Fundamental questions about the origin and stereotypical progression of pTau pathology in sAD have remained unanswered for decades. Our data support a model in which ApoER2-Dab1 disruption is the underlying cause of pTau-related neurodegeneration in humans. In contrast to the prevailing hypothesis for NFT progression—that Tau spreads in a prion-like manner—our findings suggest that pTau is locally produced by ApoER2-expressing neurons at multiple anatomical locations in response to ApoER2-Dab1 disruption. Since the RAAAD-P-LTP pathway regulates memory through delivery of essential lipids and stabilization of actin, microtubules, and synapses (Fig. 2B), our finding that multiple pathway components co-accumulate in each affected region reframes Tau pathology as one of many consequences of pathway disruption. As an alternative to prion-like spread, ApoER2-Dab1 disruption provides a single, shared mechanism that can: (1) explain the actin and microtubule destabilization, synaptic dysfunction, extracellular lipoprotein deposition, and cognitive deficits that characterize sAD; (2) mechanistically link the etiology of NPs to NTs, NFTs and GVDs; and (3) integrate hallmark ApoE, pTau, and Aβ pathologies into a unifying model for sAD in humans.
Can ApoER2 expression and demand for activation explain the origin(s) and progression of NFT pathology?
ApoER2-Dab1 disruption promotes Tau hyperphosphorylation through compromised Reelin signaling. 39–43 Since ApoER2 is not ubiquitously expressed, our finding that ApoER2 is strongly expressed in the same regions, layers, neurons, and subcellular compartment (distal dendritic tips) (8, 11) (65) that accumulate pTau early in sAD is consistent with our model in which multisite ApoER2 disruption drives development of NFTs (Fig. 1). Whereas the presence of ApoER2 may be required for NFT formation, a high demand for RAAAD-P-LTP pathway activation and turnover could also contribute to the selective vulnerability of ApoER2-expressing neurons. It is therefore notable that the ErC and LC are active nearly continuously from birth until death, due to their pivotal roles in memory formation during waking hours and memory consolidation during sleep. 68–71
Dab1 accumulation reveals evidence for Reelin-ApoER2-Dab1 pathway disruption
Activation of the Reelin-ApoER2-Dab1 cascade shapes and strengthens synaptic connections underlying learning and memory (Fig. 2B).(34, 37, 44, 66, 67, 68, 69) Since Reelin signaling through ApoER2 induces rapid proteasomal degradation of Dab1, (70, 71) Dab1 protein accumulation implies a localized, functional deficit in Reelin signaling through ApoER2.(46) Our recent finding that Dab1 accumulates within dystrophic dendrites in the terminal zones of the perforant path in sAD (46) provided evidence for ApoER2-Dab1 disruption in neuronal circuitry underlying memory in humans. In the present study, our finding that Dab1 accumulates in each of five sampled regions that develop NFT pathology prior to the hippocampus and DG provides evidence that ApoER2-Dab1 disruption is widespread even in the early stages of sAD. Remarkably, Dab1 accumulation was extensive in MCI, and even preceded overt pTau accumulation in some controls, indicating that ApoER2-Dab1 disruption is likely a very early degenerative phenomenon. MP-IHC revealed that Dab1 and pTau generally accumulated within the same layers, neurons, and subcellular compartment (MAP2-labeled dystrophic dendrites) in each region. Since Dab1 is an upstream regulator of GSK3β-mediated Tau phosphorylation (Fig. 2B),(40, 41, 42, 43, 44) together these observations are consistent with our model wherein the accumulations of Dab1 and pTau (in NTs, NFTs, NPs) in each region result from RAAAD-P-LTP pathway disruption in ApoER2-expressing neurons. Intriguingly, Bracher-Smith et al.(72) recently reported a genetic association between the DAB1 locus and AD risk that was evident only in APOE4 homozygotes, a high-risk population that accounts ≈ 10% of sAD cases.(73) Our findings of extensive Dab1 accumulation in APOE3 homozygote and APOE2/APOE3 heterozygote MCI and sAD cases provide evidence that ApoER2-Dab1 disruption is a shared mechanism underlying sAD that may be exacerbated by, but is not dependent on, the APOE4 gene variant. Moreover, our findings that Dab1 accumulates together with phosphorylated forms of P85α and three downstream ApoER2-Dab1-P85α/PI3K signaling partners (LIMK1, Tau, PSD95) that stabilize actin, microtubules, and postsynaptic complexes, respectively, (Fig. 2B) (46, 74, 75, 76) provide insights into molecular pathways and mechanisms linking Dab1 accumulation to cytoskeletal instability and synapse loss in sAD.
