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Schwab K, Frahm S, Magbagbeolu M, Horsley D, Goatman EA, Melis V, Theuring F, Ishaq A, Storey JMD, Harrington CR, Wischik CM, Riedel G. LETC inhibits α-Syn aggregation and ameliorates motor deficiencies in the L62 mouse model of synucleinopathy. Eur J Pharmacol 2024; 970:176505. [PMID: 38503400 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2024.176505] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2024] [Revised: 03/13/2024] [Accepted: 03/14/2024] [Indexed: 03/21/2024]
Abstract
Alpha-Synuclein (α-Syn) aggregation is a pathological feature of synucleinopathies, neurodegenerative disorders that include Parkinson's disease (PD). Here, we explored the efficacy of N,N,N',N'-tetraethyl-10H-phenothiazine-3,7-diamine dihydrochloride (LETC), a protein aggregation inhibitor, on α-Syn aggregation. In both cellular models and transgenic mice, α-Syn aggregation was achieved by the overexpression of full-length human α-Syn fused with a signal sequence peptide. α-Syn accumulated in transfected DH60.21 neuroblastoma cells and α-Syn aggregation was inhibited by LETC with an EC50 of 0.066 ± 0.047 μM. Full-length human α-Syn overexpressing Line 62 (L62) mice accumulated neuronal α-Syn that was associated with a decreased motor performance in the open field and automated home cage. LETC, administered orally for 6 weeks at 10 mg/kg significantly decreased α-Syn-positive neurons in multiple brain regions and this resulted in a rescue of movement deficits in the open field in these mice. LETC however, did not improve activity deficits of L62 mice in the home cage environment. The results suggest that LETC may provide a potential disease modification therapy in synucleinopathies through the inhibition of α-Syn aggregation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karima Schwab
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill, Aberdeen, AB25 2ZD, UK; Institute of Pharmacology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Hessische Str. 3-4, 10115, Berlin, Germany.
| | - Silke Frahm
- Institute of Pharmacology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Hessische Str. 3-4, 10115, Berlin, Germany
| | - Mandy Magbagbeolu
- Institute of Pharmacology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Hessische Str. 3-4, 10115, Berlin, Germany
| | - David Horsley
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill, Aberdeen, AB25 2ZD, UK
| | - Elizabeth A Goatman
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill, Aberdeen, AB25 2ZD, UK
| | - Valeria Melis
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill, Aberdeen, AB25 2ZD, UK
| | - Franz Theuring
- Institute of Pharmacology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Hessische Str. 3-4, 10115, Berlin, Germany
| | - Ahtsham Ishaq
- Department of Chemistry, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
| | - John M D Storey
- Department of Chemistry, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK; TauRx Therapeutics Ltd., 395 King Street, Aberdeen, AB24 5RP, UK
| | - Charles R Harrington
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill, Aberdeen, AB25 2ZD, UK; TauRx Therapeutics Ltd., 395 King Street, Aberdeen, AB24 5RP, UK
| | - Claude M Wischik
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill, Aberdeen, AB25 2ZD, UK; TauRx Therapeutics Ltd., 395 King Street, Aberdeen, AB24 5RP, UK
| | - Gernot Riedel
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill, Aberdeen, AB25 2ZD, UK
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Schwab K, Lauer D, Magbagbeolu M, Theuring F, Gasiorowska A, Zadrozny M, Harrington CR, Wischik CM, Niewiadomska G, Riedel G. Hydromethylthionine rescues synaptic SNARE proteins in a mouse model of tauopathies: Interference by cholinesterase inhibitors. Brain Res Bull 2024; 212:110955. [PMID: 38677558 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2024.110955] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2024] [Revised: 04/14/2024] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 04/29/2024]
Abstract
In clinical trials for Alzheimer's disease (AD), hydromethylthionine mesylate (HMTM) showed reduced efficacy when administered as an add-on to symptomatic treatments, while it produced a significant improvement of cognitive function when taken as monotherapy. Interference of cholinesterase inhibition with HMTM was observed also in a tau transgenic mouse model, where rivastigmine reduced the pharmacological activity of HMTM at multiple brain levels including hippocampal acetylcholine release, synaptosomal glutamate release and mitochondrial activity. Here, we examined the effect of HMTM, given alone or in combination with the acetylcholinesterase inhibitor, rivastigmine, at the level of expression of selected pre-synaptic proteins (syntaxin-1; SNAP-25, VAMP-2, synaptophysin-1, synapsin-1, α-synuclein) in brain tissue harvested from tau-transgenic Line 1 (L1) and wild-type mice using immunohistochemistry. L1 mice overexpress the tau-core unit that induces tau aggregation and results in an AD-like phenotype. Synaptic proteins were lower in hippocampus and cortex but greater in basal forebrain regions in L1 compared to wild-type mice. HMTM partially normalised the expression pattern of several of these proteins in basal forebrain. This effect was diminished when HMTM was administered in combination with rivastigmine, where mean protein expression seemed supressed. This was further confirmed by group-based correlation network analyses where important levels of co-expression correlations in basal forebrain regions were lost in L1 mice and partially re-established when HMTM was given alone but not in combination with rivastigmine. These data indicate a reduction in pharmacological activity of HMTM when given as an add-on therapy, a result that is consistent with the responses observed in the clinic. Attenuation of the therapeutic effects of HMTM by cholinergic treatments may have important implications for other potential AD therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karima Schwab
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, UK; Institute of Pharmacology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Hessische Str. 3-4, Berlin 10115, Germany
| | - Dilyara Lauer
- Institute of Pharmacology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Hessische Str. 3-4, Berlin 10115, Germany
| | - Mandy Magbagbeolu
- Institute of Pharmacology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Hessische Str. 3-4, Berlin 10115, Germany
| | - Franz Theuring
- Institute of Pharmacology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Hessische Str. 3-4, Berlin 10115, Germany
| | - Anna Gasiorowska
- Clinical and Research Department of Applied Physiology, Mossakowski Medical Research Institute, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw 02-106, Poland
| | - Maciej Zadrozny
- Clinical and Research Department of Applied Physiology, Mossakowski Medical Research Institute, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw 02-106, Poland
| | - Charles R Harrington
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, UK; TauRx Therapeutics Ltd., 395 King Street, Aberdeen AB24 5RP, UK
| | - Claude M Wischik
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, UK; TauRx Therapeutics Ltd., 395 King Street, Aberdeen AB24 5RP, UK
| | - Grażyna Niewiadomska
- Clinical and Research Department of Applied Physiology, Mossakowski Medical Research Institute, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw 02-106, Poland
| | - Gernot Riedel
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, UK.
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Zadrozny M, Drapich P, Gasiorowska-Bien A, Niewiadomski W, Harrington CR, Wischik CM, Riedel G, Niewiadomska G. Neuroprotection of Cholinergic Neurons with a Tau Aggregation Inhibitor and Rivastigmine in an Alzheimer's-like Tauopathy Mouse Model. Cells 2024; 13:642. [PMID: 38607082 PMCID: PMC11011792 DOI: 10.3390/cells13070642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2024] [Revised: 03/21/2024] [Accepted: 04/04/2024] [Indexed: 04/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Basal forebrain cholinergic dysfunction, most likely linked with tau protein aggregation, is a characteristic feature of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Recent evidence suggests that tau protein is a putative target for the treatment of dementia, and the tau aggregation inhibitor, hydromethylthionine mesylate (HMTM), has emerged as a potential disease-modifying treatment. However, its efficacy was diminished in patients already receiving approved acetylcholinesterase inhibitors. In this study, we ask whether this negative interaction can also be mimicked in experimental tau models of AD and whether the underlying mechanism can be understood. From a previous age profiling study, 6-month-old line 1 (L1) tau transgenic mice were characterized by a severe reduction in several cholinergic markers. We therefore assessed whether long-term pre-exposure with the acetylcholinesterase inhibitor rivastigmine alone and in conjunction with the tau aggregation inhibitor HMTM can reverse cholinergic deficits in L1. Rivastigmine and HMTM, and combinations of the two compounds were administered orally for 11 weeks to both L1 and wild-type mice. The brains were sectioned with a focus on the basal forebrain, motor cortex and hippocampus. Immunohistochemical staining and quantification of choline acetyltransferase (ChAT), tyrosine kinase A (TrkA)-positive neurons and relative optical intensity (ROI) for vesicular acetylcholine transporter (VAChT), and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) reactivity confirmed reversal of the diminished cholinergic phenotype of interneurons (nucleus accumbens, striatum) and projection neurons (medial septum, nucleus basalis magnocellularis) by HMTM, to a greater extent than by rivastigmine alone in L1 mice. Combined administration did not yield additivity but, in most proxies, led to antagonistic effects in which rivastigmine decreased the benefits shown with HMTM alone. Local markers (VAChT and AChE) in target structures of the basal forebrain, motor cortex and hippocampal CA3 seemed to be normalized by HMTM, but not by rivastigmine or the combination of both drugs. HMTM, which was developed as a tau aggregation inhibitor, strongly decreased the tau load in L1 mice, however, not in combination with rivastigmine. Taken together, these data confirm a cholinergic phenotype in L1 tau transgenic mice that resembles the deficits observed in AD patients. This phenotype is reversible by HMTM, but at the same time appears to be subject to a homeostatic regulation induced by chronic pre-treatment with an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor, which interferes with the efficacy of HMTM. The strongest phenotypic reversal coincided with a normalization of the tau load in the cortex and hippocampus of L1, suggesting that tau accumulation underpins the loss of cholinergic markers in the basal forebrain and its projection targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maciej Zadrozny
- Mossakowski Medical Research Institute, 02-106 Warsaw, Poland; (M.Z.); (P.D.); (A.G.-B.); (W.N.)
| | - Patrycja Drapich
- Mossakowski Medical Research Institute, 02-106 Warsaw, Poland; (M.Z.); (P.D.); (A.G.-B.); (W.N.)
| | - Anna Gasiorowska-Bien
- Mossakowski Medical Research Institute, 02-106 Warsaw, Poland; (M.Z.); (P.D.); (A.G.-B.); (W.N.)
| | - Wiktor Niewiadomski
- Mossakowski Medical Research Institute, 02-106 Warsaw, Poland; (M.Z.); (P.D.); (A.G.-B.); (W.N.)
| | - Charles R. Harrington
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences & Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, UK; (C.R.H.); (C.M.W.); (G.R.)
- TauRx Therapeutics Ltd., Aberdeen AB24 3FX, UK
| | - Claude M. Wischik
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences & Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, UK; (C.R.H.); (C.M.W.); (G.R.)
- TauRx Therapeutics Ltd., Aberdeen AB24 3FX, UK
| | - Gernot Riedel
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences & Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, UK; (C.R.H.); (C.M.W.); (G.R.)
| | - Grazyna Niewiadomska
- Mossakowski Medical Research Institute, 02-106 Warsaw, Poland; (M.Z.); (P.D.); (A.G.-B.); (W.N.)
- Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, 02-093 Warsaw, Poland
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4
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Schwab K, Magbagbeolu M, Theuring F, Harrington CR, Wischik CM, Riedel G. Solubility of α-synuclein species in the L62 mouse model of synucleinopathy. Sci Rep 2024; 14:6239. [PMID: 38486089 PMCID: PMC10940722 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-56735-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2023] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 03/18/2024] Open
Abstract
The accumulation of α-synuclein (α-Syn) into Lewy bodies is a hallmark of synucleinopathies, a group of neurological disorders that include Parkinson's disease (PD) and dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB). Small oligomers as well as larger fibrils of α-Syn have been suggested to induce cell toxicity leading to a degenerative loss of neurones. A richer understanding of α-Syn aggregation in disease, however, requires the identification of the different α-Syn species and the characterisation of their biochemical properties. We here aimed at a more in-depth characterisation of the α-Syn transgenic mice, Line 62 (L62), and examined the deposition pattern and solubility of human and murine α-Syn in these mice using immunohistochemical and biochemical methods. Application of multiple antibodies confirmed mAb syn204 as the most discriminatory antibody for human α-Syn in L62. Syn204 revealed an intense and widespread immunohistochemical α-Syn labelling in parietal cortex and hippocampus, and to a lower level in basal forebrain and hindbrain regions. The labelled α-Syn represented somatic inclusions as well as processes and synaptic endings. Biochemical analysis revealed a Triton-resistant human α-Syn pool of large oligomers, a second pool of small oligomers that was not resistant to solubilization with urea/Triton. A third SDS-soluble pool of intermediate sized aggregates containing a mixture of both, human and mouse α-Syn was also present. These data suggest that several pools of α-Syn can exist in neurones, most likely in different cellular compartments. Information about these different pools is important for the development of novel disease modifying therapies aimed at α-Syn.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karima Schwab
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Forester Hill, Aberdeen, AB25 2ZD, UK.
- Institute of Pharmacology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Hessische Str. 3-4, 10115, Berlin, Germany.
| | - Mandy Magbagbeolu
- Institute of Pharmacology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Hessische Str. 3-4, 10115, Berlin, Germany
| | - Franz Theuring
- Institute of Pharmacology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Hessische Str. 3-4, 10115, Berlin, Germany
| | - Charles R Harrington
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Forester Hill, Aberdeen, AB25 2ZD, UK
- TauRx Therapeutics Ltd., 395 King Street, Aberdeen, AB24 5RP, UK
| | - Claude M Wischik
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Forester Hill, Aberdeen, AB25 2ZD, UK
- TauRx Therapeutics Ltd., 395 King Street, Aberdeen, AB24 5RP, UK
| | - Gernot Riedel
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Forester Hill, Aberdeen, AB25 2ZD, UK
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Horsley D, Rickard JE, Vorley T, Leeper MF, Wischik CM, Harrington CR. Assays for the Screening and Characterization of Tau Aggregation Inhibitors. Methods Mol Biol 2024; 2754:93-104. [PMID: 38512662 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3629-9_5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/23/2024]
Abstract
Aggregation of tau protein is a pathological hallmark of Alzheimer's disease and other neurodegenerative tauopathies. Inhibition of tau aggregation may provide a method for treatment of these disorders. Methods to identify tau aggregation inhibitors (TAIs) in vitro are useful and here we describe assays for TAIs using purified recombinant tau protein fragments in a cell-free immunoassay format and in a stably transfected cell model to create a more physiological environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Horsley
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, Scotland, UK
| | - Janet E Rickard
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, Scotland, UK
| | - Thomas Vorley
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, Scotland, UK
| | - Matilda F Leeper
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, Scotland, UK
| | - Claude M Wischik
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, Scotland, UK
- TauRx Therapeutics Ltd., Aberdeen, Scotland, UK
| | - Charles R Harrington
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, Scotland, UK.
- TauRx Therapeutics Ltd., Aberdeen, Scotland, UK.
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Anschuetz A, Schwab K, Harrington CR, Wischik CM, Riedel G. A Meta-Analysis on Presynaptic Changes in Alzheimer's Disease. J Alzheimers Dis 2024; 97:145-162. [PMID: 38073390 PMCID: PMC10789360 DOI: 10.3233/jad-231034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND A key aspect of synaptic dysfunction in Alzheimer's disease (AD) is loss of synaptic proteins. Previous publications showed that the presynaptic machinery is more strongly affected than postsynaptic proteins. However, it has also been reported that presynaptic protein loss is highly variable and shows region- and protein-specificity. OBJECTIVE The objective of this meta-analysis was to provide an update on the available literature and to further characterize patterns of presynaptic protein loss in AD. METHODS Systematic literature search was conducted for studies published between 2015-2022 which quantified presynaptic proteins in postmortem tissue from AD patients and healthy controls. Three-level random effects meta-analyses of twenty-two identified studies was performed to characterize overall presynaptic protein loss and changes in specific regions, proteins, protein families, and functional categories. RESULTS Meta-analysis confirmed overall loss of presynaptic proteins in AD patients. Subgroup analysis revealed region specificity of protein loss, with largest effects in temporal and frontal cortex. Results concerning different groups of proteins were also highly variable. Strongest and most consistently affected was the family of synaptosome associated proteins, especially SNAP25. Among the most severely affected were proteins regulating dense core vesicle exocytosis and the synaptic vesicle cycle. CONCLUSIONS Results confirm previous literature related to presynaptic protein loss in AD patients and provide further in-depth characterization of most affected proteins and presynaptic functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Anschuetz
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
| | - Karima Schwab
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
| | - Charles R. Harrington
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
- TauRx Therapeutics Ltd., Aberdeen, UK
| | - Claude M. Wischik
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
- TauRx Therapeutics Ltd., Aberdeen, UK
| | - Gernot Riedel
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
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Arastoo M, Mazanetz MP, Miller S, Shiells H, Hull C, Robinson K, Storey JMD, Harrington CR, Wischik CM. Exploring the Anti-Hypoxaemia Effect of Hydromethylthionine: A Prospective Study of Phase 3 Clinical Trial Participants. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:13747. [PMID: 37762050 PMCID: PMC10531415 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241813747] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2023] [Revised: 08/22/2023] [Accepted: 08/23/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Methylthioninium chloride (MTC) is a standard treatment for methaemoglobinaemia. A preparation of reduced MTC has been reported to increase blood oxygen saturation (SpO2) and lower respiratory rates in patients with severe COVID-19. We have developed a stable form of reduced methylthionine (hydromethylthionine-mesylate, HMTM) having a benign safety profile in two Phase 3 trials in Alzheimer's disease. The aim of this prospective study was to determine the effects of oral HMTM on SpO2 and methaemoglobin (metHb) levels in a cohort of patients with mild hypoxaemia not due to COVID-19. Eighteen participants randomised to a single dose of 4, 75, 100 or 125 mg doses of HMTM had SpO2 levels below 94% at baseline. Patients were routinely monitored by pulse oximetry after 4 h, and after 2 and 6 weeks of twice daily dosing. Significant ~3% increases in SpO2 occurred within 4 h and were sustained over 2 and 6 weeks with no dose differences. There were small dose-dependent increases (0.060-0.162%) in metHb levels over 2 to 6 weeks. Minimum-energy computational chemistry revealed that HMT can bind within 2.10 Å of heme iron by donating a pair of electrons from the central nitrogen of HMT to d orbitals of heme iron, but with lower affinity than oxygen. In conclusion, HMTM can increase SpO2 without reducing metHb by acting as a strong displaceable field ligand for heme iron. We hypothesise that this facilitates a transition from the low oxygen affinity T-state of heme to the higher affinity R-state. HMTM has potential as an adjunctive treatment for hypoxaemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Arastoo
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen AB25 2ZP, UK; (M.A.); (C.R.H.)
