Aluminum and Neurofibrillary Tangle Co-Localization in Familial Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Neurological Disorders

Abstract

Background:

Protein misfolding disorders are frequently implicated in neurodegenerative conditions. Familial Alzheimer’s disease (fAD) is an early-onset and aggressive form of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), driven through autosomal dominant mutations in genes encoding the amyloid precursor protein and presenilins 1 and 2. The incidence of epilepsy is higher in AD patients with shared neuropathological hallmarks in both disease states, including the formation of neurofibrillary tangles. Similarly, in Parkinson’s disease, dementia onset is known to follow neurofibrillary tangle deposition.

Objective:

Human exposure to aluminum has been linked to the etiology of neurodegenerative conditions and recent studies have demonstrated a high level of co-localization between amyloid-β and aluminum in fAD. In contrast, in a donor exposed to high levels of aluminum later developing late-onset epilepsy, aluminum and neurofibrillary tangles were found to deposit independently. Herein, we sought to identify aluminum and neurofibrillary tangles in fAD, Parkinson’s disease, and epilepsy donors.

Methods:

Aluminum-specific fluorescence microscopy was used to identify aluminum in neurofibrillary tangles in human brain tissue.

Results:

We observed aluminum and neurofibrillary-like tangles in identical cells in all respective disease states. Co-deposition varied across brain regions, with aluminum and neurofibrillary tangles depositing in different cellular locations of the same cell.

Conclusion:

Neurofibrillary tangle deposition closely follows cognitive-decline, and in epilepsy, tau phosphorylation associates with increased mossy fiber sprouting and seizure onset. Therefore, the presence of aluminum in these cells may exacerbate the accumulation and misfolding of amyloidogenic proteins including hyperphosphorylated tau in fAD, epilepsy, and Parkinson’s disease.

Keywords

aluminum in human brain tissue amyloid-β epilepsy familial Alzheimer’s disease Parkinson’s disease tau

INTRODUCTION

Familial Alzheimer’s disease (fAD) is differentiated from the sporadic form of the disease by its early age of onset, typically occurring before the age of 65. This rare hereditary condition represents less than 5% of individuals, who go on to develop Alzheimer’s disease (AD) [1]. Mutations in genes encoding the amyloid precursor protein (APP), presenilin 1 (PSEN1), and presenilin 2 (PSEN2), mark the autosomal dominant pattern of fAD inheritance [2, 3]. Subsequently, the enhanced proteolytic processing of amyloid-β protein precursor (AβPP) through sequential cleavage by β-secretase (B-site APP-cleaving enzyme 1, BACE1) and γ-secretase, drives the formation of the pathogenic amyloid-β (Aβ) peptides [4]. Histological analysis of postmortem fAD brain tissue is principally characterized by the extracellular deposition of Aβ in senile plaques, intracellular neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) of hyperphosphorylated tau protein, and cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) [5].

As the second most common form of neurodegenerative disorder after AD, Parkinson’s disease (PD) shares protein misfolding abnormalities including tau and Aβ proteinopathies [6, 7]. The deposition of NFTs and senile plaques have been found in the brains of donors with PD, in comparable quantities and regions to those observed in AD [6]. Autosomal dominant mutations of the SNCA gene in PD are known to trigger disease-causing missense mutations of the α-synuclein protein, normally responsible for pre-synaptic signaling and membrane trafficking [8]. Subsequent molecular changes in α-synuclein cause the protein to misfold and deposit as Lewy bodies in neuronal somata and Lewy neurites in neuronal cell processes. Consequently, the concomitant loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta in the midbrain directly follows PD pathogenesis, as characterized by Braak staging of Lewy pathology [6 , 9]. Neuropathological forms of α-synuclein and tau are rarely found in isolation and their co-deposition with other amyloidogenic proteins including Aβ, have been associated with AD-like co-morbidities in vivo [10]. Those pathological conformations adopted, promote the cross-seeding of α-synuclein and tau. Further templating and protein aggregation may then occur through a prion-like transmission mechanism, promoting disease spread between adjacent neurons. Taken collectively, such has highlighted a synergistic role for tauopathies in accelerating aberrant α-synuclein inclusions and vice versa in PD brain tissues [6 , 10].

