Differential effects of "Advanced glycation endproducts" and beta-amyloid peptide on glucose utilization and ATP levels in the neuronal cell line SH-SY5Y

Functionalized Allopurinols Targeting Amyloid-Binding Alcohol Dehydrogenase Rescue Aβ-Induced Mitochondrial Dysfunction

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common dementia affecting one in nine people over 65. Only a handful of small-molecule drugs and the anti-β amyloid (Aβ) antibody aducanumab are approved to treat AD. However, they only serve to reduce symptoms of advanced disease. Novel treatments administered early in disease progression before the accumulation of Aβ and tau reaches the threshold where neuroinflammation is triggered and irreversible neuronal damage occurs are more likely to provide effective therapy. There is a growing body of evidence implying that mitochondrial dysfunction occurs at an early stage of AD pathology. The mitochondrial enzyme amyloid-binding alcohol dehydrogenase (ABAD) binds to Aβ potentiating toxicity. Moreover, ABAD has been shown to be overexpressed in the same areas of the brain most affected by AD. Inhibiting the Aβ-ABAD protein-protein interaction without adversely affecting normal enzyme turnover is hypothesized to be a potential treatment strategy for AD. Herein, we conduct structure-activity relationship studies across a series of functionalized allopurinol derivatives to determine their ability to inhibit Aβ-mediated reduction of estradiol production from ABAD. The lead compound resulting from these studies possesses potent activity with no toxicity up to 100 μM, and demonstrates an ability to rescue defective mitochondrial metabolism in human SH-SY5Y cells and rescue both defective mitochondrial metabolism and morphology ex vivo in primary 5XFAD AD mouse model neurons.

Pyridoxamine and Aminoguanidine Attenuate the Abnormal Aggregation of β-Tubulin and Suppression of Neurite Outgrowth by Glyceraldehyde-Derived Toxic Advanced Glycation End-Products

Diabetes mellitus (DM) has been identified as a risk factor for the onset and progression of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). In our previous study, we demonstrated that glyceraldehyde (GA)-derived toxic advanced glycation end-products (toxic AGEs, TAGE) induced similar alterations to those observed in AD. GA induced dysfunctional neurite outgrowth via TAGE-β-tubulin aggregation, which resulted in the TAGE-dependent abnormal aggregation of β-tubulin and tau phosphorylation in human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells. However, the effects of inhibitors of AGE formation on dysfunctional neurite outgrowth caused by GA-induced abnormalities in the aggregation of β-tubulin and tau phosphorylation remain unknown. Aminoguanidine (AG), an AGE inhibitor, and pyridoxamine (PM), a natural form of vitamin B₆ (VB₆), are effective AGE inhibitors. Therefore, the present study investigated whether AG or PM ameliorate TAGE-β-tubulin aggregation and the suppression of neurite outgrowth by GA. The results obtained showed that AG and PM inhibited the formation of TAGE-β-tubulin, mitigated the GA-induced suppression of neurite outgrowth, and reduced GA-mediated increases in tau phosphorylation levels. Collectively, these results suggest the potential of AG and PM to prevent the DM-associated onset and progression of AD.

Diosmetin Targeted at Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor Gamma Alleviates Advanced Glycation End Products Induced Neuronal Injury

The present study aimed to evaluate the role of diosmetin in alleviating advanced glycation end products (AGEs)-induced Alzheimer’s disease (AD)-like pathology and to clarify the action mechanisms. Before stimulation with AGEs (200 μg/mL), SH-SY5Y cells were treated with diosmetin (10 μmol/L), increasing cell viability. The induction of AGEs on the reactive oxygen species overproduction and downregulation of antioxidant enzyme activities, including superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and catalase, were ameliorated by diosmetin. Amyloid precursor protein upregulation, accompanied by increased production of amyloid-β, caused by AGEs, was reversed by diosmetin. In the presence of diosmetin, not only β-site amyloid precursor protein cleaving enzyme1 expression was lowered, but the protein levels of insulin-degrading enzyme and neprilysin were elevated. Diosmetin protects SH-SY5Y cells from endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress response to AGEs by suppressing ER stress-induced glucose regulated protein 78, thereby downregulating protein kinase R-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase, eukaryotic initiation factor 2 α, activating transcription factor 4, and C/EBP homologous protein. Diosmetin-pretreated cells had a lower degree of apoptotic DNA fragmentation; this effect may be associated with B-cell lymphoma (Bcl) 2 protein upregulation, Bcl-2-associated X protein downregulation, and decreased activities of caspase-12/-9/-3. The reversion of diosmetin on the AGEs-induced harmful effects was similar to that produced by pioglitazone. The peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)γ antagonist T0070907 (5 μmol/L) abolished the beneficial effects of diosmetin on AGEs-treated SH-SY5Y cells, indicating the involvement of PPARγ. We conclude that diosmetin protects neuroblastoma cells against AGEs-induced ER injury via multiple mechanisms and may be a potential option for AD.

In Vitro Methodologies to Study the Role of Advanced Glycation End Products (AGEs) in Neurodegeneration

Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) can be present in food or be endogenously produced in biological systems. Their formation has been associated with chronic neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. The implication of AGEs in neurodegeneration is related to their ability to bind to AGE-specific receptors and the ability of their precursors to induce the so-called “dicarbonyl stress”, resulting in cross-linking and protein damage. However, the mode of action underlying their role in neurodegeneration remains unclear. While some research has been carried out in observational clinical studies, further in vitro studies may help elucidate these underlying modes of action. This review presents and discusses in vitro methodologies used in research on the potential role of AGEs in neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration. The overview reveals the main concepts linking AGEs to neurodegeneration, the current findings, and the available and advisable in vitro models to study their role. Moreover, the major questions regarding the role of AGEs in neurodegenerative diseases and the challenges and discrepancies in the research field are discussed.

