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Foret MK, Orciani C, Welikovitch LA, Huang C, Cuello AC, Do Carmo S. Early oxidative stress and DNA damage in Aβ-burdened hippocampal neurons in an Alzheimer's-like transgenic rat model. Commun Biol 2024; 7:861. [PMID: 39004677 PMCID: PMC11247100 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-024-06552-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2023] [Accepted: 07/04/2024] [Indexed: 07/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Oxidative stress is a key contributor to AD pathology. However, the earliest role of pre-plaque neuronal oxidative stress, remains elusive. Using laser microdissected hippocampal neurons extracted from McGill-R-Thy1-APP transgenic rats we found that intraneuronal amyloid beta (iAβ)-burdened neurons had increased expression of genes related to oxidative stress and DNA damage responses including Ercc2, Fancc, Sod2, Gsr, and Idh1. DNA damage was further evidenced by increased neuronal levels of XPD (Ercc2) and γH2AX foci, indicative of DNA double stranded breaks (DSBs), and by increased expression of Ercc6, Rad51, and Fen1, and decreased Sirt6 in hippocampal homogenates. We also found increased expression of synaptic plasticity genes (Grin2b (NR2B), CamkIIα, Bdnf, c-fos, and Homer1A) and increased protein levels of TOP2β. Our findings indicate that early accumulation of iAβ, prior to Aβ plaques, is accompanied by incipient oxidative stress and DSBs that may arise directly from oxidative stress or from maladaptive synaptic plasticity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Morgan K Foret
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Chiara Orciani
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | | | - Chunwei Huang
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - A Claudio Cuello
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.
- Department of Pharmacology, Oxford University, Oxford, UK.
| | - Sonia Do Carmo
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.
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2
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Li X, Quan M, Wei Y, Wang W, Xu L, Wang Q, Jia J. Critical thinking of Alzheimer's transgenic mouse model: current research and future perspective. SCIENCE CHINA. LIFE SCIENCES 2023; 66:2711-2754. [PMID: 37480469 DOI: 10.1007/s11427-022-2357-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2022] [Accepted: 04/23/2023] [Indexed: 07/24/2023]
Abstract
Transgenic models are useful tools for studying the pathogenesis of and drug development for Alzheimer's Disease (AD). AD models are constructed usually using overexpression or knock-in of multiple pathogenic gene mutations from familial AD. Each transgenic model has its unique behavioral and pathological features. This review summarizes the research progress of transgenic mouse models, and their progress in the unique mechanism of amyloid-β oligomers, including the first transgenic mouse model built in China based on a single gene mutation (PSEN1 V97L) found in Chinese familial AD. We further summarized the preclinical findings of drugs using the models, and their future application in exploring the upstream mechanisms and multitarget drug development in AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinyue Li
- Innovation Center for Neurological Disorders and Department of Neurology, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100053, China
| | - Meina Quan
- Innovation Center for Neurological Disorders and Department of Neurology, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100053, China
- National Medical Center for Neurological Diseases and National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Diseases, Beijing, 100053, China
| | - Yiping Wei
- Innovation Center for Neurological Disorders and Department of Neurology, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100053, China
| | - Wei Wang
- Innovation Center for Neurological Disorders and Department of Neurology, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100053, China
- National Medical Center for Neurological Diseases and National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Diseases, Beijing, 100053, China
| | - Lingzhi Xu
- 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 Diseases and National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Diseases, 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 Diseases 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, Beijing Institute of Brain Disorders, Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Disorders, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100053, China.
- Key Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Ministry of Education, Beijing, 100053, China.
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3
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Allard S, Hussain Shuler MG. Cholinergic Reinforcement Signaling Is Impaired by Amyloidosis Prior to Its Synaptic Loss. J Neurosci 2023; 43:6988-7005. [PMID: 37648452 PMCID: PMC10586537 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.0967-23.2023] [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: 05/19/2023] [Revised: 08/03/2023] [Accepted: 08/26/2023] [Indexed: 09/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is associated with amyloidosis and dysfunction of the cholinergic system, which is crucial for learning and memory. However, the nature of acetylcholine signaling within regions of cholinergic-dependent plasticity and how it changes with experience is poorly understood, much less the impact of amyloidosis on this signaling. Therefore, we optically measure the release profile of acetylcholine to unexpected, predicted, and predictive events in visual cortex (VC)-a site of known cholinergic-dependent plasticity-in a preclinical mouse model of AD that develops amyloidosis. We find that acetylcholine exhibits reinforcement signaling qualities, reporting behaviorally relevant outcomes and displaying release profiles to predictive and predicted events that change as a consequence of experience. We identify three stages of amyloidosis occurring before the degeneration of cholinergic synapses within VC and observe that cholinergic responses in amyloid-bearing mice become impaired over these stages, diverging progressively from age- and sex-matched littermate controls. In particular, amyloidosis degrades the signaling of unexpected rewards and punishments, and attenuates the experience-dependent (1) increase of cholinergic responses to outcome predictive visual cues, and (2) decrease of cholinergic responses to predicted outcomes. Hyperactive spontaneous acetylcholine release occurring transiently at the onset of impaired cholinergic signaling is also observed, further implicating disrupted cholinergic activity as an early functional biomarker in AD. Our findings suggest that acetylcholine acts as a reinforcement signal that is impaired by amyloidosis before pathologic degeneration of the cholinergic system, providing a deeper understanding of the effects of amyloidosis on acetylcholine signaling and informing future interventions for AD.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT The cholinergic system is especially vulnerable to the neurotoxic effects of amyloidosis, a hallmark of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Though amyloid-induced cholinergic synaptic loss is thought in part to account for learning and memory impairments in AD, little is known regarding how amyloid impacts signaling of the cholinergic system before its anatomic degeneration. Optical measurement of acetylcholine (ACh) release in a mouse model of AD that develops amyloidosis reveals that ACh signals reinforcement and outcome prediction that is disrupted by amyloidosis before cholinergic degeneration. These observations have important scientific and clinical implications: they implicate ACh signaling as an early functional biomarker, provide a deeper understanding of the action of acetylcholine, and inform on when and how intervention may best ameliorate cognitive decline in AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon Allard
- Kavli Neuroscience Discovery Institute, Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21205
| | - Marshall G Hussain Shuler
- Kavli Neuroscience Discovery Institute, Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21205
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4
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Bartley SC, Proctor MT, Xia H, Ho E, Kang DS, Schuster K, Bicca MA, Seckler HS, Viola KL, Patrie SM, Kelleher NL, De Mello FG, Klein WL. An Essential Role for Alzheimer’s-Linked Amyloid Beta Oligomers in Neurodevelopment: Transient Expression of Multiple Proteoforms during Retina Histogenesis. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23042208. [PMID: 35216328 PMCID: PMC8875314 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23042208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2022] [Revised: 02/11/2022] [Accepted: 02/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Human amyloid beta peptide (Aβ) is a brain catabolite that at nanomolar concentrations can form neurotoxic oligomers (AβOs), which are known to accumulate in Alzheimer’s disease. Because a predisposition to form neurotoxins seems surprising, we have investigated whether circumstances might exist where AβO accumulation may in fact be beneficial. Our investigation focused on the embryonic chick retina, which expresses the same Aβ as humans. Using conformation-selective antibodies, immunoblots, mass spectrometry, and fluorescence microscopy, we discovered that AβOs are indeed present in the developing retina, where multiple proteoforms are expressed in a highly regulated cell-specific manner. The expression of the AβO proteoforms was selectively associated with transiently expressed phosphorylated Tau (pTau) proteoforms that, like AβOs, are linked to Alzheimer’s disease (AD). To test whether the AβOs were functional in development, embryos were cultured ex ovo and then injected intravitreally with either a beta-site APP-cleaving enzyme 1 (BACE-1) inhibitor or an AβO-selective antibody to prematurely lower the levels of AβOs. The consequence was disrupted histogenesis resulting in dysplasia resembling that seen in various retina pathologies. We suggest the hypothesis that embryonic AβOs are a new type of short-lived peptidergic hormone with a role in neural development. Such a role could help explain why a peptide that manifests deleterious gain-of-function activity when it oligomerizes in the aging brain has been evolutionarily conserved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel C. Bartley
- Department of Neurobiology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA; (S.C.B.); (M.T.P.); (H.X.); (E.H.); (D.S.K.); (K.S.); (M.A.B.); (K.L.V.)
| | - Madison T. Proctor
- Department of Neurobiology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA; (S.C.B.); (M.T.P.); (H.X.); (E.H.); (D.S.K.); (K.S.); (M.A.B.); (K.L.V.)
