Persistent infections, immune-senescence and Alzheimer's disease

Abstract

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder and the most common cause of dementia. Classical hallmarks of AD such as amyloid deposition and neurofibrillary tangles do not completely explain AD pathogenesis. Recent investigations proposed Aβ peptide as an anti-microbial factor. Our previous works suggested that the concomitant presence of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) from AD genetic studies might impair antiviral defenses and increase the individual susceptibility to herpes virus infection. Viruses of herpes family by inducing frequent cycles of reactivation and latency constantly challenge the immune response and drive the accumulation of memory T cells. However, the immune system is not able to completely eradicate these viruses. The continuous antigen stimulation activates chronic inflammatory responses that may progressively induce neurodegenerative mechanisms in genetically susceptible elderly. The aim of this paper is to suggest new perspectives in clinical pathogenesis of AD with potential prevention and new medical treatment of the age associated cognitive decline.

INTRODUCTION

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder and represents the most common cause of dementia. Neuropathological alterations, such as amyloid deposition and neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) are autopsy hallmarks found in the brain of AD patients and these alterations have been suggested to be causative of the disease [1, 2]. However, amyloid plaques and NFTs are also present in the brain of elderly who died without the clinical presentation of AD [3]; therefore, the notion that amyloid deposition and other proteinaceous alterations might be linked to the etiology of AD remains uncertain.

Because of the urgency for effective preventive and therapeutic measures, extensive research has focused on pathogenetic mechanisms of AD; however, up to now, no therapy has been found. Therefore, it is now relevant to focus upon new components of the disease pathogenesis in order to discover new therapeutic strategies for patients and prevention opportunities for the elderly without manifest cognitive alterations, but with increased risk of developing dementia.

The physiological function of the amyloid precursor protein (APP) and the biological role of its proteolytic derivatives are still unclear [4]. However, A-beta peptide has been suggested to play a role as anti- microbial defensive factor [5–8] and recent investigations confirmed that the A-beta peptides showed a relevant anti- viral activity in vitro [9, 10] and a role in innate immune responses, A-beta being involved in microglia activation [11]. These observations indicated that A-beta peptides may play a defensive role against microorganisms.

In previous publications [12–14] we discussed genetic data from four genome wide association (GWA) studies on AD [15–18]. From these investigations a set of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with AD emerged and we suggest that the concomitant presence of several of these SNPs in a single person might result in a genetic signature predisposing to AD, via complex and diverse mechanisms, each contributing to an increase of individual susceptibility to herpes virus infection [12].

Among environmental factors potentially associated with the age related cognitive decline, persistent virus infection along with the progressive decline of immune competence with advancing age may play a pivotal role in AD.

Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and AD

HSV-1 is a neurotropic virus that infects a large part of human population. A viral etiology, especially involving herpes virus in AD, has been already proposed and most investigations have shown an association of HSV-1 with AD [19–21]. It is of interest that Letenneur et al., showed an association of anti HSV-1 IgM levels and incidental AD in a 512 elderly cohort [22].

Moreover, recent reports showed a significant association of HSV-1 infection with AD risk [23]. In fact, a reactivation of HSV-1 infection assessed by increased serum levels of specific anti-HSV-1 antibodies was found associated with an increased AD risk in a longitudinal study on 3,432 Swedish elderly [23]. Another study from Italy reported that elevated serum HSV-1 antibody titers correlated with cortical grey matter volume, as assessed by MRI [24].

Some studies have suggested that in people carrying the APOE-ε4 allele and, therefore, predisposed to develop AD, HSV-1 infection markedly increases the risk of AD [25–28]. This hypothesis was also supported by transgenic mice experiments [29].

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) and AD

CMV is ubiquitously distributed in human population and the most frequent cause of brain infection in immune compromised patients or in infants with congenital virus transmission [30, 31]. In the majority of human population, postnatal acute peripheral CMV infection is usually asymptomatic, however, the virus, once established, remains latent in blood monocytes [32, 33]. Several lines of evidences indicated that CMV may be a risk factor for AD. For instance, an increased rate of cognitive decline over a four year period in subjects with elevated CMV antibody levels has been reported [34]

Several other studies have reported the association of CMV and cognitive impairment; however, results have been conflicting [35–38].

A previous work upon brain frontal and temporal cortex samples found that both AD patients and elderly healthy subjects were positive for CMV with no statistically significant difference between the two groups [39]. On the other hand, brain positivity for CMV was found in a greater proportion of patients with vascular dementia than normal elderly and these findings suggested a virus role in the disease [40]. CMV was also present in CSF of subjects with encephalitis or meningitis or other neurological condition [41].

