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Soni ND, Swain A, Juul H, Cao Q, Haris M, Wolk DA, Lee VM, Detre JA, Nanga RPR, Reddy R. Detection of sex-specific glutamate changes in subregions of hippocampus in an early-stage Alzheimer's disease mouse model using GluCEST MRI. Alzheimers Dement 2024; 20:7124-7137. [PMID: 39262197 PMCID: PMC11485308 DOI: 10.1002/alz.14190] [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: 04/22/2024] [Revised: 07/05/2024] [Accepted: 07/24/2024] [Indexed: 09/13/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Regional glucose hypometabolism resulting in glutamate loss has been shown as one of the characteristics of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Because the impact of AD varies between the sexes, we utilized glutamate-weighted chemical exchange saturation transfer (GluCEST) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for high-resolution spatial mapping of cerebral glutamate and investigated subregional changes in a sex-specific manner. METHODS Eight-month-old male and female AD mice harboring mutant amyloid precursor protein (APPNL-F/NL-F: n = 36) and wild-type (WT: n = 39) mice underwent GluCEST MRI, followed by proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS) in hippocampus and thalamus/hypothalamus using 9.4T preclinical MR scanner. RESULTS GluCEST measurements revealed significant (p ≤ 0.02) glutamate loss in the entorhinal cortex (% change ± standard error: 8.73 ± 2.12%), hippocampus (11.29 ± 2.41%), and hippocampal fimbriae (19.15 ± 2.95%) of male AD mice. A similar loss of hippocampal glutamate in male AD mice (11.22 ± 2.33%; p = 0.01) was also observed in 1H-MRS. DISCUSSIONS GluCEST MRI detected glutamate reductions in the fimbria and entorhinal cortex of male AD mice, which was not reported previously. Resilience in female AD mice against these changes indicates an intact status of cerebral energy metabolism. HIGHLIGHTS Glutamate levels were monitored in different brain regions of early-stage Alzheimer's disease (AD) and wild-type male and female mice using glutamate-weighted chemical exchange saturation transfer (GluCEST) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Male AD mice exhibited significant glutamate loss in the hippocampus, entorhinal cortex, and the fimbriae of the hippocampus. Interestingly, female AD mice did not have any glutamate loss in any brain region and should be investigated further to find the probable cause. These findings demonstrate previously unreported sex-specific glutamate changes in hippocampal sub-regions using high-resolution GluCEST MRI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Narayan Datt Soni
- Department of Radiology, Perelman School of MedicineCenter for Advanced Metabolic Imaging in Precision MedicineUniversity of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaPennsylvaniaUSA
| | - Anshuman Swain
- Department of Radiology, Perelman School of MedicineCenter for Advanced Metabolic Imaging in Precision MedicineUniversity of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaPennsylvaniaUSA
- Department of Bioengineering, School of Engineering and Applied SciencesUniversity of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaPennsylvaniaUSA
| | - Halvor Juul
- Department of Radiology, Perelman School of MedicineCenter for Advanced Metabolic Imaging in Precision MedicineUniversity of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaPennsylvaniaUSA
| | - Quy Cao
- Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology, and Informatics, Perelman School of MedicineUniversity of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaPennsylvaniaUSA
| | - Mohammad Haris
- Department of Radiology, Perelman School of MedicineCenter for Advanced Metabolic Imaging in Precision MedicineUniversity of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaPennsylvaniaUSA
| | - David A. Wolk
- Center for Cognitive NeuroscienceUniversity of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaPennsylvaniaUSA
- Alzheimer's Disease Research CenterPerelman School of MedicineUniversity of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaPennsylvaniaUSA
| | - Virginia M.‐Y. Lee
- Alzheimer's Disease Research CenterPerelman School of MedicineUniversity of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaPennsylvaniaUSA
- Center for Neurodegenerative Disease ResearchPerelman School of MedicineUniversity of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaPennsylvaniaUSA
| | - John A. Detre
- Department of Neurology, Perelman School of MedicineUniversity of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaPennsylvaniaUSA
| | - Ravi Prakash Reddy Nanga
