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de Sousa-Lourenço J, Silva AC, Pereira de Almeida L, Nobre RJ. Molecular therapy for polyQ disorders: from bench to clinical trials. Trends Mol Med 2024:S1471-4914(24)00126-6. [PMID: 38839514 DOI: 10.1016/j.molmed.2024.05.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2024] [Revised: 05/03/2024] [Accepted: 05/08/2024] [Indexed: 06/07/2024]
Abstract
Polyglutamine (polyQ) disorders are monogenic neurodegenerative disorders. Currently, no therapies are available for this complex group of disorders. Here, we aim to provide an overview of recent promising preclinical studies and the ongoing clinical trials focusing on molecular therapies for polyQ disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- João de Sousa-Lourenço
- CNC-UC - Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal; CIBB - Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Ana C Silva
- CNC-UC - Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal; CIBB - Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal; Institute for Interdisciplinary Research, Doctoral Programme in Experimental Biology and Biomedicine (PDBEB), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal; GeneT, Gene Therapy Center of Excellence, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Luís Pereira de Almeida
- CNC-UC - Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal; CIBB - Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal; GeneT, Gene Therapy Center of Excellence, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal; Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal; ViraVector, Viral Vector for Gene Transfer Core Facility, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.
| | - Rui J Nobre
- CNC-UC - Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal; CIBB - Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal; GeneT, Gene Therapy Center of Excellence, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal; ViraVector, Viral Vector for Gene Transfer Core Facility, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal; Institute for Interdisciplinary Research, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.
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Vogt L, Quiroz V, Ebrahimi-Fakhari D. Emerging therapies for childhood-onset movement disorders. Curr Opin Pediatr 2024; 36:331-341. [PMID: 38655812 PMCID: PMC11047116 DOI: 10.1097/mop.0000000000001354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW We highlight novel and emerging therapies in the treatment of childhood-onset movement disorders. We structured this review by therapeutic entity (small molecule drugs, RNA-targeted therapeutics, gene replacement therapy, and neuromodulation), recognizing that there are two main approaches to treatment: symptomatic (based on phenomenology) and molecular mechanism-based therapy or 'precision medicine' (which is disease-modifying). RECENT FINDINGS We highlight reports of new small molecule drugs for Tourette syndrome, Friedreich's ataxia and Rett syndrome. We also discuss developments in gene therapy for aromatic l-amino acid decarboxylase deficiency and hereditary spastic paraplegia, as well as current work exploring optimization of deep brain stimulation and lesioning with focused ultrasound. SUMMARY Childhood-onset movement disorders have traditionally been treated symptomatically based on phenomenology, but focus has recently shifted toward targeted molecular mechanism-based therapeutics. The development of precision therapies is driven by increasing capabilities for genetic testing and a better delineation of the underlying disease mechanisms. We highlight novel and exciting approaches to the treatment of genetic childhood-onset movement disorders while also discussing general challenges in therapy development for rare diseases. We provide a framework for molecular mechanism-based treatment approaches, a summary of specific treatments for various movement disorders, and a clinical trial readiness framework.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lindsey Vogt
- Division of Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto Ontario, Canada
| | - Vicente Quiroz
- Movement Disorders Program, Department of Neurology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Darius Ebrahimi-Fakhari
- Movement Disorders Program, Department of Neurology, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- F.M. Kirby Neurobiology Center, Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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3
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Schuster KH, Zalon AJ, DiFranco DM, Putka AF, Stec NR, Jarrah SI, Naeem A, Haque Z, Zhang H, Guan Y, McLoughlin HS. ASOs are an effective treatment for disease-associated oligodendrocyte signatures in premanifest and symptomatic SCA3 mice. Mol Ther 2024; 32:1359-1372. [PMID: 38429929 PMCID: PMC11081874 DOI: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2024.02.033] [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: 08/06/2023] [Revised: 12/18/2023] [Accepted: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 03/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 (SCA3) is the most common dominantly inherited ataxia. Currently, no preventive or disease-modifying treatments exist for this progressive neurodegenerative disorder, although efforts using gene silencing approaches are under clinical trial investigation. The disease is caused by a CAG repeat expansion in the mutant gene, ATXN3, producing an enlarged polyglutamine tract in the mutant protein. Similar to other paradigmatic neurodegenerative diseases, studies evaluating the pathogenic mechanism focus primarily on neuronal implications. Consequently, therapeutic interventions often overlook non-neuronal contributions to disease. Our lab recently reported that oligodendrocytes display some of the earliest and most progressive dysfunction in SCA3 mice. Evidence of disease-associated oligodendrocyte signatures has also been reported in other neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, and Huntington's disease. Here, we assess the effects of anti-ATXN3 antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) treatment on oligodendrocyte dysfunction in premanifest and symptomatic SCA3 mice. We report a severe, but modifiable, deficit in oligodendrocyte maturation caused by the toxic gain-of-function of mutant ATXN3 early in SCA3 disease that is transcriptionally, biochemically, and functionally rescued with anti-ATXN3 ASO. Our results highlight the promising use of an ASO therapy across neurodegenerative diseases that requires glial targeting in addition to affected neuronal populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristen H Schuster
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Annie J Zalon
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | | | - Alexandra F Putka
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Nicholas R Stec
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Sabrina I Jarrah
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Arsal Naeem
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Zaid Haque
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Hanrui Zhang
- Department of Computational Medicine and Bioinformatics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Yuanfang Guan
- Department of Computational Medicine and Bioinformatics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
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4
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Niewiadomska-Cimicka A, Fievet L, Surdyka M, Jesion E, Keime C, Singer E, Eisenmann A, Kalinowska-Poska Z, Nguyen HHP, Fiszer A, Figiel M, Trottier Y. AAV-Mediated CAG-Targeting Selectively Reduces Polyglutamine-Expanded Protein and Attenuates Disease Phenotypes in a Spinocerebellar Ataxia Mouse Model. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:4354. [PMID: 38673939 PMCID: PMC11050704 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25084354] [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: 03/26/2024] [Revised: 04/05/2024] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Polyglutamine (polyQ)-encoding CAG repeat expansions represent a common disease-causing mutation responsible for several dominant spinocerebellar ataxias (SCAs). PolyQ-expanded SCA proteins are toxic for cerebellar neurons, with Purkinje cells (PCs) being the most vulnerable. RNA interference (RNAi) reagents targeting transcripts with expanded CAG reduce the level of various mutant SCA proteins in an allele-selective manner in vitro and represent promising universal tools for treating multiple CAG/polyQ SCAs. However, it remains unclear whether the therapeutic targeting of CAG expansion can be achieved in vivo and if it can ameliorate cerebellar functions. Here, using a mouse model of SCA7 expressing a mutant Atxn7 allele with 140 CAGs, we examined the efficacy of short hairpin RNAs (shRNAs) targeting CAG repeats expressed from PHP.eB adeno-associated virus vectors (AAVs), which were introduced into the brain via intravascular injection. We demonstrated that shRNAs carrying various mismatches with the CAG target sequence reduced the level of polyQ-expanded ATXN7 in the cerebellum, albeit with varying degrees of allele selectivity and safety profile. An shRNA named A4 potently reduced the level of polyQ-expanded ATXN7, with no effect on normal ATXN7 levels and no adverse side effects. Furthermore, A4 shRNA treatment improved a range of motor and behavioral parameters 23 weeks after AAV injection and attenuated the disease burden of PCs by preventing the downregulation of several PC-type-specific genes. Our results show the feasibility of the selective targeting of CAG expansion in the cerebellum using a blood-brain barrier-permeable vector to attenuate the disease phenotype in an SCA mouse model. Our study represents a significant advancement in developing CAG-targeting strategies as a potential therapy for SCA7 and possibly other CAG/polyQ SCAs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Niewiadomska-Cimicka
- Institute of Genetics and Molecular and Cellular Biology, INSERM U1258, CNRS UMR7104, University of Strasbourg, 67404 Illkirch, France; (L.F.); (C.K.); (A.E.)
| | - Lorraine Fievet
- Institute of Genetics and Molecular and Cellular Biology, INSERM U1258, CNRS UMR7104, University of Strasbourg, 67404 Illkirch, France; (L.F.); (C.K.); (A.E.)
| | - Magdalena Surdyka
- Department of Molecular Neurobiology, Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, 61-704 Poznan, Poland; (M.S.); (E.J.); (Z.K.-P.); (M.F.)
| | - Ewelina Jesion
- Department of Molecular Neurobiology, Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, 61-704 Poznan, Poland; (M.S.); (E.J.); (Z.K.-P.); (M.F.)
| | - Céline Keime
- Institute of Genetics and Molecular and Cellular Biology, INSERM U1258, CNRS UMR7104, University of Strasbourg, 67404 Illkirch, France; (L.F.); (C.K.); (A.E.)
| | - Elisabeth Singer
- Centre for Rare Diseases (ZSE), University of Tuebingen, 72076 Tuebingen, Germany;
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Applied Genomics, University of Tuebingen, 72076 Tuebingen, Germany
- Department of Human Genetics, Medical Faculty, Ruhr University Bochum, 44801 Bochum, Germany;
| | - Aurélie Eisenmann
- Institute of Genetics and Molecular and Cellular Biology, INSERM U1258, CNRS UMR7104, University of Strasbourg, 67404 Illkirch, France; (L.F.); (C.K.); (A.E.)
| | - Zaneta Kalinowska-Poska
- Department of Molecular Neurobiology, Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, 61-704 Poznan, Poland; (M.S.); (E.J.); (Z.K.-P.); (M.F.)
| | - Hoa Huu Phuc Nguyen
- Department of Human Genetics, Medical Faculty, Ruhr University Bochum, 44801 Bochum, Germany;
| | - Agnieszka Fiszer
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, Noskowskiego 12/14, 61-704 Poznan, Poland;
| | - Maciej Figiel
- Department of Molecular Neurobiology, Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, 61-704 Poznan, Poland; (M.S.); (E.J.); (Z.K.-P.); (M.F.)
| | - Yvon Trottier
- Institute of Genetics and Molecular and Cellular Biology, INSERM U1258, CNRS UMR7104, University of Strasbourg, 67404 Illkirch, France; (L.F.); (C.K.); (A.E.)
