Ferritinopathy: diagnosis by muscle or nerve biopsy, with a note on other nuclear inclusion body diseases

Nanoscale synchrotron x-ray analysis of intranuclear iron in melanised neurons of Parkinson's substantia nigra

Neuromelanin-pigmented neurons of the substantia nigra are selectively lost during the progression of Parkinson's disease. These neurons accumulate iron in the disease state, and iron-mediated neuron damage is implicated in cell death. Animal models of Parkinson's have evidenced iron loading inside the nucleoli of nigral neurons, however the nature of intranuclear iron deposition in the melanised neurons of the human substantia nigra is not understood. Here, scanning transmission x-ray microscopy (STXM) is used to probe iron foci in relation to the surrounding ultrastructure in melanised neurons of human substantia nigra from a confirmed Parkinson's case. In addition to the expected neuromelanin-bound iron, iron deposits are also associated with the edge of the cell nucleolus. Speciation analysis confirms these deposits to be ferric (Fe3+) iron. The function of intranuclear iron in these cells remains unresolved, although both damaging and protective mechanisms are considered. This finding shows that STXM is a powerful label-free tool for the in situ, nanoscale chemical characterisation of both organic and inorganic intracellular components. Future applications are likely to shed new light on incompletely understood biochemical mechanisms, such as metal dysregulation and morphological changes to cell nucleoli, that are important in understanding the pathogenesis of Parkinson's.

Iron role paradox in nerve degeneration and regeneration

Iron accumulates in the neural tissue during peripheral nerve degeneration. Some studies have already been suggested that iron facilitates Wallerian degeneration (WD) events such as Schwann cell de-differentiation. On the other hand, intracellular iron levels remain elevated during nerve regeneration and gradually decrease. Iron enhances Schwann cell differentiation and axonal outgrowth. Therefore, there seems to be a paradox in the role of iron during nerve degeneration and regeneration. We explain this contradiction by suggesting that the increase in intracellular iron concentration during peripheral nerve degeneration is likely to prepare neural cells for the initiation of regeneration. Changes in iron levels are the result of changes in the expression of iron homeostasis proteins. In this review, we will first discuss the changes in the iron/iron homeostasis protein levels during peripheral nerve degeneration and regeneration and then explain how iron is related to nerve regeneration. This data may help better understand the mechanisms of peripheral nerve repair and find a solution to prevent or slow the progression of peripheral neuropathies.

New Insights into the Role of Ferritin in Iron Homeostasis and Neurodegenerative Diseases

Growing evidence has indicated that iron deposition is one of the key factors leading to neuronal death in the neurodegenerative diseases. Ferritin is a hollow iron storage protein composed of 24 subunits of two types, ferritin heavy chain (FTH) and ferritin light chain (FTL), which plays an important role in maintaining iron homeostasis. Recently, the discovery of extracellular ferritin and ferritin in exosomes indicates that ferritin might be not only an iron storage protein within the cell, but might also be an important factor in the regulation of tissue and body iron homeostasis. In this review, we first described the structural characteristics, regulation and the physiological functions of ferritin. Secondly, we reviewed the current evidence concerning the mechanisms underlying the secretion of ferritin and the possible role of secreted ferritin in the brain. Then, we summarized the relationship between ferritin and the neurodegenerative diseases including Parkinson's disease (PD), Alzheimer's disease (AD) and neuroferritinopathy (NF). Given the importance and relationship between iron and neurodegenerative diseases, understanding the role of ferritin in the brain can be expected to contribute to our knowledge of iron dysfunction and neurodegenerative diseases.