- Department of Radiology, Perelman School of MedicineCenter for Advanced Metabolic Imaging in Precision MedicineUniversity of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaPennsylvaniaUSA
| | - Ravinder Reddy
- Department of Radiology, Perelman School of MedicineCenter for Advanced Metabolic Imaging in Precision MedicineUniversity of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaPennsylvaniaUSA
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Rishabh, Rohilla M, Bansal S, Bansal N, Chauhan S, Sharma S, Goyal N, Gupta S. Estrogen signalling and Alzheimer's disease: Decoding molecular mechanisms for therapeutic breakthrough. Eur J Neurosci 2024; 60:3466-3490. [PMID: 38726764 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.16360] [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: 01/31/2024] [Revised: 03/19/2024] [Accepted: 04/02/2024] [Indexed: 07/06/2024]
Abstract
In females, Alzheimer's disease (AD) incidences increases as compared to males due to estrogen deficiency after menopause. Estrogen therapy is the mainstay therapy for menopause and associated complications. Estrogen, a hormone with multifaceted physiological functions, has been implicated in AD pathophysiology. Estrogen plays a crucial role in amyloid precursor protein (APP) processing and overall neuronal health by regulating various factors such as brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), intracellular calcium signalling, death domain-associated protein (Daxx) translocation, glutamatergic excitotoxicity, Voltage-Dependent Anion Channel, Insulin-Like Growth Factor 1 Receptor, estrogen-metabolising enzymes and apolipoprotein E (ApoE) protein polymorphisms. All these factors impact the physiology of postmenopausal women. Estrogen replacement therapies play an important treatment strategy to prevent AD after menopause. However, use of these therapies may lead to increased risks of breast cancer, venous thromboembolism and cardiovascular disease. Various therapeutic approaches have been used to mitigate the effects of estrogen on AD. These include hormone replacement therapy, Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators (SERMs), Estrogen Receptor Beta (ERβ)-Selective Agonists, Transdermal Estrogen Delivery, Localised Estrogen Delivery, Combination Therapies, Estrogen Metabolism Modulation and Alternative Estrogenic Compounds like genistein from soy, a notable phytoestrogen from plant sources. However, mechanism via which these approaches modulate AD in postmenopausal women has not been explained earlier thoroughly. Present review will enlighten all the molecular mechanisms of estrogen and estrogen replacement therapies in AD. Along-with this, the association between estrogen, estrogen-metabolising enzymes and ApoE protein polymorphisms will also be discussed in postmenopausal AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rishabh
- Department of Pharmacology, M. M. College of Pharmacy, Maharishi Markandeshwar (Deemed to be University), Ambala, Haryana, India
| | - Manni Rohilla
- Department of Pharmacology, Chitkara College of Pharmacy, Chitkara University, Rajpura, Punjab, India
| | - Seema Bansal
- Department of Pharmacology, M. M. College of Pharmacy, Maharishi Markandeshwar (Deemed to be University), Ambala, Haryana, India
| | - Nitin Bansal
- Department of Pharmacy, Chaudhary Bansilal University, Bhiwani, India
| | - Samrat Chauhan
- Department of Pharmacology, Chitkara College of Pharmacy, Chitkara University, Rajpura, Punjab, India
| | - Sheenam Sharma
- Department of Pharmacology, M. M. College of Pharmacy, Maharishi Markandeshwar (Deemed to be University), Ambala, Haryana, India
| | - Navjyoti Goyal
- Department of Pharmacology, M. M. College of Pharmacy, Maharishi Markandeshwar (Deemed to be University), Ambala, Haryana, India
| | - Sumeet Gupta
- Department of Pharmacology, M. M. College of Pharmacy, Maharishi Markandeshwar (Deemed to be University), Ambala, Haryana, India
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Rajendran K, Krishnan UM. Mechanistic insights and emerging therapeutic stratagems for Alzheimer's disease. Ageing Res Rev 2024; 97:102309. [PMID: 38615895 DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2024.102309] [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: 07/24/2023] [Revised: 04/10/2024] [Accepted: 04/10/2024] [Indexed: 04/16/2024]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD), a multi-factorial neurodegenerative disorder has affected over 30 million individuals globally and these numbers are expected to increase in the coming decades. Current therapeutic interventions are largely ineffective as they focus on a single target. Development of an effective drug therapy requires a deep understanding of the various factors influencing