Mitochondrial alterations in fibroblasts from sporadic Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients correlate with AD-related clinical hallmarks.

Mitochondrial dysfunctions are key features of Alzheimer's disease (AD). The occurrence of these disturbances in the peripheral cells of AD patients and their potential correlation with disease progression are underinvestigated. We studied mitochondrial structure, function and mitophagy in fibroblasts from healthy volunteers and AD patients at the prodromal (AD-MCI) or demented (AD-D) stages. We carried out correlation studies with clinical cognitive scores, namely, (i) Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and (ii) Dementia Rating-Scale Sum of Boxes (CDR-SOB), and with (iii) amyloid beta (Aß) plaque burden (PiB-PET imaging) and (iv) the accumulation of peripheral amyloid precursor protein C-terminal fragments (APP-CTFs). We revealed alterations in mitochondrial structure as well as specific mitochondrial dysfunction signatures in AD-MCI and AD-D fibroblasts and revealed that defective mitophagy and autophagy are linked to impaired lysosomal activity in AD-D fibroblasts. We reported significant correlations of a subset of these dysfunctions with cognitive decline, AD-related clinical hallmarks and peripheral APP-CTFs accumulation. This study emphasizes the potential use of peripheral cells for investigating AD pathophysiology.

The amyloid precursor protein and its derived fragments concomitantly contribute to the alterations of mitochondrial transport machinery in Alzheimer's disease.

Mitochondria dysfunctions and mitophagy failure have been associated with several Alzheimer's disease (AD) related molecular actors including amyloid beta (Aß) and recently the amyloid precursor protein-C terminal fragments (APP-CTFs). The efficacy of the mitophagy process in neurons relies on regulated mitochondrial transport along axons involving a complex molecular machinery. The contribution of the amyloid precursor protein (APP) and its derived fragments to the mitochondrial transport machinery alterations in AD have not been investigated before. We report herein a change of the expression of mitochondrial transport proteins (SNPH and Miro1), motor adapters (TRANK1 and TRAK2), and components of the dynein and kinesin motors (i.e., IC1,2 and Kif5 (A, B, C) isoforms) by endogenous APP and by overexpression of APP carrying the familial Swedish mutation (APPswe). We show that APP-CTFs and Aß concomitantly regulate the expression of a set of transport proteins as demonstrated in APPswe cells treated with ß- and γ-secretase inhibitors and in cells Knock-down for presenilin 1 and 2. We further report the impact of APP-CTFs on the expression of transport proteins in AAV-injected C99 mice brains. Our data also indicate that both Aß oligomers (Aßo) and APP-CTFs impair the colocalization of mitochondria and transport proteins. This has been demonstrated in differentiated SH-SY5Y naive cells treated with Aßo and in differentiated SH-SY5Y and murine primary neurons expressing APPswe and treated with the γ-secretase inhibitor. Importantly, we uncover that the expression of a set of transport proteins is modulated in a disease-dependent manner in 3xTgAD mice and in human sporadic AD brains. This study highlights molecular mechanisms underlying mitochondrial transport defects in AD that likely contribute to mitophagy failure and disease progression.

Effect of Ouabain on Glutamate Transport in the Hippocampus of Rats with LPS-Induced Neuroinflammation.

A lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced neuroinflammation rat model was used to study the effects of ouabain (OUA) at low concentrations, which can interact with the Na,K-ATPase, causing the modulation of intracellular signalling pathways in the Central Nervous System. Our study aimed to analyse the effects of OUA on glutamate transport in the hippocampus of rats with LPS-induced neuroinflammation. Adult male Wistar rats were divided into four groups: OUA (1.8 µg/kg), saline (CTR), LPS (200 µg/kg), and OUA + LPS (OUA 20 min before LPS). The animals were sacrificed after 2 h, and the hippocampus was collected for analysis. After treatment, we determined the activities of Na,K-ATPase and glutamine synthetase (GS). In addition, expression of the α1, α2, and α3 isoforms of Na,K-ATPase and the glutamate transporters, EAAT1 and EAAT2, were also analysed. Treatment with OUA caused a specific increase in the α2 isoform expression (~20%), whereas LPS decreased its expression (~22%), and treatment with OUA before LPS prevented the effects of LPS. Moreover, LPS caused a decrease of approximately 50% in GS activity compared with that in the CTR group; however, OUA pre-treatment attenuated this effect of LPS. Notably, it was found that treatment with OUA caused an increase in the expression of EAAT1 (~30%) and EAAT2 (~25%), whereas LPS caused a decrease in the expression of EAAT1 (~23%) and EAAT2 (~25%) compared with that in the CTR group. When treated with OUA, the effects of LPS were abrogated. In conclusion, the OUA pre-treatment abolished the effect caused by LPS, suggesting that this finding may be related to the restoration of the interaction between FXYD2 and the studied membrane proteins.

