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Zorad S, Skrabanova M, Zilkova M, Cente M, Turic Csokova N, Kovacech B, Cizkova D, Filipcik P. Angiotensin I and II Stimulate Cell Invasion of SARS-CoV-2: Potential Mechanism via Inhibition of ACE2 Arm of RAS. Physiol Res 2024; 73:27-35. [PMID: 38466002 PMCID: PMC11019619 DOI: 10.33549/physiolres.935198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2023] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 04/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), one of the key enzymes of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS), plays an important role in SARS-CoV-2 infection by functioning as a virus receptor. Angiotensin peptides Ang I and Ang II, the substrates of ACE2, can modulate the binding of SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein to the ACE2 receptor. In the present work, we found that co incubation of HEK-ACE2 and Vero E6 cells with the SARS-CoV-2 Spike pseudovirus (PVP) resulted in stimulation of the virus entry at low and high micromolar concentrations of Ang I and Ang II, respectively. The potency of Ang I and Ang II stimulation of virus entry corresponds to their binding affinity to ACE2 catalytic pocket with 10 times higher efficiency of Ang II. The Ang II induced mild increase of PVP infectivity at 20 microM; while at 100 microM the increase (129.74+/-3.99 %) was highly significant (p<0.001). Since the angiotensin peptides act in HEK ACE2 cells without the involvement of angiotensin type I receptors, we hypothesize that there is a steric interaction between the catalytic pocket of the ACE2 enzyme and the SARS-CoV-2 S1 binding domain. Oversaturation of the ACE2 with their angiotensin substrate might result in increased binding and entry of the SARS-CoV-2. In addition, the analysis of angiotensin peptides metabolism showed decreased ACE2 and increased ACE activity upon SARS-CoV-2 action. These effects should be taken into consideration in COVID-19 patients suffering from comorbidities such as the over-activated renin-angiotensin system as a mechanism potentially influencing the SARS-CoV-2 invasion into recipient cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Zorad
- Institute of Experimental Endocrinology, Biomedical Research Center, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovak Republic. and Institute of Neuroimmunology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovak Republic.
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Cente M, Danchenko M, Skultety L, Filipcik P, Sekeyova Z. Rickettsia Deregulates Genes Coding for the Neurotoxic Cell Response Pathways in Cerebrocortical Neurons In Vitro. Cells 2023; 12:cells12091235. [PMID: 37174635 PMCID: PMC10177168 DOI: 10.3390/cells12091235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2023] [Revised: 04/20/2023] [Accepted: 04/21/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Rickettsial infections of the central nervous system (CNS) are manifested by severe neurological symptoms and represent a serious life-threatening condition. Despite the considerable health danger, only a few studies have been conducted focusing on the pathogenesis induced by Rickettsia sp. in CNS. To investigate the signaling pathways associated with the neurotoxic effects of rickettsiae, we employed an experimental model of cerebrocortical neurons combined with molecular profiling and comprehensive bioinformatic analysis. The cytopathic effect induced by Rickettsia akari and Rickettsia slovaca was demonstrated by decreased neuronal viability, structural changes in cell morphology, and extensive fragmentation of neurites in vitro. Targeted profiling revealed the deregulation of genes involved in the neuroinflammatory and neurotoxic cell response pathways. Although quantitative analysis showed differences in gene expression response, functional annotation revealed that the biological processes are largely shared between both Rickettsia species. The identified enriched pathways are associated with cytokine signaling, chemotaxis of immune cells, responses to infectious agents, interactions between neurons, endothelial and glial cells, and regulation of neuronal apoptotic processes. The findings of our study provide new insight into the etiopathogenesis of CNS infection and further expand the understanding of molecular signaling associated with neuroinvasive Rickettsia species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Cente
- Institute of Neuroimmunology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dubravska cesta 9, 845 10 Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Monika Danchenko
- Department of Rickettsiology, Biomedical Research Center, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dubravska cesta 9, 845 05 Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Ludovit Skultety
- Department of Rickettsiology, Biomedical Research Center, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dubravska cesta 9, 845 05 Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Peter Filipcik
- Institute of Neuroimmunology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dubravska cesta 9, 845 10 Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Zuzana Sekeyova
- Department of Rickettsiology, Biomedical Research Center, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dubravska cesta 9, 845 05 Bratislava, Slovakia
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Cente M, Perackova J, Peracek P, Majdan M, Toth I, Mikulic M, Hanes J, Porubska S, Spajdel M, Kazickova B, Jurisica I, Filipcik P. Association of Nonconcussive Repetitive Head Impacts and Intense Physical Activity With Levels of Phosphorylated Tau181 and Total Tau in Plasma of Young Elite Soccer Players. JAMA Netw Open 2023; 6:e236101. [PMID: 36995709 PMCID: PMC10064253 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.6101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Importance Head impacts resulting in traumatic brain injury (TBI) lead to the elevation of phosphorylated tau protein (p-tau181) in plasma. To our knowledge, this study is the first to investigate dynamics of p-tau181 levels and the ratio of p-tau181 to total tau in individuals after nonconcussive head impacts. Objective To determine the association of repetitive low-intensity head impacts on p-tau181 and total tau protein levels in the plasma of young adult elite soccer players and assess the possible association of head impacts with focused attention and cognitive flexibility. Design, Setting, and Participants In this cohort study, young elite soccer players performed intense physical activity with and without heading the ball. The study was conducted at a university facility in Slovakia from October 1, 2021, to May 31, 2022. Eligible participants were selected based on similarities in demographic variables, excluding those with a history of TBI. Main Outcomes and Measures The primary study outcomes were the levels of total tau protein and p-tau181 in plasma samples and the cognitive status of the study participants. Results A total of 37 male athletes participated in the study (mean [SD] age: exercise group, 21.6 [1.6] years; heading group, 21.2 [1.5] years). We found significantly elevated levels of total tau and p-tau181 in the plasma of soccer players 1 hour after physical exercise (tau, 1.4-fold; 95% CI, 1.2-1.5; P < .001; p-tau181, 1.4-fold; 95% CI, 1.3-1.5, P < .001) and repetitive head impacts (tau, 1.3-fold; 95% CI, 1.2-1.4; P < .001; p-tau181, 1.5-fold; 95% CI, 1.4-1.7 P < .001). The ratio of p-tau181 to tau was significantly higher 1 hour after exercise and heading training, and remained elevated specifically in the heading group even after 24 hours (1.2-fold; 95% CI, 1.1-1.3; P = .002). Performance in cognitive tests revealed a significant decline in focused attention and cognitive flexibility after physical exercise and heading training; physical exercise of higher intensity without heading training was associated with a greater negative cognitive performance than heading only. Conclusions and Relevance In this cohort study of young elite soccer players, the elevation of p-tau181 and tau was observed after acute intense physical activity and nonconcussive repetitive head impacts. The increase of p-tau181 levels relative to tau after 24 hours indicated an acute enrichment of phosphorylated tau fraction in the periphery when compared with preimpact levels; an imbalance of tau proteins may have long-lasting consequences in the brain of head-impacted individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Cente
- Institute of Neuroimmunology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Janka Perackova
- Department of Sport Science in Educology and Humanities, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport, Comenius University in Bratislava, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Pavol Peracek
- Department of Sports Games, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport, Comenius University in Bratislava, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Marek Majdan
- Institute for Global Health and Epidemiology, Department of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences and Social Work, Trnava University, Trnava, Slovakia
| | - Igor Toth
- Department of Sports Games, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport, Comenius University in Bratislava, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Martin Mikulic
- Department of Sports Games, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport, Comenius University in Bratislava, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Jozef Hanes
- Institute of Neuroimmunology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Sara Porubska
- Institute of Neuroimmunology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Marian Spajdel
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Philosophy and Arts, Trnava University, Trnava, Slovakia
| | - Barbora Kazickova
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Philosophy and Arts, Trnava University, Trnava, Slovakia
| | - Igor Jurisica
- Institute of Neuroimmunology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
- Osteoarthritis Research Program, Division of Orthopedic Surgery, Schroeder Arthritis Institute and Data Science Discovery Centre for Chronic Diseases, Krembil Research Institute, University Health Network
- Departments of Medical Biophysics and Computer Science, and Faculty of Dentistry, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Peter Filipcik
- Institute of Neuroimmunology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
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Sandmo SB, Matyasova K, Filipcik P, Cente M, Koerte IK, Pasternak O, Andersen TE, Straume-Næsheim TM, Bahr R, Jurisica I. Changes in circulating microRNAs following head impacts in soccer. Brain Inj 2022; 36:560-571. [PMID: 35172120 DOI: 10.1080/02699052.2022.2034042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
