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Roberts CF, Cao Y, Im W, Nichols RA, Lukas RJ, George AA. Neuroprotective amyloid β N-terminal peptides differentially alter human α7- and α7β2-nicotinic acetylcholine (nACh) receptor single-channel properties. Br J Pharmacol 2024; 181:3172-3191. [PMID: 38720171 DOI: 10.1111/bph.16381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2023] [Revised: 03/06/2024] [Accepted: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 08/03/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Oligomeric amyloid β 1-42 (oAβ1-42) exhibits agonist-like action at human α7- and α7β2-containing nicotinic receptors. The N-terminal amyloid β1-15 fragment (N-Aβ fragment) modulates presynaptic calcium and enhances hippocampal-based synaptic plasticity via α7-containing nicotinic receptors. Further, the N-Aβ fragment and its core sequence, the N-amyloid-beta core hexapeptide (N-Aβcore), protect against oAβ1-42-associated synapto- and neurotoxicity. Here, we investigated how oAβ1-42, the N-Aβ fragment, and the N-Aβcore regulate the single-channel properties of α7- and α7β2-nicotinic receptors. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH Single-channel recordings measured the impact of acetylcholine, oAβ1-42, the N-Aβ fragment, and the N-Aβcore on the unitary properties of human α7- and α7β2-containing nicotinic receptors expressed in nicotinic-null SH-EP1 cells. Molecular dynamics simulations identified potential sites of interaction between the N-Aβ fragment and orthosteric α7+/α7- and α7+/β2- nicotinic receptor binding interfaces. KEY RESULTS The N-Aβ fragment and N-Aβcore induced α7- and α7β2-nicotinic receptor single-channel openings. Relative to acetylcholine, oAβ1-42 preferentially enhanced α7β2-nicotinic receptor single-channel open probability and open-dwell times. Co-application with the N-Aβcore neutralized these effects. Further, administration of the N-Aβ fragment alone, or in combination with acetylcholine or oAβ1-42, selectively enhanced α7-nicotinic receptor open probability and open-dwell times (compared to acetylcholine or oAβ1-42). CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS Amyloid-beta peptides demonstrate functional diversity in regulating α7- and α7β2-nicotinic receptor function, with implications for a wide range of nicotinic receptor-mediated functions in Alzheimer's disease. The effects of these peptides on α7- and/or α7β2-nicotinic receptors revealed complex interactions with these subtypes, providing novel insights into the neuroprotective actions of amyloid β-derived fragments against the toxic effects of oAβ1-42.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine F Roberts
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Bath, Bath, UK
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - Yiwei Cao
- Department of Biological Sciences, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Wonpil Im
- Department of Biological Sciences, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Robert A Nichols
- Department of Cell & Molecular Biology, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, Hawaii, USA
| | | | - Andrew A George
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia, USA
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2
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Akyuz E, Arulsamy A, Aslan FS, Sarisözen B, Guney B, Hekimoglu A, Yilmaz BN, Retinasamy T, Shaikh MF. An Expanded Narrative Review of Neurotransmitters on Alzheimer's Disease: The Role of Therapeutic Interventions on Neurotransmission. Mol Neurobiol 2024:10.1007/s12035-024-04333-y. [PMID: 39012443 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-024-04333-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2023] [Accepted: 06/24/2024] [Indexed: 07/17/2024]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease. The accumulation of amyloid-β (Aβ) plaques and tau neurofibrillary tangles are the key players responsible for the pathogenesis of the disease. The accumulation of Aβ plaques and tau affect the balance in chemical neurotransmitters in the brain. Thus, the current review examined the role of neurotransmitters in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease and discusses the alterations in the neurochemical activity and cross talk with their receptors and transporters. In the presence of Aβ plaques and neurofibrillary tangles, changes may occur in the expression of neuronal receptors which in turn triggers excessive release of glutamate into the synaptic cleft contributing to cell death and neuronal damage. The GABAergic system may also be affected by AD pathology in a similar way. In addition, decreased receptors in the cholinergic system and dysfunction in the dopamine neurotransmission of AD pathology may also contribute to the damage to cognitive function. Moreover, the presence of deficiencies in noradrenergic neurons within the locus coeruleus in AD suggests that noradrenergic stimulation could be useful in addressing its pathophysiology. The regulation of melatonin, known for its effectiveness in enhancing cognitive function and preventing Aβ accumulation, along with the involvement of the serotonergic system and histaminergic system in cognition and memory, becomes remarkable for promoting neurotransmission in AD. Additionally, nitric oxide and adenosine-based therapeutic approaches play a protective role in AD by preventing neuroinflammation. Overall, neurotransmitter-based therapeutic strategies emerge as pivotal for addressing neurotransmitter homeostasis and neurotransmission in the context of AD. This review discussed the potential for neurotransmitter-based drugs to be effective in slowing and correcting the neurodegenerative processes in AD by targeting the neurochemical imbalance in the brain. Therefore, neurotransmitter-based drugs could serve as a future therapeutic strategy to tackle AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enes Akyuz
- Department of Biophysics, International School of Medicine, University of Health Sciences, Istanbul, Turkey
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Alina Arulsamy
- Neuropharmacology Research Laboratory, Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Monash University Malaysia, 47500, Bandar Sunway, Selangor, Malaysia.
| | | | - Bugra Sarisözen
- School of Medicine, Tekirdağ Namık Kemal University, Tekirdağ, Turkey
| | - Beyzanur Guney
- International School of Medicine, University of Health Sciences, Istanbul, Turkey
| | | | - Beyza Nur Yilmaz
- International School of Medicine, University of Health Sciences, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Thaarvena Retinasamy
- Neuropharmacology Research Laboratory, Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Monash University Malaysia, 47500, Bandar Sunway, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Mohd Farooq Shaikh
- Neuropharmacology Research Laboratory, Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Monash University Malaysia, 47500, Bandar Sunway, Selangor, Malaysia.
- School of Dentistry and Medical Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Orange, New South Wales, 2800, Australia.
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3
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Rybnicek J, Chen Y, Milic M, Tio ES, McLaurin J, Hohman TJ, De Jager PL, Schneider JA, Wang Y, Bennett DA, Tripathy S, Felsky D, Lambe EK. CHRNA5 links chandelier cells to severity of amyloid pathology in aging and Alzheimer's disease. Transl Psychiatry 2024; 14:83. [PMID: 38331937 PMCID: PMC10853183 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-024-02785-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2022] [Revised: 01/09/2024] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 02/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Changes in high-affinity nicotinic acetylcholine receptors are intricately connected to neuropathology in Alzheimer's Disease (AD). Protective and cognitive-enhancing roles for the nicotinic α5 subunit have been identified, but this gene has not been closely examined in the context of human aging and dementia. Therefore, we investigate the nicotinic α5 gene CHRNA5 and the impact of relevant single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in prefrontal cortex from 922 individuals with matched genotypic and post-mortem RNA sequencing in the Religious Orders Study and Memory and Aging Project (ROS/MAP). We find that a genotype robustly linked to increased expression of CHRNA5 (rs1979905A2) predicts significantly reduced cortical β-amyloid load. Intriguingly, co-expression analysis suggests CHRNA5 has a distinct cellular expression profile compared to other nicotinic receptor genes. Consistent with this prediction, single nucleus RNA sequencing from 22 individuals reveals CHRNA5 expression is disproportionately elevated in chandelier neurons, a distinct subtype of inhibitory neuron known for its role in excitatory/inhibitory (E/I) balance. We show that chandelier neurons are enriched in amyloid-binding proteins compared to basket cells, the other major subtype of PVALB-positive interneurons. Consistent with the hypothesis that nicotinic receptors in chandelier cells normally protect against β-amyloid, cell-type proportion analysis from 549 individuals reveals these neurons show amyloid-associated vulnerability only in individuals with impaired function/trafficking of nicotinic α5-containing receptors due to homozygosity of the missense CHRNA5 SNP (rs16969968A2). Taken together, these findings suggest that CHRNA5 and its nicotinic α5 subunit exert a neuroprotective role in aging and Alzheimer's disease centered on chandelier interneurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonas Rybnicek
- Department of Physiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Yuxiao Chen
- Krembil Centre for Neuroinformatics, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Milos Milic
- Krembil Centre for Neuroinformatics, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Earvin S Tio
- Krembil Centre for Neuroinformatics, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - JoAnne McLaurin
- Biological Sciences, Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Timothy J Hohman
- Department of Neurology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Philip L De Jager
- Center for Translational & Computational Neuroimmunology, Department of Neurology and the Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Julie A Schneider
- Department of Pathology, Rush University, Chicago, IL, USA
- Department of Neurological Sciences, Rush University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Yanling Wang
- Department of Neurological Sciences, Rush University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - David A Bennett
- Department of Neurological Sciences, Rush University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Shreejoy Tripathy
- Department of Physiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
- Krembil Centre for Neuroinformatics, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON, Canada.
- Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
| | - Daniel Felsky
- Krembil Centre for Neuroinformatics, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON, Canada.
- Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
| | - Evelyn K Lambe
- Department of Physiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
- Department of OBGYN, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
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4
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Bychkov ML, Isaev AB, Andreev-Andrievskiy AA, Petrov K, Paramonov AS, Kirpichnikov MP, Lyukmanova EN. Aβ1-42 Accumulation Accompanies Changed Expression of Ly6/uPAR Proteins, Dysregulation of the Cholinergic System, and Degeneration of Astrocytes in the Cerebellum of Mouse Model of Early Alzheimer Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:14852. [PMID: 37834299 PMCID: PMC10573428 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241914852] [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: 09/08/2023] [Revised: 09/23/2023] [Accepted: 09/27/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer disease (AD) is a widespread neurodegenerative disease characterized by the accumulation of oligomeric toxic forms of β-amyloid (Aβ1-42) and dysfunction of the cholinergic system in the different brain regions. However, the exact mechanisms of AD pathogenesis and the role of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) in the disease progression remain unclear. Here, we revealed a decreased expression of a number of the Ly6/uPAR proteins targeting nAChRs in the cerebellum of 2xTg-AD mice (model of early AD) in comparison with non-transgenic mice both at mRNA and protein levels. We showed that co-localization of one of them, - neuromodulator Lynx1, with α7-nAChR was diminished in the vicinity of cerebellar astrocytes of 2xTg-AD mice, while Aβ1-42 co-localization with this receptor present was increased. Moreover, the expression of anti-inflammatory transcription factor KLF4 regulating transcription of the Ly6/uPAR genes was decreased in the cerebellum of 2xTg-AD mice, while expression of inflammatory cytokine TNF-α was increased. Based on these data together with observed astrocyte degeneration in the cerebellum of 2xTg-AD mice, we suggest the mechanism by which expression of the Ly6/uPAR proteins upon Aβ pathology results in dysregulation of the cholinergic system and particularly of α7-nAChR function in the cerebellum. This leads to enhanced neuroinflammation and cerebellar astrocyte degeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maxim L. Bychkov
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119997 Moscow, Russia; (M.L.B.); (A.B.I.); (A.S.P.); (M.P.K.)
| | - Aizek B. Isaev
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119997 Moscow, Russia; (M.L.B.); (A.B.I.); (A.S.P.); (M.P.K.)
- Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, State University, 141701 Dolgoprudny, Russia
| | - Alexander A. Andreev-Andrievskiy
- Interdisciplinary Scientific and Educational School of Moscow University «Molecular Technologies of the Living Systems and Synthetic Biology», Faculty of Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119234 Moscow, Russia;
- Institute for Biomedical Problems of Russian Academy of Sciences, 123007 Moscow, Russia
| | - Konstantin Petrov
- Arbuzov Institute of Organic and Physical Chemistry, Federal Research Center “Kazan Scientific Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences”, Arbuzov Str., 8, 420088 Kazan, Russia;
| | - Alexander S. Paramonov
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119997 Moscow, Russia; (M.L.B.); (A.B.I.); (A.S.P.); (M.P.K.)
| | - Mikhail P. Kirpichnikov
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119997 Moscow, Russia; (M.L.B.); (A.B.I.); (A.S.P.); (M.P.K.)
- Interdisciplinary Scientific and Educational School of Moscow University «Molecular Technologies of the Living Systems and Synthetic Biology», Faculty of Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119234 Moscow, Russia;
| | - Ekaterina N. Lyukmanova
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119997 Moscow, Russia; (M.L.B.); (A.B.I.); (A.S.P.); (M.P.K.)
- Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, State University, 141701 Dolgoprudny, Russia
- Interdisciplinary Scientific and Educational School of Moscow University «Molecular Technologies of the Living Systems and Synthetic Biology», Faculty of Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119234 Moscow, Russia;
- Biological Department, Shenzhen MSU-BIT University, Shenzhen 518172, China
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5
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Parry PI, Lefringhausen A, Turni C, Neil CJ, Cosford R, Hudson NJ, Gillespie J. 'Spikeopathy': COVID-19 Spike Protein Is Pathogenic, from Both Virus and Vaccine mRNA. Biomedicines 2023; 11:2287. [PMID: 37626783 PMCID: PMC10452662 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11082287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2023] [Revised: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic caused much illness, many deaths, and profound disruption to society. The production of 'safe and effective' vaccines was a key public health target. Sadly, unprecedented high rates of adverse events have overshadowed the benefits. This two-part narrative review presents evidence for the widespread harms of novel product COVID-19 mRNA and adenovectorDNA vaccines and is novel in attempting to provide a thorough overview of harms arising from the new technology in vaccines that relied on human cells producing a foreign antigen that has evidence of pathogenicity. This first paper explores peer-reviewed data counter to the 'safe and effective' narrative attached to these new technologies. Spike protein pathogenicity, termed 'spikeopathy', whether from the SARS-CoV-2 virus or produced by vaccine gene codes, akin to a 'synthetic virus', is increasingly understood in terms of molecular biology and pathophysiology. Pharmacokinetic transfection through body tissues distant from the injection site by lipid-nanoparticles or viral-vector carriers means that 'spikeopathy' can affect many organs. The inflammatory properties of the nanoparticles used to ferry mRNA; N1-methylpseudouridine employed to prolong synthetic mRNA function; the widespread biodistribution of the mRNA and DNA codes and translated spike proteins, and autoimmunity via human production of foreign proteins, contribute to harmful effects. This paper reviews autoimmune, cardiovascular, neurological, potential oncological effects, and autopsy evidence for spikeopathy. With many gene-based therapeutic technologies planned, a re-evaluation is necessary and timely.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter I. Parry
- Children’s Health Research Clinical Unit, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, South Brisbane, QLD 4101, Australia
- Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA 5042, Australia
| | - Astrid Lefringhausen
- Children’s Health Defence (Australia Chapter), Huskisson, NSW 2540, Australia; (A.L.); (R.C.); (J.G.)
| | - Conny Turni
- Microbiology Research, QAAFI (Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation), The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia;
| | - Christopher J. Neil
- Department of Medicine, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia;
| | - Robyn Cosford
- Children’s Health Defence (Australia Chapter), Huskisson, NSW 2540, Australia; (A.L.); (R.C.); (J.G.)
| | - Nicholas J. Hudson
- School of Agriculture and Food Science, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia;
| | - Julian Gillespie
- Children’s Health Defence (Australia Chapter), Huskisson, NSW 2540, Australia; (A.L.); (R.C.); (J.G.)
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6
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Viscarra F, Chrestia JF, Sanchez Y, Pérez EG, Biggin PC, Bouzat C, Bermudez I, López JJ. Side Groups Convert the α7 Nicotinic Receptor Agonist Ether Quinuclidine into a Type I Positive Allosteric Modulator. ACS Chem Neurosci 2023; 14:2876-2887. [PMID: 37535446 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.3c00225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The quinuclidine scaffold has been extensively used for the development of nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) agonists, with hydrophobic substituents at position 3 of the quinuclidine framework providing selectivity for α7 nAChRs. In this study, six new ligands (4-9) containing a 3-(pyridin-3-yloxy)quinuclidine moiety (ether quinuclidine) were synthesized to gain a better understanding of the structural-functional properties of ether quinuclidines. To evaluate the pharmacological activity of these ligands, two-electrode voltage-clamp and single-channel recordings were performed. Only ligand 4 activated α7 nAChR. Ligands 5 and 7 had no effects on α7 nAChR, but ligands 6, 8, and 9 potentiated the currents evoked by ACh. Ligand 6 was the most potent and efficacious of the potentiating ligands, with an estimated EC50 for potentiation of 12.6 ± 3.32 μM and a maximal potentiation of EC20 ACh responses of 850 ± 120%. Ligand 6 increased the maximal ACh responses without changing the kinetics of the current responses. At the single-channel level, the potentiation exerted by ligand 6 was evidenced in the low micromolar concentration range by the appearance of prolonged bursts of channel openings. Furthermore, computational studies revealed the preference of ligand 6 for an intersubunit site in the transmembrane domain and highlighted some putative key interactions that explain the different profiles of the synthesized ligands. Notably, Met276 in the 15' position of the transmembrane domain 2 almost abolished the effects of ligand 6 when mutated to Leu. We conclude that ligand 6 is a novel type I positive allosteric modulator (PAM-I) of α7 nAChR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Franco Viscarra
- Department of Biological and Medical Sciences, Oxford Brookes University, Gipsy Lane, Oxford OX3 0BP, U.K
- Structural Bioinformatics and Computational Biochemistry, Department of Biochemistry, Oxford University, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3QU, U.K
| | - Juan Facundo Chrestia
- Departamento de Biología, Bioquímica y Farmacia, Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Bahía Blanca, Universidad Nacional del Sur-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Camino La Carrindanga Km 7, Bahía Blanca 8000, Argentina
| | - Yaima Sanchez
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Universidad de Concepción, Edmundo Larenas 129, Concepción 4070371, Chile
| | - Edwin G Pérez
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry and Pharmacy, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Av. Vicuña Mackenna 4860, Santiago 7820436, Chile
| | - Philip C Biggin
- Structural Bioinformatics and Computational Biochemistry, Department of Biochemistry, Oxford University, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3QU, U.K
| | - Cecilia Bouzat
- Departamento de Biología, Bioquímica y Farmacia, Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Bahía Blanca, Universidad Nacional del Sur-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Camino La Carrindanga Km 7, Bahía Blanca 8000, Argentina
| | - Isabel Bermudez
- Department of Biological and Medical Sciences, Oxford Brookes University, Gipsy Lane, Oxford OX3 0BP, U.K
| | - Jhon J López
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Universidad de Concepción, Edmundo Larenas 129, Concepción 4070371, Chile
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Bychkov ML, Kirichenko AV, Paramonov AS, Kirpichnikov MP, Lukmanova EN. Accumulation of β-Amyloid Leads to a Decrease in Lynx1 and Lypd6B Expression in the Hippocampus and Increased Expression of Proinflammatory Cytokines in the Hippocampus and Blood Serum. DOKL BIOCHEM BIOPHYS 2023; 511:145-150. [PMID: 37833597 DOI: 10.1134/s1607672923700217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2023] [Revised: 03/20/2023] [Accepted: 03/22/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease is a rapidly progressive neurodegenerative disease, the development of which is associated with the accumulation of β-amyloid oligomers, dysfunction of the α7-nAChR nicotinic acetylcholine receptor, and activation of inflammation. Previously, we showed that the neuromodulator Lynx1, which belongs to the Ly6/uPAR family, competes with β-amyloid(1-42) for binding to α7-nAChR. In this work, we studied the expression and localization of Ly6/uPAR family proteins in the hippocampus of 2xTg-AD transgenic mice that model AD and demonstrate increased amyloidosis in the brain. Using real-time PCR, we showed a decrease in the expression of the genes encoding Lynx1, Lypd6b, and the postsynaptic marker PSD95, as well as an increase in the expression of the TNFα gene in the hippocampus of 2xTg-AD mice. Histochemical analysis showed that, in the hippocampus of 2xTg-AD mice, Lynx1 does not colocalize with α7-nAChR, which can lead to the development of pathology when the receptor interacts with oligomeric β-amyloid. In addition, in 2xTg-AD mice, activation of systemic inflammation was shown, which manifests itself in a decrease in the serum level of SLURP-1, a Ly6/uPAR family protein capable of regulating inflammatory processes, as well as in an increase in the content of proinflammatory cytokines TNFα and TNFβ. Thus, α7-nAChR dysfunction and maintenance of the inflammatory microenvironment in the brain in Alzheimer's disease may be associated with a decrease in the expression of Ly6/uPAR family proteins that regulate α7-nAChR activity and inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- M L Bychkov
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - A V Kirichenko
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - A S Paramonov
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - M P Kirpichnikov
- Shemyakin-Ovchinnikov Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
- Interdisciplinary Scientific and Educational School "Molecular Technologies of Living Systems and Synthetic Biology", Faculty of Biology, Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia
| | - E N Lukmanova
- Interdisciplinary Scientific and Educational School "Molecular Technologies of Living Systems and Synthetic Biology", Faculty of Biology, Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia.
