Effects of sex and APOE ε4 genotype on brain mitochondrial high-energy phosphates in midlife individuals at risk for Alzheimer's disease: A 31Phosphorus MR spectroscopy study.

Age, female sex, and APOE epsilon 4 (APOE4) genotype are the three greatest risk factors for late-onset Alzheimer's disease (AD). The convergence of these risks creates a hypometabolic AD-risk profile unique to women, which may help explain their higher lifetime risk of AD. Less is known about APOE4 effects in men, although APOE4 positive men also experience an increased AD risk. This study uses 31Phosphorus Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (31P-MRS) to examine effects of sex and APOE4 status on brain high-energy phosphates [adenosine triphosphate (ATP), phosphocreatine (PCr), inorganic phosphate (Pi)] and membrane phospholipids [phosphomonoesters (PME), phosphodiesters (PDE)] in 209 cognitively normal individuals at risk for AD, ages 40-65, 80% female, 46% APOE4 carriers (APOE4+). Women exhibited lower PCr/ATP and PCr/Pi levels than men in AD-vulnerable regions, including frontal, posterior cingulate, lateral and medial temporal cortex (multi-variable adjusted p≤0.037). The APOE4+ group exhibited lower PCr/ATP and PCr/Pi in frontal regions as compared to non-carriers (APOE4-) (multi-variable adjusted p≤0.005). Sex by APOE4 status interactions were observed in frontal regions (multi-variable adjusted p≤0.046), where both female groups and APOE4+ men exhibited lower PCr/ATP and PCr/Pi than APOE4- men. Among men, APOE4 homozygotes exhibited lower frontal PCr/ATP than heterozygotes and non-carriers. There were no significant effects of sex or APOE4 status on Pi/ATP and PME/PDE measures. Among midlife individuals at risk for AD, women exhibit lower PCr/ATP (e.g. higher ATP utilization) and lower PCr/Pi (e.g. higher energy demand) than age-controlled men, independent of APOE4 status. However, a double dose of APOE4 allele shifted men's brains to a similar metabolic range as women's brains. Examination of brain metabolic heterogeneity can support identification of AD-specific pathways within at-risk subgroups, further advancing both preventive and precision medicine for AD.

Sex and menopause impact 31P-Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy brain mitochondrial function in association with 11C-PiB PET amyloid-beta load.

Increasing evidence implicates sex and endocrine aging effects on brain bioenergetic aging in the greater lifetime risk of Alzheimer's disease (AD) in women. We conducted 31Phosphorus Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (31P-MRS) to assess the impact of sex and menopause on brain high-energy phosphates [adenosine triphosphate (ATP), phosphocreatine (PCr), inorganic phosphate (Pi)] and membrane phospholipids [phosphomonoesters/phosphodiesters (PME/PDE)] in 216 midlife cognitively normal individuals at risk for AD, 80% female. Ninety-seven participants completed amyloid-beta (Aß) 11C-PiB PET. Women exhibited higher ATP utilization than men in AD-vulnerable frontal, posterior cingulate, fusiform, medial and lateral temporal regions (p < 0.001). This profile was evident in frontal cortex at the pre-menopausal and peri-menopausal stage and extended to the other regions at the post-menopausal stage (p = 0.001). Results were significant after multi-variable adjustment for age, APOE-4 status, midlife health indicators, history of hysterectomy/oophorectomy, use of menopause hormonal therapy, and total intracranial volume. While associations between ATP/PCr and Aß load were not significant, individuals with the highest Aß load were post-menopausal and peri-menopausal women with ATP/PCr ratios in the higher end of the distribution. No differences in Pi/PCr, Pi/ATP or PME/PDE were detected. Outcomes are consistent with dynamic bioenergetic brain adaptations that are associated with female sex and endocrine aging.

Epigenetic Aging Biomarkers Associated With Cognitive Impairment in Older African American Adults With Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV).

BACKGROUND: Accelerated epigenetic aging using DNA methylation (DNAm)-based biomarkers has been reported in people with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV, PWH), but limited data are available among African Americans (AA), women, and older PWH. METHODS: DNAm was measured using Illumina EPIC Arrays for 107 (69 PWH and 38 HIV-seronegative controls) AA adults ≥60 years in New York City. Six DNAm-based biomarkers of aging were estimated: (1) epigenetic age acceleration (EAA), (2) extrinsic epigenetic age acceleration (EEAA), (3) intrinsic epigenetic age acceleration (IEAA), (4) GrimAge, (5) PhenoAge, and (6) DNAm-estimated telomere length (DNAm-TL). The National Institutes of Health (NIH) Toolbox Cognition Battery (domains: executive function, attention, working memory, processing speed, and language) and Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) were administered. Participants were assessed for frailty by the Fried criteria. RESULTS: The PWH and control groups did not differ by sex, chronological age, or ethnicity. In total, 83% of PWH had a viral load <50 copies/mL, and 94% had a recent CD4 ≥200 cells/µL. The PWH group had a higher EAA, EEAA, GrimAge, and PhenoAge, and a lower DNAm-TL compared to the controls. IEAA was not different between groups. For PWH, there were significant negative correlations between IEAA and executive function, attention, and working memory and PhenoAge and attention. No associations between biomarkers and frailty were detected. CONCLUSIONS: Evidence of epigenetic age acceleration was observed in AA older PWH using DNAm-based biomarkers of aging. There was no evidence of age acceleration independent of cell type National Institutes of Health composition (IEAA) associated with HIV, but this measure was associated with decreased cognitive function among PWH.

Multifunctional stimuli responsive polymer-gated iron and gold-embedded silica nano golf balls: Nanoshuttles for targeted on-demand theranostics.

