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Zhang R, Wuerch E, Yong VW, Xue M. LXR agonism for CNS diseases: promises and challenges. J Neuroinflammation 2024; 21:97. [PMID: 38627787 PMCID: PMC11022383 DOI: 10.1186/s12974-024-03056-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2024] [Accepted: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024] Open
Abstract
The unfavorable prognosis of many neurological conditions could be attributed to limited tissue regeneration in central nervous system (CNS) and overwhelming inflammation, while liver X receptor (LXR) may regulate both processes due to its pivotal role in cholesterol metabolism and inflammatory response, and thus receives increasing attentions from neuroscientists and clinicians. Here, we summarize the signal transduction of LXR pathway, discuss the therapeutic potentials of LXR agonists based on preclinical data using different disease models, and analyze the dilemma and possible resolutions for clinical translation to encourage further investigations of LXR related therapies in CNS disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruiyi Zhang
- Department of Cerebrovascular Diseases, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute and Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Emily Wuerch
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute and Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - V Wee Yong
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute and Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.
| | - Mengzhou Xue
- Department of Cerebrovascular Diseases, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China.
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2
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Culig L, Chu X, Bohr VA. Neurogenesis in aging and age-related neurodegenerative diseases. Ageing Res Rev 2022; 78:101636. [PMID: 35490966 PMCID: PMC9168971 DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2022.101636] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2021] [Revised: 04/14/2022] [Accepted: 04/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Adult neurogenesis, the process by which neurons are generated in certain areas of the adult brain, declines in an age-dependent manner and is one potential target for extending cognitive healthspan. Aging is a major risk factor for neurodegenerative diseases and, as lifespans are increasing, these health challenges are becoming more prevalent. An age-associated loss in neural stem cell number and/or activity could cause this decline in brain function, so interventions that reverse aging in stem cells might increase the human cognitive healthspan. In this review, we describe the involvement of adult neurogenesis in neurodegenerative diseases and address the molecular mechanistic aspects of neurogenesis that involve some of the key aggregation-prone proteins in the brain (i.e., tau, Aβ, α-synuclein, …). We summarize the research pertaining to interventions that increase neurogenesis and regulate known targets in aging research, such as mTOR and sirtuins. Lastly, we share our outlook on restoring the levels of neurogenesis to physiological levels in elderly individuals and those with neurodegeneration. We suggest that modulating neurogenesis represents a potential target for interventions that could help in the fight against neurodegeneration and cognitive decline.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luka Culig
- Section on DNA Repair, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
| | - Xixia Chu
- Section on DNA Repair, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA
| | - Vilhelm A Bohr
- Section on DNA Repair, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD 21224, USA.
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3
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Lewandowski CT, Laham MS, Thatcher GR. Remembering your A, B, C's: Alzheimer's disease and ABCA1. Acta Pharm Sin B 2022; 12:995-1018. [PMID: 35530134 PMCID: PMC9072248 DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2022.01.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2021] [Revised: 12/27/2021] [Accepted: 01/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The function of ATP binding cassette protein A1 (ABCA1) is central to cholesterol mobilization. Reduced ABCA1 expression or activity is implicated in Alzheimer's disease (AD) and other disorders. Therapeutic approaches to boost ABCA1 activity have yet to be translated successfully to the clinic. The risk factors for AD development and progression, including comorbid disorders such as type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease, highlight the intersection of cholesterol transport and inflammation. Upregulation of ABCA1 can positively impact APOE lipidation, insulin sensitivity, peripheral vascular and blood–brain barrier integrity, and anti-inflammatory signaling. Various strategies towards ABCA1-boosting compounds have been described, with a bias toward nuclear hormone receptor (NHR) agonists. These agonists display beneficial preclinical effects; however, important side effects have limited development. In particular, ligands that bind liver X receptor (LXR), the primary NHR that controls ABCA1 expression, have shown positive effects in AD mouse models; however, lipogenesis and unwanted increases in triglyceride production are often observed. The longstanding approach, focusing on LXRβ vs. LXRα selectivity, is over-simplistic and has failed. Novel approaches such as phenotypic screening may lead to small molecule NHR modulators that elevate ABCA1 function without inducing lipogenesis and are clinically translatable.
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4
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Chiang MC, Nicol CJB, Chen SJ, Huang RN. TO901317 activation of LXR-dependent pathways mitigate amyloid-beta peptide-induced neurotoxicity in 3D human neural stem cell culture scaffolds and AD mice. Brain Res Bull 2021; 178:57-68. [PMID: 34801648 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2021.11.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2021] [Revised: 11/04/2021] [Accepted: 11/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the major cause of neurodegeneration worldwide and is characterized by the accumulation of amyloid beta (Aβ) in the brain, which is associated with neuronal loss and cognitive impairment. Liver X receptor (LXR), a critical nuclear receptor, and major regulator in lipid metabolism and inflammation, is suggested to play a protective role against the mitochondrial dysfunction noted in AD. In our study, our established 3D gelatin scaffold model and a well characterized in vivo (APP/PS1) murine model of AD were used to directly investigate the molecular, biochemical and behavioral effects of neuronal stem cell exposure to Aβ to improve understanding of the in vivo etiology of AD. Herein, human neural stem cells (hNSCs) in our 3D model were exposed to Aβ, and had significantly decreased cell viability, which correlated with decreased mRNA and protein expression of LXR, Bcl-2, CREB, PGC1α, NRF-1, and Tfam, and increased caspase 3 and 9 activities. Cotreatment with a synthetic agonist of LXR (TO901317) significantly abrogated these Aβ-mediated effects in hNSCs. Moreover, TO901317 cotreatment both significantly rescues hNSCs from Aβ-mediated decreases in ATP levels and mitochondrial mass, and significantly restores Aβ-induced fragmented mitochondria to almost normal morphology. TO901317 cotreatment also decreases tau aggregates in Aβ-treated hNSCs. Importantly, TO901317 treatment significantly alleviates the impairment of memory, decreases Aβ aggregates and increases proteasome activity in APP/PS1 mice; whereas, these effects were blocked by cotreatment with an LXR antagonist (GSK2033). Together, these novel results improve our mechanistic understanding of the central role of LXR in Aβ-mediated hNSC dysfunction. We also provide preclinical data unveiling the protective effects of using an LXR-dependent agonist, TO901317, to block the toxicity observed in Aβ-exposed hNSCs, which may guide future treatment strategies to slow or prevent neurodegeneration in some AD patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming-Chang Chiang
- Department of Life Science, College of Science and Engineering, Fu Jen Catholic University, New Taipei City 242, Taiwan.
