Vaccination with structurally adapted fungal protein fibrils induces immunity to Parkinson's disease.

The pathological misfolding and aggregation of soluble α-synuclein into toxic oligomers and insoluble amyloid fibrils causes Parkinson's disease, a progressive age-related neurodegenerative disease for which there is no cure. HET-s is a soluble fungal protein that can form assembled amyloid fibrils in its prion state. We engineered HET-s(218-298) to form four different fibrillar vaccine candidates, each displaying a specific conformational epitope present on the surface of α-synuclein fibrils. Vaccination with these four vaccine candidates prolonged the survival of immunized TgM83+/- mice challenged with α-synuclein fibrils by 8% when injected into the brain to model brain-first Parkinson's disease or by 21% and 22% when injected into the peritoneum or gut wall, respectively, to model body-first Parkinson's disease. Antibodies from fully immunized mice recognized α-synuclein fibrils and brain homogenates from patients with Parkinson's disease, dementia with Lewy bodies and multiple system atrophy. Conformation-specific vaccines that mimic epitopes present only on the surface of pathological fibrils but not on soluble monomers, hold great promise for protection against Parkinson's disease, related synucleinopathies and other amyloidogenic protein misfolding disorders.

Protein thermal sensing regulates physiological amyloid aggregation.

To survive, cells must respond to changing environmental conditions. One way that eukaryotic cells react to harsh stimuli is by forming physiological, RNA-seeded subnuclear condensates, termed amyloid bodies (A-bodies). The molecular constituents of A-bodies induced by different stressors vary significantly, suggesting this pathway can tailor the cellular response by selectively aggregating a subset of proteins under a given condition. Here, we identify critical structural elements that regulate heat shock-specific amyloid aggregation. Our data demonstrates that manipulating structural pockets in constituent proteins can either induce or restrict their A-body targeting at elevated temperatures. We propose a model where selective aggregation within A-bodies is mediated by the thermal stability of a protein, with temperature-sensitive structural regions acting as an intrinsic form of post-translational regulation. This system would provide cells with a rapid and stress-specific response mechanism, to tightly control physiological amyloid aggregation or other cellular stress response pathways.

Native PLGA nanoparticles attenuate Aß-seed induced tau aggregation under in vitro conditions: potential implication in Alzheimer's disease pathology.

Evidence suggests that beta-amyloid (Aß)-induced phosphorylation/aggregation of tau protein plays a critical role in the degeneration of neurons and development of Alzheimer's disease (AD), the most common cause of dementia affecting the elderly population. Many studies have pursued a variety of small molecules, including nanoparticles conjugated with drugs to interfere with Aß and/or tau aggregation/toxicity as an effective strategy for AD treatment. We reported earlier that FDA approved PLGA nanoparticles without any drug can attenuate Aß aggregation/toxicity in cellular/animal models of AD. In this study, we evaluated the effects of native PLGA on Aß seed-induced aggregation of tau protein using a variety of biophysical, structural and spectroscopic approaches. Our results show that Aß1-42 seeds enhanced aggregation of tau protein in the presence and absence of heparin and the effect was attenuated by native PLGA nanoparticles. Interestingly, PLGA inhibited aggregation of both 4R and 3R tau isoforms involved in the formation of neurofibrillary tangles in AD brains. Furthermore, Aß seed-induced tau aggregation in the presence of arachidonic acid was suppressed by native PLGA. Collectively, our results suggest that native PLGA nanoparticles can inhibit the Aß seed-induced aggregation of different tau protein isoforms highlighting their therapeutic implication in the treatment of AD.

SERS probing of fungal HET-s fibrils formed at neutral and acidic pH conditions.

Advances in precision medical diagnostics require accurate and sensitive characterization of pathogens. In particular, health conditions associated with protein misfolding require an identification of proteinaceous amyloid fibrils or their precursors. These pathogenic entities express specific molecular structures, which require ultra-sensitive, molecular-level detection methods. A potentially transformative technique termed nanoplasmonics employs electro-optical phenomena in the vicinity of specially engineered metal nanostructures. A signature application of nanoplasmonics exploits enhancement of inelastic scattering of light in specific locations near metallic nanostructures, known as surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS). We applied SERS complemented with confocal microscopy imaging for ultra-sensitive, non-invasive, and label-free characterization of the fungal prion HET-s (218-289) as a model for ß-sheet rich amyloid structures. This characterization employed Au-coated dielectric supports as plasmonic substrates. After confirming the formation of HET-s fibrils at both pH 7.5 and 2.8 using negative staining transmission electron microscopy, we subjected the fibril-containing solutions to multimodal analysis using confocal microscopy and SERS. The SERS spectral fingerprints from all HET-s samples expressed vibrational markers for ß-structure, unstructured backbone, and aromatic side-chains. However, relative intensities of major SERS bands were pronouncedly different for the two pH levels. We have analyzed potential origins of the most pronounced SERS bands and proposed hypothetical mechanistic models that could explain the observed SERS fingerprints from HET-s fibrils grown at pH 7.5 and 2.8.

