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Qiu Y, Cheng F. Artificial intelligence for drug discovery and development in Alzheimer's disease. Curr Opin Struct Biol 2024; 85:102776. [PMID: 38335558 DOI: 10.1016/j.sbi.2024.102776] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2023] [Revised: 12/29/2023] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024]
Abstract
The complex molecular mechanism and pathophysiology of Alzheimer's disease (AD) limits the development of effective therapeutics or prevention strategies. Artificial Intelligence (AI)-guided drug discovery combined with genetics/multi-omics (genomics, epigenomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics) analysis contributes to the understanding of the pathophysiology and precision medicine of the disease, including AD and AD-related dementia. In this review, we summarize the AI-driven methodologies for AD-agnostic drug discovery and development, including de novo drug design, virtual screening, and prediction of drug-target interactions, all of which have shown potentials. In particular, AI-based drug repurposing emerges as a compelling strategy to identify new indications for existing drugs for AD. We provide several emerging AD targets from human genetics and multi-omics findings and highlight recent AI-based technologies and their applications in drug discovery using AD as a prototypical example. In closing, we discuss future challenges and directions in AI-based drug discovery for AD and other neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunguang Qiu
- Genomic Medicine Institute, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA. https://twitter.com/YunguangQiu
| | - Feixiong Cheng
- Genomic Medicine Institute, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA; Department of Molecular Medicine, Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA; Cleveland Clinic Genome Center, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA.
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2
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Romero-Molina C, Neuner SM, Ryszawiec M, Pébay A, Marcora E, Goate A. Autosomal Dominant Alzheimer's Disease Mutations in Human Microglia Are Not Sufficient to Trigger Amyloid Pathology in WT Mice but Might Affect Pathology in 5XFAD Mice. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:2565. [PMID: 38473822 PMCID: PMC10932392 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25052565] [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: 01/30/2024] [Revised: 02/15/2024] [Accepted: 02/17/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Several genetic variants that affect microglia function have been identified as risk factors for Alzheimer's Disease (AD), supporting the importance of this cell type in disease progression. However, the effect of autosomal dominant mutations in the amyloid precursor protein (APP) or the presenilin (PSEN1/2) genes has not been addressed in microglia in vivo. We xenotransplanted human microglia derived from non-carriers and carriers of autosomal dominant AD (ADAD)-causing mutations in the brain of hCSF1 WT or 5XFAD mice. We observed that ADAD mutations in microglia are not sufficient to trigger amyloid pathology in WT mice. In 5XFAD mice, we observed a non-statistically significant increase in amyloid plaque volume and number of dystrophic neurites, coupled with a reduction in plaque-associated microglia in the brain of mice xenotransplanted with ADAD human microglia compared to mice xenotransplanted with non-ADAD microglia. In addition, we observed a non-statistically significant impairment in working and contextual memory in 5XFAD mice xenotransplanted with ADAD microglia compared to those xenotransplanted with non-ADAD-carrier microglia. We conclude that, although not sufficient to initiate amyloid pathology in the healthy brain, mutations in APP and PSEN1 in human microglia might cause mild changes in pathological and cognitive outcomes in 5XFAD mice in a manner consistent with increased AD risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmen Romero-Molina
- Ronald M. Loeb Center for Alzheimer’s Disease, Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 1 Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, NY 10029, USA; (C.R.-M.); (S.M.N.); (M.R.); (E.M.)
| | - Sarah M. Neuner
- Ronald M. Loeb Center for Alzheimer’s Disease, Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 1 Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, NY 10029, USA; (C.R.-M.); (S.M.N.); (M.R.); (E.M.)
| | - Marcelina Ryszawiec
- Ronald M. Loeb Center for Alzheimer’s Disease, Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 1 Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, NY 10029, USA; (C.R.-M.); (S.M.N.); (M.R.); (E.M.)
| | - Alice Pébay
- Department of Anatomy and Physiology, Department of Surgery, Royal Melbourne Hospital, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia;
| | | | - Edoardo Marcora
- Ronald M. Loeb Center for Alzheimer’s Disease, Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 1 Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, NY 10029, USA; (C.R.-M.); (S.M.N.); (M.R.); (E.M.)
| | - Alison Goate
- Ronald M. Loeb Center for Alzheimer’s Disease, Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 1 Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, NY 10029, USA; (C.R.-M.); (S.M.N.); (M.R.); (E.M.)
