheses trying to explain this type of dementia. Despite numerous studies, the etiology of Alzheimer's disease remains incompletely known, as the pathological accumulation of amyloid beta aggregates cannot fully explain the complex clinical picture of the disease. Or, for the development of effective therapies, it is mandatory to understand the roles of amyloid beta at the brain level, from its initial monomeric stage prior to aggregation in the form of senile plaques. In this sense, this review aims to bring new, clinically relevant data on a subject intensely debated in the literature in the last years. In the first part, the amyloidogenic cascade is reviewed and the possible subtypes of amyloid beta are differentiated. In the second part, the roles played by the amyloid beta monomers in physiological and pathological (neurodegenerative) conditions are illustrated based on the most relevant and recent studies published on this topic. Finally, considering the importance of amyloid beta monomers in the pathophysiology of Alzheimer's disease, new research directions with diagnostic and therapeutic impacts are suggested.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Gabriel Schreiner
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Grigore T. Popa”, 700115 Iași, Romania;
- Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology, Gheorghe Asachi Technical University of Iasi, 21–23 Professor Dimitrie Mangeron Blvd., 700050 Iasi, Romania;
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Carol Davila”, 020021 Bucharest, Romania;
| | - Oliver Daniel Schreiner
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Grigore T. Popa”, 700115 Iași, Romania;
- Medical Oncology Department, Regional Institute of Oncology, 700483 Iași, Romania
| | - Maricel Adam
- Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology, Gheorghe Asachi Technical University of Iasi, 21–23 Professor Dimitrie Mangeron Blvd., 700050 Iasi, Romania;
| | - Bogdan Ovidiu Popescu
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Carol Davila”, 020021 Bucharest, Romania;
- Neurology Department, Colentina Clinical Hospital, 020125 Bucharest, Romania
- Laboratory of Cell Biology, Neurosciences and Experimental Myology, Victor Babes National Institute of Pathology, 050096 Bucharest, Romania
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18
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Li X, Yang Z, Chen Y, Zhang S, Wei G, Zhang L. Dissecting the Molecular Mechanisms of the Co-Aggregation of Aβ40 and Aβ42 Peptides: A REMD Simulation Study. J Phys Chem B 2023; 127:4050-4060. [PMID: 37126408 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.3c01078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
The aggregation of amyloid-β protein (Aβ) into oligomers and amyloid fibrils is closely related to Alzheimer's disease (AD). Aβ40 and Aβ42, as two most prominent isoforms of Aβ peptides, can cross-interact with each other and form co-aggregates, which affect the progression of the disease. However, the molecular determinants underlying Aβ40 and Aβ42 cross-interaction and the structural details of their co-oligomers remain elusive. Herein, we performed all-atom explicit-solvent replica exchange molecular dynamics simulations on Aβ40-Aβ42 heterogeneous and Aβ40/Aβ42 homogeneous dimer systems to dissect the co-aggregation mechanisms of the two isoforms. Our results show that the interpeptide main-chain interaction of Aβ40-Aβ42 is stronger than that of Aβ40-Aβ40 and Aβ42-Aβ42. The positions of hotspot residues in heterodimers and homodimers display high similarity, implying similar molecular recognition sites for both cross-interaction and self-interaction. Contact maps of Aβ40-Aβ42 heterodimers reveal that residue pairs crucial for cross-interaction are mostly located in the C-terminal hydrophobic regions of Aβ40 and Aβ42 peptides. Conformational analysis shows that Aβ40 and Aβ42 monomers can co-assemble into β-sheet-rich heterodimers with shorter β-sheets than those in homodimers, which is decremental to monomer addition. Similar molecular recognition sites and β-sheet distribution of Aβ40 and Aβ42 peptides are observed in heterodimers and homodimers, which may provide the molecular basis for the two isoforms' co-aggregation and cross-seeding. Our work dissects the co-aggregation mechanisms of Aβ40 and Aβ42 peptides at the atomic level, which will help for in-depth understanding of the cross-talk between the two Aβ isoforms and the pathogenesis of AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuhua Li
- MOE Key Laboratory for Nonequilibrium Synthesis and Modulation of Condensed Matter, School of Physics, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, China
- State Key Laboratory of Surface Physics, Key Laboratory for Computational Physical Sciences (Ministry of Education), and Department of Physics, Fudan University, 2005 Songhu Road, Shanghai 200438, China
| | - Zhiwei Yang
- MOE Key Laboratory for Nonequilibrium Synthesis and Modulation of Condensed Matter, School of Physics, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, China
| | - Yujie Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Surface Physics, Key Laboratory for Computational Physical Sciences (Ministry of Education), and Department of Physics, Fudan University, 2005 Songhu Road, Shanghai 200438, China
| | - Shengli Zhang
- MOE Key Laboratory for Nonequilibrium Synthesis and Modulation of Condensed Matter, School of Physics, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, China
| | - Guanghong Wei
- State Key Laboratory of Surface Physics, Key Laboratory for Computational Physical Sciences (Ministry of Education), and Department of Physics, Fudan University, 2005 Songhu Road, Shanghai 200438, China
| | - Lei Zhang
- MOE Key Laboratory for Nonequilibrium Synthesis and Modulation of Condensed Matter, School of Physics, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, China
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19
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Ehtezazi T, Rahman K, Davies R, Leach AG. The Pathological Effects of Circulating Hydrophobic Bile Acids in Alzheimer's Disease. J Alzheimers Dis Rep 2023; 7:173-211. [PMID: 36994114 PMCID: PMC10041467 DOI: 10.3233/adr-220071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent clinical studies have revealed that the serum levels of toxic hydrophobic bile acids (deoxy cholic acid, lithocholic acid [LCA], and glycoursodeoxycholic acid) are significantly higher in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) when compared to control subjects. The elevated serum bile acids may be the result of hepatic peroxisomal dysfunction. Circulating hydrophobic bile acids are able to disrupt the blood-brain barrier and promote the formation of amyloid-β plaques through enhancing the oxidation of docosahexaenoic acid. Hydrophobic bile acid may find their ways into the neurons via the apical sodium-dependent bile acid transporter. It has been shown that hydrophobic bile acids impose their pathological effects by activating farnesoid X receptor and suppressing bile acid synthesis in the brain, blocking NMDA receptors, lowering brain oxysterol levels, and interfering with 17β-estradiol actions such as LCA by binding to E2 receptors (molecular modelling data exclusive to this paper). Hydrophobic bile acids may interfere with the sonic hedgehog signaling through alteration of cell membrane rafts and reducing brain 24(S)-hydroxycholesterol. This article will 1) analyze the pathological roles of circulating hydrophobic bile acids in the brain, 2) propose therapeutic approaches, and 3) conclude that consideration be given to reducing/monitoring toxic bile acid levels in patients with AD or aMCI, prior/in combination with other treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Touraj Ehtezazi
- School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, UK
| | - Khalid Rahman
- School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, UK
| | - Rhys Davies
- The Walton Centre, NHS Foundation Trust, Liverpool, UK
| | - Andrew G Leach
- School of Pharmacy, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
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20
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Simões JL, Sobierai LD, Leal IF, Dos Santos MV, Coiado JV, Bagatini MD. Action of the Purinergic and Cholinergic Anti-inflammatory Pathways on Oxidative Stress in Patients with Alzheimer's Disease in the Context of the COVID-19 Pandemic. Neuroscience 2023; 512:110-132. [PMID: 36526078 PMCID: PMC9746135 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2022.12.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2022] [Revised: 12/02/2022] [Accepted: 12/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the etiologic agent of the 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19), has affected more than 20 million people in Brazil and caused a global health emergency. This virus has the potential to affect various parts of the body and compromise metabolic functions. The virus-mediated neural inflammation of the nervous system is due to a storm of cytokines and oxidative stress, which are the clinical features of Alzheimer's disease (AD). This neurodegenerative disease is aggravated in cases involving SARS-CoV-2 and its inflammatory biomarkers, accelerating accumulation of β-amyloid peptide, hyperphosphorylation of tau protein, and production of reactive oxygen species, which lead to homeostasis imbalance. The cholinergic system, through neurons and the neurotransmitter acetylcholine (ACh), modulates various physiological pathways, such as the response to stress, sleep and wakefulness, sensory information, and the cognitive system. Patients with AD have low concentrations of ACh; hence, therapeutic methods are aimed at adjusting the ACh titers available to the body for maintaining functionality. Herein, we focused on acetylcholinesterase inhibitors, responsible for the degradation of ACh in the synaptic cleft, and muscarinic and nicotinic receptor agonists of the cholinergic system owing to the therapeutic potential of the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway in AD associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Júlia L.B. Simões
- Medical School, Federal University of Fronteira Sul, Chapecó, SC, Brazil
| | | | - Inayá F. Leal
- Medical School, Federal University of Fronteira Sul, Chapecó, SC, Brazil
| | | | - João Victor Coiado
- Medical School, Federal University of Fronteira Sul, Chapecó, SC, Brazil
| | - Margarete D. Bagatini
- Graduate Program in Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Fronteira Sul, Chapecó, SC, Brazil,Corresponding author
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21
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Abdelhameed NG, Ahmed YH, Yasin NAE, Mahmoud MY, El-Sakhawy MA. Effects of Aluminum Oxide Nanoparticles in the Cerebrum, Hippocampus, and Cerebellum of Male Wistar Rats and Potential Ameliorative Role of Melatonin. ACS Chem Neurosci 2023; 14:359-369. [PMID: 36689351 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.2c00406] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Aluminum oxide nanoparticles (Al2O3 NPs) have been widely used in vaccine manufacture, food additives, human care products, and cosmetics. However, they also have adverse effects on different organs, including the liver, kidneys, and testes. Melatonin is a potent antioxidant, particularly against metals by forming melatonin-metal complexes. The present study aimed to investigate the protective effects of melatonin against Al2O3 NP-induced toxicity in the rat brain. Forty adult male Wistar rats were allocated to four groups: the untreated control (received standard diet and distilled water), Al2O3 NP-treated (received 30 mg/kg body weight Al2O3 NPs), melatonin and Al2O3 NP-treated (received 30 mg/kg body weight Al2O3 NPs + 10 mg/kg body weight melatonin), and melatonin-treated (received 10 mg/kg body weight melatonin) groups. All treatments were by oral gavages and administered daily for 28 days. Afterward, the rats were sacrificed, and samples from various brain regions (cerebrum, cerebellum, and hippocampus) were subjected to biochemical, histopathological, and immunohistochemical analyses. Al2O3 NPs substantially increased malondialdehyde, β-amyloid 1-42 peptide, acetylcholinesterase, and β-secretase-1 expression, whereas they markedly decreased glutathione levels. Furthermore, Al2O3 NPs induced severe histopathological alterations, including vacuolation of the neuropil, enlarged pericellular and perivascular spaces, vascular congestion, neuronal degeneration, and pyknosis. Al2O3 NP treatment also resulted in an intense positive caspase-3 immunostaining. Conversely, the administration of melatonin alleviated the adverse effects induced by Al2O3 NPs. Therefore, melatonin can diminish the neurotoxic effects induced by Al2O3 NPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nermeen G Abdelhameed
