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Yu S, Guo F, Luo Y, Zhang X, Wang C, Liu Y, Zhang H. Electropositive Citric Acid-Polyethyleneimine Carbon Dots Carrying the PINK1 Gene Regulate ATP-Related Metabolic Dysfunction in APP/PS1-N2a Cells. Molecules 2024; 29:1907. [PMID: 38731398 PMCID: PMC11085363 DOI: 10.3390/molecules29091907] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2024] [Revised: 04/05/2024] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024] Open
Abstract
(1) Background: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized by β-amyloid (Aβ) peptide accumulation and mitochondrial dysfunction during the early stage of disease. PINK1 regulates the balance between mitochondrial homeostasis and bioenergy supply and demand via the PINK1/Parkin pathway, Na+/Ca2+ exchange, and other pathways. (2) Methods: In this study, we synthesized positively charged carbon dots (CA-PEI CDs) using citric acid (CA) and polyethyleneimine (PEI) and used them as vectors to express PINK1 genes in the APP/PS1-N2a cell line to determine mitochondrial function, electron transport chain (ETC) activity, and ATP-related metabolomics. (3) Results: Our findings showed that the CA-PEI CDs exhibit the characteristics of photoluminescence, low toxicity, and concentrated DNA. They are ideal biological carriers for gene delivery. PINK1 overexpression significantly increased the mitochondrial membrane potential in APP/PS1-N2a cells and reduced reactive-oxygen-species generation and Aβ1-40 and Aβ1-42 levels. An increase in the activity of NADH ubiquinone oxidoreductase (complex I, CI) and cytochrome C oxidase (complex IV, CIV) induces the oxidative phosphorylation of mitochondria, increasing ATP generation. (4) Conclusions: These findings indicate that the PINK gene can alleviate AD by increasing bioenergetic metabolism, reducing Aβ1-40 and Aβ1-42, and increasing ATP production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Si Yu
- Key Laboratory of Brain Science and Health Translational Medicine Research Center in Tropical Environment of Hainan Province, Hainan Medical University, Haikou 571199, China; (S.Y.); (F.G.); (Y.L.); (X.Z.)
| | - Feng Guo
- Key Laboratory of Brain Science and Health Translational Medicine Research Center in Tropical Environment of Hainan Province, Hainan Medical University, Haikou 571199, China; (S.Y.); (F.G.); (Y.L.); (X.Z.)
| | - Yuzhen Luo
- Key Laboratory of Brain Science and Health Translational Medicine Research Center in Tropical Environment of Hainan Province, Hainan Medical University, Haikou 571199, China; (S.Y.); (F.G.); (Y.L.); (X.Z.)
| | - Xingfang Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Brain Science and Health Translational Medicine Research Center in Tropical Environment of Hainan Province, Hainan Medical University, Haikou 571199, China; (S.Y.); (F.G.); (Y.L.); (X.Z.)
| | - Chenyu Wang
- Clinical Medical College, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou 341000, China;
| | - Yiheng Liu
- Affiliated Haikou Hospital of Xiangya Medical College, Central South University, Haikou 571199, China;
| | - Haiying Zhang
- Hainan Provincial Key Laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Intervention, Hainan Medical University, Haikou 571199, China
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Ransom LS, Liu CS, Dunsmore E, Palmer CR, Nicodemus J, Ziomek D, Williams N, Chun J. Human brain small extracellular vesicles contain selectively packaged, full-length mRNA. Cell Rep 2024; 43:114061. [PMID: 38578831 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2024.114061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2023] [Revised: 02/12/2024] [Accepted: 03/20/2024] [Indexed: 04/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Brain cells release and take up small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) containing bioactive nucleic acids. sEV exchange is hypothesized to contribute to stereotyped spread of neuropathological changes in the diseased brain. We assess mRNA from sEVs of postmortem brain from non-diseased (ND) individuals and those with Alzheimer's disease (AD) using short- and long-read sequencing. sEV transcriptomes are distinct from those of bulk tissue, showing enrichment for genes including mRNAs encoding ribosomal proteins and transposable elements such as human-specific LINE-1 (L1Hs). AD versus ND sEVs show enrichment of inflammation-related mRNAs and depletion of synaptic signaling mRNAs. sEV mRNAs from cultured murine primary neurons, astrocytes, or microglia show similarities to human brain sEVs and reveal cell-type-specific packaging. Approximately 80% of neural sEV transcripts sequenced using long-read sequencing are full length. Motif analyses of sEV-enriched isoforms elucidate RNA-binding proteins that may be associated with sEV loading. Collectively, we show that mRNA in brain sEVs is intact, selectively packaged, and altered in disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linnea S Ransom
- Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program, School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA; Center for Genetic Disorders and Aging Research, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Christine S Liu
- Center for Genetic Disorders and Aging Research, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Emily Dunsmore
- Center for Genetic Disorders and Aging Research, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Carter R Palmer
- Center for Genetic Disorders and Aging Research, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Juliet Nicodemus
- Center for Genetic Disorders and Aging Research, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Derya Ziomek
- Center for Genetic Disorders and Aging Research, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Nyssa Williams
- Center for Genetic Disorders and Aging Research, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Jerold Chun
- Center for Genetic Disorders and Aging Research, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA.
