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Babazadeh A, Vahed FM, Liu Q, Siddiqui SA, Kharazmi MS, Jafari SM. Natural Bioactive Molecules as Neuromedicines for the Treatment/Prevention of Neurodegenerative Diseases. ACS OMEGA 2023; 8:3667-3683. [PMID: 36743024 PMCID: PMC9893457 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.2c06098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2022] [Accepted: 12/29/2022] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
The brain is vulnerable to different types of stresses, particularly oxidative stress as a result of oxygen requirements/utilization in the body. Large amounts of unsaturated fatty acids present in the brain increase this vulnerability. Neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs) are brain disorders that are characterized by the gradual loss of specific neurons and are attributed to broad evidence of cell-level oxidative stress. The accurate characterization of neurological disorders relies on several parameters along with genetics and environmental risk factors, making therapies less efficient to fight NDDs. On the way to tackle oxidative damage and discover efficient and safe therapies, bioactives are at the edge of NDD science. Naturally occurring bioactive compounds such as polyphenols, carotenoids, essential fatty acids, phytosterols, essential oils, etc. are particularly of interest owing to their potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities, and they offer lots of brain-health-promoting features. This Review focuses on probing the neuroefficacy and bioefficacy of bioactives and their role in supporting relatively low antioxidative and low regenerative capacities of the brain, neurogenesis, neuroprotection, and ameliorating/treating NDDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Afshin Babazadeh
- Center
for Motor Neuron Disease Research, Macquarie Medical School, Faculty
of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales 2109, Australia
| | - Fereshteh Mohammadi Vahed
- Center
for Motor Neuron Disease Research, Macquarie Medical School, Faculty
of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, New South Wales 2109, Australia
| | - Qi Liu
- Institute
of Translational Medicine, Medical College, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
- Jiangsu
Key Laboratory of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine
for Prevention and Treatment of Senile Diseases, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, China
| | - Shahida Anusha Siddiqui
- Technical
University of Munich Campus Straubing for Biotechnology and Sustainability, Essigberg 3, 94315 Straubing, Germany
- German
Institute of Food Technologies (DIL e.V.), Prof.-von-Klitzing-Straße 7, 49610 D Quakenbrück, Germany
| | | | - Seid Mahdi Jafari
- Department
of Food Materials and Process Design Engineering, Gorgan University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, Gorgan 4913815739, Iran
- Nutrition
and Bromatology Group, Department of Analytical Chemistry and Food
Science, Faculty of Science, Universidade
de Vigo, E-32004 Ourense, Spain
- College
of Food Science and Technology, Hebei Agricultural
University, Baoding 071001, China
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2
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Environmental stimulation in Huntington disease patients and animal models. Neurobiol Dis 2022; 171:105725. [DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2022.105725] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2021] [Revised: 04/03/2022] [Accepted: 04/08/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
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Morales-Martínez A, Zamorano-Carrillo A, Montes S, El-Hafidi M, Sánchez-Mendoza A, Soria-Castro E, Martínez-Lazcano JC, Martínez-Gopar PE, Ríos C, Pérez-Severiano F. Rich fatty acids diet of fish and olive oils modifies membrane properties in striatal rat synaptosomes. Nutr Neurosci 2021; 24:1-12. [PMID: 30822260 DOI: 10.1080/1028415x.2019.1584692] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Background: Essential fatty acids (EFAs) and non-essential fatty acids (nEFAs) exert experimental and clinical neuroprotection in neurodegenerative diseases. The main EFAs, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), nEFAs, and oleic acid (OA) contained in olive and fish oils are inserted into the cell membranes, but the exact mechanism through which they exert neuroprotection is still unknown. Objectives and Methods: In this study, we assessed the fatty acids content and membrane fluidity in striatal rat synaptosomes after fatty acid-rich diets (olive- or a fish-oil diet, 15% w/w). Then, we evaluated the effect of enriching striatum synaptosomes with fatty acids on the oxidative damage produced by the prooxidants ferrous sulfate (FeSO4) or quinolinic acid (QUIN). Results and Discussion: Lipid profile analysis in striatal synaptosomes showed that EPA content increased in the fish oil group in comparison with control and olive groups. Furthermore, we found that synaptosomes enriched with fatty acids and incubated with QUIN or FeSO4 showed a significant oxidative damage reduction. Results suggest that EFAs, particularly EPA, improve membrane fluidity and confer antioxidant effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adriana Morales-Martínez
- Departamento de Neuroquímica, Instituto Nacional de Neurología y Neurocirugía, Ciudad de México, México
- Laboratorio de Investigación de Bioquímica y Biofísica Computacional, ENMH, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Ciudad de México, México
| | - Absalom Zamorano-Carrillo
- Laboratorio de Investigación de Bioquímica y Biofísica Computacional, ENMH, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Ciudad de México, México
| | - Sergio Montes
- Departamento de Neuroquímica, Instituto Nacional de Neurología y Neurocirugía, Ciudad de México, México
| | - Mohammed El-Hafidi
- Departamento de Biomedicina Cardiovascular, Instituto Nacional de Cardiología Ignacio Chávez, Ciudad de México, México
| | - Alicia Sánchez-Mendoza
- Departamento de Farmacología, Instituto Nacional de Cardiología Ignacio Chávez, Ciudad de México, México
| | - Elizabeth Soria-Castro
- Departamento de Patología, Instituto Nacional de Cardiología Ignacio Chávez, Ciudad de México, México
| | | | | | - Camilo Ríos
- Departamento de Neuroquímica, Instituto Nacional de Neurología y Neurocirugía, Ciudad de México, México
| | - Francisca Pérez-Severiano
- Departamento de Neuroquímica, Instituto Nacional de Neurología y Neurocirugía, Ciudad de México, México
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Chitre NM, Moniri NH, Murnane KS. Omega-3 Fatty Acids as Druggable Therapeutics for Neurodegenerative Disorders. CNS & NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS-DRUG TARGETS 2020; 18:735-749. [PMID: 31724519 DOI: 10.2174/1871527318666191114093749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2019] [Revised: 09/07/2019] [Accepted: 10/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Neurodegenerative disorders are commonly associated with a complex pattern of pathophysiological hallmarks, including increased oxidative stress and neuroinflammation, which makes their treatment challenging. Omega-3 Fatty Acids (O3FA) are natural products with reported neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant effects. These effects have been attributed to their incorporation into neuronal membranes or through the activation of intracellular or recently discovered cell-surface receptors (i.e., Free-Fatty Acid Receptors; FFAR). Molecular docking studies have investigated the roles of O3FA as agonists of FFAR and have led to the development of receptor-specific targeted agonists for therapeutic purposes. Moreover, novel formulation strategies for targeted delivery of O3FA to the brain have supported their development as therapeutics for neurodegenerative disorders. Despite the compelling evidence of the beneficial effects of O3FA for several neuroprotective functions, they are currently only available as unregulated dietary supplements, with only a single FDA-approved prescription product, indicated for triglyceride reduction. This review highlights the relative safety and efficacy of O3FA, their drug-like properties, and their capacity to be formulated in clinically viable drug delivery systems. Interestingly, the presence of cardiac conditions such as hypertriglyceridemia is associated with brain pathophysiological hallmarks of neurodegeneration, such as neuroinflammation, thereby further suggesting potential therapeutic roles of O3FA for neurodegenerative disorders. Taken together, this review article summarizes and integrates the compelling evidence regarding the feasibility of developing O3FA and their synthetic derivatives as potential drugs for neurodegenerative disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neha M Chitre
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Mercer University Health Sciences Center, Mercer University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Nader H Moniri
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Mercer University Health Sciences Center, Mercer University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Kevin S Murnane
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Mercer University Health Sciences Center, Mercer University, Atlanta, GA, United States
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Reactive Species in Huntington Disease: Are They Really the Radicals You Want to Catch? Antioxidants (Basel) 2020; 9:antiox9070577. [PMID: 32630706 PMCID: PMC7401865 DOI: 10.3390/antiox9070577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2020] [Revised: 06/22/2020] [Accepted: 06/26/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Huntington disease (HD) is a neurodegenerative condition and one of the so-called rare or minority diseases, due to its low prevalence (affecting 1–10 of every 100,000 people in western countries). The causative gene, HTT, encodes huntingtin, a protein with a yet unknown function. Mutant huntingtin causes a range of phenotypes, including oxidative stress and the activation of microglia and astrocytes, which leads to chronic inflammation of the brain. Although substantial efforts have been made to find a cure for HD, there is currently no medical intervention able to stop or even delay progression of the disease. Among the many targets of therapeutic intervention, oxidative stress and inflammation have been extensively studied and some clinical trials have been promoted to target them. In the present work, we review the basic research on oxidative stress in HD and the strategies used to fight it. Many of the strategies to reduce the phenotypes associated with oxidative stress have produced positive results, yet no substantial functional recovery has been observed in animal models or patients with the disease. We discuss possible explanations for this and suggest potential ways to overcome it.