Aluminum is the third most abundant element and the most abundant metal in the Earth’s crust. Despite its ubiquity, aluminum is non-essential to life, participates in biochemical reactions, and accumulates over time in the central nervous system (CNS) [11, 12]. Aluminum is known to accumulate in human brain tissue of donors diagnosed with both neurodegenerative and neurodevelopmental disorders including AD [13, 14], PD [15, 16], and epilepsy [17]. Investigations into the distribution of aluminum in human brain tissue of donors diagnosed with fAD have revealed co-deposition of the metal ion in senile plaques [13, 14]. In a Colombian cohort of fAD donors presenting with a PSEN1-E280A mutation, aluminum was also identified in CAA-laden blood vessels, in which its co-localization with fibrillar Aβ was observed [14]. Donors with this mutation exhibit increased levels of cortical Aβ and early-onset and aggressive AD etiology [18]. Owing to the unique association of aluminum with Aβ and the high levels of aluminum found within these brain tissues relative to controls [19], such implicated a role for the metal in the neuropathology of fAD [14]. Elevated levels of aluminum have been reported in neuromelanin-containing neurons and in Lewy bodies of the substantia nigra region of PD donors [15, 16]. In addition, densely packed and phosphorylated neurofilaments of alpha-synuclein in Lewy bodies and neurites would be expected to bind aluminum with high affinity, thereby promoting its intracellular accumulation [7 , 15]. Furthermore, in the presence of aluminum, the rate of α-synuclein fibrillation has been shown to increase in vitro, inducing conformational changes of the protein to an aggregated insoluble form [20].

While the co-deposition of aluminum with Aβ has been suggested in fAD, such an association has yet to be confirmed with intraneuronal NFTs of hyperphosphorylated tau protein [13, 14]. In renal dialysis patients, elevated aluminum concentrations and its subsequent accumulation in brain tissue was associated with increased insoluble hyperphosphorylated tau and depleted normal tau protein in the cerebral cortex [21]. Owing to the high affinity of aluminum for phosphate groups, both adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and DNA are known to act as ligands for chelation of aluminum in intraneuronal pools [22, 23]. Therefore, the high number of inorganic phosphate ligands on intraneuronal tau protein in NFTs would be predicted in the cerebral cortex of both fAD and PD patients [10].

To assess such an association of aluminum with NFTs in vivo, we have made use of aluminum-specific fluorescence microscopy, utilizing the fluorophore lumogallion (4-chloro-3-(2,4-dihydroxyphenylazo)-2-hydroxybenzene-1-sulphonic acid). As a selective fluorescent molecular probe for the detection of intracellular aluminum in vivo, we have optimized its use for the detection of potential intraneuronal aluminum in Colombian PSEN1-E280A fAD, PD, and epilepsy donors [13, 14]. Herein, we have made use of thioflavin S as a fluorophore for the detection of NFTs of hyperphosphorylated tau protein. ThS is frequently used for the identification of NFTs in human brain tissue [7 , 25]. When stained with ThS, NFTs most notably produce characteristic flame-like morphologies in intraneuronal occlusions, distinctive from larger extracellular senile plaques that typically span tens of microns in diameter [26].

Previously, we have demonstrated the intracellular accumulation of aluminum in glial cells and neuronal debris in a case of epilepsy, brought on by aluminum poisoning in the individual’s potable water supply [17]. While extensive NFT deposition was noted in the frontal, parietal, occipital, and temporal lobes, no direct association with aluminum was identified [17]. A recent study of temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) patients who underwent temporal lobe resection, demonstrated striking similarities with post-mortem temporal lobe specimens from AD patients [27]. Therein, increased phosphorylation of pathological tau was noted in NFTs in both TLE and AD tissues [27]. Therefore, we have additionally investigated potential similarities in the intraneuronal accumulation of aluminum and NFTs in a case study of an individual exposed to high levels of aluminum, that later died of asphyxiation through an epileptic fit [17]. Finally, we show preliminary data for aluminum and NFT-like deposition in PD, allowing for comparisons of their distribution in human brain tissue to be drawn across complex neurological disease states.

