scholarly journals Remodeling of Intracellular Ca2+ Homeostasis in Rat Hippocampal Neurons Aged In Vitro

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (4) ◽  
pp. 1549 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Calvo-Rodriguez ◽  
Elena Hernando-Pérez ◽  
Sara López-Vázquez ◽  
Javier Núñez ◽  
Carlos Villalobos ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Endoplasmic Reticulum ◽  
Cell Death ◽  
Neurodegenerative Disorders ◽  
Hippocampal Neurons ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Neuronal Damage ◽  
Amyloid Β ◽  
Memory Storage ◽  
Amyloid Β Peptide

Aging is often associated with a cognitive decline and a susceptibility to neuronal damage. It is also the most important risk factor for neurodegenerative disorders, particularly Alzheimer’s disease (AD). AD is related to an excess of neurotoxic oligomers of amyloid β peptide (Aβo); however, the molecular mechanisms are still highly controversial. Intracellular Ca2+ homeostasis plays an important role in the control of neuronal activity, including neurotransmitter release, synaptic plasticity, and memory storage, as well as neuron cell death. Recent evidence indicates that long-term cultures of rat hippocampal neurons, resembling aged neurons, undergo cell death after treatment with Aβo, whereas short-term cultures, resembling young neurons, do not. These in vitro changes are associated with the remodeling of intracellular Ca2+ homeostasis with aging, thus providing a simplistic model for investigating Ca2+ remodeling in aging. In vitro aged neurons show increased resting cytosolic Ca2+ concentration, enhanced Ca2+ store content, and Ca2+ release from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Ca2+ transfer from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) to mitochondria is also enhanced. Aged neurons also show decreased store-operated Ca2+ entry (SOCE), a Ca2+ entry pathway related to memory storage. At the molecular level, in vitro remodeling is associated with changes in the expression of Ca2+ channels resembling in vivo aging, including changes in N-methyl-D-aspartate NMDA receptor and inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3) receptor isoforms, increased expression of the mitochondrial calcium uniporter (MCU), and decreased expression of Orai1/Stim1, the molecular players involved in SOCE. Additionally, Aβo treatment exacerbates most of the changes observed in aged neurons and enhances susceptibility to cell death. Conversely, the solely effect of Aβo in young neurons is to increase ER–mitochondria colocalization and enhance Ca2+ transfer from ER to mitochondria without inducing neuronal damage. We propose that cultured rat hippocampal neurons may be a useful model to investigate Ca2+ remodeling in aging and in age-related neurodegenerative disorders.

Endoplasmic reticulum stress/autophagy pathway is involved in diabetes-induced neuronal apoptosis and cognitive decline in mice

2018 ◽  
Vol 132 (1) ◽  
pp. 111-125 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fei-Juan Kong ◽  
Lei-Lei Ma ◽  
Jun-Jie Guo ◽  
Lin-Hao Xu ◽  
Yun Li ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Endoplasmic Reticulum ◽  
Cognitive Decline ◽  
Er Stress ◽  
Hippocampal Neurons ◽  
Neuronal Apoptosis ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Cognitive Impairments ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Diabetic Mice

Diabetes mellitus is a significant global public health problem depicting a rising prevalence worldwide. As a serious complication of diabetes, diabetes-associated cognitive decline is attracting increasing attention. However, the underlying mechanisms are yet to be fully determined. Both endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and autophagy have been reported to modulate neuronal survival and death and be associated with several neurodegenerative diseases. Here, a streptozotocin-induced diabetic mouse model and primary cultured mouse hippocampal neurons were employed to investigate the possible role of ER stress and autophagy in diabetes-induced neuronal apoptosis and cognitive impairments, and further explore the potential molecular mechanisms. ER stress markers GRP78 and CHOP were both enhanced in diabetic mice, as was phosphorylation of PERK, IRE1α, and JNK. In addition, the results indicated an elevated level of autophagy in diabetic mice, as demonstrated by up-regulated expressions of autophagy markers LC3-II, beclin 1 and down-regulated level of p62, and increased formation of autophagic vacuoles and LC3-II aggregates. Meanwhile, we found that these effects could be abolished by ER stress inhibitor 4-phenylbutyrate or JNK inhibitor SP600125 in vitro. Furthermore, neuronal apoptosis of diabetic mice was attenuated by pretreatment with 4-phenylbutyrate, while aggravated by application of inhibitor of autophagy bafilomycin A1 in vitro. These results suggest that ER stress pathway may be involved in diabetes-mediated neurotoxicity and promote the following cognitive impairments. More important, autophagy was induced by diabetes possibly through ER stress-mediated JNK pathway, which may protect neurons against ER stress-associated cell damages.

