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Man JHK, Breur M, van Gelder CAGH, Marcon G, Maderna E, Giaccone G, Altelaar M, van der Knaap MS, Bugiani M. Region-specific and age-related differences in astrocytes in the human brain. Neurobiol Aging 2024; 140:102-115. [PMID: 38763075 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2024.02.016] [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: 08/07/2023] [Revised: 02/22/2024] [Accepted: 02/23/2024] [Indexed: 05/21/2024]
Abstract
Astrocyte heterogeneity and its relation to aging in the normal human brain remain poorly understood. We here analyzed astrocytes in gray and white matter brain tissues obtained from donors ranging in age between the neonatal period to over 100 years. We show that astrocytes are differently distributed with higher density in the white matter. This regional difference in cellular density becomes less prominent with age. Additionally, we confirm the presence of morphologically distinct astrocytes, with gray matter astrocytes being morphologically more complex. Notably, gray matter astrocytes morphologically change with age, while white matter astrocytes remain relatively consistent in morphology. Using regional mass spectrometry-based proteomics, we did, however, identify astrocyte specific proteins with regional differences in abundance, reflecting variation in cellular density or expression level. Importantly, the expression of some astrocyte specific proteins region-dependently decreases with age. Taken together, we provide insights into region- and age-related differences in astrocytes in the human brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jodie H K Man
- Department of Child Neurology, Amsterdam Leukodystrophy Center, Emma Children's Hospital, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Molecular and Cellular Mechanisms, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Marjolein Breur
- Department of Child Neurology, Amsterdam Leukodystrophy Center, Emma Children's Hospital, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Molecular and Cellular Mechanisms, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Charlotte A G H van Gelder
- Biomolecular Mass Spectrometry and Proteomics, Bijvoet Center for Biomolecular Research and Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands; Netherlands Proteomics Center, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Gabriella Marcon
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy; DAME, University of Udine, Udine, Italy
| | - Emanuela Maderna
- Division of Neurology 5 - Neuropathology, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan, Italy
| | - Giorgio Giaccone
- Division of Neurology 5 - Neuropathology, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan, Italy
| | - Maarten Altelaar
- Biomolecular Mass Spectrometry and Proteomics, Bijvoet Center for Biomolecular Research and Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands; Netherlands Proteomics Center, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Marjo S van der Knaap
- Department of Child Neurology, Amsterdam Leukodystrophy Center, Emma Children's Hospital, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Molecular and Cellular Mechanisms, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Department of Integrative Neurophysiology, Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Marianna Bugiani
- Department of Pathology, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
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2
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Ho K, Bodi NE, Sharma TP. Normal-Tension Glaucoma and Potential Clinical Links to Alzheimer's Disease. J Clin Med 2024; 13:1948. [PMID: 38610712 PMCID: PMC11012506 DOI: 10.3390/jcm13071948] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2024] [Revised: 03/21/2024] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Glaucoma is a group of optic neuropathies and the world's leading cause of irreversible blindness. Normal-tension glaucoma (NTG) is a subtype of glaucoma that is characterized by a typical pattern of peripheral retinal loss, in which the patient's intraocular pressure (IOP) is considered within the normal range (<21 mmHg). Currently, the only targetable risk factor for glaucoma is lowering IOP, and patients with NTG continue to experience visual field loss after IOP-lowering treatments. This demonstrates the need for a better understanding of the pathogenesis of NTG and underlying mechanisms leading to neurodegeneration. Recent studies have found significant connections between NTG and cerebral manifestations, suggesting NTG as a neurodegenerative disease beyond the eye. Gaining a better understanding of NTG can potentially provide new Alzheimer's Disease diagnostics capabilities. This review identifies the epidemiology, current biomarkers, altered fluid dynamics, and cerebral and ocular manifestations to examine connections and discrepancies between the mechanisms of NTG and Alzheimer's Disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathleen Ho
- Eugene and Marilyn Glick Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA;
| | - Nicole E. Bodi
- Pharmacology and Toxicology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA;
| | - Tasneem P. Sharma
- Eugene and Marilyn Glick Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA;
- Pharmacology and Toxicology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA;
- Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
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3