In Vitro and In Vivo Evidence towards Fibronectin's Protective Effects against Prion Infection.

A distinctive signature of the prion diseases is the accumulation of the pathogenic isoform of the prion protein, PrPSc, in the central nervous system of prion-affected humans and animals. PrPSc is also found in peripheral tissues, raising concerns about the potential transmission of pathogenic prions through human food supplies and posing a significant risk to public health. Although muscle tissues are considered to contain levels of low prion infectivity, it has been shown that myotubes in culture efficiently propagate PrPSc. Given the high consumption of muscle tissue, it is important to understand what factors could influence the establishment of a prion infection in muscle tissue. Here we used in vitro myotube cultures, differentiated from the C2C12 myoblast cell line (dC2C12), to identify factors affecting prion replication. A range of experimental conditions revealed that PrPSc is tightly associated with proteins found in the systemic extracellular matrix, mostly fibronectin (FN). The interaction of PrPSc with FN decreased prion infectivity, as determined by standard scrapie cell assay. Interestingly, the prion-resistant reserve cells in dC2C12 cultures displayed a FN-rich extracellular matrix while the prion-susceptible myotubes expressed FN at a low level. In agreement with the in vitro results, immunohistopathological analyses of tissues from sheep infected with natural scrapie demonstrated a prion susceptibility phenotype linked to an extracellular matrix with undetectable levels of FN. Conversely, PrPSc deposits were not observed in tissues expressing FN. These data indicate that extracellular FN may act as a natural barrier against prion replication and that the extracellular matrix composition may be a crucial feature determining prion tropism in different tissues.

Propagation of PrPSc in mice reveals impact of aggregate composition on prion disease pathogenesis.

Infectious prions consist of PrPSc, a misfolded, aggregation-prone isoform of the host's prion protein. PrPSc assemblies encode distinct biochemical and biological properties. They harbor a specific profile of PrPSc species, from small oligomers to fibrils in different ratios, where the highest infectivity aligns with oligomeric particles. To investigate the impact of PrPSc aggregate complexity on prion propagation, biochemical properties, and disease pathogenesis, we fractionated elk prions by sedimentation velocity centrifugation, followed by sub-passages of individual fractions in cervidized mice. Upon first passage, different fractions generated PrPSc with distinct biochemical, biophysical, and neuropathological profiles. Notably, low or high molecular weight PrPSc aggregates caused different clinical signs of hyperexcitability or lethargy, respectively, which were retained over passage, whereas other properties converged. Our findings suggest that PrPSc quaternary structure determines an initial selection of a specific replication environment, resulting in transmissible features that are independent of PrPSc biochemical and biophysical properties.

Progress in vaccine development for infectious diseases-a Keystone Symposia report.

The COVID-19 pandemic has taught us many things, among the most important of which is that vaccines are one of the cornerstones of public health that help make modern longevity possible. While several different vaccines have been successful at stemming the morbidity and mortality associated with various infectious diseases, many pathogens/diseases remain recalcitrant to the development of effective vaccination. Recent advances in vaccine technology, immunology, structural biology, and other fields may yet yield insight that will address these diseases; they may also help improve societies' preparedness for future pandemics. On June 1-4, 2022, experts in vaccinology from academia, industry, and government convened for the Keystone symposium "Progress in Vaccine Development for Infectious Diseases" to discuss state-of-the-art technologies, recent advancements in understanding vaccine-mediated immunity, and new aspects of antigen design to aid vaccine effectiveness.

Somatostatin slows Aß plaque deposition in aged APPNL-F/NL-F mice by blocking Aß aggregation.

