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Bader AS, Gnädig MU, Fricke M, Büschgens L, Berger LJ, Klafki HW, Meyer T, Jahn O, Weggen S, Wirths O. Brain Region-Specific Differences in Amyloid-β Plaque Composition in 5XFAD Mice. Life (Basel) 2023; 13:life13041053. [PMID: 37109582 PMCID: PMC10145597 DOI: 10.3390/life13041053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2023] [Revised: 04/11/2023] [Accepted: 04/18/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Senile plaques consisting of amyloid-beta (Aβ) peptides are a major pathological hallmark of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Aβ peptides are heterogeneous regarding the exact length of their amino- and carboxy-termini. Aβ1-40 and Aβ1-42 are often considered to represent canonical "full-length" Aβ species. Using immunohistochemistry, we analyzed the distribution of Aβ1-x, Aβx-42 and Aβ4-x species in amyloid deposits in the subiculum, hippocampus and cortex in 5XFAD mice during aging. Overall plaque load increased in all three brain regions, with the subiculum being the area with the strongest relative plaque coverage. In the subiculum, but not in the other brain regions, the Aβ1-x load peaked at an age of five months and decreased thereafter. In contrast, the density of plaques positive for N-terminally truncated Aβ4-x species increased continuously over time. We hypothesize that ongoing plaque remodeling takes place, leading to a conversion of deposited Aβ1-x peptides into Aβ4-x peptides in brain regions with a high Aβ plaque burden.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angelika Sabine Bader
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center (UMG), Georg-August-University, 37075 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Marius-Uwe Gnädig
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center (UMG), Georg-August-University, 37075 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Merle Fricke
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center (UMG), Georg-August-University, 37075 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Luca Büschgens
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center (UMG), Georg-August-University, 37075 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Lena Josefine Berger
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center (UMG), Georg-August-University, 37075 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Hans-Wolfgang Klafki
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center (UMG), Georg-August-University, 37075 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Thomas Meyer
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center (UMG), Georg-August-University, 37075 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Olaf Jahn
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center (UMG), Georg-August-University, 37075 Göttingen, Germany
- Neuroproteomics Group, Department of Molecular Neurobiology, Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences, 37075 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Sascha Weggen
- Department of Neuropathology, Heinrich-Heine-University, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Oliver Wirths
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center (UMG), Georg-August-University, 37075 Göttingen, Germany
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Asadollahi K, Huang K, Yan F, de Zhang LA, Scott DJ, Gooley PR. High yield expression and purification of full-length Neurotensin with pyroglutamate modification. Protein Expr Purif 2023; 204:106227. [PMID: 36574939 DOI: 10.1016/j.pep.2022.106227] [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: 11/30/2022] [Revised: 12/17/2022] [Accepted: 12/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Neurotensin (NT) is a 13-residue endogenous peptide found in mammals, with neurotransmission and hormonal roles in the central nervous system and gastrointestinal tract, respectively. The first residue of NT is a pyroglutamate (pGlu) that makes the expression and purification of large amounts of NT with native modification challenging. Here, we describe a simple and efficient procedure for expression and purification of large amounts of NT based on using the small ubiquitin-like modifier (SUMO) as a fusion partner and subsequent enzymatic conversion of the N-terminal glutamine to pGlu. Yields of 13 mg/L and 8 mg/L of pure peptide were obtained from expression in rich and minimal media, respectively. The method is adaptable to expression and purification of proteins and peptides with pGlu modification in a wide range of eukaryotic and prokaryotic expression hosts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kazem Asadollahi
- Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia; Bio21 Molecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia; The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
| | - Katherine Huang
- Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia; Bio21 Molecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
| | - Fei Yan
- Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia; Bio21 Molecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
| | - Lazarus A de Zhang
- Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia; The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia; Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, 381 Royal Parade, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
| | - Daniel J Scott
- Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia; The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
| | - Paul R Gooley
- Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia; Bio21 Molecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia.
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N-terminally truncated Aβ4-x proteoforms and their relevance for Alzheimer's pathophysiology. Transl Neurodegener 2022; 11:30. [PMID: 35641972 PMCID: PMC9158284 DOI: 10.1186/s40035-022-00303-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2021] [Accepted: 04/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The molecular heterogeneity of Alzheimer’s amyloid-β (Aβ) deposits extends well beyond the classic Aβ1-40/Aβ1-42 dichotomy, substantially expanded by multiple post-translational modifications that increase the proteome diversity. Numerous truncated fragments consistently populate the brain Aβ peptidome, and their homeostatic regulation and potential contribution to disease pathogenesis are largely unknown. Aβ4-x peptides have been reported as major components of plaque cores and the limited studies available indicate their relative abundance in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Methods Immunohistochemistry was used to assess the topographic distribution of Aβ4-x species in well-characterized AD cases using custom-generated monoclonal antibody 18H6—specific for Aβ4-x species and blind for full-length Aβ1-40/Aβ1-42—in conjunction with thioflavin-S and antibodies recognizing Aβx-40 and Aβx-42 proteoforms. Circular dichroism, thioflavin-T binding, and electron microscopy evaluated the biophysical and aggregation/oligomerization properties of full-length and truncated synthetic homologues, whereas stereotaxic intracerebral injections of monomeric and oligomeric radiolabeled homologues in wild-type mice were used to evaluate their brain clearance characteristics. Results All types of amyloid deposits contained the probed Aβ epitopes, albeit expressed in different proportions. Aβ4-x species showed preferential localization within thioflavin-S-positive cerebral amyloid angiopathy and cored plaques, strongly suggesting poor clearance characteristics and consistent with the reduced solubility and enhanced oligomerization of their synthetic homologues. In vivo clearance studies demonstrated a fast brain efflux of N-terminally truncated and full-length monomeric forms whereas their oligomeric counterparts—particularly of Aβ4-40 and Aβ4-42—consistently exhibited enhanced brain retention. Conclusions The persistence of aggregation-prone Aβ4-x proteoforms likely contributes to the process of amyloid formation, self-perpetuating the amyloidogenic loop and exacerbating amyloid-mediated pathogenic pathways.
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Donanemab detects a minor fraction of amyloid-β plaques in post-mortem brain tissue of patients with Alzheimer's disease and Down syndrome. Acta Neuropathol 2022; 143:601-603. [PMID: 35429251 PMCID: PMC9038931 DOI: 10.1007/s00401-022-02418-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2022] [Revised: 04/06/2022] [Accepted: 04/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
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Discovery of a novel pseudo β-hairpin structure of N-truncated amyloid-β for use as a vaccine against Alzheimer's disease. Mol Psychiatry 2022; 27:840-848. [PMID: 34776512 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-021-01385-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2021] [Revised: 10/16/2021] [Accepted: 10/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
One of the hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease (AD) are deposits of amyloid-beta (Aβ) protein in amyloid plaques in the brain. The Aβ peptide exists in several forms, including full-length Aβ1-42 and Aβ1-40 - and the N-truncated species, pyroglutamate Aβ3-42 and Aβ4-42, which appear to play a major role in neurodegeneration. We previously identified a murine antibody (TAP01), which binds specifically to soluble, non-plaque N-truncated Aβ species. By solving crystal structures for TAP01 family antibodies bound to pyroglutamate Aβ3-14, we identified a novel pseudo β-hairpin structure in the N-terminal region of Aβ and show that this underpins its unique binding properties. We engineered a stabilised cyclic form of Aβ1-14 (N-Truncated Amyloid Peptide AntibodieS; the 'TAPAS' vaccine) and showed that this adopts the same 3-dimensional conformation as the native sequence when bound to TAP01. Active immunisation of two mouse models of AD with the TAPAS vaccine led to a striking reduction in amyloid-plaque formation, a rescue of brain glucose metabolism, a stabilisation in neuron loss, and a rescue of memory deficiencies. Treating both models with the humanised version of the TAP01 antibody had similar positive effects. Here we report the discovery of a unique conformational epitope in the N-terminal region of Aβ, which offers new routes for active and passive immunisation against AD.
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Pyroglutamate Aβ cascade as drug target in Alzheimer's disease. Mol Psychiatry 2022; 27:1880-1885. [PMID: 34880449 PMCID: PMC9126800 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-021-01409-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2021] [Revised: 11/19/2021] [Accepted: 11/25/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
One of the central aims in Alzheimer's disease (AD) research is the identification of clinically relevant drug targets. A plethora of potential molecular targets work very well in preclinical model systems both in vitro and in vivo in AD mouse models. However, the lack of translation into clinical settings in the AD field is a challenging endeavor. Although it is long known that N-terminally truncated and pyroglutamate-modified Abeta (AβpE3) peptides are abundantly present in the brain of AD patients, form stable and soluble low-molecular weight oligomers, and induce neurodegeneration in AD mouse models, their potential as drug target has not been generally accepted in the past. This situation has dramatically changed with the report that passive immunization with donanemab, an AβpE3-specific antibody, cleared aymloid plaques and stabilized cognitive deficits in a group of patients with mild AD in a phase II trial. This review summarizes the current knowledge on the molecular mechanisms of generation of AβpE, its biochemical properties, and the intervention points as a drug target in AD.
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Xu C, Wang YN, Wu H. Glutaminyl Cyclase, Diseases, and Development of Glutaminyl Cyclase Inhibitors. J Med Chem 2021; 64:6549-6565. [PMID: 34000808 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c00325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Pyroglutamate (pE) modification, catalyzed mainly by glutaminyl cyclase (QC), is prevalent throughout nature and is particularly important in mammals including humans for the maturation of hormones, peptides, and proteins. In humans, the upregulation of QC is involved in multiple diseases and conditions including Alzheimer's disease, Huntington's disease, melanomas, thyroid carcinomas, accelerated atherosclerosis, septic arthritics, etc. This upregulation catalyzes the generation of modified mediators such as pE-amyloid beta (Aß) and pE-chemokine ligand 2 (CCL2) peptides. Not surprisingly, QC has emerged as a reasonable target for the development of therapeutics to combat these diseases and conditions. In this manuscript the deleterious effects of upregulated QC resulting in disease manifestation are reviewed, along with progress on the development of QC inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenshu Xu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Health Science Center, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China
| | - Yi-Nan Wang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Health Science Center, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China
| | - Haiqiang Wu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Health Science Center, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China
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Catania M, Di Fede G. One or more β-amyloid(s)? New insights into the prion-like nature of Alzheimer's disease. PROGRESS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND TRANSLATIONAL SCIENCE 2020; 175:213-237. [PMID: 32958234 DOI: 10.1016/bs.pmbts.2020.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Misfolding and aggregation of proteins play a central role in the pathogenesis of several neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's and Lewy Body diseases, Frontotemporal Lobar Degeneration and prion diseases. Increasing evidence supports the view that Aβ and tau, which are the two main molecular players in AD, share with the prion protein several "prion-like" features that can be relevant for disease pathogenesis. These features essentially include structural/conformational/biochemical variations, resistance to degradation by endogenous proteases, seeding ability, attitude to form neurotoxic assemblies, spreading and propagation of toxic aggregates, transmissibility of tau- and Aβ-related pathology to animal models. Following this view, part of the recent scientific literature has generated a new reading frame for AD pathophysiology, based on the application of the prion paradigm to the amyloid cascade hypothesis in an attempt to definitely explain the key events causing the disease and inducing its occurrence under different clinical phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcella Catania
- Neurology 5 / Neuropathology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Di Fede
- Neurology 5 / Neuropathology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan, Italy.
