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Schwab K, Lauer D, Magbagbeolu M, Theuring F, Gasiorowska A, Zadrozny M, Harrington CR, Wischik CM, Niewiadomska G, Riedel G. Hydromethylthionine rescues synaptic SNARE proteins in a mouse model of tauopathies: Interference by cholinesterase inhibitors. Brain Res Bull 2024; 212:110955. [PMID: 38677558 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2024.110955] [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: 02/29/2024] [Revised: 04/14/2024] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 04/29/2024]
Abstract
In clinical trials for Alzheimer's disease (AD), hydromethylthionine mesylate (HMTM) showed reduced efficacy when administered as an add-on to symptomatic treatments, while it produced a significant improvement of cognitive function when taken as monotherapy. Interference of cholinesterase inhibition with HMTM was observed also in a tau transgenic mouse model, where rivastigmine reduced the pharmacological activity of HMTM at multiple brain levels including hippocampal acetylcholine release, synaptosomal glutamate release and mitochondrial activity. Here, we examined the effect of HMTM, given alone or in combination with the acetylcholinesterase inhibitor, rivastigmine, at the level of expression of selected pre-synaptic proteins (syntaxin-1; SNAP-25, VAMP-2, synaptophysin-1, synapsin-1, α-synuclein) in brain tissue harvested from tau-transgenic Line 1 (L1) and wild-type mice using immunohistochemistry. L1 mice overexpress the tau-core unit that induces tau aggregation and results in an AD-like phenotype. Synaptic proteins were lower in hippocampus and cortex but greater in basal forebrain regions in L1 compared to wild-type mice. HMTM partially normalised the expression pattern of several of these proteins in basal forebrain. This effect was diminished when HMTM was administered in combination with rivastigmine, where mean protein expression seemed supressed. This was further confirmed by group-based correlation network analyses where important levels of co-expression correlations in basal forebrain regions were lost in L1 mice and partially re-established when HMTM was given alone but not in combination with rivastigmine. These data indicate a reduction in pharmacological activity of HMTM when given as an add-on therapy, a result that is consistent with the responses observed in the clinic. Attenuation of the therapeutic effects of HMTM by cholinergic treatments may have important implications for other potential AD therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karima Schwab
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, UK; Institute of Pharmacology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Hessische Str. 3-4, Berlin 10115, Germany
| | - Dilyara Lauer
- Institute of Pharmacology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Hessische Str. 3-4, Berlin 10115, Germany
| | - Mandy Magbagbeolu
- Institute of Pharmacology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Hessische Str. 3-4, Berlin 10115, Germany
| | - Franz Theuring
- Institute of Pharmacology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Hessische Str. 3-4, Berlin 10115, Germany
| | - Anna Gasiorowska
- Clinical and Research Department of Applied Physiology, Mossakowski Medical Research Institute, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw 02-106, Poland
| | - Maciej Zadrozny
- Clinical and Research Department of Applied Physiology, Mossakowski Medical Research Institute, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw 02-106, Poland
| | - Charles R Harrington
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, UK; TauRx Therapeutics Ltd., 395 King Street, Aberdeen AB24 5RP, UK
| | - Claude M Wischik
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, UK; TauRx Therapeutics Ltd., 395 King Street, Aberdeen AB24 5RP, UK
| | - Grażyna Niewiadomska
- Clinical and Research Department of Applied Physiology, Mossakowski Medical Research Institute, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw 02-106, Poland
| | - Gernot Riedel
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, UK.
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Horsley D, Rickard JE, Vorley T, Leeper MF, Wischik CM, Harrington CR. Assays for the Screening and Characterization of Tau Aggregation Inhibitors. Methods Mol Biol 2024; 2754:93-104. [PMID: 38512662 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3629-9_5] [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] [Indexed: 03/23/2024]
Abstract
Aggregation of tau protein is a pathological hallmark of Alzheimer's disease and other neurodegenerative tauopathies. Inhibition of tau aggregation may provide a method for treatment of these disorders. Methods to identify tau aggregation inhibitors (TAIs) in vitro are useful and here we describe assays for TAIs using purified recombinant tau protein fragments in a cell-free immunoassay format and in a stably transfected cell model to create a more physiological environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Horsley
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, Scotland, UK
| | - Janet E Rickard
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, Scotland, UK
| | - Thomas Vorley
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, Scotland, UK
| | - Matilda F Leeper
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, Scotland, UK
| | - Claude M Wischik
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, Scotland, UK
- TauRx Therapeutics Ltd., Aberdeen, Scotland, UK
| | - Charles R Harrington
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, Scotland, UK.
- TauRx Therapeutics Ltd., Aberdeen, Scotland, UK.
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Al-Hilaly YK, Hurt C, Rickard JE, Harrington CR, Storey JMD, Wischik CM, Serpell LC, Siemer AB. Solid-state NMR of paired helical filaments formed by the core tau fragment tau(297-391). Front Neurosci 2022; 16:988074. [PMID: 36570831 PMCID: PMC9774000 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.988074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2022] [Accepted: 11/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Aggregation of the tau protein into fibrillar cross-β aggregates is a hallmark of Alzheimer's diseases (AD) and many other neurodegenerative tauopathies. Recently, several core structures of patient-derived tau paired helical filaments (PHFs) have been solved revealing a structural variability that often correlates with a specific tauopathy. To further characterize the dynamics of these fibril cores, to screen for strain-specific small molecules as potential biomarkers and therapeutics, and to develop strain-specific antibodies, recombinant in-vitro models of tau filaments are needed. We recently showed that a 95-residue fragment of tau (from residue 297 to 391), termed dGAE, forms filaments in vitro in the absence of polyanionic co-factors often used for in vitro aggregation of full-length tau. Tau(297-391) was identified as the proteolytic resistant core of tau PHFs and overlaps with the structures characterized by cryo-electron microscopy in ex vivo PHFs, making it a promising model for the study of AD tau filaments in vitro. In the present study, we used solid-state NMR to characterize tau(297-391) filaments and show that such filaments assembled under non-reducing conditions are more dynamic and less ordered than those made in the presence of the reducing agent DTT. We further report the resonance assignment of tau(297-391)+DTT filaments and compare it to existing core structures of tau.
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Affiliation(s)
- Youssra K. Al-Hilaly
- Sussex Neuroscience, School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Falmer, United Kingdom,Chemistry Department, College of Science, Mustansiriyah University, Baghdad, Iraq
| | - Connor Hurt
- Department of Physiology and Neuroscience, Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Janet E. Rickard
- Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
| | - Charles R. Harrington
- Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, United Kingdom,TauRx Therapeutics Ltd., Aberdeen, United Kingdom
| | - John M. D. Storey
- TauRx Therapeutics Ltd., Aberdeen, United Kingdom,Department of Chemistry, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
| | - Claude M. Wischik
- Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, United Kingdom,TauRx Therapeutics Ltd., Aberdeen, United Kingdom
| | - Louise C. Serpell
- Sussex Neuroscience, School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Falmer, United Kingdom
| | - Ansgar B. Siemer
- Department of Physiology and Neuroscience, Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States,*Correspondence: Ansgar B. Siemer,
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Xie J, Zhang Y, Li S, Wei H, Yu H, Zhou Q, Wei L, Ke D, Wang Q, Yang Y, Wang J. P301S-hTau acetylates KEAP1 to trigger synaptic toxicity via inhibiting NRF2/ARE pathway: A novel mechanism underlying hTau-induced synaptic toxicities. Clin Transl Med 2022; 12:e1003. [PMID: 35917404 PMCID: PMC9345400 DOI: 10.1002/ctm2.1003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2022] [Revised: 07/11/2022] [Accepted: 07/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Human Tau (hTau) accumulation and synapse loss are two pathological hallmarks of tauopathies. However, whether and how hTau exerts toxic effects on synapses remain elusive. METHODS Mutated hTau (P301S) was overexpressed in the N2a cell line, primary hippocampal neurons and hippocampal CA3. Western blotting and quantitative polymerase chain reaction were applied to examine the protein and mRNA levels of synaptic proteins. The protein interaction was tested by co-immunoprecipitation and proximity ligation assays. Memory and emotion status were evaluated by a series of behavioural tests. The transcriptional activity of nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2) was detected by dual luciferase reporter assay. Electrophoresis mobility shift assay and chromosome immunoprecipitation were conducted to examine the combination of NRF2 to specific anti-oxidative response element (ARE) sequences. Neuronal morphology was analysed after Golgi staining. RESULTS Overexpressing P301S decreased the protein levels of post-synaptic density protein 93 (PSD93), PSD95 and synapsin 1 (SYN1). Simultaneously, NRF2 was decreased, whereas Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (KEAP1) was elevated. Further, we found that NRF2 could bind to the specific AREs of DLG2, DLG4 and SYN1 genes, which encode PSD93, PSD95 and SYN1, respectively, to promote their expression. Overexpressing NRF2 ameliorated P301S-reduced synaptic proteins and synapse. By means of acetylation at K312, P301S increased the protein level of KEAP1 via inhibiting KEAP1 degradation from ubiquitin-proteasome pathway, thereby decreasing NRF2 and reducing synapse. Blocking the P301S-KEAP1 interaction at K312 rescued the P301S-suppressed expression of synaptic proteins and memory deficits with anxiety efficiently. CONCLUSIONS P301S-hTau could acetylate KEAP1 to trigger synaptic toxicity via inhibiting the NRF2/ARE pathway. These findings provide a novel and potential target for the therapeutic intervention of tauopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia‐Zhao Xie
- Department of PathophysiologySchool of Basic Medicine, Key Laboratory of Education Ministry of China/Hubei Province for Neurological DisordersTongji Medical CollegeHuazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhanChina
| | - Yao Zhang
- Endocrine Department of Liyuan HospitalKey Laboratory of Education Ministry of China/Hubei Province for Neurological DisordersTongji Medical CollegeHuazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhanChina
| | - Shi‐Hong Li
- Department of PathophysiologySchool of Basic Medicine, Key Laboratory of Education Ministry of China/Hubei Province for Neurological DisordersTongji Medical CollegeHuazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhanChina
| | - Hui Wei
- Department of PathophysiologySchool of Basic Medicine, Key Laboratory of Education Ministry of China/Hubei Province for Neurological DisordersTongji Medical CollegeHuazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhanChina
| | - Hui‐Ling Yu
- Department of PathophysiologySchool of Basic Medicine, Key Laboratory of Education Ministry of China/Hubei Province for Neurological DisordersTongji Medical CollegeHuazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhanChina
| | - Qiu‐Zhi Zhou
- Department of PathophysiologySchool of Basic Medicine, Key Laboratory of Education Ministry of China/Hubei Province for Neurological DisordersTongji Medical CollegeHuazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhanChina
| | - Lin‐Yu Wei
- Department of PathophysiologySchool of Basic Medicine, Key Laboratory of Education Ministry of China/Hubei Province for Neurological DisordersTongji Medical CollegeHuazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhanChina
| | - Dan Ke
- Department of PathophysiologySchool of Basic Medicine, Key Laboratory of Education Ministry of China/Hubei Province for Neurological DisordersTongji Medical CollegeHuazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhanChina
| | - Qun Wang
- Department of PathophysiologySchool of Basic Medicine, Key Laboratory of Education Ministry of China/Hubei Province for Neurological DisordersTongji Medical CollegeHuazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhanChina
| | - Ying Yang
- Department of PathophysiologySchool of Basic Medicine, Key Laboratory of Education Ministry of China/Hubei Province for Neurological DisordersTongji Medical CollegeHuazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhanChina
| | - Jian‐Zhi Wang
- Department of PathophysiologySchool of Basic Medicine, Key Laboratory of Education Ministry of China/Hubei Province for Neurological DisordersTongji Medical CollegeHuazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhanChina
- Co‐Innovation Center of NeuroregenerationNantong UniversityNantongChina
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Leo D, Targa G, Espinoza S, Villers A, Gainetdinov RR, Ris L. Trace Amine Associate Receptor 1 (TAAR1) as a New Target for the Treatment of Cognitive Dysfunction in Alzheimer's Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23147811. [PMID: 35887159 PMCID: PMC9318502 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23147811] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [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: 05/10/2022] [Revised: 07/07/2022] [Accepted: 07/09/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Worldwide, approximately 27 million people are affected by Alzheimer’s disease (AD). AD pathophysiology is believed to be caused by the deposition of the β-amyloid peptide (Aβ). Aβ can reduce long-term potentiation (LTP), a form of synaptic plasticity that is closely associated with learning and memory and involves postsynaptic glutamate receptor phosphorylation and trafficking. Moreover, Aβ seems to be able to reduce glutamatergic transmission by increasing the endocytosis of NMDA receptors. Trace amines (TAs) are biogenic amines that are structurally similar to monoamine neurotransmitters. TAs bind to G protein-coupled receptors, called TAARs (trace amine-associated receptors); the best-studied member of this family, TAAR1, is distributed in the cortical and limbic structures of the CNS. It has been shown that the activation of TAAR1 can rescue glutamatergic hypofunction and that TAAR1 can modulate glutamate NMDA receptor-related functions in the frontal cortex. Several lines of evidence also suggest the pro-cognitive action of TAAR1 agonists in various behavioural experimental protocols. Thus, we studied, in vitro, the role of the TAAR1 agonist RO5256390 on basal cortical glutamatergic transmission and tested its effect on Aβ-induced dysfunction. Furthermore, we investigated, in vivo, the role of TAAR1 in cognitive dysfunction induced by Aβ infusion in Aβ-treated mice. In vitro data showed that Aβ 1–42 significantly decreased NMDA cell surface expression while the TAAR1 agonist RO5256390 promoted their membrane insertion in cortical cells. In vivo, RO5256390 showed a mild pro-cognitive effect, as demonstrated by the better performance in the Y maze test in mice treated with Aβ. Further studies are needed to better understand the interplay between TAAR1/Aβ and glutamatergic signalling, in order to evaluate the eventual beneficial effect in different experimental paradigms and animal models. Taken together, our data indicate that TAAR1 agonism may provide a novel therapeutic approach in the treatments of disorders involving Aβ-induced cognitive impairments, such as AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Damiana Leo
- Department of Neuroscience, Research Institute for Health Science and Technology, University of Mons, 20 Place du Parc, 7000 Mons, Belgium; (D.L.); (A.V.)
