Increased 14-3-3 immunoreactivity in glial elements in patients with multiple sclerosis

14-3-3 proteins have been shown to be increased in the cerebrospinal fluid from patients with several kinds of neurological diseases, including multiple sclerosis (MS). To investigate whether 14-3-3 proteins are closely related to the pathogenesis of MS, we performed immunohistochemical studies for 14-3-3 in autopsied brains from ten patients with MS, five patients with progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML), and seven normal control subjects. Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded sections from all cases were immunostained with a specific anti-14-3-3 antibody, and some sections from the MS cases were double-immunostained with antibodies raised against 14-3-3 and glial markers. In the normal control brains, 14-3-3 immunoreactivity was localized mainly in the neuronal somata and processes, and some glial cells showed only weak immunoreactivity. In the plaque lesions from the MS cases, the astrocytes and oligodendrocytes were intensely immunostained, and strong immunoreactivity was also found in some microglia and macrophages, most of which were located in the perivascular areas. In the PML brains, a similar immunolabeling pattern was observed in the demyelinated lesions, in which the astrocytes and oligodendrocytes exhibited dense 14-3-3 immunoreactivity. Our results suggest that 14-3-3 may be up-regulated in the glial cells, especially in astrocytes and oligodendrocytes, in patients with MS or PML. The exaggerated 14-3-3 accumulation in these glial elements may be associated with the pathogenesis of both demyelinating disorders.     

Accumulation of 14-3-3 proteins in glial cytoplasmic inclusions in multiple system atrophy

Glial cytoplasmic inclusions are the pathological hallmark of multiple system atrophy. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the formation of glial cytoplasmic inclusions remain unclear. Alpha-synuclein, a major component of glial cytoplasmic inclusions, has the ability to interact with 14-3-3 proteins, which mediate several types of signal transduction pathways. To elucidate the role of these 14-3-3 proteins in patients with multiple system atrophy, we performed immunohistochemical studies on 14-3-3 in brain tissue specimens from 7 control subjects and from 15 patients with multiple system atrophy. In both control and multiple system atrophy cases, 14-3-3 immunoreactivity was observed mainly in the neuronal somata and proximal processes, as well as the nerve fibers. Even in the severely affected regions of patients with multiple system atrophy, 14-3-3 immunoreactivity generally was spared in the surviving neurons, some of which were strongly immunolabeled. In addition, numerous glial cytoplasmic inclusions were intensely immunostained, and neuronal cytoplasmic inclusions and dystrophic neurites were also immunoreactive for 14-3-3. Our results suggest that an aberrant accumulation of 14-3-3 proteins may occur in brains affected by multiple system atrophy, and that 14-3-3 proteins may be associated with the pathogenesis of multiple system atrophy.     

Intranuclear localization and isoform-dependent translocation of 14-3-3 proteins in human brain with infarction

Immunolocalization of 14-3-3 proteins in human brains with infarction was investigated using isoform-specific antibodies. Neurons around acute or subacute ischemic foci exhibited an enhanced immunoreactivity for 14-3-3 proteins either in the cytoplasm (especially for its sigma isoform) or in the nucleus (especially for its beta isoform), and sometimes in both. 14-3-3-like immunoreactivity was evaluated in each neuron, which enabled us to identify into three patterns: intense cytoplasmic staining with or without nuclear staining; a predominant nuclear staining with weak cytoplasmic staining; and an exclusive nuclear staining without cytoplamic staining. Quantification of 1500 neurons in relation to the severity of ischemia estimated by the relative distance from ischemic foci clarified that nuclear immunoreactivity for 14-3-3 proteins was more frequent in neurons near the ischemic core. Although the cytoplasm of astrocytes was similarly positive for the sigma and the epsilon isoform, their nuclei were only immunopositive for the gamma isoform. In the cerebral white matter with ischemia, axonal swelling and some nuclei of oligodendrocytes were positive for the zeta isoform. Isoform-specific translocation of 14-3-3 proteins into nuclei is a cellular reaction to ischemic stress that may be related to survival of neurons and their protection against cell death.     