- Cytology and Histology Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Cairo University, Giza 12211, Egypt
| | - Yasmine H Ahmed
- Cytology and Histology Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Cairo University, Giza 12211, Egypt
| | - Noha A E Yasin
- Cytology and Histology Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Cairo University, Giza 12211, Egypt
| | - Mohamed Y Mahmoud
- Toxicology and Forensic Medicine Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Cairo University, Giza 12211, Egypt
| | - Mohamed A El-Sakhawy
- Cytology and Histology Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Cairo University, Giza 12211, Egypt
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22
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Rudnicka-Drożak E, Drożak P, Mizerski G, Zaborowski T, Ślusarska B, Nowicki G, Drożak M. Links between COVID-19 and Alzheimer's Disease-What Do We Already Know? INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:2146. [PMID: 36767513 PMCID: PMC9915236 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20032146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2022] [Revised: 01/21/2023] [Accepted: 01/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a life-changing condition whose etiology is explained by several hypotheses. Recently, a new virus contributed to the evidence of viral involvement in AD: the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which causes the COVID-19 coronavirus disease. AD was found to be one of the most common COVID-19 comorbidities, and it was found to increase mortality from this disease as well. Moreover, AD patients were observed to present with the distinct clinical features of COVID-19, with delirium being prevalent in this group. The SARS-CoV-2 virus enters host cells through the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor. ACE2 is overexpressed in brains with AD, which thus increases the viral invasion. Furthermore, the inhibition of the ACE2 receptor by the SARS-CoV-2 virus may also decrease the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), contributing to neurodegeneration. The ApoE ε4 allele, which increases the risk of AD, was found to facilitate the SARS-CoV-2 entry into cells. Furthermore, the neuroinflammation and oxidative stress existing in AD patients enhance the inflammatory response associated with COVID-19. Moreover, pandemic and associated social distancing measures negatively affected the mental health, cognitive function, and neuro-psychiatric symptoms of AD patients. This review comprehensively covers the links between COVID-19 and Alzheimer's disease, including clinical presentation, molecular mechanisms, and the effects of social distancing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ewa Rudnicka-Drożak
- Chair and Department of Family Medicine, Medical University of Lublin, Langiewicza 6a, 20-035 Lublin, Poland
| | - Paulina Drożak
- Student Scientific Society, Chair and Department of Family Medicine, Medical University of Lublin, Langiewicza 6a, 20-035 Lublin, Poland
| | - Grzegorz Mizerski
- Chair and Department of Family Medicine, Medical University of Lublin, Langiewicza 6a, 20-035 Lublin, Poland
| | - Tomasz Zaborowski
- Chair and Department of Family Medicine, Medical University of Lublin, Langiewicza 6a, 20-035 Lublin, Poland
| | - Barbara Ślusarska
- Department of Family and Geriatric Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, Medical University of Lublin, 20-081 Lublin, Poland
| | - Grzegorz Nowicki
- Department of Family and Geriatric Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, Medical University of Lublin, 20-081 Lublin, Poland
| | - Martyna Drożak
- Student Scientific Society, Chair and Department of Family Medicine, Medical University of Lublin, Langiewicza 6a, 20-035 Lublin, Poland
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Barber K, Mendonca P, Soliman KFA. The Neuroprotective Effects and Therapeutic Potential of the Chalcone Cardamonin for Alzheimer's Disease. Brain Sci 2023; 13:145. [PMID: 36672126 PMCID: PMC9856590 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci13010145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2022] [Revised: 01/10/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Neurodegenerative diseases (ND) include a wide range of conditions that result from progressive damage to the neurons. Alzheimer's disease (AD) is one of the most common NDs, and neuroinflammation and oxidative stress (OS) are the major factors in the development and progression of the disease. Many naturally occurring phytochemical compounds exhibit antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities with potential neuroprotective effects. Several plant species, including Alpinia katsumadai and Alpinia conchigera, contain cardamonin (CD). CD (2',4'-dihydroxy-6'methoxychalcone) has many therapeutic properties, including anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiviral, and antibiotic activities. CD is a potent compound that can reduce OS and modulate the inflammatory processes that play a significant part in developing neurodegenerative diseases. CD has been shown to modulate a variety of signaling molecules involved in the development and progression of ND, including transcription factors (NF-kB and STAT3), cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1, and IL-6), enzymes (COX-2, MMP-9, and ALDH1), and other proteins and genes (Bcl-2, XIAP, and cyclin D1). Additionally, CD effectively modulates miRNA levels and autophagy-related CD-protective mechanisms against neurodegeneration. In summary, this review provides mechanistic insights into CD's ability to modify multiple oxidative stress-antioxidant system pathways, Nrf2, and neuroinflammation. Additionally, it points to the possible therapeutic potential and preventive utilization of CD in neurodegenerative diseases, most specifically AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kimberly Barber
- Division of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Institute of Public Health, Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, FL 32307, USA
| | - Patricia Mendonca
- Department of Biology, College of Science and Technology, Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, FL 32307, USA
| | - Karam F. A. Soliman
- Division of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Institute of Public Health, Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, FL 32307, USA
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24
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Gao Y, Sun Y, Islam S, Nakamura T, Tomita T, Zou K, Michikawa M. Presenilin 1 deficiency impairs Aβ42-to-Aβ40- and angiotensin-converting activities of ACE. Front Aging Neurosci 2023; 15:1098034. [PMID: 36875692 PMCID: PMC9981673 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2023.1098034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2022] [Accepted: 01/20/2023] [Indexed: 02/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Alzheimer's disease (AD) is associated with amyloid β-protein 1-42 (Aβ42) accumulation in the brain. Aβ42 and Aβ40 are the major two species generated from amyloid precursor protein. We found that angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) converts neurotoxic Aβ42 to neuroprotective Aβ40 in an ACE domain- and glycosylation-dependent manner. Presenilin 1 (PS1) mutations account for most of cases of familial AD and lead to an increased Aβ42/40 ratio. However, the mechanism by which PSEN1 mutations induce a higher Aβ42/40 ratio is unclear. Methods We over expressed human ACE in mouse wild-type and PS1-deficient fibroblasts. The purified ACE protein was used to analysis the Aβ42-to-Aβ40- and angiotensin-converting activities. The distribution of ACE was determined by Immunofluorescence staining. Result We found that ACE purified from PS1-deficient fibroblasts exhibited altered glycosylation and significantly reduced Aβ42-to-Aβ40- and angiotensin-converting activities compared with ACE from wild-type fibroblasts. Overexpression of wild-type PS1 in PS1-deficient fibroblasts restored the Aβ42-to-Aβ40- and angiotensin-converting activities of ACE. Interestingly, PS1 mutants completely restored the angiotensin-converting activity in PS1-deficient fibroblasts, but some PS1 mutants did not restore the Aβ42-to-Aβ40-converting activity. We also found that the glycosylation of ACE in adult mouse brain differed from that of embryonic brain and that the Aβ42-to-Aβ40-converting activity in adult mouse brain was lower than that in embryonic brain. Conclusion PS1 deficiency altered ACE glycosylation and impaired its Aβ42-to-Aβ40- and angiotensin-converting activities. Our findings suggest that PS1 deficiency and PSEN1 mutations increase the Aβ42/40 ratio by reducing the Aβ42-to-Aβ40-converting activity of ACE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Gao
- Department of Biochemistry, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya City University, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Yang Sun
- Department of Biochemistry, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya City University, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Sadequl Islam
- Department of Biochemistry, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya City University, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Tomohisa Nakamura
- Department of Biochemistry, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya City University, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Taisuke Tomita
- Laboratory of Neuropathology and Neuroscience, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Tokyo, Bunkyo, Japan
| | - Kun Zou
- Department of Biochemistry, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya City University, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Makoto Michikawa
- Department of Biochemistry, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya City University, Nagoya, Japan
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25
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Wang ZW, Niu L, Riaz S. Regulation of Ryanodine Receptor-Dependent Neurotransmitter Release by AIP, Calstabins, and Presenilins. ADVANCES IN NEUROBIOLOGY 2023; 33:287-304. [PMID: 37615871 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-34229-5_11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/25/2023]
Abstract
Ryanodine receptors (RyRs) are Ca2+ release channels located in the endoplasmic reticulum membrane. Presynaptic RyRs play important roles in neurotransmitter release and synaptic plasticity. Recent studies suggest that the proper function of presynaptic RyRs relies on several regulatory proteins, including aryl hydrocarbon receptor-interacting protein, calstabins, and presenilins. Dysfunctions of these regulatory proteins can greatly impact neurotransmitter release and synaptic plasticity by altering the function or expression of RyRs. This chapter aims to describe the interaction between these proteins and RyRs, elucidating their crucial role in regulating synaptic function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhao-Wen Wang
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington, CT, USA.
