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Published in final edited form as: Acta Neuropathol. 2016 Nov 22;133(1):91–100. doi: 10.1007/s00401-016-1644-z

Widespread Tau Seeding Activity at Early Braak Stages

Jennifer L Furman 1, Jaime Vaquer-Alicea 1, Charles L White III 2, Nigel J Cairns 3, Peter T Nelson 4, Marc I Diamond 1,*
PMCID: PMC5833300  NIHMSID: NIHMS916392  PMID: 27878366

Abstract

Transcellular propagation of tau aggregates may underlie the progression of pathology in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and other tauopathies. Braak Staging (B1, B2, B3) is based on phospho-tau accumulation within connected brain regions: entorhinal cortex (B1); hippocampus/limbic system (B2); and frontal and parietal lobes (B3). We previously developed a specific and sensitive assay that uses flow cytometry to quantify seeding activity based on fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) in cells that stably express tau reporter proteins. In a tauopathy mouse model, we have detected seeding activity far in advance of histopathological changes. It remains unknown whether individuals with AD also develop seeding activity prior to accumulation of phospho-tau. We measured tau seeding activity across four brain regions (hippocampus, frontal lobe, parietal lobe, and cerebellum) in 104 fresh-frozen human AD brain samples from all Braak stages. We observed widespread seeding activity, notably in regions predicted to be free of phospho-tau deposition, and in detergent-insoluble fractions that lacked tau detectable by ELISA. Seeding activity correlated positively with Braak stage and negatively with MMSE. Our results are consistent with early transcellular propagation of tau seeds that triggers subsequent development of neuropathology. The FRET-based seeding assay may also complement standard neuropathological classification of tauopathies.

Keywords: Tau, Seeding, Alzheimer’s disease, Braak staging, Neuropathology, Propagation

INTRODUCTION

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is characterized by learning and memory deficits and brain deposition of extracellular amyloid beta plaques and intracellular neurofibrillary tangles. In comparison to amyloid beta plaque load, tau accumulation better correlates with cognitive disturbances [3, 18, 28, 35], suggesting a fundamental role in neurodegeneration. The precise toxic form(s) of tau is unknown, but evidence suggests that transcellular propagation of tau aggregates, or seeds, could underlie disease progression [12, 13, 16, 19, 25, 29, 37]. Indeed, we and others have found that tau has essential prion properties [11, 12, 31]. The prion model predicts that tau seeds escape one neuron, are internalized by another, and serve as a template to convert native tau monomer into an ordered assembly [8, 12, 15, 20, 24, 31]. In prior work, we have hypothesized that transcellular propagation of tau seeding activity underlies the pattern of neuropathology in tauopathies such as AD [16, 32].

Tau pathology in AD develops progressively in synaptically connected brain regions. This forms the basis of Braak Staging [6, 7, 30, 34, 40], a well-established method that scores accumulation of phospho-tau based on AT8 antibody staining of specific brain regions [5]. While Braak staging has proved very useful, variance in staining and analysis adds a subjective aspect to the diagnosis of AD and other tauopathies. Furthermore, these methods are bounded by the detection limits of immunohistochemistry, while more sensitive methods could highlight earlier or more widespread abnormalities.

To quantify tau seeding activity we previously developed a cellular biosensor assay [21]. This is based on stable expression of tau repeat domain (RD) containing a single disease-associated mutation (P301S) that is fused to cyan or yellow fluorescent protein (CFP or YFP). Exogenous tau aggregate seeds delivered to the cell interior with cationic lipids (Lipofectamine) trigger aggregation of intracellular RD-CFP/YFP by acting as a conformational template. The close approximation of CFP and YFP within an aggregate results in fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) that is quantified by flow cytometry. This enables determination of tau aggregate seed “titer” over 3 orders of magnitude. We have not observed cross-reactivity with other amyloid proteins in the seeding assay [21, 31], and immunodepletion with an anti-tau antibody eliminates seeding activity from samples [21, 38]. Thus the assay appears highly sensitive and specific.

