Fluorescent Imaging of Amyloid-β Deposits in Brain: An Overview of Probe Development and a Highlight of the Applications for In Vivo Imaging

2018 ◽  
Vol 25 (23) ◽  
pp. 2736-2759 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hualong Fu ◽  
Mengchao Cui
Keyword(s):  
Fluorescent Probes ◽  
Rapid Development ◽  
Light Attenuation ◽  
Disease Onset ◽  
Amyloid Β ◽  
Brain Parenchyma ◽  
Fluorescent Imaging ◽  
The Brain

The β-amyloid (Aβ) plaques presented within the brain parenchyma have been widely proved to be one of the hallmarks of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). According to the amyloid cascade hypothesis, the accumulation of Aβ plaques in the brain is intrinsic and fundamental for disease onset, and much research about the early diagnosis of AD is based on this. A recent development in Aβ detection has focused on the mapping of the molecule events in the brain using an exquisite, noninvasive, and inexpensive optical imaging technique, which has stimulated the rapid development of Aβ-specific fluorescent probes. Among them, nearinfrared (NIR) fluorophores have gained adequate attention due to the weak light attenuation in tissues and avoidance from auto-fluorescence of biological matter. In this review, we showcase the current developments of fluorescent probes that are subject to in vitro or in vivo detection of Aβ plaques in the brain, and give an emphasis on the probes used for in vivo twophoton microscopy and NIR imaging by highlighting their biological and photochemical properties.

scholarly journals Vascular Dysfunction Induced by Mercury Exposure

2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (10) ◽  
pp. 2435 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tetsuya Takahashi ◽  
Takayoshi Shimohata
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Vascular Dysfunction ◽  
Brain Parenchyma ◽  
Transport Systems ◽  
Mehg Exposure ◽  
In Vivo Models ◽  
The Central Nervous System ◽  
The Brain

Methylmercury (MeHg) causes severe damage to the central nervous system, and there is increasing evidence of the association between MeHg exposure and vascular dysfunction, hemorrhage, and edema in the brain, but not in other organs of patients with acute MeHg intoxication. These observations suggest that MeHg possibly causes blood–brain barrier (BBB) damage. MeHg penetrates the BBB into the brain parenchyma via active transport systems, mainly the l-type amino acid transporter 1, on endothelial cell membranes. Recently, exposure to mercury has significantly increased. Numerous reports suggest that long-term low-level MeHg exposure can impair endothelial function and increase the risks of cardiovascular disease. The most widely reported mechanism of MeHg toxicity is oxidative stress and related pathways, such as neuroinflammation. BBB dysfunction has been suggested by both in vitro and in vivo models of MeHg intoxication. Therapy targeted at both maintaining the BBB and suppressing oxidative stress may represent a promising therapeutic strategy for MeHg intoxication. This paper reviews studies on the relationship between MeHg exposure and vascular dysfunction, with a special emphasis on the BBB.

Antibodies to β-Amyloid Decrease the Blood-to-Brain Transfer of β-Amyloid Peptide1

2002 ◽  
Vol 227 (8) ◽  
pp. 609-615 ◽  
Author(s):  
Weihong Pan ◽  
Beka Solomon ◽  
Lawrence M. Maness ◽  
Abba J. Kastin
Keyword(s):  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Amyloid Β ◽  
Brain Perfusion ◽  
Brain Parenchyma ◽  
Amyloid Angiopathy ◽  
Β Amyloid ◽  
Blocking Antibodies ◽  
The Brain

Amyloid-β peptides (Aβ) play an important role in the pathophysiology of dementia of the Alzheimer's type and in amyloid angiopathy. Aβ outside the CNS could contribute to plaque formation in the brain where its entry would involve interactions with the blood-brain barrier (BBB). Effective antibodies to Aβ have been developed in an effort to vaccinate against Alzheimer's disease. These antibodies could interact with Aβ in the peripheral blood, block the passage of Aβ across the BBB, or prevent Aβ deposition within the CNS. To determine whether the blocking antibodies act at the BBB level, we examined the influx of radiolabeled Aβ (125I-Aβ1-40) into the brain after ex-vivo incubation with the antibodies. Antibody mAb3D6 (élan Company) reduced the blood-to-brain influx of Aβ after iv bolus injection. It also significantly decreased the accumulation of Aβ in brain parenchyma. To confirm the in-vivo study and examine the specificity of mAb3D6, in-situ brain perfusion in serum-free buffer was performed after incubation of 125I-Aβ1-40 with another antibody mAbmc1 (DAKO Company). The presence of mAbmc1 also caused significant reduction of the influx of Aβ into the brain after perfusion. Therefore, effective antibodies to Aβ can reduce the influx of Aβ1-40 into the brain.

