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Raj A, Torok J, Ranasinghe K. Understanding the complex interplay between tau, amyloid and the network in the spatiotemporal progression of Alzheimer's disease. Prog Neurobiol 2025; 249:102750. [PMID: 40107380 DOI: 10.1016/j.pneurobio.2025.102750] [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: 10/04/2024] [Revised: 02/24/2025] [Accepted: 03/13/2025] [Indexed: 03/22/2025]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The interaction of amyloid and tau in neurodegenerative diseases is a central feature of AD pathophysiology. While experimental studies point to various interaction mechanisms, their causal direction and mode (local, remote or network-mediated) remain unknown in human subjects. The aim of this study was to compare mathematical reaction-diffusion models encoding distinct cross-species couplings to identify which interactions were key to model success. METHODS We tested competing mathematical models of network spread, aggregation, and amyloid-tau interactions on publicly available data from ADNI. RESULTS Although network spread models captured the spatiotemporal evolution of tau and amyloid in human subjects, the model including a one-way amyloid-to-tau aggregation interaction performed best. DISCUSSION This mathematical exposition of the "pas de deux" of co-evolving proteins provides quantitative, whole-brain support to the concept of amyloid-facilitated-tauopathy rather than the classic amyloid-cascade or pure-tau hypotheses, and helps explain certain known but poorly understood aspects of AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashish Raj
- Department of Radiology, University of California at San Francisco, USA; Bakar Computational Health Sciences Institute, UCSF, USA.
| | - Justin Torok
- Department of Radiology, University of California at San Francisco, USA
| | - Kamalini Ranasinghe
- The Memory and Aging Center, Department of Neurology, University of California at San Francisco, USA
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2
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Kelliny S, Zhou X, Bobrovskaya L. Alzheimer's Disease and Frontotemporal Dementia: A Review of Pathophysiology and Therapeutic Approaches. J Neurosci Res 2025; 103:e70046. [PMID: 40387258 PMCID: PMC12087441 DOI: 10.1002/jnr.70046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2024] [Revised: 04/01/2025] [Accepted: 05/02/2025] [Indexed: 05/20/2025]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a devastating form of dementia, with the number of affected individuals rising sharply. The main hallmarks of the disease include amyloid-beta plaque deposits and neurofibrillary tangles consisting of hyperphosphorylated tau protein, besides other pathological features that contribute to the disease's complexity. The causes of sporadic AD are multifactorial and mostly age-related and involve risk factors such as diabetes and cardiovascular or cerebrovascular disorders. Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) is another type of dementia characterized by a spectrum of behaviors, memory, and motor abnormalities and associated with abnormal depositions of protein aggregation, including tau protein. Currently approved medications are symptomatic, and no disease-modifying therapy is available to halt the disease progression. Therefore, the development of multi-targeted therapeutic approaches could hold promise for the treatment of AD and other neurodegenerative disorders, including tauopathies. In this article, we will discuss the pathophysiology of AD and FTD, the proposed hypotheses, and current therapeutic approaches, highlighting the development of novel drug candidates and the progress of clinical trials in this field of research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sally Kelliny
- Health and Biomedical Innovation, Clinical and Health SciencesUniversity of South AustraliaAdelaideSouth AustraliaAustralia
- Faculty of PharmacyAssiut UniversityAssiutEgypt
| | - Xin‐Fu Zhou
- Health and Biomedical Innovation, Clinical and Health SciencesUniversity of South AustraliaAdelaideSouth AustraliaAustralia
| | - Larisa Bobrovskaya
- Health and Biomedical Innovation, Clinical and Health SciencesUniversity of South AustraliaAdelaideSouth AustraliaAustralia
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Shaikh A, Ahmad F, Teoh SL, Kumar J, Yahaya MF. Neurotrophic factor alpha 1 gene therapy in Alzheimer's disease: scope and advancements. Front Mol Neurosci 2025; 18:1518868. [PMID: 40235693 PMCID: PMC11996844 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2025.1518868] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2024] [Accepted: 03/10/2025] [Indexed: 04/17/2025] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the leading cause of dementia, accounting for 60-80% of all cases globally. Hallmark pathologies of AD include the accumulation of amyloid β peptide and phosphorylated tau, leading to neuronal circuit dysfunction, defective axonal transport, and neurotransmitter system (NTS) abnormalities. Disruptions in acetylcholine, GABA, dopamine, serotonin, and glutamate levels, as well as the loss of cholinergic, GABAergic, and monoaminergic neurons, contribute to the progression of AD. Additionally, neurotrophic factors like brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and nerve growth factor (NGF) are significantly reduced in AD, impacting neuronal health and synaptic integrity. This review highlights the emerging role of neurotrophic factor alpha 1 (NF-α1), also known as carboxypeptidase E, in AD. NF-α1 shows neuroprotective and neurogenesis-promoting properties, offering potential for therapeutic interventions. The review compares NF-α1 gene therapy with other neurotrophin-based treatments, providing insights into its efficacy in AD management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ammara Shaikh
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Fairus Ahmad
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Seong Lin Teoh
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Jaya Kumar
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Mohamad Fairuz Yahaya
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
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Church TR, Margolis SS. Mechanisms of ubiquitin-independent proteasomal degradation and their roles in age-related neurodegenerative disease. Front Cell Dev Biol 2025; 12:1531797. [PMID: 39990094 PMCID: PMC11842346 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2024.1531797] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2024] [Accepted: 12/23/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2025] Open
Abstract
Neurodegenerative diseases are characterized by the progressive breakdown of neuronal structure and function and the pathological accumulation of misfolded protein aggregates and toxic protein oligomers. A major contributor to the deterioration of neuronal physiology is the disruption of protein catabolic pathways mediated by the proteasome, a large protease complex responsible for most cellular protein degradation. Previously, it was believed that proteolysis by the proteasome required tagging of protein targets with polyubiquitin chains, a pathway called the ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS). Because of this, most research on proteasomal roles in neurodegeneration has historically focused on the UPS. However, additional ubiquitin-independent pathways and their importance in neurodegeneration are increasingly recognized. In this review, we discuss the range of ubiquitin-independent proteasome pathways, focusing on substrate identification and targeting, regulatory molecules and adaptors, proteasome activators and alternative caps, and diverse proteasome complexes including the 20S proteasome, the neuronal membrane proteasome, the immunoproteasome, extracellular proteasomes, and hybrid proteasomes. These pathways are further discussed in the context of aging, oxidative stress, protein aggregation, and age-associated neurodegenerative diseases, with a special focus on Alzheimer's Disease, Huntington's Disease, and Parkinson's Disease. A mechanistic understanding of ubiquitin-independent proteasome function and regulation in neurodegeneration is critical for the development of therapies to treat these devastating conditions. This review summarizes the current state of ubiquitin-independent proteasome research in neurodegeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taylor R. Church
- Department of Biological Chemistry, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Seth S. Margolis
- Department of Biological Chemistry, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
- Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
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Hroudová J, Fišar Z. Alzheimer's disease approaches - Focusing on pathology, biomarkers and clinical trial candidates. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2024; 134:111069. [PMID: 38917881 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2024.111069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2024] [Revised: 06/19/2024] [Accepted: 06/19/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024]
Abstract
The strategy for the development of new drugs for Alzheimer's disease (AD) recognizes that an effective therapy requires early therapeutic intervention and a multifactorial approach that considers the individual initiators of AD development. Current knowledge of AD includes the understanding of pathophysiology, risk factors, biomarkers, and the evolving patterns of biomarker abnormalities. This knowledge is essential in identifying potential molecular targets for new drug development. This review summarizes promising AD drug candidates, many of which are currently in phase 2 or 3 clinical trials. New agents are classified according to the Common Alzheimer's Disease Research Ontology (CADRO). The main targets of new drugs for AD are processes related to amyloid beta and tau neurotoxicity, neurotransmission, inflammation, metabolism and bioenergetics, synaptic plasticity, and oxidative stress. These interventions are aimed at preventing disease onset and slowing or eliminating disease progression. The efficacy of pharmacotherapy may be enhanced by combining these drugs with other treatments, antioxidants, and dietary supplements. Ongoing research into AD pathophysiology, risk factors, biomarkers, and the dynamics of biomarker abnormalities may contribute to the understanding of AD and offer hope for effective therapeutic strategies in the near future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jana Hroudová
- Department of Psychiatry, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and General University Hospital in Prague, Ke Karlovu 11, 120 00 Prague 2, Czech Republic.
| | - Zdeněk Fišar
- Department of Psychiatry, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and General University Hospital in Prague, Ke Karlovu 11, 120 00 Prague 2, Czech Republic
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Raj A, Torok J, Ranasinghe K. Understanding the complex interplay between tau, amyloid and the network in the spatiotemporal progression of Alzheimer's Disease. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.03.05.583407. [PMID: 38559176 PMCID: PMC10979926 DOI: 10.1101/2024.03.05.583407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The interaction of amyloid and tau in neurodegenerative diseases is a central feature of AD pathophysiology. While experimental studies point to various interaction mechanisms, their causal direction and mode (local, remote or network-mediated) remain unknown in human subjects. The aim of this study was to compare mathematical reaction-diffusion models encoding distinct cross-species couplings to identify which interactions were key to model success. METHODS We tested competing mathematical models of network spread, aggregation, and amyloid-tau interactions on publicly available data from ADNI. RESULTS Although network spread models captured the spatiotemporal evolution of tau and amyloid in human subjects, the model including a one-way amyloid-to-tau aggregation interaction performed best. DISCUSSION This mathematical exposition of the "pas de deux" of co-evolving proteins provides quantitative, whole-brain support to the concept of amyloid-facilitated-tauopathy rather than the classic amyloid-cascade or pure-tau hypotheses, and helps explain certain known but poorly understood aspects of AD.
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Saternos H, Hamlett ED, Guzman S, Head E, Granholm AC, Ledreux A. Unique Pathology in the Locus Coeruleus of Individuals with Down Syndrome. J Alzheimers Dis 2024; 101:541-561. [PMID: 39213062 PMCID: PMC12101226 DOI: 10.3233/jad-240043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/04/2024]
Abstract
Background Down syndrome (DS) is one of the most commonly occurring chromosomal conditions. Most individuals with DS develop Alzheimer's disease (AD) by 50 years of age. Recent evidence suggests that AD pathology in the locus coeruleus (LC) is an early event in sporadic AD. It is likely that the widespread axonal network of LC neurons contributes to the spread of tau pathology in the AD brain, although this has not been investigated in DS-AD. Objective The main purpose of this study was to profile AD pathology and neuroinflammation in the LC, comparing AD and DS-AD in postmortem human tissues. Methods We utilized immunofluorescence and semi-quantitative analyses of pTau (4 different forms), amyloid-β (Aβ), glial, and neuronal markers in the LC across 36 cases (control, DS-AD, and AD) to compare the different pathological profiles. Results Oligomeric tau was highly elevated in DS-AD cases compared to LOAD or EOAD cases. The distribution of staining for pT231 was elevated in DS-AD and EOAD compared to the LOAD group. The DS-AD group exhibited increased Aβ immunostaining compared to AD cases. The number of tau-bearing neurons was also significantly different between the EOAD and DS-AD cases compared to the LOAD cases. Conclusions While inflammation, pTau, and Aβ are all involved in AD pathology, their contribution to disease progression may differ depending on the diagnosis. Our results suggest that DS-AD and EOAD may be more similar in pathology than LOAD. Our study highlights unique avenues to further our understanding of the mechanisms governing AD neuropathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah Saternos
- Department of Neurosurgery, School of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora,CO, USA
| | - Eric D Hamlett
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Samuel Guzman
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Elizabeth Head
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of California at Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA
| | - Ann-Charlotte Granholm
- Department of Neurosurgery, School of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora,CO, USA
| | - Aurélie Ledreux
- Department of Neurosurgery, School of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora,CO, USA
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Tian S, Ye T, Cheng X. The behavioral, pathological and therapeutic features of the triple transgenic Alzheimer's disease (3 × Tg-AD) mouse model strain. Exp Neurol 2023; 368:114505. [PMID: 37597764 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2023.114505] [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: 04/17/2023] [Revised: 08/07/2023] [Accepted: 08/15/2023] [Indexed: 08/21/2023]
Abstract
As a classic animal model of Alzheimer's disease (AD), the 3 × Tg-AD mouse not only recapitulates most of anatomical hallmarks observed in AD pathology but also displays cognitive alterations in memory and learning tasks. The 3 × Tg-AD can better show the two characteristics of AD, amyloid β (Aβ) and neurofibrillary tangles (NFT). Therefore, 3 × Tg-AD strain is widely used in AD pathogenesis research and new drug development of AD. In this paper, the construction methods, pathological changes, and treatment characteristics of 3 × Tg-AD mouse models commonly used in AD research are summarized and commented, hoping to provide reference for researchers to choose and establish experimental patterns.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheng Tian
- Faculty of Chinese Medicine and State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Taipa, Macao 999078, PR China; Innovative Institute of Chinese Medicine and Pharmacy, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan 250300, China
| | - Tianyuan Ye
- Innovative Institute of Chinese Medicine and Pharmacy, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan 250300, China
| | - Xiaorui Cheng
- Faculty of Chinese Medicine and State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology, Taipa, Macao 999078, PR China; Innovative Institute of Chinese Medicine and Pharmacy, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan 250300, China.
