Skip to main content

Research Repository

Advanced Search

Neuronal DNA damage response-associated dysregulation of signalling pathways and cholesterol metabolism at the earliest stages of Alzheimer-type pathology

Simpson, Julie E.; Ince, Paul G.; Minett, Thais; Matthews, Fiona E.; Heath, Paul R.; Shaw, Pamela J.; Goodall, Emily; Garwood, Claire J.; Ratcliffe, Laura E.; Brayne, Carol; Rattray, Magnus; Wharton, Stephen B.

Authors

Julie E. Simpson

Paul G. Ince

Thais Minett

Paul R. Heath

Pamela J. Shaw

Emily Goodall

Claire J. Garwood

Laura E. Ratcliffe

Carol Brayne

Magnus Rattray

Stephen B. Wharton



Abstract

Aims: Oxidative damage and an associated DNA damage response (DDR) are evident in mild cognitive impairment and early Alzheimer's disease, suggesting that neuronal dysfunction resulting from oxidative DNA damage may account for some of the cognitive impairment not fully explained by Alzheimer-type pathology. Methods: Frontal cortex (Braak stage 0-II) was obtained from the Medical Research Council's Cognitive Function and Ageing Study cohort. Neurones were isolated from eight cases (four high and four low DDR) by laser capture microdissection and changes in the transcriptome identified by microarray analysis. Results: Two thousand three hundred seventy-eight genes were significantly differentially expressed (1690 up-regulated, 688 down-regulated, P<0.001) in cases with a high neuronal DDR. Functional grouping identified dysregulation of cholesterol biosynthesis, insulin and Wnt signalling, and up-regulation of glycogen synthase kinase 3β. Candidate genes were validated by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Cerebrospinal fluid levels of 24(S)-hydroxycholesterol associated with neuronal DDR across all Braak stages (rs = 0.30, P = 0.03). Conclusions: A persistent neuronal DDR may result in increased cholesterol biosynthesis, impaired insulin and Wnt signalling, and increased GSK3β, thereby contributing to neuronal dysfunction independent of Alzheimer-type pathology in the ageing brain.

Citation

Simpson, J. E., Ince, P. G., Minett, T., Matthews, F. E., Heath, P. R., Shaw, P. J., Goodall, E., Garwood, C. J., Ratcliffe, L. E., Brayne, C., Rattray, M., & Wharton, S. B. (2016). Neuronal DNA damage response-associated dysregulation of signalling pathways and cholesterol metabolism at the earliest stages of Alzheimer-type pathology. Neuropathology and Applied Neurobiology, 42(2), 167-179. https://doi.org/10.1111/nan.12252

Journal Article Type Article
Publication Date Feb 1, 2016
Deposit Date Dec 8, 2023
Journal Neuropathology and Applied Neurobiology
Print ISSN 0305-1846
Electronic ISSN 1365-2990
Publisher British Neuropathological Society
Volume 42
Issue 2
Pages 167-179
DOI https://doi.org/10.1111/nan.12252
Public URL https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/4453729