Dendritic co-accumulation of pP85 α, pLIMK1, pTau and pPSD95 as evidence for ApoER2-Dab1 disruption
Dendritic spines are dynamic actin-rich protrusions that harbor excitatory synapses within postsynaptic densities, whose plasticity plays a central role in learning and memory.(77, 78) Binding of Reelin to ApoER2 stabilizes actin and microtubule cytoskeletons and postsynaptic densities by regulating phosphorylation and activation of Dab1, PI3K, LIMK1, GSK3β, Tau and PSD95 (reviewed in (46) (Fig. 2B)).(34, 41, 42, 43, 44, 66, 68, 69, 74, 75, 76, 79, 80, 81) In rodent and cellular models, compromised Reelin-ApoER2-Dab1-PI3K signaling promotes GSK3β-mediated Tau hyperphosphorylation and somatodendritic localization.(40, 41, 42, 43, 44) The Dab1 PTB domain—which recruits ApoER2-Dab1 signaling complexes to lipid rafts by simultaneously binding the polar head group of PIP2 and cytoplasmic tail of ApoER2 (82)(Fig. 2B)—is required for Reelin-Dab1 signaling.(83, 84) P85α serves as a critical node in this pathway by recruiting Dab1 and PI3K to lipid rafts,(85, 86) enabling formation of postsynaptic ApoER2-Dab1-PI3K-signaling complexes (Fig. 2B). Reelin triggers interactions between P85α and Dab1 to suppress GSK3β-mediated Tau phosphorylation via activation of the PI3K pathway,(86) while Tyr607-phosphorylation of P85α conversely inhibits PI3K activity.(87) Since activated GSK3β phosphorylates PSD95 to induce synapse disassembly,(81) Reelin-ApoER2-Dab1 pathway disruption provides a straightforward mechanism that could account for somatodendritic accumulations of both pTau and pPSD95Thr19 (reviewed in (46)). LIMK1 phosphorylation regulates remodeling of the actin cytoskeleton of dendritic spines.(88, 89) Heredia et al.(90) observed an increase in number of pLIMK1Thr508 positive neurons in AD-affected regions. Similarly, in human hippocampus in sAD, we previously reported that pLIMK1Thr508 and pP85αTyr607 accumulate together within GVD-like structures in neurons that accumulate pTau and pPSD95Thr19, and in neighboring abnormal neurons lacking overt pTau pathology.(46) In the present study, we observed that five core intraneuronal pathway components (Dab1, pP85αTyr607, pLIMK1Thr508, pTau, PSD95Thr19) accumulate together within many of the same ApoER2-expressing, NFT and/or GVD-bearing neurons and MAP2-labeled dystrophic dendrites in each region. These collective observations provide multifaceted evidence for a pathogenic nexus centered around dendritic ApoER2-Dab1 disruption in the neuron populations that are most vulnerable to early NFT pathology.