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Balak CD, Han CZ, Glass CK. Deciphering microglia phenotypes in health and disease. Curr Opin Genet Dev 2024; 84:102146. [PMID: 38171044 DOI: 10.1016/j.gde.2023.102146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2023] [Revised: 11/30/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024]
Abstract
Microglia are the major immune cells of the central nervous system (CNS) that perform numerous adaptive functions required for normal CNS development and homeostasis but are also linked to neurodegenerative and behavioral diseases. Microglia development and function are strongly influenced by brain environmental signals that are integrated at the level of transcriptional enhancers to drive specific programs of gene expression. Here, we describe a conceptual framework for how lineage-determining and signal-dependent transcription factors interact to select and regulate the ensembles of enhancers that determine microglia development and function. We then highlight recent findings that advance these concepts and conclude with a consideration of open questions that represent some of the major hurdles to be addressed in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher D Balak
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California, San Diego, USA; Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program, University of California, San Diego, USA
| | - Claudia Z Han
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California, San Diego, USA
| | - Christopher K Glass
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of California, San Diego, USA; Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, USA.
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Bull D, Matte JC, Navarron CM, McIntyre R, Whiting P, Katan M, Ducotterd F, Magno L. The hypermorphic PLCγ2 S707Y variant dysregulates microglial cell function - Insight into PLCγ2 activation in brain health and disease, and opportunities for therapeutic modulation. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2024; 1870:166978. [PMID: 38061598 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2023.166978] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2023] [Revised: 10/29/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/30/2023]
Abstract
Phospholipase C-gamma 2 (PLCγ2) is highly expressed in hematopoietic and immune cells, where it is a key signalling node enabling diverse cellular functions. Within the periphery, gain-of-function (GOF) PLCγ2 variants, such as the strongly hypermorphic S707Y, cause severe immune dysregulation. The milder hypermorphic mutation PLCγ2 P522R increases longevity and confers protection in central nervous system (CNS) neurodegenerative disorders, implicating PLCγ2 as a novel therapeutic target for treating these CNS indications. Currently, nothing is known about what consequences strong PLCγ2 GOF has on CNS functionality, and more precisely on the specific biological functions of microglia. Using the PLCγ2 S707Y variant as a model of chronic activation we investigated the functional consequences of strong PLCγ2 GOF on human microglia. PLCγ2 S707Y expressing human inducible pluripotent stem cells (hiPSC)-derived microglia exhibited hypermorphic enzymatic activity under both basal and stimulated conditions, compared to PLCγ2 wild type. Despite the increase in PLCγ2 enzymatic activity, the PLCγ2 S707Y hiPSC-derived microglia display diminished functionality for key microglial processes including phagocytosis and cytokine secretion upon inflammatory challenge. RNA sequencing revealed a downregulation of genes related to innate immunity and response, providing molecular support for the phenotype observed. Our data suggests that chronic activation of PLCγ2 elicits a detrimental phenotype that is contributing to unfavourable CNS functions, and informs on the therapeutic window for targeting PLCγ2 in the CNS. Drug candidates targeting PLCγ2 will need to precisely mimic the effects of the PLCγ2 P522R variant on microglial function, but not those of the PLCγ2 S707Y variant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Bull
- Alzheimer's Research UK UCL Drug Discovery Institute, University College London, The Cruciform Building, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, United Kingdom
| | - Julie C Matte
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Hinxton, Cambridgeshire CB10 1SA, United Kingdom
| | - Carmen M Navarron
- Alzheimer's Research UK UCL Drug Discovery Institute, University College London, The Cruciform Building, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, United Kingdom
| | - Rebecca McIntyre
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Hinxton, Cambridgeshire CB10 1SA, United Kingdom
| | - Paul Whiting
- Institute of Neurology, University College London, Queen Square, London WC1N 3BG, United Kingdom
| | - Matilda Katan
- Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology, Division of Biosciences, University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, United Kingdom
| | - Fiona Ducotterd
- Alzheimer's Research UK UCL Drug Discovery Institute, University College London, The Cruciform Building, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, United Kingdom
| | - Lorenza Magno
- Alzheimer's Research UK UCL Drug Discovery Institute, University College London, The Cruciform Building, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, United Kingdom.
