IU Indianapolis ScholarWorks :: Browsing by Author "Sasner, Michael"

Browsing by Author "Sasner, Michael"

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Aging x Environment x genetic risk for late onset Alzheimer’s disease results in alterations in cognitive function in mice independent of amyloid and tau pathology
(Wiley, 2025-01-03) Williams, Sean-Paul Gerard; Santos, Diogo Francisco Silva; Haynes, Kathryn A.; Heaton, Nicholas; Hart, Jason T.; Kotredes, Kevin P.; Pandey, Ravi S.; Persohn, Scott C.; Eldridge, Kierra; Ingraham, Cynthia M.; Lloyd, Christopher D.; Wang, Nian; Sasner, Michael; Carter, Gregory W.; Territo, Paul R.; Lamb, Bruce T.; Howell, Gareth R.; Oblak, Adrian L.; Sukoff Rizzo, Stacey J.; Neurology, School of Medicine
Background: Alzheimer’s disease (AD) research has been historically dominated with studies in mouse models expressing familial AD mutations; however, the majority of AD patients have the sporadic, late‐onset form of AD (LOAD). To address this gap, the IU/JAX/PITT MODEL‐AD Consortium has focused on development of mouse models that recapitulate LOAD by combining genetic risk variants with environmental risk factors and aging to enable more precise models to evaluate potential therapeutics. The present studies were undertaken to characterize cognitive and neurophysiological phenotypes in LOAD mice. Method: Two genetic risk factors, APOE4 and Trem2*R47H, were incorporated into C57BL/6J mice with humanized amyloid‐beta to produce the LOAD2 model (JAX# 030670). Male and female LOAD2 and WT mice were exposed to ad libitum 45% high‐fat diet from 2‐months of age (LOAD2+HFD or WT+HFD, respectively) throughout their lifespan and compared to LOAD2 and WT mice on control diet (+CD). Cognitive training began at 14‐months of age using a touchscreen testing battery, similar to previously described methods (Oomen et al 2013). At the conclusion of touchscreen testing, subjects were implanted with wireless telemetry devices (DSI) for evaluation of electroencephalography (EEG) signatures. Result: All subjects met the touch‐reward association criteria. During task acquisition LOAD2+CD mice demonstrated impaired acquisition relative to WT+CD, while both LOAD2+HFD and WT+HFD failed to learn the task as indicated by accuracy less than chance (<50%); which was confirmed in a separate cohort. LOAD2+HFD mice demonstrated increased spikewave events as measured by EEG, relative to LOAD2+CD. At 18‐months of age +CD mice that met acquisition criteria were evaluated in a location discrimination task with LOAD2+CD mice demonstrating modest impairments in pattern separation relative to age‐matched WT+CD. Conclusion: These data are the first reports of cognitive deficits and neurophysiological alterations in mice with environmental x genetic risk for LOAD, independent of amyloid and tau pathology. Importantly, the present findings demonstrate the sensitivity of the translational touchscreen testing battery for detecting mild cognitive impairment in LOAD mice with corresponding neurophysiologic alterations, and extend previous characterization data for the LOAD2 model and its utility for the study of the biology of LOAD.
