| 11. |
- Arber, C., et al.
(author)
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Familial Alzheimer’s disease patient-derived neurons reveal distinct mutation-specific effects on amyloid beta
- 2020
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In: Molecular Psychiatry. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1359-4184 .- 1476-5578. ; 25:11, s. 2919-2931
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Familial Alzheimer’s disease (fAD) mutations alter amyloid precursor protein (APP) cleavage by γ-secretase, increasing the proportion of longer amyloidogenic amyloid-β (Aβ) peptides. Using five control induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) lines and seven iPSC lines generated from fAD patients, we investigated the effects of mutations on the Aβ secretome in human neurons generated in 2D and 3D. We also analysed matched CSF, post-mortem brain tissue, and iPSCs from the same participant with the APP V717I mutation. All fAD mutation lines demonstrated an increased Aβ42:40 ratio relative to controls, yet displayed varied signatures for Aβ43, Aβ38, and short Aβ fragments. We propose four qualitatively distinct mechanisms behind raised Aβ42:40. (1) APP V717I mutations alter γ-secretase cleavage site preference. Whereas, distinct presenilin 1 (PSEN1) mutations lead to either (2) reduced γ-secretase activity, (3) altered protein stability or (4) reduced PSEN1 maturation, all culminating in reduced γ-secretase carboxypeptidase-like activity. These data support Aβ mechanistic tenets in a human physiological model and substantiate iPSC-neurons for modelling fAD. © 2019, Springer Nature Limited.
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| 12. |
- Bhattacharjee, Payel, 1984, et al.
(author)
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Mass Spectrometric Analysis of Lewy Body-Enriched alpha-Synuclein in Parkinson's Disease
- 2019
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In: Journal of Proteome Research. - : American Chemical Society (ACS). - 1535-3893 .- 1535-3907. ; 18:5, s. 2109-2120
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Parkinson's disease (PD) is characterized by intraneuronal inclusions of aggregated alpha-synuclein protein (so-called Lewy bodies) in distinct brain regions. Multiple posttranslational modifications may affect the structure and function of alpha-synuclein. Mass spectrometry-based analysis may be useful for the characterization and quantitation of alpha-synuclein forms, but has proven challenging, mainly due to the insolubility of Lewy bodies in aqueous buffer. In the present study, we developed a novel method by combining differential solubilization with immunoprecipitation and targeted proteomics using liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry. Brain tissue homogenization and sample preparation were modified to facilitate analysis of soluble, detergent-soluble, and detergent-insoluble protein fractions (Lewy body-enriched). The method was used to compare alpha-synuclein forms from cingulate cortex (affected) and occipital cortex (unaffected) in two study sets of PD patients and controls. We identified similar to 20 modified alpha-synuclein variants, including species with N-terminal acetylation and C-terminal truncations at amino acids 103 and 119. The levels of alpha-synuclein forms Ac-alpha-syn(1-6), alpha-syn(13-21), alpha-syn(35-43), alpha-syn(46-58), alpha-syn(61-80), and alpha-syn(81-96) except alpha-syn(103-119) were significantly increased in PD cingulate region compared to controls in the Lewy body-enriched alpha-synuclein fraction. In the soluble fraction, only Ac-alpha-syn(1-6) was significantly increased in PD compared to controls. None of the detected alpha-synuclein variants were Lewy body-specific, but acetylated forms should be examined further as potential biomarkers for abnormal alpha-synuclein accumulation.
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| 13. |
- Blennow, Kaj, et al.
