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Li D, Jia J, Zeng H, Zhong X, Chen H, Yi C. Efficacy of exercise rehabilitation for managing patients with Alzheimer's disease. Neural Regen Res 2024; 19:2175-2188. [PMID: 38488551 PMCID: PMC11034587 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.391308] [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: 06/26/2023] [Revised: 10/16/2023] [Accepted: 11/25/2023] [Indexed: 04/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive and degenerative neurological disease characterized by the deterioration of cognitive functions. While a definitive cure and optimal medication to impede disease progression are currently unavailable, a plethora of studies have highlighted the potential advantages of exercise rehabilitation for managing this condition. Those studies show that exercise rehabilitation can enhance cognitive function and improve the quality of life for individuals affected by AD. Therefore, exercise rehabilitation has been regarded as one of the most important strategies for managing patients with AD. Herein, we provide a comprehensive analysis of the currently available findings on exercise rehabilitation in patients with AD, with a focus on the exercise types which have shown efficacy when implemented alone or combined with other treatment methods, as well as the potential mechanisms underlying these positive effects. Specifically, we explain how exercise may improve the brain microenvironment and neuronal plasticity. In conclusion, exercise is a cost-effective intervention to enhance cognitive performance and improve quality of life in patients with mild to moderate cognitive dysfunction. Therefore, it can potentially become both a physical activity and a tailored intervention. This review may aid the development of more effective and individualized treatment strategies to address the challenges imposed by this debilitating disease, especially in low- and middle-income countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan Li
- Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, Jiangxi Province, China
| | - Jinning Jia
- Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, Jiangxi Province, China
| | - Haibo Zeng
- Department of Pathology, Huichang County People’s Hospital, Ganzhou, Jiangxi Province, China
| | - Xiaoyan Zhong
- Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, Jiangxi Province, China
| | - Hui Chen
- School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW, Australia
| | - Chenju Yi
- Research Center, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, China
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Active Substance Screening and Translational Research, Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
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2
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Shen FS, Liu C, Sun HZ, Chen XY, Xue Y, Chen L. Emerging evidence of context-dependent synapse elimination by phagocytes in the CNS. J Leukoc Biol 2024; 116:511-522. [PMID: 38700080 DOI: 10.1093/jleuko/qiae098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2023] [Revised: 03/09/2024] [Accepted: 04/09/2024] [Indexed: 05/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Precise synapse elimination is essential for the establishment of a fully developed neural circuit during brain development and higher function in adult brain. Beyond immune and nutrition support, recent groundbreaking studies have revealed that phagocytic microglia and astrocytes can actively and selectively eliminate synapses in normal and diseased brains, thereby mediating synapse loss and maintaining circuit homeostasis. Multiple lines of evidence indicate that the mechanisms of synapse elimination by phagocytic glia are not universal but rather depend on specific contexts and detailed neuron-glia interactions. The mechanism of synapse elimination by phagocytic glia is dependent on neuron-intrinsic factors and many innate immune and local apoptosis-related molecules. During development, microglial synapse engulfment in the visual thalamus is primarily influenced by the classic complement pathway, whereas in the barrel cortex, the fractalkine pathway is dominant. In Alzheimer's disease, microglia employ complement-dependent mechanisms for synapse engulfment in tauopathy and early β-amyloid pathology, but microglia are not involved in synapse loss at late β-amyloid stages. Phagocytic microglia also engulf synapses in a complement-dependent way in schizophrenia, anxiety, and stress. In addition, phagocytic astrocytes engulf synapses in a MEGF10-dependent way during visual development, memory, and stroke. Furthermore, the mechanism of a phenomenon that phagocytes selectively eliminate excitatory and inhibitory synapses is also emphasized in this review. We hypothesize that elucidating context-dependent synapse elimination by phagocytic microglia and astrocytes may reveal the molecular basis of synapse loss in neural disorders and provide a rationale for developing novel candidate therapies that target synapse loss and circuit homeostasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fang-Shuai Shen
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medicine, No. 308 Ningxia Road, Shinan District, Qingdao University 266071, Qingdao, China
| | - Cui Liu
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medicine, No. 308 Ningxia Road, Shinan District, Qingdao University 266071, Qingdao, China
| | - Hui-Zhe Sun
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medicine, No. 308 Ningxia Road, Shinan District, Qingdao University 266071, Qingdao, China
| | - Xin-Yi Chen
- Department of International Medicine, No. 16 Jiangsu Road, Shinan District, Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University 266000, Qingdao, China
| | - Yan Xue
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medicine, No. 308 Ningxia Road, Shinan District, Qingdao University 266071, Qingdao, China
| | - Lei Chen
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medicine, No. 308 Ningxia Road, Shinan District, Qingdao University 266071, Qingdao, China
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3
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Matsuo K, Nshihara H. Rebuilding insight into the pathophysiology of Alzheimer's disease through new blood-brain barrier models. Neural Regen Res 2024; 19:1954-1960. [PMID: 38227521 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.390978] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2023] [Accepted: 11/01/2023] [Indexed: 01/17/2024] Open
Abstract
The blood-brain barrier is a unique function of the microvasculature in the brain parenchyma that maintains homeostasis in the central nervous system. Blood-brain barrier breakdown is a common pathology in various neurological diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease, stroke, multiple sclerosis, and Parkinson's disease. Traditionally, it has been considered a consequence of neuroinflammation or neurodegeneration, but recent advanced imaging techniques and detailed studies in animal models show that blood-brain barrier breakdown occurs early in the disease process and may precede neuronal loss. Thus, the blood-brain barrier is attractive as a potential therapeutic target for neurological diseases that lack effective therapeutics. To elucidate the molecular mechanism underlying blood-brain barrier breakdown and translate them into therapeutic strategies for neurological diseases, there is a growing demand for experimental models of human origin that allow for functional assessments. Recently, several human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived blood-brain barrier models have been established and various in vitro blood-brain barrier models using microdevices have been proposed. Especially in the Alzheimer's disease field, the human evidence for blood-brain barrier dysfunction has been demonstrated and human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived blood-brain barrier models have suggested the putative molecular mechanisms of pathological blood-brain barrier. In this review, we summarize recent evidence of blood-brain barrier dysfunction in Alzheimer's disease from pathological analyses, imaging studies, animal models, and stem cell sources. Additionally, we discuss the potential future directions for blood-brain barrier research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kinya Matsuo
- Yamaguchi University Graduate School of Medicine, Yamaguchi, Japan
| | - Hideaki Nshihara
- Department of Neurotherapeutics, Yamaguchi University, Ube, Japan
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4
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Gomes C, Huang KC, Harkin J, Baker A, Hughes JM, Pan Y, Tutrow K, VanderWall KB, Lavekar SS, Hernandez M, Cummins TR, Canfield SG, Meyer JS. Induction of astrocyte reactivity promotes neurodegeneration in human pluripotent stem cell models. Stem Cell Reports 2024; 19:1122-1136. [PMID: 39094561 PMCID: PMC11368677 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2024.07.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2023] [Revised: 06/28/2024] [Accepted: 07/01/2024] [Indexed: 08/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Reactive astrocytes are known to exert detrimental effects upon neurons in several neurodegenerative diseases, yet our understanding of how astrocytes promote neurotoxicity remains incomplete, especially in human systems. In this study, we leveraged human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC) models to examine how reactivity alters astrocyte function and mediates neurodegeneration. hPSC-derived astrocytes were induced to a reactive phenotype, at which point they exhibited a hypertrophic profile and increased complement C3 expression. Functionally, reactive astrocytes displayed decreased intracellular calcium, elevated phagocytic capacity, and decreased contribution to the blood-brain barrier. Subsequently, co-culture of reactive astrocytes with a variety of neuronal cell types promoted morphological and functional alterations. Furthermore, when reactivity was induced in astrocytes from patient-specific hPSCs (glaucoma, Alzheimer's disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), the reactive state exacerbated astrocytic disease-associated phenotypes. These results demonstrate how reactive astrocytes modulate neurodegeneration, significantly contributing to our understanding of a role for reactive astrocytes in neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cátia Gomes
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA; Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Kang-Chieh Huang
- Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA; Department of Biology, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Jade Harkin
- Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA; Pharmacology and Toxicology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Aaron Baker
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA; Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Jason M Hughes
- Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology & Physiology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Yanling Pan
- Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA; Department of Biology, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Kaylee Tutrow
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA; Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Kirstin B VanderWall
- Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA; Department of Biology, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Sailee S Lavekar
- Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA; Department of Biology, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Melody Hernandez
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA; Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Theodore R Cummins
- Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA; Department of Biology, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Scott G Canfield
- Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA; Department of Anatomy, Cell Biology & Physiology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA
| | - Jason S Meyer
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA; Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA; Pharmacology and Toxicology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA; Department of Ophthalmology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202, USA.
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5
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Chung WS, Baldwin KT, Allen NJ. Astrocyte Regulation of Synapse Formation, Maturation, and Elimination. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Biol 2024; 16:a041352. [PMID: 38346858 PMCID: PMC11293538 DOI: 10.1101/cshperspect.a041352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/03/2024]
Abstract
Astrocytes play an integral role in the development, maturation, and refinement of neuronal circuits. Astrocytes secrete proteins and lipids that instruct the formation of new synapses and induce the maturation of existing synapses. Through contact-mediated signaling, astrocytes can regulate the formation and state of synapses within their domain. Through phagocytosis, astrocytes participate in the elimination of excess synaptic connections. In this work, we will review key findings on the molecular mechanisms of astrocyte-synapse interaction with a focus on astrocyte-secreted factors, contact-mediated mechanisms, and synapse elimination. We will discuss this in the context of typical brain development and maintenance, as well as consider the consequences of dysfunction in these pathways in neurological disorders, highlighting a role for astrocytes in health and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Won-Suk Chung
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 34141, Korea
| | - Katherine T Baldwin
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology and UNC Neuroscience Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, USA
| | - Nicola J Allen
- Molecular Neurobiology Laboratory, Salk Institute for Biological Studies, La Jolla, California 92037, USA
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6
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Deng Q, Wu C, Parker E, Liu TCY, Duan R, Yang L. Microglia and Astrocytes in Alzheimer's Disease: Significance and Summary of Recent Advances. Aging Dis 2024; 15:1537-1564. [PMID: 37815901 PMCID: PMC11272214 DOI: 10.14336/ad.2023.0907] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2023] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 10/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease, one of the most common forms of dementia, is characterized by a slow progression of cognitive impairment and neuronal loss. Currently, approved treatments for AD are hindered by various side effects and limited efficacy. Despite considerable research, practical treatments for AD have not been developed. Increasing evidence shows that glial cells, especially microglia and astrocytes, are essential in the initiation and progression of AD. During AD progression, activated resident microglia increases the ability of resting astrocytes to transform into reactive astrocytes, promoting neurodegeneration. Extensive clinical and molecular studies show the involvement of microglia and astrocyte-mediated neuroinflammation in AD pathology, indicating that microglia and astrocytes may be potential therapeutic targets for AD. This review will summarize the significant and recent advances of microglia and astrocytes in the pathogenesis of AD in three parts. First, we will review the typical pathological changes of AD and discuss microglia and astrocytes in terms of function and phenotypic changes. Second, we will describe microglia and astrocytes' physiological and pathological role in AD. These roles include the inflammatory response, "eat me" and "don't eat me" signals, Aβ seeding, propagation, clearance, synapse loss, synaptic pruning, remyelination, and demyelination. Last, we will review the pharmacological and non-pharmacological therapies targeting microglia and astrocytes in AD. We conclude that microglia and astrocytes are essential in the initiation and development of AD. Therefore, understanding the new role of microglia and astrocytes in AD progression is critical for future AD studies and clinical trials. Moreover, pharmacological, and non-pharmacological therapies targeting microglia and astrocytes, with specific studies investigating microglia and astrocyte-mediated neuronal damage and repair, may be a promising research direction for future studies regarding AD treatment and prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qianting Deng
- Laboratory of Exercise and Neurobiology, School of Physical Education and Sports Science, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China.
| | - Chongyun Wu
- Laboratory of Exercise and Neurobiology, School of Physical Education and Sports Science, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China.
- Laboratory of Regenerative Medicine in Sports Science, School of Physical Education and Sports Science, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China.
| | - Emily Parker
- Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA.
| | - Timon Cheng-Yi Liu
- Laboratory of Laser Sports Medicine, School of Physical Education and Sports Science, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China.
| | - Rui Duan
- Laboratory of Regenerative Medicine in Sports Science, School of Physical Education and Sports Science, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China.
| | - Luodan Yang
- Laboratory of Exercise and Neurobiology, School of Physical Education and Sports Science, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China.
