BMRI - Neurovascular Pathologies and Neurodegeneration

Costantino Iadecola, M.D.
Anne Parrish Titzell Professor of Neurology and Neuroscience
Director, Brain and Mind Research Institute

Our Mission

The mission of the Iadecola laboratory is to study the mechanisms of normal and abnormal cerebrovascular regulation, and the molecular pathology of ischemic brain injury and neurodegeneration. Major areas of interest include brain dysfunction and damage that underlie two of the most devastating brain diseases: stroke and dementia. In addition, the laboratory studies the interactions between cardiovascular risk factors, stroke, and Alzheimer’s disease. 

 
 

Lab Members

Corinne Benakis, Post-Doctoral Fellow
Lidia Garcia-Bonilla, Instructor
David Brea, Post-Doctoral Fellow
Giuseppe Faraco, Assistant Professor
Katherine Jackman, Post-Doctoral Fellow
Anja Kahl, Post-Doctoral Fellow
Makoto Ishii, Instructor
Laibak Park, Assistant Professor
Ken Uekawa, Post-Doctoral Fellow
Corey Anderson, Graduate student

 

Vascular Metabolic Factors in Neurodegeneration

Enlarged pericyte in a capillary of the cerebral cortex in progranulin-null mice, a model of fronto-temporal dementia.

We are interested in elucidating the role of vascular factors in conditions causing cognitive impairment and dementia. The brain is uniquely dependent on a well-regulated delivery of oxygen and glucose through the blood supply. If the delivery of cerebral blood flow is not adequate to match the dynamic energetic requirements imposed by neural activity, brain dysfunction and damage ensues. High blood pressure, or hypertension, is a major cause of dementia. We have discovered that cerebral blood vessels are uniquely susceptible to the deleterious effects of hypertension. Sleep apnea and aging, conditions well known to cause stroke and dementia, also alter brain blood vessels in a similar fashion. We have identified several therapeutic targets that would help protect the brain and its vessels from the damaging effects of hypertension and are further investigating said therapeutic agents. Although the mechanisms of the cognitive dysfunction caused by vascular factors (vascular cognitive impairment and dementia) or neurodegeneration (Alzheimer’s disease, AD) have traditionally been considered distinct, there is increasing evidence that alterations in cerebral blood flow play a role not only in vascular causes of cognitive impairment, but also in AD.   Our work has revealed that AD damages blood vessels in a manner similar to hypertension and stroke. Improving the performance of the blood vessels of the brain also improves the brain alterations produced by AD.

 

 

Association between cerebral microvessels and amyloid plaques in the cerebral cortex of mice expressing the Swedish mutation of the amyloid precursor protein.

We have identified a "receptor" in brain vessels that binds chemicals accumulating in AD (amyloid-β peptides) resulting in their damage and are looking to develop ways to block this receptor to protect the brain from the damaging effects of amyloid-β. We have discovered that vascular risk factors, e.g., hypertension, aging, and sleep apnea, and amyloid-beta, a key pathogenic factor in AD, impair the structure and function of cerebral blood vessels and associated cells (neurovascular unit). These deleterious effects are mediated by vascular oxidative stress and inflammation. Injury to the neurovascular unit alters cerebral blood flow regulation, depletes vascular reserves, disrupts the blood-brain barrier and reduces the brain’s repair potential, effects that amplify the brain dysfunction and damage exerted by incident ischemia and coexisting neurodegeneration. Clinical-pathological studies support the notion that vascular lesions aggravate the deleterious effects of AD pathology by reducing the threshold for cognitive impairment and accelerating the pace of the dementia. In addition, disturbances of cerebral perfusion and/or energy metabolism have also been observed early in the course of AD or even in non-demented subjects at genetic risk for AD. These observations, collectively, indicate that vascular alterations are important both in vascular and neurodegenerative dementias.

Amyloid plaques (blue) associated with blood vessels in the hippocampal formation of mice overexpressing the Swedish mutation of the amyloid precursor protein.

