Apaf1 mediates apoptosis and mitochondrial damage induced by mutant human SOD1s typical of familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Supramolecular organizing centers at the interface of inflammation and neurodegeneration

The pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases involves the accumulation of misfolded protein aggregates. These deposits are both directly toxic to neurons, invoking loss of cell connectivity and cell death, and recognized by innate sensors that upon activation release neurotoxic cytokines, chemokines, and various reactive species. This neuroinflammation is propagated through signaling cascades where activated sensors/receptors, adaptors, and effectors associate into multiprotein complexes known as supramolecular organizing centers (SMOCs). This review provides a comprehensive overview of the SMOCs, involved in neuroinflammation and neurotoxicity, such as myddosomes, inflammasomes, and necrosomes, their assembly, and evidence for their involvement in common neurodegenerative diseases. We discuss the multifaceted role of neuroinflammation in the progression of neurodegeneration. Recent progress in the understanding of particular SMOC participation in common neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease offers novel therapeutic strategies for currently absent disease-modifying treatments.

Ranolazine Counteracts Strength Impairment and Oxidative Stress in Aged Sarcopenic Mice

Sarcopenia is defined as the loss of muscle mass associated with reduced strength leading to poor quality of life in elderly people. The decline of skeletal muscle performance is characterized by bioenergetic impairment and severe oxidative stress, and does not always strictly correlate with muscle mass loss. We chose to investigate the ability of the metabolic modulator Ranolazine to counteract skeletal muscle dysfunctions that occur with aging. For this purpose, we treated aged C57BL/6 mice with Ranolazine/vehicle for 14 days and collected the tibialis anterior and gastrocnemius muscles for histological and gene expression analyses, respectively. We found that Ranolazine treatment significantly increased the muscle strength of aged mice. At the histological level, we found an increase in centrally nucleated fibers associated with an up-regulation of genes encoding MyoD, Periostin and Osteopontin, thus suggesting a remodeling of the muscle even in the absence of physical exercise. Notably, these beneficial effects of Ranolazine were also accompanied by an up-regulation of antioxidant and mitochondrial genes as well as of NADH-dehydrogenase activity, together with a more efficient protection from oxidative damage in the skeletal muscle. These data indicate that the protection of muscle from oxidative stress by Ranolazine might represent a valuable approach to increase skeletal muscle strength in elderly populations.

Transforming grief into peace: The normal grieving mind-Memory construction, deconstruction, and reconsolidation

On the 19^th of September 2020 Ernest Rossi, my husband, professional partner, and best friend of 30 years left this mortal world. His passing was a comparatively rapid process of dissipation extended over a period of approximately six days. In addition to the complex of emotions and physical responses, I experienced grief. This grief affected me more than any prior loss or sadness in my life as my consciousness was altered into fluctuating quantum trance states characteristic of hypnosis while dancing on the spacetime continuum. As I transformed grief to peace, I utilized established "Rossi" principles as guidelines for effective therapeutic hypnosis and developing a satisfying life. In the tradition of our life together, I was the "operator" who had a subjective experience and yet, at the same time, I was also the "observer" who would watch, learn, and discover new knowledge. This paper is the emergent outpouring of the dynamic interplay between the observer and the operator, which is, therefore experiential, revealing, revelational, and numinous.

Contribution of Apaf-1 to the pathogenesis of cancer and neurodegenerative diseases

Deregulation of apoptosis is associated with various pathologies, such as neurodegenerative disorders at one end of the spectrum and cancer at the other end. Generally speaking, differentiated cells like cardiomyocytes, skeletal myocytes and neurons exhibit low levels of Apaf-1 (Apoptotic protease activating factor 1) protein suggesting that down-regulation of Apaf-1 is an important event contributing to the resistance of these cells to apoptosis. Nonetheless, upregulation of Apaf-1 has not emerged as a common phenomenon in pathologies associated with enhanced neuronal cell death, i.e., neurodegenerative diseases. In cancer, on the other hand, Apaf-1 downregulation is a common phenomenon, which occurs through various mechanisms including mRNA hyper-methylation, gene methylation, Apaf-1 localization in lipid rafts, inhibition by microRNAs, phosphorylation, and interaction with specific inhibitors. Due to the diversity of these mechanisms and involvement of other factors, defining the exact contribution of Apaf-1 to the development of cancer in general and neurodegenerative disorders, in particular, is complicated. The current review is an attempt to provide a comprehensive image of Apaf-1's contribution to the pathologies observed in cancer and neurodegenerative diseases with the emphasis on the therapeutic aspects of Apaf-1 as an important target in these pathologies.