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Efficacy of ethyl-EPA as a treatment for Huntington disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Acta Neuropsychiatr 2019; 31:175-185. [PMID: 30890195 DOI: 10.1017/neu.2019.11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE After MRI studies suggested the efficacy of ethyl-EPA in reducing the progressive brain atrophy in Huntington disease (HD), trials were conducted to test its efficacy as a treatment for HD. Trials that continued for 6 months did not find any significant improvement, urging discontinuation of the drug. However, trials that continued for 12 months indicated improvement of motor functions in these patients. METHODS We searched 12 electronic databases to find randomised clinical trials relevant to our inclusion criteria. After screening, only five papers were included. Continuous and binary variables were analysed to compute the pooled mean difference (MD) and risk ratio (RR), respectively. Quality effect model meta-analysis was used as a post hoc analysis for studies at 12 months. FINDINGS Meta-analysis indicated that ethyl-eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) has no significant effect on any scale of HD at 6 months. At 12 months, two studies suggested significant improvements of the Total Motor Score and Total Motor Score-4 in both fixed and quality effect models [MD = -2.720, 95% CI (-4.76, -.68), p = 0.009; MD = -2.225, 95% CI (-3.842, -0.607), p = 0.007], respectively. Maximal chorea score showed significant results [MD = -1.013, 95% CI (-1.793, -0.233), p = 0.011] in only fixed-effect model, while no improvement was detected for Stroop colour naming test or symbol digit modality. CONCLUSION Meta-analysis indicated a significant improvement of motor scores only after 12 months. These results should be interpreted cautiously because only two studies had assessed the efficacy of ethyl-EPA after 12 months with one of them having a 6-month open-label phase.
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Denis HL, Lauruol F, Cicchetti F. Are immunotherapies for Huntington's disease a realistic option? Mol Psychiatry 2019; 24:364-377. [PMID: 29487401 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-018-0021-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2017] [Revised: 12/22/2017] [Accepted: 01/15/2018] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
There is compelling evidence that the pathophysiology of many neurodegenerative diseases includes dysregulation of the immune system, with some elements that precede disease onset. However, if these alterations are prominent, why have clinical trials targeting this system failed to translate into long-lasting meaningful benefits for patients? This review focuses on Huntington's disease, a genetic disorder marked by notable cerebral and peripheral inflammation. We summarize ongoing and completed clinical trials that have involved pharmacological approaches to inhibit various components of the immune system and their pre-clinical correlates. We then discuss new putative treatment strategies using more targeted immunotherapies such as vaccination and intrabodies and how these may offer new hope in the treatment of Huntington's disease as well as other neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hélèna L Denis
- Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec, Université Laval, Québec, QC, G1V 4G2, Canada.,Département de Psychiatrie & Neurosciences, Université Laval, Québec, QC, G1V 0A6, Canada
| | - Florian Lauruol
- Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec, Université Laval, Québec, QC, G1V 4G2, Canada.,Département de Psychiatrie & Neurosciences, Université Laval, Québec, QC, G1V 0A6, Canada
| | - Francesca Cicchetti
- Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec, Université Laval, Québec, QC, G1V 4G2, Canada. .,Département de Psychiatrie & Neurosciences, Université Laval, Québec, QC, G1V 0A6, Canada.
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García-Forn M, Martínez-Torres S, García-Díaz Barriga G, Alberch J, Milà M, Azkona G, Pérez-Navarro E. Pharmacogenetic modulation of STEP improves motor and cognitive function in a mouse model of Huntington's disease. Neurobiol Dis 2018; 120:88-97. [PMID: 30176350 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2018.08.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2018] [Revised: 07/31/2018] [Accepted: 08/30/2018] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) is a hereditary neurodegenerative disorder caused by an expansion of a CAG repeat in the huntingtin (htt) gene, which results in an aberrant form of the protein (mhtt). This leads to motor and cognitive deficits associated with corticostriatal and hippocampal alterations. The levels of STriatal-Enriched protein tyrosine Phosphatase (STEP), a neural-specific tyrosine phosphatase that opposes the development of synaptic strengthening, are decreased in the striatum of HD patients and also in R6/1 mice, thereby contributing to the resistance to excitotoxicity described in this HD mouse model. Here, we aimed to analyze whether STEP inactivation plays a role in the pathophysiology of HD by investigating its effect on motor and cognitive impairment in the R6/1 mouse model of HD. We found that genetic deletion of STEP delayed the onset of motor dysfunction and prevented the appearance of cognitive deficits in R6/1 mice. This phenotype was accompanied by an increase in pERK1/2 levels, a delay in the decrease of striatal DARPP-32 levels and a reduction in the size of mhtt aggregates, both in the striatum and CA1 hippocampal region. We also found that acute pharmacological inhibition of STEP with TC-2153 improved cognitive function in R6/1 mice. In conclusion, our results show that deletion of STEP has a beneficial effect on motor coordination and cognition in a mouse model of HD suggesting that STEP inhibition could be a good therapeutic strategy in HD patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta García-Forn
- Departament de Biomedicina, Facultat de Medicina i Ciències de la Salut, Institut de Neurociències, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain; Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Spain
| | - Sara Martínez-Torres
- Departament de Biomedicina, Facultat de Medicina i Ciències de la Salut, Institut de Neurociències, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Gerardo García-Díaz Barriga
- Departament de Biomedicina, Facultat de Medicina i Ciències de la Salut, Institut de Neurociències, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain; Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Spain
| | - Jordi Alberch
- Departament de Biomedicina, Facultat de Medicina i Ciències de la Salut, Institut de Neurociències, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain; Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Spain
| | - Montse Milà
- Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain; Departament de Genètica, Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Garikoitz Azkona
- Departament de Biomedicina, Facultat de Medicina i Ciències de la Salut, Institut de Neurociències, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain; Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Spain
| | - Esther Pérez-Navarro
- Departament de Biomedicina, Facultat de Medicina i Ciències de la Salut, Institut de Neurociències, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain; Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), Spain.
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10
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Masnata M, Cicchetti F. The Evidence for the Spread and Seeding Capacities of the Mutant Huntingtin Protein in in Vitro Systems and Their Therapeutic Implications. Front Neurosci 2017; 11:647. [PMID: 29234268 PMCID: PMC5712341 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2017.00647] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2017] [Accepted: 11/07/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurodegenerative disorders are not only characterized by specific patterns of cell loss but the presence and accumulation of various pathological proteins—both of which correlate with disease evolution. There is now mounting evidence to suggest that these pathological proteins present with toxic, at times prion-like, properties and can therefore seed pathology in neighboring as well remotely connected healthy neurons as they spread across the brain. What is less clear, at this stage, is how much this actually contributes to, and drives, the core pathogenic events. In this review, we present a comprehensive, up-to-date summary of the reported in vitro studies that support the spreading and seeding capacities of pathological proteins, with an emphasis on mutant huntingtin protein in the context of Huntington's disease, although in vivo work remains to be performed to validate this theory in this particular disease. We have further reviewed these findings in light of their potential implications for the development of novel therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Masnata
- Axe Neurosciences, Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec-Université Laval, Quebec, QC, Canada
| | - Francesca Cicchetti
- Axe Neurosciences, Centre de Recherche du CHU de Québec-Université Laval, Quebec, QC, Canada.,Département de Psychiatrie & Neurosciences, Université Laval, Quebec, QC, Canada
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11
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Tartaglione AM, Popoli P, Calamandrei G. Regenerative medicine in Huntington's disease: Strengths and weaknesses of preclinical studies. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2017; 77:32-47. [PMID: 28223129 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2017.02.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2016] [Revised: 01/26/2017] [Accepted: 02/17/2017] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) is an inherited neurodegenerative disorder, characterized by impairment in motor, cognitive and psychiatric domains. Currently, there is no specific therapy to act on the onset or progression of HD. The marked neuronal death observed in HD is a main argument in favour of stem cells (SCs) transplantation as a promising therapeutic perspective to replace the population of lost neurons and restore the functionality of the damaged circuitry. The availability of rodent models of HD encourages the investigation of the restorative potential of SCs transplantation longitudinally. However, the results of preclinical studies on SCs therapy in HD are so far largely inconsistent; this hampers the individuation of the more appropriate model and precludes the comparative analysis of transplant efficacy on behavioural end points. Thus, this review will describe the state of the art of in vivo research on SCs therapy in HD, analysing in a translational perspective the strengths and weaknesses of animal studies investigating the therapeutic potential of cell transplantation on HD progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- A M Tartaglione
- Centre for Behavioral Sciences and Mental Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - P Popoli
- National Centre for Medicines Research and Preclinical/Clinical Evaluation, Rome, Italy
| | - G Calamandrei
- Centre for Behavioral Sciences and Mental Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy.