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9
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Wang P, Lin K, Liu H, Andreasson U, Blennow K, Zetterberg H, Yang S. Plasma pyroglutamate-modified amyloid beta differentiates amyloid pathology. ALZHEIMER'S & DEMENTIA (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2020; 12:e12029. [PMID: 32363230 PMCID: PMC7191392 DOI: 10.1002/dad2.12029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2020] [Accepted: 03/05/2020] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Pyroglutamate-modified amyloid β (AβpE3) could be a biomarker for Aβ plaque pathology in the brain. An ultra-high-sensitive assay is needed for detecting AβpE3-40. METHODS Immunomagnetic reduction was used for quantification of AβpE3-40 in plasma from 46 participants. The concentrations of AβpE3-40 of these subjects were compared with 18F-florbetapir positron emission tomography (PET) images. RESULTS AβpE3-40 concentration was 44.1 ± 28.2 fg/mL in PET- (n = 28) and 91.6 ± 54.6 fg/mL in PET+ (n = 18; P < .05). The cutoff value of AβpE3-40 for discriminating PET- from PET+ was 55.5 fg/mL, resulting in a sensitivity of 83.3%, a specificity of 71.4%. The concentration of AβpE3-40 showed a moderate correlation (r = 0.437) with PET standardized uptake value ratio. DISCUSSION We did not enroll pre-clinical AD subject with normal cognition but Aβ PET+. It would be an important issue to explore the feasibility of using AβpE3-40 for screening pre-clinical subjects. CONCLUSION These results reveal the feasibility of detecting Aβ pathology using quantification of a plaque-derived Aβ molecule in plasma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pei‐Ning Wang
- Department of NeurologyNeurological InstituteTaipei Veterans General HospitalTaipeiTaiwan
- Department of NeurologySchool of MedicineNational Yang‐Ming UniversityTaipeiTaiwan
- Brain Research CenterNational Yang‐Ming UniversityTaipeiTaiwan
| | - Kun‐Ju Lin
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging CenterLinkou Chang Gung Memorial HospitalTao‐YuanTaiwan
- Healthy Aging Research Center and Department of Medical Imaging and Radiological SciencesCollege of Medicine, Chang Gung UniversityTao‐YuanTaiwan
| | | | - Ulf Andreasson
- Department of Psychiatry and NeurochemistryInstitute of Neuroscience and Physiologythe Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of GothenburgMölndalSweden
- Clinical Neurochemistry LaboratorySahlgrenska University HospitalMölndalSweden
| | - Kaj Blennow
- Department of Psychiatry and NeurochemistryInstitute of Neuroscience and Physiologythe Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of GothenburgMölndalSweden
- Clinical Neurochemistry LaboratorySahlgrenska University HospitalMölndalSweden
| | - Henrik Zetterberg
- Department of Psychiatry and NeurochemistryInstitute of Neuroscience and Physiologythe Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of GothenburgMölndalSweden
- Clinical Neurochemistry LaboratorySahlgrenska University HospitalMölndalSweden
- Department of Neurodegenerative DiseaseUCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, Queen SquareLondonUK
- UK Dementia Research Institute at UCLLondonUK
| | - Shieh‐Yueh Yang
- MagQu Co., Ltd.New Taipei CityTaiwan
- MagQu LLCSurpriseArizonaUSA
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Wirths O, Zampar S. Emerging roles of N- and C-terminally truncated Aβ species in Alzheimer’s disease. Expert Opin Ther Targets 2019; 23:991-1004. [DOI: 10.1080/14728222.2019.1702972] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Oliver Wirths
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Molecular Psychiatry, University Medical Center (UMG), Georg-August-University, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Silvia Zampar
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Molecular Psychiatry, University Medical Center (UMG), Georg-August-University, Göttingen, Germany
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Vijayan DK, Zhang KY. Human glutaminyl cyclase: Structure, function, inhibitors and involvement in Alzheimer’s disease. Pharmacol Res 2019; 147:104342. [DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2019.104342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2019] [Revised: 06/19/2019] [Accepted: 07/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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12
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Michno W, Nyström S, Wehrli P, Lashley T, Brinkmalm G, Guerard L, Syvänen S, Sehlin D, Kaya I, Brinet D, Nilsson KPR, Hammarström P, Blennow K, Zetterberg H, Hanrieder J. Pyroglutamation of amyloid-βx-42 (Aβx-42) followed by Aβ1-40 deposition underlies plaque polymorphism in progressing Alzheimer's disease pathology. J Biol Chem 2019; 294:6719-6732. [PMID: 30814252 PMCID: PMC6497931 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra118.006604] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2018] [Revised: 02/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyloid-β (Aβ) pathology in Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized by the formation of polymorphic deposits comprising diffuse and cored plaques. Because diffuse plaques are predominantly observed in cognitively unaffected, amyloid-positive (CU-AP) individuals, pathogenic conversion into cored plaques appears to be critical to AD pathogenesis. Herein, we identified the distinct Aβ species associated with amyloid polymorphism in brain tissue from individuals with sporadic AD (s-AD) and CU-AP. To this end, we interrogated Aβ polymorphism with amyloid conformation–sensitive dyes and a novel in situ MS paradigm for chemical characterization of hyperspectrally delineated plaque morphotypes. We found that maturation of diffuse into cored plaques correlated with increased Aβ1–40 deposition. Using spatial in situ delineation with imaging MS (IMS), we show that Aβ1–40 aggregates at the core structure of mature plaques, whereas Aβ1–42 localizes to diffuse amyloid aggregates. Moreover, we observed that diffuse plaques have increased pyroglutamated Aβx-42 levels in s-AD but not CU-AP, suggesting an AD pathology–related, hydrophobic functionalization of diffuse plaques facilitating Aβ1–40 deposition. Experiments in tgAPPSwe mice verified that, similar to what has been observed in human brain pathology, diffuse deposits display higher levels of Aβ1–42 and that Aβ plaque maturation over time is associated with increases in Aβ1–40. Finally, we found that Aβ1–40 deposition is characteristic for cerebral amyloid angiopathy deposition and maturation in both humans and mice. These results indicate that N-terminal Aβx-42 pyroglutamation and Aβ1–40 deposition are critical events in priming and maturation of pathogenic Aβ from diffuse into cored plaques, underlying neurotoxic plaque development in AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wojciech Michno
- From the Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, 43180 Mölndal, Sweden
| | - Sofie Nyström
- the Department of Physics, Chemistry and Biology, Linköping University, 58183 Linköping, Sweden
| | - Patrick Wehrli
- From the Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, 43180 Mölndal, Sweden
| | - Tammaryn Lashley
- the Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London WC1N 3BG, United Kingdom
| | - Gunnar Brinkmalm
- From the Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, 43180 Mölndal, Sweden
| | - Laurent Guerard
- the Center for Cellular Imaging, Core Facilities, Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, 41390 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Stina Syvänen
- the Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences, Uppsala University, 75236 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Dag Sehlin
- the Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences, Uppsala University, 75236 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Ibrahim Kaya
- From the Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, 43180 Mölndal, Sweden
| | - Dimitri Brinet
- From the Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, 43180 Mölndal, Sweden
| | - K Peter R Nilsson
- the Department of Physics, Chemistry and Biology, Linköping University, 58183 Linköping, Sweden
| | - Per Hammarström
- the Department of Physics, Chemistry and Biology, Linköping University, 58183 Linköping, Sweden
| | - Kaj Blennow
- From the Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, 43180 Mölndal, Sweden.,the Clinical Neurochemistry Laboratory, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, 43180 Mölndal, Sweden
| | - Henrik Zetterberg
- From the Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, 43180 Mölndal, Sweden.,the Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London WC1N 3BG, United Kingdom.,the Clinical Neurochemistry Laboratory, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, 43180 Mölndal, Sweden.,the UK Dementia Research Institute at UCL, London WC1E 6BT, United Kingdom, and
| | - Jörg Hanrieder
- From the Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, 43180 Mölndal, Sweden, .,the Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London WC1N 3BG, United Kingdom
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13
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Bachmann MF, Jennings GT, Vogel M. A vaccine against Alzheimer`s disease: anything left but faith? Expert Opin Biol Ther 2018; 19:73-78. [DOI: 10.1080/14712598.2019.1554646] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Martin F. Bachmann
- RIA Immunology, Department of BioMedical Research, University of Bern, Bern,
Switzerland
- The Jenner Institute, Nuffield Department of Medicine, The Henry Wellcome Building for Molecular Physiology, University of Oxford,
Oxford, UK
| | - Gary T Jennings
- Hypopet AG, Zürich,
Switzerland
- Saiba GmbH, Pfäffikon,
Switzerland
| | - Monique Vogel
- RIA Immunology, Department of BioMedical Research, University of Bern, Bern,
Switzerland
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14
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Jakobsen JE, Johansen MG, Schmidt M, Liu Y, Li R, Callesen H, Melnikova M, Habekost M, Matrone C, Bouter Y, Bayer TA, Nielsen AL, Duthie M, Fraser PE, Holm IE, Jørgensen AL. Expression of the Alzheimer's Disease Mutations AβPP695sw and PSEN1M146I in Double-Transgenic Göttingen Minipigs. J Alzheimers Dis 2018; 53:1617-30. [PMID: 27540966 DOI: 10.3233/jad-160408] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Mutations in the amyloid-β protein precursor gene (AβPP), the presenilin 1 gene (PSEN1) or the presenilin 2 gene (PSEN2) that increase production of the AβPP-derived peptide Aβ42 cause early-onset Alzheimer's disease. Rodent models of the disease show that further increase in Aβ42 production and earlier brain pathology can be obtained by coexpressing AβPP and PSEN1 mutations. To generate such elevated Aβ42 level in a large animal model, we produced Göttingen minipigs carrying in their genome one copy of a human PSEN1 cDNA with the Met146Ile (PSEN1M146I) mutation and three copies of a human AβPP695 cDNA with the Lys670Asn/Met671Leu (AβPPsw) double-mutation. Both transgenes were expressed in fibroblasts and in the brain, and their respective proteins were processed normally. Immunohistochemical staining with Aβ42-specific antibodies detected intraneuronal accumulation of Aβ42 in brains from a 10- and an 18-month-old pig. Such accumulation may represent an early event in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jannik E Jakobsen
- Department of Biomedicine (East), Aarhus University, Aarhus C, Denmark
| | | | - Mette Schmidt
- Department of Large Animal Sciences/Reproduction, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg C, Denmark
| | - Ying Liu
- Department of Animal Science, Aarhus University, Tjele, Denmark
| | - Rong Li
- Department of Animal Science, Aarhus University, Tjele, Denmark
| | - Henrik Callesen
- Department of Animal Science, Aarhus University, Tjele, Denmark
| | | | - Mette Habekost
- Department of Biomedicine (East), Aarhus University, Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Carmela Matrone
- Department of Biomedicine (East), Aarhus University, Aarhus C, Denmark
| | - Yvonne Bouter
- Division of Molecular Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medicine Göttingen, Georg-August-University Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Thomas A Bayer
- Division of Molecular Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medicine Göttingen, Georg-August-University Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | | | - Monika Duthie