(author)
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Cerebrospinal fluid tau fragment correlates with tau PET : a candidate biomarker for tangle pathology
- 2020
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In: Brain : a journal of neurology. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 1460-2156. ; 143:2, s. 650-660
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- To date, there is no validated fluid biomarker for tau pathology in Alzheimer's disease, with contradictory results from studies evaluating the correlation between phosphorylated tau in CSF with tau PET imaging. Tau protein is subjected to proteolytic processing into fragments before being secreted to the CSF. A recent study suggested that tau cleavage after amino acid 368 by asparagine endopeptidase (AEP) is upregulated in Alzheimer's disease. We used immunoprecipitation followed by mass spectrometric analyses to evaluate the presence of tau368 species in CSF. A novel Simoa® assay for quantification of tau368 in CSF was developed, while total tau (t-tau) was measured by ELISA and the presence of tau368 in tangles was evaluated using immunohistochemistry. The diagnostic utility of tau368 was first evaluated in a pilot study (Alzheimer's disease = 20, control = 20), then in a second cohort where the IWG-2 biomarker criteria were applied (Alzheimer's disease = 37, control = 45), and finally in a third cohort where the correlation with 18F-GTP1 tau PET was evaluated (Alzheimer's disease = 38, control = 11). The tau368/t-tau ratio was significantly decreased in Alzheimer's disease (P < 0.001) in all cohorts. Immunohistochemical staining demonstrated that tau fragments ending at 368 are present in tangles. There was a strong negative correlation between the CSF tau368/t-tau ratio and 18F-GTP1 retention. Our data suggest that tau368 is a tangle-enriched fragment and that the CSF ratio tau368/t-tau reflects tangle pathology. This novel tau biomarker could be used to improve diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease and to facilitate the development of drug candidates targeting tau pathology. Furthermore, future longitudinal studies will increase our understanding of tau pathophysiology in Alzheimer's disease and other tauopathies.
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| 14. |
- Camporesi, Elena, et al.
(author)
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Neuroligin-1 in brain and CSF of neurodegenerative disorders: investigation for synaptic biomarkers
- 2021
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In: Acta Neuropathologica Communications. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 2051-5960. ; 9:1
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Synaptic pathology is a central event in Alzheimer's disease (AD) and other neurodegenerative conditions, and investigation of synaptic proteins can provide valuable tools to follow synaptic dysfunction and loss in these diseases. Neuroligin-1 (Nlgn1) is a postsynaptic cell adhesion protein, important for synapse stabilization and formation. Nlgn1 has been connected to cognitive disorders, and specifically to AD, as target of the synaptotoxic effect of amyloid-beta (A beta) oligomers and A beta fibrils. To address changes in Nlgn1 expression in human brain, brain regions in different neurological disorders were examined by Western blot and mass spectrometry. Brain specimens from AD (n = 23), progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP, n = 11), corticobasal degeneration (CBD, n = 10), and Pick's disease (PiD, n = 9) were included. Additionally, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples of AD patients (n = 43) and non-demented controls (n = 42) were analysed. We found decreased levels of Nlgn1 in temporal and parietal cortex (similar to 50-60% reductions) in AD brains compared with controls. In frontal grey matter the reduction was not seen for AD patients; however, in the same region, marked reduction was found for PiD (similar to 77%), CBD (similar to 66%) and to a lesser extent for PSP (similar to 43%), which could clearly separate these tauopathies from controls. The Nlgn1 level was reduced in CSF from AD patients compared to controls, but with considerable overlap. The dramatic reduction of Nlgn1 seen in the brain extracts of tauopathies warrants further investigation regarding the potential use of Nlgn1 as a biomarker for these neurodegenerative diseases.
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| 15. |
- Chebli, Jasmine, et al.
(author)
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The localization of amyloid precursor protein to ependymal cilia in vertebrates and its role in ciliogenesis and brain development in zebrafish
- 2021
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In: Scientific Reports. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 2045-2322. ; 11:1
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Amyloid precursor protein (APP) is expressed in many tissues in human, mice and in zebrafish. In zebrafish, there are two orthologues, Appa and Appb. Interestingly, some cellular processes associated with APP overlap with cilia-mediated functions. Whereas the localization of APP to primary cilia of in vitro-cultured cells has been reported, we addressed the presence of APP in motile and in non-motile sensory cilia and its potential implication for ciliogenesis using zebrafish, mouse, and human samples. We report that Appa and Appb are expressed by ciliated cells and become localized at the membrane of cilia in the olfactory epithelium, otic vesicle and in the brain ventricles of zebrafish embryos. App in ependymal cilia persisted in adult zebrafish and was also detected in mouse and human brain. Finally, we found morphologically abnormal ependymal cilia and smaller brain ventricles in appa(-/-)appb(-/-) mutant zebrafish. Our findings demonstrate an evolutionary conserved localisation of APP to cilia and suggest a role of App in ciliogenesis and cilia-related functions.
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| 16. |
- Ehrenberg, Alexander J., et al.
