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Moseholm KF, Horn JW, Fitzpatrick AL, Djoussé L, Longstreth WT, Lopez OL, Hoofnagle AN, Jensen MK, Lemaitre RN, Mukamal KJ. Circulating sphingolipids and subclinical brain pathology: the cardiovascular health study. Front Neurol 2024; 15:1385623. [PMID: 38765262 PMCID: PMC11099203 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2024.1385623] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2024] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Sphingolipids are implicated in neurodegeneration and neuroinflammation. We assessed the potential role of circulating ceramides and sphingomyelins in subclinical brain pathology by investigating their association with brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) measures and circulating biomarkers of brain injury, neurofilament light chain (NfL) and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) in the Cardiovascular Health Study (CHS), a large and intensively phenotyped cohort of older adults. Methods Brain MRI was offered twice to CHS participants with a mean of 5 years between scans, and results were available from both time points in 2,116 participants (mean age 76 years; 40% male; and 25% APOE ε4 allele carriers). We measured 8 ceramide and sphingomyelin species in plasma samples and examined the associations with several MRI, including worsening grades of white matter hyperintensities and ventricular size, number of brain infarcts, and measures of brain atrophy in a subset with quantitative measures. We also investigated the sphingolipid associations with serum NfL and GFAP. Results In the fully adjusted model, higher plasma levels of ceramides and sphingomyelins with a long (16-carbon) saturated fatty acid were associated with higher blood levels of NfL [β = 0.05, false-discovery rate corrected P (PFDR) = 0.004 and β = 0.06, PFDR = < 0.001, respectively]. In contrast, sphingomyelins with very long (20- and 22-carbon) saturated fatty acids tended to have an inverse association with levels of circulating NfL. In secondary analyses, we found an interaction between ceramide d18:1/20:0 and sex (P for interaction = <0.001), such that ceramide d18:1/20:0 associated with higher odds for infarcts in women [OR = 1.26 (95%CI: 1.07, 1.49), PFDR = 0.03]. We did not observe any associations with GFAP blood levels, white matter grade, ventricular grade, mean bilateral hippocampal volume, or total brain volume. Conclusion Overall, our comprehensive investigation supports the evidence that ceramides and sphingomyelins are associated with increased aging brain pathology and that the direction of association depends on the fatty acid attached to the sphingosine backbone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristine F. Moseholm
- Department of Public Health, Section of Epidemiology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Jens W. Horn
- Department of Internal Medicine, Levanger Hospital, Health Trust Nord-Trøndelag, Levanger, Norway
| | - Annette L. Fitzpatrick
- Departments of Family Medicine and Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Luc Djoussé
- Division of Aging, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
- Department of Nutrition, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, United States
| | - W. T. Longstreth
- Departments of Family Medicine and Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
- Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Oscar L. Lopez
- Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, United States
| | - Andrew N. Hoofnagle
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Majken K. Jensen
- Department of Public Health, Section of Epidemiology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Nutrition, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Rozenn N. Lemaitre
- Cardiovascular Health Research Unit, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Kenneth J. Mukamal
- Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, United States
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Hannawi Y. Cerebral Small Vessel Disease: a Review of the Pathophysiological Mechanisms. Transl Stroke Res 2023:10.1007/s12975-023-01195-9. [PMID: 37864643 DOI: 10.1007/s12975-023-01195-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2023] [Revised: 06/02/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/23/2023]
Abstract
Cerebral small vessel disease (cSVD) refers to the age-dependent pathological processes involving the brain small vessels and leading to vascular cognitive impairment, intracerebral hemorrhage, and acute lacunar ischemic stroke. Despite the significant public health burden of cSVD, disease-specific therapeutics remain unavailable due to the incomplete understanding of the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms. Recent advances in neuroimaging acquisition and processing capabilities as well as findings from cSVD animal models have revealed critical roles of several age-dependent processes in cSVD pathogenesis including arterial stiffness, vascular oxidative stress, low-grade systemic inflammation, gut dysbiosis, and increased salt intake. These factors interact to cause a state of endothelial cell dysfunction impairing cerebral blood flow regulation and breaking the blood brain barrier. Neuroinflammation follows resulting in neuronal injury and cSVD clinical manifestations. Impairment of the cerebral waste clearance through the glymphatic system is another potential process that has been recently highlighted contributing to the cognitive decline. This review details these mechanisms and attempts to explain their complex interactions. In addition, the relevant knowledge gaps in cSVD mechanistic understanding are identified and a systematic approach to future translational and early phase clinical research is proposed in order to reveal new cSVD mechanisms and develop disease-specific therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yousef Hannawi
- Division of Cerebrovascular Diseases and Neurocritical Care, Department of Neurology, The Ohio State University, 333 West 10th Ave, Graves Hall 3172C, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA.