We have previously determined that aged, healthy human brains and tau knockout mice lack tau seeding activity [21]. By contrast, tau seeding activity progressively increases with age in the PS19 tauopathy mouse model (which expresses 1N,4R tau containing the P301S mutation), and anticipates neuropathological changes (AT8, MC1, and thioflavin staining) by many months [21]. These results are consistent with the idea that tau seeding triggers subsequent development of neuropathology. However, it is unknown whether a similar process might occur in AD. To test this prediction, we have measured tau seeding activity in fresh-frozen human brain specimens from multiple brain regions, across all Braak stages. We correlated seeding activity with Braak stage, clinical parameters, and tau biochemistry.

MATERIALS & METHODS

Cell culture

HEK 293T cells were grown in DMEM (Gibco) supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum (Sigma-Aldrich), 1% penicillin/streptomycin (Gibco), and 1% GlutaMax (Gibco). Cells were cultured at 37 °C with 5% CO2 in a humidified incubator.

Brain Tissue

We analyzed fresh-frozen specimens from brains that were previously categorized by qualified neuropathologists (C.L.W., N.J.C., P.T.N.). 40 subjects were staged according to Braak criteria as B1, B2, or B3 (defined as Braak I-II, Braak III-IV, or Braak V-VI, respectively). Subjects were diagnosed using standard tau histological measures (described below) and the 2012 criteria specified by the National Institute on Aging and the Alzheimer’s Association [5, 22]. Samples consisted of grey matter obtained from four distinct brain regions (hippocampus, frontal lobe (Brodmann Areas 8/9), parietal lobe (Brodmann Areas 39/40), or cerebellum) typically affected differentially with tau pathology through AD progression. Negative control tissue was obtained from individuals with psychiatric disturbance, or diagnosed with Huntington’s disease. In total, 126 brain specimens were analyzed.

Sample preparation

Fresh-frozen brain tissues were suspended in TBS containing EDTA-free cOmplete protease inhibitors (Roche) such that the total concentration was 10% w/vol. Samples were homogenized at 75 watts with pulsing using a probe sonicator (Omni International) for 15 min on ice in a hood. Between each sample, we washed the probe with three isopropanol and distilled water rinses to prevent cross-contamination. Lysates were centrifuged at 23,000 × g for 15 min, and the supernatant was retained (total fraction). Protein concentration was measured with BCA (Pierce) and normalized between all samples at 2 µg/µl. Fractions were aliquoted and stored at −80 °C until further use to avoid multiple freeze/thaw cycles.

Biochemical extraction

Biochemical extraction was performed as described previously [10]. Total fractions (described above) were centrifuged at 100,000 × g for 60 min at 4 °C, and the supernatant was collected (soluble fraction). Pellets were resuspended in 1% sarkosyl, incubated for 30 min at room temperature with shaking, and centrifuged again at 100,000 × g for 60 min at 4 °C. The resultant pellet was resuspended in TBS (insoluble fraction) [9]. Soluble and insoluble tau fractions were standardized by volume for ELISA and seeding assays.

Tau ELISA

A total tau “sandwich” ELISA was performed as described previously [1]. All antibodies were kindly provided by Dr. Peter Davies (Albert Einstein College of Medicine). 96 well round-bottom plates (Corning) were coated for 48 hours at 4 °C with DA-31 (aa 150–190) diluted in sodium bicarbonate buffer (6 µg/mL). Plates were rinsed with PBS 3 times, blocked for 2 hours at room temperature with Starting Block (Pierce), and rinsed with PBS 5 additional times. Total (1 µL), soluble (1 µL), and insoluble (0.3 µL) fractions were diluted in SuperBlock solution (Pierce; 20% SuperBlock, diluted in TBS), and 50 µL sample was added per well. DA-9 (aa 102–150) was conjugated to HRP using the Lighting-Link HRP Conjugation Kit (Innova Biosciences), diluted 1:50 in SuperBlock solution, and 50 µL was added per well (15 µg/mL). Sample + detection antibody complexes were incubated overnight at 4 °C. Plates were washed with PBS 9 times with a 15 sec incubation between each wash, and 75 µL 1-Step Ultra TMB Substrate Solution (Pierce) was added. Plates were developed for 30 min, and the reaction was quenched with 2M sulfuric acid. Absorbance was measured at 450 nm using an Epoch plate reader (BioTek). Each plate contained a standard curve, and all samples were run in triplicate.