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Minné D, Marnewick JL, Engel-Hills P. Early Chronic Stress Induced Changes within the Locus Coeruleus in Sporadic Alzheimer's Disease. Curr Alzheimer Res 2023; 20:301-317. [PMID: 37872793 DOI: 10.2174/1567205020666230811092956] [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: 02/27/2023] [Revised: 06/30/2023] [Accepted: 07/04/2023] [Indexed: 10/25/2023]
Abstract
Chronic exposure to stress throughout the lifespan has been the focus of many studies on Alzheimer's disease (AD) because of the similarities between the biological mechanisms involved in chronic stress and the pathophysiology of AD. In fact, the earliest abnormality associated with the disease is the presence of phosphorylated tau protein in locus coeruleus neurons, a brain structure highly responsive to stress and perceived threat. Here, we introduce allostatic load as a useful concept for understanding many of the complex, interacting neuropathological changes involved in the AD degenerative process. In response to chronic stress, aberrant tau proteins that begin to accumulate within the locus coeruleus decades prior to symptom onset appear to represent a primary pathological event in the AD cascade, triggering a wide range of interacting brain changes involving neuronal excitotoxicity, endocrine alterations, inflammation, oxidative stress, and amyloid plaque exacerbation. While it is acknowledged that stress will not necessarily be the major precipitating factor in all cases, early tau-induced changes within the locus coeruleus-norepinephrine pathway suggests that a therapeutic window might exist for preventative measures aimed at managing stress and restoring balance within the HPA axis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donné Minné
- Applied Microbial & Health Biotechnology Institute, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, Cape Town, 7535, South Africa
- Faculty of Health and Wellness Sciences, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, Cape Town, 7535, South Africa
| | - Jeanine L Marnewick
- Applied Microbial & Health Biotechnology Institute, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, Cape Town, 7535, South Africa
| | - Penelope Engel-Hills
- Faculty of Health and Wellness Sciences, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, Cape Town, 7535, South Africa
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Rawat P, Sehar U, Bisht J, Selman A, Culberson J, Reddy PH. Phosphorylated Tau in Alzheimer's Disease and Other Tauopathies. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:12841. [PMID: 36361631 PMCID: PMC9654278 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232112841] [Citation(s) in RCA: 172] [Impact Index Per Article: 57.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2022] [Revised: 10/21/2022] [Accepted: 10/22/2022] [Indexed: 07/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the leading cause of dementia in elderly people. Amyloid beta (Aβ) deposits and neurofibrillary tangles are the major pathological features in an Alzheimer's brain. These proteins are highly expressed in nerve cells and found in most tissues. Tau primarily provides stabilization to microtubules in the part of axons and dendrites. However, tau in a pathological state becomes hyperphosphorylated, causing tau dysfunction and leading to synaptic impairment and degeneration of neurons. This article presents a summary of the role of tau, phosphorylated tau (p-tau) in AD, and other tauopathies. Tauopathies, including Pick's disease, frontotemporal dementia, corticobasal degeneration, Alzheimer's disease, argyrophilic grain disease, progressive supranuclear palsy, and Huntington's disease, are the result of misprocessing and accumulation of tau within the neuronal and glial cells. This article also focuses on current research on the post-translational modifications and genetics of tau, tau pathology, the role of tau in tauopathies and the development of new drugs targeting p-tau, and the therapeutics for treating and possibly preventing tauopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Priyanka Rawat
- Department of Internal Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX 79430, USA
| | - Ujala Sehar
- Department of Internal Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX 79430, USA
| | - Jasbir Bisht
- Department of Pediatrics, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX 79430, USA
| | - Ashley Selman
- Department of Internal Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX 79430, USA
| | - John Culberson
- Department of Family Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX 79430, USA
| | - P. Hemachandra Reddy
- Department of Internal Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX 79430, USA
- Nutritional Sciences Department, College Human Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409, USA
- Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX 79430, USA
- Department of Neurology, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX 79430, USA
- Department of Public Health, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX 79430, USA
- Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX 79430, USA
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Sabui A, Biswas M, Somvanshi PR, Kandagiri P, Gorla M, Mohammed F, Tammineni P. Decreased anterograde transport coupled with sustained retrograde transport contributes to reduced axonal mitochondrial density in tauopathy neurons. Front Mol Neurosci 2022; 15:927195. [PMID: 36245925 PMCID: PMC9561864 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2022.927195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2022] [Accepted: 08/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Mitochondria are essential organelle required for neuronal homeostasis. Mitochondria supply ATP and buffer calcium at synaptic terminals. However, the complex structural geometry of neurons poses a unique challenge in transporting mitochondria to synaptic terminals. Kinesin motors supply mitochondria to the axonal compartments, while cytoplasmic dynein is required for retrograde transport. Despite the importance of presynaptic mitochondria, how and whether axonal mitochondrial transport and distribution are altered in tauopathy neurons remain poorly studied. In the current study, we have shown that anterograde transport of mitochondria is reduced in P301L neurons, while there is no change in the retrograde transport. Consistently, axonal mitochondrial abundance is reduced in P301L neurons. We further studied the possible role of two opposing motor proteins on mitochondrial transport and found that mitochondrial association of kinesin is decreased significantly in P301L cells. Interestingly, fitting our experimental data into mathematical equations suggested a possible rise in dynein activity to maintain retrograde flux in P301L cells. Our data indicate that decreased kinesin-mediated transport coupled with sustained retrograde transport might reduce axonal mitochondria in tauopathy neurons, thus contributing to the synaptic deficits in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and other tauopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anusruti Sabui
- Department of Animal Biology, School of Life Sciences, University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad, India
| | - Mitali Biswas
- Department of Animal Biology, School of Life Sciences, University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad, India
| | | | - Preethi Kandagiri
- Department of Animal Biology, School of Life Sciences, University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad, India
| | - Madhavi Gorla
- Centre for Biotechnology, Institute of Science and Technology (IST), Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University Hyderabad, Hyderabad, India
| | - Fareed Mohammed
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Life Sciences, University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad, India
| | - Prasad Tammineni
- Department of Animal Biology, School of Life Sciences, University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad, India
- *Correspondence: Prasad Tammineni,
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Dysfunction of Mitochondria in Alzheimer’s Disease: ANT and VDAC Interact with Toxic Proteins and Aid to Determine the Fate of Brain Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23147722. [PMID: 35887070 PMCID: PMC9316216 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23147722] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2022] [Revised: 07/10/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer’s disease (AD), certainly the most widespread proteinopathy, has as classical neuropathological hallmarks, two groups of protein aggregates: senile plaques and neurofibrillary tangles. However, the research interest is rapidly gaining ground in a better understanding of other pathological features, first, of all the mitochondrial dysfunctions. Several pieces of evidence support the hypothesis that abnormal mitochondrial function may trigger aberrant processing of amyloid progenitor protein or tau and thus neurodegeneration. Here, our aim is to emphasize the role played by two ‘bioenergetic’ proteins inserted in the mitochondrial membranes, inner and outer, respectively, that is, the adenine nucleotide translocator (ANT) and the voltage-dependent anion channel (VDAC), in the progression of AD. To perform this, we will magnify the ANT and VDAC defects, which are measurable hallmarks of mitochondrial dysfunction, and collect all the existing information on their interaction with toxic Alzheimer’s proteins. The pathological convergence of tau and amyloid β-peptide (Aβ) on mitochondria may finally explain why the therapeutic strategies used against the toxic forms of Aβ or tau have not given promising results separately. Furthermore, the crucial role of ANT-1 and VDAC impairment in the onset/progression of AD opens a window for new therapeutic strategies aimed at preserving/improving mitochondrial function, which is suspected to be the driving force leading to plaque and tangle deposition in AD.
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Capsoni S, Arisi I, Malerba F, D’Onofrio M, Cattaneo A, Cherubini E. Targeting the Cation-Chloride Co-Transporter NKCC1 to Re-Establish GABAergic Inhibition and an Appropriate Excitatory/Inhibitory Balance in Selective Neuronal Circuits: A Novel Approach for the Treatment of Alzheimer's Disease. Brain Sci 2022; 12:783. [PMID: 35741668 PMCID: PMC9221351 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci12060783] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2022] [Revised: 06/07/2022] [Accepted: 06/09/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
GABA, the main inhibitory neurotransmitter in the adult brain, depolarizes and excites immature neurons because of an initially higher intracellular chloride concentration [Cl-]i due to the delayed expression of the chloride exporter KCC2 at birth. Depolarization-induced calcium rise via NMDA receptors and voltage-dependent calcium channels is instrumental in shaping neuronal circuits and in controlling the excitatory (E)/inhibitory (I) balance in selective brain areas. An E/I imbalance accounts for cognitive impairment observed in several neuropsychiatric disorders. The aim of this review is to summarize recent data on the mechanisms by which alterations of GABAergic signaling alter the E/I balance in cortical and hippocampal neurons in Alzheimer's disease (AD) and the role of cation-chloride co-transporters in this process. In particular, we discuss the NGF and AD relationship and how mice engineered to express recombinant neutralizing anti-NGF antibodies (AD11 mice), which develop a neurodegenerative pathology reminiscent of that observed in AD patients, exhibit a depolarizing action of GABA due to KCC2 impairment. Treating AD and other forms of dementia with bumetanide, a selective KCC2 antagonist, contributes to re-establishing a proper E/I balance in selective brain areas, leading to amelioration of AD symptoms and the slowing down of disease progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simona Capsoni
- Bio@SNS Laboratory of Biology, Scuola Normale Superiore, 56126 Pisa, Italy;
- Section of Physiology, Department of Neuroscience and Rehabilitation, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Ivan Arisi
- Fondazione European Brain Research Institute (EBRI) Rita Levi-Montalcini, 00161 Rome, Italy; (I.A.); (F.M.); (M.D.)
| | - Francesca Malerba
- Fondazione European Brain Research Institute (EBRI) Rita Levi-Montalcini, 00161 Rome, Italy; (I.A.); (F.M.); (M.D.)
| | - Mara D’Onofrio
- Fondazione European Brain Research Institute (EBRI) Rita Levi-Montalcini, 00161 Rome, Italy; (I.A.); (F.M.); (M.D.)
| | - Antonino Cattaneo
- Bio@SNS Laboratory of Biology, Scuola Normale Superiore, 56126 Pisa, Italy;
- Fondazione European Brain Research Institute (EBRI) Rita Levi-Montalcini, 00161 Rome, Italy; (I.A.); (F.M.); (M.D.)
| | - Enrico Cherubini
- Fondazione European Brain Research Institute (EBRI) Rita Levi-Montalcini, 00161 Rome, Italy; (I.A.); (F.M.); (M.D.)
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Trease AJ, George JW, Roland NJ, Lichter EZ, Emanuel K, Totusek S, Fox HS, Stauch KL. Hyperphosphorylated Human Tau Accumulates at the Synapse, Localizing on Synaptic Mitochondrial Outer Membranes and Disrupting Respiration in a Mouse Model of Tauopathy. Front Mol Neurosci 2022; 15:852368. [PMID: 35359570 PMCID: PMC8960727 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2022.852368] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2022] [Accepted: 01/31/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurogenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD), represent a growing public health challenge in aging societies. Tauopathies, a subset of neurodegenerative disorders that includes AD, are characterized by accumulation of fibrillar and hyperphosphorylated forms of microtubule-associated protein tau with coincident mitochondrial abnormalities and neuronal dysfunction. Although, in vitro, tau impairs axonal transport altering mitochondrial distribution, clear in vivo mechanisms associating tau and mitochondrial dysfunction remain obscure. Herein, we investigated the effects of human tau on brain mitochondria in vivo using transgenic htau mice at ages preceding and coinciding with onset of tauopathy. Subcellular proteomics combined with bioenergetic assessment revealed pathologic forms of tau preferentially associate with synaptic over non-synaptic mitochondria coinciding with changes in bioenergetics, reminiscent of an aged synaptic mitochondrial phenotype in wild-type mice. While mitochondrial content was unaltered, mitochondrial maximal respiration was impaired in synaptosomes from htau mice. Further, mitochondria-associated tau was determined to be outer membrane-associated using the trypsin protection assay and carbonate extraction. These findings reveal non-mutant human tau accumulation at the synapse has deleterious effects on mitochondria, which likely contributes to synaptic dysfunction observed in the context of tauopathy.
