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Pretangles and neurofibrillary changes: similarities and differences between AD and CBD based on molecular and
1Laboratory of Structural Neuropathology, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science, Tokyo, Japan.
Summary
Pretangles, early tau deposits in Alzheimer's disease (AD) and corticobasal degeneration (CBD), show distinct 4R tau profiles. AD pretangles evolve into 3R tau ghost tangles, unlike CBD pretangles.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Pathology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Pretangles represent early, non-fibrillar tau deposits in neurons.
- In Alzheimer's disease (AD), pretangles evolve into neurofibrillary tangles and ghost tangles.
- Corticobasal degeneration (CBD) also exhibits pretangles, but their evolution differs from AD.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the distinct tau profiles and evolutionary pathways of pretangles in AD and CBD.
- To explore the ultrastructural differences that may underlie the divergent evolution of pretangles.
- To understand the relationship between tau epitope representation and fibrillary component pathogenesis.
Main Methods:
- Comparative analysis of tau immunoreactivity in AD and CBD pretangles using double staining for 3-repeat (3R) and 4-repeat (4R) tau.
- Assessment of argyrophilia using Gallyas silver impregnation.
- Review of existing electron microscopic studies on pretangles.
Main Results:
- Both AD- and CBD-pretangles show selective 4R tau immunoreactivity and argyrophilia.
- AD-pretangles transition to 3R tau-positive ghost tangles, indicating a complementary shift in tau profile.
- CBD-pretangles remain 4R tau-positive and do not evolve into ghost tangles, even in advanced stages.
Conclusions:
- The evolution of pretangles into ghost tangles is specific to AD and involves a shift from 4R to 3R tau.
- CBD-pretangles represent a distinct tauopathy pathway, lacking the 3R tau component and progression to ghost tangles.
- Further ultrastructural studies, particularly double immunoelectron microscopy, are needed to elucidate the primary structural differences and their role in disease pathogenesis.
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