1
|
Raghunathan N, Sankaran S, Miteu GD. A comprehensive review of iPS cell line-based disease modelling of the polyglutamine spinocerebellar ataxias 2 and 3: a focus on the research outcomes. Ann Med Surg (Lond) 2024; 86:3487-3498. [PMID: 38846892 PMCID: PMC11152827 DOI: 10.1097/ms9.0000000000001984] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2024] [Accepted: 03/07/2024] [Indexed: 06/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Spinocerebellar ataxias (SCAs) are a rare autosomal dominant neurodegenerative disorder. To date, approximately 50 different subtypes of SCAs have been characterized. The prevalent types of SCAs are usually of PolyQ origin, wherein the disease pathology is a consequence of multiple glutamine residues being encoded onto the disease proteins, causing expansions. SCAs 2 and 3 are the most frequently diagnosed subtypes, wherein affected patients exhibit certain characteristic physiological manifestations, such as gait ataxia and dysarthria. Nevertheless, other clinical signs were exclusive to these subtypes. Recently, multiple molecular diagnostic methods have been developed to identify and characterize these subtypes. Despite these advancements, the molecular pathology of SCAs remains unknown. To further understand the mechanisms involved in neurodegenerative SCAs 2 and 3, patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-based modelling is a compelling avenue to pursue. We cover the present state of iPSC-based in-vitro illness modelling of SCA subtypes 2 and 3 below, along with a list of cell lines created, and the relevance of research outcomes to personalized autologous therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Goshen D. Miteu
- School of Biosciences, Biotechnology, University of Nottingham, England, UK
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, North Dakota, USA
- Department of Biochemistry, Caleb University, Lagos, Nigeria
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Cesaroni CA, Pisanò G, Trimarchi G, Caraffi SG, Scandolo G, Gnazzo M, Frattini D, Spagnoli C, Rizzi S, Dittadi C, Sigona G, Garavelli L, Fusco C. Severe Neurodevelopmental Disorder in Autosomal Recessive Spinocerebellar Ataxia 13 (SCAR13) Caused by Two Novel Frameshift Variants in GRM1. CEREBELLUM (LONDON, ENGLAND) 2023:10.1007/s12311-023-01617-2. [PMID: 37831383 DOI: 10.1007/s12311-023-01617-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/05/2023] [Indexed: 10/14/2023]
Abstract
Autosomal recessive spinocerebellar ataxia 13 (SCAR13) is a neurological disease characterized by psychomotor delay, mild to profound intellectual disability with poor or absent language, nystagmus, stance ataxia, and, if walking is acquired, gait ataxia. Epilepsy and polyneuropathy have also been documented in some patients. Cerebellar atrophy and/or ventriculomegaly may be present on brain MRI. SCAR13 is caused by pathogenic variants in the GRM1 gene encoding the metabotropic receptor of glutamate type 1 (mGlur1), which is highly expressed in Purkinje cerebellar cells, where it plays a fundamental role in cerebellar development. Here we discuss the case of an 8-year-old patient who presented with a severe neurodevelopmental disorder with balance disturbance, absence of independent walking, absence of language, diffuse hypotonia, mild nystagmus, and mild dysphagia. Whole-exome sequencing revealed a compound heterozygosity for two likely pathogenic variants in the GRM1 gene, responsible for the patient's phenotype, and made it possible to diagnose autosomal recessive spinocerebellar ataxia SCAR13. The detected (novel) variants appear to be causative of a particularly severe picture with regard to neurodevelopment, in the context of the typical neurological signs of spinocerebellar ataxia.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Carlo Alberto Cesaroni
- Child Neurology and Psychiatry Unit, Pediatric Neurophysiology Laboratory, Mother-Child Department, Azienda USL-IRCCS Di Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy.
