Interplay Between Oxidative Damage, Protein Synthesis, and Protein Degradation in Alzheimer's Disease

Protein synthesis and protein degradation are highly regulated cellular processes that are essential to maintaining cell viability. Numerous studies now indicate that protein synthesis and protein degradation are significantly altered in Alzheimer's disease (AD), with impairments in these two processes potentially contributing to AD pathogenesis. Alterations in steady state protein regulation may be a particularly important factor in regulating whether cells maintain homeostasis in response to oxidative damage, or conversely whether oxidative stress is induced by oxidative damage. The focus of this review is to discuss recent findings on each of these topics, and to discuss their importance to the onset and progression of AD

Evaluation of rage isoforms, ligands, and signaling in the brain

AbstractSince the identification of the receptor for advanced glycosylation end products (RAGE) in 1992, there have been tremendous strides made in our understanding of the role RAGE receptors play in a variety of physiological and pathological processes. Despite such progress, several fundamental aspects of RAGE expression and RAGE function remain largely unanswered. In particular, while multiple forms of the RAGE receptor are known to exist, little is known with regards to how these different isoforms of the RAGE receptor work together to mediate RAGE signaling. For example, some forms of the RAGE receptor may promote deleterious feed-forward pathways, while others may serve to inhibit deleterious activation of the RAGE receptor. Additionally, important questions remain with regards to the intracellular domain of the full-length RAGE receptor, and the specifics surrounding how intracellular signaling pathways become activated via the RAGE family of receptors. The focus of this review is to address each of these important issues, as well as other key aspects of RAGE biology, and discuss how they are important for both our understanding of the physiological and pathological roles of RAGE signaling within the brain

Diet and Age Interactions with Regards to Cholesterol Regulation and Brain Pathogenesis

Cholesterol is an essential molecule for brain homeostasis; yet, hypercholesterolemia and its numerous complications are believed to play a role in promoting multiple aspects of brain pathogenesis. An ever increasing number of individuals in modern Western Society are regularly consuming diets high in fat which promote the development of hypercholesterolemia. Additionally, modern societies are becoming increasingly aged, causing a collision between increased hypercholesterolemia and increased aging, which will likely lead to the development of increased pathological conditions due to hypercholesterolemia, thereby promoting deleterious neurochemical and behavioral changes in the brain. Lastly, while beneficial in controlling cholesterol levels, the long-term use of statins itself may potentially promote adverse effects on brain homeostasis, although specifics on this remain largely unknown. This review will focus on linking the current understanding of diet-induced hypercholesterolemia (as well as statin use) to the development of oxidative stress, neurochemical alterations, and cognitive disturbances in the aging brain

Obesity and vulnerability of the CNS

AbstractThe incidence of obesity is increasing worldwide, and is especially pronounced in developed western countries. While the consequences of obesity on metabolic and cardiovascular physiology are well established, epidemiological and experimental data are beginning to establish that the central nervous system (CNS) may also be detrimentally affected by obesity and obesity-induced metabolic dysfunction. In particular, data show that obesity in human populations is associated with cognitive decline and enhanced vulnerability to brain injury, while experimental studies in animal models confirm a profile of heightened vulnerability and decreased cognitive function. This review will describe findings from human and animal studies to summarize current understanding of how obesity affects the brain. Furthermore, studies aimed at identifying key elements of body–brain dialog will be discussed to assess how various metabolic and adipose-related signals could adversely affect the CNS. Overall, data suggest that obesity-induced alterations in metabolism may significantly synergize with age to impair brain function and accelerate age-related diseases of the nervous system. Thus, enhanced understanding of the effects of obesity and obesity-related metabolic dysfunction on the brain are especially critical as increasing numbers of obese individuals approach advanced age

Selective vulnerability of neurons to acute toxicity after proteasome inhibitor treatment: Implications for oxidative stress and insolubility of newly synthesized proteins