Biomimetic Dendrimer-Peptide Conjugates for Early Multi-Target Therapy of Alzheimer's Disease by Inflammatory Microenvironment Modulation

Current therapeutic strategies for Alzheimer's disease (AD) treatments mainly focus on β-amyloid (Aβ) targeting. However, such therapeutic strategies have limited clinical outcomes due to the chronic and irreversible impairment of the nervous system in the late stage of AD. Recently, inflammatory responses, manifested in oxidative stress and glial cell activation, have been reported as hallmarks in the early stages of AD. Based on the crosstalk between inflammatory response and brain cells, a reactive oxygen species (ROS)-responsive dendrimer-peptide conjugate (APBP) is devised to target the AD microenvironment and inhibit inflammatory responses at an early stage. With the modification of the targeting peptide, this nanoconjugate can efficiently deliver peptides to the infected regions and restore the antioxidant ability of neurons by activating the nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 signaling pathway. Moreover, this multi-target strategy exhibits a synergistic function of ROS scavenging, promoting Aβ phagocytosis, and normalizing the glial cell phenotype. As a result, the nanoconjugate can reduce ROS level, decrease Aβ burden, alleviate glial cell activation, and eventually enhance cognitive functions in APPswe/PSEN1dE9 model mice. These results indicate that APBP can be a promising candidate for the multi-target treatment of AD.

The Effect of Glyceraldehyde-Derived Advanced Glycation End Products on β-Tubulin-Inhibited Neurite Outgrowth in SH-SY5Y Human Neuroblastoma Cells

Nutritional factors can affect the risk of developing neurological disorders and their rate of progression. In particular, abnormalities of carbohydrate metabolism in diabetes mellitus patients lead to an increased risk of neurological disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD). In this study, we investigated the relationship between nervous system disorder and the pathogenesis of AD by exposing SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells to glyceraldehyde (GA). We previously reported that GA-derived toxic advanced glycation end products (toxic AGEs, TAGE) induce AD-like alterations including intracellular tau phosphorylation. However, the role of TAGE and their target molecules in the pathogenesis of AD remains unclear. In this study, we investigated the target protein for TAGE by performing two-dimensional immunoblot analysis with anti-TAGE antibody and mass spectrometry and identified β-tubulin as one of the targets. GA treatment induced TAGE-β-tubulin formation and abnormal aggregation of β-tubulin, and inhibited neurite outgrowth in SH-SY5Y cells. On the other hand, glucose-derived AGEs were also involved in developing AD. However, glucose did not make abnormal aggregation of β-tubulin and did not inhibit neurite outgrowth. Understanding the underlying mechanism of TAGE-β-tubulin formation by GA and its role in neurodegeneration may aid in the development of novel therapeutics and neuroprotection strategies.

The importance of BDNF and RAGE in diabetes-induced dementia

Diabetes-induced dementia is an emerging neurodisorder all over the world. The prevalence rates of dementia and diabetes have been gradually increasing worldwide. Diabetes has been known to lead to oxidative stress, inflammation aggravation, and hyperglycemia conditions in the brain. Various diabetic implications cause the lower secretion of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and the increase of receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE), ultimately leading to both cerebrovascular dysfunction and cognitive decline. Here, we summarized the significant evidences highlighting the specific mechanisms between BDNF and RAGE and cerebrovascular dysfunction and memory function and how these relate to diabetes-induced dementia. Especially, we review that the association between BDFN and RAGE in neuroinflammation, the reduction of long-term potentiation, and the vascular implications in brain.

Amyloid protein aggregation in diabetes mellitus accelerate intervertebral disc degeneration

Diabetes is one of the risk factors for disc degeneration, but the exact mechanism is still unclear. Misfolding and aggregation of human islet amyloid polypeptide (hIAPP) is an important factor in diabetes. hIAPP proteins misfold from monomers to β-sheet-rich oligomers, destroy the permeability of the cell membrane and cause abnormal cell function and death. Under the pathological state of diabetes, hIAPP oligomers can promote the expression and secretion of the inflammatory factor IL-1β, while IL-1β-mediated inflammatory response is the pathogenesis basis of intervertebral disc degeneration. Thus, amyloid hIAPP aggregation accelerates disc degeneration in the pathological state of diabetes.

