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Rajendran K, Krishnan UM. Mechanistic insights and emerging therapeutic stratagems for Alzheimer's disease. Ageing Res Rev 2024; 97:102309. [PMID: 38615895 DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2024.102309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2023] [Revised: 04/10/2024] [Accepted: 04/10/2024] [Indexed: 04/16/2024]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD), a multi-factorial neurodegenerative disorder has affected over 30 million individuals globally and these numbers are expected to increase in the coming decades. Current therapeutic interventions are largely ineffective as they focus on a single target. Development of an effective drug therapy requires a deep understanding of the various factors influencing the onset and progression of the disease. Aging and genetic factors exert a major influence on the development of AD. Other factors like post-viral infections, iron overload, gut dysbiosis, and vascular dysfunction also exacerbate the onset and progression of AD. Further, post-translational modifications in tau, DRP1, CREB, and p65 proteins increase the disease severity through triggering mitochondrial dysfunction, synaptic loss, and differential interaction of amyloid beta with different receptors leading to impaired intracellular signalling. With advancements in neuroscience tools, new inter-relations that aggravate AD are being discovered including pre-existing diseases and exposure to other pathogens. Simultaneously, new therapeutic strategies involving modulation of gene expression through targeted delivery or modulation with light, harnessing the immune response to promote clearance of amyloid deposits, introduction of stem cells and extracellular vesicles to replace the destroyed neurons, exploring new therapeutic molecules from plant, marine and biological sources delivered in the free state or through nanoparticles and use of non-pharmacological interventions like music, transcranial stimulation and yoga. Polypharmacology approaches involving combination of therapeutic agents are also under active investigation for superior therapeutic outcomes. This review elaborates on various disease-causing factors, their underlying mechanisms, the inter-play between different disease-causing players, and emerging therapeutic options including those under clinical trials, for treatment of AD. The challenges involved in AD therapy and the way forward have also been discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kayalvizhi Rajendran
- School of Chemical & Biotechnology, SASTRA Deemed University, Thanjavur, Tamilnadu 613401, India; Centre for Nanotechnology & Advanced Biomaterials, SASTRA Deemed University, Thanjavur, Tamilnadu 613401, India
| | - Uma Maheswari Krishnan
- School of Chemical & Biotechnology, SASTRA Deemed University, Thanjavur, Tamilnadu 613401, India; Centre for Nanotechnology & Advanced Biomaterials, SASTRA Deemed University, Thanjavur, Tamilnadu 613401, India; School of Arts, Sciences, Humanities & Education, SASTRA Deemed University, Thanjavur, Tamilnadu 613401, India.
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Fisher DW, Dunn JT, Keszycki R, Rodriguez G, Bennett DA, Wilson RS, Dong H. Unique transcriptional signatures correlate with behavioral and psychological symptom domains in Alzheimer's disease. Transl Psychiatry 2024; 14:178. [PMID: 38575567 PMCID: PMC10995139 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-024-02878-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2023] [Revised: 03/07/2024] [Accepted: 03/14/2024] [Indexed: 04/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Despite the significant burden, cost, and worse prognosis of Alzheimer's disease (AD) with behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD), little is known about the molecular causes of these symptoms. Using antemortem assessments of BPSD in AD, we demonstrate that individual BPSD can be grouped into 4 domain factors in our cohort: affective, apathy, agitation, and psychosis. Then, we performed a transcriptome-wide analysis for each domain utilizing bulk RNA-seq of post-mortem anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) tissues. Though all 4 domains are associated with a predominantly downregulated pattern of hundreds of differentially expressed genes (DEGs), most DEGs are unique to each domain, with only 22 DEGs being common to all BPSD domains, including TIMP1. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) yielded multiple transcriptional modules that were shared between BPSD domains or unique to each domain, and NetDecoder was used to analyze context-dependent information flow through the biological network. For the agitation domain, we found that all DEGs and a highly associated transcriptional module were functionally enriched for ECM-related genes including TIMP1, TAGLN, and FLNA. Another unique transcriptional module also associated with the agitation domain was enriched with genes involved in post-synaptic signaling, including DRD1, PDE1B, CAMK4, and GABRA4. By comparing context-dependent changes in DEGs between cases and control networks, ESR1 and PARK2 were implicated as two high-impact genes associated with agitation that mediated significant information flow through the biological network. Overall, our work establishes unique targets for future study of the biological mechanisms of BPSD and resultant drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel W Fisher
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Jeffrey T Dunn
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - Rachel Keszycki
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
- Mesulam Center for Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer's Disease, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - Guadalupe Rodriguez
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - David A Bennett
- Rush Alzheimer's Disease Center, Rush University Medical Center, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - Robert S Wilson
- Rush Alzheimer's Disease Center, Rush University Medical Center, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - Hongxin Dong
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA.