Maintaining protein homeostasis is vital to cell viability, with numerous studies demonstrating a role for proteasome inhibition occurring during the aging of a variety of tissues and, presumably, contributing to the disruption of cellular homeostasis during aging. In this study we sought to elucidate the differences between neurons and astrocytes in regard to basal levels of protein synthesis, proteasome-mediated protein degradation, and sensitivity to cytotoxicity after proteasome inhibitor treatment. In these studies we demonstrate that neurons have an increased vulnerability, compared to astrocyte cultures, to proteasome-inhibitor-induced cytotoxicity. No significant difference was observed between these two cell types in regard to the basal rates of protein synthesis, or basal rates of protein degradation, in the pool of short-lived proteins. After proteasome inhibitor treatment neuronal crude lysates were observed to undergo greater increases in the levels of ubiquitinated and oxidized proteins and selectively exhibited increased levels of newly synthesized proteins accumulating within the insoluble protein pool, compared to astrocytes. Together, these data suggest a role for increased oxidized proteins and sequestration of newly synthesized proteins in the insoluble protein pool, as potential mediators of the selective neurotoxicity after proteasome inhibitor treatment. The implications for neurons exhibiting increased sensitivity to acute proteasome inhibitor exposure, and the corresponding changes in protein homeostasis observed after proteasome inhibition, are discussed in the context of both aging and age-related disorders of the nervous system.Fil: Dasuri, Kalavathi. State University of Louisiana; Estados UnidosFil: Ebenezer, Philip J.. State University of Louisiana; Estados UnidosFil: Zhang, Le. State University of Louisiana; Estados UnidosFil: Fernandez Kim, Sun Ok. State University of Louisiana; Estados UnidosFil: Uranga, Romina Maria. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Bahía Blanca. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Bahía Blanca; ArgentinaFil: Gavilán, Elena. State University of Louisiana; Estados UnidosFil: Di Blasio, Alessia. State University of Louisiana; Estados UnidosFil: Keller, Jeffrey N.. State University of Louisiana; Estados Unido

Amino acid analog toxicity in primary rat neuronal and astrocyte cultures: Implications for protein misfolding and TDP-43 regulation

Amino acid analogs promote translational errors that result in aberrant protein synthesis, and have been used to understand the effects of protein misfolding in a variety of physiological and pathological settings. TDP-43 is a protein that is linked to protein aggregation and toxicity in a variety of neurodegenerative diseases. In this study we exposed primary rat neurons and astrocyte cultures to established amino acid analogs (Canavanine and Azetidine-2-carboxylic acid), and observed both cell types undergo a dose-dependent increase in toxicity, with neurons exhibiting a greater degree of toxicity as compared to astrocytes. Neurons and astrocytes exhibited similar increases in ubiquitinated and oxidized protein following analog treatment. Analog treatment increased Heat shock protein (Hsp) levels in both neurons and astrocytes. In neurons, and to a lesser extent astrocytes, the levels of TDP-43 increased in response to analog treatment. Taken together, these data indicate that neurons exhibit preferential toxicity and alterations in TDP-43, in response to increased protein misfolding, as compared to astrocytes.Fil: Dasuri, Kalavathi. State University Of Louisiana; Estados UnidosFil: Ebenezer, Philip J.. State University Of Louisiana; Estados UnidosFil: Uranga, Romina Maria. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Bahia Blanca. Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas Bahia Blanca (i); Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Sur; ArgentinaFil: Gavilan, Elena. Universidad de Sevilla; EspañaFil: Zhang, Le. State University Of Louisiana; Estados UnidosFil: Fernandez-Kim, Sun O. K.. State University Of Louisiana; Estados UnidosFil: Bruce Keller, Annadora J.. State University Of Louisiana; Estados UnidosFil: Keller, Jeffrey N.. State University Of Louisiana; Estados Unido

Driving performance in older adults: Current measures, findings, and implications for roadway safety

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Over 10,000 people a day turn 65 in the United States. For many older adults, driving represents an essential component of independence and is one of the most important factors in overall mobility. Recent survey studies in older adults suggest that up to 60% of older adult drivers with mild cognitive impairment, and up to 30% with dementia, continue to drive. The purpose of this review is to provide a comprehensive and detailed resource on the topics of cognition and driving for clinicians, researchers, and policymakers working on efforts related to older adult drivers. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Publications on PubMed and Medline and discussions with experts working in geriatrics, technology, driving policy, psychology, and diverse aspects of driving performance were utilized to inform the current review. RESULTS: Research indicates that there is a complex and inverse correlation between multiple cognitive measures, driving performance, and risky driving behaviors. The fragmented nature of available peer-reviewed literature, and a reliance on correlative data, do not currently allow for the identification of the temporal and reciprocal nature of the interplay between cognition and driving endpoints. DISCUSSION AND IMPLICATIONS: There are currently no widely accepted definitions, conceptual models, or uniform set of analyses for conducting geriatric research that is focused on driving. Establishing conventions for conducting research that harmonizes the fields of geriatrics, cognition, and driving research is critical for the development of the evidence base that will inform clinical practice and road safety policy

Bringing Molecular Biology to Bear on Adhesion Prevention: Postsurgical Adhesion Reduction Using Intraperitoneal Inoculation of Hyaluronic Acid–Inducing Adenoviral Vector in a Murine Model

