scholarly journals Astrocytic C–X–C motif chemokine ligand-1 mediates β-amyloid-induced synaptotoxicity

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Beatriz G. Perez-Nievas ◽  
Louisa Johnson ◽  
Paula Beltran-Lobo ◽  
Martina M. Hughes ◽  
Luciana Gammallieri ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Pathological interactions between β-amyloid (Aβ) and tau drive synapse loss and cognitive decline in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Reactive astrocytes, displaying altered functions, are also a prominent feature of AD brain. This large and heterogeneous population of cells are increasingly recognised as contributing to early phases of disease. However, the contribution of astrocytes to Aβ-induced synaptotoxicity in AD is not well understood. Methods We stimulated mouse and human astrocytes with conditioned medium containing concentrations and species of human Aβ that mimic those in human AD brain. Medium from stimulated astrocytes was collected and immunodepleted of Aβ before being added to naïve rodent or human neuron cultures. A cytokine, identified in unbiased screens of stimulated astrocyte media and in postmortem human AD brain lysates was also applied to neurons, including those pre-treated with a chemokine receptor antagonist. Tau mislocalisation, synaptic markers and dendritic spine numbers were measured in cultured neurons and organotypic brain slice cultures. Results We found that conditioned medium from stimulated astrocytes induces exaggerated synaptotoxicity that is recapitulated following spiking of neuron culture medium with recombinant C–X–C motif chemokine ligand-1 (CXCL1), a chemokine upregulated in AD brain. Antagonism of neuronal C–X–C motif chemokine receptor 2 (CXCR2) prevented synaptotoxicity in response to CXCL1 and Aβ-stimulated astrocyte secretions. Conclusions Our data indicate that astrocytes exacerbate the synaptotoxic effects of Aβ via interactions of astrocytic CXCL1 and neuronal CXCR2 receptors, highlighting this chemokine–receptor pair as a novel target for therapeutic intervention in AD.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Beatriz Gomez Perez-Nievas ◽  
Louisa Johnson ◽  
Paula Beltran-Lobo ◽  
Martina M. Hughes ◽  
Luciana Gammallieri ◽  
...  

AbstractBackgroundPathological interactions between β-amyloid (Aβ) and tau drive the synapse loss that underlies neural circuit disruption and cognitive decline in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Reactive astrocytes, displaying altered functions, are also a prominent feature of AD brain. This large and heterogeneous population of cells are increasingly recognised as contributing to early phases of disease. However, the contribution of astrocytes to detrimental Aβ-tau interactions in AD is not well understood.MethodsMouse and human astrocyte cultures were stimulated with concentrations and species of human Aβ that mimic those in human AD brain. Astrocyte conditioned medium was collected and immunodepleted of Aβ before being added to rodent or human neuron cultures. Cytokines, identified in unbiased screens were also applied to neurons, including following the pre-treatment of neurons with chemokine receptor antagonists. Tau mislocalisation, synaptic markers and dendritic spine numbers were measured in cultured neurons and organotypic brain slice cultures.ResultsConditioned medium from astrocytes stimulated with Aβ induces tau mislocalisation and exaggerated synaptotoxicity that is recapitulated following spiking of neuron culture medium with recombinant C-X-C motif chemokine ligand-1 (CXCL1), a chemokine we show to be upregulated in Alzheimer’s disease brain. Antagonism of neuronal C-X-C motif chemokine receptor 2 (CXCR2) prevented tau mislocalisation and synaptotoxicity in response to CXCL1 and Aβ-stimulated astrocyte secretions.ConclusionsOur data indicate that astrocytes exacerbate tau mislocalisation and the synaptotoxic effects of Aβ via interactions of astrocytic CXCL1 and neuronal CXCR2 receptors, highlighting this chemokine-receptor pair as a novel target for therapeutic intervention in AD.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Liang Sun ◽  
Anuj K. Sharma ◽  
Byung-Hee Han ◽  
Liviu M. Mirica

