1
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Gale J, Aizenman E. The physiological and pathophysiological roles of copper in the nervous system. Eur J Neurosci 2024; 60:3505-3543. [PMID: 38747014 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.16370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2023] [Revised: 02/28/2024] [Accepted: 04/10/2024] [Indexed: 07/06/2024]
Abstract
Copper is a critical trace element in biological systems due the vast number of essential enzymes that require the metal as a cofactor, including cytochrome c oxidase, superoxide dismutase and dopamine-β-hydroxylase. Due its key role in oxidative metabolism, antioxidant defence and neurotransmitter synthesis, copper is particularly important for neuronal development and proper neuronal function. Moreover, increasing evidence suggests that copper also serves important functions in synaptic and network activity, the regulation of circadian rhythms, and arousal. However, it is important to note that because of copper's ability to redox cycle and generate reactive species, cellular levels of the metal must be tightly regulated to meet cellular needs while avoiding copper-induced oxidative stress. Therefore, it is essential that the intricate system of copper transporters, exporters, copper chaperones and copper trafficking proteins function properly and in coordinate fashion. Indeed, disorders of copper metabolism such as Menkes disease and Wilson disease, as well as diseases linked to dysfunction of copper-requiring enzymes, such as SOD1-linked amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, demonstrate the dramatic neurological consequences of altered copper homeostasis. In this review, we explore the physiological importance of copper in the nervous system as well as pathologies related to improper copper handling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jenna Gale
- Department of Neurobiology and Pittsburgh Institute for Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Elias Aizenman
- Department of Neurobiology and Pittsburgh Institute for Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
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2
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Huang M, Liu YU, Yao X, Qin D, Su H. Variability in SOD1-associated amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: geographic patterns, clinical heterogeneity, molecular alterations, and therapeutic implications. Transl Neurodegener 2024; 13:28. [PMID: 38811997 PMCID: PMC11138100 DOI: 10.1186/s40035-024-00416-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2024] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 05/31/2024] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease characterized by progressive loss of motor neurons, resulting in global health burden and limited post-diagnosis life expectancy. Although primarily sporadic, familial ALS (fALS) cases suggest a genetic basis. This review focuses on SOD1, the first gene found to be associated with fALS, which has been more recently confirmed by genome sequencing. While informative, databases such as ALSoD and STRENGTH exhibit regional biases. Through a systematic global examination of SOD1 mutations from 1993 to 2023, we found different geographic distributions and clinical presentations. Even though different SOD1 variants are expressed at different protein levels and have different half-lives and dismutase activities, these alterations lead to loss of function that is not consistently correlated with disease severity. Gain of function of toxic aggregates of SOD1 resulting from mutated SOD1 has emerged as one of the key contributors to ALS. Therapeutic interventions specifically targeting toxic gain of function of mutant SOD1, including RNA interference and antibodies, show promise, but a cure remains elusive. This review provides a comprehensive perspective on SOD1-associated ALS and describes molecular features and the complex genetic landscape of SOD1, highlighting its importance in determining diverse clinical manifestations observed in ALS patients and emphasizing the need for personalized therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miaodan Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Macao, China
| | - Yong U Liu
- Laboratory for Neuroimmunology in Health and Diseases, Guangzhou First People's Hospital School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaoli Yao
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment of Major Neurological Diseases, National Key Clinical Department and Key Discipline of Neurology, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Dajiang Qin
- Key Laboratory of Biological Targeting Diagnosis, Therapy and Rehabilitation of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510799, China.
| | - Huanxing Su
- State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Macao, China.
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3
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Rizzuti M, Sali L, Melzi V, Scarcella S, Costamagna G, Ottoboni L, Quetti L, Brambilla L, Papadimitriou D, Verde F, Ratti A, Ticozzi N, Comi GP, Corti S, Gagliardi D. Genomic and transcriptomic advances in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Ageing Res Rev 2023; 92:102126. [PMID: 37972860 DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2023.102126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2023] [Revised: 11/09/2023] [Accepted: 11/10/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disorder and the most common motor neuron disease. ALS shows substantial clinical and molecular heterogeneity. In vitro and in vivo models coupled with multiomic techniques have provided important contributions to unraveling the pathomechanisms underlying ALS. To date, despite promising results and accumulating knowledge, an effective treatment is still lacking. Here, we provide an overview of the literature on the use of genomics, epigenomics, transcriptomics and microRNAs to deeply investigate the molecular mechanisms developing and sustaining ALS. We report the most relevant genes implicated in ALS pathogenesis, discussing the use of different high-throughput sequencing techniques and the role of epigenomic modifications. Furthermore, we present transcriptomic studies discussing the most recent advances, from microarrays to bulk and single-cell RNA sequencing. Finally, we discuss the use of microRNAs as potential biomarkers and promising tools for molecular intervention. The integration of data from multiple omic approaches may provide new insights into pathogenic pathways in ALS by shedding light on diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers, helping to stratify patients into clinically relevant subgroups, revealing novel therapeutic targets and supporting the development of new effective therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mafalda Rizzuti
- Neurology Unit, Foundation IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Luca Sali
- Neurology Unit, Foundation IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Valentina Melzi
- Neurology Unit, Foundation IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Simone Scarcella
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, Dino Ferrari Center, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Gianluca Costamagna
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, Dino Ferrari Center, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Linda Ottoboni
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, Dino Ferrari Center, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Quetti
- Neurology Unit, Foundation IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Brambilla
- Neurology Unit, Foundation IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Federico Verde
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, Dino Ferrari Center, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy; Department of Neurology and Laboratory of Neuroscience, IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Milan, Italy
| | - Antonia Ratti
- Department of Neurology and Laboratory of Neuroscience, IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Milan, Italy; Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Nicola Ticozzi
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, Dino Ferrari Center, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy; Department of Neurology and Laboratory of Neuroscience, IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Milan, Italy
| | - Giacomo Pietro Comi
- Neurology Unit, Foundation IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy; Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, Dino Ferrari Center, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy; Neuromuscular and Rare Diseases Unit, Department of Neuroscience, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
| | - Stefania Corti
- Neurology Unit, Foundation IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy; Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, Dino Ferrari Center, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy.
| | - Delia Gagliardi
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, Dino Ferrari Center, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy.
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4
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Akçimen F, Lopez ER, Landers JE, Nath A, Chiò A, Chia R, Traynor BJ. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: translating genetic discoveries into therapies. Nat Rev Genet 2023; 24:642-658. [PMID: 37024676 PMCID: PMC10611979 DOI: 10.1038/s41576-023-00592-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 48.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/23/2023] [Indexed: 04/08/2023]
Abstract
Recent advances in sequencing technologies and collaborative efforts have led to substantial progress in identifying the genetic causes of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). This momentum has, in turn, fostered the development of putative molecular therapies. In this Review, we outline the current genetic knowledge, emphasizing recent discoveries and emerging concepts such as the implication of distinct types of mutation, variability in mutated genes in diverse genetic ancestries and gene-environment interactions. We also propose a high-level model to synthesize the interdependent effects of genetics, environmental and lifestyle factors, and ageing into a unified theory of ALS. Furthermore, we summarize the current status of therapies developed on the basis of genetic knowledge established for ALS over the past 30 years, and we discuss how developing treatments for ALS will advance our understanding of targeting other neurological diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fulya Akçimen
- Laboratory of Neurogenetics, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.
| | - Elia R Lopez
- Therapeutic Development Branch, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - John E Landers
- Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Avindra Nath
- Section of Infections of the Nervous System, National Institute for Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Adriano Chiò
- Rita Levi Montalcini Department of Neuroscience, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
- Institute of Cognitive Sciences and Technologies, C.N.R, Rome, Italy
- Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Citta' della Salute e della Scienza, Turin, Italy
| | - Ruth Chia
- Laboratory of Neurogenetics, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Bryan J Traynor
- Laboratory of Neurogenetics, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.
- Therapeutic Development Branch, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, USA.
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University Medical Center, Baltimore, MD, USA.
