1
|
Abdalla MMI. Insulin resistance as the molecular link between diabetes and Alzheimer's disease. World J Diabetes 2024; 15:1430-1447. [DOI: 10.4239/wjd.v15.i7.1430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2024] [Revised: 04/08/2024] [Accepted: 05/06/2024] [Indexed: 07/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Diabetes mellitus (DM) and Alzheimer's disease (AD) are two major health concerns that have seen a rising prevalence worldwide. Recent studies have indicated a possible link between DM and an increased risk of developing AD. Insulin, while primarily known for its role in regulating blood sugar, also plays a vital role in protecting brain functions. Insulin resistance (IR), especially prevalent in type 2 diabetes, is believed to play a significant role in AD's development. When insulin signalling becomes dysfunctional, it can negatively affect various brain functions, making individuals more susceptible to AD's defining features, such as the buildup of beta-amyloid plaques and tau protein tangles. Emerging research suggests that addressing insulin-related issues might help reduce or even reverse the brain changes linked to AD. This review aims to explore the rela-tionship between DM and AD, with a focus on the role of IR. It also explores the molecular mechanisms by which IR might lead to brain changes and assesses current treatments that target IR. Understanding IR's role in the connection between DM and AD offers new possibilities for treatments and highlights the importance of continued research in this interdisciplinary field.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mona Mohamed Ibrahim Abdalla
- Department of Human Biology, School of Medicine, International Medical University, Bukit Jalil 57000, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Pereira M, Cruz MT, Fortuna A, Bicker J. Restoring the epigenome in Alzheimer's disease: advancing HDAC inhibitors as therapeutic agents. Drug Discov Today 2024; 29:104052. [PMID: 38830501 DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2024.104052] [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: 02/05/2024] [Revised: 05/21/2024] [Accepted: 05/29/2024] [Indexed: 06/05/2024]
Abstract
Current treatment options for Alzheimer's disease (AD) focus on symptom relief rather than halting disease progression. In this context, targeting histone deacetylation emerges as a promising therapeutic alternative. Dysregulation of histone deacetylase (HDAC) activity is present in AD, contributing to cognitive decline. Pharmacological HDAC inhibition has shown benefits in preclinical models, namely reduced amyloid beta plaque formation, lower phosphorylation and aggregation of tau protein, greater microtubule stability, less neuroinflammation, and improved metabolic homeostasis and cell survival. Nonetheless, clinical trials evidenced limitations such as insufficient selectivity or blood-brain barrier penetration. Hence, future innovative strategies are required to enhance their efficacy/safety.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Márcia Pereira
- University of Coimbra, Faculty of Pharmacy, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Maria Teresa Cruz
- University of Coimbra, Faculty of Pharmacy, Coimbra, Portugal; University of Coimbra, Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Ana Fortuna
- University of Coimbra, Faculty of Pharmacy, Coimbra, Portugal; University of Coimbra, Coimbra Institute for Biomedical Imaging and Translational Research, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Joana Bicker
- University of Coimbra, Faculty of Pharmacy, Coimbra, Portugal; University of Coimbra, Coimbra Institute for Biomedical Imaging and Translational Research, Coimbra, Portugal.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Sun X, Chen W, Razavi AC, Shi M, Pan Y, Li C, Argos M, Layden BT, Daviglus ML, He J, Carmichael OT, Bazzano LA, Kelly TN. Associations of Epigenetic Age Acceleration With CVD Risks Across the Lifespan: The Bogalusa Heart Study. JACC Basic Transl Sci 2024; 9:577-590. [PMID: 38984046 PMCID: PMC11228118 DOI: 10.1016/j.jacbts.2024.01.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2023] [Revised: 01/09/2024] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 07/11/2024]
Abstract
Although epigenetic age acceleration (EAA) might serve as a molecular signature of childhood cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors and further promote midlife subclinical CVD, few studies have comprehensively examined these life course associations. This study sought to test whether childhood CVD risk factors predict EAA in adulthood and whether EAA mediates the association between childhood CVD risks and midlife subclinical disease. Among 1,580 Bogalusa Heart Study participants, we estimated extrinsic EAA, intrinsic EAA, PhenoAge acceleration (PhenoAgeAccel), and GrimAge acceleration (GrimAgeAccel) during adulthood. We tested prospective associations of longitudinal childhood body mass index (BMI), blood pressure, lipids, and glucose with EAAs using linear mixed effects models. After confirming EAAs with midlife carotid intima-media thickness and carotid plaque, structural equation models examined mediating effects of EAAs on associations of childhood CVD risk factors with subclinical CVD measures. After stringent multiple testing corrections, each SD increase in childhood BMI was significantly associated with 0.6-, 0.9-, and 0.5-year increases in extrinsic EAA, PhenoAgeAccel, and GrimAgeAccel, respectively (P < 0.001 for all 3 associations). Likewise, each SD increase in childhood log-triglycerides was associated with 0.5- and 0.4-year increases in PhenoAgeAccel and GrimAgeAccel (P < 0.001 for both), respectively, whereas each SD increase in childhood high-density lipoprotein cholesterol was associated with a 0.3-year decrease in GrimAgeAccel (P = 0.002). Our findings indicate that PhenoAgeAccel mediates an estimated 27.4% of the association between childhood log-triglycerides and midlife carotid intima-media thickness (P = 0.022). Our data demonstrate that early life CVD risk factors may accelerate biological aging and promote subclinical atherosclerosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiao Sun
- Department of Epidemiology, Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Wei Chen
- Department of Epidemiology, Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
| | - Alexander C Razavi
- Emory Clinical Cardiovascular Research Institute, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - Mengyao Shi
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, and Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Preventive and Translational Medicine for Geriatric Diseases Medical College of Soochow University, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yang Pan
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Changwei Li
- Department of Epidemiology, Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
| | - Maria Argos
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Brian T Layden
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Martha L Daviglus
- Institute for Minority Health Research, College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Jiang He
- Department of Epidemiology, Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
| | | | - Lydia A Bazzano
- Department of Epidemiology, Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
| | - Tanika N Kelly
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Lepiarz-Raba I, Hidayat T, Hannan AJ, Jawaid A. Potential Alzheimer's disease drug targets identified through microglial biology research. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2024; 19:587-602. [PMID: 38590098 DOI: 10.1080/17460441.2024.2335210] [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: 01/20/2024] [Accepted: 03/22/2024] [Indexed: 04/10/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Microglia, the primary immune cells in the brain, play multifaceted roles in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Microglia can potentially mitigate the pathological progression of AD by clearing amyloid beta (Aβ) deposits in the brain and through neurotrophic support. In contrast, disproportionate activation of microglial pro-inflammatory pathways, as well as excessive elimination of healthy synapses, can exacerbate neurodegeneration in AD. The challenge, therefore, lies in discerning the precise regulation of the contrasting microglial properties to harness their therapeutic potential in AD. AREAS COVERED This review examines the evidence relevant to the disease-modifying effects of microglial manipulators in AD preclinical models. The deleterious pro-inflammatory effects of microglia in AD can be ameliorated via direct suppression or indirectly through metabolic manipulation, epigenetic targeting, and modulation of the gut-brain axis. Furthermore, microglial clearance of Aβ deposits in AD can be enhanced via strategically targeting microglial membrane receptors, lysosomal functions, and metabolism. EXPERT OPINION Given the intricate and diverse nature of microglial responses throughout the course of AD, therapeutic interventions directed at microglia warrant a tactical approach. This could entail employing therapeutic regimens, which concomitantly suppress pro-inflammatory microglial responses while selectively enhancing Aβ phagocytosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Izabela Lepiarz-Raba
- Laboratory for Translational Research in Exposures and Neuropsychiatric Disorders (TREND), Braincity: Center of Excellence for Neural Plasticity and Brain Disorders, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Taufik Hidayat
- Laboratory for Translational Research in Exposures and Neuropsychiatric Disorders (TREND), Braincity: Center of Excellence for Neural Plasticity and Brain Disorders, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Anthony J Hannan
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
| | - Ali Jawaid
- Laboratory for Translational Research in Exposures and Neuropsychiatric Disorders (TREND), Braincity: Center of Excellence for Neural Plasticity and Brain Disorders, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Warsaw, Poland
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Mayo P, Pascual J, Crisman E, Domínguez C, López MG, León R. Innovative pathological network-based multitarget approaches for Alzheimer's disease treatment. Med Res Rev 2024. [PMID: 38678582 DOI: 10.1002/med.22045] [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: 11/02/2023] [Revised: 02/02/2024] [Accepted: 04/14/2024] [Indexed: 05/01/2024]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most prevalent neurodegenerative disease and is a major health threat globally. Its prevalence is forecasted to exponentially increase during the next 30 years due to the global aging population. Currently, approved drugs are merely symptomatic, being ineffective in delaying or blocking the relentless disease advance. Intensive AD research describes this disease as a highly complex multifactorial disease. Disclosure of novel pathological pathways and their interconnections has had a major impact on medicinal chemistry drug development for AD over the last two decades. The complex network of pathological events involved in the onset of the disease has prompted the development of multitarget drugs. These chemical entities combine pharmacological activities toward two or more drug targets of interest. These multitarget-directed ligands are proposed to modify different nodes in the pathological network aiming to delay or even stop disease progression. Here, we review the multitarget drug development strategy for AD during the last decade.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Paloma Mayo
- Departamento de desarrollo preclínico, Fundación Teófilo Hernando, Las Rozas, Madrid, Spain
- Departamento de Farmacología y Terapéutica, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Química Médica, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (IQM-CSIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Jorge Pascual
- Departamento de desarrollo preclínico, Fundación Teófilo Hernando, Las Rozas, Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Química Médica, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (IQM-CSIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Enrique Crisman
- Instituto de Química Médica, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (IQM-CSIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Cristina Domínguez
- Instituto de Química Médica, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (IQM-CSIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Manuela G López
- Departamento de Farmacología y Terapéutica, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Rafael León
- Instituto de Química Médica, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (IQM-CSIC), Madrid, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Paniri A, Hosseini MM, Akhavan-Niaki H. Alzheimer's Disease-Related Epigenetic Changes: Novel Therapeutic Targets. Mol Neurobiol 2024; 61:1282-1317. [PMID: 37700216 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-023-03626-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 09/14/2023]
Abstract
Aging is a significant risk factor for Alzheimer's disease (AD), although the precise mechanism and molecular basis of AD are not yet fully understood. Epigenetic mechanisms, such as DNA methylation and hydroxymethylation, mitochondrial DNA methylation, histone modifications, and non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), play a role in regulating gene expression related to neuron plasticity and integrity, which are closely associated with learning and memory development. This review describes the impact of dynamic and reversible epigenetic modifications and factors on memory and plasticity throughout life, emphasizing their potential as target for therapeutic intervention in AD. Additionally, we present insight from postmortem and animal studies on abnormal epigenetics regulation in AD, as well as current strategies aiming at targeting these factors in the context of AD therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alireza Paniri
- Genetics Department, Faculty of Medicine, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran
- Zoonoses Research Center, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Amol, Iran
| | | | - Haleh Akhavan-Niaki
- Genetics Department, Faculty of Medicine, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran.
- Zoonoses Research Center, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Amol, Iran.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Jiang Y, MacNeil LT. Simple model systems reveal conserved mechanisms of Alzheimer's disease and related tauopathies. Mol Neurodegener 2023; 18:82. [PMID: 37950311 PMCID: PMC10638731 DOI: 10.1186/s13024-023-00664-x] [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: 04/02/2023] [Accepted: 10/04/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023] Open
Abstract
The lack of effective therapies that slow the progression of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and related tauopathies highlights the need for a more comprehensive understanding of the fundamental cellular mechanisms underlying these diseases. Model organisms, including yeast, worms, and flies, provide simple systems with which to investigate the mechanisms of disease. The evolutionary conservation of cellular pathways regulating proteostasis and stress response in these organisms facilitates the study of genetic factors that contribute to, or protect against, neurodegeneration. Here, we review genetic modifiers of neurodegeneration and related cellular pathways identified in the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, and the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster, focusing on models of AD and related tauopathies. We further address the potential of simple model systems to better understand the fundamental mechanisms that lead to AD and other neurodegenerative disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yuwei Jiang
- Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada
| | - Lesley T MacNeil
- Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada.
