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Bhatt N, Puangmalai N, Sengupta U, Jerez C, Kidd M, Gandhi S, Kayed R. C9orf72-associated dipeptide protein repeats form A11-positive oligomers in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and frontotemporal dementia. J Biol Chem 2024; 300:105628. [PMID: 38295729 PMCID: PMC10844744 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2024.105628] [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] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2023] [Revised: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 12/24/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Hexanucleotide repeat expansion in C9orf72 is one of the most common causes of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and frontotemporal dementia. The hexanucleotide expansion, formed by GGGGCC (G4C2) repeats, leads to the production of five dipeptide protein repeats (DPRs) via repeat-associated non-AUG translation. Among the five dipeptide repeats, Gly-Arg, Pro-Arg, and Gly-Ala form neuronal inclusions that contain aggregates of the peptides. Several studies have attempted to model DPR-associated toxicity using various repeat lengths, which suggests a unique conformation that is cytotoxic and is independent of the repeat length. However, the structural characteristics of DPR aggregates have yet to be determined. Increasing evidence suggests that soluble species, such as oligomers, are the main cause of toxicity in proteinopathies, such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease. To investigate the ability of DPRs to aggregate and form toxic oligomers, we adopted a reductionist approach using small dipeptide repeats of 3, 6, and 12. This study shows that DPRs, particularly glycine-arginine and proline-arginine, form oligomers that exhibit distinct dye-binding properties and morphologies. Importantly, we also identified toxic DPR oligomers in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and frontotemporal dementia postmortem brains that are morphologically similar to those generated recombinantly. This study demonstrates that, similar to soluble oligomers formed by various amyloid proteins, DPR oligomers are toxic, independent of their repeat length.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nemil Bhatt
- Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative Disease, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA; Department of Neurology, Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
| | - Nicha Puangmalai
- Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative Disease, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA; Department of Neurology, Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
| | - Urmi Sengupta
- Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative Disease, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA; Department of Neurology, Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
| | - Cynthia Jerez
- Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative Disease, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA; Department of Neurology, Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
| | - Madison Kidd
- Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative Disease, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA; Department of Neurology, Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
| | - Shailee Gandhi
- Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative Disease, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA; Department of Neurology, Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
| | - Rakez Kayed
- Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative Disease, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA; Department of Neurology, Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA.
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Sengupta U, Kayed R. Tau Oligomers as Pathogenic Seeds: Preparation, Characterization, and Propagation In Vitro and In Vivo. Methods Mol Biol 2024; 2754:147-183. [PMID: 38512666 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3629-9_9] [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] [Indexed: 03/23/2024]
Abstract
Tau oligomers have been shown to be the main toxic tau species in several neurodegenerative disorders. To study tau oligomers, we have developed reagents and established methods for the reliable preparation, isolation, and detection of tau oligomers as well as their seeding and propagation both in vitro and in vivo. Detailed below are methods for isolation of tau oligomers from brain tissues and detection of tau oligomers using tau oligomer-specific antibodies by biochemical, immunohistochemical, and biophysical methods. Further, methods for evaluating the biological activity of the tau oligomers including their effects on synaptic function, seeding, and propagation in cell models and in vivo are also described.
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Affiliation(s)
- Urmi Sengupta
- George P. and Cynthia Woods Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
- Departments of Neurology, and Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Rakez Kayed
- George P. and Cynthia Woods Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA.
- Departments of Neurology, and Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA.
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Singh I, Pathak VK, Lavania M, Ahuja M, Sharma R, Narang T, Jain S, Turankar RP, Dogra S, Sengupta U. Genomic characterization of Mycobacterium lepromatosis from ENL patients from India. Infect Genet Evol 2023; 116:105537. [PMID: 38056703 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2023.105537] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2023] [Revised: 11/08/2023] [Accepted: 12/02/2023] [Indexed: 12/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Leprosy is caused by Mycobacterium leprae and Mycobacterium lepromatosis. Both organisms cannot be cultured in vitro. M. lepromatosis was found to be associated mainly with diffuse lepromatous leprosy and with Lucio's phenomena initially. Later, M. lepromatosis was observed in borderline leprosy cases (BL), lepromatous leprosy cases (LL) and leprosy reactional cases (T1R and ENL). Although many cases are being reported with similar clinical features like Lucio phenomenon in India but M. lepromatosis was not isolated from these cases. The aim of this study was to screen MB patients and patients with type 2 reaction for the presence of M. lepromatosis. METHODOLOGY We recruited a total of 75 multibacillary leprosy cases (45 MB cases without reaction and 30 type 2 reaction (ENL) cases) from TLM hospitals Purulia (West Bengal), Barabanki (Uttar Pradesh), Shahdara (Delhi) and PGIMER (Chandigarh), India. Punch biopsies of 5 mm were collected in 70% ethanol from all the study subjects. DNA was extracted followed by Hemi-nested PCR targeting 16S rRNA gene specific for M. lepromatosis. Further, PCR products were processed for Sanger sequencing for an absolute confirmation of M. lepromatosis. Whole genome sequencing was done to confirm the presence of M. lepromatosis. RESULT We observed presence of M. lepromatosis in 4 necrotic ENL patients by heminested PCR. There was 100% 16S rRNA sequence similarity with M. lepromatosis FJ924 in one case, 98.96% in two cases and in one case it was 90.9% similarity by nucleotide BLAST (BLASTn) by using the NCBI website. On the basis of Sanger sequencing, we noted presence of M. lepromatosis in 3 necrotic ENL patients as one sample only gave 90.9% similarity by BLASTn. On the basis of de novo assembly and genome obtained, only one sample S4 with a 2.9 mb genome size was qualified for downstream analysis. Sixteen M. lepromatosis- specific proteins were identified in this case and the closest species was M. lepromatosis strain FJ924 based on whole genome level phylogeny. CONCLUSION These results provide valuable insights into the prevalence of M. lepromatosis in ENL patients in different regions of India and contribute to our understanding of the genetic characteristics of this pathogen in the context of leprosy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Itu Singh
- Stanley Browne Laboratory, TLM Community Hospital Shahdara, Nand Nagari, Delhi 110093, India.
| | - Vinay Kumar Pathak
- Stanley Browne Laboratory, TLM Community Hospital Shahdara, Nand Nagari, Delhi 110093, India
| | - Mallika Lavania
- Stanley Browne Laboratory, TLM Community Hospital Shahdara, Nand Nagari, Delhi 110093, India; Enteric Viruses Group, ICMR-National Institute of Virology, 20-A Ambedkar Road, Agarkar Nagar, Pune 411001, Maharashtra, India
| | - Madhvi Ahuja
- Stanley Browne Laboratory, TLM Community Hospital Shahdara, Nand Nagari, Delhi 110093, India
| | - Rahul Sharma
- Stanley Browne Laboratory, TLM Community Hospital Shahdara, Nand Nagari, Delhi 110093, India
| | - Tarun Narang
- Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprology, PGIMER, Chandigarh 160012, India.
| | - Sejal Jain
- Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprology, PGIMER, Chandigarh 160012, India
| | - Ravindra P Turankar
- Stanley Browne Laboratory, TLM Community Hospital Shahdara, Nand Nagari, Delhi 110093, India
| | - Sunil Dogra
- Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprology, PGIMER, Chandigarh 160012, India
| | - U Sengupta
- Stanley Browne Laboratory, TLM Community Hospital Shahdara, Nand Nagari, Delhi 110093, India
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Moore K, Sengupta U, Puangmalai N, Bhatt N, Kayed R. Polymorphic Alpha-Synuclein Oligomers: Characterization and Differential Detection with Novel Corresponding Antibodies. Mol Neurobiol 2023; 60:2691-2705. [PMID: 36707462 PMCID: PMC9883140 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-023-03211-3] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2022] [Accepted: 01/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
The pathological hallmark of many neurodegenerative diseases is the accumulation of characteristic proteinaceous aggregates. Parkinson's disease and dementia with Lewy bodies can be characterized as synucleinopathies due to the abnormal accumulation of the protein alpha-synuclein (α-Syn). Studies have shown amyloidogenic proteins such as α-Syn and tau can exist as polymorphic aggregates, a theory widely studied mostly in their fibrillar morphology. It is now well understood that an intermediate state of aggregates, oligomers, are the most toxic species. We have shown α-Syn, when modified by different physiological inducers, result in distinct oligomeric conformations of α-Syn. Polymorphic α-Syn oligomers exhibit distinct properties such as aggregate size, conformation, and differentially interact with tau. In this study, we confirm α-Syn oligomeric polymorphs furthermore using in-house novel α-Syn toxic conformation monoclonal antibodies (SynTCs). It is unclear the biological relevance of α-Syn oligomeric polymorphisms. Utilizing a combination of biochemical, biophysical, and cell-based assays, we characterize α-Syn oligomeric polymorphs. We found α-Syn oligomeric polymorphs exhibit distinct immunoreactivity and SynTCs exhibit differential selectivity and binding affinity for α-Syn species. Isothermal titration calorimetry experiments suggest distinct α-Syn:SynTC binding enthalpies in a species-specific manner. Additionally, we found SynTCs differentially reduce α-Syn oligomeric polymorph-mediated neurotoxicity and propagation in primary cortical neurons in a polymorph-specific manner. These studies demonstrate the biological significance of polymorphic α-Syn oligomers along with the importance of polymorph-specific antibodies that target toxic α-Syn aggregates. Monoclonal antibodies that can target the conformational heterogeneity of α-Syn oligomeric species and reduce their mediated toxicity have promising immunotherapeutic potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenya Moore
- Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative Disease, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
- Department of Neurology, Neuroscience and Cell Biology, Medical Research Building Room 10.138C, University of Texas Medical Branch, 301 University Blvd, Galveston, TX, 77555-1045, USA
| | - Urmi Sengupta
- Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative Disease, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
- Department of Neurology, Neuroscience and Cell Biology, Medical Research Building Room 10.138C, University of Texas Medical Branch, 301 University Blvd, Galveston, TX, 77555-1045, USA
| | - Nicha Puangmalai
- Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative Disease, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
- Department of Neurology, Neuroscience and Cell Biology, Medical Research Building Room 10.138C, University of Texas Medical Branch, 301 University Blvd, Galveston, TX, 77555-1045, USA
| | - Nemil Bhatt
- Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative Disease, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
- Department of Neurology, Neuroscience and Cell Biology, Medical Research Building Room 10.138C, University of Texas Medical Branch, 301 University Blvd, Galveston, TX, 77555-1045, USA
| | - Rakez Kayed
- Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative Disease, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA.
- Department of Neurology, Neuroscience and Cell Biology, Medical Research Building Room 10.138C, University of Texas Medical Branch, 301 University Blvd, Galveston, TX, 77555-1045, USA.
