1
|
Canet G, Rocaboy E, Diego-Diàz S, Whittington RA, Julien C, Planel E. Methods for Biochemical Isolation of Insoluble Tau in Rodent Models of Tauopathies. Methods Mol Biol 2024; 2754:323-341. [PMID: 38512674 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3629-9_17] [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
The intracellular accumulation of microtubule-associated protein tau is a characteristic feature of tauopathies, a group of neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer's disease. Formation of insoluble tau aggregates is initiated by the abnormal hyperphosphorylation and oligomerization of tau. Over the past decades, multiple transgenic rodent models mimicking tauopathies have been develop, showcasing this neuropathological hallmark. The biochemical analysis of insoluble tau in these models has served as a valuable tool to understand the progression of tau-related pathology. In this chapter, we provide a comprehensive review of the two primary methods for isolating insoluble tau, namely, sarkosyl and formic acid extraction (and their variants), which are employed for biochemical analysis in transgenic mouse models of tauopathy. We also analyze the strengths and limitations of these methods.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Geoffrey Canet
- Faculté de Médecine, Département de Psychiatrie et Neurosciences, Université Laval, Quebec, QC, Canada
- Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec - Université Laval, Axe Neurosciences, Quebec, QC, Canada
| | - Emma Rocaboy
- Faculté de Médecine, Département de Psychiatrie et Neurosciences, Université Laval, Quebec, QC, Canada
- Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec - Université Laval, Axe Neurosciences, Quebec, QC, Canada
| | - Sofia Diego-Diàz
- Faculté de Médecine, Département de Psychiatrie et Neurosciences, Université Laval, Quebec, QC, Canada
- Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec - Université Laval, Axe Neurosciences, Quebec, QC, Canada
| | - Robert A Whittington
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Carl Julien
- Centre de Recherche en Sciences Animales de Deschambault, Deschambault, QC, Canada
- Faculté des sciences de l'agriculture et de l'alimentation, Université Laval, Quebec, QC, Canada
| | - Emmanuel Planel
- Faculté de Médecine, Département de Psychiatrie et Neurosciences, Université Laval, Quebec, QC, Canada.
- Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec - Université Laval, Axe Neurosciences, Quebec, QC, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Mesenchymal stem cells after the proprocessing of tanshinone IIA attenuate cognitive deficits and oxidative stress injury in an amyloid β-peptide (25-35)-induced rodent model of Alzheimer's disease. Neuroreport 2021; 33:61-71. [PMID: 34954772 DOI: 10.1097/wnr.0000000000001755] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To verify whether mesenchymal stem cells cocultured with tanshinone IIA may ameliorate Alzheimer's disease by inhibiting oxidative stress. METHODS Sixty male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 4 groups named Sham, Aβ25-35, mesenchymal stem cells, and mesenchymal stem cells (tanshinone IIA). The rats were treated according to different groups. The neurobehavioral performance of Sprague-Dawley rats was evaluated via Morris water maze test. Histological changes were checked via hematoxylin-eosin staining. The levels of total antioxidant activity (T-AOC), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX) and malondialdehyde in hippocampus were assayed by ELISA kit. The levels of Aβ, p-tau/tau, and p-AMP-activated protein kinase/AMP-activated protein kinase in hippocampus were checked by Western blot. RESULTS Our research showed that the injection of mesenchymal stem cells (tanshinone IIA) into the hippocampus alleviated learning and memory deficits and reduced hippocampal neuronal injury in the Alzheimer's disease rats. Moreover, mesenchymal stem cells (tanshinone IIA) treatment suppressed oxidative stress, attenuated Aβ accumulation reduced Tau hyperphosphorylation, and enhanced the activity of AMP-activated protein kinase in the hippocampus of the Alzheimer's disease rats. However, there were almost no significant difference between the mesenchymal stem cells and Aβ25-35 groups. CONCLUSIONS Mesenchymal stem cells (tanshinone IIA) transplantation may be a potential treatment for curing Alzheimer's disease, which may be related to the inhibition of oxidative stress.
Collapse
|
3
|
Unger MS, Li E, Scharnagl L, Poupardin R, Altendorfer B, Mrowetz H, Hutter-Paier B, Weiger TM, Heneka MT, Attems J, Aigner L. CD8 + T-cells infiltrate Alzheimer's disease brains and regulate neuronal- and synapse-related gene expression in APP-PS1 transgenic mice. Brain Behav Immun 2020; 89:67-86. [PMID: 32479993 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2020.05.070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 111] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2019] [Revised: 05/25/2020] [Accepted: 05/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuroinflammation is a major contributor to disease progression in Alzheimer's disease (AD) and is characterized by the activity of brain resident glial cells, in particular microglia cells. However, there is increasing evidence that peripheral immune cells infiltrate the brain at certain stages of AD progression and shape disease pathology. We recently identified CD8+ T-cells in the brain parenchyma of APP-PS1 transgenic mice being tightly associated with microglia as well as with neuronal structures. The functional role of CD8+ T-cells in the AD brain is however completely unexplored. Here, we demonstrate increased numbers of intra-parenchymal CD8+ T-cells in human AD post-mortem hippocampus, which was replicated in APP-PS1 mice. Also, aged WT mice show a remarkable infiltration of CD8+ T-cells, which was more pronounced and had an earlier onset in APP-PS1 mice. To address their functional relevance in AD, we successfully ablated the pool of CD8+ T-cells in the blood, spleen and brain from 12 months-old APP-PS1 and WT mice for a total of 4 weeks using an anti-CD8 antibody treatment. While the treatment at this time of disease stage did neither affect the cognitive outcome nor plaque pathology, RNAseq analysis of the hippocampal transcriptome from APP-PS1 mice lacking CD8+ T-cells revealed highly altered neuronal- and synapse-related gene expression including an up-regulation for neuronal immediate early genes (IEGs) such as the Activity Regulated Cytoskeleton Associated Protein (Arc) and the Neuronal PAS Domain Protein 4 (Npas4). Gene ontology enrichment analysis illustrated that the biological processes "regulation of neuronal synaptic plasticity" and the cellular components "postsynapses" were over-represented upon CD8+ T-cell ablation. Additionally, Kegg pathway analysis showed up-regulated pathways for "calcium signaling", "long-term potentiation", "glutamatergic synapse" and "axon guidance". Therefore, we conclude that CD8+ T-cells infiltrate the aged and AD brain and that brain CD8+ T-cells might directly contribute to neuronal dysfunction in modulating synaptic plasticity. Further analysis will be essential to uncover the exact mechanism of how CD8+ T-cells modulate the neuronal landscape and thereby contribute to AD pathology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- M S Unger