- Farncombe Family Digestive Health Research Institute, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada.
- Michael G. DeGroote Institute for Infectious Disease Research, McMaster University, 1280 Main St W, Hamilton, ON, L8S 4K1, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Scholpa NE. Role of DNA methylation during recovery from spinal cord injury with and without β 2-adrenergic receptor agonism. Exp Neurol 2023; 368:114494. [PMID: 37488045 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2023.114494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2023] [Revised: 07/14/2023] [Accepted: 07/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/26/2023]
Abstract
Daily treatment with the FDA-approved β2-adrenergic receptor agonist formoterol beginning 8 h after severe spinal cord injury (SCI) induces mitochondrial biogenesis and improves recovery in mice. We observed decreased DNA methyltransferase (DNMT) expression, global DNA methylation and methylation of the mitochondrial genes PGC-1α and NDUFS1 in the injury site of formoterol-treated mice 1 DPI, but this effect was lost by 7 DPI. To investigate the role of DNA methylation on recovery post-SCI, injured mice were treated daily with formoterol or vehicle, plus the DNMT inhibitor decitabine (DAC) on days 7-9. While DAC had no apparent effect on formoterol-induced recovery, mice treated with vehicle plus DAC exhibited increased BMS scores compared to vehicle alone beginning 15 DPI, reaching a degree of functional recovery similar to that of formoterol-treated mice by 21 DPI. Furthermore, DAC treatment increased injury site mitochondrial protein expression in vehicle-treated mice to levels comparable to that of formoterol-treated mice. The effect of DNMT inhibition on pain response with and without formoterol was assessed following moderate SCI. While all injured mice not treated with DAC displayed thermal hyperalgesia by 21 DPI, mice treated with formoterol exhibited decreased thermal hyperalgesia compared to vehicle-treated mice by 35 DPI. Injured mice treated with DAC, regardless of formoterol treatment, did not demonstrate thermal hyperalgesia at any time point assessed. Although these data do not suggest enhanced formoterol-induced recovery with DNMT inhibition, our findings indicate the importance of DNA methylation post-SCI and support both DNMT inhibition and formoterol as potential therapeutic avenues.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Natalie E Scholpa
- Southern Arizona VA Health Care System, Tucson, AZ, United States of America; Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States of America.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Jeremic D, Jiménez-Díaz L, Navarro-López JD. Targeting epigenetics: A novel promise for Alzheimer's disease treatment. Ageing Res Rev 2023; 90:102003. [PMID: 37422087 DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2023.102003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2023] [Revised: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 07/03/2023] [Indexed: 07/10/2023]
Abstract
So far, the search for a cure for Alzheimer Disease (AD) has been unsuccessful. The only approved drugs attenuate some symptoms, but do not halt the progress of this disease, which affects 50 million people worldwide and will increase its incidence in the coming decades. Such scenario demands new therapeutic approaches to fight against this devastating dementia. In recent years, multi-omics research and the analysis of differential epigenetic marks in AD subjects have contributed to our understanding of AD; however, the impact of epigenetic research is yet to be seen. This review integrates the most recent data on pathological processes and epigenetic changes relevant for aging and AD, as well as current therapies targeting epigenetic machinery in clinical trials. Evidence shows that epigenetic modifications play a key role in gene expression, which could provide multi-target preventative and therapeutic approaches in AD. Both novel and repurposed drugs are employed in AD clinical trials due to their epigenetic effects, as well as increasing number of natural compounds. Given the reversible nature of epigenetic modifications and the complexity of gene-environment interactions, the combination of epigenetic-based therapies with environmental strategies and drugs with multiple targets might be needed to properly help AD patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Danko Jeremic
- University of Castilla-La Mancha, NeuroPhysiology & Behavior Lab, Biomedical Research Center (CRIB), School of Medicine of Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - Lydia Jiménez-Díaz
- University of Castilla-La Mancha, NeuroPhysiology & Behavior Lab, Biomedical Research Center (CRIB), School of Medicine of Ciudad Real, Spain.
| | - Juan D Navarro-López
- University of Castilla-La Mancha, NeuroPhysiology & Behavior Lab, Biomedical Research Center (CRIB), School of Medicine of Ciudad Real, Spain.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Rajeev V, Chai YL, Poh L, Selvaraji S, Fann DY, Jo DG, De Silva TM, Drummond GR, Sobey CG, Arumugam TV, Chen CP, Lai MKP. Chronic cerebral hypoperfusion: a critical feature in unravelling the etiology of vascular cognitive impairment. Acta Neuropathol Commun 2023; 11:93. [PMID: 37309012 DOI: 10.1186/s40478-023-01590-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2023] [Accepted: 05/25/2023] [Indexed: 06/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Vascular cognitive impairment (VCI) describes a wide spectrum of cognitive deficits related to cerebrovascular diseases. Although the loss of blood flow to cortical regions critically involved in cognitive processes must feature as the main driver of VCI, the underlying mechanisms and interactions with related disease processes remain to be fully elucidated. Recent clinical studies of cerebral blood flow measurements have supported the role of chronic cerebral hypoperfusion (CCH) as a major driver of the vascular pathology and clinical manifestations of VCI. Here we review the pathophysiological mechanisms as well as neuropathological changes of CCH. Potential interventional strategies for VCI are also reviewed. A deeper understanding of how CCH can lead to accumulation of VCI-associated pathology could potentially pave the way for early detection and development of disease-modifying therapies, thus allowing preventive interventions instead of symptomatic treatments.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Vismitha Rajeev
- Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- Memory Aging and Cognition Centre, National University Health System, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Yuek Ling Chai
- Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- Memory Aging and Cognition Centre, National University Health System, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Luting Poh
- Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- Memory Aging and Cognition Centre, National University Health System, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Sharmelee Selvaraji
- Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- Memory Aging and Cognition Centre, National University Health System, Singapore, Singapore
- Integrative Sciences and Engineering Programme, NUS Graduate School, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - David Y Fann
- Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Dong-Gyu Jo
- School of Pharmacy, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, Republic of Korea
| | - T Michael De Silva
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Microbiology, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia
| | - Grant R Drummond
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Microbiology, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia
| | - Christopher G Sobey
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Microbiology, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia
| | - Thiruma V Arumugam
- School of Pharmacy, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, Republic of Korea
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Microbiology, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia
| | - Christopher P Chen
- Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- Memory Aging and Cognition Centre, National University Health System, Singapore, Singapore
- NUS Healthy Longevity Translational Research Programme, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Mitchell K P Lai
- Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.
- Memory Aging and Cognition Centre, National University Health System, Singapore, Singapore.
- NUS Healthy Longevity Translational Research Programme, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Merchant JP, Zhu K, Henrion MYR, Zaidi SSA, Lau B, Moein S, Alamprese ML, Pearse RV, Bennett DA, Ertekin-Taner N, Young-Pearse TL, Chang R. Predictive network analysis identifies JMJD6 and other potential key drivers in Alzheimer's disease. Commun Biol 2023; 6:503. [PMID: 37188718 PMCID: PMC10185548 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-023-04791-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2021] [Accepted: 03/31/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite decades of genetic studies on late-onset Alzheimer's disease, the underlying molecular mechanisms remain unclear. To better comprehend its complex etiology, we use an integrative approach to build robust predictive (causal) network models using two large human multi-omics datasets. We delineate bulk-tissue gene expression into single cell-type gene expression and integrate clinical and pathologic traits, single nucleotide variation, and deconvoluted gene expression for the construction of cell type-specific predictive network models. Here, we focus on neuron-specific network models and prioritize 19 predicted key drivers modulating Alzheimer's pathology, which we then validate by knockdown in human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived neurons. We find that neuronal knockdown of 10 of the 19 targets significantly modulates levels of amyloid-beta and/or phosphorylated tau peptides, most notably JMJD6. We also confirm our network structure by RNA sequencing in the neurons following knockdown of each of the 10 targets, which additionally predicts that they are upstream regulators of REST and VGF. Our work thus identifies robust neuronal key drivers of the Alzheimer's-associated network state which may represent therapeutic targets with relevance to both amyloid and tau pathology in Alzheimer's disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Julie P Merchant
- Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Neuroscience Graduate Group, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Kuixi Zhu
- The Center for Innovation in Brain Sciences, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Marc Y R Henrion
- Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Pembroke Place, Liverpool, Pembroke Place, L3 5QA, UK
- Malawi-Liverpool-Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Programme, PO Box 30096, Blantyre, Malawi
| | - Syed S A Zaidi
- The Center for Innovation in Brain Sciences, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Branden Lau
- The Center for Innovation in Brain Sciences, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
- Arizona Research Labs, Genetics Core, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Sara Moein
- The Center for Innovation in Brain Sciences, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Melissa L Alamprese
- The Center for Innovation in Brain Sciences, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Richard V Pearse
- Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - David A Bennett
- Rush Alzheimer's Disease Center, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Nilüfer Ertekin-Taner
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic Florida, Jacksonville, FL, USA
- Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic Florida, Jacksonville, FL, USA
| | - Tracy L Young-Pearse
- Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
- Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Rui Chang
- The Center for Innovation in Brain Sciences, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA.
- Department of Neurology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA.
- INTelico Therapeutics LLC, Tucson, AZ, USA.