Neuroprotective action of α-Klotho against LPS-activated glia conditioned medium in primary neuronal culture.

The α-Klotho is an anti-aging protein that, when overexpressed, extends the life span in humans and mice. It has an anti-inflammatory and protective action on renal cells by inhibiting NF-κB activation and production of inflammatory cytokines in response to TNF-α. Furthermore, studies have shown the neuroprotective effect of α-Klotho against neuroinflammation on different conditions, such as aging, animal models of neurodegenerative diseases, and ischemic brain injury. This work aimed to evaluate the effects of α-Klotho protein on primary glial cell culture against the proinflammatory challenge with LPS and how this could interfere with neuronal health. Cortical mixed glial cells and purified astrocytes were pretreated with α- α-Klotho and stimulated with LPS followed by TNFα, IL-1ß, IL-6, IFN-γ levels, and NF-κB activity analysis. Conditioned medium from cortical mixed glia culture treated with LPS (glia conditioned medium (GCM) was used to induce neuronal death of primary cortical neuronal culture and evaluate if GCM-KL (medium from glia culture pretreated α-Klotho followed by LPS stimulation) or GCM + LPS in the presence of KL can reverse the effect. LPS treatment in glial cells induced an increase in proinflammatory mediators such as TNF-α, IL-1ß, IL-6, and IFN-γ, and activation of astrocyte NF-κB. GCM treated-cortical neuronal culture induced a concentration-dependent neuronal death. Pretreatment with α-Klotho decreased TNF-α and IL-6 production, reverted NF-κB activation, and decreased neuronal death induced by GCM. In addition, KL incubation together with GCM + LPS completely reverts the neuronal toxicity induced by low concentration of GCM-LPS. These data suggest an anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effect of α-Klotho protein in the CNS. This work demonstrated the therapeutic potential of α-Klotho in pathological processes which involves a neuroinflammatory component.

Consequences of the Lack of TNFR1 in Ouabain Response in the Hippocampus of C57BL/6J Mice.

Ouabain is a cardiac glycoside that has a protective effect against neuroinflammation at low doses through Na+/K+-ATPase signaling and that can activate tumor necrosis factor (TNF) in the brain. TNF plays an essential role in neuroinflammation and regulates glutamate receptors by acting on two different receptors (tumor necrosis factor receptor 1 [TNFR1] and TNFR2) that have distinct functions and expression. The activation of constitutively and ubiquitously expressed TNFR1 leads to the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Thus, this study aimed to elucidate the effects of ouabain in a TNFR1 knockout (KO) mouse model. Interestingly, the hippocampus of TNFR1 KO mice showed a basal increase in both TNFR2 membrane expression and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) release, suggesting a compensatory mechanism. Moreover, ouabain activated TNF-α-converting enzyme/a disintegrin and metalloprotease 17 (TACE/ADAM17), decreased N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor subunit 2A (NR2A) expression, and induced anxiety-like behavior in both genotype animals, independent of the presence of TNFR1. However, ouabain induced an increase in interleukin (IL)-1ß in the hippocampus, a decrease in IL-6 in serum, and an increase in NMDA receptor subunit 1 (NR1) only in wild-type (WT) mice, indicating that TNFR1 or TNFR2 expression may be important for some effects of ouabain. Collectively, our results indicate a connection between ouabain signaling and TNFR1, with the effect of ouabain partially dependent on TNFR1.

The Janus face of ouabain in Na+ /K+ -ATPase and calcium signalling in neurons.

Na+ /K+ -ATPase, a transmembrane protein essential for maintaining the electrochemical gradient across the plasma membrane, acts as a receptor for cardiotonic steroids such as ouabain. Cardiotonic steroids binding to Na+ /K+ -ATPase triggers signalling pathways or inhibits Na+ /K+ -ATPas activity in a concentration-dependent manner, resulting in a modulation of Ca2+ levels, which are essential for homeostasis in neurons. However, most of the pharmacological strategies for avoiding neuronal death do not target Na+ /K+ -ATPase activity due to its complexity and the poor understanding of the mechanisms involved in Na+ /K+ -ATPase modulation. The present review aims to discuss two points regarding the interplay between Na+ /K+ -ATPase and Ca2+ signalling in the brain. One, Na+ /K+ -ATPase impairment causing illness and neuronal death due to Ca2+ signalling and two, benefits to the brain by modulating Na+ /K+ -ATPase activity. These interactions play an essential role in neuronal cell fate determination and are relevant to find new targets for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. LINKED ARTICLES: This article is part of a themed issue on Building Bridges in Neuropharmacology. To view the other articles in this section visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.v179.8/issuetoc.