- Shenzhen MSU-BIT University, Shenzhen, China.
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8
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Cai W, Li L, Sang S, Pan X, Zhong C. Physiological Roles of β-amyloid in Regulating Synaptic Function: Implications for AD Pathophysiology. Neurosci Bull 2023; 39:1289-1308. [PMID: 36443453 PMCID: PMC10387033 DOI: 10.1007/s12264-022-00985-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2022] [Accepted: 09/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The physiological functions of endogenous amyloid-β (Aβ), which plays important role in the pathology of Alzheimer's disease (AD), have not been paid enough attention. Here, we review the multiple physiological effects of Aβ, particularly in regulating synaptic transmission, and the possible mechanisms, in order to decipher the real characters of Aβ under both physiological and pathological conditions. Some worthy studies have shown that the deprivation of endogenous Aβ gives rise to synaptic dysfunction and cognitive deficiency, while the moderate elevation of this peptide enhances long term potentiation and leads to neuronal hyperexcitability. In this review, we provide a new view for understanding the role of Aβ in AD pathophysiology from the perspective of physiological meaning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenwen Cai
- Department of Neurology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Linxi Li
- Basic Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330031, China
| | - Shaoming Sang
- Department of Neurology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Xiaoli Pan
- Department of Neurology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China.
| | - Chunjiu Zhong
- Department of Neurology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China.
- State Key Laboratory of Medical Neurobiology, Institutes of Brain Science & Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China.
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9
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Hernando G, Turani O, Rodriguez Araujo N, Bouzat C. The diverse family of Cys-loop receptors in Caenorhabditis elegans: insights from electrophysiological studies. Biophys Rev 2023; 15:733-750. [PMID: 37681094 PMCID: PMC10480131 DOI: 10.1007/s12551-023-01080-7] [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: 03/29/2023] [Accepted: 06/18/2023] [Indexed: 09/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Cys-loop receptors integrate a large family of pentameric ligand-gated ion channels that mediate fast ionotropic responses in vertebrates and invertebrates. Their vital role in converting neurotransmitter recognition into an electrical impulse makes these receptors essential for a great variety of physiological processes. In vertebrates, the Cys-loop receptor family includes the cation-selective channels, nicotinic acetylcholine and 5-hydroxytryptamine type 3 receptors, and the anion-selective channels, GABAA and glycine receptors, whereas in invertebrates, the repertoire is significantly larger. The free-living nematode Caenorhabditis elegans has the largest known Cys-loop receptor family as well as unique receptors that are absent in vertebrates and constitute attractive targets for anthelmintic drugs. Given the large number and variety of Cys-loop receptor subunits and the multiple possible ways of subunit assembly, C. elegans offers a large diversity of receptors although only a limited number of them have been characterized to date. C. elegans has emerged as a powerful model for the study of the nervous system and human diseases as well as a model for antiparasitic drug discovery. This nematode has also shown promise in the pharmaceutical industry search for new therapeutic compounds. C. elegans is therefore a powerful model organism to explore the biology and pharmacology of Cys-loop receptors and their potential as targets for novel therapeutic interventions. In this review, we provide a comprehensive overview of what is known about the function of C. elegans Cys-loop receptors from an electrophysiological perspective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guillermina Hernando
- Departamento de Biología, Bioquímica y Farmacia, Universidad Nacional del Sur (UNS)-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Bahía Blanca, Camino La Carrindanga Km 7, 8000 Bahía Blanca, Argentina
| | - Ornella Turani
- Departamento de Biología, Bioquímica y Farmacia, Universidad Nacional del Sur (UNS)-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Bahía Blanca, Camino La Carrindanga Km 7, 8000 Bahía Blanca, Argentina
| | - Noelia Rodriguez Araujo
- Departamento de Biología, Bioquímica y Farmacia, Universidad Nacional del Sur (UNS)-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Bahía Blanca, Camino La Carrindanga Km 7, 8000 Bahía Blanca, Argentina
| | - Cecilia Bouzat
- Departamento de Biología, Bioquímica y Farmacia, Universidad Nacional del Sur (UNS)-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Bahía Blanca, Camino La Carrindanga Km 7, 8000 Bahía Blanca, Argentina
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10
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Pliushcheuskaya P, Künze G. Recent Advances in Computer-Aided Structure-Based Drug Design on Ion Channels. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24119226. [PMID: 37298178 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24119226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2023] [Revised: 05/16/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Ion channels play important roles in fundamental biological processes, such as electric signaling in cells, muscle contraction, hormone secretion, and regulation of the immune response. Targeting ion channels with drugs represents a treatment option for neurological and cardiovascular diseases, muscular degradation disorders, and pathologies related to disturbed pain sensation. While there are more than 300 different ion channels in the human organism, drugs have been developed only for some of them and currently available drugs lack selectivity. Computational approaches are an indispensable tool for drug discovery and can speed up, especially, the early development stages of lead identification and optimization. The number of molecular structures of ion channels has considerably increased over the last ten years, providing new opportunities for structure-based drug development. This review summarizes important knowledge about ion channel classification, structure, mechanisms, and pathology with the main focus on recent developments in the field of computer-aided, structure-based drug design on ion channels. We highlight studies that link structural data with modeling and chemoinformatic approaches for the identification and characterization of new molecules targeting ion channels. These approaches hold great potential to advance research on ion channel drugs in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Palina Pliushcheuskaya
- Institute for Drug Discovery, Medical Faculty, University of Leipzig, Brüderstr. 34, D-04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Georg Künze
- Institute for Drug Discovery, Medical Faculty, University of Leipzig, Brüderstr. 34, D-04103 Leipzig, Germany
- Interdisciplinary Center for Bioinformatics, University of Leipzig, Härtelstr. 16-18, D-04107 Leipzig, Germany
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11
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Whiteaker P, George AA. Discoveries and future significance of research into amyloid-beta/α7-containing nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) interactions. Pharmacol Res 2023; 191:106743. [PMID: 37084859 PMCID: PMC10228377 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2023.106743] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2022] [Revised: 03/13/2023] [Accepted: 03/21/2023] [Indexed: 04/23/2023]
Abstract
Initiated by findings that Alzheimer's disease is associated with a profound loss of cholinergic markers in human brain, decades of studies have examined the interactions between specific subtypes of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors and amyloid-β [derived from the amyloid precursor protein (APP), which is cleaved to yield variable isoforms of amyloid-β]. We review the evolving understanding of amyloid-β's roles in Alzheimer's disease and pioneering studies that highlighted a role of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in mediating important aspects of amyloid-β's effects. This review also surveys the current state of research into amyloid-β / nicotinic acetylcholine receptor interactions. The field has reached an exciting point in which common themes are emerging from the wide range of prior research and a range of accessible, relevant model systems are available to drive further progress. We highlight exciting new areas of inquiry and persistent challenges that need to be considered while conducting this research. Studies of amyloid-β and the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor populations that it interacts with provide opportunities for innovative basic and translational scientific breakthroughs related to nicotinic receptor biology, Alzheimer's disease, and cholinergic contributions to cognition more broadly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul Whiteaker
- Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, VCU Health Sciences Research Building, Box 980613, Richmond, VA 23298-0613, USA
| | - Andrew A George
- Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, VCU Health Sciences Research Building, Box 980613, Richmond, VA 23298-0613, USA.