The neuroendocrine peptide somatostatin (SST) has long been thought of as influencing the deposition of the amyloid ß peptide (Aß) in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Missing have been in vivo data in a relevant Aß amyloidosis model. Here we crossed AppNL-F/NL-F mice with Sst-deficient mice to assess if and how the presence of Sst influences pathological hallmarks of Aß amyloidosis. We found that Sst had no influence on whole brain neprilysin transcript, protein or activity levels, an observation that cannot be accounted for by a compensatory upregulation of the Sst paralog, cortistatin (Cort), that we observed in 15-month-old Sst-deficient mice. Sst-deficiency led to a subtle but significant increase in the density of cortical Aß amyloid plaques. Follow-on western blot analyses of whole brain extracts indicated that Sst interferes with early steps of Aß assembly that manifest in the appearance of SDS-stable smears of 55-150 kDa in Sst null brain samples. As expected, no effect of Sst on tau steady-state levels or its phosphorylation were observed. Results from this study are easier reconciled with an emerging body of data that point toward Sst affecting Aß amyloid plaque formation through direct interference with Aß aggregation rather than through its effects on neprilysin expression.

Essential collective dynamics analysis reveals nonlocal interactions of alpha-synuclein38-95 monomers with fibrillar seeds.

Alpha-synuclein (α-syn) is a cytoplasmic protein commonly found in the nervous system. In solution, α-syn adopts disordered unfolded conformations, although it can also form α-helices upon binding to lipid membranes. Under conditions that are not yet fully understood, α-syn can misfold and aggregate, giving rise to ß-sheet rich amyloid fibrils, which then tend to accumulate in degenerating neurons. This leads to Parkinson's disease (PD) and several other conditions collectively termed synucleinopathies. Development of disease-modifying treatments requires detailed understanding of structure and dynamics of α-syn's misfolded aggregates. We have employed 1000 ns long, all-atom molecular dynamics simulations to investigate the interaction of monomeric α-syn38-95 fragments, which contain the most important amyloidogenic regions, with preformed fibrillar seeds composed of staggered, ß-sheet rich α-syn chains of matching length. The simulations indicate that α-syn38-95 monomers tend to form aggregates with the fibrillar seeds, although we have not observed alignment of the monomeric chains with ß-strands of the fibril. To analyze the stability of these aggregates, we have employed the essential collective dynamics method, which allows making accurate assessment of dynamical coupling across individual atoms in macromolecules and supramolecular complexes. The analysis revealed extensive dynamical coupling across initially monomeric α-syn chains and the fibrillar seeds including distal regions thereof that did not contact the monomer directly. We have discussed structural origins of these long-range interactions, their impacts for the stability of α-syn aggregates, and potential implications for the development of anti-PD treatments.

Significance of native PLGA nanoparticles in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease pathology.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is believed to be triggered by increased levels/aggregation of ß-amyloid (Aß) peptides. At present, there is no effective disease-modifying treatment for AD. Here, we evaluated the therapeutic potential of FDA-approved native poly(d,l-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) nanoparticles on Aß aggregation and in cellular/animal models of AD. Our results showed that native PLGA can not only suppress the spontaneous aggregation but can also trigger disassembly of preformed Aß aggregates. Spectroscopic studies, molecular dynamics simulations and biochemical analyses revealed that PLGA, by interacting with the hydrophobic domain of Aß1-42, prevents a conformational shift towards the ß-sheet structure, thus precluding the formation and/or triggering disassembly of Aß aggregates. PLGA-treated Aß samples can enhance neuronal viability by reducing phosphorylation of tau protein and its associated signaling mechanisms. Administration of PLGA can interact with Aß aggregates and attenuate memory deficits as well as Aß levels/deposits in the 5xFAD mouse model of AD. PLGA can also protect iPSC-derived neurons from AD patients against Aß toxicity by decreasing tau phosphorylation. These findings provide unambiguous evidence that native PLGA, by targeting different facets of the Aß axis, can have beneficial effects in mouse neurons/animal models as well as on iPSC-derived AD neurons - thus signifying its unique therapeutic potential in the treatment of AD pathology.

Prion protein with a mutant N-terminal octarepeat region undergoes cobalamin-dependent assembly into high-molecular weight complexes.