| | - Longgang Niu
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington, CT, USA
| | - Sadaf Riaz
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington, CT, USA
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26
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Sun Y, Islam S, Gao Y, Nakamura T, Zou K, Michikawa M. Apolipoprotein E4 inhibits γ-secretase activity via binding to the γ-secretase complex. J Neurochem 2022; 164:858-874. [PMID: 36582176 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.15750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2022] [Revised: 11/07/2022] [Accepted: 12/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
The mechanisms of amyloid accumulation in familial Alzheimer's disease (FAD) and sporadic AD (SAD) are controversial. In FAD, mutations in presenilin (PSEN) impair γ-secretase activity and lead to abnormal amyloid β-protein (Aβ) production, thereby increasing the Aβ42/40 ratio. SAD is postulated to be caused by decreased Aβ clearance of apolipoprotein E4 (APOE4), the strongest risk factor for SAD. However, whether intracellular APOE4 affects Aβ production is unclear. Using APOE3 and APOE4 knock-in (KI) mouse brain and primary cultured fibroblasts from these mice, in this study, we demonstrated that APOE3 and APOE4 bind to the γ-secretase complex and isoform-dependently regulate its activity and Aβ production. We found that Aβ40 levels and γ-secretase activity were higher in APOE knockout mouse brain than in wild-type mouse brain. APOE4-KI fibroblasts had significant lower Aβ levels and γ-secretase activity but higher Aβ42/40 ratio compared with APOE3-KI cells, indicating that APOE4-KI reduces Aβ production by inhibiting γ-secretase activity. Interestingly, the levels of γ-secretase complex bound to APOE4 are higher than those bound to APOE3, and the levels of γ-secretase complex in the brain and fibroblasts of APOE4-KI mice were higher than those of APOE3-KI mice. Taken together, our findings demonstrate that intracellular APOE4 inhibits Aβ production, more preferentially inhibits Aβ40 production, and thereby induces an increase in the Aβ42/40 ratio via binding to the γ-secretase complex. These results suggest a novel mechanism in which intracellular APOE4 contributes to the pathogenesis of SAD by inhibiting γ-secretase activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Sun
- Department of Biochemistry, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya City University, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Sadequl Islam
- Department of Biochemistry, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya City University, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Yuan Gao
- Department of Biochemistry, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya City University, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Tomohisa Nakamura
- Department of Biochemistry, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya City University, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Kun Zou
- Department of Biochemistry, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya City University, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Makoto Michikawa
- Department of Biochemistry, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya City University, Nagoya, Japan
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27
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Nguyen PH, Derreumaux P. Insights into the Mixture of Aβ24 and Aβ42 Peptides from Atomistic Simulations. J Phys Chem B 2022; 126:10689-10696. [PMID: 36493347 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.2c07321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Amyloid-β (Aβ) oligomers play a central role in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Plaques of AD patients consist of Aβ40 and Aβ42 peptides and truncated Aβ peptides. The Aβ24 peptide, identified in human AD brains, was found to impair Aβ42 clearance through the brain-blood barrier. The Aβ24 peptide was also shown to reduce Aβ42 aggregation kinetics in pure buffer, but the underlying mechanism is unknown at atomistic level. In this study, we explored the conformational ensemble of the equimolar mixture of Aβ24 and Aβ42 by replica exchange molecular dynamics simulations and compared it to our previous results on the pure Aβ42 dimer. Our simulations demonstrate that the truncation at residue 24 changes the secondary, tertiary, and quaternary structures of the dimer, offering an explanation of the slower aggregation kinetics of the mixture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Phuong H Nguyen
- Université Paris Cité, UPR 9080 CNRS, Laboratoire de Biochimie Théorique, Institut de Biologie Physico-Chimique, Fondation Edmond de Rothschild, 13 rue Pierre et Marie Curie, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Philippe Derreumaux
- Université Paris Cité, UPR 9080 CNRS, Laboratoire de Biochimie Théorique, Institut de Biologie Physico-Chimique, Fondation Edmond de Rothschild, 13 rue Pierre et Marie Curie, 75005 Paris, France.,Institut Universitaire de France (IUF), 75005 Paris, France
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28
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Disease-Modifying Activity of Huperzine A on Alzheimer's Disease: Evidence from Preclinical Studies on Rodent Models. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232315238. [PMID: 36499562 PMCID: PMC9738397 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232315238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2022] [Revised: 11/19/2022] [Accepted: 11/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
(1) Background: Huperzine A, a natural cholinesterase (AChE) inhibitor isolated from the Chinese herb Huperzia Serrata, has been used as a dietary supplement in the United States and a drug in China for therapeutic intervention on Alzheimer's disease (AD). This review aims to determine whether Huperzine A exerts disease-modifying activity through systematic analysis of preclinical studies on rodent AD models. (2) Methods: Sixteen preclinical studies were included based on specific criteria, and the methodological qualities were analyzed by SYRCLE's risk of bias tool. Some outcomes were meta-analyzed: latencies and time spent in quadrant of Morris water maze, soluble amyloid-β (Aβ) level measured by ELISA in the cortex and hippocampus, Aβ plaque numbers measured by immunohistochemistry in hippocampus, choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) activity, and AChE activity. Finally, the mechanisms of Huperzine A on AD models were summarized. (3) Conclusions: The outcomes showed that Huperzine A displayed AChE inhibition, ChAT activity enhancement, memory improvement, and Aβ decreasing activity, indicating the disease-modifying effect of Huperzine A. However, due to the uneven methodological quality, the results need to be rationally viewed, and extensively repeated.
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29
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Enhancing the Amyloid-β Anti-Aggregation Properties of Curcumin via Arene-Ruthenium(II) Derivatization. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23158710. [PMID: 35955845 PMCID: PMC9369426 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23158710] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2022] [Revised: 08/02/2022] [Accepted: 08/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a fatal neurodegenerative disorder associated with severe dementia, progressive cognitive decline, and irreversible memory loss. Although its etiopathogenesis is still unclear, the aggregation of amyloid-β (Aβ) peptides into supramolecular structures and their accumulation in the central nervous system play a critical role in the onset and progression of the disease. On such a premise, the inhibition of the early stages of Aβ aggregation is a potential prevention strategy for the treatment of AD. Since several natural occurring compounds, as well as metal-based molecules, showed promising inhibitory activities toward Aβ aggregation, we herein characterized the interaction of an organoruthenium derivative of curcumin with Aβ(1–40) and Aβ(1–42) peptides, and we evaluated its ability to inhibit the oligomerization/fibrillogenesis processes by combining in silico and in vitro methods. In general, besides being less toxic to neuronal cells, the derivative preserved the amyloid binding ability of the parent compound in terms of equilibrium dissociation constants but (most notably) was more effective both in retarding the formation and limiting the size of amyloid aggregates by virtue of a higher hindering effect on the amyloid–amyloid elongation surface. Additionally, the complex protected neuronal cells from amyloid toxicity.