| | - Giorgia Targa
- Department of Pharmacological and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Milan, Via Balzaretti 9, 20133 Milan, Italy;
| | - Stefano Espinoza
- Central RNA Laboratory, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), 16163 Genova, Italy;
| | - Agnès Villers
- Department of Neuroscience, Research Institute for Health Science and Technology, University of Mons, 20 Place du Parc, 7000 Mons, Belgium; (D.L.); (A.V.)
| | - Raul R. Gainetdinov
- Institute of Translational Biomedicine, St. Petersburg State University, Universitetskaya Emb. 7-9, 199034 St. Petersburg, Russia;
- St. Petersburg University Hospital, St. Petersburg State University, Universitetskaya Emb. 7-9, 199034 St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Laurence Ris
- Department of Neuroscience, Research Institute for Health Science and Technology, University of Mons, 20 Place du Parc, 7000 Mons, Belgium; (D.L.); (A.V.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +32-6537-3570
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The synapse as a treatment avenue for Alzheimer's Disease. Mol Psychiatry 2022; 27:2940-2949. [PMID: 35444256 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-022-01565-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2021] [Revised: 04/01/2022] [Accepted: 04/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder with devastating symptoms, including memory impairments and cognitive deficits. Hallmarks of AD pathology are amyloid-beta (Aβ) deposition forming neuritic plaques and neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs). For many years, AD drug development has mainly focused on directly targeting the Aβ aggregation or the formation of tau tangles, but this disease has no cure so far. Other common characteristics of AD are synaptic abnormalities and dysfunctions such as synaptic damage, synaptic loss, and structural changes in the synapse. Those anomalies happen in the early stages of the disease before behavioural symptoms have occurred. Therefore, better understanding the mechanisms underlying the synaptic dysfunction found in AD and targeting the synapse, especially using early treatment windows, can lead to finding novel and more effective treatments that could improve the lives of AD patients. Researchers have recently started developing different disease-modifying treatments targeting the synapse to rescue and prevent synaptic dysfunction in AD. The main objectives of these new strategies are to halt synaptic loss, strengthen synaptic connections, and improve synaptic density, potentially leading to the rescue or prevention of cognitive impairments. This article aims to address the mechanisms of synaptic degeneration in AD and discuss current strategies that focus on the synapse for AD therapy. Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder that significantly impairs memory and causes cognitive and behavioural deficits. Scientists worldwide have tried to find a treatment that can reverse or rescue AD symptoms, but there is no cure so far. One prominent characteristic of AD is the brain atrophy caused by significant synaptic loss and overall neuronal damage, which starts at the early stages of the disease before other AD hallmarks such as neuritic plaques and NFTs. The present review addresses the underlying mechanisms behind synaptic loss and dysfunction in AD and discusses potential strategies that target the synapse.
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Merlo S, Caruso GI, Bonfili L, Spampinato SF, Costantino G, Eleuteri AM, Sortino MA. Microglial polarization differentially affects neuronal vulnerability to the β-amyloid protein: Modulation by melatonin. Biochem Pharmacol 2022; 202:115151. [PMID: 35750198 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2022.115151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2022] [Revised: 06/16/2022] [Accepted: 06/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
Microglial cells play a central but yet debated role in neuroinflammatory events occurring in Alzheimer's disease (AD). We here explored how microglial features are modulated by melatonin following β-amyloid (Aβ42)-induced activation and examined the cross-talk with Aβ-challenged neuronal cells. Human microglial HMC3 cells were exposed to Aβ42 (200 nM) in the presence of melatonin (MEL; 1 μM) added since the beginning (MELco) or after a 72 h-exposure to Aβ42 (MELpost). In both conditions, MEL favored an anti-inflammatory activation and rescued SIRT1 and BDNF expression/release. Caspase-1 up-regulation and phospho-ERK induction following a prolonged exposure to Aβ42 were prevented by MEL. In addition, MEL partially restored proteasome functionality that was altered by long-term Aβ42 treatment, re-establishing both 20S and 26S chymotrypsin-like activity. Differentiated neuronal-like SH-SY5Y cells were exposed to Aβ42 (200 nM for 24 h) in basal medium or in the presence of conditioned medium (CM) collected from microglia exposed for different times to Aβ42 alone or in combination with MELco or MELpost. Aβ42 significantly reduced pre-synaptic proteins synaptophysin and VAMP2 and mean neuritic length. These effects were prevented by CM from anti-inflammatory microglia (Aβ42 for 6 h), or from MELco and MELpost microglia, but the reduction of neuritic length was not rescued when the SIRT1 inhibitor EX527 was added. In conclusion, our data add to the concept that melatonin shows a promising anti-inflammatory action on microglia that is retained even after pro-inflammatory activation, involving modulation of proteasome function and translating into neuroprotective microglial effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Merlo
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Section of Pharmacology, University of Catania, Via Santa Sofia 97, 95123 Catania, Italy.
| | - Grazia Ilaria Caruso
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Section of Pharmacology, University of Catania, Via Santa Sofia 97, 95123 Catania, Italy.
| | - Laura Bonfili
- School of Biosciences and Veterinary Medicine, University of Camerino, via Gentile III da Varano, 62032 Camerino, MC, Italy.
| | - Simona Federica Spampinato
- Department of Scienza e Tecnologia del Farmaco, University of Turin, Via P. Giuria 13, Turin 10125, Italy.
| | - Giuseppe Costantino
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Section of Pharmacology, University of Catania, Via Santa Sofia 97, 95123 Catania, Italy.
| | - Anna Maria Eleuteri
- School of Biosciences and Veterinary Medicine, University of Camerino, via Gentile III da Varano, 62032 Camerino, MC, Italy.
| | - Maria Angela Sortino
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Section of Pharmacology, University of Catania, Via Santa Sofia 97, 95123 Catania, Italy.
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8
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Schwab K, Chasapopoulou Z, Frahm S, Magbagbeolu M, Cranston A, Harrington CR, Wischik CM, Theuring F, Riedel G. Glutamatergic transmission and receptor expression in the synucleinopathy h-α-synL62 mouse model: Effects of hydromethylthionine. Cell Signal 2022; 97:110386. [PMID: 35709886 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2022.110386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2022] [Revised: 06/07/2022] [Accepted: 06/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
The accumulation of alpha-synuclein (α-Syn) into Lewy bodies in cortical and subcortical regions has been linked to the pathogenesis of synucleinopathies such as Parkinson's disease (PD) and dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB). While there is a strong link between synuclein aggregates and the reduction in dopamine function in the emergence of PD, less is known about the consequences of α-Syn accumulation in glutamatergic neurons and how this could be exploited as a therapeutic target. Transgenic h-α-synL62 (L62) mice, in which synuclein aggregation is achieved through the expression of full-length human α-Syn fused with a signal sequence peptide, were used to characterise glutamatergic transmission using a combination of behavioural, immunoblotting, and histopathological approaches. The protein aggregation inhibitor hydromethylthionine mesylate (HMTM) alone, or in combination with the glutamatergic compounds 3-((2-Methyl-4-thiazolyl)ethynyl)pyridine hydrochloride (MTEP) and memantine, was used to target α-Syn aggregation. We show that accumulation of α-Syn aggregates in glutamatergic synapses affected synaptic protein expression including metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 (mGLUR5) levels and ratio of N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor subunits GluN1/GluN2A. The ratio of NMDA receptor subunits and levels of mGLUR5 were both normalised by HMTM in L62 mice. These alterations, however, did not affect glutamate release in synaptosomes derived from L62 mice or behavioural endpoints following pharmacological manipulations of glutamate functions. Our results confirm that HMTM acts in the L62 mouse model of PD as an inhibitor of pathological aggregation of synuclein and show that HMTM treatment normalises both the ratio of NMDA receptor subunits and mGLUR5 levels. These findings support the potential utility of HMTM as a disease-modifying treatment for PD aiming to reduce synuclein aggregation pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karima Schwab
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, UK; Institute of Pharmacology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Hessische Str. 3-4, 10115 Berlin, Germany
| | - Zoi Chasapopoulou
- Institute of Pharmacology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Hessische Str. 3-4, 10115 Berlin, Germany; Center for Stroke Research, Department of Experimental Neurology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Robert Koch Platz 4, 101155 Berlin, Germany
| | - Silke Frahm
- Institute of Pharmacology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Hessische Str. 3-4, 10115 Berlin, Germany; Stem Cell Core Facility, Max-Delbrück-Centrum für Molekulare Medizin, Robert-Rössle-Straße 10, 13125 Berlin, Germany
| | - Mandy Magbagbeolu
- Institute of Pharmacology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Hessische Str. 3-4, 10115 Berlin, Germany
| | - Anna Cranston
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, UK; Benchsci, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Charles R Harrington
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, UK; TauRx Therapeutics Ltd., 395 King Street, Aberdeen AB24 5RP, UK
| | - Claude M Wischik
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, UK; TauRx Therapeutics Ltd., 395 King Street, Aberdeen AB24 5RP, UK
| | - Franz Theuring
- Institute of Pharmacology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Hessische Str. 3-4, 10115 Berlin, Germany
| | - Gernot Riedel
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, UK.
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HMTM-Mediated Enhancement of Brain Bioenergetics in a Mouse Tauopathy Model Is Blocked by Chronic Administration of Rivastigmine. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10040867. [PMID: 35453617 PMCID: PMC9029156 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10040867] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2022] [Revised: 04/05/2022] [Accepted: 04/05/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
The tau protein aggregation inhibitor hydromethylthionine mesylate (HMTM) was shown recently to have concentration-dependent pharmacological activity in delaying cognitive decline and brain atrophy in phase 3 Alzheimer’s disease (AD) clinical trials; the activity was reduced in patients receiving symptomatic therapies. The methylthionine (MT) moiety has been reported to increase the clearance of pathological tau and to enhance mitochondrial activity, which is impaired in AD patients. In line 1 (L1) mice (a model of AD), HMTM (5/15 mg/kg) was administered either as a monotherapy or as an add-on to a chronic administration with the cholinesterase inhibitor rivastigmine (0.1/0.5 mg/kg) to explore mitochondrial function and energy substrate utilization as potential targets of drug interference. Compared with wild-type NMRI mice, the L1 mice accumulated greater levels of l-lactate and of the LDH-A subunit responsible for the conversion of pyruvate into l-lactate. In contrast, the levels of LDH-B and mitochondrial ETC subunits and the activity of complexes I and IV was not altered in the L1 mice. The activity of complex I and complex IV tended to increase with the HMTM dosing, in turn decreasing l-lactate accumulation in the brains of the L1 mice, despite increasing the levels of LDH-A. The chronic pre-dosing of the L1 mice with rivastigmine partially prevented the enhancement of the activity of complexes I and IV by HMTM and the increase in the levels of LDH-A while further reducing the levels of l-lactate. Thus, HMTM in combination with rivastigmine leads to a depletion in the energy substrate l-lactate, despite bioenergetic production not being favoured. In this study, the changes in l-lactate appear to be regulated by LDH-A, since neither of the experimental conditions affected the levels of LDH-B. The data show that HMTM monotherapy facilitates the use of substrates for energy production, particularly l-lactate, which is provided by astrocytes, additionally demonstrating that a chronic pre-treatment with rivastigmine prevented most of the HMTM-associated effects.