Iron, Ferritin, Hereditary Ferritinopathy, and Neurodegeneration

Cellular growth, function, and protection require proper iron management, and ferritin plays a crucial role as the major iron sequestration and storage protein. Ferritin is a 24 subunit spherical shell protein composed of both light (FTL) and heavy chain (FTH1) subunits, possessing complimentary iron-handling functions and forming three-fold and four-fold pores. Iron uptake through the three-fold pores is well-defined, but the unloading process somewhat less and generally focuses on lysosomal ferritin degradation although it may have an additional, energetically efficient pore mechanism. Hereditary Ferritinopathy (HF) or neuroferritinopathy is an autosomal dominant neurodegenerative disease caused by mutations in the FTL C-terminal sequence, which in turn cause disorder and unraveling at the four-fold pores allowing iron leakage and enhanced formation of toxic, improperly coordinated iron (ICI). Histopathologically, HF is characterized by iron deposition and formation of ferritin inclusion bodies (IBs) as the cells overexpress ferritin in an attempt to address iron accumulation while lacking the ability to clear ferritin and its aggregates. Overexpression and IB formation tax cells materially and energetically, i.e., their synthesis and disposal systems, and may hinder cellular transport and other spatially dependent functions. ICI causes cellular damage to proteins and lipids through reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation because of high levels of brain oxygen, reductants and metabolism, taxing cellular repair. Iron can cause protein aggregation both indirectly by ROS-induced protein modification and destabilization, and directly as with mutant ferritin through C-terminal bridging. Iron release and ferritin degradation are also linked to cellular misfunction through ferritinophagy, which can release sufficient iron to initiate the unique programmed cell death process ferroptosis causing ROS formation and lipid peroxidation. But IB buildup suggests suppressed ferritinophagy, with elevated iron from four-fold pore leakage together with ROS damage and stress leading to a long-term ferroptotic-like state in HF. Several of these processes have parallels in cell line and mouse models. This review addresses the roles of ferritin structure and function within the above-mentioned framework, as they relate to HF and associated disorders characterized by abnormal iron accumulation, protein aggregation, oxidative damage, and the resulting contributions to cumulative cellular stress and death.

Inclusion bodies of aggregated hemosiderins in liver macrophages

Hemosiderin formation is a structural indication of iron overload. We investigated further adaptations of the liver to excess iron. Five patients with livers showing iron-rich inclusions larger than 2 µm were selected from our database. The clinical features of patients and structures of the inclusions were compared with those of 2 controls with mild iron overload. All patients had severe iron overload with more than 5000 ng/mL of serum ferritin. Etiologies were variable, from hemochromatosis to iatrogenic iron overload. Their histological stages were either portal fibrosis or cirrhosis. Inclusion bodies were ultra-structurally visualized as aggregated hemosiderins in the periportal macrophages. X-ray analysis always identified, in addition to a large amount of iron complexes including oxygen and phosphorus, a small amount of copper and sulfur in the mosaic matrixes of inclusions. There were no inclusions in the control livers. Inclusion bodies, when the liver is loaded with excess iron, may appear in the macrophages as isolated organella of aggregated hemosiderins. Trace amounts of copper-sulfur complexes were always identified in the mosaic matrices of the inclusions, suggesting cuproprotein induction against excess iron. In conclusion, inclusion formation in macrophages may be an adaptation of the liver loaded with excess iron.

Towards a functional pathology of hereditary neuropathies

A growing number of hereditary neuropathies have been assigned to causative gene defects in recent years. The study of human nerve biopsy samples has contributed substantially to the discovery of many of these neuropathy genes. Genotype-phenotype correlations based on peripheral nerve pathology have provided a comprehensive picture of the consequences of these mutations. Intriguingly, several gene defects lead to distinguishable lesion patterns that can be studied in nerve biopsies. These characteristic features include the loss of certain nerve fiber populations and a large spectrum of distinct structural changes of axons, Schwann cells and other components of peripheral nerves. In several instances the lesion patterns are directly or indirectly linked to the known functions of the mutated gene. The present review is designed to provide an overview on these characteristic patterns. It also considers other aspects important for the manifestation and pathology of hereditary neuropathies including the role of inflammation, effects of chemotherapeutic agents and alterations detectable in skin biopsies.