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Jurcau A, Simion A, Jurcau MC. Emerging antibody-based therapies for Huntington's disease: current status and perspectives for future development. Expert Rev Neurother 2024; 24:299-312. [PMID: 38324338 DOI: 10.1080/14737175.2024.2314183] [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: 11/19/2023] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 02/08/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Being an inherited neurodegenerative disease with an identifiable genetic defect, Huntington's disease (HD) is a suitable candidate for early intervention, possibly even in the pre-symptomatic stage. Our recent advances in elucidating the pathogenesis of HD have revealed a series of novel potential therapeutic targets, among which immunotherapies are actively pursued in preclinical experiments. AREAS COVERED This review focuses on the potential of antibody-based treatments targeting various epitopes (of mutant huntingtin as well as phosphorylated tau) that are currently evaluated in vitro and in animal experiments. The references used in this review were retrieved from the PubMed database, searching for immunotherapies in HD, and clinical trial registries were reviewed for molecules already evaluated in clinical trials. EXPERT OPINION Antibody-based therapies have raised considerable interest in a series of neurodegenerative diseases characterized by deposition of aggregated of aberrantly folded proteins, HD included. Intrabodies and nanobodies can interact with mutant huntingtin inside the nervous cells. However, the conflicting results obtained with some of these intrabodies highlight the need for proper choice of epitopes and for developing animal models more closely mimicking human disease. Approval of these strategies will require a considerable financial and logistic effort on behalf of healthcare systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anamaria Jurcau
- Department of Psycho-Neurosciences and Rehabilitation, University of Oradea, Oradea, Romania
| | - Aurel Simion
- Department of Psycho-Neurosciences and Rehabilitation, University of Oradea, Oradea, Romania
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Estevez-Fraga C, Tabrizi SJ, Wild EJ. Huntington's Disease Clinical Trials Corner: March 2024. J Huntingtons Dis 2024; 13:1-14. [PMID: 38489195 DOI: 10.3233/jhd-240017] [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] [Indexed: 03/17/2024]
Abstract
In this edition of the Huntington's Disease Clinical Trials Update, we expand on the ongoing program from VICO Therapeutics and on the recently terminated VIBRANT-HD clinical trials. We also discuss updates from uniQure's AMT-130 program and PTC therapeutics' trial of PTC518 and list all currently registered and ongoing clinical trials in Huntington's disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos Estevez-Fraga
- Huntington's Disease Centre, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK
| | - Sarah J Tabrizi
- Huntington's Disease Centre, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK
| | - Edward J Wild
- Huntington's Disease Centre, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, UK
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Cao R, Chen C, Wen J, Zhao W, Zhang C, Sun L, Yuan L, Wu C, Shan L, Xi M, Sun H. Recent advances in targeting leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 as a potential strategy for the treatment of Parkinson's disease. Bioorg Chem 2023; 141:106906. [PMID: 37837728 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2023.106906] [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: 08/17/2023] [Revised: 09/24/2023] [Accepted: 10/06/2023] [Indexed: 10/16/2023]
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disease. Several single gene mutations involved in PD have been identified such as leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2), the most common cause of sporadic and familial PD. Its mutations have attracted much attention to therapeutically targeting this kinase. To date, many compounds including small chemical molecules with diverse scaffolds and RNA agents have been developed with significant amelioration in preclinical PD models. Currently, five candidates, DNL201, DNL151, WXWH0226, NEU-723 and BIIB094, have advanced to clinical trials for PD treatment. In this review, we describe the structure, pathogenic mutations and the mechanism of LRRK2, and summarize the development of LRRK2 inhibitors in preclinical and clinical studies, trying to provide an insight into targeting LRRK2 for PD intervention in future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruiwei Cao
- Zhejiang Engineering Research Center of Fat-soluble Vitamin, Shaoxing University, Shaoxing 312000, China; Zhejiang Medicine Co. Ltd., Shaoxing 312500, China
| | - Caiping Chen
- Zhejiang Engineering Research Center of Fat-soluble Vitamin, Shaoxing University, Shaoxing 312000, China; Zhejiang Medicine Co. Ltd., Shaoxing 312500, China
| | - Jing Wen
- Zhejiang Medicine Co. Ltd., Shaoxing 312500, China
| | - Weihe Zhao
- Zhejiang Medicine Co. Ltd., Shaoxing 312500, China
| | | | - Longhui Sun
- Zhejiang Medicine Co. Ltd., Shaoxing 312500, China
| | - Liyan Yuan
- Zhejiang Medicine Co. Ltd., Shaoxing 312500, China
| | - Chunlei Wu
- Zhejiang Engineering Research Center of Fat-soluble Vitamin, Shaoxing University, Shaoxing 312000, China; College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shaoxing University, Shaoxing 312000, China
| | - Lei Shan
- Zhejiang Engineering Research Center of Fat-soluble Vitamin, Shaoxing University, Shaoxing 312000, China
| | - Meiyang Xi
- Zhejiang Engineering Research Center of Fat-soluble Vitamin, Shaoxing University, Shaoxing 312000, China; College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shaoxing University, Shaoxing 312000, China.
| | - Haopeng Sun
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing 210009, China.
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Dowerah D, V. N. Uppuladinne M, Sarma PJ, Biswakarma N, Sonavane UB, Joshi RR, Ray SK, Namsa ND, Deka RC. Design of LNA Analogues Using a Combined Density Functional Theory and Molecular Dynamics Approach for RNA Therapeutics. ACS OMEGA 2023; 8:22382-22405. [PMID: 37396274 PMCID: PMC10308574 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.2c07860] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2022] [Accepted: 02/17/2023] [Indexed: 07/04/2023]
Abstract
Antisense therapeutics treat a wide spectrum of diseases, many of which cannot be addressed with the current drug technologies. In the quest to design better antisense oligonucleotide drugs, we propose five novel LNA analogues (A1-A5) for modifying antisense oligonucleotides and establishing each with the five standard nucleic acids: adenine (A), guanine (G), cytosine (C), thymine (T), and uracil (U). Monomer nucleotides of these modifications were considered for a detailed Density Functional Theory (DFT)-based quantum chemical analysis to determine their molecular-level structural and electronic properties. A detailed MD simulation study was done on a 14-mer ASO (5'-CTTAGCACTGGCCT-3') containing these modifications targeting PTEN mRNA. Results from both molecular- and oligomer-level analysis clearly depicted LNA-level stability of the modifications, the ASO/RNA duplexes maintaining stable Watson-Crick base pairing preferring RNA-mimicking A-form duplexes. Notably, monomer MO isosurfaces for both purines and pyrimidines were majorly distributed on the nucleobase region in modifications A1 and A2 and in the bridging unit in modifications A3, A4, and A5, suggesting that A3/RNA, A4/RNA, and A5/RNA duplexes interact more with the RNase H and solvent environment. Accordingly, solvation of A3/RNA, A4/RNA, and A5/RNA duplexes was higher compared to that of LNA/RNA, A1/RNA, and A2/RNA duplexes. This study has resulted in a successful archetype for creating advantageous nucleic acid modifications tailored for particular needs, fulfilling a useful purpose of designing novel antisense modifications, which may overcome the drawbacks and improve the pharmacokinetics of existing LNA antisense modifications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dikshita Dowerah
- CMML—Catalysis
and Molecular Modelling Lab, Department of Chemical Sciences, Tezpur University, Napaam, Sonitpur, Assam 784 028, India
| | - Mallikarjunachari V. N. Uppuladinne
- HPC—Medical
& Bioinformatics Applications Group, Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC), Panchavati, Pashan, Pune 411008, India
| | - Plaban J. Sarma
- CMML—Catalysis
and Molecular Modelling Lab, Department of Chemical Sciences, Tezpur University, Napaam, Sonitpur, Assam 784 028, India
- Department
of Chemistry, Gargaon College, Sivasagar, Assam 785685, India
| | - Nishant Biswakarma
- CMML—Catalysis
and Molecular Modelling Lab, Department of Chemical Sciences, Tezpur University, Napaam, Sonitpur, Assam 784 028, India
| | - Uddhavesh B. Sonavane
- HPC—Medical
& Bioinformatics Applications Group, Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC), Panchavati, Pashan, Pune 411008, India
| | - Rajendra R. Joshi
- HPC—Medical
& Bioinformatics Applications Group, Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC), Panchavati, Pashan, Pune 411008, India
| | - Suvendra K. Ray
- Department
of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Tezpur University, Napaam, Sonitpur, Assam 784028, India
- Center
for Multidisciplinary Research, Tezpur University, Napaam, Sonitpur, Assam 784028, India
| | - Nima D. Namsa
- Department
of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Tezpur University, Napaam, Sonitpur, Assam 784028, India
- Center
for Multidisciplinary Research, Tezpur University, Napaam, Sonitpur, Assam 784028, India
| | - Ramesh Ch. Deka
- CMML—Catalysis
and Molecular Modelling Lab, Department of Chemical Sciences, Tezpur University, Napaam, Sonitpur, Assam 784 028, India
- Center
for Multidisciplinary Research, Tezpur University, Napaam, Sonitpur, Assam 784028, India
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Yan L, Sun Y, Guo J, Jia R. PD-L1 Exon 3 Is a Hidden Switch of Its Expression and Function in Oral Cancer Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24098193. [PMID: 37175900 PMCID: PMC10178889 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24098193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2023] [Revised: 04/12/2023] [Accepted: 04/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The interaction between programmed cell death 1 ligand 1 (PD-L1) and programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) protects tumor cells from immune surveillance. PD-L1 exon 3 is a potential alternative exon and encodes an Ig variable (IgV) domain. Here, we found that a lack of exon 3 leads to the significant loss of cellular membrane locations and the dramatically reduced protein expression of PD-L1, indicating that PD-L1 exon 3 is essential for its protein expression and translocation to the cell membrane. Notably, oral cancer cells show almost no exon 3 skipping to ensure the expression of the full-length, functional PD-L1 protein. We discovered two key exonic splicing enhancers (ESEs) for exon 3 inclusion. Two efficient antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) were identified to block these two ESEs, which can significantly trigger exon 3 skipping and decrease the production of full-length, functional PD-L1 on the surface of cancer cells. Treatment of oral cancer cells with these ASOs significantly enhanced immune cells' suppression of cancer cell proliferation. Surprisingly, these two ASOs also significantly inhibited cell growth and induced cell pyroptosis in oral cancer cells. Altogether, the results of our study demonstrate the pivotal roles of exon 3 in PD-L1 expression and provide a novel anti-PD-L1 method.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lingyan Yan
- The State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Basic Science of Stomatology (Hubei-MOST) & Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, School & Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430079, China
| | - Yanan Sun
- The State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Basic Science of Stomatology (Hubei-MOST) & Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, School & Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430079, China
| | - Jihua Guo
- The State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Basic Science of Stomatology (Hubei-MOST) & Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, School & Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430079, China
- Department of Endodontics, School & Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430079, China
| | - Rong Jia
- The State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Basic Science of Stomatology (Hubei-MOST) & Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedicine Ministry of Education, School & Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430079, China
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10
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Kerkhof LMC, van de Warrenburg BPC, van Roon-Mom WMC, Buijsen RAM. Therapeutic Strategies for Spinocerebellar Ataxia Type 1. Biomolecules 2023; 13:biom13050788. [PMID: 37238658 DOI: 10.3390/biom13050788] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2023] [Revised: 04/28/2023] [Accepted: 04/29/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Spinocerebellar ataxia type 1 (SCA1) is an autosomal dominant neurodegenerative disorder that affects one or two individuals per 100,000. The disease is caused by an extended CAG repeat in exon 8 of the ATXN1 gene and is characterized mostly by a profound loss of cerebellar Purkinje cells, leading to disturbances in coordination, balance, and gait. At present, no curative treatment is available for SCA1. However, increasing knowledge on the cellular and molecular mechanisms of SCA1 has led the way towards several therapeutic strategies that can potentially slow disease progression. SCA1 therapeutics can be classified as genetic, pharmacological, and cell replacement therapies. These different therapeutic strategies target either the (mutant) ATXN1 RNA or the ataxin-1 protein, pathways that play an important role in downstream SCA1 disease mechanisms or which help restore cells that are lost due to SCA1 pathology. In this review, we will provide a summary of the different therapeutic strategies that are currently being investigated for SCA1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laurie M C Kerkhof
- Department of Human Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands
- Dutch Center for RNA Therapeutics, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Bart P C van de Warrenburg
- Department of Neurology, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Willeke M C van Roon-Mom
- Department of Human Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands
- Dutch Center for RNA Therapeutics, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Ronald A M Buijsen
- Department of Human Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands
