Oral antioxidant edaravone protects against cognitive deficits induced by chronic hypobaric hypoxia at high altitudes.

Chronic hypobaric hypoxia at high altitudes can impair cognitive functions, especially causing deficits in learning and memory, which require therapeutic intervention. Here, we showed that mice subjected to hypobaric hypoxia (simulating an altitude of 5000 m) for one month experienced significant cognitive impairment, accompanied by increased biomarker levels of oxidative stress in the brain and blood. Oral administration of a novel formulation of edaravone, a free radical scavenger approved for the treatment of ischaemic stroke and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, significantly alleviated oxidative stress and cognitive impairments caused by chronic hypobaric hypoxia. Furthermore, oral edaravone treatment also mitigated neuroinflammation and restored hippocampal neural stem cell exhaustion. Additionally, periostin (Postn) is vital in the cognitive deficits caused by chronic hypobaric hypoxia and may be a molecular target of edaravone. In conclusion, our results suggest that oxidative stress plays a crucial role in the cognitive deficits caused by chronic hypobaric hypoxia and that oral edaravone is a potential medicine for protecting against cognitive deficits caused by chronic hypobaric hypoxia in high-altitude areas.

Autoantibodies to BACE1 promote Aß accumulation and neurodegeneration in Alzheimer's disease.

The profile of autoantibodies is dysregulated in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD). Autoantibodies to beta-site amyloid precursor protein (APP)-cleaving enzyme 1 (BACE1) are present in human blood. This study aims to investigate the clinical relevance and pathophysiological roles of autoantibodies to BACE1 in AD. Clinical investigations were conducted in two independent cohorts, the Chongqing cohort, and the Australian Imaging, Biomarkers, and Lifestyle (AIBL) cohort. The Chongqing cohort included 55 AD patients, 28 patients with non-AD dementia, and 70 cognitively normal subjects (CN). The AIBL cohort included 162 Aß-PET- CN, 169 Aß-PET+ cognitively normal subjects (preclinical AD), and 31 Aß-PET+ cognitively impaired subjects (Clinical AD). Plasma autoantibodies to BACE1 were determined by one-site Elisa. The associations of plasma autoantibodies to BACE1 with brain Aß load and cognitive trajectory were investigated. The effects of autoantibodies to BACE1 on AD-type pathologies and underlying mechanisms were investigated in APP/PS1 mice and SH/APPswe/PS1wt cell lines. In the Chongqing cohort, plasma autoantibodies to BACE1 were higher in AD patients, in comparison with CN and non-AD dementia patients. In the AIBL cohort, plasma autoantibodies to BACE1 were highest in clinical AD patients, followed by preclinical AD and CN subjects. Higher autoantibodies to BACE1 were associated with an increased incidence of brain amyloid positivity conversion during follow-up. Autoantibodies to BACE1 exacerbated brain amyloid deposition and subsequent AD-type pathologies, including Tau hyperphosphorylation, neuroinflammation, and neurodegeneration in APP/PS1 mice. Autoantibodies to BACE1 increased Aß production by promoting BACE1 expression through inhibiting PPARγ signaling. These findings suggest that autoantibodies to BACE1 are pathogenic in AD and the upregulation of these autoantibodies may promote the development of the disease. This study offers new insights into the mechanism of AD from an autoimmune perspective.

Crosstalk between bone and brain in Alzheimer's disease: Mechanisms, applications, and perspectives.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease that involves multiple systems in the body. Numerous recent studies have revealed bidirectional crosstalk between the brain and bone, but the interaction between bone and brain in AD remains unclear. In this review, we summarize human studies of the association between bone and brain and provide an overview of their interactions and the underlying mechanisms in AD. We review the effects of AD on bone from the aspects of AD pathogenic proteins, AD risk genes, neurohormones, neuropeptides, neurotransmitters, brain-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs), and the autonomic nervous system. Correspondingly, we elucidate the underlying mechanisms of the involvement of bone in the pathogenesis of AD, including bone-derived hormones, bone marrow-derived cells, bone-derived EVs, and inflammation. On the basis of the crosstalk between bone and the brain, we propose potential strategies for the management of AD with the hope of offering novel perspectives on its prevention and treatment. HIGHLIGHTS: The pathogenesis of AD, along with its consequent changes in the brain, may involve disturbing bone homeostasis. Degenerative bone disorders may influence the progression of AD through a series of pathophysiological mechanisms. Therefore, relevant bone intervention strategies may be beneficial for the comprehensive management of AD.