Microglia Morphological Changes in the Motor Cortex of hSOD1G93A Transgenic ALS Mice

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is characterized by the progressive degeneration of spinal motor neurons as well as corticospinal (CSN) large pyramidal neurons within cortex layer V. An intense microglia immune response has been associated with both upper and lower motor neuron degeneration in ALS patients, whereas microgliosis occurrence in the motor cortex of hSOD1^G93A mice—the best characterized model of this disease—is not clear and remains under debate. Since the impact of microglia cells in the neuronal environment seems to be crucial for both the initiation and the progression of the disease, here we analyzed the motor cortex of hSOD1^G93A mice at the onset of symptoms by the immunolabeling of Iba1/TMEM119 double positive cells and confocal microscopy. By means of Sholl analysis, we were able to identify and quantify the presence of presumably activated Iba1/TMEM119-positive microglia cells with shorter and thicker processes as compared to the normal surveilling and more ramified microglia present in WT cortices. We strongly believe that being able to analyze microglia activation in the motor cortex of hSOD1^G93A mice is of great importance for defining the timing and the extent of microglia involvement in CSN degeneration and for the identification of the initiation stages of this disease.

Skeletal Muscle in ALS: An Unappreciated Therapeutic Opportunity?

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the selective degeneration of upper and lower motor neurons and by the progressive weakness and paralysis of voluntary muscles. Despite intense research efforts and numerous clinical trials, it is still an incurable disease. ALS had long been considered a pure motor neuron disease; however, recent studies have shown that motor neuron protection is not sufficient to prevent the course of the disease since the dismantlement of neuromuscular junctions occurs before motor neuron degeneration. Skeletal muscle alterations have been described in the early stages of the disease, and they seem to be mainly involved in the "dying back" phenomenon of motor neurons and metabolic dysfunctions. In recent years, skeletal muscles have been considered crucial not only for the etiology of ALS but also for its treatment. Here, we review clinical and preclinical studies that targeted skeletal muscles and discuss the different approaches, including pharmacological interventions, supplements or diets, genetic modifications, and training programs.

Apoptosis in health and diseases of the eye and brain

Apoptosis is a form of programmed cell death (PCD) and enables the immunologically silent disposal of senescent or unwanted cells, causing minimal damage to the surrounding environment. Apoptosis can occur via intrinsic or extrinsic pathways that initiate a series of intracellular and extracellular signaling events. This ultimately leads to the clearance of the cell by phagocytes. This normal physiological mechanism may be accelerated in several diseases including those involving the eyes and brain, leading to loss of structure and function. This review presents the role of PCD in the health of the eyes and brain, and the evidence presented for its aberrant role in disease.

Exploiting Common Aspects of Obesity and Alzheimer's Disease

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is an example of age-related dementia, and there are still no known preventive or curative measures for this disease. Obesity and associated metabolic changes are widely accepted as risk factors of age-related cognitive decline. Insulin is the prime mediator of metabolic homeostasis, which is impaired in obesity, and this impairment potentiates amyloid-β (Aβ) accumulation and the formation of neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs). Obesity is also linked with functional and morphological alterations in brain mitochondria leading to brain insulin resistance (IR) and memory deficits associated with AD. Also, increased peripheral inflammation and oxidative stress due to obesity are the main drivers that increase an individual’s susceptibility to cognitive deficits, thus doubling the risk of AD. This enhanced risk of AD is alarming in the context of a rapidly increasing global incidence of obesity and overweight in the general population. In this review, we summarize the risk factors that link obesity with AD and emphasize the point that the treatment and management of obesity may also provide a way to prevent AD.

Characterization of the Mitochondrial Aerobic Metabolism in the Pre- and Perisynaptic Districts of the SOD1G93A Mouse Model of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is an adult-onset fatal neurodegenerative disease characterized by muscle wasting, weakness, and spasticity due to a progressive degeneration of cortical, brainstem, and spinal motor neurons. The etiopathological causes are still largely obscure, although astrocytes definitely play a role in neuronal damage. Several mechanisms have been proposed to concur to neurodegeneration in ALS, including mitochondrial dysfunction. We have previously shown profound modifications of glutamate release and presynaptic plasticity in the spinal cord of the SOD1^G93A mouse model of ALS. In this work, we characterized, for the first time, the aerobic metabolism in two specific compartments actively involved in neurotransmission (i.e. the presynaptic district, using purified synaptosomes, and the perisynaptic astrocyte processes, using purified gliosomes) in SOD1^G93A mice at different stages of the disease. ATP/AMP ratio was lower in synaptosomes isolated from the spinal cord, but not from other brain areas, of SOD1^G93A vs. control mice. The energy impairment was linked to altered oxidative phosphorylation (OxPhos) and increment of lipid peroxidation. These metabolic dysfunctions were present during disease progression, starting at the very pre-symptomatic stages, and did not depend on a different number of mitochondria or a different expression of OxPhos proteins. Conversely, gliosomes showed a reduction of the ATP/AMP ratio only at the late stages of the disease and an increment of oxidative stress also in the absence of a significant decrement in OxPhos activity. Data suggest that the presynaptic neuronal moiety plays a pivotal role for synaptic energy metabolism dysfunctions in ALS. Changes in the perisynaptic compartment seem subordinated to neuronal damage.