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5
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Jagtap YA, Kumar P, Kinger S, Dubey AR, Choudhary A, Gutti RK, Singh S, Jha HC, Poluri KM, Mishra A. Disturb mitochondrial associated proteostasis: Neurodegeneration and imperfect ageing. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1146564. [PMID: 36968195 PMCID: PMC10036443 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1146564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2023] [Accepted: 02/27/2023] [Indexed: 03/12/2023] Open
Abstract
The disturbance in mitochondrial functions and homeostasis are the major features of neuron degenerative conditions, like Parkinson’s disease, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, and Alzheimer’s disease, along with protein misfolding. The aberrantly folded proteins are known to link with impaired mitochondrial pathways, further contributing to disease pathogenesis. Despite their central significance, the implications of mitochondrial homeostasis disruption on other organelles and cellular processes remain insufficiently explored. Here, we have reviewed the dysfunction in mitochondrial physiology, under neuron degenerating conditions. The disease misfolded proteins impact quality control mechanisms of mitochondria, such as fission, fusion, mitophagy, and proteasomal clearance, to the detriment of neuron. The adversely affected mitochondrial functional roles, like oxidative phosphorylation, calcium homeostasis, and biomolecule synthesis as well as its axes and contacts with endoplasmic reticulum and lysosomes are also discussed. Mitochondria sense and respond to multiple cytotoxic stress to make cell adapt and survive, though chronic dysfunction leads to cell death. Mitochondria and their proteins can be candidates for biomarkers and therapeutic targets. Investigation of internetworking between mitochondria and neurodegeneration proteins can enhance our holistic understanding of such conditions and help in designing more targeted therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuvraj Anandrao Jagtap
- Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology Unit, Indian Institute of Technology Jodhpur, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India
| | - Prashant Kumar
- Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology Unit, Indian Institute of Technology Jodhpur, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India
| | - Sumit Kinger
- Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology Unit, Indian Institute of Technology Jodhpur, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India
| | - Ankur Rakesh Dubey
- Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology Unit, Indian Institute of Technology Jodhpur, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India
| | - Akash Choudhary
- Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology Unit, Indian Institute of Technology Jodhpur, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India
| | - Ravi Kumar Gutti
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Life Sciences, University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad, India
| | - Sarika Singh
- Division of Neuroscience and Ageing Biology, Division of Toxicology and Experimental Medicine, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow, India
| | - Hem Chandra Jha
- Infection Bioengineering Group, Department of Biosciences and Biomedical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Indore, Indore, Simrol, India
| | - Krishna Mohan Poluri
- Department of Biotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, Centre for Nanotechnology, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, Roorkee, Uttarakhand, India
| | - Amit Mishra
- Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology Unit, Indian Institute of Technology Jodhpur, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India
- *Correspondence: Amit Mishra,
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Nainu F, Mamada SS, Harapan H, Emran TB. Inflammation-Mediated Responses in the Development of Neurodegenerative Diseases. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2023; 1411:39-70. [PMID: 36949305 DOI: 10.1007/978-981-19-7376-5_3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/24/2023]
Abstract
Since its first description over a century ago, neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs) have impaired the lives of millions of people worldwide. As one of the major threats to human health, NDDs are characterized by progressive loss of neuronal structure and function, leading to the impaired function of the CNS. While the precise mechanisms underlying the emergence of NDDs remains elusive, association of neuroinflammation with the emergence of NDDs has been suggested. The immune system is tightly controlled to maintain homeostatic milieu and failure in doing so has been shown catastrophic. Here, we review current concepts on the cellular and molecular drivers responsible in the induction of neuroinflammation and how such event further promotes neuronal damage leading to neurodegeneration. Experimental data generated from cell culture and animal studies, gross and molecular pathologies of human CNS samples, and genome-wide association study are discussed to provide deeper insights into the mechanistic details of neuroinflammation and its roles in the emergence of NDDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Firzan Nainu
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Hasanuddin University, Makassar, Indonesia
| | - Sukamto S Mamada
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Hasanuddin University, Makassar, Indonesia
| | - Harapan Harapan
- School of Medicine, Universitas Syiah Kuala, Banda Aceh, Indonesia
| | - Talha Bin Emran
- Department of Pharmacy, BGC Trust University Bangladesh, Chittagong, Bangladesh
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7
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Alexander GM, Heiman-Patterson TD, Bearoff F, Sher RB, Hennessy L, Terek S, Caccavo N, Cox GA, Philip VM, Blankenhorn EA. Identification of quantitative trait loci for survival in the mutant dynactin p150Glued mouse model of motor neuron disease. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0274615. [PMID: 36107978 PMCID: PMC9477371 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0274615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2022] [Accepted: 09/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is the most common degenerative motor neuron disorder. Although most cases of ALS are sporadic, 5-10% of cases are familial, with mutations associated with over 40 genes. There is variation of ALS symptoms within families carrying the same mutation; the disease may develop in one sibling and not in another despite the presence of the mutation in both. Although the cause of this phenotypic variation is unknown, it is likely related to genetic modifiers of disease expression. The identification of ALS causing genes has led to the development of transgenic mouse models of motor neuron disease. Similar to families with familial ALS, there are background-dependent differences in disease phenotype in transgenic mouse models of ALS suggesting that, as in human ALS, differences in phenotype may be ascribed to genetic modifiers. These genetic modifiers may not cause ALS rather their expression either exacerbates or ameliorates the effect of the mutant ALS causing genes. We have reported that in both the G93A-hSOD1 and G59S-hDCTN1 mouse models, SJL mice demonstrated a more severe phenotype than C57BL6 mice. From reciprocal intercrosses between G93A-hSOD1 transgenic mice on SJL and C57BL6 strains, we identified a major quantitative trait locus (QTL) on mouse chromosome 17 that results in a significant shift in lifespan. In this study we generated reciprocal intercrosses between transgenic G59S-hDCTN1 mice on SJL and C57BL6 strains and identified survival QTLs on mouse chromosomes 17 and 18. The chromosome 17 survival QTL on G93A-hSOD1 and G59S-hDCTN1 mice partly overlap, suggesting that the genetic modifiers located in this region may be shared by these two ALS models despite the fact that motor neuron degeneration is caused by mutations in different proteins. The overlapping region contains eighty-seven genes with non-synonymous variations predicted to be deleterious and/or damaging. Two genes in this segment, NOTCH3 and Safb/SAFB1, have been associated with motor neuron disease. The identification of genetic modifiers of motor neuron disease, especially those modifiers that are shared by SOD1 and dynactin-1 transgenic mice, may result in the identification of novel targets for therapies that can alter the course of this devastating illness.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Terry D. Heiman-Patterson
- Department of Neurology, Lewis Katz School of Medicine of Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Frank Bearoff
- Department of Microbiology Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Roger B. Sher
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, United States of America
| | - Laura Hennessy
- The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Shannon Terek
- The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Nicole Caccavo
- Department of Neurology, Lewis Katz School of Medicine of Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Gregory A. Cox
- The Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, Maine, United States of America
| | - Vivek M. Philip
- The Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, Maine, United States of America
| | - Elizabeth A. Blankenhorn
- Department of Microbiology Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
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Marlin E, Viu-Idocin C, Arrasate M, Aragón T. The Role and Therapeutic Potential of the Integrated Stress Response in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23147823. [PMID: 35887167 PMCID: PMC9321386 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23147823] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2022] [Revised: 07/08/2022] [Accepted: 07/09/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
In amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients, loss of cellular homeostasis within cortical and spinal cord motor neurons triggers the activation of the integrated stress response (ISR), an intracellular signaling pathway that remodels translation and promotes a gene expression program aimed at coping with stress. Beyond its neuroprotective role, under regimes of chronic or excessive stress, ISR can also promote cell/neuronal death. Given the two-edged sword nature of ISR, many experimental attempts have tried to establish the therapeutic potential of ISR enhancement or inhibition in ALS. This review discusses the complex interplay between ISR and disease progression in different models of ALS, as well as the opportunities and limitations of ISR modulation in the hard quest to find an effective therapy for ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elías Marlin
- Neuroscience Program, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), University of Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain;
- Gene Therapy and Regulation of Gene Expression Program, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), University of Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain
- School of Medicine, University of Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain
- Neuroscience Department, Navarra Institute for Health Research (IdiSNA), University of Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain
| | | | - Montserrat Arrasate
- Neuroscience Program, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), University of Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain;
- School of Medicine, University of Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain
- Neuroscience Department, Navarra Institute for Health Research (IdiSNA), University of Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain
- Correspondence: (M.A.); (T.A.)
| | - Tomás Aragón
- Gene Therapy and Regulation of Gene Expression Program, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), University of Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain
- Neuroscience Department, Navarra Institute for Health Research (IdiSNA), University of Navarra, 31008 Pamplona, Spain
- Correspondence: (M.A.); (T.A.)
