Clearance of interstitial fluid (ISF) and CSF (CLIC) group-part of Vascular Professional Interest Area (PIA), updates in 2022-2023. Cerebrovascular disease and the failure of elimination of Amyloid-ß from the brain and retina with age and Alzheimer's disease: Opportunities for therapy.

This editorial summarizes advances from the Clearance of Interstitial Fluid and Cerebrospinal Fluid (CLIC) group, within the Vascular Professional Interest Area (PIA) of the Alzheimer's Association International Society to Advance Alzheimer's Research and Treatment (ISTAART). The overarching objectives of the CLIC group are to: (1) understand the age-related physiology changes that underlie impaired clearance of interstitial fluid (ISF) and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) (CLIC); (2) understand the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying intramural periarterial drainage (IPAD) in the brain; (3) establish novel diagnostic tests for Alzheimer's disease (AD), cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA), retinal amyloid vasculopathy, amyloid-related imaging abnormalities (ARIA) of spontaneous and iatrogenic CAA-related inflammation (CAA-ri), and vasomotion; and (4) establish novel therapies that facilitate IPAD to eliminate amyloid ß (Aß) from the aging brain and retina, to prevent or reduce AD and CAA pathology and ARIA side events associated with AD immunotherapy.

Hypertension and hyperhomocysteinemia as modifiable risk factors for Alzheimer's disease and dementia: New evidence, potential therapeutic strategies, and biomarkers.

This review summarizes recent evidence on how mid-life hypertension, hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy) and blood pressure variability, as well as late-life hypotension, exacerbate Alzheimer's disease (AD) and dementia risk. Intriguingly, HHcy also increases the risk for hypertension, revealing the importance of understanding the relationship between comorbid cardiovascular risk factors. Hypertension-induced dementia presents more evidently in women, highlighting the relevance of sex differences in the impact of cardiovascular risk. We summarize each major antihypertensive drug class's effects on cognitive impairment and AD pathology, revealing how carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, diuretics modulating cerebral blood flow, have recently gained preclinical evidence as promising treatment against AD. We also report novel vascular biomarkers for AD and dementia risk, highlighting those associated with hypertension and HHcy. Importantly, we propose that future studies should consider hypertension and HHcy as potential contributors to cognitive impairment, and that uncovering the underlying molecular mechanisms and biomarkers would aid in the identification of preventive strategies.

FDA-approved carbonic anhydrase inhibitors reduce amyloid ß pathology and improve cognition, by ameliorating cerebrovascular health and glial fitness.

INTRODUCTION: Cerebrovascular pathology is an early and causal hallmark of Alzheimer's disease (AD), in need of effective therapies. METHODS: Based on the success of our previous in vitro studies, we tested for the first time in a model of AD and cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA), the carbonic anhydrase inhibitors (CAIs) methazolamide and acetazolamide, Food and Drug Administration-approved against glaucoma and high-altitude sickness. RESULTS: Both CAIs reduced cerebral, vascular, and glial amyloid beta (Aß) accumulation and caspase activation, diminished gliosis, and ameliorated cognition in TgSwDI mice. The CAIs also improved microvascular fitness and induced protective glial pro-clearance pathways, resulting in the reduction of Aß deposition. Notably, we unveiled that the mitochondrial carbonic anhydrase-VB (CA-VB) is upregulated in TgSwDI brains, CAA and AD+CAA human subjects, and in endothelial cells upon Aß treatment. Strikingly, CA-VB silencing specifically reduces Aß-mediated endothelial apoptosis. DISCUSSION: This work substantiates the potential application of CAIs in clinical trials for AD and CAA.

A New Kid on the Block? Carbonic Anhydrases as Possible New Targets in Alzheimer's Disease.

