1
|
Mackiewicz J, Lisek M, Boczek T. Targeting CaN/NFAT in Alzheimer's brain degeneration. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1281882. [PMID: 38077352 PMCID: PMC10701682 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1281882] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2023] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by a progressive loss of cognitive functions. While the exact causes of this debilitating disorder remain elusive, numerous investigations have characterized its two core pathologies: the presence of β-amyloid plaques and tau tangles. Additionally, multiple studies of postmortem brain tissue, as well as results from AD preclinical models, have consistently demonstrated the presence of a sustained inflammatory response. As the persistent immune response is associated with neurodegeneration, it became clear that it may also exacerbate other AD pathologies, providing a link between the initial deposition of β-amyloid plaques and the later development of neurofibrillary tangles. Initially discovered in T cells, the nuclear factor of activated T-cells (NFAT) is one of the main transcription factors driving the expression of inflammatory genes and thus regulating immune responses. NFAT-dependent production of inflammatory mediators is controlled by Ca2+-dependent protein phosphatase calcineurin (CaN), which dephosphorylates NFAT and promotes its transcriptional activity. A substantial body of evidence has demonstrated that aberrant CaN/NFAT signaling is linked to several pathologies observed in AD, including neuronal apoptosis, synaptic deficits, and glia activation. In view of this, the role of NFAT isoforms in AD has been linked to disease progression at different stages, some of which are paralleled to diminished cognitive status. The use of classical inhibitors of CaN/NFAT signaling, such as tacrolimus or cyclosporine, or adeno-associated viruses to specifically inhibit astrocytic NFAT activation, has alleviated some symptoms of AD by diminishing β-amyloid neurotoxicity and neuroinflammation. In this article, we discuss the recent findings related to the contribution of CaN/NFAT signaling to the progression of AD and highlight the possible benefits of targeting this pathway in AD treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Tomasz Boczek
- Department of Molecular Neurochemistry, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Wang D, Song J, Cheng Y, Xu Y, Song L, Qiao Y, Li B, Xia L, Li M, Zhang J, Su Y, Wang T, Ding J, Wang X, Wang S, Zhu C, Xing Q. Targeting the metabolic profile of amino acids to identify the key metabolic characteristics in cerebral palsy. Front Mol Neurosci 2023; 16:1237745. [PMID: 37664242 PMCID: PMC10470834 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2023.1237745] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2023] [Accepted: 08/01/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Cerebral palsy (CP) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by motor impairment. In this study, we aimed to describe the characteristics of amino acids (AA) in the plasma of children with CP and identify AA that could play a potential role in the auxiliary diagnosis and treatment of CP. Methods Using high performance liquid chromatography, we performed metabolomics analysis of AA in plasma from 62 CP children and 60 healthy controls. Univariate and multivariate analyses were then applied to characterize different AA. AA markers associated with CP were then identified by machine learning based on the Lasso regression model for the validation of intra-sample interactions. Next, we calculated a discriminant formula and generated a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve based on the marker combination in the discriminant diagnostic model. Results A total of 33 AA were detected in the plasma of CP children and controls. Compared with controls, 5, 7, and 10 different AA were identified in total participants, premature infants, and full-term infants, respectively. Of these, β-amino-isobutyric acid [p = 2.9*10(-4), Fold change (FC) = 0.76, Variable importance of protection (VIP) = 1.75], tryptophan [p = 5.4*10(-4), FC = 0.87, VIP = 2.22], and asparagine [p = 3.6*10(-3), FC = 0.82, VIP = 1.64], were significantly lower in the three groups of CP patients than that in controls. The combination of β-amino-isobutyric acid, tryptophan, and taurine, provided high levels of diagnostic classification and risk prediction efficacy for preterm children with an area under the curve (AUC) value of 0.8741 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.7322-1.000]. The discriminant diagnostic formula for preterm infant with CP based on the potential marker combination was defined by p = 1/(1 + e-(8.295-0.3848* BAIBA-0.1120*Trp + 0.0108*Tau)). Conclusion Full-spectrum analysis of amino acid metabolomics revealed a distinct profile in CP, including reductions in the levels of β-amino-isobutyric acid, tryptophan, and taurine. Our findings shed new light on the pathogenesis and diagnosis of premature infants with CP.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dan Wang
- Children’s Hospital of Fudan University and Institutes of Biomedical Sciences of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Juan Song
- Henan Key Laboratory of Child Brain Injury and Henan Pediatric Clinical Research Center, Department of Pediatrics, The 3rd Affiliated Hospital and Institute of Neuroscience, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Ye Cheng
