| 1. |
- Björk, Linnea, et al.
(författare)
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Distinct Heterocyclic Moieties Govern the Selectivity of Thiophene‐Vinylene‐Based Ligands towards Aβ or Tau Pathology in Alzheimer's Disease
- 2023
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Ingår i: European Journal of Organic Chemistry. - : Wiley. - 1434-193X .- 1099-0690. ; 26:41, s. e202300583-
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Distinct aggregated proteins are correlated with numerous neurodegenerative diseases and the development of ligands that selectively detect these pathological hallmarks is vital. Recently, the synthesis of thiophene-based optical ligands, denoted bi-thiophene-vinyl-benzothiazoles (bTVBTs), that could be utilized for selective assignment of tau pathology in brain tissue with Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathology, was reported. Herein, we investigate the ability of these ligands to selectively distinguish tau deposits from aggregated amyloid-β (Aβ), the second AD associated pathological hallmark, when replacing the terminal thiophene moiety with other heterocyclic motifs. The selectivity for tau pathology was reduced when introducing specific heterocyclic motifs, verifying that specific molecular interactions between the ligands and the aggregates are necessary for selective detection of tau deposits. In addition, ligands having certain heterocyclic moieties attached to the central thiophene-vinylene building block displayed selectivity to aggregated Aβ pathology. Our findings provide chemical insights for the development of ligands that can distinguish between aggregated proteinaceous species consisting of different proteins and might also aid in creating novel agents for clinical imaging of tau pathology in AD.
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| 2. |
- Björk, Linnea, et al.
(författare)
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Proteophenes - Amino Acid Functionalized Thiophene-based Fluorescent Ligands for Visualization of Protein Deposits in Tissue Sections with Alzheimers Disease Pathology
- 2022
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Ingår i: Chemistry - A European Journal. - : Wiley-V C H Verlag GMBH. - 0947-6539 .- 1521-3765. ; 28:62
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Protein deposits composed of specific proteins or peptides are associated with several neurodegenerative diseases and fluorescent ligands able to detect these pathological hallmarks are vital. Here, we report the synthesis of a class of thiophene-based ligands, denoted proteophenes, with different amino acid side-chain functionalities along the conjugated backbone, which display selectivity towards specific disease-associated protein aggregates in tissue sections with Alzheimers disease (AD) pathology. The selectivity of the ligands towards AD associated pathological hallmarks, such as aggregates of the amyloid-beta (A beta) peptide or tau filamentous inclusions, was highly dependent on the chemical nature of the amino acid functionality, as well as on the location of the functionality along the pentameric thiophene backbone. Finally, the concept of synthesizing donor-acceptor-donor proteophenes with distinct photophysical properties was shown. Our findings provide the structural and functional basis for the development of new thiophene-based ligands that can be utilized for optical assignment of different aggregated proteinaceous species in tissue sections.
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| 3. |
- Björk, Linnea, et al.
(författare)
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Thiophene-Based Ligands: Design, Synthesis and Their Utilization for Optical Assignment of Polymorphic-Disease-Associated Protein Aggregates
- 2023
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Ingår i: ChemBioChem. - : WILEY-V C H VERLAG GMBH. - 1439-4227 .- 1439-7633. ; 24
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Forskningsöversikt (refereegranskat)abstract
- The development of ligands for detecting protein aggregates is of great interest, as these aggregated proteinaceous species are the pathological hallmarks of several devastating diseases, including Alzheimers disease. In this regard, thiophene-based ligands have emerged as powerful tools for fluorescent assessment of these pathological entities. The intrinsic conformationally sensitive photophysical properties of poly- and oligothiophenes have allowed optical assignment of disease-associated protein aggregates in tissue sections, as well as real-time in vivo imaging of protein deposits. Herein, we recount the chemical evolution of different generations of thiophene-based ligands, and exemplify their use for the optical distinction of polymorphic protein aggregates. Furthermore, the chemical determinants for achieving a superior fluorescent thiophene-based ligand, as well as the next generation of thiophene-based ligands targeting distinct aggregated species are described. Finally, the directions for future research into the chemical design of thiophene-based ligands that can aid in resolving the scientific challenges around protein aggregation diseases are discussed.
