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Harripaul R, Morini E, Salani M, Logan E, Kirchner E, Bolduc J, Chekuri A, Currall B, Yadav R, Erdin S, Talkowski ME, Gao D, Slaugenhaupt S. Transcriptome analysis in a humanized mouse model of familial dysautonomia reveals tissue-specific gene expression disruption in the peripheral nervous system. Sci Rep 2024; 14:570. [PMID: 38177237 PMCID: PMC10766950 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-51137-6] [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: 10/31/2023] [Accepted: 12/31/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Familial dysautonomia (FD) is a rare recessive neurodevelopmental disease caused by a splice mutation in the Elongator acetyltransferase complex subunit 1 (ELP1) gene. This mutation results in a tissue-specific reduction of ELP1 protein, with the lowest levels in the central and peripheral nervous systems (CNS and PNS, respectively). FD patients exhibit complex neurological phenotypes due to the loss of sensory and autonomic neurons. Disease symptoms include decreased pain and temperature perception, impaired or absent myotatic reflexes, proprioceptive ataxia, and progressive retinal degeneration. While the involvement of the PNS in FD pathogenesis has been clearly recognized, the underlying mechanisms responsible for the preferential neuronal loss remain unknown. In this study, we aimed to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying FD by conducting a comprehensive transcriptome analysis of neuronal tissues from the phenotypic mouse model TgFD9; Elp1Δ20/flox. This mouse recapitulates the same tissue-specific ELP1 mis-splicing observed in patients while modeling many of the disease manifestations. Comparison of FD and control transcriptomes from dorsal root ganglion (DRG), trigeminal ganglion (TG), medulla (MED), cortex, and spinal cord (SC) showed significantly more differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the PNS than the CNS. We then identified genes that were tightly co-expressed and functionally dependent on the level of full-length ELP1 transcript. These genes, defined as ELP1 dose-responsive genes, were combined with the DEGs to generate tissue-specific dysregulated FD signature genes and networks. Within the PNS networks, we observed direct connections between Elp1 and genes involved in tRNA synthesis and genes related to amine metabolism and synaptic signaling. Importantly, transcriptomic dysregulation in PNS tissues exhibited enrichment for neuronal subtype markers associated with peptidergic nociceptors and myelinated sensory neurons, which are known to be affected in FD. In summary, this study has identified critical tissue-specific gene networks underlying the etiology of FD and provides new insights into the molecular basis of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ricardo Harripaul
- Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital Research Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Program in Medical and Population Genetics and Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Elisabetta Morini
- Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital Research Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Monica Salani
- Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital Research Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Emily Logan
- Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital Research Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Emily Kirchner
- Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital Research Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jessica Bolduc
- Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital Research Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Anil Chekuri
- Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital Research Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Benjamin Currall
- Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital Research Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Program in Medical and Population Genetics and Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Rachita Yadav
- Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital Research Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Program in Medical and Population Genetics and Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Serkan Erdin
- Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital Research Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Program in Medical and Population Genetics and Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Michael E Talkowski
- Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital Research Institute, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Program in Medical and Population Genetics and Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Dadi Gao
- Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital Research Institute, Boston, MA, USA.
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Susan Slaugenhaupt
- Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital Research Institute, Boston, MA, USA.
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
