scholarly journals Regulation of amyloid-β dynamics and pathology by the circadian clock

2018 ◽  
Vol 215 (4) ◽  
pp. 1059-1068 ◽  
Author(s):  
Geraldine J. Kress ◽  
Fan Liao ◽  
Julie Dimitry ◽  
Michelle R. Cedeno ◽  
Garret A. FitzGerald ◽  
...  

Nighttime restlessness and daytime drowsiness are common and early symptoms of Alzheimer’s Disease (AD). This symptomology implicates dysfunctional biological timing, yet the role of the circadian system in AD pathogenesis is unknown. To evaluate the role of the circadian clock in amyloid-β (Aβ) dynamics and pathology, we used a mouse model of β-amyloidosis and disrupted circadian clock function either globally or locally in the brain via targeted deletion of the core clock gene Bmal1. Our results demonstrate that loss of central circadian rhythms leads to disruption of daily hippocampal interstitial fluid Aβ oscillations and accelerates amyloid plaque accumulation, whereas loss of peripheral Bmal1 in the brain parenchyma increases expression of Apoe and promotes fibrillar plaque deposition. These results provide evidence that both central circadian rhythms and local clock function influence Aβ dynamics and plaque formation and demonstrate mechanisms by which poor circadian hygiene may directly influence AD pathogenesis.

2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Felsky ◽  
Hans-Ulrich Klein ◽  
Vilas Menon ◽  
Yiyi Ma ◽  
Yanling Wang ◽  
...  

Abstract Despite a growing focus on neuroimmune mechanisms of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), the role of peripheral monocytes remains largely unknown. Circulating monocytes communicate with the brain’s resident myeloid cells, microglia, via chemical signaling and can directly infiltrate the brain parenchyma.1 Thus, molecular signatures of monocytes may serve as indicators of neuropathological events unfolding in the CNS.2–5 However, no studies have yet directly tested the association of monocyte gene expression on longitudinal cognitive decline or postmortem neuropathology and brain gene expression in aging. Here we present a resource of RNA sequencing of purified CD14+ human monocytes - including an eQTL map - from over 200 elderly individuals, most with accompanying bulk brain RNA sequencing profiles, longitudinal cognitive assessments, and detailed postmortem neuropathological examinations. We tested the direct correlation of gene expression between monocytes and bulk brain tissue, finding very few significant signals driven largely by genetic variation. However, we did identify sets of monocyte-expressed genes that were highly predictive of postmortem microglial activation, diffuse amyloid plaque deposition, and cerebrovascular disease. Our findings prioritize potential blood-based molecular biomarkers for AD; they also reveal the previously unknown architecture of shared gene expression between the CNS and peripheral immune system in aging.


2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 90-92 ◽  
Author(s):  
Li Zhang ◽  
Michael Chopp ◽  
Quan Jiang ◽  
Zhenggang Zhang

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a common metabolic disease in the middle-aged and older population, and is associated with cognitive impairment and an increased risk of developing dementia. The glymphatic system is a recently characterised brain-wide cerebrospinal fluid and interstitial fluid drainage pathway that enables the clearance of interstitial metabolic waste from the brain parenchyma. Emerging data suggest that DM and ageing impair the glymphatic system, leading to accumulation of metabolic wastes including amyloid-β within the brain parenchyma, and consequently provoking cognitive dysfunction. In this review, we concisely discuss recent findings regarding the role of the glymphatic system in DM and ageing associated cognitive impairment.


2016 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Soo Min Cho ◽  
Sejin Lee ◽  
Seung-Hoon Yang ◽  
Hye Yun Kim ◽  
Michael Jisoo Lee ◽  
...  

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (16) ◽  
pp. 8876
Author(s):  
Pierre Layrolle ◽  
Pierre Payoux ◽  
Stéphane Chavanas

Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor gamma (PPARγ) is a master regulator of metabolism, adipogenesis, inflammation and cell cycle, and it has been extensively studied in the brain in relation to inflammation or neurodegeneration. Little is known however about its role in viral infections of the brain parenchyma, although they represent the most frequent cause of encephalitis and are a major threat for the developing brain. Specific to viral infections is the ability to subvert signaling pathways of the host cell to ensure virus replication and spreading, as deleterious as the consequences may be for the host. In this respect, the pleiotropic role of PPARγ makes it a critical target of infection. This review aims to provide an update on the role of PPARγ in viral infections of the brain. Recent studies have highlighted the involvement of PPARγ in brain or neural cells infected by immunodeficiency virus 1, Zika virus, or human cytomegalovirus. They have provided a better understanding on PPARγ functions in the infected brain, and revealed that it can be a double-edged sword with respect to inflammation, viral replication, or neuronogenesis. They unraveled new roles of PPARγ in health and disease and could possibly help designing new therapeutic strategies.


2002 ◽  
Vol 227 (8) ◽  
pp. 609-615 ◽  
Author(s):  
Weihong Pan ◽  
Beka Solomon ◽  
Lawrence M. Maness ◽  
Abba J. Kastin

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.