- Tanz Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases, Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Paul E Fraser
- Tanz Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases, Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Ida E Holm
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus C, Denmark.,Department of Pathology, Randers Hospital, Randers, Denmark
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15
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Ahlemeyer B, Halupczok S, Rodenberg-Frank E, Valerius KP, Baumgart-Vogt E. Endogenous Murine Amyloid-β Peptide Assembles into Aggregates in the Aged C57BL/6J Mouse Suggesting These Animals as a Model to Study Pathogenesis of Amyloid-β Plaque Formation. J Alzheimers Dis 2018; 61:1425-1450. [DOI: 10.3233/jad-170923] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Ahlemeyer
- Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Division of Medical Cell Biology, Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany
| | - Sascha Halupczok
- Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Division of Medical Cell Biology, Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany
| | - Elke Rodenberg-Frank
- Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Division of Medical Cell Biology, Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany
| | - Klaus-Peter Valerius
- Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Division of Medical Cell Biology, Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany
| | - Eveline Baumgart-Vogt
- Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Division of Medical Cell Biology, Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany
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16
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Borghesani V, Alies B, Hureau C. Cu(II) binding to various forms of amyloid-β peptides. Are they friends or foes? Eur J Inorg Chem 2018; 2018:7-15. [PMID: 30186035 PMCID: PMC6120674 DOI: 10.1002/ejic.201700776] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2017] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
In the present micro-review, we describe the Cu(II) binding to several forms of amyloid-β peptides, the peptides involved in Alzheimer's disease. It has indeed been shown that in addition to the "full-length" peptide originating from the precursor protein after cleavage at position 1, several other shorter peptides do exist in large proportion and may be involved in the disease as well. Cu(II) binding to amyloid-β peptides is one of the key interactions that impact both the aggregating properties of the amyloid peptides and the Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) production, two events linked to the etiology of the disease. Binding sites and affinity are described in correlation with Cu(II) induced ROS formation and Cu(II) altered aggregation, for amyloid peptides starting at position 1, 3, 4, 11 and for the corresponding pyroglutamate forms when they could be obtained (i.e. for peptides cleaved at positions 3 and 11). It appears that the current paradigm which points out a toxic role of the Cu(II) - amyloid-β interaction might well be shifted towards a possible protective role when the peptides considered are the N-terminally truncated ones.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Borghesani
- CNRS, LCC (Laboratoire de Chimie de Coordination), 205 route de Narbonne, BP 44099 31077 Toulouse Cedex 4, France
- University of Toulouse, UPS, INPT, 31077 Toulouse Cedex 4, France
| | | | - Christelle Hureau
- CNRS, LCC (Laboratoire de Chimie de Coordination), 205 route de Narbonne, BP 44099 31077 Toulouse Cedex 4, France
- University of Toulouse, UPS, INPT, 31077 Toulouse Cedex 4, France
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17
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Abstract
Amyloid β (Aβ) is the major constituent of the brain deposits found in parenchymal plaques and cerebral blood vessels of patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD). Besides classic full-length peptides, biochemical analyses of brain deposits have revealed high degree of Aβ heterogeneity likely resulting from the action of multiple proteolytic enzymes. This chapter describes a sequential extraction protocol allowing the differential fractionation of soluble and deposited Aβ species taking advantage of their differential solubility properties. Soluble Aβ is extracted by water-based buffers like phosphate-buffered saline-PBS-whereas pre-fibrillar and fibrillar deposits, usually poorly soluble in PBS, are extractable in detergent containing solutions or more stringent conditions as formic acid. The extraction procedure is followed by the biochemical identification of the extracted Aβ species using Western blot and a targeted proteomic analysis which combines immunoprecipitation with MALDI-ToF mass spectrometry. This approach revealed the presence of numerous C- and N-terminal truncated Aβ species in addition to Aβ1-40/42. Notably, the more soluble C-terminal cleaved fragments constitute a main part of PBS homogenates. On the contrary, N-terminal truncated species typically require more stringent conditions for the extraction in agreement with their lower solubility and enhanced aggregability. Detailed assessment of the molecular diversity of Aβ species composing interstitial fluid and amyloid deposits at different disease stages, as well as the evaluation of the truncation profile during various pharmacologic approaches will provide a comprehensive understanding of the still undefined contribution of Aβ truncations to AD pathogenesis and their potential as novel therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agueda Rostagno
- Department of Pathology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Thomas A Neubert
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
- Kimmel Center for Biology and Medicine at the Skirball Institute, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jorge Ghiso
- Department of Pathology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA.
- Department of Psychiatry, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA.
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18
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Wirths O, Walter S, Kraus I, Klafki HW, Stazi M, Oberstein TJ, Ghiso J, Wiltfang J, Bayer TA, Weggen S. N-truncated Aβ 4-x peptides in sporadic Alzheimer's disease cases and transgenic Alzheimer mouse models. ALZHEIMERS RESEARCH & THERAPY 2017; 9:80. [PMID: 28978359 PMCID: PMC5628465 DOI: 10.1186/s13195-017-0309-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2017] [Accepted: 09/11/2017] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Background The deposition of neurotoxic amyloid-β (Aβ) peptides in plaques in the brain parenchyma and in cerebral blood vessels is considered to be a key event in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) pathogenesis. Although the presence and impact of full-length Aβ peptides such as Aβ1–40 and Aβ1–42 have been analyzed extensively, the deposition of N-terminally truncated Aβ peptide species has received much less attention, largely because of the lack of specific antibodies. Methods This paper describes the generation and characterization of novel antibodies selective for Aβ4–x peptides and provides immunohistochemical evidence of Aβ4–x in the human brain and its distribution in the APP/PS1KI and 5XFAD transgenic mouse models. Results The Aβ4–x staining pattern was restricted mainly to amyloid plaque cores and cerebral amyloid angiopathy in AD and Down syndrome cases and in both AD mouse models. In contrast, diffuse amyloid deposits were largely negative for Aβ4–x immunoreactivity. No overt intraneuronal staining was observed. Conclusions The findings of this study are consistent with previous reports demonstrating a high aggregation propensity of Aβ4–x peptides and suggest an important role of these N-truncated Aβ species in the process of amyloidogenesis and plaque core formation. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13195-017-0309-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oliver Wirths
- Division of Molecular Psychiatry, University Medical Center (UMG), Georg-August-University, von-Siebold-Strasse 5, 37075, Goettingen, Germany. .,Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center (UMG), Georg-August-University, von-Siebold-Strasse 5, 37075, Goettingen, Germany.
| | - Susanne Walter
- Department of Neuropathology, Heinrich-Heine-University, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Inga Kraus
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center (UMG), Georg-August-University, von-Siebold-Strasse 5, 37075, Goettingen, Germany
| | - Hans W Klafki
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center (UMG), Georg-August-University, von-Siebold-Strasse 5, 37075, Goettingen, Germany
| | - Martina Stazi
- Division of Molecular Psychiatry, University Medical Center (UMG), Georg-August-University, von-Siebold-Strasse 5, 37075, Goettingen, Germany.,Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center (UMG), Georg-August-University, von-Siebold-Strasse 5, 37075, Goettingen, Germany
| | - Timo J Oberstein
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Friedrich-Alexander-University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Jorge Ghiso
- Department of Pathology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA.,Departments of Psychiatry, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jens Wiltfang
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center (UMG), Georg-August-University, von-Siebold-Strasse 5, 37075, Goettingen, Germany.,German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Göttingen, Germany.,Institute for Research in Biomedicine (iBiMED), Medical Sciences Department, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Thomas A Bayer
- Division of Molecular Psychiatry, University Medical Center (UMG), Georg-August-University, von-Siebold-Strasse 5, 37075, Goettingen, Germany.,Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center (UMG), Georg-August-University, von-Siebold-Strasse 5, 37075, Goettingen, Germany
| | - Sascha Weggen
- Department of Neuropathology, Heinrich-Heine-University, Düsseldorf, Germany
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19
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Aβ truncated species: Implications for brain clearance mechanisms and amyloid plaque deposition. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2017; 1864:208-225. [PMID: 28711595 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2017.07.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2017] [Revised: 06/24/2017] [Accepted: 07/11/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Extensive parenchymal and vascular Aβ deposits are pathological hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Besides classic full-length peptides, biochemical analyses of brain deposits have revealed high degree of Aβ heterogeneity likely resulting from the action of multiple proteolytic enzymes. In spite of the numerous studies focusing in Aβ, the relevance of N- and C-terminal truncated species for AD pathogenesis remains largely understudied. In the present work, using novel antibodies specifically recognizing Aβ species N-terminally truncated at position 4 or C-terminally truncated at position 34, we provide a clear assessment of the differential topographic localization of these species in AD brains and transgenic models. Based on their distinct solubility, brain N- and C-terminal truncated species were extracted by differential fractionation and identified via immunoprecipitation coupled to mass spectrometry analysis. Biochemical/biophysical studies with synthetic homologues further confirmed the different solubility properties and contrasting fibrillogenic characteristics of the truncated species composing the brain Aβ peptidome. Aβ C-terminal degradation leads to the production of more soluble fragments likely to be more easily eliminated from the brain. On the contrary, N-terminal truncation at position 4 favors the formation of poorly soluble, aggregation prone peptides with high amyloidogenic propensity and the potential to exacerbate the fibrillar deposits, self-perpetuating the amyloidogenic loop. Detailed assessment of the molecular diversity of Aβ species composing interstitial fluid and amyloid deposits at different disease stages, as well as the evaluation of the truncation profile during various pharmacologic approaches will provide a comprehensive understanding of the still undefined contribution of Aβ truncations to the disease pathogenesis and their potential as novel therapeutic targets.