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12
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Huang Z. A Function of Amyloid-β in Mediating Activity-Dependent Axon/Synapse Competition May Unify Its Roles in Brain Physiology and Pathology. J Alzheimers Dis 2023; 92:29-57. [PMID: 36710681 PMCID: PMC10023438 DOI: 10.3233/jad-221042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Amyloid-β protein precursor (AβPP) gives rise to amyloid-β (Aβ), a peptide at the center of Alzheimer's disease (AD). AβPP, however, is also an ancient molecule dating back in evolution to some of the earliest forms of metazoans. This suggests a possible ancestral function that may have been obscured by those that evolve later. Based on literature from the functions of Aβ/AβPP in nervous system development, plasticity, and disease, to those of anti-microbial peptides (AMPs) in bacterial competition as well as mechanisms of cell competition uncovered first by Drosophila genetics, I propose that Aβ/AβPP may be part of an ancient mechanism employed in cell competition, which is subsequently co-opted during evolution for the regulation of activity-dependent neural circuit development and plasticity. This hypothesis is supported by foremost the high similarities of Aβ to AMPs, both of which possess unique, opposite (i.e., trophic versus toxic) activities as monomers and oligomers. A large body of data further suggests that the different Aβ oligomeric isoforms may serve as the protective and punishment signals long predicted to mediate activity-dependent axonal/synaptic competition in the developing nervous system and that the imbalance in their opposite regulation of innate immune and glial cells in the brain may ultimately underpin AD pathogenesis. This hypothesis can not only explain the diverse roles observed of Aβ and AβPP family molecules, but also provide a conceptual framework that can unify current hypotheses on AD. Furthermore, it may explain major clinical observations not accounted for and identify approaches for overcoming shortfalls in AD animal modeling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhen Huang
- Departments of Neuroscience and Neurology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
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13
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Alan E, Kerry Z, Sevin G. Molecular mechanisms of Alzheimer's disease: From therapeutic targets to promising drugs. Fundam Clin Pharmacol 2022; 37:397-427. [PMID: 36576325 DOI: 10.1111/fcp.12861] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2022] [Revised: 12/06/2022] [Accepted: 12/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by cognitive impairment so widespread that it interferes with a person's ability to complete daily activities. AD is becoming increasingly common, and it is estimated that the number of patients will reach 152 million by 2050. Current treatment options for AD are symptomatic and have modest benefits. Therefore, considering the human, social, and economic burden of the disease, the development of drugs with the potential to alter disease progression has become a global priority. In this review, the molecular mechanisms involved in the pathology of AD were evaluated as therapeutic targets. The main aim of the review is to focus on new knowledge about mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, and neuronal transmission in AD, as well as a range of cellular signaling mechanisms and associated treatments. Important molecular interactions leading to AD were described in amyloid cascade and in tau protein function, oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, cholinergic and glutamatergic neurotransmission, cAMP-regulatory element-binding protein (CREB), the silent mating type information regulation 2 homolog 1 (SIRT-1), neuroinflammation (glial cells), and synaptic alterations. This review summarizes recent experimental and clinical research in AD pathology and analyzes the potential of therapeutic applications based on molecular disease mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elif Alan
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ege University, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Zeliha Kerry
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ege University, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Gulnur Sevin
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ege University, Izmir, Turkey
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14
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Cannabidiol as a modulator of α7 nicotinic receptors. Cell Mol Life Sci 2022; 79:564. [DOI: 10.1007/s00018-022-04600-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2022] [Revised: 09/29/2022] [Accepted: 10/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
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15
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Chrestia JF, Oliveira AS, Mulholland AJ, Gallagher T, Bermúdez I, Bouzat C. A Functional Interaction Between Y674-R685 Region of the SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein and the Human α7 Nicotinic Receptor. Mol Neurobiol 2022; 59:6076-6090. [PMID: 35859025 PMCID: PMC9299415 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-022-02947-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2022] [Accepted: 06/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
The α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) is present in neuronal and non-neuronal cells and has anti-inflammatory actions. Molecular dynamics simulations suggested that α7 nAChR interacts with a region of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein (S), and a potential contribution of nAChRs to COVID-19 pathophysiology has been proposed. We applied whole-cell and single-channel recordings to determine whether a peptide corresponding to the Y674-R685 region of the S protein can directly affect α7 nAChR function. The S fragment exerts a dual effect on α7. It activates α7 nAChRs in the presence of positive allosteric modulators, in line with our previous molecular dynamics simulations showing favourable binding of this accessible region of the S protein to the nAChR agonist binding site. The S fragment also exerts a negative modulation of α7, which is evidenced by a profound concentration-dependent decrease in the durations of openings and activation episodes of potentiated channels and in the amplitude of macroscopic responses elicited by ACh. Our study identifies a potential functional interaction between α7 nAChR and a region of the S protein, thus providing molecular foundations for further exploring the involvement of nAChRs in COVID-19 pathophysiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Facundo Chrestia
- Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Bahía Blanca, Departamento de Biología, Bioquímica y Farmacia, Universidad Nacional del Sur-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas Y Técnicas (CONICET), Camino La Carrindanga Km 7-8000, Bahía Blanca, Argentina
| | - Ana Sofia Oliveira
- Centre for Computational Chemistry, School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Bristol, BS8 1TS, UK
| | - Adrian J Mulholland
- Centre for Computational Chemistry, School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Bristol, BS8 1TS, UK
| | | | - Isabel Bermúdez
- Department of Biological and Medical Sciences, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford, OX3 0BP, UK.
| | - Cecilia Bouzat
- Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Bahía Blanca, Departamento de Biología, Bioquímica y Farmacia, Universidad Nacional del Sur-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas Y Técnicas (CONICET), Camino La Carrindanga Km 7-8000, Bahía Blanca, Argentina.
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16
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Sabbir MG, Speth RC, Albensi BC. Loss of Cholinergic Receptor Muscarinic 1 (CHRM1) Protein in the Hippocampus and Temporal Cortex of a Subset of Individuals with Alzheimer’s Disease, Parkinson’s Disease, or Frontotemporal Dementia: Implications for Patient Survival. J Alzheimers Dis 2022; 90:727-747. [DOI: 10.3233/jad-220766] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Background: Dysfunction of cholinergic neurotransmission is a hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease (AD); forming the basis for using acetylcholine (ACh) esterase (AChE) inhibitors to mitigate symptoms of ACh deficiency in AD. The Cholinergic Receptor Muscarinic 1 (CHRM1) is highly expressed in brain regions impaired by AD. Previous analyses of postmortem AD brains revealed unaltered CHRM1 mRNA expression compared to normal brains. However, the CHRM1 protein level in AD and other forms of dementia has not been extensively studied. Reduced expression of CHRM1 in AD patients may explain the limited clinical efficacy of AChE inhibitors. Objective: To quantify CHRM1 protein in the postmortem hippocampus and temporal cortex of AD, Parkinson’s disease (PD), and frontotemporal dementia (FTD) patients. Methods: Western blotting was performed on postmortem hippocampus (N = 19/73/7/9: unaffected/AD/FTD/PD) and temporal cortex (N = 9/74/27: unaffected/AD/PD) using a validated anti-CHRM1 antibody. Results: Quantification based on immunoblotting using a validated anti-CHRM1 antibody revealed a significant loss of CHRM1 protein level (<50%) in the hippocampi (78% AD, 66% PD, and 85% FTD) and temporal cortices (56% AD and 42% PD) of dementia patients. Loss of CHRM1 in the temporal cortex was significantly associated with early death (<65–75 years) for both AD and PD patients. Conclusion: Severe reduction of CHRM1 in a subset of AD and PD patients can explain the reported low efficacy of AChE inhibitors as a mitigating treatment for dementia patients. Based on this study, it can be suggested that future research should prioritize therapeutic restoration of CHRM1 protein levels in cholinergic neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Golam Sabbir
- Alzo Biosciences Inc., San Diego, CA, USA
- St. Boniface Hospital Albrechtsen Research Centre, Canadian Centre for Agri-Food Research in Health and Medicine, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
- Nova Southeastern University, College of Pharmacy, Davie, FL, USA
| | - Robert C. Speth
- Nova Southeastern University, College of Pharmacy, Davie, FL, USA
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, School of Medicine, Georgetown University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Benedict C. Albensi
- Nova Southeastern University, College of Pharmacy, Davie, FL, USA
- St. Boniface Hospital Albrechtsen Research Centre, Division of Neurodegenerative Disorders, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
- University of Manitoba, College of Medicine, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
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17
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Sinclair P, Kabbani N. Nicotinic receptor components of amyloid beta 42 proteome regulation in human neural cells. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0270479. [PMID: 35960729 PMCID: PMC9374227 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0270479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2022] [Accepted: 06/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is associated with chronic neurodegeneration often accompanied by elevated levels of the neurotoxic peptide amyloid-beta 1–42 (Aβ42) in the brain. Studies show that extracellular Aβ42 binds to various cell surface receptors including the human α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) and activates pathways of neurotoxicity leading to cell death. The α7 nAChR is thus considered a promising drug target for therapy against neurodegenerative disease such as AD. In this study, we use mass spectrometry-based label-free precursor ion quantification to identify proteins and pathways that are changed by a 72-hour treatment with Aβ42 or Aβ42 in the presence of the α7 nAChR blocker, α-bungarotoxin (Bgtx) in the human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cell line. Bioinformatic gene ontology enrichment analysis was used to identify and characterize proteins and pathways altered by Aβ42 presentation. The results support evidence on the involvement of mitochondrial proteins in Aβ42 responses and define potential mechanisms of α7 nAChR mediated amyloid toxicity. These findings can inform pharmacological strategies for drug design and treatment against amyloid disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia Sinclair
- Interdisciplinary Program in Neuroscience, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA, United States of America
| | - Nadine Kabbani
- Interdisciplinary Program in Neuroscience, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA, United States of America
- School of System Biology, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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18
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Di Lascio S, Fornasari D, Benfante R. The Human-Restricted Isoform of the α7 nAChR, CHRFAM7A: A Double-Edged Sword in Neurological and Inflammatory Disorders. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23073463. [PMID: 35408823 PMCID: PMC8998457 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23073463] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2022] [Revised: 03/13/2022] [Accepted: 03/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
CHRFAM7A is a relatively recent and exclusively human gene arising from the partial duplication of exons 5 to 10 of the α7 neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptor subunit (α7 nAChR) encoding gene, CHRNA7. CHRNA7 is related to several disorders that involve cognitive deficits, including neuropsychiatric, neurodegenerative, and inflammatory disorders. In extra-neuronal tissues, α7nAChR plays an important role in proliferation, differentiation, migration, adhesion, cell contact, apoptosis, angiogenesis, and tumor progression, as well as in the modulation of the inflammatory response through the “cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway”. CHRFAM7A translates the dupα7 protein in a multitude of cell lines and heterologous systems, while maintaining processing and trafficking that are very similar to the full-length form. It does not form functional ion channel receptors alone. In the presence of CHRNA7 gene products, dupα7 can assemble and form heteromeric receptors that, in order to be functional, should include at least two α7 subunits to form the agonist binding site. When incorporated into the receptor, in vitro and in vivo data showed that dupα7 negatively modulated α7 activity, probably due to a reduction in the number of ACh binding sites. Very recent data in the literature report that the presence of the duplicated gene may be responsible for the translational gap in several human diseases. Here, we will review the studies that have been conducted on CHRFAM7A in different pathologies, with the intent of providing evidence regarding when and how the expression of this duplicated gene may be beneficial or detrimental in the pathogenesis, and eventually in the therapeutic response, to CHRNA7-related neurological and non-neurological diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simona Di Lascio
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine (BIOMETRA), Università degli Studi di Milano, 20129 Milan, Italy; (S.D.L.); (D.F.)
| | - Diego Fornasari
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine (BIOMETRA), Università degli Studi di Milano, 20129 Milan, Italy; (S.D.L.); (D.F.)
