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Ding F, Sun Q, Long C, Rasmussen RN, Peng S, Xu Q, Kang N, Song W, Weikop P, Goldman SA, Nedergaard M. Dysregulation of extracellular potassium distinguishes healthy ageing from neurodegeneration. Brain 2024; 147:1726-1739. [PMID: 38462589 PMCID: PMC11068329 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awae075] [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: 11/01/2023] [Revised: 02/15/2024] [Accepted: 02/18/2024] [Indexed: 03/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Progressive neuronal loss is a hallmark feature distinguishing neurodegenerative diseases from normal ageing. However, the underlying mechanisms remain unknown. Extracellular K+ homeostasis is a potential mediator of neuronal injury as K+ elevations increase excitatory activity. The dysregulation of extracellular K+ and potassium channel expressions during neurodegeneration could contribute to this distinction. Here we measured the cortical extracellular K+ concentration ([K+]e) in awake wild-type mice as well as murine models of neurodegeneration using K+-sensitive microelectrodes. Unexpectedly, aged wild-type mice exhibited significantly lower cortical [K+]e than young mice. In contrast, cortical [K+]e was consistently elevated in Alzheimer's disease (APP/PS1), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) (SOD1G93A) and Huntington's disease (R6/2) models. Cortical resting [K+]e correlated inversely with neuronal density and the [K+]e buffering rate but correlated positively with the predicted neuronal firing rate. Screening of astrocyte-selective genomic datasets revealed a number of potassium channel genes that were downregulated in these disease models but not in normal ageing. In particular, the inwardly rectifying potassium channel Kcnj10 was downregulated in ALS and Huntington's disease models but not in normal ageing, while Fxyd1 and Slc1a3, each of which acts as a negative regulator of potassium uptake, were each upregulated by astrocytes in both Alzheimer's disease and ALS models. Chronic elevation of [K+]e in response to changes in gene expression and the attendant neuronal hyperexcitability may drive the neuronal loss characteristic of these neurodegenerative diseases. These observations suggest that the dysregulation of extracellular K+ homeostasis in a number of neurodegenerative diseases could be due to aberrant astrocytic K+ buffering and as such, highlight a fundamental role for glial dysfunction in neurodegeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fengfei Ding
- Center for Translational Neuromedicine, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Qian Sun
- Center for Translational Neuromedicine, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Carter Long
- Center for Translational Neuromedicine, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
| | - Rune Nguyen Rasmussen
- Center for Basic and Translational Neuroscience, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, Neurology Department, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Sisi Peng
- Center for Translational Neuromedicine, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
| | - Qiwu Xu
- Center for Translational Neuromedicine, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
| | - Ning Kang
- Center for Translational Neuromedicine, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
| | - Wei Song
- Center for Translational Neuromedicine, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
| | - Pia Weikop
- Center for Basic and Translational Neuroscience, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, Neurology Department, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Steven A Goldman
- Center for Translational Neuromedicine, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
- Center for Basic and Translational Neuroscience, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, Neurology Department, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Maiken Nedergaard
- Center for Translational Neuromedicine, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY 14642, USA
- Center for Basic and Translational Neuroscience, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, Neurology Department, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
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2
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La Cognata V, Morello G, Guarnaccia M, Cavallaro S. The multifaceted role of the CXC chemokines and receptors signaling axes in ALS pathophysiology. Prog Neurobiol 2024; 235:102587. [PMID: 38367748 DOI: 10.1016/j.pneurobio.2024.102587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2023] [Revised: 01/17/2024] [Accepted: 02/13/2024] [Indexed: 02/19/2024]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a late-onset motor neuron disease with complex genetic basis and still no clear etiology. Multiple intertwined layers of immune system-related dysfunctions and neuroinflammatory mechanisms are emerging as substantial determinants in ALS onset and progression. In this review, we collect the increasingly arising evidence implicating four main CXC chemokines/cognate receptors signaling axes (CXCR1/2-CXCL1/2/8; CXCR3-CXCL9/10/11; CXCR4/7-CXCL12; CXCR5-CXCL13) in the pathophysiology of ALS. Findings in preclinical models implicate these signaling pathways in motor neuron toxicity and neuroprotection, while in ALS patients dysregulation of CXCLs/CXCRs has been shown at both central and peripheral levels. Immunological monitoring of CXC-ligands in ALS may allow tracking of disease progression, while pharmacological modulation of CXC-receptors provides a novel therapeutic strategy. A deeper understanding of the interplay between CXC-mediated neuroinflammation and ALS is crucial to advance research into treatments for this debilitating uncurable disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina La Cognata
- Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation, National Research Council, Via P. Gaifami 18, Catania 95126, Italy
| | - Giovanna Morello
- Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation, National Research Council, Via P. Gaifami 18, Catania 95126, Italy
| | - Maria Guarnaccia
- Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation, National Research Council, Via P. Gaifami 18, Catania 95126, Italy
| | - Sebastiano Cavallaro
- Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation, National Research Council, Via P. Gaifami 18, Catania 95126, Italy.
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3
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King PH. Skeletal muscle as a molecular and cellular biomarker of disease progression in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: a narrative review. Neural Regen Res 2024; 19:747-753. [PMID: 37843208 PMCID: PMC10664124 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.382226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2023] [Revised: 06/27/2023] [Accepted: 07/19/2023] [Indexed: 10/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is a fatal multisystemic neurodegenerative disease with motor neurons being a primary target. Although progressive weakness is a hallmark feature of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, there is considerable heterogeneity, including clinical presentation, progression, and the underlying triggers for disease initiation. Based on longitudinal studies with families harboring amyotrophic lateral sclerosis-associated gene mutations, it has become apparent that overt disease is preceded by a prodromal phase, possibly in years, where compensatory mechanisms delay symptom onset. Since 85-90% of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is sporadic, there is a strong need for identifying biomarkers that can detect this prodromal phase as motor neurons have limited capacity for regeneration. Current Food and Drug Administration-approved therapies work by slowing the degenerative process and are most effective early in the disease. Skeletal muscle, including the neuromuscular junction, manifests abnormalities at the earliest stages of the disease, before motor neuron loss, making it a promising source for identifying biomarkers of the prodromal phase. The accessibility of muscle through biopsy provides a lens into the distal motor system at earlier stages and in real time. The advent of "omics" technology has led to the identification of numerous dysregulated molecules in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis muscle, ranging from coding and non-coding RNAs to proteins and metabolites. This technology has opened the door for identifying biomarkers of disease activity and providing insight into disease mechanisms. A major challenge is correlating the myriad of dysregulated molecules with clinical or histological progression and understanding their relevance to presymptomatic phases of disease. There are two major goals of this review. The first is to summarize some of the biomarkers identified in human amyotrophic lateral sclerosis muscle that have a clinicopathological correlation with disease activity, evidence of a similar dysregulation in the SOD1G93A mouse during presymptomatic stages, and evidence of progressive change during disease progression. The second goal is to review the molecular pathways these biomarkers reflect and their potential role in mitigating or promoting disease progression, and as such, their potential as therapeutic targets in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter H. King
- Department of Neurology and Center for Neurodegeneration and Experimental Therapeutics, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA; Birmingham Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Birmingham, AL, USA
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4
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Scaricamazza S, Nesci V, Salvatori I, Fenili G, Rosina M, Gloriani M, Paronetto MP, Madaro L, Ferri A, Valle C. Endurance exercise has a negative impact on the onset of SOD1-G93A ALS in female mice and affects the entire skeletal muscle-motor neuron axis. Front Pharmacol 2024; 15:1360099. [PMID: 38590640 PMCID: PMC10999529 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2024.1360099] [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: 12/22/2023] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 04/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neuromuscular disease characterized by the degeneration of motor neurons that leads to muscle wasting and atrophy. Epidemiological and experimental evidence suggests a causal relationship between ALS and physical activity (PA). However, the impact of PA on motor neuron loss and sarcopenia is still debated, probably because of the heterogeneity and intensities of the proposed exercises. With this study, we aimed to clarify the effect of intense endurance exercise on the onset and progression of ALS in the SOD1-G93A mouse model. Methods We randomly selected four groups of twelve 35-day-old female mice. SOD1-G93A and WT mice underwent intense endurance training on a motorized treadmill for 8 weeks, 5 days a week. During the training, we measured muscle strength, weight, and motor skills and compared them with the corresponding sedentary groups to define the disease onset. At the end of the eighth week, we analyzed the skeletal muscle-motor neuron axis by histological and molecular techniques. Results Intense endurance exercise anticipates the onset of the disease by 1 week (age of the onset: trained SOD1-G93A = 63.17 ± 2.25 days old; sedentary SOD1-G93A = 70.75 ± 2.45 days old). In SOD1-G93A mice, intense endurance exercise hastens the muscular switch to a more oxidative phenotype and worsens the denervation process by dismantling neuromuscular junctions in the tibialis anterior, enhancing the Wallerian degeneration in the sciatic nerve, and promoting motor neuron loss in the spinal cord. The training exacerbates neuroinflammation, causing immune cell infiltration in the sciatic nerve and a faster activation of astrocytes and microglia in the spinal cord. Conclusion Intense endurance exercise, acting on skeletal muscles, worsens the pathological hallmarks of ALS, such as denervation and neuroinflammation, brings the onset forward, and accelerates the progression of the disease. Our findings show the potentiality of skeletal muscle as a target for both prognostic and therapeutic strategies; the preservation of skeletal muscle health by specific intervention could counteract the dying-back process and protect motor neurons from death. The physiological characteristics and accessibility of skeletal muscle further enhance its appeal as a therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Valentina Nesci
- IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Rome, Italy
- Department of Systems Medicine, University of Roma “Tor Vergata”, Rome, Italy
| | - Illari Salvatori
- IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Rome, Italy
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Roma “La Sapienza”, Rome, Italy
| | - Gianmarco Fenili
- IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Rome, Italy
- Department of Movement, Human and Health Sciences, University of Rome “Foro Italico”, Rome, Italy
| | - Marco Rosina
- IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Rome, Italy
- Neurology Unit, PTV Foundation Tor Vergata University Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Michela Gloriani
- Department of Anatomy, Histology, Forensic Medicine and Orthopedics, University of Roma “La Sapienza”, Rome, Italy
- Laboratory Affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Paola Paronetto
- IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Rome, Italy
- Department of Movement, Human and Health Sciences, University of Rome “Foro Italico”, Rome, Italy
| | - Luca Madaro
- Department of Anatomy, Histology, Forensic Medicine and Orthopedics, University of Roma “La Sapienza”, Rome, Italy
- Laboratory Affiliated to Istituto Pasteur Italia-Fondazione Cenci Bolognetti, Rome, Italy
| | - Alberto Ferri
- IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Rome, Italy
- National Research Council (CNR), Institute of Translational Pharmacology (IFT), Rome, Italy
| | - Cristiana Valle
- IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Rome, Italy
- National Research Council (CNR), Institute of Translational Pharmacology (IFT), Rome, Italy
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Komine O, Ohnuma S, Hinohara K, Hara Y, Shimada M, Akashi T, Watanabe S, Sobue A, Kawade N, Ogi T, Yamanaka K. Genetic background variation impacts microglial heterogeneity and disease progression in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis model mice. iScience 2024; 27:108872. [PMID: 38318390 PMCID: PMC10839647 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.108872] [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: 06/12/2023] [Revised: 11/07/2023] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 02/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Recent single-cell analyses have revealed the complexity of microglial heterogeneity in brain development, aging, and neurodegenerative diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Disease-associated microglia (DAMs) have been identified in ALS mice model, but their role in ALS pathology remains unclear. The effect of genetic background variations on microglial heterogeneity and functions remains unknown. Herein, we established and analyzed two mice models of ALS with distinct genetic backgrounds of C57BL/6 and BALB/c. We observed that the change in genetic background from C57BL/6 to BALB/c affected microglial heterogeneity and ALS pathology and its progression, likely due to the defective induction of neurotrophic factor-secreting DAMs and impaired microglial survival. Single-cell analyses of ALS mice revealed new markers for each microglial subtype and a possible association between microglial heterogeneity and systemic immune environments. Thus, we highlighted the role of microglia in ALS pathology and importance of genetic background variations in modulating microglial functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Okiru Komine
- Department of Neuroscience and Pathobiology, Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan
- Department of Neuroscience and Pathobiology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan
| | - Syuhei Ohnuma
- Department of Neuroscience and Pathobiology, Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan
- Department of Neuroscience and Pathobiology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan
| | - Kunihiko Hinohara
- Department of Immunology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan
- Institute for Advanced Research, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan
- Center for 5D Cell Dynamics, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan
| | - Yuichiro Hara
- Department of Genetics, Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan
- Department of Human Genetics and Molecular Biology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan
| | - Mayuko Shimada
- Department of Genetics, Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan
- Department of Human Genetics and Molecular Biology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan
| | - Tomohiro Akashi
- Center for 5D Cell Dynamics, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan
- Center for Neurological Disease and Cancer, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan
| | - Seiji Watanabe
- Department of Neuroscience and Pathobiology, Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan
- Department of Neuroscience and Pathobiology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan
| | - Akira Sobue
- Department of Neuroscience and Pathobiology, Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan
- Department of Neuroscience and Pathobiology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan
- Medical Interactive Research and Academia Industry Collaboration Center, Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, Nagoya University, Aichi, Japan
| | - Noe Kawade
- Department of Neuroscience and Pathobiology, Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan
- Department of Neuroscience and Pathobiology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan
| | - Tomoo Ogi
- Department of Genetics, Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan
- Department of Human Genetics and Molecular Biology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan
- Institute for Glyco-core Research (iGCORE), Nagoya University, Aichi, Japan
- Center for One Medicine Innovative Translational Research (COMIT), Nagoya University, Aichi, Japan
| | - Koji Yamanaka
- Department of Neuroscience and Pathobiology, Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan
- Department of Neuroscience and Pathobiology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan
- Institute for Glyco-core Research (iGCORE), Nagoya University, Aichi, Japan