Characterizing Energy Expenditure During Sedentary Behavior After Stroke

OBJECTIVES

To measure and calculate the energy expended by people with stroke during near sedentary behaviors (lying, supported and unsupported sitting, standing, wheelchair propulsion, walking), under controlled laboratory conditions, and to compare these values with the energy expenditure of 1.5 metabolic equivalent task (MET) within the definition of sedentary behavior.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional cohort study.

SETTING

Rehabilitation institutions.

PARTICIPANTS

People with stroke (N=27; mean age, 61.0±11.7y), categorized at Functional Ambulation Categories (FAC) 0 to 5.

INTERVENTIONS

Not applicable.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Energy expenditure (measured using indirect calorimetry) expressed in METs. The recorded values were calculated for every participant and averaged for each activity: lying, supported and unsupported sitting, standing, wheelchair propulsion, and walking. Calculations were done for the total group and categorized by the FAC.

RESULTS

For the total group the mean METs ± SDs were 1.04±.11 for sitting supported, 1.09±.15 for sitting unsupported, 1.31±.25 for standing, 1.91±.42 for wheelchair propulsion, and 2.52±.55 for walking. People with stroke in all FAC had METs values >1.5 when propelling a wheelchair or walking.

CONCLUSIONS

Energy expenditure during typical sedentary behaviors (ie, sitting) is narrowly bounded at approximately 1.0 MET. Energy expenditure during sitting and standing was ≤1.5 MET for all FAC, with the exception of FAC 0 (1.6 MET during standing). Independent wheelchair propulsion and walking can be categorized as light activities (≥1.5 MET).

Muscle activation and energy-requirements for varying postures in children and adolescents with cerebral palsy

OBJECTIVE

To determine energy expenditure and muscle activity among children and adolescents with cerebral palsy (CP), across several conditions that approximate sedentary behavior, and standing.

STUDY DESIGN

Subjects with spastic CP (n = 19; 4-20 years of age; Gross Motor Function Classification System Expanded and Revised [GMFCS-E&R] levels I-V) participated in this cohort study. Energy-expenditure and muscle activity were measured during lying supine, sitting with support, sitting without support, and standing. Energy-expenditure was measured using indirect calorimetry and expressed in metabolic equivalents (METs). Muscle activation was recorded using surface electromyography. The recorded values were calculated for every child and then averaged per posture.

RESULTS

Mean energy expenditure was >1.5 METs during standing for all GMFCS-E&R levels. There was a nonsignificant trend for greater muscle activation for all postures with less support. Only for children classified at GMFCS-E&R level III did standing result in significantly greater muscle activation (P < .05) compared with rest.

CONCLUSIONS

Across all GMFCS-E&R levels, children and adolescents with CP had elevated energy expenditure during standing that exceeded the sedentary threshold of 1.5 METs. Our findings suggest that changing a child's position to standing may contribute to the accumulation of light activity and reduction of long intervals of sedentary behavior.

Iron homeostasis in peripheral nervous system, still a black box?

SIGNIFICANCE

Iron is the most abundant transition metal in biology and an essential cofactor for many cellular enzymes. Iron homeostasis impairment is also a component of peripheral neuropathies.

RECENT ADVANCES

During the past years, much effort has been paid to understand the molecular mechanism involved in maintaining systemic iron homeostasis in mammals. This has been stimulated by the evidence that iron dyshomeostasis is an initial cause of several disorders, including genetic and sporadic neurodegenerative disorders.

CRITICAL ISSUES

However, very little has been done to investigate the physiological role of iron in peripheral nervous system (PNS), despite the development of suitable cellular and animal models.

FUTURE DIRECTIONS

To stimulate research on iron metabolism and peripheral neuropathy, we provide a summary of the knowledge on iron homeostasis in the PNS, on its transport across the blood-nerve barrier, its involvement in myelination, and we identify unresolved questions. Furthermore, we comment on the role of iron in iron-related disorder with peripheral component, in demyelinating and metabolic peripheral neuropathies.