- CNR Institute of Neuroscience, 20845 Vedano al Lambro, Italy
| | - Roberta Benfante
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine (BIOMETRA), Università degli Studi di Milano, 20129 Milan, Italy; (S.D.L.); (D.F.)
- CNR Institute of Neuroscience, 20845 Vedano al Lambro, Italy
- NeuroMi, Milan Center for Neuroscience, University of Milano Bicocca, 20126 Milan, Italy
- Correspondence:
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19
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Gabriele RMC, Abel E, Fox NC, Wray S, Arber C. Knockdown of Amyloid Precursor Protein: Biological Consequences and Clinical Opportunities. Front Neurosci 2022; 16:835645. [PMID: 35360155 PMCID: PMC8964081 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.835645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2021] [Accepted: 02/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyloid precursor protein (APP) and its cleavage fragment Amyloid-β (Aβ) have fundamental roles in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Genetic alterations that either increase the overall dosage of APP or alter its processing to favour the generation of longer, more aggregation prone Aβ species, are directly causative of the disease. People living with one copy of APP are asymptomatic and reducing APP has been shown to lower the relative production of aggregation-prone Aβ species in vitro. For these reasons, reducing APP expression is an attractive approach for AD treatment and prevention. In this review, we will describe the structure and the known functions of APP and go on to discuss the biological consequences of APP knockdown and knockout in model systems. We highlight progress in therapeutic strategies to reverse AD pathology via reducing APP expression. We conclude that new technologies that reduce the dosage of APP expression may allow disease modification and slow clinical progression, delaying or even preventing onset.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca M. C. Gabriele
- Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Emily Abel
- Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, United Kingdom,UK Dementia Research Institute at University College London (UCL), Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, United Kingdom
| | - Nick C. Fox
- Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, United Kingdom,UK Dementia Research Institute at University College London (UCL), Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, United Kingdom
| | - Selina Wray
- Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Charles Arber
- Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, United Kingdom,*Correspondence: Charles Arber,
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20
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Duan Y, Lv J, Zhang Z, Chen Z, Wu H, Chen J, Chen Z, Yang J, Wang D, Liu Y, Chen F, Tian Y, Cao X. Exogenous Aβ 1-42 monomers improve synaptic and cognitive function in Alzheimer's disease model mice. Neuropharmacology 2022; 209:109002. [PMID: 35196539 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2022.109002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2021] [Revised: 01/28/2022] [Accepted: 02/15/2022] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Growing evidence has suggested the poor correlation between brain amyloid plaque and Alzheimer's disease (AD). Presenilin1 (PS1) and presenilin2 (PS2) conditional double knockout (cDKO) mice exhibited the reduced 42-amino acid amyloid-β peptide (Aβ1-42) level and AD-like symptoms, indicating a different pathological mechanism from the amyloid cascade hypothesis for AD. Here we found that exogenous synthetic Aβ1-42 monomers could improve the impaired memory not only in cDKO mice without Aβ1-42 deposition but also in the APP/PS1/Tau triple transgenic 3 × Tg-AD mice with Aβ1-42 deposition, which were mediated by α7-nAChR. Our findings demonstrate for the first time that reduced soluble Aβ1-42 level is the main cause of cognitive dysfunction in cDKO mice, and support the opinions that low soluble Aβ1-42 level due to Aβ1-42 deposition may also cause cognitive deficits in 3 × Tg-AD mice. Therefore, "loss-of-function" of Aβ1-42 should be avoided when designing therapies aimed at reducing Aβ1-42 burden in AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanhong Duan
- Key Laboratory of Brain Functional Genomics, Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, 3663 N. Zhongshan Rd., Shanghai, 200062, China
| | - Junyan Lv
- Key Laboratory of Brain Functional Genomics, Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, 3663 N. Zhongshan Rd., Shanghai, 200062, China
| | - Zhonghui Zhang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Green Chemistry and Chemical Processes, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China Normal University, 3663 N. Zhongshan Rd., Shanghai, 200062, China
| | - Zhenzhen Chen
- Key Laboratory of Brain Functional Genomics, Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, 3663 N. Zhongshan Rd., Shanghai, 200062, China
| | - Hao Wu
- Key Laboratory of Brain Functional Genomics, Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, 3663 N. Zhongshan Rd., Shanghai, 200062, China
| | - Jinnan Chen
- Key Laboratory of Brain Functional Genomics, Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, 3663 N. Zhongshan Rd., Shanghai, 200062, China
| | - Zhidong Chen
- Key Laboratory of Brain Functional Genomics, Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, 3663 N. Zhongshan Rd., Shanghai, 200062, China
| | - Jiarun Yang
- Key Laboratory of Brain Functional Genomics, Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, 3663 N. Zhongshan Rd., Shanghai, 200062, China
| | - Dasheng Wang
- Key Laboratory of Brain Functional Genomics, Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, 3663 N. Zhongshan Rd., Shanghai, 200062, China
| | - Yamei Liu
- School of Life Sciences, Shanghai University, No. 99 Shangda Rd., Shanghai, 200444, PR China
| | - Fuxue Chen
- School of Life Sciences, Shanghai University, No. 99 Shangda Rd., Shanghai, 200444, PR China
| | - Yang Tian
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Green Chemistry and Chemical Processes, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China Normal University, 3663 N. Zhongshan Rd., Shanghai, 200062, China
| | - Xiaohua Cao
- Key Laboratory of Brain Functional Genomics, Ministry of Education, School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, 3663 N. Zhongshan Rd., Shanghai, 200062, China.
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21
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Letsinger AC, Gu Z, Yakel JL. α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in the hippocampal circuit: taming complexity. Trends Neurosci 2022; 45:145-157. [PMID: 34916082 PMCID: PMC8914277 DOI: 10.1016/j.tins.2021.11.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2021] [Revised: 11/04/2021] [Accepted: 11/19/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Cholinergic innervation of the hippocampus uses the neurotransmitter acetylcholine (ACh) to coordinate neuronal circuit activity while simultaneously influencing the function of non-neuronal cell types. The α7 nicotinic ACh receptor (nAChR) subtype is highly expressed throughout the hippocampus, has the highest calcium permeability compared with other subtypes of nAChRs, and is of high therapeutic interest due to its association with a variety of neurological disorders and neurodegenerative diseases. In this review, we synthesize research describing α7 nAChR properties, function, and relationship to cognitive dysfunction within the hippocampal circuit and highlight approaches to help improve therapeutic development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayland C. Letsinger
- Neurobiology Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, Research Triangle Park, Mail Drop F2-08, P.O. Box 12233, Durham, NC, 27709, USA
| | - Zhenglin Gu
- Neurobiology Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, Research Triangle Park, Mail Drop F2-08, P.O. Box 12233, Durham, NC, 27709, USA
| | - Jerrel L. Yakel
- Neurobiology Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, Research Triangle Park, Mail Drop F2-08, P.O. Box 12233, Durham, NC, 27709, USA,Corresponding Author,
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22
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Fabiani C, Biscussi B, Munafo JP, Murray AP, Corradi J, Antollini SS. NEW SYNTHETIC CAFFEINE ANALOGS AS MODULATORS OF THE CHOLINERGIC SYSTEM. Mol Pharmacol 2021; 101:154-167. [PMID: 34969831 DOI: 10.1124/molpharm.121.000415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2021] [Accepted: 12/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a multifactorial neurodegenerative disorder. Since cholinergic deficit is a major factor in this disease, two molecular targets for its treatment are the acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and the nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs). Given that caffeine is a natural compound that behaves as an AChE inhibitor and as a partial agonist of nAChRs, the aim of this work was to synthetize more potent bifunctional caffeine analogs that modulate these two molecular targets. To this end, a theophylline structure was connected to a pyrrolidine structure through a methylene chain of different lengths (3 to 7 carbon atoms) to give compounds 7-11 All caffeine derivatives inhibited the AChE, of which compound 11 showed the strongest effect. Electrophysiological studies showed that all compounds behave as agonists of the muscle and the neuronal α7 nAChR with greater potency than caffeine. To explore if the different analogs could affect the nAChR conformational state, the nAChR conformational-sensitive probe crystal violet (CrV) was used. Compounds 9 and 10 conduced the nAChR to a different conformational state comparable with a control nAChR desensitized state. Finally, molecular docking experiments showed that all derivatives interacted with both the catalytic and anionic sites of AChE and with the orthosteric binding site of the nAChR. Thus, the new synthetized compounds can inhibit the AChE and activate muscle and α7 nAChRs with greater potency than caffeine, which suggests that they could be useful leaders for the development of new therapies for the treatment of different neurological diseases. Significance Statement In this work we synthetized caffeine derivatives which can inhibit the AChE and activate both muscle and α7 nAChRs with higher potency than caffeine. These analogs can be divided into two groups: a non-desensitizing and a desensitizing nAChR group. From the nAChR-non desensitizing group, we propose compound 11 as the most interesting analog for further studies since it inhibits AChE with the highest potency and activates the nAChRs in the picomolar range without inducing receptor desensitization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camila Fabiani
- Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Bahía Blanca, Departamento de Biología, Bioquímica y Farmacia, Universidad Nacional del Sur y Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Camino La Carrindanga km 7, Argentina
| | - Brunella Biscussi
- Instituto de Química del Sur, Departamento de Química, Universidad Nacional del Sur y Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Av. Alem 1253, Argentina
| | - Juan Pablo Munafo
- Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Bahía Blanca, Departamento de Biología, Bioquímica y Farmacia, Universidad Nacional del Sur y Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Camino La Carrindanga km 7, Argentina
| | - Ana Paula Murray
- Instituto de Química del Sur, Departamento de Química, Universidad Nacional del Sur y Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Av. Alem 1253, Argentina
| | - Jeremias Corradi
- Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Bahía Blanca, Departamento de Biología, Bioquímica y Farmacia, Universidad Nacional del Sur y Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Camino La Carrindanga km 7, Argentina
| | - Silvia Susana Antollini
- Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Bahía Blanca, Departamento de Biología, Bioquímica y Farmacia, Universidad Nacional del Sur y Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Camino La Carrindanga km 7, Argentina
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Borroni V, Barrantes FJ. Homomeric and Heteromeric α7 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors in Health and Some Central Nervous System Diseases. MEMBRANES 2021; 11:membranes11090664. [PMID: 34564481 PMCID: PMC8465519 DOI: 10.3390/membranes11090664] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2021] [Revised: 08/24/2021] [Accepted: 08/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) are pentameric ligand-gated ion channels involved in the modulation of essential brain functions such as memory, learning, and attention. Homomeric α7 nAChR, formed exclusively by five identical α7 subunits, is involved in rapid synaptic transmission, whereas the heteromeric oligomers composed of α7 in combination with β subunits display metabotropic properties and operate in slower time frames. At the cellular level, the activation of nAChRs allows the entry of Na+ and Ca2+; the two cations depolarize the membrane and trigger diverse cellular signals, depending on the type of nAChR pentamer and neurons involved, the location of the intervening cells, and the networks of which these neuronal cells form part. These features make the α7 nAChR a central player in neurotransmission, metabolically associated Ca2+-mediated signaling, and modulation of diverse fundamental processes operated by other neurotransmitters in the brain. Due to its ubiquitous distribution and the multiple functions it displays in the brain, the α7 nAChR is associated with a variety of neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders whose exact etiopathogenic mechanisms are still elusive.