| | - Giulia Pisanò
- Child Neurology and Psychiatry Unit, Pediatric Neurophysiology Laboratory, Mother-Child Department, Azienda USL-IRCCS Di Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Gabriele Trimarchi
- Medical Genetics Unit, Mother-Child Department, Azienda USL-IRCCS of Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Stefano Giuseppe Caraffi
- Medical Genetics Unit, Mother-Child Department, Azienda USL-IRCCS of Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Giulia Scandolo
- Child Neurology and Psychiatry Unit, Pediatric Neurophysiology Laboratory, Mother-Child Department, Azienda USL-IRCCS Di Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Martina Gnazzo
- Child Neurology and Psychiatry Unit, Pediatric Neurophysiology Laboratory, Mother-Child Department, Azienda USL-IRCCS Di Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Daniele Frattini
- Child Neurology and Psychiatry Unit, Pediatric Neurophysiology Laboratory, Mother-Child Department, Azienda USL-IRCCS Di Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Carlotta Spagnoli
- Child Neurology and Psychiatry Unit, Pediatric Neurophysiology Laboratory, Mother-Child Department, Azienda USL-IRCCS Di Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Susanna Rizzi
- Child Neurology and Psychiatry Unit, Pediatric Neurophysiology Laboratory, Mother-Child Department, Azienda USL-IRCCS Di Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Claudia Dittadi
- Child Neurology and Psychiatry Unit, Pediatric Neurophysiology Laboratory, Mother-Child Department, Azienda USL-IRCCS Di Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Giulia Sigona
- Child Neurology and Psychiatry Unit, Pediatric Neurophysiology Laboratory, Mother-Child Department, Azienda USL-IRCCS Di Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Livia Garavelli
- Medical Genetics Unit, Mother-Child Department, Azienda USL-IRCCS of Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Carlo Fusco
- Child Neurology and Psychiatry Unit, Pediatric Neurophysiology Laboratory, Mother-Child Department, Azienda USL-IRCCS Di Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Matsugi A, Nishishita S, Bando K, Kikuchi Y, Tsujimoto K, Tanabe Y, Yoshida N, Tanaka H, Douchi S, Honda T, Odagaki M, Nakano H, Okada Y, Mori N, Hosomi K. Excessive excitability of inhibitory cortical circuit and disturbance of ballistic targeting movement in degenerative cerebellar ataxia. Sci Rep 2023; 13:13917. [PMID: 37626122 PMCID: PMC10457313 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-41088-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2023] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
This study aimed to investigate abnormalities in inhibitory cortical excitability and motor control during ballistic-targeting movements in individuals with degenerative cerebellar ataxia (DCA). Sixteen participants took part in the study (DCA group [n = 8] and healthy group [n = 8]). The resting motor-threshold and cortical silent period (cSP) were measured in the right-hand muscle using transcranial magnetic stimulation over the left primary motor cortex. Moreover, the performance of the ballistic-targeting task with right wrist movements was measured. The Scale for the Assessment and Rating of Ataxia was used to evaluate the severity of ataxia. The results indicated that the cSP was significantly longer in participants with DCA compared to that in healthy controls. However, there was no correlation between cSP and severity of ataxia. Furthermore, cSP was linked to the ballistic-targeting task performance in healthy participants but not in participants with DCA. These findings suggest that there is excessive activity in the gamma-aminobutyric acid-mediated cortical inhibitory circuit in individuals with DCA. However, this increase in inhibitory activity not only fails to contribute to the control of ballistic-targeting movement but also shows no correlation with the severity of ataxia. These imply that increased excitability in inhibitory cortical circuits in the DCA may not contribute the motor control as much as it does in healthy older adults under limitations associated with a small sample size. The study's results contribute to our understanding of motor control abnormalities in people with DCA and provide potential evidence for further research in this area.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Akiyoshi Matsugi
- Faculty of Rehabilitation, Shijonawate Gakuen University, Hojo 5-11-10, Daitou City, Osaka, 574-0011, Japan.
