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Cao C, Fu G, Xu R, Li N. Coupling of Alzheimer's Disease Genetic Risk Factors with Viral Susceptibility and Inflammation. Aging Dis 2024; 15:2028-2050. [PMID: 37962454 PMCID: PMC11346407 DOI: 10.14336/ad.2023.1017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by persistent cognitive decline. Amyloid plaque deposition and neurofibrillary tangles are the main pathological features of AD brain, though mechanisms leading to the formation of lesions remain to be understood. Genetic efforts through genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified dozens of risk genes influencing the pathogenesis and progression of AD, some of which have been revealed in close association with increased viral susceptibilities and abnormal inflammatory responses in AD patients. In the present study, we try to present a list of AD candidate genes that have been shown to affect viral infection and inflammatory responses. Understanding of how AD susceptibility genes interact with the viral life cycle and potential inflammatory pathways would provide possible therapeutic targets for both AD and infectious diseases.
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Kostic M, Zivkovic N, Cvetanovic A, Basic J, Stojanovic I. Dissecting the immune response of CD4 + T cells in Alzheimer's disease. Rev Neurosci 2024:revneuro-2024-0090. [PMID: 39238424 DOI: 10.1515/revneuro-2024-0090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2024] [Accepted: 08/18/2024] [Indexed: 09/07/2024]
Abstract
The formation of amyloid-β (Aβ) plaques is a neuropathological hallmark of Alzheimer's disease (AD), however, these pathological aggregates can also be found in the brains of cognitively unimpaired elderly population. In that context, individual variations in the Aβ-specific immune response could be key factors that determine the level of Aβ-induced neuroinflammation and thus the propensity to develop AD. CD4+ T cells are the cornerstone of the immune response that coordinate the effector functions of both adaptive and innate immunity. However, despite intensive research efforts, the precise role of these cells during AD pathogenesis is still not fully elucidated. Both pathogenic and beneficial effects have been observed in various animal models of AD, as well as in humans with AD. Although this functional duality of CD4+ T cells in AD can be simply attributed to the vast phenotype heterogeneity of this cell lineage, disease stage-specific effect have also been proposed. Therefore, in this review, we summarized the current understanding of the role of CD4+ T cells in the pathophysiology of AD, from the aspect of their antigen specificity, activation, and phenotype characteristics. Such knowledge is of practical importance as it paves the way for immunomodulation as a therapeutic option for AD treatment, given that currently available therapies have not yielded satisfactory results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Milos Kostic
- Department of Immunology, Medical Faculty of Nis, University of Nis, Blvd. dr Zorana Djindjica 81, Nis, 18000, Serbia
| | - Nikola Zivkovic
- Department of Pathology, Medical Faculty of Nis, University of Nis, Blvd. dr Zorana Djindjica 81, Nis, 18000, Serbia
| | - Ana Cvetanovic
- Department of Oncology, Medical Faculty of Nis, University of Nis, Blvd. dr Zorana Djindjica 81, Nis, 18000, Serbia
| | - Jelena Basic
- Department of Biochemistry, Medical Faculty of Nis, University of Nis, Blvd. dr Zorana Djindjica 81, Nis, 18000, Serbia
| | - Ivana Stojanovic
- Department of Biochemistry, Medical Faculty of Nis, University of Nis, Blvd. dr Zorana Djindjica 81, Nis, 18000, Serbia
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Xie M, Eyting M, Bommer C, Ahmed H, Geldsetzer P. The effect of herpes zoster vaccination at different stages of the disease course of dementia: Two quasi-randomized studies. MEDRXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR HEALTH SCIENCES 2024:2024.08.23.24312457. [PMID: 39228711 PMCID: PMC11370521 DOI: 10.1101/2024.08.23.24312457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/05/2024]
Abstract
The varicella zoster virus, a neurotropic herpesvirus, has been hypothesized to play a role in the pathophysiology of dementia, such as through neuroinflammatory processes or intracerebral vasculopathy. Using unique natural experiments, our group has previously found that live-attenuated herpes zoster (HZ) vaccination reduced the incidence of new diagnoses of dementia in both Wales and Australia. To inform further research and ultimately clinical care, it is crucial to understand at which stage of the disease course of dementia the HZ vaccine has its effect. Representing the two opposing ends of the dementia disease course as it can be ascertained from electronic health record data, the aims of this study were twofold: to determine the effect of HZ vaccination on i) new diagnoses of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) among individuals without any record of cognitive impairment, and ii) deaths due to dementia among individuals living with dementia. Our approach took advantage of the fact that at the time of the start date (September 1 2013) of the HZ vaccination program in Wales, individuals who had their eightieth birthday just after this date were eligible for HZ vaccination for one year whereas those who had their eightieth birthday just before were ineligible and remained ineligible for life. This eligibility rule created comparison groups just on either side of the September 2 1933 date-of-birth eligibility threshold who differed in their age by merely a week but had a large difference in their probability of receiving HZ vaccination. The key strength of our study is that these comparison groups should be similar in their health characteristics and behaviors except for a minute difference in age. We used regression discontinuity analysis to estimate the difference in our outcomes between individuals born just on either side of the date-of-birth eligibility threshold for HZ vaccination. Our dataset consisted of detailed country-wide electronic health record data from primary care in Wales, linked to hospital records and death certificates. We restricted our dataset to individuals born between September 1 1925 and September 1 1942. Among our study cohort of 282,557 without any record of cognitive impairment at baseline, HZ vaccination eligibility and receipt reduced the incidence of a new MCI diagnosis by 1.5 (95% CI: 0.5 - 2.9, p=0.006) and 3.1 (95% CI: 1.0 - 6.2, p=0.007) percentage points over nine years, respectively. Similarly, among our study cohort of 14,350 individuals who were living with dementia at baseline, being eligible for and receiving HZ vaccination reduced deaths due to dementia by 8.5 (95% CI: 0.6 - 18.5, p=0.036) and 29.5 (95% CI: 0.6 - 62.9, p=0.046) percentage points over nine years, respectively. Except for dementia, HZ vaccination did not have an effect on any of the ten most common causes of morbidity and mortality among adults aged 70 years and older in Wales in either of our two study cohorts. The protective effects of HZ vaccination for both MCI and deaths due to dementia were larger among women than men. Our findings suggest that the live-attenuated HZ vaccine has benefits for the dementia disease process at both ends of the disease course of dementia.
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Stys PK, Tsutsui S, Gafson AR, ‘t Hart BA, Belachew S, Geurts JJG. New views on the complex interplay between degeneration and autoimmunity in multiple sclerosis. Front Cell Neurosci 2024; 18:1426231. [PMID: 39161786 PMCID: PMC11330826 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2024.1426231] [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: 05/01/2024] [Accepted: 06/14/2024] [Indexed: 08/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a frequently disabling neurological disorder characterized by symptoms, clinical signs and imaging abnormalities that typically fluctuate over time, affecting any level of the CNS. Prominent lymphocytic inflammation, many genetic susceptibility variants involving immune pathways, as well as potent responses of the neuroinflammatory component to immunomodulating drugs, have led to the natural conclusion that this disease is driven by a primary autoimmune process. In this Hypothesis and Theory article, we discuss emerging data that cast doubt on this assumption. After three decades of therapeutic experience, what has become clear is that potent immune modulators are highly effective at suppressing inflammatory relapses, yet exhibit very limited effects on the later progressive phase of MS. Moreover, neuropathological examination of MS tissue indicates that degeneration, CNS atrophy, and myelin loss are most prominent in the progressive stage, when lymphocytic inflammation paradoxically wanes. Finally, emerging clinical observations such as "progression independent of relapse activity" and "silent progression," now thought to take hold very early in the course, together argue that an underlying "cytodegenerative" process, likely targeting the myelinating unit, may in fact represent the most proximal step in a complex pathophysiological cascade exacerbated by an autoimmune inflammatory overlay. Parallels are drawn with more traditional neurodegenerative disorders, where a progressive proteopathy with prion-like propagation of toxic misfolded species is now known to play a key role. A potentially pivotal contribution of the Epstein-Barr virus and B cells in this process is also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter K. Stys
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Shigeki Tsutsui
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Arie R. Gafson
- Biogen Digital Health, Biogen, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Bert A. ‘t Hart
- Department of Anatomy and Neurosciences, Amsterdam University Medical Centers (location VUmc), Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Shibeshih Belachew
- TheraPanacea, Paris, France
- Indivi (DBA of Healios AG), Basel, Switzerland
| | - Jeroen J. G. Geurts
- Department of Anatomy and Neurosciences, Amsterdam University Medical Centers (location VUmc), Amsterdam, Netherlands
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Cuddy SR, Flores ME, Krakowiak PA, Whitford AL, Dochnal SA, Babnis A, Miyake T, Tigano M, Engel DA, Cliffe AR. Co-option of mitochondrial nucleic acid sensing pathways by HSV-1 UL12.5 for reactivation from latent Infection. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.07.06.601241. [PMID: 39005440 PMCID: PMC11245091 DOI: 10.1101/2024.07.06.601241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/16/2024]
Abstract
Although viruses subvert innate immune pathways for their replication, there is evidence they can also co-opt anti-viral responses for their benefit. The ubiquitous human pathogen, Herpes Simplex Virus-1 (HSV-1), encodes a protein (UL12.5) that induces the release of mitochondrial nucleic acid into the cytosol, which activates immune sensing pathways and reduces productive replication in non-neuronal cells. HSV-1 establishes latency in neurons and can reactivate to cause disease. We found that UL12.5 is required for HSV-1 reactivation in neurons and acts to directly promote viral lytic gene expression during initial exit from latency. Further, the direct activation of innate immune sensing pathways triggered HSV reactivation and compensated for a lack of UL12.5. Finally, we found that the induction of HSV-1 lytic genes during reactivation required intact RNA and DNA sensing pathways, demonstrating that HSV-1 can both respond to and active antiviral nucleic acid sensing pathways to reactivate from a latent infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sean R. Cuddy
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, 22908
| | - Matthew E. Flores
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Cancer Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, 22908
| | - Patryk A. Krakowiak
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Cancer Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, 22908
| | - Abigail L. Whitford
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Cancer Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, 22908
| | - Sara A. Dochnal
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Cancer Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, 22908
| | - Aleksandra Babnis
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Cancer Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, 22908
| | - Tsuyoshi Miyake
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Cancer Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, 22908
| | - Marco Tigano
- Department of Pathology and Genomic Medicine, Thomas Jefferson University, 1020 Locust Street, Philadelphia 19107
| | - Daniel A. Engel
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Cancer Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, 22908
| | - Anna. R Cliffe
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Cancer Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, 22908
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Pomirchy M, Bommer C, Pradella F, Michalik F, Peters R, Geldsetzer P. Herpes zoster vaccination and new diagnoses of dementia: A quasi-randomized study in Australia. MEDRXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR HEALTH SCIENCES 2024:2024.06.27.24309563. [PMID: 38978672 PMCID: PMC11230318 DOI: 10.1101/2024.06.27.24309563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/10/2024]
Abstract
Increasing evidence suggests that neurotropic herpesviruses could play a role in the development of dementia, possibly through a neuroinflammatory process. Herpes zoster (HZ) vaccination has been reported to lead to a reduced probability of being diagnosed with dementia in several correlational studies and in a prior analysis by our team in Wales. This present study constitutes the first investigation to use a quasi-randomized study design in an electronic health record dataset from a large and diverse nation (Australia) to aim to determine the effect of HZ vaccination on dementia. In Australia, starting on November 1 2016, live-attenuated HZ vaccination was provided for free to individuals aged 70 to 79 years of age through primary care providers. Thus, those whose 80th birthday was just a few days prior to November 1 2016 never became eligible, whereas those whose 80th birthday was just a few days later were eligible. The key advantage of our approach is that one would not expect that these population groups who differ in their age by only a minute degree would, on average, differ in any of their health characteristics and behaviors. We used detailed primary healthcare records with week-of-birth information from 65 general practices across Australia. We analyzed our data using a regression discontinuity approach. Our sample consisted of 101,219 patients. As expected, patients born just before versus shortly after the date-of-birth eligibility threshold (November 2 1936) for HZ vaccination were well-balanced in their past preventive health services uptake and chronic disease diagnoses. There was an abrupt increase of 15.7 (95% CI: [12.2 - 19.3], p < 0.001) percentage points in the probability of ever receiving HZ vaccination between patients born shortly before versus shortly after the eligibility threshold. The eligibility rules of the HZ vaccination program, thus, created comparison groups just on either side of the date-of-birth eligibility threshold who were similar to each other, except for a large difference in their probability of receiving the intervention (HZ vaccination) of interest. Eligibility for HZ vaccination (i.e., being born shortly before versus shortly after November 2 1936) decreased the probability of receiving a new dementia diagnosis over 7.4 years by 2.0 percentage points (95% CI: [0.3 - 3.7], p = 0.021). Being eligible for HZ vaccination did not affect the probability of taking up other preventive health services (including other vaccinations), nor the probability of being diagnosed with other common chronic conditions than dementia. This study provides important evidence on the potential benefits of HZ vaccination for dementia because its quasi-randomized design allows for conclusions that are more likely to be causal than those of the existing associational evidence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Pomirchy
- Division of Primary Care and Population Health, Department of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Christian Bommer
- Division of Primary Care and Population Health, Department of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Fabienne Pradella
- Division of Primary Care and Population Health, Department of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
- Heidelberg Institute of Global Health, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
- Gutenberg School of Management and Economics, Mainz University, Mainz, Germany
| | - Felix Michalik
- Division of Primary Care and Population Health, Department of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
- Heidelberg Institute of Global Health, Heidelberg University, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Ruth Peters
- Ageing and Neurodegeneration, Neuroscience Research Australia, Sydney, Australia
- School of Psychology, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
- Ageing Futures Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
- Neurology, The George Institute for Global Health, Sydney, Australia
| | - Pascal Geldsetzer
- Division of Primary Care and Population Health, Department of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
- Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
- Chan Zuckerberg Biohub – San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
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Kettunen P, Koistinaho J, Rolova T. Contribution of CNS and extra-CNS infections to neurodegeneration: a narrative review. J Neuroinflammation 2024; 21:152. [PMID: 38845026 PMCID: PMC11157808 DOI: 10.1186/s12974-024-03139-y] [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: 03/17/2024] [Accepted: 05/23/2024] [Indexed: 06/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Central nervous system infections have been suggested as a possible cause for neurodegenerative diseases, particularly sporadic cases. They trigger neuroinflammation which is considered integrally involved in neurodegenerative processes. In this review, we will look at data linking a variety of viral, bacterial, fungal, and protozoan infections to Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, multiple sclerosis and unspecified dementia. This narrative review aims to bring together a broad range of data currently supporting the involvement of central nervous system infections in the development of neurodegenerative diseases. The idea that no single pathogen or pathogen group is responsible for neurodegenerative diseases will be discussed. Instead, we suggest that a wide range of susceptibility factors may make individuals differentially vulnerable to different infectious pathogens and subsequent pathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pinja Kettunen
- Helsinki Institute of Life Science, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Jari Koistinaho
- Helsinki Institute of Life Science, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
| | - Taisia Rolova
- Helsinki Institute of Life Science, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
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Wellford SA, Moseman EA. Olfactory immunology: the missing piece in airway and CNS defence. Nat Rev Immunol 2024; 24:381-398. [PMID: 38097777 DOI: 10.1038/s41577-023-00972-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/03/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
The olfactory mucosa is a component of the nasal airway that mediates the sense of smell. Recent studies point to an important role for the olfactory mucosa as a barrier to both respiratory pathogens and to neuroinvasive pathogens that hijack the olfactory nerve and invade the CNS. In particular, the COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated that the olfactory mucosa is an integral part of a heterogeneous nasal mucosal barrier critical to upper airway immunity. However, our insufficient knowledge of olfactory mucosal immunity hinders attempts to protect this tissue from infection and other diseases. This Review summarizes the state of olfactory immunology by highlighting the unique immunologically relevant anatomy of the olfactory mucosa, describing what is known of olfactory immune cells, and considering the impact of common infectious diseases and inflammatory disorders at this site. We will offer our perspective on the future of the field and the many unresolved questions pertaining to olfactory immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian A Wellford
- Department of Integrative Immunobiology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
| | - E Ashley Moseman
- Department of Integrative Immunobiology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA.