- Center for One Medicine Innovative Translational Research (COMIT), Nagoya University, Aichi, Japan
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6
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De Lorenzo F, Lüningschrör P, Nam J, Beckett L, Pilotto F, Galli E, Lindholm P, Rüdt von Collenberg C, Mungwa ST, Jablonka S, Kauder J, Thau-Habermann N, Petri S, Lindholm D, Saxena S, Sendtner M, Saarma M, Voutilainen MH. CDNF rescues motor neurons in models of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis by targeting endoplasmic reticulum stress. Brain 2023; 146:3783-3799. [PMID: 36928391 PMCID: PMC10473573 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awad087] [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: 09/23/2022] [Revised: 02/18/2023] [Accepted: 02/25/2023] [Indexed: 03/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects motor neurons in the spinal cord, brainstem and motor cortex, leading to paralysis and eventually to death within 3-5 years of symptom onset. To date, no cure or effective therapy is available. The role of chronic endoplasmic reticulum stress in the pathophysiology of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, as well as a potential drug target, has received increasing attention. Here, we investigated the mode of action and therapeutic effect of the endoplasmic reticulum-resident protein cerebral dopamine neurotrophic factor in three preclinical models of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, exhibiting different disease development and aetiology: (i) the conditional choline acetyltransferase-tTA/TRE-hTDP43-M337V rat model previously described; (ii) the widely used SOD1-G93A mouse model; and (iii) a novel slow-progressive TDP43-M337V mouse model. To specifically analyse the endoplasmic reticulum stress response in motor neurons, we used three main methods: (i) primary cultures of motor neurons derived from embryonic Day 13 embryos; (ii) immunohistochemical analyses of spinal cord sections with choline acetyltransferase as spinal motor neuron marker; and (iii) quantitative polymerase chain reaction analyses of lumbar motor neurons isolated via laser microdissection. We show that intracerebroventricular administration of cerebral dopamine neurotrophic factor significantly halts the progression of the disease and improves motor behaviour in TDP43-M337V and SOD1-G93A rodent models of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Cerebral dopamine neurotrophic factor rescues motor neurons in vitro and in vivo from endoplasmic reticulum stress-associated cell death and its beneficial effect is independent of genetic disease aetiology. Notably, cerebral dopamine neurotrophic factor regulates the unfolded protein response initiated by transducers IRE1α, PERK and ATF6, thereby enhancing motor neuron survival. Thus, cerebral dopamine neurotrophic factor holds great promise for the design of new rational treatments for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca De Lorenzo
- Institute of Biotechnology, HiLIFE, University of Helsinki, FIN-00014 Helsinki, Finland
- Division of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, FIN-00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Patrick Lüningschrör
- Institute of Clinical Neurobiology, University Hospital Würzburg, 97078 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Jinhan Nam
- Institute of Biotechnology, HiLIFE, University of Helsinki, FIN-00014 Helsinki, Finland
- Division of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, FIN-00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Liam Beckett
- Institute of Biotechnology, HiLIFE, University of Helsinki, FIN-00014 Helsinki, Finland
- Division of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, FIN-00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Federica Pilotto
- Department of Neurology, Inselspital University Hospital, University of Bern, CH-3010 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Emilia Galli
- Institute of Biotechnology, HiLIFE, University of Helsinki, FIN-00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Päivi Lindholm
- Institute of Biotechnology, HiLIFE, University of Helsinki, FIN-00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | | | - Simon Tii Mungwa
- Institute of Clinical Neurobiology, University Hospital Würzburg, 97078 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Sibylle Jablonka
- Institute of Clinical Neurobiology, University Hospital Würzburg, 97078 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Julia Kauder
- Department of Neurology, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | | | - Susanne Petri
- Department of Neurology, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany
| | - Dan Lindholm
- Medicum, Department of Biochemistry and Developmental Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, FIN-00014 Helsinki, Finland
- Minerva Foundation Institute for Medical Research, FIN-00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Smita Saxena
- Department of Neurology, Inselspital University Hospital, University of Bern, CH-3010 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Michael Sendtner
- Institute of Clinical Neurobiology, University Hospital Würzburg, 97078 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Mart Saarma
- Institute of Biotechnology, HiLIFE, University of Helsinki, FIN-00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Merja H Voutilainen
- Institute of Biotechnology, HiLIFE, University of Helsinki, FIN-00014 Helsinki, Finland
- Division of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, FIN-00014 Helsinki, Finland
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7
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Signoria I, van der Pol WL, Groen EJN. Innovating spinal muscular atrophy models in the therapeutic era. Dis Model Mech 2023; 16:dmm050352. [PMID: 37787662 PMCID: PMC10565113 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.050352] [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] [Indexed: 10/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a severe, monogenetic, neuromuscular disease. A thorough understanding of its genetic cause and the availability of robust models has led to the development and approval of three gene-targeting therapies. This is a unique and exciting development for the field of neuromuscular diseases, many of which remain untreatable. The development of therapies for SMA not only opens the door to future therapeutic possibilities for other genetic neuromuscular diseases, but also informs us about the limitations of such treatments. For example, treatment response varies widely and, for many patients, significant disability remains. Currently available SMA models best recapitulate the severe types of SMA, and these models are genetically and phenotypically more homogeneous than patients. Furthermore, treating patients is leading to a shift in phenotypes with increased variability in SMA clinical presentation. Therefore, there is a need to generate model systems that better reflect these developments. Here, we will first discuss current animal models of SMA and their limitations. Next, we will discuss the characteristics required to future-proof models to assist the field in the development of additional, novel therapies for SMA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilaria Signoria
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, 3584 CX Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - W. Ludo van der Pol
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, 3584 CX Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Ewout J. N. Groen
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, 3584 CX Utrecht, the Netherlands
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8
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Clénet ML, Keaney J, Gillet G, Valadas JS, Langlois J, Cardenas A, Gasser J, Kadiu I. Divergent functional outcomes of NLRP3 blockade downstream of multi-inflammasome activation: therapeutic implications for ALS. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1190219. [PMID: 37575265 PMCID: PMC10415077 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1190219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 08/15/2023] Open
Abstract
NOD-Like Receptor Family Pyrin Domain Containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome modulation has emerged as a potential therapeutic approach targeting inflammation amplified by pyroptotic innate immune cell death. In diseases characterized by non-cell autonomous neurodegeneration including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), the activation of several inflammasomes has been reported. Since functional redundancy can exist among inflammasome pathways, here we investigate the effects of NLRP3 inhibition on NLRP3, NLR family CARD Domain Containing 4 (NLRC4) and non-canonical pathways to understand whether NLRP3 blockade alone can mitigate pro-inflammatory cytokine release and pyroptotic cell death in contexts where single or multiple inflammasome pathways independent of NLRP3 are activated. In this study we do not limit our insights into inflammasome biology by solely relying on the THP-1 monocytic line under the LPS/nigericin-mediated NLRP3 pathway activation paradigm. We assess therapeutic potential and limitations of NLRP3 inhibition in multi-inflammasome activation contexts utilizing various human cellular systems including cell lines expressing gain of function (GoF) mutations for several inflammasomes, primary human monocytes, macrophages, healthy and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) patient induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC)-derived microglia (iMGL) stimulated for canonical and non-canonical inflammasome pathways. We demonstrate that NLRP3 inhibition can modulate the NLRC4 and non-canonical inflammasome pathways; however, these effects differ between immortalized, human primary innate immune cells, and iMGL. We extend our investigation in more complex systems characterized by activation of multiple inflammasomes such as the SOD1G93A mouse model. Through deep immune phenotyping by single-cell mass cytometry we demonstrate that acute NLRP3 inhibition does not ameliorate spinal cord inflammation in this model. Taken together, our data suggests that NLRP3 inhibition alone may not be sufficient to address dynamic and complex neuroinflammatory pathobiological mechanisms including dysregulation of multiple inflammasome pathways in neurodegenerative disease such as ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie-Laure Clénet
- Neuroinflammation Focus Area, Neuroscience Research, Early Solutions, UCB Biopharma SRL, Braine l’Alleud, Belgium
| | - James Keaney
- Neuroinflammation Focus Area, Neuroscience Research, Early Solutions, UCB Biopharma SRL, Braine l’Alleud, Belgium
| | - Gaëlle Gillet
- Neuroinflammation Focus Area, Neuroscience Research, Early Solutions, UCB Biopharma SRL, Braine l’Alleud, Belgium
| | - Jorge S. Valadas
- Neuroinflammation Focus Area, Neuroscience Research, Early Solutions, UCB Biopharma SRL, Braine l’Alleud, Belgium
| | - Julie Langlois
- Neuroinflammation Focus Area, Neuroscience Research, Early Solutions, UCB Biopharma SRL, Braine l’Alleud, Belgium
| | - Alvaro Cardenas
- Development Science, Early Solutions, UCB Biopharma SRL, Braine l’Alleud, Belgium
| | - Julien Gasser
- Neuroinflammation Focus Area, Neuroscience Research, Early Solutions, UCB Biopharma SRL, Braine l’Alleud, Belgium
| | - Irena Kadiu
- Neuroinflammation Focus Area, Neuroscience Research, Early Solutions, UCB Biopharma SRL, Braine l’Alleud, Belgium
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9
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Association of blood lipids with onset and prognosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: results from the ALS Swabia registry. J Neurol 2023; 270:3082-3090. [PMID: 36853389 DOI: 10.1007/s00415-023-11630-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2022] [Revised: 02/15/2023] [Accepted: 02/16/2023] [Indexed: 03/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND To date, the role of blood lipid levels and their association with the onset and prognosis of ALS is controversial. We explored these associations in a large, population-based case-control study. METHODS Between October 2010 and June 2014, 336 ALS patients (mean age 65.7 ± 10.7; 57.7% male) and 487 sex- and age-matched controls from the same geographic region were recruited within the ALS registry in Southwest Germany. Triglycerides and cholesterol (high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), total) were measured. The ALS cohort was followed up for vital status. Conditional logistic regression models were applied to calculate odds ratio (OR) for risk of ALS associated with serum lipid concentrations. In ALS patients only, survival models were used to appraise the prognostic value. RESULTS High concentration of total cholesterol (OR 1.60, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.03-2.49, top vs. bottom quartile), but not HDL, LDL, LDL-HDL ratio, or triglycerides, was positively associated with the risk of ALS. During the median follow-up time of 88.9 months, 291 deaths occurred among 336 ALS patients. In the adjusted survival analysis, higher HDL (HR 1.72, 95% CI 1.19-2.50) and LDL cholesterol levels (HR 1.58, 95% CI 1.11-2.26) were associated with higher mortality in ALS patients. In contrast, higher triglyceride levels were associated with lower mortality (HR 0.68, 95% CI 0.48-0.96). CONCLUSION The results highlight the importance to distinguish cholesterol from triglycerides when considering the prognostic role of lipid metabolism in ALS. It further strengthens the rationale for a triglyceride-rich diet, while the negative impact of cholesterol must be further explored.
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Renzini A, Pigna E, Rocchi M, Cedola A, Gigli G, Moresi V, Coletti D. Sex and HDAC4 Differently Affect the Pathophysiology of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis in SOD1-G93A Mice. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 24:ijms24010098. [PMID: 36613534 PMCID: PMC9820722 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24010098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2022] [Revised: 12/16/2022] [Accepted: 12/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a devastating adult-onset neurodegenerative disease, with ineffective therapeutic options. ALS incidence and prevalence depend on the sex of the patient. Histone deacetylase 4 (HDAC4) expression in skeletal muscle directly correlates with the progression of ALS, pointing to the use of HDAC4 inhibitors for its treatment. Contrarily, we have found that deletion of HDAC4 in skeletal muscle worsened the pathological features of ALS, accelerating and exacerbating skeletal muscle loss and negatively affecting muscle innervations in male SOD1-G93A (SOD1) mice. In the present work, we compared SOD1 mice of both sexes with the aim to characterize ALS onset and progression as a function of sex differences. We found a global sex-dependent effects on disease onset and mouse lifespan. We further investigated the role of HDAC4 in SOD1 females with a genetic approach, and discovered morpho-functional effects on skeletal muscle, even in the early phase of the diseases. The deletion of HDAC4 decreased muscle function and exacerbated muscle atrophy in SOD1 females, and had an even more dramatic effect in males. Therefore, the two sexes must be considered separately when studying ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra Renzini
- DAHFMO Unit of Histology and Medical Embryology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Eva Pigna
- DAHFMO Unit of Histology and Medical Embryology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Marco Rocchi
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, University of Urbino Carlo Bo, 61029 Urbino, Italy
| | - Alessia Cedola
- Institute of Nanotechnology, c/o Dipartimento di Fisica, National Research Council (CNR-NANOTEC), Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Gigli
- Institute of Nanotechnology, c/o Campus Ecotekne, National Research Council (CNR-NANOTEC), Monteroni, 73100 Lecce, Italy
| | - Viviana Moresi
- DAHFMO Unit of Histology and Medical Embryology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy
- Institute of Nanotechnology, c/o Dipartimento di Fisica, National Research Council (CNR-NANOTEC), Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-064976-6643
| | - Dario Coletti
- DAHFMO Unit of Histology and Medical Embryology, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy
- Biological Adaptation and Ageing, Institut de Biologie Paris-Seine, Sorbonne Université, F-75005 Paris, France
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11
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Alexander GM, Heiman-Patterson TD, Bearoff F, Sher RB, Hennessy L, Terek S, Caccavo N, Cox GA, Philip VM, Blankenhorn EA. Identification of quantitative trait loci for survival in the mutant dynactin p150Glued mouse model of motor neuron disease. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0274615. [PMID: 36107978 PMCID: PMC9477371 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0274615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2022] [Accepted: 09/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is the most common degenerative motor neuron disorder. Although most cases of ALS are sporadic, 5-10% of cases are familial, with mutations associated with over 40 genes. There is variation of ALS symptoms within families carrying the same mutation; the disease may develop in one sibling and not in another despite the presence of the mutation in both. Although the cause of this phenotypic variation is unknown, it is likely related to genetic modifiers of disease expression. The identification of ALS causing genes has led to the development of transgenic mouse models of motor neuron disease. Similar to families with familial ALS, there are background-dependent differences in disease phenotype in transgenic mouse models of ALS suggesting that, as in human ALS, differences in phenotype may be ascribed to genetic modifiers. These genetic modifiers may not cause ALS rather their expression either exacerbates or ameliorates the effect of the mutant ALS causing genes. We have reported that in both the G93A-hSOD1 and G59S-hDCTN1 mouse models, SJL mice demonstrated a more severe phenotype than C57BL6 mice. From reciprocal intercrosses between G93A-hSOD1 transgenic mice on SJL and C57BL6 strains, we identified a major quantitative trait locus (QTL) on mouse chromosome 17 that results in a significant shift in lifespan. In this study we generated reciprocal intercrosses between transgenic G59S-hDCTN1 mice on SJL and C57BL6 strains and identified survival QTLs on mouse chromosomes 17 and 18. The chromosome 17 survival QTL on G93A-hSOD1 and G59S-hDCTN1 mice partly overlap, suggesting that the genetic modifiers located in this region may be shared by these two ALS models despite the fact that motor neuron degeneration is caused by mutations in different proteins. The overlapping region contains eighty-seven genes with non-synonymous variations predicted to be deleterious and/or damaging. Two genes in this segment, NOTCH3 and Safb/SAFB1, have been associated with motor neuron disease. The identification of genetic modifiers of motor neuron disease, especially those modifiers that are shared by SOD1 and dynactin-1 transgenic mice, may result in the identification of novel targets for therapies that can alter the course of this devastating illness.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Terry D. Heiman-Patterson
