scholarly journals Impaired glymphatic function and clearance of tau in an Alzheimer’s disease model

Brain ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 143 (8) ◽  
pp. 2576-2593 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ian F Harrison ◽  
Ozama Ismail ◽  
Asif Machhada ◽  
Niall Colgan ◽  
Yolanda Ohene ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Tau Protein ◽  
Disease Model ◽  
Amyloid Β ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Glymphatic System ◽  
Protein Clearance ◽  
Glymphatic Pathway ◽  
The Brain

Abstract The glymphatic system, that is aquaporin 4 (AQP4) facilitated exchange of CSF with interstitial fluid (ISF), may provide a clearance pathway for protein species such as amyloid-β and tau, which accumulate in the brain in Alzheimer’s disease. Further, tau protein transference via the extracellular space, the compartment that is cleared by the glymphatic pathway, allows for its neuron-to-neuron propagation, and the regional progression of tauopathy in the disorder. The glymphatic system therefore represents an exciting new target for Alzheimer’s disease. Here we aim to understand the involvement of glymphatic CSF-ISF exchange in tau pathology. First, we demonstrate impaired CSF-ISF exchange and AQP4 polarization in a mouse model of tauopathy, suggesting that this clearance pathway may have the potential to exacerbate or even induce pathogenic accumulation of tau. Subsequently, we establish the central role of AQP4 in the glymphatic clearance of tau from the brain; showing marked impaired glymphatic CSF-ISF exchange and tau protein clearance using the novel AQP4 inhibitor, TGN-020. As such, we show that this system presents as a novel druggable target for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease, and possibly other neurodegenerative diseases alike.

scholarly journals Microglia-Based Sex-Biased Neuropathology in Early-Stage Alzheimer’s Disease Model Mice and the Potential Pharmacologic Efficacy of Dioscin

Cells ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. 3261
Author(s):  
Xiao Liu ◽  
Qian Zhou ◽  
Jia-He Zhang ◽  
Xiaoying Wang ◽  
Xiumei Gao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Disease Model ◽  
Amyloid Β ◽  
Brain Lesions ◽  
Synaptic Dysfunction ◽  
Synaptic Loss ◽  
And Function ◽  
The Brain

Alzheimer’s disease (AD), the most common form of dementia, is characterized by amyloid-β (Aβ) accumulation, microglia-associated neuroinflammation, and synaptic loss. The detailed neuropathologic characteristics in early-stage AD, however, are largely unclear. We evaluated the pathologic brain alterations in young adult App knock-in model AppNL-G-F mice at 3 and 6 months of age, which corresponds to early-stage AD. At 3 months of age, microglia expression in the cortex and hippocampus was significantly decreased. By the age of 6 months, the number and function of the microglia increased, accompanied by progressive amyloid-β deposition, synaptic dysfunction, neuroinflammation, and dysregulation of β-catenin and NF-κB signaling pathways. The neuropathologic changes were more severe in female mice than in male mice. Oral administration of dioscin, a natural product, ameliorated the neuropathologic alterations in young AppNL-G-F mice. Our findings revealed microglia-based sex-differential neuropathologic changes in a mouse model of early-stage AD and therapeutic efficacy of dioscin on the brain lesions. Dioscin may represent a potential treatment for AD.

scholarly journals The glymphatic system and its role in the development of Alzheimer’s disease

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 14-21
Author(s):  
S. V. Vorobʼev ◽  
S. N. Yanishevskij
Keyword(s):  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Clinical Picture ◽  
Amyloid Β ◽  
Cognitive Disorders ◽  
Comprehensive Analysis ◽  
Synaptic Dysfunction ◽  
Glymphatic System ◽  
Neurodegenerative Pathology ◽  
The Brain

One of the main concepts explaining the development of Alzheimer’s disease is currently the amyloid theory. It was reliably established that the accumulation of the pathological protein amyloid β provokes the launch of a number of pathochemical reactions that ultimately lead to the development of synaptic dysfunction and the formation of cognitive disorders. The protein amyloid β is also synthesized in the brain of people who do not suffer from neurodegenerative pathology. Normally, it is actively removed from the brain. However, the exact mechanisms for maintaining its clearance are not established. The recently discovered glymphatic system claims to be such a component. The present review provides a comprehensive analysis of suggestions that the development of glymphatic system dysfunction contributes to the accumulation of amyloid β and the development of the clinical picture of Alzheimer›s disease.

