Aging is a physiological and complex process produced by accumulative age-dependent cellular damage,which significantly impacts brain regions like the hippocampus,an essential region involved in memory and learning.A ...Aging is a physiological and complex process produced by accumulative age-dependent cellular damage,which significantly impacts brain regions like the hippocampus,an essential region involved in memory and learning.A crucial factor contributing to this decline is the dysfunction of mitochondria,particularly those located at synapses.Synaptic mitochondria are specialized organelles that produce the energy required for synaptic transmission but are also important for calcium homeostasis at these sites.In contrast,non-synaptic mitochondria primarily involve cellular metabolism and long-term energy supply.Both pools of mitochondria differ in their form,proteome,functionality,and cellular role.The proper functioning of synaptic mitochondria depends on processes such as mitochondrial dynamics,transport,and quality control.However,synaptic mitochondria are particularly vulnerable to age-associated damage,characterized by oxidative stress,impaired energy production,and calcium dysregulation.These changes compromise synaptic transmission,reducing synaptic activity and cognitive decline during aging.In the context of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s,Parkinson’s,and Huntington’s,the decline of synaptic mitochondrial function is even more pronounced.These diseases are marked by pathological protein accumulation,disrupted mitochondrial dynamics,and heightened oxidative stress,accelerating synaptic dysfunction and neuronal loss.Due to their specialized role and location,synaptic mitochondria are among the first organelles to exhibit dysfunction,underscoring their critical role in disease progression.This review delves into the main differences at structural and functional levels between synaptic and non-synaptic mitochondria,emphasizing the vulnerability of synaptic mitochondria to the aging process and neurodegeneration.These approaches highlight the potential of targeting synaptic mitochondria to mitigate age-associated cognitive impairment and synaptic degeneration.This review emphasizes the distinct vulnerabilities of hippocampal synaptic mitochondria,highlighting their essential role in sustaining brain function throughout life and their promise as therapeutic targets for safeguarding the cognitive capacities of people of advanced age.展开更多
Alzheimer＇s disease（AD） is the most common form of dementia in the older population, however, the precise cause of the disease is unknown. The neuropathology is characterized by the presence of aggregates formed by...Alzheimer＇s disease（AD） is the most common form of dementia in the older population, however, the precise cause of the disease is unknown. The neuropathology is characterized by the presence of aggregates formed by amyloid-β（Aβ） peptide and phosphorylated tau; which is accompanied by progressive impairment of memory. Diverse signaling pathways are linked to AD, and among these the Wnt signaling pathway is becoming increasingly relevant, since it plays essential roles in the adult brain. Initially, Wnt signaling activation was proposed as a neuroprotective mechanism against Aβ toxicity. Later, it was reported that it participates in tau phosphorylation and processes of learning and memory. Interestingly, in the last years we demonstrated that Wnt signaling is fundamental in amyloid precursor protein（APP） processing and that Wnt dysfunction results in Aβ production and aggregation in vitro. Recent in vivo studies reported that loss of canonical Wnt signaling exacerbates amyloid deposition in a transgenic（Tg） mouse model of AD. Finally, we showed that inhibition of Wnt signaling in a Tg mouse previously at the appearance of AD signs, resulted in memory loss, tau phosphorylation and Aβ formation and aggregation; indicating that Wnt dysfunction accelerated the onset of AD. More importantly, Wnt signaling loss promoted cognitive impairment, tau phosphorylation and Aβ1–42 production in the hippocampus of wild-type（WT） mice, contributing to the development of an Alzheimer＇s-like neurophatology. Therefore, in this review we highlight the importance of Wnt/β-catenin signaling dysfunction in the onset of AD and propose that the loss of canonical Wnt signaling is a triggering factor of AD.展开更多