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15
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Wu M, Zhang M, Yin X, Chen K, Hu Z, Zhou Q, Cao X, Chen Z, Liu D. The role of pathological tau in synaptic dysfunction in Alzheimer's diseases. Transl Neurodegener 2021; 10:45. [PMID: 34753506 PMCID: PMC8579533 DOI: 10.1186/s40035-021-00270-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 104] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2021] [Accepted: 10/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by progressive cognitive decline, accompanied by amyloid-β (Aβ) overload and hyperphosphorylated tau accumulation in the brain. Synaptic dysfunction, an important pathological hallmark in AD, is recognized as the main cause of the cognitive impairments. Accumulating evidence suggests that synaptic dysfunction could be an early pathological event in AD. Pathological tau, which is detached from axonal microtubules and mislocalized into pre- and postsynaptic neuronal compartments, is suggested to induce synaptic dysfunction in several ways, including reducing mobility and release of presynaptic vesicles, decreasing glutamatergic receptors, impairing the maturation of dendritic spines at postsynaptic terminals, disrupting mitochondrial transport and function in synapses, and promoting the phagocytosis of synapses by microglia. Here, we review the current understanding of how pathological tau mediates synaptic dysfunction and contributes to cognitive decline in AD. We propose that elucidating the mechanism by which pathological tau impairs synaptic function is essential for exploring novel therapeutic strategies for AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moxin Wu
- Department of Medical Laboratory, Affiliated Hospital of Jiujiang University, Jiujiang, 332000, China.,Jiujiang Clinical Precision Medicine Research Center, Jiujiang, 332000, China
| | - Manqing Zhang
- Medical College of Jiujiang University, Jiujiang, 332000, China
| | - Xiaoping Yin
- Jiujiang Clinical Precision Medicine Research Center, Jiujiang, 332000, China.,Department of Neurology, Affiliated Hospital of Jiujiang University, Jiujiang, 332000, China
| | - Kai Chen
- Department of Dermatology, Wuhan No. 1 Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China
| | - Zhijian Hu
- Department of Medical Laboratory, Affiliated Hospital of Jiujiang University, Jiujiang, 332000, China
| | - Qin Zhou
- Jiujiang Clinical Precision Medicine Research Center, Jiujiang, 332000, China
| | - Xianming Cao
- Jiujiang Clinical Precision Medicine Research Center, Jiujiang, 332000, China.,Department of Neurology, Affiliated Hospital of Jiujiang University, Jiujiang, 332000, China
| | - Zhiying Chen
- Jiujiang Clinical Precision Medicine Research Center, Jiujiang, 332000, China. .,Department of Neurology, Affiliated Hospital of Jiujiang University, Jiujiang, 332000, China.
| | - Dan Liu
- Department of Medical Genetics, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China.
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16
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Zgórzyńska E, Krawczyk K, Bełdzińska P, Walczewska A. Molecular basis of proteinopathies: Etiopathology
of dementia and motor disorders. POSTEP HIG MED DOSW 2021. [DOI: 10.5604/01.3001.0014.9513] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurodegenerative diseases are one of the most important medical and social problems affecting
elderly people, the percentage of which is significantly increasing in the total world population.
The cause of these diseases is the destruction of neurons by protein aggregates that form pathological
deposits in neurons, glial cells and in the intercellular space. Proteins whose molecules
are easily destabilized by point mutations or endogenous processes are alpha-synuclein (ASN),
tau and TDP-43. Pathological forms of these proteins form characteristic aggregates, which accumulate
in the neurons and are the cause of various forms of dementia and motor disorders.
The most common causes of dementia are tauopathies. In primary tauopathies, which include
progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), corticobasal degeneration (CBD), Pick’s disease (PiD), and
frontotemporal dementia (FTD), modified tau molecules disrupt axonal transport and protein
distribution in neurons. Ultimately, the helical filaments and neurofibrillary tangles of tau lead to
neuron death in various structures of the brain. In Alzheimer’s disease hyperphosphorylated tau tangles along with β amyloid plaques are responsible for the degeneration of the hippocampus,
entorhinal cortex and amygdala. The most prevalent synucleinopathies are Parkinson’s disease,
multiple system atrophy (MSA) and dementia with Lewy bodies, where there is a degeneration of
neurons in the extrapyramidal tracts or, as in MSA, autonomic nerves. TDP-43 inclusions in the
cytoplasm cause the degeneration of motor neurons in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and
in one of the frontotemporal dementia variant (FTLD-TDP). In this work ASN, tau and TDP-43
structures are described, as well as the genetic and sporadic factors that lead to the destabilization
of molecules, their aggregation and incorrect distribution in neurons, which are the causes
of neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Klaudia Krawczyk
- Zakład Interakcji Międzykomórkowych, Uniwersytet Medyczny w Łodzi
| | | | - Anna Walczewska
- Zakład Interakcji Międzykomórkowych, Uniwersytet Medyczny w Łodzi
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17
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Zhang H, Wei W, Zhao M, Ma L, Jiang X, Pei H, Cao Y, Li H. Interaction between Aβ and Tau in the Pathogenesis of Alzheimer's Disease. Int J Biol Sci 2021; 17:2181-2192. [PMID: 34239348 PMCID: PMC8241728 DOI: 10.7150/ijbs.57078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 271] [Impact Index Per Article: 67.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2020] [Accepted: 04/23/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Extracellular neuritic plaques composed of amyloid‑β (Aβ) protein and intracellular neurofibrillary tangles containing phosphorylated tau protein are the two hallmark proteins of Alzheimer's disease (AD), and the separate neurotoxicity of these proteins in AD has been extensively studied. However, interventions that target Aβ or tau individually have not yielded substantial breakthroughs. The interest in the interactions between Aβ and tau in AD is increasing, but related drug investigations are in their infancy. This review discusses how Aβ accelerates tau phosphorylation and the possible mechanisms and pathways by which tau mediates Aβ toxicity. This review also describes the possible synergistic effects between Aβ and tau on microglial cells and astrocytes. Studies suggest that the coexistence of Aβ plaques and phosphorylated tau is related to the mechanism by which Aβ facilitates the propagation of tau aggregation in neuritic plaques. The interactions between Aβ and tau mediate cognitive dysfunction in patients with AD. In summary, this review summarizes recent data on the interplay between Aβ and tau to promote a better understanding of the roles of these proteins in the pathological process of AD and provide new insights into interventions against AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huiqin Zhang
- Institute of Geriatrics, Xiyuan Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100091, China
| | - Wei Wei
- Institute of Geriatrics, Xiyuan Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100091, China
| | - Ming Zhao
- Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Lina Ma
- Institute of Geriatrics, Xiyuan Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100091, China
| | - Xuefan Jiang
- Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, China
| | - Hui Pei
- Institute of Geriatrics, Xiyuan Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100091, China
| | - Yu Cao
- Institute of Geriatrics, Xiyuan Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100091, China
| | - Hao Li
- Institute of Geriatrics, Xiyuan Hospital, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100091, China
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18
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Uddin MS, Al Mamun A, Rahman MA, Behl T, Perveen A, Hafeez A, Bin-Jumah MN, Abdel-Daim MM, Ashraf GM. Emerging Proof of Protein Misfolding and Interactions in Multifactorial Alzheimer's Disease. Curr Top Med Chem 2021; 20:2380-2390. [PMID: 32479244 DOI: 10.2174/1568026620666200601161703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2020] [Revised: 04/21/2020] [Accepted: 04/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a devastating neurodegenerative disorder, characterized by the extracellular accumulations of amyloid beta (Aβ) as senile plaques and intracellular aggregations of tau in the form of neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) in specific brain regions. In this review, we focus on the interaction of Aβ and tau with cytosolic proteins and several cell organelles as well as associated neurotoxicity in AD. SUMMARY Misfolded proteins present in cells accompanied by correctly folded, intermediately folded, as well as unfolded species. Misfolded proteins can be degraded or refolded properly with the aid of chaperone proteins, which are playing a pivotal role in protein folding, trafficking as well as intermediate stabilization in healthy cells. The continuous aggregation of misfolded proteins in the absence of their proper clearance could result in amyloid disease including AD. The neuropathological changes of AD brain include the atypical cellular accumulation of misfolded proteins as well as the loss of neurons and synapses in the cerebral cortex and certain subcortical regions. The mechanism of neurodegeneration in AD that leads to severe neuronal cell death and memory dysfunctions is not completely understood until now. CONCLUSION Examining the impact, as well as the consequences of protein misfolding, could help to uncover the molecular etiologies behind the complicated AD pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Md Sahab Uddin
- Department of Pharmacy, Southeast University, Dhaka, Bangladesh,Pharmakon Neuroscience Research Network, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Abdullah Al Mamun
- Department of Pharmacy, Southeast University, Dhaka, Bangladesh,Pharmakon Neuroscience Research Network, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Md Ataur Rahman
- Center for Neuroscience, Brain Science Institute, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Tapan Behl
- Chitkara College of Pharmacy, Chitkara University, Punjab, India
| | - Asma Perveen
- Glocal School of Life Sciences, Glocal University, Saharanpur, India
| | - Abdul Hafeez
- Glocal School of Pharmacy, Glocal University, Saharanpur, India
| | - May N Bin-Jumah
- Department of Biology, College of Science, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh 11474, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohamed M Abdel-Daim
- Department of Zoology, College of Science, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2455, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia,Pharmacology Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Suez Canal University, Ismailia 41522, Egypt
| | - Ghulam Md Ashraf
- King Fahd Medical Research Center, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia,Department of Medical Laboratory Technology, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
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19
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Wang SE, Wu CH. Tau phosphorylation and cochlear apoptosis cause hearing loss in 3×Tg-AD Mouse Model of Alzheimer's Disease. CHINESE J PHYSIOL 2021; 64:61-71. [PMID: 33938816 DOI: 10.4103/cjp.cjp_79_20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Clinically typical dementia Alzheimer's disease (AD) is associated with abnormal auditory processing. However, possible molecular mechanisms responsible for the auditory pathology of AD patients are not known. According to our past research findings that the thresholds of auditory brainstem response, but not distortion product otoacoustic emissions, were significantly increased in AD mice from 9 months of age and thereafter. Thus, we further explored the possible mechanism of auditory degradation of 3×Tg-AD mice in this study. Our histochemical staining evidence showed the cochlear spiral ganglion neurons (SGN), but not the cochlear hair cells, were lost significantly in the cochlea of 3×Tg-AD mice from 9 months of age and thereafter. Our immunostaining and western blotting evidence showed that phosphorylated tau protein (p-Tau), p-glycogen synthase kinase 3, neurofilament, and apoptosis-related p53, Bcl2-associated X protein, cytochrome c, caspase-9, and caspase-3 were gradually increased, but B-cell lymphoma 2 was gradually decreased with age growth in the cochlea of 3×Tg-AD mice. We suggested that tau hyperphosphorylation and p-Tau 181 aggregation, and mitochondria- and endoplasmic reticulum stress-mediated apoptosis may play a role in the degeneration of SGN in the cochlea. Progressive SGN degeneration in the cochlea may contribute to hearing loss of aging 3×Tg-AD mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheue-Er Wang
- School of Life Sciences, National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei; Department of Pathological, Saint Paul's Hospital, Taoyuan City, Taiwan
| | - Chung-Hsin Wu
- School of Life Sciences, National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei, Taiwan
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20
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Snitow ME, Bhansali RS, Klein PS. Lithium and Therapeutic Targeting of GSK-3. Cells 2021; 10:255. [PMID: 33525562 PMCID: PMC7910927 DOI: 10.3390/cells10020255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2021] [Revised: 01/24/2021] [Accepted: 01/25/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Lithium salts have been in the therapeutic toolbox for better or worse since the 19th century, with purported benefit in gout, hangover, insomnia, and early suggestions that lithium improved psychiatric disorders. However, the remarkable effects of lithium reported by John Cade and subsequently by Mogens Schou revolutionized the treatment of bipolar disorder. The known molecular targets of lithium are surprisingly few and include the signaling kinase glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK-3), a group of structurally related phosphomonoesterases that includes inositol monophosphatases, and phosphoglucomutase. Here we present a brief history of the therapeutic uses of lithium and then focus on GSK-3 as a therapeutic target in diverse diseases, including bipolar disorder, cancer, and coronavirus infections.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Peter S. Klein
- Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine,
University of Pennsylvania, 3400 Spruce St., Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; (M.E.S.); (R.S.B.)