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12
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Chen JY, Tran C, Hwang L, Deng G, Jung ME, Faull KF, Levine MS, Cepeda C. Partial Amelioration of Peripheral and Central Symptoms of Huntington's Disease via Modulation of Lipid Metabolism. J Huntingtons Dis 2016; 5:65-81. [PMID: 27031732 DOI: 10.3233/jhd-150181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Huntington's disease (HD) is a fatal, inherited neurodegenerative disorder characterized by uncontrollable dance-like movements, as well as cognitive deficits and mood changes. A feature of HD is a metabolic disturbance that precedes neurological symptoms. In addition, brain cholesterol synthesis is significantly reduced, which could hamper synaptic transmission. OBJECTIVE Alterations in lipid metabolism as a potential target for therapeutic intervention in the R6/2 mouse model of HD were examined. METHODS Electrophysiological recordings in vitro examined the acute effects of cholesterol-modifying drugs. In addition, behavioral testing, effects on synaptic activity, and measurements of circulating and brain tissue concentrations of cholesterol and the ketone β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB), were examined in symptomatic R6/2 mice and littermate controls raised on normal chow or a ketogenic diet (KD). RESULTS Whole-cell voltage clamp recordings of striatal medium-sized spiny neurons (MSNs) from symptomatic R6/2 mice showed increased frequency of spontaneous inhibitory postsynaptic currents (sIPSCs) compared with littermate controls. Incubation of slices in cholesterol reduced the frequency of large-amplitude sIPSCs. Addition of BHB or the Liver X Receptor (LXR) agonist T0901317 reduced the frequency and amplitude of sIPSCs. Surprisingly, incubation in simvastatin to reduce cholesterol levels also decreased the frequency of sIPSCs. HD mice fed the KD lost weight more gradually, performed better in an open field, had fewer stereotypies and lower brain levels of cholesterol than mice fed a regular diet. CONCLUSIONS Lipid metabolism represents a potential target for therapeutic intervention in HD. Modifying cholesterol or ketone levels acutely in the brain can partially rescue synaptic alterations, and the KD can prevent weight loss and improve some behavioral abnormalities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jane Y Chen
- Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center, Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Conny Tran
- Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center, Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Lin Hwang
- Pasarow Mass Spectrometry Laboratory, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Gang Deng
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Michael E Jung
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Kym F Faull
- Pasarow Mass Spectrometry Laboratory, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, CA, USA.,Brain Research Institute, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Michael S Levine
- Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center, Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, CA, USA.,Brain Research Institute, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Carlos Cepeda
- Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center, Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, CA, USA
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13
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Møllersen L, Moldestad O, Rowe AD, Bjølgerud A, Holm I, Tveterås L, Klungland A, Retterstøl L. Effects of Anthocyanins on CAG Repeat Instability and Behaviour in Huntington's Disease R6/1 Mice. PLOS CURRENTS 2016; 8. [PMID: 27540492 PMCID: PMC4973517 DOI: 10.1371/currents.hd.58d04209ab6d5de0844db7ef5628ff67] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Background: Huntington’s disease (HD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder caused by CAG repeat expansions in the HTT gene. Somatic repeat expansion in the R6/1 mouse model of HD depends on mismatch repair and is worsened by base excision repair initiated by the 7,8-dihydroxy-8-oxoguanine-DNA glycosylase (Ogg1) or Nei-like 1 (Neil1). Ogg1 and Neil1 repairs common oxidative lesions. Methods: We investigated whether anthocyanin antioxidants added daily to the drinking water could affect CAG repeat instability in several organs and behaviour in R6/1 HD mice. In addition, anthocyanin-treated and untreated R6/1 HD mice at 22 weeks of age were tested in the open field test and on the rotarod. Results: Anthocyanin-treated R6/1 HD mice showed reduced instability index in the ears and in the cortex compared to untreated R6/1 mice, and no difference in liver and kidney. There were no significant differences in any of the parameters tested in the behavioural tests among anthocyanin-treated and untreated R6/1 HD mice. Conclusions: Our results indicate that continuous anthocyanin-treatment may have modest effects on CAG repeat instability in the ears and the cortex of R6/1 mice. More studies are required to investigate if anthocyanin-treatment could affect behaviour earlier in the disease course.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linda Møllersen
- Institute of Medical Microbiology, Oslo University Hospital, Rikshospitalet, Oslo, Norway
| | - Olve Moldestad
- Centre for Rare Disorders, Oslo University Hospital, Rikshospitalet, Oslo, Norway
| | - Alexander D Rowe
- Institute of Medical Microbiology, Oslo University Hospital, Rikshospitalet, Oslo, Norway
| | - Anja Bjølgerud
- Institute of Medical Microbiology, Oslo University Hospital, Rikshospitalet, Oslo, Norway
| | - Ingunn Holm
- Department of Medical Genetics, Oslo University Hospital, Ullevål, Oslo, Norway
| | - Linda Tveterås
- Institute of Medical Microbiology, Oslo University Hospital, Rikshospitalet, Oslo, Norway
| | - Arne Klungland
- Institute of Medical Microbiology, Oslo University Hospital, Rikshospitalet, Oslo, Norway
| | - Lars Retterstøl
- Department of Medical Genetics, Oslo University Hospital, Ullevål, Oslo, Norway
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14
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Tartaglione AM, Armida M, Potenza RL, Pezzola A, Popoli P, Calamandrei G. Aberrant self-grooming as early marker of motor dysfunction in a rat model of Huntington's disease. Behav Brain Res 2016; 313:53-57. [PMID: 27374158 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2016.06.058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2016] [Revised: 06/27/2016] [Accepted: 06/29/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
In the study of neurodegenerative diseases, rodent models provide experimentally accessible systems to study multiple pathogenetic aspects. The identification of early and robust behavioural changes is crucial to monitoring disease progression and testing potential therapeutic strategies in animals. Consistent experimental data support the translational value of rodent self-grooming as index of disturbed motor functions and perseverative behaviour patterns in different rodent models of brain disorders. Huntington's disease (HD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder, characterized by severe degeneration of basal ganglia, cognitive and psychiatric impairments and motor abnormalities. In the rat species, intrastriatal injection of the excitotoxin quinolinic acid (QA) mimics some of the neuroanatomical and behavioural changes found in HD, including the loss of GABAergic neurons and the appearance of motor and cognitive deficits. We show here that striatal damage induced by unilateral QA injection in dorsal striatum of rats triggers aberrant grooming behaviour as early as three weeks post-lesion in absence of other motor impairments: specifically, both quantitative (frequency and duration) and qualitative (the sequential pattern of movements) features of self-grooming behaviour were significantly altered in QA-lesioned rats placed in either the elevated plus-maze and the open-field. The consistent abnormalities in self-grooming recorded in two different experimental contexts support the use of this behavioural marker in rodent models of striatal damage such as HD, to assess the potential effects of drug and cell replacement therapy in the early stage of disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Maria Tartaglione
- Unit of Neurotoxicology and Neuroendocrinology, Department of Cell Biology and Neurosciences, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy; Department of Neurology and Psychiatry, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Monica Armida
- Unit of Central Nervous System Pharmacology, Department of Therapeutic Research and Medicine Evaluation, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Rosa Luisa Potenza
- Unit of Central Nervous System Pharmacology, Department of Therapeutic Research and Medicine Evaluation, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Antonella Pezzola
- Unit of Central Nervous System Pharmacology, Department of Therapeutic Research and Medicine Evaluation, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Patrizia Popoli
- Unit of Central Nervous System Pharmacology, Department of Therapeutic Research and Medicine Evaluation, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy
| | - Gemma Calamandrei
- Unit of Neurotoxicology and Neuroendocrinology, Department of Cell Biology and Neurosciences, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy.
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15
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Morales-Martínez A, Sánchez-Mendoza A, Martínez-Lazcano JC, Pineda-Farías JB, Montes S, El-Hafidi M, Martínez-Gopar PE, Tristán-López L, Pérez-Neri I, Zamorano-Carrillo A, Castro N, Ríos C, Pérez-Severiano F. Essential fatty acid-rich diets protect against striatal oxidative damage induced by quinolinic acid in rats. Nutr Neurosci 2016; 20:388-395. [DOI: 10.1080/1028415x.2016.1147683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Adriana Morales-Martínez
- Departamento de Neuroquímica, Instituto Nacional de Neurología y Neurocirugía “Manuel Velasco Suárez”, Insurgentes Sur #3877, Col. La Fama, Tlalpan, 14269 México D.F., México
- Laboratorio de Investigación de Bioquímica y Biofísica Computacional, Escuela Nacional de Medicina y de Homeopatía del IPN, Guillermo Massieu H. #239. La Escalera, Gustavo A. Madero, 07320 México D.F., México
| | - Alicia Sánchez-Mendoza
- Departamento de Farmacología, Instituto Nacional de Cardiología “Ignacio Chávez”, Juan Badiano #1, Col. Sección XVI, Tlalpan, México D.F., México
| | - Juan Carlos Martínez-Lazcano
- Departamento de Neurofisiología, Instituto Nacional de Neurología y Neurocirugía “Manuel Velasco Suárez”, Insurgentes Sur #3877, Col. La Fama, Tlalpan, 14269 México D.F., México
| | - Jorge Baruch Pineda-Farías
- Departamento de Neuroquímica, Instituto Nacional de Neurología y Neurocirugía “Manuel Velasco Suárez”, Insurgentes Sur #3877, Col. La Fama, Tlalpan, 14269 México D.F., México
| | - Sergio Montes
- Departamento de Neuroquímica, Instituto Nacional de Neurología y Neurocirugía “Manuel Velasco Suárez”, Insurgentes Sur #3877, Col. La Fama, Tlalpan, 14269 México D.F., México
| | - Mohammed El-Hafidi
- Departamento de Biomedicina Cardiovascular, Instituto Nacional de Cardiología “Ignacio Chávez”, Juan Badiano 1, Col. Sección XVI. Tlalpan, México D.F., México
| | - Pablo Eliasib Martínez-Gopar
- Departamento de Neuroquímica, Instituto Nacional de Neurología y Neurocirugía “Manuel Velasco Suárez”, Insurgentes Sur #3877, Col. La Fama, Tlalpan, 14269 México D.F., México
| | - Luis Tristán-López
- Departamento de Neuroquímica, Instituto Nacional de Neurología y Neurocirugía “Manuel Velasco Suárez”, Insurgentes Sur #3877, Col. La Fama, Tlalpan, 14269 México D.F., México
| | - Iván Pérez-Neri
- Departamento de Neuroquímica, Instituto Nacional de Neurología y Neurocirugía “Manuel Velasco Suárez”, Insurgentes Sur #3877, Col. La Fama, Tlalpan, 14269 México D.F., México
| | - Absalom Zamorano-Carrillo
- Laboratorio de Investigación de Bioquímica y Biofísica Computacional, Escuela Nacional de Medicina y de Homeopatía del IPN, Guillermo Massieu H. #239. La Escalera, Gustavo A. Madero, 07320 México D.F., México
| | - Nelly Castro
- Laboratorio de Neuropsicofarmacología, Instituto Nacional de Neurología y Neurocirugía, Insurgentes sur 3877, La Fama, Tlalpan, 14269 México D.F., México
| | - Camilo Ríos
- Departamento de Neuroquímica, Instituto Nacional de Neurología y Neurocirugía “Manuel Velasco Suárez”, Insurgentes Sur #3877, Col. La Fama, Tlalpan, 14269 México D.F., México
| | - Francisca Pérez-Severiano
- Departamento de Neuroquímica, Instituto Nacional de Neurología y Neurocirugía “Manuel Velasco Suárez”, Insurgentes Sur #3877, Col. La Fama, Tlalpan, 14269 México D.F., México
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16
