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Buniatian GH, Schwinghammer U, Tremmel R, Cynis H, Weiss TS, Weiskirchen R, Lauschke VM, Youhanna S, Ramos I, Valcarcel M, Seferyan T, Rahfeld JU, Rieckmann V, Klein K, Buadze M, Weber V, Kolak V, Gebhardt R, Friedman SL, Müller UC, Schwab M, Danielyan L. Consequences of Amyloid-β Deficiency for the Liver. Adv Sci (Weinh) 2024:e2307734. [PMID: 38430535 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202307734] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2023] [Revised: 01/27/2024] [Indexed: 03/04/2024]
Abstract
The hepatic content of amyloid beta (Aβ) decreases drastically in human and rodent cirrhosis highlighting the importance of understanding the consequences of Aβ deficiency in the liver. This is especially relevant in view of recent advances in anti-Aβ therapies for Alzheimer's disease (AD). Here, it is shown that partial hepatic loss of Aβ in transgenic AD mice immunized with Aβ antibody 3D6 and its absence in amyloid precursor protein (APP) knockout mice (APP-KO), as well as in human liver spheroids with APP knockdown upregulates classical hallmarks of fibrosis, smooth muscle alpha-actin, and collagen type I. Aβ absence in APP-KO and deficiency in immunized mice lead to strong activation of transforming growth factor-β (TGFβ), alpha secretases, NOTCH pathway, inflammation, decreased permeability of liver sinusoids, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition. Inversely, increased systemic and intrahepatic levels of Aβ42 in transgenic AD mice and neprilysin inhibitor LBQ657-treated wild-type mice protect the liver against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4 )-induced injury. Transcriptomic analysis of CCl4 -treated transgenic AD mouse livers uncovers the regulatory effects of Aβ42 on mitochondrial function, lipid metabolism, and its onco-suppressive effects accompanied by reduced synthesis of extracellular matrix proteins. Combined, these data reveal Aβ as an indispensable regulator of cell-cell interactions in healthy liver and a powerful protector against liver fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gayane Hrachia Buniatian
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, University Hospital of Tuebingen, Auf der Morgenstelle 8, 72076, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Ute Schwinghammer
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, University Hospital of Tuebingen, Auf der Morgenstelle 8, 72076, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Roman Tremmel
- Dr. Margarete Fischer-Bosch Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Auerbachstr. 112, 70376, Stuttgart, Germany
- University of Tuebingen, 72074, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Holger Cynis
- Department of Drug Design and Target Validation, Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Weinbergweg 22, 06120, Halle (Saale), Germany
- Junior Research Group, Immunomodulation in Pathophysiological Processes, Faculty of Medicine, Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, Weinbergweg 22, 06120, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Thomas S Weiss
- Children's University Hospital (KUNO), University Hospital Regensburg, Franz-Josef-Strauss-Allee 11, 93053, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Ralf Weiskirchen
- Institute of Molecular Pathobiochemistry, Experimental Gene Therapy and Clinical Chemistry, RWTH University Hospital Aachen, Pauwelsstr. 30, 52074, Aachen, Germany
| | - Volker M Lauschke
- Dr. Margarete Fischer-Bosch Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Auerbachstr. 112, 70376, Stuttgart, Germany
- University of Tuebingen, 72074, Tuebingen, Germany
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, 171 77, Sweden
| | - Sonia Youhanna
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, 171 77, Sweden
| | - Isbaal Ramos
- Innovative Technologies in Biological Systems SL (INNOPROT), Bizkaia, Derio, 48160, Spain
| | - Maria Valcarcel
- Innovative Technologies in Biological Systems SL (INNOPROT), Bizkaia, Derio, 48160, Spain
| | - Torgom Seferyan
- H. Buniatian Institute of Biochemistry, National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Armenia (NAS RA), 5/1 Paruir Sevak St., Yerevan, 0014, Armenia
| | - Jens-Ulrich Rahfeld
- Department of Drug Design and Target Validation, Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Weinbergweg 22, 06120, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Vera Rieckmann
- Department of Drug Design and Target Validation, Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Weinbergweg 22, 06120, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Kathrin Klein
- Dr. Margarete Fischer-Bosch Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Auerbachstr. 112, 70376, Stuttgart, Germany
- University of Tuebingen, 72074, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Marine Buadze
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, University Hospital of Tuebingen, Auf der Morgenstelle 8, 72076, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Victoria Weber
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, University Hospital of Tuebingen, Auf der Morgenstelle 8, 72076, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Valentina Kolak
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, University Hospital of Tuebingen, Auf der Morgenstelle 8, 72076, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Rolf Gebhardt
- Rudolf-Schönheimer Institute of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Leipzig, Johannisstraße 30, 04103, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Scott L Friedman
- Division of Liver Diseases, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 1425 Madison Ave, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Ulrike C Müller
- Institute for Pharmacy and Molecular Biotechnology IPMB, Department of Functional Genomics, University of Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 364, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Matthias Schwab
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, University Hospital of Tuebingen, Auf der Morgenstelle 8, 72076, Tuebingen, Germany
- Dr. Margarete Fischer-Bosch Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Auerbachstr. 112, 70376, Stuttgart, Germany
- Departments of Biochemistry and Clinical Pharmacology, and Neuroscience Laboratory, Yerevan State Medical University, 2- Koryun St, Yerevan, 0025, Armenia
- Cluster of Excellence iFIT (EXC2180) "Image-guided and Functionally Instructed Tumor Therapies", University of Tübingen, 72076, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Lusine Danielyan
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, University Hospital of Tuebingen, Auf der Morgenstelle 8, 72076, Tuebingen, Germany
- Departments of Biochemistry and Clinical Pharmacology, and Neuroscience Laboratory, Yerevan State Medical University, 2- Koryun St, Yerevan, 0025, Armenia
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Barendrecht S, Schreurs A, Geissler S, Sabanov V, Ilse V, Rieckmann V, Eichentopf R, Künemund A, Hietel B, Wussow S, Hoffmann K, Körber-Ferl K, Pandey R, Carter GW, Demuth HU, Holzer M, Roßner S, Schilling S, Preuss C, Balschun D, Cynis H. A novel human tau knock-in mouse model reveals interaction of Abeta and human tau under progressing cerebral amyloidosis in 5xFAD mice. Alzheimers Res Ther 2023; 15:16. [PMID: 36641439 PMCID: PMC9840277 DOI: 10.1186/s13195-022-01144-y] [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] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2022] [Accepted: 12/14/2022] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hyperphosphorylation and intraneuronal aggregation of the microtubule-associated protein tau is a major pathological hallmark of Alzheimer's disease (AD) brain. Of special interest is the effect of cerebral amyloid beta deposition, the second main hallmark of AD, on human tau pathology. Therefore, studying the influence of cerebral amyloidosis on human tau in a novel human tau knock-in (htau-KI) mouse model could help to reveal new details on their interplay. METHODS We studied the effects of a novel human htau-KI under fast-progressing amyloidosis in 5xFAD mice in terms of correlation of gene expression data with human brain regions, development of Alzheimer's-like pathology, synaptic transmission, and behavior. RESULTS The main findings are an interaction of human beta-amyloid and human tau in crossbred 5xFADxhtau-KI observed at transcriptional level and corroborated by electrophysiology and histopathology. The comparison of gene expression data of the 5xFADxhtau-KI mouse model to 5xFAD, control mice and to human AD patients revealed conspicuous changes in pathways related to mitochondria biology, extracellular matrix, and immune function. These changes were accompanied by plaque-associated MC1-positive pathological tau that required the htau-KI background. LTP deficits were noted in 5xFAD and htau-KI mice in contrast to signs of rescue in 5xFADxhtau-KI mice. Increased frequencies of miniature EPSCs and miniature IPSCs indicated an upregulated presynaptic function in 5xFADxhtau-KI. CONCLUSION In summary, the multiple interactions observed between knocked-in human tau and the 5xFAD-driven progressing amyloidosis have important implications for future model development in AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susan Barendrecht
- grid.418008.50000 0004 0494 3022Department of Drug Design and Target Validation, Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Weinbergweg 22, 06120 Halle, Germany
| | - An Schreurs
- grid.5596.f0000 0001 0668 7884KU Leuven, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Brain & Cognition, Tiensestraat 102, box 3714, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Stefanie Geissler
- grid.418008.50000 0004 0494 3022Department of Drug Design and Target Validation, Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Weinbergweg 22, 06120 Halle, Germany
| | - Victor Sabanov
- grid.5596.f0000 0001 0668 7884KU Leuven, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Brain & Cognition, Tiensestraat 102, box 3714, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Victoria Ilse
- grid.418008.50000 0004 0494 3022Department of Drug Design and Target Validation, Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Weinbergweg 22, 06120 Halle, Germany
| | - Vera Rieckmann
- grid.418008.50000 0004 0494 3022Department of Drug Design and Target Validation, Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Weinbergweg 22, 06120 Halle, Germany
| | - Rico Eichentopf
- grid.5596.f0000 0001 0668 7884KU Leuven, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Brain & Cognition, Tiensestraat 102, box 3714, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Anja Künemund
- grid.418008.50000 0004 0494 3022Department of Drug Design and Target Validation, Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Weinbergweg 22, 06120 Halle, Germany
| | - Benjamin Hietel
- grid.418008.50000 0004 0494 3022Department of Drug Design and Target Validation, Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Weinbergweg 22, 06120 Halle, Germany
| | - Sebastian Wussow
- grid.418008.50000 0004 0494 3022Department of Drug Design and Target Validation, Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Weinbergweg 22, 06120 Halle, Germany
| | - Katrin Hoffmann
- grid.9018.00000 0001 0679 2801Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Institute for Human Genetics, Magdeburger Strasse 2, 06112 Halle, Germany
| | - Kerstin Körber-Ferl
- grid.9018.00000 0001 0679 2801Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Institute for Human Genetics, Magdeburger Strasse 2, 06112 Halle, Germany
| | - Ravi Pandey
- grid.249880.f0000 0004 0374 0039The Jackson Laboratory, 600 Main St, Bar Harbor, ME 04609 USA
| | - Gregory W. Carter
- grid.249880.f0000 0004 0374 0039The Jackson Laboratory, 600 Main St, Bar Harbor, ME 04609 USA
| | - Hans-Ulrich Demuth
- grid.418008.50000 0004 0494 3022Department of Drug Design and Target Validation, Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Weinbergweg 22, 06120 Halle, Germany
| | - Max Holzer
- Paul Flechsig Institute for Brain Research, Leipzig University, Liebigstraße 19, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Steffen Roßner
- Paul Flechsig Institute for Brain Research, Leipzig University, Liebigstraße 19, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Stephan Schilling
- grid.418008.50000 0004 0494 3022Department of Drug Design and Target Validation, Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Weinbergweg 22, 06120 Halle, Germany ,grid.427932.90000 0001 0692 3664Anhalt University of Applied Sciences, Bernburger Straße 55, 06366 Köthen, Germany
| | - Christoph Preuss
- grid.249880.f0000 0004 0374 0039The Jackson Laboratory, 600 Main St, Bar Harbor, ME 04609 USA
| | - Detlef Balschun
- grid.5596.f0000 0001 0668 7884KU Leuven, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Brain & Cognition, Tiensestraat 102, box 3714, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Holger Cynis
- grid.418008.50000 0004 0494 3022Department of Drug Design and Target Validation, Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Weinbergweg 22, 06120 Halle, Germany
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Ilse V, Scholz R, Wermann M, Naumann M, Staege MS, Roßner S, Cynis H. Immunogenicity of the Envelope Surface Unit of Human Endogenous Retrovirus K18 in Mice. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23158330. [PMID: 35955468 PMCID: PMC9369184 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23158330] [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] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2022] [Revised: 07/21/2022] [Accepted: 07/25/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The triggers for the development of multiple sclerosis (MS) have not been fully understood to date. One hypothesis proposes a viral etiology. Interestingly, viral proteins from human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) may play a role in the pathogenesis of MS. Allelic variants of the HERV-K18 env gene represent a genetic risk factor for MS, and the envelope protein is considered to be an Epstein–Barr virus-trans-activated superantigen. To further specify a possible role for HERV-K18 in MS, the present study examined the immunogenicity of the purified surface unit (SU). HERV-K18(SU) induced envelope-specific plasma IgG in immunized mice and triggered proliferation of T cells isolated from these mice. It did not trigger phenotypic changes in a mouse model of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis. Further studies are needed to investigate the underlying mechanisms of HERV-K18 interaction with immune system regulators in more detail.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria Ilse
- Department of Drug Design and Target Validation, Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Weinbergweg 22, 06120 Halle, Germany; (V.I.); (R.S.); (M.W.); (M.N.)