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21
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Li J, Wang G, Qin Y, Zhang X, Wang HF, Liu HW, Zhu LJ, Yao XS. Neuroprotective constituents from the aerial parts of Cannabis sativa L. subsp. sativa. RSC Adv 2020; 10:32043-32049. [PMID: 35518127 PMCID: PMC9056577 DOI: 10.1039/d0ra04565a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2020] [Accepted: 08/12/2020] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Five new compounds including three new cannabinoids, cannabisativas A-C (1-3), two new phenolic acids, (7Z,9Z)-cannabiphenolic acid A (4) and (8S,9Z)-cannabiphenolic acid B (5), together with twelve known compounds (6-17), were isolated from the aerial parts of Cannabis sativa L. subsp. sativa. The structures of 1-5 were established on the basis of extensive 1D, 2D NMR and HRESIMS analysis. The absolute configurations were determined by comparison between their experimental and calculated spectra of electronic circular dichroism (ECD) or the modified Mosher's method. The neuroprotective effects of the compounds 1-17 were evaluated on PC 12 cells. Compounds 12, 13 and 15 showed potential protective effects against H2O2-induced damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia Li
- College of Traditional Chinese Materia Medica, Key Laboratory of Structure-Based Drug Design & Discovery of Ministry of Education, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University Shenyang 110016 China
| | - Guan Wang
- College of Traditional Chinese Materia Medica, Key Laboratory of Structure-Based Drug Design & Discovery of Ministry of Education, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University Shenyang 110016 China
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, Cancer Center, Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy Chengdu 610041 China
| | - Yu Qin
- College of Traditional Chinese Materia Medica, Key Laboratory of Structure-Based Drug Design & Discovery of Ministry of Education, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University Shenyang 110016 China
| | - Xue Zhang
- College of Traditional Chinese Materia Medica, Key Laboratory of Structure-Based Drug Design & Discovery of Ministry of Education, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University Shenyang 110016 China
| | - Hai-Feng Wang
- College of Traditional Chinese Materia Medica, Key Laboratory of Structure-Based Drug Design & Discovery of Ministry of Education, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University Shenyang 110016 China
| | - Hong-Wei Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Mycology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing 100101 China
| | - Ling-Juan Zhu
- College of Traditional Chinese Materia Medica, Key Laboratory of Structure-Based Drug Design & Discovery of Ministry of Education, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University Shenyang 110016 China
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, Cancer Center, Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy Chengdu 610041 China
| | - Xin-Sheng Yao
- College of Traditional Chinese Materia Medica, Key Laboratory of Structure-Based Drug Design & Discovery of Ministry of Education, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University Shenyang 110016 China
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22
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He Z, Han S, Wu C, Liu L, Zhu H, Liu A, Lu Q, Huang J, Du X, Li N, Xie Q, Wan L, Ni J, Chen L, Yang X, Liu Q. Bis(ethylmaltolato)oxidovanadium(iv) inhibited the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease in triple transgenic model mice. Metallomics 2020; 12:474-490. [PMID: 31970356 DOI: 10.1039/c9mt00271e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Vanadium compounds have been reported to mimic the anti-diabetes effects of insulin on rodent models, but their effects on Alzheimer's disease (AD) have rarely been explored. In this paper, 9-month-old triple transgenic AD model mice (3×Tg-AD) received bis(ethylmaltolato)oxidovanadium(iv) (BEOV) at doses of 0.2 mmol L-1 (68.4 μg mL-1) and 1.0 mmol L-1 (342 μg mL-1) for 3 months. BEOV at both doses was found to improve contextual memory and spatial learning in AD mice. It also improved glucose metabolism and protected neuronal synapses in the AD brain, as evidenced respectively by 18F-labeled fluoro-deoxyglucose positron emission tomography (18F-FDG-PET) scanning and by transmission electron microscopy. Inhibitory effects of BEOV on β-amyloid (Aβ) plaques and neuronal impairment in the cortex and hippocampus of fluorescent AD mice were visualized three-dimensionally by applying optical clearing technology to brain slices before confocal laser scanning microscopy. Western blot analysis semi-quantitatively revealed the altered levels of Aβ42 in the brains of wildtype, AD, and AD treated with 0.2 and 1.0 mmol L-1 BEOV mice (70.3%, 100%, 83.2% and 56.8% in the hippocampus; 82.4%, 100%, 66.9% and 42% in the cortex, respectively). The mechanism study showed that BEOV increased the expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) (140%, 100%, 142% and 160% in the hippocampus; 167%, 100%, 124% and 133% in the cortex) to inactivate the JAK2/STAT3/SOCS-1 pathway and to block the amyloidogenesis cascade, thus attenuating Aβ-induced insulin resistance in AD models. BEOV also reduced protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B) expression (74.8%, 100%, 76.5% and 53.8% in the hippocampus; 71.8%, 100%, 94.2% and 81.8% in cortex) to promote insulin sensitivity and to stimulate the PI3K/Akt/GSK3β pathway, subsequently reducing tau hyperphosphorylation (phosphorylated tau396 levels were 51.1%, 100%, 56.1% and 50.2% in the hippocampus; 22.2%, 100%, 36.1%, and 24% in the cortex). Our results suggested that BEOV reduced the pathological hallmarks of AD by targeting the pathways of PPARγ and PTP1B in 3×Tg AD mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhijun He
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Marine Biotechnology and Ecology, College of Life Sciences and Oceanography, Shenzhen University, 518060 Shenzhen, China.
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23
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Mufson EJ, Counts SE, Ginsberg SD, Mahady L, Perez SE, Massa SM, Longo FM, Ikonomovic MD. Nerve Growth Factor Pathobiology During the Progression of Alzheimer's Disease. Front Neurosci 2019; 13:533. [PMID: 31312116 PMCID: PMC6613497 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2019.00533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2018] [Accepted: 05/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The current review summarizes the pathobiology of nerve growth factor (NGF) and its cognate receptors during the progression of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Both transcript and protein data indicate that cholinotrophic neuronal dysfunction is related to an imbalance between TrkA-mediated survival signaling and the NGF precursor (proNGF)/p75NTR-mediated pro-apoptotic signaling, which may be related to alteration in the metabolism of NGF. Data indicate a spatiotemporal pattern of degeneration related to the evolution of tau pathology within cholinotrophic neuronal subgroups located within the nucleus basalis of Meynert (nbM). Despite these degenerative events the cholinotrophic system is capable of cellular resilience and/or plasticity during the prodromal and later stages of the disease. In addition to neurotrophin dysfunction, studies indicate alterations in epigenetically regulated proteins occur within cholinotrophic nbM neurons during the progression of AD, suggesting a mechanism that may underlie changes in transcript expression. Findings that increased cerebrospinal fluid levels of proNGF mark the onset of MCI and the transition to AD suggests that this proneurotrophin is a potential disease biomarker. Novel therapeutics to treat NGF dysfunction include NGF gene therapy and the development of small molecule agonists for the cognate prosurvival NGF receptor TrkA and antagonists against the pan-neurotrophin p75NTR death receptor for the treatment of AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elliott J. Mufson
- Department of Neurobiology and Neurology, Department of Neurobiology, and Department of Neurological Sciences, Alzheimer’s Disease Laboratory, Barrow Neurological Institute, St. Joseph’s Medical Center, Phoenix, AZ, United States
| | - Scott E. Counts
- Translational Science and Molecular Medicine Michigan State University College of Human Medicine, Grand Rapids, MI, United States
| | - Stephen D. Ginsberg
- Center for Dementia Research, Nathan Kline Institute, Orangeburg, NY, United States
- Department of Psychiatry, Department of Neuroscience, and Physiology and NYU Neuroscience Institute, New York University Langone Medical Center, New York, NY, United States
| | - Laura Mahady
- Department of Neurobiology and Neurology, Department of Neurobiology, and Department of Neurological Sciences, Alzheimer’s Disease Laboratory, Barrow Neurological Institute, St. Joseph’s Medical Center, Phoenix, AZ, United States
| | - Sylvia E. Perez
- Department of Neurobiology and Neurology, Department of Neurobiology, and Department of Neurological Sciences, Alzheimer’s Disease Laboratory, Barrow Neurological Institute, St. Joseph’s Medical Center, Phoenix, AZ, United States
| | - Stephen M. Massa
- Department of Neurology, San Francisco VA Health Care System, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Frank M. Longo
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, United States
| | - Milos D. Ikonomovic
- Department of Neurology and Department of Psychiatry, Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center, VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
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24
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Phosphorylation of different tau sites during progression of Alzheimer's disease. Acta Neuropathol Commun 2018; 6:52. [PMID: 29958544 PMCID: PMC6027763 DOI: 10.1186/s40478-018-0557-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 254] [Impact Index Per Article: 36.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2018] [Accepted: 06/19/2018] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer’s disease is characterized by accumulation of amyloid plaques and tau aggregates in several cortical brain regions. Tau phosphorylation causes formation of neurofibrillary tangles and neuropil threads. Phosphorylation at tau Ser202/Thr205 is well characterized since labeling of this site is used to assign Braak stage based on occurrence of neurofibrillary tangles. Only little is known about the spatial and temporal phosphorylation profile of other phosphorylated tau (ptau) sites. Here, we investigate total tau and ptau at residues Tyr18, Ser199, Ser202/Thr205, Thr231, Ser262, Ser396, Ser422 as well as amyloid-β plaques in human brain tissue of AD patients and controls. Allo- and isocortical brain regions were evaluated applying rater-independent automated quantification based on digital image analysis. We found that the level of ptau at several residues, like Ser199, Ser202/Thr205, and Ser422 was similar in healthy controls and Braak stages I to IV but was increased in Braak stage V/VI throughout the entire isocortex and transentorhinal cortex. Quantification of ThioS-stained plaques showed a similar pattern. Only tau phosphorylation at Tyr18 and Thr231 was already significantly increased in the transentorhinal region at Braak stage III/IV and hence showed a progressive increase with increasing Braak stages. Additionally, the increase in phosphorylation relative to controls was highest at Tyr18, Thr231 and Ser199. By contrast, Ser396 tau and Ser262 tau showed only a weak phosphorylation in all analyzed brain regions and only minor progression. Our results suggest that the ptau burden in the isocortex is comparable between all analyzed ptau sites when using a quantitative approach while levels of ptau at Tyr18 or Thr231 in the transentorhinal region are different between all Braak stages. Hence these sites could be crucial in the pathogenesis of AD already at early stages and therefore represent putative novel therapeutic targets.
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25
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Farah R, Haraty H, Salame Z, Fares Y, Ojcius DM, Said Sadier N. Salivary biomarkers for the diagnosis and monitoring of neurological diseases. Biomed J 2018; 41:63-87. [PMID: 29866603 PMCID: PMC6138769 DOI: 10.1016/j.bj.2018.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 105] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2017] [Revised: 03/13/2018] [Accepted: 03/29/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Current research efforts on neurological diseases are focused on identifying novel disease biomarkers to aid in diagnosis, provide accurate prognostic information and monitor disease progression. With advances in detection and quantification methods in genomics, proteomics and metabolomics, saliva has emerged as a good source of samples for detection of disease biomarkers. Obtaining a sample of saliva offers multiple advantages over the currently tested biological fluids as it is a non-invasive, painless and simple procedure that does not require expert training or harbour undesirable side effects for the patients. Here, we review the existing literature on salivary biomarkers and examine their validity in diagnosing and monitoring neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric disorders such as autism and Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and Huntington's disease. Based on the available research, amyloid beta peptide, tau protein, lactoferrin, alpha-synuclein, DJ-1 protein, chromogranin A, huntingtin protein, DNA methylation disruptions, and micro-RNA profiles provide display a reliable degree of consistency and validity as disease biomarkers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raymond Farah
- Neuroscience Research Center, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Hayat Haraty
- Neuroscience Research Center, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Ziad Salame
- Research Department, Faculty of Dental Medicine, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Youssef Fares
- Neuroscience Research Center, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - David M Ojcius
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of the Pacific, Arthur Dugoni School of Dentistry, San Francisco, CA, USA.
| | - Najwane Said Sadier
- Neuroscience Research Center, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon.
