1
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Burke M, Wong K, Talyansky Y, Mhatre SD, Mitchell C, Juran CM, Olson M, Iyer J, Puukila S, Tahimic CGT, Christenson LK, Lowe M, Rubinstein L, Shirazi-Fard Y, Sowa MB, Alwood JS, Ronca AE, Paul AM. Sexual dimorphism during integrative endocrine and immune responses to ionizing radiation in mice. Sci Rep 2024; 14:7334. [PMID: 38409284 PMCID: PMC10897391 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-33629-7] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2022] [Accepted: 04/16/2023] [Indexed: 02/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Exposure to cosmic ionizing radiation is an innate risk of the spaceflight environment that can cause DNA damage and altered cellular function. In astronauts, longitudinal monitoring of physiological systems and interactions between these systems are important to consider for mitigation strategies. In addition, assessments of sex-specific biological responses in the unique environment of spaceflight are vital to support future exploration missions that include both females and males. Here we assessed sex-specific, multi-system immune and endocrine responses to simulated cosmic radiation. For this, 24-week-old, male and female C57Bl/6J mice were exposed to simplified five-ion, space-relevant galactic cosmic ray (GCRsim) radiation at 15 and 50 cGy, to simulate predicted radiation exposures that would be experienced during lunar and Martian missions, respectively. Blood and adrenal tissues were collected at 3- and 14-days post-irradiation for analysis of immune and endocrine biosignatures and pathways. Sexually dimorphic adrenal gland weights and morphology, differential total RNA expression with corresponding gene ontology, and unique immune phenotypes were altered by GCRsim. In brief, this study offers new insights into sexually dimorphic immune and endocrine kinetics following simulated cosmic radiation exposure and highlights the necessity for personalized translational approaches for astronauts during exploration missions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marissa Burke
- Department of Human Factors and Behavioral Neurobiology, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach, FL, 32114, USA
- Department of Physiology, Biophysics, and Systems Biology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, 10065, USA
| | - Kelly Wong
- University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
| | - Yuli Talyansky
- Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, 90033, USA
| | - Siddhita D Mhatre
- KBR, Houston, TX, 77002, USA
- Space Biosciences Division, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA, 94035, USA
| | - Carol Mitchell
- Department of Human Factors and Behavioral Neurobiology, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach, FL, 32114, USA
| | - Cassandra M Juran
- Department of Human Factors and Behavioral Neurobiology, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach, FL, 32114, USA
- Space Biosciences Division, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA, 94035, USA
- Blue Marble Space Institute of Science, Seattle, WA, 98104, USA
| | - Makaila Olson
- Department of Human Factors and Behavioral Neurobiology, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach, FL, 32114, USA
| | - Janani Iyer
- KBR, Houston, TX, 77002, USA
- Space Biosciences Division, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA, 94035, USA
- Universities Space Research Association, Mountain View, CA, 94043, USA
| | - Stephanie Puukila
- Space Biosciences Division, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA, 94035, USA
- Oak Ridge Associated Universities, Oak Ridge, TN, 37830, USA
| | - Candice G T Tahimic
- Department of Biology, University of North Florida, Jacksonville, FL, 32224, USA
| | - Lane K Christenson
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, 66160, USA
| | - Moniece Lowe
- Space Biosciences Division, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA, 94035, USA
- Blue Marble Space Institute of Science, Seattle, WA, 98104, USA
- Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, 53226, USA
| | - Linda Rubinstein
- Space Biosciences Division, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA, 94035, USA
- Universities Space Research Association, Mountain View, CA, 94043, USA
- The Joseph Sagol Neuroscience Center, Sheba Research Hospital, Ramat Gan 52621, Israel
| | - Yasaman Shirazi-Fard
- Space Biosciences Division, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA, 94035, USA
| | - Marianne B Sowa
- Space Biosciences Division, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA, 94035, USA
| | - Joshua S Alwood
- Space Biosciences Division, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA, 94035, USA
| | - April E Ronca
- Space Biosciences Division, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA, 94035, USA.
- Departments of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Wake Forest Medical School, Winston-Salem, NC, USA.
| | - Amber M Paul
- Department of Human Factors and Behavioral Neurobiology, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach, FL, 32114, USA.
- Space Biosciences Division, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA, 94035, USA.
- Blue Marble Space Institute of Science, Seattle, WA, 98104, USA.
