杏仁核注射Aβ 25-35后大鼠脑内细胞周期蛋白、tau蛋白和Bax蛋白的异常表达

近年来研究发现,阿尔茨海默病(Alzheimer′s disease,AD)病人脑内神经元细胞周期相关蛋白的异常表达与AD相关病理改变存在关联。为探讨β-淀粉样蛋白(β—amyloid,Aβ)的毒性作用能否导致成年脑神经元表达细胞周期相关蛋白,以及细胞周期相关蛋白表达与神经损伤之间的关系,我们运用免疫组化、积分光密度分析等方法对Aβ25-35多肽片段单侧杏仁核注射的大鼠脑进行了研究。结果显示,Aβ25-35注射的大鼠脑内除了有与神经纤维缠结相关的磷酸化tau蛋白和凋亡相关蛋白Bax蛋白水平增加外,术后7d细胞周期相关蛋白cyclin A和cyclin B1蛋白在神经元内异常表达,但术后21d时cyclin A的表达有所降低,而cyclin B1在脑内神经元中已检测不到;免疫荧光双标结果显示Aβ25-35注射后7d的大鼠脑内有较多的cyclin B1和Bax、cyclin B1和磷酸化tau蛋白共存的神经元,而Bax与磷酸化tau蛋白阳性信号很少共存在同一细胞上。以上结果提示,Aβ可导致成年脑神经元表达细胞周期相关蛋白,这些神经元可能会通过与Bax相关的凋亡途径死亡,或首先导致与AD神经纤维缠结相关的tau蛋白磷酸化。     

长链非编码RNA在阿尔茨海默病中的研究进展

阿尔茨海默病(Alzheimer's disease,AD)是常见的神经退行性疾病,也是最为常见的一类老年痴呆类型.AD主要的病理变化包括淀粉样蛋白(amyloid-β,Aβ)沉积、tau蛋白过度磷酸化、胆碱能神经元的缺失、神经炎症以及代谢障碍等.然而,有关AD具体的发病机制和分子谱尚不清楚,这给AD的诊断和治疗带来很...     

星形胶质细胞在阿尔茨海默病中的功能变化及分子机制

星形胶质细胞在脑内数量最多,分布最广,对神经元有营养支持的作用,并且能够调控神经元的活性。越来越多的证据表明星形胶质细胞激活参与阿尔茨海默病(Alzheimer's disease,AD)的发生和发展。在AD病理情况下,星形胶质细胞在多种因子如β淀粉样蛋白(beta-amyloid,Aβ)和促炎细胞因子的作用下被激活,激活的星形胶质细胞进一步释放一氧化氮(Nitric oxide,NO)和多种炎性因子增强炎症级联反应。功能失常的星形胶质细胞会促进Aβ的产生,减弱对Aβ的摄取和清除,导致Aβ聚集沉积形成老年斑。激活的星形胶质细胞释放的炎症因子还能显著增加神经元内tau蛋白的异常过度磷酸化,产生神经纤维缠结。本文对星形胶质细胞在AD中参与神经变性的功能变化和分子机制进行总结,为星形胶质细胞作为靶点预防及治疗AD提供一定的理论依据。     

γ-分泌酶的重要组成部分PS

阿尔茨海默病(Alzheimer’s Disease,AD)与遗传因素密切相关。研究发现,大多数早发性家族性AD(FAD)和部分散发性AD(SAD)患者存在γ-分泌酶特别是早老素蛋白(presenilin,PS)基因突变。PS基因变异可引起β-淀粉样蛋白前体蛋白的加工和运输异常,产生过多的β-淀粉样蛋白(Aβ)而形成老年斑。对于SAD,PS表达的改变引起细胞骨架蛋白(如tau蛋白)之间的相互作用异常,而与神经纤维缠结(NFT)的形成有关。另外,PS使神经细胞对凋亡刺激的敏感性增强,以及PS基因突变产生过多的Aβ能引起脑内Bax表达增强,促进神经细胞的凋亡过程,引起AD脑内广泛的神经元减少或丢失。因此,PS在AD的发病中起到重要作用。     