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Turnbull MT, Coulson EJ. Cholinergic Basal Forebrain Lesion Decreases Neurotrophin Signaling without Affecting Tau Hyperphosphorylation in Genetically Susceptible Mice. J Alzheimers Dis 2018; 55:1141-1154. [PMID: 27767994 DOI: 10.3233/jad-160805] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive, irreversible neurodegenerative disease that destroys memory and cognitive function. Aggregates of hyperphosphorylated tau protein are a prominent feature in the brain of patients with AD, and are a major contributor to neuronal toxicity and disease progression. However, the factors that initiate the toxic cascade that results in tau hyperphosphorylation in sporadic AD are unknown. Here we investigated whether degeneration of basal forebrain cholinergic neurons (BFCNs) and/or a resultant decrease in neurotrophin signaling cause aberrant tau hyperphosphorylation. Our results reveal that the loss of BFCNs in pre-symptomatic pR5 (P301L) tau transgenic mice results in a decrease in hippocampal brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels and reduced TrkB receptor activation. However, there was no exacerbation of the levels of phosphorylated tau or its aggregation in the hippocampus of susceptible mice. Furthermore the animals' performance in a hippocampal-dependent learning and memory task was unaltered, and no changes in hippocampal synaptic markers were observed. This suggests that tau pathology is likely to be regulated independently of BFCN degeneration and the corresponding decrease in hippocampal neurotrophin levels, although these features may still contribute to disease etiology.
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Oxidant/Antioxidant Imbalance in Alzheimer's Disease: Therapeutic and Diagnostic Prospects. OXIDATIVE MEDICINE AND CELLULAR LONGEVITY 2018; 2018:6435861. [PMID: 29636850 PMCID: PMC5831771 DOI: 10.1155/2018/6435861] [Citation(s) in RCA: 157] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2017] [Accepted: 12/18/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common cause of dementia and a great socioeconomic burden in the aging society. Compelling evidence demonstrates that molecular change characteristics for AD, such as oxidative stress and amyloid β (Aβ) oligomerization, precede by decades the onset of clinical dementia and that the disease represents a biological and clinical continuum of stages, from asymptomatic to severely impaired. Nevertheless, the sequence of the early molecular alterations and the interplay between them are incompletely understood. This review presents current knowledge about the oxidative stress-induced impairments and compromised oxidative stress defense mechanisms in AD brain and the cross-talk between various pathophysiological insults, with the focus on excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and Aβ overproduction at the early stages of the disease. Prospects for AD therapies targeting oxidant/antioxidant imbalance are being discussed, as well as for the development of novel oxidative stress-related, blood-based biomarkers for early, noninvasive AD diagnostics.
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Momtaz S, Hassani S, Khan F, Ziaee M, Abdollahi M. Cinnamon, a promising prospect towards Alzheimer's disease. Pharmacol Res 2017; 130:241-258. [PMID: 29258915 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2017.12.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2017] [Revised: 12/10/2017] [Accepted: 12/10/2017] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Over the last decades, an exponential increase of efforts concerning the treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD) has been practiced. Phytochemicals preparations have a millenary background to combat various pathological conditions. Various cinnamon species and their biologically active ingredients have renewed the interest towards the treatment of patients with mild-to-moderate AD through the inhibition of tau protein aggregation and prevention of the formation and accumulation of amyloid-β peptides into the neurotoxic oligomeric inclusions, both of which are considered to be the AD trademarks. In this review, we presented comprehensive data on the interactions of a number of cinnamon polyphenols (PPs) with oxidative stress and pro-inflammatory signaling pathways in the brain. In addition, we discussed the potential association between AD and diabetes mellitus (DM), vis-à-vis the effluence of cinnamon PPs. Further, an upcoming prospect of AD epigenetic pathophysiological conditions and cinnamon has been sighted. Data was retrieved from the scientific databases such as PubMed database of the National Library of Medicine, Scopus and Google Scholar without any time limitation. The extract of cinnamon efficiently inhibits tau accumulations, Aβ aggregation and toxicity in vivo and in vitro models. Indeed, cinnamon possesses neuroprotective effects interfering multiple oxidative stress and pro-inflammatory pathways. Besides, cinnamon modulates endothelial functions and attenuates the vascular cell adhesion molecules. Cinnamon PPs may induce AD epigenetic modifications. Cinnamon and in particular, cinnamaldehyde seem to be effective and safe approaches for treatment and prevention of AD onset and/or progression. However, further molecular and translational research studies as well as prolonged clinical trials are required to establish the therapeutic safety and efficacy in different cinnamon spp.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saeideh Momtaz
- Medicinal Plants Research Center, Institute of Medicinal Plants, ACECR, Karaj, Iran; Toxicology and Diseases Group, Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Shokoufeh Hassani
- Toxicology and Diseases Group, Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Department of Toxicology and Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Fazlullah Khan
- Toxicology and Diseases Group, Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Department of Toxicology and Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; International Campus, Tehran University of Medical Sciences (IC-TUMS), Tehran Iran
| | - Mojtaba Ziaee
- Medicinal Plants Research Center, Institute of Medicinal Plants, ACECR, Karaj, Iran; Cardiovascular Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Mohammad Abdollahi
- Toxicology and Diseases Group, Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Department of Toxicology and Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; International Campus, Tehran University of Medical Sciences (IC-TUMS), Tehran Iran.
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Yang SH, Lee DK, Shin J, Lee S, Baek S, Kim J, Jung H, Hah JM, Kim Y. Nec-1 alleviates cognitive impairment with reduction of Aβ and tau abnormalities in APP/PS1 mice. EMBO Mol Med 2017; 9:61-77. [PMID: 27861127 PMCID: PMC5210088 DOI: 10.15252/emmm.201606566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 120] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by cognitive symptoms of learning and memory deficits. Such cognitive impairments are attributed to brain atrophy resulting from progressive neuronal and synaptic loss; therefore, alleviation of neural cell death is as an important target of treatment as other classical hallmarks of AD, such as aggregation of amyloid‐β (Aβ) and hyperphosphorylation of tau. Here, we found that an anti‐necroptotic molecule necrostatin‐1 (Nec‐1) directly targets Aβ and tau proteins, alleviates brain cell death and ameliorates cognitive impairment in AD models. In the cortex and hippocampus of APP/PS1 double‐transgenic mice, Nec‐1 treatment reduced the levels of Aβ oligomers, plaques and hyperphosphorylated tau without affecting production of Aβ, while it altered the levels of apoptotic marker proteins. Our results showing multiple beneficial modes of action of Nec‐1 against AD provide evidence that Nec‐1 may serve an important role in the development of preventive approach for AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seung-Hoon Yang
- Convergence Research Center for Dementia and Center for Neuro-Medicine, Brain Science Institute Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul, Korea
| | - Dongkeun Kenneth Lee
- Convergence Research Center for Dementia and Center for Neuro-Medicine, Brain Science Institute Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jisu Shin
- Convergence Research Center for Dementia and Center for Neuro-Medicine, Brain Science Institute Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul, Korea
| | - Sejin Lee
- Convergence Research Center for Dementia and Center for Neuro-Medicine, Brain Science Institute Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul, Korea.,Biological Chemistry Program, Korea University of Science and Technology, Daejeon, Korea
| | - Seungyeop Baek
- Convergence Research Center for Dementia and Center for Neuro-Medicine, Brain Science Institute Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul, Korea.,Department of Biotechnology, Yonsei University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jiyoon Kim
- Convergence Research Center for Dementia and Center for Neuro-Medicine, Brain Science Institute Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul, Korea.,Biological Chemistry Program, Korea University of Science and Technology, Daejeon, Korea
| | - Hoyong Jung
- Department of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy & Institute of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology Hanyang University, Ansan, Kyeonggi-do, Korea
| | - Jung-Mi Hah
- Department of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy & Institute of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology Hanyang University, Ansan, Kyeonggi-do, Korea
| | - YoungSoo Kim
- Convergence Research Center for Dementia and Center for Neuro-Medicine, Brain Science Institute Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul, Korea .,Biological Chemistry Program, Korea University of Science and Technology, Daejeon, Korea
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Abolishing Tau cleavage by caspases at Aspartate 421 causes memory/synaptic plasticity deficits and pre-pathological Tau alterations. Transl Psychiatry 2017; 7:e1198. [PMID: 28786980 PMCID: PMC5611732 DOI: 10.1038/tp.2017.165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2016] [Revised: 05/30/2017] [Accepted: 06/07/2017] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
TAU mutations are genetically linked to fronto-temporal dementia (FTD) and hyper-phosphorylated aggregates of Tau form neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) that constitute a pathological hallmark of Alzheimer disease (AD) and FTD. These observations indicate that Tau has a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative disorders. Tau is cleaved by caspases at Aspartate421, to form a Tau metabolite known as δTau; δTau is increased in AD, due to the hyper-activation of caspases in AD brains. δTau is considered a critical toxic moiety underlying neurodegeneration, which initiates and facilitates NFT formation. As Tau is a therapeutic target in neurodegeneration, it is important to rigorously determine whether δTau is a toxic Tau species that should be pharmacologically attacked. To directly address these questions, we have generated a knock-in (KI) mouse called TauDN-that expresses a Tau mutant that cannot be cleaved by caspases. TauDN mice present short-term memory deficits and synaptic plasticity defects. Moreover, mice carrying two mutant Tau alleles show increased total insoluble hyper-phosphorylated Tau in the forebrain. These data are in contrast with the concept that δTau is a critical toxic moiety underlying neurodegeneration, and suggest that cleavage of Tau by caspases represents a negative feedback mechanism aimed to eliminate toxic Tau species. Alternatively, it is possible that either a reduction or an increase in δTau leads to synaptic dysfunction, memory impairments and Tau pathology. Both possibilities will have to be considered when targeting caspase cleavage of Tau in AD therapy.
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Canu N, Amadoro G, Triaca V, Latina V, Sposato V, Corsetti V, Severini C, Ciotti MT, Calissano P. The Intersection of NGF/TrkA Signaling and Amyloid Precursor Protein Processing in Alzheimer's Disease Neuropathology. Int J Mol Sci 2017. [PMID: 28632177 PMCID: PMC5486140 DOI: 10.3390/ijms18061319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Dysfunction of nerve growth factor (NGF) and its high-affinity Tropomyosin receptor kinase A (TrkA) receptor has been suggested to contribute to the selective degeneration of basal forebrain cholinergic neurons (BFCN) associated with the progressive cognitive decline in Alzheimer's disease (AD). The aim of this review is to describe our progress in elucidating the molecular mechanisms underlying the dynamic interplay between NGF/TrkA signaling and amyloid precursor protein (APP) metabolism within the context of AD neuropathology. This is mainly based on the finding that TrkA receptor binding to APP depends on a minimal stretch of ~20 amino acids located in the juxtamembrane/extracellular domain of APP that carries the α- and β-secretase cleavage sites. Here, we provide evidence that: (i) NGF could be one of the “routing” proteins responsible for modulating the metabolism of APP from amyloidogenic towards non-amyloidogenic processing via binding to the TrkA receptor; (ii) the loss of NGF/TrkA signaling could be linked to sporadic AD contributing to the classical hallmarks of the neuropathology, such as synaptic loss, β-amyloid peptide (Aβ) deposition and tau abnormalities. These findings will hopefully help to design therapeutic strategies for AD treatment aimed at preserving cholinergic function and anti-amyloidogenic activity of the physiological NGF/TrkA pathway in the septo-hippocampal system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadia Canu
- Department of System Medicine, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Via Montpellier 1, 00137 Rome, Italy.
- Institute of Cellular Biology and Neurobiology, National Council of Research Rome, Via del Fosso del Fiorano 64, 00143 Rome, Italy.
| | - Giuseppina Amadoro
- Institute of Translational Pharmacology, National Research Council (CNR) Rome, Via Fosso del Cavaliere 100, 00133 Rome, Italy.
| | - Viviana Triaca
- Institute of Cellular Biology and Neurobiology, National Council of Research Rome, Via del Fosso del Fiorano 64, 00143 Rome, Italy.
| | - Valentina Latina
- Institute of Translational Pharmacology, National Research Council (CNR) Rome, Via Fosso del Cavaliere 100, 00133 Rome, Italy.
| | - Valentina Sposato
- European Brain Research Institute Rome, Via del Fosso del Fiorano 64, 00143 Rome, Italy.
| | - Veronica Corsetti
- European Brain Research Institute Rome, Via del Fosso del Fiorano 64, 00143 Rome, Italy.
| | - Cinzia Severini
- Institute of Cellular Biology and Neurobiology, National Council of Research Rome, Via del Fosso del Fiorano 64, 00143 Rome, Italy.
| | - Maria Teresa Ciotti
- Institute of Cellular Biology and Neurobiology, National Council of Research Rome, Via del Fosso del Fiorano 64, 00143 Rome, Italy.
| | - Pietro Calissano
- European Brain Research Institute Rome, Via del Fosso del Fiorano 64, 00143 Rome, Italy.