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9
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Yu CY, Chang HC. Glutamate signaling mediates C. elegans behavioral plasticity to pathogens. iScience 2022; 25:103919. [PMID: 35252815 PMCID: PMC8889136 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2022.103919] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2021] [Revised: 01/25/2022] [Accepted: 02/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Chun-Ying Yu
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, National Chung Cheng University, Chiayi, 62102, Taiwan
| | - Howard C. Chang
- Department of Cell Biology and Neuroscience, School of Osteopathic Medicine, Rowan University, Stratford, NJ 08084, USA
- Corresponding author
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Zhao X, Feng X, Li X, Mou J, Liu H, Chen J, Wu J. The G41D mutation in SOD1-related amyotrophic lateral sclerosis exhibits phenotypic heterogeneity among individuals: A case report and literature review. Medicine (Baltimore) 2022; 101:e28771. [PMID: 35147103 PMCID: PMC8830837 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000028771] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2021] [Accepted: 01/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
RATIONALE Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive and fatal neurodegenerative disease. However, the misdiagnosis of ALS always occurs because of atypical clinical manifestations. Since mutations in Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) have been implicated as causative and account for 20% of fALS cases, early genetic sequencing of suspected individuals in ALS pedigrees could be helpful. PATIENT CONCERNS Here we report a Chinese family spanning three generations with fALS. A heterozygous c.125G>A (p.Gly42Asp) missense mutation in exon 2 of SOD1 gene was detected in our proband as well as her 2 siblings and next generation. Phenotypic diversity was also reported among symptomatic individuals. DIAGNOSES Peripheral blood samples from the proband were collected and sent for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and Sanger sequencing of the SOD1 gene at Sanvalley Diagnostics. The other 11 members in the studied family then underwent locus verification. INTERVENTIONS Butylphthalide, Vitamin B12, Coenzyme Q10 and mouse nerve growth factor is given to the symptomatic members. OUTCOMES The symptoms of our proband was not improved by treatments at a late stage. She passed away the fourth year of the disease due to respiratory failure. Two siblings of the proband were given active treatments once verified as carrier. Their symptoms are still limited to limb weakness. LESSONS This study suggests genetic sequencing is a powerful tool for the diagnosis of familial ALS. Phenotypic heterogeneity exists among G41D-mutated individuals, which further highlights the importance of genomic strategies for early diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinyi Zhao
- Department of Neurology, Beijing Tsinghua Changgung Hospital, School of Clinical Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Xinhong Feng
- Department of Neurology, Beijing Tsinghua Changgung Hospital, School of Clinical Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Xiuli Li
- Department of Neurology, Beijing Tsinghua Changgung Hospital, School of Clinical Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Jingyu Mou
- Department of Neurology, Beijing Tsinghua Changgung Hospital, School of Clinical Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Hongjing Liu
- Department of Neurology, Beijing Tsinghua Changgung Hospital, School of Clinical Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Jing Chen
- Department of Neurology, Beijing Tsinghua Changgung Hospital, School of Clinical Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Jian Wu
- Department of Neurology, Beijing Tsinghua Changgung Hospital, School of Clinical Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
- IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research at Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
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11
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Shatunov A, Al-Chalabi A. The genetic architecture of ALS. Neurobiol Dis 2020; 147:105156. [PMID: 33130222 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2020.105156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2020] [Revised: 10/27/2020] [Accepted: 10/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Aleksey Shatunov
- Department of Basic & Clinical Neuroscience, Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London SE5 9RX, UK
| | - Ammar Al-Chalabi
- Department of Basic & Clinical Neuroscience, Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London SE5 9RX, UK; Department of Neurology, King's College Hospital, London SE5 9RS, UK.
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12
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Abstract
Few proteins have come under such intense scrutiny as superoxide dismutase-1 (SOD1). For almost a century, scientists have dissected its form, function and then later its malfunction in the neurodegenerative disease amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). We now know SOD1 is a zinc and copper metalloenzyme that clears superoxide as part of our antioxidant defence and respiratory regulation systems. The possibility of reduced structural integrity was suggested by the first crystal structures of human SOD1 even before deleterious mutations in the sod1 gene were linked to the ALS. This concept evolved in the intervening years as an impressive array of biophysical studies examined the characteristics of mutant SOD1 in great detail. We now recognise how ALS-related mutations perturb the SOD1 maturation processes, reduce its ability to fold and reduce its thermal stability and half-life. Mutant SOD1 is therefore predisposed to monomerisation, non-canonical self-interactions, the formation of small misfolded oligomers and ultimately accumulation in the tell-tale insoluble inclusions found within the neurons of ALS patients. We have also seen that several post-translational modifications could push wild-type SOD1 down this toxic pathway. Recently we have come to view ALS as a prion-like disease where both the symptoms, and indeed SOD1 misfolding itself, are transmitted to neighbouring cells. This raises the possibility of intervention after the initial disease presentation. Several small-molecule and biologic-based strategies have been devised which directly target the SOD1 molecule to change the behaviour thought to be responsible for ALS. Here we provide a comprehensive review of the many biophysical advances that sculpted our view of SOD1 biology and the recent work that aims to apply this knowledge for therapeutic outcomes in ALS.
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13
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Huai J, Zhang Z. Structural Properties and Interaction Partners of Familial ALS-Associated SOD1 Mutants. Front Neurol 2019; 10:527. [PMID: 31164862 PMCID: PMC6536575 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2019.00527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2019] [Accepted: 05/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is the most common motor neuron degenerative disease in adults and has also been proven to be a type of conformational disease associated with protein misfolding and dysfunction. To date, more than 150 distinct genes have been found to be associated with ALS, among which Superoxide Dismutase 1 (SOD1) is the first and the most extensively studied gene. It has been well-established that SOD1 mutants-mediated toxicity is caused by a gain-of-function rather than the loss of the detoxifying activity of SOD1. Compared with the clear autosomal dominant inheritance of SOD1 mutants in ALS, the potential toxic mechanisms of SOD1 mutants in motor neurons remain incompletely understood. A large body of evidence has shown that SOD1 mutants may adopt a complex profile of conformations and interact with a wide range of client proteins. Here, in this review, we summarize the fundamental conformational properties and the gained interaction partners of the soluble forms of the SOD1 mutants which have been published in the past decades. Our goal is to find clues to the possible internal links between structural and functional anomalies of SOD1 mutants, as well as the relationships between their exposed epitopes and interaction partners, in order to help reveal and determine potential diagnostic and therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jisen Huai
- Institute of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China
| | - Zhongjian Zhang
- Institute of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, China
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14
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Barczewska M, Grudniak M, Maksymowicz S, Siwek T, Ołdak T, Jezierska-Woźniak K, Gładysz D, Maksymowicz W. Safety of intrathecal injection of Wharton's jelly-derived mesenchymal stem cells in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis therapy. Neural Regen Res 2019; 14:313-318. [PMID: 30531015 PMCID: PMC6301165 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.243723] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Animal experiments have confirmed that mesenchymal stem cells can inhibit motor neuron apoptosis and inflammatory factor expression and increase neurotrophic factor expression. Therefore, mesenchymal stem cells have been shown to exhibit prospects in the treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. However, the safety of their clinical application needs to be validated. To investigate the safety of intrathecal injection of Wharton's jelly-derived mesenchymal stem cells in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis therapy, 43 patients (16 females and 27 males, mean age of 57.3 years) received an average dose of 0.42 × 106 cells/kg through intrathecal administration at the cervical, thoracic or lumbar region depending on the clinical symptoms. There was a 2 month interval between two injections. The adverse events occurring during a 6-month treatment period were evaluated. No adverse events occurred. Headache occurred in one case only after first injection of stem cells. This suggests that intrathecal injection of Wharton's Jelly-derived mesenchymal stem cells is well tolerated in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. This study was approved by the Bioethical Committee of School of Medicine, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Poland (approval No. 36/2014 and approval No. 8/2016). This study was registered with the ClinicalTrials.gov (identifier: NCT02881476) on August 29, 2016.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monika Barczewska