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Shahpasand-Kroner H, Siddique I, Malik R, Linares GR, Ivanova MI, Ichida J, Weil T, Münch J, Sanchez-Garcia E, Klärner FG, Schrader T, Bitan G. Molecular Tweezers: Supramolecular Hosts with Broad-Spectrum Biological Applications. Pharmacol Rev 2023; 75:263-308. [PMID: 36549866 PMCID: PMC9976797 DOI: 10.1124/pharmrev.122.000654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2022] [Revised: 10/14/2022] [Accepted: 10/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Lysine-selective molecular tweezers (MTs) are supramolecular host molecules displaying a remarkably broad spectrum of biologic activities. MTs act as inhibitors of the self-assembly and toxicity of amyloidogenic proteins using a unique mechanism. They destroy viral membranes and inhibit infection by enveloped viruses, such as HIV-1 and SARS-CoV-2, by mechanisms unrelated to their action on protein self-assembly. They also disrupt biofilm of Gram-positive bacteria. The efficacy and safety of MTs have been demonstrated in vitro, in cell culture, and in vivo, suggesting that these versatile compounds are attractive therapeutic candidates for various diseases, infections, and injuries. A lead compound called CLR01 has been shown to inhibit the aggregation of various amyloidogenic proteins, facilitate their clearance in vivo, prevent infection by multiple viruses, display potent anti-biofilm activity, and have a high safety margin in animal models. The inhibitory effect of CLR01 against amyloidogenic proteins is highly specific to abnormal self-assembly of amyloidogenic proteins with no disruption of normal mammalian biologic processes at the doses needed for inhibition. Therapeutic effects of CLR01 have been demonstrated in animal models of proteinopathies, lysosomal-storage diseases, and spinal-cord injury. Here we review the activity and mechanisms of action of these intriguing compounds and discuss future research directions. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: Molecular tweezers are supramolecular host molecules with broad biological applications, including inhibition of abnormal protein aggregation, facilitation of lysosomal clearance of toxic aggregates, disruption of viral membranes, and interference of biofilm formation by Gram-positive bacteria. This review discusses the molecular and cellular mechanisms of action of the molecular tweezers, including the discovery of distinct mechanisms acting in vitro and in vivo, and the application of these compounds in multiple preclinical disease models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hedieh Shahpasand-Kroner
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine (H.S.-K., I.S., R.M., G.B.), Brain Research Institute (G.B.), and Molecular Biology Institute (G.B.), University of California, Los Angeles, California; Department of Stem Cell Biology & Regenerative Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California (G.R.L., J.I.); Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan (M.I.I.); Institute of Molecular Virology, Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany (T.W., J.M.); and Department of Computational Biochemistry (E.S.-G.) and Faculty of Chemistry (F-G.K., T.S.), University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Ibrar Siddique
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine (H.S.-K., I.S., R.M., G.B.), Brain Research Institute (G.B.), and Molecular Biology Institute (G.B.), University of California, Los Angeles, California; Department of Stem Cell Biology & Regenerative Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California (G.R.L., J.I.); Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan (M.I.I.); Institute of Molecular Virology, Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany (T.W., J.M.); and Department of Computational Biochemistry (E.S.-G.) and Faculty of Chemistry (F-G.K., T.S.), University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Ravinder Malik
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine (H.S.-K., I.S., R.M., G.B.), Brain Research Institute (G.B.), and Molecular Biology Institute (G.B.), University of California, Los Angeles, California; Department of Stem Cell Biology & Regenerative Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California (G.R.L., J.I.); Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan (M.I.I.); Institute of Molecular Virology, Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany (T.W., J.M.); and Department of Computational Biochemistry (E.S.-G.) and Faculty of Chemistry (F-G.K., T.S.), University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Gabriel R Linares
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine (H.S.-K., I.S., R.M., G.B.), Brain Research Institute (G.B.), and Molecular Biology Institute (G.B.), University of California, Los Angeles, California; Department of Stem Cell Biology & Regenerative Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California (G.R.L., J.I.); Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan (M.I.I.); Institute of Molecular Virology, Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany (T.W., J.M.); and Department of Computational Biochemistry (E.S.-G.) and Faculty of Chemistry (F-G.K., T.S.), University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Magdalena I Ivanova
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine (H.S.-K., I.S., R.M., G.B.), Brain Research Institute (G.B.), and Molecular Biology Institute (G.B.), University of California, Los Angeles, California; Department of Stem Cell Biology & Regenerative Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California (G.R.L., J.I.); Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan (M.I.I.); Institute of Molecular Virology, Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany (T.W., J.M.); and Department of Computational Biochemistry (E.S.-G.) and Faculty of Chemistry (F-G.K., T.S.), University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Justin Ichida
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine (H.S.-K., I.S., R.M., G.B.), Brain Research Institute (G.B.), and Molecular Biology Institute (G.B.), University of California, Los Angeles, California; Department of Stem Cell Biology & Regenerative Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California (G.R.L., J.I.); Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan (M.I.I.); Institute of Molecular Virology, Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany (T.W., J.M.); and Department of Computational Biochemistry (E.S.-G.) and Faculty of Chemistry (F-G.K., T.S.), University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Tatjana Weil
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine (H.S.-K., I.S., R.M., G.B.), Brain Research Institute (G.B.), and Molecular Biology Institute (G.B.), University of California, Los Angeles, California; Department of Stem Cell Biology & Regenerative Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California (G.R.L., J.I.); Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan (M.I.I.); Institute of Molecular Virology, Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany (T.W., J.M.); and Department of Computational Biochemistry (E.S.-G.) and Faculty of Chemistry (F-G.K., T.S.), University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Jan Münch
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine (H.S.-K., I.S., R.M., G.B.), Brain Research Institute (G.B.), and Molecular Biology Institute (G.B.), University of California, Los Angeles, California; Department of Stem Cell Biology & Regenerative Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California (G.R.L., J.I.); Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan (M.I.I.); Institute of Molecular Virology, Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany (T.W., J.M.); and Department of Computational Biochemistry (E.S.-G.) and Faculty of Chemistry (F-G.K., T.S.), University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Elsa Sanchez-Garcia
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine (H.S.-K., I.S., R.M., G.B.), Brain Research Institute (G.B.), and Molecular Biology Institute (G.B.), University of California, Los Angeles, California; Department of Stem Cell Biology & Regenerative Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California (G.R.L., J.I.); Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan (M.I.I.); Institute of Molecular Virology, Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany (T.W., J.M.); and Department of Computational Biochemistry (E.S.-G.) and Faculty of Chemistry (F-G.K., T.S.), University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Frank-Gerrit Klärner
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine (H.S.-K., I.S., R.M., G.B.), Brain Research Institute (G.B.), and Molecular Biology Institute (G.B.), University of California, Los Angeles, California; Department of Stem Cell Biology & Regenerative Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California (G.R.L., J.I.); Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan (M.I.I.); Institute of Molecular Virology, Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany (T.W., J.M.); and Department of Computational Biochemistry (E.S.-G.) and Faculty of Chemistry (F-G.K., T.S.), University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Thomas Schrader
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine (H.S.-K., I.S., R.M., G.B.), Brain Research Institute (G.B.), and Molecular Biology Institute (G.B.), University of California, Los Angeles, California; Department of Stem Cell Biology & Regenerative Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California (G.R.L., J.I.); Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan (M.I.I.); Institute of Molecular Virology, Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany (T.W., J.M.); and Department of Computational Biochemistry (E.S.-G.) and Faculty of Chemistry (F-G.K., T.S.), University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Gal Bitan
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine (H.S.-K., I.S., R.M., G.B.), Brain Research Institute (G.B.), and Molecular Biology Institute (G.B.), University of California, Los Angeles, California; Department of Stem Cell Biology & Regenerative Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California (G.R.L., J.I.); Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan (M.I.I.); Institute of Molecular Virology, Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm, Germany (T.W., J.M.); and Department of Computational Biochemistry (E.S.-G.) and Faculty of Chemistry (F-G.K., T.S.), University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
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Wang R, Wang X, Xie S, Zhang Y, Ji D, Zhang X, Cui C, Jiang J, Tan W. Molecular elements: novel approaches for molecular building. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2023; 378:20220024. [PMID: 36633277 PMCID: PMC9835600 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2022.0024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Classically, a molecular element (ME) is a pure substance composed of two or more atoms of the same element. However, MEs, in the context of this review, can be any molecules as elements bonded together into the backbone of synthetic oligonucleotides (ONs) with designed sequences and functions, including natural A, T, C, G, U, and unnatural bases. The use of MEs can facilitate the synthesis of designer molecules and smart materials. In particular, we discuss the landmarks associated with DNA structure and related technologies, as well as the extensive application of ONs, the ideal type of molecules for intervention therapy aimed at correcting disease-causing genetic errors (indels). It is herein concluded that the discovery of ON therapeutics and the fabrication of designer molecules or nanostructures depend on the ME concept that we previously published. Accordingly, ME will be our focal point as we discuss related research directions and perspectives in making molecules and materials. This article is part of the theme issue 'Reactivity and mechanism in chemical and synthetic biology'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruowen Wang
- Institute of Molecular Medicine (IMM), Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200127, People's Republic of China,Molecular Science and Biomedicine Laboratory (MBL), State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, College of Biology, and Aptamer Engineering Center of Hunan Province, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan 410082, People's Republic of China,Department of Chemistry, Department of Physiology and Functional Genomics, Center for Research at Bio/Nano Interface, Health Cancer Center, University of Florida Genetics Institute and McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611-7200, USA
| | - Xueqiang Wang
- Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou Institute of Medicine (HIM), Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310018, People's Republic of China,Molecular Science and Biomedicine Laboratory (MBL), State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, College of Biology, and Aptamer Engineering Center of Hunan Province, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan 410082, People's Republic of China
| | - Sitao Xie
- Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou Institute of Medicine (HIM), Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310018, People's Republic of China,Molecular Science and Biomedicine Laboratory (MBL), State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, College of Biology, and Aptamer Engineering Center of Hunan Province, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan 410082, People's Republic of China
| | - Yanyan Zhang
- Institute of Molecular Medicine (IMM), Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200127, People's Republic of China
| | - Dingkun Ji
- Institute of Molecular Medicine (IMM), Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200127, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaobing Zhang
- Molecular Science and Biomedicine Laboratory (MBL), State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, College of Biology, and Aptamer Engineering Center of Hunan Province, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan 410082, People's Republic of China
| | - Cheng Cui
- Molecular Science and Biomedicine Laboratory (MBL), State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, College of Biology, and Aptamer Engineering Center of Hunan Province, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan 410082, People's Republic of China,Department of Chemistry, Department of Physiology and Functional Genomics, Center for Research at Bio/Nano Interface, Health Cancer Center, University of Florida Genetics Institute and McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611-7200, USA
| | - Jianhui Jiang
- Molecular Science and Biomedicine Laboratory (MBL), State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, College of Biology, and Aptamer Engineering Center of Hunan Province, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan 410082, People's Republic of China
| | - Weihong Tan
- Institute of Molecular Medicine (IMM), Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200127, People's Republic of China,Zhejiang Cancer Hospital, Hangzhou Institute of Medicine (HIM), Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310018, People's Republic of China,Molecular Science and Biomedicine Laboratory (MBL), State Key Laboratory of Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, College of Biology, and Aptamer Engineering Center of Hunan Province, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan 410082, People's Republic of China,Department of Chemistry, Department of Physiology and Functional Genomics, Center for Research at Bio/Nano Interface, Health Cancer Center, University of Florida Genetics Institute and McKnight Brain Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611-7200, USA
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Cas9-mediated replacement of expanded CAG repeats in a pig model of Huntington's disease. Nat Biomed Eng 2023; 7:629-646. [PMID: 36797418 DOI: 10.1038/s41551-023-01007-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2022] [Accepted: 01/20/2023] [Indexed: 02/18/2023]
Abstract
The monogenic nature of Huntington's disease (HD) and other neurodegenerative diseases caused by the expansion of glutamine-encoding CAG repeats makes them particularly amenable to gene therapy. Here we show the feasibility of replacing expanded CAG repeats in the mutant HTT allele with a normal CAG repeat in genetically engineered pigs mimicking the selective neurodegeneration seen in patients with HD. A single intracranial or intravenous injection of adeno-associated virus encoding for Cas9, a single-guide RNA targeting the HTT gene, and donor DNA containing the normal CAG repeat led to the depletion of mutant HTT in the animals and to substantial reductions in the dysregulated expression and neurotoxicity of mutant HTT and in neurological symptoms. Our findings support the further translational development of virally delivered Cas9-based gene therapies for the treatment of genetic neurodegenerative diseases.