- Scottish Biologics Facility, School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen AB25 2ZP, UK
| | - Michael P. Mazanetz
- NovaData Solutions Ltd., 15 Monreith Rd, Newlands, Glasgow G43 2NX, UK;
- Department of Chemistry, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen AB24 3UE, UK;
| | - Sonya Miller
- TauRx Therapeutics Ltd., 395 King Street, Aberdeen AB24 3FX, UK; (S.M.); (H.S.); (C.H.)
| | - Helen Shiells
- TauRx Therapeutics Ltd., 395 King Street, Aberdeen AB24 3FX, UK; (S.M.); (H.S.); (C.H.)
| | - Claire Hull
- TauRx Therapeutics Ltd., 395 King Street, Aberdeen AB24 3FX, UK; (S.M.); (H.S.); (C.H.)
| | | | - John M. D. Storey
- Department of Chemistry, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen AB24 3UE, UK;
- TauRx Therapeutics Ltd., 395 King Street, Aberdeen AB24 3FX, UK; (S.M.); (H.S.); (C.H.)
| | - Charles R. Harrington
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen AB25 2ZP, UK; (M.A.); (C.R.H.)
- TauRx Therapeutics Ltd., 395 King Street, Aberdeen AB24 3FX, UK; (S.M.); (H.S.); (C.H.)
| | - Claude M. Wischik
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen AB25 2ZP, UK; (M.A.); (C.R.H.)
- TauRx Therapeutics Ltd., 395 King Street, Aberdeen AB24 3FX, UK; (S.M.); (H.S.); (C.H.)
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8
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Kondak C, Leith M, Baddeley TC, Santos RX, Harrington CR, Wischik CM, Riedel G, Klein J. Mitochondrial Effects of Hydromethylthionine, Rivastigmine and Memantine in Tau-Transgenic Mice. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:10810. [PMID: 37445987 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241310810] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2023] [Revised: 06/23/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Tau protein aggregations are important contributors to the etiology of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Hydromethylthionine (HMT) is a potent inhibitor of tau aggregation in vitro and in vivo and is being developed as a possible anti-dementia medication. HMT was also shown to affect the cholinergic system and to interact with mitochondria. Here, we used tau-transgenic (L1 and L66) and wild-type NMRI mice that were treated with HMT, rivastigmine and memantine and with combinations thereof, for 2-4 weeks. We measured HMT concentrations in both brain homogenates and isolated mitochondria and concentrations of glucose, lactate and pyruvate in brain by microdialysis. In isolated brain mitochondria, we recorded oxygen consumption of mitochondrial complexes by respirometry. While rivastigmine and memantine lowered mitochondrial respiration, HMT did not affect respiration in wild-type animals and increased respiration in tau-transgenic L1 mice. Glucose and lactate levels were not affected by HMT administration. The presence of HMT in isolated mitochondria was established. In summary, traditional anti-dementia drugs impair mitochondrial function while HMT has no adverse effects on mitochondrial respiration in tau-transgenic mice. These results support the further development of HMT as an anti-dementia drug.
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Affiliation(s)
- Constantin Kondak
- Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, UK
- Institute of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacy, Goethe University Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue-Str. 9, 60438 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Michael Leith
- Department of Chemistry, School of Natural and Computing Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen AB24 3UE, UK
| | - Thomas C Baddeley
- Department of Chemistry, School of Natural and Computing Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen AB24 3UE, UK
- TauRx Therapeutics Ltd., Aberdeen AB24 5RP, UK
| | - Renato X Santos
- Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, UK
| | - Charles R Harrington
- Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, UK
- TauRx Therapeutics Ltd., Aberdeen AB24 5RP, UK
| | - Claude M Wischik
- Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, UK
- TauRx Therapeutics Ltd., Aberdeen AB24 5RP, UK
| | - Gernot Riedel
- Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, UK
| | - Jochen Klein
- Institute of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacy, Goethe University Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue-Str. 9, 60438 Frankfurt, Germany
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9
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Zabala-Findlay A, Penny LK, Lofthouse RA, Porter AJ, Palliyil S, Harrington CR, Wischik CM, Arastoo M. Utility of Blood-Based Tau Biomarkers for Mild Cognitive Impairment and Alzheimer's Disease: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Cells 2023; 12:cells12081184. [PMID: 37190093 DOI: 10.3390/cells12081184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2023] [Revised: 04/04/2023] [Accepted: 04/10/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES With the development of new technologies capable of detecting low concentrations of Alzheimer's disease (AD) relevant biomarkers, the idea of a blood-based diagnosis of AD is nearing reality. This study aims to consider the evidence of total and phosphorylated tau as blood-based biomarkers for mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and AD when compared to healthy controls. METHODS Studies published between 1 January 2012 and 1 May 2021 (Embase and MEDLINE databases) measuring plasma/serum levels of tau in AD, MCI, and control cohorts were screened for eligibility, including quality and bias assessment via a modified QUADAS. The meta-analyses comprised 48 studies assessing total tau (t-tau), tau phosphorylated at threonine 181 (p-tau181), and tau phosphorylated at threonine 217 (p-tau217), comparing the ratio of biomarker concentrations in MCI, AD, and cognitively unimpaired (CU) controls. RESULTS Plasma/serum p-tau181 (mean effect size, 95% CI, 2.02 (1.76-2.27)) and t-tau (mean effect size, 95% CI, 1.77 (1.49-2.04)) were elevated in AD study participants compared to controls. Plasma/serum p-tau181 (mean effect size, 95% CI, 1.34 (1.20-1.49)) and t-tau (mean effect size, 95% CI, 1.47 (1.26-1.67)) were also elevated with moderate effect size in MCI study participants compared to controls. p-tau217 was also assessed, albeit in a small number of eligible studies, for AD vs. CU (mean effect size, 95% CI, 1.89 (1.86-1.92)) and for MCI vs. CU groups (mean effect size, 95% CI, 4.16 (3.61-4.71)). CONCLUSIONS This paper highlights the growing evidence that blood-based tau biomarkers have early diagnostic utility for Alzheimer's disease. REGISTRATION PROSPERO No. CRD42020209482.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alex Zabala-Findlay
- Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, UK
- Scottish Biologics Facility, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen AB25 2ZP, UK
| | - Lewis K Penny
- Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, UK
- Scottish Biologics Facility, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen AB25 2ZP, UK
| | - Richard A Lofthouse
- Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, UK
- Scottish Biologics Facility, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen AB25 2ZP, UK
| | - Andrew J Porter
- Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, UK
- Scottish Biologics Facility, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen AB25 2ZP, UK
| | - Soumya Palliyil
- Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, UK
- Scottish Biologics Facility, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen AB25 2ZP, UK
| | - Charles R Harrington
- Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, UK
- GT Diagnostics, Aberdeen AB24 5RP, UK
- TauRx Therapeutics Ltd., Aberdeen AB24 5RP, UK
| | - Claude M Wischik
- Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, UK
- GT Diagnostics, Aberdeen AB24 5RP, UK
- TauRx Therapeutics Ltd., Aberdeen AB24 5RP, UK
| | - Mohammad Arastoo
- Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, UK
- Scottish Biologics Facility, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen AB25 2ZP, UK
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10
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Al-Hilaly YK, Marshall KE, Lutter L, Biasetti L, Mengham K, Harrington CR, Xue WF, Wischik CM, Serpell LC. An Additive-Free Model for Tau Self-Assembly. Methods Mol Biol 2023; 2551:163-188. [PMID: 36310203 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2597-2_12] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Tau is a natively unfolded protein that contributes to the stability of microtubules. Under pathological conditions such as Alzheimer's disease (AD), tau protein misfolds and self-assembles to form paired helical filaments (PHFs) and straight filaments (SFs). Full-length tau protein assembles poorly and its self-assembly is enhanced with polyanions such as heparin and RNA in vitro, but a role for heparin or other polyanions in vivo remains unclear. Recently, a truncated form of tau (297-391) has been shown to self-assemble in the absence of additives which provides an alternative in vitro PHF model system. Here we describe methods to prepare in vitro PHFs and SFs from tau (297-391) named dGAE. We also discuss the range of biophysical/biochemical techniques used to monitor tau filament assembly and structure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Youssra K Al-Hilaly
- Chemistry Department, College of Science, Mustansiriyah University, Baghdad, Iraq.
- Sussex Neuroscience, School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Sussex, UK.
| | - Karen E Marshall
- Sussex Neuroscience, School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Sussex, UK
| | - Liisa Lutter
- School of Biosciences, University of Kent, Canterbury, UK
- Institute of Genomics and Proteomics, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Luca Biasetti
- Sussex Neuroscience, School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Sussex, UK
| | - Kurtis Mengham
- Sussex Neuroscience, School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Sussex, UK
| | - Charles R Harrington
- Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
- TauRx Therapeutics Ltd., Aberdeen, UK
| | - Wei-Feng Xue
- School of Biosciences, University of Kent, Canterbury, UK
| | - Claude M Wischik
- Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
- TauRx Therapeutics Ltd., Aberdeen, UK
| | - Louise C Serpell
- Sussex Neuroscience, School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Sussex, UK
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11
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Al-Hilaly YK, Hurt C, Rickard JE, Harrington CR, Storey JMD, Wischik CM, Serpell LC, Siemer AB. Solid-state NMR of paired helical filaments formed by the core tau fragment tau(297-391). Front Neurosci 2022; 16:988074. [PMID: 36570831 PMCID: PMC9774000 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.988074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2022] [Accepted: 11/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Aggregation of the tau protein into fibrillar cross-β aggregates is a hallmark of Alzheimer's diseases (AD) and many other neurodegenerative tauopathies. Recently, several core structures of patient-derived tau paired helical filaments (PHFs) have been solved revealing a structural variability that often correlates with a specific tauopathy. To further characterize the dynamics of these fibril cores, to screen for strain-specific small molecules as potential biomarkers and therapeutics, and to develop strain-specific antibodies, recombinant in-vitro models of tau filaments are needed. We recently showed that a 95-residue fragment of tau (from residue 297 to 391), termed dGAE, forms filaments in vitro in the absence of polyanionic co-factors often used for in vitro aggregation of full-length tau. Tau(297-391) was identified as the proteolytic resistant core of tau PHFs and overlaps with the structures characterized by cryo-electron microscopy in ex vivo PHFs, making it a promising model for the study of AD tau filaments in vitro. In the present study, we used solid-state NMR to characterize tau(297-391) filaments and show that such filaments assembled under non-reducing conditions are more dynamic and less ordered than those made in the presence of the reducing agent DTT. We further report the resonance assignment of tau(297-391)+DTT filaments and compare it to existing core structures of tau.
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Affiliation(s)
- Youssra K. Al-Hilaly
- Sussex Neuroscience, School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Falmer, United Kingdom,Chemistry Department, College of Science, Mustansiriyah University, Baghdad, Iraq
| | - Connor Hurt
- Department of Physiology and Neuroscience, Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Janet E. Rickard
- Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
| | - Charles R. Harrington
- Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, United Kingdom,TauRx Therapeutics Ltd., Aberdeen, United Kingdom
| | - John M. D. Storey
- TauRx Therapeutics Ltd., Aberdeen, United Kingdom,Department of Chemistry, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
| | - Claude M. Wischik
- Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, United Kingdom,TauRx Therapeutics Ltd., Aberdeen, United Kingdom
| | - Louise C. Serpell
- Sussex Neuroscience, School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Falmer, United Kingdom
| | - Ansgar B. Siemer
- Department of Physiology and Neuroscience, Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States,*Correspondence: Ansgar B. Siemer,
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12
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Maina MB, Al-Hilaly YK, Oakley S, Burra G, Khanom T, Biasetti L, Mengham K, Marshall K, Harrington CR, Wischik CM, Serpell LC. Dityrosine Cross-links are Present in Alzheimer's Disease-derived Tau Oligomers and Paired Helical Filaments (PHF) which Promotes the Stability of the PHF-core Tau (297-391) In Vitro. J Mol Biol 2022; 434:167785. [PMID: 35961386 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2022.167785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2022] [Revised: 08/02/2022] [Accepted: 08/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
A characteristic hallmark of Alzheimer's Disease (AD) is the pathological aggregation and deposition of tau into paired helical filaments (PHF) in neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs). Oxidative stress is an early event during AD pathogenesis and is associated with tau-mediated AD pathology. Oxidative environments can result in the formation of covalent dityrosine crosslinks that can increase protein stability and insolubility. Dityrosine cross-linking has been shown in Aβ plaques in AD and α-synuclein aggregates in Lewy bodies in ex vivo tissue sections, and this modification may increase the insolubility of these aggregates and their resistance to degradation. Using the PHF-core tau fragment (residues 297 - 391) as a model, we have previously demonstrated that dityrosine formation traps tau assemblies to reduce further elongation. However, it is unknown whether dityrosine crosslinks are found in tau deposits in vivo in AD and its relevance to disease mechanism is unclear. Here, using transmission electron microscope (TEM) double immunogold-labelling, we reveal that neurofibrillary NFTs in AD are heavily decorated with dityrosine crosslinks alongside tau. Single immunogold-labelling TEM and fluorescence spectroscopy revealed the presence of dityrosine on AD brain-derived tau oligomers and fibrils. Using the tau (297-391) PHF-core fragment as a model, we further showed that prefibrillar tau species are more amenable to dityrosine crosslinking than tau fibrils. Dityrosine formation results in heat and SDS stability of oxidised prefibrillar and fibrillar tau assemblies. This finding has implications for understanding the mechanism governing the insolubility and toxicity of tau assemblies in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahmoud B Maina
- Sussex Neuroscience, School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex UK; Biomedical Science Research and Training Centre, Yobe State University, Nigeria. https://twitter.com/mahmoudbukar
| | - Youssra K Al-Hilaly
- Sussex Neuroscience, School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex UK; Chemistry Department, College of Sciences, Mustansiriyah University, Baghdad, Iraq
| | - Sebastian Oakley
- Sussex Neuroscience, School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex UK
| | - Gunasekhar Burra
- Sussex Neuroscience, School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex UK; Analytical Development Biologics, Biopharmaceutical Development, Syngene International Limited, Biocon Park, Bommasandra Jigani Link Road, Bangalore 560009, India
| | - Tahmida Khanom
- Sussex Neuroscience, School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex UK
| | - Luca Biasetti
- Sussex Neuroscience, School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex UK
| | - Kurtis Mengham
- Sussex Neuroscience, School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex UK
| | - Karen Marshall
- Sussex Neuroscience, School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex UK
| | - Charles R Harrington
- Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, UK; TauRx Therapeutics Ltd, Aberdeen, UK
| | - Claude M Wischik
- Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, UK; TauRx Therapeutics Ltd, Aberdeen, UK
| | - Louise C Serpell
- Sussex Neuroscience, School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex UK.