14-3-3 proteins and zeta isoform containing neurofibrillary tangles in patients with Alzheimer’s disease

Immunolocalization of 14-3-3 proteins in Alzheimers disease (AD) brains was investigated using isoform-specific antibodies. Weak granular immunoreactivity of 14-3-3 proteins was found in neuronal cytoplasm in control subjects and AD brains. Both intracellular and extracellular neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs), as well as neuropil thread-like structures, were immunopositive for 14-3-3 proteins. This was corroborated by triple-fluorolabeling method visualizing paired helical filament (PHF) tau and 14-3-3 epitopes in relation to fibrillary state detected by thiazin red. Pretangle neurons (positive for PHF-tau without fibrillary structure detected by thiazin red) only contained fine granular immunoreactivity (IR) of 14-3-3, which was similarly found in unaffected neurons. Granular cytoplasmic IR of 14-3-3 proteins in pretangle neurons was not colocalized to granular tau-like IR, which suggests that participation of 14-3-3 proteins in NFT formation was restricted to its later stages. Its zeta isoform was most prominent in these NFTs, suggesting that this isoform is a major component involved in the formation of NFTs. In contrast, IR of epsilon isoform was found in the neuropil of the hippocampus and that of sigma isoform was localized to granule cells of the dentate gyrus in AD brains, as seen in the age-matched controls. Expression of 14-3-3 proteins were found to be highly variable and dependent on their isoforms, regions and cell types. Molecular, as well as topographical, dissection of 14-3-3 proteins will provide us with an improved understanding of this molecule in normal and pathological conditions.     

14-3-3 proteins in Lewy body-like hyaline inclusions in patients with sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

14-3-3 proteins are highly conserved eukaryotic proteins that regulate various types of signal transduction pathways through phosphorylation-dependent protein-protein interactions. 14-3-3 mRNAs have been shown to be up-regulated in the injured rat motor neurons and in the spinal cords of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). To investigate the role of 14-3-3 proteins in ALS, we performed immunohistochemical studies on 14-3-3 using autopsied spinal cords from patients with sporadic ALS (sALS) and non-ALS subjects without spinal cord involvement. In the anterior horn of both groups, strong 14-3-3 immunoreactivity was observed in the somata and proximal processes of motor neurons. Many spheroids from all of the sALS cases were also immunopositive for 14-3-3. In addition, Lewy body-like hyaline inclusions (LBHIs), which were present in some sALS cases, were intensely immunostained. Our findings suggest that even in the severely affected anterior horn of patients with sALS, remaining motor neurons may contain abundant 14-3-3 proteins, and that 14-3-3 proteins may be partly associated with the pathogenesis of sALS, in particular with the formation of LBHIs.     

14-3-3蛋白在人脑胶质瘤中的表达及生物学意义

目的检测14-3-3蛋白在人脑胶质瘤中的表达情况,探讨其在胶质瘤发生发展中的生物学意义。方法采用免疫组化亲和素-生物素过氧化物酶复合物(ABC)法检测5个胶质瘤细胞系(U251MG,U87MG,BT325,SHG44和C6)、121例人脑胶质瘤石蜡标本和10例正常脑组织中14-3-3蛋白的表达情况。分析14-3-3蛋白的表达在胶质瘤发生发展中的作用。结果在正常脑组织标本中,13-3-3蛋白主要表达于神经元的胞体和突起,仅在少数的胶质细胞中可见14-3-3蛋白的弱表达。然而,5个胶质瘤细胞系和绝大部分星形细胞瘤中可见14-3-3蛋白的阳性表达,其表达阳性率为:Ⅰ级78.6%(11/14),II级75%(18/24),III级76.2%(16/21),IV级80%(20/25)。不同恶性级别的星形细胞瘤中,14-3-3蛋白的阳性表达率无显著差别,但14-3-3蛋白的表达强度和范围有随肿瘤的恶性度增高而增加的趋势。其它类型的胶质瘤中也可见14-3-3蛋白的大量表达,其表达阳性率为:少突胶质细胞瘤66.7%(4/6),间变型少突胶质细胞瘤100%(4/4),室管膜瘤50%(2/4),间变型室管膜瘤66.7%(2/3),脉络从乳头状瘤100%(5/5),松果体细胞瘤100%(3/3),髓母细胞瘤66.7%(8/12)。结论14-3-3蛋白在人脑胶质瘤中有大量的表达。14-3-3蛋白表达上调可能是胶质瘤细胞对抗调亡的一种共同机制,以14-3-3蛋白为靶点有望成为一种有前景的新的胶质瘤生物学治疗方法。     