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Brase L, Yu Y, McDade E, Harari O, Benitez BA. Comparative gene regulatory networks modulating APOE expression in microglia and astrocytes. medRxiv 2024:2024.04.19.24306098. [PMID: 38699303 PMCID: PMC11065001 DOI: 10.1101/2024.04.19.24306098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/05/2024]
Abstract
Background Single-cell technologies have unveiled various transcriptional states in different brain cell types. Transcription factors (TFs) regulate the expression of related gene sets, thereby controlling these diverse expression states. Apolipoprotein E ( APOE ), a pivotal risk-modifying gene in Alzheimer's disease (AD), is expressed in specific glial transcriptional states associated with AD. However, it is still unknown whether the upstream regulatory programs that modulate its expression are shared across brain cell types or specific to microglia and astrocytes. Methods We used pySCENIC to construct state-specific gene regulatory networks (GRNs) for resting and activated cell states within microglia and astrocytes based on single-nucleus RNA sequencing data from AD patients' cortices from the Knight ADRC-DIAN cohort. We then identified replicating TF using data from the ROSMAP cohort. We identified sets of genes co-regulated with APOE by clustering the GRN target genes and identifying genes differentially expressed after the virtual knockout of TFs regulating APOE . We performed enrichment analyses on these gene sets and evaluated their overlap with genes found in AD GWAS loci. Results We identified an average of 96 replicating regulators for each microglial and astrocyte cell state. Our analysis identified the CEBP, JUN, FOS, and FOXO TF families as key regulators of microglial APOE expression. The steroid/thyroid hormone receptor families, including the THR TF family, consistently regulated APOE across astrocyte states, while CEBP and JUN TF families were also involved in resting astrocytes. AD GWAS-associated genes ( PGRN , FCGR3A , CTSH , ABCA1 , MARCKS , CTSB , SQSTM1 , TSC22D4 , FCER1G , and HLA genes) are co-regulated with APOE. We also uncovered that APOE-regulating TFs were linked to circadian rhythm ( BHLHE40 , DBP , XBP1 , CREM , SREBF1 , FOXO3 , and NR2F1 ). Conclusions Our findings reveal a novel perspective on the transcriptional regulation of APOE in the human brain. We found a comprehensive and cell-type-specific regulatory landscape for APOE , revealing distinct and shared regulatory mechanisms across microglia and astrocytes, underscoring the complexity of APOE regulation. APOE -co-regulated genes might also affect AD risk. Furthermore, our study uncovers a potential link between circadian rhythm disruption and APOE regulation, shedding new light on the pathogenesis of AD.
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Eteleeb AM, Novotny BC, Tarraga CS, Sohn C, Dhungel E, Brase L, Nallapu A, Buss J, Farias F, Bergmann K, Bradley J, Norton J, Gentsch J, Wang F, Davis AA, Morris JC, Karch CM, Perrin RJ, Benitez BA, Harari O. Brain high-throughput multi-omics data reveal molecular heterogeneity in Alzheimer's disease. PLoS Biol 2024; 22:e3002607. [PMID: 38687811 PMCID: PMC11086901 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3002607] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2023] [Revised: 05/10/2024] [Accepted: 03/28/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Unbiased data-driven omic approaches are revealing the molecular heterogeneity of Alzheimer disease. Here, we used machine learning approaches to integrate high-throughput transcriptomic, proteomic, metabolomic, and lipidomic profiles with clinical and neuropathological data from multiple human AD cohorts. We discovered 4 unique multimodal molecular profiles, one of them showing signs of poor cognitive function, a faster pace of disease progression, shorter survival with the disease, severe neurodegeneration and astrogliosis, and reduced levels of metabolomic profiles. We found this molecular profile to be present in multiple affected cortical regions associated with higher Braak tau scores and significant dysregulation of synapse-related genes, endocytosis, phagosome, and mTOR signaling pathways altered in AD early and late stages. AD cross-omics data integration with transcriptomic data from an SNCA mouse model revealed an overlapping signature. Furthermore, we leveraged single-nuclei RNA-seq data to identify distinct cell-types that most likely mediate molecular profiles. Lastly, we identified that the multimodal clusters uncovered cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers poised to monitor AD progression and possibly cognition. Our cross-omics analyses provide novel critical molecular insights into AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdallah M. Eteleeb
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University, Saint Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America
- The Charles F. and Joanne Knight Alzheimer Disease Research Center, Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America
| | - Brenna C. Novotny
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University, Saint Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America
| | - Carolina Soriano Tarraga
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University, Saint Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America
| | - Christopher Sohn
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University, Saint Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America
| | - Eliza Dhungel
- Department of Bioinformatics and Genomics, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Logan Brase
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University, Saint Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America
| | - Aasritha Nallapu
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University, Saint Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America
| | - Jared Buss
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University, Saint Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America
| | - Fabiana Farias
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University, Saint Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America
- NeuroGenomics and Informatics Center, Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America
| | - Kristy Bergmann
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University, Saint Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America
- NeuroGenomics and Informatics Center, Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America
| | - Joseph Bradley
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University, Saint Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America
- NeuroGenomics and Informatics Center, Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America
| | - Joanne Norton
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University, Saint Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America
- NeuroGenomics and Informatics Center, Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America
