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Peng X, Guo H, Zhang X, Yang Z, Ruganzu JB, Yang Z, Wu X, Bi W, Ji S, Yang W. TREM2 Inhibits Tau Hyperphosphorylation and Neuronal Apoptosis via the PI3K/Akt/GSK-3β Signaling Pathway In vivo and In vitro. Mol Neurobiol 2023; 60:2470-2485. [PMID: 36662361 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-023-03217-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2022] [Accepted: 01/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells-2 (TREM2), a cell surface receptor mainly expressed on microglia, has been shown to play a critical role in Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathogenesis and progression. Our recent results showed that overexpression of TREM2 inhibited inflammatory response in APP/PS1 mice and BV2 cells. Several studies indicated that TREM2 ameliorated tau hyperphosphorylation might be ascribed to the inhibition of neuroinflammation. However, the precise signaling pathways underlying the effect of TREM2 on tau pathology and neuronal apoptosis have not been fully elucidated. In the present study, upregulation of TREM2 significantly inhibited tau hyperphosphorylation at Ser199, Ser396, and Thr205, respectively, as well as prevented neuronal loss and apoptosis. We also found that upregulation of TREM2 alleviated behavioral deficits and improved the spatial cognitive ability of APP/PS1 mice. Further study revealed that TREM2 could activate phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/Akt) signaling pathway, resulting in an inhibitory effect on glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β), which is a major kinase responsible for tau hyperphosphorylation in AD. In line with in vivo findings, TREM2-overexpressing BV2 microglia following β-amyloid (Aβ) stimulation led to a significant increase in the phosphorylation of PI3K, Akt, and GSK-3β, accompanied by a decrease in tau hyperphosphorylation and apoptosis in co-cultured SH-SY5Y cells. Furthermore, LY294002, a specific PI3K inhibitor, was observed to abolish the beneficial effects of TREM2 on tau hyperphosphorylation, neuronal apoptosis, and spatial cognitive impairments in vivo and in vitro. Thus, our findings indicated that TREM2 inhibits tau hyperphosphorylation and neuronal apoptosis, at least in part, by the activation of the PI3K/Akt/GSK-3β signaling pathway. Taken together, the above results allow us to better understand how TREM2 protects against tau pathology and suggest that upregulation of TREM2 may provide new ideas and therapeutic targets for AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoqian Peng
- Department of Human Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, 710061, Shaanxi, China
- Institute of Neuroscience, Translational Medicine Institute, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, 710061, Shaanxi, China
| | - Hongsong Guo
- Department of Human Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, 710061, Shaanxi, China
- Institute of Neuroscience, Translational Medicine Institute, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, 710061, Shaanxi, China
| | - Xiao Zhang
- Department of Human Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, 710061, Shaanxi, China
- Institute of Neuroscience, Translational Medicine Institute, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, 710061, Shaanxi, China
| | - Zikang Yang
- Department of Human Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, 710061, Shaanxi, China
- Qide College, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, 710061, Shaanxi, China
| | - John Bosco Ruganzu
- Department of Human Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, 710061, Shaanxi, China
- Institute of Neuroscience, Translational Medicine Institute, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, 710061, Shaanxi, China
| | - Zhuoyuan Yang
- Medical Undergraduates of the Second Clinical Medical School of Xi'an Medical University, Xi'an, 710038, Shaanxi, China
| | - Xiangyuan Wu
- Department of Human Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, 710061, Shaanxi, China
- Institute of Neuroscience, Translational Medicine Institute, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, 710061, Shaanxi, China
| | - Wei Bi
- Department of Human Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, 710061, Shaanxi, China
- Institute of Neuroscience, Translational Medicine Institute, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, 710061, Shaanxi, China
| | - Shengfeng Ji
- Department of Human Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, 710061, Shaanxi, China
| | - Weina Yang
- Department of Human Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, 710061, Shaanxi, China.
- Institute of Neuroscience, Translational Medicine Institute, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, 710061, Shaanxi, China.
