Background: Healthy cognitive ageing entails a number of neurobiological processes which may contribute to optimal functioning and quality of life in ageing. While the full extent of the underlying mechanisms of healthy ageing are yet to be described, there is an important interplay between brain structure, function, and genetic makeup that determines ageing trajectories. Notably, the Apolipoprotein E (APOE) gene has been established in the Alzheimer’s disease (AD) literature to impact brain structure and function, and may also show congruent effects in healthy older adults, although findings in this population are much less consistent. Structural Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI), and neuropsychological measures present as useful, non-invasive tools to investigate the impact of APOE allele status on grey matter structure, white matter integrity, and cognitive functioning, respectively. Few studies have used these measures together to describe healthy ageing, and findings are mixed (e.g., no differences seen, different suggested regions of difference, etc.). The current study aims to describe the impact of APOE genotype on brain structure and function in healthy older adults using multimodal methods. Method: Data were obtained from the Alzheimer’s Disease Initiative phase 3 (ADNI3) database. Baseline MRI, DTI and cognitive composite scores for memory (ADNI-Mem) and EF (ADNI-EF) were acquired from 116 healthy controls. Participants were grouped according to APOE allele presence (APOE-ε2+ N= 17, APOE-ε3ε3 N= 64, APOE-ε4+ N=35). Voxel-based morphometry (VBM) and tract based spatial statistics (TBSS) were used to compare grey matter volume (GMV) and white matter integrity respectively between APOE-ε2+ and APOE-ε3ε3 controls, and again between APOE-ε4+ and APOE-ε3ε3 controls. Multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) was used to examine the effects of APOE polymorphism on memory and EF across all APOE groups with covariates of age, sex, and education, and cognitive scores were correlated (Pearson r) with imaging metrics within groups. Results: No significant differences were seen across groups or within-groups in MRI metrics or cognitive performance (p>0.05, corrected for multiple comparisons). Non-significant trend-level results suggested 1) Increased fractional anisotropy (FA) and GMV was present in APOE-ε2+ compared to APOE-ε3ε3. 2) Increased mean diffusivity (MD) and decreased GMV was present in APOE-ε4+ compared to APOE-ε3ε3 (p<0.2, corrected for multiple comparisons). Non-significant moderate effect sizes were seen for a positive trend between GMV and EF (r= 0.36, p= 0.18) in APOE-ε2+ and a negative trend between MD and EF in APOE-ε4+ (r= -0.33, p= 0.05). Conclusions: APOE polymorphisms do not appear to impact brain structure and function differently in healthy ageing. Trend-level findings align with reports from previous research, although results remain mixed. Overall, this study suggests neurostructural and functional differences across APOE genotype are not present in cognitively healthy older adults, and future studies should aim to clarify APOE mechanisms in healthy ageing with the addition of other variables (e.g., imaging, cognitive, & lifestyle factors), longitudinal design, and in a larger sample. / Graduate / 2022-08-17

Alternative splicing is a key mechanism by which eukaryotes generate phenotypic complexity without increasing genomic load. In vertebrate evolution, cassette exon alternative splicing is prominent with increasing phenotypic complexity and is specifically enriched in the brain. Apolipoprotein receptor 2 (Apoer2) is a neuronal alternatively spliced transmembrane receptor that binds critical extracellular ligands such as neuroprotective Reelin and Alzheimer’s disease (AD) related risk factor APOE4. Inclusion and exclusion of single exons in Apoer2 regulates isoform specific roles in neuronal processes, such as long-term potentiation (LTP) and neuronal survival. Alternative splicing of APOER2 exon 18, which encodes a functional domain critical for LTP, has been reported as dysregulated in AD. However, the full repertoire and function of APOER2 isoforms in physiological and AD conditions is not well understood. We hypothesize that combinatorial APOER2 alternative splicing events generate a diverse pool of isoforms in the human brain that can become dysregulated in AD and alter receptor function in neurons. Our overall goal is to define the APOER2 transcript pool and understand whether isoform proportions and functions are altered in AD, potentially contributing to synaptic dysfunction. In this work, we observed that Apoer2 has evolved over the course of vertebrate evolution, gaining new exons that