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Dave BP, Shah YB, Maheshwari KG, Mansuri KA, Prajapati BS, Postwala HI, Chorawala MR. Pathophysiological Aspects and Therapeutic Armamentarium of Alzheimer's Disease: Recent Trends and Future Development. Cell Mol Neurobiol 2023; 43:3847-3884. [PMID: 37725199 DOI: 10.1007/s10571-023-01408-7] [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: 03/07/2023] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/21/2023]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the primary cause of dementia and is characterized by the death of brain cells due to the accumulation of insoluble amyloid plaques, hyperphosphorylation of tau protein, and the formation of neurofibrillary tangles within the cells. AD is also associated with other pathologies such as neuroinflammation, dysfunction of synaptic connections and circuits, disorders in mitochondrial function and energy production, epigenetic changes, and abnormalities in the vascular system. Despite extensive research conducted over the last hundred years, little is established about what causes AD or how to effectively treat it. Given the severity of the disease and the increasing number of affected individuals, there is a critical need to discover effective medications for AD. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved several new drug molecules for AD management since 2003, but these drugs only provide temporary relief of symptoms and do not address the underlying causes of the disease. Currently, available medications focus on correcting the neurotransmitter disruption observed in AD, including cholinesterase inhibitors and an antagonist of the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor, which temporarily alleviates the signs of dementia but does not prevent or reverse the course of AD. Research towards disease-modifying AD treatments is currently underway, including gene therapy, lipid nanoparticles, and dendrimer-based therapy. These innovative approaches aim to target the underlying pathological processes of AD rather than just managing the symptoms. This review discusses the novel aspects of pathogenesis involved in the causation of AD of AD and in recent developments in the therapeutic armamentarium for the treatment of AD such as gene therapy, lipid nanoparticles, and dendrimer-based therapy, and many more.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bhavarth P Dave
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacy Practice, L. M. College of Pharmacy, Opp. Gujarat University, Navrangpura, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, 380009, India
| | - Yesha B Shah
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacy Practice, L. M. College of Pharmacy, Opp. Gujarat University, Navrangpura, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, 380009, India
| | - Kunal G Maheshwari
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacy Practice, L. M. College of Pharmacy, Opp. Gujarat University, Navrangpura, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, 380009, India
| | - Kaif A Mansuri
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacy Practice, L. M. College of Pharmacy, Opp. Gujarat University, Navrangpura, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, 380009, India
| | - Bhadrawati S Prajapati
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacy Practice, L. M. College of Pharmacy, Opp. Gujarat University, Navrangpura, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, 380009, India
| | - Humzah I Postwala
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacy Practice, L. M. College of Pharmacy, Opp. Gujarat University, Navrangpura, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, 380009, India
| | - Mehul R Chorawala
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacy Practice, L. M. College of Pharmacy, Opp. Gujarat University, Navrangpura, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, 380009, India.
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Veys L, Devroye J, Lefevere E, Cools L, Vandenabeele M, De Groef L. Characterizing the Retinal Phenotype of the Thy1-h[A30P]α-syn Mouse Model of Parkinson's Disease. Front Neurosci 2021; 15:726476. [PMID: 34557068 PMCID: PMC8452874 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2021.726476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2021] [Accepted: 08/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite decades of research, disease-modifying treatments of Parkinson’s disease (PD), the second most common neurodegenerative disease worldwide, remain out of reach. One of the reasons for this treatment gap is the incomplete understanding of how misfolded alpha-synuclein (α-syn) contributes to PD pathology. The retina, as an integral part of the central nervous system, recapitulates the PD disease processes that are typically seen in the brain, and retinal manifestations have emerged as prodromal symptoms of the disease. The timeline of PD manifestations in the visual system, however, is not fully elucidated and the underlying mechanisms are obscure. This highlights the need for new studies investigating retinal pathology, in order to propel its use as PD biomarker, and to develop validated research models to investigate PD pathogenesis. The present study pioneers in characterizing the retina of the Thy1-h[A30P]α-syn PD transgenic mouse model. We demonstrate widespread α-syn accumulation in the inner retina of these mice, of which a proportion is phosphorylated yet not aggregated. This α-syn expression coincides with inner retinal atrophy due to postsynaptic degeneration. We also reveal abnormal retinal electrophysiological responses. Absence of selective loss of melanopsin retinal ganglion cells or dopaminergic amacrine cells and inflammation indicates that the retinal manifestations in these transgenic mice diverge from their brain phenotype, and questions the specific cellular or molecular alterations that underlie retinal pathology in this PD mouse model. Nevertheless, the observed α-syn accumulation, synapse loss and functional deficits suggest that the Thy1-h[A30P]α-syn retina mimics some of the features of prodromal PD, and thus may provide a window to monitor and study the preclinical/prodromal stages of PD, PD-associated retinal disease processes, as well as aid in retinal biomarker discovery and validation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lien Veys