the onset and progression of the disease. Aging and genetic factors exert a major influence on the development of AD. Other factors like post-viral infections, iron overload, gut dysbiosis, and vascular dysfunction also exacerbate the onset and progression of AD. Further, post-translational modifications in tau, DRP1, CREB, and p65 proteins increase the disease severity through triggering mitochondrial dysfunction, synaptic loss, and differential interaction of amyloid beta with different receptors leading to impaired intracellular signalling. With advancements in neuroscience tools, new inter-relations that aggravate AD are being discovered including pre-existing diseases and exposure to other pathogens. Simultaneously, new therapeutic strategies involving modulation of gene expression through targeted delivery or modulation with light, harnessing the immune response to promote clearance of amyloid deposits, introduction of stem cells and extracellular vesicles to replace the destroyed neurons, exploring new therapeutic molecules from plant, marine and biological sources delivered in the free state or through nanoparticles and use of non-pharmacological interventions like music, transcranial stimulation and yoga. Polypharmacology approaches involving combination of therapeutic agents are also under active investigation for superior therapeutic outcomes. This review elaborates on various disease-causing factors, their underlying mechanisms, the inter-play between different disease-causing players, and emerging therapeutic options including those under clinical trials, for treatment of AD. The challenges involved in AD therapy and the way forward have also been discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kayalvizhi Rajendran
- School of Chemical & Biotechnology, SASTRA Deemed University, Thanjavur, Tamilnadu 613401, India; Centre for Nanotechnology & Advanced Biomaterials, SASTRA Deemed University, Thanjavur, Tamilnadu 613401, India
| | - Uma Maheswari Krishnan
- School of Chemical & Biotechnology, SASTRA Deemed University, Thanjavur, Tamilnadu 613401, India; Centre for Nanotechnology & Advanced Biomaterials, SASTRA Deemed University, Thanjavur, Tamilnadu 613401, India; School of Arts, Sciences, Humanities & Education, SASTRA Deemed University, Thanjavur, Tamilnadu 613401, India.
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Tapella L, Dematteis G, La Vitola P, Leva S, Tonelli E, Raddi M, Delconti M, Dacomo L, La Macchia A, Murari E, Talmon M, Malecka J, Chrostek G, Grilli M, Colombo L, Salmona M, Forloni G, Genazzani AA, Balducci C, Lim D. Genetic deletion of astrocytic calcineurin B1 prevents cognitive impairment and neuropathology development in acute and chronic mouse models of Alzheimer's disease. Glia 2024; 72:899-915. [PMID: 38288580 DOI: 10.1002/glia.24509] [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: 06/21/2023] [Revised: 01/15/2024] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 03/20/2024]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) represents an urgent yet unmet challenge for modern society, calling for exploration of innovative targets and therapeutic approaches. Astrocytes, main homeostatic cells in the CNS, represent promising cell-target. Our aim was to investigate if deletion of the regulatory CaNB1 subunit of calcineurin in astrocytes could mitigate AD-related memory deficits, neuropathology, and neuroinflammation. We have generated two, acute and chronic, AD mouse models with astrocytic CaNB1 ablation (ACN-KO). In the former, we evaluated the ability of β-amyloid oligomers (AβOs) to impair memory and activate glial cells once injected in the cerebral ventricle of conditional ACN-KO mice. Next, we generated a tamoxifen-inducible astrocyte-specific CaNB1 knock-out in 3xTg-AD mice (indACNKO-AD). CaNB1 was deleted, by tamoxifen injection, in 11.7-month-old 3xTg-AD mice for 4.4 months. Spatial memory was evaluated using the Barnes maze; β-amyloid plaques burden, neurofibrillary tangle deposition, reactive gliosis, and neuroinflammation were also assessed. The acute model showed that ICV injected AβOs in 2-month-old wild type mice impaired recognition memory and fostered a pro-inflammatory microglia phenotype, whereas in ACN-KO mice, AβOs were inactive. In indACNKO-AD mice, 4.4 months after CaNB1 depletion, we found preservation of spatial memory and cognitive flexibility, abolishment of amyloidosis, and reduction of neurofibrillary tangles, gliosis, and neuroinflammation. Our results suggest that ACN is crucial for the development of cognitive impairment, AD neuropathology, and neuroinflammation. Astrocyte-specific CaNB1 deletion is beneficial for both the abolishment of AβO-mediated detrimental effects and treatment of ongoing AD-related pathology, hence representing an intriguing target for AD therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Tapella