Characterization of the A1527G variant of ABCA7 in an animal model for late‐onset Alzheimer’s disease
(Wiley, 2025-01-03) Bernabe, Cristian S.; Kotredes, Kevin P.; Pandey, Ravi S.; Carter, Gregory W.; Sasner, Michael; Oblak, Adrian L.; Howell, Gareth R.; Lamb, Bruce T.; Territo, Paul R.; MODEL-AD consortium; Medicine, School of Medicine
Background: Genome‐wide association studies (GWAS) identified the ATP binding cassette subfamily A member 7 (ABCA7) gene as increasing risk for Alzheimer’s disease (AD). ABC proteins transport various molecules across extra and intra‐cellular membranes. ABCA7 is part of the ABC1 subfamily and is expressed in brain cells including neurons, astrocytes, microglia, endothelial cells and pericytes. However, the mechanisms by which variations in ABCA7 increase risk for AD are not known. Method: The IU/JAX/PITT MODEL‐AD Center identified the A1527G variant in ABCA7 (ABCA7*A1527G) as a putative LOAD risk factor. CRISPR/CAS9 was first used to introduce Abca7*A1527G variant to B6.APOE4.Trem2*R47H (LOAD1) mice to assess the transcriptional profiling on brain hemispheres from different ages. The Abca7*A1527G was then incorporated into B6.APOE4.Trem2*R47H.hAb (LOAD2) mice to further evaluate its contribution to LOAD. Female and male LOAD2.Abca7*A1527G and LOAD2 mice were characterized at 4, 12, and 24 months using the following phenotyping pipeline: behavior, PET/CT, multi‐omics, fluid biomarkers, electrophysiology, cognition, and neuropathology. Result: Brain transcriptional profiling showed that Abca7*A1527G induced changes in gene expression that are similar to some of those observed in human AD (e.g., granulocyte/neutrophil migration, and insulin receptor signaling). LOAD2.Abca7*A1527G showed no aging cognitive deficit but did show significant sex‐ and region‐dependent increases in brain glycolysis paralleled by reduced tissue perfusion yielding progressive age‐related uncoupled phenotypes between 4‐12 and 4‐24 months. While multi‐resolution consensus clustering of regional covariance matrices revealed an increase in cluster number and organization in LOAD2.Abca7*A1527G over LOAD2 for both sexes at 4 months, the cluster number and complexity were reduced by 24 months. Importantly, LOAD2.Abca7*A1527G, but not LOAD2, displayed a similar age‐dependent reduction in cluster number for both sexes. Consistent with the uncoupled phenotype, IL6, IL10, and TNFα were elevated in plasma with genotype, but were not age dependent. Conversely, brain levels of IL4, IL12, TNFα, and CXCL1 were decreased, whereas IL2 and IL10 were elevated in LOAD2.Abca7*A1527G relative to LOAD2. Lastly, assessment of plasma levels of Ab40‐Ab42 revealed an age‐dependent increase in both genotypes. Conclusion: Data collected to date support a model whereby variations in ABCA7 exert risk for AD through interactions between cerebrovasculature, microglia, and peripheral immune cells.
Characterizing Molecular and Synaptic Signatures in mouse models of Late-Onset Alzheimer’s Disease Independent of Amyloid and Tau Pathology
(bioRxiv, 2023-12-20) Kotredes, Kevin P.; Pandey, Ravi S.; Persohn, Scott; Elderidge, Kierra; Burton, Charles P.; Miner, Ethan W.; Haynes, Kathryn A.; Santos, Diogo Francisco S.; Williams, Sean-Paul; Heaton, Nicholas; Ingraham, Cynthia M.; Lloyd, Christopher; Garceau, Dylan; O’Rourke, Rita; Herrick, Sarah; Rangel-Barajas, Claudia; Maharjan, Surendra; Wang, Nian; Sasner, Michael; Lamb, Bruce T.; Territo, Paul R.; Sukoff Rizzo, Stacey J.; Carter, Gregory W.; Howell, Gareth R.; Oblak, Adrian L.; Medical and Molecular Genetics, School of Medicine
Introduction: MODEL-AD is creating and distributing novel mouse models with humanized, clinically relevant genetic risk factors to more accurately mimic LOAD than commonly used transgenic models. Methods: We created the LOAD2 model by combining APOE4, Trem2*R47H, and humanized amyloid-beta. Mice aged up to 24 months were subjected to either a control diet or a high-fat/high-sugar diet (LOAD2+HFD) from two months of age. We assessed disease-relevant outcomes, including in vivo imaging, biomarkers, multi-omics, neuropathology, and behavior. Results: By 18 months, LOAD2+HFD mice exhibited cortical neuron loss, elevated insoluble brain Aβ42, increased plasma NfL, and altered gene/protein expression related to lipid metabolism and synaptic function. In vivo imaging showed age-dependent reductions in brain region volume and neurovascular uncoupling. LOAD2+HFD mice also displayed deficits in acquiring touchscreen-based cognitive tasks. Discussion: Collectively the comprehensive characterization of LOAD2+HFD mice reveal this model as important for preclinical studies that target features of LOAD independent of amyloid and tau.