Mitochondrial redox signalling by p66Shc mediates ALS-like disease through Rac1 inactivation

Increased oxidative stress and mitochondrial damage are among the mechanisms whereby mutant SOD1 (mutSOD1) associated with familial forms of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) induces motoneuronal death. The 66 kDa isoform of the growth factor adapter Shc (p66Shc) is known to be central in the control of mitochondria-dependent oxidative balance. Here we report that expression of mutSOD1s induces the activation of p66Shc in neuronal cells and that the overexpression of inactive p66Shc mutants protects cells from mutSOD1-induced mitochondrial damage. Most importantly, deletion of p66Shc ameliorates mitochondrial function, delays onset, improves motor performance and prolongs survival in transgenic mice modelling ALS. We also show that p66Shc activation by mutSOD1 causes a strong decrease in the activity of the small GTPase Rac1 through a redox-sensitive regulation. Our results provide new insight into the potential mechanisms of mutSOD1-mediated mitochondrial dysfunction.

Mitochondrial dysfunction in ALS

In the present article, we review the many facets of mitochondrial dysfunction in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a fatal neurodegenerative disease due to loss of upper motor neurons in cerebral cortex and lower motor neurons in brainstem and spinal cord. Accumulating evidence from recent studies suggests that the many, interconnected facets of mitochondrial dysfunction may play a more significant role in the etiopathogenesis of this disorder than previously thought. This notion stems from our expanding knowledge of the complex physiology of mitochondria and of alteration of their properties that might confer an intrinsic susceptibility to long-lived, post-mitotic motor neurons to energy deficit, calcium mishandling and oxidative stress. The wealth of evidence implicating mitochondrial dysfunction as a major event in the pathology of ALS has prompted new studies aimed to the development of new mitochondria-targeted therapies. However, it is now clear that drugs targeting more than one aspect of mitochondrial dysfunction are needed to fight this devastating disease.

Changes in the spinal cord proteome of an amyotrophic lateral sclerosis murine model determined by differential in-gel electrophoresis

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disorder characterized by loss of motor neurons resulting in progressive paralysis. To date, more than 140 different mutations in the gene encoding CuZn-superoxide dismutase (SOD1) have been associated with ALS. Several transgenic murine models exist in which various mutant SOD1s are expressed. We used DIGE to analyze the changes in the spinal cord proteome induced by expression of the unstable SOD1 truncation mutant G127insTGGG (G127X) in mice. Unlike mutants used in most other models, G127X lacks SOD activity and is present at low levels, thus reducing the risk of overexpression artifacts. The mice were analyzed at their peak body weights just before onset of symptoms. Variable importance plot analysis showed that 420 of 1,800 detected protein spots contributed significantly to the differences between the groups. By MALDI-TOF MS analysis, 54 differentially regulated proteins were identified. One spot was found to be a covalently linked mutant SOD1 dimer, apparently analogous to SOD1-immunoreactive bands migrating at double the molecular weight of SOD1 monomers previously detected in humans and mice carrying mutant SOD1s and in sporadic ALS cases. Analyses of affected functional pathways and the subcellular representation of alterations suggest that the toxicity exerted by mutant SODs induces oxidative stress and affects mitochondria, cellular assembly/organization, and protein degradation.