- PATH Biotech LLC, Tucson, AZ, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Zhan Y, Al-Nusaif M, Ding C, Zhao L, Dong C. The potential of the gut microbiome for identifying Alzheimer's disease diagnostic biomarkers and future therapies. Front Neurosci 2023; 17:1130730. [PMID: 37179559 PMCID: PMC10174259 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1130730] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2022] [Accepted: 04/05/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Being isolated from the peripheral system by the blood-brain barrier, the brain has long been considered a completely impervious tissue. However, recent findings show that the gut microbiome (GM) influences gastrointestinal and brain disorders such as Alzheimer's disease (AD). Despite several hypotheses, such as neuroinflammation, tau hyperphosphorylation, amyloid plaques, neurofibrillary tangles, and oxidative stress, being proposed to explain the origin and progression of AD, the pathogenesis remains incompletely understood. Epigenetic, molecular, and pathological studies suggest that GM influences AD development and have endeavored to find predictive, sensitive, non-invasive, and accurate biomarkers for early disease diagnosis and monitoring of progression. Given the growing interest in the involvement of GM in AD, current research endeavors to identify prospective gut biomarkers for both preclinical and clinical diagnoses, as well as targeted therapy techniques. Here, we discuss the most recent findings on gut changes in AD, microbiome-based biomarkers, prospective clinical diagnostic uses, and targeted therapy approaches. Furthermore, we addressed herbal components, which could provide a new venue for AD diagnostic and therapy research.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yu Zhan
- Department of Neurology, First Affiliated Hospital, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Murad Al-Nusaif
- Department of Neurology, First Affiliated Hospital, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
- Liaoning Provincial Key Laboratories for Research on the Pathogenic Mechanism of Neurological Disease, First Affiliated Hospital, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Cong Ding
- The Center for Gerontology and Geriatrics, Dalian Friendship Hospital, Dalian, China
| | - Li Zhao
- Department of Neurology, First Affiliated Hospital, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
- *Correspondence: Li Zhao,
| | - Chunbo Dong
- Department of Neurology, First Affiliated Hospital, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
- Chunbo Dong,
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Sattarov R, Toresson H, Orbjörn C, Mattsson-Carlgren N. Direct Conversion of Fibroblast into Neurons for Alzheimer's Disease Research: A Systematic Review. J Alzheimers Dis 2023; 95:805-828. [PMID: 37661882 PMCID: PMC10578293 DOI: 10.3233/jad-230119] [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] [Accepted: 07/06/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a prevalent neurodegenerative disorder without a cure. Innovative disease models, such as induced neurons (iNs), could enhance our understanding of AD mechanisms and accelerate treatment development. However, a review of AD human iN studies is necessary to consolidate knowledge. OBJECTIVE The objective of this review is to examine the current body of literature on AD human iN cells and provide an overview of the findings to date. METHODS We searched two databases for relevant studies published between 2010 and 2023, identifying nine studies meeting our criteria. RESULTS Reviewed studies indicate the feasibility of generating iNs directly from AD patients' fibroblasts using chemical induction or viral vectors. These cells express mature neuronal markers, including MAP-2, NeuN, synapsin, and tau. However, most studies were limited in sample size and primarily focused on autosomal dominant familial AD (FAD) rather than the more common sporadic forms of AD. Several studies indicated that iNs derived from FAD fibroblasts exhibited abnormal amyloid-β metabolism, a characteristic feature of AD in humans. Additionally, elevated levels of hyperphosphorylated tau, another hallmark of AD, were reported in some studies. CONCLUSION Although only a limited number of small-scale studies are currently available, AD patient-derived iNs hold promise as a valuable model for investigating AD pathogenesis. Future research should aim to conduct larger studies, particularly focusing on sporadic AD cases, to enhance the clinical relevance of the findings for the broader AD patient population. Moreover, these cells can be utilized in screening potential novel treatments for AD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Roman Sattarov
- Department of Clinical Sciences Malmö, Clinical Memory Research Unit, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Håkan Toresson
- Department of Clinical Sciences Malmö, Clinical Memory Research Unit, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Camilla Orbjörn
- Department of Clinical Sciences Malmö, Clinical Memory Research Unit, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Niklas Mattsson-Carlgren
- Department of Clinical Sciences Malmö, Clinical Memory Research Unit, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
- Department of Neurology, Skåne University Hospital, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
- Wallenberg Center for Molecular Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Chen L, Saykin AJ, Yao B, Zhao F. Multi-task deep autoencoder to predict Alzheimer's disease progression using temporal DNA methylation data in peripheral blood. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2022; 20:5761-5774. [PMID: 36756173 PMCID: PMC9619306 DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2022.10.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2022] [Revised: 10/10/2022] [Accepted: 10/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Traditional approaches for diagnosing Alzheimer's disease (AD) such as brain imaging and cerebrospinal fluid are invasive and expensive. It is desirable to develop a useful diagnostic tool by exploiting biomarkers obtained from peripheral tissues due to their noninvasive and easily accessible characteristics. However, the capacity of using DNA methylation data in peripheral blood for predicting AD progression is rarely known. It is also challenging to develop an efficient prediction model considering the complex and high-dimensional DNA methylation data in a longitudinal study. Here, we develop two multi-task deep autoencoders, which are based on the convolutional autoencoder and long short-term memory autoencoder to learn the compressed feature representation by jointly minimizing the reconstruction error and maximizing the prediction accuracy. By benchmarking on longitudinal DNA methylation data collected from the peripheral blood in Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative, we demonstrate that the proposed multi-task deep autoencoders outperform state-of-the-art machine learning approaches for both predicting AD progression and reconstructing the temporal DNA methylation profiles. In addition, the proposed multi-task deep autoencoders can predict AD progression accurately using only the historical DNA methylation data and the performance is further improved by including all temporal DNA methylation data. Availability:: https://github.com/lichen-lab/MTAE.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Li Chen
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32603, United States
| | - Andrew J. Saykin
- Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, United States
| | - Bing Yao
- Department of Human Genetics, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, United States
| | - Fengdi Zhao
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32603, United States
| | - Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI)
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32603, United States
- Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, United States
- Department of Human Genetics, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, United States
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Maity S, Abbaspour R, Nahabedian D, Connor SA. Norepinephrine, beyond the Synapse: Coordinating Epigenetic Codes for Memory. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23179916. [PMID: 36077313 PMCID: PMC9456295 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23179916] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2022] [Revised: 08/19/2022] [Accepted: 08/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The noradrenergic system is implicated in neuropathologies contributing to major disorders of the memory, including post-traumatic stress disorder and Alzheimer’s disease. Determining the impact of norepinephrine on cellular function and plasticity is thus essential for making inroads into our understanding of these brain conditions, while expanding our capacity for treating them. Norepinephrine is a neuromodulator within the mammalian central nervous system which plays important roles in cognition and associated synaptic plasticity. Specifically, norepinephrine regulates the formation of memory through the stimulation of β-ARs, increasing the dynamic range of synaptic modifiability. The mechanisms through which NE influences neural circuit function have been extended to the level of the epigenome. This review focuses on recent insights into how the noradrenergic recruitment of epigenetic modifications, including DNA methylation and post-translational modification of histones, contribute to homo- and heterosynaptic plasticity. These advances will be placed in the context of synaptic changes associated with memory formation and linked to brain disorders and neurotherapeutic applications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sabyasachi Maity
- Department of Physiology, Neuroscience, and Behavioral Sciences, St. George’s University School of Medicine, True Blue FZ818, Grenada
| | - Raman Abbaspour
- Department of Biology, York University, 4700 Keele Street, Toronto, ON M3J 1P3, Canada
| | - David Nahabedian
- The Center for Biomedical Visualization, Department of Anatomical Sciences, St. George’s University School of Medicine, True Blue FZ818, Grenada
| | - Steven A. Connor
- Department of Biology, York University, 4700 Keele Street, Toronto, ON M3J 1P3, Canada
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-(416)-736-2100 (ext. 33803)
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Bahado-Singh RO, Radhakrishna U, Gordevičius J, Aydas B, Yilmaz A, Jafar F, Imam K, Maddens M, Challapalli K, Metpally RP, Berrettini WH, Crist RC, Graham SF, Vishweswaraiah S. Artificial Intelligence and Circulating Cell-Free DNA Methylation Profiling: Mechanism and Detection of Alzheimer's Disease. Cells 2022; 11:cells11111744. [PMID: 35681440 PMCID: PMC9179874 DOI: 10.3390/cells11111744] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2022] [Revised: 05/13/2022] [Accepted: 05/17/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Despite extensive efforts, significant gaps remain in our understanding of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) pathophysiology. Novel approaches using circulating cell-free DNA (cfDNA) have the potential to revolutionize our understanding of neurodegenerative disorders. Methods: We performed DNA methylation profiling of cfDNA from AD patients and compared them to cognitively normal controls. Six Artificial Intelligence (AI) platforms were utilized for the diagnosis of AD while enrichment analysis was used to elucidate the pathogenesis of AD. Results: A total of 3684 CpGs were significantly (adj. p-value < 0.05) differentially methylated in AD versus controls. All six AI algorithms achieved high predictive accuracy (AUC = 0.949−0.998) in an independent test group. As an example, Deep Learning (DL) achieved an AUC (95% CI) = 0.99 (0.95−1.0), with 94.5% sensitivity and specificity. Conclusion: We describe numerous epigenetically altered genes which were previously reported to be differentially expressed in the brain of AD sufferers. Genes identified by AI to be the best predictors of AD were either known to be expressed in the brain or have been previously linked to AD. We highlight enrichment in the Calcium signaling pathway, Glutamatergic synapse, Hedgehog signaling pathway, Axon guidance and Olfactory transduction in AD sufferers. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported genome-wide DNA methylation study using cfDNA to detect AD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ray O. Bahado-Singh
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Oakland University-William Beaumont School of Medicine, Royal Oak, MI 48309, USA; (R.O.B.-S.); (A.Y.); (S.F.G.)
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Beaumont Health, 3601 W. 13 Mile Road, Royal Oak, MI 48073, USA; (F.J.); (K.C.)
| | - Uppala Radhakrishna
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Beaumont Health, 3601 W. 13 Mile Road, Royal Oak, MI 48073, USA; (F.J.); (K.C.)
- Correspondence: (U.R.); (S.V.); Tel.: +1-248-551-2574 (U.R.); +1-248-551-2569 (S.V.)
| | - Juozas Gordevičius
- Vugene, LLC, 625 Kenmoor Ave Suite 301 PMB 96578, Grand Rapids, MI 49546, USA;
| | - Buket Aydas
- Department of Care Management Analytics, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, Detroit, MI 48226, USA;
| | - Ali Yilmaz
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Oakland University-William Beaumont School of Medicine, Royal Oak, MI 48309, USA; (R.O.B.-S.); (A.Y.); (S.F.G.)
- Department of Alzheimer’s Disease Research, Beaumont Research Institute, 3811 W. 13 Mile Road, Royal Oak, MI 48073, USA
| | - Faryal Jafar
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Beaumont Health, 3601 W. 13 Mile Road, Royal Oak, MI 48073, USA; (F.J.); (K.C.)
| | - Khaled Imam
- Department of Internal Medicine, Beaumont Health, 3601 W. 13 Mile Road, Royal Oak, MI 48073, USA; (K.I.); (M.M.)
| | - Michael Maddens
- Department of Internal Medicine, Beaumont Health, 3601 W. 13 Mile Road, Royal Oak, MI 48073, USA; (K.I.); (M.M.)
| | - Kshetra Challapalli
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Beaumont Health, 3601 W. 13 Mile Road, Royal Oak, MI 48073, USA; (F.J.); (K.C.)
| | - Raghu P. Metpally
- Department of Molecular and Functional Genomics, Geisinger, Danville, PA 17821, USA; (R.P.M.); (W.H.B.)
| | - Wade H. Berrettini
- Department of Molecular and Functional Genomics, Geisinger, Danville, PA 17821, USA; (R.P.M.); (W.H.B.)
- Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA;
| | - Richard C. Crist
- Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA;
| | - Stewart F. Graham
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Oakland University-William Beaumont School of Medicine, Royal Oak, MI 48309, USA; (R.O.B.-S.); (A.Y.); (S.F.G.)
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Beaumont Health, 3601 W. 13 Mile Road, Royal Oak, MI 48073, USA; (F.J.); (K.C.)
- Department of Alzheimer’s Disease Research, Beaumont Research Institute, 3811 W. 13 Mile Road, Royal Oak, MI 48073, USA
| | - Sangeetha Vishweswaraiah
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Beaumont Health, 3601 W. 13 Mile Road, Royal Oak, MI 48073, USA; (F.J.); (K.C.)
- Correspondence: (U.R.); (S.V.); Tel.: +1-248-551-2574 (U.R.); +1-248-551-2569 (S.V.)
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Gasparotto M, Lee YS, Palazzi A, Vacca M, Filippini F. Nuclear and Cytoplasmatic Players in Mitochondria-Related CNS Disorders: Chromatin Modifications and Subcellular Trafficking. Biomolecules 2022; 12:biom12050625. [PMID: 35625553 PMCID: PMC9138954 DOI: 10.3390/biom12050625] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2022] [Revised: 04/19/2022] [Accepted: 04/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Aberrant mitochondrial phenotypes are common to many central nervous system (CNS) disorders, including neurodegenerative and neurodevelopmental diseases. Mitochondrial function and homeostasis depend on proper control of several biological processes such as chromatin remodeling and transcriptional control, post-transcriptional events, vesicle and organelle subcellular trafficking, fusion, and morphogenesis. Mutation or impaired regulation of major players that orchestrate such processes can disrupt cellular and mitochondrial dynamics, contributing to neurological disorders. The first part of this review provides an overview of a functional relationship between chromatin players and mitochondria. Specifically, we relied on specific monogenic CNS disorders which share features with mitochondrial diseases. On the other hand, subcellular trafficking is coordinated directly or indirectly through evolutionarily conserved domains and proteins that regulate the dynamics of membrane compartments and organelles, including mitochondria. Among these “building blocks”, longin domains and small GTPases are involved in autophagy and mitophagy, cell reshaping, and organelle fusion. Impairments in those processes significantly impact CNS as well and are discussed in the second part of the review. Hopefully, in filling the functional gap between the nucleus and cytoplasmic organelles new routes for therapy could be disclosed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Matteo Gasparotto
- Synthetic Biology and Biotechnology Unit, Department of Biology, University of Padua, Via Ugo Bassi 58/B, 35131 Padua, Italy;
| | - Yi-Shin Lee
- Institute of Genetics and Biophysics “A. Buzzati Traverso”, CNR, Via Pietro Castellino, 111, 80131 Naples, Italy; (Y.-S.L.); (A.P.); (M.V.)