| | - Jen Gentsch
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University, Saint Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America
- NeuroGenomics and Informatics Center, Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America
| | - Fengxian Wang
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University, Saint Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America
- NeuroGenomics and Informatics Center, Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America
| | - Albert A. Davis
- Department of Neurology, Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America
- Hope Center for Neurological Disorders, Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America
| | - John C. Morris
- The Charles F. and Joanne Knight Alzheimer Disease Research Center, Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America
- Department of Neurology, Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America
- Hope Center for Neurological Disorders, Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America
| | - Celeste M. Karch
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University, Saint Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America
- The Charles F. and Joanne Knight Alzheimer Disease Research Center, Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America
- NeuroGenomics and Informatics Center, Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America
- Hope Center for Neurological Disorders, Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America
| | - Richard J. Perrin
- The Charles F. and Joanne Knight Alzheimer Disease Research Center, Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America
- Department of Neurology, Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America
- Hope Center for Neurological Disorders, Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America
| | - Bruno A. Benitez
- Department of Neurology and Neuroscience, Harvard Medical School and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Oscar Harari
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University, Saint Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America
- The Charles F. and Joanne Knight Alzheimer Disease Research Center, Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America
- Hope Center for Neurological Disorders, Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America
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Kwok AJ, Lu J, Huang J, Ip BY, Mok VCT, Lai HM, Ko H. High-resolution omics of vascular ageing and inflammatory pathways in neurodegeneration. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2024; 155:30-49. [PMID: 37380595 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2023.06.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2023] [Accepted: 06/07/2023] [Indexed: 06/30/2023]
Abstract
High-resolution omics, particularly single-cell and spatial transcriptomic profiling, are rapidly enhancing our comprehension of the normal molecular diversity of gliovascular cells, as well as their age-related changes that contribute to neurodegeneration. With more omic profiling studies being conducted, it is becoming increasingly essential to synthesise valuable information from the rapidly accumulating findings. In this review, we present an overview of the molecular features of neurovascular and glial cells that have been recently discovered through omic profiling, with a focus on those that have potentially significant functional implications and/or show cross-species differences between human and mouse, and that are linked to vascular deficits and inflammatory pathways in ageing and neurodegenerative disorders. Additionally, we highlight the translational applications of omic profiling, and discuss omic-based strategies to accelerate biomarker discovery and facilitate disease course-modifying therapeutics development for neurodegenerative conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew J Kwok
- Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China; Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China; Margaret K. L. Cheung Research Centre for Management of Parkinsonism, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China; Lau Tat-chuen Research Centre of Brain Degenerative Diseases in Chinese, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China; Gerald Choa Neuroscience Institute, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.
| | - Jianning Lu
- Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China; Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China; Gerald Choa Neuroscience Institute, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Junzhe Huang
- Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China; Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China; Margaret K. L. Cheung Research Centre for Management of Parkinsonism, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China; Lau Tat-chuen Research Centre of Brain Degenerative Diseases in Chinese, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China; Gerald Choa Neuroscience Institute, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Bonaventure Y Ip
- Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China; Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China; Margaret K. L. Cheung Research Centre for Management of Parkinsonism, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China; Lau Tat-chuen Research Centre of Brain Degenerative Diseases in Chinese, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China; Gerald Choa Neuroscience Institute, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Vincent C T Mok
- Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China; Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China; Margaret K. L. Cheung Research Centre for Management of Parkinsonism, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China; Lau Tat-chuen Research Centre of Brain Degenerative Diseases in Chinese, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China; Gerald Choa Neuroscience Institute, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Hei Ming Lai
- Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China; Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China; Margaret K. L. Cheung Research Centre for Management of Parkinsonism, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China; Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China; Gerald Choa Neuroscience Institute, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.
| | - Ho Ko
- Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China; Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China; Margaret K. L. Cheung Research Centre for Management of Parkinsonism, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China; Lau Tat-chuen Research Centre of Brain Degenerative Diseases in Chinese, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China; Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China; Gerald Choa Neuroscience Institute, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China.