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Yuan H, Zhu B, Li C, Zhao Z. Ceramide in cerebrovascular diseases. Front Cell Neurosci 2023; 17:1191609. [PMID: 37333888 PMCID: PMC10272456 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2023.1191609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2023] [Accepted: 05/18/2023] [Indexed: 06/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Ceramide, a bioactive sphingolipid, serves as an important second messenger in cell signal transduction. Under stressful conditions, it can be generated from de novo synthesis, sphingomyelin hydrolysis, and/or the salvage pathway. The brain is rich in lipids, and abnormal lipid levels are associated with a variety of brain disorders. Cerebrovascular diseases, which are mainly caused by abnormal cerebral blood flow and secondary neurological injury, are the leading causes of death and disability worldwide. There is a growing body of evidence for a close connection between elevated ceramide levels and cerebrovascular diseases, especially stroke and cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD). The increased ceramide has broad effects on different types of brain cells, including endothelial cells, microglia, and neurons. Therefore, strategies that reduce ceramide synthesis, such as modifying sphingomyelinase activity or the rate-limiting enzyme of the de novo synthesis pathway, serine palmitoyltransferase, may represent novel and promising therapeutic approaches to prevent or treat cerebrovascular injury-related diseases.
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da Silva PHR, Paschoal AM, Secchinatto KF, Zotin MCZ, Dos Santos AC, Viswanathan A, Pontes-Neto OM, Leoni RF. Contrast agent-free state-of-the-art magnetic resonance imaging on cerebral small vessel disease - Part 2: Diffusion tensor imaging and functional magnetic resonance imaging. NMR IN BIOMEDICINE 2022; 35:e4743. [PMID: 35429070 DOI: 10.1002/nbm.4743] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2022] [Accepted: 04/04/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Cerebral small vessel disease (cSVD) has been widely studied using conventional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) methods, although the association between MRI findings and clinical features of cSVD is not always concordant. We assessed the additional contribution of contrast agent-free, state-of-the-art MRI techniques, particularly diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), to understand brain damage and structural and functional connectivity impairment related to cSVD. We performed a review following the PICOS worksheet and Search Strategy, including 152 original papers in English, published from 2000 to 2022. For each MRI method, we extracted information about their contributions regarding the origins, pathology, markers, and clinical outcomes in cSVD. In general, DTI studies have shown that changes in mean, radial, and axial diffusivity measures are related to the presence of cSVD. In addition to the classical deficit in executive functions and processing speed, fMRI studies indicate connectivity dysfunctions in other domains, such as sensorimotor, memory, and attention. Neuroimaging metrics have been correlated with the diagnosis, prognosis, and rehabilitation of patients with cSVD. In short, the application of contrast agent-free, state-of-the-art MRI techniques has provided a complete picture of cSVD markers and tools to explore questions that have not yet been clarified about this clinical condition. Longitudinal studies are desirable to look for causal relationships between image biomarkers and clinical outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - André Monteiro Paschoal
- Department of Physics, FFCLRP, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
- Department of Medical Imaging, Hematology and Clinical Oncology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | | | - Maria Clara Zanon Zotin
- Department of Medical Imaging, Hematology and Clinical Oncology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
- J Philip Kistler Stroke Research Center, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Antônio Carlos Dos Santos
- Department of Medical Imaging, Hematology and Clinical Oncology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil
| | - Anand Viswanathan
- J Philip Kistler Stroke Research Center, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Octavio M Pontes-Neto
- Department of Neurosciences and Behavioral Science, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of Sao Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Renata Ferranti Leoni
- Department of Physics, FFCLRP, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