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Università del Piemonte Orientale, Novara, Italy
| | - Giulia Dematteis
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Università del Piemonte Orientale, Novara, Italy
| | - Pietro La Vitola
- Department of Neuroscience, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Milano, Italy
| | - Susanna Leva
- Department of Neuroscience, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Milano, Italy
| | - Elisa Tonelli
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Università del Piemonte Orientale, Novara, Italy
| | - Marco Raddi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Università del Piemonte Orientale, Novara, Italy
| | - Marta Delconti
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Università del Piemonte Orientale, Novara, Italy
| | - Letizia Dacomo
- Department of Neuroscience, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Milano, Italy
| | - Alberto La Macchia
- Department of Neuroscience, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Milano, Italy
| | - Elisa Murari
- Department of Neuroscience, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Milano, Italy
| | - Maria Talmon
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Università del Piemonte Orientale, Novara, Italy
| | - Justyna Malecka
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Università del Piemonte Orientale, Novara, Italy
| | - Gabriela Chrostek
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Università del Piemonte Orientale, Novara, Italy
| | - Mariagrazia Grilli
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Università del Piemonte Orientale, Novara, Italy
| | - Laura Colombo
- Department of Neuroscience, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Milano, Italy
| | - Mario Salmona
- Department of Neuroscience, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Milano, Italy
| | - Gianluigi Forloni
- Department of Neuroscience, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Milano, Italy
| | - Armando A Genazzani
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Università del Piemonte Orientale, Novara, Italy
| | - Claudia Balducci
- Department of Neuroscience, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Milano, Italy
| | - Dmitry Lim
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Università del Piemonte Orientale, Novara, Italy
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Medeiros D, McMurry K, Pfeiffer M, Newsome K, Testerman T, Graf J, Silver AC, Sacchetti P. Slowing Alzheimer's disease progression through probiotic supplementation. Front Neurosci 2024; 18:1309075. [PMID: 38510467 PMCID: PMC10950931 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2024.1309075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 03/22/2024] Open
Abstract
The lack of affordable and effective therapeutics against cognitive impairment has promoted research toward alternative approaches to the treatment of neurodegeneration. In recent years, a bidirectional pathway that allows the gut to communicate with the central nervous system has been recognized as the gut-brain axis. Alterations in the gut microbiota, a dynamic population of trillions of microorganisms residing in the gastrointestinal tract, have been implicated in a variety of pathological states, including neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, probiotic treatment as an affordable and accessible adjuvant therapy for the correction of dysbiosis in AD has not been thoroughly explored. Here, we sought to correct the dysbiosis in an AD mouse model with probiotic supplementation, with the intent of exploring its effects on disease progression. Transgenic 3xTg-AD mice were fed a control or a probiotic diet (Lactobacillus plantarum KY1032 and Lactobacillus curvatus HY7601) for 12 weeks, with the latter leading to a significant increase in the relative abundance of Bacteroidetes. Cognitive functions were evaluated via Barnes Maze trials and improvements in memory performance were detected in probiotic-fed AD mice. Neural tissue analysis of the entorhinal cortex and hippocampus of 10-month-old 3xTg-AD mice demonstrated that astrocytic and microglial densities were reduced in AD mice supplemented with a probiotic diet, with changes more pronounced in probiotic-fed female mice. In addition, elevated numbers of neurons in the hippocampus of probiotic-fed 3xTg-AD mice suggested neuroprotection induced by probiotic supplementation. Our results suggest that probiotic supplementation could be effective in delaying or mitigating early stages of neurodegeneration in the 3xTg-AD animal model. It is vital to explore new possibilities for palliative care for neurodegeneration, and probiotic supplementation could provide an inexpensive and easily implemented adjuvant clinical treatment for AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Destynie Medeiros