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, School of Medicine, Collegium Medicum - University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn; University Clinical Hospital in Olsztyn; Instytut Terapii Komórkowych w Olsztynie (Cell Therapies Institute, FamiCord Group), Olsztyn, Poland
| | - Mariusz Grudniak
- Polski Bank Komórek Macierzystych (PBKM, FamiCord Group), Warszawa, Poland
| | - Stanisław Maksymowicz
- Department of Psychology, Clinical Logopedics and Social Science in Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Collegium Medicum - University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn; Instytut Terapii Komórkowych w Olsztynie (Cell Therapies Institute, FamiCord Group), Olsztyn, Poland
| | - Tomasz Siwek
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, School of Medicine, Collegium Medicum - University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn; University Clinical Hospital in Olsztyn; Instytut Terapii Komórkowych w Olsztynie (Cell Therapies Institute, FamiCord Group), Olsztyn, Poland
| | - Tomasz Ołdak
- Polski Bank Komórek Macierzystych (PBKM, FamiCord Group), Warszawa, Poland
| | - Katarzyna Jezierska-Woźniak
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Laboratory of Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine, Collegium Medicum-University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Olsztyn, Poland
| | - Dominika Gładysz
- Polski Bank Komórek Macierzystych (PBKM, FamiCord Group), Warszawa, Poland
| | - Wojciech Maksymowicz
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, School of Medicine, Collegium Medicum - University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn; University Clinical Hospital in Olsztyn, Olsztyn, Poland
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15
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Kumar S, Yadav N, Pandey S, Thelma BK. Advances in the discovery of genetic risk factors for complex forms of neurodegenerative disorders: contemporary approaches, success, challenges and prospects. J Genet 2018. [DOI: 10.1007/s12041-018-0953-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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16
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Sun J, Mu Y, Jiang Y, Song R, Yi J, Zhou J, Sun J, Jiao X, Prinz RA, Li Y, Xu X. Inhibition of p70 S6 kinase activity by A77 1726 induces autophagy and enhances the degradation of superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) protein aggregates. Cell Death Dis 2018; 9:407. [PMID: 29540819 PMCID: PMC5851998 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-018-0441-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2017] [Revised: 02/21/2018] [Accepted: 02/22/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Autophagy plays a central role in degrading misfolded proteins such as mutated superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1), which forms aggregates in motor neurons and is involved in the pathogenesis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Autophagy is activated when UNC-51-like kinase 1 (ULK1) is phosphorylated at S555 and activated by AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK). Autophagy is suppressed when ULK1 is phosphorylated at S757 by the mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR). Whether p70 S6 kinase 1 (S6K1), a serine/threonine kinase downstream of mTOR, can also regulate autophagy remains uncertain. Here we report that inhibition of S6K1 by A77 1726, the active metabolite of an anti-inflammatory drug leflunomide, induced mTOR feedback activation and ULK1S757 phosphorylation in NSC34 cells, a hybrid mouse motoneuron cell line. Unexpectedly, A77 1726 did not suppress but rather induced autophagy by increasing AMPKT172 and ULK1S555 phosphorylation. Similar observations were made with PF-4708671, a specific S6K1 inhibitor, or with S6K1 siRNA. Further studies showed that A77 1726 induced AMPK phosphorylation by activating the TGF-β-activated kinase 1 (TAK1). Functional studies revealed that A77 1726 induced co-localization of mutant SOD1G93A protein aggregates with autophagosomes and accelerated SOD1G93A protein degradation, which was blocked by inhibition of autophagy through autophagy-related protein 7 (ATG7) siRNA. Our study suggests that S6K1 inhibition induces autophagy through TAK1-mediated AMPK activation in NSC34 cells, and that blocking S6K1 activity by a small molecule inhibitor such as leflunomide may offer a new strategy for ALS treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Sun
- Institute of Comparative Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, Jiangsu Province, China
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Yarong Mu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Yuanyuan Jiang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Ruilong Song
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Jianxin Yi
- Department of Physiology, Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences, Kansas City, MO, 64106, USA
| | - Jingsong Zhou
- Department of Physiology, Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences, Kansas City, MO, 64106, USA
| | - Jun Sun
- Department of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA
| | - Xinan Jiao
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, Jiangsu Province, China
- Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonosis, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Richard A Prinz
- Department of Surgery, NorthShore University Health System, Evanston, IL, 60201, USA
| | - Yi Li
- Lester and Sue Smith Breast Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Xiulong Xu
- Institute of Comparative Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, Jiangsu Province, China.
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, Jiangsu Province, China.
- Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonosis, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, Jiangsu Province, China.
- Department of Cell and Molecular Medicine Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA.
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17
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Chen H, Kankel MW, Su SC, Han SWS, Ofengeim D. Exploring the genetics and non-cell autonomous mechanisms underlying ALS/FTLD. Cell Death Differ 2018; 25:648-662. [PMID: 29459769 DOI: 10.1038/s41418-018-0060-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2017] [Revised: 11/27/2017] [Accepted: 11/28/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Although amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, was first described in 1874, a flurry of genetic discoveries in the last 10 years has markedly increased our understanding of this disease. These findings have not only enhanced our knowledge of mechanisms leading to ALS, but also have revealed that ALS shares many genetic causes with another neurodegenerative disease, frontotemporal lobar dementia (FTLD). In this review, we survey how recent genetic studies have bridged our mechanistic understanding of these two related diseases and how the genetics behind ALS and FTLD point to complex disorders, implicating non-neuronal cell types in disease pathophysiology. The involvement of non-neuronal cell types is consistent with a non-cell autonomous component in these diseases. This is further supported by studies that identified a critical role of immune-associated genes within ALS/FTLD and other neurodegenerative disorders. The molecular functions of these genes support an emerging concept that various non-autonomous functions are involved in neurodegeneration. Further insights into such a mechanism(s) will ultimately lead to a better understanding of potential routes of therapeutic intervention. Facts ALS and FTLD are severe neurodegenerative disorders on the same disease spectrum. Multiple cellular processes including dysregulation of RNA homeostasis, imbalance of proteostasis, contribute to ALS/FTLD pathogenesis. Aberrant function in non-neuronal cell types, including microglia, contributes to ALS/FTLD. Strong neuroimmune and neuroinflammatory components are associated with ALS/FTLD patients. Open Questions Why can patients with similar mutations have different disease manifestations, i.e., why do C9ORF72 mutations lead to motor neuron loss in some patients while others exhibit loss of neurons in the frontotemporal lobe? Do ALS causal mutations result in microglial dysfunction and contribute to ALS/FTLD pathology? How do microglia normally act to mitigate neurodegeneration in ALS/FTLD? To what extent do cellular signaling pathways mediate non-cell autonomous communications between distinct central nervous system (CNS) cell types during disease? Is it possible to therapeutically target specific cell types in the CNS?
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongbo Chen
- Department of Pediatrics, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, China.,Department of Cell Biology, Harvard Medical School, 240 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Mark W Kankel
- Biogen Inc., 225 Binney Street, Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA
| | - Susan C Su
- Biogen Inc., 225 Binney Street, Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA
| | - Steve W S Han
- Biogen Inc., 225 Binney Street, Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA.,Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.,GSK, Upper Providence, PA, 19426, USA
| | - Dimitry Ofengeim
- Biogen Inc., 225 Binney Street, Cambridge, MA, 02142, USA. .,Sanofi Neuroscience, Framingham, MA, USA.