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Affiliation(s)
- Virginia Borroni
- Instituto de Tecnología en Polímeros y Nanotecnología (ITPN-UBA-CONICET), Universidad de Buenos Aires, Ciudad Universitaria, Buenos Aires C1127AAR, Argentina;
| | - Francisco J. Barrantes
- Laboratory of Molecular Neurobiology, Institute for Biomedical Research, UCA–CONICET, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Catholic University of Argentina, Av. Alicia Moreau de Justo 1600, Buenos Aires C1107AAZ, Argentina
- Correspondence:
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Mukhin VN, Borovets IR, Sizov VV, Pavlov KI, Klimenko VM. Differential Influence of Amyloid-β on the Kinetics of Dopamine Release in the Dorsal and Ventral Striatum of Rats. Neurotox Res 2021; 39:1285-1292. [PMID: 33991320 DOI: 10.1007/s12640-021-00371-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2021] [Revised: 04/22/2021] [Accepted: 05/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Dopaminergic dysfunction is a part of Alzheimer's disease pathology. The brain accumulation of amyloid-β of toxic form is a key link of the pathology, which, according to the literature, is also true for dopaminergic dysfunction. An increase in the amyloid-β level in the brain changes the maximum of the evoked dopamine release in the dorsal and ventral parts of the striatum of the experimental animals. Theoretically, this may be due to the change in the intensity of dopamine release from the nerve terminals or its reuptake. However, it has not been studied. To fill this gap, we examined the amyloid-β induced changes in the kinetics of the evoked dopamine release in the dorsal striatum and the nucleus accumbens core and shell. Amyloid-β solution (fragments 25-35) was injected into the ventricular system of the anesthetized male Wistar rats. Before and after injection, electrically evoked dopamine kinetics was registered with fast-scan cyclic voltammetry. The results had shown that the amount of dopamine release decreases in the dorsal striatum and increases in the nucleus accumbens shell. No changes were found in the intensity of dopamine reuptake.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valery N Mukhin
- Ivan P. Pavlov Department of Physiology, Federal State Budgetary Scientific Institution Institute of Experimental Medicine, Acad. Pavlov str., 12,, St. Petersburg, 197376, Russia.
| | - Ivan R Borovets
- Ivan P. Pavlov Department of Physiology, Federal State Budgetary Scientific Institution Institute of Experimental Medicine, Acad. Pavlov str., 12,, St. Petersburg, 197376, Russia
| | - Vadim V Sizov
- Ivan P. Pavlov Department of Physiology, Federal State Budgetary Scientific Institution Institute of Experimental Medicine, Acad. Pavlov str., 12,, St. Petersburg, 197376, Russia
| | - Konstantin I Pavlov
- Ivan P. Pavlov Department of Physiology, Federal State Budgetary Scientific Institution Institute of Experimental Medicine, Acad. Pavlov str., 12,, St. Petersburg, 197376, Russia
| | - Victor M Klimenko
- Ivan P. Pavlov Department of Physiology, Federal State Budgetary Scientific Institution Institute of Experimental Medicine, Acad. Pavlov str., 12,, St. Petersburg, 197376, Russia
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25
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Anni D, Weiss EM, Guhathakurta D, Akdas YE, Klueva J, Zeitler S, Andres-Alonso M, Huth T, Fejtova A. Aβ1-16 controls synaptic vesicle pools at excitatory synapses via cholinergic modulation of synapsin phosphorylation. Cell Mol Life Sci 2021; 78:4973-4992. [PMID: 33864480 PMCID: PMC8233295 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-021-03835-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2020] [Revised: 03/12/2021] [Accepted: 04/02/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Amyloid beta (Aβ) is linked to the pathology of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). At physiological concentrations, Aβ was proposed to enhance neuroplasticity and memory formation by increasing the neurotransmitter release from presynapse. However, the exact mechanisms underlying this presynaptic effect as well as specific contribution of endogenously occurring Aβ isoforms remain unclear. Here, we demonstrate that Aβ1-42 and Aβ1-16, but not Aβ17-42, increased size of the recycling pool of synaptic vesicles (SV). This presynaptic effect was driven by enhancement of endogenous cholinergic signalling via α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, which led to activation of calcineurin, dephosphorylation of synapsin 1 and consequently resulted in reorganization of functional pools of SV increasing their availability for sustained neurotransmission. Our results identify synapsin 1 as a molecular target of Aβ and reveal an effect of physiological concentrations of Aβ on cholinergic modulation of glutamatergic neurotransmission. These findings provide new mechanistic insights in cholinergic dysfunction observed in AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Anni
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital, Friedrich-Alexander Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Eva-Maria Weiss
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital, Friedrich-Alexander Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Debarpan Guhathakurta
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital, Friedrich-Alexander Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Yagiz Enes Akdas
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital, Friedrich-Alexander Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Julia Klueva
- RG Presynaptic Plasticity, Leibniz Institute for Neurobiology, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Stefanie Zeitler
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital, Friedrich-Alexander Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Maria Andres-Alonso
- RG Presynaptic Plasticity, Leibniz Institute for Neurobiology, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Tobias Huth
- Institute of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Friedrich-Alexander Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Anna Fejtova
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital, Friedrich-Alexander Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany.
- RG Presynaptic Plasticity, Leibniz Institute for Neurobiology, Magdeburg, Germany.
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Miwa JM. Lynx1 prototoxins: critical accessory proteins of neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. Curr Opin Pharmacol 2020; 56:46-51. [PMID: 33254061 PMCID: PMC8771676 DOI: 10.1016/j.coph.2020.09.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2020] [Revised: 09/22/2020] [Accepted: 09/29/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Nicotinic receptors of the cholinergic system are ligand-gated ion channels, responding to the excitatory neurotransmitter, acetylcholine, and the addictive component of tobacco, nicotine. They help to transduce salient information in the environment by activating specific neural circuitry in normal and disease states. While nicotinic receptors are promising neurological and neuropsychiatric disorder targets, they have fallen out of favor after several late-stage clinical failures. Targeting the complex of the nicotinic receptor, including lynx1 accessory proteins, could be the key to unlocking the intractable nAChR for therapeutic development. Lynx1 binds to the extracellular face of the nAChR and acts as a critical modulator, suppressing memory, learning, and plasticity. Lynx1 removal in animal models leads to memory and plasticity enhancements, some of which have therapeutic relevance for neuropsychiatric and neurological disease. A review of the lynx1 accessory modulator and its role in modulating neuronal nAChRs will be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie M Miwa
- Lehigh University, Department of Biological Sciences, 111 Research Drive, Bethlehem, PA, United States.
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Implications of Oligomeric Amyloid-Beta (oAβ 42) Signaling through α7β2-Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors (nAChRs) on Basal Forebrain Cholinergic Neuronal Intrinsic Excitability and Cognitive Decline. J Neurosci 2020; 41:555-575. [PMID: 33239400 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.0876-20.2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2020] [Revised: 11/03/2020] [Accepted: 11/15/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Neuronal and network-level hyperexcitability is commonly associated with increased levels of amyloid-β (Aβ) and contribute to cognitive deficits associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, the mechanistic complexity underlying the selective loss of basal forebrain cholinergic neurons (BFCNs), a well-recognized characteristic of AD, remains poorly understood. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that the oligomeric form of amyloid-β (oAβ42), interacting with α7-containing nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) subtypes, leads to subnucleus-specific alterations in BFCN excitability and impaired cognition. We used single-channel electrophysiology to show that oAβ42 activates both homomeric α7- and heteromeric α7β2-nAChR subtypes while preferentially enhancing α7β2-nAChR open-dwell times. Organotypic slice cultures were prepared from male and female ChAT-EGFP mice, and current-clamp recordings obtained from BFCNs chronically exposed to pathophysiologically relevant level of oAβ42 showed enhanced neuronal intrinsic excitability and action potential firing rates. These resulted from a reduction in action potential afterhyperpolarization and alterations in the maximal rates of voltage change during spike depolarization and repolarization. These effects were observed in BFCNs from the medial septum diagonal band and horizontal diagonal band, but not the nucleus basalis. Last, aged male and female APP/PS1 transgenic mice, genetically null for the β2 nAChR subunit gene, showed improved spatial reference memory compared with APP/PS1 aged-matched littermates. Combined, these data provide a molecular mechanism supporting a role for α7β2-nAChR in mediating the effects of oAβ42 on excitability of specific populations of cholinergic neurons and provide a framework for understanding the role of α7β2-nAChR in oAβ42-induced cognitive decline.