scholarly journals Electroacupuncture Improves Clearance of Amyloid-β through the Glymphatic System in the SAMP8 Mouse Model of Alzheimer’s Disease

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Pei-zhe Liang ◽  
Li Li ◽  
Ya-nan Zhang ◽  
Yan Shen ◽  
Li-li Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Neurodegenerative Disorder ◽  
Amyloid Β ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Nissl Staining ◽  
Glymphatic System ◽  
Model Of Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
The Brain

Background. Memory loss and cognitive impairment characterize the neurodegenerative disorder, Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Amyloid-β (Aβ) is the key factor that triggers the course of AD, and reducing the deposition of Aβ in the brain has been considered as a potential target for the treatment of AD. In clinical and animal studies, electroacupuncture (EA) has been shown to be an effective treatment for AD. In recent years, substantial evidence has accumulated suggesting the important role of the glymphatic system in Aβ clearance. Objective. The purpose of this study was to explore whether EA modifies the accumulation of Aβ through the glymphatic system and may thus be applied to alleviate cognitive impairments. Methods. Seven-month-old SAMP8 mice were randomized into a control group (Pc) and an electroacupuncture group (Pe). Age-matched SAMR1 mice were used as normal controls (Rc). Mice in the Pe group were stimulated on Baihui (GV20) and Yintang (GV29) for 10 min and then pricked at Shuigou (GV26) for ten times. EA treatment lasted for 8 weeks. In each week, EA would be applied once a day for the first five consecutive days and ceased at the remaining two days. After EA treatment, Morris water maze (MWM) test was used to evaluate the cognitive function; HE and Nissl staining was performed to observe the brain histomorphology; ELISA, contrast-enhanced MRI, and immunofluorescence were applied to explore the mechanisms underlying EA effects from Aβ accumulation, glymphatic system function, reactivity of astrocytes, and AQP4 polarization, respectively. Results. This EA regime could improve cognition and alleviate neuropathological damage to brain tissue. And EA treatment might reduce Aβ accumulation, enhance paravascular influx in the glymphatic system, inhibit the reactivity of astrocytes, and improve AQP4 polarity. Conclusion. EA treatment might reduce Aβ accumulation from the brain via improving clearance performance of the glymphatic system and thereby alleviating cognitive impairment.

scholarly journals Drug Development for Alzheimer’s Disease: Microglia Induced Neuroinflammation as a Target?

2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 558 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuan Dong ◽  
Xiaoheng Li ◽  
Jinbo Cheng ◽  
Lin Hou
Keyword(s):  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Drug Development ◽  
Tau Protein ◽  
Senile Plaques ◽  
Amyloid Β ◽  
Cognitive Changes ◽  
Hyperphosphorylated Tau Protein ◽  
Common Causes ◽  
The Brain

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is one of the most common causes of dementia. Its pathogenesis is characterized by the aggregation of the amyloid-β (Aβ) protein in senile plaques and the hyperphosphorylated tau protein in neurofibrillary tangles in the brain. Current medications for AD can provide temporary help with the memory symptoms and other cognitive changes of patients, however, they are not able to stop or reverse the progression of AD. New medication discovery and the development of a cure for AD is urgently in need. In this review, we summarized drugs for AD treatments and their recent updates, and discussed the potential of microglia induced neuroinflammation as a target for anti-AD drug development.

scholarly journals Protein-protein interactions in neurodegenerative diseases: a conspiracy theory

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Travis B. Thompson ◽  
Pavanjit Chaggar ◽  
Ellen Kuhl ◽  
Alain Goriely ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Neurodegenerative Disease ◽  
Amyloid Beta ◽  
Tau Protein ◽  
Conspiracy Theory ◽  
Tau Proteins ◽  
Disease Research ◽  
Protein Clearance ◽  
The Brain

AbstractNeurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s are associated with the prion-like propagation and aggregation of toxic proteins. A long standing hypothesis that amyloid-beta drives Alzheimer’s disease has proven the subject of contemporary controversy; leading to new research in both the role of tau protein and its interaction with amyloid-beta. Conversely, recent work in mathematical modeling has demonstrated the relevance of nonlinear reaction-diffusion type equations to capture essential features of the disease. Such approaches have been further simplified, to network-based models, and offer researchers a powerful set of computationally tractable tools with which to investigate neurodegenerative disease dynamics.Here, we propose a novel, coupled network-based model for a two-protein system that includes an enzymatic interaction term alongside a simple model of aggregate transneuronal damage. We apply this theoretical model to test the possible interactions between tau proteins and amyloid-beta and study the resulting coupled behavior between toxic protein clearance and proteopathic phenomenology. Our analysis reveals ways in which amyloid-beta and tau proteins may conspire with each other to enhance the nucleation and propagation of different diseases, thus shedding new light on the importance of protein clearance and protein interaction mechanisms in prion-like models of neurodegenerative disease.Author SummaryIn 1906 Dr. Alois Alzheimer delivered a lecture to the Society of Southwest German Psychiatrists. Dr. Alzheimer presented the case of Ms. Auguste Deter; her symptoms would help to define Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Over a century later, with an aging world population, AD is at the fore of global neurodegenerative disease research. Previously, toxic amyloid-beta protein (Aβ) was thought to be the primary driver of AD development. Recent research suggests that another protein, tau, plays a fundamental role. Toxic tau protein contributes to cognitive decline and appears to interact with toxic Aβ; research suggests that toxic Aβ may further increase the effects of toxic tau.Theoretical mathematical models are an important part of neurodegenerative disease research. Such models: enable extensible computational exploration; illuminate emergent behavior; and reduce research costs. We have developed a novel, theoretical mathematical model of two interacting species of proteins within the brain. We analyze the mathematical model and demonstrate a computational implementation in the context of Aβ-tau interaction in the brain. Our model clearly suggests that: the removal rate of toxic protein plays a critical role in AD; and the Aβ-tau ‘conspiracy theory’ is a nuanced, and exciting path forward for Alzheimer’s disease research.

scholarly journals Deep-MEG: spatiotemporal CNN features and multiband ensemble classification for predicting the early signs of Alzheimer’s disease with magnetoencephalography

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Antonio Giovannetti ◽  
Gianluca Susi ◽  
Paola Casti ◽  
Arianna Mencattini ◽  
Sandra Pusil ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Brain Regions ◽  
Ensemble Classification ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Ensemble Classifiers ◽  
Deep Convolutional Neural Networks ◽  
Early Signs ◽  
Data Representations ◽  
The Brain

AbstractIn this paper, we present the novel Deep-MEG approach in which image-based representations of magnetoencephalography (MEG) data are combined with ensemble classifiers based on deep convolutional neural networks. For the scope of predicting the early signs of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), functional connectivity (FC) measures between the brain bio-magnetic signals originated from spatially separated brain regions are used as MEG data representations for the analysis. After stacking the FC indicators relative to different frequency bands into multiple images, a deep transfer learning model is used to extract different sets of deep features and to derive improved classification ensembles. The proposed Deep-MEG architectures were tested on a set of resting-state MEG recordings and their corresponding magnetic resonance imaging scans, from a longitudinal study involving 87 subjects. Accuracy values of 89% and 87% were obtained, respectively, for the early prediction of AD conversion in a sample of 54 mild cognitive impairment subjects and in a sample of 87 subjects, including 33 healthy controls. These results indicate that the proposed Deep-MEG approach is a powerful tool for detecting early alterations in the spectral–temporal connectivity profiles and in their spatial relationships.

scholarly journals Oral Amylin Treatment Reduces the Pathological Cascade of Alzheimer’s Disease in a Mouse Model

2021 ◽  
Vol 36 ◽  
pp. 153331752110128
Author(s):  
Hana Na ◽  
Hua Tian ◽  
Zhengrong Zhang ◽  
Qiang Li ◽  
Jack B. Yang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Calcium Binding ◽  
Oral Delivery ◽  
Amyloid Β ◽  
Enteric Neurons ◽  
Cyclin Dependent Kinase ◽  
Receptor Activity Modifying Proteins ◽  
The Brain ◽  
Cyclin Dependent Kinase 5