- Institute of Molecular Regenerative Medicine, Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria; Spinal Cord Injury and Tissue Regeneration Center Salzburg (SCI-TReCS), Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria
| | - E Li
- Institute of Molecular Regenerative Medicine, Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria; Spinal Cord Injury and Tissue Regeneration Center Salzburg (SCI-TReCS), Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria
| | - L Scharnagl
- Institute of Molecular Regenerative Medicine, Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria; Spinal Cord Injury and Tissue Regeneration Center Salzburg (SCI-TReCS), Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria
| | - R Poupardin
- Spinal Cord Injury and Tissue Regeneration Center Salzburg (SCI-TReCS), Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria; Experimental and Clinical Cell Therapy Institute, Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria
| | - B Altendorfer
- Institute of Molecular Regenerative Medicine, Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria; Spinal Cord Injury and Tissue Regeneration Center Salzburg (SCI-TReCS), Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria
| | - H Mrowetz
- Institute of Molecular Regenerative Medicine, Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria; Spinal Cord Injury and Tissue Regeneration Center Salzburg (SCI-TReCS), Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria
| | | | - T M Weiger
- Department of Biosciences, University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
| | - M T Heneka
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Bonn, Germany; Department of Neurodegenerative Diseases and Geriatric Psychiatry, University Hospital of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - J Attems
- Translational and Clinical Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - L Aigner
- Institute of Molecular Regenerative Medicine, Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria; Spinal Cord Injury and Tissue Regeneration Center Salzburg (SCI-TReCS), Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria; Austrian Cluster for Tissue Regeneration, Austria.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Neddens J, Daurer M, Loeffler T, Alzola Aldamizetxebarria S, Flunkert S, Hutter-Paier B. Constant Levels of Tau Phosphorylation in the Brain of htau Mice. Front Mol Neurosci 2020; 13:136. [PMID: 32982685 PMCID: PMC7485327 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2020.00136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2020] [Accepted: 07/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Excessive tau phosphorylation is the hallmark of tauopathies. Today’s research thus focusses on the development of drugs targeting this pathological feature. To test new drugs in preclinical studies, animal models are needed that properly mimic this pathological hallmark. The htau mouse is a well-known model expressing human but lacking murine tau, allowing to evaluate the efficacy of tau modifying compounds without interference from murine tau. Htau mice are well-characterized for tau pathology at older age, although it is often not specified on which genetic background analyzed animals were bred. Since it was shown that the genetic background can influence the pathology, we evaluated the phosphorylation status of young and adult htau mice on a C57BL/6J background by analyzing ptau Ser202 and ptau Ser396 levels in the cortex and hippocampus of 3 and 12 month old animals by immunofluorescent labelling. Additionally, we evaluated total tau, ptau Thr231 and ptau Thr181 in the soluble and insoluble brain fraction of 3–15 month old htau mice by immunosorbent assay. Our results show that ptau levels of all analyzed residues and age groups are similar without strong increases over age. These data show that tau is already phosphorylated at the age of 3 months suggesting that phosphorylation starts even earlier. The early start of tau phosphorylation in htau mice enables the use of these mice for efficacy studies already at very young age.
Collapse
|
5
|
Functional Alterations in the Olfactory Neuronal Circuit Occur before Hippocampal Plasticity Deficits in the P301S Mouse Model of Tauopathy: Implications for Early Diagnosis and Translational Research in Alzheimer's Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21155431. [PMID: 32751531 PMCID: PMC7432464 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21155431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2020] [Revised: 07/18/2020] [Accepted: 07/24/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized by neuronal loss and impaired synaptic transmission, ultimately leading to cognitive deficits. Early in the disease, the olfactory track seems most sensitive to tauopathy, while most plasticity studies focused on the hippocampal circuits. Functional network connectivity (FC) and long-term potentiation (LTP), considered as the plasticity substrate of learning and memory, were longitudinally assessed in mice of the P301S model of tauopathy following the course (time and location) of progressively neurodegenerative pathology (i.e., at 3, 6, and 9 months of age) and in their wild type (WT) littermates. Using in vivo local field potential (LFP) recordings, early (at three months) dampening in the gamma oscillatory activity and impairments in the phase-amplitude theta-gamma coupling (PAC) were found in the olfactory bulb (OB) circuit of P301S mice, which were maintained through the whole course of pathology development. In contrast, LFP oscillatory activity and PAC indices were normal in the entorhinal cortex, hippocampal CA1 and CA3 nuclei. Field excitatory postsynaptic potential (fEPSP) recordings from the Shaffer collateral (SC)-CA1 hippocampal stratum pyramidal revealed a significant altered synaptic LTP response to high-frequency stimulation (HFS): at three months of age, no significant difference between genotypes was found in basal synaptic activity, while signs of a deficit in short term plasticity were revealed by alterations in the fEPSPs. At six months of age, a slight deviance was found in basal synaptic activity and significant differences were observed in the LTP response. The alterations in network oscillations at the OB level and impairments in the functioning of the SC-CA1 pyramidal synapses strongly suggest that the progression of tau pathology elicited a brain area, activity-dependent disturbance in functional synaptic transmission. These findings point to early major alterations of neuronal activity in the OB circuit prior to the disturbance of hippocampal synaptic plasticity, possibly involving tauopathy in the anomalous FC. Further research should determine whether those early deficits in the OB network oscillations and FC are possible mechanisms that potentially promote the emergence of hippocampal synaptic impairments during the progression of tauopathy.