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Amyloid Beta Peptide (Aβ 1-42) Reverses the Cholinergic Control of Monocytic IL-1β Release. J Clin Med 2020; 9:jcm9092887. [PMID: 32906646 PMCID: PMC7564705 DOI: 10.3390/jcm9092887] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2020] [Revised: 09/01/2020] [Accepted: 09/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyloid-β peptide (Aβ1-42), the cleavage product of the evolutionary highly conserved amyloid precursor protein, presumably plays a pathogenic role in Alzheimer's disease. Aβ1-42 can induce the secretion of the pro-inflammatory cytokine intereukin-1β (IL-1β) in immune cells within and out of the nervous system. Known interaction partners of Aβ1-42 are α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs). The physiological functions of Aβ1-42 are, however, not fully understood. Recently, we identified a cholinergic mechanism that controls monocytic release of IL-1β by canonical and non-canonical agonists of nAChRs containing subunits α7, α9, and/or α10. Here, we tested the hypothesis that Aβ1-42 modulates this inhibitory cholinergic mechanism. Lipopolysaccharide-primed monocytic U937 cells and human mononuclear leukocytes were stimulated with the P2X7 receptor agonist 2'(3')-O-(4-benzoylbenzoyl)adenosine-5'-triphosphate triethylammonium salt (BzATP) in the presence or absence of nAChR agonists and Aβ1-42. IL-1β concentrations were measured in the supernatant. Aβ1-42 dose-dependently (IC50 = 2.54 µM) reversed the inhibitory effect of canonical and non-canonical nicotinic agonists on BzATP-mediated IL-1β-release by monocytic cells, whereas reverse Aβ42-1 was ineffective. In conclusion, we discovered a novel pro-inflammatory Aβ1-42 function that enables monocytic IL-1β release in the presence of nAChR agonists. These findings provide evidence for a novel physiological function of Aβ1-42 in the context of sterile systemic inflammation.
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Allosterism of Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors: Therapeutic Potential for Neuroinflammation Underlying Brain Trauma and Degenerative Disorders. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21144918. [PMID: 32664647 PMCID: PMC7404387 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21144918] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2020] [Revised: 07/06/2020] [Accepted: 07/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Inflammation is a key physiological phenomenon that can be pervasive when dysregulated. Persistent chronic inflammation precedes several pathophysiological conditions forming one of the critical cellular homeostatic checkpoints. With a steady global surge in inflammatory diseases, it is imperative to delineate underlying mechanisms and design suitable drug molecules targeting the cellular partners that mediate and regulate inflammation. Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors have a confirmed role in influencing inflammatory pathways and have been a subject of scientific scrutiny underlying drug development in recent years. Drugs designed to target allosteric sites on the nicotinic acetylcholine receptors present a unique opportunity to unravel the role of the cholinergic system in regulating and restoring inflammatory homeostasis. Such a therapeutic approach holds promise in treating several inflammatory conditions and diseases with inflammation as an underlying pathology. Here, we briefly describe the potential of cholinergic allosterism and some allosteric modulators as a promising therapeutic option for the treatment of neuroinflammation.
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Mitroshina EV, Yarkov RS, Mishchenko TA, Krut' VG, Gavrish MS, Epifanova EA, Babaev AA, Vedunova MV. Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) Preserves the Functional Integrity of Neural Networks in the β-Amyloidopathy Model in vitro. Front Cell Dev Biol 2020; 8:582. [PMID: 32733889 PMCID: PMC7360686 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2020.00582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2019] [Accepted: 06/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a widespread chronic neurodegenerative pathology characterized by synaptic dysfunction, partial neuronal death, cognitive decline and memory impairments. The major hallmarks of AD are extracellular senile amyloid plaques formed by various types of amyloid proteins (Aβ) and the formation and accumulation of intracellular neurofibrillary tangles. However, there is a lack of relevant experimental models for studying changes in neural network activity, the features of intercellular signaling or the effects of drugs on the functional activity of nervous cells during AD development. In this work, we examined two experimental models of amyloidopathy using primary hippocampal cultures. The first model involves the embryonic brains of 5xFAD mice; the second uses chronic application of amyloid beta 1-42 (Aβ1-42). The model based on primary hippocampal cells obtained from 5xFAD mice demonstrated changes in spontaneous network calcium activity characterized by a decrease in the number of cells exhibiting Ca2+ activity, a decrease in the number of Ca2+ oscillations and an increase in the duration of Ca2+ events from day 21 of culture development in vitro. Chronic application of Aβ1-42 resulted in the rapid establishment of significant neurodegenerative changes in primary hippocampal cultures, leading to marked impairments in neural network calcium activity and increased cell death. Using this model and multielectrode arrays, we studied the influence of amyloidopathy on spontaneous bioelectrical neural network activity in primary hippocampal cultures. It was shown that chronic Aβ application decreased the number of network bursts and spikes in a burst. The spatial structure of neural networks was also disturbed that characterized by reduction in both the number of key network elements (hubs) and connections between network elements. Moreover, application of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) recombinant protein and BDNF hyperexpression by an adeno-associated virus vector partially prevented these amyloidopathy-induced neurodegenerative phenomena. BDNF maintained cell viability and spontaneous bioelectrical and calcium network activity in primary hippocampal cultures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena V Mitroshina
- Department of Neurotechnology, Institute of Biology and Biomedicine, National Research Lobachevsky State University of Nizhny Novgorod, Nizhny Novgorod, Russia
| | - Roman S Yarkov
- Department of Neurotechnology, Institute of Biology and Biomedicine, National Research Lobachevsky State University of Nizhny Novgorod, Nizhny Novgorod, Russia
| | - Tatiana A Mishchenko
- Department of Neurotechnology, Institute of Biology and Biomedicine, National Research Lobachevsky State University of Nizhny Novgorod, Nizhny Novgorod, Russia.,Molecular and Cell Technologies Group, Central Scientific Research Laboratory, Privolzhsky Research Medical University, Nizhny Novgorod, Russia
| | - Victoria G Krut'
- Department of Neurotechnology, Institute of Biology and Biomedicine, National Research Lobachevsky State University of Nizhny Novgorod, Nizhny Novgorod, Russia
| | - Maria S Gavrish
- Department of Neurotechnology, Institute of Biology and Biomedicine, National Research Lobachevsky State University of Nizhny Novgorod, Nizhny Novgorod, Russia
| | - Ekaterina A Epifanova
- Department of Neurotechnology, Institute of Biology and Biomedicine, National Research Lobachevsky State University of Nizhny Novgorod, Nizhny Novgorod, Russia
| | - Alexey A Babaev
- Department of Neurotechnology, Institute of Biology and Biomedicine, National Research Lobachevsky State University of Nizhny Novgorod, Nizhny Novgorod, Russia
| | - Maria V Vedunova
- Department of Neurotechnology, Institute of Biology and Biomedicine, National Research Lobachevsky State University of Nizhny Novgorod, Nizhny Novgorod, Russia
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Majdi A, Sadigh-Eteghad S, Rahigh Aghsan S, Farajdokht F, Vatandoust SM, Namvaran A, Mahmoudi J. Amyloid-β, tau, and the cholinergic system in Alzheimer's disease: seeking direction in a tangle of clues. Rev Neurosci 2020; 31:391-413. [PMID: 32017704 DOI: 10.1515/revneuro-2019-0089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2019] [Accepted: 12/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The link between histopathological hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease (AD), i.e. amyloid plaques, and neurofibrillary tangles, and AD-associated cognitive impairment, has long been established. However, the introduction of interactions between amyloid-beta (Aβ) as well as hyperphosphorylated tau, and the cholinergic system to the territory of descriptive neuropathology has drastically changed this field by adding the theory of synaptic neurotransmission to the toxic pas de deux in AD. Accumulating data show that a multitarget approach involving all amyloid, tau, and cholinergic hypotheses could better explain the evolution of events happening in AD. Various species of both Aβ and tau could be traced in cholinergic neurons of the basal forebrain system early in the course of the disease. These molecules induce degeneration in the neurons of this system. Reciprocally, aberrant cholinergic system modulation promotes changes in amyloid precursor protein (APP) metabolism and tau phosphorylation, resulting in neurotoxicity, neuroinflammation, and neuronal death. Altogether, these changes may better correlate with the clinical findings and cognitive impairment detected in AD patients. Failure of several of Aβ- and tau-related therapies further highlights the need for special attention to molecules that target all of these mentioned pathologic changes. Another noteworthy fact here is that none of the popular hypotheses of AD such as amyloidopathy or tauopathy seem to be responsible for the changes observed in AD alone. Thus, the main culprit should be sought higher in the stream somewhere in APP metabolism or Wnt signaling in the cholinergic system of the basal forebrain. Future studies should target these pathological events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alireza Majdi
- Neurosciences Research Center (NSRC), Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz 51368, Iran
| | - Saeed Sadigh-Eteghad
- Neurosciences Research Center (NSRC), Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz 51368, Iran
| | - Sepideh Rahigh Aghsan
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz 51368, Iran
| | - Fereshteh Farajdokht
- Neurosciences Research Center (NSRC), Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz 51368, Iran
| | - Seyed Mehdi Vatandoust
- Neurosciences Research Center (NSRC), Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz 51368, Iran
| | - Ali Namvaran
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz 51368, Iran
| | - Javad Mahmoudi
- Neurosciences Research Center (NSRC), Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz 51368, Iran