Rejuvenation of peripheral immune cells attenuates Alzheimer's disease-like pathologies and behavioral deficits in a mouse model.

Immunosenescence contributes to systematic aging and plays a role in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Therefore, the objective of this study was to investigate the potential of immune rejuvenation as a therapeutic strategy for AD. To achieve this, the immune systems of aged APP/PS1 mice were rejuvenated through young bone marrow transplantation (BMT). Single-cell RNA sequencing revealed that young BMT restored the expression of aging- and AD-related genes in multiple cell types within blood immune cells. The level of circulating senescence-associated secretory phenotype proteins was decreased following young BMT. Notably, young BMT resulted in a significant reduction in cerebral Aß plaque burden, neuronal degeneration, neuroinflammation, and improvement of behavioral deficits in aged APP/PS1 mice. The ameliorated cerebral amyloidosis was associated with an enhanced Aß clearance of peripheral monocytes. In conclusion, our study provides evidence that immune system rejuvenation represents a promising therapeutic approach for AD.

Improving Blood Monocyte Energy Metabolism Enhances Its Ability to Phagocytose Amyloid-ß and Prevents Alzheimer's Disease-Type Pathology and Cognitive Deficits.

Deficiencies in the clearance of peripheral amyloid ß (Aß) play a crucial role in the progression of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Previous studies have shown that the ability of blood monocytes to phagocytose Aß is decreased in AD. However, the exact mechanism of Aß clearance dysfunction in AD monocytes remains unclear. In the present study, we found that blood monocytes in AD mice exhibited decreases in energy metabolism, which was accompanied by cellular senescence, a senescence-associated secretory phenotype, and dysfunctional phagocytosis of Aß. Improving energy metabolism rejuvenated monocytes and enhanced their ability to phagocytose Aß in vivo and in vitro. Moreover, enhancing blood monocyte Aß phagocytosis by improving energy metabolism alleviated brain Aß deposition and neuroinflammation and eventually improved cognitive function in AD mice. This study reveals a new mechanism of impaired Aß phagocytosis in monocytes and provides evidence that restoring their energy metabolism may be a novel therapeutic strategy for AD.

Associations of Blood and Cerebrospinal Fluid Aß and tau Levels with Renal Function.

Amyloid ß (Aß) and tau play pivotal roles in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Previous studies have shown that brain-derived Aß and tau can be cleared through transport into the periphery, and the kidneys may be vital organs involved in the clearance of Aß and tau. However, the effects of deficiency in the clearance of Aß and tau by the kidneys on brain AD-type pathologies in humans remain largely unknown. In this study, we first recruited 41 patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and 40 age- and sex-matched controls with normal renal function to analyze the associations of the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) with plasma Aß and tau levels. To analyze the associations of eGFR with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) AD biomarkers, we recruited 42 cognitively normal CKD patients and 150 cognitively normal controls with CSF samples. Compared with controls with normal renal function, CKD patients had higher plasma levels of Aß40, Aß42 and total tau (T-tau), lower CSF levels of Aß40 and Aß42 and higher levels of CSF T-tau/Aß42 and phosphorylated tau (P-tau)/Aß42. Plasma Aß40, Aß42, and T-tau levels were negatively correlated with eGFR. In addition, eGFR was negatively correlated with CSF levels of T-tau, T-tau/Aß42, and P-tau/Aß42 but positively correlated with Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) scores. Thus, this study showed that the decline in renal function was correlated with abnormal AD biomarkers and cognitive decline, which provides human evidence that renal function may be involved in the pathogenesis of AD.