ApoER2-Dab1 disruption can explain pTau pathology without invoking prion-like spread
The Tau prion-like connectome-based spread model has several discrepancies that are not easily reconciled with spatiotemporal distributions of pTau pathology in human brain (see Suppl Table 1 for detailed description). Our finding that multiple RAAAD-P-LTP pathway components, including several that are upstream of Tau phosphorylation (Fig. 2B), accumulate in each affected region strongly suggests that pTau is locally produced by ApoER2-expressing neurons at each site. Since prion-like properties are thought to be a unique feature of Tau, (91, 92) connectome-based spread of numerous RAAAD-P-LTP components is an exceedingly unlikely explanation for this multisite co-accumulation. Tau inclusions are known to originate in distal dendrites. (8, 11) (65) Thus, our finding that pTau accumulates together with multiple upstream and downstream RAAAD-P-LTP components in MAP2-labeled dystrophic dendrites of ApoER2-expressing neurons—revealed by advanced MP-IHC methods—is consistent with ApoER2-Dab1 disruption but not easily reconciled with prion-like spread. The prion-like spread hypothesis, as usually presented, also does not explain the point(s) of origin of the disease process, or which intrinsic molecular features account for the vulnerability of this origin.(16) By contrast, dendritic ApoER2-Dab1 pathway disruption could explain the local production and accumulation of pTau in all affected neurons including the neuron populations where pTau pathology is classically reported to begin (LC, ErC L2).
Dendritic ApoER2-Dab1 disruption can mechanistically & spatially link four pTau-containing lesions
Dendritic ApoER2-Dab1 disruption provides a plausible shared mechanism that can link four hallmark pTau-containing pathologies (NTs, NFTs, NPs, GVDs) (Fig. 2C). We previously reported that two ApoER2 ligands (ApoE and Reelin) accumulate together with extracellular Aβ and dendritic pTau in hippocampal NPs.(46) Our present finding that yet another ApoER2 ligand (ApoJ)(45) accumulates together with ApoE in the central core of many NPs, provides further evidence for ApoE receptor-ligand disruption and extracellular lipoprotein deposition in plaque-associated dystrophic neurites. ApoER2, Dab1, P85α and PSD95 are enriched in the distal dendritic tips (35, 68, 93, 94, 95) of pyramidal neurons, where pTau inclusions originate as NTs before progressing to proximal dendrites and soma of NFT-bearing neurons.(8, 11) Taken together, these findings support a model wherein dendritic ApoER2-Dab1 disruption initiates a disease-cascade resulting in both ‘extracellular trapping’ of ApoER2 ligands with lipoprotein deposition in the synaptic cleft, and accumulation of ApoER2-Dab1 signaling partners in adjacent distal dendrites (reviewed in (46))(Fig. 2C). GVDs are enigmatic pTau-containing lesions that are first evident in hippocampal and subicular pyramids that are considered to be pre-NFTs by some investigators.(96, 97, 98, 99) Nishikawa et al (100, 101) showed strong expression of PIP2 and lipid raft proteins in GVDs and NFTs, suggesting that both lesions originate in PI-enriched lipid rafts. Our finding that phosphorylated forms of RAAAD-P-LTP components known to play central roles in organizing lipid rafts—including P85α, Dab1, PSD95, and LIMK (68, 93, 94, 95)—accumulate alongside pTau in GVDs provides a mechanistic link between ApoER2-Dab1 pathway disruption, granulovacuolar degeneration and NFT formation. Thus, dendritic ApoER2 disruption is plausible mechanism that could help explain why NPs, NTs, NFTs and GVDs develop within spatially separated substructures (synaptic cleft, dendritic tips, soma) in the same affected neurons (Fig. 2C). Consistent with this interpretation, in the ProS-CA1 border region we observed that multiple RAAAD-P-LTP pathway components accumulate in anatomically distinct areas (basal stripe, pyramidal layer, apical stripe) corresponding to spatially-separated substructures in the same neuron populations.
Is ApoER2-Dab1 disruption also the origin of Aβ pathology?