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13
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Schwab K, Chasapopoulou Z, Frahm S, Magbagbeolu M, Cranston A, Harrington CR, Wischik CM, Theuring F, Riedel G. Glutamatergic transmission and receptor expression in the synucleinopathy h-α-synL62 mouse model: Effects of hydromethylthionine. Cell Signal 2022; 97:110386. [PMID: 35709886 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2022.110386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2022] [Revised: 06/07/2022] [Accepted: 06/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
The accumulation of alpha-synuclein (α-Syn) into Lewy bodies in cortical and subcortical regions has been linked to the pathogenesis of synucleinopathies such as Parkinson's disease (PD) and dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB). While there is a strong link between synuclein aggregates and the reduction in dopamine function in the emergence of PD, less is known about the consequences of α-Syn accumulation in glutamatergic neurons and how this could be exploited as a therapeutic target. Transgenic h-α-synL62 (L62) mice, in which synuclein aggregation is achieved through the expression of full-length human α-Syn fused with a signal sequence peptide, were used to characterise glutamatergic transmission using a combination of behavioural, immunoblotting, and histopathological approaches. The protein aggregation inhibitor hydromethylthionine mesylate (HMTM) alone, or in combination with the glutamatergic compounds 3-((2-Methyl-4-thiazolyl)ethynyl)pyridine hydrochloride (MTEP) and memantine, was used to target α-Syn aggregation. We show that accumulation of α-Syn aggregates in glutamatergic synapses affected synaptic protein expression including metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 (mGLUR5) levels and ratio of N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor subunits GluN1/GluN2A. The ratio of NMDA receptor subunits and levels of mGLUR5 were both normalised by HMTM in L62 mice. These alterations, however, did not affect glutamate release in synaptosomes derived from L62 mice or behavioural endpoints following pharmacological manipulations of glutamate functions. Our results confirm that HMTM acts in the L62 mouse model of PD as an inhibitor of pathological aggregation of synuclein and show that HMTM treatment normalises both the ratio of NMDA receptor subunits and mGLUR5 levels. These findings support the potential utility of HMTM as a disease-modifying treatment for PD aiming to reduce synuclein aggregation pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karima Schwab
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, UK; Institute of Pharmacology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Hessische Str. 3-4, 10115 Berlin, Germany
| | - Zoi Chasapopoulou
- Institute of Pharmacology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Hessische Str. 3-4, 10115 Berlin, Germany; Center for Stroke Research, Department of Experimental Neurology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Robert Koch Platz 4, 101155 Berlin, Germany
| | - Silke Frahm
- Institute of Pharmacology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Hessische Str. 3-4, 10115 Berlin, Germany; Stem Cell Core Facility, Max-Delbrück-Centrum für Molekulare Medizin, Robert-Rössle-Straße 10, 13125 Berlin, Germany
| | - Mandy Magbagbeolu
- Institute of Pharmacology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Hessische Str. 3-4, 10115 Berlin, Germany
| | - Anna Cranston
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, UK; Benchsci, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Charles R Harrington
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, UK; TauRx Therapeutics Ltd., 395 King Street, Aberdeen AB24 5RP, UK
| | - Claude M Wischik
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, UK; TauRx Therapeutics Ltd., 395 King Street, Aberdeen AB24 5RP, UK
| | - Franz Theuring
- Institute of Pharmacology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Hessische Str. 3-4, 10115 Berlin, Germany
| | - Gernot Riedel
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, UK.
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14
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Harrington CR, Bittermann T, Goldberg D, Levitsky J. The Continued Impact of Acute Rejection in the Last Decade of Liver Transplantation. Gastro Hep Adv 2022; 1:686-688. [PMID: 36419568 PMCID: PMC9681135 DOI: 10.1016/j.gastha.2022.04.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- C R Harrington
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois
| | - T Bittermann
- Division of Gastroenterology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - D Goldberg
- Division of Gastroenterology, University of Miami, Miami, Florida
| | - J Levitsky
- Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois
- Comprehensive Transplant Center, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois
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15
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Vuksanović V, Staff RT, Morson S, Ahearn T, Bracoud L, Murray AD, Bentham P, Kipps CM, Harrington CR, Wischik CM. Degeneration of basal and limbic networks is a core feature of behavioural variant frontotemporal dementia. Brain Commun 2021; 3:fcab241. [PMID: 34939031 PMCID: PMC8688778 DOI: 10.1093/braincomms/fcab241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2020] [Revised: 05/13/2021] [Accepted: 05/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The behavioural variant of frontotemporal dementia is a clinical syndrome characterized by changes in behaviour, cognition and functional ability. Although atrophy in frontal and temporal regions would appear to be a defining feature, neuroimaging studies have identified volumetric differences distributed across large parts of the cortex, giving rise to a classification into distinct neuroanatomical subtypes. Here, we extended these neuroimaging studies to examine how distributed patterns of cortical atrophy map onto brain network hubs. We used baseline structural magnetic resonance imaging data collected from 213 behavioural variant of frontotemporal dementia patients meeting consensus diagnostic criteria and having definite evidence of frontal and/or temporal lobe atrophy from a global clinical trial conducted in 70 sites in Canada, United States of America, Australia, Asia and Europe. These were compared with data from 244 healthy elderly subjects from a well-characterized cohort study. We have used statistical methods of hierarchical agglomerative clustering of 68 regional cortical and subcortical volumes (34 in each hemisphere) to determine the reproducibility of previously described neuroanatomical subtypes in a global study. We have also attempted to link the structural findings to clinical features defined systematically using well-validated clinical scales (Addenbrooke’s Cognitive Examination Revised, the Mini-Mental Status Examination, the Frontotemporal Dementia Rating Scale and the Functional Assessment Questionnaire) and subscales derived from them. Whilst we can confirm that the subtypes are robust, they have limited value in explaining the clinical heterogeneity of the syndrome. We have found that a common pattern of degeneration affecting a small number of subcortical, limbic and frontal nodes within highly connected networks (most previously identified as rich club members or functional binding nodes) is shared by all the anatomical subtypes. Degeneration in these core regions is correlated with cognitive and functional impairment, but less so with behavioural impairment. These findings suggest that degeneration in highly connected basal, limbic and frontal networks is a core feature of the behavioural variant of frontotemporal dementia phenotype irrespective of neuroanatomical and clinical heterogeneity, and may underly the impairment of integration in cognition, function and behaviour responsible for the loss of insight that characterizes the syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vesna Vuksanović
- Swansea University Medical School, Health Data Research UK, Swansea University, Swansea SA2 8PP, UK.,School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, UK.,TauRx Therapeutics, Aberdeen AB24 5RP, UK
| | - Roger T Staff
- Medical Physics, NHS Grampian, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, UK
| | - Suzannah Morson
- TauRx Therapeutics, Aberdeen AB24 5RP, UK.,School of Psychology, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen AB24 3FX, UK
| | - Trevor Ahearn
- Medical Physics, NHS Grampian, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, UK
| | | | - Alison D Murray
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, UK
| | | | - Christopher M Kipps
- University Hospital Southampton and University of Southampton, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK
| | - Charles R Harrington
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, UK.,TauRx Therapeutics, Aberdeen AB24 5RP, UK
| | - Claude M Wischik
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, UK.,TauRx Therapeutics, Aberdeen AB24 5RP, UK
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16
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Kondak C, Riedel G, Harrington CR, Wischik CM, Klein J. Hydromethylthionine enhancement of central cholinergic signalling is blocked by rivastigmine and memantine. J Neurochem 2021; 160:172-184. [PMID: 34855998 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.15553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2021] [Revised: 10/26/2021] [Accepted: 11/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
The prevention of tau protein aggregations is a therapeutic goal for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD), and hydromethylthionine (HMT) (also known as leucomethylthioninium-mesylate [LMTM]), is a potent inhibitor of tau aggregation in vitro and in vivo. In two Phase 3 clinical trials in AD, HMT had greater pharmacological activity on clinical endpoints in patients not receiving approved symptomatic treatments for AD (acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitors and/or memantine) despite different mechanisms of action. To investigate this drug interaction in an animal model, we used tau-transgenic L1 and wild-type NMRI mice treated with rivastigmine or memantine prior to adding HMT, and measured changes in hippocampal acetylcholine (ACh) by microdialysis. HMT given alone doubled hippocampal ACh levels in both mouse lines and increased stimulated ACh release induced by exploration of the open field or by infusion of scopolamine. Rivastigmine increased ACh release in both mouse lines, whereas memantine was more active in tau-transgenic L1 mice. Importantly, our study revealed a negative interaction between HMT and symptomatic AD drugs: the HMT effect was completely eliminated in mice that had been pre-treated with either rivastigmine or memantine. Rivastigmine was found to inhibit AChE, whereas HMT and memantine had no effects on AChE or on choline acetyltransferase (ChAT). The interactions observed in this study demonstrate that HMT enhances cholinergic activity in mouse brain by a mechanism of action unrelated to AChE inhibition. Our findings establish that the drug interaction that was first observed clinically has a neuropharmacological basis and is not restricted to animals with tau aggregation pathology. Given the importance of the cholinergic system for memory function, the potential for commonly used AD drugs to interfere with the treatment effects of disease-modifying drugs needs to be taken into account in the design of clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Constantin Kondak
- Institute of Medical Sciences, Translational Neuroscience, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, Scotland.,Institute of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacy, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Gernot Riedel
- Institute of Medical Sciences, Translational Neuroscience, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, Scotland
| | - Charles R Harrington
- Institute of Medical Sciences, Translational Neuroscience, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, Scotland.,TauRx Therapeutics Ltd, Aberdeen, Scotland
| | - Claude M Wischik
- Institute of Medical Sciences, Translational Neuroscience, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, Scotland.,TauRx Therapeutics Ltd, Aberdeen, Scotland
| | - Jochen Klein
- Institute of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacy, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
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17
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Soto‐Rojas LO, Pacheco‐Herrero M, de la Cruz‐López F, Harrington CR, Gevorkian G, Garcés‐Ramírez L, Luna‐Muñoz J. Neurovascular unit dysfunction in Alzheimer’s disease. Alzheimers Dement 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/alz.050442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Luis Oskar Soto‐Rojas
- Facultad de Estudios Superiores Iztacala, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México Mexico City Mexico
| | - Mar Pacheco‐Herrero
- School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences. Pontificia Universidad Católica Madre y Maestra, Dominican Republic Santiago de los Caballeros Dominican Republic
| | | | | | | | - Linda Garcés‐Ramírez
- Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional Mexico City Mexico
| | - José Luna‐Muñoz
- 7National Dementia BioBank. Facultad de Estudios Superiores Cuautitlán, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México Mexico City Mexico
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18
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Gómez-López VM, Viramontes-Pintos A, Ontiveros-Torres MÁ, Garcés-Ramírez L, de la Cruz F, Villanueva-Fierro I, Bravo-Muñoz M, Harrington CR, Martínez-Robles S, Yescas P, Guadarrama-Ortíz P, Hernandes-Alejandro M, Montiel-Sosa F, Pacheco-Herrero M, Luna-Muñoz J. Tau Protein Phosphorylated at Threonine-231 is Expressed Abundantly in the Cerebellum in Prion Encephalopathies. J Alzheimers Dis 2021; 81:769-785. [PMID: 33814431 PMCID: PMC8203236 DOI: 10.3233/jad-201308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Background: Transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs) are rare neurodegenerative disorders that affect animals and humans. Bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) in cattle, and Creutzfeld-Jakob Disease (CJD) in humans belong to this group. The causative agent of TSEs is called “prion”, which corresponds to a pathological form (PrPSc) of a normal cellular protein (PrPC) expressed in nerve cells. PrPSc is resistant to degradation and can induce abnormal folding of PrPC, and TSEs are characterized by extensive spongiosis and gliosis and the presence of PrPSc amyloid plaques. CJD presents initially with clinical symptoms similar to Alzheimer’s disease (AD). In AD, tau aggregates and amyloid-β protein plaques are associated with memory loss and cognitive impairment in patients. Objective: In this work, we study the role of tau and its relationship with PrPSc plaques in CJD. Methods: Multiple immunostainings with specific antibodies were carried out and analyzed by confocal microscopy. Results: We found increased expression of the glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP-9), and an exacerbated apoptosis in the granular layer in cases with prion disease. In these cases, tau protein phosphorylated at Thr-231 was overexpressed in the axons and dendrites of Purkinje cells and the extensions of parallel fibers in the cerebellum. Conclusion: We conclude that phosphorylation of tau may be a response to a toxic and inflammatory environment generated by the pathological form of prion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vıctor Manuel Gómez-López
- National Dementia BioBank. Ciencias Biológicas, Facultad de Estudios Superiores, Cuautitlán, UNAM, Estado de México, México.,Physiology, Biophysics and Neuroscience, CINVESTAV, CDMX, México
| | - Amparo Viramontes-Pintos
- National Dementia BioBank. Ciencias Biológicas, Facultad de Estudios Superiores, Cuautitlán, UNAM, Estado de México, México
| | | | - Linda Garcés-Ramírez
- Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Departamento Fisiología, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, CDMX, México
| | - Fidel de la Cruz
- Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Departamento Fisiología, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, CDMX, México
| | | | - Marely Bravo-Muñoz
- National Dementia BioBank. Ciencias Biológicas, Facultad de Estudios Superiores, Cuautitlán, UNAM, Estado de México, México
| | - Charles R Harrington
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
| | - Sandra Martínez-Robles
- National Dementia BioBank. Ciencias Biológicas, Facultad de Estudios Superiores, Cuautitlán, UNAM, Estado de México, México
| | - Petra Yescas
- Genética, Instituto Nacional de Neurología y Neurocirugía, "Manuel Velazco Suerez" CDMX, México
| | - Parménides Guadarrama-Ortíz
- Departamento de Neurocirugía, Centro Especializado en Neurocirugía y Neurociencias, México, (CENNM), CDMX, México
| | - Mario Hernandes-Alejandro
- Departamento de Bioingeniería, Unidad Profesional Interdisciplinaria de Biotecnología del Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Gustavo A. Madero, México
| | - Francisco Montiel-Sosa
- National Dementia BioBank. Ciencias Biológicas, Facultad de Estudios Superiores, Cuautitlán, UNAM, Estado de México, México
| | - Mar Pacheco-Herrero
- Neuroscience Research Laboratory, Faculty of Health Sciences, Pontificia Universidad Catolica Madre y Maestra, Santiago de los Caballeros, Dominican Republic
| | - José Luna-Muñoz
- National Dementia BioBank. Ciencias Biológicas, Facultad de Estudios Superiores, Cuautitlán, UNAM, Estado de México, México.,National Brain Bank. Universidad Nacional Pedro Henríquez Ureña, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
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19
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Bentham P, Staff RT, Schelter BO, Shiells H, Harrington CR, Wischik CM. Long-Term Hydromethylthionine Treatment Is Associated with Delayed Clinical Onset and Slowing of Cerebral Atrophy in a Pre-Symptomatic P301S MAPT Mutation Carrier. J Alzheimers Dis 2021; 83:1017-1023. [PMID: 34366349 PMCID: PMC8543267 DOI: 10.3233/jad-210390] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
One of the mutations in the microtubule-associated protein tau, P301S, is causative for dominantly inherited frontotemporal dementia characterized by extensive tau pathology for which no licensed treatment is available. Hydromethylthionine is a potent tau aggregation inhibitor. We report treatment of an asymptomatic carrier of the P301S mutation using hydromethylthionine over a 5-year period beginning at the mean age of onset of clinical decline in the family. During the period of treatment, the rates of progression of cerebral atrophy were reduced by 61%–66% in frontal and temporal lobes, and the patient remained clinically asymptomatic.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Roger T Staff
- Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, NHS Grampian, Aberdeen, UK
| | - Bjoern O Schelter
- TauRx Therapeutics Ltd., Aberdeen, UK.,Institute for Complex Systems and Mathematical Biology, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
| | | | - Charles R Harrington
- TauRx Therapeutics Ltd., Aberdeen, UK.,School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill, Aberdeen, UK
| | - Claude M Wischik
- TauRx Therapeutics Ltd., Aberdeen, UK.,School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill, Aberdeen, UK
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20
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Reyes-Pablo AE, Campa-Córdoba BB, Luna-Viramontes NI, Ontiveros-Torres MÁ, Villanueva-Fierro I, Bravo-Muñoz M, Sáenz-Ibarra B, Barbosa O, Guadarrama-Ortíz P, Garcés-Ramírez L, de la Cruz F, Harrington CR, Martínez-Robles S, González-Ballesteros E, Perry G, Pacheco-Herrero M, Luna-Muñoz J. National Dementia BioBank: A Strategy for the Diagnosis and Study of Neurodegenerative Diseases in México. J Alzheimers Dis 2021; 76:853-862. [PMID: 32568191 DOI: 10.3233/jad-191015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
We recently developed the National Dementia Biobank in México (BioBanco Nacional de Demencias, BND) as a unit for diagnosis, research, and tissue transfer for research purposes. BND is associated with the Facultad de Estudios Superiores Cuautitlán, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Mexico (UNAM), Mexico. The donation of fluids, brain, and other organs of deceased donors is crucial for understanding the underlying mechanisms of neurodegenerative diseases and for the development of successful treatment. Our laboratory research focuses on 1) analysis of the molecular processing of the proteins involved in those neurodegenerative diseases termed tauopathies and 2) the search for biomarkers for the non-invasive and early diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aldelmo Emmanuel Reyes-Pablo
- National Dementia BioBank, Ciencias Biológicas, Facultad de Estudios Superiores, Cuautitlán campo 1, UNAM Estado de México, México.,Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Depto. Fisiología, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, CDMX, México
| | - B Berenice Campa-Córdoba
- National Dementia BioBank, Ciencias Biológicas, Facultad de Estudios Superiores, Cuautitlán campo 1, UNAM Estado de México, México.,Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Depto. Fisiología, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, CDMX, México
| | - Nabil Itzi Luna-Viramontes
- National Dementia BioBank, Ciencias Biológicas, Facultad de Estudios Superiores, Cuautitlán campo 1, UNAM Estado de México, México.,Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Depto. Fisiología, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, CDMX, México