| | - Hongjie Xia
- Department of Neurobiology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA; (S.C.B.); (M.T.P.); (H.X.); (E.H.); (D.S.K.); (K.S.); (M.A.B.); (K.L.V.)
| | - Evelyn Ho
- Department of Neurobiology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA; (S.C.B.); (M.T.P.); (H.X.); (E.H.); (D.S.K.); (K.S.); (M.A.B.); (K.L.V.)
| | - Dong S. Kang
- Department of Neurobiology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA; (S.C.B.); (M.T.P.); (H.X.); (E.H.); (D.S.K.); (K.S.); (M.A.B.); (K.L.V.)
| | - Kristen Schuster
- Department of Neurobiology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA; (S.C.B.); (M.T.P.); (H.X.); (E.H.); (D.S.K.); (K.S.); (M.A.B.); (K.L.V.)
| | - Maíra A. Bicca
- Department of Neurobiology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA; (S.C.B.); (M.T.P.); (H.X.); (E.H.); (D.S.K.); (K.S.); (M.A.B.); (K.L.V.)
| | - Henrique S. Seckler
- Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA; (H.S.S.); (S.M.P.)
| | - Kirsten L. Viola
- Department of Neurobiology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA; (S.C.B.); (M.T.P.); (H.X.); (E.H.); (D.S.K.); (K.S.); (M.A.B.); (K.L.V.)
| | - Steven M. Patrie
- Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA; (H.S.S.); (S.M.P.)
| | - Neil L. Kelleher
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA;
| | - Fernando G. De Mello
- Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho (IBCCF), Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21941-902, Brazil;
| | - William L. Klein
- Department of Neurobiology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA; (S.C.B.); (M.T.P.); (H.X.); (E.H.); (D.S.K.); (K.S.); (M.A.B.); (K.L.V.)
- Mesulam Center for Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer’s Disease, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-847-591-5510
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5
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Castillo CA, Ballesteros-Yáñez I, León-Navarro DA, Albasanz JL, Martín M. Early Effects of the Soluble Amyloid β 25-35 Peptide in Rat Cortical Neurons: Modulation of Signal Transduction Mediated by Adenosine and Group I Metabotropic Glutamate Receptors. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22126577. [PMID: 34205261 PMCID: PMC8234864 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22126577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2021] [Revised: 06/04/2021] [Accepted: 06/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The amyloid β peptide (Aβ) is a central player in the neuropathology of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The alteration of Aβ homeostasis may impact the fine-tuning of cell signaling from the very beginning of the disease, when amyloid plaque is not deposited yet. For this reason, primary culture of rat cortical neurons was exposed to Aβ25-35, a non-oligomerizable form of Aβ. Cell viability, metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluR) and adenosine receptors (AR) expression and signalling were assessed. Aβ25-35 increased mGluR density and affinity, mainly due to a higher gene expression and protein presence of Group I mGluR (mGluR1 and mGluR5) in the membrane of cortical neurons. Intriguingly, the main effector of group I mGluR, the phospholipase C β1 isoform, was less responsive. Also, the inhibitory action of group II and group III mGluR on adenylate cyclase (AC) activity was unaltered or increased, respectively. Interestingly, pre-treatment of cortical neurons with an antagonist of group I mGluR reduced the Aβ25-35-induced cell death. Besides, Aβ25-35 increased the density of A1R and A2AR, along with an increase in their gene expression. However, while A1R-mediated AC inhibition was increased, the A2AR-mediated stimulation of AC remained unchanged. Therefore, one of the early events that takes place after Aβ25-35 exposure is the up-regulation of adenosine A1R, A2AR, and group I mGluR, and the different impacts on their corresponding signaling pathways. These results emphasize the importance of deciphering the early events and the possible involvement of metabotropic glutamate and adenosine receptors in AD physiopathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos Alberto Castillo
- Department of Nursing, Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy, School of Physiotherapy and Nursing, University of Castilla-La Mancha, 45071 Toledo, Spain;
- Regional Center for Biomedical Research (CRIB), University of Castilla-La Mancha, 02071 Albacete, Spain; (I.B.-Y.); (D.A.L.-N.); (M.M.)
| | - Inmaculada Ballesteros-Yáñez
- Regional Center for Biomedical Research (CRIB), University of Castilla-La Mancha, 02071 Albacete, Spain; (I.B.-Y.); (D.A.L.-N.); (M.M.)
- Department of Inorganic, School of Medicine of Ciudad Real, Organic and Biochemistry, University of Castilla-La Mancha, 13071 Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - David Agustín León-Navarro
- Regional Center for Biomedical Research (CRIB), University of Castilla-La Mancha, 02071 Albacete, Spain; (I.B.-Y.); (D.A.L.-N.); (M.M.)
- Department of Inorganic, Faculty of Chemical and Technological Sciences, Organic and Biochemistry, University of Castilla-La Mancha, 13071 Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - José Luis Albasanz
- Regional Center for Biomedical Research (CRIB), University of Castilla-La Mancha, 02071 Albacete, Spain; (I.B.-Y.); (D.A.L.-N.); (M.M.)
- Department of Inorganic, School of Medicine of Ciudad Real, Organic and Biochemistry, University of Castilla-La Mancha, 13071 Ciudad Real, Spain
- Correspondence:
| | - Mairena Martín
- Regional Center for Biomedical Research (CRIB), University of Castilla-La Mancha, 02071 Albacete, Spain; (I.B.-Y.); (D.A.L.-N.); (M.M.)
- Department of Inorganic, Faculty of Chemical and Technological Sciences, Organic and Biochemistry, University of Castilla-La Mancha, 13071 Ciudad Real, Spain
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6
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Coppedè F. Epigenetic regulation in Alzheimer's disease: is it a potential therapeutic target? Expert Opin Ther Targets 2021; 25:283-298. [PMID: 33843425 DOI: 10.1080/14728222.2021.1916469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Introduction: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common neurodegenerative disorder and the primary form of dementia in the elderly. Changes in DNA methylation and post-translational modifications of histone tails are increasingly observed in AD tissues, and likely contribute to disease onset and progression. The reversibility of these epigenetic marks offers the potential for therapeutic interventions.Areas covered: After a concise and updated overview of DNA methylation and post-translational modifications of histone tails in AD tissues, this review provides an overview of the animal and cell culture studies investigating the potential of targeting these modifications to attenuate AD-like features. PubMed was searched for relevant literature between 2003 and 2021.Expert opinion: Methyl donor compounds and drugs acting on histone tail modifications attenuated the AD-like features and improved cognition in several transgenic AD mice; however, there are concerns about safety and tolerability for long-term treatment in humans. The challenges will be to take advantage of recent epigenome-wide investigations to identify the principal targets for future interventions, and to design novel, selective and safer agents. Natural compounds exerting epigenetic properties could represent a promising opportunity to delay disease onset in middle-aged individuals at increased AD risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabio Coppedè
- Department of Translational Research and of New Surgical and Medical Technologies, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.,Interdepartmental Research Center Nutrafood "Nutraceuticals and Food for Health", University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
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7
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Navas Guimaraes M, Lopez-Blanco R, Correa J, Fernandez-Villamarin M, Bistué MB, Martino-Adami P, Morelli L, Kumar V, Wempe MF, Cuello AC, Fernandez-Megia E, Bruno MA. Liver X Receptor Activation with an Intranasal Polymer Therapeutic Prevents Cognitive Decline without Altering Lipid Levels. ACS NANO 2021; 15:4678-4687. [PMID: 33666411 PMCID: PMC8488954 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.0c09159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
The progressive accumulation of amyloid-beta (Aβ) in specific areas of the brain is a common prelude to late-onset of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Although activation of liver X receptors (LXR) with agonists decreases Aβ levels and ameliorates contextual memory deficit, concomitant hypercholesterolemia/hypertriglyceridemia limits their clinical application. DMHCA (N,N-dimethyl-3β-hydroxycholenamide) is an LXR partial agonist that, despite inducing the expression of apolipoprotein E (main responsible of Aβ drainage from the brain) without increasing cholesterol/triglyceride levels, shows nil activity in vivo because of a low solubility and inability to cross the blood brain barrier. Herein, we describe a polymer therapeutic for the delivery of DMHCA. The covalent incorporation of DMHCA into a PEG-dendritic scaffold via carboxylate esters produces an amphiphilic copolymer that efficiently self-assembles into nanometric micelles that exert a biological effect in primary cultures of the central nervous system (CNS) and experimental animals using the intranasal route. After CNS biodistribution and effective doses of DMHCA micelles were determined in nontransgenic mice, a transgenic AD-like mouse model of cerebral amyloidosis was treated with the micelles for 21 days. The benefits of the treatment included prevention of memory deterioration and a significant reduction of hippocampal Aβ oligomers without affecting plasma lipid levels. These results represent a proof of principle for further clinical developments of DMHCA delivery systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- María
Eugenia Navas Guimaraes