Action of trichostatin A on Alzheimer's disease-like pathological changes in SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells

The histone deacetylase inhibitor, trichostatin A, is used to treat Alzheimer's disease and can improve learning and memory but its underlying mechanism of action is unknown. To determine whether the therapeutic effect of trichostatin A on Alzheimer's disease is associated with the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and Kelch-like epichlorohydrin-related protein-1 (Keap1) signaling pathway, amyloid β-peptide 25-35 (Aβ_25-35) was used to induce Alzheimer's disease-like pathological changes in SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells. Cells were then treated with trichostatin A. The effects of trichostatin A on the expression of Keap1 and Nrf2 were detected by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction, western blot assays and immunofluorescence. Total antioxidant capacity and autophagy activity were evaluated by total antioxidant capacity assay kit and light chain 3-I/II levels, respectively. We found that trichostatin A increased cell viability and Nrf2 expression, and decreased Keap1 expression in SH-SY5Y cells. Furthermore, trichostatin A increased the expression of Nrf2-related target genes, such as superoxide dismutase, NAD(P)H quinone dehydrogenase 1 and glutathione S-transferase, thereby increasing the total antioxidant capacity of SH-SY5Y cells and inhibiting amyloid β-peptide-induced autophagy. Knockdown of Keap1 in SH-SY5Y cells further increased trichostatin A-induced Nrf2 expression. These results indicate that the therapeutic effect of trichostatin A on Alzheimer's disease is associated with the Keap1-Nrf2 pathway. The mechanism for this action may be that trichostatin A increases cell viability and the antioxidant capacity of SH-SY5Y cells by alleviating Keap1-mediated inhibition Nrf2 signaling, thereby alleviating amyloid β-peptide-induced cell damage.

Vildagliptine protects SH-SY5Y human neuron-like cells from Aβ 1-42 induced toxicity, in vitro

The amyloid β (Aβ) toxic fibrils is thought to play a central role in the onset and progression of Alzheimer's disease (AD) because of it is a main formation of senile plaques. Diabetic patients are more vulnerable to caught Alzheimer's disease. Vildagliptine, a novel anti diabetic agent, has been reported to exert protective effects on AD rat models in restricted study. We aimed to investigate any protective effects of vildagliptine against Aβ fibrils on SH-SY5Y cell line. Vildagliptine decreased PSEN1 and PSEN2 mRNA levels which enroll Aβ production. In addition, vildagliptin was downregulated caspase-3 and caspase-9 expression levels which were evoked by Aβ. Also we confirmed cellular viability with real time cell analyzer and MTT assay. Our data exposed that vildagliptine has lowering effect on GSK3β and Tau phosphorylation. However we did not get protective effect of vildagliptine against Aβ toxicity on mitochondrial membrane potential. These results indicate that vildagliptine exerts a protective effect against Aβ by decreasing apoptosis related proteins, lowering GSK3β and Tau phosphorylation levels in addition to expression of PSEN1 and PSEN2 mRNA downregulation effect.

Microenvironment Remodeling Micelles for Alzheimer's Disease Therapy by Early Modulation of Activated Microglia

Current strategies for Alzheimer's disease (AD) treatments focus on pathologies in the late stage of the disease progression. Poor clinical outcomes are displayed due to the irreversible damages caused by early microglia abnormality which triggers disease development before identical symptoms emerge. Based on the crosstalk between microglia and brain microenvironment, a reactive oxygen species (ROS)-responsive polymeric micelle system (Ab-PEG-LysB/curcumin (APLB/CUR)) is reported to normalize the oxidative and inflammatory microenvironment and reeducate microglia from an early phase of AD. Through an β-amyloid (Aβ) transportation-mimicked pathway, the micelles can accumulate into the diseased regions and exert synergistic effects of polymer-based ROS scavenging and cargo-based Aβ inhibition upon microenvironment stimuli. This multitarget strategy exhibits gradual correction of the brain microenvironment, efficient neuroprotection, and microglia modulation, leading to decreased Aβ plaque burdens and consequently enhanced cognitive functions in APPswe/PSEN1dE9 model mice. The results indicate that microglia can be exploited as an early target for AD treatment and their states can be controlled via microenvironment modulation.

Centella asiatica Attenuates Amyloid-β-Induced Oxidative Stress and Mitochondrial Dysfunction

BACKGROUND

We previously showed that a water extract of the medicinal plant Centella asiatica (CAW) attenuates amyloid-β (Aβ)-induced cognitive deficits in vivo, and prevents Aβ-induced cytotoxicity in vitro. Yet the neuroprotective mechanism of CAW is unknown.

OBJECTIVE

The goal of this study was to identify biochemical pathways altered by CAW using in vitro models of Aβ toxicity.

METHODS

The effects of CAW on aberrations in antioxidant response, calcium homeostasis, and mitochondrial function induced by Aβ were evaluated in MC65 and SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells.

RESULTS

CAW decreased intracellular reactive oxygen species and calcium levels elevated in response to Aβ, and induced the expression of antioxidant response genes in both cell lines. In SH-SY5Y cells, CAW increased basal and maximal oxygen consumption without altering spare capacity, and attenuated Aβ-induced decreases in mitochondrial respiration. CAW also prevented Aβ-induced decreases in ATP and induced the expression of mitochondrial genes and proteins in both cell types. Caffeoylquinic acids from CAW were shown to have a similar effect on antioxidant and mitochondrial gene expression in neuroblastoma cells. Primary rat hippocampal neurons treated with CAW also showed an increase in mitochondrial and antioxidant gene expression.

CONCLUSIONS

These data suggest an effect of CAW on mitochondrial biogenesis, which in conjunction with activation of antioxidant response genes and normalizing calcium homeostasis, likely contributes to its neuroprotective action against Aβ toxicity.

RAGE and AGEs in Mild Cognitive Impairment of Diabetic Patients: A Cross-Sectional Study

OBJECTIVE

Receptor for advanced glycation end products (AGEs; RAGE) binds to both AGEs and amyloid-beta peptides. RAGE is involved in chronic complications of type 2 diabetes and Alzheimer's disease. We aimed to investigate the roles of RAGE, AGEs and the Gly82Ser polymorphism of RAGE in mild cognitive impairment (MCI) among type 2 diabetes patients.

