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Kolinko Y, Kralickova M, Cendelin J. Reduction of Microvessel Number and Length in the Cerebellum of Purkinje Cell Degeneration Mice. CEREBELLUM (LONDON, ENGLAND) 2024; 23:471-478. [PMID: 37071329 DOI: 10.1007/s12311-023-01556-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/05/2023] [Indexed: 04/19/2023]
Abstract
Degenerative effects of nerve tissues are often accompanied by changes in vascularization. In this regard, knowledge about hereditary cerebellar degeneration is limited. In this study, we compared the vascularity of the individual cerebellar components of 3-month-old wild-type mice (n = 8) and Purkinje cell degeneration (pcd) mutant mice, which represent a model of hereditary cerebellar degeneration (n = 8). Systematic random samples of tissue sections were processed, and laminin was immunostained to visualize microvessels. A computer-assisted stereology system was used to quantify microvessel parameters including total number, total length, and associated densities in cerebellar layers. Our results in pcd mice revealed a 45% (p < 0.01) reduction in the total volume of the cerebellum, a 28% (p < 0.05) reduction in the total number of vessels and a lower total length, approaching 50% (p < 0.001), compared to the control mice. In pcd mutants, cerebellar degeneration is accompanied by significant reduction in the microvascular network that is proportional to the cerebellar volume reduction therefore does not change density of in the cerebellar gray matter of pcd mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaroslav Kolinko
- Biomedical Center in Pilsen, Faculty of Medicine in Pilsen, Charles University, Pilsen, Czech Republic.
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine in Pilsen, Charles University, Pilsen, Czech Republic.
| | - Milena Kralickova
- Biomedical Center in Pilsen, Faculty of Medicine in Pilsen, Charles University, Pilsen, Czech Republic
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine in Pilsen, Charles University, Pilsen, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Cendelin
- Biomedical Center in Pilsen, Faculty of Medicine in Pilsen, Charles University, Pilsen, Czech Republic
- Department of Pathophysiology, Faculty of Medicine in Pilsen, Charles University, Pilsen, Czech Republic
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Steiner K, Humpel C. Beta-Amyloid Enhances Vessel Formation in Organotypic Brain Slices Connected to Microcontact Prints. Biomolecules 2023; 14:3. [PMID: 38275744 PMCID: PMC10812928 DOI: 10.3390/biom14010003] [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: 11/03/2023] [Revised: 11/24/2023] [Accepted: 12/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
In Alzheimer's disease, the blood-brain barrier breakdown, blood vessel damage and re-organization are early events. Deposits of the small toxic peptide beta-amyloid (Aβ) cause the formation of extracellular plaques and accumulate in vessels disrupting the blood flow but may also play a role in blood clotting. In the present study, we aim to explore the impact of Aβ on the migration of endothelial cells and subsequent vessel formation. We use organotypic brain slices of postnatal day 10 wildtype mice (C57BL/6) and connect them to small microcontact prints (µCPs) of collagen. Our data show that laminin-positive endothelial cells migrate onto collagen µCPs, but without any vessel formation after 4 weeks. When the µCPs are loaded with human Aβ40, (aggregated) human Aβ42 and mouse Aβ42 peptides, the number and migration distance of endothelial cells are significantly reduced, but with a more pronounced subsequent vessel formation. The vessel formation is verified by zonula occludens (ZO)-1 and -2 stainings and confocal microscopy. In addition, the vessel formation is accompanied by a stronger GFAP-positive astroglial formation. Finally, we show that vessels can grow towards convergence when two opposed slices are connected via microcontact-printed lanes. In conclusion, our data show that Aβ promotes vessel formation, and organotypic brain slices connected to collagen µCPs provide a potent tool to study vessel formation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Christian Humpel
- Laboratory of Psychiatry and Experimental Alzheimer’s Research, Medical University of Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria;