| | - Rebekka Scholz
- Department of Drug Design and Target Validation, Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Weinbergweg 22, 06120 Halle, Germany; (V.I.); (R.S.); (M.W.); (M.N.)
| | - Michael Wermann
- Department of Drug Design and Target Validation, Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Weinbergweg 22, 06120 Halle, Germany; (V.I.); (R.S.); (M.W.); (M.N.)
| | - Marcel Naumann
- Department of Drug Design and Target Validation, Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Weinbergweg 22, 06120 Halle, Germany; (V.I.); (R.S.); (M.W.); (M.N.)
| | - Martin S. Staege
- Department of Surgical and Conservative Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Medical Faculty, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Ernst-Grube-Str. 40, 06097 Halle, Germany;
| | - Steffen Roßner
- Paul Flechsig Institute for Brain Research, Leipzig University, Liebigstraße 19, 04103 Leipzig, Germany;
| | - Holger Cynis
- Department of Drug Design and Target Validation, Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Weinbergweg 22, 06120 Halle, Germany; (V.I.); (R.S.); (M.W.); (M.N.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-345-13142835; Fax: +49-345-13142801
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4
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Gnoth K, Geissler S, Ilse V, Rahfeld J, Cynis H, Schilling S. Combinational therapy, concomitantly targeting post‐translational modified Aβ peptides and CD33, leads to an add‐on effect in passive immunotherapy. Alzheimers Dement 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/alz.058479] [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: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Kathrin Gnoth
- Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology Halle Germany
| | | | | | | | - Holger Cynis
- Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology Halle Germany
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5
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Engel K, Wieland L, Krüger A, Volkmer I, Cynis H, Emmer A, Staege MS. Identification of Differentially Expressed Human Endogenous Retrovirus Families in Human Leukemia and Lymphoma Cell Lines and Stem Cells. Front Oncol 2021; 11:637981. [PMID: 33996550 PMCID: PMC8117144 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.637981] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [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: 12/04/2020] [Accepted: 04/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Endogenous retroviruses (ERVs) are becoming more and more relevant in cancer research and might be potential targets. The oncogenic potential of human ERVs (HERVs) has been recognized and includes immunosuppression, cell fusion, antigenicity of viral proteins, and regulation of neighboring genes. To decipher the role of HERVs in human cancers, we used a bioinformatics approach and analyzed RNA sequencing data from the LL-100 panel, covering 22 entities of hematopoietic neoplasias including T cell, B cell and myeloid malignancies. We compared HERV expression in this panel with hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs), embryonic stem cells (ESCs) and normal blood cells. RNA sequencing data were mapped against a comprehensive synthetic viral metagenome with 116 HERV sequences from 14 different HERV families. Of these, 13 HERV families and elements were differently expressed in malignant hematopoietic cells and stem cells. We found transcriptional upregulation of HERVE family in acute megakaryocytic and erythroid leukemia and of HERVFc family in multiple myeloma/plasma cell leukemia (PCL). The HERVFc member HERVFc-1 was found transcriptionally active in the multiple myeloma cell line OPM-2 and also in the Hodgkin lymphoma cell line L-428. The expression of HERVFc-1 in L-428 cells was validated by qRT-PCR. We also confirm transcriptional downregulation of ERV3 in acute megakaryocytic and erythroid leukemia, and HERVK in acute monocytic and myelocytic leukemia and a depression of HERVF in all malignant entities. Most of the higher expressed HERV families could be detected in stem cells including HERVK (HML-2), HERV-like, HERVV, HERVT, ERV9, HERVW, HERVF, HERVMER, ERV3, HERVH and HERVPABLB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristina Engel
- Department of Surgical and Conservative Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
| | - Lisa Wieland
- Department of Surgical and Conservative Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany.,Department of Neurology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
| | - Anna Krüger
- Department of Surgical and Conservative Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
| | - Ines Volkmer
- Department of Surgical and Conservative Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
| | - Holger Cynis
- Department of Drug Design and Target Validation, Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Halle, Germany
| | - Alexander Emmer
- Department of Neurology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
| | - Martin S Staege
- Department of Surgical and Conservative Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
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6
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Weyerer V, Strissel PL, Stöhr C, Eckstein M, Wach S, Taubert H, Brandl L, Geppert CI, Wullich B, Cynis H, Beckmann MW, Seliger B, Hartmann A, Strick R. Endogenous Retroviral-K Envelope Is a Novel Tumor Antigen and Prognostic Indicator of Renal Cell Carcinoma. Front Oncol 2021; 11:657187. [PMID: 33968761 PMCID: PMC8100683 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2021.657187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [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: 01/22/2021] [Accepted: 04/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is one of the ten most common cancers for men and women with an approximate 75% overall 5-year survival. Sixteen histological tumor subtypes exist and the most common are papillary, chromophobe and clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) representing 85% of all RCC. Although epigenetically silenced, endogenous retroviral (ERV) genes become activated in tumors and function to ignite immune responses. Research has intensified to understand ERV protein function and their role as tumor antigens and targets for cancer (immune) therapy. ERV-K env is overexpressed and implicated as a therapeutic target for breast cancer, however studies in RCC are limited. In this investigation a human RCC tissue microarray (TMA) (n=374) predominantly consisting of the most common histological tumor subtypes was hybridized with an ERV-K env antibody and correlated with patient clinical data. TMA results showed the highest amount of ERV-K env protein expression and the strongest significant membrane expression in ccRCC versus other RCC subtypes. High ERV-K env total protein expression of all tumor subtypes significantly correlated with low tumor grading and a longer disease specific survival using multivariable analyses. Cell proliferation and invasion were assayed using the kidney cell lines HEK293 with wild-type p53 and a ccRCC cell line MZ1257RC mutated for p53. Transfecting these cell lines with a codon optimized ERV-K113 env overexpressing CMV vector was performed with or without 5’-Aza-2’-deoxycytidine (Aza) treatment to sustain promoter de-methylation. MZ1257RC showed induction of ERV-K113 expression and significantly increased both proliferation and invasion in the presence or absence of Aza. HEK293 cells demonstrated a restriction of ERV-K113 env expression and invasion with no changes in proliferation in the absence of Aza. However, in the presence of Aza despite increased ERV-K113 env expression, an inhibition of HEK293 proliferation and a further restriction of invasion was found. This study supports ERV-K env as a single prognostic indicator for better survival of RCC, which we propose represents a new tumor antigen. In addition, ERV-K env significantly regulates proliferation and invasion depending on p53 status and Aza treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veronika Weyerer
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nuernberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Pamela L Strissel
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nuernberg, Erlangen, Germany.,Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital Erlangen, Comprehensive Cancer Center, European Metropolitan Area Erlangen-Nuremberg (CCC ER-EMN), Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nuernberg, Erlangen, Germany.,Adjunct Affiliation With Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Christine Stöhr
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nuernberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Markus Eckstein
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nuernberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Sven Wach
- Department of Urology and Pediatric Urology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nuernberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Helge Taubert
- Department of Urology and Pediatric Urology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nuernberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Lisa Brandl
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nuernberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Carol I Geppert
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nuernberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Bernd Wullich
- Department of Urology and Pediatric Urology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nuernberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Holger Cynis
- Department of Drug Design and Target Validation, Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Halle, Germany
| | - Matthias W Beckmann
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital Erlangen, Comprehensive Cancer Center, European Metropolitan Area Erlangen-Nuremberg (CCC ER-EMN), Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nuernberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Barbara Seliger
- Institute of Medical Immunology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany
| | - Arndt Hartmann
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nuernberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Reiner Strick
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital Erlangen, Comprehensive Cancer Center, European Metropolitan Area Erlangen-Nuremberg (CCC ER-EMN), Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nuernberg, Erlangen, Germany.,Translational Research Centre (TRC), Erlangen, Germany
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7
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Gröger V, Emmer A, Staege MS, Cynis H. Endogenous Retroviruses in Nervous System Disorders. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2021; 14:ph14010070. [PMID: 33467098 PMCID: PMC7829834 DOI: 10.3390/ph14010070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2020] [Revised: 01/11/2021] [Accepted: 01/13/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Human endogenous retroviruses (HERV) have been implicated in the pathogenesis of several nervous system disorders including multiple sclerosis and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. The toxicity of HERV-derived RNAs and proteins for neuronal cells has been demonstrated. The involvement of HERV in the pathogenesis of currently incurable diseases might offer new treatment strategies based on the inhibition of HERV activities by small molecules or therapeutic antibodies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria Gröger
- Department of Drug Design and Target Validation, Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, 06120 Halle (Saale), Germany;
| | - Alexander Emmer
- Department of Neurology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, 06120 Halle (Saale), Germany;
| | - Martin S. Staege
- Department of Surgical and Conservative Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, 06120 Halle (Saale), Germany
- Correspondence: (M.S.S.); (H.C.); Tel.: +49-345-557-7280 (M.S.S.); +49-345-13142835 (H.C.)
| | - Holger Cynis
- Department of Drug Design and Target Validation, Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, 06120 Halle (Saale), Germany;
- Correspondence: (M.S.S.); (H.C.); Tel.: +49-345-557-7280 (M.S.S.); +49-345-13142835 (H.C.)
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8
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Gnoth K, Piechotta A, Kleinschmidt M, Konrath S, Schenk M, Taudte N, Ramsbeck D, Rieckmann V, Geissler S, Eichentopf R, Barendrecht S, Hartlage-Rübsamen M, Demuth HU, Roßner S, Cynis H, Rahfeld JU, Schilling S. Targeting isoaspartate-modified Aβ rescues behavioral deficits in transgenic mice with Alzheimer's disease-like pathology. Alzheimers Res Ther 2020; 12:149. [PMID: 33189132 PMCID: PMC7666770 DOI: 10.1186/s13195-020-00719-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2020] [Accepted: 10/29/2020] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Background Amyloid β (Aβ)-directed immunotherapy has shown promising results in preclinical and early clinical Alzheimer’s disease (AD) trials, but successful translation to late clinics has failed so far. Compelling evidence suggests that post-translationally modified Aβ peptides might play a decisive role in onset and progression of AD and first clinical trials targeting such Aβ variants have been initiated. Modified Aβ represents a small fraction of deposited material in plaques compared to pan-Aβ epitopes, opening up pathways for tailored approaches of immunotherapy. Here, we generated the first monoclonal antibodies that recognize l-isoaspartate-modified Aβ (isoD7-Aβ) and tested a lead antibody molecule in 5xFAD mice. Methods This work comprises a combination of chemical and biochemical techniques as well as behavioral analyses. Aβ peptides, containing l-isoaspartate at position 7, were chemically synthesized and used for immunization of mice and antibody screening methods. Biochemical methods included anti-isoD7-Aβ monoclonal antibody characterization by surface plasmon resonance, immunohistochemical staining of human and transgenic mouse brain, and the development and application of isoD7-Aβ ELISA as well as different non-modified Aβ ELISA. For antibody treatment studies, 12 mg/kg anti-isoD7-Aβ antibody K11_IgG2a was applied intraperitoneally to 5xFAD mice for 38 weeks. Treatment controls implemented were IgG2a isotype as negative and 3D6_IgG2a, the parent molecule of bapineuzumab, as positive control antibodies. Behavioral studies included elevated plus maze, pole test, and Morris water maze. Results Our advanced antibody K11 showed a KD in the low nM range and > 400fold selectivity for isoD7-Aβ compared to other Aβ variants. By using this antibody, we demonstrated that formation of isoD7-Aβ may occur after formation of aggregates; hence, the presence of the isoD7-modification differentiates aged Aβ from newly formed peptides. Importantly, we also show that the Tottori mutation responsible for early-onset AD in a Japanese pedigree is characterized by massively accelerated formation of isoD7-Aβ in cell culture. The presence of isoD7-Aβ was verified by K11 in post mortem human cortex and 5xFAD mouse brain tissue. Passive immunization of 5xFAD mice resulted in a significant reduction of isoD7-Aβ and total Aβ in brain. Amelioration of cognitive impairment was demonstrated by Morris water maze, elevated plus maze, pole, and contextual fear conditioning tests. Interestingly, despite the lower abundance of the isoD7-Aβ epitope, the application of anti-isoD7-Aβ antibodies showed comparable treatment efficacy in terms of reduction of brain amyloid and spatial learning but did not result in an increase of plasma Aβ concentration as observed with 3D6 treatment. Conclusions The present study demonstrates, for the first time, that the antibody-mediated targeting of isoD7-modified Aβ peptides leads to attenuation of AD-like amyloid pathology. In conjunction with previously published data on antibodies directed against pGlu-modified Aβ, the results highlight the crucial role of modified Aβ peptides in AD pathophysiology. Hence, the results also underscore the therapeutic potential of targeting modified amyloid species for defining tailored approaches in AD therapy. Supplementary information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13195-020-00719-x.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathrin Gnoth
- Department of Drug Design and Target Validation, Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Anke Piechotta
- Department of Drug Design and Target Validation, Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Martin Kleinschmidt
- Department of Drug Design and Target Validation, Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Sandra Konrath
- Department of Drug Design and Target Validation, Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Halle (Saale), Germany.,Present address: Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Mathias Schenk
- Department of Drug Design and Target Validation, Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Nadine Taudte
- Department of Drug Design and Target Validation, Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Halle (Saale), Germany.,Present address: PerioTrap Pharmaceuticals GmbH, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Daniel Ramsbeck
- Department of Drug Design and Target Validation, Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Vera Rieckmann
- Department of Drug Design and Target Validation, Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Stefanie Geissler
- Department of Drug Design and Target Validation, Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Rico Eichentopf
- Department of Drug Design and Target Validation, Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Halle (Saale), Germany.,Present address: Fraunhofer Center for Chemical-Biotechnological Processes CBP, Leuna, Germany
| | - Susan Barendrecht
- Department of Drug Design and Target Validation, Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | | | - Hans-Ulrich Demuth
- Department of Drug Design and Target Validation, Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Steffen Roßner
- Paul Flechsig Institute of Brain Research, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Holger Cynis
- Department of Drug Design and Target Validation, Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Jens-Ulrich Rahfeld
- Department of Drug Design and Target Validation, Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Halle (Saale), Germany.