alter function at the protein level and increasing the complexity of its alternative splicing events from zebrafish to humans. We generated the first APOER2 specific long-read RNA sequencing dataset in the human cerebral cortex, which identified 48 full-length APOER2 isoforms, some of which are unique compared to full-length murine Apoer2 isoforms and indicate that Apoer2 is spliced in a species specific manner. To determine whether splicing of APOER2 is dysregulated in AD, we generated full-length APOER2 isoform maps in Control and AD parietal cortex and hippocampus. We identified over 200 unique APOER2 isoforms in each brain region with 151 isoforms common between the two brain regions. We also identified region and disease specific APOER2 isoforms suggesting APOER2 splicing is spatially regulated and altered in AD. We found AD and Control-specific APOER2 isoforms exhibited alterations in receptor processing and cleavage patterns, indicating combinatorial splicing across APOER2 dictates protein function and is changed in AD. Sequential cleavage of Apoer2 in response to Reelin generates an intracellular domain (ICD) that translocates to the nucleus and affects transcription; however, whether APOE influences Apoer2 cleavage is unclear. We found Apoer2-ICD is generated in an APOE isoform specific manner and is generated regardless of exon 19 inclusion, which encodes part of the ICD. We generated four novel mouse lines to examine the effects of Apoer2 exon 19 inclusion and APOE isoforms (APOE3 and APOE4) on hippocampal gene expression. We found Apoer2 exon 19 inclusion modulates upregulation of genes such as Serpina3n known to be induced by APOE4 expression, which has strong implications for understanding molecular mechanisms underlying APOE4 as a risk factor in AD. Lastly, since Apoer2 exon 19 confers critical functions at the protein level, including adaptor protein binding and association with the NMDA receptor, as well as potentially modulating APOE4’s transcriptional effects, we were interested in how an RNA binding protein, Srsf1, may influence Apoer2 exon 19 splicing. We and others have found SRSF1 partially represses exon 19 inclusion in primary murine neurons. Because splicing is often modulated by neuronal activity, we examined whether Apoer2 exon 19 and Srsf1 are altered in response to activity stimulation. We found upregulation of exon 19 exclusion and no strong changes in SRSF1 expression or phosphorylation, suggesting modulation of SRSF1 is not a potent regulatory mechanism of activity induced changes in Apoer2 exon 19 splicing. Overall, we have examined the Apoer2 splicing landscape in the brain across multiple vertebrate species. We identified a rich diversity of alternatively spliced APOER2 isoforms in Control and AD brains providing novel APOER2 variants that are significantly changed in AD. These AD related APOER2 isoforms have differential functional impacts on APOER2 biology that may contribute to AD pathogenesis.

Poster exhibited at GPSC Student Showcase, November 7th, 2014, University of Arizona. / Given the early emergence of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) related pathology in Down syndrome (DS; Trisomy 21), it is possible that changes may be evident in childhood or adolescence in Apolipoprotein (APOE) e3/e4 or e4/e4 genotypes in relation to e3/e3 genotypes. Given findings of early involvement of striatum amyloid beta (Aβ) peptide deposition in DS, we propose that a profile of executive and inhibitory control dysfunction will be found in youth carrying the risk e4 allele. From a pool of 72 children and adolescents with DS we examined a sub-sample with the risk e4 allele (n = 8; e3/e4) and without the risk e4 allele (n = 8; e3/e3). Participants were matched for age and ethnicity (range 8 - 21 years; mean age 14 years). Karyotypes were gathered from medical records, confirming a diagnosis of Trisomy 21. We collected genetic information (Oragene saliva kit) in home; they were sent to the Emory Biomarker Service Center to determine genotypes. We administered the Kaufman Brief Intelligence Test (KBIT-2) and a set of cognitive outcomes measures validated for Down syndrome, the Arizona Cognitive Test Battery. Results from the KBIT-2 indicated no significant differences in verbal raw score (p = 0.65), non-verbal raw score (p = 0.69), or intelligence quotient (IQ) (p = 0.32). Neuropsychological test scores did differ; with poorer performance in the e4 sample on the CANTAB Paired Associates Learning task (p = 0.05) and parent/caregiver reports of working memory (p = 0.08). Therefore, as early as adolescence some changes may be seen in e4 carriers.

Mémoire numérisé par la Direction des bibliothèques de l'Université de Montréal.