METHODS

Of the 167 hospitalized type 2 diabetes patients recruited, 82 satisfied the diagnostic criteria for MCI, and 85 matched control individuals were classified as non-MCI. Demographic data were collected, and the soluble RAGE (sRAGE) concentrations, serum AGE-peptide (AGE-P) levels, RAGE Gly82Ser genotype and neuropsychological test results were examined.

RESULTS

The MCI group exhibited a decreased sRAGE level (0.87±0.35 vs. 1.05±0.52 ng/ml, p<0.01) and an increased serum AGE-P level (3.54±1.27 vs. 2.71±1.18 U/ml, p<0.01) compared with the control group. Logistic regression analysis indicated that each unit reduction in the sRAGE concentration increased the MCI risk by 54% (OR 0.46[95% CI 0.22-0.96], p = 0.04) and that each unit increase in the AGE-P level increased the MCI risk by 72% in the type 2 diabetes patients (OR 1.72[95% CI 1.31-2.28], p<0.01). The serum sRAGE level was negatively correlated with the score on the trail making test-B (TMT-B) (r = -0.344, p = 0.002), which indicates early cognitive deficits related to diabetes. Moreover, the AGE-P level was positively correlated with multiple cognitive domains (all p<0.05). No significant differences in the neuropsychological test results or serum RAGE concentrations between the different RAGE genotypes or in the RAGE genotype frequencies between the MCI and control groups were identified (all p>0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The RAGE pathway partially mediates AGE-induced MCI in diabetic patients. The serum AGE-P level may serve as a serum biomarker of MCI in these individuals, and sRAGE represents a predictor and even a potential intervention target of early cognitive decline in type 2 diabetes patients.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Advanced Glycation End Products Induced Cognitive Impairment in Diabetes: BDNF Signal Meditated Hippocampal Neurogenesis ChiCTR-OCC-15006060.

Glyceraldehyde caused Alzheimer's disease-like alterations in diagnostic marker levels in SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cells

Clinical evidence has implicated diabetes mellitus as one of the risk factors for the development and progression of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). However, the neurotoxic pathway activated due to abnormalities in glucose metabolism has not yet been identified in AD. In order to investigate the relationship between impaired cerebral glucose metabolism and the pathophysiology of AD, SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cells were exposed to glyceraldehyde (GA), an inhibitor of glycolysis. GA induced the production of GA-derived advanced glycation end-products (GA-AGEs) and cell apoptosis, glycolytic inhibition, decreases in the medium concentrations of diagnostic markers of AD, such as amyloid β 1-42 (Aβ42), and increases in tau phosphorylation. These results suggest that the production of GA-AGEs and/or inhibition of glycolysis induce AD-like alterations, and this model may be useful for examining the pathophysiology of AD.

Oxidative Stress in Alzheimer's Disease: Should We Keep Trying Antioxidant Therapies?

The risk of chronic diseases such as Alzheimer's disease is growing as a result of the continuous increasing average life span of the world population, a syndrome characterized by the presence of intraneural neurofibrillary tangles and senile plaques composed mainly by beta-amyloid protein, changes that may cause a number of progressive disorders in the elderly, causing, in its most advanced stage, difficulty in performing normal daily activities, among other manifestations. Therefore, it is important to understand the underlying pathogenic mechanisms of this syndrome. Nevertheless, despite intensive effort to access the physiopathological pathways of the disease, it remains poorly understood. In that context, some hypotheses have arisen, including the recent oxidative stress hypothesis, theory supported by the involvement of oxidative stress in aging, and the vulnerability of neurons to oxidative attack. In the present revision, oxidative changes and redox mechanisms in Alzheimer's disease will be further stressed, as well as the grounds for antioxidant supplementation as adjuvant therapy for the disease will be addressed.

The neuroprotective role of metformin in advanced glycation end product treated human neural stem cells is AMPK-dependent

Diabetic neuronal damage results from hyperglycemia followed by increased formation of advanced glycosylation end products (AGEs), which leads to neurodegeneration, although the molecular mechanisms are still not well understood. Metformin, one of the most widely used anti-diabetic drugs, exerts its effects in part by activation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK). AMPK is a critical evolutionarily conserved enzyme expressed in the liver, skeletal muscle and brain, and promotes cellular energy homeostasis and biogenesis by regulating several metabolic processes. While the mechanisms of AMPK as a metabolic regulator are well established, the neuronal role for AMPK is still unknown. In the present study, human neural stem cells (hNSCs) exposed to AGEs had significantly reduced cell viability, which correlated with decreased AMPK and mitochondria associated gene/protein (PGC1α, NRF-1 and Tfam) expressions, as well as increased activation of caspase 3 and 9 activities. Metformin prevented AGEs induced cytochrome c release from mitochondria into cytosol in the hNSCs. Co-treatment with metformin significantly abrogated the AGE-mediated effects in hNSCs. Metformin also significantly rescued hNSCs from AGE-mediated mitochondrial deficiency (lower ATP, D-loop level, mitochondrial mass, maximal respiratory function, COX activity, and mitochondrial membrane potential). Furthermore, co-treatment of hNSCs with metformin significantly blocked AGE-mediated reductions in the expression levels of several neuroprotective genes (PPARγ, Bcl-2 and CREB). These findings extend our understanding of the molecular mechanisms of both AGE-induced neuronal toxicity, and AMPK-dependent neuroprotection by metformin. This study further suggests that AMPK may be a potential therapeutic target for treating diabetic neurodegeneration.