Amyloid β peptide cleavage by kallikrein 7 attenuates fibril growth and rescues neurons from Aβ-mediated toxicity in vitro

2014 ◽  
Vol 395 (1) ◽  
pp. 109-118 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tyler D. Shropshire ◽  
Jack Reifert ◽  
Sridharan Rajagopalan ◽  
David Baker ◽  
Stuart C. Feinstein ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hippocampal Neurons ◽  
Amyloid Β ◽  
Amyloid Β Peptide ◽  
Hydrophobic Core ◽  
Insulin Degrading Enzyme ◽  
Core Motif ◽  
Peptide Cleavage ◽  
Bacterial Display ◽  
Clearance Mechanism

Abstract The gradual accumulation and assembly of β-amyloid (Aβ) peptide into neuritic plaques is a major pathological hallmark of Alzheimer disease (AD). Proteolytic degradation of Aβ is an important clearance mechanism under normal circumstances, and it has been found to be compromised in those with AD. Here, the extended substrate specificity and Aβ-degrading capacity of kallikrein 7 (KLK7), a serine protease with a unique chymotrypsin-like specificity, was characterized. Preferred peptide substrates of KLK7 identified using a bacterial display substrate library were found to exhibit a consensus motif of RXΦ(Y/F)↓(Y/F)↓(S/A/G/T) or RXΦ(Y/F)↓(S/T/A) (Φ=hydrophobic), which is remarkably similar to the hydrophobic core motif of Aβ (K16L17V18F19F20 A21) that is largely responsible for aggregation propensity. KLK7 was found to cleave after both Phe residues within the core of Aβ42 in vitro, thereby inhibiting Aβ fibril formation and promoting the degradation of preformed fibrils. Finally, the treatment of Aβ oligomer preparations with KLK7, but not inactive pro-KLK7, significantly reduced Aβ42-mediated toxicity to rat hippocampal neurons to the same extent as the known Aβ-degrading protease insulin-degrading enzyme (IDE). Taken together, these results indicate that KLK7 possesses an Aβ-degrading capacity that can ameliorate the toxic effects of the aggregated peptide in vitro.

scholarly journals Detection of a Novel Intraneuronal Pool of Insoluble Amyloid β Protein that Accumulates with Time in Culture

1998 ◽  
Vol 141 (4) ◽  
pp. 1031-1039 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel M. Skovronsky ◽  
Robert W. Doms ◽  
Virginia M.-Y. Lee
Keyword(s):  
Endoplasmic Reticulum ◽  
Senile Plaques ◽  
Amyloid Β ◽  
Acid Extraction ◽  
Amyloid Β Peptide ◽  
Amyloid Β Protein ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Intermediate Compartment ◽  
Nt2n Neurons

The amyloid-β peptide (Aβ) is produced at several sites within cultured human NT2N neurons with Aβ1-42 specifically generated in the endoplasmic reticulum/intermediate compartment. Since Aβ is found as insoluble deposits in senile plaques of the AD brain, and the Aβ peptide can polymerize into insoluble fibrils in vitro, we examined the possibility that Aβ1-40, and particularly the more highly amyloidogenic Aβ1-42, accumulate in an insoluble pool within NT2N neurons. Remarkably, we found that formic acid extraction of the NT2N cells solubilized a pool of previously undetectable Aβ that accounted for over half of the total intracellular Aβ. Aβ1-42 was more abundant than Aβ1-40 in this pool, and most of the insoluble Aβ1-42 was generated in the endoplasmic reticulum/intermediate compartment pathway. High levels of insoluble Aβ were also detected in several nonneuronal cell lines engineered to overexpress the amyloid-β precursor protein. This insoluble intracellular pool of Aβ was exceptionally stable, and accumulated in NT2N neurons in a time-dependent manner, increasing 12-fold over a 7-wk period in culture. These novel findings suggest that Aβ amyloidogenesis may be initiated within living neurons rather than in the extracellular space. Thus, the data presented here require a reexamination of the prevailing view about the pathogenesis of Aβ deposition in the AD brain.

scholarly journals Huperzine A and Its Neuroprotective Molecular Signaling in Alzheimer’s Disease

Molecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (21) ◽  
pp. 6531
Author(s):  
María Jesús Friedli ◽  
Nibaldo C. Inestrosa
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitor ◽  
Amyloid Β ◽  
Huperzine A ◽  
Amyloid Β Peptide ◽  
Molecular Signaling ◽  
Neuroprotective Effects ◽  
App Processing

Huperzine A (HupA), an alkaloid found in the club moss Huperzia serrata, has been used for centuries in Chinese folk medicine to treat dementia. The effects of this alkaloid have been attributed to its ability to inhibit the cholinergic enzyme acetylcholinesterase (AChE), acting as an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor (AChEI). The biological functions of HupA have been studied both in vitro and in vivo, and its role in neuroprotection appears to be a good therapeutic candidate for Alzheimer´s disease (AD). Here, we summarize the neuroprotective effects of HupA on AD, with an emphasis on its interactions with different molecular signaling avenues, such as the Wnt signaling, the pre- and post-synaptic region mechanisms (synaptotagmin, neuroligins), the amyloid precursor protein (APP) processing, the amyloid-β peptide (Aβ) accumulation, and mitochondrial protection. Our goal is to provide an integrated overview of the molecular mechanisms through which HupA affects AD.

