Cnga2 Knockout Mice Display Alzheimer’s-Like Behavior Abnormities and Pathological Changes

Escape from X-chromosome inactivation and sex differences in Alzheimer's disease

Sex differences exist in the onset and progression of Alzheimer's disease. Globally, women have a higher prevalence, while men with Alzheimer's disease experience earlier mortality and more pronounced cognitive decline than women. The cause of sex differences in Alzheimer's disease remains unclear. Accumulating evidence suggests the potential role of X-linked genetic factors in the sex difference of Alzheimer's disease (AD). During embryogenesis, a remarkable process known as X-chromosome inactivation (XCI) occurs in females, leading to one of the X chromosomes undergoing transcriptional inactivation, which balances the effects of two X chromosomes in females. Nevertheless, certain genes exceptionally escape from XCI, which provides a basis for dual expression dosage of specific genes in females. Based on recent research findings, we explore key escape genes and their potential therapeutic use associated with Alzheimer's disease. Also, we discuss their possible role in driving the sex differences in Alzheimer's disease. This will provide new perspectives for precision medicine and gender-specific treatment of AD.

The olfactory bulb: A neuroendocrine spotlight on feeding and metabolism

Olfaction is the most ancient sense and is needed for food-seeking, danger protection, mating and survival. It is often the first sensory modality to perceive changes in the external environment, before sight, taste or sound. Odour molecules activate olfactory sensory neurons that reside on the olfactory epithelium in the nasal cavity, which transmits this odour-specific information to the olfactory bulb (OB), where it is relayed to higher brain regions involved in olfactory perception and behaviour. Besides odour processing, recent studies suggest that the OB extends its function into the regulation of food intake and energy balance. Furthermore, numerous hormone receptors associated with appetite and metabolism are expressed within the OB, suggesting a neuroendocrine role outside the hypothalamus. Olfactory cues are important to promote food preparatory behaviours and consumption, such as enhancing appetite and salivation. In addition, altered metabolism or energy state (fasting, satiety and overnutrition) can change olfactory processing and perception. Similarly, various animal models and human pathologies indicate a strong link between olfactory impairment and metabolic dysfunction. Therefore, understanding the nature of this reciprocal relationship is critical to understand how olfactory or metabolic disorders arise. This present review elaborates on the connection between olfaction, feeding behaviour and metabolism and will shed light on the neuroendocrine role of the OB as an interface between the external and internal environments. Elucidating the specific mechanisms by which olfactory signals are integrated and translated into metabolic responses holds promise for the development of targeted therapeutic strategies and interventions aimed at modulating appetite and promoting metabolic health.

Olfactory impairment in psychiatric disorders: Does nasal inflammation impact disease psychophysiology?

Olfactory impairments contribute to the psychopathology of mental illnesses such as schizophrenia and depression. Recent neuroscience research has shed light on the previously underappreciated olfactory neural circuits involved in regulation of higher brain functions. Although environmental factors such as air pollutants and respiratory viral infections are known to contribute to the risk for psychiatric disorders, the role of nasal inflammation in neurobehavioral outcomes and disease pathophysiology remains poorly understood. Here, we will first provide an overview of published findings on the impact of nasal inflammation in the olfactory system. We will then summarize clinical studies on olfactory impairments in schizophrenia and depression, followed by preclinical evidence on the neurobehavioral outcomes produced by olfactory dysfunction. Lastly, we will discuss the potential impact of nasal inflammation on brain development and function, as well as how we can address the role of nasal inflammation in the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying psychiatric disorders. Considering the current outbreak of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), which often causes nasal inflammation and serious adverse effects for olfactory function that might result in long-lasting neuropsychiatric sequelae, this line of research is particularly critical to understanding of the potential significance of nasal inflammation in the pathophysiology of psychiatric disorders.