Formation of a salsolinol-like compound, the neurotoxin, 1-acetyl-6,7-dihydroxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline, in a cellular model of hyperglycemia and a rat model of diabetes

There are statistical data indicating that diabetes is a risk factor for Parkinson's disease (PD). Methylglyoxal (MG), a biologically reactive byproduct of glucose metabolism, the levels of which have been shown to be increase in diabetes, reacts with dopamine to form 1-acetyl-6,7-dihydroxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline (ADTIQ); this formation may provide further insight into the connection between PD and diabetes. In this study, we investigated the role of ADTIQ in these two diseases to determine in an aim to enhance our understanding of the link between PD and diabetes. To this end, a cell model of hyperglycemia and a rat model of diabetes were established. In the cell model of hyperglycemia, compared with the control group, the elevated glucose levels promoted free hydroxyl radical formation (p<0.01). An ADTIQ assay was successfully developed and ADTIQ levels were detected and quantified. The levels of its precursors, MG and dopamine (DA), were determined in both the cell model of hyperglycemia and the rat model of diabetes. The proteins related to glucose metabolism were also assayed. Compared with the control group, ADTIQ and MG levels were significantly elevated not only in the cell model of hyperglycemia, but also in the brains of rats with diabetes (p<0.01). Seven key enzymes from the glycolytic pathway were found to be significantly more abundant in the brains of rats with diabetes. Moreover, it was found that adenosine triphosphate (ATP) synthase and superoxide dismutase (SOD) expression levels were markedly decreased in the rats with diabetes compared with the control group. Therefore, ADTIQ expression levels were found to be elevated under hyperglycemic conditions. The results reported herein demonstrate that ADTIQ, which is derived from MG, the levels of which are increased in diabetes, may serve as a neurotoxin to dopaminergic neurons, eventually leading to PD.

Streptozotocin-induced diabetes increases amyloid plaque deposition in AD transgenic mice through modulating AGEs/RAGE/NF-κB pathway

BACKGROUND

An increasing number of studies have demonstrated of that diabetes mellitus (DM) is associated with an increased prevalence of Alzheimer disease (AD), the underlying mechanisms are still obscure.

METHODS

We developed a streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic AD transgenic mouse model and evaluated the effect of hyperglycemia on senile plaque formation.

RESULTS

Our data showed that administration of STZ increased the level of blood glucose and increased the advanced glycation end products (AGEs) in brain tissue, and further enhanced the expression levels of the receptor for AGEs (RAGE) and the nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) in the brain, and accelerated the senile plaque formation in the transgenic mice. Our results showed that STZ-induced insulin-deficient hyperglycemia caused the pathophysiology of AD in APP/PS1 transgenic mice by modulating the AGEs/RAGE/NF-κB pathway.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study suggests that there is a close linkage of DM and cerebral amyloidosis in the pathogenesis of AD.

Aβ-AGE aggravates cognitive deficit in rats via RAGE pathway

β-Amyloid (Aβ) accumulation has been proved to be responsible for the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, it is not yet clear what makes Aβ accumulate and become toxic in the AD brains. Our previous studies demonstrated that glycated Aβ (Aβ-AGE) could be formed, and it exacerbated the authentic Aβ-mediated neurotoxicity in vitro, but we did not show the role of Aβ-AGE in vivo and the underlying mechanism. In the current study, we synthesized Aβ-AGE by incubating Aβ with methylglyoxal in vitro, and then stereotactically injected Aβ-AGE into lateral ventricle of Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. We found that Aβ-AGE aggravated Aβ-induced cognitive impairment, which was characterized by higher speed of deterioration of long-term potentiation (LTP), more decrease of dendritic spines density and more down-regulation of synaptic proteins. We also observed the overexpression of receptor for advanced glycation endproducts receptor for AGEs (RAGE) and the activation of downstream molecular (GSK3, NF-κB, p38) in RAGE-mediated pathways. On the other hand, simultaneous application of RAGE antibody or GSK3 inhibitor LiCl reversed the cognitive decline amplified by Aβ-AGE. Our data revealed that in vivo the Aβ-AGE is more toxic than Aβ, and Aβ-AGE could lead to the aggravation of AD-like pathology though the RAGE pathway, suggesting that Aβ-AGE and RAGE may be new therapeutic targets for AD.

Receptor for advanced glycation end products and its involvement in inflammatory diseases

The receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) is a transmembrane receptor of the immunoglobulin superfamily, capable of binding a broad repertoire of ligands. RAGE-ligands interaction induces a series of signal transduction cascades and lead to the activation of transcription factor NF-κB as well as increased expression of cytokines, chemokines, and adhesion molecules. These effects endow RAGE with the role in the signal transduction from pathogen substrates to cell activation during the onset and perpetuation of inflammation. RAGE signaling and downstream pathways have been implicated in a wide spectrum of inflammatory-related pathologic conditions such as arteriosclerosis, Alzheimer's disease, arthritis, acute respiratory failure, and sepsis. Despite the significant progress in other RAGE studies, the functional importance of the receptor in clinical situations and inflammatory diseases still remains to be fully realized. In this review, we will summarize current understandings and lines of evidence on the molecular mechanisms through which RAGE signaling contributes to the pathogenesis of the aforementioned inflammation-associated conditions.