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Montalbano M, Majmundar L, Sengupta U, Fung L, Kayed R. Pathological tau signatures and nuclear alterations in neurons, astrocytes and microglia in Alzheimer's disease, progressive supranuclear palsy, and dementia with Lewy bodies. Brain Pathol 2023; 33:e13112. [PMID: 36054524 PMCID: PMC9836371 DOI: 10.1111/bpa.13112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2022] [Accepted: 07/24/2022] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Accumulation of pathological tau aggregates is a prominent feature in tauopathies that leads during the course of the diseases to neuronal dysfunction before and cell death after. Microglia and astrocytes have been described as playing important roles in synaptic spreading of toxic tau in several neurodegenerative diseases (NDs). Here, we have investigated the immunological and biochemical properties of aggregated tau species in different brain cell types in tau-induced neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease (AD), progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), and dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB). Additionally, we examined nuclear size, nuclear density, and chromatin compaction in neuronal and glial cells from diseased brain tissues. Microscopic-histological examination was performed using in-house mouse monoclonal antibodies for toxic tau conformers (TTC-M1 and TTC-M2) and tau oligomers (TOMA1-4). By immunohistochemistry and co-immunofluorescence assays using TOMA/TTC-Ms and cell-type specific markers for neurons, astrocytes, and microglia, we observed that TOMA/TTC-Ms were immunoreactive to diverse tau species in different cell types. Analysis of colocalization coefficients indicated an increased pathological tau deposition mainly in the neurons. Western blot analysis of brain homogenates using TOMA/TTC-Ms revealed distinct patterns of tau aggregation in each disease, suggesting that TOMA/TTC-Ms can distinguish between different tau aggregates present in different tauopathies. Additionally, using DAPI staining, we observed that neuronal and astrocytic nuclei had significantly greater nuclear area and increased chromatin compaction in AD cortices compared to non-demented controls. In contrast, reduction in nuclear density/area and more relaxed chromatin was noticed in DLB neurons, astrocytes and microglia and PSP astrocytes and microglia. Cell-type specific tropism of toxic tau species in tauopathies will provide a greater understanding of the involvement of different brain cell types in tau pathology. In this study, we observed that each disease presented cell-type specific nuclear phenotype and tau deposition pattern.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mauro Montalbano
- Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative DisordersUniversity of Texas Medical Branch, UTMBGalvestonTexasUSA
- Department of NeurologyUniversity of Texas Medical Branch, UTMBGalvestonTexasUSA
| | - Lajja Majmundar
- School of MedicineUniversity of Texas Medical Branch, UTMBGalvestonTexasUSA
| | - Urmi Sengupta
- Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative DisordersUniversity of Texas Medical Branch, UTMBGalvestonTexasUSA
- Department of NeurologyUniversity of Texas Medical Branch, UTMBGalvestonTexasUSA
| | - Leiana Fung
- Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative DisordersUniversity of Texas Medical Branch, UTMBGalvestonTexasUSA
- Department of NeurologyUniversity of Texas Medical Branch, UTMBGalvestonTexasUSA
| | - Rakez Kayed
- Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative DisordersUniversity of Texas Medical Branch, UTMBGalvestonTexasUSA
- Department of NeurologyUniversity of Texas Medical Branch, UTMBGalvestonTexasUSA
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Montalbano M, Fung L, Bhatt N, Gaikwad S, Bittar A, Puangmalai N, Sengupta U, Kayed R. Targeted Musashi1 knockdown leads to reduce tau pathology and improves cognitive function in aged P301L mouse model. Alzheimers Dement 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/alz.062374] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Leiana Fung
- University of Texas Medical Branch Galveston TX USA
| | - Nemil Bhatt
- University of Texas Medical Branch Galveston TX USA
| | | | - Alice Bittar
- University of Texas Medical Branch Galveston TX USA
| | | | | | - Rakez Kayed
- University of Texas Medical Branch Galveston TX USA
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Dasari AKR, Dillard L, Yi S, Viverette E, Hojjatian A, Sengupta U, Kayed R, Taylor KA, Borgnia MJ, Lim KH. Untwisted α-Synuclein Filaments Formed in the Presence of Lipid Vesicles. Biochemistry 2022; 61:1766-1773. [PMID: 36001818 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biochem.2c00283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Accumulation of filamentous aggregates of α-synuclein is a pathological hallmark of several neurodegenerative diseases, including Parkinson's disease (PD). The interaction between α-synuclein and phospholipids has been shown to play a critical role in the aggregation of α-synuclein. Most structural studies have, however, been focused on α-synuclein filaments formed in the absence of lipids. Here, we report the structural investigation of α-synuclein filaments assembled under the quiescent condition in the presence of anionic lipid vesicles using electron microscopy (EM), including cryogenic electron microscopy (cryo-EM). Our transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analyses reveal that α-synuclein forms curly protofilaments at an early stage of aggregation. The flexible protofilaments were then converted to long filaments after a longer incubation of 30 days. More detailed structural analyses using cryo-EM reveal that the long filaments adopt untwisted structures with different diameters, which have not been observed in previous α-synuclein fibrils formed in vitro. The untwisted filaments are rather similar to straight filaments with no observable twist that are extracted from patients with dementia with Lewy bodies. Our structural studies highlight the conformational diversity of α-synuclein filaments, requiring additional structural investigation of not only more ex vivo α-synuclein filaments but also in vitro α-synuclein filaments formed in the presence of diverse cofactors to better understand the molecular basis of diverse molecular conformations of α-synuclein filaments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anvesh K R Dasari
- Department of Chemistry, East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina 27858, United States
| | - Lucas Dillard
- Department of Health and Human Services, Genome Integrity and Structural Biology Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27709, United States
| | - Sujung Yi
- Department of Chemistry, East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina 27858, United States
| | - Elizabeth Viverette
- Department of Health and Human Services, Genome Integrity and Structural Biology Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27709, United States
| | - Alimohammad Hojjatian
- Institute of Molecular Biophysics, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida 32306-4380, United States
| | - Urmi Sengupta
- Departments of Neurology, Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas 77555, United States
| | - Rakez Kayed
- Departments of Neurology, Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas 77555, United States
| | - Kenneth A Taylor
- Institute of Molecular Biophysics, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida 32306-4380, United States
| | - Mario Juan Borgnia
- Department of Health and Human Services, Genome Integrity and Structural Biology Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27709, United States
| | - Kwang Hun Lim
- Department of Chemistry, East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina 27858, United States
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Sengupta U, Kayed R. Amyloid β, Tau, and α-Synuclein aggregates in the pathogenesis, prognosis, and therapeutics for neurodegenerative diseases. Prog Neurobiol 2022; 214:102270. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pneurobio.2022.102270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2021] [Revised: 01/28/2022] [Accepted: 04/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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Puangmalai N, Sengupta U, Bhatt N, Gaikwad S, Montalbano M, Bhuyan A, Garcia S, McAllen S, Sonawane M, Jerez C, Zhao Y, Kayed R. Lysine 63-linked ubiquitination of tau oligomers contributes to the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease. J Biol Chem 2022; 298:101766. [PMID: 35202653 PMCID: PMC8942844 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2022.101766] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2021] [Revised: 02/15/2022] [Accepted: 02/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Ubiquitin-modified tau aggregates are abundantly found in human brains diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and other tauopathies. Soluble tau oligomers (TauO) are the most neurotoxic tau species that propagate pathology and elicit cognitive deficits, but whether ubiquitination contributes to tau formation and spreading is not fully understood. Here, we observed that K63-linked, but not K48-linked, ubiquitinated TauO accumulated at higher levels in AD brains compared with age-matched controls. Using mass spectrometry analyses, we identified 11 ubiquitinated sites on AD brain-derived TauO (AD TauO). We found that K63-linked TauO are associated with enhanced seeding activity and propagation in human tau-expressing primary neuronal and tau biosensor cells. Additionally, exposure of tau-inducible HEK cells to AD TauO with different ubiquitin linkages (wild type, K48, and K63) resulted in enhanced formation and secretion of K63-linked TauO, which was associated with impaired proteasome and lysosome functions. Multipathway analysis also revealed the involvement of K63-linked TauO in cell survival pathways, which are impaired in AD. Collectively, our study highlights the significance of selective TauO ubiquitination, which could influence tau aggregation, accumulation, and subsequent pathological propagation. The insights gained from this study hold great promise for targeted therapeutic intervention in AD and related tauopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicha Puangmalai
- Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA; Departments of Neurology, Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
| | - Urmi Sengupta
- Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA; Departments of Neurology, Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
| | - Nemil Bhatt
- Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA; Departments of Neurology, Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
| | - Sagar Gaikwad
- Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA; Departments of Neurology, Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
| | - Mauro Montalbano
- Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA; Departments of Neurology, Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
| | - Arijit Bhuyan
- School of Medicine, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
| | - Stephanie Garcia
- School of Dentistry, University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Salome McAllen
- Department of Translational Molecular Pathology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Minal Sonawane
- Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA; Departments of Neurology, Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
| | - Cynthia Jerez
- Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA; Departments of Neurology, Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
| | - Yingxin Zhao
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA; Institute for Translational Sciences, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
| | - Rakez Kayed
- Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA; Departments of Neurology, Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA.
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10
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Moreira GG, Cantrelle FX, Quezada A, Carvalho FS, Cristóvão JS, Sengupta U, Puangmalai N, Carapeto AP, Rodrigues MS, Cardoso I, Fritz G, Herrera F, Kayed R, Landrieu I, Gomes CM. Dynamic interactions and Ca 2+-binding modulate the holdase-type chaperone activity of S100B preventing tau aggregation and seeding. Nat Commun 2021; 12:6292. [PMID: 34725360 PMCID: PMC8560819 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-26584-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [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: 02/24/2021] [Accepted: 10/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The microtubule-associated protein tau is implicated in the formation of oligomers and fibrillar aggregates that evade proteostasis control and spread from cell-to-cell. Tau pathology is accompanied by sustained neuroinflammation and, while the release of alarmin mediators aggravates disease at late stages, early inflammatory responses encompass protective functions. This is the case of the Ca2+-binding S100B protein, an astrocytic alarmin which is augmented in AD and which has been recently implicated as a proteostasis regulator, acting over amyloid β aggregation. Here we report the activity of S100B as a suppressor of tau aggregation and seeding, operating at sub-stoichiometric conditions. We show that S100B interacts with tau in living cells even in microtubule-destabilizing conditions. Structural analysis revealed that tau undergoes dynamic interactions with S100B, in a Ca2+-dependent manner, notably with the aggregation prone repeat segments at the microtubule binding regions. This interaction involves contacts of tau with a cleft formed at the interface of the S100B dimer. Kinetic and mechanistic analysis revealed that S100B inhibits the aggregation of both full-length tau and of the microtubule binding domain, and that this proceeds through effects over primary and secondary nucleation, as confirmed by seeding assays and direct observation of S100B binding to tau oligomers and fibrils. In agreement with a role as an extracellular chaperone and its accumulation near tau positive inclusions, we show that S100B blocks proteopathic tau seeding. Together, our findings establish tau as a client of the S100B chaperone, providing evidence for neuro-protective functions of this inflammatory mediator across different tauopathies. The calcium binding protein S100B is an abundantly expressed protein in the brain and has neuro-protective functions by inhibiting Aβ aggregation and metal ion toxicity. Here, the authors combine cell biology and biochemical experiments with chemical kinetics and NMR measurements and show that S100B protein is an extracellular Tau chaperone and further characterize the interactions between S100B and Tau.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guilherme G Moreira
- Biosystems & Integrative Sciences Institute, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal.,Departamento de Química e Bioquímica, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - François-Xavier Cantrelle
- CNRS ERL9002 Integrative Structural Biology, F-59000, Lille, France.,Univ. Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, U1167 - RID-AGE - Risk Factors and Molecular Determinants of Aging-Related Diseases, F-59000, Lille, France
| | - Andrea Quezada
- Biosystems & Integrative Sciences Institute, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal.,Departamento de Química e Bioquímica, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Filipa S Carvalho
- Biosystems & Integrative Sciences Institute, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal.,Departamento de Química e Bioquímica, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Joana S Cristóvão
- Biosystems & Integrative Sciences Institute, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal.,Departamento de Química e Bioquímica, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Urmi Sengupta
- Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch, 301 University Blvd, Medical Research Building, Room 10.138C, Galveston, TX, 77555-1045, USA.,Departments of Neurology, Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Nicha Puangmalai
- Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch, 301 University Blvd, Medical Research Building, Room 10.138C, Galveston, TX, 77555-1045, USA.,Departments of Neurology, Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Ana P Carapeto
- Biosystems & Integrative Sciences Institute, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal.,Departamento de Física, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Mário S Rodrigues
- Biosystems & Integrative Sciences Institute, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal.,Departamento de Física, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Isabel Cardoso
- i3S-Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal.,IBMC - Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal.,Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar (ICBAS), 4050-013, Porto, Portugal
| | - Güenter Fritz
- Institute of Biology, Department of Cellular Microbiology, University of Hohenheim, Stuttgart, 70599, Germany
| | - Federico Herrera
- Biosystems & Integrative Sciences Institute, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal.,Departamento de Química e Bioquímica, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Rakez Kayed
- Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch, 301 University Blvd, Medical Research Building, Room 10.138C, Galveston, TX, 77555-1045, USA.,Departments of Neurology, Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Isabelle Landrieu
- CNRS ERL9002 Integrative Structural Biology, F-59000, Lille, France.,Univ. Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, U1167 - RID-AGE - Risk Factors and Molecular Determinants of Aging-Related Diseases, F-59000, Lille, France
| | - Cláudio M Gomes
- Biosystems & Integrative Sciences Institute, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal. .,Departamento de Química e Bioquímica, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal.