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3
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Han Q, Ding Q, Yu L, Li T, Sun B, Tang Z. Hippocampal transcriptome analysis reveals mechanisms of cognitive impairment in beagle dogs with type 1 diabetes. J Neuropathol Exp Neurol 2023; 82:774-786. [PMID: 37533277 DOI: 10.1093/jnen/nlad060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Diabetic encephalopathy is a common complication of type 1 diabetes. However, there have been few studies on cognitive impairment and hippocampal damage in type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) using dogs as experimental animals. To investigate the effects of diabetes on the CNS, 40 adult beagles were divided into streptozotocin/alloxan type 1 diabetes model and control groups. The duration of diabetes in the model group was 120 days. A cognitive dysfunction scale was used to assess cognitive function. Hematoxylin and eosin and Golgi-Cox staining methods were used to observe morphological damage to the hippocampus. Transcriptomics was used to investigate differential gene expression in the hippocampus. The results showed that the cognitive dysfunction score of the model group was significantly higher than that of the control group. In addition, the number of normal neurons, the complexity of dendritic morphology, and the density of dendritic spines were decreased in the hippocampus of diabetic dogs. A total of 672 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified, 289 of which were upregulated, and 383 were downregulated. Modified genes included DBH, IGFBP2, AVPR1A, and DRAXIN. In conclusion, type 1 diabetic dogs exhibit cognitive dysfunction. The DEGs were mainly enriched in metabolic, PI3K-Akt signaling, and neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingyue Han
- College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P.R. China
| | - Qingyu Ding
- College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P.R. China
| | - Luyao Yu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P.R. China
| | - Tingyu Li
- College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P.R. China
| | - Bingxia Sun
- College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P.R. China
| | - Zhaoxin Tang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, P.R. China
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Fisher DW, Dunn JT, Keszycki R, Rodriguez G, Bennett DA, Wilson RS, Dong H. Unique Transcriptional Signatures Correlate with Behavioral and Psychological Symptom Domains in Alzheimer's Disease. RESEARCH SQUARE 2023:rs.3.rs-2444391. [PMID: 36711772 PMCID: PMC9882691 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-2444391/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Despite the significant burden, cost, and worse prognosis of Alzheimer's disease (AD) with behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD), little is known about the molecular causes of these symptoms. Using antemortem assessments of BPSD in AD, we demonstrate that individual BPSD can be grouped into 4 domain factors in our sample: affective, apathy, agitation, and psychosis. Then, we performed a transcriptome-wide analysis for each domain utilizing bulk RNA-seq of post-mortem anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) tissue. Though all 4 domains are associated with a predominantly downregulated pattern of hundreds of differentially expressed genes (DEGs), most DEGs are unique to each domain, with only 22 DEGs being common to all BPSD domains, including TIMP1. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) yielded multiple transcriptional modules that were shared between BPSD domains or unique to each domain, and NetDecoder was used to analyze context-dependent information flow through the biological network. For the agitation domain, we found that all DEGs and a highly correlated transcriptional module were functionally enriched for ECM-related genes including TIMP1, TAGLN, and FLNA. Another unique transcriptional module also associated with the agitation domain was enriched with genes involved in post-synaptic signaling, including DRD1, PDE1B, CAMK4, and GABRA4. By comparing context-dependent changes in DEGs between cases and control networks, ESR1 and PARK2 were implicated as two high impact genes associated with agitation that mediated significant information flow through the biological network. Overall, our work establishes unique targets for future study of the biological mechanisms of BPSD and resultant drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel W. Fisher
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences,
Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences,
University of Washington School of Medicine
| | - Jeffrey T. Dunn
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences,
Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
| | - Rachel Keszycki
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences,
Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
- Mesulam Center for Cognitive Neurology and
Alzheimer’s Disease, Northwestern University Feinberg School of
Medicine
| | - Guadalupe Rodriguez
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences,
Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
| | | | | | - Hongxin Dong
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences,
Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
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Nowrangi MA, Outen JD, Kim J, Avramopoulos D, Lyketsos CG, Rosenberg PB. Neuropsychiatric Symptoms of Alzheimer's Disease: An Anatomic-Genetic Framework for Treatment Development. J Alzheimers Dis 2023; 95:53-68. [PMID: 37522204 DOI: 10.3233/jad-221247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite the burden on patients and caregivers, there are no approved therapies for the neuropsychiatric symptoms of Alzheimer's disease (NPS-AD). This is likely due to an incomplete understanding of the underlying mechanisms. OBJECTIVE To review the neurobiological mechanisms of NPS-AD, including depression, psychosis, and agitation. METHODS Understanding that genetic encoding gives rise to the function of neural circuits specific to behavior, we review the genetics and neuroimaging literature to better understand the biological underpinnings of depression, psychosis, and agitation. RESULTS We found that mechanisms involving monoaminergic biosynthesis and function are likely key elements of NPS-AD and while current treatment approaches are in line with this, the lack of effectiveness may be due to contributions from additional mechanisms including neurodegenerative, vascular, inflammatory, and immunologic pathways. CONCLUSION Within an anatomic-genetic framework, development of novel effective biological targets may engage targets within these pathways but will require a better understanding of the heterogeneity in NPS-AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Milap A Nowrangi
