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Posern C, Dreyer B, Maier SL, Eichler F, Gelb MH, Santer R, Bley A, Murko S. Quantification of N-acetyl-l-aspartate in dried blood spots: A simple and fast LC-MS/MS neonatal screening method for the diagnosis of Canavan disease. Mol Genet Metab 2024; 142:108489. [PMID: 38718669 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymgme.2024.108489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2024] [Revised: 05/02/2024] [Accepted: 05/02/2024] [Indexed: 05/31/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Canavan disease is a devastating neurometabolic disorder caused by accumulation of N acetylaspartate in brain and body fluids due to genetic defects in the aspartoacylase gene (ASPA). New gene therapies are on the horizon but will require early presymptomatic diagnosis to be fully effective. METHODS We therefore developed a fast and highly sensitive liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS)-based method for quantification of N-acetylaspartate in dried blood spots and established reference ranges for neonates and older controls. With this test, we investigated 45 samples of 25 Canavan patients including 8 with a neonatal sample. RESULTS Measuring N-acetylaspartate concentration in dried blood with this novel test, all Canavan patients (with variable severity) were well separated from the control group (median; range: 5.7; 1.6-13.6 μmol/L [n = 45] vs 0.44; 0.24-0.99 μmol/L [n = 59] (p < 0.05)). There was also no overlap when comparing neonatal samples of Canavan patients (7.3; 5.1-9.9 μmol/L [n = 8]) and neonatal controls (0.93; 0.4-1.8 μmol/L [n = 784]) (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS We have developed a new LC-MS/MS-based screening test for early postnatal diagnosis of Canavan disease that should be further evaluated in a population-based study once a promising treatment becomes available. The method meets the general requirements of newborn screening and should be appropriate for multiplexing with other screening approaches that combine chromatographic and mass spectrometry techniques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Posern
- Department of Pediatrics, University Medical Center Eppendorf, Martinistraße 52, 20246 Hamburg, Germany.
| | - Benjamin Dreyer
- Department of Pediatrics, University Medical Center Eppendorf, Martinistraße 52, 20246 Hamburg, Germany.
| | - Sarah L Maier
- Department of Pediatrics, University Medical Center Eppendorf, Martinistraße 52, 20246 Hamburg, Germany.
| | - Florian Eichler
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, 55 Fruit Street, Boston, MA 02114, USA.
| | - Michael H Gelb
- Department of Chemistry, University of Washington, 109 Bagley Hall, Seattle, WA 98195, USA.
| | - René Santer
- Department of Pediatrics, University Medical Center Eppendorf, Martinistraße 52, 20246 Hamburg, Germany.
| | - Annette Bley
- Department of Pediatrics, University Medical Center Eppendorf, Martinistraße 52, 20246 Hamburg, Germany.
| | - Simona Murko
- Department of Pediatrics, University Medical Center Eppendorf, Martinistraße 52, 20246 Hamburg, Germany.
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2
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Grønbæk-Thygesen M, Hartmann-Petersen R. Cellular and molecular mechanisms of aspartoacylase and its role in Canavan disease. Cell Biosci 2024; 14:45. [PMID: 38582917 PMCID: PMC10998430 DOI: 10.1186/s13578-024-01224-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2023] [Accepted: 03/24/2024] [Indexed: 04/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Canavan disease is an autosomal recessive and lethal neurological disorder, characterized by the spongy degeneration of the white matter in the brain. The disease is caused by a deficiency of the cytosolic aspartoacylase (ASPA) enzyme, which catalyzes the hydrolysis of N-acetyl-aspartate (NAA), an abundant brain metabolite, into aspartate and acetate. On the physiological level, the mechanism of pathogenicity remains somewhat obscure, with multiple, not mutually exclusive, suggested hypotheses. At the molecular level, recent studies have shown that most disease linked ASPA gene variants lead to a structural destabilization and subsequent proteasomal degradation of the ASPA protein variants, and accordingly Canavan disease should in general be considered a protein misfolding disorder. Here, we comprehensively summarize the molecular and cell biology of ASPA, with a particular focus on disease-linked gene variants and the pathophysiology of Canavan disease. We highlight the importance of high-throughput technologies and computational prediction tools for making genotype-phenotype predictions as we await the results of ongoing trials with gene therapy for Canavan disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Grønbæk-Thygesen
- The Linderstrøm-Lang Centre for Protein Science, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Ole Maaløes Vej 5, 2200N, Copenhagen, Denmark.
| | - Rasmus Hartmann-Petersen
- The Linderstrøm-Lang Centre for Protein Science, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Ole Maaløes Vej 5, 2200N, Copenhagen, Denmark.
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3
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Kuramoto T. Positional cloning of rat mutant genes reveals new functions of these genes. Exp Anim 2023; 72:1-8. [PMID: 36058846 PMCID: PMC9978133 DOI: 10.1538/expanim.22-0089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
The laboratory rat (Rattus norvegicus) is a key model organism for biomedical research. Rats can be subjected to strict genetic and environmental controls. The rat's large body size is suitable for both surgical operations and repeated measurements of physiological parameters. These advantages have led to the development of numerous rat models for genetic diseases. Forward genetics is a proven approach for identifying the causative genes of these disease models but requires genome resources including genetic markers and genome sequences. Over the last few decades, rat genome resources have been developed and deposited in bioresource centers, which have enabled us to perform positional cloning in rats. To date, more than 100 disease-related genes have been identified by positional cloning. Since some disease models are more accessible in rats than mice, the identification of causative genes in these models has sometimes led to the discovery of novel functions of genes. As before, various mutant rats are also expected to be discovered and developed as disease models in the future. Thus, the forward genetics continues to be an important approach to find genes involved in disease phenotypes in rats. In this review, I provide an overview the development of rat genome resources and describe examples of positional cloning in rats in which novel gene functions have been identified.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takashi Kuramoto
- Laboratory of Animal Nutrition, Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture, 1737 Funako, Atsugi, Kanagawa 243-0034, Japan
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Wei H, Moffett JR, Amanat M, Fatemi A, Tsukamoto T, Namboodiri AM, Slusher BS. The pathogenesis of, and pharmacological treatment for, Canavan disease. Drug Discov Today 2022; 27:2467-2483. [DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2022.05.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2022] [Revised: 05/05/2022] [Accepted: 05/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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5
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Lotun A, Gessler DJ, Gao G. Canavan Disease as a Model for Gene Therapy-Mediated Myelin Repair. Front Cell Neurosci 2021; 15:661928. [PMID: 33967698 PMCID: PMC8102781 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2021.661928] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2021] [Accepted: 03/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
In recent years, the scientific and therapeutic fields for rare, genetic central nervous system (CNS) diseases such as leukodystrophies, or white matter disorders, have expanded significantly in part due to technological advancements in cellular and clinical screenings as well as remedial therapies using novel techniques such as gene therapy. However, treatments aimed at normalizing the pathological changes associated with leukodystrophies have especially been complicated due to the innate and variable effects of glial abnormalities, which can cause large-scale functional deficits in developmental myelination and thus lead to downstream neuronal impairment. Emerging research in the past two decades have depicted glial cells, particularly oligodendrocytes and astrocytes, as key, regulatory modulators in constructing and maintaining myelin function and neuronal viability. Given the significance of myelin formation in the developing brain, myelin repair in a time-dependent fashion is critical in restoring homeostatic functionality to the CNS of patients diagnosed with white matter disorders. Using Canavan Disease (CD) as a leukodystrophy model, here we review the hypothetical roles of N-acetylaspartate (NAA), one of the brain's most abundant amino acid derivatives, in Canavan disease's CNS myelinating pathology, as well as discuss the possible functions astrocytes serve in both CD and other leukodystrophies' time-sensitive disease correction. Through this analysis, we also highlight the potential remyelinating benefits of gene therapy for other leukodystrophies in which alternative CNS cell targeting for white matter disorders may be an applicable path for reparative treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anoushka Lotun
- Horae Gene Therapy Center, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States.,Department of Microbiology and Physiological Systems, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
| | - Dominic J Gessler
- Horae Gene Therapy Center, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States.,Department of Microbiology and Physiological Systems, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States.,Department of Neurosurgery, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Guangping Gao
- Horae Gene Therapy Center, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States.,Department of Microbiology and Physiological Systems, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States.,Li Weibo Institute for Rare Diseases Research, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
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6
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Olszewska A, Schmidt MJ, Failing K, Nicpoń J, Podgórski P, Wrzosek MA. Interictal Single-Voxel Proton Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy of the Temporal Lobe in Dogs With Idiopathic Epilepsy. Front Vet Sci 2020; 7:644. [PMID: 33195502 PMCID: PMC7541947 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2020.00644] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2020] [Accepted: 08/10/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (H1-MRS) could provide insight into the metabolic pathophysiology of the temporal lobe of canine brain after seizure. Currently, there is no evidence-based data available on MRS of temporal lobe in dogs with idiopathic epilepsy (IE). The aim of this prospective, cross-sectional study was to evaluate the interictal metabolic activity of the temporal lobe in IE dogs compared to a control group with the use of H1-MRS. Ten healthy dogs and 27 client-owned dogs with IE underwent 1.5-Tesla magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and single-voxel H1-MRS. The MRS studies were acquired as spin echoes with a repetition time (TR) of 2,000 ms and an echo time (TE) of 144 ms. A cubic voxel (10 ×10 ×10 mm) was positioned bilaterally into the region of the left and right temporal lobe, including a middle part of the hippocampus and the amygdala. The N-acetylaspartate (NAA)-to-creatine (NAA/Cr), NAA-to-choline (NAA/Cho), choline-to-creatine (Cho/Cr), and choline-to-NAA (Cho/NAA) ratios were determined in both hemispheres and compared to controls. No significant differences in all metabolite ratios between epileptic dogs and the control group could be found. A time-dependent decrease in the NAA/Cho ratio as well as an increase in the Cho/NAA ratio was found with proximity in time to the last seizure. We found no correlation between metabolite ratios and age or sex in this animal group. Time span from the last seizure to the acquisition of MRS significantly correlated with NAA/Cho and Cho/NAA ratio. We conclude that without a time relation, metabolite ratios in dogs with IE do not differ from those of the control group.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agnieszka Olszewska