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14
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Amanat M, Nemeth CL, Fine AS, Leung DG, Fatemi A. Antisense Oligonucleotide Therapy for the Nervous System: From Bench to Bedside with Emphasis on Pediatric Neurology. Pharmaceutics 2022; 14:2389. [PMID: 36365206 PMCID: PMC9695718 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics14112389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2022] [Revised: 10/26/2022] [Accepted: 11/02/2022] [Indexed: 09/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) are disease-modifying agents affecting protein-coding and noncoding ribonucleic acids. Depending on the chemical modification and the location of hybridization, ASOs are able to reduce the level of toxic proteins, increase the level of functional protein, or modify the structure of impaired protein to improve function. There are multiple challenges in delivering ASOs to their site of action. Chemical modifications in the phosphodiester bond, nucleotide sugar, and nucleobase can increase structural thermodynamic stability and prevent ASO degradation. Furthermore, different particles, including viral vectors, conjugated peptides, conjugated antibodies, and nanocarriers, may improve ASO delivery. To date, six ASOs have been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in three neurological disorders: spinal muscular atrophy, Duchenne muscular dystrophy, and polyneuropathy caused by hereditary transthyretin amyloidosis. Ongoing preclinical and clinical studies are assessing the safety and efficacy of ASOs in multiple genetic and acquired neurological conditions. The current review provides an update on underlying mechanisms, design, chemical modifications, and delivery of ASOs. The administration of FDA-approved ASOs in neurological disorders is described, and current evidence on the safety and efficacy of ASOs in other neurological conditions, including pediatric neurological disorders, is reviewed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Man Amanat
- Moser Center for Leukodystrophies, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Christina L. Nemeth
- Moser Center for Leukodystrophies, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Amena Smith Fine
- Moser Center for Leukodystrophies, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Doris G. Leung
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- Center for Genetic Muscle Disorders, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Ali Fatemi
- Moser Center for Leukodystrophies, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
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15
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Therapeutic Strategies in Huntington’s Disease: From Genetic Defect to Gene Therapy. Biomedicines 2022; 10:biomedicines10081895. [PMID: 36009443 PMCID: PMC9405755 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines10081895] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2022] [Revised: 07/29/2022] [Accepted: 08/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite the identification of an expanded CAG repeat on exon 1 of the huntingtin gene located on chromosome 1 as the genetic defect causing Huntington’s disease almost 30 years ago, currently approved therapies provide only limited symptomatic relief and do not influence the age of onset or disease progression rate. Research has identified various intricate pathogenic cascades which lead to neuronal degeneration, but therapies interfering with these mechanisms have been marked by many failures and remain to be validated. Exciting new opportunities are opened by the emerging techniques which target the mutant protein DNA and RNA, allowing for “gene editing”. Although some issues relating to “off-target” effects or immune-mediated side effects need to be solved, these strategies, combined with stem cell therapies and more traditional approaches targeting specific pathogenic cascades, such as excitotoxicity and bioavailability of neurotrophic factors, could lead to significant improvement of the outcomes of treated Huntington’s disease patients.
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Targeted-Deletion of a Tiny Sequence via Prime Editing to Restore SMN Expression. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23147941. [PMID: 35887289 PMCID: PMC9317564 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23147941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2022] [Revised: 07/13/2022] [Accepted: 07/17/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a devastating autosomal recessive motor neuron disease associated with mutations in the survival motor neuron 1 (SMN1) gene, the leading genetic cause of infant mortality. A nearly identical copy gene (SMN2) is retained in almost all patients with SMA. However, SMN2 fails to prevent disease development because of its alternative splicing, leading to a lack of exon 7 in the majority of SMN2 transcripts and yielding an unstable truncated protein. Several splicing regulatory elements, including intronic splicing silencer-N1 (ISS-N1) of SMN2 have been described. In this study, targeted-deletion of ISS-N1 was achieved using prime editing (PE) in SMA patient-specific induced pluripotent stem cells (SMA-iPSCs) with a high efficiency of 7/24. FL-SMN expression was restored in the targeted-deletion iPS clones and their derived motor neurons (iMNs). Notably, the apoptosis of the iMNs, caused by the loss of SMN protein that leads to the hyperactivity of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, was alleviated in targeted-deletion iPSCs derived-iMNs. Thus, this is the first study to demonstrate that the targeted-deletion of ISS-N1 via PE for restoring FL-SMN expression holds therapeutic promise for SMA.
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Reshetnikov VV, Chirinskaite AV, Sopova JV, Ivanov RA, Leonova EI. Cas-Based Systems for RNA Editing in Gene Therapy of Monogenic Diseases: In Vitro and in Vivo Application and Translational Potential. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:903812. [PMID: 35784464 PMCID: PMC9245891 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.903812] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2022] [Accepted: 05/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Rare genetic diseases reduce quality of life and can significantly shorten the lifespan. There are few effective treatment options for these diseases, and existing therapeutic strategies often represent only supportive or palliative care. Therefore, designing genetic-engineering technologies for the treatment of genetic diseases is urgently needed. Rapid advances in genetic editing technologies based on programmable nucleases and in the engineering of gene delivery systems have made it possible to conduct several dozen successful clinical trials; however, the risk of numerous side effects caused by off-target double-strand breaks limits the use of these technologies in the clinic. Development of adenine-to-inosine (A-to-I) and cytosine-to-uracil (C-to-U) RNA-editing systems based on dCas13 enables editing at the transcriptional level without double-strand breaks in DNA. In this review, we discuss recent progress in the application of these technologies in in vitro and in vivo experiments. The main strategies for improving RNA-editing tools by increasing their efficiency and specificity are described as well. These data allow us to outline the prospects of base-editing systems for clinical application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vasiliy V. Reshetnikov
- Department of Biotechnology, Sirius University of Science and Technology, Sochi, Russia
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - Angelina V. Chirinskaite
- Center of Transgenesis and Genome Editing, St. Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Julia V. Sopova
- Center of Transgenesis and Genome Editing, St. Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg, Russia
- Laboratory of Amyloid Biology, St. Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - Roman A. Ivanov
- Department of Biotechnology, Sirius University of Science and Technology, Sochi, Russia
| | - Elena I. Leonova
- Center of Transgenesis and Genome Editing, St. Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg, Russia
- Scientific Center for Genetics and Life Sciences, Sirius University of Science and Technology, Sochi, Russia
- *Correspondence: Elena I. Leonova,
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Sawa M, Overk C, Becker A, Derse D, Albay R, Weldy K, Salehi A, Beach TG, Doran E, Head E, Yu YE, Mobley WC. Impact of increased APP gene dose in Down syndrome and the Dp16 mouse model. Alzheimers Dement 2022; 18:1203-1234. [PMID: 34757693 PMCID: PMC9085977 DOI: 10.1002/alz.12463] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2021] [Revised: 06/21/2021] [Accepted: 07/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION People with Down syndrome (DS) are predisposed to Alzheimer's disease (AD). The amyloid hypothesis informs studies of AD. In AD-DS, but not sporadic AD, increased APP copy number is necessary, defining the APP gene dose hypothesis. Which amyloid precursor protein (APP) products contribute needs to be determined. METHODS Brain levels of full-length protein (fl-hAPP), C-terminal fragments (hCTFs), and amyloid beta (Aβ) peptides were measured in DS, AD-DS, non-demented controls (ND), and sporadic AD cases. The APP gene-dose hypothesis was evaluated in the Dp16 model. RESULTS DS and AD-DS differed from ND and AD for all APP products. In AD-DS, Aβ42 and Aβ40 levels exceeded AD. APP products were increased in the Dp16 model; increased APP gene dose was necessary for loss of vulnerable neurons, tau pathology, and activation of astrocytes and microglia. DISCUSSION Increases in APP products other than Aβ distinguished AD-DS from AD. Deciphering AD-DS pathogenesis necessitates deciphering which APP products contribute and how.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariko Sawa
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093-0624
| | - Cassia Overk
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093-0624
| | - Ann Becker
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093-0624
| | - Dominique Derse
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093-0624
| | - Ricardo Albay
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093-0624
| | - Kim Weldy
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093-0624
| | - Ahmad Salehi
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, 94305
| | - Thomas G. Beach
- Brain and Body Donation Program, Banner Sun Health Research Institute, Sun City, AZ 85351
| | - Eric Doran
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697
| | - Elizabeth Head
- Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697
| | - Y. Eugene Yu
- The Children’s Guild Foundation Down Syndrome Research Program, Genetics and Genomics Program, Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, Buffalo, NY 14263
| | - William C Mobley
- Department of Neurosciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093-0624,Correspondence to: William Mobley M.D., Department of Neurosciences, UCSD School of Medicine, 9500 Gilman Drive, GPL 355, La Jolla, CA 92093-0624;
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Lukiw WJ. Fission Impossible: Stabilized miRNA-Based Analogs in Neurodegenerative Disease. Front Neurosci 2022; 16:875957. [PMID: 35592255 PMCID: PMC9111010 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.875957] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2022] [Accepted: 04/04/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Walter J. Lukiw
- LSU Neuroscience Center, Louisiana State University Health Science Center, New Orleans, LA, United States
- Department of Ophthalmology, Louisiana State University Health Science Center, New Orleans, LA, United States
- Department of Neurology, Louisiana State University Health Science Center, New Orleans, LA, United States
- *Correspondence: Walter J. Lukiw
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Lopez S, He F. Spinocerebellar Ataxia 36: From Mutations Toward Therapies. Front Genet 2022; 13:837690. [PMID: 35309140 PMCID: PMC8931325 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.837690] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2021] [Accepted: 02/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Spinocerebellar ataxia 36 (SCA36) is a type of repeat expansion-related neurodegenerative disorder identified a decade ago. Like other SCAs, the symptoms of SCA36 include the loss of coordination like gait ataxia and eye movement problems, but motor neuron-related symptoms like muscular atrophy are also present in those patients. The disease is caused by a GGCCTG hexanucleotide repeat expansion in the gene Nop56, and the demographic incidence map showed that this disease was more common among the ethnic groups of Japanese and Spanish descendants. Although the exact mechanisms are still under investigation, the present evidence supports that the expanded repeats may undergo repeat expansion-related non-AUG-initiated translation, and these dipeptide repeat products could be one of the important ways to lead to pathogenesis. Such studies may help develop potential treatments for this disease.
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21
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Powell JE, Lim CKW, Krishnan R, McCallister TX, Saporito-Magriña C, Zeballos MA, McPheron GD, Gaj T. Targeted gene silencing in the nervous system with CRISPR-Cas13. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2022; 8:eabk2485. [PMID: 35044815 PMCID: PMC8769545 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abk2485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2021] [Accepted: 11/24/2021] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
Cas13 nucleases are a class of programmable RNA-targeting CRISPR effector proteins that are capable of silencing target gene expression in mammalian cells. Here, we demonstrate that RfxCas13d, a Cas13 ortholog with favorable characteristics to other family members, can be delivered to the mouse spinal cord and brain to silence neurodegeneration-associated genes. Intrathecally delivering an adeno-associated virus vector encoding an RfxCas13d variant programmed to target superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1), a protein whose mutation can cause amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, reduced SOD1 mRNA and protein in the spinal cord by >50% and improved outcomes in a mouse model of the disorder. We further show that intrastriatally delivering an RfxCas13d variant programmed to target huntingtin (HTT), a protein whose mutation is causative for Huntington’s disease, led to a ~50% reduction in HTT protein in the mouse brain. Our results establish RfxCas13d as a versatile platform for knocking down gene expression in the nervous system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jackson E. Powell
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
| | - Colin K. W. Lim
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
| | - Ramya Krishnan
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
| | | | | | - Maria A. Zeballos
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
| | | | - Thomas Gaj
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
- Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
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22
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Loureiro JR, Castro AF, Figueiredo AS, Silveira I. Molecular Mechanisms in Pentanucleotide Repeat Diseases. Cells 2022; 11:cells11020205. [PMID: 35053321 PMCID: PMC8773600 DOI: 10.3390/cells11020205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2021] [Revised: 01/04/2022] [Accepted: 01/05/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The number of neurodegenerative diseases resulting from repeat expansion has increased extraordinarily in recent years. In several of these pathologies, the repeat can be transcribed in RNA from both DNA strands producing, at least, one toxic RNA repeat that causes neurodegeneration by a complex mechanism. Recently, seven diseases have been found caused by a novel intronic pentanucleotide repeat in distinct genes encoding proteins highly expressed in the cerebellum. These disorders are clinically heterogeneous being characterized by impaired motor function, resulting from ataxia or epilepsy. The role that apparently normal proteins from these mutant genes play in these pathologies is not known. However, recent advances in previously known spinocerebellar ataxias originated by abnormal non-coding pentanucleotide repeats point to a gain of a toxic function by the pathogenic repeat-containing RNA that abnormally forms nuclear foci with RNA-binding proteins. In cells, RNA foci have been shown to be formed by phase separation. Moreover, the field of repeat expansions has lately achieved an extraordinary progress with the discovery that RNA repeats, polyglutamine, and polyalanine proteins are crucial for the formation of nuclear membraneless organelles by phase separation, which is perturbed when they are expanded. This review will cover the amazing advances on repeat diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joana R. Loureiro
- Genetics of Cognitive Dysfunction Laboratory, i3S- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal; (J.R.L.); (A.F.C.); (A.S.F.)