| | - Christopher J B Nicol
- Departments of Pathology & Molecular Medicine and Biomedical & Molecular Sciences, and Cancer Biology and Genetics Division, Cancer Research Institute, Queen's University, Kingston, ON K7L 3N6, Canada
| | - Shiang-Jiuun Chen
- Department of Life Science and Institute of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, College of Life Science, National Taiwan University, Taipei 106, Taiwan
| | - Rong-Nan Huang
- Department of Entomology and Research Center for Plant-Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei 106, Taiwan
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5
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Epigenetic Mechanisms in Memory and Cognitive Decline Associated with Aging and Alzheimer's Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms222212280. [PMID: 34830163 PMCID: PMC8618067 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222212280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2021] [Revised: 11/10/2021] [Accepted: 11/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Epigenetic mechanisms, which include DNA methylation, a variety of post-translational modifications of histone proteins (acetylation, phosphorylation, methylation, ubiquitination, sumoylation, serotonylation, dopaminylation), chromatin remodeling enzymes, and long non-coding RNAs, are robust regulators of activity-dependent changes in gene transcription. In the brain, many of these epigenetic modifications have been widely implicated in synaptic plasticity and memory formation. Dysregulation of epigenetic mechanisms has been reported in the aged brain and is associated with or contributes to memory decline across the lifespan. Furthermore, alterations in the epigenome have been reported in neurodegenerative disorders, including Alzheimer’s disease. Here, we review the diverse types of epigenetic modifications and their role in activity- and learning-dependent synaptic plasticity. We then discuss how these mechanisms become dysregulated across the lifespan and contribute to memory loss with age and in Alzheimer’s disease. Collectively, the evidence reviewed here strongly supports a role for diverse epigenetic mechanisms in memory formation, aging, and neurodegeneration in the brain.
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6
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Dash R, Mitra S, Ali MC, Oktaviani DF, Hannan MA, Choi SM, Moon IS. Phytosterols: Targeting Neuroinflammation in Neurodegeneration. Curr Pharm Des 2021; 27:383-401. [PMID: 32600224 DOI: 10.2174/1381612826666200628022812] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2019] [Accepted: 05/02/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Plant-derived sterols, phytosterols, are well known for their cholesterol-lowering activity in serum and their anti-inflammatory activities. Recently, phytosterols have received considerable attention due to their beneficial effects on various non-communicable diseases, and recommended use as daily dietary components. The signaling pathways mediated in the brain by phytosterols have been evaluated, but little is known about their effects on neuroinflammation, and no clinical studies have been undertaken on phytosterols of interest. In this review, we discuss the beneficial roles of phytosterols, including their attenuating effects on inflammation, blood cholesterol levels, and hallmarks of the disease, and their regulatory effects on neuroinflammatory disease pathways. Despite recent advancements made in phytosterol pharmacology, some critical questions remain unanswered. Therefore, we have tried to highlight the potential of phytosterols as viable therapeutics against neuroinflammation and to direct future research with respect to clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raju Dash
- Department of Anatomy, Dongguk University College of Medicine, 123 Dongdae-ro, Gyeongju 38066, Korea
| | - Sarmistha Mitra
- Plasma Bioscience Research Center, Plasma Bio-display, Kwangwoon University, Seoul-01897, Korea
| | - Md Chayan Ali
- Department of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, Islamic University, Kushtia-7003, Bangladesh
| | - Diyah Fatimah Oktaviani
- Department of Anatomy, Dongguk University College of Medicine, 123 Dongdae-ro, Gyeongju 38066, Korea
| | - Md Abdul Hannan
- Department of Anatomy, Dongguk University College of Medicine, 123 Dongdae-ro, Gyeongju 38066, Korea
| | - Sung Min Choi
- Department of Pediatrics, Dongguk University College of Medicine, Gyeongju-38066, Korea
| | - Il Soo Moon
- Department of Anatomy, Dongguk University College of Medicine, 123 Dongdae-ro, Gyeongju 38066, Korea
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7
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Kundu P, Torres ERS, Stagaman K, Kasschau K, Okhovat M, Holden S, Ward S, Nevonen KA, Davis BA, Saito T, Saido TC, Carbone L, Sharpton TJ, Raber J. Integrated analysis of behavioral, epigenetic, and gut microbiome analyses in App NL-G-F, App NL-F, and wild type mice. Sci Rep 2021; 11:4678. [PMID: 33633159 PMCID: PMC7907263 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-83851-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2020] [Accepted: 02/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Epigenetic mechanisms occurring in the brain as well as alterations in the gut microbiome composition might contribute to Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Human amyloid precursor protein knock-in (KI) mice contain the Swedish and Iberian mutations (AppNL-F) or those two and also the Arctic mutation (AppNL-G-F). In this study, we assessed whether behavioral and cognitive performance in 6-month-old AppNL-F, AppNL-G-F, and C57BL/6J wild-type (WT) mice was associated with the gut microbiome, and whether the genotype modulates this association. The genotype effects observed in behavioral tests were test-dependent. The biodiversity and composition of the gut microbiome linked to various aspects of mouse behavioral and cognitive performance but differences in genotype modulated these relationships. These genotype-dependent associations include members of the Lachnospiraceae and Ruminococcaceae families. In a subset of female mice, we assessed DNA methylation in the hippocampus and investigated whether alterations in hippocampal DNA methylation were associated with the gut microbiome. Among other differentially methylated regions, we identified a 1 Kb region that overlapped ing 3′UTR of the Tomm40 gene and the promoter region of the Apoe gene that and was significantly more methylated in the hippocampus of AppNL-G-F than WT mice. The integrated gut microbiome hippocampal DNA methylation analysis revealed a positive relationship between amplicon sequence variants (ASVs) within the Lachnospiraceae family and methylation at the Apoe gene. Hence, these microbes may elicit an impact on AD-relevant behavioral and cognitive performance via epigenetic changes in AD-susceptibility genes in neural tissue or that such changes in the epigenome can elicit alterations in intestinal physiology that affect the growth of these taxa in the gut microbiome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Payel Kundu
- Department of Behavioral Neuroscience, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, 97239, USA
| | - Eileen Ruth S Torres
- Department of Behavioral Neuroscience, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, 97239, USA
| | - Keaton Stagaman
- Department of Microbiology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, 97331, USA
| | - Kristin Kasschau
- Department of Microbiology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, 97331, USA
| | - Mariam Okhovat