Physiological ß-amyloid clearance by the liver and its therapeutic potential for Alzheimer's disease.

Cerebral amyloid-ß (Aß) accumulation due to impaired Aß clearance is a pivotal event in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Considerable brain-derived Aß is cleared via transporting to the periphery. The liver is the largest organ responsible for the clearance of metabolites in the periphery. Whether the liver physiologically clears circulating Aß and its therapeutic potential for AD remains unclear. Here, we found that about 13.9% of Aß42 and 8.9% of Aß40 were removed from the blood when flowing through the liver, and this capacity was decreased with Aß receptor LRP-1 expression down-regulated in hepatocytes in the aged animals. Partial blockage of hepatic blood flow increased Aß levels in both blood and brain interstitial fluid. The chronic decline in hepatic Aß clearance via LRP-1 knockdown specific in hepatocytes aggravated cerebral Aß burden and cognitive deficits, while enhancing hepatic Aß clearance via LRP-1 overexpression attenuated cerebral Aß deposition and cognitive impairments in APP/PS1 mice. Our findings demonstrate that the liver physiologically clears blood Aß and regulates brain Aß levels, suggesting that a decline of hepatic Aß clearance during aging could be involved in AD development, and hepatic Aß clearance is a novel therapeutic approach for AD.

Preserving cognitive function in patients with Alzheimer's disease: The Alzheimer's disease neuroprotection research initiative (ADNRI).

The global trend toward aging populations has resulted in an increase in the occurrence of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and associated socioeconomic burdens. Abnormal metabolism of amyloid-ß (Aß) has been proposed as a significant pathomechanism in AD, supported by results of recent clinical trials using anti-Aß antibodies. Nonetheless, the cognitive benefits of the current treatments are limited. The etiology of AD is multifactorial, encompassing Aß and tau accumulation, neuroinflammation, demyelination, vascular dysfunction, and comorbidities, which collectively lead to widespread neurodegeneration in the brain and cognitive impairment. Hence, solely removing Aß from the brain may be insufficient to combat neurodegeneration and preserve cognition. To attain effective treatment for AD, it is necessary to (1) conduct extensive research on various mechanisms that cause neurodegeneration, including advances in neuroimaging techniques for earlier detection and a more precise characterization of molecular events at scales ranging from cellular to the full system level; (2) identify neuroprotective intervention targets against different neurodegeneration mechanisms; and (3) discover novel and optimal combinations of neuroprotective intervention strategies to maintain cognitive function in AD patients. The Alzheimer's Disease Neuroprotection Research Initiative's objective is to facilitate coordinated, multidisciplinary efforts to develop systemic neuroprotective strategies to combat AD. The aim is to achieve mitigation of the full spectrum of pathological processes underlying AD, with the goal of halting or even reversing cognitive decline.

A Conceptual Study on the Peripheral Clearance of Brain-Derived α-Synuclein in Humans.

BACKGROUND: Abnormal intracellular expression and aggregation of α-synuclein (α-syn) is the histopathological hallmark of several neurodegenerative diseases especially Parkinson's disease. However, safe and efficient approaches to clear α-syn remain unavailable. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the process of peripheral catabolism of brain-derived α-syn. METHODS: Thirty patients with atrioventricular reentrant tachycardia (AVRT) (left accessory pathways) who underwent radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) were enrolled in this study. Blood was collected via catheters from superior vena cava (SVC), inferior vena cava (IVC) proximal to the hepatic vein (HV), the right femoral vein (FV), and femoral artery (FA) simultaneously during RFCA. Plasma α-syn levels of AVRT patients and soluble α-syn levels of the brain samples were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits. RESULTS: The α-syn concentrations in different locations of veins were divided by time-matched arterial α-syn concentrations to generate the venous/arterial (V/A) ratio. The V/A ratio of α-syn from the SVC was 1.204 (1.069-1.339, 95% CI), while the V/A ratio of α-syn from IVC was 0.831 (0.734-0.928, 95% CI), suggesting that brain-derived α-syn in the arterial blood was physiologically cleared while going through the peripheral organs and tissues. And it was estimated that about half of brain soluble α-syn could efflux and be cleared in the periphery. Moreover, the glomerular filtration rate was found correlated with V-A difference (FA-ICV) (p = 0.0272). CONCLUSION: Under physiological conditions, brain-derived α-syn could efflux into and be catabolized by the peripheral system. The kidney may play a potential role in the clearance of α-syn.