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Francois AK, Rohani A, Loftus M, Dochnal S, Hrit J, McFarlane S, Whitford A, Lewis A, Krakowiak P, Boutell C, Rothbart SB, Kashatus D, Cliffe AR. Single-genome analysis reveals a heterogeneous association of the herpes simplex virus genome with H3K27me2 and the reader PHF20L1 following infection of human fibroblasts. mBio 2024; 15:e0327823. [PMID: 38411116 PMCID: PMC11005365 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.03278-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2023] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 02/28/2024] Open
Abstract
The fate of herpesvirus genomes following entry into different cell types is thought to regulate the outcome of infection. For the Herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1), latent infection of neurons is characterized by association with repressive heterochromatin marked with Polycomb silencing-associated lysine 27 methylation on histone H3 (H3K27me). However, whether H3K27 methylation plays a role in repressing lytic gene expression in non-neuronal cells is unclear. To address this gap in knowledge, and with consideration that the fate of the viral genome and outcome of HSV-1 infection could be heterogeneous, we developed an assay to quantify the abundance of histone modifications within single viral genome foci of infected fibroblasts. Using this approach, combined with bulk epigenetic techniques, we were unable to detect any role for H3K27me3 during HSV-1 lytic infection of fibroblasts. By contrast, we could detect the lesser studied H3K27me2 on a subpopulation of viral genomes, which was consistent with a role for H3K27 demethylases in promoting lytic gene expression. In addition, viral genomes co-localized with the H3K27me2 reader protein PHF20L1, and this association was enhanced by inhibition of the H3K27 demethylases UTX and JMJD3. Notably, targeting of H3K27me2 to viral genomes was enhanced following infection with a transcriptionally defective virus in the absence of Promyelocytic leukemia nuclear bodies. Collectively, these studies implicate a role for H3K27me2 in fibroblast-associated HSV genome silencing in a manner dependent on genome sub-nuclear localization and transcriptional activity. IMPORTANCE Investigating the potential mechanisms of gene silencing for DNA viruses in different cell types is important to understand the differential outcomes of infection, particularly for viruses like herpesviruses that can undergo distinct types of infection in different cell types. In addition, investigating chromatin association with viral genomes informs on the mechanisms of epigenetic regulation of DNA processes. However, there is a growing appreciation for heterogeneity in the outcome of infection at the single cell, and even single viral genome, level. Here we describe a novel assay for quantifying viral genome foci with chromatin proteins and show that a portion of genomes are targeted for silencing by H3K27me2 and associate with the reader protein PHF20L1. This study raises important questions regarding the mechanism of H3K27me2-specific targeting to viral genomes, the contribution of epigenetic heterogeneity to herpesvirus infection, and the role of PHF20L1 in regulating the outcome of DNA virus infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alison K. Francois
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Cancer Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
| | - Ali Rohani
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Cancer Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
| | - Matt Loftus
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Cancer Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
| | - Sara Dochnal
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Cancer Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
| | - Joel Hrit
- Department of Epigenetics, Van Andel Institute, Grand Rapids, USA
| | - Steven McFarlane
- MRC - University of Glasgow, Centre for Virus Research, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Abigail Whitford
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Cancer Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
| | - Anna Lewis
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Cancer Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
| | - Patryk Krakowiak
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Cancer Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
| | - Chris Boutell
- MRC - University of Glasgow, Centre for Virus Research, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | | | - David Kashatus
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Cancer Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
| | - Anna R. Cliffe
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Cancer Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
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Cantero JL, Atienza M, Sastre I, Bullido MJ. Human in vivo evidence of associations between herpes simplex virus and cerebral amyloid-beta load in normal aging. Alzheimers Res Ther 2024; 16:68. [PMID: 38570885 PMCID: PMC10988886 DOI: 10.1186/s13195-024-01437-4] [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: 02/17/2024] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mounting data suggests that herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) is involved in the pathogenesis of AD, possibly instigating amyloid-beta (Aβ) accumulation decades before the onset of clinical symptoms. However, human in vivo evidence linking HSV-1 infection to AD pathology is lacking in normal aging, which may contribute to the elucidation of the role of HSV-1 infection as a potential AD risk factor. METHODS To shed light into this question, serum anti-HSV IgG levels were correlated with 18F-Florbetaben-PET binding to Aβ deposits and blood markers of neurodegeneration (pTau181 and neurofilament light chain) in cognitively normal older adults. Additionally, we investigated whether associations between anti-HSV IgG and AD markers were more evident in APOE4 carriers. RESULTS We showed that increased anti-HSV IgG levels are associated with higher Aβ load in fronto-temporal regions of cognitively normal older adults. Remarkably, these cortical regions exhibited abnormal patterns of resting state-functional connectivity (rs-FC) only in those individuals showing the highest levels of anti-HSV IgG. We further found that positive relationships between anti-HSV IgG levels and Aβ load, particularly in the anterior cingulate cortex, are moderated by the APOE4 genotype, the strongest genetic risk factor for AD. Importantly, anti-HSV IgG levels were unrelated to either subclinical cognitive deficits or to blood markers of neurodegeneration. CONCLUSIONS All together, these results suggest that HSV infection is selectively related to cortical Aβ deposition in normal aging, supporting the inclusion of cognitively normal older adults in prospective trials of antimicrobial therapy aimed at decreasing the AD risk in the aging population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jose L Cantero
- Laboratory of Functional Neuroscience, Pablo de Olavide University, Ctra. de Utrera Km 1, Seville, 41013, Spain.
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Mercedes Atienza
- Laboratory of Functional Neuroscience, Pablo de Olavide University, Ctra. de Utrera Km 1, Seville, 41013, Spain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Isabel Sastre
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Hospital Universitario La Paz, IdiPAZ (Hospital Universitario La Paz - Universidad Autónoma de Madrid), Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Biología Molecular "Severo Ochoa" (C.S.I.C.-U.A.M.), Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - María Jesús Bullido
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Hospital Universitario La Paz, IdiPAZ (Hospital Universitario La Paz - Universidad Autónoma de Madrid), Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Biología Molecular "Severo Ochoa" (C.S.I.C.-U.A.M.), Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
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11
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Høilund-Carlsen PF, Alavi A, Castellani RJ, Neve RL, Perry G, Revheim ME, Barrio JR. Alzheimer's Amyloid Hypothesis and Antibody Therapy: Melting Glaciers? Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:3892. [PMID: 38612701 PMCID: PMC11012162 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25073892] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2024] [Revised: 03/27/2024] [Accepted: 03/29/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024] Open
Abstract
The amyloid cascade hypothesis for Alzheimer's disease is still alive, although heavily challenged. Effective anti-amyloid immunotherapy would confirm the hypothesis' claim that the protein amyloid-beta is the cause of the disease. Two antibodies, aducanumab and lecanemab, have been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, while a third, donanemab, is under review. The main argument for the FDA approvals is a presumed therapy-induced removal of cerebral amyloid deposits. Lecanemab and donanemab are also thought to cause some statistical delay in the determination of cognitive decline. However, clinical efficacy that is less than with conventional treatment, selection of amyloid-positive trial patients with non-specific amyloid-PET imaging, and uncertain therapy-induced removal of cerebral amyloids in clinical trials cast doubt on this anti-Alzheimer's antibody therapy and hence on the amyloid hypothesis, calling for a more thorough investigation of the negative impact of this type of therapy on the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Poul F. Høilund-Carlsen
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Odense University Hospital, 5000 Odense C, Denmark
- Research Unit of Clinical Physiology and Nuclear Medicine, Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, 5230 Odense M, Denmark
| | - Abass Alavi
- Department of Radiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA;
| | - Rudolph J. Castellani
- Department of Pathology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA;
| | - Rachael L. Neve
- Gene Delivery Technology Core, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA;
| | - George Perry
- Department of Neuroscience, Developmental and Regenerative Biology and Genetics of Neurodegeneration, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78249, USA;
| | - Mona-Elisabeth Revheim
- The Intervention Centre, Division of Technology and Innovation, Oslo University Hospital, 0372 Oslo, Norway;
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, 0313 Oslo, Norway
| | - Jorge R. Barrio
- Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, David Geffen UCLA School of Medicine, Los Angeles, LA 90095, USA
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12
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Rippee-Brooks MD, Wu W, Dong J, Pappolla M, Fang X, Bao X. Viral Infections, Are They a Trigger and Risk Factor of Alzheimer's Disease? Pathogens 2024; 13:240. [PMID: 38535583 PMCID: PMC10974111 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens13030240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2024] [Revised: 03/02/2024] [Accepted: 03/07/2024] [Indexed: 04/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's Disease (AD), a progressive and debilitating condition, is reported to be the most common type of dementia, with at least 55 million people believed to be currently affected. Many causation hypotheses of AD exist, yet the intriguing link between viral infection and its possible contribution to the known etiology of AD has become an attractive focal point of research for the field and a challenging study task. In this review, we will explore the historical perspective and milestones that led the field to investigate the viral connection to AD. Specifically, several viruses such as Herpes Simplex Virus 1 (HSV-1), Zika virus (ZIKV), and severe cute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), along with several others mentioned, include the various viruses presently considered within the field. We delve into the strong evidence implicating these viruses in the development of AD such as the lytic replication and axonal transport of HSV-1, the various mechanisms of ZIKV neurotropism through the human protein Musashi-1 (MSI1), and the spread of SARS-CoV-2 through the transfer of the virus through the BBB endothelial cells to glial cells and then to neurons via transsynaptic transfer. We will also explore beyond these mere associations by carefully analyzing the potential mechanisms by which these viruses may contribute to AD pathology. This includes but is not limited to direct neuronal infections, the dysregulation of immune responses, and the impact on protein processing (Aβ42 and hyperphosphorylated tau). Controversies and challenges of the virus-AD relationship emerge as we tease out these potential mechanisms. Looking forward, we emphasize future directions, such as distinct questions and proposed experimentations to explore, that the field should take to tackle the remaining unanswered questions and the glaring research gaps that persist. Overall, this review aims to provide a comprehensive survey of the past, present, and future of the potential link between viral infections and their association with AD development while encouraging further discussion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meagan D. Rippee-Brooks
- Microbiology and Immunology Graduate Program, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77550, USA
| | - Wenzhe Wu
- Department of Pediatrics, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77550, USA
| | - Jianli Dong
- Department of Pathology, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77550, USA
| | - Miguel Pappolla
- Department of Neurology and Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77550, USA
| | - Xiang Fang
- Department of Neurology and Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77550, USA
| | - Xiaoyong Bao
- Microbiology and Immunology Graduate Program, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77550, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77550, USA
- The Institute of Translational Sciences, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77550, USA
- The Institute for Human Infections and Immunity, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77550, USA
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13
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Whitson HE, Banks WA, Diaz MM, Frost B, Kellis M, Lathe R, Schmader KE, Spudich SS, Tanzi R, Garden G. New approaches for understanding the potential role of microbes in Alzheimer's disease. Brain Behav Immun Health 2024; 36:100743. [PMID: 38435720 PMCID: PMC10906156 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbih.2024.100743] [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: 12/31/2023] [Revised: 02/17/2024] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) involves a complex pathological process that evolves over years, and its etiology is understood as a classic example of gene-environment interaction. The notion that exposure to microbial organisms may play some role in AD pathology has been proposed and debated for decades. New evidence from model organisms and -omic studies, as well as epidemiological data from the recent COVID-19 pandemic and widespread use of vaccines, offers new insights into the "germ hypothesis" of AD. To review new evidence and identify key research questions, the Duke/University of North Carolina (Duke/UNC) Alzheimer's Disease Research Center hosted a virtual symposium and workshop: "New Approaches for Understanding the Potential Role of Microbes in Alzheimer's disease." Discussion centered around the antimicrobial protection hypothesis of amyloid accumulation, and other mechanisms by which microbes could influence AD pathology including immune cell activation, changes in blood-brain barrier, or direct neurotoxicity. This summary of proceedings reviews the content presented in the symposium and provides a summary of major topics and key questions discussed in the workshop.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heather E. Whitson