Comprehensive Evaluation of the 5XFAD Mouse Model for Preclinical Testing Applications: A MODEL-AD Study
(Frontiers Media, 2021-07-23) Oblak, Adrian L.; Lin, Peter B.; Kotredes, Kevin P.; Pandey, Ravi S.; Garceau, Dylan; Williams, Harriet M.; Uyar, Asli; O’Rourke, Rita; O’Rourke, Sarah; Ingraham, Cynthia; Bednarczyk, Daria; Belanger, Melisa; Cope, Zackary A.; Little, Gabriela J.; Williams, Sean-Paul G.; Ash, Carl; Bleckert, Adam; Ragan, Tim; Logsdon, Benjamin A.; Mangravite, Lara M.; Sukoff Rizzo, Stacey J.; Territo, Paul R.; Carter, Gregory W.; Howell, Gareth R.; Sasner, Michael; Lamb, Bruce T.; Radiology and Imaging Sciences, School of Medicine
The ability to investigate therapeutic interventions in animal models of neurodegenerative diseases depends on extensive characterization of the model(s) being used. There are numerous models that have been generated to study Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and the underlying pathogenesis of the disease. While transgenic models have been instrumental in understanding AD mechanisms and risk factors, they are limited in the degree of characteristics displayed in comparison with AD in humans, and the full spectrum of AD effects has yet to be recapitulated in a single mouse model. The Model Organism Development and Evaluation for Late-Onset Alzheimer’s Disease (MODEL-AD) consortium was assembled by the National Institute on Aging (NIA) to develop more robust animal models of AD with increased relevance to human disease, standardize the characterization of AD mouse models, improve preclinical testing in animals, and establish clinically relevant AD biomarkers, among other aims toward enhancing the translational value of AD models in clinical drug design and treatment development. Here we have conducted a detailed characterization of the 5XFAD mouse, including transcriptomics, electroencephalogram, in vivo imaging, biochemical characterization, and behavioral assessments. The data from this study is publicly available through the AD Knowledge Portal.
Corrigendum: Uncovering Disease Mechanisms in a Novel Mouse Model Expressing Humanized APOEε4 and Trem2*R47H
(Frontiers Media, 2022-02-07) Kotredes, Kevin P.; Oblak, Adrian; Pandey, Ravi S.; Lin, Peter Bor-Chian; Garceau, Dylan; Williams, Harriet; Uyar, Asli; O’Rourke, Rita; O’Rourke, Sarah; Ingraham, Cynthia; Bednarczyk, Daria; Belanger, Melisa; Cope, Zackary; Foley, Kate E.; Logsdon, Benjamin A.; Mangravite, Lara M.; Sukoff Rizzo, Stacey J.; Territo, Paul R.; Carter, Gregory W.; Sasner, Michael; Lamb, Bruce T.; Howell, Gareth R.; Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Medicine
An author name was incorrectly spelled as “Daria Bednarycek”. The correct spelling is “Daria Bednarczyk”. The authors apologize for this error and state that this does not change the scientific conclusions of the article in any way. The original article has been updated.