Brain iron homeostasis: from molecular mechanisms to clinical significance and therapeutic opportunities

Iron has emerged as a significant cause of neurotoxicity in several neurodegenerative conditions, including Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (sCJD), and others. In some cases, the underlying cause of iron mis-metabolism is known, while in others, our understanding is, at best, incomplete. Recent evidence implicating key proteins involved in the pathogenesis of AD, PD, and sCJD in cellular iron metabolism suggests that imbalance of brain iron homeostasis associated with these disorders is a direct consequence of disease pathogenesis. A complete understanding of the molecular events leading to this phenotype is lacking partly because of the complex regulation of iron homeostasis within the brain. Since systemic organs and the brain share several iron regulatory mechanisms and iron-modulating proteins, dysfunction of a specific pathway or selective absence of iron-modulating protein(s) in systemic organs has provided important insights into the maintenance of iron homeostasis within the brain. Here, we review recent information on the regulation of iron uptake and utilization in systemic organs and within the complex environment of the brain, with particular emphasis on the underlying mechanisms leading to brain iron mis-metabolism in specific neurodegenerative conditions. Mouse models that have been instrumental in understanding systemic and brain disorders associated with iron mis-metabolism are also described, followed by current therapeutic strategies which are aimed at restoring brain iron homeostasis in different neurodegenerative conditions. We conclude by highlighting important gaps in our understanding of brain iron metabolism and mis-metabolism, particularly in the context of neurodegenerative disorders.

Abnormal iron homeostasis and neurodegeneration

Abnormal iron metabolism is observed in many neurodegenerative diseases, however, only two have shown dysregulation of brain iron homeostasis as the primary cause of neurodegeneration. Herein, we review one of these - hereditary ferritinopathy (HF) or neuroferritinopathy, which is an autosomal dominant, adult onset degenerative disease caused by mutations in the ferritin light chain (FTL) gene. HF has a clinical phenotype characterized by a progressive movement disorder, behavioral disturbances, and cognitive impairment. The main pathologic findings are cystic cavitation of the basal ganglia, the presence of ferritin inclusion bodies (IBs), and substantial iron deposition. Mutant FTL subunits have altered sequence and length but assemble into soluble 24-mers that are ultrastructurally indistinguishable from those of the wild type. Crystallography shows substantial localized disruption of the normally tiny 4-fold pores between the ferritin subunits because of unraveling of the C-termini into multiple polypeptide conformations. This structural alteration causes attenuated net iron incorporation leading to cellular iron mishandling, ferritin aggregation, and oxidative damage at physiological concentrations of iron and ascorbate. A transgenic murine model parallels several features of HF, including a progressive neurological phenotype, ferritin IB formation, and misregulation of iron metabolism. These studies provide a working hypothesis for the pathogenesis of HF by implicating (1) a loss of normal ferritin function that triggers iron accumulation and overproduction of ferritin polypeptides, and (2) a gain of toxic function through radical production, ferritin aggregation, and oxidative stress. Importantly, the finding that ferritin aggregation can be reversed by iron chelators and oxidative damage can be inhibited by radical trapping may be used for clinical investigation. This work provides new insights into the role of abnormal iron metabolism in neurodegeneration.

Neurodegeneration with brain iron accumulation: a diagnostic algorithm

The diagnosis of neurodegeneration with brain iron accumulation (NBIA) can be challenging, particularly given recent advances in NBIA genetics and clinical nosology. Although atypical cases continue to challenge physicians, by considering clinical features along with relevant neuroimaging findings, the diagnosis of NBIA can be made confidently. In addition, the identification of genetically distinct forms of NBIA allows clinicians to better provide prognostic and family counseling services to families and may have relevance in the near future as clinical trials become available. We describe a heuristic approach to NBIA diagnosis, identify important differential considerations, and demonstrate important neuroimaging features to aid in the diagnosis.