- Department of Biology, University of Hartford, West Hartford, CT, United States
| | - Kristina McMurry
- Neuroscience Program, Department of Biology, University of Hartford, West Hartford, CT, United States
| | - Melissa Pfeiffer
- Neuroscience Program, Department of Biology, University of Hartford, West Hartford, CT, United States
| | - Kayla Newsome
- Department of Biology, University of Hartford, West Hartford, CT, United States
| | - Todd Testerman
- Department of Molecular Cellular Biology, UConn, Storrs, CT, United States
| | - Joerg Graf
- Department of Molecular Cellular Biology, UConn, Storrs, CT, United States
| | - Adam C. Silver
- Department of Biology, University of Hartford, West Hartford, CT, United States
| | - Paola Sacchetti
- Department of Biology, University of Hartford, West Hartford, CT, United States
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da Silva SP, de Castro CCM, Rabelo LN, Engelberth RC, Fernández-Calvo B, Fiuza FP. Neuropathological and sociodemographic factors associated with the cortical amyloid load in aging and Alzheimer's disease. GeroScience 2024; 46:621-643. [PMID: 37870702 PMCID: PMC10828279 DOI: 10.1007/s11357-023-00982-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 10/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the leading cause of dementia and is characterized by a progressive decline in cognitive abilities. A pathological hallmark of AD is a region-specific accumulation of the amyloid-beta protein (Aβ). Here, we explored the association between regional Aβ deposition, sociodemographic, and local biochemical factors. We quantified the Aβ burden in postmortem cortical samples from parietal (PCx) and temporal (TCx) regions of 27 cognitively unimpaired (CU) and 15 AD donors, aged 78-100 + years. Histological images of Aβ immunohistochemistry and local concentrations of pathological and inflammatory proteins were obtained at the "Aging, Dementia and TBI Study" open database. We used the area fraction fractionator stereological methodology to quantify the Aβ burden in the gray and white matter within each cortical region. We found higher Aβ burdens in the TCx of AD octogenarians compared to CU ones. We also found higher Aβ loads in the PCx of AD nonagenarians than in AD octogenarians. Moreover, AD women exhibited increased Aβ deposition compared to CU women. Interestingly, we observed a negative correlation between education years and Aβ burden in the white matter of both cortices in CU samples. In AD brains, the Aβ40, Aβ42, and pTau181 isoforms of Aβ and Tau proteins were positively correlated with the Aβ burden. Additionally, in the TCx of AD donors, the proinflammatory cytokine TNFα showed a positive correlation with the Aβ load. These novel findings contribute to understanding the interplay between sociodemographic characteristics, local inflammatory signaling, and the development of AD-related pathology in the cerebral cortex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sayonara P da Silva
- Graduate Program in Neuroengineering, Edmond and Lily Safra International Institute of Neuroscience, Santos Dumont Institute, Macaíba, RN, 59280-000, Brazil
| | - Carla C M de Castro
- Graduate Program in Neuroengineering, Edmond and Lily Safra International Institute of Neuroscience, Santos Dumont Institute, Macaíba, RN, 59280-000, Brazil
| | - Lívia N Rabelo
- Graduate Program in Neuroengineering, Edmond and Lily Safra International Institute of Neuroscience, Santos Dumont Institute, Macaíba, RN, 59280-000, Brazil
- Laboratory of Neurochemical Studies, Department of Physiology and Behavior, Biosciences Center, Federal University of Rio Grande Do Norte, Natal, Brazil
| | - Rovena C Engelberth
- Laboratory of Neurochemical Studies, Department of Physiology and Behavior, Biosciences Center, Federal University of Rio Grande Do Norte, Natal, Brazil
| | - Bernardino Fernández-Calvo
- Department of Psychology, University of Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain
- Maimonides Biomedical Research Institute of Córdoba (IMIBIC), Córdoba, Spain
- Reina Sofia University Hospital, Córdoba, Spain
- Department of Psychology, Federal University of Paraíba, João Pessoa, Brazil
| | - Felipe P Fiuza
- Graduate Program in Neuroengineering, Edmond and Lily Safra International Institute of Neuroscience, Santos Dumont Institute, Macaíba, RN, 59280-000, Brazil.
