Dendritic Spine and Synaptic Plasticity in Alzheimer’s Disease: A Focus on MicroRNA

Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology

Ulises Gómez-Pinedo¹  Mercedes Azucena Hernández-Sápiens²  Edwin Estefan Reza-Zaldivar²  Ana Laura Márquez-Aguirre³  Alejandro Arturo Canales-Aguirre³  Benito Minjarez⁴  Victor Javier Sánchez-González⁵ 

[1] Institute of Neurosciences, IdISSC, San Carlos Clinical Hospital, Madrid, Spain;Medical and Pharmaceutical Biotechnology Unit, CIATEJ, Guadalajara, Mexico;Preclinical Evaluation Unit, CIATEJ, Guadalajara, Mexico;University Center of Biological and Agricultural Sciences, University of Guadalajara, Guadalajara, Mexico;University Center of Los Altos, University of Guadalajara, Guadalajara, Mexico;

关键词: Alzheimer’s disease;    dendritic spine;    spine remodeling;    synaptic plasticity;    microRNA;   

DOI  :  10.3389/fcell.2020.00255

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

Dendrites and dendritic spines are dynamic structures with pivotal roles in brain connectivity and have been recognized as the locus of long-term synaptic plasticity related to cognitive processes such as learning and memory. In neurodegenerative diseases, the spine dynamic morphology alteration, such as shape and spine density, affects functional characteristics leading to synaptic dysfunction and cognitive impairment. Recent evidence implicates dendritic spine dysfunction as a critical feature in the pathogenesis of dementia, particularly Alzheimer’s disease. The alteration of spine morphology and their loss is correlated with the cognitive decline in Alzheimer’s disease patients even in the absence of neuronal loss, however, the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. Currently, the microRNAs have emerged as essential regulators of synaptic plasticity. The changes in neuronal microRNA expression that contribute to the modification of synaptic function through the modulation of dendritic spine morphology or by regulating the local protein translation to synaptic transmission are determinant for synapse formation and synaptic plasticity. Focusing on microRNA and its targets may provide insight into new therapeutic opportunities. In this review we summarize the experimental evidence of the role that the microRNA plays in dendritic spine remodeling and synaptic plasticity and its potential therapeutic approach in Alzheimer’s disease. Targeting synaptic deficits through the structural alteration of dendritic spines could form part of therapeutic strategies to improve synaptic plasticity and to ameliorate cognitive impairments in Alzheimer’s disease and other neurological diseases.

【 授权许可】

Unknown