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Wang Y, Liu W, Sun Y, Dong X. Transthyretin-Penetratin: A Potent Fusion Protein Inhibitor against Alzheimer's Amyloid-β Fibrillogenesis with High Blood Brain Barrier Crossing Capability. Bioconjug Chem 2024; 35:419-431. [PMID: 38450606 DOI: 10.1021/acs.bioconjchem.4c00073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/08/2024]
Abstract
The design of a potent amyloid-β protein (Aβ) inhibitor plays a pivotal role in the prevention and treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Despite endogenous transthyretin (TTR) being recognized as an Aβ inhibitor, the weak inhibitory and blood brain barrier (BBB) crossing capabilities hinder it for Aβ aggregation inhibition and transport. Therefore, we have herein designed a recombinant TTR by conjugating a cationic cell penetrating peptide (penetratin, Pen), which not only enabled the fusion protein, TTR-Pen (TP), to present high BBB penetration but also greatly enhanced the potency of Aβ inhibition. Namely, the protein fusion made TP positively charged, leading to a potent suppression of Aβ40 fibrillization at a low concentration (1.5 μM), while a TTR concentration as high as 12.5 μM was required to gain a similar function. Moreover, TP could mitigate Aβ-induced neuronal death, increase cultured cell viability from 72% to 92% at 2.5 μM, and extend the lifespan of AD nematodes from 14 to 18 d. Thermodynamic studies revealed that TP, enriched in positive charges, presented extensive electrostatic interactions with Aβ40. Importantly, TP showed excellent BBB penetration performance, with a 10 times higher BBB permeability than TTR, which would allow TP to enter the brain of AD patients and participate in the transport of Aβ species out of the brain. Thus, it is expected that the fusion protein has great potential for drug development in AD treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Wang
- Department of Biochemical Engineering, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology and Key Laboratory of Systems Bioengineering and Frontiers Science Center for Synthetic Biology (Ministry of Education), Tianjin University, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Wei Liu
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Molecular Nuclear Medicine, Institute of Radiation Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Tianjin 300192, China
| | - Yan Sun
- Department of Biochemical Engineering, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology and Key Laboratory of Systems Bioengineering and Frontiers Science Center for Synthetic Biology (Ministry of Education), Tianjin University, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Xiaoyan Dong
- Department of Biochemical Engineering, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology and Key Laboratory of Systems Bioengineering and Frontiers Science Center for Synthetic Biology (Ministry of Education), Tianjin University, Tianjin 300350, China
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2
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Shi C, Kaffy J, Ha-Duong T, Gallard JF, Pruvost A, Mabondzo A, Ciccone L, Ongeri S, Tonali N. Proteolytically Stable Diaza-Peptide Foldamers Mimic Helical Hot Spots of Protein-Protein Interactions and Act as Natural Chaperones. J Med Chem 2023; 66:12005-12017. [PMID: 37632446 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.3c00611] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/28/2023]
Abstract
A novel class of peptidomimetic foldamers based on diaza-peptide units are reported. Circular dichroism, attenuated total reflection -Fourier transform infrared, NMR, and molecular dynamics studies demonstrate that unlike the natural parent nonapeptide, the specific incorporation of one diaza-peptide unit at the N-terminus allows helical folding in water, which is further reinforced by the introduction of a second unit at the C-terminus. The ability of these foldamers to resist proteolysis, to mimic the small helical hot spot of transthyretin-amyloid β (Aβ) cross-interaction, and to decrease pathological Aβ aggregation demonstrates that the introduction of diaza-peptide units is a valid approach for designing mimics or inhibitors of protein-protein interaction and other therapeutic peptidomimetics. This study also reveals that small peptide foldamers can play the same role as physiological chaperone proteins and opens a new way to design inhibitors of amyloid protein aggregation, a hallmark of more than 20 serious human diseases such as Alzheimer's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenghui Shi
- Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS, BioCIS, Bat. Henri Moissan, 17 av. des Sciences, 91400 Orsay, France
| | - Julia Kaffy
- Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS, BioCIS, Bat. Henri Moissan, 17 av. des Sciences, 91400 Orsay, France
| | - Tâp Ha-Duong
- Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS, BioCIS, Bat. Henri Moissan, 17 av. des Sciences, 91400 Orsay, France
| | - Jean-François Gallard
- Equipe Biologie et Chimie Structurales, Dept Chimie et Biologie Structurales et Analytiques, ICSN CNRS, Université Paris Saclay, 1 avenue de la terrasse, 91190 Gif sur Yvette, France
| | - Alain Pruvost
- CEA, INRAE, Département Médicaments et Technologies pour La Santé, Université Paris-Saclay, SPI 91191 Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Aloise Mabondzo
- CEA, INRAE, Département Médicaments et Technologies pour La Santé, Université Paris-Saclay, SPI 91191 Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Lidia Ciccone
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Sandrine Ongeri
- Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS, BioCIS, Bat. Henri Moissan, 17 av. des Sciences, 91400 Orsay, France
| | - Nicolo Tonali
- Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS, BioCIS, Bat. Henri Moissan, 17 av. des Sciences, 91400 Orsay, France
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3
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Kopec RE, Chasman DI, Okereke OI, Sesso HD. Re-remembering the influence of randomized β-carotene on cognitive decline. Alzheimers Dement 2023; 19:3718-3721. [PMID: 36939000 DOI: 10.1002/alz.13018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2022] [Revised: 02/02/2023] [Accepted: 02/03/2023] [Indexed: 03/21/2023]
Abstract
The wave of individuals impacted by dementia continues to rise rapidly as worldwide lifespan increases. Dietary strategies to slow cognitive decline and prolong time to clinical dementia remain understudied, but with potentially powerful public health consequences. Indeed, previously conducted large, randomized, placebo-controlled trials of micronutrients remain an under-leveraged resource to study changes in cognitive performance. As a motivating example, we highlight an ancillary report from the Physicians' Health Study, where subjects randomized to β-carotene (a provitamin A carotenoid) had a more attenuated change in longitudinal global cognitive performance and verbal memory, as compared to subjects randomized to placebo. Despite mechanistic evidence from cell and animal studies supporting a vitamin A-mediated role in the biology associated with cognition, limited follow-up work has been conducted. We argue that dietary factors (including provitamin A) deserve a second look, leveraging multi-omic approaches, to elucidate how they may mitigate cognitive decline and dementia risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel E Kopec
- Human Nutrition Program, Department of Human Sciences, the Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
- Foods for Health Discovery Theme, the Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Daniel I Chasman
- Division of Preventive Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Olivia I Okereke
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Howard D Sesso
- Division of Preventive Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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4
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Saunders NR, Dziegielewska KM, Fame RM, Lehtinen MK, Liddelow SA. The choroid plexus: a missing link in our understanding of brain development and function. Physiol Rev 2023; 103:919-956. [PMID: 36173801 PMCID: PMC9678431 DOI: 10.1152/physrev.00060.2021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2021] [Revised: 09/01/2022] [Accepted: 09/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Studies of the choroid plexus lag behind those of the more widely known blood-brain barrier, despite a much longer history. This review has two overall aims. The first is to outline long-standing areas of research where there are unanswered questions, such as control of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) secretion and blood flow. The second aim is to review research over the past 10 years where the focus has shifted to the idea that there are choroid plexuses located in each of the brain's ventricles that make specific contributions to brain development and function through molecules they generate for delivery via the CSF. These factors appear to be particularly important for aspects of normal brain growth. Most research carried out during the twentieth century dealt with the choroid plexus, a brain barrier interface making critical contributions to the composition and stability of the brain's internal environment throughout life. More recent research in the twenty-first century has shown the importance of choroid plexus-generated CSF in neurogenesis, influence of sex and other hormones on choroid plexus function, and choroid plexus involvement in circadian rhythms and sleep. The advancement of technologies to facilitate delivery of brain-specific therapies via the CSF to treat neurological disorders is a rapidly growing area of research. Conversely, understanding the basic mechanisms and implications of how maternal drug exposure during pregnancy impacts the developing brain represents another key area of research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Norman R Saunders
- Department of Neuroscience, The Alfred Centre, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | | | - Ryann M Fame
- Department of Pathology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Maria K Lehtinen
- Department of Pathology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Shane A Liddelow
- Neuroscience Institute, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, New York
- Department of Neuroscience and Physiology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, New York
- Department of Ophthalmology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, New York
- Parekh Center for Interdisciplinary Neurology, NYU Grossman School of Medicine, New York, New York
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5
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Oral Therapy for the Treatment of Transthyretin-Related Amyloid Cardiomyopathy. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232416145. [PMID: 36555787 PMCID: PMC9788438 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232416145] [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: 12/01/2022] [Revised: 12/13/2022] [Accepted: 12/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The care of systemic amyloidosis has improved dramatically due to improved awareness, accurate diagnostic tools, the development of powerful prognostic and companion biomarkers, and a continuous flow of innovative drugs, which translated into the blooming of phase 2/3 interventional studies for light chain (AL) and transthyretin (ATTR) amyloidosis. The unprecedented availability of effective drugs ignited great interest across various medical specialties, particularly among cardiologists who are now recognizing cardiac amyloidosis at an extraordinary pace. In all amyloidosis referral centers, we are observing a substantial increase in the prevalence of wild-type transthyretin (ATTRwt) cardiomyopathy, which is now becoming the most common form of cardiac amyloidosis. This review focuses on the oral drugs that have been recently introduced for the treatment of ATTR cardiac amyloidosis, for their ease of use in the clinic. They include both old repurposed drugs or fit-for-purpose designed compounds which bind and stabilize the TTR tetramer, thus reducing the formation of new amyloid fibrils, such as tafamidis, diflunisal, and acoramidis, as well as fibril disruptors which have the potential to promote the clearance of amyloid deposits, such as doxycycline. The development of novel therapies is based on the advances in the understanding of the molecular events underlying amyloid cardiomyopathy.
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Wang C, Zeng L, Li Y, Shi C, Peng Y, Pan R, Huang M, Wang S, Zhang J, Li H. Decabromodiphenyl ethane induces locomotion neurotoxicity and potential Alzheimer's disease risks through intensifying amyloid-beta deposition by inhibiting transthyretin/transthyretin-like proteins. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2022; 168:107482. [PMID: 35998411 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2022.107482] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2022] [Revised: 08/14/2022] [Accepted: 08/16/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
As a major alternative to traditional brominated flame retardants (BFRs), decabromodiphenyl ethane (DBDPE) is widely used and has been commonly detected in various environmental media and organisms. Few previous studies have focused on DBDPE-induced locomotion neurotoxicity, and the exact molecular mechanisms and related health risks remain unclear. In this study, we first analyzed the locomotion indicators of nematodes following DBDPE exposure, demonstrated that DBDPE caused locomotion neurotoxicity, and identified that a series of the transthyretin (TTR)-like genes participated in the regulation of nematode motility by transcriptomic analysis, gene transcription validation and TTR-like mutant verification. Subsequently, this study demonstrated that DBDPE exacerbated amyloid-beta (Aβ) deposition by repressing TTR/TTR-like gene transcription based on Alzheimer's disease (AD) model nematodes and human SH-SY5Y cells following DBDPE exposure and further revealed that DBDPE reduced the binding between TTR and Aβ by competing with the strand G region sites on the TTR/TTR-like protein, ultimately exacerbating Aβ deposition and the risk of AD. In short, our study demonstrated that DBDPE induced locomotion neurotoxicity and potential AD risks through intensifying Aβ deposition by inhibiting TTR/TTR-like proteins, providing reference support for risk management and policy formulation related to DBDPE and similarly structured novel BFRs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen Wang
- Institute of Environmental Pollution and Health, School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, PR China
| | - Lingjun Zeng
- Institute of Environmental Pollution and Health, School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, PR China
| | - Yeyong Li
- Institute of Environmental Pollution and Health, School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, PR China
| | - Chongli Shi
- Institute of Environmental Pollution and Health, School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, PR China
| | - Yi Peng
- Institute of Environmental Pollution and Health, School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, PR China
| | - Ruolin Pan
- Institute of Environmental Pollution and Health, School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, PR China
| | - Mengyan Huang
- Institute of Environmental Pollution and Health, School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, PR China
| | - Susu Wang
- Institute of Environmental Pollution and Health, School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, PR China
| | - Jin Zhang
- Institute of Environmental Pollution and Health, School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, PR China
| | - Hui Li
- Institute of Environmental Pollution and Health, School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, PR China.