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10
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Luo K, Wang Y, Chen WS, Feng X, Liao Y, Chen S, Liu Y, Liao C, Chen M, Ao L. Treatment Combining Focused Ultrasound with Gastrodin Alleviates Memory Deficit and Neuropathology in an Alzheimer's Disease-Like Experimental Mouse Model. Neural Plast 2022; 2022:5241449. [PMID: 35069727 PMCID: PMC8776436 DOI: 10.1155/2022/5241449] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2021] [Revised: 11/25/2021] [Accepted: 12/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common type of dementia but lacks effective treatment at present. Gastrodin (GAS) is a phenolic glycoside extracted from the traditional Chinese herb-Gastrodia elata-and has been reported as a potential therapeutic agent for AD. However, its efficiency is reduced for AD patients due to its limited BBB permeability. Studies have demonstrated the feasibility of opening the blood-brain barrier (BBB) via focused ultrasound (FUS) to overcome the obstacles preventing medicines from blood flow into the brain tissue. We explored the therapeutic potential of FUS-mediated BBB opening combined with GAS in an AD-like mouse model induced by unilateral intracerebroventricular (ICV) injection of Aβ 1-42. Mice were divided into 5 groups: control, untreated, GAS, FUS and FUS+GAS. Combined treatment (FUS+GAS) rather than single intervention (GAS or FUS) alleviated memory deficit and neuropathology of AD-like mice. The time that mice spent in the novel arm was prolonged in the Y-maze test after 15-day intervention, and the waste-cleaning effect was remarkably increased. Contents of Aβ, tau, and P-tau in the observed (also the targeted) hippocampus were reduced. BDNF, synaptophysin (SYN), and PSD-95 were upregulated in the combined group. Overall, our results demonstrate that FUS-mediated BBB opening combined with GAS injection exerts the potential to alleviate memory deficit and neuropathology in the AD-like experimental mouse model, which may be a novel strategy for AD treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaixuan Luo
- School of Rehabilitation, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan Province, China
| | - Yuhong Wang
- School of Rehabilitation, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan Province, China
| | - Wen-Shiang Chen
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, National Taiwan University Hospital & National Taiwan University College of Medicine, Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - Xiangjun Feng
- School of Rehabilitation, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan Province, China
| | - Yehui Liao
- School of Rehabilitation, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan Province, China
| | - Shaochun Chen
- School of Rehabilitation, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan Province, China
| | - Yao Liu
- School of Rehabilitation, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan Province, China
| | - Chengde Liao
- Department of Radiology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Yunnan Cancer Hospital & Cancer Center, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Moxian Chen
- School of Rehabilitation, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan Province, China
| | - Lijuan Ao
- School of Rehabilitation, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, Yunnan Province, China
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11
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Holland N, Malpetti M, Rittman T, Mak EE, Passamonti L, Kaalund SS, Hezemans FH, Jones PS, Savulich G, Hong YT, Fryer TD, Aigbirhio FI, O'Brien JT, Rowe JB. Molecular pathology and synaptic loss in primary tauopathies: an 18F-AV-1451 and 11C-UCB-J PET study. Brain 2021; 145:340-348. [PMID: 34398211 PMCID: PMC8967099 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awab282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2021] [Revised: 07/02/2021] [Accepted: 07/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
The relationship between in vivo synaptic density and molecular pathology in primary tauopathies is key to understanding the impact of tauopathy on functional decline and in informing new early therapeutic strategies. In this cross-sectional observational study, we determine the in vivo relationship between synaptic density and molecular pathology in the primary tauopathies of progressive supranuclear palsy and corticobasal degeneration as a function of disease severity. Twenty-three patients with progressive supranuclear palsy and 12 patients with corticobasal syndrome were recruited from a tertiary referral centre. Nineteen education-, sex- and gender-matched control participants were recruited from the National Institute for Health Research ‘Join Dementia Research’ platform. Cerebral synaptic density and molecular pathology, in all participants, were estimated using PET imaging with the radioligands 11C-UCB-J and 18F-AV-1451, respectively. Patients with corticobasal syndrome also underwent amyloid PET imaging with 11C-PiB to exclude those with likely Alzheimer’s pathology—we refer to the amyloid-negative cohort as having corticobasal degeneration, although we acknowledge other underlying pathologies exist. Disease severity was assessed with the progressive supranuclear palsy rating scale; regional non-displaceable binding potentials of 11C-UCB-J and 18F-AV-1451 were estimated in regions of interest from the Hammersmith Atlas, excluding those with known off-target binding for 18F-AV-1451. As an exploratory analysis, we also investigated the relationship between molecular pathology in cortical brain regions and synaptic density in subcortical areas. Across brain regions, there was a positive correlation between 11C-UCB-J and 18F-AV-1451 non-displaceable binding potentials (β = 0.4, t = 3.6, P = 0.001), independent of age or time between PET scans. However, this correlation became less positive as a function of disease severity in patients (β = −0.02, t = −2.9, P = 0.007, R = −0.41). Between regions, cortical 18F-AV-1451 binding was negatively correlated with synaptic density in subcortical areas (caudate nucleus, putamen). Brain regions with higher synaptic density are associated with a higher 18F-AV-1451 binding in progressive supranuclear palsy/corticobasal degeneration, but this association diminishes with disease severity. Moreover, higher cortical 18F-AV-1451 binding correlates with lower subcortical synaptic density. Longitudinal imaging is required to confirm the mediation of synaptic loss by molecular pathology. However, the effect of disease severity suggests a biphasic relationship between synaptic density and molecular pathology with synapse-rich regions vulnerable to accrual of pathological aggregates, followed by a loss of synapses in response to the molecular pathology. Given the importance of synaptic function for cognition and action, our study elucidates the pathophysiology of primary tauopathies and may inform the design of future clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Negin Holland
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge, CB2 0SZ, UK.,Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Cambridge, CB2 0QQ, UK
| | - Maura Malpetti
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge, CB2 0SZ, UK
| | - Timothy Rittman
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge, CB2 0SZ, UK.,Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Cambridge, CB2 0QQ, UK
| | - Elijah E Mak
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, School of Clinical Medicine, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, CB2 0QQ, UK
| | - Luca Passamonti
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge, CB2 0SZ, UK.,Istituto di Bioimmagini e Fisiologia Molecolare (IBFM), Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR), 20090, Milano, Italy
| | - Sanne S Kaalund
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge, CB2 0SZ, UK
| | - Frank H Hezemans
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge, CB2 0SZ, UK.,Medical Research Council Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit, University of Cambridge, CB2 7EF, UK
| | - P Simon Jones
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge, CB2 0SZ, UK
| | - George Savulich
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, School of Clinical Medicine, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, CB2 0QQ, UK
| | - Young T Hong
- Wolfson Brain Imaging Centre, University of Cambridge, CB2 0QQ, UK
| | - Tim D Fryer
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge, CB2 0SZ, UK.,Wolfson Brain Imaging Centre, University of Cambridge, CB2 0QQ, UK
| | - Franklin I Aigbirhio
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge, CB2 0SZ, UK
| | - John T O'Brien
- Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Cambridge, CB2 0QQ, UK.,Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, School of Clinical Medicine, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, CB2 0QQ, UK
| | - James B Rowe
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Cambridge, CB2 0SZ, UK.,Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Cambridge, CB2 0QQ, UK.,Medical Research Council Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit, University of Cambridge, CB2 7EF, UK
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12
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Wei Y, Liu M, Wang D. The propagation mechanisms of extracellular tau in Alzheimer's disease. J Neurol 2021; 269:1164-1181. [PMID: 33913022 DOI: 10.1007/s00415-021-10573-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2021] [Revised: 04/16/2021] [Accepted: 04/17/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Tubulin-associated unit (tau) is an important microtubule-associated protein. The abnormal intracellular aggregation of tau has been strongly associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD). Accumulating evidence has conclusively demonstrated that tau is present in the cytoplasm of neurons and is also actively released into the extracellular space. However, the types of tau species that are released are unclear, as is the mechanism of their release by donor neurons and subsequent uptake by recipient neurons in AD. Understanding the underlying mechanisms of abnormal tau cell-to-cell transmission can provide novel insights into the etiology and pathogenesis of AD and can help identify new targets for the development of AD therapies focused on counteracting neurodegeneration or even preventing it. From this perspective, the present review focuses on recent advances in understanding the mechanisms regulating the levels of extracellular tau and discusses the role of such mechanisms in the propagation of tau-associated pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yun Wei
- Xiyuan Hospital of China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing city, 100091, China.
| | - Meixia Liu
- Xiyuan Hospital of China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing city, 100091, China
| | - Dongxin Wang
- Jining Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese Medicine and Western Medicine, Shandong province, 272000, China
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13
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Rodrigues-Neves AC, Carecho R, Correia SC, Carvalho C, Campos EJ, Baptista FI, Moreira PI, Ambrósio AF. Retina and Brain Display Early and Differential Molecular and Cellular Changes in the 3xTg-AD Mouse Model of Alzheimer's Disease. Mol Neurobiol 2021; 58:3043-3060. [PMID: 33606195 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-021-02316-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2020] [Accepted: 01/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
The concept 'the retina as a window to the brain' has been increasingly explored in Alzheimer´s disease (AD) in recent years, since some patients present visual alterations before the first symptoms of dementia. The retina is an extension of the brain and can be assessed by noninvasive methods. However, assessing the retina for AD diagnosis is still a matter of debate. Using the triple transgenic mouse model of AD (3xTg-AD; males), this study was undertaken to investigate whether the retina and brain (hippocampus and cortex) undergo similar molecular and cellular changes during the early stages (4 and 8 months) of the pathology, and if the retina can anticipate the alterations occurring in the brain. We assessed amyloid-beta (Aβ) and hyperphosphorylated tau (p-tau) levels, barrier integrity, cell death, neurotransmitter levels, and glial changes. Overall, the retina, hippocampus, and cortex of 3xTg-AD are not significantly affected at these early stages. However, we detected a few differential changes in the retina and brain regions, and particularly a different profile in microglia branching in the retina and hippocampus, only at 4 months, where the number and length of the processes decreased in the retina and increased in the hippocampus. In summary, at the early stages of pathology, the retina, hippocampus, and cortex are not significantly affected but already present some molecular and cellular alterations. The retina did not mirror the changes detected in the brain, and these observations should be taking into account when using the retina as a potential diagnostic tool for AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Catarina Rodrigues-Neves
- Coimbra Institute for Clinical and Biomedical Research (iCBR), Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.,Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.,Clinical Academic Center of Coimbra (CACC), Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Rafael Carecho
- Coimbra Institute for Clinical and Biomedical Research (iCBR), Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.,Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.,Clinical Academic Center of Coimbra (CACC), Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Sónia Catarina Correia
- Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.,Clinical Academic Center of Coimbra (CACC), Coimbra, Portugal.,Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology (CNC), Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Cristina Carvalho
- Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.,Clinical Academic Center of Coimbra (CACC), Coimbra, Portugal.,Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology (CNC), Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Elisa Julião Campos
- Coimbra Institute for Clinical and Biomedical Research (iCBR), Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.,Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.,Clinical Academic Center of Coimbra (CACC), Coimbra, Portugal.,Association for Innovation and Biomedical Research on Light and Image (AIBILI), Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Filipa Isabel Baptista
- Coimbra Institute for Clinical and Biomedical Research (iCBR), Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.,Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.,Clinical Academic Center of Coimbra (CACC), Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Paula Isabel Moreira
- Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.,Clinical Academic Center of Coimbra (CACC), Coimbra, Portugal.,Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology (CNC), Coimbra, Portugal.,Institute of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - António Francisco Ambrósio
- Coimbra Institute for Clinical and Biomedical Research (iCBR), Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal. .,Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal. .,Clinical Academic Center of Coimbra (CACC), Coimbra, Portugal. .,Association for Innovation and Biomedical Research on Light and Image (AIBILI), Coimbra, Portugal.
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14
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Orock A, Logan S, Deak F. Age-Related Cognitive Impairment: Role of Reduced Synaptobrevin-2 Levels in Deficits of Memory and Synaptic Plasticity. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci 2021; 75:1624-1632. [PMID: 30649208 DOI: 10.1093/gerona/glz013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2018] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Cognitive impairment in the aging population is quickly becoming a health care priority, for which currently no disease-modifying treatment is available. Multiple domains of cognition decline with age even in the absence of neurodegenerative diseases. The cellular and molecular changes leading to cognitive decline with age remain elusive. Synaptobrevin-2 (Syb2), the major vesicular SNAP receptor protein, highly expressed in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus, is essential for synaptic transmission. We have analyzed Syb2 protein levels in mice and found a decrease with age. To investigate the functional consequences of lower Syb2 expression, we have used adult Syb2 heterozygous mice (Syb2+/-) with reduced Syb2 levels. This allowed us to mimic the age-related decrease of Syb2 in the brain in order to selectively test its effects on learning and memory. Our results show that Syb2+/- animals have impaired learning and memory skills and they perform worse with age in the radial arm water maze assay. Syb2+/- hippocampal neurons have reduced synaptic plasticity with reduced release probability and impaired long-term potentiation in the CA1 region. Syb2+/- neurons also have lower vesicular release rates when compared to WT controls. These results indicate that reduced Syb2 expression with age is sufficient to cause cognitive impairment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Albert Orock
- Oklahoma Center for Neuroscience, Reynolds Oklahoma Center on Aging, Oklahoma City.,Department of Geriatric Medicine, Reynolds Oklahoma Center on Aging, Oklahoma City.,Department of Geriatric Medicine, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City
| | - Sreemathi Logan
- Oklahoma Center for Neuroscience, Reynolds Oklahoma Center on Aging, Oklahoma City.,Department of Geriatric Medicine, Reynolds Oklahoma Center on Aging, Oklahoma City.,Department of Geriatric Medicine, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City
| | - Ferenc Deak
- Oklahoma Center for Neuroscience, Reynolds Oklahoma Center on Aging, Oklahoma City.,Department of Geriatric Medicine, Reynolds Oklahoma Center on Aging, Oklahoma City.,Department of Geriatric Medicine, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City.,Department of Physiology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City.,Department of Harold Hamm Diabetes Center, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City
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15
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Garcez ML, Cassoma RCS, Mina F, Bellettini-Santos T, da Luz AP, Schiavo GL, Medeiros EB, Campos ACBF, da Silva S, Rempel LCT, Steckert AV, Barichello T, Budni J. Folic acid prevents habituation memory impairment and oxidative stress in an aging model induced by D-galactose. Metab Brain Dis 2021; 36:213-224. [PMID: 33219893 DOI: 10.1007/s11011-020-00647-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2020] [Accepted: 11/13/2020] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of folic acid treatment in an animal model of aging induced by D-galactose (D-gal). For this propose, adult male Wistar rats received D-gal intraperitoneally (100 mg/kg) and/or folic acid orally (5 mg/kg, 10 mg/kg or 50 mg/kg) for 8 weeks. D-gal caused habituation memory impairment, and folic acid (10 mg/kg and 50 mg/kg) reversed this effect. However, folic acid 50 mg/kg per se caused habituation memory impairment. D-gal increased the lipid peroxidation and oxidative damage to proteins in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus from rats. Folic acid (5 mg/kg, 10 mg/kg, or 50 mg/kg) partially reversed the oxidative damage to lipids in the hippocampus, but not in the prefrontal cortex, and reversed protein oxidative damage in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus. D-gal induced synaptophysin and BCL-2 decrease in the hippocampus and phosphorylated tau increase in the prefrontal cortex. Folic acid was able to reverse these D-gal-related alterations in the protein content. The present study shows folic acid supplementation as an alternative during the aging to prevent cognitive impairment and brain alterations that can cause neurodegenerative diseases. However, additional studies are necessary to elucidate the effect of folic acid in aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle Lima Garcez
- Department of Biochemistry, Federal University of Santa Catarina (UFSC), Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil
| | - Ricardo Chiengo Sapalo Cassoma
- Laboratory of Experimental Neurology, Graduate Program in Health Sciences, University of Southern Santa Catarina (UNESC), Criciúma, SC, 88806-000, Brazil
| | - Francielle Mina
- Laboratory of Experimental Neurology, Graduate Program in Health Sciences, University of Southern Santa Catarina (UNESC), Criciúma, SC, 88806-000, Brazil
| | - Tatiani Bellettini-Santos
- Laboratory of Experimental Neurology, Graduate Program in Health Sciences, University of Southern Santa Catarina (UNESC), Criciúma, SC, 88806-000, Brazil
| | - Aline Pereira da Luz
- Laboratory of Experimental Neurology, Graduate Program in Health Sciences, University of Southern Santa Catarina (UNESC), Criciúma, SC, 88806-000, Brazil
| | - Gustavo Luis Schiavo
- Laboratory of Experimental Neurology, Graduate Program in Health Sciences, University of Southern Santa Catarina (UNESC), Criciúma, SC, 88806-000, Brazil
| | - Eduarda Behenck Medeiros
- Laboratory of Experimental Neurology, Graduate Program in Health Sciences, University of Southern Santa Catarina (UNESC), Criciúma, SC, 88806-000, Brazil
| | - Ana Carolina Brunatto Falchetti Campos
- Laboratory of Experimental Neurology, Graduate Program in Health Sciences, University of Southern Santa Catarina (UNESC), Criciúma, SC, 88806-000, Brazil
| | - Sabrina da Silva
- Laboratory of Experimental Neurology, Graduate Program in Health Sciences, University of Southern Santa Catarina (UNESC), Criciúma, SC, 88806-000, Brazil
| | - Lisienny Campoli Tono Rempel
- Laboratory of Experimental Neurology, Graduate Program in Health Sciences, University of Southern Santa Catarina (UNESC), Criciúma, SC, 88806-000, Brazil
| | - Amanda Valnier Steckert
- Laboratory of Experimental Pathophysiology, Graduate Program in Health Sciences, University of Southern Santa Catarina, Criciúma, SC, Brazil
| | - Tatiana Barichello
- Laboratory of Experimental Pathophysiology, Graduate Program in Health Sciences, University of Southern Santa Catarina, Criciúma, SC, Brazil
- Translational Psychiatry Program, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, McGovern Medical School, Houston, TX, USA
- Center of Excellence on Mood Disorders, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, McGovern Medical School, Houston, TX, USA
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, The University of Texas Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences at Houston, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Josiane Budni
- Laboratory of Experimental Neurology, Graduate Program in Health Sciences, University of Southern Santa Catarina (UNESC), Criciúma, SC, 88806-000, Brazil.