scholarly journals Development and Optimization of a Fluorescent Imaging System to Detect Amyloid-β Proteins: Phantom Study

2018 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
pp. 117959721878108 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Tes ◽  
Karl Kratkiewicz ◽  
Ahmed Aber ◽  
Luke Horton ◽  
Mohsin Zafar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Alzheimer Disease ◽  
Imaging System ◽  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Amyloid Β ◽  
The United States ◽  
Fluorescent Imaging ◽  
Fluorescent Properties ◽  
In Vivo Experiments ◽  
The Brain

Alzheimer disease is the most common form of dementia, affecting more than 5 million people in the United States. During the progression of Alzheimer disease, a particular protein begins to accumulate in the brain and also in extensions of the brain, ie, the retina. This protein, amyloid-β (Aβ), exhibits fluorescent properties. The purpose of this research article is to explore the implications of designing a fluorescent imaging system able to detect Aβ proteins in the retina. We designed and implemented a fluorescent imaging system with a range of applications that can be reconfigured on a fluorophore to fluorophore basis and tested its feasibility and capabilities using Cy5 and CRANAD-2 imaging probes. The results indicate a promising potential for the imaging system to be used to study the Aβ biomarker. A performance evaluation involving ex vivo and in vivo experiments is planned for future study.

Amyloid-β Deposits Target Efficient Near-Infrared Fluorescent Probes: Synthesis, in Vitro Evaluation, and in Vivo Imaging

2016 ◽  
Vol 88 (3) ◽  
pp. 1944-1950 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hualong Fu ◽  
Peiyu Tu ◽  
Liu Zhao ◽  
Jiapei Dai ◽  
Boli Liu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fluorescent Probes ◽  
In Vivo Imaging ◽  
Near Infrared ◽  
Amyloid Β ◽  
In Vitro Evaluation

scholarly journals The CCL2-CCR2 astrocyte-cancer cell axis in tumor extravasation at the brain

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (26) ◽  
pp. eabg8139
Author(s):  
Cynthia Hajal ◽  
Yoojin Shin ◽  
Leanne Li ◽  
Jean Carlos Serrano ◽  
Tyler Jacks ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cancer Cells ◽  
Cancer Cell ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Brain Parenchyma ◽  
Cell Axis ◽  
Chemokine Ligand ◽  
Chemokine Ligand 2 ◽  
The Brain

Although brain metastases are common in cancer patients, little is known about the mechanisms of cancer extravasation across the blood-brain barrier (BBB), a key step in the metastatic cascade that regulates the entry of cancer cells into the brain parenchyma. Here, we show, in a three-dimensional in vitro BBB microvascular model, that astrocytes promote cancer cell transmigration via their secretion of C-C motif chemokine ligand 2 (CCL2). We found that this chemokine, produced primarily by astrocytes, promoted the chemotaxis and chemokinesis of cancer cells via their C-C chemokine receptor type 2 (CCR2), with no notable changes in vascular permeability. These findings were validated in vivo, where CCR2-deficient cancer cells exhibited significantly reduced rates of arrest and transmigration in mouse brain capillaries. Our results reveal that the CCL2-CCR2 astrocyte-cancer cell axis plays a fundamental role in extravasation and, consequently, metastasis to the brain.

scholarly journals Isolation and in vitro culture of primary pia mater cells

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fadi Saadeh ◽  
Jan Remsik ◽  
Camille Derderian ◽  
Yudan Chi ◽  
Adrienne Boire
Keyword(s):  
Brain Parenchyma ◽  
Pia Mater ◽  
Cell Functions ◽  
Flow Cytometric ◽  
Health And Disease ◽  
Unexplored Area ◽  
The Brain ◽  
Marker Identification

AbstractThe meninges remain an unexplored area of neurobiology. These structures play host to dozens of morbid pathologies. This protocol provides a reliable way to identify and isolate pial cells from mice using robust markers of pial identity in mouse and human tissues. We describe a protocol for the extraction of pia mater cells from mice and their culture as primary cells in vitro. Using an array of transcriptomic, histological, and flow cytometric analyses, we identified Icam1 and Slc38a2 as two novel pia mater markers in vitro and in vivo. Our results confirm the fibroblastoid nature of pial cells and their ability to form a sheet-like layer that covers the brain parenchyma. To our knowledge, this is the first published protocol for the isolation, tissue culture, and marker identification of pial cells from mice. These findings will enable researchers in CNS barriers to describe pial cell functions in both health and disease.