G蛋白偶联受体对脑内Aβ代谢与功能的调节

阿尔茨海默病(Alzheimer's disease,AD)是一种神经退行性疾病,β-淀粉样蛋白(amyloidβ,Aβ)沉积和tau蛋白过度磷酸化是其主要病理特征。对AD发病机制的深入研究有助于寻找治疗AD的特异性药物。作为最大的膜蛋白家族,G蛋白偶联受体(G protein-coupled receptors,GPCRs)参与了AD的多个进程阶段。文章从GPCRs对Aβ合成的调节、Aβ毒性调节、Aβ降解、tau蛋白磷酸化,以及形成二聚体等方面阐述GPCRs参与AD发展的调控机制,有助于深入了解AD的发病机制,更好地研发以GPCRs为靶标的治疗AD的靶向性药物。     

APP/PS1转基因鼠脑内小泛素化修饰物-1上调可能参与阿尔茨海默病老年斑形成和神经突起变性的调节北大核心CSCD

小泛素化修饰物(small ubiquitin-related modifier,SUMO)是一类重要的类泛素蛋白,研究显示一些神经退行性疾病相关蛋白可以被SUMO化修饰。本文旨在观察APP/PS1转基因阿尔茨海默病(Alzheimer’s disease,AD)鼠中SUMO-1表达及修饰的变化,并探讨SUMO-1与AD病理的关系。采用免疫印迹的方法检测12月龄的APP/PS1转基因AD鼠脑内SUMO-1表达及修饰的变化,同时用免疫共沉淀及免疫荧光的方法研究AD鼠脑内SUMO-1与tau、APP和Aβ的关系。结果显示:(1)与正常野生型小鼠相比,AD鼠脑内SUMO-1表达及其修饰的蛋白增加,同时伴有泛素化蛋白的增加;(2)AD鼠大脑皮层的RIPA可溶蛋白组份中,SUMO-1修饰的tau增加,而AT8抗体识别的磷酸化tau的SUMO-1修饰减少,但422位点磷酸化tau的SUMO-1修饰没有明显改变;(3)SUMO-1与磷酸化tau、APP及Aβ免疫荧光双标显示,在AD鼠脑内SUMO-1可在老年斑的中部和周围分布,并且SUMO-1与AT8识别的磷酸化tau在老年斑周围的变性神经突起中有相对较多的共存,但与APP、PS422识别的磷酸化tau和Aβ的共定位很少。以上结果提示,SUMO-1在APP/PS1转基因AD小鼠脑内表达增加,并可能参与变性神经突起及老年斑形成的调节。     

GSK-3β在阿尔茨海默症病理特征形成中的作用

糖原合成酶激酶3β(glycogen synthase kinase-3β,GSK-3β)是糖原合成酶激酶3的一种亚型。GSK-3β不仅参与淀粉样蛋白质前体(amyloid precursor protein,APP)代谢,还在tau蛋白过度磷酸化过程中发挥作用,GSK-3β表达及活性的异常会导致神经元细胞的凋亡。APP异常代谢和tau蛋白异常磷酸化是阿尔茨海默病(Alzheimer’s disease,AD)发展的重要因素,因此GSK-3β可能与AD的病理变化密切相关,明确其在AD中的作用及其机制对AD的治疗有重要的意义。     

β-淀粉样蛋白清除障碍在阿尔兹海默症发病中的作用

阿尔兹海默症(Alzheimer's disease,AD)是以认知功能受损和记忆障碍为主要临床特征的神经退行性疾病,其病因复杂,缺乏有效的诊断、治疗和预防手段。β-淀粉样蛋白(amyloidβ-protein,Aβ)是含有39～43个氨基酸的多肽,由淀粉样前体蛋白加工产生并分泌至脑组织间液(interstitial fluid,ISF)。Aβ在脑细胞外间隙(extracellular space,ECS)内聚集是AD形成和发展的关键因素,也是AD的特征之一。Aβ清除功能障碍将导致Aβ在特定脑区内聚集,其神经毒性造成突触损伤和神经元死亡,从而导致了AD的发生。本文综述了目前对于AD中脑内Aβ清除障碍的研究进展,力图为AD的预防和治疗提供一个新的研究方向。     