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Science, Small Animal Clinic, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Martin Jürgen Schmidt
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Science, Small Animal Clinic, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Klaus Failing
- Unit for Biomathematics and Data Processing, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Justus Liebig-University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Józef Nicpoń
- Department of Internal Diseases With a Clinic for Horses, Dogs and Cats, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Wrocław, Poland.,Center of Experimental Diagnostics and Innovative Biomedical Technologies, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Wrocław, Poland
| | - Przemysław Podgórski
- Department of General Radiology and Interventional Radiology and Neuroradiology, Wrocław Medical University, Wrocław, Poland
| | - Marcin Adam Wrzosek
- Department of Internal Diseases With a Clinic for Horses, Dogs and Cats, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Wrocław, Poland
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Uchitel J, Kantor B, Smith EC, Mikati MA. Viral-Mediated Gene Replacement Therapy in the Developing Central Nervous System: Current Status and Future Directions. Pediatr Neurol 2020; 110:5-19. [PMID: 32684374 DOI: 10.1016/j.pediatrneurol.2020.04.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2019] [Revised: 03/17/2020] [Accepted: 04/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The past few years have witnessed rapid developments in viral-mediated gene replacement therapy for pediatric central nervous system neurogenetic disorders. Here, we provide pediatric neurologists with an up-to-date, comprehensive overview of these developments and note emerging trends for future research. This review presents the different types of viral vectors used in viral-mediated gene replacement therapy; the fundamental properties of viral-mediated gene replacement therapy; the challenges associated with the use of this therapy in the central nervous system; the pathway for therapy development, from translational basic science studies to clinical trials; and an overview of the therapies that have reached clinical trials in patients. Current viral platforms under investigation include adenovirus vectors, adeno-associated viral vectors, lentiviral/retroviral vectors, and herpes simplex virus type 1 vectors. This review also presents an in-depth analysis of numerous studies that investigated these viral platforms in cultured cells and in transgenic animal models for pediatric neurogenetic disorders. Viral vectors have been applied to clinical trials for many different pediatric neurogenetic disorders, including Canavan disease, metachromatic leukodystrophy, neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis, mucopolysaccharidosis III, spinal muscular atrophy, and aromatic l-amino acid decarboxylase deficiency. Of these diseases, only spinal muscular atrophy has a viral-mediated gene replacement therapy approved for marketing. Despite significant progress in therapy development, many challenges remain. Surmounting these challenges is critical to advancing the current status of viral-mediated gene replacement therapy for pediatric central nervous system neurogenetic disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie Uchitel
- Division of Pediatric Neurology and Developmental Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Boris Kantor
- Department of Neurobiology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Edward C Smith
- Division of Pediatric Neurology and Developmental Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Mohamad A Mikati
- Division of Pediatric Neurology and Developmental Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina; Department of Neurobiology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina.
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8
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Szpirer C. Rat models of human diseases and related phenotypes: a systematic inventory of the causative genes. J Biomed Sci 2020; 27:84. [PMID: 32741357 PMCID: PMC7395987 DOI: 10.1186/s12929-020-00673-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2020] [Accepted: 07/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The laboratory rat has been used for a long time as the model of choice in several biomedical disciplines. Numerous inbred strains have been isolated, displaying a wide range of phenotypes and providing many models of human traits and diseases. Rat genome mapping and genomics was considerably developed in the last decades. The availability of these resources has stimulated numerous studies aimed at discovering causal disease genes by positional identification. Numerous rat genes have now been identified that underlie monogenic or complex diseases and remarkably, these results have been translated to the human in a significant proportion of cases, leading to the identification of novel human disease susceptibility genes, helping in studying the mechanisms underlying the pathological abnormalities and also suggesting new therapeutic approaches. In addition, reverse genetic tools have been developed. Several genome-editing methods were introduced to generate targeted mutations in genes the function of which could be clarified in this manner [generally these are knockout mutations]. Furthermore, even when the human gene causing a disease had been identified without resorting to a rat model, mutated rat strains (in particular KO strains) were created to analyze the gene function and the disease pathogenesis. Today, over 350 rat genes have been identified as underlying diseases or playing a key role in critical biological processes that are altered in diseases, thereby providing a rich resource of disease models. This article is an update of the progress made in this research and provides the reader with an inventory of these disease genes, a significant number of which have similar effects in rat and humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claude Szpirer
- Université Libre de Bruxelles, B-6041, Gosselies, Belgium.
- , Waterloo, Belgium.
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9
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Liu L, Huang C, Bian Y, Miao L. GC-MS based metabolomics of CSF and blood serum: Metabolic phenotype for a rat model of cefoperazone-induced disulfiram-like reaction. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2017; 490:1066-1073. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2017.06.167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2017] [Accepted: 06/27/2017] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
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10
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Appu AP, Moffett JR, Arun P, Moran S, Nambiar V, Krishnan JKS, Puthillathu N, Namboodiri AMA. Increasing N-acetylaspartate in the Brain during Postnatal Myelination Does Not Cause the CNS Pathologies of Canavan Disease. Front Mol Neurosci 2017; 10:161. [PMID: 28626388 PMCID: PMC5454052 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2017.00161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2017] [Accepted: 05/09/2017] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Canavan disease is caused by mutations in the gene encoding aspartoacylase (ASPA), a deacetylase that catabolizes N-acetylaspartate (NAA). The precise involvement of elevated NAA in the pathogenesis of Canavan disease is an ongoing debate. In the present study, we tested the effects of elevated NAA in the brain during postnatal development. Mice were administered high doses of the hydrophobic methyl ester of NAA (M-NAA) twice daily starting on day 7 after birth. This treatment increased NAA levels in the brain to those observed in the brains of Nur7 mice, an established model of Canavan disease. We evaluated various serological parameters, oxidative stress, inflammatory and neurodegeneration markers and the results showed that there were no pathological alterations in any measure with increased brain NAA levels. We examined oxidative stress markers, malondialdehyde content (indicator of lipid peroxidation), expression of NADPH oxidase and nuclear translocation of the stress-responsive transcription factor nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (NRF-2) in brain. We also examined additional pathological markers by immunohistochemistry and the expression of activated caspase-3 and interleukin-6 by Western blot. None of the markers were increased in the brains of M-NAA treated mice, and no vacuoles were observed in any brain region. These results show that ASPA expression prevents the pathologies associated with excessive NAA concentrations in the brain during postnatal myelination. We hypothesize that the pathogenesis of Canavan disease involves not only disrupted NAA metabolism, but also excessive NAA related signaling processes in oligodendrocytes that have not been fully determined and we discuss some of the potential mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abhilash P. Appu
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Genetics and Neuroscience Program, Uniformed Services University of the Health SciencesBethesda, MD, United States
| | - John R. Moffett
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Genetics and Neuroscience Program, Uniformed Services University of the Health SciencesBethesda, MD, United States
| | - Peethambaran Arun
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Genetics and Neuroscience Program, Uniformed Services University of the Health SciencesBethesda, MD, United States
| | - Sean Moran
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Genetics and Neuroscience Program, Uniformed Services University of the Health SciencesBethesda, MD, United States
| | - Vikram Nambiar
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Genetics and Neuroscience Program, Uniformed Services University of the Health SciencesBethesda, MD, United States
| | - Jishnu K. S. Krishnan
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Genetics and Neuroscience Program, Uniformed Services University of the Health SciencesBethesda, MD, United States
| | - Narayanan Puthillathu
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Genetics and Neuroscience Program, Uniformed Services University of the Health SciencesBethesda, MD, United States
| | - Aryan M. A. Namboodiri
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Genetics and Neuroscience Program, Uniformed Services University of the Health SciencesBethesda, MD, United States
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Roscoe RB, Elliott C, Zarros A, Baillie GS. Non-genetic therapeutic approaches to Canavan disease. J Neurol Sci 2016; 366:116-124. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jns.2016.05.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2015] [Revised: 04/11/2016] [Accepted: 05/09/2016] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
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12
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Duncan ID, Radcliff AB. Inherited and acquired disorders of myelin: The underlying myelin pathology. Exp Neurol 2016; 283:452-75. [PMID: 27068622 PMCID: PMC5010953 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2016.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2016] [Revised: 04/01/2016] [Accepted: 04/04/2016] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Remyelination is a major therapeutic goal in human myelin disorders, serving to restore function to demyelinated axons and providing neuroprotection. The target disorders that might be amenable to the promotion of this repair process are diverse and increasing in number. They range primarily from those of genetic, inflammatory to toxic origin. In order to apply remyelinating strategies to these disorders, it is essential to know whether the myelin damage results from a primary attack on myelin or the oligodendrocyte or both, and whether indeed these lead to myelin breakdown and demyelination. In some disorders, myelin sheath abnormalities are prominent but demyelination does not occur. This review explores the range of human and animal disorders where myelin pathology exists and focusses on defining the myelin changes in each and their cause, to help define whether they are targets for myelin repair therapy. We reviewed myelin disorders of the CNS in humans and animals. Myelin damage results from primary attack on the oligodendrocyte or myelin sheath. All major categories of disease can affect CNS myelin. Myelin vacuolation is common, yet does not always result in demyelination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ian D Duncan
- Department of Medical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States.