A narrative review of research progress on the role of NLRP3 inflammasome in acne vulgaris.

Background and Objective: Acne vulgaris is a common skin disease around the world which affects the appearance of patients, as well as their physical and mental health. Cutibacterium acnes plays a vital role in the occurrence and development of acne vulgaris. Pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) are the first line of defense against external pathogens. The nucleotide oligomerization domain (NOD)-like receptor family pyrin containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome has recently been shown to contribute to the pathogenesis of acne vulgaris. The purpose of this review is to clarify the underlying mechanisms of NLRP3 inflammasome in the pathogenesis of acne vulgaris, and its potential as a therapeutic target for the condition. Methods: The PubMed database was searched for relevant articles published in English between January 2003 to December 2021 using keywords "acne vulgaris", "NLRP3 inflammasome", and "Cutibacterium acnes". The reference lists of retrieved articles were also reviewed to identify relevant articles. Key Content and Findings: Cutibacterium acnes infection can lead to a series of inflammatory reactions and the production of inflammatory factors such as interleukin (IL)-1ß. In vitro and in vivo studies demonstrated that the NLRP3 inflammasome plays essential roles in acne vulgaris. Further, innate immunity and adaptive immunity pervade the entire pathogenesis of acne vulgaris. Conclusions: The NLRP3 inflammasome may be a potential therapeutic target for acne vulgaris. Future studies are needed to investigate the potential therapeutic effects of NLRP3 inhibitors on acne vulgaris.

Establishment of combined diagnostic models of Alzheimer's disease in a Chinese cohort: the Chongqing Ageing & Dementia Study (CADS).

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers are essential for the accurate diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease (AD), yet their measurement levels vary widely across centers and regions, leaving no uniform cutoff values to date. Diagnostic cutoff values of CSF biomarkers for AD are lacking for the Chinese population. As a member of the Alzheimer's Association Quality Control program for CSF biomarkers, we aimed to establish diagnostic models based on CSF biomarkers and risk factors for AD in a Chinese cohort. A total of 64 AD dementia patients and 105 age- and sex-matched cognitively normal (CN) controls from the Chongqing Ageing & Dementia Study cohort were included. CSF Aß42, P-tau181, and T-tau levels were measured by ELISA. Combined biomarker models and integrative models with demographic characteristics were established by logistic regression. The cutoff values to distinguish AD from CN were 933 pg/mL for Aß42, 48.7 pg/mL for P-tau181 and 313 pg/mL for T-tau. The AN model, including Aß42 and T-tau, had a higher diagnostic accuracy of 89.9%. Integrating age and APOE ε4 status to AN model (the ANA'E model) increased the diagnostic accuracy to 90.5% and improved the model performance. This study established cutoff values of CSF biomarkers and optimal combined models for AD diagnosis in a Chinese cohort.

The Association of Serum Neurofilament Light Chain and Acute Ischaemic Stroke Is Influenced by Effective Revascularization.