- Duke Center for the Study of Aging and Human Development, Duke University School of Medicine, Busse Bldg Rm 3502, Durham, NC, 27710, USA
- Durham VA Medical Center, Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center, 508 Fulton Street, Durham, NC, 27705, USA
| | - William A. Banks
- Veterans Affairs Puget Sound Health Care System, 1660 S Columbian Way, Seattle, WA, 98108, USA
| | - Monica M. Diaz
- Department of Neurology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 170 Manning Dr, CB 7025, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA
| | - Bess Frost
- Barshop Institute for Longevity & Aging Studies, 4939 Charles Katz Rm 1041, University of Texas Health San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, 78229, USA
| | - Manolis Kellis
- Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Lab, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 32 Vassar St., Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Richard Lathe
- Division of Infection Medicine, University of Edinburgh Medical School, Edinburgh BioQuarter, Little France, Edinburgh, EH16 4SB, UK
| | - Kenneth E. Schmader
- Duke Center for the Study of Aging and Human Development, Duke University School of Medicine, Busse Bldg Rm 3502, Durham, NC, 27710, USA
- Durham VA Medical Center, Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center, 508 Fulton Street, Durham, NC, 27705, USA
| | - Serena S. Spudich
- Department of Neurology, Yale University School of Medicine, 300 George Street, Room 8300, New Haven, CT, 06510, USA
| | - Rudolph Tanzi
- Genetics and Aging Research Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, 114 16th Street, Charlestown, MA, 02129, USA
| | - Gwenn Garden
- University of North Carolina - Dept of Neurology, 170 Manning Drive, Campus Box 7025, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599-7025, USA
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14
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Li Z, Wang H, Yin Y. Peripheral inflammation is a potential etiological factor in Alzheimer's disease. Rev Neurosci 2024; 35:99-120. [PMID: 37602685 DOI: 10.1515/revneuro-2023-0049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2023] [Accepted: 07/27/2023] [Indexed: 08/22/2023]
Abstract
Peripheral inflammation could constitute a risk factor for AD. This review summarizes the research related to peripheral inflammation that appears to have a relationship with Alzheimer's disease. We find there are significant associations between AD and peripheral infection induced by various pathogens, including herpes simplex virus type 1, cytomegalovirus, Epstein-Barr virus, human immunodeficiency virus, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, Porphyromonas gingivalis, Helicobacter pylori, and Toxoplasma gondii. Chronic inflammatory diseases are also reported to contribute to the pathophysiology of AD. The mechanisms by which peripheral inflammation affects the pathophysiology of AD are complex. Pathogen-derived neurotoxic molecule composition, disrupted BBB, and dysfunctional neurogenesis may all play a role in peripheral inflammation, promoting the development of AD. Anti-pathogenic medications and anti-inflammatory treatments are reported to decrease the risk of AD. Studies that could improve understanding the associations between AD and peripheral inflammation are needed. If our assumption is correct, early intervention against inflammation may be a potential method of preventing and treating AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziyuan Li
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Xinhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Kongjiang Road 1665, Yangpu District, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Hui Wang
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Xinhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Kongjiang Road 1665, Yangpu District, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Yafu Yin
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Xinhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Kongjiang Road 1665, Yangpu District, Shanghai 200092, China
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15
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Liu Y, Xu W, Yang P, Liu X. Revealing Molecular Patterns of Alzheimer's Disease Risk Gene Expression Signatures in COVID-19 Brains. J Alzheimers Dis 2024; 101:31-48. [PMID: 39058446 DOI: 10.3233/jad-240609] [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: 07/28/2024]
Abstract
Background Various virus infections are known to predispose to Alzheimer's disease (AD), and a linkage between COVID-19 and AD has been established. COVID-19 infection modulates the gene expression of the genes implicated in progression of AD. Objective Determination of molecular patterns and codon usage and context analysis for the genes that are modulated during COVID-19 infection and are implicated in AD was the target of the study. Methods Our study employed a comprehensive array of research methods, including relative synonymous codon usage, Codon adaptation index analysis, Neutrality and parity analysis, Rare codon analyses, and codon context analysis. This meticulous approach was crucial in determining the molecular patterns present in genes up or downregulated during COVID-19 infection. Results G/C ending codons were preferred in upregulated genes while not in downregulated genes, and in both gene sets, longer genes have high expressivity. Similarly, T over A nucleotide was preferred, and selection was the major evolutionary force in shaping codon usage in both gene sets. Apart from stops codons, codons CGU - Arg, AUA - Ile, UUA - Leu, UCG - Ser, GUA - Val, and CGA - Arg in upregulated genes, while CUA - Leu, UCG - Ser, and UUA - Leu in downregulated genes were present below the 0.5%. Glutamine-initiated codon pairs have high residual values in upregulated genes. Identical codon pairs GAG-GAG and GUG-GUG were preferred in both gene sets. Conclusions The shared and unique molecular features in the up- and downregulated gene sets provide insights into the complex interplay between COVID-19 infection and AD. Further studies are required to elucidate the relationship of these molecular patterns with AD pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Liu
- Shanxi Bethune Hospital, Shanxi Academy of Medical Sciences, Third Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Tongji Shanxi Hospital, Taiyuan, China
| | - Weiyue Xu
- Shanxi Bethune Hospital, Shanxi Academy of Medical Sciences, Third Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Tongji Shanxi Hospital, Taiyuan, China
| | - Pan Yang
- TEDA institute of Biological Science and Biotechnology, Nankai University, TEDA, Tianjin, China
| | - Xingshun Liu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
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16
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Gurjar P, Khan AA, Alanazi AM, Vasil'ev VG, Zouganelis G, Alexiou A. Molecular Dissection of Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 to Elucidate Molecular Mechanisms Behind Latency and Comparison of Its Codon Usage Patterns with Genes Modulated During Alzheimer's Disease as a Part of Host-Pathogen Interaction. J Alzheimers Dis 2024; 97:1111-1123. [PMID: 38306057 DOI: 10.3233/jad-231083] [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: 02/03/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) is associated with Alzheimer's disease, which goes into a cycle of latency and reactivation. The present study was envisaged to understand the reasons for latency and specific molecular patterns present in the HSV-1. OBJECTIVE The objective is the molecular dissection of Herpes simplex virus type 1 to elucidate molecular mechanisms behind latency and compare its codon usage patterns with genes modulated during Alzheimer's disease as a part of host-pathogen interaction. METHODS In the present study, we tried to investigate the potential reasons for the latency of HSV-1 virus bioinformatically by determining the CpG patterns. Also, we investigated the codon usage pattern, the presence of rare codons, codon context, and protein properties. RESULTS The top 222 codon pairs graded based on their frequency in the HSV-1 genome revealed that with only one exception (CUG-UUU), all other codon pairs have codons ending with G/C. Considering it an extension of host-pathogen interaction, we compared HSV-1 codon usage with that of codon usage of genes modulated during Alzheimer's disease, and we found that CGT and TTT are only two codons that exhibited similar codon usage patterns and other codons showed statistically highly significant different codon preferences. Dinucleotide CpG tends to mutate to TpG, suggesting the presence of mutational forces and the imperative role of CpG methylation in HSV-1 latency. CONCLUSIONS Upon comparison of codon usage between HSV-1 and Alzheimer's disease genes, no similarities in codon usage were found as a part of host-pathogen interaction. CpG methylation plays an imperative role in latency HSV-1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pankaj Gurjar
- Centre for Global Health Research, Saveetha Medical College and Hospital, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Saveetha University, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
- Department of Science and Engineering, Novel Global Community Educational Foundation, Hebersham, Australia
| | - Azmat Ali Khan
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Biotechnology Laboratory, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Amer M Alanazi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Biotechnology Laboratory, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | | | - George Zouganelis
- School of Human Sciences, College of Life and Natural Sciences, University of Derby, Derby, UK
| | - Athanasios Alexiou
- Department of Science and Engineering, Novel Global Community Educational Foundation, Hebersham, Australia
- AFNP Med, Vienna, Austria
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17
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Vestin E, Boström G, Olsson J, Elgh F, Lind L, Kilander L, Lövheim H, Weidung B. Herpes Simplex Viral Infection Doubles the Risk of Dementia in a Contemporary Cohort of Older Adults: A Prospective Study. J Alzheimers Dis 2024; 97:1841-1850. [PMID: 38306033 PMCID: PMC10894565 DOI: 10.3233/jad-230718] [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: 12/16/2023] [Indexed: 02/03/2024]
Abstract
Background Evidence indicates that herpes simplex virus (HSV) participates in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Objective We investigated AD and dementia risks according to the presence of herpesvirus antibodies in relation to anti-herpesvirus treatment and potential APOE ɛ4 carriership interaction. Methods This study was conducted with 1002 dementia-free 70-year-olds living in Sweden in 2001-2005 who were followed for 15 years. Serum samples were analyzed to detect anti-HSV and anti-HSV-1 immunoglobulin (Ig) G, anti-cytomegalovirus (CMV) IgG, anti-HSV IgM, and anti-HSV and anti-CMV IgG levels. Diagnoses and drug prescriptions were collected from medical records. Cox proportional-hazards regression models were applied. Results Cumulative AD and all-cause dementia incidences were 4% and 7%, respectively. Eighty-two percent of participants were anti-HSV IgG carriers, of whom 6% received anti-herpesvirus treatment. Anti-HSV IgG was associated with a more than doubled dementia risk (fully adjusted hazard ratio = 2.26, p = 0.031). No significant association was found with AD, but the hazard ratio was of the same magnitude as for dementia. Anti-HSV IgM and anti-CMV IgG prevalence, anti-herpesvirus treatment, and anti-HSV and -CMV IgG levels were not associated with AD or dementia, nor were interactions between anti-HSV IgG and APOE ɛ4 or anti-CMV IgG. Similar results were obtained for HSV-1. Conclusions HSV (but not CMV) infection may be indicative of doubled dementia risk. The low AD incidence in this cohort may have impaired the statistical power to detect associations with AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erika Vestin
- Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences, Clinical Geriatrics, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Gustaf Boström
- Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences, Clinical Geriatrics, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
- Centre for Clinical Research, Västmanland and County Hospital, Uppsala University, Västerås, Sweden
| | - Jan Olsson
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Fredrik Elgh
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Lars Lind
- Department of Medical Sciences, Acute and Internal Medicine, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Lena Kilander
- Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences, Clinical Geriatrics, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Hugo Lövheim
- Department of Community Medicine and Rehabilitation, Geriatric Medicine, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Bodil Weidung
- Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences, Clinical Geriatrics, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
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18
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da Graça Pedrosa de Macena L, Dos Santos Corrêa Amorim L, Francisco Corrêa de Souza E Souza K, Dantas Pereira L, Cirne Dos Santos CC, de Souza Barros C, José Brito Ramos C, Vinicius Santana M, Castro HC, Teixeira VL, Viana Pinto AM, de Souza Pereira H, Nunes de Palmer Paixão IC. Antiviral activity of terpenes isolated from marine brown seaweeds against herpes simplex virus type 2. Nat Prod Res 2023:1-6. [PMID: 38054811 DOI: 10.1080/14786419.2023.2288234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/07/2023]
Abstract
Herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) is the most common agent of sexually transmitted infections around the world. Currently, no vaccine is available, and acyclovir is the reference compound in treatment HSV-2 infections. However, the emergence of resistant strains has reduced the efficacy in treatment. Several studies have shown marine seaweed biological activities, but there are no studies yet about the activity anti-HSV-2 of two its secundary metabolites, atomaric acid (1) and marine dolastane (2), isolated from Stypopodium zonale and Canistrocarpus cervicornis respectively. Therefore, we evaluated the anti-HSV-2 activity of compounds 1 and 2. Both compounds showed anti-HSV-2 activity with low cytotoxicity and compound 1 inactivated 90% of the viral particles at 50 µM. Both compounds inhibited the penetration and results in silico indicated the compound 1 as possible therapy alternative anti -HSV-2.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Luíza Dantas Pereira
- Departamento de Biologia Celular e Molecular, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói, RJ, Brazil
| | - Claudio Cesar Cirne Dos Santos
- Departamento de Biologia Celular e Molecular, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói, RJ, Brazil
| | - Caroline de Souza Barros
- Departamento de Imunobiologia, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói, RJ, Brazil
| | - Carlos José Brito Ramos
- Pós-Graduação em Ciências e Biotecnologia, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói, RJ, Brazil
| | - Marcos Vinicius Santana
- Pós-Graduação em Ciências e Biotecnologia, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói, RJ, Brazil
| | - Helena Carla Castro
- Pós-Graduação em Ciências e Biotecnologia, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói, RJ, Brazil
| | - Valéria Laneuville Teixeira
- Pós-Graduação em Ciências e Biotecnologia, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói, RJ, Brazil
| | | | - Helena de Souza Pereira
- Departamento de Biologia Celular e Molecular, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói, RJ, Brazil
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19