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30
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Miotto EC, Brucki SMD, Cerqueira CT, Bazán PR, Silva GADA, Martin MDGM, da Silveira PS, Faria DDP, Coutinho AM, Buchpiguel CA, Busatto Filho G, Nitrini R. Episodic Memory, Hippocampal Volume, and Function for Classification of Mild Cognitive Impairment Patients Regarding Amyloid Pathology. J Alzheimers Dis 2022; 89:181-192. [PMID: 35871330 PMCID: PMC9484090 DOI: 10.3233/jad-220100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Background: Previous studies of hippocampal function and volume related to episodic memory deficits in patients with amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) have produced mixed results including increased or decreased activity and volume. However, most of them have not included biomarkers, such as amyloid-β (Aβ) deposition which is the hallmark for early identification of the Alzheimer’s disease continuum. Objective: We investigated the role of Aβ deposition, functional hippocampal activity and structural volume in aMCI patients and healthy elderly controls (HC) using a new functional MRI (fMRI) ecological episodic memory task. Methods: Forty-six older adults were included, among them Aβ PET PIB positive (PIB+) aMCI (N = 17), Aβ PET PIB negative (PIB–) aMCI (N = 15), and HC (N = 14). Hippocampal volume and function were analyzed using Freesurfer v6.0 and FSL for news headlines episodic memory fMRI task, and logistic regression for group classification in conjunction with episodic memory task and traditional neuropsychological tests. Results: The aMCI PIB+ and PIB–patients showed significantly worse performance in relation to HC in most traditional neuropsychological tests and within group difference only on story recall and the ecological episodic memory fMRI task delayed recall. The classification model reached a significant accuracy (78%) and the classification pattern characterizing the PIB+ included decreased left hippocampal function and volume, increased right hippocampal function and volume, and worse episodic memory performance differing from PIB–which showed increased left hippocampus volume. Conclusion: The main findings showed differential neural correlates, hippocampal volume and function during episodic memory in aMCI patients with the presence of Aβ deposition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eliane Correa Miotto
- Department of Neurology, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.,Institute of Radiology, LIM-44, Hospital das Clinicas, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | | | | | - Paulo R Bazán
- Institute of Radiology, LIM-44, Hospital das Clinicas, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil.,Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Maria da Graça M Martin
- Institute of Radiology, LIM-44, Hospital das Clinicas, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Daniele de Paula Faria
- Laboratory of Nuclear Medicine, LIM 43, Department of Radiology and Oncology, University of Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Artur Martins Coutinho
- Laboratory of Nuclear Medicine, LIM 43, Department of Radiology and Oncology, University of Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Carlos Alberto Buchpiguel
- Laboratory of Nuclear Medicine, LIM 43, Department of Radiology and Oncology, University of Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Ricardo Nitrini
- Department of Neurology, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
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31
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Companys-Alemany J, Turcu AL, Schneider M, Müller CE, Vázquez S, Griñán-Ferré C, Pallàs M. NMDA receptor antagonists reduce amyloid-β deposition by modulating calpain-1 signaling and autophagy, rescuing cognitive impairment in 5XFAD mice. Cell Mol Life Sci 2022; 79:408. [PMID: 35810220 PMCID: PMC9271115 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-022-04438-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2022] [Revised: 06/07/2022] [Accepted: 06/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Overstimulation of N-methyl-d-aspartate receptors (NMDARs) is the leading cause of brain excitotoxicity and often contributes to neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s Disease (AD), the most common form of dementia. This study aimed to evaluate a new NMDA receptor antagonist (UB-ALT-EV) and memantine in 6-month-old female 5XFAD mice that were exposed orally to a chronic low-dose treatment. Behavioral and cognitive tests confirmed better cognitive performance in both treated groups. Calcium-dependent protein calpain-1 reduction was found after UB-ALT-EV treatment but not after memantine. Changes in spectrin breakdown products (SBDP) and the p25/p35 ratio confirmed diminished calpain-1 activity. Amyloid β (Aβ) production and deposition was evaluated in 5XFAD mice and demonstrated a robust effect of NMDAR antagonists on reducing Aβ deposition and the number and size of Thioflavin-S positive plaques. Furthermore, glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK3β) active form and phosphorylated tau (AT8) levels were diminished after UB-ALT-EV treatment, revealing tau pathology improvement. Because calpain-1 is involved in autophagy activation, autophagic proteins were studied. Strikingly, results showed changes in the protein levels of unc-51-like kinase (ULK-1), beclin-1, microtubule-associated protein 1A/1B-light chain 3(LC3B-II)/LC3B-I ratio, and lysosomal-associated membrane protein 1 (LAMP-1) after NMDAR antagonist treatments, suggesting an accumulation of autophagolysosomes in 5XFAD mice, reversed by UB-ALT-EV. Likewise, treatment with UB-ALT-EV recovered a WT mice profile in apoptosis markers Bcl-2, Bax, and caspase-3. In conclusion, our results revealed the potential neuroprotective effect of UB-ALT-EV by attenuating NMDA-mediated apoptosis and reducing Aβ deposition and deposition jointly with the autophagy rescue to finally reduce cognitive alterations in a mice model of familial AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Júlia Companys-Alemany
- Pharmacology Section, Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Therapeutic Chemistry. Faculty of Pharmacy and Food Sciences, Institut de Neurociències, Universitat de Barcelona (NeuroUB), Av. Joan XXIII 27-31, 08028, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Andreea L Turcu
- Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry (CSIC Associated Unit), Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Therapeutic Chemistry. Faculty of Pharmacy and Food Sciences and Institute of Biomedicine (IBUB), University of Barcelona, Av. Joan XXIII, 27-31, 08028, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Marion Schneider
- PharmaCenter Bonn, Pharmaceutical Institute, Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, University of Bonn, 53121, Bonn, Germany
| | - Christa E Müller
- PharmaCenter Bonn, Pharmaceutical Institute, Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, University of Bonn, 53121, Bonn, Germany
| | - Santiago Vázquez
- Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry (CSIC Associated Unit), Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Therapeutic Chemistry. Faculty of Pharmacy and Food Sciences and Institute of Biomedicine (IBUB), University of Barcelona, Av. Joan XXIII, 27-31, 08028, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Christian Griñán-Ferré
- Pharmacology Section, Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Therapeutic Chemistry. Faculty of Pharmacy and Food Sciences, Institut de Neurociències, Universitat de Barcelona (NeuroUB), Av. Joan XXIII 27-31, 08028, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Mercè Pallàs
- Pharmacology Section, Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Therapeutic Chemistry. Faculty of Pharmacy and Food Sciences, Institut de Neurociències, Universitat de Barcelona (NeuroUB), Av. Joan XXIII 27-31, 08028, Barcelona, Spain.
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32
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Jin Y, Li F, Sonoustoun B, Kondru NC, Martens YA, Qiao W, Heckman MG, Ikezu TC, Li Z, Burgess JD, Amerna D, O’Leary J, DeTure MA, Zhao J, McLean PJ, Dickson DW, Ross OA, Bu G, Zhao N. APOE4 exacerbates α-synuclein seeding activity and contributes to neurotoxicity in Alzheimer's disease with Lewy body pathology. Acta Neuropathol 2022; 143:641-662. [PMID: 35471463 PMCID: PMC9107450 DOI: 10.1007/s00401-022-02421-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2021] [Revised: 04/15/2022] [Accepted: 04/16/2022] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Approximately half of Alzheimer's disease (AD) brains have concomitant Lewy pathology at autopsy, suggesting that α-synuclein (α-SYN) aggregation is a regulated event in the pathogenesis of AD. Genome-wide association studies revealed that the ε4 allele of the apolipoprotein E (APOE4) gene, the strongest genetic risk factor for AD, is also the most replicated genetic risk factor for Lewy body dementia (LBD), signifying an important role of APOE4 in both amyloid-β (Aβ) and α-SYN pathogenesis. How APOE4 modulates α-SYN aggregation in AD is unclear. In this study, we aimed to determine how α-SYN is associated with AD-related pathology and how APOE4 impacts α-SYN seeding and toxicity. We measured α-SYN levels and their association with other established AD-related markers in brain samples from autopsy-confirmed AD patients (N = 469), where 54% had concomitant LB pathology (AD + LB). We found significant correlations between the levels of α-SYN and those of Aβ40, Aβ42, tau and APOE, particularly in insoluble fractions of AD + LB. Using a real-time quaking-induced conversion (RT-QuIC) assay, we measured the seeding activity of soluble α-SYN and found that α-SYN seeding was exacerbated by APOE4 in the AD cohort, as well as a small cohort of autopsy-confirmed LBD brains with minimal Alzheimer type pathology. We further fractionated the soluble AD brain lysates by size exclusion chromatography (SEC) ran on fast protein liquid chromatography (FPLC) and identified the α-SYN species (~ 96 kDa) that showed the strongest seeding activity. Finally, using human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived neurons, we showed that amplified α-SYN aggregates from AD + LB brain of patients with APOE4 were highly toxic to neurons, whereas the same amount of α-SYN monomer was not toxic. Our findings suggest that the presence of LB pathology correlates with AD-related pathologies and that APOE4 exacerbates α-SYN seeding activity and neurotoxicity, providing mechanistic insight into how APOE4 affects α-SYN pathogenesis in AD.
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33
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Bernabeu-Zornoza A, Coronel R, Palmer C, Martín A, López-Alonso V, Liste I. Neurogenesis Is Increased in Human Neural Stem Cells by Aβ40 Peptide. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23105820. [PMID: 35628629 PMCID: PMC9143763 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23105820] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2022] [Revised: 05/03/2022] [Accepted: 05/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyloid-β 40 peptides [Aβ1-40 (Aβ40)] are present within amyloid plaques in the brains of patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD). Even though Aβ peptides are considered neurotoxic, they can mediate many biological processes, both in adult brains and throughout brain development. However, the physiological function of these Aβ peptides remains poorly understood, and the existing data are sometimes controversial. Here, we analyze and compare the effects of monomeric Aβ40 on the biology of differentiating human neural stem cells (human NSCs). For that purpose, we used a model of human NSCs called hNS1. Our data demonstrated that Aβ40 at high concentrations provokes apoptotic cellular death and the damage of DNA in human NSCs while also increasing the proliferation and favors neurogenesis by raising the percentage of proliferating neuronal precursors. These effects can be mediated, at least in part, by β-catenin. These results provide evidence of how Aβ modulate/regulate human NSC proliferation and differentiation, suggesting Aβ40 may be a pro-neurogenic factor. Our data could contribute to a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved in AD pathology and to the development of human NSC-based therapies for AD treatment, since these results could then be used in diagnosing the disease at early stages and be applied to the development of new treatment options.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adela Bernabeu-Zornoza
- Unidad de Regeneración Neural, Unidad Funcional de Investigación de Enfermedades Crónicas (UFIEC), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), 28222 Majadahonda, Spain; (R.C.); (C.P.)
- Correspondence: (A.B.-Z.); (I.L.); Tel.: +34-918-223-292; Fax: +34-918-223-269
| | - Raquel Coronel
- Unidad de Regeneración Neural, Unidad Funcional de Investigación de Enfermedades Crónicas (UFIEC), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), 28222 Majadahonda, Spain; (R.C.); (C.P.)
| | - Charlotte Palmer
- Unidad de Regeneración Neural, Unidad Funcional de Investigación de Enfermedades Crónicas (UFIEC), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), 28222 Majadahonda, Spain; (R.C.); (C.P.)
| | - Alberto Martín
- Instituto de Investigación de Enfermedades Raras (IIER), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), 28222 Majadahonda, Spain;
| | - Victoria López-Alonso
- Unidad de Biología Computacional, Unidad Funcional de Investigación de Enfermedades Crónicas (UFIEC), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), 28222 Majadahonda, Spain;
| | - Isabel Liste
- Unidad de Regeneración Neural, Unidad Funcional de Investigación de Enfermedades Crónicas (UFIEC), Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), 28222 Majadahonda, Spain; (R.C.); (C.P.)