<p>Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common neurodegenerative disorder, yet the cause and progression of this disorder are not completely understood. While the main hallmark of AD is the deposition of amyloid plaques consisting of the β-amyloid (Aβ) peptide, transition metal ions are also known to play a significant role in disease pathology by expediting the formation of neurotoxic soluble β-amyloid (Aβ) oligomers, reactive oxygen species (ROS), and oxidative stress. Thus, bifunctional metal chelators that can control these deleterious properties are highly desirable. Herein, we show that amentoflavone (AMF) – a natural biflavonoid compound, exhibits good metal-chelating properties, especially for chelating Cu<sup>2+</sup> with very high affinity (pCu<sub>7.4</sub> = 10.44). In addition, AMF binds to Aβ fibrils with a high affinity (<i>K<sub>i</sub></i> = 287 ± 20 nM) – as revealed by a competition thioflavin T (ThT) assay, and specifically labels the amyloid plaques <i>ex vivo</i> in the brain sections of transgenic AD mice – as confirmed via immunostaining with an Ab antibody. The effect of AMF on Aβ<sub>42</sub> aggregation and disaggregation of Aβ<sub>42</sub> fibrils was also investigated, to reveal that AMF can control the formation of neurotoxic soluble Aβ<sub>42</sub> oligomers, both in absence and presence of metal ions, and as confirmed via cell toxicity studies. Furthermore, an ascorbate consumption assay shows that AMF exhibits potent antioxidant properties and can chelate Cu<sup>2+</sup> and significantly diminish the Cu<sup>2+</sup>-ascorbate redox cycling and reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation. Overall, these studies strongly suggest that AMF acts as a bifunctional chelator that can interact with various Aβ aggregates and reduce their neurotoxicity, can also bind Cu<sup>2+</sup> and mediate its deleterious redox properties, and thus AMF has the potential to be a lead compound for further therapeutic agent development for AD. </p>


2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 93-101 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dan Wang ◽  
Zhifu Fei ◽  
Song Luo ◽  
Hai Wang

Objectives: Alzheimer's disease (AD), also known as senile dementia, is a common neurodegenerative disease characterized by progressive cognitive impairment and personality changes. Numerous evidences have suggested that microRNAs (miRNAs) are involved in the pathogenesis and development of AD. However, the exact role of miR-335-5p in the progression of AD is still not clearly clarified. Methods: The protein and mRNA levels were measured by western blot and RNA extraction and quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR), respectively. The relationship between miR-335-5p and c-jun-N-terminal kinase 3 (JNK3) was confirmed by dual-luciferase reporter assay. SH-SY5Y cells were transfected with APP mutant gene to establish the in vitro AD cell model. Flow cytometry and western blot were performed to evaluate cell apoptosis. The APP/PS1 transgenic mice were used as an in vivo AD model. Morris water maze test was performed to assess the effect of miR- 335-5p on the cognitive deficits in APP/PS1 transgenic mice. Results: The JNK3 mRNA expression and protein levels of JNK3 and β-Amyloid (Aβ) were significantly up-regulated, and the mRNA expression of miR-335-5p was down-regulated in the brain tissues of AD patients. The expression levels of miR-335-5p and JNK3 were significantly inversely correlated. Further, the dual Luciferase assay verified the relationship between miR-335- 5p and JNK3. Overexpression of miR-335-5p significantly decreased the protein levels of JNK3 and Aβ and inhibited apoptosis in SH-SY5Y/APPswe cells, whereas the inhibition of miR-335-5p obtained the opposite results. Moreover, the overexpression of miR-335-5p remarkably improved the cognitive abilities of APP/PS1 mice. Conclusion: The results revealed that the increased JNK3 expression, negatively regulated by miR-335-5p, may be a potential mechanism that contributes to Aβ accumulation and AD progression, indicating a novel approach for AD treatment.


Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 985
Author(s):  
Luisa Müller ◽  
Nicole Power Guerra ◽  
Jan Stenzel ◽  
Claire Rühlmann ◽  
Tobias Lindner ◽  
...  