| | | | | | - Marely Bravo-Muñoz
- National Dementia BioBank, Ciencias Biológicas, Facultad de Estudios Superiores, Cuautitlán campo 1, UNAM Estado de México, México
| | - Bárbara Sáenz-Ibarra
- Depto. de Patología, Facultad de medicina de la Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León, Nuevo León, México
| | - Oralia Barbosa
- Jefa del Servicio de Anatomía Patológicay Citopatología del Hospital Universitario "Dr. José E. González de la UANL, Nuevo León, México
| | | | - Linda Garcés-Ramírez
- Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Depto. Fisiología, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, CDMX, México
| | - Fidel de la Cruz
- Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Depto. Fisiología, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, CDMX, México
| | - Charles R Harrington
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
| | - Sandra Martínez-Robles
- National Dementia BioBank, Ciencias Biológicas, Facultad de Estudios Superiores, Cuautitlán campo 1, UNAM Estado de México, México
| | - Erik González-Ballesteros
- National Dementia BioBank, Ciencias Biológicas, Facultad de Estudios Superiores, Cuautitlán campo 1, UNAM Estado de México, México
| | - George Perry
- Department of Biology, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Mar Pacheco-Herrero
- School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Pontificia Universidad Catolica Madre y Maestra, Dominican Republic
| | - José Luna-Muñoz
- National Dementia BioBank, Ciencias Biológicas, Facultad de Estudios Superiores, Cuautitlán campo 1, UNAM Estado de México, México
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21
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Riedel G, Klein J, Niewiadomska G, Kondak C, Schwab K, Lauer D, Magbagbeolu M, Steczkowska M, Zadrozny M, Wydrych M, Cranston A, Melis V, Santos RX, Theuring F, Harrington CR, Wischik CM. Mechanisms of Anticholinesterase Interference with Tau Aggregation Inhibitor Activity in a Tau-Transgenic Mouse Model. Curr Alzheimer Res 2021; 17:285-296. [PMID: 32091331 PMCID: PMC7403648 DOI: 10.2174/1567205017666200224120926] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2019] [Revised: 01/08/2020] [Accepted: 02/12/2020] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Background Symptomatic treatments of Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) with cholinesterase inhibitors and/or memantine are relatively ineffective and there is a need for new treatments targeting the underlying pathology of AD. In most of the failed disease-modifying trials, patients have been allowed to continue taking symptomatic treatments at stable doses, under the assumption that they do not impair efficacy. In recently completed Phase 3 trials testing the tau aggregation inhibitor leuco-methylthioninium bis (hydromethane-sulfonate) (LMTM), we found significant differences in treatment response according to whether patients were taking LMTM either as monotherapy or as an add-on to symptomatic treatments. Methods We have examined the effect of either LMTM alone or chronic rivastigmine prior to LMTM treatment of tau transgenic mice expressing the short tau fragment that constitutes the tangle filaments of AD. We have measured acetylcholine levels, synaptosomal glutamate release, synaptic proteins, mitochondrial complex IV activity, tau pathology and Choline Acetyltransferase (ChAT) immunoreactivity. Results LMTM given alone increased hippocampal Acetylcholine (ACh) levels, glutamate release from synaptosomal preparations, synaptophysin levels in multiple brain regions and mitochondrial complex IV activity, reduced tau pathology, partially restored ChAT immunoreactivity in the basal forebrain and reversed deficits in spatial learning. Chronic pretreatment with rivastigmine was found to reduce or eliminate almost all these effects, apart from a reduction in tau aggregation pathology. LMTM effects on hippocampal ACh and synaptophysin levels were also reduced in wild-type mice. Conclusion The interference with the pharmacological activity of LMTM by a cholinesterase inhibitor can be reproduced in a tau transgenic mouse model and, to a lesser extent, in wild-type mice. Long-term pretreatment with a symptomatic drug alters a broad range of brain responses to LMTM across different transmitter systems and cellular compartments at multiple levels of brain function. There is, therefore, no single locus for the negative interaction. Rather, the chronic neuronal activation induced by reducing cholinesterase function produces compensatory homeostatic downregulation in multiple neuronal systems. This reduces a broad range of treatment responses to LMTM associated with a reduction in tau aggregation pathology. Since the interference is dictated by homeostatic responses to prior symptomatic treatment, it is likely that there would be similar interference with other drugs tested as add-on to the existing symptomatic treatment, regardless of the intended therapeutic target or mode of action. The present findings outline key results that now provide a working model to explain interference by symptomatic treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gernot Riedel
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill, Aberdeen, AB25 2ZD, United Kingdom
| | - Jochen Klein
- Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacy, Goethe University, Max-von-Laue Str. 9, Frankfurt, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Grazyna Niewiadomska
- Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, 3 Pasteur Street, 02-093 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Constantin Kondak
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill, Aberdeen, AB25 2ZD, United Kingdom.,Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacy, Goethe University, Max-von-Laue Str. 9, Frankfurt, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Karima Schwab
- Charite-Institute of Pharmacology, Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Hessische Str. 3-4, 10115 Berlin, Germany
| | - Dilyara Lauer
- Charite-Institute of Pharmacology, Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Hessische Str. 3-4, 10115 Berlin, Germany
| | - Mandy Magbagbeolu
- Charite-Institute of Pharmacology, Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Hessische Str. 3-4, 10115 Berlin, Germany
| | - Marta Steczkowska
- Mossakowski Medical Research Centre, 5 Pawinski Street, 02-106 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Maciej Zadrozny
- Mossakowski Medical Research Centre, 5 Pawinski Street, 02-106 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Malgorzata Wydrych
- Mossakowski Medical Research Centre, 5 Pawinski Street, 02-106 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Anna Cranston
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill, Aberdeen, AB25 2ZD, United Kingdom
| | - Valeria Melis
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill, Aberdeen, AB25 2ZD, United Kingdom
| | - Renato X Santos
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill, Aberdeen, AB25 2ZD, United Kingdom
| | - Franz Theuring
- Charite-Institute of Pharmacology, Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Hessische Str. 3-4, 10115 Berlin, Germany
| | - Charles R Harrington
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill, Aberdeen, AB25 2ZD, United Kingdom.,TauRx Therapeutics Ltd., 395 King Street, Aberdeen AB24 5RP, United Kingdom
| | - Claude M Wischik
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill, Aberdeen, AB25 2ZD, United Kingdom.,TauRx Therapeutics Ltd., 395 King Street, Aberdeen AB24 5RP, United Kingdom
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22
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Shiells H, Schelter BO, Bentham P, Baddeley TC, Rubino CM, Ganesan H, Hammel J, Vuksanovic V, Staff RT, Murray AD, Bracoud L, Wischik DJ, Riedel G, Gauthier S, Jia J, Moebius HJ, Hardlund J, Kipps CM, Kook K, Storey JMD, Harrington CR, Wischik CM. Concentration-Dependent Activity of Hydromethylthionine on Clinical Decline and Brain Atrophy in a Randomized Controlled Trial in Behavioral Variant Frontotemporal Dementia. J Alzheimers Dis 2021; 75:501-519. [PMID: 32280089 PMCID: PMC7306898 DOI: 10.3233/jad-191173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hydromethylthionine is a potent inhibitor of pathological aggregation of tau and TDP-43 proteins. OBJECTIVE To compare hydromethylthionine treatment effects at two doses and to determine how drug exposure is related to treatment response in bvFTD. METHODS We undertook a 52-week Phase III study in 220 bvFTD patients randomized to compare hydromethylthionine at 200 mg/day and 8 mg/day (intended as a control). The principal outcomes were change on the Addenbrookes Cognitive Examination - Revised (ACE-R), the Functional Activities Questionnaire (FAQ), and whole brain volume. Secondary outcomes included Modified Clinical Global Impression of Change (Modified-CGIC). A population pharmacokinetic exposure-response analysis was undertaken in 175 of the patients with available blood samples and outcome data using a discriminatory plasma assay for the parent drug. RESULTS There were no significant differences between the two doses as randomized. There were steep concentration-response relationships for plasma levels in the range 0.3-0.6 ng/ml at the 8 mg/day dose on clinical and MRI outcomes. There were significant exposure-dependent differences at 8 mg/day for FAQ, Modified-CGIC, and whole brain atrophy comparing patients with plasma levels greater than 0.346 ng/ml with having minimal drug exposure. The exposure-response is biphasic with worse outcomes at the high concentrations produced by 200 mg/day. CONCLUSIONS Hydromethylthionine has a similar concentration-response profile for effects on clinical decline and brain atrophy at the 8 mg/day dose in bvFTD as recently reported in AD. Treatment responses in bvFTD are predicted to be maximal at doses in the range 20-60 mg/day. A confirmatory placebo-controlled trial is now planned.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Bjoern O Schelter
- TauRx Therapeutics Ltd., Aberdeen, UK.,Institute for Complex Systems and Mathematical Biology, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
| | | | - Thomas C Baddeley
- TauRx Therapeutics Ltd., Aberdeen, UK.,Department of Chemistry, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
| | | | - Harish Ganesan
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacodynamics, Schenectady, NY, USA
| | - Jeffrey Hammel
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacodynamics, Schenectady, NY, USA
| | - Vesna Vuksanovic
- Aberdeen Biomedical Imaging Centre, School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
| | - Roger T Staff
- Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, NHS Grampian, Aberdeen, UK
| | - Alison D Murray
- Aberdeen Biomedical Imaging Centre, School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
| | | | - Damon J Wischik
- TauRx Therapeutics Ltd., Aberdeen, UK.,Department of Computer Science and Technology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Gernot Riedel
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill, Aberdeen, UK
| | - Serge Gauthier
- McGill Centre for Studies in Aging, Alzheimer's Disease Research Unit, and Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Jianping Jia
- Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders Alzheimer's Disease Centre, Beijing, China
| | | | | | | | | | - John M D Storey
- TauRx Therapeutics Ltd., Aberdeen, UK.,Department of Chemistry, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
| | - Charles R Harrington
- TauRx Therapeutics Ltd., Aberdeen, UK.,School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill, Aberdeen, UK
| | - Claude M Wischik
- TauRx Therapeutics Ltd., Aberdeen, UK.,School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill, Aberdeen, UK
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23
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Hernandes-Alejandro M, Montaño S, Harrington CR, Wischik CM, Salas-Casas A, Cortes-Reynosa P, Pérez Salazar E, Cazares-Apatiga J, Apatiga-Perez R, Ontiveros Torres MÁ, Perry G, Pacheco-Herrero M, Luna-Muñoz J. Analysis of the Relationship Between Metalloprotease-9 and Tau Protein in Alzheimer's Disease. J Alzheimers Dis 2021; 76:553-569. [PMID: 32538846 DOI: 10.3233/jad-200146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) and amyloid plaques are the neuropathological hallmarks in brains with Alzheimer's disease (AD). Post-translational modifications of tau, such as phosphorylation and truncation, have been proposed as initiators in the assembly of the abnormal paired helical filaments that constitute the NFTs. Neurons and NFTs are sites of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to analyze the relationship of MMP-9 and tau protein in brain samples with AD. METHODS This study was performed on brain tissue samples from patients with early, moderate, and late AD. MMPs and tau levels were analyzed by western blot and gelatin-substrate zymography. Immunofluorescence techniques and confocal microscopy were used to analyze the presence of both proteins in NFTs. Further, molecular dynamics simulations (MDS) and protein-protein docking were conducted to predict interaction between MMP-9 and tau protein. RESULTS MMP-9 expression was greatest in moderate and late AD, whereas MMP-2 expression was only increased in late-stage AD. Interestingly, confocal microscopy revealed NFTs in which there was co-localization of MMP-9 and tau protein. MDS and protein-protein docking predictions indicate that a high-affinity complex can be formed between MMP-9 and full-length tau protein. CONCLUSION These observations provide preliminary evidence of an interaction between these two proteins. Post-translational modifications of tau protein, such as C-terminal truncation or phosphorylation of amino acid residues in the MMP-9 recognition site and conformational changes in the protein, such as folding of the N-terminal sequence over the three-repeat domain, could preclude the interaction between MMP-9 and tau protein during stages of NFT development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mario Hernandes-Alejandro
- Departamento de Bioingeniería, Unidad Profesional Interdisciplinaria de Biotecnología del Instituto Politécnico Nacional (UPIBI-IPN), Gustavo A. Madero, México
| | - Sarita Montaño
- Laboratorio de Modelado Molecular y Bioinformática de la Facultad de Ciencias-Químico Biológicas de la Universidad Autónoma de Sinaloa, México
| | - Charles R Harrington
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
| | - Claude M Wischik
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
| | - Andrés Salas-Casas
- Instituto de Ciencias de la Salud, Área Académica de Gerontología Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Hidalgo, México
| | - Pedro Cortes-Reynosa
- Departamento de Biología Celular, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del IPN (Instituto Politécnico Nacional), Gustavo A. Madero, México
| | - Eduardo Pérez Salazar
- Departamento de Biología Celular, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del IPN (Instituto Politécnico Nacional), Gustavo A. Madero, México
| | - Javier Cazares-Apatiga
- Laboratorio de Biología Molecular y Bioseguridad Nivel 3, Centro Médico Naval, CDMX, México
| | - Ricardo Apatiga-Perez
- Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Depto. Fisiología, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, CDMX, Mexico.,National Dementia BioBank, Ciencias Biológicas, Facultad de Estudios Superiores, Cuautitlán campo 1, UNAM, Estado de México, México
| | | | - George Perry
- Department of Biology, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Mar Pacheco-Herrero
- School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Pontificia Universidad Catolica Madre y Maestra, Dominican Republic
| | - José Luna-Muñoz
- National Dementia BioBank, Ciencias Biológicas, Facultad de Estudios Superiores, Cuautitlán campo 1, UNAM, Estado de México, México
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24
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Pacheco-Herrero M, Soto-Rojas LO, Harrington CR, Flores-Martinez YM, Villegas-Rojas MM, León-Aguilar AM, Martínez-Gómez PA, Campa-Córdoba BB, Apátiga-Pérez R, Corniel-Taveras CN, Dominguez-García JDJ, Blanco-Alvarez VM, Luna-Muñoz J. Elucidating the Neuropathologic Mechanisms of SARS-CoV-2 Infection. Front Neurol 2021; 12:660087. [PMID: 33912129 PMCID: PMC8072392 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2021.660087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2021] [Accepted: 03/09/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The current pandemic caused by the new severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has become a public health emergency. To date, March 1, 2021, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has caused about 114 million accumulated cases and 2.53 million deaths worldwide. Previous pieces of evidence suggest that SARS-CoV-2 may affect the central nervous system (CNS) and cause neurological symptoms in COVID-19 patients. It is also known that angiotensin-converting enzyme-2 (ACE2), the primary receptor for SARS-CoV-2 infection, is expressed in different brain areas and cell types. Thus, it is hypothesized that infection by this virus could generate or exacerbate neuropathological alterations. However, the molecular mechanisms that link COVID-19 disease and nerve damage are unclear. In this review, we describe the routes of SARS-CoV-2 invasion into the central nervous system. We also analyze the neuropathologic mechanisms underlying this viral infection, and their potential relationship with the neurological manifestations described in patients with COVID-19, and the appearance or exacerbation of some neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mar Pacheco-Herrero
- Neuroscience Research Laboratory, Faculty of Health Sciences, Pontificia Universidad Católica Madre y Maestra, Santiago de los Caballeros, Dominican Republic
| | - Luis O Soto-Rojas
- Facultad de Estudios Superiores Iztacala, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Charles R Harrington
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
| | - Yazmin M Flores-Martinez
- Programa Institucional de Biomedicina Molecular, Escuela Nacional de Medicina y Homeopatía, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Marcos M Villegas-Rojas
- Unidad Profesional Interdisciplinaria de Biotecnología del Instituto Politécnico Nacional (UPIBI- IPN), Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Alfredo M León-Aguilar
- Unidad Profesional Interdisciplinaria de Biotecnología del Instituto Politécnico Nacional (UPIBI- IPN), Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Paola A Martínez-Gómez
- Facultad de Estudios Superiores Iztacala, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - B Berenice Campa-Córdoba
- Departamento de Fisiología, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico City, Mexico.,National Dementia BioBank, Ciencias Biológicas, Facultad de Estudios Superiores, Cuautitlán, Mexico
| | - Ricardo Apátiga-Pérez
- Departamento de Fisiología, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico City, Mexico.,National Dementia BioBank, Ciencias Biológicas, Facultad de Estudios Superiores, Cuautitlán, Mexico
| | - Carolin N Corniel-Taveras
- Neuroscience Research Laboratory, Faculty of Health Sciences, Pontificia Universidad Católica Madre y Maestra, Santiago de los Caballeros, Dominican Republic
| | - Jesabelle de J Dominguez-García
- Neuroscience Research Laboratory, Faculty of Health Sciences, Pontificia Universidad Católica Madre y Maestra, Santiago de los Caballeros, Dominican Republic
| | | | - José Luna-Muñoz
- National Dementia BioBank, Ciencias Biológicas, Facultad de Estudios Superiores, Cuautitlán, Mexico.,Banco Estado de Cerebros-UNPHU, Universidad Nacional Pedro Henriquez Ureña, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
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25
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Maina MB, Al-Hilaly YK, Burra G, Rickard JE, Harrington CR, Wischik CM, Serpell LC. Oxidative Stress Conditions Result in Trapping of PHF-Core Tau (297-391) Intermediates. Cells 2021; 10:cells10030703. [PMID: 33809978 PMCID: PMC8005035 DOI: 10.3390/cells10030703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2021] [Revised: 03/12/2021] [Accepted: 03/15/2021] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
The self-assembly of tau into paired helical filaments (PHFs) in neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) is a significant event in Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathogenesis. Numerous post-translational modifications enhance or inhibit tau assembly into NFTs. Oxidative stress, which accompanies AD, induces multiple post-translational modifications in proteins, including the formation of dityrosine (DiY) cross-links. Previous studies have revealed that metal-catalysed oxidation (MCO) using Cu2+ and H2O2 leads to the formation of DiY cross-links in two misfolding proteins, Aβ and α-synuclein, associated with AD and Parkinson's disease respectively. The effect of MCO on tau remains unknown. Here, we examined the effect of MCO and ultra-violet oxidation to study the influence of DiY cross-linking on the self-assembly of the PHF-core tau fragment. We report that DiY cross-linking facilitates tau assembly into tau oligomers that fail to bind thioflavin S, lack β-sheet structure and prevents their elongation into filaments. At a higher concentration, Cu2+ (without H2O2) also facilitates the formation of these tau oligomers. The DiY cross-linked tau oligomers do not cause cell death. Our findings suggest that DiY cross-linking of pre-assembled tau promotes the formation of soluble tau oligomers that show no acute impact on cell viability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahmoud B. Maina
- Sussex Neuroscience, School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Brighton BN1 9QG, UK; (M.B.M.); (Y.K.A.-H.); (G.B.)