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11
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Fernandez‐Perez EJ, Muñoz B, Bascuñan DA, Peters C, Riffo‐Lepe NO, Espinoza MP, Morgan PJ, Filippi C, Bourboulou R, Sengupta U, Kayed R, Epsztein J, Aguayo LG. Synaptic dysregulation and hyperexcitability induced by intracellular amyloid beta oligomers. Aging Cell 2021; 20:e13455. [PMID: 34409748 PMCID: PMC8441418 DOI: 10.1111/acel.13455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2021] [Revised: 07/21/2021] [Accepted: 08/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Intracellular amyloid beta oligomer (iAβo) accumulation and neuronal hyperexcitability are two crucial events at early stages of Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, to date, no mechanism linking iAβo with an increase in neuronal excitability has been reported. Here, the effects of human AD brain-derived (h-iAβo) and synthetic (iAβo) peptides on synaptic currents and action potential firing were investigated in hippocampal neurons. Starting from 500 pM, iAβo rapidly increased the frequency of synaptic currents and higher concentrations potentiated the AMPA receptor-mediated current. Both effects were PKC-dependent. Parallel recordings of synaptic currents and nitric oxide (NO)-associated fluorescence showed that the increased frequency, related to pre-synaptic release, was dependent on a NO-mediated retrograde signaling. Moreover, increased synchronization in NO production was also observed in neurons neighboring those dialyzed with iAβo, indicating that iAβo can increase network excitability at a distance. Current-clamp recordings suggested that iAβo increased neuronal excitability via AMPA-driven synaptic activity without altering membrane intrinsic properties. These results strongly indicate that iAβo causes functional spreading of hyperexcitability through a synaptic-driven mechanism and offers an important neuropathological significance to intracellular species in the initial stages of AD, which include brain hyperexcitability and seizures.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Braulio Muñoz
- Laboratory of NeurophysiologyDepartment of PhysiologyUniversidad de ConcepciónConcepciónChile
| | - Denisse A. Bascuñan
- Laboratory of NeurophysiologyDepartment of PhysiologyUniversidad de ConcepciónConcepciónChile
| | - Christian Peters
- Laboratory of NeurophysiologyDepartment of PhysiologyUniversidad de ConcepciónConcepciónChile
| | - Nicolas O. Riffo‐Lepe
- Laboratory of NeurophysiologyDepartment of PhysiologyUniversidad de ConcepciónConcepciónChile
| | - Maria P. Espinoza
- Laboratory of NeurophysiologyDepartment of PhysiologyUniversidad de ConcepciónConcepciónChile
| | - Peter J. Morgan
- Institute of Neurobiology of the Mediterranean Sea (INMED)Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM) U901, Aix-Marseille UniversitéMarseilleFrance
| | - Caroline Filippi
- Institute of Neurobiology of the Mediterranean Sea (INMED)Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM) U901, Aix-Marseille UniversitéMarseilleFrance
| | - Romain Bourboulou
- Institute of Neurobiology of the Mediterranean Sea (INMED)Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM) U901, Aix-Marseille UniversitéMarseilleFrance
| | - Urmi Sengupta
- Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative DiseasesUniversity of Texas Medical BranchGalvestonTexasUSA
- Department of Neurology, Neuroscience and Cell BiologyUniversity of Texas Medical BranchGalvestonTexasUSA
| | - Rakez Kayed
- Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative DiseasesUniversity of Texas Medical BranchGalvestonTexasUSA
- Department of Neurology, Neuroscience and Cell BiologyUniversity of Texas Medical BranchGalvestonTexasUSA
| | - Jérôme Epsztein
- Institute of Neurobiology of the Mediterranean Sea (INMED)Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM) U901, Aix-Marseille UniversitéMarseilleFrance
| | - Luis G. Aguayo
- Laboratory of NeurophysiologyDepartment of PhysiologyUniversidad de ConcepciónConcepciónChile
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12
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Gaikwad S, Puangmalai N, Bittar A, Montalbano M, Garcia S, McAllen S, Bhatt N, Sonawane M, Sengupta U, Kayed R. Tau oligomer induced HMGB1 release contributes to cellular senescence and neuropathology linked to Alzheimer's disease and frontotemporal dementia. Cell Rep 2021; 36:109419. [PMID: 34289368 PMCID: PMC8341760 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2021.109419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2020] [Revised: 05/03/2021] [Accepted: 06/28/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Aging, pathological tau oligomers (TauO), and chronic inflammation in the brain play a central role in tauopathies, including Alzheimer's disease (AD) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). However, the underlying mechanism of TauO-induced aging-related neuroinflammation remains unclear. Here, we show that TauO-associated astrocytes display a senescence-like phenotype in the brains of patients with AD and FTD. TauO exposure triggers astrocyte senescence through high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) release and inflammatory senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP), which mediates paracrine senescence in adjacent cells. HMGB1 release inhibition using ethyl pyruvate (EP) and glycyrrhizic acid (GA) prevents TauO-induced senescence through inhibition of p38-mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and nuclear factor κB (NF-κB)-the essential signaling pathways for SASP development. Despite the developed tauopathy in 12-month-old hTau mice, EP+GA treatment significantly decreases TauO and senescent cell loads in the brain, reduces neuroinflammation, and thus ameliorates cognitive functions. Collectively, TauO-induced HMGB1 release promotes cellular senescence and neuropathology, which could represent an important common pathomechanism in tauopathies including AD and FTD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sagar Gaikwad
- Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA; Departments of Neurology, Neuroscience, and Cell Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Nicha Puangmalai
- Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA; Departments of Neurology, Neuroscience, and Cell Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Alice Bittar
- Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA; Departments of Neurology, Neuroscience, and Cell Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Mauro Montalbano
- Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA; Departments of Neurology, Neuroscience, and Cell Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Stephanie Garcia
- Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA; Departments of Neurology, Neuroscience, and Cell Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Salome McAllen
- Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA; Departments of Neurology, Neuroscience, and Cell Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Nemil Bhatt
- Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA; Departments of Neurology, Neuroscience, and Cell Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Minal Sonawane
- Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA; Departments of Neurology, Neuroscience, and Cell Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Urmi Sengupta
- Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA; Departments of Neurology, Neuroscience, and Cell Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Rakez Kayed
- Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA; Departments of Neurology, Neuroscience, and Cell Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA.
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13
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Hojjatian A, Dasari AKR, Sengupta U, Taylor D, Daneshparvar N, Yeganeh FA, Dillard L, Michael B, Griffin RG, Borgnia MJ, Kayed R, Taylor KA, Lim KH. Tau induces formation of α-synuclein filaments with distinct molecular conformations. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2021; 554:145-150. [PMID: 33798940 PMCID: PMC8062303 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2021.03.091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [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: 03/08/2021] [Accepted: 03/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Recent structural investigation of amyloid filaments extracted from human patients demonstrated that the ex vivo filaments associated with different disease phenotypes adopt diverse molecular conformations, which are different from those of in vitro amyloid filaments. A very recent cryo-EM structural study also revealed that ex vivo α-synuclein filaments extracted from multiple system atrophy patients adopt distinct molecular structures from those of in vitro α-synuclein filaments, suggesting the presence of co-factors for α-synuclein aggregation in vivo. Here, we report structural characterizations of α-synuclein filaments formed in the presence of a potential co-factor, tau, using cryo-EM and solid-state NMR. Our cryo-EM structure of the tau-promoted α-synuclein filaments reveals some similarities to one of the previously reported polymorphs of in vitro α-synuclein filaments in the core region, while illustrating distinct conformations in the N- and C-terminal regions. The structural study highlights the conformational plasticity of α-synuclein filaments and the importance of the co-factors, requiring additional structural investigation of not only more ex vivo α-synuclein filaments, but also in vitro α-synuclein filaments formed in the presence of diverse co-factors. The comparative structural analyses will help better understand molecular basis of diverse structures of α-synuclein filaments and possible relevance of each structure to the disease phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alimohammad Hojjatian
- Institute of Molecular Biophysics, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, 32306-4380, USA
| | - Anvesh K R Dasari
- Department of Chemistry, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, 27858, USA
| | - Urmi Sengupta
- Departments of Neurology, Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, 77555, USA
| | - Dianne Taylor
- Institute of Molecular Biophysics, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, 32306-4380, USA
| | - Nadia Daneshparvar
- Institute of Molecular Biophysics, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, 32306-4380, USA
| | - Fatemeh Abbasi Yeganeh
- Institute of Molecular Biophysics, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, 32306-4380, USA
| | - Lucas Dillard
- Genome Integrity and Structural Biology Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Research Triangle Park, NC, 27709, USA
| | - Brian Michael
- Department of Chemistry and Francis Bitter Magnet Laboratory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Robert G Griffin
- Department of Chemistry and Francis Bitter Magnet Laboratory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Mario J Borgnia
- Genome Integrity and Structural Biology Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Research Triangle Park, NC, 27709, USA
| | - Rakez Kayed
- Departments of Neurology, Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, 77555, USA
| | - Kenneth A Taylor
- Institute of Molecular Biophysics, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, 32306-4380, USA
| | - Kwang Hun Lim
- Department of Chemistry, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, 27858, USA.
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14
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Montalbano M, McAllen S, Cascio FL, Sengupta U, Garcia S, Bhatt N, Ellsworth A, Heidelman EA, Johnson OD, Doskocil S, Kayed R. TDP-43 and Tau Oligomers in Alzheimer's Disease, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, and Frontotemporal Dementia. Neurobiol Dis 2020; 146:105130. [PMID: 33065281 PMCID: PMC7703712 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2020.105130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [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: 06/12/2020] [Revised: 09/25/2020] [Accepted: 10/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Proteinaceous aggregates are major hallmarks of several neurodegenerative diseases. Aggregates of post-translationally modified transactive response (TAR)-DNA binding protein 43 (TDP-43) in cytoplasmic inclusion bodies are characteristic features in frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Recent studies have also reported TDP-43 aggregation in Alzheimer's disease (AD). TDP-43 is an RNA/DNA binding protein (RBP) mainly present in the nucleus. In addition to several RBPs, TDP-43 has also been reported in stress granules in FTD and ALS pathologies. Despite knowledge of cytoplasmic mislocalization of TDP-43, the cellular effects of TDP-43 aggregates and their cytotoxic mechanism(s) remain to be clarified. We hypothesize that TDP-43 forms oligomeric assemblies that associate with tau, another key protein involved in ALS and FTD. However, no prior studies have investigated the interactions between TDP-43 oligomers and tau. It is therefore important to thoroughly investigate the cross-seeding properties and cellular localization of both TDP-43 and tau oligomers in neurodegenerative diseases. Here, we demonstrate the effect of tau on the cellular localization of TDP-43 in WT and P301L tau-inducible cell models (iHEK) and in WT HEK-293 cells treated exogenously with soluble human recombinant tau oligomers (Exo-rTauO). We observed cytoplasmic TDP-43 accumulation o in the presence of tau in these cell models. We also studied the occurrence of TDP-43 oligomers in AD, ALS, and FTD human brain tissue using novel antibodies generated against TDP-43 oligomers as well as generic TDP-43 antibodies. Finally, we examined the cross-seeding property of AD, ALS, and FTD brain-derived TDP-43 oligomers (BDT43Os) on tau aggregation using biochemical and biophysical assays. Our results allow us to speculate that TDP-43/tau interactions might play a role in AD, ALS, and FTD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mauro Montalbano
- Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA; Departments of Neurology, Neuroscience, and Cell Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Salome McAllen
- Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA; Departments of Neurology, Neuroscience, and Cell Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Filippa Lo Cascio
- Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA; Departments of Neurology, Neuroscience, and Cell Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Urmi Sengupta
- Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA; Departments of Neurology, Neuroscience, and Cell Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Stephanie Garcia
- Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA; Departments of Neurology, Neuroscience, and Cell Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Nemil Bhatt
- Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA; Departments of Neurology, Neuroscience, and Cell Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Anna Ellsworth
- Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA; Departments of Neurology, Neuroscience, and Cell Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Eric A Heidelman
- School of Medicine, University of Texas Medical Branch, UTMB, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Omar D Johnson
- School of Medicine, University of Texas Medical Branch, UTMB, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Samantha Doskocil
- Neuroscience Summer Undergraduate Research Program, NSURP Program 2018, University of Texas Medical Branch, UTMB, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Rakez Kayed
- Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA; Departments of Neurology, Neuroscience, and Cell Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA.