Biochemical Quantification

Tau concentration was calculated using GraphPad Prism software. Standard curves were made using 2N,4R recombinant protein (rPeptide) ranging from 15.6 to 1000 pg/mL and were fitted using the sigmoidal, 4PL, X=log(concentration) nonlinear regression model. Samples were diluted so that concentrations fell on the linear portion of the standard curve.

Tau Seeding

Tau seeding activity was quantified as detailed previously [17, 21]. HEK 293T cells stably expressing the aggregation-prone repeat domain (RD) of tau containing the disease-associated P301S mutation tagged to either CFP or YFP were transduced with human brain homogenates. At 60–65% confluency, transduction complexes consisting of lysate (either 20 µg total, 2 µl soluble, or 5 µl insoluble fraction), Opti-MEM (Gibco), and Lipofectamine 2000 (Invitrogen) were added to cells. Following treatment, cells were incubated for 24 hr prior to harvesting for FRET flow cytometry. Prior to FRET flow cytometry, we always confirmed visible RD-CFP/YFP inclusions in positive wells. Standardized seeding activity, reported here, is a fold change over background level of biosensor cells treated with empty liposomes, which is arbitrarily set at 1% positivity in the FRET gate.

FRET Flow Cytometry

FRET flow cytometry was performed as described previously [17, 21]. Following 24 hr treatment, cells were trypsinized, centrifuged, and fixed in 2% paraformaldehyde (Electron Microscopy Sciences). Cells were resuspended in flow cytometry buffer (HBSS, PBS, 1% FBS, and 1 mM EDTA) and analyzed using the MACSQuant VYB flow cytometer (Miltenyi Biotec). CFP, YFP, and FRET signals were detected with the following settings: CFP (405 laser; 450/50 filter), YFP (488 laser; 525/50 filter), FRET (405 laser; 525/50 filter). Samples were run in quadruplicate, and 15,000–20,000 singlets were captured per well.

Flow Cytometry Analysis

FlowJo v10 software was used for analysis. Gating strategy was similar to that described previously [17, 21]. CFP and YFP spillover into the FRET channel were excluded using compensation and the “False FRET” gate. Empty liposome-treated cells were used as the baseline for background seeding, and FRET-positive events were identified from a FRET vs. CFP bivariate plot. The median fluorescence intensity (MFI) of FRET-positive events was recorded. Integrated FRET Density (IFD; the product of percent cells FRET-positive and MFI) is presented here. This integrates the amount of seeding per population of cells with the degree of seeding within a positive cell.

Confocal Microscopy

All cells were grown and treated on microslides. Cells were fixed with 4% paraformaldehyde, and confocal images were obtained with a Zeiss LSM 780 Inverted confocal/multiphoton microscope.

Heat Map

Heat maps were generated using MATLAB software (MathWorks). The Integrated FRET Density values were log-transformed and colored on a red scale. Values less than 1.5-fold above untreated controls (non-significant levels) are shaded with light blue. The remaining values are shaded from light-to-dark blue on a continuum, with the latter representing the highest fold increase in IFD. If no sample was available, the rectangle is filled with grey dots.

Immunohistochemistry

Paraffin sections were cut at 4 µm thickness on a rotary microtome, mounted on positively charged glass slides, and air-dried overnight. Sections were deparaffinized in xylene and alcohol, pretreated in 98% formic acid for 5 min at room temperature, and rinsed in water. Immunostaining was performed at room temperature on a Bond III automated immunostainer (Leica Biosystems Inc) using phospho-tau monoclonal antibody AT8 (Pierce Biotechnology; 1:200 for 30 minutes) and the Bond Polymer Refine detection system, which includes H2O2 block, EDTA-based epitope retrieval solution, rabbit anti-mouse IgG secondary antibody, anti-rabbit poly-HRP-IgG, DAB, and hematoxylin counterstain. Sections were dehydrated in a graded series of ethanol dilutions and xylene, mounted on coverslips, and reviewed on a Ni-U light microscope (Nikon Instruments Inc.). For preparation of photomicrographs, slides were imaged on an Aperio ScanScope CS whole slide imager (Leica) using a 20X objective, and selected fields captured using Aperio ImageScope v12 software.