- Instituto
de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Católica de Cuyo, Av. José Ignacio de la Roza
1516, Rivadavia, 5400, San Juan, Argentina
- National
Council of Scientific and Technical Research (CONICET), Godoy Cruz 2290, C1425FQB Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires Argentina
| | - Roi Lopez-Blanco
- Centro
Singular de Investigación en Química Biolóxica
e Materiais Moleculares (CIQUS) and Departamento de Química
Orgánica, Universidade de Santiago
de Compostela, Jenaro de la Fuente s/n, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Juan Correa
- Centro
Singular de Investigación en Química Biolóxica
e Materiais Moleculares (CIQUS) and Departamento de Química
Orgánica, Universidade de Santiago
de Compostela, Jenaro de la Fuente s/n, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Marcos Fernandez-Villamarin
- Centro
Singular de Investigación en Química Biolóxica
e Materiais Moleculares (CIQUS) and Departamento de Química
Orgánica, Universidade de Santiago
de Compostela, Jenaro de la Fuente s/n, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - María Beatriz Bistué
- Instituto
de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Católica de Cuyo, Av. José Ignacio de la Roza
1516, Rivadavia, 5400, San Juan, Argentina
| | - Pamela Martino-Adami
- Laboratory
of Brain Aging and Neurodegeneration, Fundación
Instituto Leloir, IIBBA-CONICET, Av. Patricias Argentinas 435 C1405BWE, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Laura Morelli
- Laboratory
of Brain Aging and Neurodegeneration, Fundación
Instituto Leloir, IIBBA-CONICET, Av. Patricias Argentinas 435 C1405BWE, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Vijay Kumar
- School
of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Colorado, Aurora, Colorado 80045 United States
| | - Michael F. Wempe
- School
of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Colorado, Aurora, Colorado 80045 United States
| | - A. C. Cuello
- Department
of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill
University, McIntyre
Medical Building 3655 Prom. Sir-William-Osler, Montreal, Quebec H3G 1Y6, Canada
| | - Eduardo Fernandez-Megia
- Centro
Singular de Investigación en Química Biolóxica
e Materiais Moleculares (CIQUS) and Departamento de Química
Orgánica, Universidade de Santiago
de Compostela, Jenaro de la Fuente s/n, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
- Eduardo Fernandez-Megia,
| | - Martin A. Bruno
- Instituto
de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Católica de Cuyo, Av. José Ignacio de la Roza
1516, Rivadavia, 5400, San Juan, Argentina
- National
Council of Scientific and Technical Research (CONICET), Godoy Cruz 2290, C1425FQB Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires Argentina
- Martin A. Bruno,
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8
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Hashimoto M, Yamazaki A, Ohno A, Kimura T, Winblad B, Tjernberg LO. A Fragment of S38AA is a Novel Plasma Biomarker of Alzheimer's Disease. J Alzheimers Dis 2020; 71:1163-1174. [PMID: 31524172 DOI: 10.3233/jad-190700] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease without a cure. The pathological process starts decades before clinical onset, and thus clinical trials of drugs aimed at treating AD should start at a presymptomatic stage. Therefore, it is critical to diagnose AD at an early stage. Tau, phosphorylated tau, and amyloid-β peptide (Aβ) in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), and positron emission tomography (PET) imaging of Aβ or tau accumulation are supportive biomarkers for AD diagnosis, but there is no reliable presymptomatic diagnostic marker. Since CSF sampling is invasive, and PET imaging is expensive and available only at specialized centers, a reliable blood biomarker has long been sought for. Here we describe a novel extramembrane fragment from solute carrier family 38 member 10 (SLC38A10, S38AA) that we found to be decreased in pyramidal neurons in AD cases by proteomics and immunohistochemical analysis. We detected a S38AA fragment in CSF and found the levels to correlate with severity of AD and APOE genotype. Importantly, the plasma levels of the fragment also showed a significant correlation with Mini-Mental State Examination scores in AD. Moreover, plasma from other neurodegenerative disease was analyzed and the fragment was found to be increased specifically in AD. Interestingly, the fragment is detected in mouse, rat, and monkey, and increases in amyloid precursor protein transgenic mice as the AD-like pathology progresses. We propose that the S38AA fragment in plasma could be a novel quantitative diagnostic marker for AD and potentially a marker of disease progression in AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masakazu Hashimoto
- Drug Research Division, Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma Co., Ltd., Konohana-ku, Osaka, Japan
| | - Akira Yamazaki
- Drug Research Division, Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma Co., Ltd., Konohana-ku, Osaka, Japan
| | - Atsushi Ohno
- Drug Research Division, Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma Co., Ltd., Konohana-ku, Osaka, Japan
| | - Toru Kimura
- Drug Research Division, Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma Co., Ltd., Konohana-ku, Osaka, Japan
| | - Bengt Winblad
- Department of Neurobiology, Division for Neurogeriatrics, Care Sciences and Society (NVS), Karolinska Institutet, BioClinicum J9:20, Solna, Sweden.,Karolinska University Hospital, Theme Aging, Huddinge/Solna, Sweden
| | - Lars O Tjernberg
- Department of Neurobiology, Division for Neurogeriatrics, Care Sciences and Society (NVS), Karolinska Institutet, BioClinicum J9:20, Solna, Sweden
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9
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Poon CH, Tse LSR, Lim LW. DNA methylation in the pathology of Alzheimer's disease: from gene to cognition. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2020; 1475:15-33. [PMID: 32491215 DOI: 10.1111/nyas.14373] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2020] [Revised: 04/16/2020] [Accepted: 04/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a debilitating disorder that manifests with amyloid beta plaque deposition, neurofibrillary tangles, neuronal loss, and severe cognitive impairment. Although much effort has been made to decipher the pathogenesis of this disease, the mechanisms causing these detrimental outcomes remain obscure. Over the past few decades, neuroepigenetics has emerged as an important field that, among other things, explores how reversible modifications can change gene expression to control behavior and cognitive abilities. Among epigenetic modifications, DNA methylation requires further elucidation for the conflicting observations from AD research and its pivotal role in learning and memory. In this review, we focus on the essential components of DNA methylation, the effects of aberrant methylation on gene expressions in the amyloidogenic pathway and neurochemical processes, as well as memory epigenetics in Alzheimer's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chi Him Poon
- Neuromodulation Laboratory, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, School of Biomedical Sciences, the University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, P. R. China
| | - Long Sum Rachel Tse
- Neuromodulation Laboratory, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, School of Biomedical Sciences, the University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, P. R. China
| | - Lee Wei Lim
- Neuromodulation Laboratory, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, School of Biomedical Sciences, the University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, P. R. China
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10
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Early intraneuronal amyloid triggers neuron-derived inflammatory signaling in APP transgenic rats and human brain. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2020; 117:6844-6854. [PMID: 32144141 PMCID: PMC7104377 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1914593117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
This work provides evidence that soluble and oligomeric amyloid protein stokes neuronal inflammation during the earliest stages of Alzheimer’s disease. Identifying neuron-derived factors that engage the brain’s immune system will provide insight into how vulnerable neurons might interact with other immune cells to propagate cytotoxic signaling cascades and cellular dysfunction during disease development. Chronic inflammation during Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is most often attributed to sustained microglial activation in response to amyloid-β (Aβ) plaque deposits and cell death. However, cytokine release and microgliosis are consistently observed in AD transgenic animal models devoid of such pathologies, bringing into question the underlying processes that may be at play during the earliest AD-related immune response. We propose that this plaque-independent inflammatory reaction originates from neurons burdened with increasing levels of soluble and oligomeric Aβ, which are known to be the most toxic amyloid species within the brain. Laser microdissected neurons extracted from preplaque amyloid precursor protein (APP) transgenic rats were found to produce a variety of potent immune factors, both at the transcript and protein levels. Neuron-derived cytokines correlated with the extent of microglial activation and mobilization, even in the absence of extracellular plaques and cell death. Importantly, we identified an inflammatory profile unique to Aβ-burdened neurons, since neighboring glial cells did not express similar molecules. Moreover, we demonstrate within disease-vulnerable regions of the human brain that a neuron-specific inflammatory response may precede insoluble Aβ plaque and tau tangle formation. Thus, we reveal the Aβ-burdened neuron as a primary proinflammatory agent, implicating the intraneuronal accumulation of Aβ as a significant immunological component in the AD pathogenesis.