- Correspondence: (A.B.-Z.); (I.L.); Tel.: +34-918-223-292; Fax: +34-918-223-269
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Yu Y, Jiang X, Fang X, Wang Y, Liu P, Ling J, Yu L, Jiang M, Tang C. Transauricular Vagal Nerve Stimulation at 40 Hz Inhibits Hippocampal P2X7R/NLRP3/Caspase-1 Signaling and Improves Spatial Learning and Memory in 6-Month-Old APP/PS1 Mice. Neuromodulation 2022; 26:589-600. [PMID: 35595603 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurom.2022.03.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2021] [Revised: 02/04/2022] [Accepted: 03/14/2022] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Transauricular vagal nerve stimulation (taVNS) at 40 Hz attenuates hippocampal amyloid load in 6-month-old amyloid precursor protein/presenilin 1 (APP/PS1) transgenic mice, but it is unclear whether 40-Hz taVNS can improve cognition in these mice. Moreover, the underlying mechanisms are still unclear. MATERIALS AND METHODS 6-month-old C57BL/6 (wild type [WT]) and APP/PS1 mice were subjected to 40-Hz taVNS. Novel Object Recognition and the Morris Water Maze were used to evaluate cognition. Hippocampal amyloid-β (Aβ)1-40, Aβ1-42, pro-interleukin (IL)-1β, and pro-IL-18 were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Hippocampal Aβ42, purinergic 2X7 receptor (P2X7R), nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3), Caspase-1, IL-1β, and IL-18 expression were evaluated by western blotting. Histologic assessments including immunofluorescence, immunohistochemistry, Nissl staining, and Congo red staining were used to assess microglial phagocytosis, neuroprotective effects, and Aβ plaque load. RESULTS 40-Hz taVNS improved spatial memory and learning in 6-month-old APP/PS1 mice but did not affect recognition memory. There were no effects on the cognitive behaviors of 6-month-old WT mice. taVNS at 40 Hz modulated microglia; significantly decreased levels of Aβ1-40, Aβ1-42, pro-IL-1β, and pro-IL-18; inhibited Aβ42, P2X7R, NLRP3, Caspase-1, IL-1β, and IL-18 expression; reduced Aβ deposits; and had neuroprotective effects in the hippocampus of 6-month-old APP/PS1 mice. These changes were not observed in 6-month-old WT mice. CONCLUSION Our results show that 40-Hz taVNS inhibits the hippocampal P2X7R/NLRP3/Caspase-1 signaling and improves spatial learning and memory in 6-month-old APP/PS1 mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yutian Yu
- Acupuncture Department, Beijing Shijitan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China; Ninth School of Clinical Medicine, Peking University, Beijing, China.
| | - Xuejiao Jiang
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Xian Fang
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Yu Wang
- Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, China Academy of Chinese Medical Science, Beijing, China
| | - Pengfei Liu
- Ninth School of Clinical Medicine, Peking University, Beijing, China; Department of Anesthesiology, Beijing Shijitan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Jing Ling
- Department of Gynecology, Shenzhen Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Lingling Yu
- Department of Chinese and Western Medicine, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Min Jiang
- Acupuncture Department, Beijing Shijitan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China; Ninth School of Clinical Medicine, Peking University, Beijing, China.
| | - Chunzhi Tang
- Clinical Medical College of Acupuncture, Moxibustion, and Rehabilitation, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China.
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Amyloid Cross-Seeding: Mechanism, Implication, and Inhibition. MOLECULES (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 27:molecules27061776. [PMID: 35335141 PMCID: PMC8955620 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27061776] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2021] [Revised: 03/04/2022] [Accepted: 03/07/2022] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Most neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease, type 2 diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, etc. are caused by inclusions and plaques containing misfolded protein aggregates. These protein aggregates are essentially formed by the interactions of either the same (homologous) or different (heterologous) sequences. Several experimental pieces of evidence have revealed the presence of cross-seeding in amyloid proteins, which results in a multicomponent assembly; however, the molecular and structural details remain less explored. Here, we discuss the amyloid proteins and the cross-seeding phenomena in detail. Data suggest that targeting the common epitope of the interacting amyloid proteins may be a better therapeutic option than targeting only one species. We also examine the dual inhibitors that target the amyloid proteins participating in the cross-seeding events. The future scopes and major challenges in understanding the mechanism and developing therapeutics are also considered. Detailed knowledge of the amyloid cross-seeding will stimulate further research in the practical aspects and better designing anti-amyloid therapeutics.
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Golde TE. Alzheimer’s disease – the journey of a healthy brain into organ failure. Mol Neurodegener 2022; 17:18. [PMID: 35248124 PMCID: PMC8898417 DOI: 10.1186/s13024-022-00523-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2022] [Accepted: 02/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
As the most common dementia, Alzheimer’s disease (AD) exacts an immense personal, societal, and economic toll. AD was first described at the neuropathological level in the early 1900s. Today, we have mechanistic insight into select aspects of AD pathogenesis and have the ability to clinically detect and diagnose AD and underlying AD pathologies in living patients. These insights demonstrate that AD is a complex, insidious, degenerative proteinopathy triggered by Aβ aggregate formation. Over time Aβ pathology drives neurofibrillary tangle (NFT) pathology, dysfunction of virtually all cell types in the brain, and ultimately, overt neurodegeneration. Yet, large gaps in our knowledge of AD pathophysiology and huge unmet medical need remain. Though we largely conceptualize AD as a disease of aging, heritable and non-heritable factors impact brain physiology, either continuously or at specific time points during the lifespan, and thereby alter risk for devolvement of AD. Herein, I describe the lifelong journey of a healthy brain from birth to death with AD, while acknowledging the many knowledge gaps that remain regarding our understanding of AD pathogenesis. To ensure the current lexicon surrounding AD changes from inevitable, incurable, and poorly manageable to a lexicon of preventable, curable, and manageable we must address these knowledge gaps, develop therapies that have a bigger impact on clinical symptoms or progression of disease and use these interventions at the appropriate stage of disease.
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Wang R, Chopra N, Nho K, Maloney B, Obukhov AG, Nelson PT, Counts SE, Lahiri DK. Human microRNA (miR-20b-5p) modulates Alzheimer's disease pathways and neuronal function, and a specific polymorphism close to the MIR20B gene influences Alzheimer's biomarkers. Mol Psychiatry 2022; 27:1256-1273. [PMID: 35087196 PMCID: PMC9054681 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-021-01351-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2021] [Revised: 09/30/2021] [Accepted: 10/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder with loss of cognitive, executive, and other mental functions, and is the most common form of age-related dementia. Amyloid-β peptide (Aβ) contributes to the etiology and progression of the disease. Aβ is derived from the amyloid-β precursor protein (APP). Multiple microRNA (miRNA) species are also implicated in AD. We report that human hsa-miR20b-5p (miR-20b), produced from the MIR20B gene on Chromosome X, may play complex roles in AD pathogenesis, including Aβ regulation. Specifically, miR-20b-5p miRNA levels were altered in association with disease progression in three regions of the human brain: temporal neocortex, cerebellum, and posterior cingulate cortex. In cultured human neuronal cells, miR-20b-5p treatment interfered with calcium homeostasis, neurite outgrowth, and branchpoints. A single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) upstream of the MIR20B gene (rs13897515) associated with differences in levels of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) Aβ1-42 and thickness of the entorhinal cortex. We located a miR-20b-5p binding site in the APP mRNA 3'-untranslated region (UTR), and treatment with miR-20b-5p reduced APP mRNA and protein levels. Network analysis of protein-protein interactions and gene coexpression revealed other important potential miR-20b-5p targets among AD-related proteins/genes. MiR-20b-5p, a miRNA that downregulated APP, was paradoxically associated with an increased risk for AD. However, miR-20b-5p also reduced, and the blockade of APP by siRNA likewise reduced calcium influx. As APP plays vital roles in neuronal health and does not exist solely to be the source of "pathogenic" Aβ, the molecular etiology of AD is likely to not just be a disease of "excess" but a disruption of delicate homeostasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruizhi Wang
- Laboratory of Molecular Neurogenetics, Department of Psychiatry, Indiana Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
| | - Nipun Chopra
- Laboratory of Molecular Neurogenetics, Department of Psychiatry, Indiana Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
- DePauw University, Greencastle, IN, 46135, USA
| | - Kwangsik Nho
- Radiology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
| | - Bryan Maloney
- Laboratory of Molecular Neurogenetics, Department of Psychiatry, Indiana Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
| | - Alexander G Obukhov
- Anatomy, Cell Biology & Physiology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA
| | - Peter T Nelson
- Sanders-Brown Center on Aging, University of Kentucky, Kentucky Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, Lexington, KY, 40536, USA
| | - Scott E Counts
- Departments of Translational Neuroscience & Family Medicine, Michigan State University, Grand Rapids, and Michigan Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Debomoy K Lahiri
- Laboratory of Molecular Neurogenetics, Department of Psychiatry, Indiana Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA.
- Department of Medical & Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA.