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Almeida MC, Eger SJ, He C, Audouard M, Nikitina A, Glasauer SMK, Han D, Mejía-Cupajita B, Acosta-Uribe J, Villalba-Moreno ND, Littau JL, Elcheikhali M, Rivera EK, Carrettiero DC, Villegas-Lanau CA, Sepulveda-Falla D, Lopera F, Kosik KS. Single-nucleus RNA sequencing demonstrates an autosomal dominant Alzheimer's disease profile and possible mechanisms of disease protection. Neuron 2024:S0896-6273(24)00093-X. [PMID: 38417436 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2024.02.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2023] [Revised: 01/07/2024] [Accepted: 02/09/2024] [Indexed: 03/01/2024]
Abstract
Highly penetrant autosomal dominant Alzheimer's disease (ADAD) comprises a distinct disease entity as compared to the far more prevalent form of AD in which common variants collectively contribute to risk. The downstream pathways that distinguish these AD forms in specific cell types have not been deeply explored. We compared single-nucleus transcriptomes among a set of 27 cases divided among PSEN1-E280A ADAD carriers, sporadic AD, and controls. Autophagy genes and chaperones clearly defined the PSEN1-E280A cases compared to sporadic AD. Spatial transcriptomics validated the activation of chaperone-mediated autophagy genes in PSEN1-E280A. The PSEN1-E280A case in which much of the brain was spared neurofibrillary pathology and harbored a homozygous APOE3-Christchurch variant revealed possible explanations for protection from AD pathology including overexpression of LRP1 in astrocytes, increased expression of FKBP1B, and decreased PSEN1 expression in neurons. The unique cellular responses in ADAD and sporadic AD require consideration when designing clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Camila Almeida
- Neuroscience Research Institute and Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA; Center for Natural and Humans Sciences, Federal University of ABC, Sao Bernardo do Campo, SP 09608020, Brazil
| | - Sarah J Eger
- Neuroscience Research Institute and Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA
| | - Caroline He
- Neuroscience Research Institute and Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA
| | - Morgane Audouard
- Neuroscience Research Institute and Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA
| | - Arina Nikitina
- Neuroscience Research Institute and Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA
| | - Stella M K Glasauer
- Neuroscience Research Institute and Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA
| | - Dasol Han
- Neuroscience Research Institute and Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA
| | - Barbara Mejía-Cupajita
- Neuroscience Research Institute and Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA; Grupo de Neurociencias de Antioquia, School of Medicine, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín 050010, Colombia
| | - Juliana Acosta-Uribe
- Neuroscience Research Institute and Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA; Grupo de Neurociencias de Antioquia, School of Medicine, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín 050010, Colombia
| | - Nelson David Villalba-Moreno
- Molecular Neuropathology of Alzheimer's Disease, Institute of Neuropathology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20246 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Jessica Lisa Littau
- Molecular Neuropathology of Alzheimer's Disease, Institute of Neuropathology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20246 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Megan Elcheikhali
- Department of Statistics and Applied Probability, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA
| | - Erica Keane Rivera
- Neuroscience Research Institute and Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA
| | - Daniel Carneiro Carrettiero
- Neuroscience Research Institute and Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA; Center for Natural and Humans Sciences, Federal University of ABC, Sao Bernardo do Campo, SP 09608020, Brazil
| | | | - Diego Sepulveda-Falla
- Molecular Neuropathology of Alzheimer's Disease, Institute of Neuropathology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20246 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Francisco Lopera
- Grupo de Neurociencias de Antioquia, School of Medicine, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín 050010, Colombia.
| | - Kenneth S Kosik
- Neuroscience Research Institute and Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA 93106, USA.
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Blumenfeld J, Yip O, Kim MJ, Huang Y. Cell type-specific roles of APOE4 in Alzheimer disease. Nat Rev Neurosci 2024; 25:91-110. [PMID: 38191720 PMCID: PMC11073858 DOI: 10.1038/s41583-023-00776-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 01/10/2024]
Abstract
The ɛ4 allele of the apolipoprotein E gene (APOE), which translates to the APOE4 isoform, is the strongest genetic risk factor for late-onset Alzheimer disease (AD). Within the CNS, APOE is produced by a variety of cell types under different conditions, posing a challenge for studying its roles in AD pathogenesis. However, through powerful advances in research tools and the use of novel cell culture and animal models, researchers have recently begun to study the roles of APOE4 in AD in a cell type-specific manner and at a deeper and more mechanistic level than ever before. In particular, cutting-edge omics studies have enabled APOE4 to be studied at the single-cell level and have allowed the identification of critical APOE4 effects in AD-vulnerable cellular subtypes. Through these studies, it has become evident that APOE4 produced in various types of CNS cell - including astrocytes, neurons, microglia, oligodendrocytes and vascular cells - has diverse roles in AD pathogenesis. Here, we review these scientific advances and propose a cell type-specific APOE4 cascade model of AD. In this model, neuronal APOE4 emerges as a crucial pathological initiator and driver of AD pathogenesis, instigating glial responses and, ultimately, neurodegeneration. In addition, we provide perspectives on future directions for APOE4 research and related therapeutic developments in the context of AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Blumenfeld
- Gladstone Institute of Neurological Disease, Gladstone Institutes, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Oscar Yip
- Gladstone Institute of Neurological Disease, Gladstone Institutes, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Min Joo Kim
- Gladstone Institute of Neurological Disease, Gladstone Institutes, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Yadong Huang
- Gladstone Institute of Neurological Disease, Gladstone Institutes, San Francisco, CA, USA.
- Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
- Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
- Gladstone Center for Translational Advancement, Gladstone Institutes, San Francisco, CA, USA.
- Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
- Department of Pathology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
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8
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Liu A, Fernandes BS, Citu C, Zhao Z. Unraveling the intercellular communication disruption and key pathways in Alzheimer's disease: an integrative study of single-nucleus transcriptomes and genetic association. Alzheimers Res Ther 2024; 16:3. [PMID: 38167548 PMCID: PMC10762817 DOI: 10.1186/s13195-023-01372-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2023] [Accepted: 12/17/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recently, single-nucleus RNA-seq (snRNA-seq) analyses have revealed important cellular and functional features of Alzheimer's disease (AD), a prevalent neurodegenerative disease. However, our knowledge regarding intercellular communication mediated by dysregulated ligand-receptor (LR) interactions remains very limited in AD brains. METHODS We systematically assessed the intercellular communication networks by using a discovery snRNA-seq dataset comprising 69,499 nuclei from 48 human postmortem prefrontal cortex (PFC) samples. We replicated the findings using an independent snRNA-seq dataset of 56,440 nuclei from 18 PFC samples. By integrating genetic signals from AD genome-wide association studies (GWAS) summary statistics and whole genome sequencing (WGS) data, we prioritized AD-associated Gene Ontology (GO) terms containing dysregulated LR interactions. We further explored drug repurposing for the prioritized LR pairs using the Therapeutic Targets Database. RESULTS We identified 190 dysregulated LR interactions across six major cell types in AD PFC, of which 107 pairs were replicated. Among the replicated LR signals, we found globally downregulated communications in the astrocytes-to-neurons signaling axis, characterized, for instance, by the downregulation of APOE-related and Calmodulin (CALM)-related LR interactions and their potential regulatory connections to target genes. Pathway analyses revealed 44 GO terms significantly linked to AD, highlighting Biological Processes such as 'amyloid precursor protein processing' and 'ion transmembrane transport,' among others. We prioritized several drug repurposing candidates, such as cromoglicate, targeting the identified dysregulated LR pairs. CONCLUSIONS Our integrative analysis identified key dysregulated LR interactions in a cell type-specific manner and the associated GO terms in AD, offering novel insights into potential therapeutic targets involved in disrupted cell-cell communication in AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andi Liu
- Department of Epidemiology, Human Genetics and Environmental Sciences, School of Public Health, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
- Center for Precision Health, School of Biomedical Informatics, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, 7000 Fannin St., Suite 600, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Brisa S Fernandes
- Center for Precision Health, School of Biomedical Informatics, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, 7000 Fannin St., Suite 600, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Citu Citu
- Center for Precision Health, School of Biomedical Informatics, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, 7000 Fannin St., Suite 600, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Zhongming Zhao
- Department of Epidemiology, Human Genetics and Environmental Sciences, School of Public Health, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.
- Center for Precision Health, School of Biomedical Informatics, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, 7000 Fannin St., Suite 600, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.
- Faillace Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, 37203, USA.
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9
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Festa LK, Grinspan JB, Jordan-Sciutto KL. White matter injury across neurodegenerative disease. Trends Neurosci 2024; 47:47-57. [PMID: 38052682 PMCID: PMC10842057 DOI: 10.1016/j.tins.2023.11.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2023] [Revised: 10/16/2023] [Accepted: 11/11/2023] [Indexed: 12/07/2023]
Abstract
Oligodendrocytes (OLs), the myelin-generating cells of the central nervous system (CNS), are active players in shaping neuronal circuitry and function. It has become increasingly apparent that injury to cells within the OL lineage plays a central role in neurodegeneration. In this review, we focus primarily on three degenerative disorders in which white matter loss is well documented: Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). We discuss clinical data implicating white matter injury as a key feature of these disorders, as well as shared and divergent phenotypes between them. We examine the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying the alterations to OLs, including chronic neuroinflammation, aggregation of proteins, lipid dysregulation, and organellar stress. Last, we highlight prospects for therapeutic intervention targeting the OL lineage to restore function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lindsay K Festa
- Department of Oral Medicine, School of Dental Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Department of Neurology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Judith B Grinspan
- Department of Neurology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Kelly L Jordan-Sciutto
- Department of Oral Medicine, School of Dental Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
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10
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Murphy AE, Fancy N, Skene N. Avoiding false discoveries in single-cell RNA-seq by revisiting the first Alzheimer's disease dataset. eLife 2023; 12:RP90214. [PMID: 38047913 PMCID: PMC10695556 DOI: 10.7554/elife.90214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Mathys et al. conducted the first single-nucleus RNA-seq (snRNA-seq) study of Alzheimer's disease (AD) (Mathys et al., 2019). With bulk RNA-seq, changes in gene expression across cell types can be lost, potentially masking the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) across different cell types. Through the use of single-cell techniques, the authors benefitted from increased resolution with the potential to uncover cell type-specific DEGs in AD for the first time. However, there were limitations in both their data processing and quality control and their differential expression analysis. Here, we correct these issues and use best-practice approaches to snRNA-seq differential expression, resulting in 549 times fewer DEGs at a false discovery rate of 0.05. Thus, this study highlights the impact of quality control and differential analysis methods on the discovery of disease-associated genes and aims to refocus the AD research field away from spuriously identified genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alan E Murphy
- UK Dementia Research Institute at Imperial College LondonLondonUnited Kingdom
- Department of Brain Sciences, Imperial College LondonLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Nurun Fancy
- UK Dementia Research Institute at Imperial College LondonLondonUnited Kingdom
- Department of Brain Sciences, Imperial College LondonLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Nathan Skene
- UK Dementia Research Institute at Imperial College LondonLondonUnited Kingdom
- Department of Brain Sciences, Imperial College LondonLondonUnited Kingdom
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11
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Kwak C, Finan GM, Park YR, Garg A, Harari O, Mun JY, Rhee HW, Kim TW. Proximity Proteome Analysis Reveals Novel TREM2 Interactors in the ER-Mitochondria Interface of Human Microglia. bioRxiv 2023:2023.03.21.533722. [PMID: 38014048 PMCID: PMC10680561 DOI: 10.1101/2023.03.21.533722] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2023]
Abstract
Triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2 (TREM2) plays a central role in microglial biology and the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Besides DNAX-activating protein 12 (DAP12), a communal adaptor for TREM2 and many other receptors, other cellular interactors of TREM2 remain largely elusive. We employed a 'proximity labeling' approach using a biotin ligase, TurboID, for mapping protein-protein interactions in live mammalian cells. We discovered novel TREM2-proximal proteins with diverse functions, including those localized to the Mitochondria-ER contact sites (MERCs), a dynamic subcellular 'hub' implicated in a number of crucial cell physiology such as lipid metabolism. TREM2 deficiency alters the thickness (inter-organelle distance) of MERCs, a structural parameter of metabolic state, in microglia derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells. Our TurboID-based TREM2 interactome study suggest novel roles for TREM2 in the structural plasticity of the MERCs, raising the possibility that dysregulation of MERC-related TREM2 functions contribute to AD pathobiology.