Caloric restriction (CR) slows the aging process, extends lifespan, and exerts neuroprotective effects. It is widely accepted that CR attenuates β-amyloid (Aβ) neuropathology in models of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) by so-far unknown mechanisms. One promising process induced by CR is autophagy, which is known to degrade aggregated proteins such as amyloids. In addition, autophagy positively regulates glucose uptake and may improve cerebral hypometabolism—a hallmark of AD—and, consequently, neural activity. To evaluate this hypothesis, APPswe/PS1delta9 (tg) mice and their littermates (wild-type, wt) underwent CR for either 16 or 68 weeks. Whereas short-term CR for 16 weeks revealed no noteworthy changes of AD phenotype in tg mice, long-term CR for 68 weeks showed beneficial effects. Thus, cerebral glucose metabolism and neuronal integrity were markedly increased upon 68 weeks CR in tg mice, indicated by an elevated hippocampal fluorodeoxyglucose [18F] ([18F]FDG) uptake and increased N-acetylaspartate-to-creatine ratio using positron emission tomography/computer tomography (PET/CT) imaging and magnet resonance spectroscopy (MRS). Improved neuronal activity and integrity resulted in a better cognitive performance within the Morris Water Maze. Moreover, CR for 68 weeks caused a significant increase of LC3BII and p62 protein expression, showing enhanced autophagy. Additionally, a significant decrease of Aβ plaques in tg mice in the hippocampus was observed, accompanied by reduced microgliosis as indicated by significantly decreased numbers of iba1-positive cells. In summary, long-term CR revealed an overall neuroprotective effect in tg mice. Further, this study shows, for the first time, that CR-induced autophagy in tg mice accompanies the observed attenuation of Aβ pathology.


2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (21) ◽  
pp. eabe4601
Author(s):  
Sandro Da Mesquita ◽  
Jasmin Herz ◽  
Morgan Wall ◽  
Taitea Dykstra ◽  
Kalil Alves de Lima ◽  
...  

Aging leads to a progressive deterioration of meningeal lymphatics and peripheral immunity, which may accelerate cognitive decline. We hypothesized that an age-related reduction in C-C chemokine receptor type 7 (CCR7)–dependent egress of immune cells through the lymphatic vasculature mediates some aspects of brain aging and potentially exacerbates cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s disease–like brain β-amyloid (Aβ) pathology. We report a reduction in CCR7 expression by meningeal T cells in old mice that is linked to increased effector and regulatory T cells. Hematopoietic CCR7 deficiency mimicked the aging-associated changes in meningeal T cells and led to reduced glymphatic influx and cognitive impairment. Deletion of CCR7 in 5xFAD transgenic mice resulted in deleterious neurovascular and microglial activation, along with increased Aβ deposition in the brain. Treating old mice with anti-CD25 antibodies alleviated the exacerbated meningeal regulatory T cell response and improved cognitive function, highlighting the therapeutic potential of modulating meningeal immunity to fine-tune brain function in aging and in neurodegenerative diseases.


2021 ◽  
pp. 1-13
Author(s):  
Claire Rühlmann ◽  
David Dannehl ◽  
Marcus Brodtrück ◽  
Andrew C. Adams ◽  
Jan Stenzel ◽  
...  