| | - Satoru Nishishita
- Institute of Rehabilitation Science, Tokuyukai Medical Corporation, 3-11-1 Sakuranocho, Toyonaka City, Osaka, 560-0054, Japan
- Kansai Rehabilitation Hospital, 3-11-1 Sakuranocho, Toyonaka City, Osaka, 560-0054, Japan
| | - Kyota Bando
- National Center Hospital, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Kodaira, 187-0031, Japan
| | - Yutaka Kikuchi
- Department of Rehabilitation for Intractable Neurological Disorders, Institute of Brain and Blood Vessels Mihara Memorial Hospital, Ohtamachi 366, Isesaki City, Gunma, 372-0006, Japan
| | - Keigo Tsujimoto
- National Center Hospital, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Kodaira, 187-0031, Japan
| | - Yuto Tanabe
- Department of Rehabilitation for Intractable Neurological Disorders, Institute of Brain and Blood Vessels Mihara Memorial Hospital, Ohtamachi 366, Isesaki City, Gunma, 372-0006, Japan
| | - Naoki Yoshida
- Okayama Healthcare Professional University, 3-2-18 Daiku, Kita-ku, Okayama City, Okayama, 700-0913, Japan
| | - Hiroaki Tanaka
- KMU Day-Care Center Hirakata, Kansai Medical University Hospital, Shinmachi 2-3-1, Hirakata City, Osaka, 573-1191, Japan
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Kansai Medical University, Shinmachi 2-5-1, Hirakata City, Osaka, 573-1010, Japan
| | - Shinya Douchi
- Department of Rehabilitation, National Hospital Organization Wakayama Hospital, Hukakusamukaihatacyo1-1, Husimi-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto, 612-8555, Japan
| | - Takeru Honda
- The Center for Personalized Medicine for Healthy Aging, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, 1-5-45 Yushima, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8510, Japan
| | - Masato Odagaki
- Maebashi Institute of Technology, Maebashi, Gunma Prefecture, Japan
| | - Hideki Nakano
- Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Kyoto Tachibana University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Yohei Okada
- Neurorehabilitation Research Center of Kio University, Koryo-cho, Kitakatsuragi-gun, Nara, 635-0832, Japan
| | - Nobuhiko Mori
- Department of Neurosurgery, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Yamadaoka 2-2, Suita City, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan
| | - Koichi Hosomi
- Department of Neurosurgery, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Yamadaoka 2-2, Suita City, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Matsugi A, Ohtsuka H, Bando K, Kondo Y, Kikuchi Y. Effects of non-invasive brain stimulation for degenerative cerebellar ataxia: a protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMJ Open 2023; 13:e073526. [PMID: 37385745 PMCID: PMC10314638 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-073526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2023] [Accepted: 06/21/2023] [Indexed: 07/01/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION To date, the medical and rehabilitation needs of people with degenerative cerebellar ataxia (DCA) are not fully met because no curative treatment has yet been established. Movement disorders such as cerebellar ataxia and balance and gait disturbance are common symptoms of DCA. Recently, non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS) techniques, including repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation and transcranial electrical stimulation, have been reported as possible intervention methods to improve cerebellar ataxia. However, evidence of the effects of NIBS on cerebellar ataxia, gait ability, and activity of daily living is insufficient. This study will aim to systematically evaluate the clinical effects of NIBS on patients with DCA. METHODS AND ANALYSIS We will conduct a preregistered systematic review and meta-analysis based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses statement. We will include randomised controlled trials to assess the effects of NIBS on patients with DCA. The primary clinical outcome will be cerebellar ataxia, as measured by the Scale for Assessment and Rating of Ataxia and the International Cooperative Ataxia Rating Scale. The secondary outcomes will include gait speed, functional ambulatory capacity and functional independence measure, as well as any other reported outcomes that the reviewer considers important. The following databases will be searched: PubMed, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, CINAHL and PEDro. We will assess the strength of the evidence included in the studies and estimate the effects of NIBS. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION Because of the nature of systematic reviews, no ethical issues are anticipated. This systematic review will provide evidence on the effects of NIBS in patients with DCA. The findings of this review are expected to contribute to clinical decision-making towards selecting NIBS techniques for treatment and generating new clinical questions to be addressed. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER CRD42023379192.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Akiyoshi Matsugi
- Faculty of Rehabilitation, Shijonawate Gakuen University, Daito, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Ohtsuka
- Department of Rehabilitation, School of Nursing and Rehabilitation Sciences, Showa University, Midoriku, Yokohama-shi, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Kyota Bando
- Department of Physical Rehabilitation, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Kodaira, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yuki Kondo
- Department of Physical Rehabilitation, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Kodaira, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yutaka Kikuchi
- Department of Rehabilitation for Intractable Neurological Disorders, Mihara Memorial Hospital, Isesaki, Gunma, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Kapfhammer JP, Shimobayashi E. Viewpoint: spinocerebellar ataxias as diseases of Purkinje cell dysfunction rather than Purkinje cell loss. Front Mol Neurosci 2023; 16:1182431. [PMID: 37426070 PMCID: PMC10323145 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2023.1182431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Spinocerebellar ataxias (SCAs) are a group of hereditary neurodegenerative diseases mostly affecting cerebellar Purkinje cells caused by a wide variety of different mutations. One subtype, SCA14, is caused by mutations of Protein Kinase C gamma (PKCγ), the dominant PKC isoform present in Purkinje cells. Mutations in the pathway in which PKCγ is active, i.e., in the regulation of calcium levels and calcium signaling in Purkinje cells, are the cause of several other variants of SCA. In SCA14, many of the observed mutations in the PKCγ gene were shown to increase the basal activity of PKCγ, raising the possibility that increased activity of PKCγ might be the cause of most forms of SCA14 and might also be involved in the pathogenesis of SCA in related subtypes. In this viewpoint and review article we will discuss the evidence for and against such a major role of PKCγ basal activity and will suggest a hypothesis of how PKCγ activity and the calcium signaling pathway may be involved in the pathogenesis of SCAs despite the different and sometimes opposing effects of mutations affecting these pathways. We will then widen the scope and propose a concept of SCA pathogenesis which is not primarily driven by cell death and loss of Purkinje cells but rather by dysfunction of Purkinje cells which are still present and alive in the cerebellum.
