Microglia produce the amyloidogenic ABri peptide in familial British dementia

Mutations in ITM2B cause familial British, Danish, Chinese and Korean dementias. In familial British dementia (FBD) a mutation in the stop codon of the ITM2B gene (also known as BRI2 ) causes a C-terminal cleavage fragment of the ITM2B/BRI2 protein to be extended by 11 amino acids. This fragment, termed amyloid-Bri (ABri), is highly insoluble and forms extracellular plaques in the brain. ABri plaques are accompanied by tau pathology, neuronal cell death and progressive dementia, with striking parallels to the aetiology and pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease. The molecular mechanisms underpinning FBD are ill-defined. Using patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cells, we show that expression of ITM2B/BRI2 is 34-fold higher in microglia than neurons, and 15-fold higher in microglia compared with astrocytes. This cell-specific enrichment is supported by expression data from both mouse and human brain tissue. ITM2B/BRI2 protein levels are higher in iPSC-microglia compared with neurons and astrocytes. Consequently, the ABri peptide was detected in patient iPSC-derived microglial lysates and conditioned media but was undetectable in patient-derived neurons and control microglia. Pathological examination of post-mortem tissue support ABri expression in microglia that are in proximity to pre-amyloid deposits. Finally, gene co-expression analysis supports a role for ITM2B/BRI2 in disease-associated microglial responses. These data demonstrate that microglia are the major contributors to the production of amyloid forming peptides in FBD, potentially acting as instigators of neurodegeneration. Additionally, these data also suggest ITM2B/BRI2 may be part of a microglial response to disease, motivating further investigations of its role in microglial activation. This has implications for our understanding of the role of microglia and the innate immune response in the pathogenesis of FBD and other neurodegenerative dementias including Alzheimer's disease.

Identification of Clusterin as a Major ABri- and ADan-Binding Protein Using Affinity Chromatography

Affinity chromatography has, for many years, been at the research forefront as one of the simplest although highly versatile techniques capable of identifying biologically relevant protein-protein interactions. In the field of amyloid disorders, the use of ligands immobilized to a variety of affinity matrices was the method of choice to individualize proteins with affinity for soluble circulating forms of amyloid subunits. The methodology has also played an important role in the identification of proteins that interact with different amyloidogenic peptides and, as a result, are capable of modulating their physiological and pathological functions by altering solubility, aggregation propensity, and fibril formation proclivity. Along this line, classical studies conducted in the field of Alzheimer's disease (AD) identified clusterin as a major binding protein to both circulating soluble Aβ as well as to the brain deposited counterpart. The affinity chromatography-based approach employed herein, individualized clusterin as the major protein capable of binding the amyloid subunits associated with familial British and Danish dementias, two non-Aβ neurodegenerative conditions also exhibiting cerebral amyloid deposition and sharing striking similarities to AD. The data demonstrate that clusterin binding ability to amyloid molecules is not restricted to Aβ, suggesting a modulating effect on the aggregation/fibrillization propensity of the amyloidogenic peptides that is consistent with its known chaperone activity.

Patient-specific Alzheimer-like pathology in trisomy 21 cerebral organoids reveals BACE2 as a gene dose-sensitive AD suppressor in human brain

A population of more than six million people worldwide at high risk of Alzheimer's disease (AD) are those with Down Syndrome (DS, caused by trisomy 21 (T21)), 70% of whom develop dementia during lifetime, caused by an extra copy of β-amyloid-(Aβ)-precursor-protein gene. We report AD-like pathology in cerebral organoids grown in vitro from non-invasively sampled strands of hair from 71% of DS donors. The pathology consisted of extracellular diffuse and fibrillar Aβ deposits, hyperphosphorylated/pathologically conformed Tau, and premature neuronal loss. Presence/absence of AD-like pathology was donor-specific (reproducible between individual organoids/iPSC lines/experiments). Pathology could be triggered in pathology-negative T21 organoids by CRISPR/Cas9-mediated elimination of the third copy of chromosome 21 gene BACE2, but prevented by combined chemical β and γ-secretase inhibition. We found that T21 organoids secrete increased proportions of Aβ-preventing (Aβ1-19) and Aβ-degradation products (Aβ1-20 and Aβ1-34). We show these profiles mirror in cerebrospinal fluid of people with DS. We demonstrate that this protective mechanism is mediated by BACE2-trisomy and cross-inhibited by clinically trialled BACE1 inhibitors. Combined, our data prove the physiological role of BACE2 as a dose-sensitive AD-suppressor gene, potentially explaining the dementia delay in ~30% of people with DS. We also show that DS cerebral organoids could be explored as pre-morbid AD-risk population detector and a system for hypothesis-free drug screens as well as identification of natural suppressor genes for neurodegenerative diseases.

Association of clusterin with the BRI2-derived amyloid molecules ABri and ADan

Familial British and Danish dementias (FBD and FDD) share striking neuropathological similarities with Alzheimer's disease (AD), including intraneuronal neurofibrillary tangles as well as parenchymal and vascular amyloid deposits. Multiple amyloid associated proteins with still controversial role in amyloidogenesis colocalize with the structurally different amyloid peptides ABri in FBD, ADan in FDD, and Aβ in AD. Genetic variants and plasma levels of one of these associated proteins, clusterin, have been identified as risk factors for AD. Clusterin is known to bind soluble Aβ in biological fluids, facilitate its brain clearance, and prevent its aggregation. The current work identifies clusterin as the major ABri- and ADan-binding protein and provides insight into the biochemical mechanisms leading to the association of clusterin with ABri and ADan deposits. Mirroring findings in AD, the studies corroborate clusterin co-localization with cerebral parenchymal and vascular amyloid deposits in both disorders. Ligand affinity chromatography with downstream Western blot and amino acid sequence analyses unequivocally identified clusterin as the major ABri- and ADan-binding plasma protein. ELISA highlighted a specific saturable binding of clusterin to ABri and ADan with low nanomolar Kd values within the same range as those previously demonstrated for the clusterin-Aβ interaction. Consistent with its chaperone activity, thioflavin T binding assays clearly showed a modulatory effect of clusterin on ABri and ADan aggregation/fibrillization properties. Our findings, together with the known multifunctional activity of clusterin and its modulatory activity on the complex cellular pathways leading to oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and the induction of cell death mechanisms - all known pathogenic features of these protein folding disorders - suggests the likelihood of a more complex role and a translational potential for the apolipoprotein in the amelioration/prevention of these pathogenic mechanisms.