The cellular prion protein (PrPC) has a C-terminal globular domain and a disordered N-terminal region encompassing five octarepeats (ORs). Encounters between Cu(II) ions and four OR sites produce interchangeable binding geometries; however, the significance of Cu(II) binding to ORs in different combinations is unclear. To understand the impact of specific binding geometries, OR variants were designed that interact with multiple or single Cu(II) ions in specific locked coordinations. Unexpectedly, we found that one mutant produced detergent-insoluble, protease-resistant species in cells in the absence of exposure to the infectious prion protein isoform, scrapie-associated prion protein (PrPSc). Formation of these assemblies, visible as puncta, was reversible and dependent upon medium formulation. Cobalamin (Cbl), a dietary cofactor containing a corrin ring that coordinates a Co3+ ion, was identified as a key medium component, and its effect was validated by reconstitution experiments. Although we failed to find evidence that Cbl interacts with Cu-binding OR regions, we instead noted interactions of Cbl with the PrPC C-terminal domain. We found that some interactions occurred at a binding site of planar tetrapyrrole compounds on the isolated globular domain, but others did not, and N-terminal sequences additionally had a marked effect on their presence and position. Our studies define a conditional effect of Cbl wherein a mutant OR region can act in cis to destabilize a globular domain with a wild type sequence. The unexpected intersection between the properties of PrPSc's disordered region, Cbl, and conformational remodeling events may have implications for understanding sporadic prion disease that does not involve exposure to PrPSc.

Unconjugated PLGA nanoparticles attenuate temperature-dependent ß-amyloid aggregation and protect neurons against toxicity: implications for Alzheimer's disease pathology.

Conversion of ß-amyloid (Aß) peptides from soluble random-coil to aggregated protein enriched with ß-sheet-rich intermediates has been suggested to play a role in the degeneration of neurons and development of Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathology. Aggregation of Aß peptide can be prompted by a variety of environmental factors including temperature which can influence disease pathogenesis. Recently, we reported that FDA-approved unconjugated poly (D,L-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) nanoparticles can have beneficial effects in cellular and animal models of AD by targeting different facets of the Aß axis. In this study, using biochemical, structural and spectroscopic analyses, we evaluated the effects of native PLGA on temperature-dependent Aß aggregation and its ability to protect cultured neurons from degeneration. Our results show that the rate of spontaneous Aß1-42 aggregation increases with a rise in temperature from 27 to 40 °C and PLGA with 50:50 resomer potently inhibits Aß aggregation at all temperatures, but the effect is more profound at 27 °C than at 40 °C. It appears that native PLGA, by interacting with the hydrophobic domain of Aß1-42, prevents a conformational shift towards ß-sheet structure, thus precluding the formation of Aß aggregates. Additionally, PLGA triggers disassembly of matured Aß1-42 fibers at a faster rate at 40 °C than at 27 °C. PLGA-treated Aß samples can significantly enhance viability of cortical cultured neurons compared to neurons treated with Aß alone by attenuating phosphorylation of tau protein. Injection of native PLGA is found to influence the breakdown/clearance of Aß peptide in the brain. Collectively, these results suggest that PLGA nanoparticles can inhibit Aß aggregation and trigger disassembly of Aß aggregates at temperatures outside the physiological range and can protect neurons against Aß-mediated toxicity thus validating its unique therapeutic potential in the treatment of AD pathology.

Implications of exosomes derived from cholesterol-accumulated astrocytes in Alzheimer's disease pathology.

Amyloid ß (Aß) peptides generated from the amyloid precursor protein (APP) play a critical role in the development of Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathology. Aß-containing neuronal exosomes, which represent a novel form of intercellular communication, have been shown to influence the function/vulnerability of neurons in AD. Unlike neurons, the significance of exosomes derived from astrocytes remains unclear. In this study, we evaluated the significance of exosomes derived from U18666A-induced cholesterol-accumulated astrocytes in the development of AD pathology. Our results show that cholesterol accumulation decreases exosome secretion, whereas lowering cholesterol increases exosome secretion, from cultured astrocytes. Interestingly, exosomes secreted from U18666A-treated astrocytes contain higher levels of APP, APP-C-terminal fragments, soluble APP, APP secretases and Aß1-40 than exosomes secreted from control astrocytes. Furthermore, we show that exosomes derived from U18666A-treated astrocytes can lead to neurodegeneration, which is attenuated by decreasing Aß production or by neutralizing exosomal Aß peptide with an anti-Aß antibody. These results, taken together, suggest that exosomes derived from cholesterol-accumulated astrocytes can play an important role in trafficking APP/Aß peptides and influencing neuronal viability in the affected regions of the AD brain.

Biosynthesis of Silver Nanoparticles Using Stenocereus queretaroensis Fruit Peel Extract: Study of Antimicrobial Activity.