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7
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Yu X, Shi R, Zhou X, Zhang M, Cai Y, Jiang J, Han Y. Correlations between plasma markers and brain Aβ deposition across the AD continuum: Evidence from SILCODE. Alzheimers Dement 2024. [PMID: 38982860 DOI: 10.1002/alz.14084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2024] [Revised: 06/02/2024] [Accepted: 06/03/2024] [Indexed: 07/11/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Previous studies have found that Alzheimer's disease (AD)-related plasma markers are associated with amyloid beta (Aβ) deposition, but the change of this association in different Aβ pathological stages remains unclear. METHODS Data were obtained from the SILCODE. According to the standardized uptake value ratio (SUVR) and Aβ stage classification, correlation analysis was performed among plasma biomarkers, and voxel/SUVR values in the regions of interest (ROI) and clinical scale information, respectively. Mediation analysis was used to study the possible pathways. RESULTS The proportion of cognitively normal (CN) and subjective cognitive decline (SCD) was the highest in stages A0 to 1, while in stages A2 to 4, the proportion of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and AD increased. Plasma phosphorylated tau (p-tau)181 and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) levels were significantly lower in stage A0 compared to the later phases. Two pathways demonstrated fully mediated effects: positron emission tomography (PET) SUVR-plasma p-tau181-Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and PET SUVR-plasma GFAP-MMSE. DISCUSSION This study demonstrated the role of plasma biomarkers in the early stage of AD, especially in SCD, from both the clinical diagnosis and Aβ stage dimensions. HIGHLIGHTS Plasma ptau181 and GFAP level serve as indicators of early Alzheimer's disease and the pathologic Aβ staging classification. A possible ceiling effect of GFAP was observed in the mid-to-late stages of the AD course. This study confirms the role of AD plasma markers in promoting Aβ deposition at an early stage, particularly in females with subjective cognitive decline(SCD). The overlapping brain regions of plasma p-tau181, GFAP, and neurofilament light for Aβ deposition in the brain in early AD were distributed across various regions, including the posterior cingulate gyrus, rectus gyrus, and inferior temporal gyrus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xianfeng Yu
- Department of Neurology, Xuanwu Hospital of Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- Department of Neurology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Rong Shi
- School of Information and Communication Engineering, Shanghai University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xia Zhou
- Department of Neurology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Mingkai Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Xuanwu Hospital of Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Yue Cai
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Shenzhen Bay Laboratory, Shenzhen, China
| | - Jiehui Jiang
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Shanghai University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ying Han
- Department of Neurology, Xuanwu Hospital of Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Shenzhen Bay Laboratory, Shenzhen, China
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Hainan University, Haikou, China
- Center of Alzheimer's Disease, Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders, Beijing, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Beijing, China
- The Central Hospital of Karamay, Xinjiang, China
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8
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Rose K, Jepson T, Shukla S, Maya-Romero A, Kampmann M, Xu K, Hurley JH. Tau fibrils induce nanoscale membrane damage and nucleate cytosolic tau at lysosomes. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2315690121. [PMID: 38781206 PMCID: PMC11145263 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2315690121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2023] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
The prion-like spread of protein aggregates is a leading hypothesis for the propagation of neurofibrillary lesions in the brain, including the spread of tau inclusions associated with Alzheimer's disease. The mechanisms of cellular uptake of tau seeds and subsequent nucleated polymerization of cytosolic tau are major questions in the field, and the potential for coupling between the entry and nucleation mechanisms has been little explored. We found that in primary astrocytes and neurons, endocytosis of tau seeds leads to their accumulation in lysosomes. This in turn leads to lysosomal swelling, deacidification, and recruitment of ESCRT proteins, but not Galectin-3, to the lysosomal membrane. These observations are consistent with nanoscale damage of the lysosomal membrane. Live cell imaging and STORM superresolution microscopy further show that the nucleation of cytosolic tau occurs primarily at the lysosome membrane under these conditions. These data suggest that tau seeds escape from lysosomes via nanoscale damage rather than wholesale rupture and that nucleation of cytosolic tau commences as soon as tau fibril ends emerge from the lysosomal membrane.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin Rose
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA94720
- California Institute for Quantitative Biosciences, University of California, Berkeley, CA94720
| | - Tyler Jepson
- California Institute for Quantitative Biosciences, University of California, Berkeley, CA94720
- Graduate Group in Biophysics, University of California, Berkeley, CA94720
| | - Sankalp Shukla
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA94720
- California Institute for Quantitative Biosciences, University of California, Berkeley, CA94720
| | - Alex Maya-Romero
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA94720
- California Institute for Quantitative Biosciences, University of California, Berkeley, CA94720
| | - Martin Kampmann
- Institute for Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of California, San Francisco, CA94158
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of California, San Francisco, CA94158
| | - Ke Xu
- California Institute for Quantitative Biosciences, University of California, Berkeley, CA94720
- Graduate Group in Biophysics, University of California, Berkeley, CA94720
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, CA94720
| | - James H. Hurley
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA94720
- California Institute for Quantitative Biosciences, University of California, Berkeley, CA94720
- Graduate Group in Biophysics, University of California, Berkeley, CA94720
- Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute, University of California, Berkeley, CA94720
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Syvänen V, Koistinaho J, Lehtonen Š. Identification of the abnormalities in astrocytic functions as potential drug targets for neurodegenerative disease. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2024; 19:603-616. [PMID: 38409817 DOI: 10.1080/17460441.2024.2322988] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 02/28/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Historically, astrocytes were seen primarily as a supportive cell population within the brain; with neurodegenerative disease research focusing exclusively on malfunctioning neurons. However, astrocytes perform numerous tasks that are essential for maintenance of the central nervous system`s complex processes. Disruption of these functions can have negative consequences; hence, it is unsurprising to observe a growing amount of evidence for the essential role of astrocytes in the development and progression of neurodegenerative diseases. Targeting astrocytic functions may serve as a potential disease-modifying drug therapy in the future. AREAS COVERED The present review emphasizes the key astrocytic functions associated with neurodegenerative diseases and explores the possibility of pharmaceutical interventions to modify these processes. In addition, the authors provide an overview of current advancement in this field by including studies of possible drug candidates. EXPERT OPINION Glial research has experienced a significant renaissance in the last quarter-century. Understanding how disease pathologies modify or are caused by astrocyte functions is crucial when developing treatments for brain diseases. Future research will focus on building advanced models that can more precisely correlate to the state in the human brain, with the goal of routinely testing therapies in these models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valtteri Syvänen
- A. I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Jari Koistinaho
- Neuroscience Center, Helsinki Institute of Life Science, and Drug Research Program, Division of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Šárka Lehtonen
- A. I. Virtanen Institute for Molecular Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
- Neuroscience Center, Helsinki Institute of Life Science, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
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10
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Tsering W, Prokop S. Neuritic Plaques - Gateways to Understanding Alzheimer's Disease. Mol Neurobiol 2024; 61:2808-2821. [PMID: 37940777 PMCID: PMC11043180 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-023-03736-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2023] [Accepted: 10/21/2023] [Indexed: 11/10/2023]
Abstract
Extracellular deposits of amyloid-β (Aβ) in the form of plaques are one of the main pathological hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Over the years, many different Aβ plaque morphologies such as neuritic plaques, dense cored plaques, cotton wool plaques, coarse-grain plaques, and diffuse plaques have been described in AD postmortem brain tissues, but correlation of a given plaque type with AD progression or AD symptoms is not clear. Furthermore, the exact trigger causing the development of one Aβ plaque morphological subtype over the other is still unknown. Here, we review the current knowledge about neuritic plaques, a subset of Aβ plaques surrounded by swollen or dystrophic neurites, which represent the most detrimental and consequential Aβ plaque morphology. Neuritic plaques have been associated with local immune activation, neuronal network dysfunction, and cognitive decline. Given that neuritic plaques are at the interface of Aβ deposition, tau aggregation, and local immune activation, we argue that understanding the exact mechanism of neuritic plaque formation is crucial to develop targeted therapies for AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wangchen Tsering
- Center for Translational Research in Neurodegenerative Disease, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL, USA
- McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, USA
| | - Stefan Prokop
- Center for Translational Research in Neurodegenerative Disease, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA.
- McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, USA.
- Department of Pathology, University of Florida, Gainesville, USA.
- Fixel Institute for Neurological Diseases, University of Florida, Gainesville, USA.
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11
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Edison P. Astroglial activation: Current concepts and future directions. Alzheimers Dement 2024; 20:3034-3053. [PMID: 38305570 PMCID: PMC11032537 DOI: 10.1002/alz.13678] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2023] [Revised: 11/27/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 02/03/2024]
Abstract
Astrocytes are abundantly and ubiquitously expressed cell types with diverse functions throughout the central nervous system. Astrocytes show remarkable plasticity and exhibit morphological, molecular, and functional remodeling in response to injury, disease, or infection of the central nervous system, as evident in neurodegenerative diseases. Astroglial mediated inflammation plays a prominent role in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases. This review focus on the role of astrocytes as essential players in neuroinflammation and discuss their morphological and functional heterogeneity in the normal central nervous system and explore the spatial and temporal variations in astroglial phenotypes observed under different disease conditions. This review discusses the intimate relationship of astrocytes to pathological hallmarks of neurodegenerative diseases. Finally, this review considers the putative therapeutic strategies that can be deployed to modulate the astroglial functions in neurodegenerative diseases. HIGHLIGHTS: Astroglia mediated neuroinflammation plays a key role in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases. Activated astrocytes exhibit diverse phenotypes in a region-specific manner in brain and interact with β-amyloid, tau, and α-synuclein species as well as with microglia and neuronal circuits. Activated astrocytes are likely to influence the trajectory of disease progression of neurodegenerative diseases, as determined by the stage of disease, individual susceptibility, and state of astroglial priming. Modulation of astroglial activation may be a therapeutic strategy at various stages in the trajectory of neurodegenerative diseases to modify the disease course.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul Edison
- Division of NeurologyDepartment of Brain SciencesFaculty of Medicine, Imperial College LondonLondonUK
- Division of Psychological medicine and clinical neurosciencesSchool of Medicine, Cardiff UniversityWalesUK
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12
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Pádua MS, Guil-Guerrero JL, Prates JAM, Lopes PA. Insights on the Use of Transgenic Mice Models in Alzheimer's Disease Research. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:2805. [PMID: 38474051 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25052805] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2024] [Revised: 02/26/2024] [Accepted: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD), the leading cause of dementia, presents a significant global health challenge with no known cure to date. Central to our understanding of AD pathogenesis is the β-amyloid cascade hypothesis, which underlies drug research and discovery efforts. Despite extensive studies, no animal models of AD have completely validated this hypothesis. Effective AD models are essential for accurately replicating key pathological features of the disease, notably the formation of β-amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles. These pathological markers are primarily driven by mutations in the amyloid precursor protein (APP) and presenilin 1 (PS1) genes in familial AD (FAD) and by tau protein mutations for the tangle pathology. Transgenic mice models have been instrumental in AD research, heavily relying on the overexpression of mutated APP genes to simulate disease conditions. However, these models do not entirely replicate the human condition of AD. This review aims to provide a comprehensive evaluation of the historical and ongoing research efforts in AD, particularly through the use of transgenic mice models. It is focused on the benefits gathered from these transgenic mice models in understanding β-amyloid toxicity and the broader biological underpinnings of AD. Additionally, the review critically assesses the application of these models in the preclinical testing of new therapeutic interventions, highlighting the gap between animal models and human clinical realities. This analysis underscores the need for refinement in AD research methodologies to bridge this gap and enhance the translational value of preclinical studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mafalda Soares Pádua
- CIISA-Centro de Investigação Interdisciplinar em Sanidade Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade de Lisboa, 1300-477 Lisbon, Portugal
- Laboratório Associado para Ciência Animal e Veterinária (AL4AnimalS), Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade de Lisboa, 1300-477 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - José L Guil-Guerrero
- Departamento de Tecnología de Alimentos, Universidad de Almería, 04120 Almería, Spain
| | - José A M Prates
- CIISA-Centro de Investigação Interdisciplinar em Sanidade Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade de Lisboa, 1300-477 Lisbon, Portugal
- Laboratório Associado para Ciência Animal e Veterinária (AL4AnimalS), Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade de Lisboa, 1300-477 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Paula Alexandra Lopes
- CIISA-Centro de Investigação Interdisciplinar em Sanidade Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade de Lisboa, 1300-477 Lisbon, Portugal
- Laboratório Associado para Ciência Animal e Veterinária (AL4AnimalS), Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade de Lisboa, 1300-477 Lisbon, Portugal
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Eltom K, Mothes T, Libard S, Ingelsson M, Erlandsson A. Astrocytic accumulation of tau fibrils isolated from Alzheimer's disease brains induces inflammation, cell-to-cell propagation and neuronal impairment. Acta Neuropathol Commun 2024; 12:34. [PMID: 38409026 PMCID: PMC10898102 DOI: 10.1186/s40478-024-01745-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 02/17/2024] [Indexed: 02/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Accumulating evidence highlights the involvement of astrocytes in Alzheimer's disease (AD) progression. We have previously demonstrated that human iPSC-derived astrocytes ingest and modify synthetic tau fibrils in a way that enhances their seeding efficiency. However, synthetic tau fibrils differ significantly from in vivo formed fibrils. To mimic the situation in the brain, we here analyzed astrocytes' processing of human brain-derived tau fibrils and its consequences for cellular physiology. Tau fibrils were extracted from both AD and control brains, aiming to examine any potential differences in astrocyte response depending on the origin of fibrils. Our results show that human astrocytes internalize, but fail to degrade, both AD and control tau fibrils. Instead, pathogenic, seeding capable tau proteoforms are spread to surrounding cells via tunneling nanotubes and exocytosis. Notably, accumulation of AD tau fibrils induces a stronger reactive state in astrocytes, compared to control fibrils, evident by the augmented expression of vimentin and GFAP, as well as by an increased secretion of the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-8 and MCP-1. Moreover, conditioned media from astrocytes with AD tau fibril deposits induce synapse and metabolic impairment in human iPSC-derived neurons. Taken together, our data suggest that the accumulation of brain-derived AD tau fibrils induces a more robust inflammatory and neurotoxic phenotype in human astrocytes, accentuating the nature of tau fibrils as an important contributing factor to inflammation and neurodegeneration in AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khalid Eltom
- Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences, Molecular Geriatrics, Rudbeck Laboratory, Uppsala University, Uppsala, 751 85, Sweden
| | - Tobias Mothes
- Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences, Molecular Geriatrics, Rudbeck Laboratory, Uppsala University, Uppsala, 751 85, Sweden
| | - Sylwia Libard
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Neuro-Oncology and Neurodegeneration, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
- Department of Pathology, Uppsala University Hospital, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Martin Ingelsson
- Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences, Molecular Geriatrics, Rudbeck Laboratory, Uppsala University, Uppsala, 751 85, Sweden
- University Health Network, Krembil Brain Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Tanz Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases, Departments of Medicine and Laboratory Medicine & Pathobiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Anna Erlandsson
- Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences, Molecular Geriatrics, Rudbeck Laboratory, Uppsala University, Uppsala, 751 85, Sweden.