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32
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Nanotechnological strategies for nerve growth factor delivery: Therapeutic implications in Alzheimer’s disease. Pharmacol Res 2017; 120:68-87. [DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2017.03.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2016] [Revised: 02/23/2017] [Accepted: 03/22/2017] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
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Guo T, Noble W, Hanger DP. Roles of tau protein in health and disease. Acta Neuropathol 2017; 133:665-704. [PMID: 28386764 PMCID: PMC5390006 DOI: 10.1007/s00401-017-1707-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 642] [Impact Index Per Article: 80.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2017] [Revised: 03/26/2017] [Accepted: 03/26/2017] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Tau is well established as a microtubule-associated protein in neurons. However, under pathological conditions, aberrant assembly of tau into insoluble aggregates is accompanied by synaptic dysfunction and neural cell death in a range of neurodegenerative disorders, collectively referred to as tauopathies. Recent advances in our understanding of the multiple functions and different locations of tau inside and outside neurons have revealed novel insights into its importance in a diverse range of molecular pathways including cell signalling, synaptic plasticity, and regulation of genomic stability. The present review describes the physiological and pathophysiological properties of tau and how these relate to its distribution and functions in neurons. We highlight the post-translational modifications of tau, which are pivotal in defining and modulating tau localisation and its roles in health and disease. We include discussion of other pathologically relevant changes in tau, including mutation and aggregation, and how these aspects impinge on the propensity of tau to propagate, and potentially drive neuronal loss, in diseased brain. Finally, we describe the cascade of pathological events that may be driven by tau dysfunction, including impaired axonal transport, alterations in synapse and mitochondrial function, activation of the unfolded protein response and defective protein degradation. It is important to fully understand the range of neuronal functions attributed to tau, since this will provide vital information on its involvement in the development and pathogenesis of disease. Such knowledge will enable determination of which critical molecular pathways should be targeted by potential therapeutic agents developed for the treatment of tauopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tong Guo
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, SE5 9NU, UK
| | - Wendy Noble
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, SE5 9NU, UK
| | - Diane P Hanger
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, SE5 9NU, UK.
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Atlante A, de Bari L, Bobba A, Amadoro G. A disease with a sweet tooth: exploring the Warburg effect in Alzheimer's disease. Biogerontology 2017; 18:301-319. [PMID: 28314935 DOI: 10.1007/s10522-017-9692-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2016] [Accepted: 03/14/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
After more than 80 years from the revolutionary discoveries of Otto Warburg, who observed high glucose dependency, with increased glycolysis and lactate production regardless of oxygen availability in most cancer cells, the 'Warburg effect' returns to the fore in neuronal cells affected by Alzheimer's disease (AD). Indeed, it seems that, in the mild phase of AD, neuronal cells "prefer" to use the energetically inefficient method of burning glucose by glycolysis, as in cancer, proving to become resistant to β-amyloid (Aβ)-dependent apoptosis. However, in the late phase, while most AD brain cells die in response to Aβ toxicity, only small populations of neurons, exhibiting increased glucose uptake and glycolytic flux, are able to survive as they are resistant to Aβ. Here we draw an overview on the metabolic shift for glucose utilization from oxidative phosphorylation to glycolysis, focusing on the hypothesis that, as extreme attempt to oppose the impending death, mitochondria-whose dysfunction and central role in Aβ toxicity is an AD hallmark-are sent into quiescence, this likely contributing to activate mechanisms of resistance to Aβ-dependent apoptosis. Finally, the attempt turns out fruitless since the loss of the adaptive advantage afforded by elevated aerobic glycolysis exacerbates the pathophysiological processes associated with AD, making the brain susceptible to Aβ-induced neurotoxicity and leading to cell death and dementia. The understanding of how certain nerve cells become resistant to Aβ toxicity, while the majority dies, is an attractive challenge toward the identification of novel possible targets for AD therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Atlante
- Institute of Biomembranes and Bioenergetics (IBBE), National Research Council (CNR), Via G. Amendola 165/A, 70126, Bari, Italy.
| | - Lidia de Bari
- Institute of Biomembranes and Bioenergetics (IBBE), National Research Council (CNR), Via G. Amendola 165/A, 70126, Bari, Italy
| | - Antonella Bobba
- Institute of Biomembranes and Bioenergetics (IBBE), National Research Council (CNR), Via G. Amendola 165/A, 70126, Bari, Italy
| | - Giuseppina Amadoro
- Institute of Translational Pharmacology (IFT), National Research Council (CNR), Via Fosso del Cavaliere 100, 00133, Rome, Italy
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Latina V, Caioli S, Zona C, Ciotti MT, Amadoro G, Calissano P. Impaired NGF/TrkA Signaling Causes Early AD-Linked Presynaptic Dysfunction in Cholinergic Primary Neurons. Front Cell Neurosci 2017; 11:68. [PMID: 28360840 PMCID: PMC5350152 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2017.00068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2017] [Accepted: 02/24/2017] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Alterations in NGF/TrkA signaling have been suggested to underlie the selective degeneration of the cholinergic basal forebrain neurons occurring in vivo in AD (Counts and Mufson, 2005; Mufson et al., 2008; Niewiadomska et al., 2011) and significant reduction of cognitive decline along with an improvement of cholinergic hypofunction have been found in phase I clinical trial in humans affected from mild AD following therapeutic NGF gene therapy (Tuszynski et al., 2005, 2015). Here, we show that the chronic (10–12 D.I.V.) in vitro treatment with NGF (100 ng/ml) under conditions of low supplementation (0.2%) with the culturing serum-substitute B27 selectively enriches the basal forebrain cholinergic neurons (+36.36%) at the expense of other non-cholinergic, mainly GABAergic (−38.45%) and glutamatergic (−56.25%), populations. By taking advantage of this newly-developed septo-hippocampal neuronal cultures, our biochemical and electrophysiological investigations demonstrate that the early failure in excitatory neurotransmission following NGF withdrawal is paralleled by concomitant and progressive loss in selected presynaptic and vesicles trafficking proteins including synapsin I, SNAP-25 and α-synuclein. This rapid presynaptic dysfunction: (i) precedes the commitment to cell death and is reversible in a time-dependent manner, being suppressed by de novo external administration of NGF within 6 hr from its initial withdrawal; (ii) is specific because it is not accompanied by contextual changes in expression levels of non-synaptic proteins from other subcellular compartments; (ii) is not secondary to axonal degeneration because it is insensible to pharmacological treatment with known microtubule-stabilizing drug such paclitaxel; (iv) involves TrkA-dependent mechanisms because the effects of NGF reapplication are blocked by acute exposure to specific and cell-permeable inhibitor of its high-affinity receptor. Taken together, this study may have important clinical implications in the field of AD neurodegeneration because it: (i) provides new insights on the earliest molecular mechanisms underlying the loss of synaptic/trafficking proteins and, then, of synapes integrity which occurs in vulnerable basal forebrain population at preclinical stages of neuropathology; (ii) offers prime presynaptic-based molecular target to extend the therapeutic time-window of NGF action in the strategy of improving its neuroprotective in vivo intervention in affected patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Latina
- Institute of Translational Pharmacology, National Research Council (CNR) Rome, Italy
| | | | - Cristina Zona
- IRCCS Santa Lucia FoundationRome, Italy; Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor VergataRome, Italy
| | - Maria T Ciotti
- NGF and Molecular Mechanisms of Neurodegenerative Diseases, European Brain Research Institute (EBRI) Rome, Italy
| | - Giuseppina Amadoro
- Institute of Translational Pharmacology, National Research Council (CNR)Rome, Italy; NGF and Molecular Mechanisms of Neurodegenerative Diseases, European Brain Research Institute (EBRI)Rome, Italy
| | - Pietro Calissano
- NGF and Molecular Mechanisms of Neurodegenerative Diseases, European Brain Research Institute (EBRI) Rome, Italy
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Chen W, Abud EA, Yeung ST, Lakatos A, Nassi T, Wang J, Blum D, Buée L, Poon WW, Blurton-Jones M. Increased tauopathy drives microglia-mediated clearance of beta-amyloid. Acta Neuropathol Commun 2016; 4:63. [PMID: 27339073 PMCID: PMC4918195 DOI: 10.1186/s40478-016-0336-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2016] [Accepted: 06/13/2016] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer disease is characterized by the accumulation of β-amyloid (Aβ) plaques and tau-laden neurofibrillary tangles. Emerging studies suggest that in neurodegenerative diseases, aggregation of one protein species can promote other proteinopathies and that inflammation plays an important role in this process. To study the interplay between Aβ deposition, tau pathology, and microgliosis, we established a new AD transgenic mouse model by crossing 5xfAD mice with Thy-Tau22 transgenic mice. The resulting 'T5x' mice exhibit a greater than three-fold increase in misfolded and hyperphosphorylated tau and further substantiates the hypothesis that Aβ accelerates tau pathology. Surprisingly, T5x mice exhibit a 40-50 % reduction in Aβ plaque load and insoluble Aβ species when compared with aged-matched 5xfAD littermates. T5x mice exhibit significant changes in cytokine production, an almost doubling of microglial number, and a dramatic shift in microglia activation state. Furthermore, T5x microglia exhibit increased phagocytic capacity that enhances the clearance of insoluble Aβ and decreasing plaque load. Therefore, our results suggest that strategies to increase the phagocytic ability of microglia can be employed to reduce Aβ and that tau-induced changes in microglial activation state can promote the clearance of Aβ.
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Kandimalla R, Reddy PH. Multiple faces of dynamin-related protein 1 and its role in Alzheimer's disease pathogenesis. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2015; 1862:814-828. [PMID: 26708942 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2015.12.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 112] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2015] [Revised: 12/08/2015] [Accepted: 12/15/2015] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Mitochondria play a large role in neuronal function by constantly providing energy, particularly at synapses. Recent studies suggest that amyloid beta (Aβ) and phosphorylated tau interact with the mitochondrial fission protein, dynamin-related protein 1 (Drp1), causing excessive fragmentation of mitochondria and leading to abnormal mitochondrial dynamics and synaptic degeneration in Alzheimer's disease (AD) neurons. Recent research also revealed Aβ-induced and phosphorylated tau-induced changes in mitochondria, particularly affecting mitochondrial shape, size, distribution and axonal transport in AD neurons. These changes affect mitochondrial health and, in turn, could affect synaptic function and neuronal damage and ultimately leading to memory loss and cognitive impairment in patients with AD. This article highlights recent findings in the role of Drp1 in AD pathogenesis. This article also highlights Drp1 and its relationships to glycogen synthase kinase 3, cyclin-dependent kinase 5, p53, and microRNAs in AD pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ramesh Kandimalla
- Garrison Institute on Aging, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, 3601 4(th) Street, MS 9424, Lubbock, TX 79430, United States
| | - P Hemachandra Reddy
- Garrison Institute on Aging, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, 3601 4(th) Street, MS 9424, Lubbock, TX 79430, United States; Cell Biology & Biochemistry, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, 3601 4(th) Street, MS 9424, Lubbock, TX 79430, United States; Department of Neuroscience & Pharmacology, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, 3601 4(th) Street, MS 9424, Lubbock, TX 79430, United States; Department of Neurology, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, 3601 4(th) Street, MS 9424, Lubbock, TX 79430, United States; Garrison Institute on Aging, South West Campus, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, 6630 S. Quaker Ste. E, MS 7495, Lubbock, TX 79413, United States.
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38
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Update on the role of p75NTR in neurological disorders: A novel therapeutic target. Biomed Pharmacother 2015; 76:17-23. [PMID: 26653545 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2015.10.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2015] [Accepted: 10/14/2015] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
As a low-affinity neurotrophins receptor, p75 neurotrophin receptor (p75NTR) is a transmembrane receptor involved in a diverse array of cellular responses, including apoptosis, survival, neurite outgrowth, migration, and cell cycle arrest, which may be related to some neurological disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease (AD), schizophrenia, major depressive disorder (MDD), posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and Parkinson's disease (PD). Indeed, a series of studies during the last decade has demonstrated that the p75NTR signaling plays key roles in most aspects of the neurological disorder diseases. In spite of the limited information available, this review still tried to summary the relationship between p75NTR and diverse neurological disorder diseases, and tried to further clarify the possible mechanism, which may provide a novel therapeutic target for the treatment of neurological disorders.
