| 1. |
- Beecham, Ashley H, et al.
(author)
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Analysis of immune-related loci identifies 48 new susceptibility variants for multiple sclerosis.
- 2013
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In: Nature genetics. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1546-1718 .- 1061-4036. ; 45:11, s. 1353-60
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Using the ImmunoChip custom genotyping array, we analyzed 14,498 subjects with multiple sclerosis and 24,091 healthy controls for 161,311 autosomal variants and identified 135 potentially associated regions (P < 1.0 × 10(-4)). In a replication phase, we combined these data with previous genome-wide association study (GWAS) data from an independent 14,802 subjects with multiple sclerosis and 26,703 healthy controls. In these 80,094 individuals of European ancestry, we identified 48 new susceptibility variants (P < 5.0 × 10(-8)), 3 of which we found after conditioning on previously identified variants. Thus, there are now 110 established multiple sclerosis risk variants at 103 discrete loci outside of the major histocompatibility complex. With high-resolution Bayesian fine mapping, we identified five regions where one variant accounted for more than 50% of the posterior probability of association. This study enhances the catalog of multiple sclerosis risk variants and illustrates the value of fine mapping in the resolution of GWAS signals.
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| 2. |
- Erhardt, Sophie, et al.
(author)
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Connecting Inflammation with Glutamate Agonism in Suicidality
- 2013
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In: Neuropsychopharmacology. - : Nature Publishing Group: Open Access Hybrid Model Option A. - 0893-133X .- 1740-634X. ; 38:5, s. 743-752
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The NMDA-receptor antagonist ketamine has proven efficient in reducing symptoms of suicidality, although the mechanisms explaining this effect have not been detailed in psychiatric patients. Recent evidence points towards a low-grade inflammation in brains of suicide victims. Inflammation leads to production of quinolinic acid (QUIN) and kynurenic acid (KYNA), an agonist and antagonist of the glutamatergic N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor, respectively. We here measured QUIN and KYNA in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of 64 medication-free suicide attempters and 36 controls, using gas chromatography mass spectrometry and high-performance liquid chromatography. We assessed the patients clinically using the Suicide Intent Scale and the Montgomery Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS). We found that QUIN, but not KYNA, was significantly elevated in the CSF of suicide attempters (Pandlt;0.001). As predicted, the increase in QUIN was associated with higher levels of CSF interleukin-6. Moreover, QUIN levels correlated with the total scores on Suicide Intent Scale. There was a significant decrease of QUIN in patients who came for follow-up lumbar punctures within 6 months after the suicide attempt. In summary, we here present clinical evidence of increased QUIN in the CSF of suicide attempters. An increased QUIN/KYNA quotient speaks in favor of an overall NMDA-receptor stimulation. The correlation between QUIN and the Suicide Intent Scale indicates that changes in glutamatergic neurotransmission could be specifically linked to suicidality. Our findings have important implications for the detection and specific treatment of suicidal patients, and might explain the observed remedial effects of ketamine. Neuropsychopharmacology (2013) 38, 743-752; doi:10.1038/npp.2012.248; published online 9 January 2013
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| 3. |
- Giedraitis, Vilmantas, et al.
(author)
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CALHM1 P86L polymorphism does not alter amyloid-beta or tau in cerebrospinal fluid
- 2010
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In: Neuroscience Letters. - : Elsevier BV. - 0304-3940 .- 1872-7972. ; 469:2, s. 265-267
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Recently, the P86L alteration in CALHM1 (calcium homeostasis modulator-1) was reported to be associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD). Moreover, the risk allele increased amyloid-beta (A beta) levels in conditioned media from cultured cells. Therefore, we hypothesized that CALHM1 P86L may modulate A beta or tau levels in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Nearly 200 individuals with AD or other cognitive disorders were included for CSF analysis and CALHM1 genotyping. No significant differences in CSF levels of A beta 42, tau or phospho-tau were found across the various CALHM1 genotypes. In conclusion, we found no evidence that CALHM1 P86L is associated with altered CSF levels of the investigated AD biomarkers.
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| 4. |
- Hansen, Christian, et al.
(author)
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A novel α-synuclein-GFP mouse model displays progressive motor impairment, olfactory dysfunction and accumulation of α-synuclein-GFP.