| | - Abigail B Radcliff
- Department of Medical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States
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Wang Q, Zhao M, Parungao GG, Viola RE. Purification and characterization of aspartate N-acetyltransferase: A critical enzyme in brain metabolism. Protein Expr Purif 2016; 119:11-8. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pep.2015.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2015] [Revised: 11/02/2015] [Accepted: 11/03/2015] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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Abstract
Metabolic disorders comprise a large group of heterogeneous diseases ranging from very prevalent diseases such as diabetes mellitus to rare genetic disorders like Canavan Disease. Whether either of these diseases is amendable by gene therapy depends to a large degree on the knowledge of their pathomechanism, availability of the therapeutic gene, vector selection, and availability of suitable animal models. In this book chapter, we review three metabolic disorders of the central nervous system (CNS; Canavan Disease, Niemann-Pick disease and Phenylketonuria) to give examples for primary and secondary metabolic disorders of the brain and the attempts that have been made to use adeno-associated virus (AAV) based gene therapy for treatment. Finally, we highlight commonalities and obstacles in the development of gene therapy for metabolic disorders of the CNS exemplified by those three diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dominic J Gessler
- University of Massachusetts Medical School, 368 Plantation Street, AS6-2049, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
| | - Guangping Gao
- University of Massachusetts Medical School, 368 Plantation Street, AS6-2049, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA.
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Ohno Y, Shimizu S, Tatara A, Imaoku T, Ishii T, Sasa M, Serikawa T, Kuramoto T. Hcn1 is a tremorgenic genetic component in a rat model of essential tremor. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0123529. [PMID: 25970616 PMCID: PMC4430019 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0123529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2014] [Accepted: 02/18/2015] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Genetic factors are thought to play a major role in the etiology of essential tremor (ET); however, few genetic changes that induce ET have been identified to date. In the present study, to find genes responsible for the development of ET, we employed a rat model system consisting of a tremulous mutant strain, TRM/Kyo (TRM), and its substrain TRMR/Kyo (TRMR). The TRM rat is homozygous for the tremor (tm) mutation and shows spontaneous tremors resembling human ET. The TRMR rat also carries a homozygous tm mutation but shows no tremor, leading us to hypothesize that TRM rats carry one or more genes implicated in the development of ET in addition to the tm mutation. We used a positional cloning approach and found a missense mutation (c. 1061 C>T, p. A354V) in the hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated 1 channel (Hcn1) gene. The A354V HCN1 failed to conduct hyperpolarization-activated currents in vitro, implicating it as a loss-of-function mutation. Blocking HCN1 channels with ZD7288 in vivo evoked kinetic tremors in nontremulous TRMR rats. We also found neuronal activation of the inferior olive (IO) in both ZD7288-treated TRMR and non-treated TRM rats and a reduced incidence of tremor in the IO-lesioned TRM rats, suggesting a critical role of the IO in tremorgenesis. A rat strain carrying the A354V mutation alone on a genetic background identical to that of the TRM rats showed no tremor. Together, these data indicate that body tremors emerge when the two mutant loci, tm and Hcn1A354V, are combined in a rat model of ET. In this model, HCN1 channels play an important role in the tremorgenesis of ET. We propose that oligogenic, most probably digenic, inheritance is responsible for the genetic heterogeneity of ET.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yukihiro Ohno
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, Osaka University of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Takatsuki, 569–1094, Japan
| | - Saki Shimizu
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, Osaka University of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Takatsuki, 569–1094, Japan
| | - Ayaka Tatara
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, Osaka University of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Takatsuki, 569–1094, Japan
| | - Takuji Imaoku
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, Osaka University of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Takatsuki, 569–1094, Japan
| | - Takahiro Ishii
- Department of Physiology and Neurobiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, 606–8501, Japan
| | | | - Tadao Serikawa
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, Osaka University of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Takatsuki, 569–1094, Japan
- Institute of Laboratory Animals, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, 606–8501, Japan
| | - Takashi Kuramoto
- Institute of Laboratory Animals, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, 606–8501, Japan
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Abstract
The autosomal recessive Canavan disease (CD) is a neurological disorder that begins in infancy. CD is caused by mutations in the gene encoding the ASPA enzyme. It has been reported with high frequency in patients with Jewish ancestry, and with low frequency in non-Jewish patients. This review will shed light on some updates regarding CD prevalence and causative mutations across the Arab World. CD was reported in several Arab countries such as Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, Yemen, Kuwait, and Tunisia. The population with the highest risk is in Saudi Arabia due the prevalent consanguineous marriage culture. In several studies, four novel mutations were found among Arabian CD patients, including two missense mutations (p.C152R, p.C152W), a 3346bp deletion leading to the removal of exon 3 of the ASPA gene, and an insertion mutation (698insC). Other previously reported mutations, which led to damage in the ASPA enzyme activities found among CD Arab patients are c.530 T>C (p.I177T), c.79G>A (p.G27R), IVS4+1G>T, and a 92kb deletion, which is 7.16kb upstream from the ASPA start site. This review will help in developing customized molecular diagnostic approaches and promoting CD carrier screening in the Arab world in areas where consanguineous marriage is common particularly within Saudi Arabia.
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Ahmed SS, Gao G. Making the White Matter Matters: Progress in Understanding Canavan's Disease and Therapeutic Interventions Through Eight Decades. JIMD Rep 2015; 19:11-22. [PMID: 25604619 DOI: 10.1007/8904_2014_356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2014] [Revised: 08/05/2014] [Accepted: 08/12/2014] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Canavan's disease (CD) is a fatal autosomal recessive pediatric leukodystrophy in which patients show severe neurodegeneration and typically die by the age of 10, though life expectancy in patients can be highly variable. Currently, there is no effective treatment for CD; however, gene therapy seems to be a feasible approach to combat the disease. Being a monogenic defect, the disease provides an excellent model system to develop gene therapy approaches that can be extended to other monogenic leukodystrophies and neurodegenerative diseases. CD results from mutations in a single gene aspartoacylase which hydrolyses N-acetyl aspartic acid (NAA) which accumulates in its absences. Since CD is one of the few diseases that show high NAA levels, it can also be used to study the enigmatic biological role of NAA. The disease was first described in 1931, and this review traces the progress made in the past 8 decades to understand the disease by enumerating current hypotheses and ongoing palliative measures to alleviate patient symptoms in the context of the latest advances in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seemin S Ahmed
- University of Massachusetts Medical School, 368 Plantation Street, ASC6, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
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Serikawa T, Mashimo T, Kuramoro T, Voigt B, Ohno Y, Sasa M. Advances on genetic rat models of epilepsy. Exp Anim 2014; 64:1-7. [PMID: 25312505 PMCID: PMC4329510 DOI: 10.1538/expanim.14-0066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Considering the suitability of laboratory rats in epilepsy research, we and other groups
have been developing genetic models of epilepsy in this species. After epileptic rats or
seizure-susceptible rats were sporadically found in outbred stocks, the epileptic traits
were usually genetically-fixed by selective breeding. So far, the absence seizure models
GAERS and WAG/Rij, audiogenic seizure models GEPR-3 and GEPR-9, generalized tonic-clonic
seizure models IER, NER and WER, and Canavan-disease related epileptic models TRM and SER
have been established. Dissection of the genetic bases including causative genes in these
epileptic rat models would be a significant step toward understanding epileptogenesis.
N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea (ENU) mutagenesis provides a systematic approach which allowed us to
develop two novel epileptic rat models: heat-induced seizure susceptible (Hiss) rats with
an Scn1a missense mutation and autosomal dominant lateral temporal epilepsy (ADLTE) model
rats with an Lgi1 missense mutation. In addition, we have established episodic ataxia type
1 (EA1) model rats with a Kcna1 missense mutation derived from the ENU-induced rat mutant
stock, and identified a Cacna1a missense mutation in a N-Methyl-N-nitrosourea
(MNU)-induced mutant rat strain GRY, resulting in the discovery of episodic ataxia type 2
(EA2) model rats. Thus, epileptic rat models have been established on the two paths:
‘phenotype to gene’ and ‘gene to phenotype’. In the near future, development of novel
epileptic rat models will be extensively promoted by the use of sophisticated genome
editing technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tadao Serikawa
- Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Sakyo-ku 606-8501; Laboratory of Pharmacology, Osaka University of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Takatsuki 569-1094, Japan
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Genetic evidence suggests that Spata22 is required for the maintenance of Rad51 foci in mammalian meiosis. Sci Rep 2014; 4:6148. [PMID: 25142975 PMCID: PMC4139951 DOI: 10.1038/srep06148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2014] [Accepted: 08/01/2014] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Meiotic nodules are the sites of double-stranded DNA break repair. Rpa is a single-stranded DNA-binding protein, and Rad51 is a protein that assists in the repair of DNA double strand breaks. The localisation of Rad51 to meiotic nodules before the localisation of Rpa in mice introduces the issue of whether Rpa is involved in presynaptic filament formation during mammalian meiosis. Here, we show that a protein with unknown function, Spata22, colocalises with Rpa in meiotic nodules in rat spermatocytes. In spermatocytes of Spata22-deficient mutant rats, meiosis was arrested at the zygotene-like stage, and a normal number of Rpa foci was observed during leptotene- and zygotene-like stages. The number of Rad51 foci was initially normal but declined from the leptotene-like stage. These results suggest that both formation and maintenance of Rpa foci are independent of Spata22, and the maintenance, but not the formation, of Rad51 foci requires Spata22. We propose a possible model of presynaptic filament formation in mammalian meiosis, which involves Rpa and Spata22.