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16
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Lemke N, Melis V, Lauer D, Magbagbeolu M, Neumann B, Harrington CR, Riedel G, Wischik CM, Theuring F, Schwab K. Differential compartmental processing and phosphorylation of pathogenic human tau and native mouse tau in the line 66 model of frontotemporal dementia. J Biol Chem 2020; 295:18508-18523. [PMID: 33127647 PMCID: PMC7939472 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra120.014890] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2020] [Revised: 10/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Synapse loss is associated with motor and cognitive decline in multiple neurodegenerative disorders, and the cellular redistribution of tau is related to synaptic impairment in tauopathies, such as Alzheimer's disease and frontotemporal dementia. Here, we examined the cellular distribution of tau protein species in human tau overexpressing line 66 mice, a transgenic mouse model akin to genetic variants of frontotemporal dementia. Line 66 mice express intracellular tau aggregates in multiple brain regions and exhibit sensorimotor and motor learning deficiencies. Using a series of anti-tau antibodies, we observed, histologically, that nonphosphorylated transgenic human tau is enriched in synapses, whereas phosphorylated tau accumulates predominantly in cell bodies and axons. Subcellular fractionation confirmed that human tau is highly enriched in insoluble cytosolic and synaptosomal fractions, whereas endogenous mouse tau is virtually absent from synapses. Cytosolic tau was resistant to solubilization with urea and Triton X-100, indicating the formation of larger tau aggregates. By contrast, synaptic tau was partially soluble after Triton X-100 treatment and most likely represents aggregates of smaller size. MS corroborated that synaptosomal tau is nonphosphorylated. Tau enriched in the synapse of line 66 mice, therefore, appears to be in an oligomeric and nonphosphorylated state, and one that could have a direct impact on cognitive function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nora Lemke
- Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany; Bundesanstalt für Materialforschung und-prüfung, Berlin, Germany
| | - Valeria Melis
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
| | | | | | - Boris Neumann
- Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany; Proteome Factory AG, Berlin, Germany
| | - Charles R Harrington
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill, Aberdeen, United Kingdom; TauRx Therapeutics Ltd., Aberdeen, United Kingdom
| | - Gernot Riedel
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
| | - Claude M Wischik
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill, Aberdeen, United Kingdom; TauRx Therapeutics Ltd., Aberdeen, United Kingdom
| | | | - Karima Schwab
- Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
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17
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Oakley SS, Maina MB, Marshall KE, Al-Hilaly YK, Harrington CR, Wischik CM, Serpell LC. Tau Filament Self-Assembly and Structure: Tau as a Therapeutic Target. Front Neurol 2020; 11:590754. [PMID: 33281730 PMCID: PMC7688747 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2020.590754] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2020] [Accepted: 09/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Tau plays an important pathological role in a group of neurodegenerative diseases called tauopathies, including Alzheimer's disease, Pick's disease, chronic traumatic encephalopathy and corticobasal degeneration. In each disease, tau self-assembles abnormally to form filaments that deposit in the brain. Tau is a natively unfolded protein that can adopt distinct structures in different pathological disorders. Cryo-electron microscopy has recently provided a series of structures for the core of the filaments purified from brain tissue from patients with different tauopathies and revealed that they share a common core region, while differing in their specific conformation. This structurally resolvable part of the core is contained within a proteolytically stable core region from the repeat domain initially isolated from AD tau filaments. Tau has recently become an important target for therapy. Recent work has suggested that the prevention of tau self-assembly may be effective in slowing the progression of Alzheimer's disease and other tauopathies. Here we review the work that explores the importance of tau filament structures and tau self-assembly mechanisms, as well as examining model systems that permit the exploration of the mode of action of potential inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian S Oakley
- Sussex Neuroscience, School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Brighton, United Kingdom
| | - Mahmoud B Maina
- Sussex Neuroscience, School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Brighton, United Kingdom.,College of Medical Sciences, Yobe State University, Damaturu, Nigeria
| | - Karen E Marshall
- Sussex Neuroscience, School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Brighton, United Kingdom
| | - Youssra K Al-Hilaly
- Sussex Neuroscience, School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Brighton, United Kingdom.,Chemistry Department, College of Science, Mustansiriyah University, Baghdad, Iraq
| | - Charlie R Harrington
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, United Kingdom.,TauRx Therapeutics Ltd., Aberdeen, United Kingdom
| | - Claude M Wischik
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, United Kingdom.,TauRx Therapeutics Ltd., Aberdeen, United Kingdom
| | - Louise C Serpell
- Sussex Neuroscience, School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Brighton, United Kingdom
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18
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Graham C, Santiago-Mugica E, Abdel-All Z, Li M, McNally R, Kalaria RN, Mukaetova-Ladinska EB. Erythrocytes as Biomarkers for Dementia: Analysis of Protein Content and Alpha-Synuclein. J Alzheimers Dis 2020; 71:569-580. [PMID: 31424413 DOI: 10.3233/jad-190567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Discovering biomarkers for dementia is a pivotal step toward successful early diagnosis and treatment. Although plasma biomarkers have been explored, no consensus has been reached. Alpha-synuclein (AS), a 14 kDa synaptic protein associated with several neurodegenerative diseases, exists natively within erythrocytes (ERC). This protein is characteristic of Lewy body diseases, in which it aggregates into toxic Lewy bodies. As ERC are implicated in dementia, they are a potential target for future biomarkers. OBJECTIVE The aims of this study were to assess AS levels within ERC and whether AS can be used as a peripheral biomarker to differentiate between dementia and aged matched healthy control subjects. METHODS A total of 114 samples (60 aging controls, 36 Alzheimer's disease, 12 vascular dementia (VaD) and 6 dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) subjects) were analyzed. We used Bradford assay to measure protein concentration, indirect ELISA to detect levels of AS, and immunoblotting to identify AS composition. Data were analyzed with nonparametric tests. RESULTS AS oligomers were present in dementia blood samples, whereas in controls, AS was largely monomeric. There was a significant increase in AS levels in DLB whole blood (p = 0.005; Kruskal-Wallis test), with a sensitivity and specificity of 100.0% and 93.9%. Protein concentrations in ERC isolated at pH 5.7 were significantly increased in dementia patients compared to controls (17.58 versus 40.33μg/ml; p≤0.005; Mann-Whitney test). In the VaD group, the protein concentration in the pH5.7 ERC fraction had sensitivity and specificity of 91.7% and 62.1%. CONCLUSIONS ERC protein concentration and AS levels have a potential for development of a novel diagnostic dementia blood test.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte Graham
- Institute of Neuroscience, Campus for Ageing and Vitality, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | | | - Zeinab Abdel-All
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology and Behaviour, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK
| | - Mosi Li
- Centre for Neuroregeneration, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Richard McNally
- Institute of Health and Society, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Rajesh N Kalaria
- Institute of Neuroscience, Campus for Ageing and Vitality, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Elizabeta B Mukaetova-Ladinska
- Department of Neuroscience, Psychology and Behaviour, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK.,The Evington Centre, Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust, Leicester General Hospital, Leicester, UK
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19
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Synaptic Loss, ER Stress and Neuro-Inflammation Emerge Late in the Lateral Temporal Cortex and Associate with Progressive Tau Pathology in Alzheimer's Disease. Mol Neurobiol 2020; 57:3258-3272. [PMID: 32514860 PMCID: PMC7340653 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-020-01950-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2020] [Accepted: 05/22/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The complex multifactorial nature of AD pathogenesis has been highlighted by evidence implicating additional neurodegenerative mechanisms, beyond that of amyloid-β (Aβ) and tau. To provide insight into cause and effect, we here investigated the temporal profile and associations of pathological changes in synaptic, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and neuro-inflammatory markers. Quantifications were established via immunoblot and immunohistochemistry protocols in post-mortem lateral temporal cortex (n = 46). All measures were assessed according to diagnosis (non-AD vs. AD), neuropathological severity (low (Braak ≤ 2) vs. moderate (3–4) vs. severe (≥ 5)) and individual Braak stage, and were correlated with Aβ and tau pathology and cognitive scores. Postsynaptic PSD-95, but not presynaptic synaptophysin, was decreased in AD cases and demonstrated a progressive decline across disease severity and Braak stage, yet not with cognitive scores. Of all investigated ER stress markers, only phospho-protein kinase RNA-like ER kinase (p-PERK) correlated with Braak stage and was increased in diagnosed AD cases. A similar relationship was observed for the astrocytic glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP); however, the associated aquaporin 4 and microglial Iba1 remained unchanged. Pathological alterations in these markers preferentially correlated with measures of tau over those related to Aβ. Notably, GFAP also correlated strongly with Aβ markers and with all assessments of cognition. Lateral temporal cortex-associated synaptic, ER stress and neuro-inflammatory pathologies are here determined as late occurrences in AD progression, largely associated with tau pathology. Moreover, GFAP emerged as the most robust indicator of disease progression, tau/Aβ pathology, and cognitive impairment.
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20
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Honer WG, Ramos-Miguel A, Alamri J, Sawada K, Barr AM, Schneider JA, Bennett DA. The synaptic pathology of cognitive life
. DIALOGUES IN CLINICAL NEUROSCIENCE 2020; 21:271-279. [PMID: 31749651 PMCID: PMC6829169 DOI: 10.31887/dcns.2019.21.3/whoner] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Prospective, community-based studies allow evaluation of associations between
cognitive functioning and synaptic measures, controlled for age-related pathologies.
Findings from >400 community-based participants are reviewed. Levels of two
presynaptic proteins, complexin-I (inhibitory terminals), and complexin-II (excitatory
terminals) contributed to cognitive variation from normal to dementia. Adding the amount
of protein-protein interaction between two others, synaptosome-associated protein-25 and
syntaxin, explained 6% of overall variance. The presynaptic protein Munc18-1 long
variant was localized to inhibitory terminals, and like complexin-I, was positively
associated with cognition. Associations depended on Braak stage, with the level of
complexin-I contributing nearly 15% to cognitive variation in stages 0-II, while
complexin-II contributed 7% in stages V-VI. Non-denaturing gels identified multiple
soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor attachment protein receptor protein-protein
(SNARE) complexes in frontal and in temporal lobes, making specific contributions to
cognitive functions. Multiple mechanisms of presynaptic plasticity contribute to
cognitive function during aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- William G Honer
- Departments of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Alfredo Ramos-Miguel
- Department of Pharmacology, University of the Basque Country, and Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental, CIBERSAM, Madrid, Spain
| | - Jehan Alamri
- Departments of Anaesthesia, Pharmacology & Therapeutics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | | | - Alasdair M Barr
- Departments of Anaesthesia, Pharmacology & Therapeutics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Julie A Schneider
- Rush Alzheimer's Disease Center, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, US
| | - David A Bennett
- Rush Alzheimer's Disease Center, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, US
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21
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Aganj I, Frau-Pascual A, Iglesias JE, Yendiki A, Augustinack JC, Salat DH, Fischl B. COMPENSATORY BRAIN CONNECTION DISCOVERY IN ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE. PROCEEDINGS. IEEE INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM ON BIOMEDICAL IMAGING 2020; 2020:283-287. [PMID: 32587665 PMCID: PMC7316404 DOI: 10.1109/isbi45749.2020.9098440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Identification of the specific brain networks that are vulnerable or resilient in neurodegenerative diseases can help to better understand the disease effects and derive new connectomic imaging biomarkers. In this work, we use brain connectivity to find pairs of structural connections that are negatively correlated with each other across Alzheimer's disease (AD) and healthy populations. Such anti-correlated brain connections can be informative for identification of compensatory neuronal pathways and the mechanism of brain networks' resilience to AD. We find significantly anti-correlated connections in a public diffusion-MRI database, and then validate the results on other databases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iman Aganj
- Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School
- Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
| | - Aina Frau-Pascual
- Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School
| | - Juan E Iglesias
- Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School
- Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- Center for Medical Image Computing (CMIC), University College London, London, UK
| | - Anastasia Yendiki
- Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School
| | - Jean C Augustinack
- Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School
| | - David H Salat
- Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School
| | - Bruce Fischl
- Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School
- Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
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22
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Öhrfelt A, Brinkmalm A, Dumurgier J, Zetterberg H, Bouaziz-Amar E, Hugon J, Paquet C, Blennow K. A Novel ELISA for the Measurement of Cerebrospinal Fluid SNAP-25 in Patients with Alzheimer’s Disease. Neuroscience 2019; 420:136-144. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2018.11.038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2018] [Revised: 11/23/2018] [Accepted: 11/28/2018] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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23
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Yousef MI, Abuzreda AA, Kamel MAN. Cardiotoxicity and lung toxicity in male rats induced by long-term exposure to iron oxide and silver nanoparticles. Exp Ther Med 2019; 18:4329-4339. [PMID: 31777540 PMCID: PMC6862265 DOI: 10.3892/etm.2019.8108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2018] [Accepted: 06/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Engineered nanoparticles (NPs) have been increasingly used in numerous fields over the last decade. In particular, iron oxide NPs (Fe2O3NPs) and silver NPs (AgNPs) have contributed to the current increase in NP usage. However, the possible side effects of increased NP exposure remain not fully elucidated. The present study aimed to assess the toxic effects of Fe2O3NPs and AgNPs, both individually and in combination, on the heart and lungs of male rats. To evaluate the in vivo NP toxic effects, the experimental animals were orally administered with Fe2O3NPs (5 mg/kg) and/or AgNPs (50 mg/kg). Animals were treated every day for 79 days. The results demonstrated that at the molecular level, Fe2O3NPs and AgNPs caused marked DNA base oxidation as indicated by the elevated DNA content of 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine in the heart and lungs. Fe2O3NPs and/or AgNPs decreased paraoxonase 1, antioxidant enzymes, total antioxidant capacity, and reduced glutathione in heart and lung. A dose-dependent increase in production of creatine kinase, thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances, nitric oxide end products, tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-6 and lipid profiles was detected. Histological changes were also evident in heart and lung tissues. The two NPs demonstrated similar toxic effects for the majority of factors when co-supplemented. In conclusion, the present study identified that Fe2O3NPs and AgNPs, alone and in combination, induced cardiotoxicity and lung toxicity. Furthermore, findings demonstrated that there was a greater toxic effect due to administration of both NPs compared to individual administration. It was hypothesized that the toxic effects may be mediated through the induction of oxidative DNA damage, lipid peroxidation, shifting redox status, disrupted gene expression, and deregulation in cytokine production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mokhtar Ibrahim Yousef
- Department of Environmental Studies, Institute of Graduate Studies and Research, Alexandria University, Alexandria 21561, Egypt
| | - Abdelsalam Abdalla Abuzreda
- Department of Environmental Studies, Institute of Graduate Studies and Research, Alexandria University, Alexandria 21561, Egypt
| | - Maher Abdel-Nabi Kamel
- Department of Biochemistry, Medical Research Institute, Alexandria University, Alexandria 21561, Egypt
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24
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VGF Peptides in Cerebrospinal Fluid of Patients with Dementia with Lewy Bodies. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20194674. [PMID: 31547145 PMCID: PMC6801397 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20194674] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2019] [Revised: 09/10/2019] [Accepted: 09/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
In a previous proteomic study, we identified the neurosecretory protein VGF (VGF) as a potential biomarker for dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB). Here, we extended the study of VGF by comparing levels in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from 44 DLB patients, 20 Alzheimer’s disease (AD) patients, and 22 cognitively normal controls selected from the Amsterdam Dementia Cohort. CSF was analyzed using two orthogonal analytical methods: (1) In-house-developed quantitative ELISA and (2) selected reaction monitoring (SRM). We further addressed associations of VGF with other CSF biomarkers and cognition. VGF levels were lower in CSF from patients with DLB compared to either AD patients or controls. VGF was positively correlated with CSF tau and α-synuclein (0.55 < r < 0.75), but not with Aβ1-42. In DLB patients, low VGF levels were related to a more advanced cognitive decline at time of first presentation, whereas high levels of VGF were associated with steeper subsequent longitudinal cognitive decline. Hence, CSF VGF levels were lower in DLB compared to both AD and controls across different analytical methods. The strong associations with cognitive decline further points out VGF as a possible disease stage or prognostic marker for DLB.