- 2013
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In: Neurobiology of Disease. - : Elsevier BV. - 0969-9961. ; 56C:April,30, s. 145-155
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Compelling evidence suggests that accumulation and aggregation of alpha-synuclein (α-syn) contribute to the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease (PD). Here, we describe a novel Bacterial Artificial Chromosome (BAC) transgenic model, in which we have expressed wild-type human α-syn fused to green fluorescent protein (GFP), under control of the mouse α-syn promoter. We observed a widespread and high expression of α-syn-GFP in multiple brain regions, including the dopaminergic neurons of the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc) and the ventral tegmental area, the olfactory bulb as well as in neocortical neurons. With increasing age, transgenic mice exhibited reductions in amphetamine-induced locomotor activity in the open field, impaired rotarod performance and a reduced striatal dopamine release, as measured by amperometry. In addition, they progressively developed deficits in an odor discrimination test. Western blot analysis revealed that α-syn-GFP and phospho-α-syn levels increased in multiple brain regions, as the mice grew older. Further, we observed, by immunohistochemical staining for phospho-α-syn and in vivo by two-photon microscopy, the formation of α-syn aggregates as the mice aged. The latter illustrates that the model can be used to track α-syn aggregation in vivo. In summary, this novel BAC α-syn-GFP model mimics a unique set of aspects of PD progression combined with the possibility of tracking α-syn aggregation in neocortex of living mice. Therefore, this α-syn-GFP-mouse model can provide a powerful tool that will facilitate the study of α-syn biology and its involvement in PD pathogenesis.
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| 5. |
- Janelidze, Shorena, et al.
(author)
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Altered chemokine levels in the cerebrospinal fluid and plasma of suicide attempters
- 2013
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In: Psychoneuroendocrinology. - : Elsevier. - 0306-4530 .- 1873-3360. ; 38:6, s. 853-862
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Chemokines constitute a class of small inflammatory proteins that control the chemotaxis of leukocytes. They are also present in the central nervous system (CNS) and contribute to diverse physiological functions, such as the regulation of cell migration, axonal growth and neuronal survival. It is to date not known whether chemokines in the CNS are affected in psychiatric disorders. In this study, chemokine levels were measured in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of 137 psychiatric patients in conjunction to a suicide attempt, and 43 healthy controls. A subgroup of patients (n = 42) was followed up with blood samples 12 years after the initial CSF collection, when they did not show suicidal behavior. The follow-up chemokine levels were compared to those of psychiatric patients (n = 17) who had never attempted suicide. Ultrasensitive chemokine multiplex immunoassay was used to quantify eotaxin-1 (CCL11), interferon gamma-induced protein-10 (IP-10, CXCL10), macrophage inflammatory protein-1 beta (MIP-1 beta, CCL4), monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1, CCL2), MCP-4 (CCL13) and thymus and activation regulated chemokine (TARC, CCL17). Patients were diagnosed using DSM-III-R/DSM-IV, and assessed using the Comprehensive Psychopathological Rating Scale (CPRS), including subscales, and the Suicidal Intent Scale (SIS). CSF eotaxin-1, MIP-1 beta, MCP-1, MCP-4 and TARC were significantly lower in suicide attempters than in healthy controls. Low chemokine levels were specifically associated with psychotic symptoms and pain. In the samples collected at follow-up, TARC was significantly lower in suicide attempters compared to psychiatric patients who had never attempted suicide. We also found a positive correlation between blood TARC and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels. Our study thus provides evidence of reduced chemokine levels in suicide attempters, both in the acute suicidal setting, and at long-term, compared to non-attempters. These results warrant future studies on the detailed neurobiological functions of chemokines in psychiatric patients. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
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| 6. |
- Kalimo, H., et al.
(author)
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Details of neuropathology in Arctic Alzheimer's disease
- 2010
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In: Abstracts of the XVIIth International Congress of Neuropathology (ICN 2010), Salzburg, Austria, 11-15 September 2010. - : Wiley. ; , s. 22-23
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Conference paper (other academic/artistic)
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| 7. |
- Kalimo, Hannu, et al.
