scholarly journals Elevated age-related cortical iron, ferritin and amyloid plaques in APPswe/PS1ΔE9 transgenic mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease

2019 ◽  
pp. S445-S451 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. Svobodová ◽  
D. Kosnáč ◽  
Z. Balázsiová ◽  
H. Tanila ◽  
P.O. Miettinen ◽  
...  

Iron is very important element for functioning of the brain. Its concentration changes with aging the brain or during disease. The aim of our work was the histological examination of content of ferritin and free iron (unbound) in brain cortex in association with Aβ plaques from their earliest stages of accumulation in amyloid plaque forming APP/PS1 transgenic mice. Light microscopy revealed the onset of plaques formation at 8-monthage. Detectable traces of free iron and no ferritin were found around plaques at this age, while the rate of their accumulation in and around Aβ plaques was elevated at 13 months of age. Ferritin accumulated mainly on the edge of Aβ plaques, while the smaller amount of free iron was observed in the plaque-free tissue, as well as in and around Aβ plaques. We conclude that free iron and ferritin accumulation follows the amyloid plaques formation. Quantification of cortical iron and ferritin content can be an important marker in the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease.

The Analyst ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 144 (23) ◽  
pp. 7049-7056 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emerson A. Fonseca ◽  
Lucas Lafetá ◽  
Renan Cunha ◽  
Hudson Miranda ◽  
João Campos ◽  
...  

We have found different Raman signatures of AB fibrils and in brain tissues from unmixed analysis, providing a detailed image of amyloid plaques in the brain, with the potential to be used as biomarkers.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Simone Mwenda Crivelli ◽  
Qian Luo ◽  
Jo Stevens ◽  
Caterina Giovagnoni ◽  
Daan van Kruining ◽  
...  

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.


2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Simone M. Crivelli ◽  
Qian Luo ◽  
Jo A.A. Stevens ◽  
Caterina Giovagnoni ◽  
Daan van Kruining ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Dysregulation 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 which are 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 A 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 mouse model of familial AD (5xFAD). Ten weeks after transduction, animals were challenged with behavior tests for memory, anxiety, and locomotion. At week 12, 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 5xFAD mice. CERTL in vivo over-expression has a mild effect on animal locomotion, 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.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Simone Mwenda Crivelli ◽  
Qian Luo ◽  
Jo A.A. Stevens ◽  
Caterina Giovagnoni ◽  
Daan van Kruining ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Dysregulation 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 which are 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: A 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 mouse model of familial AD (5xFAD). Ten weeks after transduction, animals 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 5xFAD mice. CERTL in vivo over-expression has a mild effect on animal locomotion, 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.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Simone Mwenda Crivelli ◽  
Qian Luo ◽  
Jo Stevens ◽  
Caterina Giovagnoni ◽  
Daan van Kruining ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Dysregulation 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, animals 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 5xFAD mice. CERTL in vivo over-expression has a mild effect on animal locomotion, 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.


2020 ◽  
Vol 35 ◽  
pp. 153331752095304
Author(s):  
Mark Maskery ◽  
Elizabeth Mary Goulding ◽  
Simon Gengler ◽  
Josefine Ulrikke Melchiorsen ◽  
Mette Marie Rosenkilde ◽  
...  

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder for which there is no cure. Here, we test a dual GLP-1/GIP receptor agonist (DA4-JC) that has a cell penetrating sequence added to enhance blood-brain barrier penetration. We show in a receptor activity study that DA4-JC has balanced activity on both GLP-1 and GIP receptors but not on GLP-2 or Glucagon receptors. A dose-response study in the APP/PS1 mouse model of AD showed both a dose-dependent drug effect on the inflammation response and the reduction of amyloid plaques in the brain. When comparing DA4-JC with the GLP-1 analogue liraglutide at equal doses of 10nmol/kg bw ip. once-daily for 8 weeks, DA4-JC was more effective in reversing memory loss, enhancing synaptic plasticity (LTP) in the hippocampus, reducing amyloid plaques and lowering pro-inflammatory cytokine levels in the brain. The results suggest that DA4-JC may be a novel treatment for AD.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Simone Mwenda Crivelli ◽  
Qian Luo ◽  
Jo Stevens ◽  
Caterina Giovagnoni ◽  
Daan van Kruining ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Deregulation of ceramide and sphingomyelinlevels have been suggested tocontribute tothe 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 CERTLwith amyloid precursor protein (APP) by co-immunoprecipitation and immunofluorescencein HEK cells.The recombinant CERTL protein wasemployed to study interaction of CERTLwith amyloid-β (Aβ), Aβ aggregation process in presence of CERTL, and the resulting changes inAβ toxicity in neuroblastoma cells. CERTLwas overexpressed in neurons by adeno associatedvirus (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). CERTLin vivo over-expression hasa mild effect on animal locomotion and decreases Aβ formation and modulates microglia by decreasing their pro-inflammatory phenotype.Conclusion: Our results demonstratea crucial role of CERTL in regulatingceramidelevels in the brain, in amyloid plaque formation and neuroinflammation,thereby opening research avenuesfor therapeutic targets of AD and other neurodegenerative diseases.


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