14-3-3蛋白在星形细胞瘤中的表达及意义

目的探讨14-3-3蛋白在星形细胞瘤中的表达与肿瘤病理分级和预后间的关系。方法采用免疫组化ABC法检测10例正常脑组织和67例确诊并有随访的人脑星形细胞瘤石蜡标本中14-3-3蛋白的表达情况。分析14-3-3蛋白的表达与肿瘤恶性程度及预后间的关系。结果在正常脑组织标本中，14-3-3蛋白主要表达于神经元胞体和突起，而在少数的胶质细胞中仅见其弱表达。绝大部分星形胶质细胞瘤中可见14-3-3蛋白阳性表达，其阳性表达率为：Ⅱ级76．5％（13／17），Ⅲ级76．2％（16／21），Ⅳ级79．3％（23／29）。不同恶性级别的星形细胞肿瘤中，14-3-3蛋白的阳性表达率无显著差别（P〉0．05），但14-3-3蛋白表达的强度和范围有随肿瘤的恶性度增高而增加的趋势（P〈0．05）。52例14-3-3蛋白阳性表达患者的生存期明显短于15例14-3-3蛋白表达阴性的患者（P〈0．01）。结论14-3-3蛋白在人脑星形细胞瘤中的表达上凋与肿瘤的恶性程度及预后相关。14-3-3蛋白有望成为星形细胞瘤基因治疗的新靶点。     

Neuronal and glial coexpression of argininosuccinate synthetase and inducible nitric oxide synthase in Alzheimer disease

The enzyme argininosuccinate synthetase (ASS) is the rate limiting enzyme in the metabolic pathway leading from L-citrulline to L-arginine, the physiological substrate of all isoforms of nitric oxide synthases (NOS). ASS and inducible NOS (iNOS) expression in neurons and glia was investigated by immunohistochemistry in brains of Alzheimer disease (AD) patients and nondemented, age-matched controls. In 3 areas examined (hippocampus, frontal, and entorhinal cortex), a marked increase in neuronal ASS and iNOS expression was observed in AD brains. GFAP-positive astrocytes expressing ASS were not increased in AD brains versus controls, whereas the number of iNOS expressing GFAP-positive astrocytes was significantly higher in AD brains. Density measurements revealed that ASS expression levels were significantly higher in glial cells of AD brains. Colocalization of ASS and iNOS immunoreactivity was detectable in neurons and glia. Occasionally, both ASS-and iNOS expression was detectable in CD 68-positive activated microglia cells in close proximity to senile plaques. These results suggest that neurons and astrocytes express ASS in human brain constitutively, whereas neuronal and glial ASS expression increases parallel to iNOS expression in AD. Because an adequate supply of L-arginine is indispensable for prolonged NO generation, coinduction of ASS enables cells to sustain NO generation during AD by replenishing necessary supply of L-arginine.     

Accumulation of Hsc70 and Hsp70 in glial cytoplasmic inclusions in patients with multiple system atrophy

Heat shock proteins (HSPs) are molecular chaperones which can be induced by several kinds of stresses, and Hsc70 and Hsp70 are two major members of the family of 70 kDa HSPs. A major component of Lewy bodies (LBs) is alpha-synuclein, and Hsp70 has been observed in the LBs of brains with Parkinson's disease. Hsp70 has also been demonstrated to have the ability to suppress alpha-synuclein toxicity in vitro and in vivo. To investigate the precise role of Hsc70 and Hsp70 in patients with multiple system atrophy (MSA), which is another alpha-synuclein-related disease, we performed immunohistochemical studies on Hsc70 and Hsp70 using autopsied brains from 7 normal subjects and 15 patients with MSA. In the normal human brains, both neurons and glial cells, including oligodendrocytes, showed only weak Hsc70 and Hsp70 immunoreactivities. In contrast, in the brains with MSA, numerous glial cytoplasmic inclusions (GCIs) were intensely immunostained with Hsc70, and strong Hsc70 immunoreactivity was also found in glial intranuclear inclusions (GNIs), neuronal cytoplasmic inclusions (NCIs) and neuronal intranuclear inclusions (NNIs) as well as dystrophic neurites. The immunolabeling pattern for Hsp70 in the MSA brains was slightly different from that of Hsc70, and Hsp70 immunoreactivity was observed in many reactive astrocytes as well as some glial and neuronal inclusions. Our results suggest that the widespread accumulation of Hsc70 and Hsp70 may occur in brains with MSA, and that Hsc70 and Hsp70 may be associated with the pathogenesis of MSA.     

