iPSC-derived PSEN2 (N141I) astrocytes and microglia exhibit a primed inflammatory phenotype.

BACKGROUND: Widescale evidence points to the involvement of glia and immune pathways in the progression of Alzheimer's disease (AD). AD-associated iPSC-derived glial cells show a diverse range of AD-related phenotypic states encompassing cytokine/chemokine release, phagocytosis and morphological profiles, but to date studies are limited to cells derived from PSEN1, APOE and APP mutations or sporadic patients. The aim of the current study was to successfully differentiate iPSC-derived microglia and astrocytes from patients harbouring an AD-causative PSEN2 (N141I) mutation and characterise the inflammatory and morphological profile of these cells. METHODS: iPSCs from three healthy control individuals and three familial AD patients harbouring a heterozygous PSEN2 (N141I) mutation were used to derive astrocytes and microglia-like cells and cell identity and morphology were characterised through immunofluorescent microscopy. Cellular characterisation involved the stimulation of these cells by LPS and Aß42 and analysis of cytokine/chemokine release was conducted through ELISAs and multi-cytokine arrays. The phagocytic capacity of these cells was then indexed by the uptake of fluorescently-labelled fibrillar Aß42. RESULTS: AD-derived astrocytes and microglia-like cells exhibited an atrophied and less complex morphological appearance than healthy controls. AD-derived astrocytes showed increased basal expression of GFAP, S100ß and increased secretion and phagocytosis of Aß42 while AD-derived microglia-like cells showed decreased IL-8 secretion compared to healthy controls. Upon immunological challenge AD-derived astrocytes and microglia-like cells showed exaggerated secretion of the pro-inflammatory IL-6, CXCL1, ICAM-1 and IL-8 from astrocytes and IL-18 and MIF from microglia. CONCLUSION: Our study showed, for the first time, the differentiation and characterisation of iPSC-derived astrocytes and microglia-like cells harbouring a PSEN2 (N141I) mutation. PSEN2 (N141I)-mutant astrocytes and microglia-like cells presented with a 'primed' phenotype characterised by reduced morphological complexity, exaggerated pro-inflammatory cytokine secretion and altered Aß42 production and phagocytosis.

An Investigation on Linker Modifications of Cyanoguanidine-Based P2X7 Receptor Antagonists.

Despite their acknowledged significance in the inflammatory signalling cascade across a range of disease states, P2X7R antagonists have not yet proven to be effective in clinical trials. In this study, we present findings on P2X7 receptor antagonists that are based on a core adamantyl-cyanoguanidine-quinoline lead. To investigate the specific features of the cyanoguanidine moiety that influence compound potency we carried out a structure-activity relationship (SAR) study. Compound potency was assessed using an in vitro dye-uptake assay measuring P2X7R pore formation. While none of the compounds displayed superior potency to the lead, we established key structural requirements for potent P2X7R antagonism. An additional SAR using different aryl groups was performed based on the promising activity displayed by the squaramide derivative.

Perphenazine-Macrocycle Conjugates Rapidly Sequester the Aß42 Monomer and Prevent Formation of Toxic Oligomers and Amyloid.

Alzheimer's disease is imposing a growing social and economic burden worldwide, and effective therapies are urgently required. One possible approach to modulation of the disease outcome is to use small molecules to limit the conversion of monomeric amyloid (Aß42) to cytotoxic amyloid oligomers and fibrils. We have synthesized modulators of amyloid assembly that are unlike others studied to date: these compounds act primarily by sequestering the Aß42 monomer. We provide kinetic and nuclear magnetic resonance data showing that these perphenazine conjugates divert the Aß42 monomer into amorphous aggregates that are not cytotoxic. Rapid monomer sequestration by the compounds reduces fibril assembly, even in the presence of pre-formed fibrillar seeds. The compounds are therefore also able to disrupt monomer-dependent secondary nucleation, the autocatalytic process that generates the majority of toxic oligomers. The inhibitors have a modular design that is easily varied, aiding future exploration and use of these tools to probe the impact of distinct Aß42 species populated during amyloid assembly.

Purinergic P2X7 Receptor: A Therapeutic Target in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease characterized by upper and lower motor neuron loss. The pathomechanisms of ALS are still poorly understood with current hypotheses involving genetic mutations, excitotoxicity, and reactive oxygen species formation. In the absence of a disease-altering clinically approved therapeutic, there is an ever-increasing need to identify new targets to develop drugs that delay disease onset and/or progression. The purinergic P2X7 receptor (P2X7R) has been implicated widely across the ALS realm, providing a potential therapeutic strategy. This review summarizes the current understanding of ALS, the P2X7R and its role in ALS, the current landscape of P2X7R antagonists, and the in vivo potential of these antagonists in preclinical ALS models.

Pharmacological characterization of a structural hybrid P2X7R antagonist using ATP and LL-37.

Antagonists of the P2X7 receptor (P2X7R) have the potential to treat diseases where neuroinflammation is present such as depression, chronic pain and Alzheimer's disease. We recently developed a structural hybrid (C1; 1-((adamantan-1-yl)methyl)-2-cyano-3-(quinolin-5-yl)guanidine) of a purported competitive P2X7R antagonist (C2; 2-cyano-1-((1S)-1-phenylethyl)-3-(quinolin-5-yl)guanidine) and a likely negative allosteric modulator (NAM) of the P2X7R (C3; N-((adamantan-1-yl)methyl)-2-chloro-5-methoxybenzamide). Here we aimed to pharmacologically characterize C1, to gain insights into how select structural components impact antagonist interaction with the P2X7R. A second aim was to examine the role of the peptide LL-37, an apparent activator of the P2X7R, and compare the ability of multiple P2X7R antagonists to block its effects. Compounds 1, 2 and 3 were characterised using washout, Schild and receptor protection studies, all using dye uptake assays in HEK293 cells expressing the P2X7R. LL-37 was examined in the same HEK293 cells and THP-1 monocytes. Compounds 2 and 3 acted as a BzATP-competitive antagonist and NAM of the P2X7R respectively. Compound 1 was a slowly reversible NAM of the P2X7R suggesting the incorporation of an appropriately positioned adamantane promotes binding to the allosteric site of the P2X7R. LL-37 was shown to potentiate the ability of ATP to induce dye uptake at low concentrations (1-3 µg mL-1) or induce dye uptake alone at higher concentrations (10-20 µg mL-1). None of the P2X7R antagonists studied were able to block LL-37-induced dye uptake bringing in to question the ability of current P2X7R antagonists to inhibit the inflammatory action of LL-37 in vivo.