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Francois AK, Rohani A, Loftus M, Dochnal S, Hrit J, McFarlane S, Whitford A, Lewis A, Krakowiak P, Boutell C, Rothbart SB, Kashatus D, Cliffe AR. Single-genome analysis reveals heterogeneous association of the Herpes Simplex Virus genome with H3K27me2 and the reader PHF20L1 following infection of human fibroblasts. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.12.03.569766. [PMID: 38076966 PMCID: PMC10705572 DOI: 10.1101/2023.12.03.569766] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2023]
Abstract
The fate of herpesvirus genomes following entry into different cell types is thought to regulate the outcome of infection. For the Herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1), latent infection of neurons is characterized by association with repressive heterochromatin marked with Polycomb silencing-associated lysine 27 methylation on histone H3 (H3K27me). However, whether H3K27 methylation plays a role in repressing lytic gene expression in non-neuronal cells is unclear. To address this gap in knowledge, and with consideration that the fate of the viral genome and outcome of HSV-1 infection could be heterogeneous, we developed an assay to quantify the abundance of histone modifications within single viral genome foci of infected fibroblasts. Using this approach, combined with bulk epigenetic techniques, we were unable to detect any role for H3K27me3 during HSV-1 lytic infection of fibroblasts. In contrast, we could detect the lesser studied H3K27me2 on a subpopulation of viral genomes, which was consistent with a role for H3K27 demethylases in promoting lytic gene expression. This was consistent with a role for H3K27 demethylases in promoting lytic gene expression. In addition, viral genomes co-localized with the H3K27me2 reader protein PHF20L1, and this association was enhanced by inhibition of the H3K27 demethylases UTX and JMJD3. Notably, targeting of H3K27me2 to viral genomes was enhanced following infection with a transcriptionally defective virus in the absence of Promyelocytic leukemia nuclear bodies. Collectively, these studies implicate a role for H3K27me2 in fibroblast-associated HSV genome silencing in a manner dependent on genome sub-nuclear localization and transcriptional activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alison K Francois
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Cancer Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, 22908
| | - Ali Rohani
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Cancer Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, 22908
| | - Matt Loftus
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Cancer Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, 22908
| | - Sara Dochnal
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Cancer Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, 22908
| | - Joel Hrit
- Department of Epigenetics, Van Andel Institute, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503
| | - Steven McFarlane
- MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research (CVR), Glasgow, Scotland
| | - Abigail Whitford
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Cancer Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, 22908
| | - Anna Lewis
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Cancer Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, 22908
| | - Patryk Krakowiak
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Cancer Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, 22908
| | - Chris Boutell
- MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research (CVR), Glasgow, Scotland
| | - Scott B. Rothbart
- Department of Epigenetics, Van Andel Institute, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503
| | - David Kashatus
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Cancer Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, 22908
| | - Anna R Cliffe
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Cancer Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, 22908
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20
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Balakrishnan B, Arul SS, Ravindran A, Venkataraman S. Brain Virome in Neurodegenerative Disorders: Insights from Transcriptomic Data Analysis. ACS Chem Neurosci 2023; 14:3979-3985. [PMID: 37812144 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.3c00432] [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: 10/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Neurodegenerative disorders (NDs) are chronic ailments of the central nervous system that gradually deteriorate the structures and functions of neurons. The etiologies of NDs include genetic factors, aging, infections, starvation, brain trauma, and spinal cord injury, among others. However, it is unclear whether viral infections impact the prognosis of NDs or contribute to their development. Hence, we investigated the prevalence of neurotropic viruses in brain samples by using transcriptomic data. A total of 1635 viral isolates with complete genomic information was used to investigate the incidence of 18 distinct viruses across 129 data sets from healthy and ND subjects. Our findings support the evidence pointing to the existence of a brain virome where certain viruses co-occur. We further hypothesize that distinct virome profiles are linked to different forms of NDs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Aarti Ravindran
- Department of Biotechnology, Anna University, Chennai 600025, India
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21
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Bagdonaite I, Marinova IN, Rudjord-Levann AM, Pallesen EMH, King-Smith SL, Karlsson R, Rømer TB, Chen YH, Miller RL, Olofsson S, Nordén R, Bergström T, Dabelsteen S, Wandall HH. Glycoengineered keratinocyte library reveals essential functions of specific glycans for all stages of HSV-1 infection. Nat Commun 2023; 14:7000. [PMID: 37919266 PMCID: PMC10622544 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-42669-6] [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: 01/13/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 11/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Viral and host glycans represent an understudied aspect of host-pathogen interactions, despite potential implications for treatment of viral infections. This is due to lack of easily accessible tools for analyzing glycan function in a meaningful context. Here we generate a glycoengineered keratinocyte library delineating human glycosylation pathways to uncover roles of specific glycans at different stages of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) infectious cycle. We show the importance of cellular glycosaminoglycans and glycosphingolipids for HSV-1 attachment, N-glycans for entry and spread, and O-glycans for propagation. While altered virion surface structures have minimal effects on the early interactions with wild type cells, mutation of specific O-glycosylation sites affects glycoprotein surface expression and function. In conclusion, the data demonstrates the importance of specific glycans in a clinically relevant human model of HSV-1 infection and highlights the utility of genetic engineering to elucidate the roles of specific viral and cellular carbohydrate structures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ieva Bagdonaite
- Copenhagen Center for Glycomics, Institute of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Copenhagen, DK-2200, Copenhagen, Denmark.
| | - Irina N Marinova
- Copenhagen Center for Glycomics, Institute of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Copenhagen, DK-2200, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Asha M Rudjord-Levann
- Copenhagen Center for Glycomics, Institute of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Copenhagen, DK-2200, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Emil M H Pallesen
- Copenhagen Center for Glycomics, Institute of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Copenhagen, DK-2200, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Sarah L King-Smith
- Copenhagen Center for Glycomics, Institute of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Copenhagen, DK-2200, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Richard Karlsson
- Copenhagen Center for Glycomics, Institute of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Copenhagen, DK-2200, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Troels B Rømer
- Copenhagen Center for Glycomics, Institute of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Copenhagen, DK-2200, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Yen-Hsi Chen
- Copenhagen Center for Glycomics, Institute of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Copenhagen, DK-2200, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Rebecca L Miller
- Copenhagen Center for Glycomics, Institute of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Copenhagen, DK-2200, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Sigvard Olofsson
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Gothenburg, SE-41346, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Rickard Nordén
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Gothenburg, SE-41346, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Tomas Bergström
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Gothenburg, SE-41346, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Sally Dabelsteen
- Department of Odontology, University of Copenhagen, DK-2200, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Hans H Wandall
- Copenhagen Center for Glycomics, Institute of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Copenhagen, DK-2200, Copenhagen, Denmark.
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22
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Wennberg AM, Maher BS, Rabinowitz JA, Holingue C, Felder WR, Wells JL, Munro CA, Lyketsos CG, Eaton WW, Walker KA, Weng NP, Ferrucci L, Yolken R, Spira AP. Association of common infections with cognitive performance in the Baltimore Epidemiologic Catchment Area study follow-up. Alzheimers Dement 2023; 19:4841-4851. [PMID: 37027458 PMCID: PMC10558626 DOI: 10.1002/alz.13070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2022] [Revised: 01/26/2023] [Accepted: 01/27/2023] [Indexed: 04/08/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Growing evidence suggests that some common infections are causally associated with cognitive impairment; however, less is known about the burden of multiple infections. METHODS We investigated the cross-sectional association of positive antibody tests for herpes simplex virus, cytomegalovirus (CMV), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), varicella zoster virus (VZV), and Toxoplasma gondii (TOX) with Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and delayed verbal recall performance in 575 adults aged 41-97 from the Baltimore Epidemiologic Catchment Area Study. RESULTS In multivariable-adjusted zero-inflated Poisson (ZIP) regression models, positive antibody tests for CMV (p = .011) and herpes simplex virus (p = .018) were individually associated with poorer MMSE performance (p = .011). A greater number of positive antibody tests among the five tested was associated with worse MMSE performance (p = .001). DISCUSSION CMV, herpes simplex virus, and the global burden of multiple common infections were independently associated with poorer cognitive performance. Additional research that investigates whether the global burden of infection predicts cognitive decline and Alzheimer's disease biomarker changes is needed to confirm these findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra M Wennberg
- Unit of Epidemiology, Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Brion S Maher
- Department of Mental Health, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Jill A Rabinowitz
- Department of Mental Health, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Calliope Holingue
- Center for Autism and Related Disorders, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Johns Hopkins Children's Center, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - W Ross Felder
- Department of Mental Health, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Jonathan L Wells
- Department of Family Medicine and Population Health, Division of Epidemiology, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | - Cynthia A Munro
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Constantine G Lyketsos
- Johns Hopkins Bayview Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Richman Family Precision Medicine Center of Excellence in Alzheimer's Disease, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Johns Hopkins Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - William W Eaton
- Department of Mental Health, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Keenan A Walker
- Laboratory of Behavioral Neuroscience, National Institute on Aging, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Nan-Ping Weng
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology and Immunology, National Institute on Aging, NIH, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Luigi Ferrucci
- Longitudinal Study Section, Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Aging, NIH, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Robert Yolken
- Stanley Laboratory of Developmental Neurovirology, Department of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Adam P Spira
- Department of Mental Health, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Johns Hopkins Center on Aging and Health, Johns Hopkins Schools of Medicine and Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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23
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Zhou X, Kumar P, Bhuyan DJ, Jensen SO, Roberts TL, Münch GW. Neuroinflammation in Alzheimer's Disease: A Potential Role of Nose-Picking in Pathogen Entry via the Olfactory System? Biomolecules 2023; 13:1568. [PMID: 38002250 PMCID: PMC10669446 DOI: 10.3390/biom13111568] [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: 09/13/2023] [Revised: 10/22/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a complex neurodegenerative disorder characterized by progressive cognitive decline and memory impairment. Many possible factors might contribute to the development of AD, including amyloid peptide and tau deposition, but more recent evidence suggests that neuroinflammation may also play an-at least partial-role in its pathogenesis. In recent years, emerging research has explored the possible involvement of external, invading pathogens in starting or accelerating the neuroinflammatory processes in AD. In this narrative review, we advance the hypothesis that neuroinflammation in AD might be partially caused by viral, bacterial, and fungal pathogens entering the brain through the nose and the olfactory system. The olfactory system represents a plausible route for pathogen entry, given its direct anatomical connection to the brain and its involvement in the early stages of AD. We discuss the potential mechanisms through which pathogens may exploit the olfactory pathway to initiate neuroinflammation, one of them being accidental exposure of the olfactory mucosa to hands contaminated with soil and feces when picking one's nose.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xian Zhou
- NICM Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia; (X.Z.); (D.J.B.)
| | - Paayal Kumar
- Pharmacology Unit, School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Campbelltown, NSW 2560, Australia;
| | - Deep J. Bhuyan
- NICM Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia; (X.Z.); (D.J.B.)
| | - Slade O. Jensen
- Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research, Liverpool, NSW 2170, Australia; (S.O.J.); (T.L.R.)
- Microbiology and Infectious Diseases Unit, School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Liverpool, NSW 2170, Australia
| | - Tara L. Roberts
- Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research, Liverpool, NSW 2170, Australia; (S.O.J.); (T.L.R.)
- Oncology Unit, School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Liverpool, NSW 2170, Australia
| | - Gerald W. Münch
- NICM Health Research Institute, Western Sydney University, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia; (X.Z.); (D.J.B.)