Collapse
|
6
|
Ghorbani F, de Boer EN, Benjamins-Stok M, Verschuuren-Bemelmans CC, Knapper J, de Boer-Bergsma J, de Vries JJ, Sikkema-Raddatz B, Verbeek DS, Westers H, van Diemen CC. Copy Number Variant Analysis of Spinocerebellar Ataxia Genes in a Cohort of Dutch Patients With Cerebellar Ataxia. Neurol Genet 2023; 9:e200050. [PMID: 38058854 PMCID: PMC10696507 DOI: 10.1212/nxg.0000000000200050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2022] [Accepted: 10/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/08/2023]
Abstract
Background and Objectives The spinocerebellar ataxias (SCAs) are a genetically heterogeneous group of neurodegenerative disorders generally caused by single nucleotide variants (SNVs) or indels in coding regions or by repeat expansions in coding and noncoding regions of SCA genes. Copy number variants (CNVs) have now also been reported for 3 genes-ITPR1, FGF14, and SPTBN2-but not all SCA genes have been screened for CNVs as the underlying cause of the disease in patients. In this study, we aim to assess the prevalence of CNVs encompassing 36 known SCA genes. Methods A cohort of patients with cerebellar ataxia who were referred to the University Medical Center Groningen for SCA genetic diagnostics was selected for this study. Genome-wide single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotyping was performed using the Infinium Global Screening Array. Following data processing, genotyping data were uploaded into NxClinical software to perform CNV analysis per patient and to visualize identified CNVs in 36 genes with allocated SCA symbols. The clinical relevance of detected CNVs was determined using evidence from studies based on PubMed literature searches for similar CNVs and phenotypic features. Results Of the 338 patients with cerebellar ataxia, we identified putative clinically relevant CNV deletions in 3 patients: an identical deletion encompassing ITPR1 in 2 patients, who turned out to be related, and a deletion involving PPP2R2B in another patient. Although the CNV deletion in ITPR1 was clearly the underlying cause of SCA15 in the 2 related patients, the clinical significance of the deletion in PPP2R2B remained unknown. Discussion We showed that CNVs detectable with the limited resolution of SNP array are a very rare cause of SCA. Nevertheless, we suggest adding CNV analysis alongside SNV analysis to SCA gene diagnostics using next-generation sequencing approaches, at least for ITPR1, to improve the genetic diagnostics for patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fatemeh Ghorbani
- From the Department of Genetics (F.G., E.N.d.B., M.B.-S., C.C.V.-B., J.K., J.d.B.-B., B.S.-R., D.S.V., H.W., C.C.v.D.), University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands; and Department of Neurology (J.J.d.V.), University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Eddy N de Boer
- From the Department of Genetics (F.G., E.N.d.B., M.B.-S., C.C.V.-B., J.K., J.d.B.-B., B.S.-R., D.S.V., H.W., C.C.v.D.), University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands; and Department of Neurology (J.J.d.V.), University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Marloes Benjamins-Stok
- From the Department of Genetics (F.G., E.N.d.B., M.B.-S., C.C.V.-B., J.K., J.d.B.-B., B.S.-R., D.S.V., H.W., C.C.v.D.), University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands; and Department of Neurology (J.J.d.V.), University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Corien C Verschuuren-Bemelmans
- From the Department of Genetics (F.G., E.N.d.B., M.B.-S., C.C.V.-B., J.K., J.d.B.-B., B.S.-R., D.S.V., H.W., C.C.v.D.), University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands; and Department of Neurology (J.J.d.V.), University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Jurjen Knapper
- From the Department of Genetics (F.G., E.N.d.B., M.B.-S., C.C.V.-B., J.K., J.d.B.-B., B.S.-R., D.S.V., H.W., C.C.v.D.), University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands; and Department of Neurology (J.J.d.V.), University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Jelkje de Boer-Bergsma
- From the Department of Genetics (F.G., E.N.d.B., M.B.-S., C.C.V.-B., J.K., J.d.B.-B., B.S.-R., D.S.V., H.W., C.C.v.D.), University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands; and Department of Neurology (J.J.d.V.), University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Jeroen J de Vries