Statistics

For all seeding experiments, cells treated with empty liposomes served as the control group. We used a two-tailed t-test and set significance at p <0.01. For correlational analyses, we performed nonparametric Spearman rank-order tests. r values represent the correlation between seeding in each brain region and age, MMSE, or Braak stage, with significance set at p <0.05.

RESULTS

Tau seeding detected across brain regions and Braak stages

Braak staging requires detection of phospho-tau pathology in discrete brain regions. To test for a relationship of Braak staging and tau seeding activity, we used the FRET flow cytometry assay to quantify seeding activity in homogenates prepared from fresh-frozen brain specimens from all Braak stages, across four regions (hippocampus, frontal and parietal lobes, and cerebellum). We analyzed tissue from 40 individuals previously staged as B1, B2, or B3 based on standard histopathological criteria (Supplemental Fig.1) and 7 additional individuals not reported to harbor tau pathology. Where possible, we analyzed multiple brain regions from the same subject.

All negative samples lacked seeding activity in each brain region (Fig. 1a–d). B1 samples consistently exhibited tau seeding activity in the hippocampus, but not in other regions (Fig. 1a–d). B2 samples all exhibited hippocampal tau seeding (Fig. 1a), and B3 samples uniformly scored positive in hippocampus, frontal, and parietal lobes (Fig. 1b,c). In many instances, we observed seeding activity in brain regions that usually lack tau pathology, as monitored by histology. For example, more than half of B1 samples, in which tau pathology is generally limited to entorhinal cortex, had seeding activity in the hippocampus (Fig. 1a) and often in cortical regions (Fig. 1b,c). B2 samples, in which pathology is generally restricted to limbic regions, frequently exhibited seeding activity in frontal and parietal lobes (Fig. 1b,c). Finally, in B3 cases we even observed seeding in cerebellum, despite the fact that this region does not typically exhibit tau pathology (Fig. 1d). To ensure that seeding activity was specific to tau, we performed immunodepletion experiments on a subset of samples. Following incubation with either a negative control antibody (IgG) or an anti-tau antibody (AT8), we consistently observed a significant reduction in seeding activity when lysate was immunodepleted with AT8, but not IgG (Fig. 1e). Cerebellar seeding activity was depleted less efficiently. Possibilities for this are discussed below.

Figure 1. Tau seeding activity is present in multiple brain regions and increases with Braak stage.

Figure 1

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20 µg of clarified human brain lysate was transduced into Tau-RD-P301S CFP/YFP biosensor cells, which were harvested for FRET flow cytometry after 24 hr. Hippocampus (a), Frontal Lobe (b), and Parietal Lobe (c) all consistently scored positive for seeding from B3 brains (represented by red squares). B2 brains (represented by blue triangles) also demonstrated strong hippocampal seeding activity and moderate cortical seeding. B1 subjects (represented by green circles) consistently showed hippocampal seeding activity. Cerebellum (d) contained seeding activity in a few B3 samples. Error bars denote SEM, and dashed lines represent threshold for significant seeding (p <0.01), as compared to cells treated with empty liposomes. Standardized seeding activity represents the fold change in signal over negative control biosensor cells.

Seeding activity correlates with lower MMSE score and higher Braak stage

We next tested for correlation of seeding activity with other clinical or pathologic characteristics. Age did not correlate with seeding activity in any brain region (Fig. 2a–c). Seeding activity and cognitive status (as measured by the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE)) negatively correlated (Fig. 2d–f), particularly in the parietal lobe. Seeding activity correlated highly with Braak stage (Fig. 2g–i) in frontal and parietal lobes.

Figure 2. Correlation of tau seeding with MMSE and Braak stage.

Figure 2

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We evaluated seeding activity with subject age (a–c), MMSE (d–f) and Braak stage (g–i) using nonparametric Spearman correlational analyses. Age and seeding activity did not correlate; MMSE and seeding activity negatively correlated; and Braak stage and seeding activity positively correlated (p <0.05).