APOE ε4 is the major genetic risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease, a dementia characterized by memory impairment and hippocampal atrophy. While associated with episodic impairment and reduced hippocampal volume in healthy aging, APOE ε4 has been related to increased episodic memory performance in young adults. The effect of APOE ε4 on hippocampal volume in young age is uncertain, with studies showing comparable or smaller volumes in ε4 carriers. This thesis aims to further explore the effects of APOE ε4 on episodic memory and hippocampal volume in young adults. In addition to episodic memory, spatial memory will also be assessed, as both these memory types are hippocampus-dependent. Furthermore, potential modulating effects of sex are assessed, as sex differences has been found in relation to APOE-related pathology, episodic and spatial memory and hippocampal volume. Study I examined the effects of APOE ε4 on episodic and spatial memory and hippocampal volume in young adults. Hippocampal volume was assessed by manual tracing of the hippocampal head, body and tail. Study II considered whole-brain structural covariance patterns of the anterior and posterior hippocampus. Furthermore, the association between these patterns and episodic and spatial memory performance was assessed. Study III investigated the effects of APOE ε4 on episodic and spatial memory and hippocampal volume in three different age groups. This was done in order to further explore the different effects of APOE ε4 on cognition and hippocampal volume seen in young and older age. In summary, APOE ε4 was positively associated with spatial function and episodic memory in young adults. Although there were no effects of APOE ε4 on hippocampal volume, structural covariance patterns of the anterior and posterior hippocampus differed as a function of APOE ε4 and sex. Thus, structural covariance may provide an early measure of APOE ε4-related effects on brain structure. Moreover, sex was found to modulate the effects of APOE ε4 to the disadvantage of women. This was seen in both age-related hippocampal volume effects and in structural covariance patterns in young adults, as well as in spatial memory performance across age groups.

Cyclodextrins (CDs) are naturally occurring cyclic oligosaccharides. Since it is believed that OxC blocks the removal of normal cholesterol from cells in the artery wall, it is possible that selective removal of OxC in the vessel wall in-vivo may prevent or reverse atherosclerosis.As a prelude to major studies, this research project was designed to answer two critical questions; 1/. What is the best route for delivery of CD. 2/. How do animals (apoE-/- mice) tolerate it. Pilot studies were established and results noted. These studies have provided valuable information in the apoE-/- mouse for subsequent studies to prevent or reverse atherosclerosis in this animal model. / Master of Science (Hons)

El Decabromodifenil èter (BDE-209) és un retardant de la flama àmpliament utilitzat i font de preocupació a causa de la toxicitat mostrada per altres Difenil Èters Polibromats (PBDEs). La presència de PBDEs en la llet materna fa preocupant la seva exposició durant el desenvolupament. Pensem que l’exposició primerenca a BDE-209 pot produir efectes a llarg termini i interactuar amb factors genètics, com el genotip de l’ApolipoproteinaE. Ratolins portadors de les diferents isoformeshumanes de l’ApoE foren tractats amb una dosi oral aguda de 0, 10 o 30 mg / kg de BDE-209 en el dia postnatal 10 i van ser avaluats per neurocomportament durant el desenvolupament, a l'edat adulta i la vellesa. L’exposició a BDE-209 indueix un retard en el desenvolupament físic i neuromotor i en la compactació de la mielina en els ratolins ApoE2, disminueix els nivells de tiroxina lliure en les femelles adultes i disminueix l'activitat en ratolins ApoE4. Els efectes més consistents durant tota la vida s'observen en ratolins ApoE3 i consisteixen en problemes d'aprenentatge als 4 mesos, i problemes d'aprenentatge i memòria i un augment de l'ansietat als 12 mesos. / Decabromodiphenyl Ether (BDE-209) is a flame retardant widely used and source of concern because ofthe toxicity showed by other Polibrominateddiphenyl ethers (PBDEs). The presenceof PBDEs in human’s breast milkmakes worrying its exposure during development. We hypothesised that an early exposure to BDE-209 can induce long-term impairments and interact with genetic factors, such as ApolipoproteinE genotype. Mice carrying the different Human ApoE isoforms treated with an acute oral dose of 0, 10 or 30 mg/kg of BDE-209 on postnatal day 10 were assessed for neurobehaviourduring development, in young adulthood and old age. BDE-209 exposure inducesadelay in physic and neuromotordevelopment and in myelin compaction in ApoE2 mice, decreases the levels of free thyroxin in adult femalesand decreases activity in ApoE4 mice. The most consistent effects across the lifespan are observed in ApoE3 mice and consist of impaired learning at 4 months, and impaired learning and memory and increased anxiety at 12 months.

Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-01T21:35:22Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 tese_12342_Tese - Daniela Camporez.pdf: 1833396 bytes, checksum: 82e9b25850d00808ee295c7a2313f773 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2018-06-06 / A doença de Alzheimer (DA), é o tipo mais comum de demência relacionada a idade. É uma doença neurodegenerativa crônica, grave, progressiva, associada à perda de memória e cognição, que pode levar à morte. O maior fator de risco para o desenvolvimento da doença é a idade avançada, com uma complexa interação de fatores ambientais e genéticos que juntos podem aumentar a incidência da doença. Ainda que sua causa seja desconhecida, os fatores genéticos e o estresse oxidativo desempenham um papel importante na patogênese da DA. Neste estudo de associação nós investigamos se polimorfismos nos genes APOE (rs429358 e rs7412), FOXO3 (rs2802292), MTHFD1L (rs11754661), SERPINA3 (rs4934), SIRT1 (rs2273773) e SOD2 (rs4880) e fatores ambientais como: nível educacional, etnia e gênero estão associados com risco para a DA em uma amostra de 332 indivíduos idosos do sudeste brasileiro (109 pacientes com diagnóstico provável de DA e 223 controles - idosos saudáveis pareados por idade e gênero). Os polimorfismos genéticos foram analisados por meio da reação em cadeia da polimerase em tempo real (PCR-RT). Na nossa amostra o polimorfismo do gene APOE mostrou estar altamente associado com a doença, tendo os genótipos &#400;4&#400;4 e &#400;3&#400;3 demonstrado serem fator de risco e proteção, respectivamente. O genótipo GG do gene MTHFD1L mostrou estar associado com o aumento do risco de desenvolver a doença de Alzheimer. Já o genótipo GG e AG do gene SERPINA3 demonstraram ser fatores de proteção e risco, respectivamente. O genótipo TT e CT do gene SIRT1 também mostraram correlação com a doença. O nível educacional mostrou estar associado positivamente para os indivíduos do grupo controle que tiveram uma educação formal por mais de quatro anos. Os polimorfismos FOXO3 e SOD2 não demonstraram estar associados com a amostra e a doença em questão. Nossos resultados corroboram outras pesquisas, que demonstram que a etiologia da DA pode estar envolvida com alterações na via do folato, com o aumento do estresse oxidativo nas células do sistema nervoso central, além de apoiar a participação de proteínas formadoras das placas beta-amiloides na patologia da DA. Esses resultados podem ser úteis na busca de biomarcadores genéticos precoces capazes de identificar os sintomas do surgimento da demência, e fornecer novos dados para terapias no futuro, ajudando no entendimento deste distúrbio. Além disso, reforçam a hipótese de que diversos genes estão envolvidos na etiologia da DA, uma condição caracterizada também por instabilidade genômica e estresse oxidativo elevados, que podem contribuir significativamente para a degeneração neurológica observada nos pacientes.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-12T22:59:08Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 arquivo5593_1.pdf: 9647965 bytes, checksum: 23ac0509ddb6353a3c91975edec8f243 (MD5) license.txt: 1748 bytes, checksum: 8a4605be74aa9ea9d79846c1fba20a33 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2011 / O Declínio Cognitivo Leve (DCL) é um estado mental considerado a zona de transição entre o envelhecimento normal e a fase mais inicial de demência, sendo uma fase importante para a precocidade diagnóstica. Nos últimos anos, pesquisas estão sendo desenvolvidas na busca de marcadores genéticos para esta zona de pré-demência, como os polimorfismos dos genes da apolipoproteína E (APOE) representada por 3 alelos (E2, E3, E4) e do colesterol 24S-hidroxilase (CYP46) com alelos T e C. Indivíduos portadores do APOE E4 tem fator de risco quatro vezes maior de desenvolver a Demência de Alzheimer e dez vezes mais probabilidade se tiver associado os polimorfismos dos genes APOE e CYP46. O objetivo deste estudo foi investigar a possível associação entre o polimorfismo dos genes CYP46(T/C), APOE E4 e a presença de DCL na população idosa do Distrito de Fernando de Noronha, totalizando uma seleção de 52 indivíduos. A avaliação clínica foi realizada através de exame físico, funcional e mental. Foram aplicados testes neuropsiquiátricos (Mini Exame do Estado Mental, Teste de Fluência Verbal, Teste do Relógio) e a identificação do genótipo dos polimorfismos do APOE e CYP46 pelo método de PCR-RFLP. Como resultados observou-se que 87% da amostra apresentou