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Abstract
Animal models are indispensable tools for Alzheimer disease (AD) research. Over the course of more than two decades, an increasing number of complementary rodent models has been generated. These models have facilitated testing hypotheses about the aetiology and progression of AD, dissecting the associated pathomechanisms and validating therapeutic interventions, thereby providing guidance for the design of human clinical trials. However, the lack of success in translating rodent data into therapeutic outcomes may challenge the validity of the current models. This Review critically evaluates the genetic and non-genetic strategies used in AD modelling, discussing their strengths and limitations, as well as new opportunities for the development of better models for the disease.
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Delikkaya B, Moriel N, Tong M, Gallucci G, de la Monte SM. Altered expression of insulin-degrading enzyme and regulator of calcineurin in the rat intracerebral streptozotocin model and human apolipoprotein E-ε4-associated Alzheimer's disease. ALZHEIMER'S & DEMENTIA (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2019; 11:392-404. [PMID: 31193223 PMCID: PMC6522644 DOI: 10.1016/j.dadm.2019.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION This study assesses insulin-degrading enzyme (IDE) and regulator of calcineurin 1 (RCAN1) as potential mediators of brain insulin deficiency and neurodegeneration in experimental and human Alzheimer's disease (AD). METHODS Temporal lobes from Long Evans rats treated with intracerebral streptozotocin or vehicle and postmortem frontal lobes from humans with normal aging AD (Braak 0-2), moderate (Braak 3-4) AD, or advanced (Braak 5-6) AD were used to measure IDE and RCAN mRNA and protein. RESULTS Intracerebral streptozotocin significantly increased IDE and RCAN mRNA and protein. In humans with apolipoprotein E (ApoE) ε3/ε4 or ε4/ε4 and AD, IDE was elevated at Braak 3-4, but at Braak 5-6, IDE expression was significantly reduced. RCAN1 mRNA was similarly reduced in ApoE ε4+ patients with moderate or severe AD, whereas RCAN1 protein declined with the severity of AD and ApoE ε4 dose. DISCUSSION The findings suggest that IDE and RCAN1 differentially modulate brain insulin signaling in relation to AD severity and ApoE genotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Büşra Delikkaya
- Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa Cerrahpasa Medical Faculty, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Natalia Moriel
- Department of Medicine, Rhode Island Hospital, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Ming Tong
- Department of Medicine, Rhode Island Hospital, Providence, RI, USA,Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Gina Gallucci
- Department of Medicine, Rhode Island Hospital, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Suzanne M. de la Monte
- Department of Medicine, Rhode Island Hospital, Providence, RI, USA,Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI, USA,Departments of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Rhode Island Hospital, Providence, RI, USA,Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Providence VA Medical Center, Providence, RI, USA,Corresponding author. Tel.: +401-444-7364; Fax: +401-444-2939.
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13
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Cuello AC, Hall H, Do Carmo S. Experimental Pharmacology in Transgenic Rodent Models of Alzheimer's Disease. Front Pharmacol 2019; 10:189. [PMID: 30886583 PMCID: PMC6409318 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2019.00189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2018] [Accepted: 02/14/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
This Mini Review discusses the merits and shortfalls of transgenic (tg) rodents modeling aspects of the human Alzheimer’s disease (AD) pathology and their application to evaluate experimental therapeutics. It addresses some of the differences between mouse and rat tg models for these investigations. It relates, in a condensed fashion, the experience of our research laboratory with the application of anti-inflammatory compounds and S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) at the earliest stages of AD-like amyloid pathology in tg mice. The application of SAM was intended to revert the global brain DNA hypomethylation unleashed by the intraneuronal accumulation of amyloid-β-immunoreactive material, an intervention that restored levels of DNA methylation including of the bace1 gene. This review also summarizes experimental pharmacology observations made in the McGill tg rat model of AD-like pathology by applying “nano-lithium” or a drug with allosteric M1 muscarinic and sigma 1 receptor agonistic properties (AF710B). Extremely low doses of lithium (up to 400 times lower than used in the clinic) had remarkable beneficial effects on lowering pathology and improving cognitive functions in tg rats. Likewise, AF710B treatment, even at advanced stages of the pathology, displayed remarkable beneficial effects. This drug, in experimental conditions, demonstrated possible “disease-modifying” properties as pathology was frankly diminished and cognition improved after a month of “wash-out” period. The Mini-Review ends with a discussion on the predictive value of similar experimental pharmacological interventions in current rodent tg models. It comments on the validity of some of these approaches for early interventions at preclinical stages of AD, interventions which may be envisioned once definitive diagnosis of AD before clinical presentation is made possible.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Claudio Cuello
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.,Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.,Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Hélène Hall
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Sonia Do Carmo
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
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14
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Evidence of intraneuronal Aβ accumulation preceding tau pathology in the entorhinal cortex. Acta Neuropathol 2018; 136:901-917. [PMID: 30362029 DOI: 10.1007/s00401-018-1922-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2018] [Revised: 10/18/2018] [Accepted: 10/18/2018] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Growing evidence gathered from transgenic animal models of Alzheimer's disease (AD) indicates that the intraneuronal accumulation of amyloid-β (Aβ) peptides is an early event in the AD pathogenesis, producing cognitive deficits before the deposition of insoluble plaques. Levels of soluble Aβ are also a strong indicator of synaptic deficits and concurrent AD neuropathologies in post-mortem AD brain; however, it remains poorly understood how this soluble amyloid pool builds within the brain in the decades leading up to diagnosis, when a patient is likely most amenable to early therapeutic interventions. Indeed, characterizing early intracellular Aβ accumulation in humans has been hampered by the lack of Aβ-specific antibodies, variability in the quality of available human brain tissue and the limitations of conventional microscopy. We therefore sought to investigate the development of the intraneuronal Aβ pathology using extremely high-quality post-mortem brain material obtained from a cohort of non-demented subjects with short post-mortem intervals and processed by perfusion-fixation. Using well-characterized monoclonal antibodies, we demonstrate that the age-dependent intraneuronal accumulation of soluble Aβ is pervasive throughout the entorhinal cortex and hippocampus, and that this phase of the amyloid pathology becomes established within AD-vulnerable regions before the deposition of Aβ plaques and the formation of tau neurofibrillary tangles. We also show for the first time in post-mortem human brain that Aβ oligomers do in fact accumulate intraneuronally, before the formation of extracellular plaques. Finally, we validated the origin of the Aβ-immunopositive pool by resolving Aβ- and APP/CTF-immunoreactive sites using super resolution structured illumination microscopy. Together, these findings indicate that the lifelong accrual of intraneuronal Aβ may be a potential trigger for downstream AD-related pathogenic events in early disease stages.
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15
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Lee JH, Jahrling JB, Denner L, Dineley KT. Targeting Insulin for Alzheimer’s Disease: Mechanisms, Status and Potential Directions. J Alzheimers Dis 2018; 64:S427-S453. [DOI: 10.3233/jad-179923] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Jung Hyun Lee
- Department of Neurology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Jordan B. Jahrling
- Department of Neurology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Larry Denner
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Kelly T. Dineley
- Department of Neurology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
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16
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Differential deregulation of NGF and BDNF neurotrophins in a transgenic rat model of Alzheimer's disease. Neurobiol Dis 2017; 108:307-323. [PMID: 28865749 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2017.08.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2017] [Revised: 08/08/2017] [Accepted: 08/29/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Evidence from human neuropathological studies indicates that the levels of the neurotrophins nerve growth factor (NGF) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) are compromised in Alzheimer's disease. However, the causes and temporal (pathology-dependent) evolution of these alterations are not completely understood. To elucidate these issues, we investigated the McGill-R-Thy1-APP transgenic rat, which exhibits progressive intracellular and extracellular amyloid-beta (Aβ) pathology and ensuing cognitive deficits. Neurochemical analyses revealed a differential dysregulation of NGF and BDNF transcripts and protein expression. While BDNF mRNA levels were significantly reduced at very early stages of amyloid pathology, before plaques appeared, there were no changes in NGF mRNA expression even at advanced stages. Paradoxically, the protein levels of the NGF precursor were increased. These changes in neurotrophin expression are identical to those seen during the progression of Alzheimer's disease. At advanced pathological stages, deficits in the protease cascade controlling the maturation and degradation of NGF were evident in McGill transgenic rats, in line with the paradoxical upregulation of proNGF, as seen in Alzheimer's disease, in the absence of changes in NGF mRNA. The compromise in NGF metabolism and BDNF levels was accompanied by downregulation of cortical cholinergic synapses; strengthening the evidence that neurotrophin dysregulation affects cholinergic synapses and synaptic plasticity. Our findings suggest a differential temporal deregulation of NGF and BDNF neurotrophins, whereby deficits in BDNF mRNA appear at early stages of intraneuronal Aβ pathology, before alterations in NGF metabolism and cholinergic synapse loss manifest.