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Ma Y, Sun W, Bai J, Gao F, Ma H, Liu H, Hu J, Xu C, Zhang X, Liu Z, Yuan T, Sun C, Huang Y, Wang R. Targeting blood brain barrier-Remote ischemic conditioning alleviates cognitive impairment in female APP/PS1 rats. CNS Neurosci Ther 2024; 30:e14613. [PMID: 38379185 PMCID: PMC10879645 DOI: 10.1111/cns.14613] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2023] [Revised: 11/16/2023] [Accepted: 11/26/2023] [Indexed: 02/22/2024] Open
Abstract
AIMS Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a significant global health concern, and it is crucial that we find effective methods to prevent or slow down AD progression. Recent studies have highlighted the essential role of blood vessels in clearing Aβ, a protein that contributes to AD. Scientists are exploring blood biomarkers as a potential tool for future AD diagnosis. One promising method that may help prevent AD is remote ischemic conditioning (RIC). RIC involves using sub-lethal ischemic-reperfusion cycles on limbs. However, a comprehensive understanding of how RIC can prevent AD and its long-term effectiveness is still lacking. Further research is essential to fully comprehend the potential benefits of RIC in preventing AD. METHODS Female wild-type (WT) and APP/PS1 transgenic rats, aged 12 months, underwent ovariectomy and were subsequently assigned to WT, APP/PS1, and APP/PS1 + RIC groups. RIC was conducted five times a week for 4 weeks. The rats' depressive and cognitive behaviors were evaluated using force swimming, open-field tests, novel objective recognition, elevated plus maze, and Barnes maze tests. Evaluation of the neurovascular unit (NVU), synapses, vasculature, astrocytes, and microglia was conducted using immunofluorescence staining (IF), Western blot (WB), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Additionally, the cerebro-vasculature was examined using micro-CT, and cerebral blood flow (CBF) was measured using Speckle Doppler. Blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability was determined by measuring the Evans blue leakage. Finally, Aβ levels in the rat frontal cortex were measured using WB, ELISA, or IF staining. RESULTS RIC enhanced memory-related protein expression and rescued depressive-like behavior and cognitive decline in APP/PS1 transgenic rats. Additionally, the intervention protected NVU in the rat frontal cortex, as evidenced by (1) increased expression of TJ (tight junction) proteins, pericyte marker PDGFRβ, and glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1), as well as decreased VCAM1; (2) mitigation of ultrastructure impairment in neuron, cerebral vascular, and astrocyte; (3) upregulation of A2 astrocyte phenotype markers and downregulation of A1 phenotype markers, indicating a shift toward a healthier phenotype. Correspondingly, RIC intervention alleviated neuroinflammation, as evidenced by the decreased Iba1 level, a microglia marker. Meanwhile, RIC intervention elevated CBF in frontal cortex of the rats. Notably, RIC intervention effectively suppressed Aβ toxicity, as demonstrated by the enhancement of α-secretase and attenuation of β-secretase (BACE1) and γ- secretase and Aβ1-42 and Aβ1-40 levels as well. CONCLUSION Chronic RIC intervention exerts vascular and neuroprotective roles, suggesting that RIC could be a promising therapeutic strategy targeting the BBB and NVU during AD development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuxuan Ma
- International Science & Technology Cooperation Base of GeriatricSchool of Public Health of North China University of Science and TechnologyTangshanHebeiChina
| | - Wuxiang Sun
- School of Basic Medical ScienceNorth China University of Science and TechnologyTangshanHebeiChina
| | - Jing Bai
- School of Basic Medical ScienceNorth China University of Science and TechnologyTangshanHebeiChina
| | - Fujia Gao
- International Science & Technology Cooperation Base of GeriatricSchool of Public Health of North China University of Science and TechnologyTangshanHebeiChina
| | - Haoran Ma
- International Science & Technology Cooperation Base of GeriatricSchool of Public Health of North China University of Science and TechnologyTangshanHebeiChina
| | - Huiyu Liu
- International Science & Technology Cooperation Base of GeriatricSchool of Public Health of North China University of Science and TechnologyTangshanHebeiChina
| | - Jiewei Hu
- School of Basic Medical ScienceNorth China University of Science and TechnologyTangshanHebeiChina
| | - Chao Xu
- International Science & Technology Cooperation Base of GeriatricSchool of Public Health of North China University of Science and TechnologyTangshanHebeiChina
| | - Xin Zhang
- International Science & Technology Cooperation Base of GeriatricSchool of Public Health of North China University of Science and TechnologyTangshanHebeiChina
| | - Zixuan Liu
- School of Basic Medical ScienceNorth China University of Science and TechnologyTangshanHebeiChina
| | - Tao Yuan
- International Science & Technology Cooperation Base of GeriatricSchool of Public Health of North China University of Science and TechnologyTangshanHebeiChina
| | - Chenxu Sun
- School of Basic Medical ScienceNorth China University of Science and TechnologyTangshanHebeiChina
| | - Yuanyuan Huang
- School of Basic Medical ScienceNorth China University of Science and TechnologyTangshanHebeiChina
| | - Ruimin Wang
- International Science & Technology Cooperation Base of GeriatricSchool of Public Health of North China University of Science and TechnologyTangshanHebeiChina
- School of Basic Medical ScienceNorth China University of Science and TechnologyTangshanHebeiChina
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Muñoz-Castro C, Serrano-Pozo A. Astrocyte-Neuron Interactions in Alzheimer's Disease. ADVANCES IN NEUROBIOLOGY 2024; 39:345-382. [PMID: 39190082 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-64839-7_14] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/28/2024]
Abstract
Besides its two defining misfolded proteinopathies-Aβ plaques and tau neurofibrillary tangles-Alzheimer's disease (AD) is an exemplar of a neurodegenerative disease with prominent reactive astrogliosis, defined as the set of morphological, molecular, and functional changes that astrocytes suffer as the result of a toxic exposure. Reactive astrocytes can be observed in the vicinity of plaques and tangles, and the relationship between astrocytes and these AD neuropathological lesions is bidirectional so that each AD neuropathological hallmark causes specific changes in astrocytes, and astrocytes modulate the severity of each neuropathological feature in a specific manner. Here, we will review both how astrocytes change as a result of their chronic exposure to AD neuropathology and how those astrocytic changes impact each AD neuropathological feature. We will emphasize the repercussions that AD-associated reactive astrogliosis has for the astrocyte-neuron interaction and highlight areas of uncertainty and priorities for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clara Muñoz-Castro
- Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla, IBiS/Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío/CSIC/Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Universidad de Sevilla, Seville, Spain
| | - Alberto Serrano-Pozo
- Massachusetts General Hospital Neurology Department, Boston, MA, USA.
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
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Pelkmans W, Shekari M, Brugulat‐Serrat A, Sánchez‐Benavides G, Minguillón C, Fauria K, Molinuevo JL, Grau‐Rivera O, González Escalante A, Kollmorgen G, Carboni M, Ashton NJ, Zetterberg H, Blennow K, Suarez‐Calvet M, Gispert JD. Astrocyte biomarkers GFAP and YKL-40 mediate early Alzheimer's disease progression. Alzheimers Dement 2024; 20:483-493. [PMID: 37690071 PMCID: PMC10917053 DOI: 10.1002/alz.13450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2023] [Revised: 07/11/2023] [Accepted: 08/02/2023] [Indexed: 09/12/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION We studied how biomarkers of reactive astrogliosis mediate the pathogenic cascade in the earliest Alzheimer's disease (AD) stages. METHODS We performed path analysis on data from 384 cognitively unimpaired individuals from the ALzheimer and FAmilies (ALFA)+ study using structural equation modeling to quantify the relationships between biomarkers of reactive astrogliosis and the AD pathological cascade. RESULTS Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) amyloid beta (Aβ)42/40 was associated with Aβ aggregation on positron emission tomography (PET) and with CSF p-tau181 , which was in turn directly associated with CSF neurofilament light (NfL). Plasma glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) mediated the relationship between CSF Aβ42/40 and Aβ-PET, and CSF YKL-40 partly explained the association between Aβ-PET, p-tau181 , and NfL. DISCUSSION Our results suggest that reactive astrogliosis, as indicated by different fluid biomarkers, influences the pathogenic cascade during the preclinical stage of AD. While plasma GFAP mediates the early association between soluble and insoluble Aβ, CSF YKL-40 mediates the latter association between Aβ and downstream Aβ-induced tau pathology and tau-induced neuronal injury. HIGHLIGHTS Lower CSF Aβ42/40 was directly linked to higher plasma GFAP concentrations. Plasma GFAP partially explained the relationship between soluble Aβ and insoluble Aβ. CSF YKL-40 mediated Aβ-induced tau phosphorylation and tau-induced neuronal injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wiesje Pelkmans
- Barcelonaβeta Brain Research Center (BBRC)Pasqual Maragall FoundationBarcelonaSpain
- Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute (IMIM)BarcelonaSpain
| | - Mahnaz Shekari
- Barcelonaβeta Brain Research Center (BBRC)Pasqual Maragall FoundationBarcelonaSpain
- Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute (IMIM)BarcelonaSpain
- Universitat Pompeu FabraBarcelonaSpain
| | - Anna Brugulat‐Serrat
- Barcelonaβeta Brain Research Center (BBRC)Pasqual Maragall FoundationBarcelonaSpain
- Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute (IMIM)BarcelonaSpain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Fragilidad y Envejecimiento Saludable (CIBERFES)MadridSpain
| | - Gonzalo Sánchez‐Benavides
- Barcelonaβeta Brain Research Center (BBRC)Pasqual Maragall FoundationBarcelonaSpain
- Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute (IMIM)BarcelonaSpain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Fragilidad y Envejecimiento Saludable (CIBERFES)MadridSpain
| | - Carolina Minguillón
- Barcelonaβeta Brain Research Center (BBRC)Pasqual Maragall FoundationBarcelonaSpain
- Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute (IMIM)BarcelonaSpain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Fragilidad y Envejecimiento Saludable (CIBERFES)MadridSpain
| | - Karine Fauria
- Barcelonaβeta Brain Research Center (BBRC)Pasqual Maragall FoundationBarcelonaSpain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Fragilidad y Envejecimiento Saludable (CIBERFES)MadridSpain
| | - Jose Luis Molinuevo
- Barcelonaβeta Brain Research Center (BBRC)Pasqual Maragall FoundationBarcelonaSpain
- Lundbeck A/SCopenhagenDenmark
| | - Oriol Grau‐Rivera
- Barcelonaβeta Brain Research Center (BBRC)Pasqual Maragall FoundationBarcelonaSpain
- Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute (IMIM)BarcelonaSpain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Fragilidad y Envejecimiento Saludable (CIBERFES)MadridSpain
| | - Armand González Escalante
- Barcelonaβeta Brain Research Center (BBRC)Pasqual Maragall FoundationBarcelonaSpain
- Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute (IMIM)BarcelonaSpain
| | | | | | - Nicholas J. Ashton
- Department of Psychiatry and NeurochemistryInstitute of Neuroscience and PhysiologyUniversity of GothenburgMölndalSweden
- NIHR Biomedical Research Centre for Mental HealthBiomedical Research Unit for Dementia at South LondonMaudsley NHS FoundationLondonUK
- Wallenberg Centre for Molecular and Translational MedicineUniversity of GothenburgGothenburgSweden
- Institute of PsychiatryPsychology & NeuroscienceKing's College LondonLondonUK
| | - Henrik Zetterberg
- Department of Psychiatry and NeurochemistryInstitute of Neuroscience and PhysiologyUniversity of GothenburgMölndalSweden
- Clinical Neurochemistry LaboratorySahlgrenska University HospitalMölndalSweden
- UK Dementia Research Institute at UCLLondonUK
- Department of Neurodegenerative DiseaseUCL Institute of NeurologyLondonUK
| | - Kaj Blennow
- Department of Psychiatry and NeurochemistryInstitute of Neuroscience and PhysiologyUniversity of GothenburgMölndalSweden
- Clinical Neurochemistry LaboratorySahlgrenska University HospitalMölndalSweden
| | - Marc Suarez‐Calvet
- Barcelonaβeta Brain Research Center (BBRC)Pasqual Maragall FoundationBarcelonaSpain
- Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute (IMIM)BarcelonaSpain
- Lundbeck A/SCopenhagenDenmark
- Servei de NeurologiaHospital del MarBarcelonaSpain
| | - Juan Domingo Gispert
- Barcelonaβeta Brain Research Center (BBRC)Pasqual Maragall FoundationBarcelonaSpain
- Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute (IMIM)BarcelonaSpain
- Lundbeck A/SCopenhagenDenmark
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de BioingenieríaBiomateriales y Nanomedicina (CIBER‐BBN)MadridSpain
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de Lima IBQ, Cardozo PL, Fahel JS, Lacerda JPS, Miranda AS, Teixeira AL, Ribeiro FM. Blockade of mGluR5 in astrocytes derived from human iPSCs modulates astrocytic function and increases phagocytosis. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1283331. [PMID: 38146365 PMCID: PMC10749358 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1283331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2023] [Accepted: 11/23/2023] [Indexed: 12/27/2023] Open
Abstract
TNF-α is essential for induction and maintenance of inflammatory responses and its dysregulation is associated with susceptibility to various pathogens that infect the central nervous system. Activation of both microglia and astrocytes leads to TNF-α production, which in turn triggers further activation of these cells. Astrocytes have been implicated in the pathophysiology of a wide range of neurodegenerative diseases with either harmful or protective roles, as these cells are capable of secreting several inflammatory factors and also promote synapse elimination and remodeling. These responses are possible because they sense their surroundings via several receptors, including the metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 (mGluR5). Under neuroinflammatory conditions, mGluR5 activation in astrocytes can be neuroprotective or have the opposite effect. In the current study, we investigated the role of mGluR5 in hiPSC-derived astrocytes subjected to pro-inflammatory stimulation by recombinant TNF-α (rTNF-α). Our results show that mGluR5 blockade by CTEP decreases the secreted levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6 and IL-8) following short rTNF-α stimulation, although this effect subsides with time. Additionally, CTEP enhances synaptoneurosome phagocytosis by astrocytes in both non-stimulated and rTNF-α-stimulated conditions, indicating that mGluR5 blockade alone is enough to drive synaptic material engulfment. Finally, mGluR5 antagonism as well as rTNF-α stimulation augment the expression of the reactivity marker SERPINA3 and reduces the expression of synaptogenic molecules. Altogether, these data suggest a complex role for mGluR5 in human astrocytes, since its blockade may have beneficial and detrimental effects under inflammatory conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Izabella B. Q. de Lima
- Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Institute of Biological Sciences (ICB), Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Pablo L. Cardozo
- Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Institute of Biological Sciences (ICB), Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Julia S. Fahel
- Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Institute of Biological Sciences (ICB), Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Juliana P. S. Lacerda
- Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Institute of Biological Sciences (ICB), Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Aline S. Miranda
- Department of Morphology, Institute of Biological Sciences (ICB), Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Antônio L. Teixeira
- Neuropsychiatry Program, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Fabiola M. Ribeiro
- Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Institute of Biological Sciences (ICB), Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
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Litwiniuk A, Juszczak GR, Stankiewicz AM, Urbańska K. The role of glial autophagy in Alzheimer's disease. Mol Psychiatry 2023; 28:4528-4539. [PMID: 37679471 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-023-02242-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2023] [Revised: 08/21/2023] [Accepted: 08/25/2023] [Indexed: 09/09/2023]
Abstract
Although Alzheimer's disease is the most pervasive neurodegenerative disorder, the mechanism underlying its development is still not precisely understood. Available data indicate that pathophysiology of this disease may involve impaired autophagy in glial cells. The dysfunction is manifested as reduced ability of astrocytes and microglia to clear abnormal protein aggregates. Consequently, excessive accumulation of amyloid beta plaques and neurofibrillary tangles activates microglia and astrocytes leading to decreased number of mature myelinated oligodendrocytes and death of neurons. These pathologic effects of autophagy dysfunction can be rescued by pharmacological activation of autophagy. Therefore, a deeper understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved in autophagy dysfunction in glial cells in Alzheimer's disease may lead to the development of new therapeutic strategies. However, such strategies need to take into consideration differences in regulation of autophagy in different types of neuroglia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Litwiniuk
- Department of Neuroendocrinology, Centre of Postgraduate Medical Education, Warsaw, Mazovia, Poland
| | - Grzegorz Roman Juszczak
- Department of Animal Behavior and Welfare, Institute of Genetics and Animal Biotechnology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Jastrzębiec, Mazovia, Poland
| | - Adrian Mateusz Stankiewicz
- Department of Molecular Biology, Institute of Genetics and Animal Biotechnology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Jastrzębiec, Mazovia, Poland.
| | - Kaja Urbańska
- Department of Morphological Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, Warsaw, Mazovia, Poland.