| | - Stephan Schilling
- Department of Drug Design and Target Validation, Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Halle (Saale), Germany
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9
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Gröger V, Wieland L, Naumann M, Meinecke AC, Meinhardt B, Rossner S, Ihling C, Emmer A, Staege MS, Cynis H. Formation of HERV-K and HERV-Fc1 Envelope Family Members is Suppressed on Transcriptional and Translational Level. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21217855. [PMID: 33113941 PMCID: PMC7660216 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21217855] [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] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2020] [Revised: 10/15/2020] [Accepted: 10/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The human genome comprises 8% sequences of retroviral origin, so-called human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs). Most of these proviral sequences are defective, but some possess open reading frames. They can lead to the formation of viral transcripts, when activated by intrinsic and extrinsic factors. HERVs are thought to play a pathological role in inflammatory diseases and cancer. Since the consequences of activated proviral sequences in the human body are largely unexplored, selected envelope proteins of human endogenous retroviruses associated with inflammatory diseases, namely HERV-K18, HERV-K113, and HERV-Fc1, were investigated in the present study. A formation of glycosylated envelope proteins was demonstrated in different mammalian cell lines. Nevertheless, protein maturation seemed to be incomplete as no transport to the plasma membrane was observed. Instead, the proteins remained in the ER where they induced the expression of genes involved in unfolded protein response, such as HSPA5 and sXBP1. Furthermore, low expression levels of native envelope proteins were increased by codon optimization. Cell-free expression systems showed that both the transcriptional and translational level is affected. By generating different codon-optimized variants of HERV-K113 envelope, the influence of single rare t-RNA pools in certain cell lines was demonstrated. The mRNA secondary structure also appears to play an important role in the translation of the tested viral envelope proteins. In summary, the formation of certain HERV proteins is basically possible. However, their complete maturation and thus full biologic activity seems to depend on additional factors that might be disease-specific and await elucidation in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria Gröger
- Department of Drug Design and Target Validation, Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Weinbergweg 22, 06120 Halle, Germany; (V.G.); (M.N.); (A.-C.M.)
| | - Lisa Wieland
- Department of Neurology, Medical Faculty, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Ernst-Grube-Str. 40, 06097 Halle, Germany; (L.W.); (B.M.); (A.E.)
- Department of Surgical and Conservative Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Medical Faculty, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Ernst-Grube-Str. 40, 06097 Halle, Germany
| | - Marcel Naumann
- Department of Drug Design and Target Validation, Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Weinbergweg 22, 06120 Halle, Germany; (V.G.); (M.N.); (A.-C.M.)
| | - Ann-Christin Meinecke
- Department of Drug Design and Target Validation, Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Weinbergweg 22, 06120 Halle, Germany; (V.G.); (M.N.); (A.-C.M.)
| | - Beate Meinhardt
- Department of Neurology, Medical Faculty, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Ernst-Grube-Str. 40, 06097 Halle, Germany; (L.W.); (B.M.); (A.E.)
- Department of Surgical and Conservative Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Medical Faculty, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Ernst-Grube-Str. 40, 06097 Halle, Germany
| | - Steffen Rossner
- Paul Flechsig Institute for Brain Research, Leipzig University, Liebigstraße 19, 04103 Leipzig, Germany;
| | - Christian Ihling
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry & Bioanalytics, Institute of Pharmacy, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Charles Tanford Protein Center, Kurt-Mothes-Str. 3a, 06120 Halle, Germany;
| | - Alexander Emmer
- Department of Neurology, Medical Faculty, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Ernst-Grube-Str. 40, 06097 Halle, Germany; (L.W.); (B.M.); (A.E.)
| | - Martin S. Staege
- Department of Surgical and Conservative Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Medical Faculty, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Ernst-Grube-Str. 40, 06097 Halle, Germany
- Correspondence: (M.S.S.); (H.C.); Tel.: +49-345-5577280 (M.S.S.); +49-345-13142835 (H.C.); Fax: +49-345-5577275 (M.S.S.); +49-345-13142801 (H.C.)
| | - Holger Cynis
- Department of Drug Design and Target Validation, Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Weinbergweg 22, 06120 Halle, Germany; (V.G.); (M.N.); (A.-C.M.)
- Correspondence: (M.S.S.); (H.C.); Tel.: +49-345-5577280 (M.S.S.); +49-345-13142835 (H.C.); Fax: +49-345-5577275 (M.S.S.); +49-345-13142801 (H.C.)
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10
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Jansig E, Geissler S, Rieckmann V, Kuenemund A, Hietel B, Schenk M, Wussow S, Kreideweiss P, Panzner S, Reinsch C, Cynis H. Viromers as carriers for mRNA-mediated expression of therapeutic molecules under inflammatory conditions. Sci Rep 2020; 10:15090. [PMID: 32934311 PMCID: PMC7494895 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-72004-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2020] [Accepted: 08/20/2020] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Therapeutic mRNA delivery has been described for several treatment options, such as vaccination and cancer immunotherapy. However, mRNA delivery has to be accompanied by the development and testing of suitable carrier materials due to the instability of mRNAs in human body fluids. In the present study, we investigated the ability of recently developed Viromers to deliver mRNAs in a classical inflammatory setting. We tested mRNAs coding for active components of preclinical (7ND) and approved (sTNF-RII) biologics, in vitro and in vivo. 7ND is an established blocker of the CCR2 axis, whereas sTNF-RII is the active component of the approved drug Etanercept. Viromer/mRNA complexes were transfected into murine macrophages in vitro. Protein expression was analysed using Luciferase reporter expression and mainly identified in spleen, blood and bone marrow in vivo. 7ND-mRNA delivery led to efficient blockage of monocytes infiltration in thioglycolate-induced peritonitis in mice, underlining the ability of Viromers to deliver a therapeutic mRNA cargo without overt toxicity. Therefore, we propose Viromer-based mRNA delivery as a suitable option for the treatment of inflammatory disorders beyond infusion of biological molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edith Jansig
- Department of Drug Design and Target Validation, Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Weinbergweg 22, 06120, Halle, Germany
| | - Stefanie Geissler
- Department of Drug Design and Target Validation, Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Weinbergweg 22, 06120, Halle, Germany
| | - Vera Rieckmann
- Department of Drug Design and Target Validation, Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Weinbergweg 22, 06120, Halle, Germany
| | - Anja Kuenemund
- Department of Drug Design and Target Validation, Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Weinbergweg 22, 06120, Halle, Germany
| | - Benjamin Hietel
- Department of Drug Design and Target Validation, Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Weinbergweg 22, 06120, Halle, Germany
| | - Mathias Schenk
- Department of Drug Design and Target Validation, Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Weinbergweg 22, 06120, Halle, Germany
| | - Sebastian Wussow
- Department of Drug Design and Target Validation, Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Weinbergweg 22, 06120, Halle, Germany
| | | | - Steffen Panzner
- BioNTech Delivery Technologies GmbH, Weinbergweg 23, 06120, Halle, Germany
| | - Christian Reinsch
- BioNTech Delivery Technologies GmbH, Weinbergweg 23, 06120, Halle, Germany
| | - Holger Cynis
- Department of Drug Design and Target Validation, Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Weinbergweg 22, 06120, Halle, Germany.
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11
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Buniatian GH, Weiskirchen R, Weiss TS, Schwinghammer U, Fritz M, Seferyan T, Proksch B, Glaser M, Lourhmati A, Buadze M, Borkham-Kamphorst E, Gaunitz F, Gleiter CH, Lang T, Schaeffeler E, Tremmel R, Cynis H, Frey WH, Gebhardt R, Friedman SL, Mikulits W, Schwab M, Danielyan L. Antifibrotic Effects of Amyloid-Beta and Its Loss in Cirrhotic Liver. Cells 2020; 9:cells9020452. [PMID: 32089540 PMCID: PMC7072823 DOI: 10.3390/cells9020452] [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: 12/23/2019] [Revised: 02/06/2020] [Accepted: 02/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The function and regulation of amyloid-beta (Aβ) in healthy and diseased liver remains unexplored. Because Aβ reduces the integrity of the blood-brain barrier we have examined its potential role in regulating the sinusoidal permeability of normal and cirrhotic liver. Aβ and key proteins that generate (beta-secretase 1 and presenilin-1) and degrade it (neprilysin and myelin basic protein) were decreased in human cirrhotic liver. In culture, activated hepatic stellate cells (HSC) internalized Aβ more efficiently than astrocytes and HSC degraded Aβ leading to suppressed expression of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), collagen 1 and transforming growth factor β (TGFβ). Aβ also upregulated sinusoidal permeability marker endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) and decreased TGFβ in cultured human liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (hLSEC). Liver Aβ levels also correlate with the expression of eNOS in transgenic Alzheimer’s disease mice and in human and rodent cirrhosis/fibrosis. These findings suggest a previously unexplored role of Aβ in the maintenance of liver sinusoidal permeability and in protection against cirrhosis/fibrosis via attenuation of HSC activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gayane Hrachia Buniatian
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, University Hospital of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany; (U.S.); (M.F.); (B.P.); (M.G.); (A.L.); (M.B.); (C.H.G.); (M.S.)