- Pharmacology Division, Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive and Odontostomatological Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and surgery, University of Naples Federico II, Via Pansini 5, Building 19 (Biological Tower), 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Alessandra Palazzi
- Institute of Genetics and Biophysics “A. Buzzati Traverso”, CNR, Via Pietro Castellino, 111, 80131 Naples, Italy; (Y.-S.L.); (A.P.); (M.V.)
| | - Marcella Vacca
- Institute of Genetics and Biophysics “A. Buzzati Traverso”, CNR, Via Pietro Castellino, 111, 80131 Naples, Italy; (Y.-S.L.); (A.P.); (M.V.)
| | - Francesco Filippini
- Synthetic Biology and Biotechnology Unit, Department of Biology, University of Padua, Via Ugo Bassi 58/B, 35131 Padua, Italy;
- Correspondence:
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Martínez-Iglesias O, Naidoo V, Carrera I, Cacabelos R. Epigenetic Studies in the Male APP/BIN1/COPS5 Triple-Transgenic Mouse Model of Alzheimer's Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:2446. [PMID: 35269588 PMCID: PMC8909965 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23052446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2022] [Revised: 02/17/2022] [Accepted: 02/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's Disease (AD) is a major health problem worldwide. The lack of efficacy of existing therapies for AD is because of diagnosis at late stages of the disease, limited knowledge of biomarkers, and molecular mechanisms of AD pathology, as well as conventional drugs that are focused on symptomatic rather than mechanistic features of the disease. The connection between epigenetics and AD, however, may be useful for the development of novel therapeutics or diagnostic biomarkers for AD. The aim of this study was to investigate a pathogenic role for epigenetics and other biomarkers in the male APP/BIN1/COPS5 triple-transgenic (3xTg) mouse model of AD. In the APP/BIN1/COPS5 3xTg-AD mouse hippocampus, sirtuin expression and activity decreased, HDAC3 expression and activity increased, PSEN1 mRNA levels were unchanged, PSEN2 and APOE expression was reduced, and levels of the pro-inflammatory marker IL-6 increased; levels of pro-inflammatory COX-2 and TNFα and apoptotic (NOS3) markers increased slightly, but these were non-significant. In fixed mouse-brain slices, immunoreactivity for CD11b and β-amyloid immunostaining increased. APP/BIN1/COPS5 3xTg-AD mice are a suitable model for evaluating epigenetic changes in AD, the discovery of new epigenetic-related biomarkers for AD diagnosis, and new epidrugs for the treatment of this neurodegenerative disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Olaia Martínez-Iglesias
- EuroEspes Biomedical Research Center, International Center of Neuroscience and Genomic Medicine, 15165 Corunna, Spain; (V.N.); (I.C.); (R.C.)
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
19
|
Agarwal D, Kumari R, Ilyas A, Tyagi S, Kumar R, Poddar NK. Crosstalk between epigenetics and mTOR as a gateway to new insights in pathophysiology and treatment of Alzheimer's disease. Int J Biol Macromol 2021; 192:895-903. [PMID: 34662652 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2021.10.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2021] [Revised: 09/19/2021] [Accepted: 10/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Epigenetics in the current times has become a gateway to acquire answers to questions that were left unanswered by classical and modern genetics, be it resolving the complex mystery behind neurodegenerative disorders or understanding the complexity behind life-threatening cancers. It has presented to the world an entirely new dimension and has added a dynamic angle to an otherwise static field of genetics. Alzheimer's disease is one of the most prevalent neurodegenerative disorders is largely found to be a result of alterations in epigenetic pathways. These changes majorly comprise an imbalance in DNA methylation levels and altered acetylation and methylation of histones. They are often seen to cross-link with metabolic regulatory pathways such as that of mTOR, contributing significantly to the pathophysiology of AD. This review focusses on the study of the interplay of the mTOR regulatory pathway with that of epigenetic machinery that may elevate the rate of early diagnosis and prove to be a gateway to the development of an efficient and novel therapeutic strategy for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease at an early stage.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Disha Agarwal
- Department of Biosciences, Manipal University Jaipur, Dehmi Kalan, Jaipur-Ajmer Expressway, Jaipur, Rajasthan 303007, India
| | - Ruchika Kumari
- Department of Biosciences, Manipal University Jaipur, Dehmi Kalan, Jaipur-Ajmer Expressway, Jaipur, Rajasthan 303007, India
| | - Ashal Ilyas
- Department of Biotechnology, Invertis University, Bareilly 243 123, India
| | - Shweta Tyagi
- HNo-88, Ranjit Avenue, Bela Chowk, Kota Nihang, Punjab 140001, India
| | - Rajnish Kumar
- Amity Institute of Biotechnology, Amity University Uttar Pradesh, Lucknow Campus, Uttar Pradesh. India
| | - Nitesh Kumar Poddar
- Department of Biosciences, Manipal University Jaipur, Dehmi Kalan, Jaipur-Ajmer Expressway, Jaipur, Rajasthan 303007, India.
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Hugais MM, Cobos SN, Bennett SA, Paredes J, Foran G, Torrente MP. Changes in Histone H3 Acetylation on Lysine 9 Accompany Aβ 1-40 Overexpression in an Alzheimer's Disease Yeast Model. MICROPUBLICATION BIOLOGY 2021; 2021. [PMID: 34746682 PMCID: PMC8567091 DOI: 10.17912/micropub.biology.000492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2021] [Revised: 10/21/2021] [Accepted: 10/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
Alzheimer’s Disease (AD), the most common type of dementia, is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by plaques of amyloid-beta (Aβ) peptides found in the cerebral cortex of the brain. The pathological mechanism by which Aβ aggregation leads to neurodegeneration remains unknown. Interestingly, genetic mutations do not explain most AD cases suggesting that other mechanisms are at play. Epigenetic mechanisms, such as histone post-translational modifications (PTMs), may provide insight into the development of AD. Here, we exploit a yeast Aβ overexpression model to map out the histone PTM landscape associated with AD. We find a modest decrease in the acetylation levels on lysine 9 of histone H3 in the context of Aβ 1-40 overexpression. This change is accompanied by a decrease in RNA levels. Our results support a potential role for H3K9ac in AD pathology and allude to the role of epigenetics in AD and other neurodegenerative diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Muna M Hugais
- Department of Chemistry, Brooklyn College, Brooklyn, NY 11210
| | - Samantha N Cobos
- PhD. Program in Chemistry, City University of New York - The Graduate Center, New York, NY, USA 10016
| | - Seth A Bennett
- PhD. Program in Biochemistry, City University of New York - The Graduate Center, New York, NY, USA 10016
| | - Jailene Paredes
- Department of Chemistry, Brooklyn College, Brooklyn, NY 11210
| | | | - Mariana P Torrente
- Department of Chemistry, Brooklyn College, Brooklyn, NY 11210.,PhD. Programs in Chemistry, Biochemistry, and Biology, City University of New York - The Graduate Center, New York, NY, USA 10016
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Zimmer-Bensch G, Zempel H. DNA Methylation in Genetic and Sporadic Forms of Neurodegeneration: Lessons from Alzheimer's, Related Tauopathies and Genetic Tauopathies. Cells 2021; 10:3064. [PMID: 34831288 PMCID: PMC8624300 DOI: 10.3390/cells10113064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2021] [Revised: 11/03/2021] [Accepted: 11/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Genetic and sporadic forms of tauopathies, the most prevalent of which is Alzheimer's Disease, are a scourge of the aging society, and in the case of genetic forms, can also affect children and young adults. All tauopathies share ectopic expression, mislocalization, or aggregation of the microtubule associated protein TAU, encoded by the MAPT gene. As TAU is a neuronal protein widely expressed in the CNS, the overwhelming majority of tauopathies are neurological disorders. They are characterized by cognitive dysfunction often leading to dementia, and are frequently accompanied by movement abnormalities such as parkinsonism. Tauopathies can lead to severe neurological deficits and premature death. For some tauopathies there is a clear genetic cause and/or an epigenetic contribution. However, for several others the disease etiology is unclear, with few tauopathies being environmentally triggered. Here, we review current knowledge of tauopathies listing known genetic and important sporadic forms of these disease. Further, we discuss how DNA methylation as a major epigenetic mechanism emerges to be involved in the disease pathophysiology of Alzheimer's, and related genetic and non-genetic tauopathies. Finally, we debate the application of epigenetic signatures in peripheral blood samples as diagnostic tools and usages of epigenetic therapy strategies for these diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Geraldine Zimmer-Bensch
- Functional Epigenetics in the Animal Model, Institute for Biology II, RWTH Aachen University, 52074 Aachen, Germany
- Research Training Group 2416 MultiSenses-MultiScales, Institute for Biology II, RWTH Aachen University, 52074 Aachen, Germany
| | - Hans Zempel
- Institute of Human Genetics, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, 50931 Cologne, Germany
- Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC), Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, 50931 Cologne, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Wang XL, Li L. Cell type-specific potential pathogenic genes and functional pathways in Alzheimer's Disease. BMC Neurol 2021; 21:381. [PMID: 34600516 PMCID: PMC8487122 DOI: 10.1186/s12883-021-02407-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2021] [Accepted: 08/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a pervasive age-related and highly heritable neurodegenerative disorder but has no effective therapy. The complex cellular microenvironment in the AD brain impedes our understanding of pathogenesis. Thus, a comprehensive investigation of cell type-specific responses in AD is crucial to provide precise molecular and cellular targets for therapeutic development. METHODS Here, we integrated analyzed 4,441 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) that were identified from 263,370 single-cells in cortex samples by single-nucleus RNA sequencing (snRNA-seq) between 42 AD-pathology subjects and 39 normal controls within 3 studies. DEGs were analyzed in microglia, astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, excitatory neurons, inhibitory neurons, and endothelial cells, respectively. In each cell type, we identified both common DEGs which were observed in all 3 studies, and overlapping DEGs which have been seen in at least 2 studies. Firstly, we showed the common DEGs expression and explained the biological functions by comparing with existing literature or multil-omics signaling pathways knowledgebase. We then determined the significant modules and hub genes, and explored the biological processes using the overlapping DEGs. Finally, we identified the common and distinct dysregulated pathways using overall DEGs and overlapping DEGs in a cell type-specific manner. RESULTS Up-regulated LINGO1 has been seen in both oligodendrocytes and excitatory neurons across 3 studies. Interestingly, genes enriched in the mitochondrial module were up-regulated across all cell types, which indicates mitochondrial dysfunction in the AD brain. The estrogen signaling pathway seems to be the most common pathway that is disrupted in AD. CONCLUSION Together, these analyses provide detailed information of cell type-specific and overall transcriptional changes and pathways underlying the human AD-pathology. These findings may provide important insights for drug development to tackle this disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Lan Wang
- Department of Nephrology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- Université de Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Lianjian Li
- Department of Surgery, Hubei Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, 430061 China
- Hubei Province Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, 430076 China
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Azam S, Haque ME, Balakrishnan R, Kim IS, Choi DK. The Ageing Brain: Molecular and Cellular Basis of Neurodegeneration. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:683459. [PMID: 34485280 PMCID: PMC8414981 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.683459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2021] [Accepted: 07/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Ageing is an inevitable event in the lifecycle of all organisms, characterized by progressive physiological deterioration and increased vulnerability to death. Ageing has also been described as the primary risk factor of most neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), Huntington's disease (HD), and frontotemporal lobar dementia (FTD). These neurodegenerative diseases occur more prevalently in the aged populations. Few effective treatments have been identified to treat these epidemic neurological crises. Neurodegenerative diseases are associated with enormous socioeconomic and personal costs. Here, the pathogenesis of AD, PD, and other neurodegenerative diseases has been presented, including a summary of their known associations with the biological hallmarks of ageing: genomic instability, telomere attrition, epigenetic alterations, loss of proteostasis, mitochondrial dysfunction, cellular senescence, deregulated nutrient sensing, stem cell exhaustion, and altered intercellular communications. Understanding the central biological mechanisms that underlie ageing is important for identifying novel therapeutic targets for neurodegenerative diseases. Potential therapeutic strategies, including the use of NAD+ precursors, mitophagy inducers, and inhibitors of cellular senescence, has also been discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shofiul Azam
- Department of Applied Life Sciences, Graduate School, BK21 Program, Konkuk University, Chungju-si, South Korea
| | - Md. Ezazul Haque
- Department of Applied Life Sciences, Graduate School, BK21 Program, Konkuk University, Chungju-si, South Korea
| | - Rengasamy Balakrishnan
- Department of Applied Life Sciences, Graduate School, BK21 Program, Konkuk University, Chungju-si, South Korea
| | - In-Su Kim
- Department of Biotechnology, College of Biomedical and Health Science, Research Institute of Inflammatory Disease (RID), Konkuk University, Chungju-si, South Korea
| | - Dong-Kug Choi
- Department of Applied Life Sciences, Graduate School, BK21 Program, Konkuk University, Chungju-si, South Korea
- Department of Biotechnology, College of Biomedical and Health Science, Research Institute of Inflammatory Disease (RID), Konkuk University, Chungju-si, South Korea
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Evaluation of Class IIa Histone Deacetylases Expression and In Vivo Epigenetic Imaging in a Transgenic Mouse Model of Alzheimer's Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22168633. [PMID: 34445342 PMCID: PMC8395513 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22168633] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2021] [Revised: 08/01/2021] [Accepted: 08/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Epigenetic regulation by histone deacetylase (HDAC) is associated with synaptic plasticity and memory formation, and its aberrant expression has been linked to cognitive disorders, including Alzheimer's disease (AD). This study aimed to investigate the role of class IIa HDAC expression in AD and monitor it in vivo using a novel radiotracer, 6-(tri-fluoroacetamido)-1-hexanoicanilide ([18F]TFAHA). A human neural cell culture model with familial AD (FAD) mutations was established and used for in vitro assays. Positron emission tomography (PET) imaging with [18F]TFAHA was performed in a 3xTg AD mouse model for in vivo evaluation. The results showed a significant increase in HDAC4 expression in response to amyloid-β (Aβ) deposition in the cell model. Moreover, treatment with an HDAC4 selective inhibitor significantly upregulated the expression of neuronal memory-/synaptic plasticity-related genes. In [18F]TFAHA-PET imaging, whole brain or regional uptake was significantly higher in 3xTg AD mice compared with WT mice at 8 and 11 months of age. Our study demonstrated a correlation between class IIa HDACs and Aβs, the therapeutic benefit of a selective inhibitor, and the potential of using [18F]TFAHA as an epigenetic radiotracer for AD, which might facilitate the development of AD-related neuroimaging approaches and therapies.