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Hannawi Y, Ewees MG, Moore JT, Zweier JL. Characterizing CD38 Expression and Enzymatic Activity in the Brain of Spontaneously Hypertensive Stroke-Prone Rats. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:881708. [PMID: 35712720 PMCID: PMC9194821 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.881708] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2022] [Accepted: 05/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: CD38 is a transmembrane glycoprotein that catabolizes nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) and is the main source for the age-dependent decrease in NAD+ levels. Increased CD38 enzymatic activity has been implicated in several neurological diseases. However, its role in the pathogenesis of cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD) remains unknown. We aimed to characterize CD38 expression and enzymatic activity in the brain of spontaneously hypertensive stroke-prone rats (SHRSP), a genetic model for hypertension and human CSVD, in comparison to age-matched normotensive Wistar Kyoto rats (WKY). Materials and Methods: Age-matched male 7- and 24-week-old WKY and SHRSP were studied. CD38 enzymatic activity was determined in the brain homogenate. Immunohistochemistry and Western Blotting (WB) were used to characterize CD38 expression and localize it in the different cell types within the brain. In addition, expression of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) isoforms and the levels of nitric oxide (NO), superoxide, nicotinamide dinucleotide (phosphate) NAD(P)H were measured the brain of in WKY and SHRSP. Results: CD38 expression and enzymatic activity were increased in SHRSP brains compared to age matched WKY starting at 7 weeks of age. CD38 expression was localized to the endothelial cells, astrocytes, and microglia. We also identified increased CD38 expression using WB with age in SHRSP and WKY. CD38 enzymatic activity was also increased in 24-week SHRSP compared to 7-week SHRSP. In association, we identified evidence of oxidative stress, reduced NO level, reduced NAD(P)H level and endothelial NOS expression in SHRSP compared to age matched WKY. NAD(P)H also decreased with age in WKY and SHRSP. Additionally, activation of astrocytes and microglia were present in SHRSP compared to WKY. Conclusions: CD38 is overexpressed, and its enzymatic activity is increased in SHRSP, a genetic model for marked hypertension and human CSVD. Our results suggest a potential role for CD38 enzymatic activation in the pathogenesis of CSVD and points to the need for future mechanistic and pharmacological studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yousef Hannawi
- Division of Cerebrovascular Diseases and Neurocritical Care, Department of Neurology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States
| | - Mohamed G. Ewees
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Jordan T. Moore
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States
| | - Jay L. Zweier
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States
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Hannawi Y, Vaidya D, Yanek LR, Johansen MC, Kral BG, Becker LC, Becker DM, Nyquist PA. Association of Vascular Properties With the Brain White Matter Hyperintensity in Middle-Aged Population. J Am Heart Assoc 2022; 11:e024606. [PMID: 35621212 PMCID: PMC9238713 DOI: 10.1161/jaha.121.024606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Background The periventricular white matter is more sensitive to the systemic hemodynamic alterations than the deep white matter because of differences in its vascular structure and systemic circulation relationship. We hypothesize that periventricular white matter hyperintensity (PVWMH) volume shows greater association than deep white matter hyperintensity (DWMH) volume with vascular properties (VPs) reflecting arterial stiffness and cardiovascular remodeling, indicators of the systemic circulation. Methods and Results A total of 426 participants (age, 59.0±6.1 years; 57.5% women; and 39.7% Black race) in the Genetic Study of Atherosclerosis Risk who were aged ≥50 years and had brain magnetic resonance imaging were studied. VPs included pulse pressure, hypertensive response to exercise, diastolic brachial artery diameter, diastolic common carotid artery diameter, common carotid artery distensibility coefficient, and left ventricular function. The relative associations of VPs with PVWMH and DWMH as multiple measures within the same individual were determined using multilevel linear models. We also determined if age modified the differences in VPs associations with PVWMH and DWMH. Our findings indicated that, within the same subject, PVWMH volume had greater association than DWMH volume with pulse pressure (P=0.002), hypertensive response to exercise (P=0.04), diastolic brachial artery diameter (P=0.012), and diastolic common carotid artery diameter (P=0.04), independent of age and cardiovascular risk factors. The differences of PVWMH versus DWMH associations with VPs did not differ at any age threshold. Conclusions We show, for the first time, that PVWMH has greater association than DWMH, independent of age, with vascular measurements of arterial stiffness and cardiovascular remodeling suggesting that changes in the systemic circulation affect the PVWMH and DWMH differently.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yousef Hannawi