 

Ongoing studies suggest that  a major component of the vascular damage induced by amyloid-beta is caused by free radicals that alter the ability of cerebral blood vessels to regulate blood flow to the brain. Thus, amyloid-beta suppresses the ability of endothelial cells and neurons to regulate vascular tone. The resulting alterations in the dynamic regulation of cerebral blood flow impair the delivery of vital substrates and oxygen to the brain, which, in the long run, increase the susceptibility of the brain to ischemic damage and neurodegeneration. In the absence of mechanism-based approaches to counteract dementia, targeting vascular risk factors and improving cerebrovascular function offers the opportunity to mitigate the impact of one of the most disabling human afflictions.

 

Neurovascular Pathologies and Stroke

Why does the brain die after stroke? Our laboratory is also investigating the cellular and molecular alterations in the brain caused by blockage of the blood supply. We have found that stroke activates certain cells of the immune system and produces brain inflammation. Blocking the action of these cells improves the brain damage caused by the stroke. We are now looking at what triggers inflammation and finding ways to stop it to salvage the brain. On the other hand, we also discovered that a certain type of immune cells protect the brain after stroke. This is a new and exciting area of investigation that may lead to developing new cell therapies for stroke. 

MRI of brain damage induced by middle cerebral artery occlusion in the mouse.

 

Alzheimer's disease (AD) and stroke. Once considered mutually exclusive, these two prevalent brain diseases are now known to have much in common. Our work has revealed that AD damages blood vessels in a manner similar to hypertension and stroke. Improving the performance of the blood vessels of the brain also improves the brain alterations produced by AD. We have identified a "receptor" in brain vessels that binds chemicals accumulating in AD (amyloid-β peptides) resulting in their damage and are looking to develop ways to block this receptor to protect the brain from the damaging effects of amyloid-β.

 

Bone marrow derived stellate cell resembling microglia

Bright and dark sides of brain plasticity. The remarkable ability to learn and adapt to a changing environment, known as neuroplasticity, is a defining characteristic of the brain. Neuroplasticity is mediated by subtle changes in the connections through which neurons communicate with each other and can protect the brain from the damage associated with stroke and dementia. However, neuroplasticity has a dark side. We discovered that the synaptic changes underlying learning and memory are similar to those induced by hypertension, addiction, and sleep apnea. We are developing ways to harness the "good" side of neuroplasticity to protect the brain from the damaging effects of stroke and dementia.

Long-term Goals

The long-term goal of our laboratory is to shed light on the causes of stroke and dementia, and to develop new therapies for these devastating conditions. 

Flow Cytometry

 

Recent Publications 

1. Alexander C, Li T, Hattori Y, Chiu D, Frost GR, Jonas L, Liu C, Anderson CJ, Wong E, Park L, Iadecola C, Li Y-M. Hypoxia inducible factor-1α binds and activates γ-secretase for aβ production under hypoxia and cerebral hypoperfusion. Mol Psychiatry. 2022

2. Parikh NS, Kamel H, Zhang C, Gupta A, Cohen DE, de Leon MJ Gottesman R.F., and Iadecola C.: Association of liver fibrosis with cognitive test performance and brain imaging parameters in the UK Biobank study. Alzheimer's & Dementia 2022.

3. Parikh, NS, Kamel, H, Zhang, C, Kumar, S, Rosenblatt, R, Spincemaille, P, Gupta, A, Cohen, DE, de Leon, MJ, Gottesman, RF, Iadecola, C. Association between liver fibrosis and incident dementia in the UK biobank study. Eur J Neurol. 29: 2622-2630, 2022

4.  Garcia-Bonilla L, Sciortino R, Shahanoor Z, Racchumi G, Janakiraman M, Montaner J, Zhou P, Anrather J, Iadecola C. Role of microglial and endothelial cd36 in post-ischemic inflammasome activation and interleukin-1beta-induced endothelial activation. Brain Behav Immun. 95:489-501, 2021.

5. A. Nitzsche, M. Poittevin, A. Benarab, P. Bonnin, G. Faraco, H. Uchida, J. Favre, L. Garcia-Bonilla, M. C. Garcia, P. P. Leger, P. Therond, T. Mathivet, G. Autret, V. Baudrie, L. Couty, M. Kono, A. Chevallier, H. Niazi, P. L. Tharaux, J. Chun, S. R. Schwab, A. Eichmann, B. Tavitian, R. L. Proia, C. Charriaut-Marlangue, T. Sanchez, N. Kubis, D. Henrion, C. Iadecola, T. Hla, E. Camerer, Endothelial S1P1 Signaling Counteracts Infarct Expansion in Ischemic Stroke. Circ Res 128:363-382, 2021.