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20
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Piechotta A, Parthier C, Kleinschmidt M, Gnoth K, Pillot T, Lues I, Demuth HU, Schilling S, Rahfeld JU, Stubbs MT. Structural and functional analyses of pyroglutamate-amyloid-β-specific antibodies as a basis for Alzheimer immunotherapy. J Biol Chem 2017. [PMID: 28623233 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m117.777839] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer disease is associated with deposition of the amyloidogenic peptide Aβ in the brain. Passive immunization using Aβ-specific antibodies has been demonstrated to reduce amyloid deposition both in vitro and in vivo Because N-terminally truncated pyroglutamate (pE)-modified Aβ species (AβpE3) exhibit enhanced aggregation potential and propensity to form toxic oligomers, they represent particularly attractive targets for antibody therapy. Here we present three separate monoclonal antibodies that specifically recognize AβpE3 with affinities of 1-10 nm and inhibit AβpE3 fibril formation in vitro. In vivo application of one of these resulted in improved memory in AβpE3 oligomer-treated mice. Crystal structures of Fab-AβpE3 complexes revealed two distinct binding modes for the peptide. Juxtaposition of pyroglutamate pE3 and the F4 side chain (the "pEF head") confers a pronounced bulky hydrophobic nature to the AβpE3 N terminus that might explain the enhanced aggregation properties of the modified peptide. The deep burial of the pEF head by two of the antibodies explains their high target specificity and low cross-reactivity, making them promising candidates for the development of clinical antibodies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anke Piechotta
- Probiodrug AG, Weinbergweg 22, 06120 Halle (Saale), Germany; Institute of Biotechnology, Martin Luther University, 06108 Halle-Wittenberg, Germany; Department of Molecular Drug Biochemistry and Therapy, Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Weinbergweg 22, 06120 Halle, Germany
| | - Christoph Parthier
- Institute of Biotechnology, Martin Luther University, 06108 Halle-Wittenberg, Germany
| | - Martin Kleinschmidt
- Probiodrug AG, Weinbergweg 22, 06120 Halle (Saale), Germany; Department of Molecular Drug Biochemistry and Therapy, Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Weinbergweg 22, 06120 Halle, Germany
| | - Kathrin Gnoth
- Probiodrug AG, Weinbergweg 22, 06120 Halle (Saale), Germany; Department of Molecular Drug Biochemistry and Therapy, Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Weinbergweg 22, 06120 Halle, Germany
| | | | - Inge Lues
- Probiodrug AG, Weinbergweg 22, 06120 Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Hans-Ulrich Demuth
- Probiodrug AG, Weinbergweg 22, 06120 Halle (Saale), Germany; Department of Molecular Drug Biochemistry and Therapy, Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Weinbergweg 22, 06120 Halle, Germany
| | - Stephan Schilling
- Probiodrug AG, Weinbergweg 22, 06120 Halle (Saale), Germany; Department of Molecular Drug Biochemistry and Therapy, Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Weinbergweg 22, 06120 Halle, Germany
| | - Jens-Ulrich Rahfeld
- Probiodrug AG, Weinbergweg 22, 06120 Halle (Saale), Germany; Department of Molecular Drug Biochemistry and Therapy, Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology, Weinbergweg 22, 06120 Halle, Germany.
| | - Milton T Stubbs
- Institute of Biotechnology, Martin Luther University, 06108 Halle-Wittenberg, Germany.
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21
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Dammers C, Reiss K, Gremer L, Lecher J, Ziehm T, Stoldt M, Schwarten M, Willbold D. Pyroglutamate-Modified Amyloid-β(3-42) Shows α-Helical Intermediates before Amyloid Formation. Biophys J 2017; 112:1621-1633. [PMID: 28445753 PMCID: PMC5406372 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2017.03.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2016] [Revised: 03/02/2017] [Accepted: 03/08/2017] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Pyroglutamate-modified amyloid-β (pEAβ) has been described as a relevant Aβ species in Alzheimer's-disease-affected brains, with pEAβ (3-42) as a dominant isoform. Aβ (1-40) and Aβ (1-42) have been well characterized under various solution conditions, including aqueous solutions containing trifluoroethanol (TFE). To characterize structural properties of pEAβ (3-42) possibly underlying its drastically increased aggregation propensity compared to Aβ (1-42), we started our studies in various TFE-water mixtures and found striking differences between the two Aβ species. Soluble pEAβ (3-42) has an increased tendency to form β-sheet-rich structures compared to Aβ (1-42), as indicated by circular dichroism spectroscopy data. Kinetic assays monitored by thioflavin-T show drastically accelerated aggregation leading to large fibrils visualized by electron microscopy of pEAβ (3-42) in contrast to Aβ (1-42). NMR spectroscopy was performed for backbone and side-chain chemical-shift assignments of monomeric pEAβ (3-42) in 40% TFE solution. Although the difference between pEAβ (3-42) and Aβ (1-42) is purely N-terminal, it has a significant impact on the chemical environment of >20% of the total amino acid residues, as revealed by their NMR chemical-shift differences. Freshly dissolved pEAβ (3-42) contains two α-helical regions connected by a flexible linker, whereas the N-terminus remains unstructured. We found that these α-helices act as a transient intermediate to β-sheet and fibril formation of pEAβ (3-42).
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina Dammers
- Institute of Complex Systems (ICS-6) Structural Biochemistry, Forschungszentrum Jülich, Jülich, Germany
| | - Kerstin Reiss
- Institute of Complex Systems (ICS-6) Structural Biochemistry, Forschungszentrum Jülich, Jülich, Germany
| | - Lothar Gremer
- Institute of Complex Systems (ICS-6) Structural Biochemistry, Forschungszentrum Jülich, Jülich, Germany; Institut für Physikalische Biologie, Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Justin Lecher
- Institute of Complex Systems (ICS-6) Structural Biochemistry, Forschungszentrum Jülich, Jülich, Germany; Institut für Physikalische Biologie, Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Tamar Ziehm
- Institute of Complex Systems (ICS-6) Structural Biochemistry, Forschungszentrum Jülich, Jülich, Germany
| | - Matthias Stoldt
- Institute of Complex Systems (ICS-6) Structural Biochemistry, Forschungszentrum Jülich, Jülich, Germany; Institut für Physikalische Biologie, Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Melanie Schwarten
- Institute of Complex Systems (ICS-6) Structural Biochemistry, Forschungszentrum Jülich, Jülich, Germany
| | - Dieter Willbold
- Institute of Complex Systems (ICS-6) Structural Biochemistry, Forschungszentrum Jülich, Jülich, Germany; Institut für Physikalische Biologie, Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany.
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22
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Weissmann R, Hüttenrauch M, Kacprowski T, Bouter Y, Pradier L, Bayer TA, Kuss AW, Wirths O. Gene Expression Profiling in the APP/PS1KI Mouse Model of Familial Alzheimer's Disease. J Alzheimers Dis 2016; 50:397-409. [PMID: 26639971 DOI: 10.3233/jad-150745] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a devastating neurodegenerative disorder characterized by early intraneuronal amyloid-β (Aβ) accumulation, extracellular deposition of Aβ peptides, and intracellular hyperphosphorylated tau aggregates. These lesions cause dendritic and synaptic alterations and induce an inflammatory response in the diseased brain. Although the neuropathological characteristics of AD have been known for decades, the molecular mechanisms causing the disease are still under investigation. Studying gene expression changes in postmortem AD brain tissue can yield new insights into the molecular disease mechanisms. To that end, one can employ transgenic AD mouse models and the next-generation sequencing technology. In this study, a whole-brain transcriptome analysis was carried out using the well-characterized APP/PS1KI mouse model for AD. These mice display a robust phenotype reflected by working memory deficits at 6 months of age, a significant neuron loss in a variety of brain areas including the CA1 region of the hippocampus and a severe amyloid pathology. Based on deep sequencing, differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between 6-month-old WT or PS1KI and APP/PS1KI were identified and verified by qRT-PCR. Compared to WT mice, 250 DEGs were found in APP/PS1KI mice, while 186 DEGs could be found compared to PS1KI control mice. Most of the DEGs were upregulated in APP/PS1KI mice and belong to either inflammation-associated pathways or lysosomal activation, which is likely due to the robust intraneuronal accumulation of Aβ in this mouse model. Our comprehensive brain transcriptome study further highlights APP/PS1KI mice as a valuable model for AD, covering molecular inflammatory and immune responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert Weissmann
- Department of Human Genetics, University Medicine Greifswald and Interfaculty Institute of Genetics and Functional Genomics, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Melanie Hüttenrauch
- Division of Molecular Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center (UMG), Georg-August-University, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Tim Kacprowski
- Department of Functional Genomics, Interfaculty Institute for Genetics and Functional Genomics, University Medicine and Ernst-Moritz-Arndt University Greifswald, Germany
| | - Yvonne Bouter
- Division of Molecular Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center (UMG), Georg-August-University, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Laurent Pradier
- Sanofi, Therapeutic Strategy Unit Neurodegeneration and Pain, Chilly Mazarin, France
| | - Thomas A Bayer
- Division of Molecular Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center (UMG), Georg-August-University, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Andreas W Kuss
- Department of Human Genetics, University Medicine Greifswald and Interfaculty Institute of Genetics and Functional Genomics, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Oliver Wirths
- Division of Molecular Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center (UMG), Georg-August-University, Göttingen, Germany
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23
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Sofola-Adesakin O, Khericha M, Snoeren I, Tsuda L, Partridge L. pGluAβ increases accumulation of Aβ in vivo and exacerbates its toxicity. Acta Neuropathol Commun 2016; 4:109. [PMID: 27717375 PMCID: PMC5055666 DOI: 10.1186/s40478-016-0380-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2016] [Accepted: 09/23/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Several species of β-amyloid peptides (Aβ) exist as a result of differential cleavage from amyloid precursor protein (APP) to yield various C-terminal Aβ peptides. Several N-terminal modified Aβ peptides have also been identified in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) brains, the most common of which is pyroglutamate-modified Aβ (AβpE3-42). AβpE3-42 peptide has an increased propensity to aggregate, appears to accumulate in the brain before the appearance of clinical symptoms of AD, and precedes Aβ1-42 deposition. Moreover, in vitro studies have shown that AβpE3-42 can act as a seed for full length Aβ1-42. In this study, we characterized the Drosophila model of AβpE3-42 toxicity by expressing the peptide in specific sets of neurons using the GAL4-UAS system, and measuring different phenotypic outcomes. We found that AβpE3-42 peptide had an increased propensity to aggregate. Expression of AβpE3-42 in the neurons of adult flies led to behavioural dysfunction and shortened lifespan. Expression of AβpE3-42 constitutively in the eyes led to disorganised ommatidia, and activation of the c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) signaling pathway. The eye disruption was almost completely rescued by co-expressing a candidate Aβ degrading enzyme, neprilysin2. Furthermore, we found that neprilysin2 was capable of degrading AβpE3-42. Also, we tested the seeding hypothesis for AβpE3-42 in vivo, and measured its effect on Aβ1-42 levels. We found that Aβ1-42 levels were significantly increased when Aβ1-42 and AβpE3-42 peptides were co-expressed. Furthermore, we found that AβpE3-42 enhanced Aβ1-42 toxicity in vivo. Our findings implicate AβpE3-42 as an important source of toxicity in AD, and suggest that its specific degradation could be therapeutic.