The synthesis and application of nanomaterials as antioxidants and cytotoxic agents has increased in recent years. Biological methods go beyond the chemical and physical synthesis that is expensive and not friendly to the environment. Foodborne pathogens and microorganisms causing candidiasis are responsible of 5-10% hospitalized patients. The nutritional properties of the fruit called pitaya, from the Stenocereus queretaroensis species, have been little explored. Therefore, in this study the phytochemical composition of S. queretaroensis peel was evaluated and silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were synthesized biologically in an environmentally friendly way by S. queretaroensis peel aqueous extract that contains phytochemicals capable of reducing silver nitrate. The antimicrobial activity of the AgNPs was tested by determining the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), minimal bactericidal concentration (MBC) and time-kill kinetics. AgNPs were characterized visually, by UV-visible spectroscopy and TEM. FTIR spectroscopy identified metabolites responsible for the AgNPs formation. AgNPs showed potent antimicrobial activity against gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria, against fungi, and a methicillin-resistant strain of S. aureus. MIC and MBC values were as low as 0.078 and 0.156 µg/mL using AgNPs biosynthesized by S. queretaroensis fruit peel and the time kill assay started a log reduction in CFU/mL at 1 × MIC and 2 × MIC. S. queretaroensis-mediated AgNPs could be the basis for the formulation of biofilms for packaging products or as disinfectants for use on different surfaces.

New and distinct chronic wasting disease strains associated with cervid polymorphism at codon 116 of the Prnp gene.

Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is a prion disease affecting cervids. Polymorphisms in the prion protein gene can result in extended survival of CWD-infected animals. However, the impact of polymorphisms on cellular prion protein (PrPC) and prion properties is less understood. Previously, we characterized the effects of a polymorphism at codon 116 (A>G) of the white-tailed deer (WTD) prion protein and determined that it destabilizes PrPC structure. Comparing CWD isolates from WTD expressing homozygous wild-type (116AA) or heterozygous (116AG) PrP, we found that 116AG-prions were conformationally less stable, more sensitive to proteases, with lower seeding activity in cell-free conversion and reduced infectivity. Here, we aimed to understand CWD strain emergence and adaptation. We show that the WTD-116AG isolate contains two different prion strains, distinguished by their host range, biochemical properties, and pathogenesis from WTD-116AA prions (Wisc-1). Serial passages of WTD-116AG prions in tg(CerPrP)1536+/+ mice overexpressing wild-type deer-PrPC revealed two populations of mice with short and long incubation periods, respectively, and remarkably prolonged clinical phase upon inoculation with WTD-116AG prions. Inoculation of serially diluted brain homogenates confirmed the presence of two strains in the 116AG isolate with distinct pathology in the brain. Interestingly, deglycosylation revealed proteinase K-resistant fragments with different electrophoretic mobility in both tg(CerPrP)1536+/+ mice and Syrian golden hamsters infected with WTD-116AG. Infection of tg60 mice expressing deer S96-PrP with 116AG, but not Wisc-1 prions induced clinical disease. On the contrary, bank voles resisted 116AG prions, but not Wisc-1 infection. Our data indicate that two strains co-existed in the WTD-116AG isolate, expanding the variety of CWD prion strains. We argue that the 116AG isolate does not contain Wisc-1 prions, indicating that the presence of 116G-PrPC diverted 116A-PrPC from adopting a Wisc-1 structure. This can have important implications for their possible distinct capacities to cross species barriers into both cervids and non-cervids.

Asymmetric-flow field-flow fractionation of prions reveals a strain-specific continuum of quaternary structures with protease resistance developing at a hydrodynamic radius of 15 nm.