- College of Medical Sciences, Yobe State University, Damaturu P.M.B. 1144, Nigeria
| | - Youssra K. Al-Hilaly
- Sussex Neuroscience, School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Brighton BN1 9QG, UK; (M.B.M.); (Y.K.A.-H.); (G.B.)
- Chemistry Department, College of Sciences, Mustansiriyah University, Baghdad, Iraq
| | - Gunasekhar Burra
- Sussex Neuroscience, School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Brighton BN1 9QG, UK; (M.B.M.); (Y.K.A.-H.); (G.B.)
- Analytical Research and Development, Pharma Division, Biological E. Limited, Genome Valley, IKP-Shameerpet, Hyderabad 500 078, Telangana, India
| | - Janet E. Rickard
- Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen AB25 2ZP, UK; (J.E.R.); (C.R.H.); (C.M.W.)
| | - Charles R. Harrington
- Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen AB25 2ZP, UK; (J.E.R.); (C.R.H.); (C.M.W.)
- TauRx Therapeutics Ltd., Aberdeen AB24 5RP, UK
| | - Claude M. Wischik
- Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen AB25 2ZP, UK; (J.E.R.); (C.R.H.); (C.M.W.)
- TauRx Therapeutics Ltd., Aberdeen AB24 5RP, UK
| | - Louise C. Serpell
- Sussex Neuroscience, School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Brighton BN1 9QG, UK; (M.B.M.); (Y.K.A.-H.); (G.B.)
- Correspondence:
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26
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Martínez-Maldonado A, Ontiveros-Torres MÁ, Harrington CR, Montiel-Sosa JF, Prandiz RGT, Bocanegra-López P, Sorsby-Vargas AM, Bravo-Muñoz M, Florán-Garduño B, Villanueva-Fierro I, Perry G, Garcés-Ramírez L, de la Cruz F, Martínez-Robles S, Pacheco-Herrero M, Luna-Muñoz J. Molecular Processing of Tau Protein in Progressive Supranuclear Palsy: Neuronal and Glial Degeneration. J Alzheimers Dis 2021; 79:1517-1531. [PMID: 33459640 PMCID: PMC7990452 DOI: 10.3233/jad-201139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Alzheimer's disease (AD) and progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) are examples of neurodegenerative diseases, characterized by abnormal tau inclusions, that are called tauopathies. AD is characterized by highly insoluble paired helical filaments (PHFs) composed of tau with abnormal post-translational modifications. PSP is a neurodegenerative disease with pathological and clinical heterogeneity. There are six tau isoforms expressed in the adult human brain, with repeated microtubule-binding domains of three (3R) or four (4R) repeats. In AD, the 4R:3R ratio is 1:1. In PSP, the 4R isoform predominates. The lesions in PSP brains contain phosphorylated tau aggregates in both neurons and glial cells. OBJECTIVE Our objective was to evaluate and compare the processing of pathological tau in PSP and AD. METHODS Double and triple immunofluorescent labeling with antibodies to specific post-translational tau modifications (phosphorylation, truncation, and conformational changes) and thiazin red (TR) staining were carried out and analyzed by confocal microscopy. RESULTS Our results showed that PSP was characterized by phosphorylated tau in neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) and glial cells. Tau truncated at either Glu391 or Asp421 was not observed. Extracellular NFTs (eNFTs) and glial cells in PSP exhibited a strong affinity for TR in the absence of intact or phosphorylated tau. CONCLUSION Phosphorylated tau was as abundant in PSP as in AD. The development of eNFTs from both glial cells and neuronal bodies suggests that truncated tau species, different from those observed in AD, could be present in PSP. Additional studies on truncated tau within PSP lesions could improve our understanding of the pathological processing of tau and help identify a discriminatory biomarker for AD and PSP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alejandra Martínez-Maldonado
- Departamento de Fisiología Biofísica y Neurociencias, CINVESTAV, México City, México
- Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Anáhuac México Norte, México
| | | | - Charles R. Harrington
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
| | - José Francisco Montiel-Sosa
- National Dementia BioBank, Ciencias Biológicas, Facultad de Estudios Superiores, Cuautitlán, UNAM, Estado de México, México
| | | | | | | | - Marely Bravo-Muñoz
- National Dementia BioBank, Ciencias Biológicas, Facultad de Estudios Superiores, Cuautitlán, UNAM, Estado de México, México
| | | | | | - George Perry
- College of Sciences, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Linda Garcés-Ramírez
- Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Depto. Fisiología, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, CDMX, México
| | - Fidel de la Cruz
- Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Depto. Fisiología, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, CDMX, México
| | - Sandra Martínez-Robles
- National Dementia BioBank, Ciencias Biológicas, Facultad de Estudios Superiores, Cuautitlán, UNAM, Estado de México, México
| | - Mar Pacheco-Herrero
- Neuroscience Research Laboratory, Faculty of Health Sciences, Pontificia Universidad Catolica Madre y Maestra, Santiago de los Caballeros, República Dominicana
| | - José Luna-Muñoz
- National Dementia BioBank, Ciencias Biológicas, Facultad de Estudios Superiores, Cuautitlán, UNAM, Estado de México, México
- Banco Nacional de Cerebros-UNPHU, Universidad Nacional Pedro Henríquez Ureña, República Dominicana
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27
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Lemke N, Melis V, Lauer D, Magbagbeolu M, Neumann B, Harrington CR, Riedel G, Wischik CM, Theuring F, Schwab K. Differential compartmental processing and phosphorylation of pathogenic human tau and native mouse tau in the line 66 model of frontotemporal dementia. J Biol Chem 2020; 295:18508-18523. [PMID: 33127647 PMCID: PMC7939472 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra120.014890] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2020] [Revised: 10/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Synapse loss is associated with motor and cognitive decline in multiple neurodegenerative disorders, and the cellular redistribution of tau is related to synaptic impairment in tauopathies, such as Alzheimer's disease and frontotemporal dementia. Here, we examined the cellular distribution of tau protein species in human tau overexpressing line 66 mice, a transgenic mouse model akin to genetic variants of frontotemporal dementia. Line 66 mice express intracellular tau aggregates in multiple brain regions and exhibit sensorimotor and motor learning deficiencies. Using a series of anti-tau antibodies, we observed, histologically, that nonphosphorylated transgenic human tau is enriched in synapses, whereas phosphorylated tau accumulates predominantly in cell bodies and axons. Subcellular fractionation confirmed that human tau is highly enriched in insoluble cytosolic and synaptosomal fractions, whereas endogenous mouse tau is virtually absent from synapses. Cytosolic tau was resistant to solubilization with urea and Triton X-100, indicating the formation of larger tau aggregates. By contrast, synaptic tau was partially soluble after Triton X-100 treatment and most likely represents aggregates of smaller size. MS corroborated that synaptosomal tau is nonphosphorylated. Tau enriched in the synapse of line 66 mice, therefore, appears to be in an oligomeric and nonphosphorylated state, and one that could have a direct impact on cognitive function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nora Lemke
- Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany; Bundesanstalt für Materialforschung und-prüfung, Berlin, Germany
| | - Valeria Melis
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
| | | | | | - Boris Neumann
- Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany; Proteome Factory AG, Berlin, Germany
| | - Charles R Harrington
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill, Aberdeen, United Kingdom; TauRx Therapeutics Ltd., Aberdeen, United Kingdom
| | - Gernot Riedel
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
| | - Claude M Wischik
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill, Aberdeen, United Kingdom; TauRx Therapeutics Ltd., Aberdeen, United Kingdom
| | | | - Karima Schwab
- Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
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28
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Flores-Rodríguez P, Harrington CR, Wischik CM, Ibarra-Bracamontes V, Zarco N, Navarrete A, Martínez-Maldonado A, Guadarrama-Ortíz P, Villanueva-Fierro I, Ontiveros-Torres MA, Perry G, Alonso AD, Floran-Garduño B, Segovia J, Luna-Muñoz J. Phospho-Tau Protein Expression in the Cell Cycle of SH-SY5Y Neuroblastoma Cells: A Morphological Study. J Alzheimers Dis 2020; 71:631-645. [PMID: 31424392 DOI: 10.3233/jad-190155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
It has been reported that the main function of tau protein is to stabilize microtubules and promote the movement of organelles through the axon in neurons. In Alzheimer's disease, tau protein is the major constituent of the paired helical filament, and it undergoes post-translational modifications including hyperphosphorylation and truncation. Whether other functions of tau protein are involved in Alzheimer's disease is less clear. We used SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cells as an in vitro model to further study the functions of tau protein. We detected phosphorylated tau protein as small dense dots in the cell nucleus, which strongly colocalize with intranuclear speckle structures that were also labelled with an antibody to SC35, a protein involved in nuclear RNA splicing. We have shown further that tau protein, phosphorylated at the sites recognized by pT231, TG-3, and AD2 antibodies, is closely associated with cell division. Different functions may be characteristic of phosphorylation at specific sites. Our findings suggest that the presence of tau protein is involved in separation of sister chromatids in anaphase, and that tau protein also participates in maintaining the integrity of the DNA (pT231, prophase) and chromosomes during cell division (TG-3).
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Affiliation(s)
- Paola Flores-Rodríguez
- Deparment of Physiology, Biophysics and Neuroscience, CINVESTAV, CDMX, México.,Brain Bank, Laboratorio Nacional de Servicios Experimentales, LaNSE-CINVESTAV, CDMX, México.,CIIDIR Durango, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Becario COFAA, Durango, México
| | - Charles R Harrington
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
| | - Claude M Wischik
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
| | - Vanessa Ibarra-Bracamontes
- Deparment of Physiology, Biophysics and Neuroscience, CINVESTAV, CDMX, México.,Brain Bank, Laboratorio Nacional de Servicios Experimentales, LaNSE-CINVESTAV, CDMX, México
| | - Natanael Zarco
- Deparment of Physiology, Biophysics and Neuroscience, CINVESTAV, CDMX, México
| | - Araceli Navarrete
- Deparment of Physiology, Biophysics and Neuroscience, CINVESTAV, CDMX, México
| | - Alejandra Martínez-Maldonado
- Deparment of Physiology, Biophysics and Neuroscience, CINVESTAV, CDMX, México.,Anahuac University North Mexico, CDMX, México
| | | | | | | | - George Perry
- College of Sciences, University of Texas at San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Alejandra D Alonso
- Biology Department and Center for Developmental Neuroscience, College of Staten Island, The City University of New York, Staten Island, NY, USA
| | | | - José Segovia
- Deparment of Physiology, Biophysics and Neuroscience, CINVESTAV, CDMX, México
| | - José Luna-Muñoz
- Brain Bank, Laboratorio Nacional de Servicios Experimentales, LaNSE-CINVESTAV, CDMX, México
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29
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Luna-Viramontes NI, Campa-Córdoba BB, Ontiveros-Torres MÁ, Harrington CR, Villanueva-Fierro I, Guadarrama-Ortíz P, Garcés-Ramírez L, de la Cruz F, Hernandes-Alejandro M, Martínez-Robles S, González-Ballesteros E, Pacheco-Herrero M, Luna-Muñoz J. PHF-Core Tau as the Potential Initiating Event for Tau Pathology in Alzheimer's Disease. Front Cell Neurosci 2020; 14:247. [PMID: 33132840 PMCID: PMC7511711 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2020.00247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2020] [Accepted: 07/15/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Worldwide, around 50 million people have dementia. Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common type of dementia and one of the major causes of disability and dependency among the elderly worldwide. Clinically, AD is characterized by impaired memory accompanied by other deficiencies in the cognitive domain. Neuritic plaques (NPs) and neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) are histopathological lesions that define brains with AD. NFTs consist of abundant intracellular paired helical filaments (PHFs) whose main constituent is tau protein. Tau undergoes posttranslational changes including hyperphosphorylation and truncation, both of which favor conformational changes in the protein. The sequential pathological processing of tau is illustrated with the following specific markers: pT231, TG3, AT8, AT100, and Alz50. Two proteolysis sites for tau have been described-truncation at glutamate 391 and at aspartate 421-and which can be demonstrated by reactivity with the antibodies 423 and TauC-3, respectively. In this review, we describe the molecular changes in tau protein as pre-NFTs progress to extracellular NFTs and during which the formation of a minimal nucleus of the filament, as the PHF core, occurs. We also analyzed the PHF core as the initiator of PHFs and tau phosphorylation as a protective neuronal mechanism against the assembly of the PHF core.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nabil Itzi Luna-Viramontes
- National Dementia BioBank, Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Facultad de Estudios Superiores, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico.,Departamento de Fisiología, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - B Berenice Campa-Córdoba
- National Dementia BioBank, Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Facultad de Estudios Superiores, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico.,Departamento de Fisiología, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico City, Mexico
| | | | - Charles R Harrington
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
| | | | - Parménides Guadarrama-Ortíz
- Departamento de Neurocirugía, Centro Especializado en Neurocirugía y Neurociencias México, CENNM, CDMX, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Linda Garcés-Ramírez
- Departamento de Fisiología, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Fidel de la Cruz
- Departamento de Fisiología, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Mario Hernandes-Alejandro
- Departamento de Bioingeniería, Unidad Profesional Interdisciplinaria de Biotecnología del Instituto Politécnico Nacional (UPIBI-IPN), Mexico City, México
| | - Sandra Martínez-Robles
- National Dementia BioBank, Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Facultad de Estudios Superiores, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Erik González-Ballesteros
- National Dementia BioBank, Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Facultad de Estudios Superiores, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Mar Pacheco-Herrero
- Neuroscience Research Laboratory, Faculty of Health Sciences, Pontificia Universidad Catolica Madre y Maestra, Santiago de los Caballeros, Dominican Republic
| | - José Luna-Muñoz
- National Dementia BioBank, Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Facultad de Estudios Superiores, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mexico City, Mexico
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30
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Pollack SJ, Trigg J, Khanom T, Biasetti L, Marshall KE, Al-Hilaly YK, Rickard JE, Harrington CR, Wischik CM, Serpell LC. Paired Helical Filament-Forming Region of Tau (297-391) Influences Endogenous Tau Protein and Accumulates in Acidic Compartments in Human Neuronal Cells. J Mol Biol 2020; 432:4891-4907. [PMID: 32681841 PMCID: PMC7427330 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2020.05.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2020] [Revised: 05/01/2020] [Accepted: 05/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Assembly of tau protein into paired helical filaments and straight filaments is a key feature of Alzheimer's disease. Aggregation of tau has been implicated in neurodegeneration, cellular toxicity and the propagation, which accompanies disease progression. We have reported previously that a region of tau (297–391), referred to as dGAE, assembles spontaneously in physiological conditions to form paired helical filament-like fibres in vitro in the absence of additives such as heparin. This provides a valuable tool with which to explore the effects of tau in cell culture. Here we have studied the cellular uptake of soluble oligomeric and fibrillar forms of dGAE and examined the downstream consequences of tau internalisation into differentiated SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells using fluorescence and electron microscopy alongside structural and biochemical analyses. The assembled dGAE shows more acute cytotoxicity than the soluble, non-aggregated form. Conversely, the soluble form is much more readily internalised and, once within the cell, is able to associate with endogenous tau resulting in increased phosphorylation and aggregation of endogenous tau, which accumulates in lysosomal/endosomal compartments. It appears that soluble oligomeric forms are able to propagate tau pathology without being acutely toxic. The model system we have developed now permits the molecular mechanisms of propagation of tau pathology to be studied in vitro in a more physiological manner with a view to development of novel therapeutic approaches. Tau297–391 aggregates to form filaments toxic to cells in the absence of additives. Internalisation of soluble tau297–391 into cells leads to increased insoluble Ptau. Soluble tau297–391 accumulates with endogenous tau in endo-lysosomal compartments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saskia J Pollack
- Sussex Neuroscience, School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Falmer, E. Sussex, BN1 9QG, UK
| | - Jasmine Trigg
- Sussex Neuroscience, School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Falmer, E. Sussex, BN1 9QG, UK
| | - Tahmida Khanom
- Sussex Neuroscience, School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Falmer, E. Sussex, BN1 9QG, UK
| | - Luca Biasetti
- Sussex Neuroscience, School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Falmer, E. Sussex, BN1 9QG, UK
| | - Karen E Marshall
- Sussex Neuroscience, School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Falmer, E. Sussex, BN1 9QG, UK
| | - Youssra K Al-Hilaly
- Sussex Neuroscience, School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Falmer, E. Sussex, BN1 9QG, UK; Chemistry Department, College of Science, Mustansiriyah University, Baghdad, Iraq
| | - Janet E Rickard
- Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, AB25 2ZP, UK
| | - Charles R Harrington
- Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, AB25 2ZP, UK; TauRx Therapeutics Ltd., Aberdeen, AB24 5RP, UK
| | - Claude M Wischik
- Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, AB25 2ZP, UK; TauRx Therapeutics Ltd., Aberdeen, AB24 5RP, UK
| | - Louise C Serpell
- Sussex Neuroscience, School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Falmer, E. Sussex, BN1 9QG, UK.