A recent investigation reported increased CMV antibody levels in the elderly who developed clinical AD during a five years follow up [14]. Furthermore, findings from a longitudinal follow up of 849 participants in the USA showed that CMV infection doubled the risk of developing AD [42], even if some criticisms to the above data have been presented [43].

Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) and AD

EBV infects more than 95% of human beings within the first years of life. The virus is the agent of acute infectious mononucleosis in a minority of immune competent subjects, while the majority develops a lifelong asymptomatic infection, with the virus remaining latent in B-lymphocytes [44–46].

Data describing an association between EBV and AD are very limited; only two papers from 1992 described a possible correlation between EBV and AD, however, with discordant results [47–48].

Recently, our findings showed a positive association of peripheral blood positivity for EBV genome and AD and elevated levels of EBV specific antibodies positively associated with an increased risk of developing AD [14].

Human herpes virus (HHV)-6 and AD

HHV-6 is a neurotropic virus, present in two different variants [49] with a very high sero-prevalence involving almost 100% of population by the age three [50]. HHV-6 establishes latency in the brain and may reactivate under conditions of immunosuppression [49].

HHV-6 has been associated with multiple neurological diseases including seizures, encephalitis, mesial temporal lobe epilepsy and multiple sclerosis [51].

HHV-6 has been found in a higher proportion of AD than age-matched control (CTR) brains [39]. Recently, Agostini et al. showed no difference in serum HHV-6 IgG antibody titers and avidity index between AD patients, Mild Cognitive Impairment subjects (MCI) and CTRs [52]. Another study showed similar results where a higher value of HHV-6 levels in CTR brains was found [53].

Our findings showed an elevated positivity in brains and the peripheral blood for HHV-6 genome in AD and an increased sero-positivity associated with increased risk of developing AD [14].

THE AGE-DEPENDENT RESHAPING OF IMMUNE RESPONSES INDUCED BY PERSISTENT VIRUS INFECTIONS

The sero-positivity to CMV, EBV or HHV-6 is very high worldwide and viruses of the herpes family are largely and commonly present in the elderly [54–56].

The aging of the immune system is a continuous and dynamic process and it may be secondary to mechanisms activated by the response to the pathogen individual internal milieu.

Innate immune response is partially affected by human aging. In fact, a decrease in the main functions of innate immunity cells, as a consequence of changes in the expression of a variety of innate immune cell receptors and altered signal transduction pathways have been reported. These defects may result in a reduced capacity to respond against bacterial and viral pathogens [57].

Adaptive immune responses also progressively decline with age [58]. Recent investigations focused on immune senescence suggested that the progressive decline of immune defense efficiency might be an adaptation mechanism to the microorganism exposure experienced by the aging organism over the life time [38, 59–62].

Human Immune deficiency (HIV) virus along with human hepatitis B virus (HBV), EBV, varicella zoster virus (VHZ) and HSV-1 have a severe impact on immune system and contribute to reshape the immune phenotype in the old person by inducing a persistent antigenic stimulation [63].

For instance, viruses of the herpes family, by undergoing frequent cycles of reactivation and latency drive the accumulation of memory T cells; however, the immune system is not able to completely eradicate the viruses. In fact, the continuous antigen stimulation induced by persistent infections activates a peripheral chronic inflammatory response that progressively induces the loss of naïve and inducible CD4 and CD8 positive T cells, along with the accumulation of memory T cell populations; however, most of these cells are considered functionally exhausted [59, 64–67].

Therefore, chronic sub-clinical infections represent important environmental factors able to induce a re-shaping of the immune system by antigen load during aging.

PERIPHERAL CHRONIC SUBCLINICAL INFECTION AND AD

A recent overview on immune responses and AD concluded that, in spite of conflicting data, blood levels of some cytokines showed a steady increase during progression from MCI to AD [68]. These findings were confirmed by another study [69].

Increased serum levels of inflammatory factors have been reported also in MCI from Chinese patients [70]. An association between late life depression, MCI and AD is well documented and some findings suggested that peripheral inflammation might be the missing link in these different conditions [71–73].

Investigation from the Rush Alzheimer's Disease Center Religious Order showed that CMV serum IgG levels correlated with NFT in the autopsy brains [32]. It is of interest that the percentages of senescent CD4 and CD8 positive T cells were higher in CMV sero-positive than in sero-negative subjects and marginally associated with AD diagnosis.