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Yoon SY, Choi JU, Cho MH, Yang KM, Ha H, Chung IJ, Cho GS, Kim DH. α-secretase cleaved amyloid precursor protein (APP) accumulates in cholinergic dystrophic neurites in normal, aged hippocampus. Neuropathol Appl Neurobiol 2014; 39:800-16. [PMID: 23414335 DOI: 10.1111/nan.12032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2012] [Accepted: 01/31/2013] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
AIMS Dystrophic neurites are associated with β-amyloid (Aβ) plaques in the brains of Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients and are also found in some specific areas of normal, aged brains. This study assessed the molecular characteristics of dystrophic neurites in normal ageing and its difference from AD. METHODS We compared the dystrophic neurites in normal aged human brains (age 20-70 years) and AD brains (Braak stage 4-6) by immunostaining against ChAT, synaptophysin, γ-tubulin, cathepsin-D, Aβ1-16, Aβ17-24, amyloid precursor protein (APP)-CT695 and APP-NT. We then tested the reproducibility in C57BL/6 mice neurone cultures. RESULTS In normal, aged mice and humans, we found an increase in clustered dystrophic neurites of cholinergic neurones in CA1 regions of the hippocampus and layer II and III regions of the entorhinal cortex, which are the major and earliest affected areas in AD. These dystrophic neurites showed accumulation of sAPPα peptides cleaved from the amyloid precursor protein by α-secretase rather than Aβ or C-terminal fragments. In contrast, Aβ and APP-CTFs accumulated in the dystrophic neurites in and around Aβ plaques of AD patients. Several experiments suggested that the accumulation of sAPPα resulted from ageing-related proteasomal dysfunction. CONCLUSIONS Ageing-associated impairment of the proteasomal system and accumulation of sAPPα at cholinergic neurites in specific areas of brain regions associated with memory could be associated with the normal decline of memory in aged individuals. In addition, these age-related changes might be the most vulnerable targets of pathological insults that result in pathological accumulation of Aβ and/or APP-CTFs and lead to neurodegenerative conditions such as AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- S-Y Yoon
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Cell Dysfunction Research Center (CDRC), Bio-Medical Institute of Technology (BMIT), University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
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Protective effects of humanin on okadaic Acid-induced neurotoxicities in cultured cortical neurons. Neurochem Res 2014; 39:2150-9. [PMID: 25142935 DOI: 10.1007/s11064-014-1410-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2014] [Revised: 08/05/2014] [Accepted: 08/06/2014] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Neurofibrillary tangles are pathological hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease (AD), which are mostly composed of hyperphosphorylated tau and directly correlate with dementia in AD patients. Okadaic acid (OA), a toxin extracted from marine life, can specifically inhibit protein phosphatases (PPs), including PP1 and Protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A), resulting in tau hyperphosphorylation. Humanin (HN), a peptide of 24 amino acids, was initially reported to protect neurons from AD-related cell toxicities. The present study was designed to test if HN could attenuate OA-induced neurotoxicities, including neural insults, apoptosis, autophagy, and tau hyperphosphorylation. We found that administration of OA for 24 h induced neuronal insults, including lactate dehydrogenase released, decreased of cell viability and numbers of living cells, neuronal apoptosis, cells autophagy and tau protein hyperphosphorylation. Pretreatment of cells with HN produced significant protective effects against OA-induced neural insults, apoptosis, autophagy and tau hyperphosphorylation. We also found that OA treatment inhibited PP2A activity and HN pretreatment significantly attenuated the inhibitory effects of OA. This study demonstrated for the first time that HN protected cortical neurons against OA-induced neurotoxicities, including neuronal insults, apoptosis, autophagy, and tau hyperphosphorylation. The mechanisms underlying the protections of HN may involve restoration of PP2A activity.
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Liao D, Miller EC, Teravskis PJ. Tau acts as a mediator for Alzheimer's disease-related synaptic deficits. Eur J Neurosci 2014; 39:1202-13. [PMID: 24712999 PMCID: PMC3983570 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.12504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2013] [Revised: 01/04/2014] [Accepted: 01/06/2014] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The two histopathological hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease (AD) are amyloid plaques containing multiple forms of amyloid beta (Aβ) and neurofibrillary tangles containing phosphorylated tau proteins. As mild cognitive impairment frequently occurs long before the clinical diagnosis of AD, the scientific community has been increasingly interested in the roles of Aβ and tau in earlier cellular changes that lead to functional deficits. Therefore, great progress has recently been made in understanding how Aβ or tau causes synaptic dysfunction. However, the interaction between the Aβ and tau-initiated intracellular cascades that lead to synaptic dysfunction remains elusive. The cornerstone of the two-decade-old hypothetical amyloid cascade model is that amyloid pathologies precede tau pathologies. Although the premise of Aβ-tau pathway remains valid, the model keeps evolving as new signaling events are discovered that lead to functional deficits and neurodegeneration. Recent progress has been made in understanding Aβ-PrP(C) -Fyn-mediated neurotoxicity and synaptic deficits. Although still elusive, many novel upstream and downstream signaling molecules have been found to modulate tau mislocalization and tau hyperphosphorylation. Here we will discuss the mechanistic interactions between Aβ-PrP(C) -mediated neurotoxicity and tau-mediated synaptic deficits in an updated amyloid cascade model with calcium and tau as the central mediators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dezhi Liao
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455
- N. Bud Grossman Center for Memory Research and Care, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455
| | - Eric C. Miller
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455
- Graduate Program in Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455
- N. Bud Grossman Center for Memory Research and Care, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455
| | - Peter J. Teravskis
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455
- N. Bud Grossman Center for Memory Research and Care, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455
- College of Biological Sciences University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455
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Tau protein modifications and interactions: their role in function and dysfunction. Int J Mol Sci 2014; 15:4671-713. [PMID: 24646911 PMCID: PMC3975420 DOI: 10.3390/ijms15034671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 266] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2013] [Revised: 02/11/2014] [Accepted: 03/04/2014] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Tau protein is abundant in the central nervous system and involved in microtubule assembly and stabilization. It is predominantly associated with axonal microtubules and present at lower level in dendrites where it is engaged in signaling functions. Post-translational modifications of tau and its interaction with several proteins play an important regulatory role in the physiology of tau. As a consequence of abnormal modifications and expression, tau is redistributed from neuronal processes to the soma and forms toxic oligomers or aggregated deposits. The accumulation of tau protein is increasingly recognized as the neuropathological hallmark of a number of dementia disorders known as tauopathies. Dysfunction of tau protein may contribute to collapse of cytoskeleton, thereby causing improper anterograde and retrograde movement of motor proteins and their cargos on microtubules. These disturbances in intraneuronal signaling may compromise synaptic transmission as well as trophic support mechanisms in neurons.
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The Beta-amyloid protein of Alzheimer's disease: communication breakdown by modifying the neuronal cytoskeleton. Int J Alzheimers Dis 2013; 2013:910502. [PMID: 24416616 PMCID: PMC3876695 DOI: 10.1155/2013/910502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2013] [Accepted: 11/07/2013] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is one of the most prevalent severe neurological disorders afflicting our aged population. Cognitive decline, a major symptom exhibited by AD patients, is associated with neuritic dystrophy, a degenerative growth state of neurites. The molecular mechanisms governing neuritic dystrophy remain unclear. Mounting evidence indicates that the AD-causative agent, β-amyloid protein (Aβ), induces neuritic dystrophy. Indeed, neuritic dystrophy is commonly found decorating Aβ-rich amyloid plaques (APs) in the AD brain. Furthermore, disruption and degeneration of the neuronal microtubule system in neurons forming dystrophic neurites may occur as a consequence of Aβ-mediated downstream signaling. This review defines potential molecular pathways, which may be modulated subsequent to Aβ-dependent interactions with the neuronal membrane as a consequence of increasing amyloid burden in the brain.
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Atherton J, Houdusse A, Moores C. MAPping out distribution routes for kinesin couriers. Biol Cell 2013; 105:465-87. [PMID: 23796124 DOI: 10.1111/boc.201300012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2013] [Accepted: 06/17/2013] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
In the crowded environment of eukaryotic cells, diffusion is an inefficient distribution mechanism for cellular components. Long-distance active transport is required and is performed by molecular motors including kinesins. Furthermore, in highly polarised, compartmentalised and plastic cells such as neurons, regulatory mechanisms are required to ensure appropriate spatio-temporal delivery of neuronal components. The kinesin machinery has diversified into a large number of kinesin motor proteins as well as adaptor proteins that are associated with subsets of cargo. However, many mechanisms contribute to the correct delivery of these cargos to their target domains. One mechanism is through motor recognition of sub-domain-specific microtubule (MT) tracks, sign-posted by different tubulin isoforms, tubulin post-translational modifications, tubulin GTPase activity and MT-associated proteins (MAPs). With neurons as a model system, a critical review of these regulatory mechanisms is presented here, with a particular focus on the emerging contribution of compartmentalised MAPs. Overall, we conclude that - especially for axonal cargo - alterations to the MT track can influence transport, although in vivo, it is likely that multiple track-based effects act synergistically to ensure accurate cargo distribution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph Atherton
- Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology, Birkbeck College, London, WC1E 7HX, UK
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45
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Melo TQ, D’unhao AM, Martins SA, Farizatto KLG, Chaves RS, Ferrari MFR. Rotenone-dependent changes of anterograde motor protein expression and mitochondrial mobility in brain areas related to neurodegenerative diseases. Cell Mol Neurobiol 2013; 33:327-35. [PMID: 23263842 PMCID: PMC11498012 DOI: 10.1007/s10571-012-9898-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2012] [Accepted: 12/05/2012] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
The presence of protein aggregates is common in neurodegenerative disorders; however, the real cause and effect of these aggregates during neurodegeneration is still a matter of investigation. We hypothesize that impairment of intracellular traffic may appear in the absence of protein inclusions and might trigger protein aggregation. In the present study, we aimed to evaluate mitochondria mobility as well as protein and messenger RNA expression of KIF1B and KIF5 that are molecular motors for neuronal anterograde traffic, in hippocampus, substantia nigra, and locus coeruleus of 10-month-old Lewis rats and cultured cells, from these same areas, following exposure to low doses of rotenone that do not lead to protein inclusions. The present study showed alteration in KIF1B and KIF5 expression, as well as in mitochondria mobility prior to protein aggregation involved in neurodegenerative disorders. These findings suggest that change in intracellular trafficking might be critical and one of the primary events for impairment of cell physiology during neurodegeneration associated with protein inclusions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thaiany Q. Melo
- Department of Genetics and Evolutionary Biology, Institute for Biosciences, University of Sao Paulo, Cidade Universitaria, Rua do Matao, 277, Sao Paulo, 05508-090 Brazil
| | - Aline M. D’unhao
- Department of Genetics and Evolutionary Biology, Institute for Biosciences, University of Sao Paulo, Cidade Universitaria, Rua do Matao, 277, Sao Paulo, 05508-090 Brazil
| | - Stephanie A. Martins
- Department of Genetics and Evolutionary Biology, Institute for Biosciences, University of Sao Paulo, Cidade Universitaria, Rua do Matao, 277, Sao Paulo, 05508-090 Brazil
| | - Karen L. G. Farizatto
- Department of Genetics and Evolutionary Biology, Institute for Biosciences, University of Sao Paulo, Cidade Universitaria, Rua do Matao, 277, Sao Paulo, 05508-090 Brazil
| | - Rodrigo S. Chaves
- Department of Genetics and Evolutionary Biology, Institute for Biosciences, University of Sao Paulo, Cidade Universitaria, Rua do Matao, 277, Sao Paulo, 05508-090 Brazil
| | - Merari F. R. Ferrari
- Department of Genetics and Evolutionary Biology, Institute for Biosciences, University of Sao Paulo, Cidade Universitaria, Rua do Matao, 277, Sao Paulo, 05508-090 Brazil
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Reddy PH. Is the mitochondrial outermembrane protein VDAC1 therapeutic target for Alzheimer's disease? BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA 2013; 1832:67-75. [PMID: 22995655 PMCID: PMC3518645 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2012.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2012] [Revised: 09/10/2012] [Accepted: 09/11/2012] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Mitochondrial dysfunction and synaptic damage have been described as early events in Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathogenesis. Recent research using AD postmortem brains, and AD mouse and cell models revealed that amyloid beta (Aβ) and tau hyperphosphorylation are involved in mitochondrial dysfunction and synaptic damage in AD. Further, recent research also revealed that the protein levels of mitochondrial outer membrane protein, voltage-dependent anion channel 1 (VDAC1), are elevated in the affected regions of AD postmortem brains and cortical tissues from APP transgenic mice. In addition, emerging research using AD postmortem brains and AD mouse models revealed that VDAC1 is linked to Aβ and phosphorylated tau, blocks the mitochondrial permeability transition (MPT) pores, disrupts the transport of mitochondrial proteins and metabolites, impairs gating of VDAC, and causes defects in oxidative phosphorylation, leading to mitochondrial dysfunction in AD neurons. The purpose of this article is to review research that has investigated the relationship between VDAC1 and the regulation of MPT pores in AD progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Hemachandra Reddy
- Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Beaverton, OR 97006, USA.