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Appleman ML, Thomas JL, Weiss AR, Nilaver BI, Cervera-Juanes R, Kohama SG, Urbanski HF. Effect of hormone replacement therapy on amyloid beta (Aβ) plaque density in the rhesus macaque amygdala. Front Aging Neurosci 2024; 15:1326747. [PMID: 38274989 PMCID: PMC10808750 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2023.1326747] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2023] [Accepted: 12/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Amyloid beta (Aβ) plaque density was examined in the amygdala of rhesus macaques, to elucidate the influence of age, diet and hormonal environment. Methods Luminex technology was used to measure cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) concentrations of Aβ40 and Aβ42 across three decades, while immunohistochemistry was used to examine Aβ plaque density in the amygdala. Results Aβ40 was found to be the predominant isoform of Aβ in the CSF, but neither Aβ40 or Aβ42 concentrations showed an age-related change, and the ratio of Aβ42 to Aβ40 showed only a marginal increase. Significantly fewer Aβ plaques were detected in the amygdala of old ovariectomized animals if they received estradiol HRT (p < 0.001); similar results were obtained regardless of whether they had been maintained on a regular monkey chow for ∼48 months or on a high-fat, high-sugar, Western-style diet for ∼30 months. Conclusion The results demonstrate that HRT involving estrogen can reduce Aβ plaque load in a cognitive brain region of aged non-human primates. The results from this translational animal model may therefore have clinical relevance to the treatment of AD in post-menopausal women, whether used alone, or as a supplement to current pharmacological and monoclonal antibody-based interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria-Luisa Appleman
- Division of Neuroscience, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Beaverton, OR, United States
| | - Jeremy L. Thomas
- Division of Neuroscience, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Beaverton, OR, United States
| | - Alison R. Weiss
- Division of Neuroscience, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Beaverton, OR, United States
| | - Benjamin I. Nilaver
- Division of Neuroscience, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Beaverton, OR, United States
| | - Rita Cervera-Juanes
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center, Winston-Salem, NC, United States
| | - Steven G. Kohama
- Division of Neuroscience, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Beaverton, OR, United States
| | - Henryk F. Urbanski
- Division of Neuroscience, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Beaverton, OR, United States
- Division of Reproductive & Developmental Sciences, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Beaverton, OR, United States
- Department of Behavioral Neuroscience, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, United States
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Reed EG, Keller-Norrell PR. Minding the Gap: Exploring Neuroinflammatory and Microglial Sex Differences in Alzheimer's Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:17377. [PMID: 38139206 PMCID: PMC10743742 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242417377] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2023] [Revised: 12/04/2023] [Accepted: 12/09/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Research into Alzheimer's Disease (AD) describes a link between AD and the resident immune cells of the brain, the microglia. Further, this suspected link is thought to have underlying sex effects, although the mechanisms of these effects are only just beginning to be understood. Many of these insights are the result of policies put in place by funding agencies such as the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to consider sex as a biological variable (SABV) and the move towards precision medicine due to continued lackluster therapeutic options. The purpose of this review is to provide an updated assessment of the current research that summarizes sex differences and the research pertaining to microglia and their varied responses in AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erin G. Reed
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeast Ohio Medical University, Rootstown, OH 44242, USA