- H. Buniatian Institute of Biochemistry, National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Armenia (NAS RA), Yerevan 0014, Armenia;
- Correspondence: (G.H.B.); (L.D.)
| | - Ralf Weiskirchen
- Institute of Molecular Pathobiochemistry, Experimental Gene Therapy and Clinical Chemistry, RWTH University Hospital Aachen, 52074 Aachen, Germany; (R.W.); (E.B.-K.)
| | - Thomas S. Weiss
- Children’s University Hospital (KUNO), University of Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany;
| | - Ute Schwinghammer
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, University Hospital of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany; (U.S.); (M.F.); (B.P.); (M.G.); (A.L.); (M.B.); (C.H.G.); (M.S.)
| | - Martin Fritz
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, University Hospital of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany; (U.S.); (M.F.); (B.P.); (M.G.); (A.L.); (M.B.); (C.H.G.); (M.S.)
| | - Torgom Seferyan
- H. Buniatian Institute of Biochemistry, National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Armenia (NAS RA), Yerevan 0014, Armenia;
| | - Barbara Proksch
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, University Hospital of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany; (U.S.); (M.F.); (B.P.); (M.G.); (A.L.); (M.B.); (C.H.G.); (M.S.)
| | - Michael Glaser
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, University Hospital of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany; (U.S.); (M.F.); (B.P.); (M.G.); (A.L.); (M.B.); (C.H.G.); (M.S.)
| | - Ali Lourhmati
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, University Hospital of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany; (U.S.); (M.F.); (B.P.); (M.G.); (A.L.); (M.B.); (C.H.G.); (M.S.)
| | - Marine Buadze
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, University Hospital of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany; (U.S.); (M.F.); (B.P.); (M.G.); (A.L.); (M.B.); (C.H.G.); (M.S.)
| | - Erawan Borkham-Kamphorst
- Institute of Molecular Pathobiochemistry, Experimental Gene Therapy and Clinical Chemistry, RWTH University Hospital Aachen, 52074 Aachen, Germany; (R.W.); (E.B.-K.)
| | - Frank Gaunitz
- Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital of Leipzig, 04103 Leipzig, Germany;
| | - Christoph H. Gleiter
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, University Hospital of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany; (U.S.); (M.F.); (B.P.); (M.G.); (A.L.); (M.B.); (C.H.G.); (M.S.)
| | - Thomas Lang
- Dr. Margarete Fischer-Bosch Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, 70376 Stuttgart, Germany, and University of Tuebingen, 72076 Tuebingen, Germany; (T.L.); (E.S.); (R.T.)
| | - Elke Schaeffeler
- Dr. Margarete Fischer-Bosch Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, 70376 Stuttgart, Germany, and University of Tuebingen, 72076 Tuebingen, Germany; (T.L.); (E.S.); (R.T.)
| | - Roman Tremmel
- Dr. Margarete Fischer-Bosch Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, 70376 Stuttgart, Germany, and University of Tuebingen, 72076 Tuebingen, Germany; (T.L.); (E.S.); (R.T.)
| | - Holger Cynis
- Department of Drug Design and Target Validation, Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, 06120 Halle, Germany;
| | - William H. Frey
- Center for Memory & Aging, HealthPartners Neuroscience Center, St. Paul, MN 55130, USA;
| | - Rolf Gebhardt
- Rudolf-Schönheimer Institute of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Leipzig, 04103 Leipzig, Germany;
| | - Scott L. Friedman
- Division of Liver Diseases, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029-6574, USA;
| | - Wolfgang Mikulits
- Department of Medicine I, Institute of Cancer Research, Comprehensive Cancer Center, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna 1090, Austria;
| | - Matthias Schwab
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, University Hospital of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany; (U.S.); (M.F.); (B.P.); (M.G.); (A.L.); (M.B.); (C.H.G.); (M.S.)
- Dr. Margarete Fischer-Bosch Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, 70376 Stuttgart, Germany, and University of Tuebingen, 72076 Tuebingen, Germany; (T.L.); (E.S.); (R.T.)
- Department of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, University of Tuebingen, 72076 Tuebingen, Germany
- Departments of Biochemistry and Clinical Pharmacology, and Neuroscience Laboratory, Yerevan State Medical University, Yerevan 0025, Armenia
| | - Lusine Danielyan
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, University Hospital of Tübingen, 72076 Tübingen, Germany; (U.S.); (M.F.); (B.P.); (M.G.); (A.L.); (M.B.); (C.H.G.); (M.S.)
- Departments of Biochemistry and Clinical Pharmacology, and Neuroscience Laboratory, Yerevan State Medical University, Yerevan 0025, Armenia
- Correspondence: (G.H.B.); (L.D.)
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12
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Lienau C, Gräwert T, Alves Avelar LA, Illarionov B, Held J, Knaab TC, Lungerich B, van Geelen L, Meier D, Geissler S, Cynis H, Riederer U, Buchholz M, Kalscheuer R, Bacher A, Mordmüller B, Fischer M, Kurz T. Novel reverse thia-analogs of fosmidomycin: Synthesis and antiplasmodial activity. Eur J Med Chem 2019; 181:111555. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2019.07.058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2019] [Revised: 07/19/2019] [Accepted: 07/20/2019] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
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13
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Schlenzig D, Cynis H, Hartlage-Rübsamen M, Zeitschel U, Menge K, Fothe A, Ramsbeck D, Spahn C, Wermann M, Roßner S, Buchholz M, Schilling S, Demuth HU. Dipeptidyl-Peptidase Activity of Meprin β Links N-truncation of Aβ with Glutaminyl Cyclase-Catalyzed pGlu-Aβ Formation. J Alzheimers Dis 2019; 66:359-375. [PMID: 30320570 DOI: 10.3233/jad-171183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
The formation of amyloid-β (Aβ) peptides is causally involved in the development of Alzheimer's disease (AD). A significant proportion of deposited Aβ is N-terminally truncated and modified at the N-terminus by a pGlu-residue (pGlu-Aβ). These forms show enhanced neurotoxicity compared to full-length Aβ. Although the truncation may occur by aminopeptidases after formation of Aβ, recently discovered processing pathways of amyloid-β protein precursor (AβPP) by proteases such as meprin β may also be involved. Here, we assessed a role of meprin β in forming Aβ3-40/42, which is the precursor of pGlu-Aβ3-40/42 generated by glutaminyl cyclase (QC). Similar to QC, meprin β mRNA is significantly upregulated in postmortem brain from AD patients. A histochemical analysis supports the presence of meprin β in neurons and astrocytes in the vicinity of pGlu-Aβ containing deposits. Cleavage of AβPP-derived peptides by meprin β in vitro results in peptides Aβ1-x, Aβ2-x, and Aβ3-x. The formation of N-truncated Aβ by meprin β was also corroborated in cell culture. A subset of the generated peptides was converted into pGlu-Aβ3-40 by an addition of glutaminyl cyclase, supporting the preceding formation of Aβ3-40. Further analysis of the meprin β cleavage revealed a yet unknown dipeptidyl-peptidase-like activity specific for the N-terminus of Aβ1-x. Thus, our data suggest that meprin β contributes to the formation of N-truncated Aβ by endopeptidase and exopeptidase activity to generate the substrate for QC-catalyzed pGlu-Aβ formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dagmar Schlenzig
- Department of Molecular Drug Design and Target Validation Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Holger Cynis
- Department of Molecular Drug Design and Target Validation Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | | | | | - Katja Menge
- Department of Molecular Drug Design and Target Validation Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Anja Fothe
- Department of Molecular Drug Design and Target Validation Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Daniel Ramsbeck
- Department of Molecular Drug Design and Target Validation Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Claudia Spahn
- Department of Molecular Drug Design and Target Validation Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Michael Wermann
- Department of Molecular Drug Design and Target Validation Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Steffen Roßner
- Paul Flechsig Institute for Brain Research, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Mirko Buchholz
- Department of Molecular Drug Design and Target Validation Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Stephan Schilling
- Department of Molecular Drug Design and Target Validation Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Hans-Ulrich Demuth
- Department of Molecular Drug Design and Target Validation Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Halle (Saale), Germany
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14
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Barth M, Gröger V, Cynis H, Staege MS. Identification of human endogenous retrovirus transcripts in Hodgkin Lymphoma cells. Mol Biol Rep 2019; 46:1885-1893. [PMID: 30707417 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-019-04640-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [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: 09/20/2018] [Accepted: 01/23/2019] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
During the last decades, the prognosis for patients with Hodgkin Lymphoma (HL) has been steadily improved. Nevertheless, new and less toxic therapy strategies have to be developed especially for patients with advanced disease. The activation of human endogenous retroviruses (HERV) is suspected to occur in HL and therefore, HERV might represent interesting target structures. In order to identify transcribed HERV of the HERV-H and HERV-K families in HL we used a reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction based cloning approach. In addition to unspliced HERV-H and HERV-K transcripts, we detected spliced HERV-K transcripts that matched genomic sequences with the expected splicing-donor and splicing-acceptor sites. Of particular interest was the expression of HERV-K18 related transcripts at the CD48 locus. Our data indicate transcriptional activity of several HERV loci in HL cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie Barth
- University Clinic and Outpatient Clinic for Pediatrics I, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Ernst-Grube-Str. 40, 06120, Halle, Germany
| | - Victoria Gröger
- Department of Drug Design and Target Validation, Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, 06120, Halle, Germany
| | - Holger Cynis
- Department of Drug Design and Target Validation, Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, 06120, Halle, Germany
| | - Martin Sebastian Staege
- University Clinic and Outpatient Clinic for Pediatrics I, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Ernst-Grube-Str. 40, 06120, Halle, Germany.
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15
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Grünberg M, Quandt D, Cynis H, Demuth HU, Kindermann A, Magdolen V, Forssmann WG, Seliger B, Mägert HJ. Kallikrein-related peptidases are activators of the CC chemokine CCL14. Eur J Immunol 2018; 48:1592-1594. [PMID: 30028015 DOI: 10.1002/eji.201747452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2017] [Revised: 05/22/2018] [Accepted: 07/18/2018] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Chemokine CCL14 is inactive in its proform. Here, we show that inflammation- and cancer-associated kallikrein-related peptidases KLK5 and KLK8 remove the N-terminal eight amino acids from the proform thereby converting CCL14 to its active state. Activity of the chemokine is demonstrated by migration of myeloid cells expressing relevant receptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mario Grünberg
- Anhalt University of Applied Sciences, Molecular Biotechnology, Köthen, Germany
| | - Dagmar Quandt
- Martin Luther University Halle, Medical Faculty, Institute for Medical Immunology, Halle, Germany.,Martin Luther University Halle, Medical Faculty, Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Halle, Germany
| | - Holger Cynis
- Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology IZI, Department of Molecular Drug Biochemistry and Therapy Development, Halle, Germany
| | - Hans-Ulrich Demuth
- Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology IZI, Department of Molecular Drug Biochemistry and Therapy Development, Halle, Germany
| | - Andrea Kindermann
- Martin Luther University Halle, Medical Faculty, Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Halle, Germany
| | - Viktor Magdolen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Technical University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | | | - Barbara Seliger
- Martin Luther University Halle, Medical Faculty, Institute for Medical Immunology, Halle, Germany
| | - Hans-Jürgen Mägert
- Anhalt University of Applied Sciences, Molecular Biotechnology, Köthen, Germany
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16
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Rahfeld JU, Piechotta A, Gnoth K, Rossner S, Nykiel V, Cynis H, Demuth HU, Schilling S. P2‐056: TARGETING ISOASPARTATE‐MODIFIED Aβ: A DIFFERENTIAL APPROACH OF PASSIVE IMMUNOTHERAPY. Alzheimers Dement 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jalz.2018.06.741] [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: 10/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Anke Piechotta
- Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and ImmunologyHalleGermany
| | - Kathrin Gnoth
- Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and ImmunologyHalleGermany
| | - Steffen Rossner
- Paul-Flechsig Institute for Brain ResearchUniversity of LeipzigLeipzigGermany
| | - Vera Nykiel
- Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and ImmunologyHalleGermany
| | - Holger Cynis
- Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and ImmunologyHalleGermany
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17
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Cynis H, Barendrecht S, Balschun D, Schilling S, Demuth HU. O3‐01‐01: A NEW MOUSE MODEL WITH HUMANIZED WILD‐TYPE TAU EXPRESSION. Alzheimers Dement 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jalz.2018.06.2770] [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: 10/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Holger Cynis
- Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and ImmunologyHalleGermany
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18
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Ramsbeck D, Hamann A, Richter G, Schlenzig D, Geissler S, Nykiel V, Cynis H, Schilling S, Buchholz M. Structure-Guided Design, Synthesis, and Characterization of Next-Generation Meprin β Inhibitors. J Med Chem 2018; 61:4578-4592. [PMID: 29694039 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.8b00330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
The metalloproteinase meprin β emerged as a current drug target for the treatment of a number of disorders, among those fibrosis, inflammatory bowel disease and Morbus Alzheimer. A major obstacle in the development of metalloprotease inhibitors is target selectivity to avoid side effects by blocking related enzymes with physiological functions. Here, we describe the structure-guided design of a novel series of compounds, based on previously reported highly active meprin β inhibitors. The bioisosteric replacement of the sulfonamide scaffold gave rise to a next generation of meprin inhibitors. Selected compounds based on this novel amine scaffold exhibit high activity against meprin β and also remarkable selectivity over related metalloproteases, i.e., matrix metalloproteases and A disintegrin and metalloproteinases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Ramsbeck
- Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology IZI , Department of Drug Design and Target Validation MWT , Biocenter, Weinbergweg 22 , 06120 Halle (Saale) , Germany
| | - Antje Hamann
- Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology IZI , Department of Drug Design and Target Validation MWT , Biocenter, Weinbergweg 22 , 06120 Halle (Saale) , Germany
| | - Georg Richter
- Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology IZI , Department of Drug Design and Target Validation MWT , Biocenter, Weinbergweg 22 , 06120 Halle (Saale) , Germany
| | - Dagmar Schlenzig
- Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology IZI , Department of Drug Design and Target Validation MWT , Biocenter, Weinbergweg 22 , 06120 Halle (Saale) , Germany
| | - Stefanie Geissler
- Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology IZI , Department of Drug Design and Target Validation MWT , Biocenter, Weinbergweg 22 , 06120 Halle (Saale) , Germany
| | - Vera Nykiel
- Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology IZI , Department of Drug Design and Target Validation MWT , Biocenter, Weinbergweg 22 , 06120 Halle (Saale) , Germany
| | - Holger Cynis
- Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology IZI , Department of Drug Design and Target Validation MWT , Biocenter, Weinbergweg 22 , 06120 Halle (Saale) , Germany
| | - Stephan Schilling
- Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology IZI , Department of Drug Design and Target Validation MWT , Biocenter, Weinbergweg 22 , 06120 Halle (Saale) , Germany
| | - Mirko Buchholz
- Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology IZI , Department of Drug Design and Target Validation MWT , Biocenter, Weinbergweg 22 , 06120 Halle (Saale) , Germany
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19
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Gröger V, Cynis H. Human Endogenous Retroviruses and Their Putative Role in the Development of Autoimmune Disorders Such as Multiple Sclerosis. Front Microbiol 2018; 9:265. [PMID: 29515547 PMCID: PMC5826199 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2018.00265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2017] [Accepted: 02/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) are remnants of retroviral germ line infections of human ancestors and make up ~8% of the human genome. Under physiological conditions, these elements are frequently inactive or non-functional due to deactivating mutations and epigenetic control. However, they can be reactivated under certain pathological conditions and produce viral transcripts and proteins. Several disorders, like multiple sclerosis or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis are associated with increased HERV expression. Although their detailed contribution to individual diseases has yet to be elucidated, an increasing number of studies in vitro and in vivo suggest HERVs as potent modulators of the immune system. They are able to affect the transcription of other immune-related genes, interact with pattern recognition receptors, and influence the positive and negative selection of developing thymocytes. Interestingly, HERV envelope proteins can both stimulate and suppress immune responses based on different mechanisms. In the light of HERV proteins becoming an emerging drug target for autoimmune-related disorders and cancer, we will provide an overview on recent findings of the complex interactions between HERVs and the human immune system with a focus on autoimmunity.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Holger Cynis
- Department of Drug Design and Target Validation, Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Halle, Germany
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20
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Cynis H, Frost JL, Crehan H, Lemere CA. Immunotherapy targeting pyroglutamate-3 Aβ: prospects and challenges. Mol Neurodegener 2016; 11:48. [PMID: 27363697 PMCID: PMC4929720 DOI: 10.1186/s13024-016-0115-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [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: 05/26/2016] [Accepted: 06/24/2016] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Immunization against amyloid-β (Aβ) peptides deposited in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) has shown considerable therapeutic effect in animal models however, the translation into human Alzheimer’s patients is challenging. In recent years, a number of promising Aβ immunotherapy trials failed to reach primary study endpoints. Aside from uncertainties in the selection of patients and the start and duration of treatment, these results also suggest that the mechanisms underlying AD are still not fully understood. Thorough characterizations of protein aggregates in AD brain have revealed a conspicuous heterogeneity of Aβ peptides enabling the study of the toxic potential of each of the major forms. One such form, amino-terminally truncated and modified pyroglutamate (pGlu)-3 Aβ peptide appears to play a seminal role for disease initiation, qualifying it as novel target for immunotherapy approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Holger Cynis
- Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 77 Avenue Louis Pasteur, NRB636, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.,Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Weinbergweg 22, 06120, Halle, Germany
| | - Jeffrey L Frost
- Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 77 Avenue Louis Pasteur, NRB636, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.,University of Massachusetts Medical School, 55 Lake Avenue North, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
| | - Helen Crehan
- Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 77 Avenue Louis Pasteur, NRB636, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Cynthia A Lemere
- Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 77 Avenue Louis Pasteur, NRB636, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.