- Department of Medicine, Knight Cardiovascular Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, 97239, USA
| | - Sarah Holden
- Department of Behavioral Neuroscience, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, 97239, USA
| | - Samantha Ward
- Department of Medicine, Knight Cardiovascular Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, 97239, USA
| | - Kimberly A Nevonen
- Department of Medicine, Knight Cardiovascular Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, 97239, USA
| | - Brett A Davis
- Department of Medicine, Knight Cardiovascular Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, 97239, USA
| | - Takashi Saito
- Department of Neurocognitive Science, Institute of Brain Science, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya, Aichi, 467-8601, Japan
| | - Takaomi C Saido
- Laboratory for Proteolytic Neuroscience, RIKEN Center for Brain Science, Wako, Saitama, 351-0198, Japan
| | - Lucia Carbone
- Department of Medicine, Knight Cardiovascular Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, 97239, USA.,Departments of Molecular and Medical Genetics, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, 97239, USA.,Departments of Medical Informatics and Clinical Epidemiology, Portland, OR, 97239, USA.,Division of Genetics, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Beaverton, OR, 97006, USA
| | - Thomas J Sharpton
- Department of Microbiology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, 97331, USA.,Department of Statistics, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, 97331, USA
| | - Jacob Raber
- Department of Behavioral Neuroscience, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, 97239, USA. .,Departments of Neurology, Psychiatry, and Radiation Medicine, Division of Neuroscience ONPRC, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, 97239, USA. .,College of Pharmacy, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, 97331, USA. .,Department of Behavioral Neuroscience, L470, Oregon Health & Science University, 3181SW Sam Jackson Park Road, Portland, OR, 97239, USA.
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8
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Jonathan MC, Adrián SH, Gonzalo A. Type II nuclear receptors with potential role in Alzheimer disease. Mol Aspects Med 2021; 78:100940. [PMID: 33397589 DOI: 10.1016/j.mam.2020.100940] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2020] [Revised: 12/21/2020] [Accepted: 12/22/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Nuclear receptors are ligand-activated transcription factors that can modulated cellular processes involved in the development, homeostasis, cell proliferation, metabolism, and reproduction through the control of the specific genetic and molecular program. In the central nervous system, they are key regulators of neural stem cell fate decisions and can modulate the physiology of different brain cells. Over the past decades, a large body of evidence has supported that nuclear receptors are potential therapeutic targets for the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease, the most common dementia worldwide, and the main cause of disability in later life. This disease is characterized by the progressive accumulation of amyloid-beta peptides and hyperphosphorylated tau protein that can explain alterations in synaptic transmission and plasticity; loss of dendritic spines; increased in reactive microglia and inflammation; reduction of neuronal stem cells number; myelin and vascular alterations that finally leads to increased neuronal death. Here, we present a review of type II no steroidal nuclear receptors that form obligatory heterodimers with the Retinoid X Receptor (RXR) and its potential in the therapeutic of AD. Activation of type II nuclear receptor by synthetic agonist leads to transcriptional regulation of specific genes that acts counteracting against the detrimental effects of amyloid-beta peptides and hyperphosphorylated tau in neuronal cells recovering the functionality of the synapses. But also, activation of type II nuclear receptor leads to modifications in APP metabolism, repression of inflammatory cascade and inductors of the generation of neuronal stem cells and progenitor cells supporting its potential therapeutics role for Alzheimer's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muñoz-Cabrera Jonathan
- Grupo de Neurociencias y Muerte Celular, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Sandoval-Hernández Adrián
- Grupo de Neurociencias y Muerte Celular, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogotá, Colombia; Departamento de Química, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Arboleda Gonzalo
- Grupo de Neurociencias y Muerte Celular, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogotá, Colombia; Departamento de Patología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogotá, Colombia.
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9
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Plascencia-Villa G, Perry G. Status and future directions of clinical trials in Alzheimer's disease. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF NEUROBIOLOGY 2020; 154:3-50. [PMID: 32739008 DOI: 10.1016/bs.irn.2020.03.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Amyloid-β (Aβ) senile plaques and neurofibrillary tangles of tau are generally recognized as the culprits of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and related dementia. About 25 years ago, the amyloid cascade hypotheses postulated a direct correlation of plaques with the development of AD, and it has been the dominant theory since then. In this period, more than 200 clinical trials focused mainly on targeting components of the Aβ cascade have dramatically failed, some of them in Phase III. With a greater than 99.6% failure rate at a cost of several billion from governments, industry, and private funders, therapeutic strategies targeting amyloid and tau are now under scrutiny. Therefore, it is time to reevaluate alternatives to targeting Aβ and tau as effective therapeutic strategies for AD. The diagnosis of AD is currently based on medical examination of symptoms including tests to assess memory impairment, attention, language, and other thinking skills. This is complemented with brain scans, such as computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, or positron emission tomography with the help of imaging probes targeting Aβ or tau deposits. This approach has contributed to the tunnel vision focus on Aβ and tau as the main culprits of AD. However, events upstream of these proteopathies (age-related impaired neuronal bioenergetics, lysosome function, neurotrophic signaling, and neuroinflammation, among others) are almost surely where the development of alternative therapeutic interventions should be targeted. Here, we present the current status of therapeutic candidates targeting diverse mechanisms and strategies including Aβ and tau, proteins involved in Aβ production and trafficking (ApoE, α/β/γ-secretases), neuroinflammation, neurotransmitters, neuroprotective agents antimicrobials, and gene and stem cell therapy. There are currently around 33 compounds in Phase III, 78 in Phase II, and 32 more in Phase I trials. With the current world health crisis of increased dementia in a rapidly aging population, effective AD therapies are desperately needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Germán Plascencia-Villa
- Department of Biology and Neurosciences Institute, The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA), 1 UTSA Circle, San Antonio, TX, United States
| | - George Perry
- Department of Biology and Neurosciences Institute, The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA), 1 UTSA Circle, San Antonio, TX, United States.