- Research Group of Neural Circuit Development and Regeneration, Department of Biology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,Department of Biomedical Sciences, Leuven Brain Institute, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Joyce Devroye
- Research Group of Neural Circuit Development and Regeneration, Department of Biology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,Department of Biomedical Sciences, Leuven Brain Institute, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Evy Lefevere
- Research Group of Neural Circuit Development and Regeneration, Department of Biology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,Department of Biomedical Sciences, Leuven Brain Institute, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Lien Cools
- Research Group of Neural Circuit Development and Regeneration, Department of Biology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,Department of Biomedical Sciences, Leuven Brain Institute, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Marjan Vandenabeele
- Research Group of Neural Circuit Development and Regeneration, Department of Biology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,Department of Biomedical Sciences, Leuven Brain Institute, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Lies De Groef
- Research Group of Neural Circuit Development and Regeneration, Department of Biology, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,Department of Biomedical Sciences, Leuven Brain Institute, Leuven, Belgium
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Morris G, Maes M, Berk M, Carvalho AF, Puri BK. Nutritional ketosis as an intervention to relieve astrogliosis: Possible therapeutic applications in the treatment of neurodegenerative and neuroprogressive disorders. Eur Psychiatry 2020; 63:e8. [PMID: 32093791 PMCID: PMC8057392 DOI: 10.1192/j.eurpsy.2019.13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Nutritional ketosis, induced via either the classical ketogenic diet or the use of emulsified medium-chain triglycerides, is an established treatment for pharmaceutical resistant epilepsy in children and more recently in adults. In addition, the use of oral ketogenic compounds, fractionated coconut oil, very low carbohydrate intake, or ketone monoester supplementation has been reported to be potentially helpful in mild cognitive impairment, Parkinson’s disease, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and autistic spectrum disorder. In these and other neurodegenerative and neuroprogressive disorders, there are detrimental effects of oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and neuroinflammation on neuronal function. However, they also adversely impact on neurone–glia interactions, disrupting the role of microglia and astrocytes in central nervous system (CNS) homeostasis. Astrocytes are the main site of CNS fatty acid oxidation; the resulting ketone bodies constitute an important source of oxidative fuel for neurones in an environment of glucose restriction. Importantly, the lactate shuttle between astrocytes and neurones is dependent on glycogenolysis and glycolysis, resulting from the fact that the astrocytic filopodia responsible for lactate release are too narrow to accommodate mitochondria. The entry into the CNS of ketone bodies and fatty acids, as a result of nutritional ketosis, has effects on the astrocytic glutamate–glutamine cycle, glutamate synthase activity, and on the function of vesicular glutamate transporters, EAAT, Na+, K+-ATPase, Kir4.1, aquaporin-4, Cx34 and KATP channels, as well as on astrogliosis. These mechanisms are detailed and it is suggested that they would tend to mitigate the changes seen in many neurodegenerative and neuroprogressive disorders. Hence, it is hypothesized that nutritional ketosis may have therapeutic applications in such disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gerwyn Morris
- Deakin University, IMPACT Strategic Research Centre, Barwon Health, School of Medicine, Geelong, Victoria, Australia
| | - Michael Maes
- Deakin University, IMPACT Strategic Research Centre, Barwon Health, School of Medicine, Geelong, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Psychiatry, Chulalongkorn University, Faculty of Medicine, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Michael Berk
- Deakin University, IMPACT Strategic Research Centre, Barwon Health, School of Medicine, Geelong, Victoria, Australia.,Deakin University, CMMR Strategic Research Centre, School of Medicine, Geelong, Victoria, Australia.,Orygen, The National Centre of Excellence in Youth Mental Health, The Department of Psychiatry and the Florey Institute for Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - André F Carvalho