Olfactory Dysfunction: Its Association With Subjective Cognitive Impairment in Patients With Major Depression

ABSTRACT

Olfactory disorders may be observed together with cognitive impairment in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD). This study compared olfactory performances between patients with MDD and healthy controls and investigated the relationship between olfactory performance and subjective cognitive impairment in these patients. This study included 52 patients diagnosed with MDD and 46 healthy controls. The participants were evaluated in terms of their olfactory capacities (threshold, discrimination, and identification), subjective cognitive impairment, and depression. Although the olfactory threshold (OT) and olfactory discrimination scores were lower in patients with MDD compared with those in the control group, their olfactory identification scores did not differ significantly. OT was negatively correlated with subjective cognitive impairment and may serve as a determinant for subjective cognitive changes. Consequently, patients with MDD had lower olfactory performances compared with healthy controls. Finally, OT may be a component of subjective cognitive impairment in MDD.

Effects of intranasal instillation of nanoparticulate matter in the olfactory bulb

Nanoparticulate matter activates the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) pathway in the respiratory system in a process involving the AhR nuclear translocator (ARNT) and cytochrome P450 family 1, member A1 (CYP1A1). We examined changes in AhR-related pathways following intranasal instillation of nanoparticulate matter in the olfactory bulb and cerebral cortex. Twice a day for 5 days per week for 1 week or 2 weeks, 8-week-old Sprague-Dawley rats were intranasally instilled with 10 µL nanoparticulate matter (nano group; n = 36). An equal volume of saline was intranasally instilled in control rats (n = 36). One week after intranasal instillation, olfactory function and Y-maze tests were performed. The expression levels of AhR in the olfactory bulb and temporal cortex were analyzed using western blotting and immunofluorescence assays. The expression levels of AhR, CYP1A1, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and five genes encoding cation transporters (ARNT, ATP7B, ATPB1, OCT1, and OCT2) in the olfactory bulb were analyzed using quantitative reverse transcription. The olfactory discrimination capability was reduced in the nano group compared with the control group. Proportional changes in the Y-maze test were not significantly different between the nano and control groups. AhR mRNA and protein expression in the olfactory bulb increased 1.71-fold (P < 0.001) and 1.60-fold (P = 0.008), respectively. However, no significant changes were observed in the temporal cortex. In the olfactory bulb, the expression of ARNT, ATP7B, ATPB1, and OCT2 was downregulated. CYP1A1 and iNOS expression in the olfactory bulb was upregulated compared with that in the temporal cortex. The intranasal instillation of nanoparticulate matter decreased the olfactory discrimination ability, which was accompanied by upregulation of AhR expression and downregulation of cation transporters in the olfactory bulb.

Oxytocin Alleviates MPTP-Induced Neurotoxicity in Mice by Targeting MicroRNA-26a/Death-Associated Protein Kinase 1 Pathway

Neurotoxicity is one of the major pathological changes in multiple neurological disorders, including Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Parkinson's disease (PD), the second popular neurodegenerative disease in aged people. It is known that the AD and PD share the similar neuropathological hallmarks, such as the oxidative stress, loss of specific neurons, and aggregation of specific proteins. However, there are no effective therapeutic drugs for both AD and PD yet. Oxytocin (OXT) is a small peptide with 9 amino acids that is neuroprotective to many neurological disorders. Whether OXT administration confers neuroprotection to 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1, 2, 3, 6- tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)-induced neurotoxicity in mice are still not known. In this study, we first found that the OXT levels are decreased in MPTP mice. Supplementation with OXT effectively rescues the locomotor disabilities and anxiety-like behaviors in MPTP mice. OXT also alleviates the hyperphosphorylation of α-synuclein at S129 site and the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta, as well as the oxidative stress in the MPTP mice, and alleviates both oxidative stress and cell cytotoxicity in vitro. Furthermore, we found that OXT could inhibit the miR-26a/DAPK1 signal pathway in MPTP mice. In summary, our study demonstrates protective effects of OXT in MPTP mice and that miR-26a/DAPK1 signaling pathway may play an important role in mediating the protection of OXT.