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10
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Zhong JY, Cui RR, Lin X, Xu F, Zhu T, Li F, Wu F, Zhou E, Yi L, Yuan LQ. Aberrant DNA methylation of synaptophysin is involved in adrenal cortisol-producing adenoma. Aging (Albany NY) 2020; 11:5232-5245. [PMID: 31352437 PMCID: PMC6682529 DOI: 10.18632/aging.102119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2019] [Accepted: 07/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Cortisol-producing adenoma (CPA) is the main cause of Adrenal Cushing syndrome. However, its molecular mechanism is not fully understood. Previous study revealed Synaptophysin (SYP) is ubiquitously expressed in adrenocortical tumors, but its function in CPA still need to be discovered. In the present study we determine the molecular mechanism involved in SYP dysregulation in CPA and how SYP affects the secretion of cortisol in CPA. Our results showed that aberrant DNA methylation of SYP is involved in CPA progress. Using a miRNA microarray and qRT-PCR, we found decreased expression of miR-27a-5p in CPA compared with normal adrenal tissue. Moreover, the expression of TET3, the target gene of miR-27a-5p, increased in CPA compared with normal adrenal tissue. Knock-down of TET3 resulted in hypermethylation of SYP which reducing the expression level of SYP in H295R cells. The miR-27a-5p-TET3-SYP signalling pathway may regulate proliferation and cortisol secretion in H295R cells and, thus, play a key role in CPA development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia-Yu Zhong
- Department of Metabolism and Endocrinology, National Clinical Research Center for Metabolic Diseases, The Second Xiang-Ya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, People's Republic of China.,Department of Geriatrics, Institute of Aging and Age-related Disease Research, The Second Xiang-Ya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, People's Republic of China
| | - Rong-Rong Cui
- Department of Metabolism and Endocrinology, National Clinical Research Center for Metabolic Diseases, The Second Xiang-Ya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiao Lin
- Department of Metabolism and Endocrinology, National Clinical Research Center for Metabolic Diseases, The Second Xiang-Ya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, People's Republic of China.,Department of Geriatrics, Institute of Aging and Age-related Disease Research, The Second Xiang-Ya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, People's Republic of China
| | - Feng Xu
- Department of Metabolism and Endocrinology, National Clinical Research Center for Metabolic Diseases, The Second Xiang-Ya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, People's Republic of China
| | - Ting Zhu
- Department of Metabolism and Endocrinology, National Clinical Research Center for Metabolic Diseases, The Second Xiang-Ya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, People's Republic of China
| | - Fuxingzi Li
- Department of Metabolism and Endocrinology, National Clinical Research Center for Metabolic Diseases, The Second Xiang-Ya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, People's Republic of China
| | - Feng Wu
- Department of Pathology, The Second Xiang-Ya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, People's Republic of China
| | - En Zhou
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Hunan Provincial People's Hospital, Changsha, Hunan, People's Republic of China
| | - Lu Yi
- Department of Urology, The Second Xiang-Ya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, People's Republic of China
| | - Ling-Qing Yuan
- Department of Metabolism and Endocrinology, National Clinical Research Center for Metabolic Diseases, The Second Xiang-Ya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, People's Republic of China
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11
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Zhou L, Yang F, Yin JW, Gu X, Xu Y, Liang YQ. Compound K induces neurogenesis of neural stem cells in thrombin induced nerve injury through LXRα signaling in mice. Neurosci Lett 2020; 729:135007. [PMID: 32371156 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2020.135007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2020] [Revised: 04/12/2020] [Accepted: 04/20/2020] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) causes neurological function deficit due to the loss of neurons surrounding the hematoma. Increased neurogenesis of endogenous neural stem cells (EnNSCs) is believed to increase cell proliferation and differentiation, thereby improving the neurological deficit. However, there are still limited drugs that are effective for treating neurological deficit. So, the effects of compound K (CK) in EnNSCs were measured after thrombin-induced mice models both in vivo and in vitro, and investigated the probable mechanisms of CK during pro-neurogenesis. The results revealed that 10 μM CK promotes neurogenesis, proliferation and reduces apoptosis of EnNSCs after induction by thrombin. After that, CK treatment increased the neurogenesis of EnNSCs through liver X receptor α (LXRα) signaling pathway using adeno-associated virus knockdown and knocked out mice of LXRα gene. Finally, intraperitoneal injection of 10 mg/kg CK improved the neurogenesis of subventricular zone (SVZ), myelin repair and behavioral deficit after stereotaxic injection of thrombin in the basal ganglia of mice, and this process involved LXRα. These observations provided evidence regarding the effect of CK in pro-neurogenesis via LXRα activation, and suggested further evaluation of it due to its potential role as an effective modulator in the treatment of ICH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Zhou
- Department of Pharmacy, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China; Department of Pharmacy, Yan'an Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China.
| | - Fan Yang
- Joint Surgery, General Hospital of Tibetan Military Command Lhasa, Lhasa, China
| | - Jie-Wen Yin
- Department of Pharmacy, Yan'an Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
| | - Xi Gu
- Department of Pharmacy, Yan'an Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
| | - Yue Xu
- Department of Pharmacy, Yan'an Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
| | - Yue-Qin Liang
- Department of Pharmacy, Yan'an Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China.