Objective: Seprafilm (Genzyme, Cambridge, MA) an absorbable adhesion barrier incorporating hyaluronic acid (HA), a high molecular mass glycosaminoglycan and important component of the extracellular matrix, has been shown to prevent adhesions in both experimental models and human subjects. Yet, the application of HA as a sheet at the time of surgery has several important logistic limitations. Recently, our laboratory has identified and cloned the genes encoding murine hyaluronic acid synthase 2 (mHAS2) and 3 (mHAS3) and engineered adenoviruses incorporating these genes, which, on intraperitoneal injection, significantly increases HA in peritoneal fluid. We hypothesized that intraperitoneal gene therapy with mHAS2 or mHAS3 via an adenoviral vector prior to a standardized cecal abrasion surgery would lead to a reduction in postoperative adhesion severity. Methods: Mice were assigned to one of four groups: (1) intraperitoneal inoculation with adenovirus encoding mHAS2; (2) mHAS3; (3) a control reporter adenovirus (RV) encoding GFP; or (4) intraoperative placement of a commercially available and murine-validated hyaluronic acid adhesion barrier (Seprafilm, SF). An a priori sample size calculation was performed. Mice in groups 1, 2, and 3 underwent injection of 2 x 107 viral particles in 1 ml of fluid on day -1. Sham injection was performed on group 4 SF mice. On day 0, laparotomy was performed in random sequence by surgeon blinded to the experimental group. On day 7, adhesion scores (0-3) were assigned independently by two blinded investigators. Results: Mean adhesion scores (n = 247) were 0.68 (mHAS2), 0.91 (mHAS3), 1.28 (RV), and 0.47 (SF). Pairwise comparisons using Wilcoxon rank-sum test revealed significant reduction in severity of adhesions between mHAS2, mHAS3, and SF compared to RV (p = 0.0004, 0.039, and 0.0001, respectively). Significance persisted despite correction for multiple comparisons (p = 0.0002, Kruskal-Wallis). There was a direct relationship between intraperitoneal HA concentration and adhesion reduction. Only one death (RV) was secondary to adhesive disease; differential risk of death between groups was statistically significant (p = 0.008) (highest in mHAS2 group). Conclusions: In a dose-response relationship, an intraperitoneal gene therapy approach to adhesion prevention in a murine model was successful, with adenoviruses most productive of HA resulting in the most significant reduction in adhesion scores compared to empty virus (RV). Although SF best reduced postoperative adhesions, the adenoviral gene delivery approach may prove to be more effective in clinical use when peritoneal injury is less localized or at laparoscopy where the application of SF is not possible. Further studies to elucidate the reason for the differential death rates (time bias may have played a role) and to validate results are in progress

Dietary Plant Lectins Appear to Be Transported from the Gut to Gain Access to and Alter Dopaminergic Neurons of Caenorhabditis elegans, a Potential Etiology of Parkinson’s Disease

© Copyright © 2016 Zheng, Wang, Wei, Keller, Adhikari, King, King, Peng and Laine. Lectins from dietary plants have been shown to enhance drug absorption in the gastrointestinal tract of rats, be transported trans-synaptically as shown by tracing of axonal and dendritic paths, and enhance gene delivery. Other carbohydrate-binding protein toxins are known to traverse the gut intact in dogs. Post-feeding rhodamine- or TRITC-tagged dietary lectins, the lectins were tracked from gut to dopaminergic neurons (DAergic-N) in transgenic Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) [egIs1(Pdat-1:GFP)] where the mutant has the green fluorescent protein (GFP) gene fused to a dopamine transport protein gene labeling DAergic-N. The lectins were supplemented along with the food organism Escherichia coli (OP50). Among nine tested rhodamine/TRITC-tagged lectins, four, including Phaseolus vulgaris erythroagglutinin (PHA-E), Bandeiraea simplicifolia (BS-I), Dolichos biflorus agglutinin (DBA), and Arachis hypogaea agglutinin (PNA), appeared to be transported from gut to the GFP-DAergic-N. Griffonia Simplicifolia and PHA-E, reduced the number of GFP-DAergic-N, suggesting a toxic activity. PHA-E, BS-I, Pisum sativum (PSA), and Triticum vulgaris agglutinin (Succinylated) reduced fluorescent intensity of GFP-DAergic-N. PHA-E, PSA, Concanavalin A, and Triticum vulgaris agglutinin decreased the size of GFP-DAergic-N, while BS-I increased neuron size. These observations suggest that dietary plant lectins are transported to and affect DAergic-N in C. elegans, which support Braak and Hawkes’ hypothesis, suggesting one alternate potential dietary etiology of Parkinson’s disease (PD). A recent Danish study showed that vagotomy resulted in 40% lower incidence of PD over 20 years. Differences in inherited sugar structures of gut and neuronal cell surfaces may make some individuals more susceptible in this conceptual disease etiology model