Real-Time Quaking-Induced Conversion Analysis for the Diagnosis of Sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease in Korea

MethodsThis study applied a highly sensitive RT-QuIC assay using recombinant human PrP to detect PrP^Sc in the CSF of 81 patients with sporadic CJD (sCJD) in Korea.ResultsRT-QuIC analysis of the CSF samples based on the expression levels of 14-3-3 and total tau proteins revealed positivity in 62 of 81 sCJD patients (sensitivity of 76.5%) but no positive results in the 100 non-CJD patients.ConclusionsThe sensitivity of the RT-QuIC in this study was similar to that in some previous reports, and the specificity of RT-QuIC was higher than that of 14-3-3 in CSF, suggesting that RT-QuIC analysis can complement the weakness of the specificity of 14-3-3 for the diagnosis of sCJD. These results indicate that RT-QuIC might be very useful for the rapid and specific diagnosis of sCJD and provide a practical novel method for the ante-mortem diagnosis of human prion diseases.     

Absence of brain-derived neurotrophic factor and trkB receptor immunoreactivity in glia of Alzheimer’s disease

Alterations in the neuronal expression of some neurotrophins have been shown in various neurodegenerative processes, particularly Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Glia may up-regulate neurotrophins and their high-affinity tyrosine kinase (trk) receptors in response to neural injury. In human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) encephalitis, activated microglia were shown to express brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), while reactive astrocytes expressed trkB receptor. This observation has suggested the existence of local neurotrophic regulation between different glial populations. To characterize the glial cellular distribution of BDNF and trkB receptor proteins in AD, we studied selected regions of postmortem brains from four AD and three age-matched control patients by double-immunofluorescence confocal microscopy. In both groups, BDNF immunoreactivity was distributed in neuronal perikarya and neuritic processes in the neocortex and hippocampus. No BDNF immunoreactivity was observed in microglia or astrocytes within and between senile plaques of AD. Catalytic trkB receptor immunoreactivity was present in neuronal perikarya in the neocortex and hippocampus. Reactive astrocytes and microglia were not immunoreactive for catalytic trkB. The absence of BDNF and trkB proteins in glia in AD patients is in contrast to the finding in patients with HIV-1 encephalitis. This difference suggests that glial expression of BDNF and trkB proteins may be characteristic of particular disease processes, rather than merely representing a stereotyped response to any type of neural injury. Received: 13 July 1998 / Revised, accepted: 25 February 1999     

Extracellular protein deposition correlates with glial activation and oxidative stress in Creutzfeldt-Jakob and Alzheimer’s disease

The relation of protein deposition with glial cells and oxidative stress was studied in Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD), Alzheimers disease (AD) and neurologically healthy control patients. Three neocortical areas, the hippocampus, and the cerebellum of 20 CJD, 10 AD and 10 control patients were immunohistochemically examined for the presence of astroglia, microglia, and protein depositions. To investigate the level of oxidative stress the percentage of neurons with cytoplasmic hydroxylated DNA was determined. Astroglia, microglia and oxidative stress were located around amyloid- depositions and a clear quantitative relation was identified. These markers were only increased in the hippocampus of AD compared to controls. Quantitative analysis in these groups showed a correlation between the oxidative stress level and the number of microglia in the grey matter. All markers were increased in the grey matter and the cerebellum of CJD when compared to AD and controls. The highest numbers of lesions were observed in a CJD population with a rapid disease progression. Quantitative analysis showed a correlation between the oxidative stress level and all glial cells. Further analysis showed that the number of microglia was related to the intensity of the prion depositions. Glial cells in the brain are thought to be the main producers of oxidative stress, resulting in neuronal death. Our results confirm that this close relationship exists in both AD and CJD. We also show that an increased number of glial cells and therefore possibly oxidative stress is associated with the disease progression.     