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15
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Lavania M, Darlong J, Singh I, Ahuja M, Turankar RP, Pathak VK, Kumar A, Nathan R, Sengupta U. Analysis of bacteriological Index between fixed multidrug therapy and new WHO recommended alternative regimen with ofloxacin, minocycline and clofazimine of rifampicin resistant cases from the hospitals of The Leprosy Mission, India. J Glob Antimicrob Resist 2020; 23:275-277. [PMID: 33068781 DOI: 10.1016/j.jgar.2020.09.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2020] [Revised: 09/10/2020] [Accepted: 09/25/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Mallika Lavania
- Stanley Browne Laboratory, The Leprosy Mission Community Hospital, Nand Nagari, New Delhi 110093, India.
| | - J Darlong
- The Leprosy Mission Trust India, CNI Bhawan, 16 Pandit Pant Marg, Delhi, India
| | - Itu Singh
- Stanley Browne Laboratory, The Leprosy Mission Community Hospital, Nand Nagari, New Delhi 110093, India
| | - Madhvi Ahuja
- The Leprosy Mission Trust India, CNI Bhawan, 16 Pandit Pant Marg, Delhi, India
| | - R P Turankar
- Stanley Browne Laboratory, The Leprosy Mission Community Hospital, Nand Nagari, New Delhi 110093, India
| | - Vinay Kumar Pathak
- Stanley Browne Laboratory, The Leprosy Mission Community Hospital, Nand Nagari, New Delhi 110093, India
| | - Archana Kumar
- The Leprosy Mission Hospital, Champa, Chattisgarh, India
| | - Rajeev Nathan
- The Leprosy Mission Hospital, Shahdara, Delhi 110093, India
| | - U Sengupta
- Stanley Browne Laboratory, The Leprosy Mission Community Hospital, Nand Nagari, New Delhi 110093, India
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16
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Montalbano M, McAllen S, Puangmalai N, Sengupta U, Bhatt N, Johnson OD, Kharas MG, Kayed R. RNA-binding proteins Musashi and tau soluble aggregates initiate nuclear dysfunction. Nat Commun 2020; 11:4305. [PMID: 32855391 PMCID: PMC7453003 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-18022-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [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: 02/06/2020] [Accepted: 07/30/2020] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Oligomeric assemblies of tau and the RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) Musashi (MSI) are reported in Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, the role of MSI and tau interaction in their aggregation process and its effects are nor clearly known in neurodegenerative diseases. Here, we investigated the expression and cellular localization of MSI1 and MSI2 in the brains tissues of Alzheimer's disease (AD), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD) as well as in the wild-type mice and tau knock-out and P301L tau mouse models. We observed that formation of pathologically relevant protein inclusions was driven by the aberrant interactions between MSI and tau in the nuclei associated with age-dependent extracellular depositions of tau/MSI complexes. Furthermore, tau and MSI interactions induced impairment of nuclear/cytoplasm transport, chromatin remodeling and nuclear lamina formation. Our findings provide mechanistic insight for pathological accumulation of MSI/tau aggregates providing a potential basis for therapeutic interventions in neurodegenerative proteinopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mauro Montalbano
- Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, 77555, USA.,Departments of Neurology, Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, 77555, USA
| | - Salome McAllen
- Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, 77555, USA.,Departments of Neurology, Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, 77555, USA
| | - Nicha Puangmalai
- Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, 77555, USA.,Departments of Neurology, Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, 77555, USA
| | - Urmi Sengupta
- Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, 77555, USA.,Departments of Neurology, Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, 77555, USA
| | - Nemil Bhatt
- Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, 77555, USA.,Departments of Neurology, Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, 77555, USA
| | - Omar D Johnson
- School of Medicine, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, 77555, USA
| | - Michael G Kharas
- Division of Molecular Pharmacology, Memorial Sloan Kettering Institute Cancer Center, New York City, NY, USA
| | - Rakez Kayed
- Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, 77555, USA. .,Departments of Neurology, Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, 77555, USA.
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17
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Puangmalai N, Bhatt N, Montalbano M, Sengupta U, Gaikwad S, Ventura F, McAllen S, Ellsworth A, Garcia S, Kayed R. Internalization mechanisms of brain-derived tau oligomers from patients with Alzheimer's disease, progressive supranuclear palsy and dementia with Lewy bodies. Cell Death Dis 2020; 11:314. [PMID: 32366836 PMCID: PMC7198578 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-020-2503-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2019] [Revised: 04/10/2020] [Accepted: 04/14/2020] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Tau aggregates propagate in brain cells and transmit to neighboring cells as well as anatomically connected brain regions by prion-like mechanisms. Soluble tau aggregates (tau oligomers) are the most toxic species that initiate neurodegeneration in tauopathies, such as Alzheimer's disease (AD), progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), and dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB). Exogenous tau aggregates have been shown to be internalized by brain cells; however, the precise cellular and molecular mechanisms that underlie the internalization of tau oligomers (TauO) remain elusive. Using brain-derived tau oligomers (BDTOs) from AD, PSP, and DLB patients, we investigated neuronal internalization mechanisms of BDTOs, including the heparan sulfate proteoglycan (HSPG)-mediated pathway, clathrin-mediated pathway, and caveolae-mediated pathway. Here, we demonstrated that the HSPG-mediated pathway regulates internalization of BDTOs from AD and DLB, while HSPG-mediated and other alternative pathways are involved in the internalization of PSP-derived tau oligomers. HSPG antagonism significantly reduced the internalization of TauO, prevented tau translocation to the endosomal-lysosomal system, and decreased levels of hyperphosphorylated tau in neurons, the well-known contributor for neurofibrillary tangles (NFT) accumulation, degeneration of neurons, and cognitive decline. Furthermore, siRNA-mediated silencing of heparan sulfate (HS)-synthesizing enzyme, exostosin-2, leads to decreased internalization of BDTOs, prevented tau-induced autophagy-lysosomal pathway impairment, and decreased hyperphosphorylated tau levels. Collectively, these findings suggest that HSPG-mediated endocytosis and exostsin-2 are involved in neuronal internalization of TauO and subsequent tau-dependent neuropathology in AD and DLB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicha Puangmalai
- Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, 77555, USA
- Departments of Neurology, Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, 77555, USA
| | - Nemil Bhatt
- Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, 77555, USA
- Departments of Neurology, Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, 77555, USA
| | - Mauro Montalbano
- Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, 77555, USA
- Departments of Neurology, Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, 77555, USA
| | - Urmi Sengupta
- Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, 77555, USA
- Departments of Neurology, Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, 77555, USA
| | - Sagar Gaikwad
- Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, 77555, USA
- Departments of Neurology, Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, 77555, USA
| | - Frank Ventura
- Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, 77555, USA
| | - Salome McAllen
- Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, 77555, USA
- Departments of Neurology, Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, 77555, USA
| | - Anna Ellsworth
- Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, 77555, USA
- Departments of Neurology, Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, 77555, USA
| | - Stephanie Garcia
- Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, 77555, USA
- Departments of Neurology, Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, 77555, USA
| | - Rakez Kayed
- Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, 77555, USA.
- Departments of Neurology, Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, 77555, USA.
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Sengupta U, Puangmalai N, Bhatt N, Garcia S, Zhao Y, Kayed R. Polymorphic α-Synuclein Strains Modified by Dopamine and Docosahexaenoic Acid Interact Differentially with Tau Protein. Mol Neurobiol 2020; 57:2741-2765. [PMID: 32350746 PMCID: PMC7253398 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-020-01913-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2019] [Accepted: 03/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
The pathological hallmark of synucleinopathies, including Parkinson’s disease (PD), is the aggregation of α-synuclein (α-Syn) protein. Even so, tau protein pathology is abundantly found in these diseases. Both α-Syn and tau can exist as polymorphic aggregates, a phenomenon that has been widely studied, mostly in their fibrillar assemblies. We have previously discovered that in addition to α-Syn oligomers, oligomeric tau is also present in the brain tissues of patients with PD and dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB). However, the effect of interaction between polymorphic α-Syn oligomers and tau has not been scrupulously studied. Here, we have explored the structural and functional diversity of distinct α-Syn oligomers, prepared by modifying the protein with dopamine (DA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). The two α-Syn oligomers differed in aggregate size, conformation, sensitivity to proteinase K digestion, tryptic digestion, and toxicity, suggesting them as distinct α-Syn oligomeric strains. We examined their internalization mechanisms in primary neurons and seeding propensity in inducing α-Syn aggregation. Using a combined approach of molecular and cellular techniques, we observed that the tau aggregates cross-seeded with the individual α-Syn oligomeric strains differed in their biochemical and biological properties, suggesting two distinct tau strains. The tau aggregate cross-seeded with the DA-modified α-Syn oligomeric strain possessed a potent intracellular tau seeding propensity. This study provides a comprehensive analysis of unique strain-specific interaction between oligomeric α-Syn and tau. Furthermore, this study allows us to speculate that distinct α-Syn-tau interactions inducing tau aggregation might be an underlying mechanism of neurodegeneration in PD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Urmi Sengupta
- Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, USA
- Departments of Neurology, Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, USA
| | - Nicha Puangmalai
- Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, USA
- Departments of Neurology, Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, USA
| | - Nemil Bhatt
- Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, USA
- Departments of Neurology, Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, USA
| | - Stephanie Garcia
- Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, USA
- Departments of Neurology, Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, USA
| | - Yingxin Zhao
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, USA
- Institute for Translational Sciences, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, USA
| | - Rakez Kayed
- Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, USA.
- Departments of Neurology, Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, USA.
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19
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Lavania M, Darlong J, Reddy A, Ahuja M, Singh I, Turankar RP, Sengupta U. Successful treatment of rifampicin resistant case of leprosy by WHO recommended ofloxacin and minocycline regimen. LEPROSY REV 2019. [DOI: 10.47276/lr.90.4.456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
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20
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Montalbano M, McAllen S, Sengupta U, Puangmalai N, Bhatt N, Ellsworth A, Kayed R. Tau oligomers mediate aggregation of RNA-binding proteins Musashi1 and Musashi2 inducing Lamin alteration. Aging Cell 2019; 18:e13035. [PMID: 31532069 PMCID: PMC6826126 DOI: 10.1111/acel.13035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2019] [Revised: 08/07/2019] [Accepted: 08/17/2019] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The exact mechanisms leading to neurodegeneration in Alzheimer's disease (AD) and other tauopathies are not yet entirely understood. However, it is known that several RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) form toxic aggregates and also interact with tau in such granules in tauopathies, including AD. The Musashi (MSI) family of RBPs, consisting of two homologues: Musashi1 and Musashi2, have not been extensively investigated in neurodegenerative diseases. Here, using a tau inducible HEK (iHEK) model we investigate whether MSI proteins contribute to the aggregation of toxic tau oligomers (TauO). Wild-type and mutant P301L tau iHEK cells are used to study the effect of different tau variants on the cellular localization of MSI proteins. Interestingly, we observe that tau co-localizes with MSI in the cytoplasm and nuclei, altering the nuclear transport of MSI. Furthermore, incremental changes in the size and density of nuclear MSI/tau foci are observed. We also report here that TauO interact with MSI to cause the formation of distinct nuclear aggregates. Moreover, tau/MSI aggregates induce structural changes to LaminB1, leading to nuclear instability. These results illustrate a possible mechanism of neurodegeneration mediated by the aggregation of MSI proteins and TauO, suggesting that MSI plays a critical role in cellular dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mauro Montalbano
- Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative DiseasesUniversity of Texas Medical BranchGalvestonTXUSA
- Department of Neurology, Neuroscience and Cell BiologyUniversity of Texas Medical BranchGalvestonTXUSA
| | - Salome McAllen
- Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative DiseasesUniversity of Texas Medical BranchGalvestonTXUSA
- Department of Neurology, Neuroscience and Cell BiologyUniversity of Texas Medical BranchGalvestonTXUSA
| | - Urmi Sengupta
- Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative DiseasesUniversity of Texas Medical BranchGalvestonTXUSA
- Department of Neurology, Neuroscience and Cell BiologyUniversity of Texas Medical BranchGalvestonTXUSA
| | - Nicha Puangmalai
- Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative DiseasesUniversity of Texas Medical BranchGalvestonTXUSA
- Department of Neurology, Neuroscience and Cell BiologyUniversity of Texas Medical BranchGalvestonTXUSA
| | - Nemil Bhatt
- Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative DiseasesUniversity of Texas Medical BranchGalvestonTXUSA
- Department of Neurology, Neuroscience and Cell BiologyUniversity of Texas Medical BranchGalvestonTXUSA
| | - Anna Ellsworth
- Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative DiseasesUniversity of Texas Medical BranchGalvestonTXUSA
- Department of Neurology, Neuroscience and Cell BiologyUniversity of Texas Medical BranchGalvestonTXUSA
| | - Rakez Kayed
- Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative DiseasesUniversity of Texas Medical BranchGalvestonTXUSA
- Department of Neurology, Neuroscience and Cell BiologyUniversity of Texas Medical BranchGalvestonTXUSA
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Montalbano M, McAllen S, Sengupta U, Bhatt N, Ellsworth A, Kayed R. P4-520: TAU OLIGOMERS MEDIATE AGGREGATION OF RNA-BINDING PROTEINS MUSASHI1- AND MUSASHI2-INDUCING NUCLEAR MEMBRANE ALTERATION IN ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE. Alzheimers Dement 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jalz.2019.08.066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Urmi Sengupta
- University of Texas Medical Branch; Galveston TX USA
| | - Nemil Bhatt
- University of Texas Medical Branch; Galveston TX USA
| | | | - Rakez Kayed
- University of Texas Medical Branch; Galveston TX USA
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22
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Affiliation(s)
- Urmi Sengupta
- 0000 0001 1547 9964grid.176731.5Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX USA ,0000 0001 1547 9964grid.176731.5Departments of Neurology, Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX USA
| | - Rakez Kayed
- Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA. .,Departments of Neurology, Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA.