Insights into amyloid disease from fly models

2014 ◽  
Vol 56 ◽  
pp. 69-83 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ko-Fan Chen ◽  
Damian C. Crowther
Keyword(s):  
Drosophila Melanogaster ◽  
Neurodegenerative Disorders ◽  
Amyloid Β ◽  
Amyloid Β Peptide ◽  
Disease Pathogenesis ◽  
Amyloid Aggregates ◽  
Aβ Amyloid ◽  
Polypeptide Chains ◽  
Amyloid Diseases

The formation of amyloid aggregates is a feature of most, if not all, polypeptide chains. In vivo modelling of this process has been undertaken in the fruitfly Drosophila melanogaster with remarkable success. Models of both neurological and systemic amyloid diseases have been generated and have informed our understanding of disease pathogenesis in two main ways. First, the toxic amyloid species have been at least partially characterized, for example in the case of the Aβ (amyloid β-peptide) associated with Alzheimer's disease. Secondly, the genetic underpinning of model disease-linked phenotypes has been characterized for a number of neurodegenerative disorders. The current challenge is to integrate our understanding of disease-linked processes in the fly with our growing knowledge of human disease, for the benefit of patients.

Astrocytic Expression of the Immunoreceptor CD300f Protects Hippocampal Neurons from Amyloid-β Oligomer Toxicity In Vitro

2017 ◽  
Vol 14 (7) ◽  
Author(s):  
Thiago Zaqueu Lima ◽  
Luis Roberto Sardinha ◽  
Joan Sayos ◽  
Luiz Eugenio Mello ◽  
Hugo Peluffo
Keyword(s):  
Hippocampal Neurons ◽  
Amyloid Β ◽  
Toxicity In Vitro

Phenolic Acids Exert Anticholinesterase and Cognition-Improving Effects

2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (6) ◽  
pp. 531-543 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dominik Szwajgier ◽  
Ewa Baranowska-Wojcik ◽  
Kamila Borowiec
Keyword(s):  
Phenolic Acids ◽  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Amyloid Β ◽  
Inhibitory Effect ◽  
In Vivo Studies ◽  
Amyloid Β Peptide ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Aβ Fibrils

Numerous authors have provided evidence regarding the beneficial effects of phenolic acids and their derivatives against Alzheimer's disease (AD). In this review, the role of phenolic acids as inhibitors of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) is discussed, including the structure-activity relationship. In addition, the inhibitory effect of phenolic acids on the formation of amyloid β-peptide (Aβ) fibrils is presented. We also cover the in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo studies concerning the prevention and treatment of the cognitive enhancement.

Is it All Said for NSAIDs in Alzheimer’s Disease? Role of Mitochondrial Calcium Uptake

2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (6) ◽  
pp. 504-510 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sara Sanz-Blasco ◽  
Maria Calvo-Rodríguez ◽  
Erica Caballero ◽  
Monica Garcia-Durillo ◽  
Lucia Nunez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Cell Death ◽  
Amyloid Β ◽  
Epidemiological Data ◽  
Amyloid Β Peptide ◽  
Aβ Oligomers ◽  
Mitochondrial Potential ◽  
Disease Modifying Drugs ◽  
Definitive Evidence

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.

scholarly journals A Super-Resolved View of the Alzheimer’s Disease-Related Amyloidogenic Pathway in Hippocampal Neurons

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-20
Author(s):  
Yang Yu ◽  
Yang Gao ◽  
Bengt Winblad ◽  
Lars Tjernberg ◽  
Sophia Schedin Weiss
Keyword(s):  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Hippocampal Neurons ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Amyloid Β ◽  
Stimulated Emission ◽  
Amyloid Β Peptide ◽  
Primary Neurons ◽  
Amyloid Β Protein ◽  
Early Endosomes

Background: Processing of the amyloid-β protein precursor (AβPP) is neurophysiologically important due to the resulting fragments that regulate synapse biology, as well as potentially harmful due to generation of the 42 amino acid long amyloid β-peptide (Aβ 42), which is a key player in Alzheimer’s disease. Objective: Our aim was to clarify the subcellular locations of the amyloidogenic AβPP processing in primary neurons, including the intracellular pools of the immediate substrate, AβPP C-terminal fragment (APP-CTF) and the product (Aβ 42). To overcome the difficulties of resolving these compartments due to their small size, we used super-resolution microscopy. Methods: Mouse primary hippocampal neurons were immunolabelled and imaged by stimulated emission depletion (STED) microscopy, including three-dimensional, three-channel imaging and image analyses. Results: The first (β-secretase) and second (γ-secretase) cleavages of AβPP were localized to functionally and distally distinct compartments. The β-secretase cleavage was observed in early endosomes, where we were able to show that the liberated N- and C-terminal fragments were sorted into distinct vesicles budding from the early endosomes in soma. Lack of colocalization of Aβ 42 and APP-CTF in soma suggested that γ-secretase cleavage occurs in neurites. Indeed, APP-CTF was, in line with Aβ 42 in our previous study, enriched in the presynapse but absent from the postsynapse. In contrast, full-length AβPP was not detected in either the pre- or the postsynaptic side of the synapse. Furthermore, we observed that endogenously produced and endocytosed Aβ 42 were localized in different compartments. Conclusion: These findings provide critical super-resolved insight into amyloidogenic AβPP processing in primary neurons.

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