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25
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Baazaoui N, Iqbal K. A Novel Therapeutic Approach to Treat Alzheimer's Disease by Neurotrophic Support During the Period of Synaptic Compensation. J Alzheimers Dis 2019; 62:1211-1218. [PMID: 29562539 PMCID: PMC5870029 DOI: 10.3233/jad-170839] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Alzheimer’s disease (AD), at present, is considered an incurable disease and a major dilemma with no drug to stop or slow down its progression. Drugs that are currently available in the market are able to only transiently improve the clinical symptoms. The repeated failures in developing an effective drug has led to the suggestion that the medical intervention was probably too late to be effective since the pathology starts many years before the appearance of the clinical symptoms. Probably, at the time of the appearance of clinical symptoms the brain has undergone major neuronal and synaptic loss. Because of the uncertainty on when to use a prevention therapy, especially targeting amyloid-β (Aβ) and tau pathologies, interventions that rely on the regenerative capacity of the brain such as the modulation of the inherent neurogenesis and neuronal plasticity represent a promising therapeutic strategy. Such an approach can act both at early as well as late stages of the disease and remove the barrier of the time of intervention. In this article, we review studies mainly from our laboratory that show the merit of early intervention during the synaptic and neuronal compensation period where the brain still has the capacity to self-repair by offering neurotrophic support in reversing cognitive impairment, neuronal and synaptic deficits, Aβ, and tau pathologies and decreasing mortality in a transgenic mouse model of AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Narjes Baazaoui
- Department of Neurochemistry, Inge Grundke-Iqbal Research Floor, New York State Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities, Staten Island, NY, USA
| | - Khalid Iqbal
- Department of Neurochemistry, Inge Grundke-Iqbal Research Floor, New York State Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities, Staten Island, NY, USA
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26
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Saraceno C, Catania M, Paterlini A, Fostinelli S, Ciani M, Zanardini R, Binetti G, Di Fede G, Caroppo P, Benussi L, Ghidoni R, Bolognin S. Altered Expression of Circulating Cdc42 in Frontotemporal Lobar Degeneration. J Alzheimers Dis 2019; 61:1477-1483. [PMID: 29376863 DOI: 10.3233/jad-170722] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
The term frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD) defines a group of heterogeneous conditions histologically characterized by neuronal degeneration, inclusions of various proteins, and synaptic loss. However, the molecular mechanisms contributing to these alterations are still unknown. As the Rho-GTPase family member Cell division cycle 42 (Cdc42) plays a key role in the regulation of actin cytoskeleton dynamics and spine formation, we investigated whether Cdc42 protein levels were altered in the disease. Cdc42 was increased in the frontal cortex of FTLD patients compared to age-matched controls, but also in Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients included in the data-set. On the other hand, the pool of circulating Cdc42 in the plasma was altered in FTLD but not in AD patients. Interestingly, the stratification of the FTLD patients according to the different clinical variants showed a specific decrease of Cdc42 expression in the behavioral subgroup. This data support a role of Cdc42 in FTLD and specifically in the behavioral variant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Saraceno
- Molecular Markers Laboratory, IRCCS Istituto Centro San Giovanni di Dio Fatebenefratelli, Brescia, Italy
| | - Marcella Catania
- Division of Neurology and Neuropathology, IRCCS Foundation - Carlo Besta Neurological Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Anna Paterlini
- Molecular Markers Laboratory, IRCCS Istituto Centro San Giovanni di Dio Fatebenefratelli, Brescia, Italy
| | - Silvia Fostinelli
- Molecular Markers Laboratory, IRCCS Istituto Centro San Giovanni di Dio Fatebenefratelli, Brescia, Italy
| | - Miriam Ciani
- Molecular Markers Laboratory, IRCCS Istituto Centro San Giovanni di Dio Fatebenefratelli, Brescia, Italy
| | - Roberta Zanardini
- Molecular Markers Laboratory, IRCCS Istituto Centro San Giovanni di Dio Fatebenefratelli, Brescia, Italy
| | - Giuliano Binetti
- MAC Memory Center, IRCCS Istituto Centro San Giovanni di Dio Fatebenefratelli, Brescia, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Di Fede
- Division of Neurology and Neuropathology, IRCCS Foundation - Carlo Besta Neurological Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Paola Caroppo
- Division of Neurology and Neuropathology, IRCCS Foundation - Carlo Besta Neurological Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Luisa Benussi
- Molecular Markers Laboratory, IRCCS Istituto Centro San Giovanni di Dio Fatebenefratelli, Brescia, Italy
| | - Roberta Ghidoni
- Molecular Markers Laboratory, IRCCS Istituto Centro San Giovanni di Dio Fatebenefratelli, Brescia, Italy
| | - Silvia Bolognin
- Molecular Markers Laboratory, IRCCS Istituto Centro San Giovanni di Dio Fatebenefratelli, Brescia, Italy.,Developmental and Cellular Biology, Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine (LCSB), University of Luxembourg, Belvaux, Luxembourg
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27
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Bolognin S, Fossépré M, Qing X, Jarazo J, Ščančar J, Moreno EL, Nickels SL, Wasner K, Ouzren N, Walter J, Grünewald A, Glaab E, Salamanca L, Fleming RMT, Antony PMA, Schwamborn JC. 3D Cultures of Parkinson's Disease-Specific Dopaminergic Neurons for High Content Phenotyping and Drug Testing. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2019; 6:1800927. [PMID: 30643711 PMCID: PMC6325628 DOI: 10.1002/advs.201800927] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2018] [Revised: 08/31/2018] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD)-specific neurons, grown in standard 2D cultures, typically only display weak endophenotypes. The cultivation of PD patient-specific neurons, derived from induced pluripotent stem cells carrying the LRRK2-G2019S mutation, is optimized in 3D microfluidics. The automated image analysis algorithms are implemented to enable pharmacophenomics in disease-relevant conditions. In contrast to 2D cultures, this 3D approach reveals robust endophenotypes. High-content imaging data show decreased dopaminergic differentiation and branching complexity, altered mitochondrial morphology, and increased cell death in LRRK2-G2019S neurons compared to isogenic lines without using stressor agents. Treatment with the LRRK2 inhibitor 2 (Inh2) rescues LRRK2-G2019S-dependent dopaminergic phenotypes. Strikingly, a holistic analysis of all studied features shows that the genetic background of the PD patients, and not the LRRK2-G2019S mutation, constitutes the strongest contribution to the phenotypes. These data support the use of advanced in vitro models for future patient stratification and personalized drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Bolognin
- Luxembourg Centre for Systems BiomedicineUniversity of Luxembourg6 avenue du SwingBelvauxL‐4367Luxembourg
- Braingineering Technologies SARL9 avenue des Hauts‐ForneauxEsch‐sur‐AlzetteL‐4362Luxembourg
| | - Marie Fossépré
- Luxembourg Centre for Systems BiomedicineUniversity of Luxembourg6 avenue du SwingBelvauxL‐4367Luxembourg
- Braingineering Technologies SARL9 avenue des Hauts‐ForneauxEsch‐sur‐AlzetteL‐4362Luxembourg
| | - Xiaobing Qing
- Luxembourg Centre for Systems BiomedicineUniversity of Luxembourg6 avenue du SwingBelvauxL‐4367Luxembourg
| | - Javier Jarazo
- Luxembourg Centre for Systems BiomedicineUniversity of Luxembourg6 avenue du SwingBelvauxL‐4367Luxembourg
| | - Janez Ščančar
- Department of Environmental SciencesJožef Stefan InstituteJamova 391000LjubljanaSlovenia
| | - Edinson Lucumi Moreno
- Luxembourg Centre for Systems BiomedicineUniversity of Luxembourg6 avenue du SwingBelvauxL‐4367Luxembourg
| | - Sarah L. Nickels
- Luxembourg Centre for Systems BiomedicineUniversity of Luxembourg6 avenue du SwingBelvauxL‐4367Luxembourg
| | - Kobi Wasner
- Luxembourg Centre for Systems BiomedicineUniversity of Luxembourg6 avenue du SwingBelvauxL‐4367Luxembourg
| | - Nassima Ouzren
- Luxembourg Centre for Systems BiomedicineUniversity of Luxembourg6 avenue du SwingBelvauxL‐4367Luxembourg
| | - Jonas Walter
- Luxembourg Centre for Systems BiomedicineUniversity of Luxembourg6 avenue du SwingBelvauxL‐4367Luxembourg
- Braingineering Technologies SARL9 avenue des Hauts‐ForneauxEsch‐sur‐AlzetteL‐4362Luxembourg
| | - Anne Grünewald
- Luxembourg Centre for Systems BiomedicineUniversity of Luxembourg6 avenue du SwingBelvauxL‐4367Luxembourg
- Institute of NeurogeneticsUniversity of Lübeck23562LübeckGermany
| | - Enrico Glaab
- Luxembourg Centre for Systems BiomedicineUniversity of Luxembourg6 avenue du SwingBelvauxL‐4367Luxembourg
| | - Luis Salamanca
- Luxembourg Centre for Systems BiomedicineUniversity of Luxembourg6 avenue du SwingBelvauxL‐4367Luxembourg
| | - Ronan M. T. Fleming
- Luxembourg Centre for Systems BiomedicineUniversity of Luxembourg6 avenue du SwingBelvauxL‐4367Luxembourg
| | - Paul M. A. Antony
- Luxembourg Centre for Systems BiomedicineUniversity of Luxembourg6 avenue du SwingBelvauxL‐4367Luxembourg
| | - Jens C. Schwamborn
- Luxembourg Centre for Systems BiomedicineUniversity of Luxembourg6 avenue du SwingBelvauxL‐4367Luxembourg
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28
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Lanni C, Fagiani F, Racchi M, Preda S, Pascale A, Grilli M, Allegri N, Govoni S. Beta-amyloid short- and long-term synaptic entanglement. Pharmacol Res 2019; 139:243-260. [DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2018.11.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2018] [Revised: 11/06/2018] [Accepted: 11/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
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29
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Al-Hilaly YK, Pollack SJ, Rickard JE, Simpson M, Raulin AC, Baddeley T, Schellenberger P, Storey JMD, Harrington CR, Wischik CM, Serpell LC. Cysteine-Independent Inhibition of Alzheimer's Disease-like Paired Helical Filament Assembly by Leuco-Methylthioninium (LMT). J Mol Biol 2018; 430:4119-4131. [PMID: 30121297 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2018.08.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2018] [Revised: 07/12/2018] [Accepted: 08/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease is a tauopathy characterized by pathological fibrillization of tau protein to form the paired helical filaments (PHFs), which constitute neurofibrillary tangles. The methylthioninium (MT) moiety reverses the proteolytic stability of the PHF core and is in clinical development for treatment of Alzheimer's disease in a stable reduced form as leuco-MT. It has been hypothesized that MT acts via oxidation of cysteine residues, which is incompatible with activity in the predominantly reducing environment of living cells. We have shown recently that the PHF-core tau unit assembles spontaneously in vitro to form PHF-like filaments. Here we describe studies using circular dichroism, SDS-PAGE, transmission electron microscopy and site-directed mutagenesis to elucidate the mechanism of action of the MT moiety. We show that MT inhibitory activity is optimal in reducing conditions, that the active moiety is the reduced leuco-MT form of the molecule and that its mechanism of action is cysteine independent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Youssra K Al-Hilaly
- Dementia Research Group, School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Falmer, E Sussex, BN1 9QG, United Kingdom; Chemistry Department, College of Science, Mustansiriyah University, Baghdad, Iraq
| | - Saskia J Pollack
- Dementia Research Group, School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Falmer, E Sussex, BN1 9QG, United Kingdom
| | - Janet E Rickard
- Institute of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, AB25 2ZP, United Kingdom
| | - Michael Simpson
- TauRx Therapeutics Ltd., Aberdeen, AB25 2ZP, United Kingdom; Department of Chemistry, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, AB24 3UE, United Kingdom
| | - Ana-Caroline Raulin
- Dementia Research Group, School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Falmer, E Sussex, BN1 9QG, United Kingdom
| | - Thomas Baddeley
- TauRx Therapeutics Ltd., Aberdeen, AB25 2ZP, United Kingdom; Department of Chemistry, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, AB24 3UE, United Kingdom
| | - Pascale Schellenberger
- Dementia Research Group, School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Falmer, E Sussex, BN1 9QG, United Kingdom
| | - John M D Storey
- TauRx Therapeutics Ltd., Aberdeen, AB25 2ZP, United Kingdom; Department of Chemistry, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, AB24 3UE, United Kingdom
| | - Charles R Harrington
- Institute of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, AB25 2ZP, United Kingdom; Department of Chemistry, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, AB24 3UE, United Kingdom
| | - Claude M Wischik
- Institute of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, AB25 2ZP, United Kingdom; Department of Chemistry, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, AB24 3UE, United Kingdom.
| | - Louise C Serpell
- Dementia Research Group, School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Falmer, E Sussex, BN1 9QG, United Kingdom.