- Department of Neurology, Lewis Katz School of Medicine of Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Frank Bearoff
- Department of Microbiology Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Roger B. Sher
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, United States of America
| | - Laura Hennessy
- The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Shannon Terek
- The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Nicole Caccavo
- Department of Neurology, Lewis Katz School of Medicine of Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Gregory A. Cox
- The Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, Maine, United States of America
| | - Vivek M. Philip
- The Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, Maine, United States of America
| | - Elizabeth A. Blankenhorn
- Department of Microbiology Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
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12
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Qi Y, Yang C, Zhao H, Deng Z, Xu J, Liang W, Sun Z, Nieland JDV. Neuroprotective Effect of Sonic Hedgehog Mediated PI3K/AKT Pathway in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Model Mice. Mol Neurobiol 2022; 59:6971-6982. [PMID: 36056982 PMCID: PMC9525365 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-022-03013-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2022] [Accepted: 08/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
The Sonic Hedgehog (SHH) signaling pathway is related to the progression of various tumors and nervous system diseases. Still, its specific role in neurodegenerative diseases, such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), remains studied. This research investigates the role of SHH and PI3K/AKT signaling pathway proteins on ALS development in a SOD1-G93A transgenic mouse model. After injection of SHH and PI3K/AKT signaling pathway inhibitors or agonists in hSOD1-G93A (9 weeks of age) transgenic mice, we studied skeletal muscle pathology using immunohistochemical staining and Western blot methods. In addition, recorded data on rotation time, weight, and survival were analyzed for these mice. Our study showed that the expression of SHH, Gli-1 and p-AKT in ALS mice decreased with the progression of the disease. The expression of p-AKT changed together with Gli-1 while injecting PI3K/AKT signaling pathway inhibitor or agonist; SHH and Gli-1 protein expression remained unchanged; p-AKT protein expression significantly decreased while injecting PI3K/AKT signaling pathway inhibitor. These results indicate that SHH has a regulatory effect on PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. In behavioral experiments, we found that the survival time of hSOD1-G93A mice was prolonged by injection of SHH agonist while shortened by injection of SHH inhibitor. In conclusion, we confirmed that the SHH pathway played a neuroprotective role in ALS by mediating PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Qi
- Department of Neurology, Second Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Shanxi, China
- Shanxi Medical University, Shanxi, China
| | - Chen Yang
- Department of Neurology, Second Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Shanxi, China
| | - Hui Zhao
- Shanxi Medical University, Shanxi, China
| | - Zhanjin Deng
- Department of Neurology, Second Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Shanxi, China
| | - Jin Xu
- Shanxi Medical University, Shanxi, China
| | | | - Zhitang Sun
- Department of Neurology, Second Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Shanxi, China
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13
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Tosolini AP, Sleigh JN, Surana S, Rhymes ER, Cahalan SD, Schiavo G. BDNF-dependent modulation of axonal transport is selectively impaired in ALS. Acta Neuropathol Commun 2022; 10:121. [PMID: 35996201 PMCID: PMC9396851 DOI: 10.1186/s40478-022-01418-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2022] [Accepted: 07/29/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Axonal transport ensures long-range delivery of essential cargoes between proximal and distal compartments, and is needed for neuronal development, function, and survival. Deficits in axonal transport have been detected at pre-symptomatic stages in the SOD1G93A and TDP-43M337V mouse models of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), suggesting that impairments in this critical process are fundamental for disease pathogenesis. Strikingly, in ALS, fast motor neurons (FMNs) degenerate first whereas slow motor neurons (SMNs) are more resistant, and this is a currently unexplained phenomenon. The main aim of this investigation was to determine the effects of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) on in vivo axonal transport in different α-motor neuron (MN) subtypes in wild-type (WT) and SOD1G93A mice. We report that despite displaying similar basal transport speeds, stimulation of wild-type MNs with BDNF enhances in vivo trafficking of signalling endosomes specifically in FMNs. This BDNF-mediated enhancement of transport was also observed in primary ventral horn neuronal cultures. However, FMNs display selective impairment of axonal transport in vivo in symptomatic SOD1G93A mice, and are refractory to BDNF stimulation, a phenotype that was also observed in primary embryonic SOD1G93A neurons. Furthermore, symptomatic SOD1G93A mice display upregulation of the classical non-pro-survival truncated TrkB and p75NTR receptors in muscles, sciatic nerves, and Schwann cells. Altogether, these data indicate that cell- and non-cell autonomous BDNF signalling is impaired in SOD1G93A MNs, thus identifying a new key deficit in ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew P Tosolini
- Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, WC1N 3BG, UK. .,UCL Queen Square Motor Neuron Disease Centre, University College London, London, WC1N 3BG, UK.
| | - James N Sleigh
- Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, WC1N 3BG, UK.,UCL Queen Square Motor Neuron Disease Centre, University College London, London, WC1N 3BG, UK.,UK Dementia Research Institute, University College London, London, WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Sunaina Surana
- Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, WC1N 3BG, UK.,UCL Queen Square Motor Neuron Disease Centre, University College London, London, WC1N 3BG, UK.,UK Dementia Research Institute, University College London, London, WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Elena R Rhymes
- Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, WC1N 3BG, UK.,UCL Queen Square Motor Neuron Disease Centre, University College London, London, WC1N 3BG, UK
| | - Stephen D Cahalan
- Comparative Neuromuscular Disease Laboratory, Department of Clinical Sciences and Services, Royal Veterinary College, University of London, London, NW1 0TU, UK
| | - Giampietro Schiavo
- Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, WC1N 3BG, UK. .,UCL Queen Square Motor Neuron Disease Centre, University College London, London, WC1N 3BG, UK. .,UK Dementia Research Institute, University College London, London, WC1E 6BT, UK.
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14
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Pandeya SR, Nagy JA, Riveros D, Semple C, Taylor RS, Hu A, Sanchez B, Rutkove SB. Using machine learning algorithms to enhance the diagnostic performance of electrical impedance myography. Muscle Nerve 2022; 66:354-361. [PMID: 35727064 DOI: 10.1002/mus.27664] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2021] [Revised: 04/23/2022] [Accepted: 06/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION/AIMS We assessed the classification performance of machine learning (ML) using multifrequency electrical impedance myography (EIM) values to improve upon diagnostic outcomes as compared to those based on a single EIM value. METHODS EIM data was obtained from unilateral excised gastrocnemius in eighty diseased mice (26 D2-mdx, Duchenne muscular dystrophy model, 39 SOD1G93A ALS model, and 15 db/db, a model of obesity-induced muscle atrophy) and 33 wild-type (WT) animals. We assessed the classification performance of a ML random forest algorithm incorporating all the data (multifrequency resistance, reactance and phase values) comparing it to the 50 kHz phase value alone. RESULTS ML outperformed the 50 kHz analysis as based on receiver-operating characteristic curves and measurement of the area under the curve (AUC). For example, comparing all diseases together versus WT from the test set outputs, the AUC was 0.52 for 50 kHz phase, but was 0.94 for the ML model. Similarly, when comparing ALS versus WT, the AUCs were 0.79 for 50 kHz phase and 0.99 for ML. DISCUSSION Multifrequency EIM utilizing ML improves upon classification compared to that achieved with a single-frequency value. ML approaches should be considered in all future basic and clinical diagnostic applications of EIM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarbesh R Pandeya
- Department of Neurology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, 330 Brookline Avenue, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Janice A Nagy
- Department of Neurology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, 330 Brookline Avenue, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Daniela Riveros
- Department of Neurology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, 330 Brookline Avenue, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Carson Semple
- Department of Neurology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, 330 Brookline Avenue, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Rebecca S Taylor
- Department of Neurology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, 330 Brookline Avenue, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | - Benjamin Sanchez
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah
| | - Seward B Rutkove
- Department of Neurology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, 330 Brookline Avenue, Boston, MA, USA
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15
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Broadhead MJ, Bonthron C, Waddington J, Smith WV, Lopez MF, Burley S, Valli J, Zhu F, Komiyama NH, Smith C, Grant SGN, Miles GB. Selective vulnerability of tripartite synapses in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Acta Neuropathol 2022; 143:471-486. [PMID: 35305541 PMCID: PMC8960590 DOI: 10.1007/s00401-022-02412-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2021] [Revised: 02/23/2022] [Accepted: 03/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disorder. Separate lines of evidence suggest that synapses and astrocytes play a role in the pathological mechanisms underlying ALS. Given that astrocytes make specialised contacts with some synapses, called tripartite synapses, we hypothesise that tripartite synapses could act as the fulcrum of disease in ALS. To test this hypothesis, we have performed an extensive microscopy-based investigation of synapses and tripartite synapses in the spinal cord of ALS model mice and post-mortem human tissue from ALS cases. We reveal widescale synaptic changes at the early symptomatic stages of the SOD1G93a mouse model. Super-resolution microscopy reveals that large complex postsynaptic structures are lost in ALS mice. Most surprisingly, tripartite synapses are selectively lost, while non-tripartite synapses remain in equal number to healthy controls. Finally, we also observe a similar selective loss of tripartite synapses in human post-mortem ALS spinal cords. From these data we conclude that tripartite synaptopathy is a key hallmark of ALS.
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16
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Tallon C, Sharma A, Zhang Z, Thomas AG, Ng J, Zhu X, Donoghue A, Schulte M, Joe TR, Kambhampati SP, Sharma R, Liaw K, Kannan S, Kannan RM, Slusher BS. Dendrimer-2PMPA Delays Muscle Function Loss and Denervation in a Murine Model of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Neurotherapeutics 2022; 19:274-288. [PMID: 34984651 PMCID: PMC9130402 DOI: 10.1007/s13311-021-01159-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/05/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a devastating neurodegenerative disease where muscle weakness and neuromuscular junction (NMJ) denervation precede motor neuron cell death. Although acetylcholine is the canonical neurotransmitter at the mammalian NMJ synapse, glutamate has recently been identified as a critical neurotransmitter for NMJ development and maintenance. One source of glutamate is through the catabolism of N-acetyl-aspartyl-glutamate (NAAG), which is found in mM concentrations in mammalian motoneurons, where it is released upon stimulation and hydrolyzed to glutamate by the glial enzyme glutamate carboxypeptidase II (GCPII). Using the SOD1G93A model of ALS, we found an almost fourfold elevation of GCPII enzymatic activity in SOD1G93A versus WT muscle and a robust increase in GCPII expression which was specifically associated with activated macrophages infiltrating the muscle. 2-(Phosphonomethyl)pentanedioic acid (2PMPA) is a potent GCPII inhibitor which robustly blocks glutamate release from NAAG but is highly polar with limited tissue penetration. To improve this, we covalently attached 2PMPA to a hydroxyl polyamidoamine (PAMAM-G4-OH) dendrimer delivery system (D-2PMPA) which is known to target activated macrophages in affected tissues. Systemic D-2PMPA therapy (20 mg/kg 2PMPA equivalent; IP 2 × /week) was found to localize in muscle macrophages in SOD1G93A mice and completely normalize the enhanced GCPII activity. Although no changes in body weight or survival were observed, D-2PMPA significantly improved grip strength and inhibited the loss of NMJ innervation in the gastrocnemius muscles. Our finding that inhibiting elevated GCPII activity in SOD1G93A muscle can prolong muscle function and delay NMJ denervation may have early therapeutic implications for ALS patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolyn Tallon
- Johns Hopkins Drug Discovery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA
| | - Anjali Sharma
- Center for Nanomedicine-Ophthalmology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA
| | - Zhi Zhang
- Center for Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA
- Department of Natural Sciences, University of Michigan-Dearborn, Dearborn, MI, 48128, USA
| | - Ajit G Thomas
- Johns Hopkins Drug Discovery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA
| | - Justin Ng
- Johns Hopkins Drug Discovery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA
| | - Xiaolei Zhu
- Johns Hopkins Drug Discovery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA
| | - Amanda Donoghue
- Johns Hopkins Drug Discovery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA
| | - Michael Schulte
- Johns Hopkins Drug Discovery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA
| | - Tawnjerae R Joe
- Johns Hopkins Drug Discovery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA
- Department of Cell Biology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA
| | - Siva P Kambhampati
- Center for Nanomedicine-Ophthalmology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA
| | - Rishi Sharma
- Center for Nanomedicine-Ophthalmology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA
| | - Kevin Liaw
- Center for Nanomedicine-Ophthalmology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA
| | - Sujatha Kannan
- Center for Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA
- Hugo W. Moser Research Institute at Kennedy-Krieger, Inc, Baltimore, USA
| | - Rangaramanujam M Kannan
- Center for Nanomedicine-Ophthalmology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA
- Hugo W. Moser Research Institute at Kennedy-Krieger, Inc, Baltimore, USA
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA
| | - Barbara S Slusher
- Johns Hopkins Drug Discovery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA.
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA.
- Department of Oncology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA.
- Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA.
- Department of Pharmacology and Molecular Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA.
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA.
- Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 855 N. Wolfe Street, Rangos 278, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA.
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C57BL/6 Background Attenuates mHTT Toxicity in the Striatum of YAC128 Mice. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms222312664. [PMID: 34884469 PMCID: PMC8657915 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222312664] [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: 10/29/2021] [Revised: 11/19/2021] [Accepted: 11/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Mouse models are frequently used to study Huntington’s disease (HD). The onset and severity of neuronal and behavioral pathologies vary greatly between HD mouse models, which results from different huntingtin expression levels and different CAG repeat length. HD pathology appears to depend also on the strain background of mouse models. Thus, behavioral deficits of HD mice are more severe in the FVB than in the C57BL/6 background. Alterations in medium spiny neuron (MSN) morphology and function have been well documented in young YAC128 mice in the FVB background. Here, we tested the relevance of strain background for mutant huntingtin (mHTT) toxicity on the cellular level by investigating HD pathologies in YAC128 mice in the C57BL/6 background (YAC128/BL6). Morphology, spine density, synapse function and membrane properties were not or only subtly altered in MSNs of 12-month-old YAC128/BL6 mice. Despite the mild cellular phenotype, YAC128/BL6 mice showed deficits in motor performance. More pronounced alterations in MSN function were found in the HdhQ150 mouse model in the C57BL/6 background (HdhQ150/BL6). Consistent with the differences in HD pathology, the number of inclusion bodies was considerably lower in YAC128/BL6 mice than HdhQ150/BL6 mice. This study highlights the relevance of strain background for mHTT toxicity in HD mouse models.
