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Tropea MR, Gulisano W, Vacanti V, Arancio O, Puzzo D, Palmeri A. Nitric oxide/cGMP/CREB pathway and amyloid-beta crosstalk: From physiology to Alzheimer's disease. Free Radic Biol Med 2022; 193:657-668. [PMID: 36400326 DOI: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2022.11.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2022] [Revised: 10/30/2022] [Accepted: 11/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The nitric oxide (NO)/cGMP pathway has been extensively studied for its pivotal role in synaptic plasticity and memory processes, resulting in an increase of cAMP response element-binding (CREB) phosphorylation, and consequent synthesis of plasticity-related proteins. The NO/cGMP/CREB signaling is downregulated during aging and neurodegenerative disorders and is affected by Amyloid-β peptide (Aβ) and tau protein, whose increase and deposition is considered the key pathogenic event of Alzheimer's disease (AD). On the other hand, in physiological conditions, the crosstalk between the NO/cGMP/PKG/CREB pathway and Aβ ensures long-term potentiation and memory formation. This review summarizes the current knowledge on the interaction between the NO/cGMP/PKG/CREB pathway and Aβ in the healthy and diseased brain, offering a new perspective to shed light on AD pathophysiology. We will focus on the synaptic mechanisms underlying Aβ physiological interplay with cGMP pathway and how this balance is corrupted in AD, as high levels of Aβ interfere with NO production and cGMP molecular signaling leading to cognitive impairment. Finally, we will discuss results from preclinical and clinical studies proposing the increase of cGMP signaling as a therapeutic strategy in the treatment of AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Rosaria Tropea
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, 95123, Italy
| | - Walter Gulisano
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, 95123, Italy
| | - Valeria Vacanti
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, 95123, Italy
| | - Ottavio Arancio
- Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain, USA; Department of Pathology & Cell Biology and Department of Medicine, Columbia University, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Daniela Puzzo
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, 95123, Italy; Oasi Research Institute-IRCCS, Troina (EN), 94018, Italy.
| | - Agostino Palmeri
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, 95123, Italy
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Caruso G, Grasso M, Fidilio A, Torrisi SA, Musso N, Geraci F, Tropea MR, Privitera A, Tascedda F, Puzzo D, Salomone S, Drago F, Leggio GM, Caraci F. Antioxidant Activity of Fluoxetine and Vortioxetine in a Non-Transgenic Animal Model of Alzheimer's Disease. Front Pharmacol 2022; 12:809541. [PMID: 35002742 PMCID: PMC8740153 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.809541] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2021] [Accepted: 11/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Depression is a risk factor for the development of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). A neurobiological and clinical continuum exists between AD and depression, with neuroinflammation and oxidative stress being involved in both diseases. Second-generation antidepressants, in particular selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), are currently investigated as neuroprotective drugs in AD. By employing a non-transgenic AD model, obtained by intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) injection of amyloid-β (Aβ) oligomers in 2-month-old C57BL/6 mice, we recently demonstrated that the SSRI fluoxetine (FLX) and the multimodal antidepressant vortioxetine (VTX) reversed the depressive-like phenotype and memory deficits induced by Aβ oligomers rescuing the levels of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1). Aim of our study was to test FLX and VTX for their ability to prevent oxidative stress in the hippocampus of Aβ-injected mice, a brain area strongly affected in both depression and AD. The long-term intraperitoneal (i.p.) administration of FLX (10 mg/kg) or VTX (5 and 10 mg/kg) for 24 days, starting 7 days before Aβ injection, was able to prevent the over-expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and NADPH oxidase 2 (Nox2) induced by Aβ oligomers. Antidepressant pre-treatment was also able to rescue the mRNA expression of glutathione peroxidase 1 (Gpx1) antioxidant enzyme. FLX and VTX also prevented Aβ-induced neurodegeneration in mixed neuronal cultures treated with Aβ oligomers. Our data represent the first evidence that the long-term treatment with the antidepressants FLX or VTX can prevent the oxidative stress phenomena related to the cognitive deficits and depressive-like phenotype observed in a non-transgenic animal model of AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Caruso
- Department of Drug and Health Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Margherita Grasso
- Department of Drug and Health Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy.,Oasi Research Institute-IRCCS, Troina, Italy
| | - Annamaria Fidilio
- Department of Drug and Health Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy.,Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | | | - Nicolò Musso
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Federica Geraci
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Maria Rosaria Tropea
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Anna Privitera
- Department of Drug and Health Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Fabio Tascedda