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20
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Francis JS, Markov V, Leone P. Dietary triheptanoin rescues oligodendrocyte loss, dysmyelination and motor function in the nur7 mouse model of Canavan disease. J Inherit Metab Dis 2014; 37:369-81. [PMID: 24288037 DOI: 10.1007/s10545-013-9663-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2013] [Revised: 10/24/2013] [Accepted: 11/11/2013] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The inherited pediatric leukodystrophy Canavan disease is characterized by dysmyelination and severe spongiform degeneration, and is currently refractory to treatment. A definitive understanding of core disease mechanisms is lacking, but pathology is believed to result at least in part compromised fatty acid synthesis during myelination. Recent evidence generated in an animal model suggests that the breakdown of N-acetylaspartate metabolism in CD results in a heightened coupling of fatty acid synthesis to oligodendrocyte oxidative metabolism during the early stages of myelination, thereby causing acute oxidative stress. We present here the results of a dietary intervention designed to support oxidative integrity during developmental myelination in the nur7 mouse model of Canavan disease. Provision of the odd carbon triglyceride triheptanoin to neonatal nur7 mice reduced oxidative stress, promoted long-term oligodendrocyte survival, and increased myelin in the brain. Improvements in oligodendrocyte survival and myelination were associated with a highly significant reduction in spongiform degeneration and improved motor function in triheptanoin treated mice. Initiation of triheptanoin treatment in older animals resulted in markedly more modest effects on these same pathological indices, indicating a window of therapeutic intervention that corresponds with developmental myelination. These results support the targeting of oxidative integrity at early stages of Canavan disease, and provide a foundation for the clinical development of a non-invasive dietary triheptanoin treatment regimen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeremy S Francis
- Cell and Gene Therapy Center, Department of Cell Biology, Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine, 40 East Laurel Rd, Stratford, NJ, USA,
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21
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Carpinelli MR, Voss AK, Manning MG, Perera AA, Cooray AA, Kile BT, Burt RA. A new mouse model of Canavan leukodystrophy displays hearing impairment due to central nervous system dysmyelination. Dis Model Mech 2014; 7:649-57. [PMID: 24682784 PMCID: PMC4036472 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.014605] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Canavan disease is a leukodystrophy caused by mutations in the ASPA gene. This gene encodes the enzyme that converts N-acetylaspartate into acetate and aspartic acid. In Canavan disease, spongiform encephalopathy of the brain causes progressive mental retardation, motor deficit and death. We have isolated a mouse with a novel ethylnitrosourea-induced mutation in Aspa. This mutant, named deaf14, carries a c.516T>A mutation that is predicted to cause a p.Y172X protein truncation. No full-length ASPA protein is produced in deaf14 brain and there is extensive spongy degeneration. Interestingly, we found that deaf14 mice have an attenuated startle in response to loud noise. The first auditory brainstem response peak has normal latency and amplitude but peaks II, III, IV and V have increased latency and decreased amplitude in deaf14 mice. Our work reveals a hitherto unappreciated pathology in a mouse model of Canavan disease, implying that auditory brainstem response testing could be used in diagnosis and to monitor the progression of this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina R Carpinelli
- Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, 50 Flemington Road, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia. The HEARing Cooperative Research Centre, 550 Swanston Street, University of Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia.
| | - Anne K Voss
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, 1G Royal Parade, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia. Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Michael G Manning
- Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, 50 Flemington Road, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia. The HEARing Cooperative Research Centre, 550 Swanston Street, University of Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Ashwyn A Perera
- Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, 50 Flemington Road, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Anne A Cooray
- The HEARing Cooperative Research Centre, 550 Swanston Street, University of Melbourne, VIC 3010, Australia. Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, 1G Royal Parade, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Benjamin T Kile
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, 1G Royal Parade, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia. Department of Medical Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Rachel A Burt
- Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, 50 Flemington Road, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia. Department of Genetics, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia
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22
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Ishishita S, Inui T, Matsuda Y, Serikawa T, Kitada K. Infertility associated with meiotic failure in the tremor rat (tm/tm) is caused by the deletion of spermatogenesis associated 22. Exp Anim 2014; 62:219-27. [PMID: 23903057 PMCID: PMC4160939 DOI: 10.1538/expanim.62.219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
The tremor rat is an autosomal recessive mutant exhibiting sterility
with gonadal hypoplasia in both sexes. The causative mutation tremor
(tm) is known as a genomic deletion spanning >200 kb in Chr 10q24.
Spermatogenesis associated 22 (Spata22) has been shown
to be a vertebrate-specific gene essential for the progression of meiosis through prophase
I and completion of chromosome synapsis and meiotic recombination using a mouse
repro42 mutant carrying an
N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea (ENU)-induced nonsense mutation in
Spata22. In this study, we show that Spata22 was
identified as the gene responsible for the failure of gametogenesis to progress beyond
meiosis I in tm homozygous rats by a transgenic rescue experiment.
Meiosis was arrested during prophase I in the mutant testis. Precise mapping of the
breakage point revealed that the deleted genomic region spanned approximately 240 kb and
comprised at least 13 genes, including Spata22. Rat
Spata22 was predominantly expressed in the testis, and its
transcription increased with the first wave of spermatogenesis, as seen in the mouse
ortholog. These results suggest that Spata22 may play an important role
in meiotic prophase I in rats, as seen in mice, and that the tm
homozygous rat may be useful for investigating the physiological function of
Spata22, as an experimental system for clarifying the effect of a null
mutation, and may be an animal model for studying the pathogenesis and treatment of
infertility caused by impaired meiosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Satoshi Ishishita
- Division of Bioscience, Graduate School of Environmental Earth Science, Hokkaido University, North 10 West 8, Kita-ku, Sapporo 060-0810, Japan
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23
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Zhao H, Lin G, Shi M, Gao J, Wang Y, Wang H, Sun H, Cao Y. The mechanism of neurogenic pulmonary edema in epilepsy. J Physiol Sci 2014; 64:65-72. [PMID: 24142459 PMCID: PMC10717646 DOI: 10.1007/s12576-013-0291-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2013] [Accepted: 09/13/2013] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Neurogenic pulmonary edema (NPE) is found in many epilepsy patients at autopsy. It is a life-threatening complication, known for almost 100 years, but its etiopathogenesis is still not completely understood. In this study, we used the tremor rat (TRM: tm/tm) as an animal model of epilepsy to investigate the potential mechanisms of NPE under epileptic conditions. We performed reverse-phase high-pressure liquid chromatography assay, H&E and Masson staining, TUNEL assay, and Western blot experiments to determine the role of seizures in NPE. We found the level of catecholamine was higher in TRM rats. Also the occurrence of alveolar cell apoptosis was increased. Moreover, pulmonary vascular remodeling including the deposition of collagen and medial thickening was also found in TRM rats. Further study showed that cell apoptosis was mediated by increasing Bax, decreasing Bcl-2, and activating caspase-3. In addition, the protein level of phosphorylated ERK (p-ERK) was found to be decreased while phosphorylated JNK and phosphorylated p38 were upregulated in TRM rats. Thus, these findings suggest that pulmonary vascular remodeling and alveolar cell apoptosis might be involved in epilepsy-induced NPE and that the mitogen-activated protein kinase signal pathway was involved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong Zhao
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, The Fifth Clinical College of Harbin Medical University, Daqing, 163316 Heilongjiang China
| | - Guijun Lin
- Department of Pharmacology, Harbin Medical University-Daqing, Daqing, 163319 Heilongjiang China
| | - Mumu Shi
- Department of Pharmacology, Harbin Medical University-Daqing, Daqing, 163319 Heilongjiang China
| | - Jingquan Gao
- Department of Clinical Nursing, Harbin Medical University-Daqing, Daqing, 163319 Heilongjiang China
| | - Yanming Wang
- Department of College of Pharmacy, Harbin Medical University-Daqing, Daqing, 163319 Heilongjiang China
| | - Hongzhi Wang
- Department of Laboratory Diagnosis, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Daqing, 163316 China
| | - Hongli Sun
- Department of Pharmacology, Harbin Medical University-Daqing, Daqing, 163319 Heilongjiang China
| | - Yonggang Cao
- Department of Pharmacology, Harbin Medical University-Daqing, Daqing, 163319 Heilongjiang China
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24