2016 ◽  
Vol 27 (4) ◽  
pp. 449-455 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ghulam Abbas ◽  
Wajahat Mahmood ◽  
Nurul Kabir

AbstractDespite their possible causative role, targeting amyloidosis, tau phosphorylation, acetylcholine esterase, glutamate, oxidative stress and mitochondrial metabolism have not yet led to the development of drugs to cure Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Recent preclinical and clinical reports exhibit a surge in interest in the role of GABAergic neurotransmission in the pathogenesis of AD. The interaction among GABAergic signaling, amyloid-β and acetylcholine is shown to affect the homeostasis between excitation (glutamate) and inhibition (GABA) in the brain. As a consequence, over-excitation leads to neurodegeneration (excitotoxicity) and impairment in the higher level functions. Previously, the glutamate arm of this balance received the most attention. Recent literature suggests that over-excitation is primarily mediated by dysfunctional GABA signaling and can possibly be restored by rectifying anomalous metabolism observed in the GABAergic neurons during AD. Additionally, neurogenesis and synaptogenesis have also been linked with GABAergic signaling. This association may provide a basis for the needed repair mechanism. Furthermore, several preclinical interventional studies revealed that targeting various GABA receptor subtypes holds potential in overcoming the memory deficits associated with AD. In conclusion, the recent scientific literature suggests that GABAergic signaling presents itself as a promising target for anti-AD drug development.


Neurosurgery ◽  
1991 ◽  
Vol 28 (2) ◽  
pp. 231-237 ◽  
Author(s):  
William T. Couldwell ◽  
Chi-Shing Zee ◽  
Michael L. J. Apuzzo

Abstract With increasing immigration from endemic regions, the incidence of neurocysticercosis in North America is rising. This retrospective study was undertaken to examine the role of surgery in those cases presenting with large cystic parenchymal and cisternal lesions in the current era of anthelminthic agents administered orally. A total of 237 patients presented with newly diagnosed neurocysticercosis to our institution over a recent 5-year period (mean age, 31.2 years). Among those who presented with cystic mass lesions predominantly affecting the brain parenchyma and cisternal spaces. 20 (8.4%; mean age, 40.2 years) with large cystic lesions subsequently underwent surgical intervention, either because of an emergent presentation or because they were refractory to medical management. Clinical presentation included increased intracranial pressure, focal neurological deficit, and seizure. Radiographic imaging (computed tomography and/or magnetic resonance imaging) demonstrated 12 cases with cisternal lesions, 7 with parenchymal lesions, and 1 involving both compartments. Based on imaging guidelines, 30 operative procedures (excluding shunt revisions) were performed (14 craniotomies, 8 cerebrospinal fluid diversions, 7 stereotactic procedures, and 1 burr hole drainage). Fifteen (75%) showed neurological or symptomatic improvement over a median follow-up period of 36.4 months. There were three surgery-related complications and no deaths.


2007 ◽  
Vol 293 (3) ◽  
pp. C1181-C1185 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sandra B. Ross ◽  
Catherine M. Fuller ◽  
James K. Bubien ◽  
Dale J. Benos

Despite intensive research, brain tumors remain among the most difficult type of malignancies to treat, due largely to their diffusely invasive nature and the associated difficulty of adequate surgical resection. To migrate through the brain parenchyma and to proliferate, glioma cells must be capable of significant changes in shape and volume. We have previously reported that glioma cells express an amiloride- and psalmotoxin-sensitive cation conductance that is not found in normal human astrocytes. In the present study, we investigated the potential role of this ion channel to mediate regulatory volume increase in glioma cells. We found that the ability of the cells to volume regulate subsequent to cell shrinkage by hyperosmolar solutions was abolished by both amiloride and psalmotoxin 1. This toxin is thought to be a specific peptide inhibitor of acid-sensing ion channel (ASIC1), a member of the Deg/ENaC superfamily of cation channels. We have previously shown this toxin to be an effective blocker of the glioma cation conductance. Our data suggest that one potential role for this conductance may be to restore cell volume during the cell's progression thorough the cell cycle and while the tumor cell migrates within the interstices of the brain.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tasha R. Womack ◽  
Craig Vollert ◽  
Odochi Nwoko ◽  
Monika Schmitt ◽  
Sagi Montazari ◽  
...  

AbstractAlzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that is the most common cause of dementia in aged populations. A substantial amount of data demonstrates that chronic neuroinflammation can accelerate neurodegenerative pathologies, while epidemiological and experimental evidence suggests that the use of anti-inflammatory agents may be neuroprotective. In AD, chronic neuroinflammation results in the upregulation of cyclooxygenase and increased production of prostaglandin H2, a precursor for many vasoactive prostanoids. While it is well-established that many prostaglandins can modulate the progression of neurodegenerative disorders, the role of prostacyclin (PGI2) in the brain is poorly understood. We have conducted studies to assess the effect of elevated prostacyclin biosynthesis in a mouse model of AD. Upregulated prostacyclin expression significantly worsened multiple measures associated with amyloid disease pathologies. Mice overexpressing both amyloid and PGI2 exhibited impaired learning and memory and increased anxiety-like behavior compared with non-transgenic and PGI2 control mice. PGI2 overexpression accelerated the development of amyloid accumulation in the brain and selectively increased the production of soluble amyloid-β 42. PGI2 damaged the microvasculature through alterations in vascular length and branching; amyloid expression exacerbated these effects. Our findings demonstrate that chronic prostacyclin expression plays a novel and unexpected role that hastens the development of the AD phenotype.


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