AIM To explore the short-term effects of accidental head impacts and repetitive headers on circulating microRNAs, accounting for the effects of high-intensity exercise alone. METHODS Blood samples were collected from professional soccer players at rest. Repeat samples were drawn 1 h and 12 h after three conditions: (1) accidental head impacts in a match, (2) repetitive headers during training, and (3) high-intensity exercise. 89 samples were screened to detect microRNAs expressed after each exposure. Identified microRNAs were then validated in 98 samples to determine consistently deregulated microRNAs. Deregulated microRNAs were further explored using bioinformatics to identify target genes and characterize their involvement in biological pathways. RESULTS Accidental head impacts led to deregulation of eight microRNAs that were unaffected by high-intensity exercise; target genes were linked to 12 specific signaling pathways, primarily regulating chromatin organization, Hedgehog and Wnt signaling. Repetitive headers led to deregulation of six microRNAs that were unaffected by high-intensity exercise; target genes were linked to one specific signaling pathway (TGF-β). High-intensity exercise led to deregulation of seven microRNAs; target genes were linked to 31 specific signaling pathways. CONCLUSION We identified microRNAs specific to accidental head impacts and repetitive headers in soccer, potentially being useful as brain injury biomarkers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stian Bahr Sandmo
- Oslo Sports Trauma Research Center, Department of Sports Medicine, Norwegian School of Sport Sciences, Oslo, Norway.,Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Katarina Matyasova
- Institute of Neuroimmunology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Peter Filipcik
- Institute of Neuroimmunology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Martin Cente
- Institute of Neuroimmunology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Inga Katharina Koerte
- cBRAIN, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics, and Psychotherapy, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, Munich, Germany.,Department of Psychiatry, Psychiatry Neuroimaging Laboratory, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Ofer Pasternak
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychiatry Neuroimaging Laboratory, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.,Department of Radiology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Thor Einar Andersen
- Oslo Sports Trauma Research Center, Department of Sports Medicine, Norwegian School of Sport Sciences, Oslo, Norway
| | - Truls Martin Straume-Næsheim
- Oslo Sports Trauma Research Center, Department of Sports Medicine, Norwegian School of Sport Sciences, Oslo, Norway.,Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Akershus University Hospital, Lørenskog, Norway.,Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Haugesund Rheumatism Hospital, Haugesund, Norway
| | - Roald Bahr
- Oslo Sports Trauma Research Center, Department of Sports Medicine, Norwegian School of Sport Sciences, Oslo, Norway
| | - Igor Jurisica
- Institute of Neuroimmunology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia.,Osteoarthritis Research Program, Division of Orthopedic Surgery, Schroeder Arthritis Institute and Krembil Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Department of Computer Science, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
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Kovacech B, Fialova L, Filipcik P, Skrabana R, Zilkova M, Paulenka-Ivanovova N, Kovac A, Palova D, Rolkova GP, Tomkova K, Csokova NT, Markova K, Skrabanova M, Sinska K, Basheer N, Majerova P, Hanes J, Parrak V, Prcina M, Cehlar O, Cente M, Piestansky J, Fresser M, Novak M, Slavikova M, Borsova K, Cabanova V, Brejova B, Vinař T, Nosek J, Klempa B, Eyer L, Hönig V, Palus M, Ruzek D, Vyhlidalova T, Strakova P, Mrazkova B, Zudova D, Koubkova G, Novosadova V, Prochazka J, Sedlacek R, Zilka N, Kontsekova E. Monoclonal antibodies targeting two immunodominant epitopes on the Spike protein neutralize emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern. EBioMedicine 2022; 76:103818. [PMID: 35078012 PMCID: PMC8782626 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2022.103818] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2021] [Revised: 01/05/2022] [Accepted: 01/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The emergence of new SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern B.1.1.7 (Alpha), B.1.351 (Beta), P.1 (Gamma) and B.1.617.2 (Delta) that harbor mutations in the viral S protein raised concern about activity of current vaccines and therapeutic antibodies. Independent studies have shown that mutant variants are partially or completely resistant against some of the therapeutic antibodies authorized for emergency use. METHODS We employed hybridoma technology, ELISA-based and cell-based S-ACE2 interaction assays combined with authentic virus neutralization assays to develop second-generation antibodies, which were specifically selected for their ability to neutralize the new variants of SARS-CoV-2. FINDINGS AX290 and AX677, two monoclonal antibodies with non-overlapping epitopes, exhibit subnanomolar or nanomolar affinities to the receptor binding domain of the viral Spike protein carrying amino acid substitutions N501Y, N439K, E484K, K417N, and a combination N501Y/E484K/K417N found in the circulating virus variants. The antibodies showed excellent neutralization of an authentic SARS-CoV-2 virus representing strains circulating in Europe in spring 2020 and also the variants of concern B.1.1.7 (Alpha), B.1.351 (Beta) and B.1.617.2 (Delta). In addition, AX677 is able to bind Omicron Spike protein just like the wild type Spike. The combination of the two antibodies prevented the appearance of escape mutations of the authentic SARS-CoV-2 virus. Prophylactic administration of AX290 and AX677, either individually or in combination, effectively reduced viral burden and inflammation in the lungs, and prevented disease in a mouse model of SARS-CoV-2 infection. INTERPRETATION The virus-neutralizing properties were fully reproduced in chimeric mouse-human versions of the antibodies, which may represent a promising tool for COVID-19 therapy. FUNDING The study was funded by AXON Neuroscience SE and AXON COVIDAX a.s.
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Affiliation(s)
- Branislav Kovacech
- AXON COVIDAX a. s.; Bratislava, 811 02, Slovakia; AXON Neuroscience R&D Services SE; Bratislava, 811 02, Slovakia.
| | - Lubica Fialova
- AXON Neuroscience R&D Services SE; Bratislava, 811 02, Slovakia
| | - Peter Filipcik
- AXON Neuroscience R&D Services SE; Bratislava, 811 02, Slovakia; Institute of Neuroimmunology, Slovak Academy of Sciences; Bratislava, 845 10, Slovakia
| | | | - Monika Zilkova
- AXON Neuroscience R&D Services SE; Bratislava, 811 02, Slovakia
| | | | - Andrej Kovac
- AXON Neuroscience R&D Services SE; Bratislava, 811 02, Slovakia
| | - Denisa Palova
- AXON Neuroscience R&D Services SE; Bratislava, 811 02, Slovakia
| | | | | | - Natalia Turic Csokova
- Institute of Neuroimmunology, Slovak Academy of Sciences; Bratislava, 845 10, Slovakia
| | - Karina Markova
- AXON Neuroscience R&D Services SE; Bratislava, 811 02, Slovakia
| | - Michaela Skrabanova
- AXON Neuroscience R&D Services SE; Bratislava, 811 02, Slovakia; Institute of Neuroimmunology, Slovak Academy of Sciences; Bratislava, 845 10, Slovakia
| | - Kristina Sinska
- AXON Neuroscience R&D Services SE; Bratislava, 811 02, Slovakia
| | - Neha Basheer
- AXON Neuroscience R&D Services SE; Bratislava, 811 02, Slovakia
| | - Petra Majerova
- AXON Neuroscience R&D Services SE; Bratislava, 811 02, Slovakia
| | - Jozef Hanes
- AXON Neuroscience R&D Services SE; Bratislava, 811 02, Slovakia; Institute of Neuroimmunology, Slovak Academy of Sciences; Bratislava, 845 10, Slovakia
| | - Vojtech Parrak
- AXON Neuroscience R&D Services SE; Bratislava, 811 02, Slovakia
| | - Michal Prcina
- AXON Neuroscience R&D Services SE; Bratislava, 811 02, Slovakia
| | - Ondrej Cehlar
- Institute of Neuroimmunology, Slovak Academy of Sciences; Bratislava, 845 10, Slovakia
| | - Martin Cente
- AXON Neuroscience R&D Services SE; Bratislava, 811 02, Slovakia; Institute of Neuroimmunology, Slovak Academy of Sciences; Bratislava, 845 10, Slovakia
| | | | - Michal Fresser
- AXON Neuroscience R&D Services SE; Bratislava, 811 02, Slovakia
| | | | - Monika Slavikova
- Biomedical Research Center, Institute of Virology, Slovak Academy of Sciences; Bratislava, 845 05, Slovakia
| | - Kristina Borsova
- Biomedical Research Center, Institute of Virology, Slovak Academy of Sciences; Bratislava, 845 05, Slovakia; Department of Microbiology and Virology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University in Bratislava; Bratislava, 842 15, Slovakia
| | - Viktoria Cabanova
- Biomedical Research Center, Institute of Virology, Slovak Academy of Sciences; Bratislava, 845 05, Slovakia
| | - Bronislava Brejova
- Department of Computer Science, Faculty of Mathematics, Physics and Informatics, Comenius University in Bratislava; Bratislava, 842 48, Slovakia
| | - Tomas Vinař
- Department of Applied Informatics, Faculty of Mathematics, Physics and Informatics, Comenius University in Bratislava; Bratislava, 842 48, Slovakia
| | - Jozef Nosek
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University in Bratislava; Bratislava, 842 15, Slovakia
| | - Boris Klempa
- Biomedical Research Center, Institute of Virology, Slovak Academy of Sciences; Bratislava, 845 05, Slovakia
| | - Ludek Eyer
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Branisovska 31, CZ-37005 Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic; Veterinary Research Institute, Hudcova 70, CZ-62100 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Vaclav Hönig
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Branisovska 31, CZ-37005 Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic; Veterinary Research Institute, Hudcova 70, CZ-62100 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Martin Palus
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Branisovska 31, CZ-37005 Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic; Veterinary Research Institute, Hudcova 70, CZ-62100 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Daniel Ruzek
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Branisovska 31, CZ-37005 Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic; Veterinary Research Institute, Hudcova 70, CZ-62100 Brno, Czech Republic; Department of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kamenice 753/5, CZ-62500 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Tereza Vyhlidalova
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Branisovska 31, CZ-37005 Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
| | - Petra Strakova
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Branisovska 31, CZ-37005 Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic; Veterinary Research Institute, Hudcova 70, CZ-62100 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Blanka Mrazkova
- Czech Centre of Phenogenomics, Institute of Molecular Genetics, ASCR v.v.i, Prumyslova 595, 252 50, Vestec, Czech Republic
| | - Dagmar Zudova
- Czech Centre of Phenogenomics, Institute of Molecular Genetics, ASCR v.v.i, Prumyslova 595, 252 50, Vestec, Czech Republic
| | - Gizela Koubkova
- Czech Centre of Phenogenomics, Institute of Molecular Genetics, ASCR v.v.i, Prumyslova 595, 252 50, Vestec, Czech Republic
| | - Vendula Novosadova
- Czech Centre of Phenogenomics, Institute of Molecular Genetics, ASCR v.v.i, Prumyslova 595, 252 50, Vestec, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Prochazka
- Czech Centre of Phenogenomics, Institute of Molecular Genetics, ASCR v.v.i, Prumyslova 595, 252 50, Vestec, Czech Republic
| | - Radislav Sedlacek
- Czech Centre of Phenogenomics, Institute of Molecular Genetics, ASCR v.v.i, Prumyslova 595, 252 50, Vestec, Czech Republic
| | - Norbert Zilka
- AXON Neuroscience R&D Services SE; Bratislava, 811 02, Slovakia; Institute of Neuroimmunology, Slovak Academy of Sciences; Bratislava, 845 10, Slovakia.