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21
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Becker A, Eichentopf R, Sedlmeier R, Waniek A, Cynis H, Koch B, Stephan A, Bäuscher C, Kohlmann S, Hoffmann T, Kehlen A, Berg S, Freyse EJ, Osmand A, Plank AC, Roßner S, von Hörsten S, Graubner S, Demuth HU, Schilling S. IsoQC (QPCTL) knock-out mice suggest differential substrate conversion by glutaminyl cyclase isoenzymes. Biol Chem 2016; 397:45-55. [DOI: 10.1515/hsz-2015-0192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2015] [Accepted: 08/12/2015] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Secretory peptides and proteins are frequently modified by pyroglutamic acid (pE, pGlu) at their N-terminus. This modification is catalyzed by the glutaminyl cyclases QC and isoQC. Here, we decipher the roles of the isoenzymes by characterization of IsoQC-/- mice. These mice show a significant reduction of glutaminyl cyclase activity in brain and peripheral tissue, suggesting ubiquitous expression of the isoQC enzyme. An assay of substrate conversion in vivo reveals impaired generation of the pGlu-modified C-C chemokine ligand 2 (CCL2, MCP-1) in isoQC-/- mice. The pGlu-formation was also impaired in primary neurons, which express significant levels of QC. Interestingly, however, the formation of the neuropeptide hormone thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH), assessed by immunohistochemistry and hormonal analysis of hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis, was not affected in isoQC-/-, which contrasts to QC-/-. Thus, the results reveal differential functions of isoQC and QC in the formation of the pGlu-peptides CCL2 and TRH. Substrates requiring extensive prohormone processing in secretory granules, such as TRH, are primarily converted by QC. In contrast, protein substrates such as CCL2 appear to be primarily converted by isoQC. The results provide a new example, how subtle differences in subcellular localization of enzymes and substrate precursor maturation might influence pGlu-product formation.
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22
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Morawski M, Schilling S, Kreuzberger M, Waniek A, Jäger C, Koch B, Cynis H, Kehlen A, Arendt T, Hartlage-Rübsamen M, Demuth HU, Roßner S. Glutaminyl cyclase in human cortex: correlation with (pGlu)-amyloid-β load and cognitive decline in Alzheimer's disease. J Alzheimers Dis 2014; 39:385-400. [PMID: 24164736 DOI: 10.3233/jad-131535] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Brains of Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients are characterized in part by the formation of high molecular weight aggregates of amyloid-β (Aβ) peptides, which interfere with neuronal function and provoke neuronal cell death. The pyroglutamate (pGlu) modification of Aβ was demonstrated to be catalyzed by the enzyme glutaminyl cyclase (QC) and to enhance pathogenicity and neurotoxicity. Here, we addressed the role of QC in AD pathogenesis in human cortex. Two sets of human postmortem brain tissue from a total of 13 non-demented controls and 11 AD cases were analyzed by immunohistochemistry and unbiased stereology, quantitative RT-PCR, and enzymatic activity assays for the expression level of QC in temporal and entorhinal cortex. Additionally, cortical Aβ and pGlu-Aβ concentrations were quantified by ELISA. Data on QC expression and Aβ peptide concentrations were correlated with each other and with the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) of individual cases. In control cases, QC expression was higher in the more vulnerable entorhinal cortex than in temporal cortex. In AD brains, QC mRNA expression and the immunoreactivity of QC were increased in both cortical regions and frequently associated with pGlu-Aβ deposits. The analyses of individual cases revealed significant correlations between QC mRNA levels and the concentration of insoluble pGlu-Aβ aggregates, but not of unmodified Aβ peptides. Elevated pGlu-Aβ load showed a better correlation with the decline in MMSE than elevated concentration of unmodified Aβ. Our observations provide evidence for an involvement of QC in AD pathogenesis and cognitive decline by QC-catalyzed pGlu-Aβ formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Markus Morawski
- Paul Flechsig Institute for Brain Research, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | | | - Moritz Kreuzberger
- Paul Flechsig Institute for Brain Research, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Alexander Waniek
- Paul Flechsig Institute for Brain Research, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Carsten Jäger
- Paul Flechsig Institute for Brain Research, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | | | - Holger Cynis
- Probiodrug AG, Halle/S., Germany Center for Neurologic Disease, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | - Thomas Arendt
- Paul Flechsig Institute for Brain Research, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | | | | | - Steffen Roßner
- Paul Flechsig Institute for Brain Research, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
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23
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Cynis H, Schlenzig D, Zeitschel U, Hartlage‐Rübsamen M, Roßner S, Schilling S, Demuth H. O2‐12‐05: ALTERNATIVE BETA‐SECRETASE PROCESSING GENERATES N‐TERMINALLY TRUNCATED ABETA PEPTIDES IN MAMMALIAN CELLS. Alzheimers Dement 2014. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jalz.2014.04.226] [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: 10/24/2022]
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24
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Cynis H, Funkelstein L, Toneff T, Mosier C, Ziegler M, Koch B, Demuth HU, Hook V. Pyroglutamate-amyloid-β and glutaminyl cyclase are colocalized with amyloid-β in secretory vesicles and undergo activity-dependent, regulated secretion. NEURODEGENER DIS 2014; 14:85-97. [PMID: 24943989 DOI: 10.1159/000358430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2013] [Accepted: 01/07/2014] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS N-truncated pyroglutamate (pGlu)-amyloid-β [Aβ(3-40/42)] peptides are key components that promote Aβ peptide accumulation, leading to neurodegeneration and memory loss in Alzheimer's disease. Because Aβ deposition in the brain occurs in an activity-dependent manner, it is important to define the subcellular organelle for pGlu-Aβ(3-40/42) production by glutaminyl cyclase (QC) and their colocalization with full-length Aβ(1-40/42) peptides for activity-dependent, regulated secretion. Therefore, the objective of this study was to investigate the hypothesis that pGlu-Aβ and QC are colocalized with Aβ in dense-core secretory vesicles (DCSV) for activity-dependent secretion with neurotransmitters. METHODS Purified DCSV were assessed for pGlu-Aβ(3-40/42), Aβ(1-40/42), QC, and neurotransmitter secretion. Neuron-like chromaffin cells were analyzed for cosecretion of pGlu-Aβ, QC, Aβ, and neuropeptides. The cells were treated with a QC inhibitor, and pGlu-Aβ production was measured. Human neuroblastoma cells were also examined for pGlu-Aβ and QC secretion. RESULTS Isolated DCSV contain pGlu-Aβ(3-40/42), QC, and Aβ(1-40/42) with neuropeptide and catecholamine neurotransmitters. Cellular pGlu-Aβ and QC undergo activity-dependent cosecretion with Aβ and enkephalin and galanin neurotransmitters. The QC inhibitor decreased the level of secreted pGlu-Aβ. The human neuroblastoma cells displayed regulated secretion of pGlu-Aβ that was colocalized with QC. CONCLUSIONS pGlu-Aβ and QC are present with Aβ in DCSV and undergo activity-dependent, regulated cosecretion with neurotransmitters.
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Höfling C, Indrischek H, Höpcke T, Waniek A, Cynis H, Koch B, Schilling S, Morawski M, Demuth HU, Roßner S, Hartlage-Rübsamen M. Mouse strain and brain region-specific expression of the glutaminyl cyclases QC and isoQC. Int J Dev Neurosci 2014; 36:64-73. [PMID: 24886834 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijdevneu.2014.05.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [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: 05/09/2014] [Accepted: 05/20/2014] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Glutaminyl cyclases (QCs) catalyze the formation of pyroglutamate (pGlu) from glutamine precursors at the N-terminus of a number of peptide hormones, neuropeptides and chemokines. This post-translational modification stabilizes these peptides, protects them from proteolytical degradation or is important for their biological activity. However, QC is also involved in a pathogenic pGlu modification of peptides accumulating in protein aggregation disorders such as Alzheimer's disease and familial Danish and familial British dementia. Its isoenzyme (isoQC) was shown to contribute to aspects of inflammation by pGlu-modifying and thereby stabilizing the monocyte chemoattractant protein CCL2. For the generation of respective animal models and for pharmacological treatment studies the characterization of the mouse strain and brain region-specific expression of QC and isoQC is indispensible. In order to address this issue, we used enzymatic activity assays and specific antibodies to detect both QC variants by immunohistochemistry in nine different mouse strains. Comparing different brain regions, the highest enzymatic QC/isoQC activity was detected in ventral brain, followed by cortex and hippocampus. Immunohistochemical stainings revealed that QC/isoQC activity in cortex mostly arises from isoQC expression. For most brain regions, the highest QC/isoQC activity was detected in C3H and FVB mice, whereas low QC/isoQC activity was present in CD1, SJL and C57 mice. Quantification of QC- and isoQC-immunoreactive cells by unbiased stereology revealed a higher abundance of isoQC- than of QC-immunoreactive neurons in Edinger-Westphal nucleus and in substantia nigra. In the locus coeruleus, however, there were comparable densities of QC- and of isoQC-immunoreactive neurons. These observations are of considerable importance with regard to the selection of appropriate mouse strains for the study of QC/isoQC relevance in mouse models of neurodegeneration and neuroinflammation and for the testing of therapeutical interventions in these models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Corinna Höfling
- Paul Flechsig Institute for Brain Research, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Henrike Indrischek
- Paul Flechsig Institute for Brain Research, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Theodor Höpcke
- Paul Flechsig Institute for Brain Research, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Alexander Waniek
- Paul Flechsig Institute for Brain Research, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Holger Cynis
- Fraunhofer Institute of Cell Therapy and Immunology IZI Leipzig, Department of Drug Design and Target Validation MWT, Halle, Germany
| | - Birgit Koch
- Fraunhofer Institute of Cell Therapy and Immunology IZI Leipzig, Department of Drug Design and Target Validation MWT, Halle, Germany
| | - Stephan Schilling
- Fraunhofer Institute of Cell Therapy and Immunology IZI Leipzig, Department of Drug Design and Target Validation MWT, Halle, Germany
| | - Markus Morawski
- Paul Flechsig Institute for Brain Research, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Hans-Ulrich Demuth
- Fraunhofer Institute of Cell Therapy and Immunology IZI Leipzig, Department of Drug Design and Target Validation MWT, Halle, Germany.
| | - Steffen Roßner
- Paul Flechsig Institute for Brain Research, University of Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany.