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31
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Cranston AL, Wysocka A, Steczkowska M, Zadrożny M, Palasz E, Harrington CR, Theuring F, Wischik CM, Riedel G, Niewiadomska G. Cholinergic and inflammatory phenotypes in transgenic tau mouse models of Alzheimer's disease and frontotemporal lobar degeneration. Brain Commun 2020; 2:fcaa033. [PMID: 32954291 PMCID: PMC7425524 DOI: 10.1093/braincomms/fcaa033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2019] [Revised: 01/31/2020] [Accepted: 02/03/2020] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
An early and sizeable loss of basal forebrain cholinergic neurons is a well-characterized feature associated with measurable deficits in spatial learning and cognitive impairment in patients with Alzheimer’s disease. In addition, pro-inflammatory glial cells such as astrocytes and microglia may play a key role in the neurodegenerative cascade of Alzheimer’s disease and tauopathies. We recently presented two mouse models: Line 1, expressing the truncated tau fragment identified as the core of the Alzheimer’s paired helical filament, and Line 66, expressing full-length human tau carrying a double mutation (P301S and G335D). Line 1 mice have a pathology that is akin to Alzheimer’s, whilst Line 66 resembles frontotemporal lobar degeneration. However, their cholinergic and inflammatory phenotypes remain elusive. We performed histological evaluation of choline acetyltransferase, acetylcholinesterase, p75 neurotrophin receptor, microglial ionized calcium binding adaptor molecule 1 and astrocytic glial fibrillary acidic protein in the basal forebrain, hippocampus and cortex of these models. A significant lowering of choline acetyltransferase-positive neurons and p75-positive neurons in the basal forebrain of Line 1 at 3, 6 and 9 months was observed in two independent studies, alongside a significant decrease in acetylcholinesterase staining in the cortex and hippocampus. The reductions in choline acetyltransferase positivity varied between 30% and 50% at an age when Line 1 mice show spatial learning impairments. Furthermore, an increase in microglial ionized calcium binding adaptor molecule 1 staining was observed in the basal forebrain, hippocampus and entorhinal cortex of Line 1 at 6 months. Line 66 mice displayed an intact cholinergic basal forebrain, and no difference in p75-positive neurons at 3 or 9 months. In addition, Line 66 exhibited significant microglial ionized calcium binding adaptor molecule 1 increase in the basal forebrain and hippocampus, suggesting a prominent neuroinflammatory profile. Increased concentrations of microglial interleukin-1β and astrocytic complement 3 were also seen in the hippocampus of both Line 1 and Line 66. The cholinergic deficit in Line 1 mice confirms the Alzheimer’s disease-like phenotype in Line 1 mice, whilst Line 66 revealed no measurable change in total cholinergic expression, a phenotypic trait of frontotemporal lobar degeneration. These two transgenic lines are therefore suitable for discriminating mechanistic underpinnings between the Alzheimer’s and frontotemporal lobar degeneration-like phenotypes of these mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna L Cranston
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, UK
| | - Adrianna Wysocka
- Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Polish Academy of Science, Warsaw 02-093, Poland
| | | | | | - Ewelina Palasz
- Mossakowski Medical Research Centre, Warsaw 02-106, Poland
| | - Charles R Harrington
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, UK.,TauRx Therapeutics Ltd, Foresterhill, Aberdeen AB25 2ZP, UK
| | - Franz Theuring
- Institute of Pharmacology, Charite-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Claude M Wischik
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, UK.,TauRx Therapeutics Ltd, Aberdeen AB24 5RP, UK
| | - Gernot Riedel
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, UK
| | - Grazyna Niewiadomska
- Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Polish Academy of Science, Warsaw 02-093, Poland
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32
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Al-Hilaly YK, Foster BE, Biasetti L, Lutter L, Pollack SJ, Rickard JE, Storey JMD, Harrington CR, Xue WF, Wischik CM, Serpell LC. Tau (297-391) forms filaments that structurally mimic the core of paired helical filaments in Alzheimer's disease brain. FEBS Lett 2019; 594:944-950. [PMID: 31721178 PMCID: PMC7078754 DOI: 10.1002/1873-3468.13675] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2019] [Revised: 10/21/2019] [Accepted: 10/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
The constituent paired helical filaments (PHFs) in neurofibrillary tangles are insoluble intracellular deposits central to the development of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and other tauopathies. Full-length tau requires the addition of anionic cofactors such as heparin to enhance assembly. We have shown that a fragment from the proteolytically stable core of the PHF, tau 297-391 known as 'dGAE', spontaneously forms cross-β-containing PHFs and straight filaments under physiological conditions. Here, we have analysed and compared the structures of the filaments formed by dGAE in vitro with those deposited in the brains of individuals diagnosed with AD. We show that dGAE forms PHFs that share a macromolecular structure similar to those found in brain tissue. Thus, dGAEs may serve as a model system for studying core domain assembly and for screening for inhibitors of tau aggregation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Youssra K Al-Hilaly
- Dementia Research Group, Sussex Neuroscience, School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, E Sussex, UK.,Chemistry Department, College of Science, Mustansiriyah University, Baghdad, Iraq
| | - Bronwen E Foster
- Dementia Research Group, Sussex Neuroscience, School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, E Sussex, UK
| | - Luca Biasetti
- Dementia Research Group, Sussex Neuroscience, School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, E Sussex, UK
| | - Liisa Lutter
- School of Biosciences, University of Kent, Canterbury, UK
| | - Saskia J Pollack
- Dementia Research Group, Sussex Neuroscience, School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, E Sussex, UK
| | | | - John M D Storey
- Department of Chemistry, University of Aberdeen, UK.,TauRx Therapeutics Ltd., Aberdeen, UK
| | - Charles R Harrington
- Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, UK.,TauRx Therapeutics Ltd., Aberdeen, UK
| | - Wei-Feng Xue
- School of Biosciences, University of Kent, Canterbury, UK
| | - Claude M Wischik
- Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, UK.,TauRx Therapeutics Ltd., Aberdeen, UK
| | - Louise C Serpell
- Dementia Research Group, Sussex Neuroscience, School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, E Sussex, UK
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33
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König M, Berlin B, Schwab K, Frahm S, Theuring F, Wischik CM, Harrington CR, Riedel G, Klein J. Increased Cholinergic Response in α-Synuclein Transgenic Mice (h-α-synL62). ACS Chem Neurosci 2019; 10:1915-1922. [PMID: 30253092 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.8b00274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Pathological accumulation of misfolded α-synuclein (α-syn) in the brain plays a key role in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease, leading to neuronal dysfunction and motor disorders. The underlying mechanisms linking α-syn aggregations with neurotransmitter disturbance in Parkinson's brains are not well characterized. In the present study, we investigated transgenic mice expressing an aggregation-prone form of full-length human α-syn (h-α-synL62) linked to a signal sequence. These mice display dopamine depletion and progressive motor deficits. We detected accumulation of α-syn in cholinergic interneurons where they are colocalized with choline acetyltransferase. Using microdialysis, we measured acetylcholine levels in the striatum at baseline and during stimulation in the open field and with scopolamine. While no difference between wild-type and transgenic mice was detected in 3 month old mice, striatal acetylcholine levels at 9 months of age were significantly higher in transgenic mice. Concomitantly, high-affinity choline uptake was also increased while choline acetyltransferase and acetylcholine esterase activities were unchanged. The results suggest a disinhibition of acetylcholine release in α-syn transgenic mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magdalena König
- Department of Pharmacology, Goethe University Frankfurt, Biocenter N260, Max-von-Laue Str. 9, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Beata Berlin
- Department of Pharmacology, Goethe University Frankfurt, Biocenter N260, Max-von-Laue Str. 9, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Karima Schwab
- Charite - Universitätsmedizin
Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität
zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Center for Cardiovascular
Research, Institute of Pharmacology, Berlin, Germany
| | - Silke Frahm
- Charite - Universitätsmedizin
Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität
zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Center for Cardiovascular
Research, Institute of Pharmacology, Berlin, Germany
| | - Franz Theuring
- Charite - Universitätsmedizin
Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität
zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Center for Cardiovascular
Research, Institute of Pharmacology, Berlin, Germany
| | - Claude M. Wischik
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen AB24 3FX, United Kingdom
- TauRx Therapeutics Ltd., Singapore 068805, Singapore
| | - Charles R. Harrington
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen AB24 3FX, United Kingdom
- TauRx Therapeutics Ltd., Singapore 068805, Singapore
| | - Gernot Riedel
- Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen AB24 3FX, United Kingdom
| | - Jochen Klein
- Department of Pharmacology, Goethe University Frankfurt, Biocenter N260, Max-von-Laue Str. 9, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
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34
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Schelter BO, Shiells H, Baddeley TC, Rubino CM, Ganesan H, Hammel J, Vuksanovic V, Staff RT, Murray AD, Bracoud L, Riedel G, Gauthier S, Jia J, Bentham P, Kook K, Storey JM, Harrington CR, Wischik CM. Concentration-Dependent Activity of Hydromethylthionine on Cognitive Decline and Brain Atrophy in Mild to Moderate Alzheimer's Disease. J Alzheimers Dis 2019; 72:931-946. [PMID: 31658058 PMCID: PMC6918900 DOI: 10.3233/jad-190772] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although hydromethylthionine is a potent tau aggregation inhibitor, no difference was found in either of two Phase III trials in mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease (AD) comparing doses in the range 150-250 mg/day with 8 mg/day intended as a control. OBJECTIVE To determine how drug exposure is related to treatment response. METHODS A sensitive plasma assay for the drug was used in a population pharmacokinetic analysis of samples from 1,162 of the 1,686 patients who participated in either of the Phase III trials with available samples and efficacy outcome data. RESULTS There are steep concentration-response relationships for steady state plasma levels in the range 0.3-0.8 ng/ml at the 8 mg/day dose. Using a threshold based on the lower limit of quantitation of the assay on Day 1, there are highly significant differences in cognitive decline and brain atrophy in patients with above threshold plasma levels, both for monotherapy and add-on therapy, but with effect sizes reduced by half as add-on. Plasma concentrations in the range 4-21 ng/ml produced by the high doses are not associated with any additional benefit. CONCLUSIONS Hydromethylthionine has pharmacological activity on brain structure and function at the 8 mg/day dose as monotherapy or as add-on to symptomatic treatments. This combined with a plateau at higher doses is consistent with the lack of dose-response seen in the Phase III trials. Treatment benefit is predicted to be maximal at 16 mg/day as monotherapy. A placebo-controlled trial in mild/moderate AD is now ongoing to confirm efficacy at this dose.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bjoern O. Schelter
- TauRx Therapeutics Ltd., Singapore, Singapore
- Institute for Complex Systems and Mathematical Biology, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
| | | | | | | | - Harish Ganesan
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacodynamics, Schenectady, NY, USA
| | - Jeffrey Hammel
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacodynamics, Schenectady, NY, USA
| | - Vesna Vuksanovic
- Aberdeen Biomedical Imaging Center, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill, Aberdeen, UK
| | | | - Alison D. Murray
- Aberdeen Biomedical Imaging Center, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill, Aberdeen, UK
| | | | - Gernot Riedel
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill, Aberdeen, UK
| | - Serge Gauthier
- McGill Centre for Studies in Aging, Alzheimer’s Disease Research Unit, and Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Jianping Jia
- Innovation Center for Neurological Disorders, Neurology Department, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | | | | | - John M.D. Storey
- TauRx Therapeutics Ltd., Singapore, Singapore
- Department of Chemistry, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
| | - Charles R. Harrington
- TauRx Therapeutics Ltd., Singapore, Singapore
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill, Aberdeen, UK
| | - Claude M. Wischik
- TauRx Therapeutics Ltd., Singapore, Singapore
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill, Aberdeen, UK
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35
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Al-Hilaly YK, Pollack SJ, Rickard JE, Simpson M, Raulin AC, Baddeley T, Schellenberger P, Storey JMD, Harrington CR, Wischik CM, Serpell LC. Cysteine-Independent Inhibition of Alzheimer's Disease-like Paired Helical Filament Assembly by Leuco-Methylthioninium (LMT). J Mol Biol 2018; 430:4119-4131. [PMID: 30121297 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2018.08.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2018] [Revised: 07/12/2018] [Accepted: 08/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease is a tauopathy characterized by pathological fibrillization of tau protein to form the paired helical filaments (PHFs), which constitute neurofibrillary tangles. The methylthioninium (MT) moiety reverses the proteolytic stability of the PHF core and is in clinical development for treatment of Alzheimer's disease in a stable reduced form as leuco-MT. It has been hypothesized that MT acts via oxidation of cysteine residues, which is incompatible with activity in the predominantly reducing environment of living cells. We have shown recently that the PHF-core tau unit assembles spontaneously in vitro to form PHF-like filaments. Here we describe studies using circular dichroism, SDS-PAGE, transmission electron microscopy and site-directed mutagenesis to elucidate the mechanism of action of the MT moiety. We show that MT inhibitory activity is optimal in reducing conditions, that the active moiety is the reduced leuco-MT form of the molecule and that its mechanism of action is cysteine independent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Youssra K Al-Hilaly
- Dementia Research Group, School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Falmer, E Sussex, BN1 9QG, United Kingdom; Chemistry Department, College of Science, Mustansiriyah University, Baghdad, Iraq
| | - Saskia J Pollack
- Dementia Research Group, School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Falmer, E Sussex, BN1 9QG, United Kingdom
| | - Janet E Rickard
- Institute of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, AB25 2ZP, United Kingdom
| | - Michael Simpson
- TauRx Therapeutics Ltd., Aberdeen, AB25 2ZP, United Kingdom; Department of Chemistry, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, AB24 3UE, United Kingdom
| | - Ana-Caroline Raulin
- Dementia Research Group, School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Falmer, E Sussex, BN1 9QG, United Kingdom
| | - Thomas Baddeley
- TauRx Therapeutics Ltd., Aberdeen, AB25 2ZP, United Kingdom; Department of Chemistry, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, AB24 3UE, United Kingdom
| | - Pascale Schellenberger
- Dementia Research Group, School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Falmer, E Sussex, BN1 9QG, United Kingdom
| | - John M D Storey
- TauRx Therapeutics Ltd., Aberdeen, AB25 2ZP, United Kingdom; Department of Chemistry, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, AB24 3UE, United Kingdom
| | - Charles R Harrington
- Institute of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, AB25 2ZP, United Kingdom; Department of Chemistry, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, AB24 3UE, United Kingdom
| | - Claude M Wischik
- Institute of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, AB25 2ZP, United Kingdom; Department of Chemistry, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, AB24 3UE, United Kingdom.
| | - Louise C Serpell
- Dementia Research Group, School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Falmer, E Sussex, BN1 9QG, United Kingdom.