| | - Eva Kontsekova
- AXON Neuroscience R&D Services SE; Bratislava, 811 02, Slovakia; Institute of Neuroimmunology, Slovak Academy of Sciences; Bratislava, 845 10, Slovakia
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Skrabana R, Filipcik P. Neuroscience & immunology: a fruitful alliance against persistent threats to the nervous system. Gen Physiol Biophys 2021; 40:435-438. [PMID: 34897018 DOI: 10.4149/gpb_2021047] [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: 11/08/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Rostislav Skrabana
- Institute of Neuroimmunology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
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Cente M, Smolek T, Zorad S, Fialova L, Paulenka Ivanovova N, Krskova K, Balazova L, Skrabana R, Filipcik P. Hypertension does not alter disturbances in leptin signalling observed in experimental model of tauopathy. Gen Physiol Biophys 2021; 40:577-584. [PMID: 34897029 DOI: 10.4149/gpb_2021037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2021] [Accepted: 09/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Neurodegeneration is associated with hypertension and disturbance in fat metabolism. The complex interaction of neurodegenerative processes with both metabolic changes and blood pressure is still not fully elucidated. Here we demonstrate that the experimentally induced tauopathy in hypertensive transgenic animals causes significant downregulation of plasma leptin (53% of control), reduction of body weight by 11%, a 1.2-fold drop of adiposity index, and decrease in HDL cholesterol level, while the fasting glucose and insulin concentration remain unchanged. Despite of these alterations we found the leptin projection circuit including the arcuate nucleus, paraventricular nucleus in hypothalamus, and nucleus tractus solitarius in the brainstem not affected by neurofibrillary pathology. Furthermore, hypertension does not alter disturbances in leptin signalling. The presented data provide further insight into neurodegeneration-induced metabolic alterations relevant for human tauopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Cente
- Institute of Neuroimmunology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
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Matyasova K, Csicsatkova N, Filipcik P, Jurisica I, Cente M. Peripheral microRNA alteration and pathway signaling after mild traumatic brain injury. Gen Physiol Biophys 2021; 40:523-539. [PMID: 34897024 DOI: 10.4149/gpb_2021038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2021] [Accepted: 09/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Discovering novel diagnostic biomarkers and signatures for traumatic brain injury (TBI) represents a major challenge in the brain trauma research. Detailed analysis of post-concussive molecular pathways based on experimental data could provide a new insight into the pathophysiological sequelae and mapping of recovery mechanisms involved in TBI. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) detectable in peripheral body fluids after TBI are promising carriers of this missing knowledge. In order to define the signature of peripheral miRNAs signaling associated with mild TBI (mTBI), we performed a comprehensive meta-analysis of miRNA profiles in mTBI patients using multiple curated pathway databases. Using a bioinformatic pipeline with integrated data analysis we identified a set of genes that are connected to deregulated circulating miRNAs following the mTBI. Identified genes belong to specific pathways of MAPK, TGF-β, WNT, TLR2/4, PI3K/AKT, insulin, and growth factor signaling. Since the enriched pathways markedly overlap among the various biological fluids, signaling associated with mTBI that is concomitantly reflected in serum, plasma and saliva is robust and unique. Furthermore, we identified a network of 33 validated interacting proteins and their regulatory miRNAs that link the post-mTBI signaling in peripheral fluids with neurodegeneration-associated interaction pathways. Presented data provide a comprehensive insight into molecular events following mTBI, and the top predicted genes represent a group of novel candidate targets to be validated in connection with mTBI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katarina Matyasova
- Institute of Neuroimmunology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
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Majdan M, Toth I, Barila P, Peracek P, Perackova J, Parnican S, Cente M, Filipcik P. Head impacts in youth national hockey leagues in Slovakia: a retrospective analysis of four seasons. Gen Physiol Biophys 2021; 40:569-576. [PMID: 34897028 DOI: 10.4149/gpb_2021041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2021] [Accepted: 10/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Traumatic brain injury in contact sports can lead to serious health consequences either immediately or later in the life of injured subjects. The objective of this study was to estimate the incidence of head impacts in the Under 18 (U18) and Under 20 (U20) junior ice-hockey leagues in Slovakia over the seasons 2013/2014-2016/2017 using data from official game statistics. Incidence risks (IR) per 1000 athlete exposures were calculated for the season and stratified by a period of the game, by month, round, and part of the season. IR of head impacts ranged from 2.09 (95%CI: 2.07-2.12) to 2.89 (95%CI: 2.87-2.92) in the U18 league and from 2.14 (95%CI: 2.12-2.17) to 4.06 (95%CI: 4.02-4.09) in the U20. Higher IR was observed in the latter periods of games. This study brings first data on the incidence of concussions in youth ice-hockey leagues in Slovakia and calls for immediate implementation of measures to prevent these injuries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marek Majdan
- Department of Public Health, Institute for Global Health and Epidemiology, Faculty of Health Sciences and Social Work, Trnava University, Trnava, Slovakia
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10
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Koerte IK, Bahr R, Filipcik P, Gooijers J, Leemans A, Lin AP, Tripodis Y, Shenton ME, Sochen N, Swinnen SP, Pasternak O. REPIMPACT - a prospective longitudinal multisite study on the effects of repetitive head impacts in youth soccer. Brain Imaging Behav 2021; 16:492-502. [PMID: 34505977 PMCID: PMC8825640 DOI: 10.1007/s11682-021-00484-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Repetitive head impacts (RHI) are common in youth athletes participating in contact sports. RHI differ from concussions; they are considered hits to the head that usually do not result in acute symptoms and are therefore also referred to as “subconcussive” head impacts. RHI occur e.g., when heading the ball or during contact with another player. Evidence suggests that exposure to RHI may have cumulative effects on brain structure and function. However, little is known about brain alterations associated with RHI, or about the risk factors that may lead to clinical or behavioral sequelae. REPIMPACT is a prospective longitudinal study of competitive youth soccer players and non-contact sport controls aged 14 to 16 years. The study aims to characterize consequences of exposure to RHI with regard to behavior (i.e., cognition, and motor function), clinical sequelae (i.e., psychiatric and neurological symptoms), brain structure, function, diffusion and biochemistry, as well as blood- and saliva-derived measures of molecular processes associated with exposure to RHI (e.g., circulating microRNAs, neuroproteins and cytokines). Here we present the structure of the REPIMPACT Consortium which consists of six teams of clinicians and scientists in six countries. We further provide detailed information on the specific aims and the design of the REPIMPACT study. The manuscript also describes the progress made in the study thus far. Finally, we discuss important challenges and approaches taken to overcome these challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inga K Koerte
- cBRAIN, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics, and Psychotherapy, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, Munich, Germany. .,Department of Psychiatry, Psychiatry Neuroimaging Laboratory, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Roald Bahr
- Oslo Sports Trauma Research Center, Department of Sports Medicine, Norwegian School of Sport Sciences, Oslo, Norway
| | - Peter Filipcik
- Institute of Neuroimmunology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Jolien Gooijers
- Movement Control and Neuroplasticity Research Group, Department of Movement Sciences, Goup Biomedical Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,KU Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), Leuven, Belgium
| | - Alexander Leemans
- PROVIDI Lab, Image Sciences Institute, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Alexander P Lin
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychiatry Neuroimaging Laboratory, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.,Center for Clinical Spectroscopy, Department of Radiology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Yorghos Tripodis
- Department of Biostatistics, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA.,Boston University Alzheimer's Disease Center and Boston University CTE Center, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Martha E Shenton
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychiatry Neuroimaging Laboratory, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.,Department of Radiology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Nir Sochen
- Department of Applied Mathematics, School of Mathematical Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.,Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Stephan P Swinnen
- Movement Control and Neuroplasticity Research Group, Department of Movement Sciences, Goup Biomedical Sciences, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,KU Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), Leuven, Belgium
| | - Ofer Pasternak
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychiatry Neuroimaging Laboratory, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.,Department of Radiology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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11
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Novak P, Kovacech B, Katina S, Schmidt R, Scheltens P, Kontsekova E, Ropele S, Fialova L, Kramberger M, Paulenka-Ivanovova N, Smisek M, Hanes J, Stevens E, Kovac A, Sutovsky S, Parrak V, Koson P, Prcina M, Galba J, Cente M, Hromadka T, Filipcik P, Piestansky J, Samcova M, Prenn-Gologranc C, Sivak R, Froelich L, Fresser M, Rakusa M, Harrison J, Hort J, Otto M, Tosun D, Ondrus M, Winblad B, Novak M, Zilka N. ADAMANT: a placebo-controlled randomized phase 2 study of AADvac1, an active immunotherapy against pathological tau in Alzheimer's disease. Nat Aging 2021; 1:521-534. [PMID: 37117834 DOI: 10.1038/s43587-021-00070-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2020] [Accepted: 04/28/2021] [Indexed: 04/30/2023]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathology is partly characterized by accumulation of aberrant forms of tau protein. Here we report the results of ADAMANT, a 24-month double-blinded, parallel-arm, randomized phase 2 multicenter placebo-controlled trial of AADvac1, an active peptide vaccine designed to target pathological tau in AD (EudraCT 2015-000630-30). Eleven doses of AADvac1 were administered to patients with mild AD dementia at 40 μg per dose over the course of the trial. The primary objective was to evaluate the safety and tolerability of long-term AADvac1 treatment. The secondary objectives were to evaluate immunogenicity and efficacy of AADvac1 treatment in slowing cognitive and functional decline. A total of 196 patients were randomized 3:2 between AADvac1 and placebo. AADvac1 was safe and well tolerated (AADvac1 n = 117, placebo n = 79; serious adverse events observed in 17.1% of AADvac1-treated individuals and 24.1% of placebo-treated individuals; adverse events observed in 84.6% of AADvac1-treated individuals and 81.0% of placebo-treated individuals). The vaccine induced high levels of IgG antibodies. No significant effects were found in cognitive and functional tests on the whole study sample (Clinical Dementia Rating-Sum of the Boxes scale adjusted mean point difference -0.360 (95% CI -1.306, 0.589)), custom cognitive battery adjusted mean z-score difference of 0.0008 (95% CI -0.169, 0.172). We also present results from exploratory and post hoc analyses looking at relevant biomarkers and clinical outcomes in specific subgroups. Our results show that AADvac1 is safe and immunogenic, but larger stratified studies are needed to better evaluate its potential clinical efficacy and impact on disease biomarkers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Petr Novak
- AXON Neuroscience CRM Services SE, Bratislava, Slovakia.