Astrocytes accumulate A beta 42 and give rise to astrocytic amyloid plaques in Alzheimer disease brains

beta-Amyloid(1-42) (A beta 42), a major component of amyloid plaques, accumulates within pyramidal neurons in the brains of individuals with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Down syndrome. In brain areas exhibiting AD pathology, A beta 42-immunopositive material is observed in astrocytes. In the present study, single- and double-label immunohistochemistry were used to reveal the origin and fate of this material in astrocytes. Our findings suggest that astrocytes throughout the entorhinal cortex of AD patients gradually accumulate A beta 42-positive material and that the amount of this material correlates positively with the extent of local AD pathology. A beta 42-positive material within astrocytes appears to be of neuronal origin, most likely accumulated via phagocytosis of local degenerated dendrites and synapses, especially in the cortical molecular layer. The co-localization of neuron-specific proteins, alpha 7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor and choline acetyltransferase, in A beta 42-burdened, activated astrocytes supports this possibility. Our results also suggest that some astrocytes containing A beta 42-positive deposits undergo lysis, resulting in the formation of astrocyte-derived amyloid plaques in the cortical molecular layer in brain regions showing moderate to advanced AD pathology. These astrocytic plaques can be distinguished from those arising from neuronal lysis by virtue of their smaller size, their nearly exclusive localization in the subpial portion of the molecular layer of the cerebrocortex, and by their intense glial fibrillary acidic protein immunoreactivity. Overall, A beta 42 accumulation and the selective lysis of A beta 42-burdened neurons and astrocytes appear to make a major contribution to the observed amyloid plaques in AD brains.     

Ganglioside GD3 in radial glia and astrocytes in situ in brains of young and adult mice

Ganglioside GD3 occurs in immature cells in the neuroectoderm. However, with regard to particular cellular locations of GD3, rat brain has received more attention than mouse brain. In brains from neonatal mice the most intense GD3 immunostaining appears to occur in structures that differ from those that immunostain the most intensely in brains from neonatal rats (Cammer and Zhang: J Histochem Cytochem 44: 143–149, 1996). In the present study epifluorescence and confocal microscopy were used for the purpose of identifying the types of GD3-immunopositive structures in brains of neonatal, 2-week-old, and adult mice. Vibratome sections from mouse brains were double immunostained for GD3 and respective markers for macrophages, microglia, and cells belonging to the oligodendrocyte lineage. Surprisingly, none of those marker antigens immunostained intensely in the same respective structures as GD3. The GD3-positive structures, however, did resemble protoplasmic astrocytes and radial glia, some with GD3-positive end-feet at the glia limitans; however, we did not rule out the possibility that there might be some GD3 on the surfaces of prooligodendroblasts. The scarcity of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP)-positive cells in brains of neonatal mice made it impractical to look for GD3+/GFAP+ structures that might belong to the astrocyte lineage. The Mu subunit of glutathione-S-transferase (Mu) was shown to label radial glia and the few GFAP-positive cells in brains of neonatal mice. Subsequently, confocal microscopy showed Mu and GD3 to be colocalized in radial glia and protoplasmic astrocytes in the neonate. In brains from mice ≥2 weeks of age GD3 immunostaining was demonstrated in GFAP-positive astrocytes, including reactive astrocytes. Much of the GD3 appeared to occur at the tips of astrocyte processes. It is suggested that GD3 in radial glia and astrocytes may function as a ligand enabling recognition of those structures by neurons or as a precursor of more complex gangliosides in neurons. © 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Creutzfeldt-Jakob病脑脊液14-3-3蛋白变化特征及其影响因素分析