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30
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Merlo S, Spampinato SF, Sortino MA. Early compensatory responses against neuronal injury: A new therapeutic window of opportunity for Alzheimer's Disease? CNS Neurosci Ther 2018; 25:5-13. [PMID: 30101571 DOI: 10.1111/cns.13050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2018] [Revised: 07/24/2018] [Accepted: 07/24/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized by extensive neurodegeneration and inflammation in selective brain areas, linked to severely disabling cognitive deficits. Before full manifestation, different stages appear with progressively increased brain pathology and cognitive impairment. This significantly extends the time lag between initial molecular triggers and appearance of detectable symptoms. Notably, a number of studies in the last decade have revealed that in the early stage of mild cognitive impairment, events that appear in contrast with neuronal distress may occur. These have been reproduced in vitro and in animal models and include increase in synaptic elements, increase in synaptic and metabolic activity, enhancement of neurotrophic milieu and changes in glial cell reactivity and inflammation. They have been interpreted as compensatory responses that could either delay disease progression or, in the long run, result detrimental. For this reason, these mechanisms define a new and previously undervalued window of opportunity for intervention. Their importance resides especially in their early appearance. Directing efforts to better characterize this stage, in order to identify new pharmacological targets, is an exciting new avenue to future advances in AD research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Merlo
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Section of Pharmacology, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Simona Federica Spampinato
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Section of Pharmacology, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Maria Angela Sortino
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Section of Pharmacology, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
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31
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Wilcock GK, Gauthier S, Frisoni GB, Jia J, Hardlund JH, Moebius HJ, Bentham P, Kook KA, Schelter BO, Wischik DJ, Davis CS, Staff RT, Vuksanovic V, Ahearn T, Bracoud L, Shamsi K, Marek K, Seibyl J, Riedel G, Storey JMD, Harrington CR, Wischik CM. Potential of Low Dose Leuco-Methylthioninium Bis(Hydromethanesulphonate) (LMTM) Monotherapy for Treatment of Mild Alzheimer's Disease: Cohort Analysis as Modified Primary Outcome in a Phase III Clinical Trial. J Alzheimers Dis 2018; 61:435-457. [PMID: 29154277 PMCID: PMC5734125 DOI: 10.3233/jad-170560] [Citation(s) in RCA: 130] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Background: LMTM is being developed as a treatment for AD based on inhibition of tau aggregation. Objectives: To examine the efficacy of LMTM as monotherapy in non-randomized cohort analyses as modified primary outcomes in an 18-month Phase III trial in mild AD. Methods: Mild AD patients (n = 800) were randomly assigned to 100 mg twice a day or 4 mg twice a day. Prior to unblinding, the Statistical Analysis Plan was revised to compare the 100 mg twice a day as monotherapy subgroup (n = 79) versus 4 mg twice a day as randomized (n = 396), and 4 mg twice a day as monotherapy (n = 76) versus 4 mg twice a day as add-on therapy (n = 297), with strong control of family-wise type I error. Results: The revised analyses were statistically significant at the required threshold of p < 0.025 in both comparisons for change in ADAS-cog, ADCS-ADL, MRI atrophy, and glucose uptake. The brain atrophy rate was initially typical of mild AD in both add-on and monotherapy groups, but after 9 months of treatment, the rate in monotherapy patients declined significantly to that reported for normal elderly controls. Differences in severity or diagnosis at baseline between monotherapy and add-on patients did not account for significant differences in favor of monotherapy. Conclusions: The results are consistent with earlier studies in supporting the hypothesis that LMTM might be effective as monotherapy and that 4 mg twice a day may serve as well as higher doses. A further suitably randomized trial is required to test this hypothesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gordon K Wilcock
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Serge Gauthier
- McGill Centre for Studies in Aging, Alzheimer's Disease Research Unit, and Douglas Mental Health University Institute, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | | | - Jianping Jia
- Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders Alzheimer's Disease Centre, Beijing, China
| | | | | | - Peter Bentham
- Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health Foundation Trust, Birmingham, UK
| | | | - Bjoern O Schelter
- Institute for Complex Systems and Mathematical Biology, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
| | | | | | - Roger T Staff
- Aberdeen Biomedical Imaging Centre, School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
| | - Vesna Vuksanovic
- Aberdeen Biomedical Imaging Centre, School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
| | - Trevor Ahearn
- Aberdeen Biomedical Imaging Centre, School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
| | | | | | | | | | - Gernot Riedel
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
| | - John M D Storey
- TauRx Therapeutics, Aberdeen, UK.,Department of Chemistry, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
| | - Charles R Harrington
- TauRx Therapeutics, Aberdeen, UK.,School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
| | - Claude M Wischik
- TauRx Therapeutics, Aberdeen, UK.,School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
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32
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Zhong X, Shi H, Hou L, Chen B, Peng Q, Chen X, Wu Z, Wang Y, Mai N, Huang X, Ning Y. Neuropsychiatric Features of Neurosyphilis: Frequency, Relationship with the Severity of Cognitive Impairment and Comparison with Alzheimer Disease. Dement Geriatr Cogn Disord 2018; 43:308-319. [PMID: 28538242 DOI: 10.1159/000476060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/25/2017] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The pattern of neuropsychiatric features of patients with neurosyphilis and the impact of the severity of cognitive impairment on neuropsychiatric syndromes are unknown. OBJECTIVE We aim to assess the neuropsychiatric features of patients with neurosyphilis, and compare the impact of the severity of cognitive impairment on the neuropsychiatric syndromes between neurosyphilis and Alzheimer disease (AD). METHODS Neuropsychiatric symptoms and the degree of cognitive impairment were assessed in a case-control study of 91 neurosyphilis, 162 AD, 157 mild cognitive impairment, and 139 normal controls by the Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI) scale and Clinical Dementia Rating scale, respectively. Factor analysis was performed on the 12 NPI items. RESULTS Factor analysis showed that patients with neurosyphilis showed more severe neuropsychiatric syndromes at the dementia stage than those neurosyphilis patients at the mild cognitive impairment stage, while neuropsychiatric manifestations were equally common among the different stages of dementia (all p < 0.05). Frontal lobe syndrome was more severe in patients with neurosyphilis than in patients with AD from the early mild cognitive impairment stage to the moderate dementia stage (all p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS Patients with neurosyphilis show different patterns of neuropsychiatric syndromes at the mild cognitive impairment and dementia stages, and differ from patients with AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaomei Zhong
- Department of Neurology, The Affiliated Brain Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University (Guangzhou Huiai Hospital), Guangzhou, China
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33
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Hunter S, Smailagic N, Brayne C. Dementia Research: Populations, Progress, Problems, and Predictions. J Alzheimers Dis 2018; 64:S119-S143. [DOI: 10.3233/jad-179927] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Sally Hunter
- Institute of Public Health, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Nadja Smailagic
- Institute of Public Health, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Carol Brayne
- Institute of Public Health, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
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34
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Merlo S, Spampinato SF, Beneventano M, Sortino MA. The contribution of microglia to early synaptic compensatory responses that precede β-amyloid-induced neuronal death. Sci Rep 2018; 8:7297. [PMID: 29740062 PMCID: PMC5940848 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-25453-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2017] [Accepted: 04/17/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Glial-neuronal cross-talk has a critical role in the development of neurodegenerative conditions, including Alzheimer's Disease, where it affects neuronal responses to β-amyloid peptide (Aβ)-induced toxicity. We set out to identify factors regulating synaptic responses to Aβ, dissecting the specific role of glial signaling. A low concentration of aggregated Aβ42 induced selective up-regulation of mature brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) expression and release in rat organotypic hippocampal cultures as well as in cortical pure microglia. Conditioned media from resting (CMC) or Aβ42-treated (CMA) microglia were tested for their effects on synaptophysin expression in SH-SY5Y neuronal-like cells during challenge with Aβ42. Both CMC and CMA prevented Aβ-induced synaptophysin loss. In the presence of Aβ + CMA, synaptophysin was over-expressed, although it appeared partly clumped in cell bodies. Synaptophysin over-expression was not directly dependent on BDNF signaling on neuronal-like cells, but relied on autocrine BDNF action on microglia. FM1-43 labeling experiments revealed compromised synaptic vesicle recycling in Aβ42-treated neuronal-like cells, rescued by microglial conditioned medium. In these conditions, significant and prolonged neuroprotection was observed. Our results point to microglia as a target for early intervention, given its positive role in supporting neuronal compensatory responses to Aβ synaptotoxicity, which potentially lead to their extended survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Merlo
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, section of Pharmacology, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Simona Federica Spampinato
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, section of Pharmacology, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Martina Beneventano
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, section of Pharmacology, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Maria Angela Sortino
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, section of Pharmacology, University of Catania, Catania, Italy.
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35
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Transgenic autoinhibition of p21-activated kinase exacerbates synaptic impairments and fronto-dependent behavioral deficits in an animal model of Alzheimer's disease. Aging (Albany NY) 2018; 9:1386-1403. [PMID: 28522792 PMCID: PMC5472739 DOI: 10.18632/aging.101239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2017] [Accepted: 05/11/2017] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Defects in p21-activated kinase (PAK) lead to dendritic spine abnormalities and are sufficient to cause cognition impairment. The decrease in PAK in the brain of Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients is suspected to underlie synaptic and dendritic disturbances associated with its clinical expression, particularly with symptoms related to frontal cortex dysfunction. To investigate the role of PAK combined with Aβ and tau pathologies (3xTg-AD mice) in the frontal cortex, we generated a transgenic model of AD with a deficit in PAK activity (3xTg-AD-dnPAK mice). PAK inactivation had no effect on Aβ40 and Aβ42 levels, but increased the phosphorylation ratio of tau in detergent-insoluble protein fractions in the frontal cortex of 18-month-old heterozygous 3xTg-AD mice. Morphometric analyses of layer II/III pyramidal neurons in the frontal cortex showed that 3xTg-AD-dnPAK neurons exhibited significant dendritic attrition, lower spine density and longer spines compared to NonTg and 3xTg-AD mice. Finally, behavioral assessments revealed that 3xTg-AD-dnPAK mice exhibited pronounced anxious traits and disturbances in social behaviors, reminiscent of fronto-dependent symptoms observed in AD. Our results substantiate a critical role for PAK in the genesis of neuronal abnormalities in the frontal cortex underlying the emergence of psychiatric-like symptoms in AD.
