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Murphy AJ, Wilton SD, Aung-Htut MT, McIntosh CS. Down syndrome and DYRK1A overexpression: relationships and future therapeutic directions. Front Mol Neurosci 2024; 17:1391564. [PMID: 39114642 PMCID: PMC11303307 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2024.1391564] [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: 02/26/2024] [Accepted: 07/15/2024] [Indexed: 08/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Down syndrome is a genetic-based disorder that results from the triplication of chromosome 21, leading to an overexpression of many triplicated genes, including the gene encoding Dual-Specificity Tyrosine Phosphorylation-Regulated Kinase 1A (DYRK1A). This protein has been observed to regulate numerous cellular processes, including cell proliferation, cell functioning, differentiation, and apoptosis. Consequently, an overexpression of DYRK1A has been reported to result in cognitive impairment, a key phenotype of individuals with Down syndrome. Therefore, downregulating DYRK1A has been explored as a potential therapeutic strategy for Down syndrome, with promising results observed from in vivo mouse models and human clinical trials that administered epigallocatechin gallate. Current DYRK1A inhibitors target the protein function directly, which tends to exhibit low specificity and selectivity, making them unfeasible for clinical or research purposes. On the other hand, antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) offer a more selective therapeutic strategy to downregulate DYRK1A expression at the gene transcript level. Advances in ASO research have led to the discovery of numerous chemical modifications that increase ASO potency, specificity, and stability. Recently, several ASOs have been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to address neuromuscular and neurological conditions, laying the foundation for future ASO therapeutics. The limitations of ASOs, including their high production cost and difficulty delivering to target tissues can be overcome by further advances in ASO design. DYRK1A targeted ASOs could be a viable therapeutic approach to improve the quality of life for individuals with Down syndrome and their families.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aidan J. Murphy
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Innovative Therapeutics, Murdoch University, Perth, WA, Australia
- Perron Institute for Neurological and Translational Science, Centre for Neuromuscular and Neurological Disorders, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Steve D. Wilton
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Innovative Therapeutics, Murdoch University, Perth, WA, Australia
- Perron Institute for Neurological and Translational Science, Centre for Neuromuscular and Neurological Disorders, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - May T. Aung-Htut
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Innovative Therapeutics, Murdoch University, Perth, WA, Australia
- Perron Institute for Neurological and Translational Science, Centre for Neuromuscular and Neurological Disorders, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Craig S. McIntosh
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Innovative Therapeutics, Murdoch University, Perth, WA, Australia
- Perron Institute for Neurological and Translational Science, Centre for Neuromuscular and Neurological Disorders, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
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2
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Gallo CM, Kistler SA, Natrakul A, Labadorf AT, Beffert U, Ho A. APOER2 splicing repertoire in Alzheimer's disease: Insights from long-read RNA sequencing. PLoS Genet 2024; 20:e1011348. [PMID: 39038048 PMCID: PMC11293713 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1011348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2024] [Revised: 08/01/2024] [Accepted: 06/21/2024] [Indexed: 07/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Disrupted alternative splicing plays a determinative role in neurological diseases, either as a direct cause or as a driver in disease susceptibility. Transcriptomic profiling of aged human postmortem brain samples has uncovered hundreds of aberrant mRNA splicing events in Alzheimer's disease (AD) brains, associating dysregulated RNA splicing with disease. We previously identified a complex array of alternative splicing combinations across apolipoprotein E receptor 2 (APOER2), a transmembrane receptor that interacts with both the neuroprotective ligand Reelin and the AD-associated risk factor, APOE. Many of the human APOER2 isoforms, predominantly featuring cassette splicing events within functionally important domains, are critical for the receptor's function and ligand interaction. However, a comprehensive repertoire and the functional implications of APOER2 isoforms under both physiological and AD conditions are not fully understood. Here, we present an in-depth analysis of the splicing landscape of human APOER2 isoforms in normal and AD states. Using single-molecule, long-read sequencing, we profiled the entire APOER2 transcript from the parietal cortex and hippocampus of Braak stage IV AD brain tissues along with age-matched controls and investigated several functional properties of APOER2 isoforms. Our findings reveal diverse patterns of cassette exon skipping for APOER2 isoforms, with some showing region-specific expression and others unique to AD-affected brains. Notably, exon 15 of APOER2, which encodes the glycosylation domain, showed less inclusion in AD compared to control in the parietal cortex of females with an APOE ɛ3/ɛ3 genotype. Also, some of these APOER2 isoforms demonstrated changes in cell surface expression, APOE-mediated receptor processing, and synaptic number. These variations are likely critical in inducing synaptic alterations and may contribute to the neuronal dysfunction underlying AD pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina M. Gallo
- Department of Biology, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology & Biophysics, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Sabrina A. Kistler
- Department of Biology, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology & Biophysics, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Anna Natrakul
- Department of Biology, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Adam T. Labadorf
- Bioinformatics Program, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Department of Neurology, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Uwe Beffert
- Department of Biology, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Angela Ho
- Department of Biology, Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Department of Pharmacology, Physiology & Biophysics, Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
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3
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Ahmad F, Karan A, Sharma R, Sharma NS, Sundar V, Jayaraj R, Mukherjee S, DeCoster MA. Evolving therapeutic interventions for the management and treatment of Alzheimer's disease. Ageing Res Rev 2024; 95:102229. [PMID: 38364913 DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2024.102229] [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: 09/17/2023] [Revised: 12/11/2023] [Accepted: 02/10/2024] [Indexed: 02/18/2024]
Abstract
Alzheimer's Disease (AD) patients experience diverse symptoms, including memory loss, cognitive impairment, behavioral abnormalities, mood changes, and mental issues. The fundamental objective of this review is to discuss novel therapeutic approaches, with special emphasis on recently approved marketed formulations for the treatment of AD, especially Aducanumab, the first FDA approved moiety that surpasses the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and reduces amyloid plaques in the brain, thereby reducing associated cognitive decline. However, it is still in the phase IV trial and is to be completed by 2030. Other drugs such as lecanemab are also under clinical trial and has recently been approved by the FDA and is also discussed here. In this review, we also focus on active and passive immunotherapy for AD as well as several vaccines, such as amyloid-beta epitope-based vaccines, amyloid-beta DNA vaccines, and stem cell therapy for AD, which are in clinical trials. Furthermore, ongoing pre-clinical trials associated with AD and other novel strategies such as curcumin-loaded nanoparticles, Crispr/ cas9, precision medicine, as well as some emerging therapies like anti-sense therapy are also highlighted. Additionally, we discuss some off-labeled drugs like non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID), anti-diabetic drugs, and lithium, which can manage symptoms of AD and different non-pharmacological approaches are also covered which can help to manage AD. In summary, we have tried to cover all the therapeutic interventions which are available for the treatment and management of AD under sections approved, clinical phase, pre-clinical phase or futuristic interventions, off-labelled drugs, and non-pharmacological interventions for AD, offering positive findings and well as challenges that remain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Faizan Ahmad
- Department of Medical Elementology and Toxicology, Jamia Hamdard University, Delhi, India
| | - Anik Karan
- Department of Mechanical and Bioengineering, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, USA.
| | - Rashi Sharma
- Department of Biotechnology, Delhi Technological University, Bawana, Delhi, India
| | - Navatha Shree Sharma
- Department of Surgery Transplant, University of Nebraska Medical Centre, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Vaishnavi Sundar
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Centre, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Richard Jayaraj
- Department of Paediatrics, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, UAE
| | - Sudip Mukherjee
- Biomedical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology- Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Mark A DeCoster
- Cellular Neuroscience Laboratory, Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering and Science, Louisiana Tech University, Ruston, LA, USA; Cellular Neuroscience Laboratory, Institute for Micromanufacturing, College of Engineering and Science, Louisiana Tech University, Ruston, LA, USA.
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4
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BİTMEZ B, ÇEVRELİ B, KAŞIKÇI E. Effect of thymol on oxidative stress and reelin signaling pathway in Alzheimer's disease model. Turk J Biol 2024; 48:70-79. [PMID: 38665779 PMCID: PMC11042864 DOI: 10.55730/1300-0152.2683] [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: 09/26/2023] [Revised: 02/27/2024] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Background/aim The purpose of this study was to investigate how thymol affects cognitive functions and the levels of MDA, GSH, Aβ1-42, ApoE, reelin, and LRP8 in an AD model induced in male Wistar albino rats with the application of D-galactose (D-gal) and aluminum chloride (AlCl3). Materials and methods In this work, 3-month-old male Wistar albino rats were used. Group 1 served as the Control, Group 2 received 0.5 mL/day saline + 0.5 mL/day sunflower oil, Group 3 was administered 200 mg/kg/day AlCl3 + 60 mg/kg/day D-gal, Group 4 received 30 mg/kg/day thymol, and Group 5 was administered 200 mg/kg/day AlCl3 + 60 mg/kg/day D-gal + 30 mg/kg/day thymol. At the end of the 10-week experimental period, behavioral and memory tests were performed. GSH and MDA levels were measured in the obtained serum and brain tissue samples, while Aβ1-42, ApoE, reelin, and LRP8 levels were measured in brain tissue samples. Statistical analyses were performed using ANOVA test in Graphpad Prism V8.3 program. A p-value <0.05 was considered significant in intergroup analyses. Results When the novel object recognition test (NORT) results were evaluated, the Alzheimer + thymol (ALZ+TYM) group showed a significant increase in the recognition index (RI) and discrimination index (DI) compared to the Alzheimer (ALZ) group at the 24th hour. Thymol reduced working memory errors (WME), reference memory errors (RME), and maze completion time at 48, 72, and 96 hours when evaluated in terms of spatial memory in rats with Alzheimer's disease. Furthermore, Aβ1-42 and ApoE levels were increased in the ALZ group compared to the control (C), while reelin and LRP8 levels were decreased in the ALZ group compared to the C group. Conclusion The data we obtained suggest that thymol may play an effective role in cognitive processes against AD and have an anti-Alzheimer's disease effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barış BİTMEZ
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Uskudar University, İstanbul,
Turkiye
| | - Burcu ÇEVRELİ
- Neuropsychopharmacology Research and Application Center, Uskudar Univesity, İstanbul,
Turkiye
| | - Emel KAŞIKÇI
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Uskudar University, İstanbul,
Turkiye
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5
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Kaltak M, de Bruijn P, van Leeuwen W, Platenburg G, Cremers FPM, Collin RWJ, Swildens J. QR-1011 restores defective ABCA4 splicing caused by multiple severe ABCA4 variants underlying Stargardt disease. Sci Rep 2024; 14:684. [PMID: 38182646 PMCID: PMC10770117 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-51203-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 01/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Stargardt disease type 1 (STGD1), the most common form of hereditary macular dystrophy, can be caused by biallelic combinations of over 2200 variants in the ABCA4 gene. This leads to reduced or absent ABCA4 protein activity, resulting in toxic metabolite accumulation in the retina and damage of the retinal pigment epithelium and photoreceptors. Approximately 21% of all ABCA4 variants that contribute to disease influence ABCA4 pre-mRNA splicing. This emphasizes the need for therapies to restore disrupted ABCA4 splicing and halt STGD1 progression. Previously, QR-1011, an antisense oligonucleotide (AON), successfully corrected splicing abnormalities and restored normal ABCA4 protein translation in human retinal organoids carrying the prevalent disease-causing variant c.5461-10T>C in ABCA4. Here, we investigated whether QR-1011 could also correct splicing in four less common non-canonical splice site (NCSS) variants flanking ABCA4 exon 39: c.5461-8T>G, c.5461-6T>C, c.5584+5G>A and c.5584+6T>C. We administered QR-1011 and three other AONs to midigene-transfected cells and demonstrate that QR-1011 had the most pronounced effect on splicing compared to the others. Moreover, QR-1011 significantly increased full-length ABCA4 transcript levels for c.5461-8T>G and c.5584+6T>C. Splicing restoration could not be achieved in the other two variants, suggesting their more severe effect on splicing. Overall, QR-1011, initially developed for a single ABCA4 variant, exhibited potent splice correction capabilities for two additional severe NCSS variants nearby. This suggests the possibility of a broader therapeutic impact of QR-1011 extending beyond its original target and highlights the potential for treating a larger population of STGD1 patients affected by multiple severe ABCA4 variants with a single AON.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melita Kaltak
- R&D Department, ProQR Therapeutics, Zernikedreef 9, 2333 CK, Leiden, The Netherlands
- Department of Human Genetics, Radboud University Medical Center, Geert Grooteplein Zuid 10, 6525 GA, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Petra de Bruijn
- R&D Department, ProQR Therapeutics, Zernikedreef 9, 2333 CK, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Willemijn van Leeuwen
- R&D Department, ProQR Therapeutics, Zernikedreef 9, 2333 CK, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Gerard Platenburg
- R&D Department, ProQR Therapeutics, Zernikedreef 9, 2333 CK, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Frans P M Cremers
- Department of Human Genetics, Radboud University Medical Center, Geert Grooteplein Zuid 10, 6525 GA, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Rob W J Collin
- Department of Human Genetics, Radboud University Medical Center, Geert Grooteplein Zuid 10, 6525 GA, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Jim Swildens
- R&D Department, ProQR Therapeutics, Zernikedreef 9, 2333 CK, Leiden, The Netherlands.
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6
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Ramsden CE, Zamora D, Horowitz MS, Jahanipour J, Calzada E, Li X, Keyes GS, Murray HC, Curtis MA, Faull RM, Sedlock A, Maric D. ApoER2-Dab1 disruption as the origin of pTau-associated neurodegeneration in sporadic Alzheimer's disease. Acta Neuropathol Commun 2023; 11:197. [PMID: 38093390 PMCID: PMC10720169 DOI: 10.1186/s40478-023-01693-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2023] [Accepted: 11/16/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023] Open
Abstract
In sporadic Alzheimer's disease (sAD) specific regions, layers and neurons accumulate hyperphosphorylated Tau (pTau) and degenerate early while others remain unaffected even in advanced disease. ApoER2-Dab1 signaling suppresses Tau phosphorylation as part of a four-arm pathway that regulates lipoprotein internalization and the integrity of actin, microtubules, and synapses; however, the role of this pathway in sAD pathogenesis is not fully understood. We previously showed that multiple ApoER2-Dab1 pathway components including ApoE, Reelin, ApoER2, Dab1, pP85αTyr607, pLIMK1Thr508, pTauSer202/Thr205 and pPSD95Thr19 accumulate together within entorhinal-hippocampal terminal zones in sAD, and proposed a unifying hypothesis wherein disruption of this pathway underlies multiple aspects of sAD pathogenesis. However, it is not yet known whether ApoER2-Dab1 disruption can help explain the origin(s) and early progression of pTau pathology in sAD. In the present study, we applied in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry (IHC) to characterize ApoER2 expression and accumulation of ApoER2-Dab1 pathway components in five regions known to develop early pTau pathology in 64 rapidly autopsied cases spanning the clinicopathological spectrum of sAD. We found that (1) these selectively vulnerable neuron populations strongly express ApoER2; and (2) multiple ApoER2-Dab1 components representing all four arms of this pathway accumulate in abnormal neurons and neuritic plaques in mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and sAD cases and correlate with histological progression and cognitive deficits. Multiplex-IHC revealed that Dab1, pP85αTyr607, pLIMK1Thr508, pTauSer202/Thr205 and pPSD95Thr19 accumulate together within many of the same ApoER2-expressing neurons and in the immediate vicinity of ApoE/ApoJ-enriched extracellular plaques. Collective findings reveal that pTau is only one of many ApoER2-Dab1 pathway components that accumulate in multiple neuroanatomical sites in the earliest stages of sAD and provide support for the concept that ApoER2-Dab1 disruption drives pTau-associated neurodegeneration in human sAD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher E Ramsden
- Lipid Peroxidation Unit, Laboratory of Clinical Investigation, National Institute on Aging, NIH (NIA/NIH), 251 Bayview Blvd., Baltimore, MD, 21224, USA.