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24
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Immunotherapy Against N-Truncated Amyloid-β Oligomers. METHODS IN PHARMACOLOGY AND TOXICOLOGY 2016. [DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-3560-4_3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/05/2022]
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25
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Alzheimer therapy with an antibody against N-terminal Abeta 4-X and pyroglutamate Abeta 3-X. Sci Rep 2015; 5:17338. [PMID: 26626428 PMCID: PMC4667289 DOI: 10.1038/srep17338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2015] [Accepted: 10/28/2015] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Full-length Aβ1-42 and Aβ1-40, N-truncated pyroglutamate Aβ3-42 and Aβ4-42 are major variants in the Alzheimer brain. Aβ4-42 has not been considered as a therapeutic target yet. We demonstrate that the antibody NT4X and its Fab fragment reacting with both the free N-terminus of Aβ4-x and pyroglutamate Aβ3-X mitigated neuron loss in Tg4-42 mice expressing Aβ4-42 and completely rescued spatial reference memory deficits after passive immunization. NT4X and its Fab fragment also rescued working memory deficits in wild type mice induced by intraventricular injection of Aβ4-42. NT4X reduced pyroglutamate Aβ3-x, Aβx-40 and Thioflavin-S positive plaque load after passive immunization of 5XFAD mice. Aβ1-x and Aβx-42 plaque deposits were unchanged. Importantly, for the first time, we demonstrate that passive immunization using the antibody NT4X is therapeutically beneficial in Alzheimer mouse models showing that N-truncated Aβ starting with position four in addition to pyroglutamate Aβ3-x is a relevant target to fight Alzheimer’s disease.
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26
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Storck SE, Meister S, Nahrath J, Meißner JN, Schubert N, Di Spiezio A, Baches S, Vandenbroucke RE, Bouter Y, Prikulis I, Korth C, Weggen S, Heimann A, Schwaninger M, Bayer TA, Pietrzik CU. Endothelial LRP1 transports amyloid-β(1-42) across the blood-brain barrier. J Clin Invest 2015; 126:123-36. [PMID: 26619118 DOI: 10.1172/jci81108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 268] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2015] [Accepted: 10/22/2015] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
According to the neurovascular hypothesis, impairment of low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein-1 (LRP1) in brain capillaries of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) contributes to neurotoxic amyloid-β (Aβ) brain accumulation and drives Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathology. However, due to conflicting reports on the involvement of LRP1 in Aβ transport and the expression of LRP1 in brain endothelium, the role of LRP1 at the BBB is uncertain. As global Lrp1 deletion in mice is lethal, appropriate models to study the function of LRP1 are lacking. Moreover, the relevance of systemic Aβ clearance to AD pathology remains unclear, as no BBB-specific knockout models have been available. Here, we developed transgenic mouse strains that allow for tamoxifen-inducible deletion of Lrp1 specifically within brain endothelial cells (Slco1c1-CreER(T2) Lrp1(fl/fl) mice) and used these mice to accurately evaluate LRP1-mediated Aβ BBB clearance in vivo. Selective deletion of Lrp1 in the brain endothelium of C57BL/6 mice strongly reduced brain efflux of injected [125I] Aβ(1-42). Additionally, in the 5xFAD mouse model of AD, brain endothelial-specific Lrp1 deletion reduced plasma Aβ levels and elevated soluble brain Aβ, leading to aggravated spatial learning and memory deficits, thus emphasizing the importance of systemic Aβ elimination via the BBB. Together, our results suggest that receptor-mediated Aβ BBB clearance may be a potential target for treatment and prevention of Aβ brain accumulation in AD.
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27
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Bouter Y, Lopez Noguerola JS, Tucholla P, Crespi GAN, Parker MW, Wiltfang J, Miles LA, Bayer TA. Abeta targets of the biosimilar antibodies of Bapineuzumab, Crenezumab, Solanezumab in comparison to an antibody against N‑truncated Abeta in sporadic Alzheimer disease cases and mouse models. Acta Neuropathol 2015; 130:713-29. [PMID: 26467270 DOI: 10.1007/s00401-015-1489-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2015] [Revised: 10/05/2015] [Accepted: 10/05/2015] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Solanezumab and Crenezumab are two humanized antibodies targeting Amyloid-β (Aβ) which are currently tested in multiple clinical trials for the prevention of Alzheimer's disease. However, there is a scientific discussion ongoing about the target engagement of these antibodies. Here, we report the immunohistochemical staining profiles of biosimilar antibodies of Solanezumab, Crenezumab and Bapineuzumab in human formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue and human fresh frozen tissue. Furthermore, we performed a direct comparative immunohistochemistry analysis of the biosimilar versions of the humanized antibodies in different mouse models including 5XFAD, Tg4-42, TBA42, APP/PS1KI, 3xTg. The staining pattern with these humanized antibodies revealed a surprisingly similar profile. All three antibodies detected plaques, cerebral amyloid angiopathy and intraneuronal Aβ in a similar fashion. Remarkably, Solanezumab showed a strong binding affinity to plaques. We also reaffirmed that Bapineuzumab does not recognize N-truncated or modified Aβ, while Solanezumab and Crenezumab do detect N-terminally modified Aβ peptides Aβ4-42 and pyroglutamate Aβ3-42. In addition, we compared the results with the staining pattern of the mouse NT4X antibody that recognizes specifically Aβ4-42 and pyroglutamate Aβ3-42, but not full-length Aβ1-42. In contrast to the biosimilar antibodies of Solanezumab, Crenezumab and Bapineuzumab, the murine NT4X antibody shows a unique target engagement. NT4X does barely cross-react with amyloid plaques in human tissue. It does, however, detect cerebral amyloid angiopathy in human tissue. In Alzheimer mouse models, NT4X detects intraneuronal Aβ and plaques comparable to the humanized antibodies. In conclusion, the biosimilar antibodies Solanezumab, Crenezumab and Bapineuzumab strongly react with amyloid plaques, which are in contrast to the NT4X antibody that hardly recognizes plaques in human tissue. Therefore, NT4X is the first of a new class of therapeutic antibodies.
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Lues I, Weber F, Meyer A, Bühring U, Hoffmann T, Kühn-Wache K, Manhart S, Heiser U, Pokorny R, Chiesa J, Glund K. A phase 1 study to evaluate the safety and pharmacokinetics of PQ912, a glutaminyl cyclase inhibitor, in healthy subjects. ALZHEIMERS & DEMENTIA-TRANSLATIONAL RESEARCH & CLINICAL INTERVENTIONS 2015; 1:182-195. [PMID: 29854937 PMCID: PMC5975062 DOI: 10.1016/j.trci.2015.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Introduction Pyroglutamate-amyloid-β (pE-Aβ) peptides are major components of Aβ-oligomers and Aβ-plaques, which are regarded as key culprits of Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathology. PQ912 is a competitive inhibitor of the enzyme glutaminyl cyclase (QC), essential for the formation of pE-Aβ peptides. Methods A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, single- and multiple-ascending oral dose study investigated the safety, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics of PQ912 in healthy nonelderly and elderly subjects. Results PQ912 was considered safe and well tolerated with dose-proportional pharmacokinetics up to doses of 200 mg. At higher doses up to 1800 mg, exposure was supraproportional and exposure in elderly subjects was approximately 1.5- to 2.1-fold higher. Exposure in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) was approximately 20% of the unbound drug in plasma, and both serum and CSF QC activity was inhibited in a dose-related manner. Discussion This first-in-man study of a compound-targeting QC inhibition justifies further development of PQ912 for the treatment of AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inge Lues
- Probiodrug AG, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Rolf Pokorny
- Covance Clinical Research Unit AG, Allschwil (Basel), Switzerland
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Role of amyloid-β CSF levels in cognitive deficit in MS. Clin Chim Acta 2015; 449:23-30. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cca.2015.01.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2015] [Accepted: 01/21/2015] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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Frost JL, Liu B, Rahfeld JU, Kleinschmidt M, O'Nuallain B, Le KX, Lues I, Caldarone BJ, Schilling S, Demuth HU, Lemere CA. An anti-pyroglutamate-3 Aβ vaccine reduces plaques and improves cognition in APPswe/PS1ΔE9 mice. Neurobiol Aging 2015; 36:3187-3199. [PMID: 26453001 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2015.08.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2014] [Revised: 07/10/2015] [Accepted: 08/22/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Pyroglutamate-3 amyloid-beta (pGlu-3 Aβ) is an N-terminally truncated Aβ isoform likely playing a decisive role in Alzheimer's disease pathogenesis. Here, we describe a prophylactic passive immunization study in APPswe/PS1ΔE9 mice using a novel pGlu-3 Aβ immunoglobulin G1 (IgG1) monoclonal antibody, 07/1 (150 and 500 μg, intraperitoneal, weekly) and compare its efficacy with a general Aβ IgG1 monoclonal antibody, 3A1 (200 μg, intraperitoneal, weekly) as a positive control. After 28 weeks of treatment, plaque burden was reduced and cognitive performance of 07/1-immunized Tg mice, especially at the higher dose, was normalized to wild-type levels in 2 hippocampal-dependent tests and partially spared compared with phosphate-buffered saline-treated Tg mice. Mice that received 3A1 had reduced plaque burden but showed no cognitive benefit. In contrast with 3A1, treatment with 07/1 did not increase the concentration of Aβ in plasma, suggesting different modes of Aβ plaque clearance. In conclusion, early selective targeting of pGlu-3 Aβ by immunotherapy may be effective in lowering cerebral Aβ plaque burden and preventing cognitive decline in the clinical setting. Targeting this pathologically modified form of Aβ thereby is unlikely to interfere with potential physiologic function(s) of Aβ that have been proposed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey L Frost
- Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA; Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Bin Liu
- Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA; Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | | | - Brian O'Nuallain
- Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA; Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Kevin X Le
- Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA; Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Inge Lues
- Probiodrug AG, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Barbara J Caldarone
- Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Harvard NeuroDiscovery Center NeuroBehavior Laboratory Core, Harvard Institutes of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | | | - Cynthia A Lemere
- Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA; Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
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Du LY, Chang LYL, Ardiles AO, Tapia-Rojas C, Araya J, Inestrosa NC, Palacios AG, Acosta ML. Alzheimer's Disease-Related Protein Expression in the Retina of Octodon degus. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0135499. [PMID: 26267479 PMCID: PMC4534194 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0135499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2014] [Accepted: 07/22/2015] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