METHODS

Human brain tissue

Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) brain tissue blocks tissue from Colombian fAD donors carrying a PSEN1-E280A mutation were obtained from the Universidad de Antioquia, Medellin, Colombia brain tissue bank, following ethical approval by Keele University, UK (ERP 2391) [14]. FFPE brain tissue blocks from a 60-year-old male donor who died as a consequence of asphyxiation following an epileptic fit were provided by University Hospitals Plymouth, NHS Trust, UK and sent to Keele University upon request of the coroner to investigate the content and distribution of aluminum. The deceased as described by the coroner, was a victim of the Lowermoor Treatment Works, Camelford, who in 1988 was exposed to high levels of aluminum in his potable water supply. Full details of the pathology of this case are described elsewhere [17]. PD brain tissue from an 87-year-old male donor was received as 5μm adjacent serial sections on electrostatically-charged glass slides from Parkinson’s UK Brain Bank at Imperial College London, funded by Parkinson’s UK (NREC approval no. 18/WA/0238).

Microtomy

All chemicals were from Sigma Aldrich, UK unless otherwise stated. Brain tissue received as FFPE tissue blocks were cooled on wet ice for 10 min and adjacent serial sections prepared at 5μm using a rotary RM2025 microtome, equipped with Surgipath DB80 LX low-profile stainless-steel microtome blades (both from Leica Microsystems, UK). Sections were floated onto ultrapure water (conductivity <0.067μS/cm) at 40°C and transferred onto SuperFrost^® Plus adhesion slides (Thermo Scientific, UK). Excess wax was removed from dried sections by heating at 62°C for 20 min, before dewaxing and rehydration procedures.

Dewaxing and rehydration of tissue sections

All brain tissue sections were dewaxed with Histo-Clear (National Diagnostics, US) for 3 min, fresh Histo-Clear for 1 min and transferred into 100% v/v ethanol (HPLC grade used throughout) for 2 min to remove the clearing agent. Sections were subsequently rehydrated using an ethanol gradient from 95, 70, 50, and 30% v/v for 1 min in each solvent, before rehydration in ultrapure water for 35 s.

Lumogallion staining

All staining procedures were performed at ambient temperature, away from light. Rehydrated fAD tissue sections were fully immersed in Coplin jars containing 1 mM lumogallion (4-chloro-3-(2,4-dihydroxyphenylazo)-2-hydroxybenzene-1-sulphonic acid, TCI Europe N. V., Belgium) in 50mM PIPES pH 7.4 for 6 h. Autofluorescence controls were prepared by incubating sections in the buffer only. Epilepsy brain tissue sections were stained for 24 h in Coplin jars and PD sections for 45 min in humidity chambers, in the presence of the fluorophore or the buffer only for autofluorescence controls. Following staining, all sections were rinsed in the same PIPES buffer and washed for 30 s in ultrapure water, before mounting with Fluoromount™ under glass coverslips.

Thioflavin s staining

Following analysis of lumogallion stained sections via fluorescence microscopy, mounted sections on glass slides were placed in ultrapure water with gentle agitation provided by a stirrer bar, overnight. Once coverslips had lifted, lumogallion stained sections were outlined with a hydrophobic PAP pen, allowing for re-staining with thioflavin S (ThS) in humidity chambers. Sections were re-stained with ca 0.075% w/v ThS in 50% v/v ethanol for 8 min. Following ThS staining, slides were twice rinsed for 10 s in fresh 80% v/v ethanol and washed for 30 s in ultrapure water. Sections were subsequently mounted with Fluromount™ using new glass coverslips.

Microscopy

Sections were analyzed by use of an Olympus BX50 fluorescence microscope (mercury source) equipped with a BX-FLA reflected light attachment and vertical illuminator. Lumogallion fluorescence was acquired using a U-MNIB3 filter cube (bandpass λ_ex: 470–495 nm, dichromatic mirror: 505 nm, longpass λ_em: 510 nm) and ThS fluorescence by use of a U-MWBV2 filter cube (bandpass λ_ex: 400–440 nm, dichromatic mirror: 455 nm, longpass λ_em: 475 nm, both from Olympus, UK). Images were captured using a ColorView III CCD camera using the CellD software suite (Olympus, SiS Imaging Solutions, GmbH). Light transmission values and exposure settings were fixed across respective treatments. Merging of fluorescence channels was performed using Photoshop (Adobe Systems Inc., US).