- Intramural Program of the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, NIH, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA.
| | - Daisy Zamora
- Lipid Peroxidation Unit, Laboratory of Clinical Investigation, National Institute on Aging, NIH (NIA/NIH), 251 Bayview Blvd., Baltimore, MD, 21224, USA
| | - Mark S Horowitz
- Lipid Peroxidation Unit, Laboratory of Clinical Investigation, National Institute on Aging, NIH (NIA/NIH), 251 Bayview Blvd., Baltimore, MD, 21224, USA
| | - Jahandar Jahanipour
- Flow and Imaging Cytometry Core Facility, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, NIH, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Elizabeth Calzada
- Lipid Peroxidation Unit, Laboratory of Clinical Investigation, National Institute on Aging, NIH (NIA/NIH), 251 Bayview Blvd., Baltimore, MD, 21224, USA
| | - Xiufeng Li
- Lipid Peroxidation Unit, Laboratory of Clinical Investigation, National Institute on Aging, NIH (NIA/NIH), 251 Bayview Blvd., Baltimore, MD, 21224, USA
| | - Gregory S Keyes
- Lipid Peroxidation Unit, Laboratory of Clinical Investigation, National Institute on Aging, NIH (NIA/NIH), 251 Bayview Blvd., Baltimore, MD, 21224, USA
| | - Helen C Murray
- Department of Anatomy and Medical Imaging and Centre for Brain Research, Faculty of Medical and Health Science, University of Auckland, Private Bag, Auckland, 92019, New Zealand
- Laboratory of Functional and Molecular Imaging, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, NIH, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Maurice A Curtis
- Department of Anatomy and Medical Imaging and Centre for Brain Research, Faculty of Medical and Health Science, University of Auckland, Private Bag, Auckland, 92019, New Zealand
| | - Richard M Faull
- Department of Anatomy and Medical Imaging and Centre for Brain Research, Faculty of Medical and Health Science, University of Auckland, Private Bag, Auckland, 92019, New Zealand
| | - Andrea Sedlock
- Flow and Imaging Cytometry Core Facility, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, NIH, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Dragan Maric
- Flow and Imaging Cytometry Core Facility, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, NIH, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
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Necarsulmer JC, Simon JM, Evangelista BA, Chen Y, Tian X, Nafees S, Marquez AB, Jiang H, Wang P, Ajit D, Nikolova VD, Harper KM, Ezzell JA, Lin FC, Beltran AS, Moy SS, Cohen TJ. RNA-binding deficient TDP-43 drives cognitive decline in a mouse model of TDP-43 proteinopathy. eLife 2023; 12:RP85921. [PMID: 37819053 PMCID: PMC10567115 DOI: 10.7554/elife.85921] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/13/2023] Open
Abstract
TDP-43 proteinopathies including frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) are neurodegenerative disorders characterized by aggregation and mislocalization of the nucleic acid-binding protein TDP-43 and subsequent neuronal dysfunction. Here, we developed endogenous models of sporadic TDP-43 proteinopathy based on the principle that disease-associated TDP-43 acetylation at lysine 145 (K145) alters TDP-43 conformation, impairs RNA-binding capacity, and induces downstream mis-regulation of target genes. Expression of acetylation-mimic TDP-43K145Q resulted in stress-induced nuclear TDP-43 foci and loss of TDP-43 function in primary mouse and human-induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-derived cortical neurons. Mice harboring the TDP-43K145Q mutation recapitulated key hallmarks of FTLD, including progressive TDP-43 phosphorylation and insolubility, TDP-43 mis-localization, transcriptomic and splicing alterations, and cognitive dysfunction. Our study supports a model in which TDP-43 acetylation drives neuronal dysfunction and cognitive decline through aberrant splicing and transcription of critical genes that regulate synaptic plasticity and stress response signaling. The neurodegenerative cascade initiated by TDP-43 acetylation recapitulates many aspects of human FTLD and provides a new paradigm to further interrogate TDP-43 proteinopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie C Necarsulmer
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of North CarolinaChapel HillUnited States
- Department of Neurology, University of North CarolinaChapel HillUnited States
| | - Jeremy M Simon
- UNC Neuroscience Center, University of North CarolinaChapel HillUnited States
- Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities, University of North CarolinaChapel HillUnited States
- Department of Genetics, University of North CarolinaChapel HillUnited States
| | - Baggio A Evangelista
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of North CarolinaChapel HillUnited States
- Department of Neurology, University of North CarolinaChapel HillUnited States
| | - Youjun Chen
- Department of Neurology, University of North CarolinaChapel HillUnited States
| | - Xu Tian
- Department of Neurology, University of North CarolinaChapel HillUnited States
| | - Sara Nafees
- Department of Neurology, University of North CarolinaChapel HillUnited States
| | - Ariana B Marquez
- Human Pluripotent Stem Cell Core, University of North CarolinaChapel HillUnited States
| | - Huijun Jiang
- Department of Biostatistics, University of North CarolinaChapel HillUnited States
| | - Ping Wang
- Department of Neurology, University of North CarolinaChapel HillUnited States
| | - Deepa Ajit
- Department of Neurology, University of North CarolinaChapel HillUnited States
| | - Viktoriya D Nikolova
- Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities, University of North CarolinaChapel HillUnited States
- Department of Psychiatry, The University of North CarolinaChapel HillUnited States
| | - Kathryn M Harper
- Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities, University of North CarolinaChapel HillUnited States
- Department of Psychiatry, The University of North CarolinaChapel HillUnited States
| | - J Ashley Ezzell
- Department of Cell Biology & Physiology, Histology Research Core Facility, University of North CarolinaChapel HillUnited States
| | - Feng-Chang Lin
- Department of Biostatistics, University of North CarolinaChapel HillUnited States
| | - Adriana S Beltran
- Department of Genetics, University of North CarolinaChapel HillUnited States
- Human Pluripotent Stem Cell Core, University of North CarolinaChapel HillUnited States
- Department of Pharmacology, University of North CarolinaChapel HillUnited States
| | - Sheryl S Moy
- Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities, University of North CarolinaChapel HillUnited States
- Department of Psychiatry, The University of North CarolinaChapel HillUnited States
| | - Todd J Cohen
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of North CarolinaChapel HillUnited States
- Department of Neurology, University of North CarolinaChapel HillUnited States
- UNC Neuroscience Center, University of North CarolinaChapel HillUnited States
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of North CarolinaChapel HillUnited States
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8
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Carvalho L, Chen H, Maienschein-Cline M, Glover EJ, Pandey SC, Lasek AW. Conserved role for PCBP1 in altered RNA splicing in the hippocampus after chronic alcohol exposure. Mol Psychiatry 2023; 28:4215-4224. [PMID: 37537282 PMCID: PMC10827656 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-023-02184-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] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2022] [Revised: 07/04/2023] [Accepted: 07/07/2023] [Indexed: 08/05/2023]
Abstract
We previously discovered using transcriptomics that rats undergoing withdrawal after chronic ethanol exposure had increased expression of several genes encoding RNA splicing factors in the hippocampus. Here, we examined RNA splicing in the rat hippocampus during withdrawal from chronic ethanol exposure and in postmortem hippocampus of human subjects diagnosed with alcohol use disorder (AUD). We found that expression of the gene encoding the splicing factor, poly r(C) binding protein 1 (PCBP1), was elevated in the hippocampus of rats during withdrawal after chronic ethanol exposure and AUD subjects. We next analyzed the rat RNA-Seq data for differentially expressed (DE) exon junctions. One gene, Hapln2, had increased usage of a novel 3' splice site in exon 4 during withdrawal. This splice site was conserved in human HAPLN2 and was used more frequently in the hippocampus of AUD compared to control subjects. To establish a functional role for PCBP1 in HAPLN2 splicing, we performed RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) with a PCBP1 antibody in rat and human hippocampus, which showed enriched PCBP1 association near the HAPLN2 exon 4 3' splice site in the hippocampus of rats during ethanol withdrawal and AUD subjects. Our results indicate a conserved role for the splicing factor PCBP1 in aberrant splicing of HAPLN2 after chronic ethanol exposure. As the HAPLN2 gene encodes an extracellular matrix protein involved in nerve conduction velocity, use of this alternative splice site is predicted to result in loss of protein function that could negatively impact hippocampal function in AUD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luana Carvalho
- Center for Alcohol Research in Epigenetics, Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA.
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, 23298, USA.
| | - Hu Chen
- Center for Alcohol Research in Epigenetics, Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA
| | - Mark Maienschein-Cline
- Center for Alcohol Research in Epigenetics, Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA
- Research Informatics Core, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA
| | - Elizabeth J Glover
- Center for Alcohol Research in Epigenetics, Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA
| | - Subhash C Pandey
- Center for Alcohol Research in Epigenetics, Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA
- Jesse Brown VA Medical Center, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA
| | - Amy W Lasek
- Center for Alcohol Research in Epigenetics, Department of Psychiatry, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, 23298, USA
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9
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Wasser CR, Werthmann GC, Hall EM, Kuhbandner K, Wong CH, Durakoglugil MS, Herz J. Regulation of the hippocampal translatome by Apoer2-ICD release. Mol Neurodegener 2023; 18:62. [PMID: 37726747 PMCID: PMC10510282 DOI: 10.1186/s13024-023-00652-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 08/24/2023] [Indexed: 09/21/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND ApoE4, the most significant genetic risk factor for late-onset Alzheimer's disease (AD), sequesters a pro-synaptogenic Reelin receptor, Apoer2, in the endosomal compartment and prevents its normal recycling. In the adult brain, Reelin potentiates excitatory synapses and thereby protects against amyloid-β toxicity. Recently, a gain-of-function mutation in Reelin that is protective against early-onset AD has been described. Alternative splicing of the Apoer2 intracellular domain (Apoer2-ICD) regulates Apoer2 signaling. Splicing of juxtamembraneous exon 16 alters the γ-secretase mediated release of the Apoer2-ICD as well as synapse number and LTP, and inclusion of exon 19 ameliorates behavioral deficits in an AD mouse model. The Apoer2-ICD has also been shown to alter transcription of synaptic genes. However, the role of Apoer2-ICD release upon transcriptional regulation and its role in AD pathogenesis is unknown. METHODS To assess in vivo mRNA-primed ribosomes specifically in hippocampi transduced with Apoer2-ICD splice variants, we crossed wild-type, cKO, and Apoer2 cleavage-resistant mice to a Cre-inducible translating ribosome affinity purification (TRAP) model. This allowed us to perform RNA-Seq on ribosome-loaded mRNA harvested specifically from hippocampal cells transduced with Apoer2-ICDs. RESULTS Across all conditions, we observed ~4,700 altered translating transcripts, several of which comprise key synaptic components such as extracellular matrix and focal adhesions with concomitant perturbation of critical signaling cascades, energy metabolism, translation, and apoptosis. We further demonstrated the ability of the Apoer2-ICD to rescue many of these altered transcripts, underscoring the importance of Apoer2 splicing in synaptic homeostasis. A variety of these altered genes have been implicated in AD, demonstrating how dysregulated Apoer2 splicing may contribute to neurodegeneration. CONCLUSIONS Our findings demonstrate how alternative splicing of the APOE and Reelin receptor Apoer2 and release of the Apoer2-ICD regulates numerous translating transcripts in mouse hippocampi in vivo. These transcripts comprise a wide range of functions, and alterations in these transcripts suggest a mechanistic basis for the synaptic deficits seen in Apoer2 mutant mice and AD patients. Our findings, together with the recently reported AD-protective effects of a Reelin gain-of-function mutation in the presence of an early-onset AD mutation in Presenilin-1, implicate the Reelin/Apoer2 pathway as a target for AD therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine R Wasser
- Department of Molecular Genetics, UT Southwestern, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd, Dallas, TX, 75390-9046, USA
- Center for Translational Neurodegeneration Research, Department of Molecular Genetics, UT Southwestern, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Gordon C Werthmann
- Department of Molecular Genetics, UT Southwestern, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd, Dallas, TX, 75390-9046, USA
- Center for Translational Neurodegeneration Research, Department of Molecular Genetics, UT Southwestern, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Eric M Hall
- Department of Molecular Genetics, UT Southwestern, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd, Dallas, TX, 75390-9046, USA
- Center for Translational Neurodegeneration Research, Department of Molecular Genetics, UT Southwestern, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Kristina Kuhbandner
- Department of Molecular Genetics, UT Southwestern, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd, Dallas, TX, 75390-9046, USA
- Center for Translational Neurodegeneration Research, Department of Molecular Genetics, UT Southwestern, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Connie H Wong
- Department of Molecular Genetics, UT Southwestern, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd, Dallas, TX, 75390-9046, USA
- Center for Translational Neurodegeneration Research, Department of Molecular Genetics, UT Southwestern, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Murat S Durakoglugil
- Department of Molecular Genetics, UT Southwestern, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd, Dallas, TX, 75390-9046, USA
- Center for Translational Neurodegeneration Research, Department of Molecular Genetics, UT Southwestern, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Joachim Herz
- Department of Molecular Genetics, UT Southwestern, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd, Dallas, TX, 75390-9046, USA.
- Center for Translational Neurodegeneration Research, Department of Molecular Genetics, UT Southwestern, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd, Dallas, TX, USA.
- Department of Neuroscience, UT Southwestern, Dallas, TX, USA.
- Neurology and Neurotherapeutics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.
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10
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Thomas R, Connolly KJ, Brekk OR, Hinrich AJ, Hastings ML, Isacson O, Hallett PJ. Viral-like TLR3 induction of cytokine networks and α-synuclein are reduced by complement C3 blockade in mouse brain. Sci Rep 2023; 13:15164. [PMID: 37704739 PMCID: PMC10499893 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-41240-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2023] [Accepted: 08/23/2023] [Indexed: 09/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Inflammatory processes and mechanisms are of central importance in neurodegenerative diseases. In the brain, α-synucleinopathies such as Parkinson's disease (PD) and Lewy body dementia (LBD) show immune cytokine network activation and increased toll like receptor 3 (TLR3) levels for viral double-stranded RNA (dsRNA). Brain inflammatory reactions caused by TLR3 activation are also relevant to understand pathogenic cascades by viral SARS-CoV-2 infection causing post- COVID-19 brain-related syndromes. In the current study, following regional brain TLR3 activation induced by dsRNA in mice, an acute complement C3 response was seen at 2 days. A C3 splice-switching antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) that promotes the splicing of a non-productive C3 mRNA, prevented downstream cytokines, such as IL-6, and α-synuclein changes. This report is the first demonstration that α-synuclein increases occur downstream of complement C3 activation. Relevant to brain dysfunction, post-COVID-19 syndromes and pathological changes leading to PD and LBD, viral dsRNA TLR3 activation in the presence of C3 complement blockade further revealed significant interactions between complement systems, inflammatory cytokine networks and α-synuclein changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ria Thomas
- Neuroregeneration Institute, McLean Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Belmont, MA, 02478, USA
| | - Kyle J Connolly
- Neuroregeneration Institute, McLean Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Belmont, MA, 02478, USA
| | - Oeystein R Brekk
- Neuroregeneration Institute, McLean Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Belmont, MA, 02478, USA
| | - Anthony J Hinrich
- Center for Genetic Diseases, Chicago Medical School, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, North Chicago, IL, 60064, USA
| | - Michelle L Hastings
- Center for Genetic Diseases, Chicago Medical School, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, North Chicago, IL, 60064, USA
| | - Ole Isacson
- Neuroregeneration Institute, McLean Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Belmont, MA, 02478, USA.
| | - Penelope J Hallett
- Neuroregeneration Institute, McLean Hospital/Harvard Medical School, Belmont, MA, 02478, USA.
