scholarly journals A genetic link between risk for Alzheimer's disease and severe COVID-19 outcomes via the OAS1 gene

Brain ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Naciye Magusali ◽  
Andrew C Graham ◽  
Thomas M Piers ◽  
Pantila Panichnantakul ◽  
Umran Yaman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Myeloid Cells ◽  
Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell ◽  
Transcriptional Networks ◽  
Nucleotide Polymorphisms ◽  
Sequencing Data ◽  
Oligoadenylate Synthetase ◽  
Risk Alleles ◽  
Increased Risk

Abstract Recently, we reported oligoadenylate synthetase 1 (OAS1) contributed to the risk of Alzheimer’s disease, by its enrichment in transcriptional networks expressed by microglia. However, the function of OAS1 within microglia was not known. Using genotyping from 1313 individuals with sporadic Alzheimer’s disease and 1234 control individuals, we confirm the OAS1 variant, rs1131454, is associated with increased risk for Alzheimer’s disease. The same OAS1 locus has been recently associated with severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outcomes, linking risk for both diseases. The single nucleotide polymorphisms rs1131454(A) and rs4766676(T) are associated with Alzheimer’s disease, and rs10735079(A) and rs6489867(T) are associated with severe COVID-19, where the risk alleles are linked with decreased OAS1 expression. Analysing single-cell RNA-sequencing data of myeloid cells from Alzheimer’s disease and COVID-19 patients, we identify co-expression networks containing interferon (IFN)-responsive genes, including OAS1, which are significantly upregulated with age and both diseases. In human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived microglia with lowered OAS1 expression, we show exaggerated production of TNF-α with IFN-γ stimulation, indicating OAS1 is required to limit the pro-inflammatory response of myeloid cells. Collectively, our data support a link between genetic risk for Alzheimer’s disease and susceptibility to critical illness with COVID-19 centred on OAS1, a finding with potential implications for future treatments of Alzheimer’s disease and COVID-19, and development of biomarkers to track disease progression.

scholarly journals Polymorphisms inHSD17B1: Early Onset and Increased Risk of Alzheimer’s Disease in Women with Down Syndrome

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joseph H. Lee ◽  
Susan Gurney ◽  
Deborah Pang ◽  
Alexis Temkin ◽  
Naeun Park ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Down Syndrome ◽  
Age At Onset ◽  
Nucleotide Polymorphisms ◽  
Risk Alleles ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Estrogen Activity ◽  
Intron 4

Background/Aims. Genetic variants that affect estrogen activity may influence the risk of Alzheimer's disease (AD). In women with Down syndrome, we examined the relation of polymorphisms in hydroxysteroid-17beta-dehydrogenase (HSD17B1) to age at onset and risk of AD.HSD17B1encodes the enzyme 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (HSD1), which catalyzes the conversion of estrone to estradiol.Methods. Two hundred and thirty-eight women with DS, nondemented at baseline, 31–78 years of age, were followed at 14–18-month intervals for 4.5 years. Women were genotyped for 5 haplotype-tagging single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in theHSD17B1gene region, and their association with incident AD was examined.Results. Age at onset was earlier, and risk of AD was elevated from two- to threefold among women homozygous for the minor allele at 3 SNPs in intron 4 (rs676387), exon 6 (rs605059), and exon 4 inCOASY(rs598126). Carriers of the haplotype TCC, based on the risk alleles for these three SNPs, had an almost twofold increased risk of developing AD (hazard ratio = 1.8, 95% CI, 1.1–3.1).Conclusion. These findings support experimental and clinical studies of the neuroprotective role of estrogen.

scholarly journals The Effect of Alzheimer’s Disease-Associated Genetic Variants on Longevity

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Niccolò Tesi ◽  
Marc Hulsman ◽  
Sven J. van der Lee ◽  
Iris E. Jansen ◽  
Najada Stringa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Human Longevity ◽  
Longevity Risk ◽  
Nucleotide Polymorphisms ◽  
Immune Signaling ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Parental Longevity

Human longevity is influenced by the genetic risk of age-related diseases. As Alzheimer’s disease (AD) represents a common condition at old age, an interplay between genetic factors affecting AD and longevity is expected. We explored this interplay by studying the prevalence of AD-associated single-nucleotide-polymorphisms (SNPs) in cognitively healthy centenarians, and replicated findings in a parental-longevity GWAS. We found that 28/38 SNPs that increased AD-risk also associated with lower odds of longevity. For each SNP, we express the imbalance between AD- and longevity-risk as an effect-size distribution. Based on these distributions, we grouped the SNPs in three groups: 17 SNPs increased AD-risk more than they decreased longevity-risk, and were enriched for β-amyloid metabolism and immune signaling; 11 variants reported a larger longevity-effect compared to their AD-effect, were enriched for endocytosis/immune-signaling, and were previously associated with other age-related diseases. Unexpectedly, 10 variants associated with an increased risk of AD and higher odds of longevity. Altogether, we show that different AD-associated SNPs have different effects on longevity, including SNPs that may confer general neuro-protective functions against AD and other age-related diseases.