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17
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Iulita MF, Ower A, Barone C, Pentz R, Gubert P, Romano C, Cantarella RA, Elia F, Buono S, Recupero M, Romano C, Castellano S, Bosco P, Di Nuovo S, Drago F, Caraci F, Cuello AC. An inflammatory and trophic disconnect biomarker profile revealed in Down syndrome plasma: Relation to cognitive decline and longitudinal evaluation. Alzheimers Dement 2016; 12:1132-1148. [PMID: 27452424 DOI: 10.1016/j.jalz.2016.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2016] [Revised: 04/01/2016] [Accepted: 05/05/2016] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Given that Alzheimer's pathology develops silently over decades in Down syndrome (DS), prognostic biomarkers of dementia are a major need. METHODS We investigated the plasma levels of Aβ, proNGF, tPA, neuroserpin, metallo-proteases and inflammatory molecules in 31 individuals with DS (with and without dementia) and in 31 healthy controls. We examined associations between biomarkers and cognitive decline. RESULTS Aβ40 and Aβ42 were elevated in DS plasma compared to controls, even in DS individuals without dementia. Plasma Aβ correlated with the rate of cognitive decline across 2 years. ProNGF, MMP-1, MMP-3, MMP-9 activity, TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-10 were higher in DS plasma, even at AD-asymptomatic stages. Declining plasma Aβ42 and increasing proNGF levels correlated with cognitive decline. A combined measure of Aβ and inflammatory molecules was a strong predictor of prospective cognitive deterioration. CONCLUSIONS Our findings support the combination of plasma and cognitive assessments for the identification of DS individuals at risk of dementia.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Florencia Iulita
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Alison Ower
- Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Imperial College London, United Kingdom
| | - Concetta Barone
- IRCCS Associazione Oasi Maria SS, Institute for Research on Mental Retardation and Brain Aging, Troina, Italy
| | - Rowan Pentz
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Palma Gubert
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Corrado Romano
- IRCCS Associazione Oasi Maria SS, Institute for Research on Mental Retardation and Brain Aging, Troina, Italy
| | | | - Flaviana Elia
- IRCCS Associazione Oasi Maria SS, Institute for Research on Mental Retardation and Brain Aging, Troina, Italy
| | - Serafino Buono
- IRCCS Associazione Oasi Maria SS, Institute for Research on Mental Retardation and Brain Aging, Troina, Italy
| | - Marilena Recupero
- IRCCS Associazione Oasi Maria SS, Institute for Research on Mental Retardation and Brain Aging, Troina, Italy
| | - Carmelo Romano
- IRCCS Associazione Oasi Maria SS, Institute for Research on Mental Retardation and Brain Aging, Troina, Italy
| | - Sabrina Castellano
- Department of Educational Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Paolo Bosco
- IRCCS Associazione Oasi Maria SS, Institute for Research on Mental Retardation and Brain Aging, Troina, Italy
| | - Santo Di Nuovo
- Department of Educational Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Filippo Drago
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Filippo Caraci
- IRCCS Associazione Oasi Maria SS, Institute for Research on Mental Retardation and Brain Aging, Troina, Italy; Department of Drug Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - A Claudio Cuello
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, Canada; Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University, Montreal, Canada; Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, McGill University, Montreal, Canada.
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18
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Rescue of Early bace-1 and Global DNA Demethylation by S-Adenosylmethionine Reduces Amyloid Pathology and Improves Cognition in an Alzheimer's Model. Sci Rep 2016; 6:34051. [PMID: 27681803 PMCID: PMC5041108 DOI: 10.1038/srep34051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2016] [Accepted: 09/05/2016] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
General DNA hypomethylation is associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD), but it is unclear when DNA hypomethylation starts or plays a role in AD pathology or whether DNA re-methylation would rescue early amyloid-related cognitive impairments. In an APP transgenic mouse model of AD-like amyloid pathology we found that early intraneuronal amyloid beta build-up is sufficient to unleash a global and beta-site amyloid precursor protein cleaving enzyme 1 (bace-1) DNA demethylation in AD-vulnerable brain regions. S-adenosylmethionine administration at these early stages abolished this hypomethylation, diminished the amyloid pathology and restored cognitive capabilities. To assess a possible human significance of findings, we examined the methylation at 12 CpGs sites in the bace-1 promoter, using genome-wide DNA methylation data from 740 postmortem human brains. Thus, we found significant associations of bace-1 promoter methylation with β-amyloid load among persons with AD dementia, and PHFtau tangle density. Our results support a plausible causal role for the earliest amyloid beta accumulation to provoke DNA hypomethylation, influencing AD pathological outcomes.
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19
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Pimentel LS, Allard S, Do Carmo S, Weinreb O, Danik M, Hanzel CE, Youdim MB, Cuello AC. The Multi-Target Drug M30 Shows Pro-Cognitive and Anti-Inflammatory Effects in a Rat Model of Alzheimer’s Disease. J Alzheimers Dis 2015; 47:373-83. [DOI: 10.3233/jad-143126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Luisa S. Pimentel
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Simon Allard
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Sonia Do Carmo
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | | | - Marc Danik
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Cecilia E. Hanzel
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | | | - A. Claudio Cuello
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
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20
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Ferreira ST, Lourenco MV, Oliveira MM, De Felice FG. Soluble amyloid-β oligomers as synaptotoxins leading to cognitive impairment in Alzheimer's disease. Front Cell Neurosci 2015; 9:191. [PMID: 26074767 PMCID: PMC4443025 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2015.00191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 240] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2015] [Accepted: 04/30/2015] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia in the elderly, and affects millions of people worldwide. As the number of AD cases continues to increase in both developed and developing countries, finding therapies that effectively halt or reverse disease progression constitutes a major research and public health challenge. Since the identification of the amyloid-β peptide (Aβ) as the major component of the amyloid plaques that are characteristically found in AD brains, a major effort has aimed to determine whether and how Aβ leads to memory loss and cognitive impairment. A large body of evidence accumulated in the past 15 years supports a pivotal role of soluble Aβ oligomers (AβOs) in synapse failure and neuronal dysfunction in AD. Nonetheless, a number of basic questions, including the exact molecular composition of the synaptotoxic oligomers, the identity of the receptor(s) to which they bind, and the signaling pathways that ultimately lead to synapse failure, remain to be definitively answered. Here, we discuss recent advances that have illuminated our understanding of the chemical nature of the toxic species and the deleterious impact they have on synapses, and have culminated in the proposal of an Aβ oligomer hypothesis for Alzheimer’s pathogenesis. We also highlight outstanding questions and challenges in AD research that should be addressed to allow translation of research findings into effective AD therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergio T Ferreira
- Institute of Biophysics Carlos Chagas Filho, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil ; Institute of Medical Biochemistry Leopoldo de Meis, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Mychael V Lourenco
- Institute of Medical Biochemistry Leopoldo de Meis, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Mauricio M Oliveira
- Institute of Medical Biochemistry Leopoldo de Meis, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Fernanda G De Felice
- Institute of Medical Biochemistry Leopoldo de Meis, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
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21
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Viola KL, Sbarboro J, Sureka R, De M, Bicca MA, Wang J, Vasavada S, Satpathy S, Wu S, Joshi H, Velasco PT, MacRenaris K, Waters EA, Lu C, Phan J, Lacor P, Prasad P, Dravid VP, Klein WL. Towards non-invasive diagnostic imaging of early-stage Alzheimer's disease. NATURE NANOTECHNOLOGY 2015; 10:91-8. [PMID: 25531084 PMCID: PMC4300856 DOI: 10.1038/nnano.2014.254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 116] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2013] [Accepted: 10/08/2014] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