The increase in the incidence of neurodegenerative diseases, in particular Alzheimer's Disease (AD), is a consequence of the world's population aging but unfortunately, existing treatments are only effective at delaying some of the symptoms and for a limited time. Despite huge efforts by both academic researchers and pharmaceutical companies, no disease-modifying drugs have been brought to the market in the last decades. Recently, several studies shed light on Carbonic Anhydrases (CAs, EC 4.2.1.1) as possible new targets for AD treatment. In the present review we summarized preclinical and clinical findings regarding the role of CAs and their inhibitors/activators on cognition, aging and neurodegeneration and we discuss future challenges and opportunities in the field.

The carbonic anhydrase inhibitor methazolamide prevents amyloid beta-induced mitochondrial dysfunction and caspase activation protecting neuronal and glial cells in vitro and in the mouse brain.

Mitochondrial dysfunction has been recognized as an early event in Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathology, preceding and inducing neurodegeneration and memory loss. The presence of cytochrome c (CytC) released from the mitochondria into the cytoplasm is often detected after acute or chronic neurodegenerative insults, including AD. The carbonic anhydrase inhibitor (CAI) methazolamide (MTZ) was identified among a library of drugs as an inhibitor of CytC release and proved to be neuroprotective in Huntington's disease and stroke models. Here, using neuronal and glial cell cultures, in addition to an acute model of amyloid beta (Aß) toxicity, which replicates by intra-hippocampal injection the consequences of interstitial and cellular accumulation of Aß, we analyzed the effects of MTZ on neuronal and glial degeneration induced by the Alzheimer's amyloid. MTZ prevented DNA fragmentation, CytC release and activation of caspase 9 and caspase 3 induced by Aß in neuronal and glial cells in culture through the inhibition of mitochondrial hydrogen peroxide production. Moreover, intraperitoneal administration of MTZ prevented neurodegeneration induced by intra-hippocampal Aß injection in the mouse brain and was effective at reducing caspase 3 activation in neurons and microglia in the area surrounding the injection site. Our results, delineating the molecular mechanism of action of MTZ against Aß-mediated mitochondrial dysfunction and caspase activation, and demonstrating its efficiency in a model of acute amyloid-mediated toxicity, provide the first combined in vitro and in vivo evidence supporting the potential of a new therapy employing FDA-approved CAIs in AD.

Mitochondrial dysfunction induced by a post-translationally modified amyloid linked to a familial mutation in an alternative model of neurodegeneration.

Familial British dementia (FBD) is an early-onset non-amyloid-ß (Aß) cerebral amyloidosis that presents with severe cognitive decline and strikingly similar neuropathological features to those present in Alzheimer's disease (AD). FBD is associated with a T to A single nucleotide transition in the stop codon of a gene encoding BRI2, leading to the production of an elongated precursor protein. Furin-like proteolytic processing at its C-terminus releases a longer-than-normal 34 amino acid peptide, ABri, exhibiting amyloidogenic properties not seen in its 23 amino acid physiologic counterpart Bri1-23. Deposited ABri exhibits abundant post-translational pyroglutamate (pE) formation at the N-terminus, a feature seen in truncated forms of Aß found in AD deposits, and co-exists with neurofibrillary tangles almost identical to those found in AD. We tested the impact of the FBD mutation alone and in conjunction with the pE post-translational modification on the structural properties and associated neurotoxicity of the ABri peptide. The presence of pE conferred to the ABri molecule enhanced hydrophobicity and accelerated aggregation/fibrillization properties. ABri pE was capable of triggering oxidative stress, loss of mitochondrial membrane potential and activation of caspase-mediated apoptotic mechanisms in neuronal cells, whereas homologous peptides lacking the elongated C-terminus and/or the N-terminal pE were unable to induce similar detrimental cellular pathways. The data indicate that the presence of N-terminal pE is not in itself sufficient to induce pathogenic changes in the physiologic Bri1-23 peptides but that its combination with the ABri mutation is critical for the molecular pathogenesis of FBD.

Differential contribution of isoaspartate post-translational modifications to the fibrillization and toxic properties of amyloid ß and the Asn23 Iowa mutation.