| | | | | | - Reinhold Schmidt
- Clinical Division of Neurogeriatrics, Department of Neurology, Medical University Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Philip Scheltens
- Alzheimer Center, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | | | - Stefan Ropele
- Clinical Division of General Neurology, Department of Neurology, Medical University Graz, Graz, Austria
| | | | - Milica Kramberger
- Department of Neurology, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | | | | | - Jozef Hanes
- AXON Neuroscience R&D Services SE, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Eva Stevens
- AXON Neuroscience R&D Services SE, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Andrej Kovac
- AXON Neuroscience R&D Services SE, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Stanislav Sutovsky
- 1st Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University and University Hospital, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | | | - Peter Koson
- AXON Neuroscience CRM Services SE, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Michal Prcina
- AXON Neuroscience R&D Services SE, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | | | - Martin Cente
- AXON Neuroscience R&D Services SE, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Tomas Hromadka
- Institute of Neuroimmunology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | | | | | - Maria Samcova
- AXON Neuroscience CRM Services SE, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | | | - Roman Sivak
- AXON Neuroscience CRM Services SE, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Lutz Froelich
- Department of Geriatric Psychiatry, Zentralinstitut für Seelische Gesundheit, Medical Faculty Mannheim University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | | | - Martin Rakusa
- Department of Neurological Diseases, University Medical Centre Maribor, Maribor, Slovenia
| | - John Harrison
- Alzheimer Center, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Jakub Hort
- Memory Clinic, Department of Neurology, Charles University, 2nd Faculty of Medicine and Motol University Hospital, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Markus Otto
- Department of Neurology, Ulm University Hospital, Ulm, Germany
| | - Duygu Tosun
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Matej Ondrus
- AXON Neuroscience CRM Services SE, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Bengt Winblad
- Division of Neurogeriatrics, Center for Alzheimer Research, Karolinska Institutet, Solna, Sweden
- Theme Inflammation and Aging, Karolinska University Hospital, Huddinge, Sweden
| | | | - Norbert Zilka
- AXON Neuroscience R&D Services SE, Bratislava, Slovakia
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12
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Matyasova K, Csicsatkova N, Hanes J, Filipcik P, Cente M. Peripheral microRNAs as biomarkers of concussive and sub‐concussive head impacts in professional soccer players. FASEB J 2021. [DOI: 10.1096/fasebj.2021.35.s1.04983] [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)
| | | | - Jozef Hanes
- Institute of Neuroimmunology, Slovak Academy of SciencesBratislava
| | - Peter Filipcik
- Institute of Neuroimmunology, Slovak Academy of SciencesBratislava
| | - Martin Cente
- Institute of Neuroimmunology, Slovak Academy of SciencesBratislava
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13
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Csicsatkova N, Matyasova K, Porubska S, Filipcik P, Cente M. Dysregulated plasma microRNAs as potential biomarkers of aging and Alzheimer´s disease. FASEB J 2021. [DOI: 10.1096/fasebj.2021.35.s1.04982] [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)
| | | | - Sara Porubska
- Institute of Neuroimmunology, Slovak Academy of ScienceBratislava
| | - Peter Filipcik
- Institute of Neuroimmunology, Slovak Academy of ScienceBratislava
| | - Martin Cente
- Institute of Neuroimmunology, Slovak Academy of ScienceBratislava
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14
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Cente M, Zorad S, Smolek T, Fialova L, Paulenka Ivanovova N, Krskova K, Balazova L, Skrabana R, Filipcik P. Plasma Leptin Reflects Progression of Neurofibrillary Pathology in Animal Model of Tauopathy. Cell Mol Neurobiol 2020; 42:125-136. [PMID: 32997211 DOI: 10.1007/s10571-020-00972-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2020] [Accepted: 09/23/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
The close relationship between Alzheimer's disease (AD) and obesity was recognized many years ago. However, complete understanding of the pathological mechanisms underlying the interactions between degeneration of CNS and fat metabolism is still missing. The leptin a key adipokine of white adipose tissue has been suggested as one of the major mediators linking the obesity and AD. Here we investigated the association between peripheral levels of leptin, general metabolic status and stage of the pathogenesis in rat transgenic model of AD. We demonstrate significantly decreased levels of plasma leptin in animals with experimentally induced progressive neurofibrillary pathology, which represents only 62.3% (P = 0.0015) of those observed in normal wild type control animals. More detailed analysis showed a strong and statistically significant inverse correlation between the load of neurofibrillary pathology and peripheral levels of leptin (r = - 0.7248, P = 0.0177). We also observed a loss of body weight during development of neurodegeneration (about 14% less than control animals, P = 0.0004) and decrease in several metabolic parameters such as glucose, insulin, triglycerides and VLDL in plasma of the transgenic animals. Our data suggest that plasma leptin could serve as a convenient peripheral biomarker for tauopathies and Alzheimer's disease. Decrease in gene expression of leptin in fat tissue and its plasma level was found as one of the consequences of experimentally induced neurodegeneration. Our data may help to design rational diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for patients suffering from Alzheimer's disease or other forms of tauopathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Cente
- Institute of Neuroimmunology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dubravska cesta 9, 845 10, Bratislava, Slovakia.,Axon Neuroscience R&D Services SE, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Stefan Zorad
- Institute of Experimental Endocrinology, Biomedical Research Center, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Tomas Smolek
- Institute of Neuroimmunology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dubravska cesta 9, 845 10, Bratislava, Slovakia.,Axon Neuroscience R&D Services SE, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Lubica Fialova
- Institute of Neuroimmunology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dubravska cesta 9, 845 10, Bratislava, Slovakia.,Axon Neuroscience R&D Services SE, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | | | - Katarina Krskova
- Institute of Experimental Endocrinology, Biomedical Research Center, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Lucia Balazova
- Institute of Experimental Endocrinology, Biomedical Research Center, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Rostislav Skrabana
- Institute of Neuroimmunology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dubravska cesta 9, 845 10, Bratislava, Slovakia.,Axon Neuroscience R&D Services SE, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Peter Filipcik
- Institute of Neuroimmunology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dubravska cesta 9, 845 10, Bratislava, Slovakia. .,Axon Neuroscience R&D Services SE, Bratislava, Slovakia.
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15
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Zilkova M, Nolle A, Kovacech B, Kontsekova E, Weisova P, Filipcik P, Skrabana R, Prcina M, Hromadka T, Cehlar O, Rolkova GP, Maderova D, Novak M, Zilka N, Hoozemans JJM. Humanized tau antibodies promote tau uptake by human microglia without any increase of inflammation. Acta Neuropathol Commun 2020; 8:74. [PMID: 32471486 PMCID: PMC7257136 DOI: 10.1186/s40478-020-00948-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2020] [Accepted: 05/13/2020] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Immunotherapies targeting pathological tau have recently emerged as a promising approach for treatment of neurodegenerative disorders. We have previously showed that the mouse antibody DC8E8 discriminates between healthy and pathological tau, reduces tau pathology in murine tauopathy models and inhibits neuronal internalization of AD tau species in vitro. Here we show, that DC8E8 and antibodies elicited against the first-in-man tau vaccine, AADvac1, which is based on the DC8E8 epitope peptide, both promote uptake of pathological tau by mouse primary microglia. IgG1 and IgG4 isotypes of AX004, the humanized versions of DC8E8, accelerate tau uptake by human primary microglia isolated from post-mortem aged and diseased brains. This promoting activity requires the presence of the Fc-domain of the antibodies. The IgG1 isotype of AX004 showed greater ability to promote tau uptake compared to the IgG4 isotype, while none of the antibody-tau complexes provoked increased pro-inflammatory activity of microglia. Our data suggest that IgG1 has better suitability for therapeutic development.
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16
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Sandmo SB, Filipcik P, Cente M, Hanes J, Andersen TE, Straume-Naesheim TM, Bahr R. Neurofilament light and tau in serum after head-impact exposure in soccer. Brain Inj 2020; 34:602-609. [DOI: 10.1080/02699052.2020.1725129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Stian Bahr Sandmo
- Oslo Sports Trauma Research Center, Department of Sports Medicine, Norwegian School of Sport Sciences, Oslo, Norway
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Peter Filipcik
- Institute of Neuroimmunology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Martin Cente
- Institute of Neuroimmunology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Jozef Hanes
- Institute of Neuroimmunology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Thor Einar Andersen
- Oslo Sports Trauma Research Center, Department of Sports Medicine, Norwegian School of Sport Sciences, Oslo, Norway
| | - Truls Martin Straume-Naesheim
- Oslo Sports Trauma Research Center, Department of Sports Medicine, Norwegian School of Sport Sciences, Oslo, Norway
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Akershus University Hospital, Lørenskog, Norway
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Haugesund Rheumatism Hospital, Haugesund, Norway
| | - Roald Bahr
- Oslo Sports Trauma Research Center, Department of Sports Medicine, Norwegian School of Sport Sciences, Oslo, Norway
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17
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Kosikova N, Cente M, Cigankova V, Koson P, Filipcik P. miRNAs as biofluid markers for diagnostics of Alzheimer's disease: recent status and perspectives. Gen Physiol Biophys 2019; 37:495-514. [PMID: 30307401 DOI: 10.4149/gpb_2018019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2018] [Accepted: 06/05/2018] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
After many decades of research in the field of neurodegeneration, we have no effective cure for Alzheimer's disease (AD), a major form of dementia. It is mainly due to the lack of early, reliable and sensitive biomarkers and incomplete understanding of disease mechanisms at molecular level. Several recently employed biomarkers, especially their combinations, can discriminate advanced stages of AD from other forms of dementia or neuropathy. They do not provide much information on molecular mechanisms of disease rather they reflect the amount of key histopathological markers in the diseased brain. This review is focussed on novel class of potentially very promising AD biomarkers: extracellular miRNAs in body liquids, such as cerebrospinal fluid and blood. They have a great potential not only to indicate the presence of AD, but more importantly, to reflect the molecular mechanisms playing a role early at the beginning of the pathogenic pathways consequently leading to AD. We believe this comprehensive review on deregulated miRNAs in AD can be a good source of information for thorough in silico analyses aiming to identification, development and validation of miRNAs as "diseases mechanism engaged" candidate biomarkers. Having such molecules could bring us closer to the goal - successful treatment of AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nina Kosikova
- Institute of Neuroimmunology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia.