- Pharmacology Unit, School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Campbelltown, NSW 2560, Australia;
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24
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Pauwels EK, Boer GJ. Friends and Foes in Alzheimer's Disease. Med Princ Pract 2023; 32:313-322. [PMID: 37788649 PMCID: PMC10727688 DOI: 10.1159/000534400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2023] [Accepted: 10/01/2023] [Indexed: 10/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a disabling neurodegenerative disease. The prognosis is poor, and currently there are no proven effective therapies. Most likely, the etiology is related to cerebral inflammatory processes that cause neuronal damage, resulting in dysfunction and apoptosis of nerve cells. Pathogens that evoke a neuroinflammatory response, collectively activate astrocytes and microglia, which contributes to the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines. This leads to the deposit of clustered fragments of beta-amyloid and misfolded tau proteins which do not elicit an adequate immune reaction. Apart from the function of astrocytes and microglia, molecular entities such as TREM2, SYK, C22, and C33 play a role in the physiopathology of AD. Furthermore, bacteria and viruses may trigger an overactive inflammatory response in the brain. Pathogens like Helicobacter pylori, Chlamydia pneumonia, and Porphyromonas gingivalis (known for low-grade infection in the oral cavity) can release gingipains, which are enzymes that can damage and destroy neurons. Chronic infection with Borrelia burgdorferi (the causative agent of Lyme disease) can co-localize with tau tangles and amyloid deposits. As for viral infections, herpes simplex virus 1, cytomegalovirus, and Epstein-Barr virus can play a role in the pathogenesis of AD. Present investigations have resulted in the development of antibodies that can clear the brain of beta-amyloid plaques. Trials with humanized aducanumab, lecanemab, and donanemab revealed limited success in AD patients. However, AD should be considered as a continuum in which the initial preclinical phase may take 10 or even 20 years. It is generally thought that this phase offers a window for efficacious treatment. Therefore, research is also focused on the identification of biomarkers for early AD detection. In this respect, the plasma measurement of neurofilament light chain in patients treated with hydromethylthionine mesylate may well open a new way to prevent the formation of tau tangles and represents the first treatment for AD at its roots.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ernest K.J. Pauwels
- Leiden University and Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Gerard J. Boer
- Netherlands Institute for Brain Research, Royal Academy of Arts and Sciences, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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25
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Berg SZ, Berg J. Melanin: a unifying theory of disease as exemplified by Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, and Lewy body dementia. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1228530. [PMID: 37841274 PMCID: PMC10570809 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1228530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2023] [Accepted: 09/13/2023] [Indexed: 10/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Melanin, a ubiquitous dark pigment, plays important roles in the immune system, including scavenging reactive oxygen species formed in response to ultraviolet radiation absorption, absorbing metals, thermal regulation, drug uptake, innate immune system functions, redox, and energy transduction. Many tissue types, including brain, heart, arteries, ovaries, and others, contain melanin. Almost all cells contain precursors to melanin. A growing number of diseases in which there is a loss of melanin and/or neuromelanin are increasingly thought to have infectious etiologies, for example, Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), Lewy Body Dementia (LBD), and vitiligo. AD, PD, LBD, and vitiligo have been linked with herpesvirus, which enters melanosomes and causes apoptosis, and with gut dysbiosis and inflammation. Herpesvirus is also linked with gut dysbiosis and inflammation. We theorize that under normal healthy states, melanin retains some of the energy it absorbs from electromagnetic radiation, which is then used to fuel cells, and energy from ATP is used to compliment that energy supply. We further theorize that loss of melanin reduces the energy supply of cells, which in the case of AD, PD, and LBD results in an inability to sustain immune system defenses and remove the plaques associated with the disease, which appear to be part of the immune system's attempt to eradicate the pathogens seen in these neurodegenerative diseases. In addition, in an attempt to explain why removing these plaques does not result in improvements in cognition and mood and why cognitions and moods in these individuals have ebbs and flows, we postulate that it is not the plaques that cause the cognitive symptoms but, rather, inflammation in the brain resulting from the immune system's response to pathogens. Our theory that energy retained in melanin fuels cells in an inverse relationship with ATP is supported by studies showing alterations in ATP production in relationship to melanin levels in melanomas, vitiligo, and healthy cells. Therefore, alteration of melanin levels may be at the core of many diseases. We propose regulating melanin levels may offer new avenues for treatment development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stacie Z. Berg
- Department of Translational Biology, William Edwards LLC, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Jonathan Berg
- Department of Translational Biology, William Edwards LLC, Baltimore, MD, United States
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26
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Clement M. The association of microbial infection and adaptive immune cell activation in Alzheimer's disease. DISCOVERY IMMUNOLOGY 2023; 2:kyad015. [PMID: 38567070 PMCID: PMC10917186 DOI: 10.1093/discim/kyad015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2023] [Revised: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 09/04/2023] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder and the most common form of dementia. Early symptoms include the loss of memory and mild cognitive ability; however, as the disease progresses, these symptoms can present with increased severity manifesting as mood and behaviour changes, disorientation, and a loss of motor/body control. AD is one of the leading causes of death in the UK, and with an ever-increasing ageing society, patient numbers are predicted to rise posing a significant global health emergency. AD is a complex neurophysiological disorder where pathology is characterized by the deposition and aggregation of misfolded amyloid-beta (Aβ)-protein that in-turn promotes excessive tau-protein production which together drives neuronal cell dysfunction, neuroinflammation, and neurodegeneration. It is widely accepted that AD is driven by a combination of both genetic and immunological processes with recent data suggesting that adaptive immune cell activity within the parenchyma occurs throughout disease. The mechanisms behind these observations remain unclear but suggest that manipulating the adaptive immune response during AD may be an effective therapeutic strategy. Using immunotherapy for AD treatment is not a new concept as the only two approved treatments for AD use antibody-based approaches to target Aβ. However, these have been shown to only temporarily ease symptoms or slow progression highlighting the urgent need for newer treatments. This review discusses the role of the adaptive immune system during AD, how microbial infections may be contributing to inflammatory immune activity and suggests how adaptive immune processes can pose as therapeutic targets for this devastating disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mathew Clement
- Division of Infection and Immunity, Systems Immunity University Research Institute, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
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27
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Michalik F, Xie M, Eyting M, Heß S, Chung S, Geldsetzer P. The effect of herpes zoster vaccination on the occurrence of deaths due to dementia in England and Wales. MEDRXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR HEALTH SCIENCES 2023:2023.09.08.23295225. [PMID: 37732219 PMCID: PMC10508823 DOI: 10.1101/2023.09.08.23295225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/22/2023]
Abstract
Background The United Kingdom (UK) has used date of birth-based eligibility rules for live-attenuated herpes zoster (HZ) vaccination that have led to large differences in HZ vaccination coverage between individuals who differed in their age by merely a few days. Using this unique natural randomization, we have recently provided evidence from Welsh electronic health record data that HZ vaccination caused a reduction in new dementia diagnoses over a seven-year period. Based on this, we hypothesized that HZ vaccination may have slowed the dementia disease process more generally and, thus, already reduced deaths with dementia as their underlying cause even though the UK's HZ vaccination program commenced as recently as September 2013. Using country-wide death certificate data for England and Wales, this study, therefore, aimed to determine whether eligibility for HZ vaccination caused a reduction in deaths due to dementia over a nine-year follow-up period. Methods Adults who had their 80th birthday shortly before September 1 2013 were ineligible for HZ vaccination in the UK's National Health Service and remained ineligible for life, whereas those who had their 80th birthday shortly after September 1 2013 (i.e., born on or after September 2 1933) were eligible for one year. Akin to a randomized trial, this date-of-birth threshold generated birth cohorts who are likely exchangeable in observed and unobserved characteristics except for a small difference in age and a large difference in HZ vaccination uptake. We used country-wide data from death certificates in England and Wales on underlying causes of death from September 1 2004 to August 31 2022 by ICD-10 code and month of birth. Our analysis compared the percentage of the population with a death due to dementia among the month-of-birth cohorts around the September 2 1933 eligibility threshold using a regression discontinuity design. The primary analyses used the maximal available follow-up period of nine years. Results The study population included 5,077,426 adults born between September 1 1925 and August 31 1941 who were alive at the start of the HZ vaccination program. The month-of-birth cohorts around the September 2 1933 eligibility cutoff were well balanced in their occurrence of all-cause and cause-specific deaths (including deaths due to dementia) prior to the start of the vaccination program. We estimated that over a nine-year follow-up period, eligibility for HZ vaccination reduced the percentage of the population with a death due to dementia by 0.38 (95% CI: 0.08 to 0.68, p=0.012) percentage points, corresponding to a relative reduction of 4.8%. As in our prior analysis, this effect was stronger among women (-0.62 [95% CI: -1.06 to -0.19] percentage points, p=0.004) than among men (-0.11 [95% CI: -0.51 to 0.28] percentage points, p=0.574). The reduction in deaths due to dementia likely resulted in an increase in remaining life expectancy because we found that HZ vaccination eligibility reduced all-cause mortality but had no effect on deaths not due to dementia. An effect on deaths due to dementia at the September 2 date-of-birth eligibility threshold existed only since the year in which the HZ vaccination program was implemented. Conclusions Our findings indicate that HZ vaccination improved cognitive function at a fairly advanced stage of the dementia disease process because most individuals whose underlying cause of death was dementia during our nine-year follow-up period were likely already living with dementia at the start of the HZ vaccination program. By using a different population, type of data, and outcome than our prior study in Welsh electronic health record data, this analysis adds to the evidence base that HZ vaccination slows, or potentially even prevents, the natural history of dementia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felix Michalik
- Division of Primary Care and Population Health, Department of Medicine, Stanford University; Stanford, CA 94305, USA
- Heidelberg Institute of Global Health (HIGH), Heidelberg University; 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Min Xie
- Division of Primary Care and Population Health, Department of Medicine, Stanford University; Stanford, CA 94305, USA
- Heidelberg Institute of Global Health (HIGH), Heidelberg University; 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Markus Eyting
- Division of Primary Care and Population Health, Department of Medicine, Stanford University; Stanford, CA 94305, USA
- Heidelberg Institute of Global Health (HIGH), Heidelberg University; 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Gutenberg School of Management and Economics, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz; 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Simon Heß
- Department of Economics, University of Vienna; 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Seunghun Chung
- Division of Primary Care and Population Health, Department of Medicine, Stanford University; Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Pascal Geldsetzer
- Division of Primary Care and Population Health, Department of Medicine, Stanford University; Stanford, CA 94305, USA
- Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Stanford University; Stanford, CA 94305, USA
- Chan Zuckerberg Biohub – San Francisco; San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
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28
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Piotrowski SL, Tucker A, Jacobson S. The elusive role of herpesviruses in Alzheimer's disease: current evidence and future directions. NEUROIMMUNE PHARMACOLOGY AND THERAPEUTICS 2023; 2:253-266. [PMID: 38013835 PMCID: PMC10474380 DOI: 10.1515/nipt-2023-0011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common cause of dementia. While pathologic hallmarks, such as extracellular beta-amyloid plaques, are well-characterized in affected individuals, the pathogenesis that causes plaque formation and eventual cognitive decline is not well understood. A recent resurgence of the decades-old "infectious hypothesis" has garnered increased attention on the potential role that microbes may play in AD. In this theory, it is thought that pathogens such as viruses may act as seeds for beta-amyloid aggregation, ultimately leading to plaques. Interest in the infectious hypothesis has also spurred further investigation into additional characteristics of viral infection that may play a role in AD progression, such as neuroinflammation, latency, and viral DNA integration. While a flurry of research in this area has been recently published, with herpesviruses being of particular interest, the role of pathogens in AD remains controversial. In this review, the insights gained thus far into the possible role of herpesviruses in AD are summarized. The challenges and potential future directions of herpesvirus research in AD and dementia are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stacey L. Piotrowski
- Viral Immunology Section, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
- Comparative Biomedical Scientist Training Program, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
- Department of Comparative Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
| | - Allison Tucker
- Viral Immunology Section, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Steven Jacobson
- Viral Immunology Section, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
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29
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Ghorbani M, Ferreira D, Maioli S. A metagenomic study of gut viral markers in amyloid-positive Alzheimer's disease patients. Alzheimers Res Ther 2023; 15:141. [PMID: 37608325 PMCID: PMC10464408 DOI: 10.1186/s13195-023-01285-8] [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: 06/24/2023] [Accepted: 08/04/2023] [Indexed: 08/24/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mounting evidence suggests the involvement of viruses in the development and treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, there remains a significant research gap in metagenomic studies investigating the gut virome of AD patients, leaving gut viral dysbiosis in AD unexplored. This study aimed to fill this gap by conducting a metagenomics analysis of the gut virome in both amyloid-positive AD patients (Aβ + ADs) and healthy controls (HCs), with the objective of identifying viral signatures linked with AD. METHOD Whole-genome sequence (WGS) data from 65 human participants, including 30 Aβ + ADs and 35 HCs, was obtained from the database NCBI SRA (Bio Project: PRJEB47976). The Metaphlan3 pipeline and linear discriminant analysis effect size (LEfSe) analysis were utilized for the bioinformatics process and the detection of viral signatures, respectively. In addition, the Benjamini-Hochberg method was applied with a significance cutoff of 0.05 to evaluate the false discovery rate for all biomarkers identified by LEfSe. The CombiROC model was employed to determine the discriminatory power of the viral signatures identified by LEfSe. RESULTS Compared to HCs, the gut virome profiles of Aβ + ADs showed lower alpha diversity, indicating a lower bacteriophage richness. The Siphoviridae family was decreased in Aβ + ADs. Significant decreases of Lactococcus phages were found in Aβ + ADs, including bIL285, Lactococcus phage bIL286, Lactococcus phage bIL309, and Lactococcus phage BK5 T, Lactococcus phage BM13, Lactococcus phage P335 sensu lato, Lactococcus phage phiLC3, Lactococcus phage r1t, Lactococcus phage Tuc2009, Lactococcus phage ul36, and Lactococcus virus bIL67. The predictive combined model of these viral signatures obtained an area under the curve of 0.958 when discriminating Aβ + ADs from HCs. CONCLUSION This is the first study to identify distinct viral signatures in the intestine that can be used to effectively distinguish individuals with AD from HCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahin Ghorbani
- Department of Dental Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Daniel Ferreira
- Division of Clinical Geriatrics, Center for Alzheimer Research, Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Fernando Pessoa Canarias, Las Palmas, España
| | - Silvia Maioli
- Division of Neurogeriatrics, Center for Alzheimer Research, Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
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30
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Smullen M, Olson MN, Murray LF, Suresh M, Yan G, Dawes P, Barton NJ, Mason JN, Zhang Y, Fernandez-Fontaine AA, Church GM, Mastroeni D, Wang Q, Lim ET, Chan Y, Readhead B. Modeling of mitochondrial genetic polymorphisms reveals induction of heteroplasmy by pleiotropic disease locus 10398A>G. Sci Rep 2023; 13:10405. [PMID: 37369829 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-37541-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2023] [Accepted: 06/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Mitochondrial (MT) dysfunction has been associated with several neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer's disease (AD). While MT-copy number differences have been implicated in AD, the effect of MT heteroplasmy on AD has not been well characterized. Here, we analyzed over 1800 whole genome sequencing data from four AD cohorts in seven different tissue types to determine the extent of MT heteroplasmy present. While MT heteroplasmy was present throughout the entire MT genome for blood samples, we detected MT heteroplasmy only within the MT control region for brain samples. We observed that an MT variant 10398A>G (rs2853826) was significantly associated with overall MT heteroplasmy in brain tissue while also being linked with the largest number of distinct disease phenotypes of all annotated MT variants in MitoMap. Using gene-expression data from our brain samples, our modeling discovered several gene networks involved in mitochondrial respiratory chain and Complex I function associated with 10398A>G. The variant was also found to be an expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL) for the gene MT-ND3. We further characterized the effect of 10398A>G by phenotyping a population of lymphoblastoid cell-lines (LCLs) with and without the variant allele. Examination of RNA sequence data from these LCLs reveal that 10398A>G was an eQTL for MT-ND4. We also observed in LCLs that 10398A>G was significantly associated with overall MT heteroplasmy within the MT control region, confirming the initial findings observed in post-mortem brain tissue. These results provide novel evidence linking MT SNPs with MT heteroplasmy and open novel avenues for the investigation of pathomechanisms that are driven by this pleiotropic disease associated loci.
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Affiliation(s)
- Molly Smullen
- Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
- Program in Bioinformatics and Integrative Biology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
- NeuroNexus Institute, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
| | - Meagan N Olson
- Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
- Program in Bioinformatics and Integrative Biology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
- NeuroNexus Institute, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
| | - Liam F Murray
- Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
- Program in Bioinformatics and Integrative Biology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
- NeuroNexus Institute, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
| | - Madhusoodhanan Suresh
- Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
- Program in Bioinformatics and Integrative Biology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
- NeuroNexus Institute, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
| | - Guang Yan
- Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
- Program in Bioinformatics and Integrative Biology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
- NeuroNexus Institute, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
| | - Pepper Dawes
- Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
- Program in Bioinformatics and Integrative Biology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
- NeuroNexus Institute, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
| | - Nathaniel J Barton
- Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
- Program in Bioinformatics and Integrative Biology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
- NeuroNexus Institute, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
| | - Jivanna N Mason
- Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
- Program in Bioinformatics and Integrative Biology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
- NeuroNexus Institute, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
| | - Yucheng Zhang
- Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
- Program in Bioinformatics and Integrative Biology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
- NeuroNexus Institute, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
| | - Aria A Fernandez-Fontaine
- Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
- Program in Bioinformatics and Integrative Biology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
- NeuroNexus Institute, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
| | - George M Church
- Department of Genetics, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
- Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, Harvard University, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Diego Mastroeni
- ASU-Banner Neurodegenerative Disease Research Center, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, 85281, USA
| | - Qi Wang
- ASU-Banner Neurodegenerative Disease Research Center, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, 85281, USA
| | - Elaine T Lim
- Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
- Program in Bioinformatics and Integrative Biology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
- NeuroNexus Institute, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
| | - Yingleong Chan
- Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA.