Dab1 serves as a cytoplasmic adaptor protein for both ApoER2 and AβPP.(102, 103) ApoER2-Dab1 signaling has been shown to regulate AβPP cleavage and Aβ synthesis in model systems (62, 63, 64). AβPP is localized to axons,(104, 105) and Aβ appears to be synthesized primarily in dystrophic axon terminals surrounding Aβ plaques.(106, 107) Although they are most abundant in dendritic spines, emerging evidence indicates that ApoER2 and Dab1 are also enriched in axonal growth cones,(42) where they regulate axonal arborization in a Reelin- and ApoE-dependent manner.(108, 109, 110) Thus, our finding that Dab1 accumulates in a subset of NFL-labeled dystrophic axons surrounding Aβ plaques suggests that axonal ApoER2-Dab1 pathway disruption may regulate Aβ formation in humans. Together with experimental evidence that ApoER2-Dab1 signaling regulates GSK3β-mediated Tau phosphorylation (40, 41, 42, 43, 44) and our findings that Dab1 accumulates together with pTau in dystrophic dendrites, our findings suggest that ApoER2-Dab1 disruption and Dab1 accumulation could serve as a convergence point and biologically plausible shared origin linking ApoE to the Aβ plaques and pTau tangles that define sAD in humans.(111)
RAAAD-P-LTP disruption integrates formerly disjointed observations into a unifying model for sAD
There is currently no hypothesis that can integrate ApoE with hallmark pTau and Aβ pathologies, selective vulnerability of entorhinal and pontine substructures, and genetic risk factors to satisfactorily explain sAD pathogenesis in humans. Our present and previous(46) findings provide the foundation for a unifying model wherein ApoE receptor-ligand disruption triggers a disease-cascade that ultimately manifests as sAD by: (1) disrupting ApoE receptor-ApoE/ApoJ dependent delivery of lipid cargo required to shape and remodel neuronal membranes; (2) disrupting RAAAD-P-LTP signaling cascades that stabilize actin and microtubule cytoskeletons and postsynaptic receptor complexes; (3) promoting Tau hyperphosphorylation and NT/NFT formation; (4) trapping lipid-laden ApoE/ApoJ particles outside neurons where they provide seeds for Aβ oligomerization;(112, 113, 114) and (5) promoting axonal Aβ synthesis and Aβ plaque formation. This model is attractive because it can help explain the origins of pTau pathology in the LC, ErC L2 and dendritic tips of solitary L5 and L3 neocortical pyramids and the sequential involvement of other neuron populations in successive NFT stages (Fig. 1, Suppl Table 1).(11) The model also provides a straightforward, plausible explanation for the convergence of Aβ with pTau, ApoE, ApoJ and other RAAAD-P-LTP pathway components in NP niche, and mechanistically links the etiology of NPs to NTs, NFTs and GVDs. The RAAAD-P-LTP pathway disruption model is also consistent with established and emerging genetic risk factors for sAD (115, 116)—including variants in genes coding for ApoE,(115, 117, 118, 119, 120) ApoJ,(116, 121) Dab1,(72) P85α,(122, 123) glial pathways that govern extra-neuronal clearance of ApoE, ApoJ, Aβ, and lipids (115, 124, 125) and neuronal pathways that govern proteasomal and endolysosomal function (116, 126).
Implications for sAD therapeutics
The prion-like spread model provides the rationale for immunotherapeutics designed to block the spread of Tau throughout the brain.(18, 19) However, despite clear beneficial effects in mice that are genetically modified to overexpress Tau,(127, 128) anti-Tau monoclonals tested thus far in MCI and early sAD patients failed to demonstrate efficacy or even worsened cognitive decline.(129, 130) Since our findings suggest that pTau accumulation in humans results from multisite ApoER2-Dab1 disruption rather than pTau spread, drugs targeting underlying causes of this disruption may be better positioned to delay sAD progression.
Underlying causes of ApoER2-Dab1 pathway disruption
Plausible triggers for ApoER2-Dab1 pathway disruption include lipid peroxidation, injury-induced ApoE hypersecretion, and Reelin depletion. ApoE particles deliver lipids that are highly vulnerable to peroxidation to neuronal ApoE receptors including ApoER2. (46) Our recent finding that ApoE and ApoER2 are vulnerable to lipid aldehyde-induced adduction and crosslinking (46) provides a mechanistic link between lipid peroxidation and ApoER2-Dab1 disruption. Since lipid peroxidation is a common feature of many sAD risk factors (reviewed in (46)) this mechanism could help explain previous observations that lipid peroxidation is markedly increased in the early stages of sAD. (46, 131, 132, 133, 134, 135, 136, 137, 138, 139, 140) Astrocytes stimulate repair of injured axons by dramatically increasing local secretion of lipid-loaded ApoE particles (141, 142). Since ApoE competes with Reelin for ApoER2 binding in model systems,(143) an excess of ApoE following injury could potentially compromise Reelin-ApoER2-Dab1 signaling.(143) Lastly, since Reelin-secreting neurons are reported to degenerate in sAD, (144, 145, 146, 147) Reelin depletion could help explain (or exacerbate) the hyperphosphorylation of Tau (40, 41, 42, 43, 44) as well as the accumulations of Dab1, pP85αTyr607, pLIMK1Thr508, and pPSD95Thr19 observed in the present study. However, unlike ApoE receptor-ligand disruption, Reelin depletion alone cannot readily account for our finding that three ApoER2 ligands (ApoE, ApoJ, Reelin) accumulate in the extracellular space in the immediate vicinity of many NPs.