- Division of Cerebrovascular Diseases and Neurocritical Care Department of Neurology The Ohio State University Columbus OH
| | - Dhananjay Vaidya
- GeneSTAR Research Program Department of Medicine Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine Baltimore MD
| | - Lisa R Yanek
- GeneSTAR Research Program Department of Medicine Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine Baltimore MD
| | - Michelle C Johansen
- Department of Neurology Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine Baltimore MD
| | - Brian G Kral
- GeneSTAR Research Program Department of Medicine Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine Baltimore MD
| | - Lewis C Becker
- GeneSTAR Research Program Department of Medicine Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine Baltimore MD
| | - Diane M Becker
- GeneSTAR Research Program Department of Medicine Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine Baltimore MD
| | - Paul A Nyquist
- Department of Neurology Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine Baltimore MD.,Department of Neurosurgery Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine Baltimore MD.,Division of Neurocritical Care Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine Baltimore MD
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Hannawi Y, Caceres E, Ewees MG, Powell KA, Bratasz A, Schwab JM, Rink CL, Zweier JL. Characterizing the Neuroimaging and Histopathological Correlates of Cerebral Small Vessel Disease in Spontaneously Hypertensive Stroke-Prone Rats. Front Neurol 2021; 12:740298. [PMID: 34917012 PMCID: PMC8669961 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2021.740298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2021] [Accepted: 10/25/2021] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Spontaneously hypertensive stroke-prone rats (SHRSP) are used to model clinically relevant aspects of human cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD). To decipher and understand the underlying disease dynamics, assessment of the temporal progression of CSVD histopathological and neuroimaging correlates is essential. Materials and Methods: Eighty age-matched male SHRSP and control Wistar Kyoto rats (WKY) were randomly divided into four groups that were aged until 7, 16, 24 and 32 weeks. Sensorimotor testing was performed weekly. Brain MRI was acquired at each study time point followed by histological analyses of the brain. Results: Compared to WKY controls, the SHRSP showed significantly higher prevalence of small subcortical hyperintensities on T2w imaging that progressed in size and frequency with aging. Volumetric analysis revealed smaller intracranial and white matter volumes on brain MRI in SHRSP compared to age-matched WKY. Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) showed significantly higher mean diffusivity in the corpus callosum and external capsule in WKY compared to SHRSP. The SHRSP displayed signs of motor restlessness compared to WKY represented by hyperactivity in sensorimotor testing at the beginning of the experiment which decreased with age. Distinct pathological hallmarks of CSVD, such as enlarged perivascular spaces, microbleeds/red blood cell extravasation, hemosiderin deposits, and lipohyalinosis/vascular wall thickening progressively accumulated with age in SHRSP. Conclusions: Four stages of CSVD severity in SHRSP are described at the study time points. In addition, we find that quantitative analyses of brain MRI enable identification of in vivo markers of CSVD that can serve as endpoints for interventional testing in therapeutic studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yousef Hannawi
- Division of Cerebrovascular Diseases and Neurocritical Care, Department of Neurology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States
| | - Eder Caceres
- Division of Cerebrovascular Diseases and Neurocritical Care, Department of Neurology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States
| | - Mohamed G. Ewees
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Kimerly A. Powell
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States
- Small Animal Imaging Core, Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States
| | - Anna Bratasz
- Small Animal Imaging Core, Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States
| | - Jan M. Schwab
- Belford Center for Spinal Cord Injury, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States
- Department of Neurology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States
- Department of Neurosciences, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States
| | - Cameron L. Rink
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States
| | - Jay L. Zweier
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States
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