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11
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Nikom D, Zheng S. Alternative splicing in neurodegenerative disease and the promise of RNA therapies. Nat Rev Neurosci 2023; 24:457-473. [PMID: 37336982 DOI: 10.1038/s41583-023-00717-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/02/2023] [Indexed: 06/21/2023]
Abstract
Alternative splicing generates a myriad of RNA products and protein isoforms of different functions from a single gene. Dysregulated alternative splicing has emerged as a new mechanism broadly implicated in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, frontotemporal dementia, Parkinson disease and repeat expansion diseases. Understanding the mechanisms and functional outcomes of abnormal splicing in neurological disorders is vital in developing effective therapies to treat mis-splicing pathology. In this Review, we discuss emerging research and evidence of the roles of alternative splicing defects in major neurodegenerative diseases and summarize the latest advances in RNA-based therapeutic strategies to target these disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Nikom
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA, USA
- Center for RNA Biology and Medicine, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA, USA
| | - Sika Zheng
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA, USA.
- Center for RNA Biology and Medicine, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA, USA.
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA, USA.
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Quan M, Cao S, Wang Q, Wang S, Jia J. Genetic Phenotypes of Alzheimer's Disease: Mechanisms and Potential Therapy. PHENOMICS (CHAM, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 3:333-349. [PMID: 37589021 PMCID: PMC10425323 DOI: 10.1007/s43657-023-00098-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2022] [Revised: 01/28/2023] [Accepted: 02/02/2023] [Indexed: 08/18/2023]
Abstract
Years of intensive research has brought us extensive knowledge on the genetic and molecular factors involved in Alzheimer's disease (AD). In addition to the mutations in the three main causative genes of familial AD (FAD) including presenilins and amyloid precursor protein genes, studies have identified several genes as the most plausible genes for the onset and progression of FAD, such as triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2, sortilin-related receptor 1, and adenosine triphosphate-binding cassette transporter subfamily A member 7. The apolipoprotein E ε4 allele is reported to be the strongest genetic risk factor for sporadic AD (SAD), and it also plays an important role in FAD. Here, we reviewed recent developments in genetic and molecular studies that contributed to the understanding of the genetic phenotypes of FAD and compared them with SAD. We further reviewed the advancements in AD gene therapy and discussed the future perspectives based on the genetic phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meina Quan
- Innovation Center for Neurological Disorders and Department of Neurology, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100053 China
- National Medical Center for Neurological Disorders and National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Diseases, Beijing, 100053 China
| | - Shuman Cao
- Innovation Center for Neurological Disorders and Department of Neurology, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100053 China
| | - Qi Wang
- Innovation Center for Neurological Disorders and Department of Neurology, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100053 China
- National Medical Center for Neurological Disorders and National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Diseases, Beijing, 100053 China
| | - Shiyuan Wang
- Innovation Center for Neurological Disorders and Department of Neurology, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100053 China
| | - Jianping Jia
- Innovation Center for Neurological Disorders and Department of Neurology, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100053 China
- National Medical Center for Neurological Disorders and National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Diseases, Beijing, 100053 China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Geriatric Cognitive Disorders, Beijing, 100053 China
- Clinical Center for Neurodegenerative Disease and Memory Impairment, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100053 China
- Center of Alzheimer’s Disease, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Disorders, Beijing Institute of Brain Disorders, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100053 China
- Key Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Ministry of Education, Beijing, 100053 China
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Tano V, Utami KH, Yusof NABM, Bégin J, Tan WWL, Pouladi MA, Langley SR. Widespread dysregulation of mRNA splicing implicates RNA processing in the development and progression of Huntington's disease. EBioMedicine 2023; 94:104720. [PMID: 37481821 PMCID: PMC10393612 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2023.104720] [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: 02/02/2023] [Revised: 07/03/2023] [Accepted: 07/03/2023] [Indexed: 07/25/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In Huntington's disease (HD), a CAG repeat expansion mutation in the Huntingtin (HTT) gene drives a gain-of-function toxicity that disrupts mRNA processing. Although dysregulation of gene splicing has been shown in human HD post-mortem brain tissue, post-mortem analyses are likely confounded by cell type composition changes in late-stage HD, limiting the ability to identify dysregulation related to early pathogenesis. METHODS To investigate gene splicing changes in early HD, we performed alternative splicing analyses coupled with a proteogenomics approach to identify early CAG length-associated splicing changes in an established isogenic HD cell model. FINDINGS We report widespread neuronal differentiation stage- and CAG length-dependent splicing changes, and find an enrichment of RNA processing, neuronal function, and epigenetic modification-related genes with mutant HTT-associated splicing. When integrated with a proteomics dataset, we identified several of these differential splicing events at the protein level. By comparing with human post-mortem and mouse model data, we identified common patterns of altered splicing from embryonic stem cells through to post-mortem striatal tissue. INTERPRETATION We show that widespread splicing dysregulation in HD occurs in an early cell model of neuronal development. Importantly, we observe HD-associated splicing changes in our HD cell model that were also identified in human HD striatum and mouse model HD striatum, suggesting that splicing-associated pathogenesis possibly occurs early in neuronal development and persists to later stages of disease. Together, our results highlight splicing dysregulation in HD which may lead to disrupted neuronal function and neuropathology. FUNDING This research is supported by the Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University Singapore Nanyang Assistant Professorship Start-Up Grant, the Singapore Ministry of Education under its Singapore Ministry of Education Academic Research Fund Tier 1 (RG23/22), the BC Children's Hospital Research Institute Investigator Grant Award (IGAP), and a Scholar Award from the Michael Smith Health Research BC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vincent Tano
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 636921, Singapore
| | - Kagistia Hana Utami
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 636921, Singapore; Translational Laboratory in Genetic Medicine (TLGM), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A∗STAR), Singapore 138648, Singapore
| | - Nur Amirah Binte Mohammad Yusof
- Translational Laboratory in Genetic Medicine (TLGM), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A∗STAR), Singapore 138648, Singapore
| | - Jocelyn Bégin
- Department of Medical Genetics, Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, British Columbia Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V5Z 4H4, Canada
| | - Willy Wei Li Tan
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 636921, Singapore
| | - Mahmoud A Pouladi
- Translational Laboratory in Genetic Medicine (TLGM), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A∗STAR), Singapore 138648, Singapore; Department of Medical Genetics, Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, British Columbia Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia V5Z 4H4, Canada
| | - Sarah R Langley
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 636921, Singapore.
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Wasser C, Werthmann GC, Hall EM, Kuhbandner K, Wong CH, Durakoglugil MS, Herz J. Apoer2-ICD-dependent regulation of hippocampal ribosome mRNA loading. RESEARCH SQUARE 2023:rs.3.rs-3040567. [PMID: 37461529 PMCID: PMC10350194 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-3040567/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/24/2023]
Abstract
Background ApoE4, the most significant genetic risk factor for late-onset Alzheimer's disease (AD), sequesters a pro-synaptogenic Reelin receptor, Apoer2, in the endosomal compartment and prevents its normal recycling. In the adult brain, Reelin potentiates excitatory synapses and thereby protects against amyloid-β toxicity. Recently, a gain-of-function mutation in Reelin that is protective against early-onset AD has been described. Alternative splicing of the Apoer2 intracellular domain (Apoer2-ICD) regulates Apoer2 signaling. Splicing of juxtamembraneous exon 16 alters the g-secretase mediated release of the Apoer2-ICD as well as synapse number and LTP, and inclusion of exon 19 ameliorates behavioral deficits in an AD mouse model. The Apoer2-ICD has also been shown to alter transcription of synaptic genes. However, the role of Apoer2 splicing for transcriptional regulation and its role in AD pathogenesis is unknown. Methods To assess in vivo mRNA-primed ribosomes specifically in hippocampi transduced with Apoer2-ICD splice variants, we crossed wild-type, cKO, and Apoer2 cleavage-resistant mice to a Cre-inducible translating ribosome affinity purification (TRAP) model. This allowed us to perform RNA-Seq on ribosome-loaded mRNA harvested specifically from hippocampal cells transduced with Apoer2-ICDs. Results Across all conditions, we observed ~ 4,700 altered ribosome-associated transcripts, several of which comprise key synaptic components such as extracellular matrix and focal adhesions with concomitant perturbation of critical signaling cascades, energy metabolism, translation, and apoptosis. We further demonstrated the ability of the Apoer2-ICD to rescue many of these altered transcripts, underscoring the importance of Apoer2 splicing in synaptic homeostasis. A variety of these altered genes have been implicated in AD, demonstrating how dysregulated Apoer2 splicing may contribute to neurodegeneration. Conclusions Our findings demonstrate how alternative splicing of the APOE and Reelin receptor Apoer2 and release of the Apoer2-ICD regulates numerous ribosome-associated transcripts in mouse hippocampi in vivo . These transcripts comprise a wide range of functions, and alterations in these transcripts suggest a mechanistic basis for the synaptic deficits seen in Apoer2 mutant mice and AD patients. Our findings, together with the recently reported AD-protective effects of a Reelin gain-of-function mutation in the presence of an early-onset AD mutation in Presenilin-1, implicate the Reelin/Apoer2 pathway as a target for AD therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine Wasser
- UT Southwestern: The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center
| | | | - Eric M Hall
- UT Southwestern: The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center
| | | | - Connie H Wong
- UT Southwestern: The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center
| | | | - Joachim Herz
- UT Southwestern: The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center
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15
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Ramsden CE, Zamora D, Horowitz M, Jahanipour J, Keyes G, Li X, Murray HC, Curtis MA, Faull RM, Sedlock A, Maric D. ApoER2-Dab1 disruption as the origin of pTau-related neurodegeneration in sporadic Alzheimer's disease. RESEARCH SQUARE 2023:rs.3.rs-2968020. [PMID: 37461602 PMCID: PMC10350181 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-2968020/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/23/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Sporadic Alzheimer's disease (sAD) is not a global brain disease. Specific regions, layers and neurons degenerate early while others remain untouched even in advanced disease. The prevailing model used to explain this selective neurodegeneration-prion-like Tau spread-has key limitations and is not easily integrated with other defining sAD features. Instead, we propose that in humans Tau hyperphosphorylation occurs locally via disruption in ApoER2-Dab1 signaling and thus the presence of ApoER2 in neuronal membranes confers vulnerability to degeneration. Further, we propose that disruption of the Reelin/ApoE/ApoJ-ApoER2-Dab1-P85α-LIMK1-Tau-PSD95 (RAAAD-P-LTP) pathway induces deficits in memory and cognition by impeding neuronal lipoprotein internalization and destabilizing actin, microtubules, and synapses. This new model is based in part on our recent finding that ApoER2-Dab1 disruption is evident in entorhinal-hippocampal terminal zones in sAD. Here, we hypothesized that neurons that degenerate in the earliest stages of sAD (1) strongly express ApoER2 and (2) show evidence of ApoER2-Dab1 disruption through co-accumulation of multiple RAAAD-P-LTP components. METHODS We applied in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry to characterize ApoER2 expression and accumulation of RAAAD-P-LTP components in five regions that are prone to early pTau pathology in 64 rapidly autopsied cases spanning the clinicopathological spectrum of sAD. RESULTS We found that: (1) selectively vulnerable neuron populations strongly express ApoER2; (2) numerous RAAAD-P-LTP pathway components accumulate in neuritic plaques and abnormal neurons; and (3) RAAAD-P-LTP components were higher in MCI and sAD cases and correlated with histological progression and cognitive deficits. Multiplex-IHC revealed that Dab1, pP85αTyr607, pLIMK1Thr508, pTau and pPSD95Thr19 accumulated together within dystrophic dendrites and soma of ApoER2-expressing neurons in the vicinity of ApoE/ApoJ-enriched extracellular plaques. These observations provide evidence for molecular derangements that can be traced back to ApoER2-Dab1 disruption, in each of the sampled regions, layers, and neuron populations that are prone to early pTau pathology. CONCLUSION Findings support the RAAAD-P-LTP hypothesis, a unifying model that implicates dendritic ApoER2-Dab1 disruption as the major driver of both pTau accumulation and neurodegeneration in sAD. This model provides a new conceptual framework to explain why specific neurons degenerate and identifies RAAAD-P-LTP pathway components as potential mechanism-based biomarkers and therapeutic targets for sAD.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Daisy Zamora
- National Institute on Aging Laboratory of Clinical Investigation
| | - Mark Horowitz
- National Institute on Aging Intramural Research Program
| | | | - Gregory Keyes
- National Institute on Aging Laboratory of Clinical Investigation
| | - Xiufeng Li
- National Institute on Aging Laboratory of Clinical Investigation
| | - Helen C Murray
- The University of Auckland Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences
| | - Maurice A Curtis
- The University of Auckland Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences
| | - Richard M Faull
- The University of Auckland Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences
| | - Andrea Sedlock
- NINDS: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
| | - Dragan Maric
- NINDS: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
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Zhang L, Xia Y, Gui Y. Neuronal ApoE4 in Alzheimer's disease and potential therapeutic targets. Front Aging Neurosci 2023; 15:1199434. [PMID: 37333457 PMCID: PMC10272394 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2023.1199434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2023] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/20/2023] Open
Abstract
The most prevalent genetic risk factor for Alzheimer's disease (AD) is Apolipoprotein E (ApoE), a gene located on chromosome 19 that encodes three alleles (e2, e3, and e4) that give rise to the ApoE subtypes E2, E3, and E4, respectively. E2 and E4 have been linked to increased plasma triglyceride concentrations and are known to play a critical role in lipoprotein metabolism. The prominent pathological features of AD mainly include senile plaques formed by amyloid β (Aβ42) aggregation and neuronal fibrous tangles (NFTs), and the deposited plaques are mainly composed of Aβ hyperphosphorylation and truncated head. In the central nervous system, the ApoE protein is primarily derived from astrocytes, but ApoE is also produced when neurons are stressed or affected by certain stress, injury, and aging conditions. ApoE4 in neurons induces Aβ and tau protein pathologies, leading to neuroinflammation and neuronal damage, impairing learning and memory functions. However, how neuronal ApoE4 mediates AD pathology remains unclear. Recent studies have shown that neuronal ApoE4 may lead to greater neurotoxicity, which increases the risk of AD development. This review focuses on the pathophysiology of neuronal ApoE4 and explains how neuronal ApoE4 mediates Aβ deposition, pathological mechanisms of tau protein hyperphosphorylation, and potential therapeutic targets.