6. Schaeffer, S and C. Iadecola, C.: Revisiting the Neurovascular unit, Nat. Neurosci. 24: 1198-1209, 2021.

7. Cortes-Canteli, M. & Iadecola, C. Alzheimer's Disease and Vascular Aging: JACC Focus Seminar. J Am Coll Cardiol 75, 942-951, 2020

8. Iadecola C, Buckwalter MS, Anrather J. Immune responses to stroke: mechanisms, modulation, and therapeutic potential. J Clin Invest. 136:2697–13, 2020

9. Iadecola C. Revisiting atherosclerosis and dementia. Nat Neurosci. 23:691–692, 2020 

10. Iadecola, C., Anrather, J., Kamel, H.: Effects of COVID-19 on the nervous system. Cell, 183:16-27, 2020

11. Merkler AE, Sigurdsson S, Eiriksdottir G, Safford MM, Phillips CL, Iadecola C, Gudnason V, Weinsaft JW, Kamel H, Arai AE, and Launer LJ. Association Between Unrecognized Myocardial Infarction and Cerebral Infarction on Magnetic Resonance Imaging. JAMA Neurol. 76:956-961, 2020

12. Parikh NS, Kumar S, Rosenblatt R, Zhao C, Cohen DE, Iadecola C, Kamel H. Association between Liver Fibrosis and Cognition in a Nationally Representative Sample of Older Adults. Eur J Neurol. 27:1895-1903, 2020 

13. Park L, Hochrainer K, Hattori Y, Ahn SJ, Anfray A, Wang G, Uekawa K, Seo J, Palfini V, Blanco I, Acosta D, Eliezer D, Zhou P, Anrather J, Iadecola C. Tau induces PSD95-neuronal NOS uncoupling and neurovascular dysfunction independent of neurodegeneration. Nat Neurosci. 23: 1079-1089, 2020

14. Park, L., Zhou, J., Koizumi, K., Wang, G., Anfray, A., Ahn, S. J., Seo, J., Zhou, P., Zhao, L., Paul, S., Anrather, J., Iadecola, C.: tPA Deficiency Underlies Neurovascular Coupling Dysfunction by Amyloid-beta. J Neurosci 40, 8160-8173, 2020.

15. Santisteban MM, Ahn SJ, Lane D, Faraco G, Garcia-Bonilla L, Racchumi G, Poon C, Schaeffer S, Segarra SG, Korbelin J, Anrather J, Iadecola C. Endothelium-Macrophage Crosstalk Mediates Blood-Brain Barrier Dysfunction in Hypertension. Hypertension 76:795-807, 2020

16. Cruz-Hernández JC, Bracko O, Kersbergen CJ, Muse V, Haft-Javaherian M, Berg M, Park L, Vinarcsik LK, Ivasyk I, Rivera DA, Kang Y, Cortes-Canteli M, Peyrounette M, Doyeux V, Smith A, Zhou J, Otte G, Beverly JD, Davenport E, Davit Y, Lin CP, Strickland S, Iadecola C, Lorthois S, Nishimura N, Schaffer CB. Neutrophil adhesion in brain capillaries reduces cortical blood flow and impairs memory function in Alzheimer's disease mouse models. Nat Neurosci. 22:413–420, 2019

17. Faraco, G, Hochrainer, K., Segarra, S.G., Schaeffer, S., Santisteban, M.M., Menon, A., Jiang, H., Holtzman, D.M., Anrather, J. and Iadecola, C: Dietary salt promotes cognitive impairment through tau phosphorylation. Nature, 574:686:690, 2019

18. Iadecola C, Duering M, Hachinski V, Joutel A, Pendlebury ST, Schneider JA, Dichgans M. Vascular Cognitive Impairment and Dementia: JACC Scientific Expert Panel. J Am Coll Cardiol. 73:3326–3344, 2019

19. Iadecola, C. and Gottesman, R: Neurovascular and cognitive dysfunction in hypertension: epidemiology, pathobiology and treatment. Circ Res., 124:1025-1044, 2019