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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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Liu LL, Shen X, Gu H, Zhao G, Du Y, Zheng W. High affinity of β-amyloid proteins to cerebral capillaries: implications in chronic lead exposure-induced neurotoxicity in rats. Fluids Barriers CNS 2023; 20:32. [PMID: 37122007 PMCID: PMC10150519 DOI: 10.1186/s12987-023-00432-5] [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: 12/09/2022] [Accepted: 04/10/2023] [Indexed: 05/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Lead (Pb) is a known environmental risk factor in the etiology of Alzheimer's disease (AD). The existing reports suggest that Pb exposure increases beta-amyloid (Aβ) levels in brain tissues and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and facilitates the formation of amyloid plaques, which is a pathological hallmark for AD. Pb exposure has long been associated with cerebral vasculature injury. Yet it remained unclear if Pb exposure caused excessive Ab buildup in cerebral vasculature, which may damage the blood-brain barrier and cause abnormal Ab accumulation. This study was designed to investigate the impact of chronic Pb exposure on Aβ accumulation in cerebral capillary and the expression of low-density lipoprotein receptor protein-1 (LRP1), a critical Aβ transporter, in brain capillary and parenchyma. Sprague-Dawley rats received daily oral gavage at doses of 0, 14 (low-dose), and 27 (high-dose) mg Pb/kg as Pb acetate, 5 d/wk, for 4 or 8 wks. At the end of Pb exposure, a solution containing Aβ40 was infused into the brain via the cannulated internal carotid artery. Data by ELISA showed a strikingly high affinity of Ab to cerebral vasculature, which was approximately 7-14 times higher than that to the parenchymal fractions collected from control brains. Pb exposure further aggravated the Aβ accumulation in cerebral vasculature in a dose-dependent manner. Western blot analyses revealed that Pb exposure decreased LRP1 expression in cortical capillaries and hippocampal parenchyma. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) studies further revealed a disrupted distribution of LRP1 alongside hippocampal vasculature accompanied with a decreased expression in hippocampal neurons by Pb exposure. Taken together, the current study demonstrated that the cerebral vasculature naturally possessed a high affinity to Aβ present in circulating blood. Pb exposure significantly increased Aβ accumulation in cerebral vasculature; such an increased Aβ accumulation was due partly to the diminished expression of LRP1 in response to Pb in tested brain regions. Perceivably, Pb-facilitated Ab aggravation in cerebral vasculature may contribute to Pb-associated amyloid alterations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luke L. Liu
- School of Health Sciences, Purdue University, 550 Stadium Mall Drive, HAMP-1273, West Lafayette, IN 47907 USA
| | - Xiaoli Shen
- School of Health Sciences, Purdue University, 550 Stadium Mall Drive, HAMP-1273, West Lafayette, IN 47907 USA
- School of Public Health, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Huiying Gu
- Department of Neurology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN USA
| | - Gang Zhao
- School of Health Sciences, Purdue University, 550 Stadium Mall Drive, HAMP-1273, West Lafayette, IN 47907 USA
- Department of Medical Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, China
| | - Yansheng Du
- Department of Neurology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN USA
| | - Wei Zheng
- School of Health Sciences, Purdue University, 550 Stadium Mall Drive, HAMP-1273, West Lafayette, IN 47907 USA
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Ma X, Feng Y, Quan X, Geng B, Li G, Fu X, Zeng L. Multi-omics analysis revealed the role of CCT2 in the induction of autophagy in Alzheimer's disease. Front Genet 2023; 13:967730. [PMID: 36704351 PMCID: PMC9871314 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.967730] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2022] [Accepted: 12/07/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Chaperonin containing TCP1 subunit 2 (CCT2) is essential in various neurodegenerative diseases, albeit its role in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD) remains elusive. This study aimed to evaluate the role of CCT2 in Alzheimer's disease. First, bioinformatics database analysis revealed that CCT2 was significantly downregulated in patients with Alzheimer's disease and associated with autophagic clearance of β-amyloid. The 789 differentially expressed genes overlapped in AD-group and CCT2-low/high group, and the CCT2-high-associated genes screened by Pearson coefficients were enriched in protein folding, autophagy, and messenger RNA stability regulation pathways. These results suggest that CCT2 is significantly and positively associated with multiple pathways linked to autophagy and negatively associated with neuronal death. The logistic prediction model with 13 key genes, such as CCT2, screened in this study better predicts Alzheimer's disease occurrence (AUC = 0.9671) and is a favorable candidate for predicting potential biological targets of Alzheimer's disease. Additionally, this study predicts reciprocal micro RNAs and small molecule drugs for hub genes. Our findings suggest that low CCT2 expression may be responsible for the autophagy suppression in Alzheimer's disease, providing an accurate explanation for its pathogenesis and new targets and small molecule inhibitors for its treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xueting Ma