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- The Richman Family Precision Medicine Center of Excellence in Alzheimer's Disease, Johns Hopkins Medicine and Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - John D Outen
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - John Kim
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Dimitrios Avramopoulos
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- The Richman Family Precision Medicine Center of Excellence in Alzheimer's Disease, Johns Hopkins Medicine and Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Constantine G Lyketsos
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- The Richman Family Precision Medicine Center of Excellence in Alzheimer's Disease, Johns Hopkins Medicine and Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Paul B Rosenberg
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- The Richman Family Precision Medicine Center of Excellence in Alzheimer's Disease, Johns Hopkins Medicine and Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center, Baltimore, MD, USA
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The regulatory role of AP-2β in monoaminergic neurotransmitter systems: insights on its signalling pathway, linked disorders and theragnostic potential. Cell Biosci 2022; 12:151. [PMID: 36076256 PMCID: PMC9461128 DOI: 10.1186/s13578-022-00891-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2022] [Accepted: 08/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
AbstractMonoaminergic neurotransmitter systems play a central role in neuronal function and behaviour. Dysregulation of these systems gives rise to neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders with high prevalence and societal burden, collectively termed monoamine neurotransmitter disorders (MNDs). Despite extensive research, the transcriptional regulation of monoaminergic neurotransmitter systems is not fully explored. Interestingly, certain drugs that act on these systems have been shown to modulate central levels of the transcription factor AP-2 beta (AP-2β, gene: TFAP2Β). AP-2β regulates multiple key genes within these systems and thereby its levels correlate with monoamine neurotransmitters measures; yet, its signalling pathways are not well understood. Moreover, although dysregulation of TFAP2Β has been associated with MNDs, the underlying mechanisms for these associations remain elusive. In this context, this review addresses AP-2β, considering its basic structural aspects, regulation and signalling pathways in the controlling of monoaminergic neurotransmitter systems, and possible mechanisms underpinning associated MNDS. It also underscores the significance of AP-2β as a potential diagnostic biomarker and its potential and limitations as a therapeutic target for specific MNDs as well as possible pharmaceutical interventions for targeting it. In essence, this review emphasizes the role of AP-2β as a key regulator of the monoaminergic neurotransmitter systems and its importance for understanding the pathogenesis and improving the management of MNDs.
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Palavicino-Maggio CB, Sengupta S. The Neuromodulatory Basis of Aggression: Lessons From the Humble Fruit Fly. Front Behav Neurosci 2022; 16:836666. [PMID: 35517573 PMCID: PMC9062135 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2022.836666] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2021] [Accepted: 03/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Aggression is an intrinsic trait that organisms of almost all species, humans included, use to get access to food, shelter, and mating partners. To maximize fitness in the wild, an organism must vary the intensity of aggression toward the same or different stimuli. How much of this variation is genetic and how much is externally induced, is largely unknown but is likely to be a combination of both. Irrespective of the source, one of the principal physiological mechanisms altering the aggression intensity involves neuromodulation. Any change or variation in aggression intensity is most likely governed by a complex interaction of several neuromodulators acting via a meshwork of neural circuits. Resolving aggression-specific neural circuits in a mammalian model has proven challenging due to the highly complex nature of the mammalian brain. In that regard, the fruit fly model Drosophila melanogaster has provided insights into the circuit-driven mechanisms of aggression regulation and its underlying neuromodulatory basis. Despite morphological dissimilarities, the fly brain shares striking similarities with the mammalian brain in genes, neuromodulatory systems, and circuit-organization, making the findings from the fly model extremely valuable for understanding the fundamental circuit logic of human aggression. This review discusses our current understanding of how neuromodulators regulate aggression based on findings from the fruit fly model. We specifically focus on the roles of Serotonin (5-HT), Dopamine (DA), Octopamine (OA), Acetylcholine (ACTH), Sex Peptides (SP), Tachykinin (TK), Neuropeptide F (NPF), and Drosulfakinin (Dsk) in fruit fly male and female aggression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline B Palavicino-Maggio
- Basic Neuroscience Division, Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, McLean Hospital, Boston, MA, United States.,Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Saheli Sengupta
- Basic Neuroscience Division, Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, McLean Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