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2
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Chou J, Ramroop JR, Saravia-Butler AM, Wey B, Lera MP, Torres ML, Heavner ME, Iyer J, Mhatre SD, Bhattacharya S, Govind S. Drosophila parasitoids go to space: Unexpected effects of spaceflight on hosts and their parasitoids. iScience 2024; 27:108759. [PMID: 38261932 PMCID: PMC10797188 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.108759] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2023] [Revised: 10/15/2023] [Accepted: 12/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/25/2024] Open
Abstract
While fruit flies (Drosophila melanogaster) and humans exhibit immune system dysfunction in space, studies examining their immune systems' interactions with natural parasites in space are lacking. Drosophila parasitoid wasps modify blood cell function to suppress host immunity. In this study, naive and parasitized ground and space flies from a tumor-free control and a blood tumor-bearing mutant strain were examined. Inflammation-related genes were activated in space in both fly strains. Whereas control flies did not develop tumors, tumor burden increased in the space-returned tumor-bearing mutants. Surprisingly, control flies were more sensitive to spaceflight than mutant flies; many of their essential genes were downregulated. Parasitoids appeared more resilient than fly hosts, and spaceflight did not significantly impact wasp survival or the expression of their virulence genes. Previously undocumented mutant wasps with novel wing color and wing shape were isolated post-flight and will be invaluable for host-parasite studies on Earth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer Chou
- Biology Department, The City College of New York, 160 Convent Avenue, New York, NY 10031, USA
| | - Johnny R. Ramroop
- Biology Department, The City College of New York, 160 Convent Avenue, New York, NY 10031, USA
| | - Amanda M. Saravia-Butler
- KBR NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA 94035, USA
- Space Biosciences Division, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA 94035, USA
| | - Brian Wey
- Biology Department, The City College of New York, 160 Convent Avenue, New York, NY 10031, USA
- PhD Program in Biology, The Graduate Center of the City University of New York, 365 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Matthew P. Lera
- Space Biosciences Division, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA 94035, USA
| | - Medaya L. Torres
- Space Biosciences Division, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA 94035, USA
- Bionetics, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA 94035, USA
| | - Mary Ellen Heavner
- Biology Department, The City College of New York, 160 Convent Avenue, New York, NY 10031, USA
- PhD Program in Biochemistry, The Graduate Center of the City University of New York, 365 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Janani Iyer
- KBR NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA 94035, USA
- Space Biosciences Division, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA 94035, USA
- Universities Space Research Association, Mountain View, CA 94043, USA
| | - Siddhita D. Mhatre
- KBR NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA 94035, USA
- Space Biosciences Division, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA 94035, USA
| | | | - Shubha Govind
- Biology Department, The City College of New York, 160 Convent Avenue, New York, NY 10031, USA
- PhD Program in Biology, The Graduate Center of the City University of New York, 365 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10016, USA
- PhD Program in Biochemistry, The Graduate Center of the City University of New York, 365 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10016, USA
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3
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Alwood JS, Mulavara AP, Iyer J, Mhatre SD, Rosi S, Shelhamer M, Davis C, Jones CW, Mao XW, Desai RI, Whitmire AM, Williams TJ. Circuits and Biomarkers of the Central Nervous System Relating to Astronaut Performance: Summary Report for a NASA-Sponsored Technical Interchange Meeting. Life (Basel) 2023; 13:1852. [PMID: 37763256 PMCID: PMC10532466 DOI: 10.3390/life13091852] [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: 06/15/2023] [Revised: 08/24/2023] [Accepted: 08/25/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Biomarkers, ranging from molecules to behavior, can be used to identify thresholds beyond which performance of mission tasks may be compromised and could potentially trigger the activation of countermeasures. Identification of homologous brain regions and/or neural circuits related to operational performance may allow for translational studies between species. Three discussion groups were directed to use operationally relevant performance tasks as a driver when identifying biomarkers and brain regions or circuits for selected constructs. Here we summarize small-group discussions in tables of circuits and biomarkers categorized by (a) sensorimotor, (b) behavioral medicine and (c) integrated approaches (e.g., physiological responses). In total, hundreds of biomarkers have been identified and are summarized herein by the respective group leads. We hope the meeting proceedings become a rich resource for NASA's Human Research Program (HRP) and the community of researchers.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Janani Iyer
- Universities Space Research Association (USRA), Moffett Field, CA 94035, USA
| | | | - Susanna Rosi
- Department of Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation Science, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94110, USA
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94110, USA
| | - Mark Shelhamer
- Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Catherine Davis
- Department of Pharmacology and Molecular Therapeutics, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USUHS), Bethesda, MD 20814, USA
| | - Christopher W. Jones
- Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Xiao Wen Mao
- Department of Basic Sciences, Division of Biomedical Engineering Sciences (BMES), Loma Linda University Health, Loma Linda, CA 92354, USA
| | - Rajeev I. Desai
- Integrative Neurochemistry Laboratory, Behavioral Biology Program, McLean Hospital-Harvard Medical School, Belmont, MA 02478, USA
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4