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12
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Qin H, Zhou L, Haque FT, Martin-Jimenez C, Trang A, Benveniste EN, Wang Q. Diverse signaling mechanisms and heterogeneity of astrocyte reactivity in Alzheimer's disease. J Neurochem 2023. [PMID: 37932959 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.16002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2023] [Revised: 10/10/2023] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 11/08/2023]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) affects various brain cell types, including astrocytes, which are the most abundant cell types in the central nervous system (CNS). Astrocytes not only provide homeostatic support to neurons but also actively regulate synaptic signaling and functions and become reactive in response to CNS insults through diverse signaling pathways including the JAK/STAT, NF-κB, and GPCR-elicited pathways. The advent of new technology for transcriptomic profiling at the single-cell level has led to increasing recognition of the highly versatile nature of reactive astrocytes and the context-dependent specificity of astrocyte reactivity. In AD, reactive astrocytes have long been observed in senile plaques and have recently been suggested to play a role in AD pathogenesis and progression. However, the precise contributions of reactive astrocytes to AD remain elusive, and targeting this complex cell population for AD treatment poses significant challenges. In this review, we summarize the current understanding of astrocyte reactivity and its role in AD, with a particular focus on the signaling pathways that promote astrocyte reactivity and the heterogeneity of reactive astrocytes. Furthermore, we explore potential implications for the development of therapeutics for AD. Our objective is to shed light on the complex involvement of astrocytes in AD and offer insights into potential therapeutic targets and strategies for treating and managing this devastating neurodegenerative disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongwei Qin
- Department of Cell, Developmental and Integrative Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Lianna Zhou
- Department of Cell, Developmental and Integrative Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Faris T Haque
- Department of Cell, Developmental and Integrative Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Cynthia Martin-Jimenez
- Department of Neuroscience and Regenerative Medicine, Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia, USA
| | - Amy Trang
- Department of Neuroscience and Regenerative Medicine, Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia, USA
| | - Etty N Benveniste
- Department of Cell, Developmental and Integrative Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
| | - Qin Wang
- Department of Neuroscience and Regenerative Medicine, Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, Augusta, Georgia, USA
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13
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Wang Q, Antone J, Alsop E, Reiman R, Funk C, Bendl J, Dudley JT, Liang WS, Karr TL, Roussos P, Bennett DA, De Jager PL, Serrano GE, Beach TG, Keuren-Jensen KV, Mastroeni D, Reiman EM, Readhead BP. A public resource of single cell transcriptomes and multiscale networks from persons with and without Alzheimer's disease. bioRxiv 2023:2023.10.20.563319. [PMID: 37961404 PMCID: PMC10634692 DOI: 10.1101/2023.10.20.563319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2023]
Abstract
The emergence of technologies that can support high-throughput profiling of single cell transcriptomes offers to revolutionize the study of brain tissue from persons with and without Alzheimer's disease (AD). Integration of these data with additional complementary multiomics data such as genetics, proteomics and clinical data provides powerful opportunities to link observed cell subpopulations and molecular network features within a broader disease-relevant context. We report here single nucleus RNA sequencing (snRNA-seq) profiles generated from superior frontal gyrus cortical tissue samples from 101 exceptionally well characterized, aged subjects from the Banner Brain and Body Donation Program in combination with whole genome sequences. We report findings that link common AD risk variants with CR1 expression in oligodendrocytes as well as alterations in peripheral hematological lab parameters, with these observations replicated in an independent, prospective cohort study of ageing and dementia. We also observed an AD-associated CD83(+) microglial subtype with unique molecular networks that encompass many known regulators of AD-relevant microglial biology, and which are associated with immunoglobulin IgG4 production in the transverse colon. These findings illustrate the power of multi-tissue molecular profiling to contextualize snRNA-seq brain transcriptomics and reveal novel disease biology. The transcriptomic, genetic, phenotypic, and network data resources described within this study are available for access and utilization by the scientific community.