Multi-functional nanoshuttles for remotely targeted and on-demand delivery of therapeutic molecules and imaging to defined tissues and organs hold great potentials in personalized medicine, including precise early diagnosis, efficient prevention and therapy without toxicity. Yet, in spite of 25 years of research, there are still no such shuttles available. To this end, we have designed magnetic and gold nanoparticles (NP)-embedded silica nanoshuttles (MGNSs) with nanopores on their surface. Fluorescently labeled Doxorubicin (DOX), a cancer drug, was loaded in the MGNSs as a payload. DOX loaded MGNSs were encapsulated in heat and pH sensitive polymer P(NIPAM-co-MAA) to enable controlled release of the payload. Magnetically-guided transport of MGNSs was examined in: (a) a glass capillary tube to simulate their delivery via blood vessels; and (b) porous hydrogels to simulate their transport in composite human tissues, including bone, cartilage, tendon, muscles and blood-brain barrier (BBB). The viscoelastic properties of hydrogels were examined by atomic force microscopy (AFM). Cellular uptake of DOX-loaded MGNSs and the subsequent pH and temperature-mediated release were demonstrated in differentiated human neurons derived from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) as well as epithelial HeLa cells. The presence of embedded iron and gold NPs in silica shells and polymer-coating are supported by SEM and TEM. Fluorescence spectroscopy and microscopy documented DOX loading in the MGNSs. Time-dependent transport of MGNSs guided by an external magnetic field was observed in both glass capillary tubes and in the porous hydrogel. AFM results affirmed that the stiffness of the hydrogels model the rigidity range from soft tissues to bone. pH and temperature-dependent drug release analysis showed stimuli responsive and gradual drug release. Cells' viability MTT assays showed that MGNSs are non-toxic. The cell death from on-demand DOX release was observed in both neurons and epithelial cells even though the drug release efficiency was higher in neurons. Therefore, development of smart nanoshuttles have significant translational potential for controlled delivery of theranostics' payloads and precisely guided transport in specified tissues and organs (for example, bone, cartilage, tendon, bone marrow, heart, lung, liver, kidney, and brain) for highly efficient personalized medicine applications.

Aspartate ß-hydroxylase modulates cellular senescence through glycogen synthase kinase 3ß in hepatocellular carcinoma.

UNLABELLED: Aspartate ß-hydroxylase (ASPH) is an enzyme overexpressed in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) tumors that participates in the malignant transformation process. We determined if ASPH was a therapeutic target by exerting effects on cellular senescence to retard HCC progression. ASPH knockdown or knockout was achieved by short hairpin RNAs or the CRISPR/Cas9 system, respectively, whereas enzymatic inhibition was rendered by a potent second-generation small molecule inhibitor of ASPH. Alterations of cell proliferation, colony formation, and cellular senescence were evaluated in human HCC cell lines. The potential mechanisms for activating cellular senescence were explored using murine subcutaneous and orthotopic xenograft models. Inhibition of ASPH expression and enzymatic activity significantly reduced cell proliferation and colony formation but induced tumor cell senescence. Following inhibition of ASPH activity, phosphorylation of glycogen synthase kinase 3ß and p16 expression were increased to promote senescence, whereas cyclin D1 and proliferating cell nuclear antigen were decreased to reduce cell proliferation. The mechanisms involved demonstrate that ASPH binds to glycogen synthase kinase 3ß and inhibits its subsequent interactions with protein kinase B and p38 upstream kinases as shown by coimmunoprecipitation. In vivo experiments demonstrated that small molecule inhibitor treatment of HCC bearing mice resulted in significant dose-dependent reduced tumor growth, induced phosphorylation of glycogen synthase kinase 3ß, enhanced p16 expression in tumor cells, and promoted cellular senescence. CONCLUSIONS: We have identified a new mechanism that promotes HCC growth and progression by modulating senescence of tumor cells; these findings suggest that ASPH enzymatic activity is a novel therapeutic target for HCC.

Parental risk factors for oral clefts among Central Africans, Southeast Asians, and Central Americans.

BACKGROUND: Several lifestyle and environmental exposures have been suspected as risk factors for oral clefts, although few have been convincingly demonstrated. Studies across global diverse populations could offer additional insight given varying types and levels of exposures. METHODS: We performed an international case-control study in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (133 cases, 301 controls), Vietnam (75 cases, 158 controls), the Philippines (102 cases, 152 controls), and Honduras (120 cases, 143 controls). Mothers were recruited from hospitals and their exposures were collected from interviewer-administered questionnaires. We used logistic regression modeling to estimate odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). RESULTS: Family history of clefts was strongly associated with increased risk (maternal: OR = 4.7; 95% CI, 3.0-7.2; paternal: OR = 10.5; 95% CI, 5.9-18.8; siblings: OR = 5.3; 95% CI, 1.4-19.9). Advanced maternal age (5 year OR = 1.2; 95% CI, 1.0-1.3), pregestational hypertension (OR = 2.6; 95% CI, 1.3-5.1), and gestational seizures (OR = 2.9; 95% CI, 1.1-7.4) were statistically significant risk factors. Lower maternal (secondary school OR = 1.6; 95% CI, 1.2-2.2; primary school OR = 2.4, 95% CI, 1.6-2.8) and paternal education (OR = 1.9; 95% CI, 1.4-2.5; and OR = 1.8; 95% CI, 1.1-2.9, respectively) and paternal tobacco smoking (OR = 1.5, 95% CI, 1.1-1.9) were associated with an increased risk. No other significant associations between maternal and paternal factors were found; some environmental factors including rural residency, indoor cooking with wood, chemicals and water source appeared to be associated with an increased risk in adjusted models. CONCLUSION: Our study represents one of the first international studies investigating risk factors for clefts among multiethnic underserved populations. Our findings suggest a multifactorial etiology including both maternal and paternal factors.