The Role of GPNMB in Inflammation.

Inflammation is a response to a lesion in the tissue or infection. This process occurs in a specific manner in the central nervous system and is called neuroinflammation, which is involved in neurodegenerative diseases. GPNMB, an endogenous glycoprotein, has been recently related to inflammation and neuroinflammation. GPNMB is highly expressed in macrophages and microglia, which are cells involved with innate immune response in the periphery and the brain, respectively. Some studies have shown increased levels of GPNMB in pro-inflammatory conditions, such as LPS treatment, and in pathological conditions, such as neurodegenerative diseases and cancer. However, the role of GPNMB in inflammation is still not clear. Even though most studies suggest that GPNMB might have an anti-inflammatory role by promoting inflammation resolution, there is evidence that GPNMB could be pro-inflammatory. In this review, we gather and discuss the published evidence regarding this interaction.

Accumulation of amyloid precursor protein C-terminal fragments triggers mitochondrial structure, function, and mitophagy defects in Alzheimer's disease models and human brains.

Several lines of recent evidence indicate that the amyloid precursor protein-derived C-terminal fragments (APP-CTFs) could correspond to an etiological trigger of Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathology. Altered mitochondrial homeostasis is considered an early event in AD development. However, the specific contribution of APP-CTFs to mitochondrial structure, function, and mitophagy defects remains to be established. Here, we demonstrate in neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells expressing either APP Swedish mutations, or the ß-secretase-derived APP-CTF fragment (C99) combined with ß- and γ-secretase inhibition, that APP-CTFs accumulation independently of Aß triggers excessive mitochondrial morphology alteration (i.e., size alteration and cristae disorganization) associated with enhanced mitochondrial reactive oxygen species production. APP-CTFs accumulation also elicit basal mitophagy failure illustrated by enhanced conversion of LC3, accumulation of LC3-I and/or LC3-II, non-degradation of SQSTM1/p62, inconsistent Parkin and PINK1 recruitment to mitochondria, enhanced levels of membrane and matrix mitochondrial proteins, and deficient fusion of mitochondria with lysosomes. We confirm the contribution of APP-CTFs accumulation to morphological mitochondria alteration and impaired basal mitophagy in vivo in young 3xTgAD transgenic mice treated with γ-secretase inhibitor as well as in adeno-associated-virus-C99 injected mice. Comparison of aged 2xTgAD and 3xTgAD mice indicates that, besides APP-CTFs, an additional contribution of Aß to late-stage mitophagy activation occurs. Importantly, we report on mitochondrial accumulation of APP-CTFs in human post-mortem sporadic AD brains correlating with mitophagy failure molecular signature. Since defective mitochondria homeostasis plays a pivotal role in AD pathogenesis, targeting mitochondrial dysfunctions and/or mitophagy by counteracting early APP-CTFs accumulation may represent relevant therapeutic interventions in AD.

Molecular Dysfunctions of Mitochondria-Associated Membranes (MAMs) in Alzheimer's Disease.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a multifactorial neurodegenerative pathology characterized by a progressive decline of cognitive functions. Alteration of various signaling cascades affecting distinct subcellular compartment functions and their communication likely contribute to AD progression. Among others, the alteration of the physical association between the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and mitochondria, also reffered as mitochondria-associated membranes (MAMs), impacts various cellular housekeeping functions such as phospholipids-, glucose-, cholesterol-, and fatty-acid-metabolism, as well as calcium signaling, which are all altered in AD. Our review describes the physical and functional proteome crosstalk between the ER and mitochondria and highlights the contribution of distinct molecular components of MAMs to mitochondrial and ER dysfunctions in AD progression. We also discuss potential strategies targeting MAMs to improve mitochondria and ER functions in AD.

Ouabain attenuates oxidative stress and modulates lipid composition in hippocampus of rats in lipopolysaccharide-induced hypocampal neuroinflammation in rats.