目的分析47例临床可能或很可能克雅氏病(CJD)患者的脑脊液(CSF)14-3-3蛋白特征,为CJD早期临床评估及诊断提供参考。方法收集2013年1月至2016年1月以"可疑CJD"诊断在首都医科大学宣武医院住院的患者,对其一般资料及CSF 14-3-3蛋白特征进行分析。比较CSF 14-3-3蛋白阳性组与阴性组年龄、病程、临床表现及脑电图(EEG)、磁共振(MRI)的特点,并采用Spearman法分析CJD患者CSF 14-3-3蛋白与年龄、病程、MRI、EEG及临床表现的相关性。结果 47例患者中有46例患者进行了腰椎穿刺并送检CSF 14-3-3蛋白,其中有5例既往CSF 14-3-3蛋白检查为阴性者在复查后结果转为阳性,由阴性转为阳性时间为1~3个月。最终CSF 14-3-3蛋白阳性的患者占58.70%(27/46),14-3-3蛋白阳性组锥体束(P=0.015)、小脑症状(P=0.012)和视力障碍(P=0.044)均高于阴性组,仅磁共振(MRI)阳性率阳性组低于阴性组(P=0.025),且Spearman法相关性分析显示CJD患者CSF 14-3-3蛋白与锥体束(P=0.029)、视力障碍(P=0.039)及MRI(P=0.006)相关。结论 1 CSF 14-3-3蛋白含量可能与锥体束、小脑症状等运动系统及视力损害有关系,可间接反应CJD患者大脑神经细胞的功能状态;2 CSF 14-3-3蛋白为CJD早期诊断提供参考依据之一,CSF14-3-3蛋白含量随病情进展发生变化,对于首次检查阴性的患者实际工作中要注意复查,以免漏诊。     

Demonstration of ganglioside GD3 in human reactive astrocytes

Astrocytes are the cells that actively participate in the process of lesion repair in the central nervous system (CNS), and reactive astrocytosis of varying degrees becomes apparent with time in any pathological condition occurring in the normally developed postnatal CNS. Ganglioside GD3 (II3a(NeuAca2-8NeuAc)-LacCer, GD3) in reactive astrocytes from autopsied patients with Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) and old cerebral infarction was investigated immunocytochemically, using mouse IgM anti-GD3 monoclonal antibody (DSG-1). Reactive astrocytes in CJD and cerebral infarction demonstrated GD3-immunoreactivity within the cytoplasm. Normal astrocytes were negative. The present data raise the possibility that GD3 in reactive astrocytes has biological implications for the properties of the cells, such as cellular motility.     

国人Creutzfeldt-Jakob病临床、病理、免疫组化、PrP基因、14-3-3蛋白及动物传递的研究

目的 探讨国人Ｃｒｅｕｔｚｆｅｌｄｔ－Ｊａｋｏｂ病（ＣＪＤ）的临床、病理及免疫组化、ＰｒＰ基因、１４－３－３蛋白及实验鼠传递结果。方法 统计２４例ＣＪＤ患者的临床资料,进行脑组织病理检查。其中１０例脑切片作ＰｒＰ免疫组化染色,１０例进行ＰｒＰ基因表达,５例脑脊液行１４－３－３蛋白检测,７例进行实验鼠传递。结果 （１）２４例ＣＪＤ中散发１９例,可能为医源性３例,家族性１例,与Ａｌｚｈｅｉｍｅｒ病并存１例;（２）国人ＣＪＤ急性、亚急性发病高达９６％,急性发病者病程短,脑萎缩不明显;（３）脑组织石蜡切片以ＰｒＰ抗血清为第一抗体免疫组化染色,均呈突触型阳性;（４）１４－３－３蛋白表达对ＣＪＤ的临床诊断有特异性;（５）活检脑组织对实验鼠传递成功。结论 国人ＣＪＤ发病过程和临床表现有若干特殊性,通过１４－３－３蛋白表达,可     

nNOS expression in reactive astrocytes correlates with increased cell death related DNA damage in the hippocampus and entorhinal cortex in Alzheimer's disease

The immunocytochemical distribution of the neuronal form of nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) was compared with neuropathological changes and with cell death related DNA damage (as revealed by in situ end labeling, ISEL) in the hippocampal formation and entorhinal cortex of 12 age-matched control subjects and 12 Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients. Unlike controls, numerous nNOS-positive reactive astrocytes were found in AD patients around beta-amyloid plaques in CA1 and subiculum and at the places of clear and overt neuron loss, particularly in the entorhinal cortex layer II and CA4. This is the first evidence of nNOS-like immunoreactivity in reactive astrocytes in AD. In contrast to controls, in all but one AD subject, large numbers of ISEL-positive neuronal nuclei and microglial cells were found in the CA1 and CA4 regions and subiculum. Semiquantitative analysis showed that neuronal DNA fragmentation in AD match with the distribution of nNOS-expressing reactive astroglial cells in CA1 (r = 0.74, P < 0.01) and CA4 (r = 0.58, P < 0.05). A portion of the nNOS-positive CA2/CA3 pyramidal neurons was found to be spared even in the most affected hippocampi. A significant inverse correlation between nNOS expression and immunoreactivity to abnormally phosphorylated tau proteins (as revealed by AT8 monoclonal antibody) in perikarya of these CA2/3 neurons (r = -0.85, P < 0.01) suggests that nNOS expression may provide selective resistance to neuronal degeneration in AD. In conclusion, our results imply that an upregulated production of NO by reactive astrocytes may play a key role in the pathogenesis of AD.     