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Zhou AL, Sharda N, Sarma VV, Ahlschwede KM, Curran GL, Tang X, Poduslo JF, Kalari KR, Lowe VJ, Kandimalla KK. Age-Dependent Changes in the Plasma and Brain Pharmacokinetics of Amyloid-β Peptides and Insulin. J Alzheimers Dis 2022; 85:1031-1044. [PMID: 34924382 PMCID: PMC10846947 DOI: 10.3233/jad-215128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Age is the most common risk factor for Alzheimer's disease (AD), a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the hallmarks of toxic amyloid-β (Aβ) plaques and hyperphosphorylated tau tangles. Moreover, sub-physiological brain insulin levels have emerged as a pathological manifestation of AD. OBJECTIVE Identify age-related changes in the plasma disposition and blood-brain barrier (BBB) trafficking of Aβ peptides and insulin in mice. METHODS Upon systemic injection of 125I-Aβ40, 125I-Aβ42, or 125I-insulin, the plasma pharmacokinetics and brain influx were assessed in wild-type (WT) or AD transgenic (APP/PS1) mice at various ages. Additionally, publicly available single-cell RNA-Seq data [GSE129788] was employed to investigate pathways regulating BBB transport in WT mice at different ages. RESULTS The brain influx of 125I-Aβ40, estimated as the permeability-surface area product, decreased with age, accompanied by an increase in plasma AUC. In contrast, the brain influx of 125I-Aβ42 increased with age, accompanied by a decrease in plasma AUC. The age-dependent changes observed in WT mice were accelerated in APP/PS1 mice. As seen with 125I-Aβ40, the brain influx of 125I-insulin decreased with age in WT mice, accompanied by an increase in plasma AUC. This finding was further supported by dynamic single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT/CT) imaging studies. RAGE and PI3K/AKT signaling pathways at the BBB, which are implicated in Aβ and insulin transcytosis, respectively, were upregulated with age in WT mice, indicating BBB insulin resistance. CONCLUSION Aging differentially affects the plasma pharmacokinetics and brain influx of Aβ isoforms and insulin in a manner that could potentially augment AD risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew L. Zhou
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Brain Barriers Research Center, University of Minnesota, College of Pharmacy, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Nidhi Sharda
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Brain Barriers Research Center, University of Minnesota, College of Pharmacy, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Vidur V. Sarma
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Brain Barriers Research Center, University of Minnesota, College of Pharmacy, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Kristen M. Ahlschwede
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, College of Pharmacy, North Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Geoffry L. Curran
- Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, College of Medicine, Rochester, MN, USA
- Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, College of Medicine, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Xiaojia Tang
- Department of Health Sciences, Mayo Clinic, College of Medicine, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Joseph F. Poduslo
- Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, College of Medicine, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Krishna R. Kalari
- Department of Health Sciences, Mayo Clinic, College of Medicine, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Val J. Lowe
- Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, College of Medicine, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Karunya K. Kandimalla
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Brain Barriers Research Center, University of Minnesota, College of Pharmacy, Minneapolis, MN, USA
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Golde TE. Disease-Modifying Therapies for Alzheimer's Disease: More Questions than Answers. Neurotherapeutics 2022; 19:209-227. [PMID: 35229269 PMCID: PMC8885119 DOI: 10.1007/s13311-022-01201-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Scientific advances over the last four decades have steadily infused the Alzheimer's disease (AD) field with great optimism that therapies targeting Aβ, amyloid, tau, and innate immune activation states in the brain would provide disease modification. Unfortunately, this optimistic scenario has not yet played out. Though a recent approval of the anti-Aβ aggregate binding antibody, Aduhelm (aducanumab), as a "disease-modifying therapy for AD" is viewed by some as a breakthrough, many remain unconvinced by the data underlying this approval. Collectively, we have not succeeded in changing AD from a largely untreatable, inevitable, and incurable disease to a treatable, preventable, and curable one. Here, I will review the major foci of the AD "disease-modifying" therapeutic pipeline and some of the "open questions" that remain in terms of these therapeutic approaches. I will conclude the review by discussing how we, as a field, might adjust our approach, learning from our past failures to ensure future success.
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Affiliation(s)
- Todd E Golde
- Departments of Neuroscience and Neurology, Center for Translational Research in Neurodegenerative Disease, Evelyn F. and William L. McKnight Brain Institute, Norman Fixel Institute for Neurological Diseases, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA.
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40
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Switched Aβ43 generation in familial Alzheimer's disease with presenilin 1 mutation. Transl Psychiatry 2021; 11:558. [PMID: 34728605 PMCID: PMC8564532 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-021-01684-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2021] [Revised: 10/14/2021] [Accepted: 10/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Presenilin (PS) with a genetic mutation generates abundant β-amyloid protein (Aβ) 43. Senile plaques are formed by Aβ43 in the cerebral parenchyma together with Aβ42 at middle ages. These brains cause the early onset of Alzheimer's disease (AD), which is known as familial Alzheimer's disease (FAD). Based on the stepwise processing model of Aβ generation by γ-secretase, we reassessed the levels of Aβs in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of FAD participants. While low levels of Aβ38, Aβ40, and Aβ42 were generated in the CSF of FAD participants, the levels of Aβ43 were unchanged in some of them compared with other participants. We sought to investigate why the level of Aβ43 was unchanged in FAD participants. These characteristics of Aβ generation were observed in the γ-secretase assay in vitro using cells, which express FAD mutations in PS1. Aβ38 and Aβ40 generation from their precursors, Aβ42 and Aβ43, was decreased in PS1 mutants compared with wild-type (WT) PS1, as observed in the CSF. Both the ratios of Aβ38/Aβ42 and Aβ40/Aβ43 in PS1 mutants were lower than those in the WT. However, the ratio of Aβ43/amyloid precursor protein intracellular domain (AICD) increased in the PS1 mutants in an onset age dependency, while other Aβ/AICD ratios were decreased or unchanged. Importantly, liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry found that the generation of Aβ43 was stimulated from Aβ48 in PS1 mutants. This result indicates that PS1 mutants switched the Aβ43 generating line, which reflects the level of Aβ43 in the CSF and forming senile plaques.
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Tsamou M, Pistollato F, Roggen EL. A Tau-Driven Adverse Outcome Pathway Blueprint Toward Memory Loss in Sporadic (Late-Onset) Alzheimer's Disease with Plausible Molecular Initiating Event Plug-Ins for Environmental Neurotoxicants. J Alzheimers Dis 2021; 81:459-485. [PMID: 33843671 DOI: 10.3233/jad-201418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The worldwide prevalence of sporadic (late-onset) Alzheimer's disease (sAD) is dramatically increasing. Aging and genetics are important risk factors, but systemic and environmental factors contribute to this risk in a still poorly understood way. Within the frame of BioMed21, the Adverse Outcome Pathway (AOP) concept for toxicology was recommended as a tool for enhancing human disease research and accelerating translation of data into human applications. Its potential to capture biological knowledge and to increase mechanistic understanding about human diseases has been substantiated since. In pursuit of the tau-cascade hypothesis, a tau-driven AOP blueprint toward the adverse outcome of memory loss is proposed. Sequences of key events and plausible key event relationships, triggered by the bidirectional relationship between brain cholesterol and glucose dysmetabolism, and contributing to memory loss are captured. To portray how environmental factors may contribute to sAD progression, information on chemicals and drugs, that experimentally or epidemiologically associate with the risk of AD and mechanistically link to sAD progression, are mapped on this AOP. The evidence suggests that chemicals may accelerate disease progression by plugging into sAD relevant processes. The proposed AOP is a simplified framework of key events and plausible key event relationships representing one specific aspect of sAD pathology, and an attempt to portray chemical interference. Other sAD-related AOPs (e.g., Aβ-driven AOP) and a better understanding of the impact of aging and genetic polymorphism are needed to further expand our mechanistic understanding of early AD pathology and the potential impact of environmental and systemic risk factors.
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Chai AB, Lam HHJ, Kockx M, Gelissen IC. Apolipoprotein E isoform-dependent effects on the processing of Alzheimer's amyloid-β. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Cell Biol Lipids 2021; 1866:158980. [PMID: 34044125 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbalip.2021.158980] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2021] [Revised: 05/16/2021] [Accepted: 05/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Since the identification of the apolipoprotein E (apoE) *ε4 allele as a major genetic risk factor for late-onset Alzheimer's disease, significant efforts have been aimed at elucidating how apoE4 expression confers greater brain amyloid-β (Aβ) burden, earlier disease onset and worse clinical outcomes compared to apoE2 and apoE3. ApoE primarily functions as a lipid carrier to regulate cholesterol metabolism in circulation as well as in the brain. However, it has also been suggested to interact with hydrophobic Aβ peptides to influence their processing in an isoform-dependent manner. Here, we review evidence from in vitro and in vivo studies extricating the effects of the three apoE isoforms, on different stages of the Aβ processing pathway including synthesis, aggregation, deposition, clearance and degradation. ApoE4 consistently correlates with impaired Aβ clearance, however data regarding Aβ synthesis and aggregation are conflicting and likely reflect inconsistencies in experimental approaches across studies. We further discuss the physical and chemical properties of apoE that may explain the inherent differences in activity between the isoforms. The lipidation status and lipid transport function of apoE are intrinsically linked with its ability to interact with Aβ. Traditionally, apoE-oriented therapeutic strategies for Alzheimer's disease have been proposed to non-specifically enhance or inhibit apoE activity. However, given the wide-ranging physiological functions of apoE in the brain and periphery, a more viable approach may be to specifically target and neutralise the pathological apoE4 isoform.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda B Chai
- School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Hin Hei Julian Lam
- School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Maaike Kockx
- ANZAC Research Institute, Concord Repatriation General Hospital, University of Sydney, Concord, NSW 2139, Australia
| | - Ingrid C Gelissen
- School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia.