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Ahmed SS, Li H, Cao C, Sikoglu EM, Denninger AR, Su Q, Eaton S, Liso Navarro AA, Xie J, Szucs S, Zhang H, Moore C, Kirschner DA, Seyfried TN, Flotte TR, Matalon R, Gao G. A single intravenous rAAV injection as late as P20 achieves efficacious and sustained CNS Gene therapy in Canavan mice. Mol Ther 2013; 21:2136-47. [PMID: 23817205 DOI: 10.1038/mt.2013.138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2013] [Accepted: 05/29/2013] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Canavan's disease (CD) is a fatal pediatric leukodystrophy caused by mutations in aspartoacylase (AspA) gene. Currently, there is no effective treatment for CD; however, gene therapy is an attractive approach to ameliorate the disease. Here, we studied progressive neuropathology and gene therapy in short-lived (≤ 1 month) AspA(-/-) mice, a bona-fide animal model for the severest form of CD. Single intravenous (IV) injections of several primate-derived recombinant adeno-associated viruses (rAAVs) as late as postnatal day 20 (P20) completely rescued their early lethality and alleviated the major disease symptoms, extending survival in P0-injected rAAV9 and rAAVrh8 groups to as long as 2 years thus far. We successfully used microRNA (miRNA)-mediated post-transcriptional detargeting for the first time to restrict therapeutic rAAV expression in the central nervous system (CNS) and minimize potentially deleterious effects of transgene overexpression in peripheral tissues. rAAV treatment globally improved CNS myelination, although some abnormalities persisted in the content and distribution of myelin-specific and -enriched lipids. We demonstrate that systemically delivered and CNS-restricted rAAVs can serve as efficacious and sustained gene therapeutics in a model of a severe neurodegenerative disorder even when administered as late as P20.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seemin Seher Ahmed
- 1] Gene Therapy Center, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA [2] Department of Microbiology & Physiological Systems, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
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25
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Xu X, Guo F, Lv X, Feng R, Min D, Ma L, Liu Y, Zhao J, Wang L, Chen T, Shaw C, Hao L, Cai J. Abnormal changes in voltage-gated sodium channels NaV1.1, NaV1.2, NaV1.3, NaV1.6 and in calmodulin/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II, within the brains of spontaneously epileptic rats and tremor rats. Brain Res Bull 2013; 96:1-9. [DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2013.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2012] [Revised: 04/09/2013] [Accepted: 04/10/2013] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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26
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Leone P, Shera D, McPhee SWJ, Francis JS, Kolodny EH, Bilaniuk LT, Wang DJ, Assadi M, Goldfarb O, Goldman HW, Freese A, Young D, During MJ, Samulski RJ, Janson CG. Long-term follow-up after gene therapy for canavan disease. Sci Transl Med 2013; 4:165ra163. [PMID: 23253610 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.3003454] [Citation(s) in RCA: 178] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
Canavan disease is a hereditary leukodystrophy caused by mutations in the aspartoacylase gene (ASPA), leading to loss of enzyme activity and increased concentrations of the substrate N-acetyl-aspartate (NAA) in the brain. Accumulation of NAA results in spongiform degeneration of white matter and severe impairment of psychomotor development. The goal of this prospective cohort study was to assess long-term safety and preliminary efficacy measures after gene therapy with an adeno-associated viral vector carrying the ASPA gene (AAV2-ASPA). Using noninvasive magnetic resonance imaging and standardized clinical rating scales, we observed Canavan disease in 28 patients, with a subset of 13 patients being treated with AAV2-ASPA. Each patient received 9 × 10(11) vector genomes via intraparenchymal delivery at six brain infusion sites. Safety data collected over a minimum 5-year follow-up period showed a lack of long-term adverse events related to the AAV2 vector. Posttreatment effects were analyzed using a generalized linear mixed model, which showed changes in predefined surrogate markers of disease progression and clinical assessment subscores. AAV2-ASPA gene therapy resulted in a decrease in elevated NAA in the brain and slowed progression of brain atrophy, with some improvement in seizure frequency and with stabilization of overall clinical status.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paola Leone
- Department of Cell Biology, Cell & Gene Therapy Center, University of Medicine & Dentistry of New Jersey, Stratford, NJ 08034, USA.
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27
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28
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Duncan ID, Kondo Y, Zhang SC. The myelin mutants as models to study myelin repair in the leukodystrophies. Neurotherapeutics 2011; 8:607-24. [PMID: 21979830 PMCID: PMC3250297 DOI: 10.1007/s13311-011-0080-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The leukodystrophies are rare and serious genetic disorders of the central nervous system that primarily affect children who frequently die early in life or have significantly delayed motor and mental milestones that result in long-term disability. Although with some of these disorders, early intervention with bone marrow or cord blood transplantation has been proven useful, it has not yet been determined that such therapies promote myelin repair of the central nervous system. Research on experimental therapies aimed at myelin repair is aided by the ability to test cell replacement strategies in genetic models in which the mutations and neuropathology match the human disorder. Thus, models exist of Pelizaeus-Merzbacher disease and the lysosomal storage disorder, Krabbe disease, which reflect the clinical and pathological course of the human disorders. Collectively, animals with mutations in myelin genes are called the myelin mutants, and they include rodent models such as the shiverer mouse that have been extensively used to study myelination by exogenous cell transplantation. These studies have encompassed many permutations of the age of the recipient, type of transplanted cell, site of engraftment, and so forth, and they offer hope that the scaling up of myelin produced by transplanted cells will have clinical significance in treating patients. Here we review these models and discuss their relative importance and use in such translational approaches. We discuss how grafts are identified and functional outcomes are measured. Finally, we briefly discuss the cells that have been successfully transplanted, which may be used in future clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ian D Duncan
- Department of Medical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, USA.
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29
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Moffett JR, Arun P, Ariyannur PS, Garbern JY, Jacobowitz DM, Namboodiri AMA. Extensive aspartoacylase expression in the rat central nervous system. Glia 2011; 59:1414-34. [PMID: 21598311 PMCID: PMC3143213 DOI: 10.1002/glia.21186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2010] [Accepted: 04/14/2011] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Aspartoacylase (ASPA) catalyzes deacetylation of N-acetylaspartate (NAA) to generate acetate and aspartate. Mutations in the gene for ASPA lead to reduced acetate availability in the CNS during development resulting in the fatal leukodystrophy Canavan disease. Highly specific polyclonal antibodies to ASPA were used to examine CNS expression in adult rats. In white matter, ASPA expression was associated with oligodendrocyte cell bodies, nuclei, and some processes, but showed a dissimilar distribution pattern to myelin basic protein and oligodendrocyte specific protein. Microglia expressed ASPA in all CNS regions examined, as did epiplexus cells of the choroid plexus. Pial and ependymal cells and some endothelial cells were ASPA positive, as were unidentified cellular nuclei throughout the CNS. Astrocytes did not express ASPA in their cytoplasm. In some fiber pathways and nerves, particularly in the brainstem and spinal cord, the axoplasm of many neuronal fibers expressed ASPA, as did some neurons. Acetyl coenzyme A synthase immunoreactivity was also observed in the axoplasm of many of the same fiber pathways and nerves. All ASPA-immunoreactive elements were unstained in brain sections from tremor rats, an ASPA-null mutant. The strong expression of ASPA in oligodendrocyte cell bodies is consistent with a lipogenic role in myelination. Strong ASPA expression in cell nuclei is consistent with a role for NAA-derived acetate in nuclear acetylation reactions, including histone acetylation. Expression of ASPA in microglia may indicate a role in lipid synthesis in these cells, whereas expression in axons suggests that some neurons can both synthesize and catabolize NAA.
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Affiliation(s)
- John R Moffett
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology & Genetics, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland 20814, USA.
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30
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Hanaya R, Kiura Y, Serikawa T, Kurisu K, Arita K, Sasa M. Modulation of abnormal synaptic transmission in hippocampal CA3 neurons of spontaneously epileptic rats (SERs) by levetiracetam. Brain Res Bull 2011; 86:334-9. [PMID: 21968023 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2011.09.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2011] [Revised: 09/17/2011] [Accepted: 09/19/2011] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Levetiracetam (LEV) inhibits partial refractory epilepsy in human, and both convulsive and absence-like seizures in the spontaneously epileptic rat (SER). Two-thirds of hippocampal CA3 neurons in SER show a long-lasting depolarization shift, with accompanying repetitive firing upon mossy fiber stimulation. This abnormal excitability is probably attributable to abnormalities in the L-type Ca(2+) channels. We performed electrophysiological studies to elucidate the mechanism underlying the antiepileptic effects of LEV via intracellular recording from the hippocampal CA3 neurons in slice preparations of SER and non-epileptic Wistar rats. LEV (100 μM) inhibited the depolarization shift with repetitive firing by mossy fiber stimulation (MFS), without affecting the first spike in SER CA3 neurons. At a higher dose (1mM), LEV suppressed the first spike in all SER neurons (including the CA3 neurons which showed only a single action potential by MFS), while the single action potential of Wistar rat CA3 neurons remained unaffected. SER CA3 neurons with MFS-induced abnormal firing exhibited a higher number of repetitive spikes when a depolarization pulse was applied in the SER CA3 neurons. LEV (100 μM, 1mM) reduced the repetitive firing induced by a depolarization pulse applied without affecting Ca(2+) spike in SER neurons. LEV is known not to bind glutamate and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptors. These findings suggest that the therapeutic concentration of LEV inhibits abnormal firing of the CA3 neurons by modulating abnormal synaptic transmission and abnormal Na(+) channels in SER.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryosuke Hanaya
- Department of Neurosurgery, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima 890-8544, Japan.