BDNF and full-length and truncated TrkB expression in Alzheimer disease. Implications in therapeutic strategies.

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), and full-length and truncated tyrosin kinase B receptor (TrkB) protein expression were examined by Western blotting and immunohistochemistry in the frontal cortex and hippocampus of individuals affected by long-lasting severe Alzheimer disease (AD) and age-matched controls. Since preliminary processing studies in the brains of rats have shown loss of immunoreactivity depending on the postmortem delay in tissue processing and on the type, duration, and temperature of the fixative solution, only human samples obtained up to 6 hours (h) after death for biochemical and morphological studies and fixed by immersion in 4% paraformaldehyde for 24 h for morphological studies were included in the present series. Decreased BDNF and full-length TrkB expression accompanied by increased truncated TrkB expression, as revealed by Western blotting, was observed in the frontal cortex of patients with AD. Immunohistochemistry disclosed reduced BDNF and full-length TrkB immunoreactivity in neurons. BDNF decrease was equally observed in tangle-bearing and non-tangle-bearing neurons, as revealed with double-labeling immunohistochemistry to BDNF and phosphorylated tau or phosphorylated neurofilament epitopes. Full-length TrkB immunoreactivity was largely decreased in tangle-bearing neurons, whereas only moderate decreases occurred in neurons with granulovacuolar degeneration. Strong BDNF immunoreactivity was observed in dystrophic neurites surrounding senile plaques, whereas strong TrkB expression occurred in reactive glial cells, including those surrounding senile plaques. Finally, truncated TrkB immunoreactivity was observed in individual neurons and in reactive glial cells in the cerebral cortex and white matter in AD. These results show decay in the expression of BDNF and TrkB in AD neurons, accompanied by altered BDNF, and full-length and truncated TrkB expression in dystrophic neurites and reactive glial cells, respectively, in this disease. The present results demonstrate selective decline of the BDNF/TrkB neurotrophic signaling pathway in the frontal cortex and hippocampus in AD and provide supplemental data that may be relevant in discussing the suitability of the use of BDNF as a therapeutic agent in patients with AD.     

Differential expression of metallothioneins in human prion diseases

We herein report an immunohistochemical and a Western blot analysis on metal/free radical chelating proteins, metallothioneins (MTs; MT-I/II and MT-III), in the brains of human prion disease patients with or without prion protein gene mutation and polymorphism. Irrespective of the isoforms of MTs, the immunoreaction was detected in the cytoplasm and processes of the astrocytes in the cerebral cortex and white matter in normal controls and prion disease brains. Although the immunoreactivities for MTs in Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) brains varied from case to case, they were generally dependent upon the disease duration. In CJD patients with a relatively long disease course, the immunoreaction for both MT-I/II and MT-III in the astrocytes was significantly reduced, and this finding was not modified by the genotypes of the patients. On the other hand, in patients with Gerstmann-Str?ussler-Scheinker syndrome, MT-I/II immunoreactivity in the astrocytes was exclusively reduced, while the immunoreaction for MT-III was relatively well preserved. Especially the astrocytes in the vicinities of the kuru plaques exhibited a weak or no immunoreaction even for MTs but a strong immunoreaction for glial fibrillary acidic protein. A quantitative Western blot analysis also revealed that MT-I/II protein accumulated in CJD brain with a short disease duration, whereas MT-III in CJD brain with a long disease duration was statistically significantly reduced in comparison to the normal brains. These findings suggest that the protein expression of MTs in the astrocytes is thus regulated differentially among human prion diseases and modified locally by such abnormal prion protein depositions as kuru plaques.