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18
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Skrabana R, Kovacech B, Filipcik P, Zilka N, Jadhav S, Smolek T, Kontsekova E, Novak M. Neuronal Expression of Truncated Tau Efficiently Promotes Neurodegeneration in Animal Models: Pitfalls of Toxic Oligomer Analysis. J Alzheimers Dis 2018; 58:1017-1025. [PMID: 28527208 DOI: 10.3233/jad-161124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Animal models of neurodegeneration induced by neuronal expression of truncated tau protein emerge as an important tool for understanding the pathogenesis of human tauopathies and for therapy development. Here we highlight common features of truncated tau models and make a critical assessment of possible pitfalls in their analysis. Particularly, the amount of soluble tau oligomers, which are suspected to be neurotoxic agents participating on the spreading of pathology inside the brain, may be overestimated due to a post-lysis oxidative tau oligomerization. Using a mouse brain lysate spiked with recombinant truncated and full length tau forms, we show that tau oligomers might inadvertently be produced during the isolation procedure. This finding is further corroborated by the analysis of brain lysates originated from a mouse model expressing truncated tau variant. Our results underline the necessity of thiol-protecting conditions during the analysis of tau oligomers involved in the etiopathogenesis of various tauopathies including Alzheimer's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rostislav Skrabana
- AXON Neuroscience R&D Services SE, Bratislava, Slovakia.,Institute of Neuroimmunology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Branislav Kovacech
- AXON Neuroscience R&D Services SE, Bratislava, Slovakia.,Institute of Neuroimmunology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Peter Filipcik
- AXON Neuroscience R&D Services SE, Bratislava, Slovakia.,Institute of Neuroimmunology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Norbert Zilka
- AXON Neuroscience R&D Services SE, Bratislava, Slovakia.,Institute of Neuroimmunology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Santosh Jadhav
- AXON Neuroscience R&D Services SE, Bratislava, Slovakia.,Institute of Neuroimmunology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Tomas Smolek
- AXON Neuroscience R&D Services SE, Bratislava, Slovakia.,Institute of Neuroimmunology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Eva Kontsekova
- AXON Neuroscience R&D Services SE, Bratislava, Slovakia.,Institute of Neuroimmunology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Michal Novak
- Institute of Neuroimmunology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia.,AXON Neuroscience SE, Larnaca, Cyprus
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19
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Zimova I, Brezovakova V, Hromadka T, Weisova P, Cubinkova V, Valachova B, Filipcik P, Jadhav S, Smolek T, Novak M, Zilka N. Human Truncated Tau Induces Mature Neurofibrillary Pathology in a Mouse Model of Human Tauopathy. J Alzheimers Dis 2018; 54:831-43. [PMID: 27567836 DOI: 10.3233/jad-160347] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [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
Alzheimer's disease (AD) represents the most common neurodegenerative disorder. Several animal models have been developed in order to test pathophysiological mechanisms of the disease and to predict effects of pharmacological interventions. Here we examine the molecular and behavioral features of R3m/4 transgenic mice expressing human non-mutated truncated tau protein (3R tau, aa151-391) that were previously used for efficacy testing of passive tau vaccine. The mouse model reliably recapitulated crucial histopathological features of human AD, such as pre-tangles, neurofibrillary tangles, and neuropil threads. The pathology was predominantly located in the brain stem. Transgenic mice developed mature sarkosyl insoluble tau complexes consisting of mouse endogenous and human truncated and hyperphosphorylated forms of tau protein. The histopathological and biochemical features were accompanied by significant sensorimotor impairment and reduced lifespan. The sensorimotor impairment was monitored by a highly sensitive, fully-automated tool that allowed us to assess early deficit in gait and locomotion. We suggest that the novel transgenic mouse model can serve as a valuable tool for analysis of the therapeutic efficacy of tau vaccines for AD therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivana Zimova
- Institute of Neuroimmunology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, AD Centre, Bratislava, Slovak Republic.,Axon Neuroscience R&D Services SE, Bratislava, Slovak Republic
| | - Veronika Brezovakova
- Institute of Neuroimmunology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, AD Centre, Bratislava, Slovak Republic
| | - Tomas Hromadka
- Institute of Neuroimmunology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, AD Centre, Bratislava, Slovak Republic.,Axon Neuroscience R&D Services SE, Bratislava, Slovak Republic
| | | | - Veronika Cubinkova
- Institute of Neuroimmunology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, AD Centre, Bratislava, Slovak Republic.,Axon Neuroscience R&D Services SE, Bratislava, Slovak Republic
| | - Bernadeta Valachova
- Institute of Neuroimmunology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, AD Centre, Bratislava, Slovak Republic.,Axon Neuroscience R&D Services SE, Bratislava, Slovak Republic
| | - Peter Filipcik
- Institute of Neuroimmunology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, AD Centre, Bratislava, Slovak Republic.,Axon Neuroscience R&D Services SE, Bratislava, Slovak Republic
| | - Santosh Jadhav
- Institute of Neuroimmunology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, AD Centre, Bratislava, Slovak Republic
| | - Tomas Smolek
- Institute of Neuroimmunology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, AD Centre, Bratislava, Slovak Republic.,Axon Neuroscience R&D Services SE, Bratislava, Slovak Republic
| | - Michal Novak
- Institute of Neuroimmunology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, AD Centre, Bratislava, Slovak Republic.,Axon Neuroscience SE, Bratislava, Slovak Republic
| | - Norbert Zilka
- Institute of Neuroimmunology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, AD Centre, Bratislava, Slovak Republic.,Axon Neuroscience R&D Services SE, Bratislava, Slovak Republic
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20
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Kvetnansky R, Novak P, Vargovic P, Lejavova K, Horvathova L, Ondicova K, Manz G, Filipcik P, Novak M, Mravec B. Exaggerated phosphorylation of brain tau protein in CRH KO mice exposed to repeated immobilization stress. Stress 2016; 19:395-405. [PMID: 27484105 DOI: 10.1080/10253890.2016.1183119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Neuroendocrine and behavioral stress responses are orchestrated by corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) and norepinephrine (NE) synthesizing neurons. Recent findings indicate that stress may promote development of neurofibrillary pathology in Alzheimer's disease. Therefore, we investigated relationships among stress, tau protein phosphorylation, and brain NE using wild-type (WT) and CRH-knockout (CRH KO) mice. We assessed expression of phosphorylated tau (p-tau) at the PHF-1 epitope and NE concentrations in the locus coeruleus (LC), A1/C1 and A2/C2 catecholaminergic cell groups, hippocampus, amygdala, nucleus basalis magnocellularis, and frontal cortex of unstressed, singly stressed or repeatedly stressed mice. Moreover, gene expression and protein levels of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and CRH receptor mRNA were determined in the LC. Plasma corticosterone levels were also measured. Exposure to a single stress increases tau phosphorylation throughout the brain in WT mice when compared to singly stressed CRH KO animals. In contrast, repeatedly stressed CRH KO mice showed exaggerated tau phosphorylation relative to WT controls. We also observed differences in extent of tau phosphorylation between investigated structures, e.g. the LC and hippocampus. Moreover, CRH deficiency leads to different responses to stress in gene expression of TH, NE concentrations, CRH receptor mRNA, and plasma corticosterone levels. Our data indicate that CRH effects on tau phosphorylation are dependent on whether stress is single or repeated, and differs between brain regions. Our findings indicate that CRH attenuates mechanisms responsible for development of stress-induced tau neuropathology, particularly in conditions of chronic stress. However, the involvement of central catecholaminergic neurons in these mechanisms remains unclear and is in need of further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard Kvetnansky
- a Institute of Experimental Endocrinology, Biomedical Research Center , Slovak Academy of Sciences , Bratislava , Slovakia
| | - Petr Novak
- b Institute of Neuroimmunology , Slovak Academy of Sciences , Bratislava , Slovakia
| | - Peter Vargovic
- a Institute of Experimental Endocrinology, Biomedical Research Center , Slovak Academy of Sciences , Bratislava , Slovakia
| | - Katarina Lejavova
- a Institute of Experimental Endocrinology, Biomedical Research Center , Slovak Academy of Sciences , Bratislava , Slovakia
- c Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Physiology , Comenius University in Bratislava, Bratislava , Slovakia
| | - Lubica Horvathova
- a Institute of Experimental Endocrinology, Biomedical Research Center , Slovak Academy of Sciences , Bratislava , Slovakia
| | - Katarina Ondicova
- a Institute of Experimental Endocrinology, Biomedical Research Center , Slovak Academy of Sciences , Bratislava , Slovakia
- c Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Physiology , Comenius University in Bratislava, Bratislava , Slovakia
| | - George Manz
- d LDN, Labor Diagnostika Nord , Nordhorn , Germany
| | - Peter Filipcik
- b Institute of Neuroimmunology , Slovak Academy of Sciences , Bratislava , Slovakia
| | - Michal Novak
- b Institute of Neuroimmunology , Slovak Academy of Sciences , Bratislava , Slovakia
| | - Boris Mravec
- a Institute of Experimental Endocrinology, Biomedical Research Center , Slovak Academy of Sciences , Bratislava , Slovakia
- c Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Physiology , Comenius University in Bratislava, Bratislava , Slovakia
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Opattova A, Cente M, Novak M, Filipcik P. The ubiquitin proteasome system as a potential therapeutic target for treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. Gen Physiol Biophys 2016. [PMID: 26221742 DOI: 10.4149/gpb_2015024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Impairment of "protein quality control" in neurons is associated with etiopathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases. The worn-out products of cell metabolism should be safely eliminated via the proteasome, autophago-lysosome and exocytosis. Insufficient activity of these degradation mechanisms within neurons leads to the accumulation of toxic protein oligomers, which represent a starting material for development of neurodegenerative proteinopathy. The spectrum of CNS linked proteinopathies is particularly broad and includes Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), Lewy body dementia, Pick disease, Frontotemporal dementia, Huntington disease, Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and many others. Although the primary events in etiopathogenesis of sporadic forms of these diseases are still unknown, it is clear that aging, in connection with decreased activity of ubiquitin proteasome system, is the most significant risk factor. In this review we discuss the pathogenic role and intracellular fate of the candidate molecules associated with onset and progression of AD and PD, the protein tau and α-synuclein in context with the function of ubiquitin proteasome system. We also discuss the possibility whether or not the strategies focused to re-establishment of neuroproteostasis via accelerated clearance of damaged proteins in proteasome could be a promising therapeutic approach for treatment of major neurodegenerative diseases.