Collapse
|
6
|
Neddens J, Daurer M, Flunkert S, Beutl K, Loeffler T, Walker L, Attems J, Hutter-Paier B. Correlation of pyroglutamate amyloid β and ptau Ser202/Thr205 levels in Alzheimer's disease and related murine models. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0235543. [PMID: 32645028 PMCID: PMC7347153 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0235543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2020] [Accepted: 06/17/2020] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Senile plaques frequently contain Aβ-pE(3), a N-terminally truncated Aβ species that is more closely linked to AD compared to other Aβ species. Tau protein is highly phosphorylated at several residues in AD, and specifically phosphorylation at Ser202/Thr205 is known to be increased in AD. Several studies suggest that formation of plaques and tau phosphorylation might be linked to each other. To evaluate if Aβ-pE(3) and ptau Ser202/Thr205 levels correlate in human and transgenic AD mouse models, we analyzed human cortical and hippocampal brain tissue of different Braak stages as well as murine brain tissue of two transgenic mouse models for levels of Aβ-pE(3) and ptau Ser202/Thr205 and correlated the data. Our results show that Aβ-pE(3) formation is increased at early Braak stages while ptau Ser202/Thr205 mostly increases at later stages. Further analyses revealed strongest correlations between the two pathologies in the temporal, frontal, cingulate, and occipital cortex, however correlation in the hippocampus was weaker. Evaluation of murine transgenic brain tissue demonstrated a slow but steady increase of Aβ-pE(3) from 6 to 12 months of age in the cortex and hippocampus of APPSL mice, and a very early and strong Aβ-pE(3) increase in 5xFAD mice. ptau Ser202/Thr205 levels increased at the age of 9 months in APPSL mice and at 6 months in 5xFAD mice. Our results show that Aβ-pE(3) and ptau Ser202/Thr205 levels strongly correlate in human as well as murine tissues, suggesting that tau phosphorylation might be amplified by Aβ-pE(3).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Kerstin Beutl
- QPS Austria GmbH, Grambach, Austria
- FH Joanneum Graz, Graz, Austria
| | | | - Lauren Walker
- Translational and Clinical Research Institute and Newcastle University Institute for Ageing, Campus for Ageing and Vitality, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Johannes Attems
- Translational and Clinical Research Institute and Newcastle University Institute for Ageing, Campus for Ageing and Vitality, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | | |
Collapse
|
7
|
Alonso AD, Cohen LS, Corbo C, Morozova V, ElIdrissi A, Phillips G, Kleiman FE. Hyperphosphorylation of Tau Associates With Changes in Its Function Beyond Microtubule Stability. Front Cell Neurosci 2018; 12:338. [PMID: 30356756 PMCID: PMC6189415 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2018.00338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 132] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2018] [Accepted: 09/13/2018] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Tau is a neuronal microtubule associated protein whose main biological functions are to promote microtubule self-assembly by tubulin and to stabilize those already formed. Tau also plays an important role as an axonal microtubule protein. Tau is an amazing protein that plays a key role in cognitive processes, however, deposits of abnormal forms of tau are associated with several neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer disease (AD), the most prevalent, and Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), the most recently associated to abnormal tau. Tau post-translational modifications (PTMs) are responsible for its gain of toxic function. Alonso et al. (1996) were the first to show that the pathological tau isolated from AD brains has prion-like properties and can transfer its toxic function to the normal molecule. Furthermore, we reported that the pathological changes are associated with tau phosphorylation at Ser199 and 262 and Thr212 and 231. This pathological version of tau induces subcellular mislocalization in cultured cells and neurons, and translocates into the nucleus or accumulated in the perinuclear region of cells. We have generated a transgenic mouse model that expresses pathological human tau (PH-Tau) in neurons at two different concentrations (4% and 14% of the total endogenous tau). In this model, PH-Tau causes cognitive decline by at least two different mechanisms: one that involves the cytoskeleton with axonal disruption (at high concentration), and another in which the apparent neuronal morphology is not grossly affected, but the synaptic terminals are altered (at lower concentration). We will discuss the putative involvement of tau in proteostasis under these conditions. Understanding tau’s biological activity on and off the microtubules will help shed light to the mechanism of neurodegeneration and of normal neuronal function.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alejandra D Alonso
- Department of Biology and Center for Developmental Neuroscience, College of Staten Island, The City University of New York, Staten Island, NY, United States.,Biology Program, The Graduate Center, The City University of New York, New York, NY, United States.,Biochemistry Program, The Graduate Center, The City University of New York, New York, NY, United States
| | - Leah S Cohen
- Department of Biology and Center for Developmental Neuroscience, College of Staten Island, The City University of New York, Staten Island, NY, United States
| | - Christopher Corbo
- Department of Biology, Wagner College, Staten Island, NY, United States
| | - Viktoriya Morozova
- Department of Biology and Center for Developmental Neuroscience, College of Staten Island, The City University of New York, Staten Island, NY, United States.,Biology Program, The Graduate Center, The City University of New York, New York, NY, United States
| | - Abdeslem ElIdrissi
- Department of Biology and Center for Developmental Neuroscience, College of Staten Island, The City University of New York, Staten Island, NY, United States.,Biology Program, The Graduate Center, The City University of New York, New York, NY, United States
| | - Greg Phillips
- Department of Biology and Center for Developmental Neuroscience, College of Staten Island, The City University of New York, Staten Island, NY, United States.,Biology Program, The Graduate Center, The City University of New York, New York, NY, United States
| | - Frida E Kleiman
- Biochemistry Program, The Graduate Center, The City University of New York, New York, NY, United States.,Department of Chemistry, Hunter College, The City University of New York, New York, NY, United States
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Phosphorylation of different tau sites during progression of Alzheimer's disease. Acta Neuropathol Commun 2018; 6:52. [PMID: 29958544 PMCID: PMC6027763 DOI: 10.1186/s40478-018-0557-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 198] [Impact Index Per Article: 33.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2018] [Accepted: 06/19/2018] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer’s disease is characterized by accumulation of amyloid plaques and tau aggregates in several cortical brain regions. Tau phosphorylation causes formation of neurofibrillary tangles and neuropil threads. Phosphorylation at tau Ser202/Thr205 is well characterized since labeling of this site is used to assign Braak stage based on occurrence of neurofibrillary tangles. Only little is known about the spatial and temporal phosphorylation profile of other phosphorylated tau (ptau) sites. Here, we investigate total tau and ptau at residues Tyr18, Ser199, Ser202/Thr205, Thr231, Ser262, Ser396, Ser422 as well as amyloid-β plaques in human brain tissue of AD patients and controls. Allo- and isocortical brain regions were evaluated applying rater-independent automated quantification based on digital image analysis. We found that the level of ptau at several residues, like Ser199, Ser202/Thr205, and Ser422 was similar in healthy controls and Braak stages I to IV but was increased in Braak stage V/VI throughout the entire isocortex and transentorhinal cortex. Quantification of ThioS-stained plaques showed a similar pattern. Only tau phosphorylation at Tyr18 and Thr231 was already significantly increased in the transentorhinal region at Braak stage III/IV and hence showed a progressive increase with increasing Braak stages. Additionally, the increase in phosphorylation relative to controls was highest at Tyr18, Thr231 and Ser199. By contrast, Ser396 tau and Ser262 tau showed only a weak phosphorylation in all analyzed brain regions and only minor progression. Our results suggest that the ptau burden in the isocortex is comparable between all analyzed ptau sites when using a quantitative approach while levels of ptau at Tyr18 or Thr231 in the transentorhinal region are different between all Braak stages. Hence these sites could be crucial in the pathogenesis of AD already at early stages and therefore represent putative novel therapeutic targets.