Background: To date, there are no effective treatments for Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Thus, a significant need for research of therapies remains. Objective: One promising pharmacological target is the hormone fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21), which is thought to be neuroprotective. A clinical candidate for medical use could be the FGF21 analogue LY2405319 (LY), which has a specificity and potency comparable to FGF21. Methods: The present study investigated the potential neuroprotective effect of LY via PPARγ/apoE/abca1 pathway which is known to degrade amyloid-β (Aβ) plaques by using primary glial cells and hippocampal organotypic brain slice cultures (OBSCs) from 30- and 50-week-old transgenic APPswe/PS1dE9 (tg) mice. By LY treatment of 52-week-old tg mice with advanced Aβ deposition, we further aimed to elaborate the effect of LY on AD pathology in vivo. Results: LY application to primary glial cells caused an upregulation of pparγ, apoE, and abca1 mRNA expression and significantly decreased number and area of Aβ plaques in OBSCs. LY treatment in tg mice increased cerebral [18F] FDG uptake and N-acetylaspartate/creatine ratio indicating enhanced neuronal activity and integrity. Although LY did not reduce the number of Aβ plaques in tg mice, the number of iba1-positive cells was significantly decreased indicating reduced microgliosis. Conclusion: These data identified LY in vitro as an activator of Aβ degrading genes leading to cerebral Aβ load amelioration in early and late AD pathology. Although Aβ plaque reduction by LY failed in vivo, LY may be used as therapeutic agent to treat AD-related neuroinflammation and impaired neuronal integrity.


2017 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. S809-S810
Author(s):  
Artjoms Spaks ◽  
Donats Breiva ◽  
Ilmars Tracums ◽  
Anastasija Bistrova ◽  
Krista Grigorovica ◽  
...  

2017 ◽  
Vol 89 (5) ◽  
pp. 456-460 ◽  
Author(s):  
Scott Ayton ◽  
Ibrahima Diouf ◽  
Ashley Ian Bush

ObjectiveTo investigate whether cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) ferritin (reporting brain iron) is associated with longitudinal changes in CSF β-amyloid (Aβ) and tau.MethodsMixed-effects models of CSF Aβ1-42 and tau were constructed using data from 296 participants who had baseline measurement of CSF ferritin and annual measurement of CSF tau and Aβ1-42 for up to 5 years.ResultsIn subjects with biomarker-confirmed Alzheimer’s pathology, high CSF ferritin (>6.2 ng/mL) was associated with accelerated depreciation of CSF Aβ1-42 (reporting increased plaque formation; p=0.0001). CSF ferritin was neither associated with changes in CSF tau in the same subjects, nor longitudinal changes in CSF tau or Aβ1-42 in subjects with low baseline pathology. In simulation modelling of the natural history of Aβ deposition, which we estimated to occur over 31.4 years, we predicted that it would take 12.6 years to reach the pathology threshold value of CSF Aβ from healthy normal levels, and this interval is not affected by CSF ferritin. CSF ferritin influences the fall in CSF Aβ over the next phase, where high CSF ferritin accelerated the transition from threshold preclinical Aβ levels to the average level of Alzheimer’s subjects from 18.8 to 10.8 years.ConclusionsIron might facilitate Aβ deposition in Alzheimer’s and accelerate the disease process.


2005 ◽  
Vol 171 (1) ◽  
pp. 87-98 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. Haung Yu ◽  
Ana Maria Cuervo ◽  
Asok Kumar ◽  
Corrinne M. Peterhoff ◽  
Stephen D. Schmidt ◽  
...  

Macroautophagy, which is a lysosomal pathway for the turnover of organelles and long-lived proteins, is a key determinant of cell survival and longevity. In this study, we show that neuronal macroautophagy is induced early in Alzheimer's disease (AD) and before β-amyloid (Aβ) deposits extracellularly in the presenilin (PS) 1/Aβ precursor protein (APP) mouse model of β-amyloidosis. Subsequently, autophagosomes and late autophagic vacuoles (AVs) accumulate markedly in dystrophic dendrites, implying an impaired maturation of AVs to lysosomes. Immunolabeling identifies AVs in the brain as a major reservoir of intracellular Aβ. Purified AVs contain APP and β-cleaved APP and are highly enriched in PS1, nicastrin, and PS-dependent γ-secretase activity. Inducing or inhibiting macroautophagy in neuronal and nonneuronal cells by modulating mammalian target of rapamycin kinase elicits parallel changes in AV proliferation and Aβ production. Our results, therefore, link β-amyloidogenic and cell survival pathways through macroautophagy, which is activated and is abnormal in AD.


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