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Yeo S, Jang J, Jung HJ, Lee H, Choe Y. Primary cilia-mediated regulation of microglial secretion in Alzheimer's disease. Front Mol Biosci 2023; 10:1250335. [PMID: 37942288 PMCID: PMC10627801 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2023.1250335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2023] [Accepted: 09/28/2023] [Indexed: 11/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a brain disorder manifested by a gradual decline in cognitive function due to the accumulation of extracellular amyloid plaques, disruptions in neuronal substance transport, and the degeneration of neurons. In affected neurons, incomplete clearance of toxic proteins by neighboring microglia leads to irreversible brain inflammation, for which cellular signaling is poorly understood. Through single-cell transcriptomic analysis, we discovered distinct regional differences in the ability of microglia to clear damaged neurites. Specifically, microglia in the septal region of wild type mice exhibited a transcriptomic signature resembling disease-associated microglia (DAM). These lateral septum (LS)-enriched microglia were associated with dense axonal bundles originating from the hippocampus. Further transcriptomic and proteomic approaches revealed that primary cilia, small hair-like structures found on cells, played a role in the regulation of microglial secretory function. Notably, primary cilia were transiently observed in microglia, and their presence was significantly reduced in microglia from AD mice. We observed significant changes in the secretion and proteomic profiles of the secretome after inhibiting the primary cilia gene intraflagellar transport particle 88 (Ift88) in microglia. Intriguingly, inhibiting primary cilia in the septal microglia of AD mice resulted in the expansion of extracellular amyloid plaques and damage to adjacent neurites. These results indicate that DAM-like microglia are present in the LS, a critical target region for hippocampal nerve bundles, and that the primary ciliary signaling system regulates microglial secretion, affecting extracellular proteostasis. Age-related primary ciliopathy probably contributes to the selective sensitivity of microglia, thereby exacerbating AD. Targeting the primary ciliary signaling system could therefore be a viable strategy for modulating neuroimmune responses in AD treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seungeun Yeo
- Korea Brain Research Institute, Daegu, Republic of Korea
| | - Jaemyung Jang
- Korea Brain Research Institute, Daegu, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyun Jin Jung
- Korea Brain Research Institute, Daegu, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyeyoung Lee
- Division of Applied Bioengineering, Dong-eui University, Busan, Republic of Korea
| | - Youngshik Choe
- Korea Brain Research Institute, Daegu, Republic of Korea
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Sámano C, Mazzone GL. The role of astrocytes response triggered by hyperglycaemia during spinal cord injury. Arch Physiol Biochem 2023:1-18. [PMID: 37798949 DOI: 10.1080/13813455.2023.2264538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2023] [Accepted: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 10/07/2023]
Abstract
Objective: This manuscript aimed to provide a comprehensive overview of the physiological, molecular, and cellular mechanisms triggered by reactive astrocytes (RA) in the context of spinal cord injury (SCI), with a particular focus on cases involving hyperglycaemia.Methods: The compilation of articles related to astrocyte responses in neuropathological conditions, with a specific emphasis on those related to SCI and hyperglycaemia, was conducted by searching through databases including Science Direct, Web of Science, and PubMed.Results and Conclusions: This article explores the dual role of astrocytes in both neurophysiological and neurodegenerative conditions within the central nervous system (CNS). In the aftermath of SCI and hyperglycaemia, astrocytes undergo a transformation into RA, adopting a distinct phenotype. While there are currently no approved therapies for SCI, various therapeutic strategies have been proposed to alleviate the detrimental effects of RAs following SCI and hyperglycemia. These strategies show promising potential in the treatment of SCI and its likely comorbidities.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Sámano
- Departamento de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana, Unidad Cuajimalpa (UAM-C), Ciudad de México, México
| | - G L Mazzone
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Medicina Traslacional (IIMT), CONICET-Universidad Austral, Pilar, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Facultad de Ciencias Biomédicas, Universidad Austral, Pilar, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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21
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Tzioras M, Daniels MJD, Davies C, Baxter P, King D, McKay S, Varga B, Popovic K, Hernandez M, Stevenson AJ, Barrington J, Drinkwater E, Borella J, Holloway RK, Tulloch J, Moss J, Latta C, Kandasamy J, Sokol D, Smith C, Miron VE, Káradóttir RT, Hardingham GE, Henstridge CM, Brennan PM, McColl BW, Spires-Jones TL. Human astrocytes and microglia show augmented ingestion of synapses in Alzheimer's disease via MFG-E8. Cell Rep Med 2023; 4:101175. [PMID: 37652017 PMCID: PMC10518633 DOI: 10.1016/j.xcrm.2023.101175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2022] [Revised: 01/30/2023] [Accepted: 08/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/02/2023]
Abstract
Synapse loss correlates with cognitive decline in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Data from mouse models suggests microglia are important for synapse degeneration, but direct human evidence for any glial involvement in synapse removal in human AD remains to be established. Here we observe astrocytes and microglia from human brains contain greater amounts of synaptic protein in AD compared with non-disease controls, and that proximity to amyloid-β plaques and the APOE4 risk gene exacerbate this effect. In culture, mouse and human astrocytes and primary mouse and human microglia phagocytose AD patient-derived synapses more than synapses from controls. Inhibiting interactions of MFG-E8 rescues the elevated engulfment of AD synapses by astrocytes and microglia without affecting control synapse uptake. Thus, AD promotes increased synapse ingestion by human glial cells at least in part via an MFG-E8 opsonophagocytic mechanism with potential for targeted therapeutic manipulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Makis Tzioras
- UK Dementia Research Institute, the University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 9JZ, UK; Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, the University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 9JZ, UK
| | - Michael J D Daniels
- UK Dementia Research Institute, the University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 9JZ, UK; Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, the University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 9JZ, UK
| | - Caitlin Davies
- UK Dementia Research Institute, the University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 9JZ, UK; Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, the University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 9JZ, UK
| | - Paul Baxter
- UK Dementia Research Institute, the University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 9JZ, UK; Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, the University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 9JZ, UK
| | - Declan King
- UK Dementia Research Institute, the University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 9JZ, UK; Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, the University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 9JZ, UK
| | - Sean McKay
- UK Dementia Research Institute, the University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 9JZ, UK; Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, the University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 9JZ, UK
| | - Balazs Varga
- Wellcome - MRC Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 0AW, UK
| | - Karla Popovic
- UK Dementia Research Institute, the University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 9JZ, UK; Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, the University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 9JZ, UK
| | - Madison Hernandez
- UK Dementia Research Institute, the University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 9JZ, UK; Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, the University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 9JZ, UK
| | - Anna J Stevenson
- UK Dementia Research Institute, the University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 9JZ, UK; Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, the University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 9JZ, UK
| | - Jack Barrington
- UK Dementia Research Institute, the University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 9JZ, UK; Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, the University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 9JZ, UK
| | - Elizabeth Drinkwater
- UK Dementia Research Institute, the University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 9JZ, UK; Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, the University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 9JZ, UK
| | - Julia Borella
- UK Dementia Research Institute, the University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 9JZ, UK; Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, the University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 9JZ, UK
| | - Rebecca K Holloway
- MRC Centre for Reproductive Health, the University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4TJ, UK
| | - Jane Tulloch
- UK Dementia Research Institute, the University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 9JZ, UK; Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, the University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 9JZ, UK
| | - Jonathan Moss
- MRC Centre for Reproductive Health, the University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4TJ, UK; The Roslin Institute, the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, the University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH25 9RG, UK
| | - Clare Latta
- UK Dementia Research Institute, the University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 9JZ, UK; Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, the University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 9JZ, UK
| | - Jothy Kandasamy
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4SA, UK
| | - Drahoslav Sokol
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4SA, UK
| | - Colin Smith
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, the University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4SB, UK
| | - Veronique E Miron
- UK Dementia Research Institute, the University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 9JZ, UK; MRC Centre for Reproductive Health, the University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4TJ, UK; Barlo Multiple Sclerosis Centre at St. Michael's Hospital, Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science, Toronto, ON M5B 1T8, Canada
| | | | - Giles E Hardingham
- UK Dementia Research Institute, the University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 9JZ, UK; Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, the University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 9JZ, UK
| | | | - Paul M Brennan
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4SA, UK; Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, the University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4SB, UK
| | - Barry W McColl
- UK Dementia Research Institute, the University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 9JZ, UK; Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, the University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 9JZ, UK.
| | - Tara L Spires-Jones
- UK Dementia Research Institute, the University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 9JZ, UK; Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, the University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 9JZ, UK.
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22
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Stanca S, Rossetti M, Bongioanni P. Astrocytes as Neuroimmunocytes in Alzheimer's Disease: A Biochemical Tool in the Neuron-Glia Crosstalk along the Pathogenetic Pathways. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:13880. [PMID: 37762184 PMCID: PMC10531177 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241813880] [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: 07/30/2023] [Revised: 09/02/2023] [Accepted: 09/08/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
This work aimed at assessing Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathogenesis through the investigation of the astrocytic role to transduce the load of amyloid-beta (Aβ) into neuronal death. The backbone of this review is focused on the deepening of the molecular pathways eliciting the activation of astrocytes crucial phenomena in the understanding of AD as an autoimmune pathology. The complex relations among astrocytes, Aβ and tau, together with the role played by the tripartite synapsis are discussed. A review of studies published from 1979 to 2023 on Scopus, PubMed and Google Scholar databases was conducted. The selected papers focused not only on the morphological and metabolic characteristics of astrocytes, but also on the latest notions about their multifunctional involvement in AD pathogenesis. Astrocytes participate in crucial pathways, including pruning and sprouting, by which the AD neurodegeneration evolves from an aggregopathy to neuroinflammation, loss of synapses and neuronal death. A1 astrocytes stimulate the production of pro-inflammatory molecules which have been correlated with the progression of AD cognitive impairment. Further research is needed to "hold back" the A1 polarization and, thus, to slow the worsening of the disease. AD clinical expression is the result of dysfunctional neuronal interactions, but this is only the end of a process involving a plurality of protagonists. One of these is the astrocyte, whose importance this work intends to put under the spotlight in the AD scenario, reflecting the multifaceted nature of this disease in the functional versatility of this glial population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefano Stanca
- Department of Surgical, Medical, Molecular Pathology and Critical Area, University of Pisa, Via Savi 10, 56126 Pisa, Italy
- NeuroCare Onlus, 56100 Pisa, Italy
| | - Martina Rossetti
- Department of Surgical, Medical, Molecular Pathology and Critical Area, University of Pisa, Via Savi 10, 56126 Pisa, Italy
- NeuroCare Onlus, 56100 Pisa, Italy
| | - Paolo Bongioanni
- NeuroCare Onlus, 56100 Pisa, Italy
- Medical Specialties Department, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Pisana, 56100 Pisa, Italy
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23
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Rose K, Jepson T, Shukla S, Maya-Romero A, Kampmann M, Xu K, Hurley JH. Tau fibrils induce nanoscale membrane damage and nucleate cytosolic tau at lysosomes. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.08.28.555157. [PMID: 37693477 PMCID: PMC10491128 DOI: 10.1101/2023.08.28.555157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/12/2023]
Abstract
The prion-like spread of protein aggregates is a leading hypothesis for the propagation of neurofibrillary lesions in the brain, including the spread of tau inclusions associated with Alzheimer's disease. The mechanisms of cellular uptake of tau seeds and subsequent nucleated polymerization of cytosolic tau are major questions in the field, and the potential for coupling between the entry and nucleation mechanisms has been little explored. We found that in primary astrocytes, endocytosis of tau seeds leads to their accumulation in lysosomes. This in turn leads to lysosomal swelling, deacidification and recruitment of ESCRT proteins, but not Galectin-3, to the lysosomal membrane. These observations are consistent with nanoscale damage of the lysosomal membrane. Using live cell and STORM, imaging, nucleation of cytosolic tau occurs primarily at the lysosome membrane under these conditions. These data suggest that tau seeds escape from lysosomes via nanoscale damage rather than wholesale rupture, and that nucleation of cytosolic tau commences as soon as tau fibril ends emerge from the lysosomal membrane.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin Rose