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Torres M, Jimenez S, Sanchez-Varo R, Navarro V, Trujillo-Estrada L, Sanchez-Mejias E, Carmona I, Davila JC, Vizuete M, Gutierrez A, Vitorica J. Defective lysosomal proteolysis and axonal transport are early pathogenic events that worsen with age leading to increased APP metabolism and synaptic Abeta in transgenic APP/PS1 hippocampus. Mol Neurodegener 2012; 7:59. [PMID: 23173743 PMCID: PMC3575255 DOI: 10.1186/1750-1326-7-59] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2012] [Accepted: 11/04/2012] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Axonal pathology might constitute one of the earliest manifestations of Alzheimer disease. Axonal dystrophies were observed in Alzheimer's patients and transgenic models at early ages. These axonal dystrophies could reflect the disruption of axonal transport and the accumulation of multiple vesicles at local points. It has been also proposed that dystrophies might interfere with normal intracellular proteolysis. In this work, we have investigated the progression of the hippocampal pathology and the possible implication in Abeta production in young (6 months) and aged (18 months) PS1(M146L)/APP(751sl) transgenic mice. RESULTS Our data demonstrated the existence of a progressive, age-dependent, formation of axonal dystrophies, mainly located in contact with congophilic Abeta deposition, which exhibited tau and neurofilament hyperphosphorylation. This progressive pathology was paralleled with decreased expression of the motor proteins kinesin and dynein. Furthermore, we also observed an early decrease in the activity of cathepsins B and D, progressing to a deep inhibition of these lysosomal proteases at late ages. This lysosomal impairment could be responsible for the accumulation of LC3-II and ubiquitinated proteins within axonal dystrophies. We have also investigated the repercussion of these deficiencies on the APP metabolism. Our data demonstrated the existence of an increase in the amyloidogenic pathway, which was reflected by the accumulation of hAPPfl, C99 fragment, intracellular Abeta in parallel with an increase in BACE and gamma-secretase activities. In vitro experiments, using APPswe transfected N2a cells, demonstrated that any imbalance on the proteolytic systems reproduced the in vivo alterations in APP metabolism. Finally, our data also demonstrated that Abeta peptides were preferentially accumulated in isolated synaptosomes. CONCLUSION A progressive age-dependent cytoskeletal pathology along with a reduction of lysosomal and, in minor extent, proteasomal activity could be directly implicated in the progressive accumulation of APP derived fragments (and Abeta peptides) in parallel with the increase of BACE-1 and gamma-secretase activities. This retard in the APP metabolism seemed to be directly implicated in the synaptic Abeta accumulation and, in consequence, in the pathology progression between synaptically connected regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuel Torres
- Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla (IBIS), Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocio, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Cientificas Universidad de Sevilla, c/ Manuel Siurot s/n, 41013, Sevilla, Spain
- Department Bioquimica y Biologia Molecular, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad de Sevilla, Sevilla, 41012, Spain
- Centro de Investigacion Biomedica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Madrid, Spain
| | - Sebastian Jimenez
- Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla (IBIS), Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocio, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Cientificas Universidad de Sevilla, c/ Manuel Siurot s/n, 41013, Sevilla, Spain
- Department Bioquimica y Biologia Molecular, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad de Sevilla, Sevilla, 41012, Spain
- Centro de Investigacion Biomedica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Madrid, Spain
| | - Raquel Sanchez-Varo
- Centro de Investigacion Biomedica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Madrid, Spain
- Department Biologia Celular, Genetica y Fisiologia, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Malaga, Malaga, 29071, Spain
| | - Victoria Navarro
- Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla (IBIS), Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocio, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Cientificas Universidad de Sevilla, c/ Manuel Siurot s/n, 41013, Sevilla, Spain
- Department Bioquimica y Biologia Molecular, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad de Sevilla, Sevilla, 41012, Spain
- Centro de Investigacion Biomedica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Madrid, Spain
| | - Laura Trujillo-Estrada
- Centro de Investigacion Biomedica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Madrid, Spain
- Department Biologia Celular, Genetica y Fisiologia, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Malaga, Malaga, 29071, Spain
| | - Elisabeth Sanchez-Mejias
- Centro de Investigacion Biomedica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Madrid, Spain
- Department Biologia Celular, Genetica y Fisiologia, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Malaga, Malaga, 29071, Spain
| | - Irene Carmona
- Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla (IBIS), Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocio, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Cientificas Universidad de Sevilla, c/ Manuel Siurot s/n, 41013, Sevilla, Spain
- Department Bioquimica y Biologia Molecular, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad de Sevilla, Sevilla, 41012, Spain
- Centro de Investigacion Biomedica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Madrid, Spain
| | - Jose Carlos Davila
- Centro de Investigacion Biomedica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Madrid, Spain
- Department Biologia Celular, Genetica y Fisiologia, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Malaga, Malaga, 29071, Spain
| | - Marisa Vizuete
- Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla (IBIS), Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocio, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Cientificas Universidad de Sevilla, c/ Manuel Siurot s/n, 41013, Sevilla, Spain
- Department Bioquimica y Biologia Molecular, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad de Sevilla, Sevilla, 41012, Spain
- Centro de Investigacion Biomedica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Madrid, Spain
| | - Antonia Gutierrez
- Centro de Investigacion Biomedica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Madrid, Spain
- Department Biologia Celular, Genetica y Fisiologia, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Malaga, Malaga, 29071, Spain
| | - Javier Vitorica
- Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla (IBIS), Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocio, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Cientificas Universidad de Sevilla, c/ Manuel Siurot s/n, 41013, Sevilla, Spain
- Department Bioquimica y Biologia Molecular, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad de Sevilla, Sevilla, 41012, Spain
- Centro de Investigacion Biomedica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Madrid, Spain
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Nerve growth factor and Alzheimer's disease: new facts for an old hypothesis. Mol Neurobiol 2012; 46:588-604. [PMID: 22940884 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-012-8310-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2012] [Accepted: 07/12/2012] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Understanding sporadic Alzheimer's disease (AD) onset and progression requires an explanation of what triggers the common core of abnormal processing of the amyloid precursor protein and tau processing. In the quest for upstream drivers of sporadic, late-onset AD neurodegeneration, nerve growth factor (NGF) has a central role. Initially connected to AD on a purely correlative basis, because of its neurotrophic actions on basal forebrain cholinergic neurons, two independent lines of research, reviewed in this article, place alterations of NGF processing and signaling at the center stage of a new mechanism, leading to the activation of amyloidogenesis and tau processing. Thus, experimental studies on NGF deficit induced neurodegeneration in transgenic mice, as well as the mechanistic studies on the anti-amyloidogenic actions of NGF/TrkA signaling in primary neuronal cultures demonstrated a novel causal link between neurotrophic signaling deficits and Alzheimer's neurodegeneration. Around these results, a new NGF hypothesis can be built, with neurotrophic deficits of various types representing an upstream driver of the core AD triad pathology. According to the new NGF hypothesis for AD, therapies aimed at reestablishing a correct homeostatic balance between ligands (and receptors) of the NGF pathway appear to have a clear and strong rationale, not just as long-term cholinergic neuroprotection, but also as a truly disease-modifying approach.
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Florenzano F. Localization of axonal motor molecules machinery in neurodegenerative disorders. Int J Mol Sci 2012; 13:5195-5206. [PMID: 22606038 PMCID: PMC3344274 DOI: 10.3390/ijms13045195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2012] [Revised: 04/02/2012] [Accepted: 04/18/2012] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Axonal transport and neuronal survival depend critically on active transport and axon integrity both for supplying materials and communication to different domains of the cell body. All these actions are executed through cytoskeleton, transport and regulatory elements that appear to be disrupted in neurodegenerative diseases. Motor-driven transport both supplies and clears distal cellular portions with proteins and organelles. This transport is especially relevant in projection and motor neurons, which have long axons to reach the farthest nerve endings. Thus, any disturbance of axonal transport may have severe consequences for neuronal function and survival. A growing body of literature indicates the presence of alterations to the motor molecules machinery, not only in expression levels and phosphorylation, but also in their subcellular distribution within populations of neurons, which are selectively affected in the course of neurodegenerative diseases. The implications of this altered subcellular localization and how this affects axon survival and neuronal death still remain poorly understood, although several hypotheses have been suggested. Furthermore, cytoskeleton and transport element localization can be selectively disrupted in some disorders suggesting that specific loss of the axonal functionality could be a primary hallmark of the disorder. This can lead to axon degeneration and neuronal death either directly, through the functional absence of essential axonal proteins, or indirectly, through failures in communication among different cellular domains. This review compares the localization of cytoskeleton and transport elements in some neurodegenerative disorders to ask what aspects may be essential for axon survival and neuronal death.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fulvio Florenzano
- Confocal Microscopy Unit, EBRI and S. Lucia Foundation, Via Fosso del Fiorano, 64/65-00143 Rome, Italy
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50
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Youmans KL, Tai LM, Kanekiyo T, Stine WB, Michon SC, Nwabuisi-Heath E, Manelli AM, Fu Y, Riordan S, Eimer WA, Binder L, Bu G, Yu C, Hartley DM, LaDu MJ. Intraneuronal Aβ detection in 5xFAD mice by a new Aβ-specific antibody. Mol Neurodegener 2012; 7:8. [PMID: 22423893 PMCID: PMC3355009 DOI: 10.1186/1750-1326-7-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 128] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2011] [Accepted: 03/16/2012] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The form(s) of amyloid-β peptide (Aβ) associated with the pathology characteristic of Alzheimer's disease (AD) remains unclear. In particular, the neurotoxicity of intraneuronal Aβ accumulation is an issue of considerable controversy; even the existence of Aβ deposits within neurons has recently been challenged by Winton and co-workers. These authors purport that it is actually intraneuronal APP that is being detected by antibodies thought to be specific for Aβ. To further address this issue, an anti-Aβ antibody was developed (MOAB-2) that specifically detects Aβ, but not APP. This antibody allows for the further evaluation of the early accumulation of intraneuronal Aβ in transgenic mice with increased levels of human Aβ in 5xFAD and 3xTg mice. Results MOAB-2 (mouse IgG2b) is a pan-specific, high-titer antibody to Aβ residues 1-4 as demonstrated by biochemical and immunohistochemical analyses (IHC), particularly compared to 6E10 (a commonly used commercial antibody to Aβ residues 3-8). MOAB-2 did not detect APP or APP-CTFs in cell culture media/lysates (HEK-APPSwe or HEK-APPSwe/BACE1) or in brain homogenates from transgenic mice expressing 5 familial AD (FAD) mutation (5xFAD mice). Using IHC on 5xFAD brain tissue, MOAB-2 immunoreactivity co-localized with C-terminal antibodies specific for Aβ40 and Aβ42. MOAB-2 did not co-localize with either N- or C-terminal antibodies to APP. In addition, no MOAB-2-immunreactivity was observed in the brains of 5xFAD/BACE-/- mice, although significant amounts of APP were detected by N- and C-terminal antibodies to APP, as well as by 6E10. In both 5xFAD and 3xTg mouse brain tissue, MOAB-2 co-localized with cathepsin-D, a marker for acidic organelles, further evidence for intraneuronal Aβ, distinct from Aβ associated with the cell membrane. MOAB-2 demonstrated strong intraneuronal and extra-cellular immunoreactivity in 5xFAD and 3xTg mouse brain tissues. Conclusions Both intraneuronal Aβ accumulation and extracellular Aβ deposition was demonstrated in 5xFAD mice and 3xTg mice with MOAB-2, an antibody that will help differentiate intracellular Aβ from APP. However, further investigation is required to determine whether a molecular mechanism links the presence of intraneuronal Aβ with neurotoxicity. As well, understanding the relevance of these observations to human AD patients is critical.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine L Youmans
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Illinois at Chicago, IL 60612, USA
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