Inflammatory cytokines increase mitochondrial damage in motoneuronal cells expressing mutant SOD1

Recent studies indicate that molecular signals from microglia determine disease progression in transgenic mice overexpressing mutant superoxide dismutase (mutSOD1) typical of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients and that toxicity of mutSOD1 in motor neurons descends from its tendency to associate with mitochondria. To assess whether the neurotoxicity of mutSOD1 is influenced by signals from glia, we challenged motoneuronal cells overexpressing either wild-type or mutant SOD1 with inflammatory cytokines. We have obtained evidence that combined treatment with tumor necrosis factor alpha and interferon gamma increases the fraction of both wtSOD1 and mutSOD1 associated with mitochondria, but these inflammatory cytokines dramatically alter morphological features and functionality of mitochondria only in cells expressing mutSOD1. As an effect downstream the increase in mitochondria-associated mutSOD1, the ratio between reduced and oxidized glutathione further shifts toward the oxidized form in this compartment and a clear death phenotype is evoked upon treatment with inflammatory cytokines. These results suggest that signals coming from non-neuronal cells contribute to death of motor neurons induced by mutSOD1 through reinforcement of mitochondrial damage.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: from current developments in the laboratory to clinical implications

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a late-onset progressive degeneration of motor neurons occurring both as a sporadic and a familial disease. The etiology of ALS remains unknown, but one fifth of instances are due to specific gene defects, the best characterized of which is point mutations in the gene coding for Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD1). Because sporadic and familial ALS affect the same neurons with similar pathology, it is hoped that understanding these gene defects will help in devising therapies effective in both forms. A wealth of evidence has been collected in rodents made transgenic for mutant SOD1, which represent the best available models for familial ALS. Mutant SOD1 likely induces selective vulnerability of motor neurons through a combination of several mechanisms, including protein misfolding, mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative damage, cytoskeletal abnormalities and defective axonal transport, excitotoxicity, inadequate growth factor signaling, and inflammation. Damage within motor neurons is enhanced by noxious signals originating from nonneuronal neighboring cells, where mutant SOD1 induces an inflammatory response that accelerates disease progression. The clinical implication of these findings is that promising therapeutic approaches can be derived from multidrug treatments aimed at the simultaneous interception of damage in both motor neurons and nonmotor neuronal cells.

Neuronal apoptosis in neurodegeneration

Apoptosis mediates the precise and programmed natural death of neurons and is a physiologically important process in neurogenesis during maturation of the central nervous system. However, premature apoptosis and/or an aberration in apoptosis regulation is implicated in the pathogenesis of neurodegeneration, a multifaceted process that leads to various chronic disease states, such as Alzheimer's (AD), Parkinson's (PD), Huntington's (HD) diseases, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), and diabetic encephalopathy. The current review focuses on two major areas (a) the fundamentals of apoptosis, which includes elements of the apoptotic machinery, apoptosis inducers, and emerging concepts in apoptosis research, and (b) apoptotic involvement in neurodegenerative disorders, neuroprotective treatment strategies/modalities, and the mechanisms of, and signaling in, neuronal apoptosis. Current and new experimental models for apoptosis research in neurodegenerative diseases are also discussed.

Apoptotic mechanisms in mutant LRRK2-mediated cell death

Mutations in the gene coding for leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) cause autosomal-dominant Parkinson's disease. The pathological mutations have been associated with an increase of LRRK2 kinase activity, although its physiological substrates have not been identified yet. The data we report here demonstrate that disease-associated mutant LRRK2 cell toxicity is due to mitochondria-dependent apoptosis. Transient transfection of mutant LRRK2 leads to neuronal death with clear apoptotic signs. Soluble caspase inhibitors or the genetic ablation of Apaf1 protects cells from apoptotic death. Moreover, we explored the function of two protein domains in LRRK2 (LRR and WD40) and demonstrate that the lack of these protein domains has a protective effect on mitochondria dysfunctions induced by mutant LRRK2.

Mitochondrial damage modulates alternative splicing in neuronal cells: implications for neurodegeneration

Mitochondrial damage is linked to many neurodegenerative conditions, such as Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. These diseases are associated with changes in the splicing pattern of individual mRNAs. Here, we tested the hypothesis that mitochondrial damage modulates alternative splicing, not only of a few mRNAs, but in a general manner. We incubated cultured human neuroblastoma cells with the chemical agent paraquat (a neurotoxin that interferes with mitochondrial function, causing energy deficit and oxidative stress) and analysed the splicing pattern of 13 genes by RT-PCR. For all mRNAs that are alternatively spliced, we observed a dose- and time-dependent increase of the smaller isoforms. In contrast, splicing of all constitutive splicing exons that we monitored did not change. Using other drugs, we show that the modulation of alternative splicing correlates with ATP depletion, not with oxidative stress. Such drastic changes in alternative splicing are not observed in cell lines of non-neuronal origin, suggesting a selective susceptibility of neuronal cells to modulation of splicing. As a significant percentage of all mammalian mRNAs undergo alternative splicing, we predict that mitochondrial failure will unbalance a vast number of isoform equilibriums, which would give an important contribution to neurodegeneration.