One way to image the molecular pathology in Alzheimer's disease is by positron emission tomography using probes that target amyloid fibrils. However, these fibrils are not closely linked to the development of the disease. It is now thought that early-stage biomarkers that instigate memory loss are composed of Aβ oligomers. Here, we report a sensitive molecular magnetic resonance imaging contrast probe that is specific for Aβ oligomers. We attach oligomer-specific antibodies onto magnetic nanostructures and show that the complex is stable and binds to Aβ oligomers on cells and brain tissues to give a magnetic resonance imaging signal. When intranasally administered to an Alzheimer's disease mouse model, the probe readily reached hippocampal Aβ oligomers. In isolated samples of human brain tissue, we observed a magnetic resonance imaging signal that distinguished Alzheimer's disease from controls. Such nanostructures that target neurotoxic Aβ oligomers are potentially useful for evaluating the efficacy of new drugs and ultimately for early-stage Alzheimer's disease diagnosis and disease management.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - James Sbarboro
- Northwestern University, Neurobiology, Evanston, IL 60208
| | - Ruchi Sureka
- Northwestern University, Neurobiology, Evanston, IL 60208
| | - Mrinmoy De
- Northwestern University, Materials Science and Engineering, Evanston, IL 60208
| | - Maíra A. Bicca
- Northwestern University, Neurobiology, Evanston, IL 60208
- Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Department of Pharmacology, SC, Brazil 88049900
| | - Jane Wang
- Northwestern University, Neurobiology, Evanston, IL 60208
| | | | | | - Summer Wu
- Illinois Math & Science Academy, Aurora, IL 60506
| | - Hrushikesh Joshi
- Northwestern University, Materials Science and Engineering, Evanston, IL 60208
| | | | - Keith MacRenaris
- Northwestern University, Center for Advanced Molecular Imaging, Evanston, IL 60208
| | - E. Alex Waters
- Northwestern University, Center for Advanced Molecular Imaging, Evanston, IL 60208
| | - Chang Lu
- Northwestern University, Neurobiology, Evanston, IL 60208
| | - Joseph Phan
- Northwestern University, Neurobiology, Evanston, IL 60208
| | - Pascale Lacor
- Northwestern University, Neurobiology, Evanston, IL 60208
| | - Pottumarthi Prasad
- NorthShore University Health Systems, Department of Radiology, Evanston, IL 60201
| | - Vinayak P. Dravid
- Northwestern University, Materials Science and Engineering, Evanston, IL 60208
- Northwestern University, International Institute for Nanotechnology (IIN), Evanston, IL 60208
| | - William L. Klein
- Northwestern University, Neurobiology, Evanston, IL 60208
- Northwestern University, International Institute for Nanotechnology (IIN), Evanston, IL 60208
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Nalivaeva NN, Belyaev ND, Kerridge C, Turner AJ. Amyloid-clearing proteins and their epigenetic regulation as a therapeutic target in Alzheimer's disease. Front Aging Neurosci 2014; 6:235. [PMID: 25278875 PMCID: PMC4166351 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2014.00235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2014] [Accepted: 08/18/2014] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Abnormal elevation of amyloid β-peptide (Aβ) levels in the brain is the primary trigger for neuronal cell death specific to Alzheimer’s disease (AD). It is now evident that Aβ levels in the brain are manipulable due to a dynamic equilibrium between its production from the amyloid precursor protein (APP) and removal by amyloid clearance proteins. Clearance can be either enzymic or non-enzymic (binding/transport proteins). Intriguingly several of the main amyloid-degrading enzymes (ADEs) are members of the M13 peptidase family (neprilysin (NEP), NEP2 and the endothelin converting enzymes (ECE-1 and -2)). A distinct metallopeptidase, insulin-degrading enzyme (IDE), also contributes to Aβ degradation in the brain. The ADE family currently embraces more than 20 members, both membrane-bound and soluble, and of differing cellular locations. NEP plays an important role in brain function terminating neuropeptide signals. Its decrease in specific brain areas with age or after hypoxia, ischaemia or stroke contribute significantly to the development of AD pathology. The recently discovered mechanism of epigenetic regulation of NEP (and other genes) by the APP intracellular domain (AICD) and its dependence on the cell type and APP isoform expression suggest possibilities for selective manipulation of NEP gene expression in neuronal cells. We have also observed that another amyloid-clearing protein, namely transthyretin (TTR), is also regulated in the neuronal cell by a mechanism similar to NEP. Dependence of amyloid clearance proteins on histone deacetylases and the ability of HDAC inhibitors to up-regulate their expression in the brain opens new avenues for developing preventive strategies in AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia N Nalivaeva
- School of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Leeds Leed, UK ; I.M.Sechenov Institute of Evolutionary Physiology and Biochemistry St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Nikolai D Belyaev
- School of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Leeds Leed, UK
| | - Caroline Kerridge
- School of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Leeds Leed, UK ; Neurodegeneration DHT, Lilly, Erl Wood Manor Windlesham, Surrey, UK
| | - Anthony J Turner
- School of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Leeds Leed, UK
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23
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Insulin resistance in Alzheimer's disease. Neurobiol Dis 2014; 72 Pt A:92-103. [PMID: 25237037 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2014.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2014] [Revised: 09/02/2014] [Accepted: 09/05/2014] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Insulin is a key hormone regulating metabolism. Insulin binding to cell surface insulin receptors engages many signaling intermediates operating in parallel and in series to control glucose, energy, and lipids while also regulating mitogenesis and development. Perturbations in the function of any of these intermediates, which occur in a variety of diseases, cause reduced sensitivity to insulin and insulin resistance with consequent metabolic dysfunction. Chronic inflammation ensues which exacerbates compromised metabolic homeostasis. Since insulin has a key role in learning and memory as well as directly regulating ERK, a kinase required for the type of learning and memory compromised in early Alzheimer's disease (AD), insulin resistance has been identified as a major risk factor for the onset of AD. Animal models of AD or insulin resistance or both demonstrate that AD pathology and impaired insulin signaling form a reciprocal relationship. Of note are human and animal model studies geared toward improving insulin resistance that have led to the identification of the nuclear receptor and transcription factor, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) as an intervention tool for early AD. Strategic targeting of alternate nodes within the insulin signaling network has revealed disease-stage therapeutic windows in animal models that coalesce with previous and ongoing clinical trial approaches. Thus, exploiting the connection between insulin resistance and AD provides powerful opportunities to delineate therapeutic interventions that slow or block the pathogenesis of AD.
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24
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Pensalfini A, Albay R, Rasool S, Wu JW, Hatami A, Arai H, Margol L, Milton S, Poon WW, Corrada MM, Kawas CH, Glabe CG. Intracellular amyloid and the neuronal origin of Alzheimer neuritic plaques. Neurobiol Dis 2014; 71:53-61. [PMID: 25092575 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2014.07.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2014] [Revised: 05/24/2014] [Accepted: 07/08/2014] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Genetic analysis of familial forms of Alzheimer's disease (AD) causally links the proteolytic processing of the amyloid precursor protein (APP) and AD. However, the specific type of amyloid and mechanisms of amyloid pathogenesis remain unclear. We conducted a detailed analysis of intracellular amyloid with an aggregation specific conformation dependent monoclonal antibody, M78, raised against fibrillar Aß42. M78 immunoreactivity colocalizes with Aß and the carboxyl terminus of APP (APP-CTF) immunoreactivities in perinuclear compartments at intermediate times in 10month 3XTg-AD mice, indicating that this represents misfolded and aggregated protein rather than normally folded APP. At 12months, M78 immunoreactivity also accumulates in the nucleus. Neuritic plaques at 12months display the same spatial organization of centrally colocalized M78, diffuse chromatin and neuronal nuclear NeuN staining surrounded by peripheral M78 and APP-CTF immunoreactivity as observed in neurons, indicating that neuritic plaques arise from degenerating neurons with intracellular amyloid immunoreactivity. The same staining pattern was observed in neuritic plaques in human AD brains, showing elevated intracellular M78 immunoreactivity at intermediate stages of amyloid pathology (Braak A and B) compared to no amyloid pathology and late stage amyloid pathology (Braak 0 and C, respectively). These results indicate that intraneuronal protein aggregation and amyloid accumulation is an early event in AD and that neuritic plaques are initiated by the degeneration and death of neurons by a mechanism that may be related to the formation of extracellular traps by neutrophils.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Pensalfini
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, USA.