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Brocardo PS, McGinnis E, Christie BR, Gil-Mohapel J. Time-Course Analysis of Protein and Lipid Oxidation in the Brains of Yac128 Huntington's Disease Transgenic Mice. Rejuvenation Res 2016; 19:140-8. [PMID: 26371883 DOI: 10.1089/rej.2015.1736] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) is caused by an expansion of cytosine-adenine-guanine (CAG) repeats within the coding region of the HD gene, which expresses the protein huntingtin and is characterized by selective degeneration of specific neuronal populations, mainly in the striatum and the cortex. The mechanisms that account for this selective neuronal death are multifaceted, but oxidative stress might play an important role in this process. To determine whether changes in the intracellular redox state will result in oxidative damage to cellular macromolecules with disease progression, we analyzed levels of lipid peroxidation (with the thiobarbituric acid reactive substances [TBARS] assay) and protein carbonyl formation (using the 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine reaction) in the cerebellum, cerebral cortex, prefrontal cortex, striatum, and hippocampus of the YAC128 HD mouse model at 3, 6, and 12 months of age. With the exception of a transient increase in protein carbonyl levels in the YAC128 prefrontal cortex at 6 months of age, levels of lipid peroxidation and protein oxidation were not significantly different between YAC128 mice and their age-matched wild-type counterparts in any of the brain regions analyzed up to 12 months of age. However, age-related increases in oxidative stress were observed in various brain regions. These results suggest that lipid and protein oxidative damage is not a major contributor to neurodegeneration in the YAC128 brain up to 12 months of age.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia S Brocardo
- 1 Division of Medical Sciences and UBC Island Medical Program, University of Victoria , Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
- 2 Department of Morphological Sciences, Federal University of Santa Catarina , Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil
| | - Eric McGinnis
- 1 Division of Medical Sciences and UBC Island Medical Program, University of Victoria , Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Brian R Christie
- 1 Division of Medical Sciences and UBC Island Medical Program, University of Victoria , Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
- 3 Brain Research Centre and Program in Neuroscience, University of British Columbia , Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- 4 Department of Cellular and Physiological Sciences, University of British Columbia , Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Joana Gil-Mohapel
- 1 Division of Medical Sciences and UBC Island Medical Program, University of Victoria , Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
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Li X, Liu H, Fischhaber PL, Tang TS. Toward therapeutic targets for SCA3: Insight into the role of Machado-Joseph disease protein ataxin-3 in misfolded proteins clearance. Prog Neurobiol 2015; 132:34-58. [PMID: 26123252 DOI: 10.1016/j.pneurobio.2015.06.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2015] [Revised: 05/30/2015] [Accepted: 06/16/2015] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Machado-Joseph disease (MJD, also known as spinocerebellar ataxia type 3, SCA3), an autosomal dominant neurological disorder, is caused by an abnormal expanded polyglutamine (polyQ) repeat in the ataxin-3 protein. The length of the expanded polyQ stretch correlates positively with the severity of the disease and inversely with the age at onset. To date, we cannot fully explain the mechanism underlying neurobiological abnormalities of this disease. Yet, accumulating reports have demonstrated the functions of ataxin-3 protein in the chaperone system, ubiquitin-proteasome system, and aggregation-autophagy, all of which suggest a role of ataxin-3 in the clearance of misfolded proteins. Notably, the SCA3 pathogenic form of ataxin-3 (ataxin-3(exp)) impairs the misfolded protein clearance via mechanisms that are either dependent or independent of its deubiquitinase (DUB) activity, resulting in the accumulation of misfolded proteins and the progressive loss of neurons in SCA3. Some drugs, which have been used as activators/inducers in the chaperone system, ubiquitin-proteasome system, and aggregation-autophagy, have been demonstrated to be efficacious in the relief of neurodegeneration diseases like Huntington's disease (HD), Parkinson's (PD), Alzheimer's (AD) as well as SCA3 in animal models and clinical trials, putting misfolded protein clearance on the list of potential therapeutic targets. Here, we undertake a comprehensive review of the progress in understanding the physiological functions of ataxin-3 in misfolded protein clearance and how the polyQ expansion impairs misfolded protein clearance. We then detail the preclinical studies targeting the elimination of misfolded proteins for SCA3 treatment. We close with future considerations for translating these pre-clinical results into therapies for SCA3 patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoling Li
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Hongmei Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Paula L Fischhaber
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, California State University Northridge, Northridge, CA 91330-8262, USA.
| | - Tie-Shan Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China.
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18
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Menalled L, Brunner D. Animal models of Huntington's disease for translation to the clinic: best practices. Mov Disord 2015; 29:1375-90. [PMID: 25216369 DOI: 10.1002/mds.26006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2014] [Accepted: 07/28/2014] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Mouse models of Huntington's disease (HD) recapitulate many aspects of the human disease. These genetically modified mice are powerful tools that are used not only to examine the pathogenesis of the disease, but also to assess the efficacy of potential new treatments. Disappointingly, in the past few years we have seen the success of potential therapies in animal studies, subsequently followed by failure in clinical trials. We discuss here a number of factors that influence the translatability of findings from the preclinical to the clinical realm. In particular, we discuss issues related to sample size, reporting of information regarding experimental protocols and mouse models, assignment to experimental groups, incorporation of cognitive measures for early phases of the disease, environmental enrichment, surrogate measures for survival, and the use of more than one HD mouse model. Although it is reasonable to question the appropriateness of the animal models used, we argue that it is more parsimonious to assume that improvements in experimental design and publication of negative results will lead to improved translatability to the clinic and insights about HD pathophysiology.
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Mo C, Hannan AJ, Renoir T. Environmental factors as modulators of neurodegeneration: Insights from gene–environment interactions in Huntington's disease. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2015; 52:178-92. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2015.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2014] [Revised: 02/13/2015] [Accepted: 03/03/2015] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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20
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Pietropaolo S, Bellocchio L, Ruiz-Calvo A, Cabanas M, Du Z, Guzmán M, Garret M, Cho YH. Chronic cannabinoid receptor stimulation selectively prevents motor impairments in a mouse model of Huntington's disease. Neuropharmacology 2015; 89:368-74. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2014.07.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2014] [Revised: 07/28/2014] [Accepted: 07/31/2014] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
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21
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Mo C, Pang TY, Ransome MI, Hill RA, Renoir T, Hannan AJ. High stress hormone levels accelerate the onset of memory deficits in male Huntington's disease mice. Neurobiol Dis 2014; 69:248-62. [DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2014.05.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2013] [Revised: 04/24/2014] [Accepted: 05/04/2014] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
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22
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Lei P, Ayton S, Moon S, Zhang Q, Volitakis I, Finkelstein DI, Bush AI. Motor and cognitive deficits in aged tau knockout mice in two background strains. Mol Neurodegener 2014; 9:29. [PMID: 25124182 PMCID: PMC4141346 DOI: 10.1186/1750-1326-9-29] [Citation(s) in RCA: 105] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2014] [Accepted: 08/10/2014] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background We recently reported that Parkinsonian and dementia phenotypes emerge between 7-12 months of age in tau-/- mice on a Bl6/129sv mixed background. These observations were partially replicated by another group using pure Bl6 background tau-/- mice, but notably they did not observe a cognitive phenotype. A third group using Bl6 background tau-/- mice found cognitive impairment at 20-months of age. Results To reconcile the observations, here we considered the genetic, dietary and environmental variables in both studies, and performed an extended set of behavioral studies on 12-month old tau+/+, tau+/-, and tau-/- mice comparing Bl6/129sv to Bl6 backgrounds. We found that tau-/- in both backgrounds exhibited reduced tyrosine hydroxylase-positive nigral neuron and impaired motor function in all assays used, which was ameliorated by oral treatment with L-DOPA, and not confounded by changes in body weight. Tau-/- in the C57BL6/SV129 background exhibited deficits in the Y-maze cognition task, but the mice on the Bl6 background did not. Conclusions These results validate our previous report on the neurodegenerative phenotypes of aged tau-/- mice, and show that genetic background may impact the extent of cognitive impairment in these mice. Therefore excessive lowering of tau should be avoided in therapeutic strategies for AD.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Ashley I Bush
- Oxidation Biology Unit, Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
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23
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Mo C, Renoir T, Hannan AJ. Effects of chronic stress on the onset and progression of Huntington's disease in transgenic mice. Neurobiol Dis 2014; 71:81-94. [PMID: 25088714 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2014.07.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2014] [Revised: 07/01/2014] [Accepted: 07/23/2014] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) is a neurodegenerative disease caused by a tandem repeat mutation encoding an expanded polyglutamine tract. Our previous work showed that memory deficits in HD transgenic mice could be accelerated by increased levels of stress hormone, while memory in WT mice remained unaffected. HD patients experience higher levels of stress compared to the general population and symptoms of HD also include motor, cognitive, psychiatric, sexual and olfactory abnormalities, and an associated decline in activities of daily living. Therefore we investigated the impact of a robust stressor (i.e. restraint) on the onset and progression of a range of behavioral phenotypes in R6/1 transgenic HD mice. Restraint was administered for 1h daily from 6weeks of age and continued until R6/1 mice were clearly motor symptomatic at 14weeks of age. Serum corticosterone levels in both R6/1 and WT littermates were elevated immediately after the last restraint session and weight gain was suppressed in restrained animals throughout the treatment period. Motor coordination and locomotor activity were enhanced by chronic restraint in males, regardless of genotype. However, there was no effect of restraint on motor performances in female animals. At 8weeks of age, olfactory sensitivity was impaired by restraint in R6/1 HD female mice, but not in WT mice. In male R6/1 mice, the olfactory deficit was exacerbated by restraint and olfaction was also impaired in male WT mice. The development of deficits in saccharin preference, Y-maze memory, nest-building and sexually-motivated vocalizations was unaffected by chronic restraint in R6/1 and had little impact on such behavioral performances in WT animals. We provide evidence that chronic stress can negatively modulate specific endophenotypes in HD mice, while the same functions were affected to a lesser extent in WT mice. This vulnerability in HD animals seems to be sex-specific depending on the stress paradigm used. It is hoped that our work will stimulate clinical investigations into the effects of stress on both pre-symptomatic and symptomatic gene-positive members of HD families, and inform the development of new therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina Mo
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Kenneth Myer Building, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia; Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia.