RESULTS

Aluminum and neurofibrillary tangle deposition in familial Alzheimer’s disease

To identify the potential deposition of aluminum and NFTs in fAD, sections were first stained with lumogallion and deposits of aluminum identified. Aluminum-specific fluorescence microscopy identified extracellular aluminum deposition in the temporal cortex of a 45-year-old female Colombian fAD donor (Fig. 1A). Higher magnifications revealed the presence of nearby neuronal cells loaded with punctate cytosolic deposits of the metal ion, via an intense orange fluorescence emission.

Numerous and frequently intraneuronal lipofuscin deposits were readily differentiated from lumogallion-reactive aluminum, by a weaker green/yellow fluorescence emission (see Supplementary Fig. 1). Upon re-staining of the section with ThS, the identical lumogallion-reactive neuron stained positively for intraneuronal NFTs at its periphery, via a green fluorescence emission (Fig. 1B). Merging of the fluorescence channels revealed that aluminum and NFTs were located in the same cell (Fig. 1C), with the brightfield overlay confirming their intracellular deposition (Fig. 1D).

Fig. 1

Intracellular aluminum co-located with ThS-reactive NFTs in the temporal cortex of a Colombian donor (Case 90: Female, aged 45) with fAD (PSEN1-E280A mutation). A) Punctate intracellular aluminum (orange, white arrows) in neuronal cells exhibiting positive (green) fluorescence for (B) intraneuronal NFTs (black arrows) with (C) merging of fluorescence channels and the brightfield overlay (D) depicting their co-deposition. Magnified inserts are denoted by asterisks in the respective fluorescence micrographs. Al, aluminum; ThS, thioflavin S. Magnification: X 400, scale bars: 50μm.

Similarly, intraneuronal aluminum appearing as punctate orange deposits were found in the parietal cortex of a 60-year-old male Colombian fAD donor (Fig. 2A). Such was differentiated from a green autofluorescence emission of the non-stained serial section (see Supplementary Fig. 2). The identical neuron revealed intracellular ThS-reactive NFTs, as highlighted by a green fluorescence emission (Fig. 2B). Interestingly, merging of the fluorescence channels identified the co-localization of lumogallion-reactive aluminum and ThS-reactive NFTs at the periphery of the cell (Fig. 2C). Overlaying of the brightfield channel revealed both deposits to be enclosed by a clear cell membrane, confirming their intracellular co-deposition (Fig. 2D).

Fig. 2

Intracellular aluminum co-located with ThS-reactive NFTs in the parietal cortex of a Colombian donor (Case 218: Male, aged 60) with fAD (PSEN1-E280A mutation). A) Punctate intracellular aluminum (orange, white arrows) in neuronal cells exhibiting positive (green) fluorescence for (B) intraneuronal NFTs (black arrows) with (C) merging of fluorescence channels and the brightfield overlay (D) depicting their co-localization. Magnified inserts are denoted by asterisks in the respective fluorescence micrographs. Al, aluminum; ThS, thioflavin S. Magnification: X 400, scale bars: 50μm.

Herein, prolonged staining with lumogallion identified the presence of intracellular aluminum in the parietal cortex of a 57-year-old female Colombian fAD donor (Fig. 3A), versus a weak green autofluorescence emission of the non-stained serial section (see Supplementary Fig. 3). Microglial cells and neurons near cellular debris stained positively for aluminum (Fig. 3A) and ThS-reactive senile plaques (Fig. 3B) were observed. While aluminum appeared to be distributed in cell soma, ThS-reactive neuropil-like threads were highlighted via a green fluorescence emission in dendritic/axonal-like cell projections, upon merging of fluorescence (Fig. 3C) and brightfield (Fig. 3D) channels.