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36
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Baazaoui N, Iqbal K. Prevention of Amyloid-β and Tau Pathologies, Associated Neurodegeneration, and Cognitive Deficit by Early Treatment with a Neurotrophic Compound. J Alzheimers Dis 2018; 58:215-230. [PMID: 28387677 DOI: 10.3233/jad-170075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
To date, neither any effective treatment nor prevention of Alzheimer's disease (AD), a major dementia causing disorder, are available. Herein, we investigated the secondary prevention of neurodegeneration, amyloid-β (Aβ) and tau pathologies with a neurotrophic compound P021 in 3xTg-AD mice. Previous work found that P021 can rescue at mild to moderate stages Aβ and tau pathologies in 3xTg-AD mice. To determine its potential clinical application, we sought to test the preventive effect of P021 on Aβ and tau pathologies by starting the treatment during the period of synaptic compensation several months before the appearance of any overt pathology in 3xTg-AD mice. We started a continuous treatment with P021 in 3-month-old female animals and followed its effect at 9-, 15- and 18-months post-treatment. Neurodegeneration at the above time points was studied using Fluorojade C staining, and tau and Aβ pathologies both immunohistochemically and by Western blots. Cognitive performance was studied by assessing episodic memory with Novel Object Recognition task at 16-17-months post-treatment. We found that P021 treatment initiated during the synaptic compensation period can prevent neurodegeneration, Aβ and tau pathologies, rescue episodic memory impairment, and markedly reduce mortality rate. These findings for the first time show effective prevention of AD changes with a neurotrophic compound that targets neurogenesis and synaptic plasticity, suggesting that improving the health of the neuronal network can prevent AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Narjes Baazaoui
- Department of Neurochemistry, Inge Grundke-Iqbal Research Floor, New York State Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities, Staten Island, NY, USA.,Graduate Program in Biology (Neuroscience), College of Staten Island, City University of New York Graduate Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Khalid Iqbal
- Department of Neurochemistry, Inge Grundke-Iqbal Research Floor, New York State Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities, Staten Island, NY, USA
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37
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Baazaoui N, Flory M, Iqbal K. Synaptic Compensation as a Probable Cause of Prolonged Mild Cognitive Impairment in Alzheimer's Disease: Implications from a Transgenic Mouse Model of the Disease. J Alzheimers Dis 2018; 56:1385-1401. [PMID: 28222506 DOI: 10.3233/jad-160845] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a slow, progressive neurodegenerative disease in which cognitive decline takes place over a period of several years with a very variable period of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and, in some cases, relatively long period before progression to dementia. The cognitive deficit during MCI is probably due to neuronal loss, an intermediate level of amyloid-β (Aβ) plaques and neurofibrillary tangles (NFT) and synaptosis, which is interrupted with a transient compensatory increase. We found impairment in reference memory accompanied by a decrease in the expression of synaptophysin, β-III tubulin, and MAP2 and a trend for GluR1, at 12 weeks of age in 3xTg-AD mice (hAPPSwe, P301L tau, PS1 [M146V] knock-in), a widely used transgenic model of AD. Past 12 weeks, the cross-sectional analysis of different age groups showed a compensatory increase in synaptic markers relative to that in wild type animals in a topographic and time-dependent manner. When studied across time we found that in 3xTg-AD mice, the compensatory phenomenon occurred in parallel in different regions of the brain. However, this attempt of the brain to repair itself was able to only partially rescue cognitive impairment. These findings for the first time raise the intriguing possibility that AD causing mutated transgenes may initially cause an increase in synaptic and dendritic markers as a compensatory mechanism for synaptic deficit, and this phenomenon, though transient, could be the biological basis of the period of MCI seen in AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Narjes Baazaoui
- Department of Neurochemistry, Inge Grundke-Iqbal Research Floor, New York State Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities, NY, USA.,Graduate Program in Biology (Neuroscience), College of Staten Island (CSI), City University of New York (CUNY) Graduate Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Michael Flory
- Research Design and Analysis Service, New York State Institute for Basic Research in DevelopmentalDisabilities, NY, USA
| | - Khalid Iqbal
- Department of Neurochemistry, Inge Grundke-Iqbal Research Floor, New York State Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities, NY, USA
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38
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Wischik CM, Schelter BO, Wischik DJ, Storey JMD, Harrington CR. Modeling Prion-Like Processing of Tau Protein in Alzheimer's Disease for Pharmaceutical Development. J Alzheimers Dis 2018; 62:1287-1303. [PMID: 29226873 PMCID: PMC5870021 DOI: 10.3233/jad-170727] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/26/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Following our discovery of a fragment from the repeat domain of tau protein as a structural constituent of the PHF-core in Alzheimer's disease (AD), we developed an assay that captured several key features of the aggregation process. Tau-tau binding through the core tau fragment could be blocked by the same diaminophenothiazines found to dissolve proteolytically stable PHFs isolated from AD brain. We found that the PHF-core tau fragment is inherently capable of auto-catalytic self-propagation in vitro, or "prion-like processing", that has now been demonstrated for several neurodegenerative disorders. Here we review the findings that led to the first clinical trials to test tau aggregation inhibitor therapy in AD as a way to block this cascade. Although further trials are still needed, the results to date suggest that a treatment targeting the prion-like processing of tau protein may have a role in both prevention and treatment of AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claude M. Wischik
- TauRx Therapeutics Ltd., Singapore
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
| | - Björn O. Schelter
- TauRx Therapeutics Ltd., Singapore
- Institute for Complex Systems and Mathematical Biology, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
| | - Damon J. Wischik
- TauRx Therapeutics Ltd., Singapore
- Computer Laboratory, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - John M. D. Storey
- TauRx Therapeutics Ltd., Singapore
- Department of Chemistry, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
| | - Charles R. Harrington
- TauRx Therapeutics Ltd., Singapore
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
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39
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Al-Hilaly YK, Pollack SJ, Vadukul DM, Citossi F, Rickard JE, Simpson M, Storey JM, Harrington CR, Wischik CM, Serpell LC. Alzheimer's Disease-like Paired Helical Filament Assembly from Truncated Tau Protein Is Independent of Disulfide Crosslinking. J Mol Biol 2017; 429:3650-3665. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2017.09.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2017] [Revised: 09/08/2017] [Accepted: 09/08/2017] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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40
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Abstract
Background: Possession of APOEɛ4 is a strong risk factor for late-onset Alzheimer’s disease and is associated with loss of synaptic proteins in the elderly even in the absence of Alzheimer’s disease. Objective: We hypothesized that ɛ4 allele possession in non-demented adults aged under-75 would also be associated with alterations in the levels of synaptic proteins. Methods: We measured synaptophysin, PSD95, drebrin, SNAP-25, and septin 7 by ELISA in hippocampus and superior temporal gyrus from 103 adults aged <75 without dementia. Corresponding gene expression was measured by RT-PCR. Results: There was no evidence that ɛ4 affected levels of the proteins measured. Instead we found an increase in post-synaptic proteins in the hippocampi of those with an ɛ32 genotype. The evidence was strongest for drebrin (p = 0.011). There was some evidence of increased synaptic protein gene expression in ɛ4 carriers. Conclusions: People with an APOEɛ32 genotype have a reduced risk of Alzheimer’s disease. It may be relevant that they have a higher level of post-synaptic proteins in the hippocampus even in earlier adulthood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lindsey I Sinclair
- School of Social and Community Medicine, University of Bristol, Oakfield House, Clifton, Bristol, UK
| | - Seth Love
- School of Clinical Sciences, University of Bristol, Level 1 Learning and Research Building, Southmead Hospital, Bristol, UK
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41
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Panza F, Solfrizzi V, Seripa D, Imbimbo BP, Lozupone M, Santamato A, Tortelli R, Galizia I, Prete C, Daniele A, Pilotto A, Greco A, Logroscino G. Tau-based therapeutics for Alzheimer's disease: active and passive immunotherapy. Immunotherapy 2017; 8:1119-34. [PMID: 27485083 DOI: 10.2217/imt-2016-0019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Pharmacological manipulation of tau protein in Alzheimer's disease included microtubule-stabilizing agents, tau protein kinase inhibitors, tau aggregation inhibitors, active and passive immunotherapies and, more recently, inhibitors of tau acetylation. Animal studies have shown that both active and passive approaches can remove tau pathology and, in some cases, improve cognitive function. Two active vaccines targeting either nonphosphorylated (AAD-vac1) and phosphorylated tau (ACI-35) have entered Phase I testing. Notwithstanding, the recent discontinuation of the monoclonal antibody RG7345 for Alzheimer's disease, two other antitau antibodies, BMS-986168 and C2N-8E12, are also currently in Phase I testing for progressive supranuclear palsy. After the recent impressive results in animal studies obtained by salsalate, the dimer of salicylic acid, inhibitors of tau acetylation are being actively pursued.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Panza
- Neurodegenerative Disease Unit, Department of Basic Medicine, Neuroscience, & Sense Organs, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy.,Department of Clinical Research in Neurology, University of Bari Aldo Moro, 'Pia Fondazione Cardinale G. Panico,' Tricase, Lecce, Italy.,Geriatric Unit & Laboratory of Gerontology & Geriatrics, Department of Medical Sciences, IRCCS 'Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza,' San Giovanni Rotondo, Foggia, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Solfrizzi
- Geriatric Medicine-Memory Unit & Rare Disease Centre, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy
| | - Davide Seripa
- Geriatric Unit & Laboratory of Gerontology & Geriatrics, Department of Medical Sciences, IRCCS 'Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza,' San Giovanni Rotondo, Foggia, Italy
| | - Bruno P Imbimbo
- Research & Development Department, Chiesi Farmaceutici, Parma, Italy
| | - Madia Lozupone
- Neurodegenerative Disease Unit, Department of Basic Medicine, Neuroscience, & Sense Organs, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy
| | - Andrea Santamato
- Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Section, 'OORR' Hospital, University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy
| | - Rosanna Tortelli
- Neurodegenerative Disease Unit, Department of Basic Medicine, Neuroscience, & Sense Organs, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy.,Department of Clinical Research in Neurology, University of Bari Aldo Moro, 'Pia Fondazione Cardinale G. Panico,' Tricase, Lecce, Italy
| | - Ilaria Galizia
- Psychiatric Unit, Department of Basic Medicine, Neuroscience, & Sense Organs, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy
| | - Camilla Prete
- Department of OrthoGeriatrics, Rehabilitation & Stabilization, Frailty Area, E.O. Galliera NR-HS Hospital, Genova, Italy
| | - Antonio Daniele
- Institute of Neurology, Catholic University of Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy
| | - Alberto Pilotto
- Department of OrthoGeriatrics, Rehabilitation & Stabilization, Frailty Area, E.O. Galliera NR-HS Hospital, Genova, Italy
| | - Antonio Greco
- Geriatric Unit & Laboratory of Gerontology & Geriatrics, Department of Medical Sciences, IRCCS 'Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza,' San Giovanni Rotondo, Foggia, Italy
| | - Giancarlo Logroscino
- Neurodegenerative Disease Unit, Department of Basic Medicine, Neuroscience, & Sense Organs, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy.,Department of Clinical Research in Neurology, University of Bari Aldo Moro, 'Pia Fondazione Cardinale G. Panico,' Tricase, Lecce, Italy.,Institute of Neurology, Catholic University of Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy
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42
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Baazaoui N, Iqbal K. Prevention of dendritic and synaptic deficits and cognitive impairment with a neurotrophic compound. ALZHEIMERS RESEARCH & THERAPY 2017; 9:45. [PMID: 28655344 PMCID: PMC5488423 DOI: 10.1186/s13195-017-0273-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2017] [Accepted: 06/02/2017] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Background The use of neurotrophic factors to treat Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is hindered by their blood–brain barrier impermeability, short half-life, and severe side effects. Peptide 021 (P021) is a neurotrophic/neurogenic tetra-peptide that was derived from the most active region of the ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) by epitope mapping. Admantylated glycine was added to its C-terminal to increase its blood–brain barrier permeability and decrease its degradation by exopeptidases to make it druggable. Here, we report on the preventive effect of P021 in 3 × Tg-AD, a transgenic mouse model of AD. Methods P021 was administered in the diet at 3 months, i.e., 6–9 months before any overt amyloid beta (Aβ) or tau pathology, and during the period of synaptic compensation, and was continued until 21 months in 3 × Tg-AD mice. The 3 × Tg-AD mice and wild-type (WT) mice were treated identically but with a vehicle-only diet serving as controls. The effects of P021 on neurogenesis, dendritic and synaptic markers, and cognitive performance were investigated. Results We found that P021 treatment was able to rescue dendritic and synaptic deficits, boost neurogenesis, and reverse cognitive impairment in 3 × Tg-AD mice. Conclusions Availability of appropriate neurotrophic support during the period of synaptic compensation can prevent synaptic deficit and cognitive impairment, and P021 is a promising neurotrophic compound for this purpose. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13195-017-0273-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Narjes Baazaoui
- Department of Neurochemistry, IngeGrundke-Iqbal Research Floor, New York State Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities, 1050 Forest Hill Road, Staten Island, NY, 10314, USA.,Graduate Program in Biology (Neuroscience), College of Staten Island (CSI), City University of New York (CUNY) Graduate Center, 365 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY, 10016-4309, USA
| | - Khalid Iqbal
- Department of Neurochemistry, IngeGrundke-Iqbal Research Floor, New York State Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities, 1050 Forest Hill Road, Staten Island, NY, 10314, USA.
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43
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Rickard JE, Horsley D, Wischik CM, Harrington CR. Assays for the Screening and Characterization of Tau Aggregation Inhibitors. Methods Mol Biol 2017; 1523:129-140. [PMID: 27975248 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-6598-4_8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Aggregation of tau protein is a pathological hallmark of Alzheimer's disease and other neurodegenerative tauopathies. Inhibition of tau aggregation could provide a method for the treatment of these disorders. Methods to identify tau aggregation inhibitors (TAIs) in vitro are useful and here we describe assays for TAIs using purified recombinant tau protein fragments in a cell-free immunoassay format and a stably transfected cell model to create a more physiological environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janet E Rickard
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, AB25 2ZP, Scotland, UK
- TauRx Therapeutics Ltd., Aberdeen, Scotland, UK
| | - David Horsley
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, AB25 2ZP, Scotland, UK
- TauRx Therapeutics Ltd., Aberdeen, Scotland, UK
| | - Claude M Wischik
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, AB25 2ZP, Scotland, UK
- TauRx Therapeutics Ltd., Aberdeen, Scotland, UK
| | - Charles R Harrington
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, AB25 2ZP, Scotland, UK.
- TauRx Therapeutics Ltd., Aberdeen, Scotland, UK.