declínio cognitivo leve. No Mini Exame do Estado Mental, Teste de Fluência Verbal e Teste do Relógio foi observado declínio cognitivo em 42,8%, 31,9% e 53,2% respectivamente. Foi observada uma frequência alélica de 10% para o alelo E4. Não foi observada associação entre APOE E4 e declínio cognitivo. Os alelos T (p = 0,628) e C (p = 0,2076) do gene Cyp46 não estão associadas ao DCL na população estudada. Não foi observada associação (p = 0,4286), quando analisado o sinergismo entre o polimorfismo dos genes Cyp46(T/C) e APOE E4 no desenvolvimento do DCL. Nesta população, os resultados sugerem que os polimorfismos dos genes Cyp46(T/C) e APOE E4 não estão associados ao DCL

Apolipoprotein E (APOE) is one of the most important genetic risk factors for late-onset sporadic Alzheimer’s disease (LOAD). APOE is a 35 kDa glycoprotein and ligand known to bind to members of the low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) family, including APOE receptor 2 (apoER2; official gene name LRP8). ApoER2 is a type I transmembrane protein with a large extracellular domain (ECD) and a short cytoplasmic tail that can be proteolytic cleaved. In addition, apoER2 is enriched in the brain and plays an important role in synaptic function and plasticity. Interestingly, the ECD of apoER2 contains several ligand binding repeats that are organized into exons with aligning phase junctions, which allows exon skipping during alternative splicing to retain protein fidelity. The amount of alternative spliced isoforms distinguishes apoER2 from the rest of the LDLR family members. In fact, mouse Apoer2 has been identified as one of the top ten neuronal genes related to cell-type exon skipping events. Regarding human APOER2, we have identified over 40 different APOER2 isoforms from human brain using gene-specific primers and amplifying the N- and C-terminal open reading frame of APOER2. The majority of APOER2 variants consist of a diverse array of exon skipping events within the ligand binding domain (LBD). We therefore, hypothesized that human APOER2 splice variants act as functionally divergent isoforms that can influence ligand binding properties, receptor proteolysis and changes to synaptic function. ApoER2 undergoes sequential proteolytic cleavage in response to ligand binding, resulting in the release of C-terminal fragments (CTFs) and transcriptionally active intracellular domain (ICD). We therefore, systematically tested whether the diversity of human N-terminal APOER2 splice variants lacking various LBDs affects APOER2 cleavage and signaling events. We found that alternative splicing of certain APOER2 exons generated different amounts of CTFs compared to full-length APOER2 (APOER2-FL). The pattern was not simply based on the number of ligand binding domains suggesting that excision of certain exons may alter the tertiary structure of the receptor sufficiently to make the receptor more or less accessible to cleavage and generation of CTFs. To further characterize APOER2 splice variants, we specifically examined APOER2 splice variants that generated the highest and lowest amounts of CTF generation compared to APOER2-FL and focused on APOER2 splice variant lacking exons 5-8 (Δ5-8) and lacking exons 4-6 (Δ4-6), respectively. The differential CTF generation of APOER2 Δ5-8 and Δ4-6 reflects the proteolytic release of the APOER2-ICD. This APOER2-ICD mediates transcriptional activation, facilitated by the Mint1 adaptor protein. To investigate whether human N-terminal APOER2 splice variants influence APOE binding and receptor cleavage properties, we used microscale thermophoresis and tested the well-validated human APOE mimetic peptide. We found that specific exons or ligand-binding cassettes differentially affect APOE peptide binding to APOER2 splice variants. In addition, APOE peptide induces generation of APOER2-CTF acutely within one hour. Functionally, we demonstrated that APOER2 is required for spontaneous neurotransmitter release in mature neurons. Loss of mouse Apoer2 robustly decreased miniature event frequency in excitatory synapses compared to heterozygous Apoer2 neurons. We found APOER2-FL fully restored the miniature event frequency in excitatory synapses but not APOER2 Δ5-8. APOER2 Δ4-6 restored the miniature event frequency similar to heterozygous Apoer2 neurons. These results suggest that different human N-terminal APOER2 splice variants have distinct and differential synaptic properties signifying a role of APOER2 splice variants as regulators of synaptic function.