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18
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Hardiman O, Al-Chalabi A, Chio A, Corr EM, Logroscino G, Robberecht W, Shaw PJ, Simmons Z, van den Berg LH. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Nat Rev Dis Primers 2017; 3:17071. [PMID: 28980624 DOI: 10.1038/nrdp.2017.71] [Citation(s) in RCA: 820] [Impact Index Per Article: 117.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as motor neuron disease, is characterized by the degeneration of both upper and lower motor neurons, which leads to muscle weakness and eventual paralysis. Until recently, ALS was classified primarily within the neuromuscular domain, although new imaging and neuropathological data have indicated the involvement of the non-motor neuraxis in disease pathology. In most patients, the mechanisms underlying the development of ALS are poorly understood, although a subset of patients have familial disease and harbour mutations in genes that have various roles in neuronal function. Two possible disease-modifying therapies that can slow disease progression are available for ALS, but patient management is largely mediated by symptomatic therapies, such as the use of muscle relaxants for spasticity and speech therapy for dysarthria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Orla Hardiman
- Academic Unit of Neurology, Room 5.41 Trinity Biomedical Science Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Pearse Street, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Ammar Al-Chalabi
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Adriano Chio
- Rita Levi Montalcini Department of Neurosciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Emma M Corr
- Academic Unit of Neurology, Room 5.41 Trinity Biomedical Science Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Pearse Street, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | | | - Wim Robberecht
- KU Leuven-University of Leuven, University Hospitals Leuven, Department of Neurology, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Pamela J Shaw
- Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Zachary Simmons
- Department of Neurology, Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Penn State Health, Hershey, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Leonard H van den Berg
- Department of Neurology, Rudolf Magnus Institute of Neuroscience, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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19
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Sher RB. The interaction of genetics and environmental toxicants in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: results from animal models. Neural Regen Res 2017; 12:902-905. [PMID: 28761418 PMCID: PMC5514860 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.208564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a devastating neurodegenerative disease that results in the progressive death of motor neurons, leading to paralysis and eventual death. There is presently no cure for ALS, and only two drugs are available, neither of which provide significant extension of life. The wide variation in onset and progression of the disease, both in sporadic and even in strongly penetrant monogenic familial forms of ALS, indicate that in addition to background genetic variation impacting the disease process, environmental exposures are likely contributors. Epidemiological evidence worldwide implicates exposures to bacterial toxins, heavy metals, pesticides, and trauma as probable environmental factors. Here, we review current advances in gene-environment interactions in ALS animal models. We report our recent discoveries in a zebrafish model of ALS in relation to exposure to the cyanobacterial toxin BMAA, and discuss several results from mouse models that show interactions with exposure to mercury and statin drugs, both leading to acceleration of the disease process. The increasing research into this combinatorial gene-environment process is just starting, but shows early promise to uncover the underlying biochemical pathways that instigate the initial motor neuron defects and lead to their rapidly progressive dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roger B Sher
- Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA
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20
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Adipose-derived Stem Cell Conditioned Media Extends Survival time of a mouse model of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Sci Rep 2015; 5:16953. [PMID: 26586020 PMCID: PMC4653659 DOI: 10.1038/srep16953] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2015] [Accepted: 10/22/2015] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Adipose stromal cells (ASC) secrete various trophic factors that assist in the protection of neurons in a variety of neuronal death models. In this study, we tested the effects of human ASC conditional medium (ASC-CM) in human amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) transgenic mouse model expressing mutant superoxide dismutase (SOD1G93A). Treating symptomatic SOD1G93A mice with ASC-CM significantly increased post-onset survival time and lifespan. Moreover, SOD1G93A mice given ASC-CM treatment showed high motor neuron counts, less activation of microglia and astrocytes at an early symptomatic stage in the spinal cords under immunohistochemical analysis. SOD1G93A mice treated with ASC-CM for 7 days showed reduced levels of phosphorylated p38 (pp38) in the spinal cord, a mitogen-activated protein kinase that is involved in both inflammation and neuronal death. Additionally, the levels of α-II spectrin in spinal cords were also inhibited in SOD1G93A mice treated with ASC-CM for 3 days. Interestingly, nerve growth factor (NGF), a neurotrophic factor found in ASC-CM, played a significant role in the protection of neurodegeneration inSOD1G93A mouse. These results indicate that ASC-CM has the potential to develop into a novel and effective therapeutic treatment for ALS.
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21
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Miladinovic T, Nashed MG, Singh G. Overview of Glutamatergic Dysregulation in Central Pathologies. Biomolecules 2015; 5:3112-41. [PMID: 26569330 PMCID: PMC4693272 DOI: 10.3390/biom5043112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2015] [Revised: 11/03/2015] [Accepted: 11/05/2015] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
As the major excitatory neurotransmitter in the mammalian central nervous system, glutamate plays a key role in many central pathologies, including gliomas, psychiatric, neurodevelopmental, and neurodegenerative disorders. Post-mortem and serological studies have implicated glutamatergic dysregulation in these pathologies, and pharmacological modulation of glutamate receptors and transporters has provided further validation for the involvement of glutamate. Furthermore, efforts from genetic, in vitro, and animal studies are actively elucidating the specific glutamatergic mechanisms that contribute to the aetiology of central pathologies. However, details regarding specific mechanisms remain sparse and progress in effectively modulating glutamate to alleviate symptoms or inhibit disease states has been relatively slow. In this report, we review what is currently known about glutamate signalling in central pathologies. We also discuss glutamate's mediating role in comorbidities, specifically cancer-induced bone pain and depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tanya Miladinovic
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, ON L8S 4L8, Canada.
| | - Mina G Nashed
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, ON L8S 4L8, Canada.
| | - Gurmit Singh
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, ON L8S 4L8, Canada.
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22
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Volonté C, Apolloni S, Parisi C, Amadio S. Purinergic contribution to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Neuropharmacology 2015; 104:180-93. [PMID: 26514402 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2015.10.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2015] [Revised: 10/20/2015] [Accepted: 10/22/2015] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
By signalling through purinergic receptors classified as ionotropic P2X (for ATP) and metabotropic P1 (for adenosine) and P2Y (mainly for ADP, UDP, UTP, ATP), the extracellular nucleotides and their metabolic derivatives originated by extracellular activity of several different ectonucleotidases, are involved in the functioning of the nervous system. Here they exert a central role during physiological processes, but also in the precarious balance between beneficial and noxious events. Indeed, in recent years, the dysregulation of extracellular purinergic homeostasis has been correlated to well-characterized acute and chronic neurodegenerative and neuroinflammatory diseases. Among these, we focus our attention on purinergic signalling occurring in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), the most common late onset motoneuron disease, characterized by specific loss of motoneurons in brain stem and ventral horns of spinal cord. ALS is a progressive non-cell-autonomous and multifactorial neuroinflammatory disease, whose aetiology and pathological mechanisms are unidentified for most patients and initiate long before any sign or symptom becomes apparent. By combining purinergic with ALS knowledge, in this work we thus present and sustain a novel line of investigation on the purinergic contribution to ALS. In particular, here we recapitulate very early results about P2X4, P2X7 and P2Y6 receptor expression in tissues from ALS animal and cell models and patients, and more recent achievements about purinergic signalling mainly performed in vitro in microglia and lately in astrocytes and motoneurons. We finally highlight how purinergic signalling has progressively evolved up to preclinical trials, to the point of deserving now full consideration with reference to ALS. This article is part of the Special Issue entitled 'Purines in Neurodegeneration and Neuroregeneration'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cinzia Volonté
- Institute of Cell Biology and Neurobiology, CNR, Rome, Italy; Fondazione Santa Lucia, IRCCS, Rome, Italy.
| | - Savina Apolloni
- Fondazione Santa Lucia, IRCCS, Rome, Italy; Institute of Cell Biology and Neurobiology, CNR, Rome, Italy
| | - Chiara Parisi
- Institute of Cell Biology and Neurobiology, CNR, Rome, Italy
| | - Susanna Amadio
- Fondazione Santa Lucia, IRCCS, Rome, Italy; Institute of Cell Biology and Neurobiology, CNR, Rome, Italy
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23
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Abstract
ABSTRACT:In recognition of the 100th anniversary of Charcot’s death we have reviewed possible pathogenic mechanisms in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Advances in the last 5 years in molecular biology and genetics have identified mutations in the cytosolic dismutase (SODI) gene in some patients with familial ALS raising the possibility that oxidative stress may be involved in the pathogenesis. An excitotoxic pathogenesis has been implicated based on elevated plasma and CSF levels of amino acids and altered contents of amino acids in the nervous system of ALS patients and changes in the number of excitatory amino acid receptors. ALS sera containing antibodies to L-type calcium channels and the development of immune mediated lower and upper and lower motor neuron models have revitalized research efforts focusing on an immune basis for ALS. Other pathogenic mechanisms which have been the subject of recent research include elemental toxicity, apoptosis and programmed cell death and possibly a deficiency or abnormality in growth factors. Pathogenic processes for ALS must account for an increasing incidence of ALS, male preponderance, and the selective vulnerability of the corticomotoneuronal system.
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24
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de Lange KM, Barrett JC. Understanding inflammatory bowel disease via immunogenetics. J Autoimmun 2015; 64:91-100. [PMID: 26257098 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaut.2015.07.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 114] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2015] [Accepted: 07/23/2015] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
The major inflammatory bowel diseases, Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, are both debilitating disorders of the gastrointestinal tract, characterized by a dysregulated immune response to unknown environmental triggers. Both disorders have an important and overlapping genetic component, and much progress has been made in the last 20 years at elucidating some of the specific factors contributing to disease pathogenesis. Here we review our growing understanding of the immunogenetics of inflammatory bowel disease, from the twin studies that first implicated a role for the genome in disease susceptibility to the latest genome-wide association studies that have identified hundreds of associated loci. We consider the insight this offers into the biological mechanisms of the inflammatory bowel diseases, such as autophagy, barrier defence and T-cell differentiation signalling. We reflect on these findings in the context of other immune-related disorders, both common and rare. These observations include links both obvious, such as to pediatric colitis, and more surprising, such as to leprosy. As a changing picture of the underlying genetic architecture emerges, we turn to future directions for the study of complex human diseases such as these, including the use of next generation sequencing technologies for the identification of rarer risk alleles, and potential approaches for narrowing down associated loci to casual variants. We consider the implications of this work for translation into clinical practice, for example via early therapeutic hypotheses arising from our improved understanding of the biology of inflammatory bowel disease. Finally, we present potential opportunities to better understand environmental risk factors, such as the human microbiota in the context of immunogenetics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katrina M de Lange
- Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge CB10 1HH, United Kingdom
| | - Jeffrey C Barrett
- Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge CB10 1HH, United Kingdom; European Molecular Biology Laboratory European Bioinformatics Institute (EMBL-EBI), Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge CB10 1HH, United Kingdom; Centre for Therapeutic Target Validation, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge CB10 1HH, United Kingdom.