scholarly journals CERTL Reduces C16 Ceramide, Amyloid-β Levels and Inflammation in a Model of Alzheimer's Disease

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Simone Mwenda Crivelli ◽  
Qian Luo ◽  
Jo Stevens ◽  
Caterina Giovagnoni ◽  
Daan van Kruining ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Neuroblastoma Cells ◽  
Amyloid Β ◽  
Amyloid Plaque ◽  
Model Of Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Aβ Aggregation ◽  
The Brain

Abstract Background: Deregulation of ceramide and sphingomyelin levels have been suggested to contribute to the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Ceramide transfer proteins (CERTs) are ceramide carriers, crucial for ceramide and sphingomyelin balance in cells. Extracellular forms of CERTs co-localize with amyloid-β (Aβ) plaques in AD brains. To date, the significance of these observations for the pathophysiology of AD remains uncertain.Methods: The plasmid expressing CERTL, the long isoform of CERTs, was used to study the interaction of CERTL with amyloid precursor protein (APP) by co-immunoprecipitation and immunofluorescence in HEK cells. The recombinant CERTL protein was employed to study interaction of CERTL with amyloid-β (Aβ), Aβ aggregation process in presence of CERTL, and the resulting changes in Aβ toxicity in neuroblastoma cells. CERTL was overexpressed in neurons by adeno associated virus (AAV) in a familial mouse model of familial AD (5xFAD). Ten weeks after transduction animal were challenged with behavior tests for memory, anxiety and locomotion. At week twelve brains were investigated for sphingolipid levels by mass spectrometry, plaques and neuroinflammation by immunohistochemistry, gene expression and/or immunoassay.Results: Here, we report that CERTL, binds to APP, modifies Aβ aggregation and reduces Aβ neurotoxicity in vitro. Furthermore, we show that intracortical injection of AAV, mediating the expression of CERTL, decreases levels of ceramide d18:1/16:0 and increases sphingomyelin levels in the brain of male transgenic mice, modelling familial AD (5xFAD). CERTL in vivo over-expression has a mild effect on animal locomotion and decreases Aβ formation and modulates microglia by decreasing their pro-inflammatory phenotype.Conclusion: Our results demonstrate a crucial role of CERTL in regulating ceramide levels in the brain, in amyloid plaque formation and neuroinflammation, thereby opening research avenues for therapeutic targets of AD and other neurodegenerative diseases.

scholarly journals Eriodictyol ameliorated cognitive dysfunction in APP/PS1 mice through inhibited ferroptosis via vitamin D receptor mediated Nrf2 activation

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lin Li ◽  
Wenjun Li ◽  
Xiangru Zheng ◽  
Qinglong Liu ◽  
Qian Du ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin D ◽  
Signaling Pathway ◽  
Western Blotting ◽  
Vitamin D Receptor ◽  
Amyloid Β ◽  
Qpcr Assay ◽  
Aβ Aggregation ◽  
The Brain

Abstract Background Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common type of neurodegenerative disease in contemporary era, and it is still clinically incurable. Eriodictyol, a natural flavonoid compound mainly exists in citrus fruits and some Chinese herbal medicine, has been reported with its effect of anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-cancer and neuroprotective effects. However, there are few studies on the anti-AD effect and molecular mechanism of eriodictyol. Methods APP/PS1 mice were treated with eriodictyol and the cognitive function of mice was assessed by behavioral tests. The level of amyloid-β (Aβ) aggregation and hyper-phosphorylation of Tau in the brain of mice were detected by histological analysis and Western blotting. Meanwhile, HT-22 cells which induced by amyloid-β peptide (1-42) (Aβ1−42) oligomer were treated with eriodictyol after which cell viability was determined and the production of p-Tau was tested by Western blotting. Then, the characteristics of ferroptosis, including iron aggregation, lipid peroxidation and the expression of glutathione peroxidase type 4(GPX4), were determined both in vivo and in vitro by Fe straining, Western blotting and qPCR assay. Additionally, the expression level of Vitamin D receptor (VDR) and the activity of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2/heme oxygenase-1 (Nrf2/HO-1) signaling pathway were tested by Western blotting and qPCR assay. After that, the HT-22 cells with VDR knockout were used to explore the potential mechanisms and the relationship between VDR and Nrf2 was further assessed by coimmunoprecipitation assay and bioinformatics analysis. Results Eriodictyol obviously ameliorated cognitive deficits in APP/PS1 mice, suppressed Aβ aggregation and the phosphorylated level Tau in the brain of APP/PS1 mice. Meanwhile, eriodictyol could inhibit Tau hyper-phosphorylation and neurotoxicity in HT-22 cells induced by Aβ1−42 oligomer. Furthermore, both in vivo and in vitro, eriodictyol showed the anti-ferroptosis effect and its mechanism may connected with the activation of Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway. Additionally, the further experiment explains that the activation of Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway with eriodictyol treatment mediated by VDR. Conclusions Eriodictyol alleviated memory impairment and AD-like pathological changes via activating Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway mediated by VDR, which provide a new possibility for the treatment of AD.