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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Hindeya Gebreyesus H, Gebrehiwot Gebremichael T. The Potential Role of Astrocytes in Parkinson's Disease (PD). Med Sci (Basel) 2020; 8:E7. [PMID: 32012713 PMCID: PMC7151567 DOI: 10.3390/medsci8010007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2019] [Revised: 08/08/2019] [Accepted: 08/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Astrocytes are multi-functional cells, now recognized as critical participants in many brain functions. They play a critical physiological role in the clearance of neurotransmitters, such as glutamate and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), and in the regulation of K+ from the space of synaptic clefts. Astrocytes also express the excitatory amino acid transporters (EAATs) and aquaporin-4 (AQP4) water channel, which are involved in both physiological functions and neurodegenerative diseases (ND). Some of the ND are the Alzheimer's (AD), Huntington's (HD), Parkinson's diseases (PD), Cerebral edema, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and epilepsy pathological conditions in specific regions of the CNS. Parkinson's disease is the second most common age-related neurodegenerative disorder, characterized by degeneration of dopaminergic neurons of the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc). These project to the striatum, forming an important pathway within the basal ganglia. Mostly, PD has no clear etiology, and the mechanism of dopaminergic (DA) neuron loss is not well illustrated. The results of various studies suggest that astrocytes are involved in the pathophysiology of PD. Evidence has shown that the down-regulation of EAAT-2/GLT-1 and AQP4 expression is associated with PD pathogenesis. However, controversial results were reported in different experimental studies about the expression and function of EAAT-2/GLT-1 and AQP4, as well as their colocalization in different brain regions, and their involvement in PD development. Therefore, under neurological disorders, Parkinson's disease is related to the genetic and phenotypic change of astrocytes' biology. In this review, the authors summarized recent their research findings, which revealed the involvement of EAAT-2/GLT-1 and AQP4 expression, the physical interaction between EAAT-2/GLT-1 and AQP4 in astrocyte function, and their potential role in the development of PD in SNpc and Subthalamic nucleus (STN) of the basal ganglia nuclei.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiluf Hindeya Gebreyesus
- School of Medicine, Biomedical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Mekelle University, P.O. Box: 1871 Mekelle, Tigray, Ethiopia
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7
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Aquaporin-4 Water Channel in the Brain and Its Implication for Health and Disease. Cells 2019; 8:cells8020090. [PMID: 30691235 PMCID: PMC6406241 DOI: 10.3390/cells8020090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 120] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2019] [Revised: 01/23/2019] [Accepted: 01/23/2019] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Aquaporin-4 (AQP4) is a water channel expressed on astrocytic endfeet in the brain. The role of AQP4 has been studied in health and in a range of pathological conditions. Interest in AQP4 has increased since it was discovered to be the target antigen in the inflammatory autoimmune disease neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD). Emerging data suggest that AQP4 may also be implicated in the glymphatic system and may be involved in the clearance of beta-amyloid in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). In this review, we will describe the role of AQP4 in the adult and developing brain as well as its implication for disease.
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8
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Gatto RG, Amin MY, Deyoung D, Hey M, Mareci TH, Magin RL. Ultra-High Field Diffusion MRI Reveals Early Axonal Pathology in Spinal Cord of ALS mice. Transl Neurodegener 2018; 7:20. [PMID: 30128146 PMCID: PMC6097419 DOI: 10.1186/s40035-018-0122-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2018] [Accepted: 07/02/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a disease characterized by a progressive degeneration of motor neurons leading to paralysis. Our previous MRI diffusion tensor imaging studies detected early white matter changes in the spinal cords of mice carrying the G93A-SOD1 mutation. Here, we extend those studies using ultra-high field MRI (17.6 T) and fluorescent microscopy to investigate the appearance of early structural and connectivity changes in the spinal cords of ALS mice. Methods The spinal cords from presymptomatic and symptomatic mice (80 to 120 days of age) were scanned (ex-vivo) using diffusion-weighted MRI. The fractional anisotropy (FA), axial (AD) and radial (RD) diffusivities were calculated for axial slices from the thoracic, cervical and lumbar regions of the spinal cords. The diffusion parameters were compared with fluorescence microscopy and membrane cellular markers from the same tissue regions. Results At early stages of the disease (day 80) in the lumbar region, we found, a 19% decrease in FA, a 9% decrease in AD and a 35% increase in RD. Similar changes were observed in cervical and thoracic spinal cord regions. Differences between control and ALS mice groups at the symptomatic stages (day 120) were larger. Quantitative fluorescence microscopy at 80 days, demonstrated a 22% reduction in axonal area and a 22% increase in axonal density. Tractography and quantitative connectome analyses measured by edge weights showed a 52% decrease in the lumbar regions of the spinal cords of this ALS mice group. A significant increase in ADC (23.3%) in the ALS mice group was related to an increase in aquaporin markers. Conclusions These findings suggest that the combination of ultra-high field diffusion MRI with fluorescent ALS mice reporters is a useful approach to detect and characterize presymptomatic white matter micro-ultrastructural changes and axonal connectivity anomalies in ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rodolfo G Gatto