- Center for Neuroscience and Neurotechnology, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy.,Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Daniela Puzzo
- Oasi Research Institute-IRCCS, Troina, Italy.,Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Salvatore Salomone
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Filippo Drago
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Gian Marco Leggio
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Filippo Caraci
- Department of Drug and Health Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy.,Oasi Research Institute-IRCCS, Troina, Italy
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Tropea MR, Sanfilippo G, Giannino F, Davì V, Gulisano W, Puzzo D. Innate Preferences Affect Results of Object Recognition Task in Wild Type and Alzheimer's Disease Mouse Models. J Alzheimers Dis 2021; 85:1343-1356. [PMID: 34924388 PMCID: PMC8925114 DOI: 10.3233/jad-215209] [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] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Object recognition task (ORT) is a widely used behavioral paradigm to assess memory in rodent models, due to its easy technical execution, the lack of aversive stressful stimuli, and the possibility to repeat the test on the same animals. However, mouse exploration might be strongly influenced by a variety of variables. OBJECTIVE To study whether innate preferences influenced exploration in male and female wild type mice and the Alzheimer's disease (AD) model 3xTg. METHODS We first evaluated how object characteristics (material, size, and shape) influence exploration levels, latency, and exploration modality. Based on these findings, we evaluated whether these innate preferences biased the results of ORT performed in wild type mice and AD models. RESULTS Assessment of Exploration levels, i.e., the time spent in exploring a certain object in respect to the total exploration time, revealed an innate preference for objects made in shiny materials, such as metal and glass. A preference for bigger objects characterized by higher affordance was also evident, especially in male mice. When performing ORT, exploration was highly influenced by these innate preferences. Indeed, both wild type and AD mice spent more time in exploring the metal object, regardless of its novelty. Furthermore, the use of objects with higher affordance such as the cube was a confounding factor leading to "false" results that distorted ORT interpretation. CONCLUSION When designing exploration-based behavioral experiments aimed at assessing memory in healthy and AD mice, object characteristics should be carefully evaluated to improve scientific outcomes and minimize possible biases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Rosaria Tropea
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Section of Physiology, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Giulia Sanfilippo
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Section of Physiology, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Federico Giannino
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Section of Physiology, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Valentina Davì
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Section of Physiology, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Walter Gulisano
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Section of Physiology, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Daniela Puzzo
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Section of Physiology, University of Catania, Catania, Italy.,Oasi Research Institute-IRCCS, Troina, Italy
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Gulisano W, Melone M, Ripoli C, Tropea MR, Li Puma DD, Giunta S, Cocco S, Marcotulli D, Origlia N, Palmeri A, Arancio O, Conti F, Grassi C, Puzzo D. Neuromodulatory Action of Picomolar Extracellular Aβ42 Oligomers on Presynaptic and Postsynaptic Mechanisms Underlying Synaptic Function and Memory. J Neurosci 2019; 39:5986-6000. [PMID: 31127002 PMCID: PMC6650983 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.0163-19.2019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2019] [Revised: 04/09/2019] [Accepted: 04/28/2019] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Failure of anti-amyloid-β peptide (Aβ) therapies against Alzheimer's disease (AD), a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by high amounts of the peptide in the brain, raised the question of the physiological role of Aβ released at low concentrations in the healthy brain. To address this question, we studied the presynaptic and postsynaptic mechanisms underlying the neuromodulatory action of picomolar amounts of oligomeric Aβ42 (oAβ42) on synaptic glutamatergic function in male and female mice. We found that 200 pm oAβ42 induces an increase of frequency of miniature EPSCs and a decrease of paired pulse facilitation, associated with an increase in docked vesicle number, indicating that it augments neurotransmitter release at presynaptic level. oAβ42 also produced postsynaptic changes as shown by an increased length of postsynaptic density, accompanied by an increased expression of plasticity-related proteins such as cAMP-responsive element binding protein phosphorylated at Ser133, calcium-calmodulin-dependent kinase II phosphorylated at Thr286, and brain-derived neurotrophic factor, suggesting a role for Aβ in synaptic tagging. These changes resulted in the conversion of early into late long-term potentiation through the nitric oxide/cGMP/protein kinase G intracellular cascade consistent with a cGMP-dependent switch from short- to long-term memory observed in vivo after intrahippocampal administration of picomolar amounts of oAβ42 These effects were present upon extracellular but not intracellular application of the peptide and involved α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. These observations clarified the physiological role of oAβ42 in synaptic function and memory formation providing solid fundamentals for investigating the pathological effects of high Aβ levels in the AD brains.