Collapse
|
25
|
Saha A, Dalal Y. A glitch in the snitch: the role of linker histone H1 in shaping the epigenome in normal and diseased cells. Open Biol 2021; 11:210124. [PMID: 34343462 PMCID: PMC8331230 DOI: 10.1098/rsob.210124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Histone H1s or the linker histones are a family of dynamic chromatin compacting proteins that are essential for higher-order chromatin organization. These highly positively charged proteins were previously thought to function solely as repressors of transcription. However, over the last decade, there is a growing interest in understanding this multi-protein family, finding that not all variants act as repressors. Indeed, the H1 family members appear to have distinct affinities for chromatin and may potentially affect distinct functions. This would suggest a more nuanced contribution of H1 to chromatin organization. The advent of new technologies to probe H1 dynamics in vivo, combined with powerful computational biology, and in vitro imaging tools have greatly enhanced our knowledge of the mechanisms by which H1 interacts with chromatin. This family of proteins can be metaphorically compared to the Golden Snitch from the Harry Potter series, buzzing on and off several regions of the chromatin, in combat with competing transcription factors and chromatin remodellers, thereby critical to the epigenetic endgame on short and long temporal scales in the life of the nucleus. Here, we summarize recent efforts spanning structural, computational, genomic and genetic experiments which examine the linker histone as an unseen architect of chromatin fibre in normal and diseased cells and explore unanswered fundamental questions in the field.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ankita Saha
- Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Yamini Dalal
- Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Nutraceutical and Probiotic Approaches to Examine Molecular Interactions of the Amyloid Precursor Protein APP in Drosophila Models of Alzheimer's Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22137022. [PMID: 34209883 PMCID: PMC8269328 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22137022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2021] [Revised: 06/24/2021] [Accepted: 06/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Studies using animal models have shed light into the molecular and cellular basis for the neuropathology observed in patients with Alzheimer’s disease (AD). In particular, the role of the amyloid precursor protein (APP) plays a crucial role in the formation of senile plaques and aging-dependent degeneration. Here, we focus our review on recent findings using the Drosophila AD model to expand our understanding of APP molecular function and interactions, including insights gained from the fly homolog APP-like (APPL). Finally, as there is still no cure for AD, we review some approaches that have shown promising results in ameliorating AD-associated phenotypes, with special attention on the use of nutraceuticals and their molecular effects, as well as interactions with the gut microbiome. Overall, the phenomena described here are of fundamental significance for understanding network development and degeneration. Given the highly conserved nature of fundamental signaling pathways, the insight gained from animal models such as Drosophila melanogaster will likely advance the understanding of the mammalian brain, and thus be relevant to human health.
Collapse
|
27
|
Genome-wide CRISPR screen identifies protein pathways modulating tau protein levels in neurons. Commun Biol 2021; 4:736. [PMID: 34127790 PMCID: PMC8203616 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-021-02272-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2020] [Accepted: 05/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Aggregates of hyperphosphorylated tau protein are a pathological hallmark of more than 20 distinct neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease, progressive supranuclear palsy, and frontotemporal dementia. While the exact mechanism of tau aggregation is unknown, the accumulation of aggregates correlates with disease progression. Here we report a genome-wide CRISPR screen to identify modulators of endogenous tau protein for the first time. Primary screens performed in SH-SY5Y cells, identified positive and negative regulators of tau protein levels. Hit validation of the top 43 candidate genes was performed using Ngn2-induced human cortical excitatory neurons. Using this approach, genes and pathways involved in modulation of endogenous tau levels were identified, including chromatin modifying enzymes, neddylation and ubiquitin pathway members, and components of the mTOR pathway. TSC1, a critical component of the mTOR pathway, was further validated in vivo, demonstrating the relevance of this screening strategy. These findings may have implications for treating neurodegenerative diseases in the future. Using an unbiased genome-wide CRISPR screen approach, Sanchez et al. identified modulators of endogenous tau protein. This study suggests that chromatin modifiers, neddylation, ubiquitination, and the mTOR pathways regulate overall levels of tau protein in neurons, which could help in future identification of therapeutics for neurodegenerative diseases.
Collapse
|
28
|
Poddar MK, Banerjee S, Chakraborty A, Dutta D. Metabolic disorder in Alzheimer's disease. Metab Brain Dis 2021; 36:781-813. [PMID: 33638805 DOI: 10.1007/s11011-021-00673-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2020] [Accepted: 01/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD), a well known aging-induced neurodegenerative disease is related to amyloid proteinopathy. This proteinopathy occurs due to abnormalities in protein folding, structure and thereby its function in cells. The root cause of such kind of proteinopathy and its related neurodegeneration is a disorder in metabolism, rather metabolomics of the major as well as minor nutrients. Metabolomics is the most relevant "omics" platform that offers a great potential for the diagnosis and prognosis of neurodegenerative diseases as an individual's metabolome. In recent years, the research on such kinds of neurodegenerative diseases, especially aging-related disorders is broadened its scope towards metabolic function. Different neurotransmitter metabolisms are also involved with AD and its associated neurodegeneration. The genetic and epigenetic backgrounds are also noteworthy. In this review, the physiological changes of AD in relation to its corresponding biochemical, genetic and epigenetic involvements including its (AD) therapeutic aspects are discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mrinal K Poddar
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Jadavpur University, 188, Raja S. C. Mallick Road, Kolkata, 700032, India.
| | - Soumyabrata Banerjee
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Jadavpur University, 188, Raja S. C. Mallick Road, Kolkata, 700032, India
- Departrment of Psychology, Neuroscience Program, Field Neurosciences Institute Research Laboratory for Restorative Neurology, Central Michigan University, Mount Pleasant, MI, 48859, USA
| | - Apala Chakraborty
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Jadavpur University, 188, Raja S. C. Mallick Road, Kolkata, 700032, India
| | - Debasmita Dutta
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Jadavpur University, 188, Raja S. C. Mallick Road, Kolkata, 700032, India
- Department of Coatings and Polymeric Materials, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND, 58102, USA
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Svob Strac D, Konjevod M, Sagud M, Nikolac Perkovic M, Nedic Erjavec G, Vuic B, Simic G, Vukic V, Mimica N, Pivac N. Personalizing the Care and Treatment of Alzheimer's Disease: An Overview. Pharmgenomics Pers Med 2021; 14:631-653. [PMID: 34093032 PMCID: PMC8169052 DOI: 10.2147/pgpm.s284615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2021] [Accepted: 05/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive, complex, and multifactorial neurodegenerative disorder, still without effective and stable therapeutic strategies. Currently, available medications for AD are based on symptomatic therapy, which include acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitors and N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist. Additionally, medications such as antipsychotic drugs, antidepressants, sedative, and hypnotic agents, and mood stabilizers are used for the management of behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD). Clinical research has been extensively investigated treatments focusing on the hallmark pathology of AD, including the amyloid deposition, tau hyperphosphorylation, neuroinflammation, and vascular changes; however, so far without success, as all new potential drugs failed to show significant clinical benefit. The underlying heterogeneous etiology and diverse symptoms of AD suggest that a precision medicine strategy is required, which would take into account the complex genetic, epigenetic, and environmental landscape of each AD patient. The article provides a comprehensive overview of the literature on AD, the current and potential therapy of both cognitive symptoms as well as BPSD, with a special focus on gut microbiota and epigenetic modifications as new emerging drug targets. Their specific patterns could represent the basis for novel individually tailored approaches aimed to optimize precision medicine strategies for AD prevention and treatment. However, the successful application of precision medicine to AD demands a further extensive research of underlying pathological processes, as well as clinical and biological complexity of this multifactorial neurodegenerative disorder.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dubravka Svob Strac
- Laboratory for Molecular Neuropsychiatry, Division of Molecular Medicine, Rudjer Boskovic Institute, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Marcela Konjevod
- Laboratory for Molecular Neuropsychiatry, Division of Molecular Medicine, Rudjer Boskovic Institute, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Marina Sagud
- Department of Psychiatry, Clinical Hospital Centre Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
- University of Zagreb Medical School, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Matea Nikolac Perkovic
- Laboratory for Molecular Neuropsychiatry, Division of Molecular Medicine, Rudjer Boskovic Institute, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Gordana Nedic Erjavec
- Laboratory for Molecular Neuropsychiatry, Division of Molecular Medicine, Rudjer Boskovic Institute, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Barbara Vuic
- Laboratory for Molecular Neuropsychiatry, Division of Molecular Medicine, Rudjer Boskovic Institute, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Goran Simic
- Department of Neuroscience, Croatian Institute for Brain Research, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Vana Vukic
- Department of Neuroscience, Croatian Institute for Brain Research, Zagreb, Croatia
| | | | - Nela Pivac
- Laboratory for Molecular Neuropsychiatry, Division of Molecular Medicine, Rudjer Boskovic Institute, Zagreb, Croatia
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Zhang L, Young JI, Gomez L, Silva TC, Schmidt MA, Cai J, Chen X, Martin ER, Wang L. Sex-specific DNA methylation differences in Alzheimer's disease pathology. Acta Neuropathol Commun 2021; 9:77. [PMID: 33902726 PMCID: PMC8074512 DOI: 10.1186/s40478-021-01177-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2021] [Accepted: 04/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Sex is an important factor that contributes to the clinical and biological heterogeneities in Alzheimer's disease (AD), but the regulatory mechanisms underlying sex disparity in AD are still not well understood. DNA methylation is an important epigenetic modification that regulates gene transcription and is known to be involved in AD. We performed the first large-scale sex-specific meta-analysis of DNA methylation differences in AD neuropathology, by re-analyzing four recent epigenome-wide association studies totaling more than 1000 postmortem prefrontal cortex brain samples using a uniform analytical pipeline. For each cohort, we employed two complementary analytical strategies, a sex-stratified analysis that examined methylation-Braak stage associations in male and female samples separately, and a sex-by-Braak stage interaction analysis that compared the magnitude of these associations between different sexes. Our analysis uncovered 14 novel CpGs, mapped to genes such as TMEM39A and TNXB that are associated with the AD Braak stage in a sex-specific manner. TMEM39A is known to be involved in inflammation, dysregulated type I interferon responses, and other immune processes. TNXB encodes tenascin proteins, which are extracellular matrix glycoproteins demonstrated to modulate synaptic plasticity in the brain. Moreover, for many previously implicated genes in AD neuropathology, such as MBP and AZU1, our analysis provided the new insights that they were predominately driven by effects in only one sex. These sex-specific DNA methylation differences were enriched in divergent biological processes such as integrin activation in females and complement activation in males. Our study implicated multiple new loci and biological processes that affected AD neuropathology in a sex-specific manner.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lanyu Zhang
- Division of Biostatistics, Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, 33136, USA
| | - Juan I Young
- Dr. John T Macdonald Foundation Department of Human Genetics, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, 33136, USA
- John P. Hussman Institute for Human Genomics, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, 33136, USA
| | - Lissette Gomez
- John P. Hussman Institute for Human Genomics, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, 33136, USA
| | - Tiago C Silva
- Division of Biostatistics, Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, 33136, USA
| | - Michael A Schmidt
- Dr. John T Macdonald Foundation Department of Human Genetics, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, 33136, USA
- John P. Hussman Institute for Human Genomics, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, 33136, USA
| | - Jesse Cai
- Brentwood High School, 5304 Murray Ln, Brentwood, TN, 37027, USA
| | - Xi Chen
- Division of Biostatistics, Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, 33136, USA
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, 33136, USA
| | - Eden R Martin
- Dr. John T Macdonald Foundation Department of Human Genetics, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, 33136, USA
- John P. Hussman Institute for Human Genomics, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, 33136, USA
| | - Lily Wang
- Division of Biostatistics, Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, 33136, USA.