| | - Thibault Renoir
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Kenneth Myer Building, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia.
| | - Anthony J Hannan
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Kenneth Myer Building, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia; Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Australia
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Mo C, Renoir T, Hannan AJ. Novel ethological endophenotypes in a transgenic mouse model of Huntington's disease. Behav Brain Res 2014; 276:17-27. [PMID: 24747660 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2014.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2014] [Revised: 03/27/2014] [Accepted: 04/01/2014] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) is an autosomal dominant, neurodegenerative disorder with a characteristic triad of cognitive, affective and motor symptoms. Transgenic HD mice show excellent construct and face validity for many of these symptoms, however the decline in some facets of every day activity in humans is difficult to model. One approach is the assessment of species-relevant behaviors. Here we described three ethologically appropriate tests in the mouse-olfactory sensitivity, nest-building and sexually-motivated vocalizations. In R6/1 HD mice, olfactory and nest-building tests were sensitive to early dysfunctions induced by the HD mutation. Male vocalization testing revealed a late-stage sexual disinterest in R6/1 HD mice compared to WT littermates. We show that essential, species-relevant functions are disrupted by the HD mutation. The development of integrative behavioral assays which more closely model 'activities of daily living' (ADL) will facilitate the testing of novel therapeutic interventions in animal models as well as their clinical translation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina Mo
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Kenneth Myer Building, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Melbourne, Australia; Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Melbourne, Australia.
| | - Thibault Renoir
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Kenneth Myer Building, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Melbourne, Australia.
| | - Anthony J Hannan
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Kenneth Myer Building, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Melbourne, Australia; Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Melbourne, Australia
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25
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Eckert GP, Lipka U, Muller WE. Omega-3 fatty acids in neurodegenerative diseases: focus on mitochondria. Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids 2013; 88:105-14. [PMID: 22727983 DOI: 10.1016/j.plefa.2012.05.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2012] [Revised: 05/17/2012] [Accepted: 05/18/2012] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Mitochondrial dysfunction represents a common early pathological event in brain aging and in neurodegenerative diseases, e.g., in Alzheimer's (AD), Parkinson's (PD), and Huntington's disease (HD), as well as in ischemic stroke. In vivo and ex vivo experiments using animal models of aging and AD, PD, and HD mainly showed improvement of mitochondrial function after treatment with polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) such as docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Thereby, PUFA are particular beneficial in animals treated with mitochondria targeting toxins. However, DHA showed adverse effects in a transgenic PD mouse model and it is not clear if a diet high or low in PUFA might provide neuroprotective effects in PD. Post-treatment with PUFA revealed conflicting results in ischemic animal models, but intravenous administered DHA provided neuroprotective efficacy after acute occlusion of the middle cerebral artery. In summary, the majority of preclinical data indicate beneficial effects of n-3 PUFA in neurodegenerative diseases, whereas most controlled clinical trials did not meet the expectations. Because of the high half-life of DHA in the human brain clinical studies may have to be initiated much earlier and have to last much longer to be more efficacious.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gunter P Eckert
- Department of Pharmacology, Biocenter, Campus Riedberg, Goethe-University, Frankfurt, Biocentre Geb. N260, R.1.09, Max-von-Laue Str. 9, D-60438 Frankfurt, Germany.
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26
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Switonski PM, Szlachcic WJ, Gabka A, Krzyzosiak WJ, Figiel M. Mouse models of polyglutamine diseases in therapeutic approaches: review and data table. Part II. Mol Neurobiol 2012; 46:430-66. [PMID: 22944909 PMCID: PMC3461214 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-012-8316-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2012] [Accepted: 07/29/2012] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Mouse models of human diseases are created both to understand the pathogenesis of the disorders and to find successful therapies for them. This work is the second part in a series of reviews of mouse models of polyglutamine (polyQ) hereditary disorders and focuses on in vivo experimental therapeutic approaches. Like part I of the polyQ mouse model review, this work is supplemented with a table that contains data from experimental studies of therapeutic approaches in polyQ mouse models. The aim of this review was to characterize the benefits and outcomes of various therapeutic strategies in mouse models. We examine whether the therapeutic strategies are specific to a single disease or are applicable to more than one polyQ disorder in mouse models. In addition, we discuss the suitability of mouse models in therapeutic approaches. Although the majority of therapeutic studies were performed in mouse models of Huntington disease, similar strategies were also used in other disease models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pawel M Switonski
- Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, Noskowskiego 12/14, 61-704 Poznan, Poland
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27
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Brooks SP, Janghra N, Workman VL, Bayram-Weston Z, Jones L, Dunnett SB. Longitudinal analysis of the behavioural phenotype in R6/1 (C57BL/6J) Huntington's disease transgenic mice. Brain Res Bull 2012; 88:94-103. [DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2011.01.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2010] [Revised: 01/05/2011] [Accepted: 01/14/2011] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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Gil-Mohapel JM. Screening of therapeutic strategies for Huntington's disease in YAC128 transgenic mice. CNS Neurosci Ther 2012; 18:77-86. [PMID: 21501423 DOI: 10.1111/j.1755-5949.2011.00246.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Huntington’s disease (HD) is a hereditary neurodegenerative disorder caused by an unstable expansion of cytosine-adenine-guanine (CAG) repeats in the HD gene. The symptoms include cognitive dysfunction and severe motor impairment with loss of voluntary movement coordination that is later replaced by bradykinesia and rigidity. The neuropathology is characterized by neuronal loss mainly in the striatum and cortex, and the appearance of neuronal intranuclear inclusions of mutant huntingtin. The mechanisms responsible for neurodegeneration are still not fully understood although excitotoxicity and a consequent increase in intracellular calcium concentration as well as the activation of caspases and calapins are known to play a key role. There is currently no satisfactory treatment or cure for this disease. The YAC128 transgenic mice express the full-length human HD gene with 128 CAG repeats and constitute a unique model for the study of HD as they replicate the slow and biphasic progression of behavioral deficits characteristic of the human condition and show striatal neuronal loss. As such, these transgenic mice have been an invaluable model not only for the elucidation of the neurodegenerative pathways in HD, but also for the screening and development of new therapeutic approaches. Here, I will review the unique characteristics of this transgenic HD model and will provide a summary of the therapies that have been tested in these mice, namely: potentiation of the protective roles of wild-type huntingtin and mutant huntingtin aggregation, transglutaminase inhibition, inhibition of glutamate- and dopamine-induced toxicity, apoptosis inhibition, use of essential fatty acids, and the novel approach of intrabody gene therapy. The insights obtained from these and future studies will help identify potential candidates for clinical trials and will ultimately contribute to the discovery of a successful treatment for this devastating neurodegenerative disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joana M Gil-Mohapel
- Division of Medical Sciences, Island Medical Program, University of Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.