Alzheimer's amyloid β heterogeneous species differentially affect brain endothelial cell viability, blood-brain barrier integrity, and angiogenesis

Impaired clearance in the Alzheimer's Disease (AD) brain is key in the formation of Aβ parenchymal plaques and cerebrovascular deposits known as cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA), present in >80% of AD patients and ~50% of non-AD elderly subjects. Aβ deposits are highly heterogeneous, containing multiple fragments mostly derived from catabolism of Aβ40/Aβ42, which exhibit dissimilar aggregation properties. Remarkably, the role of these physiologically relevant Aβ species in cerebrovascular injury and their impact in vascular pathology is unknown. We sought to understand how heterogeneous Aβ species affect cerebral endothelial health and assess whether their diverse effects are associated with the peptides aggregation propensities. We analyzed cerebral microvascular endothelial cell (CMEC) viability, blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability, and angiogenesis, all relevant aspects of brain microvascular dysfunction. We found that Aβ peptides and fragments exerted differential effects on cerebrovascular pathology. Peptides forming mostly oligomeric structures induced CMEC apoptosis, whereas fibrillar aggregates increased BBB permeability without apoptotic effects. Interestingly, all Aβ species tested inhibited angiogenesis in vitro. These data link the biological effects of the heterogeneous Aβ peptides to their primary structure and aggregation, strongly suggesting that the composition of amyloid deposits influences clinical aspects of the AD vascular pathology. As the presence of predominant oligomeric structures in proximity of the vessel walls may lead to CMEC death and induction of microhemorrhages, fibrillar amyloid is likely responsible for increased BBB permeability and associated neurovascular dysfunction. These results have the potential to unveil more specific therapeutic targets and clarify the multifactorial nature of AD.

N-terminal heterogeneity of parenchymal and vascular amyloid-β deposits in Alzheimer's disease

Aims:

The deposition of amyloid-β (Aβ) peptides in the form of extracellular plaques in the brain represents one of the classical hallmarks of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). In addition to ‘full-length’ Aβ starting with aspartic acid (Asp-1), considerable amounts of various shorter, N-terminally truncated Aβ peptides have been identified by mass spectrometry in autopsy samples from individuals with AD.

Methods:

Selectivity of several antibodies detecting full-length, total or N-terminally truncated Aβ species has been characterized with capillary isoelectric focusing assays using a set of synthetic Aβ peptides comprising different N-termini. We further assessed the N-terminal heterogeneity of extracellular and vascular Aβ peptide deposits in the human brain by performing immunohistochemical analyses using sporadic AD cases with antibodies targeting different N-terminal residues, including the biosimilar antibodies Bapineuzumab and Crenezumab.

Results:

While antibodies selectively recognizing Aβ_1–x showed a much weaker staining of extracellular plaques and tended to accentuate cerebrovascular amyloid deposits, antibodies detecting Aβ starting with phenylalanine at position 4 of the Aβ sequence showed abundant amyloid plaque immunoreactivity in the brain parenchyma. The biosimilar antibody Bapineuzumab recognized Aβ starting at Asp-1 and demonstrated abundant immunoreactivity in AD brains.

Discussion:

In contrast to other studied Aβ_1–x-specific antibodies, Bapineuzumab displayed stronger immunoreactivity on fixed tissue samples than with sodium dodecyl sulfate-denatured samples on Western blots. This suggests conformational preferences of this antibody. The diverse composition of plaques and vascular deposits stresses the importance of understanding the roles of various Aβ variants during disease development and progression in order to generate appropriate target-developed therapies.

Ion channel formation by N-terminally truncated Aβ (4-42): relevance for the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease

Aβ deposition is a pathological hallmark of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Besides the full-length amyloid forming peptides (Aβ_1-40 and Aβ_1-42), biochemical analyses of brain deposits have identified a variety of N- and C-terminally truncated Aβ variants in sporadic and familial AD patients. However, their relevance for AD pathogenesis remains largely understudied. We demonstrate that Aβ_4-42 exhibits a high tendency to form β-sheet structures leading to fast self-aggregation and formation of oligomeric assemblies. Atomic force microscopy and electrophysiological studies reveal that Aβ_4-42 forms highly stable ion channels in lipid membranes. These channels that are blocked by monoclonal antibodies specifically recognizing the N-terminus of Aβ_4-42. An Aβ variant with a double truncation at phenylalanine-4 and leucine 34, (Aβ_4-34), exhibits unstable channel formation capability. Taken together the results presented herein highlight the potential benefit of C-terminal proteolytic cleavage and further support an important pathogenic role for N-truncated Aβ species in AD pathophysiology.

Nrf2 activation through the PI3K/GSK-3 axis protects neuronal cells from Aβ-mediated oxidative and metabolic damage

Background

Mounting evidence points to a crucial role of amyloid-β (Aβ) in the pathophysiology of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), a disorder in which brain glucose hypometabolism, downregulation of central elements of phosphorylation pathways, reduced ATP levels, and enhanced oxidative damage coexist, and sometimes precede, synaptic alterations and clinical manifestations. Since the brain has limited energy storage capacity, mitochondria play essential roles in maintaining the high levels of energy demand, but, as major consumers of oxygen, these organelles are also the most important generators of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Thus, it is not surprising that mitochondrial dysfunction is tightly linked to synaptic loss and AD pathophysiology. In spite of their relevance, the mechanistic links among ROS homeostasis, metabolic alterations, and cell bioenergetics, particularly in relation to Aβ, still remain elusive.

Methods

We have used classic biochemical and immunocytochemical approaches together with the evaluation of real-time changes in global energy metabolism in a Seahorse Metabolic Analyzer to provide insights into the detrimental role of oligAβ in SH-SY5Y and primary neurons testing their pharmacologic protection by small molecules.

Results

Our findings indicate that oligomeric Aβ induces a dramatic increase in ROS production and severely affects neuronal metabolism and bioenergetics. Assessment of global energy metabolism in real time demonstrated Aβ-mediated reduction in oxygen consumption affecting basal and maximal respiration and causing decreased ATP production. Pharmacologic targeting of Aβ-challenged neurons with a set of small molecules of known antioxidant and cytoprotective activity prevented the metabolic/bioenergetic changes induced by the peptide, fully restoring mitochondrial function while inducing an antioxidant response that counterbalanced the ROS production. Search for a mechanistic link among the protective small molecules tested identified the transcription factor Nrf2—compromised by age and downregulated in AD and transgenic models—as their main target and the PI3K/GSK-3 axis as the central pathway through which the compounds elicit their Aβ protective action.

Conclusions

Our study provides insights into the complex molecular mechanisms triggered by oligAβ which profoundly affect mitochondrial performance and argues for the inclusion of small molecules targeting the PI3K/GSK-3 axis and Nrf2-mediated pathways as part of the current or future combinatorial therapies.