Distinct mouse models correspond to distinct AD molecular subtypes
(Wiley, 2025-01-03) Pandey, Ravi S.; Carter, Gregory W.; Howell, Gareth R.; Sasner, Michael; Kotredes, Kevin P.; Oblak, Adrian L.; Lamb, Bruce T.; Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Medicine
Background: Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a complex, multifactorial pathology with high heterogeneity in biological alterations. Our understanding of cellular and molecular mechanisms from disease risk variants to various phenotypes is still limited. Mouse models of AD serve as indispensable platforms for comprehensively characterizing AD pathology, disease progression, and biological mechanisms. However, selection of the right model in preclinical research and translation of findings to clinical populations are intricate processes that require identification of pathophysiological resemblance between model organisms and humans. Many existing clinical trials that showed promising efficacy in one particular mouse model later do not align with human trial results, assuming that study had consisted of a heterogeneous group of participants, and individual animal models may only recapitulate features of a subgroup of human cases. To improve interspecies translation, it is necessary to comprehensively compare molecular signatures in mouse models with subgroup of human AD cases with distinct molecular signatures. Method: We performed transcriptomic and proteomics analysis on whole brain samples from mouse models carrying LOAD risk variants. To assess the human disease relevance of LOAD risk variants in mice, we determined the extent to which changes due to genetic perturbations in mice matched those observed in human AD subtypes and disease stages of AD in the ROS/MAP, Mayo and Mount Sinai Brain Bank cohorts. Genesets within these disease subtypes are highly co‐expressed and represent specific molecular pathways. Result: We have identified that distinct mouse models match to distinct human AD subtypes in age‐dependent manner. Specifically, mouse models carrying human AD risk variants such as Abca7*A1527G showed strong correlation with inflammatory AD subtypes, while mouse models carrying risk variant such as Plcg2*M28L exhibited transcriptomics changes similar to non‐inflammatory AD subtypes. Conclusion: In this study, we highlighted that mouse model of AD may match to a particular subset of human AD subtypes but not all subtypes simultaneously, and that risk for these subtypes may be influenced by distinct AD genetic factors. Additional work toward validating and better understanding the role of each subtype key regulator in its matching mouse model will provide great value and have a great impact on future studies of AD.
Gene replacement‐Alzheimer's disease (GR‐AD): Modeling the genetics of human dementias in mice
(Wiley, 2024) Benzow, Kellie; Karanjeet, Kul; Oblak, Adrian L.; Carter, Gregory W.; Sasner, Michael; Koob, Michael D.; Radiology and Imaging Sciences, School of Medicine
Introduction: Genetic studies conducted over the past four decades have provided us with a detailed catalog of genes that play critical roles in the etiology of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and related dementias (ADRDs). Despite this progress, as a field we have had only limited success in incorporating this rich complexity of human AD/ADRD genetics findings into our animal models of these diseases. Our primary goal for the gene replacement (GR)-AD project is to develop mouse lines that model the genetics of AD/ADRD as closely as possible. Methods: To do this, we are generating mouse lines in which the genes of interest are precisely and completely replaced in the mouse genome by their full human orthologs. Results: Each model set consists of a control line with a wild-type human allele and variant lines that precisely match the human genomic sequence in the control line except for a high-impact pathogenic mutation or risk variant.
In vivo validation of late-onset Alzheimer's disease genetic risk factors
(bioRxiv, 2023-12-24) Sasner, Michael; Preuss, Christoph; Pandey, Ravi S.; Uyar, Asli; Garceau, Dylan; Kotredes, Kevin P.; Williams, Harriet; Oblak, Adrian L.; Lin, Peter Bor-Chian; Perkins, Bridget; Soni, Disha; Ingraham, Cindy; Lee-Gosselin, Audrey; Lamb, Bruce T.; Howell, Gareth R.; Carter, Gregory W.; Radiology and Imaging Sciences, School of Medicine
Introduction: Genome-wide association studies have identified over 70 genetic loci associated with late-onset Alzheimer's disease (LOAD), but few candidate polymorphisms have been functionally assessed for disease relevance and mechanism of action. Methods: Candidate genetic risk variants were informatically prioritized and individually engineered into a LOAD-sensitized mouse model that carries the AD risk variants APOE4 and Trem2*R47H. Potential disease relevance of each model was assessed by comparing brain transcriptomes measured with the Nanostring Mouse AD Panel at 4 and 12 months of age with human study cohorts. Results: We created new models for 11 coding and loss-of-function risk variants. Transcriptomic effects from multiple genetic variants recapitulated a variety of human gene expression patterns observed in LOAD study cohorts. Specific models matched to emerging molecular LOAD subtypes. Discussion: These results provide an initial functionalization of 11 candidate risk variants and identify potential preclinical models for testing targeted therapeutics.