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Ghag G, Bhatt N, Cantu DV, Guerrero‐Munoz MJ, Ellsworth A, Sengupta U, Kayed R. Soluble tau aggregates, not large fibrils, are the toxic species that display seeding and cross-seeding behavior. Protein Sci 2018; 27:1901-1909. [PMID: 30125425 PMCID: PMC6201727 DOI: 10.1002/pro.3499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2018] [Revised: 08/16/2018] [Accepted: 08/16/2018] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Several studies have proposed that fibrillary aggregates of tau and other amyloidogenic proteins are neurotoxic and result in numerous neurodegenerative diseases. However, these studies usually involve sonication or extrusion through needles before experimentation. As a consequence, these methods may fragment large aggregates producing a mixture of aggregated species rather than intact fibrils. Therefore, the results of these experiments may be reflective of other amyloidogenic species, such as oligomers and/or protofibrils/short fibrils. To investigate the effects of sonication on the aggregation of tau and other amyloidogenic proteins, fibrils were prepared and well characterized, then sonicated and evaluated by various biochemical and biophysical methods to identify the aggregated species present. We found that indeed a mixture of aggregated species was present along with short fibrils indicating that sonication leads to impure fibril samples and should be analyzed with caution. Our results corroborate the previous studies showing that sonication of prion and Aβ fibrils leads to the formation of toxic, soluble aggregates. We also show that the oligomeric forms are the most toxic species although it is unclear how sonication causes oligomer formation. Recent results suggest that these small toxic oligomers produced by sonication, rather than the stable fibrillar structures, are prion-like in nature displaying seeding and cross-seeding behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gaurav Ghag
- Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative DiseasesUniversity of Texas Medical BranchGalvestonTexas 77555
- Department of NeurologyUniversity of Texas Medical BranchGalvestonTexas 77555
| | - Nemil Bhatt
- Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative DiseasesUniversity of Texas Medical BranchGalvestonTexas 77555
- Department of NeurologyUniversity of Texas Medical BranchGalvestonTexas 77555
| | - Daniel V. Cantu
- Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative DiseasesUniversity of Texas Medical BranchGalvestonTexas 77555
- Department of NeurologyUniversity of Texas Medical BranchGalvestonTexas 77555
| | - Marcos J. Guerrero‐Munoz
- Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative DiseasesUniversity of Texas Medical BranchGalvestonTexas 77555
- Department of NeurologyUniversity of Texas Medical BranchGalvestonTexas 77555
| | - Anna Ellsworth
- Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative DiseasesUniversity of Texas Medical BranchGalvestonTexas 77555
- Department of NeurologyUniversity of Texas Medical BranchGalvestonTexas 77555
| | - Urmi Sengupta
- Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative DiseasesUniversity of Texas Medical BranchGalvestonTexas 77555
- Department of NeurologyUniversity of Texas Medical BranchGalvestonTexas 77555
| | - Rakez Kayed
- Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative DiseasesUniversity of Texas Medical BranchGalvestonTexas 77555
- Department of NeurologyUniversity of Texas Medical BranchGalvestonTexas 77555
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Sengupta U, Montalbano M, McAllen S, Minuesa G, Kharas M, Kayed R. Formation of Toxic Oligomeric Assemblies of RNA-binding Protein: Musashi in Alzheimer's disease. Acta Neuropathol Commun 2018; 6:113. [PMID: 30367664 PMCID: PMC6203984 DOI: 10.1186/s40478-018-0615-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2018] [Accepted: 10/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common neurodegenerative disorder associated with structural and functional alterations of brain cells causing progressive deterioration of memory and other cognitive functions. Recent studies demonstrate that several neurodegenerative diseases, including AD exhibit RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) pathologies, including TAR DNA -binding protein (TDP-43), fused in sarcoma (FUS), superoxide dismutase (SOD1) and T-interacting antigen-1 (TIA-1), highlighting the role of RBPs in neurodegeneration. One such group of RBPs, Musashi proteins comprised of MSI1 and MSI2, has been long studied in neurogenesis and cancer biology. Herein, we have investigated the aggregation properties of MSI1 and MSI2 by in vitro assays, their expression and accumulation as well as their possible interactions with other cellular proteins, such as tau in AD pathology. We have performed atomic force microscopy, Western blot, and immunoprecipitation to demonstrate the aggregation properties of recombinant Musashi proteins. Furthermore, we have studied cortical brain sections from AD (N = 4) and age-matched non-demented subjects (N = 4) by Western blot and immunofluorescence microscopy to investigate MSI1 and MSI2 levels and their localization in human brain tissues. Musashi proteins showed in vitro aggregation properties by forming oligomers. We have observed an increase in Musashi proteins levels in AD brain tissues as compared with age-matched non-demented subjects. Moreover, Musashi proteins are observed to form oligomers in the diseased brain tissues. Interestingly, the co-immunofluorescence study has revealed a change in fluorescence pattern of oligomeric Musashi proteins and tau with a high association in the perinuclear area of the cells suggesting changes in function of Musashi proteins. Our data have demonstrated for the first time that MSI1 and MSI2 are present in an oligomeric state in AD brains compared to the age-matched non-demented subjects and that these large assemblies co-localize with tau contributing to the neurodegenerative pathogenesis.
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Castillo-Carranza DL, Guerrero-Muñoz MJ, Sengupta U, Gerson JE, Kayed R. α-Synuclein Oligomers Induce a Unique Toxic Tau Strain. Biol Psychiatry 2018; 84:499-508. [PMID: 29478699 PMCID: PMC6201292 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2017.12.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2017] [Revised: 12/19/2017] [Accepted: 12/22/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The coexistence of α-synuclein and tau aggregates in several neurodegenerative disorders, including Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease, raises the possibility that a seeding mechanism is involved in disease progression. METHODS To further investigate the role of α-synuclein in the tau aggregation pathway, we performed a set of experiments using both recombinant and brain-derived tau and α-synuclein oligomers to seed monomeric tau aggregation in vitro and in vivo. Brain-derived tau oligomers were isolated from well-characterized cases of progressive supranuclear palsy (n = 4) and complexes of brain-derived α-synuclein/tau oligomers isolated from patients with Parkinson's disease (n = 4). The isolated structures were purified and characterized by standard biochemical methods, then injected into Htau mice (n = 24) to assess their toxicity and role in tau aggregation. RESULTS We found that α-synuclein induced a distinct toxic tau oligomeric strain that avoids fibril formation. In vivo, Parkinson's disease brain-derived α-synuclein/tau oligomers administered into Htau mouse brains accelerated endogenous tau oligomer formation concurrent with increasing cell loss. CONCLUSIONS Our findings provide evidence, for the first time, that α-synuclein enhances the harmful effects of tau, thus contributing to disease progression.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Rakez Kayed
- Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas; Departments of Neurology, Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas.
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26
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Ellis G, Hunter RF, Hino AAF, Cleland CL, Ferguson S, Murtagh B, Anez CRR, Melo S, Tully M, Kee F, Sengupta U, Reis R. Study protocol: healthy urban living and ageing in place (HULAP): an international, mixed methods study examining the associations between physical activity, built and social environments for older adults the UK and Brazil. BMC Public Health 2018; 18:1135. [PMID: 30241475 PMCID: PMC6150980 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-018-6018-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2018] [Accepted: 09/04/2018] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The ability to 'age in place' is dependent on a range of inter-personal, social and built environment attributes, with the latter being a key area for potential intervention. There is an emerging body of evidence that indicates the type of built environment features that may best support age friendly communities, but there is a need to expand and consolidate this, while generating a better understanding of how on how research findings can be most effectively be translated in to policy and practice. METHODS The study is based on two case study cities, Curtiba (Brazil) and Belfast (UK), which have highly contrasting physical, social and policy environments. The study deploys a mix methods approach, mirrored in each city. This includes the recruitment of 300 participants in each city to wear GPS and accelerometers, a survey capturing physical functioning and other personal attributes, as well as their perception of their local environment using NEWS-A. The study will also measure the built environments of the cities using GIS and develop a tool for auditing the routes used by participants around their neighbourhoods. The study seeks to comparatively map the policy actors and resources involved in healthy ageing in the two cities through interviews, focus groups and discourse analysis. Finally, the study has a significant knowledge exchange component, including the development of a tool to assess the capacities of both researchers and research users to maximise the impact of the research findings. DISCUSSION The HULAP study has been designed and implemented by a multi-disciplinary team and integrates differing methodologies to purposefully impact on policy and practice on healthy ageing in high and low-middle income countries. It has particular strengths in its combination of objective and self-reported measures using validated tools and the integration of GPS, accelerometer and GIS data to provide a robust assessment of 'spatial energetics'. The strong knowledge exchange strand means that the study is expected to also contribute to our understanding of how to maximise research impact in this field and create effective evidence for linking older adult's physical activity with the social, built and policy environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geraint Ellis
- School of Natural and Built Environment, David Keir Building, Stranmillis Road, Belfast, BT9 5AG UK
| | - Ruth F. Hunter
- UKCRC Centre of Excellence for Public Health (NI), Queen’s University Belfast, Belfast, BT12 6BA UK
| | - Adriano Akira F. Hino
- Postgraduate in Health Technology, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Paraná, Curitiba, Brazil
| | - Claire L. Cleland
- School of Natural and Built Environment, David Keir Building, Stranmillis Road, Belfast, BT9 5AG UK
| | - Sara Ferguson
- School of Natural and Built Environment, David Keir Building, Stranmillis Road, Belfast, BT9 5AG UK
| | - Brendan Murtagh
- School of Natural and Built Environment, David Keir Building, Stranmillis Road, Belfast, BT9 5AG UK
| | | | - Sara Melo
- Queen’s Management School, Queen’s University Belfast, Belfast, BT9 5EE UK
| | - Mark Tully
- UKCRC Centre of Excellence for Public Health (NI), Queen’s University Belfast, Belfast, BT12 6BA UK
| | - Frank Kee
- UKCRC Centre of Excellence for Public Health (NI), Queen’s University Belfast, Belfast, BT12 6BA UK
| | - Urmi Sengupta
- School of Natural and Built Environment, David Keir Building, Stranmillis Road, Belfast, BT9 5AG UK
| | - Rodrigo Reis
- Prevention Research Center, Brown School, Washington University in St. Louis, St Louis, USA
- Research Group in Physical Actity and Quality of Life (GPAQ), Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Paraná, Curitiba, Brazil
- Postgraduate Program in Urban Management (PPGTU), Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Paraná, Curitiba, Brazil
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27
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Gerson JE, Farmer K, Sengupta U, Carretero-Murillo M, McAllen S, Bhatt N, Ellsworth A, Ha Y, Zhang W, Kayed R. O2‐02‐06: PROPAGATION AND DIVERSE EFFECTS OF DISEASE‐SPECIFIC PRION‐LIKE TAU OLIGOMERIC STRAINS. Alzheimers Dement 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jalz.2018.06.2650] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Nemil Bhatt
- University of Texas Medical BranchGalvestonTXUSA
| | | | - Yonju Ha
- University of Texas Medical BranchGalvestonTXUSA
| | - Wenbo Zhang
- University of Texas Medical BranchGalvestonTXUSA
| | - Rakez Kayed
- University of Texas Medical BranchGalvestonTXUSA
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28
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Aguilar CL, Al-Lahham R, Sengupta U, Carretero-Murillo M, Kayed R, Dineley KT. O4‐05‐04: Tau Immunotherapy for Alpha‐Synucleinopathy. Alzheimers Dement 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jalz.2018.06.2936] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Rakez Kayed
- University of Texas Medical BranchGalvestonTXUSA
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Abstract
Although tau protein was long regarded as an intracellular protein with several functions inside the cell, new evidence has shown tau secretion into the extracellular space. The active secretion of tau could be a physiological response of neurons to increased intracellular amounts of tau during the progression of tau pathology. We looked for potential differences in the serum levels of toxic tau oligomers in regards to cognitive impairment of subjects. We detected tau oligomers in the serum of Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients, but they were also present to some extent in the serum of healthy older subjects where the levels positively correlated with aging (Spearman r = 0.26, p = 0.016). On the contrary, we found lower levels of tau oligomers in the serum of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) (p = 0.033) and MCI-AD (p = 0.006) patients. These results could suggest that clearance of extracellular tau proteins takes place, in part, in the periphery. In the case of MCI patients, the lower levels of tau oligomers could be the result of impaired clearance of tau protein from interstitium to blood and consequent accumulation of tau aggregates in the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michala Kolarova
- National Institute of Mental Health, Klecany, Czech Republic.,Third Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Urmi Sengupta
- Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA.,Department of Neurology, and Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Ales Bartos
- National Institute of Mental Health, Klecany, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Ricny
- National Institute of Mental Health, Klecany, Czech Republic
| | - Rakez Kayed
- Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA.,Department of Neurology, and Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
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30
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Gerson JE, Farmer KM, Henson N, Castillo-Carranza DL, Carretero Murillo M, Sengupta U, Barrett A, Kayed R. Tau oligomers mediate α-synuclein toxicity and can be targeted by immunotherapy. Mol Neurodegener 2018; 13:13. [PMID: 29544548 PMCID: PMC5856311 DOI: 10.1186/s13024-018-0245-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [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: 11/13/2017] [Accepted: 03/07/2018] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND We have evaluated the efficacy of targeting the toxic, oligomeric form of tau protein by passive immunotherapy in a mouse model of synucleinopathy. Parkinson's disease and Lewy body dementia are two of the most common neurodegenerative disorders and are primarily characterized by the accumulation of α-synuclein in Lewy bodies. However, evidence shows that smaller, oligomeric aggregates are likely the most toxic form of the protein. Moreover, a large body of research suggests that α-synuclein interacts with tau in disease and may act in a synergistic mechanism, implicating tau oligomers as a potential therapeutic target. METHODS We treated seven-month-old mice overexpressing mutated α-synuclein (A53T mice) with tau oligomer-specific monoclonal antibody (TOMA) and a control antibody and assessed both behavioral and pathological phenotypes. RESULTS We found that A53T mice treated with TOMA were protected from cognitive and motor deficits two weeks after a single injection. Levels of toxic tau oligomers were specifically decreased in the brains of TOMA-treated mice. Tau oligomer depletion also protected against dopamine and synaptic protein loss. CONCLUSION These results indicate that targeting tau oligomers is beneficial for a mouse model of synucleinopathy and may be a viable therapeutic strategy for treating diseases in which tau and α-synuclein have a synergistic toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia E Gerson
- Departments of Neurology, Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, 77555, USA.,Sealy Center for Vaccine Development, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, 77555, USA
| | - Kathleen M Farmer
- Departments of Neurology, Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, 77555, USA
| | - Natalie Henson
- Departments of Neurology, Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, 77555, USA
| | - Diana L Castillo-Carranza
- Departments of Neurology, Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, 77555, USA
| | - Mariana Carretero Murillo
- Departments of Neurology, Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, 77555, USA
| | - Urmi Sengupta
- Departments of Neurology, Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, 77555, USA
| | - Alan Barrett
- Sealy Center for Vaccine Development, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, 77555, USA
| | - Rakez Kayed
- Departments of Neurology, Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, 77555, USA. .,Sealy Center for Vaccine Development, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, 77555, USA.
