A2A adenosine receptor deletion is protective in a mouse model of Tauopathy.

Consumption of caffeine, a non-selective adenosine A2A receptor (A2AR) antagonist, reduces the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease (AD) in humans and mitigates both amyloid and Tau burden in transgenic mouse models. However, the impact of selective A2AR blockade on the progressive development of AD-related lesions and associated memory impairments has not been investigated. In the present study, we removed the gene encoding A2AR from THY-Tau22 mice and analysed the subsequent effects on both pathological (Tau phosphorylation and aggregation, neuro-inflammation) and functional impairments (spatial learning and memory, hippocampal plasticity, neurotransmitter profile). We found that deleting A2ARs protect from Tau pathology-induced deficits in terms of spatial memory and hippocampal long-term depression. These effects were concomitant with a normalization of the hippocampal glutamate/gamma-amino butyric acid ratio, together with a global reduction in neuro-inflammatory markers and a decrease in Tau hyperphosphorylation. Additionally, oral therapy using a specific A2AR antagonist (MSX-3) significantly improved memory and reduced Tau hyperphosphorylation in THY-Tau22 mice. By showing that A2AR genetic or pharmacological blockade improves the pathological phenotype in a Tau transgenic mouse model, the present data highlight A2A receptors as important molecular targets to consider against AD and Tauopathies.

Solvent-detergent filtered (S/D-F) fresh frozen plasma and cryoprecipitate minipools prepared in a newly designed integral disposable processing bag system.

Solvent-detergent (S/D) viral inactivation was recently adapted to the treatment of single plasma donations and cryoprecipitate minipools. We present here a new process and a new bag system where the S/D reagents are removed by filtration and the final products subjected to bacterial (0.2 microm) filtration. Recovered and apheresis plasma for transfusion (FFP) and cryoprecipitate minipools (400 +/- 20 mL) were subjected to double-stage S/D viral inactivation, followed by one oil extraction and a filtration on a S/D and phthalate [di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP)] adsorption device and a 0.2 microm filter. The initial and the final products were compared for visual appearance, blood cell count and cell markers, proteins functional activity, von Willebrand factor (VWF) multimers and protein profile by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). Tri (n-butyl) phosphate (TnBP) was quantified by gas chromatography and Triton X-45 and DEHP by high-performance-liquid chromatography (HPLC). General safety tests were by 6.5 mL/kg intravenous injection in rats. The treated plasmas and cryoprecipitates were very clear and the protein content and functionality, VWF multimers and SDS-PAGE profiles were well preserved. TnBP and Triton X-45 were < 1 and <25 ppm, respectively, and DEHP (about 5 ppm) was less than it was in the starting materials. Blood cell counts and CD45, CD61 and glycophorin A markers were negative. There was no enhanced toxicity in rats. Thus, plasma and cryoprecipitate can be S/D-treated in this new CE-marked disposable integral processing system under conditions preserving protein function and integrity, removing blood cells, S/D agents and DEHP, and ensuring bacterial sterility. This process may offer one additional option to blood establishments for the production of virally inactivated plasma components.

Loss of medial septum cholinergic neurons in THY-Tau22 mouse model: what links with tau pathology?

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder histologically defined by the cerebral accumulation of amyloid deposits and neurofibrillary tangles composed of hyperphosphorylated tau proteins. Loss of basal forebrain cholinergic neurons is another hallmark of the disease thought to contribute to the cognitive dysfunctions. To this date, the mechanisms underlying cholinergic neurons degeneration remain uncertain. The present study aimed to investigate the relationship between neurofibrillary degeneration and cholinergic defects in AD using THY-Tau22 transgenic mouse model exhibiting a major hippocampal AD-like tau pathology and hyperphosphorylated tau species in the septohippocampal pathway. Here, we report that at a time THY-Tau22 mice display strong reference memory alterations, the retrograde transport of fluorogold through the septohippocampal pathway is altered. This impairment is associated with a significant reduction in the number of choline acetyltransferase (ChAT)-immunopositive cholinergic neurons in the medial septum. Analysis of nerve growth factor (NGF) levels supports an accumulation of the mature neurotrophin in the hippocampus of THY-Tau22 mice, consistent with a decrease of its uptake or retrograde transport by cholinergic terminals. Finally, our data strongly support that tau pathology could be instrumental in the cholinergic neuronal loss observed in AD.