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12
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Pang J, Hou J, Zhou Z, Ren M, Mo Y, Yang G, Qu Z, Hu Y. Safflower Yellow Improves Synaptic Plasticity in APP/PS1 Mice by Regulating Microglia Activation Phenotypes and BDNF/TrkB/ERK Signaling Pathway. Neuromolecular Med 2020; 22:341-358. [DOI: 10.1007/s12017-020-08591-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2019] [Accepted: 02/02/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
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13
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Pinzon-Reyes E, Alvarez WA, Rondon-Villarreal P, Hernandez HG. Softepigen: Primers Design Web-Based Tool for MS-HRM Technique. IEEE/ACM TRANSACTIONS ON COMPUTATIONAL BIOLOGY AND BIOINFORMATICS 2020; 17:354-357. [PMID: 30176603 DOI: 10.1109/tcbb.2018.2867600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) based techniques for DNA methylation techniques includes the MS-HRM technique. Methylation Sensitive High-Resolution Melting (MS-HRM) primer-design requires a set of necessary recommendations for such DNA methylation assessment. However, there were not any available software that allows an automatic design of this kind primers. We present Softepigen, the first complete MS-HRM primer design software. Softepigen allows to search for primers in a genomic region following Wojdacz's recommendations and targets primer binding regions with high linguistic complexity sequences that increase the specificity of the converted sequence of the human genome. We performed in-silico PCR analysis through BiSearch ePCR tool to validate the specificity of the of the primers designed using Softepigen. Softepigen for MS-HRM performance in our genomic regions of interest show satisfactory specificity measurements, and we implemented it for freely available use in the web-based interface at www.soft-epigen.com.
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Bexarotene therapy ameliorates behavioral deficits and induces functional and molecular changes in very-old Triple Transgenic Mice model of Alzheimer´s disease. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0223578. [PMID: 31596896 PMCID: PMC6785083 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0223578] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2019] [Accepted: 09/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Bexarotene, a retinoid X receptor agonist, improves cognition in murine models of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). This study evaluated the effects of bexarotene on pathological and electrophysiological changes in very old triple transgenic AD mice (3xTg-AD mice). Methods 24-month-old 3xTg-AD mice were treated with bexarotene (100 mg/kg/day for 30 days). The Morris water maze was used to evaluate spatial memory; immunofluorescence and confocal microscopy were used to evaluate pathological changes; and in vivo electrophysiological recordings were used to evaluate basal transmission and plasticity in the commissural CA3-CA1 pathway. Results In addition to cognitive improvement, bexarotene-treated 3xTg-AD mice were found to have 1) reductions of astrogliosis and reactive microglia both in cortex and hippocampus; 2) increased ApoE expression restricted to CA1; 3) increased number of cells co-labeled with ApoE and NeuN; 4) recovery of NeuN expression, suggesting neuronal protection; and, 5) recovery of basal synaptic transmission and synaptic plasticity. Discussion These results indicate that bexarotene-induced improvement in cognition is due to multiple changes that contribute to recovery of synaptic plasticity.
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Fitz NF, Nam KN, Koldamova R, Lefterov I. Therapeutic targeting of nuclear receptors, liver X and retinoid X receptors, for Alzheimer's disease. Br J Pharmacol 2019; 176:3599-3610. [PMID: 30924124 PMCID: PMC6715597 DOI: 10.1111/bph.14668] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2018] [Revised: 02/15/2019] [Accepted: 02/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
After 15 years of research into Alzheimer's disease (AD) therapeutics, including billions of US dollars provided by federal agencies, pharmaceutical companies, and private foundations, there are still no meaningful therapies that can delay the onset or slow the progression of AD. An understanding of the proteolytic processing of amyloid precursor protein (APP) and the hypothesis that pathogenic mechanisms in familial and sporadic forms of AD are very similar led to the assumption that pharmacological inhibition of secretases or immunological approaches to clear amyloid depositions in the brain would have been the core to drug discovery strategies and successful therapies. However, there are other understudied approaches including targeting genes, gene networks, and metabolic pathways outside the proteolytic processing of APP. The advancement of newly developed sequencing technologies and mass spectrometry, as well as the availability of animal models expressing human apolipoprotein E isoforms, has been critical in rationalizing additional AD therapeutics. The purpose of this review is to present one of those approaches, based on the role of ligand-activated nuclear liver X and retinoid X receptors in the brain. This therapeutic approach was initially proposed utilizing in vitro models 15 years ago and has since been examined in numerous studies using AD-like mouse models. LINKED ARTICLES: This article is part of a themed section on Therapeutics for Dementia and Alzheimer's Disease: New Directions for Precision Medicine. To view the other articles in this section visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.v176.18/issuetoc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas F Fitz
- Environmental and Occupational Health, Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Kyong Nyon Nam
- Environmental and Occupational Health, Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Radosveta Koldamova
- Environmental and Occupational Health, Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Iliya Lefterov
- Environmental and Occupational Health, Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW In the quest for understanding the pathophysiological processes underlying degeneration of nervous systems, synapses are emerging as sites of great interest as synaptic dysfunction is thought to play a role in the initiation and progression of neuronal loss. In particular, the synapse is an interesting target for the effects of epigenetic mechanisms in neurodegeneration. Here, we review the recent advances on epigenetic mechanisms driving synaptic compromise in major neurodegenerative disorders. RECENT FINDINGS Major developments in sequencing technologies enabled the mapping of transcriptomic patterns in human postmortem brain tissues in various neurodegenerative diseases, and also in cell and animal models. These studies helped identify changes in classical neurodegeneration pathways and discover novel targets related to synaptic degeneration. Identifying epigenetic patterns indicative of synaptic defects prior to neuronal degeneration may provide the basis for future breakthroughs in the field of neurodegeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary Xylaki
- Department of Experimental Neurodegeneration, Center for Biostructural Imaging of Neurodegeneration, University Medical Center Göttingen, Waldweg 33, 37073, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Benedict Atzler
- Department of Experimental Neurodegeneration, Center for Biostructural Imaging of Neurodegeneration, University Medical Center Göttingen, Waldweg 33, 37073, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Tiago Fleming Outeiro
- Department of Experimental Neurodegeneration, Center for Biostructural Imaging of Neurodegeneration, University Medical Center Göttingen, Waldweg 33, 37073, Göttingen, Germany.