New studies show that the retina also undergoes pathological changes during the development of Alzheimer's disease (AD). While transgenic mouse models used in these previous studies have offered insight into this phenomenon, they do not model human sporadic AD, which is the most common form. Recently, the Octodon degus has been established as a sporadic model of AD. Degus display age-related cognitive impairment associated with Aβ aggregates and phosphorylated tau in the brain. Our aim for this study was to examine the expression of AD-related proteins in young, adult and old degus retina using enzyme-linked or fluorescence immunohistochemistry and to quantify the expression using slot blot and western blot assays. Aβ4G8 and Aβ6E10 detected Aβ peptides in some of the young animals but the expression was higher in the adults. Aβ peptides were observed in the inner and outer segment of the photoreceptors, the nerve fiber layer (NFL) and ganglion cell layer (GCL). Expression was higher in the central retinal region than in the retinal periphery. Using an anti-oligomer antibody we detected Aβ oligomer expression in the young, adult and old retina. Immunohistochemical labeling showed small discrete labeling of oligomers in the GCL that did not resemble plaques. Congo red staining did not result in green birefringence in any of the animals analyzed except for one old (84 months) animal. We also investigated expression of tau and phosphorylated tau. Expression was seen at all ages studied and in adults it was more consistently observed in the NFL-GCL. Hyperphosphorylated tau detected with AT8 antibody was significantly higher in the adult retina and it was localized to the GCL. We confirm for the first time that Aβ peptides and phosphorylated tau are expressed in the retina of degus. This is consistent with the proposal that AD biomarkers are present in the eye.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucia Y. Du
- School of Optometry and Vision Science, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Lily Y-L. Chang
- School of Optometry and Vision Science, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Alvaro O. Ardiles
- Centro Interdisciplinario de Neurociencia de Valparaíso, Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile
| | - Cheril Tapia-Rojas
- Center for Aging and Regeneration (CARE), Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Joaquin Araya
- Centro Interdisciplinario de Neurociencia de Valparaíso, Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile
| | - Nibaldo C. Inestrosa
- Center for Aging and Regeneration (CARE), Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile
| | - Adrian G. Palacios
- Centro Interdisciplinario de Neurociencia de Valparaíso, Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile
| | - Monica L. Acosta
- School of Optometry and Vision Science, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
- New Zealand National Eye Centre, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
- * E-mail:
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Protein amino-terminal modifications and proteomic approaches for N-terminal profiling. Curr Opin Chem Biol 2015; 24:71-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2014.10.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2014] [Revised: 10/27/2014] [Accepted: 10/28/2014] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
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Waniek A, Hartlage-Rübsamen M, Höfling C, Kehlen A, Schilling S, Demuth HU, Roßner S. Identification of thyrotropin-releasing hormone as hippocampal glutaminyl cyclase substrate in neurons and reactive astrocytes. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2014; 1852:146-55. [PMID: 25446989 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2014.11.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2014] [Revised: 10/29/2014] [Accepted: 11/11/2014] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Recently, Aβ peptide variants with an N-terminal truncation and pyroglutamate modification were identified and shown to be highly neurotoxic and prone to aggregation. This modification of Aβ is catalyzed by glutaminyl cyclase (QC) and pharmacological inhibition of QC diminishes Aβ deposition and accompanying gliosis and ameliorates memory impairment in transgenic mouse models of Alzheimer's disease (AD). QC expression was initially described in the hypothalamus, where thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) is one of its physiological substrates. In addition to its hormonal role, a novel neuroprotective function of TRH following excitotoxicity and Aβ-mediated neurotoxicity has been reported in the hippocampus. Functionally matching this finding, we recently demonstrated QC expression by hippocampal interneurons in mouse brain. Here, we detected neuronal co-expression of QC and TRH in the hippocampus of young adult wild type mice using double immunofluorescence labeling. This provides evidence for TRH being a physiological QC substrate in hippocampus. Additionally, in neocortex of aged but not of young mice transgenic for amyloid precursor protein an increase of QC mRNA levels was found compared to wild type littermates. This phenomenon was not observed in hippocampus, which is later affected by Aβ pathology. However, in hippocampus of transgenic - but not of wild type mice - a correlation between QC and TRH mRNA levels was revealed. This co-regulation of the enzyme QC and its substrate TRH was reflected by a co-induction of both proteins in reactive astrocytes in proximity of Aβ deposits. Also, in primary mouse astrocytes a co-induction of QC and TRH was demonstrated upon Aβ stimulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander Waniek
- Paul Flechsig Institute for Brain Research, University of Leipzig, Germany
| | | | - Corinna Höfling
- Paul Flechsig Institute for Brain Research, University of Leipzig, Germany
| | - Astrid Kehlen
- Institute for Medical Microbiology, Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, Germany
| | - Stephan Schilling
- Fraunhofer Institute of Cell Therapy and Immunology IZI Leipzig, Department of Drug Design and Target Validation MWT Halle, Germany
| | - Hans-Ulrich Demuth
- Fraunhofer Institute of Cell Therapy and Immunology IZI Leipzig, Department of Drug Design and Target Validation MWT Halle, Germany.
| | - Steffen Roßner
- Paul Flechsig Institute for Brain Research, University of Leipzig, Germany.
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Todd K, Fossati S, Ghiso J, Rostagno A. Mitochondrial dysfunction induced by a post-translationally modified amyloid linked to a familial mutation in an alternative model of neurodegeneration. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2014; 1842:2457-67. [PMID: 25261792 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2014.09.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2014] [Revised: 09/18/2014] [Accepted: 09/19/2014] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Familial British dementia (FBD) is an early-onset non-amyloid-β (Aβ) cerebral amyloidosis that presents with severe cognitive decline and strikingly similar neuropathological features to those present in Alzheimer's disease (AD). FBD is associated with a T to A single nucleotide transition in the stop codon of a gene encoding BRI2, leading to the production of an elongated precursor protein. Furin-like proteolytic processing at its C-terminus releases a longer-than-normal 34 amino acid peptide, ABri, exhibiting amyloidogenic properties not seen in its 23 amino acid physiologic counterpart Bri1-23. Deposited ABri exhibits abundant post-translational pyroglutamate (pE) formation at the N-terminus, a feature seen in truncated forms of Aβ found in AD deposits, and co-exists with neurofibrillary tangles almost identical to those found in AD. We tested the impact of the FBD mutation alone and in conjunction with the pE post-translational modification on the structural properties and associated neurotoxicity of the ABri peptide. The presence of pE conferred to the ABri molecule enhanced hydrophobicity and accelerated aggregation/fibrillization properties. ABri pE was capable of triggering oxidative stress, loss of mitochondrial membrane potential and activation of caspase-mediated apoptotic mechanisms in neuronal cells, whereas homologous peptides lacking the elongated C-terminus and/or the N-terminal pE were unable to induce similar detrimental cellular pathways. The data indicate that the presence of N-terminal pE is not in itself sufficient to induce pathogenic changes in the physiologic Bri1-23 peptides but that its combination with the ABri mutation is critical for the molecular pathogenesis of FBD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krysti Todd
- Department of Pathology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Silvia Fossati
- Department of Pathology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Jorge Ghiso
- Department of Pathology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA; Department of Psychiatry, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA.
| | - Agueda Rostagno
- Department of Pathology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA.
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Luccarini I, Grossi C, Rigacci S, Coppi E, Pugliese AM, Pantano D, la Marca G, Ed Dami T, Berti A, Stefani M, Casamenti F. Oleuropein aglycone protects against pyroglutamylated-3 amyloid-ß toxicity: biochemical, epigenetic and functional correlates. Neurobiol Aging 2014; 36:648-63. [PMID: 25293421 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2014.08.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2014] [Revised: 08/01/2014] [Accepted: 08/28/2014] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Amyloid-ß (Aß) fragments, oligomeric Aß aggregates, and pyroglutamylated-Aß peptides, as well as epigenetic mechanisms and autophagy dysfunction all appear to contribute in various ways to Alzheimer's disease progression. We previously showed that dietary supplementation of oleuropein aglycone, a natural phenol abundant in the extra virgin olive oil, can be protective by reducing Aß42 deposits in the brain of young and middle-aged TgCRND8 mice. Here, we extended our study to aged TgCRND8 mice showing increased pE3-Aß in the brain deposits. We report that oleuropein aglycone is active against glutaminylcyclase-catalyzed pE3-Aß generation reducing enzyme expression and interferes both with Aß42 and pE3-Aß aggregation. Moreover, the phenol astonishingly activates neuronal autophagy even in mice at advanced stage of pathology, where it increases histone 3 and 4 acetylation, which matches both a decrease of histone deacetylase 2 expression and a significant improvement of synaptic function. The occurrence of these functional, epigenetic, and histopathologic beneficial effects even at a late stage of the pathology suggests that the phenol could be beneficial at the therapeutic, in addition to the prevention, level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilaria Luccarini
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health, Division of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Cristina Grossi
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health, Division of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Stefania Rigacci
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences "Mario Serio", University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Coppi
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Anna Maria Pugliese
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health, Division of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Daniela Pantano
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health, Division of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Giancarlo la Marca
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health, Division of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy; Department of NEUROFARBA, Newborn Screening, Clinical Chemistry and Pharmacology Lab, Meyer Children's University Hospital, Florence, Italy
| | - Teresa Ed Dami
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health, Division of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy; Department of NEUROFARBA, Newborn Screening, Clinical Chemistry and Pharmacology Lab, Meyer Children's University Hospital, Florence, Italy
| | - Andrea Berti
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences "Mario Serio", University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Massimo Stefani
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences "Mario Serio", University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Fiorella Casamenti
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health, Division of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy.