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Outen JD, Burhanullah H, Vandrey R, Amjad H, Harper DG, Patrick RE, May RL, Agronin ME, Forester BP, Rosenberg PB. Cannabinoids for Agitation in Alzheimer's Disease. Am J Geriatr Psychiatry 2021; 29:1253-1263. [PMID: 33573996 PMCID: PMC8313629 DOI: 10.1016/j.jagp.2021.01.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2020] [Revised: 01/18/2021] [Accepted: 01/20/2021] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Agitation is a common neuropsychiatric symptom of Alzheimer's disease (AD) that greatly impacts quality of life and amplifies caregiver burden. Agitation in AD may be associated with volume loss in the anterior cingulate cortex, posterior cingulate cortex, insula, amygdala, and frontal cortex, as well as with degeneration of monoaminergic neurotransmission, disrupted circadian rhythms, and frailty. Current pharmacologic options have troubling safety concerns and only modest efficacy. There is increasing interest in cannabinoids as promising agents due to preclinical and early clinical research that suggest cannabinoids can elicit anxiolytic, antidepressant, and/or anti-inflammatory effects. Cannabinoids may relieve agitation by regulating neurotransmitters, improving comorbidities and circadian rhythms, and increasing cerebral circulation. Here we discuss the possible contributory mechanisms for agitation in AD and the therapeutic relevance of cannabinoids, including CBD and THC.
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Affiliation(s)
- John D. Outen
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
| | - Haroon Burhanullah
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
| | - Ryan Vandrey
- Behavioral Pharmacology Research, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
| | - Halima Amjad
- Geriatric Medicine and Gerontology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
| | - David G. Harper
- Division of Geriatric Psychiatry, McLean Hospital,Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School
| | - Regan E. Patrick
- Division of Geriatric Psychiatry, McLean Hospital,Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School
| | - Rose L. May
- Division of Geriatric Psychiatry, McLean Hospital
| | - Marc E. Agronin
- Department of Mental Health and Clinical Research, Miami Jewish Health
| | - Brent P. Forester
- Division of Geriatric Psychiatry, McLean Hospital,Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School
| | - Paul B. Rosenberg
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
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Alldred MJ, Penikalapati SC, Lee SH, Heguy A, Roussos P, Ginsberg SD. Profiling Basal Forebrain Cholinergic Neurons Reveals a Molecular Basis for Vulnerability Within the Ts65Dn Model of Down Syndrome and Alzheimer's Disease. Mol Neurobiol 2021; 58:5141-5162. [PMID: 34263425 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-021-02453-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2020] [Accepted: 06/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Basal forebrain cholinergic neuron (BFCN) degeneration is a hallmark of Down syndrome (DS) and Alzheimer's disease (AD). Current therapeutics have been unsuccessful in slowing disease progression, likely due to complex pathological interactions and dysregulated pathways that are poorly understood. The Ts65Dn trisomic mouse model recapitulates both cognitive and morphological deficits of DS and AD, including BFCN degeneration. We utilized Ts65Dn mice to understand mechanisms underlying BFCN degeneration to identify novel targets for therapeutic intervention. We performed high-throughput, single population RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) to interrogate transcriptomic changes within medial septal nucleus (MSN) BFCNs, using laser capture microdissection to individually isolate ~500 choline acetyltransferase-immunopositive neurons in Ts65Dn and normal disomic (2N) mice at 6 months of age (MO). Ts65Dn mice had unique MSN BFCN transcriptomic profiles at ~6 MO clearly differentiating them from 2N mice. Leveraging Ingenuity Pathway Analysis and KEGG analysis, we linked differentially expressed gene (DEG) changes within MSN BFCNs to several canonical pathways and aberrant physiological functions. The dysregulated transcriptomic profile of trisomic BFCNs provides key information underscoring selective vulnerability within the septohippocampal circuit. We propose both expected and novel therapeutic targets for DS and AD, including specific DEGs within cholinergic, glutamatergic, GABAergic, and neurotrophin pathways, as well as select targets for repairing oxidative phosphorylation status in neurons. We demonstrate and validate this interrogative quantitative bioinformatic analysis of a key dysregulated neuronal population linking single population transcript changes to an established pathological hallmark associated with cognitive decline for therapeutic development in human DS and AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa J Alldred
- Center for Dementia Research, Nathan Kline Institute, 140 Old Orangeburg Road, Orangeburg, NY, 10962, USA.,Departments of Psychiatry, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Sai C Penikalapati
- Center for Dementia Research, Nathan Kline Institute, 140 Old Orangeburg Road, Orangeburg, NY, 10962, USA
| | - Sang Han Lee
- Center for Biomedical Imaging and Neuromodulation, Nathan Kline Institute, Orangeburg, NY, USA
| | - Adriana Heguy
- Genome Technology Center, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Panos Roussos
- Center for Dementia Research, Nathan Kline Institute, 140 Old Orangeburg Road, Orangeburg, NY, 10962, USA.,Departments of Genetics and Genomic Sciences and Psychiatry and the Institute for Data Science and Genomic Technology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Stephen D Ginsberg
- Center for Dementia Research, Nathan Kline Institute, 140 Old Orangeburg Road, Orangeburg, NY, 10962, USA. .,Departments of Psychiatry, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA. .,Neuroscience & Physiology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA. .,NYU Neuroscience Institute, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA.