Neuropathic and cAMP-induced pain behavior is ameliorated in mice lacking CNGB1

Cyclic nucleotide-gated (CNG) channels, which are directly activated by cAMP and cGMP, have long been known to play a key role in retinal and olfactory signal transduction. Emerging evidence indicates that CNG channels are also involved in signaling pathways important for pain processing. Here, we found that the expression of the channel subunits CNGA2, CNGA3, CNGA4 and CNGB1 in dorsal root ganglia, and of CNGA2 in the spinal cord, is transiently altered after peripheral nerve injury in mice. Specifically, we show using in situ hybridization and quantitative real-time RT-PCR that CNG channels containing the CNGB1b subunit are localized to populations of sensory neurons and predominantly excitatory interneurons in the spinal dorsal horn. In CNGB1 knockout (CNGB1^-/-) mice, neuropathic pain behavior is considerably attenuated whereas inflammatory pain behavior is normal. Finally, we provide evidence to support CNGB1 as a downstream mediator of cAMP signaling in pain pathways. Altogether, our data suggest that CNGB1-positive CNG channels specifically contribute to neuropathic pain processing after peripheral nerve injury.

The relationship of olfactory function and clinical traits in major depressive disorder

People who have developed a good sense of smell could experience much more happiness and pleasure, which would trigger a discussion that olfactory disorder might correlate with the pathogenesis of major depressive disorder (MDD). Similar experiments conducted on rats have confirmed that nerve damage of olfactory pathway can induce a series of depression-like changes, including behavior, neurobiochemistry, and neuroimmunity. These changes will recover progressively with anti-depression treatment. While in similar studies on human beings, olfactory dysfunction has been found in people suffering from depression. This review briefly discusses the correlation between olfactory deficits and clinical traits of depression in different dimensions, such as the severity, duration and cognitive impairment of depression. Improving olfactory function may be expected to be a potential antidepressant therapy.

GSK-3β deletion in dentate gyrus excitatory neuron impairs synaptic plasticity and memory

Increasing evidence suggests that glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β) plays a crucial role in neurodegenerative/psychiatric disorders, while pan-neural knockout of GSK-3β also shows detrimental effects. Currently, the function of GSK-3β in specific type of neurons is elusive. Here, we infused AAV-CaMKII-Cre-2A-eGFP into GSK-3β^lox/lox mice to selectively delete the kinase in excitatory neurons of hippocampal dentate gyrus (DG), and studied the effects on cognitive/psychiatric behaviors and the molecular mechanisms. We found that mice with GSK-3β deletion in DG excitatory neurons displayed spatial and fear memory defects with an anti-anxiety behavior. Further studies demonstrated that GSK-3β deletion in DG subset inhibited hippocampal synaptic transmission and reduced levels of GluN1, GluN2A and GluN2B (NMDAR subunits), GluA1 (AMPAR subunit), PSD93 and drebrin (postsynaptic structural proteins), and synaptophysin (presynaptic protein). GSK-3β deletion also suppressed the activity-dependent neural activation and calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII)/CaMKIV-cAMP response element binding protein (CREB) signaling. Our data suggest that GSK-3β in hippocampal DG excitatory neurons is essential for maintaining synaptic plasticity and memory.

Synaptic Dysfunction in Alzheimer's Disease: Aβ, Tau, and Epigenetic Alterations

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a complex neurodegenerative disorder characterized in the early stages by loss of learning and memory. However, the mechanism underlying these symptoms remains unclear. The best correlation between cognitive decline and pathological changes is in synaptic dysfunction. Histopathological hallmarks of AD are the abnormal aggregation of Aβ and Tau. Evidence suggests that Aβ and Tau oligomers contribute to synaptic loss in AD. Recently, direct links between epigenetic alterations, such as dysfunction in non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), and synaptic pathologies have emerged, raising interest in exploring the potential roles of ncRNAs in the synaptic deficits in AD. In this paper, we summarize the potential roles of Aβ, Tau, and epigenetic alterations (especially by ncRNAs) in the synaptic dysfunction of AD and discuss the novel findings in this area.