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Focusing the amyloid cascade hypothesis on N-truncated Abeta peptides as drug targets against Alzheimer's disease. Acta Neuropathol 2014; 127:787-801. [PMID: 24803226 PMCID: PMC4024135 DOI: 10.1007/s00401-014-1287-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 106] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2014] [Revised: 04/25/2014] [Accepted: 04/25/2014] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Although N-truncated Aβ variants are known to be the main constituent of amyloid plaques in the brains of patients with Alzheimer’s disease, their potential as targets for pharmacological intervention has only recently been investigated. In the last few years, the Alzheimer field has experienced a paradigm shift with the ever increasing understanding that targeting amyloid plaques has not led to a successful immunotherapy. On the other hand, there can be no doubt that the amyloid cascade hypothesis is central to the etiology of Alzheimer’s disease, raising the question as to why it is apparently failing to translate into the clinic. In this review, we aim to refocus the amyloid hypothesis integrating N-truncated Aβ peptides based on mounting evidence that they may represent better targets than full-length Aβ. In addition to Aβ peptides starting with an Asp at position 1, a variety of different N-truncated Aβ peptides have been identified starting with amino residue Ala-2, pyroglutamylated Glu-3, Phe-4, Arg-5, His-6, Asp-7, Ser-8, Gly-9, Tyr-10 and pyroglutamylated Glu-11. Certain forms of N-truncated species are better correlates for early pathological changes found pre-symptomatically more often than others. There is also evidence that, together with full-length Aβ, they might be physiologically detectable and are naturally secreted by neurons. Others are known to form soluble aggregates, which have neurotoxic properties in transgenic mouse models. It has been clearly demonstrated by several groups that some N-truncated Aβs dominate full-length Aβ in the brains of Alzheimer’s patients. We try to address which of the N-truncated variants may be promising therapeutic targets and which enzymes might be involved in the generation of these peptides
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Perez-Garmendia R, Gevorkian G. Pyroglutamate-Modified Amyloid Beta Peptides: Emerging Targets for Alzheimer´s Disease Immunotherapy. Curr Neuropharmacol 2014; 11:491-8. [PMID: 24403873 PMCID: PMC3763757 DOI: 10.2174/1570159x11311050004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2013] [Revised: 03/16/2013] [Accepted: 03/28/2013] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Extracellular and intraneuronal accumulation of amyloid-beta (Aβ) peptide aggregates in the brain has been hypothesized to play an important role in the neuropathology of Alzheimer’s Disease (AD). The main Aβ variants detected in the human brain are Aβ1-40 and Aβ1-42, however a significant proportion of AD brain Aβ consists also of N-terminal truncated species. Pyroglutamate-modified Aβ peptides have been demonstrated to be the predominant components among all N-terminal truncated Aβ species in AD brains and represent highly desirable and abundant therapeutic targets. The current review describes the properties and localization of two pyroglutamate-modified Aβ peptides, AβN3(pE) and AβN11(pE), in the brain. The role of glutaminyl cyclase (QC) in the formation of these peptides is also addressed. In addition, two potential therapeutic strategies, the inhibition of QC and immunotherapy approaches, and clinical trials aimed to target these important pathological Aβ species are reviewed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roxanna Perez-Garmendia
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomedicas, Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico (UNAM), Mexico DF, Mexico
| | - Goar Gevorkian
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomedicas, Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico (UNAM), Mexico DF, Mexico
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Wu G, Miller RA, Connolly B, Marcus J, Renger J, Savage MJ. Pyroglutamate-Modified Amyloid-� Protein Demonstrates Similar Properties in an Alzheimer's Disease Familial Mutant Knock-In Mouse and Alzheimer's Disease Brain. NEURODEGENER DIS 2014; 14:53-66. [DOI: 10.1159/000353634] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2013] [Accepted: 06/11/2013] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
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Matsumoto Y, Niimi N, Kohyama K. Development of a new DNA vaccine for Alzheimer disease targeting a wide range of aβ species and amyloidogenic peptides. PLoS One 2013; 8:e75203. [PMID: 24086465 PMCID: PMC3785508 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0075203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2013] [Accepted: 08/10/2013] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
It has recently been determined that not only Aβ oligomers, but also other Aβ species and amyloidogenic peptides are neurotoxic in Alzheimer disease (AD) and play a pivotal role in AD pathogenesis. In the present study, we attempted to develop new DNA vaccines targeting a wide range of Aβ species. For this purpose, we first performed in vitro assays with newly developed vaccines to evaluate Aβ production and Aβ secretion abilities and then chose an IgL-Aβx4-Fc-IL-4 vaccine (designated YM3711) for further studies. YM3711 was vaccinated to mice, rabbits and monkeys to evaluate anti-Aβ species antibody-producing ability and Aβ reduction effects. It was found that YM3711 vaccination induced significantly higher levels of antibodies not only to Aβ1-42 but also to AD-related molecules including AβpE3-42, Aβ oligomers and Aβ fibrils. Importantly, YM3711 significantly reduced these Aβ species in the brain of model mice. Binding and competition assays using translated YM3711 protein products clearly demonstrated that a large part of antibodies induced by YM3711 vaccination are directed at conformational epitopes of the Aβ complex and oligomers. Taken together, we demonstrate that YM3711 is a powerful DNA vaccine targeting a wide range of AD-related molecules and is worth examining in preclinical and clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoh Matsumoto
- Department of Molecular Neuropathology, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute for Neuroscience, Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Immunotherapy Development, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science, Tokyo, Japan
- * E-mail: .
| | - Naoko Niimi
- Department of Molecular Neuropathology, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute for Neuroscience, Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Immunotherapy Development, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kuniko Kohyama
- Department of Molecular Neuropathology, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute for Neuroscience, Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Immunotherapy Development, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science, Tokyo, Japan
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Kalimo H, Lalowski M, Bogdanovic N, Philipson O, Bird TD, Nochlin D, Schellenberg GD, Brundin R, Olofsson T, Soliymani R, Baumann M, Wirths O, Bayer TA, Nilsson LNG, Basun H, Lannfelt L, Ingelsson M. The Arctic AβPP mutation leads to Alzheimer's disease pathology with highly variable topographic deposition of differentially truncated Aβ. Acta Neuropathol Commun 2013; 1:60. [PMID: 24252272 PMCID: PMC4226306 DOI: 10.1186/2051-5960-1-60] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2013] [Accepted: 08/05/2013] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The Arctic mutation (p.E693G/p.E22G)fs within the β-amyloid (Aβ) region of the β-amyloid precursor protein gene causes an autosomal dominant disease with clinical picture of typical Alzheimer's disease. Here we report the special character of Arctic AD neuropathology in four deceased patients. RESULTS Aβ deposition in the brains was wide-spread (Thal phase 5) and profuse. Virtually all parenchymal deposits were composed of non-fibrillar, Congo red negative Aβ aggregates. Congo red only stained angiopathic vessels. Mass spectrometric analyses showed that Aβ deposits contained variably truncated and modified wild type and mutated Aβ species. In three of four Arctic AD brains, most cerebral cortical plaques appeared targetoid with centres containing C-terminally (beyond aa 40) and variably N-terminally truncated Aβ surrounded by coronas immunopositive for Aβx-42. In the fourth patient plaque centres contained almost no Aβ making the plaques ring-shaped. The architectural pattern of plaques also varied between different anatomic regions. Tau pathology corresponded to Braak stage VI, and appeared mainly as delicate neuropil threads (NT) enriched within Aβ plaques. Dystrophic neurites were scarce, while neurofibrillary tangles were relatively common. Neuronal perikarya within the Aβ plaques appeared relatively intact. CONCLUSIONS In Arctic AD brain differentially truncated abundant Aβ is deposited in plaques of variable numbers and shapes in different regions of the brain (including exceptional targetoid plaques in neocortex). The extracellular non-fibrillar Aβ does not seem to cause overt damage to adjacent neurons or to induce formation of neurofibrillary tangles, supporting the view that intracellular Aβ oligomers are more neurotoxic than extracellular Aβ deposits. However, the enrichment of NTs within plaques suggests some degree of intra-plaque axonal damage including accumulation of hp-tau, which may impair axoplasmic transport, and thereby contribute to synaptic loss. Finally, similarly as the cotton wool plaques in AD resulting from exon 9 deletion in the presenilin-1 gene, the Arctic plaques induced only modest glial and inflammatory tissue reaction.
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N-truncated Abeta starting with position four: early intraneuronal accumulation and rescue of toxicity using NT4X-167, a novel monoclonal antibody. Acta Neuropathol Commun 2013; 1:56. [PMID: 24252153 PMCID: PMC3893517 DOI: 10.1186/2051-5960-1-56] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2013] [Accepted: 08/10/2013] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The amyloid hypothesis in Alzheimer disease (AD) considers amyloid β peptide (Aβ) deposition causative in triggering down-stream events like neurofibrillary tangles, cell loss, vascular damage and memory decline. In the past years N-truncated Aβ peptides especially N-truncated pyroglutamate AβpE3-42 have been extensively studied. Together with full-length Aβ1–42 and Aβ1–40, N-truncated AβpE3-42 and Aβ4–42 are major variants in AD brain. Although Aβ4–42 has been known for a much longer time, there is a lack of studies addressing the question whether AβpE3-42 or Aβ4–42 may precede the other in Alzheimer’s disease pathology. Results Using different Aβ antibodies specific for the different N-termini of N-truncated Aβ, we discovered that Aβ4-x preceded AβpE3-x intraneuronal accumulation in a transgenic mouse model for AD prior to plaque formation. The novel Aβ4-x immunoreactive antibody NT4X-167 detected high molecular weight aggregates derived from N-truncated Aβ species. While NT4X-167 significantly rescued Aβ4–42 toxicity in vitro no beneficial effect was observed against Aβ1–42 or AβpE3-42 toxicity. Phenylalanine at position four of Aβ was imperative for antibody binding, because its replacement with alanine or proline completely prevented binding. Although amyloid plaques were observed using NT4X-167 in 5XFAD transgenic mice, it barely reacted with plaques in the brain of sporadic AD patients and familial cases with the Arctic, Swedish and the presenilin-1 PS1Δ9 mutation. A consistent staining was observed in blood vessels in all AD cases with cerebral amyloid angiopathy. There was no cross-reactivity with other aggregates typical for other common neurodegenerative diseases showing that NT4X-167 staining is specific for AD. Conclusions Aβ4-x precedes AβpE3-x in the well accepted 5XFAD AD mouse model underlining the significance of N-truncated species in AD pathology. NT4X-167 therefore is the first antibody reacting with Aβ4-x and represents a novel tool in Alzheimer research.