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29
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Zádori D, Klivényi P, Plangár I, Toldi J, Vécsei L. Endogenous neuroprotection in chronic neurodegenerative disorders: with particular regard to the kynurenines. J Cell Mol Med 2011; 15:701-17. [PMID: 21155972 PMCID: PMC3922661 DOI: 10.1111/j.1582-4934.2010.01237.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) and Huntington's disease (HD) are progressive chronic neurodegenerative disorders that are accompanied by a considerable impairment of the motor functions. PD may develop for familial or sporadic reasons, whereas HD is based on a definite genetic mutation. Nevertheless, the pathological processes involve oxidative stress and glutamate excitotoxicity in both cases. A number of metabolic routes are affected in these disorders. The decrease in antioxidant capacity and alterations in the kynurenine pathway, the main pathway of the tryptophan metabolism, are features that deserve particular interest, because the changes in levels of neuroactive kynurenine pathway compounds appear to be strongly related to the oxidative stress and glutamate excitotoxicity involved in the disease pathogenesis. Increase of the antioxidant capacity and pharmacological manipulation of the kynurenine pathway are therefore promising therapeutic targets in these devastating disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dénes Zádori
- Department of Neurology, Albert Szent-Györgyi Clinical Centre, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
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Sivananthan SN, Leavitt BR. Cystamine and ethyl-eicosapentaenoic acid treatment fail to prevent malonate-induced striatal toxicity in mice. Neurobiol Aging 2011; 32:2326.e1-4. [PMID: 21741126 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2011.05.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2010] [Revised: 04/19/2011] [Accepted: 05/25/2011] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Cystamine has demonstrated neuroprotective activity in a variety of studies, and is currently being evaluated in a human clinical trial in Huntington's disease (HD). Cystamine treatment of various genetic models of HD demonstrated protection against neurodegeneration and/or improvement in behavior. Given the need for a rapid screening tool for HD therapeutics, we assessed the potential therapeutic benefits of cystamine in a short-term acute toxicity murine model of striatal cell death. Cystamine did not provide neuroprotection against bilateral intrastriatal malonate injections in mice as measured by lesion size, loss of striatal volume, or decreased striatal neuronal counts. Similar results were obtained for treatment with another potential therapeutic agent that was protective in genetic mouse models of HD, the essential fatty acid ethyl-eicosapentaenoic acid. Our findings suggest that this toxic model is not reflective or predictive of findings in genetic mouse models, and may not be useful as a preclinical screen for HD therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saskia N Sivananthan
- Department of Medical Genetics and Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, University of British Columbia, British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
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Ellrichmann G, Petrasch-Parwez E, Lee DH, Reick C, Arning L, Saft C, Gold R, Linker RA. Efficacy of fumaric acid esters in the R6/2 and YAC128 models of Huntington's disease. PLoS One 2011; 6:e16172. [PMID: 21297955 PMCID: PMC3031519 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0016172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 113] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2010] [Accepted: 12/09/2010] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) is an autosomal dominantly inherited progressive neurodegenerative disease. The exact sequel of events finally resulting in neurodegeneration is only partially understood and there is no established protective treatment so far. Some lines of evidence speak for the contribution of oxidative stress to neuronal tissue damage. The fumaric acid ester dimethylfumarate (DMF) is a new disease modifying therapy currently in phase III studies for relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis. DMF potentially exerts neuroprotective effects via induction of the transcription factor “nuclear factor E2-related factor 2” (Nrf2) and detoxification pathways. Thus, we investigated here the therapeutic efficacy of DMF in R6/2 and YAC128 HD transgenic mice which mimic many aspects of HD and are characterized by an enhanced generation of free radicals in neurons. Treatment with DMF significantly prevented weight loss in R6/2 mice between postnatal days 80–90. At the same time, DMF treatment led to an attenuated motor impairment as measured by the clasping score. Average survival in the DMF group was 100.5 days vs. 94.0 days in the placebo group. In the histological analysis on day 80, DMF treatment resulted in a significant preservation of morphologically intact neurons in the striatum as well as in the motor cortex. DMF treatment resulted in an increased Nrf2 immunoreactivity in neuronal subpopulations, but not in astrocytes. These beneficial effects were corroborated in YAC128 mice which, after one year of DMF treatment, also displayed reduced dyskinesia as well as a preservation of neurons. In conclusion, DMF may exert beneficial effects in mouse models of HD. Given its excellent side effect profile, further studies with DMF as new therapeutic approach in HD and other neurodegenerative diseases are warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gisa Ellrichmann
- Department of Neurology, St. Josef-Hospital, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
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Experimental Models of HD and Reflection on Therapeutic Strategies. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF NEUROBIOLOGY 2011; 98:419-81. [DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-381328-2.00016-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
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Zuccato C, Valenza M, Cattaneo E. Molecular Mechanisms and Potential Therapeutical Targets in Huntington's Disease. Physiol Rev 2010; 90:905-81. [DOI: 10.1152/physrev.00041.2009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 626] [Impact Index Per Article: 44.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) is a neurodegenerative disorder caused by a CAG repeat expansion in the gene encoding for huntingtin protein. A lot has been learned about this disease since its first description in 1872 and the identification of its causative gene and mutation in 1993. We now know that the disease is characterized by several molecular and cellular abnormalities whose precise timing and relative roles in pathogenesis have yet to be understood. HD is triggered by the mutant protein, and both gain-of-function (of the mutant protein) and loss-of-function (of the normal protein) mechanisms are involved. Here we review the data that describe the emergence of the ancient huntingtin gene and of the polyglutamine trait during the last 800 million years of evolution. We focus on the known functions of wild-type huntingtin that are fundamental for the survival and functioning of the brain neurons that predominantly degenerate in HD. We summarize data indicating how the loss of these beneficial activities reduces the ability of these neurons to survive. We also review the different mechanisms by which the mutation in huntingtin causes toxicity. This may arise both from cell-autonomous processes and dysfunction of neuronal circuitries. We then focus on novel therapeutical targets and pathways and on the attractive option to counteract HD at its primary source, i.e., by blocking the production of the mutant protein. Strategies and technologies used to screen for candidate HD biomarkers and their potential application are presented. Furthermore, we discuss the opportunities offered by intracerebral cell transplantation and the likely need for these multiple routes into therapies to converge at some point as, ideally, one would wish to stop the disease process and, at the same time, possibly replace the damaged neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Zuccato
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences and Centre for Stem Cell Research, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Marta Valenza
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences and Centre for Stem Cell Research, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Elena Cattaneo
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences and Centre for Stem Cell Research, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
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Trembath MK, Horton ZA, Tippett L, Hogg V, Collins VR, Churchyard A, Velakoulis D, Roxburgh R, Delatycki MB. A retrospective study of the impact of lifestyle on age at onset of Huntington disease. Mov Disord 2010; 25:1444-50. [DOI: 10.1002/mds.23108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
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Adibhatla RM, Hatcher JF. Lipid oxidation and peroxidation in CNS health and disease: from molecular mechanisms to therapeutic opportunities. Antioxid Redox Signal 2010; 12:125-69. [PMID: 19624272 DOI: 10.1089/ars.2009.2668] [Citation(s) in RCA: 309] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are produced at low levels in mammalian cells by various metabolic processes, such as oxidative phosphorylation by the mitochondrial respiratory chain, NAD(P)H oxidases, and arachidonic acid oxidative metabolism. To maintain physiological redox balance, cells have endogenous antioxidant defenses regulated at the transcriptional level by Nrf2/ARE. Oxidative stress results when ROS production exceeds the cell's ability to detoxify ROS. Overproduction of ROS damages cellular components, including lipids, leading to decline in physiological function and cell death. Reaction of ROS with lipids produces oxidized phospholipids, which give rise to 4-hydroxynonenal, 4-oxo-2-nonenal, and acrolein. The brain is susceptible to oxidative damage due to its high lipid content and oxygen consumption. Neurodegenerative diseases (AD, ALS, bipolar disorder, epilepsy, Friedreich's ataxia, HD, MS, NBIA, NPC, PD, peroxisomal disorders, schizophrenia, Wallerian degeneration, Zellweger syndrome) and CNS traumas (stroke, TBI, SCI) are problems of vast clinical importance. Free iron can react with H(2)O(2) via the Fenton reaction, a primary cause of lipid peroxidation, and may be of particular importance for these CNS injuries and disorders. Cholesterol is an important regulator of lipid organization and the precursor for neurosteroid biosynthesis. Atherosclerosis, the major risk factor for ischemic stroke, involves accumulation of oxidized LDL in the arteries, leading to foam cell formation and plaque development. This review will discuss the role of lipid oxidation/peroxidation in various CNS injuries/disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rao Muralikrishna Adibhatla
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin 53792-3232, USA.
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Panickar K, Bhathena S. Control of Fatty Acid Intake and the Role of Essential Fatty Acids in Cognitive Function and Neurological Disorders. Front Neurosci 2009. [DOI: 10.1201/9781420067767-c18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
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Age-related behavioural phenotype and cellular characterisation of mice with progressive ablation of D1 dopamine receptor-expressing cells. Behav Brain Res 2009; 206:78-87. [PMID: 19733597 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2009.08.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2009] [Revised: 08/25/2009] [Accepted: 08/29/2009] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
In this study we characterize the behavioural and cellular phenotype of mutant (MUT) mice with progressive loss of D1 dopamine receptor (Drd1a)-expressing cells. Adult [14-19 weeks] MUT mice showed intact working memory in the spontaneous alternation test but evidenced anxiety-like behaviour in the elevated plus maze and the light-dark test. The ethogram of mature adult MUT [average age 22 weeks] was compared with that of young adult MUT mice [average age 12 weeks]. While MUT mice evidenced hyperactivity over initial exploration at both time points, the topography of hyperactivity shifted. Moreover, initial hyperactivity was sustained over habituation at 12 weeks, but not at 22 weeks. Thus, by 22 weeks MUT mice evidenced shifts in, and mitigation of, these early phenotypic effects. However, orofacial behaviours of chewing and sifting were reduced similarly at 12 and 22 weeks. These data support the hypothesis that aspects of the mutant phenotype change with time. Quantitative autoradiography at 20 weeks revealed loss of D1-like dopamine receptor binding in the entire basal ganglia, with upregulated D2-like binding. There appear to be topographically specific interactions between normal maturational processes and compensatory mechanisms evoked subsequent to targeted ablation of D1 dopamine receptor-expressing cells. Understanding the mechanistic bases of mitigation vs persistence of individual phenotypes in relation to neural adaptation consequent to cell loss may lead to novel therapeutic strategies for basal ganglia disorders.
