The Pathogenesis Mechanism, Structure Properties, Potential Drugs and Therapeutic Nano-particles Against the Small Oligomers of Amyloid-β

Author(s):  
Ke Wang ◽  
Liu Na ◽  
Mojie Duan

: Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) is a devastating neurodegenerative disease affects millions of people in the world. The abnormal aggregation of amyloid b protein (Aβ) is regarded as the key event in AD onset. Meanwhile, the Aβ oligomers are believed to be the most toxic species of Aβ. Recent studies show that the Aβ dimers, which are the smallest form of Aβ oligomers, also have the neurotoxicity in the absence of other oligomers in physiological conditions. In this review we focus on the pathogenesis, structure and potential therapeutic molecules against small Aβ oligomers, as well as the nano-particles (NPs) in the treatment of AD. In this review, we firstly focus on the pathogenic mechanism of Aβ oligomers, especially the Aβ dimers. The toxicity of Aβ dimer or oligomers which attributes to the interactions with various receptors and the disruption of membrane or intracellular environments were introduced. Then the structure properties of Aβ dimers and oligomers are summarized. Although some structural information such as the secondary structure content are characterized by experimental technologies, the full detailed structures are still absent. Following that, the small molecules targeting Aβ dimers or oligomers are collected, nevertheless, all of these ligands are failed to come into the market, rising controversy of the Aβ-related “amyloid cascade hypothesis”. At last, the recent progresses about the nano-particles as the potential drugs or the drug delivery to the Aβ oligomers are present.

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Valentina Greco ◽  
Irina Naletova ◽  
Ikhlas M. M. Ahmed ◽  
Susanna Vaccaro ◽  
Luciano Messina ◽  
...  

Abstract Alzheimer’s disease is the most common neurodegenerative disorder. Finding a pharmacological approach that cures and/or prevents the onset of this devastating disease represents an important challenge for researchers. According to the amyloid cascade hypothesis, increases in extracellular amyloid-β (Aβ) levels give rise to different aggregated species, such as protofibrils, fibrils and oligomers, with oligomers being the more toxic species for cells. Many efforts have recently been focused on multi-target ligands to address the multiple events that occur concurrently with toxic aggregation at the onset of the disease. Moreover, investigating the effect of endogenous compounds or a combination thereof is a promising approach to prevent the side effects of entirely synthetic drugs. In this work, we report the synthesis, structural characterization and Aβ antiaggregant ability of new derivatives of hyaluronic acid (Hy, 200 and 700 kDa) functionalized with carnosine (Car), a multi-functional natural dipeptide. The bioactive substances (HyCar) inhibit the formation of amyloid-type aggregates of Aβ42 more than the parent compounds; this effect is proportional to Car loading. Furthermore, the HyCar derivatives are able to dissolve the amyloid fibrils and to reduce Aβ-induced toxicity in vitro. The enzymatic degradation of Aβ is also affected by the interaction with HyCar.


2009 ◽  
Vol 421 (3) ◽  
pp. 415-423 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emilie Cerf ◽  
Rabia Sarroukh ◽  
Shiori Tamamizu-Kato ◽  
Leonid Breydo ◽  
Sylvie Derclaye ◽  
...  

AD (Alzheimer's disease) is linked to Aβ (amyloid β-peptide) misfolding. Studies demonstrate that the level of soluble Aβ oligomeric forms correlates better with the progression of the disease than the level of fibrillar forms. Conformation-dependent antibodies have been developed to detect either Aβ oligomers or fibrils, suggesting that structural differences between these forms of Aβ exist. Using conditions which yield well-defined Aβ-(1–42) oligomers or fibrils, we studied the secondary structure of these species by ATR (attenuated total reflection)–FTIR (Fouriertransform infrared) spectroscopy. Whereas fibrillar Aβ was organized in a parallel β-sheet conformation, oligomeric Aβ displayed distinct spectral features, which were attributed to an antiparallel β-sheet structure. We also noted striking similarities between Aβ oligomers spectra and those of bacterial outer membrane porins. We discuss our results in terms of a possible organization of the antiparallel β-sheets in Aβ oligomers, which may be related to reported effects of these highly toxic species in the amyloid pathogenesis associated with AD.