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Bittar A, Sengupta U, Kayed R. Prospects for strain-specific immunotherapy in Alzheimer's disease and tauopathies. NPJ Vaccines 2018; 3:9. [PMID: 29507776 PMCID: PMC5829136 DOI: 10.1038/s41541-018-0046-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2017] [Revised: 01/17/2018] [Accepted: 01/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
With increasing age, as the incidence of Alzheimer's disease is increasing, finding a therapeutic intervention is becoming critically important to either prevent or slow down the progression of the disease. Passive immunotherapy has been demonstrated as a successful way of reducing large aggregates and improving cognition in animal models of both tauopathies and Alzheimer's disease. However, with all the continuous attempts and significant success of immunotherapy in preclinical studies, finding a successful clinical therapy has been a great challenge, possibly indicating a lack of accuracy in targeting the toxic species. Both active and passive immunotherapy approaches in transgenic animals have been demonstrated to have pros and cons. Passive immunotherapy has been favored and many mechanisms have been shown to clear toxic amyloid and tau aggregates and improve memory. These mechanisms may differ depending on the antibodie's' target and administration route. In this regard, deciding on affinity vs. specificity of the antibodies plays a significant role in terms of avoiding the clearance of the physiological forms of the targeted proteins and reducing adverse side effects. In addition, knowing that a single protein can exist in different conformational states, termed as strains, with varying degrees of neurotoxicity and seeding properties, presents an additional level of complexity. Therefore, immunotherapy targeting specifically the toxic strains will aid in developing potential strategies for intervention. Moreover, an approach of combinatorial immunotherapies against different amyloidogenic proteins, at distinct levels of the disease progression, might offer an effective therapy in many neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice Bittar
- Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555 USA
- Departments of Neurology, Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555 USA
| | - Urmi Sengupta
- Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555 USA
- Departments of Neurology, Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555 USA
- Sealy Center for Vaccine Development, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555 USA
| | - Rakez Kayed
- Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555 USA
- Departments of Neurology, Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555 USA
- Sealy Center for Vaccine Development, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555 USA
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Nilson AN, English KC, Gerson JE, Barton Whittle T, Nicolas Crain C, Xue J, Sengupta U, Castillo-Carranza DL, Zhang W, Gupta P, Kayed R. Tau Oligomers Associate with Inflammation in the Brain and Retina of Tauopathy Mice and in Neurodegenerative Diseases. J Alzheimers Dis 2018; 55:1083-1099. [PMID: 27716675 PMCID: PMC5147514 DOI: 10.3233/jad-160912] [Citation(s) in RCA: 115] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
It is well-established that inflammation plays an important role in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and frontotemporal lobar dementia (FTLD). Inflammation and synapse loss occur in disease prior to the formation of larger aggregates, but the contribution of tau to inflammation has not yet been thoroughly investigated. Tau pathologically aggregates to form large fibrillar structures known as tangles. However, evidence suggests that smaller soluble aggregates, called oligomers, are the most toxic species and form prior to tangles. Furthermore, tau oligomers can spread to neighboring cells and between anatomically connected brain regions. In addition, recent evidence suggests that inspecting the retina may be a window to brain pathology. We hypothesized that there is a relationship between tau oligomers and inflammation, which are hallmarks of early disease. We conducted immunofluorescence and biochemical analyses on tauopathy mice, FTLD, and AD subjects. We showed that oligomers co-localize with astrocytes, microglia, and HMGB1, a pro-inflammatory cytokine. Additionally, we show that tau oligomers are present in the retina and are associated with inflammatory cells suggesting that the retina may be a valid non-invasive biomarker for brain pathology. These results suggest that there may be a toxic relationship between tau oligomers and inflammation. Therefore, the ability of tau oligomers to spread may initiate a feed-forward cycle in which tau oligomers induce inflammation, leading to neuronal damage, and thus more inflammation. Further mechanistic studies are warranted in order to understand this relationship, which may have critical implications for improving the treatment of tauopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashley N Nilson
- Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA.,Departments of Neurology, Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Kelsey C English
- Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA.,Departments of Neurology, Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Julia E Gerson
- Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA.,Departments of Neurology, Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - T Barton Whittle
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - C Nicolas Crain
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Judy Xue
- Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA.,Departments of Neurology, Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Urmi Sengupta
- Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA.,Departments of Neurology, Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Diana L Castillo-Carranza
- Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA.,Departments of Neurology, Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Wenbo Zhang
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Praveena Gupta
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Rakez Kayed
- Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA.,Departments of Neurology, Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
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Abstract
An increasing number of studies have demonstrated the existence of multiple conformational entities of tau, as have been observed for prion protein. We have developed and optimized techniques to isolate and study oligomeric tau strains both in vitro and ex vivo. Moreover, we have modified protocols that demonstrate the seeding properties of oligomeric tau strains that are capable of propagating in vivo. These methods and protocols are explained in this chapter.
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Affiliation(s)
- Urmi Sengupta
- George P. and Cynthia Woods Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA.,Department of Neurology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA.,Department of Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Mariana Carretero-Murillo
- George P. and Cynthia Woods Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA.,Department of Neurology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA.,Department of Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Rakez Kayed
- George P. and Cynthia Woods Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA. .,Department of Neurology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA. .,Department of Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA.
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Rakez K, Sengupta U, Gerson J, Hasan T, Carretero Murillo M, Castillo-Carranza D. Potential role of oligomeric tau stains in the pathogenesis of synucleinopathies. J Neurol Sci 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jns.2017.08.285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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Schroeder S, Joly-Amado A, Soliman A, Sengupta U, Kayed R, Gordon MN, Morgan D. Oligomeric tau-targeted immunotherapy in Tg4510 mice. Alzheimers Res Ther 2017; 9:46. [PMID: 28655349 PMCID: PMC5488475 DOI: 10.1186/s13195-017-0274-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2017] [Accepted: 06/02/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Finding ways to reverse or prevent the consequences of pathogenic tau in the brain is of considerable importance for treatment of Alzheimer's disease and other tauopathies. Immunotherapy against tau has shown promise in several mouse models. In particular, an antibody with selectivity for oligomeric forms of tau, tau oligomer monoclonal antibody (TOMA), has shown rescue of the behavioral phenotype in several murine models of tau deposition. METHODS In this study, we examined the capacity of TOMA to rescue the behavioral, histological, and neurochemical consequences of tau deposition in the aggressive Tg4510 model. We treated mice biweekly with 60 μg TOMA i.p. from 3.5 to 8 months of age. RESULTS Near the end of the treatment, we found that oligomeric tau was elevated in both the CSF and in plasma. Further, we could detect mouse IgG in Tg4510 mouse brain after TOMA treatment, but not after injection with mouse IgG1 as control. However, we did not find significant reductions in behavioral deficits or tau deposits by either histological or biochemical measurements. CONCLUSIONS These data suggest that there is some exposure of the Tg4510 mouse brain to TOMA, but it was inadequate to affect the phenotype in these mice at the doses used. These data are consistent with other observations that the rapidly depositing Tg4510 mouse is a challenging model in which to demonstrate efficacy of tau-lowering treatments compared to some other preclinical models of tau deposition/overexpression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sulana Schroeder
- Byrd Alzheimer's Institute and Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Physiology, University of South Florida, 4001 E. Fletcher Ave, Tampa, FL, 33613, USA
| | - Aurelie Joly-Amado
- Byrd Alzheimer's Institute and Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Physiology, University of South Florida, 4001 E. Fletcher Ave, Tampa, FL, 33613, USA
| | - Ahlam Soliman
- Byrd Alzheimer's Institute and Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Physiology, University of South Florida, 4001 E. Fletcher Ave, Tampa, FL, 33613, USA
| | - Urmi Sengupta
- George P. and Cynthia Woods Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Departments of Neurology, and Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, 77555, USA
| | - Rakiz Kayed
- George P. and Cynthia Woods Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Departments of Neurology, and Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, 77555, USA
| | - Marcia N Gordon
- Byrd Alzheimer's Institute and Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Physiology, University of South Florida, 4001 E. Fletcher Ave, Tampa, FL, 33613, USA
| | - David Morgan
- Byrd Alzheimer's Institute and Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Physiology, University of South Florida, 4001 E. Fletcher Ave, Tampa, FL, 33613, USA. .,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, 33612, USA.