Our study aimed to analyze the effect of ouabain (OUA) administration on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced changes in hippocampus of rats. Oxidative parameters were analyzed in Wistar rats after intraperitoneal injection of OUA (1.8 µg/kg), LPS (200 µg/kg), or OUA plus LPS or saline. To reach our goal, activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPX), in addition to levels of reduced glutathione (GSH), protein carbonyl (PCO) and lipid peroxidation (LPO) were evaluated. We also analyzed the membrane lipid profile and some important lipids for the nervous system, such as phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), phosphatidylcholine (PC), phosphatidylinositol (PI), phosphatidic acid and sphingomyelin. The group that received only LPS showed increased oxidative stress, as evidenced by an increase in LPO (about twice), PCO (about three times) levels, and CAT activity (80%). Conversely, administration of LPS decreased GSH levels (55%), and GPx activity (30%), besides a reduction in the amount of PI (60%) and PC (45%). By other side, OUA alone increased the amount of PI (45%), PE (85%), and PC (70%). All harmful effects recorded were attenuated by OUA, suggesting a protective effect against LPS-induced oxidative stress. The relevance of our results extends beyond changes in oxidative parameters induced by LPS, because nanomolar doses of OUA may be useful in neurodegenerative models. Other studies on other cardenolides and substances related issues, as well as the development of new molecules derived from OUA, could also be useful in general oxidative and/or cellular stress, a condition favoring the appearance of neuronal pathologies.

Ouabain increases neuronal branching in hippocampus and improves spatial memory.

Previous research shows Ouabain (OUA) to bind Na, K-ATPase, thereby triggering a number of signaling pathways, including the transcription factors NFᴋB and CREB. These transcription factors play a key role in the regulation of BDNF and WNT-ß-catenin signaling cascades, which are involved in neuroprotection and memory regulation. This study investigated the effects of OUA (10 nM) in the modulation of the principal signaling pathways involved in morphological plasticity and memory formation in the hippocampus of adult rats. The results show intrahippocampal injection of OUA 10 nM to activate the Wnt/ß-Catenin signaling pathway and to increase CREB/BDNF and NFᴋB levels. These effects contribute to important changes in the cellular microenvironment, resulting in enhanced levels of dendritic branching in hippocampal neurons, in association with an improvement in spatial reference memory and the inhibition of long-term memory extinction.

Ouabain attenuates the oxidative stress induced by lipopolysaccharides in the cerebellum of rats.

Our study aimed to analyze the effect of ouabain administration on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced changes in oxidative parameters, membrane lipid composition, and the activities of some important enzymes of the nervous system. The content of phospholipids, cholesterol, and gangliosides were analyzed in Wistar rats after intraperitoneal injection of ouabain (1.8 µg/kg), LPS (200 µg/kg), or saline. Oxidative parameters were also evaluated, including the activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase, the levels of glutathione and lipid peroxidation, as well as Na,K-ATPase activity and the level of glutamate transporter EAAT4. Administration of LPS resulted in increased oxidative stress, as evidenced by an increase in lipid peroxidation levels, glutathione peroxidase activity, decreased catalase activity and reduced glutathione levels. All changes recorded were attenuated by pretreatment with ouabain. Administration of ouabain plus LPS enhanced the total ganglioside content and EAAT4 levels, but failed to alter the Na,K-ATPase activity. Our data suggest a neuroprotective effect of ouabain against LPS-induced oxidative stress by promoting membrane lipid remodeling and increasing the expression of glutamate transporter EAAT4. Our results emphasize that the observed oxidative stress is not correlated with Na,K-ATPase, but with a possible ouabain-mediated effect on cellular signaling. The relevance of our results extends beyond LPS-induced changes in oxidative parameters, as nanomolar doses of ouabain might prove useful in neurodegenerative models. Further study of other cardenolides and related molecules, as well as the development of new molecules derived from ouabain, could also prove useful in the fight against the oxidative and/or general cell stress triggered by neuronal pathologies.

Cardiotonic Steroids as Modulators of Neuroinflammation.

Cardiotonic steroids (CTS) are a class of specific ligands of the Na(+), K(+)- ATPase (NKA). NKA is a P-type ATPase that is ubiquitously expressed and although well known to be responsible for the maintenance of the cell electrochemical gradient through active transport, NKA can also act as a signal transducer in the presence of CTS. Inflammation, in addition to importantly driving organism defense and survival mechanisms, can also modulate NKA activity and memory formation, as well as being relevant to many chronic illnesses, neurodegenerative diseases, and mood disorders. The aim of the current review is to highlight the recent advances as to the role of CTS and NKA in inflammatory process, with a particular focus in the central nervous system.

Ouabain Modulates the Lipid Composition of Hippocampal Plasma Membranes from Rats with LPS-induced Neuroinflammation.