- Institute for Molecular and Cell Biology, Universidade do Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
| | - Ana F. Castro
- Genetics of Cognitive Dysfunction Laboratory, i3S- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal; (J.R.L.); (A.F.C.); (A.S.F.)
- Institute for Molecular and Cell Biology, Universidade do Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
- Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar, Universidade do Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
| | - Ana S. Figueiredo
- Genetics of Cognitive Dysfunction Laboratory, i3S- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal; (J.R.L.); (A.F.C.); (A.S.F.)
- Institute for Molecular and Cell Biology, Universidade do Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
- Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar, Universidade do Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
| | - Isabel Silveira
- Genetics of Cognitive Dysfunction Laboratory, i3S- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal; (J.R.L.); (A.F.C.); (A.S.F.)
- Institute for Molecular and Cell Biology, Universidade do Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +351-2240-8800
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23
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Hirunagi T, Sahashi K, Meilleur KG, Katsuno M. Nucleic Acid-Based Therapeutic Approach for Spinal and Bulbar Muscular Atrophy and Related Neurological Disorders. Genes (Basel) 2022; 13:genes13010109. [PMID: 35052449 PMCID: PMC8775157 DOI: 10.3390/genes13010109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2021] [Revised: 01/01/2022] [Accepted: 01/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The recent advances in nucleic acid therapeutics demonstrate the potential to treat hereditary neurological disorders by targeting their causative genes. Spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy (SBMA) is an X-linked and adult-onset neurodegenerative disorder caused by the expansion of trinucleotide cytosine-adenine-guanine repeats, which encodes a polyglutamine tract in the androgen receptor gene. SBMA belongs to the family of polyglutamine diseases, in which the use of nucleic acids for silencing a disease-causing gene, such as antisense oligonucleotides and small interfering RNAs, has been intensively studied in animal models and clinical trials. A unique feature of SBMA is that both motor neuron and skeletal muscle pathology contribute to disease manifestations, including progressive muscle weakness and atrophy. As both motor neurons and skeletal muscles can be therapeutic targets in SBMA, nucleic acid-based approaches for other motor neuron diseases and myopathies may further lead to the development of a treatment for SBMA. Here, we review studies of nucleic acid-based therapeutic approaches in SBMA and related neurological disorders and discuss current limitations and perspectives to apply these approaches to patients with SBMA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomoki Hirunagi
- Department of Neurology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, 65 Tsurumai-cho, Syowa-ku, Nagoya 466-8550, Japan; (T.H.); (K.S.)
| | - Kentaro Sahashi
- Department of Neurology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, 65 Tsurumai-cho, Syowa-ku, Nagoya 466-8550, Japan; (T.H.); (K.S.)
| | - Katherine G. Meilleur
- Research and Clinical Development, Neuromuscular Development Unit, Biogen, 300, Binney Street, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA;
| | - Masahisa Katsuno
- Department of Neurology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, 65 Tsurumai-cho, Syowa-ku, Nagoya 466-8550, Japan; (T.H.); (K.S.)
- Department of Clinical Research Education, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, 65 Tsurumai-cho, Syowa-ku, Nagoya 466-8550, Japan
- Correspondence:
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24
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Yusuf IH, Garrett A, MacLaren RE, Issa PC. Retinal cadherins and the retinal cadherinopathies: Current concepts and future directions. Prog Retin Eye Res 2022; 90:101038. [DOI: 10.1016/j.preteyeres.2021.101038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2021] [Revised: 12/13/2021] [Accepted: 12/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
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25
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Nobre RJ, Lobo DD, Henriques C, Duarte SP, Lopes SM, Silva AC, Lopes MM, Mariet F, Schwarz LK, Baatje MS, Ferreira V, Vallès A, Pereira de Almeida L, Evers MM, Toonen LJA. MiRNA-Mediated Knockdown of ATXN3 Alleviates Molecular Disease Hallmarks in a Mouse Model for Spinocerebellar Ataxia Type 3. Nucleic Acid Ther 2021; 32:194-205. [PMID: 34878314 PMCID: PMC9221165 DOI: 10.1089/nat.2021.0020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 (SCA3) is a neurodegenerative disorder caused by the expansion of a CAG repeat in the ATXN3 gene. This mutation leads to a toxic gain of function of the ataxin-3 protein, resulting in neuronal dysfunction and atrophy of specific brain regions over time. As ataxin-3 is a dispensable protein in rodents, ataxin-3 knockdown by gene therapy may be a powerful approach for the treatment of SCA3. In this study, we tested the feasibility of an adeno-associated viral (AAV) vector carrying a previously described artificial microRNA against ATXN3 in a striatal mouse model of SCA3. Striatal injection of the AAV resulted in good distribution throughout the striatum, with strong dose-dependent ataxin-3 knockdown. The hallmark intracellular ataxin-3 inclusions were almost completely alleviated by the microRNA-induced ATXN3 knockdown. In addition, the striatal lesion of dopamine- and cAMP-regulated neuronal phosphoprotein (DARPP-32) in the SCA3 mice was rescued by ATXN3 knockdown, indicating functional rescue of neuronal signaling and health upon AAV treatment. Together, these data suggest that microRNA-induced ataxin-3 knockdown is a promising therapeutic strategy in the treatment of SCA3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Jorge Nobre
- Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology (CNC), Molecular Therapy of Brain Disorders Group, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.,Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB), Vectors, Gene and Cell Therapy Group, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.,ViraVector-Viral Vector for Gene Transfer Core Facility and University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.,Institute for Interdisciplinary Research (III), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Diana D Lobo
- Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology (CNC), Molecular Therapy of Brain Disorders Group, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.,Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB), Vectors, Gene and Cell Therapy Group, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.,Institute for Interdisciplinary Research (III), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Carina Henriques
- Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology (CNC), Molecular Therapy of Brain Disorders Group, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.,Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB), Vectors, Gene and Cell Therapy Group, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.,ViraVector-Viral Vector for Gene Transfer Core Facility and University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.,Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Sonia P Duarte
- Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology (CNC), Molecular Therapy of Brain Disorders Group, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.,Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB), Vectors, Gene and Cell Therapy Group, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.,Institute for Interdisciplinary Research (III), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Sara M Lopes
- Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology (CNC), Molecular Therapy of Brain Disorders Group, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.,Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB), Vectors, Gene and Cell Therapy Group, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.,Institute for Interdisciplinary Research (III), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Ana C Silva
- Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology (CNC), Molecular Therapy of Brain Disorders Group, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.,Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB), Vectors, Gene and Cell Therapy Group, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.,Institute for Interdisciplinary Research (III), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Miguel M Lopes
- Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology (CNC), Molecular Therapy of Brain Disorders Group, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.,Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB), Vectors, Gene and Cell Therapy Group, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.,Institute for Interdisciplinary Research (III), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Fanny Mariet
- uniQure Biopharma b.v., Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | | | - M S Baatje
- uniQure Biopharma b.v., Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | | | | | - Luis Pereira de Almeida
- Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology (CNC), Molecular Therapy of Brain Disorders Group, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.,Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB), Vectors, Gene and Cell Therapy Group, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.,ViraVector-Viral Vector for Gene Transfer Core Facility and University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.,Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
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26
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[Disease-modifying treatment approaches in Huntington disease : Past and future]. DER NERVENARZT 2021; 93:179-190. [PMID: 34762178 PMCID: PMC8825394 DOI: 10.1007/s00115-021-01224-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Die Huntington-Krankheit (HK) ist die häufigste monogenetische neurodegenerative Erkrankung und kann bereits im präklinischen Stadium zweifelsfrei diagnostiziert werden, zumindest in allen Fällen, bei denen die CAG-Expansionsmutation im Huntingtin-Gen (HTT) im Bereich der vollen Penetranz liegt. Wichtige Voraussetzungen für eine früh im Krankheitsprozess einsetzende und deshalb den weiteren Verlauf der Krankheit in klinisch relevanter Weise modifizierende Therapie sind damit gegeben und machen die HK zu einer Modellerkrankung für neuroprotektive Behandlungsansätze. In der Vergangenheit lag der Schwerpunkt auf dem Ausgleich vermuteter Neurotransmitterdefizite (GABA) analog zur Parkinson-Erkrankung und auf klassischen neuroprotektiven Strategien zur Beeinflussung hypothetischer gemeinsamer Endstrecken neurodegenerativer Erkrankungen (z. B. Exzitotoxizität, mitochondriale Dysfunktion, oxidativer Stress etc.). Mit der Entdeckung der krankheitsverursachenden HTT-Mutation im Jahr 1993 fokussierte sich die Therapieforschung zunehmend darauf, soweit proximal wie möglich in die pathophysiologische Ereigniskette einzugreifen. Ein wichtiger Ansatzpunkt ist hier die HTT-mRNA mit dem Ziel, die Nachproduktion mutierter Huntingtin-Genprodukte zu senken und damit den Körper von deren schädigenden Auswirkungen zu entlasten; zu diesem Zweck sind verschiedene Behandlungsmodalitäten (einzelsträngige DNA und RNA, divalente RNA und Zinkfinger-Repressorkomplexe, oral verfügbare Spleißmodulatoren) entwickelt worden, die sich in der klinischen Prüfung (Phase I–III) oder in späten Stadien der präklinischen Entwicklung befinden. Zudem zeichnet sich ab, dass es möglich sein könnte, die Länge der somatisch instabilen, d. h. über die Lebenszeit v. a. im Hirngewebe zunehmende CAG-Mutation selbst zu beeinflussen und die Progression der HK hierdurch zu bremsen.
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27
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Vázquez-Mojena Y, León-Arcia K, González-Zaldivar Y, Rodríguez-Labrada R, Velázquez-Pérez L. Gene Therapy for Polyglutamine Spinocerebellar Ataxias: Advances, Challenges, and Perspectives. Mov Disord 2021; 36:2731-2744. [PMID: 34628681 DOI: 10.1002/mds.28819] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2021] [Revised: 09/02/2021] [Accepted: 09/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Polyglutamine spinocerebellar ataxias (SCAs) comprise a heterogeneous group of six autosomal dominant ataxias caused by cytosine-adenine-guanine repeat expansions in the coding region of single genes. Currently, there is no curative or disease-slowing treatment for these disorders, but their monogenic inheritance has informed rationales for development of gene therapy strategies. In fact, RNA interference strategies have shown promising findings in cellular and/or animal models of SCA1, SCA3, SCA6, and SCA7. In addition, antisense oligonucleotide therapy has provided encouraging proofs of concept in models of SCA1, SCA2, SCA3, and SCA7, but they have not yet progressed to clinical trials. On the contrary, the gene editing strategies, such as the clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR/Cas9), have been introduced to a limited extent in these disorders. In this article, we review the available literature about gene therapy in polyglutamine SCAs and discuss the main technological and ethical challenges toward the prospect of their use in future clinical trials. Although antisense oligonucleotide therapies are further along the path to clinical phases, the recent failure of three clinical trials in Huntington's disease may delay their utilization for polyglutamine SCAs, but they offer lessons that could optimize the likelihood of success in potential future clinical studies. © 2021 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.