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Hopp SC, Rogers JG, Smith S, Campos G, Miller H, Barannikov S, Kuri EG, Wang H, Han X, Bieniek KF, Weintraub ST, Palavicini JP. Multi-omics analyses reveal novel effects of PLCγ2 deficiency in the mouse brain. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.12.06.570499. [PMID: 38106102 PMCID: PMC10723468 DOI: 10.1101/2023.12.06.570499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2023]
Abstract
Phospholipase C gamma-2 (PLCγ2) catalyzes the hydrolysis of the membrane phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2) to form diacylglycerol (DAG) and inositol trisphosphate (IP3), which subsequently feed into numerous downstream signaling pathways. PLCG2 polymorphisms are associated with both reduced and increased risk of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and with longevity. In the brain, PLCG2 is highly expressed in microglia, where it is proposed to regulate phagocytosis, secretion of cytokines/chemokines, cell survival and proliferation. We analyzed the brains of three-month-old PLCγ2 knockout (KO), heterozygous (HET), and wild-type (WT) mice using multiomics approaches, including shotgun lipidomics, proteomics, and gene expression profiling, and immunofluorescence. Lipidomic analyses revealed sex-specific losses of total cerebrum PIP2 and decreasing trends of DAG content in KOs. In addition, PLCγ2 depletion led to significant losses of myelin-specific lipids and decreasing trends of myelin-enriched lipids. Consistent with our lipidomics results, RNA profiling revealed sex-specific changes in the expression levels of several myelin-related genes. Further, consistent with the available literature, gene expression profiling revealed subtle changes on microglia phenotype in mature adult KOs under baseline conditions, suggestive of reduced microglia reactivity. Immunohistochemistry confirmed subtle differences in density of microglia and oligodendrocytes in KOs. Exploratory proteomic pathway analyses revealed changes in KO and HET females compared to WTs, with over-abundant proteins pointing to mTOR signaling, and under-abundant proteins to oligodendrocytes. Overall, our data indicate that loss of PLCγ2 has subtle effects on brain homeostasis that may underlie enhanced vulnerability to AD pathology and aging via novel mechanisms in addition to regulation of microglia function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah C. Hopp
- Glenn Biggs Institute for Alzheimer’s and Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio
| | - Juliet Garcia Rogers
- Glenn Biggs Institute for Alzheimer’s and Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio
- Sam and Ann Barshop Institute for Longevity and Aging Studies, University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio
| | - Sabrina Smith
- Glenn Biggs Institute for Alzheimer’s and Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio
| | - Gabriela Campos
- Sam and Ann Barshop Institute for Longevity and Aging Studies, University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio
- Costa Rica Institute of Technology (TEC)
| | - Henry Miller
- Sam and Ann Barshop Institute for Longevity and Aging Studies, University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio
| | - Savannah Barannikov
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Science, University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio
| | | | - Hu Wang
- Sam and Ann Barshop Institute for Longevity and Aging Studies, University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio
| | - Xianlin Han
- Glenn Biggs Institute for Alzheimer’s and Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio
- Sam and Ann Barshop Institute for Longevity and Aging Studies, University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio
- Department of Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio
| | - Kevin F. Bieniek
- Glenn Biggs Institute for Alzheimer’s and Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Science, University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio
| | - Susan T. Weintraub
- Department of Biochemistry & Structural Biology, University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio
| | - Juan Pablo Palavicini
- Sam and Ann Barshop Institute for Longevity and Aging Studies, University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio
- Department of Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio
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Comer AL, Hammond TR. Plaque attack by microglial PLCγ2. Immunity 2023; 56:1985-1987. [PMID: 37703828 DOI: 10.1016/j.immuni.2023.08.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2023] [Accepted: 08/16/2023] [Indexed: 09/15/2023]
Abstract
PLCγ2 is genetically linked to Alzheimer's disease (AD), but it is unclear how PLCγ2 contributes to pathology. Tsai et al. demonstrate that AD-associated PLCG2 variants bidirectionally orchestrate microglial responses to plaques and impact neural function in an AD mouse model. This positions PLCγ2 as a key microglial signaling node and shows that targeting PLCγ2 could have therapeutic benefits in AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashley L Comer
- Sanofi, Rare and Neurologic Diseases, Cambridge, MA, USA
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