Prion diseases are transmissible neurodegenerative disorders that affect mammals, including humans. The central molecular event is the conversion of cellular prion glycoprotein, PrPC, into a plethora of assemblies, PrPSc, associated with disease. Distinct phenotypes of disease led to the concept of prion strains, which are associated with distinct PrPSc structures. However, the degree to which intra- and inter-strain PrPSc heterogeneity contributes to disease pathogenesis remains unclear. Addressing this question requires the precise isolation and characterization of all PrPSc subpopulations from the prion-infected brains. Until now, this has been challenging. We used asymmetric-flow field-flow fractionation (AF4) to isolate all PrPSc subpopulations from brains of hamsters infected with three prion strains: Hyper (HY) and 263K, which produce almost identical phenotypes, and Drowsy (DY), a strain with a distinct presentation. In-line dynamic and multi-angle light scattering (DLS/MALS) data provided accurate measurements of particle sizes and estimation of the shape and number of PrPSc particles. We found that each strain had a continuum of PrPSc assemblies, with strong correlation between PrPSc quaternary structure and phenotype. HY and 263K were enriched with large, protease-resistant PrPSc aggregates, whereas DY consisted primarily of smaller, more protease-sensitive aggregates. For all strains, a transition from protease-sensitive to protease-resistant PrPSc took place at a hydrodynamic radius (Rh) of 15 nm and was accompanied by a change in glycosylation and seeding activity. Our results show that the combination of AF4 with in-line MALS/DLS is a powerful tool for analyzing PrPSc subpopulations and demonstrate that while PrPSc quaternary structure is a major contributor to PrPSc structural heterogeneity, a fundamental change, likely in secondary/tertiary structure, prevents PrPSc particles from maintaining proteinase K resistance below an Rh of 15 nm, regardless of strain. This results in two biochemically distinctive subpopulations, the proportion, seeding activity, and stability of which correlate with prion strain phenotype.

The ultrastructure of infectious L-type bovine spongiform encephalopathy prions constrains molecular models.

Bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) is a prion disease of cattle that is caused by the misfolding of the cellular prion protein (PrPC) into an infectious conformation (PrPSc). PrPC is a predominantly α-helical membrane protein that misfolds into a ß-sheet rich, infectious state, which has a high propensity to self-assemble into amyloid fibrils. Three strains of BSE prions can cause prion disease in cattle, including classical BSE (C-type) and two atypical strains, named L-type and H-type BSE. To date, there is no detailed information available about the structure of any of the infectious BSE prion strains. In this study, we purified L-type BSE prions from transgenic mouse brains and investigated their biochemical and ultrastructural characteristics using electron microscopy, image processing, and immunogold labeling techniques. By using phosphotungstate anions (PTA) to precipitate PrPSc combined with sucrose gradient centrifugation, a high yield of proteinase K-resistant BSE amyloid fibrils was obtained. A morphological examination using electron microscopy, two-dimensional class averages, and three-dimensional reconstructions revealed two structural classes of L-type BSE amyloid fibrils; fibrils that consisted of two protofilaments with a central gap and an average width of 22.5 nm and one-protofilament fibrils that were 10.6 nm wide. The one-protofilament fibrils were found to be more abundant compared to the thicker two-protofilament fibrils. Both fibrillar assemblies were successfully decorated with monoclonal antibodies against N- and C-terminal epitopes of PrP using immunogold-labeling techniques, confirming the presence of polypeptides that span residues 100-110 to 227-237. The fact that the one-protofilament fibrils contain both N- and C-terminal PrP epitopes constrains molecular models for the structure of the infectious conformer in favour of a compact four-rung ß-solenoid fold.

Mimosine functionalized gold nanoparticles (Mimo-AuNPs) suppress ß-amyloid aggregation and neuronal toxicity.

Evidence suggests that increased level/aggregation of beta-amyloid (Aß) peptides initiate neurodegeneration and subsequent development of Alzheimer's disease (AD). At present, there is no effective treatment for AD. In this study, we reported the effects of gold nanoparticles surface-functionalized with a plant-based amino acid mimosine (Mimo-AuNPs), which is found to cross the blood-brain barrier, on the Aß fibrillization process and toxicity. Thioflavin T kinetic assays, fluorescence imaging and electron microscopy data showed that Mimo-AuNPs were able to suppress the spontaneous and seed-induced Aß1-42 aggregation. Spectroscopic studies, molecular docking and biochemical analyses further revealed that Mimo-AuNPs stabilize Aß1-42 to remain in its monomeric state by interacting with the hydrophobic domain of Aß1-42 (i.e., Lys16 to Ala21) there by preventing a conformational shift towards the ß-sheet structure. Additionally, Mimo-AuNPs were found to trigger the disassembly of matured Aß1-42 fibers and increased neuronal viability by reducing phosphorylation of tau protein and the production of oxyradicals. Collectively, these results reveal that the surface-functionalization of gold nanoparticles with mimosine can attenuate Aß fibrillization and neuronal toxicity. Thus, we propose Mimo-AuNPs may be used as a potential treatment strategy towards AD-related pathologies.

Aggregation of Aß40/42 chains in the presence of cyclic neuropeptides investigated by molecular dynamics simulations.