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Zhao H, Huang X, Tong Z. Formaldehyde-Crosslinked Nontoxic Aβ Monomers to Form Toxic Aβ Dimers and Aggregates: Pathogenicity and Therapeutic Perspectives. ChemMedChem 2021; 16:3376-3390. [PMID: 34396700 DOI: 10.1002/cmdc.202100428] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2021] [Revised: 08/14/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized by the presence of senile plaques in the brain. However, medicines targeting amyloid-beta (Aβ) have not achieved the expected clinical effects. This review focuses on the formation mechanism of the Aβ dimer (the basic unit of oligomers and fibrils) and its tremendous potential as a drug target. Recently, age-associated formaldehyde and Aβ-derived formaldehyde have been found to crosslink the nontoxic Aβ monomer to form the toxic dimers, oligomers and fibrils. Particularly, Aβ-induced formaldehyde accumulation and formaldehyde-promoted Aβ aggregation form a vicious cycle. Subsequently, formaldehyde initiates Aβ toxicity in both the early-and late-onset AD. These facts also explain why AD drugs targeting only Aβ do not have the desired therapeutic effects. Development of the nanoparticle-based medicines targeting both formaldehyde and Aβ dimer is a promising strategy for improving the drug efficacy by penetrating blood-brain barrier and extracellular space into the cortical neurons in AD patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hang Zhao
- Institute of Aging, Key Laboratory of Alzheimer's Disease of Zhejiang Province, School of Mental Health, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325035, China
| | - Xuerong Huang
- Wenzhou Medical University Affiliated Hospital 3, Department of Neurology, Wenzhou, 325200, China
| | - Zhiqian Tong
- Institute of Aging, Key Laboratory of Alzheimer's Disease of Zhejiang Province, School of Mental Health, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325035, China
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Mukhopadhyay S, Banerjee D. A Primer on the Evolution of Aducanumab: The First Antibody Approved for Treatment of Alzheimer's Disease. J Alzheimers Dis 2021; 83:1537-1552. [PMID: 34366359 DOI: 10.3233/jad-215065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia with global burden projected to triple by 2050. It incurs significant biopsychosocial burden worldwide with limited treatment options. Aducanumab is the first monoclonal antibody recently approved by the US-FDA for mild AD through the accelerated approval pathway. It is the first molecule to be approved for AD since 2003 and carries with it a therapeutic promise for the future. As the definition of AD has evolved from a pathological entity to a Clinico-biological construct over the years, the amyloid-β (Aβ) pathway has been increasingly implicated in its pathogenesis. The approval of Aducanumab is based on reduction of the Aβ load in the brain, which forms a surrogate marker for this pathway. The research populace has, however, been globally divided by skepticism and hope regarding this approval. Failure to meet clinical endpoints in the trials, alleged transparency issues, cost-effectiveness, potential adverse effects, need for regular monitoring, and critique of 'amyloid cascade hypothesis' itself are the main caveats concerning the antibody. With this controversy in background, this paper critically looks at antibody research in AD therapeutics, evidence, and evolution of Aducanumab as a drug and the potential clinical implications of its use in future. While the efficacy of this monoclonal antibody in AD stands as a test of time, based on the growing evidence it is vital to rethink and explore alternate pathways of pathogenesis (oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, cholesterol metabolism, vascular factors, etc.) as possible therapeutic targets that may help elucidate the enigma of this complex yet progressive and debilitating neurodegenerative disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanchari Mukhopadhyay
- Geriatric Unit, Department of Psychiatry, NationalInstitute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
| | - Debanjan Banerjee
- Geriatric Unit, Department of Psychiatry, NationalInstitute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
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45
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Ma WH, Chen AF, Xie XY, Huang YS. Sigma ligands as potent inhibitors of Aβ and AβOs in neurons and promising therapeutic agents of Alzheimer's disease. Neuropharmacology 2021; 190:108342. [PMID: 33045243 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2020.108342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2020] [Revised: 09/14/2020] [Accepted: 10/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is an age-related neurodegenerative disease and characterized by dementia, memory decline, loss of learning and cognitive disorder. The main pathological features of AD are the deposition of amyloid plaques and the formation of neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) in the brain. The current anti-AD drugs have shown unsatisfactory therapeutic results. Due to the complications and unclear pathogenesis, AD is still irreversible and incurable. Among several hypotheses proposed by the academic community, the amyloid cascade is widely recognized by scholars and supported by a large amount of evidences. However, controversy over pathogenic factors has also been ongoing. Increasing evidence has shown that amyloid-β (Aβ) and especially amyloid-β oligomers (AβOs) are highly neurotoxic and pathogenic agents that damage neurons, mediate various receptors in the downstream pathways, and ultimately lead to learning and cognitive dysfunction. However, efforts in developing inhibitors of Aβ or amyloid-β precursor protein (APP) have all failed to yield good clinical results. More recently, it has been demonstrated that sigma receptors, including sigma-1 and sigma-2 subtypes, may play critical roles in the regulation of binding and metabolism of AβOs in neuron cells and the pathophysiology of AD. Thus, sigma receptor ligands are being recognized as promising therapeutic agents for treating or ameliorating AD. This article will review the pathophysiology of AD and highlight the sigma ligands that display the capability of preventing or even reversing Aβ- and AβOs-induced neurotoxicity and blocking the signal transduction caused by AβOs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen-Hui Ma
- School of Pharmacy, Guangdong Medical University, 1 Xincheng Ave, Songshan Lake Technology Park, Dongguan, Guangdong 523808, China; Dongguan Key Laboratory for Drug Design & Formulation, 1 Xincheng Ave, Songshan Lake Technology Park, Dongguan, Guangdong 523808, China
| | - Ai-Fang Chen
- School of Pharmacy, Guangdong Medical University, 1 Xincheng Ave, Songshan Lake Technology Park, Dongguan, Guangdong 523808, China; Dongguan Key Laboratory for Drug Design & Formulation, 1 Xincheng Ave, Songshan Lake Technology Park, Dongguan, Guangdong 523808, China
| | - Xiao-Yang Xie
- School of Pharmacy, Guangdong Medical University, 1 Xincheng Ave, Songshan Lake Technology Park, Dongguan, Guangdong 523808, China; Dongguan Key Laboratory for Drug Design & Formulation, 1 Xincheng Ave, Songshan Lake Technology Park, Dongguan, Guangdong 523808, China
| | - Yun-Sheng Huang
- School of Pharmacy, Guangdong Medical University, 1 Xincheng Ave, Songshan Lake Technology Park, Dongguan, Guangdong 523808, China; Dongguan Key Laboratory for Drug Design & Formulation, 1 Xincheng Ave, Songshan Lake Technology Park, Dongguan, Guangdong 523808, China.
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46
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Sharma C, Kim S, Nam Y, Jung UJ, Kim SR. Mitochondrial Dysfunction as a Driver of Cognitive Impairment in Alzheimer's Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22094850. [PMID: 34063708 PMCID: PMC8125007 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22094850] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2021] [Revised: 04/30/2021] [Accepted: 05/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most frequent cause of age-related neurodegeneration and cognitive impairment, and there are currently no broadly effective therapies. The underlying pathogenesis is complex, but a growing body of evidence implicates mitochondrial dysfunction as a common pathomechanism involved in many of the hallmark features of the AD brain, such as formation of amyloid-beta (Aβ) aggregates (amyloid plaques), neurofibrillary tangles, cholinergic system dysfunction, impaired synaptic transmission and plasticity, oxidative stress, and neuroinflammation, that lead to neurodegeneration and cognitive dysfunction. Indeed, mitochondrial dysfunction concomitant with progressive accumulation of mitochondrial Aβ is an early event in AD pathogenesis. Healthy mitochondria are critical for providing sufficient energy to maintain endogenous neuroprotective and reparative mechanisms, while disturbances in mitochondrial function, motility, fission, and fusion lead to neuronal malfunction and degeneration associated with excess free radical production and reduced intracellular calcium buffering. In addition, mitochondrial dysfunction can contribute to amyloid-β precursor protein (APP) expression and misprocessing to produce pathogenic fragments (e.g., Aβ1-40). Given this background, we present an overview of the importance of mitochondria for maintenance of neuronal function and how mitochondrial dysfunction acts as a driver of cognitive impairment in AD. Additionally, we provide a brief summary of possible treatments targeting mitochondrial dysfunction as therapeutic approaches for AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chanchal Sharma
- School of Life Sciences, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41566, Korea;
- BK21 FOUR KNU Creative BioResearch Group, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41566, Korea
| | - Sehwan Kim
- Brain Science and Engineering Institute, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41404, Korea; (S.K.); (Y.N.)
| | - Youngpyo Nam
- Brain Science and Engineering Institute, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41404, Korea; (S.K.); (Y.N.)