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Frost JL, Le KX, Cynis H, Ekpo E, Kleinschmidt M, Palmour RM, Ervin FR, Snigdha S, Cotman CW, Saido TC, Vassar RJ, St George-Hyslop P, Ikezu T, Schilling S, Demuth HU, Lemere CA. Pyroglutamate-3 amyloid-β deposition in the brains of humans, non-human primates, canines, and Alzheimer disease-like transgenic mouse models. Am J Pathol 2013; 183:369-81. [PMID: 23747948 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajpath.2013.05.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2013] [Revised: 04/29/2013] [Accepted: 05/02/2013] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Amyloid-β (Aβ) peptides, starting with pyroglutamate at the third residue (pyroGlu-3 Aβ), are a major species deposited in the brain of Alzheimer disease (AD) patients. Recent studies suggest that this isoform shows higher toxicity and amyloidogenecity when compared to full-length Aβ peptides. Here, we report the first comprehensive and comparative IHC evaluation of pyroGlu-3 Aβ deposition in humans and animal models. PyroGlu-3 Aβ immunoreactivity (IR) is abundant in plaques and cerebral amyloid angiopathy of AD and Down syndrome patients, colocalizing with general Aβ IR. PyroGlu-3 Aβ is further present in two nontransgenic mammalian models of cerebral amyloidosis, Caribbean vervets, and beagle canines. In addition, pyroGlu-3 Aβ deposition was analyzed in 12 different AD-like transgenic mouse models. In contrast to humans, all transgenic models showed general Aβ deposition preceding pyroGlu-3 Aβ deposition. The findings varied greatly among the mouse models concerning age of onset and cortical brain region. In summary, pyroGlu-3 Aβ is a major species of β-amyloid deposited early in diffuse and focal plaques and cerebral amyloid angiopathy in humans and nonhuman primates, whereas it is deposited later in a subset of focal and vascular amyloid in AD-like transgenic mouse models. Given the proposed decisive role of pyroGlu-3 Aβ peptides for the development of human AD pathology, this study provides insights into the usage of animal models in AD studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey L Frost
- Center for Neurologic Diseases, Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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27
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Cynis H, Kehlen A, Haegele M, Hoffmann T, Heiser U, Fujii M, Shibazaki Y, Yoneyama H, Schilling S, Demuth HU. Inhibition of Glutaminyl Cyclases alleviates CCL2-mediated inflammation of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in mice. Int J Exp Pathol 2013; 94:217-25. [PMID: 23560443 PMCID: PMC3664967 DOI: 10.1111/iep.12020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2012] [Accepted: 01/16/2013] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Inflammation is an integral part of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), the most prevalent form of hepatic pathology found in the general population. In this context, recently we have examined the potential role of Glutaminyl Cyclases (QC and isoQC), and their inhibitors, in the maturation of chemokines, for example, monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1, CCL2), to generate their bioactive conformation. Catalysis by isoQC leads to the formation of an N-terminal pyroglutamate residue protecting CCL2 against degradation by aminopeptidases. This is of importance because truncated forms possess a reduced potential to attract immune cells. Since liver inflammation is characterized by the up-regulation of different chemokine pathways, and within this CCL2 is known to be a prominent example, we hypothesised that application of QC/isoQC inhibitors may alleviate liver inflammation by destabilizing CCL2. Therefore, we investigated the role of QC/isoQC inhibition, in comparison with the angiotensin receptor blocker Telmisartan, during development of pathology in a mouse model of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Application of a QC/isoQC inhibitor led to a significant reduction in circulating alanine aminotransferase and NAFLD activity score accompanied by an inhibitory effect on hepatocyte ballooning. Further analysis revealed a specific reduction of inflammation by decreasing the number of F4/80-positive macrophages, which is in agreement with the proposed CCL2-related mechanism of action of QC/isoQC inhibitors. Finally, QC/isoQC inhibitor application attenuated liver fibrosis as characterized by reduced collagen deposition in the liver parenchyma. Thus in conclusion, QC/isoQC inhibitors are a promising novel class of anti-non-alcoholic steatohepatitis drugs which have a comparable disease-modifying effect to that of Telmisartan, which is probably mediated via specific interference with a comparable monocyte/macrophage infiltration that occurs under inflammatory conditions.
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Güttler BHO, Cynis H, Seifert F, Ludwig HH, Porzel A, Schilling S. A quantitative analysis of spontaneous isoaspartate formation from N-terminal asparaginyl and aspartyl residues. Amino Acids 2013; 44:1205-14. [DOI: 10.1007/s00726-012-1454-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2012] [Accepted: 12/24/2012] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
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Hellvard A, Maresz K, Schilling S, Graubner S, Heiser U, Jonsson R, Cynis H, Demuth HU, Potempa J, Mydel P. Glutaminyl cyclases as novel targets for the treatment of septic arthritis. J Infect Dis 2012. [PMID: 23204180 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jis729] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Septic arthritis is a severe and rapidly debilitating disease mainly caused by Staphylococcus aureus. Here, we assess the antiarthritic efficiency of glutaminyl cyclase (QC) inhibitors. METHODS Mice were inoculated with an arthritogenic amount of S. aureus intravenously or by local administration into the knee joint. Animals were treated with QC inhibitors (PBD155 and PQ529) via chow during the experiment. QC and isoQC knockout mice were also analyzed for arthritis symptoms after local administration of bacteria. RESULTS Both QC inhibitors significantly delayed the onset of clinical signs of arthritis, and inhibitors significantly decreased weight loss in treated animals. Following intraarticular injection of S. aureus, PBD155-treated mice had lower levels of synovitis and bone erosion, as well as less myeloperoxidase in synovial tissue. Fluorescence-activated cell sorter analysis revealed that PBD155 treatment affected the expression pattern of adhesion molecules, preventing the upregulation of cells expressing CD11b/CD18. CONCLUSION The compounds investigated here represent a novel class of small molecular antiarthritic inhibitors. In our studies, they exerted strong antiinflammatory actions, and therefore they might be suited for disease-modifying treatment of infectious arthritis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annelie Hellvard
- Broegelmann Research Laboratory, The Gade Institute, University of Bergen, Norway
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30
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Nussbaum JM, Schilling S, Cynis H, Silva A, Swanson E, Wangsanut T, Tayler K, Wiltgen B, Hatami A, Rönicke R, Reymann K, Hutter-Paier B, Alexandru A, Jagla W, Graubner S, Glabe CG, Demuth HU, Bloom GS. Prion-like behaviour and tau-dependent cytotoxicity of pyroglutamylated amyloid-β. Nature 2012; 485:651-5. [PMID: 22660329 PMCID: PMC3367389 DOI: 10.1038/nature11060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 323] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2011] [Accepted: 03/16/2012] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Extracellular plaques of β-amyloid (Aβ) and intraneuronal neurofibrillary tangles made from tau are the histopathological signatures of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Plaques comprise Aβ fibrils that assemble from monomeric and oligomeric intermediates, and are prognostic indicators of AD. Despite the significance of plaques to AD, oligomers are considered to be the principal toxic forms of Aβ1,2. Interestingly, many adverse responses to Aβ, such as cytotoxicity3, microtubule loss4, impaired memory and learning5, and neuritic degeneration6, are greatly amplified by tau expression. N-terminally truncated, pyroglutamylated (pE) forms of Aβ7,8 are strongly associated with AD, are more toxic than Aβ1–42 and Aβ1–40, and have been proposed as initiators of AD pathogenesis9,10. We now report a mechanism by which pE-Aβ may trigger AD. Aβ3(pE)-42 co-oligomerizes with excess Aβ1–42 to form metastable low-n oligomers (LNOs) that are structurally distinct and far more cytotoxic to cultured neurons than comparable LNOs made from Aβ1–42 alone. Tau is required for cytotoxicity, and LNOs comprising 5% Aβ3(pE)-42 plus 95% Aβ1–42 (5% pE-Aβ) seed new cytotoxic LNOs through multiple serial dilutions into Aβ1–42 monomers in the absence of additional Aβ3(pE)-42. LNOs isolated from human AD brain contained Aβ3(pE)-42, and enhanced Aβ3(pE)-42 formation in mice triggered neuron loss and gliosis at 3 months, but not in a tau null background. We conclude that Aβ3(pE)-42 confers tau-dependent neuronal death and causes template-induced misfolding of Aβ1–42 into structurally distinct LNOs that propagate by a prion-like mechanism. Our results raise the possibility that Aβ3(pE)-42 acts similarly at a primary step in AD pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justin M Nussbaum
- Department of Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia 22904, USA
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31
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Schlenzig D, Rönicke R, Cynis H, Ludwig HH, Scheel E, Reymann K, Saido T, Hause G, Schilling S, Demuth HU. N-Terminal pyroglutamate formation of Aβ38 and Aβ40 enforces oligomer formation and potency to disrupt hippocampal long-term potentiation. J Neurochem 2012; 121:774-84. [PMID: 22375951 DOI: 10.1111/j.1471-4159.2012.07707.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Pyroglutamate (pGlu)-modified amyloid peptides have been identified in sporadic and familial forms of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and the inherited disorders familial British and Danish Dementia (FBD and FDD). In this study, we characterized the aggregation of amyloid-β protein Aβ37, Aβ38, Aβ40, Aβ42 and ADan species in vitro, which were modified by N-terminal pGlu (pGlu-Aβ3-x, pGlu-ADan) or possess the intact N-terminus (Aβ1-x, ADan). The pGlu-modification confers rapid formation of oligomers and short fibrillar aggregates. In accordance with these observations, the pGlu-modified Aβ38, Αβ40 and Αβ42 species inhibit hippocampal long term potentiation of synaptic response, but pGlu-Aβ3-42 showing the highest effect. Among the unmodified Aβ peptides, only Aβ1-42 exhibites such propensity, which was similar to pGlu-Aβ3-38 and pGlu-Aβ3-40. Likewise, the amyloidogenic peptide pGlu-ADan impaired synaptic potentiation more pronounced than N-terminal unmodified ADan. The results were validated using conditioned media from cultivated HEK293 cells, which express APP variants favoring the formation of Aβ1-x, Aβ3-x or N-truncated pGlu-Aβ3-x species. Hence, we show that the ability of different amyloid peptides to impair synaptic function apparently correlates to their potential to form oligomers as a common mechanism. The pGlu-modification is apparently mediating a higher surface hydrophobicity, as shown by 1-anilinonaphtalene-8-sulfonate fluorescence, which enforces potential to interfere with neuronal physiology.