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720
- California Institute for Quantitative Biosciences, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720
| | - Tyler Jepson
- California Institute for Quantitative Biosciences, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720
- Graduate Group in Biophysics, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720
| | - Sankalp Shukla
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720
- California Institute for Quantitative Biosciences, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720
| | - Alex Maya-Romero
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720
- California Institute for Quantitative Biosciences, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720
| | - Martin Kampmann
- Institute for Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of California, San Francisco, California 94158
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of California, San Francisco, California 94158
| | - Ke Xu
- California Institute for Quantitative Biosciences, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720
- Graduate Group in Biophysics, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720
| | - James H. Hurley
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720
- California Institute for Quantitative Biosciences, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720
- Graduate Group in Biophysics, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720
- Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720
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24
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Zhu Y, Wang R, Pappas AC, Seifert P, Savol A, Sadreyev RI, Sun D, Jakobs TC. Astrocytes in the Optic Nerve Are Heterogeneous in Their Reactivity to Glaucomatous Injury. Cells 2023; 12:2131. [PMID: 37681863 PMCID: PMC10486930 DOI: 10.3390/cells12172131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2022] [Revised: 07/14/2023] [Accepted: 08/18/2023] [Indexed: 09/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The optic nerve head is thought to be the site of initial injury to retinal ganglion cell injury in glaucoma. In the initial segment of the optic nerve directly behind the globe, the ganglion cell axons are unmyelinated and come into direct contact to astrocytes, suggesting that astrocytes may play a role in the pathology of glaucoma. As in other parts of the CNS, optic nerve head astrocytes respond to injury by characteristic changes in cell morphology and gene expression profile. Using RNA-sequencing of glaucomatous optic nerve heads, single-cell PCR, and an in-vivo assay, we demonstrate that an up-regulation of astrocytic phagocytosis is an early event after the onset of increased intraocular pressure. We also show that astrocytes in the glial lamina of the optic nerve are apparently functionally heterogeneous. At any time, even in naïve nerves, some of the cells show signs of reactivity-process hypertrophy, high phagocytic activity, and expression of genetic markers of reactivity whereas neighboring cells apparently are inactive. A period of increased intraocular pressure moves more astrocytes towards the reactive phenotype; however, some cells remain unreactive even in glaucomatous nerves.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Zhu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary/Schepens Eye Research Institute, Harvard Medical School, 20 Staniford Street, Boston, MA 02114, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology, Stanford University, 1651 Page Mill Road, Palo Alto, CA 94304, USA
| | - Rui Wang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary/Schepens Eye Research Institute, Harvard Medical School, 20 Staniford Street, Boston, MA 02114, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Northwest University, Xi’an 710002, China
| | - Anthony C. Pappas
- Department of Ophthalmology, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary/Schepens Eye Research Institute, Harvard Medical School, 20 Staniford Street, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Philip Seifert
- Department of Ophthalmology, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary/Schepens Eye Research Institute, Harvard Medical School, 20 Staniford Street, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Andrej Savol
- Department of Molecular Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA
- Department of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, 185 Cambridge St., Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Ruslan I. Sadreyev
- Department of Molecular Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA
- Department of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, 185 Cambridge St., Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Daniel Sun
- Department of Ophthalmology, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary/Schepens Eye Research Institute, Harvard Medical School, 20 Staniford Street, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Tatjana C. Jakobs
- Department of Ophthalmology, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary/Schepens Eye Research Institute, Harvard Medical School, 20 Staniford Street, Boston, MA 02114, USA
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25
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Pacheco-Sánchez B, Tovar R, Ben Rabaa M, Sánchez-Salido L, Vargas A, Suárez J, Rodríguez de Fonseca F, Rivera P. Sex-Dependent Altered Expression of Cannabinoid Signaling in Hippocampal Astrocytes of the Triple Transgenic Mouse Model of Alzheimer's Disease: Implications for Controlling Astroglial Activity. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:12598. [PMID: 37628778 PMCID: PMC10454447 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241612598] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2023] [Revised: 07/28/2023] [Accepted: 08/05/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a common neurodegenerative disease. In AD-associated neuroinflammation, astrocytes play a key role, finding glial activation both in patients and in animal models. The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is a neurolipid signaling system with anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective properties implicated in AD. Astrocytes respond to external cannabinoid signals and also have their own cannabinoid signaling. Our main objective is to describe the cannabinoid signaling machinery present in hippocampal astrocytes from 3×Tg-AD mice to determine if they are actively involved in the neurodegenerative process. Primary cultures of astrocytes from the hippocampus of 3×Tg-AD and non-Tg offspring were carried out. We analyzed the gene expression of astrogliosis markers, the main components of the ECS and Ca2+ signaling. 3×Tg-AD hippocampal astrocytes show low inflammatory activity (Il1b, Il6, and Gls) and Ca2+ flow (P2rx5 and Mcu), associated with low cannabinoid signaling (Cnr1 and Cnr2). These results were more evident in females. Our study corroborates glial involvement in AD pathology, in which cannabinoid signaling plays an important role. 3×Tg-AD mice born with hippocampal astrocytes with differential gene expression of the ECS associated with an innate attenuation of their activity. In addition, we show that there are sex differences from birth in this AD animal, which should be considered when investigating the pathogenesis of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beatriz Pacheco-Sánchez
- Unidad de Gestión Clínica de Salud Mental, Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga y Plataforma en Nanomedicina-IBIMA Plataforma BIONAND, Hospital Universitario Regional de Málaga, 29010 Málaga, Spain; (B.P.-S.); (R.T.); (M.B.R.); (L.S.-S.); (A.V.); (J.S.)
| | - Rubén Tovar
- Unidad de Gestión Clínica de Salud Mental, Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga y Plataforma en Nanomedicina-IBIMA Plataforma BIONAND, Hospital Universitario Regional de Málaga, 29010 Málaga, Spain; (B.P.-S.); (R.T.); (M.B.R.); (L.S.-S.); (A.V.); (J.S.)
| | - Meriem Ben Rabaa
- Unidad de Gestión Clínica de Salud Mental, Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga y Plataforma en Nanomedicina-IBIMA Plataforma BIONAND, Hospital Universitario Regional de Málaga, 29010 Málaga, Spain; (B.P.-S.); (R.T.); (M.B.R.); (L.S.-S.); (A.V.); (J.S.)
- Molecular Biotechnology, FH Campus Wien, University for Applied Sciences, Favoritenstraße 222, 1100 Vienna, Austria
| | - Lourdes Sánchez-Salido
- Unidad de Gestión Clínica de Salud Mental, Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga y Plataforma en Nanomedicina-IBIMA Plataforma BIONAND, Hospital Universitario Regional de Málaga, 29010 Málaga, Spain; (B.P.-S.); (R.T.); (M.B.R.); (L.S.-S.); (A.V.); (J.S.)
| | - Antonio Vargas
- Unidad de Gestión Clínica de Salud Mental, Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga y Plataforma en Nanomedicina-IBIMA Plataforma BIONAND, Hospital Universitario Regional de Málaga, 29010 Málaga, Spain; (B.P.-S.); (R.T.); (M.B.R.); (L.S.-S.); (A.V.); (J.S.)
| | - Juan Suárez
- Unidad de Gestión Clínica de Salud Mental, Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga y Plataforma en Nanomedicina-IBIMA Plataforma BIONAND, Hospital Universitario Regional de Málaga, 29010 Málaga, Spain; (B.P.-S.); (R.T.); (M.B.R.); (L.S.-S.); (A.V.); (J.S.)
- Departamento de Anatomía Humana, Medicina Legal e Historia de la Ciencia, Universidad de Málaga, 29010 Málaga, Spain
| | - Fernando Rodríguez de Fonseca
- Unidad de Gestión Clínica de Salud Mental, Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga y Plataforma en Nanomedicina-IBIMA Plataforma BIONAND, Hospital Universitario Regional de Málaga, 29010 Málaga, Spain; (B.P.-S.); (R.T.); (M.B.R.); (L.S.-S.); (A.V.); (J.S.)
| | - Patricia Rivera
- Unidad de Gestión Clínica de Salud Mental, Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Málaga y Plataforma en Nanomedicina-IBIMA Plataforma BIONAND, Hospital Universitario Regional de Málaga, 29010 Málaga, Spain; (B.P.-S.); (R.T.); (M.B.R.); (L.S.-S.); (A.V.); (J.S.)
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26
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Park J, Chung WS. Astrocyte-dependent circuit remodeling by synapse phagocytosis. Curr Opin Neurobiol 2023; 81:102732. [PMID: 37247606 DOI: 10.1016/j.conb.2023.102732] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2023] [Revised: 04/30/2023] [Accepted: 05/03/2023] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
In the central nervous system, synaptic pruning, the removal of unnecessary synaptic contacts, is an essential process for proper circuit maturation in neurodevelopment as well as for synaptic homeostasis in the adult stage. Dysregulation of synaptic pruning can contribute to the initiation and progression of various mental disorders, such as schizophrenia and depression, as well as neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer's disease. In the past 15 years, pioneering works have demonstrated that different types of glial cells regulate the number of synapses by selectively eliminating them through phagocytic molecular machinery. Although a majority of findings have been focused on microglia, it is increasingly evident that astrocytes function as a critical player in activity-dependent synapse elimination in developing, adult, and diseased brains. In this review, we will discuss recent findings showing the mechanisms and physiological importance of astrocyte-mediated synapse elimination in controlling synapses and circuit homeostasis. We propose that astrocytes play dominant and non-redundant roles in eliminating synapses during the activity-dependent circuit remodeling processes that do not involve neuro-inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jungjoo Park
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea.
| | - Won-Suk Chung
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea.
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27
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Chen Y, Yu Y. Tau and neuroinflammation in Alzheimer's disease: interplay mechanisms and clinical translation. J Neuroinflammation 2023; 20:165. [PMID: 37452321 PMCID: PMC10349496 DOI: 10.1186/s12974-023-02853-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 33.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2023] [Accepted: 07/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's Disease (AD) contributes to most cases of dementia. Its prominent neuropathological features are the extracellular neuritic plaques and intercellular neurofibrillary tangles composed of aggregated β-amyloid (Aβ) and hyperphosphorylated tau protein, respectively. In the past few decades, disease-modifying therapy targeting Aβ has been the focus of AD drug development. Even though it is encouraging that two of these drugs have recently received accelerated US Food and Drug Administration approval for AD treatment, their efficacy or long-term safety is controversial. Tau has received increasing attention as a potential therapeutic target, since evidence indicates that tau pathology is more associated with cognitive dysfunction. Moreover, inflammation, especially neuroinflammation, accompanies AD pathological processes and is also linked to cognitive deficits. Accumulating evidence indicates that inflammation has a complex and tight interplay with tau pathology. Here, we review recent evidence on the interaction between tau pathology, focusing on tau post-translational modification and dissemination, and neuroinflammatory responses, including glial cell activation and inflammatory signaling pathways. Then, we summarize the latest clinical trials targeting tau and neuroinflammation. Sustained and increased inflammatory responses in glial cells and neurons are pivotal cellular drivers and regulators of the exacerbation of tau pathology, which further contributes to its worsening by aggravating inflammatory responses. Unraveling the precise mechanisms underlying the relationship between tau pathology and neuroinflammation will provide new insights into the discovery and clinical translation of therapeutic targets for AD and other tau-related diseases (tauopathies). Targeting multiple pathologies and precision therapy strategies will be the crucial direction for developing drugs for AD and other tauopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yijun Chen
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Drug Target Identification and Delivery, Engineering Research Center of Cell and Therapeutic Antibody, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Yang Yu
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Drug Target Identification and Delivery, Engineering Research Center of Cell and Therapeutic Antibody, Ministry of Education, School of Pharmacy, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China.
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28
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Pathak D, Sriram K. Neuron-astrocyte omnidirectional signaling in neurological health and disease. Front Mol Neurosci 2023; 16:1169320. [PMID: 37363320 PMCID: PMC10286832 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2023.1169320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2023] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Astrocytes are an abundantly distributed population of glial cells in the central nervous system (CNS) that perform myriad functions in the normal and injured/diseased brain. Astrocytes exhibit heterogeneous phenotypes in response to various insults, a process known as astrocyte reactivity. The accuracy and precision of brain signaling are primarily based on interactions involving neurons, astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, microglia, pericytes, and dendritic cells within the CNS. Astrocytes have emerged as a critical entity within the brain because of their unique role in recycling neurotransmitters, actively modulating the ionic environment, regulating cholesterol and sphingolipid metabolism, and influencing cellular crosstalk in diverse neural injury conditions and neurodegenerative disorders. However, little is known about how an astrocyte functions in synapse formation, axon specification, neuroplasticity, neural homeostasis, neural network activity following dynamic surveillance, and CNS structure in neurological diseases. Interestingly, the tripartite synapse hypothesis came to light to fill some knowledge gaps that constitute an interaction of a subpopulation of astrocytes, neurons, and synapses. This review highlights astrocytes' role in health and neurological/neurodegenerative diseases arising from the omnidirectional signaling between astrocytes and neurons at the tripartite synapse. The review also recapitulates the disruption of the tripartite synapse with a focus on perturbations of the homeostatic astrocytic function as a key driver to modulate the molecular and physiological processes toward neurodegenerative diseases.