Seeding activity by region within individual brains

Braak and Braak first reported progressive and stereotypical neurofibrillary tangle (NFT) accumulation in AD brains over two decades ago [6, 7]. In recent years, numerous mouse studies have demonstrated that tau aggregates inoculated into the brain trigger spreading tau pathology [2, 12, 13, 23, 25, 27, 31, 36]. Further, we previously observed a steady increase in tau seeding activity in the PS19 tauopathy mouse brain, even in the absence of seed inoculation [21, 39]. However, it is unknown how seeding activity might vary across brain regions at different Braak stages within individuals. Thus, we charted the previous seeding data with a heat map, organized by individual. Tissue from four brain regions was not always available for all subjects (denoted by solid white boxes), although for every individual, at least two brain regions were provided. For nearly every brain in which seeding was detectable, we observed the highest seeding in hippocampus, next highest in neocortex, and lowest in cerebellum (Fig. 3). Additionally, most cases contained higher seeding activity in frontal rather than parietal lobes, consistent with the original pathological characterization by Braak and Braak [6].

Figure 3. Seeding activity determined by region in individuals.

Figure 3

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Relative tau seeding activity was assessed in brain regions within the same individuals. Each row represents an individual subject (n=47), and each column represents a specific brain region. Samples not provided for a region are colored with grey dots. Representative seeding values are shaded light to dark blue with the latter corresponding to highest seeding activity. Seeding activity is highest in hippocampus and increases with Braak stage.

Seeding detects pathology more sensitively than biochemistry

Accumulation of detergent-insoluble tau is associated with progressive pathology. Thus, we tested the relative sensitivity of solubility analysis of tau vs. its seeding activity. We extracted total, soluble, and sarkosyl-insoluble fractions from each brain sample [9] and measured tau levels using an ultra-sensitive ELISA developed by the Peter Davies laboratory [1]. We detected tau in all total (Fig. 4a) and soluble (Fig. 4b) fractions, regardless of brain region or Braak stage, whereas we observed a more variable presence of detergent-insoluble tau (Fig. 4c), which correlated with the reported Braak stage: minimal in B1, moderate in B2, and extensive in B3, excluding cerebellum, which lacked insoluble tau as measured by ELISA.

Figure 4. Biochemical characterization of brain homogenates.

Figure 4

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Brain lysates were biochemically extracted, and subsequent fractions were quantified using ELISA (a–c) and FRET flow cytometry (d–f). All samples contained total (a) and soluble (b) tau. Insoluble tau (c) was measurable in only a subset of samples. Seeding activity was present variably in all total (d) or soluble (e) fractions, and was present in almost all insoluble fractions (f), even those that did not score positive with ELISA. The yellow box (f) highlights 41 samples that were ELISA-negative and seed-positive.

We then analyzed each biochemical fraction for seeding activity. We observed seeding in many total (Fig. 4d), soluble (Fig. 4e), and insoluble (Fig. 4f) fractions with the exception of negative control subjects, but no correlation with tau levels. Importantly, a large number of B1, B2, or B3 samples had no apparent insoluble tau as characterized by ELISA, yet they exhibited strong seeding activity (Fig. 4f, highlighted in yellow). Overall, we detected seeding activity in 82 of 104 insoluble sample fractions. Of note, 18 of these 82 (~22%) initially scored negative when seeding was first evaluated from the total fraction. This indicates that when the total lysate scores negative it is still possible to enrich seeding activity using detergent fractionation. In no instance did we detect seeding in the total fraction but not the insoluble fraction. We conclude that tau seeding activity does not correlate with total tau protein level, and that the FRET seeding assay is highly sensitive for the detection of tau aggregate seeds.

DISCUSSION

Tau pathology in AD develops progressively in regions of brain with known synaptic connectivity, and prion-like transcellular propagation of seeds has been proposed to explain this observation [4, 11, 21, 31]. This model makes a strong prediction that seeding activity should anticipate subsequent development of neuropathology. To test this idea, we quantified tau seeding activity in fresh-frozen brain samples derived from 40 individuals at different Braak stages, across four brain regions. We detected proteopathic tau seeding activity across specimens more extensively than is typically observed by histopathology or biochemical studies alone. In particular, we observed robust seeding activity in many hippocampal samples from B1 brains and in many parietal and frontal lobe samples from B2 brains. In a subset of B3 brains, we even observed seeding activity within the cerebellum, which typically has no detectable tau pathology based on immunohistochemistry. Importantly, despite trying several anti-tau antibodies in addition to AT8, together or in sequence, we never achieved full depletion of cerebellar seeding activity. Despite the fact that we have never observed cross-seeding events between other amyloids and tau, we conclude that some seeding activity in the cerebellum might represent a non-tau factor, or tau species for which the epitopes are masked or unavailable due to posttranslational modifications, protein interactions, or distinct strain structure. Taken together, however, our findings support the model of transcellular propagation of tau pathology, and suggest that seed detection might augment standard histopathological analysis.