Objective: To explore associations of serum neurofilament light chain (sNfL) at admission with clinical deficits and the long-term prognosis of acute ischaemic stroke (AIS). Methods: We recruited 110 AIS patients with serum sampled at hospital arrival. The concentrations of sNfL were detected by a Simoa HD-1 analyser. We first investigated the determinants of sNfL levels at admission within the study population. Associations of sNfL levels with National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) scores and modified Rankin Scale (mRS) scores were then tested. We further divided the patients into revascularized and nonrevascularized groups, and the associations of sNfL levels with NIHSS and mRS scores were assessed in these subgroups. Results: Age, sex, stroke history, and the time between the onset of illness and arrival at the hospital were independent influencing factors of sNfL levels within the study population. The sNfL levels at admission were correlated with the NIHSS scores 7 days after stroke (p = 0.004) across all subjects but showed no correlation with the NIHSS scores at admission (p = 0.293) or the mRS scores 6 months after stroke (p = 0.065). Further analysis revealed that in the nonrevascularized group of AIS patients, the sNfL levels at admission were positively correlated with NIHSS scores (NIHSS at admission, p = 0.005; NIHSS 7 days after stroke, p = 0.003) and negatively correlated with mRS scores (p = 0.011). Conclusion: sNfL levels at admission could be a potential biomarker for predicting clinical deficits and prognosis in the natural course of AIS.

Associations of plasma angiostatin and amyloid-ß and tau levels in Alzheimer's disease.

Angiostatin, an endogenous angiogenesis inhibitor generated by the proteolytic cleavage of plasminogen, was recently reported to contribute to the development of Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, whether there are pathological changes in angiostatin levels in individuals with AD dementia is unclear, and whether plasma angiostatin has a relationship with major AD pathological processes and cognitive impairment remains unknown. To examine plasma angiostatin levels in patients with AD dementia and investigate the associations of angiostatin with blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) AD biomarkers, we conducted a cross-sectional study including 35 cognitively normal control (CN) subjects and 59 PiB-PET-positive AD dementia patients. We found that plasma angiostatin levels were decreased in AD dementia patients compared to CN subjects. Plasma angiostatin levels were negatively correlated with plasma Aß42 and Aß40 levels in AD dementia patients and positively correlated with CSF total tau (t-tau) levels and t-tau/Aß42 in AD dementia patients with APOE-ε4. In addition, plasma angiostatin levels had the potential to distinguish AD from CN. These findings suggest a link between angiostatin and AD pathogenesis and imply that angiostatin might be a potential diagnostic biomarker for AD.

Associations of plasma soluble CD22 levels with brain amyloid burden and cognitive decline in Alzheimer's disease.

CD22 has been suggested to contribute to Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathogenesis by inhibiting microglial amyloid ß (Aß) phagocytosis. Soluble CD22 (sCD22) generated by cleavage from cell membranes may be a marker of inflammation and microglial dysfunction; but alterations of sCD22 levels in AD and their correlation with AD biomarkers remain unclear. Plasma sCD22 levels were measured in cognitively normal non-AD participants and patients with preclinical AD and AD dementia from a Chinese cohort and the Australian Imaging, Biomarkers and Lifestyle Flagship Study of Ageing. Plasma sCD22 levels were elevated in patients with preclinical and dementia AD. Plasma sCD22 levels were negatively correlated with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) Aß42 levels and Aß42/Aß40, and positively correlated with CSF phosphorylated tau levels and brain Aß burden, but negatively correlated with cognitive function. Moreover, higher plasma sCD22 levels were associated with faster cognitive decline during follow-up. These findings suggest that CD22 plays important roles in AD development, and that sCD22 is a potential biomarker for AD.

Effects of Chemotherapy on Neuroinflammation, Neuronal Damage, Neurogenesis, and Behavioral Performance in Bone Marrow Transplantation Recipient Mice.

As bone marrow transplant (BMT) is gradually applied to the study of central nervous system (CNS) disease, it is needed to investigate the proper dose of chemotherapy to eradicate bone marrow cells while bringing little damage to brain. In the present study, we established a BMT model with varied busulfan and cyclophosphamide (Bu-Cy) dosages. The recipient mice's chimera rate, neuronal death, neuroinflammation, and behavioral functions were all investigated. Chimerism of peripheral blood cells was shown to rise with Bu-Cy treatment doses, with 60.7% in the Bu(20 mg/kg)/Cy(100 mg/kg) group and 93.0% in the Bu(35 mg/kg)/Cy(100 mg/kg) group. Recipients with Bu(35 mg/kg)/Cy(100 mg/kg) therapy had brain injury, increased neuroinflammation, diminished neurogenesis and cognitive abnormalities, whereas animals given a lesser dosage had no such brain damages. Conclusively, considering the chimerism and the possibility to damage brain, we recommend Bu(20 mg/kg)/Cy(100 mg/kg) is the ideal dose in BMT for studying CNS diseases in the C57/BL6 mouse strain.