内质网-线粒体结构偶联在内质网应激中的作用及其与阿尔茨海默病的关联性

阿尔茨海默病(Alzheimer's disease, AD)是老年人中最常见的神经退行性疾病之一,以在大脑中细胞外β-淀粉样蛋白沉积形成老年斑和神经元内tau蛋白过度磷酸化形成神经纤维原缠结为主要病理特征。AD的病因目前以tau蛋白磷酸化、Aβ蛋白的沉积和代谢紊乱假说为主,但确切的机制尚未明确。内质网-线粒体结构偶联又称线粒体相关内质网膜(mitochondria-associated ER membranes, MAM),近年来MAM在内质网应激中的作用得到广泛的关注。许多研究表明MAM与AD的发生有密切的联系。Ca~(2+)稳态是维持细胞正常生命活动所必需的,当MAM完整性遭到破坏,会直接或间接地导致Ca~(2+)稳态失衡和氧化应激,Ca~(2+)浓度异常则会触发内质网应激,从而导致神经元死亡,引发AD。该文介绍了MAM对内质网应激的调节作用,评述了MAM与AD发生的关联性。     

阿尔茨海默病生物标志物研究进展

阿尔茨海默病(Alzheimer's disease, AD)是一种常见的神经退行性疾病,以胞外淀粉样蛋白(amyloid-β, Aβ)沉积和胞内神经纤维缠结为主要病理特征。AD发病机理尚未完全探明,并且缺乏有效的早期临床诊断方法,AD患者往往在轻度认知障碍(mild cognitive impairment, MCI)和痴呆(dementia)阶段才会就医,错过治疗的最佳有效期。生物标志物可以帮助诊断特定疾病的有无及其病理进程,因此,研发AD生物标志物对筛查早期AD患者和及时干预治疗MCI患者具有重要的临床意义。与现有AD可能的致病假说相似,AD生物标志物的研究主要集中在Aβ、微管相关蛋白(tau protein, Tau)和炎症相关因子等方面。该文对近年来AD生物标志物的类别、应用依据及优缺点等方面展开综述。     

Densité des dépôts de la protéine Tau versus activité métabolique cortico-cérébrale chez des patients atteints de maladie d’Alzheimer ou de pathologies apparentées

IntroductionThe extracellular deposits of major senile plaques composed of Aβ proteins and intracellular degenerations or neurofibrillary degenerations (NFD) made up of hyperphosphorylated tau proteins are characteristic of Alzheimer's disease (AD). These characteristic lesions develop well before the first symptoms. NFD lesions seem to correlate with clinical symptomatology and allow Alzheimer's disease to be classified into neuropathological stages. In this study, we wanted to compare metabolic activity and NFD density by molecular imaging in a small cohort of subjects.Materials and methodsIn this study we evaluated the binding profile (brain density and distribution) of tau aggregates using [¹⁸F] – AV-1451 ([¹⁸F] -T807 or flortaucipir) PET in a group of 7 patients with clinical diagnosis of AD or related neurodegenerative pathology but with a very variable evolutionary profile (MMS between 15 and 25). All subjects also underwent a [¹⁸F] – FDG PET scan to assess their neuronal metabolic activity. For each subject, [¹⁸F] – T807 binding intensity and degree of hypometabolism were visually quantified in 5 levels for each predefined cortical region.ResultsFour subjects had a hypometabolic pattern supporting their diagnosis and which, moreover, was consistent with the distribution of NFD, however with slightly more extensive NFD lesions, particularly in the occipital region. One subject had neither hypometabolism nor a significant NFD array. One subject had predominantly hypometabolism in the frontotemporal cortex without significant lesion of DNF. The 7th subject presented diffuse cortical hypometabolism with few NFD lesions.ConclusionDespite a limited number of subjects, results seem to confirm the close link between the presence of the NFD lesions visible on tau PET imaging and neurodegeneration in AD.     