During normal aging,there is a decline in all physiological functions in the organism.One of the most affected organs is the brain,where neurons lose their proper synaptic function leading to cognitive impairment.Agin...During normal aging,there is a decline in all physiological functions in the organism.One of the most affected organs is the brain,where neurons lose their proper synaptic function leading to cognitive impairment.Aging is one of the main risk factors for the development of neurodegenerative diseases,such as Alzheimer’s disease.One of the main responsible factors for synaptic dysfunction in aging and neurodegenerative diseases is the accumulation of abnormal proteins forming aggregates.The most studied brain aggregates are the senile plaques,formed by Aβpeptide;however,the aggregates formed by phosphorylated tau protein have gained relevance in the last years by their toxicity.It is reported that neurons undergo severe mitochondrial dysfunction with age,with a decrease in adenosine 5′-triphosphate production,loss of the mitochondrial membrane potential,redox imbalance,impaired mitophagy,and loss of calcium buffer capacity.Interestingly,abnormal tau protein interacts with several mitochondrial proteins,suggesting that it could induce mitochondrial dysfunction.Nevertheless,whether tau-mediated mitochondrial dysfunction occurs indirectly or directly is still unknown.A recent study of our laboratory shows that phosphorylated tau at Ser396/404(known as PHF-1),an epitope commonly related to pathology,accumulates inside mitochondria during normal aging.This accumulation occurs preferentially in synaptic mitochondria,which suggests that it may contribute to the synaptic failure and cognitive impairment seen in aged individuals.Here,we review the main tau modifications promoting mitochondrial dysfunction,and the possible mechanism involved.Also,we discuss the evidence that supports the possibility that phosphorylated tau accumulation in synaptic mitochondria promotes synaptic and cognitive impairment in aging.Finally,we show evidence and argue about the presence of phosphorylated tau PHF-1 inside mitochondria in Alzheimer’s disease,which could be considered as an early event in the neurodegenerative process.Thus,phosphorylated tau PHF-1 inside the mitochondria could be considered such a potential therapeutic target to prevent or attenuate age-related cognitive impairment.展开更多
基金supported by ANID FONDECYT No.1221178Centro Ciencia&Vida,FB210008,Financiamiento Basal para Centros Científicos y Tecnológicos de Excelencia de ANID to CTR.
文摘Aging is a physiological and complex process produced by accumulative age-dependent cellular damage,which significantly impacts brain regions like the hippocampus,an essential region involved in memory and learning.A crucial factor contributing to this decline is the dysfunction of mitochondria,particularly those located at synapses.Synaptic mitochondria are specialized organelles that produce the energy required for synaptic transmission but are also important for calcium homeostasis at these sites.In contrast,non-synaptic mitochondria primarily involve cellular metabolism and long-term energy supply.Both pools of mitochondria differ in their form,proteome,functionality,and cellular role.The proper functioning of synaptic mitochondria depends on processes such as mitochondrial dynamics,transport,and quality control.However,synaptic mitochondria are particularly vulnerable to age-associated damage,characterized by oxidative stress,impaired energy production,and calcium dysregulation.These changes compromise synaptic transmission,reducing synaptic activity and cognitive decline during aging.In the context of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s,Parkinson’s,and Huntington’s,the decline of synaptic mitochondrial function is even more pronounced.These diseases are marked by pathological protein accumulation,disrupted mitochondrial dynamics,and heightened oxidative stress,accelerating synaptic dysfunction and neuronal loss.Due to their specialized role and location,synaptic mitochondria are among the first organelles to exhibit dysfunction,underscoring their critical role in disease progression.This review delves into the main differences at structural and functional levels between synaptic and non-synaptic mitochondria,emphasizing the vulnerability of synaptic mitochondria to the aging process and neurodegeneration.These approaches highlight the potential of targeting synaptic mitochondria to mitigate age-associated cognitive impairment and synaptic degeneration.This review emphasizes the distinct vulnerabilities of hippocampal synaptic mitochondria,highlighting their essential role in sustaining brain function throughout life and their promise as therapeutic targets for safeguarding the cognitive capacities of people of advanced age.