- Dr. John T Macdonald Foundation Department of Human Genetics, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, 33136, USA.
- John P. Hussman Institute for Human Genomics, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, 33136, USA.
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, 33136, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Nagu P, Parashar A, Behl T, Mehta V. Gut Microbiota Composition and Epigenetic Molecular Changes Connected to the Pathogenesis of Alzheimer's Disease. J Mol Neurosci 2021; 71:1436-1455. [PMID: 33829390 DOI: 10.1007/s12031-021-01829-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2021] [Accepted: 03/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder, and its pathogenesis is not fully known. Although there are several hypotheses, such as neuroinflammation, tau hyperphosphorylation, amyloid-β plaques, neurofibrillary tangles, and oxidative stress, none of them completely explain the origin and progression of AD. Emerging evidence suggests that gut microbiota and epigenetics can directly influence the pathogenesis of AD via their effects on multiple pathways, including neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, and amyloid protein. Various gut microbes such as Actinobacteria, Bacteroidetes, E. coli, Firmicutes, Proteobacteria, Tenericutes, and Verrucomicrobia are known to play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of AD. These microbes and their metabolites modulate various physiological processes that contribute to AD pathogenesis, such as neuroinflammation and other inflammatory processes, amyloid deposition, cytokine storm syndrome, altered BDNF and NMDA signaling, impairing neurodevelopmental processes. Likewise, epigenetic markers associated with AD mainly include histone modifications and DNA methylation, which are under the direct control of a variety of enzymes, such as acetylases and methylases. The activity of these enzymes is dependent upon the metabolites generated by the host's gut microbiome, suggesting the significance of epigenetics in AD pathogenesis. It is interesting to know that both gut microbiota and epigenetics are dynamic processes and show a high degree of variation according to diet, stressors, and environmental factors. The bidirectional relation between the gut microbiota and epigenetics suggests that they might work in synchrony to modulate AD representation, its pathogenesis, and progression. They both also provide numerous targets for early diagnostic biomarkers and for the development of AD therapeutics. This review discusses the gut microbiota and epigenetics connection in the pathogenesis of AD and aims to highlight vast opportunities for diagnosis and therapeutics of AD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Priyanka Nagu
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Govt. College of Pharmacy, Rohru, Himachal Pradesh, India.,Department of Pharmacy, Shri Jagdishprasad Jhabarmal Tibrewala University, Jhunjhunu, Rajasthan, India
| | - Arun Parashar
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shoolini University of Biotechnology and Management Sciences, Solan, Himachal Pradesh, India
| | - Tapan Behl
- Chitkara College of Pharmacy, Chitkara University, Punjab, India
| | - Vineet Mehta
- Department of Pharmacology, Govt. College of Pharmacy, Rohru, Himachal Pradesh, India.
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Groot C, Grothe MJ, Mukherjee S, Jelistratova I, Jansen I, van Loenhoud AC, Risacher SL, Saykin AJ, Mac Donald CL, Mez J, Trittschuh EH, Gryglewski G, Lanzenberger R, Pijnenburg YAL, Barkhof F, Scheltens P, van der Flier WM, Crane PK, Ossenkoppele R. Differential patterns of gray matter volumes and associated gene expression profiles in cognitively-defined Alzheimer's disease subgroups. Neuroimage Clin 2021; 30:102660. [PMID: 33895633 PMCID: PMC8186562 DOI: 10.1016/j.nicl.2021.102660] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2021] [Revised: 02/25/2021] [Accepted: 03/30/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
The clinical presentation of Alzheimer's disease (AD) varies widely across individuals but the neurobiological mechanisms underlying this heterogeneity are largely unknown. Here, we compared regional gray matter (GM) volumes and associated gene expression profiles between cognitively-defined subgroups of amyloid-β positive individuals clinically diagnosed with AD dementia (age: 66 ± 7, 47% male, MMSE: 21 ± 5). All participants underwent neuropsychological assessment with tests covering memory, executive-functioning, language and visuospatial-functioning domains. Subgroup classification was achieved using a psychometric framework that assesses which cognitive domain shows substantial relative impairment compared to the intra-individual average across domains, which yielded the following subgroups in our sample; AD-Memory (n = 41), AD-Executive (n = 117), AD-Language (n = 33), AD-Visuospatial (n = 171). We performed voxel-wise contrasts of GM volumes derived from 3Tesla structural MRI between subgroups and controls (n = 127, age 58 ± 9, 42% male, MMSE 29 ± 1), and observed that differences in regional GM volumes compared to controls closely matched the respective cognitive profiles. Specifically, we detected lower medial temporal lobe GM volumes in AD-Memory, lower fronto-parietal GM volumes in AD-Executive, asymmetric GM volumes in the temporal lobe (left < right) in AD-Language, and lower GM volumes in posterior areas in AD-Visuospatial. In order to examine possible biological drivers of these differences in regional GM volumes, we correlated subgroup-specific regional GM volumes to brain-wide gene expression profiles based on a stereotactic characterization of the transcriptional architecture of the human brain as provided by the Allen human brain atlas. Gene-set enrichment analyses revealed that variations in regional expression of genes involved in processes like mitochondrial respiration and metabolism of proteins were associated with patterns of regional GM volume across multiple subgroups. Other gene expression vs GM volume-associations were only detected in particular subgroups, e.g., genes involved in the cell cycle for AD-Memory, specific sets of genes related to protein metabolism in AD-Language, and genes associated with modification of gene expression in AD-Visuospatial. We conclude that cognitively-defined AD subgroups show neurobiological differences, and distinct biological pathways may be involved in the emergence of these differences.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Colin Groot
- Department of Neurology & Alzheimer Center, Amsterdam University Medical Center - Location VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
| | - Michel J Grothe
- Unidad de Trastornos del Movimiento, Servicio de Neurología y Neurofisiología Clínica, Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla, Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío/CSIC/Universidad de Sevilla, Seville, Spain; German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Rostock, Germany.
| | | | | | - Iris Jansen
- Department of Complex Trait Genetics, Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research, Amsterdam Neuroscience, VU University, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
| | - Anna Catharina van Loenhoud
- Department of Neurology & Alzheimer Center, Amsterdam University Medical Center - Location VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
| | | | - Andrew J Saykin
- Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA.
| | | | - Jesse Mez
- Department of Neurology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA; Alzheimer's Disease Center, Boston University School of Medicine, MA, USA.
| | - Emily H Trittschuh
- Psychiatry & Behavioral Science, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA; Veterans Affairs Puget Sound Health Care System, Geriatric Research, Education, & Clinical Center, Seattle, WA, USA.
| | - Gregor Gryglewski
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
| | - Rupert Lanzenberger
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
| | - Yolande A L Pijnenburg
- Department of Neurology & Alzheimer Center, Amsterdam University Medical Center - Location VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
| | - Frederik Barkhof
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Amsterdam University Medical Center - Location VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; University College London, Institutes of Neurology & Healthcare Engineering, London, United Kingdom.
| | - Philip Scheltens
- Department of Neurology & Alzheimer Center, Amsterdam University Medical Center - Location VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
| | - Wiesje M van der Flier
- Department of Neurology & Alzheimer Center, Amsterdam University Medical Center - Location VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Amsterdam University Medical Center - Location VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
| | - Paul K Crane
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.
| | - Rik Ossenkoppele
- Department of Neurology & Alzheimer Center, Amsterdam University Medical Center - Location VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands; Lund University, Clinical Memory Research Unit, Lund, Sweden.
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Nikolac Perkovic M, Videtic Paska A, Konjevod M, Kouter K, Svob Strac D, Nedic Erjavec G, Pivac N. Epigenetics of Alzheimer's Disease. Biomolecules 2021; 11:biom11020195. [PMID: 33573255 PMCID: PMC7911414 DOI: 10.3390/biom11020195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2020] [Revised: 01/19/2021] [Accepted: 01/26/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
There are currently no validated biomarkers which can be used to accurately diagnose Alzheimer’s disease (AD) or to distinguish it from other dementia-causing neuropathologies. Moreover, to date, only symptomatic treatments exist for this progressive neurodegenerative disorder. In the search for new, more reliable biomarkers and potential therapeutic options, epigenetic modifications have emerged as important players in the pathogenesis of AD. The aim of the article was to provide a brief overview of the current knowledge regarding the role of epigenetics (including mitoepigenetics) in AD, and the possibility of applying these advances for future AD therapy. Extensive research has suggested an important role of DNA methylation and hydroxymethylation, histone posttranslational modifications, and non-coding RNA regulation (with the emphasis on microRNAs) in the course and development of AD. Recent studies also indicated mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) as an interesting biomarker of AD, since dysfunctions in the mitochondria and lower mtDNA copy number have been associated with AD pathophysiology. The current evidence suggests that epigenetic changes can be successfully detected, not only in the central nervous system, but also in the cerebrospinal fluid and on the periphery, contributing further to their potential as both biomarkers and therapeutic targets in AD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Matea Nikolac Perkovic
- Laboratory for Molecular Neuropsychiatry, Division of Molecular Medicine, Ruder Boskovic Institute, HR-10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (M.N.P.); (M.K.); (D.S.S.); (G.N.E.)
| | - Alja Videtic Paska
- Medical Center for Molecular Biology, Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (A.V.P.); (K.K.)
| | - Marcela Konjevod
- Laboratory for Molecular Neuropsychiatry, Division of Molecular Medicine, Ruder Boskovic Institute, HR-10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (M.N.P.); (M.K.); (D.S.S.); (G.N.E.)
| | - Katarina Kouter
- Medical Center for Molecular Biology, Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (A.V.P.); (K.K.)