Mutations within the Aß (amyloid ß) peptide, especially those clustered at residues 21-23, are linked to early-onset AD (Alzheimer's disease) and primarily associated with cerebral amyloid angiopathy. The Iowa variant, a substitution of an aspartic acid residue for asparagine at position 23 (D23N), associates with widespread vascular amyloid and abundant diffuse pre-amyloid lesions significantly exceeding the incidence of mature plaques. Brain Iowa deposits consist primarily of a mixture of mutated and non-mutated Aß species exhibiting partial aspartate isomerization at positions 1, 7 and 23. The present study analysed the contribution of the post-translational modification and the D23N mutation to the aggregation/fibrillization and cell toxicity properties of Aß providing insight into the elicited cell death mechanisms. The induction of apoptosis by the different Aß species correlated with their oligomerization/fibrillization propensity and ß-sheet content. Although cell toxicity was primarily driven by the D23N mutation, all Aß isoforms tested were capable, albeit at different time frames, of eliciting comparable apoptotic pathways with mitochondrial engagement and cytochrome c release to the cytoplasm in both neuronal and microvascular endothelial cells. Methazolamide, a cytochrome c release inhibitor, exerted a protective effect in both cell types, suggesting that pharmacological targeting of mitochondria may constitute a viable therapeutic avenue.

Homocysteine potentiates amyloid ß -induced death receptor 4- and 5-mediated cerebral endothelial cell apoptosis, blood brain barrier dysfunction and angiogenic impairment.

Cerebrovascular dysfunction has been implicated as a major contributor to Alzheimer's Disease (AD) pathology, with cerebral endothelial cell (cEC) stress promoting ischemia, cerebral-blood flow impairments and blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability. Recent evidence suggests that cardiovascular (CV)/cerebrovascular risk factors, including hyperhomocysteinemia (Hhcy), exacerbate AD pathology and risk. Yet, the underlying molecular mechanisms for this interaction remain unclear. Our lab has demonstrated that amyloid beta 40 (Aß40) species, and particularly Aß40-E22Q (AßQ22; vasculotropic Dutch mutant), promote death receptor 4 and 5 (DR4/DR5)-mediated apoptosis in human cECs, barrier permeability, and angiogenic impairment. Previous studies show that Hhcy also induces EC dysfunction, but it remains unknown whether Aß and homocysteine function through common molecular mechanisms. We tested the hypotheses that Hhcy exacerbates Aß-induced cEC DR4/5-mediated apoptosis, barrier dysfunction, and angiogenesis defects. This study was the first to demonstrate that Hhcy specifically potentiates AßQ22-mediated activation of the DR4/5-mediated extrinsic apoptotic pathway in cECs, including DR4/5 expression, caspase 8/9/3 activation, cytochrome-c release and DNA fragmentation. Additionally, we revealed that Hhcy intensifies the deregulation of the same cEC junction proteins mediated by Aß, precipitating BBB permeability. Furthermore, Hhcy and AßQ22, impairing VEGF-A/VEGFR2 signaling and VEGFR2 endosomal trafficking, additively decrease cEC angiogenic capabilities. Overall, these results show that the presence of the CV risk factor Hhcy exacerbates Aß-induced cEC apoptosis, barrier dysfunction, and angiogenic impairment. This study reveals specific mechanisms through which amyloidosis and Hhcy jointly operate to produce brain EC dysfunction and death, highlighting new potential molecular targets against vascular pathology in comorbid AD/CAA and Hhcy conditions.

Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors prevent presymptomatic capillary flow disturbances in a model of cerebral amyloidosis.