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Murakami K, Ono K. Interactions of amyloid coaggregates with biomolecules and its relevance to neurodegeneration. FASEB J 2022; 36:e22493. [PMID: 35971743 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202200235r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2022] [Revised: 07/18/2022] [Accepted: 08/01/2022] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
The aggregation of amyloidogenic proteins is a pathological hallmark of various neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. In these diseases, oligomeric intermediates or toxic aggregates of amyloids cause neuronal damage and degeneration. Despite the substantial effort made over recent decades to implement therapeutic interventions, these neurodegenerative diseases are not yet understood at the molecular level. In many cases, multiple disease-causing amyloids overlap in a sole pathological feature or a sole disease-causing amyloid represents multiple pathological features. Various amyloid pathologies can coexist in the same brain with or without clinical presentation and may even occur in individuals without disease. From sparse data, speculation has arisen regarding the coaggregation of amyloids with disparate amyloid species and other biomolecules, which are the same characteristics that make diagnostics and drug development challenging. However, advances in research related to biomolecular condensates and structural analysis have been used to overcome some of these challenges. Considering the development of these resources and techniques, herein we review the cross-seeding of amyloidosis, for example, involving the amyloids amyloid β, tau, α-synuclein, and human islet amyloid polypeptide, and their cross-inhibition by transthyretin and BRICHOS. The interplay of nucleic acid-binding proteins, such as prions, TAR DNA-binding protein 43, fused in sarcoma/translated in liposarcoma, and fragile X mental retardation polyglycine, with nucleic acids in the pathology of neurodegeneration are also described, and we thereby highlight the potential clinical applications in central nervous system therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kazuma Murakami
- Division of Food Science and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Kenjiro Ono
- Department of Neurology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Japan
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Liu D, Zhang Q, Luo P, Gu L, Shen S, Tang H, Zhang Y, Lyu M, Shi Q, Yang C, Wang J. Neuroprotective Effects of Celastrol in Neurodegenerative Diseases-Unscramble Its Major Mechanisms of Action and Targets. Aging Dis 2022; 13:815-836. [PMID: 35656110 PMCID: PMC9116906 DOI: 10.14336/ad.2021.1115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2021] [Accepted: 11/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
There are rarely new therapeutic breakthroughs present for neurodegenerative diseases in the last decades. Thus, new effective drugs are urgently needed for millions of patients with neurodegenerative diseases. Celastrol, a pentacyclic triterpenoid compound, is one of the main active ingredients isolated from Tripterygium wilfordii Hook. f. that has multiple biological activities. Recently, amount evidence indicates that celastrol exerts neuroprotective effects and holds therapeutic potential to serve as a novel agent for neurodegenerative diseases. This review focuses on the therapeutic efficacy and major regulatory mechanisms of celastrol to rescue damaged neurons, restore normal cognitive and sensory motor functions in neurodegenerative diseases. Importantly, we highlight recent progress regarding identification of the drug targets of celastrol by using advanced quantitative chemical proteomics technology. Overall, this review provides novel insights into the pharmacological activities and therapeutic potential of celastrol for incurable neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dandan Liu
- 1Artemisinin research center, and Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China.,2Central People's Hospital of Zhanjiang, Zhanjiang, Guangdong, China
| | - Qian Zhang
- 1Artemisinin research center, and Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China.,2Central People's Hospital of Zhanjiang, Zhanjiang, Guangdong, China
| | - Piao Luo
- 1Artemisinin research center, and Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China.,2Central People's Hospital of Zhanjiang, Zhanjiang, Guangdong, China
| | - Liwei Gu
- 1Artemisinin research center, and Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Shengnan Shen
- 1Artemisinin research center, and Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Huan Tang
- 1Artemisinin research center, and Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Ying Zhang
- 1Artemisinin research center, and Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Ming Lyu
- 1Artemisinin research center, and Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Qiaoli Shi
- 1Artemisinin research center, and Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Chuanbin Yang
- 3Department of Geriatrics, Shenzhen People's Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Jigang Wang
- 1Artemisinin research center, and Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing, China.,2Central People's Hospital of Zhanjiang, Zhanjiang, Guangdong, China.,3Department of Geriatrics, Shenzhen People's Hospital, Shenzhen, China.,4Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
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9
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Morfino P, Aimo A, Panichella G, Rapezzi C, Emdin M. Amyloid seeding as a disease mechanism and treatment target in transthyretin cardiac amyloidosis. Heart Fail Rev 2022; 27:2187-2200. [PMID: 35386059 PMCID: PMC9546974 DOI: 10.1007/s10741-022-10237-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Transthyretin (TTR) is a tetrameric transport protein mainly synthesized by the liver and choroid plexus. ATTR amyloidosis is characterized by the misfolding of TTR monomers and their accumulation within tissues as amyloid fibres. Current therapeutic options rely on the blockade of TTR production, TTR stabilization to maintain the native structure of TTR, amyloid degradation, or induction of amyloid removal from tissues. “Amyloid seeds” are defined as small fibril fragments that induce amyloid precursors to assume a structure rich in β-sheets, thus promoting fibrillogenesis. Amyloid seeds are important to promote the amplification and spread of amyloid deposits. Further studies are needed to better understand the molecular structure of ATTR seeds (i.e. the characteristics of the most amyloidogenic species), and the conditions that promote the formation and multiplication of seeds in vivo. The pathological cascade may begin months to years before symptom onset, suggesting that seeds in tissues might potentially be used as biomarkers for the early disease stages. Inhibition of amyloid aggregation by anti-seeding peptides may represent a disease mechanism and treatment target in ATTR amyloidosis, with an additional benefit over current therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paolo Morfino
- Institute of Life Sciences, Scuola Superiore Sant Anna, Piazza Martiri della Libertà 33, 56124, Pisa, Italy
| | - Alberto Aimo
- Institute of Life Sciences, Scuola Superiore Sant Anna, Piazza Martiri della Libertà 33, 56124, Pisa, Italy.
- Cardiology Division, Fondazione Toscana Gabriele Monasterio, Pisa, Italy.
| | - Giorgia Panichella
- Institute of Life Sciences, Scuola Superiore Sant Anna, Piazza Martiri della Libertà 33, 56124, Pisa, Italy
| | - Claudio Rapezzi
- Cardiologic Centre, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy
- Maria Cecilia Hospital, GVM Care & Research, Cotignola (Ravenna), Ravenna, Italy
| | - Michele Emdin
- Institute of Life Sciences, Scuola Superiore Sant Anna, Piazza Martiri della Libertà 33, 56124, Pisa, Italy
- Cardiology Division, Fondazione Toscana Gabriele Monasterio, Pisa, Italy
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Gharibyan AL, Wasana Jayaweera S, Lehmann M, Anan I, Olofsson A. Endogenous Human Proteins Interfering with Amyloid Formation. Biomolecules 2022; 12:biom12030446. [PMID: 35327638 PMCID: PMC8946693 DOI: 10.3390/biom12030446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2022] [Revised: 03/08/2022] [Accepted: 03/11/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Amyloid formation is a pathological process associated with a wide range of degenerative disorders, including Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and diabetes mellitus type 2. During disease progression, abnormal accumulation and deposition of proteinaceous material are accompanied by tissue degradation, inflammation, and dysfunction. Agents that can interfere with the process of amyloid formation or target already formed amyloid assemblies are consequently of therapeutic interest. In this context, a few endogenous proteins have been associated with an anti-amyloidogenic activity. Here, we review the properties of transthyretin, apolipoprotein E, clusterin, and BRICHOS protein domain which all effectively interfere with amyloid in vitro, as well as displaying a clinical impact in humans or animal models. Their involvement in the amyloid formation process is discussed, which may aid and inspire new strategies for therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna L. Gharibyan
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Umeå University, 901 87 Umeå, Sweden;
- Correspondence: (A.L.G.); (A.O.)
| | | | - Manuela Lehmann
- Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Umeå University, 901 87 Umeå, Sweden; (M.L.); (I.A.)
| | - Intissar Anan
- Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Umeå University, 901 87 Umeå, Sweden; (M.L.); (I.A.)
| | - Anders Olofsson
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Umeå University, 901 87 Umeå, Sweden;
- Correspondence: (A.L.G.); (A.O.)
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11
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Lee K, Lee YM, Park JM, Lee BD, Moon E, Jeong HJ, Suh H, Kim HJ, Pak K, Choi KU. The Relationship of Plasma Transthyretin Level with Global or Regional Amyloid Beta Burden in Subjects with Amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment: Cross-Sectional Amyloid PET Study. PSYCHIAT CLIN PSYCH 2022; 32:4-8. [PMID: 38764904 PMCID: PMC11099618 DOI: 10.5152/pcp.2022.21206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2021] [Accepted: 01/01/2022] [Indexed: 05/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Background To investigate the relationships of plasma transthyretin levels with amyloid beta deposition and medial temporal atrophy in amnestic mild cognitive impairment. Methods This is a cross-sectional study of association of subjects with amnestic mild cognitive impairment. Plasma transthyretin levels, brain magnetic resonance imaging, and 18F-florbetaben positron emission tomography were simultaneously measured in subjects with amnestic mild cognitive impairment. Results Plasma transthyretin levels were positively associated with amyloid beta deposition in global (r = 0.394, P = .009), frontal cortex (r = 0.316, P = .039), parietal cortex (r = 0.346, P = .023), temporal cortex (r = 0.372, P = .014), occipital cortex (r = 0.310, P = .043), right posterior cingulate (r = 0.350, P = .021), left precuneus (r = 0.314, P = .040), and right precuneus (r = 0.398, P = .008). No association between plasma transthyretin level and medial temporal sub-regional atrophies was found. Conclusions Our findings of positive association of plasma transthyretin levels with global and regional amyloid beta burden suggest upregulation of transthyretin level as a reactive response to amyloid beta deposition during the early stages of the Alzheimer's disease process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kangyoon Lee
- Department of Psychiatry, Pusan National University School of Medicine, Busan, Republic of Korea
- Biomedical Research Institute, Pusan National University Hospital, Busan, Republic of Korea
| | - Young-Min Lee
- Department of Psychiatry, Pusan National University School of Medicine, Busan, Republic of Korea
- Biomedical Research Institute, Pusan National University Hospital, Busan, Republic of Korea
| | - Je-Min Park
- Department of Psychiatry, Pusan National University School of Medicine, Busan, Republic of Korea
- Biomedical Research Institute, Pusan National University Hospital, Busan, Republic of Korea
| | - Byung-Dae Lee
- Department of Psychiatry, Pusan National University School of Medicine, Busan, Republic of Korea
- Biomedical Research Institute, Pusan National University Hospital, Busan, Republic of Korea
| | - Eunsoo Moon
- Department of Psychiatry, Pusan National University School of Medicine, Busan, Republic of Korea
- Biomedical Research Institute, Pusan National University Hospital, Busan, Republic of Korea
| | - Hee-Jeong Jeong
- Department of Psychiatry, Pusan National University School of Medicine, Busan, Republic of Korea
- Biomedical Research Institute, Pusan National University Hospital, Busan, Republic of Korea
| | - Hwagyu Suh
- Department of Psychiatry, Pusan National University School of Medicine, Busan, Republic of Korea
- Biomedical Research Institute, Pusan National University Hospital, Busan, Republic of Korea
| | - Hak-Jin Kim
- Department of Radiology, Pusan National University School of Medicine, Busan, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyongjune Pak
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Pusan National University School of Medicine, Busan, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyung-Un Choi
- Biomedical Research Institute, Pusan National University Hospital, Busan, Republic of Korea
- Department of Pathology, Pusan National University School of Medicine, Busan, Republic of Korea
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12
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Rejc L, Gómez-Vallejo V, Rios X, Cossío U, Baz Z, Mujica E, Gião T, Cotrina EY, Jiménez-Barbero J, Quintana J, Arsequell G, Cardoso I, Llop J. Oral Treatment with Iododiflunisal Delays Hippocampal Amyloid-β Formation in a Transgenic Mouse Model of Alzheimer's Disease: A Longitudinal in vivo Molecular Imaging Study1. J Alzheimers Dis 2021; 77:99-112. [PMID: 32804152 DOI: 10.3233/jad-200570] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Transthyretin (TTR) is a tetrameric, amyloid-β (Aβ)-binding protein, which reduces Aβ toxicity. The TTR/Aβ interaction can be enhanced by a series of small molecules that stabilize its tetrameric form. Hence, TTR stabilizers might act as disease-modifying drugs in Alzheimer's disease. OBJECTIVE We monitored the therapeutic efficacy of two TTR stabilizers, iododiflunisal (IDIF), which acts as small-molecule chaperone of the TTR/Aβ interaction, and tolcapone, which does not behave as a small-molecule chaperone, in an animal model of Alzheimer's disease using positron emission tomography (PET). METHODS Female mice (AβPPswe/PS1A246E/TTR+/-) were divided into 3 groups (n = 7 per group): IDIF-treated, tolcapone-treated, and non-treated. The oral treatment (100 mg/Kg/day) was started at 5 months of age. Treatment efficacy assessment was based on changes in longitudinal deposition of Aβ in the hippocampus (HIP) and the cortex (CTX) and determined using PET-[18F]florbetaben. Immunohistochemical analysis was performed at age = 14 months. RESULTS Standard uptake values relative to the cerebellum (SUVr) of [18F]florbetaben in CTX and HIP of non-treated animals progressively increased from age = 5 to 11 months and stabilized afterwards. In contrast, [18F]florbetaben uptake in HIP of IDIF-treated animals remained constant between ages = 5 and 11 months and significantly increased at 14 months. In the tolcapone-treated group, SUVr progressively increased with time, but at lower rate than in the non-treated group. No significant treatment effect was observed in CTX. Results from immunohistochemistry matched the in vivo data at age = 14 months. CONCLUSION Our work provides encouraging preliminary results on the ability of small-molecule chaperones to ameliorate Aβ deposition in certain brain regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luka Rejc
- University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Vanessa Gómez-Vallejo
- CIC biomaGUNE, Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), San Sebastián, Guipúzcoa, Spain
| | - Xabier Rios
- CIC biomaGUNE, Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), San Sebastián, Guipúzcoa, Spain
| | - Unai Cossío
- CIC biomaGUNE, Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), San Sebastián, Guipúzcoa, Spain
| | - Zuriñe Baz
- CIC biomaGUNE, Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), San Sebastián, Guipúzcoa, Spain
| | - Edurne Mujica
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, EHU-UPV, Leioa, Spain
| | - Tiago Gião
- IBMC - Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Porto, Portugal.,i3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Ellen Y Cotrina
- Institut de Química Avançada de Catalunya (I.Q.A.C.-C.S.I.C.), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jesús Jiménez-Barbero
- CIC bioGUNE, Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Bizkaia Technology Park, Derio, Bizkaia, Spain.,Ikerbasque, Basque Foundation for Science, Bilbao, Spain.,Department Organic Chemistry II, Faculty Science & Technology, EHU-UPV, Leioa, Spain
| | - Jordi Quintana
- Plataforma Drug Discovery, Parc Científic de Barcelona (PCB), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Gemma Arsequell
- Institut de Química Avançada de Catalunya (I.Q.A.C.-C.S.I.C.), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Isabel Cardoso
- IBMC - Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Porto, Portugal.,i3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Jordi Llop