- Max Planck Institute for Experimental Medicine, 37075, Göttingen, Germany.
- Institute of Neuroscience, The Medical School, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE2 4HH, UK.
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17
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Dietary Sargassum fusiforme improves memory and reduces amyloid plaque load in an Alzheimer's disease mouse model. Sci Rep 2019; 9:4908. [PMID: 30894635 PMCID: PMC6426980 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-41399-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2018] [Accepted: 03/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Activation of liver X receptors (LXRs) by synthetic agonists was found to improve cognition in Alzheimer's disease (AD) mice. However, these LXR agonists induce hypertriglyceridemia and hepatic steatosis, hampering their use in the clinic. We hypothesized that phytosterols as LXR agonists enhance cognition in AD without affecting plasma and hepatic triglycerides. Phytosterols previously reported to activate LXRs were tested in a luciferase-based LXR reporter assay. Using this assay, we found that phytosterols commonly present in a Western type diet in physiological concentrations do not activate LXRs. However, a lipid extract of the 24(S)-Saringosterol-containing seaweed Sargassum fusiforme did potently activate LXRβ. Dietary supplementation of crude Sargassum fusiforme or a Sargassum fusiforme-derived lipid extract to AD mice significantly improved short-term memory and reduced hippocampal Aβ plaque load by 81%. Notably, none of the side effects typically induced by full synthetic LXR agonists were observed. In contrast, administration of the synthetic LXRα activator, AZ876, did not improve cognition and resulted in the accumulation of lipid droplets in the liver. Administration of Sargassum fusiforme-derived 24(S)-Saringosterol to cultured neurons reduced the secretion of Aβ42. Moreover, conditioned medium from 24(S)-Saringosterol-treated astrocytes added to microglia increased phagocytosis of Aβ. Our data show that Sargassum fusiforme improves cognition and alleviates AD pathology. This may be explained at least partly by 24(S)-Saringosterol-mediated LXRβ activation.
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18
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Hernández HG, Sandoval-Hernández AG, Garrido-Gil P, Labandeira-Garcia JL, Zelaya MV, Bayon GF, Fernández AF, Fraga MF, Arboleda G, Arboleda H. Alzheimer's disease DNA methylome of pyramidal layers in frontal cortex: laser-assisted microdissection study. Epigenomics 2018; 10:1365-1382. [PMID: 30324800 DOI: 10.2217/epi-2017-0160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To study DNA methylation patterns of cortical pyramidal layers susceptible to late-onset Alzheimer's disease (LOAD) neurodegeneration. METHODS Laser-assisted microdissection to select pyramidal layers' cells in frontal cortex of 32 human brains (18 LOAD) and Infinium DNA Methylation 450K analysis were performed to find differential methylated positions and regions, in addition to the corresponding gene set functional enrichment analyses. RESULTS Differential hypermethylation in several genomic regions and genes mainly in HOXA3, GSTP1, CXXC1-3 and BIN1. The functional enrichment analysis revealed genes significantly related to oxidative-stress and synapsis. CONCLUSION The present results indicate the differentially methylated genes related to neural projections, synapsis, oxidative stress and epigenetic regulator genes and represent the first epigenome of cortical pyramidal layers in LOAD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hernán Guillermo Hernández
- PhD Program in Dentistry, Universidad Santo Tomás, Bucaramanga, Colombia.,Research Unity, Universidad Manuela Beltrán, Bucaramanga, Colombia
| | - Adrián Gabriel Sandoval-Hernández
- Grupo de Neurociencias y muerte Celular, Facultad de Medicina e instituto de Genética, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Colombia.,Área de Bioquímica, Departamento de Química Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Colombia
| | - Pablo Garrido-Gil
- Laboratory of Neuroanatomy and Experimental Neurology, Department of Morphological Sciences, CIMUS, Faculty of Medicine, University of Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain.,Networking Research Center on Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED), Madrid, Spain
| | - José Luis Labandeira-Garcia
- Laboratory of Neuroanatomy and Experimental Neurology, Department of Morphological Sciences, CIMUS, Faculty of Medicine, University of Santiago de Compostela, 15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain.,Networking Research Center on Neurodegenerative Diseases (CIBERNED), Madrid, Spain
| | - María Victoria Zelaya
- Navarrabiomed Brain Bank, Navarra Institute for Health Research, Pamplona, Navarra, Spain
| | - Gustavo F Bayon
- Instituto Universitario de Oncología del Principado de Asturias (IUOPA), Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias (HUCA), Universidad de Oviedo, Principado de Asturias, Spain
| | - Agustín F Fernández
- Fundación para la Investigación Biosanitaria de Asturias (FINBA), Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Principado de Asturias (ISPA), Principado de Asturias, Spain
| | - Mario F Fraga
- Nanomaterials and Nanotechnology Research Center (CINN-CSIC), Universidad de Oviedo, Principado de Asturias, Spain
| | - Gonzalo Arboleda
- Grupo de Neurociencias y muerte Celular, Facultad de Medicina e instituto de Genética, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Colombia.,Área de Bioquímica, Departamento de Química Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Colombia
| | - Humberto Arboleda
- Grupo de Neurociencias y muerte Celular, Facultad de Medicina e instituto de Genética, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Colombia
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Huber CM, Yee C, May T, Dhanala A, Mitchell CS. Cognitive Decline in Preclinical Alzheimer's Disease: Amyloid-Beta versus Tauopathy. J Alzheimers Dis 2018; 61:265-281. [PMID: 29154274 PMCID: PMC5734131 DOI: 10.3233/jad-170490] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