(author)
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Relevance of biomarkers across different neurodegenerative
- 2020
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In: Alzheimer's Research and Therapy. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1758-9193. ; 12
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Research review (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: The panel of fluid- and imaging-based biomarkers available for neurodegenerative disease research is growing and has the potential to close important gaps in research and the clinic. With this growth and increasing use, appropriate implementation and interpretation are paramount. Various biomarkers feature nuanced differences in strengths, limitations, and biases that must be considered when investigating disease etiology and clinical utility. For example, neuropathological investigations of Alzheimer's disease pathogenesis can fall in disagreement with conclusions reached by biomarker-based investigations. Considering the varied strengths, limitations, and biases of different research methodologies and approaches may help harmonize disciplines within the neurodegenerative disease field. Purpose of review: Along with separate review articles covering fluid and imaging biomarkers in this issue of Alzheimer's Research and Therapy, we present the result of a discussion from the 2019 Biomarkers in Neurodegenerative Diseases course at the University College London. Here, we discuss themes of biomarker use in neurodegenerative disease research, commenting on appropriate use, interpretation, and considerations for implementation across different neurodegenerative diseases. We also draw attention to areas where biomarker use can be combined with other disciplines to understand issues of pathophysiology and etiology underlying dementia. Lastly, we highlight novel modalities that have been proposed in the landscape of neurodegenerative disease research and care.
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| 17. |
- Gkanatsiou, Eleni, et al.
(author)
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Amyloid pathology and synaptic loss in pathological aging
- 2021
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In: Journal of Neurochemistry. - : Wiley. - 0022-3042 .- 1471-4159. ; 159:2, s. 258-272
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by progressive memory dysfunction and cognitive decline. Pathological aging (PA) describes patients who are amyloid-positive but cognitively unimpaired at time of death. Both AD and PA contain amyloid plaques dominated by amyloid beta (A beta) peptides. In this study, we investigated and compared synaptic protein levels, amyloid plaque load, and A beta peptide patterns between AD and PA. Two cohorts of post-mortem brain tissue were investigated. In the first, consisting of controls, PA, AD, and familial AD (FAD) individuals, synaptic proteins extracted with tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane-buffered saline (TBS) were analyzed. In the second, consisting of tissue from AD and PA patients from three different regions (occipital lobe, frontal lobe, and cerebellum), a two-step extraction was performed. Five synaptic proteins were extracted using TBS, and from the remaining portion A beta peptides were extracted using formic acid. Subsequently, immunoprecipitation with several antibodies targeting different proteins/peptides was performed for both fractions, which were subsequently analyzed by mass spectrometry. The levels of synaptic proteins were lower in AD (and FAD) compared with PA (and controls), confirming synaptic loss in AD patients. The amyloid plaque load was increased in AD compared with PA, and the relative amount of A beta 40 was higher in AD while for A beta 42 it was higher in PA. In AD loss of synaptic function was associated with increased plaque load and increased amounts of A beta 40 compared with PA cases, suggesting that synaptic function is preserved in PA cases even in the presence of A beta.
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| 18. |
- Lashley, T., et al.
(author)
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Molecular biomarkers of Alzheimer's disease: progress and prospects
- 2018
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In: Disease Models & Mechanisms. - : The Company of Biologists. - 1754-8403 .- 1754-8411. ; 11:5
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The neurodegenerative disorder Alzheimer's disease is characterised by the formation of beta-amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles in the brain parenchyma, which cause synapse and neuronal loss. This leads to clinical symptoms, such as progressive memory deficits. Clinically, these pathological changes can be detected in the cerebrospinal fluid and with brain imaging, although reliable blood tests for plaque and tangle pathologies remain to be developed. Plaques and tangles often co-exist with other brain pathologies, including aggregates of transactive response DNA-binding protein 43 and Lewy bodies, but the extent to which these contribute to the severity of Alzheimer's disease is currently unknown. In this 'At a glance' article and poster, we summarise the molecular biornarkers that are being developed to detect Alzheimer's disease and its related pathologies. We also highlight the biornarkers that are currently in clinical use and include a critical appraisal of the challenges associated with applying these biornarkers for diagnostic and prognostic purposes of Alzheimer's disease and related neurodegenerative disorders, also in their prodromal clinical phases.
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| 19. |
- Ly, Han, et al.