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Kan B, Dong Z, Tang Z, Zhao L, Li Z. Acupuncture Improves Synaptic Plasticity of SAMP8 Mice through the RhoA/ROCK Pathway. Curr Alzheimer Res 2023; 20:420-430. [PMID: 37723951 DOI: 10.2174/1567205020666230828095826] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2022] [Revised: 06/07/2023] [Accepted: 06/30/2023] [Indexed: 09/20/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Studies have found synaptic plasticity damage to be an early marker of Alzheimer's disease (AD). RhoA/ROCK pathway is involved in the regulation of synaptic plasticity. Acupuncture can significantly improve the cognitive state of AD. OBJECTIVE We aimed to use modern biological technology to detect the changes in synaptic plasticity and RhoA/ROCK pathway in SAMP8 mice, as well as the intervention effect of acupuncture. METHODS Morris water maze and electrophysiological techniques were used in vivo to detect the changes in spatial memory and LTP of mice. Golgi Cox staining and CASEVIEWER2.1 software were used to quantitatively analyze the changes in the morphology and number of dendritic spines in the hippocampus of mice. The activity of RhoA and ROCK2 in the hippocampus of mice was detected, respectively, by pull-down technique and ELISA. WB technique was used to detect the protein expression of ROCK2 and phosphorylation level of MLC2, LIMK2, and CRMP2 in the hippocampus of mice. RESULTS The neurobehavior and synaptic plasticity of 8-month-old SAMP8 mice were found to be significantly impaired. Acupuncture could improve the spatial learning and memory ability of SAMP8 mice, and partially prevent the reduction in the number of spines on the secondary branches of the apical dendrites in the hippocampus and the attenuation of LTP. The RhoA/ROCK pathway was significantly activated in the hippocampus of 8-month-old SAMP8 mice, and acupuncture had an inhibitory effect on it. CONCLUSION Acupuncture can improve synaptic plasticity by inhibiting the abnormal activation of the RhoA/ROCK pathway, and improve the spatial learning and memory ability of AD, so as to achieve the purpose of treating AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bohong Kan
- First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Tianjin, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Chinese Medicine Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Tianjin, China
| | - Zhengjia Dong
- First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Chinese Medicine Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Tianjin, China
| | - Zhenyu Tang
- First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Tianjin, China
| | - Lan Zhao
- First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Tianjin, China
| | - Zhen Li
- First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin, China
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Tianjin, China
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Pak ME, Park YJ, Yang HJ, Hwang YH, Li W, Go Y. Samhwangsasim-tang attenuates neuronal apoptosis and cognitive decline through BDNF-mediated activation of tyrosin kinase B and p75-neurotrophin receptors. Phytomedicine 2022; 99:153997. [PMID: 35279612 DOI: 10.1016/j.phymed.2022.153997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2021] [Revised: 02/04/2022] [Accepted: 02/15/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Samhwangsasim-tang (SST) is a traditional medicine used to treat hypertension and arteriosclerosis. Additionally, due to the effects of its constituent herbs, SST is considered effective for memory-related disorders. PURPOSE We investigated the effects of SST on neuronal survival and memory in glutamate-induced hippocampal cells and in a mouse model of scopolamine-induced memory impairment. METHODS SST components were identified using 3D-ultra performance liquid chromatography (3D-UPLC). In vitro, we induced glutamate-induced excitotoxicity in HT22 cells after SST pretreatment. We used a cell counting kit-8 and cell cytotoxicity assay, flow cytometry, and western blotting to test the protective effects of SST on neuronal death. In vivo, C57BL/6J mice were administered with 150 and 300 mg/kg SST once daily for 7 days and then intraperitoneally injected with 1 mg/kg scopolamine for 7 days to induce cognitive impairment. We then measured cognitive behavior using a novel object recognition test (NORT) and passive avoidance test (PAT) and analyzed the histological and protein changes. RESULTS Our results showed that treatment with 50 and 100 μg/ml SST provided significant protection against glutamate-induced cell death. Flow cytometry and western blotting results suggested that 100 μg/ml SST treatment reduced oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction. SST treatment also increased brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), its receptor, TrkB receptor, and cAMP-response element binding protein (CREB) activation while reducing the P75NTR and JNK signaling activation. Our in vivo results showed that SST administration improved cognitive impairment, similar to donepezil treatment (as a positive control), in NORT and PAT. SST and donepezil decreased neuronal cell death and apoptosis, and acetylcholine levels were increased in the scopolamine-treated hippocampus. Additionally, SST promoted CREB phosphorylation and BDNF maturation while reducing JNK and P75NTR activation; in contrast, donepezil did not alter levels of these proteins in the scopolamine-treated mouse hippocampus. CONCLUSION Our results suggest that SST has neuroprotective effects to attenuate neuronal cell death and oxidative stress through CREB/JNK signaling via BDNF activation. SST may regulate endogenous survival factors in the hippocampus, which may be a safe and potential clinical treatment for cognitive impairment in AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Malk Eun Pak
- Korean medicine (KM)-Application Center, Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine, Daegu 41062, Republic of Korea
| | - Yeo Jin Park
- Korean medicine (KM)-Application Center, Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine, Daegu 41062, Republic of Korea; Korean Convergence Medicine, University of Science and Technology, Daejeon 34054, Republic of Korea
| | - Hye Jin Yang
- Korean medicine (KM)-Application Center, Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine, Daegu 41062, Republic of Korea
| | - Youn-Hwan Hwang
- Herbal Medicine Research Division, Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine, Daejeon 34054, Republic of Korea
| | - Wei Li
- Korean medicine (KM)-Application Center, Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine, Daegu 41062, Republic of Korea
| | - Younghoon Go
- Korean medicine (KM)-Application Center, Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine, Daegu 41062, Republic of Korea.