- CIC biomaGUNE, Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), San Sebastián, Guipúzcoa, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red - Enfermedades Respiratorias (CIBERES)
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13
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Mazzei G, Ikegami R, Abolhassani N, Haruyama N, Sakumi K, Saito T, Saido TC, Nakabeppu Y. A high-fat diet exacerbates the Alzheimer's disease pathology in the hippocampus of the App NL-F/NL-F knock-in mouse model. Aging Cell 2021; 20:e13429. [PMID: 34245097 PMCID: PMC8373331 DOI: 10.1111/acel.13429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2020] [Revised: 06/01/2021] [Accepted: 06/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Insulin resistance and diabetes mellitus are major risk factors for Alzheimer's disease (AD), and studies with transgenic mouse models of AD have provided supportive evidence with some controversies. To overcome potential artifacts derived from transgenes, we used a knock‐in mouse model, AppNL−F/NL−F, which accumulates Aβ plaques from 6 months of age and shows mild cognitive impairment at 18 months of age, without the overproduction of APP. In the present study, 6‐month‐old male AppNL−F/NL−F and wild‐type mice were fed a regular or high‐fat diet (HFD) for 12 months. HFD treatment caused obesity and impaired glucose tolerance (i.e., T2DM conditions) in both wild‐type and AppNL−F/NL−F mice, but only the latter animals exhibited an impaired cognitive function accompanied by marked increases in both Aβ deposition and microgliosis as well as insulin resistance in the hippocampus. Furthermore, HFD‐fed AppNL−F/NL−F mice exhibited a significant decrease in volume of the granule cell layer in the dentate gyrus and an increased accumulation of 8‐oxoguanine, an oxidized guanine base, in the nuclei of granule cells. Gene expression profiling by microarrays revealed that the populations of the cell types in hippocampus were not significantly different between the two mouse lines, regardless of the diet. In addition, HFD treatment decreased the expression of the Aβ binding protein transthyretin (TTR) in AppNL−F/NL−F mice, suggesting that the depletion of TTR underlies the increased Aβ deposition in the hippocampus of HFD‐fed AppNL−F/NL−F mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guianfranco Mazzei
- Division of Neurofunctional Genomics Department of Immunobiology and Neuroscience Medical Institute of Bioregulation Kyushu University Fukuoka Japan
| | - Ryohei Ikegami
- Division of Neurofunctional Genomics Department of Immunobiology and Neuroscience Medical Institute of Bioregulation Kyushu University Fukuoka Japan
| | - Nona Abolhassani
- Division of Neurofunctional Genomics Department of Immunobiology and Neuroscience Medical Institute of Bioregulation Kyushu University Fukuoka Japan
| | - Naoki Haruyama
- Division of Neurofunctional Genomics Department of Immunobiology and Neuroscience Medical Institute of Bioregulation Kyushu University Fukuoka Japan
| | - Kunihiko Sakumi
- Division of Neurofunctional Genomics Department of Immunobiology and Neuroscience Medical Institute of Bioregulation Kyushu University Fukuoka Japan
| | - Takashi Saito
- Laboratory for Proteolytic Neuroscience RIKEN Center for Brain Science Saitama Japan
- Department of Neurocognitive Science Institute of Brain Science Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences Nagoya Japan
| | - Takaomi C. Saido
- Laboratory for Proteolytic Neuroscience RIKEN Center for Brain Science Saitama Japan
| | - Yusaku Nakabeppu
- Division of Neurofunctional Genomics Department of Immunobiology and Neuroscience Medical Institute of Bioregulation Kyushu University Fukuoka Japan
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14
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Exploring the Physiological Role of Transthyretin in Glucose Metabolism in the Liver. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22116073. [PMID: 34199897 PMCID: PMC8200108 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22116073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2021] [Revised: 05/26/2021] [Accepted: 06/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Transthyretin (TTR), a 55 kDa evolutionarily conserved protein, presents altered levels in several conditions, including malnutrition, inflammation, diabetes, and Alzheimer’s Disease. It has been shown that TTR is involved in several functions, such as insulin release from pancreatic β-cells, recovery of blood glucose and glucagon levels of the islets of Langerhans, food intake, and body weight. Here, the role of TTR in hepatic glucose metabolism was explored by studying the levels of glucose in mice with different TTR genetic backgrounds, namely with two copies of the TTR gene, TTR+/+; with only one copy, TTR+/−; and without TTR, TTR−/−. Results showed that TTR haploinsufficiency (TTR+/−) leads to higher glucose in both plasma and in primary hepatocyte culture media and lower expression of the influx glucose transporters, GLUT1, GLUT3, and GLUT4. Further, we showed that TTR haploinsufficiency decreases pyruvate kinase M type (PKM) levels in mice livers, by qRT-PCR, but it does not affect the hepatic production of the studied metabolites, as determined by 1H NMR. Finally, we demonstrated that TTR increases mitochondrial density in HepG2 cells and that TTR insufficiency triggers a higher degree of oxidative phosphorylation in the liver. Altogether, these results indicate that TTR contributes to the homeostasis of glucose by regulating the levels of glucose transporters and PKM enzyme and by protecting against mitochondrial oxidative stress.
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15
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De Lillo A, Pathak GA, De Angelis F, Di Girolamo M, Luigetti M, Sabatelli M, Perfetto F, Frusconi S, Manfellotto D, Fuciarelli M, Polimanti R. Epigenetic profiling of Italian patients identified methylation sites associated with hereditary transthyretin amyloidosis. Clin Epigenetics 2020; 12:176. [PMID: 33203445 PMCID: PMC7672937 DOI: 10.1186/s13148-020-00967-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2020] [Accepted: 11/03/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Hereditary transthyretin (TTR) amyloidosis (hATTR) is a rare life-threatening disorder caused by amyloidogenic coding mutations located in TTR gene. To understand the high phenotypic variability observed among carriers of TTR disease-causing mutations, we conducted an epigenome-wide association study (EWAS) assessing more than 700,000 methylation sites and testing epigenetic difference of TTR coding mutation carriers vs. non-carriers. We observed a significant methylation change at cg09097335 site located in Beta-secretase 2 (BACE2) gene (standardized regression coefficient = -0.60, p = 6.26 × 10-8). This gene is involved in a protein interaction network enriched for biological processes and molecular pathways related to amyloid-beta metabolism (Gene Ontology: 0050435, q = 0.007), amyloid fiber formation (Reactome HSA-977225, q = 0.008), and Alzheimer's disease (KEGG hsa05010, q = 2.2 × 10-4). Additionally, TTR and BACE2 share APP (amyloid-beta precursor protein) as a validated protein interactor. Within TTR gene region, we observed that Val30Met disrupts a methylation site, cg13139646, causing a drastic hypomethylation in carriers of this amyloidogenic mutation (standardized regression coefficient = -2.18, p = 3.34 × 10-11). Cg13139646 showed co-methylation with cg19203115 (Pearson's r2 = 0.32), which showed significant epigenetic differences between symptomatic and asymptomatic carriers of amyloidogenic mutations (standardized regression coefficient = -0.56, p = 8.6 × 10-4). In conclusion, we provide novel insights related to the molecular mechanisms involved in the complex heterogeneity of hATTR, highlighting the role of epigenetic regulation in this rare disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Gita A Pathak
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, VA CT Healthcare Center, VA CT 116A2, 950 Campbell Avenue, West Haven, CT, USA
- VA CT Healthcare Center, West Haven, CT, USA
| | - Flavio De Angelis
- Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, VA CT Healthcare Center, VA CT 116A2, 950 Campbell Avenue, West Haven, CT, USA
- VA CT Healthcare Center, West Haven, CT, USA
| | - Marco Di Girolamo
- Clinical Pathophysiology Center, Fatebenefratelli Foundation -'San Giovanni Calibita' Fatebenefratelli Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Marco Luigetti
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, UOC Neurologia, Rome, Italy
- Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Mario Sabatelli
- Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
- Centro Clinico NEMO Adulti, Rome, Italy
| | - Federico Perfetto
- Regional Amyloid Centre, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Careggi, Florence, Italy
| | - Sabrina Frusconi
- Genetic Diagnostics Unit, Laboratory Department, Careggi University Hospital, Florence, Italy
| | - Dario Manfellotto
- Clinical Pathophysiology Center, Fatebenefratelli Foundation -'San Giovanni Calibita' Fatebenefratelli Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Fuciarelli
- Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Renato Polimanti
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, VA CT Healthcare Center, VA CT 116A2, 950 Campbell Avenue, West Haven, CT, USA.
- VA CT Healthcare Center, West Haven, CT, USA.
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16
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Saponaro F, Kim JH, Chiellini G. Transthyretin Stabilization: An Emerging Strategy for the Treatment of Alzheimer's Disease? Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21228672. [PMID: 33212973 PMCID: PMC7698513 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21228672] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2020] [Revised: 11/14/2020] [Accepted: 11/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Transthyretin (TTR), previously named prealbumin is a plasma protein secreted mainly by the liver and choroid plexus (CP) that is a carrier for thyroid hormones (THs) and retinol (vitamin A). The structure of TTR, with four monomers rich in β-chains in a globular tetrameric protein, accounts for the predisposition of the protein to aggregate in fibrils, leading to a rare and severe disease, namely transthyretin amyloidosis (ATTR). Much effort has been made and still is required to find new therapeutic compounds that can stabilize TTR ("kinetic stabilization") and prevent the amyloid genetic process. Moreover, TTR is an interesting therapeutic target for neurodegenerative diseases due to its recognized neuroprotective properties in the cognitive impairment context and interestingly in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Much evidence has been collected regarding the neuroprotective effects in AD, including through in vitro and in vivo studies as well as a wide range of clinical series. Despite this supported hypothesis of neuroprotection for TTR, the mechanisms are still not completely clear. The aim of this review is to highlight the most relevant findings on the neuroprotective role of TTR, and to summarize the recent progress on the development of TTR tetramer stabilizers.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jin Hae Kim
- Department of New Biology, Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science & Technology (DGIST), Daegu 42988, Korea;
| | - Grazia Chiellini
- Department of Pathology, University of Pisa, 56100 Pisa, Italy;
- Correspondence:
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17
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Cao Q, Anderson DH, Liang WY, Chou J, Saelices L. The inhibition of cellular toxicity of amyloid-β by dissociated transthyretin. J Biol Chem 2020; 295:14015-14024. [PMID: 32769117 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra120.013440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2020] [Revised: 07/31/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The protective effect of transthyretin (TTR) on cellular toxicity of β-amyloid (Aβ) has been previously reported. TTR is a tetrameric carrier of thyroxine in blood and cerebrospinal fluid, the pathogenic aggregation of which causes systemic amyloidosis. However, studies have documented a protective effect of TTR against cellular toxicity of pathogenic Aβ, a protein associated with Alzheimer's disease. TTR binds Aβ, alters its aggregation, and inhibits its toxicity both in vitro and in vivo In this study, we investigate whether the amyloidogenic ability of TTR and its antiamyloid inhibitory effect are associated. Using protein aggregation and cytotoxicity assays, we found that the dissociation of the TTR tetramer, required for its amyloid pathogenesis, is also necessary to prevent cellular toxicity from Aβ oligomers. These findings suggest that the Aβ-binding site of TTR may be hidden in its tetrameric form. Aided by computational docking and peptide screening, we identified a TTR segment that is capable of altering Aβ aggregation and toxicity, mimicking TTR cellular protection. EM, immune detection analysis, and assessment of aggregation and cytotoxicity revealed that the TTR segment inhibits Aβ oligomer formation and also promotes the formation of nontoxic, nonamyloid amorphous aggregates, which are more sensitive to protease digestion. Finally, this segment also inhibits seeding of Aβ catalyzed by Aβ fibrils extracted from the brain of an Alzheimer's patient. Together, these findings suggest that mimicking the inhibitory effect of TTR with peptide-based therapeutics represents an additional avenue to explore for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qin Cao
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Molecular Biology Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA.,Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Molecular Biology Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Daniel H Anderson
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Molecular Biology Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA.,Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Molecular Biology Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Wilson Y Liang
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Molecular Biology Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA.,Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Molecular Biology Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Joshua Chou
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Molecular Biology Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA.,Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Molecular Biology Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Lorena Saelices
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Molecular Biology Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA .,Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Molecular Biology Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA.,Center for Alzheimer's and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Department of Biophysics, O'Donnell Brain Institute, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
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18
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Brain Dicer1 Is Down-Regulated in a Mouse Model of Alzheimer's Disease Via Aβ42-Induced Repression of Nuclear Factor Erythroid 2-Related Factor 2. Mol Neurobiol 2020; 57:4417-4437. [PMID: 32737764 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-020-02036-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2020] [Accepted: 07/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Dicer1 is a microRNA-processing enzyme which plays critical roles in neuronal survival and neuritogenesis. Dicer1 deletion induces neurodegeneration or degeneration in retinal pigment epithelium, which is associated with oxidative stress. Oxidative stress is thought to be central in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Therefore, we hypothesize that Dicer1 may play roles in AD. Using immunoblotting and quantitative real-time PCR, Dicer1 protein and mRNA were reduced in the hippocampi of the AD mouse model APPswe/PSEN1dE9 compared with littermate controls. SiRNA-mediated Dicer1 knockdown induced oxidative stress and apoptosis and reduced mitochondrial membrane potential in cultured neurons. Chronic Aβ42 exposure decreased Dicer1 and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) which were reversed by N-acetyl-cystein. Nrf2 overexpression increased Dicer1 mRNA and protein and reverted the Aβ42-induced Dicer1 reduction. We further cloned Dicer1 promoter variants harboring the Nrf2-binding site, the antioxidant response elements (ARE), into a luciferase reporter and found that simultaneous transfection of Nrf2-expressing plasmid increased luciferase expression from these promoter constructs. ChIP assays indicated that Nrf2 directly interacted with the ARE motifs in the Dicer1 promoter. Furthermore, Dicer1 overexpression in cultured neurons reverted Aβ42-induced neurite deficits. Notably, injection of Dicer1-expressing adenovirus into the hippocampus of the mice significantly improved spatial learning. Altogether, we found novel roles of Dicer1 in AD and a novel regulatory pathway for Dicer1. These results suggest that Dicer1 is a target in AD therapy, especially at the early stage of this disorder. In this study, we found that Dicer1 was reduced in the brain of AD mice which is the first report to examine Dicer1 in AD. We further found (i) that Aβ42 exposure decreased Dicer1 via attenuating Nrf2-ARE signaling and (ii) injection of Dicer1-expressing adenovirus into the hippocampus of the AD mice significantly improved spatial learning. Altogether, we found novel roles of Dicer1 in AD and a novel regulatory pathway for Dicer1. This study may open new avenues for investigating potential pathognomonics and pathogenesis in AD.