- From the Department of Genetics (F.G., E.N.d.B., M.B.-S., C.C.V.-B., J.K., J.d.B.-B., B.S.-R., D.S.V., H.W., C.C.v.D.), University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands; and Department of Neurology (J.J.d.V.), University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Birgit Sikkema-Raddatz
- From the Department of Genetics (F.G., E.N.d.B., M.B.-S., C.C.V.-B., J.K., J.d.B.-B., B.S.-R., D.S.V., H.W., C.C.v.D.), University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands; and Department of Neurology (J.J.d.V.), University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Dineke S Verbeek
- From the Department of Genetics (F.G., E.N.d.B., M.B.-S., C.C.V.-B., J.K., J.d.B.-B., B.S.-R., D.S.V., H.W., C.C.v.D.), University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands; and Department of Neurology (J.J.d.V.), University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Helga Westers
- From the Department of Genetics (F.G., E.N.d.B., M.B.-S., C.C.V.-B., J.K., J.d.B.-B., B.S.-R., D.S.V., H.W., C.C.v.D.), University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands; and Department of Neurology (J.J.d.V.), University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Cleo C van Diemen
- From the Department of Genetics (F.G., E.N.d.B., M.B.-S., C.C.V.-B., J.K., J.d.B.-B., B.S.-R., D.S.V., H.W., C.C.v.D.), University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands; and Department of Neurology (J.J.d.V.), University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Cvetanovic M, Gray M. Contribution of Glial Cells to Polyglutamine Diseases: Observations from Patients and Mouse Models. Neurotherapeutics 2023; 20:48-66. [PMID: 37020152 PMCID: PMC10119372 DOI: 10.1007/s13311-023-01357-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/17/2023] [Indexed: 04/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Neurodegenerative diseases are broadly characterized neuropathologically by the degeneration of vulnerable neuronal cell types in a specific brain region. The degeneration of specific cell types has informed on the various phenotypes/clinical presentations in someone suffering from these diseases. Prominent neurodegeneration of specific neurons is seen in polyglutamine expansion diseases including Huntington's disease (HD) and spinocerebellar ataxias (SCA). The clinical manifestations observed in these diseases could be as varied as the abnormalities in motor function observed in those who have Huntington's disease (HD) as demonstrated by a chorea with substantial degeneration of striatal medium spiny neurons (MSNs) or those with various forms of spinocerebellar ataxia (SCA) with an ataxic motor presentation primarily due to degeneration of cerebellar Purkinje cells. Due to the very significant nature of the degeneration of MSNs in HD and Purkinje cells in SCAs, much of the research has centered around understanding the cell autonomous mechanisms dysregulated in these neuronal cell types. However, an increasing number of studies have revealed that dysfunction in non-neuronal glial cell types contributes to the pathogenesis of these diseases. Here we explore these non-neuronal glial cell types with a focus on how each may contribute to the pathogenesis of HD and SCA and the tools used to evaluate glial cells in the context of these diseases. Understanding the regulation of supportive and harmful phenotypes of glia in disease could lead to development of novel glia-focused neurotherapeutics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marija Cvetanovic
- Department of Neuroscience, Institute for Translational Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, USA
| | - Michelle Gray
- Department of Neurology, Center for Neurodegeneration and Experimental Therapeutics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Rosenbohm A, Pott H, Thomsen M, Rafehi H, Kaya S, Szymczak S, Volk AE, Mueller K, Silveira I, Weishaupt JH, Tönnies H, Seibler P, Zschiedrich K, Schaake S, Westenberger A, Zühlke C, Depienne C, Trinh J, Ludolph AC, Klein C, Bahlo M, Lohmann K. Familial Cerebellar Ataxia and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis/Frontotemporal Dementia with DAB1 and C9ORF72 Repeat Expansions: An 18-Year Study. Mov Disord 2022; 37:2427-2439. [PMID: 36148898 PMCID: PMC10900262 DOI: 10.1002/mds.29221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2022] [Revised: 