Intraperitoneal injection of amylin or its analog reduces Alzheimer’s disease (AD) pathology in the brains. However, self-injecting amylin analogs is difficult for patients due to cognitive deficits. This work aims to study the effects of amylin on the brain could be achieved by oral delivery as some study reported that amylin receptor may be present in the gastrointestinal tract. A 6-week course of oral amylin treatment reduced components of AD pathology, including the levels of amyloid-β, phosphorylated tau, and ionized calcium binding adaptor molecule 1. The treatment reduced active forms of cyclin-dependent kinase 5. Oral amylin treatment led to improvements in social deficit in AD mouse. Using immunofluorescence, we observed the amylin receptor complexed with the calcitonin receptor and receptor activity-modifying proteins in the enteric neurons. The study suggests the potential of the oral delivery of amylin analogs for the treatment of AD and other neurodegenerative diseases through enteric neurons.

scholarly journals Identification of Novel Cathepsin B Inhibitors with Implications in Alzheimer’s Disease: Computational Refining and Biochemical Evaluation

Cells ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (8) ◽  
pp. 1946
Author(s):  
Nitin Chitranshi ◽  
Ashutosh Kumar ◽  
Samran Sheriff ◽  
Veer Gupta ◽  
Angela Godinez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Hydrogen Bond ◽  
Virtual Screening ◽  
Cathepsin B ◽  
Amyloid Β ◽  
Proteolytic Degradation ◽  
Hydrogen Bond Acceptor ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
The Brain

Amyloid precursor protein (APP), upon proteolytic degradation, forms aggregates of amyloid β (Aβ) and plaques in the brain, which are pathological hallmarks of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Cathepsin B is a cysteine protease enzyme that catalyzes the proteolytic degradation of APP in the brain. Thus, cathepsin B inhibition is a crucial therapeutic aspect for the discovery of new anti-Alzheimer’s drugs. In this study, we have employed mixed-feature ligand-based virtual screening (LBVS) by integrating pharmacophore mapping, docking, and molecular dynamics to detect small, potent molecules that act as cathepsin B inhibitors. The LBVS model was generated by using hydrophobic (HY), hydrogen bond acceptor (HBA), and hydrogen bond donor (HBD) features, using a dataset of 24 known cathepsin B inhibitors of both natural and synthetic origins. A validated eight-feature pharmacophore hypothesis (Hypo III) was utilized to screen the Maybridge chemical database. The docking score, MM-PBSA, and MM-GBSA methodology was applied to prioritize the lead compounds as virtual screening hits. These compounds share a common amide scaffold, and showed important interactions with Gln23, Cys29, His110, His111, Glu122, His199, and Trp221. The identified inhibitors were further evaluated for cathepsin-B-inhibitory activity. Our study suggests that pyridine, acetamide, and benzohydrazide compounds could be used as a starting point for the development of novel therapeutics.

A Numerical Study of Sensitivity Coefficients for a Model of Amyloid Precursor Protein and Tubulin-Associated Unit Protein Transport and Agglomeration in Neurons at the Onset of Alzheimer's Disease

2019 ◽  
Vol 141 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
I. A. Kuznetsov ◽  
A. V. Kuznetsov
Keyword(s):  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Amyloid Precursor Protein ◽  
Tau Protein ◽  
Protein Transport ◽  
Numerical Study ◽  
Amyloid Β ◽  
Precursor Protein ◽  
Model Parameters ◽  
In The Beginning

Modeling of intracellular processes occurring during the development of Alzheimer's disease (AD) can be instrumental in understanding the disease and can potentially contribute to finding treatments for the disease. The model of intracellular processes in AD, which we previously developed, contains a large number of parameters. To distinguish between more important and less important parameters, we performed a local sensitivity analysis of this model around the values of parameters that give the best fit with published experimental results. We show that the influence of model parameters on the total concentrations of amyloid precursor protein (APP) and tubulin-associated unit (tau) protein in the axon is reciprocal to the influence of the same parameters on the average velocities of the same proteins during their transport in the axon. The results of our analysis also suggest that in the beginning of AD the aggregation of amyloid-β and misfolded tau protein have little effect on transport of APP and tau in the axon, which suggests that early damage in AD may be reversible.

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