scholarly journals Increased brain uptake of targeted nanoparticles by adding an acid-cleavable linkage between transferrin and the nanoparticle core

2015 ◽  
Vol 112 (40) ◽  
pp. 12486-12491 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew J. Clark ◽  
Mark E. Davis
Keyword(s):  
Brain Parenchyma ◽  
Common Mechanism ◽  
High Avidity ◽  
Brain Uptake ◽  
Targeted Nanoparticles ◽  
High Affinity ◽  
The Brain ◽  
Nanoparticle Core

Most therapeutic agents are excluded from entering the central nervous system by the blood–brain barrier (BBB). Receptor mediated transcytosis (RMT) is a common mechanism used by proteins, including transferrin (Tf), to traverse the BBB. Here, we prepared Tf-containing, 80-nm gold nanoparticles with an acid-cleavable linkage between the Tf and the nanoparticle core to facilitate nanoparticle RMT across the BBB. These nanoparticles are designed to bind to Tf receptors (TfRs) with high avidity on the blood side of the BBB, but separate from their multidentate Tf–TfR interactions upon acidification during the transcytosis process to allow release of the nanoparticle into the brain. These targeted nanoparticles show increased ability to cross an in vitro model of the BBB and, most important, enter the brain parenchyma of mice in greater amounts in vivo after systemic administration compared with similar high-avidity nanoparticles containing noncleavable Tf. In addition, we investigated this design with nanoparticles containing high-affinity antibodies (Abs) to TfR. With the Abs, the addition of the acid-cleavable linkage provided no improvement to in vivo brain uptake for Ab-containing nanoparticles, and overall brain uptake was decreased for all Ab-containing nanoparticles compared with Tf-containing ones. These results are consistent with recent reports of high-affinity anti-TfR Abs trafficking to the lysosome within BBB endothelium. In contrast, high-avidity, Tf-containing nanoparticles with the acid-cleavable linkage avoid major endothelium retention by shedding surface Tf during their transcytosis.

scholarly journals Leukocyte Recruitment in the Cerebrospinal Fluid of Mice with Experimental Meningitis Is Inhibited by an Antibody to Junctional Adhesion Molecule (Jam)

1999 ◽  
Vol 190 (9) ◽  
pp. 1351-1356 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aldo Del Maschio ◽  
Ada De Luigi ◽  
Ines Martin-Padura ◽  
Manfred Brockhaus ◽  
Tamas Bartfai ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cerebrospinal Fluid ◽  
Adhesion Molecule ◽  
Brain Parenchyma ◽  
Immunoglobulin Superfamily ◽  
Leukocyte Transmigration ◽  
Leukocyte Accumulation ◽  
Brain Barrier Permeability ◽  
The Brain

The mechanisms that govern leukocyte transmigration through the endothelium are not yet fully defined. Junctional adhesion molecule (JAM) is a newly cloned member of the immunoglobulin superfamily which is selectively concentrated at tight junctions of endothelial and epithelial cells. A blocking monoclonal antibody (BV11 mAb) directed to JAM was able to inhibit monocyte transmigration through endothelial cells in in vitro and in vivo chemotaxis assays. In this study, we report that BV11 administration was able to attenuate cytokine-induced meningitis in mice. The intravenous injection of BV11 mAb significantly inhibited leukocyte accumulation in the cerebrospinal fluid and infiltration in the brain parenchyma. Blood–brain barrier permeability was also reduced by the mAb. We conclude that JAM may be a new target in limiting the inflammatory response that accompanies meningitis.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document