Fig. 3

Intracellular aluminum in glia and neurons co-located with ThS-reactive NFTs and amyloid-β in the parietal cortex of a Colombian donor (Case 260: Female, aged 57) with fAD (PSEN1-E280A mutation). A) Punctate intracellular aluminum (orange) in a microglial cell (white arrow). B) Intraneuronal NFTs (green, black arrows) with (C) merging of fluorescence channels depicting their co-deposition. D) The brightfield overlay depicts cell membranes. Magnified inserts are denoted by asterisks in the respective fluorescence micrographs. Al, aluminum; ThS, thioflavin S. Magnification: X 400, scale bars: 50μm.

Aluminum and neurofibrillary tangle deposition in epilepsy

To draw comparisons between aluminum and NFT distribution in fAD and epilepsy, brain tissue from a 60-year old male donor who died as a consequence of an epileptic fit was sequentially stained with lumogallion and ThS. Prolonged staining with lumogallion revealed the presence of intracellular aluminum in neuronal cells in the temporal cortex, via an orange fluorescence emission (Fig. 4A). Analysis of the non-stained serial section revealed a green autofluorescence emission of brain parenchyma with punctate yellow intraneuronal deposits being confirmed in the same cells (Fig. 4B). ThS counter-staining of the identical lumogallion-stained section demonstrated the presence of NFT-like deposits in axons and dendrites of the same neuron, via a green fluorescence emission (Fig. 4C). Merging of fluorescence and brightfield channels confirmed the intraneuronal distribution of aluminum and axonal-like deposition of NFTs, in the same cell (Fig. 4D).

Fig. 4

Intracellular aluminum co-located with ThS-reactive NFTs in neurons in the temporal cortex of a 60-year-old male donor with epilepsy. A) Intranuclear aluminum (orange, white arrows) and (B) autofluorescence of the non-stained section. C) The identical neuronal cell exhibiting positive (green) fluorescence for NFTs (black arrows) with (D) merging of fluorescence channels depicting their co-localization. Magnified inserts are denoted by asterisks in the respective fluorescence micrographs of which merging of the brightfield overlay is depicted in the lower panels. Al, aluminum; ThS, thioflavin S. Magnification: X 400, scale bars: 50μm.

Aluminum and neurofibrillary tangle deposition in Parkinson’s disease

To draw comparisons to NFT and aluminum deposition in fAD and epilepsy, conventional lumogallion and ThS counter-staining were performed on donor tissues obtained from an 87-year-old male with PD [13 , 28]. Lumogallion staining revealed positive orange fluorescence of aluminum in tangle-like formations, in epithelial cells lining the choroid plexus of the hippocampus (Fig. 5A). Green autofluorescence and occasional lipofuscin deposition were noted in the same cells, in the non-stained adjacent serial section (Fig. 5B). ThS counter-staining identified Biondi ring-like tangles via an intensive green fluorescence emission, reminiscent of NFTs in the identical epithelial cells (Fig. 5C). Merging of the fluorescence and brightfield channels identified prominent aluminum deposition, co-located with Biondi ring-like tangles in the same epithelial cell (Fig. 5D).

Fig. 5

Intracellular aluminum co-located with ThS-reactive Biondi ring-like tangles in the choroid plexus (hippocampus) of an 87-year-old male donor with Parkinson’s disease. A) Intracellular aluminum (orange, white arrows) in epithelial cells lining the choroid plexus and (B) autofluorescence of the non-stained section. C) The identical epithelial cell exhibiting positive (green) fluorescence for Biondi ring tangles (black arrows) with (D) merging of fluorescence channels depicting their co-localization. Magnified inserts are denoted by asterisks in the respective fluorescence micrographs of which merging of the brightfield overlay is depicted in the lower panels. Al, aluminum; ThS, thioflavin S. Magnification: X 400, scale bars: 50μm.

DISCUSSION

We have demonstrated the presence of intracellular aluminum and NFTs in neurons in the cerebral cortex of both fAD and epilepsy donors and co-located with Biondi ring-like tangles in epithelial cells lining the choroid plexus in PD. In fAD, intracellular punctate deposits of aluminum were observed in neurons in the parietal and temporal cortex of three individual fAD donors, all carrying the PSEN1-E280A mutation. ThS-reactive NFTs were found in the identical neurons, upon counter-staining. Interestingly, the pattern of aluminum and NFT co-deposition was seen to vary in cortical neurons, with each depositing in different cellular locations. Typically, flame-like NFTs were observed at the periphery of neurons, with aluminum appearing to be deposited in cell nuclei. In fAD, only a single incidence of diffuse aluminum staining and potentially co-located intraneuronal NFTs were observed in the parietal cortex. Intracellular aluminum was also observed in microglial-like cells near ThS-reactive senile plaques, in the same donor.