Seed detection as a quantitative adjunct for neuropathology

Pathological assessment of NFTs was first described by Braak and Braak several decades ago [6, 7], and their AT8 staining protocols are now the gold standard for pathological characterization of AD. Although staining methods are well established and the progression of phospho-tau pathology is predictable, the analysis of a brain still requires the subjective impression of a qualified neuropathologist. While the recently revised grouping of Braak stages described by the National Institute on Aging and the Alzheimer’s Association [22] may help to standardize diagnosis, Braak staging by immunohistochemistry remains an imperfect metric of tau pathology.

The FRET flow cytometry assay we have previously described sensitively and specifically quantifies tau seeding activity in biological samples [17, 21]. We have never observed non-specific seeding of tau by heterologous fibrillar species, suggesting that it is both sensitive and specific [21, 31]. The assay is user-friendly and relatively high-throughput, with a continuous signal spectrum. It requires appropriate positive and negative controls, along with a dedicated flow cytometer and an experienced operator, which may limit its broad applicability.

With this assay we detected tau seeding activity in human lysates across multiple brain regions and Braak stages. Seeding activity correlates with Braak staging, but appears to be more sensitive to the presence of pathological tau. This suggests that the seeding assay could complement standard histopathology. Quantification of seeding activity in multiple regions or sub-regions of brain might reveal new aspects of tauopathy that cannot be visualized by immunohistochemistry or biochemistry, especially early in disease.

The tau seeding assay requires relatively small amounts of brain tissue (<100 µg), which may be beneficial when samples are limited. In this study, we used fresh-frozen tissue, which precluded simultaneous analysis of the same brain region by histopathology. However, future work will determine the feasibility of using fixed tissue, which we expect will be compatible given the resistance of amyloid beta and alpha synuclein seeds to formaldehyde fixation [14, 33]. If compatible with the tau seeding assay, fixed tissue analysis could open up important possibilities for combining it with neuropathological analysis in the same region. While evaluation of seeding activity in one small sample may not accurately represent the entire brain structure, its relatively high throughput nature enables multiple samples to be tested across brain regions without much additional labor. In combination with current AT8 staining protocols, we anticipate that the two metrics together might augment the detection, quantification, and characterization of tau pathology.

Seeding as an early marker of pathology

We observed that seeding activity generally correlates with the characteristic phospho-tau staining patterns described by Braak staging. However, numerous tissue samples exhibited obvious seeding activity prior to when Braak staging would predict tau pathology. For example, according to B1 staging guidelines, phospho-tau is restricted to entorhinal cortex, yet we observed seeding activity in >50% of B1 hippocampal homogenates. Similarly, in B2 brains, where tau pathology is limited to the entorhinal or limbic systems, we consistently measured tau seeding activity in parietal and frontal lobes. In B3 brains we observed seeding activity in every hippocampal and cortical sample tested, and even in occasional cerebellar samples, which typically lack phospho-tau histopathology. Immunodepletion studies along with previously-published material [31] suggest that the seeding activity quantified here is tau-specific and not the result of cross-seeding from another pathological source. In addition to standard histological patterns of tau pathology, seeding activity also proved to be more sensitive than standard biochemical analysis of tau in brain lysates. In numerous cases samples had no detectable insoluble tau based on an ultra-sensitive ELISA (detection level of ~24 pg/mL tau [1]), but scored positive with the FRET flow cytometry assay. Thus, we anticipate that the seeding assay might also augment standard biochemical analyses of insoluble (i.e. pathological) tau.