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Florentinus-Mefailoski A, Bowden P, Scheltens P, Killestein J, Teunissen C, Marshall JG. The plasma peptides of Alzheimer's disease. Clin Proteomics 2021; 18:17. [PMID: 34182925 PMCID: PMC8240224 DOI: 10.1186/s12014-021-09320-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2021] [Accepted: 04/20/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background A practical strategy to discover proteins specific to Alzheimer’s dementia (AD) may be to compare the plasma peptides and proteins from patients with dementia to normal controls and patients with neurological conditions like multiple sclerosis or other diseases. The aim was a proof of principle for a method to discover proteins and/or peptides of plasma that show greater observation frequency and/or precursor intensity in AD. The endogenous tryptic peptides of Alzheimer’s were compared to normals, multiple sclerosis, ovarian cancer, breast cancer, female normal, sepsis, ICU Control, heart attack, along with their institution-matched controls, and normal samples collected directly onto ice. Methods Endogenous tryptic peptides were extracted from blinded, individual AD and control EDTA plasma samples in a step gradient of acetonitrile for random and independent sampling by LC–ESI–MS/MS with a set of robust and sensitive linear quadrupole ion traps. The MS/MS spectra were fit to fully tryptic peptides within proteins identified using the X!TANDEM algorithm. Observation frequency of the identified proteins was counted using SEQUEST algorithm. The proteins with apparently increased observation frequency in AD versus AD Control were revealed graphically and subsequently tested by Chi Square analysis. The proteins specific to AD plasma by Chi Square with FDR correction were analyzed by the STRING algorithm. The average protein or peptide log10 precursor intensity was compared across disease and control treatments by ANOVA in the R statistical system. Results Peptides and/or phosphopeptides of common plasma proteins such as complement C2, C7, and C1QBP among others showed increased observation frequency by Chi Square and/or precursor intensity in AD. Cellular gene symbols with large Chi Square values (χ2 ≥ 25, p ≤ 0.001) from tryptic peptides included KIF12, DISC1, OR8B12, ZC3H12A, TNF, TBC1D8B, GALNT3, EME2, CD1B, BAG1, CPSF2, MMP15, DNAJC2, PHACTR4, OR8B3, GCK, EXOSC7, HMGA1 and NT5C3A among others. Similarly, increased frequency of tryptic phosphopeptides were observed from MOK, SMIM19, NXNL1, SLC24A2, Nbla10317, AHRR, C10orf90, MAEA, SRSF8, TBATA, TNIK, UBE2G1, PDE4C, PCGF2, KIR3DP1, TJP2, CPNE8, and NGF amongst others. STRING analysis showed an increase in cytoplasmic proteins and proteins associated with alternate splicing, exocytosis of luminal proteins, and proteins involved in the regulation of the cell cycle, mitochondrial functions or metabolism and apoptosis. Increases in mean precursor intensity of peptides from common plasma proteins such as DISC1, EXOSC5, UBE2G1, SMIM19, NXNL1, PANO, EIF4G1, KIR3DP1, MED25, MGRN1, OR8B3, MGC24039, POLR1A, SYTL4, RNF111, IREB2, ANKMY2, SGKL, SLC25A5, CHMP3 among others were associated with AD. Tryptic peptides from the highly conserved C-terminus of DISC1 within the sequence MPGGGPQGAPAAAGGGGVSHRAGSRDCLPPAACFR and ARQCGLDSR showed a higher frequency and highest intensity in AD compared to all other disease and controls. Conclusion Proteins apparently expressed in the brain that were directly related to Alzheimer’s including Nerve Growth Factor (NFG), Sphingomyelin Phosphodiesterase, Disrupted in Schizophrenia 1 (DISC1), the cell death regulator retinitis pigmentosa (NXNl1) that governs the loss of nerve cells in the retina and the cell death regulator ZC3H12A showed much higher observation frequency in AD plasma vs the matched control. There was a striking agreement between the proteins known to be mutated or dis-regulated in the brains of AD patients with the proteins observed in the plasma of AD patients from endogenous peptides including NBN, BAG1, NOX1, PDCD5, SGK3, UBE2G1, SMPD3 neuronal proteins associated with synapse function such as KSYTL4, VTI1B and brain specific proteins such as TBATA. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12014-021-09320-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angelique Florentinus-Mefailoski
- Ryerson Analytical Biochemistry Laboratory (RABL), Department of Chemistry and Biology, Faculty of Science, Ryerson University, 350 Victoria St., Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Peter Bowden
- Ryerson Analytical Biochemistry Laboratory (RABL), Department of Chemistry and Biology, Faculty of Science, Ryerson University, 350 Victoria St., Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Philip Scheltens
- Alzheimer Center, Dept of Neurology, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Joep Killestein
- MS Center, Dept of Neurology, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Charlotte Teunissen
- Neurochemistry Lab and Biobank, Dept of Clinical Chemistry, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - John G Marshall
- Ryerson Analytical Biochemistry Laboratory (RABL), Department of Chemistry and Biology, Faculty of Science, Ryerson University, 350 Victoria St., Toronto, ON, Canada. .,International Biobank of Luxembourg (IBBL), Luxembourg Institute of Health (Formerly CRP Sante Luxembourg), Strassen, Luxembourg.