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36
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Wilcock GK, Gauthier S, Frisoni GB, Jia J, Hardlund JH, Moebius HJ, Bentham P, Kook KA, Schelter BO, Wischik DJ, Davis CS, Staff RT, Vuksanovic V, Ahearn T, Bracoud L, Shamsi K, Marek K, Seibyl J, Riedel G, Storey JMD, Harrington CR, Wischik CM. Potential of Low Dose Leuco-Methylthioninium Bis(Hydromethanesulphonate) (LMTM) Monotherapy for Treatment of Mild Alzheimer's Disease: Cohort Analysis as Modified Primary Outcome in a Phase III Clinical Trial. J Alzheimers Dis 2018; 61:435-457. [PMID: 29154277 PMCID: PMC5734125 DOI: 10.3233/jad-170560] [Citation(s) in RCA: 101] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Background: LMTM is being developed as a treatment for AD based on inhibition of tau aggregation. Objectives: To examine the efficacy of LMTM as monotherapy in non-randomized cohort analyses as modified primary outcomes in an 18-month Phase III trial in mild AD. Methods: Mild AD patients (n = 800) were randomly assigned to 100 mg twice a day or 4 mg twice a day. Prior to unblinding, the Statistical Analysis Plan was revised to compare the 100 mg twice a day as monotherapy subgroup (n = 79) versus 4 mg twice a day as randomized (n = 396), and 4 mg twice a day as monotherapy (n = 76) versus 4 mg twice a day as add-on therapy (n = 297), with strong control of family-wise type I error. Results: The revised analyses were statistically significant at the required threshold of p < 0.025 in both comparisons for change in ADAS-cog, ADCS-ADL, MRI atrophy, and glucose uptake. The brain atrophy rate was initially typical of mild AD in both add-on and monotherapy groups, but after 9 months of treatment, the rate in monotherapy patients declined significantly to that reported for normal elderly controls. Differences in severity or diagnosis at baseline between monotherapy and add-on patients did not account for significant differences in favor of monotherapy. Conclusions: The results are consistent with earlier studies in supporting the hypothesis that LMTM might be effective as monotherapy and that 4 mg twice a day may serve as well as higher doses. A further suitably randomized trial is required to test this hypothesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gordon K Wilcock
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Serge Gauthier
- McGill Centre for Studies in Aging, Alzheimer's Disease Research Unit, and Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | | | - Jianping Jia
- Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders Alzheimer's Disease Centre, Beijing, China
| | | | | | - Peter Bentham
- Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health Foundation Trust, Birmingham, UK
| | | | - Bjoern O Schelter
- Institute for Complex Systems and Mathematical Biology, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
| | | | | | - Roger T Staff
- Aberdeen Biomedical Imaging Centre, School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
| | - Vesna Vuksanovic
- Aberdeen Biomedical Imaging Centre, School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
| | - Trevor Ahearn
- Aberdeen Biomedical Imaging Centre, School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
| | | | | | | | | | - Gernot Riedel
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
| | - John M D Storey
- TauRx Therapeutics, Aberdeen, UK.,Department of Chemistry, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
| | - Charles R Harrington
- TauRx Therapeutics, Aberdeen, UK.,School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
| | - Claude M Wischik
- TauRx Therapeutics, Aberdeen, UK.,School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
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37
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Schwab K, Frahm S, Horsley D, Rickard JE, Melis V, Goatman EA, Magbagbeolu M, Douglas M, Leith MG, Baddeley TC, Storey JMD, Riedel G, Wischik CM, Harrington CR, Theuring F. A Protein Aggregation Inhibitor, Leuco-Methylthioninium Bis(Hydromethanesulfonate), Decreases α-Synuclein Inclusions in a Transgenic Mouse Model of Synucleinopathy. Front Mol Neurosci 2018; 10:447. [PMID: 29375308 PMCID: PMC5767730 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2017.00447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2017] [Accepted: 12/21/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
α-Synuclein (α-Syn) aggregation is a pathological feature of synucleinopathies, neurodegenerative disorders that include Parkinson's disease (PD). We have tested whether N,N,N',N'-tetramethyl-10H-phenothiazine-3,7-diaminium bis(hydromethanesulfonate) (leuco-methylthioninium bis(hydromethanesulfonate); LMTM), a tau aggregation inhibitor, affects α-Syn aggregation in vitro and in vivo. Both cellular and transgenic models in which the expression of full-length human α-Syn (h-α-Syn) fused with a signal sequence peptide to promote α-Syn aggregation were used. Aggregated α-Syn was observed following differentiation of N1E-115 neuroblastoma cells transfected with h-α-Syn. The appearance of aggregated α-Syn was inhibited by LMTM, with an EC50 of 1.1 μM, with minimal effect on h-α-Syn mRNA levels being observed. Two independent lines of mice (L58 and L62) transgenic for the same fusion protein accumulated neuronal h-α-Syn that, with aging, developed into fibrillary inclusions characterized by both resistance to proteinase K (PK)-cleavage and their ability to bind thiazin red. There was a significant decrease in α-Syn-positive neurons in multiple brain regions following oral treatment of male and female mice with LMTM administered daily for 6 weeks at 5 and 15 mg MT/kg. The early aggregates of α-Syn and the late-stage fibrillar inclusions were both susceptible to inhibition by LMTM, a treatment that also resulted in the rescue of movement and anxiety-related traits in these mice. The results suggest that LMTM may provide a potential disease modification therapy in PD and other synucleinopathies through the inhibition of α-Syn aggregation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karima Schwab
- Institute of Pharmacology, Charite - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Silke Frahm
- Institute of Pharmacology, Charite - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - David Horsley
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
| | - Janet E Rickard
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
| | - Valeria Melis
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
| | - Elizabeth A Goatman
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
| | - Mandy Magbagbeolu
- Institute of Pharmacology, Charite - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Morag Douglas
- Department of Chemistry, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
| | - Michael G Leith
- Department of Chemistry, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
| | - Thomas C Baddeley
- Department of Chemistry, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, United Kingdom.,TauRx Therapeutics Ltd., Singapore, Singapore
| | - John M D Storey
- Department of Chemistry, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, United Kingdom.,TauRx Therapeutics Ltd., Singapore, Singapore
| | - Gernot Riedel
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
| | - Claude M Wischik
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, United Kingdom.,TauRx Therapeutics Ltd., Singapore, Singapore
| | - Charles R Harrington
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, United Kingdom.,TauRx Therapeutics Ltd., Singapore, Singapore
| | - Franz Theuring
- Institute of Pharmacology, Charite - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
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38
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Wischik CM, Schelter BO, Wischik DJ, Storey JMD, Harrington CR. Modeling Prion-Like Processing of Tau Protein in Alzheimer's Disease for Pharmaceutical Development. J Alzheimers Dis 2018; 62:1287-1303. [PMID: 29226873 PMCID: PMC5870021 DOI: 10.3233/jad-170727] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/26/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Following our discovery of a fragment from the repeat domain of tau protein as a structural constituent of the PHF-core in Alzheimer's disease (AD), we developed an assay that captured several key features of the aggregation process. Tau-tau binding through the core tau fragment could be blocked by the same diaminophenothiazines found to dissolve proteolytically stable PHFs isolated from AD brain. We found that the PHF-core tau fragment is inherently capable of auto-catalytic self-propagation in vitro, or "prion-like processing", that has now been demonstrated for several neurodegenerative disorders. Here we review the findings that led to the first clinical trials to test tau aggregation inhibitor therapy in AD as a way to block this cascade. Although further trials are still needed, the results to date suggest that a treatment targeting the prion-like processing of tau protein may have a role in both prevention and treatment of AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claude M. Wischik
- TauRx Therapeutics Ltd., Singapore
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
| | - Björn O. Schelter
- TauRx Therapeutics Ltd., Singapore
- Institute for Complex Systems and Mathematical Biology, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
| | - Damon J. Wischik
- TauRx Therapeutics Ltd., Singapore
- Computer Laboratory, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - John M. D. Storey
- TauRx Therapeutics Ltd., Singapore
- Department of Chemistry, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
| | - Charles R. Harrington
- TauRx Therapeutics Ltd., Singapore
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
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39
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Frahm S, Melis V, Horsley D, Rickard JE, Riedel G, Fadda P, Scherma M, Harrington CR, Wischik CM, Theuring F, Schwab K. Alpha-Synuclein transgenic mice, h-α-SynL62, display α-Syn aggregation and a dopaminergic phenotype reminiscent of Parkinson's disease. Behav Brain Res 2017; 339:153-168. [PMID: 29180135 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2017.11.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2017] [Revised: 11/19/2017] [Accepted: 11/20/2017] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Alpha-Synuclein (α-Syn) accumulation is considered a major risk factor for the development of synucleinopathies such as Parkinson's disease (PD) and dementia with Lewy bodies. We have generated mice overexpressing full-length human α-Syn fused to a membrane-targeting signal sequence under the control of the mouse Thy1-promotor. Three separate lines (L56, L58 and L62) with similar gene expression levels, but considerably heightened protein accumulation in L58 and L62, were established. In L62, there was widespread labelling of α-Syn immunoreactivity in brain including spinal cord, basal forebrain, cortex and striatum. Interestingly, there was no detectable α-Syn expression in dopaminergic neurones of the substantia nigra, but strong human α-Syn reactivity in glutamatergic synapses. The human α-Syn accumulated during aging and formed PK-resistant, thioflavin-binding aggregates. Mice displayed early onset bradykinesia and age progressive motor deficits. Functional alterations within the striatum were confirmed: L62 showed normal basal dopamine levels, but impaired dopamine release (upon amphetamine challenge) in the dorsal striatum measured by in vivo brain dialysis at 9 months of age. This impairment was coincident with a reduced response to amphetamine in the activity test. L62 further displayed greater sensitivity to low doses of the dopamine receptor 1 (D1) agonist SKF81297 but reacted normally to the D2 agonist quinpirole in the open field. Since accumulation of α-Syn aggregates in neurones and synapses and alterations in the dopaminergic tone are characteristics of PD, phenotypes reported for L62 present a good opportunity to further our understanding of motor dysfunction in PD and Lewy body dementia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silke Frahm
- Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Institute of Pharmacology, Hessische Str. 3-4, 10115 Berlin, Germany
| | - Valeria Melis
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, UK
| | - David Horsley
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, UK
| | - Janet E Rickard
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, UK
| | - Gernot Riedel
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, UK.
| | - Paula Fadda
- University of Cagliari, Department of Neuroscience, Cittadella Universitaria, 09042 Monserrato, Italy
| | - Maria Scherma
- University of Cagliari, Department of Neuroscience, Cittadella Universitaria, 09042 Monserrato, Italy
| | - Charles R Harrington
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, UK; TauRx Therapeutics Ltd., Singapore 068805, Singapore
| | - Claude M Wischik
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, UK; TauRx Therapeutics Ltd., Singapore 068805, Singapore
| | - Franz Theuring
- Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Institute of Pharmacology, Hessische Str. 3-4, 10115 Berlin, Germany.
| | - Karima Schwab
- Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Institute of Pharmacology, Hessische Str. 3-4, 10115 Berlin, Germany
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40
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Al-Hilaly YK, Pollack SJ, Vadukul DM, Citossi F, Rickard JE, Simpson M, Storey JM, Harrington CR, Wischik CM, Serpell LC. Alzheimer's Disease-like Paired Helical Filament Assembly from Truncated Tau Protein Is Independent of Disulfide Crosslinking. J Mol Biol 2017; 429:3650-3665. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2017.09.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2017] [Revised: 09/08/2017] [Accepted: 09/08/2017] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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41
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Schwab K, Frahm S, Magbagbeolu M, Goatman EA, Harrington CR, Wischik CM, Theuring F. [P3–041]: LMTM DECREASES α‐SYNUCLEIN PATHOLOGY AND REDUCES BEHAVIOURAL DEFECTS IN α‐SYNUCLEIN TRANSGENIC MICE. Alzheimers Dement 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jalz.2017.06.1854] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Karima Schwab
- Charité University Medicine ‐ Institute of PharmacologyBerlinGermany
| | - Silke Frahm
- Charité University Medicine ‐ Institute of PharmacologyBerlinGermany
| | - Mandy Magbagbeolu
- Charité University Medicine ‐ Institute of PharmacologyBerlinGermany
| | - Elizabeth A. Goatman
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of AberdeenAberdeenUnited Kingdom
| | | | | | - Franz Theuring
- Charité University Medicine ‐ Institute of PharmacologyBerlinGermany
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42
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Šimić G, Babić Leko M, Wray S, Harrington CR, Delalle I, Jovanov-Milošević N, Bažadona D, Buée L, de Silva R, Di Giovanni G, Wischik CM, Hof PR. Monoaminergic neuropathology in Alzheimer's disease. Prog Neurobiol 2017; 151:101-138. [PMID: 27084356 PMCID: PMC5061605 DOI: 10.1016/j.pneurobio.2016.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 184] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2015] [Revised: 03/09/2016] [Accepted: 04/05/2016] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
None of the proposed mechanisms of Alzheimer's disease (AD) fully explains the distribution patterns of the neuropathological changes at the cellular and regional levels, and their clinical correlates. One aspect of this problem lies in the complex genetic, epigenetic, and environmental landscape of AD: early-onset AD is often familial with autosomal dominant inheritance, while the vast majority of AD cases are late-onset, with the ε4 variant of the gene encoding apolipoprotein E (APOE) known to confer a 5-20 fold increased risk with partial penetrance. Mechanisms by which genetic variants and environmental factors influence the development of AD pathological changes, especially neurofibrillary degeneration, are not yet known. Here we review current knowledge of the involvement of the monoaminergic systems in AD. The changes in the serotonergic, noradrenergic, dopaminergic, histaminergic, and melatonergic systems in AD are briefly described. We also summarize the possibilities for monoamine-based treatment in AD. Besides neuropathologic AD criteria that include the noradrenergic locus coeruleus (LC), special emphasis is given to the serotonergic dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN). Both of these brainstem nuclei are among the first to be affected by tau protein abnormalities in the course of sporadic AD, causing behavioral and cognitive symptoms of variable severity. The possibility that most of the tangle-bearing neurons of the LC and DRN may release amyloid β as well as soluble monomeric or oligomeric tau protein trans-synaptically by their diffuse projections to the cerebral cortex emphasizes their selective vulnerability and warrants further investigations of the monoaminergic systems in AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Goran Šimić
- Department of Neuroscience, Croatian Institute for Brain Research, University of Zagreb School of Medicine, Zagreb, Croatia.
| | - Mirjana Babić Leko
- Department of Neuroscience, Croatian Institute for Brain Research, University of Zagreb School of Medicine, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Selina Wray
- Reta Lila Weston Institute and Department of Molecular Neuroscience, UCL Institute of Neurology, London, UK
| | | | - Ivana Delalle
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Nataša Jovanov-Milošević
- Department of Neuroscience, Croatian Institute for Brain Research, University of Zagreb School of Medicine, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Danira Bažadona
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital Center Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Luc Buée
- University of Lille, Inserm, CHU-Lille, UMR-S 1172, Alzheimer & Tauopathies, Lille, France
| | - Rohan de Silva
- Reta Lila Weston Institute and Department of Molecular Neuroscience, UCL Institute of Neurology, London, UK
| | - Giuseppe Di Giovanni
- Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Malta, Msida, Malta
| | - Claude M Wischik
- School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
| | - Patrick R Hof
- Fishberg Department of Neuroscience, Ronald M. Loeb Center for Alzheimer's Disease, and Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
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Abstract
Aggregation of tau protein is a pathological hallmark of Alzheimer's disease and other neurodegenerative tauopathies. Inhibition of tau aggregation could provide a method for the treatment of these disorders. Methods to identify tau aggregation inhibitors (TAIs) in vitro are useful and here we describe assays for TAIs using purified recombinant tau protein fragments in a cell-free immunoassay format and a stably transfected cell model to create a more physiological environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janet E Rickard
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, AB25 2ZP, Scotland, UK
- TauRx Therapeutics Ltd., Aberdeen, Scotland, UK
| | - David Horsley
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, AB25 2ZP, Scotland, UK
- TauRx Therapeutics Ltd., Aberdeen, Scotland, UK
| | - Claude M Wischik
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, AB25 2ZP, Scotland, UK
- TauRx Therapeutics Ltd., Aberdeen, Scotland, UK
| | - Charles R Harrington
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, AB25 2ZP, Scotland, UK.
- TauRx Therapeutics Ltd., Aberdeen, Scotland, UK.
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Gauthier S, Feldman HH, Schneider LS, Wilcock GK, Frisoni GB, Hardlund JH, Moebius HJ, Bentham P, Kook KA, Wischik DJ, Schelter BO, Davis CS, Staff RT, Bracoud L, Shamsi K, Storey JMD, Harrington CR, Wischik CM. Efficacy and safety of tau-aggregation inhibitor therapy in patients with mild or moderate Alzheimer's disease: a randomised, controlled, double-blind, parallel-arm, phase 3 trial. Lancet 2016; 388:2873-2884. [PMID: 27863809 PMCID: PMC5164296 DOI: 10.1016/s0140-6736(16)31275-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 197] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2016] [Revised: 07/20/2016] [Accepted: 07/21/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Leuco-methylthioninium bis(hydromethanesulfonate; LMTM), a stable reduced form of the methylthioninium moiety, acts as a selective inhibitor of tau protein aggregation both in vitro and in transgenic mouse models. Methylthioninium chloride has previously shown potential efficacy as monotherapy in patients with Alzheimer's disease. We aimed to determine whether LMTM was safe and effective in modifying disease progression in patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease. METHODS We did a 15-month, randomised, controlled double-blind, parallel-group trial at 115 academic centres and private research clinics in 16 countries in Europe, North America, Asia, and Russia with patients younger than 90 years with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease. Patients concomitantly using other medicines for Alzheimer's disease were permitted to be included because we considered it infeasible not to allow their inclusion; however, patients using medicines carrying warnings of methaemoglobinaemia were excluded because the oxidised form of methylthioninium in high doses has been shown to induce this condition. We randomly assigned participants (3:3:4) to 75 mg LMTM twice a day, 125 mg LMTM twice a day, or control (4 mg LMTM twice a day to maintain blinding with respect to urine or faecal discolouration) administered as oral tablets. We did the randomisation with an interactive web response system using 600 blocks of length ten, and stratified patients by severity of disease, global region, whether they were concomitantly using Alzheimer's disease-labelled medications, and site PET capability. Participants, their study partners (generally carers), and all assessors were masked to treatment assignment throughout the study. The coprimary outcomes were progression on the Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale-Cognitive Subscale (ADAS-Cog) and the Alzheimer's Disease Co-operative Study-Activities of Daily Living Inventory (ADCS-ADL) scales from baseline assessed at week 65 in the modified intention-to-treat population. This trial is registered with Clinicaltrials.gov (NCT01689246) and the European Union Clinical Trials Registry (2012-002866-11). FINDINGS Between Jan 29, 2013, and June 26, 2014, we recruited and randomly assigned 891 participants to treatment (357 to control, 268 to 75 mg LMTM twice a day, and 266 to 125 mg LMTM twice a day). The prespecified primary analyses did not show any treatment benefit at either of the doses tested for the coprimary outcomes (change in ADAS-Cog score compared with control [n=354, 6·32, 95% CI 5·31-7·34]: 75 mg LMTM twice a day [n=257] -0·02, -1·60 to 1·56, p=0·9834, 125 mg LMTM twice a day [n=250] -0·43, -2·06 to 1·20, p=0·9323; change in ADCS-ADL score compared with control [-8·22, 95% CI -9·63 to -6·82]: 75 mg LMTM twice a day -0·93, -3·12 to 1·26, p=0·8659; 125 mg LMTM twice a day -0·34, -2·61 to 1·93, p=0·9479). Gastrointestinal and urinary effects were the most common adverse events with both high doses of LMTM, and the most common causes for discontinuation. Non-clinically significant dose-dependent reductions in haemoglobin concentrations were the most common laboratory abnormality. Amyloid-related imaging abnormalities were noted in less than 1% (8/885) of participants. INTERPRETATION The primary analysis for this study was negative, and the results do not suggest benefit of LMTM as an add-on treatment for patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease. Findings from a recently completed 18-month trial of patients with mild Alzheimer's disease will be reported soon. FUNDING TauRx Therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Serge Gauthier
- McGill Centre for Studies in Aging, Alzheimer's Disease Research Unit, and Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Howard H Feldman
- Department of Neurosciences, School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Lon S Schneider
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, and Department of Neurology, Keck School of Medicine, Leonard Davis School of Gerontology of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Gordon K Wilcock
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Bjoern O Schelter
- Institute for Complex Systems and Mathematical Biology, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
| | | | - Roger T Staff
- Aberdeen Biomedical Imaging Centre, School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
| | | | | | - John M D Storey
- Department of Chemistry, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
| | - Charles R Harrington
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
| | - Claude M Wischik
- TauRx Therapeutics, Aberdeen, UK; School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK.