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32
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Alexandru A, Jagla W, Graubner S, Becker A, Bäuscher C, Kohlmann S, Sedlmeier R, Raber KA, Cynis H, Rönicke R, Reymann KG, Petrasch-Parwez E, Hartlage-Rübsamen M, Waniek A, Rossner S, Schilling S, Osmand AP, Demuth HU, von Hörsten S. Selective hippocampal neurodegeneration in transgenic mice expressing small amounts of truncated Aβ is induced by pyroglutamate-Aβ formation. J Neurosci 2011; 31:12790-801. [PMID: 21900558 PMCID: PMC6623394 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1794-11.2011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2011] [Revised: 07/09/2011] [Accepted: 07/12/2011] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Posttranslational amyloid-β (Aβ) modification is considered to play an important role in Alzheimer's disease (AD) etiology. An N-terminally modified Aβ species, pyroglutamate-amyloid-β (pE3-Aβ), has been described as a major constituent of Aβ deposits specific to human AD but absent in normal aging. Formed via cyclization of truncated Aβ species by glutaminyl cyclase (QC; QPCT) and/or its isoenzyme (isoQC; QPCTL), pE3-Aβ aggregates rapidly and is known to seed additional Aβ aggregation. To directly investigate pE3-Aβ toxicity in vivo, we generated and characterized transgenic TBA2.1 and TBA2.2 mice, which express truncated mutant human Aβ. Along with a rapidly developing behavioral phenotype, these mice showed progressively accumulating Aβ and pE3-Aβ deposits in brain regions of neuronal loss, impaired long-term potentiation, microglial activation, and astrocytosis. Illustrating a threshold for pE3-Aβ neurotoxicity, this phenotype was not found in heterozygous animals but in homozygous TBA2.1 or double-heterozygous TBA2.1/2.2 animals only. A significant amount of pE3-Aβ formation was shown to be QC-dependent, because crossbreeding of TBA2.1 with QC knock-out, but not isoQC knock-out, mice significantly reduced pE3-Aβ levels. Hence, lowering the rate of QC-dependent posttranslational pE3-Aβ formation can, in turn, lower the amount of neurotoxic Aβ species in AD.
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MESH Headings
- Aging/pathology
- Aging/psychology
- Alzheimer Disease/pathology
- Amyloid beta-Protein Precursor/biosynthesis
- Animals
- Behavior, Animal
- Brain/pathology
- Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
- Gliosis/pathology
- Heredodegenerative Disorders, Nervous System/genetics
- Heredodegenerative Disorders, Nervous System/pathology
- Heredodegenerative Disorders, Nervous System/psychology
- Hippocampus/pathology
- Humans
- Immunohistochemistry
- Kinetics
- Long-Term Potentiation/physiology
- Mice
- Mice, Inbred C57BL
- Mice, Inbred DBA
- Mice, Transgenic
- Microscopy, Electron
- Neuronal Plasticity/genetics
- Neuronal Plasticity/physiology
- Phenotype
- Postural Balance/physiology
- Protein Processing, Post-Translational
- Pyrrolidonecarboxylic Acid/metabolism
- Reflex, Startle/physiology
- Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Kerstin A. Raber
- Experimental Therapy, Friedrich Alexander University Erlangen Nürnberg, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | | | - Raik Rönicke
- German Center of Neurodegenerative Diseases, 39120 Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Klaus G. Reymann
- German Center of Neurodegenerative Diseases, 39120 Magdeburg, Germany
- Leibniz Institute for Neurobiology, 39118 Magdeburg, Germany
| | | | - Maike Hartlage-Rübsamen
- Paul Flechsig Institute for Brain Research, University of Leipzig, 04109 Leipzig, Germany, and
| | - Alexander Waniek
- Paul Flechsig Institute for Brain Research, University of Leipzig, 04109 Leipzig, Germany, and
| | - Steffen Rossner
- Paul Flechsig Institute for Brain Research, University of Leipzig, 04109 Leipzig, Germany, and
| | | | - Alexander P. Osmand
- Department of Medicine, University of Tennessee Graduate School of Medicine, Knoxville, Tennessee 37920
| | - Hans-Ulrich Demuth
- Ingenium Pharmaceuticals, 82152 Martinsried, Germany
- Probiodrug, 06120 Halle/Saale, Germany
| | - Stephan von Hörsten
- Experimental Therapy, Friedrich Alexander University Erlangen Nürnberg, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
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33
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Cynis H, Hoffmann T, Friedrich D, Kehlen A, Gans K, Kleinschmidt M, Rahfeld JU, Wolf R, Wermann M, Stephan A, Haegele M, Sedlmeier R, Graubner S, Jagla W, Müller A, Eichentopf R, Heiser U, Seifert F, Quax PHA, de Vries MR, Hesse I, Trautwein D, Wollert U, Berg S, Freyse EJ, Schilling S, Demuth HU. The isoenzyme of glutaminyl cyclase is an important regulator of monocyte infiltration under inflammatory conditions. EMBO Mol Med 2011; 3:545-58. [PMID: 21774078 PMCID: PMC3377097 DOI: 10.1002/emmm.201100158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2011] [Revised: 06/01/2011] [Accepted: 06/08/2011] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Acute and chronic inflammatory disorders are characterized by detrimental cytokine and chemokine expression. Frequently, the chemotactic activity of cytokines depends on a modified N-terminus of the polypeptide. Among those, the N-terminus of monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (CCL2 and MCP-1) is modified to a pyroglutamate (pE-) residue protecting against degradation in vivo. Here, we show that the N-terminal pE-formation depends on glutaminyl cyclase activity. The pE-residue increases stability against N-terminal degradation by aminopeptidases and improves receptor activation and signal transduction in vitro. Genetic ablation of the glutaminyl cyclase iso-enzymes QC (QPCT) or isoQC (QPCTL) revealed a major role of isoQC for pE1-CCL2 formation and monocyte infiltration. Consistently, administration of QC-inhibitors in inflammatory models, such as thioglycollate-induced peritonitis reduced monocyte infiltration. The pharmacologic efficacy of QC/isoQC-inhibition was assessed in accelerated atherosclerosis in ApoE3*Leiden mice, showing attenuated atherosclerotic pathology following chronic oral treatment. Current strategies targeting CCL2 are mainly based on antibodies or spiegelmers. The application of small, orally available inhibitors of glutaminyl cyclases represents an alternative therapeutic strategy to treat CCL2-driven disorders such as atherosclerosis/restenosis and fibrosis.
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Hartlage-Rübsamen M, Morawski M, Waniek A, Jäger C, Zeitschel U, Koch B, Cynis H, Schilling S, Schliebs R, Demuth HU, Roßner S. Glutaminyl cyclase contributes to the formation of focal and diffuse pyroglutamate (pGlu)-Aβ deposits in hippocampus via distinct cellular mechanisms. Acta Neuropathol 2011; 121:705-19. [PMID: 21301857 PMCID: PMC3098988 DOI: 10.1007/s00401-011-0806-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2010] [Revised: 01/27/2011] [Accepted: 01/27/2011] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
In the hippocampal formation of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) patients, both focal and diffuse deposits of Aβ peptides appear in a subregion- and layer-specific manner. Recently, pyroglutamate (pGlu or pE)-modified Aβ peptides were identified as a highly pathogenic and seeding Aβ peptide species. Since the pE modification is catalyzed by glutaminyl cyclase (QC) this enzyme emerged as a novel pharmacological target for AD therapy. Here, we reveal the role of QC in the formation of different types of hippocampal pE-Aβ aggregates. First, we demonstrate that both, focal and diffuse pE-Aβ deposits are present in defined layers of the AD hippocampus. While the focal type of pE-Aβ aggregates was found to be associated with the somata of QC-expressing interneurons, the diffuse type was not. To address this discrepancy, the hippocampus of amyloid precursor protein transgenic mice was analysed. Similar to observations made in AD, focal (i.e. core-containing) pE-Aβ deposits originating from QC-positive neurons and diffuse pE-Aβ deposits not associated with QC were detected in Tg2576 mouse hippocampus. The hippocampal layers harbouring diffuse pE-Aβ deposits receive multiple afferents from QC-rich neuronal populations of the entorhinal cortex and locus coeruleus. This might point towards a mechanism in which pE-Aβ and/or QC are being released from projection neurons at hippocampal synapses. Indeed, there are a number of reports demonstrating the reduction of diffuse, but not of focal, Aβ deposits in hippocampus after deafferentation experiments. Moreover, we demonstrate in neurons by live cell imaging and by enzymatic activity assays that QC is secreted in a constitutive and regulated manner. Thus, it is concluded that hippocampal pE-Aβ plaques may develop through at least two different mechanisms: intracellularly at sites of somatic QC activity as well as extracellularly through seeding at terminal fields of QC expressing projection neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maike Hartlage-Rübsamen
- Paul Flechsig Institute for Brain Research, University of Leipzig, Jahnallee 59, 04109 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Markus Morawski
- Paul Flechsig Institute for Brain Research, University of Leipzig, Jahnallee 59, 04109 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Alexander Waniek
- Paul Flechsig Institute for Brain Research, University of Leipzig, Jahnallee 59, 04109 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Carsten Jäger
- Paul Flechsig Institute for Brain Research, University of Leipzig, Jahnallee 59, 04109 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Ulrike Zeitschel
- Paul Flechsig Institute for Brain Research, University of Leipzig, Jahnallee 59, 04109 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Birgit Koch
- Probiodrug AG, Biocenter, Weinbergweg 22, 06120 Halle/Saale, Germany
| | - Holger Cynis
- Probiodrug AG, Biocenter, Weinbergweg 22, 06120 Halle/Saale, Germany
| | - Stephan Schilling
- Probiodrug AG, Biocenter, Weinbergweg 22, 06120 Halle/Saale, Germany
| | - Reinhard Schliebs
- Paul Flechsig Institute for Brain Research, University of Leipzig, Jahnallee 59, 04109 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Hans-Ulrich Demuth
- Probiodrug AG, Biocenter, Weinbergweg 22, 06120 Halle/Saale, Germany
- Ingenium Pharmaceuticals GmbH, Fraunhoferstr. 13, 82152 Martinsried/Munich, Germany
| | - Steffen Roßner
- Paul Flechsig Institute for Brain Research, University of Leipzig, Jahnallee 59, 04109 Leipzig, Germany
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35
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Schilling S, Kohlmann S, Bäuscher C, Sedlmeier R, Koch B, Eichentopf R, Becker A, Cynis H, Hoffmann T, Berg S, Freyse EJ, von Hörsten S, Rossner S, Graubner S, Demuth HU. Glutaminyl cyclase knock-out mice exhibit slight hypothyroidism but no hypogonadism: implications for enzyme function and drug development. J Biol Chem 2011; 286:14199-208. [PMID: 21330373 PMCID: PMC3077621 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m111.229385] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [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: 02/13/2011] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Glutaminyl cyclases (QCs) catalyze the formation of pyroglutamate (pGlu) residues at the N terminus of peptides and proteins. Hypothalamic pGlu hormones, such as thyrotropin-releasing hormone and gonadotropin-releasing hormone are essential for regulation of metabolism and fertility in the hypothalamic pituitary thyroid and gonadal axes, respectively. Here, we analyzed the consequences of constitutive genetic QC ablation on endocrine functions and on the behavior of adult mice. Adult homozygous QC knock-out mice are fertile and behave indistinguishably from wild type mice in tests of motor function, cognition, general activity, and ingestion behavior. The QC knock-out results in a dramatic drop of enzyme activity in the brain, especially in hypothalamus and in plasma. Other peripheral organs like liver and spleen still contain QC activity, which is most likely caused by its homolog isoQC. The serum gonadotropin-releasing hormone, TSH, and testosterone concentrations were not changed by QC depletion. The serum thyroxine was decreased by 24% in homozygous QC knock-out animals, suggesting a mild hypothyroidism. QC knock-out mice were indistinguishable from wild type with regard to blood glucose and glucose tolerance, thus differing from reports of thyrotropin-releasing hormone knock-out mice significantly. The results suggest a significant formation of the hypothalamic pGlu hormones by alternative mechanisms, like spontaneous cyclization or conversion by isoQC. The different effects of QC depletion on the hypothalamic pituitary thyroid and gonadal axes might indicate slightly different modes of substrate conversion of both enzymes. The absence of significant abnormalities in QC knock-out mice suggests the presence of a therapeutic window for suppression of QC activity in current drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Birgit Koch
- From Probiodrug AG, Weinbergweg 22, 06120 Halle/Saale
| | | | | | - Holger Cynis
- From Probiodrug AG, Weinbergweg 22, 06120 Halle/Saale
| | | | - Sabine Berg
- the Institute of Diabetes, “Gerhardt Katsch,” 17495 Karlsburg
| | | | - Stephan von Hörsten
- the University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, Franz-Penzoldt-Center, Palmsanlage 5, 91054 Erlangen, and
| | - Steffen Rossner
- the Paul Flechsig Institute for Brain Research, University of Leipzig, Jahnallee 59, 04109 Leipzig, Germany
| | | | - Hans-Ulrich Demuth
- From Probiodrug AG, Weinbergweg 22, 06120 Halle/Saale
- Ingenium GmbH, Fraunhoferstrasse 13, 82152 Martinsried
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36
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Schilling S, Cynis H, Rönicke R, Reymann K, Seifert F, Schlenzig D, Demuth HU. P3‐412: N‐terminal truncation and pyroglutamate modification of amyloid peptides: Potential strategies to interfere with neurodegenerative pathogenesis in Alzheimer's disease, FBD, FDD. Alzheimers Dement 2010. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jalz.2010.05.1955] [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: 10/19/2022]
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37
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Demuth HU, Cynis H, Alexandru A, Jagla W, Graubner S, Stephan v. Hoersten, Schilling S. P3‐407: Inhibition of Glutaminyl Cyclase: Pharmacology and steps towards clinical development. Alzheimers Dement 2010. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jalz.2010.05.1950] [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: 11/25/2022]
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Stephan A, Wermann M, von Bohlen A, Koch B, Cynis H, Demuth HU, Schilling S. Mammalian glutaminyl cyclases and their isoenzymes have identical enzymatic characteristics. FEBS J 2009; 276:6522-36. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1742-4658.2009.07337.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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39
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Wirths O, Breyhan H, Cynis H, Schilling S, Demuth HU, Bayer TA. Intraneuronal pyroglutamate-Abeta 3-42 triggers neurodegeneration and lethal neurological deficits in a transgenic mouse model. Acta Neuropathol 2009; 118:487-96. [PMID: 19547991 PMCID: PMC2737116 DOI: 10.1007/s00401-009-0557-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 129] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2009] [Revised: 06/03/2009] [Accepted: 06/06/2009] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
It is well established that only a fraction of Aβ peptides in the brain of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) patients start with N-terminal aspartate (Aβ1D) which is generated by proteolytic processing of amyloid precursor protein (APP) by BACE. N-terminally truncated and pyroglutamate modified Aβ starting at position 3 and ending with amino acid 42 [Aβ3(pE)–42] have been previously shown to represent a major species in the brain of AD patients. When compared with Aβ1–42, this peptide has stronger aggregation propensity and increased toxicity in vitro. Although it is unknown which peptidases remove the first two N-terminal amino acids, the cyclization of Aβ at N-terminal glutamate can be catalyzed in vitro. Here, we show that Aβ3(pE)–42 induces neurodegeneration and concomitant neurological deficits in a novel mouse model (TBA2 transgenic mice). Although TBA2 transgenic mice exhibit a strong neuronal expression of Aβ3–42 predominantly in hippocampus and cerebellum, few plaques were found in the cortex, cerebellum, brain stem and thalamus. The levels of converted Aβ3(pE)-42 in TBA2 mice were comparable to the APP/PS1KI mouse model with robust neuron loss and associated behavioral deficits. Eight weeks after birth TBA2 mice developed massive neurological impairments together with abundant loss of Purkinje cells. Although the TBA2 model lacks important AD-typical neuropathological features like tangles and hippocampal degeneration, it clearly demonstrates that intraneuronal Aβ3(pE)–42 is neurotoxic in vivo.