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17
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Ramsden CE, Zamora D, Horowitz MS, Jahanipour J, Keyes GS, Li X, Murray HC, Curtis MA, Faull RM, Sedlock A, Maric D. ApoER2-Dab1 disruption as the origin of pTau-related neurodegeneration in sporadic Alzheimer's disease. MEDRXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR HEALTH SCIENCES 2023:2023.05.19.23290250. [PMID: 37333406 PMCID: PMC10274982 DOI: 10.1101/2023.05.19.23290250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/20/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Sporadic Alzheimer's disease (sAD) is not a global brain disease. Specific regions, layers and neurons degenerate early while others remain untouched even in advanced disease. The prevailing model used to explain this selective neurodegeneration-prion-like Tau spread-has key limitations and is not easily integrated with other defining sAD features. Instead, we propose that in humans Tau hyperphosphorylation occurs locally via disruption in ApoER2-Dab1 signaling and thus the presence of ApoER2 in neuronal membranes confers vulnerability to degeneration. Further, we propose that disruption of the Reelin/ApoE/ApoJ-ApoER2-Dab1-P85α-LIMK1-Tau-PSD95 (RAAAD-P-LTP) pathway induces deficits in memory and cognition by impeding neuronal lipoprotein internalization and destabilizing actin, microtubules, and synapses. This new model is based in part on our recent finding that ApoER2-Dab1 disruption is evident in entorhinal-hippocampal terminal zones in sAD. Here, we hypothesized that neurons that degenerate in the earliest stages of sAD (1) strongly express ApoER2 and (2) show evidence of ApoER2-Dab1 disruption through co-accumulation of multiple RAAAD-P-LTP components. METHODS We applied in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry to characterize ApoER2 expression and accumulation of RAAAD-P-LTP components in five regions that are prone to early pTau pathology in 64 rapidly autopsied cases spanning the clinicopathological spectrum of sAD. RESULTS We found that: (1) selectively vulnerable neuron populations strongly express ApoER2; (2) numerous RAAAD-P-LTP pathway components accumulate in neuritic plaques and abnormal neurons; and (3) RAAAD-P-LTP components were higher in MCI and sAD cases and correlated with histological progression and cognitive deficits. Multiplex-IHC revealed that Dab1, pP85αTyr607, pLIMK1Thr508, pTau and pPSD95Thr19 accumulated together within dystrophic dendrites and soma of ApoER2-expressing neurons in the vicinity of ApoE/ApoJ-enriched extracellular plaques. These observations provide evidence for molecular derangements that can be traced back to ApoER2-Dab1 disruption, in each of the sampled regions, layers, and neuron populations that are prone to early pTau pathology. CONCLUSION Findings support the RAAAD-P-LTP hypothesis, a unifying model that implicates dendritic ApoER2-Dab1 disruption as the major driver of both pTau accumulation and neurodegeneration in sAD. This model provides a new conceptual framework to explain why specific neurons degenerate and identifies RAAAD-P-LTP pathway components as potential mechanism-based biomarkers and therapeutic targets for sAD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher E. Ramsden
- Lipid Peroxidation Unit, Laboratory of Clinical Investigation, National Institute on Aging, NIH 251 Bayview Blvd., Baltimore, MD, 21224, USA
- Intramural Program of the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, NIH, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Daisy Zamora
- Lipid Peroxidation Unit, Laboratory of Clinical Investigation, National Institute on Aging, NIH 251 Bayview Blvd., Baltimore, MD, 21224, USA
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Mark S. Horowitz
- Lipid Peroxidation Unit, Laboratory of Clinical Investigation, National Institute on Aging, NIH 251 Bayview Blvd., Baltimore, MD, 21224, USA
| | - Jahandar Jahanipour
- Flow and Imaging Cytometry Core Facility, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, NIH, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Gregory S. Keyes
- Lipid Peroxidation Unit, Laboratory of Clinical Investigation, National Institute on Aging, NIH 251 Bayview Blvd., Baltimore, MD, 21224, USA
| | - Xiufeng Li
- Lipid Peroxidation Unit, Laboratory of Clinical Investigation, National Institute on Aging, NIH 251 Bayview Blvd., Baltimore, MD, 21224, USA
| | - Helen C. Murray
- Department of Anatomy and Medical Imaging and Centre for Brain Research, Faculty of Medical and Health Science, University of Auckland, Private Bag, Auckland, 92019, New Zealand
- Laboratory of Functional and Molecular Imaging, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, NIH, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Maurice A. Curtis
- Department of Anatomy and Medical Imaging and Centre for Brain Research, Faculty of Medical and Health Science, University of Auckland, Private Bag, Auckland, 92019, New Zealand
| | - Richard M. Faull
- Department of Anatomy and Medical Imaging and Centre for Brain Research, Faculty of Medical and Health Science, University of Auckland, Private Bag, Auckland, 92019, New Zealand
| | - Andrea Sedlock
- Flow and Imaging Cytometry Core Facility, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, NIH, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
| | - Dragan Maric
- Flow and Imaging Cytometry Core Facility, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, NIH, Bethesda, MD, 20892, USA
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Pandey RS, Kotredes KP, Sasner M, Howell GR, Carter GW. Differential splicing of neuronal genes in a Trem2*R47H mouse model mimics alterations associated with Alzheimer's disease. BMC Genomics 2023; 24:172. [PMID: 37016304 PMCID: PMC10074678 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-023-09280-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2022] [Accepted: 03/29/2023] [Indexed: 04/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Molecular characterization of late-onset Alzheimer's disease (LOAD), the leading cause of age-related dementia, has revealed transcripts, proteins, and pathway alterations associated with disease. Assessing these postmortem signatures of LOAD in experimental model systems can further elucidate their relevance to disease origins and progression. Model organisms engineered with human genetic factors further link these signatures to disease-associated variants, especially when studies are designed to leverage homology across species. Here we assess differential gene splicing patterns in aging mouse models carrying humanized APOE4 and/or the Trem2*R47H variant on a C57BL/6J background. We performed a differential expression of gene (DEG) and differential splicing analyses on whole brain transcriptomes at multiple ages. To better understand the difference between differentially expressed and differentially spliced genes, we evaluated enrichment of KEGG pathways and cell-type specific gene signatures of the adult brain from each alteration type. To determine LOAD relevance, we compared differential splicing results from mouse models with multiple human AD splicing studies. RESULTS We found that differentially expressed genes in Trem2*R47H mice were significantly enriched in multiple AD-related pathways, including immune response, osteoclast differentiation, and metabolism, whereas differentially spliced genes were enriched for neuronal related functions, including GABAergic synapse and glutamatergic synapse. These results were reinforced by the enrichment of microglial genes in DEGs and neuronal genes in differentially spliced genes in Trem2*R47H mice. We observed significant overlap between differentially spliced genes in Trem2*R47H mice and brains from human AD subjects. These effects were absent in APOE4 mice and suppressed in APOE4.Trem2*R47H double mutant mice relative to Trem2*R47H mice. CONCLUSIONS The cross-species observation that alternative splicing observed in LOAD are present in Trem2*R47H mouse models suggests a novel link between this candidate risk gene and molecular signatures of LOAD in neurons and demonstrates how deep molecular analysis of new genetic models links molecular disease outcomes to a human candidate gene.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ravi S Pandey
- The Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine, 10 Discovery Drive, Farmington, CT, 06032, USA
| | - Kevin P Kotredes
- The Jackson Laboratory, 600 Main Street, Bar Harbor, ME, 04609, USA
| | - Michael Sasner
- The Jackson Laboratory, 600 Main Street, Bar Harbor, ME, 04609, USA
| | - Gareth R Howell
- The Jackson Laboratory, 600 Main Street, Bar Harbor, ME, 04609, USA
| | - Gregory W Carter
- The Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine, 10 Discovery Drive, Farmington, CT, 06032, USA.
- The Jackson Laboratory, 600 Main Street, Bar Harbor, ME, 04609, USA.
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Kaltak M, de Bruijn P, Piccolo D, Lee SE, Dulla K, Hoogenboezem T, Beumer W, Webster AR, Collin RW, Cheetham ME, Platenburg G, Swildens J. Antisense oligonucleotide therapy corrects splicing in the common Stargardt disease type 1-causing variant ABCA4 c.5461-10T>C. MOLECULAR THERAPY. NUCLEIC ACIDS 2023; 31:674-688. [PMID: 36910710 PMCID: PMC9999166 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2023.02.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2022] [Accepted: 02/15/2023] [Indexed: 02/20/2023]
Abstract
Stargardt disease type 1 (STGD1) is the most common hereditary form of maculopathy and remains untreatable. STGD1 is caused by biallelic variants in the ABCA4 gene, which encodes the ATP-binding cassette (type 4) protein (ABCA4) that clears toxic byproducts of the visual cycle. The c.5461-10T>C p.[Thr1821Aspfs∗6,Thr1821Valfs∗13] variant is the most common severe disease-associated variant, and leads to exon skipping and out-of-frame ABCA4 transcripts that prevent translation of functional ABCA4 protein. Homozygous individuals typically display early onset STGD1 and are legally blind by early adulthood. Here, we applied antisense oligonucleotides (AONs) to promote exon inclusion and restore wild-type RNA splicing of ABCA4 c.5461-10T>C. The effect of AONs was first investigated in vitro using an ABCA4 midigene model. Subsequently, the best performing AONs were administered to homozygous c.5461-10T>C 3D human retinal organoids. Isoform-specific digital polymerase chain reaction revealed a significant increase in correctly spliced transcripts after treatment with the lead AON, QR-1011, up to 53% correct transcripts at a 3 μM dose. Furthermore, western blot and immunohistochemistry analyses identified restoration of ABCA4 protein after treatment. Collectively, we identified QR-1011 as a potent splice-correcting AON and a possible therapeutic intervention for patients harboring the severe ABCA4 c.5461-10T>C variant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melita Kaltak
- ProQR Therapeutics, Zernikedreef 9, 2333 CK Leiden, the Netherlands
- Department of Human Genetics, Radboud University Medical Center, Geert Grooteplein-Zuid 10, 6525 GA Nijmegen, the Netherlands
- Academic Alliance Genetics, Radboud University Medical Center, Geert Grooteplein-Zuid 10, 6525 GA Nijmegen, and Maastricht University Medical Center+, P. Debyelaan 25, 6229 HX Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Petra de Bruijn
- ProQR Therapeutics, Zernikedreef 9, 2333 CK Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Davide Piccolo
- UCL, Institute of Ophthalmology, 11-43 Bath Street, EC1V 9EL London, UK
| | - Sang-Eun Lee
- UCL, Institute of Ophthalmology, 11-43 Bath Street, EC1V 9EL London, UK
| | - Kalyan Dulla
- ProQR Therapeutics, Zernikedreef 9, 2333 CK Leiden, the Netherlands
| | | | - Wouter Beumer
- ProQR Therapeutics, Zernikedreef 9, 2333 CK Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Andrew R. Webster
- UCL, Institute of Ophthalmology, 11-43 Bath Street, EC1V 9EL London, UK
- Moorfields Eye Hospital, 162 City Road, EC1V 2PD London, UK
| | - Rob W.J. Collin
- Department of Human Genetics, Radboud University Medical Center, Geert Grooteplein-Zuid 10, 6525 GA Nijmegen, the Netherlands
- Academic Alliance Genetics, Radboud University Medical Center, Geert Grooteplein-Zuid 10, 6525 GA Nijmegen, and Maastricht University Medical Center+, P. Debyelaan 25, 6229 HX Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | | | | | - Jim Swildens
- ProQR Therapeutics, Zernikedreef 9, 2333 CK Leiden, the Netherlands
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20
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Spatial Disorientation Under Dark Conditions Across Development in an Alzheimer's Disease Mouse Model. Neuroscience 2023; 511:53-69. [PMID: 36587866 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2022.12.012] [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: 07/05/2022] [Revised: 12/06/2022] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is associated with hippocampal neuropathology and cognitive impairments, including wandering behavior or becoming lost in a familiar environment. Wandering behavior is severe and manifests early in life for people with specific genetic mutations. Genetic mouse models of AD have been developed to characterize the onset and progression of behavioral deficits that represent human behaviors, such as wandering, to test the efficacy of therapeutics. It is not clear if current assessments of mouse models capture the onset of AD or a snapshot of its progression. Sequential analysis of open field behavior provides a robust, quick test to dissociate navigation cues that contribute to spatial disorientation, a feature of wandering. Despite potential utility in evaluating this feature of AD, little work has been reported using animal models of dementia in this task. Thus, we examined the use of different sources of information to maintain spatial orientation at two prodromal ages in female transgenic CRND8 AD (n = 17) and Control mice (n = 16). These mice exhibit amyloid plaques, a hallmark neuropathological feature of AD, that are associated with cognitive dysfunction at ∼three months of age. Spatial disorientation was observed at two months and more severely at four months under dark conditions, but performance was spared when visual environmental cues were available. This study provides documentation of impaired self-movement cue processing in AD mice, establishing the dark open field as a behavioral tool to characterize spatial disorientation associated with AD. These findings may accelerate future assessments of novel therapeutic interventions for neurological disorders.
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21
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Nanomedicine based strategies for oligonucleotide traversion across the blood-brain barrier. J Control Release 2023; 354:554-571. [PMID: 36649742 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2023.01.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2022] [Revised: 01/10/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Neurological disorders are considered the most prominent cause of disability worldwide. The major hurdle in the management of neurological disorders is the existence of the blood-brain barrier (BBB), which hinders the entry of several therapeutic moieties. In recent years, oligonucleotides have gained tremendous attention for their target specificity, diminished dose and adverse effects, thereby halting disease progression. However, enzymatic degradation, rapid clearance, limited circulation and availability at the bio-active site, etc., limit its clinical translation. Nanomedicine has opened up a breadth of opportunities in the delivery of oligonucleotides across the BBB. This review addresses the pitfalls associated with oligonucleotide delivery in traversing the BBB via nanotherapeutics for the management of brain disorders. Regulatory perspectives pertaining to hastening the clinical translation of oligonucleotide-loaded nanocarriers for brain delivery have been highlighted.