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Seripa D, Solfrizzi V, Imbimbo BP, Daniele A, Santamato A, Lozupone M, Zuliani G, Greco A, Logroscino G, Panza F. Tau-directed approaches for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease: focus on leuco-methylthioninium. Expert Rev Neurother 2016; 16:259-77. [PMID: 26822031 DOI: 10.1586/14737175.2016.1140039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Small molecular weight compounds able to inhibit formation of tau oligomers and fibrils have already been tested for Alzheimer's disease (AD) treatment. The most advanced tau aggregation inhibitor (TAI) is methylthioninium (MT), a drug existing in equilibrium between a reduced (leuco-methylthioninium) and oxidized form (MT(+)). MT chloride (also known as methylene blue) was investigated in a 24-week Phase II study in 321 mild-to-moderate AD patients at the doses of 69, 138, and 228 mg/day. This trial failed to show significant positive effects of MT in the overall patient population. The dose of 138 mg/day showed potential benefits on cognitive performance of moderately affected patients and cerebral blood flow in mildly affected patients. A follow-up compound (TRx0237) claimed to be more bioavailable and less toxic than MT, is now being developed. Phase III clinical trials on this novel TAI in AD and in the behavioral variant of frontotemporal dementia are underway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Davide Seripa
- a Geriatric Unit & Laboratory of Gerontology and Geriatrics, Department of Medical Sciences , IRCCS 'Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza' , San Giovanni Rotondo , Foggia , Italy
| | - Vincenzo Solfrizzi
- b Geriatric Medicine-Memory Unit and Rare Disease Centre , University of Bari Aldo Moro , Bari , Italy
| | - Bruno P Imbimbo
- c Research & Development Department , Chiesi Farmaceutici , Parma , Italy
| | - Antonio Daniele
- d Institute of Neurology , Catholic University of Sacred Heart , Rome , Italy
| | - Andrea Santamato
- e Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Section, 'OORR' Hospital , University of Foggia , Foggia , Italy
| | - Madia Lozupone
- f Neurodegenerative Disease Unit, Department of Basic Medicine, Neuroscience, and Sense Organs , University of Bari Aldo Moro , Bari , Italy
| | - Giovanni Zuliani
- g Department of Medical Science, Section of Internal and Cardiopulmonary Medicine , University of Ferrara
| | - Antonio Greco
- a Geriatric Unit & Laboratory of Gerontology and Geriatrics, Department of Medical Sciences , IRCCS 'Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza' , San Giovanni Rotondo , Foggia , Italy
| | - Giancarlo Logroscino
- f Neurodegenerative Disease Unit, Department of Basic Medicine, Neuroscience, and Sense Organs , University of Bari Aldo Moro , Bari , Italy.,h Department of Clinical Research in Neurology , University of Bari Aldo Moro, 'Pia Fondazione Cardinale G. Panico' , Tricase , Lecce , Italy
| | - Francesco Panza
- a Geriatric Unit & Laboratory of Gerontology and Geriatrics, Department of Medical Sciences , IRCCS 'Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza' , San Giovanni Rotondo , Foggia , Italy.,f Neurodegenerative Disease Unit, Department of Basic Medicine, Neuroscience, and Sense Organs , University of Bari Aldo Moro , Bari , Italy.,h Department of Clinical Research in Neurology , University of Bari Aldo Moro, 'Pia Fondazione Cardinale G. Panico' , Tricase , Lecce , Italy
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45
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Remnestål J, Just D, Mitsios N, Fredolini C, Mulder J, Schwenk JM, Uhlén M, Kultima K, Ingelsson M, Kilander L, Lannfelt L, Svenningsson P, Nellgård B, Zetterberg H, Blennow K, Nilsson P, Häggmark-Månberg A. CSF profiling of the human brain enriched proteome reveals associations of neuromodulin and neurogranin to Alzheimer's disease. Proteomics Clin Appl 2016; 10:1242-1253. [PMID: 27604409 PMCID: PMC5157753 DOI: 10.1002/prca.201500150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2016] [Revised: 08/25/2016] [Accepted: 09/02/2016] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Purpose This study is part of a larger effort aiming to expand the knowledge of brain‐enriched proteins in human cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and to provide novel insight into the relation between such proteins and different neurodegenerative diseases. Experimental design Here 280 brain‐enriched proteins in CSF from patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD) and dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) are profiled. In total, 441 human samples of ventricular CSF collected post mortem and lumbar CSF collected ante mortem are analyzed using 376 antibodies in a suspension bead array setup, utilizing a direct labelling approach. Results Among several proteins displaying differentiated profiles between sample groups, we focus here on two synaptic proteins, neuromodulin (GAP43) and neurogranin (NRGN). They are both found at elevated levels in CSF from AD patients in two independent cohorts, providing disease‐associated profiles in addition to verifying and strengthening previously observed patterns. Increased levels are also observed for patients for whom the AD diagnosis was not established at the time of sampling. Conclusions and clinical relevance These findings indicate that analyzing the brain‐enriched proteins in CSF is of particular interest to increase the understanding of the CSF proteome and its relation to neurodegenerative disorders. In addition, this study lends support to the notion that measurements of these synaptic proteins could potentially be of great relevance in future diagnostic tests for AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Remnestål
- Affinity Proteomics, SciLifeLab, KTH-Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - David Just
- Affinity Proteomics, SciLifeLab, KTH-Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Nicholas Mitsios
- SciLifeLab, Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Claudia Fredolini
- Affinity Proteomics, SciLifeLab, KTH-Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Jan Mulder
- SciLifeLab, Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Jochen M Schwenk
- Affinity Proteomics, SciLifeLab, KTH-Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Mathias Uhlén
- Affinity Proteomics, SciLifeLab, KTH-Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Kim Kultima
- Department of Medical Sciences, Cancer Pharmacology and Computational Medicine, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Martin Ingelsson
- Department of Public Health/Geriatrics, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Lena Kilander
- Department of Public Health/Geriatrics, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Lars Lannfelt
- Department of Public Health/Geriatrics, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Per Svenningsson
- Translational Neuropharmacology, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Center for Molecular Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Bengt Nellgård
- Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care, Institute of Clinical Sciences, The Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Mölndal, Sweden
| | - Henrik Zetterberg
- Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, The Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Mölndal, Sweden.,Clinical Neurochemistry Laboratory, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Mölndal, Sweden.,Department of Molecular Neuroscience, UCL Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London, UK
| | - Kaj Blennow
- Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, The Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Mölndal, Sweden.,Clinical Neurochemistry Laboratory, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Mölndal, Sweden
| | - Peter Nilsson
- Affinity Proteomics, SciLifeLab, KTH-Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Anna Häggmark-Månberg
- Affinity Proteomics, SciLifeLab, KTH-Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden
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46
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Vallortigara J, Whitfield D, Quelch W, Alghamdi A, Howlett D, Hortobágyi T, Johnson M, Attems J, O'Brien JT, Thomas A, Ballard CG, Aarsland D, Francis PT. Decreased Levels of VAMP2 and Monomeric Alpha-Synuclein Correlate with Duration of Dementia. J Alzheimers Dis 2016; 50:101-10. [PMID: 26639969 DOI: 10.3233/jad-150707] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Alpha-synuclein (α-syn) aggregations are the key pathological hallmark of dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) and Parkinson's disease dementia (PDD), but are also frequently present in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Much remains unknown about the role of α-syn in the synapse and the wider role of synaptic dysfunction in these dementias. Changes in concentrations of key 'SNAP (Soluble N-ethylmaleimide Sensitive Factor Attachment Protein) Receptor' (SNARE) proteins as a consequence of alterations in the aggregation state of α-syn may contribute to synaptic dysfunction in patients with DLB, PDD, and AD and result in impaired cognition. We have studied a large cohort (n = 130) of autopsy confirmed DLB, PDD, AD, and control brains. Using semi-quantitative western blotting, we have demonstrated significant changes across the diagnostic groups of DLB, PDD, and AD in the SNARE and vesicle proteins syntaxin, Munc18, VAMP2, and monomeric α-syn in the prefrontal cortex, with a significant reduction of Munc18 in AD patients (p < 0.001). This correlated to the final MMSE score before death (p = 0.016). We also identified a significant negative correlation between the duration of dementia and the levels of the binding partners VAMP2 (p = 0.0004) and monomeric α-syn (p = 0.0002). Our findings may indicate that an upregulation of SNARE complex related proteins occurs in the early stages of disease as an attempt at compensating for failing synapses, prior to widespread deposition of pathological α-syn.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie Vallortigara
- Wolfson Centre for Age-Related Diseases, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - David Whitfield
- Wolfson Centre for Age-Related Diseases, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - William Quelch
- Wolfson Centre for Age-Related Diseases, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Amani Alghamdi
- Wolfson Centre for Age-Related Diseases, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - David Howlett
- Wolfson Centre for Age-Related Diseases, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Tibor Hortobágyi
- Division of Neuropathology, Institute of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Mary Johnson
- Institute of Neuroscience, Newcastle University, CAV, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Johannes Attems
- Institute of Neuroscience, Newcastle University, CAV, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - John T O'Brien
- Institute of Neuroscience, Newcastle University, CAV, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.,Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Alan Thomas
- Institute of Neuroscience, Newcastle University, CAV, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Clive G Ballard
- Wolfson Centre for Age-Related Diseases, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Dag Aarsland
- Department of Neurobiology, Ward Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden.,Centre for Age-Related Medicine, Stavanger University Hospital, Stavanger, Norway
| | - Paul T Francis
- Wolfson Centre for Age-Related Diseases, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
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47
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Tau-Centric Targets and Drugs in Clinical Development for the Treatment of Alzheimer's Disease. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2016; 2016:3245935. [PMID: 27429978 PMCID: PMC4939203 DOI: 10.1155/2016/3245935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 111] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2015] [Accepted: 05/19/2016] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The failure of several Phase II/III clinical trials in Alzheimer's disease (AD) with drugs targeting β-amyloid accumulation in the brain fuelled an increasing interest in alternative treatments against tau pathology, including approaches targeting tau phosphatases/kinases, active and passive immunization, and anti-tau aggregation. The most advanced tau aggregation inhibitor (TAI) is methylthioninium (MT), a drug existing in equilibrium between a reduced (leuco-methylthioninium) and oxidized form (MT+). MT chloride (methylene blue) was investigated in a 24-week Phase II clinical trial in 321 patients with mild to moderate AD that failed to show significant positive effects in mild AD patients, although long-term observations (50 weeks) and biomarker studies suggested possible benefit. The dose of 138 mg/day showed potential benefits on cognitive performance of moderately affected AD patients and cerebral blood flow in mildly affected patients. Further clinical evidence will come from the large ongoing Phase III trials for the treatment of AD and the behavioral variant of frontotemporal dementia on a new form of this TAI, more bioavailable and less toxic at higher doses, called TRx0237. More recently, inhibitors of tau acetylation are being actively pursued based on impressive results in animal studies obtained by salsalate, a clinically used derivative of salicylic acid.
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48
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Sweet RA, MacDonald ML, Kirkwood CM, Ding Y, Schempf T, Jones-Laughner J, Kofler J, Ikonomovic MD, Lopez OL, Garver ME, Fitz NF, Koldamova R, Yates NA. Apolipoprotein E*4 (APOE*4) Genotype Is Associated with Altered Levels of Glutamate Signaling Proteins and Synaptic Coexpression Networks in the Prefrontal Cortex in Mild to Moderate Alzheimer Disease. Mol Cell Proteomics 2016; 15:2252-62. [PMID: 27103636 DOI: 10.1074/mcp.m115.056580] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2015] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
It has been hypothesized that Alzheimer disease (AD) is primarily a disorder of the synapse. However, assessment of the synaptic proteome in AD subjects has been limited to a small number of proteins and often included subjects with end-stage pathology. Protein from prefrontal cortex gray matter of 59 AD subjects with mild to moderate dementia and 12 normal elderly subjects was assayed using targeted mass spectrometry to quantify 191 synaptically expressed proteins. The profile of synaptic protein expression clustered AD subjects into two groups. One of these was characterized by reduced expression of glutamate receptor proteins, significantly increased synaptic protein network coexpression, and associated withApolipoprotein E*4 (APOE*4) carrier status. The second group, by contrast, showed few differences from control subjects. A subset of AD subjects had altered prefrontal cortex synaptic proteostasis for glutamate receptors and their signaling partners. Efforts to therapeutically target glutamate receptors in AD may have outcomes dependent on APOE*4 genotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert A Sweet
- From the Departments of ‡Psychiatry, **Neurology, and ‡‡VISN 4 Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center (MIRECC) and
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Milos D Ikonomovic
- **Neurology, and §§Geriatric Research, Education and Clinical Center (GRECC), VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System, Pittsburgh, PA
| | - Oscar L Lopez
- From the Departments of ‡Psychiatry, **Neurology, and
| | | | - Nicholas F Fitz
- ¶¶Environmental & Occupational Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
| | - Radosveta Koldamova
- ¶¶Environmental & Occupational Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
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49
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Lai RYK, Harrington CR, Wischik CM. Absence of a Role for Phosphorylation in the Tau Pathology of Alzheimer's Disease. Biomolecules 2016; 6:biom6020019. [PMID: 27070645 PMCID: PMC4919914 DOI: 10.3390/biom6020019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2015] [Revised: 03/20/2016] [Accepted: 03/31/2016] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer’s disease is characterized by redistribution of the tau protein pool from soluble to aggregated states. Aggregation forms proteolytically stable core polymers restricted to the repeat domain, and this binding interaction has prion-like properties. We have compared the binding properties of tau and tubulin in vitro using a system in which we can measure binding affinities for proteins alternated between solid and aqueous phases. The study reveals that a phase-shifted repeat domain fragment from the Paired Helical Filament core contains all that is required for high affinity tau-tau binding. Unlike tau-tubulin binding, tau-tau binding shows concentration-dependent enhancement in both phase directions due to an avidity effect which permits one molecule to bind to many as the concentration in the opposite phase increases. Phosphorylation of tau inhibits tau-tau binding and tau-tubulin binding to equivalent extents. Tau-tau binding is favoured over tau-tubulin binding by factors in the range 19–41-fold, irrespective of phosphorylation status. A critical requirement for tau to become aggregation-competent is prior binding to a solid-phase substrate, which induces a conformational change in the repeat domain permitting high-affinity binding to occur even if tau is phosphorylated. The endogenous species enabling this nucleation event to occur in vivo remains to be identified. The findings of the study suggest that development of disease-modifying drugs for tauopathies should not target phosphorylation, but rather should target inhibitors of tau-tau binding or inhibitors of the binding interaction with as yet unidentified endogenous polyanionic substrates required to nucleate tau assembly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert Y K Lai
- Medical Research Council Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge CB2 0QH, UK.
| | - Charles R Harrington
- TauRx Therapeutics Ltd. and School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Scotland AB25 2ZP, UK.
| | - Claude M Wischik
- TauRx Therapeutics Ltd. and School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition, University of Aberdeen, Scotland AB25 2ZP, UK.
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50
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Abstract
Given the repeated failure of amyloid-based approaches in Alzheimer’s disease, there is increasing interest in tau-based therapeutics. Although methylthioninium (MT) treatment was found to be beneficial in tau transgenic models, the brain concentrations required to inhibit tau aggregation in vivo are unknown. The comparative efficacy of methylthioninium chloride (MTC) and leucomethylthioninium salts (LMTX; 5–75 mg/kg; oral administration for 3–8 weeks) was assessed in two novel transgenic tau mouse lines. Behavioural (spatial water maze, RotaRod motor performance) and histopathological (tau load per brain region) proxies were applied. Both MTC and LMTX dose-dependently rescued the learning impairment and restored behavioural flexibility in a spatial problem-solving water maze task in Line 1 (minimum effective dose: 35 mg MT/kg for MTC, 9 mg MT/kg for LMTX) and corrected motor learning in Line 66 (effective doses: 4 mg MT/kg). Simultaneously, both drugs reduced the number of tau-reactive neurons, particularly in the hippocampus and entorhinal cortex in Line 1 and in a more widespread manner in Line 66. MT levels in the brain followed a sigmoidal concentration–response relationship over a 10-fold range (0.13–1.38 μmol/l). These data establish that diaminophenothiazine compounds, like MT, can reverse both spatial and motor learning deficits and reduce the underlying tau pathology, and therefore offer the potential for treatment of tauopathies.
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