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Tsitkanou S, Della Gatta PA, Abbott G, Wallace MA, Lindsay A, Gerlinger-Romero F, Walker AK, Foletta VC, Russell AP. miR-23a suppression accelerates functional decline in the rNLS8 mouse model of TDP-43 proteinopathy. Neurobiol Dis 2021; 162:105559. [PMID: 34774794 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2021.105559] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2021] [Revised: 10/27/2021] [Accepted: 11/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Skeletal muscle dysfunction may contribute to the progression and severity of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). In the present study, we characterized the skeletal muscle pathophysiology in an inducible transgenic mouse model (rNLS8) that develops a TAR-DNA binding protein (TDP-43) proteinopathy and ALS-like neuropathology and disease progression; representative of >90% of all familial and sporadic ALS cases. As we previously observed elevated levels of miR-23a in skeletal muscle of patients with familial and sporadic ALS, we also investigated the effect of miR-23a suppression on skeletal muscle pathophysiology and disease severity in rNLS8 mice. Five weeks after disease onset TDP-43 protein accumulation was observed in tibialis anterior (TA), quadriceps (QUAD) and diaphragm muscle lysates and associated with skeletal muscle atrophy. In the TA muscle TDP-43 was detected in muscle fibres that appeared atrophied and angular in appearance and that also contained β-amyloid aggregates. These fibres were also positive for neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM), but not embryonic myosin heavy chain (eMHC), indicating TDP-43/ β-amyloid localization in denervated muscle fibres. There was an upregulation of genes associated with myogenesis and NMJ degeneration and a decrease in the MURF1 atrophy-related protein in skeletal muscle. Suppression of miR-23a impaired rotarod performance and grip strength and accelerated body weight loss during early stages of disease progression. This was associated with increased AchRα mRNA expression and decreased protein levels of PGC-1α. The TDP-43 proteinopathy-induced impairment of whole body and skeletal muscle functional performance is associated with muscle wasting and elevated myogenic and NMJ stress markers. Suppressing miR-23a in the rNLS8 mouse model of ALS contributes to an early acceleration of disease progression as measured by decline in motor function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stavroula Tsitkanou
- Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition, School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia
| | - Paul A Della Gatta
- Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition, School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia
| | - Gavin Abbott
- Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition, School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia
| | - Marita A Wallace
- Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition, School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia
| | - Angus Lindsay
- Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition, School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia
| | - Frederico Gerlinger-Romero
- Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition, School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia
| | - Adam K Walker
- Neurodegeneration Pathobiology Laboratory, Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, Australia; Centre for Motor Neuron Disease Research, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW, Australia
| | - Victoria C Foletta
- Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition, School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia
| | - Aaron P Russell
- Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition, School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia.
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19
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Lum JS, Brown ML, Farrawell NE, McAlary L, Ly D, Chisholm CG, Snow J, Vine KL, Karl T, Kreilaus F, McInnes LE, Nikseresht S, Donnelly PS, Crouch PJ, Yerbury JJ. CuATSM improves motor function and extends survival but is not tolerated at a high dose in SOD1 G93A mice with a C57BL/6 background. Sci Rep 2021; 11:19392. [PMID: 34588483 PMCID: PMC8481268 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-98317-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2021] [Accepted: 09/07/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The synthetic copper-containing compound, CuATSM, has emerged as one of the most promising drug candidates developed for the treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Multiple studies have reported CuATSM treatment provides therapeutic efficacy in various mouse models of ALS without any observable adverse effects. Moreover, recent results from an open label clinical study suggested that daily oral dosing with CuATSM slows disease progression in patients with both sporadic and familial ALS, providing encouraging support for CuATSM in the treatment of ALS. Here, we assessed CuATSM in high copy SOD1G93A mice on the congenic C57BL/6 background, treating at 100 mg/kg/day by gavage, starting at 70 days of age. This dose in this specific model has not been assessed previously. Unexpectedly, we report a subset of mice initially administered CuATSM exhibited signs of clinical toxicity, that necessitated euthanasia in extremis after 3-51 days of treatment. Following a 1-week washout period, the remaining mice resumed treatment at the reduced dose of 60 mg/kg/day. At this revised dose, treatment with CuATSM slowed disease progression and increased survival relative to vehicle-treated littermates. This work provides the first evidence that CuATSM produces positive disease-modifying outcomes in high copy SOD1G93A mice on a congenic C57BL/6 background. Furthermore, results from the 100 mg/kg/day phase of the study support dose escalation determination of tolerability as a prudent step when assessing treatments in previously unassessed models or genetic backgrounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeremy S Lum
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, NSW, Australia
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, Molecular Horizons, Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, 2522, Australia
| | - Mikayla L Brown
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, NSW, Australia
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, Molecular Horizons, Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, 2522, Australia
| | - Natalie E Farrawell
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, NSW, Australia
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, Molecular Horizons, Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, 2522, Australia
| | - Luke McAlary
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, NSW, Australia
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, Molecular Horizons, Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, 2522, Australia
| | - Diane Ly
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, NSW, Australia
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, Molecular Horizons, Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, 2522, Australia
| | - Christen G Chisholm
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, NSW, Australia
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, Molecular Horizons, Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, 2522, Australia
| | - Josh Snow
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, Molecular Horizons, Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, 2522, Australia
| | - Kara L Vine
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, NSW, Australia
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, Molecular Horizons, Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, 2522, Australia
| | - Tim Karl
- School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Campbelltown, NSW, 2560, Australia
| | - Fabian Kreilaus
- School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Campbelltown, NSW, 2560, Australia
| | - Lachlan E McInnes
- School of Chemistry and Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Sara Nikseresht
- Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
| | - Paul S Donnelly
- School of Chemistry and Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Peter J Crouch
- Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
| | - Justin J Yerbury
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, Wollongong, NSW, Australia.
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Bioscience, Molecular Horizons, Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, 2522, Australia.
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20
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Dang X, Williams SB, Devanathan S, Franco A, Fu L, Bernstein PR, Walters D, Dorn GW. Pharmacophore-Based Design of Phenyl-[hydroxycyclohexyl] Cycloalkyl-Carboxamide Mitofusin Activators with Improved Neuronal Activity. J Med Chem 2021; 64:12506-12524. [PMID: 34415150 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jmedchem.1c00163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Mitochondrial fragmentation from defective fusion or unopposed fission contributes to many neurodegenerative diseases. Small molecule mitofusin activators reverse mitochondrial fragmentation in vitro, promising a novel therapeutic approach. The first-in-class mitofusin activator, 2, has a short plasma t1/2 and limited neurological system bioavailability, conferring "burst activation". Here, pharmacophore-based rational redesign generated analogues of 2 incorporating cycloalkyl linker groups. A cyclopropyl-containing linker, 5, improved plasma and brain t1/2, increased nervous system bioavailability, and prolonged neuron pharmacodynamic effects. Functional and single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies of stereoisomeric analogues of 5 containing sulfur as a "heavy atom", 14A and 14B, showed that 5 biological activity resides in the trans-R/R configuration, 5B. Structural analysis revealed stereoselective interactions of 5 associated with its mimicry of MFN2 Val372, Met376, and His380 side chains. Modification of murine ALS phenotypes in vitro and in vivo supports advancement of 5B for neurological conditions that may benefit from sustained mitofusin activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiawei Dang
- Department of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiao Tong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710061, China.,Department of Internal Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri 63110, United States
| | - Sidney B Williams
- Mitochondria in Motion, Inc., 4340 Duncan Avenue, Suite 216, St. Louis, Missouri 63110, United States
| | - Sriram Devanathan
- Mitochondria in Motion, Inc., 4340 Duncan Avenue, Suite 216, St. Louis, Missouri 63110, United States
| | - Antonietta Franco
- Department of Internal Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri 63110, United States
| | - Lijun Fu
- WuXi AppTec Co., Ltd., 666 Gaoxin Road, East Lake High-tech Development Zone, Wuhan, Hubei 430075, China
| | - Peter R Bernstein
- PharmaB LLC, 50 S. 16th Street, Unit 5201, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19102, United States
| | - Daniel Walters
- Crystal Pharmatech Inc., 3000 Eastpark Blvd., Ste 500B, Cranbury, New Jersey 08512, United States
| | - Gerald W Dorn
- Department of Internal Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri 63110, United States.,Mitochondria in Motion, Inc., 4340 Duncan Avenue, Suite 216, St. Louis, Missouri 63110, United States
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21
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Sex-dependent effects of amyloid precursor-like protein 2 in the SOD1-G37R transgenic mouse model of MND. Cell Mol Life Sci 2021; 78:6605-6630. [PMID: 34476545 PMCID: PMC8558206 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-021-03924-5] [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: 04/12/2021] [Revised: 07/20/2021] [Accepted: 08/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Abstract
Motor neurone disease (MND) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterised by progressive destruction of motor neurons, muscle paralysis and death. The amyloid precursor protein (APP) is highly expressed in the central nervous system and has been shown to modulate disease outcomes in MND. APP is part of a gene family that includes the amyloid precursor-like protein 1 (APLP1) and 2 (APLP2) genes. In the present study, we investigated the role of APLP2 in MND through the examination of human spinal cord tissue and by crossing APLP2 knockout mice with the superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1-G37R) transgenic mouse model of MND. We found the expression of APLP2 is elevated in the spinal cord from human cases of MND and that this feature of the human disease is reproduced in SOD1-G37R mice at the End-stage of their MND-like phenotype progression. APLP2 deletion in SOD1-G37R mice significantly delayed disease progression and increased the survival of female SOD1-G37R mice. Molecular and biochemical analysis showed female SOD1-G37R:APLP2-/- mice displayed improved innervation of the neuromuscular junction, ameliorated atrophy of muscle fibres with increased APP protein expression levels in the gastrocnemius muscle. These results indicate a sex-dependent role for APLP2 in mutant SOD1-mediated MND and further support the APP family as a potential target for further investigation into the cause and regulation of MND.
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22
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Si Y, Kazamel M, Benatar M, Wuu J, Kwon Y, Kwan T, Jiang N, Kentrup D, Faul C, Alesce L, King PH. FGF23, a novel muscle biomarker detected in the early stages of ALS. Sci Rep 2021; 11:12062. [PMID: 34103575 PMCID: PMC8187665 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-91496-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2021] [Accepted: 05/27/2021] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease characterized by progressive muscle weakness. Skeletal muscle is a prime source for biomarker discovery since it is one of the earliest sites to manifest disease pathology. From a prior RNA sequencing project, we identified FGF23 as a potential muscle biomarker in ALS. Here, we validate this finding with a large collection of ALS muscle samples and found a 13-fold increase over normal controls. FGF23 was also increased in the SOD1G93A mouse, beginning at a very early stage and well before the onset of clinical symptoms. FGF23 levels progressively increased through end-stage in the mouse. Immunohistochemistry of ALS muscle showed prominent FGF23 immunoreactivity in the endomysial connective tissue and along the muscle membrane and was significantly higher around grouped atrophic fibers compared to non-atrophic fibers. ELISA of plasma samples from the SOD1G93A mouse showed an increase in FGF23 at end-stage whereas no increase was detected in a large cohort of ALS patients. In conclusion, FGF23 is a novel muscle biomarker in ALS and joins a molecular signature that emerges in very early preclinical stages. The early appearance of FGF23 and its progressive increase with disease progression offers a new direction for exploring the molecular basis and response to the underlying pathology of ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Si
- Department of Neurology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Civitan 545C, 1530 3rd Avenue South, Birmingham, AL, 35294, USA
- Birmingham Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Birmingham, AL, 35294, USA
| | - Mohamed Kazamel
- Department of Neurology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Civitan 545C, 1530 3rd Avenue South, Birmingham, AL, 35294, USA
| | - Michael Benatar
- Department of Neurology, University of Miami, Miami, FL, 33136, USA
| | - Joanne Wuu
- Department of Neurology, University of Miami, Miami, FL, 33136, USA
| | - Yuri Kwon
- Department of Neurology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Civitan 545C, 1530 3rd Avenue South, Birmingham, AL, 35294, USA
| | - Thaddaeus Kwan
- Department of Neurology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Civitan 545C, 1530 3rd Avenue South, Birmingham, AL, 35294, USA
| | - Nan Jiang
- Department of Neurology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Civitan 545C, 1530 3rd Avenue South, Birmingham, AL, 35294, USA
- Birmingham Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Birmingham, AL, 35294, USA
| | - Dominik Kentrup
- Department of Medicine (Division of Nephrology and Hypertension), University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 35294, USA
| | - Christian Faul
- Department of Medicine (Division of Nephrology and Hypertension), University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 35294, USA
| | - Lyndsy Alesce
- Department of Neurology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Civitan 545C, 1530 3rd Avenue South, Birmingham, AL, 35294, USA
| | - Peter H King
- Department of Neurology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Civitan 545C, 1530 3rd Avenue South, Birmingham, AL, 35294, USA.
- Department of Cell, Developmental, and Integrative Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 35294, USA.
- Birmingham Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Birmingham, AL, 35294, USA.