- 1Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Illinois at Chicago, 808 S. Wood St. Rm 578 M/C 512, Chicago, IL 60612 USA
| | - Manish Y Amin
- 2Department of Physics, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL USA
| | - Daniel Deyoung
- 2Department of Physics, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL USA
| | - Matthew Hey
- 3Department of Applied Physiology and Kinesiology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL USA
| | - Thomas H Mareci
- 4Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL USA
| | - Richard L Magin
- 5Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL USA
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Gatto RG, Li W, Gao J, Magin RL. In vivo diffusion MRI detects early spinal cord axonal pathology in a mouse model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. NMR IN BIOMEDICINE 2018; 31:e3954. [PMID: 30117615 DOI: 10.1002/nbm.3954] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2017] [Revised: 05/08/2018] [Accepted: 05/09/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Diffusion magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) exhibits contrast that identifies macro- and microstructural changes in neurodegenerative diseases. Previous studies have shown that MR diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) can observe changes in spinal cord white matter in animals and humans affected with symptomatic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The goal of this preclinical work was to investigate the sensitivity of DTI for the detection of signs of tissue damage before symptoms appear. High-field MRI data were acquired using a 9.4-T animal scanner to examine the spinal cord of an ALS mouse model at pre- and post-symptomatic stages (days 80 and 120, respectively). The MRI results were validated using yellow fluorescent protein (YFP) via optical microscopy of spinal cord tissue slices collected from the YFP,G93A-SOD1 mouse strain. DTI maps of diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) signal intensity, mean diffusivity (MD), fractional anisotropy (FA), axial diffusivity (AD) and radial diffusivity (RD) were computed for axial slices of the lumbar region of the spinal cord. Significant changes were observed in FA (6.7% decrease, p < 0.01), AD (19.5% decrease, p < 0.01) and RD (16.1% increase, p < 0.001) at postnatal day 80 (P80). These differences were correlated with changes in axonal fluorescence intensity and membrane cellular markers. This study demonstrates the value of DTI as a potential tool to detect the underlying pathological progression associated with ALS, and may accelerate the discovery of therapeutic strategies for patients with this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rodolfo G Gatto
- University of Illinois at Chicago, Anatomy and Cell Biology, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Weiguo Li
- University of Illinois at Chicago, Bioengineering, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Jin Gao
- University of Illinois at Chicago, Bioengineering, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Richard L Magin
- University of Illinois at Chicago, Bioengineering, Chicago, IL, USA
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Avola R, Graziano ACE, Pannuzzo G, Albouchi F, Cardile V. New insights on Parkinson's disease from differentiation of SH-SY5Y into dopaminergic neurons: An involvement of aquaporin4 and 9. Mol Cell Neurosci 2018; 88:212-221. [PMID: 29428877 DOI: 10.1016/j.mcn.2018.02.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2017] [Revised: 07/16/2017] [Accepted: 02/07/2018] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The purpose of this research was to explore the behavior of aquaporins (AQPs) in an in vitro model of Parkinson's disease that is a recurrent neurodegenerative disorder caused by the gradual, progressive loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta. Because of postmortem studies have provided evidences for oxidative damage and alteration of water flow and energy metabolism, we carried out an investigation about AQP4 and 9, demonstrated in the brain to maintain water and energy homeostasis. As an appropriate in vitro cell model, we used SH-SY5Y cultures and induced their differentiation into a mature dopaminergic neuron phenotype with retinoic acid (RA) alone or in association with phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (MPA). The association RA plus MPA provided the most complete and mature neuron phenotype, as demonstrated by high levels of β-Tubulin III, MAP-2, and tyrosine hydroxylase. After validation of cell differentiation, the neurotoxin 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1, 2, 3, 6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) and H2O2 were applied to reproduce a Parkinson's-like stress. The results confirmed RA/MPA differentiated SH-SY5Y as a useful in vitro system for studying neurotoxicity and for using in a MPTP and H2O2-induced Parkinson's disease cell model. Moreover, the data demonstrated that neuronal differentiation, neurotoxicity, neuroinflammation, and oxidative stress are strongly correlated with dynamic changes of AQP4 and 9 transcription and transduction. New in vitro and in vivo experiments are needed to confirm these innovative outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosanna Avola
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Science, Section of Physiology, University of Catania, Via Santa Sofia, 97-95123 Catania, Italy.