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Soto-Mercado V, Mendivil-Perez M, Velez-Pardo C, Lopera F, Jimenez-Del-Rio M. Cholinergic-like neurons carrying PSEN1 E280A mutation from familial Alzheimer's disease reveal intraneuronal sAPPβ fragments accumulation, hyperphosphorylation of TAU, oxidative stress, apoptosis and Ca2+ dysregulation: Therapeutic implications. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0221669. [PMID: 32437347 PMCID: PMC7241743 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0221669] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2019] [Accepted: 05/06/2020] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by progressive memory loss and cognitive disturbance as a consequence of the loss of cholinergic neurons in the brain, neuritic plaques and hyperphosphorylation of TAU protein. Although the underlying mechanisms leading to these events are unclear, mutations in presenilin 1 (PSEN1), e.g., E280A (PSEN1 E280A), are causative factors for autosomal dominant early-onset familial AD (FAD). Despite advances in the understanding of the physiopathology of AD, there are no efficient therapies to date. Limitations in culturing brain-derived live neurons might explain the limited effectiveness of AD research. Here, we show that mesenchymal stromal (stem) cells (MSCs) can be used to model FAD, providing novel opportunities to study cellular mechanisms and to establish therapeutic strategies. Indeed, we cultured MSCs with the FAD mutation PSEN1 E280A and wild-type (WT) PSEN1 from umbilical cords and characterized the transdifferentiation of these cells into cholinergic-like neurons (ChLNs). PSEN1 E280A ChLNs but not WT PSEN1 ChLNs exhibited increased intracellular soluble amyloid precursor protein (sAPPf) fragments and extracellular Aβ42 peptide and TAU phosphorylation (at residues Ser202/Thr205), recapitulating the molecular pathogenesis of FAD caused by mutant PSEN1. Furthermore, PSEN1 E280A ChLNs presented oxidative stress (OS) as evidenced by the oxidation of DJ-1Cys106-SH into DJ-1Cys106-SO3 and the detection of DCF-positive cells and apoptosis markers such as activated pro-apoptosis proteins p53, c-JUN, PUMA and CASPASE-3 and the concomitant loss of the mitochondrial membrane potential and DNA fragmentation. Additionally, mutant ChLNs displayed Ca2+ flux dysregulation and deficient acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity compared to control ChLNs. Interestingly, the inhibitor JNK SP600125 almost completely blocked TAU phosphorylation. Our findings demonstrate that FAD MSC-derived cholinergic neurons with the PSEN1 E280A mutation provide important clues for the identification of targetable pathological molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Viviana Soto-Mercado
- Neuroscience Research Group, Medical Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine, University of Antioquia (UdeA), SIU Medellin, Medellin, Colombia
| | - Miguel Mendivil-Perez
- Neuroscience Research Group, Medical Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine, University of Antioquia (UdeA), SIU Medellin, Medellin, Colombia
| | - Carlos Velez-Pardo
- Neuroscience Research Group, Medical Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine, University of Antioquia (UdeA), SIU Medellin, Medellin, Colombia
| | - Francisco Lopera
- Neuroscience Research Group, Medical Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine, University of Antioquia (UdeA), SIU Medellin, Medellin, Colombia
| | - Marlene Jimenez-Del-Rio
- Neuroscience Research Group, Medical Research Institute, Faculty of Medicine, University of Antioquia (UdeA), SIU Medellin, Medellin, Colombia
- * E-mail:
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Bertrand D, Wallace TL. A Review of the Cholinergic System and Therapeutic Approaches to Treat Brain Disorders. Curr Top Behav Neurosci 2020; 45:1-28. [PMID: 32451956 DOI: 10.1007/7854_2020_141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Since its identification over a hundred years ago, the neurotransmitter acetylcholine (ACh) has proven to play an essential role in supporting many diverse functions. Some well-characterized functions include: chemical transmission at the neuromuscular junction; autonomic function in the peripheral nervous system; and, sustained attention, sleep/wake regulation, and learning and memory within the central nervous system. Within the brain, major cholinergic projection pathways from the basal forebrain and the brainstem support these centrally mediated processes, and dysregulation of the cholinergic system is implicated in cognitive decline associated with aging and dementias including Alzheimer's disease. ACh exerts its effects by binding to two different membrane-bound receptor classes: (1) G‑protein coupled muscarinic acetylcholine receptors (mAChRs), and (2) ligand-gated nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs). These receptor systems are described in detail within this chapter along with discussion on the successes and failures of synthetic ligands designed to selectively target receptor subtypes for treating brain disorders. New molecular approaches and advances in our understanding of the target biology combined with opportunities to re-purpose existing cholinergic drugs for new indications continue to highlight the exciting opportunities for modulating this system for therapeutic purposes.
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Abstract
The Amyloid Precursor Protein (APP) is infamous for its proposed pivotal role in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Much research on APP focusses on potential contributions to neurodegeneration, mostly based on mouse models with altered expression or mutated forms of APP. However, cumulative evidence from recent years indicates the indispensability of APP and its metabolites for normal brain physiology. APP contributes to the regulation of synaptic transmission, plasticity, and calcium homeostasis. It plays an important role during development and it exerts neuroprotective effects. Of particular importance is the soluble secreted fragment APPsα which mediates many of its physiological actions, often counteracting the effects of the small APP-derived peptide Aβ. Understanding the contribution of APP for normal functions of the nervous system is of high importance, both from a basic science perspective and also as a basis for generating new pathophysiological concepts and therapeutic approaches in AD. In this article, we review the physiological functions of APP and its metabolites, focusing on synaptic transmission, plasticity, calcium signaling, and neuronal network activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dimitri Hefter
- Institute of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany.,RG Animal Models in Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Susann Ludewig
- Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Neuroinflammation and Neurodegeneration Group, Braunschweig, Germany.,Cellular Neurobiology, Zoological Institute, Technical University Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Andreas Draguhn
- Institute of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Martin Korte
- Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, Neuroinflammation and Neurodegeneration Group, Braunschweig, Germany.,Cellular Neurobiology, Zoological Institute, Technical University Braunschweig, Braunschweig, Germany
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Gulisano W, Melone M, Ripoli C, Tropea MR, Li Puma DD, Giunta S, Cocco S, Marcotulli D, Origlia N, Palmeri A, Arancio O, Conti F, Grassi C, Puzzo D. Neuromodulatory Action of Picomolar Extracellular Aβ42 Oligomers on Presynaptic and Postsynaptic Mechanisms Underlying Synaptic Function and Memory. J Neurosci 2019; 39:5986-6000. [PMID: 31127002 PMCID: PMC6650983 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.0163-19.2019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2019] [Revised: 04/09/2019] [Accepted: 04/28/2019] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Failure of anti-amyloid-β peptide (Aβ) therapies against Alzheimer's disease (AD), a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by high amounts of the peptide in the brain, raised the question of the physiological role of Aβ released at low concentrations in the healthy brain. To address this question, we studied the presynaptic and postsynaptic mechanisms underlying the neuromodulatory action of picomolar amounts of oligomeric Aβ42 (oAβ42) on synaptic glutamatergic function in male and female mice. We found that 200 pm oAβ42 induces an increase of frequency of miniature EPSCs and a decrease of paired pulse facilitation, associated with an increase in docked vesicle number, indicating that it augments neurotransmitter release at presynaptic level. oAβ42 also produced postsynaptic changes as shown by an increased length of postsynaptic density, accompanied by an increased expression of plasticity-related proteins such as cAMP-responsive element binding protein phosphorylated at Ser133, calcium-calmodulin-dependent kinase II phosphorylated at Thr286, and brain-derived neurotrophic factor, suggesting a role for Aβ in synaptic tagging. These changes resulted in the conversion of early into late long-term potentiation through the nitric oxide/cGMP/protein kinase G intracellular cascade consistent with a cGMP-dependent switch from short- to long-term memory observed in vivo after intrahippocampal administration of picomolar amounts of oAβ42 These effects were present upon extracellular but not intracellular application of the peptide and involved α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. These observations clarified the physiological role of oAβ42 in synaptic function and memory formation providing solid fundamentals for investigating the pathological effects of high Aβ levels in the AD brains.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT High levels of oligomeric amyloid-β42 (oAβ42) induce synaptic dysfunction leading to memory impairment in Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, at picomolar concentrations, the peptide is needed to ensure long-term potentiation (LTP) and memory. Here, we show that extracellular 200 pm oAβ42 concentrations increase neurotransmitter release, number of docked vesicles, postsynaptic density length, and expression of plasticity-related proteins leading to the conversion of early LTP into late LTP and of short-term memory into long-term memory. These effects require α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors and are mediated through the nitric oxide/cGMP/protein kinase G pathway. The knowledge of Aβ function in the healthy brain might be useful to understand the causes leading to its increase and detrimental effect in AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Walter Gulisano
- Department Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania 95123, Italy
| | - Marcello Melone
- Section of Neuroscience and Cell Biology, Department Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona 60020, Italy
- Center for Neurobiology of Aging, IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Ricovero e Cura Anziani (INRCA), Ancona 60020, Italy
| | - Cristian Ripoli
- Institute of Human Physiology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome 00168, Italy
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome 00168, Italy
| | - Maria Rosaria Tropea
- Department Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania 95123, Italy
| | - Domenica D Li Puma
- Institute of Human Physiology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome 00168, Italy
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome 00168, Italy
| | - Salvatore Giunta
- Department Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania 95123, Italy
| | - Sara Cocco
- Institute of Human Physiology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome 00168, Italy
| | - Daniele Marcotulli
- Section of Neuroscience and Cell Biology, Department Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona 60020, Italy
| | - Nicola Origlia
- Neuroscience Institute, Italian National Research Council, Pisa 56100, Italy
| | - Agostino Palmeri
- Department Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania 95123, Italy
| | - Ottavio Arancio
- Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain, Columbia University, New York, New York 10032
| | - Fiorenzo Conti
- Section of Neuroscience and Cell Biology, Department Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona 60020, Italy
- Center for Neurobiology of Aging, IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Ricovero e Cura Anziani (INRCA), Ancona 60020, Italy
- Foundation for Molecular Medicine, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona 60020, Italy, and
| | - Claudio Grassi
- Institute of Human Physiology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome 00168, Italy
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome 00168, Italy
| | - Daniela Puzzo
- Department Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania 95123, Italy,
- Oasi Research Institute-IRCCS, Troina, 94018, Italy
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