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29
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Purushotham SS, Buskila Y. Astrocytic modulation of neuronal signalling. FRONTIERS IN NETWORK PHYSIOLOGY 2023; 3:1205544. [PMID: 37332623 PMCID: PMC10269688 DOI: 10.3389/fnetp.2023.1205544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2023] [Accepted: 05/18/2023] [Indexed: 06/20/2023]
Abstract
Neuronal signalling is a key element in neuronal communication and is essential for the proper functioning of the CNS. Astrocytes, the most prominent glia in the brain play a key role in modulating neuronal signalling at the molecular, synaptic, cellular, and network levels. Over the past few decades, our knowledge about astrocytes and their functioning has evolved from considering them as merely a brain glue that provides structural support to neurons, to key communication elements. Astrocytes can regulate the activity of neurons by controlling the concentrations of ions and neurotransmitters in the extracellular milieu, as well as releasing chemicals and gliotransmitters that modulate neuronal activity. The aim of this review is to summarise the main processes through which astrocytes are modulating brain function. We will systematically distinguish between direct and indirect pathways in which astrocytes affect neuronal signalling at all levels. Lastly, we will summarize pathological conditions that arise once these signalling pathways are impaired focusing on neurodegeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Yossi Buskila
- School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Campbelltown, NSW, Australia
- The MARCS Institute, Western Sydney University, Campbelltown, NSW, Australia
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30
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Gullotta GS, Costantino G, Sortino MA, Spampinato SF. Microglia and the Blood-Brain Barrier: An External Player in Acute and Chronic Neuroinflammatory Conditions. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24119144. [PMID: 37298096 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24119144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2023] [Revised: 05/18/2023] [Accepted: 05/20/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Microglia are the resident immune cells of the central nervous system that guarantee immune surveillance and exert also a modulating role on neuronal synaptic development and function. Upon injury, microglia get activated and modify their morphology acquiring an ameboid phenotype and pro- or anti-inflammatory features. The active role of microglia in blood-brain barrier (BBB) function and their interaction with different cellular components of the BBB-endothelial cells, astrocytes and pericytes-are described. Here, we report the specific crosstalk of microglia with all the BBB cell types focusing in particular on the involvement of microglia in the modulation of BBB function in neuroinflammatory conditions that occur in conjunction with an acute event, such as a stroke, or in a slow neurodegenerative disease, such as Alzheimer's disease. The potential of microglia to exert a dual role, either protective or detrimental, depending on disease stages and environmental conditioning factors is also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giorgia Serena Gullotta
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Costantino
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy
- Ph.D. Program in Neuroscience and Education, DISTUM, University of Foggia, 71121 Foggia, Italy
| | - Maria Angela Sortino
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy
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31
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Abbate C. The Adult Neurogenesis Theory of Alzheimer's Disease. J Alzheimers Dis 2023:JAD221279. [PMID: 37182879 DOI: 10.3233/jad-221279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease starts in neural stem cells (NSCs) in the niches of adult neurogenesis. All primary factors responsible for pathological tau hyperphosphorylation are inherent to adult neurogenesis and migration. However, when amyloid pathology is present, it strongly amplifies tau pathogenesis. Indeed, the progressive accumulation of extracellular amyloid-β deposits in the brain triggers a state of chronic inflammation by microglia. Microglial activation has a significant pro-neurogenic effect that fosters the process of adult neurogenesis and supports neuronal migration. Unfortunately, this "reactive" pro-neurogenic activity ultimately perturbs homeostatic equilibrium in the niches of adult neurogenesis by amplifying tau pathogenesis in AD. This scenario involves NSCs in the subgranular zone of the hippocampal dentate gyrus in late-onset AD (LOAD) and NSCs in the ventricular-subventricular zone along the lateral ventricles in early-onset AD (EOAD), including familial AD (FAD). Neuroblasts carrying the initial seed of tau pathology travel throughout the brain via neuronal migration driven by complex signals and convey the disease from the niches of adult neurogenesis to near (LOAD) or distant (EOAD) brain regions. In these locations, or in close proximity, a focus of degeneration begins to develop. Then, tau pathology spreads from the initial foci to large neuronal networks along neural connections through neuron-to-neuron transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlo Abbate
- IRCCS Fondazione Don Carlo Gnocchi ONLUS, Milan, Italy
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32
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Saura CA, Deprada A, Capilla-López MD, Parra-Damas A. Revealing cell vulnerability in Alzheimer's disease by single-cell transcriptomics. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2023; 139:73-83. [PMID: 35623983 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2022.05.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2022] [Revised: 05/12/2022] [Accepted: 05/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder that by affecting specific brain cell types and regions cause severe pathological and functional changes in memory neural circuits. A comprehensive knowledge of the pathogenic mechanisms underlying AD requires a deeper understanding of the cell-specific pathological responses through integrative molecular analyses. Recent application of high-throughput single-cell transcriptomics to postmortem tissue has proved powerful to unravel cell susceptibility and biological networks responding to amyloid and tau pathologies. Here, we review single-cell transcriptomic studies successfully applied to decipher cell-specific gene expression programs and pathways in the brain of AD patients. Transcriptional information reveals both specific and common gene signatures affecting the major cerebral cell types, including astrocytes, endothelial cells, microglia, neurons, and oligodendrocytes. Cell type-specific transcriptomes associated with AD pathology and clinical symptoms are related to common biological networks affecting, among others pathways, synaptic function, inflammation, proteostasis, cell death, oxidative stress, and myelination. The general picture that emerges from systems-level single-cell transcriptomics is a spatiotemporal pattern of cell diversity and biological pathways, and novel cell subpopulations affected in AD brain. We argue that broader implementation of cell transcriptomics in larger AD human cohorts using standardized protocols is fundamental for reliable assessment of temporal and regional cell-type gene profiling. The possibility of applying this methodology for personalized medicine in clinics is still challenging but opens new roads for future diagnosis and treatment in dementia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos A Saura
- Institut de Neurociències, Department de Bioquímica i Biologia Molecular, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona 08193, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Spain.
| | - Angel Deprada
- Institut de Neurociències, Department de Bioquímica i Biologia Molecular, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona 08193, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Spain
| | - Maria Dolores Capilla-López
- Institut de Neurociències, Department de Bioquímica i Biologia Molecular, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona 08193, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Spain
| | - Arnaldo Parra-Damas
- Institut de Neurociències, Department de Bioquímica i Biologia Molecular, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona 08193, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Spain
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33
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Zott B, Konnerth A. Impairments of glutamatergic synaptic transmission in Alzheimer's disease. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2023; 139:24-34. [PMID: 35337739 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2022.03.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2022] [Revised: 03/09/2022] [Accepted: 03/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
One of the hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease (AD) is structural cell damage and neuronal death in the brains of affected individuals. As these changes are irreversible, it is important to understand their origins and precursors in order to develop treatment strategies against AD. Here, we review evidence for AD-specific impairments of glutamatergic synaptic transmission by relating evidence from human AD subjects to functional studies in animal models of AD. The emerging picture is that early in the disease, the accumulation of toxic β-amyloid aggregates, particularly dimers and low molecular weight oligomers, disrupts glutamate reuptake, which leads to its extracellular accumulation causing neuronal depolarization. This drives the hyperactivation of neurons and might facilitate neuronal damage and degeneration through glutamate neurotoxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benedikt Zott
- Institute of Neuroscience, Technical University of Munich, 80802 Munich, Germany; Munich Cluster for Systems Neurology, Technical University of Munich, 80802 Munich, Germany; Department of Neuroradiology, Klinikum Rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, 81675 Munich, Germany.
| | - Arthur Konnerth
- Institute of Neuroscience, Technical University of Munich, 80802 Munich, Germany; Munich Cluster for Systems Neurology, Technical University of Munich, 80802 Munich, Germany
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34
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Griffiths J, Grant SGN. Synapse pathology in Alzheimer's disease. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2023; 139:13-23. [PMID: 35690535 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2022.05.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2022] [Revised: 05/12/2022] [Accepted: 05/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Synapse loss and damage are central features of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and contribute to the onset and progression of its behavioural and physiological features. Here we review the literature describing synapse pathology in AD, from what we have learned from microscopy in terms of its impacts on synapse architecture, to the mechanistic role of Aβ, tau and glial cells, mitochondrial dysfunction, and the link with AD risk genes. We consider the emerging view that synapse pathology may operate at a further level, that of synapse diversity, and discuss the prospects for leveraging new synaptome mapping methods to comprehensively understand the molecular properties of vulnerable and resilient synapses. Uncovering AD impacts on brain synapse diversity should inform therapeutic approaches targeted at preserving or replenishing lost and damaged synapses and aid the interpretation of clinical imaging approaches that aim to measure synapse damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Griffiths
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4SB, UK; Dementia Research Institute at Imperial College, Department of Brain Sciences, Imperial College London, London W12 0NN, UK
| | - Seth G N Grant
- Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4SB, UK.
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35
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St-Pierre MK, Carrier M, González Ibáñez F, Khakpour M, Wallman MJ, Parent M, Tremblay MÈ. Astrocytes display ultrastructural alterations and heterogeneity in the hippocampus of aged APP-PS1 mice and human post-mortem brain samples. J Neuroinflammation 2023; 20:73. [PMID: 36918925 PMCID: PMC10015698 DOI: 10.1186/s12974-023-02752-7] [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: 12/15/2022] [Accepted: 02/24/2023] [Indexed: 03/16/2023] Open
Abstract
The past decade has witnessed increasing evidence for a crucial role played by glial cells, notably astrocytes, in Alzheimer's disease (AD). To provide novel insights into the roles of astrocytes in the pathophysiology of AD, we performed a quantitative ultrastructural characterization of their intracellular contents and parenchymal interactions in an aged mouse model of AD pathology, as aging is considered the main risk factor for developing AD. We compared 20-month-old APP-PS1 and age-matched C57BL/6J male mice, among the ventral hippocampus CA1 strata lacunosum-moleculare and radiatum, two hippocampal layers severely affected by AD pathology. Astrocytes in both layers interacted more with synaptic elements and displayed more ultrastructural markers of increased phagolysosomal activity in APP-PS1 versus C57BL6/J mice. In addition, we investigated the ultrastructural heterogeneity of astrocytes, describing in the two examined layers a dark astrocytic state that we characterized in terms of distribution, interactions with AD hallmarks, and intracellular contents. This electron-dense astrocytic state, termed dark astrocytes, was observed throughout the hippocampal parenchyma, closely associated with the vasculature, and possessed several ultrastructural markers of cellular stress. A case study exploring the hippocampal head of an aged human post-mortem brain sample also revealed the presence of a similar electron-dense, dark astrocytic state. Overall, our study provides the first ultrastructural quantitative analysis of astrocytes among the hippocampus in aged AD pathology, as well as a thorough characterization of a dark astrocytic state conserved from mouse to human.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie-Kim St-Pierre
- Axe Neurosciences, Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec-Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada.,Départment de Médecine Moléculaire, Faculté de Médecine, Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada.,Division of Medical Sciences, Medical Sciences Building, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada
| | - Micaël Carrier
- Axe Neurosciences, Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec-Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada.,Division of Medical Sciences, Medical Sciences Building, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada
| | - Fernando González Ibáñez
- Axe Neurosciences, Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec-Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada.,Départment de Médecine Moléculaire, Faculté de Médecine, Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada.,Division of Medical Sciences, Medical Sciences Building, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada
| | - Mohammadparsa Khakpour
- Division of Medical Sciences, Medical Sciences Building, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada
| | - Marie-Josée Wallman
- Département de Psychiatrie et de Neurosciences, Faculté de Médecine, Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada.,CERVO Brain Research Center, Quebec City, QC, Canada
| | - Martin Parent
- Département de Psychiatrie et de Neurosciences, Faculté de Médecine, Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada.,CERVO Brain Research Center, Quebec City, QC, Canada
| | - Marie-Ève Tremblay
- Axe Neurosciences, Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec-Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada. .,Départment de Médecine Moléculaire, Faculté de Médecine, Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada. .,Division of Medical Sciences, Medical Sciences Building, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada. .,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada. .,Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada. .,Centre for Advanced Materials and Related Technology (CAMTEC), University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada. .,Institute on Aging and Lifelong Health, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada.
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36
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Zyśk M, Beretta C, Naia L, Dakhel A, Påvénius L, Brismar H, Lindskog M, Ankarcrona M, Erlandsson A. Amyloid-β accumulation in human astrocytes induces mitochondrial disruption and changed energy metabolism. J Neuroinflammation 2023; 20:43. [PMID: 36803838 PMCID: PMC9940442 DOI: 10.1186/s12974-023-02722-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2022] [Accepted: 02/07/2023] [Indexed: 02/22/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Astrocytes play a central role in maintaining brain energy metabolism, but are also tightly connected to the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Our previous studies demonstrate that inflammatory astrocytes accumulate large amounts of aggregated amyloid-beta (Aβ). However, in which way these Aβ deposits influence their energy production remain unclear. METHODS The aim of the present study was to investigate how Aβ pathology in astrocytes affects their mitochondria functionality and overall energy metabolism. For this purpose, human induced pluripotent cell (hiPSC)-derived astrocytes were exposed to sonicated Aβ42 fibrils for 7 days and analyzed over time using different experimental approaches. RESULTS Our results show that to maintain stable energy production, the astrocytes initially increased their mitochondrial fusion, but eventually the Aβ-mediated stress led to abnormal mitochondrial swelling and excessive fission. Moreover, we detected increased levels of phosphorylated DRP-1 in the Aβ-exposed astrocytes, which co-localized with lipid droplets. Analysis of ATP levels, when blocking certain stages of the energy pathways, indicated a metabolic shift to peroxisomal-based fatty acid β-oxidation and glycolysis. CONCLUSIONS Taken together, our data conclude that Aβ pathology profoundly affects human astrocytes and changes their entire energy metabolism, which could result in disturbed brain homeostasis and aggravated disease progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marlena Zyśk
- grid.8993.b0000 0004 1936 9457Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences, Molecular Geriatrics, Rudbeck Laboratory, Uppsala University, 752 37 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Chiara Beretta
- grid.8993.b0000 0004 1936 9457Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences, Molecular Geriatrics, Rudbeck Laboratory, Uppsala University, 752 37 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Luana Naia
- grid.4714.60000 0004 1937 0626Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Division of Neurogeriatrics, BioClinicum, Karolinska Institutet, 171 64 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Abdulkhalek Dakhel
- grid.8993.b0000 0004 1936 9457Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences, Molecular Geriatrics, Rudbeck Laboratory, Uppsala University, 752 37 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Linnea Påvénius
- grid.4714.60000 0004 1937 0626Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, Karolinska Institutet, 171 65 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Hjalmar Brismar
- grid.4714.60000 0004 1937 0626Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, Karolinska Institutet, 171 65 Stockholm, Sweden ,grid.5037.10000000121581746Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Applied Physics, Royal Institute of Technology, Solna, 171 65 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Maria Lindskog
- grid.8993.b0000 0004 1936 9457Department of Medical Cell Biology, BMC, Uppsala University, 751 23 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Maria Ankarcrona
- grid.4714.60000 0004 1937 0626Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Division of Neurogeriatrics, BioClinicum, Karolinska Institutet, 171 64 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Anna Erlandsson
- Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences, Molecular Geriatrics, Rudbeck Laboratory, Uppsala University, 752 37, Uppsala, Sweden.