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Lobo CC, Wertheimer GS, Schmitt GS, Matos PC, Rezende TJ, Silva JM, Borba FC, Lima FD, Martinez AR, Barsottini OG, Pedroso JL, Marques W, França MC. Cranial Nerve Thinning Distinguishes RFC1-Related Disorder from Other Late-Onset Ataxias. Mov Disord Clin Pract 2024; 11:45-52. [PMID: 38291837 PMCID: PMC10828611 DOI: 10.1002/mdc3.13930] [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: 06/22/2023] [Revised: 10/11/2023] [Accepted: 11/04/2023] [Indexed: 02/01/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND RFC1-related disorder (RFC1/CANVAS) shares clinical features with other late-onset ataxias, such as spinocerebellar ataxias (SCA) and multiple system atrophy cerebellar type (MSA-C). Thinning of cranial nerves V (CNV) and VIII (CNVIII) has been reported in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans of RFC1/CANVAS, but its specificity remains unclear. OBJECTIVES To assess the usefulness of CNV and CNVIII thinning to differentiate RFC1/CANVAS from SCA and MSA-C. METHODS Seventeen individuals with RFC1/CANVAS, 57 with SCA (types 2, 3 and 6), 11 with MSA-C and 15 healthy controls were enrolled. The Balanced Fast Field Echo sequence was used for assessment of cranial nerves. Images were reviewed by a neuroradiologist, who classified these nerves as atrophic or normal, and subsequently the CNV was segmented manually by an experienced neurologist. Both assessments were blinded to patient and clinical data. Non-parametric tests were used to assess between-group comparisons. RESULTS Atrophy of CNV and CNVIII, both alone and in combination, was significantly more frequent in the RFC1/CANVAS group than in healthy controls and all other ataxia groups. Atrophy of CNV had the highest sensitivity (82%) and combined CNV and CNVIII atrophy had the best specificity (92%) for diagnosing RFC1/CANVAS. In the quantitative analyses, CNV was significantly thinner in the RFC1/CANVAS group relative to all other groups. The cutoff CNV diameter that best identified RFC1/CANVAS was ≤2.2 mm (AUC = 0.91; sensitivity 88.2%, specificity 95.6%). CONCLUSION MRI evaluation of CNV and CNVIII using a dedicated sequence is an easy-to-use tool that helps to distinguish RFC1/CANVAS from SCA and MSA-C.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camila C. Lobo
- Department of Neurology, School of Medical SciencesUniversity of Campinas (UNICAMP)CampinasBrazil
| | | | - Gabriel S. Schmitt
- Department of Neurology, School of Medical SciencesUniversity of Campinas (UNICAMP)CampinasBrazil
| | - Paula C.A.A.P. Matos
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, School of MedicineFederal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP)São PauloBrazil
| | - Thiago J.R. Rezende
- Department of Neurology, School of Medical SciencesUniversity of Campinas (UNICAMP)CampinasBrazil
| | - Joyce M. Silva
- Department of Neurology, School of Medical SciencesUniversity of Campinas (UNICAMP)CampinasBrazil
| | - Fabrício C. Borba
- Department of Neurology, School of Medical SciencesUniversity of Campinas (UNICAMP)CampinasBrazil
| | - Fabrício D. Lima
- Department of Neurology, School of Medical SciencesUniversity of Campinas (UNICAMP)CampinasBrazil
| | - Alberto R.M. Martinez
- Department of Neurology, School of Medical SciencesUniversity of Campinas (UNICAMP)CampinasBrazil
| | - Orlando G.P. Barsottini
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, School of MedicineFederal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP)São PauloBrazil
| | - José Luiz Pedroso
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, School of MedicineFederal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP)São PauloBrazil
| | - Wilson Marques
- Department of Neurosciences, School of MedicineUniversity of São Paulo at Ribeirão Preto (USP‐RP)Ribeirão PretoBrazil
| | - Marcondes C. França
- Department of Neurology, School of Medical SciencesUniversity of Campinas (UNICAMP)CampinasBrazil
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Harripaul R, Morini E, Salani M, Logan E, Kirchner E, Bolduc J, Chekuri A, Currall B, Yadav R, Erdin S, Talkowski ME, Gao D, Slaugenhaupt S. Transcriptome analysis in a humanized mouse model of familial dysautonomia reveals tissue-specific gene expression disruption in the peripheral nervous system. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.09.28.559870. [PMID: 37808686 PMCID: PMC10557663 DOI: 10.1101/2023.09.28.559870] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/10/2023]
Abstract
Familial dysautonomia (FD) is a rare recessive neurodevelopmental disease caused by a splice mutation in the Elongator acetyltransferase complex subunit 1 ( ELP1 ) gene. This mutation results in a tissue-specific reduction of ELP1 protein, with the lowest levels in the central and peripheral nervous systems (CNS and PNS, respectively). FD patients exhibit complex neurological phenotypes due to the loss of sensory and autonomic neurons. Disease symptoms include decreased pain and temperature perception, impaired or absent myotatic reflexes, proprioceptive ataxia, and progressive retinal degeneration. While the involvement of the PNS in FD pathogenesis has been clearly recognized, the underlying mechanisms responsible for the preferential neuronal loss remain unknown. In this study, we aimed to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying FD by conducting a comprehensive transcriptome analysis of neuronal tissues from the phenotypic mouse model TgFD9 ; Elp1 Δ 20/flox . This mouse recapitulates the same tissue-specific ELP1 mis-splicing observed in patients while modeling many of the disease manifestations. Comparison of FD and control transcriptomes from dorsal root ganglion (DRG), trigeminal ganglion (TG), medulla (MED), cortex, and spinal cord (SC) showed significantly more differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the PNS than the CNS. We then identified genes that were tightly co-expressed and functionally dependent on the level of full-length ELP1 transcript. These genes, defined as ELP1 dose-responsive genes, were combined with the DEGs to generate tissue-specific dysregulated FD signature genes and networks. Within the PNS networks, we observed direct connections between Elp1 and genes involved in tRNA synthesis and genes related to amine metabolism and synaptic signaling. Importantly, transcriptomic dysregulation in PNS tissues exhibited enrichment for neuronal subtype markers associated with peptidergic nociceptors and myelinated sensory neurons, which are known to be affected in FD. In summary, this study has identified critical tissue-specific gene networks underlying the etiology of FD and provides new insights into the molecular basis of the disease.
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