07/27/2022] [Accepted: 08/10/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Coding and noncoding repeat expansions are an important cause of neurodegenerative diseases. OBJECTIVE This study determined the clinical and genetic features of a large German family that has been followed for almost 2 decades with an autosomal dominantly inherited spinocerebellar ataxia (SCA) and independent co-occurrence of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). METHODS We carried out clinical examinations and telephone interviews, reviewed medical records, and performed magnetic resonance imaging and positron emission tomography scans of all available family members. Comprehensive genetic investigations included linkage analysis, short-read genome sequencing, long-read sequencing, repeat-primed polymerase chain reaction, and Southern blotting. RESULTS The family comprises 118 members across seven generations, 30 of whom were definitely and five possibly affected. In this family, two different pathogenic mutations were found, a heterozygous repeat expansion in C9ORF72 in four patients with ALS/FTD and a heterozygous repeat expansion in DAB1 in at least nine patients with SCA, leading to a diagnosis of DAB1-related ataxia (ATX-DAB1; SCA37). One patient was affected by ALS and SCA and carried both repeat expansions. The repeat in DAB1 had the same configuration but was larger than those previously described ([ATTTT]≈75 [ATTTC]≈40-100 [ATTTT]≈415 ). Clinical features in patients with SCA included spinocerebellar symptoms, sometimes accompanied by additional ophthalmoplegia, vertical nystagmus, tremor, sensory deficits, and dystonia. After several decades, some of these patients suffered from cognitive decline and one from additional nonprogressive lower motor neuron affection. CONCLUSION We demonstrate genetic and clinical findings during an 18-year period in a unique family carrying two different pathogenic repeat expansions, providing novel insights into their genotypic and phenotypic spectrums. © 2022 The Authors. Movement Disorders published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Hendrik Pott
- Institute of NeurogeneticsUniversity of LübeckLübeckGermany
| | - Mirja Thomsen
- Institute of NeurogeneticsUniversity of LübeckLübeckGermany
| | - Haloom Rafehi
- Division of Population Health and ImmunityThe Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical ResearchParkvilleAustralia
- Department of Medical BiologyThe University of MelbourneParkvilleAustralia
| | - Sabine Kaya
- Institute of Human GeneticsUniversity Hospital EssenEssenGermany
| | - Silke Szymczak
- Insitute of Medical Biometry and StatisticsUniversity of LübeckLübeckGermany
| | - Alexander E. Volk
- Institute of Human GeneticsUniversity Medical Center Hamburg‐EppendorfHamburgGermany
| | | | - Isabel Silveira
- i3S‐Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em SaúdeUniversidade do PortoPortoPortugal
| | - Jochen H. Weishaupt
- Division of Neurodegeneration, Neurology DepartmentUniversity Medicine Mannheim, Heidelberg UniversityMannheimGermany
| | - Holger Tönnies
- Institute of Human GeneticsChristian‐Albrechts‐UniversityKielGermany
| | - Philip Seibler
- Institute of NeurogeneticsUniversity of LübeckLübeckGermany
| | | | - Susen Schaake
- Institute of NeurogeneticsUniversity of LübeckLübeckGermany
| | | | | | | | - Joanne Trinh
- Institute of NeurogeneticsUniversity of LübeckLübeckGermany
| | - Albert C. Ludolph
- Department of NeurologyUniversity of UlmUlmGermany
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Site UlmUlmGermany
| | | | - Melanie Bahlo
- Division of Population Health and ImmunityThe Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical ResearchParkvilleAustralia
- Department of Medical BiologyThe University of MelbourneParkvilleAustralia
| | - Katja Lohmann
- Institute of NeurogeneticsUniversity of LübeckLübeckGermany