Alzheimer's disease is associated with the formation of toxic aggregates of amyloid beta (Aß) peptides. Despite tremendous efforts, our understanding of the molecular mechanisms of aggregation, as well as cofactors that might influence it, remains incomplete. The small cyclic neuropeptide somatostatin-14 (SST14) was recently found to be the most selectively enriched protein in human frontal lobe extracts that binds Aß42 aggregates. Furthermore, SST14's presence was also found to promote the formation of toxic Aß42 oligomers in vitro. In order to elucidate how SST14 influences the onset of Aß oligomerization, we performed all-atom molecular dynamics simulations of model mixtures of Aß42 or Aß40 peptides with SST14 molecules and analyzed the structure and dynamics of early-stage aggregates. For comparison we also analyzed the aggregation of Aß42 in the presence of arginine vasopressin (AVP), a different cyclic neuropeptide. We observed the formation of self-assembled aggregates containing the Aß chains and small cyclic peptides in all mixtures of Aß42-SST14, Aß42-AVP, and Aß40-SST14. The Aß42-SST14 mixtures were found to develop compact, dynamically stable, but small aggregates with the highest exposure of hydrophobic residues to the solvent. Differences in the morphology and dynamics of aggregates that comprise SST14 or AVP appear to reflect distinct (1) regions of the Aß chains they interact with; (2) propensities to engage in hydrogen bonds with Aß peptides; and (3) solvent exposures of hydrophilic and hydrophobic groups. The presence of SST14 was found to impede aggregation in the Aß42-SST14 system despite a high hydrophobicity, producing a stronger "sticky surface" effect in the aggregates at the onset of Aß42-SST14 oligomerization.

Seizures are a druggable mechanistic link between TBI and subsequent tauopathy.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a prominent risk factor for dementias including tauopathies like chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). The mechanisms that promote prion-like spreading of Tau aggregates after TBI are not fully understood, in part due to lack of tractable animal models. Here, we test the putative role of seizures in promoting the spread of tauopathy. We introduce 'tauopathy reporter' zebrafish expressing a genetically encoded fluorescent Tau biosensor that reliably reports accumulation of human Tau species when seeded via intraventricular brain injections. Subjecting zebrafish larvae to a novel TBI paradigm produced various TBI features including cell death, post-traumatic seizures, and Tau inclusions. Bath application of dynamin inhibitors or anticonvulsant drugs rescued TBI-induced tauopathy and cell death. These data suggest a role for seizure activity in the prion-like seeding and spreading of tauopathy following TBI. Further work is warranted regarding anti-convulsants that dampen post-traumatic seizures as a route to moderating subsequent tauopathy.

Traumatic brain injury can result from direct head concussions, rapid head movements, or a blast wave generated by an explosion. Traumatic brain injury often causes seizures in the short term and is a risk factor for certain dementias, including Alzheimer's disease and chronic traumatic encephalopathy in the long term. A protein called Tau undergoes a series of chemical changes in these dementias that makes it accumulate, form toxic filaments and kill neurons. The toxic abnormal Tau proteins are initially found only in certain regions of the brain, but they spread as the disease progresses. Previous studies in Alzheimer's disease and other diseases where Tau proteins are abnormal suggest that Tau can spread between neighboring neurons and this can be promoted by neuron activity. However, scientists do not know whether similar mechanisms are at work following traumatic brain injury. Given that seizures are very common following traumatic brain injury, could they be partly responsible for promoting dementia? To investigate this, researchers need animal models in which they can measure neural activity associated with traumatic brain injury and observe the spread of abnormal Tau proteins. Alyenbaawi et al. engineered zebrafish so that their Tau proteins would be fluorescent, making it possible to track the accumulation of aggregated Tau protein in the brain. Next, they invented a simple way to perform traumatic brain injury on zebrafish larvae by using a syringe to produce a pressure wave. After this procedure, many of the fish exhibited features consistent with progression towards dementia, and seizure-like behaviors. The results showed that post-traumatic seizures are linked to the spread of aggregates of abnormal Tau following traumatic brain injury. Alyenbaawi et al. also found that anticonvulsant drugs can lower the levels of abnormal Tau proteins in neurons, preventing cell death, and could potentially ameliorate dementias associated with traumatic brain injury. These drugs are already being used to prevent post-traumatic epilepsy, but more research is needed to confirm whether they reduce the risk or severity of Tau-related neurodegeneration.