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Castillo-Carranza DL, Nilson AN, Van Skike CE, Jahrling JB, Patel K, Garach P, Gerson JE, Sengupta U, Abisambra J, Nelson P, Troncoso J, Ungvari Z, Galvan V, Kayed R. Cerebral Microvascular Accumulation of Tau Oligomers in Alzheimer's Disease and Related Tauopathies. Aging Dis 2017; 8:257-266. [PMID: 28580182 PMCID: PMC5440106 DOI: 10.14336/ad.2017.0112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2016] [Accepted: 01/12/2017] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The importance of vascular contributions to cognitive impairment and dementia (VCID) associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and related neurodegenerative diseases is increasingly recognized, however, the underlying mechanisms remain obscure. There is growing evidence that in addition to Aβ deposition, accumulation of hyperphosphorylated oligomeric tau contributes significantly to AD etiology. Tau oligomers are toxic and it has been suggested that they propagate in a "prion-like" fashion, inducing endogenous tau misfolding in cells. Their role in VCID, however, is not yet understood. The present study was designed to determine the severity of vascular deposition of oligomeric tau in the brain in patients with AD and related tauopathies, including dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) and progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP). Further, we examined a potential link between vascular deposition of fibrillar Aβ and that of tau oligomers in the Tg2576 mouse model. We found that tau oligomers accumulate in cerebral microvasculature of human patients with AD and PSP, in association with vascular endothelial and smooth muscle cells. Cerebrovascular deposition of tau oligomers was also found in DLB patients. We also show that tau oligomers accumulate in cerebral microvasculature of Tg2576 mice, partially in association with cerebrovascular Aβ deposits. Thus, our findings add to the growing evidence for multifaceted microvascular involvement in the pathogenesis of AD and other neurodegenerative diseases. Accumulation of tau oligomers may represent a potential novel mechanism by which functional and structural integrity of the cerebral microvessels is compromised.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana L Castillo-Carranza
- Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
- Departments of Neurology, Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Ashley N Nilson
- Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
- Departments of Neurology, Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Candice E Van Skike
- Department of Cellular and Integrative Physiology and The Barshop Institute for Longevity and Aging Studies, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, TX 78245, USA
| | - Jordan B Jahrling
- Department of Cellular and Integrative Physiology and The Barshop Institute for Longevity and Aging Studies, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, TX 78245, USA
| | - Kishan Patel
- Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
- Departments of Neurology, Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Prajesh Garach
- Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
- Departments of Neurology, Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Julia E Gerson
- Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
- Departments of Neurology, Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Urmi Sengupta
- Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
- Departments of Neurology, Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Jose Abisambra
- Sanders-Brown Center on Aging and Department of Physiology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, USA
| | - Peter Nelson
- Division of Neuropathology and Sanders-Brown Center on Aging, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40536, USA
| | - Juan Troncoso
- Clinical and Neuropathology Core, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
| | - Zoltan Ungvari
- Department of Geriatric Medicine and Reynolds Oklahoma Center on Aging, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma, OK 73104, USA
| | - Veronica Galvan
- Department of Cellular and Integrative Physiology and The Barshop Institute for Longevity and Aging Studies, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, TX 78245, USA
| | - Rakez Kayed
- Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
- Departments of Neurology, Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
- Sealy Center for Vaccine Development, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
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37
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Sengupta U, Portelius E, Hansson O, Farmer K, Castillo‐Carranza D, Woltjer R, Zetterberg H, Galasko D, Blennow K, Kayed R. Tau oligomers in cerebrospinal fluid in Alzheimer's disease. Ann Clin Transl Neurol 2017; 4:226-235. [PMID: 28382304 PMCID: PMC5376754 DOI: 10.1002/acn3.382] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2016] [Revised: 10/26/2016] [Accepted: 11/18/2016] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE With an increasing incidence of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and neurodegenerative tauopathies, there is an urgent need to develop reliable biomarkers for the diagnosis and monitoring of the disease, such as the recently discovered toxic tau oligomers. Here, we aimed to demonstrate the presence of tau oligomers in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of patients with cognitive deficits, and to determine whether tau oligomers could serve as a potential biomarker for AD. METHODS A multicentric collaborative study involving a double-blinded analysis with a total of 98 subjects with moderate to severe AD (N = 41), mild AD (N = 31), and nondemented control subjects (N = 26), and two pilot studies of 33 total patients with AD (N = 19) and control (N = 14) subjects were performed. We carried out biochemical assays to measure oligomeric tau from CSF of these patients with various degrees of cognitive impairment as well as cognitively normal controls. RESULTS Using a highly reproducible indirect ELISA method, we found elevated levels of tau oligomers in AD patients compared to age-matched controls. Western blot analysis confirmed the presence of oligomeric forms of tau in CSF. In addition, the ratio of oligomeric to total tau increased in the order: moderate to severe AD, mild AD, and controls. CONCLUSION These assays are suitable for the analysis of human CSF samples. These results here suggest that CSF tau oligomer measurements could be optimized and added to the panel of CSF biomarkers for the accurate and early detection of AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Urmi Sengupta
- Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative DiseasesUniversity of Texas Medical BranchGalvestonTexas
- Department of Neurology, and Neuroscience and Cell BiologyUniversity of Texas Medical BranchGalvestonTexas
| | - Erik Portelius
- Clinical Neurochemistry LaboratoryInstitute of Neuroscience and Physiologythe Sahlgrenska Academy at University of GothenburgMölndalSweden
| | - Oskar Hansson
- Clinical Memory Research UnitDepartment of Clinical SciencesLund UniversityLundSweden
- Memory ClinicSkåne University HospitalLund Sweden
| | - Kathleen Farmer
- Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative DiseasesUniversity of Texas Medical BranchGalvestonTexas
- Department of Neurology, and Neuroscience and Cell BiologyUniversity of Texas Medical BranchGalvestonTexas
| | - Diana Castillo‐Carranza
- Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative DiseasesUniversity of Texas Medical BranchGalvestonTexas
- Department of Neurology, and Neuroscience and Cell BiologyUniversity of Texas Medical BranchGalvestonTexas
| | - Randall Woltjer
- Department of Department of PathologyOregon Health & Science UniversityPortlandOregon
| | - Henrik Zetterberg
- Clinical Neurochemistry LaboratoryInstitute of Neuroscience and Physiologythe Sahlgrenska Academy at University of GothenburgMölndalSweden
- Department of Molecular NeuroscienceUCL Institute of NeurologyQueen SquareLondonWC1N 3BGUnited Kingdom
| | - Douglas Galasko
- Department of NeuroscienceUniversity of California San DiegoSan DiagoCalifornia
| | - Kaj Blennow
- Clinical Neurochemistry LaboratoryInstitute of Neuroscience and Physiologythe Sahlgrenska Academy at University of GothenburgMölndalSweden
| | - Rakez Kayed
- Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative DiseasesUniversity of Texas Medical BranchGalvestonTexas
- Department of Neurology, and Neuroscience and Cell BiologyUniversity of Texas Medical BranchGalvestonTexas
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Turankar RP, Lavania M, Singh M, Sengupta U, Siva Sai K, Jadhav RS. Presence of viable Mycobacterium leprae in environmental specimens around houses of leprosy patients. Indian J Med Microbiol 2017; 34:315-21. [PMID: 27514953 DOI: 10.4103/0255-0857.188322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Leprosy is a chronic systemic infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae, one of the first organisms to be established as the cause for disease in humans. Because of high prevalence pockets of leprosy in the endemic regions, it is necessary to identify the possible sources of M. leprae in the environment and its mode of transmission. MATERIALS AND METHODS Slit skin smears (SSSs) from lesions were collected in 70% ethanol from 50 leprosy cases staying in the leprosy resettlement village and hospital from a high endemic area. One hundred and sixty soil samples were collected from different areas around the leprosy hospital and from the resettlement village of cured leprosy patients where active cases also resided at the time of sample collection. M. leprae specific gene region (RLEP 129 bp) and 16S rRNA targets were used for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) based detection for the presence and viability of M. leprae. An rpoT region was also amplified to determine presence of numbers of 6 bp tandem repeats. RESULTS All the SSS samples collected from patients showed three copies of rpoT region (6 bp tandem repeat, an ancient Indian type). Fifty-two soil samples showed presence of M. leprae DNA whereas M. leprae specific 16S rRNA gene was amplified in sixteen of these samples. PCR amplification and fragment length analysis showed 91 bp, i.e., three copies of the rpoT 6 bp tandem repeats from soil samples and similar three copies observed in patient samples. CONCLUSION Presence of viable M. leprae in the soil having same rpoT genotype of M. leprae noted in patients suggests that it could be the same strain of M. leprae. M. leprae found in the soil could be the one that is excreted out by the patient. Significance of its viability in the environment and its pathogenicity with respect to transmission needs to be further explored. Findings of this study might provide possible insights for further exploration into understanding transmission patterns in leprosy and also will throw light on identifying potential for existence of extra human source or reservoirs of M. leprae, if any.
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Affiliation(s)
- R P Turankar
- Department of Microbiology, Stanley Browne Laboratory, TLM Community Hospital, Nandnagri, New Delhi, India
| | - M Lavania
- Department of Microbiology, Stanley Browne Laboratory, TLM Community Hospital, Nandnagri, New Delhi, India
| | - M Singh
- Department of Molecular Medicine, LRS Institute of Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases, New Delhi, India
| | - U Sengupta
- Department of Microbiology, Stanley Browne Laboratory, TLM Community Hospital, Nandnagri, New Delhi, India
| | - Ksr Siva Sai
- Department of Biotechnology, Sreenidhi Institute of Science and Technology, Ghatkesar, Hyderabad, Telangana, India
| | - R S Jadhav
- Department of Microbiology, Government Institute of Science, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
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Abstract
Tau oligomers have been shown to be the main toxic tau species in a number of neurodegenerative disorders. In order to study tau oligomers both in vitro and in vivo, we have established methods for the reliable preparation, isolation, and detection of tau oligomers. Methods for the seeding of tau oligomers, isolation of tau oligomers from tissue, and detection of tau oligomers using tau oligomer-specific antibodies by biochemical and immunohistochemical methods are detailed below.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia E Gerson
- George P. and Cynthia Woods Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, 77555, USA
- Departments of Neurology, and Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, 77555-1045, USA
| | - Urmi Sengupta
- George P. and Cynthia Woods Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, 77555, USA
- Departments of Neurology, and Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, 77555-1045, USA
| | - Rakez Kayed
- George P. and Cynthia Woods Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, 77555, USA.
- Departments of Neurology, and Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, 77555, USA.
- University of Texas Medical Branch, 301 University Boulevard, Medical Research Building, Room 10.138C, Galveston, TX, 77555-1045, USA.