(author)
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The Arctic AβPP mutation leads to Alzheimer's disease pathology with highly variable topographic deposition of differentially truncated Aβ
- 2013
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In: Acta neuropathologica communications. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 2051-5960. ; 1:1, s. 60-
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- BACKGROUND: The Arctic mutation (p.E693G/p.E22G)fs within the β-amyloid (Aβ) region of the β-amyloid precursor protein gene causes an autosomal dominant disease with clinical picture of typical Alzheimer's disease. Here we report the special character of Arctic AD neuropathology in four deceased patients.RESULTS: Aβ deposition in the brains was wide-spread (Thal phase 5) and profuse. Virtually all parenchymal deposits were composed of non-fibrillar, Congo red negative Aβ aggregates. Congo red only stained angiopathic vessels. Mass spectrometric analyses showed that Aβ deposits contained variably truncated and modified wild type and mutated Aβ species. In three of four Arctic AD brains, most cerebral cortical plaques appeared targetoid with centres containing C-terminally (beyond aa 40) and variably N-terminally truncated Aβ surrounded by coronas immunopositive for Aβx-42. In the fourth patient plaque centres contained almost no Aβ making the plaques ring-shaped. The architectural pattern of plaques also varied between different anatomic regions. Tau pathology corresponded to Braak stage VI, and appeared mainly as delicate neuropil threads (NT) enriched within Aβ plaques. Dystrophic neurites were scarce, while neurofibrillary tangles were relatively common. Neuronal perikarya within the Aβ plaques appeared relatively intact.CONCLUSIONS: In Arctic AD brain differentially truncated abundant Aβ is deposited in plaques of variable numbers and shapes in different regions of the brain (including exceptional targetoid plaques in neocortex). The extracellular non-fibrillar Aβ does not seem to cause overt damage to adjacent neurons or to induce formation of neurofibrillary tangles, supporting the view that intracellular Aβ oligomers are more neurotoxic than extracellular Aβ deposits. However, the enrichment of NTs within plaques suggests some degree of intra-plaque axonal damage including accumulation of hp-tau, which may impair axoplasmic transport, and thereby contribute to synaptic loss. Finally, similarly as the cotton wool plaques in AD resulting from exon 9 deletion in the presenilin-1 gene, the Arctic plaques induced only modest glial and inflammatory tissue reaction.
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| 8. |
- Kurowska, Zuzanna, et al.
(author)
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Intracellular Nogo-A facilitates initiation of neurite formation in mouse midbrain neurons in vitro.
- 2014
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In: Neuroscience. - : Elsevier BV. - 1873-7544 .- 0306-4522. ; 256, s. 456-466
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Nogo-A is a transmembrane protein originally discovered in myelin, produced by postnatal central nervous system (CNS) oligodendrocytes. Nogo-A induces growth cone collapse and inhibition of axonal growth in the injured adult CNS. In the intact CNS, Nogo-A functions as a negative regulator of growth and plasticity. Nogo-A is also expressed by certain neurons. Neuronal Nogo-A depresses long-term potentiation in hippocampus and modulates neurite adhesion and fasciculation during development in mice. Here we show that Nogo-A is present in neurons derived from human midbrain (LUHMES cell line), as well as in embryonic and postnatal mouse midbrain (dopaminergic) neurons. In LUHMES cells, Nogo-A was upregulated 3-fold upon differentiation and neurite extension. Nogo-A was localized intracellularly in differentiated LUHMES cells. Cultured midbrain (dopaminergic) neurons from Nogo-A knock-out mice exhibited decreased numbers of neurites and branches when compared with neurons from wild type mice. However, this phenotype was not observed when the cultures from wild type mice were treated with an antibody neutralizing plasma membrane Nogo-A. In vivo, neither the regeneration of nigrostriatal tyrosine hydroxylase fibers, nor the survival of nigral dopaminergic neurons after partial 6-hydroxydopamine lesions were affected by Nogo-A deletion. These results indicate that during maturation of cultured midbrain (dopaminergic) neurons, intracellular Nogo-A supports neurite growth initiation and branch formation. Abbreaviations: 6-OHDA, (6-hydroxydopamine); CNS, (central nervous system); DAB, (3,3'-Diaminobenzidine); DAPI, (4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole); KO, (knock-out); LTP, (long term potentiation); LUHMES cells (Lund University Human Mesencephalon cells); PFA, (paraformaldehyde); SDS-PAGE, (sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis); TH, (tyrosine hydroxylase); WT, (wild type).
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| 9. |
- Sehlin, Dag, et al.
(author)
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Interference from Heterophilic Antibodies in Amyloid-beta Oligomer ELISAs
- 2010
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In: Journal of Alzheimer's Disease. - : IOS Press. - 1387-2877 .- 1875-8908. ; 21:4, s. 1295-1301
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Amyloid-beta (Abeta) oligomers of different sizes and forms have recently been the focus for many Alzheimer's disease (AD) researchers. Various immunoassays have been used to detect low concentrations of these elusive Abeta species in different forms of human samples using little or no sample dilutions. However, the possibility that positive results may be caused by interference from heterophilic antibodies (HA) is often overlooked. HA, which recognize immunoglobulins from other species, are present in human plasma and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and may cause interference in sandwich immunoassays like enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) by cross-binding the capture and detection antibodies of the assay. They thus may generate a false positive signal. Here we show that when assessing the Abeta oligomer content in plasma samples from 44 individuals with a sandwich ELISA, none of the 21 positive signals remained when the assay was repeated in the presence of factors blocking HA. Similarly, in CSF samples from 104 individuals, the signals from the 22 positive samples were strongly reduced when analyzed after anti-HA treatment. Taken together, HA interference is a problem that needs to be addressed when measuring low levels of an antigen in human plasma and CSF samples.
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