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28
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CRISPR/Cas9 mediated gene correction ameliorates abnormal phenotypes in spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cells. Transl Psychiatry 2021; 11:479. [PMID: 34535635 PMCID: PMC8448778 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-021-01605-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2021] [Revised: 08/13/2021] [Accepted: 08/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Spinocerebellar ataxia type 3/Machado-Joseph disease (SCA3/MJD) is a progressive autosomal dominant neurodegenerative disease caused by abnormal CAG repeats in the exon 10 of ATXN3. The accumulation of the mutant ataxin-3 proteins carrying expanded polyglutamine (polyQ) leads to selective degeneration of neurons. Since the pathogenesis of SCA3 has not been fully elucidated, and no effective therapies have been identified, it is crucial to investigate the pathogenesis and seek new therapeutic strategies of SCA3. Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) can be used as the ideal cell model for the molecular pathogenesis of polyQ diseases. Abnormal CAG expansions mediated by CRISPR/Cas9 genome engineering technologies have shown promising potential for the treatment of polyQ diseases, including SCA3. In this study, SCA3-iPSCs can be corrected by the replacement of the abnormal CAG expansions (74 CAG) with normal repeats (17 CAG) using CRISPR/Cas9-mediated homologous recombination (HR) strategy. Besides, corrected SCA3-iPSCs retained pluripotent and normal karyotype, which can be differentiated into a neural stem cell (NSCs) and neuronal cells, and maintained electrophysiological characteristics. The expression of differentiation markers and electrophysiological characteristics were similar among the neuronal differentiation from normal control iPSCs (Ctrl-iPSCs), SCA3-iPSCs, and isogenic control SCA3-iPSCs. Furthermore, this study proved that the phenotypic abnormalities in SCA3 neurons, including aggregated IC2-polyQ protein, decreased mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and glutathione expressions, increased reactive oxygen species (ROS), intracellular Ca2+ concentrations, and lipid peroxidase malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, all were rescued in the corrected SCA3-NCs. For the first time, this study demonstrated the feasibility of CRISPR/Cas9-mediated HR strategy to precisely repair SCA3-iPSCs, and reverse the corresponding abnormal disease phenotypes. In addition, the importance of genetic control using CRISPR/Cas9-mediated iPSCs for disease modeling. Our work may contribute to providing a potential ideal model for molecular mechanism research and autologous stem cell therapy of SCA3 or other polyQ diseases, and offer a good gene therapy strategy for future treatment.
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Gkekas I, Gioran A, Boziki MK, Grigoriadis N, Chondrogianni N, Petrakis S. Oxidative Stress and Neurodegeneration: Interconnected Processes in PolyQ Diseases. Antioxidants (Basel) 2021; 10:antiox10091450. [PMID: 34573082 PMCID: PMC8471619 DOI: 10.3390/antiox10091450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2021] [Revised: 09/03/2021] [Accepted: 09/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurodegenerative polyglutamine (polyQ) disorders are caused by trinucleotide repeat expansions within the coding region of disease-causing genes. PolyQ-expanded proteins undergo conformational changes leading to the formation of protein inclusions which are associated with selective neuronal degeneration. Several lines of evidence indicate that these mutant proteins are associated with oxidative stress, proteasome impairment and microglia activation. These events may correlate with the induction of inflammation in the nervous system and disease progression. Here, we review the effect of polyQ-induced oxidative stress in cellular and animal models of polyQ diseases. Furthermore, we discuss the interplay between oxidative stress, neurodegeneration and neuroinflammation using as an example the well-known neuroinflammatory disease, Multiple Sclerosis. Finally, we review some of the pharmaceutical interventions which may delay the onset and progression of polyQ disorders by targeting disease-associated mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ioannis Gkekas
- Institute of Applied Biosciences/Centre for Research and Technology Hellas, 57001 Thessaloniki, Greece;
| | - Anna Gioran
- Institute of Chemical Biology, National Hellenic Research Foundation, 11635 Athens, Greece; (A.G.); (N.C.)
| | - Marina Kleopatra Boziki
- 2nd Neurological Department, AHEPA University General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54636 Thessaloniki, Greece; (M.K.B.); (N.G.)
| | - Nikolaos Grigoriadis
- 2nd Neurological Department, AHEPA University General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54636 Thessaloniki, Greece; (M.K.B.); (N.G.)
| | - Niki Chondrogianni
- Institute of Chemical Biology, National Hellenic Research Foundation, 11635 Athens, Greece; (A.G.); (N.C.)
| | - Spyros Petrakis
- Institute of Applied Biosciences/Centre for Research and Technology Hellas, 57001 Thessaloniki, Greece;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +30-2311257525
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30
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Klabenkova K, Fokina A, Stetsenko D. Chemistry of Peptide-Oligonucleotide Conjugates: A Review. Molecules 2021; 26:5420. [PMID: 34500849 PMCID: PMC8434111 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26175420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2021] [Revised: 08/30/2021] [Accepted: 09/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Peptide-oligonucleotide conjugates (POCs) represent one of the increasingly successful albeit costly approaches to increasing the cellular uptake, tissue delivery, bioavailability, and, thus, overall efficiency of therapeutic nucleic acids, such as, antisense oligonucleotides and small interfering RNAs. This review puts the subject of chemical synthesis of POCs into the wider context of therapeutic oligonucleotides and the problem of nucleic acid drug delivery, cell-penetrating peptide structural types, the mechanisms of their intracellular transport, and the ways of application, which include the formation of non-covalent complexes with oligonucleotides (peptide additives) or covalent conjugation. The main strategies for the synthesis of POCs are viewed in detail, which are conceptually divided into (a) the stepwise solid-phase synthesis approach and (b) post-synthetic conjugation either in solution or on the solid phase, especially by means of various click chemistries. The relative advantages and disadvantages of both strategies are discussed and compared.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristina Klabenkova
- Faculty of Physics, Novosibirsk State University, 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia; (K.K.); (D.S.)
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Russian Academy of Sciences, Siberian Branch, 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - Alesya Fokina
- Faculty of Physics, Novosibirsk State University, 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia; (K.K.); (D.S.)
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Russian Academy of Sciences, Siberian Branch, 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia
| | - Dmitry Stetsenko
- Faculty of Physics, Novosibirsk State University, 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia; (K.K.); (D.S.)
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Russian Academy of Sciences, Siberian Branch, 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia
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31
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Cendelin J, Cvetanovic M, Gandelman M, Hirai H, Orr HT, Pulst SM, Strupp M, Tichanek F, Tuma J, Manto M. Consensus Paper: Strengths and Weaknesses of Animal Models of Spinocerebellar Ataxias and Their Clinical Implications. THE CEREBELLUM 2021; 21:452-481. [PMID: 34378174 DOI: 10.1007/s12311-021-01311-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/21/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Spinocerebellar ataxias (SCAs) represent a large group of hereditary degenerative diseases of the nervous system, in particular the cerebellum, and other systems that manifest with a variety of progressive motor, cognitive, and behavioral deficits with the leading symptom of cerebellar ataxia. SCAs often lead to severe impairments of the patient's functioning, quality of life, and life expectancy. For SCAs, there are no proven effective pharmacotherapies that improve the symptoms or substantially delay disease progress, i.e., disease-modifying therapies. To study SCA pathogenesis and potential therapies, animal models have been widely used and are an essential part of pre-clinical research. They mainly include mice, but also other vertebrates and invertebrates. Each animal model has its strengths and weaknesses arising from model animal species, type of genetic manipulation, and similarity to human diseases. The types of murine and non-murine models of SCAs, their contribution to the investigation of SCA pathogenesis, pathological phenotype, and therapeutic approaches including their advantages and disadvantages are reviewed in this paper. There is a consensus among the panel of experts that (1) animal models represent valuable tools to improve our understanding of SCAs and discover and assess novel therapies for this group of neurological disorders characterized by diverse mechanisms and differential degenerative progressions, (2) thorough phenotypic assessment of individual animal models is required for studies addressing therapeutic approaches, (3) comparative studies are needed to bring pre-clinical research closer to clinical trials, and (4) mouse models complement cellular and invertebrate models which remain limited in terms of clinical translation for complex neurological disorders such as SCAs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Cendelin
- Department of Pathophysiology, Faculty of Medicine in Pilsen, Charles University, alej Svobody 75, 323 00, Plzen, Czech Republic. .,Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Disorders, Biomedical Center, Faculty of Medicine in Pilsen, Charles University, alej Svobody 75, 323 00, Plzen, Czech Republic.
| | - Marija Cvetanovic
- Department of Neuroscience, Institute for Translational Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
| | - Mandi Gandelman
- Department of Neurology, University of Utah, 175 North Medical Drive East, Salt Lake City, UT, 84132, USA
| | - Hirokazu Hirai
- Department of Neurophysiology and Neural Repair, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine, 3-39-22, Gunma, 371-8511, Japan.,Viral Vector Core, Gunma University Initiative for Advanced Research (GIAR), Gunma, 371-8511, Japan
| | - Harry T Orr
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Institute for Translational Neuroscience, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
| | - Stefan M Pulst
- Department of Neurology, University of Utah, 175 North Medical Drive East, Salt Lake City, UT, 84132, USA
| | - Michael Strupp
- Department of Neurology and German Center for Vertigo and Balance Disorders, Hospital of the Ludwig-Maximilians University, Munich, Campus Grosshadern, Marchioninistr. 15, 81377, Munich, Germany
| | - Filip Tichanek
- Department of Pathophysiology, Faculty of Medicine in Pilsen, Charles University, alej Svobody 75, 323 00, Plzen, Czech Republic.,Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Disorders, Biomedical Center, Faculty of Medicine in Pilsen, Charles University, alej Svobody 75, 323 00, Plzen, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Tuma
- Department of Pathophysiology, Faculty of Medicine in Pilsen, Charles University, alej Svobody 75, 323 00, Plzen, Czech Republic.,The Department of Cellular and Integrative Physiology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, MC 7843, San Antonio, TX, 78229, USA
| | - Mario Manto
- Unité des Ataxies Cérébelleuses, Service de Neurologie, CHU-Charleroi, Charleroi, Belgium.,Service des Neurosciences, Université de Mons, UMons, Mons, Belgium
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32
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Mitra S, Gumusgoz E, Minassian BA. Lafora disease: Current biology and therapeutic approaches. Rev Neurol (Paris) 2021; 178:315-325. [PMID: 34301405 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurol.2021.06.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2021] [Revised: 05/21/2021] [Accepted: 06/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The ubiquitin system impacts most cellular processes and is altered in numerous neurodegenerative diseases. However, little is known about its role in neurodegenerative diseases due to disturbances of glycogen metabolism such as Lafora disease (LD). In LD, insufficiently branched and long-chained glycogen forms and precipitates into insoluble polyglucosan bodies (Lafora bodies), which drive neuroinflammation, neurodegeneration and epilepsy. LD is caused by mutations in the gene encoding the glycogen phosphatase laforin or the gene coding for the laforin interacting partner ubiquitin E3 ligase malin. The role of the malin-laforin complex in regulating glycogen structure remains with full of gaps. In this review we bring together the disparate body of data on these two proteins and propose a mechanistic hypothesis of the disease in which malin-laforin's role to monitor and prevent over-elongation of glycogen branch chains, which drive glycogen molecules to precipitate and accumulate into Lafora bodies. We also review proposed connections between Lafora bodies and the ensuing neuroinflammation, neurodegeneration and intractable epilepsy. Finally, we review the exciting activities in developing therapies for Lafora disease based on replacing the missing genes, slowing the enzyme - glycogen synthase - that over-elongates glycogen branches, and introducing enzymes that can digest Lafora bodies. Much more work is needed to fill the gaps in glycogen metabolism in which laforin and malin operate. However, knowledge appears already adequate to advance disease course altering therapies for this catastrophic fatal disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Mitra
- Division of Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Boulevard, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - E Gumusgoz
- Division of Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Boulevard, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - B A Minassian
- Division of Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Boulevard, Dallas, TX 75390, USA.