- Edmond H. Fischer Signal Transduction laboratory, School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Yuxin Feng
- Edmond H. Fischer Signal Transduction laboratory, School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Xiangyu Quan
- Edmond H. Fischer Signal Transduction laboratory, School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Bingyu Geng
- Edmond H. Fischer Signal Transduction laboratory, School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Guodong Li
- Department of General Surgery, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Xueqi Fu
- Edmond H. Fischer Signal Transduction laboratory, School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Linlin Zeng
- Edmond H. Fischer Signal Transduction laboratory, School of Life Sciences, Jilin University, Changchun, China,*Correspondence: Linlin Zeng,
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Åbjørsbråten KS, Skaaraas GHE, Cunen C, Bjørnstad DM, Binder KM, Bojarskaite L, Jensen V, Nilsson LNG, Rao SB, Tang W, Hermansen GH, Nagelhus EA, Ottersen OP, Torp R, Enger R. Impaired astrocytic Ca 2+ signaling in awake-behaving Alzheimer's disease transgenic mice. eLife 2022; 11:75055. [PMID: 35833623 PMCID: PMC9352348 DOI: 10.7554/elife.75055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2021] [Accepted: 06/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Increased astrocytic Ca2+ signaling has been shown in Alzheimer’s disease mouse models, but to date no reports have characterized behaviorally induced astrocytic Ca2+ signaling in such mice. Here, we employ an event-based algorithm to assess astrocytic Ca2+ signals in the neocortex of awake-behaving tg-ArcSwe mice and non-transgenic wildtype littermates while monitoring pupil responses and behavior. We demonstrate an attenuated astrocytic Ca2+ response to locomotion and an uncoupling of pupil responses and astrocytic Ca2+ signaling in 15-month-old plaque-bearing mice. Using the genetically encoded fluorescent norepinephrine sensor GRABNE, we demonstrate a reduced norepinephrine signaling during spontaneous running and startle responses in the transgenic mice, providing a possible mechanistic underpinning of the observed reduced astrocytic Ca2+ responses. Our data points to a dysfunction in the norepinephrine–astrocyte Ca2+ activity axis, which may account for some of the cognitive deficits observed in Alzheimer’s disease. Neurodegenerative conditions such as Parkinson’s or Alzheimer’s disease are characterized by neurons dying and being damaged. Yet neurons are only one type of brain actors; astrocytes, for example, are star-shaped ‘companion’ cells that have recently emerged as being able to fine-tune neuronal communication. In particular, they can respond to norepinephrine, a signaling molecule that acts to prepare the brain and body for action. This activation results, for instance, in astrocytes releasing chemicals that can act on neurons. Certain cognitive symptoms associated with Alzheimer’s disease could be due to a lack of norepinephrine. In parallel, studies in anaesthetized mice have shown perturbed astrocyte signaling in a model of the condition. Disrupted norepinephrine-triggered astrocyte signaling could therefore be implicated in the symptoms of the disease. Experiments in awake mice are needed to investigate this link, especially as anesthesia is known to disrupt the activity of astrocytes. To explore this question, Åbjørsbråten, Skaaraas et al. conducted experiments in naturally behaving mice expressing mutations found in patients with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease. These mice develop hallmarks of the disorder. Compared to their healthy counterparts, these animals had reduced astrocyte signaling when running or being startled. Similarly, a fluorescent molecular marker for norepinephrine demonstrated less signaling in the modified mice compared to healthy ones. Over 55 million individuals currently live with Alzheimer’s disease. The results by Åbjørsbråten, Skaaraas et al. suggest that astrocyte–norepinephrine communication may be implicated in the condition, an avenue of research that could potentially lead to developing new treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Gry H E Skaaraas
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Céline Cunen
- Department of Mathematics, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | | | - Kristin M Binder
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | | | - Vidar Jensen
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | | | - Shreyas B Rao
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Wannan Tang
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
| | | | | | | | - Reidun Torp
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Rune Enger
- Department of Molecular Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
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