| | - Ricardo Albay
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
| | - Suhail Rasool
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
| | - Jessica W Wu
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
| | - Asa Hatami
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
| | - Hiromi Arai
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
| | - Lawrence Margol
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
| | - Saskia Milton
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
| | - Wayne W Poon
- Institute for Memory Impairments and Neurological Disorders, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
| | - Maria M Corrada
- Institute for Memory Impairments and Neurological Disorders, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, USA; Department of Neurology, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
| | - Claudia H Kawas
- Institute for Memory Impairments and Neurological Disorders, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, USA; Department of Neurology, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, USA; Department of Neurobiology & Behavior, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
| | - Charles G Glabe
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, USA; Biochemistry Department and Experimental Biochemistry Unit, King Fahd Medical Research Center, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
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Iulita MF, Cuello AC. Nerve growth factor metabolic dysfunction in Alzheimer's disease and Down syndrome. Trends Pharmacol Sci 2014; 35:338-48. [PMID: 24962069 DOI: 10.1016/j.tips.2014.04.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 107] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2014] [Revised: 04/16/2014] [Accepted: 04/30/2014] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a devastating neurodegenerative condition and the most common type of amnestic dementia in the elderly. Individuals with Down syndrome (DS) are at increased risk of developing AD in adulthood as a result of chromosome 21 trisomy and triplication of the amyloid precursor protein (APP) gene. In both conditions, the central nervous system (CNS) basal forebrain cholinergic system progressively degenerates, and such changes contribute to the manifestation of cognitive decline and dementia. Given the strong dependency of these neurons on nerve growth factor (NGF), it was hypothesized that their atrophy was caused by NGF deficits. However, in AD, the synthesis of NGF is not affected at the transcript level and there is a marked increase in its precursor, proNGF. This apparent paradox remained elusive for many years. In this review, we discuss the recent evidence supporting a CNS deficit in the extracellular metabolism of NGF, both in AD and in DS brains. We describe the nature of this trophic disconnection and its implication for the atrophy of basal forebrain cholinergic neurons. We further discuss the potential of NGF pathway markers as diagnostic indicators of a CNS trophic disconnection.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Florencia Iulita
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, H3G1Y6, Canada
| | - A Claudio Cuello
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, Montreal, H3G1Y6, Canada; Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, McGill University, Montreal, H3G1Y6, Canada; Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University, Montreal, H3G1Y6, Canada.
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Iulita MF, Allard S, Richter L, Munter LM, Ducatenzeiler A, Weise C, Do Carmo S, Klein WL, Multhaup G, Cuello AC. Intracellular Aβ pathology and early cognitive impairments in a transgenic rat overexpressing human amyloid precursor protein: a multidimensional study. Acta Neuropathol Commun 2014; 2:61. [PMID: 24903713 PMCID: PMC4229908 DOI: 10.1186/2051-5960-2-61] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2014] [Accepted: 05/07/2014] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Numerous studies have implicated the abnormal accumulation of intraneuronal amyloid-β (Aβ) as an important contributor to Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathology, capable of triggering neuroinflammation, tau hyperphosphorylation and cognitive deficits. However, the occurrence and pathological relevance of intracellular Aβ remain a matter of controversial debate. In this study, we have used a multidimensional approach including high-magnification and super-resolution microscopy, cerebro-spinal fluid (CSF) mass spectrometry analysis and ELISA to investigate the Aβ pathology and its associated cognitive impairments, in a novel transgenic rat model overexpressing human APP. Our microscopy studies with quantitative co-localization analysis revealed the presence of intraneuronal Aβ in transgenic rats, with an immunological signal that was clearly distinguished from that of the amyloid precursor protein (APP) and its C-terminal fragments (CTFs). The early intraneuronal pathology was accompanied by a significant elevation of soluble Aβ42 peptides that paralleled the presence and progression of early cognitive deficits, several months prior to amyloid plaque deposition. Aβ38, Aβ39, Aβ40 and Aβ42 peptides were detected in the rat CSF by MALDI-MS analysis even at the plaque-free stages; suggesting that a combination of intracellular and soluble extracellular Aβ may be responsible for impairing cognition at early time points. Taken together, our results demonstrate that the intraneuronal development of AD-like amyloid pathology includes a mixture of molecular species (Aβ, APP and CTFs) of which a considerable component is Aβ; and that the early presence of these species within neurons has deleterious effects in the CNS, even before the development of full-blown AD-like pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Florencia Iulita
- />Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, 3655 Sir-William-Osler Promenade, Room 1210, Montreal, Quebec Canada
| | - Simon Allard
- />Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, 3655 Sir-William-Osler Promenade, Room 1210, Montreal, Quebec Canada
| | - Luise Richter
- />Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, 3655 Sir-William-Osler Promenade, Room 1210, Montreal, Quebec Canada
| | - Lisa-Marie Munter
- />Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, 3655 Sir-William-Osler Promenade, Room 1210, Montreal, Quebec Canada
| | - Adriana Ducatenzeiler
- />Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, 3655 Sir-William-Osler Promenade, Room 1210, Montreal, Quebec Canada
| | - Christoph Weise
- />Intitutes of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Freie Universität, Berlin, Germany
| | - Sonia Do Carmo
- />Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, 3655 Sir-William-Osler Promenade, Room 1210, Montreal, Quebec Canada
| | - William L Klein
- />Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer’s Disease Center, Northwestern University Institute for Neuroscience, Chicago, USA
| | - Gerhard Multhaup
- />Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, 3655 Sir-William-Osler Promenade, Room 1210, Montreal, Quebec Canada
| | - A Claudio Cuello
- />Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, 3655 Sir-William-Osler Promenade, Room 1210, Montreal, Quebec Canada
- />Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
- />Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
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Do Carmo S, Cuello AC. Modeling Alzheimer's disease in transgenic rats. Mol Neurodegener 2013; 8:37. [PMID: 24161192 PMCID: PMC4231465 DOI: 10.1186/1750-1326-8-37] [Citation(s) in RCA: 113] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2013] [Accepted: 09/28/2013] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia. At the diagnostic stage, the AD brain is characterized by the accumulation of extracellular amyloid plaques, intracellular neurofibrillary tangles and neuronal loss. Despite the large variety of therapeutic approaches, this condition remains incurable, since at the time of clinical diagnosis, the brain has already suffered irreversible and extensive damage. In recent years, it has become evident that AD starts decades prior to its clinical presentation. In this regard, transgenic animal models can shed much light on the mechanisms underlying this "pre-clinical" stage, enabling the identification and validation of new therapeutic targets. This paper summarizes the formidable efforts to create models mimicking the various aspects of AD pathology in the rat. Transgenic rat models offer distinctive advantages over mice. Rats are physiologically, genetically and morphologically closer to humans. More importantly, the rat has a well-characterized, rich behavioral display. Consequently, rat models of AD should allow a more sophisticated and accurate assessment of the impact of pathology and novel therapeutics on cognitive outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonia Do Carmo
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, 3655 Promenade Sir-William-Osler, Room 1325, Montreal, Quebec H3G 1Y6, Canada
| | - A Claudio Cuello
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, 3655 Promenade Sir-William-Osler, Room 1325, Montreal, Quebec H3G 1Y6, Canada
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec H3A 2B2, Canada
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec H3A 2B4, Canada
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Ostapchenko VG, Beraldo FH, Guimarães ALS, Mishra S, Guzman M, Fan J, Martins VR, Prado VF, Prado MAM. Increased prion protein processing and expression of metabotropic glutamate receptor 1 in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease. J Neurochem 2013; 127:415-25. [PMID: 23651058 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.12296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2012] [Revised: 04/29/2013] [Accepted: 05/02/2013] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Prion protein (PrP(C) ), a glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored protein corrupted in prion diseases, has been shown recently to interact with group I metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs). Moreover, both PrP(C) and mGluRs were proposed to function as putative receptors for β-amyloid in Alzheimer's disease. PrP(C) can be processed in neurons via α or β-cleavage to produce PrP(C) fragments that are neuroprotective or toxic, respectively. We found PrP(C) α-cleavage to be 2-3 times higher in the cortex of APPswe/PS1dE9 mice, a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease. A similar age-dependent increase was observed for PrP(C) β-cleavage. Moreover, we observed considerable age-dependent increase in cortical expression of mGluR1, but not mGluR5. Exposure of cortical neuronal cultures to β-amyloid oligomers upregulated mGluR1 and PrP(C) α-cleavage, while activation of group I mGluRs increased PrP(C) shedding from the membrane, likely due to increased levels of a disintegrin and metalloprotease10, a key disintegrin for PrP(C) shedding. Interestingly, a similar increase in a disintegrin and metalloprotease10 was detected in the cortex of 9-month-old APPswe/PS1dE9 animals. Our experiments reveal novel and complex processing of PrP(C) in connection with mGluR overexpression that seems to be triggered by β-amyloid peptides. Prion protein (PrP(C) ) and metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluR) are implicated in Alzheimer's disease (AD). We found age-dependent increase in PrP(C) processing, ADAM10 and mGluR1 levels in AD mouse model. These changes could be reproduced in cultured cortical neurons treated with Aβ peptide. Our findings suggest that increased levels of Aβ can trigger compensatory responses that may affect neuronal toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valeriy G Ostapchenko
- Robarts Research Institute, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada
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Behavioral and neurobiological effects of prenatal stress exposure in male and female APPswe/PS1dE9 mice. Neurobiol Aging 2013; 34:319-37. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2012.05.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2012] [Revised: 05/21/2012] [Accepted: 05/21/2012] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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Park SM, Kim KS. Proteolytic clearance of extracellular α-synuclein as a new therapeutic approach against Parkinson disease. Prion 2012; 7:121-6. [PMID: 23154633 DOI: 10.4161/pri.22850] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Many neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer disease and Parkinson disease show similar characteristics. They typically show deposits of protein aggregates, the formation of which is considered important in their pathogenesis. Recently, aggregation-prone proteins have been shown to spread between cells and so may contribute to the pathogenesis of diseases like prion disease. Such a pathogenesis pathway is possibly common to many neurodegenerative diseases. If confirmed, it could allow the development of therapeutic interventions against many such diseases. In Parkinson disease, α-synuclein, a major component of cytosolic protein inclusions named Lewy body, has been shown to be released and taken up by cells, which may facilitate its progressive pathological spreading between cells. Accordingly, inhibition of spreading by targeting extracellular α-synuclein may represent a new therapy against Parkinson disease. Research into the intercellular spreading of extracellular protein aggregations of α-synuclein and its clearance pathway are reviewed here with a focus on the proteolytic clearance pathway as a therapeutic target for the treatment of Parkinson disease. Considering the similar characteristics of aggregation-prone proteins, these clearance systems might allow treatment of other neurodegenerative diseases beyond Parkinson disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sang Myun Park
- Department of Pharmacology, Neuroscience Graduate Program, Chronic Inflammatory Disease Research Center, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, South Korea.