| | - Adriana Carol Eleonora Graziano
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Science, Section of Physiology, University of Catania, Via Santa Sofia, 97-95123 Catania, Italy.
| | - Giovanna Pannuzzo
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Science, Section of Physiology, University of Catania, Via Santa Sofia, 97-95123 Catania, Italy
| | - Ferdaous Albouchi
- Laboratoire Materiaux Molecules et Applications, Institut Preparatoire au Etude Scientifique et Technique, Faculty of Sciences of Bizerte, University of Carthage, La Marsa, 2070 Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Venera Cardile
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Science, Section of Physiology, University of Catania, Via Santa Sofia, 97-95123 Catania, Italy.
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Recabarren-Leiva D, Alarcón M. New insights into the gene expression associated to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Life Sci 2018; 193:110-123. [DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2017.12.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2017] [Revised: 12/01/2017] [Accepted: 12/10/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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12
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Onoda A, Kawasaki T, Tsukiyama K, Takeda K, Umezawa M. Perivascular Accumulation of β-Sheet-Rich Proteins in Offspring Brain following Maternal Exposure to Carbon Black Nanoparticles. Front Cell Neurosci 2017; 11:92. [PMID: 28408868 PMCID: PMC5374146 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2017.00092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2017] [Accepted: 03/16/2017] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Environmental stimulation during brain development is an important risk factor for the development of neurodegenerative disease. Clinical evidence indicates that prenatal exposure to particulate air pollutants leads to diffuse damage to the neurovascular unit in the developing brain and accelerates neurodegeneration. Maternal exposure to carbon black nanoparticles (CB-NPs), used as a model for particulate air pollution, induces long-lasting diffuse perivascular abnormalities. We aimed to comprehensively characterize the perivascular abnormalities related to maternal NPs exposure using Fourier transform infrared microspectroscopy (in situ FT-IR) and classical staining analysis. Pregnant ICR mice were intranasally treated with a CB-NPs suspension (95 μg/kg at a time) on gestational days 5 and 9. Brains were collected 6 weeks after birth and sliced to prepare 10-μm-thick serial sections. Reflective spectra of in situ FT-IR were acquired using lattice measurements (x-axis: 7, y-axis: 7, 30-μm apertures) around a centered blood vessel. We also performed mapping analysis of protein secondary structures. Serial sections were stained with using periodic acid-Schiff or immunofluorescence to examine the phenotypes of the perivascular areas. Peaks of amide I bands in spectra from perivascular areas were shifted by maternal NPs exposure. However, there were two types of peak-shift in one mouse in the exposure group. Some vessels had a large peak-shift and others had a small peak-shift. In situ FT-IR combined with traditional staining revealed that the large peak-shift was induced around blood vessel adjacent to astrocytes with glial fibrillary acidic protein and aquaporin-4 over-expression and perivascular macrophages (PVMs) with enlarged lysosome granules. Furthermore, protein secondary structural analysis indicated that maternal NPs exposure led to increases in β-sheet content and decreases in α-helix content in areas that are mostly close to the centered blood vessel displaying histopathological changes. These results suggest that β-sheet-rich waste proteins, which are denatured by maternal NPs exposure, likely accumulate in the perivascular space as they are processed by the clearance systems in the brain. This may in turn lead the denaturation of PVMs and astrocyte activation. The risk of neurodegeneration may be enhanced by exposure to particulate air pollutants during brain development following the perivascular accumulation of β-sheet-rich waste proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Atsuto Onoda
- Department of Hygienic Chemistry, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokyo University of ScienceNoda, Japan.,The Center for Environmental Health Science for the Next Generation, Research Institute for Science and Technology, Organization for Research Advancement, Tokyo University of ScienceNoda, Japan.,Research Fellow of Japan Society for the Promotion of ScienceTokyo, Japan