Selective accumulation of [62Zn]-labeled glycoconjugated porphyrins as multi-functional positron emission tomography tracers in cancer cells

Positron-emission tomography (PET) can be used to visualize active stage cancer. Fluorine-18 ([¹⁸F])-labeled 2-([¹⁸F])2-deoxy-2-fluoroglucose (([¹⁸F])-FDG), which accumulates in glucose-dependent tissues, is a good cancer-targeting tracer. However, ([¹⁸F])-FDG is obscured in glucose-dependent normal tissues. In this study, we assessed the cancer-selective accumulation of zinc-labeled glycoconjugated 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)porphyrin (ZnGlc1–4), both in vitro and in vivo. Experiments using both normal and cancer cells confirmed the relationship between cancer cell-selective accumulation and the substitution numbers and orientations of glycoconjugated porphyrins. ZnGlctrans-2 accumulated at greater levels in cancer cells compared with other glycoconjugated porphyrins. PET imaging showed that ZnGlctrans-2 accumulated in tumor.     

ClearPEM,un TEP dédié au sein

Conventional breast imaging (mammography, ultrasound, MRI) relies on the analysis of anatomical characteristics. Whole-body positron emission tomography (PET) allows for the acquisition of a metabolic image, yet is limited by its poor spatial resolution. The Crystal Clear Collaboration developed a PET dedicated for breast imaging, the ClearPEM, in order to offer a high-resolution nuclear imaging technique. The patient is installed in the prone position on the exam bed, with two detector plates rotating around to breast to acquire a 3-dimensional image. Two prototypes were built and installed in hospitals. We summarize the technical solutions necessary for the development of this system and present a summary of its performances as well as an outlook on preclinical and clinical tests.     

Comparison of the biological effects of F at different intracellular levels

We herein examined the biological effects of cells treated with ¹⁸F labeled drugs for positron emission tomography (PET). The relationship between the intracellular distribution of ¹⁸F and levels of damaged DNA has yet to be clarified in detail. We used culture cells (Chinese Hamster Ovary cells) treated with two types of ¹⁸F labeled drugs, fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) and fluorine ion (HF). FDG efficiently accumulated in cells, whereas HF did not. To examine the induction of DNA double strand breaks (DSB), we measured the number of foci for 53BP1 that formed at the site of DNA DSB. The results revealed that although radioactivity levels were the same, the induction of 53BP1 foci was stronger in cells treated with ¹⁸F-FDG than in those treated with ¹⁸F-HF. The clonogenic survival of cells was significantly lower with ¹⁸F-FDG than with ¹⁸F-HF. We concluded that the efficient accumulation of ¹⁸F in cells led to stronger biological effects due to more severe cellular lethality via the induction of DNA DSB.     

Rapid Stereoselective Hydrolysis of (+)-Cocaine in Baboon Plasma Prevents Its Uptake in the Brain: Implications for Behavioral Studies

The naturally occurring enantiomer of cocaine, (–)-cocaine, has been previously labeled with ¹¹C on the N-methyl group and used in conjunction with positron emission tomography to show that cocaine is rapidly taken up in the striata of human and baboon brain. In the present study, the behaviorally inactive (+)-cocaine was similarly labeled, with a view to its use for measuring the nonspecific binding of cocaine. No brain uptake was seen, although transport of cocaine into the brain is not expected to be stereoselective. The explanation for the lack of uptake was determined to be very rapid metabolism of (+)-cocaine in the blood. By 30s after administration of labeled (+)-cocaine, it was undetectable in plasma. In vitro studies demonstrated that (+)-cocaine is 50% debenzoylated to (+)-ecgonine methyl ester within 5 s of exposure to baboon plasma but not to washed erythrocytes. The hydrolysis of (–)-cocaine is at least 1,000 times slower. Serum butyrylcholinesterase (EC 3.1.1.8) appears to be responsible for this hydrolysis, as evidenced by its inhibition by physostigmine and catalysis by commercially available pseudocholinesterase from horse and human blood.     