The presubiculum is preserved from neurodegenerative changes in Alzheimer's disease

In the majority of affected brain regions the pathological hallmarks of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) are β-amyloid (Aβ) deposits in the form of diffuse and neuritic plaques, tau pathology in the form of neurofibrillary tangles, neuropil threads and plaque-associated abnormal neurites in combination with an inflammatory response. However, the anatomical area of the presubiculum, is characterised by the presence of a single large evenly distributed ‘lake-like’ Aβ deposit with minimal tau deposition or accumulation of inflammatory markers. Post-mortem brain samples from sporadic AD (SAD) and familial AD (FAD) and two hereditary cerebral amyloid diseases, familial British dementia (FBD) and familial Danish dementia (FDD) were used to compare the morphology of the extracellular proteins deposited in the presubiculum compared to the entorhinal cortex. The level of tau pathology and the extent of microglial activation were quantitated in the two brain regions in SAD and FAD. Frozen tissue was used to investigate the Aβ species and proteomic differences between the two regions. Consistent with our previous investigations of FBD and FDD cases we were able to establish that the ‘lake-like’ pre-amyloid deposits of the presubiculum were not a unique feature of AD but they also found two non-Aβ amyloidosis. Comparing the presubiculum to the entorhinal cortex the number of neurofibrillary tangles and tau load were significantly reduced; there was a reduction in microglial activation; there were differences in the Aβ profiles and the investigation of the whole proteome showed significant changes in different protein pathways. In summary, understanding why the presubiculum has a different morphological appearance, biochemical and proteomic makeup compared to surrounding brain regions severely affected by neurodegeneration could lead us to understanding protective mechanisms in neurodegenerative diseases.

Unveiling Brain Aβ Heterogeneity Through Targeted Proteomic Analysis

Amyloid β (Aβ) is the major constituent of the brain deposits found in parenchymal plaques and cerebral blood vessels of patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD). Besides classic full-length peptides, biochemical analyses of brain deposits have revealed high degree of Aβ heterogeneity likely resulting from the action of multiple proteolytic enzymes. This chapter describes a sequential extraction protocol allowing the differential fractionation of soluble and deposited Aβ species taking advantage of their differential solubility properties. Soluble Aβ is extracted by water-based buffers like phosphate-buffered saline-PBS-whereas pre-fibrillar and fibrillar deposits, usually poorly soluble in PBS, are extractable in detergent containing solutions or more stringent conditions as formic acid. The extraction procedure is followed by the biochemical identification of the extracted Aβ species using Western blot and a targeted proteomic analysis which combines immunoprecipitation with MALDI-ToF mass spectrometry. This approach revealed the presence of numerous C- and N-terminal truncated Aβ species in addition to Aβ1-40/42. Notably, the more soluble C-terminal cleaved fragments constitute a main part of PBS homogenates. On the contrary, N-terminal truncated species typically require more stringent conditions for the extraction in agreement with their lower solubility and enhanced aggregability. Detailed assessment of the molecular diversity of Aβ species composing interstitial fluid and amyloid deposits at different disease stages, as well as the evaluation of the truncation profile during various pharmacologic approaches will provide a comprehensive understanding of the still undefined contribution of Aβ truncations to AD pathogenesis and their potential as novel therapeutic targets.

Proteomic Analysis Shows Constitutive Secretion of MIF and p53-associated Activity of COX-2-/- Lung Fibroblasts

The differential expression of two closelyassociated cyclooxygenase isozymes, COX-1 and COX-2, exhibited functions beyond eicosanoid metabolism. We hypothesized that COX-1 or COX-2 knockout lung fibroblasts may display altered protein profiles which may allow us to further differentiate the functional roles of these isozymes at the molecular level. Proteomic analysis shows constitutive production of macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) in lung fibroblasts derived from COX-2^−/− but not wild-type (WT) or COX-1^−/− mice. MIF was spontaneously released in high levels into the extracellular milieu of COX2^−/− fibroblasts seemingly from the preformed intracellular stores, with no change in the basal gene expression of MIF. The secretion and regulation of MIF in COX-2^−/− was “prostaglandin-independent.” GO analysis showed that concurrent with upregulation of MIF, there is a significant surge in expression of genes related to fibroblast growth, FK506 binding proteins, and isomerase activity in COX-2^−/− cells. Furthermore, COX-2^−/− fibroblasts also exhibit a significant increase in transcriptional activity of various regulators, antagonists, and co-modulators of p53, as well as in the expression of oncogenes and related transcripts. Integrative Oncogenomics Cancer Browser (IntroGen) analysis shows downregulation of COX-2 and amplification of MIF and/or p53 activity during development of glioblastomas, ependymoma, and colon adenomas. These data indicate the functional role of the MIF-COX-p53 axis in inflammation and cancer at the genomic and proteomic levels in COX-2-ablated cells. This systematic analysis not only shows the proinflammatory state but also unveils a molecular signature of a pro-oncogenic state of COX-1 in COX-2 ablated cells.

N-truncated Aβ4-x peptides in sporadic Alzheimer's disease cases and transgenic Alzheimer mouse models

Background

The deposition of neurotoxic amyloid-β (Aβ) peptides in plaques in the brain parenchyma and in cerebral blood vessels is considered to be a key event in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) pathogenesis. Although the presence and impact of full-length Aβ peptides such as Aβ_1–40 and Aβ_1–42 have been analyzed extensively, the deposition of N-terminally truncated Aβ peptide species has received much less attention, largely because of the lack of specific antibodies.

Methods

This paper describes the generation and characterization of novel antibodies selective for Aβ_4–x peptides and provides immunohistochemical evidence of Aβ_4–x in the human brain and its distribution in the APP/PS1KI and 5XFAD transgenic mouse models.

Results

The Aβ_4–x staining pattern was restricted mainly to amyloid plaque cores and cerebral amyloid angiopathy in AD and Down syndrome cases and in both AD mouse models. In contrast, diffuse amyloid deposits were largely negative for Aβ_4–x immunoreactivity. No overt intraneuronal staining was observed.