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Oikawa S, Kai Y, Mano A, Ohata H, Kurabayashi A, Tsuda M, Kakinuma Y. Non-neuronal cardiac acetylcholine system playing indispensable roles in cardiac homeostasis confers resiliency to the heart. J Physiol Sci 2021; 71:2. [PMID: 33461483 PMCID: PMC10717922 DOI: 10.1186/s12576-020-00787-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2020] [Accepted: 12/07/2020] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND We previously established that the non-neuronal cardiac cholinergic system (NNCCS) is equipped with cardiomyocytes synthesizes acetylcholine (ACh), which is an indispensable endogenous system, sustaining cardiac homeostasis and regulating an inflammatory status, by transgenic mice overexpressing choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) gene in the heart. However, whole body biological significances of NNCCS remain to be fully elucidated. METHODS AND RESULTS To consolidate the features, we developed heart-specific ChAT knockdown (ChATKD) mice using 3 ChAT-specific siRNAs. The mice developed cardiac dysfunction. Factors causing it included the downregulation of cardiac glucose metabolism along with decreased signal transduction of Akt/HIF-1alpha/GLUT4, leading to poor glucose utilization, impairment of glycolytic metabolites entering the tricarboxylic (TCA) cycle, the upregulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) production with an attenuated scavenging potency, and the downregulated nitric oxide (NO) production via NOS1. ChATKD mice revealed a decreased vagus nerve activity, accelerated aggression, more accentuated blood basal corticosterone levels with depression-like phenotypes, several features of which were accompanied by cardiac dysfunction. CONCLUSION The NNCCS plays a crucial role in cardiac homeostasis by regulating the glucose metabolism, ROS synthesis, NO levels, and the cardiac vagus nerve activity. Thus, the NNCCS is suggested a fundamentally crucial system of the heart.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shino Oikawa
- Department of Bioregulatory Science (Physiology), Nippon Medical School, Graduate School of Medicine, Sendagi, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8602, Japan
| | - Yuko Kai
- Department of Bioregulatory Science (Physiology), Nippon Medical School, Graduate School of Medicine, Sendagi, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8602, Japan
| | - Asuka Mano
- Department of Bioregulatory Science (Physiology), Nippon Medical School, Graduate School of Medicine, Sendagi, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8602, Japan
| | - Hisayuki Ohata
- Department of Bioregulatory Science (Physiology), Nippon Medical School, Graduate School of Medicine, Sendagi, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8602, Japan
| | - Atsushi Kurabayashi
- Department of Pathology, Kochi Medical School, Nankoku, Kochi, 783-8505, Japan
| | - Masayuki Tsuda
- Institute for Laboratory Animal Research, Kochi Medical School, Nankoku, Kochi, 783-8505, Japan
| | - Yoshihiko Kakinuma
- Department of Bioregulatory Science (Physiology), Nippon Medical School, Graduate School of Medicine, Sendagi, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8602, Japan.