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22
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Wiseman AL, Briggs CA, Peritt A, Kapecki N, Peterson DA, Shim SS, Stutzmann GE. Lithium Provides Broad Therapeutic Benefits in an Alzheimer's Disease Mouse Model. J Alzheimers Dis 2023; 91:273-290. [PMID: 36442195 DOI: 10.3233/jad-220758] [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] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a chronic neurodegenerative disorder with a progressive loss of cognitive function. Currently, no effective treatment regimen is available. Lithium, a mood stabilizer for bipolar disorder, exerts broad neuroprotective and neurotrophic actions and improves cognitive function. OBJECTIVE The study investigated if lithium stabilizes Ca2+ signaling abnormalities in hippocampal neurons and subsequently normalize downstream effects on AD neuropathology and synaptic plasticity in young AD mice. METHODS Four-month-old 3xTg-AD mice were treated with a LiCl diet chow for 30 days. At the end of the lithium treatment, a combination of two-photon Ca2+ imaging, electrophysiology, and immunohistochemistry assays were used to assess the effects of the LiCl treatment on inositol trisphosphate receptor (IP3R)-dependent endoplasmic reticulum (ER) Ca2+ and voltage-gated Ca2+ channel (VGCC)-mediated Ca2+ signaling in CA1 neurons, neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) and hyperphosphorylated tau (p-tau) levels and synaptic plasticity in the hippocampus and overlying cortex from 3xTg-ADmice. RESULTS Thirty-day LiCl treatment reduced aberrant IP3R-dependent ER Ca2+ and VGCC-mediated Ca2+ signaling in CA1 pyramidal neurons from 3xTg-AD mice and restored neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) and hyperphosphorylated tau (p-tau) levels to control levels in the hippocampal subfields and overlying cortex. The LiCl treatment enhanced post-tetanic potentiation (PTP), a form of short-term plasticity in the hippocampus. CONCLUSION The study found that lithium exerts therapeutic effects across several AD-associated early neuronal signaling abnormalities including aberrant Ca2+ signaling, nNOS, and p-tau formation and enhances short-term synaptic plasticity. Lithium could serve as an effective treatment or co-therapeutic for AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alyssa L Wiseman
- Discipline of Neuroscience, The Chicago Medical School, Rosalind Franklin University, North Chicago, IL, USA.,School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies, Rosalind Franklin University, North Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Clark A Briggs
- Discipline of Neuroscience, The Chicago Medical School, Rosalind Franklin University, North Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Ariel Peritt
- Discipline of Neuroscience, The Chicago Medical School, Rosalind Franklin University, North Chicago, IL, USA.,Sackler School of Medicine, New York State/American Program of Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Nicolas Kapecki
- Discipline of Neuroscience, The Chicago Medical School, Rosalind Franklin University, North Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Daniel A Peterson
- Center for Neurodegenerative Disease and Therapeutics, Rosalind Franklin University, North Chicago, IL, USA.,Discipline of Neuroscience, The Chicago Medical School, Rosalind Franklin University, North Chicago, IL, USA.,School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies, Rosalind Franklin University, North Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Seong S Shim
- Discipline of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, The Chicago Medical School, Rosalind Franklin University, North Chicago, IL, USA.,Captain James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center, Mental Health, North Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Grace E Stutzmann
- Center for Neurodegenerative Disease and Therapeutics, Rosalind Franklin University, North Chicago, IL, USA.,Discipline of Neuroscience, The Chicago Medical School, Rosalind Franklin University, North Chicago, IL, USA.,School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies, Rosalind Franklin University, North Chicago, IL, USA
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23
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Istiaq A, Umemoto T, Ito N, Suda T, Shimamura K, Ohta K. Tsukushi proteoglycan maintains RNA splicing and developmental signaling network in GFAP-expressing subventricular zone neural stem/progenitor cells. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:994588. [DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.994588] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2022] [Accepted: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Tsukushi (TSK) proteoglycan dysfunction leads to hydrocephalus, a condition defined by excessive fluid collection in the ventricles and lateral ventricular enlargement. TSK injections into the LV at birth are effective at rescuing the lateral ventricle (LV). TSK regulates the activation of the Wnt signaling to facilitate the proper expansion of the LV and maintain the fate of the neural stem cell lineage. However, the molecular mechanism by which TSK acts on neural stem/progenitor cells (NSCs) during LV development is unknown. We demonstrated that TSK is crucial for the splicing and development-associated gene regulation of GFAP-expressing subventricular zone (SVZ) NSCs. We isolated GFAP-expressing NSCs from the SVZ of wild-type (GFAPGFP/+/TSK+/+) and TSK knock-out (GFAPGFP/+/TSK−/−) mice on postnatal day 3 and compared their transcriptome and splicing profiles. TSK deficiency in NSCs resulted in genome-wide missplicing (alteration in exon usage) and transcriptional dysregulation affecting the post-transcriptional regulatory processes (including splicing, cell cycle, and circadian rhythm) and developmental signaling networks specific to the cell (including Wnt, Sonic Hedgehog, and mTOR signaling). Furthermore, TSK deficiency prominently affected the splicing of genes encoding RNA and DNA binding proteins in the nervous SVZ and non-nervous muscle tissues. These results suggested that TSK is involved in the maintenance of correct splicing and gene regulation in GFAP-expressing NSCs, thereby protecting cell fate and LV development. Hence, our study provides a critical insight on hydrocephalus development.
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24
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Brain Region-Dependent Alternative Splicing of Alzheimer Disease (AD)-Risk Genes Is Associated With Neuropathological Features in AD. Int Neurourol J 2022; 26:S126-136. [PMID: 36503215 PMCID: PMC9767683 DOI: 10.5213/inj.2244258.129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2022] [Accepted: 11/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Alzheimer disease (AD) is one of the most complex diseases and is characterized by AD-related neuropathological features, including accumulation of amyloid-β plaques and tau neurofibrillary tangles. Dysregulation of alternative splicing (AS) contributes to these features, and there is heterogeneity in features across brain regions between AD patients, leading to different severity and progression rates; however, brain region-specific AS mechanisms still remain unclear. Therefore, we aimed to systemically investigate AS in multiple brain regions of AD patients and how they affect clinical features. METHODS We analyzed RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) data obtained from brain regions (frontal and temporal) of AD patients. Reads were mapped to the hg19 reference genome using the STAR aligner, and exon skipping (ES) rates were estimated as percent spliced in (PSI) by rMATs. We focused on AD-risk genes discovered by genome-wide association studies, and accordingly evaluated associations between PSI of skipped exons in AD-risk genes and Braak stage and plaque density mean (PM) for each brain region. We also integrated whole-genome sequencing data of the ascertained samples with RNA-Seq data to identify genetic regulators of feature-associated ES. RESULTS We identified 26 and 41 ES associated with Braak stage in frontal and temporal regions, respectively, and 10 and 50 ES associated with PM. Among those, 10 were frontal-specific (CLU and NTRK2), 65 temporal-specific (HIF1A and TRPC4AP), and 26 shared ES (APP) that accompanied functional Gene Ontology terms, including axonogenesis in shared-ES genes. We further identified genetic regulators that account for 44 ES (44% of the total). Finally, we present as a case study the systematic regulation of an ES in APP, which is important in AD pathogenesis. CONCLUSION This study provides new insights into brain region-dependent AS regulation of the architecture of AD-risk genes that contributes to AD pathologies, ultimately allowing identification of a treatment target and region-specific biomarkers for AD.
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25
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Thakur S, Sinhari A, Jain P, Jadhav HR. A perspective on oligonucleotide therapy: Approaches to patient customization. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:1006304. [PMID: 36339619 PMCID: PMC9626821 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.1006304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Accepted: 10/05/2022] [Indexed: 09/12/2023] Open
Abstract
It is estimated that the human genome encodes 15% of proteins that are considered to be disease-modifying. Only 2% of these proteins possess a druggable site that the approved clinical candidates target. Due to this disparity, there is an immense need to develop therapeutics that may better mitigate the disease or disorders aroused by non-druggable and druggable proteins or enzymes. The recent surge in approved oligonucleotide therapeutics (OT) indicates the imminent potential of these therapies. Oligonucleotide-based therapeutics are of intermediate size with much-improved selectivity towards the target and fewer off-target effects than small molecules. The OTs include Antisense RNAs, MicroRNA (MIR), small interfering RNA (siRNA), and aptamers, which are currently being explored for their use in neurodegenerative disorders, cancer, and even orphan diseases. The present review is a congregated effort to present the past and present of OTs and the current efforts to make OTs for plausible future therapeutics. The review provides updated literature on the challenges and bottlenecks of OT and recent advancements in OT drug delivery. Further, this review deliberates on a newly emerging approach to personalized treatment for patients with rare and fatal diseases with OT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shikha Thakur
- Pharmaceutical Chemistry Laboratory, Department of Pharmacy, Birla Institute of Technology and Sciences Pilani, Pilani, RJ, India
| | - Apurba Sinhari
- Pharmaceutical Chemistry Laboratory, Department of Pharmacy, Birla Institute of Technology and Sciences Pilani, Pilani, RJ, India
| | - Priti Jain
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Delhi Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research University, New Delhi, India
| | - Hemant R. Jadhav
- Pharmaceutical Chemistry Laboratory, Department of Pharmacy, Birla Institute of Technology and Sciences Pilani, Pilani, RJ, India
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26
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Helm J, Schöls L, Hauser S. Towards Personalized Allele-Specific Antisense Oligonucleotide Therapies for Toxic Gain-of-Function Neurodegenerative Diseases. Pharmaceutics 2022; 14:pharmaceutics14081708. [PMID: 36015334 PMCID: PMC9416334 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14081708] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2022] [Revised: 08/11/2022] [Accepted: 08/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) are single-stranded nucleic acid strings that can be used to selectively modify protein synthesis by binding complementary (pre-)mRNA sequences. By specific arrangements of DNA and RNA into a chain of nucleic acids and additional modifications of the backbone, sugar, and base, the specificity and functionality of the designed ASOs can be adjusted. Thereby cellular uptake, toxicity, and nuclease resistance, as well as binding affinity and specificity to its target (pre-)mRNA, can be modified. Several neurodegenerative diseases are caused by autosomal dominant toxic gain-of-function mutations, which lead to toxic protein products driving disease progression. ASOs targeting such mutations—or even more comprehensively, associated variants, such as single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs)—promise a selective degradation of the mutant (pre-)mRNA while sparing the wild type allele. By this approach, protein expression from the wild type strand is preserved, and side effects from an unselective knockdown of both alleles can be prevented. This makes allele-specific targeting strategies a focus for future personalized therapies. Here, we provide an overview of current strategies to develop personalized, allele-specific ASO therapies for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, such Huntington’s disease (HD) and spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 (SCA3/MJD).
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacob Helm
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), 72076 Tübingen, Germany
- Hertie Institute for Clinical Brain Research and Department of Neurology, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
- Graduate School of Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Ludger Schöls
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), 72076 Tübingen, Germany
- Hertie Institute for Clinical Brain Research and Department of Neurology, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Stefan Hauser
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), 72076 Tübingen, Germany
- Hertie Institute for Clinical Brain Research and Department of Neurology, University of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany
- Correspondence:
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Passarella D, Ciampi S, Di Liberto V, Zuccarini M, Ronci M, Medoro A, Foderà E, Frinchi M, Mignogna D, Russo C, Porcile C. Low-Density Lipoprotein Receptor-Related Protein 8 at the Crossroad between Cancer and Neurodegeneration. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23168921. [PMID: 36012187 PMCID: PMC9408729 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23168921] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2022] [Revised: 08/07/2022] [Accepted: 08/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The low-density-lipoprotein receptors represent a family of pleiotropic cell surface receptors involved in lipid homeostasis, cell migration, proliferation and differentiation. The family shares common structural features but also has significant differences mainly due to tissue-specific interactors and to peculiar proteolytic processing. Among the receptors in the family, recent studies place low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 8 (LRP8) at the center of both neurodegenerative and cancer-related pathways. From one side, its overexpression has been highlighted in many types of cancer including breast, gastric, prostate, lung and melanoma; from the other side, LRP8 has a potential role in neurodegeneration as apolipoprotein E (ApoE) and reelin receptor, which are, respectively, the major risk factor for developing Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and the main driver of neuronal migration, and as a γ-secretase substrate, the main enzyme responsible for amyloid formation in AD. The present review analyzes the contributions of LDL receptors, specifically of LRP8, in both cancer and neurodegeneration, pointing out that depending on various interactions and peculiar processing, the receptor can contribute to both proliferative and neurodegenerative processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Passarella
- Department of Medicine and Health Sciences “V. Tiberio”, University of Molise, 86100 Campobasso, Italy
| | - Silvia Ciampi
- Department of Medicine and Health Sciences “V. Tiberio”, University of Molise, 86100 Campobasso, Italy
| | - Valentina Di Liberto
- Department of Experimental Biomedicine and Clinical Neurosciences, University of Palermo, 90133 Palermo, Italy
| | - Mariachiara Zuccarini
- Department of Medical Oral and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy
| | - Maurizio Ronci
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy
| | - Alessandro Medoro
- Department of Medicine and Health Sciences “V. Tiberio”, University of Molise, 86100 Campobasso, Italy
| | - Emanuele Foderà
- Department of Medicine and Health Sciences “V. Tiberio”, University of Molise, 86100 Campobasso, Italy
| | - Monica Frinchi
- Department of Experimental Biomedicine and Clinical Neurosciences, University of Palermo, 90133 Palermo, Italy
| | - Donatella Mignogna
- Department of Medicine and Health Sciences “V. Tiberio”, University of Molise, 86100 Campobasso, Italy
| | - Claudio Russo
- Department of Medicine and Health Sciences “V. Tiberio”, University of Molise, 86100 Campobasso, Italy
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-0874404897
| | - Carola Porcile
- Department of Medicine and Health Sciences “V. Tiberio”, University of Molise, 86100 Campobasso, Italy
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28
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Lu Y, Yue D, Xie J, Cheng L, Wang X. Ontology Specific Alternative Splicing Changes in Alzheimer’s Disease. Front Genet 2022; 13:926049. [PMID: 35774499 PMCID: PMC9237535 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.926049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2022] [Accepted: 05/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Alternative splicing (AS) is a common phenomenon and correlates with aging and aging-related disorders including Alzheimer’s disease (AD). We aimed to systematically characterize AS changes in the cerebral cortex of 9-month-old APP/PS1 mice. The GSE132177 dataset was downloaded from GEO and ENA databases, aligned to the GRCm39 reference genome from ENSEMBL via STAR. Alternative 3′SS (A3SS), alternative 5′SS (A5SS), skipped exon (SE), retained intron (RI), and mutually exclusive exons (MXE) AS events were evaluated using rMATS, rmats2sashimiplot, and maser. Differential genes or transcripts were analyzed using the limma R package. Gene ontology analysis was performed with the clusterProfiler R package. A total of 60,705 raw counts of AS were identified, and 113 significant AS events were finally selected in accordance with the selection criteria: 1) average coverage >10 and 2) delta percent spliced in (ΔPSI) >0.1. SE was the most abundant AS event (61.95%), and RI was the second most abundant AS type (13.27%), followed by A3SS (12.39%), thereafter A5SS and MXE comprised of 12.39%. Interestingly, genes that experienced SE were enriched in histone acetyltransferase (HAT) complex, while genes spliced by RI were enriched in autophagy and those which experienced A3SS were enriched in methyltransferase activity revealed by GO analysis. In conclusion, we revealed ontology specific AS changes in AD. Our analysis provides novel pathological mechanisms of AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanjun Lu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Daoyuan Yue
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Jiazhao Xie
- Department of Pathophysiology, Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education for Neurological Disorders, School of Basic Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Liming Cheng
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- *Correspondence: Liming Cheng, ; Xiong Wang,
| | - Xiong Wang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- *Correspondence: Liming Cheng, ; Xiong Wang,
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29
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Ramsden CE, Keyes GS, Calzada E, Horowitz MS, Zamora D, Jahanipour J, Sedlock A, Indig FE, Moaddel R, Kapogiannis D, Maric D. Lipid Peroxidation Induced ApoE Receptor-Ligand Disruption as a Unifying Hypothesis Underlying Sporadic Alzheimer's Disease in Humans. J Alzheimers Dis 2022; 87:1251-1290. [PMID: 35466940 DOI: 10.3233/jad-220071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Sporadic Alzheimer's disease (sAD) lacks a unifying hypothesis that can account for the lipid peroxidation observed early in the disease, enrichment of ApoE in the core of neuritic plaques, hallmark plaques and tangles, and selective vulnerability of entorhinal-hippocampal structures. OBJECTIVE We hypothesized that 1) high expression of ApoER2 (receptor for ApoE and Reelin) helps explain this anatomical vulnerability; 2) lipid peroxidation of ApoE and ApoER2 contributes to sAD pathogenesis, by disrupting neuronal ApoE delivery and Reelin-ApoER2-Dab1 signaling cascades. METHODS In vitro biochemical experiments; Single-marker and multiplex fluorescence-immunohistochemistry (IHC) in postmortem specimens from 26 individuals who died cognitively normal, with mild cognitive impairment or with sAD. RESULTS ApoE and ApoER2 peptides and proteins were susceptible to attack by reactive lipid aldehydes, generating lipid-protein adducts and crosslinked ApoE-ApoER2 complexes. Using in situ hybridization alongside IHC, we observed that: 1) ApoER2 is strongly expressed in terminal zones of the entorhinal-hippocampal 'perforant path' projections that underlie memory; 2) ApoE, lipid aldehyde-modified ApoE, Reelin, ApoER2, and the downstream Reelin-ApoER2 cascade components Dab1 and Thr19-phosphorylated PSD95 accumulated in the vicinity of neuritic plaques in perforant path terminal zones in sAD cases; 3) several ApoE/Reelin-ApoER2-Dab1 pathway markers were higher in sAD cases and positively correlated with histological progression and cognitive deficits. CONCLUSION Results demonstrate derangements in multiple ApoE/Reelin-ApoER2-Dab1 axis components in perforant path terminal zones in sAD and provide proof-of-concept that ApoE and ApoER2 are vulnerable to aldehyde-induced adduction and crosslinking. Findings provide the foundation for a unifying hypothesis implicating lipid peroxidation of ApoE and ApoE receptors in sAD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher E Ramsden
- Lipid Peroxidation Unit, Laboratory of Clinical Investigation, National Institute on Aging, NIH, Baltimore, MD, USA.,Intramural Program of the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Gregory S Keyes
- Lipid Peroxidation Unit, Laboratory of Clinical Investigation, National Institute on Aging, NIH, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Elizabeth Calzada
- Lipid Peroxidation Unit, Laboratory of Clinical Investigation, National Institute on Aging, NIH, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Mark S Horowitz
- Lipid Peroxidation Unit, Laboratory of Clinical Investigation, National Institute on Aging, NIH, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Daisy Zamora
- Lipid Peroxidation Unit, Laboratory of Clinical Investigation, National Institute on Aging, NIH, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Jahandar Jahanipour
- Flow and Imaging Cytometry Core Facility, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Andrea Sedlock
- Flow and Imaging Cytometry Core Facility, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Fred E Indig
- Confocal Imaging Facility, National Institute on Aging Intramural Research Program, NIH, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Ruin Moaddel
- Laboratory of Clinical Investigation, National Institute on Aging, NIH, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Dimitrios Kapogiannis
- Human Neuroscience Unit, Laboratory of Clinical Investigation, National Institute on Aging, NIH, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Dragan Maric
- Flow and Imaging Cytometry Core Facility, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA
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Gallo CM, Labadorf AT, Ho A, Beffert U. Single molecule, long-read Apoer2 sequencing identifies conserved and species-specific splicing patterns. Genomics 2022; 114:110318. [PMID: 35192893 PMCID: PMC8978334 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygeno.2022.110318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Revised: 02/11/2022] [Accepted: 02/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
Apolipoprotein E receptor 2 (Apoer2) is a synaptic receptor in the brain that binds disease-relevant ligand Apolipoprotein E (Apoe) and is highly alternatively spliced. We examined alternative splicing (AS) of conserved Apoer2 exons across vertebrate species and identified gain of exons in mammals encoding functional domains such as the cytoplasmic and furin inserts, and loss of an exon in primates encoding the eighth LDLa repeat, likely altering receptor surface levels and ligand-binding specificity. We utilized single molecule, long-read RNA sequencing to profile full-length Apoer2 isoforms and identified 68 and 48 unique full-length Apoer2 transcripts in the mouse and human cerebral cortex, respectively. Furthermore, we identified two exons encoding protein functional domains, the third EGF-precursor like repeat and glycosylation domain, that are tandemly skipped specifically in mouse. Our study provides new insight into Apoer2 isoform complexity in the vertebrate brain and highlights species-specific differences in splicing decisions that support functional diversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina M. Gallo
- Department of Pharmacology & Experimental Therapeutics, Boston University School of Medicine,Department of Biology, Boston University
| | - Adam T. Labadorf
- Bioinformatics Program, Boston University,Department of Neurology, Boston University School of Medicine
| | - Angela Ho
- Department of Pharmacology & Experimental Therapeutics, Boston University School of Medicine, United States of America; Department of Biology, Boston University, United States of America.