Collapse
|
9
|
Spengler M, Adler M, Niemeyer CM. Highly sensitive ligand-binding assays in pre-clinical and clinical applications: immuno-PCR and other emerging techniques. Analyst 2016. [PMID: 26196036 DOI: 10.1039/c5an00822k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Recombinant DNA technology and corresponding innovations in molecular biology, chemistry and medicine have led to novel therapeutic biomacromolecules as lead candidates in the pharmaceutical drug development pipelines. While monoclonal antibodies and other proteins provide therapeutic potential beyond the possibilities of small molecule drugs, the concomitant demand for supportive bioanalytical sample testing creates multiple novel challenges. For example, intact macromolecules can usually not be quantified by mass-spectrometry without enzymatic digestion and isotopically labeled internal standards are costly and/or difficult to prepare. Classical ELISA-type immunoassays, on the other hand, often lack the sensitivity required to obtain pharmacokinetics of low dosed drugs or pharmacodynamics of suitable biomarkers. Here we summarize emerging state-of-the-art ligand-binding assay technologies for pharmaceutical sample testing, which reveal enhanced analytical sensitivity over classical ELISA formats. We focus on immuno-PCR, which combines antibody specificity with the extremely sensitive detection of a tethered DNA marker by quantitative PCR, and alternative nucleic acid-based technologies as well as methods based on electrochemiluminescence or single-molecule counting. Using case studies, we discuss advantages and drawbacks of these methods for preclinical and clinical sample testing.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mark Spengler
- Chimera Biotec GmbH, Emil-Figge-Str. 76 A, D-44227 Dortmund, Germany.
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
10
|
Du Y, Qu J, Zhang W, Bai M, Zhou Q, Zhang Z, Li Z, Miao J. Morin reverses neuropathological and cognitive impairments in APPswe/PS1dE9 mice by targeting multiple pathogenic mechanisms. Neuropharmacology 2016; 108:1-13. [PMID: 27067919 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2016.04.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2015] [Revised: 04/02/2016] [Accepted: 04/07/2016] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia worldwide, characterized by progressive cognitive impairment and multiple distinct neuropathological features. Currently, there are no available therapies to delay or block the disease progression. Thus, the disease-modifying therapies are urgent for this devastating disorder by simultaneously targeting multiple distinct pathological processes. Morin, a natural bioflavonoid, have been shown to be strongly neuroprotective in vitro and in vivo. In this study, we first investigated the disease-modifying effects of chronic morin administration on the neuropathological and cognitive impairments in APPswe/PS1dE9 double transgenic mice. Our results showed that chronic morin administration prevented spatial learning and memory deficits in the APPswe/PS1dE9 mice. Morin treatment in the APPswe/PS1dE9 mice markedly reduced cerebral Aβ production and Aβ plaque burden via promoting non-amyloidogenic APP processing pathway by increasing ADAM10 expression, inhibiting amyloidogenic APP processing pathway by decreased BACE1 and PS1 expression, and facilitating Aβ degradation by enhancing Aβ-degrading enzyme expression. In addition, we also found that morin treatment in the APPswe/PS1dE9 mice markedly decreased tau hyperphosphorylation via its inhibitory effect on CDK5 signal pathway. Furthermore, morin treatment in the APPswe/PS1dE9 mice markedly reduced the activated glial cells and increased the expression of synaptic markers. Collectively, our findings demonstrate that chronic morin treatment restores cognitive functions and reverses multiple distinct neuropathological AD-like hallmarks in the APPswe/PS1dE9 mice. This study provides novel insights into the neuroprotective actions and neurobiological mechanisms of morin against AD, suggesting that morin is a potently promising disease-modifying agent for treatment of AD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ying Du
- Department of Neurology, Tangdu Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an City, Shaanxi Province 710038, China
| | - Jie Qu
- Department of Neurology, Tangdu Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an City, Shaanxi Province 710038, China; Institute of Functional Brain Disorders, Tangdu Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an City, Shaanxi Province 710038, China
| | - Wei Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Tangdu Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an City, Shaanxi Province 710038, China; Institute of Functional Brain Disorders, Tangdu Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an City, Shaanxi Province 710038, China
| | - Miao Bai
- Department of Neurology, Tangdu Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an City, Shaanxi Province 710038, China
| | - Qiong Zhou
- Department of Neurology, Tangdu Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an City, Shaanxi Province 710038, China
| | - Zhuo Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Tangdu Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an City, Shaanxi Province 710038, China; Institute of Functional Brain Disorders, Tangdu Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an City, Shaanxi Province 710038, China
| | - Zhuyi Li
- Department of Neurology, Tangdu Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an City, Shaanxi Province 710038, China; Institute of Functional Brain Disorders, Tangdu Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an City, Shaanxi Province 710038, China.
| | - Jianting Miao
- Department of Neurology, Tangdu Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an City, Shaanxi Province 710038, China.