Conclusions

The findings of this study are consistent with previous reports demonstrating a high aggregation propensity of Aβ_4–x peptides and suggest an important role of these N-truncated Aβ species in the process of amyloidogenesis and plaque core formation.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13195-017-0309-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

In vivo Differential Brain Clearance and Catabolism of Monomeric and Oligomeric Alzheimer's Aβ protein

Amyloid β (Aβ) is the major constituent of the brain deposits found in parenchymal plaques and cerebral blood vessels of patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD). Several lines of investigation support the notion that synaptic pathology, one of the strongest correlates to cognitive impairment, is related to the progressive accumulation of neurotoxic Aβ oligomers. Since the process of oligomerization/fibrillization is concentration-dependent, it is highly reliant on the homeostatic mechanisms that regulate the steady state levels of Aβ influencing the delicate balance between rate of synthesis, dynamics of aggregation, and clearance kinetics. Emerging new data suggest that reduced Aβ clearance, particularly in the aging brain, plays a critical role in the process of amyloid formation and AD pathogenesis. Using well-defined monomeric and low molecular mass oligomeric Aβ1-40 species stereotaxically injected into the brain of C57BL/6 wild-type mice in combination with biochemical and mass spectrometric analyses in CSF, our data clearly demonstrate that Aβ physiologic removal is extremely fast and involves local proteolytic degradation leading to the generation of heterogeneous C-terminally cleaved proteolytic products, while providing clear indication of the detrimental role of oligomerization for brain Aβ efflux. Immunofluorescence confocal microscopy studies provide insight into the cellular pathways involved in the brain removal and cellular uptake of Aβ. The findings indicate that clearance from brain interstitial fluid follows local and systemic paths and that in addition to the blood-brain barrier, local enzymatic degradation and the bulk flow transport through the choroid plexus into the CSF play significant roles. Our studies highlight the diverse factors influencing brain clearance and the participation of various routes of elimination opening up new research opportunities for the understanding of altered mechanisms triggering AD pathology and for the potential design of combined therapeutic strategies.

The carbonic anhydrase inhibitor methazolamide prevents amyloid beta-induced mitochondrial dysfunction and caspase activation protecting neuronal and glial cells in vitro and in the mouse brain

Mitochondrial dysfunction has been recognized as an early event in Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathology, preceding and inducing neurodegeneration and memory loss. The presence of cytochrome c (CytC) released from the mitochondria into the cytoplasm is often detected after acute or chronic neurodegenerative insults, including AD. The carbonic anhydrase inhibitor (CAI) methazolamide (MTZ) was identified among a library of drugs as an inhibitor of CytC release and proved to be neuroprotective in Huntington's disease and stroke models. Here, using neuronal and glial cell cultures, in addition to an acute model of amyloid beta (Aβ) toxicity, which replicates by intra-hippocampal injection the consequences of interstitial and cellular accumulation of Aβ, we analyzed the effects of MTZ on neuronal and glial degeneration induced by the Alzheimer's amyloid. MTZ prevented DNA fragmentation, CytC release and activation of caspase 9 and caspase 3 induced by Aβ in neuronal and glial cells in culture through the inhibition of mitochondrial hydrogen peroxide production. Moreover, intraperitoneal administration of MTZ prevented neurodegeneration induced by intra-hippocampal Aβ injection in the mouse brain and was effective at reducing caspase 3 activation in neurons and microglia in the area surrounding the injection site. Our results, delineating the molecular mechanism of action of MTZ against Aβ-mediated mitochondrial dysfunction and caspase activation, and demonstrating its efficiency in a model of acute amyloid-mediated toxicity, provide the first combined in vitro and in vivo evidence supporting the potential of a new therapy employing FDA-approved CAIs in AD.

Oxidative stress and mitochondria-mediated cell death mechanisms triggered by the familial Danish dementia ADan amyloid

Familial Danish Dementia (FDD), an early-onset non-amyloid-β (Aβ) cerebral amyloidosis, is neuropathologically characterized by widespread cerebral amyloid angiopathy, parenchymal amyloid and preamyloid deposits, as well as neurofibrillary degeneration indistinguishable to that seen in Alzheimer's disease (AD). The main amyloid subunit composing FDD lesions, a 34-amino acid de-novo generated peptide ADan, is the direct result of a genetic defect at the 3'-end of the BRI2 gene and the physiologic action of furin-like proteolytic processing at the C-terminal region of the ADan precursor protein. We aimed to study the impact of the FDD mutation, the additional formation of the pyroglutamate (pE) posttranslational modification as well as the relevance of C-terminal truncations -all major components of the heterogeneous FDD deposits- on the structural and neurotoxic properties of the molecule. Our data indicates that whereas the mutation generated a β-sheet-rich hydrophobic ADan subunit of high oligomerization/fibrillization propensity and the pE modification further enhanced these properties, C-terminal truncations had the opposite effect mostly abolishing these features. The potentiation of pro-amyloidogenic properties correlated with the initiation of neuronal cell death mechanisms involving oxidative stress, perturbation of mitochondrial membrane potential, release of mitochondrial cytochrome c, and downstream activation of caspase-mediated apoptotic pathways. The amyloid-induced toxicity was inhibited by targeting specific components of these detrimental cellular pathways, using reactive oxygen scavengers and monoclonal antibodies recognizing the pathological amyloid subunit. Taken together, the data indicate that the FDD mutation and the pE posttranslational modification are both primary elements driving intact ADan into an amyloidogenic/neurotoxic pathway while truncations at the C-terminus eliminate the pro-amyloidogenic characteristics of the molecule, likely reflecting effect of physiologic clearance mechanisms.

Sequential Amyloid-β Degradation by the Matrix Metalloproteases MMP-2 and MMP-9

Matrix metalloproteases (MMPs) MMP-2 and MMP-9 have been implicated in the physiological catabolism of Alzheimer's amyloid-β (Aβ). Conversely, their association with vascular amyloid deposits, blood-brain barrier disruption, and hemorrhagic transformations after ischemic stroke also highlights their involvement in pathological processes. To better understand this dichotomy, recombinant human (rh) MMP-2 and MMP-9 were incubated with Aβ40 and Aβ42, and the resulting proteolytic fragments were assessed via immunoprecipitation and quantitative mass spectrometry. Both MMPs generated Aβ fragments truncated only at the C terminus, ending at positions 34, 30, and 16. Using deuterated homologues as internal standards, we observed limited and relatively slow degradation of Aβ42 by rhMMP-2, although the enzyme cleaved >80% of Aβ40 during the 1st h of incubation. rhMMP-9 was significantly less effective, particularly in degrading Aβ(1-42), although the targeted peptide bonds were identical. Using Aβ(1-34) and Aβ(1-30), we demonstrated that these peptides are also substrates for both MMPs, cleaving Aβ(1-34) to produce Aβ(1-30) first and Aβ(1-16) subsequently. Consistent with the kinetics observed with full-length Aβ, rhMMP-9 degraded only a minute fraction of Aβ(1-34) and was even less effective in producing Aβ(1-16). Further degradation of Aβ(1-16) by either MMP-2 or MMP-9 was not observed even after prolonged incubation times. Notably, all MMP-generated C-terminally truncated Aβ fragments were highly soluble and did not exhibit fibrillogenic properties or induce cytotoxicity in human cerebral microvascular endothelial or neuronal cells supporting the notion that these truncated Aβ species are associated with clearance mechanisms rather than being key elements in the fibrillogenesis process.

