Alzheimer's disease and other tauopathies are aging-related neurodegenerative diseases that are representative of a significant impending economic and treatment burden for the US healthcare system that will only increase as the population shifts to a more aged demographic. These diseases are characterized by the pathological accumulation of abnormally modified tau proteins, which is closely linked to their observed cognitive deficits. Since the underlying causes of tauopathies remain unknown, it is accordingly difficult to develop effective therapeutic interventions. Some of the earliest pathological changes, especially in AD, follow a dying-back pattern in which axons are the first to exhibit abnormal structural changes. A likely pathogenic factor contributing to axonal degeneration is the protein tau, as it is critical in maintaining axonal function. Indeed, studies using human tissue and animal model systems suggest that tau abnormalities and axonal degeneration are interconnected components of the early degenerative sequelae of AD. Our preliminary data indicate that disease-related modifications of tau that expose the amino terminus of the protein cause axonal dysfunction and degeneration in cultured neurons and in vivo. The primary goal of this proposal is to test whether disease-associated abnormalities in tau can induce axonal degeneration. Three independent specific aims are proposed to take a multifaceted approach aimed at addressing this hypothesis.
Aim 1 will establish the relative contribution of tau modifications and the molecular events associated with tau-induced axon degeneration in primary cultured hippocampal neurons as well as a novel, viral vector-based rat model.
Aim 2 will define the functional relationship between tau protein and enzymes linked to tau-induced axonal dysfunction (i.e. protein phosphatase 1 and glycogen synthase kinase 3?). Lastly, Aim 3 will define the relationship between abnormal forms of tau protein and axonal degeneration in the progression of human AD using post-mortem tissue from cases ranging between non-demented controls to severely demented AD. If successful, these studies will identify a molecular mechanism for tau-induced axon dysfunction/degeneration that could be targeted for disease-modifying therapeutic interventions in AD patients, as well as those suffering from other tauopathies.

Public Health Relevance

Alzheimer's disease and other tauopathies are aging-related neurodegenerative diseases that represent a significant problem for the healthcare system and economy of the US that will only increase as the aging population continues to grow. This project is aimed at addressing the hypothesis that the protein tau, which accumulates in neurons, directly participates in the degenerative events that underlie these diseases. Together, these proposed studies will provide significant insight into tau's role in disease pathogenesis and identify new potential targets for therapeutic interventions aimed at mitigating the deleterious effects of tau on axon function and survival.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute on Aging (NIA)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01AG044372-02
Application #
8928037
Study Section
Synapses, Cytoskeleton and Trafficking Study Section (SYN)
Program Officer
Yang, Austin Jyan-Yu
Project Start
2014-09-30
Project End
2019-04-30
Budget Start
2015-05-01
Budget End
2016-04-30
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2015
Total Cost
$378,670
Indirect Cost
$124,210
Name
Michigan State University
Department
Microbiology/Immun/Virology
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
193247145
City
East Lansing
State
MI
Country
United States
Zip Code
48824
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Tiernan, Chelsea T; Mufson, Elliott J; Kanaan, Nicholas M et al. (2018) Tau Oligomer Pathology in Nucleus Basalis Neurons During the Progression of Alzheimer Disease. J Neuropathol Exp Neurol 77:246-259
Caselli, Richard J; Beach, Thomas G; Knopman, David S et al. (2017) Alzheimer Disease: Scientific Breakthroughs and Translational Challenges. Mayo Clin Proc 92:978-994
Kneynsberg, Andrew; Kanaan, Nicholas M (2017) Aging Does Not Affect Axon Initial Segment Structure and Somatic Localization of Tau Protein in Hippocampal Neurons of Fischer 344 Rats. eNeuro 4:
Combs, Benjamin; Tiernan, Chelsea T; Hamel, Chelsey et al. (2017) Production of recombinant tau oligomers in vitro. Methods Cell Biol 141:45-64
Kneynsberg, Andrew; Combs, Benjamin; Christensen, Kyle et al. (2017) Axonal Degeneration in Tauopathies: Disease Relevance and Underlying Mechanisms. Front Neurosci 11:572
Kanaan, Nicholas M; Sellnow, Rhyomi C; Boye, Sanford L et al. (2017) Rationally Engineered AAV Capsids Improve Transduction and Volumetric Spread in the CNS. Mol Ther Nucleic Acids 8:184-197
Combs, Benjamin; Kanaan, Nicholas M (2017) Exposure of the Amino Terminus of Tau Is a Pathological Event in Multiple Tauopathies. Am J Pathol 187:1222-1229
Combs, Benjamin; Kneynsberg, Andrew; Kanaan, Nicholas M (2016) Gene Therapy Models of Alzheimer's Disease and Other Dementias. Methods Mol Biol 1382:339-66
Kanaan, Nicholas M; Cox, Kristine; Alvarez, Victor E et al. (2016) Characterization of Early Pathological Tau Conformations and Phosphorylation in Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy. J Neuropathol Exp Neurol 75:19-34

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