Plant cell nucleolus as a hot spot for iron

Many central metabolic processes require iron as a cofactor and take place in specific subcellular compartments such as the mitochondrion or the chloroplast. Proper iron allocation in the different organelles is thus critical to maintain cell function and integrity. To study the dynamics of iron distribution in plant cells, we have sought to identify the different intracellular iron pools by combining three complementary imaging approaches, histochemistry, micro particle-induced x-ray emission, and synchrotron radiation micro X-ray fluorescence. Pea (Pisum sativum) embryo was used as a model in this study because of its large cell size and high iron content. Histochemical staining with ferrocyanide and diaminobenzidine (Perls/diaminobenzidine) strongly labeled a unique structure in each cell, which co-labeled with the DNA fluorescent stain DAPI, thus corresponding to the nucleus. The unexpected presence of iron in the nucleus was confirmed by elemental imaging using micro particle-induced x-ray emission. X-ray fluorescence on cryo-sectioned embryos further established that, quantitatively, the iron concentration found in the nucleus was higher than in the expected iron-rich organelles such as plastids or vacuoles. Moreover, within the nucleus, iron was particularly accumulated in a subcompartment that was identified as the nucleolus as it was shown to transiently disassemble during cell division. Taken together, our data uncover an as yet unidentified although abundant iron pool in the cell, which is located in the nuclei of healthy, actively dividing plant tissues. This result paves the way for the discovery of a novel cellular function for iron related to nucleus/nucleolus-associated processes.

Neurodegeneration with brain iron accumulation - clinical syndromes and neuroimaging

Iron participates in a wide array of cellular functions and is essential for normal neural development and physiology. However, if inappropriately managed, the transition metal is capable of generating neurotoxic reactive oxygen species. A number of hereditary conditions perturb body iron homeostasis and some, collectively referred to as neurodegeneration with brain iron accumulation (NBIA), promote pathological deposition of the metal predominantly or exclusively within the central nervous system (CNS). In this article, we discuss seven NBIA disorders with emphasis on the clinical syndromes and neuroimaging. The latter primarily entails magnetic resonance scanning using iron-sensitive sequences. The conditions considered are Friedreich ataxia (FA), pantothenate kinase 2-associated neurodegeneration (PKAN), PLA2G6-associated neurodegeneration (PLAN), FA2H-associated neurodegeneration (FAHN), Kufor-Rakeb disease (KRD), aceruloplasminemia, and neuroferritinopathy. An approach to differential diagnosis and the status of iron chelation therapy for several of these entities are presented. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Imaging Brain Aging and Neurodegenerative disease.

Brain iron metabolism: neurobiology and neurochemistry

New findings obtained during the past years, especially the discovery of mutations in the genes associated with brain iron metabolism, have provided key insights into the homeostatic mechanisms of brain iron metabolism and the pathological mechanisms responsible for neurodegenerative diseases. The accumulated evidence demonstrates that misregulation in brain iron metabolism is one of the initial causes for neuronal death in some neurodegenerative disorders. The errors in brain iron metabolism found in these disorders have a multifactorial pathogenesis, including genetic and nongenetic factors. The disturbances of iron metabolism might occur at multiple levels, including iron uptake and release, storage, intracellular metabolism and regulation. It is the increased brain iron that triggers a cascade of deleterious events, leading to neuronal death in these diseases. In the article, the recent advances in studies on neurochemistry and neuropathophysiology of brain iron metabolism were reviewed.