| | - Takayasu Kawasaki
- Infrared Free Electron Laser Research Center, Research Institute for Science and Technology, Organization for Research Advancement, Tokyo University of ScienceNoda, Japan
| | - Koichi Tsukiyama
- Infrared Free Electron Laser Research Center, Research Institute for Science and Technology, Organization for Research Advancement, Tokyo University of ScienceNoda, Japan.,Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Tokyo University of ScienceTokyo, Japan
| | - Ken Takeda
- The Center for Environmental Health Science for the Next Generation, Research Institute for Science and Technology, Organization for Research Advancement, Tokyo University of ScienceNoda, Japan
| | - Masakazu Umezawa
- The Center for Environmental Health Science for the Next Generation, Research Institute for Science and Technology, Organization for Research Advancement, Tokyo University of ScienceNoda, Japan.,Department of Materials Science and Technology, Faculty of Industrial Science and Technology, Tokyo University of ScienceTokyo, Japan
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Liver X receptors regulate cerebrospinal fluid production. Mol Psychiatry 2016; 21:844-56. [PMID: 26324101 DOI: 10.1038/mp.2015.133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2015] [Revised: 07/23/2015] [Accepted: 07/28/2015] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Of the two isoforms of Liver X receptor (LXR), LXRβ has been shown to have major effects in the central nervous system (CNS) and on the regulation of aquaporins while LXRα has its most marked effects on cholesterol homeostasis. Both receptors have immunomodulatory functions. In LXRαβ knockout (ko) mice, the CNS phenotype is much more severe than in the LXRβ ko mice, suggesting a contribution of LXRα in CNS functions. One of the most striking abnormalities in the brains of LXRαβ ko mice is the occlusion of the lateral ventricles with age. In the present study, we have found by immunohistochemical staining that both LXRα and LXRβ are expressed in the cell nuclei of the epithelium of the choroid plexus and in the ependymal cells surrounding the lateral ventricles. The two receptors regulate several genes and can compensate for each other on expression of genes involved in structural integrity (E-cadherin, P-cadherin and β-catenin) and function (aquaporin 1 and carbonic anhydrase IX). Aquaporin 4 (AQ4) is not expressed in the choroid plexus but is expressed in the astrocytic end feet and ependymal cells. AQP4 expression was increased in white matter around lateral ventricles but not in neurons of LXRαβ ko mice. The data show that LXR is a regulator of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) both at the choroid plexus and at the astrocytic end feet and defects in the synthesis of cerebrospinal fluid may be targeted by LXR agonists to facilitate CSF production, turnover and clearance in CNS diseases.
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Sfera A, Cummings M, Osorio C. Dehydration and Cognition in Geriatrics: A Hydromolecular Hypothesis. Front Mol Biosci 2016; 3:18. [PMID: 27252943 PMCID: PMC4860410 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2016.00018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2016] [Accepted: 04/25/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Dehydration is one of the ten most frequent diagnoses responsible for the hospital admission of elderly in the United States. It is associated with increased mortality, morbidity and an estimated cost of 1.14 billion per year (Xiao et al., 2004; Schlanger et al., 2010; Pretorius et al., 2013; Frangeskou et al., 2015). Older individuals are predisposed to dehydration encephalopathy as a result of decreased total body water (TBW) and diminished sensation of thirst. We hypothesize that thirst blunting in older individuals is the result of a defective microRNA-6842-3p failing to silence the expression of the vesicular GABA transporters (VGAT) and alpha 7 cholinergic nicotinic receptors in the subfornical organ (SFO) of the hypothalamus. We hypothesize further that resultant dehydration facilitates protein misfolding and aggregation, predisposing to neurocognitive disorders. We completed a search of predicted microRNA targets, utilizing the public domain tool miRDB and found that microRNA-6842-3p modulates the SLC6A1 and CHRNA7 genes both of which were previously hypothesized to inhibit the thirst sensation by their action on SFO. The primary aim of this article is to answer two questions: Can prevention and correction of dehydration in elderly lower age-related cognitive deterioration? Can exosomal miR-6842 in the peripheral blood predict dehydration encephalopathy in elderly?
