Saturday, November 23, 2024
11/23/2024
Primary cilia are microtubule-based organelles, extending from the surface of vascular endothelial cells to sense extracellular signaling cues and fluid-shear stress. Cilia dysfunctions (ciliopathies) have been linked to numerous genetic disorders, and manifest a broad range of symptoms, including hypertension (HTN) and cognitive and memory dysfunction. We demonstrated that the inability of primary endothelial cilia to sense and transmit fluid shear stress can lead to nitric oxide (NO) deficiency and cause vascular HTN. HTN can cause brain microvascular endothelial mechanical stress, damage the neurovascular unit, and ultimately induce cognitive impairment, contributing to the progression of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). In addition, decreased biosynthesis of NO contributes to CAA in AD patients through increased deposition of beta amyloid (Aβ). However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of HTN and AD are incompletely understood thereby limiting our ability to prevent initiation and progression of this disease. Recent studies have identified specific mAChR- regulated pathways as novel therapeutic targets for AD. Muscarinic acetylcholine receptors (mAChRs) are also expressed throughout the cardiovascular system and can regulate BP and NO biosynthesis. However, the connection between cilia, mAChR signaling, and HTN in the pathogenesis of AD has never been investigated before. Supported primarily by our recent discovery of the AChM3R localization to primary cilia, we propose a bold idea to look at the pathophysiological roles of cerebrovascular ciliary receptors in BP and in AD in vivo. This application is designed to advance the concept that in early stages of AD, diminished cilia- mediated NO biosynthesis and deposition of endothelium-derived Aβ in cerebral blood vessel wall is an important mechanism contributing to pathogenesis HTN and AD. We generated vascular-specific AChM3R and Tg737 KO mice, in which AChM3R and Tg737 (important for ciliogenesis) were specifically deleted from the vascular endothelia. Interestingly, these mice developed high BP, associated with attenuated NO production, and altered cognitive function. These studies demonstrated the physiological significance of primary cilia-derived NO in the long-term control of vascular and cognitive function. In this proposal, we formulated the hypothesis that endothelial ciliary AChM3R contributes to AD progression through diminished NO biosynthesis. In Aim 1, we will study the effect of AChM3R or cilia deletion from vascular endothelia in 3xTgAD model on Aß accumulation, vascular reactivity, and brain vascular integrity/function. We will also test the effect of novel pharmacological modulators on enhancing ciliary AChM3R-mediated NO biosynthesis. In Aim 2, we will examine the role of cerebrovascular cilia and AChM3R KO in BP and AD manifestations in the 3xTgAD model. We anticipate that successful completion of this project will offer new opportunities to utilize endothelial mAChRs as molecular targets for therapeutic interventions designed to prevent detrimental effects of HTN on cerebrovascular and cognitive function.
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