To enhance early diagnosis and treatment of Alzheimer·s disease (AD), understanding the pathological changes before symptoms arise is crucial. The continuum model of AD suggest that Aß beta (Aß) accumulation precedes symptoms by at least 15 years, with vascular changes detectable around this time. Disturbances in capillary flow dynamics have been linked to reduced oxygen delivery to brain tissue, but evidence in presymptomatic AD remains elusive. We examined capillary flow dynamics in presymptomatic Tg-SwDI mice and the capacity of carbonic anhydrase inhibitors (CAIs) to prevent capillary flow disturbances. Our study revealed capillary flow disturbances associated with alterations in capillary morphology, adhesion molecule expression, and Aß load in cognitively normal 9-10-month-old Tg-SwDI mice. Treated mice showed ameliorated capillary flow disturbances, enhanced oxygen availability, and reduced Aß load. These findings underscore the importance of capillary flow disturbances in presymptomatic AD and highlight CAIs· potential for preserving vascular integrity in early AD.

Autonomic nervous system and cardiac neuro-signaling pathway modulation in cardiovascular disorders and Alzheimer's disease.

The heart is a functional syncytium controlled by a delicate and sophisticated balance ensured by the tight coordination of its several cell subpopulations. Accordingly, cardiomyocytes together with the surrounding microenvironment participate in the heart tissue homeostasis. In the right atrium, the sinoatrial nodal cells regulate the cardiac impulse propagation through cardiomyocytes, thus ensuring the maintenance of the electric network in the heart tissue. Notably, the central nervous system (CNS) modulates the cardiac rhythm through the two limbs of the autonomic nervous system (ANS): the parasympathetic and sympathetic compartments. The autonomic nervous system exerts non-voluntary effects on different peripheral organs. The main neuromodulator of the Sympathetic Nervous System (SNS) is norepinephrine, while the principal neurotransmitter of the Parasympathetic Nervous System (PNS) is acetylcholine. Through these two main neurohormones, the ANS can gradually regulate cardiac, vascular, visceral, and glandular functions by turning on one of its two branches (adrenergic and/or cholinergic), which exert opposite effects on targeted organs. Besides these neuromodulators, the cardiac nervous system is ruled by specific neuropeptides (neurotrophic factors) that help to preserve innervation homeostasis through the myocardial layers (from epicardium to endocardium). Interestingly, the dysregulation of this neuro-signaling pathway may expose the cardiac tissue to severe disorders of different etiology and nature. Specifically, a maladaptive remodeling of the cardiac nervous system may culminate in a progressive loss of neurotrophins, thus leading to severe myocardial denervation, as observed in different cardiometabolic and neurodegenerative diseases (myocardial infarction, heart failure, Alzheimer's disease). This review analyzes the current knowledge on the pathophysiological processes involved in cardiac nervous system impairment from the perspectives of both cardiac disorders and a widely diffused and devastating neurodegenerative disorder, Alzheimer's disease, proposing a relationship between neurodegeneration, loss of neurotrophic factors, and cardiac nervous system impairment. This overview is conducive to a more comprehensive understanding of the process of cardiac neuro-signaling dysfunction, while bringing to light potential therapeutic scenarios to correct or delay the adverse cardiovascular remodeling, thus improving the cardiac prognosis and quality of life in patients with heart or neurodegenerative disorders.

Amyloid ß induces cardiac dysfunction and neuro-signaling impairment in the heart of an Alzheimer's disease model.