20. Kamel H, Merkler AE, Iadecola C, Gupta A, Navi BB. Tailoring the Approach to Embolic Stroke of Undetermined Source. JAMA Neurol. 76:855-861, 2019

21. Kobayashi M, Benakis C, Anderson C, Moore MJ, Poon C, Uekawa K, Dyke JP, Fak JJ, Mele A, Park CY, Zhou P, Anrather J, Iadecola C, Darnell RB. AGO CLIP Reveals an Activated Network for Acute Regulation of Brain Glutamate Homeostasis in Ischemic Stroke. Cell Rep. 28:979–991.e6, 2019

22. Merkler AE, Parikh NS, Mir S, Gupta A, Kamel H, Lin E, Lantos J, Schenck EJ, Goyal P, Bruce SS, Kahan J, Lansdale KN, LeMoss NM, Murthy SB, Stieg PE, Fink ME, Iadecola C, Segal AZ, Cusick M, Campion TR Jr, Diaz I, Zhang C, Navi BB. Risk of Ischemic Stroke in Patients With Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vs Patients With Influenza. JAMA Neurol. 77:1366-1372, 2020

23. Faraco, G., Brea, D., Garcia-Bonilla, L., Wang, G., Racchumi, G., Chang, H., Buendia, I, Santisteban, M., Segarra, S., Koizumi, K., Sugiyama, Y., Murphy, M., Voss, H., Anrather, J., and Iadecola, C.: Dietary salt promotes neurovascular and cognitive dysfunction through a gut-initiated TH17 response. Nat. Neurosci, 21:240-249, 2018 

24. Garcia-Bonilla, L., Brea, D., Benakis, C., Lane, D., Murphy, M., Moore, J., Racchumi, G., Jiang, X., Iadecola, C., and Anrather, J.:  Endogenous protection from ischemic brain injury by preconditioned monocytes. J Neurosci.  38:6722-6736, 2018

25. Iadecola, C. and Gottesman, R.: Cerebrovascular alterations in Alzheimer's disease: incidental or pathogenic? Circ Res. 123:406-408, 2018

26. Koizumi, K., Hattori, Y., Ahn, S-J, Buendia, I., Ciacciarelli, A., Uekawa, K., Wang, G., Hiller, A., Zhao, L., Voss, H.U., Paul, S.M., Schaffer, C., Park, L., Iadecola, C.: ApoE4 disrupts neurovascular regulation and undermines white matter integrity and cognitive function. Nat. Comm, 9:3816, 2018 

27. Navi, B., Iadecola, C.: Ischemic Stroke in Cancer Patients: A Review of an underappreciated Pathology. Ann Neurol, 83:873-883, 2018

28. Iadecola, C.: The neurovascular unit coming of age: a journey through neurovascular coupling in health and disease. Neuron, 96:17-42, 2017

29. Navi, B.B., Reiner, A.S., Kamel, H., Iadecola, C., Okin, P.M., Elkind, M.S.V., Panageas, K.S., DeAngelis, L.M.: Risk of Arterial Thromboembolism in Patients with Cancer. J. Am. Coll. Cardiol, 70:926-938, 2017

30. Yanagida K., Liu, C.H., Faraco, G., Galvani, S., Smith, H.K., Burg, N., Anrather, J., Sancez T., Iadecola, C., and Hla T.: Size-selective opening of the blood-brain barrier by targeting endothelial sphingosine 1-phosphate receptor 1. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 114:4531-4536, 2017

Joint Appointments 

Neurology 

Collaborators

Josef Anrather
Robin Davisson
Michael Glass
Timothy Hla
Karin Hochrainer
Makoto Ishii
Eric Klann
Giovanni Manfredi
Teresa Milner
Carl Nathan
Virginia Pickel
Chris Schaffer
Henning Voss
Gang Wang
Ping Zhou

Focus Areas: 
Neurodegeneration/ Appel Institute
Lab Head(s): 
Iadecola, Costantino
Lab Researchers: 
Park, Laibaik

Weill Cornell Medicine Feil Family Brain & Mind Research Institute 407 E 61st St New York, NY 10065 Phone: (646) 962-8277 Fax: (646) 962-0535