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Bouter Y, Dietrich K, Wittnam JL, Rezaei-Ghaleh N, Pillot T, Papot-Couturier S, Lefebvre T, Sprenger F, Wirths O, Zweckstetter M, Bayer TA. N-truncated amyloid β (Aβ) 4-42 forms stable aggregates and induces acute and long-lasting behavioral deficits. Acta Neuropathol 2013; 126:189-205. [PMID: 23685882 PMCID: PMC3722453 DOI: 10.1007/s00401-013-1129-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 134] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2013] [Revised: 05/08/2013] [Accepted: 05/09/2013] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
N-truncated Aβ4-42 is highly abundant in Alzheimer disease (AD) brain and was the first Aβ peptide discovered in AD plaques. However, a possible role in AD aetiology has largely been neglected. In the present report, we demonstrate that Aβ4-42 rapidly forms aggregates possessing a high aggregation propensity in terms of monomer consumption and oligomer formation. Short-term treatment of primary cortical neurons indicated that Aβ4-42 is as toxic as pyroglutamate Aβ3-42 and Aβ1-42. In line with these findings, treatment of wildtype mice using intraventricular Aβ injection induced significant working memory deficits with Aβ4-42, pyroglutamate Aβ3-42 and Aβ1-42. Transgenic mice expressing Aβ4-42 (Tg4-42 transgenic line) developed a massive CA1 pyramidal neuron loss in the hippocampus. The hippocampus-specific expression of Aβ4-42 correlates well with age-dependent spatial reference memory deficits assessed by the Morris water maze test. Our findings indicate that N-truncated Aβ4-42 triggers acute and long-lasting behavioral deficits comparable to AD typical memory dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yvonne Bouter
- Division of Molecular Psychiatry, Georg-August-University Goettingen, University Medicine Goettingen, von-Siebold-Strasse 5, 37075 Goettingen, Germany
| | - Katharina Dietrich
- Division of Molecular Psychiatry, Georg-August-University Goettingen, University Medicine Goettingen, von-Siebold-Strasse 5, 37075 Goettingen, Germany
| | - Jessica L. Wittnam
- Division of Molecular Psychiatry, Georg-August-University Goettingen, University Medicine Goettingen, von-Siebold-Strasse 5, 37075 Goettingen, Germany
| | - Nasrollah Rezaei-Ghaleh
- Department for NMR-based Structural Biology, Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, 37077 Goettingen, Germany
| | | | | | | | - Frederick Sprenger
- Division of Molecular Psychiatry, Georg-August-University Goettingen, University Medicine Goettingen, von-Siebold-Strasse 5, 37075 Goettingen, Germany
| | - Oliver Wirths
- Division of Molecular Psychiatry, Georg-August-University Goettingen, University Medicine Goettingen, von-Siebold-Strasse 5, 37075 Goettingen, Germany
| | - Markus Zweckstetter
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), 37077 Göttingen, Germany
- Department for NMR-based Structural Biology, Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, 37077 Goettingen, Germany
| | - Thomas A. Bayer
- Division of Molecular Psychiatry, Georg-August-University Goettingen, University Medicine Goettingen, von-Siebold-Strasse 5, 37075 Goettingen, Germany
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Daulatzai MA. Neurotoxic Saboteurs: Straws that Break the Hippo’s (Hippocampus) Back Drive Cognitive Impairment and Alzheimer’s Disease. Neurotox Res 2013; 24:407-59. [DOI: 10.1007/s12640-013-9407-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2013] [Revised: 06/06/2013] [Accepted: 06/17/2013] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
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Frost JL, Le KX, Cynis H, Ekpo E, Kleinschmidt M, Palmour RM, Ervin FR, Snigdha S, Cotman CW, Saido TC, Vassar RJ, St George-Hyslop P, Ikezu T, Schilling S, Demuth HU, Lemere CA. Pyroglutamate-3 amyloid-β deposition in the brains of humans, non-human primates, canines, and Alzheimer disease-like transgenic mouse models. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY 2013; 183:369-81. [PMID: 23747948 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajpath.2013.05.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2013] [Revised: 04/29/2013] [Accepted: 05/02/2013] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Amyloid-β (Aβ) peptides, starting with pyroglutamate at the third residue (pyroGlu-3 Aβ), are a major species deposited in the brain of Alzheimer disease (AD) patients. Recent studies suggest that this isoform shows higher toxicity and amyloidogenecity when compared to full-length Aβ peptides. Here, we report the first comprehensive and comparative IHC evaluation of pyroGlu-3 Aβ deposition in humans and animal models. PyroGlu-3 Aβ immunoreactivity (IR) is abundant in plaques and cerebral amyloid angiopathy of AD and Down syndrome patients, colocalizing with general Aβ IR. PyroGlu-3 Aβ is further present in two nontransgenic mammalian models of cerebral amyloidosis, Caribbean vervets, and beagle canines. In addition, pyroGlu-3 Aβ deposition was analyzed in 12 different AD-like transgenic mouse models. In contrast to humans, all transgenic models showed general Aβ deposition preceding pyroGlu-3 Aβ deposition. The findings varied greatly among the mouse models concerning age of onset and cortical brain region. In summary, pyroGlu-3 Aβ is a major species of β-amyloid deposited early in diffuse and focal plaques and cerebral amyloid angiopathy in humans and nonhuman primates, whereas it is deposited later in a subset of focal and vascular amyloid in AD-like transgenic mouse models. Given the proposed decisive role of pyroGlu-3 Aβ peptides for the development of human AD pathology, this study provides insights into the usage of animal models in AD studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey L Frost
- Center for Neurologic Diseases, Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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Saul A, Lashley T, Revesz T, Holton J, Ghiso JA, Coomaraswamy J, Wirths O. Abundant pyroglutamate-modified ABri and ADan peptides in extracellular and vascular amyloid deposits in familial British and Danish dementias. Neurobiol Aging 2012; 34:1416-25. [PMID: 23261769 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2012.11.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2012] [Revised: 09/17/2012] [Accepted: 11/22/2012] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Familial British and familial Danish dementia (FDD) are progressive neurodegenerative disorders characterized by cerebral deposition of the amyloidogenic peptides ABri and ADan, respectively. These amyloid peptides start with an N-terminal glutamate residue, which can be posttranslationally converted into a pyroglutamate (pGlu) modified form, a mechanism which has been extensively described to be relevant for amyloid-beta (Aβ) peptides in Alzheimer's disease. Like pGlu-Aβ peptides, pGlu-ABri peptides have an increased aggregation propensity and show higher toxicity on human neuroblastoma cells as their nonmodified counterparts. We have generated novel N-terminal specific antibodies detecting the pGlu-modified forms of ABri and ADan peptides. With these antibodies we were able to identify abundant extracellular amyloid plaques, vascular, and parenchymal deposits in human familial British dementia and FDD brain tissue, and in a mouse model for FDD. Double-stainings using C-terminal specific antibodies in human samples revealed that highly aggregated pGlu-ABri and pGlu-ADan peptides are mainly present in plaque cores and central vascular deposits, leading to the assumption that these peptides have seeding properties. Furthermore, in an FDD-mouse model ADan peptides were detected in presynaptic terminals of the hippocampus where they might contribute to impaired synaptic transmission. These similarities of ABri and ADan to Aβ in Alzheimer's disease suggest that the posttranslational pGlu-modification of amyloid peptides might represent a general pathological mechanism leading to increased aggregation and toxicity in these forms of degenerative dementias.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anika Saul
- Division of Molecular Psychiatry, Georg-August-University Goettingen, University Medicine Goettingen, Germany
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Alies B, Bijani C, Sayen S, Guillon E, Faller P, Hureau C. Copper coordination to native N-terminally modified versus full-length amyloid-β: second-sphere effects determine the species present at physiological pH. Inorg Chem 2012; 51:12988-3000. [PMID: 23150940 DOI: 10.1021/ic302097d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease is characterized by senile plaques in which metallic ions (copper, zinc, and iron) are colocalized with amyloid-β peptides of different sequences in aggregated forms. In addition to the full-length peptides (Aβ1-40/42), N-terminally truncated Aβ3-40/42 forms and their pyroglutamate counterparts, Aβp3-40/42, have been proposed to play key features in the aggregation process, leading to the senile plaques. Furthermore, they have been shown to be more toxic than the full-length Aβ, which made them central targets for therapeutic approaches. In order to better disentangle the possible role of metallic ions in the aggregation process, copper(II) coordination to the full-length amyloid peptides has been extensively studied in the last years. However, regarding the N-terminally modified forms at position 3, very little is known. Therefore, copper(I) and copper(II) coordination to those peptides have been investigated in the present report using a variety of complementary techniques and as a function of pH. Copper(I) coordination is not affected by the N-terminal modifications. In contrast, copper(II) coordination is different from that previously reported for the full-length peptide. In the case of the pyroglutamate form, this is due to preclusion of N-terminal amine binding. In the case of the N-terminally truncated form, alteration in copper(II) coordination is caused by second-sphere effects that impact the first binding shell and the pH-dependent repartition of the various [Cu(peptide)] complexes. Such second-sphere effects are anticipated to apply to a variety of metal ions and peptides, and their importance on changing the first binding shell has not been fully recognized yet.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruno Alies
- Laboratoire de Chimie de Coordination (LCC), CNRS, 205 route de Narbonne, F-31077 Toulouse, France.
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Hureau C, Dorlet P. Coordination of redox active metal ions to the amyloid precursor protein and to amyloid-β peptides involved in Alzheimer disease. Part 2: Dependence of Cu(II) binding sites with Aβ sequences. Coord Chem Rev 2012. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ccr.2012.03.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 117] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
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Sun N, Hartmann R, Lecher J, Stoldt M, Funke SA, Gremer L, Ludwig HH, Demuth HU, Kleinschmidt M, Willbold D. Structural analysis of the pyroglutamate-modified isoform of the Alzheimer's disease-related amyloid-β using NMR spectroscopy. J Pept Sci 2012; 18:691-5. [DOI: 10.1002/psc.2456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2012] [Revised: 08/01/2012] [Accepted: 08/31/2012] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Na Sun
- ICS-6, Forschungszentrum Jülich; 52425 Jülich Germany
| | | | - Justin Lecher
- ICS-6, Forschungszentrum Jülich; 52425 Jülich Germany
| | - Matthias Stoldt
- ICS-6, Forschungszentrum Jülich; 52425 Jülich Germany
- Institut für Physikalische Biologie; Heinrich-Heine-Universität; 40225 Düsseldorf Germany
| | | | - Lothar Gremer
- ICS-6, Forschungszentrum Jülich; 52425 Jülich Germany
| | | | | | | | - Dieter Willbold
- ICS-6, Forschungszentrum Jülich; 52425 Jülich Germany
- Institut für Physikalische Biologie; Heinrich-Heine-Universität; 40225 Düsseldorf Germany
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Masters CL, Selkoe DJ. Biochemistry of amyloid β-protein and amyloid deposits in Alzheimer disease. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Med 2012; 2:a006262. [PMID: 22675658 PMCID: PMC3367542 DOI: 10.1101/cshperspect.a006262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 391] [Impact Index Per Article: 32.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Progressive cerebral deposition of the amyloid β-protein (Aβ) in brain regions serving memory and cognition is an invariant and defining feature of Alzheimer disease. A highly similar but less robust process accompanies brain aging in many nondemented humans, lower primates, and some other mammals. The discovery of Aβ as the subunit of the amyloid fibrils in meningocerebral blood vessels and parenchymal plaques has led to innumerable studies of its biochemistry and potential cytotoxic properties. Here we will review the discovery of Aβ, numerous aspects of its complex biochemistry, and current attempts to understand how a range of Aβ assemblies, including soluble oligomers and insoluble fibrils, may precipitate and promote neuronal and glial alterations that underlie the development of dementia. Although the role of Aβ as a key molecular factor in the etiology of Alzheimer disease remains controversial, clinical trials of amyloid-lowering agents, reviewed elsewhere in this book, are poised to resolve the question of its pathogenic primacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Colin L Masters
- The Mental Health Research Institute, The University of Melbourne, Parkville 3010, Australia.
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The Arctic amyloid-β precursor protein (AβPP) mutation results in distinct plaques and accumulation of N- and C-truncated Aβ. Neurobiol Aging 2012; 33:1010.e1-13. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2011.10.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2011] [Revised: 10/18/2011] [Accepted: 10/21/2011] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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