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT High levels of oligomeric amyloid-β42 (oAβ42) induce synaptic dysfunction leading to memory impairment in Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, at picomolar concentrations, the peptide is needed to ensure long-term potentiation (LTP) and memory. Here, we show that extracellular 200 pm oAβ42 concentrations increase neurotransmitter release, number of docked vesicles, postsynaptic density length, and expression of plasticity-related proteins leading to the conversion of early LTP into late LTP and of short-term memory into long-term memory. These effects require α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors and are mediated through the nitric oxide/cGMP/protein kinase G pathway. The knowledge of Aβ function in the healthy brain might be useful to understand the causes leading to its increase and detrimental effect in AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Walter Gulisano
- Department Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania 95123, Italy
| | - Marcello Melone
- Section of Neuroscience and Cell Biology, Department Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona 60020, Italy
- Center for Neurobiology of Aging, IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Ricovero e Cura Anziani (INRCA), Ancona 60020, Italy
| | - Cristian Ripoli
- Institute of Human Physiology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome 00168, Italy
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome 00168, Italy
| | - Maria Rosaria Tropea
- Department Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania 95123, Italy
| | - Domenica D Li Puma
- Institute of Human Physiology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome 00168, Italy
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome 00168, Italy
| | - Salvatore Giunta
- Department Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania 95123, Italy
| | - Sara Cocco
- Institute of Human Physiology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome 00168, Italy
| | - Daniele Marcotulli
- Section of Neuroscience and Cell Biology, Department Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona 60020, Italy
| | - Nicola Origlia
- Neuroscience Institute, Italian National Research Council, Pisa 56100, Italy
| | - Agostino Palmeri
- Department Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania 95123, Italy
| | - Ottavio Arancio
- Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain, Columbia University, New York, New York 10032
| | - Fiorenzo Conti
- Section of Neuroscience and Cell Biology, Department Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona 60020, Italy
- Center for Neurobiology of Aging, IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Ricovero e Cura Anziani (INRCA), Ancona 60020, Italy
- Foundation for Molecular Medicine, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona 60020, Italy, and
| | - Claudio Grassi
- Institute of Human Physiology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome 00168, Italy
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome 00168, Italy
| | - Daniela Puzzo
- Department Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania 95123, Italy,
- Oasi Research Institute-IRCCS, Troina, 94018, Italy
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Torrisi SA, Geraci F, Tropea MR, Grasso M, Caruso G, Fidilio A, Musso N, Sanfilippo G, Tascedda F, Palmeri A, Salomone S, Drago F, Puzzo D, Leggio GM, Caraci F. Fluoxetine and Vortioxetine Reverse Depressive-Like Phenotype and Memory Deficits Induced by Aβ 1-42 Oligomers in Mice: A Key Role of Transforming Growth Factor-β1. Front Pharmacol 2019; 10:693. [PMID: 31293421 PMCID: PMC6598642 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2019.00693] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2019] [Accepted: 05/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Depression is a risk factor for the development of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), and the presence of depressive symptoms significantly increases the conversion of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) into AD. A long-term treatment with antidepressants reduces the risk to develop AD, and different second-generation antidepressants such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are currently being studied for their neuroprotective properties in AD. In the present work, the SSRI fluoxetine and the new multimodal antidepressant vortioxetine were tested for their ability to prevent memory deficits and depressive-like phenotype induced by intracerebroventricular injection of amyloid-β (1-42) (Aβ1-42) oligomers in 2-month-old C57BL/6 mice. Starting from 7 days before Aβ injection, fluoxetine (10 mg/kg) and vortioxetine (5 and 10 mg/kg) were intraperitoneally injected daily for 24 days. Chronic treatment with fluoxetine and vortioxetine (both at the dose of 10 mg/kg) was able to rescue the loss of memory assessed 14 days after Aβ injection by the passive avoidance task and the object recognition test. Both antidepressants reversed the increase in immobility time detected 19 days after Aβ injection by forced swim test. Vortioxetine exerted significant antidepressant effects also at the dose of 5 mg/kg. A significant deficit of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), paralleling memory deficits and depressive-like phenotype, was found in the hippocampus of Aβ-injected mice in combination with a significant reduction of the synaptic proteins synaptophysin and PSD-95. Fluoxetine and vortioxetine completely rescued hippocampal TGF-β1 levels in Aβ-injected mice as well as synaptophysin and PSD-95 levels. This is the first evidence that a chronic treatment with fluoxetine or vortioxetine can prevent both cognitive deficits and depressive-like phenotype in a non-transgenic animal model of AD with a key contribution of TGF-β1.