2022 ◽  
Vol 2 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ciara Downey ◽  

Alzheimer Disease (AD) is the most prevalent cause of dementia, characterized by initial memory impairment and progressive cognitive decline. The exact cause of AD is not yet completely understood. However, the presence of neurotoxic amyloid-beta (Aβ) peptides in the brain is often cited as the main causative agent in AD pathogenesis. In accordance with the amyloid hypothesis, Aβ accumulation initially occurs 15-20 years prior to the development of clinical symptoms. Current therapies focus on the prodromal and preclinical stages of AD due to past treatment failures involving patients with mild to moderate AD. Passive immunization via exogenous monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) administration has emerged as a promising anti-Aβ treatment in AD. This is reinforced by the recent approval of the mAb, aducanumab. mAbs have differential selectivity in their epitopes, each recognising different conformations of Aβ. In this way, various Aβ accumulative species can be targeted. mAbs directed against Aβ oligomers, the most neurotoxic species, are producing encouraging clinical results. Through understanding the process by which mAbs target the amyloid cascade, therapeutics could be developed to clear Aβ, prevent its aggregation, or reduce its production. This review examines the clinical efficacy evidence from previous clinical trials with anti-Aβ therapeutics, in particular, the mAbs. Future therapies are expected to involve a combined-targeted approach to the multiple mechanisms of the amyloid cascade in a particular stage or disease phenotype. Additional studies of presymptomatic AD will likely join ongoing prevention trials, in which mAbs will continue to serve as the focal point.


2014 ◽  
Vol 56 ◽  
pp. 99-110 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Allsop ◽  
Jennifer Mayes

One of the hallmarks of AD (Alzheimer's disease) is the formation of senile plaques in the brain, which contain fibrils composed of Aβ (amyloid β-peptide). According to the ‘amyloid cascade’ hypothesis, the aggregation of Aβ initiates a sequence of events leading to the formation of neurofibrillary tangles, neurodegeneration, and on to the main symptom of dementia. However, emphasis has now shifted away from fibrillar forms of Aβ and towards smaller and more soluble ‘oligomers’ as the main culprit in AD. The present chapter commences with a brief introduction to the disease and its current treatment, and then focuses on the formation of Aβ from the APP (amyloid precursor protein), the genetics of early-onset AD, which has provided strong support for the amyloid cascade hypothesis, and then on the development of new drugs aimed at reducing the load of cerebral Aβ, which is still the main hope for providing a more effective treatment for AD in the future.


2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (6) ◽  
pp. 504-510 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sara Sanz-Blasco ◽  
Maria Calvo-Rodríguez ◽  
Erica Caballero ◽  
Monica Garcia-Durillo ◽  
Lucia Nunez ◽  
...  

Objectives: Epidemiological data suggest that non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may protect against Alzheimer's disease (AD). Unfortunately, recent trials have failed in providing compelling evidence of neuroprotection. Discussion as to why NSAIDs effectivity is uncertain is ongoing. Possible explanations include the view that NSAIDs and other possible disease-modifying drugs should be provided before the patients develop symptoms of AD or cognitive decline. In addition, NSAID targets for neuroprotection are unclear. Both COX-dependent and independent mechanisms have been proposed, including γ-secretase that cleaves the amyloid precursor protein (APP) and yields amyloid β peptide (Aβ). Methods: We have proposed a neuroprotection mechanism for NSAIDs based on inhibition of mitochondrial Ca2+ overload. Aβ oligomers promote Ca2+ influx and mitochondrial Ca2+ overload leading to neuron cell death. Several non-specific NSAIDs including ibuprofen, sulindac, indomethacin and Rflurbiprofen depolarize mitochondria in the low µM range and prevent mitochondrial Ca2+ overload induced by Aβ oligomers and/or N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA). However, at larger concentrations, NSAIDs may collapse mitochondrial potential (ΔΨ) leading to cell death. Results: Accordingly, this mechanism may explain neuroprotection at low concentrations and damage at larger doses, thus providing clues on the failure of promising trials. Perhaps lower NSAID concentrations and/or alternative compounds with larger dynamic ranges should be considered for future trials to provide definitive evidence of neuroprotection against AD.


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 1225
Author(s):  
Ziao Fu ◽  
William E. Van Nostrand ◽  
Steven O. Smith

The amyloid-β (Aβ) peptides are associated with two prominent diseases in the brain, Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA). Aβ42 is the dominant component of cored parenchymal plaques associated with AD, while Aβ40 is the predominant component of vascular amyloid associated with CAA. There are familial CAA mutations at positions Glu22 and Asp23 that lead to aggressive Aβ aggregation, drive vascular amyloid deposition and result in degradation of vascular membranes. In this study, we compared the transition of the monomeric Aβ40-WT peptide into soluble oligomers and fibrils with the corresponding transitions of the Aβ40-Dutch (E22Q), Aβ40-Iowa (D23N) and Aβ40-Dutch, Iowa (E22Q, D23N) mutants. FTIR measurements show that in a fashion similar to Aβ40-WT, the familial CAA mutants form transient intermediates with anti-parallel β-structure. This structure appears before the formation of cross-β-sheet fibrils as determined by thioflavin T fluorescence and circular dichroism spectroscopy and occurs when AFM images reveal the presence of soluble oligomers and protofibrils. Although the anti-parallel β-hairpin is a common intermediate on the pathway to Aβ fibrils for the four peptides studied, the rate of conversion to cross-β-sheet fibril structure differs for each.