Strengths and limitations
Strengths of the present study include: (1) use of rapidly-autopsied specimens that underwent uniform, time-limited (48h) fixation,(81, 148, 149) in conjunction with antemortem cognitive data; (2) use of orthogonal methods including single-marker IHC with multi-epitope labeling using several independent antibodies and RNA-protein co-detection; and (3) pathological and cytoarchitectural context provided by MP-IHC and MP-ISH/IHC. Human brain IHC studies with autopsy delay of up to 72 hours and fixation for months to years are routinely published. Delayed autopsy and prolonged fixation—which requires harsh conditions for antigen retrieval—are reported to have limited impact on highly-aggregated proteins such as Aβ and pTau (148) but can obscure signals for less aggregated proteins.(149, 150, 151) Thus, use of rapidly-autopsied, and uniformly and minimally-fixed brain specimens is an important strength of the present study. Postmortem specimens spanning the clinicopathological spectrum of sAD were used to approximate the spatiotemporal sequence of NFT progression. This cross-sectional study design cannot establish a sequence of disease progression.(152) The moderate sample sizes (n = 64 for most markers) are an important limitation. Although RAAAD-P-LTP pathologies were observed in all major APOE variants and both sexes, larger studies are needed to determine if results are influenced by genetics, sex, and other variables. The comparable IHC results obtained using specimens from three brain banks that employed different procedures for autopsies, sample processing and pathological assessment add confidence to study findings. However, since all three cohorts were primarily of Caucasian descent, future studies including more races and ethnicities are needed to determine generalizability. The human brain contains multiple LRP8 splice isoforms (153, 154) that impact ligand-binding, receptor complex formation, synaptic plasticity and memory.(33, 35, 154, 155, 156, 157) The present study used two mRNA probes designed to detect most (but not all) LRP8 isoforms. Future studies are therefore needed to characterize distributions of LRP8 splice variants. Although they lack the restricted distribution of ApoER2, two other brain ApoE receptors—LRP1 and VLDLR—that share ligands and adaptor proteins with ApoER2 may contribute to observed disease manifestations via overlapping mechanisms. While our finding that pTau accumulated together with upstream markers of pTau production (i.e., Dab1, pP85αTyr607) strongly suggests that pTau is locally produced by neurons within each affected region, it does not rule out the possibility that prion-like propagation of Tau—including pTau or Tau that is not detected by traditional methods (158, 159, 160) —could contribute to pTau-related neurodegeneration.
Summary & Conclusion
We found that five neuron populations that accumulate pTau in the earliest stages of sAD strongly express ApoER2 and that pTau is but one of numerous RAAAD-P-LTP components that accumulate within NPs and NT-, NFT-, and GVD-bearing ApoER2-expressing neurons. Collective findings provide the basis for the RAAAD-P-LTP hypothesis, a unifying model that implicates dendritic ApoER2-Dab1 disruption at multiple anatomical locations as the major driver of both Tau hyperphosphorylation and neurodegeneration in sAD. This model provides a new conceptual framework to explain why specific neurons degenerate in sAD, mechanistically & spatially links four pTau-containing lesions, integrates hallmark ApoE, pTau and Aβ pathologies into a unifying model, and identifies RAAAD-P-LTP pathway components as potential mechanism-based biomarkers and therapeutic targets for sAD in humans.