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Puukila S, Siu O, Rubinstein L, Tahimic CGT, Lowe M, Tabares Ruiz S, Korostenskij I, Semel M, Iyer J, Mhatre SD, Shirazi-Fard Y, Alwood JS, Paul AM, Ronca AE. Galactic Cosmic Irradiation Alters Acute and Delayed Species-Typical Behavior in Male and Female Mice. Life (Basel) 2023; 13:life13051214. [PMID: 37240858 DOI: 10.3390/life13051214] [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: 03/07/2023] [Revised: 04/14/2023] [Accepted: 05/10/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Exposure to space galactic cosmic radiation is a principal consideration for deep space missions. While the effects of space irradiation on the nervous system are not fully known, studies in animal models have shown that exposure to ionizing radiation can cause neuronal damage and lead to downstream cognitive and behavioral deficits. Cognitive health implications put humans and missions at risk, and with the upcoming Artemis missions in which female crew will play a major role, advance critical analysis of the neurological and performance responses of male and female rodents to space radiation is vital. Here, we tested the hypothesis that simulated Galactic Cosmic Radiation (GCRSim) exposure disrupts species-typical behavior in mice, including burrowing, rearing, grooming, and nest-building that depend upon hippocampal and medial prefrontal cortex circuitry. Behavior comprises a remarkably well-integrated representation of the biology of the whole animal that informs overall neural and physiological status, revealing functional impairment. We conducted a systematic dose-response analysis of mature (6-month-old) male and female mice exposed to either 5, 15, or 50 cGy 5-ion GCRSim (H, Si, He, O, Fe) at the NASA Space Radiation Laboratory (NSRL). Behavioral performance was evaluated at 72 h (acute) and 91-days (delayed) postradiation exposure. Specifically, species-typical behavior patterns comprising burrowing, rearing, and grooming as well as nest building were analyzed. A Neuroscore test battery (spontaneous activity, proprioception, vibrissae touch, limb symmetry, lateral turning, forelimb outstretching, and climbing) was performed at the acute timepoint to investigate early sensorimotor deficits postirradiation exposure. Nest construction, a measure of neurological and organizational function in rodents, was evaluated using a five-stage Likert scale 'Deacon' score that ranged from 1 (a low score where the Nestlet is untouched) to 5 (a high score where the Nestlet is completely shredded and shaped into a nest). Differential acute responses were observed in females relative to males with respect to species-typical behavior following 15 cGy exposure while delayed responses were observed in female grooming following 50 cGy exposure. Significant sex differences were observed at both timepoints in nest building. No deficits in sensorimotor behavior were observed via the Neuroscore. This study revealed subtle, sexually dimorphic GCRSim exposure effects on mouse behavior. Our analysis provides a clearer understanding of GCR dose effects on species typical, sensorimotor and organizational behaviors at acute and delayed timeframes postirradiation, thereby setting the stage for the identification of underlying cellular and molecular events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie Puukila
- Oak Ridge Associated Universities, Oak Ridge, TN 37831, USA
- NASA, Space Biosciences Division, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA 94035, USA
| | - Olivia Siu
- Space Life Sciences Training Program (SLSTP), NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA 94035, USA
- Department of Human Factors and Behavioral Neurobiology, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach, FL 32114, USA
| | - Linda Rubinstein
- Universities Space Research Association, Columbia, MD 21046, USA
- The Joseph Sagol Neuroscience Center, Sheba Hospital, Ramat Gan 52621, Israel
| | - Candice G T Tahimic
- NASA, Space Biosciences Division, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA 94035, USA
- Department of Biology, University of North Florida, Jacksonville, FL 32224, USA
| | - Moniece Lowe
- NASA, Space Biosciences Division, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA 94035, USA
- Blue Marble Space Institute of Science, Seattle, WA 98154, USA
| | - Steffy Tabares Ruiz
- NASA, Space Biosciences Division, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA 94035, USA
- Blue Marble Space Institute of Science, Seattle, WA 98154, USA
| | - Ivan Korostenskij
- Department of Biology, University of North Florida, Jacksonville, FL 32224, USA
| | - Maya Semel
- Department of Biology, University of North Florida, Jacksonville, FL 32224, USA
| | - Janani Iyer
- NASA, Space Biosciences Division, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA 94035, USA
- Universities Space Research Association, Columbia, MD 21046, USA
- KBR, Houston, TX 77002, USA
| | - Siddhita D Mhatre
- NASA, Space Biosciences Division, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA 94035, USA
- KBR, Houston, TX 77002, USA
| | - Yasaman Shirazi-Fard
- NASA, Space Biosciences Division, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA 94035, USA
| | - Joshua S Alwood
- NASA, Space Biosciences Division, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA 94035, USA
| | - Amber M Paul
- NASA, Space Biosciences Division, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA 94035, USA
- Department of Human Factors and Behavioral Neurobiology, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach, FL 32114, USA
- Blue Marble Space Institute of Science, Seattle, WA 98154, USA
| | - April E Ronca
- NASA, Space Biosciences Division, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA 94035, USA
- Wake Forest Medical School, Winston-Salem, NC 27101, USA
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5
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Mhatre SD, Iyer J, Petereit J, Dolling-Boreham RM, Tyryshkina A, Paul AM, Gilbert R, Jensen M, Woolsey RJ, Anand S, Sowa MB, Quilici DR, Costes SV, Girirajan S, Bhattacharya S. Artificial gravity partially protects space-induced neurological deficits in Drosophila melanogaster. Cell Rep 2022; 40:111279. [PMID: 36070701 PMCID: PMC10503492 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2022.111279] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2021] [Revised: 03/16/2022] [Accepted: 08/05/2022] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Spaceflight poses risks to the central nervous system (CNS), and understanding neurological responses is important for future missions. We report CNS changes in Drosophila aboard the International Space Station in response to spaceflight microgravity (SFμg) and artificially simulated Earth gravity (SF1g) via inflight centrifugation as a countermeasure. While inflight behavioral analyses of SFμg exhibit increased activity, postflight analysis displays significant climbing defects, highlighting the sensitivity of behavior to altered gravity. Multi-omics analysis shows alterations in metabolic, oxidative stress and synaptic transmission pathways in both SFμg and SF1g; however, neurological changes immediately postflight, including neuronal loss, glial cell count alterations, oxidative damage, and apoptosis, are seen only in SFμg. Additionally, progressive neuronal loss and a glial phenotype in SF1g and SFμg brains, with pronounced phenotypes in SFμg, are seen upon acclimation to Earth conditions. Overall, our results indicate that artificial gravity partially protects the CNS from the adverse effects of spaceflight.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siddhita D Mhatre