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Kegel KB, Schewkunow V, Sapp E, Masso N, Wanker EE, DiFiglia M, Goldmann WH. Polyglutamine expansion in huntingtin increases its insertion into lipid bilayers. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2009; 387:472-5. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2009.07.039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2009] [Accepted: 07/10/2009] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) is a relentless neurodegenerative disease that results in profound disability through a triad of motor, cognitive and neuropsychiatric symptoms. At present, there are very few therapeutic interventions available with the exception of a limited number of drugs that offer mild symptomatic relief. Although the genetic basis of the disease has been identified, the mechanisms behind the cellular pathogenesis are still not clear and as a result no candidate drugs with the potential for disease modification have been found clinically until now. One of the major limitations in assessing the usefulness of drug treatments in HD is the lack of well-designed, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trials. Most studies have been open-label, using a small number of patients and tend to concentrate on the motor features of the disease, primarily the chorea. This review discusses the treatments now used for HD before evaluating the newer drugs at present being explored in both the clinic and in the laboratory in mouse models of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah L Mason
- Cambridge Centre for Brain Repair, ED Adrian Building, Forvie Site, Robinson Way, Cambridge CB20PY, UK.
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Gil JM, Rego AC. The R6 lines of transgenic mice: a model for screening new therapies for Huntington's disease. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2008; 59:410-31. [PMID: 19118572 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresrev.2008.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2008] [Revised: 12/07/2008] [Accepted: 12/09/2008] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) is a hereditary neurodegenerative disorder caused by an expanded CAG repeat in the HD gene that results in cortical and striatal degeneration, and mutant huntingtin aggregation. Current treatments are unsatisfactory. R6 transgenic mice replicate many features of the human condition, show early onset of symptoms and fast disease progression, being one of the most used models for therapy screening. Here we review the therapies that have been tested in these mice: environmental enrichment, inhibition of histone deacetylation and methylation, inhibition of misfolding and oligomerization, transglutaminase inhibition, rescue of metabolic impairment, amelioration of the diabetic phenotype, use of antioxidants, inhibition of excitotoxicity, caspase inhibition, transplantation, genetic manipulations, and restoration of neurogenesis. Although many of these treatments were beneficial in R6 mice, they may not be as effective in HD patients, and thus the search for a combination of therapies that will rescue the human condition continues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joana M Gil
- Division of Medical Sciences, Island Medical Program, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, V8W 2Y2, Canada.
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41
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Littin K, Acevedo A, Browne W, Edgar J, Mendl M, Owen D, Sherwin C, Würbel H, Nicol C. Towards humane end points: behavioural changes precede clinical signs of disease in a Huntington's disease model. Proc Biol Sci 2008; 275:1865-74. [PMID: 18460434 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2008.0388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The number of animals used in science is increasing, bringing a concomitant obligation to minimize suffering. For animals with progressive conditions, euthanasia at a 'humane end point' is advised if the end point is scientifically valid, predictive and accurate. Our aim was to test the hypothesis that behavioural changes would reliably precede clinical signs of disease in a progressive neurological model, using retrospective analysis. We observed 100 pair-housed female R6/1 transgenic Huntington's disease (HD) mice and 28 pair-housed female wild-type (WT) mice in standard- or resource-enriched cages. Disease progression was monitored until one member of each HD pair reached a pre-defined end point based on pathological symptoms (HD end). This mouse was then euthanized together with its cage mate (HD other) and any matched WT pairs. At euthanasia, HD mice had significantly greater absolute and relative organ weights, and significantly higher alpha1 acid glycoprotein concentrations than WT mice, indicating reduced welfare. HD mice initially showed significantly greater use of cage resources than WT mice but this declined progressively. Steeper declines, and earlier cessation, in the use of some climbing and exploration resources occurred in the HD end mice compared with the HD other mice. Behavioural change can be an early indicator of disease onset.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kate Littin
- Animal Welfare Group, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, PO Box 2526, Wellington, New Zealand
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42
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Dyall SC, Michael-Titus AT. Neurological benefits of omega-3 fatty acids. Neuromolecular Med 2008; 10:219-35. [PMID: 18543124 DOI: 10.1007/s12017-008-8036-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 183] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2008] [Accepted: 05/06/2008] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The central nervous system is highly enriched in long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) of the omega-6 and omega-3 series. The presence of these fatty acids as structural components of neuronal membranes influences cellular function both directly, through effects on membrane properties, and also by acting as a precursor pool for lipid-derived messengers. An adequate intake of omega-3 PUFA is essential for optimal visual function and neural development. Furthermore, there is increasing evidence that increased intake of the long-chain omega-3 PUFA, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), may confer benefits in a variety of psychiatric and neurological disorders, and in particular neurodegenerative conditions. However, the mechanisms underlying these beneficial effects are still poorly understood. Recent evidence also indicates that in addition to the positive effects seen in chronic neurodegenerative conditions, omega-3 PUFA may also have significant neuroprotective potential in acute neurological injury. Thus, these compounds offer an intriguing prospect as potentially new therapeutic approaches in both chronic and acute conditions. The purpose of this article is to review the current evidence of the neurological benefits of omega-3 PUFA, looking specifically at neurodegenerative conditions and acute neurological injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- S C Dyall
- British College of Osteopathic Medicine, Lief House, 120-122 Finchley Road, NW5 5HR, London, UK.
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Abstract
Deregulated lipid metabolism may be of particular importance for CNS injuries and disorders, as this organ has the highest lipid concentration next to adipose tissue. Atherosclerosis (a risk factor for ischemic stroke) results from accumulation of LDL-derived lipids in the arterial wall. Pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-alpha and IL-1), secretory phospholipase A2 IIA and lipoprotein-PLA2 are implicated in vascular inflammation. These inflammatory responses promote atherosclerotic plaques, formation and release of the blood clot that can induce ischemic stroke. TNF-alpha and IL-1 alter lipid metabolism and stimulate production of eicosanoids, ceramide, and reactive oxygen species that potentiate CNS injuries and certain neurological disorders. Cholesterol is an important regulator of lipid organization and the precursor for neurosteroid biosynthesis. Low levels of neurosteroids were related to poor outcome in many brain pathologies. Apolipoprotein E is the principal cholesterol carrier protein in the brain, and the gene encoding the variant Apolipoprotein E4 is a significant risk factor for Alzheimer's disease. Parkinson's disease is to some degree caused by lipid peroxidation due to phospholipases activation. Niemann-Pick diseases A and B are due to acidic sphingomyelinase deficiency, resulting in sphingomyelin accumulation, while Niemann-Pick disease C is due to mutations in either the NPC1 or NPC2 genes, resulting in defective cholesterol transport and cholesterol accumulation. Multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune inflammatory demyelinating condition of the CNS. Inhibiting phospholipase A2 attenuated the onset and progression of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis. The endocannabinoid system is hypoactive in Huntington's disease. Ethyl-eicosapetaenoate showed promise in clinical trials. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis causes loss of motorneurons. Cyclooxygenase-2 inhibition reduced spinal neurodegeneration in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis transgenic mice. Eicosapentaenoic acid supplementation provided improvement in schizophrenia patients, while the combination of (eicosapentaenoic acid + docosahexaenoic acid) provided benefit in bipolar disorders. The ketogenic diet where >90% of calories are derived from fat is an effective treatment for epilepsy. Understanding cytokine-induced changes in lipid metabolism will promote novel concepts and steer towards bench-to-bedside transition for therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rao Muralikrishna Adibhatla
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI
- Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI
- Neuroscience Training Program, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI
- William S. Middleton Veterans Affairs Hospital, Madison, WI
| | - J. F. Hatcher
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI
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Aziz NA, Swaab DF, Pijl H, Roos RAC. Hypothalamic dysfunction and neuroendocrine and metabolic alterations in Huntington's disease: clinical consequences and therapeutic implications. Rev Neurosci 2007; 18:223-51. [PMID: 18019608 DOI: 10.1515/revneuro.2007.18.3-4.223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) is a hereditary neurodegenerative disorder characterized by cognitive, psychiatric, behavioural and motor disturbances. Although the course of HD is also frequently complicated by unintended weight loss, sleep disturbances and autonomic nervous system dysfunction, the aetiology of these signs and symptoms remains largely unknown. In recent years, many novel findings from both animal and human studies have emerged that indicate considerable hypothalamic, endocrine and metabolic alterations in HD. However, a comprehensive overview of these findings is lacking and their precise clinical significance is far from clear. Therefore, in this review we attempt to put these recent developments in the field into perspective by integrating them with previous findings in a comprehensible manner, and by discussing their clinical relevance, with a special focus on body weight, sleep and autonomic functions in HD, which will also allow for the identification of future lines of research in this area.
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Affiliation(s)
- N A Aziz
- Department of Neurology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands.