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37
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Liu Y, Shen X, Zhang Y, Zheng X, Cepeda C, Wang Y, Duan S, Tong X. Interactions of glial cells with neuronal synapses, from astrocytes to microglia and oligodendrocyte lineage cells. Glia 2023; 71:1383-1401. [PMID: 36799296 DOI: 10.1002/glia.24343] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2022] [Revised: 01/06/2023] [Accepted: 01/08/2023] [Indexed: 02/18/2023]
Abstract
The mammalian brain is a complex organ comprising neurons, glia, and more than 1 × 1014 synapses. Neurons are a heterogeneous group of electrically active cells, which form the framework of the complex circuitry of the brain. However, glial cells, which are primarily divided into astrocytes, microglia, oligodendrocytes (OLs), and oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs), constitute approximately half of all neural cells in the mammalian central nervous system (CNS) and mainly provide nutrition and tropic support to neurons in the brain. In the last two decades, the concept of "tripartite synapses" has drawn great attention, which emphasizes that astrocytes are an integral part of the synapse and regulate neuronal activity in a feedback manner after receiving neuronal signals. Since then, synaptic modulation by glial cells has been extensively studied and substantially revised. In this review, we summarize the latest significant findings on how glial cells, in particular, microglia and OL lineage cells, impact and remodel the structure and function of synapses in the brain. Our review highlights the cellular and molecular aspects of neuron-glia crosstalk and provides additional information on how aberrant synaptic communication between neurons and glia may contribute to neural pathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yao Liu
- Songjiang Institute and Songjiang Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Department of Anatomy and Physiology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Xi Shen
- Songjiang Institute and Songjiang Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Department of Anatomy and Physiology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yuhan Zhang
- College of Basic Medical Science, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaoli Zheng
- Songjiang Institute and Songjiang Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Department of Anatomy and Physiology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Carlos Cepeda
- Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Yao Wang
- Department of Assisted Reproduction, The Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Shumin Duan
- Songjiang Institute and Songjiang Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Liangzhu Laboratory, MOE Frontier Science Center for Brain Science and Brain-Machine Integration, State Key Laboratory of Brain-Machine Intelligence, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xiaoping Tong
- Songjiang Institute and Songjiang Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Department of Anatomy and Physiology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Research Center for Brain Science and Brain-Inspired Intelligence, Shanghai, China
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38
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de Sousa DMB, Benedetti A, Altendorfer B, Mrowetz H, Unger MS, Schallmoser K, Aigner L, Kniewallner KM. Immune-mediated platelet depletion augments Alzheimer's disease neuropathological hallmarks in APP-PS1 mice. Aging (Albany NY) 2023; 15:630-649. [PMID: 36734880 PMCID: PMC9970308 DOI: 10.18632/aging.204502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2022] [Accepted: 01/23/2023] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
In Alzheimer's disease (AD), platelets become dysfunctional and might contribute to amyloid beta deposition. Here, we depleted platelets in one-year-old APP Swedish PS1 dE9 (APP-PS1) transgenic mice for five days, using intraperitoneal injections of an anti-CD42b antibody, and assessed changes in cerebral amyloidosis, plaque-associated neuritic dystrophy and gliosis. In APP-PS1 female mice, platelet depletion shifted amyloid plaque size distribution towards bigger plaques and increased neuritic dystrophy in the hippocampus. In platelet-depleted females, plaque-associated Iba1+ microglia had lower amounts of fibrillar amyloid beta cargo and GFAP+ astrocytic processes showed a higher overlap with thioflavin S+ amyloid plaques. In contrast to the popular hypothesis that platelets foster plaque pathology, our data suggest that platelets might limit plaque growth and attenuate plaque-related neuritic dystrophy at advanced stages of amyloid plaque pathology in APP-PS1 female mice. Whether the changes in amyloid plaque pathology are due to a direct effect on amyloid beta deposition or are a consequence of altered glial function needs to be further elucidated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana M. Bessa de Sousa
- Institute of Molecular Regenerative Medicine, Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria,Spinal Cord Injury and Tissue Regeneration Center Salzburg (SCI-TReCS), Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Ariane Benedetti
- Spinal Cord Injury and Tissue Regeneration Center Salzburg (SCI-TReCS), Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria,Institute of Experimental Neuroregeneration, Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Barbara Altendorfer
- Institute of Molecular Regenerative Medicine, Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria,Spinal Cord Injury and Tissue Regeneration Center Salzburg (SCI-TReCS), Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Heike Mrowetz
- Institute of Molecular Regenerative Medicine, Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria,Spinal Cord Injury and Tissue Regeneration Center Salzburg (SCI-TReCS), Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Michael S. Unger
- Institute of Molecular Regenerative Medicine, Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria,Spinal Cord Injury and Tissue Regeneration Center Salzburg (SCI-TReCS), Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Katharina Schallmoser
- Spinal Cord Injury and Tissue Regeneration Center Salzburg (SCI-TReCS), Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria,Department of Transfusion Medicine, University Clinic, Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Ludwig Aigner
- Institute of Molecular Regenerative Medicine, Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria,Spinal Cord Injury and Tissue Regeneration Center Salzburg (SCI-TReCS), Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria,Austrian Cluster for Tissue Regeneration, Vienna, Austria
| | - Kathrin Maria Kniewallner
- Institute of Molecular Regenerative Medicine, Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria,Spinal Cord Injury and Tissue Regeneration Center Salzburg (SCI-TReCS), Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria
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39
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Fan S, Weixuan W, Han H, Liansheng Z, Gang L, Jierui W, Yanshu Z. Role of NF-κB in lead exposure-induced activation of astrocytes based on bioinformatics analysis of hippocampal proteomics. Chem Biol Interact 2023; 370:110310. [PMID: 36539177 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbi.2022.110310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2022] [Revised: 12/05/2022] [Accepted: 12/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Lead (Pb), as a heavy metal, is used in batteries, ceramics, paint, pipes, certain ceramics, e-waste recycling, etc. Chronic Pb exposure can result in the inflammation of the central nervous system, as well as neurobehavioral changes. Both glial cells and neurons are involved in central nervous injury following Pb exposure. However, significant cellular events and their key regulators following Pb exposure remain to be elucidated. In this study, rats were randomly exposed to 250 or 500 mg/L PbAc for 9 weeks. Hippocampal proteomics was performed using isobaric tags for relative absolute quantification. Bioinformatics analysis was used to identify 301 and 267 differentially expressed proteins-which were involved in biological processes, including glial cell activation, neural nucleus development, and mRNA processing-in the low and high Pb exposure groups, respectively. Gene Set Enrichment Analysis showed that astrocyte activation was identified as a significant cellular event occurring in the low- or high-dose Pb exposure group. Subsequently, in vivo and in vitro models of Pb exposure were established to confirm astrocyte activation. As a result, glial fibrillary acidic protein expression in astrocytes was much higher in the Pb exposure group. Moreover, the mRNA expression of neurotoxic reactive astrocyte genes was much higher than that of the control group. The analysis of transcription factors indicated that NF-κB was screened as the top transcription factor, which might regulate astrocyte activation following Pb exposure in the rat hippocampus. The data also showed that the inhibition of NF-κB transcription suppressed astrocyte activation following Pb exposure. Overall, astrocyte activation was one of the significant cellular events following Pb exposure in the rat hippocampus, which was regulated by the NF-κB transcription factor, suggesting that inhibiting astrocyte activation may be a potential target for the prevention of Pb neurotoxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shi Fan
- School of Public Health, North China University of Science of Technology, Tangshan, 062310, Hebei, China.
| | - Wang Weixuan
- School of Public Health, North China University of Science of Technology, Tangshan, 062310, Hebei, China.
| | - Hao Han
- School of Public Health, North China University of Science of Technology, Tangshan, 062310, Hebei, China.
| | - Zhang Liansheng
- School of Public Health, North China University of Science of Technology, Tangshan, 062310, Hebei, China.
| | - Liu Gang
- Department of Medicine, North China University of Science of Technology, Tangshan, 062310, Hebei, China.
| | - Wang Jierui
- School of Public Health, North China University of Science of Technology, Tangshan, 062310, Hebei, China.
| | - Zhang Yanshu
- School of Public Health, North China University of Science of Technology, Tangshan, 062310, Hebei, China; Laboratory Animal Center, North China University of Science and Technology, Tangshan Hebei, 063210, People's Republic of China.
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40
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Gotoh M, Miyamoto Y, Ikeshima-Kataoka H. Astrocytic Neuroimmunological Roles Interacting with Microglial Cells in Neurodegenerative Diseases. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24021599. [PMID: 36675113 PMCID: PMC9865248 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24021599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2022] [Revised: 01/06/2023] [Accepted: 01/10/2023] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Both astrocytic and microglial functions have been extensively investigated in healthy subjects and neurodegenerative diseases. For astrocytes, not only various sub-types were identified but phagocytic activity was also clarified recently and is making dramatic progress. In this review paper, we mostly focus on the functional role of astrocytes in the extracellular matrix and on interactions between reactive astrocytes and reactive microglia in normal states and in neurodegenerative diseases, because the authors feel it is necessary to elucidate the mechanisms among activated glial cells in the pathology of neurological diseases in order to pave the way for drug discovery. Finally, we will review cyclic phosphatidic acid (cPA), a naturally occurring phospholipid mediator that induces a variety of biological activities in the brain both in vivo and in vitro. We propose that cPA may serve as a novel therapeutic molecule for the treatment of brain injury and neuroinflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mari Gotoh
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, Faculty of Medical Technology, Teikyo University, 2-11-1, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo 173-8605, Japan
- Institute for Human Life Science, Ochanomizu University, 2-1-1 Ohtsuka, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 112-8610, Japan
| | - Yasunori Miyamoto
- Institute for Human Life Science, Ochanomizu University, 2-1-1 Ohtsuka, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 112-8610, Japan
| | - Hiroko Ikeshima-Kataoka
- Department of Biology, Keio University, 4-1-1, Hiyoshi, Kohoku-ku, Yokohama 223-8521, Japan
- Department of Biosciences and Informatics, Faculty of Science and Technology, Keio University, 3-14-1 Hiyoshi, Kohoku-ku, Yokohama 223-8522, Japan
- Faculty of Science and Engineering, Waseda University, 3-4-1 Okubo, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 169-8555, Japan
- Correspondence:
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41
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Tzioras M, McGeachan RI, Durrant CS, Spires-Jones TL. Synaptic degeneration in Alzheimer disease. Nat Rev Neurol 2023; 19:19-38. [PMID: 36513730 DOI: 10.1038/s41582-022-00749-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 109] [Impact Index Per Article: 109.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Alzheimer disease (AD) is characterized by progressive cognitive decline in older individuals accompanied by the presence of two pathological protein aggregates - amyloid-β and phosphorylated tau - in the brain. The disease results in brain atrophy caused by neuronal loss and synapse degeneration. Synaptic loss strongly correlates with cognitive decline in both humans and animal models of AD. Indeed, evidence suggests that soluble forms of amyloid-β and tau can cause synaptotoxicity and spread through neural circuits. These pathological changes are accompanied by an altered phenotype in the glial cells of the brain - one hypothesis is that glia excessively ingest synapses and modulate the trans-synaptic spread of pathology. To date, effective therapies for the treatment or prevention of AD are lacking, but understanding how synaptic degeneration occurs will be essential for the development of new interventions. Here, we highlight the mechanisms through which synapses degenerate in the AD brain, and discuss key questions that still need to be answered. We also cover the ways in which our understanding of the mechanisms of synaptic degeneration is leading to new therapeutic approaches for AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Makis Tzioras
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.,UK Dementia Research Institute, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Robert I McGeachan
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.,UK Dementia Research Institute, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.,The Hospital for Small Animals, Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Claire S Durrant
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.,UK Dementia Research Institute, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Tara L Spires-Jones
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK. .,UK Dementia Research Institute, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.
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42
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Differential biochemical-inflammatory patterns in the astrocyte-neuron axis of the hippocampus and frontal cortex in Wistar rats with metabolic syndrome induced by high fat or carbohydrate diets. J Chem Neuroanat 2022; 126:102186. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jchemneu.2022.102186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2022] [Revised: 10/20/2022] [Accepted: 10/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
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43
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Microglial debris is cleared by astrocytes via C4b-facilitated phagocytosis and degraded via RUBICON-dependent noncanonical autophagy in mice. Nat Commun 2022; 13:6233. [PMID: 36280666 PMCID: PMC9592609 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-33932-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2022] [Accepted: 10/06/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Microglia are important immune cells in the central nervous system (CNS) that undergo turnover throughout the lifespan. If microglial debris is not removed in a timely manner, accumulated debris may influence CNS function. Clearance of microglial debris is crucial for CNS homeostasis. However, underlying mechanisms remain obscure. We here investigate how dead microglia are removed. We find that although microglia can phagocytose microglial debris in vitro, the territory-dependent competition hinders the microglia-to-microglial debris engulfment in vivo. In contrast, microglial debris is mainly phagocytosed by astrocytes in the brain, facilitated by C4b opsonization. The engulfed microglial fragments are then degraded in astrocytes via RUBICON-dependent LC3-associated phagocytosis (LAP), a form of noncanonical autophagy. Interference with C4b-mediated engulfment and subsequent LAP disrupt the removal and degradation of microglial debris, respectively. Together, we elucidate the cellular and molecular mechanisms of microglial debris removal in mice, extending the knowledge on the maintenance of CNS homeostasis.
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St-Pierre MK, Carrier M, González Ibáñez F, Šimončičová E, Wallman MJ, Vallières L, Parent M, Tremblay MÈ. Ultrastructural characterization of dark microglia during aging in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease pathology and in human post-mortem brain samples. J Neuroinflammation 2022; 19:235. [PMID: 36167544 PMCID: PMC9513936 DOI: 10.1186/s12974-022-02595-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2022] [Accepted: 09/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
A diverse heterogeneity of microglial cells was previously described in Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathology, including dark microglia, a state characterized by ultrastructural markers of cellular stress. To provide novel insights into the roles of dark microglia during aging in the context of AD pathology, we performed a quantitative density and ultrastructural analysis of these cells using high-throughput scanning electron microscopy in the ventral hippocampus CA1 stratum lacunosum-moleculare of 20-month-old APP-PS1 vs C57BL/6J male mice. The density of dark microglia was significantly higher in APP-PS1 vs C57BL/6J mice, with these cells accounting for nearly half of all microglia observed near amyloid-beta (Aβ) plaques. This dark microglial state interacted more with dystrophic neurites compared to other APP-PS1 microglia and possessed glycogen granules, associated with a metabolic shift toward glycolysis, which provides the first ultrastructural evidence of their presence in microglia. Dark microglia were further observed in aging human post-mortem brain samples showing similar ultrastructural features as in mouse. Overall, our results provide a quantitative ultrastructural characterization of a microglial state associated with cellular stress (i.e., dark microglia) that is primarily restricted near Aβ plaques and dystrophic neurites. The presence of this microglial state in the aging human post-mortem brain is further revealed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie-Kim St-Pierre
- Axe Neurosciences, Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec-Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada.,Department of Molecular Medicine, Université Laval, Québec City, QC, Canada.,Division of Medical Sciences, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada
| | - Micaël Carrier
- Axe Neurosciences, Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec-Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada.,Division of Medical Sciences, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada
| | - Fernando González Ibáñez
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Université Laval, Québec City, QC, Canada.,Division of Medical Sciences, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada
| | - Eva Šimončičová
- Division of Medical Sciences, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada.,Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada
| | - Marie-Josée Wallman
- Département de Psychiatrie et de Neurosciences, Faculté de Médecine, Université Laval, Quebec, QC, Canada.,CERVO Brain Research Center, Quebec, QC, Canada
| | - Luc Vallières
- Axe Neurosciences, Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec-Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada.,Department of Molecular Medicine, Université Laval, Québec City, QC, Canada
| | - Martin Parent
- Département de Psychiatrie et de Neurosciences, Faculté de Médecine, Université Laval, Quebec, QC, Canada.,CERVO Brain Research Center, Quebec, QC, Canada
| | - Marie-Ève Tremblay
- Axe Neurosciences, Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec-Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada. .,Department of Molecular Medicine, Université Laval, Québec City, QC, Canada. .,Division of Medical Sciences, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada. .,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada. .,Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada. .,Centre for Advanced Materials and Related Technology (CAMTEC), University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada.