We perform a large-scale meta-analysis of 51 peer-reviewed 3xTg-AD mouse publications to compare Alzheimer’s disease (AD) quantitative clinical outcome measures, including amyloid-β (Aβ), total tau, and phosphorylated tau (pTau), with cognitive performance in Morris water maze (MWM) and Novel Object Recognition (NOR). “High” levels of Aβ (Aβ40, Aβ42) showed significant but weak trends with cognitive decline (MWM: slope = 0.336, R2 = 0.149, n = 259, p < 0.001; NOR: slope = 0.156, R2 = 0.064, n = 116, p < 0.05); only soluble Aβ or directly measured Aβ meaningfully contribute. Tau expression in 3xTg-AD mice was within 10–20% of wild type and not associated with cognitive decline. In contrast, increased pTau is directly and significantly correlated with cognitive decline in MWM (slope = 0.408, R2 = 0.275, n = 371, p < < 0.01) and NOR (slope = 0.319, R2 = 0.176, n = 113, p < 0.05). While a variety of pTau epitopes (AT8, AT270, AT180, PHF-1) were examined, AT8 correlated most strongly with cognition (slope = 0.586, R2 = 0.521, n = 185, p < < 0.001). Multiple linear regression confirmed pTau is a stronger predictor of MWM performance than Aβ. Despite pTau’s lower physical concentration than Aβ, pTau levels more directly and quantitatively correlate with 3xTg-AD cognitive decline. pTau’s contribution to neurofibrillary tangles well after Aβ levels plateau makes pTau a viable treatment target even in late-stage clinical AD. Principal component analysis, which included hyperphosphorylation induced by kinases (pGSK3β, GSK3β, CDK5), identified phosphorylated ser9 GSK3β as the primary contributor to MWM variance. In summary, meta-analysis of cognitive decline in preclinical AD finds tauopathy more impactful than Aβ. Nonetheless, complex AD interactions dictate successful therapeutics harness synergy between Aβ and pTau, possibly through the GSK3 pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Colin M Huber
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA.,Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Connor Yee
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Taylor May
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Apoorva Dhanala
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Cassie S Mitchell
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
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20
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Sun T, Li YJ, Tian QQ, Wu Q, Feng D, Xue Z, Guo YY, Yang L, Zhang K, Zhao MG, Wu YM. Activation of liver X receptor β-enhancing neurogenesis ameliorates cognitive impairment induced by chronic cerebral hypoperfusion. Exp Neurol 2018; 304:21-29. [PMID: 29447944 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2018.02.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2018] [Revised: 02/05/2018] [Accepted: 02/09/2018] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Chronic cerebral hypoperfusion (CCH), a leading cause of various cerebrovascular diseases, leads to cognitive dysfunction due to neuron loss and impaired neurogenesis. Liver X receptors (LXRs), including LXRα and LXRβ isoforms, are crucial for cholesterol metabolism, synaptic plasticity as well as neurogenesis. However, it is not clear the potential roles of LXRs in the pathogenesis of cognitive impairment induced by CCH. In this study, we demonstrated that LXRβ expression decreased in hippocampus of CCH mice. GW3965, a synthetic dual agonist for both LXRα and LXRβ, ameliorated impairment of learning and memory in CCH mice by promoting neuronal survival and neural stem cells (NSCs) proliferation in dentate gyrus (DG) of CCH mice. The proliferative effects of GW3965 were further confirmed in cultured neural progenitor cells (NPCs) and showed in a concentration-dependent manner. Moreover, GW3965 phosphorylated protein kinase B (Akt) at Ser473 in a time- and concentration-dependent manner in NPCs. Furthermore, both LY294002, an inhibitor for phosphoinositide-3-kinase (PI3K), and short hairpin RNAs for LXRβ knockdown, abrogated GW3965-induced Akt phosphorylation, and therefore abolished GW3965-mediated proliferation-promoting of NPCs. All the data suggested that GW3965 ameliorated impaired cognitive functions in CCH by promoting NSC proliferation through PI3K/Akt pathway followed LXRβ activation. This study correlates a deficit of LXRβ in cognitive dysfunction in CCH with impaired neurogenesis in hippocampus, and LXRs may serve as a potential therapeutic target for chronic cerebral ischemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ting Sun
- Precision Pharmacy & Drug Development Center, Department of Pharmacy, Tangdu Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xinsi Road 1, Xi'an 710038, Shaanxi Province, PR China; Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an 710032, Shaanxi Province, PR China
| | - Yu-Jiao Li
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an 710032, Shaanxi Province, PR China
| | - Qin-Qin Tian
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an 710032, Shaanxi Province, PR China
| | - Qi Wu
- Student Brigade, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an 710032, Shaanxi Province, PR China
| | - Dan Feng
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an 710032, Shaanxi Province, PR China
| | - Zhe Xue
- Student Brigade, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an 710032, Shaanxi Province, PR China
| | - Yan-Yan Guo
- Precision Pharmacy & Drug Development Center, Department of Pharmacy, Tangdu Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xinsi Road 1, Xi'an 710038, Shaanxi Province, PR China; Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an 710032, Shaanxi Province, PR China
| | - Le Yang
- Precision Pharmacy & Drug Development Center, Department of Pharmacy, Tangdu Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xinsi Road 1, Xi'an 710038, Shaanxi Province, PR China; Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an 710032, Shaanxi Province, PR China
| | - Kun Zhang
- Precision Pharmacy & Drug Development Center, Department of Pharmacy, Tangdu Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xinsi Road 1, Xi'an 710038, Shaanxi Province, PR China
| | - Ming-Gao Zhao
- Precision Pharmacy & Drug Development Center, Department of Pharmacy, Tangdu Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xinsi Road 1, Xi'an 710038, Shaanxi Province, PR China; Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an 710032, Shaanxi Province, PR China
| | - Yu-Mei Wu
- Precision Pharmacy & Drug Development Center, Department of Pharmacy, Tangdu Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xinsi Road 1, Xi'an 710038, Shaanxi Province, PR China; Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an 710032, Shaanxi Province, PR China.