- Program in Bioinformatics and Integrative Biology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA.
- NeuroNexus Institute, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA.
| | - Benjamin Readhead
- ASU-Banner Neurodegenerative Disease Research Center, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, 85281, USA.
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Boukhvalova MS, Kastrukoff L, Blanco JCG. Alzheimer's disease and multiple sclerosis: a possible connection through the viral demyelinating neurodegenerative trigger (vDENT). Front Aging Neurosci 2023; 15:1204852. [PMID: 37396655 PMCID: PMC10310923 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2023.1204852] [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: 04/12/2023] [Accepted: 05/31/2023] [Indexed: 07/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) and multiple sclerosis (MS) are two CNS disorders affecting millions of people, for which no cure is available. AD is usually diagnosed in individuals age 65 and older and manifests with accumulation of beta amyloid in the brain. MS, a demyelinating disorder, is most commonly diagnosed in its relapsing-remitting (RRMS) form in young adults (age 20-40). The lack of success in a number of recent clinical trials of immune- or amyloid-targeting therapeutics emphasizes our incomplete understanding of their etiology and pathogenesis. Evidence is accumulating that infectious agents such as viruses may contribute either directly or indirectly. With the emerging recognition that demyelination plays a role in risk and progression of AD, we propose that MS and AD are connected by sharing a common environmental factor (a viral infection such as HSV-1) and pathology (demyelination). In the viral DEmyelinating Neurodegenerative Trigger (vDENT) model of AD and MS, the initial demyelinating viral (e.g., HSV-1) infection provokes the first episode of demyelination that occurs early in life, with subsequent virus reactivations/demyelination and associated immune/inflammatory attacks resulting in RRMS. The accumulating damage and/or virus progression deeper into CNS leads to amyloid dysfunction, which, combined with the inherent age-related defects in remyelination, propensity for autoimmunity, and increased blood-brain barrier permeability, leads to the development of AD dementia later in life. Preventing or diminishing vDENT event(s) early in life, thus, may have a dual benefit of slowing down the progression of MS and reducing incidence of AD at an older age.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Lorne Kastrukoff
- Department of Medicine, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
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Cruchaga C, Western D, Timsina J, Wang L, Wang C, Yang C, Ali M, Beric A, Gorijala P, Kohlfeld P, Budde J, Levey A, Morris J, Perrin R, Ruiz A, Marquié M, Boada M, de Rojas I, Rutledge J, Oh H, Wilson E, Guen YL, Alvarez I, Aguilar M, Greicius M, Pastor P, Pulford D, Ibanez L, Wyss-Coray T, Sung YJ, Phillips B. Proteogenomic analysis of human cerebrospinal fluid identifies neurologically relevant regulation and informs causal proteins for Alzheimer's disease. RESEARCH SQUARE 2023:rs.3.rs-2814616. [PMID: 37333337 PMCID: PMC10275048 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-2814616/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/20/2023]
Abstract
The integration of quantitative trait loci (QTL) with disease genome-wide association studies (GWAS) has proven successful at prioritizing candidate genes at disease-associated loci. QTL mapping has mainly been focused on multi-tissue expression QTL or plasma protein QTL (pQTL). Here we generated the largest-to-date cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pQTL atlas by analyzing 7,028 proteins in 3,107 samples. We identified 3,373 independent study-wide associations for 1,961 proteins, including 2,448 novel pQTLs of which 1,585 are unique to CSF, demonstrating unique genetic regulation of the CSF proteome. In addition to the established chr6p22.2-21.32 HLA region, we identified pleiotropic regions on chr3q28 near OSTN and chr19q13.32 near APOE that were enriched for neuron-specificity and neurological development. We also integrated this pQTL atlas with the latest Alzheimer's disease (AD) GWAS through PWAS, colocalization and Mendelian Randomization and identified 42 putative causal proteins for AD, 15 of which have drugs available. Finally, we developed a proteomics-based risk score for AD that outperforms genetics-based polygenic risk scores. These findings will be instrumental to further understand the biology and identify causal and druggable proteins for brain and neurological traits.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Dan Western
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Jigyasha Timsina
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Lihua Wang
- Washington University School of Medicine
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Patsy Kohlfeld
- Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Mercè Boada
- Memory Clinic of Fundaciò ACE, Catalan Institute of Applied Neurosciences
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Ignacio Alvarez
- Fundació Docència i Recerca Mútua Terrassa, Terrassa, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | | | - Pau Pastor
- University Hospital Germans Trias i Pujol
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Yu X, Kuo YF, Raji MA, Berenson AB, Baillargeon J, Giordano TP. Dementias Among Older Males and Females in the U.S. Medicare System With and Without HIV. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr 2023; 93:107-115. [PMID: 36881792 PMCID: PMC10293071 DOI: 10.1097/qai.0000000000003184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2022] [Accepted: 02/22/2023] [Indexed: 03/09/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite the growing concern that people with HIV (PWH) will experience a disproportionate burden of dementia as they age, very few studies have examined the sex-specific prevalence of dementia, including Alzheimer disease and related dementias (AD/ADRD) among older PWH versus people without HIV (PWOH) using large national samples. METHODS We constructed successive cross-sectional cohorts including all PWH aged 65+ years from U.S. Medicare enrollees and PWOH in a 5% national sample of Medicare data from 2007 to 2019. All AD/ADRD cases were identified by ICD-9-CM/ICD-10-CM diagnosis codes. Prevalence of AD/ADRD was calculated for each calendar year by sex-age strata. Generalized estimating equations were used to assess factors associated with dementia and calculate the adjusted prevalence. RESULTS PWH had a higher prevalence of AD/ADRD, which increased over time compared with PWOH, especially among female beneficiaries and with increasing age. For example, among those aged 80+ years, the prevalence increased from 2007 to 2019 (females with HIV: 31.4%-44.1%; females without HIV: 27.4%-29.9%; males with HIV: 26.2%-33.3%; males without HIV: 21.0%-23.5%). After adjustment for demographics and comorbidities, the differences in dementia burden by HIV status remained, especially among older age groups. CONCLUSIONS Older Medicare enrollees with HIV had an increased dementia burden over time compared with those without HIV, especially women and older subjects. This underscores the need to develop tailored clinical practice guidelines that facilitate the integration of dementia and comorbidity screening, evaluation, and management into the routine primary care of aging PWH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoying Yu
- Department of Biostatistics & Data Science, University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston (UTMB), Galveston, TX, USA
- Center for Interdisciplinary Research in Women’s Health, UTMB
| | - Yong-Fang Kuo
- Department of Biostatistics & Data Science, University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston (UTMB), Galveston, TX, USA
- Center for Interdisciplinary Research in Women’s Health, UTMB
| | | | - Abbey B. Berenson
- Center for Interdisciplinary Research in Women’s Health, UTMB
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, UTMB
| | | | - Thomas P. Giordano
- Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
- Center for Innovations in Quality, Effectiveness and Safety, Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center, Houston, TX, USA
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Eyting M, Xie M, Heß S, Geldsetzer P. Causal evidence that herpes zoster vaccination prevents a proportion of dementia cases. MEDRXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR HEALTH SCIENCES 2023:2023.05.23.23290253. [PMID: 37292746 PMCID: PMC10246135 DOI: 10.1101/2023.05.23.23290253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
The root causes of dementia are still largely unclear, and the medical community lacks highly effective preventive and therapeutic pharmaceutical agents for dementia despite large investments into their development. There is growing interest in the question if infectious agents play a role in the development of dementia, with herpesviruses attracting particular attention. To provide causal as opposed to merely correlational evidence on this question, we take advantage of the fact that in Wales eligibility for the herpes zoster vaccine (Zostavax) for shingles prevention was determined based on an individual's exact date of birth. Those born before September 2 1933 were ineligible and remained ineligible for life, while those born on or after September 2 1933 were eligible to receive the vaccine. By using country-wide data on all vaccinations received, primary and secondary care encounters, death certificates, and patients' date of birth in weeks, we first show that the percentage of adults who received the vaccine increased from 0.01% among patients who were merely one week too old to be eligible, to 47.2% among those who were just one week younger. Apart from this large difference in the probability of ever receiving the herpes zoster vaccine, there is no plausible reason why those born just one week prior to September 2 1933 should differ systematically from those born one week later. We demonstrate this empirically by showing that there were no systematic differences (e.g., in pre-existing conditions or uptake of other preventive interventions) between adults across the date-of-birth eligibility cutoff, and that there were no other interventions that used the exact same date-of-birth eligibility cutoff as was used for the herpes zoster vaccine program. This unique natural randomization, thus, allows for robust causal, rather than correlational, effect estimation. We first replicate the vaccine's known effect from clinical trials of reducing the occurrence of shingles. We then show that receiving the herpes zoster vaccine reduced the probability of a new dementia diagnosis over a follow-up period of seven years by 3.5 percentage points (95% CI: 0.6 - 7.1, p=0.019), corresponding to a 19.9% relative reduction in the occurrence of dementia. Besides preventing shingles and dementia, the herpes zoster vaccine had no effects on any other common causes of morbidity and mortality. In exploratory analyses, we find that the protective effects from the vaccine for dementia are far stronger among women than men. Randomized trials are needed to determine the optimal population groups and time interval for administration of the herpes zoster vaccine to prevent or delay dementia, as well as to quantify the magnitude of the causal effect when more precise measures of cognition are used. Our findings strongly suggest an important role of the varicella zoster virus in the etiology of dementia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Markus Eyting
- Division of Primary Care and Population Health, Department of
Medicine, Stanford University; Stanford, CA 94305, USA
- Heidelberg Institute of Global Health (HIGH), Heidelberg
University; 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
- Gutenberg School of Management and Economics, Johannes Gutenberg
University Mainz; 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Min Xie
- Division of Primary Care and Population Health, Department of
Medicine, Stanford University; Stanford, CA 94305, USA
- Heidelberg Institute of Global Health (HIGH), Heidelberg
University; 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Simon Heß
- Department of Economics, University of Vienna; 1090 Vienna,
Austria
| | - Pascal Geldsetzer
- Division of Primary Care and Population Health, Department of
Medicine, Stanford University; Stanford, CA 94305, USA
- Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Stanford
University; Stanford, CA 94305, USA
- Chan Zuckerberg Biohub – San Francisco; San Francisco, CA
94158, USA
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Arbez-Gindre C, Steele BR, Micha-Screttas M. Dendrimers in Alzheimer’s Disease: Recent Approaches in Multi-Targeting Strategies. Pharmaceutics 2023; 15:pharmaceutics15030898. [PMID: 36986759 PMCID: PMC10059864 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15030898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2023] [Revised: 03/05/2023] [Accepted: 03/08/2023] [Indexed: 03/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Nanomaterials play an increasingly important role in current medicinal practice. As one of the most significant causes of human mortality, and one that is increasing year by year, Alzheimer’s disease (AD) has been the subject of a very great body of research and is an area in which nanomedicinal approaches show great promise. Dendrimers are a class of multivalent nanomaterials which can accommodate a wide range of modifications that enable them to be used as drug delivery systems. By means of suitable design, they can incorporate multiple functionalities to enable transport across the blood–brain barrier and subsequently target the diseased areas of the brain. In addition, a number of dendrimers by themselves often display therapeutic potential for AD. In this review, the various hypotheses relating to the development of AD and the proposed therapeutic interventions involving dendrimer–base systems are outlined. Special attention is focused on more recent results and on the importance of aspects such as oxidative stress, neuroinflammation and mitochondrial dysfunction in approaches to the design of new treatments.
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How viral infections cause neuronal dysfunction: a focus on the role of microglia and astrocytes. Biochem Soc Trans 2023; 51:259-274. [PMID: 36606670 DOI: 10.1042/bst20220771] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2022] [Revised: 12/02/2022] [Accepted: 12/05/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
In recent decades, a number of infectious viruses have emerged from wildlife or reemerged that pose a serious threat to global health and economies worldwide. Although many of these viruses have a specific target tissue, neurotropic viruses have evolved mechanisms to exploit weaknesses in immune defenses that eventually allow them to reach and infect cells of the central nervous system (CNS). Once in the CNS, these viruses can cause severe neuronal damage, sometimes with long-lasting, life-threatening consequences. Remarkably, the ability to enter the CNS and cause neuronal infection does not appear to determine whether a viral strain causes neurological complications. The cellular mechanisms underlying the neurological consequences of viral infection are not fully understood, but they involve neuroimmune interactions that have so far focused mainly on microglia. As the major immune cells in the brain, reactive microglia play a central role in neuroinflammation by responding directly or indirectly to viruses. Chronic reactivity of microglia leads to functions that are distinct from their beneficial roles under physiological conditions and may result in neuronal damage that contributes to the pathogenesis of various neurological diseases. However, there is increasing evidence that reactive astrocytes also play an important role in the response to viruses. In this review article, we summarize the recent contributions of microglia and astrocytes to the neurological impairments caused by viral infections. By expanding knowledge in this area, therapeutic approaches targeting immunological pathways may reduce the incidence of neurological and neurodegenerative disorders and increase the therapeutic window for neural protection.