Abstract T P243: Death Receptors and Mitochondria as Crucial Targets for Drug Discovery in Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy

The vascular deposition of amyloid, known as Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy (CAA) is an age-associated condition featured in about 90% of Alzheimer’s disease cases and in the aging brain. Amyloid beta (Abeta) deposition in CAA compromises cerebral blood flow and can cause cerebral hemorrhage and cognitive impairment, by mechanisms that are still poorly understood. Our goal was to identify the molecular events underlying the apoptotic cascade generated by Abeta in cerebrovascular cells and to pinpoint new targets for drug discovery. Human brain microvascular endothelial cells were challenged with vasculotropic Abeta variants associated with cerebrovascular deposition and hemorrhagic outcome, and the resulting signaling pathways were analysed. The in vitro findings were validated in vivo in mice subjected to intrahippocampal Abeta injections and confirmed in human CAA cases. Our findings highlighted an activation of caspase-8 and -9, together with mitochondrial dysfunction and release of cytochrome C, suggesting death receptor mediated apoptosis, which was confirmed by an overexpression of the TRAIL (TNF-related apoptosis inducing ligand) death receptors DR4 and DR5. Signaling cascades typical of TRAIL death receptor-mediated pathways were activated. The same receptors colocalized with Abeta on the cell membrane after amyloid challenge, and immunoprecipitated in vitro with Abeta oligomers. SiRNAs against DR4 and DR5 and the prevention of mitochondrial dysfunction through Carbonic Anhydrase Inhibitors, significantly diminished Abeta mediated apoptosis in endothelial cells. In vivo experiments in mice injected with vasculotropic Abeta peptide and in human CAA cases confirmed the upregulation of the receptors, their colocalization with Abeta on the cerebral vasculature, and the activation of caspases, which could be prevented by carbonic anhydrase inhibitors. Our data strongly suggests that TRAIL death-receptors and mitochondrial functioning are key cellular targets for therapeutic intervention against Abeta-induced vascular cell death in CAA.

Mitochondrial dysfunction induced by a post-translationally modified amyloid linked to a familial mutation in an alternative model of neurodegeneration

Familial British dementia (FBD) is an early-onset non-amyloid-β (Aβ) cerebral amyloidosis that presents with severe cognitive decline and strikingly similar neuropathological features to those present in Alzheimer's disease (AD). FBD is associated with a T to A single nucleotide transition in the stop codon of a gene encoding BRI2, leading to the production of an elongated precursor protein. Furin-like proteolytic processing at its C-terminus releases a longer-than-normal 34 amino acid peptide, ABri, exhibiting amyloidogenic properties not seen in its 23 amino acid physiologic counterpart Bri1-23. Deposited ABri exhibits abundant post-translational pyroglutamate (pE) formation at the N-terminus, a feature seen in truncated forms of Aβ found in AD deposits, and co-exists with neurofibrillary tangles almost identical to those found in AD. We tested the impact of the FBD mutation alone and in conjunction with the pE post-translational modification on the structural properties and associated neurotoxicity of the ABri peptide. The presence of pE conferred to the ABri molecule enhanced hydrophobicity and accelerated aggregation/fibrillization properties. ABri pE was capable of triggering oxidative stress, loss of mitochondrial membrane potential and activation of caspase-mediated apoptotic mechanisms in neuronal cells, whereas homologous peptides lacking the elongated C-terminus and/or the N-terminal pE were unable to induce similar detrimental cellular pathways. The data indicate that the presence of N-terminal pE is not in itself sufficient to induce pathogenic changes in the physiologic Bri1-23 peptides but that its combination with the ABri mutation is critical for the molecular pathogenesis of FBD.

Clusterin and complement activation in exfoliation glaucoma

PURPOSE

The study was done to better understand the biological significance of clusterin co-localization with the exfoliation deposits (XF deposits), and provide insight into a pathogenic mechanism involving activation of the complement system and its pro-inflammatory consequences in patients with exfoliation glaucoma.

METHODS

Exfoliation lens deposits were analyzed by high resolution atomic force microscopy imaging and confocal immunofluorescence. Levels of clusterin and vitronectin, as well as of the complement activation products C3a and soluble C5b-9, were assessed via ELISA.

RESULTS

Atomic-force microscopy examination of lenses with exfoliation syndrome (XFS) revealed a dense fibrillar network on the anterior, aqueous-bathed surface of the lens, while the epithelial side displayed no discernible structural features at the same resolution. Clusterin colocalized with XF deposits, demonstrating integral association with the fibrils. Levels of activation-derived complement components C3a and soluble C5b-9, as well as the complement inhibitors clusterin and vitronectin, were found significantly elevated (1.7-fold, P < 0.05; 4.1-fold, P < 0.05; 1.8-fold, P < 0.01; and 3.0-fold, P < 0.01, respectively) in aqueous humor from glaucoma patients with XFS compared to non-XFS glaucoma controls.

CONCLUSIONS

The data provide compelling evidence for the activation of the complement system in XFS, highlighting the generation of subproducts with potent proinflammatory activity, which are capable of triggering and chronically maintaining levels of subclinical inflammation, suggesting novel targets for therapeutic intervention. The colocalization of clusterin in exfoliation fibrils suggests a failed attempt to prevent tissue accumulation of protein aggregates, as seen in other protein folding disorders, likely due to the abnormal high levels of misfolded proteins overwhelming its chaperone capacity.

Amyloidosis associated with cerebral amyloid angiopathy: cell signaling pathways elicited in cerebral endothelial cells

Substantial genetic, biochemical, and in vivo data indicate that progressive accumulation of amyloid-β (Aβ) plays a central role in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Historically centered in the importance of parenchymal plaques, the role of cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA)--a frequently neglected amyloid deposit present in >80% of AD cases--for the mechanism of disease pathogenesis is now starting to emerge. CAA consistently associates with microvascular modifications, ischemic lesions, micro- and macro-hemorrhages, and dementia, progressively affecting cerebral blood flow, altering blood-brain barrier permeability, interfering with brain clearance mechanisms and triggering a cascade of deleterious pro-inflammatory and metabolic events that compromise the integrity of the neurovascular unit. New evidence highlights the contribution of pre-fibrillar Aβ in the induction of cerebral endothelial cell dysfunction. The recently discovered interaction of oligomeric Aβ species with TRAIL DR4 and DR5 cell surface death receptors mediates the engagement of mitochondrial pathways and sequential activation of multiple caspases, eliciting a cascade of cell death mechanisms while unveiling an opportunity for exploring mechanistic-based therapeutic interventions to preserve the integrity of the neurovascular unit.

MAL facilitates the incorporation of exocytic uroplakin-delivering vesicles into the apical membrane of urothelial umbrella cells

MAL, suggested to play a key role in the apical sorting of membrane proteins, is not involved in the apical sorting of uroplakins. Instead, it plays an important role in facilitating the incorporation of the uroplakin-delivering exocytic vesicles into the apical surface of terminally differentiated urothelial umbrella cells.