| | - Un Ju Jung
- Department of Food Science and Nutrition, Pukyong National University, Busan 48513, Korea;
| | - Sang Ryong Kim
- School of Life Sciences, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41566, Korea;
- BK21 FOUR KNU Creative BioResearch Group, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41566, Korea
- Brain Science and Engineering Institute, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41404, Korea; (S.K.); (Y.N.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +82-53-950-7362; Fax: +82-53-943-2762
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Wells C, Brennan S, Keon M, Ooi L. The role of amyloid oligomers in neurodegenerative pathologies. Int J Biol Macromol 2021; 181:582-604. [PMID: 33766600 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2021.03.113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2020] [Revised: 02/18/2021] [Accepted: 03/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Many neurodegenerative diseases are rooted in the activities of amyloid-like proteins which possess conformations that spread to healthy proteins. These include Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), Huntington's disease (HD) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). While their clinical manifestations vary, their protein-level mechanisms are remarkably similar. Aberrant monomeric proteins undergo conformational shifts, facilitating aggregation and formation of solid fibrils. However, there is growing evidence that intermediate oligomeric stages are key drivers of neuronal toxicity. Analysis of protein dynamics is complicated by the fact that nucleation and growth of amyloid-like proteins is not a linear pathway. Feedback within this pathway results in exponential acceleration of aggregation, but activities exerted by oligomers and fibrils can alter cellular interactions and the cellular environment as a whole. The resulting cascade of effects likely contributes to the late onset and accelerating progression of amyloid-like protein disorders and the widespread effects they have on the body. In this review we explore the amyloid-like proteins associated with AD, PD, HD and ALS, as well as the common mechanisms of amyloid-like protein nucleation and aggregation. From this, we identify core elements of pathological progression which have been targeted for therapies, and which may become future therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cameron Wells
- GenieUs Genomics, Sydney, NSW 2010, Australia; University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia
| | | | - Matt Keon
- GenieUs Genomics, Sydney, NSW 2010, Australia
| | - Lezanne Ooi
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia; School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, and Molecular Horizons, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia; GenieUs Genomics, Sydney, NSW 2010, Australia
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McGrowder DA, Miller F, Vaz K, Nwokocha C, Wilson-Clarke C, Anderson-Cross M, Brown J, Anderson-Jackson L, Williams L, Latore L, Thompson R, Alexander-Lindo R. Cerebrospinal Fluid Biomarkers of Alzheimer's Disease: Current Evidence and Future Perspectives. Brain Sci 2021; 11:215. [PMID: 33578866 PMCID: PMC7916561 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci11020215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2021] [Revised: 02/04/2021] [Accepted: 02/05/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease is a progressive, clinically heterogeneous, and particularly complex neurodegenerative disease characterized by a decline in cognition. Over the last two decades, there has been significant growth in the investigation of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers for Alzheimer's disease. This review presents current evidence from many clinical neurochemical studies, with findings that attest to the efficacy of existing core CSF biomarkers such as total tau, phosphorylated tau, and amyloid-β (Aβ42), which diagnose Alzheimer's disease in the early and dementia stages of the disorder. The heterogeneity of the pathophysiology of the late-onset disease warrants the growth of the Alzheimer's disease CSF biomarker toolbox; more biomarkers showing other aspects of the disease mechanism are needed. This review focuses on new biomarkers that track Alzheimer's disease pathology, such as those that assess neuronal injury (VILIP-1 and neurofilament light), neuroinflammation (sTREM2, YKL-40, osteopontin, GFAP, progranulin, and MCP-1), synaptic dysfunction (SNAP-25 and GAP-43), vascular dysregulation (hFABP), as well as CSF α-synuclein levels and TDP-43 pathology. Some of these biomarkers are promising candidates as they are specific and predict future rates of cognitive decline. Findings from the combinations of subclasses of new Alzheimer's disease biomarkers that improve their diagnostic efficacy in detecting associated pathological changes are also presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donovan A. McGrowder
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, The University of the West Indies, Kingston 7, Jamaica; (K.V.); (J.B.); (L.A.-J.); (L.L.); (R.T.)
| | - Fabian Miller
- Department of Physical Education, Faculty of Education, The Mico University College, 1A Marescaux Road, Kingston 5, Jamaica;
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Science and Technology, The University of the West Indies, Kingston 7, Jamaica;
| | - Kurt Vaz
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, The University of the West Indies, Kingston 7, Jamaica; (K.V.); (J.B.); (L.A.-J.); (L.L.); (R.T.)
| | - Chukwuemeka Nwokocha
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medical Sciences, The University of the West Indies, Kingston 7, Jamaica; (C.N.); (C.W.-C.); (R.A.-L.)
| | - Cameil Wilson-Clarke
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medical Sciences, The University of the West Indies, Kingston 7, Jamaica; (C.N.); (C.W.-C.); (R.A.-L.)
| | - Melisa Anderson-Cross
- School of Allied Health and Wellness, College of Health Sciences, University of Technology, Kingston 7, Jamaica;
| | - Jabari Brown
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, The University of the West Indies, Kingston 7, Jamaica; (K.V.); (J.B.); (L.A.-J.); (L.L.); (R.T.)
| | - Lennox Anderson-Jackson
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, The University of the West Indies, Kingston 7, Jamaica; (K.V.); (J.B.); (L.A.-J.); (L.L.); (R.T.)
| | - Lowen Williams
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Science and Technology, The University of the West Indies, Kingston 7, Jamaica;
| | - Lyndon Latore
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, The University of the West Indies, Kingston 7, Jamaica; (K.V.); (J.B.); (L.A.-J.); (L.L.); (R.T.)
| | - Rory Thompson
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, The University of the West Indies, Kingston 7, Jamaica; (K.V.); (J.B.); (L.A.-J.); (L.L.); (R.T.)
| | - Ruby Alexander-Lindo
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medical Sciences, The University of the West Indies, Kingston 7, Jamaica; (C.N.); (C.W.-C.); (R.A.-L.)
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Mrdenovic D, Zarzycki P, Majewska M, Pieta IS, Nowakowski R, Kutner W, Lipkowski J, Pieta P. Inhibition of Amyloid β-Induced Lipid Membrane Permeation and Amyloid β Aggregation by K162. ACS Chem Neurosci 2021; 12:531-541. [PMID: 33478212 PMCID: PMC7877724 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.0c00754] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2020] [Accepted: 01/07/2021] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized by progressive neurodegeneration associated with amyloid β (Aβ) peptide aggregation. The aggregation of Aβ monomers (AβMs) leads to the formation of Aβ oligomers (AβOs), the neurotoxic Aβ form, capable of permeating the cell membrane. Here, we investigated the effect of a fluorene-based active drug candidate, named K162, on both Aβ aggregation and AβO toxicity toward the bilayer lipid membrane (BLM). Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and molecular dynamics (MD) were employed to show that K162 inhibits AβOs-induced BLM permeation, thus preserving BLM integrity. In the presence of K162, only shallow defects on the BLM surface were formed. Apparently, K162 modifies Aβ aggregation by bypassing the formation of toxic AβOs, and only nontoxic AβMs, dimers (AβDs), and fibrils (AβFs) are produced. Unlike other Aβ toxicity inhibitors, K162 preserves neurologically beneficial AβMs. This unique K162 inhibition mechanism provides an alternative AD therapeutic strategy that could be explored in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dusan Mrdenovic
- Institute
of Physical Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, Kasprzaka 44/52, 01-224 Warsaw, Poland
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Road East, Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Piotr Zarzycki
- Energy Geosciences
Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, 1 Cyclotron Road, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - Marta Majewska
- Institute
of Physical Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, Kasprzaka 44/52, 01-224 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Izabela S. Pieta
- Institute
of Physical Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, Kasprzaka 44/52, 01-224 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Robert Nowakowski
- Institute
of Physical Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, Kasprzaka 44/52, 01-224 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Wlodzimierz Kutner
- Institute
of Physical Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, Kasprzaka 44/52, 01-224 Warsaw, Poland
- Faculty
of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, School of Sciences, Cardinal Stefan Wyszynski University in Warsaw, Wóycickiego 1/3, 01-815 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Jacek Lipkowski
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Road East, Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Piotr Pieta
- Institute
of Physical Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, Kasprzaka 44/52, 01-224 Warsaw, Poland
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50
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Boscher E, Goupil C, Petry S, Keraudren R, Loiselle A, Planel E, Hébert SS. MicroRNA-138 Overexpression Alters Aβ42 Levels and Behavior in Wildtype Mice. Front Neurosci 2021; 14:591138. [PMID: 33519353 PMCID: PMC7840584 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2020.591138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2020] [Accepted: 12/21/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by changes in cognitive and behavioral functions. With the exception or rare mutations in PSEN and APP genes causing early-onset autosomal dominant AD (EOADAD), little is known about the genetic factors that underlie the vast majority (>95%) of early onset AD (EOAD) cases. We have previously identified copy number variations (CNVs) in microRNA genes in patients with EOAD, including a duplication of the MIR-138-2 gene. Overexpression of miR-138 in cultured cells increased Aβ production and tau phosphorylation, similar to what is seen in AD brain. In this study, we sought to determine if miR-138 overexpression could recapitulate certain features of disease in vivo in non-transgenic mice. A mild overexpression of pre-miR-138 in the brain of C57BL/6J wildtype mice altered learning and memory in a novel object recognition test and in the Barnes Maze. Increased levels of anxiety were also observed in the open-field test. MiR-138 upregulation in vivo caused an increase in endogenous Aβ42 production as well as changes in synaptic and inflammation markers. Tau expression was significantly lower with no overt effects on phosphorylation. We finally observed that Sirt1, a direct target of miR-138 involved in Aβ production, learning and memory as well as anxiety, is decreased following miR-138 overexpression. In sum, this study further strengthens a role for increased gene dosage of MIR-138-2 gene in modulating AD risk, possibly by acting on different biological pathways. Further studies will be required to better understand the role of CNVs in microRNA genes in AD and related neurodegenerative disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emmanuelle Boscher
- Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec - Université Laval, CHUL, Axe Neurosciences, Quebec City, QC, Canada.,Faculté de Médecine, Département de Psychiatrie et de Neurosciences, Université Laval, Quebec City, QC, Canada
| | - Claudia Goupil
- Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec - Université Laval, CHUL, Axe Neurosciences, Quebec City, QC, Canada
| | - Serena Petry
- Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec - Université Laval, CHUL, Axe Neurosciences, Quebec City, QC, Canada.,Faculté de Médecine, Département de Psychiatrie et de Neurosciences, Université Laval, Quebec City, QC, Canada
| | - Rémi Keraudren
- Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec - Université Laval, CHUL, Axe Neurosciences, Quebec City, QC, Canada.,Faculté de Médecine, Département de Psychiatrie et de Neurosciences, Université Laval, Quebec City, QC, Canada
| | - Andréanne Loiselle
- Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec - Université Laval, CHUL, Axe Neurosciences, Quebec City, QC, Canada
| | - Emmanuel Planel
- Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec - Université Laval, CHUL, Axe Neurosciences, Quebec City, QC, Canada.,Faculté de Médecine, Département de Psychiatrie et de Neurosciences, Université Laval, Quebec City, QC, Canada
| | - Sébastien S Hébert
- Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec - Université Laval, CHUL, Axe Neurosciences, Quebec City, QC, Canada.,Faculté de Médecine, Département de Psychiatrie et de Neurosciences, Université Laval, Quebec City, QC, Canada
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