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25
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Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is the most common adult-onset motor neuron disease. It is characterized by neuronal loss and degeneration of the upper motor neurons (UMNs) and lower motor neurons (LMNs), and is usually fatal due to respiratory failure within 3–5 years of onset. Although approximately 5–10 % of patients with ALS have an inherited form of the disease, the distinction between hereditary and apparently sporadic ALS (SALS) seems to be artificial. Thus, genetic factors play a role in all types of ALS, to a greater or lesser extent. During the decade of upheaval, the evolution of molecular genetics technology has rapidly advanced our genetic knowledge about the causes of ALS, and the relationship between the genetic subtypes and clinical phenotype. In this review, we will focus on the possible genotype-phenotype correlation in hereditary ALS. Uncovering the identity of the genetic factors in ALS will not only improve the accuracy of ALS diagnosis, but may also provide new approaches for preventing and treating the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Satoshi Yamashita
- Department of Neurology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, 1-1-1 Honjo, Kumamoto, 860-8556 Japan
| | - Yukio Ando
- Department of Neurology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, 1-1-1 Honjo, Kumamoto, 860-8556 Japan
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26
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Nakamura M, Bieniek KF, Lin WL, Graff-Radford NR, Murray ME, Castanedes-Casey M, Desaro P, Baker MC, Rutherford NJ, Robertson J, Rademakers R, Dickson DW, Boylan KB. A truncating SOD1 mutation, p.Gly141X, is associated with clinical and pathologic heterogeneity, including frontotemporal lobar degeneration. Acta Neuropathol 2015; 130:145-57. [PMID: 25917047 DOI: 10.1007/s00401-015-1431-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2015] [Revised: 04/20/2015] [Accepted: 04/21/2015] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a degenerative disorder affecting upper and lower motor neurons, but it is increasingly recognized to affect other systems, with cognitive impairment resembling frontotemporal dementia (FTD) in some patients. We report clinical and pathologic findings of a family with ALS due to a truncating mutation, p.Gly141X, in copper/zinc superoxide dismutase (SOD1). The proband presented clinically with FTD and later showed progressive motor neuron disease, while all other family members had early-onset and rapidly progressive ALS without significant cognitive deficits. Pathologic examination of both the proband and her daughter revealed degeneration of corticospinal tracts and motor neurons in brain and spinal cord compatible with ALS. On the other hand, the proband also had neocortical and limbic system degeneration with pleomorphic neuronal cytoplasmic inclusions. Extramotor pathology in her daughter was relatively restricted to the hypothalamus and extrapyramidal system, but not the neocortex. The inclusions in the proband and her daughter were immunoreactive for SOD1, but negative for TAR DNA-binding protein of 43 kDa (TDP-43). In the proband, a number of the neocortical inclusions were immunopositive for α-internexin, initially suggesting a diagnosis of atypical FTLD, but there was no evidence of fused in sarcoma (FUS) immunoreactivity, which is often detected in atypical FTLD. Analogous to atypical FTLD, neuronal inclusions had variable co-localization of SOD1 and α-internexin. The current classification of FTLD is based on the major constituent protein: FTLD-tau, FTLD-TDP-43, and FTLD-FUS. The proband in this family indicates that SOD1, while rare, can also be the substrate of FTLD, in addition to the more common presentation of ALS. The explanation for clinical and pathologic heterogeneity of SOD1 mutations, including the p.Gly141X mutation, remains unresolved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masataka Nakamura
- Neuropathology Laboratory, Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, 4500 San Pablo Road, Jacksonville, FL, 32224, USA
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Yacila G, Sari Y. Potential therapeutic drugs and methods for the treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Curr Med Chem 2015; 21:3583-93. [PMID: 24934355 DOI: 10.2174/0929867321666140601162710] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2014] [Revised: 04/08/2014] [Accepted: 05/26/2014] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disorder caused by damage of motoneurons leading to paralysis state and long term disability. Riluzole is currently the only FDA-approved drug for the treatment of ALS. The proposed mechanisms of ALS include glutamate excitotoxicity, oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, protein aggregation, SOD1 accumulations, and neuronal death. In this review, we discuss potential biomarkers for the identification of patients with ALS. We further emphasize potential therapy involving the uses of neurotrophic factors such as IGFI, GDNF, VEGF, ADNF-9, colivelin and angiogenin in the treatment of ALS. Moreover, we described several existing drugs such as talampanel, ceftriaxone, pramipexole, dexpramipexole and arimoclomol potential compounds for the treatment of ALS. Interestingly, the uses of stem cell therapy and immunotherapy are promising for the treatment of ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Y Sari
- University of Toledo, College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Department of Pharmacology, Health Science Campus, 3000 Arlington Avenue, Toledo, OH 43614. USA.
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Defining the genetic connection linking amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) with frontotemporal dementia (FTD). Trends Genet 2015; 31:263-73. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tig.2015.03.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 95] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2015] [Revised: 03/10/2015] [Accepted: 03/10/2015] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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Sporadic and hereditary amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2015; 1852:679-84. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2014.08.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 132] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2014] [Revised: 08/16/2014] [Accepted: 08/18/2014] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
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Heiman-Patterson TD, Blankenhorn EP, Sher RB, Jiang J, Welsh P, Dixon MC, Jeffrey JI, Wong P, Cox GA, Alexander GM. Genetic background effects on disease onset and lifespan of the mutant dynactin p150Glued mouse model of motor neuron disease. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0117848. [PMID: 25763819 PMCID: PMC4357475 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0117848] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2014] [Accepted: 01/02/2015] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disease primarily affecting motor neurons in the central nervous system. Although most cases of ALS are sporadic, about 5–10% of cases are familial (FALS) with approximately 20% of FALS caused by mutations in the Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD1) gene. We have reported that hSOD1-G93A transgenic mice modeling this disease show a more severe phenotype when the transgene is bred on a pure SJL background and a milder phenotype when bred on a pure B6 background and that these phenotype differences link to a region on mouse Chromosome 17.To examine whether other models of motor neuron degeneration are affected by genetic background, we bred the mutant human dynactin p150Glued (G59S-hDCTN1) transgene onto inbred SJL and B6 congenic lines. This model is based on an autosomal dominant lower motor neuron disease in humans linked to a mutation in the p150Glued subunit of the dynactin complex. As seen in hSOD1-G93A mice, we observed a more severe phenotype with earlier disease onset (p<0.001) and decreased survival (p<0.00001) when the G59S-hDCTN1 transgene was bred onto the SJL background and delayed onset (p<0.0001) with increased survival (p<0.00001) when bred onto the B6 background. Furthermore, B6 mice with an SJL derived chromosome 17 interval previously shown to delay disease onset in hSOD1-G93A mice also showed delays onset in G59S-hDCTN1 mice suggesting that at least some genetic modifiers are shared. We have shown that genetic background influences phenotype in G59S-hDCTN1 mice, in part through a region of chromosome 17 similar to the G93-hSOD1 ALS mouse model. These results support the presence of genetic modifiers in both these models some of which may be shared. Identification of these modifiers will highlight intracellular pathways involved in motor neuron disease and provide new therapeutic targets that may be applicable to motor neuron degeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Terry D Heiman-Patterson
- Department of Neurology, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Elizabeth P Blankenhorn
- Department of Microbiology Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Roger B Sher
- Department of Molecular and Biomedical Sciences, University of Maine, Orono, Maine, United States of America
| | - Juliann Jiang
- Department of Neurology, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Priscilla Welsh
- Department of Neurology, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Meredith C Dixon
- Department of Neurology, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Jeremy I Jeffrey
- Department of Neurology, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Philip Wong
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Gregory A Cox
- The Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbour, Maine, United States of America
| | - Guillermo M Alexander
- Department of Neurology, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
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Dissection of genetic factors associated with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Exp Neurol 2014; 262 Pt B:91-101. [DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2014.04.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 120] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2013] [Revised: 03/31/2014] [Accepted: 04/14/2014] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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Dueker ND, Pericak‐Vance MA. Analysis of Genetic Linkage Data for Mendelian Traits. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2014; 83:1.4.1-31. [DOI: 10.1002/0471142905.hg0104s83] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Nicole D. Dueker
- University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, John P. Hussman Institute for Human Genomics Miami Florida
| | - Margaret A. Pericak‐Vance
- University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, John P. Hussman Institute for Human Genomics Miami Florida
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Sher RB, Heiman-Patterson TD, Blankenhorn EA, Jiang J, Alexander G, Deitch JS, Cox GA. A major QTL on mouse chromosome 17 resulting in lifespan variability in SOD1-G93A transgenic mouse models of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Amyotroph Lateral Scler Frontotemporal Degener 2014; 15:588-600. [PMID: 25008789 DOI: 10.3109/21678421.2014.932381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is a late-onset degenerative disease affecting motor neurons in the spinal cord, brainstem, and motor cortex. There is great variation in the expression of ALS symptoms even between siblings who both carry the same Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD1) mutations. One important use of transgenic mouse models of SOD1-ALS is the study of genetic influences on ALS severity. We utilized multiple inbred mouse strains containing the SOD1-G93A transgene to demonstrate a major quantitative trait locus (QTL) on mouse chromosome 17 resulting in a significant shift in lifespan. Reciprocal crosses between long- and short-lived strains identified critical regions, and we have narrowed the area for potential genetic modifier(s) to < 2Mb of the genome. Results showed that resequencing of this region resulted in 28 candidate genes with potentially functional differences between strains. In conclusion, these studies provide the first major modifier locus affecting lifespan in this model of FALS and, once identified, these candidate modifier genes may provide insight into modifiers of human disease and, most importantly, define new targets for the development of therapies.