LOAD1 and LOAD2: Longitudinal characterization of mouse models carrying human‐relevant risk factors for late‐onset Alzheimer’s disease
(Wiley, 2025-01-03) Bernabe, Cristian S.; Kotredes, Kevin P.; Pandey, Ravi S.; Carter, Gregory W.; Sasner, Michael; Oblak, Adrian L.; Howell, Gareth R.; Lamb, Bruce T.; Territo, Paul R.; MODEL-AD consortium; Medicine, School of Medicine
Background: Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia, yet the effectiveness of disease‐modifying interventions is inconclusive. Although exceptional progress in our understanding of AD neuropathology has been made via transgenic mouse models bearing familial mutations, they often fail to recapitulate the disease progression of late‐onset AD (LOAD). To address this, MODEL‐AD has developed LOAD1 and LOAD2 mouse models which carry the most common human‐relevant risk factors for AD. In‐depth, longitudinal characterization through aging will reveal useful insights to develop novel treatments for LOAD. Method: APOEε4 and Trem2*R47H, two risk factors for LOAD, were incorporated into C57BL/6J mice to produce the double homozygous LOAD1 model, whereas LOAD2 also contains humanized amyloid‐beta (Aβ) yielding a triple homozygous model. Cohorts of LOAD1 and LOAD2 mice were aged on multiple sites to 4‐, 12‐, 18‐, and 24‐month timepoints and both sexes were characterized using behavior, PET/CT, cytokines/Aβ40‐42 immunoassays, and astrocyte and microglia immunohistochemistry. Result: Although aging LOAD1 and LOAD2 mice did not display significant cognitive deficits, there was a genotype‐dependent increase of plasma levels of Ab40‐Ab42. Both sexes across genotypes showed significant region‐dependent increases in brain glycolysis and tissue perfusion between 4 and 24 months. Consistent with the increased brain metabolism and perfusion neurovascular coupling phenotypes, immunopathology analyses revealed an age‐dependent increased number of astrocytes across genotypes that was restricted to cortical regions. Similarly, the total number of activated microglia was slightly elevated in cortical regions of aging mice, even though the results were only marginally significant. Lastly, aged LOAD1 mice displayed increased brain levels of the pro‐inflammatory cytokine IL‐12p70 when compared to LOAD2. Longitudinal analyses of brain and plasma cytokines are still in progress. Conclusion: LOAD1 and LOAD2 PET/CT analyses revealed phenotypes which are in line with imaging profiles of patients at prodromal stages of AD. Combined with the astrogliosis, these strains are promising venues that can be used to test early disease‐modifying therapeutic targets and can also serve as platform to incorporate additional human‐relevant AD risk factors.
Meeting report of the annual workshop on Principles and Techniques for Improving Preclinical to Clinical Translation in Alzheimer’s Disease Research
(Wiley, 2023) Sasner, Michael; Territo, Paul R.; Sukoff Rizzo, Stacey J.; Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Medicine
Introduction: The second annual 5-day workshop on Principles and Techniques for Improving Preclinical to Clinical Translation in Alzheimer's Disease Research was held October 7-11, 2019, at The Jackson Laboratory in Bar Harbor, Maine, USA, and included didactic lectures and hands-on training. Participants represented a broad range of research across the Alzheimer's disease (AD) field, and varied in career stages from trainees and early stage investigators to established faculty, with attendance from the United States, Europe, and Asia. Methods: In line with the National Institutes of Health (NIH) initiative on rigor and reproducibility, the workshop aimed to address training gaps in preclinical drug screening by providing participants with the skills and knowledge required to perform pharmacokinetic, pharmacodynamics, and preclinical efficacy experiments. Results: This innovative and comprehensive workshop provided training in fundamental skill sets for executing in vivo preclinical translational studies. Discussion: The success of this workship is expected to translate into practical skills that will enable the goals of improving preclinical to clinical translational studies for AD. Highlights: Nearly all preclinical studies in animal models have failed to translate to successful efficacious medicines for Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients. While a wide variety of potential causes of these failures have been proposed,deficiencies in knowledge and best practices for translational research are not being sufficiently addressed by common training practices. Here we present proceedings from an annual NIA-sponsored workshop focused specifically on preclinical testing paradigms for AD translational research in animal models aimed at enabling improved preclinical to clinical translation for AD.

Browsing by Author "Sasner, Michael"

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