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Mravec B, Lejavova K, Vargovic P, Ondicova K, Horvathova L, Novak P, Manz G, Filipcik P, Novak M, Kvetnansky R. Tauopathy in transgenic (SHR72) rats impairs function of central noradrenergic system and promotes neuroinflammation. J Neuroinflammation 2016; 13:15. [PMID: 26792515 PMCID: PMC4719584 DOI: 10.1186/s12974-016-0482-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2015] [Accepted: 01/13/2016] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Brain norepinephrine (NE) plays an important role in the modulation of stress response and neuroinflammation. Recent studies indicate that in Alzheimer's disease (AD), the tau neuropathology begins in the locus coeruleus (LC) which is the main source of brain NE. Therefore, we investigated the changes in brain NE system and also the immune status under basal and stress conditions in transgenic rats over-expressing the human truncated tau protein. METHODS Brainstem catecholaminergic cell groups (LC, A1, and A2) and forebrain subcortical (nucleus basalis of Meynert), hippocampal (cornu ammonis, dentate gyrus), and neocortical areas (frontal and temporal association cortices) were analyzed for NE and interleukin 6 (IL-6) mRNA levels in unstressed rats and also in rats exposed to single or repeated immobilization. Moreover, gene expression of NE-biosynthetic enzyme, tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), and several pro- and anti-inflammatory mediators were determined in the LC. RESULTS It was found that tauopathy reduced basal NE levels in forebrain areas, while the gene expression of IL-6 was increased in all selected areas at the same time. The differences between wild-type and transgenic rats in brain NE and IL-6 mRNA levels were observed in stressed animals as well. Tauopathy increased also the gene expression of TH in the LC. In addition, the LC exhibited exaggerated expression of pro- and anti-inflammatory mediators (IL-6, TNFα, inducible nitric oxide synthases 2 (iNOS2), and interleukin 10 (IL-10)) in transgenic rats suggesting that tauopathy affects also the immune background in LC. Positive correlation between NE and IL-6 mRNA levels in cornu ammonis in stressed transgenic animals indicated the reduction of anti-inflammatory effect of NE. CONCLUSIONS Our data thus showed that tauopathy alters the functions of LC further leading to the reduction of NE levels and exaggeration of neuroinflammation in forebrain. These findings support the assumption that tau-related dysfunction of LC activates the vicious circle perpetuating neurodegeneration leading to the development of AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Boris Mravec
- Institute of Experimental Endocrinology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Vlarska 3, 833 06, Bratislava, Slovakia.
- Institute of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University in Bratislava, Bratislava, Slovakia.
| | - Katarina Lejavova
- Institute of Experimental Endocrinology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Vlarska 3, 833 06, Bratislava, Slovakia.
- Institute of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University in Bratislava, Bratislava, Slovakia.
| | - Peter Vargovic
- Institute of Experimental Endocrinology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Vlarska 3, 833 06, Bratislava, Slovakia.
| | - Katarina Ondicova
- Institute of Experimental Endocrinology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Vlarska 3, 833 06, Bratislava, Slovakia.
- Institute of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University in Bratislava, Bratislava, Slovakia.
| | - Lubica Horvathova
- Institute of Experimental Endocrinology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Vlarska 3, 833 06, Bratislava, Slovakia.
| | - Petr Novak
- Institute of Neuroimmunology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia.
- Axon Neuroscience SE, Bratislava, Slovakia.
| | - Georg Manz
- LDN, Labor Diagnostika Nord, Nordhorn, Germany.
| | - Peter Filipcik
- Institute of Neuroimmunology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia.
- Axon Neuroscience SE, Bratislava, Slovakia.
| | - Michal Novak
- Institute of Neuroimmunology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia.
- Axon Neuroscience SE, Bratislava, Slovakia.
| | - Richard Kvetnansky
- Institute of Experimental Endocrinology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Vlarska 3, 833 06, Bratislava, Slovakia.
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Lejavova K, Ondicova K, Horvathova L, Hegedusova N, Cubinkova V, Vargovic P, Manz G, Filipcik P, Mravec B, Novak M, Kvetnansky R. Stress-induced activation of the sympathoadrenal system is determined by genetic background in rat models of tauopathy. J Alzheimers Dis 2015; 43:1157-61. [PMID: 25147110 DOI: 10.3233/jad-141329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [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
Stress may accelerate onset of neurodegenerative diseases in vulnerable subjects and, vice versa, neurodegeneration affects the responsiveness to stressors. We investigated the neuroendocrine response to immobilization stress in normotensive Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY), spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR), and transgenic rats of respective WKY and SHR strains overexpressing human truncated tau protein. Plasma levels of epinephrine, norepinephrine, and corticosterone were determined. An immobilization-induced elevation of epinephrine and norepinephrine was significantly reduced in WKY transgenic rats compared to WKY wild-type rats, while no differences were seen between SHR transgenic and SHR wild-type animals. Our data have shown that sympathoadrenal system response to stress strongly depends on both tau protein-induced neurodegeneration and genetic background of experimental animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katarina Lejavova
- Institute of Experimental Endocrinology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovak Republic Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University, Bratislava, Slovak Republic
| | - Katarina Ondicova
- Institute of Experimental Endocrinology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovak Republic Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University, Bratislava, Slovak Republic
| | - Lubica Horvathova
- Institute of Experimental Endocrinology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovak Republic
| | - Noemi Hegedusova
- Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University, Bratislava, Slovak Republic
| | - Veronika Cubinkova
- Institute of Neuroimmunology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovak Republic
| | - Peter Vargovic
- Institute of Experimental Endocrinology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovak Republic
| | - Georg Manz
- Labor Diagnostika Nord, Nordhorn, Germany
| | - Peter Filipcik
- Institute of Neuroimmunology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovak Republic
| | - Boris Mravec
- Institute of Experimental Endocrinology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovak Republic Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University, Bratislava, Slovak Republic
| | - Michal Novak
- Institute of Neuroimmunology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovak Republic
| | - Richard Kvetnansky
- Institute of Experimental Endocrinology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovak Republic
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Mravec B, Vargovic P, Filipcik P, Novak M, Kvetnansky R. Effect of a single and repeated stress exposure on gene expression of catecholamine biosynthetic enzymes in brainstem catecholaminergic cell groups in rats. Eur J Neurosci 2015; 42:1872-86. [PMID: 25994480 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.12955] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [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: 09/17/2014] [Revised: 05/14/2015] [Accepted: 05/15/2015] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Brainstem catecholaminergic neurons significantly participate in the regulation of neuroendocrine system activity, particularly during stressful conditions. However, so far the precise quantitative characterisation of basal and stress-induced changes in gene expression and protein levels of catecholaminergic biosynthetic enzymes in these neurons has been missing. Using a quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction method, we investigated gene expression of catecholamine biosynthetic enzymes in brainstem noradrenergic and adrenergic cell groups in rats under resting conditions as well as in acutely and repeatedly stressed animals. For the first time, we described quantitative differences in basal levels of catecholamine biosynthetic enzyme mRNA in brainstem catecholaminergic ascending and descending projecting cell groups. Moreover, we found and defined some differences among catecholaminergic cell groups in the time-course of mRNA levels of catecholaminergic enzymes following a single and especially repeated immobilisation stress. The data obtained support the assumption that brainstem catecholaminergic cell groups represent a functionally differentiated system, which is highly (but specifically) activated in rats exposed to stress. Therefore, potential interventions for the treatment of stress-related diseases need to affect the activity of brainstem catecholaminergic neurons not uniformly but with some degree of selectivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Boris Mravec
- Institute of Experimental Endocrinology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Vlarska 3, 833 06, Bratislava, Slovakia.,Institute of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University in Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Peter Vargovic
- Institute of Experimental Endocrinology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Vlarska 3, 833 06, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Peter Filipcik
- Institute of Neuroimmunology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Michal Novak
- Institute of Neuroimmunology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Richard Kvetnansky
- Institute of Experimental Endocrinology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Vlarska 3, 833 06, Bratislava, Slovakia
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Filipcik P, Cente M, Zilka N, Smolek T, Hanes J, Kucerak J, Opattova A, Kovacech B, Novak M. Intraneuronal accumulation of misfolded tau protein induces overexpression of Hsp27 in activated astrocytes. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2015; 1852:1219-29. [PMID: 25772164 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2015.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [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: 01/15/2015] [Revised: 02/13/2015] [Accepted: 03/06/2015] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Accumulation of misfolded forms of microtubule associated, neuronal protein tau causes neurofibrillary degeneration typical of Alzheimer's disease and other tauopathies. This process is accompanied by elevated cellular stress and concomitant deregulation of heat-shock proteins. We used a transgenic rat model of tauopathy to study involvement of heat shock protein 27 (Hsp27) in the process of neurofibrillary degeneration, its cell type specific expression and correlation with the amount of insoluble tau protein aggregates. The expression of Hsp27-mRNA is more than doubled and levels of Hsp27 protein tripled in aged transgenic animals with tau pathology. The data revealed a strong positive and highly significant correlation between Hsp27-mRNA and amount of sarkosyl insoluble tau. Interestingly, intracellular accumulation of insoluble misfolded tau protein in neurons was associated with overexpression of Hsp27 almost exclusively in reactive astrocytes, not in neurons. The topological dissociation of neuronally expressed pathological tau and the induction of astrocytic Hsp27, GFAP, and Vimentin along with up-regulation of microglia specific markers such as CD18, CD68 and C3 point to cooperation of astrocytes, microglia and neurons in response to intra-neuronal accumulation of insoluble tau. Our data suggest that over expression of Hsp27 represents a part of microglia-mediated astrocytic response mechanism in the process of neurofibrillary degeneration, which is not necessarily associated with neuroprotection and which in contrary may accelerate neurodegeneration in late stage of the disease. This phenomenon should be considered during development of disease modifying strategies for treatment of tauopathies and AD via regulation of activity of Hsp27.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Filipcik
- Institute of Neuroimmunology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dubravska cesta 9, 84510 Bratislava, Slovakia; Axon Neuroscience SE, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Martin Cente
- Institute of Neuroimmunology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dubravska cesta 9, 84510 Bratislava, Slovakia; Axon Neuroscience SE, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Norbert Zilka
- Institute of Neuroimmunology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dubravska cesta 9, 84510 Bratislava, Slovakia; Axon Neuroscience SE, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Tomas Smolek
- Institute of Neuroimmunology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dubravska cesta 9, 84510 Bratislava, Slovakia; Axon Neuroscience SE, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | | | - Juraj Kucerak
- Institute of Neuroimmunology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dubravska cesta 9, 84510 Bratislava, Slovakia; Axon Neuroscience SE, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Alena Opattova
- Institute of Neuroimmunology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dubravska cesta 9, 84510 Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Branislav Kovacech
- Institute of Neuroimmunology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dubravska cesta 9, 84510 Bratislava, Slovakia; Axon Neuroscience SE, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Michal Novak
- Institute of Neuroimmunology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dubravska cesta 9, 84510 Bratislava, Slovakia; Axon Neuroscience SE, Bratislava, Slovakia.