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Deitch JS, Alexander GM, Bensinger A, Yang S, Jiang JT, Heiman-Patterson TD. Phenotype of transgenic mice carrying a very low copy number of the mutant human G93A superoxide dismutase-1 gene associated with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. PLoS One 2014; 9:e99879. [PMID: 24945277 PMCID: PMC4063781 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0099879] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2014] [Accepted: 04/28/2014] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease of the motor neuron. While most cases of ALS are sporadic, 10% are familial (FALS) with 20% of FALS caused by a mutation in the gene that codes for the enzyme Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD1). There is variability in sporadic ALS as well as FALS where even within the same family some siblings with the same mutation do not manifest disease. A transgenic (Tg) mouse model of FALS containing 25 copies of the mutant human SOD1 gene demonstrates motor neuron pathology and progressive weakness similar to ALS patients, leading to death at approximately 130 days. The onset of symptoms and survival of these transgenic mice are directly related to the number of copies of the mutant gene. We report the phenotype of a very low expressing (VLE) G93A SOD1 Tg carrying only 4 copies of the mutant G93ASOD1 gene. While weakness can start at 9 months, only 74% of mice 18 months or older demonstrate disease. The VLE mice show decreased motor neurons compared to wild-type mice as well as increased cytoplasmic translocation of TDP-43. In contrast to the standard G93A SOD1 Tg mouse which always develops motor weakness leading to death, not all VLE animals manifested clinical disease or shortened life span. In fact, approximately 20% of mice older than 24 months had no motor symptoms and only 18% of VLE mice older than 22 months reached end stage. Given the variable penetrance of clinical phenotype, prolonged survival, and protracted loss of motor neurons the VLE mouse provides a new tool that closely mimics human ALS. This tool will allow the study of pathologic events over time as well as the study of genetic and environmental modifiers that may not be causative, but can exacerbate or accelerate motor neuron disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey S. Deitch
- Department of Neurology, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Guillermo M. Alexander
- Department of Neurology, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Andrew Bensinger
- Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Steven Yang
- Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Juliann T. Jiang
- Department of Neurology, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Terry D. Heiman-Patterson
- Department of Neurology, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Sakuma R, Abe K, Aoki M, Ikeda M, Okita N, Hiwatari M, Sakurai M, Itoyama Y. A clinical variance in familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis with a point mutation in Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase gene. Eur J Neurol 2013; 2:369-74. [PMID: 24283690 DOI: 10.1111/j.1468-1331.1995.tb00141.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
We report here a novel point mutation in exon 5 of the Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD) gene resulting in an amino acid substitution of valine(148) by isoleucine (V148I) in a Japanese family with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (FALS). In this family, the age at onset was young (28.0 ± 3.8 years old, mean ± SD, n = 4) and the disease progression was rapid (22.0 ± 5.9 months, n = 3) with low Cu/Zn SOD activity (56.3 and 59.0% of the controls, n = 2). It is interesting that the clinical features of ALS varied very much among the affected members. One case had weakness of the lower extremities at first, and died without bulbar paresis. The second case first noticed wasting of the upper limbs with bulbar symptoms, but the third had weakness of upper extremities without developing dysarthria nor dysphagia until death. The living remainder first developed fasciculation of the tongue without weakness of extremities. The valine(148) is conserved among different species, and V148I mutation might destabilize dimer formation with another SOD subunit, leading to decrease enzymatic activity. These results suggested that there could be considerable clinical variance among the patients of FALS within one family, carrying the same Cu/Zn SOD mutation such as V148I.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Sakuma
- Departments of Neurology, Sendai, JapanDepartments of Orthopedic Surgery, Sendai, JapanSection of Internal Medicine and Disability Prevention, Tohoku University School of Medicine, Sendai, JapanDepartment of Neurology, Khonan Hospital, Sendai, Japan
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Abel O, Powell JF, Andersen PM, Al-Chalabi A. Credibility analysis of putative disease-causing genes using bioinformatics. PLoS One 2013; 8:e64899. [PMID: 23755159 PMCID: PMC3674010 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0064899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2013] [Accepted: 04/19/2013] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Genetic studies are challenging in many complex diseases, particularly those with limited diagnostic certainty, low prevalence or of old age. The result is that genes may be reported as disease-causing with varying levels of evidence, and in some cases, the data may be so limited as to be indistinguishable from chance findings. When there are large numbers of such genes, an objective method for ranking the evidence is useful. Using the neurodegenerative and complex disease amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) as a model, and the disease-specific database ALSoD, the objective is to develop a method using publicly available data to generate a credibility score for putative disease-causing genes. Methods Genes with at least one publication suggesting involvement in adult onset familial ALS were collated following an exhaustive literature search. SQL was used to generate a score by extracting information from the publications and combined with a pathogenicity analysis using bioinformatics tools. The resulting score allowed us to rank genes in order of credibility. To validate the method, we compared the objective ranking with a rank generated by ALS genetics experts. Spearman's Rho was used to compare rankings generated by the different methods. Results The automated method ranked ALS genes in the following order: SOD1, TARDBP, FUS, ANG, SPG11, NEFH, OPTN, ALS2, SETX, FIG4, VAPB, DCTN1, TAF15, VCP, DAO. This compared very well to the ranking of ALS genetics experts, with Spearman's Rho of 0.69 (P = 0.009). Conclusion We have presented an automated method for scoring the level of evidence for a gene being disease-causing. In developing the method we have used the model disease ALS, but it could equally be applied to any disease in which there is genotypic uncertainty.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olubunmi Abel
- King's Health Partners Centre for Neurodegeneration Research, King's College London, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, London, United Kingdom
| | - John F. Powell
- Department of Neuroscience, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Peter M. Andersen
- Institute of Pharmacology and Clinical Neuroscience, Section for Neurology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
- Department of Neurology, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - Ammar Al-Chalabi
- King's Health Partners Centre for Neurodegeneration Research, King's College London, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, London, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
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Valsecchi V, Boido M, Piras A, Spigolon G, Vercelli A. Motor and molecular analysis to detect the early symptoms in a mouse amyotrophic lateral sclerosis model. Health (London) 2013. [DOI: 10.4236/health.2013.510231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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Cozzolino M, Pesaresi MG, Gerbino V, Grosskreutz J, Carrì MT. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: new insights into underlying molecular mechanisms and opportunities for therapeutic intervention. Antioxid Redox Signal 2012; 17:1277-330. [PMID: 22413952 DOI: 10.1089/ars.2011.4328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Recent years have witnessed a renewed interest in the pathogenic mechanisms of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a late-onset progressive degeneration of motor neurons. The discovery of new genes associated with the familial form of the disease, along with a deeper insight into pathways already described for this disease, has led scientists to reconsider previous postulates. While protein misfolding, mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative damage, defective axonal transport, and excitotoxicity have not been dismissed, they need to be re-examined as contributors to the onset or progression of ALS in the light of the current knowledge that the mutations of proteins involved in RNA processing, apparently unrelated to the previous "old partners," are causative of the same phenotype. Thus, newly envisaged models and tools may offer unforeseen clues on the etiology of this disease and hopefully provide the key to treatment.