Aims: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a complex neurodegenerative disorder characterized by cerebral amyloid ß (Aß) deposition and tau pathology. The AD-mediated degeneration of the brain neuro-signaling pathways, together with a potential peripheral amyloid accumulation, may also result in the derangement of the peripheral nervous system, culminating in detrimental effects on other organs, including the heart. However, whether and how AD pathology modulates cardiac function, neurotrophins, innervation, and amyloidosis is still unknown. Here, we report for the first time that cardiac remodeling, amyloid deposition, and neuro-signaling dysregulation occur in the heart of Tg2576 mice, a widely used model of AD and cerebral amyloidosis. Methods ad Results: Echocardiographic analysis showed significant deterioration of left ventricle function, evidenced by a decline of both ejection fraction and fraction shortening percentage in 12-month-old Tg2576 mice compared to age-matched WT littermates. Tg2576 mice hearts exhibited an accumulation of amyloid aggregates, including Aß, an increase in interstitial fibrosis and severe cardiac nervous system dysfunction. The transgenic mice also showed a significant decrease in cardiac nerve fiber density, including both adrenergic and regenerating nerve endings. This myocardial denervation was accompanied by a robust reduction in NGF and BDNF protein expression as well as GAP-43 expression (regenerating fibers) in both the brain and heart of Tg2576 mice. Accordingly, cardiomyocytes and neuronal cells challenged with Aß oligomers showed significant downregulation of BDNF and GAP-43, indicating a causal effect of Aß on the loss of cardiac neurotrophic function. Conclusions: Overall, this study uncovers possible harmful effects of AD on the heart, revealing cardiac degeneration induced by Aß through fibrosis and neuro-signaling pathway deregulation for the first time in Tg2576 mice. Our data suggest that AD pathology can cause deleterious effects on the heart, and the peripheral neurotrophic pathway may represent a potential therapeutic target to limit these effects.

The Effects of Amyloid-ß on Metabolomic Profiles of Cardiomyocytes and Coronary Endothelial Cells.

BACKGROUND: An increasing number of experimental and clinical studies show a link between Alzheimer's disease and heart diseases such as heart failure, ischemic heart disease, and atrial fibrillation. However, the mechanisms underlying the potential role of amyloid-ß (Aß) in the pathogenesis of cardiac dysfunction in Alzheimer's disease remain unknown. We have recently shown the effects of Aß1 - 40 and Aß1 - 42 on cell viability and mitochondrial function in cardiomyocytes and coronary artery endothelial cells. OBJECTIVE: In this study, we investigated the effects of Aß1 - 40 and Aß1 - 42 on the metabolism of cardiomyocytes and coronary artery endothelial cells. METHODS: Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry was used to analyze metabolomic profiles of cardiomyocytes and coronary artery endothelial cells treated with Aß1 - 40 and Aß1 - 42. In addition, we determined mitochondrial respiration and lipid peroxidation in these cells. RESULTS: We found that the metabolism of different amino acids was affected by Aß1 - 42 in each cell type, whereas the fatty acid metabolism is consistently disrupted in both types of cells. Lipid peroxidation was significantly increased, whereas mitochondrial respiration was reduced in both cell types in response to Aß1 - 42. CONCLUSION: This study revealed the disruptive effects of Aß on lipid metabolism and mitochondria function in cardiac cells.

Amyloid Beta Oligomers Activate Death Receptors and Mitochondria-Mediated Apoptotic Pathways in Cerebral Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells; Protective Effects of Carbonic Anhydrase Inhibitors.

Amyloid beta (Aß) deposition within the brain vasculature is an early hallmark of Alzheimer's disease (AD), which triggers loss of brain vascular smooth muscle cells (BVSMCs) in cerebral arteries, via poorly understood mechanisms, altering cerebral blood flow, brain waste clearance, and promoting cognitive impairment. We have previously shown that, in brain endothelial cells (ECs), vasculotropic Aß species induce apoptosis through death receptors (DRs) DR4 and DR5 and mitochondria-mediated mechanisms, while FDA-approved carbonic anhydrase inhibitors (CAIs) prevent mitochondria-mediated EC apoptosis in vitro and in vivo. In this study, we analyzed Aß-induced extrinsic and intrinsic (DR- and mitochondria-mediated) apoptotic pathways in BVSMC, aiming to unveil new therapeutic targets to prevent BVSMC stress and death. We show that both apoptotic pathways are activated in BVSMCs by oligomeric Aß42 and Aß40-Q22 (AßQ22) and mitochondrial respiration is severely impaired. Importantly, the CAIs methazolamide (MTZ) and acetazolamide (ATZ) prevent the pro-apoptotic effects in BVSMCs, while reducing caspase 3 activation and Aß deposition in the arterial walls of TgSwDI animals, a murine model of cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA). This study reveals new molecular targets and a promising therapeutic strategy against BVSMC dysfunction in AD, CAA, and ARIA (amyloid-related imaging abnormalities) complications of recently FDA-approved anti-Aß antibodies.