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Abstract
Although the precise cause of Alzheimer's disease is not known, the β-amyloid peptide chains of 40-42 amino acids are suspected to contribute to the disease. The β-amyloid precursor protein is found on many types of cell membranes, and the action of secretases (β and γ) on this precursor protein normally releases the β-amyloids at a high rate into the plasma and the cerebrospinal fluid. However, the concentrations of the β-amyloids in the plasma and the spinal fluid vary considerably between laboratories. The β-amyloids adsorb in the nanomolar concentration range to receptors on neuronal and glial cells. The β-amyloids are internalized, become folded in the β-folded or β-pleated shape, and then stack on each other to form long fibrils and aggregates known as plaques. The β-amyloids likely act as monomers, dimers, or multimers on cell membranes to interfere with neurotransmission and memory before the plaques build up. Treatment strategies include inhibitors of β- and γ-secretase, as well as drugs and physiological compounds to prevent aggregation of the amyloids. Several immune approaches and a cholesterol-lowering strategy are also being tested to remove the β-amyloids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philip Seeman
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
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Cuello AC, Allard S, Ferretti MT. Evidence for the accumulation of Abeta immunoreactive material in the human brain and in transgenic animal models. Life Sci 2012; 91:1141-7. [PMID: 22705309 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2012.05.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2012] [Revised: 05/11/2012] [Accepted: 05/24/2012] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
In this review we highlight the evidence for an intracellular origin of Abeta (Aβ) amyloid peptides as well as the observations for a pathological accumulation of these peptides in Alzheimer's disease and Down syndrome, as well as in transgenic animal models. We deliberate on the controversy as to whether the intracellular Aβ immunoreactive material is simply an accumulation of unprocessed full length amyloid precursor protein (APP) or a mix of processed APP fragments including Aβ. Finally, we discuss the possible pathological significance of these intracellular APP fragments and the expected future research directions regarding this thought-provoking problem.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Claudio Cuello
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, 3655 Sir William Osler Promenade, Room 1210, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
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Ferretti MT, Allard S, Partridge V, Ducatenzeiler A, Cuello AC. Minocycline corrects early, pre-plaque neuroinflammation and inhibits BACE-1 in a transgenic model of Alzheimer's disease-like amyloid pathology. J Neuroinflammation 2012; 9:62. [PMID: 22472085 PMCID: PMC3352127 DOI: 10.1186/1742-2094-9-62] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2011] [Accepted: 04/02/2012] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background A growing body of evidence indicates that inflammation is one of the earliest neuropathological events in Alzheimer's disease. Accordingly, we have recently shown the occurrence of an early, pro-inflammatory reaction in the hippocampus of young, three-month-old transgenic McGill-Thy1-APP mice in the absence of amyloid plaques but associated with intracellular accumulation of amyloid beta petide oligomers. The role of such a pro-inflammatory process in the progression of the pathology remained to be elucidated. Methods and results To clarify this we administered minocycline, a tetracyclic derivative with anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective properties, to young, pre-plaque McGill-Thy1-APP mice for one month. The treatment ended at the age of three months, when the mice were still devoid of plaques. Minocycline treatment corrected the up-regulation of inducible nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase-2 observed in young transgenic placebo mice. Furthermore, the down-regulation of inflammatory markers correlated with a reduction in amyloid precursor protein levels and amyloid precursor protein-related products. Beta-site amyloid precursor protein cleaving enzyme 1 activity and levels were found to be up-regulated in transgenic placebo mice, while minocycline treatment restored these levels to normality. The anti-inflammatory and beta-secretase 1 effects could be partly explained by the inhibition of the nuclear factor kappa B pathway. Conclusions Our study suggests that the pharmacological modulation of neuroinflammation might represent a promising approach for preventing or delaying the development of Alzheimer's disease neuropathology at its initial, pre-clinical stages. The results open new vistas to the interplay between inflammation and amyloid pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Teresa Ferretti
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, McGill University, 3655 Promenade Sir-William-Osler, Montreal, QC H3G 1Y6, Canada
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Cuello A, Ferretti M, Iulita M. Preplaque (Preclinical) Aß-Induced Inflammation and Nerve Growth Factor Deregulation in Transgenic Models of Alzheimers Disease-Like Amyloid Pathology. NEURODEGENER DIS 2012; 10:104-7. [DOI: 10.1159/000333339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2011] [Accepted: 09/11/2011] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
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Nalivaeva NN, Beckett C, Belyaev ND, Turner AJ. Are amyloid-degrading enzymes viable therapeutic targets in Alzheimer's disease? J Neurochem 2011; 120 Suppl 1:167-185. [PMID: 22122230 DOI: 10.1111/j.1471-4159.2011.07510.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 137] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
: The amyloid cascade hypothesis of Alzheimer's disease envisages that the initial elevation of amyloid β-peptide (Aβ) levels, especially of Aβ(1-42) , is the primary trigger for the neuronal cell death specific to onset of Alzheimer's disease. There is now substantial evidence that brain amyloid levels are manipulable because of a dynamic equilibrium between their synthesis from the amyloid precursor protein and their removal by amyloid-degrading enzymes (ADEs) providing a potential therapeutic strategy. Since the initial reports over a decade ago that two zinc metallopeptidases, insulin-degrading enzyme and neprilysin (NEP), contributed to amyloid degradation in the brain, there is now an embarras de richesses in relation to this category of enzymes, which currently number almost 20. These now include serine and cysteine proteinases, as well as numerous zinc peptidases. The experimental validation for each of these enzymes, and which to target, varies enormously but up-regulation of several of them individually in mouse models of Alzheimer's disease has proved effective in amyloid and plaque clearance, as well as cognitive enhancement. The relative status of each of these enzymes will be critically evaluated. NEP and its homologues, as well as insulin-degrading enzyme, remain as principal ADEs and recently discovered mechanisms of epigenetic regulation of NEP expression potentially open new avenues in manipulation of AD-related genes, including ADEs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia N Nalivaeva
- Institute of Molecular & Cellular Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK.,Sechenov Institute of Evolutionary Physiology and Biochemistry of Russian Academy of Sciences, St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Caroline Beckett
- Institute of Molecular & Cellular Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Nikolai D Belyaev
- Institute of Molecular & Cellular Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Anthony J Turner
- Institute of Molecular & Cellular Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
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