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Ruiz-Gabarre D, Carnero-Espejo A, Ávila J, García-Escudero V. What's in a Gene? The Outstanding Diversity of MAPT. Cells 2022; 11:840. [PMID: 35269461 PMCID: PMC8909800 DOI: 10.3390/cells11050840] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2022] [Revised: 02/25/2022] [Accepted: 02/27/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Tau protein is a microtubule-associated protein encoded by the MAPT gene that carries out a myriad of physiological functions and has been linked to certain pathologies collectively termed tauopathies, including Alzheimer's disease, frontotemporal dementia, Huntington's disease, progressive supranuclear palsy, etc. Alternative splicing is a physiological process by which cells generate several transcripts from one single gene and may in turn give rise to different proteins from the same gene. MAPT transcripts have been proven to be subjected to alternative splicing, generating six main isoforms in the central nervous system. Research throughout the years has demonstrated that the splicing landscape of the MAPT gene is far more complex than that, including at least exon skipping events, the use of 3' and 5' alternative splice sites and, as has been recently discovered, also intron retention. In addition, MAPT alternative splicing has been showed to be regulated spatially and developmentally, further evidencing the complexity of the gene's splicing regulation. It is unclear what would drive the need for the existence of so many isoforms encoded by the same gene, but a wide range of functions have been ascribed to these Tau isoforms, both in physiology and pathology. In this review we offer a comprehensive up-to-date exploration of the mechanisms leading to the outstanding diversity of isoforms expressed from the MAPT gene and the functions in which such isoforms are involved, including their potential role in the onset and development of tauopathies such as Alzheimer's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Ruiz-Gabarre
- Anatomy, Histology and Neuroscience Department, School of Medicine, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM), 28029 Madrid, Spain; (D.R.-G.); (A.C.-E.)
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa (UAM-CSIC), 28049 Madrid, Spain
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM), 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Almudena Carnero-Espejo
- Anatomy, Histology and Neuroscience Department, School of Medicine, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM), 28029 Madrid, Spain; (D.R.-G.); (A.C.-E.)
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM), 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Jesús Ávila
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa (UAM-CSIC), 28049 Madrid, Spain
- Networking Research Center on Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28031 Madrid, Spain
| | - Vega García-Escudero
- Anatomy, Histology and Neuroscience Department, School of Medicine, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM), 28029 Madrid, Spain; (D.R.-G.); (A.C.-E.)
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa (UAM-CSIC), 28049 Madrid, Spain
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM), 28029 Madrid, Spain
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32
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Troutwine BR, Hamid L, Lysaker CR, Strope TA, Wilkins HM. Apolipoprotein E and Alzheimer's disease. Acta Pharm Sin B 2022; 12:496-510. [PMID: 35256931 PMCID: PMC8897057 DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2021.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2021] [Revised: 09/30/2021] [Accepted: 10/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Genetic variation in apolipoprotein E (APOE) influences Alzheimer's disease (AD) risk. APOE ε4 alleles are the strongest genetic risk factor for late onset sporadic AD. The AD risk is dose dependent, as those carrying one APOE ε4 allele have a 2-3-fold increased risk, while those carrying two ε4 alleles have a 10-15-fold increased risk. Individuals carrying APOE ε2 alleles have lower AD risk and those carrying APOE ε3 alleles have neutral risk. APOE is a lipoprotein which functions in lipid transport, metabolism, and inflammatory modulation. Isoform specific effects of APOE within the brain include alterations to Aβ, tau, neuroinflammation, and metabolism. Here we review the association of APOE with AD, the APOE isoform specific effects within brain and periphery, and potential therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin R. Troutwine
- Department of Neurology University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA
- University of Kansas Alzheimer's Disease Center, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA
| | - Laylan Hamid
- University of Kansas Alzheimer's Disease Center, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA
| | - Colton R. Lysaker
- University of Kansas Alzheimer's Disease Center, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA
| | - Taylor A. Strope
- University of Kansas Alzheimer's Disease Center, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA
| | - Heather M. Wilkins
- Department of Neurology University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA
- University of Kansas Alzheimer's Disease Center, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA
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Lee J, Park S, Kim Y, Kim HM, Oh CM. Exploring the Genetic Associations Between the Use of Statins and Alzheimer's Disease. J Lipid Atheroscler 2022; 11:133-146. [PMID: 35656152 PMCID: PMC9133776 DOI: 10.12997/jla.2022.11.2.133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2021] [Revised: 05/10/2021] [Accepted: 05/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common cause of dementia. The statins have shown beneficial effects on cognitive functions and reduced the risk of dementia development. However, the exact mechanisms of statin effects in AD are not yet fully understood. In this study, we aimed to explore the underlying mechanisms of statin on AD. Methods We downloaded AD blood dataset (GSE63060) and statin-related blood gene expression dataset (GSE86216). Then we performed gene expression analysis of each dataset and compared blood gene expressions between AD patients and statin-treated patients. Then, we downloaded mouse embryonic neural stem cell dataset (GSE111945) and performed gene expression analysis. Results From the human blood dataset, we identified upregulated/downregulated genes in AD patients and statin-treated patients. Some of the upregulated genes (AEN, MBTPS1, ABCG1) in the blood of AD patients are downregulated in statin-treated patients. Several downregulated genes (FGL2, HMGCS1, PSME2, SRSF3, and ATG3) are upregulated in statin-treated patients. Gene set enrichment analysis using mouse stem cell dataset revealed a significant relationship of Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes-defined pathway of AD in statin-treated neural stem cells compared to vehicle-treated neural stem cells (normalized enrichment score: −2.24 in male and −1.6 in female). Conclusion These gene expression analyses from human blood and mouse neural stem cell demonstrate the important clues on the molecular mechanisms of impacts of statin on AD disease. Further studies are needed to investigate the exact role of candidate genes and pathways suggested in our AD pathogenesis study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jibeom Lee
- Department of Biomedical Science and Engineering, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology, Gwangju, Korea
| | - Suhyeon Park
- Department of Biomedical Science and Engineering, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology, Gwangju, Korea
| | - Yumin Kim
- Department of Biomedical Science and Engineering, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology, Gwangju, Korea
| | - Hyun Min Kim
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Chung-Ang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Chang-Myung Oh
- Department of Biomedical Science and Engineering, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology, Gwangju, Korea
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34
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Banks WA, Noonan C, Rhea EM, M. Rhea E. Evidence for an alternative insulin transporter at the blood-brain barrier. AGING PATHOBIOLOGY AND THERAPEUTICS 2022; 4:100-108. [PMID: 36644126 PMCID: PMC9837797 DOI: 10.31491/apt.2022.12.100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Accumulating evidence suggests there is an alternative insulin transporter besides the insulin receptor at the blood-brain barrier (BBB), responsible for shuttling insulin from the circulation into the brain. In this review, we summarize key features of the BBB and what makes it unique compared to other capillary beds; summarize what we know about insulin BBB transport; provide an extensive list of diseases, physiological states, and serum factors tested in modifying insulin BBB transport; and lastly, highlight potential alternative transport systems that may be involved in or have already been tested in mediating insulin BBB transport. Identifying the transport system for insulin at the BBB would aide in controlling central nervous system (CNS) insulin levels in multiple diseases and conditions including Alzheimer's disease (AD) and obesity, where availability of insulin to the CNS is limited.
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Affiliation(s)
- William A. Banks
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA.,Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center, Veterans Affairs Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, WA 98108, USA
| | - Cassidy Noonan
- Research and Development, Veterans Affairs Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, WA 98108, USA.,University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Elizabeth M. Rhea
- Department of Medicine, Division of Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA.,Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center, Veterans Affairs Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, WA 98108, USA.,Corresponding author: Elizabeth M. Rhea, Mailing address: 1660 S. Columbian Way, Seattle, WA 98108, USA.
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35
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Kovács KA. Relevance of a Novel Circuit-Level Model of Episodic Memories to Alzheimer's Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 23:ijms23010462. [PMID: 35008886 PMCID: PMC8745479 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23010462] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2021] [Revised: 12/28/2021] [Accepted: 12/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The medial temporal lobe memory system has long been identified as the brain region showing the first histopathological changes in early Alzheimer's disease (AD), and the functional decline observed in patients also points to a loss of function in this brain area. Nonetheless, the exact identity of the neurons and networks that undergo deterioration has not been determined so far. A recent study has identified the entorhinal and hippocampal neural circuits responsible for encoding new episodic memories. Using this novel model we describe the elements of the episodic memory network that are especially vulnerable in early AD. We provide a hypothesis of how reduced reelin signaling within such a network can promote AD-related changes. Establishing novel associations and creating a temporal structure for new episodic memories are both affected in AD. Here, we furnish a reasonable explanation for both of these previous observations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krisztián A Kovács
- Retina Research Laboratory, Institute of Translational Medicine, Semmelweis University, Tűzoltó U. 37-47, 1094 Budapest, Hungary
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36
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Liu J, Guo ZN, Yan XL, Yang Y, Huang S. Brain Pathogenesis and Potential Therapeutic Strategies in Myotonic Dystrophy Type 1. Front Aging Neurosci 2021; 13:755392. [PMID: 34867280 PMCID: PMC8634727 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2021.755392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2021] [Accepted: 10/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) is the most common muscular dystrophy that affects multiple systems including the muscle and heart. The mutant CTG expansion at the 3'-UTR of the DMPK gene causes the expression of toxic RNA that aggregate as nuclear foci. The foci then interfere with RNA-binding proteins, affecting hundreds of mis-spliced effector genes, leading to aberrant alternative splicing and loss of effector gene product functions, ultimately resulting in systemic disorders. In recent years, increasing clinical, imaging, and pathological evidence have indicated that DM1, though to a lesser extent, could also be recognized as true brain diseases, with more and more researchers dedicating to develop novel therapeutic tools dealing with it. In this review, we summarize the current advances in the pathogenesis and pathology of central nervous system (CNS) deficits in DM1, intervention measures currently being investigated are also highlighted, aiming to promote novel and cutting-edge therapeutic investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Liu
- Department of Neurology, Stroke Center & Clinical Trial and Research Center for Stroke, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
- China National Comprehensive Stroke Center, Changchun, China
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Cerebrovascular Disease, Changchun, China
| | - Zhen-Ni Guo
- Department of Neurology, Stroke Center & Clinical Trial and Research Center for Stroke, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
- China National Comprehensive Stroke Center, Changchun, China
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Cerebrovascular Disease, Changchun, China
| | - Xiu-Li Yan
- Department of Neurology, Stroke Center & Clinical Trial and Research Center for Stroke, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Yi Yang
- Department of Neurology, Stroke Center & Clinical Trial and Research Center for Stroke, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
- China National Comprehensive Stroke Center, Changchun, China
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Cerebrovascular Disease, Changchun, China
| | - Shuo Huang
- Department of Neurology, Stroke Center & Clinical Trial and Research Center for Stroke, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
- China National Comprehensive Stroke Center, Changchun, China
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Cerebrovascular Disease, Changchun, China
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Grabowska-Pyrzewicz W, Want A, Leszek J, Wojda U. Antisense oligonucleotides for Alzheimer's disease therapy: from the mRNA to miRNA paradigm. EBioMedicine 2021; 74:103691. [PMID: 34773891 PMCID: PMC8602003 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2021.103691] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2021] [Revised: 10/06/2021] [Accepted: 10/28/2021] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) represents a particular therapeutic challenge because its aetiology is very complex, with dynamic progression from preclinical to clinical stages. Several potential therapeutic targets and strategies were tested for AD, in over 2000 clinical trials, but no disease-modifying therapy exists. This failure indicates that AD, as a multifactorial disease, may require multi-targeted approaches and the delivery of therapeutic molecules to the right place and at the right disease stage. Opportunities to meet the challenges of AD therapy appear to come from recent progress in knowledge and methodological advances in the design, synthesis, and targeting of brain mRNA and microRNA with synthetic antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs). Several types of ASOs allow the utilisation of different mechanisms of posttranscriptional regulation and offer enhanced effects over alternative therapeutics. This article reviews ASO-based approaches and targets in preclinical and clinical trials for AD, and presents the future perspective on ASO therapies for AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wioleta Grabowska-Pyrzewicz
- Laboratory of Preclinical Testing of Higher Standard, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology of Polish Academy of Sciences, Pasteur 3, 02-093, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Andrew Want
- Laboratory of Preclinical Testing of Higher Standard, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology of Polish Academy of Sciences, Pasteur 3, 02-093, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Jerzy Leszek
- Department of Psychiatry, Wroclaw Medical University, Wybrzeże Pasteura 10, 50-367 Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Urszula Wojda
- Laboratory of Preclinical Testing of Higher Standard, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology of Polish Academy of Sciences, Pasteur 3, 02-093, Warsaw, Poland.