外周血血小板与淋巴细胞计数比值与颈动脉粥样硬化斑块炎性反应程度的相关性研究

目的:探讨外周血血小板与淋巴细胞比值(platelet to lymphocyte ratio,PLR)与颈动脉粥样硬化斑块炎性反应程度的相关性。方法:入选42例颈动脉动脉粥样硬化斑块的患者。均行正电子发射断层显像(PET/CT),计算颈动脉斑块局部反射性活度标准化靶-本底比(TBR)。根据TBR值将纳入患者分为炎性组(TBR≤1.25)及非炎性组(TBR1.25)。记录患者血脂、血糖、血压等传统的心脑血管疾病危险因素指标,并记录淋巴细胞计数、血小板计数,计算PLR(血小板计数/淋巴细胞计数)等血液常规检查指标。T检验分析组间差异,Pearson相关性分析方法分析TBR与一般临床资料及PLR的相关关系,多重线性逐步回归方程分析PLR与TBR的独立相关关系。结果:炎性组与非炎性组相比,PLR值明显升高(P=0.011)。Pearson相关分析显示TBR值与年龄(r=0.364,P=0.049)、体质量指数(r=0.38,P=0.038)、载脂蛋白B(r=0.392,P=0.032)、PLR(r=0.535,P=0.002)具有有统计学意义的相关性。多元线性回归分析显示,TBR与PLR之间存在的独立的正相关关系(β=0.368,P=0.02)。结论:PLR在炎性反应较重的颈动脉粥样硬化斑块患者中升高,与其炎性反应程度呈现独立的正相关关系。     

Brain activation associated with ratings of the hedonic component of thermal sensation during whole-body warming and cooling

Thermal sensation has both discriminative and hedonic components. The neural network associated with thermal discrimination has been described, but the representation of the hedonic component of thermal sensation in the brain has yet to be demonstrated. This study measured regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) with Positron Emission Tomography in human participants during whole-body cooling and warming. Ratings of the hedonic dimension of thermal sensation were correlated with rCBF and compared to brain activation maps of skin and core temperature changes. The hedonic dimension of thermal sensation was represented in a widely distributed network that included somatosensory, limbic, paralimbic, and associative cortices. Changes in rCBF associated with ratings of the hedonic dimension of thermal sensation were contrasted with changes in rCBF associated with skin and core temperature to identify brain regions that were uniquely activated by the hedonic dimension of thermal sensation. The contrast between the correlates of the hedonic dimension of thermal sensation and the correlates of skin and core temperatures identified a region in the posterior part of the mid cingulate cortex (pMCC). The independent relationship between rCBF changes in the pMCC with ratings of the hedonic dimension of thermal sensation may indicate an important role for the pMCC in the integration of temperature-related signals from receptors in the skin and core.     

Performance and limitations of positron emission tomography (PET) scanners for imaging very low activity sources

Emerging applications for positron emission tomography (PET) may require the ability to image very low activity source distributions in the body. The performance of clinical PET scanners in the regime where activity in the field of view is <1 MBq has not previously been explored. In this study, we compared the counting rate performance of two clinical PET/CT scanners, the Siemens Biograph Reveal 16 scanner which is based on lutetium oxyorthosilicate (LSO) detectors and the GE Discovery-ST scanner which is based on bismuth germanate (BGO) detectors using a modified National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) NU 2-2007 protocol. Across the activity range studied (2–100 kBq/mL in a 5.5 mL line source in the NEMA scatter phantom), the BGO-based scanner significantly outperformed the LSO-based scanner. This was largely due to the effect of background counts emanating from naturally occurring but radioactive ¹⁷⁶Lu within the LSO detector material, which dominates the observed counting rate at the lowest activities. Increasing the lower energy threshold from 350 keV to 425 keV in an attempt to reduce this background did not significantly improve the measured NECR performance. The measured singles rate due to ¹⁷⁶Lu emissions within the scanner energy window was also found to be dependent on temperature, and to be affected by the operation of the CT component, making approaches to correct or compensate for the background more challenging. We conclude that for PET studies in a very low activity range, BGO-based scanners are likely to have better performance because of the lack of significant background.