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21
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Liver X Receptor Agonist GW3965 Regulates Synaptic Function upon Amyloid Beta Exposure in Hippocampal Neurons. Neurotox Res 2018; 33:569-579. [PMID: 29297151 DOI: 10.1007/s12640-017-9845-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2017] [Revised: 11/21/2017] [Accepted: 11/22/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a devastating neurodegenerative disease characterized by beta-amyloid (Aβ) accumulation and neurofibrillary tangles formation in the brain which are associated to synaptic deficits and dementia. Liver X receptor (LXR) agonists have been demonstrated to revert of pathologic and cognitive defects in murine models of AD through the regulation of Apolipoprotein E, ATP-Binding Cassette A1 (ABCA1), by dampening neuroinflammation and also by reducing the levels of amyloid-β (Aβ) accumulation in the brain. However, the role of LXR with regard to the regulation of synaptic function remains relatively understudied. In the present paper, we analyzed the in-vitro effect of the LXR agonist GW3965 on synaptic function upon exposure of primary hippocampal cultures to oligomeric amyloid-β (oAβ(1-42)). We showed that oAβ(1-42) exposure significantly decreased the density of mature (mushroom shaped) dendritic spines density and synaptic contacts number. oAβ(1-42) also modulates the expression of pre- (VGlut1, SYT1, SV2A) and post-synaptic (SHANK2, NMDA) proteins, it decreases the expression of PINK1, and increases ROCKII, and activates of caspase-3; these changes were prevented by the pre-treating neuronal cultures with GW3965. These results show further support the role of the LXR agonist GW3965 in synaptic physiology and highlight its potential as an alternative pharmacological strategy for AD.
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22
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Boda E, Nato G, Buffo A. Emerging pharmacological approaches to promote neurogenesis from endogenous glial cells. Biochem Pharmacol 2017. [PMID: 28647491 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2017.06.129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Neurodegenerative disorders are emerging as leading contributors to the global disease burden. While some drug-based approaches have been designed to limit or prevent neuronal loss following acute damage or chronic neurodegeneration, regeneration of functional neurons in the adult Central Nervous System (CNS) still remains an unmet need. In this context, the exploitation of endogenous cell sources has recently gained an unprecedented attention, thanks to the demonstration that, in some CNS regions or under specific circumstances, glial cells can activate spontaneous neurogenesis or can be instructed to produce neurons in the adult mammalian CNS parenchyma. This field of research has greatly advanced in the last years and identified interesting molecular and cellular mechanisms guiding the neurogenic activation/conversion of glia. In this review, we summarize the evolution of the research devoted to understand how resident glia can be directed to produce neurons. We paid particular attention to pharmacologically-relevant approaches exploiting the modulation of niche-associated factors and the application of selected small molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enrica Boda
- Department of Neuroscience Rita Levi-Montalcini, University of Turin, I-10126 Turin, Italy; Neuroscience Institute Cavalieri Ottolenghi, I-10043 Orbassano, Turin, Italy.
| | - Giulia Nato
- Department of Neuroscience Rita Levi-Montalcini, University of Turin, I-10126 Turin, Italy; Neuroscience Institute Cavalieri Ottolenghi, I-10043 Orbassano, Turin, Italy
| | - Annalisa Buffo
- Department of Neuroscience Rita Levi-Montalcini, University of Turin, I-10126 Turin, Italy; Neuroscience Institute Cavalieri Ottolenghi, I-10043 Orbassano, Turin, Italy
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Moutinho M, Landreth GE. Therapeutic potential of nuclear receptor agonists in Alzheimer's disease. J Lipid Res 2017; 58:1937-1949. [PMID: 28264880 DOI: 10.1194/jlr.r075556] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2017] [Revised: 03/03/2017] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized by an extensive accumulation of amyloid-β (Aβ) peptide, which triggers a set of deleterious processes, including synaptic dysfunction, inflammation, and neuronal injury, leading to neuronal loss and cognitive impairment. A large body of evidence supports that nuclear receptor (NR) activation could be a promising therapeutic approach for AD. NRs are ligand-activated transcription factors that regulate gene expression and have cell type-specific effects. In this review, we discuss the mechanisms that underlie the beneficial effects of NRs in AD. Moreover, we summarize studies reported in the last 10-15 years and their major outcomes arising from the pharmacological targeting of NRs in AD animal models. The dissection of the pathways regulated by NRs in the context of AD is of importance in identifying novel and effective therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miguel Moutinho
- Department of Neurosciences, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106 and Stark Neuroscience Research Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202
| | - Gary E Landreth
- Department of Neurosciences, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106 and Stark Neuroscience Research Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46202
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Brain penetrant liver X receptor (LXR) modulators based on a 2,4,5,6-tetrahydropyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrazole core. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2016; 26:5044-5050. [PMID: 27599745 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2016.08.089] [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] [Received: 06/28/2016] [Revised: 07/25/2016] [Accepted: 08/27/2016] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Liver X receptor (LXR) agonists have been reported to lower brain amyloid beta (Aβ) and thus to have potential for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. Structure and property based design led to the discovery of a series of orally bioavailable, brain penetrant LXR agonists. Oral administration of compound 18 to rats resulted in significant upregulation of the expression of the LXR target gene ABCA1 in brain tissue, but no significant effect on Aβ levels was detected.
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Courtney R, Landreth GE. LXR Regulation of Brain Cholesterol: From Development to Disease. Trends Endocrinol Metab 2016; 27:404-414. [PMID: 27113081 PMCID: PMC4986614 DOI: 10.1016/j.tem.2016.03.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 113] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2016] [Revised: 03/31/2016] [Accepted: 03/31/2016] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Liver X receptors (LXRs) are master regulators of cholesterol homeostasis and inflammation in the central nervous system (CNS). The brain, which contains a disproportionately large amount of the body's total cholesterol (∼25%), requires a complex and delicately balanced cholesterol metabolism to maintain neuronal function. Dysregulation of cholesterol metabolism has been implicated in numerous neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), and Huntington's disease (HD). Due to their cholesterol-sensing and anti-inflammatory activities, LXRs are positioned centrally in the everyday maintenance of CNS function. This review focuses on recent research into the role of LXRs in the CNS during normal development and homeostasis and in disease states.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca Courtney
- Department of Neurosciences, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
| | - Gary E Landreth
- Department of Neurosciences, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA.
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Sandoval-Hernández AG, Restrepo A, Cardona-Gómez GP, Arboleda G. LXR activation protects hippocampal microvasculature in very old triple transgenic mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease. Neurosci Lett 2016; 621:15-21. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2016.04.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2015] [Revised: 03/30/2016] [Accepted: 04/04/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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