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Genomic Mosaicism Formed by Somatic Variation in the Aging and Diseased Brain. Genes (Basel) 2021; 12:genes12071071. [PMID: 34356087 PMCID: PMC8305509 DOI: 10.3390/genes12071071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2021] [Revised: 07/09/2021] [Accepted: 07/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Over the past 20 years, analyses of single brain cell genomes have revealed that the brain is composed of cells with myriad distinct genomes: the brain is a genomic mosaic, generated by a host of DNA sequence-altering processes that occur somatically and do not affect the germline. As such, these sequence changes are not heritable. Some processes appear to occur during neurogenesis, when cells are mitotic, whereas others may also function in post-mitotic cells. Here, we review multiple forms of DNA sequence alterations that have now been documented: aneuploidies and aneusomies, smaller copy number variations (CNVs), somatic repeat expansions, retrotransposons, genomic cDNAs (gencDNAs) associated with somatic gene recombination (SGR), and single nucleotide variations (SNVs). A catch-all term of DNA content variation (DCV) has also been used to describe the overall phenomenon, which can include multiple forms within a single cell’s genome. A requisite step in the analyses of genomic mosaicism is ongoing technology development, which is also discussed. Genomic mosaicism alters one of the most stable biological molecules, DNA, which may have many repercussions, ranging from normal functions including effects of aging, to creating dysfunction that occurs in neurodegenerative and other brain diseases, most of which show sporadic presentation, unlinked to causal, heritable genes.
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34
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Harris A. Human molecular genetics and the long road to treating cystic fibrosis. Hum Mol Genet 2021; 30:R264-R273. [PMID: 34245257 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddab191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2021] [Revised: 07/04/2021] [Accepted: 07/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The causative gene in cystic fibrosis was identified in 1989, three years before the publication of the first issue of Human Molecular Genetics. CFTR was among the first genes underlying a common inherited disorder to be cloned, and hence its subsequent utilization towards a cure for CF provides a roadmap for other monogenic diseases. Over the past 30 years the advances that built upon knowledge of the gene and the CFTR protein to develop effective therapeutics have been remarkable, and yet the setbacks have also been challenging. Technological progress in other fields has often circumvented the barriers. This review focuses on key aspects of CF diagnostics and current approaches to develop new therapies for all CFTR mutations. It also highlights the major research advances that underpinned progress towards treatments, and considers the remaining obstacles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ann Harris
- Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, 44106, USA
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35
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Azeggagh S, Berwick DC. The development of inhibitors of leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) as a therapeutic strategy for Parkinson's disease: the current state of play. Br J Pharmacol 2021; 179:1478-1495. [PMID: 34050929 DOI: 10.1111/bph.15575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2021] [Revised: 05/14/2021] [Accepted: 05/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Current therapeutic approaches for Parkinson's disease (PD) are based around treatments that alleviate symptoms but do not slow or prevent disease progression. As such, alternative strategies are needed. A promising approach is the use of molecules that reduce the function of leucine-rich repeat kinase (LRRK2). Gain-of-function mutations in LRRK2 account for a notable proportion of familial Parkinson's disease cases, and significantly, elevated LRRK2 kinase activity is reported in idiopathic Parkinson's disease. Here, we describe progress in finding therapeutically effective LRRK2 inhibitors, summarising studies that range from in vitro experiments to clinical trials. LRRK2 is a complex protein with two enzymatic activities and a myriad of functions. This creates opportunities for a rich variety of strategies and also increases the risk of unintended consequences. We comment on the strength and limitations of the different approaches and conclude that with two molecules under clinical trial and a diversity of alternative options in the pipeline, there is cause for optimism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonia Azeggagh
- School of Life, Health and Chemical Sciences, The Open University, Milton Keynes, UK
| | - Daniel C Berwick
- Institute of Medical and Biomedical Education, St George's, University of London, London, UK
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36
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Molecular pathogenesis of spinal bulbar muscular atrophy (Kennedy's disease) and avenues for treatment. Curr Opin Neurol 2021; 33:629-634. [PMID: 32773451 DOI: 10.1097/wco.0000000000000856] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW The aim of this study was to illustrate the current understanding and avenues for developing treatment in spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy (SBMA), an inherited neuromuscular disorder caused by a CAG trinucleotide repeat expansion in the androgen receptor (AR) gene. RECENT FINDINGS Important advances have been made in characterizing the molecular mechanism of the disease, including the disruption of protein homeostasis, intracellular trafficking and signalling pathways. Biomarkers such as MRI quantification of muscle volume and fat fraction have been used to track disease progression, and will be useful in future clinical studies. Therapies tested and under development have been based on diverse strategies, including targeting mutant AR gene expression, stability and activity, and pathways that mitigate disease toxicity. SUMMARY We provide an overview of the recent advances in understanding the SBMA disease mechanism and highlight efforts to translate these insights into well tolerated and effective therapy.
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37
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Mather RL, Parolia A, Carson SE, Venalainen E, Roig-Carles D, Jaber M, Chu SC, Alborelli I, Wu R, Lin D, Nabavi N, Jachetti E, Colombo MP, Xue H, Pucci P, Ci X, Hawkes C, Li Y, Pandha H, Ulitsky I, Marconett C, Quagliata L, Jiang W, Romero I, Wang Y, Crea F. The evolutionarily conserved long non-coding RNA LINC00261 drives neuroendocrine prostate cancer proliferation and metastasis via distinct nuclear and cytoplasmic mechanisms. Mol Oncol 2021; 15:1921-1941. [PMID: 33793068 PMCID: PMC8253100 DOI: 10.1002/1878-0261.12954] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2020] [Revised: 01/21/2021] [Accepted: 03/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Metastatic neuroendocrine prostate cancer (NEPC) is a highly aggressive disease, whose incidence is rising. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) represent a large family of disease- and tissue-specific transcripts, most of which are still functionally uncharacterized. Thus, we set out to identify the highly conserved lncRNAs that play a central role in NEPC pathogenesis. To this end, we performed transcriptomic analyses of donor-matched patient-derived xenograft models (PDXs) with immunohistologic features of prostate adenocarcinoma (AR+ /PSA+ ) or NEPC (AR- /SYN+ /CHGA+ ) and through differential expression analyses identified lncRNAs that were upregulated upon neuroendocrine transdifferentiation. These genes were prioritized for functional assessment based on the level of conservation in vertebrates. Here, LINC00261 emerged as the top gene with over 3229-fold upregulation in NEPC. Consistently, LINC00261 expression was significantly upregulated in NEPC specimens in multiple patient cohorts. Knockdown of LINC00261 in PC-3 cells dramatically attenuated its proliferative and metastatic abilities, which are explained by parallel downregulation of CBX2 and FOXA2 through distinct molecular mechanisms. In the cell cytoplasm, LINC00261 binds to and sequesters miR-8485 from targeting the CBX2 mRNA, while inside the nucleus, LINC00261 functions as a transcriptional scaffold to induce SMAD-driven expression of the FOXA2 gene. For the first time, these results demonstrate hyperactivation of the LINC00261-CBX2-FOXA2 axes in NEPC to drive proliferation and metastasis, and that LINC00261 may be utilized as a therapeutic target and a biomarker for this incurable disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca L Mather
- Cancer Research Group-School of Life Health and Chemical Sciences, The Open University, Milton Keynes, UK
| | - Abhijit Parolia
- Michigan Center for Translational Pathology, Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Sandra E Carson
- Michigan Center for Translational Pathology, Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Erik Venalainen
- Experimental Therapeutics, BC Cancer Research Centre, Vancouver, Canada
| | - David Roig-Carles
- Cancer Research Group-School of Life Health and Chemical Sciences, The Open University, Milton Keynes, UK
| | - Mustapha Jaber
- Michigan Center for Translational Pathology, Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Shih-Chun Chu
- Michigan Center for Translational Pathology, Department of Pathology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | | | - Rebecca Wu
- Experimental Therapeutics, BC Cancer Research Centre, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Dong Lin
- Experimental Therapeutics, BC Cancer Research Centre, Vancouver, Canada.,The Vancouver Prostate Centre, Vancouver General Hospital, Vancouver, Canada.,Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Noushin Nabavi
- Experimental Therapeutics, BC Cancer Research Centre, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Elena Jachetti
- Molecular Immunology Unit, Department of Research, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milano, Italy
| | - Mario P Colombo
- Molecular Immunology Unit, Department of Research, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale Tumori, Milano, Italy
| | - Hui Xue
- Experimental Therapeutics, BC Cancer Research Centre, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Perla Pucci
- Cancer Research Group-School of Life Health and Chemical Sciences, The Open University, Milton Keynes, UK
| | - Xinpei Ci
- The Vancouver Prostate Centre, Vancouver General Hospital, Vancouver, Canada.,Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Cheryl Hawkes
- Cancer Research Group-School of Life Health and Chemical Sciences, The Open University, Milton Keynes, UK
| | - Yinglei Li
- Medical Research Institute, School of Medicine, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Hardev Pandha
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Science, University of Surrey, Guildford, UK
| | - Igor Ulitsky
- Department of Biological Regulation, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Crystal Marconett
- Departments of Surgery, Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, Norris Cancer Center, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Luca Quagliata
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Basel, Switzerland
| | - Wei Jiang
- Medical Research Institute, School of Medicine, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Ignacio Romero
- Cancer Research Group-School of Life Health and Chemical Sciences, The Open University, Milton Keynes, UK
| | - Yuzhuo Wang
- Experimental Therapeutics, BC Cancer Research Centre, Vancouver, Canada.,The Vancouver Prostate Centre, Vancouver General Hospital, Vancouver, Canada.,Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Francesco Crea
- Cancer Research Group-School of Life Health and Chemical Sciences, The Open University, Milton Keynes, UK
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Hamashita Y, Shibata T, Takeuchi A, Okuno T, Kise N, Sakurai T. Inchworm-type PNA-PEG conjugate regulates gene expression based on single nucleotide recognition. Int J Biol Macromol 2021; 181:471-477. [PMID: 33798568 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2021.03.140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2021] [Accepted: 03/23/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
In order to detect single nucleotide mutations and suppress gene expression, we synthesized an artificial nucleic acid, an inchworm-type PNA-PEG conjugate (i-PPc), that possessed a chemical structure in which 8 residues of peptide nucleic acid (PNA) were linked to both ends of a polyethylene glycol molecule. I-PPc_T7FM, which forms a complementary strand with the T7 promoter region of luciferase-expressing mRNA, failed to suppress the amount of luciferase produced via gene expression. However, 10 μM of i-PPc_ATGFM, targeting the start codon of luciferase (Luc+), suppressed approximately 85% of Luc+ production compared to that of the control in the cell-free protein synthesis system. Moreover, i-PPc_ATGMM (i-PPc_ATGFM with a single base mutation) only suppressed the amount of luciferase produced by approximately 15%, and such suppression of luciferase expression has not been achieved with block-type PPc or PNA oligos. The thermodynamic parameters suggested that the difference in stability of each PNA segment of the i-PPc contributed to single nucleotide recognition. These results indicate that the i-PPc could be used in antisense therapy to target single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP).
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Affiliation(s)
- Yusuke Hamashita
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Engineering, Tottori University, 4-101 Koyama-Cho Minami, Tottori 680-8552, Japan
| | - Takahiro Shibata
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Engineering, Tottori University, 4-101 Koyama-Cho Minami, Tottori 680-8552, Japan
| | - Akiko Takeuchi
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Engineering, Tottori University, 4-101 Koyama-Cho Minami, Tottori 680-8552, Japan
| | - Takashi Okuno
- Faculty of Science, Yamagata University, 1-4-12 Kojirakawa, Yamagata, 990-8560, Japan
| | - Naoki Kise
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Engineering, Tottori University, 4-101 Koyama-Cho Minami, Tottori 680-8552, Japan; Center for Research on Green Sustainable Chemistry, Tottori University, 4-101 Koyama-Cho Minami, Tottori 680-8552, Japan
| | - Toshihiko Sakurai
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Engineering, Tottori University, 4-101 Koyama-Cho Minami, Tottori 680-8552, Japan; Center for Research on Green Sustainable Chemistry, Tottori University, 4-101 Koyama-Cho Minami, Tottori 680-8552, Japan.