- Space Biosciences Division, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA 94035, USA; KBR, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA 94035, USA; COSMIAC Research Center, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA
| | - Janani Iyer
- Space Biosciences Division, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA 94035, USA; KBR, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA 94035, USA; Universities Space Research Association, Mountain View, CA 94043, USA
| | - Juli Petereit
- Nevada Bioinformatics Center, University of Nevada, Reno, NV 89557, USA
| | - Roberta M Dolling-Boreham
- Department of Electrical and Biomedical Engineering, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S 4L8, Canada; Blue Marble Space Institute of Science, Seattle, WA 94035, USA
| | - Anastasia Tyryshkina
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - Amber M Paul
- Space Biosciences Division, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA 94035, USA; Universities Space Research Association, Mountain View, CA 94043, USA; Blue Marble Space Institute of Science, Seattle, WA 94035, USA; NASA Postdoctoral Program, Universities Space Research Association, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA 94035, USA; Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Department of Human Factors and Behavioral Neurobiology, Daytona Beach, FL 32114, USA
| | - Rachel Gilbert
- Space Biosciences Division, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA 94035, USA; NASA Postdoctoral Program, Universities Space Research Association, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA 94035, USA
| | - Matthew Jensen
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | | | - Sulekha Anand
- Department of Biological Sciences, San Jose State University, San Jose, CA 95192, USA
| | - Marianne B Sowa
- Space Biosciences Division, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA 94035, USA
| | - David R Quilici
- Nevada Proteomics Center, University of Nevada, Reno, NV 89557, USA
| | - Sylvain V Costes
- Space Biosciences Division, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA 94035, USA
| | - Santhosh Girirajan
- Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - Sharmila Bhattacharya
- Space Biosciences Division, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA 94035, USA; Biological and Physical Sciences Division, NASA Headquarters, Washington DC 20024, USA.
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6
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Mhatre SD, Iyer J, Puukila S, Paul AM, Tahimic CGT, Rubinstein L, Lowe M, Alwood JS, Sowa MB, Bhattacharya S, Globus RK, Ronca AE. Neuro-consequences of the spaceflight environment. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2021; 132:908-935. [PMID: 34767877 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2021.09.055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2020] [Revised: 08/03/2021] [Accepted: 09/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
As human space exploration advances to establish a permanent presence beyond the Low Earth Orbit (LEO) with NASA's Artemis mission, researchers are striving to understand and address the health challenges of living and working in the spaceflight environment. Exposure to ionizing radiation, microgravity, isolation and other spaceflight hazards pose significant risks to astronauts. Determining neurobiological and neurobehavioral responses, understanding physiological responses under Central Nervous System (CNS) control, and identifying putative mechanisms to inform countermeasure development are critically important to ensuring brain and behavioral health of crew on long duration missions. Here we provide a detailed and comprehensive review of the effects of spaceflight and of ground-based spaceflight analogs, including simulated weightlessness, social isolation, and ionizing radiation on humans and animals. Further, we discuss dietary and non-dietary countermeasures including artificial gravity and antioxidants, among others. Significant future work is needed to ensure that neural, sensorimotor, cognitive and other physiological functions are maintained during extended deep space missions to avoid potentially catastrophic health and safety outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siddhita D Mhatre
- Space Biosciences Division, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA, 94035, USA; KBR, Houston, TX, 77002, USA; COSMIAC Research Center, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, 87131, USA
| | - Janani Iyer
- Space Biosciences Division, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA, 94035, USA; Universities Space Research Association, Columbia, MD, 21046, USA
| | - Stephanie Puukila
- Space Biosciences Division, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA, 94035, USA; Universities Space Research Association, Columbia, MD, 21046, USA; Flinders University, Adelaide, Australia
| | - Amber M Paul
- Space Biosciences Division, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA, 94035, USA; Universities Space Research Association, Columbia, MD, 21046, USA
| | - Candice G T Tahimic
- Space Biosciences Division, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA, 94035, USA; KBR, Houston, TX, 77002, USA; Department of Biology, University of North Florida, Jacksonville, FL, 32224, USA
| | - Linda Rubinstein
- Space Biosciences Division, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA, 94035, USA; Universities Space Research Association, Columbia, MD, 21046, USA
| | - Moniece Lowe
- Space Biosciences Division, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA, 94035, USA; Blue Marble Space Institute of Science, Seattle, WA, 98154, USA
| | - Joshua S Alwood
- Space Biosciences Division, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA, 94035, USA
| | - Marianne B Sowa
- Space Biosciences Division, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA, 94035, USA
| | - Sharmila Bhattacharya
- Space Biosciences Division, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA, 94035, USA
| | - Ruth K Globus
- Space Biosciences Division, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA, 94035, USA
| | - April E Ronca
- Space Biosciences Division, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA, 94035, USA; Wake Forest Medical School, Winston-Salem, NC, 27101, USA.