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Kuchta K, Aritake K, Urade Y, Tung NH, Yuan CS, Sasaki Y, Shimizu K, Shoyama Y. Preventing Dementia Using Saffron, The Kampo Medicine, Kamiuntanto, and Their Combination, Kamiuntantokabankoka. Front Pharmacol 2022; 12:779821. [PMID: 35310894 PMCID: PMC8931200 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.779821] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2021] [Accepted: 12/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The objective of this review is to evaluate the anti-dementia activities of saffron and its combination with Kampo medicine. The Kampo formula Kamiuntanto composed of 13 crude drugs is well known for its anti-dementia activity. A significant increase in choline acetyltransferase activity and mRNA levels were observed. Polygala radix was identified as the most essential component drug in Kamiuntanto, probably due to the saponins, tenuifolin, and sinapinic acid. Ginseng was also identified as an essential Kamiuntanto component in terms of its synergistic functions with Polygala radix. Saffron, which was recommended in the Bencao Gangmu for memory and dementia, and is used as an anti-spasmodic, anti-catarrhal, and sedative herbal drug. Saffron and its major constituent, crocin were shown to enhance learning-memory, non-rapid eye movement (rem) sleep, and inhibit depression and neuronal cell death due to strong anti-oxidant and anti-inflammation activities. In addition based on the epidemiological studies such as the treatment of sleeping disorders and the clinical trials of saffron for Alzheimer patients, we demonstrated the indirect and direct anti-dementia activities of crocin and saffron.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenny Kuchta
- Forschungsstelle für Fernöstliche Medizin, Department of Vegetation Analysis and Phytodiversity, Albrecht von Haller Institute of Plant Sciences, Georg August University, Göttingen, Germany
| | | | | | | | - Chun-Su Yuan
- Department of Anesthesia and Critical Care, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Yui Sasaki
- Association for Health Economics Research and Social Insurance and Welfare, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Koichi Shimizu
- Association for Health Economics Research and Social Insurance and Welfare, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yukihiro Shoyama
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Nagasaki International University, Sasebo, Japan
- *Correspondence: Yukihiro Shoyama,
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Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a highly age-related cognitive decline frequently attacking the elderly. Senescence-accelerated mouse-prone 8 (SAMP8) is an ideal model to study AD, displaying age-related learning and memory disorders. SAMP8 mice exhibit most features of pathogenesis of AD, including an abnormal expression of anti-aging factors, oxidative stress, inflammation, amyloid-β (Aβ) deposits, tau hyperphosphorylation, endoplasmic reticulum stress, abnormal autophagy activity, and disruption of intestinal flora. SAMP8 mice, therefore, have visualized the understanding of AD, and also provided effective ways to find new therapeutic targets. This review focused on the age-related pathogenesis in SAMP8 mice, to advance the understanding of age-related learning and memory decline and clarify the mechanisms. Furthermore, this review will provide extensive foundations for SAMP8 mice used in therapeutics for AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Liu
- Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Key Laboratory of Basic Pharmacology of Ministry of Education and Joint International Research Lab of Ethnomedicine of Ministry of Education, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China
| | - Jie Liu
- Key Laboratory of Basic Pharmacology of Ministry of Education and Joint International Research Lab of Ethnomedicine of Ministry of Education, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China
| | - Jing-Shan Shi
- Key Laboratory of Basic Pharmacology of Ministry of Education and Joint International Research Lab of Ethnomedicine of Ministry of Education, Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China
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