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Koss DJ, Robinson L, Drever BD, Plucińska K, Stoppelkamp S, Veselcic P, Riedel G, Platt B. Mutant Tau knock-in mice display frontotemporal dementia relevant behaviour and histopathology. Neurobiol Dis 2016; 91:105-23. [PMID: 26949217 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2016.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2016] [Revised: 02/26/2016] [Accepted: 03/02/2016] [Indexed: 10/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Models of Tau pathology related to frontotemporal dementia (FTD) are essential to determine underlying neurodegenerative pathologies and resulting tauopathy relevant behavioural changes. However, existing models are often limited in their translational value due to Tau overexpression, and the frequent occurrence of motor deficits which prevent comprehensive behavioural assessments. In order to address these limitations, a forebrain-specific (CaMKIIα promoter), human mutated Tau (hTauP301L+R406W) knock-in mouse was generated out of the previously characterised PLB1Triple mouse, and named PLB2Tau. After confirmation of an additional hTau species (~60kDa) in forebrain samples, we identified age-dependent progressive Tau phosphorylation which coincided with the emergence of FTD relevant behavioural traits. In line with the non-cognitive symptomatology of FTD, PLB2Tau mice demonstrated early emerging (~6months) phenotypes of heightened anxiety in the elevated plus maze, depressive/apathetic behaviour in a sucrose preference test and generally reduced exploratory activity in the absence of motor impairments. Investigations of cognitive performance indicated prominent dysfunctions in semantic memory, as assessed by social transmission of food preference, and in behavioural flexibility during spatial reversal learning in a home cage corner-learning task. Spatial learning was only mildly affected and task-specific, with impairments at 12months of age in the corner learning but not in the water maze task. Electroencephalographic (EEG) investigations indicated a vigilance-stage specific loss of alpha power during wakefulness at both parietal and prefrontal recording sites, and site-specific EEG changes during non-rapid eye movement sleep (prefrontal) and rapid eye movement sleep (parietal). Further investigation of hippocampal electrophysiology conducted in slice preparations indicated a modest reduction in efficacy of synaptic transmission in the absence of altered synaptic plasticity. Together, our data demonstrate that the transgenic PLB2Tau mouse model presents with a striking behavioural and physiological face validity relevant for FTD, driven by the low level expression of mutant FTD hTau.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- David J Koss
- School of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, UK
| | - Lianne Robinson
- School of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, UK
| | - Benjamin D Drever
- School of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, UK
| | - Kaja Plucińska
- School of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, UK
| | - Sandra Stoppelkamp
- School of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, UK
| | - Peter Veselcic
- School of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, UK
| | - Gernot Riedel
- School of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, UK.
| | - Bettina Platt
- School of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Abnormal tau induces cognitive impairment through two different mechanisms: synaptic dysfunction and neuronal loss. Sci Rep 2016; 6:20833. [PMID: 26888634 PMCID: PMC4757872 DOI: 10.1038/srep20833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2015] [Accepted: 01/08/2016] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The hyperphosphorylated microtubule-associated protein tau is present in several neurodegenerative diseases, although the causal relationship remains elusive. Few mouse models used to study Alzheimer-like dementia target tau phosphorylation. We created an inducible pseudophosphorylated tau (Pathological Human Tau, PH-Tau) mouse model to study the effect of conformationally modified tau in vivo. Leaky expression resulted in two levels of PH-Tau: low basal level and higher upon induction (4% and 14% of the endogenous tau, respectively). Unexpectedly, low PH-Tau resulted in significant cognitive deficits, decrease in the number of synapses (seen by EM in the CA1 region), reduction of synaptic proteins, and localization to the nucleus. Induction of PH-Tau triggered neuronal death (60% in CA3), astrocytosis, and loss of the processes in CA1. These findings suggest, that phosphorylated tau is sufficient to induce neurodegeneration and that two different mechanisms can induce cognitive impairment depending on the levels of PH-Tau expression.
Collapse
|
13
|
Koss DJ, Robinson L, Mietelska-Porowska A, Gasiorowska A, Sepčić K, Turk T, Jaspars M, Niewiadomska G, Scott RH, Platt B, Riedel G. Polymeric alkylpyridinium salts permit intracellular delivery of human Tau in rat hippocampal neurons: requirement of Tau phosphorylation for functional deficits. Cell Mol Life Sci 2015; 72:4613-32. [PMID: 26070304 PMCID: PMC11113860 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-015-1949-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2015] [Revised: 05/13/2015] [Accepted: 06/03/2015] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Patients suffering from tauopathies including frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and Alzheimer's disease (AD) present with intra-neuronal aggregation of microtubule-associated protein Tau. During the disease process, Tau undergoes excessive phosphorylation, dissociates from microtubules and aggregates into insoluble neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs), accumulating in the soma. While many aspects of the disease pathology have been replicated in transgenic mouse models, a region-specific non-transgenic expression model is missing. Complementing existing models, we here report a novel region-specific approach to modelling Tau pathology. Local co-administration of the pore-former polymeric 1,3-alkylpyridinium salts (Poly-APS) extracted from marine sponges, and synthetic full-length 4R recombinant human Tau (hTau) was performed in vitro and in vivo. At low doses, Poly-APS was non-toxic and cultured cells exposed to Poly-APS (0.5 µg/ml) and hTau (1 µg/ml; ~22 µM) had normal input resistance, resting-state membrane potentials and Ca(2+) transients induced either by glutamate or KCl, as did cells exposed to a low concentration of the phosphatase inhibitor Okadaic acid (OA; 1 nM, 24 h). Combined hTau loading and phosphatase inhibition resulted in a collapse of the membrane potential, suppressed excitation and diminished glutamate and KCl-stimulated Ca(2+) transients. Stereotaxic infusions of Poly-APS (0.005 µg/ml) and hTau (1 µg/ml) bilaterally into the dorsal hippocampus at multiple sites resulted in hTau loading of neurons in rats. A separate cohort received an additional 7-day minipump infusion of OA (1.2 nM) intrahippocampally. When tested 2 weeks after surgery, rats treated with Poly-APS+hTau+OA presented with subtle learning deficits, but were also impaired in cognitive flexibility and recall. Hippocampal plasticity recorded from slices ex vivo was diminished in Poly-APS+hTau+OA subjects, but not in other treatment groups. Histological sections confirmed the intracellular accumulation of hTau in CA1 pyramidal cells and along their processes; phosphorylated Tau was present only within somata. This study demonstrates that cognitive, physiological and pathological symptoms reminiscent of tauopathies can be induced following non-mutant hTau delivery into CA1 in rats, but functional consequences hinge on increased Tau phosphorylation. Collectively, these data validate a novel model of locally infused recombinant hTau protein as an inducer of Tau pathology in the hippocampus of normal rats; future studies will provide insights into the pathological spread and maturation of Tau pathology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dave J Koss