N(ε)-Carboxymethyllysine (CML), a Maillard reaction product, stimulates serotonin release and activates the receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) in SH-SY5Y cells

Maillard reaction products, which are formed in highly thermally treated foods, are commonly consumed in a Western diet. In this study, we investigated the impact of N(ε)-carboxymethyllysine (CML), a well-characterized product of the Maillard reaction, on the gene regulation of the human neuroblastoma cell line SH-SY5Y. Pathway analysis of data generated from customized DNA microarrays revealed 3 h incubation with 50 μM and 500 μM CML to affect serotonin receptor expression. Further experiments employing qRT-PCR showed an up-regulation of serotonin receptors 2A, 1A and 1B after 0.25 h and 3 h. In addition, 500 μM CML increased serotonin release, thus showing effects of CML not only at a genetic, but also at a functional level. Intracellular calcium mobilization, which mediates serotonin release, was increased by CML at concentrations of 0.05-500 μM. Since calcium mobilization has been linked to the activation of the receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE), we further investigated the effects of CML on RAGE expression. RAGE was found to be up-regulated after incubation with 500 μM CML for 0.25 h. Co-incubation with the calcium blocker neomycin for 0.25 h blocked the up-regulation of RAGE and the serotonin receptors 2A, 1A and 1B. These results indicate a possible link between a CML-induced calcium-mediated serotonin release and RAGE.

Induced pluripotent stem cells as tools for disease modelling and drug discovery in Alzheimer's disease

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative brain disorder that leads to a progressive decline in a person's memory and ability to communicate and carry out daily activities. The brain pathology in AD is characterized by extensive neuronal loss, particularly of cholinergic neurons, intracellular neurofibrillary tangles composed of the tau protein (NFTs) and extracellular deposition of plaques composed of β-amyloid (Aβ), a cleavage product of the amyloid precursor protein (APP). These two insoluble protein aggregates are accompanied by a chronic inflammatory response and extensive oxidative damage. Whereas dys-regulation of APP expression or processing appears to be important for the familial, early-onset form of AD, controversy exists between the "Baptists" (in favour of Aβ) and the "Tauists" (in favour of tau) as to which of these two protein dysfunctions occur at the earliest stages or are the most important contributors to the disease process in sporadic AD. However, more and more "non-amyloid" and "non-tau" causes have been proposed, including, glycation, inflammation, oxidative stress and dys-regulation of the cell cycle. However, to get an insight into the ultimate cause of AD, and to prove that any drug target is valuable in AD, disease-relevant models giving insight into the pathogenic processes in AD are urgently needed. In the absence of a good animal model for sporadic AD, we propose in this review that induced pluripotent stem cells, derived from dermal fibroblasts of AD patients, and differentiated into cholinergic neurons, might be a promising novel tool for disease modelling and drug discovery for the sporadic form of AD.

The Complexity of Sporadic Alzheimer's Disease Pathogenesis: The Role of RAGE as Therapeutic Target to Promote Neuroprotection by Inhibiting Neurovascular Dysfunction

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common cause of dementia. Amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles are prominent pathological features of AD. Aging and age-dependent oxidative stress are the major nongenetic risk factors for AD. The beta-amyloid peptide (Aβ), the major component of plaques, and advanced glycation end products (AGEs) are key activators of plaque-associated cellular dysfunction. Aβ and AGEs bind to the receptor for AGEs (RAGE), which transmits the signal from RAGE via redox-sensitive pathways to nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB). RAGE-mediated signaling is an important contributor to neurodegeneration in AD. We will summarize the current knowledge and ongoing studies on RAGE function in AD. We will also present evidence for a novel pathway induced by RAGE in AD, which leads to the expression of thioredoxin interacting protein (TXNIP), providing further evidence that pharmacological inhibition of RAGE will promote neuroprotection by blocking neurovascular dysfunction in AD.

Knockdown of RAGE expression inhibits colorectal cancer cell invasion and suppresses angiogenesis in vitro and in vivo

The receptor for advanced glycation end-products (RAGE) is a transmembrane receptor in cells, and the interaction of RAGE with ligands results in pro-inflammatory gene activation. Aberrant RAGE activation was reported to promote the pathogenesis of colorectal cancer. This study aimed to investigate the effects of RAGE on the regulation of cell viability, invasion, and angiogenesis, as well as the underlying molecular mechanisms regulating these interactions in colorectal cancer cells. The RAGE mRNA and protein were evaluated in five colorectal cancer cell lines and in 45 cases of colorectal cancer tissue specimens (using immuohistochemistry). RAGE expression was then knockdown using RAGE shRNA for assessing cell viability and invasion assays as well as for tube formation and CAM assays in human umbilical vein endothelial cells and chick embryos, respectively. RAGE was highly expressed in colorectal cancer tissues, and was associated with increased microvessel density. Two of the four RAGE shRNA constructs were able to significantly knockdown RAGE expression in SW480 cells. RAGE knockdown inhibited invasion capacity of SW480 cells, but did not significantly affect cell viability. Furthermore, the conditioned growth medium from stable RAGE shRNA-transfected cells suppressed tube formation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells and angiogenesis of chicken embryos. Knockdown of RAGE inhibited expression of VEGF and SP1 protein in colorectal cancer cells. In summary, these data suggest that silence of RAGE expression could effectively inhibit colorectal cancer angiogenesis in vitro and in vivo.