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7
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Paul AM, Mhatre SD, Cekanaviciute E, Schreurs AS, Tahimic CGT, Globus RK, Anand S, Crucian BE, Bhattacharya S. Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio: A Biomarker to Monitor the Immune Status of Astronauts. Front Immunol 2020; 11:564950. [PMID: 33224136 PMCID: PMC7667275 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.564950] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2020] [Accepted: 10/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
A comprehensive understanding of spaceflight factors involved in immune dysfunction and the evaluation of biomarkers to assess in-flight astronaut health are essential goals for NASA. An elevated neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is a potential biomarker candidate, as leukocyte differentials are altered during spaceflight. In the reduced gravity environment of space, rodents and astronauts displayed elevated NLR and granulocyte-to-lymphocyte ratios (GLR), respectively. To simulate microgravity using two well-established ground-based models, we cultured human whole blood-leukocytes in high-aspect rotating wall vessels (HARV-RWV) and used hindlimb unloaded (HU) mice. Both HARV-RWV simulation of leukocytes and HU-exposed mice showed elevated NLR profiles comparable to spaceflight exposed samples. To assess mechanisms involved, we found the simulated microgravity HARV-RWV model resulted in an imbalance of redox processes and activation of myeloperoxidase-producing inflammatory neutrophils, while antioxidant treatment reversed these effects. In the simulated microgravity HU model, mitochondrial catalase-transgenic mice that have reduced oxidative stress responses showed reduced neutrophil counts, NLR, and a dampened release of selective inflammatory cytokines compared to wildtype HU mice, suggesting simulated microgravity induced oxidative stress responses that triggered inflammation. In brief, both spaceflight and simulated microgravity models caused elevated NLR, indicating this as a potential biomarker for future in-flight immune health monitoring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amber M Paul
- Space Biosciences Division, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA, United States.,Universities Space Research Association, Columbia, MD, United States
| | - Siddhita D Mhatre
- Space Biosciences Division, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA, United States.,COSMIAC Research Center, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, United States.,KBR, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Egle Cekanaviciute
- Space Biosciences Division, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA, United States
| | - Ann-Sofie Schreurs
- Space Biosciences Division, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA, United States
| | - Candice G T Tahimic
- Space Biosciences Division, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA, United States.,COSMIAC Research Center, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, United States.,Department of Biology, University of North Florida, Jacksonville, FL, United States
| | - Ruth K Globus
- Space Biosciences Division, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA, United States
| | - Sulekha Anand
- Department of Biological Sciences, San Jose State University, San Jose, CA, United States
| | - Brian E Crucian
- Biomedical Research and Environmental Sciences Division, NASA Johnson Science Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Sharmila Bhattacharya
- Space Biosciences Division, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA, United States
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8
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Wilson EN, Swarovski MS, Linortner P, Shahid M, Zuckerman AJ, Wang Q, Channappa D, Minhas PS, Mhatre SD, Plowey ED, Quinn JF, Zabetian CP, Tian L, Longo FM, Cholerton B, Montine TJ, Poston KL, Andreasson KI. Soluble TREM2 is elevated in Parkinson's disease subgroups with increased CSF tau. Brain 2020; 143:932-943. [PMID: 32065223 PMCID: PMC7089668 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awaa021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2019] [Revised: 10/26/2019] [Accepted: 12/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Parkinson's disease is the second most common neurodegenerative disease after Alzheimer's disease and affects 1% of the population above 60 years old. Although Parkinson's disease commonly manifests with motor symptoms, a majority of patients with Parkinson's disease subsequently develop cognitive impairment, which often progresses to dementia, a major cause of morbidity and disability. Parkinson's disease is characterized by α-synuclein accumulation that frequently associates with amyloid-β and tau fibrils, the hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease neuropathological changes; this co-occurrence suggests that onset of cognitive decline in Parkinson's disease may be associated with appearance of pathological amyloid-β and/or tau. Recent studies have highlighted the appearance of the soluble form of the triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2 (sTREM2) receptor in CSF during development of Alzheimer's disease. Given the known association of microglial activation with advancing Parkinson's disease, we investigated whether CSF and/or plasma sTREM2 differed between CSF biomarker-defined Parkinson's disease participant subgroups. In this cross-sectional study, we examined 165 participants consisting of 17 cognitively normal elderly subjects, 45 patients with Parkinson's disease with no cognitive impairment, 86 with mild cognitive impairment, and 17 with dementia. Stratification of subjects by CSF amyloid-β and tau levels revealed that CSF sTREM2 concentrations were elevated in Parkinson's disease subgroups with a positive tau CSF biomarker signature, but not in Parkinson's disease subgroups with a positive CSF amyloid-β biomarker signature. These findings indicate that CSF sTREM2 could serve as a surrogate immune biomarker of neuronal injury in Parkinson's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edward N Wilson
- Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Michelle S Swarovski
- Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Patricia Linortner
- Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Marian Shahid
- Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Abigail J Zuckerman
- Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Qian Wang
- Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Divya Channappa
- Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Paras S Minhas
- Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Siddhita D Mhatre
- Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Edward D Plowey
- Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Joseph F Quinn
- Neurology, Oregon Health and Sciences University, Portland, OR, USA
- Neurology, Portland VA Medical Center, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Cyrus P Zabetian
- VA Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle, WA, USA
- Neurology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Lu Tian
- Biomedical Data Science and Statistics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Frank M Longo
- Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Brenna Cholerton
- Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Thomas J Montine
- Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Kathleen L Poston
- Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
- Neurosurgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Katrin I Andreasson
- Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
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Paul AM, Mhatre SD, Cekanaviciute E, Schreurs AS, Tahimic CG, Globus RK, Crucian B, Bhattacharya S. Reduced gravity contributes to Neutrophil to Lymphocyte Ratio shifting and promotion of the Oxidative Stress Response. The Journal of Immunology 2019. [DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.202.supp.182.13] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Abstract
Spaceflight can cause immune system dysfunction, such as elevated white blood cells (WBC) and polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN), along with unchanged or reduced lymphocyte counts. A high PMN to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) can acts as a poor prognosis in cancer and a biomarker for subclinical inflammation however, the NLR has not been identified as a predictor of astronaut health during spaceflight. CBC data collected on board the International Space Station (ISS) was repurposed to determine the granulocyte to lymphocyte ratio (GLR) in humans and the NLR in rodents. The results displayed a progressive increase in GLR and NLR during spaceflight and at landing. The mechanism for increased NLR was assessed in vitro using the microgravity-analog, rotating wall vessel (RWV), with human WBCs. The results indicated that simulated microgravity led to increased GLR and NLR profiles, and production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and myeloperoxidase (MPO). Interestingly, simulated microgravity increased the number of matured PMNs that showed impaired phagocytic function, while treatment with tert-Butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP), also reduced PMN phagocytosis. In addition, 30-days of simulated microgravity (hindlimb unloading) in mice, indicated an increased NLR and MPO gene expression, which were mitigated in mitochondrial catalase overexpressing transgenic mice, suggesting ROS scavenging is essential for maintaining homeostatic immunity. Collectively, we propose that the health status of astronauts during future short- and long-term space missions can be monitored by their NLR profile, in addition to utilizing this measurement as a tool for oxidative stress response countermeasure development to restore homeostatic immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amber M Paul
- 1NASA Ames Research Center
- 2Universities Space Research Association
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10
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Minhas PS, Liu L, Moon PK, Mhatre SD, Wang Q, Coronado M, Contrepois K, Joshi AU, Dove CG, Kvalheim G, Midttun O, Majeti R, Bernstein D, Mochly-Rosen D, Snyder M, Rabinowitz J, Andreasson K. O4‐02‐05: DE NOVO NAD+ SYNTHESIS RESCUES NEUROINFLAMMATION AND ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE PHENOTYPES: MODULATING IMMUNE CELL RESPONSES AND MITOCHONDRIAL BIOENERGETICS. Alzheimers Dement 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jalz.2018.06.2919] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [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)
| | - Ling Liu
- Princeton UniversityPrincetonNJUSA
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11