- School of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill, AB25 2ZD, Aberdeen, UK
| | - Lianne Robinson
- School of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill, AB25 2ZD, Aberdeen, UK
- Behavioural Neuroscience Core Facility, Division of Neuroscience, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK
| | | | - Anna Gasiorowska
- Department of Neurophysiology, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Warsaw, Poland
- Mossakowski Medical Research Centre, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Kristina Sepčić
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Tom Turk
- Department of Biology, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Marcel Jaspars
- Department of Chemistry, Marine Biodiscovery Centre, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
| | - Grazyna Niewiadomska
- Department of Neurophysiology, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Roderick H Scott
- School of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill, AB25 2ZD, Aberdeen, UK
| | - Bettina Platt
- School of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill, AB25 2ZD, Aberdeen, UK
| | - Gernot Riedel
- School of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill, AB25 2ZD, Aberdeen, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Olfactory Dysfunctions and Decreased Nitric Oxide Production in the Brain of Human P301L Tau Transgenic Mice. Neurochem Res 2015; 41:722-30. [PMID: 26493872 DOI: 10.1007/s11064-015-1741-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2015] [Revised: 10/12/2015] [Accepted: 10/14/2015] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Different patterns of olfactory dysfunction have been found in both patients and mouse models of Alzheimer's Disease. However, the underlying mechanism of the dysfunction remained unknown. Deficits of nitric oxide production in brain can cause olfactory dysfunction by preventing the formation of olfactory memory. The aim of this study was to investigate the behavioral changes in olfaction and alterations in metabolites of nitric oxide, nitrate/nitrite concentration, in the brain of human P301L tau transgenic mice. The tau mice showed impairments in olfaction and increased abnormal phosphorylation of Tau protein at AT8 in different brain areas, especially in olfactory bulb. We now report that these olfactory deficits and Tau pathological changes were accompanied by decreased nitrate/nitrite concentration in the brain, especially in the olfactory bulb, and reduced expression of nNOS in the brain of tau mice. These findings provided evidence of olfactory dysfunctions correlated with decreased nitric oxide production in the brain of tau mice.
Collapse
|
15
|
Oliveira-Pinto AV, Andrade-Moraes CH, Oliveira LM, Parente-Bruno DR, Santos RM, Coutinho RA, Alho ATL, Leite REP, Suemoto CK, Grinberg LT, Pasqualucci CA, Jacob-Filho W, Lent R. Do age and sex impact on the absolute cell numbers of human brain regions? Brain Struct Funct 2015; 221:3547-59. [PMID: 26416171 DOI: 10.1007/s00429-015-1118-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2015] [Accepted: 09/23/2015] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
What is the influence of sex and age on the quantitative cell composition of the human brain? By using the isotropic fractionator to estimate absolute cell numbers in selected brain regions, we looked for sex- and age-related differences in 32 medial temporal lobes (comprised basically by the hippocampal formation, amygdala and parahippocampal gyrus), sixteen male (29-92 years) and sixteen female (25-82); and 31 cerebella, seventeen male (29-92 years) and fourteen female (25-82). These regions were dissected from the brain, fixed and homogenized, and then labeled with a DNA-marker (to count all nuclei) and with a neuron-specific nuclear marker (to estimate neuron number). Total number of cells in the medial temporal lobe was found to be 1.91 billion in men, and 1.47 billion in women, a difference of 23 %. This region showed 34 % more neurons in men than in women: 525.1 million against 347.4 million. In contrast, no sex differences were found in the cerebellum. Regarding the influence of age, a quadratic correlation was found between neuronal numbers and age in the female medial temporal lobe, suggesting an early increase followed by slight decline after age 50. The cerebellum showed numerical stability along aging for both neurons and non-neuronal cells. In sum, results indicate a sex-related regional difference in total and neuronal cell numbers in the medial temporal lobe, but not in the cerebellum. On the other hand, aging was found to impact on cell numbers in the medial temporal lobe, while the cerebellum proved resilient to neuronal losses in the course of life.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ana V Oliveira-Pinto
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Carlos H Andrade-Moraes
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Lays M Oliveira
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | | - Raquel M Santos
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Renan A Coutinho
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Ana T L Alho
- Brazilian Aging Brain Study Group, LIM 22, University of São Paulo Medical School, São Paulo, Brazil.,Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein, Brain Institute, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Renata E P Leite
- Brazilian Aging Brain Study Group, LIM 22, University of São Paulo Medical School, São Paulo, Brazil.,Discipline of Geriatrics, University of São Paulo Medical School, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Claudia K Suemoto
- Brazilian Aging Brain Study Group, LIM 22, University of São Paulo Medical School, São Paulo, Brazil.,Discipline of Geriatrics, University of São Paulo Medical School, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Lea T Grinberg
- Brazilian Aging Brain Study Group, LIM 22, University of São Paulo Medical School, São Paulo, Brazil.,Department of Neurology and Pathology, University of California, San Francisco, USA
| | - Carlos A Pasqualucci
- Brazilian Aging Brain Study Group, LIM 22, University of São Paulo Medical School, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Wilson Jacob-Filho
- Brazilian Aging Brain Study Group, LIM 22, University of São Paulo Medical School, São Paulo, Brazil.,Discipline of Geriatrics, University of São Paulo Medical School, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Roberto Lent
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. .,National Institute of Translational Neuroscience, Ministry of Science and Technology, São Paulo, Brazil. .,Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Av. Carlos Chagas 373, Sl. F1-31, Ilha do Fundão, Rio de Janeiro, CEP 21941-902, Brazil.