基金supported by grants PFB (Basal Financing Program) 12/2007 from the Basal Centre for Excellence in Science and Technology and FONDECYT,No.1120156(to NCI)a pre-doctoral fellowship from the National Commission of Science and Technology of Chile(CONICYT)(to CTR)
文摘Alzheimer＇s disease（AD） is the most common form of dementia in the older population, however, the precise cause of the disease is unknown. The neuropathology is characterized by the presence of aggregates formed by amyloid-β（Aβ） peptide and phosphorylated tau; which is accompanied by progressive impairment of memory. Diverse signaling pathways are linked to AD, and among these the Wnt signaling pathway is becoming increasingly relevant, since it plays essential roles in the adult brain. Initially, Wnt signaling activation was proposed as a neuroprotective mechanism against Aβ toxicity. Later, it was reported that it participates in tau phosphorylation and processes of learning and memory. Interestingly, in the last years we demonstrated that Wnt signaling is fundamental in amyloid precursor protein（APP） processing and that Wnt dysfunction results in Aβ production and aggregation in vitro. Recent in vivo studies reported that loss of canonical Wnt signaling exacerbates amyloid deposition in a transgenic（Tg） mouse model of AD. Finally, we showed that inhibition of Wnt signaling in a Tg mouse previously at the appearance of AD signs, resulted in memory loss, tau phosphorylation and Aβ formation and aggregation; indicating that Wnt dysfunction accelerated the onset of AD. More importantly, Wnt signaling loss promoted cognitive impairment, tau phosphorylation and Aβ1–42 production in the hippocampus of wild-type（WT） mice, contributing to the development of an Alzheimer＇s-like neurophatology. Therefore, in this review we highlight the importance of Wnt/β-catenin signaling dysfunction in the onset of AD and propose that the loss of canonical Wnt signaling is a triggering factor of AD.
基金supported by FONDECYT,No.11170546,CONICYT PAI,No.77170091(to CTR)FONDECYT,No.3210591(to CJ).
文摘During normal aging,there is a decline in all physiological functions in the organism.One of the most affected organs is the brain,where neurons lose their proper synaptic function leading to cognitive impairment.Aging is one of the main risk factors for the development of neurodegenerative diseases,such as Alzheimer’s disease.One of the main responsible factors for synaptic dysfunction in aging and neurodegenerative diseases is the accumulation of abnormal proteins forming aggregates.The most studied brain aggregates are the senile plaques,formed by Aβpeptide;however,the aggregates formed by phosphorylated tau protein have gained relevance in the last years by their toxicity.It is reported that neurons undergo severe mitochondrial dysfunction with age,with a decrease in adenosine 5′-triphosphate production,loss of the mitochondrial membrane potential,redox imbalance,impaired mitophagy,and loss of calcium buffer capacity.Interestingly,abnormal tau protein interacts with several mitochondrial proteins,suggesting that it could induce mitochondrial dysfunction.Nevertheless,whether tau-mediated mitochondrial dysfunction occurs indirectly or directly is still unknown.A recent study of our laboratory shows that phosphorylated tau at Ser396/404(known as PHF-1),an epitope commonly related to pathology,accumulates inside mitochondria during normal aging.This accumulation occurs preferentially in synaptic mitochondria,which suggests that it may contribute to the synaptic failure and cognitive impairment seen in aged individuals.Here,we review the main tau modifications promoting mitochondrial dysfunction,and the possible mechanism involved.Also,we discuss the evidence that supports the possibility that phosphorylated tau accumulation in synaptic mitochondria promotes synaptic and cognitive impairment in aging.Finally,we show evidence and argue about the presence of phosphorylated tau PHF-1 inside mitochondria in Alzheimer’s disease,which could be considered as an early event in the neurodegenerative process.Thus,phosphorylated tau PHF-1 inside the mitochondria could be considered such a potential therapeutic target to prevent or attenuate age-related cognitive impairment.