Rosiglitazone protects neuroblastoma cells against advanced glycation end products-induced injury

AIM

To investigate the protective effects of rosiglitazone (RGZ) against the neuronal toxicity induced by advanced glycation end products (AGEs) and the underlying mechanisms.

METHODS

Neuroblastoma cell line SH-SY5Y was used. Cell viability and apoptosis were assessed using MTT assay and flow cytometry, respectively. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase activities were measured using biochemical methods. Intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) were monitored using 2',7'-dichlorodihydro-fluorescein diacetate (DCFH-DA). Secreted β-amyloid(1-42) (Aβ(1-42)) level was assessed by ELISA. The expression of mRNA of Bcl2, Bax, Caspase3, Aβ precursor protein (APP), β-site APP-cleaving enzyme 1 (BACE1), and insulin degrading enzyme (IDE) were measured using quantitative real-time PCR (Q-PCR), and their protein levels were examined using Western blot.

RESULTS

RGZ (0.1-10 μmol/L) significantly increased the cell viability that was reduced by AGEs (1000 μg/mL). RGZ (10 μmol/L) significantly ameliorated AGEs-triggered downregulation of SOD and catalase, and production of ROS. It also reversed Bcl2 downregulation, Bax upregulation and Caspase3 expression caused by AGEs. Moreover, it significantly attenuated AGEs-induced Aβ secretion and APP protein upregulation. RGZ did not affect BACE1 expression, but induced IDE expression, which promoted degradation of Aβ. All the effects were blocked by the specific PPARγ antagonist GW9662 (10 μmol/L).

CONCLUSION

RGZ protects the euroblastoma cells against AGEs-induced injury via its anti-oxidative, anti-apoptotic and anti-inflammatory properties that seems to be mediated by PPARγ activation. The results suggest a beneficial role for RGZ in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease.

Advanced glycation endproducts as gerontotoxins and biomarkers for carbonyl-based degenerative processes in Alzheimer's disease

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common dementia disorder of later life. Although there might be various different triggering events in the early stages of the disease, they appear to converge on a few characteristic final pathways in the late stages, characterized by inflammation and neurodegeneration. Here, we review the hypothesis that advanced glycation end products (AGEs), which reflect carbonyl stress, an imbalance between the production of reactive carbonyl compounds and their detoxification, can serve as biomarkers for the progression of disorder. AGE modification may explain many of the neuropathological and biochemical features of AD, such as extensive protein cross-linking shown as amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles, inflammation, oxidative stress and neuronal cell death. Although accumulation of AGEs is a normal feature of aging, it appears to be significantly accelerated in AD. We suggest that higher AGE concentrations in brain tissue and in cerebrospinal fluid might be able to distinguish between normal aging and AD.

Immunohistochemical analysis of human brain suggests pathological synergism of Alzheimer's disease and diabetes mellitus

It has been extensively reported that diabetes mellitus (DM) patients have a higher risk of developing Alzheimer's disease (AD), but a mechanistic connection between both pathologies has not been provided so far. Carbohydrate-derived advanced glycation endproducts (AGEs) have been implicated in the chronic complications of DM and have been reported to play an important role in the pathogenesis of AD. The earliest histopathological manifestation of AD is the apparition of extracellular aggregates of the amyloid beta peptide (Abeta). To investigate possible correlations between AGEs and Abeta aggregates with both pathologies, we have performed an immuhistochemical study in human post-mortem samples of AD, AD with diabetes (ADD), diabetic and nondemented controls. ADD brains showed increased number of Abeta dense plaques and receptor for AGEs (RAGE)-positive and Tau-positive cells, higher AGEs levels and major microglial activation, compared to AD brain. Our results indicate that ADD patients present a significant increase of cell damage through a RAGE-dependent mechanism, suggesting that AGEs may promote the generation of an oxidative stress vicious cycle, which can explain the severe progression of patients with both pathologies.

Advanced glycation endproducts and their receptor RAGE in Alzheimer's disease

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common dementing disorder of late life. Although there might be various different triggering events in the early stages of the disease, they seem to converge on a few characteristic final pathways in the late stages, characterized by inflammation and neurodegeneration. In this review, we revisit the hypothesis that advanced glycation endproducts (AGEs) and their receptor RAGE may play an important role in disease pathogenesis. Accumulation of AGEs in cells and tissues is a normal feature of aging, but is accelerated in AD. In AD, AGEs can be detected in pathological deposits such as amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles. AGEs explain many of the neuropathological and biochemical features of AD such as extensive protein crosslinking, glial induction of oxidative stress and neuronal cell death. Oxidative stress and AGEs initiate a positive feedback loop, where normal age-related changes develop into a pathophysiological cascade. RAGE and its decoy receptor soluble RAGE, may contribute to or protect against AD pathogenesis by influencing transport of β-amyloid into the brain or by manipulating inflammatory mechanisms. Targeted pharmacological interventions using AGE-inhibitors, RAGE-antagonists, RAGE-antibodies, soluble RAGE or RAGE signalling inhibitors such as membrane-permeable antioxidants may be promising therapeutic strategies to slow down the progression of AD.