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Woodling NS, Colas D, Wang Q, Minhas P, Panchal M, Liang X, Mhatre SD, Brown H, Ko N, Zagol-Ikapitte I, van der Hart M, Khroyan TV, Chuluun B, Priyam PG, Milne GL, Rassoulpour A, Boutaud O, Manning-Boğ AB, Heller HC, Andreasson KI. Cyclooxygenase inhibition targets neurons to prevent early behavioural decline in Alzheimer's disease model mice. Brain 2016; 139:2063-81. [PMID: 27190010 DOI: 10.1093/brain/aww117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [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: 10/05/2015] [Accepted: 03/31/2016] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Identifying preventive targets for Alzheimer's disease is a central challenge of modern medicine. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, which inhibit the cyclooxygenase enzymes COX-1 and COX-2, reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease in normal ageing populations. This preventive effect coincides with an extended preclinical phase that spans years to decades before onset of cognitive decline. In the brain, COX-2 is induced in neurons in response to excitatory synaptic activity and in glial cells in response to inflammation. To identify mechanisms underlying prevention of cognitive decline by anti-inflammatory drugs, we first identified an early object memory deficit in APPSwe-PS1ΔE9 mice that preceded previously identified spatial memory deficits in this model. We modelled prevention of this memory deficit with ibuprofen, and found that ibuprofen prevented memory impairment without producing any measurable changes in amyloid-β accumulation or glial inflammation. Instead, ibuprofen modulated hippocampal gene expression in pathways involved in neuronal plasticity and increased levels of norepinephrine and dopamine. The gene most highly downregulated by ibuprofen was neuronal tryptophan 2,3-dioxygenase (Tdo2), which encodes an enzyme that metabolizes tryptophan to kynurenine. TDO2 expression was increased by neuronal COX-2 activity, and overexpression of hippocampal TDO2 produced behavioural deficits. Moreover, pharmacological TDO2 inhibition prevented behavioural deficits in APPSwe-PS1ΔE9 mice. Taken together, these data demonstrate broad effects of cyclooxygenase inhibition on multiple neuronal pathways that counteract the neurotoxic effects of early accumulating amyloid-β oligomers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathaniel S Woodling
- 1 Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA 2 Neurosciences Graduate Program, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Damien Colas
- 1 Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Qian Wang
- 1 Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Paras Minhas
- 1 Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA 1 Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Maharshi Panchal
- 1 Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Xibin Liang
- 1 Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Siddhita D Mhatre
- 1 Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Holden Brown
- 1 Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA 4 Brains On-line LLC, South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Novie Ko
- 1 Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Irene Zagol-Ikapitte
- 1 Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Marieke van der Hart
- 1 Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Taline V Khroyan
- 1 Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Bayarsaikhan Chuluun
- 1 Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Prachi G Priyam
- 1 Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Ginger L Milne
- 1 Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Arash Rassoulpour
- 1 Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Olivier Boutaud
- 1 Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Amy B Manning-Boğ
- 1 Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - H Craig Heller
- 1 Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Katrin I Andreasson
- 1 Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
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Mhatre SD, Tsai CA, Rubin AJ, James ML, Andreasson KI. Microglial malfunction: the third rail in the development of Alzheimer's disease. Trends Neurosci 2015; 38:621-636. [PMID: 26442696 PMCID: PMC4670239 DOI: 10.1016/j.tins.2015.08.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 106] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2015] [Revised: 08/18/2015] [Accepted: 08/19/2015] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Studies of Alzheimer's disease (AD) have predominantly focused on two major pathologies: amyloid-β (Aβ) and hyperphosphorylated tau. These misfolded proteins can accumulate asymptomatically in distinct regions over decades. However, significant Aβ accumulation can be seen in individuals who do not develop dementia, and tau pathology limited to the transentorhinal cortex, which can appear early in adulthood, is usually clinically silent. Thus, an interaction between these pathologies appears to be necessary to initiate and propel disease forward to widespread circuits. Recent multidisciplinary findings strongly suggest that the third factor required for disease progression is an aberrant microglial immune response. This response may initially be beneficial; however, a maladaptive microglial response eventually develops, fueling a feed-forward spread of tau and Aβ pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siddhita D Mhatre
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA; Stanford Neurosciences Institute, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Connie A Tsai
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA; Stanford Neurosciences Institute, Stanford, CA, USA; Neurosciences Graduate Program, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Amanda J Rubin
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA; Stanford Neurosciences Institute, Stanford, CA, USA; Neurosciences Graduate Program, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Michelle L James
- Department of Radiology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Katrin I Andreasson
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, USA; Stanford Neurosciences Institute, Stanford, CA, USA.