The apical surface of mammalian bladder urothelium is covered by large (500–1000 nm) two-dimensional (2D) crystals of hexagonally packed 16-nm uroplakin particles (urothelial plaques), which play a role in permeability barrier function and uropathogenic bacterial binding. How the uroplakin proteins are delivered to the luminal surface is unknown. We show here that myelin-and-lymphocyte protein (MAL), a 17-kDa tetraspan protein suggested to be important for the apical sorting of membrane proteins, is coexpressed with uroplakins in differentiated urothelial cell layers. MAL depletion in Madin–Darby canine kidney cells did not affect, however, the apical sorting of uroplakins, but it decreased the rate by which uroplakins were inserted into the apical surface. Moreover, MAL knockout in vivo led to the accumulation of fusiform vesicles in mouse urothelial superficial umbrella cells, whereas MAL transgenic overexpression in vivo led to enhanced exocytosis and compensatory endocytosis, resulting in the accumulation of the uroplakin-degrading multivesicular bodies. Finally, although MAL and uroplakins cofloat in detergent-resistant raft fractions, they are associated with distinct plaque and hinge membrane subdomains, respectively. These data suggest a model in which 1) MAL does not play a role in the apical sorting of uroplakins; 2) the propensity of uroplakins to polymerize forming 16-nm particles and later large 2D crystals that behave as detergent-resistant (giant) rafts may drive their apical targeting; 3) the exclusion of MAL from the expanding 2D crystals of uroplakins explains the selective association of MAL with the hinge areas in the uroplakin-delivering fusiform vesicles, as well as at the apical surface; and 4) the hinge-associated MAL may play a role in facilitating the incorporation of the exocytic uroplakin vesicles into the corresponding hinge areas of the urothelial apical surface.

Search for amyloid-binding proteins by affinity chromatography

'Amyloid binging proteins' is a generic term used to designate proteins that interact with different forms of amyloidogenic peptides or proteins and that, as a result, may modulate their physiological and pathological functions by altering solubility, transport, clearance, degradation, and fibril formation. We describe a simple affinity chromatography protocol to isolate and characterize amyloid-binding proteins based on the use of sequential elution steps that may provide further information on the type of binding interaction. As an example, we depict the application of this protocol to the study of Alzheimer's amyloid β (Aβ) peptide-binding proteins derived from human plasma. Biochemical analysis of the proteins eluted under different conditions identified serum amyloid P component (SAP) and apolipoprotein J (clusterin) as the main plasma Aβ-binding proteins while various apolipoproteins (apoA-IV, apoE, and apoA-I), as well as albumin (HSA) and fibulin were identified as minor contributors.

Calpastatin modulates APP processing in the brains of β-amyloid depositing but not wild-type mice

We report that neuronal overexpression of the endogenous inhibitor of calpains, calpastatin (CAST), in a mouse model of human Alzheimer's disease (AD) β-amyloidosis, the APP23 mouse, reduces β-amyloid (Aβ) pathology and Aβ levels when comparing aged, double transgenic (tg) APP23/CAST with APP23 mice. Concurrent with Aβ plaque deposition, aged APP23/CAST mice show a decrease in the steady-state brain levels of the amyloid precursor protein (APP) and APP C-terminal fragments (CTFs) when compared with APP23 mice. This CAST-dependent decrease in APP metabolite levels was not observed in single tg CAST mice expressing endogenous APP or in younger, Aβ plaque predepositing APP23/CAST mice. We also determined that the CAST-mediated inhibition of calpain activity in the brain is greater in the CAST mice with Aβ pathology than in non-APP tg mice, as demonstrated by a decrease in calpain-mediated cytoskeleton protein cleavage. Moreover, aged APP23/CAST mice have reduced extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) activity and tau phosphorylation when compared with APP23 mice. In summary, in vivo calpain inhibition mediated by CAST transgene expression reduces Aβ pathology in APP23 mice, with our findings further suggesting that APP metabolism is modified by CAST overexpression as the mice develop Aβ pathology. Our results indicate that the calpain system in neurons is more responsive to CAST inhibition under conditions of Aβ pathology, suggesting that in the disease state neurons may be more sensitive to the therapeutic use of calpain inhibitors.

Insights into caspase-mediated apoptotic pathways induced by amyloid-β in cerebral microvascular endothelial cells

BACKGROUND

The vascular deposition of amyloid known as cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA)--an age-associated condition and a common finding in Alzheimer's disease--compromises cerebral blood flow, causing macro/microhemorrhages and/or cognitive impairment. Very little is known about the mechanisms causing CAA-related degeneration of cerebral vascular cells. The Dutch E22Q familial amyloid-β (Aβ) variant is primarily associated with CAA, and manifests clinically with severe cerebral hemorrhages.

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to determine the molecular mechanisms causing apoptosis of cerebral endothelial cells in the presence of wild-type Aβ40 or its vasculotropic E22Q variant.

METHODS

We challenged human brain microvascular endothelial cells with both Aβ variants, and studied the apoptotic pathways triggered by these peptides.

RESULTS

Caspase-mediated apoptotic pathways were elicited by both peptides within time frames correlating with their aggregation properties and formation of oligomeric/protofibrillar assemblies. Our data revealed a primary activation of caspase-8 (typically triggered by death receptors) with secondary engagement of caspase-9, with cytochrome C and apoptosis-inducing factor release from the mitochondria, suggesting the independent or synergistic engagement of extrinsic and intrinsic apoptotic mechanisms.

CONCLUSION

Our data demonstrate the induction of caspase-8- and caspase-9-dependent mitochondrial-mediated apoptotic pathways by Aβ oligomers/protofibrils in vascular cells, likely implicating a primary activation of death receptors.

Glycosylation of BRI2 on asparagine 170 is involved in its trafficking to the cell surface but not in its processing by furin or ADAM10

Two different mutated forms of BRI2 protein are linked with familial British and Danish dementias, which present neuropathological similarities with Alzheimer's disease. BRI2 is a type II transmembrane protein that is trafficked through the secretory pathway to the cell surface and is processed by furin and ADAM10 (a disintegrin and metalloproteinase domain 10) to release secreted fragments of unknown function. Its apparent molecular mass (42-44 kDa) is significantly higher than that predicted by the number and composition of amino acids (30 kDa) suggesting that BRI2 is glycosylated. In support, bioinformatics analysis indicated that BRI2 bears the consensus sequence Asn-Thr-Ser (residues 170-173) and could be N-glycosylated at Asn170. Given that N-glycosylation is considered essential for protein folding, processing and trafficking, we examined whether BRI2 is N-glycosylated. Treatment of HEK293 (human embryonic kidney) cells expressing BRI2 with the N-glycosylation inhibitor tunicamycin or mutation of Asn170 to alanine reduced its molecular mass by ~2 kDa. These data indicate that BRI2 is N-glycosylated at Asn170. To examine the effect of N-glycosylation on BRI2 trafficking at the cell surface, we performed biotinylation and (35)S methionine pulse-chase experiments. These experiments showed that mutation of Asn170 to alanine reduced BRI2 trafficking at the cell surface and its steady state levels at the plasma membrane. Furthermore, we obtained data indicating that this mutation did not affect cleavage of BRI2 by furin or ADAM10. Our results confirm the theoretical predictions that BRI2 is N-glycosylated at Asn170 and show that this post-translational modification is essential for its expression at the cell surface but not for its proteolytic processing.