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
The Ambiguous Relationship of Oxidative Stress, Tau Hyperphosphorylation, and Autophagy Dysfunction in Alzheimer's Disease. OXIDATIVE MEDICINE AND CELLULAR LONGEVITY 2015; 2015:352723. [PMID: 26171115 PMCID: PMC4485995 DOI: 10.1155/2015/352723] [Citation(s) in RCA: 103] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2014] [Revised: 03/02/2015] [Accepted: 03/03/2015] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia. The pathological hallmarks of AD are amyloid plaques [aggregates of amyloid-beta (Aβ)] and neurofibrillary tangles (aggregates of tau). Growing evidence suggests that tau accumulation is pathologically more relevant to the development of neurodegeneration and cognitive decline in AD patients than Aβ plaques. Oxidative stress is a prominent early event in the pathogenesis of AD and is therefore believed to contribute to tau hyperphosphorylation. Several studies have shown that the autophagic pathway in neurons is important under physiological and pathological conditions. Therefore, this pathway plays a crucial role for the degradation of endogenous soluble tau. However, the relationship between oxidative stress, tau protein hyperphosphorylation, autophagy dysregulation, and neuronal cell death in AD remains unclear. Here, we review the latest progress in AD, with a special emphasis on oxidative stress, tau hyperphosphorylation, and autophagy. We also discuss the relationship of these three factors in AD.
Collapse
|
17
|
Dujardin S, Colin M, Buée L. Invited review: Animal models of tauopathies and their implications for research/translation into the clinic. Neuropathol Appl Neurobiol 2015; 41:59-80. [DOI: 10.1111/nan.12200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2014] [Accepted: 11/23/2014] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Simon Dujardin
- Inserm, UMR1172 Jean-Pierre Aubert Research Centre; Lille France
- Faculté de Médecine; Université de Lille; France
- Memory Clinic; CHRU; Lille France
| | - Morvane Colin
- Inserm, UMR1172 Jean-Pierre Aubert Research Centre; Lille France
- Faculté de Médecine; Université de Lille; France
- Memory Clinic; CHRU; Lille France
| | - Luc Buée
- Inserm, UMR1172 Jean-Pierre Aubert Research Centre; Lille France
- Faculté de Médecine; Université de Lille; France
- Memory Clinic; CHRU; Lille France
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Rockenstein E, Ubhi K, Trejo M, Mante M, Patrick C, Adame A, Novak P, Jech M, Doppler E, Moessler H, Masliah E. Cerebrolysin™ efficacy in a transgenic model of tauopathy: role in regulation of mitochondrial structure. BMC Neurosci 2014; 15:90. [PMID: 25047000 PMCID: PMC4122761 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2202-15-90] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2014] [Accepted: 07/10/2014] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) and Fronto temporal lobar dementia (FTLD) are common causes of dementia in the aging population for which limited therapeutical options are available. These disorders are associated with Tau accumulation. We have previously shown that CerebrolysinTM (CBL), a neuropeptide mixture with neurotrophic effects, ameliorates the behavioral deficits and neuropathological alterations in amyloid precursor protein (APP) transgenic (tg) mouse model of AD by reducing hyper-phosphorylated Tau. CBL has been tested in clinical trials for AD, however it’s potential beneficial effects in FTLD are unknown. For this purpose we sought to investigate the effects of CBL in a tg model of tauopathy. Accordingly, double tg mice expressing mutant Tau under the mThy-1 promoter and GSK3β (to enhance Tau phosphorylation) were treated with CBL and evaluated neuropathologically. Results Compared to single Tau tg mice the Tau/GSK3β double tg model displayed elevated levels of Tau phosphorylation and neurodegeneration in the hippocampus. CBL treatment reduced the levels of Tau phosphorylation in the dentate gyrus and the degeneration of pyramidal neurons in the temporal cortex and hippocampus of the Tau/GSK3β double tg mice. Interestingly, the Tau/GSK3β double tg mice also displayed elevated levels of Dynamin-related protein-1 (Drp-1), a protein that hydrolyzes GTP and is required for mitochondrial division. Ultrastructural analysis of the mitochondria in the Tau/GSK3β double tg mice demonstrated increased numbers and fragmentation of mitochondria in comparison to non-tg mice. CBL treatment normalized levels of Drp-1 and restored mitochondrial structure. Conclusions These results suggest that the ability of CBL to ameliorate neurodegenerative pathology in the tauopathy model may involve reducing accumulation of hyper-phosphorylated Tau and reducing alterations in mitochondrial biogenesis associated with Tau.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Eliezer Masliah
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Ubhi K, Rockenstein E, Kragh C, Inglis C, Spencer B, Michael S, Mante M, Adame A, Galasko D, Masliah E. Widespread microRNA dysregulation in multiple system atrophy - disease-related alteration in miR-96. Eur J Neurosci 2014; 39:1026-1041. [PMID: 24304186 PMCID: PMC4052839 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.12444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2013] [Revised: 10/26/2013] [Accepted: 11/05/2013] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
MicroRNA (miRNA) are short sequences of RNA that function as post-transcriptional regulators by binding to target mRNA transcripts resulting in translational repression. A number of recent studies have identified miRNA as being involved in neurodegenerative disorders including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease and Huntington's disease. However, the role of miRNA in multiple system atrophy (MSA), a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by oligodendroglial accumulation of alpha-synuclein remains unexamined. In this context, this study examined miRNA profiles in MSA cases compared with controls and in transgenic (tg) models of MSA compared with non-tg mice. The results demonstrate a widespread dysregulation of miRNA in MSA cases, which is recapitulated in the murine models. The study employed a cross-disease, cross-species approach to identify miRNA that were either specifically dysregulated in MSA or were commonly dysregulated in neurodegenerative conditions such as Alzheimer's disease, dementia with Lewy bodies, progressive supranuclear palsy and corticobasal degeneration or the tg mouse model equivalents of these disorders. Using this approach we identified a number of miRNA that were commonly dysregulated between disorders and those that were disease-specific. Moreover, we identified miR-96 as being up-regulated in MSA. Consistent with the up-regulation of miR-96, mRNA and protein levels of members of the solute carrier protein family SLC1A1 and SLC6A6, miR-96 target genes, were down-regulated in MSA cases and a tg model of MSA. These results suggest that miR-96 dysregulation may play a role in MSA and its target genes may be involved in the pathogenesis of MSA.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kiren Ubhi
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California, San Diego, California 92093-0624, USA
| | - Edward Rockenstein
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California, San Diego, California 92093-0624, USA
| | - Christine Kragh
- Department of Biomedicine, University of Aarhus, DK-8000 Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Chandra Inglis