Senile plaque morphologies and neuritic dystrophy have been shown to revert upon the activation of microglial cells in the 5xFAD murine model of AD [29]. Microglia are known to play a pivotal role in their ability to block aberrant tangle formation, though their high loading with aluminum observed in our study may prevent their ability to do so in vivo [14 , 31]. It is important to stress that while aluminum and NFTs were observed in the same cortical neurons, aluminum was predominantly observed to be co-located with ThS-reactive senile plaques, as has been previously reported in the same Colombian donor cohort [14]. Furthermore, several NFTs stained positively with ThS without producing any signal for aluminum upon prolonged lumogallion staining.

In the brain tissue of a donor with late-onset adult epilepsy, aluminum and NFTs were both found deposited in cortical neurons of the temporal lobe. We observed that while aluminum was generally found deposited in the nucleus, ThS-reactive NFTs were observed in axonal-like projections in the same neuron. Our previous report of aluminum distribution in the brain tissue of this donor, only identified aluminum in glial cell populations, thereby depositing at sites away from intraneuronal NFTs of hyperphosphorylated tau protein [17].

In a donor with PD, Biondi ring-like tangles were found in epithelial cells, lining the choroid plexus of the hippocampus. Those tangles identified were both lumogallion and ThS-reactive and thereby demonstrated the presence of aluminum within these fibrillar inclusions. We have previously made the observations of aluminum in epithelial cells of the choroid plexus in a donor with CAA and ThS-reactive Biondi ring-like tangles in the same donor with epilepsy; revisited in this study [17, 32]. Interestingly, both were victims of the now infamous Camelford aluminum poisoning incident and herein we report the first co-localization of these neuropathological hallmarks, within the same epithelial cells in PD.

Biondi ring tangles were originally thought to be artefacts described as “off-target” binding of the flortaucipir-based PET radioligand, [F-18]AV-1451 [33]. However, in a follow-up study by Ikonomovic and colleagues, immunolabelling of the choroid plexus of aged AD brains revealed the presence of phosphorylated tau with minimal immunoreactivity for Aβ [34]. Those tangles identified, were described as Biondi ring tangles that have been previously reported in aged healthy and AD brain tissues [34 –36]. A continuing research effort is currently underway to better characterize PET tracers for tau imaging and the reasons underlying off-target labelling in living patients. However, these studies have continued to report the presence of tau in Biondi ring tangles, supporting our preliminary observations of these neuropathological hallmarks in a donor with PD [37, 38].

The blood-cerebrospinal fluid barrier has been suggested to act as a potential entry route of α-synuclein into the brain through its passage across choroid plexus epithelia via energy-dependent active transport [39]. Therefore, the presence of aluminum in these cells may exacerbate the accumulation and misfolding of amyloidogenic proteins including hyperphosphorylated tau and α-synuclein. Indeed, tau and α-synuclein can interact in cells and their aberrant cross-seeding has been suggested to synergistically enhance protein misfolding and fibrillar inclusions in vivo [7, 10]. In addition, PD-specific mutations including those in leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2), has been implicated in the hyperphosphorylation of tau and the subsequent deposition of NFTs [6, 40].

The intranuclear deposition of aluminum has been highlighted in the past, likely owing to the high affinity of aluminum binding to the phosphate backbone of DNA [41, 42]. We have previously reported the unequivocal presence of intranuclear aluminum in vitro in human spermatozoa and frequently in vivo, in the brain of donors with autism spectrum disorder, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, and fAD [14 , 44]. While previous studies of fAD brain tissues revealed only occasional aluminum deposits in cortical neurons, pro-longed staining with the lumogallion fluorophore, herein, demonstrated an intense positive signal for the metal ion above background fluorescence. As aluminum readily binds to negatively charged phosphate moieties and also forms strong 1:1 complexes with lumogallion, such competitive binding equilibria may have shifted in favor of forming a fluorescent complex [23]. In this manner, Al^3 +_(aq) ions removed from nuclear DNA, may have allowed sufficient complexation with lumogallion to produce a positive intranuclear metal signal [45 –47].