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19
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Undiscovered Roles for Transthyretin: From a Transporter Protein to a New Therapeutic Target for Alzheimer's Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21062075. [PMID: 32197355 PMCID: PMC7139926 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21062075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2020] [Revised: 03/10/2020] [Accepted: 03/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Transthyretin (TTR), an homotetrameric protein mainly synthesized by the liver and the choroid plexus, and secreted into the blood and the cerebrospinal fluid, respectively, has been specially acknowledged for its functions as a transporter protein of thyroxine and retinol (the latter through binding to the retinol-binding protein), in these fluids. Still, this protein has managed to stay in the spotlight as it has been assigned new and varied functions. In this review, we cover knowledge on novel TTR functions and the cellular pathways involved, spanning from neuroprotection to vascular events, while emphasizing its involvement in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). We describe details of TTR as an amyloid binding protein and discuss its interaction with the amyloid Aβ peptides, and the proposed mechanisms underlying TTR neuroprotection in AD. We also present the importance of translating advances in the knowledge of the TTR neuroprotective role into drug discovery strategies focused on TTR as a new target in AD therapeutics.
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20
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Ghadami SA, Chia S, Ruggeri FS, Meisl G, Bemporad F, Habchi J, Cascella R, Dobson CM, Vendruscolo M, Knowles TPJ, Chiti F. Transthyretin Inhibits Primary and Secondary Nucleations of Amyloid-β Peptide Aggregation and Reduces the Toxicity of Its Oligomers. Biomacromolecules 2020; 21:1112-1125. [PMID: 32011129 PMCID: PMC7997117 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.9b01475] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
![]()
Alzheimer’s
disease is associated with the deposition of
the amyloid-β peptide (Aβ) into extracellular senile plaques
in the brain. In vitro and in vivo observations have indicated that
transthyretin (TTR) acts as an Aβ scavenger in the brain, but
the mechanism has not been fully resolved. We have monitored the aggregation
process of Aβ40 by thioflavin T fluorescence, in
the presence or absence of different concentrations of preformed seed
aggregates of Aβ40, of wild-type tetrameric TTR (WT-TTR),
and of a variant engineered to be stable as a monomer (M-TTR). Both
WT-TTR and M-TTR were found to inhibit specific steps of the process
of Aβ40 fibril formation, which are primary and secondary
nucleations, without affecting the elongation of the resulting fibrils.
Moreover, the analysis shows that both WT-TTR and M-TTR bind to Aβ40 oligomers formed in the aggregation reaction and inhibit
their conversion into the shortest fibrils able to elongate. Using
biophysical methods, TTR was found to change some aspects of its overall
structure following such interactions with Aβ40 oligomers,
as well as with oligomers of Aβ42, while maintaining
its overall topology. Hence, it is likely that the predominant mechanism
by which TTR exerts its protective role lies in the binding of TTR
to the Aβ oligomers and in inhibiting primary and secondary
nucleation processes, which limits both the toxicity of Aβ oligomers
and the ability of the fibrils to proliferate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seyyed Abolghasem Ghadami
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences "Mario Serio", Section of Biochemistry, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy
| | - Sean Chia
- Department of Chemistry, Centre for Misfolding Diseases, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1EW, U.K
| | - Francesco Simone Ruggeri
- Department of Chemistry, Centre for Misfolding Diseases, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1EW, U.K
| | - Georg Meisl
- Department of Chemistry, Centre for Misfolding Diseases, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1EW, U.K
| | - Francesco Bemporad
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences "Mario Serio", Section of Biochemistry, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy
| | - Johnny Habchi
- Department of Chemistry, Centre for Misfolding Diseases, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1EW, U.K
| | - Roberta Cascella
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences "Mario Serio", Section of Biochemistry, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy
| | - Christopher M Dobson
- Department of Chemistry, Centre for Misfolding Diseases, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1EW, U.K
| | - Michele Vendruscolo
- Department of Chemistry, Centre for Misfolding Diseases, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1EW, U.K
| | - Tuomas P J Knowles
- Department of Chemistry, Centre for Misfolding Diseases, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1EW, U.K.,Department of Physics, Cavendish Laboratory, 19 J. J. Thomson Avenue, Cambridge CB3 0HE, U.K
| | - Fabrizio Chiti
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences "Mario Serio", Section of Biochemistry, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy
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21
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Buxbaum JN. Treatment of hereditary and acquired forms of transthyretin amyloidosis in the era of personalized medicine: the role of randomized controlled trials. Amyloid 2019; 26:55-65. [PMID: 30907141 DOI: 10.1080/13506129.2019.1575201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
There have now been randomized controlled trials of four different therapeutics for hereditary amyloid polyneuropathy related to transthyretin (TTR) deposition and one for amyloidotic cardiomyopathy of both genetic and sporadic origin. It is likely that in the next few months those not already approved by either the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and/or the European Medicines Authority (EMA) will receive similar approvals for treatment for all or particular groups of patients. This is a far cry from circumstances less than 10 years ago when the only available therapy was gene replacement by liver transplant. The randomized controlled trials have shown that all the treatments (tafamidis, diflunisal, patisiran, and inotersen) are effective in the context of a clinical trial. However, we have very little idea of whether individual patients will respond in an equally positive way to all the drugs or whether there will be some who respond better to one or another or not respond at all, nor do we know whether combinations will be additive or synergistic. We lack validated markers of clinical response. While the small molecule TTR stabilizers increase serum TTR levels, the RNA-based drugs lower serum TTR. In the latter case, it is not clear that the reduction in serum TTR is related to the clinical response in a 1:1 fashion. Pharmaceutical companies have made substantial investments in the development of these agents and will clearly attempt to recoup those investments quickly. It is incumbent upon those of us who care for these patients to develop ways to assess the effects of therapy in the shortest possible time at the lowest possible cost. The better we are able to accomplish this the more likely it is that we will be able to treat the most patients in the most clinically efficient fashion regardless of their economic status. We now have the drugs we just have to figure out who should get them and when.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joel N Buxbaum
- a The Scripps Research Institute , San Diego , CA , USA.,b The Scintillon Institute , San Diego , CA , USA.,c Protego Biopharma , San Diego , CA , USA
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22
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Neuroanatomical Quantitative Proteomics Reveals Common Pathogenic Biological Routes between Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) and Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD). Int J Mol Sci 2018; 20:ijms20010004. [PMID: 30577465 PMCID: PMC6337647 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20010004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2018] [Revised: 12/10/2018] [Accepted: 12/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
(1) Background: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD) are neurodegenerative disorders with an overlap in clinical presentation and neuropathology. Common and differential mechanisms leading to protein expression changes and neurodegeneration in ALS and FTD were studied trough a deep neuroproteome mapping of the spinal cord. (2) Methods: A liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) analysis of the spinal cord from ALS-TAR DNA-binding protein 43 (TDP-43) subjects, ubiquitin-positive frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD-U) subjects and controls without neurodegenerative disease was performed. (3) Results: 281 differentially expressed proteins were detected among ALS versus controls, while 52 proteins were dysregulated among FTLD-U versus controls. Thirty-three differential proteins were shared between both syndromes. The resulting data was subjected to network-driven proteomics analysis, revealing mitochondrial dysfunction and metabolic impairment, both for ALS and FTLD-U that could be validated through the confirmation of expression levels changes of the Prohibitin (PHB) complex. (4) Conclusions: ALS-TDP-43 and FTLD-U share molecular and functional alterations, although part of the proteostatic impairment is region- and disease-specific. We have confirmed the involvement of specific proteins previously associated with ALS (Galectin 2 (LGALS3), Transthyretin (TTR), Protein S100-A6 (S100A6), and Protein S100-A11 (S100A11)) and have shown the involvement of proteins not previously described in the ALS context (Methanethiol oxidase (SELENBP1), Peptidyl-prolyl cis-trans isomerase NIMA-interacting 1 (PIN-1), Calcyclin-binding protein (CACYBP) and Rho-associated protein kinase 2 (ROCK2)).
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23
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Mangrolia P, Murphy RM. Retinol-Binding Protein Interferes with Transthyretin-Mediated β-Amyloid Aggregation Inhibition. Biochemistry 2018; 57:5029-5040. [PMID: 30024734 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biochem.8b00517] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
β-Amyloid (Aβ) aggregation is causally linked to Alzheimer's disease. On the basis of in vitro and transgenic animal studies, transthyretin (TTR) is hypothesized to provide neuroprotection against Aβ toxicity by binding to Aβ and inhibiting its aggregation. TTR is a homotetrameric protein that circulates in blood and cerebrospinal fluid; its normal physiological role is as a carrier for thyroxine and retinol-binding protein (RBP). RBP forms a complex with retinol, and the holoprotein (hRBP) binds with high affinity to TTR. In this study, the role of TTR ligands in TTR-mediated inhibition of Aβ aggregation was investigated. hRBP strongly reduced the ability of TTR to inhibit Aβ aggregation. The effect was not due to competition between Aβ and hRBP for binding to TTR, as Aβ bound equally well to TTR-hRBP complexes and TTR. hRBP is known to stabilize the TTR tetrameric structure. We show that Aβ partially destabilizes TTR and that hRBP counteracts this destabilization. Taken together, our results support a mechanism wherein TTR-mediated inhibition of Aβ aggregation requires not only TTR-Aβ binding but also destabilization of TTR quaternary structure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Parth Mangrolia
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering , University of Wisconsin-Madison , 1415 Engineering Drive , Madison , Wisconsin 53706 , United States
| | - Regina M Murphy
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering , University of Wisconsin-Madison , 1415 Engineering Drive , Madison , Wisconsin 53706 , United States
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24
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Garai K, Posey AE, Li X, Buxbaum JN, Pappu RV. Inhibition of amyloid beta fibril formation by monomeric human transthyretin. Protein Sci 2018; 27:1252-1261. [PMID: 29498118 PMCID: PMC6032350 DOI: 10.1002/pro.3396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2018] [Revised: 02/26/2018] [Accepted: 02/27/2018] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Transthyretin (TTR) is a homotetrameric protein that is found in the plasma and cerebrospinal fluid. Dissociation of TTR tetramers sets off a downhill cascade of amyloid formation through polymerization of monomeric TTR. Interestingly, TTR has an additional, biologically relevant activity, which pertains to its ability to slow the progression of amyloid beta (Aβ) associated pathology in transgenic mice. In vitro, both TTR and a kinetically stable variant of monomeric TTR (M-TTR) inhibit the fibril formation of Aβ1-40/42 molecules. Published evidence suggests that tetrameric TTR binds preferentially to Aβ monomers, thus destabilizing fibril formation by depleting the pool of Aβ monomers from aggregating mixtures. Here, we investigate the effects of M-TTR on the in vitro aggregation of Aβ1-42 . Our data confirm previous observations that fibril formation of Aβ is suppressed in the presence of sub-stoichiometric amounts of M-TTR. Despite this, we find that sub-stoichiometric levels of M-TTR are not bona fide inhibitors of aggregation. Instead, they co-aggregate with Aβ to promote the formation of large, micron-scale insoluble, non-fibrillar amorphous deposits. Based on fluorescence correlation spectroscopy measurements, we find that M-TTR does not interact with monomeric Aβ. Two-color coincidence analysis of the fluorescence bursts of Aβ and M-TTR labeled with different fluorophores shows that M-TTR co-assembles with soluble Aβ aggregates and this appears to drive the co-aggregation into amorphous precipitates. Our results suggest that mimicking the co-aggregation activity with protein-based therapeutics might be a worthwhile strategy for rerouting amyloid beta peptides into inert, insoluble, and amorphous deposits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kanchan Garai
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Center for Biological Systems EngineeringWashington University in St. Louis, One Brookings Drive, Campus Box 1097St. LouisMissouri63130
- TIFR Centre for Interdisciplinary Sciences, 36/P Gopanpally Village, SerilingampallyHyderabad500019India
| | - Ammon E. Posey
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Center for Biological Systems EngineeringWashington University in St. Louis, One Brookings Drive, Campus Box 1097St. LouisMissouri63130
| | - Xinyi Li
- Department of Molecular and Experimental MedicineThe Scripps Research Institute, 10550 North Torey Pines RoadLa JollaCalifornia92037
| | - Joel N. Buxbaum
- Department of Molecular and Experimental MedicineThe Scripps Research Institute, 10550 North Torey Pines RoadLa JollaCalifornia92037
| | - Rohit V. Pappu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering and Center for Biological Systems EngineeringWashington University in St. Louis, One Brookings Drive, Campus Box 1097St. LouisMissouri63130
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25
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Transthyretin Interferes with Aβ Amyloid Formation by Redirecting Oligomeric Nuclei into Non-Amyloid Aggregates. J Mol Biol 2018; 430:2722-2733. [PMID: 29890120 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2018.06.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2017] [Revised: 05/25/2018] [Accepted: 06/04/2018] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
The pathological Aβ aggregates associated with Alzheimer's disease follow a nucleation-dependent path of formation. A nucleus represents an oligomeric assembly of Aβ peptides that acts as a template for subsequent incorporation of monomers to form a fibrillar structure. Nuclei can form de novo or via surface-catalyzed secondary nucleation, and the combined rates of elongation and nucleation control the overall rate of fibril formation. Transthyretin (TTR) obstructs Aβ fibril formation in favor of alternative non-fibrillar assemblies, but the mechanism behind this activity is not fully understood. This study shows that TTR does not significantly disturb fibril elongation; rather, it effectively interferes with the formation of oligomeric nuclei. We demonstrate that this interference can be modulated by altering the relative contribution of elongation and nucleation, and we show how TTR's effects can range from being essentially ineffective to almost complete inhibition of fibril formation without changing the concentration of TTR or monomeric Aβ.