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12
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EDR Peptide: Possible Mechanism of Gene Expression and Protein Synthesis Regulation Involved in the Pathogenesis of Alzheimer's Disease. Molecules 2020; 26:molecules26010159. [PMID: 33396470 PMCID: PMC7795577 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26010159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2020] [Revised: 12/23/2020] [Accepted: 12/29/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The EDR peptide (Glu-Asp-Arg) has been previously established to possess neuroprotective properties. It activates gene expression and synthesis of proteins, involved in maintaining the neuronal functional activity, and reduces the intensity of their apoptosis in in vitro and in vivo studies. The EDR peptide interferes with the elimination of dendritic spines in neuronal cultures obtained from mice with Alzheimer’s (AD) and Huntington’s diseases. The tripeptide promotes the activation of the antioxidant enzyme synthesis in the culture of cerebellum neurons in rats. The EDR peptide normalizes behavioral responses in animal studies and improves memory issues in elderly patients. The purpose of this review is to analyze the molecular and genetics aspects of the EDR peptide effect on gene expression and synthesis of proteins involved in the pathogenesis of AD. The EDR peptide is assumed to enter cells and bind to histone proteins and/or ribonucleic acids. Thus, the EDR peptide can change the activity of the MAPK/ERK signaling pathway, the synthesis of proapoptotic proteins (caspase-3, p53), proteins of the antioxidant system (SOD2, GPX1), transcription factors PPARA, PPARG, serotonin, calmodulin. The abovementioned signaling pathway and proteins are the components of pathogenesis in AD. The EDR peptide can be AD.
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Hall KT, Loscalzo J, Kaptchuk TJ. Systems pharmacogenomics - gene, disease, drug and placebo interactions: a case study in COMT. Pharmacogenomics 2019; 20:529-551. [PMID: 31124409 PMCID: PMC6563236 DOI: 10.2217/pgs-2019-0001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2019] [Accepted: 03/11/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Disease, drugs and the placebos used as comparators are inextricably linked in the methodology of the double-blind, randomized controlled trial. Nonetheless, pharmacogenomics, the study of how individuals respond to drugs based on genetic substrate, focuses primarily on the link between genes and drugs, while the link between genes and disease is often overlooked and the link between genes and placebos is largely ignored. Herein, we use the example of the enzyme catechol-O-methyltransferase to examine the hypothesis that genes can function as pharmacogenomic hubs across system-wide regulatory processes that, if perturbed in andomized controlled trials, can have primary and combinatorial effects on drug and placebo responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathryn T Hall
- Department of Medicine, Brigham & Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Division of Preventive Medicine, Brigham & Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA 02215, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Joseph Loscalzo
- Department of Medicine, Brigham & Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Ted J Kaptchuk
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Program in Placebo Studies, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA 02215, USA
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14
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Tobore TO. On the central role of mitochondria dysfunction and oxidative stress in Alzheimer's disease. Neurol Sci 2019; 40:1527-1540. [PMID: 30982132 DOI: 10.1007/s10072-019-03863-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2018] [Accepted: 03/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the commonest cause of dementia, with approximately 5 million new cases occurring annually. Despite decades of research, its complex pathophysiology and etiopathogenesis presents a major hindrance to the development of an effective treatment and prevention strategy. Aging is the biggest risk factor for the development of AD, and the total number of older people in the population is going to significantly increase in the next decades, suggesting that AD incidence and prevalence is likely to increase in the future. This makes the need for a better understanding of the disease to be extremely urgent. METHODS A search was done by accessing PubMed/Medline, EBSCO, and PsycINFO databases. The search string used was "(dementia* OR Alzheimer's) AND (pathophysiology* OR pathogenesis)". New key terms were identified (new term included "vitamin D, thyroid hormone, mitochondria dysfunction, oxidative stress, testosterone, estrogen, melatonin, progesterone, luteinizing hormone, amyloid-β (Aβ), and hyperphosphorylated tau"). The electronic databases were searched for titles or abstracts containing these terms in all published articles between January 1, 1965, and January 31, 2019. The search was limited to studies published in English and other languages involving both animal and human subjects. RESULTS Mitochondria dysfunction and oxidative stress play a critical role in AD etiopathogenesis and pathophysiology. CONCLUSION AD treatment and prevention strategies must be geared towards improving mitochondrial function and attenuating oxidative stress.