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Affiliation(s)
- Adonis Sfera
- Department of Psychiatry, Loma Linda UniversityLoma Linda, USA; Patton State HospitalPatton, USA
| | | | - Carolina Osorio
- Department of Psychiatry, Loma Linda University Loma Linda, USA
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15
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Hoshi A, Tsunoda A, Tada M, Nishizawa M, Ugawa Y, Kakita A. Expression of Aquaporin 1 and Aquaporin 4 in the Temporal Neocortex of Patients with Parkinson's Disease. Brain Pathol 2016; 27:160-168. [PMID: 26919570 DOI: 10.1111/bpa.12369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2015] [Accepted: 02/22/2016] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The astrocytic water channel proteins aquaporin 1 (AQP1) and aquaporin 4 (AQP4) are known to be altered in brains affected by several neurodegenerative disorders, including Alzheimer's disease. However, AQP expression in brains affected by Parkinson's disease (PD) has not been described in detail. Recently, it has been reported that α-synuclein (α-syn)-immunolabeled astrocytes show preferential distribution in several cerebral regions, including the neocortex, in patients with PD. Here, we investigated whether AQP expression is associated with α-syn deposition in the temporal neocortex of PD patients. In accordance with the consensus criteria for dementia with Lewy bodies, the patients were classified into neocortical (PDneo), limbic (PDlim), and brain stem (PDbs) groups. Expressions of α-syn, AQP1, and AQP4 in the temporal lobes of the individual PD patients were examined immunohistochemically. Immunohistochemical analysis demonstrated more numerous AQP4-positive and AQP1-positive astrocytes in the PDneo group than in the PDbs, PDlim, and control groups. However, in the PDneo cases, these astrocytes were not often observed in α-syn-rich areas, and semiquantitative analysis revealed that there was a significant negative correlation between the levels of AQP4 and α-syn in layers V-VI, and between those of AQP1 and α-syn in layers II-III. These findings suggest that a defined population of AQP4- and AQP1-expressing reactive astrocytes may modify α-syn deposition in the neocortex of patients with PD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akihiko Hoshi
- Department of Neurology, Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima, Japan
| | - Ayako Tsunoda
- Department of Neurology, Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima, Japan
| | - Mari Tada
- Department of Pathology, Brain Research Institute, University of Niigata, Niigata, Japan
| | - Masatoyo Nishizawa
- Department of Neurology, Brain Research Institute, University of Niigata, Niigata, Japan
| | - Yoshikazu Ugawa
- Department of Neurology, Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima, Japan
| | - Akiyoshi Kakita
- Department of Pathology, Brain Research Institute, University of Niigata, Niigata, Japan
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Engelhardt S, Patkar S, Ogunshola OO. Cell-specific blood-brain barrier regulation in health and disease: a focus on hypoxia. Br J Pharmacol 2014; 171:1210-30. [PMID: 24641185 PMCID: PMC3952799 DOI: 10.1111/bph.12489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 103] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2013] [Revised: 10/02/2013] [Accepted: 10/16/2013] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
The blood-brain barrier (BBB) is a complex vascular structure consisting of microvascular endothelial cells that line the vessel wall, astrocyte end-feet, pericytes, as well as the basal lamina. BBB cells act in concert to maintain the characteristic impermeable and low paracellular flux of the brain vascular network, thus ensuring a homeostatic neuronal environment. Alterations in BBB stability that occur during injury have dire consequences on disease progression and it is clear that BBB cell-specific responses, positive or negative, must make a significant contribution to injury outcome. Reduced oxygenation, or hypoxia, is a characteristic of many brain diseases that significantly increases barrier permeability. Recent data suggest that hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF-1), the master regulator of the hypoxic response, probably mediates many hypoxic effects either directly or indirectly via its target genes. This review discusses current knowledge of physiological cell-specific regulation of barrier function, their responses to hypoxia as well as consequences of hypoxic- and HIF-1-mediated mechanisms on barrier integrity during select brain diseases. In the final sections, the potential of current advances in targeting HIF-1 as a therapeutic strategy will be overviewed.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Engelhardt
- Institute of Veterinary Physiology, University of ZurichZurich, Switzerland
| | - S Patkar
- Institute of Veterinary Physiology, University of ZurichZurich, Switzerland
| | - O O Ogunshola
- Institute of Veterinary Physiology, University of ZurichZurich, Switzerland
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Benga I, Benga O. Implications of water channel proteins in selected neurological disorders: Epilepsies, muscular dystrophies, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, neuromyelitis optica, Parkinson’s disease, and spongiform encephalopathies. Mol Aspects Med 2012; 33:590-604. [DOI: 10.1016/j.mam.2012.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2012] [Accepted: 03/20/2012] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
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18
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Brain water channel proteins in health and disease. Mol Aspects Med 2012; 33:562-78. [DOI: 10.1016/j.mam.2012.03.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2012] [Revised: 03/28/2012] [Accepted: 03/31/2012] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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Baslow MH, Hu C, Guilfoyle DN. Stimulation-Induced Decreases in the Diffusion of Extra-vascular Water in the Human Visual Cortex: a Window in Time and Space on Mechanisms of Brain Water Transport and Economy. J Mol Neurosci 2012; 47:639-48. [DOI: 10.1007/s12031-011-9700-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2011] [Accepted: 12/21/2011] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
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