0000000001320720

AUTHOR

Steffen E. Storck

Low density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 1 mediated endocytosis of β1-integrin influences cell adhesion and cell migration.

The low density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 1 (LRP1) has been shown to interact with β1-integrin and regulate its surface expression. LRP1 knock-out cells exhibit altered cytoskeleton organization and decreased cell migration. Here we demonstrate coupled endocytosis of LRP1 and β1-integrin and the involvement of the intracellular NPxY2 motif of LRP1 in this process. Mouse embryonic fibroblasts harboring a knock in replacement of the NPxY2 motif of LRP1 by a multiple alanine cassette (AAxA) showed elevated surface expression of β1-integrin and decreased β1-integrin internalization rates. As a consequence, cell spreading was altered and adhesion rates were increased in our cell model…

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The Blood-Brain Barrier in Alzheimer’s Disease

The accumulation of neurotoxic amyloid-beta (Aβ) in the brain is one of the characteristic hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Aβ-peptide brain homeostasis is governed by its production and various clearance mechanisms. The blood-brain barrier provides a large surface area for influx and efflux mechanisms into and out of the brain. Different transporters and receptors have been implicated to play crucial roles in Aβ clearance from brain. Besides Aβ transport, the blood-brain barrier tightly regulates the brain's microenvironment; however, vascular alterations have been shown in patients with AD. Here, we summarize how the blood-brain barrier changes during aging and in disease and focus …

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The concerted amyloid-beta clearance of LRP1 and ABCB1/P-gp across the blood-brain barrier is linked by PICALM

The accumulation of neurotoxic amyloid-beta (Aβ) in the brain is a characteristic hallmark of Alzheimer's disease (AD). The blood-brain barrier (BBB) provides a large surface area and has been shown to be an important mediator for removal of brain Aβ. Both, the ABC transporter P-glycoprotein (ABCB1/P-gp) and the receptor low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 1 (LRP1) have been implicated to play crucial roles in Aβ efflux from brain. Here, with immunoprecipitation experiments, co-immunostainings and dual inhibition of ABCB1/P-gp and LRP1, we show that both proteins are functionally linked, mediating a concerted transcytosis of Aβ through endothelial cells. Late-onset AD risk fact…

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Expression of the ALS-causing variant hSOD1G93A leads to an impaired integrity and altered regulation of claudin-5 expression in an in vitro blood–spinal cord barrier model

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disorder characterized by progressive paralysis due to the loss of primary and secondary motor neurons. Mutations in the Cu/Zn-superoxide dismutase (SOD1) gene are associated with familial ALS and to date numerous hypotheses for ALS pathology exist including impairment of the blood–spinal cord barrier. In transgenic mice carrying mutated SOD1 genes, a disrupted blood–spinal cord barrier as well as decreased levels of tight junction (TJ) proteins ZO-1, occludin, and claudin-5 were detected. Here, we examined TJ protein levels and barrier function of primary blood–spinal cord barrier endothelial cells of presymptomatic hSOD1G93…

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Meprin β: A novel regulator of blood–brain barrier integrity

The metalloprotease meprin β (Mep1b) is capable of cleaving cell-adhesion molecules in different tissues (e.g. skin, kidney and intestine) and is dysregulated in several diseases associated with barrier breakdown (Alzheimer´s disease, kidney disruption, inflammatory bowel disease). In this study, we demonstrate that Mep1b is a novel regulator of tight junction (TJ) composition and blood–brain barrier (BBB) integrity in brain endothelium. In Mep1b-transfected mouse brain endothelial cells (bEnd.3), we observed a reduction of the TJ protein claudin-5, decreased transendothelial electrical resistance (TEER) and an elevated permeability to paracellular diffusion marker [14C]-inulin. Analysis o…

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LRP1 Modulates APP Intraneuronal Transport and Processing in Its Monomeric and Dimeric State.

The low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 1, LRP1, interacts with APP and affects its processing. This is assumed to be mostly caused by the impact of LRP1 on APP endocytosis. More recently, also an interaction of APP and LRP1 early in the secretory pathway was reported whereat retention of LRP1 in the ER leads to decreased APP cell surface levels and in turn, to reduced Aβ secretion. Here, we extended the biochemical and immunocytochemical analyses by showing via live cell imaging analyses in primary neurons that LRP1 and APP are transported only partly in common (one third) but to a higher degree in distinct fast axonal transport vesicles. Interestingly, co-expression of LRP1 a…

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The LepR-mediated leptin transport across brain barriers controls food reward

Objective Leptin is a key hormone in the control of appetite and body weight. Predominantly produced by white adipose tissue, it acts on the brain to inhibit homeostatic feeding and food reward. Leptin has free access to circumventricular organs, such as the median eminence, but entry into other brain centers is restricted by the blood–brain and blood–CSF barriers. So far, it is unknown for which of its central effects leptin has to penetrate brain barriers. In addition, the mechanisms mediating the transport across barriers are unclear although high expression in brain barriers suggests an important role of the leptin receptor (LepR). Methods We selectively deleted LepR in brain endothelia…

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Enzyme replacement therapy with recombinant pro-CTSD (cathepsin D) corrects defective proteolysis and autophagy in neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis

CTSD (cathepsin D) is one of the major lysosomal proteases indispensable for the maintenance of cellular proteostasis by turning over substrates of endocytosis, phagocytosis and autophagy. Consequently, CTSD deficiency leads to a strong impairment of the lysosomal-autophagy machinery. In mice and humans CTSD dysfunction underlies the congenital variant (CLN10) of neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis (NCL). NCLs are distinct lysosomal storage disorders (LSDs) sharing various hallmarks, namely accumulation of protein aggregates and ceroid lipofuscin leading to neurodegeneration and blindness. The most established and clinically approved approach to treat LSDs is enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) aim…

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Enzyme replacement therapy with recombinant pro-CTSD (cathepsin D) corrects defective proteolysis and autophagy in neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis

CTSD (cathepsin D) is one of the major lysosomal proteases indispensable for the maintenance of cellular proteostasis by turning over substrates of endocytosis, phagocytosis and autophagy. Consequently, CTSD deficiency leads to a strong impairment of the lysosomal-autophagy machinery. In mice and humans CTSD dysfunction underlies the congenital variant (CLN10) of neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis (NCL). NCLs are distinct lysosomal storage disorders (LSDs) sharing various hallmarks, namely accumulation of protein aggregates and ceroid lipofuscin leading to neurodegeneration and blindness. The most established and clinically approved approach to treat LSDs is enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) aim…

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