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Gauthier S, Feldman HH, Schneider LS, Wilcock G, Frisoni GB, Hardlund J, Kook K, Wischik DJ, Schelter BO, Storey JM, Harrington CR, Wischik CM. O4‐08‐02: Phase 3 Trial of the TAU Aggregation Inhibitor Leuco‐Methylthioninium‐Bis (Hydromethanesulfonate) (Lmtm) in Mild to Moderate Alzheimer's Disease. Alzheimers Dement 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jalz.2016.06.650] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Serge Gauthier
- McGill University Research Centre for Studies in AgingVerdunQC Canada
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - John M. Storey
- TauRx Therapeutics LtdAberdeenUnited Kingdom
- University of AberdeenAberdeenUnited Kingdom
| | - Charles R. Harrington
- TauRx Therapeutics LtdAberdeenUnited Kingdom
- University of AberdeenAberdeenUnited Kingdom
| | - Claude M. Wischik
- TauRx Therapeutics LtdAberdeenUnited Kingdom
- University of AberdeenAberdeenUnited Kingdom
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46
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Lai RYK, Harrington CR, Wischik CM. Absence of a Role for Phosphorylation in the Tau Pathology of Alzheimer's Disease. Biomolecules 2016; 6:biom6020019. [PMID: 27070645 PMCID: PMC4919914 DOI: 10.3390/biom6020019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2015] [Revised: 03/20/2016] [Accepted: 03/31/2016] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer’s disease is characterized by redistribution of the tau protein pool from soluble to aggregated states. Aggregation forms proteolytically stable core polymers restricted to the repeat domain, and this binding interaction has prion-like properties. We have compared the binding properties of tau and tubulin in vitro using a system in which we can measure binding affinities for proteins alternated between solid and aqueous phases. The study reveals that a phase-shifted repeat domain fragment from the Paired Helical Filament core contains all that is required for high affinity tau-tau binding. Unlike tau-tubulin binding, tau-tau binding shows concentration-dependent enhancement in both phase directions due to an avidity effect which permits one molecule to bind to many as the concentration in the opposite phase increases. Phosphorylation of tau inhibits tau-tau binding and tau-tubulin binding to equivalent extents. Tau-tau binding is favoured over tau-tubulin binding by factors in the range 19–41-fold, irrespective of phosphorylation status. A critical requirement for tau to become aggregation-competent is prior binding to a solid-phase substrate, which induces a conformational change in the repeat domain permitting high-affinity binding to occur even if tau is phosphorylated. The endogenous species enabling this nucleation event to occur in vivo remains to be identified. The findings of the study suggest that development of disease-modifying drugs for tauopathies should not target phosphorylation, but rather should target inhibitors of tau-tau binding or inhibitors of the binding interaction with as yet unidentified endogenous polyanionic substrates required to nucleate tau assembly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert Y K Lai
- Medical Research Council Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge CB2 0QH, UK.
| | - Charles R Harrington
- TauRx Therapeutics Ltd. and School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Scotland AB25 2ZP, UK.
| | - Claude M Wischik
- TauRx Therapeutics Ltd. and School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Scotland AB25 2ZP, UK.
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47
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Wischik CM, Staff RT, Wischik DJ, Bentham P, Murray AD, Storey JMD, Kook KA, Harrington CR. Tau aggregation inhibitor therapy: an exploratory phase 2 study in mild or moderate Alzheimer's disease. J Alzheimers Dis 2015; 44:705-20. [PMID: 25550228 DOI: 10.3233/jad-142874] [Citation(s) in RCA: 170] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND As tau aggregation pathology correlates with clinical dementia in Alzheimer's disease (AD), a tau aggregation inhibitor (TAI) could have therapeutic utility. Methylthioninium (MT) acts as a selective TAI in vitro and reduces tau pathology in transgenic mouse models. OBJECTIVE To determine the minimum safe and effective dose of MT required to prevent disease progression on clinical and functional molecular imaging outcomes. METHODS An exploratory double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, dose-finding trial of MT (69, 138, and 228 mg/day) was conducted in 321 mild/moderate AD subjects. The primary outcome was change on the Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale-cognitive subscale (ADAS-cog) at 24 weeks relative to baseline severity. Effect of treatment on regional cerebral blood flow decline was determined in a sub-study in 135 subjects. After 24 weeks, subjects were re-consented to enter sequential 6- and 12-month blinded extension phases. Registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT00515333). RESULTS At 24 weeks, there were significant treatment benefits in two independent populations at the 138 mg/day dose: in moderate subjects on the ADAS-cog scale (treatment effect: -5.42 units, corrected p = 0.047) and two other clinical scales; in mild subjects on the more sensitive regional cerebral blood flow measure (treatment effect: 1.97%, corrected p < 0.001). With continued treatment for 50 weeks, benefit was seen on the ADAS-cog scale in both mild and moderate subjects. The delivery of the highest dose was impaired due to dose-dependent dissolution and absorption limitations. CONCLUSION The minimum safe and effective daily MT dose is 138 mg and suggests that further study of MT is warranted in AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claude M Wischik
- School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
| | - Roger T Staff
- Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, NHS Grampian, Aberdeen, UK
| | | | - Peter Bentham
- College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Alison D Murray
- Aberdeen Biomedical Imaging Centre, School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
| | - John M D Storey
- Department of Chemistry, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
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48
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Harrington CR, Storey JMD, Clunas S, Harrington KA, Horsley D, Ishaq A, Kemp SJ, Larch CP, Marshall C, Nicoll SL, Rickard JE, Simpson M, Sinclair JP, Storey LJ, Wischik CM. Cellular Models of Aggregation-dependent Template-directed Proteolysis to Characterize Tau Aggregation Inhibitors for Treatment of Alzheimer Disease. J Biol Chem 2015; 290:10862-75. [PMID: 25759392 PMCID: PMC4409250 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m114.616029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2014] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer disease (AD) is a degenerative tauopathy characterized by aggregation of Tau protein through the repeat domain to form intraneuronal paired helical filaments (PHFs). We report two cell models in which we control the inherent toxicity of the core Tau fragment. These models demonstrate the properties of prion-like recruitment of full-length Tau into an aggregation pathway in which template-directed, endogenous truncation propagates aggregation through the core Tau binding domain. We use these in combination with dissolution of native PHFs to quantify the activity of Tau aggregation inhibitors (TAIs). We report the synthesis of novel stable crystalline leucomethylthioninium salts (LMTX®), which overcome the pharmacokinetic limitations of methylthioninium chloride. LMTX®, as either a dihydromesylate or a dihydrobromide salt, retains TAI activity in vitro and disrupts PHFs isolated from AD brain tissues at 0.16 μM. The Ki value for intracellular TAI activity, which we have been able to determine for the first time, is 0.12 μM. These values are close to the steady state trough brain concentration of methylthioninium ion (0.18 μM) that is required to arrest progression of AD on clinical and imaging end points and the minimum brain concentration (0.13 μM) required to reverse behavioral deficits and pathology in Tau transgenic mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charles R Harrington
- From the School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen AB25 2ZP, United Kingdom, TauRx Therapeutics Ltd., Singapore 068805, and the Department of Chemistry, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen AB24 3UE, United Kingdom
| | - John M D Storey
- TauRx Therapeutics Ltd., Singapore 068805, and the Department of Chemistry, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen AB24 3UE, United Kingdom
| | - Scott Clunas
- the Department of Chemistry, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen AB24 3UE, United Kingdom
| | - Kathleen A Harrington
- From the School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen AB25 2ZP, United Kingdom
| | - David Horsley
- From the School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen AB25 2ZP, United Kingdom
| | - Ahtsham Ishaq
- the Department of Chemistry, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen AB24 3UE, United Kingdom
| | - Steven J Kemp
- the Department of Chemistry, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen AB24 3UE, United Kingdom
| | - Christopher P Larch
- the Department of Chemistry, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen AB24 3UE, United Kingdom
| | - Colin Marshall
- the Department of Chemistry, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen AB24 3UE, United Kingdom
| | - Sarah L Nicoll
- the Department of Chemistry, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen AB24 3UE, United Kingdom
| | - Janet E Rickard
- From the School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen AB25 2ZP, United Kingdom
| | - Michael Simpson
- the Department of Chemistry, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen AB24 3UE, United Kingdom
| | - James P Sinclair
- the Department of Chemistry, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen AB24 3UE, United Kingdom
| | - Lynda J Storey
- the Department of Chemistry, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen AB24 3UE, United Kingdom
| | - Claude M Wischik
- From the School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen AB25 2ZP, United Kingdom, TauRx Therapeutics Ltd., Singapore 068805, and
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49
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Flores-Rodríguez P, Ontiveros-Torres MA, Cárdenas-Aguayo MC, Luna-Arias JP, Meraz-Ríos MA, Viramontes-Pintos A, Harrington CR, Wischik CM, Mena R, Florán-Garduño B, Luna-Muñoz J. The relationship between truncation and phosphorylation at the C-terminus of tau protein in the paired helical filaments of Alzheimer's disease. Front Neurosci 2015; 9:33. [PMID: 25717290 PMCID: PMC4324067 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2015.00033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2014] [Accepted: 01/22/2015] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
We previously demonstrated that, in the early stages of tau processing in Alzheimer's disease, the N-terminal part of the molecule undergoes a characteristic cascade of phosphorylation and progressive misfolding of the proteins resulting in a structural conformation detected by Alz-50. In this immunohistochemical study of AD brain tissue, we have found that C-terminal truncation of tau at Asp-421 was an early event in tau aggregation and analyzed the relationship between phospho-dependent tau epitopes located at the C-terminus with truncation at Glu-391. The aim of this study was to determine whether C-terminal truncation may trigger events leading to the assembly of insoluble PHFs from soluble tau aggregates present in pre-tangle cells. Our findings suggest that there is a complex interaction between phosphorylated and truncated tau species. A model is presented here in which truncated tau protein represents an early neurotoxic species while phosphorylated tau species may provide a neuroprotective role in Alzheimer's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paola Flores-Rodríguez
- Departments of Physiology, Biophysics, and Neurosciences, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del IPN (Instituto Politecnico Nacional) Gustavo A. Madero, Mexico
| | - Miguel A Ontiveros-Torres
- Departments of Cell Biology, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del IPN (Instituto Politecnico Nacional) Gustavo A. Madero, Mexico
| | - María C Cárdenas-Aguayo
- Departments of Molecular Biomedicine, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del IPN (Instituto Politecnico Nacional) Gustavo A. Madero, Mexico
| | - Juan P Luna-Arias
- Departments of Cell Biology, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del IPN (Instituto Politecnico Nacional) Gustavo A. Madero, Mexico
| | - Marco A Meraz-Ríos
- Departments of Molecular Biomedicine, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del IPN (Instituto Politecnico Nacional) Gustavo A. Madero, Mexico
| | - Amparo Viramontes-Pintos
- Brain Bank-Laboratorio Nacional de Servicios Experimentales, Department of National Laboratories of Experimental Services, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politecnico Nacional Gustavo A. Madero, Mexico
| | | | - Claude M Wischik
- School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Aberdeen Aberdeen, UK
| | - Raúl Mena
- Departments of Physiology, Biophysics, and Neurosciences, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del IPN (Instituto Politecnico Nacional) Gustavo A. Madero, Mexico
| | - Benjamin Florán-Garduño
- Departments of Physiology, Biophysics, and Neurosciences, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del IPN (Instituto Politecnico Nacional) Gustavo A. Madero, Mexico
| | - José Luna-Muñoz
- Brain Bank-Laboratorio Nacional de Servicios Experimentales, Department of National Laboratories of Experimental Services, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politecnico Nacional Gustavo A. Madero, Mexico
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50
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Baddeley TC, McCaffrey J, Storey JMD, Cheung JKS, Melis V, Horsley D, Harrington CR, Wischik CM. Complex disposition of methylthioninium redox forms determines efficacy in tau aggregation inhibitor therapy for Alzheimer's disease. J Pharmacol Exp Ther 2014; 352:110-8. [PMID: 25320049 DOI: 10.1124/jpet.114.219352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Methylthioninium (MT) is a tau aggregation inhibitor with therapeutic potential in Alzheimer's disease (AD). MT exists in equilibrium between reduced [leucomethylthioninium (LMT)] and oxidized (MT(+)) forms; as a chloride salt [methylthioninium chloride (MTC), "methylene blue"], it is stabilized in its MT(+) form. Although the results of a phase 2 study of MTC in 321 mild/moderate AD subjects identified a 138-mg MT/day dose as the minimum effective dose on cognitive and imaging end points, further clinical development of MT was delayed pending resolution of the unexpected lack of efficacy of the 228-mg MT/day dose. We hypothesized that the failure of dose response may depend on differences known at the time in dissolution in simulated gastric and intestinal fluids of the 100-mg MTC capsules used to deliver the 228-mg dose and reflect previously unsuspected differences in redox processing of MT at different levels in the gut. The synthesis of a novel chemical entity, LMTX (providing LMT in a stable anhydrous crystalline form), has enabled a systematic comparison of the pharmacokinetic properties of MTC and LMTX in preclinical and clinical studies. The quantity of MT released in water or gastric fluid within 60 minutes proved in retrospect to be an important determinant of clinical efficacy. A further factor was a dose-dependent limitation in the ability to absorb MT in the presence of food when delivered in the MT(+) form as MTC. A model is presented to account for the complexity of MT absorption, which may have relevance for other similar redox molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas C Baddeley
- Department of Chemistry (T.C.B., J.M.D.S.), School of Medicine and Dentistry (J.K.S.C., V.M., D.H., C.R.H., C.M.W.),University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, United Kingdom; and Salamandra LLC, Washington, DC (J.M.)
| | - Jennifer McCaffrey
- Department of Chemistry (T.C.B., J.M.D.S.), School of Medicine and Dentistry (J.K.S.C., V.M., D.H., C.R.H., C.M.W.),University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, United Kingdom; and Salamandra LLC, Washington, DC (J.M.)
| | - John M D Storey
- Department of Chemistry (T.C.B., J.M.D.S.), School of Medicine and Dentistry (J.K.S.C., V.M., D.H., C.R.H., C.M.W.),University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, United Kingdom; and Salamandra LLC, Washington, DC (J.M.)
| | - John K S Cheung
- Department of Chemistry (T.C.B., J.M.D.S.), School of Medicine and Dentistry (J.K.S.C., V.M., D.H., C.R.H., C.M.W.),University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, United Kingdom; and Salamandra LLC, Washington, DC (J.M.)
| | - Valeria Melis
- Department of Chemistry (T.C.B., J.M.D.S.), School of Medicine and Dentistry (J.K.S.C., V.M., D.H., C.R.H., C.M.W.),University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, United Kingdom; and Salamandra LLC, Washington, DC (J.M.)
| | - David Horsley
- Department of Chemistry (T.C.B., J.M.D.S.), School of Medicine and Dentistry (J.K.S.C., V.M., D.H., C.R.H., C.M.W.),University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, United Kingdom; and Salamandra LLC, Washington, DC (J.M.)
| | - Charles R Harrington
- Department of Chemistry (T.C.B., J.M.D.S.), School of Medicine and Dentistry (J.K.S.C., V.M., D.H., C.R.H., C.M.W.),University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, United Kingdom; and Salamandra LLC, Washington, DC (J.M.)
| | - Claude M Wischik
- Department of Chemistry (T.C.B., J.M.D.S.), School of Medicine and Dentistry (J.K.S.C., V.M., D.H., C.R.H., C.M.W.),University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, United Kingdom; and Salamandra LLC, Washington, DC (J.M.)
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