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| 4. |
- Brelstaff, Jack, et al.
(författare)
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The fluorescent pentameric oligothiophene pFTAA identifies filamentous tau in live neurons cultured from adult P301S tau mice
- 2015
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Ingår i: Frontiers in Neuroscience. - : FRONTIERS MEDIA SA. - 1662-4548 .- 1662-453X. ; 9:184
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Identification of fluorescent dyes that label the filamentous protein aggregates characteristic of neurodegenerative disease, such as beta-amyloid and tau in Alzheimers disease, in a live cell culture system has previously been a major hurdle. Here we show that pentameric formyl thiophene acetic acid (pFTAA) fulfills this function in living neurons cultured from adult P301S tau transgenic mice. Injection of pFTAA into 5-month-old P301S tau mice detected cortical and DRG neurons immunoreactive for AT100, an antibody that identifies solely filamentous tau, or MC1, an antibody that identifies a conformational change in tau that is commensurate with neurofibrillary tangle formation in Alzheimers disease brains. In fixed cultures of dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons, pFTAA binding, which also identified AT100 or MC1+ve neurons, followed a single, saturable binding curve with a half saturation constant of 0.14 mu M, the first reported measurement of a binding affinity of a beta-sheet reactive dye to primary neurons harboring filamentous tau. Treatment with formic acid, which solubilizes filamentous tau, extracted pFTAA, and prevented the re-binding of pFTAA and MC1 without perturbing expression of soluble tau, detected using an anti-human tau (HT7) antibody. In live cultures, pFTAA only identified DRG neurons that, after fixation, were AT100/MC1+ve, confirming that these forms of tau pre-exist in live neurons. The utility of pFTAA to discriminate between living neurons containing filamentous tau from other neurons is demonstrated by showing that more pFTAA+ve neurons die than pFTAA-ve neurons over 25 days. Since pFTAA identifies fibrillar tau and other misfolded proteins in living neurons in culture and in animal models of several neurodegenerative diseases, as well as in human brains, it will have considerable application in sorting out disease mechanisms and in identifying diseasemodifying drugs that will ultimately help establish the mechanisms of neurodegeneration in human neurodegenerative diseases.
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| 5. |
- Elovsson, Greta, et al.
(författare)
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A Novel Drosophila Model of Alzheimer's Disease to Study Aß Proteotoxicity in the Digestive Tract
- 2024
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Ingår i: International Journal of Molecular Sciences. - : MDPI. - 1661-6596 .- 1422-0067. ; 25:4
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Amyloid-beta (A beta) proteotoxicity is associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and is caused by protein aggregation, resulting in neuronal damage in the brain. In the search for novel treatments, Drosophila melanogaster has been extensively used to screen for anti-A beta proteotoxic agents in studies where toxic A beta peptides are expressed in the fly brain. Since drug molecules often are administered orally there is a risk that they fail to reach the brain, due to their inability to cross the brain barrier. To circumvent this problem, we have designed a novel Drosophila model that expresses the A beta peptides in the digestive tract. In addition, a built-in apoptotic sensor provides a fluorescent signal from the green fluorescent protein as a response to caspase activity. We found that expressing different variants of A beta 1-42 resulted in proteotoxic phenotypes such as reduced longevity, aggregate deposition, and the presence of apoptotic cells. Taken together, this gut-based A beta-expressing fly model can be used to study the mechanisms behind A beta proteotoxicity and to identify different substances that can modify A beta proteotoxicity.
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| 6. |
- Faustini, Gaia, et al.