Cytotoxicity of advanced glycation endproducts in human micro- and astroglial cell lines depends on the degree of protein glycation

Advanced glycation endproducts (AGEs) arise from the reaction of sugars with side chains and the N-terminus of proteins and are thought to be involved in the pathogenesis of several diseases by inducing oxidative stress, inflammation and cell death presumably mediated through activation of the receptor of AGE (RAGE). To address the question whether the cell damaging effect of AGE depends on the degree of its protein glycation, differential modified AGEs derived from incubating human serum albumin with increasing concentrations of methyl glyoxal were tested on cell viability, reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation, intracellular ATP levels, and activation of caspases 3/7 in two human glial cell lines, which were used as a model for human glia cells. All AGEs tested, regardless of their degree of modification, were found to induce ROS formation in both microglial (CHME-5) and astroglial cells (U373 MG), while only highly modified AGEs were able to decrease the cell viability and to induce apoptosis. This indicates that apoptotic events may be involved in the change of physiological parameters.

Advanced glycation end products induce in vitro cross-linking of alpha-synuclein and accelerate the process of intracellular inclusion body formation

Cross-linking of alpha-synuclein and Lewy body formation have been implicated in the dopaminergic neuronal cell death observed in Parkinson's disease (PD); the mechanisms responsible, however, are not clear. Reactive oxygen species and advanced glycation end products (AGEs) have been found in the intracellular, alpha-synuclein-positive Lewy bodies in the brains of both PD as well as incidental Lewy body disease patients, suggesting a role for AGEs in alpha-synuclein cross-linking and Lewy body formation. The aims of the present study were to determine 1) whether AGEs can induce cross-linking of alpha-synuclein peptides, 2) the progressive and time-dependent intracellular accumulation of AGEs and inclusion body formation, and 3) the effects of extracellular or exogenous AGEs on intracellular inclusion formation. We first investigated the time-dependent cross-linking of recombinant human alpha-synuclein in the presence of AGEs in vitro, then used a cell culture model based on chronic rotenone treatment of human dopaminergic neuroblastoma cells (SH-SY5Y) over a period of 1-4 weeks, in the presence of different doses of AGEs. Cells (grown on coverslips) and cell lysates, collected at the end of every week, were analyzed for the presence of intracellular reactive oxygen species, AGEs, alpha-synuclein proteins, and intracellular alpha-synuclein- and AGE-positive inclusion bodies by using immunocytochemical, biochemical, and Western blot techniques. Our results show that AGEs promote in vitro cross-linking of alpha-synuclein, that intracellular accumulation of AGEs precedes alpha-synuclein-positive inclusion body formation, and that extracellular AGEs accelerate the process of intracellular alpha-synuclein-positive inclusion body formation.

Comparison of results of the CellTiter Blue, the tetrazolium (3-[4,5-dimethylthioazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide), and the lactate dehydrogenase assay applied in brain cells after exposure to advanced glycation endproducts

Advanced glycation endproducts (AGEs) arise in vivo from the reaction of proteins with sugars or dicarbonyl compounds. They are thought to be involved in the pathogenesis of several diseases such as atherosclerosis, diabetes mellitus, renal failure, and Alzheimer's disease (AD). Several binding molecules for AGEs have been described and it is assumed that many of the effects of AGEs are mediated by receptors like the receptor for AGEs (RAGE). AGEs are known to induce the release of inflammatory cytokines from activated glia in the AD brain and thus AGEs affect the cell viability of neurons and glia. In cell culture experiments controversial effects of AGEs on cell growth and viability were reported by different research groups ranging from stimulation to inhibition of the cell viability. In the present study, the effect of in vitro prepared highly modified AGEs on the viability and the membrane integrity of cultured brain cells was investigated. Three different brain cell lines were treated with glucose human serum albumin AGEs (Glc-AGEs) and methyl glyoxal human serum albumin AGEs (MG-AGEs). To investigate the effect of these model AGEs on cell viability the CellTiter Blue (CTB) and the tetrazolium (3-[4,5-dimethylthioazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide) (MTT) were used. The membrane integrity after exposure to AGEs was assayed using the lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) assay. When using the CTB assay for evaluation all AGEs were found to reduce the viability compared with the native protein in all three cell lines. Additionally, all AGEs were found to affect the membrane integrity compared with the native protein in all cell lines. When using the MTT assay for evaluation only MG-AGEs were found to cause a decrease in the viability in all cell lines used. The results of the MTT assay in Glc-AGEs treated cells varied between the cell lines. To gain a deeper understanding of the cellular responses after exposure of cells to AGEs, the present study compares results obtained when using the CTB, the MTT or the LDH assay in identically AGE treated cells.

Local anesthetic procaine protects rat pheochromocytoma PC12 cells against beta-amyloid-induced neurotoxicity

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common dementia occurring in elderly. We report herein the neuroprotective properties of procaine and other anesthetic agents against beta-amyloid-induced neurotoxicity. Procaine displayed strong neuroprotective properties against the amyloid peptide Abeta(1-42) and preserved Abeta(1-42)-induced ATP depletion on rat pheochromocytoma PC12 cells. Procaine also inhibited the neurotoxic effect that glutamate displayed on PC12 cells, suggesting that the reduction of glutamate-induced neurotoxicity may be the mechanism by which these compounds exert their 'antiamyloid' effects. In search of a mechanism of action we observed that procaine is a ligand for the sigma1 receptor, a protein which ligands have been shown to protect mitochondrial function and to exert antidepressant properties. Procaine binds also to muscarinic receptors but the true meaning of this feature needs to be clarified. In conclusion, these data suggest that procaine exerts neuroprotective properties and may serve either as a treatment for AD or as a starting point for the development of novel therapies for AD.