| | - Dubravka Svob Strac
- Laboratory for Molecular Neuropsychiatry, Division of Molecular Medicine, Ruder Boskovic Institute, HR-10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (M.N.P.); (M.K.); (D.S.S.); (G.N.E.)
| | - Gordana Nedic Erjavec
- Laboratory for Molecular Neuropsychiatry, Division of Molecular Medicine, Ruder Boskovic Institute, HR-10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (M.N.P.); (M.K.); (D.S.S.); (G.N.E.)
| | - Nela Pivac
- Laboratory for Molecular Neuropsychiatry, Division of Molecular Medicine, Ruder Boskovic Institute, HR-10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (M.N.P.); (M.K.); (D.S.S.); (G.N.E.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +38-514-571-207
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Wang Q, Chen Y, Readhead B, Chen K, Su Y, Reiman EM, Dudley JT. Longitudinal data in peripheral blood confirm that PM20D1 is a quantitative trait locus (QTL) for Alzheimer's disease and implicate its dynamic role in disease progression. Clin Epigenetics 2020; 12:189. [PMID: 33298155 PMCID: PMC7724832 DOI: 10.1186/s13148-020-00984-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2020] [Accepted: 11/18/2020] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND While Alzheimer's disease (AD) remains one of the most challenging diseases to tackle, genome-wide genetic/epigenetic studies reveal many disease-associated risk loci, which sheds new light onto disease heritability, provides novel insights to understand its underlying mechanism and potentially offers easily measurable biomarkers for early diagnosis and intervention. METHODS We analyzed whole-genome DNA methylation data collected from peripheral blood in a cohort (n = 649) from the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) and compared the DNA methylation level at baseline among participants diagnosed with AD (n = 87), mild cognitive impairment (MCI, n = 175) and normal controls (n = 162), to identify differentially methylated regions (DMRs). We also leveraged up to 4 years of longitudinal DNA methylation data, sampled at approximately 1 year intervals to model alterations in methylation levels at DMRs to delineate methylation changes associated with aging and disease progression, by linear mixed-effects (LME) modeling for the unchanged diagnosis groups (AD, MCI and control, respectively) and U-shape testing for those with changed diagnosis (converters). RESULTS When compared with controls, patients with MCI consistently displayed promoter hypomethylation at methylation QTL (mQTL) gene locus PM20D1. This promoter hypomethylation was even more prominent in patients with mild to moderate AD. This is in stark contrast with previously reported hypermethylation in hippocampal and frontal cortex brain tissues in patients with advanced-stage AD at this locus. From longitudinal data, we show that initial promoter hypomethylation of PM20D1 during MCI and early stage AD is reversed to eventual promoter hypermethylation in late stage AD, which helps to complete a fuller picture of methylation dynamics. We also confirm this observation in an independent cohort from the Religious Orders Study and Memory and Aging Project (ROSMAP) Study using DNA methylation and gene expression data from brain tissues as neuropathological staging (Braak score) advances. CONCLUSIONS Our results confirm that PM20D1 is an mQTL in AD and demonstrate that it plays a dynamic role at different stages of the disease. Further in-depth study is thus warranted to fully decipher its role in the evolution of AD and potentially explore its utility as a blood-based biomarker for AD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qi Wang
- grid.215654.10000 0001 2151 2636ASU-Banner Neurodegenerative Disease Research Center, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ USA
| | - Yinghua Chen
- grid.418204.b0000 0004 0406 4925Banner Alzheimer’s Institute, Phoenix, AZ USA
| | - Benjamin Readhead
- grid.215654.10000 0001 2151 2636ASU-Banner Neurodegenerative Disease Research Center, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ USA
| | - Kewei Chen
- grid.418204.b0000 0004 0406 4925Banner Alzheimer’s Institute, Phoenix, AZ USA
| | - Yi Su
- grid.418204.b0000 0004 0406 4925Banner Alzheimer’s Institute, Phoenix, AZ USA
| | - Eric M. Reiman
- grid.215654.10000 0001 2151 2636ASU-Banner Neurodegenerative Disease Research Center, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ USA ,grid.418204.b0000 0004 0406 4925Banner Alzheimer’s Institute, Phoenix, AZ USA
| | - Joel T. Dudley
- grid.215654.10000 0001 2151 2636ASU-Banner Neurodegenerative Disease Research Center, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ USA ,grid.59734.3c0000 0001 0670 2351Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY USA
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Chokkalla AK, Mehta SL, Vemuganti R. Epitranscriptomic regulation by m 6A RNA methylation in brain development and diseases. J Cereb Blood Flow Metab 2020; 40:2331-2349. [PMID: 32967524 PMCID: PMC7820693 DOI: 10.1177/0271678x20960033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2020] [Accepted: 08/27/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Cellular RNAs are pervasively tagged with diverse chemical moieties, collectively called epitranscriptomic modifications. The methylation of adenosine at N6 position generates N6-methyladenosine (m6A), which is the most abundant and reversible epitranscriptomic modification in mammals. The m6A signaling is mediated by a dedicated set of proteins comprised of writers, erasers, and readers. Contrary to the activation-repression binary view of gene regulation, emerging evidence suggests that the m6A methylation controls multiple aspects of mRNA metabolism, such as splicing, export, stability, translation, and degradation, culminating in the fine-tuning of gene expression. Brain shows the highest abundance of m6A methylation in the body, which is developmentally altered. Within the brain, m6A methylation is biased toward neuronal transcripts and sensitive to neuronal activity. In a healthy brain, m6A maintains several developmental and physiological processes such as neurogenesis, axonal growth, synaptic plasticity, circadian rhythm, cognitive function, and stress response. The m6A imbalance contributes to the pathogenesis of acute and chronic CNS insults, brain cancer, and neuropsychiatric disorders. This review discussed the molecular mechanisms of m6A regulation and its implication in the developmental, physiological, and pathological processes of the brain.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anil K Chokkalla
- Cellular and Molecular Pathology Graduate Program, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, WI, USA
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Suresh L Mehta
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Raghu Vemuganti
- Cellular and Molecular Pathology Graduate Program, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, WI, USA
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, WI, USA
- William S. Middleton Memorial Veteran Administration Hospital, Madison, WI, USA
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Zhang L, Silva TC, Young JI, Gomez L, Schmidt MA, Hamilton-Nelson KL, Kunkle BW, Chen X, Martin ER, Wang L. Epigenome-wide meta-analysis of DNA methylation differences in prefrontal cortex implicates the immune processes in Alzheimer's disease. Nat Commun 2020; 11:6114. [PMID: 33257653 PMCID: PMC7704686 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-19791-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2020] [Accepted: 10/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
DNA methylation differences in Alzheimer's disease (AD) have been reported. Here, we conducted a meta-analysis of more than 1000 prefrontal cortex brain samples to prioritize the most consistent methylation differences in multiple cohorts. Using a uniform analysis pipeline, we identified 3751 CpGs and 119 differentially methylated regions (DMRs) significantly associated with Braak stage. Our analysis identified differentially methylated genes such as MAMSTR, AGAP2, and AZU1. The most significant DMR identified is located on the MAMSTR gene, which encodes a cofactor that stimulates MEF2C. Notably, MEF2C cooperates with another transcription factor, PU.1, a central hub in the AD gene network. Our enrichment analysis highlighted the potential roles of the immune system and polycomb repressive complex 2 in pathological AD. These results may help facilitate future mechanistic and biomarker discovery studies in AD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lanyu Zhang
- Division of Biostatistics, Department of Public Health Sciences, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL, 33136, USA
| | - Tiago C Silva
- Division of Biostatistics, Department of Public Health Sciences, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL, 33136, USA
| | - Juan I Young
- Dr. John T Macdonald Foundation Department of Human Genetics, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL, 33136, USA
- John P. Hussman Institute for Human Genomics, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL, 33136, USA
| | - Lissette Gomez
- John P. Hussman Institute for Human Genomics, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL, 33136, USA
| | - Michael A Schmidt
- Dr. John T Macdonald Foundation Department of Human Genetics, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL, 33136, USA
- John P. Hussman Institute for Human Genomics, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL, 33136, USA
| | - Kara L Hamilton-Nelson
- John P. Hussman Institute for Human Genomics, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL, 33136, USA
| | - Brian W Kunkle
- Dr. John T Macdonald Foundation Department of Human Genetics, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL, 33136, USA
- John P. Hussman Institute for Human Genomics, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL, 33136, USA
| | - Xi Chen
- Division of Biostatistics, Department of Public Health Sciences, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL, 33136, USA
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL, 33136, USA
| | - Eden R Martin
- Dr. John T Macdonald Foundation Department of Human Genetics, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL, 33136, USA
- John P. Hussman Institute for Human Genomics, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL, 33136, USA
| | - Lily Wang
- Division of Biostatistics, Department of Public Health Sciences, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL, 33136, USA.
- Dr. John T Macdonald Foundation Department of Human Genetics, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL, 33136, USA.
- John P. Hussman Institute for Human Genomics, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL, 33136, USA.
- Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL, 33136, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Karisetty BC, Bhatnagar A, Armour EM, Beaver M, Zhang H, Elefant F. Amyloid-β Peptide Impact on Synaptic Function and Neuroepigenetic Gene Control Reveal New Therapeutic Strategies for Alzheimer's Disease. Front Mol Neurosci 2020; 13:577622. [PMID: 33304239 PMCID: PMC7693454 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2020.577622] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2020] [Accepted: 10/22/2020] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Amyloid-β (Aβ) peptides can form protease-resistant aggregates within and outside of neurons. Accumulation of these aggregates is a hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) neuropathology and contributes to devastating cognitive deficits associated with this disorder. The primary etiological factor for Aβ aggregation is either an increase in Aβ production or a decrease in its clearance. Aβ is produced by the sequential activity of β- and γ-secretase on the amyloid precursor protein (APP) and the clearance is mediated by chaperone-mediated mechanisms. The Aβ aggregates vary from soluble monomers and oligomers to insoluble senile plaques. While excess intraneuronal oligomers can transduce neurotoxic signals into neurons causing cellular defects like oxidative stress and neuroepigenetic mediated transcriptional dysregulation, extracellular senile plaques cause neurodegeneration by impairing neural membrane permeabilization and cell signaling pathways. Paradoxically, senile plaque formation is hypothesized to be an adaptive mechanism to sequester excess toxic soluble oligomers while leaving native functional Aβ levels intact. This hypothesis is strengthened by the absence of positive outcomes and side effects from immunotherapy clinical trials aimed at complete Aβ clearance, and support beneficial physiological roles for native Aβ in cellular function. Aβ has been shown to modulate synaptic transmission, consolidate memory, and protect against excitotoxicity. We discuss the current understanding of beneficial and detrimental roles for Aβ in synaptic function and epigenetic gene control and the future promising prospects of early therapeutic interventions aimed at mediating Aβ induced neuroepigenetic and synaptic dysfunctions to delay AD onset.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Akanksha Bhatnagar
- Department of Biology, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Ellen M Armour
- Department of Biology, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Mariah Beaver
- Department of Biology, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Haolin Zhang
- Department of Biology, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Felice Elefant
- Department of Biology, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Proceedings from the Fourth International Symposium on σ-2 Receptors: Role in Health and Disease. eNeuro 2020; 7:ENEURO.0317-20.2020. [PMID: 33028631 PMCID: PMC7643771 DOI: 10.1523/eneuro.0317-20.2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2020] [Revised: 09/10/2020] [Accepted: 09/12/2020] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The σ-2 receptor (S2R) complex has been implicated in CNS disorders ranging from anxiety and depression to neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease (AD). The proteins comprising the S2R complex impact processes including autophagy, cholesterol synthesis, progesterone signaling, lipid membrane-bound protein trafficking, and receptor stabilization at the cell surface. While there has been much progress in understanding the role of S2R in cellular processes and its potential therapeutic value, a great deal remains unknown. The International Symposium on Sigma-2 Receptors is held in conjunction with the annual Society for Neuroscience (SfN) conference to promote collaboration and advance the field of S2R research. This review summarizes updates presented at the Fourth International Symposium on Sigma-2 Receptors: Role in Health and Disease, a Satellite Symposium held at the 2019 SfN conference. Interdisciplinary members of the S2R research community presented both previously published and preliminary results from ongoing studies of the role of S2R in cellular metabolism, the anatomic and cellular expression patterns of S2R, the relationship between S2R and amyloid β (Aβ) in AD, the role of S2R complex protein PGRMC1 in health and disease, and the efforts to design new S2R ligands for the purposes of research and drug development. The proceedings from this symposium are reported here as an update on the field of S2R research, as well as to highlight the value of the symposia that occur yearly in conjunction with the SfN conference.