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26
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Gomes JR, Cabrito I, Soares HR, Costelha S, Teixeira A, Wittelsberger A, Stortelers C, Vanlandschoot P, Saraiva MJ. Delivery of an anti-transthyretin Nanobody to the brain through intranasal administration reveals transthyretin expression and secretion by motor neurons. J Neurochem 2018. [PMID: 29527688 PMCID: PMC6001800 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.14332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Transthyretin (TTR) is a transport protein of retinol and thyroxine in serum and CSF, which is mainly secreted by liver and choroid plexus, and in smaller amounts in other cells throughout the body. The exact role of TTR and its specific expression in Central Nervous System (CNS) remains understudied. We investigated TTR expression and metabolism in CNS, through the intranasal and intracerebroventricular delivery of a specific anti-TTR Nanobody to the brain, unveiling Nanobody pharmacokinetics to the CNS. In TTR deficient mice, we observed that anti-TTR Nanobody was successfully distributed throughout all brain areas, and also reaching the spinal cord. In wild-type mice, a similar distribution pattern was observed. However, in areas known to be rich in TTR, reduced levels of Nanobody were found, suggesting potential target-mediated effects. Indeed, in wild-type mice, the anti-TTR Nanobody was specifically internalized in a receptor-mediated process, by neuronal-like cells, which were identified as motor neurons. Whereas in KO TTR mice Nanobody was internalized by all cells, for late lysosomal degradation. Moreover, we demonstrate that in vivo motor neurons also actively synthesize TTR. Finally, in vitro cultured primary motor neurons were also found to synthesize and secrete TTR into culture media. Thus, through a novel intranasal CNS distribution study with an anti-TTR Nanobody, we disclose a new cell type capable of synthesizing TTR, which might be important for the understanding of the physiological role of TTR, as well as in pathological conditions where TTR levels are altered in CSF, such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- João R Gomes
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde (I3S), University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.,Neurobiology Unit, IBMC- Institute for Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | | | | | - Susete Costelha
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde (I3S), University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.,Neurobiology Unit, IBMC- Institute for Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Anabela Teixeira
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde (I3S), University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.,Neurobiology Unit, IBMC- Institute for Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | | | | | | | - Maria J Saraiva
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde (I3S), University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.,Neurobiology Unit, IBMC- Institute for Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
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27
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Verma M, Girdhar A, Patel B, Ganguly NK, Kukreti R, Taneja V. Q-Rich Yeast Prion [ PSI+] Accelerates Aggregation of Transthyretin, a Non-Q-Rich Human Protein. Front Mol Neurosci 2018; 11:75. [PMID: 29593496 PMCID: PMC5859028 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2018.00075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2017] [Accepted: 02/26/2018] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Interactions amongst different amyloid proteins have been proposed as a probable mechanism of aggregation and thus an important risk factor for the onset as well as progression of various neurodegenerative disorders including Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, Huntington's, and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Evidences suggest that transthyretin (TTR), a plasma protein associated with transthyretin amyloidosis or familial polyneuropathy (FAP) interacts with heterologous amyloid proteins including amyloid beta and islet amyloid polypeptide. In addition, recent clinical studies have revealed the presence of systemic polyneuropathy associated with FAP mutations in patients with spinocerebral ataxia, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and new familial systematic prion disease. Hence, it is important to investigate the interactions amongst different amyloid proteins to gain better insight into the pathology of amyloid disorders. Yeast has been an excellent model system to study interaction/ cross-seeding between heterologous amyloid proteins, more because of presence of endogenous yeast prions. Here, we examined interactions of non-glutamine (non-Q)-rich transthyretin, with glutamine (Q)-rich yeast prion protein Sup35. We established aggregation of an engineered double (F87M/L110M) mutant M-TTR-GFP in yeast. This mutant is monomeric and readily formed aggregates compared to WT-TTR-GFP in yeast at acidic pH. Interestingly, aggregation of M-TTR-GFP was significantly enhanced in presence of [PSI+], an endogenous prion form of Sup35. Different variants of [PSI+] seeded M-TTR-GFP with different efficiencies and curing of [PSI+] (losing the prion form) in these strains reduced aggregation. Moreover, overexpression of prion domain of Sup35 fused to RFP (NM-RFP) also increased M-TTR-GFP aggregation. M-TTR-GFP and NM-RFP aggregates co-localized in perivacuolar and juxtranuclear region. Sup35 protein was even immunocaptured in M-TTR-GFP aggregates. However, M-TTR-GFP overexpression did not induce Sup35 aggregation. Thus, it appears to be a unidirectional interaction between these two amyloid proteins. However, no affect on M-TTR-GFP aggregation was observed due to another yeast prion, [PIN+]. Our findings thus show the molecular interaction of transthyretin with yeast prion and support that sequence similarity is not the prime requirement for heterologous amyloid interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meenakshi Verma
- Genomics and Molecular Medicine, Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology, Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR), New Delhi, India.,Department of Research, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, New Delhi, India
| | | | - Basant Patel
- Department of Biotechnology, IIT Hyderabad, New Delhi, India
| | - Nirmal K Ganguly
- Department of Research, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, New Delhi, India
| | - Ritushree Kukreti
- Genomics and Molecular Medicine, Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology, Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR), New Delhi, India
| | - Vibha Taneja
- Department of Research, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, New Delhi, India
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28
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Li X, Song Y, Sanders CR, Buxbaum JN. Transthyretin Suppresses Amyloid-β Secretion by Interfering with Processing of the Amyloid-β Protein Precursor. J Alzheimers Dis 2017; 52:1263-75. [PMID: 27079720 DOI: 10.3233/jad-160033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
In Alzheimer's disease (AD), most hippocampal and cortical neurons show increased staining with anti-transthyretin (TTR) antibodies. Genetically programmed overexpression of wild type human TTR suppressed the neuropathologic and behavioral abnormalities in APP23 AD model mice and TTR-Aβ complexes have been isolated from some human AD brains and those of APP23 transgenic mice. In the present study, in vitro NMR analysis showed interaction between the hydrophobic thyroxine binding pocket of TTR and the cytoplasmic loop of the C99 fragment released by β-secretase cleavage of AβPP, with Kd = 86±9 μM. In cultured cells expressing both proteins, the interaction reduced phosphorylation of C99 (at T668) and suppressed its cleavage by γ-secretase, significantly decreasing Aβ secretion. Coupled with its previously demonstrated capacity to inhibit Aβ aggregation (with the resultant cytotoxicity in tissue culture) and its regulation by HSF1, these findings indicate that TTR can behave as a stress responsive multimodal suppressor of AD pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinyi Li
- Janssen Research & Development, LLC, Johnson & Johnson, San Diego, CA, USA.,Department of Molecular and Experimental Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Yuanli Song
- Bristol-Myers Squibb, Biologics Process Development, Devens, MA, USA.,Department of Biochemistry and Center for Structural Biology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Charles R Sanders
- Department of Biochemistry and Center for Structural Biology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Joel N Buxbaum
- Department of Molecular and Experimental Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
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29
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George C, Gontier G, Lacube P, François JC, Holzenberger M, Aïd S. The Alzheimer's disease transcriptome mimics the neuroprotective signature of IGF-1 receptor-deficient neurons. Brain 2017; 140:2012-2027. [PMID: 28595357 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awx132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2016] [Accepted: 04/12/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Seminal studies using post-mortem brains of patients with Alzheimer's disease evidenced aberrant insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF1R) signalling. Addressing causality, work in animal models recently demonstrated that long-term suppression of IGF1R signalling alleviates Alzheimer's disease progression and promotes neuroprotection. However, the underlying mechanisms remain largely elusive. Here, we showed that genetically ablating IGF1R in neurons of the ageing brain efficiently protects from neuroinflammation, anxiety and memory impairments induced by intracerebroventricular injection of amyloid-β oligomers. In our mutant mice, the suppression of IGF1R signalling also invariably led to small neuronal soma size, indicative of profound changes in cellular homeodynamics. To gain insight into transcriptional signatures leading to Alzheimer's disease-relevant neuronal defence, we performed genome-wide microarray analysis on laser-dissected hippocampal CA1 after neuronal IGF1R knockout, in the presence or absence of APP/PS1 transgenes. Functional analysis comparing neurons in early-stage Alzheimer's disease with IGF1R knockout neurons revealed strongly convergent transcriptomic signatures, notably involving neurite growth, cytoskeleton organization, cellular stress response and neurotransmission. Moreover, in Alzheimer's disease neurons, a high proportion of genes responding to Alzheimer's disease showed a reversed differential expression when IGF1R was deleted. One of the genes consistently highlighted in genome-wide comparison was the neurofilament medium polypeptide Nefm. We found that NEFM accumulated in hippocampus in the presence of amyloid pathology, and decreased to control levels under IGF1R deletion, suggesting that reorganized cytoskeleton likely plays a role in neuroprotection. These findings demonstrated that significant resistance of the brain to amyloid-β can be achieved lifelong by suppressing neuronal IGF1R and identified IGF-dependent molecular pathways that coordinate an intrinsic program for neuroprotection against proteotoxicity. Our data also indicate that neuronal defences against Alzheimer's disease rely on an endogenous gene expression profile similar to the neuroprotective response activated by genetic disruption of IGF1R signalling. This study highlights neuronal IGF1R signalling as a relevant target for developing Alzheimer's disease prevention strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline George
- INSERM, Centre de Recherche Saint-Antoine, 75012 Paris, France.,Sorbonne Universités, UPMC - Université Pierre et Marie Curie, 75012 Paris, France
| | - Géraldine Gontier
- INSERM, Centre de Recherche Saint-Antoine, 75012 Paris, France.,Sorbonne Universités, UPMC - Université Pierre et Marie Curie, 75012 Paris, France
| | - Philippe Lacube
- INSERM, Centre de Recherche Saint-Antoine, 75012 Paris, France.,Sorbonne Universités, UPMC - Université Pierre et Marie Curie, 75012 Paris, France
| | - Jean-Christophe François
- INSERM, Centre de Recherche Saint-Antoine, 75012 Paris, France.,Sorbonne Universités, UPMC - Université Pierre et Marie Curie, 75012 Paris, France
| | - Martin Holzenberger
- INSERM, Centre de Recherche Saint-Antoine, 75012 Paris, France.,Sorbonne Universités, UPMC - Université Pierre et Marie Curie, 75012 Paris, France
| | - Saba Aïd
- INSERM, Centre de Recherche Saint-Antoine, 75012 Paris, France.,Sorbonne Universités, UPMC - Université Pierre et Marie Curie, 75012 Paris, France
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30
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Chen R, Chen CP, Preston JE. Effects of transthyretin on thyroxine and β-amyloid removal from cerebrospinal fluid in mice. Clin Exp Pharmacol Physiol 2017; 43:844-50. [PMID: 27220110 DOI: 10.1111/1440-1681.12598] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2015] [Revised: 05/14/2016] [Accepted: 05/20/2016] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Transthyretin (TTR) is a binding protein for the thyroid hormone thyroxine (T4 ), retinol and β-amyloid peptide. TTR aids the transfer of T4 from the blood to the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), but also prevents T4 loss from the blood-CSF barrier. It is, however, unclear whether TTR affects the clearance of β-amyloid from the CSF. This study aimed to investigate roles of TTR in β-amyloid and T4 efflux from the CSF. Eight-week-old 129sv male mice were anaesthetized and their lateral ventricles were cannulated. Mice were infused with artificial CSF containing (125) I-T4 /(3) H-mannitol, or (125) I-Aβ40/(3) H-inulin, in the presence or absence of TTR. Mice were decapitated at 2, 4, 8, 16, 24 minutes after injection. The whole brain was then removed and divided into different regions. The radioactivities in the brain were determined by liquid scintillation counting. At baseline, the net uptake of (125) I-T4 into the brain was significantly higher than that of (125) I-Aβ40, and the half time for efflux was shorter ((125) I-T4 , 5.16; (3) H-mannitol, 7.44; (125) I-Aβ40, 8.34; (3) H-inulin, 10.78 minutes). The presence of TTR increased the half time for efflux of (125) I-T4 efflux, and caused a noticeable increase in the uptake of (125) I-T4 and (125) I-Aβ40 in the choroid plexus, whilst uptakes of (3) H-mannitol and (3) H-inulin remained similar to control experiments. This study indicates that thyroxine and amyloid peptide effuse from the CSF using different transporters. TTR binds to thyroxine and amyloid peptide to prevent the loss of thyroxine from the brain and redistribute amyloid peptide to the choroid plexus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruoli Chen