scholarly journals The effect of Alzheimer’s disease-associated genetic variants on longevity

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Niccolò Tesi ◽  
Marc Hulsman ◽  
Sven J. van der Lee ◽  
Iris E. Jansen ◽  
Najada Stringa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Human Longevity ◽  
Nucleotide Polymorphisms ◽  
Single Nucleotide ◽  
Immune Signaling ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Parental Longevity ◽  
Effect Size Distribution

AbstractThe genetics underlying human longevity is influenced by the genetic risk to develop -or escape- age-related diseases. As Alzheimer’s disease (AD) represents one of the most common conditions at old age, an interplay between genetic factors for AD and longevity is expected.We explored this interplay by studying the prevalence of 38 AD-associated single-nucleotide-polymorphisms (SNPs) identified in AD-GWAS, in self-reported cognitively healthy centenarians, and we replicated findings in the largest GWAS on parental-longevity.We found that 28/38 SNPs identified to associate with increased AD-risk also associated with decreased odds of longevity. For each SNP, we express the imbalance between AD- and longevity-risk as an effect-size distribution. When grouping the SNPs based on these distributions, we found three groups: 17 variants increased AD-risk more than they decreased the risk of longevity (AD-group): these variants were functionally enriched for β-amyloid metabolism and immune signaling, and they were enriched in microglia. 11 variants reported a larger effect on longevity as compared to their AD-effect (Longevity-group): these variants were enriched for endocytosis/immune signaling, and at the cell-type level were enriched in microglia and endothelial cells. Next to AD, these variants were previously associated with other aging-related diseases, including cardiovascular and autoimmune diseases, and cancer. Unexpectedly, 10 variants associated with an increased risk of both AD and longevity (Unexpected-group). The effect of the SNPs in AD- and Longevity-groups replicated in the largest GWAS on parental-longevity, while the effects on longevity of the SNPs in the Unexpected-group could not be replicated, suggesting that these effects may not be robust across different studies.Our study shows that some AD-associated variants negatively affect longevity primarily by their increased risk of AD, while other variants negatively affect longevity through an increased risk of multiple age-related diseases, including AD.

scholarly journals A functional variant of SHARPIN confers increased risk of late-onset Alzheimer’s disease

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuya Asanomi ◽  
Daichi Shigemizu ◽  
Shintaro Akiyama ◽  
Akinori Miyashita ◽  
Risa Mitsumori ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Cellular Localization ◽  
Late Onset ◽  
Whole Genome Sequencing Data ◽  
Sequencing Data ◽  
Functional Variants ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Functional Variant

AbstractLate-onset Alzheimer’s disease (LOAD) is the most common form of dementia, and its pathogenesis is multifactorial. We previously reported a rare functional variant of SHARPIN (rs572750141, NP_112236.3:p.Gly186Arg) that was significantly associated with LOAD. In addition, several recent studies have suggested the potential role of SHARPIN in AD pathogenesis. In this study, we sought to identify additional functional variants of SHARPIN in Japanese population. Six highly deleterious variants of SHARPIN, comprising four missense variants, one frameshift variant, and one stop-gain variant were detected from whole-genome sequencing data for 180 patients with LOAD and 184 with mild cognitive impairment. One of these candidate variants (rs77359862, NP_112236.3:p.Arg274Trp) was significantly associated with an increased risk of LOAD in 5043 LOAD cases and 11984 controls (P = 0.0016, odds ratio = 1.43). Furthermore, this variant SHARPIN showed aberrant cellular localization and reduced the activation of NF-κB, a central mediator of inflammatory and immune responses. Further investigation of the physiologic role of SHARPIN may reveal the mechanism of onset of LOAD.

scholarly journals Galectin-3, A Novel Endogenous Trem2 Ligand, Regulates Inflammatory Response and Aβ Fibrilation in Alzheimer’s Disease

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Antonio Boza-Serrano ◽  
Rocío Ruiz ◽  
Raquel Sanchez-Varo ◽  
Yiyi Yang ◽  
Juan García-Revilla ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Microglial Activation ◽  
Direct Interaction ◽  
Nucleotide Polymorphisms ◽  
Preferential Expression ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Galectin 3 ◽  
5Xfad Mice

ABSTRACTAlzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease in which the formation of extracellular aggregates of amyloid beta (Aβ) peptide, intraneuronal tau neurofibrillary tangles and microglial activation are major pathological hallmarks. One of the key molecules involved in microglial activation is galectin-3 (gal3), and we demonstrate here for the first time a key role of gal3 in AD pathology. Gal3 was highly upregulated in the brains of AD patients and 5xFAD (familial Alzheimer’s disease) mice, and found specifically expressed in microglia associated with Aβ plaques. Single nucleotide polymorphisms in the LGALS3 gene, which encodes gal3, were associated to an increased risk of AD. Gal3 deletion in 5xFAD mice attenuated microglia-associated immune responses, particularly those associated with TLR and TREM2/DAP12 signaling. In vitro data demonstrated the requirement of gal3 to fully activate microglia in response to fibrillar Aβ. Gal3 deletion decreased the Aβ burden in 5xFAD mice and improved cognitive behavior. Electron microscopy of gal3 in AD mice demonstrated i) a preferential expression of gal3 by plaque-associated microglia, ii) its presence in the extracellular space and iii) its association to Aβ plaques. Low concentrations (1 nM) of pure gal3 promoted cross-seeding fibrilization of pure Aβ. Importantly, a single intrahippocampal injection of gal3 along with Aβ monomers in WT mice was sufficient to induce the formation of insoluble Aβ aggregates that were absent when gal3 was lacking. High-resolution microscopy (STORM) demonstrated close co-localization of gal3 and TREM2 in microglial processes, and a direct interaction was shown by a fluorescence anisotropy assay involving the gal3 CRD domain. Furthermore, gal3 stimulated the TREM2-DAP12 signaling pathway. In conclusion, we provide evidence that gal3 is a central regulator of microglial immune response in AD. It drives proinflammatory activation and Aβ aggregation, as well as acting as an endogenous ligand to TREM2, a key receptor driving microglial response under disease conditions. Gal3 inhibition may, hence, be a potential pharmacological approach to counteract AD.

scholarly journals Death Rate Due to COVID-19 in Alzheimer’s Disease and Frontotemporal Dementia

2020 ◽  
Vol 78 (2) ◽  
pp. 537-541
Author(s):  
Jordi A. Matias-Guiu ◽  
Vanesa Pytel ◽  
Jorge Matías-Guiu
Keyword(s):  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Frontotemporal Dementia ◽  
Death Rate ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Care Homes ◽  
Relevant Factor ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Care Facilities ◽  
Probability Of Death

We aimed to evaluate the frequency and mortality of COVID-19 in patients with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). We conducted an observational case series. We enrolled 204 patients, 15.2% of whom were diagnosed with COVID-19, and 41.9% of patients with the infection died. Patients with AD were older than patients with FTD (80.36±8.77 versus 72.00±8.35 years old) and had a higher prevalence of arterial hypertension (55.8% versus 26.3%). COVID-19 occurred in 7.3% of patients living at home, but 72.0% of those living at care homes. Living in care facilities and diagnosis of AD were independently associated with a higher probability of death. We found that living in care homes is the most relevant factor for an increased risk of COVID-19 infection and death, with AD patients exhibiting a higher risk than those with FTD.

scholarly journals Continuous and Cyclic Progesterone Differentially Interact with Estradiol in the Regulation of Alzheimer-Like Pathology in Female 3×Transgenic-Alzheimer’s Disease Mice

Endocrinology ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 151 (6) ◽  
pp. 2713-2722 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jenna C. Carroll ◽  
Emily R. Rosario ◽  
Angela Villamagna ◽  
Christian J. Pike
Keyword(s):  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Postmenopausal Women ◽  
Transgenic Mouse Model ◽  
Dependent Behavior ◽  
Potential Efficacy ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Neural Interactions ◽  
Β Amyloid ◽  
Insight Into

Depletion of estrogens and progesterone at menopause has been linked to an increased risk for the development of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) in women. A currently controversial literature indicates that although treatment of postmenopausal women with hormone therapy (HT) may reduce the risk of AD, several parameters of HT may limit its potential efficacy and perhaps, even exacerbate AD risk. One such parameter is continuous vs. cyclic delivery of the progestogen component of HT. Recent experimental evidence suggests that continuous progesterone can attenuate neural actions of estradiol (E2). In the present study, we compared the effects of continuous and cyclic progesterone treatment in the presence and absence of E2 in ovariectomized 3×Tg-AD mice, a transgenic mouse model of AD. We found that ovariectomy-induced hormone depletion increases AD-like pathology in female 3×Tg-AD mice, including accumulation of β-amyloid, tau hyperphosphorylation, and impaired hippocampal-dependent behavior. E2 treatment alone prevents the increases in pathology. Continuous progesterone did not affect β-amyloid levels when delivered alone but blocked the Aβ-lowering action of E2. In contrast, cyclic progesterone significantly reduced β-amyloid levels by itself and enhanced rather than inhibited the E2 effects. These results provide new insight into the neural interactions between E2 and progesterone that may prove valuable in optimizing HT regimens in postmenopausal women.

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