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45
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Singh D. Astrocytic and microglial cells as the modulators of neuroinflammation in Alzheimer's disease. J Neuroinflammation 2022; 19:206. [PMID: 35978311 PMCID: PMC9382837 DOI: 10.1186/s12974-022-02565-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 110] [Impact Index Per Article: 55.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2022] [Accepted: 08/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuroinflammation is instigated by the misfiring of immune cells in the central nervous system (CNS) involving microglia and astrocytes as key cell-types. Neuroinflammation is a consequence of CNS injury, infection, toxicity, or autoimmunity. It is favorable as well as a detrimental process for neurodevelopment and associated processes. Transient activation of inflammatory response involving release of cytokines and growth factors positively affects the development and post-injury tissue. However, chronic or uncontrolled inflammatory responses may lead to various neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and multiple sclerosis. These diseases have variable clinical and pathological features, but are underlaid by the aggregation of misfolded proteins with a cytotoxic effect. Notably, abnormal activation of glial cells could mediate neuroinflammation, leading to the neurodegenerative condition. Microglia, a type of glial cell, a resident immune cell, form the forefront defense of the CNS immune system. Dysfunctional microglia and astrocyte, a different kind of glial cell with homeostatic function, impairs the protein aggregate (amyloid-beta plaque) clearance in AD. Studies have shown that microglia and astrocytes undergo alterations in their genetic profile, cellular and molecular responses, and thus promote dysfunctional immune cross-talk in AD. Hence, targeting microglia and astrocytes-driven molecular pathways could resolve the particular layers of neuroinflammation and set a reliable therapeutic intervention in AD progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deepali Singh
- National Brain Research Centre, Manesar, Haryana, 122052, India.
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46
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St-Pierre MK, VanderZwaag J, Loewen S, Tremblay MÈ. All roads lead to heterogeneity: The complex involvement of astrocytes and microglia in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease. Front Cell Neurosci 2022; 16:932572. [PMID: 36035256 PMCID: PMC9413962 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2022.932572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
In recent years, glial cells have been acknowledged as key players in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), a neurodegenerative condition in which an accumulation of intracellular neurofibrillary tangles and extracellular fibrillar amyloid beta is notably observed in the central nervous system. Genome-wide association studies have shown, both in microglia and astrocytes, an increase in gene variants associated with a higher risk of developing late-onset AD. Microglia, the resident innate immune cells of the brain, and astrocytes, glial cells crucial for vascular integrity and neuronal support, both agglomerate near amyloid beta plaques and dystrophic neurites where they participate in the elimination of these harmful parenchymal elements. However, their role in AD pathogenesis has been challenging to resolve due to the highly heterogeneous nature of these cell populations, i.e., their molecular, morphological, and ultrastructural diversity, together with their ever-changing responsiveness and functions throughout the pathological course of AD. With the recent expansions in the field of glial heterogeneity through innovative advances in state-of-the-art microscopy and -omics techniques, novel concepts and questions arose, notably pertaining to how the diverse microglial and astrocytic states interact with each other and with the AD hallmarks, and how their concerted efforts/actions impact the progression of the disease. In this review, we discuss the recent advances and findings on the topic of glial heterogeneity, particularly focusing on the relationships of these cells with AD hallmarks (e.g., amyloid beta plaques, neurofibrillary tangles, synaptic loss, and dystrophic neurites) in murine models of AD pathology and post-mortem brain samples of patients with AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie-Kim St-Pierre
- Département de Médecine Moléculaire, Université Laval, Quebec City, QC, Canada
- Axe Neurosciences, Center de Recherche du CHU de Québec, Université Laval, Quebec City, QC, Canada
- Division of Medical Sciences, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada
| | - Jared VanderZwaag
- Division of Medical Sciences, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada
| | - Sophia Loewen
- Division of Medical Sciences, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada
- Department of Biology, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada
| | - Marie-Ève Tremblay
- Département de Médecine Moléculaire, Université Laval, Quebec City, QC, Canada
- Axe Neurosciences, Center de Recherche du CHU de Québec, Université Laval, Quebec City, QC, Canada
- Division of Medical Sciences, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada
- Neurology and Neurosurgery Department, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Center for Advanced Materials and Related Technology (CAMTEC), University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada
- *Correspondence: Marie-Ève Tremblay,
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47
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Induction of ICAM1 in Brain Vessels is Implicated in an Early AD Pathogenesis by Modulating Neprilysin. Neuromolecular Med 2022:10.1007/s12017-022-08726-x. [PMID: 35948857 DOI: 10.1007/s12017-022-08726-x] [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: 07/10/2022] [Accepted: 07/26/2022] [Indexed: 10/15/2022]
Abstract
Intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM1) is a vessel adhesion protein induced during brain vascular inflammation, which could be closely linked with the development of Alzheimer's disease (AD). This study investigated the effect of ICAM1 on amyloid-degrading enzymes (ADEs) in endothelial cells and their potential involvement in inflammation and AD progression. TNF-α treatment increased ICAM1 in human brain microvascular endothelial cells (HBMVECs) but decreased the neprilysin (NEP) protein level. Knock-down of ICAM1 using siRNA enhanced NEP, which increased the degradation of amyloid-β. In the brains of 4-month-old AD transgenic mice (APPswe/PSEN1dE9), there were significantly higher levels of ICAM1 expression and amyloid deposits but lower levels of NEP and insulin-degrading enzymes (IDE), demonstrating an inverse correlation of ICAM1 with NEP and IDE expression. Further studies demonstrated significantly increased GFAP protein levels in the brain, specifically localized near blood vessels, of both TNF-α-injected and 4-month-old AD transgenic mice. Taken together, the induction of ICAM1 in endothelial cells suppresses NEP expression, accelerating the accumulation of amyloid-β in blood vessels. It also enhances leukocyte adhesion to blood vessels stimulating the migration of leukocytes into the brain, subsequently triggering brain inflammation.
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Abstract
Mice with insulin receptor (IR)-deficient astrocytes (GFAP-IR knockout [KO] mice) show blunted responses to insulin and reduced brain glucose uptake, whereas IR-deficient astrocytes show disturbed mitochondrial responses to glucose. While exploring the functional impact of disturbed mitochondrial function in astrocytes, we observed that GFAP-IR KO mice show uncoupling of brain blood flow with glucose uptake. Since IR-deficient astrocytes show higher levels of reactive oxidant species (ROS), this leads to stimulation of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α and, consequently, of the vascular endothelial growth factor angiogenic pathway. Indeed, GFAP-IR KO mice show disturbed brain vascularity and blood flow that is normalized by treatment with the antioxidant N-acetylcysteine (NAC). NAC ameliorated high ROS levels, normalized angiogenic signaling and mitochondrial function in IR-deficient astrocytes, and normalized neurovascular coupling in GFAP-IR KO mice. Our results indicate that by modulating glucose uptake and angiogenesis, insulin receptors in astrocytes participate in neurovascular coupling.
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49
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Rupawala H, Shah K, Davies C, Rose J, Colom-Cadena M, Peng X, Granat L, Aljuhani M, Mizuno K, Troakes C, Perez-Nievas BG, Morgan A, So PW, Hortobagyi T, Spires-Jones TL, Noble W, Giese KP. Cysteine string protein alpha accumulates with early pre-synaptic dysfunction in Alzheimer’s disease. Brain Commun 2022; 4:fcac192. [PMID: 35928052 PMCID: PMC9345313 DOI: 10.1093/braincomms/fcac192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2021] [Revised: 05/12/2022] [Accepted: 07/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
In Alzheimer’s disease, synapse loss causes memory and cognitive impairment. However, the mechanisms underlying synaptic degeneration in Alzheimer’s disease are not well understood. In the hippocampus, alterations in the level of cysteine string protein alpha, a molecular co-chaperone at the pre-synaptic terminal, occur prior to reductions in synaptophysin, suggesting that it is a very sensitive marker of synapse degeneration in Alzheimer’s. Here, we identify putative extracellular accumulations of cysteine string alpha protein, which are proximal to beta-amyloid deposits in post-mortem human Alzheimer’s brain and in the brain of a transgenic mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease. Cysteine string protein alpha, at least some of which is phosphorylated at serine 10, accumulates near the core of beta-amyloid deposits and does not co-localize with hyperphosphorylated tau, dystrophic neurites or glial cells. Using super-resolution microscopy and array tomography, cysteine string protein alpha was found to accumulate to a greater extent than other pre-synaptic proteins and at a comparatively great distance from the plaque core. This indicates that cysteine string protein alpha is most sensitive to being released from pre-synapses at low concentrations of beta-amyloid oligomers. Cysteine string protein alpha accumulations were also evident in other neurodegenerative diseases, including some fronto-temporal lobar dementias and Lewy body diseases, but only in the presence of amyloid plaques. Our findings are consistent with suggestions that pre-synapses are affected early in Alzheimer’s disease, and they demonstrate that cysteine string protein alpha is a more sensitive marker for early pre-synaptic dysfunction than traditional synaptic markers. We suggest that cysteine string protein alpha should be used as a pathological marker for early synaptic disruption caused by beta-amyloid.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huzefa Rupawala
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, King’s College London, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience , 5 Cutcombe Road, London SE5 9RX , UK
| | - Keshvi Shah
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, King’s College London, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience , 5 Cutcombe Road, London SE5 9RX , UK
| | - Caitlin Davies
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences and the UK Dementia Research Institute, The University of Edinburgh , 1 George Square, Edinburgh EH8 9JZ , UK
| | - Jamie Rose
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences and the UK Dementia Research Institute, The University of Edinburgh , 1 George Square, Edinburgh EH8 9JZ , UK
| | - Marti Colom-Cadena
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences and the UK Dementia Research Institute, The University of Edinburgh , 1 George Square, Edinburgh EH8 9JZ , UK
| | - Xianhui Peng
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, King’s College London, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience , 5 Cutcombe Road, London SE5 9RX , UK
| | - Lucy Granat
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, King’s College London, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience , 5 Cutcombe Road, London SE5 9RX , UK
| | - Manal Aljuhani
- Department of Neuroimaging, King’s College London, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience , 5 Cutcombe Road, London SE5 9RX , UK
| | - Keiko Mizuno
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, King’s College London, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience , 5 Cutcombe Road, London SE5 9RX , UK
| | - Claire Troakes
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, King’s College London, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience , 5 Cutcombe Road, London SE5 9RX , UK
| | - Beatriz Gomez Perez-Nievas
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, King’s College London, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience , 5 Cutcombe Road, London SE5 9RX , UK
| | - Alan Morgan
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Institute of Translational Medicine, University of Liverpool , Liverpool L69 3BX , UK
| | - Po-Wah So
- Department of Neuroimaging, King’s College London, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience , 5 Cutcombe Road, London SE5 9RX , UK
| | - Tibor Hortobagyi
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, King’s College London, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience , 5 Cutcombe Road, London SE5 9RX , UK
- Department of Neurology, ELKH-DE Cerebrovascular and Neurodegenerative Research Group, University of Debrecen , 4032 Debrecen , Hungary
| | - Tara L Spires-Jones
- Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences and the UK Dementia Research Institute, The University of Edinburgh , 1 George Square, Edinburgh EH8 9JZ , UK
| | - Wendy Noble
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, King’s College London, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience , 5 Cutcombe Road, London SE5 9RX , UK
| | - Karl Peter Giese
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, King’s College London, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience , 5 Cutcombe Road, London SE5 9RX , UK
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Hulshof LA, van Nuijs D, Hol EM, Middeldorp J. The Role of Astrocytes in Synapse Loss in Alzheimer's Disease: A Systematic Review. Front Cell Neurosci 2022; 16:899251. [PMID: 35783099 PMCID: PMC9244621 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2022.899251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2022] [Accepted: 05/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common cause of dementia, affecting 35 million people worldwide. One pathological feature of progressing AD is the loss of synapses. This is the strongest correlate of cognitive decline. Astrocytes, as an essential part of the tripartite synapse, play a role in synapse formation, maintenance, and elimination. During AD, astrocytes get a reactive phenotype with an altered gene expression profile and changed function compared to healthy astrocytes. This process likely affects their interaction with synapses. This systematic review aims to provide an overview of the scientific literature including information on how astrocytes affect synapse formation and elimination in the brain of AD patients and in animal models of the disease. We review molecular and cellular changes in AD astrocytes and conclude that these predominantly result in lower synapse numbers, indicative of decreased synapse support or even synaptotoxicity, or increased elimination, resulting in synapse loss, and consequential cognitive decline, as associated with AD. Preventing AD induced changes in astrocytes might therefore be a potential therapeutic target for dementia. Systematic Review Registration:https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=148278, identifier [CRD148278].
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Affiliation(s)
- Lianne A. Hulshof
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, University Medical Center Utrecht Brain Center, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Danny van Nuijs
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, University Medical Center Utrecht Brain Center, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Elly M. Hol
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, University Medical Center Utrecht Brain Center, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Jinte Middeldorp
- Department of Translational Neuroscience, University Medical Center Utrecht Brain Center, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
- Department Neurobiology and Aging, Biomedical Primate Research Centre, Rijswijk, Netherlands
- *Correspondence: Jinte Middeldorp
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