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Comparison of two families with and without ataxia harboring novel variants in PRKCG. J Hum Genet 2022; 67:595-599. [PMID: 35760954 DOI: 10.1038/s10038-022-01057-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2022] [Revised: 06/16/2022] [Accepted: 06/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Spinocerebellar ataxia type 14 (SCA14) is an autosomal dominant SCA caused by variants of the PRKCG encoding protein kinase C gamma (PKCγ). Although the toxic gain-of-function mechanism is the main cause of SCA14, its molecular pathophysiology remains unclear. To elucidate the molecular pathogenesis of SCA14, we analyzed two families with the variants in PRKCG. Clinical symptoms and neurological findings of two Japanese families were evaluated by neurologists. Exome sequencing was performed using the BGI platform. GFP-tagged PRKCGs harboring the identified variants were transfected into the HeLa cells, and aggregation of PKCγ was analyzed using confocal laser microscopy. Solubility of PKCγ was evaluated by assessing the proportion of insoluble fraction present in1% Triton-X. Patients in family 1 presented with only cerebellar atrophy without ataxia; however, patients in family 2 exhibited cerebellar ataxia, dystonia, and more severe cerebellar atrophy than those in family 1. Exome sequencing identified two novel missense variants of PRKCG:c.171 G > C,p.W57C (family 1), and c.400 T > C,p.C134R (family 2). Both the mutant PKCγ aggregated in the cytoplasm. Although the solubility of PKCγ of the C134R variant was lower than that of the wild-type, PKCγ of W57C retained its solubility. In conclusion, we identified two novel variants of PRKCG. The difference in severity between the two families may be due to the difference in solubility changes observed between the two variants. Decreased solubility of the PKCγ may play an important role in the pathogenesis of SCA14.
Collapse
|
10
|
Ataxia with Ocular Apraxia Type 1 (AOA1) (APTX, W279* Mutation): Neurological, Neuropsychological, and Molecular Outlining of a Heterogenous Phenotype in Four Colombian Siblings. Mol Neurobiol 2022; 59:3845-3858. [PMID: 35420381 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-022-02821-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2021] [Accepted: 03/30/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Hereditary ataxias are a group of devastating neurological disorders that affect coordination of gait and are often associated with poor coordination of hands, speech, and eye movements. Ataxia with ocular apraxia type 1 (AOA1) (OMIM: 606,350.0006) is characterized by slowly progressive symptoms of childhood-onset and pathogenic mutations in APTX; the only known cause underpinning AOA1. APTX encodes the protein aprataxin, composed of three domains sharing homology with proteins involved in DNA damage, signaling, and repair. We present four siblings from an endogamic family in a rural, isolated town of Colombia with ataxia and ocular apraxia of childhood-onset and confirmed molecular diagnosis of AOA1, homozygous for the W279* p.Trp279Ter mutation. We predicted the mutated APTX with AlphaFold to demonstrate the effects of this stop-gain mutation that deletes three beta helices encoded by amino acid 270 to 339 rescinding the C2H2-type zinc fingers (Znf) (C2H2 Znf) DNA-binding, the DNA-repair domain, and the whole 3D structure of APTX. All siblings exhibited different ages of onset (4, 6, 8, and 11 years old) and heterogeneous patterns of dysarthria (ranging from absence to mild-moderate dysarthria). Neuropsychological evaluation showed no neurocognitive impairment in three siblings, but one sibling showed temporospatial disorientation, semantic and phonologic fluency impairment, episodic memory affection, constructional apraxia, moderate anomia, low executive function, and symptoms of depression. To our knowledge, this report represents the most extensive series of siblings affected with AOA1 in Latin America, and the genetic analysis completed adds important knowledge to outline this family's disease and general complex phenotype of hereditary ataxias.
Collapse
|
11
|
Moreno‐Escobar M, Tripathi R. Hot cross bun sign in progressive ataxia with
ELOVL4
mutation – case report. Mov Disord Clin Pract 2022; 9:1114-1115. [PMID: 36339301 PMCID: PMC9631837 DOI: 10.1002/mdc3.13447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2022] [Revised: 03/11/2022] [Accepted: 03/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Maria Moreno‐Escobar
- Department of Neurology West Virginia university
- Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute Morgantown, West Virginia
| | - Richa Tripathi
- Department of Neurology West Virginia university
- Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute Morgantown, West Virginia
- WVCTSI West Virginia University Morgantown WV
| |
Collapse
|