Moreover, Lurain and co-workers reported that the infection of human fibroblasts by CMV induced the expression of amyloid beta peptides [32]. Therefore, a more stringent link between peripheral and central inflammatory responses in AD due to infective agents is now emerging [74–75].

This link may consist of chronic infections by microorganisms, such as viruses, that are able to constantly challenge and impair immune responses.

BRAIN IMMUNE RESPONSES AND AD

Microglia activation in pre-clinical and clinical AD by neuro-imaging techniques has been reported [76-79]. Brain microglia from AD patients is activated and release several cytokines which drive neuro-inflammation [80, 81]. A recent paper reviewed this topic suggesting that brain infiltrating T cells may stimulate microglia activation by releasing IFN-gamma and, therefore, influence neuro-degenerative processes associated with AD [82]. These findings were confirmed by Browne et al. who suggested that release of IFN-γ from infiltrating Th1 cells significantly accelerated the accumulation of markers of the disease in an animal model of AD [83]. A defective resolution of inflammatory state has been recently found in the brain of patients with AD and such an impairment correlated with cognitive performances [84]. Moreover, elevated levels of CNS inflammation and CSF inflammatory markers have also been reported in preclinical stages of AD [85].

Recent findings reinforced the notion that brain inflammation, as assessed by CSF markers, increased in normal aging and was associated with markers of neurodegeneration in the preclinical stages of AD [86].

Activated brain microglia increased during aging and AD brain microglia might be primed by infectious agents challenging the CNS and/or by temporary permeabilization of selected districts of blood-brain barrier (BBB) induced by peripheral subclinical inflammatory responses.

Virus infections are not the unique challenge for the aging immune system. In fact persistent bacterial infections may also play a role in inducing chronic inflammation in the elderly. It is of interest that chronic infections, by different bacterial agents have been recently implicated in AD pathogenesis. A recent review, by Harris et al., confirmed that infection agents such as CMV, HSV-1, HHV-6, Helicobacter pylori, Chlamydophila pneumonia and several periodontal pathogens induced the production of peripheral pro-inflammatory cytokines that, by crossing the BBB may, promote neurodegeneration [87]. In addition, other bacterial agents, such as spirochetes, have also been proposed to be associated with AD [88]. Since spirochetes frequently co-infect with other microorganisms, Miklossy et al. suggested that chronic infection by spirochetes, and co-infection with other bacteria and viruses should be considered in AD [88].

Oral infections have been recently reviewed as potential causes of BBB disruption and brain inflammation. These pathogens may also infect the brain via trigeminal and/or olfactory nerves [87, 89].

It is of interest that a recent investigation showed a significant improvement in some cognitive functions in patients with early AD treated for twenty eight weeks with interferon beta-1 [90]. This compound is a well known anti-viral agent and the above findings support the notion suggesting a potential role of persistent virus infections in the disease.

CONCLUSIONS

AD is a multi-factorial disease in which, several pathogenetic, clinical, environmental and stochastic factors are involved (Fig. 1). It is on record that defective immune responses (both innate and adaptive) resulting in a chronic inflammatory “status” of the brain might lead to neurodegenerative disease such as AD. With this short overview we focus on the pivotal role of infective agents in AD. In fact, several pathogens are able to induce a reshaping of adaptive immune responses and to impair the regulation of both peripheral and central immune defensive mechanisms. In particular, defective immune defenses against some pathogens, both viruses and bacteria, may play a role in triggering chronic inflammatory responses and directly or indirectly activate neuro-inflammation. [91] The activation of persistent peripheral inflammation may also be detrimental in the brain in genetically susceptible individuals. According to this view, APP and its peptides derivatives, normally defined as promoter of neurodegeneration, appear to play an important role in brain defenses against microorganisms since these molecules show antimicrobial activity both in vivo and in vitro. Here we suggest that in subjects developing clinical AD, immune protective mechanisms appear to be defective. Therefore, persistent subclinical infections activate and amplify chronic neuroinflammation and neurodegenerative mechanisms leading to progressive neuronal loss and cognitive impairment. Successful treatment of chronic infections is a challenge, but might significantly improve the quality of life in the elderly and prevent or retard the age associated cognitive decline leading to dementia.

Figure 1.

Risk factors related to defective immune responses leading to neurodegeneration. A decrease of the antimicrobial role of A-beta, a decline of normal immune responses and a decreased ability of antiviral responses associated to an increased susceptibility to infections can lead to an accelerated immunosenescence and to neurodegeneration. CNS (central nervous system); Aβ (Α−beta peptide).