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23
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Guerra S, Chung R, Yerbury J, Karl T. Behavioural effects of cage systems on the G93A Superoxide Dismutase 1 transgenic mouse model for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. GENES BRAIN AND BEHAVIOR 2021; 20:e12735. [PMID: 33871173 DOI: 10.1111/gbb.12735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2020] [Revised: 03/25/2021] [Accepted: 04/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Environmental factors inherent to animal facilities can impact on the neuro-behavioural phenotype of laboratory mice and genetic mouse models for human diseases. Many facilities have upgraded from traditional 'open filter top' cages (FT) to individually ventilated cage (IVC) systems, which have been shown to modify various behavioural responses of laboratory mice. Importantly, the impact of IVC housing on the G93A superoxide dismutase 1 mouse model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is currently unknown. Male and female wild type-like (WT) and heterozygous SOD1G93A mice were group-housed in FT or IVC systems from PND 30 ± 5 onwards. Body weight and motor function were assessed weekly from 15 weeks onward. Mice were also tested for cognitive abilities (i.e., fear conditioning and social recognition memory) and sensorimotor gating (i.e., prepulse inhibition: PPI). SOD1G93A mice lost body weight, and their motor function degenerated over time compared with control littermates. Motor impairments developed faster when SOD1G93A females were housed in IVCs. Context and cue freezing were increased in SOD1G93A females compared with controls, whereas all SOD1G93A mice exhibited lower acoustic startle and PPI than WT mice. IVC housing led to an increase in cue freezing in males and reduced the severity of PPI deficits in SOD1G93A females. Overall, IVC housing impacted moderately on the SOD1G93A phenotype but central behavioural deficits were still evident across housing conditions. Nonetheless, our findings indicate the importance of assessing the effect of cage system in genetic mouse models as these systems can modulate the magnitude and onset of genotypic differences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan Guerra
- School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Campbelltown, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Roger Chung
- Centre for MND Research, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Justin Yerbury
- Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Tim Karl
- School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Campbelltown, New South Wales, Australia.,Neuroscience Research Australia, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia
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24
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Tungtur SK, Wilkins HM, Rogers RS, Badawi Y, Sage JM, Agbas A, Jawdat O, Barohn RJ, Swerdlow RH, Nishimune H. Oxaloacetate treatment preserves motor function in SOD1 G93A mice and normalizes select neuroinflammation-related parameters in the spinal cord. Sci Rep 2021; 11:11051. [PMID: 34040085 PMCID: PMC8155202 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-90438-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2018] [Accepted: 05/07/2021] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) remains a devastating motor neuron disease with limited treatment options. Oxaloacetate treatment has a neuroprotective effect in rodent models of seizure and neurodegeneration. Therefore, we treated the ALS model superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) G93A mice with oxaloacetate and evaluated their neuromuscular function and lifespan. Treatment with oxaloacetate beginning in the presymptomatic stage significantly improved neuromuscular strength measured during the symptomatic stage in the injected mice compared to the non-treated group. Oxaloacetate treatment starting in the symptomatic stage significantly delayed limb paralysis compared with the non-treated group. For lifespan analysis, oxaloacetate treatment did not show a statistically significant positive effect, but the treatment did not shorten the lifespan. Mechanistically, SOD1G93A mice showed increased levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNFα) and peroxisome proliferative activated receptor gamma coactivator 1α (PGC-1α) mRNAs in the spinal cord. However, oxaloacetate treatment reverted these abnormal levels to that of wild-type mice. Similarly, the altered expression level of total NF-κB protein returned to that of wild-type mice with oxaloacetate treatment. These results suggest that the beneficial effects of oxaloacetate treatment in SOD1G93A mice may reflect the effects on neuroinflammation or bioenergetic stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sudheer K Tungtur
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, School of Medicine, University of Kansas, Kansas City, KS, 66160, USA
- Cardiovascular Division, University of Minnesota School of Medicine, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
| | - Heather M Wilkins
- Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, University of Kansas, Kansas City, KS, 66160, USA
| | - Robert S Rogers
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, School of Medicine, University of Kansas, Kansas City, KS, 66160, USA
- Department of Curriculum and Integrative Learning, Kansas City University, Joplin, MO, 64804, USA
| | - Yomna Badawi
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, School of Medicine, University of Kansas, Kansas City, KS, 66160, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 15260, USA
| | - Jessica M Sage
- Department of Basic Sciences, Kansas City University, Kansas City, MO, 64106, USA
| | - Abdulbaki Agbas
- Department of Basic Sciences, Kansas City University, Kansas City, MO, 64106, USA
| | - Omar Jawdat
- Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, University of Kansas, Kansas City, KS, 66160, USA
| | - Richard J Barohn
- Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, University of Kansas, Kansas City, KS, 66160, USA
- Department of Neurology, University Missouri-Columbia, Columbia, MO, 65212, USA
| | - Russell H Swerdlow
- Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, University of Kansas, Kansas City, KS, 66160, USA
| | - Hiroshi Nishimune
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, School of Medicine, University of Kansas, Kansas City, KS, 66160, USA.
- Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology, Neurobiology of Aging, 35-2 Sakaecho, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo, 173-0015, Japan.
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25
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Strickland MR, Ibanez KR, Yaroshenko M, Diaz CC, Borchelt DR, Chakrabarty P. IL-10 based immunomodulation initiated at birth extends lifespan in a familial mouse model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Sci Rep 2020; 10:20862. [PMID: 33257786 PMCID: PMC7705692 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-77564-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2020] [Accepted: 11/03/2020] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Inflammatory signaling is thought to modulate the neurodegenerative cascade in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). We have previously shown that expression of Interleukin-10 (IL-10), a classical anti-inflammatory cytokine, extends lifespan in the SOD1-G93A mouse model of familial ALS. Here we test whether co-expression of the decoy chemokine receptor M3, that can scavenge inflammatory chemokines, augments the efficacy of IL-10. We found that recombinant adeno-associated virus (AAV)-mediated expression of IL-10, alone, or in combination with M3, resulted in modest extension of lifespan relative to control SOD1-G93A cohort. Interestingly neither AAV-M3 alone nor AAV-IL-10 + AAV-M3 extend survival beyond that of the AAV-IL-10 alone cohort. Focused transcriptomic analysis revealed induction of innate immunity and phagocytotic pathways in presymptomatic SOD1-G93A mice expressing IL-10 + M3 or IL-10 alone. Further, while IL-10 expression increased microglial burden, the IL-10 + M3 group showed lower microglial burden, suggesting that M3 can successfully lower microgliosis before disease onset. Our data demonstrates that over-expression of an anti-inflammatory cytokine and a decoy chemokine receptor can modulate inflammatory processes in SOD1-G93A mice, modestly delaying the age to paralysis. This suggests that multiple inflammatory pathways can be targeted simultaneously in neurodegenerative disease and supports consideration of adapting these approaches to treatment of ALS and related disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael R Strickland
- Center for Translational Research in Neurodegenerative Disease, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA.,Department of Neuroscience, Washington University, St. Louis, MN, USA
| | - Kristen R Ibanez
- Center for Translational Research in Neurodegenerative Disease, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA
| | - Mariya Yaroshenko
- Center for Translational Research in Neurodegenerative Disease, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA
| | - Carolina Ceballos Diaz
- Center for Translational Research in Neurodegenerative Disease, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA
| | - David R Borchelt
- Center for Translational Research in Neurodegenerative Disease, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA.,Department of Neuroscience, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA.,McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA
| | - Paramita Chakrabarty
- Center for Translational Research in Neurodegenerative Disease, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA. .,Department of Neuroscience, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA. .,McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA.
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26
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Watkins J, Ghosh A, Keerie AFA, Alix JJP, Mead RJ, Sreedharan J. Female sex mitigates motor and behavioural phenotypes in TDP-43 Q331K knock-in mice. Sci Rep 2020; 10:19220. [PMID: 33154447 PMCID: PMC7645778 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-76070-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2020] [Accepted: 10/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD) are overlapping neurodegenerative disorders. ALS is more commonly seen in men than women and the same may be the case for FTD. Preclinical models demonstrating sex-specific vulnerability may help to understand female resistance to ALS-FTD and thereby identify routes to therapy. We previously characterised a TDP-43Q331K knock-in mouse, which demonstrated behavioural phenotypes reminiscent of ALS-FTD in males. Here we present our behavioural observations of female TDP-43Q331K mutants. Female TDP-43Q331K knock-in mice displayed increased weight relative to wild-type and increased food intake at 20 months of age, much later than previously observed in male mutants. Spontaneous digging behaviour was initially normal and only declined in mutants in the second year of life. Gait analysis using Catwalk (https://www.noldus.com/catwalk-xt) found significant deficits in the second year of life, while nocturnal running behaviour was attenuated from ~ 250 days of life. These results indicate that while female TDP-43Q331K knock-in mice do display progressive behavioural phenotypes, these are less severe than we previously noted in male mutants. Further studies of male and female TDP-43Q331K knock-in mice may help to unravel the mechanisms underlying sex-specific vulnerability in ALS-FTD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jodie Watkins
- Department of Neuroscience, School of Medicine, Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, S10 2HQ, UK
| | - Anshua Ghosh
- Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, 5 Cutcombe Road, London, SE5 9RX, UK
| | - Amy F A Keerie
- Department of Neuroscience, School of Medicine, Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, S10 2HQ, UK
| | - James J P Alix
- Department of Neuroscience, School of Medicine, Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, S10 2HQ, UK
| | - Richard J Mead
- Department of Neuroscience, School of Medicine, Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, S10 2HQ, UK.
| | - Jemeen Sreedharan
- Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, 5 Cutcombe Road, London, SE5 9RX, UK.
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27
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Wnt antagonist FRZB is a muscle biomarker of denervation atrophy in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Sci Rep 2020; 10:16679. [PMID: 33028902 PMCID: PMC7541525 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-73845-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2020] [Accepted: 09/16/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Skeletal muscle and the neuromuscular junction are the earliest sites to manifest pathological changes in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Based on prior studies, we have identified a molecular signature in muscle that develops early in ALS and parallels disease progression. This signature represents an intersection of signaling pathways including Smads, TGF-β, and vitamin D. Here, we show that the Wnt antagonist, Frizzled Related Protein (FRZB), was increased in ALS muscle samples and to a variable extent other denervating disease but only minimally in acquired myopathies. In the SOD1G93A mouse, FRZB was upregulated in the early stages of disease (between 40 and 60 days) until end-stage. By immunohistochemistry, FRZB was predominantly localized to endomysial connective tissue and to a lesser extent muscle membrane. There was a significant increase in immunoreactivity surrounding atrophied myofibers. Because FRZB is a Wnt antagonist, we assessed β-catenin, the canonical transducer of Wnt signaling, and found increased levels mainly at the muscle membrane. In summary, we show that FRZB is part of a molecular signature of muscle denervation that may reflect disease progression in ALS. Our findings open up avenues for future investigation as to what roles FRZB and Wnt signaling might be playing in muscle denervation/reinnervation.
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28
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Ashford BA, Boche D, Cooper-Knock J, Heath PR, Simpson JE, Highley JR. Review: Microglia in motor neuron disease. Neuropathol Appl Neurobiol 2020; 47:179-197. [PMID: 32594542 DOI: 10.1111/nan.12640] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2020] [Accepted: 06/14/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Motor Neuron Disease (MND) is a fatal neurodegenerative condition, which is characterized by the selective loss of the upper and lower motor neurons. At the sites of motor neuron injury, accumulation of activated microglia, the primary immune cells of the central nervous system, is commonly observed in both human post mortem studies and animal models of MND. Microglial activation has been found to correlate with many clinical features and importantly, the speed of disease progression in humans. Both anti-inflammatory and pro-inflammatory microglial responses have been shown to influence disease progression in humans and models of MND. As such, microglia could both contribute to and protect against inflammatory mechanisms of pathogenesis in MND. While murine models have characterized the microglial response to MND, these studies have painted a complex and often contradictory picture, indicating a need for further characterization in humans. This review examines the potential role microglia play in MND in human and animal studies. Both the pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory responses will be addressed, throughout the course of disease, followed by the potential of microglia as a target in the development of disease-modifying treatments for MND.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - D Boche
- University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | | | - P R Heath
- University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
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Si Y, Kazamel M, Kwon Y, Lee I, Anderson T, Zhou S, Bamman M, Wiggins D, Kwan T, King PH. The vitamin D activator CYP27B1 is upregulated in muscle fibers in denervating disease and can track progression in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 2020; 200:105650. [PMID: 32142934 PMCID: PMC7274892 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsbmb.2020.105650] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2020] [Revised: 02/29/2020] [Accepted: 03/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Extra-renal expression of Cytochrome P450 Family 27 Subfamily B Member 1 (CYP27B1) has been well recognized and reflects the importance of intracrine/paracrine vitamin D signaling in different tissues under physiological and pathological conditions. In a prior RNA sequencing project, we identified CYP27B1 mRNA as upregulated in muscle samples from patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) compared to normal controls. Our aims here were: (1) to validate this finding in a larger sample set including disease controls, (2) to determine which cell type is expressing CYP27B1 protein in muscle tissue, (3) to correlate CYP27B1 mRNA expression with disease progression in the SOD1G93A ALS mouse and in ALS patients. We assessed CYP27B1 expression by qPCR, western blot, and immunohistochemistry in a repository of muscle samples from ALS, disease controls (myopathy and non-ALS neuropathic disease), normal subjects, and muscle samples from the SOD1G93A mouse. Eight ALS patients were studied prospectively over 6-12 months with serial muscle biopsies. We found that CYP27B1 mRNA and protein levels were significantly increased in ALS versus normal and myopathy muscle samples. Neuropathy samples had increased CYP27B1 mRNA and protein expression but at a lower level than the ALS group. Immunohistochemistry showed that CYP27B1 localized to myofibers, especially those with features of denervation. In the SOD1G93A mouse, CYP27B1 mRNA and protein were detected in skeletal muscle in early pre-symptomatic stages and increased through end-stage. In the human study, increases in CYP27B1 mRNA in muscle biopsies correlated with disease progression rates over the same time period. In summary, we show for the first time that CYP27B1 mRNA and protein expression are elevated in muscle fibers in denervating disease, especially ALS, where mRNA levels can potentially serve as a surrogate marker for tracking disease progression. Its upregulation may reflect a local perturbation of vitamin D signaling, and further characterization of this pathway may provide insight into underlying molecular processes linked to muscle denervation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Si
- Department of Neurology, University of Alabama, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA; Birmingham Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | - Mohamed Kazamel
- Department of Neurology, University of Alabama, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | - Yuri Kwon
- Department of Neurology, University of Alabama, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | - Ikjae Lee
- Department of Neurology, University of Alabama, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | - Tina Anderson
- Department of Neurology, University of Alabama, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | - Siyu Zhou
- Department of Neurology, University of Alabama, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | - Marcas Bamman
- Department of Neurology, University of Alabama, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA; Department of Cell, Developmental, and Integrative Biology, and Medicine, University of Alabama, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA; Department of Medicine, University of Alabama, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA; Birmingham Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | - Derek Wiggins
- Department of Cell, Developmental, and Integrative Biology, and Medicine, University of Alabama, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | - Thaddaeus Kwan
- Department of Neurology, University of Alabama, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
| | - Peter H King
- Department of Neurology, University of Alabama, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA; Department of Cell, Developmental, and Integrative Biology, and Medicine, University of Alabama, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA; Birmingham Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA.