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Tang Z, Bereczki E, Zhang H, Wang S, Li C, Ji X, Branca RM, Lehtiö J, Guan Z, Filipcik P, Xu S, Winblad B, Pei JJ. Mammalian target of rapamycin (mTor) mediates tau protein dyshomeostasis: implication for Alzheimer disease. J Biol Chem 2013; 288:15556-70. [PMID: 23585566 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m112.435123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 95] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Previous evidence from post-mortem Alzheimer disease (AD) brains and drug (especially rapamycin)-oriented in vitro and in vivo models implicated an aberrant accumulation of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTor) in tangle-bearing neurons in AD brains and its role in the formation of abnormally hyperphosphorylated tau. Compelling evidence indicated that the sequential molecular events such as the synthesis and phosphorylation of tau can be regulated through p70 S6 kinase, the well characterized immediate downstream target of mTor. In the present study, we further identified that the active form of mTor per se accumulates in tangle-bearing neurons, particularly those at early stages in AD brains. By using mass spectrometry and Western blotting, we identified three phosphoepitopes of tau directly phosphorylated by mTor. We have developed a variety of stable cell lines with genetic modification of mTor activity using SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells as background. In these cellular systems, we not only confirmed the tau phosphorylation sites found in vitro but also found that mTor mediates the synthesis and aggregation of tau, resulting in compromised microtubule stability. Changes of mTor activity cause fluctuation of the level of a battery of tau kinases such as protein kinase A, v-Akt murine thymoma viral oncogene homolog-1, glycogen synthase kinase 3β, cyclin-dependent kinase 5, and tau protein phosphatase 2A. These results implicate mTor in promoting an imbalance of tau homeostasis, a condition required for neurons to maintain physiological function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhi Tang
- KI-Alzheimer Disease Research Center, Karolinska Institutet, Novum, SE 14186 Stockholm, Sweden
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Opattova A, Filipcik P, Cente M, Novak M. Intracellular Degradation of Misfolded Tau Protein Induced by Geldanamycin is Associated with Activation of Proteasome. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2012; 33:339-48. [DOI: 10.3233/jad-2012-121072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Alena Opattova
- Institute of Neuroimmunology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Peter Filipcik
- Institute of Neuroimmunology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
- Axon Neuroscience SE, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Martin Cente
- Institute of Neuroimmunology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
- Axon Neuroscience SE, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Michal Novak
- Institute of Neuroimmunology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
- Axon Neuroscience SE, Bratislava, Slovakia
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Krskova K, Filipcik P, Zilka N, Olszanecki R, Korbut R, Gajdosechova L, Zorad S. Angiotensinogen and angiotensin-converting enzyme mRNA decrease and AT1 receptor mRNA and protein increase in epididymal fat tissue accompany age-induced elevation of adiposity and reductions in expression of GLUT4 and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPARγ). J Physiol Pharmacol 2011; 62:403-410. [PMID: 22100841] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2011] [Accepted: 08/17/2011] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Elevated adiposity is one of the accompanying features of increased age in humans and animals. Angiotensin II (Ang II) is considered as growth promoting peptide to be involved in hypertrophic enlargement of adipose tissue. However, systemic renin-angiotensin system (RAS) seems to decrease with increased age of rats. Local adipose tissue RAS might be independent of the systemic one. Therefore we performed a comprehensive study using rats with increased age from 9 to 26 weeks and evaluated angiotensinogen, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) and AT(1) receptor mRNA in epididymal adipose tissue by RT-PCR. In addition, we determined AT(1) receptor protein by Western blotting and Ang II binding. These RAS parameters were correlated with expression of selected adiposity-dependent proteins such as leptin, adiponectin, insulin-dependent glucose transporter (GLUT4) and PPARgamma. Angiotensinogen and ACE expression decreased with increased age and adiposity. On the contrary, AT(1) receptor mRNA and protein was significantly elevated in 26-week-old rats though the Ang II binding was not different between 9 and 26-week-old animals. These results suggest dynamic adaptation of local adipose tissue RAS components to increased age and adiposity most likely by decreasing local Ang II formation which is thereafter compensated by increased expression of AT(1) receptor. However, this increase in AT(1) receptor mRNA and protein is not reflected in increased receptor binding. We believe that this complex regulation of adipose tissue RAS slows down the negative age and adiposity related changes in adipose tissue leptin, adiponectin, GLUT4 and PPARgamma.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Krskova
- Institute of Experimental Endocrinology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
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Cente M, Filipcik P, Mandakova S, Zilka N, Krajciova G, Novak M. Expression of a truncated human tau protein induces aqueous-phase free radicals in a rat model of tauopathy: implications for targeted antioxidative therapy. J Alzheimers Dis 2010; 17:913-20. [PMID: 19542619 DOI: 10.3233/jad-2009-1107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Oxidative stress has been implicated in the pathogenesis of many neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer's disease (AD). We investigated the effect of a truncated form of the human tau protein in the neurons of transgenic rats. Using electron paramagnetic resonance we observed significantly increased accumulation of ascorbyl free radicals in brains of transgenic animals (up to 1.5-fold increase; P < 0.01). Examination of an in vitro model of cultured rat corticohippocampal neurons revealed that even relatively low level expression of human truncated tau protein (equal to 50% of endogenous tau) induced oxidative stress that resulted in increased depolarization of mitochondria (approximately 1.2-fold above control, P < 0.01) and increases in reactive oxygen species (approximately 1.3-fold above control, P < 0.001). We show that mitochondrial damage-associated oxidative stress is an early event in neurodegeneration. Furthermore, using two common antioxidants (vitamin C and E), we were able significantly eliminate tau-induced elevation of reactive oxygen species. Interestingly, vitamin C was found to be selective in the scavenging activity, suggesting that expression of truncated tau protein preferentially leads to increases in aqueous phase oxidants and free radicals such as hydrogen peroxide and hydroxyl and superoxide radicals. Our results suggest that antioxidant strategies designed to treat AD should focus on elimination of aqueous phase oxidants and free radicals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Cente
- Institute of Neuroimmunology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
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Bugos O, Zilka N, Kucerak J, Koson P, Novak P, Handzusova M, Filipcik P, Novak M. P1‐148: Progressive neurofibrillary degeneration does not induce loss of pyramidal neurons in the cortex of the novel transgenic rat model for human tauopathy. Alzheimers Dement 2010. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jalz.2010.05.697] [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: 11/25/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Norbert Zilka
- Institute of NeuroimmunologyBratislava Slovakia
- Axon Neuroscience GmbHVienna Austria
| | | | - Peter Koson
- Institute of NeuroimmunologyBratislava Slovakia
| | - Petr Novak
- Institute of NeuroimmunologyBratislava Slovakia
| | | | - Peter Filipcik
- Institute of NeuroimmunologyBratislava Slovakia
- Axon Neuroscience GmbHVienna Austria
| | - Michal Novak
- Institute of NeuroimmunologyBratislava Slovakia
- Axon Neuroscience GmbHVienna Austria
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Filipcik P, Cente M, Kucerak J, Kovacech B, Skrabana R, Novak M. P1‐156: Tau protein aggregates induce dysregulation of gene expression in specific brain regions of rat model of tauopathy. Alzheimers Dement 2010. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jalz.2010.05.706] [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: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Michal Novak
- Institute of NeuroimmunologyBratislava Slovakia
- Axon Neuroscience GmbHVienna Austria
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Opattova A, Krajciova G, Filipcik P, Cente M, Novak M. P3‐204: Degradation of truncated tau protein in transgenic rat cortical neurons and human cellular model of tauopathy and Alzheimer's disease is enhanced by HSP90 inhibitors. Alzheimers Dement 2009. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jalz.2009.04.977] [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: 10/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Peter Filipcik
- Institute of NeuroimmunologyBratislavaSlovakia
- Axon Neuroscience GmbH, Vienna, AustriaViennaAustria
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Krajciova G, Filipcik P, Cente M, Skrabana R, Novak M. P2‐185: Misfolded tau protein in transgenic rat cortical neurons causes increased sensitivity to nitrosative stress. Alzheimers Dement 2009. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jalz.2009.04.497] [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: 10/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Peter Filipcik
- Institute of NeuroimmunologyBratislavaSlovakia
- Axon Neuroscience GmbHViennaAustria
| | | | | | - Michal Novak
- Institute of NeuroimmunologyBratislavaSlovakia
- Axon Neuroscience GmbHViennaAustria
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Filipcik P, Cente M, Krajciova G, Vanicky I, Novak M. Cortical and Hippocampal Neurons from Truncated Tau Transgenic Rat Express Multiple Markers of Neurodegeneration. Cell Mol Neurobiol 2009; 29:895-900. [DOI: 10.1007/s10571-009-9372-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2008] [Accepted: 02/17/2009] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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Krajciova G, Skrabana R, Filipcik P, Novak M. Preserving free thiols of intrinsically disordered tau protein without the use of a reducing agent. Anal Biochem 2008; 383:343-5. [PMID: 18834853 DOI: 10.1016/j.ab.2008.09.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [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: 08/12/2008] [Revised: 09/12/2008] [Accepted: 09/12/2008] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) represent key mediators in many physiological as well as pathological processes. Solution-exposed cysteines of IDPs are highly reactive and therefore reducing agents are frequently included during their preparation to prevent formation of nonnative disulfides. However, reductants can potentially interfere with subsequent assays performed on the purified IDPs. Herein we report a method for purification of IDP tau in an atmosphere of inert argon, which eliminates the need for reducing agents. We have used this method for preparing several IDP tau isoforms and found it useful in the investigation of monomeric tau toxicity in rat cerebral neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriela Krajciova
- Institute of Neuroimmunology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dubravska cesta 9, 845 10 Bratislava, Slovakia
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Cente M, Filipcik P, Krajciova G, Novak M. P1‐090: Misfolded truncated tau‐induced oxidative stress is mediated by specific subgroup of reactive oxygen species in a rat model of tauopathy. Alzheimers Dement 2008. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jalz.2008.05.676] [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: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Martin Cente
- Institute of Neuroimmunology, SASBratislavaSlovakia
| | - Peter Filipcik
- Institute of Neuroimmunology, SASBratislavaSlovakia
- Axon-Neuroscience GmbHViennaAustria
| | | | - Michal Novak
- Institute of Neuroimmunology, SASBratislavaSlovakia
- Axon-Neuroscience GmbHViennaAustria
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Koson P, Zilka N, Kovac A, Kovacech B, Korenova M, Filipcik P, Novak M. Truncated tau expression levels determine life span of a rat model of tauopathy without causing neuronal loss or correlating with terminal neurofibrillary tangle load. Eur J Neurosci 2008; 28:239-46. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1460-9568.2008.06329.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [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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38