Physiological clearance of Aß by spleen and splenectomy aggravates Alzheimer-type pathogenesis.

BACKGROUND: A previous study demonstrated that nearly 40%-60% of brain Aß flows out into the peripheral system for clearance. However, where and how circulating Aß is cleared in the periphery remains unclear. The spleen acts as a blood filter and an immune organ. The aim of the present study was to investigate the role of the spleen in the clearance of Aß in the periphery. METHODS: We investigated the physiological clearance of Aß by the spleen and established a mouse model of AD and spleen excision by removing the spleens of APP/PS1 mice to investigate the effect of splenectomy on AD mice. RESULTS: We found that Aß levels in the splenic artery were higher than those in the splenic vein, suggesting that circulating Aß is cleared when blood flows through the spleen. Next, we found that splenic monocytes/macrophages could take up Aß directly in vivo and in vitro. Splenectomy aggravated behaviour deficits, brain Aß burden and AD-related pathologies in AD mice. CONCLUSION: Our study reveals for the first time that the spleen exerts a physiological function of clearing circulating Aß in the periphery. Our study also suggests that splenectomy, which is a routine treatment for splenic rupture and hypersplenism, might accelerate the development of AD.

The Correlation of Tau Levels with Blood Monocyte Count in Patients with Alzheimer's Disease.

BACKGROUND: Recent studies have shown that monocytes can phagocytize the tau protein, which may ameliorate tau-type pathology in Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, there are few clinical studies on the relationship between monocytes and tau-type pathology in AD patients. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to explore changes in peripheral monocytes and their association with tau protein in AD patients. METHODS: A total of 127 clinically diagnosed AD patients and 100 age- and sex-matched cognitively normal controls were recruited for analysis of the correlation of plasma tau levels with the blood monocyte count. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples from 46 AD patients and 88 controls were further collected to analyze the correlation of CSF tau and amyloid-ß (Aß) levels with the blood monocyte count. 105 clinically diagnosed mild cognitive impairment (MCI) patients and 149 age- and sex-matched cognitively normal controls were recruited from another cohort for verification. RESULTS: Compared to normal controls, AD patients showed a significant reduction in the blood monocyte count. In addition, the monocyte count of AD patients was negatively correlated with CSF t-tau and p-tau levels but not with plasma tau levels. In normal people, monocyte count lack correlation with tau levels both in plasma and CSF. Monocyte count were not correlated with CSF Aß levels in either group but were negatively correlated with CSF tau/Aß42 levels in the AD group. We had further verified the correlations of monocyte count with CSF tau levels in another cohort. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that monocytes may play an important role in the clearance of tau protein in the brain.

Polysaccharide Krestin Prevents Alzheimer's Disease-type Pathology and Cognitive Deficits by Enhancing Monocyte Amyloid-ß Processing.

Deficits in the clearance of amyloid ß protein (Aß) by the peripheral system play a critical role in the pathogenesis of sporadic Alzheimer's disease (AD). Impaired uptake of Aß by dysfunctional monocytes is deemed to be one of the major mechanisms underlying deficient peripheral Aß clearance in AD. In the current study, flow cytometry and biochemical and behavioral techniques were applied to investigate the effects of polysaccharide krestin (PSK) on AD-related pathology in vitro and in vivo. We found that PSK, widely used in therapy for various cancers, has the potential to enhance Aß uptake and intracellular processing by human monocytes in vitro. After administration of PSK by intraperitoneal injection, APP/PS1 mice performed better in behavioral tests, along with reduced Aß deposition, neuroinflammation, neuronal loss, and tau hyperphosphorylation. These results suggest that PSK holds promise as a preventive agent for AD by strengthening the Aß clearance by blood monocytes and alleviating AD-like pathology.