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Federica Geraci
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Maria Rosaria Tropea
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Margherita Grasso
- Department of Drug Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy.,Oasi Research Institute-IRCCS, Troina, Italy
| | | | | | - Nicolò Musso
- Bio-nanotech Research and Innovation Tower (BRIT), University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Giulia Sanfilippo
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Fabio Tascedda
- Department of Life Sciences and Center for Neuroscience and Neurotechnology, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
| | - Agostino Palmeri
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Salvatore Salomone
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Filippo Drago
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Daniela Puzzo
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy.,Oasi Research Institute-IRCCS, Troina, Italy
| | - Gian Marco Leggio
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Filippo Caraci
- Department of Drug Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy.,Oasi Research Institute-IRCCS, Troina, Italy
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Costa L, Sardone LM, Bonaccorso CM, D'Antoni S, Spatuzza M, Gulisano W, Tropea MR, Puzzo D, Leopoldo M, Lacivita E, Catania MV, Ciranna L. Activation of Serotonin 5-HT 7 Receptors Modulates Hippocampal Synaptic Plasticity by Stimulation of Adenylate Cyclases and Rescues Learning and Behavior in a Mouse Model of Fragile X Syndrome. Front Mol Neurosci 2018; 11:353. [PMID: 30333723 PMCID: PMC6176069 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2018.00353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2017] [Accepted: 09/10/2018] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
We have previously demonstrated that activation of serotonin 5-HT7 receptors (5-HT7R) reverses metabotropic glutamate receptor-mediated long term depression (mGluR-LTD) in the hippocampus of wild-type (WT) and Fmr1 Knockout (KO) mice, a model of Fragile X Syndrome (FXS) in which mGluR-LTD is abnormally enhanced. Here, we have investigated intracellular mechanisms underlying the effect of 5-HT7R activation using patch clamp on hippocampal slices. Furthermore, we have tested whether in vivo administration of LP-211, a selective 5-HT7R agonist, can rescue learning and behavior in Fmr1 KO mice. In the presence of an adenylate cyclase blocker, mGluR-LTD was slightly enhanced in WT and therefore the difference between mGluR-LTD in WT and Fmr1 KO slices was no longer present. Conversely, activation of adenylate cyclase by either forskolin or Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase Activating Polypeptide (PACAP) completely reversed mGluR-LTD in WT and Fmr1 KO. 5-HT7R activation reversed mGluR-LTD in WT and corrected exaggerated mGluR-LTD in Fmr1 KO; this effect was abolished by blockade of either adenylate cyclase or protein kinase A (PKA). Exposure of hippocampal slices to LP-211 caused an increased phosphorylation of extracellular signal regulated kinase (ERK), an intracellular effector involved in mGluR-LTD, in WT mice. Conversely, this effect was barely detectable in Fmr1 KO mice, suggesting that 5-HT7R-mediated reversal of mGluR-LTD does not require ERK stimulation. Finally, an acute in vivo administration of LP-211 improved novel object recognition (NOR) performance in WT and Fmr1 KO mice and reduced stereotyped behavior in Fmr1 KO mice. Our results indicate that mGluR-LTD in WT and Fmr1 KO slices is bidirectionally modulated in conditions of either reduced or enhanced cAMP formation. Activation of 5-HT7 receptors reverses mGluR-LTD by activation of the cAMP/PKA intracellular pathway. Importantly, a systemic administration of a 5-HT7R agonist to Fmr1 KO mice corrected learning deficits and repetitive behavior. We suggest that selective 5-HT7R agonists might become novel pharmacological tools for FXS therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lara Costa
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - Lara Maria Sardone
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | | | - Simona D'Antoni
- Institute of Neurological Sciences (ISN), National Research Council (CNR), Catania, Italy
| | | | - Walter Gulisano
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Maria Rosaria Tropea
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Daniela Puzzo
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Marcello Leopoldo
- Department of Pharmacy - Drug Sciences, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Enza Lacivita
- Department of Pharmacy - Drug Sciences, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Maria Vincenza Catania
- Oasi Research Institute, IRCCS, Troina, Italy.,Institute of Neurological Sciences (ISN), National Research Council (CNR), Catania, Italy