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Sanders OD. Virus-Like Cytosolic and Cell-Free Oxidatively Damaged Nucleic Acids Likely Drive Inflammation, Synapse Degeneration, and Neuron Death in Alzheimer's Disease. J Alzheimers Dis Rep 2023; 7:1-19. [PMID: 36761106 PMCID: PMC9881037 DOI: 10.3233/adr-220047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2022] [Accepted: 11/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Oxidative stress, inflammation, and amyloid-β are Alzheimer's disease (AD) hallmarks that cause each other and other AD hallmarks. Most amyloid-β-lowering, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial AD clinical trials failed; none stopped or reversed AD. Although signs suggest an infectious etiology, no pathogen accumulated consistently in AD patients. Neuropathology, neuronal cell culture, rodent, genome-wide association, epidemiological, biomarker, and clinical studies, plus analysis using Hill causality criteria and revised Koch's postulates, indicate that the virus-like oxidative damage-associated molecular-pattern (DAMP) cytosolic and cell-free nucleic acids accumulated in AD patients' brains likely drive neuroinflammation, synaptotoxicity, and neurotoxicity. Cytosolic oxidatively-damaged mitochondrial DNA accumulated outside mitochondria dose-dependently in preclinical AD and AD patients' hippocampal neurons, and in AD patients' neocortical neurons but not cerebellar neurons or glia. In oxidatively-stressed neural cells and rodents' brains, cytosolic oxidatively-damaged mitochondrial DNA accumulated and increased antiviral and inflammatory proteins, including cleaved caspase-1, interleukin-1β, and interferon-β. Cytosolic double-stranded RNA and DNA are DAMPs that induce antiviral interferons and/or inflammatory proteins by oligomerizing with various innate-immune pattern-recognition receptors, e.g., cyclic GMP-AMP synthase and the nucleotide-binding-oligomerization-domain-like-receptor-pyrin-domain-containing-3 inflammasome. In oxidatively-stressed neural cells, cytosolic oxidatively-damaged mitochondrial DNA caused synaptotoxicity and neurotoxicity. Depleting mitochondrial DNA prevented these effects. Additionally, cell-free nucleic acids accumulated in AD patients' blood, extracellular vesicles, and senile plaques. Injecting cell-free nucleic acids bound to albumin oligomers into wild-type mice's hippocampi triggered antiviral interferon-β secretion; interferon-β injection caused synapse degeneration. Deoxyribonuclease-I treatment appeared to improve a severe-AD patient's Mini-Mental Status Exam by 15 points. Preclinical and clinical studies of deoxyribonuclease-I and a ribonuclease for AD should be prioritized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Owen Davis Sanders
- Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA,Correspondence to: Owen Davis Sanders, 210 S 16th St. Apt. 215, Omaha, NE 68102, USA. E-mails: and
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Anwar MM. The emerging mechanism behind viral infections and extracellular vesicles hypotheses leading to neuroinflammation and Alzheimer's disease pathology. IBRAIN 2023; 9:63-71. [PMID: 37786515 PMCID: PMC10529198 DOI: 10.1002/ibra.12090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2022] [Revised: 01/14/2023] [Accepted: 01/14/2023] [Indexed: 10/04/2023]
Abstract
Despite decades of repeated and intense research, the etiology of sudden Alzheimer's disease (AD) symptoms is still unclear. AD progressive pathology mainly involves neuron damage, depositions of amyloid-beta (Aβ), and hyperphosphorylated tau protein. All these defects are manifested by exaggerated cytokine storm and neuroinflammation leading to irreversible brain damage in the long term. Despite the numerous risks and drawbacks associated with AD, it is believed that there is a hidden unknown causative and predisposing factors for AD. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are small vesicles released by cells as a type of intercellular communication. Several pieces of evidence support the inclusion of viral components within EVs facilitating their penetration into the blood-brain barrier leading to neuroinflammation. In light of the SARS-CoV-19 pandemic and its related neurological complications, it is mandatory to highlight the possibility and viability of viral infections such as varicella-zoster virus (VZV) and herpes simplex virus (HSV) on the onset of AD. Herein, the author is investigating the potential role of VZV and HSV along with highlighting the suggested route of pathogenesis entry resulting in AD manifestations. Additionally, this review aims to summarize the role of EVs in mediating the central nervous system viral infections leading to AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mai M. Anwar
- Department of BiochemistryNational Organization for Drug Control and Research (NODCAR)/Egyptian Drug Authority (EDA)CairoEgypt
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Teulière J, Bernard C, Bonnefous H, Martens J, Lopez P, Bapteste E. Interactomics: Dozens of Viruses, Co-evolving With Humans, Including the Influenza A Virus, may Actively Distort Human Aging. Mol Biol Evol 2023; 40:6989791. [PMID: 36649176 PMCID: PMC9897028 DOI: 10.1093/molbev/msad012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2022] [Revised: 12/07/2022] [Accepted: 01/09/2023] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Some viruses (e.g., human immunodeficiency virus 1 and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2) have been experimentally proposed to accelerate features of human aging and of cellular senescence. These observations, along with evolutionary considerations on viral fitness, raised the more general puzzling hypothesis that, beyond documented sources in human genetics, aging in our species may also depend on virally encoded interactions distorting our aging to the benefits of diverse viruses. Accordingly, we designed systematic network-based analyses of the human and viral protein interactomes, which unraveled dozens of viruses encoding proteins experimentally demonstrated to interact with proteins from pathways associated with human aging, including cellular senescence. We further corroborated our predictions that specific viruses interfere with human aging using published experimental evidence and transcriptomic data; identifying influenza A virus (subtype H1N1) as a major candidate age distorter, notably through manipulation of cellular senescence. By providing original evidence that viruses may convergently contribute to the evolution of numerous age-associated pathways through co-evolution, our network-based and bipartite network-based methodologies support an ecosystemic study of aging, also searching for genetic causes of aging outside a focal aging species. Our findings, predicting age distorters and targets for anti-aging therapies among human viruses, could have fundamental and practical implications for evolutionary biology, aging study, virology, medicine, and demography.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Hugo Bonnefous
- Institut de Systématique, Evolution, Biodiversité (ISYEB), Sorbonne Université, CNRS, Museum National d’Histoire Naturelle, EPHE, Université des Antilles, Paris, France
| | - Johannes Martens
- Sciences, Normes, Démocratie (SND), Sorbonne Université, CNRS, Paris, France
| | - Philippe Lopez
- Institut de Systématique, Evolution, Biodiversité (ISYEB), Sorbonne Université, CNRS, Museum National d’Histoire Naturelle, EPHE, Université des Antilles, Paris, France
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Rao RV, Subramaniam KG, Gregory J, Bredesen AL, Coward C, Okada S, Kelly L, Bredesen DE. Rationale for a Multi-Factorial Approach for the Reversal of Cognitive Decline in Alzheimer's Disease and MCI: A Review. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24021659. [PMID: 36675177 PMCID: PMC9865291 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24021659] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2022] [Revised: 01/03/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2023] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a multifactorial, progressive, neurodegenerative disease typically characterized by memory loss, personality changes, and a decline in overall cognitive function. Usually manifesting in individuals over the age of 60, this is the most prevalent type of dementia and remains the fifth leading cause of death among Americans aged 65 and older. While the development of effective treatment and prevention for AD is a major healthcare goal, unfortunately, therapeutic approaches to date have yet to find a treatment plan that produces long-term cognitive improvement. Drugs that may be able to slow down the progression rate of AD are being introduced to the market; however, there has been no previous solution for preventing or reversing the disease-associated cognitive decline. Recent studies have identified several factors that contribute to the progression and severity of the disease: diet, lifestyle, stress, sleep, nutrient deficiencies, mental health, socialization, and toxins. Thus, increasing evidence supports dietary and other lifestyle changes as potentially effective ways to prevent, slow, or reverse AD progression. Studies also have demonstrated that a personalized, multi-therapeutic approach is needed to improve metabolic abnormalities and AD-associated cognitive decline. These studies suggest the effects of abnormalities, such as insulin resistance, chronic inflammation, hypovitaminosis D, hormonal deficiencies, and hyperhomocysteinemia, in the AD process. Therefore a personalized, multi-therapeutic program based on an individual's genetics and biochemistry may be preferable over a single-drug/mono-therapeutic approach. This article reviews these multi-therapeutic strategies that identify and attenuate all the risk factors specific to each affected individual. This article systematically reviews studies that have incorporated multiple strategies that target numerous factors simultaneously to reverse or treat cognitive decline. We included high-quality clinical trials and observational studies that focused on the cognitive effects of programs comprising lifestyle, physical, and mental activity, as well as nutritional aspects. Articles from PubMed Central, Scopus, and Google Scholar databases were collected, and abstracts were reviewed for relevance to the subject matter. Epidemiological, pathological, toxicological, genetic, and biochemical studies have all concluded that AD represents a complex network insufficiency. The research studies explored in this manuscript confirm the need for a multifactorial approach to target the various risk factors of AD. A single-drug approach may delay the progression of memory loss but, to date, has not prevented or reversed it. Diet, physical activity, sleep, stress, and environment all contribute to the progression of the disease, and, therefore, a multi-factorial optimization of network support and function offers a rational therapeutic strategy. Thus, a multi-therapeutic program that simultaneously targets multiple factors underlying the AD network may be more effective than a mono-therapeutic approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rammohan V. Rao
- Apollo Health, Burlingame, CA 94011, USA
- Correspondence: (R.V.R.); (D.E.B.)
| | | | | | | | | | - Sho Okada
- Apollo Health, Burlingame, CA 94011, USA
| | | | - Dale E. Bredesen
- Apollo Health, Burlingame, CA 94011, USA
- Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90024, USA
- Correspondence: (R.V.R.); (D.E.B.)
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Emery DC, Davies M, Cerajewska TL, Taylor J, Hazell M, Paterson A, Allen-Birt SJ, West NX. High resolution 16S rRNA gene Next Generation Sequencing study of brain areas associated with Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease. Front Aging Neurosci 2022; 14:1026260. [PMID: 36570533 PMCID: PMC9780557 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2022.1026260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2022] [Accepted: 11/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Alzheimer's (AD) and Parkinson's disease (PD) are neurodegenerative conditions characterized by incremental deposition of β-amyloid (Aβ) and α-synuclein in AD and PD brain, respectively, in relatively conserved patterns. Both are associated with neuroinflammation, with a proposed microbial component for disease initiation and/or progression. Notably, Aβ and α-synuclein have been shown to possess antimicrobial properties. There is evidence for bacterial presence within the brain, including the oral pathobiont Porphyromonas gingivalis, with cognitive impairment and brain pathology being linked to periodontal (gum) disease and gut dysbiosis. Methods Here, we use high resolution 16S rRNA PCR-based Next Generation Sequencing (16SNGS) to characterize bacterial composition in brain areas associated with the early, intermediate and late-stage of the diseases. Results and discussion This study reveals the widespread presence of bacteria in areas of the brain associated with AD and PD pathology, with distinctly different bacterial profiles in blood and brain. Brain area profiles were overall somewhat similar, predominantly oral, with some bacteria subgingival and oronasal in origin, and relatively comparable profiles in AD and PD brain. However, brain areas associated with early disease development, such as the locus coeruleus, were substantially different in bacterial DNA content compared to areas affected later in disease etiology.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Mae Hazell
- Translational Health Sciences, Learning and Research, Bristol Medical School, Southmead Hospital, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Alex Paterson
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Bristol Genomics Facility, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Shelley J. Allen-Birt
- Translational Health Sciences, Learning and Research, Bristol Medical School, Southmead Hospital, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Nicola X. West
- Bristol Dental School, Bristol, United Kingdom,*Correspondence: Nicola X. West,
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Goldhardt O, Freiberger R, Dreyer T, Wilner L, Yakushev I, Ortner M, Förstl H, Diehl‐Schmid J, Milz E, Priller J, Ramirez A, Magdolen V, Thaler M, Grimmer T. Herpes simplex virus alters Alzheimer's disease biomarkers ‐ A hypothesis paper. Alzheimers Dement 2022; 19:2117-2134. [PMID: 36396609 DOI: 10.1002/alz.12834] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2022] [Accepted: 09/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Human herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV1) is discussed to induce amyloid-β (Aβ) accumulation and neurofibrillary tangles of hyperphosphorylated tau (pTau) in Alzheimer's disease (AD) in cell culture and animal models. Aβ appears to be virostatic. We investigated the association between intrathecal antibodies against HSV or cytomegalovirus (CMV) and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) AD biomarkers. METHODS Aβ42 /Aβ40 ratio, pTau, and tTau were measured in CSF of 117 patients with early AD positive for amyloid pathology (A+) and 30 healthy controls (A-). CSF-to-serum anti-HSV1/2-IgG antibody indices (AI-IgGHSV1/2 ) and CMV (AI-IgGCMV ) were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). RESULTS Exclusively in HSV1-seropositive AD, pTau was positively and significantly predicted by AI-IgGHSV1/2 and negatively by the Aβ42 /Aβ40 ratio in both univariate and multivariate regression analyses. Furthermore, a significant and negative interaction between the AI-IgGHSV1/2 and Aβ42 /Aβ40 ratio on pTau was found. DISCUSSION The results support the hypothesis that HSV infection contributes to AD. HIGHLIGHTS HSV antibody index is positively associated with tau pathology in patients with AD. HSV antibody index is negatively associated with cerebral FDG metabolism. Amyloid modulates the association of HSV antibody index with CSF-pTau. HSV in AD offers a pathophysiological model connecting tau and amyloid.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oliver Goldhardt
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy School of Medicine Klinikum rechts der Isar Technical University of Munich Munich Germany
| | - Robert Freiberger
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy School of Medicine Klinikum rechts der Isar Technical University of Munich Munich Germany
| | - Tobias Dreyer
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology School of Medicine, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich Munich Germany
| | - Luisa Wilner
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy School of Medicine Klinikum rechts der Isar Technical University of Munich Munich Germany
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, School of Medicine Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich Munich Germany
| | - Igor Yakushev
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, School of Medicine Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich Munich Germany
| | - Marion Ortner
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy School of Medicine Klinikum rechts der Isar Technical University of Munich Munich Germany
| | - Hans Förstl
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy School of Medicine Klinikum rechts der Isar Technical University of Munich Munich Germany
| | - Janine Diehl‐Schmid
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy School of Medicine Klinikum rechts der Isar Technical University of Munich Munich Germany
| | - Esther Milz
- Division of Neurogenetics and Molecular Psychiatry Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne Cologne Germany
| | - Josef Priller
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy School of Medicine Klinikum rechts der Isar Technical University of Munich Munich Germany
| | - Alfredo Ramirez
- Division of Neurogenetics and Molecular Psychiatry Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne Cologne Germany
- Department of Neurodegenerative Diseases and Geriatric Psychiatry Medical Faculty University Hospital Bonn Bonn Germany
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) Bonn Germany
- Department of Psychiatry and Glenn Biggs Institute for Alzheimer's and Neurodegenerative Diseases San Antonio Texas USA
- Cluster of Excellence Cellular Stress Responses in Aging‐associated Diseases (CECAD) University of Cologne Cologne Germany
| | - Viktor Magdolen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology School of Medicine, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich Munich Germany
| | - Markus Thaler
- Institute for Clinical Chemistry and Pathobiochemistry School of Medicine, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich Munich Germany
| | - Timo Grimmer
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy School of Medicine Klinikum rechts der Isar Technical University of Munich Munich Germany
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Trunfio M, Di Girolamo L, Ponzetta L, Russo M, Burdino E, Imperiale D, Atzori C, Di Perri G, Calcagno A. Seropositivity and reactivations of HSV-1, but not of HSV-2 nor VZV, associate with altered blood–brain barrier, beta amyloid, and tau proteins in people living with HIV. J Neurovirol 2022; 29:100-105. [PMID: 36352195 DOI: 10.1007/s13365-022-01105-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2022] [Revised: 09/20/2022] [Accepted: 10/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Among 128 adult people living with HIV and no neurological conditions confounding the cerebrospinal fluid results, the presence of HSV-1 chronic infection (detected either by serology or PCR), but not of HSV-2 and VZV, independently associated with higher odds of blood-brain barrier impairment, abnormally increased cerebrospinal fluid levels of tau and phosphorylated-181 tau, and decreased concentrations of fragments 1-42 of beta amyloid compared to the seronegative counterpart. These associations were even stronger for seropositive participants with a positive history of at least one symptomatic reactivation of HSV-1.