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Yang M, Ke Y, Kim P, Zhou X. ExonSkipAD provides the functional genomic landscape of exon skipping events in Alzheimer's disease. Brief Bioinform 2021; 22:bbaa438. [PMID: 33497435 PMCID: PMC8425305 DOI: 10.1093/bib/bbaa438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2020] [Revised: 12/23/2020] [Accepted: 12/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Exon skipping (ES), the most common alternative splicing event, has been reported to contribute to diverse human diseases due to the loss of functional domains/sites or frameshifting of the open reading frame (ORF) and noticed as therapeutic targets. Accumulating transcriptomic studies of aging brains show the splicing disruption is a widespread hallmark of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease (AD). Here, we built ExonSkipAD, the ES annotation database aiming to provide a resource/reference for functional annotation of ES events in AD and identify therapeutic targets in exon units. We identified 16 414 genes that have ~156 K, ~ 69 K, ~ 231 K ES events from the three representative AD cohorts of ROSMAP, MSBB and Mayo, respectively. For these ES events, we performed multiple functional annotations relating to ES mechanisms or downstream. Specifically, through the functional feature retention studies followed by the open reading frames (ORFs), we identified 275 important cellular regulators that might lose their cellular regulator roles due to exon skipping in AD. ExonSkipAD provides twelve categories of annotations: gene summary, gene structures and expression levels, exon skipping events with PSIs, ORF annotation, exon skipping events in the canonical protein sequence, 3'-UTR located exon skipping events lost miRNA-binding sites, SNversus in the skipped exons with a depth of coverage, AD stage-associated exon skipping events, splicing quantitative trait loci (sQTLs) in the skipped exons, correlation with RNA-binding proteins, and related drugs & diseases. ExonSkipAD will be a unique resource of transcriptomic diversity research for understanding the mechanisms of neurodegenerative disease development and identifying potential therapeutic targets in AD. Significance AS the first comprehensive resource of the functional genomics of the alternative splicing events in AD, ExonSkipAD will be useful for many researchers in the fields of pathology, AD genomics and precision medicine, and pharmaceutical and therapeutic researches.
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39
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García-Escudero V, Ruiz-Gabarre D, Gargini R, Pérez M, García E, Cuadros R, Hernández IH, Cabrera JR, García-Escudero R, Lucas JJ, Hernández F, Ávila J. A new non-aggregative splicing isoform of human Tau is decreased in Alzheimer's disease. Acta Neuropathol 2021; 142:159-177. [PMID: 33934221 PMCID: PMC8217066 DOI: 10.1007/s00401-021-02317-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2020] [Revised: 04/21/2021] [Accepted: 04/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Tauopathies, including Alzheimer's disease (AD) and frontotemporal lobar degeneration with Tau pathology (FTLD-tau), are a group of neurodegenerative disorders characterized by Tau hyperphosphorylation. Post-translational modifications of Tau such as phosphorylation and truncation have been demonstrated to be an essential step in the molecular pathogenesis of these tauopathies. In this work, we demonstrate the existence of a new, human-specific truncated form of Tau generated by intron 12 retention in human neuroblastoma cells and, to a higher extent, in human RNA brain samples, using qPCR and further confirming the results on a larger database of human RNA-seq samples. Diminished protein levels of this new Tau isoform are found by Westernblotting in Alzheimer's patients' brains (Braak I n = 3; Braak II n = 6, Braak III n = 3, Braak IV n = 1, and Braak V n = 10, Braak VI n = 8) with respect to non-demented control subjects (n = 9), suggesting that the lack of this truncated isoform may play an important role in the pathology. This new Tau isoform exhibits similar post-transcriptional modifications by phosphorylation and affinity for microtubule binding, but more interestingly, is less prone to aggregate than other Tau isoforms. Finally, we present evidence suggesting this new Tau isoform could be linked to the inhibition of GSK3β, which would mediate intron 12 retention by modulating the serine/arginine rich splicing factor 2 (SRSF2). Our results show the existence of an important new isoform of Tau and suggest that further research on this less aggregation-prone Tau may help to develop future therapies for Alzheimer's disease and other tauopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vega García-Escudero
- Departamento de Anatomía, Histología y Neurociencia, School of Medicine, Autonoma de Madrid University (UAM), Arzobispo Morcillo, 4, 28029, Madrid, Spain
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience, Autonoma de Madrid University (UAM), Arzobispo Morcillo, 4, 28029, Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Biología Molecular "Severo Ochoa" (CSIC-UAM). Nicolás Cabrera, 1. Cantoblanco, 28049, Madrid, Spain
| | - Daniel Ruiz-Gabarre
- Departamento de Anatomía, Histología y Neurociencia, School of Medicine, Autonoma de Madrid University (UAM), Arzobispo Morcillo, 4, 28029, Madrid, Spain
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience, Autonoma de Madrid University (UAM), Arzobispo Morcillo, 4, 28029, Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Biología Molecular "Severo Ochoa" (CSIC-UAM). Nicolás Cabrera, 1. Cantoblanco, 28049, Madrid, Spain
| | - Ricardo Gargini
- Centro de Biología Molecular "Severo Ochoa" (CSIC-UAM). Nicolás Cabrera, 1. Cantoblanco, 28049, Madrid, Spain
- Neurooncology Unit, Instituto de Salud Carlos III-UFIEC, 28220, Madrid, Spain
| | - Mar Pérez
- Departamento de Anatomía, Histología y Neurociencia, School of Medicine, Autonoma de Madrid University (UAM), Arzobispo Morcillo, 4, 28029, Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Biología Molecular "Severo Ochoa" (CSIC-UAM). Nicolás Cabrera, 1. Cantoblanco, 28049, Madrid, Spain
| | - Esther García
- Centro de Biología Molecular "Severo Ochoa" (CSIC-UAM). Nicolás Cabrera, 1. Cantoblanco, 28049, Madrid, Spain
| | - Raquel Cuadros
- Centro de Biología Molecular "Severo Ochoa" (CSIC-UAM). Nicolás Cabrera, 1. Cantoblanco, 28049, Madrid, Spain
| | - Ivó H Hernández
- Centro de Biología Molecular "Severo Ochoa" (CSIC-UAM). Nicolás Cabrera, 1. Cantoblanco, 28049, Madrid, Spain
| | - Jorge R Cabrera
- Unidad de Investigación, Fundación Hospital de Jove, 33290, Gijón, Spain
| | - Ramón García-Escudero
- Molecular Oncology Unit, CIEMAT, Ave Complutense, 40, 28040, Madrid, Spain
- Hospital 12 Octubre Research Institute/CIEMAT, Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cancer (CIBERONC), Valderrebollo, 5, 28031, Madrid, Spain
| | - José J Lucas
- Centro de Biología Molecular "Severo Ochoa" (CSIC-UAM). Nicolás Cabrera, 1. Cantoblanco, 28049, Madrid, Spain
- Networking Research Center on Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28031, Madrid, Spain
| | - Félix Hernández
- Centro de Biología Molecular "Severo Ochoa" (CSIC-UAM). Nicolás Cabrera, 1. Cantoblanco, 28049, Madrid, Spain
- Networking Research Center on Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28031, Madrid, Spain
| | - Jesús Ávila
- Centro de Biología Molecular "Severo Ochoa" (CSIC-UAM). Nicolás Cabrera, 1. Cantoblanco, 28049, Madrid, Spain.
- Networking Research Center on Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, 28031, Madrid, Spain.
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Li D, McIntosh CS, Mastaglia FL, Wilton SD, Aung-Htut MT. Neurodegenerative diseases: a hotbed for splicing defects and the potential therapies. Transl Neurodegener 2021; 10:16. [PMID: 34016162 PMCID: PMC8136212 DOI: 10.1186/s40035-021-00240-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2020] [Accepted: 04/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Precursor messenger RNA (pre-mRNA) splicing is a fundamental step in eukaryotic gene expression that systematically removes non-coding regions (introns) and ligates coding regions (exons) into a continuous message (mature mRNA). This process is highly regulated and can be highly flexible through a process known as alternative splicing, which allows for several transcripts to arise from a single gene, thereby greatly increasing genetic plasticity and the diversity of proteome. Alternative splicing is particularly prevalent in neuronal cells, where the splicing patterns are continuously changing to maintain cellular homeostasis and promote neurogenesis, migration and synaptic function. The continuous changes in splicing patterns and a high demand on many cis- and trans-splicing factors contribute to the susceptibility of neuronal tissues to splicing defects. The resultant neurodegenerative diseases are a large group of disorders defined by a gradual loss of neurons and a progressive impairment in neuronal function. Several of the most common neurodegenerative diseases involve some form of splicing defect(s), such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease and spinal muscular atrophy. Our growing understanding of RNA splicing has led to the explosion of research in the field of splice-switching antisense oligonucleotide therapeutics. Here we review our current understanding of the effects alternative splicing has on neuronal differentiation, neuronal migration, synaptic maturation and regulation, as well as the impact on neurodegenerative diseases. We will also review the current landscape of splice-switching antisense oligonucleotides as a therapeutic strategy for a number of common neurodegenerative disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dunhui Li
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Innovative Therapeutics, Health Futures Institute, Murdoch University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.,Perron Institute for Neurological and Translational Science, Centre for Neuromuscular and Neurological Disorders, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Craig Stewart McIntosh
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Innovative Therapeutics, Health Futures Institute, Murdoch University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.,Perron Institute for Neurological and Translational Science, Centre for Neuromuscular and Neurological Disorders, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Frank Louis Mastaglia
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Innovative Therapeutics, Health Futures Institute, Murdoch University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.,Perron Institute for Neurological and Translational Science, Centre for Neuromuscular and Neurological Disorders, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Steve Donald Wilton
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Innovative Therapeutics, Health Futures Institute, Murdoch University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.,Perron Institute for Neurological and Translational Science, Centre for Neuromuscular and Neurological Disorders, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - May Thandar Aung-Htut
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Innovative Therapeutics, Health Futures Institute, Murdoch University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia. .,Perron Institute for Neurological and Translational Science, Centre for Neuromuscular and Neurological Disorders, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.
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41
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Ghaffari M, Sanadgol N, Abdollahi M. A Systematic Review of Current Progresses in the Nucleic Acid-Based Therapies for Neurodegeneration with Implications for Alzheimer's Disease. Mini Rev Med Chem 2021; 20:1499-1517. [PMID: 32400332 DOI: 10.2174/1389557520666200513122357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2019] [Revised: 01/31/2020] [Accepted: 04/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Recently, manipulation of gene expression and switching genes on or off highlight the potential of nucleic acid-based therapies (NA-BTs). Alzheimer's Disease (AD) is a common devastating neurodegenerative disease (NDs) responsible for 60-80% of all cases of dementia and predicted as a main public health concern among aged populations. The aim of this study was to outline the current research in the field of NA-BTs for the treatment of AD disabilities, including strategies to suppress the memory and learning defects, to promote recovery processes, and to reinforce social relationships in these patients. This review was performed via evaluating PubMed reported studies from January 2010 to November 2019. Also, reference lists were checked to find additional studies. All intermediation or complementarity of animal models, case-control and cohort studies, and controlled trials (CTs) on specific NA-BTs to AD were acceptable, although in vitro studies were excluded due to the considerable diversities and heterogeneities. After removing the duplicates according to preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) instruction, we merged remaining titles across search databases. There are 48 ongoing studies related to the application of nucleic acids in the treatment and diagnosis of AD where more consideration is given to DNA targeting strategies (18 targets for vectors and aptamers), antisense oligonucleotides (10 targets), micro-RNAs mimics (7 targets), antagomiRs (6 targets), small interferences-RNAs (5 targets), as well as mRNAs (2 targets) respectively. All of these targets are grouped into 4 categories according to their role in molecular pathways where amyloid-β (18 targets), neural survival (11 targets), memory and cognition (8 targets), and tau (3 targets) are more targeted pathways, respectively. With recent successes in the systemic delivery of nucleic acids via intravenous injection; it is worth investing in the production of new-generation medicines. There are still several challenges for NA-BTs including, their delivery to the effective modulators, mass production at low cost, sustaining efficacy and minimizing off-target effects. Regarding miRNA-based therapies, given the obvious involvement of miRNAs in numerous facets of brain disease, and the many sophisticated techniques for delivery to the brain, miRNA-based therapies will make new hope for the treatment of neurological diseases such as AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maryam Ghaffari
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Zabol, Zabol, Iran
| | - Nima Sanadgol
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Zabol, Zabol, Iran
| | - Mohammad Abdollahi
- Toxicology and Diseases Group, Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center (PSRC), The Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences (TIPS), and Department of Toxicology and Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Iran
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42
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Biamonti G, Amato A, Belloni E, Di Matteo A, Infantino L, Pradella D, Ghigna C. Alternative splicing in Alzheimer's disease. Aging Clin Exp Res 2021; 33:747-758. [PMID: 31583531 DOI: 10.1007/s40520-019-01360-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2019] [Accepted: 09/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most frequent neurodegenerative disorder in the elderly, occurring in approximately 20% of people older than 80. The molecular causes of AD are still poorly understood. However, recent studies have shown that Alternative Splicing (AS) is involved in the gene expression reprogramming associated with the functional changes observed in AD patients. In particular, mutations in cis-acting regulatory sequences as well as alterations in the activity and sub-cellular localization of trans-acting splicing factors and components of the spliceosome machinery are associated with splicing abnormalities in AD tissues, which may influence the onset and progression of the disease. In this review, we discuss the current molecular understanding of how alterations in the AS process contribute to AD pathogenesis. Finally, recent therapeutic approaches targeting aberrant AS regulation in AD are also reviewed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Biamonti
- Istituto di Genetica Molecolare "Luigi Luca Cavalli-Sforza", Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (IGM-CNR), via Abbiategrasso, 207, 27100, Pavia, Italy.