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Gatto RG, Weissmann C, Amin M, Finkielsztein A, Sumagin R, Mareci TH, Uchitel OD, Magin RL. Assessing neuraxial microstructural changes in a transgenic mouse model of early stage Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis by ultra-high field MRI and diffusion tensor metrics. Animal Model Exp Med 2020; 3:117-129. [PMID: 32613171 PMCID: PMC7323706 DOI: 10.1002/ame2.12112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2020] [Revised: 02/28/2020] [Accepted: 03/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Cell structural changes are one of the main features observed during the development of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). In this work, we propose the use of diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) metrics to assess specific ultrastructural changes in the central nervous system during the early neurodegenerative stages of ALS. METHODS Ultra-high field MRI and DTI data at 17.6T were obtained from fixed, excised mouse brains, and spinal cords from ALS (G93A-SOD1) mice. RESULTS Changes in fractional anisotropy (FA) and linear, planar, and spherical anisotropy ratios (CL, CP, and CS, respectively) of the diffusion eigenvalues were measured in white matter (WM) and gray matter (GM) areas associated with early axonal degenerative processes (in both the brain and the spinal cord). Specifically, in WM structures (corpus callosum, corticospinal tract, and spinal cord funiculi) as the disease progressed, FA, CL, and CP values decreased, whereas CS values increased. In GM structures (prefrontal cortex, hippocampus, and central spinal cord) FA and CP decreased, whereas the CL and CS values were unchanged or slightly smaller. Histological studies of a fluorescent mice model (YFP, G93A-SOD1 mouse) corroborated the early alterations in neuronal morphology and axonal connectivity measured by DTI. CONCLUSIONS Changes in diffusion tensor shape were observed in this animal model at the early, nonsymptomatic stages of ALS. Further studies of CL, CP, and CS as imaging biomarkers should be undertaken to refine this neuroimaging tool for future clinical use in the detection of the early stages of ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rodolfo G. Gatto
- Department of BioengineeringUniversity of Illinois at ChicagoChicagoILUSA
| | - Carina Weissmann
- Instituto de Fisiología Biologia Molecular y Neurociencias‐IFIBYNE‐CONICETUniversity of Buenos AiresBuenos AiresArgentina
| | - Manish Amin
- Department of BiochemistryNational High Magnetic Field LaboratoryUniversity of FloridaGainesvilleFLUSA
| | - Ariel Finkielsztein
- Department of PathologySchool of MedicineNorthwestern UniversityChicagoILUSA
| | - Ronen Sumagin
- Department of PathologySchool of MedicineNorthwestern UniversityChicagoILUSA
| | - Thomas H. Mareci
- Department of BiochemistryNational High Magnetic Field LaboratoryUniversity of FloridaGainesvilleFLUSA
| | - Osvaldo D. Uchitel
- Instituto de Fisiología Biologia Molecular y Neurociencias‐IFIBYNE‐CONICETUniversity of Buenos AiresBuenos AiresArgentina
| | - Richard L. Magin
- Department of BioengineeringUniversity of Illinois at ChicagoChicagoILUSA
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Sex-Specific Differences in Motor-Unit Remodeling in a Mouse Model of ALS. eNeuro 2020; 7:ENEURO.0388-19.2020. [PMID: 32033983 PMCID: PMC7044502 DOI: 10.1523/eneuro.0388-19.2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2019] [Revised: 01/20/2020] [Accepted: 01/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Progressive loss of neuromuscular junctions (NMJs) is an early event in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), preceding the global degeneration of motor axons and being accompanied by new axonal sprouting within the same axonal arbor. Some aspects of ALS onset and progression seem to be affected by sex in animal models of the disease. However, whether there are sex-specific differences in the pattern or time course of NMJ loss and repair within single motor axons remains unknown. We performed further analysis of a previously published in vivo dataset, obtained from male and female SOD1G37R mice. We found that NMJ losses are as frequent in male and female motor axons but, intriguingly, axonal sprouting is more frequent in female than male mice, resulting in a net increase of axonal arborization. Interestingly, these numerous new axonal branches in female mice are associated with a slightly faster decline in grip strength, increased NMJ denervation, and reduced α-motor neuron survival. Collectively, these results suggest that excessive axonal sprouting and motor-unit (MU) expansion in female SOD1G37R mice are maladaptive during ALS progression.
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Jenkins EC, Shah N, Gomez M, Casalena G, Zhao D, Kenny TC, Guariglia SR, Manfredi G, Germain D. Proteasome mapping reveals sexual dimorphism in tissue-specific sensitivity to protein aggregations. EMBO Rep 2020; 21:e48978. [PMID: 32090465 PMCID: PMC7132179 DOI: 10.15252/embr.201948978] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2019] [Revised: 01/24/2020] [Accepted: 01/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Defects in the proteasome can result in pathological proteinopathies. However, the pathogenic role of sex‐ and tissue‐specific sensitivity to proteotoxic stress remains elusive. Here, we map the proteasome activity across nine tissues, in male and female mice, and demonstrate strong sexual dimorphism in proteasome activity, where females have significantly higher activity in several tissues. Further, we report drastic differences in proteasome activity among tissues, independently of proteasome concentration, which are exacerbated under stress conditions. Sexual dimorphism in proteasome activity is confirmed in a SOD1 ALS mouse model, in which the spinal cord, a tissue with comparatively low proteasome activity, is severely affected. Our results offer mechanistic insight into tissue‐specific sensitivities to proteostasis stress and into sex differences in the progression of neurodegenerative proteinopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edmund Charles Jenkins
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Tisch Cancer Institute, New York, NY, USA
| | - Nagma Shah
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Tisch Cancer Institute, New York, NY, USA
| | - Maria Gomez
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Tisch Cancer Institute, New York, NY, USA
| | - Gabriella Casalena
- Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Dazhi Zhao
- Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Timothy C Kenny
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Tisch Cancer Institute, New York, NY, USA
| | - Sara Rose Guariglia
- City University of New York, College of Staten Island, Staten Island, NY, USA
| | - Giovanni Manfredi
- Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Doris Germain
- Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Tisch Cancer Institute, New York, NY, USA
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Simanaviciute U, Ahmed J, Brown RE, Connor-Robson N, Farr TD, Fertan E, Gambles N, Garland H, Morton AJ, Staiger JF, Skillings EA, Trueman RC, Wade-Martins R, Wood NI, Wong AA, Grant RA. Recommendations for measuring whisker movements and locomotion in mice with sensory, motor and cognitive deficits. J Neurosci Methods 2020; 331:108532. [PMID: 31785300 DOI: 10.1016/j.jneumeth.2019.108532] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2019] [Revised: 10/30/2019] [Accepted: 11/25/2019] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Previous studies have measured whisker movements and locomotion to characterise mouse models of neurodegenerative disease. However, these studies have always been completed in isolation, and do not involve standardized procedures for comparisons across multiple mouse models and background strains. NEW METHOD We present a standard method for conducting whisker movement and locomotion studies, by carrying out qualitative scoring and quantitative measurement of whisker movements from high-speed video footage of mouse models of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, Huntington's disease, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, Cerebellar Ataxia, Somatosensory Cortex Development and Ischemic stroke. RESULTS Sex, background strain, source breeder and genotype all affected whisker movements. All mouse models, apart from Parkinson's disease, revealed differences in whisker movements during locomotion. R6/2 CAG250 Huntington's disease mice had the strongest behavioural phenotype. Robo3R3-5-CKO and RIM-DKOSert mouse models have abnormal somatosensory cortex development and revealed significant changes in whisker movements during object exploration. COMPARISON WITH EXISTING METHOD(S) Our results have good agreement with past studies, which indicates the robustness and reliability of measuring whisking. We recommend that differences in whisker movements of mice with motor deficits can be captured in open field arenas, but that mice with impairments to sensory or cognitive functioning should also be filmed investigating objects. Scoring clips qualitatively before tracking will help to structure later analyses. CONCLUSIONS Studying whisker movements provides a quantitative measure of sensing, motor control and exploration. However, the effect of background strain, sex and age on whisker movements needs to be better understood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ugne Simanaviciute
- Department of Natural Sciences, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, M1 5GD, UK; School of Biological Sciences, Manchester University, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK
| | - Jewel Ahmed
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, NG7 2UH, UK
| | - Richard E Brown
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Dalhousie University, Halifax, B3H 4R2, Canada
| | - Natalie Connor-Robson
- Oxford Parkinson's Disease Centre, Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3PT, UK
| | - Tracy D Farr
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, NG7 2UH, UK
| | - Emre Fertan
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Dalhousie University, Halifax, B3H 4R2, Canada
| | - Nikki Gambles
- Department of Natural Sciences, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, M1 5GD, UK; Public Health Institute, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, L2 2QP, UK
| | - Huw Garland
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge, CB2 3DY, UK
| | - A Jennifer Morton
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge, CB2 3DY, UK
| | - Jochen F Staiger
- Institute for Neuroanatomy, University Medical Center, Göttingen, 37075, Germany
| | - Elizabeth A Skillings
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge, CB2 3DY, UK
| | - Rebecca C Trueman
- School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, NG7 2UH, UK
| | - Richard Wade-Martins
- Oxford Parkinson's Disease Centre, Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3PT, UK
| | - Nigel I Wood
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge, CB2 3DY, UK
| | - Aimee A Wong
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, Dalhousie University, Halifax, B3H 4R2, Canada
| | - Robyn A Grant
- Department of Natural Sciences, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, M1 5GD, UK.
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Lewis KEA, Bennett W, Blizzard CL, West AK, Chung RS, Chuah MI. The influence of metallothionein treatment and treadmill running exercise on disease onset and survival in SOD1 G93A amyotrophic lateral sclerosis mice. Eur J Neurosci 2020; 52:3223-3241. [PMID: 31954073 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.14682] [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: 08/22/2019] [Revised: 12/18/2019] [Accepted: 01/06/2020] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease, characterised by the degeneration of motor neurons innervating skeletal muscle. The mechanisms underlying neurodegeneration in ALS are not yet fully elucidated, and with current therapeutics only able to extend lifespan by a matter of months there is a clear need for novel therapies to increase lifespan and patient quality of life. Here, we evaluated whether moderate-intensity treadmill exercise and/or treatment with metallothionein-2 (MT2), a neuroprotective protein, could improve survival, behavioural or neuropathological outcomes in SOD1G93A familial ALS mice. Six-week-old female SOD1G93A mice were allocated to one of four treatment groups: MT2 injection, i.m.; moderate treadmill exercise; neither MT2 nor exercise; or both MT2 and exercise. MT2-treated mice survived around 3% longer than vehicle-treated mice, with this mild effect reaching statistical significance in Cox proportional hazards analysis once adjusted for potential confounders. Mixed model body weight trajectories over time indicated that MT2-treated mice, with or without exercise, reached maximum body weight at a later age, suggesting a delay in disease onset of around 4% compared to saline-treated mice. Exercise alone did not significantly increase survival or delay disease onset, and neither exercise nor MT2 substantially ameliorated gait abnormalities or muscle strength loss. We conclude that neither exercise nor MT2 treatment was detrimental in female SOD1G93A mice, and further study could determine whether the mild effect of peripheral MT2 administration on disease onset and survival could be improved via direct administration of MT2 to the central nervous system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine E A Lewis
- School of Medicine, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, Australia.,Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, Australia
| | - William Bennett
- School of Medicine, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, Australia.,Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, Australia
| | | | - Adrian K West
- School of Medicine, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, Australia.,Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, Australia
| | - Roger S Chung
- Australian School of Advanced Medicine, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Meng Inn Chuah
- School of Medicine, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, Australia.,Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, Australia
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35
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Ji T, Zhang X, Xin Z, Xu B, Jin Z, Wu J, Hu W, Yang Y. Does perturbation in the mitochondrial protein folding pave the way for neurodegeneration diseases? Ageing Res Rev 2020; 57:100997. [PMID: 31816444 DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2019.100997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2019] [Revised: 11/03/2019] [Accepted: 12/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Mitochondria, which are cell compartments that are widely present in eukaryotic cells, have been shown to be involved in a variety of synthetic, metabolic, and signaling processes, thereby playing a vital role in cells. The mitochondrial unfolded protein response (mtUPR) is a response in which mitochondria reverse the signal to the nucleus and maintain mitochondrial protein homeostasis when unfolded and misfolded proteins continue to accumulate. Multiple neurodegeneration diseases, including Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), and familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (fALS), are public health challenges. Every year, countless efforts are expended trying to clarify the pathogenesis and treatment of neurological disorders, which are associated with mitochondrial dysfunction to some extent. Numerous studies have shown that mtUPR is involved in and plays an important role in the pathogenesis of neurological disorders, but the exact mechanism of the disorders is still unclear. Further study of the process of mtUPR in neurological disorders can help us more accurately understand their pathogenesis in order to provide new therapeutic targets. In this paper, we briefly review mtUPR signaling in Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) and mammals and summarize the role of mtUPR in neurodegeneration diseases, including AD, PD and fALS.