| | - Lucia Ciranna
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
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Gulisano W, Melone M, Li Puma DD, Tropea MR, Palmeri A, Arancio O, Grassi C, Conti F, Puzzo D. The effect of amyloid-β peptide on synaptic plasticity and memory is influenced by different isoforms, concentrations, and aggregation status. Neurobiol Aging 2018; 71:51-60. [PMID: 30092511 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2018.06.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2018] [Revised: 05/28/2018] [Accepted: 06/19/2018] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
The increase of oligomeric amyloid-beta (oAβ) has been related to synaptic dysfunction, thought to be the earliest event in Alzheimer's disease pathophysiology. Conversely, the suppression of endogenous Aβ impaired synaptic plasticity and memory, suggesting that the peptide is needed in the healthy brain. However, different species, aggregation forms and concentrations of Aβ might differently influence synaptic function/dysfunction. Here, we have tested the contribution of monomeric and oligomeric Aβ42 and Aβ40 at 200 nM and 200 pM concentrations on hippocampal long-term potentiation and spatial memory. We found that, when at 200 nM, oAβ40, oAβ42, and monomeric Aβ42 impaired long-term potentiation and memory, whereas only oAβ42 200 pM enhanced synaptic plasticity and memory and rescued the detrimental effect due to depletion of endogenous Aβ. Interestingly, quantification of monomer-like and oligomer-like species carried out by transmission electron microscopy revealed an increase of the monomer/oligomer ratio in the oAβ42 200 pM preparation, suggesting that the content of monomers and oligomers depends on the final concentration of the solution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Walter Gulisano
- Department Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Marcello Melone
- Department Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Section of Neuroscience and Cell Biology, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona, Italy; Center for Neurobiology of Aging, INRCA IRCCS, Ancona, Italy
| | - Domenica D Li Puma
- Institute of Human Physiology, Università Cattolica Medical School, Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Rosaria Tropea
- Department Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Agostino Palmeri
- Department Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Ottavio Arancio
- Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Claudio Grassi
- Institute of Human Physiology, Università Cattolica Medical School, Rome, Italy; Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli, Rome, Italy
| | - Fiorenzo Conti
- Department Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Section of Neuroscience and Cell Biology, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona, Italy; Center for Neurobiology of Aging, INRCA IRCCS, Ancona, Italy; Foundation for Molecular Medicine, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona, Italy
| | - Daniela Puzzo
- Department Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy.
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8
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Gulisano W, Tropea MR, Arancio O, Palmeri A, Puzzo D. Sub-efficacious doses of phosphodiesterase 4 and 5 inhibitors improve memory in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease. Neuropharmacology 2018; 138:151-159. [PMID: 29885420 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2018.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2018] [Revised: 05/30/2018] [Accepted: 06/03/2018] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Cyclic nucleotides cAMP and cGMP cooperate to ensure memory acquisition and consolidation. Increasing their levels by phosphodiesterase inhibitors (PDE-Is) enhanced cognitive functions and rescued memory loss in different models of aging and Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, side effects due to the high doses used limited their application in humans. Based on previous studies suggesting that combinations of sub-efficacious doses of cAMP- and cGMP-specific PDE-Is improved synaptic plasticity and memory in physiological conditions, here we aimed to study whether this treatment was effective to counteract the AD phenotype in APPswe mice. We found that a 3-week chronic treatment with a combination of sub-efficacious doses of the cAMP-specific PDE4-I roflumilast (0.01 mg/kg) and the cGMP-specific PDE5-I vardenafil (0.1 mg/kg) improved recognition, spatial and contextual fear memory. Importantly, the cognitive enhancement persisted for 2 months beyond administration. This long-lasting action, and the possibility to minimize side effects due to the low doses used, might open feasible therapeutic strategies against AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Walter Gulisano
- Dept. Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Section of Physiology, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Maria Rosaria Tropea
- Dept. Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Section of Physiology, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Ottavio Arancio
- Dept. of Pathology and Cell Biology, Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Agostino Palmeri
- Dept. Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Section of Physiology, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Daniela Puzzo
- Dept. Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Section of Physiology, University of Catania, Catania, Italy.