A strategy for designing a peptide probe for detection of β-amyloid oligomers

Aggregation of β-amyloid (Aβ) is implicated in the pathology of Alzheimer's disease. Development of a robust strategy to detect Aβ oligomeric intermediates, which have been identified as significant toxic agents, would be highly beneficial in the screening of drug candidates as well as enhancing our understanding of Aβ oligomerization. Rapid, specific and quantitative detection, currently unavailable, would be highly preferred for accurate and reliable probing of transient Aβ oligomers. Here, we report the development of a novel peptide probe, PG46, based on the nature of Aβ self-assembly and the conformation-sensitive fluorescence of the biarsenical dye, FlAsH. PG46 was found to bind to Aβ oligomers and displayed an increase in FlAsH fluorescence upon binding. No such event was observed when PG46 was co-incubated with Aβ low-molecular-weight species or Aβ fibrils. Aβ oligomer detection was fast, and occurred within one hour without any additional sample incubation or preparation. We anticipate that the development of a strategy for detection of amyloid oligomers described in this study will be directly relevant to a host of other amyloidogenic proteins.

APOE genotype results in differential effects on the peripheral clearance of amyloid-beta42 in APOE knock-in and knock-out mice

The epsilon4 allele of apolipoprotein E (APOE) is currently the major genetic risk factor identified for Alzheimer's disease (AD). Previous in vivo data from our laboratory has demonstrated that amyloid-beta (Abeta) is rapidly removed from the plasma by the liver and kidney and that the rate of its clearance is affected by ApoE in C57BL/6J and APOE-/- mice. To expand upon these findings, we assessed the peripheral clearance of human synthetic Abeta42 in APOE epsilon2, epsilon3, and epsilon4 knock-in and APOE knock-out mice injected with lipidated recombinant apoE2, E3, and E4 protein. Our results show that APOE does influence the rate at which the mice are able to clear Abeta42 from their bloodstream. Both APOE epsilon4 mice and APOE knock-out mice treated with lipidated recombinant apoE4 demonstrated increased retention of plasma Abeta42 over time compared to APOE epsilon2/APOE knock-out rE2 and APOE epsilon3/APOE knock-out rE3 mice. These findings suggest that the peripheral clearance of Abeta42 is significantly altered by APOE genotype. Given that APOE epsilon4 is a risk factor for AD, then these novel findings provide some insight into the role of ApoE isoforms on the peripheral clearance of Abeta which may impact on clearance from the brain.

Matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP-2) degrades soluble vasculotropic amyloid-beta E22Q and L34V mutants, delaying their toxicity for human brain microvascular endothelial cells

Patients carrying mutations within the amyloid-beta (Abeta) sequence develop severe early-onset cerebral amyloid angiopathy with some of the related variants manifesting primarily with hemorrhagic phenotypes. Matrix metalloproteases (MMPs) are typically associated with blood brain barrier disruption and hemorrhagic transformations after ischemic stroke. However, their contribution to cerebral amyloid angiopathy-related hemorrhage remains unclear. Human brain endothelial cells challenged with Abeta synthetic homologues containing mutations known to be associated in vivo with hemorrhagic manifestations (AbetaE22Q and AbetaL34V) showed enhanced production and activation of MMP-2, evaluated via Multiplex MMP antibody arrays, gel zymography, and Western blot, which in turn proteolytically cleaved in situ the Abeta peptides. Immunoprecipitation followed by mass spectrometry analysis highlighted the generation of specific C-terminal proteolytic fragments, in particular the accumulation of Abeta-(1-16), a result validated in vitro with recombinant MMP-2 and quantitatively evaluated using deuterium-labeled internal standards. Silencing MMP-2 gene expression resulted in reduced Abeta degradation and enhanced apoptosis. Secretion and activation of MMP-2 as well as susceptibility of the Abeta peptides to MMP-2 degradation were dependent on the peptide conformation, with fibrillar elements of AbetaE22Q exhibiting negligible effects. Our results indicate that MMP-2 release and activation differentially degrades Abeta species, delaying their toxicity for endothelial cells. However, taking into consideration MMP ability to degrade basement membrane components, these protective effects might also undesirably compromise blood brain barrier integrity and precipitate a hemorrhagic phenotype.

PYROGLUTAMATE FORMATION AT THE N-TERMINI OF ABRI MOLECULES IN FAMILIAL BRITISH DEMENTIA IS NOT RESTRICTED TO THE CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM

Amyloid molecules harboring pyroglutamate (pGlu) residue at the N-termini are considered to be important for the development of cerebral amyloidosis such as Alzheimer's disease and thought to be either spontaneously generated or being catalyzed by glutaminyl cyclase. Familial British dementia (FBD) is an autosomal dominant form of dementia neuropathologically characterized by parenchymal amyloid and preamyloid deposits, extensive cerebral amyloid angiopathy, and neurofibrillary tangles. FBD is caused by a stop to Arg mutation in the BRI2 gene, generating de novo created amyloid molecule ABri which accumulates in FBD brains but is not present in the normal population. Soluble ABri molecules present in the circulation of carriers of the BRI2 mutation are 34 amino acids long exclusively harboring Glu residue at the N-termini (ABri1-34E), whereas water- and formic acid-soluble ABri molecules extracted from FBD brains have abundant ABri species bearing pGlu residue (ABri1-34pE), suggesting that pyroglutamate formation occurs at the site of deposition. In order to further clarify the mechanism (s) of ABri deposition, we studied whether pyroglutamate formation indeed occurs outside the central nervous system taking advantage that FBD is also a systemic amyloidosis. Soluble and fibrillar ABri molecules extracted from systemic organs and analyzed biochemically using a combination of immunoprecipitation, mass spectrometry, and western blot analysis were oligomeric in size and contained a large proportion of ABri1-34pE. The data indicate that pyroglutamate formation at the N-termini of ABri molecules is an early step in the process of FBD amyloid deposition, and its formation is not restricted to the central nervous system.