Catalytic antioxidants to treat amyotropic lateral sclerosis

Catalytic antioxidants are comprised of specialised classes of organometallic complexes that can catalyse the decomposition of injurious biological oxidants. These complexes have been shown to prevent the formation of several oxidative markers in spinal cord of G93A amyotropic lateral sclerosis mice and markedly extend survival, even when administered at symptom onset; however, it is now clear that some complexes lacking in antioxidant activity are also protective. New proteomics data suggest that these complexes also induce a broad spectrum of endogenous cellular defense mechanisms. The combination of antioxidant and adaptive resistance effects may explain the remarkable potency of these compounds and may also suggest wide applicability for them in a number of neurodegenerative diseases.

Induction of the unfolded protein response in familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and association of protein-disulfide isomerase with superoxide dismutase 1

Mutations in Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD1) are linked to motor neuron death in familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) by an unclear mechanism, although misfolded SOD1 aggregates are commonly associated with disease. Proteomic analysis of the transgenic SOD1(G93A) ALS rat model revealed significant up-regulation of endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-resident protein-disulfide isomerase (PDI) family members in lumbar spinal cords. Expression of SOD1 mutants (mSOD1) led to an up-regulation of PDI in motor neuron-like NSC-34 cells but not other cell lines. Inhibition of PDI using bacitracin increased aggregate production, even in wild type SOD1 transfectants that do not readily form inclusions, suggesting PDI may protect SOD1 from aggregation. Moreover, PDI co-localized with intracellular aggregates of mSOD1 and bound to both wild type and mSOD1. SOD1 was also found in the microsomal fraction of cells despite being a predominantly cytosolic enzyme, confirming ER-Golgi-dependent secretion. In SOD1(G93A) mice, a significant up-regulation of unfolded protein response entities was also observed during disease, including caspase-12, -9, and -3 cleavage. Our findings therefore implicate unfolded protein response and ER stress-induced apoptosis in the patho-physiology of familial ALS. The possibility that PDI may be a therapeutic target to prevent SOD1 aggregation is also raised by this study.

Targets in ALS: designing multidrug therapies

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is an incurable disease that arises from the progressive loss of motoneurons. Even when caused by a single gene defect, as in the case of mutations in the enzyme Cu-Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD1), ALS is the result of a complex cascade that involves crosstalk among motoneurons, glia and muscles, and evolves through the action of converging toxic mechanisms. Transgenic rodents that express human mutant SOD1 and develop a progressive paralytic disease are widely used to screen potential therapeutics. Treatments that interfere with a specific event in the neurotoxic cascade have been reported to produce a modest increase in rodent lifespan. Multi-intervention approaches, including novel methods to intercept the damage and to deliver molecules to vulnerable cells, have recently been shown to be more effective. Thus, new avenues for promising therapeutic approaches can be derived from multidrug treatments and/or the delivery of growth factors by viral vectors, in combination with exercise and/or diet regimens.

Overloading of stable and exclusion of unstable human superoxide dismutase-1 variants in mitochondria of murine amyotrophic lateral sclerosis models

Mutants of human superoxide dismutase-1 (hSOD1) cause amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and mitochondria are thought to be primary targets of the cytotoxic action. The high expression rates of hSOD1s in transgenic ALS models give high levels of the stable mutants G93A and D90A as well as the wild-type human enzyme, significant proportions of which lack Cu and the intrasubunit disulfide bond. The endogenous murine SOD1 (mSOD1) also lacks Cu and is disulfide reduced but is active and oxidized in mice expressing the low-level unstable mutants G85R and G127insTGGG. The possibility that the molecular alterations may cause artificial loading of the stable hSOD1s into mitochondria was explored. Approximately 10% of these hSOD1s were localized to mitochondria, reaching levels 100-fold higher than those of mSOD1 in control mice. There was no difference between brain and spinal cord and between stable mutants and the wild-type hSOD1. mSOD1 was increased fourfold in mitochondria from high-level hSOD1 mice but was normal in those with low levels, suggesting that the Cu deficiency and disulfide reduction cause mitochondrial overloading. The levels of G85R and G127insTGGG mutant hSOD1s in mitochondria were 100- and 1000-fold lower than those of stable mutants. Spinal cords from symptomatic mice contained hSOD1 aggregates covering the entire density gradient, which could contaminate isolated organelle fractions. Thus, high hSOD1 expression rates can cause artificial loading of mitochondria. Unstable low-level hSOD1s are excluded from mitochondria, indicating other primary locations of injury. Such models may be preferable for studies of ALS pathogenesis.