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, King's College London, London, UK.,Institute of Science and Technology of Medicine, School of Pharmacy, Keele University, Staffordshire, UK
| | - Carl P Chen
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, King's College London, London, UK.,Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan County, Taiwan, China
| | - Jane E Preston
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, King's College London, London, UK
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31
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Buxbaum JN, Johansson J. Transthyretin and BRICHOS: The Paradox of Amyloidogenic Proteins with Anti-Amyloidogenic Activity for Aβ in the Central Nervous System. Front Neurosci 2017; 11:119. [PMID: 28360830 PMCID: PMC5350149 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2017.00119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2017] [Accepted: 02/27/2017] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Amyloid fibrils are physiologically insoluble biophysically specific β-sheet rich structures formed by the aggregation of misfolded proteins. In vivo tissue amyloid formation is responsible for more than 30 different disease states in humans and other mammals. One of these, Alzheimer's disease (AD), is the most common form of human dementia for which there is currently no definitive treatment. Amyloid fibril formation by the amyloid β-peptide (Aβ) is considered to be an underlying cause of AD, and strategies designed to reduce Aβ production and/or its toxic effects are being extensively investigated in both laboratory and clinical settings. Transthyretin (TTR) and proteins containing a BRICHOS domain are etiologically associated with specific amyloid diseases in the CNS and other organs. Nonetheless, it has been observed that TTR and BRICHOS structures are efficient inhibitors of Aβ fibril formation and toxicity in vitro and in vivo, raising the possibility that some amyloidogenic proteins, or their precursors, possess properties that may be harnessed for combating AD and other amyloidoses. Herein, we review properties of TTR and the BRICHOS domain and discuss how their abilities to interfere with amyloid formation may be employed in the development of novel treatments for AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joel N Buxbaum
- Department of Molecular and Experimental Medicine, The Scripps Research InstituteLa Jolla, CA, USA; Scintillon InstituteSan Diego, CA, USA
| | - Jan Johansson
- Division of Neurogeriatrics, Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences, and Society (NVS), Center for Alzheimer Research, Karolinska Institutet Huddinge, Sweden
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32
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Pate KM, Murphy RM. Cerebrospinal Fluid Proteins as Regulators of Beta-amyloid Aggregation and Toxicity. Isr J Chem 2017; 57:602-612. [PMID: 29129937 DOI: 10.1002/ijch.201600078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Amyloid disorders, such as Alzheimer's, are almost invariably late-onset diseases. One defining diagnostic feature of Alzheimer's disease is the deposition of beta-amyloid as extracellular plaques, primarily in the hippocampus. This raises the question: are there natural protective agents that prevent beta-amyloid from depositing, and is it loss of this protection that leads to onset of disease? Proteins in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) have been suggested to act as just such natural protective agents. Here, we describe some of the early evidence that led to this suggestion, and we discuss, in greater detail, two CSF proteins that have garnered the bulk of the attention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kayla M Pate
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1415 Engineering Drive, Madison WI 53706 (USA)
| | - Regina M Murphy
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1415 Engineering Drive, Madison WI 53706 (USA)
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33
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Mathews PM, Levy E. Cystatin C in aging and in Alzheimer's disease. Ageing Res Rev 2016; 32:38-50. [PMID: 27333827 DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2016.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2015] [Revised: 06/08/2016] [Accepted: 06/08/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Under normal conditions, the function of catalytically active proteases is regulated, in part, by their endogenous inhibitors, and any change in the synthesis and/or function of a protease or its endogenous inhibitors may result in inappropriate protease activity. Altered proteolysis as a result of an imbalance between active proteases and their endogenous inhibitors can occur during normal aging, and such changes have also been associated with multiple neuronal diseases, including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), rare heritable neurodegenerative disorders, ischemia, some forms of epilepsy, and Alzheimer's disease (AD). One of the most extensively studied endogenous inhibitor is the cysteine-protease inhibitor cystatin C (CysC). Changes in the expression and secretion of CysC in the brain have been described in various neurological disorders and in animal models of neurodegeneration, underscoring a role for CysC in these conditions. In the brain, multiple in vitro and in vivo findings have demonstrated that CysC plays protective roles via pathways that depend upon the inhibition of endosomal-lysosomal pathway cysteine proteases, such as cathepsin B (Cat B), via the induction of cellular autophagy, via the induction of cell proliferation, or via the inhibition of amyloid-β (Aβ) aggregation. We review the data demonstrating the protective roles of CysC under conditions of neuronal challenge and the protective pathways induced by CysC under various conditions. Beyond highlighting the essential role that balanced proteolytic activity plays in supporting normal brain aging, these findings suggest that CysC is a therapeutic candidate that can potentially prevent brain damage and neurodegeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul M Mathews
- Departments of Psychiatry, New York University School of Medicine, USA; Center for Dementia Research, Nathan S. Kline Institute, Orangeburg, NY 10962, USA
| | - Efrat Levy
- Departments of Psychiatry, New York University School of Medicine, USA; Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, New York University School of Medicine, USA; Center for Dementia Research, Nathan S. Kline Institute, Orangeburg, NY 10962, USA.
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34
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Duarte AC, Hrynchak MV, Gonçalves I, Quintela T, Santos CRA. Sex Hormone Decline and Amyloid β Synthesis, Transport and Clearance in the Brain. J Neuroendocrinol 2016; 28. [PMID: 27632792 DOI: 10.1111/jne.12432] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2016] [Revised: 09/12/2016] [Accepted: 09/12/2016] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Sex hormones (SH) are essential regulators of the central nervous system. The decline in SH levels along with ageing may contribute to compromised neuroprotection and set the grounds for neurodegeneration and cognitive impairments. In Alzheimer's disease, besides other pathological features, there is an imbalance between amyloid β (Aβ) production and clearance, leading to its accumulation in the brain of older subjects. Aβ accumulation is a primary cause for brain inflammation and degeneration, as well as concomitant cognitive decline. There is mounting evidence that SH modulate Aβ production, transport and clearance. Importantly, SH regulate most of the molecules involved in the amyloidogenic pathway, their transport across brain barriers for elimination, and their degradation in the brain interstitial fluid. This review brings together data on the regulation of Aβ production, metabolism, degradation and clearance by SH.
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Affiliation(s)
- A C Duarte
- Health Sciences Research Centre - CICS-UBI, University of Beira Interior, Covilhã, Portugal
| | - M V Hrynchak
- Health Sciences Research Centre - CICS-UBI, University of Beira Interior, Covilhã, Portugal
| | - I Gonçalves
- Health Sciences Research Centre - CICS-UBI, University of Beira Interior, Covilhã, Portugal
| | - T Quintela
- Health Sciences Research Centre - CICS-UBI, University of Beira Interior, Covilhã, Portugal
| | - C R A Santos
- Health Sciences Research Centre - CICS-UBI, University of Beira Interior, Covilhã, Portugal
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Costa AR, Marcelino H, Gonçalves I, Quintela T, Tomás J, Duarte AC, Fonseca AM, Santos CRA. Sex Hormones Protect Against Amyloid-β Induced Oxidative Stress in the Choroid Plexus Cell Line Z310. J Neuroendocrinol 2016; 28. [PMID: 27328988 DOI: 10.1111/jne.12404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2015] [Revised: 05/23/2016] [Accepted: 06/18/2016] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
The choroid plexus (CP) epithelium is a unique structure in the brain that forms an interface between the peripheral blood on the basal side and the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) on the apical side. It is a relevant source of many polypeptides secreted to the CSF with neuroprotective functions and also participates in the elimination and detoxification of brain metabolites, such as β-amyloid (Aβ) removal from the CSF through transporter-mediated influx. The CP is also a target tissue for sex hormones (SHs) that have recognised neuroprotective effects against a variety of insults, including Aβ toxicity and oxidative stress in the central nervous system. The present study aimed to understand how SHs modulate Aβ-induced oxidative stress in a CP cell line (Z310 cell line) by analysing the effects of Aβ1-42 on oxidative stress, mitochondrial function and apoptosis, as well as by assessing how 17β-oestradiol (E2 ) and 5α-dihydrotestosterone (DHT) modulated these effects and the cellular uptake of Aβ1-42 by CP cells. Our findings show that E2 and DHT treatment reduce Aβ1-42 -induced oxidative stress and the internalisation of Aβ1-42 by CP epithelial cells, highlighting the importance of considering the background of SHs and therefore sex-related differences in Aβ metabolism and clearance by CP cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- A R Costa
- CICS-UBI - Health Sciences Research Centre, University of Beira Interior, Covilhã, Portugal
| | - H Marcelino
- CICS-UBI - Health Sciences Research Centre, University of Beira Interior, Covilhã, Portugal
| | - I Gonçalves
- CICS-UBI - Health Sciences Research Centre, University of Beira Interior, Covilhã, Portugal
| | - T Quintela
- CICS-UBI - Health Sciences Research Centre, University of Beira Interior, Covilhã, Portugal
| | - J Tomás
- CICS-UBI - Health Sciences Research Centre, University of Beira Interior, Covilhã, Portugal
| | - A C Duarte
- CICS-UBI - Health Sciences Research Centre, University of Beira Interior, Covilhã, Portugal
| | - A M Fonseca
- CICS-UBI - Health Sciences Research Centre, University of Beira Interior, Covilhã, Portugal
| | - C R A Santos
- CICS-UBI - Health Sciences Research Centre, University of Beira Interior, Covilhã, Portugal
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Bradley-Whitman MA, Abner E, Lynn BC, Lovell MA. A Novel Plasma Based Biomarker of Alzheimer's Disease. J Alzheimers Dis 2016; 47:761-71. [PMID: 26401710 DOI: 10.3233/jad-150183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Specific biomarkers in a readily accessible biological fluid, such as blood, could aid in the identification, characterization, validation, and routine monitoring of Alzheimer's disease (AD) progression. In the current study, levels of the previously described novel cerebrospinal fluid aberrant protein complex composed of prostaglandin-D-synthase (PDS) and transthyretin (TTR) were quantified in plasma by a custom two-probe sandwich ELISA and compared to amyloid-β (Aβ)(1-42) as a standard plasma biomarker of AD. Plasma was analyzed from 140 probable AD subjects, 135 subjects with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), 74 normal control subjects (NC) prior to MCI transition, 23 diseased control (DC) subjects with either frontotemporal dementia or dementia with Lewy bodies, and 182 normal control (NC) subjects who did not progress to MCI or dementia. Levels of Aβ(1-42) were significantly elevated in NC subjects prior to MCI conversion but significantly reduced in probable AD subjects compared to NC subjects. Similarly, levels of the PDS-TTR complex were significantly reduced in both MCI and probable AD subjects compared to NC subjects. Furthermore, levels of Aβ(1-42) and the PDS-TTR complex were not significantly different in DC subjects compared to NC subjects. MMSE scores were weakly but significantly correlated with plasma levels of the PDS-TTR complex and Aβ(1-42). Trail B scores were weakly but significantly correlated with plasma levels of Aβ(1-42). Comparison of receiver operating curves shows the PDS-TTR complex is comparable to Aβ(1-42) in both MCI and probable AD subjects.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Erin Abner
- Sanders Brown Center on Aging, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA.,Department of Epidemiology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - Bert C Lynn
- Sanders Brown Center on Aging, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA.,University of Kentucky Mass Spectrometry Facility, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA.,Department of Chemistry, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
| | - Mark A Lovell
- Sanders Brown Center on Aging, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA.,Department of Chemistry, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
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Santos LM, Rodrigues D, Alemi M, Silva SC, Ribeiro CA, Cardoso I. Resveratrol administration increases Transthyretin protein levels ameliorating AD features- importance of transthyretin tetrameric stability. Mol Med 2016; 22:597-607. [PMID: 27385446 DOI: 10.2119/molmed.2016.00124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2016] [Accepted: 06/29/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Previous in vivo work showed that resveratrol has beneficial effects in the AD pathology, resulting in increased expression of transthyretin (TTR). TTR binds Aβ peptide avoiding its aggregation and toxicity, and is reduced in the CSF and plasma, in AD. Further, resveratrol binds TTR, stabilizing the native TTR tetrameric structure. To further explore the mechanism of neuroprotection conferred by TTR in AD, resveratrol was administrated, in the diet, to 5-8 months old AD transgenic female mice carrying just one copy of the mouse TTR gene, for two months. Effects in brain Aβ burden were evaluated by immunohistochemistry, and in total brain Aβ levels by ELISA, showing a striking decrease in both parameters in treated animals. In addition, total brain LRP1 protein levels were increased in treated animals, although its gene expression was unaltered. To further understand the mechanism(s) underlying such improvement in AD features, we measured TTR plasma levels showing that TTR increased in resveratrol-treated mice, whereas liver TTR gene transcription was not altered. These results strengthen the stability hypothesis, which postulates that TTR is unstable in AD leading to accelerated clearance and lower levels. Therefore, resveratrol which stabilizes the TTR tetramer results in TTR normalized clearance, thus increasing the protein plasma levels. In turn, stabilized TTR binds more strongly to Aβ peptide, avoiding its aggregation. Our results represent a step forward to the understanding of the mechanism underlying TTR protection in AD and highlight the possibility of using TTR stabilization as a therapeutic target in AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- L M Santos