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15
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Han S, Miller JE, Byun S, Kim D, Risacher SL, Saykin AJ, Lee Y, Nho K. Identification of exon skipping events associated with Alzheimer's disease in the human hippocampus. BMC Med Genomics 2019; 12:13. [PMID: 30704480 PMCID: PMC6357347 DOI: 10.1186/s12920-018-0453-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND At least 90% of human genes are alternatively spliced. Alternative splicing has an important function regulating gene expression and miss-splicing can contribute to risk for human diseases, including Alzheimer's disease (AD). METHODS We developed a splicing decision model as a molecular mechanism to identify functional exon skipping events and genetic variation affecting alternative splicing on a genome-wide scale by integrating genomics, transcriptomics, and neuroimaging data in a systems biology approach. In this study, we analyzed RNA-Seq data of hippocampus brain tissue from Alzheimer's disease (AD; n = 24) and cognitively normal elderly controls (CN; n = 50) and identified three exon skipping events in two genes (RELN and NOS1) as significantly associated with AD (corrected p-value < 0.05 and fold change > 1.5). Next, we identified single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) affecting exon skipping events using the splicing decision model and then performed an association analysis of SNPs potentially affecting three exon skipping events with a global cortical measure of amyloid-β deposition measured by [18F] Florbetapir position emission tomography (PET) scan as an AD-related quantitative phenotype. A whole-brain voxel-based analysis was also performed. RESULTS Two exons in RELN and one exon in NOS1 showed significantly lower expression levels in the AD participants compared to CN participants, suggesting that the exons tend to be skipped more in AD. We also showed the loss of the core protein structure due to the skipped exons using the protein 3D structure analysis. The targeted SNP-based association analysis identified one intronic SNP (rs362771) adjacent to the skipped exon 24 in RELN as significantly associated with cortical amyloid-β levels (corrected p-value < 0.05). This SNP is within the splicing regulatory element, i.e., intronic splicing enhancer. The minor allele of rs362771 conferred decreases in cortical amyloid-β levels in the right temporal and bilateral parietal lobes. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that exon skipping events and splicing-affecting SNPs in the human hippocampus may contribute to AD pathogenesis. Integration of multiple omics and neuroimaging data provides insights into possible mechanisms underlying AD pathophysiology through exon skipping and may help identify novel therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seonggyun Han
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT USA
| | - Jason E. Miller
- Biomedical and Translational Informatics Institute, Geisinger Health System, Danville, PA USA
| | - Seyoun Byun
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT USA
| | - Dokyoon Kim
- Biomedical and Translational Informatics Institute, Geisinger Health System, Danville, PA USA
- The Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA USA
| | - Shannon L. Risacher
- Center for Neuroimaging, Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences and Indiana Alzheimer Disease Center, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN USA
| | - Andrew J. Saykin
- Center for Neuroimaging, Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences and Indiana Alzheimer Disease Center, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN USA
- Center for Computational Biology and Bioinformatics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN USA
| | - Younghee Lee
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT USA
| | - Kwangsik Nho
- Center for Neuroimaging, Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences and Indiana Alzheimer Disease Center, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN USA
- Center for Computational Biology and Bioinformatics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN USA
| | - for Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT USA
- Biomedical and Translational Informatics Institute, Geisinger Health System, Danville, PA USA
- The Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA USA
- Center for Neuroimaging, Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences and Indiana Alzheimer Disease Center, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN USA
- Center for Computational Biology and Bioinformatics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN USA
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Zhao Y, Jaber V, Lukiw WJ. Secretory Products of the Human GI Tract Microbiome and Their Potential Impact on Alzheimer's Disease (AD): Detection of Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in AD Hippocampus. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2017; 7:318. [PMID: 28744452 PMCID: PMC5504724 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2017.00318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 245] [Impact Index Per Article: 35.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2017] [Accepted: 06/27/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Although the potential contribution of the human gastrointestinal (GI) tract microbiome to human health, aging, and disease is becoming increasingly acknowledged, the molecular mechanics and signaling pathways of just how this is accomplished is not well-understood. Major bacterial species of the GI tract, such as the abundant Gram-negative bacilli Bacteroides fragilis (B. fragilis) and Escherichia coli (E. coli), secrete a remarkably complex array of pro-inflammatory neurotoxins which, when released from the confines of the healthy GI tract, are pathogenic and highly detrimental to the homeostatic function of neurons in the central nervous system (CNS). For the first time here we report the presence of bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in brain lysates from the hippocampus and superior temporal lobe neocortex of Alzheimer's disease (AD) brains. Mean LPS levels varied from two-fold increases in the neocortex to three-fold increases in the hippocampus, AD over age-matched controls, however some samples from advanced AD hippocampal cases exhibited up to a 26-fold increase in LPS over age-matched controls. This “Perspectives” paper will further highlight some very recent research on GI tract microbiome signaling to the human CNS, and will update current findings that implicate GI tract microbiome-derived LPS as an important internal contributor to inflammatory degeneration in the CNS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuhai Zhao
- LSU Neuroscience Center, Louisiana State University Health Science CenterNew Orleans, LA, United States.,Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Louisiana State University Health Science CenterNew Orleans, LA, United States
| | - Vivian Jaber
- LSU Neuroscience Center, Louisiana State University Health Science CenterNew Orleans, LA, United States
| | - Walter J Lukiw
- LSU Neuroscience Center, Louisiana State University Health Science CenterNew Orleans, LA, United States.,Department of Ophthalmology, Louisiana State University Health Science CenterNew Orleans, LA, United States.,Department of Neurology, Louisiana State University Health Science CenterNew Orleans, LA, United States
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