| | - Angela Amato
- Istituto di Genetica Molecolare "Luigi Luca Cavalli-Sforza", Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (IGM-CNR), via Abbiategrasso, 207, 27100, Pavia, Italy
| | - Elisa Belloni
- Istituto di Genetica Molecolare "Luigi Luca Cavalli-Sforza", Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (IGM-CNR), via Abbiategrasso, 207, 27100, Pavia, Italy
| | - Anna Di Matteo
- Istituto di Genetica Molecolare "Luigi Luca Cavalli-Sforza", Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (IGM-CNR), via Abbiategrasso, 207, 27100, Pavia, Italy
| | - Lucia Infantino
- Istituto di Genetica Molecolare "Luigi Luca Cavalli-Sforza", Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (IGM-CNR), via Abbiategrasso, 207, 27100, Pavia, Italy
| | - Davide Pradella
- Istituto di Genetica Molecolare "Luigi Luca Cavalli-Sforza", Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (IGM-CNR), via Abbiategrasso, 207, 27100, Pavia, Italy
| | - Claudia Ghigna
- Istituto di Genetica Molecolare "Luigi Luca Cavalli-Sforza", Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (IGM-CNR), via Abbiategrasso, 207, 27100, Pavia, Italy
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43
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Husain MA, Laurent B, Plourde M. APOE and Alzheimer's Disease: From Lipid Transport to Physiopathology and Therapeutics. Front Neurosci 2021; 15:630502. [PMID: 33679311 PMCID: PMC7925634 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2021.630502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 136] [Impact Index Per Article: 45.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2020] [Accepted: 01/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a devastating neurodegenerative disorder characterized by extracellular amyloid β (Aβ) and intraneuronal tau protein aggregations. One risk factor for developing AD is the APOE gene coding for the apolipoprotein E protein (apoE). Humans have three versions of APOE gene: ε2, ε3, and ε4 allele. Carrying the ε4 allele is an AD risk factor while carrying the ε2 allele is protective. ApoE is a component of lipoprotein particles in the plasma at the periphery, as well as in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and in the interstitial fluid (ISF) of brain parenchyma in the central nervous system (CNS). ApoE is a major lipid transporter that plays a pivotal role in the development, maintenance, and repair of the CNS, and that regulates multiple important signaling pathways. This review will focus on the critical role of apoE in AD pathogenesis and some of the currently apoE-based therapeutics developed in the treatment of AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammed Amir Husain
- Centre de Recherche Sur le Vieillissement, Centre Intégré Universitaire de Santé et Services Sociaux de l'Estrie-Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada.,Département de Médecine, Faculté de Médecine et des Sciences de la Santé, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada
| | - Benoit Laurent
- Centre de Recherche Sur le Vieillissement, Centre Intégré Universitaire de Santé et Services Sociaux de l'Estrie-Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada.,Département de Biochimie et Génomique Fonctionnelle, Faculté de Médecine et des Sciences de la Santé, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada
| | - Mélanie Plourde
- Centre de Recherche Sur le Vieillissement, Centre Intégré Universitaire de Santé et Services Sociaux de l'Estrie-Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada.,Département de Médecine, Faculté de Médecine et des Sciences de la Santé, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada
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44
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Biological processes and key druggable targets involved in age-associated memory loss: A systematic review. Life Sci 2021; 270:119079. [PMID: 33460668 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2021.119079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2020] [Revised: 01/11/2021] [Accepted: 01/11/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Age-associated memory loss is highly prevalent in the elder population. The inception of neurodegenerative diseases acts as a causative factor for the onset of memory loss in aged individuals. The pathophysiological mechanisms of memory loss associated with the onset of neurodegenerative diseases and normal aging processes share certain similarities as well as differences. The normal age-associated memory loss is attributed to the impairment of calcium metabolism, dysregulated cholesterol metabolism, the prevalence of oxidative stress, inappropriate functioning of hormones as well as genetic factors. Vital information regarding the key biological processes and the druggable targets involved in the onset of memory loss in the elder population has been provided in this article. The genomic and proteomic profiles of key druggable targets retrieved from the experimental evidence, co-expression studies and databases are also presented in this article. The genomic and proteomic information of druggable targets will aid in the identification of therapeutic agents which could effectively regulate the key biological processes involved in the age-associated memory loss.
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45
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Gallo CM, Ho A, Beffert U. ApoER2: Functional Tuning Through Splicing. Front Mol Neurosci 2020; 13:144. [PMID: 32848602 PMCID: PMC7410921 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2020.00144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2020] [Accepted: 07/13/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Alternative splicing occurs in over 95% of protein-coding genes and contributes to the diversity of the human proteome. Apolipoprotein E receptor 2 (apoER2) is a critical modulator of neuronal development and synaptic plasticity in the brain and is enriched in cassette exon splicing events, in which functional exons are excluded from the final transcript. These alternative splicing events affect apoER2 function, as individual apoER2 exons tend to encode distinct protein functional domains. Although several apoER2 splice variants have been characterized, much work remains to understand how apoER2 splicing events modulate distinct apoER2 activities, including ligand binding specificity, synapse formation and plasticity. Additionally, little is known about how apoER2 splicing events are regulated. Often, alternative splicing events are regulated through the combinatorial action of RNA-binding proteins and other epigenetic mechanisms, however, the regulatory pathways corresponding to each specific exon are unknown in most cases. In this mini-review, we describe the structure of apoER2, highlight the unique functions of known isoforms, discuss what is currently known about the regulation of apoER2 splicing by RNA-binding proteins and pose new questions that will further our understanding of apoER2 splicing complexity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina M Gallo
- Department of Biology, Boston University, Boston, MA, United States.,Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Angela Ho
- Department of Biology, Boston University, Boston, MA, United States.,Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Uwe Beffert
- Department of Biology, Boston University, Boston, MA, United States
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46
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Feneberg E, Otto M. [Gene-specific treatment approaches in Alzheimer's disease and other tauopathies]. DER NERVENARZT 2020; 91:312-317. [PMID: 32076757 DOI: 10.1007/s00115-020-00872-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
The pathological hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease are aggregation and accumulation of amyloid-β and tau proteins. So far most interventional studies have focused on the removal of the toxic protein products, such as antibody-based immunotherapies targeted against amyloid-β and tau proteins; however, the development of gene therapies targeting gene products involved in the disease has opened up new therapeutic strategies to reduce the development of toxic protein aggregates by inhibiting the translation of pathological Alzheimer genes using antisense oligonucleotides (ASO). This has a timely influence on development of the disease. This article gives an overview of new advances in ASO-based treatment strategies for Alzheimer's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Feneberg
- Abteilung für Neurologie, Universitäts- und Rehabilitationskliniken, Oberer Eselsberg 45, 89081, Ulm, Deutschland. .,Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Level 6, West Wing, John Radcliffe Hospital, OX3 9DU, Oxford, Großbritannien.
| | - M Otto
- Abteilung für Neurologie, Universitäts- und Rehabilitationskliniken, Oberer Eselsberg 45, 89081, Ulm, Deutschland
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47
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Therapeutic efficacy of antisense oligonucleotides in mouse models of CLN3 Batten disease. Nat Med 2020; 26:1444-1451. [PMID: 32719489 DOI: 10.1038/s41591-020-0986-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2019] [Accepted: 06/19/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
CLN3 Batten disease is an autosomal recessive, neurodegenerative, lysosomal storage disease caused by mutations in CLN3, which encodes a lysosomal membrane protein1-3. There are no disease-modifying treatments for this disease that affects up to 1 in 25,000 births, has an onset of symptoms in early childhood and typically is fatal by 20-30 years of life4-7. Most patients with CLN3 Batten have a deletion encompassing exons 7 and 8 (CLN3∆ex7/8), creating a reading frameshift7,8. Here we demonstrate that mice with this deletion can be effectively treated using an antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) that induces exon skipping to restore the open reading frame. A single treatment of neonatal mice with an exon 5-targeted ASO-induced robust exon skipping for more than a year, improved motor coordination, reduced histopathology in Cln3∆ex7/8 mice and increased survival in a new mouse model of the disease. ASOs also induced exon skipping in cell lines derived from patients with CLN3 Batten disease. Our findings demonstrate the utility of ASO-based reading-frame correction as an approach to treat CLN3 Batten disease and broaden the therapeutic landscape for ASOs in the treatment of other diseases using a similar strategy.
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48
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Korecka JA, Thomas R, Hinrich AJ, Moskites AM, Macbain ZK, Hallett PJ, Isacson O, Hastings ML. Splice-Switching Antisense Oligonucleotides Reduce LRRK2 Kinase Activity in Human LRRK2 Transgenic Mice. MOLECULAR THERAPY-NUCLEIC ACIDS 2020; 21:623-635. [PMID: 32736291 PMCID: PMC7393423 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2020.06.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2020] [Revised: 04/15/2020] [Accepted: 06/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a progressive neurological disorder estimated to affect 7–10 million people worldwide. There is no treatment available that cures or slows the progression of PD. Elevated leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) activity has been associated with genetic and sporadic forms of PD and, thus, reducing LRRK2 function is a promising therapeutic strategy. We have previously reported that an antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) that blocks splicing of LRRK2 exon 41, which encodes part of the kinase domain, reverses aberrant endoplasmic reticulum (ER) calcium levels and mitophagy defects in PD patient-derived cell lines harboring the LRRK2 G2019S mutation. In this study, we show that treating transgenic mice expressing human wild-type or G2019S LRRK2 with a single intracerebroventricular injection of ASO induces exon 41 skipping and results in a decrease in phosphorylation of the LRRK2 kinase substrate RAB10. Exon 41 skipping also reverses LRRK2 kinase-dependent changes in LC3B II/I ratios, a marker for the autophagic process. These results demonstrate the potential of LRRK2 exon 41 skipping as a possible therapeutic strategy to modulate pathogenic LRRK2 kinase activity associated with PD development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna A Korecka
- Neuroregeneration Research Institute, McLean Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Belmont, MA 02478, USA.
| | - Ria Thomas
- Neuroregeneration Research Institute, McLean Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Belmont, MA 02478, USA
| | - Anthony J Hinrich
- Center for Genetic Diseases, Chicago Medical School, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, North Chicago, IL 60064, USA
| | - Alyssa M Moskites
- Neuroregeneration Research Institute, McLean Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Belmont, MA 02478, USA
| | - Zach K Macbain
- Neuroregeneration Research Institute, McLean Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Belmont, MA 02478, USA
| | - Penelope J Hallett
- Neuroregeneration Research Institute, McLean Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Belmont, MA 02478, USA
| | - Ole Isacson
- Neuroregeneration Research Institute, McLean Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Belmont, MA 02478, USA
| | - Michelle L Hastings
- Center for Genetic Diseases, Chicago Medical School, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, North Chicago, IL 60064, USA.
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49
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Wang L, Kempton JB, Jiang H, Jodelka FM, Brigande AM, Dumont RA, Rigo F, Lentz JJ, Hastings ML, Brigande JV. Fetal antisense oligonucleotide therapy for congenital deafness and vestibular dysfunction. Nucleic Acids Res 2020; 48:5065-5080. [PMID: 32249312 PMCID: PMC7229850 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkaa194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2020] [Revised: 03/13/2020] [Accepted: 03/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Disabling hearing loss impacts ∼466 million individuals worldwide with 34 million children affected. Gene and pharmacotherapeutic strategies to rescue auditory function in mouse models of human deafness are most effective when administered before hearing onset, after which therapeutic efficacy is significantly diminished or lost. We hypothesize that preemptive correction of a mutation in the fetal inner ear prior to maturation of the sensory epithelium will optimally restore sensory function. We previously demonstrated that transuterine microinjection of a splice-switching antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) into the amniotic cavity immediately surrounding the embryo on embryonic day 13-13.5 (E13-13.5) corrected pre-mRNA splicing in the juvenile Usher syndrome type 1c (Ush1c) mouse mutant. Here, we show that this strategy only marginally rescues hearing and partially rescues vestibular function. To improve therapeutic outcomes, we microinjected ASO directly into the E12.5 inner ear. A single intra-otic dose of ASO corrects harmonin RNA splicing, restores harmonin protein expression in sensory hair cell bundles, prevents hair cell loss, improves hearing sensitivity, and ameliorates vestibular dysfunction. Improvements in auditory and vestibular function were sustained well into adulthood. Our results demonstrate that an ASO pharmacotherapeutic administered to a developing organ system in utero preemptively corrects pre-mRNA splicing to abrogate the disease phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lingyan Wang
- Department of Otolaryngology, Oregon Hearing Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA
| | - J Beth Kempton
- Department of Otolaryngology, Oregon Hearing Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA
| | - Han Jiang
- Department of Otolaryngology, Oregon Hearing Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA
| | - Francine M Jodelka
- Center for Genetic Diseases, Chicago Medical School, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, North Chicago, IL 60064, USA
| | - Alev M Brigande
- Department of Otolaryngology, Oregon Hearing Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA
| | - Rachel A Dumont
- Department of Otolaryngology, Oregon Hearing Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA
| | - Frank Rigo
- Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Carlsbad, CA 92010 USA
| | - Jennifer J Lentz
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Neuroscience Center of Excellence, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
| | - Michelle L Hastings
- Center for Genetic Diseases, Chicago Medical School, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, North Chicago, IL 60064, USA
| | - John V Brigande
- Department of Otolaryngology, Oregon Hearing Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA
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50
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Korecka JA, Thomas R, Christensen DP, Hinrich AJ, Ferrari EJ, Levy SA, Hastings ML, Hallett PJ, Isacson O. Mitochondrial clearance and maturation of autophagosomes are compromised in LRRK2 G2019S familial Parkinson's disease patient fibroblasts. Hum Mol Genet 2020; 28:3232-3243. [PMID: 31261377 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddz126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2019] [Revised: 04/16/2019] [Accepted: 06/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
This study utilized human fibroblasts as a preclinical discovery and diagnostic platform for identification of cell biological signatures specific for the LRRK2 G2019S mutation producing Parkinson's disease (PD). Using live cell imaging with a pH-sensitive Rosella biosensor probe reflecting lysosomal breakdown of mitochondria, mitophagy rates were found to be decreased in fibroblasts carrying the LRRK2 G2019S mutation compared to cells isolated from healthy subject (HS) controls. The mutant LRRK2 increased kinase activity was reduced by pharmacological inhibition and targeted antisense oligonucleotide treatment, which normalized mitophagy rates in the G2019S cells and also increased mitophagy levels in HS cells. Detailed mechanistic analysis showed a reduction of mature autophagosomes in LRRK2 G2019S fibroblasts, which was rescued by LRRK2 specific kinase inhibition. These findings demonstrate an important role for LRRK2 protein in regulation of mitochondrial clearance by the lysosomes, which is hampered in PD with the G2019S mutation. The current results are relevant for cell phenotypic diagnostic approaches and potentially for stratification of PD patients for targeted therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna A Korecka
- Neuroregeneration Research Institute, Harvard Medical School/McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA 02478, USA
| | - Ria Thomas
- Neuroregeneration Research Institute, Harvard Medical School/McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA 02478, USA
| | - Dan P Christensen
- Neuroregeneration Research Institute, Harvard Medical School/McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA 02478, USA
| | - Anthony J Hinrich
- Center for Genetic Diseases, Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, Chicago Medical School, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, North Chicago, IL 60064, USA
| | - Eliza J Ferrari
- Neuroregeneration Research Institute, Harvard Medical School/McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA 02478, USA
| | - Simon A Levy
- Neuroregeneration Research Institute, Harvard Medical School/McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA 02478, USA
| | - Michelle L Hastings
- Center for Genetic Diseases, Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, Chicago Medical School, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, North Chicago, IL 60064, USA
| | - Penelope J Hallett
- Neuroregeneration Research Institute, Harvard Medical School/McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA 02478, USA
| | - Ole Isacson
- Neuroregeneration Research Institute, Harvard Medical School/McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA 02478, USA
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