We previously observed that seeding activity is the earliest marker of disease in the PS19 tauopathy mouse model, as it appears months before multiple immunohistochemical markers score positive, including AT8, PG5, and MC1 [21]. Because the current work did not evaluate human tissue specimens in parallel for histopathology and seeding, as was done in the mouse study, we cannot conclude with certainty that seeding activity precedes deposition of phospho-tau in these human brain specimens. This must await simultaneous comparison with both methods of very closely spaced sub-regions of brain. Seeding activity that is detected prior to histopathological abnormality could be due to the presence of very small tau assemblies that are seed-competent (trimer or above [26]), but that may not feature abundant phosphorylation. Alternatively, the seeding species may be below the threshold of detection of any type of immunohistochemistry. Regardless, we hope future work will be able to determine the significance of seeding activity observed in the absence of histopathological tau abnormalities.

Tau seeding and the prion hypothesis

There is no evidence of inadvertent transmission of tau pathology between individuals. Nonetheless, in experimental systems, we and others have observed that tau acts as a prion in many other respects [11, 12, 31]. It is impossible to know whether trans-cellular propagation underlies progression of disease in patients until we have an effective therapy designed to block this process. However, the hypothesis that proteopathic seeds cause pathology clearly predicts that seeding activity should develop prior to the occurrence of neuropathology that is visible by stains for macromolecular protein assemblies. While this study has a critical limitation in that the fresh-frozen tissues studied with the FRET assay are not the same as those that were used for Braak staging of brains, the early and widespread detection of seeding is consistent with the prion model to explain progressive accumulation of tau pathology and neurological dysfunction in AD. We hope that future studies that employ a similar multimodal assessment of human tissues will clarify these initial observations.

Supplementary Material

1. Supplemental Figure 1. Representative AT8 Staining of B1, B2, and B3 subjects.

Hippocampus, frontal lobe, parietal lobe, and cerebellum stained with AT8 from representative subjects diagnosed as B1 (a-d), B2 (e-h), or B3 (i-l). Note that positive signal is restricted to entorhinal cortex (EC) in B1, spreads to hippocampus in B2, and to cortical regions in B3. Scale bar, 3 mm.

2. Supplemental Figure 2. Representative cells with and without inclusions after transduction by tau seeds or control.

Tau-CFP/YFP cells were transduced with empty liposomes (a), total (b, d, f, h, j) or insoluble (c, e, g, i, k) fractions. Variable degrees of aggregation were detectable with confocal microscopy.

Acknowledgments

We thank Peter Davies for generously providing antibody reagents and ELISA protocol guidance. We thank the University of Texas, Southwestern Medical Center Alzheimer Disease Center, Washington University in St. Louis, the Sanders-Brown Center on Aging at the University of Kentucky, and Dr. Carol Tamminga in the Psychiatry Department at UT Southwestern Medical Center for providing pathological samples and corresponding clinical data. Ping Shang, HT(ASCP)QIHC, performed the immunohistochemical staining on tissue sections used in the Supp. Fig. 1 illustrations, and Chan Foong, M.S., prepared the whole slide scanning images Studies were supported by the Tau Consortium and NIH grants awarded to M.I.D. (1R01NS071835), J.L.F. (1F32NS087805), C.L.W. (AG12300), and P.T.N. (AG028383).

Footnotes

Author contributions: J.L.F and M.I.D. designed research; J.L.F. performed research; C.L.W., N.J.C., and P.T.N. contributed analytic tools; J.L.F. and J.V.A. analyzed data; J.L.F. and M.I.D. wrote the paper.

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Associated Data

This section collects any data citations, data availability statements, or supplementary materials included in this article.

Supplementary Materials

1. Supplemental Figure 1. Representative AT8 Staining of B1, B2, and B3 subjects.

Hippocampus, frontal lobe, parietal lobe, and cerebellum stained with AT8 from representative subjects diagnosed as B1 (a-d), B2 (e-h), or B3 (i-l). Note that positive signal is restricted to entorhinal cortex (EC) in B1, spreads to hippocampus in B2, and to cortical regions in B3. Scale bar, 3 mm.

NIHMS916392-supplement-1.pdf (53.8MB, pdf)
2. Supplemental Figure 2. Representative cells with and without inclusions after transduction by tau seeds or control.

Tau-CFP/YFP cells were transduced with empty liposomes (a), total (b, d, f, h, j) or insoluble (c, e, g, i, k) fractions. Variable degrees of aggregation were detectable with confocal microscopy.

NIHMS916392-supplement-2.pdf (263.8KB, pdf)

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