Collapse
|
39
|
Imbimbo BP, Lozupone M, Watling M, Panza F. Discontinued disease-modifying therapies for Alzheimer's disease: status and future perspectives. Expert Opin Investig Drugs 2020; 29:919-933. [PMID: 32657175 DOI: 10.1080/13543784.2020.1795127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the main cause of dementia and represents a huge burden for patients, carers, and healthcare systems. Extensive efforts for over 20 years have failed to find effective disease-modifying drugs. Although amyloid-β (Aβ) accumulation in the brain predicts cognitive decline, effective reduction of plaque load by numerous drug candidates has not yielded significant clinical benefits. A similar pattern is now emerging for drugs which target hyperphosphorylated tau, and trials with anti-inflammatory drugs have been negative despite neuroinflammation appearing to have a crucial role in AD pathogenesis. AREAS COVERED This article reviews key drugs that have been discontinued while in development for AD and delineates the future landscape for present and alternative approaches. EXPERT OPINION Anti-Aβ drugs have failed to validate the Aβ cascade hypothesis of AD. Early findings suggest that the same is happening with therapeutics targeting tau and focussing future research solely on anti-tau drugs is inappropriate. Alternative targets should be pursued, including apolipoprotein E, immunomodulation, plasma exchange, protein autophagy and clearance, mitochondrial dysfunction, abnormal glucose metabolism, neurovascular unit support, epigenetic dysregulation, synaptic loss and dysfunction, microbiota dysbiosis, and combination therapies. Meanwhile, repurposing of drugs approved for other indications is justified where scientific rationale and robust preclinical evidence exist.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bruno P Imbimbo
- Department of Research and Development, Chiesi Farmaceutici , Parma, Italy
| | - Madia Lozupone
- Unit of Epidemiological Research on Aging "Greatage Study", National Institute of Gastroenterology and Research Hospital IRCCS "S. de Bellis" , Bari, Italy.,Neurodegenerative Disease Unit, Department of Basic Medicine, Neuroscience, and Sense Organs, University of Bari Aldo Moro , Bari, Italy
| | - Mark Watling
- CNS & Pain Department, TranScrip Partners , Reading, UK
| | - Francesco Panza
- Unit of Epidemiological Research on Aging "Greatage Study", National Institute of Gastroenterology and Research Hospital IRCCS "S. de Bellis" , Bari, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
40
|
Gordon JL, Reynolds MM, Brown MA. Nitric Oxide as a Potential Adjuvant Therapeutic for Neuroblastoma: Effects of NO on Murine N2a Cells. Vet Sci 2020; 7:E51. [PMID: 32340209 PMCID: PMC7355501 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci7020051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2020] [Revised: 04/16/2020] [Accepted: 04/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuroblastoma, the most common extracranial solid tumor in children, accounts for 15% of all pediatric cancer deaths. Pharmaceutical applications of S-Nitrosylation, which, under normal conditions is involved with a host of epigenetic and embryological development pathways, have exhibited great potential for use as adjuvant therapeutics in the clinical management of cancer. Herein, an evaluation of the impact of nitric oxide (NO) as a potent anticancer agent on murine neuroblastoma cells is presented. Excitingly cell viability, colony formation, and non-carcinogenic cell analysis illustrate the significance and practicality of NO as a cytotoxic anticancer therapeutic. Resazurin, WST-8 (2-(2-methoxy-4-nitrophenyl)-3-(4-nitrophenyl)-5-(2,4-disulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium, monosodium salt), and MTT (3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphyltetrazolium bromide) assays consistently displayed a moderate, ~20-25% reduction in cell viability after exposure to 1 mM S-Nitrosoglutathione (GSNO). A colony formation assay demonstrated that treated cells no longer exhibited colony formation capacity. Identically GSNO-treated Adult Human Dermal Fibroblasts (HDFa) exhibited no decrease in viability, indicating potential discrimination between neoplastic and normal cells. Collectively, our findings indicate a potential application for NO as an adjuvant therapeutic in the clinical management of neuroblastoma.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jenna L. Gordon
- Department of Chemistry, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80521, USA;
| | - Melissa M. Reynolds
- Department of Chemistry, School of Biomedical Engineering, Colorado State University, Campus Delivery 1872, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA
| | - Mark A. Brown
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA;
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease is a chronic neurodegenerative devastating disorder affecting a high percentage of the population over 65 years of age and causing a relevant emotional, social, and economic burden. Clinically, it is characterized by a prominent cognitive deficit associated with language and behavioral impairments. The molecular pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease is multifaceted and involves changes in neurotransmitter levels together with alterations of inflammatory, oxidative, hormonal, and synaptic pathways, which may represent a drug target for both prevention and treatment; however, an effective treatment for Alzheimer's disease still represents an unmet goal. As neurotrophic factors participate in the modulation of the above-mentioned pathways, they have been highlighted as critical contributors of Alzheimer's disease etiology, whose modulation might be beneficial for Alzheimer's disease. We focused on the neurotrophin brain-derived neurotrophic factor, providing several lines of evidence pointing to brain-derived neurotrophic factor as a plausible endophenotype of cognitive deficits in Alzheimer's disease, illustrating some of the most recent possibilities to modulate the expression of this neurotrophin in the brain in an attempt to ameliorate cognition and delay the progression of Alzheimer's disease. This review shows that otherwise disparate pharmacologic or non-pharmacologic approaches converge on brain-derived neurotrophic factor, providing a means whereby apparently unrelated medical approaches may nevertheless produce similar synaptic and cognitive outcomes in Alzheimer's disease pathogenesis, suggesting that brain-derived neurotrophic factor-based synaptic repair may represent a modifying strategy to ameliorate cognition in Alzheimer's disease.
Collapse
|
42
|
Martínez-Cué C, Rueda N. Cellular Senescence in Neurodegenerative Diseases. Front Cell Neurosci 2020; 14:16. [PMID: 32116562 PMCID: PMC7026683 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2020.00016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 152] [Impact Index Per Article: 38.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2019] [Accepted: 01/21/2020] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Cellular senescence is a homeostatic biological process characterized by a permanent state of cell cycle arrest that can contribute to the decline of the regenerative potential and function of tissues. The increased presence of senescent cells in different neurodegenerative diseases suggests the contribution of senescence in the pathophysiology of these disorders. Although several factors can induce senescence, DNA damage, oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, and altered proteostasis have been shown to play a role in its onset. Oxidative stress contributes to accelerated aging and cognitive dysfunction stages affecting neurogenesis, neuronal differentiation, connectivity, and survival. During later life stages, it is implicated in the progression of cognitive decline, synapse loss, and neuronal degeneration. Also, neuroinflammation exacerbates oxidative stress, synaptic dysfunction, and neuronal death through the harmful effects of pro-inflammatory cytokines on cell proliferation and maturation. Both oxidative stress and neuroinflammation can induce DNA damage and alterations in DNA repair that, in turn, can exacerbate them. Another important feature associated with senescence is altered proteostasis. Because of the disruption in the function and balance of the proteome, senescence can modify the proper synthesis, folding, quality control, and degradation rate of proteins producing, in some diseases, misfolded proteins or aggregation of abnormal proteins. There is an extensive body of literature that associates cellular senescence with several neurodegenerative disorders including Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Down syndrome (DS), and Parkinson’s disease (PD). This review summarizes the evidence of the shared neuropathological events in these neurodegenerative diseases and the implication of cellular senescence in their onset or aggravation. Understanding the role that cellular senescence plays in them could help to develop new therapeutic strategies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Carmen Martínez-Cué
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Cantabria, Santander, Spain
| | - Noemí Rueda
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Cantabria, Santander, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
43
|
Mu H, Wang Z, Zhang X, Qian D, Wang Y, Jiang S, Liang S, Wang B. HCMV-encoded IE2 induces anxiety-depression and cognitive impairment in UL122 genetically-modified mice. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL PATHOLOGY 2019; 12:4087-4095. [PMID: 31933804 PMCID: PMC6949793] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2019] [Accepted: 09/24/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Although there is a high risk of mood disorders and cognitive impairment in congenital human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infections, the molecular pathogenetic mechanisms of HCMV have not yet been fully determined. In this study, we show that immediate-early 2 (IE2) protein modulates affective and cognitive behaviors. We used a UL122 genetically-modified mice model that can continuously express IE2 protein. We used a series of animal behavior tests to determine the relationship between HCMV-encoded IE2 and psychiatric disorders. In open-field, elevated plus-maze test and tail suspension tests, we found that UL122 genetically-modified mice displayed more anxiety-depression behavior than did wild-type (WT) mice. The Morris water maze test and novel object recognition test showed that spatial learning and memory were lower in UL122 genetically-modified mice model than in WT mice. Level of fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2) protein in the hippocampus cornu ammonia areas (CA1, CA3) and dentate gyrus (DG) of the experimental group was significantly lower, consistent with immunohistochemical staining and western blot for neuron-specific nuclear protein (NeuN) and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP). Levels of SYP and PSD-95 proteins were lower in the hippocampus UL122 genetically-modified mice. These data suggest the importance of HCMV-encoded IE2 for studying anxiety and depression behaviors and for the spatial learning and memory. This would help to further explain the molecular pathological mechanism of psychiatric disorders caused by HCMV infection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Haiyu Mu
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, School of Basic Medicine, Qingdao UniversityQingdao 266071, Shandong, P. R. China
| | - Zhifei Wang
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, School of Basic Medicine, Qingdao UniversityQingdao 266071, Shandong, P. R. China
| | - Xianjuan Zhang
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, School of Basic Medicine, Qingdao UniversityQingdao 266071, Shandong, P. R. China
| | - Dongmeng Qian
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, School of Basic Medicine, Qingdao UniversityQingdao 266071, Shandong, P. R. China
| | - Yuyang Wang
- Department of Endocrinology & Metabolism, Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao UniversityQingdao 266071, Shandong, P. R. China
| | - Shasha Jiang
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, School of Basic Medicine, Qingdao UniversityQingdao 266071, Shandong, P. R. China
| | - Shuzhen Liang
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, School of Basic Medicine, Qingdao UniversityQingdao 266071, Shandong, P. R. China
| | - Bin Wang
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, School of Basic Medicine, Qingdao UniversityQingdao 266071, Shandong, P. R. China
| |
Collapse
|
44
|
Alshiraihi I, Brown MA. Epigenetic Factors of Disease. Diseases 2019; 7:diseases7020042. [PMID: 31197091 PMCID: PMC6630624 DOI: 10.3390/diseases7020042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2019] [Accepted: 06/10/2019] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The development of tissues involves the direction of specific programs for gene expression among distinct cell types. These programs are often established in a heritable state by virtue of epigenetic mechanisms and corresponding pathways of cellular memory. Thus, the broad synchronization in patterns of gene expression ultimately dictates cellular consequences. Aberrations in these epigenetic mechanisms are known to be associated with a range of diseases. Herein, we highlight epigenetic factors that, when aberrantly expressed, lead to a broad range of diseases. Further, we call upon the community of biomedical researchers to share their findings related to the epigenetic factors of disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ilham Alshiraihi
- Cell and Molecular Biology Program, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA.
| | - Mark A Brown
- Cell and Molecular Biology Program, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA.
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA.
- Epidemiology Section, Colorado School of Public Health, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA.
- Department of Ethnic Studies, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA.
| |
Collapse
|