Screening for PTSD and TBI in Veterans using Routine Clinical Laboratory Blood Tests.

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental disorder diagnosed by clinical interviews, self-report measures and neuropsychological testing. Traumatic brain injury (TBI) can have neuropsychiatric symptoms similar to PTSD. Diagnosing PTSD and TBI is challenging and more so for providers lacking specialized training facing time pressures in primary care and other general medical settings. Diagnosis relies heavily on patient self-report and patients frequently under-report or over-report their symptoms due to stigma or seeking compensation. We aimed to create objective diagnostic screening tests utilizing Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) blood tests available in most clinical settings. CLIA blood test results were ascertained in 475 male veterans with and without PTSD and TBI following warzone exposure in Iraq or Afghanistan. Using random forest (RF) methods, four classification models were derived to predict PTSD and TBI status. CLIA features were selected utilizing a stepwise forward variable selection RF procedure. The AUC, accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity were 0.730, 0.706, 0.659, and 0.715, respectively for differentiating PTSD and healthy controls (HC), 0.704, 0.677, 0.671, and 0.681 for TBI vs. HC, 0.739, 0.742, 0.635, and 0.766 for PTSD comorbid with TBI vs HC, and 0.726, 0.723, 0.636, and 0.747 for PTSD vs. TBI. Comorbid alcohol abuse, major depressive disorder, and BMI are not confounders in these RF models. Markers of glucose metabolism and inflammation are among the most significant CLIA features in our models. Routine CLIA blood tests have the potential for discriminating PTSD and TBI cases from healthy controls and from each other. These findings hold promise for the development of accessible and low-cost biomarker tests as screening measures for PTSD and TBI in primary care and specialty settings.

Insights into caspase-mediated apoptotic pathways induced by amyloid-ß in cerebral microvascular endothelial cells.

BACKGROUND: The vascular deposition of amyloid known as cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA)--an age-associated condition and a common finding in Alzheimer's disease--compromises cerebral blood flow, causing macro/microhemorrhages and/or cognitive impairment. Very little is known about the mechanisms causing CAA-related degeneration of cerebral vascular cells. The Dutch E22Q familial amyloid-ß (Aß) variant is primarily associated with CAA, and manifests clinically with severe cerebral hemorrhages. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to determine the molecular mechanisms causing apoptosis of cerebral endothelial cells in the presence of wild-type Aß40 or its vasculotropic E22Q variant. METHODS: We challenged human brain microvascular endothelial cells with both Aß variants, and studied the apoptotic pathways triggered by these peptides. RESULTS: Caspase-mediated apoptotic pathways were elicited by both peptides within time frames correlating with their aggregation properties and formation of oligomeric/protofibrillar assemblies. Our data revealed a primary activation of caspase-8 (typically triggered by death receptors) with secondary engagement of caspase-9, with cytochrome C and apoptosis-inducing factor release from the mitochondria, suggesting the independent or synergistic engagement of extrinsic and intrinsic apoptotic mechanisms. CONCLUSION: Our data demonstrate the induction of caspase-8- and caspase-9-dependent mitochondrial-mediated apoptotic pathways by Aß oligomers/protofibrils in vascular cells, likely implicating a primary activation of death receptors.