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Artuso L, Zoccolella S, Favia P, Amati A, Capozzo R, Logroscino G, Serlenga L, Simone I, Gasparre G, Petruzzella V. Mitochondrial genome aberrations in skeletal muscle of patients with motor neuron disease. Amyotroph Lateral Scler Frontotemporal Degener 2012; 14:261-6. [DOI: 10.3109/21678421.2012.735239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
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Cohen E. Aging, protein aggregation, chaperones, and neurodegenerative disorders: mechanisms of coupling and therapeutic opportunities. Rambam Maimonides Med J 2012; 3:e0021. [PMID: 23908845 PMCID: PMC3678828 DOI: 10.5041/rmmj.10088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Late onset is a key unifying feature of human neurodegenerative maladies such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases and prion disorders. While sporadic cases typically emerge during the patient's seventh decade of life or later, mutation-linked, familial cases manifest during the fifth or sixth decade. This common temporal emergence pattern raises the prospect that slowing aging may prevent the accumulation of toxic protein aggregates that lead to the development of these disorders, postpone the onset of these maladies, and alleviate their symptoms once emerged. Invertebrate-based studies indicated that reducing the activity of insulin/IGF signaling (IIS), a prominent aging regulatory pathway, protects from neurodegeneration-linked toxic protein aggregation. The validity of this approach has been tested and confirmed in mammals as reducing the activity of the IGF-1 signaling pathway-protected Alzheimer's model mice from the behavioral and biochemical impairments associated with the disease. Here I review the recent advances in the field, describe the known mechanistic links between toxic protein aggregation and the aging process, and delineate the future therapeutic potential of IIS reduction as a treatment for various neurodegenerative disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ehud Cohen
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The Institute of Medical Research Israel-Canada, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem-Hadassah Medical School, Ein Karem, Jerusalem, Israel
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Saenger S, Holtmann B, Nilges MR, Schroeder S, Hoeflich A, Kletzl H, Spooren W, Ostrowitzki S, Hanania T, Sendtner M, Metzger F. Functional improvement in mouse models of familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis by PEGylated insulin-like growth factor I treatment depends on disease severity. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2012; 13:418-29. [PMID: 22871074 DOI: 10.3109/17482968.2012.679944] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) has been successfully tested in the SOD1-G93A mouse model of familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and proposed for clinical treatment. However, beneficial effects required gene therapy or intrathecal application. Circumventing the dosing issues we recently found that polyethylene glycol (PEG) modified IGF-I (PEG-IGF-I) modulated neuromuscular function after systemic application, and protected against disease progression in a motor neuron disease model. Here we investigated its effects in two SOD1-G93A mouse lines, the G1L with a milder and the G1H with a more severe phenotype. Results showed that in G1L mice, PEG-IGF-I treatment significantly improved muscle force, motor coordination and animal survival. In contrast, treatment of G1H mice with PEG-IGF-I or IGF-I even at high doses did not beneficially affect survival or functional outcomes despite increased signalling in brain and spinal cord by both agents. In conclusion, the data point towards further investigation of the therapeutic potential of PEG-IGF-I in ALS patients with less severe clinical phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefanie Saenger
- F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd., CNS Pharma Research & Early Development, Basel, Switzerland
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Affiliation(s)
- Allan H Ropper
- Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
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Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and other disorders of the lower motor neuron. Neurogenetics 2012. [DOI: 10.1017/cbo9781139087711.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
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Localization of a toxic form of superoxide dismutase 1 protein to pathologically affected tissues in familial ALS. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2012; 109:5505-10. [PMID: 22431618 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1115009109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Mutations in the gene encoding superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) account for about 20% of the cases of familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (fALS). It is not known how the mutant protein causes disease, or why only a subset of cell types (motor neurons) are targeted. The aggregation and misfolding of mutant SOD1 are implicated in disease pathogenesis in both animal models and humans. We used a monoclonal antibody, C4F6, which specifically reacts with mutant and/or "misfolded" SOD1, to investigate the regional distribution of mutant SOD1 protein in rodent and human tissues. C4F6 reacted only with mutant SOD1 and showed remarkable selectivity for disease-affected tissues and cells. Tissue not affected by disease but containing high levels of mutant protein (sensory neurons) did not stain with C4F6. Additionally, C4F6 intensely stained some motor neurons while leaving adjacent motor neurons unstained. Although C4F6 was generated against the G93A SOD1 mutant, it also recognized other SOD1 mutants. In human autopsy tissues from patients carrying SOD1 mutations, C4F6 identified skein-like intracellular inclusions in motor neurons, similar to those seen in rodents, and again stained only a subset of motor neurons. In spinal cords from patients with sporadic ALS, other neurodegenerative diseases, and normal controls, C4F6-immunoreactive inclusions were not detected, but the antibody did reveal diffuse immunostaining of some spinal motor neurons. The ability of C4F6 to differentiate pathologically affected tissue in mutant SOD1 ALS rodent models and humans, specifically motor neuron populations, suggests that this antibody may recognize a "toxic" form of the mutant SOD1 protein.
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SOD1 Mutations: More to Learn. Can J Neurol Sci 2012; 39:132-3. [DOI: 10.1017/s0317167100013135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
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Lattante S, Marangi G, Luigetti M, Conte A, Mandrioli J, del Grande A, Zollino M, Sabatelli M. Founder effect hypothesis of D11Y SOD1 mutation in Italian amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2012; 13:241-2. [DOI: 10.3109/17482968.2011.633269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
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Sack GH. Introduction to the minireviews series on mitochondrial matters in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Lou Gehrig’s disease. J Bioenerg Biomembr 2011; 43:565-7. [PMID: 22160849 DOI: 10.1007/s10863-011-9391-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Berry JD, Cudkowicz ME. New considerations in the design of clinical trials for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. CLINICAL INVESTIGATION 2011; 1:1375-1389. [PMID: 22545191 PMCID: PMC3335743 DOI: 10.4155/cli.11.127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is a devastating neurodegenerative disease caused by loss of motor neurons. Its pathophysiology remains unknown, but progress has been made in understanding its genetic and biochemical basis. Clinical trialists are working to translate basic science successes into human trials with more efficiency, in the hope of finding successful treatments. In the future, new preclinical models, including patient-derived stem cells may augment transgenic animal models as preclinical tools. Biomarker discovery projects aim to identify markers of disease onset and progression for use in clinical trials. New trial designs are reducing study time, improving efficiency and helping to keep pace with the increasing rate of basic and translational discoveries. Ongoing trials with novel designs are paving the way for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis clinical research.
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Affiliation(s)
- James D Berry
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Department of Neurology, Neurology Clinical Trials Unit, 149 Thirteenth Street, Suite 2274, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA
| | - Merit E Cudkowicz
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Department of Neurology, Neurology Clinical Trials Unit, 149 Thirteenth Street, Suite 2274, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA
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SOD1 Transcriptional and Posttranscriptional Regulation and Its Potential Implications in ALS. Neurol Res Int 2011; 2011:458427. [PMID: 21603028 PMCID: PMC3096450 DOI: 10.1155/2011/458427] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2010] [Accepted: 02/03/2011] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Copper-zinc superoxide dismutase (SOD1) is a detoxifying enzyme localized in the cytosol, nucleus, peroxisomes, and mitochondria. The discovery that mutations in SOD1 gene cause a subset of familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (FALS) has attracted great attention, and studies to date have been mainly focused on discovering mutations in the coding region and investigation at protein level. Considering that changes in SOD1 mRNA levels have been associated with sporadic ALS (SALS), a molecular understanding of the processes involved in the regulation of SOD1 gene expression could not only unravel novel regulatory pathways that may govern cellular phenotypes and changes in diseases but also might reveal therapeutic targets and treatments. This review seeks to provide an overview of SOD1 gene structure and of the processes through which SOD1 transcription is controlled. Furthermore, we emphasize the importance to focus future researches on investigating posttranscriptional mechanisms and their relevance to ALS.
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