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Filipcik P, Krajciova G, Cente M, Skrabana R, Kovacech B, Kontsekova E, Novak M. Generation, accumulation and degradation of aberrant tau proteins in cortical neurons of transgenic rat during pathogenesis of chronic neurodegenerative disease. FASEB J 2008. [DOI: 10.1096/fasebj.22.2_supplement.324] [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: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Peter Filipcik
- Institute of NeuroimmunologyBratislavaSlovakia
- NeurosciencesAxon NeuroscienceViennaAustria
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Abstract
Truncation of tau protein and oxidative stress have been implicated as important pathogenetic events in tauopathies including Alzheimer's disease (AD). We have generated a transgenic rat model that expresses a human truncated tau protein analogous to a variant form derived from sporadic AD. We employed this model to investigate the relationship between tau protein truncation and oxidative stress. We have found that rat cortical neurons (derived from transgenic animals) that had been cultured in vitro for 16 days showed an increased accumulation of reactive oxygen species (up to 1.4-fold increase; P < 0.01) when compared to neurons derived from nontransgenic control animals. Transgene-expressing neurons treated with inducers of oxidative stress, such as glucose oxidase (GO) and buthionine sulfoximine (BSO), displayed dramatically reduced survival (31.4 +/- 3.3 and 24.9 +/- 3.6%, respectively; both P < 0.001) compared to neurons from control animals (79.9 +/- 7.1%, survival following treatment with GO and to 98.2 +/- 3.8%, survival following treatment with BSO). The number of mitochondria in processes of neurons from transgenic animals was decreased by about one-third from that present in neurons from control animals. The results reveal that expression of a human truncated variant form of tau protein leads to the accumulation of reactive oxygen species and sensitizes rat cortical neurons to cell death induced by oxidative stress. This indicates that truncation of tau may precede oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases such as AD and other tauopathies. These findings may have implications for therapeutic strategies aiming at prevention of neurofibrillary degeneration and cognitive decline, and identify potential new targets for drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Cente
- Institute of Neuroimmunology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Centre of Excellence, Dubravska cesta 9, 84510 Bratislava, Slovakia
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Kovacech B, Kontsekova E, Zilka N, Novak P, Skrabana R, Filipcik P, Iqbal K, Novak M. A novel monoclonal antibody DC63 reveals that inhibitor 1 of protein phosphatase 2A is preferentially nuclearly localised in human brain. FEBS Lett 2007; 581:617-22. [PMID: 17266954 DOI: 10.1016/j.febslet.2007.01.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2006] [Accepted: 01/09/2007] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Abnormal phosphorylation of tau protein represents one of the major candidate pathological mechanisms leading to Alzheimer's disease (AD) and related tauopathies. Altered phosphorylation status of neuronal tau protein may result from upregulation of tau-specific kinases or from inhibition of tau-specific phosphatases. Increased expression of the protein inhibitor 1 of protein phosphatase 2A (I1PP2A) could therefore indirectly regulate the phosphorylation status of tau. As an important step towards elucidation of the role of I1PP2A in the physiology and pathology of tau phosphorylation, we developed a novel monoclonal antibody, DC63, which recognizes I1PP2A. Specificity of the antibody was examined by mass spectrometry and Western blot. This analysis supports the conclusion that the antibody does not recognize any of the other proteins of the 9-member leucine-rich acidic nuclear phosphoprotein family to which I1PP2A belongs. Immunoblot detection revealed that the inhibitor I1PP2A is expressed throughout the brain, including the hippocampus, temporal cortex, parietal cortex, subcortical nuclei and brain stem. The cerebellum displayed significantly higher levels of expression of I1PP2A than was seen elsewhere in the brain. Imunohistochemical analysis of normal human brain showed that I1PP2A is expressed in both neurons and glial cells and that the protein is preferentially localized to the nucleus. We conclude that the novel monoclonal antibody DC63 could be successfully employed as a mass spectrometry-validated molecular probe that may be used for in vitro and in vivo qualitative and quantitative studies of physiological and pathological pathways involving I1PP2A.
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Affiliation(s)
- Branislav Kovacech
- Institute of Neuroimmunology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dubravska 9, 845 10 Bratislava, Slovak Republic
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Koson P, Zilka N, Filipcik P, Novak M. P3–323: The onset of neurofibrillary pathology, neurobehavioral changes and life span in transgenic AD rat model is gene–dose dependent and sex–independent. Alzheimers Dement 2006. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jalz.2006.05.1593] [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]
Affiliation(s)
- Peter Koson
- Institute of NeuroimmunologyBratislavaSlovakia
| | | | | | - Michal Novak
- Institute of NeuroimmunologyBratislavaSlovakia
- Axon Neuroscience GmbHViennaAustria
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Zilka N, Filipcik P, Koson P, Fialova L, Skrabana R, Zilkova M, Rolkova G, Kontsekova E, Novak M. Truncated tau from sporadic Alzheimer's disease suffices to drive neurofibrillary degeneration in vivo. FEBS Lett 2006; 580:3582-8. [PMID: 16753151 DOI: 10.1016/j.febslet.2006.05.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 161] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.9] [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: 04/20/2006] [Revised: 05/05/2006] [Accepted: 05/08/2006] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Truncated tau protein is the characteristic feature of human sporadic Alzheimer's disease. We have identified truncated tau proteins conformationally different from normal healthy tau. Subpopulations of these structurally different tau species promoted abnormal microtubule assembly in vitro suggesting toxic gain of function. To validate pathological activity in vivo we expressed active form of human truncated tau protein as transgene, in the rat brain. Its neuronal expression led to the development of the neurofibrillary degeneration of Alzheimer's type. Furthermore, biochemical analysis of neurofibrillary changes revealed that massive sarcosyl insoluble tau complexes consisted of human Alzheimer's tau and endogenous rat tau in ratio 1:1 including characteristic Alzheimer's disease (AD)-specific proteins (A68). This work represents first insight into the possible causative role of truncated tau in AD neurofibrillary degeneration in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Norbert Zilka
- Axon Neuroscience GmbH, Rennweg 95b, 1030 Vienna, Austria
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Pevalova M, Filipcik P, Novak M, Avila J, Iqbal K. Post-translational modifications of tau protein. BRATISL MED J 2006; 107:346-53. [PMID: 17262986] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
Microtubule-associated protein tau is a phosphoprotein whose expression and phosphorylation is developmentally regulated. Whereas in adult mammalian brain several isoforms are produced from a single gene by alternative splicing, in fetal brain only a single isoform exists, corresponding to the smallest of the tau isoforms. Main physiological function of tau is the promotion of assembly and stabilization of microtubular network, which is essential for normal axonal transport of vesicles within the neuron. In human, tau protein undergoes several posttranslational modifications: such as phosphorylation, truncation, nitration, glycation, glycosylation, ubiquitination and polyaminations. When these modifications are disturbed, they play a serious role during the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Hyperphosphorylation and truncation as the early events in AD pathogenesis, play significant role in the formation of neurofibrillary pathology. Phosphorylated tau has reduced capability in binding to microtubules and hyperphosphorylation together with truncation contributes to the formation of pathological tau filaments. This leads to destabilization of microtubular network and subsequent impairment of microtubule associated axonal transport. Since many data suggest that sporadic AD is the "disease of posttranslational modifications" of tau protein, more detailed investigation of tau protein modifications is urgently needed in order to understand pathogenesis of sporadic Alzheimer's disease (Fig. 1, Ref. 86).
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Affiliation(s)
- M Pevalova
- Institute of Neuroimmunology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
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Filipcik P, Cente M, Ferencik M, Hulin I, Novak M. The role of oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease. BRATISL MED J 2006; 107:384-94. [PMID: 17262991] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
Oxidative stress has been implicated in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD) as a relevant marker of neuronal degeneration. However it plays an important role not only in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases but also in other critical disorders like heart diseases, carcinogenesis and others. Oxidative stress is also associated with normal aging. In this review we discuss a crucial question: to what extent oxidative stress may be a causative factor in pathogenesis of AD type of neurodegeneration. The results of several recent epidemiological studies appeared to be controversial at this point. It is believed that antioxidant therapies may have beneficial effects at least in delaying disease progression and appearance of AD specific clinical symptoms. Since there is no cure for AD recently, healthy life style and antioxidants enriched nutrition (or even antioxidant therapy) may provide an effective way of fighting against this deleterious disease (Ref. 102).
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Affiliation(s)
- P Filipcik
- Institute of Neuroimmunology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
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Soltys K, Rolkova G, Vechterova L, Filipcik P, Zilka N, Kontsekova E, Novak M. First insert of tau protein is present in all stages of tau pathology in Alzheimer's disease. Neuroreport 2005; 16:1677-81. [PMID: 16189476 DOI: 10.1097/01.wnr.0000181582.95764.79] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [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: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
A novel monoclonal antibody DC39N1 specific for tau protein N-terminal insert N1 (residues 45-73) was developed. Species analysis revealed that monoclonal antibody DC39N1 did not recognize tau proteins derived from rat, mouse, bovine, swine and rabbit brain tissues and is human tau protein specific. The antibody recognized all and only those human tau isoforms that contain a tau N1 insert. DC39N1 epitope on paired helical filaments from the brain of patients with Alzheimer's disease is phosphorylation independent. Immunohistochemical analysis of Braak stages with novel antibody revealed the presence of tau aminoterminal N1 insert during evolution of neurofibrillary degeneration from early to late stages of Alzheimer's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katarina Soltys
- Institute of Neuroimmunology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Slovak Republic
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46
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Cente M, Filipcik P, Hanusovska E, Zilka N, Novak M. P2-054 Onset and intensity of AD changes in transgenic rat expressing Alzheimer specific tau protein correlates with gene dosage. Neurobiol Aging 2004. [DOI: 10.1016/s0197-4580(04)80801-7] [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: 10/26/2022]
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Filipcik P, Pevalova M, Smrzka O, Novak M. P2-141 Neuronal assay based on developmentally inducible expression of Alzheimer's tau, designed for screening of AD therapeutics. Neurobiol Aging 2004. [DOI: 10.1016/s0197-4580(04)80888-1] [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: 11/29/2022]
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Pevalova M, Filipcik P, Mederlyova A, Cente M, Smrzka O, Novak M. P2-139 Hyperphosphorylation and oxidative stress as early changes in axon's new AD rat model. Neurobiol Aging 2004. [DOI: 10.1016/s0197-4580(04)80886-8] [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: 10/26/2022]
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Lion T, Daxberger H, Dubovsky J, Filipcik P, Fritsch G, Printz D, Peters C, Matthes-Martin S, Lawitschka A, Gadner H. Analysis of chimerism within specific leukocyte subsets for detection of residual or recurrent leukemia in pediatric patients after allogeneic stem cell transplantation. Leukemia 2001; 15:307-10. [PMID: 11236951 DOI: 10.1038/sj.leu.2402017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- T Lion
- Children's Cancer Research Institute, Wien, Austria
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