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Kenawy HM, Nuñez MI, Morales X, Lisiewski LE, Burt KG, Kim MKM, Campos L, Kiridly N, Hung CT, Chahine NO. Sex differences in the biomechanical and biochemical responses of caudal rat intervertebral discs to injury. JOR Spine 2023; 6:e1299. [PMID: 38156061 PMCID: PMC10751974 DOI: 10.1002/jsp2.1299] [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] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2023] [Revised: 09/26/2023] [Accepted: 10/19/2023] [Indexed: 12/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) is a major cause of low back pain (LBP) worldwide. Sexual dimorphism, or sex-based differences, appear to exist in the severity of LBP. However, it is unknown if there are sex-based differences in the inflammatory, biomechanical, biochemical, and histological responses of intervertebral discs (IVDs). Methods Caudal (Coccygeal/Co) bone-disc-bone motion segments were isolated from multiple spinal levels (Co8 to Co14) of male and female Sprague-Dawley rats. Changes in motion segment biomechanics and extracellular matrix (ECM) biochemistry (glycosaminoglycan [GAG], collagen [COL], water, and DNA content) were evaluated at baseline and in response to chemical insult (lipopolysaccharide [LPS]) or puncture injury ex vivo. We also investigated the contributions of Toll-like receptor (TLR4) signaling on responses to LPS or puncture injury ex vivo, using a small molecule TLR4 inhibitor, TAK-242. Results Findings indicate that IVD motion segments from female donors had greater nitric oxide (NO) release in LPS groups compared to male donors. HMGB1 release was increased in punctured discs, but not LPS injured discs, with no sex effect. Although both male and female discs exhibited reductions in dynamic moduli in response to LPS and puncture injuries, dynamic moduli from female donors were higher than male donors across all groups. In uninjured (baseline) samples, a significant sex effect was observed in nucleus pulposus (NP) DNA and water content. Female annulus fibrosus (AF) also had higher DNA, GAG, and COL content (normalized by dry weight), but lower water content than male AF. Additional injury- and sex-dependent effects were observed in AF GAG/DNA and COL/DNA content. Finally, TAK-242 improved the dynamic modulus of female but not male punctured discs. Conclusions Our findings demonstrate that there are differences in rat IVD motion segments based on sex, and that the response to injury in inflammatory, biomechanical, biochemical, and histological outcomes also exhibit sex differences. TLR4 inhibition protected against loss of mechanical integrity of puncture-injured IVD motion segments, with differences responses based on donor sex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hagar M. Kenawy
- Department of Biomedical EngineeringColumbia UniversityNew YorkNew YorkUSA
| | - María I. Nuñez
- Department of Biomedical EngineeringColumbia UniversityNew YorkNew YorkUSA
| | - Xóchitl Morales
- Department of Biomedical EngineeringColumbia UniversityNew YorkNew YorkUSA
| | | | - Kevin G. Burt
- Department of Biomedical EngineeringColumbia UniversityNew YorkNew YorkUSA
| | - Min Kyu M. Kim
- Department of Orthopedic SurgeryColumbia University Irving Medical CenterNew YorkNew YorkUSA
| | - Leonardo Campos
- Department of Orthopedic SurgeryColumbia University Irving Medical CenterNew YorkNew YorkUSA
| | - Nadia Kiridly
- Department of Orthopedic SurgeryColumbia University Irving Medical CenterNew YorkNew YorkUSA
| | - Clark T. Hung
- Department of Biomedical EngineeringColumbia UniversityNew YorkNew YorkUSA
- Department of Orthopedic SurgeryColumbia University Irving Medical CenterNew YorkNew YorkUSA
| | - Nadeen O. Chahine
- Department of Biomedical EngineeringColumbia UniversityNew YorkNew YorkUSA
- Department of Orthopedic SurgeryColumbia University Irving Medical CenterNew YorkNew YorkUSA
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La Barbera L, D'Amelio M. Alzheimer's Disease and Sex-Dependent Alterations in the Striatum: A Lesson from a Mouse Model. J Alzheimers Dis 2023; 94:1377-1380. [PMID: 37522213 DOI: 10.3233/jad-230681] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/01/2023]
Abstract
In the last years, many clinical studies highlighted sex-specific differences in the pathophysiology of Alzheimer's disease (AD). The recent paper published in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease shows the influence of sex on amyloid-β plaque deposition, behavior, and dopaminergic signaling in the 5xFAD mouse model of AD, with worse alterations in female mice. This commentary focuses on the importance of recognizing sex as a key variable to consider for a more precise clinical practice, with the challenge to develop sex-specific therapeutic interventions in neurodegenerative diseases such as AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Livia La Barbera
- Università Campus Bio-Medico di Roma, Rome, Italy
- IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy
| | - Marcello D'Amelio
- Università Campus Bio-Medico di Roma, Rome, Italy
- IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy
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