The effects of ouabain (OUA) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in vivo on hippocampal membranes (RHM) of Wistar male rats aged 3 months were analyzed. After intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of OUA only, LPS only, OUA plus LPS, or saline, the content of proteins, phospholipids, cholesterol and gangliosides from RHM was analyzed. The total protein and cholesterol contents of RHM were not significantly affected by OUA or LPS for the experimentally paired groups. In contrast, total phospholipids and gangliosides were strongly modulated by either OUA or LPS treatments. LPS reduced the total phospholipids (roughly 23 %) and increased the total gangliosides (approximately 40 %). OUA alone increased the total phospholipids (around 23 %) and also the total gangliosides (nearly 34 %). OUA pretreatment compensated the LPS-induced changes, preserving the total phospholipids and gangliosides around the same levels of the control. Thus, an acute treatment with OUA not only modulated the composition of hippocampal membranes from 3-month-old rats, but also was apparently able to counteract membrane alterations resulting from LPS-induced neuroinflammation. This study demonstrates for the first time that the OUA capacity modulates the lipid composition of hippocampal plasma membranes from rats with LPS-induced neuroinflammation.

Effects of intermittent fasting on age-related changes on Na,K-ATPase activity and oxidative status induced by lipopolysaccharide in rat hippocampus.

Chronic neuroinflammation is a common characteristic of neurodegenerative diseases, and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) signaling is linked to glutamate-nitric oxide-Na,K-ATPase isoforms pathway in central nervous system (CNS) and also causes neuroinflammation. Intermittent fasting (IF) induces adaptive responses in the brain that can suppress inflammation, but the age-related effect of IF on LPS modulatory influence on nitric oxide-Na,K-ATPase isoforms is unknown. This work compared the effects of LPS on the activity of α1,α2,3 Na,K-ATPase, nitric oxide synthase gene expression and/or activity, cyclic guanosine monophosphate, 3-nitrotyrosine-containing proteins, and levels of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances in CNS of young and older rats submitted to the IF protocol for 30 days. LPS induced an age-related effect in neuronal nitric oxide synthase activity, cyclic guanosine monophosphate, and levels of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances in rat hippocampus that was linked to changes in α2,3-Na,K-ATPase activity, 3-nitrotyrosine proteins, and inducible nitric oxide synthase gene expression. IF induced adaptative cellular stress-response signaling pathways reverting LPS effects in rat hippocampus of young and older rats. The results suggest that IF in both ages would reduce the risk for deficits on brain function and neurodegenerative disorders linked to inflammatory response in the CNS.

Signaling function of Na,K-ATPase induced by ouabain against LPS as an inflammation model in hippocampus.

BACKGROUND: Ouabain (OUA) is a newly recognized hormone that is synthesized in the adrenal cortex and hypothalamus. Low doses of OUA can activate a signaling pathway by interaction with Na,K-ATPase, which is protective against a number of insults. OUA has central and peripheral anti-inflammatory effects. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS), via toll-like receptor 4 activation, is a widely used model to induce systemic inflammation. This study used a low OUA dose to evaluate its effects on inflammation induced by LPS injection in rats. METHODS: Adult male Wistar rats received acute intraperitoneal (ip) OUA (1.8 µg/kg) or saline 20 minutes before LPS (200 µg/kg, ip) or saline injection. Some of the animals had their femoral artery catheterized in order to assess arterial blood pressure values before and after OUA administration. Na,K-ATPase activity, cytokine mRNA levels, apoptosis-related proteins, NF-κB activation brain-derived neurotrophic factor BDNF, corticosterone and TNF-α levels were measured. RESULTS: OUA pretreatment decreased mRNA levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokines, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and IL-1ß, which are activated by LPS in the hippocampus, but with no effect on serum measures of these factors. None of these OUA effects were linked to Na,K-ATPase activity. The involvement of the inflammatory transcription factor NF-κB in the OUA effect was indicated by its prevention of LPS-induced nuclear translocation of the NF-κB subunit, RELA (p65), as well as the decreased cytosol levels of the NF-κB inhibitor, IKB, in the hippocampus. OUA pretreatment reversed the LPS-induced glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) activation and associated inflammation in the dentate gyrus. OUA also prevented LPS-induced increases in the hippocampal Bax/Bcl2 ratio suggesting an anti-apoptotic action in the brain. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that a low dose of OUA has an important anti-inflammatory effect in the rat hippocampus. This effect was associated with decreased GFAP induction by LPS in the dentate gyrus, a brain area linked to adult neurogenesis.