- Children’s Hospital of Fudan University and Institutes of Biomedical Sciences of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yiran Xu
- Henan Key Laboratory of Child Brain Injury and Henan Pediatric Clinical Research Center, Department of Pediatrics, The 3rd Affiliated Hospital and Institute of Neuroscience, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Lili Song
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yimeng Qiao
- Children’s Hospital of Fudan University and Institutes of Biomedical Sciences of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Henan Key Laboratory of Child Brain Injury and Henan Pediatric Clinical Research Center, Department of Pediatrics, The 3rd Affiliated Hospital and Institute of Neuroscience, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Bingbing Li
- Henan Key Laboratory of Child Brain Injury and Henan Pediatric Clinical Research Center, Department of Pediatrics, The 3rd Affiliated Hospital and Institute of Neuroscience, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Lei Xia
- Henan Key Laboratory of Child Brain Injury and Henan Pediatric Clinical Research Center, Department of Pediatrics, The 3rd Affiliated Hospital and Institute of Neuroscience, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Ming Li
- Henan Key Laboratory of Child Brain Injury and Henan Pediatric Clinical Research Center, Department of Pediatrics, The 3rd Affiliated Hospital and Institute of Neuroscience, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Jin Zhang
- Children’s Hospital of Fudan University and Institutes of Biomedical Sciences of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yu Su
- Children’s Hospital of Fudan University and Institutes of Biomedical Sciences of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ting Wang
- Children’s Hospital of Fudan University and Institutes of Biomedical Sciences of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jian Ding
- Children’s Hospital of Fudan University and Institutes of Biomedical Sciences of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaoyang Wang
- Henan Key Laboratory of Child Brain Injury and Henan Pediatric Clinical Research Center, Department of Pediatrics, The 3rd Affiliated Hospital and Institute of Neuroscience, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
- Centre of Perinatal Medicine and Health, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Sujuan Wang
- Children’s Hospital of Fudan University and Institutes of Biomedical Sciences of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Changlian Zhu
- Henan Key Laboratory of Child Brain Injury and Henan Pediatric Clinical Research Center, Department of Pediatrics, The 3rd Affiliated Hospital and Institute of Neuroscience, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
- Center for Brain Repair and Rehabilitation, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Qinghe Xing
- Children’s Hospital of Fudan University and Institutes of Biomedical Sciences of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Center for Women and Children’s Health, Shanghai, China
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Sun JKL, Wu D, Wong GCN, Lau TM, Yang M, Hart RP, Kwan KM, Chan HYE, Chow HM. Chronic alcohol metabolism results in DNA repair infidelity and cell cycle-induced senescence in neurons. Aging Cell 2023; 22:e13772. [PMID: 36691110 PMCID: PMC9924945 DOI: 10.1111/acel.13772] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2022] [Revised: 10/18/2022] [Accepted: 12/20/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic binge-like drinking is a risk factor for age-related dementia, however, the lasting and irreversible effect of alcohol on the brain remains elusive. Transcriptomic changes in brain cortices revealed pro-ageing hallmarks upon chronic ethanol exposure and these changes predominantly occur in neurons. The changes are attributed to a prioritized ethyl alcohol oxidation in these cells via the NADPH-dependent cytochrome pathway. This hijacks the folate metabolism of the 1-carbon network which supports the pathway choice of DNA repair via the non-cell cycle-dependent mismatch repair networks. The lost-in-function of such results in the de-inactivation of the less preferred cell cycle-dependent homologous recombination (HR) repair, forcing these post-mitotic cells to re-engage in a cell cycle-like process. However, mature neurons are post-mitotic. Therefore, instead of successfully completing a full round of cell cycle which is necessary for the completion of HR-mediated repair; these cells are arrested at checkpoints. The resulting persistence of repair intermediates induces and promotes the nuclear accumulation of p21 and cyclin B-a trigger for permanent cell cycle exits and irreversible senescence response. Supplementation of bioactive 5-methyl tetrahydrofolate simultaneously at times with ethyl alcohol exposure supports the fidelity of the 1-carbon network and hence the activity of the mismatch repair. This prevents aberrant and irreversible cell cycle re-entry and senescence events of neurons. Together, our findings offer a direct connection between binge-drinking behaviour and its irreversible impact on the brain, which makes it a potential risk factor for dementia.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jacquelyne Ka-Li Sun