(författare)
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Synapsin III gene silencing redeems alpha-synuclein transgenic mice from Parkinsons disease-like phenotype
- 2022
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Ingår i: Molecular Therapy. - : Cell Press. - 1525-0016 .- 1525-0024. ; 30:4, s. 1465-1483
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Fibrillary aggregated alpha-synuclein (alpha-syn) deposition in Lewy bodies (LB) characterizes Parkinsons disease (PD) and is believed to trigger dopaminergic synaptic failure and a retrograde terminal-to-cell body neuronal degeneration. We described that the neuronal phosphoprotein synapsin III (Syn III) cooperates with alpha-syn to regulate dopamine (DA) release and can be found in the insoluble alpha-syn fibrils composing LB. Moreover, we showed that a-syn aggregates deposition, and the associated onset of synaptic deficits and neuronal degeneration occurring following adeno-associated viral vectors-mediated overexpression of human alpha-syn in the nigrostriatal system are hindered in Syn III knock out mice. This supports that Syn III facilitates alpha-syn aggregation. Here, in an interventional experimental design, we found that by inducing the gene silencing of Syn III in human alpha-syn transgenic mice at PD-like stage with advanced alpha-syn aggregation and overt striatal synaptic failure, we could lower alpha-syn aggregates and striatal fibers loss. In parallel, we observed recovery from synaptic vesicles clumping, DA release failure, and motor functions impairment. This supports that Syn III consolidates alpha-syn aggregates, while its downregulation enables their reduction and redeems the PD-like phenotype. Strategies targeting Syn III could thus constitute a therapeutic option for PD.
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| 7. |
- Klingstedt, Therése, et al.
(författare)
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Conjugated polymers for enhanced bioimaging
- 2011
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Ingår i: BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-GENERAL SUBJECTS. - : ELSEVIER SCIENCE BV, PO BOX 211, 1000 AE AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS. - 0304-4165. ; 1810:3, s. 286-296
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Forskningsöversikt (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Conjugated polymers (CPs) have been used for creating bioimaging tools or biosensors that provide a direct link between spectral signal and different biological processes. The detection schemes of these sensors are mainly employing the efficient light harvesting properties or the conformation sensitive optical properties of the CPs. Hence, the presence of biomolecules or biological events can be detected through fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) between the CP and an acceptor molecule, or through their impact on the conformation of the conjugated backbone, which is seen as an alteration of the optical properties of the CP. Scope of the review: In this review, the utilization of CPs for sensitive detection of DNA and protein conformational changes will be presented. The main part will be focused on the specific binding of CPs to protein deposits associated with protein misfolding diseases, such as Alzheimers disease (AD), and the discovery that tailor-made CPs can be used for in vivo optical imaging of protein aggregates will be discussed. Major conclusions: The unique optical properties of CPs can be used as molecular tools for sensitive detection of genetic material and for characterization of the pathological hallmarks associated with protein misfolding disorders, such as AD. General significance: CPs are novel molecular tools that can be used for sensitive bioimaging of biological processes and these tools offer the possibility to study biological events in a complementary fashion to conventional techniques. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled Nanotechnologies - Emerging Applications in Biomedicine.
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| 8. |
- Klingstedt, Therése, et al.
(författare)
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Desmin L345P transgenic mice exhibit morphological and biochemical features of amyloidosis of two distinct types
- 2010
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Ingår i: European Heart Journal. - Oxford, UK : Oxford University Press. - 0195-668X .- 1522-9645. ; 31:Suppl. 1, s. 924-925
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Tidskriftsartikel (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Background: Being a chief intermediate filament of the muscle tissue, desmin isimplicated in the sarcomeric organization, organelle positioning and mitochondrialfunction. Various desmin mutations have been reported as a possible cause forcardiomyopathies. Several reports on transgenic mice expressing mutant desminshowed deleterious effects of mutant desmin incorporated into filaments on cardiomyocyte function, but most importantly that accumulation of unfolded proteinaggregates plays an important pathogenic role in development of desminassociatedcardiomyopathies. Thus, in desmin transgenic mice with the L345Pmutation, which interferes in a dominant-negative manner with desmin polymerization,the accumulation of intracellular and extracellular amyloidogenic proteinaggregates was shown to be the key feature along with alteration of mitochondrialstructure and function. Therefore, the aim of this study was to characterizethe nature of amyloidogenic protein aggregates in L345P desmin transgenic miceon molecular and protein level.Material and methods: L345P desmin transgenic mice (DM) and WT mice 40weeks old were analyzed. Myocardial cryostat 10 micron sections were stainedwith conventional techniques (hematoxilin-eosin, Congo Red). A detailed amyloidcharacterization was carried out using novel optical probes called luminescentconjugated oligothiophenes and polythiophenes (LCOs and LCPs) that specificallystain various protein aggregates and give rise to conformation dependentemission spectra.Results: The most prominent feature of DM mice myocardium was misfoldedprotein depositions in perivascular space and between muscle fibers. Analysisof samples from DM mouse stained with LCO or LCP revealed the presence ofaggregates emitting light with two different emission spectra. Since the spectralproperties of the LCOs or LCPs are dependent on their conformation, the appearanceof two dissimilar emission spectra indicates that the probes might bindto two different types of amyloid aggregates within the tissue. Interestingly, aggregateswith emission spectra similar to one of the two types found in the DMmouse could also be found in WT mice, but in a much lower extent, suggesting asporadic cardiac amyloid pathology in C57 Bl/6 mice at 40 weeks, probably, as anative aging attribute.Conclusions: The L345P desmin mutation causes focal amyloid protein depositionin heart muscle of two distinct types. White first one can be a natural attributeof C57 Bl/6 mice detected with age, another one can be specifically responsiblefor the development of desmin-related cardiomyopathy.