(author)
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The association of circulating amylin with β-amyloid in familial Alzheimer's disease.
- 2021
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In: Alzheimer's & dementia. - : Wiley. - 2352-8737. ; 7:1
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- This study assessed the hypothesis that circulating human amylin (amyloid-forming) cross-seeds with amyloid beta (Aβ) in early Alzheimer's disease (AD).Evidence of amylin-AD pathology interaction was tested in brains of 31 familial AD mutation carriers and 20 cognitively unaffected individuals, in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) (98 diseased and 117 control samples) and in genetic databases. For functional testing, we genetically manipulated amylin secretion in APP/PS1 and non-APP/PS1 rats.Amylin-Aβ cross-seeding was identified in AD brains. High CSF amylin levels were associated with decreased CSF Aβ42 concentrations. AD risk and amylin gene are not correlated. Suppressed amylin secretion protected APP/PS1 rats against AD-associated effects. In contrast, hypersecretion or intravenous injection of human amylin in APP/PS1 rats exacerbated AD-like pathology through disruption of CSF-brain Aβ exchange and amylin-Aβ cross-seeding.These findings strengthened the hypothesis of circulating amylin-AD interaction and suggest that modulation of blood amylin levels may alter Aβ-related pathology/symptoms.
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| 20. |
- Michno, Wojciech, 1992, et al.
(author)
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Chemical traits of cerebral amyloid angiopathy in familial British-, Danish-, and non-Alzheimer 's dementias
- 2022
-
In: Journal of Neurochemistry. - : Wiley. - 0022-3042 .- 1471-4159. ; 163:3, s. 233-246
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Familial British dementia (FBD) and familial Danish dementia (FDD) are autosomal dominant forms of dementia caused by mutations in the integral membrane protein 2B (ITM2B, also known as BRI2) gene. Secretase processing of mutant BRI2 leads to secretion and deposition of BRI2-derived amyloidogenic peptides, ABri and ADan that resemble APP/beta-amyloid (A beta) pathology, which is characteristic of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Amyloid pathology in FBD/FDD manifests itself predominantly in the microvasculature by ABri/ADan containing cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA). While ABri and ADan peptide sequences differ only in a few C-terminal amino acids, CAA in FDD is characterized by co-aggregation of ADan with A beta, while in contrast no A beta deposition is observed in FBD. The fact that FDD patients display an earlier and more severe disease onset than FBD suggests a potential role of ADan and A beta co-aggregation that promotes a more rapid disease progression in FDD compared to FBD. It is therefore critical to delineate the chemical signatures of amyloid aggregation in these two vascular dementias. This in turn will increase the knowledge on the pathophysiology of these diseases and the pathogenic role of heterogenous amyloid peptide interactions and deposition, respectively. Herein, we used matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry imaging (MALDI-MSI) in combination with hyperspectral, confocal microscopy based on luminescent conjugated oligothiophene probes (LCO) to delineate the structural traits and associated amyloid peptide patterns of single CAA in postmortem brain tissue of patients with FBD, FDD as well as sporadic CAA without AD (CAA+) that show pronounced CAA without parenchymal plaques. The results show that CAA in both FBD and FDD consist of N-terminally truncated- and pyroglutamate-modified amyloid peptide species (ADan and ABri), but that ADan peptides in FDD are also extensively C-terminally truncated as compared to ABri in FBD, which contributes to hydrophobicity of ADan species. Further, CAA in FDD showed co-deposition with A beta x-42 and A beta x-40 species. CAA+ vessels were structurally more mature than FDD/FBD CAA and contained significant amounts of pyroglutamated A beta. When compared with FDD, A beta in CAA+ showed more C-terminal and less N-terminally truncations. In FDD, ADan showed spatial co-localization with A beta 3pE-40 and A beta 3-40 but not with A beta x-42 species. This suggests an increased aggregation propensity of A beta in FDD that promotes co-aggregation of both A beta and ADan. Further, CAA maturity appears to be mainly governed by A beta content based on the significantly higher 500/580 patterns observed in CAA+ than in FDD and FBD, respectively. Together this is the first study of its kind on comprehensive delineation of Bri2 and APP-derived amyloid peptides in single vascular plaques in both FDD/FBD and sporadic CAA that provides new insight in non-AD-related vascular amyloid pathology.
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