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39
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Genetic counseling and testing practices for late-onset neurodegenerative disease: a systematic review. J Neurol 2021; 269:676-692. [PMID: 33649871 PMCID: PMC7920548 DOI: 10.1007/s00415-021-10461-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2020] [Revised: 02/10/2021] [Accepted: 02/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Objective To understand contemporary genetic counseling and testing practices for late-onset neurodegenerative diseases (LONDs), and identify whether practices address the internationally accepted goals of genetic counseling: interpretation, counseling, education, and support. Methods Four databases were systematically searched for articles published from 2009 to 2020. Peer-reviewed research articles in English that reported research and clinical genetic counseling and testing practices for LONDs were included. A narrative synthesis was conducted to describe different practices and map genetic counseling activities to the goals. Risk of bias was assessed using the Qualsyst tool. The protocol was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42019121421). Results Sixty-one studies from 68 papers were included. Most papers focused on predictive testing (58/68) and Huntington’s disease (41/68). There was variation between papers in study design, study population, outcomes, interventions, and settings. Although there were commonalities, novel and inconsistent genetic counseling practices were identified. Eighteen papers addressed all four goals of genetic counseling. Conclusion Contemporary genetic counseling and testing practices for LONDs are varied and informed by regional differences and the presence of different health providers. A flexible, multidisciplinary, client- and family-centered care continues to emerge. As genetic testing becomes a routine part of care for patients (and their relatives), health providers must balance their limited time and resources with ensuring clients are safely and effectively counseled, and all four genetic counseling goals are addressed. Areas of further research include diagnostic and reproductive genetic counseling/testing practices, evaluations of novel approaches to care, and the role and use of different health providers in practice. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00415-021-10461-5.
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Selective suppression of polyglutamine-expanded protein by lipid nanoparticle-delivered siRNA targeting CAG expansions in the mouse CNS. MOLECULAR THERAPY. NUCLEIC ACIDS 2021; 24:1-10. [PMID: 33738134 PMCID: PMC7937577 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2021.02.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2020] [Accepted: 02/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Polyglutamine (polyQ) diseases are inherited neurodegenerative disorders caused by expansion of cytosine-adenine-guanine (CAG)-trinucleotide repeats in causative genes. These diseases include spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy (SBMA), Huntington’s disease, dentatorubral-pallidoluysian atrophy, and spinocerebellar ataxias. Targeting expanded CAG repeats is a common therapeutic approach to polyQ diseases, but concomitant silencing of genes with normal CAG repeats may lead to toxicity. Previous studies have shown that CAG repeat-targeting small interfering RNA duplexes (CAG-siRNAs) have the potential to selectively suppress mutant proteins in in vitro cell models of polyQ diseases. However, in vivo application of these siRNAs has not yet been investigated. In this study, we demonstrate that an unlocked nucleic acid (UNA)-modified CAG-siRNA shows high selectivity for polyQ-expanded androgen receptor (AR) inhibition in in vitro cell models and that lipid nanoparticle (LNP)-mediated delivery of the CAG-siRNA selectively suppresses mutant AR in the central nervous system of an SBMA mouse model. In addition, a subcutaneous injection of the LNP-delivered CAG-siRNA efficiently suppresses mutant AR in the skeletal muscle of the SBMA mouse model. These results support the therapeutic potential of LNP-delivered UNA-modified CAG-siRNAs for selective suppression of mutant proteins in SBMA and other polyQ diseases.
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41
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Aghaizu ND, Jin H, Whiting PJ. Dysregulated Wnt Signalling in the Alzheimer's Brain. Brain Sci 2020; 10:E902. [PMID: 33255414 PMCID: PMC7761504 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci10120902] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2020] [Revised: 11/16/2020] [Accepted: 11/21/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The Wnt signalling system is essential for both the developing and adult central nervous system. It regulates numerous cellular functions ranging from neurogenesis to blood brain barrier biology. Dysregulated Wnt signalling can thus have significant consequences for normal brain function, which is becoming increasingly clear in Alzheimer's disease (AD), an age-related neurodegenerative disorder that is the most prevalent form of dementia. AD exhibits a range of pathophysiological manifestations including aberrant amyloid precursor protein processing, tau pathology, synapse loss, neuroinflammation and blood brain barrier breakdown, which have been associated to a greater or lesser degree with abnormal Wnt signalling. Here we provide a comprehensive overview of the role of Wnt signalling in the CNS, and the research that implicates dysregulated Wnt signalling in the ageing brain and in AD pathogenesis. We also discuss the opportunities for therapeutic intervention in AD via modulation of the Wnt signalling pathway, and highlight some of the challenges and the gaps in our current understanding that need to be met to enable that goal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nozie D. Aghaizu
- UK Dementia Research Institute at University College London, Cruciform Building, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK;
| | - Hanqing Jin
- UK Dementia Research Institute at University College London, Cruciform Building, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK;
| | - Paul J. Whiting
- UK Dementia Research Institute at University College London, Cruciform Building, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK;
- ARUK Drug Discovery Institute (DDI), University College London, Cruciform Building, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK
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42
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New developments in Huntington's disease and other triplet repeat diseases: DNA repair turns to the dark side. Neuronal Signal 2020; 4:NS20200010. [PMID: 33224521 PMCID: PMC7672267 DOI: 10.1042/ns20200010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2020] [Revised: 10/28/2020] [Accepted: 10/30/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Huntington’s disease (HD) is a fatal, inherited neurodegenerative disease that causes neuronal death, particularly in medium spiny neurons. HD leads to serious and progressive motor, cognitive and psychiatric symptoms. Its genetic basis is an expansion of the CAG triplet repeat in the HTT gene, leading to extra glutamines in the huntingtin protein. HD is one of nine genetic diseases in this polyglutamine (polyQ) category, that also includes a number of inherited spinocerebellar ataxias (SCAs). Traditionally it has been assumed that HD age of onset and disease progression were solely the outcome of age-dependent exposure of neurons to toxic effects of the inherited mutant huntingtin protein. However, recent genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have revealed significant effects of genetic variants outside of HTT. Surprisingly, these variants turn out to be mostly in genes encoding DNA repair factors, suggesting that at least some disease modulation occurs at the level of the HTT DNA itself. These DNA repair proteins are known from model systems to promote ongoing somatic CAG repeat expansions in tissues affected by HD. Thus, for triplet repeats, some DNA repair proteins seem to abandon their normal genoprotective roles and, instead, drive expansions and accelerate disease. One attractive hypothesis—still to be proven rigorously—is that somatic HTT expansions augment the disease burden of the inherited allele. If so, therapeutic approaches that lower levels of huntingtin protein may need blending with additional therapies that reduce levels of somatic CAG repeat expansions to achieve maximal effect.
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43
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DRPLA: understanding the natural history and developing biomarkers to accelerate therapeutic trials in a globally rare repeat expansion disorder. J Neurol 2020; 268:3031-3041. [PMID: 33106889 PMCID: PMC8289787 DOI: 10.1007/s00415-020-10218-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2020] [Revised: 09/02/2020] [Accepted: 09/03/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Dentatorubral–pallidoluysian atrophy (DRPLA) is a rare neurodegenerative disorder caused by CAG repeat expansions in the atrophin-1 gene and is inherited in an autosomal dominant fashion. There are currently no disease-modifying treatments available. The broad development of therapies for DRPLA, as well as other similar rare diseases, has hit a roadblock due to the rarity of the condition and the wide global distribution of patients and families, consequently inhibiting biomarker development and therapeutic research. Considering the shifting focus towards diverse populations, widespread genetic testing, rapid advancements in the development of clinical and wet biomarkers for Huntington’s disease (HD), and the ongoing clinical trials for antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) therapies, the prospect of developing effective treatments in rare disorders has completely changed. The awareness of the HD ASO program has prompted global collaboration for rare disorders in natural history studies and the development of biomarkers, with the eventual goal of undergoing treatment trials. Here, we discuss DRPLA, which shares similarities with HD, and how in this and other repeat expansion disorders, neurogenetics groups like ours at UCL are gearing up for forthcoming natural history studies to accelerate future ASO treatment trials to hopefully emulate the progress seen in HD.
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44
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Neves-Carvalho A, Duarte-Silva S, Teixeira-Castro A, Maciel P. Polyglutamine spinocerebellar ataxias: emerging therapeutic targets. Expert Opin Ther Targets 2020; 24:1099-1119. [PMID: 32962458 DOI: 10.1080/14728222.2020.1827394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Six of the most frequent dominantly inherited spinocerebellar ataxias (SCAs) worldwide - SCA1, SCA2, SCA3, SCA6, SCA7, and SCA17 - are caused by an expansion of a polyglutamine (polyQ) tract in the corresponding proteins. While the identification of the causative mutation has advanced knowledge on the pathogenesis of polyQ SCAs, effective therapeutics able to mitigate the severe clinical manifestation of these highly incapacitating disorders are not yet available. AREAS COVERED This review provides a comprehensive and critical perspective on well-established and emerging therapeutic targets for polyQ SCAs; it aims to inspire prospective drug discovery efforts. EXPERT OPINION The landscape of polyQ SCAs therapeutic targets and strategies includes (1) the mutant genes and proteins themselves, (2) enhancement of endogenous protein quality control responses, (3) abnormal protein-protein interactions of the mutant proteins, (4) disturbed neuronal function, (5) mitochondrial function, energy availability and oxidative stress, and (6) glial dysfunction, growth factor or hormone imbalances. Challenges include gaining a clearer definition of therapeutic targets for the drugs in clinical development, the discovery of novel drug-like molecules for challenging key targets, and the attainment of a stronger translation of preclinical findings to the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreia Neves-Carvalho
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho , Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory , Braga, Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Sara Duarte-Silva
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho , Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory , Braga, Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Andreia Teixeira-Castro
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho , Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory , Braga, Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Patrícia Maciel
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, University of Minho , Braga, Portugal.,ICVS/3B's - PT Government Associate Laboratory , Braga, Guimarães, Portugal
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Mühlbäck A, Lindenberg KS, Saft C, Priller J, Landwehrmeyer GB. [Gene-selective treatment approaches for Huntington's disease]. DER NERVENARZT 2020; 91:303-311. [PMID: 32179957 DOI: 10.1007/s00115-020-00882-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
In Germany at least 8000 and probably up to ca. 14,000 people currently suffer from clinically manifest Huntington's disease (HD). In addition, an estimated 24,000 Germans carry the HD mutation in the huntingtin (HTT) gene and will develop HD during their lifetime. Although HD is a rare neurodegenerative disease, it is currently in the focus of general medical interest: clinical trials have begun that provide a rational basis for hope to slow down the so far relentless progression of the disease, ultimately resulting in patients becoming entirely dependent on nursing care. If treatment is started early enough it may be possible to mitigate the clinical manifestation of HD. These innovative therapeutic approaches aim at inhibiting the de novo production of mutant HTT gene products. A first clinical drug trial to demonstrate the efficacy (phase III) of intrathecal antisense oligonucleotides (ASO, active substance RG6042) was started in 2019. Additional clinical studies on alternative treatment approaches with allele-selective ASOs as well as gene therapeutic approaches using RNA molecules and zinc finger repressor complexes are imminent. This article gives an overview of the current gene-selective therapeutic approaches in HD under discussion.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Mühlbäck
- Abteilung Neurologie, Universitätsklinikum Ulm, Oberer Eselsberg 45/1, 89081, Ulm, Deutschland.,Klinik für Neurologie und Zentrum für klinische Neurowissenschaften, 1. Medizinische Fakultät, Karlsuniversität, Prag, Tschechien
| | - K S Lindenberg
- Abteilung Neurologie, Universitätsklinikum Ulm, Oberer Eselsberg 45/1, 89081, Ulm, Deutschland
| | - C Saft
- Huntington-Zentrum NRW, Neurologische Klinik der Ruhr-Universität Bochum, St. Josef-Hospital, Bochum, Deutschland
| | - J Priller
- Klinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Deutschland
| | - G B Landwehrmeyer
- Abteilung Neurologie, Universitätsklinikum Ulm, Oberer Eselsberg 45/1, 89081, Ulm, Deutschland.
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