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Hartlage‐Rübsamen M, Staffa K, Waniek A, Wermann M, Hoffmann T, Cynis H, Schilling S, Demuth H, Roßner S. Developmental expression and subcellular localization of glutaminyl cyclase in mouse brain. Int J Dev Neurosci 2009; 27:825-35. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijdevneu.2009.08.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2009] [Revised: 08/07/2009] [Accepted: 08/15/2009] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | - Katharina Staffa
- Paul Flechsig Institute for Brain ResearchUniversity of LeipzigLeipzigGermany
| | - Alexander Waniek
- Paul Flechsig Institute for Brain ResearchUniversity of LeipzigLeipzigGermany
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Steffen Roßner
- Paul Flechsig Institute for Brain ResearchUniversity of LeipzigLeipzigGermany
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41
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Affiliation(s)
- Holger Cynis
- Stephan SchillingHans‐Ulrich DemuthProbiodrug AGHalle (Saale)Germany
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42
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Schilling S, Cynis H, Demuth HU. Abstract: P689 ISOLATION OF AN ISOENZYME OF HUMAN GLUTAMINYL CYCLASE. ATHEROSCLEROSIS SUPP 2009. [DOI: 10.1016/s1567-5688(09)70857-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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Schilling S, Zeitschel U, Hoffmann T, Heiser U, Francke M, Kehlen A, Holzer M, Hutter-Paier B, Prokesch M, Windisch M, Jagla W, Schlenzig D, Lindner C, Rudolph T, Reuter G, Cynis H, Montag D, Demuth HU, Rossner S. Glutaminyl cyclase inhibition attenuates pyroglutamate Abeta and Alzheimer's disease-like pathology. Nat Med 2008; 14:1106-11. [PMID: 18836460 DOI: 10.1038/nm.1872] [Citation(s) in RCA: 271] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2008] [Accepted: 09/03/2008] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Because of their abundance, resistance to proteolysis, rapid aggregation and neurotoxicity, N-terminally truncated and, in particular, pyroglutamate (pE)-modified Abeta peptides have been suggested as being important in the initiation of pathological cascades resulting in the development of Alzheimer's disease. We found that the N-terminal pE-formation is catalyzed by glutaminyl cyclase in vivo. Glutaminyl cyclase expression was upregulated in the cortices of individuals with Alzheimer's disease and correlated with the appearance of pE-modified Abeta. Oral application of a glutaminyl cyclase inhibitor resulted in reduced Abeta(3(pE)-42) burden in two different transgenic mouse models of Alzheimer's disease and in a new Drosophila model. Treatment of mice was accompanied by reductions in Abeta(x-40/42), diminished plaque formation and gliosis and improved performance in context memory and spatial learning tests. These observations are consistent with the hypothesis that Abeta(3(pE)-42) acts as a seed for Abeta aggregation by self-aggregation and co-aggregation with Abeta(1-40/42). Therefore, Abeta(3(pE)-40/42) peptides seem to represent Abeta forms with exceptional potency for disturbing neuronal function. The reduction of brain pE-Abeta by inhibition of glutaminyl cyclase offers a new therapeutic option for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease and provides implications for other amyloidoses, such as familial Danish dementia.
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Schilling S, Appl T, Hoffmann T, Cynis H, Schulz K, Jagla W, Friedrich D, Wermann M, Buchholz M, Heiser U, von Hrsten S, Demuth HU. Inhibition of glutaminyl cyclase prevents pGlu-A formation after intracorticalhippocampal microinjectionin vivoin situ. J Neurochem 2008; 106:1225-36. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1471-4159.2008.05471.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Cynis H, Scheel E, Saido TC, Schilling S, Demuth HU. Amyloidogenic processing of amyloid precursor protein: evidence of a pivotal role of glutaminyl cyclase in generation of pyroglutamate-modified amyloid-beta. Biochemistry 2008; 47:7405-13. [PMID: 18570439 DOI: 10.1021/bi800250p] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Compelling evidence suggests that N-terminally truncated and pyroglutamyl-modified amyloid-beta (Abeta) peptides play a major role in the development of Alzheimer's disease. Posttranslational formation of pyroglutamic acid (pGlu) at position 3 or 11 of Abeta implies cyclization of an N-terminal glutamate residue rendering the modified peptide degradation resistant, more hydrophobic, and prone to aggregation. Previous studies using artificial peptide substrates suggested the potential involvement of the enzyme glutaminyl cyclase in generation of pGlu-Abeta. Here we show that glutaminyl cyclase (QC) catalyzes the formation of Abeta 3(pE)-40/42 after amyloidogenic processing of APP in two different cell lines, applying specific ELISAs and Western blotting based on urea-PAGE. Inhibition of QC by the imidazole derivative PBD150 led to a blockage of Abeta 3(pE)-42 formation. Apparently, the QC-catalyzed formation of N-terminal pGlu is favored in the acidic environment of secretory compartments, which is also supported by double-immunofluorescence labeling of QC and APP revealing partial colocalization. Finally, initial investigations focusing on the molecular pathway leading to the generation of truncated Abeta peptides imply an important role of the amino acid sequence near the beta-secretase cleavage site. Introduction of a single-point mutation, resulting in an amino acid substitution, APP(E599Q), i.e., at position 3 of Abeta, resulted in significant formation of Abeta 3(pE)-40/42. Introduction of the APP KM595/596NL "Swedish" mutation causing overproduction of Abeta, however, surprisingly diminished the concentration of Abeta 3(pE)-40/42. The study provides new cell-based assays for the profiling of small molecule inhibitors of QC and points to conspicuous differences in processing of APP depending on sequence at the beta-secretase cleavage site.
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Affiliation(s)
- Holger Cynis
- Probiodrug AG, Weinbergweg 22, 06120 Halle/Saale, Germany
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Cynis H, Rahfeld JU, Stephan A, Kehlen A, Koch B, Wermann M, Demuth HU, Schilling S. Isolation of an Isoenzyme of Human Glutaminyl Cyclase: Retention in the Golgi Complex Suggests Involvement in the Protein Maturation Machinery. J Mol Biol 2008; 379:966-80. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2008.03.078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2008] [Revised: 03/12/2008] [Accepted: 03/31/2008] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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Cynis H, Schilling S, Bodnár M, Hoffmann T, Heiser U, Saido TC, Demuth HU. Inhibition of glutaminyl cyclase alters pyroglutamate formation in mammalian cells. Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA) - Proteins and Proteomics 2006; 1764:1618-25. [PMID: 17005457 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbapap.2006.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2006] [Revised: 07/29/2006] [Accepted: 08/11/2006] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Mammalian cell lines were examined concerning their Glutaminyl Cyclase (QC) activity using a HPLC method. The enzyme activity was suppressed by a QC specific inhibitor in all homogenates. Aim of the study was to prove whether inhibition of QC modifies the posttranslational maturation of N-glutamine and N-glutamate peptide substrates. Therefore, the impact of QC-inhibition on amino-terminal pyroglutamate (pGlu) formation of the modified amyloid peptides Abeta(N3E-42) and Abeta(N3Q-42) was investigated. These amyloid-beta peptides were expressed as fusion proteins with either the pre-pro sequence of TRH, to be released by a prohormone convertase, or as engineered amyloid precursor protein for subsequent liberation of Abeta(N3Q-42) after beta- and gamma-secretase cleavage during posttranslational processing. Inhibition of QC leads in both expression systems to significantly reduced pGlu-formation of differently processed Abeta-peptides. This reveals the importance of QC-activity during cellular maturation of pGlu-containing peptides. Thus, QC-inhibition should impact bioactivity, stability or even toxicity of pyroglutamyl peptides preventing glutamine and glutamate cyclization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Holger Cynis
- Probiodrug AG, Weinbergweg 22, 06120 Halle/Saale, Germany
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Schilling S, Cynis H, von Bohlen A, Hoffmann T, Wermann M, Heiser U, Buchholz M, Zunkel K, Demuth HU. Isolation, Catalytic Properties, and Competitive Inhibitors of the Zinc-Dependent Murine Glutaminyl Cyclase. Biochemistry 2005; 44:13415-24. [PMID: 16201766 DOI: 10.1021/bi051142e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Murine glutaminyl cyclase (mQC) was identified in the insulinoma cell line beta-TC 3 by determination of enzymatic activity and RT-PCR. The cloned cDNA was expressed in the secretory pathway of the methylotrophic yeast Pichia pastoris and purified after fermentation using a new three-step protocol. mQC converted a set of various substrates with very similar specificity to human QC, indicating a virtually identical catalytic competence. Furthermore, mQC was competitively inhibited by imidazole derivatives. A screen of thiol reagents revealed cysteamine as a competitive inhibitor of mQC bearing a Ki value of 42 +/-2 microM. Substitution of the thiol or the amino group resulted in a drastic loss of inhibitory potency. The pH dependence of catalysis and inhibition support that an uncharged nitrogen of the inhibitors and the substrate is necessary in order to bind to the active site of the enzyme. In contrast to imidazole and cysteamine, the heterocyclic chelators 1,10-phenanthroline, 2,6-dipicolinic acid, and 8-hydroxyquinoline inactivated mQC in a time-dependent manner. In addition, citric acid inactivated the enzyme at pH 5.5. Inhibition by citrate was abolished in the presence of zinc ions. A determination of the metal content by total reflection X-ray fluorescence spectrometry and atomic absorption spectroscopy in mQC revealed stoichiometric amounts of zinc bound to the protein. Metal ion depletion appeared to have no significant effect on protein structure as shown by fluorescence spectroscopy, suggesting a catalytic role of zinc. The results demonstrate that mQC and probably all animal QCs are zinc-dependent catalysts. Apparently, during evolution from an ancestral protease, a switch occurred in the catalytic mechanism which is mainly based on a loss of one metal binding site.
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