Beta-Amyloid Instigates Dysfunction of Mitochondria in Cardiac Cells.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) includes the formation of extracellular deposits comprising aggregated ß-amyloid (Aß) fibers associated with oxidative stress, inflammation, mitochondrial abnormalities, and neuronal loss. There is an associative link between AD and cardiac diseases; however, the mechanisms underlying the potential role of AD, particularly Aß in cardiac cells, remain unknown. Here, we investigated the role of mitochondria in mediating the effects of Aß1-40 and Aß1-42 in cultured cardiomyocytes and primary coronary endothelial cells. Our results demonstrated that Aß1-40 and Aß1-42 are differently accumulated in cardiomyocytes and coronary endothelial cells. Aß1-42 had more adverse effects than Aß1-40 on cell viability and mitochondrial function in both types of cells. Mitochondrial and cellular ROS were significantly increased, whereas mitochondrial membrane potential and calcium retention capacity decreased in both types of cells in response to Aß1-42. Mitochondrial dysfunction induced by Aß was associated with apoptosis of the cells. The effects of Aß1-42 on mitochondria and cell death were more evident in coronary endothelial cells. In addition, Aß1-40 and Aß1-42 significantly increased Ca2+ -induced swelling in mitochondria isolated from the intact rat hearts. In conclusion, this study demonstrates the toxic effects of Aß on cell survival and mitochondria function in cardiac cells.

Matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP-2) degrades soluble vasculotropic amyloid-beta E22Q and L34V mutants, delaying their toxicity for human brain microvascular endothelial cells.

Patients carrying mutations within the amyloid-beta (Abeta) sequence develop severe early-onset cerebral amyloid angiopathy with some of the related variants manifesting primarily with hemorrhagic phenotypes. Matrix metalloproteases (MMPs) are typically associated with blood brain barrier disruption and hemorrhagic transformations after ischemic stroke. However, their contribution to cerebral amyloid angiopathy-related hemorrhage remains unclear. Human brain endothelial cells challenged with Abeta synthetic homologues containing mutations known to be associated in vivo with hemorrhagic manifestations (AbetaE22Q and AbetaL34V) showed enhanced production and activation of MMP-2, evaluated via Multiplex MMP antibody arrays, gel zymography, and Western blot, which in turn proteolytically cleaved in situ the Abeta peptides. Immunoprecipitation followed by mass spectrometry analysis highlighted the generation of specific C-terminal proteolytic fragments, in particular the accumulation of Abeta-(1-16), a result validated in vitro with recombinant MMP-2 and quantitatively evaluated using deuterium-labeled internal standards. Silencing MMP-2 gene expression resulted in reduced Abeta degradation and enhanced apoptosis. Secretion and activation of MMP-2 as well as susceptibility of the Abeta peptides to MMP-2 degradation were dependent on the peptide conformation, with fibrillar elements of AbetaE22Q exhibiting negligible effects. Our results indicate that MMP-2 release and activation differentially degrades Abeta species, delaying their toxicity for endothelial cells. However, taking into consideration MMP ability to degrade basement membrane components, these protective effects might also undesirably compromise blood brain barrier integrity and precipitate a hemorrhagic phenotype.

Dissecting the Crosstalk between Endothelial Mitochondrial Damage, Vascular Inflammation, and Neurodegeneration in Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy and Alzheimer's Disease.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most prevalent cause of dementia and is pathologically characterized by the presence of parenchymal senile plaques composed of amyloid ß (Aß) and intraneuronal neurofibrillary tangles of hyperphosphorylated tau protein. The accumulation of Aß also occurs within the cerebral vasculature in over 80% of AD patients and in non-demented individuals, a condition called cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA). The development of CAA is associated with neurovascular dysfunction, blood-brain barrier (BBB) leakage, and persistent vascular- and neuro-inflammation, eventually leading to neurodegeneration. Although pathologically AD and CAA are well characterized diseases, the chronology of molecular changes that lead to their development is still unclear. Substantial evidence demonstrates defects in mitochondrial function in various cells of the neurovascular unit as well as in the brain parenchyma during the early stages of AD and CAA. Dysfunctional mitochondria release danger-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) that activate a wide range of inflammatory pathways. In this review, we gather evidence to postulate a crucial role of the mitochondria, specifically of cerebral endothelial cells, as sensors and initiators of Aß-induced vascular inflammation. The activated vasculature recruits circulating immune cells into the brain parenchyma, leading to the development of neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration in AD and CAA.

