The only risk factor identified so far for sporadic late onset AD (LOAD) is aging. The inheritance of APOE?4 allele of apolipoprotein E is the major genetic risk factor for LOAD but molecular mechanisms underlying this susceptibility are unknown. It is possible that similar to other multifactorial (systemic) diseases, the underlying quantitative variation in susceptibility to develop LOAD is probably controlled by multiple genes. The role of environmental factors in the risk and pathogenesis of AD has been increasingly appreciated. In this regard, the research on epigenetic reprogramming inflicted by exposure to environmental factors, strongly suggests that changes induced at certain chromatin marks during the development and postnatal life can influence development of dementia and AD progression. We are proposing investigation in animal models to advance the understanding of the role of environmental arsenic (As) exposure in the etiology and progression of AD. We capitalize on the results generated with the support of our ongoing NIEHS R21: 1) exposure of adult mice, with already developed AD phenotype, to human relevant As concentrations (100 ?g/ml) in drinking water further deteriorates their cognitive performance, increases amyloid plaques and reactive astrocytosis in hippocampus;the expression of nuclear liver X receptors (LXR) and important target genes, is decreased. 2) Young mice exposed to as are cognitively impaired and the expression level of and activity dependent transcription factor EGR1 (Early growth response 1), implicated in memory formation and cognitive performance is lower. 3) prenatal exposure to As and high fat diet (HFD) causes global hypoacetylation at Lysine 9 of histone 3 (H3K9) and alterations in acetylation pattern of genes, components of Polycomb Repressive Complexes PRC1 and PRC2, that modulate gene expression genome-wide through changes in histone modifications. We hypothesize that prenatal, perinatal and postnatal as exposure impairs cognitive reserve and inhibits adaptive capacity of the adult organism to environmental insults (e.g. HFD). The outcome is a predisposition to AD or aggravated existing AD phenotype, with the APOE genetic background significantly impacting the pathology. We are proposing that histone modifications, including those catalyzed by PRC2 and loss of essential transcriptional programs (e.g. LXR and EGR1) are molecular mechanisms underlying as effects. To test the hypothesis we will accomplish two Specific Aims:
Aim 1. To elucidate the effects of as exposure on the development of AD-like phenotype in AD model mice.
Aim 2 : To identify epigenetic molecular mechanisms underlying changes in cognitive performance and AD phenotype in response to as exposure.

Public Health Relevance

The impact of environmental factors on Alzheimer's disease and impaired cognition is under realized and there are many gaps in understanding how environmental factors cause or promote neurodegenerative disease. These studies will elucidate the molecular mechanisms for epigenetic regulation of cognitive impairment and AD phenotypes caused by environmental as exposure and will implicate these mechanism in enhancing AD pathology from combined environmental and nutritional exposures. The findings may aid in developing interventions to prevent, delay or reverse the devastating cognitive effects of As exposure, and may contribute to identifying molecular targets for therapeutic strategies to slow AD progression.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
1R01ES024233-01
Application #
8755745
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZES1-LWJ-K (R))
Program Officer
Kirshner, Annette G
Project Start
2014-09-19
Project End
2019-06-30
Budget Start
2014-09-19
Budget End
2015-06-30
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
2014
Total Cost
$506,600
Indirect Cost
$156,600
Name
University of Pittsburgh
Department
Public Health & Prev Medicine
Type
Other Domestic Higher Education
DUNS #
004514360
City
Pittsburgh
State
PA
Country
United States
Zip Code
15213
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Castranio, Emilie L; Wolfe, Cody M; Nam, Kyong Nyon et al. (2018) ABCA1 haplodeficiency affects the brain transcriptome following traumatic brain injury in mice expressing human APOE isoforms. Acta Neuropathol Commun 6:69
Nam, Kyong Nyon; Wolfe, Cody M; Fitz, Nicholas F et al. (2018) Integrated approach reveals diet, APOE genotype and sex affect immune response in APP mice. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 1864:152-161
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Castranio, Emilie L; Mounier, Anais; Wolfe, Cody M et al. (2017) Gene co-expression networks identify Trem2 and Tyrobp as major hubs in human APOE expressing mice following traumatic brain injury. Neurobiol Dis 105:1-14
Fitz, Nicholas F; Carter, Alexis Y; Tapias, Victor et al. (2017) ABCA1 Deficiency Affects Basal Cognitive Deficits and Dendritic Density in Mice. J Alzheimers Dis 56:1075-1085
Carter, Alexis Y; Letronne, Florent; Fitz, Nicholas F et al. (2017) Liver X receptor agonist treatment significantly affects phenotype and transcriptome of APOE3 and APOE4 Abca1 haplo-deficient mice. PLoS One 12:e0172161
Beezhold, Kevin; Klei, Linda R; Barchowsky, Aaron (2017) Regulation of cyclin D1 by arsenic and microRNA inhibits adipogenesis. Toxicol Lett 265:147-155
Nam, Kyong Nyon; Mounier, Anais; Fitz, Nicholas F et al. (2016) RXR controlled regulatory networks identified in mouse brain counteract deleterious effects of A? oligomers. Sci Rep 6:24048
Fitz, Nicholas F; Tapias, Victor; Cronican, Andrea A et al. (2015) Opposing effects of Apoe/Apoa1 double deletion on amyloid-? pathology and cognitive performance in APP mice. Brain 138:3699-715

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