- IBMC - Instituto de Biologia Celular e Molecular.,i3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Portugal
| | - D Rodrigues
- IBMC - Instituto de Biologia Celular e Molecular.,i3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Portugal.,ESTSP - Department of Health Sciences, School of Allied Health Technologies, Polytechnic Institute of Porto, Portugal
| | - M Alemi
- IBMC - Instituto de Biologia Celular e Molecular.,i3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Portugal.,Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - S C Silva
- IBMC - Instituto de Biologia Celular e Molecular.,i3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Portugal.,ESTSP - Department of Health Sciences, School of Allied Health Technologies, Polytechnic Institute of Porto, Portugal
| | - C A Ribeiro
- IBMC - Instituto de Biologia Celular e Molecular.,i3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Portugal
| | - I Cardoso
- IBMC - Instituto de Biologia Celular e Molecular.,i3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Portugal
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Sassi C, Ridge PG, Nalls MA, Gibbs R, Ding J, Lupton MK, Troakes C, Lunnon K, Al-Sarraj S, Brown KS, Medway C, Lord J, Turton J, Morgan K, Powell JF, Kauwe JS, Cruchaga C, Bras J, Goate AM, Singleton AB, Guerreiro R, Hardy J. Influence of Coding Variability in APP-Aβ Metabolism Genes in Sporadic Alzheimer's Disease. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0150079. [PMID: 27249223 PMCID: PMC4889076 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0150079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2015] [Accepted: 02/09/2016] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
The cerebral deposition of Aβ42, a neurotoxic proteolytic derivate of amyloid precursor protein (APP), is a central event in Alzheimer's disease (AD)(Amyloid hypothesis). Given the key role of APP-Aβ metabolism in AD pathogenesis, we selected 29 genes involved in APP processing, Aβ degradation and clearance. We then used exome and genome sequencing to investigate the single independent (single-variant association test) and cumulative (gene-based association test) effect of coding variants in these genes as potential susceptibility factors for AD, in a cohort composed of 332 sporadic and mainly late-onset AD cases and 676 elderly controls from North America and the UK. Our study shows that common coding variability in these genes does not play a major role for the disease development. In the single-variant association analysis, the main hits, none of which statistically significant after multiple testing correction (1.9e-4
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Affiliation(s)
- Celeste Sassi
- Reta Lila, Weston Research Laboratories, Department of Molecular Neuroscience, UCL Institute of Neurology, London, United Kingdom
- Laboratory of Neurogenetics, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States of America
- Department of Experimental Neurology, Center for Stroke Research Berlin (CSB), Charite’ Universitätmedizin, Berlin, Germany
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Berlin site, Germany
| | - Perry G. Ridge
- Departments of Biology, Neuroscience, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, United States of America
| | - Michael A. Nalls
- Laboratory of Neurogenetics, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States of America
| | - Raphael Gibbs
- Laboratory of Neurogenetics, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States of America
| | - Jinhui Ding
- Laboratory of Neurogenetics, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States of America
| | - Michelle K. Lupton
- King's College London Institute of Psychiatry, London, United Kingdom
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Claire Troakes
- King's College London Institute of Psychiatry, London, United Kingdom
| | - Katie Lunnon
- King's College London Institute of Psychiatry, London, United Kingdom
| | - Safa Al-Sarraj
- King's College London Institute of Psychiatry, London, United Kingdom
| | - Kristelle S. Brown
- Translation Cell Sciences-Human Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Queens Medical Centre, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Christopher Medway
- Translation Cell Sciences-Human Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Queens Medical Centre, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Jenny Lord
- Translation Cell Sciences-Human Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Queens Medical Centre, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - James Turton
- Translation Cell Sciences-Human Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Queens Medical Centre, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | | | - Kevin Morgan
- Translation Cell Sciences-Human Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Queens Medical Centre, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - John F. Powell
- King's College London Institute of Psychiatry, London, United Kingdom
| | - John S. Kauwe
- Departments of Biology, Neuroscience, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, United States of America
| | - Carlos Cruchaga
- Washington University, Division of Biology and Biomedical Sciences St. Louis, MO, United States of America
| | - Jose Bras
- Reta Lila, Weston Research Laboratories, Department of Molecular Neuroscience, UCL Institute of Neurology, London, United Kingdom
| | - Alison M. Goate
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Icahn Medical Institute, New York, NY, United States of America
| | - Andrew B. Singleton
- Laboratory of Neurogenetics, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States of America
| | - Rita Guerreiro
- Reta Lila, Weston Research Laboratories, Department of Molecular Neuroscience, UCL Institute of Neurology, London, United Kingdom
| | - John Hardy
- Reta Lila, Weston Research Laboratories, Department of Molecular Neuroscience, UCL Institute of Neurology, London, United Kingdom
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Mangrolia P, Yang DT, Murphy RM. Transthyretin variants with improved inhibition of β-amyloid aggregation. Protein Eng Des Sel 2016; 29:209-218. [PMID: 27099354 DOI: 10.1093/protein/gzw008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2016] [Accepted: 03/08/2016] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Aggregation of β-amyloid (Aβ) is widely believed to cause neuronal dysfunction in Alzheimer's disease. Transthyretin (TTR) binds to Aβ and inhibits its aggregation and neurotoxicity. TTR is a homotetrameric protein, with each monomer containing a short α-helix and two anti-parallel β-sheets. Dimers pack into tetramers to form a hydrophobic cavity. Here we report the discovery of a TTR mutant, N98A, that was more effective at inhibiting Aβ aggregation than wild-type (WT) TTR, although N98A and WT bound Aβ equally. The N98A mutation is located on a flexible loop distant from the putative Aβ-binding sites and does not alter secondary and tertiary structures nor prevent correct assembly into tetramers. Under non-physiological conditions, N98A tetramers were kinetically and thermodynamically less stable than WT, suggesting a difference in the tetramer folded structure. In vivo, the lone cysteine in TTR is frequently modified by S-cysteinylation or S-sulfonation. Like the N98A mutation, S-cysteinylation of TTR modestly decreased tetramer stability and increased TTR's effectiveness at inhibiting Aβ aggregation. Collectively, these data indicate that a subtle change in TTR tetramer structure measurably increases TTR's ability to inhibit Aβ aggregation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Parth Mangrolia
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1415 Engineering Dr., Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | - Dennis T Yang
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1415 Engineering Dr., Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | - Regina M Murphy
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1415 Engineering Dr., Madison, WI 53706, USA
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Kaur C, Rathnasamy G, Ling EA. The Choroid Plexus in Healthy and Diseased Brain. J Neuropathol Exp Neurol 2016; 75:198-213. [DOI: 10.1093/jnen/nlv030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 92] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/30/2023] Open
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41
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Transthyretin participates in beta-amyloid transport from the brain to the liver--involvement of the low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 1? Sci Rep 2016; 6:20164. [PMID: 26837706 PMCID: PMC4738280 DOI: 10.1038/srep20164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2015] [Accepted: 12/22/2015] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Transthyretin (TTR) binds Aβ peptide, preventing its deposition and toxicity. TTR is decreased in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) patients. Additionally, AD transgenic mice with only one copy of the TTR gene show increased brain and plasma Aβ levels when compared to AD mice with both copies of the gene, suggesting TTR involvement in brain Aβ efflux and/or peripheral clearance. Here we showed that TTR promotes Aβ internalization and efflux in a human cerebral microvascular endothelial cell line, hCMEC/D3. TTR also stimulated brain-to-blood but not blood-to-brain Aβ permeability in hCMEC/D3, suggesting that TTR interacts directly with Aβ at the blood-brain-barrier. We also observed that TTR crosses the monolayer of cells only in the brain-to-blood direction, as confirmed by in vivo studies, suggesting that TTR can transport Aβ from, but not into the brain. Furthermore, TTR increased Aβ internalization by SAHep cells and by primary hepatocytes from TTR+/+ mice when compared to TTR−/− animals. We propose that TTR-mediated Aβ clearance is through LRP1, as lower receptor expression was found in brains and livers of TTR−/− mice and in cells incubated without TTR. Our results suggest that TTR acts as a carrier of Aβ at the blood-brain-barrier and liver, using LRP1.
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Han SH, Park JC, Mook-Jung I. Amyloid β-interacting partners in Alzheimer's disease: From accomplices to possible therapeutic targets. Prog Neurobiol 2016; 137:17-38. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pneurobio.2015.12.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2015] [Revised: 12/02/2015] [Accepted: 12/09/2015] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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Abstract
UNLABELLED Cellular protein homeostasis (proteostasis) maintains the integrity of the proteome and includes protein synthesis, folding, oligomerization, and turnover; chaperone proteins assist with all of these processes. Neurons appear to be especially susceptible to failures in proteostasis, and this is now increasingly recognized as a major origin of neurodegenerative disease. This review, based on a mini-symposium presented at the 2015 Society for Neuroscience meeting, describes new work in the area of neuronal proteostasis, with a specific focus on the roles and therapeutic uses of protein chaperones. We first present a brief review of protein misfolding and aggregation in neurodegenerative disease. We then discuss different aspects of chaperone control of neuronal proteostasis on topics ranging from chaperone engineering, to chaperone-mediated blockade of protein oligomerization and cytotoxicity, to the potential rescue of neurodegenerative processes using modified chaperone proteins. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Aberrant protein homeostasis within neurons results in protein misfolding and aggregation. In this review, we discuss specific roles for protein chaperones in the oligomerization, assembly, and disaggregation of proteins known to be abnormally folded in neurodegenerative disease. Collectively, our goal is to identify therapeutic mechanisms to reduce the cellular toxicity of abnormal aggregates.
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Vieira M, Leal SS, Gomes CM, Saraiva MJ. Evidence for synergistic action of transthyretin and IGF-I over the IGF-I receptor. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2016; 1862:797-804. [PMID: 26804653 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2016.01.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2015] [Revised: 12/23/2015] [Accepted: 01/08/2016] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Transthyretin (TTR) has a neuroprotective role in the central nervous system (CNS) in Alzheimer's disease (AD) and cerebral ischemia. Increased levels of TTR and activated insulin-like growth factor I receptor (IGF-IR) are associated with reduced neurodegeneration in an AD mouse model. In the present study, we found that TTR and IGF-I have a synergistic effect on activation of one of the IGF-IR signaling pathways. Hippocampus of TTR null mice present decreased levels of phosphorylated IGF-IR and Akt when compared with TTR wild type littermate animals. Cell studies reveal the synergistic effect of TTR and IGF-I in promoting IGF-IR signaling even under glutamate induced toxicity. TTR:IGF-IR complexes are identified and a bio-layer interferometry assay demonstrated an interaction between TTR and IGF-IR with a KD ranging from 99 to 744nM. In summary, our results point to a new TTR role through the IGF-I axis, mediated through TTR-IGF-IR interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Vieira
- I3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Unidade de Neurobiologia Molecular, IBMC - Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Sónia S Leal
- Instituto Tecnologia Química e Biológica, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, 2780-157 Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Cláudio M Gomes
- Instituto Tecnologia Química e Biológica, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, 2780-157 Oeiras, Portugal
| | - Maria João Saraiva
- I3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Unidade de Neurobiologia Molecular, IBMC - Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal.