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13
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Johansson JU, Woodling NS, Wang Q, Panchal M, Liang X, Trueba-Saiz A, Brown HD, Mhatre SD, Loui T, Andreasson KI. Prostaglandin signaling suppresses beneficial microglial function in Alzheimer's disease models. J Clin Invest 2014; 125:350-64. [PMID: 25485684 DOI: 10.1172/jci77487] [Citation(s) in RCA: 104] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2014] [Accepted: 10/30/2014] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Microglia, the innate immune cells of the CNS, perform critical inflammatory and noninflammatory functions that maintain normal neural function. For example, microglia clear misfolded proteins, elaborate trophic factors, and regulate and terminate toxic inflammation. In Alzheimer's disease (AD), however, beneficial microglial functions become impaired, accelerating synaptic and neuronal loss. Better understanding of the molecular mechanisms that contribute to microglial dysfunction is an important objective for identifying potential strategies to delay progression to AD. The inflammatory cyclooxygenase/prostaglandin E2 (COX/PGE2) pathway has been implicated in preclinical AD development, both in human epidemiology studies and in transgenic rodent models of AD. Here, we evaluated murine models that recapitulate microglial responses to Aβ peptides and determined that microglia-specific deletion of the gene encoding the PGE2 receptor EP2 restores microglial chemotaxis and Aβ clearance, suppresses toxic inflammation, increases cytoprotective insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1) signaling, and prevents synaptic injury and memory deficits. Our findings indicate that EP2 signaling suppresses beneficial microglia functions that falter during AD development and suggest that inhibition of the COX/PGE2/EP2 immune pathway has potential as a strategy to restore healthy microglial function and prevent progression to AD.
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Mhatre SD, Michelson SJ, Gomes J, Tabb LP, Saunders AJ, Marenda DR. Development and characterization of an aged onset model of Alzheimer's disease in Drosophila melanogaster. Exp Neurol 2014; 261:772-81. [DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2014.08.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2014] [Revised: 08/14/2014] [Accepted: 08/19/2014] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
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15
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Mhatre SD, Satyasi V, Killen M, Paddock BE, Moir RD, Saunders AJ, Marenda DR. Synaptic abnormalities in a Drosophila model of Alzheimer's disease. Dis Model Mech 2014; 7:373-85. [PMID: 24487408 PMCID: PMC3944497 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.012104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is an age-related neurodegenerative disease characterized by memory loss and decreased synaptic function. Advances in transgenic animal models of AD have facilitated our understanding of this disorder, and have aided in the development, speed and efficiency of testing potential therapeutics. Recently, we have described the characterization of a novel model of AD in the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster, where we expressed the human AD-associated proteins APP and BACE in the central nervous system of the fly. Here we describe synaptic defects in the larval neuromuscular junction (NMJ) in this model. Our results indicate that expression of human APP and BACE at the larval NMJ leads to defective larval locomotion behavior, decreased presynaptic connections, altered mitochondrial localization in presynaptic motor neurons and decreased postsynaptic protein levels. Treating larvae expressing APP and BACE with the γ-secretase inhibitor L-685,458 suppresses the behavioral defects as well as the pre- and postsynaptic defects. We suggest that this model will be useful to assess and model the synaptic dysfunction normally associated with AD, and will also serve as a powerful in vivo tool for rapid testing of potential therapeutics for AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siddhita D Mhatre
- Department of Biology, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
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16
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Abstract
A majority of the genes linked to human disease belong to evolutionarily conserved pathways found in simpler organisms, such as Caenorhabditis elegans and Drosophila melanogaster. The genes and pathways of these simple organisms can be genetically and pharmacologically manipulated to better understand the function of their orthologs in vivo, and how these genes are involved in the pathogenesis of different diseases. Often these manipulations can be performed much more rapidly in flies and worms than in mammals, and can generate high quality in vivo data that is translatable to mammalian systems. Other qualities also make these organisms particularly well suited to the study of human disease. For example, developing in vivo disease models can help illuminate the basic mechanisms underlying disease, as in vitro studies do not always provide the natural physiological complexity associated with many diseases. Invertebrate models are relatively inexpensive, easy to work with, have short lifespans, and often have very well characterized and stereotypical development and behavior. This is particularly true for the two invertebrate model organisms that this review will focus on: Caenorhabditis elegans and Drosophila melanogaster. In this review, we will first describe an overview of modeling Alzheimer's disease in flies and worms, and will then highlight some of the more recent advances that these "simple" animals have contributed to our understanding of Alzheimer's disease in recent years.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siddhita D Mhatre
- Department of Biology, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
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17
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Reza MA, Mhatre SD, Morrison JC, Utreja S, Saunders AJ, Breen DE, Marenda DR. Automated analysis of courtship suppression learning and memory in Drosophila melanogaster. Fly (Austin) 2013; 7:105-11. [PMID: 23644900 DOI: 10.4161/fly.24110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [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] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Study of the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster, has yielded important insights into the underlying molecular mechanisms of learning and memory. Courtship conditioning is a well-established behavioral assay used to study Drosophila learning and memory. Here, we describe the development of software to analyze courtship suppression assay data that correctly identifies normal or abnormal learning and memory traits of individual flies. Development of this automated analysis software will significantly enhance our ability to use this assay in large-scale genetic screens and disease modeling. The software increases the consistency, objectivity, and types of data generated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Md Alimoor Reza
- Department of Computer Science, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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