- School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Deng Wu
- School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Genper Chi-Ngai Wong
- School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Tsun-Ming Lau
- School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Meigui Yang
- School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Ronald P Hart
- Department of Cell Biology and Neuroscience, Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Jersey, USA
| | - Kin-Ming Kwan
- School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong
- State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong
- Centre for Cell and Developmental Biology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Ho Yin Edwin Chan
- School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong
- Gerald Choa Neuroscience Centre, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Hei-Man Chow
- School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Lin S, Yin S, Shi J, Yang G, Wen X, Zhang W, Zhou M, Jiang X. Orchestration of energy metabolism and osteogenesis by Mg2+ facilitates low-dose BMP-2-driven regeneration. Bioact Mater 2022; 18:116-127. [PMID: 35387176 PMCID: PMC8961427 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioactmat.2022.03.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2022] [Revised: 02/26/2022] [Accepted: 03/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
The clinical application of bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) is limited by several factors, including ineffectiveness at low doses and severe adverse effects at high doses. To address these efficacy and safety limitations, we explored whether orchestration of energy metabolism and osteogenesis by magnesium ion (Mg2+) could reduce the dose and thereby improve the safety of BMP-2. Our results demonstrated that rapid metabolic activation triggered by BMP-2 was indispensable for subsequent osteogenesis. Moreover, inadequate metabolic stimulation was shown to be responsible for the ineffectiveness of low-dose BMP-2. Next, we identified that Mg2+, as an ''energy propellant", substantially increased cellular bioenergetic levels to support the osteogenesis via the Akt-glycolysis-Mrs2-mitochondrial axis, and consequently enhanced the osteoinductivity of BMP-2. Based on the mechanistic discovery, microgel composite hydrogels were fabricated as low-dose BMP-2/Mg2+ codelivery system through microfluidic and 3D printing technologies. An in vivo study further confirmed that rapid and robust bone regeneration was induced by the codelivery system. Collectively, these results suggest that this bioenergetic-driven, cost-effective, low-dose BMP-2-based strategy has substantial potential for bone repair. BMP-2 triggered rapid metabolic adaption, characterized by the successive activation of glycolysis and OxPhos. Inadequate activation of metabolic state led to the ineffectiveness of low-dose BMP-2. Mg2+ elevated the bioenergetic levels and enhance the efficacy of BMP-2 via the Akt-glycolysis-Mrs2-mitochondrial axis. Composite hydrogels with BMP-2 and "energy propellant" Mg2+ were fabricated to orchestrate metabolism and osteogenesis. The hydrogels achieved efficient low-dose BMP-2-driven regeneration in vivo.
Collapse
|
5
|
Fernández-Calle R, Konings SC, Frontiñán-Rubio J, García-Revilla J, Camprubí-Ferrer L, Svensson M, Martinson I, Boza-Serrano A, Venero JL, Nielsen HM, Gouras GK, Deierborg T. APOE in the bullseye of neurodegenerative diseases: impact of the APOE genotype in Alzheimer’s disease pathology and brain diseases. Mol Neurodegener 2022; 17:62. [PMID: 36153580 PMCID: PMC9509584 DOI: 10.1186/s13024-022-00566-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Accepted: 08/29/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
ApoE is the major lipid and cholesterol carrier in the CNS. There are three major human polymorphisms, apoE2, apoE3, and apoE4, and the genetic expression of APOE4 is one of the most influential risk factors for the development of late-onset Alzheimer's disease (AD). Neuroinflammation has become the third hallmark of AD, together with Amyloid-β plaques and neurofibrillary tangles of hyperphosphorylated aggregated tau protein. This review aims to broadly and extensively describe the differential aspects concerning apoE. Starting from the evolution of apoE to how APOE's single-nucleotide polymorphisms affect its structure, function, and involvement during health and disease. This review reflects on how APOE's polymorphisms impact critical aspects of AD pathology, such as the neuroinflammatory response, particularly the effect of APOE on astrocytic and microglial function and microglial dynamics, synaptic function, amyloid-β load, tau pathology, autophagy, and cell–cell communication. We discuss influential factors affecting AD pathology combined with the APOE genotype, such as sex, age, diet, physical exercise, current therapies and clinical trials in the AD field. The impact of the APOE genotype in other neurodegenerative diseases characterized by overt inflammation, e.g., alpha- synucleinopathies and Parkinson's disease, traumatic brain injury, stroke, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and multiple sclerosis, is also addressed. Therefore, this review gathers the most relevant findings related to the APOE genotype up to date and its implications on AD and CNS pathologies to provide a deeper understanding of the knowledge in the APOE field.
Collapse
|