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45
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Stack EC, Ferrante RJ. Huntington's disease: progress and potential in the field. Expert Opin Investig Drugs 2007; 16:1933-53. [DOI: 10.1517/13543784.16.12.1933] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
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Abstract
Lipid metabolism is of particular interest due to its high concentration in CNS. The importance of lipids in cell signaling and tissue physiology is demonstrated by many CNS disorders and injuries that involve deregulated metabolism. The long suffering lipid field is gaining reputation and respect as evidenced through the Center of Biomedical Research Excellence in Lipidomics and Pathobiology (COBRE), Lipid MAPS (Metabolites And Pathways Strategy) Consortium sponsored by NIH, European initiatives for decoding the lipids through genomic approaches, and Genomics of Lipid-associated Disorder (GOLD) project initiated by Austrian government. This review attempts to provide an overview of the lipid imbalances associated with neurological disorders (Alzheimer's, Parkinson's; Niemann-Pick; Multiple sclerosis, Huntington, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, schizophrenia, bipolar disorders and epilepsy) and CNS injury (Stroke, traumatic brain injury; and spinal cord injury) and a few provocative thoughts. Lipidomic analyses along with RNA silencing will provide new insights into the role of lipid intermediates in cell signaling and hopefully open new avenues for prevention or treatment options.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rao Muralikrishna Adibhatla
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI
- Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI
- Neuroscience Training Program, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI
- Veterans Administration Hospital, Madison, WI
| | - J. F. Hatcher
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI
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Gantois I, Fang K, Jiang L, Babovic D, Lawrence AJ, Ferreri V, Teper Y, Jupp B, Ziebell J, Morganti-Kossmann CM, O'Brien TJ, Nally R, Schütz G, Waddington J, Egan GF, Drago J. Ablation of D1 dopamine receptor-expressing cells generates mice with seizures, dystonia, hyperactivity, and impaired oral behavior. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2007; 104:4182-7. [PMID: 17360497 PMCID: PMC1820729 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.0611625104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Huntington's disease is characterized by death of striatal projection neurons. We used a Cre/Lox transgenic approach to generate an animal model in which D1 dopamine receptor (Drd1a)+ cells are progressively ablated in the postnatal brain. Striatal Drd1a, substance P, and dynorphin expression is progressively lost, whereas D2 dopamine receptor (Drd2) and enkephalin expression is up-regulated. Magnetic resonance spectroscopic analysis demonstrated early elevation of the striatal choline/creatine ratio, a finding associated with extensive reactive striatal astrogliosis. Sequential MRI demonstrated a progressive reduction in striatal volume and secondary ventricular enlargement confirmed to be due to loss of striatal cells. Mutant mice had normal gait and rotarod performance but displayed hindlimb dystonia, locomotor hyperactivity, and handling-induced electrographically verified spontaneous seizures. Ethological assessment identified an increase in rearing and impairments in the oral behaviors of sifting and chewing. In line with the limbic seizure profile, cell loss, astrogliosis, microgliosis, and down-regulated dynorphin expression were seen in the hippocampal dentate gyrus. This study specifically implicates Drd1a+ cell loss with tail suspension hindlimb dystonia, hyperactivity, and abnormal oral function. The latter may relate to the speech and swallowing disturbances and the classic sign of tongue-protrusion motor impersistence observed in Huntington's disease. In addition, the findings of this study support the notion that Drd1a and Drd2 are segregated on striatal projection neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilse Gantois
- *Howard Florey Institute, University of Melbourne, Melbourne 3010, Australia
| | - Ke Fang
- *Howard Florey Institute, University of Melbourne, Melbourne 3010, Australia
| | - Luning Jiang
- *Howard Florey Institute, University of Melbourne, Melbourne 3010, Australia
| | - Daniela Babovic
- Molecular and Cellular Therapeutics, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Andrew J. Lawrence
- *Howard Florey Institute, University of Melbourne, Melbourne 3010, Australia
| | - Vincenzo Ferreri
- *Howard Florey Institute, University of Melbourne, Melbourne 3010, Australia
| | - Yaroslav Teper
- *Howard Florey Institute, University of Melbourne, Melbourne 3010, Australia
| | - Bianca Jupp
- Department of Medicine, Royal Melbourne Hospital, University of Melbourne, Melbourne 3010, Australia
| | - Jenna Ziebell
- National Trauma Research Institute, Alfred Hospital, Monash University, Melbourne 3004, Australia; and
| | | | - Terence J. O'Brien
- Department of Medicine, Royal Melbourne Hospital, University of Melbourne, Melbourne 3010, Australia
| | - Rachel Nally
- *Howard Florey Institute, University of Melbourne, Melbourne 3010, Australia
| | - Günter Schütz
- Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
| | - John Waddington
- Molecular and Cellular Therapeutics, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Gary F. Egan
- *Howard Florey Institute, University of Melbourne, Melbourne 3010, Australia
| | - John Drago
- *Howard Florey Institute, University of Melbourne, Melbourne 3010, Australia
- To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail:
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Trushina E, McMurray CT. Oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction in neurodegenerative diseases. Neuroscience 2007; 145:1233-48. [PMID: 17303344 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2006.10.056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 329] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2006] [Revised: 10/24/2006] [Accepted: 10/27/2006] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
In recent years, it has become increasingly clear that mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative damage are major contributors to neuronal loss. Free radicals, typically generated from mitochondrial respiration, cause oxidative damage of nucleic acids, lipids, carbohydrates and proteins. Despite enormous amount of effort, however, the mechanism by which oxidative damage causes neuronal death is not well understood. Emerging data from a number of neurodegenerative diseases suggest that there may be common features of toxicity that are related to oxidative damage. In this review, while focusing on Huntington's disease (HD), we discuss similarities among HD, Friedreich ataxia and xeroderma pigmentosum, which provide insight into shared mechanisms of neuronal death.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Trushina
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA
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Coppedè F, Mancuso M, Siciliano G, Migliore L, Murri L. Genes and the environment in neurodegeneration. Biosci Rep 2007; 26:341-67. [PMID: 17029001 DOI: 10.1007/s10540-006-9028-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurodegenerative diseases are a heterogeneous group of pathologies which includes complex multifactorial diseases, monogenic disorders and disorders for which inherited, sporadic and transmissible forms are known. Factors associated with predisposition and vulnerability to neurodegenerative disorders may be described usefully within the context of gene-environment interplay. There are many identified genetic determinants for neurodegeneration, and it is possible to duplicate many elements of recognized human neurodegenerative disorders in animal models of the disease. However, there are similarly several identifiable environmental influences on outcomes of the genetic defects; and the course of a progressive neurodegenerative disorder can be greatly modified by environmental elements. In this review we highlight some of the major neurodegenerative disorders (Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Huntington's disease, and prion diseases.) and discuss possible links of gene-environment interplay including, where implicated, mitochondrial genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabio Coppedè
- Department of Neurosciences, University of Pisa, Via Roma 67, Pisa 56126, Italy.
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Scatena R, Martorana GE, Bottoni P, Botta G, Pastore P, Giardina B. An update on pharmacological approaches to neurodegenerative diseases. Expert Opin Investig Drugs 2007; 16:59-72. [PMID: 17155854 DOI: 10.1517/13543784.16.1.59] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Neurodegenerative diseases are now generally considered as a group of disorders that seriously and progressively impair the functions of the nervous system through selective neuronal vulnerability of specific brain regions. Alzheimer's disease is the most common neurodegenerative disease, followed in incidence by Parkinson's disease; much less common are frontotemporal dementia, Huntington's disease, amyothrophic lateral sclerosis (Lou Gehrig's disease), progressive supranuclear palsy, spinocerebellar ataxia, Pick's disease and, lastly, prion disease. In this review, the authors intend to survey new drugs in different clinical phases but not in the preclinical or discovery stages nor already in the market, with new molecules aimed at interrupting or at attenuating different pathogenic pathways of neurodegeneration and/or at ameliorating symptoms. Drugs in different pharmacological phases are under study or are ready to be introduced into therapy for Alzheimer's disease, which display anti-beta-amyloid activity or nerve growth factor-like activity or anti-inflammatory properties. Other drugs possess mixed mechanisms of action, such as acetylcholinesterase inhibition and impairment of beta-amyloid formation through inhibition of beta-amyloid precursor protein synthesis and/or modulation of secretase activity. Other therapeutic approaches are based on immunotherapy, control of metal ions interactions with beta-amyloid and ensuing oxidative reactions as well as metabolic or hormonal regulation. The symptomatic therapy of motor behaviour in Parkinson's disease, based on l-DOPA, is registering adenosine A(2A) receptor antagonists, monoamine oxidase B inhibitors and ion channel modulators, as well as dopamine uptake inhibitors and glutamate AMPA receptor antagonists. There are also many other drugs involved, including astrocyte-modulating agents, 5-HT(1A) agonists and alpha(2)-adrenergic receptor antagonists, which are targeted at preventing or ameliorating Parkinson's disease-related or l-DOPA-induced dyskinesias. Huntington's disease therapy envisages a Phase III drug, LAX-101, which displays antiapoptotic properties by promoting membrane stabilisation and mitochondrial integrity. Other drugs with antioxidant and antiapoptotic steroid-like and neuroprotective activity are under investigation for the therapy of the less common neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Scatena
- Istituto di Biochimica e Biochimica Clinica, Universita' Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Largo A. Gemelli 8, 00168 Rome, Italy.
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