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Puzzo D, Piacentini R, Fá M, Gulisano W, Li Puma DD, Staniszewski A, Zhang H, Tropea MR, Cocco S, Palmeri A, Fraser P, D'Adamio L, Grassi C, Arancio O. LTP and memory impairment caused by extracellular Aβ and Tau oligomers is APP-dependent. eLife 2017; 6. [PMID: 28696204 PMCID: PMC5529106 DOI: 10.7554/elife.26991] [Citation(s) in RCA: 111] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2017] [Accepted: 07/10/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The concurrent application of subtoxic doses of soluble oligomeric forms of human amyloid-beta (oAβ) and Tau (oTau) proteins impairs memory and its electrophysiological surrogate long-term potentiation (LTP), effects that may be mediated by intra-neuronal oligomers uptake. Intrigued by these findings, we investigated whether oAβ and oTau share a common mechanism when they impair memory and LTP in mice. We found that as already shown for oAβ, also oTau can bind to amyloid precursor protein (APP). Moreover, efficient intra-neuronal uptake of oAβ and oTau requires expression of APP. Finally, the toxic effect of both extracellular oAβ and oTau on memory and LTP is dependent upon APP since APP-KO mice were resistant to oAβ- and oTau-induced defects in spatial/associative memory and LTP. Thus, APP might serve as a common therapeutic target against Alzheimer's Disease (AD) and a host of other neurodegenerative diseases characterized by abnormal levels of Aβ and/or Tau. DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.26991.001
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Puzzo
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Roberto Piacentini
- Institute of Human Physiology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Mauro Fá
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology and Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain, Columbia University, New York, United States
| | - Walter Gulisano
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Domenica D Li Puma
- Institute of Human Physiology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Agnes Staniszewski
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology and Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain, Columbia University, New York, United States
| | - Hong Zhang
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology and Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain, Columbia University, New York, United States
| | - Maria Rosaria Tropea
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Sara Cocco
- Institute of Human Physiology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Agostino Palmeri
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Paul Fraser
- Tanz Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases and Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Luciano D'Adamio
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, United States
| | - Claudio Grassi
- Institute of Human Physiology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Ottavio Arancio
- Department of Pathology and Cell Biology and Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain, Columbia University, New york, United States
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Palmeri A, Mammana L, Tropea MR, Gulisano W, Puzzo D. Salidroside, a Bioactive Compound of Rhodiola Rosea, Ameliorates Memory and Emotional Behavior in Adult Mice. J Alzheimers Dis 2017; 52:65-75. [PMID: 26967223 DOI: 10.3233/jad-151159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Rhodiola Rosea (R. Rosea) is a plant used in traditional popular medicine to enhance cognition and physical performance. R. Rosea medicinal properties have been related to its capability to act as an adaptogen, i.e., a substance able to increase the organism's resistance to a variety of chemical, biological, and physical stressors in a non-specific way. These adaptogen properties have been mainly attributed to the glycoside salidroside, one of the bioactive compounds present in the standardized extracts of R. Rosea. Here, we aimed to investigate whether a single dose of salidroside is able to affect memory and emotional behavior in wild type adult mice. We performed fear conditioning to assess cued and contextual memory, elevated plus maze and open field to evaluate anxiety, and tail suspension test to evaluate depression. Our results showed that a single i.p. administration of salidroside was able to enhance fear memory and exerted an anxiolytic and antidepressant effect. These data confirmed the adaptogenic effect of R. Rosea bioactive compounds in animal models and suggest that salidroside might represent an interesting pharmacological tool to ameliorate cognition and counteract mood disorders.
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