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California, San Diego, California 92093-0624, USA
| | - Brian Spencer
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California, San Diego, California 92093-0624, USA
| | - Sarah Michael
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California, San Diego, California 92093-0624, USA
| | - Michael Mante
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California, San Diego, California 92093-0624, USA
| | - Anthony Adame
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California, San Diego, California 92093-0624, USA
| | - Douglas Galasko
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California, San Diego, California 92093-0624, USA
| | - Eliezer Masliah
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California, San Diego, California 92093-0624, USA
- Department of Pathology, University of California, San Diego, California 92093-0624, USA
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Early-onset cognitive deficits and axonal transport dysfunction in P301S mutant tau transgenic mice. Neurosci Res 2014; 80:76-85. [PMID: 24406748 DOI: 10.1016/j.neures.2013.12.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2013] [Revised: 12/20/2013] [Accepted: 12/24/2013] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) and frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD) are neurodegenerative "tauopathies" characterized by hyperphosphorylated tau accumulation and neurofibrillary tangles. The P301S mutation of tau, a causal mutation of a familial type of FTLD, is believed to be involved in neurodegenerative progression. We developed a transgenic mouse, named TPR50, harboring human P301S tau. Tau phosphorylation in the hippocampus of TPR50 mice increased with age, particularly at S202/T205. Insolubilization and intracellular accumulation of tau were detected in the hippocampus by 9 months of age. Expression of calbindin was significantly reduced in 6- and 9-month-old TPR50 mice but not in 3-month-old mice. TPR50 mice demonstrated cognitive dysfunction at 5 months. At this age or earlier, although no intracellular tau accumulation was observed in the hippocampus, abnormally increased microtubule (MT)-related proteins and MT hyperdynamics in the hippocampus, and impaired axonal transport in the septo-hippocampal pathway were already observed. Therefore, cognitive dysfunction in TPR50 mice may result from early MT dysfunction and impaired axonal transport rather than accumulation of insoluble tau and neurodegeneration. TPR50 mice are a valuable new model to study progression of tauopathies at both the behavioral and neurocellular levels and may also prove useful for testing new therapies for neurodegenerative diseases.
Collapse
|
21
|
Andrade-Moraes CH, Oliveira-Pinto AV, Castro-Fonseca E, da Silva CG, Guimarães DM, Szczupak D, Parente-Bruno DR, Carvalho LR, Polichiso L, Gomes BV, Oliveira LM, Rodriguez RD, Leite RE, Ferretti-Rebustini RE, Jacob-Filho W, Pasqualucci CA, Grinberg LT, Lent R. Cell number changes in Alzheimer's disease relate to dementia, not to plaques and tangles. Brain 2013; 136:3738-52. [PMID: 24136825 PMCID: PMC3859218 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awt273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 122] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2012] [Revised: 08/04/2013] [Accepted: 08/04/2013] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease is the commonest cause of dementia in the elderly, but its pathological determinants are still debated. Amyloid-β plaques and neurofibrillary tangles have been implicated either directly as disruptors of neural function, or indirectly by precipitating neuronal death and thus causing a reduction in neuronal number. Alternatively, the initial cognitive decline has been attributed to subtle intracellular events caused by amyloid-β oligomers, resulting in dementia after massive synaptic dysfunction followed by neuronal degeneration and death. To investigate whether Alzheimer's disease is associated with changes in the absolute cell numbers of ageing brains, we used the isotropic fractionator, a novel technique designed to determine the absolute cellular composition of brain regions. We investigated whether plaques and tangles are associated with neuronal loss, or whether it is dementia that relates to changes of absolute cell composition, by comparing cell numbers in brains of patients severely demented with those of asymptomatic individuals-both groups histopathologically diagnosed as Alzheimer's-and normal subjects with no pathological signs of the disease. We found a great reduction of neuronal numbers in the hippocampus and cerebral cortex of demented patients with Alzheimer's disease, but not in asymptomatic subjects with Alzheimer's disease. We concluded that neuronal loss is associated with dementia and not the presence of plaques and tangles, which may explain why subjects with histopathological features of Alzheimer's disease can be asymptomatic; and exclude amyloid-β deposits as causes for the reduction of neuronal numbers in the brain. We found an increase of non-neuronal cell numbers in the cerebral cortex and subcortical white matter of demented patients with Alzheimer's disease when compared with asymptomatic subjects with Alzheimer's disease and control subjects, suggesting a reactive glial cell response in the former that may be related to the symptoms they present.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Emily Castro-Fonseca
- 1 Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Camila G. da Silva
- 1 Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Daniel M. Guimarães
- 1 Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Diego Szczupak
- 1 Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | | | | - Lívia Polichiso
- 2 Ageing Brain Study Group, Department of Pathology, LIM 22, University of São Paulo Medical School, São Paulo, Brazil
- 3 Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, USA
| | - Bruna V. Gomes
- 1 Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Lays M. Oliveira
- 1 Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Roberta D. Rodriguez
- 2 Ageing Brain Study Group, Department of Pathology, LIM 22, University of São Paulo Medical School, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Renata E.P. Leite
- 2 Ageing Brain Study Group, Department of Pathology, LIM 22, University of São Paulo Medical School, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Renata E.L. Ferretti-Rebustini
- 2 Ageing Brain Study Group, Department of Pathology, LIM 22, University of São Paulo Medical School, São Paulo, Brazil
- 4 University of São Paulo Nursing School, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Wilson Jacob-Filho
- 2 Ageing Brain Study Group, Department of Pathology, LIM 22, University of São Paulo Medical School, São Paulo, Brazil
- 5 Division of Geriatrics, University of São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Carlos A. Pasqualucci
- 2 Ageing Brain Study Group, Department of Pathology, LIM 22, University of São Paulo Medical School, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Lea T. Grinberg
- 2 Ageing Brain Study Group, Department of Pathology, LIM 22, University of São Paulo Medical School, São Paulo, Brazil
- 3 Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, USA
| | - Roberto Lent
- 1 Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- 6 National Institute of Translational Neuroscience, Ministry of Science and Technology, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|