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Lehrer S, Rheinstein PH. Vaccination Reduces Risk of Alzheimer's Disease, Parkinson's Disease and Other Neurodegenerative Disorders. DISCOVERY MEDICINE 2022; 34:97-101. [PMID: 36281030 PMCID: PMC9608336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Neurodegeneration is an increasing problem of aging. Alzheimer's Disease (AD) and Parkinson's Disease (PD) are the most frequent forms of age-related neurodegeneration. Infectious diseases, in general, confer a risk of AD. Influenza and pneumonia vaccinations reduce risk of AD. Being vaccinated against pneumonia between ages 65-75 is associated with a reduction in the risk of AD afterwards. Protection against bacterial and viral infection is beneficial to the brain since these infections may activate dormant herpes simplex type 1 (HSV-1) and herpes zoster virus (HZV). HSV-1 and HZV may interact to trigger AD. Shingles (HZV) vaccine Zostavax reduces risk of AD and PD. This finding is consistent with the link between viruses and neurodegeneration. Herpes virus-induced reactivation of embryologic pathways silenced at birth could be one of the pathologic processes in AD and PD. Once embryologic reactivation has occurred in the brain of an older person and AD or PD develops, this complex process relentlessly destroys the protective mechanism it created in utero. Unanswered question: Are the AD-risk-reducing effects of flu, pneumonia, and shingles vaccinations cumulative?
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven Lehrer
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 1 Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, NY 10029, USA
- Corresponding author
| | - Peter H Rheinstein
- Drug Regulation, Severn Health Solutions, 621 Holly Ridge Road, Severna Park, MD 21146, USA
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45
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Gege C, Kleymann G. Helicase-primase inhibitors from Medshine Discovery Inc. (WO2018/127207 and WO2020/007355) for the treatment of herpes simplex virus infections – structure proposal for Phaeno Therapeutics drug candidate HN0037. Expert Opin Ther Pat 2022; 32:933-937. [DOI: 10.1080/13543776.2022.2113873] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Christian Gege
- Innovative Molecules GmbH, Dachauer Str. 65, 80335 München, Germany
| | - Gerald Kleymann
- Innovative Molecules GmbH, Dachauer Str. 65, 80335 München, Germany
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Samuels H, Malov M, Saha Detroja T, Ben Zaken K, Bloch N, Gal-Tanamy M, Avni O, Polis B, Samson AO. Autoimmune Disease Classification Based on PubMed Text Mining. J Clin Med 2022; 11:4345. [PMID: 35893435 PMCID: PMC9369164 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11154345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2022] [Revised: 06/15/2022] [Accepted: 07/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Autoimmune diseases (AIDs) are often co-associated, and about 25% of patients with one AID tend to develop other comorbid AIDs. Here, we employ the power of datamining to predict the comorbidity of AIDs based on their normalized co-citation in PubMed. First, we validate our technique in a test dataset using earlier-reported comorbidities of seven knowns AIDs. Notably, the prediction correlates well with comorbidity (R = 0.91) and validates our methodology. Then, we predict the association of 100 AIDs and classify them using principal component analysis. Our results are helpful in classifying AIDs into one of the following systems: (1) gastrointestinal, (2) neuronal, (3) eye, (4) cutaneous, (5) musculoskeletal, (6) kidneys and lungs, (7) cardiovascular, (8) hematopoietic, (9) endocrine, and (10) multiple. Our classification agrees with experimentally based taxonomy and ranks AID according to affected systems and gender. Some AIDs are unclassified and do not associate well with other AIDs. Interestingly, Alzheimer's disease correlates well with other AIDs such as multiple sclerosis. Finally, our results generate a network classification of autoimmune diseases based on PubMed text mining and help map this medical universe. Our results are expected to assist healthcare workers in diagnosing comorbidity in patients with an autoimmune disease, and to help researchers in identifying common genetic, environmental, and autoimmune mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hadas Samuels
- Azrieli Faculty of Medicine, Bar Ilan University, Safed 1311502, Israel; (H.S.); (M.M.); (T.S.D.); (K.B.Z.); (N.B.); (M.G.-T.); (O.A.)
| | - Malki Malov
- Azrieli Faculty of Medicine, Bar Ilan University, Safed 1311502, Israel; (H.S.); (M.M.); (T.S.D.); (K.B.Z.); (N.B.); (M.G.-T.); (O.A.)
| | - Trishna Saha Detroja
- Azrieli Faculty of Medicine, Bar Ilan University, Safed 1311502, Israel; (H.S.); (M.M.); (T.S.D.); (K.B.Z.); (N.B.); (M.G.-T.); (O.A.)
| | - Karin Ben Zaken
- Azrieli Faculty of Medicine, Bar Ilan University, Safed 1311502, Israel; (H.S.); (M.M.); (T.S.D.); (K.B.Z.); (N.B.); (M.G.-T.); (O.A.)
| | - Naamah Bloch
- Azrieli Faculty of Medicine, Bar Ilan University, Safed 1311502, Israel; (H.S.); (M.M.); (T.S.D.); (K.B.Z.); (N.B.); (M.G.-T.); (O.A.)
| | - Meital Gal-Tanamy
- Azrieli Faculty of Medicine, Bar Ilan University, Safed 1311502, Israel; (H.S.); (M.M.); (T.S.D.); (K.B.Z.); (N.B.); (M.G.-T.); (O.A.)
| | - Orly Avni
- Azrieli Faculty of Medicine, Bar Ilan University, Safed 1311502, Israel; (H.S.); (M.M.); (T.S.D.); (K.B.Z.); (N.B.); (M.G.-T.); (O.A.)
| | - Baruh Polis
- School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520, USA;
| | - Abraham O. Samson
- Azrieli Faculty of Medicine, Bar Ilan University, Safed 1311502, Israel; (H.S.); (M.M.); (T.S.D.); (K.B.Z.); (N.B.); (M.G.-T.); (O.A.)
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Wright LR, Wright DL, Weller SK. Viral Nucleases from Herpesviruses and Coronavirus in Recombination and Proofreading: Potential Targets for Antiviral Drug Discovery. Viruses 2022; 14:v14071557. [PMID: 35891537 PMCID: PMC9324378 DOI: 10.3390/v14071557] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2022] [Revised: 07/08/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
In this review, we explore recombination in two very different virus families that have become major threats to human health. The Herpesviridae are a large family of pathogenic double-stranded DNA viruses involved in a range of diseases affecting both people and animals. Coronaviridae are positive-strand RNA viruses (CoVs) that have also become major threats to global health and economic stability, especially in the last two decades. Despite many differences, such as the make-up of their genetic material (DNA vs. RNA) and overall mechanisms of genome replication, both human herpes viruses (HHVs) and CoVs have evolved to rely heavily on recombination for viral genome replication, adaptation to new hosts and evasion of host immune regulation. In this review, we will focus on the roles of three viral exonucleases: two HHV exonucleases (alkaline nuclease and PolExo) and one CoV exonuclease (ExoN). We will review the roles of these three nucleases in their respective life cycles and discuss the state of drug discovery efforts against these targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lee R. Wright
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Connecticut School of Pharmacy, Storrs, CT 06269, USA; (L.R.W.); (D.L.W.)
| | - Dennis L. Wright
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Connecticut School of Pharmacy, Storrs, CT 06269, USA; (L.R.W.); (D.L.W.)
| | - Sandra K. Weller
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biophysics, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, 263 Farmington Ave., Farmington, CT 06030, USA
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-(860)-679-2310; Fax: +1-(860)-679-1239
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Klein BY, Greenblatt CL, Gofrit ON, Bercovier H. Bacillus Calmette-Guérin in Immuno-Regulation of Alzheimer's Disease. Front Aging Neurosci 2022; 14:861956. [PMID: 35832066 PMCID: PMC9271739 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2022.861956] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2022] [Accepted: 06/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacillus Calmette-Guérin is frequently the treatment of choice of superficial bladder cancer. Exposing the urinary bladder of elderly patients with bladder cancer to the BCG vaccine reduced the risk of Alzheimer's disease (AD) substantially. Vaccines against other infectious microorganisms by other vaccination methods showed a similar but a lesser effect. This suggests that immune effects on AD are antigenically non-specific, likely being a metabolic result of immune system activation, similar to that shown for Juvenile diabetes. In this mini review we point to the benefit of BCG vaccine. We then briefly highlight the pathological involvement of the immune system in the AD both, in the peripheral and the central (brain) compartments. Given the uncertain prophylactic mechanism of the BCG effect against AD we propose to take advantage of the therapeutically planned bladder exposure to BCG. Based on pathological aggregation of wrongly cleaved amyloid precursor protein (APP) resistant to the unfolded protein response (UPR) which results in amyloid beta plaques we predict that BCG may impact the UPR signaling cascade. In addition pathways of innate immunity training concerned with energy metabolism, predict capability of activated immune cells to substitute deranged astrocytes that fail to support neuronal energy metabolism. This mini review points to ways through which immune cells can mediate between BCG vaccination and AD to support the wellness of the central nervous system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Y. Klein
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Charles L. Greenblatt
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Ofer N. Gofrit
- Department of Urology, Hadassah Medical Center, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Hervé Bercovier
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
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The Role of Exposomes in the Pathophysiology of Autoimmune Diseases II: Pathogens. PATHOPHYSIOLOGY 2022; 29:243-280. [PMID: 35736648 PMCID: PMC9231084 DOI: 10.3390/pathophysiology29020020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2022] [Revised: 05/28/2022] [Accepted: 05/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
In our continuing examination of the role of exposomes in autoimmune disease, we use this review to focus on pathogens. Infections are major contributors to the pathophysiology of autoimmune diseases through various mechanisms, foremost being molecular mimicry, when the structural similarity between the pathogen and a human tissue antigen leads to autoimmune reactivity and even autoimmune disease. The three best examples of this are oral pathogens, SARS-CoV-2, and the herpesviruses. Oral pathogens reach the gut, disturb the microbiota, increase gut permeability, cause local inflammation, and generate autoantigens, leading to systemic inflammation, multiple autoimmune reactivities, and systemic autoimmunity. The COVID-19 pandemic put the spotlight on SARS-CoV-2, which has been called “the autoimmune virus.” We explore in detail the evidence supporting this. We also describe how viruses, in particular herpesviruses, have a role in the induction of many different autoimmune diseases, detailing the various mechanisms involved. Lastly, we discuss the microbiome and the beneficial microbiota that populate it. We look at the role of the gut microbiome in autoimmune disorders, because of its role in regulating the immune system. Dysbiosis of the microbiota in the gut microbiome can lead to multiple autoimmune disorders. We conclude that understanding the precise roles and relationships shared by all these factors that comprise the exposome and identifying early events and root causes of these disorders can help us to develop more targeted therapeutic protocols for the management of this worldwide epidemic of autoimmunity.
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Høilund-Carlsen PF, Revheim ME, Alavi A. Alzheimer’s Disease at a Crossroad: Time to Part from Amyloid to More Promising Aspects— Atherosclerosis for a Start. J Alzheimers Dis 2022; 88:455-458. [DOI: 10.3233/jad-220190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Three decades with the amyloid hypothesis, nearly two with amyloid-PET imaging, and one with testing of anti-amyloid therapy have not yielded benefits to patients with Alzheimer’s disease (AD). It is time to focus on more promising options, e.g., infection, low dose radiation, and atherosclerosis. The relevance of the latter in managing AD has fluctuated from being significant to insignificant. Current methodologies for detecting cerebral atherosclerosis reflect advanced changes in only major arteries. In contrast, 18F-sodium fluoride PET imaging assessing early-stage cerebral atherosclerosis regionally or in the entire vascular bed may provide new insight in this age-related process in dementia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Poul F. Høilund-Carlsen
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - Mona-Elisabeth Revheim
- Division of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, Norway
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Norway
| | - Abass Alavi
- Department of Radiology, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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