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| 9. |
- Klingstedt, Therése, et al.
(författare)
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Distinct Spacing Between Anionic Groups: An Essential Chemical Determinant for Achieving Thiophene-Based Ligands to Distinguish Beta-Amyloid or Tau Polymorphic Aggregates
- 2015
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Ingår i: Chemistry - A European Journal. - : Wiley-VCH Verlag. - 0947-6539 .- 1521-3765. ; 21:25, s. 9072-9082
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The accumulation of protein aggregates is associated with many devastating neurodegenerative diseases and the existence of distinct aggregated morphotypes has been suggested to explain the heterogeneous phenotype reported for these diseases. Thus, the development of molecular probes able to distinguish such morphotypes is essential. We report an anionic tetrameric oligothiophene compound that can be utilized for spectral assignment of different morphotypes of -amyloid or tau aggregates present in transgenic mice at distinct ages. The ability of the ligand to spectrally distinguish between the aggregated morphotypes was reduced when the spacing between the anionic substituents along the conjugated thiophene backbone was altered, which verified that specific molecular interactions between the ligand and the protein aggregate are necessary to detect aggregate polymorphism. Our findings provide the structural and functional basis for the development of new fluorescent ligands that can distinguish between different morphotypes of protein aggregates.
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| 10. |
- Klingstedt, Therése, 1978-
(författare)
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Fluorescent thiophene-based ligands for detection and characterization of disease-associated protein aggregates
- 2013
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- In this thesis the unique optical properties of fluorescent ligands termed luminescent conjugated oligothiophenes (LCOs) have been used to study a variety of protein aggregates associated with human protein misfolding disease. This heterogeneous group of diseases contains well known and fatal members such as Alzheimer´s and Huntington´s disease and the development of sensitive tools for the detection and characterization of protein aggregates is crucial for unravelling the complexity of these pathologies. Conventionally, the molecular dyes Congo red and thioflavin T (ThT) have been the primary choices for detecting and monitoring protein misfolding events. However, the rigid scaffold of both Congo red and ThT only offers an on or off mode and limits their ability to make fine distinctions at the molecular level. In contrast, LCOs have a flexible conjugated backbone and in addition to detect a broader subset of misfolded proteins, LCO can be used to visualize the heterogeneity of protein aggregates.The work presented in this thesis has given novel insights regarding the close connection between LCO design and optical performance. By altering the backbone length and the arrangement of substituents as well as replacing thiophene units with moieties affecting conjugation length and conformational freedom, the structural requirements of an optimal LCO for a certain application have been revealed. LCOs having a pentameric thiophene backbone with carboxyl end-groups were able to i) cross the blood-brain barrier and selectively stain cerebral amyloid β (Aβ) plaques, ii) detect non-thioflavinophilic Aβ aggregates and non-congophilic prion aggregates, iii) spectrally discriminate Aβ from tau aggregates and iiii) strongly label protein inclusion bodies. However, in some applications this design was outdone by others and in general, the conjugation length and the level of conformational freedom of the backbone were important determinants of the performance of the LCO.Overall, the findings in this thesis illustrate how small alterations in the LCO molecular scaffold may have large impact on the ligand properties. The results highlight the importance of having a toolbox of diverse ligands in order to increase our knowledge regarding the complex nature of protein aggregates.
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