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31
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Karaman S, Barnett J, Sykes GP, Hong B, Delaney B. Two-generation reproductive and developmental toxicity assessment of dietary N-acetyl-L-aspartic acid in rats. Food Chem Toxicol 2011; 49:3192-205. [PMID: 21920405 DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2011.08.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2011] [Revised: 08/26/2011] [Accepted: 08/27/2011] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
N-acetyl-l-aspartic acid (NAA) is a component of the mammalian central nervous system (CNS) that has also been identified in a number of foods. This paper reports the outcome of a reproductive toxicology study conducted with NAA in Sprague-Dawley rats. NAA was added to diets at target doses of 100, 250 and 500 mg/kg of body weight/day and administered for two consecutive generations. A carrier control group was administered diet with no added NAA and a comparative control group was given aspartate (ASP), the constituent amino acid of NAA, at a target dose of 500 mg/kg of body weight/day. The study evaluated OECD 416 reproductive performance variables and additional segments to assess potential developmental effects, neurobehavioural and ophthalmologic function, and the concentrations of NAA or ASP in brain and plasma. No biologically significant differences were observed in any reproductive response variables, neurobehavioural tests, ophthalmologic examinations, body weights, feed consumption, or organ weights. Further, no test substance related mortalities or adverse clinical, neurohistopathologic or histopathologic findings were observed. Under the conditions of this study, the highest target dose of NAA, 500 mg/kg of body weight/day, represents the no-observed-adverse-effect-level (NOAEL) for reproductive and systemic toxicity, and neurotoxicity for Sprague-Dawley rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sule Karaman
- Pioneer Hi-Bred, International, Inc., Ankeny, IA 50021-7102, USA
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Sugata S, Hanaya R, Kumafuji K, Tokudome M, Serikawa T, Kurisu K, Arita K, Sasa M. Neuroprotective effect of levetiracetam on hippocampal sclerosis-like change in spontaneously epileptic rats. Brain Res Bull 2011; 86:36-41. [DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2011.05.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2011] [Revised: 05/16/2011] [Accepted: 05/30/2011] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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Scientific Opinion on application (EFSA‐GMO‐UK‐2007‐43) for the placing on the market of herbicide tolerant genetically modified soybean 356043 for food and feed uses, import and processing under Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 from Pioneer. EFSA J 2011. [DOI: 10.2903/j.efsa.2011.2310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
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Segel R, Anikster Y, Zevin S, Steinberg A, Gahl WA, Fisher D, Staretz-Chacham O, Zimran A, Altarescu G. A safety trial of high dose glyceryl triacetate for Canavan disease. Mol Genet Metab 2011; 103:203-6. [PMID: 21474353 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymgme.2011.03.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2011] [Revised: 03/09/2011] [Accepted: 03/09/2011] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Canavan disease (CD MIM#271900) is a rare autosomal recessive neurodegenerative disorder presenting in early infancy. The course of the disease is variable, but it is always fatal. CD is caused by mutations in the ASPA gene, which codes for the enzyme aspartoacylase (ASPA), which breaks down N-acetylaspartate (NAA) to acetate and aspartic acid. The lack of NAA-degrading enzyme activity leads to excess accumulation of NAA in the brain and deficiency of acetate, which is necessary for myelin lipid synthesis. Glyceryltriacetate (GTA) is a short-chain triglyceride with three acetate moieties on a glycerol backbone and has proven an effective acetate precursor. Intragastric administration of GTA to tremor mice results in greatly increased brain acetate levels, and improved motor functions. GTA given to infants with CD at a low dose (up to 0.25 g/kg/d) resulted in no improvement in their clinical status, but also no detectable toxicity. We present for the first time the safety profile of high dose GTA (4.5 g/kg/d) in 2 patients with CD. We treated 2 infants with CD at ages 8 months and 1 year with high dose GTA, for 4.5 and 6 months respectively. No significant side effects and no toxicity were observed. Although the treatment resulted in no motor improvement, it was well tolerated. The lack of clinical improvement might be explained mainly by the late onset of treatment, when significant brain damage was already present. Further larger studies of CD patients below age 3 months are required in order to test the long-term efficacy of this drug.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reeval Segel
- Medical Genetics Institute, Shaare Zedek Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel.
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Ramos M, Pardo B, Llorente-Folch I, Saheki T, del Arco A, Satrústegui J. Deficiency of the mitochondrial transporter of aspartate/glutamate aralar/AGC1 causes hypomyelination and neuronal defects unrelated to myelin deficits in mouse brain. J Neurosci Res 2011; 89:2008-17. [DOI: 10.1002/jnr.22639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2010] [Revised: 01/31/2011] [Accepted: 02/08/2011] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
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Mersmann N, Tkachev D, Jelinek R, Röth PT, Möbius W, Ruhwedel T, Rühle S, Weber-Fahr W, Sartorius A, Klugmann M. Aspartoacylase-lacZ knockin mice: an engineered model of Canavan disease. PLoS One 2011; 6:e20336. [PMID: 21625469 PMCID: PMC3098885 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0020336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2011] [Accepted: 04/26/2011] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Canavan Disease (CD) is a recessive leukodystrophy caused by loss of function mutations in the gene encoding aspartoacylase (ASPA), an oligodendrocyte-enriched enzyme that hydrolyses N-acetylaspartate (NAA) to acetate and aspartate. The neurological phenotypes of different rodent models of CD vary considerably. Here we report on a novel targeted aspa mouse mutant expressing the bacterial β-Galactosidase (lacZ) gene under the control of the aspa regulatory elements. X-Gal staining in known ASPA expression domains confirms the integrity of the modified locus in heterozygous aspa lacZ-knockin (aspalacZ/+) mice. In addition, abundant ASPA expression was detected in Schwann cells. Homozygous (aspalacZ/lacZ) mutants are ASPA-deficient, show CD-like histopathology and moderate neurological impairment with behavioural deficits that are more pronounced in aspalacZ/lacZ males than females. Non-invasive ultrahigh field proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy revealed increased levels of NAA, myo-inositol and taurine in the aspalacZ/lacZ brain. Spongy degeneration was prominent in hippocampus, thalamus, brain stem, and cerebellum, whereas white matter of optic nerve and corpus callosum was spared. Intracellular vacuolisation in astrocytes coincides with axonal swellings in cerebellum and brain stem of aspalacZ/lacZ mutants indicating that astroglia may act as an osmolyte buffer in the aspa-deficient CNS. In summary, the aspalacZ mouse is an accurate model of CD and an important tool to identify novel aspects of its complex pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadine Mersmann
- Institute of Physiological Chemistry, University Medical Centre of the Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany
| | - Dmitri Tkachev
- Institute of Physiological Chemistry, University Medical Centre of the Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany
| | - Ruth Jelinek
- Institute of Physiological Chemistry, University Medical Centre of the Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany
| | - Philipp Thomas Röth
- Institute of Physiological Chemistry, University Medical Centre of the Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany
| | - Wiebke Möbius
- Department of Neurogenetics, Max-Planck-Institute of Experimental Medicine, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Torben Ruhwedel
- Department of Neurogenetics, Max-Planck-Institute of Experimental Medicine, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Sabine Rühle
- Institute of Physiological Chemistry, University Medical Centre of the Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Weber-Fahr
- Neuroimaging Department, Central Institute of Mental Health, Mannheim, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Alexander Sartorius
- Neuroimaging Department, Central Institute of Mental Health, Mannheim, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Matthias Klugmann
- Institute of Physiological Chemistry, University Medical Centre of the Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany
- Translational Neuroscience Facility, Department of Physiology, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- * E-mail:
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Karaman S, Barnett J, Sykes GP, Delaney B. Subchronic oral toxicity assessment of N-acetyl-L-aspartic acid in rats. Food Chem Toxicol 2010; 49:155-65. [PMID: 20946933 DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2010.10.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2010] [Revised: 10/04/2010] [Accepted: 10/07/2010] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
We investigated the systemic effects of subchronic dietary exposure to NAA in Sprague Dawley® rats. NAA was added to the diet at different concentrations to deliver target doses of 100, 250 and 500 mg/kg of body weight/day and was administered for 90 consecutive days. All rats (10/sex/group) survived until scheduled sacrifice. No diet-related differences in body weights, feed consumption and efficiency, clinical signs, or ophthalmologic findings were observed. No biologically significant differences or adverse effects were observed in functional observation battery (FOB) and motor activity evaluations, hematology, coagulation, clinical chemistry, urinalysis, organ weights, or gross pathology evaluations that were attributable to dietary exposure to NAA. Treatment-related increased incidence and degree of acinar cell hypertrophy in salivary glands was observed in both male and female rats in the high dose group. Because there was no evidence of injury or cytotoxicity to the salivary glands, this finding was not considered to be an adverse effect. Based on these results and the actual average doses consumed, the no-observed-adverse-effect-levels (NOAEL) for systemic toxicity from subchronic dietary exposure to NAA were 451.6 and 490.8 mg/kg of body weight/day for male and female Sprague Dawley® rats, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sule Karaman
- Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc., Ankeny, Iowa 50021-7102, USA
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Pederzolli CD, Rosa AP, de Oliveira AS, Coelho JG, da Luz Becker D, Dalazen GR, Moraes TB, Dutra-Filho CS. Neuroprotective role of lipoic acid against acute toxicity of N-acetylaspartic acid. Mol Cell Biochem 2010; 344:231-9. [DOI: 10.1007/s11010-010-0547-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2010] [Accepted: 07/23/2010] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Assadi M, Janson C, Wang DJ, Goldfarb O, Suri N, Bilaniuk L, Leone P. Lithium citrate reduces excessive intra-cerebral N-acetyl aspartate in Canavan disease. Eur J Paediatr Neurol 2010; 14:354-9. [PMID: 20034825 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejpn.2009.11.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2009] [Revised: 10/27/2009] [Accepted: 11/26/2009] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Our group has previously reported the first clinical application of lithium in a child affected by Canavan disease. In this study, we aimed to assess the effects of lithium on N-acetyl aspartate (NAA) as well as other end points in a larger cohort. Six patients with clinical, laboratory and genetic confirmation of Canavan disease were recruited and underwent treatment with lithium. The battery of safety and efficacy testing performed before and after sixty days of treatment included Gross Motor Function Testing (GMFM), Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Proton Magnetic Spectroscopy (H-MRS) as well as blood work. The medication was safe without any clinical or laboratory evidence for toxicity. Parental reports indicated improvement in alertness and social interactions. GMFM did not show statistically significant improvement in motor development. H-MRS documented an overall drop in NAA which was statistically significant in the basal ganglia. T1 measurements recorded on MRI studies suggested a mild improvement in myelination in the frontal white matter after treatment. Diffusion Tensor Imaging was available in two patients and suggested micro-structural improvement in the corpus callosum. The results suggest that lithium administration may be beneficial in patients with Canavan disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mitra Assadi
- Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Neurology, 3 Cooper Plaza, Suite 320, Camden, NJ 08103, USA.