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Zhang X, Chen S, Lu K, Wang F, Deng J, Xu Z, Wang X, Zhou Q, Le W, Zhao Y. Verapamil Ameliorates Motor Neuron Degeneration and Improves Lifespan in the SOD1 G93A Mouse Model of ALS by Enhancing Autophagic Flux. Aging Dis 2019; 10:1159-1173. [PMID: 31788329 PMCID: PMC6844595 DOI: 10.14336/ad.2019.0228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2018] [Accepted: 02/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive, paralytic disorder caused by selective degeneration of motor neurons in the brain and spinal cord. Our previous studies indicated that abnormal protein aggregation and dysfunctional autophagic flux might contribute to the disease pathogenesis. In this study, we have detected the role of the Ca2+ dependent autophagic pathway in ALS by using the L-type channel Ca2+ blocker, verapamil. We have found that verapamil significantly delayed disease onset, prolonged the lifespan and extended disease duration in SOD1G93A mice. Furthermore, verapamil administration rescued motor neuron survival and ameliorated skeletal muscle denervation in SOD1G93A mice. More interestingly, verapamil significantly reduced SOD1 aggregation and improved autophagic flux, which might be mediated the inhibition of calpain 1 activation in the spinal cord of SOD1G93A mice. Furthermore, we have demonstrated that verapamil reduced endoplasmic reticulum stress and suppressed glia activation in SOD1G93A mice. Collectively, our study indicated that verapamil is neuroprotective in the ALS mouse model and the Ca2+-dependent autophagic pathway is a possible therapeutic target for the treatment of ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaojie Zhang
- 1Department of Neurology, Shanghai Jiaotong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital, Shanghai, China
| | - Sheng Chen
- 2Department of Neurology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Kaili Lu
- 1Department of Neurology, Shanghai Jiaotong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital, Shanghai, China
| | - Feng Wang
- 1Department of Neurology, Shanghai Jiaotong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital, Shanghai, China
| | - Jiangshan Deng
- 1Department of Neurology, Shanghai Jiaotong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhouwei Xu
- 1Department of Neurology, Shanghai Jiaotong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiuzhe Wang
- 1Department of Neurology, Shanghai Jiaotong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital, Shanghai, China
| | - Qinming Zhou
- 2Department of Neurology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Weidong Le
- 3Liaoning Provincial Center for Clinical Research on Neurological Diseases, the First Affiliated Hospital, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China.,4Liaoning Provincial Kay Laboratory for Research on the Pathogenic Mechanisms of Neurological Diseases, the First Affiliated Hospital, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China.,5Collaborative Innovation Center for Brain Science, the First Affiliated Hospital, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Yuwu Zhao
- 1Department of Neurology, Shanghai Jiaotong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital, Shanghai, China
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da Silva CS, Calió ML, Mosini AC, Pires JM, Rêgo DDSB, Mello LE, Leslie ATFS. LPS-Induced Systemic Neonatal Inflammation: Blockage of P2X7R by BBG Decreases Mortality on Rat Pups and Oxidative Stress in Hippocampus of Adult Rats. Front Behav Neurosci 2019; 13:240. [PMID: 31798427 PMCID: PMC6878118 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2019.00240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2019] [Accepted: 09/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Neonatal lipopolysaccharide (LPS) exposure-induced brain inflammation has been associated to neuronal injury and facilitates the development of models of neurological disorders in adult rats. The P2X7 receptor (P2X7R) plays a fundamental role in the onset and maintenance of the inflammatory cascade. Brilliant blue G (BBG), a P2X7R antagonist, has been shown to effectively promote neuroinflammatory protection. Here, we have investigated the long-term effects of the neonatal systemic inflammation on hippocampal oxidative stress, anxiety behavior and pain sensitivity in adulthood. We hypothesized that P2X7R blockade is able to modulate the effects of inflammation on these variables. Male and female rat pups received LPS and/or BBG solution intraperitoneally on the 1st, 3rd, 5th and 7th postnatal days. The survival rate and body weight were evaluated during the experimental procedures. The animals were submitted to behavioral tests for anxiety (elevated plus maze, EPM) and nociception (hot-plate and tail-flick) and the oxidative stress was measured by superoxide production in the dentate gyrus of the hippocampus using dihydroethidium (DHE) probe. BBG increased the survival rate in LPS-treated rats. No significant differences were found regarding anxiety behavior and pain sensitivity between the experimental groups. Systemic neonatal inflammation leads to a higher production of superoxide anion in the dentate gyrus of the hippocampus in adulthood and BBG inhibited that effect. Our data suggest that blocking the activation of the P2X7R during neonatal systemic inflammation may have a potential neuroprotective effect in adulthood.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Michele Longoni Calió
- Departamento de Bioquímica, Universidade Federal de São Paulo-UNIFESP, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Amanda Cristina Mosini
- Departamento de Fisiologia, Universidade Federal de São Paulo-UNIFESP, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Jaime Moreira Pires
- Departamento de Fisiologia, Universidade Federal de São Paulo-UNIFESP, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Luiz E Mello
- Departamento de Fisiologia, Universidade Federal de São Paulo-UNIFESP, São Paulo, Brazil.,D'Or Institute for Research and Education (IDOR), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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LanCL1 promotes motor neuron survival and extends the lifespan of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis mice. Cell Death Differ 2019; 27:1369-1382. [PMID: 31570855 PMCID: PMC7206132 DOI: 10.1038/s41418-019-0422-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2018] [Revised: 09/03/2019] [Accepted: 09/06/2019] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease characterized by progressive loss of motor neurons. Improving neuronal survival in ALS remains a significant challenge. Previously, we identified Lanthionine synthetase C-like protein 1 (LanCL1) as a neuronal antioxidant defense gene, the genetic deletion of which causes apoptotic neurodegeneration in the brain. Here, we report in vivo data using the transgenic SOD1G93A mouse model of ALS indicating that CNS-specific expression of LanCL1 transgene extends lifespan, delays disease onset, decelerates symptomatic progression, and improves motor performance of SOD1G93A mice. Conversely, CNS-specific deletion of LanCL1 leads to neurodegenerative phenotypes, including motor neuron loss, neuroinflammation, and oxidative damage. Analysis reveals that LanCL1 is a positive regulator of AKT activity, and LanCL1 overexpression restores the impaired AKT activity in ALS model mice. These findings indicate that LanCL1 regulates neuronal survival through an alternative mechanism, and suggest a new therapeutic target in ALS.
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39
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Cappella M, Ciotti C, Cohen-Tannoudji M, Biferi MG. Gene Therapy for ALS-A Perspective. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:E4388. [PMID: 31500113 PMCID: PMC6771059 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20184388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2019] [Revised: 08/30/2019] [Accepted: 09/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal motor neuron disease (MND) with no cure. Recent advances in gene therapy open a new perspective to treat this disorder-particularly for the characterized genetic forms. Gene therapy approaches, involving the delivery of antisense oligonucleotides into the central nervous system (CNS) are being tested in clinical trials for patients with mutations in SOD1 or C9orf72 genes. Viral vectors can be used to deliver therapeutic sequences to stably transduce motor neurons in the CNS. Vectors derived from adeno-associated virus (AAV), can efficiently target genes and have been tested in several pre-clinical settings with promising outcomes. Recently, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Zolgensma, an AAV-mediated treatment for another MND-the infant form of spinal muscular atrophy. Given the accelerated progress in gene therapy, it is potentially a promising avenue to develop an efficient and safe cure for ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marisa Cappella
- Sorbonne Université, Inserm UMRS 974, Centre of Research in Myology (CRM), Institut de Myologie, GH Pitié Salpêtrière, 75013 Paris, France
| | - Chiara Ciotti
- Sorbonne Université, Inserm UMRS 974, Centre of Research in Myology (CRM), Institut de Myologie, GH Pitié Salpêtrière, 75013 Paris, France
| | - Mathilde Cohen-Tannoudji
- Sorbonne Université, Inserm UMRS 974, Centre of Research in Myology (CRM), Institut de Myologie, GH Pitié Salpêtrière, 75013 Paris, France
| | - Maria Grazia Biferi
- Sorbonne Université, Inserm UMRS 974, Centre of Research in Myology (CRM), Institut de Myologie, GH Pitié Salpêtrière, 75013 Paris, France.
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40
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Nair RR, Corrochano S, Gasco S, Tibbit C, Thompson D, Maduro C, Ali Z, Fratta P, Arozena AA, Cunningham TJ, Fisher EMC. Uses for humanised mouse models in precision medicine for neurodegenerative disease. Mamm Genome 2019; 30:173-191. [PMID: 31203387 PMCID: PMC6759662 DOI: 10.1007/s00335-019-09807-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2019] [Accepted: 05/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Neurodegenerative disease encompasses a wide range of disorders afflicting the central and peripheral nervous systems and is a major unmet biomedical need of our time. There are very limited treatments, and no cures, for most of these diseases, including Alzheimer's Disease, Parkinson's Disease, Huntington Disease, and Motor Neuron Diseases. Mouse and other animal models provide hope by analysing them to understand pathogenic mechanisms, to identify drug targets, and to develop gene therapies and stem cell therapies. However, despite many decades of research, virtually no new treatments have reached the clinic. Increasingly, it is apparent that human heterogeneity within clinically defined neurodegenerative disorders, and between patients with the same genetic mutations, significantly impacts disease presentation and, potentially, therapeutic efficacy. Therefore, stratifying patients according to genetics, lifestyle, disease presentation, ethnicity, and other parameters may hold the key to bringing effective therapies from the bench to the clinic. Here, we discuss genetic and cellular humanised mouse models, and how they help in defining the genetic and environmental parameters associated with neurodegenerative disease, and so help in developing effective precision medicine strategies for future healthcare.
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Affiliation(s)
- Remya R Nair
- Mammalian Genetics Unit, MRC Harwell Institute, Oxfordshire, OX11 0RD, UK
| | - Silvia Corrochano
- Mammalian Genetics Unit, MRC Harwell Institute, Oxfordshire, OX11 0RD, UK
| | - Samanta Gasco
- Mammalian Genetics Unit, MRC Harwell Institute, Oxfordshire, OX11 0RD, UK
| | - Charlotte Tibbit
- Mammalian Genetics Unit, MRC Harwell Institute, Oxfordshire, OX11 0RD, UK
| | - David Thompson
- Mammalian Genetics Unit, MRC Harwell Institute, Oxfordshire, OX11 0RD, UK
| | - Cheryl Maduro
- Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, WC1N 3BG, UK
| | - Zeinab Ali
- Mammalian Genetics Unit, MRC Harwell Institute, Oxfordshire, OX11 0RD, UK
| | - Pietro Fratta
- Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, WC1N 3BG, UK
| | - Abraham Acevedo Arozena
- Unidad de Investigación Hospital Universitario de Canarias, FUNCANIS, Instituto de Tecnologías Biomédicas ULL, and CIBERNED, La Laguna, 38320, Tenerife, Spain
| | | | - Elizabeth M C Fisher
- Mammalian Genetics Unit, MRC Harwell Institute, Oxfordshire, OX11 0RD, UK.
- Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, WC1N 3BG, UK.
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41
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Fernandes JG, Franco NH, Grierson AJ, Hultgren J, Furley AJW, Olsson IAS. Methodological standards, quality of reporting and regulatory compliance in animal research on amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: a systematic review. BMJ OPEN SCIENCE 2019; 3:e000016. [PMID: 35047680 PMCID: PMC8715942 DOI: 10.1136/bmjos-2018-000016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2018] [Revised: 03/13/2019] [Accepted: 04/18/2019] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Objectives The amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) research community was one of the first to adopt methodology guidelines to improve preclinical research reproducibility. We here present the results of a systematic review to investigate how the standards in this field changed over the 10-year period during which the guidelines were first published (2007) and updated (2010). Methods We searched for papers reporting ALS research on SOD1 (superoxide dismutase 1) mice published between 2005 and 2015 on the ISI Web of Science database, resulting in a sample of 569 papers to review, after triage. Two scores-one for methodological quality, one for regulatory compliance-were built from weighted sums of separate sets of items, and subjected to multivariable regression analysis, to assess how these related to publication year, type of study, country of origin and journal. Results Reporting standards improved over time. Of papers published after the first ALS guidelines were made public, fewer than 9% referred specifically to these. Of key research parameters, only three (genetic background, number of transgenes and group size) were reported in >50% of the papers. Information on housing conditions, randomisation and blinding was absent in over two-thirds of the papers. Group size was among the best reported parameters, but the majority reported using fewer than the recommended sample size and only two studies clearly justified group size. Conclusions General methodological standards improved gradually over a period of 8-10 years, but remained generally comparable with related fields with no specific guidelines, except with regard to severity. Only 11% of ALS studies were classified in the highest severity level (animals allowed to reach death or moribund stages), substantially below the proportion in studies of comparable neurodegenerative diseases such as Huntington's. The existence of field-specific guidelines, although a welcome indication of concern, seems insufficient to ensure adherence to high methodological standards. Other mechanisms may be required to improve methodological and welfare standards.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joana G Fernandes
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal.,IBMC-Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Nuno H Franco
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal.,IBMC-Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Andrew J Grierson
- Department of Neuroscience, Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK.,Bateson Centre, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Jan Hultgren
- Department of Animal Environment and Health, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Skara, Sweden
| | - Andrew J W Furley
- Bateson Centre, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK.,Department of Biomedical Science, University of Sheffield, Western Bank, Sheffield, UK
| | - I Anna S Olsson
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal.,IBMC-Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
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Transforming growth factor beta 1 signaling is altered in the spinal cord and muscle of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis mice and patients. Neurobiol Aging 2019; 82:48-59. [PMID: 31394426 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2019.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2018] [Revised: 04/05/2019] [Accepted: 07/04/2019] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Gender differences characterize amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Because ALS patients have increased circulating levels of transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGFB1), here we analyzed gender and disease progression-related modification of TGFB1 and its related signaling molecules in the spinal cord and skeletal muscle of ALS mice and in muscle biopsies from sporadic ALS patients. At presymptomatic stage, Tgfb1 mRNA expression is reduced in the mouse spinal cord but is increased selectively in the male skeletal muscle. At symptomatic stage, it is induced both in the mouse spinal cord and muscle, as well as in the muscle of ALS patients. Tgfbr2 levels are induced only in the mouse spinal cord. Smad2 and Smad4 mRNAs are decreased in the mouse spinal cord and muscle, but SMAD2 protein levels are augmented selectively in the male mouse muscle. Smad3 mRNA and SMAD3 protein are increased in the mouse muscle. The expression of genes controlled by TGFB1 in the muscle (Pax7, Collagen1a1, and Fibronectin) are reduced both in male and female ALS mice at symptomatic stage. Thus, TGFB1 modulation may serve as a novel therapeutic target for ALS.
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43
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Gatto RG, Amin M, Finkielsztein A, Weissmann C, Barrett T, Lamoutte C, Uchitel O, Sumagin R, Mareci TH, Magin RL. Unveiling early cortical and subcortical neuronal degeneration in ALS mice by ultra-high field diffusion MRI. Amyotroph Lateral Scler Frontotemporal Degener 2019; 20:549-561. [DOI: 10.1080/21678421.2019.1620285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Rodolfo G. Gatto
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA,
| | - Manish Amin
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, National High Magnetic Field Laboratory, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA,
| | - Ariel Finkielsztein
- Department of Pathology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA,
| | - Carina Weissmann
- Institute for Physiology, Molecular Biology and Neurosciences (IFIBYNE CONICET-UBA), Buenos Aires, Argentina,
| | - Thomas Barrett
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA, and
| | - Caroline Lamoutte
- Department of Microbiology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Osvaldo Uchitel
- Institute for Physiology, Molecular Biology and Neurosciences (IFIBYNE CONICET-UBA), Buenos Aires, Argentina,
| | - Ronen Sumagin
- Department of Pathology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA,
| | - Thomas H. Mareci
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, National High Magnetic Field Laboratory, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA,
| | - Richard L. Magin
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA,
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Majchrzak M, Drela K, Andrzejewska A, Rogujski P, Figurska S, Fiedorowicz M, Walczak P, Janowski M, Lukomska B, Stanaszek L. SOD1/Rag2 Mice with Low Copy Number of SOD1 Gene as a New Long-Living Immunodeficient Model of ALS. Sci Rep 2019; 9:799. [PMID: 30692571 PMCID: PMC6349855 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-37235-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2018] [Accepted: 11/30/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The most recent research concerning amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) emphasizes the role of glia in disease development. Thus, one can suspect that the effective therapeutic strategy in treatment of ALS would be replacement of defective glia. One of the basic problems with human glial progenitors (hGRPs) replacement strategies is the time needed for the cells to become fully functional in vivo. The lifespan of most popular high copy number SOD1 mutant mice might be too short to acknowledge benefits of transplanted cells. We focused on developing immunodeficient rag2-/- model of ALS with lower number of transgene copies and longer lifespan. The obtained hSOD1/rag2 double mutant mice have been characterized. QPCR analysis revealed that copy number of hSOD1 transgene varied in our colony (4-8 copies). The difference in transgene copy number may be translated to significant impact on the lifespan. The death of long- and short-living hSOD1/rag2 mice is preceded by muscular weakness as early as one month before death. Importantly, based on magnetic resonance imaging we identified that mutant mice demonstrated abnormalities within the medullar motor nuclei. To conclude, we developed long-living double mutant hSOD1/rag2 mice, which could be a promising model for testing therapeutic utility of human stem cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Majchrzak
- NeuroRepair Department, Mossakowski Medical Research Centre, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - K Drela
- NeuroRepair Department, Mossakowski Medical Research Centre, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - A Andrzejewska
- NeuroRepair Department, Mossakowski Medical Research Centre, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - P Rogujski
- NeuroRepair Department, Mossakowski Medical Research Centre, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - S Figurska
- Laboratory for Genetically Modified Animals, Mossakowski Medical Research Centre, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - M Fiedorowicz
- Department of Experimental Pharmacology and Small Animal Magnetic Resonance Imaging Laboratory, Mossakowski Medical Research Centre, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - P Walczak
- Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Institute for Cell Engineering, Division of MR Research, The Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Neurosurgery, School of Medicine, Collegium Medicum, University of Warmia and Mazury, Olsztyn, 10-719, Poland
| | - M Janowski
- NeuroRepair Department, Mossakowski Medical Research Centre, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
- Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Institute for Cell Engineering, Division of MR Research, The Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - B Lukomska
- NeuroRepair Department, Mossakowski Medical Research Centre, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland
| | - L Stanaszek
- NeuroRepair Department, Mossakowski Medical Research Centre, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland.