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14
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Martinez-Valbuena I, Lee S, Santamaria E, Irigoyen JF, Forrest S, Li J, Tanaka H, Couto B, Reyes NG, Qamar H, Karakani AM, Kim A, Senkevich K, Rogaeva E, Fox SH, Tartaglia C, Visanji NP, Andrews T, Lang AE, Kovacs GG. 4R-Tau seeding activity unravels molecular subtypes in patients with Progressive Supranuclear Palsy. bioRxiv 2023:2023.09.28.559953. [PMID: 37808843 PMCID: PMC10557711 DOI: 10.1101/2023.09.28.559953] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/10/2023]
Abstract
Progressive Supranuclear palsy (PSP) is a 4-repeat (4-R) tauopathy. We hypothesized that the molecular diversity of tau could explain the heterogeneity seen in PSP disease progression. To test this hypothesis, we performed an extensive biochemical characterisation of the high molecular weight tau species (HMW-Tau) in 20 different brain regions of 25 PSP patients. We found a correlation between the HMW-Tau species and tau seeding capacity in the primary motor cortex, where we confirmed that an elevated 4R-Tau seeding activity correlates with a shorter disease duration. To identify factors that contribute to these differences, we performed proteomic and spatial transcriptomic analysis that revealed key mechanistic pathways, in particular those involving the immune system, that defined patients demonstrating high and low tau seeding capacity. These observations suggest that differences in the tau seeding activity may contribute to the considerable heterogeneity seen in disease progression of patients suffering from PSP.
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15
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Liu A, Fernandes BS, Citu C, Zhao Z. Unraveling the intercellular communication disruption and key pathways in Alzheimer's disease: An integrative study of single-nucleus transcriptomes and genetic association. Res Sq 2023:rs.3.rs-3335643. [PMID: 37790454 PMCID: PMC10543294 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-3335643/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/05/2023]
Abstract
Background Recently, single-nucleus RNA-seq (snRNA-seq) analyses have revealed important cellular and functional features of Alzheimer's disease (AD), a prevalent neurodegenerative disease. However, our knowledge regarding intercellular communication mediated by dysregulated ligand-receptor (LR) interactions remains very limited in AD brains. Methods We systematically assessed the intercellular communication networks by using a discovery snRNA-seq dataset comprising 69,499 nuclei from 48 human postmortem prefrontal cortex (PFC) samples. We replicated the findings using an independent snRNA-seq dataset of 56,440 nuclei from 18 PFC samples. By integrating genetic signals from AD genome-wide association studies (GWAS) summary statistics and whole genome sequencing (WGS) data, we prioritized AD-associated Gene Ontology (GO) terms containing dysregulated LR interactions. We further explored drug repurposing for the prioritized LR pairs using the Therapeutic Targets Database. Results We identified 316 dysregulated LR interactions across six major cell types in AD PFC, of which 210 pairs were replicated. Among the replicated LR signals, we found globally downregulated communications in astrocytes-to-neurons signaling axis, characterized, for instance, by the downregulation of APOE-related and Calmodulin (CALM)-related LR interactions and their potential regulatory connections to target genes. Pathway analyses revealed 60 GO terms significantly linked to AD, highlighting Biological Processes such as 'amyloid precursor protein processing' and 'ion transmembrane transport', among others. We prioritized several drug repurposing candidates, such as cromoglicate, targeting the identified dysregulated LR pairs. Conclusions Our integrative analysis identified key dysregulated LR interactions in a cell type-specific manner and the associated GO terms in AD, offering novel insights into potential therapeutic targets involved in disrupted cell-cell communication in AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andi Liu
- Department of Epidemiology, Human Genetics and Environmental Sciences, School of Public Health, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston
| | - Brisa S Fernandes
- Center for Precision Health, School of Biomedical Informatics, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston
| | - Citu Citu
- Center for Precision Health, School of Biomedical Informatics, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston
| | - Zhongming Zhao
- Center for Precision Health, School of Biomedical Informatics, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston
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16
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Abstract
Neurodegenerative disorders are typically characterized by late onset progressive damage to specific (sub)populations of cells of the nervous system that are essential for mobility, coordination, strength, sensation, and cognition. Addressing this selective cellular vulnerability has become feasible with the emergence of single-cell-omics technologies, which now represent the state-of-the-art approach to profile heterogeneity of complex tissues including human post-mortem brain at unprecedented resolution. In this review, we briefly recapitulate the experimental workflow of single-cell RNA sequencing and summarize the recent knowledge acquired with it in the most common neurodegenerative diseases: Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, Huntington's disease, and multiple sclerosis. We also discuss the possibility of applying single-cell approaches in the diagnostics and therapy of neurodegenerative disorders, as well as the limitations. While we are currently at the point of deeply exploring the transcriptomic changes in the affected cells, further technological developments hold a promise of manipulating the affected pathways once we understand them better.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jelena Pozojevic
- Institute of Human Genetics, Universitätsklinikum Schleswig-Holstein, University of Lübeck and University of Kiel, 23562, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Malte Spielmann
- Institute of Human Genetics, Universitätsklinikum Schleswig-Holstein, University of Lübeck and University of Kiel, 23562, Lübeck, Germany.