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Pederzolli CD, Mescka CP, Magnusson AS, Deckmann KB, de Souza Streck E, Sgaravatti AM, Sgarbi MB, Wyse ATS, Wannmacher CMD, Wajner M, Dutra-Filho CS. N-acetylaspartic acid impairs enzymatic antioxidant defenses and enhances hydrogen peroxide concentration in rat brain. Metab Brain Dis 2010; 25:251-9. [PMID: 20437087 DOI: 10.1007/s11011-010-9202-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2009] [Accepted: 03/22/2010] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
N-Acetylaspartic acid accumulates in Canavan Disease, a severe inherited neurometabolic disease clinically characterized by severe mental retardation, hypotonia, macrocephaly and generalized tonic and clonic type seizures. Considering that the mechanisms of brain damage in this disease remain poorly understood, in the present study we investigated the in vitro and in vivo effects of N-acetylaspartic acid on the activities of catalase, superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase, as well as on hydrogen peroxide concentration in cerebral cortex of 14-day-old rats. Catalase and glutathione peroxidase activities were significantly inhibited, while hydrogen peroxide concentration was significantly enhanced by N-acetylaspartic acid both in vitro and in vivo. In contrast, superoxide dismutase activity was not altered by N-acetylaspartic acid. Our results clearly show that N-acetylaspartic acid impairs the enzymatic antioxidant defenses in rat brain. This could be involved in the pathophysiological mechanisms responsible for the brain damage observed in patients affected by Canavan Disease.
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Arun P, Madhavarao CN, Moffett JR, Hamilton K, Grunberg NE, Ariyannur PS, Gahl WA, Anikster Y, Mog S, Hallows WC, Denu JM, Namboodiri AMA. Metabolic acetate therapy improves phenotype in the tremor rat model of Canavan disease. J Inherit Metab Dis 2010; 33:195-210. [PMID: 20464498 PMCID: PMC2877317 DOI: 10.1007/s10545-010-9100-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2009] [Revised: 03/09/2010] [Accepted: 03/31/2010] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Genetic mutations that severely diminish the activity of aspartoacylase (ASPA) result in the fatal brain dysmyelinating disorder, Canavan disease. There is no effective treatment. ASPA produces free acetate from the concentrated brain metabolite, N-acetylaspartate (NAA). Because acetyl coenzyme A is a key building block for lipid synthesis, we postulated that the inability to catabolize NAA leads to a brain acetate deficiency during a critical period of CNS development, impairing myelination and possibly other aspects of brain development. We tested the hypothesis that acetate supplementation during postnatal myelination would ameliorate the severe phenotype associated with ASPA deficiency using the tremor rat model of Canavan disease. Glyceryltriacetate (GTA) was administered orally to tremor rats starting 7 days after birth, and was continued in food and water after weaning. Motor function, myelin lipids, and brain vacuolation were analyzed in GTA-treated and untreated tremor rats. Significant improvements were observed in motor performance and myelin galactocerebroside content in tremor rats treated with GTA. Further, brain vacuolation was modestly reduced, and these reductions were positively correlated with improved motor performance. We also examined the expression of the acetyl coenzyme A synthesizing enzyme acetyl coenzyme A synthase 1 and found upregulation of expression in tremor rats, with a return to near normal expression levels in GTA-treated tremor rats. These results confirm the critical role played by NAA-derived acetate in brain myelination and development, and demonstrate the potential usefulness of acetate therapy for the treatment of Canavan disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peethambaran Arun
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Genetics, Neuroscience Program and Molecular and Cell Biology Program, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Building C, 4301 Jones Bridge Rd., Bethesda, MD 20814 USA
| | - Chikkathur N. Madhavarao
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Genetics, Neuroscience Program and Molecular and Cell Biology Program, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Building C, 4301 Jones Bridge Rd., Bethesda, MD 20814 USA
| | - John R. Moffett
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Genetics, Neuroscience Program and Molecular and Cell Biology Program, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Building C, 4301 Jones Bridge Rd., Bethesda, MD 20814 USA
| | - Kristen Hamilton
- Department of Medical and Clinical Psychology and Neuroscience Program, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, 4301 Jones Bridge Rd., Bethesda, MD 20814 USA
| | - Neil E. Grunberg
- Department of Medical and Clinical Psychology and Neuroscience Program, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, 4301 Jones Bridge Rd., Bethesda, MD 20814 USA
| | - Prasanth S. Ariyannur
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Genetics, Neuroscience Program and Molecular and Cell Biology Program, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Building C, 4301 Jones Bridge Rd., Bethesda, MD 20814 USA
| | - William A. Gahl
- National Human Genome Research Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892 USA
| | - Yair Anikster
- Metabolic Disease Unit, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Steven Mog
- Division of Comparative Pathology, Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institute, Bethesda, MD 20889 USA
| | - William C. Hallows
- Department of Biomolecular Chemistry, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53706 USA
| | - John M. Denu
- Department of Biomolecular Chemistry, School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53706 USA
| | - Aryan M. A. Namboodiri
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Genetics, Neuroscience Program and Molecular and Cell Biology Program, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Building C, 4301 Jones Bridge Rd., Bethesda, MD 20814 USA
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42
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Hanaya R, Sasa M, Sugata S, Tokudome M, Serikawa T, Kurisu K, Arita K. Hippocampal cell loss and propagation of abnormal discharges accompanied with the expression of tonic convulsion in the spontaneously epileptic rat. Brain Res 2010; 1328:171-80. [DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2010.02.086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2010] [Revised: 02/25/2010] [Accepted: 02/28/2010] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
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Abnormal expressions of glutamate transporters and metabotropic glutamate receptor 1 in the spontaneously epileptic rat hippocampus. Brain Res Bull 2010; 81:510-6. [DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2009.10.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2009] [Revised: 10/11/2009] [Accepted: 10/11/2009] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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Abstract
Genetic mapping and positional cloning of genetically complex traits in the laboratory rat (Rattus norvegicus) has recently led to the identification of various susceptibility genes in different rat models. Rat genetics has benefited from revolutionary advances in molecular biology, genetics, genomics and informatics and provide an unparalleled resource for molecular genetic investigation of mammalian physiopathology and its underlying complex genetic architecture. In this review, we will consider different strategies that are being used in the successful positional cloning of rat complex trait genes in the context of recent progress in rodent and human genetics.
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Madhavarao CN, Arun P, Anikster Y, Mog SR, Staretz-Chacham O, Moffett JR, Grunberg NE, Gahl WA, Namboodiri AMA. Glyceryl triacetate for Canavan disease: a low-dose trial in infants and evaluation of a higher dose for toxicity in the tremor rat model. J Inherit Metab Dis 2009; 32:640. [PMID: 19685155 DOI: 10.1007/s10545-009-1155-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2009] [Revised: 06/24/2009] [Accepted: 06/25/2009] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Canavan disease (CD) is a fatal dysmyelinating genetic disorder associated with aspartoacylase deficiency, resulting in decreased brain acetate levels and reduced myelin lipid synthesis in the developing brain. Here we tested tolerability of a potent acetate precursor, glyceryl triacetate (GTA), at low doses in two infants diagnosed with CD, aged 8 and 13 months. Much higher doses of GTA were evaluated for toxicity in the tremor rat model of CD. GTA was given orally to the infants for up to 4.5 and 6 months, starting at 25 mg/kg twice daily, doubling the dose weekly until a maximum of 250 mg/kg reached. Wild-type and tremor rat pups were given GTA orally twice daily, initially at a dose of 4.2 g/kg from postnatal days 7 through 14, and at 5.8 g/kg from day 15 through 23, and thereafter in food (7.5%) and water (5%). At the end of the trial (approximately 90 to 120 days) sera and tissues from rats were analysed for changes in blood chemistry and histopathology. GTA treatment caused no detectable toxicity and the patients showed no deterioration in clinical status. In the high-dose animal studies, no significant differences in the mean blood chemistry values occurred between treated and untreated groups, and no lesions indicating toxicity were detectable in any of the tissues examined. Lack of GTA toxicity in two CD patients in low-dose trials, as well as in high-dose animal studies, suggests that higher, effective dose studies in human CD patients are warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- C N Madhavarao
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Genetics, Program in Neuroscience and Program in Molecular and Cell Biology, USUHS, 4301 Jones Bridge Road, Bethesda, MD, 20814, USA
| | - P Arun
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Genetics, Program in Neuroscience and Program in Molecular and Cell Biology, USUHS, 4301 Jones Bridge Road, Bethesda, MD, 20814, USA
| | - Y Anikster
- Metabolic Disease Unit, Safra Children Hospital, Sheba Medical Center, Tel-Hashomer, and Sackler Medical School, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - S R Mog
- Division of Comparative Pathology, AFRRI, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | | | - J R Moffett
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Genetics, Program in Neuroscience and Program in Molecular and Cell Biology, USUHS, 4301 Jones Bridge Road, Bethesda, MD, 20814, USA
| | - N E Grunberg
- Department of Medical and Clinical Psychology, Program in Neuroscience, USUHS, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - W A Gahl
- Medical Genetics Branch, NHGRI, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - A M A Namboodiri
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Genetics, Program in Neuroscience and Program in Molecular and Cell Biology, USUHS, 4301 Jones Bridge Road, Bethesda, MD, 20814, USA.