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45
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Malik R, Meng H, Wongkongkathep P, Corrales CI, Sepanj N, Atlasi RS, Klärner FG, Schrader T, Spencer MJ, Loo JA, Wiedau M, Bitan G. The molecular tweezer CLR01 inhibits aberrant superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) self-assembly in vitro and in the G93A-SOD1 mouse model of ALS. J Biol Chem 2019; 294:3501-3513. [PMID: 30602569 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra118.005940] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2018] [Revised: 01/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Mutations in superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) cause 15-20% of familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (fALS) cases. The resulting amino acid substitutions destabilize SOD1's protein structure, leading to its self-assembly into neurotoxic oligomers and aggregates, a process hypothesized to cause the characteristic motor-neuron degeneration in affected individuals. Currently, effective disease-modifying therapy is not available for ALS. Molecular tweezers prevent formation of toxic protein assemblies, yet their protective action has not been tested previously on SOD1 or in the context of ALS. Here, we tested the molecular tweezer CLR01-a broad-spectrum inhibitor of the self-assembly and toxicity of amyloid proteins-as a potential therapeutic agent for ALS. Using recombinant WT and mutant SOD1, we found that CLR01 inhibited the aggregation of all tested SOD1 forms in vitro Next, we examined whether CLR01 could prevent the formation of misfolded SOD1 in the G93A-SOD1 mouse model of ALS and whether such inhibition would have a beneficial therapeutic effect. CLR01 treatment decreased misfolded SOD1 in the spinal cord significantly. However, these histological findings did not correlate with improvement of the disease phenotype. A small, dose-dependent decrease in disease duration was found in CLR01-treated mice, relative to vehicle-treated animals, yet motor function did not improve in any of the treatment groups. These results demonstrate that CLR01 can inhibit SOD1 misfolding and aggregation both in vitro and in vivo, but raise the question whether such inhibition is sufficient for achieving a therapeutic effect. Additional studies in other less aggressive ALS models may be needed to determine the therapeutic potential of this approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ravinder Malik
- From the Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, and
| | - Helen Meng
- From the Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, and
| | | | | | - Niki Sepanj
- From the Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, and
| | - Ryan S Atlasi
- From the Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, and
| | | | - Thomas Schrader
- the Faculty of Chemistry, University of Duisburg-Essen, 47057 Essen, Germany
| | - Melissa J Spencer
- From the Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, and.,Brain Research Institute, and
| | - Joseph A Loo
- Departments of Chemistry and Biochemistry and.,Biological Chemistry.,Molecular Biology Institute, UCLA, Los Angeles, California 90095 and
| | - Martina Wiedau
- From the Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, and .,Brain Research Institute, and
| | - Gal Bitan
- From the Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine, and .,Brain Research Institute, and.,Molecular Biology Institute, UCLA, Los Angeles, California 90095 and
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46
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Wier CG, Crum AE, Reynolds AB, Iyer CC, Chugh D, Palettas MS, Heilman PL, Kline DM, Arnold WD, Kolb SJ. Muscle contractility dysfunction precedes loss of motor unit connectivity in SOD1(G93A) mice. Muscle Nerve 2018; 59:254-262. [PMID: 30370671 DOI: 10.1002/mus.26365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2018] [Revised: 09/17/2018] [Accepted: 10/22/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Electrophysiological measurements are used in longitudinal clinical studies to provide insight into the progression of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and the relationship between muscle weakness and motor unit (MU) degeneration. Here, we used a similar longitudinal approach in the Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD1[G93A]) mouse model of ALS. METHODS In vivo muscle contractility and MU connectivity assays were assessed longitudinally in SOD1(G93A) and wild type mice from postnatal days 35 to 119. RESULTS In SOD1(G93A) males, muscle contractility was reduced by day 35 and preceded MU loss. Muscle contractility and motor unit reduction were delayed in SOD1(G93A) females compared with males, but, just as with males, muscle contractility reduction preceded MU loss. DISCUSSION The longitudinal contractility and connectivity paradigm employed here provides additional insight into the SOD1(G93A) mouse model and suggests that loss of muscle contractility is an early finding that may precede loss of MUs and motor neuron death. Muscle Nerve 59:254-262, 2019.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher G Wier
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Pharmacology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Alexander E Crum
- Department of Neurology, Division of Neuromuscular Medicine, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, 395 West 12th Avenue, Columbus, Ohio, 43210, USA
| | - Anthony B Reynolds
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Pharmacology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Chitra C Iyer
- Department of Neurology, Division of Neuromuscular Medicine, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, 395 West 12th Avenue, Columbus, Ohio, 43210, USA
| | - Deepti Chugh
- Department of Neurology, Division of Neuromuscular Medicine, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, 395 West 12th Avenue, Columbus, Ohio, 43210, USA
| | - Marilly S Palettas
- Center for Biostatistics, Department of Biomedical Informatics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Patrick L Heilman
- Department of Neurology, Division of Neuromuscular Medicine, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, 395 West 12th Avenue, Columbus, Ohio, 43210, USA
| | - David M Kline
- Center for Biostatistics, Department of Biomedical Informatics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - W David Arnold
- Department of Neurology, Division of Neuromuscular Medicine, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, 395 West 12th Avenue, Columbus, Ohio, 43210, USA.,Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, Ohio, USA.,Department of Neuroscience, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, Ohio, USA.,Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Stephen J Kolb
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Pharmacology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, Ohio, USA.,Department of Neurology, Division of Neuromuscular Medicine, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, 395 West 12th Avenue, Columbus, Ohio, 43210, USA
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47
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Kobayakawa Y, Masaki K, Yamasaki R, Shiraishi W, Hayashida S, Hayashi S, Okamoto K, Matsushita T, Kira JI. Downregulation of Neuronal and Dendritic Connexin36-Made Electrical Synapses Without Glutamatergic Axon Terminals in Spinal Anterior Horn Cells From the Early Stage of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Front Neurosci 2018; 12:894. [PMID: 30546295 PMCID: PMC6279874 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2018.00894] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2018] [Accepted: 11/15/2018] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Connexin36 (Cx36) forms gap junctions between neurons, which are called electrical synapses, enabling adjacent neurons to communicate directly. The participation of chemical synapses in neurodegeneration in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) has long been indicated, but it remains unclear whether electrical synapses are involved in the pathogenesis of ALS. We performed extensive immunopathological analyses using mutant superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1G93A) transgenic mice and their littermates to investigate whether Cx36-made electrical synapses are affected in motor neuron diseases. We found that in the lamina IX of the lumbar spinal cord from wild type mice, about half of the Cx36 puncta existed independently of chemical synapse markers, while the rest coexisted with chemical synapse markers, such as vesicular glutamate transporter 1 (VGLUT1), which is a glutamatergic axon terminal marker, and/or glutamate decarboxylase 65 (GAD65), which is a GABAergic axon terminal marker. Cx36 single or Cx36/GAD65 double positive puncta, but not VGLUT1-containing puncta, were preferentially decreased on neuronal and dendritic surfaces of the anterior horn cells in the early stage of SOD1G93A ALS mice. Moreover, in five human autopsied sporadic ALS cases with bulbar or upper limb onset, Cx36 immunoreactivity was diminished in the proximal dendrites and neuropils of well-preserved large motor neurons in the lumbar anterior horns. These findings suggest that downregulation of neuronal and dendritic Cx36 in the spinal anterior horns commonly occurs from the early stage of hereditary and sporadic ALS. Cx36-made electrical synapses without glutamatergic signaling appear to be more vulnerable than other chemical synapses and electrical synapses with glutamatergic signaling in the early stage of motor neuron degeneration, suggesting involvement of Cx36-made electrical synapses in the pathogenesis of human ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuko Kobayakawa
- Department of Neurology, Neurological Institute, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Katsuhisa Masaki
- Department of Neurology, Neurological Institute, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Ryo Yamasaki
- Department of Neurology, Neurological Institute, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Wataru Shiraishi
- Department of Neurology, Neurological Institute, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Shotaro Hayashida
- Department of Neurology, Neurological Institute, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Shintaro Hayashi
- Department of Neurology, Neurological Institute, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Koichi Okamoto
- Department of Neurology, Geriatrics Research Institute and Hospital, Gunma, Japan
| | - Takuya Matsushita
- Department of Neurology, Neurological Institute, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Jun-Ichi Kira
- Department of Neurology, Neurological Institute, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
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Haney MM, Ericsson AC, Lever TE. Effects of Intraoperative Vagal Nerve Stimulation on the Gastrointestinal Microbiome in a Mouse Model of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Comp Med 2018; 68:452-460. [PMID: 30424824 DOI: 10.30802/aalas-cm-18-000039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The gastrointestinal microbiota (GM) plays a fundamental role in health and disease and contributes to the bidirectional signaling between the gastrointestinal system and brain. The direct line of communication between these organ systems is through the vagus nerve. Therefore, vagal nerve stimulation (VNS), a commonly used technique for multiple disorders, has potential to modulate the enteric microbiota, enabling investigation and possibly treatment of numerous neurologic disorders in which the microbiota has been linked with disease. Here we investigate the effect of VNS in a mouse model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). B6SJL-Tg(SOD1*G93A)dl1Gur (SOD1dl) and wildtype mice underwent ventral neck surgery to access the vagus nerve. During surgery, the experimental group received 1 h of VNS, whereas the sham group underwent 1 h of sham treatment. The third (control) group did not undergo any surgical manipulation. Fecal samples were collected before surgery and at 8 d after the initial collection. Microbial DNA was sequenced to determine the GM profiles at both time points. GM profiles did not differ between genotypes at either the initial or end point. In addition, VNS did not alter GM populations, according to the parameters chosen in this study, indicating that this short intraoperative treatment is safe and has no lasting effects on the GM. Future studies are warranted to determine whether different stimulation parameters or chronic use of VNS affect GM profiles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan M Haney
- Metagenomics Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA.
| | - Aaron C Ericsson
- Metagenomics Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA
| | - Teresa E Lever
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA
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49
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Jaiswal MK. Riluzole and edaravone: A tale of two amyotrophic lateral sclerosis drugs. Med Res Rev 2018; 39:733-748. [PMID: 30101496 DOI: 10.1002/med.21528] [Citation(s) in RCA: 247] [Impact Index Per Article: 41.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2018] [Revised: 07/01/2018] [Accepted: 07/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Over the past decades, a multitude of experimental drugs have been shown to delay disease progression in preclinical animal models of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) but failed to show efficacy in human clinical trials or are still waiting for approval under Phase I-III trials. Riluzole, a glutamatergic neurotransmission inhibitor, is the only drug approved by the USA Food and Drug Administration for ALS treatment with modest benefits on survival. Recently, an antioxidant drug, edaravone, developed by Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma was found to be effective in halting ALS progression during early stages. The newly approved drug edaravone is a force multiplier for ALS treatment. This short report provides an overview of the two drugs that have been approved for ALS treatment and highlights an update on the timeline of drug development, how clinical trials were done, the outcome of these trials, primary endpoint, mechanism of actions, dosing information, administration, side effects, and storage procedures. Moreover, we also discussed the pressing issues and challenges of ALS clinical trials and drug developments as well as future outlook.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manoj Kumar Jaiswal
- Center of Physiology, Georg-August University, Goettingen, Germany.,Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York
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50
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Gatto RG, Amin MY, Deyoung D, Hey M, Mareci TH, Magin RL. Ultra-High Field Diffusion MRI Reveals Early Axonal Pathology in Spinal Cord of ALS mice. Transl Neurodegener 2018; 7:20. [PMID: 30128146 PMCID: PMC6097419 DOI: 10.1186/s40035-018-0122-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2018] [Accepted: 07/02/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a disease characterized by a progressive degeneration of motor neurons leading to paralysis. Our previous MRI diffusion tensor imaging studies detected early white matter changes in the spinal cords of mice carrying the G93A-SOD1 mutation. Here, we extend those studies using ultra-high field MRI (17.6 T) and fluorescent microscopy to investigate the appearance of early structural and connectivity changes in the spinal cords of ALS mice. Methods The spinal cords from presymptomatic and symptomatic mice (80 to 120 days of age) were scanned (ex-vivo) using diffusion-weighted MRI. The fractional anisotropy (FA), axial (AD) and radial (RD) diffusivities were calculated for axial slices from the thoracic, cervical and lumbar regions of the spinal cords. The diffusion parameters were compared with fluorescence microscopy and membrane cellular markers from the same tissue regions. Results At early stages of the disease (day 80) in the lumbar region, we found, a 19% decrease in FA, a 9% decrease in AD and a 35% increase in RD. Similar changes were observed in cervical and thoracic spinal cord regions. Differences between control and ALS mice groups at the symptomatic stages (day 120) were larger. Quantitative fluorescence microscopy at 80 days, demonstrated a 22% reduction in axonal area and a 22% increase in axonal density. Tractography and quantitative connectome analyses measured by edge weights showed a 52% decrease in the lumbar regions of the spinal cords of this ALS mice group. A significant increase in ADC (23.3%) in the ALS mice group was related to an increase in aquaporin markers. Conclusions These findings suggest that the combination of ultra-high field diffusion MRI with fluorescent ALS mice reporters is a useful approach to detect and characterize presymptomatic white matter micro-ultrastructural changes and axonal connectivity anomalies in ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rodolfo G Gatto
- 1Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Illinois at Chicago, 808 S. Wood St. Rm 578 M/C 512, Chicago, IL 60612 USA
| | - Manish Y Amin
- 2Department of Physics, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL USA
| | - Daniel Deyoung
- 2Department of Physics, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL USA
| | - Matthew Hey
- 3Department of Applied Physiology and Kinesiology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL USA
| | - Thomas H Mareci
- 4Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL USA
| | - Richard L Magin
- 5Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL USA
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