Aluminum is known to bind to the microtubule-associated protein tau and especially upon its hyperphosphorylation forming aberrant insoluble NFTs [48]. Intraneuronal NFTs are frequently observed in the cerebral cortex of fAD, PD, and epilepsy patients, collectively prompting our study to probe their intracellular presence [7 , 27]. Epilepsy occurrence is more frequent in AD patients [49]. Concomitant with increased tau phosphorylation, increased mossy fiber sprouting has also been demonstrated in pentylenetetrazole-kindled rat models of epilepsy [50]. Furthermore, detailed histological analyses of human brain tissue excised from drug-resistant temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) donors, have revealed intraneuronal tau phosphorylation, bearing striking similarities to those found in AD temporal lobe tissues [27]. Increased brain Aβ deposition has been suggested to be enhanced in the presence of aluminum, through its acceleration of proteolytic processing of AβPP via the amyloidogenic pathway [51]. Subsequently, the formation of Aβ fibrils is known to induce phosphorylation of tau in both in vivo and in vitro models of AD [52, 53].

While further research is needed to establish a role for aluminum in the catalysis of Aβ and subsequent NFT deposition in fAD, PD and epilepsy, our results now demonstrate the co-existence of aluminum in these neuropathological hallmarks [14]. We have used ThS for the detection of NFTs in fAD and epilepsy brain tissues and similarly unveiled the presence of Biondi ring tangles in PD. A limitation of our study is the sole use of ThS for this purpose, which is also known to bind to and visualize senile plaques of Aβ [54]. Kinetic-based studies monitoring fibrillation of the α-synuclein protein, have also shown reactivity to benzothiazole-based dyes, upon the formation of β-pleated sheet structures [7, 20]. Owing to the large size of extracellularly deposited senile plaques, these could be differentiated from smaller intracellular fibrillar morphologies and flame-like NFTs, herein observed in fAD and epilepsy brain tissues. Likewise, we could also identify characteristic Biondi ring tangles in the choroid plexus of a donor with PD that have frequently produced positive immunoreactivity against phosphorylated tau in previous studies [33 –38]. Future research identifying specific phosphorylated tau residues and immunoreactivity against Aβ and α-synuclein is a logical next step to delineate aluminum accumulation in specific fibrillar assemblies. We now aim to perform immunolabelling against these specific neuropathological targets to shed light upon the role of aluminum in their mechanistic processes of assembly, in vivo.

Donors from the Colombian PSEN1-E280A fAD cohort are known to develop tauopathies later in life, as has been demonstrated by positron emission tomography (PET), in living patients [55]. Therein and similarly in PD, hyperphosphorylation of tau depositing as NFTs follows senile plaque deposition, before symptom onset and concurrent cognitive decline [7 , 56]. Future investigations of aluminum, Aβ, and NFT deposition in neurodegenerative and neurodevelopmental disorders would help to shed light upon the potentially shared pathological mechanisms underlying these complex disease states.

Footnotes

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

MM is a Children’s Medical Safety Research Institute (CMSRI: a charity based in Washington DC, USA) Research Fellow. We are thankful to the families of all donors who donated tissues to the brain bank of the Universidad de Antioquia, Medellin, Colombia. Dr. Johana Gómez-Ramírez and Dr. Andrés Villegas-Lanau are thanked for tissue acquisition and processing for the delivery of FFPE tissue blocks to Keele University. Philp Edwards, University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust, is thanked for initial preparation of brain tissues of the epilepsy donor and we are thankful to the next of kin for their support and to the Taunton Coroner, Michael Rose, for his help in bringing about this research. Parkinson’s disease brain tissue samples (NREC no. 18/WA/0238) and associated clinical and neuropathological data were supplied by Parkinson’s UK Brain Bank at Imperial, funded by Parkinson’s UK, a charity registered in England and Wales (258197) and in Scotland (SC037554).

Authors’ disclosures available online ().

The supplementary material is available in the electronic version of this article: .

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