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Gerson JE, Sengupta U, Farmer K, Castillo-Carranza DL, Nilson AN, Henson N, Masel T, Barrett A, Kayed R. O5‐06‐05: Altering The Trajectory of Synucleinopathies by Targeting Downstream Toxicity of TAU Oligomers. Alzheimers Dement 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jalz.2016.06.739] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Todd Masel
- University of Texas Medical BranchGalvestonTX USA
| | - Alan Barrett
- University of Texas Medical BranchGalvestonTX USA
| | - Rakiz Kayed
- University of Texas Medical BranchGalvestonTX USA
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Nilson AN, English K, Gerson JE, Farmer K, Sengupta U, Castillo-Carranza DL, Masel T, Kayed R. P4‐087: TAU Oligomers and Inflammation: Their Association and Implications for Spreading and Therapy. Alzheimers Dement 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jalz.2016.06.2176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Todd Masel
- University of Texas Medical BranchGalvestonTX USA
| | - Rakiz Kayed
- University of Texas Medical BranchGalvestonTX USA
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Gerson JE, Castillo-Carranza DL, Sengupta U, Guerrero-Munoz M, Masel T, Kayed R. P1‐168: TAU Oligomers as a Mediator of Toxicity in Mixed Protein Pathology Diseases. Alzheimers Dement 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jalz.2016.06.916] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Todd Masel
- University of Texas Medical BranchGalvestonTX USA
| | - Rakiz Kayed
- University of Texas Medical BranchGalvestonTX USA
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Gerson J, Castillo-Carranza DL, Sengupta U, Bodani R, Prough DS, DeWitt DS, Hawkins BE, Kayed R. Tau Oligomers Derived from Traumatic Brain Injury Cause Cognitive Impairment and Accelerate Onset of Pathology in Htau Mice. J Neurotrauma 2016; 33:2034-2043. [PMID: 26729399 DOI: 10.1089/neu.2015.4262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Tau aggregation is a pathological feature of numerous neurodegenerative disorders and has also been shown to occur under certain conditions of traumatic brain injury (TBI). Currently, no effective treatments exist for the long-term effects of TBI. In some cases, TBI not only induces cognitive changes immediately post-injury, but also leads to increased incidence of neurodegeneration later in life. Growing evidence from our lab and others suggests that the oligomeric forms of tau initiate the onset and spread of neurodegenerative tauopathies. Previously, we have shown increased levels of brain-derived tau oligomers in autopsy samples from patients diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. We have also shown similar increases in tau oligomers in animal models of neurodegenerative diseases and TBI. In the current study, we evaluated the presence of tau oligomers in blast-induced TBI. To test the direct impact of TBI-derived tau oligomer toxicity, we isolated tau oligomers from brains of rats that underwent either a blast- or a fluid percussion injury-induced TBI. Oligomers were characterized biochemically and morphologically and were then injected into hippocampi of mice overexpressing human tau (Htau). Mice were cognitively evaluated and brains were collected for immunological analysis after testing. We found that tau oligomers form as a result of brain injury in two different models of TBI. Additionally, these oligomers accelerated onset of cognitive deficits when injected into brains of Htau mice. Tau oligomer levels increased in the hippocampal injection sites and cerebellum, suggesting that tau oligomers may be responsible for seeding the spread of pathology post-TBI. Our results suggest that tau oligomers play an important role in the toxicity underlying TBI and may be a viable therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Gerson
- 1 Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch , Galveston, Texas.,2 Departments of Neurology, Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch , Galveston, Texas
| | - Diana L Castillo-Carranza
- 1 Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch , Galveston, Texas.,2 Departments of Neurology, Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch , Galveston, Texas
| | - Urmi Sengupta
- 1 Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch , Galveston, Texas.,2 Departments of Neurology, Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch , Galveston, Texas
| | - Riddhi Bodani
- 1 Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch , Galveston, Texas.,2 Departments of Neurology, Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch , Galveston, Texas
| | - Donald S Prough
- 3 Department of Anesthesiology, University of Texas Medical Branch , Galveston, Texas.,5 Moody Project for Translational Traumatic Brain Injury Research, Department of Anesthesiology, University of Texas Medical Branch , Galveston, Texas
| | - Douglas S DeWitt
- 3 Department of Anesthesiology, University of Texas Medical Branch , Galveston, Texas.,5 Moody Project for Translational Traumatic Brain Injury Research, Department of Anesthesiology, University of Texas Medical Branch , Galveston, Texas
| | - Bridget E Hawkins
- 3 Department of Anesthesiology, University of Texas Medical Branch , Galveston, Texas.,4 Sealy Center for Vaccine Development, University of Texas Medical Branch , Galveston, Texas.,5 Moody Project for Translational Traumatic Brain Injury Research, Department of Anesthesiology, University of Texas Medical Branch , Galveston, Texas
| | - Rakez Kayed
- 1 Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch , Galveston, Texas.,2 Departments of Neurology, Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch , Galveston, Texas.,4 Sealy Center for Vaccine Development, University of Texas Medical Branch , Galveston, Texas.,5 Moody Project for Translational Traumatic Brain Injury Research, Department of Anesthesiology, University of Texas Medical Branch , Galveston, Texas
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Sengupta U, Nilson AN, Kayed R. The Role of Amyloid-β Oligomers in Toxicity, Propagation, and Immunotherapy. EBioMedicine 2016; 6:42-49. [PMID: 27211547 PMCID: PMC4856795 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2016.03.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 473] [Impact Index Per Article: 59.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2015] [Revised: 03/03/2016] [Accepted: 03/21/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The incidence of Alzheimer's disease (AD) is growing every day and finding an effective treatment is becoming more vital. Amyloid-β (Aβ) has been the focus of research for several decades. The recent shift in the Aβ cascade hypothesis from all Aβ to small soluble oligomeric intermediates is directing the search for therapeutics towards the toxic mediators of the disease. Targeting the most toxic oligomers may prove to be an effective treatment by preventing their spread. Specific targeting of oligomers has been shown to protect cognition in rodent models. Additionally, the heterogeneity of research on Aβ oligomers may seem contradictory until size and conformation are taken into account. In this review, we will discuss Aβ oligomers and their toxicity in relation to size and conformation as well as their influence on inflammation and the potential of Aβ oligomer immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Urmi Sengupta
- Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA; Department of Neurology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA; Department of Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Ashley N Nilson
- Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA; Department of Neurology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA; Department of Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA
| | - Rakez Kayed
- Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA; Department of Neurology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA; Department of Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA; Sealy Center for Vaccine Development, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX 77555, USA.
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Bodani RU, Sengupta U, Castillo-Carranza DL, Guerrero-Muñoz MJ, Gerson JE, Rudra J, Kayed R. Antibody against Small Aggregated Peptide Specifically Recognizes Toxic Aβ-42 Oligomers in Alzheimer's Disease. ACS Chem Neurosci 2015; 6:1981-9. [PMID: 26448453 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.5b00231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyloid-beta (Aβ) oligomers have emerged as the most toxic species in Alzheimer's disease (AD) and other amyloid pathologies. Also, Aβ-42 peptide is more aggregation-prone compared to other Aβ isoforms. Thus, we synthesized a small peptide of repeated sequence containing the last three amino acids, Val-40, Ile-41, and Ala-42 of Aβ-42 that was subsequently aggregated and used to generate a novel antibody, VIA. In this study, we examined human AD and Tg2576 mouse brain samples using VIA in combination with other amyloid-specific antibodies and confirmed the specificity of VIA to oligomeric Aβ-42. Moreover, we found that VIA does not recognize classic amyloid plaques composed of fibrillar Aβ or Aβ-40 ex vivo. Since VIA recognizes a distinct epitope specific to Aβ-42 oligomers, it may have broad use for examining the accumulation of these oligomers in AD and other neurodegenerative diseases. VIA may also be used in immunotherapy studies to prevent neurodegenerative effects associated with Aβ-42 oligomers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Riddhi U. Bodani
- Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative
Diseases, ‡Departments
of Neurology and Neuroscience and Cell Biology, §Department of Pharmacology
and Toxicology, and ∥Sealy Center for Vaccine Development, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas 77555, United States
| | - Urmi Sengupta
- Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative
Diseases, ‡Departments
of Neurology and Neuroscience and Cell Biology, §Department of Pharmacology
and Toxicology, and ∥Sealy Center for Vaccine Development, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas 77555, United States
| | - Diana L. Castillo-Carranza
- Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative
Diseases, ‡Departments
of Neurology and Neuroscience and Cell Biology, §Department of Pharmacology
and Toxicology, and ∥Sealy Center for Vaccine Development, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas 77555, United States
| | - Marcos J. Guerrero-Muñoz
- Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative
Diseases, ‡Departments
of Neurology and Neuroscience and Cell Biology, §Department of Pharmacology
and Toxicology, and ∥Sealy Center for Vaccine Development, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas 77555, United States
| | - Julia E. Gerson
- Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative
Diseases, ‡Departments
of Neurology and Neuroscience and Cell Biology, §Department of Pharmacology
and Toxicology, and ∥Sealy Center for Vaccine Development, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas 77555, United States
| | - Jai Rudra
- Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative
Diseases, ‡Departments
of Neurology and Neuroscience and Cell Biology, §Department of Pharmacology
and Toxicology, and ∥Sealy Center for Vaccine Development, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas 77555, United States
| | - Rakez Kayed
- Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative
Diseases, ‡Departments
of Neurology and Neuroscience and Cell Biology, §Department of Pharmacology
and Toxicology, and ∥Sealy Center for Vaccine Development, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas 77555, United States
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Lavania M, Nigam A, Turankar R, Singh I, Gupta P, Kumar S, Sengupta U, John A. Emergence of primary drug resistance to rifampicin in Mycobacterium leprae strains from leprosy patients in India. Clin Microbiol Infect 2015; 21:e85-6. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cmi.2015.08.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2015] [Revised: 07/09/2015] [Accepted: 08/10/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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Sengupta U, Guerrero-Muñoz MJ, Castillo-Carranza DL, Lasagna-Reeves CA, Gerson JE, Paulucci-Holthauzen AA, Krishnamurthy S, Farhed M, Jackson GR, Kayed R. Pathological interface between oligomeric alpha-synuclein and tau in synucleinopathies. Biol Psychiatry 2015; 78:672-83. [PMID: 25676491 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2014.12.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 110] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2014] [Revised: 12/05/2014] [Accepted: 12/11/2014] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Aberrant accumulation of α-synuclein constitutes inclusion bodies that are considered a characteristic feature of a group of neurological disorders described as synucleinopathies. Often, multiple disease-causing proteins overlap within a given disease pathology. An emerging body of research focuses on the oligomeric populations of various pathogenic proteins, considering them as the culprits causing neuronal damage and degeneration. To this end, the use of conformation-specific antibodies has proven to be an effective tool. Previous work from our laboratory and others has shown that oligomeric entities of α-synuclein and tau accumulate in their respective diseases, but their interrelationship at this higher order has yet to be shown in synucleinopathies. METHODS Here, we used two novel conformation-specific antibodies, F8H7 and Syn33, which recognize α-synuclein oligomers and were developed in our laboratory. We investigated brain tissue from five of each Parkinson's disease and dementia with Lewy bodies patients by performing biophysical and biochemical assays using these antibodies, in addition to the previously characterized anti-tau oligomer antibody T22. RESULTS We demonstrate that in addition to the deposition of oligomeric α-synuclein, tau oligomers accumulate in these diseased brains compared with control brains. Moreover, we observed that oligomers of tau and α-synuclein exist in the same aggregates, forming hybrid oligomers in these patients' brains. CONCLUSIONS In addition to the deposition of tau oligomers, our results also provide compelling evidence of co-occurrence of α-synuclein and tau into their most toxic forms, i.e., oligomers suggesting that these species interact and influence each other's aggregation via an interface in synucleinopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Urmi Sengupta
- Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas; Departments of Neurology and Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas
| | - Marcos J Guerrero-Muñoz
- Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas; Departments of Neurology and Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas
| | - Diana L Castillo-Carranza
- Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas; Departments of Neurology and Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas
| | - Cristian A Lasagna-Reeves
- Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas; Departments of Neurology and Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas
| | - Julia E Gerson
- Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas; Departments of Neurology and Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas
| | | | - Shashirekha Krishnamurthy
- Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas; Departments of Neurology and Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas
| | - Malika Farhed
- Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas; Departments of Neurology and Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas
| | - George R Jackson
- Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas; Departments of Neurology and Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas; Sealy Center for Vaccine Development, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas
| | - Rakez Kayed
- Mitchell Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas; Departments of Neurology and Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas; Sealy Center for Vaccine Development, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas.
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48
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Gerson J, Castillo-Carranza D, Sengupta U, Henson N, Nilson A, Kayed R. Tau oligomer antibodies as potential therapeutics for parkinson’s and other synucleinopathies. J Neurol Sci 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jns.2015.08.110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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49
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Lasagna-Reeves CA, Rousseaux MW, Guerrero-Muñoz MJ, Park J, Jafar-Nejad P, Richman R, Lu N, Sengupta U, Litvinchuk A, Orr HT, Kayed R, Zoghbi HY. A native interactor scaffolds and stabilizes toxic ATAXIN-1 oligomers in SCA1. eLife 2015; 4. [PMID: 25988806 PMCID: PMC4462648 DOI: 10.7554/elife.07558] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [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: 03/18/2015] [Accepted: 05/18/2015] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent studies indicate that soluble oligomers drive pathogenesis in several neurodegenerative proteinopathies, including Alzheimer and Parkinson disease. Curiously, the same conformational antibody recognizes different disease-related oligomers, despite the variations in clinical presentation and brain regions affected, suggesting that the oligomer structure might be responsible for toxicity. We investigated whether polyglutamine-expanded ATAXIN-1, the protein that underlies spinocerebellar ataxia type 1, forms toxic oligomers and, if so, what underlies their toxicity. We found that mutant ATXN1 does form oligomers and that oligomer levels correlate with disease progression in the Atxn1(154Q/+) mice. Moreover, oligomeric toxicity, stabilization and seeding require interaction with Capicua, which is expressed at greater ratios with respect to ATXN1 in the cerebellum than in less vulnerable brain regions. Thus, specific interactors, not merely oligomeric structure, drive pathogenesis and contribute to regional vulnerability. Identifying interactors that stabilize toxic oligomeric complexes could answer longstanding questions about the pathogenesis of other proteinopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Maxime Wc Rousseaux
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, United States
| | | | - Jeehye Park
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, United States
| | - Paymaan Jafar-Nejad
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, United States
| | - Ronald Richman
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, United States
| | - Nan Lu
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, United States
| | - Urmi Sengupta
- Department of Neurology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, United States
| | - Alexandra Litvinchuk
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, United States
| | - Harry T Orr
- Institute for Translational Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minnesota, United States
| | - Rakez Kayed
- Department of Neurology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, United States
| | - Huda Y Zoghbi
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, United States
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Chakraborty D, Das P, Dinda AK, Sengupta U, Chakraborty T, Sengupta J. A comparative study of homoeopathic medicine - Sulphur with the Multidrug therapy in the treatment of paucibacillary leprosy. Indian J Res Homoeopathy 2015. [DOI: 10.4103/0974-7168.166375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
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