Cited by 81Alzheimer's disease research and treatmentsDementia and Cognitive Impairment ResearchRedox biology and oxidative stress

Oxidative Damage and Antioxidant Response in Frontal Cortex of Demented and Nondemented Individuals with Alzheimer’s Neuropathology

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Fracassi, Anna, Marcatti, Michela, Zolochevska, Olga, Tabor, Natalie, Woltjer, Randall, Moreno, Sandra, Taglialatela, Giulio·2021·The Journal of Neuroscience

Abstract

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized by progressive neurodegeneration in the cerebral cortex, histopathologically hallmarked by amyloid β (Aβ) extracellular plaques and intracellular neurofibrillary tangles, constituted by hyperphosphorylated tau protein. Correlation between these pathologic features and dementia has been challenged by the emergence of "nondemented with Alzheimer's neuropathology" (NDAN) individuals, cognitively intact despite displaying pathologic features of AD. The existence of these subjects suggests that some unknown mechanisms are triggered to resist Aβ-mediated detrimental events. Aβ accumulation affects mitochondrial redox balance, increasing oxidative stress status, which in turn is proposed as a primary culprit in AD pathogenesis. To clarify the relationship linking Aβ, oxidative stress, and cognitive impairment, we performed a comparative study on AD, NDAN, and aged-matched human postmortem frontal cortices of either sex. We quantitatively analyzed immunofluorescence distribution of oxidative damage markers, and of SOD2 (superoxide dismutase 2), PGC1α [peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) γ-coactivator 1α], PPARα, and catalase as key factors in antioxidant response, as well as the expression of miRNA-485, as a PGC1α upstream regulator. Our results confirm dramatic redox imbalance, associated with impaired antioxidant defenses in AD brain. By contrast, NDAN individuals display low oxidative damage, which is associated with high levels of scavenging systems, possibly resulting from a lack of PGC1α miRNA-485-related inhibition. Comparative analyses in neurons and astrocytes further highlighted cell-specific mechanisms to counteract redox imbalance. Overall, our data emphasize the importance of transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulation of antioxidant response in AD. This suggests that an efficient PGC1α-dependent "safety mechanism" may prevent Aβ-mediated oxidative stress, supporting neuroprotective therapies aimed at ameliorating defects in antioxidant response pathways in AD patients.

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Authors
Fracassi, A., Marcatti, M., Zolochevska, O., Tabor, N., Woltjer, R., Moreno, S., & Taglialatela, G.
Affiliations
  • The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston (US)
  • Oregon Health & Science University (US)
  • Roma Tre University (IT)
Corresponding author
  • Moreno, Sandra
  • Taglialatela, Giulio
Venue
The Journal of Neuroscience
Published
2020-11-25
Volume
41
Issue
3
Pages
538-554
ISSN
  • 0270-6474 (ISSN-L)
  • 1529-2401
OpenAlex
W3108616759
Cited by
81
References
85
Citations by year
2026: 12 · 2025: 11 · 2024: 15 · 2023: 12 · 2022: 21 · 2021: 10
FWCI
6.46
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Journal of Neuroscience (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Iris (Roma Tre University) (submittedVersion, other-oa)
Funders
  • NIA/NIH (R01AG042890, R01AG060718, P30AG008017)
  • Robert J. and Helen C. Kleberg Foundation
  • Ministero dell'Istruzione, dell'Università e della Ricerca (The Grant of Excellence Departments)
  • The Company of Biologists
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Alzheimer's disease research and treatments
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Dementia and Cognitive Impairment Research
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Redox biology and oxidative stress
Keywords
Alzheimer's disease, amyloid-beta, oxidative stress, antioxidant response, frontal cortex, PGC-1α, manganese superoxide dismutase, catalase, PPARα, redox imbalance, neurofibrillary tangles, tau hyperphosphorylation, astrocytes, neurons, neuroprotection
MeSH terms
Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor Gamma Coactivator 1-alpha, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Alzheimer Disease, Antioxidants, Astrocytes, Autopsy, Dementia, Female, Humans, Male, Neurons, Oxidation-Reduction, Free Radical Scavengers, Amyloid beta-Peptides, Prefrontal Cortex, Oxidative Stress, MicroRNAs, PPAR gamma

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