Profiling brain and plasma lipids in human APOE epsilon2, epsilon3, and epsilon4 knock-in mice using electrospray ionization mass spectrometry

It is known that apolipoprotein E (ApoE) is essential for normal lipid metabolism. ApoE is the major apolipoprotein in the central nervous system and plays a key role in neurobiology by mediating the transport of cholesterol, phospholipids, and sulfatides. We therefore examined APOE epsilon2, epsilon3, and epsilon4 knock-in mice, using electrospray ionization mass spectrometry to determine if APOE genotype or age leads to altered levels in the brain of a number of glycerophospholipids (phosphatidylinositol, PI; phosphatidylethanolamine, PE; phosphatidic acid, PA, phosphatidylserine, PS; phosphatidylcholine, PC), sphingolipids (sphingomyelin, SM; ceramide, Cer), cholesterol, and triacylglycerols. We observed slight changes within individual PI, PE, PC, Cer, and SM lipid levels in APOE epsilon2 and epsilon4 mice compared to APOE epsilon3 mice. However, overall, we did not observe any major effects in APOE epsilon4 knock-in mice for the levels of the glycerophospholipids measured, as compared to APOE epsilon2 and epsilon3 mice. Our findings indicate that variations in ApoE isoforms do not per se affect bulk lipid homeostasis in the brain. These findings indicate that APOE epsilon4 is not associated with disturbances in brain sterol or sphingolipids in the absence of environmental factors.

CEREBRAL AMYLOID ANGIOPATHY AND ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE

Cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) is increasingly recognized as a major contributor of Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathogenesis. To date, vascular deposits and not parenchymal plaques appear more sensitive predictors of dementia. Amyloid deposition in and around cerebral blood vessels plays a central role in a series of response mechanisms that lead to changes in the integrity of the blood-brain barrier, extravasations of plasma proteins, edema formation, release of inflammatory mediators and matrix metalloproteases which, in turn, produce partial degradation of the basal lamina with the potential to develop hemorrhagic complications. The progressive buildup of amyloid deposits in and around blood vessels chronically limits blood supply and causes focal deprivation of oxygen, triggering a secondary cascade of metabolic events several of which involve the generation of nitrogen and oxygen free radicals with consequent oxidative stress and cell toxicity. Many aspects of CAA in early- and late-onset AD -the special preference of Aβ40 to deposit in the vessel walls, the favored vascular compromise associated with many Aβ genetic variants, the puzzling observation that some of these vasculotropic variants solely manifest with recurrent hemorrhagic episodes while others are mainly associated with dementia- await clarification. Non-Aβ cerebral amyloidoses reinforce the viewpoint that plaque burden is not indicative of dementia while highlighting the relevance of nonfibrillar lesions and vascular involvement in the disease pathogenesis. The lessons learned from the comparative study of Aβ and non-Aβ cerebral amyloidosis provide new avenues and alternative models to study the role of amyloid in the molecular basis of neurodegeneration.

Iowa variant of familial Alzheimer's disease: accumulation of posttranslationally modified AbetaD23N in parenchymal and cerebrovascular amyloid deposits

Mutations within the amyloid-beta (Abeta) sequence, especially those clustered at residues 21-23, which are linked to early onset familial Alzheimer's disease (AD), are primarily associated with cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA). The basis for this predominant vascular amyloid burden and the differential clinical phenotypes of cerebral hemorrhage/stroke in some patients and dementia in others remain unknown. The AbetaD23N Iowa mutation is associated with progressive AD-like dementia, often without clinically manifested intracerebral hemorrhage. Neuropathologically, the disease is characterized by predominant preamyloid deposits, severe CAA, and abundant neurofibrillary tangles in the presence of remarkably few mature plaques. Biochemical analyses using a combination of immunoprecipitation, mass spectrometry, amino acid sequence, and Western blot analysis performed after sequential tissue extractions to separately isolate soluble components, preamyloid, and fibrillar amyloid species indicated that the Iowa deposits are complex mixtures of mutated and nonmutated Abeta molecules. These molecules exhibited various degrees of solubility, were highly heterogeneous at both the N- and C-termini, and showed partial aspartate isomerization at positions 1, 7, and 23. This collection of Abeta species-the Iowa brain Abeta peptidome-contained clear imprints of amyloid clearance mechanisms yet highlighted the unique neuropathological features shared by a non-Abeta cerebral amyloidosis, familial Danish dementia, in which neurofibrillary tangles coexist with extensive pre-amyloid deposition in the virtual absence of fibrillar lesions. These data therefore challenge the importance of neuritic plaques as the sole contributors for the development of dementia.

Isolation and biochemical characterization of amyloid plaques and paired helical filaments

Extracellular deposits of amyloid fibrils in the form of parenchymal plaques and cerebrovascular lesions, as well as intracellular accumulation of paired-helical filaments in the form of neurofibrillary tangles (NFT) in selected neuronal populations are the main neuropathologic hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease. Amyloid fibrils composed of polymeric structures of the amyloid-beta (Abeta) concentrate at the center of senile plaques and accumulate in the walls of cerebral blood vessels, exhibiting extensive Congo red/thioflavin S staining. Intraneuronal NFT are composed of building blocks of aberrantly hyperphosphorylated species of the microtubule-associated protein tau, which accumulate in the perinuclear cytoplasm of vulnerable neurons in the form of paired helical filaments (PHF). This unit presents a variety of protocols for the isolation, biochemical analysis, and characterization of amyloid fibrils and neurofibrillary tangles.

Differential activation of mitochondrial apoptotic pathways by vasculotropic amyloid-beta variants in cells composing the cerebral vessel walls

Cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) is an age-associated condition and a common finding in Alzheimer's disease in which amyloid-beta (Abeta) vascular deposits are featured in >80% of the cases. Familial Abeta variants bearing substitutions at positions 21-23 are primarily associated with CAA, although they manifest with strikingly different clinical phenotypes: cerebral hemorrhage or dementia. The recently reported Piedmont L34V Abeta mutant, located outside the hot spot 21-23, shows a similar hemorrhagic phenotype, albeit less aggressive than the widely studied Dutch E22Q variant. We monitored the apoptotic events occurring after stimulation of human brain microvascular endothelial and smooth muscle cells with nonfibrillar structures of both variants and wild-type Abeta40. Induction of analogous caspase-mediated mitochondrial pathways was elicited by all peptides, although within different time frames and intensity. Activated pathways were susceptible to pharmacological modulation either through direct inhibition of mitochondrial cytochrome c release or by the action of pan- and pathway-specific caspase inhibitors, giving a clear indication of the independent or synergistic engagement of both extrinsic and intrinsic mechanisms. Structural analyses of the Abeta peptides showed that apoptosis preceded fibril formation, correlating with the presence of oligomers and/or protofibrils. The data support the notion that rare genetic mutations constitute unique paradigms to understand the molecular pathogenesis of CAA.