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Schafer MJ, Dolgalev I, Alldred MJ, Heguy A, Ginsberg SD. Calorie Restriction Suppresses Age-Dependent Hippocampal Transcriptional Signatures. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0133923. [PMID: 26221964 PMCID: PMC4519125 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0133923] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2015] [Accepted: 07/02/2015] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Calorie restriction (CR) enhances longevity and mitigates aging phenotypes in numerous species. Physiological responses to CR are cell-type specific and variable throughout the lifespan. However, the mosaic of molecular changes responsible for CR benefits remains unclear, particularly in brain regions susceptible to deterioration during aging. We examined the influence of long-term CR on the CA1 hippocampal region, a key learning and memory brain area that is vulnerable to age-related pathologies, such as Alzheimer's disease (AD). Through mRNA sequencing and NanoString nCounter analysis, we demonstrate that one year of CR feeding suppresses age-dependent signatures of 882 genes functionally associated with synaptic transmission-related pathways, including calcium signaling, long-term potentiation (LTP), and Creb signaling in wild-type mice. By comparing the influence of CR on hippocampal CA1 region transcriptional profiles at younger-adult (5 months, 2.5 months of feeding) and older-adult (15 months, 12.5 months of feeding) timepoints, we identify conserved upregulation of proteome quality control and calcium buffering genes, including heat shock 70 kDa protein 1b (Hspa1b) and heat shock 70 kDa protein 5 (Hspa5), protein disulfide isomerase family A member 4 (Pdia4) and protein disulfide isomerase family A member 6 (Pdia6), and calreticulin (Calr). Expression levels of putative neuroprotective factors, klotho (Kl) and transthyretin (Ttr), are also elevated by CR in adulthood, although the global CR-specific expression profiles at younger and older timepoints are highly divergent. At a previously unachieved resolution, our results demonstrate conserved activation of neuroprotective gene signatures and broad CR-suppression of age-dependent hippocampal CA1 region expression changes, indicating that CR functionally maintains a more youthful transcriptional state within the hippocampal CA1 sector.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marissa J. Schafer
- Cell and Molecular Biology Program, New York University Langone Medical Center, New York, New York, United States of America
- Center for Dementa Research, Nathan Kline Institute, Orangeburg, New York, United States of America
| | - Igor Dolgalev
- Genome Technology Center, New York University Langone Medical Center, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Melissa J. Alldred
- Center for Dementa Research, Nathan Kline Institute, Orangeburg, New York, United States of America
- Department of Psychiatry, New York University Langone Medical Center, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Adriana Heguy
- Genome Technology Center, New York University Langone Medical Center, New York, New York, United States of America
- Department of Pathology, New York University Langone Medical Center, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Stephen D. Ginsberg
- Cell and Molecular Biology Program, New York University Langone Medical Center, New York, New York, United States of America
- Center for Dementa Research, Nathan Kline Institute, Orangeburg, New York, United States of America
- Department of Psychiatry, New York University Langone Medical Center, New York, New York, United States of America
- Department of Neuroscience and Physiology, New York University Langone Medical Center, New York, New York, United States of America
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46
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Sopian NFA, Ajat M, Shafie NI, Noor MHM, Ebrahimi M, Rajion MA, Meng GY, Ahmad H. Does Short-Term Dietary Omega-3 Fatty Acid Supplementation Influence Brain Hippocampus Gene Expression of Zinc Transporter-3? Int J Mol Sci 2015; 16:15800-10. [PMID: 26184176 PMCID: PMC4519926 DOI: 10.3390/ijms160715800] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2015] [Revised: 06/19/2015] [Accepted: 07/06/2015] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Dietary omega-3 fatty acids have been recognized to improve brain cognitive function. Deficiency leads to dysfunctional zinc metabolism associated with learning and memory impairment. The objective of this study is to explore the effect of short-term dietary omega-3 fatty acids on hippocampus gene expression at the molecular level in relation to spatial recognition memory in mice. A total of 24 male BALB/c mice were randomly divided into four groups and fed a standard pellet as a control group (CTL, n = 6), standard pellet added with 10% (w/w) fish oil (FO, n = 6), 10% (w/w) soybean oil (SO, n = 6) and 10% (w/w) butter (BT, n = 6). After 3 weeks on the treatment diets, spatial-recognition memory was tested on a Y-maze. The hippocampus gene expression was determined using a real-time PCR. The results showed that 3 weeks of dietary omega-3 fatty acid supplementation improved cognitive performance along with the up-regulation of α-synuclein, calmodulin and transthyretin genes expression. In addition, dietary omega-3 fatty acid deficiency increased the level of ZnT3 gene and subsequently reduced cognitive performance in mice. These results indicate that the increased the ZnT3 levels caused by the deficiency of omega-3 fatty acids produced an abnormal zinc metabolism that in turn impaired the brain cognitive performance in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nur Farhana Ahmad Sopian
- Department of Veterinary Preclinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia.
| | - Mokrish Ajat
- Department of Veterinary Preclinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia.
| | - Nurul' Izzati Shafie
- Department of Veterinary Preclinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia.
| | - Mohd Hezmee Mohd Noor
- Department of Veterinary Preclinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia.
| | - Mehdi Ebrahimi
- Department of Veterinary Preclinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia.
| | - Mohamed Ali Rajion
- Department of Veterinary Preclinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia.
| | - Goh Yong Meng
- Department of Veterinary Preclinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia.
| | - Hafandi Ahmad
- Department of Veterinary Preclinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia.
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47
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Alshehri B, D'Souza DG, Lee JY, Petratos S, Richardson SJ. The diversity of mechanisms influenced by transthyretin in neurobiology: development, disease and endocrine disruption. J Neuroendocrinol 2015; 27:303-23. [PMID: 25737004 DOI: 10.1111/jne.12271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2014] [Revised: 02/23/2015] [Accepted: 02/24/2015] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Transthyretin (TTR) is a protein that binds and distributes thyroid hormones (THs). TTR synthesised in the liver is secreted into the bloodstream and distributes THs around the body, whereas TTR synthesised in the choroid plexus is involved in movement of thyroxine from the blood into the cerebrospinal fluid and the distribution of THs in the brain. This is important because an adequate amount of TH is required for normal development of the brain. Nevertheless, there has been heated debate on the role of TTR synthesised by the choroid plexus during the past 20 years. We present both sides of the debate and how they can be reconciled by the discovery of TH transporters. New roles for TTR have been suggested, including the promotion of neuroregeneration, protection against neurodegeneration, and involvement in schizophrenia, behaviour, memory and learning. Recently, TTR synthesis was revealed in neurones and peripheral Schwann cells. Thus, the synthesis of TTR in the central nervous system (CNS) is more extensive than previously considered and bolsters the hypothesis that TTR may play wide roles in neurobiological function. Given the high conservation of TTR structure, function and tissue specificity and timing of gene expression, this implies that TTR has a fundamental role, during development and in the adult, across vertebrates. An alarming number of 'unnatural' chemicals can bind to TTR, thus potentially interfering with its functions in the brain. One role of TTR is delivery of THs throughout the CNS. Reduced TH availability during brain development results in a reduced IQ. The combination of the newly discovered sites of TTR synthesis in the CNS, the increasing number of neurological diseases being associated with TTR, the newly discovered functions of TTR and the awareness of the chemicals that can interfere with TTR biology render this a timely review on TTR in neurobiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Alshehri
- School of Medical Sciences, RMIT University, Bundoora, VIC, Australia
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48
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Wang X, Hjorth E, Vedin I, Eriksdotter M, Freund-Levi Y, Wahlund LO, Cederholm T, Palmblad J, Schultzberg M. Effects of n-3 FA supplementation on the release of proresolving lipid mediators by blood mononuclear cells: the OmegAD study. J Lipid Res 2015; 56:674-681. [PMID: 25616438 DOI: 10.1194/jlr.p055418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Specialized proresolving mediators (SPMs) induce resolution of inflammation. SPMs are derivatives of n-3 and n-6 PUFAs and may mediate their beneficial effects. It is unknown whether supplementation with PUFAs influences the production of SPMs. Alzheimer's disease (AD) is associated with brain inflammation and reduced levels of SPMs. The OmegAD study is a randomized, double-blind, and placebo-controlled clinical trial on AD patients, in which placebo or a supplement of 1.7 g DHA and 0.6 g EPA was taken daily for 6 months. Plasma levels of arachidonic acid decreased, and DHA and EPA levels increased after 6 months of n-3 FA treatment. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were obtained before and after the trial. Analysis of the culture medium of PBMCs incubated with amyloid-β 1-40 showed unchanged levels of the SPMs lipoxin A4 and resolvin D1 in the group supplemented with n-3 FAs, whereas a decrease was seen in the placebo group. The changes in SPMs showed correspondence to cognitive changes. Changes in the levels of SPMs were positively correlated to changes in transthyretin. We conclude that supplementation with n-3 PUFAs for 6 months prevented a reduction in SPMs released from PBMCs of AD patients, which was associated with changes in cognitive function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiuzhe Wang
- Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institutet, SE-141 57, Huddinge, Stockholm, Sweden; Department of Neurology, Ruijin Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 200025, Shanghai, China.
| | - Erik Hjorth
- Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institutet, SE-141 57, Huddinge, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Inger Vedin
- Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, SE-141 57, Huddinge, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Maria Eriksdotter
- Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institutet, SE-141 57, Huddinge, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Yvonne Freund-Levi
- Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institutet, SE-141 57, Huddinge, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Lars-Olof Wahlund
- Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institutet, SE-141 57, Huddinge, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Tommy Cederholm
- Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences, Uppsala University, SE-751 85, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Jan Palmblad
- Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, SE-141 57, Huddinge, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Marianne Schultzberg
- Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institutet, SE-141 57, Huddinge, Stockholm, Sweden
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49
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Philibert KD, Marr RA, Norstrom EM, Glucksman MJ. Identification and characterization of Aβ peptide interactors in Alzheimer's disease by structural approaches. Front Aging Neurosci 2014; 6:265. [PMID: 25346686 PMCID: PMC4191344 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2014.00265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2014] [Accepted: 09/12/2014] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Currently, there are very limited pharmaceutical interventions for Alzheimer's disease (AD) to alleviate the amyloid burden implicated in the pathophysiology of the disease. Alzheimer's disease is characterized immunohistologically by the accumulation of senile plaques in the brain with afflicted patients progressively losing short-term memory and, ultimately, cognition. Although significant improvements in clinical diagnosis and care for AD patients have been made, effective treatments for this devastating disease remain elusive. A key component of the amyloid burden of AD comes from accumulation of the amyloid-beta (Aβ) peptide which comes from processing of the amyloid precursor protein (APP) by enzymes termed secretases, leading to production of these toxic Aβ peptides of 40-42 amino acids. New therapeutic approaches for reducing Aβ are warranted after the most logical avenues of inhibiting secretase activity appear less than optimal in ameliorating the progression of AD.Novel therapeutics may be gleaned from proteomics biomarker initiatives to yield detailed molecular interactions of enzymes and their potential substrates. Explicating the APPome by deciphering protein complexes forming in cells is a complementary approach to unveil novel molecular interactions with the amyloidogenic peptide precursor to both understand the biology and develop potential upstream drug targets. Utilizing these strategies we have identified EC 3.4.24.15 (EP24.15), a zinc metalloprotease related to neprilysin (NEP), with the ability to catabolize Aβ 1-42 by examining first potential in silico docking and then verification by mass spectrometry. In addition, a hormone carrier protein, transthyreitin (TTR), was identified and with its abundance in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), found to clear Aβ by inhibiting formation of oligomeric forms of Aβ peptide. The confluence of complementary strategies may allow new therapeutic avenues as well as biomarkers for AD that will aid in diagnosis, prognosis and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keith D Philibert
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Chicago Medical School, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science North Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Robert A Marr
- Department of Neuroscience, Chicago Medical School, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science North Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Eric M Norstrom
- Department of Biological Sciences, DePaul University Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Marc J Glucksman
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Chicago Medical School, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science North Chicago, IL, USA
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50
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Landel V, Baranger K, Virard I, Loriod B, Khrestchatisky M, Rivera S, Benech P, Féron F. Temporal gene profiling of the 5XFAD transgenic mouse model highlights the importance of microglial activation in Alzheimer's disease. Mol Neurodegener 2014; 9:33. [PMID: 25213090 PMCID: PMC4237952 DOI: 10.1186/1750-1326-9-33] [Citation(s) in RCA: 117] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2014] [Accepted: 08/27/2014] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The 5XFAD early onset mouse model of Alzheimer's disease (AD) is gaining momentum. Behavioral, electrophysiological and anatomical studies have identified age-dependent alterations that can be reminiscent of human AD. However, transcriptional changes during disease progression have not yet been investigated. To this end, we carried out a transcriptomic analysis on RNAs from the neocortex and the hippocampus of 5XFAD female mice at the ages of one, four, six and nine months (M1, M4, M6, M9). RESULTS Our results show a clear shift in gene expression patterns between M1 and M4. At M1, 5XFAD animals exhibit region-specific variations in gene expression patterns whereas M4 to M9 mice share a larger proportion of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) that are common to both regions. Analysis of DEGs from M4 to M9 underlines the predominance of inflammatory and immune processes in this AD mouse model. The rise in inflammation, sustained by the overexpression of genes from the complement and integrin families, is accompanied by an increased expression of transcripts involved in the NADPH oxidase complex, phagocytic processes and IFN-γ related pathways. CONCLUSIONS Overall, our data suggest that, from M4 to M9, sustained microglial activation becomes the predominant feature and point out that both detrimental and neuroprotective mechanisms appear to be at play in this model. Furthermore, our study identifies a number of genes already known to be altered in human AD, thus confirming the use of the 5XFAD strain as a valid model for understanding AD pathogenesis and for screening potential therapeutic molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Véréna Landel
- Aix Marseille Université, CNRS, NICN UMR 7259, 13916 Marseille, France
| | - Kévin Baranger
- Aix Marseille Université, CNRS, NICN UMR 7259, 13916 Marseille, France
- APHM, Hôpitaux de la Timone, Service de Neurologie et Neuropsychologie, 13385 Marseille, France
| | - Isabelle Virard
- Aix Marseille Université, CNRS, NICN UMR 7259, 13916 Marseille, France
| | - Béatrice Loriod
- Aix Marseille Université, TAGC UMR 1090, 13288 Marseille, France
- INSERM, TAGC UMR 1090, 13288 Marseille, France
| | | | - Santiago Rivera
- Aix Marseille Université, CNRS, NICN UMR 7259, 13916 Marseille, France
| | - Philippe Benech
- Aix Marseille Université, CNRS, NICN UMR 7259, 13916 Marseille, France
| | - François Féron
- Aix Marseille Université, CNRS, NICN UMR 7259, 13916 Marseille, France
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