Carbonic Anhydrases as Potential Targets Against Neurovascular Unit Dysfunction in Alzheimer's Disease and Stroke.

The Neurovascular Unit (NVU) is an important multicellular structure of the central nervous system (CNS), which participates in the regulation of cerebral blood flow (CBF), delivery of oxygen and nutrients, immunological surveillance, clearance, barrier functions, and CNS homeostasis. Stroke and Alzheimer Disease (AD) are two pathologies with extensive NVU dysfunction. The cell types of the NVU change in both structure and function following an ischemic insult and during the development of AD pathology. Stroke and AD share common risk factors such as cardiovascular disease, and also share similarities at a molecular level. In both diseases, disruption of metabolic support, mitochondrial dysfunction, increase in oxidative stress, release of inflammatory signaling molecules, and blood brain barrier disruption result in NVU dysfunction, leading to cell death and neurodegeneration. Improved therapeutic strategies for both AD and stroke are needed. Carbonic anhydrases (CAs) are well-known targets for other diseases and are being recently investigated for their function in the development of cerebrovascular pathology. CAs catalyze the hydration of CO2 to produce bicarbonate and a proton. This reaction is important for pH homeostasis, overturn of cerebrospinal fluid, regulation of CBF, and other physiological functions. Humans express 15 CA isoforms with different distribution patterns. Recent studies provide evidence that CA inhibition is protective to NVU cells in vitro and in vivo, in models of stroke and AD pathology. CA inhibitors are FDA-approved for treatment of glaucoma, high-altitude sickness, and other indications. Most FDA-approved CA inhibitors are pan-CA inhibitors; however, specific CA isoforms are likely to modulate the NVU function. This review will summarize the literature regarding the use of pan-CA and specific CA inhibitors along with genetic manipulation of specific CA isoforms in stroke and AD models, to bring light into the functions of CAs in the NVU. Although pan-CA inhibitors are protective and safe, we hypothesize that targeting specific CA isoforms will increase the efficacy of CA inhibition and reduce side effects. More studies to further determine specific CA isoforms functions and changes in disease states are essential to the development of novel therapies for cerebrovascular pathology, occurring in both stroke and AD.

Analysis of Mitochondrial Calcium Retention Capacity in Cultured Cells: Permeabilized Cells Versus Isolated Mitochondria.

In response to various pathological stimuli, such as oxidative and energy stress accompanied by high Ca2+, mitochondria undergo permeability transition (PT) leading to the opening of the non-selective PT pores (PTP) in the inner mitochondrial membrane. Opening of the pores at high conductance allows the passage of ions and solutes <1.5 kD across the membrane, that increases colloid osmotic pressure in the matrix leading to excessive mitochondrial swelling. Calcium retention capacity (CRC) reflects maximum Ca2+ overload of mitochondria that occurs just before PTP opening. Quantification of CRC is important for elucidating the effects of different pathological stimuli and the efficacy of pharmacological agents on the mitochondria. Here, we performed a comparative analysis of CRC in mitochondria isolated from H9c2 cardioblasts, and in permeabilized H9c2 cells in situ to highlight the strengths and weaknesses of the CRC technique in isolated cell mitochondria vs. permeabilized cells. The cells were permeabilized by digitonin or saponin, and the Ca2+-sensitive fluorescence probe Calcium Green-5N was used in both preparations. Results demonstrated the interference of dye-associated fluorescence signals with saponin and the adverse effects of digitonin on mitochondria at high concentrations. Analysis of the CRC in permeabilized cells revealed a higher CRC in the saponin-permeabilized cells in comparison with the digitonin-permeabilized cells. In addition, the mitochondrial CRC in saponin-permeabilized cells was higher than in isolated mitochondria. Altogether, these data demonstrate that the quantification of the mitochondrial CRC in cultured cells permeabilized by saponin has more advantages compared to the isolated mitochondria.