- Human Molecular Genomics Group, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, 14195, Berlin, Germany.
- German Centre for Cardiovascular Research (DZHK), Partner Site Hamburg/Lübeck/Kiel, 23562, Lübeck, Germany.
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17
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Rego S, Sanchez G, Da Mesquita S. Current views on meningeal lymphatics and immunity in aging and Alzheimer's disease. Mol Neurodegener 2023; 18:55. [PMID: 37580702 PMCID: PMC10424377 DOI: 10.1186/s13024-023-00645-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2023] [Accepted: 08/02/2023] [Indexed: 08/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is an aging-related form of dementia associated with the accumulation of pathological aggregates of amyloid beta and neurofibrillary tangles in the brain. These phenomena are accompanied by exacerbated inflammation and marked neuronal loss, which altogether contribute to accelerated cognitive decline. The multifactorial nature of AD, allied to our still limited knowledge of its etiology and pathophysiology, have lessened our capacity to develop effective treatments for AD patients. Over the last few decades, genome wide association studies and biomarker development, alongside mechanistic experiments involving animal models, have identified different immune components that play key roles in the modulation of brain pathology in AD, affecting its progression and severity. As we will relay in this review, much of the recent efforts have been directed to better understanding the role of brain innate immunity, and particularly of microglia. However, and despite the lack of diversity within brain resident immune cells, the brain border tissues, especially the meninges, harbour a considerable number of different types and subtypes of adaptive and innate immune cells. Alongside microglia, which have taken the centre stage as important players in AD research, there is new and exciting evidence pointing to adaptive immune cells, namely T and B cells found in the brain and its meninges, as important modulators of neuroinflammation and neuronal (dys)function in AD. Importantly, a genuine and functional lymphatic vascular network is present around the brain in the outermost meningeal layer, the dura. The meningeal lymphatics are directly connected to the peripheral lymphatic system in different mammalian species, including humans, and play a crucial role in preserving a "healthy" immune surveillance of the CNS, by shaping immune responses, not only locally at the meninges, but also at the level of the brain tissue. In this review, we will provide a comprehensive view on our current knowledge about the meningeal lymphatic vasculature, emphasizing its described roles in modulating CNS fluid and macromolecule drainage, meningeal and brain immunity, as well as glial and neuronal function in aging and in AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shanon Rego
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, 32224, USA
- Post-baccalaureate Research Education Program, Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, 32224, USA
| | - Guadalupe Sanchez
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, 32224, USA
- Neuroscience Ph.D. Program, Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, 32224, USA
| | - Sandro Da Mesquita
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, 32224, USA.
- Post-baccalaureate Research Education Program, Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, 32224, USA.
- Neuroscience Ph.D. Program, Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, 32224, USA.
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18
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Sheehan PW, Nadarajah CJ, Kanan MF, Patterson JN, Novotny B, Lawrence JH, King MW, Brase L, Inman CE, Yuede CM, Lee J, Patel TK, Harari O, Benitez BA, Davis AA, Musiek ES. An astrocyte BMAL1-BAG3 axis protects against alpha-synuclein and tau pathology. Neuron 2023; 111:2383-2398.e7. [PMID: 37315555 PMCID: PMC10524543 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2023.05.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2022] [Revised: 03/29/2023] [Accepted: 05/10/2023] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The circadian clock protein BMAL1 modulates glial activation and amyloid-beta deposition in mice. However, the effects of BMAL1 on other aspects of neurodegenerative pathology are unknown. Here, we show that global post-natal deletion of Bmal1 in mouse tauopathy or alpha-synucleinopathy models unexpectedly suppresses both tau and alpha-synuclein (αSyn) aggregation and related pathology. Astrocyte-specific Bmal1 deletion is sufficient to prevent both αSyn and tau pathology in vivo and induces astrocyte activation and the expression of Bag3, a chaperone critical for macroautophagy. Astrocyte Bmal1 deletion enhances phagocytosis of αSyn and tau in a Bag3-dependent manner, and astrocyte Bag3 overexpression is sufficient to mitigate αSyn spreading in vivo. In humans, BAG3 is increased in patients with AD and is highly expressed in disease-associated astrocytes (DAAs). Our results suggest that early activation of astrocytes via Bmal1 deletion induces Bag3 to protect against tau and αSyn pathologies, providing new insights into astrocyte-specific therapies for neurodegeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick W Sheehan
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Collin J Nadarajah
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Michael F Kanan
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Jessica N Patterson
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Brenna Novotny
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Jennifer H Lawrence
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Melvin W King
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Logan Brase
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Casey E Inman
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Carla M Yuede
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Jiyeon Lee
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Tirth K Patel
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Oscar Harari
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA; Knight Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Bruno A Benitez
- Department of Neurology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Albert A Davis
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA.
| | - Erik S Musiek
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA; Knight Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA; Center on Biological Rhythms and Sleep (COBRAS), Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA.
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