2017 ◽  
Vol 398 (4) ◽  
pp. 465-475 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kateryna Kravchenko ◽  
Andreas Kulawik ◽  
Maren Hülsemann ◽  
Katja Kühbach ◽  
Christian Zafiu ◽  
...  

Abstract Early diagnostics at the preclinical stage of Alzheimer’s disease is of utmost importance for drug development in clinical trials and prognostic guidance. Since soluble Aβ oligomers are considered to play a crucial role in the disease pathogenesis, several methods aim to quantify Aβ oligomers in body fluids such as cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and blood plasma. The highly specific and sensitive method surface-based fluorescence intensity distribution analysis (sFIDA) has successfully been established for oligomer quantitation in CSF samples. In our study, we explored the sFIDA method for quantitative measurements of synthetic Aβ particles in blood plasma. For this purpose, EDTA-, citrate- and heparin-treated blood plasma samples from five individual donors were spiked with Aβ coated silica nanoparticles (Aβ-SiNaPs) and were applied to the sFIDA assay. Based on the assay parameters linearity, coefficient of variation and limit of detection, we found that EDTA plasma yields the most suitable parameter values for quantitation of Aβ oligomers in sFIDA assay with a limit of detection of 16 fM.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ladan Amin ◽  
David A. Harris

AbstractSeveral cell-surface receptors for neurotoxic forms of amyloid-β (Aβ) have been described, but their molecular interactions with Aβ assemblies and their relative contributions to mediating Alzheimer’s disease pathology have remained uncertain. Here, we used super-resolution microscopy to directly visualize Aβ-receptor interactions at the nanometer scale. We report that one documented Aβ receptor, PrPC, specifically inhibits the polymerization of Aβ fibrils by binding to the rapidly growing end of each fibril, thereby blocking polarized elongation at that end. PrPC binds neurotoxic oligomers and protofibrils in a similar fashion, suggesting that it may recognize a common, end-specific, structural motif on all of these assemblies. Finally, two other Aβ receptors, FcγRIIb and LilrB2, affect Aβ fibril growth in a manner similar to PrPC. Our results suggest that receptors may trap Aβ oligomers and protofibrils on the neuronal surface by binding to a common molecular determinant on these assemblies, thereby initiating a neurotoxic signal.


2021 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Min Zhu ◽  
Longfei Jia ◽  
Jianping Jia

Background: Imbalance between amyloid-β (Aβ) production and clearance results in Aβ accumulation. Regulating Aβ levels is still a hot point in the research of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Objective: To identify the differential expression of ATP-binding cassette A1 (ABCA1) and its upstream microRNA (miRNA) in AD models, and to explore their relationships with Aβ levels. Methods: Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and western blotting were performed to determine the expression of ABCA1 in 5xFAD mice, SH-SY5Y cells treated with Aβ oligomers and SH-SY5YAβPP695 cells (AD models). TargetScan was used to predict the upstream miRNAs for ABCA1. Dual-luciferase assay was conducted to identify the regulation of the miRNA on ABCA1. qRT-PCR was used to measure the expression of miRNA in AD models. Finally, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays were performed to detect Aβ 42 and Aβ40 levels. Results: The expression of ABCA1 was significantly down regulated in AD models at both mRNA and protein levels. Dual-luciferase assay showed that miR-96-5p could regulate the expression of ABCA1 through binding to the 3 untranslated region of ABCA1. The level of miR-96-5p was significantly elevated in AD models. The expression of ABCA1 was enhanced while Aβ 42 levels and Aβ 42/Aβ 40 ratios were reduced in SH-SY5Y A βPP695 cells after treated with miR-96-5p inhibitor. Conclusion: The current study found that miR-96-5p is the upstream miRNA for ABCA1. Suppression of miR-96-5p in AD models could reduce Aβ 42/Aβ 40 ratios via up regulating the expression of ABCA1, indicating that miR-96-5p plays an important role in regulating the content of Aβ.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yiran Huang ◽  
Liang Sun ◽  
Liviu M. Mirica

<div>Protein misfolding and metal dishomeostasis are two key</div><div>pathological factors of Alzheimer’s disease. Previous studies have showed that Cu‐mediated Aβ aggregation pathways lead to formation of neurotoxic Aβ oligomers. Herein, we reported a series of picolinic acid‐based Cu‐activatable sensors, which can be used for the fluorescence imaging of Cu‐rich Aβ aggregates.</div>


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