Abnormalities of the nucleus and nuclear inclusions in neurodegenerative disease: a work in progress

Neurodegenerative diseases are characterized pathologically by the abnormal accumulation of pathogenic protein species within the cell. Several neurodegenerative diseases feature intranuclear protein aggregation in the form of intranuclear inclusion bodies. Studies of these intranuclear inclusions are providing important clues regarding the cellular pathophysiology of these diseases, as exemplified by recent progress in defining the genetic basis of a subset of frontotemporal dementia cases. The precise role of intranuclear inclusion bodies in disease pathogenesis is currently a focus of debate. The present review provides an overview of the diverse family of neurodegenerative diseases in which nuclear inclusions form part of the neuropathological spectrum. In addition, current pathogenetic concepts relevant to these diseases will be reviewed and arguments for and against a protective role for intranuclear inclusions will be presented. The relationship of pathological intranuclear inclusions to functional intranuclear bodies will also be discussed. Finally, by analogy with pathological intranuclear inclusions, I will speculate on the possibility that intranuclear protein aggregation may represent a constitutive cellular protective mechanism occurring in neurons under physiological conditions.

Neuropathology of Charcot-Marie-Tooth and related disorders

The peripheral nervous system (PNS), with all its branches and connections, is so complex that it is impossible to study all components at the light or electron microscopic level in any individual case; nevertheless, in certain diseases a simple nerve biopsy may suffice to arrive at a precise diagnosis. Structural changes of the PNS in neuropathies of the Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) type and related disorders comprise various components of the PNS. These include peripheral motor, sensory, and autonomous neurons with their axons, Schwann cells, and myelin sheaths in the radicular and peripheral nerves as well as satellite cells in spinal and autonomous ganglia. Astrocytes, oligodendroglial cells, and microglial cells around motor neurons in the anterior horn and around sensory neurons in other areas of the spinal cord are also involved. In addition, connective tissue elements such as endoneurial, perineurial, and epineurial components including blood and lymph vessels play an important role. This review focuses on the cellular components and organelles involved, that is, myelin sheaths, axons with their micro-tubules and neurofilaments; nuclei, mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum, and connective tissue including the perineurium and blood vessels. A major role is attributed to recent progress in the pathomorphology of various types of CMT1, 2,4, CMTX, and HMNSL, based on light and electron microscopic findings, morphometry, teased fiber studies, and new immunohisto-chemical results such as staining of certain periaxin domains in CMT4F.

Study of the localization of iron, ferritin, and hemosiderin in Alzheimer’s disease hippocampus by analytical microscopy at the subcellular level

Previous studies of the structure of core nanocrystals of ferritin (Ft) in the brains of patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) have shown differences in the mineral compound in comparison with physiological Ft. Both Ft cores have a polyphasic composition but whereas the major phase in physiological Ft is hexagonal ferric iron oxide (ferrihydrite), the major phases in brain AD Ft are two cubic mixed ferric-ferrous iron oxides (magnetite and wüstite). One of these (wüstite) is similar to what is detected in hemosiderin (Hm) cores in primary hemochromatosis (Quintana, C., Cowley, J.M, Marhic, C., 2004. Electron nanodiffraction and high resolution electron microscopy studies of the structure and composition of physiological and pathological ferritin. J. Struct. Biol. 147, 166-178). We have studied, herein, the distribution of iron, Ft, and Hm in sections of AD hippocampus using analytical microscopy. Iron present in Ft cores was directly mapped in a nanoSIMS microscope and the iron distribution has been correlated with the constituent elements N, P, and S. Ft and Hm cores were visualized at an ultrastructural level in an analytical transmission electron microscope. In senile plaques, Ft was observed in the coronal region associated with a non-beta-amyloid component and in the periphery of plaques, together with Hm, in sulfur-rich dense bodies of dystrophic neurites. Hm was also found in lysosomes and siderosomes of glial cells. Ft was observed in the cytoplasm and nucleus of oligodendrocytes. Ft was particularly abundant in myelinated axons in association with oligodendrocyte processes. These findings provide new arguments to support the hypothesis of a dysfunction of Ft (with eventual degradation to Hm) in AD resulting in an increase of toxic brain ferrous ions that may contribute to the production of free radicals that induce both cellular oxidative stress and aged-related myelin breakdown associated with cognitive decline and AD (Bartzokis, G., 2004. Age-related myelin breakdown: a developmental model of cognitive decline and Alzheimer's disease. Neurobiol. Aging 25, 5-18).