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Suzuki H, Katayama K, Takenaka M, Amakasu K, Saito K, Suzuki K. A spontaneous mutation of theWwoxgene and audiogenic seizures in rats with lethal dwarfism and epilepsy. GENES BRAIN AND BEHAVIOR 2009; 8:650-60. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1601-183x.2009.00502.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Pederzolli CD, Rockenbach FJ, Zanin FR, Henn NT, Romagna EC, Sgaravatti AM, Wyse ATS, Wannmacher CMD, Wajner M, de Mattos Dutra A, Dutra-Filho CS. Intracerebroventricular administration of N-acetylaspartic acid impairs antioxidant defenses and promotes protein oxidation in cerebral cortex of rats. Metab Brain Dis 2009; 24:283-98. [PMID: 19294497 DOI: 10.1007/s11011-009-9137-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2008] [Accepted: 09/29/2008] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
N-acetylaspartic acid (NAA) is the biochemical hallmark of Canavan Disease, an inherited metabolic disease caused by deficiency of aspartoacylase activity. NAA is an immediate precursor for the enzyme-mediated biosynthesis of N-acetylaspartylglutamic acid (NAAG), whose concentration is also increased in urine and cerebrospinal fluid of patients affected by CD. This neurodegenerative disorder is clinically characterized by severe mental retardation, hypotonia and macrocephaly, and generalized tonic and clonic type seizures. Considering that the mechanisms of brain damage in this disease remain not fully understood, in the present study we investigated whether intracerebroventricular administration of NAA or NAAG elicits oxidative stress in cerebral cortex of 30-day-old rats. NAA significantly reduced total radical-trapping antioxidant potential, catalase and glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase activities, whereas protein carbonyl content and superoxide dismutase activity were significantly enhanced. Lipid peroxidation indices and glutathione peroxidase activity were not affected by NAA. In contrast, NAAG did not alter any of the oxidative stress parameters tested. Our results indicate that intracerebroventricular administration of NAA impairs antioxidant defenses and induces oxidative damage to proteins, which could be involved in the neurotoxicity of NAA accumulation in CD patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolina Didonet Pederzolli
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Biológicas: Bioquímica, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, RS, Brasil
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Nur7 is a nonsense mutation in the mouse aspartoacylase gene that causes spongy degeneration of the CNS. J Neurosci 2008; 28:11537-49. [PMID: 18987190 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1490-08.2008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Aspartoacylase (ASPA) is an oligodendrocyte-restricted enzyme that catalyzes the hydrolysis of neuronally derived N-acetylaspartate (NAA) to acetate and aspartic acid. ASPA deficiency leads to the fatal childhood autosomal recessive leukodystrophy Canavan disease (CD). Here we demonstrate that the previously described ENU-induced nur7 mouse mutant is caused by a nonsense mutation, Q193X, in the Aspa gene (Aspa(nur7)). Homozygous Aspa(nur7nur7) mice do not express detectable Aspa protein and display an early-onset spongy degeneration of CNS myelin with increased NAA levels similar to that observed in CD patients. In addition, CNS regions rich in neuronal cell bodies also display vacuolization. Interestingly, distinct myelin rich areas, such as the corpus callosum, optic nerve, and spinal cord white matter appear normal in Aspa(nur7/nur7) mice. Reduced cerebroside synthesis has been demonstrated in CD patients and animal models. To determine the potential relevance of this observation in disease pathogenesis, we generated Aspa(nur7/nur7) mice that were heterozygous for a null allele of the gene that encodes the enzyme UDP-galactose:ceramide galactosyltransferase (Cgt), which is responsible for catalyzing the synthesis of the abundant myelin galactolipids. Despite reduced amounts of cerebrosides, the Aspa(nur7/nur7);Cgt(+/-) mice were not more severely affected than the Aspa(nur7) mutants, suggesting that diminished cerebroside synthesis is not a major contributing factor in disease pathogenesis. Furthermore, we found that myelin degeneration leads to significant axonal loss in the cerebellum of older Aspa(nur7) mutants. This finding suggests that axonal pathology caused by CNS myelin defects may underlie the neurological disabilities that CD patients develop at late stages of the disease.
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Two types of seizures in homocysteine thiolactone-treated adult rats, behavioral and electroencephalographic study. Cell Mol Neurobiol 2008; 29:329-39. [PMID: 18972205 DOI: 10.1007/s10571-008-9324-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2008] [Accepted: 10/09/2008] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
D,L-homocysteine thiolactone (H), a reactive homocysteine metabolite, contributes to total homocysteine pool. The aim of the present study was to determine the effects of H after acute application in increasing doses to rats. Adult Wistar rat were intraperitoneally administered saline or H in increasing doses (5.5, 8.0, or 11.0 mmol/kg). For electroencephalographic (EEG) recordings, three gold-plated screws were implanted into the skull and animals were supervised. We observed H-induced two types of seizures, the coexistence of convulsive and nonconvulsive epilepsy. Dose-related increase in the number and severity (0-4) of displaying convulsions was recorded. In H(5.5) group, the majority of seizure episodes were grade 1 (62.5 and 0% lethality), in H(8) 40% grade 2, and in H(11) grade 4 in 42.11% (100% lethal outcome). EEGs recordings in convulsive animals showed a high-voltage spike-wave and polyspikes complexes. The second, absence-like, nonconvulsive seizures were accompanied by the EEGs mostly with 6-8 Hz spikes-and-wave discharges (SWD). Latency time to the generalized clonic-tonic seizures overlapped with the time of the maximal median number and median duration of the SWD per 15 min during 90-min observing period. The results show that acute H administration significantly changes neurons, EEG tracings, and behavioral responses and suggests a possible model for studying petit mal epilepsy.
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Domange C, Canlet C, Traoré A, Biélicki G, Keller C, Paris A, Priymenko N. Orthologous Metabonomic Qualification of a Rodent Model Combined with Magnetic Resonance Imaging for an Integrated Evaluation of the Toxicity of Hypochœris radicata. Chem Res Toxicol 2008; 21:2082-96. [DOI: 10.1021/tx800159x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Céline Domange
- UMR 1089 INRA/ENVT, 180 Chemin de Tournefeuille, BP 3, F-31931 Toulouse, INRA Clermont-Ferrand/Theix QuaPA STIM, F-63122 St. Genès Champanelle, and Department of Nutrition and Botanic and Vegetal Toxicology, ENVT, 23 Chemin des Capelles, F-31300 Toulouse, France
| | - Cécile Canlet
- UMR 1089 INRA/ENVT, 180 Chemin de Tournefeuille, BP 3, F-31931 Toulouse, INRA Clermont-Ferrand/Theix QuaPA STIM, F-63122 St. Genès Champanelle, and Department of Nutrition and Botanic and Vegetal Toxicology, ENVT, 23 Chemin des Capelles, F-31300 Toulouse, France
| | - Amidou Traoré
- UMR 1089 INRA/ENVT, 180 Chemin de Tournefeuille, BP 3, F-31931 Toulouse, INRA Clermont-Ferrand/Theix QuaPA STIM, F-63122 St. Genès Champanelle, and Department of Nutrition and Botanic and Vegetal Toxicology, ENVT, 23 Chemin des Capelles, F-31300 Toulouse, France
| | - Guy Biélicki
- UMR 1089 INRA/ENVT, 180 Chemin de Tournefeuille, BP 3, F-31931 Toulouse, INRA Clermont-Ferrand/Theix QuaPA STIM, F-63122 St. Genès Champanelle, and Department of Nutrition and Botanic and Vegetal Toxicology, ENVT, 23 Chemin des Capelles, F-31300 Toulouse, France
| | - Cécile Keller
- UMR 1089 INRA/ENVT, 180 Chemin de Tournefeuille, BP 3, F-31931 Toulouse, INRA Clermont-Ferrand/Theix QuaPA STIM, F-63122 St. Genès Champanelle, and Department of Nutrition and Botanic and Vegetal Toxicology, ENVT, 23 Chemin des Capelles, F-31300 Toulouse, France
| | - Alain Paris
- UMR 1089 INRA/ENVT, 180 Chemin de Tournefeuille, BP 3, F-31931 Toulouse, INRA Clermont-Ferrand/Theix QuaPA STIM, F-63122 St. Genès Champanelle, and Department of Nutrition and Botanic and Vegetal Toxicology, ENVT, 23 Chemin des Capelles, F-31300 Toulouse, France
| | - Nathalie Priymenko
- UMR 1089 INRA/ENVT, 180 Chemin de Tournefeuille, BP 3, F-31931 Toulouse, INRA Clermont-Ferrand/Theix QuaPA STIM, F-63122 St. Genès Champanelle, and Department of Nutrition and Botanic and Vegetal Toxicology, ENVT, 23 Chemin des Capelles, F-31300 Toulouse, France
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